John is a senior! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

Well, no matter what the calendar says, Fall has arrived at my home.  There is that little hint in the air that things are changing.  Thankfully it's gotten a bit cooler this week, especially in the mornings, which I love.  I like to have a sip or two of coffee on the back deck and breathe in some of the fresh air.  The leaves are beginning to change, and the birds and animals are preparing for the new season. 

It's a nice way to start the day.  

And speaking of starting the day....today is John's first day of school.  Senior year!  I still can't believe it. I can tell it's going to be an emotional year (for me!!:).  

He's very excited about his class schedule this year, which includes film criticism, comedy in literature, psychology & sociology, economics, statistics, music theory, orchestra band, and jazz band. 

I don't remember being that busy in high school! LOL  

What comes next we still don't know, but it will be an exciting journey figuring it out : ) 

First day of 1st grade.  It went by so fast! ♥

I dropped him off at 7:30 this morning and am dying to hear about his first day.  Funny he starts on a Friday, but nice to have the weekend off right away.  Ease into the getting up early schedule and all that....: ) 

As for me, I have a busy workday ahead.  I'm in my cozy home office today! I have a pumpkin coffee and my comfy slippers on so I'm good for the day.  I'm looking forward to the weekend! I want to do some fall baking tomorrow (let's make the house smell good!) and Sunday after church we are going out to breakfast.  What falls in between I'm not sure yet.  I'd like to read some of my book and maybe watch a movie or take a good long nap.  As you can see, it doesn't take much to get me excited for the weekend!

Have a cozy Friday, my friends! ♥

Xx 

11th Grade! ♥

And just like that summer is over and a new school year begins.  

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The first day of 11th grade.  I can hardly believe it! I couldn't be any prouder of this boy!

 The years are passing too quickly, and I cherish each and every one.  

This morning we got up extra early to have a coffee together, like we did all summer.  We said our prayers for happy and healthy year, and off he went.  

With a second coffee to-go, just like me  : ) 

Here's to a great year!  Last one before he's a senior.  He's ready, but I'm certainly not! 

(also ignoring the fact that it's 90 degrees and humid out...Fall weather is coming!) 

September 4, 2013 ♥

And so it begins... ♥

Hello Friends ♥

On Sunday as we patiently waited for Henri to arrive (which thankfully seemed to miss us!), I was a busy bee at home cleaning and bringing out fall.  Yes it's still summer. Yes it's still 90 degrees and humid, but in my heart it's time to turn that page.  John starts school in a week and I needed to have the house in back to school mode. I can't even think about school if it's still summer.  

I'm sure all my fall obsessed friends understand : ) 

Anyway, up in the attic I went which was easily hotter than the equator! UGH.  I lugged down the bins and off I went.  Not everything came out but enough to give us a nice fall vibe in here.  

I'm so ready for this! ♥

 

One week until high school begins! Eeeeek! 

   

Meanwhile.....

I'm dreaming about cold dark morning drinking my steamy coffee under the glow of these fairly lights. 

Frosted windows with leaves blowing past....I can't wait for the glow of the colors to shine through.  

It's coming....(this pic is from last year... my view was so pretty : ) 

And about all the cozy dark nights to come under blankets while candles flicker.  

Watching movies and making Christmas lists.  Happy, happy! 

Comfort food like pot roast and chicken pot pies, with apple crisp or bread pudding baking in the oven. 

This year I'm planning on making homemade applesauce as soon as apple harvest begins : ) 

Not yet...but soon! 

It wouldn't be the kick off to fall without a pumpkin donut from Dunkin Donuts.  

My all time favorite.  YUM!

As for today, I have sweet & sour chicken bubbling in the crock pot and John and I are off to a movie.  He's holding on to every last minute of summer vacation! 

Happy Wednesday friends!  Are you ready for fall??

Ready or not it will be here soon! xoxo 

**this is me....hahah!**

John's First Day of School ♥

Well, it's that time of year again....

BACK TO SCHOOL! 

With a backpack full of sharpened pencils, notebooks, and folders, John started 7th grade on Wednesday.  He was excited and nervous! (and a little sleepy : ) 

My boy looking so grown up! 

All of us Moms and Dads stood off to the side as the class lined up.  All of us in disbelief at how much our kids have changed and grown.  It's certainly bittersweet ♥

I'm happy to say he had a great first day!  There weren't any major complaints so that's a positive sign.  We are off to a good start! His teacher is very nice and I'm hopeful it's going be an exciting, fun, interesting year. Fingers crossed!  

(I remember not loving 7th grade. 

I was extremely awkward and obviously not as cool as this bunch : ) 

The weather has been on our side too.  It's getting cooler I'm seeing little signs of the changing seasons.  

 Yesterday as soon as I got home from work I changed into my pj's, lit a pumpkin candle, and put a meatloaf in the oven.  John had books to cover and I did some meal planning for the weekend.  

The only thing missing was an apple pie ♥  

Don't you just love comfort food season? 

 This weekend we have no big plans.  More of this I hope! 

Happy Friday Friends!  Have a cozy weekend! 

xoxox

Moving swiftly along... ♥

Why all of a sudden does summer feel so far in the past? Didn’t it just happen? This morning it was so chilly that I reached for my warm cardigan and corduroys to wear to work. I almost put on my favorite pair of leather boots, but reluctantly decided to wait – good news is that I know it’s going to be soon : ) 

Crazy thing is only three short weeks ago we were at the beach.  Hard to believe!

It's apple season! 

♥

 Things change fast here in New England. You blink and it’s done.  The foliage is only at its beginning stages. 

I’m on daily watch. 

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On Monday I spent the morning cleaning my house. I had the house to myself so I put on this CD and I was in heaven.  I finished putting out the last of my fall decorations and then on a whim I decided to hang lights around my kitchen window.  I usually wait until November to do this, but I was I was in the mood….so here you are.  Too soon?  I don’t think so either.   

♥

Something about these cute little fairy lights makes the kitchen so cozy.  I’m big on lighting.  I like to shut everything off except these and just enjoy the glow : )  Rob made a funny comment (something like  “Merry Christmas!”) but I just smiled and drank my tea.  I think he secretly loves it. Maybe for Christmas I’ll change them to colored lights, but for now I’m in love with these white ones ♥♥♥

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That night I made a chicken pot pie for dinner and it felt like a holiday in my home.  I love nights like that.

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So, fourth grade is off to a great start.  Last night was parent’s night at school.  I saw John’s classroom and met the teacher (God bless her!).  Looking at the first and second grade classes, this one seems so big.  He has binders and notebooks and it all seems so grown up (I’m struggling with being happy/sad/happy/sad). This year he’s going to be playing the drums in the school band, which he’s been waiting for since second grade.  He also signed up for junior drama, so we'll have another Christmas show to look forward too.  It’s going to be a fun year for him. He is very excited!  

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I’m taking things one day at a time ♥ (you mom’s out there get it : )

Let’s eat….

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I know I’ve posted this before (here), but since John has been back to school I’ve been making him this snack so I thought it deserved a repost.  He’s still getting used to his new schedule – going to bed early and getting up early. It’ll take some time to shake off the summer.  After school he’s absolutely starving and I’m trying to find healthy alternatives for him.  If I don’t plan ahead and have something ready, he’ll eat anything and everything in sight.  This seems to tide him over so things don’t get too crazy. 

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I saw this in Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food Magazine a few years ago.  It’s so simple! I like it for an afternoon snack for ME as well.

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All you do is lightly toast an English muffin.  Then top it with sliced apples and a few thin slices of cheese.  Then toast again. Done! 

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Martha suggests using cheddar cheese (which is delicious) but Swiss also works really well. It gets nice and "melty" over the apples.  

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The apples will get warm and slightly soft.  It's soooo good!  This snack also proves my point that you can melt cheese on anything and it will taste good. ♥

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Thank you for visiting me today! I appreciate it so much! Have a virtual pumpkin spice latte with me on Saturday, won't you?   

Cheers to fall!  xo 

I wish you all a very wonderful weekend doing something you love with someone you love! ♥♥♥

Hello September! ♥

Hello dear friends!

We've had a busy week getting ready for school to start which is why I've been absent from the blog for a couple of days.  John started 4th grade today (I can't even believe it!!!) and thank heavens all went extremely well! He couldn't have been happier when I picked him up! Whew! All the anticipation was almost too much to bear....for me! He was completely fine : )

Even though the temperatures are still very warm I have switched in to fall mode. No matter what the calendar says, once school starts I say goodbye to summer and hello to a new season. 

My favorite season.... ♥

I will ignore the fact that the news says it's going to be 90 and humid tomorrow.

What do they know anyway???

I'll just light my pumpkin spice candle and all will be as it should be.

The pumpkins and autumn décor have arrived! (and the trumpets played...!)

I held back on most of my Halloween things though.  Gotta have something to look forward to.

It's funny how as soon as I start to decorate for autumn I have an urge to take out my crock pot and make a pot roast! 

The day I decorated (last Sunday) it was actually on the cooler side and I decided to make a "comfort food" meal...meatloaf and mashed potatoes! Soooo good!

September is apple season and the pies will be coming! We are going apple picking in a couple of weeks.  Do you go apple picking or is it just a New England thing?  I've gone every year since I can remember.  It's one of my favorite traditions.  I especially love getting cider and apple donuts!

I can't wait ♥

Isn't this table runner cute? I got it at Michaels Craft Store ♥

 Little friends around the house get decked out for the season too. 

Miss Patriotic Bear gets a witches hat!

When the weather gets a little cooler I'm looking forward to planting mums in the yard and putting  pumpkins on the front steps.  The nursery is full of beautiful colors right now - oranges, reds, and yellows.  It's so hard to drive by and not go in....

Soon! ♥♥♥

I've also started this book sent to me by a special friend! I have haven't been able to put it down!  It's so good and perfect for the season!

Thank you special friend! ♥

currently on my nightstand waiting for me...  

 The days are getting a little bit shorter as time marches on and I can see it's getting darker earlier.  This little light in my foyer is on a timer so we don't come home to a dark house.  My mom made the arrangement for me a few years ago.  I love it!

And here he is! My fourth grader!!  He's in his uniform which is proof it's back to school time.

Still not used to getting up early,  he's got sleepy eyes ; )

Saying goodbye to the lazy days of summer is never easy, but I'm looking forward to all the beauty that fall brings!

Thank you so much for visiting me today!

I hope you all have a happy weekend with the ones you love! xoox

It's coming... ♥

I can feel things starting to shift.  Only two more precious weeks of August and then it will be September.  I've noticed in the evenings it's starting to get darker earlier and every once in a while I get a little hint of something in the air that tells me the season is getting ready to change. And although I am loving the carefree days of summer I am looking forward to getting back to a regular routine.

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This weekend I took John school shopping. We went to Walmart and got all his school supplies - folders, notebooks, pencils, etc..  He really enjoyed picking these things out and told me he's excited about fourth grade! We also went clothes shopping which he didn't enjoy as much but I am SO happy that it's done!  Once mid August rolls around I always get anxious that we are going to run out of time and I start scrambling.  He actually doesn't go back to school until September 8th but I hate waiting to the last minute. In any case we've got all our clothes, supplies, and a new backpack (thanks to Nana & Grampy).  All we need is a new lunchbox and we are good to go!

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So now that all that is ready all that's left is just to enjoy these last few weeks of vacation.  My niece is getting married next Saturday and it will be John's first wedding.  It will be fun to get all dressed up and have a night out with family.  Plus I love weddings! ♥♥♥

One thing I must keep reminding myself is take time out to breathe...  There are so many things to do, things to enjoy, things to think about.  Life is busy.  Taking time out for myself keeps me grounded. A five minute tea break on the deck by myself can set the tone for my whole day.  I need to do this more often.  Especially as we move into my favorite time of year.

Anyway...in other news here are a few pictures of life this week...

I made pizza the other night.

Homemade is the best ♥

I also tried a new recipe for orange chicken. 

It was delicious! I'll be sharing the recipe soon.

 

Taking a short walk during my lunch break makes the day better....

John is sharing this coloring book he got for his birthday with me.  I'm slightly addicted!

A quick work selfie!

(aren't those bathroom lights horrible?:)

I heard on the news this morning this may go down was one of the driest summers in history!

How these flowers are doing so well is beyond me!

Me and my leopard slippers wish you a very happy Monday!

xoxoxo