Happy Tuesday - catching up from the weekend! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

Here I am this morning meandering around my front yard in my pj's, coffee in hand, checking on the flowers.  Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this.  My neighbors probably get a good little chuckle from time to time seeing me in my ugly, mismatched jammies, but surprisingly it doesn't bother me too much.  My only rule is I never make eye contact. I wanted to step out check out the roses this morning. They are loving the sunshine.  Usually, I keep my morning coffee drinking to the seclusion of my back porch, but today I ventured out front. It was worth it to see the roses.  Plus this morning Rob was out there doing yard work so he was my buffer zone :) 

We had a very nice weekend.  Saturday we went to my nephew's graduation.  

It was beautiful day! ♥

It's so hard to believe these kids are all grown up! I get misty just thinking about it. 

We had a fun day with family celebrating. It got hot in the afternoon and by the end of the day, we were beat. 

As expected, by Sunday my social battery was drained, so we kept it low key.  I did get my post mass breakfast that I was hoping for and after a quick trip to the library to return some books, Rob took me out for an ice cream. The first of the season. 

YUM! ♥

We also watched a great movie called Song Sung Blue.  Have you seen it?  It was excellent.  Kate Hudson was actually amazing in this film.  I believe she was nominated for an Academy Award.  

I can see why! ♥

Have tissues handy because you will cry. I was not expecting it at all! 

It's also a true story which makes it even more emotional : ) 

♥

In other news, yesterday I tried overnight oats for the first time! 

I went for raspberry almond.

 

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting but it was delicious! I really liked it.  I'm going to have fun trying different flavors, but this one with fresh raspberries was really yummy! 

 

In the summertime I like to have cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit for breakfast.  This is a nice alternative - and from what I'm reading, the health-conscious people say it's full of protein!  It was surprisingly very filling too. 

♥

This week is already shaping up to be a busy one.  Lots of work meetings and such, and on Wednesday morning I'm going for round two of my shingles shot. That's adulthood for you! Fun! 

So what's for dinner tonight?  I'm dancing a jig this morning because I know just a few feet away from me in the fridge are LEFTOVERS! My favorite meal! Last night I made garlic chicken with roasted rosemary potatoes and summer squash.  I made extra on purpose which was a great decision.  

Having a night off from cooking, as much as I love it, is a simple pleasure I've come to really appreciate ♥

The other day I made a quick trip to Fresh Market and treated myself to some amazing produce, bread, and herbs.  It really does make a difference in cooking.  Do you have a Fresh Market near you?  I only discovered it last year and I'm obsessed with it. I like it much better than Whole Foods. 

John is away on a little vacation to Cape Cod with some friends this week, so the house is especially quiet. I'm off to pour a cup of coffee, put on another episode of I Love Lucy for background noise while I get some work done.  It's going to be a hot one today (maybe hitting 90 this afternoon) so the kitchen will be kept cool and maybe we'll have BLT's for lunch. 

 It's starting to really feel like summer ♥

Have a great day, friends!  xx 

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

John Graduated! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

It's hard for me to put into words what I felt that day.  I was overjoyed for John.  It was such an achievement and happy occasion for everyone.  As I sat in the bleachers watching my only son walk with his classmates (402 of them!) while the music played, the last 17 years flashed before my eyes.  It all happened so fast.  I am so proud of him! I was on the edge of crying the entire time...happy tears of course...some a little sad. It's really happening. 

*Also, does Pomp & Circumstance give anyone else chills? That song is so emotional!*

He was SO Happy! It was a beautiful ceremony.  And the best part was John got to play with the band one final time.  He's played at graduation for the last 3 years and this year he got to play for himself.  How cool is that ♥

Afterwards we went home and celebrated with family and friends.  We ate, told stories, laughed, and it was wonderful.  I thought about my mom a lot. I wished so badly she was there with us.  And my Dad, who unfortunately was in the hospital.  He's still there battling a few things but thankfully getting better and hopefully coming home soon.  (More on that later)  

 

For now I'd like to say Congratulations to John.  You did it!!! I know you'll do great things! On to the next chapter! We love you soooo much! ♥

And now that that's over, I'll be back to my regular scheduled program of coffee, candles, and cozy posts.  It's almost summer! 

Happy days my friends! And thank you for all your kind messages and congratulations to John!  

He read them all! Xx 

I'll be back soon with an update on Dad ♥