This week flew by! ♥

                                                        Hello Friends and happy Friday! ♥

It's a rainy one here today. It's supposed to rain all day today & tomorrow, but we're promised a sunny day Sunday for Mother's Day.  The Lillies of the Valley are in full bloom just in time.  I would always pick a bunch for my mom on Mother's Day.  She loved to put them on her night table so she could smell them while she was in bed.  The smell will always remind me of her and that makes me very happy.  

This week went by so fast! My Dad is doing well.  PT is coming every few days to work with him.  He's still in a lot of discomfort but overall recovering nicely.  I'm in charge of daily meds and ice packs, as well as meals.  He's getting there! ♥

I made this yummy dinner the other night that was a hit with everyone.  Chicken piccata over linguini. It's one of my go-to weeknight dinners.  I hadn't made it in a few weeks, so it tasted extra good. I added fresh chopped parsley for a nice touch. My Dad is still traumatized by the food at rehab so anything I cook tastes like a gourmet meal to him! LOL 

It's been a week of catch up for me.  Work, phone calls, and errands.  It suddenly occurred to me that John is graduating in less than a month and we have a party to plan! It's coming up so fast I can hardly believe it.  I'm making lists like crazy and it's really fun.  

I'm so happy for him I could honestly burst ♥

Time really does fly! ♥

In other news I watched an interesting documentary last night that made me SO SAD.  

Blackfish (on Prime) is about the killer whale Tilikum, an Orca, who was held at Sea World and involved in the deaths of three people.  It highlights the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity.  This documentary is so disturbing, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about.  The torture this poor whale went through. And it's still happening. All animals should be able to live freely in their own habitat. I am certain I will never step foot in Sea World ever again.  Please watch this documentary if you haven't already.  

My weekend plans include things around the house on Saturday and then meeting up with my friend Julie for lunch.  Our kids have known each other since kindergarten so it's an emotional time for both of us! : ) 

On Sunday we are heading to my sister in laws for brunch and them I'm hoping for some R&R in the afternoon.  

And of course coffee, coffee, coffee! ♥

Have a great weekend, friends! ♥

Talk to you soon! xoxo 

Two Documentaries ♥

 Hello Friends! ♥

 I hope this Monday is finding you well so far. I'm feeling pretty good today as I had a rather productive weekend.  In case you're wondering I got my tire fixed.  Rob brought it to the garage on Saturday and had the nail pulled and patched.  Thankfully it was an easy fix.  I also got new glasses and the burn on my wrist is no longer stinging.  I got lots of good sleep, drank tons of coffee, and did a big housecleaning on Sunday which included emptying the fridge and cleaning all the surfaces. Not my favorite job (I mean really, how does it get so dirty in there?) but feels so good when it's done! 

Anywhoo, I'm feeling reset and back to normal. 

I'm ready to start a new week. 

Today I wanted to share with you two documentaries we watched on TV this weekend.  But first a short story. Back when I was in elementary school I had writing assignment to write about someone that inspired me.  I remember my 4th grade self could not choose between the three options in my mind so I wrote about all of them.  They were Walt Disney, Charles Schultz, and Mr. Rogers.  As a child (and still to this day) these men inspired me in such a way it's almost beyond words.  They made me happy, taught me lessons, and kept me company. When I think about the wonderment and joy Walt Disney movies brought me as child I almost get chills.  Seeing a Disney movie was special and Cinderella was MY movie.  I wanted to be her.  And I don't care what anyone say these days....I still do. Walt Disney brought her to life and many others that I hold near to my heart. Charles Shultz created Peanuts and I have loved them for as long as I can remember.  I related so much to Charlie Brown growing up.  I still get excited to watch the holiday specials every year. And of course Mr. Roger.  He was my safe space.  Everyday after school.  I never missed it.  I just love him with my whole entire heart. He was a sweet, gentle man, who genuinely cared about children.  And it showed.  

 No matter what was going on in my life, they were there.  Their characters still live on.  Looking back on my assignment I realized that I left out one special person.   I should have added an extra paragraph.  And that paragraph would have been about Jim Henson.  Who doesn't love the Muppets?! Who didn't watch Sesame Street?! We all did.  When you think about it, there probably isn't one person you know that does not know who Big Bird is or Kermit the Frog, or Cookie Monster, or Miss Piggy.  These characters are a part of us, probably in more ways that you realize. Jim Henson created an empire and his work continues to make millions and millions of people smile every day.  What a legacy.  How sad it was that he was taken from us at such a young age.  Only 53 years old.  Looking at the Muppets with an adult eye you realize that there are real people with real lives behind those characters and voices. We all know the characters, but we don't know the people.  And we should.

Street Gang is a documentary on (HBO) MAX that talks about the inception of Sesame Street and how it was brought to life. I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story available on Freevie is about Caroll Spinney, who spent most of his adult life voicing and puppeteering Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.  Both are fascinating documentaries that take you behind the scenes of The Muppets and Sesame Street and show the real people who brought these shows and characters to life, from writing to voicing, to going inside the suits.  Both go in depth on the love and admiration the community had for Jim Henson and what a down to Earth man he was. And what it was like after he passed.  If you want to go a bit further like I did, you can watch Jim's memorial service on YouTube.  It's sad, but so very beautiful. Caroll Spinney (as Big Bird) sang "It's Not Easy Being Green" and I literally lost it ♥

My childhood would not have been the same without these characters.  My adult life either.

They (and the people that brought them to life) should be remembered. 

 ♥

And that's all I have to say about that : )

Have a wonderful day Friends!  Wishing you all a great week ahead ♥

Current Favorite things! ♥

Hello Friends and happy Monday! ♥

 I hope you all had a great week and a restful weekend.

 I had a long to-do list of chores to get done around the house this weekend and guess what? None of it got done. My heart wasn't in it and that's ok.  That's how it goes sometimes.  Taking John to the movies was more appealing than washing the bathroom floor.  I have no regrets.  So I'm starting this week off still looking at Valentines Day decorations (because they didn't get put away) and a mound of laundry that's going in the wash as soon as I finish this post.  It will all get done.  Eventually : ) 

 I was thinking about what to post today and I had a thought that I haven't done a current favorites post in a while.  

So without further adieu here are 10 of my current favorite things:

 1. Homemade pasta ♥

Recently I've started making my own pasta.  It's so much easier than people think and tastes so much better than store bought.  All you need are eggs, flour, salt and a little time.  I have a stand alone "crank" pasta maker, not an attachment to my stand mixer.

It takes very little time to mix up the dough and crank it through the machine.  Something about that last step where the dough is cut into spaghetti is so satisfying!  My love language is feeding my family and this method certainly fills my heart with joy!  Here is a the basic pasta recipe I've been following.  I think I'm ready to move on to raviolis! 

(link to recipe)

2. Walking ♥

The weather has been unseasonably warm here.  Here we are in February and last week it was 60 degrees!  I'm not sure what's going on...  I've been taking advantage of the warm days and trying to get out for walks when I can. It's still chilly, but no where near where it usually is in February.  I like to walk this beach that's near me.  I'm not a fan of exercise but knowing I get an ocean view motives me to get out of the house.  I always feel better when I get home. I'll put on a podcast or my current audio book and walk for 30 minutes.  It ends up being a lovely experience.  

(and before you ask, there are plenty of other walkers there like me so it's completely safe:) 

 

3. Neutrogena eye cream ♥

Taking good care of my skin has always been a priority for me.  I have very dry, sensitive skin and I break out easily.  Because of that, I have a morning and evening skin care routine that I follow religiously (or try to anyway:).  Over the past year I have noticed a lot of changes to my skin.  The natural process of aging is happening and that's ok.  My eye area is a particular concern of mine.  I have dark circles that even the strongest Columbian coffee can't fix.  Also crows feet and fine lines.  We all have them.  It's just life.  Keeping my skin moisturized is vital.  I use an exfoliating cleanser, face serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. I would like to do a whole post on skin care sometime, but for now I need to tell you about this eye cream.  Because I love it. It's transformed my eye area and makes the makeup around my eyes look so much better.  I use it twice a day.  Definitely a holy grail beauty product for me.  

Love Love Love! 

Trader Joes Flowers ♥

I think everyone already knows this by now, but just incase you don't - if you have a Trader Joes near you, you must stop in for a dose of spring! They have the best selection of cut flowers at the best prices!  I stopped in on Saturday to get blueberries (for Sunday pancakes :) and I couldn't resist coming home with some beautiful carnations (see picture above).  They have so many beautiful bouquets to pick from.  Note to self: I think I'll go every week. 

PS here's a picture of the pancakes I grilled in my cast iron pan (another favorite thing).  

SO YUMMY! 

4. Evening Tea ♥

I've mention before how much I love my afternoon tea time.  Lately I've been pushing it to later in the evening.  It's wonderful to wind down with a cup of tea, especially on a winter's night.  I'm also trying to have my herbal teas without sugar.  So far so good : ) 

Here's the one I'm currently loving from Bigelow ♥

I have an idea to do a future blog post on my favorite teas and favorite coffees so stay tuned for that : ) 

5. Twice Bake Potatoes ♥

Just like with the pasta, I'm learning to try things that I have always assumed to be too difficult.  Especially with recipes, just because there may be a few more steps than I'm normally used to, I can manage it.  For our Valentines Day dinner John requested twice baked potatoes.  He'd had them once in a restaurant and loved them.  I gave them a go, and guess what?! I did it and they were delicious! A big hit for all of us!  I will definitely make them again.  Here's the recipe I used (I left out the bacon)

(link to recipe)

6. Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul ♥

So what have you been watching?  I just finished watching the entire series of Breaking Bad and it's prequel Better Call Saul.  AMAZING!!! Both had me on the edge of my seat.  For a certified lover of Hallmark movies this was big stretch for me and do you know what? I couldn't get enough of this world. I can't decided which series I loved best because they were both so good.  The acting is phenomenal!  Both are available on Netflix! Highly recommend! 

 

7. Chicken Piccada ♥

One of the easiest recipes I know and still one of our favorites.  I've been making this alot this winter and we haven't gotten sick of it yet.  If you use the thin chicken breasts you won't need a knife to cut them! 30 minutes is all it takes.  It's my go to recipe for when I have no idea what to make.  In fact, it's what's for dinner tonight! LOL 

(blog post with recipe linked here)

8. The Body Shop Boost Hand Lotion ♥

I purchased this hand cream for myself at Christmastime.  My hands get SO DRY and cracked that sometimes they actually hurt.  I've been using this hand lotion at night (it's on my nightstand so I remember) and it's helped so much!!  I rub it on my cuticles and in the morning my hands feel soft and pain free!!! Whatever is left on my hands I will rub onto my heels as well.  Heavenly!  

The citrus scent is also very nice :) 

9. I Love Lucy on Pluto TV ♥

Pluto TV now as an I Love Lucy channel (under classic TV).  Finally!!! 

Now I can watch my favorite show anytime I want, 24 hours a day!  Whenever I need a little Lucy, she's there for me.  It's been my favorite show since I was 12 years old.  I love it so so much.  

10. This quote which has stuck with me this past week...

#quoteoftheweek

It's so true! Thanks for the reminder, Your Majesty ♥  

And there you have it! 10 current favorite things.  

What are some of yours? 

Have a wonderful week, friends! Thanks for stopping by today! 

Stay cozy!! xoxoxo 

My top 5 favorite TV Moms ♥

I have a confession to make.  I am a TV junkie.  I love TV and always have.  There is literally a TV on in my house all the time.  Growing up TV was a huge part of my life.  I was raised on sitcoms, soap operas, and game shows.  I remember my whole family sitting in our den watching TV together.  On Friday nights we would watch Dallas. Saturday nights my mom would make popcorn and we would watch Love Boat and Fantasy Island.  Thursdays we would watch Cheers and Family Ties.  It went on and on. TV was family time.   Snacks and cozy blankets were always involved.  It gave us something to laugh at and something to talk about.  TV was different then.  It was better. Don’t you agree?

At some point in my youth my parents allowed me to have a TV in my bedroom.  It was black & white, very small, and I loved it.  My bedtime was 8:00 but mom would let me watch one show and then at 8:30 I had to turn it off. When I couldn’t sleep I would quietly turn it back on and watch Johnny Carson.  I did that a lot.  Somehow the lack of sleep didn’t bother me.  I was grateful to see Johnny and whatever movie or TV star he had on his show that night. 

Every time I see a rerun of an old show that I used to watch it brings back such good memories for me.  It seems like there has been a surge of new cable stations that are now showing “retro” sitcoms and game shows, which makes me so happy.  I try to introduce as many as I can to John, hoping he will love them as much as I do.  When I can  tear him away from the Disney Channel (which is good too) we like to watch Gilligan’s Island, Bewitched, and I’m thrilled to say he’s already hooked on Family Feud and Match Game 78! Score! I’m doing my job!

Thinking about my favorite sitcoms got me thinking about the TV Mom.  These are the women that shaped my perception of what a housewife was. These ladies comforted me and made me happy. They are burned in my brain for all eternity. Who are your favorite TV Mom’s?  Who was it that you wanted to be just like?  If I could jump into my TV set and be a TV mom….. Here are my top 5 favorites!

#1 Lucy – This should come as no shock to anyone.  I love Lucille Ball and always have.  I Love Lucy has been my favorite TV show for as long as I can remember.  I wanted to be Lucy Ricardo, and still do! Her hair! Her perfect lipstick!  All those pretty house dresses and hats! Oh the hats! I still love watching just for her outfits alone.  Lucy was hilarious! Yes, she loved being a housewife but her true aspiration was to be in show business.  How many times did we hear “Ricky, can I be in the show?”.  He always said no, and yet she always ended up in show! Lucy and Ricky would fight (and he would yell “Lucy, you got a lot of splainin’ to do!”).  He always forgave her in the end and they would kiss and make up.  One of my favorite episodes is the one where Lucy talks Ricky into teaching her to drive.  It’s disastrous! But now Lucy wants to teach her BFF Ethel to drive.  Highinx ensue and my heart sings with joy…I love it so much! Lucy always wanted to be president of her ladies club. She aspired to impress her friends and wanted to be the best at everything she could.  She was never the best but we love her anyway.  She wasn’t afraid to look silly or unattractive (although she never was).  Like when she got locked in a walk in freezer and had icicles hanging from her hair, or had a bucket of paint dumped on her head while she was on a scaffold spying on Ricky, in a neighbor’s apartment, through a window.  Lucy’s home was neat and tidy and she was always looking for ways to save on her household budget – mostly because she had spent too much money on a dress or new hat (I don’t blame her).  When little Ricky came along we saw Lucy as a devoted mom who was sad to send her son off to nursery school and spent the night in the hospital with him when he had his tonsils taken out.  Yes , I love Lucy.  She’s my favorite TV mom and my favorite TV everything!

#2 Carol Brady – Carol is here out of my nostalgia and love for the Brady Bunch. I mean, come on.  I love the Bradys!  And who doesn’t want to be Carol? I mean….aside from her hair (mullet??) she has it all.  Carol was a stay at home mom, but she had something that all the other mom’s didn’t have…ALICE! Is it just me, or did Alice do everything? Every once in a while you would see Carol in the kitchen helping make dinner or something, but for the most part all the household duties went to Alice.  Carol spent her time sitting next to Mike, doing her needlepoint.  They would talk about his day at the office and then one of the children would drop in and need some advice.  Carol would offer her wise words and then the world would be right again. Carol was president of the PTA, volunteered in school talent shows, and wasn’t afraid to have fun square dancing or riding a mule down the Grand Canyon. Family time meant everything to Carol.  It was Mike who shelled out the punishments when needed.  Carol could do no wrong. 

#3 Donna Reed – my TV life change for the better when I was in elementary school.  Nick at Nite’s TV Land started showing old shows that I had never seen before.  I was introduced to The Munsters, The Patty Duke Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Leave it to Beaver, and my favorite of the bunch – The Donna Reed Show!  At the time Donna Reed was on Dallas playing Miss Ellie.  My little 3^rd grade mind was blown!  Anyway, I developed a love for the Stone family.   Donna is the ideal middle class housewife. She was beautiful and funny.  She drove a car, which most TV moms of the time did not do.  She wore pearls and heels and somehow seemed a little more “hip” that June Cleaver.  There was a bit of zaniness to Donna.  Every day was an adventure.  She gave Mary dating advice and was always there to give Jeff a pep talk when he got a bad grade in Math. She volunteered at her fair share of charities, but she also sometimes worked as a nurse. She was very modern for her time.  In one episode called The Ideal Wife, Donna is annoyed that everyone is calling her perfect and she sets out to prove that’s not the case…which of course it is! Sorry Donna…you’re perfect!

#4 Thelma Harper – Ok, I may be alone in this one but I love Thelma from Mama’s Family.  (It all stems back to my devotion to the Carol Burnett Show!) Thelma loved her family, but she wasn’t afraid to tell them when they had disappointed her or done something wrong.  She told it like it was – no holding back!  Her rants still make me laugh! She didn’t approve of her daughter in law, but had to live with her and somehow make that work, which was enjoyable to watch.   She took in her juvenile delinquent grandson Bubba, and tried her hardest to reform him. Sometimes she was successful and sometimes she was not. But she loved him no matter what. Thelma was president of the Church Ladies League and mostly palled around with her neighbor and best friend Iola (the queen of the pink gingham dress).  They would go to bingo or argue over who had the nicer garden. She cooked a big dinner every Sunday afternoon which everyone had to addend and severed dishes like pineapple salad and rum balls. She wore house dresses just like your grandma, delighted in a cold beer,  and if you stopped by her house at any time you would probably find her dusting something…. She was cranky, but loveable at the same time.   There was always a little bit of truth in everything she said. 

#5 Marion Cunningham- Marion was the glue that held the Cunningham’s together.  She was a devoted mom and complete supporter of her children.  Marion always looked pristine, with and apron around her waist and her hair in a perfect twist. She also served as a sort of surrogate mom to Fonzie and was the only one allowed to call him by his full name…Arthur.  I loved their scenes together.  In one of my favorite episodes of Happy Days, Ritchie was playing in a very important basketball ball game.  During a climactic moment when Ritchie was about to make a rebound shot, Marion screamed (in a totally silent gymnasium) “Come on Ritchie, you can do it!” Only a mom would be allowed to do that.  You couldn’t get mad at Mrs. C.  In another episode Marion, feeling unappreciated, has an argument with Howard and decided to get a job as a waitress at Arnolds.  She has one horrible day of work and realizes that her place is in the home and her family appreciates her after all. She’s the quintessential 1950’s mom and that’s why I love her!

It was very hard to narrow it down to just 5.  If I could list some honorable mentions I would probably say Elyse Keaton (Family Ties) Edith Bunker (All in the Family), Shirley Partridge (The Partridge Family), and if we are talking drama’s I have to name Olivia Walton (The Waltons) but that’s opening up a whole new can of worms!  I could go on about this forever!

So, what do you think of my list? Who are your favorite TV moms? I would love to hear your favorites!!!