Early Ordinary Days of Summer

Up to see the sunrise, sunflowers in the kitchen, and an afternoon drive are all part of these early ordinary days of summer.

A coffee on the porch, a new summer bag (treated myself!), and enjoying the blooming roses after the rain have made me smile this week. 

I take walks when it's not too hot and we enjoy chocolate cake, because you NEVER need a reason for that!

Have a happy weekend friends! 

I hope you are enjoying these early days of summer! Xx

Summer Reading

Ever since John was in first grade we've done his summer reading together.  He's never been a lover of books, especially when he's not in charge of what he's reading.  There are ALWAYS complaints and no doubt a google search to see if there's a movie.  

The only exception I can think of is the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series which he really enjoyed and read for pure enjoyment!  That was a happy day when I came into the kitchen and saw him sitting at the table reading.  He read all the books on his own, but once he was done, so was his desire to read. 

I've always tried to set a good example for him as Rob and I are both avid readers.  I wish he would only give himself a chance to have that feeling of being lost in a book.  The feeling like you don't want to put it down and once you do...the only thing you can think about is picking it up again.  It's something TV or movies can't do because the world created is in your own imagination.  "Is there a movie?" he asks again... sigh. 

Because of his lack of desire to read, I've always read the books with him.  We read out loud to each other, taking turns. I want to be sure that he's actually reading and not leaving it until the last week of summer vacation. And also because normally they are very good stories that we can talk about. It's always a struggle to get started, but once we do we're off and running!  Some of our favorites over the last few years have been Wonder, Mrs. Bixby's Last Day, and Ghost.  All excellent books that we both enjoyed and had very good discussions about.

This year he has to read 3 books.  We started the first one the other night.  I was surprised John wanted to start so soon into summer vacation but he urged me to get the books so we could get started.  I took the list to the bookstore (which was open!!) to collect what we needed.  We started the first book the other night.  I'm realizing that as John is getting older he's enjoying our reading sessions more and more.  I am too.  And not because of the books.  Don't get me wrong, the books are great, but what's even better is the time we get to spend together reading. We set aside an hour every day (usually after dinner) to read.  In between chapters we recap and discuss what's happened.  It's fun to read with him and get his perspective.  There's no TV or electronics on.  It's just him and me....and a book. 

I hope one day I'll walk in his room to find him nose deep in a book all on his own.  One can only hope.  But until then I'll cherish this special time we have together reading. It's not a chore.  It's a privilege.  

By the way, the book we are reading is called I Will Always Write Back and it's wonderful! 

 

10 Things I Love Thursday ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I read a quote the other day that said "Comparison is the thief of joy" and it really stuck with me.  It's so easy, especially on the internet, to go down a rabbit hole of comparing yourself and your life with others. I'm not going to lie, I've been guilty of it myself.  It's important to remember that what we see online is not always real.  We are seeing what other people want us to see.

Don't let yourself get caught up in other people's perfect homes or perfect lives.  Things aren't always what they seem.  However, do allow yourself to be inspired.  Also remember to be thankful for the little things in life. 

I think Oprah says is best.... 

That being said, here are 10 random things I love.  

I haven't done one of these posts in a while and I've been missing it. 

 It's a reminder for me that it's the little things in life that bring me the most joy.

that first sip of hot coffee in the morning

chocolate dipped frozen bananas (that I have stashed in my freezer : ) 

blooming peonies 

the movie Under the Tuscan Sun

pasta with tomatoes, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese (an easy summer favorite!) 

Hallmark movies (especially the Christmas ones) 

pink tinted lip balm

fruit salad with fresh whip cream on top 

the first nights sleep with fresh sheets on the bed

the Netflix show Fuller House, which I'm currently binging! (don't knock it till you try it : ) 

♥

What is making you happy lately? 

Have a wonderful day, my friends.  Tomorrow is Friday and I'm getting a haircut!!! First one since March!  Now THAT makes me happy!  

Happy Monday! ♥

Hello Friends!  ♥

I hope this Monday morning finds you well and you all had a restful weekend.   We are experiencing some beautiful weather here in Massachusetts.  Today is 70 degrees and sunny! 

 That with my morning coffee is making me smile today. 

There is never enough coffee.....am I right? 

Over the weekend we treated ourselves to jelly donuts and ice coffees.  A habit we need to break but it's sooooo hard! 

#treatyourself has become my daily motto! (or excuse:)

Last week seemed to fly by in a blink.  For me the highlight was getting my new slippers in the mail that I ordered from Kohls.com.  They are Isotoners and so comfortable.  They are on my feet all day!

It's the little things that make me happy : )  

On Tuesday we went to John's school to return books and clean out his locker.  As of Friday he's officially on summer break!  Yahoooo!  The year certainly didn't go as planned but I'm proud of him for doing so well under the circumstances.  It will be interesting to see what next year brings.  He'll be in 8th grade and it will be his last year at this school before moving on to high school.  Just thinking about that makes me want to cry.  

It's going to be an emotional year (for me! : ) 

On Saturday we enjoyed a socially distanced lunch with my in laws in their gorgeous back yard! 

It was lovely to catch up with good food in a beautiful setting.  

Things are getting a little better here these days, so I'm thankful we can start visiting family again! 

Meanwhile back at home.... cookies, cookies, cookies  ♥

And this candle, which I'm obsessed with! 

Finding little moments of peace within my day is essential.  This was one of them. 

And here's something I've been dying to share with you.  A quick dessert with only 2 ingredients.  

Frozen puff pastry and canned pie filling.

Roll out the pastry and add the filling (I used cherry) to the middle.  Then wrap up the sides like you are making a gallet.  Brush with a little water and bake at 350 for 40 minutes! 

 It's like pie when you don't have time to make a pie!  SOOOOO GOOD! 

Have a wonderful Monday Everyone!  ♥

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have sunshine today! 

XO 

5 Alternate Fantasy Lives ♥

In Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way, she suggests a fun exercise that I've been wanting to try. 

Jot down 5 alternate fantasy lives that pop in your head.  Nothing is too far fetched or outlandish.  What have you always wanted to be?  Remember this is just a fantasy.  

Thinking about this for about 2 minutes here are mine:

1. Librarian.  I've always had a fantasy of working in a library.  I would know every author and title by heart and I would come home from work every day smelling like old books.  I may or may not wear my hair in a bun and ditch my contacts for black rimmed glasses.  A look I've always wanted to try.

2. Museum Curator.  One of my favorite places in Boston is the Museum of Fine Arts.  Every spring  I make a date with myself and spend an afternoon at the museum.  I like to go alone because I can go at my own pace and take in all the beautiful artwork with out distraction. I've always wondered what it would be like to work in a museum and organize the exhibits.  Imagine the education I would be getting everyday. I would be a walking encyclopedia, with I'm certain, a fabulous wardrobe.  Have you ever seen a museum worker that didn't? 

3. The English Countryside: This is a biggie.  I've always had a fantasy of living in a quaint, cozy, country, cottage in England, like Kate Winselt in The Holiday.  Every time I see that movie I want to pack my bags and move to Surrey. How lovely a life it would be.  My cottage would have a name (like most English cottages do)......something like Rosewood or White Cottage.  There would be a fire place in the kitchen and the tea kettle would always be hot.  I would take walks to the village everyday because walking is better than driving.  I may not even own a car.  Did I mention the climbing roses on the fence?  Sigh..

4. Coffee Shop Owner: So I love coffee so much I want to make it my life's work.  My dream job is to own my own bakery/coffee shop.  I want to learn how to make all those cute designs on lattes and when my customers come in I know exactly what they want.  I can would wear cute aprons and have fairy lights hanging in the windows.  The place smells like vanilla coffee and apple cinnamon scones, fresh from the oven.  Frank Sinatra sings in the background and I'm as happy as can be.  You can blame the Hallmark Channel for this one because every movie I love surely has a coffee shop and/or bakery in it and every time I see one I want to jump into the TV and live there.  Especially if it's Christmas time. 

I have one more alternate life left.  What will it be? Should I dream of something crazy like being a New York City Rockette or an award winning pianist?  Well, I don't have the legs to be a Rockette (maybe that's the fantasy??) and I have no room for a piano, so those are both out.  I've always loved the idea of being a novelist. And sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I went to cooking school instead of studying accounting and business (yaaawn...).  What if I were a veterinarian or lived in Florida and worked at Disney World?  I always wanted to be Snow White in the Fantasy Parade.  Unfortunately, now I'm too old. Princesses never age. Maybe I could qualify for the Fairy God Mother?  Or maybe...gulp...the wicked Queen!  I'm thinking the Florida humidity wouldn't do me any favors, so I guess that's out too. 

The fact is I couldn't come up with a 5th alternative fantasy life.  Looking at my 4 choices I realized they aren't that far fetched and could be attainable if I really tried.  Ok, moving to England might be a little tough but I can certainly visit one day.  And I will!  I guess that means I like my life the way it is and wouldn't change that much if given the chance.

 I dream small, but that's OK.  I like small. You don't have to be rich or powerful to be happy.  You don't have to have a title to feel worthy.  The only title I want is the one I already have.  Mom.

I'm pretty happy with the way things are and maybe that was the whole point of this exercise. 

Have you ever thought about an alternate fantasy life?  What would you be if you could be anything you wanted? I would love to know! 

 ♥

Wish I lived back then ♥

I came across this photo on Pinterest today and I couldn't help but smile.  

We go to Dairy Queen all the time, although never quite like this.  

At least the ice cream is still the same! (and we love it : )

I wish I lived back then! ♥

Lately ♥

Hi Everyone! Happy Friday! 

Here's a little glimpse of life lately around here: 

Taking a little longer to get out of bed these days.  And that's OK. 

Blueberry Ice Tea from Dunkin Donuts.  Try it.  

You're welcome. 

Snack lunches on the deck are the best lunches. 

I've discovered cheese drizzled with honey is delicious! 

My mother's lilac bushes are in bloom! 

We are making a habit of socially distanced Dairy Queen runs. 

Chocolate chip pumpkin breads makes me wish it was fall (yes, I said that!!) 

Pasta and homemade meatballs are very popular around here ♥

Working from home starts early. 

In LOVE with the tinted lip balm from Beauty for Real ♥

Take out grilled chicken cobb salads have become another habit of mine.  

This one from our local sub shop is my favorite! 

Breakfast! 

Clean bedding feels so good! ♥

My snack EVERY NIGHT before I go to bed.  Dry cereal with chocolate chips.  Just a small cup.  

Don't judge.  

Not always easy, especially these days, but I will never stop trying ♥

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

I hope you all are staying safe, healthy, and cozy! XO