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 

July blues and a big birthday coming up ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

I hope you all had a nice 4th of July and weekend! It was very quiet around here.  I opted to stay home and cool on Thursday and it was pretty much the same for the weekend.  I did a little more cleaning and organizing of my mother's things on Sunday.  I decided to start in the basement and work my way up.  This was a good decision because our basement is very cool and it's HOT as blazes here right now. I'm talking 90's and humid. Ugh.  Anyway, it turns out that going through my mother's things is much harder than I thought and so I can only handle a little bit at a time.  My mom was a lifelong packrat and has so much STUFF I can't even begin to explain it.  Everything near and dear to her heart which makes it all the more difficult.  So...I'll do it in small doses.  There really isn't any rush per say, its just one of those things that should be done, you know?  At one point I started to feel very overwhelmed and had to just stop. I made myself an ice cream sundae and took it into my room and watched a Hallmark movie in bed.  That's how I destress : )

♥

 

This morning (and you know how much I hate Mondays!) I wanted to start my week on a good foot so I took the clippers and went over to our hydrangea bush and clipped some blooms for my living room.  I meant to do it over the weekend but never got a chance. 

As you can see, apparently hydrangeas thrive in heat and humidity.  

We don't have that in common.  I am slowly melting : )

♥

Bringing pretty flowers in the house made me feel happy and I really needed that pick-me-up today. 

Isn't it amazing how flowers can do that ♥

I like to do one big vase and then a few small ones scattered around.  

Blue is my favorite color and now I have blues in every corner of my very small cozy living room. 

 

In other news...♥

I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks.  It's a big one.  I can't even believe it.  I'll tell you but don't tell anyone.  I'm turning fif...fif..FIFTY.  There I said it.  I've been thinking a lot about that recently and what it really means to me.  I guess it's not so much the number (even though it's a pretty big one) it's more of the passing of time aspect of it.  I spend so much time watching John growing up I forgot about my own age! I was 17 when I graduated high school and Rob is 2 years older than me.  I'm the youngest sibling in my family and the youngest cousin (out of 24 cousins) and I've usually been the youngest in all my friend groups.  Me turning that number seems crazy. But it's happening!!  I don't know what I'll be doing for my birthday yet.  I just hope there is a lobster dinner and cake involved.  For now I'll enjoy the last precious few weeks in my 40's. And believe me, I know there are a lot of great things that go along with being Fifty.  I'll talk more about that next time.  

I have lots of thoughts on the subject ♥

Right now I must get back to work.  I hope you are having a nice Monday and your July is off to a sunny start. If it's hot where you are, stay cool! And if it isn't...I'm very jealous! I will be falling asleep tonight to the sweet sounds of my air conditioner ♥

Love you! Byeeee! xo 

It's August 1st ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy August! ♥

As I type this it's almost 5pm and I don't even know where the day went.  I had to leave my cozy home office today and venture into work.  Yup.  I got dressed and I left the house : ) 

I'm happy to be home now and I just rewarded myself with a cup of tea and a square of dark chocolate.  Rob tells me that one square a day is good for me.  That's all I needed to hear! 

As far as a work day goes it wasn't horrible.  I attribute that to a good nights sleep.  Sunday I washed all our bedding so the last few nights sleep have been dreamy.  Aren't fresh sheets the best feeling?! I have been sleeping so well! So much so I have not wanted to climb out of bed in the morning (more than usual!)

 I had to of course, but I can't wait to get back in there tonight.  I really love my bed (that's weird to say but it's true!) and I know my sleeping habits need some work.  It's something that I really need to make a priority.  

But that's a topic for another day : ) 

I just took my tea outside for a minute because it's such a lovely day! Cooler than it's been and no humidity.  My hair didn't immediately frizz and my makeup didn't melt off my face. I'm aware it's August 1st, but I can feel September around the corner.

I took a five minute walk about.  Our yard isn't fancy, but its ours and we love it.  Perfect is so boring, don't you think?  I much prefer charming and wonky.  We have flowers and a little white fence in the corner. There's an old stone wall and tea roses that bloom every year no matter how harsh the winter.  There are burning bushes that will turn orange and maroon this fall and a little spot at the bottom of the driveway where we can sit and have coffee if we want to.  It's not fancy, but it's private and I can listen to the birds. There is a huge tree in the front that my dad planted the week John was born.  We call it John's Tree. There's a river in the back and sometimes we see a boat or a kayaker go by.  It's mostly occupied by ducks and geese...who I love to watch by the way. Sometimes all I hear are quacks and honks and other times like now, it's completely still.   

I was thinking about how all if this is snow covered and frozen solid in winter, and yet it always comes back in full color.  And I'm always amazed by it. Nature is a wonder, isn't it?

 I have walked this yard my entire 49 years of life.  I jumped through the sprinkler on this grass when I was little and so has John.  What a gift. 

♥

  And now I'm back inside and it's almost dinner time.  I'm grilling burgers tonight so I better get started. 

Have a great evening everyone!  And happy August! What are your plans for the month?  

We are heading to Cape Cod this Friday for a little three day weekend get-a-way.  I checked the weather and it's looking like high 70's/low 80's with a small chance of rain.  Some may be upset about this forecast, but not me.  It sounds perfect.  It's always a little cooler at the beach so I can bring a light sweater and enjoy my coffee on a balcony with a cool sea breeze.  And if it's a little misty, well that will be just fine too ♥

xoxoxo 

May Mood Board ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy Monday ♥

This morning I was on Pinterest and decided to make a little mood board for May.  I selected pictures that expressed goals I want to accomplish this month. Things like deep cleaning, organizing my office, experimenting with healthy recipes, going on a family picnic, being better about blogging & journaling, and (what I'm most excited about) perfecting my sour dough bread. Something about looking at these photos rather than just a written list is motivating me.  It was so fun to make and I will probably do one for every month going forward! I'm keeping this mood board on my phone so I can take a look at it every day : ) 

Anywhoo, that was nice way to start my day! 

 

I had a lovely weekend starting with watching the coronation on Saturday morning.  I loved it so much!!!  I find it all so fascinating! I'm in awe of the tradition and pageantry.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that things like this still exist. And I'm so glad they do. I even got John and Rob to watch a little of it with me. It's history in the making and was definitely worth getting up early for.  

On Sunday my sister and I took my mother out for an early mother's day tea.  It was wonderful! They both had a traditional English Breakfast but since it was such a warm day I was feeling like something different so I took a chance and tried a blackberry tea.  I think it's my new favorite!!! It was divine!  We had finger sandwiches, scones with jam & cream, and delicious desserts.  We were all so full! The tea shop had some extra decorations up for the coronation as well which was fun to see.  It made me feel part of the celebration in a small way.

In other news....

I just came in the house from cutting some lilacs from our bush outside.  They just bloomed! I wish you could smell these! 

♥

I put a vase on my kitchen table and one on my nightstand.  I can't wait to fall asleep tonight to the sweet smell of these flowers. 

I hope you are off to a great start to the week.  My weather app says high 70's all week. We are definitely in full spring mode now! ♥

 I have to say, for a Monday, today wasn't so bad :)

Stay cozy, friends! Byeeee! Xx

Happy Friday! ♥ What's up for the weekend?

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

Let me ask you something? Do you ever buy baby's breath just to have it, or is it always a filler? I buy bunches of it and scatter it around my house is if it were as fancy as red roses!  I just love those little white pom-poms!  They deserve to be front and center, don't you think?  

So that's what I'm looking at right now.  It's been a rainy and gloomy week here and the baby's breath is cheering things up a bit. Highly recommend! 

♥

I also made a BIG batch of oatmeal cookies.  I added chocolate chips because that's what I needed this week ♥

. 

They are delicious!  (and going fast :) 

One of the real stormy days I decided it was soup night so I made Joanna Gaines' classic minestrone.  It's one of my favorite soup recipes. So many good thing in here.

 

I added some shredded chicken this time! 

YUM!

It was so good! It makes a huge amount so I froze half to have another time. 

It's from the Magnolia Cookbook Volume 2, which I'm slowly cooking my way through!

Here's a link to the recipe: Classic Minestrone 

♥

After a busy work week I'm looking forward to settling in tonight and catching up on some needed sleep.  I'm planning on getting up early tomorrow to watch the coronation.  I have tea and biscuits all ready to go!  On Sunday my sister and I are taking my mother out for an early mother's day celebration.  Coincidently, we are going out for tea! The same place I wrote about a few weeks ago.  It's a charming tea room run by a British couple (Shelly's Tea Room, Plymouth MA). They serve the most amazing freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream.  My mouth is already watering.  It's going to be an extra special occasion because it's coronation weekend! I hadn't realized that when I made the reservation.  How lucky are we! 

I'm so very excited! ♥

 (my post in case you missed it)

I can't wait to taste these again!

Have a wonderful weekend friends! Stay cozy and I'll see you back here on Monday! ♥

Byeeeee! Xx 

Random Monday chatter: Are you my people? ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy May! ♥

Can you believe it's May 1st?!  This year is flying by so quickly it's scary.  John (happily) mentioned to me this morning that he gets out of school next month.  Summer is just around the corner! No, I'm not decorating for the 4th of July yet if that's what you're thinking,  but at this rate it will be here before we know it : ) 

For now I'll try to enjoy spring while it lasts.  I snapped the picture below of our hydrangea bush this morning.  It's all buds and I can hardly wait for it to open.  Spring is about being patient, isn't it? Waiting for signs of life after winter, and now waiting for all those little flowers to pop.  It's kind of exciting when you think about it.  

I had this thought the other day that I would like to press flowers this spring. One from every blooming bush and tree we have in the yard.  I can save them and put them in cards and letters throughout the year.  I don't think I've ever received a card with a pressed flower in it.  It's something I've only read about in books or seen in movies, but it's a very charming concept, don't you think? I saw on Pintrest (i.e my happy place) that some people mat and frame them.  How adorable.  I think I've stumbled upon a new hobby.  And guess what? It doesn't cost a cent.

All I have to do is wait.... ♥

 

Pressing flowers feels like an old fashioned vintagey thing to do.  Maybe that's why I like the idea of it so much. Like wearing a flower crown or a corsage.  It's a lost art, like so many things from the past are.  I think what it boils down to is just trying to be thoughtful, intentional, and romanticize everything possible. I always say it's the little things in life.  I've been trying to incorporate more thoughtful activities into my lifestyle.  For example, sending hand written thank you cards instead of texts.  I had gotten away from this for a long time, but now I'm bringing it back!  I also love the idea of sending flowers as a gift.  Its such an underrated thing to do these days.  And who doesn't love to receive flowers? I know I do.  Another example is cooking from scratch.  Yes it takes longer but I get so much joy creating things in the kitchen. Not everything works, but that's how I've learnt. Just yesterday I had an unfortunate incident with overnight French toast. It happens.  On the flip side, I just started yet another sourdough starter this week.  My last one didn't make it (r.i.p.) so I'm trying again.  I'll have my perfect loaf one of these days. sigh.  It takes a long time, but I do enjoy the process. And I love wearing aprons : )

It's all quite cozy.  And I've always felt the coziest people are the happiest people.  We are the ones who wrap ourselves up in blankets at night with tea and a word game or good movie on TV.  We light candles, listen to old music, talk about our days, press flowers, write in journals, read blogs, and make sourdough bread (or know someone that does...or at least tries). We pick pumpkins in the fall and go out for pancakes.  We miss the holidays after Christmas and we can't wait for September when the pumpkin spice arrives at Dunkin Donuts.  We watch scary movies and have to have a little something sweet before bed. 90% of the time we wear clothes that could be mistaken for pajamas and we are perfectly fine with that. If you are relating to any of this...you are my people and I love you : ) 

I hope you are all having a great Monday! My tea is getting cold and it's almost time to start thinking about dinner.  

Thanks for stopping by today! It means so much that you do! Xx 

PS - here is a link to one of my favorite posts I've ever written (back in 2014!) about flowers....what each one means, ect.  Very helpful in you are thinking of sending someone a bouquet this spring :)

The Language of Flowers 

Love the Simple Things ♥

Hello Lovely Friends and happy last day of March! ♥

I ran to the grocery store this morning to pick up a few things for our big dinner on Sunday and I couldn't resist these darling pink carnations.  Some people see carnations just as a filler flower.  Not me.  They are my favorite.  And at $5 a bunch I am the happiest I've been all week with these pretty blooms scattered around the house. : ) 

 

Who couldn't smile at this?  I can't wait for Rob to get home.  He will humor me and not be as excited as I am,  but he will appreciate it.  Work days are long and hard and it's nice to have a cozy and cheery place to hang your hat at night.  We are blessed. ♥

It's the simplest things that make me the most happy.  It truly is.  

 Tomorrow I'll start prepping for Sunday.  I'm making a banana cream pie (John's request!) and coconut macaroons.  I haven't had either of those things in a very long time, so I'm excited.  I plan to put on some vintage music and my prettiest apron and spend a good couple of hours in the kitchen.  My happy place.  I'll share pictures and recipes with you next week! 

My aunt is coming down to join us and my parents for dinner.  I'll be with Rob's family on Easter Sunday so this is our "holiday" supper.  My parents are joining my sister on that day.  Everyone makes the effort to see each other and that's all that really matters.  Personally, I like to stretch out holidays as much as possible so it's all good with me. 

 It's hard to believe Easter is a week from Sunday! The Cadbury chocolate eggs are in the house! I've opened the bag.  It's happening : ) 

 

Before I sign off for today I want to share with you two things I discovered this week:

1. Greek yogurt with slivered almonds and dark chocolate makes a delicious snack! 

(seriously omg, this was really good!)

And 2.  Have you ever tried this? 

If not, you must.  That's all I say.  

I'm having a cup now and it's DIVINE!!!! 

Not to be dramatic (me...never!) but it's moments like this that make me grateful to be a coffee drinker! 

Have a great weekend, my friends! Stay cozy and enjoy the simple things ♥

xoxoxo

Hyacinths ♥

 

This $9 grocery store hyacinth plant is bringing me joy this week.  It sits on a stool by the window in the corner of my little kitchen and smiles at me every time I walk in the room.  After just one week in the sun her blooms started to open.  

She's singing "springtime is coming" just for me and I'm singing along with her.

After a long cold winter (and it's not over yet!), is there anything better than the first flowers of spring?  It's a sign of better days ahead.  Fingers crossed it won't be long. 

Just for fun, I googled "what does a hyacinth symbolize?"  

Here is what popped up....  ♥

Now I love it even more : ) 

Hyacinths.  Available at grocery stores everywhere.  

Treat yourself today  ♥

What does a hyacinth symbolize?

Symbolism. The hyacinth is the flower of the sun god Apollo and is a symbol of peace, commitment and beauty, but also of power and pride. The hyacinth is often found in Christian churches as a symbol of happiness and love.

Flowers in January ♥

 Flowers in June are a beautiful sight but there is something magical about pastel colored blooms in January, don't you think? 

Happy Saturday Friends! 

I hope you find some sunshine today ♥

Spotted on my walk last night...♥

Looks like there is hope after all! 

Happy Wednesday dear friends! ♥ 

Thank you ♥♥♥

Hello, my friends! I wanted to first say a big THANK YOU to all of you for your kind and supportive words regarding my move.  Thank you to all my blog, twitter, and Instagram friends that messaged me with kind thoughts and well wishes on my new adventure.  It truly means the world to me knowing I have your support.  Change can be hard, but I know in my heart this is  right for me and my family ♥

 

 

The past few weeks have been CRAZY busy.  I'm honestly surprised my head hasn't spun off my body like a top!  AND I haven't even started packing my house yet! We've been spending all of our time getting our new place ready and I'm happy to say we are just about done (big sigh of relief...).  This weekend we are taking a well deserved trip to New Hampshire to enjoy mountain air and family time.  I need it more than you can imagine. We'll be back on Monday and the madness will start up again, so I'm going to enjoy our down time and live in the moment as much as I can. 

Quick question? How does one pack up a house? Hmmm...I guess I'll find out! :)

 

 

I also wanted to say thank you for all of my birthday wishes last week! You made me feel so special! As a little birthday treat to me from me...I bought myself this bottle of Amazing Grace. It's my favorite perfume!  I had run out of it a very long time ago and never replaced it. I had been missing it so I splurged for my birthday.  I'm so glad I did.  There is something about this scent that brings a feeling of peace over me and just makes me happy.  A friend on Instagram asked me to describe the scent and I said "if grace had a smell, this would be it".

 

It's hard to explain, but I love it so much and if you've never smelt it, please run out to the store and get a sample. 

 

It's absolutely lovely ♥♥♥

 

 

 

We've scheduled our movers for Saturday September 2nd.  That's officially one month from today.  Something I've been doing these past few weeks is taking a few minutes each day in my yard, walking around and trying to notice things I've never noticed before.  Now that we have a specific moving date I feel like I need to soak in all the memories I have of our little yard before she belongs to someone else.  This week has been hot, humid, with lots of rain.  Apparently the flowers love it, because everywhere I look they are in bloom. 

Either that or they are saying goodbye to me. And thank you for taking care of us all these years.

Or maybe a little of both.....♥

Happy August, my friends! 

 

 

It's going to be an interesting month : )

 

xoxox