Good Monday Morning! ♥

 

Hello Lovely Friends! Good Monday Morning (as I type this it's still morning :). 

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  We were blessed with beautiful weather Saturday and Sunday!  Summer is here and it definitely feels like it! There are fallen rose petals sprinkled all over the lawn but I don't mind a bit.  It looks like confetti ♥

 On Saturday Rob took me out for a nice breakfast and then he went home to watch soccer -which people are completely obsessed with - in the best way possible - around here!:)  While he did that, I went out and about to run some errands.  I checked some things off my list that had been lingering on there for weeks, so I felt productive.  I picked up a new lamp for my bedroom that I had been wanting for ages.  It sounds silly but I was so happy about it.  It's the little things folks, it truly is (see my smile!!). 

On Saturday night John and I saw Toy Story 5.  We loved it!!  I loved seeing it with him as Toy Story has always been a HUGE part of our lives.  John was Woody for Halloween at least 3 times when he was growing up. The whole franchise holds a special place in our hearts.  Needless to say, we loved the movie and the message behind it. 

If you haven't seen it yet, please go soon! ♥

Sunday morning mass was so nice.  I love getting there early to admire the sun shining through the stained-glass windows.  It fills me with peace and it's a great way to start my week. 

 I spent the rest of day home with my Dad, just us.  It was the perfect way to spend Father's day. We made dinner together which was fun. He had bought some delicious steaks from Omaha Steaks that honestly, I was afraid to cook because I didn't want to ruin them.  He's much better at that than I, so he was in charge. My job was the baked potatoes and green beans.  The meal was amazing, and I'm sorry to say I was so excited to eat, I never took a picture. We still have a few more in the freezer so next time I will! For dessert I made a pineapple coconut ambrosia pie.  Don't you just LOVE a no bake pie in the summer? I do!  I saw this recipe in a cookbook I picked up at the library from Joy the Baker.  I love her, so I knew it would be good! It was sweet, but we have big sweet teeth over here, so no complaints from us! It actually reminded me of my favorite DQ blizzard - tropical!  Rob and John can enjoy the pie tonight. 

I felt my mother with me a lot this weekend. Especially when I was out shopping. That would have been something we would have done together and I'm still struggling to get used to being by myself in those situations. I don't think I will ever not feel that void. I felt like she was thinking about me, but instead of being sad, it brought me a strange sense of comfort that she was near...if that makes any sense.  

Anyway, now all of a sudden, it's Monday and we're off and running with a new week. It's a short one for me because we are heading up to Maine for the weekend. I'm excited for a break and a change of scenery for a few days. I think my soul needs it.  This time Friday I will be drinking coffee and reading a book on my hotel balcony overlooking the ocean in Ogunquit, Maine.  I can feel the stress leaving my body already.....♥

Wishing you the most happy day (even if it is Monday!...lol).  Try to celebrate the small joys.  It really does help ♥

Talk soon! Byeeee! xo 

Some relatable fun on a Monday! ♥

 Good morning friends and happy June 1st!  We have arrived! And while I'm not a huge fan of Mondays, since today is officially JUNE I'm going to give it a pass : )

I'm coming off a very nice and restful weekend, so I'm taking my Monday tasks in stride this morning.  It's not even noon and I've already put out at least 3 fires at home, had a work zoom call, and spilled an entire cup of precious coffee off my bedside table.  What a mess. But that's how it goes sometimes.  On a brighter note, it's nice and sunny today, my peonies are opening, and basil plants are looking (and smelling) delightful. I've decided to appreciate the little things today, and the smell of fresh basil is one of them. 

Anyway, it rained most of the weekend, hence the "restful" comment.  It was the perfect weather to recharge my batteries and that's exactly what I did. I read my book, watched a movie with Rob, and did a lot of loafing under a cozy blanket. Basically the "to-do" list got tossed out the window.

That's what rainy weekends are for, right?!  

The week ahead is busy and I knew I would need it.  I did a lot of mindless scrolling from my couch as well.  Again, that's how it goes sometimes and we must give ourselves some grace.  I didn't do the housework that I should have, but I did find some very relatable fun on Pinterest that I must share with you.

Can you relate? 🩷

YUP.

We did manage to go out for a bite to eat on Saturday because I was in no mood for cooking.  It was a nice meal until I went to get out of the booth and I audibly gasped because of a pain I think it was my knee. Or it could have been my back... I blamed the rain just like my Dad does when he has a mystery pain. What is happening?!  

I could only laugh at myself at that point :) 

Happy new week everyone!  I'm off to revisit that "to-do" list and start checking things off! 💗

Have a great day! xx 

Happy May! What's up for the week? ♥

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Monday and happy MAY! I have moved my office to the back porch this morning because it's so beautiful out.  It's just me and birds and I couldn't be happier.  My Dad still thinks it's "too chilly" to be out here, but since it's 70 degrees (??!!) I'm just dandy with it! 

We had a very nice weekend that went by too quickly like most weekends do.  On Saturday we had some friends over for a pizza game night, that ended up being more pizza (and Kentucky Derby watching!) than actual game playing, but it was a great time.  I made the pizzas which was super fun. Our friends supplied the apps and desserts.  I didn't get to bed until midnight which hasn't happened in ages! ♥

On Sunday we went to my sister in laws for my niece's 2nd birthday party.  She always does a beautiful job hosting! (She's hosting Mother's Day on Sunday as well!). We had a great time with family! After the party I came home, got into some comfy clothes and took a nice rest before dinner.  I had to get a little self care in there too : )  

** Me after an unusual amount of socializing in one weekend! LOL **

♥

And now here we are on Monday morning already.  I have lots of work to do this week and hopefully if the weather stays cooperative (which I'm hearing it will, for the next few days anyway) I'll be doing it from this spot.  I just made my to-do list for the week.  It includes a dental appointment, a few errands, bills to pay, blah, blah, blah.  Real life stuff that mostly stresses me out. I've been getting so stressed over the littlest things lately.  I must work on that.  So, my plan for the week is one day at a time, one task at a time, and try not to worry about things I can't control (Amen!).

It's May so I'll focus on all the lovely things about Spring.  It's finally time for to make that trip to the nursery with my iced coffee and get some flowers for the front garden.  I'm also thinking about taking a ride to a local farm for strawberry picking on Saturday.  I did it a few years ago and loved it.  If not picking, I'll at least visit the farmers market.  That atmosphere always lifts my spirits. Wish we could all go together ♥

Also lots of walks, water for hydration, good food, and rest. I would like to take at least one walk on the beach this week.  I feel I need to inhale some salty ocean air and it's finally warm enough (although not according to my Dad :) to do that.  

Yup - so happy May, my friends! What's on your weekly agenda? ♥

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I also have few letters to write because some of you reached out to be pen pals! I couldn't be happier and it will certainly be a bright spot in my week.  YAY!  I'm so thankful for this space and the friends I'm connecting with.  It truly means the world to me, so thank you!!!  

I also LOVED reading your comments on my last post ♥

Have a lovely day! I hope the sun is shining on you today!  Talk soon! xo 

Hello Monday! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

Well, look who went walking with her clippers this weekend...:)  

This is literally a branch that I clipped of that big wild bush I showed you on Friday.  I put the whole thing in vase and called it a day.  It's so wonky and makes me laugh when I look at it.  However, I love the yellow and it's screaming spring to me so she's staying! 

Yay! ♥

We had a very nice weekend, although some things didn't go as planned.  John's event ended up getting cancelled by the venue.  Something to do with overbooking.  He was very disappointed!  However, when one door closes another opens. He and his bandmates have a few other irons in the fire for upcoming performances so there's more to look forward to.  This place will also be rescheduling so hopefully he'll have a busy summer.  That's life in show biz I guess.  Never a dull moment.  

As for me, I didn't end up going out to dinner Saturday night.  It turns out staying cozy in my sweats was more appealing to me in the moment (typical me), so we stayed in and watched a movie instead.  We did go out to breakfast after church on Sunday and went for a nice walk on the beach after.  

It was sooo lovely and made me really excited for the summer ♥

Around the house I was pretty productive.  Little touches of spring as still appearing around here and I keep reorganizing things.   I have way too many dishes and teapots and I struggle to find places for everything.  I just can't put things away.  

Especially if they have flowers on them ♥

I had to run to CVS to pick up a few things and this candle caught my attention.  

I decided to treat myself.  It's heavenly! ♥

I made the custard pie I'd been craving.  I remembered I had a recipe for coconut custard pie that was pretty easy.  I whipped it up in minutes and it came out DELICIOUS!  I did have some crust issues so don't look too closely at it. 

Thankfully it still tasted yummy!! ♥ 

I'll link the recipe HERE if you want to try it.  I blogged about it back in 2016.  

A custard pie (with or without coconut) is pure old fashioned comfort food. 

♥

I cleaned out my closet and filled a donation bag that I need to drop off this week.  The hard part is done.  Now I have lots of room in my closet.  I need to make a point to do this more often.  

There's a coat closet downstairs that I will tackle next time I'm motivated ♥

I also cleaned a cabinet that I store craft supplies in.  It had really been bugging me because it had gotten so disorganized!! Unraveled rolls of ribbon everywhere! Going through all my stuff I really began to miss crafting and decided I need to get back into it again.  I was very into rubber stamping for a hot minute and have a very big supply of them that I totally forgot about.  How cute is this bunny one?! I must use it on something soon! 

♥

If I have your address, you'll probably be getting some type of correspondence from me with stamps all over it. Actually, if anyone wants to be pen pals, let me know : )

After getting coffee at Panera, I took some time on Saturday to read an actual MAGAZINE and loved every minute.  

My Dad and I shared an orange too ♥

Out back is slowly turning greeeeeen 💚

And the evenings are starting to stay lighter longer.  I enjoyed this view last night.  

Very peaceful ♥

I hope to see many more sunsets from my deck this summer.  

And that was pretty much my exciting weekend in a nutshell.  

Here I am this morning trying to take a selfie without feeling silly. 

It's not easy! LOL 

But I was up early, showered, and dressed on a Monday morning. A big accomplishment when you work from home. I felt it should be documented.  Does this mean I'll have a productive week? We shall see. 

Fingers crossed! ♥

Have a wonderful evening friends! ♥

I'm making a lemon pasta for dinner tonight that I am very much looking forward to.  I'll definitely need my after dinner walk....I'll leave my clippers at home this time. 

 Talk to you all soon! Bye! xx 

Monday Thoughts ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy Monday! I've been busy working all day but wanted to pop in and say a quick hello and show you my hyacinth plant.  A sure sign that spring is on the way! Every year at this time I treat myself to one from the grocery store.  I LOVE the smell of these plants.  This one has three big bulbs, so I'll be blessed with lots of flowers.  Year after year I replant the bulbs but I've never had luck with them blooming again.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but I'm hopeful this is my year.   

After a very busy and stressful week last week, I had a nice restful weekend and I'm feeling positive about the week ahead.  I heard a quote yesterday that really resonated with me.  It was "happiness is not a destination" and isn't it the truth. How many times have we said to ourselves "I'll be happy when (fill in the blank...)" but it never ends, does it?!  I'll be happy when I lose 10 pounds, or I'll be happy when I get a promotion. I'll be happy when I buy a house or have a baby or go on a trip.  And so on and so on and so on.  There's always more.  It's never a destination.  It's a journey. I don't think anyone is truly happy all the time no matter what they have or have done, are they?  I think I'm striving more for contentment than happiness, if that makes sense.  And like everything else, I take it one day at a time.  I can't worry about tomorrow.  I can only live today. Anyway, that's what I was thinking about and wanted to share with you.  

♥

The weather here today is sunny and in the 40's.  I'm hearing this week we may even touch 50!  I have the heat a touch lower today which is nice, and it doesn't look like I'll need a fire in the wood burner this week! :)

Tonight's plans are chicken francese for dinner (a new recipe I saw online last night) and watching the movie Conclave.  Have you seen it?  Next week is the Oscars and I've hardly seen any of the movies! 

Have a great night, friends! ♥

xoxo

December Weekend ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a lovely and festive weekend.  I finally got my tree up and decorated on Friday night and I must say, it's nice to have a tree in the house.  I know I say that every year, but it just makes me so happy.  I was having a bit of trouble getting in the spirit this year but my little tree made all the difference. Since I'm still working from home I get to enjoy it all day long and that's really nice. We even put a little tree in John's room this year.  It's the coziest thing ever and I'm so happy he wanted it.  He was over it for the last few years but this year he circled back and was onboard.  Hooray for nostalgia! 

This past Saturday John and I had to best day together Christmas shopping. It was productive and fun (which are two things I LOVE).  With his help I was able to check a few people off the Christmas list.  That's definitely a plus about having a teenager at Christmas time.  He's got great suggestions and can help me shop! Saturday evening a group of 13 of us went to dinner in Boston to celebrate my father in law's 80th birthday.  The restaurant had the most gorgeous view of the city but do you think I took a picture of it? Nope.  I was too focused on my butternut squash ravioli which was delicious : ) 

Yesterday we spent the day at home watching football, catching up on things around the house, and I even took a 30 minute nap before dinner because I was so comfortable on the couch my body would not move, so I gave in.  Napping in a room with a Christmas tree in a delightful experience.  If you've never done it, I highly recommend it  ♥

This morning I'm enjoying a hot cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee with peppermint mocha cream.  It's my favorite holiday combo. Its a rainy & windy day and the coffee hitting the spot....more than ever! 

I'm back to work, tapping away on my computer but in the back of my mind I'm thinking about baking cookies and doing some Amazon shopping tonight.  I'm hoping to finish my Christmas shopping online if I can. We'll see how that goes.  Fingers crossed! 

I have a pot roast bubbling way in the crock pot for dinner tonight and I think I'll stop by Whole Foods this afternoon and pick up a loaf of fresh bread to go with it.  That's something I've been doing lately and it's such a nice treat with dinner.  There's nothing like a freshly baked loaf of bread with dinner (and if I don't have time to bake it, well Whole Foods bakery is pretty darn good!). 

Have a happy and cozy day, friends!  xoxoxo  

♥

   

Good Monday Morning ♥

 Good Monday morning friends! 

How was your weekend? ♥

Every Monday my friend BJ does a post on her blog where she shares her thoughts over "Monday Morning Coffee."  I was thinking of her today so I thought I would do the same.  This morning I'm drinking our favorite Maxwell House coffee with a splash of the Dunkin Donuts extra creamy, cream.  It's sweetened with sugar and tastes so good.  

I'm also burning a new candle called Enchanted Moon.  Very appropriate since I have been admiring the moon all weekend.  Did you get a chance to see it?  I snapped this photo Friday night.  Her beauty never ceases to amaze me  ♥

On Saturday I celebrated my birthday and turned 47.  It's not a very special number but I did enjoy my day.  John and I went shopping and I treated myself to some goodies at Target.  That night we had a delicious dinner.  On Sunday morning the three of us got up early and went to breakfast, something I hadn't done in ages.  I got cinnamon swirl French toast that was to die for!  

Sunday evening we celebrated with a family dinner with my parents and sister.  My Dad made the whole meal including the cake!  It was wonderful ♥

I can't say I'm sad about turning 47.  I am so touched by all the messages, texts, cards, and calls from friends and family.  

I even got these beautiful flowers from a special friend ♥

Sunday afternoon I did a little self care session and gave myself a facial and hair treatment.  I thought why not pamper my 47 year old self?!  It felt good.  I really need to do this more often.  

Starting a new trip around the sun feeling fresh! : ) 

And all of a sudden the weekend is over.  Today I'm working, still catching up from being on vacation.   I also have to food shop and plan something for dinner.  I haven't gotten that far yet this morning...lol!  

In other news John and I are watching The Office!  He's seen it many times and has been trying to get me to watch it for ages. I finally agreed and I love it! We are almost at the end of the second season.  It's so funny!  Now I understand what all the hype was about : ) 

I hope you all have a great day and start to your week!  Can you believe we are almost at the end of July?!  Let's slow things down a bit, shall we ♥

Byeeeee!!! xoox

Good Morning Friends~

Hello Friends!  ♥

We are in full blown spring in my neighborhood today and I am soaking up every bit of it.  

There is still a slight chill in the air, but the pear tree confetti and pretty colors of pansies and tulips make up for it.  

I still prefer Fall, but Spring is my second favorite time of year.

I'll enjoy this until the heat of summer arrives. (that's when I start complaining again....haha) 

 

I had a rather busy weekend.  On Friday morning I went to my first doctor's appointment in over a year! I know....too long.  Its was the first of many "make up" appointments that I missed last year.  This was body scan at the dermatologist and I'm happy to report that all is well! She said keep doing what your doing...so for me that means SPF 50 and staying out of the sun.  Will do! 

It was also a weekend of celebrations.  On Friday we were able to watch a dear friend's wedding virtually which my heart so happy! Isn't technology GRAND!  And on Saturday I attended a small celebration for Rob's sister, who is getting married in June.  Love is all around and life is happening.  

 

And yesterday this happened....

Next one is scheduled for May.

Hugs for everyone!  : ) 

Today I'll be spending the day working, meal planning for the week, watering my plants, and trying to get my act together.  I'm also thinking this might be the week to return to YouTube. It's been a while since I posted a video.  I am going to pick a nice recipe to share with you all, so stay tuned for that ♥

Have a lovely day friends! Thanks for visiting today.  I will see you on Wednesday! xo 

ps. This is the expression I had after putting on a dress for the first time in over a year.  I couldn't wait to get back in my sweats! LOL