John is 17! ♥

Good Morning Friends and Happy Monday! ♥

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! As I write this post it's early Monday morning.  I'm sitting on my back porch with my laptop and coffee.  It rained last night so this morning it's nice and cool and feels a bit tropical.  It's going to heat up later this afternoon, so I thought I'd get some porch time in now.  

So what's new?? On Friday I blinked and John turned 17! I can hardly believe it.  He's such a great kid and every day I feel so blessed! 

I'm still getting used to the facial hair.  It's finally growing on me : ) 

He had a great day.  I took work off and we spent the whole day together.  Later, we went out to eat with family at a restaurant of his choice.  It was delicious.  

And this is the face of a person who had the waiter and two other workers singing happy birthday to him.  

I had to do it! :)

Time really does fly by, doesn't it? Gone are the days of birthday parties and goodie bags.  I remember every year we would go to the party store and pick out a theme (it was usually something Disney related like Toy Story or Cars) and get all the decorations, balloons, and cake to match the theme.  It was so much fun and I have to say my heart hurts a little because I miss those days...however now is pretty good too! We have coffee together, have long talks and laugh a lot, go walking, watch movies, and I'm so grateful that my 17 year old still likes to hang out with his old mamma ♥

In other new we have now entered my favorite part of summer, which is LATE summer.  The last half of August is very exciting for me because it means summer is coming to an end.  The stores are all selling school supplies (some schools are already in session!) and outside I can see small changes in nature that tell me fall is coming.  I'm noticing its getting darker a littler earlier these days and look at this dappling sunlight coming through the bathroom window. 

That's fall on it's way! ♥

Last week a good friend of my mom's stopped by and brought us these gorgeous sunflowers. 

For me, they are a fall flower.  I love them in arrangements with pumpkins and mums.  

This bouquet was a little sign of things to come. 

In the office park where I work there is a little outdoor sitting area behind the buildings. There's a pond and a little walking trail that you can escape too if you need a break in the work day. 

  I took a walk over there one day last week.  It had been a while since I'd been there and I suddenly remembered how much I love it.  Before covid (when I worked in office 5 days a week) I would spend my lunch hours here.  Even though this sanctuary is tucked in the middle of a busy office park you would be surprised at how quiet is.  So many of my coworkers work through lunch or eat a their desks. Not me.  

I need the break. 

I need these little stolen moments of peace of my day.  Even if it's only 10 minutes.  It does wonders.

When I was walking back to the office, I passed by this pine tree and got a big whiff of PINE which instantly reminded me of Christmastime.  It gave me the biggest smile. 

Thank you God & thank you nature ♥

On my way home that day I stopped at Bath & Body Works to get a candle not knowing they were having a bye one-get one free sale! I had to take advantage of that.  

I can hardly wait to burn these!!! 

The rest of the week included working from home, walks around the neighborhood, cleaning out some closets at home, and driving John here there and everywhere.  On Sunday I was finally able to rest.  I was flipping channels and got the urge to watch Downton Abbey.  I watched the first two episodes on Prime and I'm hooked all over again!  Of course I paused between episodes to make tea! Every time I watch this show I notice new things and I'm just as enchanted as ever.  It's very clear to me I was born in the wrong era! 

I hope you all have a great Monday, my dear friends! I'll be around to visit your blogs today.  I can't wait to see what you all have been up to.  Do what you love today.  Life is too short not to! ♥

Love you, bye! xoxox 

It's August 1st ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy August! ♥

As I type this it's almost 5pm and I don't even know where the day went.  I had to leave my cozy home office today and venture into work.  Yup.  I got dressed and I left the house : ) 

I'm happy to be home now and I just rewarded myself with a cup of tea and a square of dark chocolate.  Rob tells me that one square a day is good for me.  That's all I needed to hear! 

As far as a work day goes it wasn't horrible.  I attribute that to a good nights sleep.  Sunday I washed all our bedding so the last few nights sleep have been dreamy.  Aren't fresh sheets the best feeling?! I have been sleeping so well! So much so I have not wanted to climb out of bed in the morning (more than usual!)

 I had to of course, but I can't wait to get back in there tonight.  I really love my bed (that's weird to say but it's true!) and I know my sleeping habits need some work.  It's something that I really need to make a priority.  

But that's a topic for another day : ) 

I just took my tea outside for a minute because it's such a lovely day! Cooler than it's been and no humidity.  My hair didn't immediately frizz and my makeup didn't melt off my face. I'm aware it's August 1st, but I can feel September around the corner.

I took a five minute walk about.  Our yard isn't fancy, but its ours and we love it.  Perfect is so boring, don't you think?  I much prefer charming and wonky.  We have flowers and a little white fence in the corner. There's an old stone wall and tea roses that bloom every year no matter how harsh the winter.  There are burning bushes that will turn orange and maroon this fall and a little spot at the bottom of the driveway where we can sit and have coffee if we want to.  It's not fancy, but it's private and I can listen to the birds. There is a huge tree in the front that my dad planted the week John was born.  We call it John's Tree. There's a river in the back and sometimes we see a boat or a kayaker go by.  It's mostly occupied by ducks and geese...who I love to watch by the way. Sometimes all I hear are quacks and honks and other times like now, it's completely still.   

I was thinking about how all if this is snow covered and frozen solid in winter, and yet it always comes back in full color.  And I'm always amazed by it. Nature is a wonder, isn't it?

 I have walked this yard my entire 49 years of life.  I jumped through the sprinkler on this grass when I was little and so has John.  What a gift. 

♥

  And now I'm back inside and it's almost dinner time.  I'm grilling burgers tonight so I better get started. 

Have a great evening everyone!  And happy August! What are your plans for the month?  

We are heading to Cape Cod this Friday for a little three day weekend get-a-way.  I checked the weather and it's looking like high 70's/low 80's with a small chance of rain.  Some may be upset about this forecast, but not me.  It sounds perfect.  It's always a little cooler at the beach so I can bring a light sweater and enjoy my coffee on a balcony with a cool sea breeze.  And if it's a little misty, well that will be just fine too ♥

xoxoxo 

Hello August! ♥

Good Morning Friends! 

Welcome to a new week and a new month! August 1st.  Here we are already.  The final month of summer.  Or as I call it....the hottest.  August is usually brutal and this one will not disappoint.  We are going to be in the 90's all week.  Ugh. What can you do?  It's the final hurdle before Fall so I'm ready for it! ♥

I started my day with coffee and 2 blueberry muffins that I made over the weekend. Ok, they were a box mix, but technically I still "made them" and might I say they are quite yummy! I like them warm with melty butter on top.  I really really want to go blueberry picking this summer but with this heat I just can't bring myself to do it.  Even early mornings are that steamy humid that makes you feel gross just being outside.  I'll see how the next few weeks go, but as of now I'm good with farmers market blueberries.  This girl is not built for that kind of heat.  

 

I ended July with a big milestone.  I had my yearly mamogram.  Not something anyone particularly enjoys.  This time I got called back for another round of photos but thankfully I got an A+ on my report card and don't have to go back until next year!  It's always a huge relief once that's done! 

I said my Thank You prayers on my way home and picked myself up some flowers as a treat.  

I think it's important to treat ourselves, don't you?! ♥

Finally, did I mention that I went back to work last week? Since the pandemic I've been working from home.  Last week I went to my office for the first time since March 2020!  It was crazy to be back after 2 1/2 years! My desk was just as I left it, although I did find a shriveled up orange in my drawer!!   I'll be going in once a week now, still working at home 4 days. I think its a good balance and a nice way to ease back into things.  It was a challenge to find something to wear that actually fit. You could say I've been "dressing down" for that last few years! lol 

Tonight my sister is coming over and we are celebrating a late birthday for me and an early birthday for John. (His actual birthday isn't until the 16th so I guess it going to be a month long celebration.) We are both going on vacation in August so we put dates on the calendar when everyone is available!  I'm making dinner and my Dad is making the cake. 

I'm starting today off slow because I know this week is going to be a busy one.  John is doing some community service hours at his old school (helping the janitor) Wed, Thurs, & Friday. I have an eye doctor appointment and John and I are in charge of feeding my friends 2 cats while she is on vacation. We'll pop over daily to feed them and make sure they have enough water.  She said they might hide from us so we'll see if we actually ever SEE them or not! : ) 

♥

Well.....goodbye July, hello August! Let's do this! 

♥

Happy Monday friends! I hope this day and month are starting off well for you! Stay cool because Fall is coming! xoxo