Celebrating a birthday and welcoming February ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Monday and welcome February. Rabbit Rabbit! 

Rumor has it we have six more weeks of winter ahead of us.  I'm grateful for sunshine on those bitter cold days.  We have many ahead of us before spring arrives, but that's ok.  More time to dream.  I've become an expert at lighting fires in our woodburning stove.  I used to fill the whole house with smoke, but not anymore.  I've finally figured it out and I'm loving it...so warm and cozy.  Also loving shutting the heat off once in a while.  Energy costs are so high, it's nice to save when I can.  

So, how was your weekend? ♥

We had a very nice past weekend celebrating Rob's birthday.  Friday night we got takeout from one of our favorite restaurants.  Rob and I split a chicken parm dinner (because the portions are huge!)  John got chicken marsala and my Dad got salmon.  Everyone loved their meal... especially me since I got the night off from cooking : ) I did make a yummy Funfetti birthday cake that we devoured after dinner! 

On Saturday we had a lovely family dinner at Rob's parents' house.  As usual, my mother-in-law did an amazing job.  Her house is so cozy and beautifully decorated, and the food was delicious. Rob's brother and sister both came with their families.  

It was a fun night ♥

 

On Sunday we went to an early mass and then a family friend came over to have breakfast with us.  After he left it was a day of this and that around the house.  We are doing some work to one of our upstairs bathrooms.  I saw "work" like it's not a big deal, but what it really is is a complete GUT and redo (ugh).  It hasn't been updated in a very long time.  Let's just say the tile and vanity were yellow and "harvest gold" colors which haven't been popular since the 1970's. This update was overdue.

Rob has been enjoying the demolition!!  I can't wait until it's done.  We are adding a washer and dryer as well, which I'm very happy about it because it's currently in the basement and this will be much more convenient since this bathroom is right across from my bedroom.  

So here is its current state.  Let's call it the "before" picture.  Hard to believe this was/is a bathroom!  Anyone else feel like your entire house is disrupted when there is a project going on - even though it's contained to one small area? Doesn't matter.  I just know there is chaos up there and I can't look it at ; ) 

Anyway, while all this demo was going on upstairs, I was cleaning downstairs.  I dusted and moped the floors, made a chicken pot pie for dinner, and put some Valentine decorations out because I almost forgot it was February.  Poor February.  Everybody hates her and I'll admit, she gets on my nerves too, but at least we get to decorate hearts and pink things, and pretty vintage cards.  And candy of course. 

That, I love ♥

Today I've been sitting at my kitchen table all day working.  I've drank waaaay too many cups of coffee but that's what keeps me going.  

I hope your week is off to a good start! Time to start thinking about dinner.  

Have a great day, my friends!  ♥

Scenes from a Weekend ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  We are moving slowly over here, but there is progress. Rob is feeling better but still quite sore so I'm afraid we'll be housebound for a few weeks.  He has been getting up and taking short walks like the doctor suggested and I can tell over the past few days that's it's getting easier, little by little.  His appetite is increasing and I think his body is finally starting to take care of itself. All in good time I guess, we just have to be patient (not a quality any of us is good at! : ).  Thank you for all your sweet messages of encouragement and concern.  It really means a lot to me! 

Anywhoo, we kept busy this weekend by watching TV and movies.  My favorite was yesterday when John suggested we put on Back to the Future, because it's one of Rob's favorites.  I forgot how much I love that movie!  It's so fun and put smiles on all our faces.  In between TV viewing I managed to tidy the house, bake cookies, did a puzzle, played card games, sat outside for a bit to enjoy the nice weather, started a new book, made marinara sauce, tried a new chicken recipe, caught up on some work, and enjoyed copious amounts of lemon water, coffee, and ice cream.  

You know, the usual! ♥

Oatmeal raison, a family favorite!  ♥

 

We slept in...and it was nice ♥

The beginning.... ♥

I'm nowhere near the end! 

 A break in the day helps and heals ♥

Making marinara sauce is one of my favorite things to do!

I'm also excited to use fresh herbs from my herb basket ♥

Lemon and a sprig of mint is encouraging me to drink more water ♥

I got this from a friend and it's been sitting on my nightstand for a month.  

I like it so far! ♥

It was a gorgeous weekend with sunshine ♥

...and one thunderstorm (which I wasn't mad at!).

Games for fun and to pass the time ♥

Baked garlic chicken with zucchini! 

Delicious! ♥

Catching up on work in my little home office.  

I'm crazy about this month's screen saver ♥

 

And this because it's basically summer!  ♥

Happy new week friends!  Wishing you all a good one!! Xx 

Not the week I planned... ♥

Hello lovely friends! ♥

 I've missed this space! I am finally able to get my feet on the ground again and update you on the crazy week I've had.  I had a plan for the week, and this certainly wasn't it.  

I got a phone call from Rob on Monday afternoon telling me to meet him at the ER because he was having sever abdominal pain.  We didn't know if it was his appendix, a heart attack, or what.  Well, after six and half hours in the emergency room it was confirmed he had an infected gallbladder that had to be removed asap.  The next morning he had emergency surgery and had it taken out.  Thankfully, he came through surgery just fine, however recovery from major surgery is no cake walk.  Three days later he's out of the hospital and finally home but he's in a lot of pain.  It's going to take some time for his body to heal from this.  No heavy lifting for awhile and he'll be out of work for at least a few weeks. 

I am aware of how lucky he is as it could have been much worse.  Being in and out of the hospital makes a person truly appreciate health and a comfortable place to go home to. Unfortunately, I've been through this type of hospital situation before over the past few years and it's never easy.  I keep thinking about the nice couple we met waiting in the ER with us.  And the dear man Rob had as a roommate, who was a priest of all things! (how lucky was he?!).  I pray they are all doing well and back home with their families soon. 

 I am very thankful to have my little family of three home, together again ♥

He's sleeping now and the house is quiet.  My mother in law just dropped off some soup and I have a vanilla candle flickering on the coffee table.  Finally it's peaceful. As you know I LOVE my life when it's boring and this certainly wasn't that.  I'm hoping now to jump back into some sense of normalcy and get back to being boring.  I miss it.  

In other news, John has 2 days of school left and then final exams.  We can see summer vacation on the horizon.  It's almost here! 

I hope you are all doing great! I'm looking forward to catching up with your blogs and getting back into the loop! : ) 

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!  I'm looking forward to some much needed rest and mindless TV watching! Oh, and maybe an ice cream for the patient (and me too!!) so a Dairy Queen run might be needed.  

♥

Stay Cozy and we'll talk soon! 

Byeeeee!! xoxox 

Happy Birthday Rob! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Last day of January! Wow! 

We had a fun weekend celebrating Rob's birthday (which is actually today).  

On Saturday night my parents treated us to a delicious homemade roast beef dinner.  My Dad seasoned the roast perfectly, made sweet potatoes, and mixed veggies.  My Mom made her special zucchini side dish too, which was perfection!  YUM! 

I supplied the cake : ) 

 

He made a wish and blew out the candles, but first he had a little shot of something sweet to celebrate 51.

None for me, thanks! lol  

Cheers! ♥

On Sunday morning Rob's parents took us out to breakfast.

If given the choice Rob will always pick going out to breakfast over going out to dinner. 

 

We went to one of our favorite places.

It's so quaint and the food is divine!

Good coffee too! ♥

That's grilled cornbread with my eggs aaaand strawberry "buttah" on the side.  

So yummy! ♥

The restaurant décor is top to bottom with strawberries which is adorable, especially this tree with strawberry ornaments that made me want it to be Christmas again.

♥

Since it's Rob's birthday today here are ten random facts about him: 

#1 He's up before God every morning (around 4:30) with no alarm.

#2 He drinks more coffee than I do.

#3 His favorite movies are Goodfellas, The Godfather, and Rocky.  

#4 He is an excellent hockey player and ice skater.

#5 He exercises every day. 

#6 He loves to read biographies

#7 His favorite TV shows are All in the Family, Seinfeld, and Cheers

#8 He LOVES old cars 

#9 He does a crossword puzzle every morning

#10 His favorite dessert is an espresso coffee and tiramisu 

♥

He's home from work early tonight.  

He requested a simple dinner and a cozy night in.  So that's what we'll be doing.  

Have a wonderful, cozy evening friends! 

It's going to get very COLD here this week.  Time for some comfort food!  ♥

xoxoxox