My weekend and a little holiday decorating ♥

 Hello Friends!  ♥

Happy Monday from wet and stormy Massachusetts! 

 I hope you all had a lovely weekend and your Monday is off to a good start.

We are having quite a rainstorm today.  It's windy, dark, and gloomy, but as long as we're cozy inside I'm not minding it at all.  In fact, I rather like it. I have a pot roast in the oven that's been simmering away all afternoon.  I usually cook pot roast in the crock pot but this way the kitchen stays nice and toasty and it smells good in here too  ♥

I'm nothing if not practical :) 

 Anyway, how was your weekend?  They go by too quickly, don't they?  

On Saturday Rob and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary! (I know!).  We went to lunch and a walk on the cape cod canal.  

Most of the seafood places in the cape are closed now but we found one right across from the bridge that's still open. They were closing the next day! Lucky for me because I had the best lobster roll of my life. 

We took a nice walk and watched the boats go by ♥ 

Cape Cod off season is so much nicer than peak season.  Same scenery and food. Less heat and crowds.  

I'm in  ♥

Looking like Fall and I'm loving it!  ♥

On Sunday I decided to go after that shelf I was telling you about. Is it a bit too early to bring out the Christmas village? Yes, of course it is.  Did I do it anyway?  Yes, of course I did! 

October 12th...and so it begins!  ♥  

fa la la la.....

You have idea the amount of DUST that was up here!  I took all teapots and knick-knacks down, cleaned them, and wrapped them up for storage.  

Then I unwrapped all THIS.  That's when the fun started  ♥ 

 Now I realize it's not even Halloween yet and I by no means am trying to rush the FALL or wish it away, but I cannot even begin to tell you how happy seeing this little village makes me.  

Plus my Mom loved this village.  It was the highlight of our Christmas decorating.  Next to the tree, this was her favorite thing.  I felt sad doing it by myself, but happy at the same time because I know she would have loved it.  My Dad said so too. 

My goal was to have it done by Thanksgiving.  

Ok, so I'm a little early, but now it's off the list.  One less thing to do when the holiday rush starts.  

I thought I was going to get a lot more teasing from my family than I actually did.  I think everyone around here is ready for holiday season.  Last years wasn't the best so we're hoping for a much happier (and healthier) one this year.  Why not start a bit early? I'm ready ♥

Well, I'm off to check on my pot roast.  What are you having for dinner tonight?  

Have a cozy evening friends!  Make a cup of tea, curl up under a blanket, and watch something comforting tonight.  If it's still stormy I might just read my book and go to bed early  ♥ 

Cause adults can do that.  Byeeeee! xo 

Weekend in Cape Cod ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

It's Monday already. I hope you are all off to a nice start to the week.  I am moving a little slow today but that's just because we are just back from a long weekend in Cape Cod with Rob's family.  Every year we try to do something special where we all can get together.  With so many conflicting schedules (there's 12 of us!) it's not always easy.  This weekend was booked back in September! 

In past years we've gone to the mountains in New Hampshire (which is my favorite place :) but this time we decided to switch things up and go to the beach. It only took us an hour and 15 minutes to get there.  

 

We stayed at the Red Jacket Resort in West Yarmouth, MA.  

It was LOVELY and I highly recommend it. 

 

 The beaches are beautiful in Cape Cod.  

I could sit for hours just watching the waves come in and out.  In fact, I did ♥

I heard the water was cold but I admit I didn't even put my toes in.  I was happy just sitting and smelling the salty air with my feet up. Our chairs were so close to the water. 

Our resort had a private beach which was very quiet.  Some of us stayed on the sand all day, some took advantage of the indoor or outdoor pool (or both), and some of us (me) enjoyed the covered pavilion overlooking the beach.  It was under a tent so plenty of shade, with nice comfy couches! 

There was also music and free popsicles : ) 

We played bocce on the beach, had cocktail hour every night in my in-laws room before dinner, and went out for gelato several times at this awesome place 5 minutes from the hotel.  

It was SO good! (definitely a highlight of the trip : ) 

They make it fresh every morning.

My favorite was the strawberry cheesecake! The chocolate espresso was amazing too. 

OMG still thinking about it....♥

There's beautiful landscaping everywhere you turn.  I enjoyed just walking around admire all the flowers.  

At night we changed into our comfy clothes and all gathered in my in-laws room for games.  

We had a lot of laughs ♥

Family ♥

On our last night we took some photos on the beach and went out for a yummy Italian meal. 

I was told eggplant was the specialty.  It didn't disappoint! 

The weekend flew by and before I knew it we were back home.  

Sleeping in my own bed felt so good.  

Cape Cod, Summer 2023

Thanks for the memories 

♥

Weekend away....old Cape Cod ♥

Hello Everyone!

 

 We just got back from a wonderful weekend away and I can't wait to tell you about it. 

 

On Friday morning we packed out bags, loaded up the car with snacks and coffee - and off we went! 

 

 

 

 

We spent the weekend here at the Sea Crest Hotel in Falmouth, MA.

 

Down in old Cape Cod ♥

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were there to celebrate my in law's 50th wedding anniversary! 

It was a gift to them from all of us  "kids" (my husband, his older brother, younger sister and all our families).

 

We surprised them with it at Christmas so we've been waiting a long time for this weekend.

 

I had never been to the hotel before.  It was so pretty! All decked out for July 4th. 

 

 

 

 

The hotel was right on the Old Silver Beach ♥

 

 

 

 

We spent two glorious days here!

 

 

 

 

 

Booking so far in advance, you never know what the weather will be like. 

 

 

Well, we lucked out!

 

We couldn't have asked for better days!

 

 

Under the umbrella is where you'll find me.

 

 

 

 

John on the other hand, was in the water with his cousins for HOURS!!

 

 

Sunsets were glorious!

 

 

 

 

And so was this watermelon margarita ♥

 

 

I had to get seafood our first night.  This grilled salmon was delicious!

And then there's this ♥

 

Rob and I spilt it, but honestly....I could have easily taken care of this myself : )

 

YUM~

The view from my in laws balcony, where we had drinks & apps before dinner ♥

 

My favorite time to be at the beach ♥

The sound of the waves and smell of the salty air is so dreamy...

 

We saw three wedding receptions happening this weekend.  Can you imagine the photos?

Occasionally we would see sail boats going by.

We saved a little time for shopping! 

 

Cousins that match. Love it!

 

 

My coffee!  And it was good!

 

 

 

 

And so was this fresh fruit with real whipped cream.

 

Everything tastes better on vacation, doesn't it?

 

 

 

 

Dinner!

 

 

 

 

This gorgeous restaurant overlooking the water will forever be remembered as the place where John discovered Shirley Temples.....and had 4 of them! Yup.

 

Ahhhhh......!

 

 

 

 

 

Rob and I shared spumoni.  It was divine!

 

Another shared dessert.  I really need to break this habit, lol : )

 

 

 

 

 

Cousins ♥

 

Such a silly bunch!

 

 

 

 

 

A family selfie to end our time together! 

 

What a group! Love them all!

 

 

Goodbye, Sea Crest.  I will miss you ♥

 

 

Before I go I want to share with you a quick story. 

 

At dinner last night my in laws presented each of us with this beautiful piece of Capodimonte Porcelain.  These flowers were made in Italy and were the wedding favors at my in laws wedding 50 years ago!  My father in law had saved the extras (without my mother in law knowing!) and kept them hidden in the basement all these years.  She recently found them and since there were enough all of us, we each got one. 

 

What an incredible memento of that special day so long ago, and also of this past weekend which we all enjoyed so much.