Weekend away, a birthday, and Tony Bennet ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm just back from the most wonderful weekend away visiting our dear friends in PA.  As always, we had the best time with them! This is the gorgeous view from their deck!  I could get used to living on the lake!  

We were only there for a few days, but in that short time we made every minute count.  We ate delicious food, drank coffee (did we ever!:), played games, watched movies, talked & solved all life's problems, went out for a yummy lunch, and the kids had a blast out on the boat.  It's hard living 8 hrs away from your friends, but sometimes I think it only makes our time together that much better.  

We spend our time apart looking forward to our next visit.

 

BJ and her family even spoiled me with a birthday surprise.  We had a delicious Red Lobster seafood meal, homemade desserts, and presents.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but boy am I grateful! 

I wish you all had a friend like BJ.  Not only will she spoil you rotten with all your favorite things, she and her family will treat you as one of their own. You'll talk for hours, she'll give you the best advice, and make you laugh too.  I miss her already! ♥

We didn't take that many pictures this time.  We were too busy living in the moment.  Here's one of my favorites from a few years ago.  Nothing has changed : ) 

You probably already know this, but you can visit BJ on her beautiful blog right HERE.....

We said our goodbyes Sunday morning and off we went on our journey home.  Monday we all had the day off which was awesome. It gave us time to unpack and rest from the car trip.  It also happened to be my birthday! I spend the entire day in my most comfy clothes.  We watched a movie and even though Rob offered to take me out to dinner all I really wanted to do was order in and not have to go out.  I decided on Panera Bread.  

I ordered my favorite meal in the entire world....a grilled cheese sandwich and creamy tomato soup! YES I DID! It was the absolute best and I have zero regrets! 

You know I love my comfort food : )

So do my folks, who joined us for our Panera feast. My mom happens to love their strawberry poppy seed salad and French onion soup, so she was happy too! :) 

For dessert they treated me to a delicious cake! I made a wish and blew out the candles.  

49. I can hardly believe it.  The countdown to 50 has begun.  Yikes! 

 I take my wishes very seriously as you can see! LOL 

On a different note, while we were away I got the news report that Tony Bennet had passed away.  I was very saddened by this.  I have loved Tony and his music for as long as I can remember.  I grew up listening to "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Rags to Riches" so often they are ingrained in my memories.  I held Tony Bennet on the same pedestal as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.  All the great singers of that time.  I had the pleasure and honor of seeing Tony sing live, one lovely night several years ago.  He was coming to Boston and Rob surprised me with tickets for my birthday.  It was a night to remember.  He preformed at an outdoor pavilion on Boston Harbor. All the men were dressed  in suits and the ladies in theirs prettiest cocktail dresses.  I knew every song and when he sang "Fly Me to the Moon" tears streamed down my face.  I remember feeling so honored to be in his presence.  Not just because of how great he was (and he was great!) but because I knew for me this was my connection to a time period that I never got to experience.  And there I was experiencing it.  There's a word, and it's escaping me right now, but it means having nostalgia for a time you never experienced.  That's what I felt.  It was an amazing night and I'll never forget it.  

Rest in peace Tony Bennet.  I love you! 

Today I am back to work and if I'm being truthful, I'm not too happy about it.  Those of you who've worked in an office know the joy of coming back to a stack of paperwork after you've been off for a few days.  FUN! But I'll survive. I just need coffee and something in my earbuds and I'll get through it.  Hopefully if the rain holds off John and I will be keeping our Wednesday evening date at the beach.  Last night it stormed so fingers crossed we'll have clear skies tonight. 

Happy Wednesday, friends! Thank you for catching up with me and stopping by today.  

I'll be back soon! xoxox 

Good Monday Morning! ♥

Hello friends! ♥

I am just back after spending a week long visit with my dearest bestie, BJ.  She and her family hosted us one again at her beautiful lake house in PA. It was so much fun and we miss them already! It was a week long pajama party with coffee, movie marathons, games, tubing, a sunset boat cruise, and just being ourselves....hanging around in our PJ's (matching!) and talking for hours.  It was truly the best! They even had a birthday celebration for John which made my heart so happy! Our families love each other as much as we do which is such a blessing.  

We have so many laughs together! ♥

I am missing her and this view right now. 

But I know I'll be back.  Hopefully soon! : ) 

We met through our blogs.  How wonderful is that? I would never have known that out there was someone who loved cozy drinks, blankets, endless episodes of Seinfeld, Fall, family, game shows, pumpkin spiced everything, and scary movies...as much as I do! 

Here we are on our way to dinner one night, which proves we did get out of our PJ's and put makeup on at least one time!  

It makes me sad that we live so far away from each other, however the distance just makes our time together even more special.  I wish you all to have a friend like BJ.  Someone who gets you and you can be 100% yourself around. What a gift! ♥

And now I'm home. Eight and half hours later.  Unpacked, showered, and back in my routine.  Last night I whipped up a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins to have for breakfast this morning because even though it's still HOT and 90 degrees out, my heart is turning to fall.  

I'm decorating this weekend! 🍁

Happy Monday Friends! I hope you all have great start to the week!  It's the last week of August and John's last week of summer vacation.  Let's make it a good one! ♥

Byeeeeee! xoxox 

PS... because in case you didn't know...

Fourth of July Week! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I hope you all had a happy and fun holiday week!  I am so glad to be back here on this space. I've missed you! I took the week off for vacation and I can't wait to tell you all about it.  

We were invited to spend the week with our most dearest and wonderful friends in Pennsylvania. Every moment was amazing and I'm missing them already!  We were greeted Saturday night with a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.

My friend BJ lives in a charming and picturesque home right on the lake. Many nights we sat right here on this deck with our families talking and laughing. 

I'm smiling right now just thinking about it : ) 

We took boat rides and the kids went tubing! John LOVED it! I loved the beautiful lake views. 

 Lake life is something I could get used to : ) 

 

And here she is! My BFF!  We met right here on this blogspace, although I feel as if I've known BJ all my life.  We are two peas in a pod! We love home, cozy, coffee, family, gameshows, books, scary movies, and a million other things.  I'm so grateful to her and her amazing family.  They welcomed us as if we were part of the family.  And it sure felt that way ♥

One of my favorite days was lunch at the Strawberry Tea shop.  It's the most darling place, and the food....OH MY WORD. 

If I see grilled cheese on a menu of course I have to order it...with tomato soup!  

This was an "adult grilled cheese" made with three chesses and an onion & bacon marmalade in the middle.  

YUM!  ♥

For dessert we shared three different kinds of pie.  My favorite was the strawberry cream.  

To.die.for. ♥

But the best moments were just sitting on her beautiful deck, overlooking the lake.  

With a cup of coffee and a puppy close by.  It's the best! 

More fun on the boat! ♥

A fourth of July feast! 

One night we had a pizza party! So much fun! 

(clearly John is taking it too seriously! LOL)

They were all delicious! 

I wanted to take this little guy home with me ♥

John and Mocha have a complicate relationship! 

But I think they secretly love each other  ♥

One night is was my pleasure to make dinner for everyone.  I decided on chicken picatta and thankfully everyone enjoyed it!  I had so much fun cooking in BJ's kitchen! She even played Frank Sinatra for me! 

Here's Steve & Rob cooking breakfast on the grill! 

It was soooo gooood! ♥

A gorgeous view from the couch looking out onto the lake.  

BJ's home is so cozy.  I feel so at home in her space ♥

At night we played games, had milkshakes, watched movies, told stories, and made smores.  

All my favorite things! 

The week flew by so fast and they graciously invited us back next month to do it all over again! We were chatting about it and before we knew it we were marking the dates in our calendars.  

We are beyond excited!! ♥

Friends like this come along once is lifetime.  I feel so blessed to have BJ and her family in our lives. We are blog friends, that turned into real life friends, that have turned into family. 

♥

We would never have met if it not for the internet.  Life if so funny, isn't it?! 

You can visit BJ's beautiful blog here.  And you can also visit her daughter Madison's blog here or shop her bridal & dress boutique online here.  FYI I've been to the real life store and it's GORGEOUS!!! 

Thank you for visiting me today ♥   

I hope your July is off to a great start.  Now it's back to reality for me.  Work, laundry, dinner, chores, repeat.  It's ok though.  I now have something to look forward to! 

Happy Summertime!!! Have a great day! xoxo 

I had the best week! ♥

 Good Morning Friends!  ♥

I am currently sipping coffee in my cozy bed with my laptop.  I've been absent on here the past week because we have been traveling!  Rob, John, and I had a wonderful time visiting our dear friends in Pennsylvania.  BJ and I met on this very blog....or was it her blog...we can't remember and it really doesn't matter.  All that matters is through the wonderful world of blogging I met a life long friend what I will forever be grateful for! 

We even coordinated our outfits....not planned : ) 

It's about a 10 hour drive from Boston and I would do it again in a minute to be able to spend time with BJ and her family in their beautiful lake house.  They are so hospitable and I felt like I was in my own home.  We laughed, played games, drank coffee on the deck in our pj's, and laughed some more.  There were trivia games, rides in the boat, tubing and jet skiing (which John is still talking about!:) movie watching, candy eating, and they even had an early celebration for my birthday.  It was so much fun and I will hold these memories in my heart forever! 

One day we went for lunch at a tea room.  It was darling and I'm still thinking about the blackberry & cream coffee I had.  Soooo good! But what made it even better was the company.  I have found my people : ) 

If you know BJ or have ever read her blog you know she's all about home, cozy, family, and celebrations.  We were lucky enough to come during one of her favorites....shark week!  I have to say I did well at shark week trivia!  We had an absolute blast! 

I adore these two! 

That view! 

best buddies : ) 

Shark week festivities! : ) 

My spot...dog on my lap not pictured ♥

Our room for the week. She knows me so well ♥ 

My birthday party! That cake was delicious!!! 

We arrived Wednesday and left early Sunday morning.  It went by too fast. I had tears in my eyes as we drove away. We weren't even at the end of their street when we decided next time we have to stay longer! :)  

It's hard having friends that live far away.  But the good thing is there is always something to look forward to.  We have already begun planning our return ♥

You can visit BJ's beautiful blog HERE 

Get yourself a cup of cozy and stay awhile ♥

 Have a wonderful week friends! Today I'm grocery shopping and catching up on life.  Back to work tomorrow and counting the days until the next vacation.  But first...more coffee please : ) 

Byeeeeee ! : ) 

Catching up: sickness, weekend in PA, and it's LENT! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm starting this post with a shot of my nice, comfy bed.  I spent the beginning of the week right here because I came down with a nasty "something".  Not quite a cold. Not quite the flu.  Something in the middle. It came on fast and thankfully didn't last that long.  

As I type this post its Wednesday afternoon and I"m feeling much better.  I'm still sounding like a cross between Marge Simpson and Roz from Monsters Inc, but my headache is gone and I can breathe again. Whatever is going around lately is no joke.  I hope you all have avoided it.  

If you haven't, #1. I"m sorry and #2. Dayquil & Nyquil are lifesavers! 

Also Twinings Lemon & Ginger Tea is everything ♥  

So now that my head is finally clear I can tell you about my weekend.  We had an absolutely amazing time visiting our friends in beautiful Pennsylvania!!!  What can I say about a family that welcomes us (all 3 of us) into their home as if we were family.  We had so many laughs!!!  I just love them so, so much!  We ate out, we ate in, we played games, we stayed cozy.  There were blankets, and puppies, and lots of coffee (and donuts!) and the most amazing steak dinner!  I have no words expect BLESSED comes to mind.  

It's not often that you find friends that you can truly be yourself around....sweatpants and all!  It's the best feeling and I don't take it lightly.  

Billie Jo,  I would drive 8 hours to have coffee with you any day!!  (even with my husbands questionable music choices....but he's the driver so I have to keep him happy : ) 

And this little lady, I am missing her too!!! 

So now we are home, still riding high from our fabulous weekend....never once letting my sickness get me down.  Today is ASH Wednesday and I'm so grateful I am better and was able to get ashes this morning on my way to work.  

It's officially LENT. 

I love this special, peaceful time of year as we head towards Easter and Spring.  My intentions during this lent are to be more present with my actions, be more mindful, and to be more positive.  Sometimes I struggle with these things, but I am working on it ♥

I hope you all are well (and avoiding whatever is going around).  Stay healthy my friends!  

I wish you all a wonderful week!

I'm off to make pancakes for dinner!  Its our ASH Wednesday tradition : ) 

Thanks for catching up with me.  I'll be back with a new post on Friday! xx