It's Hot! ♥

Well it's official. It's officially too hot to exist.  I'm done.  97 today and I'm over it.  I'll be honest with you, I've been struggling these past few weeks to gain motivation to do anything.  I don't know what to cook, I have projects around the house that I plan on doing but somehow don't get done, and all I want to do is lay around like 3rd base. Who's to blame for this I ask? 

I'm looking at you SUMMER!  

Now don't worry, this is completely normal behavior for me.  Late July early August I turn into a crazy person.  It's all I have in me not to drag out my Fall bins and start decorating, tricking my mind into thinking it's autumn.  I know it won't work because no matter what I do inside, it will still be a thousand degrees outside.  I know I must wait, but man, when you're a fall girlie like I am, its rough! 

There have been a few bright spots.  Some sunset walks on the beach, getting the occasional ice cream, read some very good books, and I did have a birthday which was nice.  So ok, I'm not cranky all the time (just most of the time! :) 

I know I'm rambling, but does the summertime make anyone of you feel this way too??

Yep!! That's me! ♥

 

 

Last week I turned 51.  My family treated me to a nice dinner out (in an air-conditioned restaurant - don't you ask me to eat outside...lol).  I will say I did enjoy my birthday.  I'm grateful for so many things and I know I'm blessed.  The number didn't bother me too much.  I'm still not over last year! 

 I mentioned not knowing what to cook and it's true I'm struggling. I'm a comfort food person and that's harder in the summer.  I'm not making chicken pot pies and pot roast in July.  What I have been doing it making the simplest meals possible.  I'm trying to use fresh ingredients, less salt, and let the summer flavors speak for themselves.  Like this pizza I put together the other day.  Garlic, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.  That's it.  And it was delicious ♥

FYI - Do you have a FRESH MARKET near you?  I have one pretty close by and just recently went in for the first time.  I'm obsessed with this place! That's all. 

Breakfasts have been mostly yogurt (which my Dad likes for the first time in his life!), granola, and fruit.  Perfect.  I will try to eat outside on the porch if it's early enough and hasn't gotten too hot yet.  I find if I don't get any fresh air the day is harder to get through.  I miss my walks, but I don't enjoy sweating my makeup off, so there's that.  In time, in time.... 🍂🍂

Another bright spot was a very lovely day I had last Saturday.  For a birthday gift my mother-in-law treated me to a fun afternoon touring The Old House at Peace Field in Quincy, MA (about 20 minutes from my house!).  The home was built in 1731 and was the primary residence of four generations of Adams family members, including John and Abigale Adams.  

♥

We saw the writing desk where John Adams wrote letters to Thomas Jefferson and the very chair that John Adams died in.  I love history and this was so interesting.  If you are ever in the Boston area, I highly recommend this tour.  

Next to the house was the family's private library and this beautiful garden that reminded me so much of an English garden. I think this was my favorite part.  There are rose bushes that Abigale planted herself that still bloom.  

That gave me chills  ♥

It's fun to be a tourist in your own city.  I felt my mind expanding that day.  I really loved it and told myself I need to do that more often.  Even if it's by myself.  

And lastly, do you recognize this place?  John is in New York for a few days with a friend and his family sightseeing and yesterday he sent me this! IYKYK! :) 

We are slightly jealous around here but so happy he's having a good time! ♥

Well, it's coffee and work time for me.  Another day of staying cool, although I am headed out this afternoon to get a haircut. I'm trying out a new place and stylist today so hopefully it will go well.  Fingers crossed!

 If you're a summer person, tell me...how do you do this?  I need help! :)  

Have a lovely day my friends! Stay cool! 

xx 

July days so far ♥

*picture taken in the wee hours of the morning when the sun was just waking up*

 

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm back from a short blogging break.  I've missed you and this space so much! It's hard to believe that we are 3 weeks into July already.  The 4th was not even 2 weeks ago but seems like a month ago! How have you all been?  The weeks since John's graduation have been a rollercoaster ride for me.  My Dad was in the hospital for almost 3 weeks.  He came home for a week and then he had to go back...thankfully just for a few days.  I can honestly say I've had my fill of that place (so has he!).  Not that he wasn't getting good care, it's just not a fun place to be. He's home now with visiting nurse services and that's working out very well.  He's getting stronger and (after some medication changes) is finally feeling much better.  He's up and about and today I took him to the barber shop to get a haircut.  He was quite happy about that and feeling like himself again. 

The shock of John's graduation has passed and now we are getting excited for the future.  He'll be starting community college in the fall and will continue working at the theater nights and weekends.  He enjoys working there, especially the perk of being able to see all the movies for free.  I am loving the idea of him commuting to community college.  It's a great way for him to ease into figuring out exactly what he wants to do without the pressures of a four-year university.  I think it's a great fit for him and I'm excited to see where he goes from here.  But like I told him, there's no rush so take your time. You have your whole life ahead of you.  There are many paths that can lead you where you want to go.  What's the rush? ♥

As for me, I'm trying to enjoy the summer as much as I can.  On Saturday night Rob and I took a drive to the beach. We got hot dogs and ice cream and watched the sunset. It's my favorite thing to do in the summer.  I don't like the heat and it's been so hot lately, but sunset at the beach is perfection to me.  I usually hibernate in the summer. I spend my days in air conditioning sipping on iced coffee, reading books, and thinking about Fall.  Just like I did when I was a kid.  Except now The Price Is Right is Hosted by Drew Carey instead of Bob Barker! (which still seems weird to me:)

I know, I know...it's early.  BUT I can still be excited about it.  It's nice to have something to look forward to, and I wait all year for pumpkin spice.  I really do.  

Ok, back to summer....but just know that this is always on my mind ♥

If you happen to pop by my house unexpectedly recently this is how you would probably find me.  Hair up, glasses on, and in my favorite housedress! Gifted to me by my friend who somehow knows exactly what I need exactly when I need it.  It's so comfortable! And not only that, I'm living out my I Love Lucy dreams because I can so see her in one of these.  Our mothers and grandmothers really knew what they were doing, didn't they?  I feel comfortable like I'm in pajamas yet put together at the same time.  I can answer the door or run to the gas station or do an errand without having to change.  I absolutely love it.  I need more of these in my life.  

#bringbackthehousedress 

House projects are a constant work in progress around here.  This is on the side of the house at the end of the driveway.  We are still deciding what to do here. What to plant, where to put it, etc.  For now, it's mulch and rose bushes.  There's a bird bath that I like to keep my eye on from the deck and that entertains me sometimes.  I'm embracing the idea of slow living and trying to be more present in everything I do.  It's a constant struggle for me but I'm trying.  

I appreciate the outdoors so much after sitting with my Dad in the hospital for weeks.  You miss the sunshine and fresh air. Unfortunately, it's been too hot to spend much time outside right now but I've had my moments.  Usually in the early morning hours.  Just me, the birds, and the bunnies : ) 

Back inside the house I'm surrounded by summer things:

Fresh fruit from the farmers market ♥

My favorite summer PJ's ♥

 

My plants that thrive in the summer sun ♥

Summer salads ♥

 And seafood!  ♥

Because of my Dad's health issues he's had to go on a strict low sodium diet which has forced me to become a little more creative in the kitchen.  Are you aware that pretty much EVERYTHING we eat has sodium in it?! UGH.  It's hard to work around that but I'm getting there.  He's not too happy about it, but his heart certainly is! 

I'll leave you today with a glimpse of this beautiful hydrangea bush by our front door.  It makes me smile every time I look at it.  

Happy Summer Days my friends! I pray you are all well. 

Have a lovely Monday and I'll see you soon! xo 

PS this pretty much sums me up in the summer! Just to confirm...I'm the one on the right : )