Memorial Day, zucchini muffins, melt in your mouth chicken, and a bunch of other random things! Happy Monday! ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy Monday and happy Memorial Day!  ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend and for all who celebrate - are enjoying this Monday holiday.  I'm currently having a lazy morning, sipping my coffee slowly and intentionally.  Unfortunately, there will be no cookouts or outdoor celebrations in my neck of the woods today because it's pouring rain.  Everything is a washout this morning. Thankfully, we didn't have anything major planned anyway.  Just a quiet day a home, resting, recharging, and remembering.  Our town parade got moved inside one of our municipal buildings.  I'm not quite sure how that will work but John will report back later.  He was meeting up with some friends to check it out.  I'm happy at home, dry, and will probably be in pjs all day. 

That's my idea of a day off : ) 

Yesterday I made a batch of zucchini muffins with these two beauties I picked up at the grocery store.  

Yay for zucchini season! ♥

It's one of my favorites (any which way!) 

They came out yummy!  I had two (heated in the toaster oven with butter) for breakfast. 

Here is the recipe I used.  

I would like to add chocolate chips next time! ♥

On Saturday night some friends invited Rob and I out to dinner at a local winery.  As you probably know we are "out to breakfast" people.  We love getting up early and going out for coffee and breakfast - but sometimes we do go out after dark! LOL  

We had a really fun time! The place was very cool and I even splurged on a glass of wine which I don't normally drink (but when in Rome, I guess :).  

It was delicious, as was the homemade pizza! ♥

We finished the evening with espresso and then went to another place for dessert. 

If you know anything about my husband this behavior is practically unheard of, but I think he's softening in his old(er) age! 

Anyway.....♥

...back around the house the peonies aren't minding the rain at all.  They will be blooming any day now. I can't wait.  One of the best parts of the spring and summer is being your own florist.  There's always something that can be cut and brought indoors to enjoy.  I love having a vase of flowers in the kitchen or on my bedside table.  Even a budvase on the windowsill in the bathroom makes me smile.  It's the little things. 

Before I sign off for today I wanted to quickly share this chicken recipe that promised you last week! It's so good and makes a very easy weeknight meal.  I've made it a few times now and everytime it's a winner ♥

It's called melt in your mouth chicken.  

I didn't name it, the internet did ... but it really does melt in your mouth : ) 

All you need is: 

1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

2/3 cup mayo

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp pepper 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix mayo, parm cheese, and all seasonings in a bowl.

Coat chicken breasts on both sides.

Bake uncovered in a shallow baking dish for 45 -50 minutes.

Mix, coat, bake, enjoy!  ♥

The mayo and the parm cheese combined make the creamiest sauce.  It's really delicious!  

If your plans to grill today are a washout then maybe think about this dish.  You won't regret it! 

Have a lovely day, my friends!  I'm going to spend the day reading, writing a few letters, and we'll see what else.  I'll be around visiting your blogs to say hello too! 

Happy official start to summer! We made it! ♥

Bye! xo 

Good Tuesday Morning! ♥

 Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday ♥

Ugh. 

A Tuesday after a holiday weekend is never easy.  Especially for this girlie.  The caffeine is working overtime this morning! Although I'm not complaining as we are one day closer to Friday! : )

 I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! Our weekend was uneventful, quiet, and simply blissful.  It was one of those weekends where a lot happened, but at the same time, nothing happened.  On Friday night John and I went to see a play that a friend of his was in.  He goes to a different high school (a few towns over). It was excellent and very fun. Every time we see a play I'm reminded how much I love live theater.  On Saturday we did a little shopping. I needed some summer clothes and John needed a shirt for an upcoming band show. In case I've never mentioned it, clothes shopping is my worst nightmare, but thankfully I was able to find two pairs of khakis that actually fit (praise the Lord!) and John got a green polo shirt that looks great on him for the show! Yay!

 That night he met some friends for pizza and Rob and I had date night at home. Date night meaning homemade burgers and Seinfeld reruns. The best. Sunday we had a chill day. I made the hot dogs I promised myself and the most DELICIOUS blueberry cobbler! I made it in my cast iron skillet (which I am OBSESSED with and can't stop using!). I experimented and added 1/4 cup of sourdough discard to the batter.  I finally understand how a healthy starter is like liquid gold!  It was perfection! Yesterday was my favorite day of all.  Rob treated John and I to coffee and chocolate croissants at Panera and then we walked my favorite store.  Barnes & Noble.  It's funny how a family outing of coffee and a bookstore can make me happy, but it does. We also walked and talked and planned out our summer.  That afternoon we watched the new movie AIR and surprisingly for someone that knows nothing about basketball, I really liked it.  Apparently there is a lot going on in the world of basketball these days, or so I hear : ) 

And that my friends was my weekend, full of nothing but a lot of something! ♥

♥

I will leave you today with some blueberry cobbler, which I wish I could share with you! The recipe came from The Food Nanny's Instagram page.  I love her!  

Have a great day friends!  It's almost June!!  Xx 

Currently: A Few Favorite Things ♥

Hello Lovely Friends! ♥

Happy Friday! It's been a long and busy week.  I'm SO happy to have made it to Friday aaaand....it's a long weekend! Yay!  We don't have anything planned which as you know, are my favorite plans of all!  All I do know is were are having hot dogs at some point this weekend and I want to pick up blueberries at the farmers market to make cobbler. Otherwise all I want is R&R.  And iced coffee.  There will be iced coffee too : ) 

Aren't these lilacs gorgeous!!  The smell is intoxicating! 

We wait all spring for this French lilac bush to bloom in our front yard.  My mother and I get so excited!  Yesterday I went out there and clipped two beautiful bunches.  One for me and one for her.  Mine didn't last 24 hours. And her's quickly followed.  You know why? Allergies!  We were all sneezing!  John was in a literal frenzy.  Sadly I had to remove them for the house.  The smell was almost overpowering! So from now own we have to admire them from outside, which is totally fine because every time we open the door we get a slight whiff, and that's just enough.  

♥

Lilacs are one of my favorite things about Spring that I'm currently loving (from afar : ).  

Here are a few more current favorites... ♥

Fresh herbs! ♥

 It's time to start planting and herbs are always the first plant we get. Specifically basil.  

Nothing beats cooking with fresh basil. This will last all summer! I can't wait to tear the leaves and add them to sauce, pasta, pizza, and more.  Love the fresh smell too! 

I said I would, and I did!  And it was good!  

We are in sourdough Heaven!  I'm obsessed : ) 

This was for last weekend.  I'll be making another loaf on Sunday! 

♥

Two new beauty products I'm currently loving are Burt's Bees Facial Oil and Olay Vitamin C and Peptide moisturizer!  

I use morning and night.  My skin feels smooth and hydrated!  These will take me right into summer as well. The oil is light and has all natural ingredients.  It absorbs beautifully.  I normally use the Olay Regenerist moisturizer but for summer I thought I'd switch to the Vitamin C one.  It's brightening and makes my skin look and feel so nice!  

♥

Emma! Oh Emma!  Believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever read Jane Austen. She's been on my bucket list for a long time and I thought the spring would be a good time to enter my "classics era".  I'm loving it so far.  I didn't expect it to be as witty and funny and it is.  I've laughed out loud a few times already! 

I got a much needed haircut.  I wanted to go much shorter but chickened out at the last minute.  I think it was a good decision though. I'll shorten it gradually so it's not so drastic.  I'm happy with this length.  I also gave myself a color to cover the grays!  I feel like a new person! 

♥

 

The three of us have been binging this show together! Arrested Development on Netflix.  It's so clever and funny!  

Highly recommend! ♥

I picked up this cute little summer sweater on sale at Loft today.  I love the lightweight material and fuchsia color!  I'm going to wear it with Khaki pants to my nieces graduation next weekend. She's Valedictorian of her class.  Very exciting! John will be playing in the band during the graduation as well.  After the ceremony we'll be going to a party at my sister in laws.  It will be a fun day!  Praying for good weather! ♥

Wishing you a wonderful, safe, and happy Memorial Day!!!  I hope you find some peace, quiet, and coziness this weekend, whatever you may be doing!  

Enjoy yourself!  

xoxoxo 

♥

Happy Memorial Day!

 

Hello Friends!  Happy Memorial Day!  

May we never lose sight of the privilege we have to live free. Thank you to all the men and women who bravely fought the battle for us.  

You are the true heroes! ♥

It's a cold and rainy weekend in my part of the world.  Last night John slept over his cousins house so today he's napping.  I have a suspicion they stayed up pretty late last night.  Ahhh to be 13 again : ) 

Rob and I are enjoying a day off and soaking up some R&R.  With the weather the way it is we don't have energy for much else anyway.  I'm still in my PJ's and plan to stay that way for the rest of the day.  I actually love rainy days like this.  Tonight will be a simple dinner of grilled pork chops (on the George Foreman Grill ✔) and pasta salad.  Yesterday I baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert, which I may turn into ice cream sandwiches. Sounds like a plan! 

Yesterday I did my weekly clean and put out some red, white, & blue decorations.  I'll keep these up through August.  It's funny, one minute we are buried in snow and the next we're welcoming summer.   Hard to believe tomorrow is June 1st! 

Long weekends mean colorful breakfasts.  

French toast with fruit is a favorite in my house ♥

And festive lights : ) 

*note my orchid on the mantle....still alive and doing great....whew!* 

We are gearing up for a busy week of finals exams.  This also marks John's last week as a student at St. Francis Xavier School.  He's been at this school since preschool.  I can hardly believe it's over.  

It was the blink of an eye....

Friday is his graduation mass and then summer vacation!  

Wishing you all a good start to your week.  Are you ready for summer?! 

We are! xo 

Happy Memorial Day ♥

 

"Lest we forget"

 

 

Memorial Day is a day to reflect and give thanks for all those who have served for our country...

 

 

and our freedom...

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your service...

 

 

 

 

We will never forget ♥

 

 

I hope the sun is shining on you today and you are having fun with the ones you love!

 

Happy new week, friends! Let's make it a good one ♥

 

 

Happy Memorial Day ♥

 

To all who serve and who have served I thank you ♥♥♥

 

God bless America xo