June is off to a good start ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

We have arrived at the end of a beautiful week here in New England and so far, June has not disappointed me.  After a rainy and stormy Memorial Day weekend, the sun is making up for lost time.  

I've been having my coffee on the porch this past week, watching the birds, with the sweet smell of lilacs in the air.  I can't help but think about the bitter cold winter we had and how I thought it would never end.  So much snow!! And now here we are.  This is why I love the changing seasons.  

There is always something to look forward to.  

I need to come back out here with my clippers later this afternoon and snip some of these before it's too late.  Unfortunately, the season is short.  Blink and you'll miss it! 

This week was a busy one, but I did make sure to get outside and enjoy nature as much as I could.  I've been walking every night after dinner.  Right after I do the dishes, before I've had a chance to even sit down (because if I do...forget it...it aint happening :).  I live at the top of a hill so if you walk in my neighborhood, it's a workout - which I guess is the whole point since it's the only real exercise I get.  

I really like that time of day to walk. I believe it's called twilight so naturally...  It's nice and cool because the sun is setting and it seems all my neighbors are busy doing their dinner dishes or watering their plants or walking their dogs.  It's a cozy time.  And you know me, if I'm going to "work out" it has to have a cozy aspect to it! Lately I've been listening to music (mostly 80's pop) because that gives me a pep in my step up the long hill to my house.  If I go around twice it takes me about 20 minutes and it's a solid mile.  I'll take that.  Then it's back home for my nightly cereal and chocolate chips. I know, it doesn't seem right, but I am who I am : ) 

Tomorrow we will be attending my nephew Anthony's high school graduation.  

Last year was John and now it's Anthony's turn.  

These two have been best buds forever! ♥

John has always had a special relationship with his cousins.  With him being and only child, they have always been more like siblings to him.  

Julia, Sophia, and Anthony.  Such great kids and I'm so grateful for them! 

They've always supported each other! 

And love to spend time together! 

Tomorrow we'll celebrate Anthony! He's the last of the cousins to graduate. 

How time has flown! ♥

The forecast is expected to be warm and sunny (not too hot, but better than that...no rain :) 

Sunday will be my day to relax.  My social battery will no doubt be drained by then.  Rob and I will go to an early mass and hopefully out to breakfast.  He doesn't know it yet, but that's the plan! lol

The rest of day I would like to sit on the porch, sip iced coffee, and do some reading....at least for a little while anyway. I can already picture it in my head and I can't wait.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend too! ♥

Happy June! xx

Mother's Day Weekend ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Tuesday! ♥

 How are you?! 

I hope you all had a nice weekend and a happy Mother's Day. I am coming off a busy weekend, and it took pretty much the entire Monday to get me motivated for the week. I really don't like Mondays...but you probably already knew that. I had lots of coffee and survived :)

 I was able to get to the movies to see Michael on Friday night with my sister-in-law.  We both loved it.  The actor who portrayed him (his real-life nephew) was incredible. As was the music! Michael Jackson was such a misunderstood person. It's sad to even think about.  But his talents in music and dance were beyond genius and I felt this movie focused more on that which was interesting to watch.  As a kid born in the 70's who grew up in the 80's and 90's it really brought back memories for me.  I've had some of the songs stuck in my head for days : ) 

Saturday was filled with errands, laundry, and house chores. Rob took me to Panera in the morning, we went to the farmers market and the library. I think he was being extra nice to me because it was Mother's Day weekend! LOL  

Anyway, on to Sunday....John gave me this pink rose he got at church.  So sweet! ♥

We were invited to Rob's sister's house for brunch (my favorite meal).  There was 12 of us and it was a lot of fun.  I was missing my mother of course and thought of her often, but I was also very grateful to be surrounded by family. 

 

I offered to bring dessert. I decided on trifle! So easy and everyone loves it (and is pretty much impossible to mess up!) On Saturday I baked a chocolate cake and made the pudding.  I put it all together Sunday morning before church so it had enough time to set, but not too much time to be soggy.  It worked out just fine :)

We were blessed with a 73 degree day!  I opened my sunroof for the first time! I just got this car in January, and I've never had a sunroof before.  It was lovely!  Fresh air but I wasn't windblown. 

That's a win-win for me! ♥

Rob's sister and her husband did an amazing job hosting us.  We were greeted with mimosas!  

We had two kinds of quiche, bacon, hash browns, bagels, and a yogurt bar.  My other sister-in-law brought a delicious blueberry coffee cake.  It was all so good! 

Needless to say I didn't need lunch after that!  We got home early afternoon, and I went for a nice walk, then promptly hit the couch.

Bliss! ♥

 

Meanwhille Rob planted some tomatoes and basil for me.  He filled big Terracotta pots with soil and put them in the sun.  He's hoping for a garlic, tomato, and basil pizza in the future.  I hope so! Fingers crossed I'll have good luck this year.  

I have a few more pots I can fill and I'm still deciding what to plant in those.  I don't have a ton of room, so it has to be small.  I'd like some more herbs (definitely mint and parsley) and maybe some cucumbers. I also heard radishes are easy to grow and I do like them in salads. We'll see.  

OH HOW I WISH I had room for a big garden. Sadly I don't, so the pots will have to do for now.  Someday when Rob and I retire and live in my dream countryside cottage somewhere, I'll be sure to have enough room for a garden with a white fence around it and I can grow everything I want. Including pumpkins in the fall! #goals 

And now here we are.  Tuesday, it's a beautiful spring day, and it's just about time for tea and my afternoon walk.  I was thinking this morning how so very different this spring has been from last spring.  This time last year I was planning for John's graduation (and all the feels that went along with that) and my Dad was also very sick.  He was in the hospital for weeks and it was very scary.  Balancing those two things is something looking back I can't believe I survived.  Thankfully John is doing great (more on that later...) and so is my Dad. We just had lunch and he's currently sitting at the table across from me watching YouTube videos on his phone and laughing his head off.  He loves the Carol Burnett show!  I like to work down here at the kitchen table so I can keep an eye on him, but honestly, it's quite entertaining sometimes! 

This is much better than the hospital ♥

Hope you're having a great day, friends! What are you cooking this week? I need ideas! 

Be back soon! xo 

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 

Ordinary Day ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm just winding down work for the day and I'd thought I'd pop in to say a quick hello.  

I've made myself a cozy tea to have with my afternoon chocolate fix. 

I know it's not good, but here we are :) 

I've spent most of the day in front of my computer working.  Usually by this time of the day my eyes are starting to cross, and I know it's time to stop. It's been very productive though so I'm happy about that.  It's amazing I can be this productive in sweatpants, but again...here we are. 

John just packed his drum kit into the car and off he went to perform his first "gig" with his band!  They are preforming at an art show at a neighboring town's high school.  He was so excited. They've been practicing for a long time and hopefully this is the first of many opportunities to play for an audience.  

Fingers crossed! ♥

It's been raining all day today.  A little while ago the rain turned to hail (which was fascinating to watch!).  When it finally stopped, the sun came out.  Yup, it's definitely spring!  I stepped outside when John was leaving and I was pleasantly surprised to see that my hydrangea has buds on it.  I've never seen this so soon.  

This is a very good sign ♥

With all the uncertainty and ugliness in the world, I know I can always count on nature.  The bushes will bud, the bunnies will visit us in yard, the birds will sing.  There is comfort in those things.  A constant that will always be there, and I'm grateful.

It's still on the chilly side today (cold and damp due to the rain) but the weatherman says we are headed for a warm up the rest of the week.  60's and maybe even 70 on Friday?!  That's a bit hard to believe but it's nice to think about!  I'm so looking forward to ditching the winter clothes and getting into lighter things.  I'm tired of looking at my same old sweatshirts. 

And that's pretty much it for today. A typical Tuesday over here.  Tonight we are having leftovers from last night which means I don't have to cook tonight and will have minimal dishes to clean.  That is music to my ears!  

I hope you all had a nice day.  Tomorrow is hump day! :) 

Happy Easter! ♥

 

Happy Easter! 🐰

Hello Friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  Our Sunday was lovely.  We started with church, breakfast, and then a lovely day at my brother-in-law's.  I wore a green sparkly top, my mother's gold watch, stud earrings, and I didn't take one picture!  Not even of the delicious grilled lamb chops my brother-in-law made or the yummy fruit pavlova with fresh whip cream my sister-in-law brought.  The food was divine and it was great day celebrating one of the most important days....we are blessed ♱ 

And even though I didn't take any photos, I must admit it was nice to have my phone tucked away for the day.  I'm trying to be better at that ♥

Easter (as with all holidays) are much different these days.  John is grown so there are no more egg hunts or Easter Bunny surprises anymore. That makes me sad, but there are still games, and laughs, and coffee chats galore.  And I love that.  My mom is not here obviously, and that changes everything about everything.  I'm still trying to get used to living with it.  My mom was the anchor of my family and now that she's gone, I cannot even begin to tell you how things have changed.  People and dynamics change and I've spent way too long trying to understand it.  It's sad, but I must carry on. And I will. 

I ate way too many jellybeans and Cadbury mini eggs and I have not one single regret. When we got home I managed the strength to do a lap around the neighborhood in hopes of digesting before bed.  It kinda-sorta worked, if not physically, then mentally at least :)  

I hopped into my stretchy pants, watched two episodes of Downton Abbey (I'm rewatching again!!!) and off to bed I went ♥ 

I love Easter.  I love springtime.  I'm so happy the flowers are starting to bud.  May good days lay ahead for all of us!

Happy new week, Friends! I'll be back tomorrow! Xx 

A good day ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm just winding down work for the day, and I thought I'd pop on and say hello.  My day started early this morning.  Once a month I take my Dad to the hospital to have bloodwork done.  Today was the day.  Thankfully he got a very good report and didn't need any shots or infusions!  His numbers are all very good! We celebrated with a coffee & donut (which is NOT on his diet but since this was a happy occasion, I let it slide...:) 

I came home, switched on my Easter village, and got to work.  I am so grateful I can work from home!!  I don't have to leave my Dad home by himself all day, and believe it or not - I'm much more productive in my home office than my real office.   

Sidenote: I'm loving my Easter decorations this year.  They are so cheery after the long winter.  I suppose its like that every year, I just am really appreciating it this year.  It has been so so cold.  I'm o-v-e-r it!  We are definitely over the worst of it now and warmer days are coming.  I can feel it! 

I wanted to show you something else that made me smile today...♥

I found this tiny little cup with some of my mother's things.  

It's the prettiest floral pattern (love) and has four legs, which is very different.  

I have no idea what it would ever be used for besides decoration.  For now, I've put it on a teacup shelf I have in my upstairs kitchen.  

This shows you how small it is compared to a regular teacup.... ♥

Regardless I love it and it will probably stay there forever.  My mom and I clearly had the same taste and love for the same things.  She saved it for a reason and I will too ♥

Overall, it's been a good day and one that has gone by very quickly.  A typical ordinary March day that I have truly appreciated - there was sun, good health, and pretty things. 

Yup, a good day indeed ♥

I'm off to start dinner now.  I'm trying a new pork chop recipe tonight.  If it's good, I'll share it!

Have a great night, dear friends! ♥

Byeeee! xo 

A trip to Michaels, a plate wall, and a lemon bundt cake recipe - Happy Monday! ♥

 Good Monday morning friends! ♥

Hello from rainy Massachusetts.  The rain started yesterday afternoon and hasn't stopped.  It's gray and gloomy but at least it's not snow, so I'm not complaining.  John is home sick today.  He's curled up on the couch with the beginnings of a flu and I feel it's the perfect day to make soup and stay in this outfit all day.  In fact, that's the plan : ) 

Rob left for work about 6 this morning. I don't know how he does it, honestly.  I was up with him, but as soon as he left I poured myself a coffee and swiftly returned to my warm bed to drink it and scroll my phone - where I stayed for a good hour and it was lovely.  I love starting my days with coffee in bed.  Especially rainy days.  Especially rainy Mondays.  

Anyway, it's now a few hours and a few more coffees later.  I came downstairs, flipped on the furnace (because it's freezing again) and a fresh pot of coffee for my Dad when he wakes up...and such is the start of a new week.  

So, how was your weekend?  Mine was actually quite nice! ♥

Despite the rain Sunday and today, Saturday was a beautiful day.  It was warm and sunny and I left the house with only a sweatshirt and no coat!  Fabulous!  If you recall, I had high intentions of going to the thrift store, but I ended up getting sidetracked and decided to put that off until next weekend.  I had some other errands to run first.  One being Staples to get ink for our printer (very boring), however right next to Staples was Michaels craft store.  My mom and I LOVED Michaels and would go there often. As soon as I entered the store I got hit with that "craft store" smell (you know the one) and brought me right back.  It made me so sad yet I didn't want to leave.  My mom was a big crafter and I spent many years doing craft fairs and Christmas bazaars with her.  Trips to Michaels, JoAnn's Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby for supplies were a part of everyday life for many years.  We had a lot of fun in those stores and being there brought back all those memories.  

My heart was breaking but I was smiling at the same time ♥

While I was wondering around, I remembered something I needed! A few months ago Rob's mother was cleaning out her basement and gave me these floral plates. I'm obsessed with anything floral and everyone knows it ♥

 They were just too pretty to leave in the cabinet.  I've been wanting to do plate wall somewhere in my house and I finally decided where.  I just needed the hangers.  I bought 4 packs and headed home to complete my project.  

Just the sweetest corner now!  I'm crazy about how it turned out.  

I think my mom and my mother-in-law would approve ♥

On Sunday we had some family stop by for a visit - my two cousins who we haven't seen in while.  Isn't funny how when you are young you see your cousins all the time (at least I did) and then one day everyone grows up, gets married, and you now hardly ever see them?!  I hate that part of life, but the good side of it is when you finally do make the time to see each other, it's wonderful. 

 I made this yummy lemon bundt cake and we all sat around the table and talked for 3 hours.  

It was such a nice afternoon catching up ♥

The cake was really good too.  I got the recipe (here) from A Latte Food.  It was light and fluffy and sooooo good!  I didn't make the glaze and just dusted with powdered sugar instead.  It was still warm when the arrived and completely heavenly.  

Perfectly springy! 🍋

We will be picking on the rest of this for the next few days and I'm not mad about it. 

♥

Well friends, thanks for listening to me ramble on. I'm off to start my day now. Lots of "real life" work to do today. Boooo! 

Have a wonderful Monday!  I hope you're week is off to a good start.  Hey, we're already one day closer to Friday : )   

I'll be back tomorrow - I'm going to try to start daily blogging again.  We'll see how it goes! 

XO 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♥

Hello Dear Friends! ♥

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you all had a wonderful day! 🍀

We celebrated last night with a boiled ham dinner and my friend Eileen's mom's Irish bread that I look forward to making every year.  

I had a warm slice with my coffee this morning.

It was yummy! ♥

My mom loved this Irish bread and I was thinking of her while I was making it. 

She looked forward to it every year too ♥

I've scattered a few more bunnies around the house because it's time to start thinking about Easter.  

Only 2 weeks away! 

 These two little guys on the windowsill are making me smile today ♥

These early days of spring are so nice because I can finally see the river again.  

Nature is waking up ♥

It's refreshing after the long winter!

I put up my "egg tree" this morning. So simple. I probably could have found a better stick, but this was the first one I saw :) 

I love the pastel colors of the eggs ♥

Especially in the sunlight. 

The sun shadows in my front window are a sign of better days to come.  Warmer days with the smell of Lillies of the Valley in the air. 

They usually bloom around Mother's Day ♥

 I hope you're having a great week friends! We are having leftovers tonight, so I don't have to cook (yippee!).  It's currently 4:00 pm as I type this.  I'm going to make myself a cup of English Breakfast tea and take 5 before Rob gets home.  John is having a friend over tonight to "jam" so the house will be rocking with music later...haha.  Can you believe he's in his last semester of his first year of college?! Last year at this time I was starting to plan his graduation party! It blows my mind how fast time flies: )

Happy Wednesday everyone! xx 

♥

Spring Fever ♥

Good morning Friends! ♥

Look what I just noticed?  We have signs of life in here. 

Yay! 

This week we had two days of 70 degree weather. It was glorious and it's what we New Englander's call "false spring" ♥

We know we are being teased but we are living for it anyway. 

We open windows, go for walks without jackets, and would you believe John had shorts on yesterday?!  

Yes, we lost an hour of sleep from daylight savings but last night I was doing the dishes at 6:30 and it dawned on me that it was still light outside.  I saw neighborhood kids on bikes and one kid on a scooter.  We are all waking up.  

 

Its already dropped 20 degrees since yesterday, but it's ok.  We are heading in the right direction.  Our minds are fixed on spring now and nothing is going to mess with that.  

I went out for a walk yesterday for the first time in a while.  It was so nice to breathe in the fresh air and hear the birds chirping.  

We all have spring fever ♥

Within two days most of the snow from the blizzard (20 inches from just a few weeks ago!) has melted.  

The bushes (that were completely buried!!) are still here aaaand look what I saw.....

...alive and thriving ♥

Nature is so amazing.  She knows just what to do. 

I can't wait for these hydrangeas to be blooming.  

It's hard to believe these deadheads (that are so delicate) are still in one piece after all that snow.  

We had happy ducks swimming in the river yesterday morning.  

They were too quick for me to photograph, but I was thrilled to see them and hear their quacks!  

♥

I'm sure we have more cold days ahead, but they are getting fewer and fewer.  

We've made it through the winter of 2026.  It was a tough one! 

This is a side note, but did your mom have these porcelain China flowers?  This wheel barrel has lived in my house my entire life. I have no idea where it came from.  I remember it on a shadow box in our living room when I was a kid.  I recently found it on a shelf (when I was removing it for the painter!!! - who came last weekend!).  

Anyway, I always LOVED it and now it has a permanent place on my coffee table upstairs.  Why was it hidden on a shelf?  I put it with another one I have, that my mom gave me as a gift.  

It's a little trio of flowers and I love it ♥

My coffee table feels so springy now and colorful.  It's matching the mood outside.  

I have decided that this year will be the year I bring out the old antiques in my home and display them.  Our attic is full of them, and I have my mother to thank for never throwing anything away : )

Out with the new and in with the old, I say!  I'm in my granny-chic era and I'm loving it ♥

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Spring is officially here in 10 days!!  

We made it ♥

Xx