How about this? ♥

 

Sounds good to me :) 

Hello Monday! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

Well, look who went walking with her clippers this weekend...:)  

This is literally a branch that I clipped of that big wild bush I showed you on Friday.  I put the whole thing in vase and called it a day.  It's so wonky and makes me laugh when I look at it.  However, I love the yellow and it's screaming spring to me so she's staying! 

Yay! ♥

We had a very nice weekend, although some things didn't go as planned.  John's event ended up getting cancelled by the venue.  Something to do with overbooking.  He was very disappointed!  However, when one door closes another opens. He and his bandmates have a few other irons in the fire for upcoming performances so there's more to look forward to.  This place will also be rescheduling so hopefully he'll have a busy summer.  That's life in show biz I guess.  Never a dull moment.  

As for me, I didn't end up going out to dinner Saturday night.  It turns out staying cozy in my sweats was more appealing to me in the moment (typical me), so we stayed in and watched a movie instead.  We did go out to breakfast after church on Sunday and went for a nice walk on the beach after.  

It was sooo lovely and made me really excited for the summer ♥

Around the house I was pretty productive.  Little touches of spring as still appearing around here and I keep reorganizing things.   I have way too many dishes and teapots and I struggle to find places for everything.  I just can't put things away.  

Especially if they have flowers on them ♥

I had to run to CVS to pick up a few things and this candle caught my attention.  

I decided to treat myself.  It's heavenly! ♥

I made the custard pie I'd been craving.  I remembered I had a recipe for coconut custard pie that was pretty easy.  I whipped it up in minutes and it came out DELICIOUS!  I did have some crust issues so don't look too closely at it. 

Thankfully it still tasted yummy!! ♥ 

I'll link the recipe HERE if you want to try it.  I blogged about it back in 2016.  

A custard pie (with or without coconut) is pure old fashioned comfort food. 

♥

I cleaned out my closet and filled a donation bag that I need to drop off this week.  The hard part is done.  Now I have lots of room in my closet.  I need to make a point to do this more often.  

There's a coat closet downstairs that I will tackle next time I'm motivated ♥

I also cleaned a cabinet that I store craft supplies in.  It had really been bugging me because it had gotten so disorganized!! Unraveled rolls of ribbon everywhere! Going through all my stuff I really began to miss crafting and decided I need to get back into it again.  I was very into rubber stamping for a hot minute and have a very big supply of them that I totally forgot about.  How cute is this bunny one?! I must use it on something soon! 

♥

If I have your address, you'll probably be getting some type of correspondence from me with stamps all over it. Actually, if anyone wants to be pen pals, let me know : )

After getting coffee at Panera, I took some time on Saturday to read an actual MAGAZINE and loved every minute.  

My Dad and I shared an orange too ♥

Out back is slowly turning greeeeeen 💚

And the evenings are starting to stay lighter longer.  I enjoyed this view last night.  

Very peaceful ♥

I hope to see many more sunsets from my deck this summer.  

And that was pretty much my exciting weekend in a nutshell.  

Here I am this morning trying to take a selfie without feeling silly. 

It's not easy! LOL 

But I was up early, showered, and dressed on a Monday morning. A big accomplishment when you work from home. I felt it should be documented.  Does this mean I'll have a productive week? We shall see. 

Fingers crossed! ♥

Have a wonderful evening friends! ♥

I'm making a lemon pasta for dinner tonight that I am very much looking forward to.  I'll definitely need my after dinner walk....I'll leave my clippers at home this time. 

 Talk to you all soon! Bye! xx 

Nostalgia - a blessing and a curse ♥

 Hello Dear Friends! Happy new week! ♥

Spring has officially sprung around here.  Every tree and bush has buds on it.  Flowers are blooming, grass is green, and the birds can't sing loud enough.  And even though the nights are still a bit chilly, we are certainly past the "hump" and well on our way to warm sunny days.  Horary! Rob has started cleaning up the yard and laying down mulch.  That's a sure sign of the changing season.  

And while I couldn't be happier to kiss winter goodbye, last week I was feeling a bit down.  Ever since Easter I've felt a sort of sadness come over me.  I know much of it has to do with my mom and memories of her, but it's more than that.  

I am a very nostalgic person, and sometimes I tend to go down rabbit holes of longing for the past in ways that really make me sad. I get into a funk and then have to work hard to pull myself out of it.  This is nothing new for me.  It hits me at different times, triggered by I don't know what. But here I am.    

Nostalgia (according to Google) by definition is this: 

Feeling nostalgic means experiencing a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, often triggered by memories of childhood, familiar places, or close relationships. It is a "bittersweet" emotion, blending fondness for happy memories with a slight sadness or longing for times that cannot be relived. 

Google also says: 

• Bittersweet Feeling: It often involves feeling happy about a memory while simultaneously feeling sad that it is over.
• Triggered by Memory: It is usually sparked by sensory triggers like music, smells, old photos, or visiting familiar places.
• Psychological Benefits:
   While sometimes seen as sadness, it actually strengthens personal identity, enhances social connectivity, and provides comfort during times of loneliness or stress.
   

I think that just about sums it up don't you?  I'm sure we've all had this feeling.  Like, if I look at pictures of John as a baby, I feel happy and sad at the same time.  I understand all this.  The hard part for me is to focus on the happy, and not so much on the sad. 

For example...

The other day I was looking at pictures (on this very blog mind you) of the house I used to live in. How happy I was there.  How cozy it was.  The cute twinkle lights I had around the kitchen windows and hanging geraniums I used to have on my deck every summer.  Those things made me happy and now that they are gone, I'm sad.  I will never see that window or have those geraniums ever again. 

NOT to say I'm not happy now, but you get the idea.  

Time goes on and things change.  Family changes.  Friends change.  People get older or pass away and some things just aren't what they used to be. Maybe it's just the passing of time that gets me. I'm getting older and the years are passing at a faster rate.  Looking at a picture I think, that's a time in my life that will never be again.  But I'm still happy it happened. And what happened to that sweater?  I really liked that sweater. See....happy/sad/happy/sad.  It's a blessing and a curse.  

TikTok has been a killer for me.  I keep seeing those aesthetic videos of "what life was like back then" type of stuff. I'm obsessed with watching them, but at the same time they make me so sad (especially the Christmas ones!).  

I watched one this morning...it was all about what shopping malls were like in the 1980's & 90's.  Bustling, lively, and fun! Who didn't spend their weekends at the mall?!  And now they are slowly disappearing.  Some are abandoned. Why do I even care? And why would that make me sad?  And have you heard that QVC has declared bankruptcy?! I've spent the last 40 years watching QVC.  Not that I've even ordered much from it over the years, but I do enjoy watching it, and now it might disappear...just like the malls.  

I was food shopping last week there was a sign posted at the cashier that said no more pennies.  Change will be either rounded up or down the nearest 5 cents.  What is going on?  This is me resisting change and progress.  Is it progress?  Am I over thinking?  I have been very negative lately about a lot of big things and I think it's just spilling over into the little daily things.  

Ok, so maybe I just need more hobbies? Get out more, Danielle.  

Get a grip on reality! I know, I will ♥

Thank you (if you are still reading this!!) for listening to my rant.  I don't even know what this post is?!  I think I just needed to get all of that out and you know what? I do feel better!  Maybe it's not so unusual to be sad for the past and maybe I'm not the only one who gets down about these things.  If you've ever felt this way for no particular reason, then I feel you! :)  

I will end this post with a lovely picture of my hot chocolate I got on Saturday morning when I met my friend Julie at a cozy bakery for a wonderful catch up!  We hadn't seen each other in ages and had the best time talking.  It was great therapy for me.  Her boys and John have been friends since kindergarten, so we've done the whole "growing up" thing together.  It all happened in a blink of my eye.  

So now that I've been writing all this and thinking about it, I realize my nostalgia is a blessing and curse.  Yes, I do get sad when I long for the past and things in my life that are no longer, yet I'm so very happy and grateful that I was able to have those things.  And who know what more there is to come in life.  By the grace of God I pray for blessings.  

This is life.  And it's good ♥

Love you all!  Have a great day! xx

PS I promise you I haven't become unhinged.  I'm hanging on nice and tight.  I'll be back in a day or so more like myself - with lots of Lucy, baked goods, and candles - the usual.  Now I'm off to drink a much needed coffee and get some work done.  Tonight Rob and I will walk the neighborhood after dinner, I'll get into bed with my book and then get a good night's sleep.  I'm really looking forward to that.  

Ordinary Day ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm just winding down work for the day and I'd thought I'd pop in to say a quick hello.  

I've made myself a cozy tea to have with my afternoon chocolate fix. 

I know it's not good, but here we are :) 

I've spent most of the day in front of my computer working.  Usually by this time of the day my eyes are starting to cross, and I know it's time to stop. It's been very productive though so I'm happy about that.  It's amazing I can be this productive in sweatpants, but again...here we are. 

John just packed his drum kit into the car and off he went to perform his first "gig" with his band!  They are preforming at an art show at a neighboring town's high school.  He was so excited. They've been practicing for a long time and hopefully this is the first of many opportunities to play for an audience.  

Fingers crossed! ♥

It's been raining all day today.  A little while ago the rain turned to hail (which was fascinating to watch!).  When it finally stopped, the sun came out.  Yup, it's definitely spring!  I stepped outside when John was leaving and I was pleasantly surprised to see that my hydrangea has buds on it.  I've never seen this so soon.  

This is a very good sign ♥

With all the uncertainty and ugliness in the world, I know I can always count on nature.  The bushes will bud, the bunnies will visit us in yard, the birds will sing.  There is comfort in those things.  A constant that will always be there, and I'm grateful.

It's still on the chilly side today (cold and damp due to the rain) but the weatherman says we are headed for a warm up the rest of the week.  60's and maybe even 70 on Friday?!  That's a bit hard to believe but it's nice to think about!  I'm so looking forward to ditching the winter clothes and getting into lighter things.  I'm tired of looking at my same old sweatshirts. 

And that's pretty much it for today. A typical Tuesday over here.  Tonight we are having leftovers from last night which means I don't have to cook tonight and will have minimal dishes to clean.  That is music to my ears!  

I hope you all had a nice day.  Tomorrow is hump day! :) 

Monday musings ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Monday and happy first day of Fall! 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Mine was quiet & cozy, just the way I like it : ) 

On Saturday I was home all day puttering around the house.  I dusted, vacc'd, and moved around a few things for fall - including an end table and lamp that had really been irking me. It's the little things, I tell you!  

I celebrated by making a batch of chocolate chip cookies : ) 

See that shelf up above the sliding doors? It runs the length of the back wall and is full of my mom's tea pots and other collectibles.  It needs a dusting very badly. I was going to tackle it but then changed my mind.  I decided cookies and a book was a better plan.  

In fact, I think I'm going to take it all down and put in its place our Christmas village.  Every so often she did that for the winter and it looked so nice. There's plugs up there so the houses can light up.  It's a whole day project so I will have to gear up for that, but it will be worth it.  

That's the thing about living in my parents' house.  Not only did I acquire a house, I acquired everything in it as well (a blessing or a curse? maybe a little of both).  

We were blessed with beautiful fall weather too which made it all the better.  I'm not seeing any leaves changing colors in the back yet, but I'm sure it's coming soon.  

In a few weeks time this will all be golden : ) 

I can't wait ♥

On Sunday John was asked to walk with some friends in our annual town Irish Heritage Day parade.  He's done this every year for several years now and always has a great time.  He's known these kids since preschool! 

We came home after the parade, had lunch with my Dad (who is doing very well, by the way!!)  and settled in for the afternoon. John had friends coming over that night for a band rehearsal, so we ate dinner early.  I made chicken pot pie (the ultimate comfort food) and everyone agreed Fall has arrived.  

It's got my mind wandering to the holiday times.  I'm looking forward to cooking Thanksgiving this year and decorating for Christmas. 

OK, I won't get too ahead of myself...don't worry : ) 

I pulled out some of my cozy sweaters and moved them to the front. I love these colors! I'm no longer in summer clothes. Yay!  I need to get a new cardigan and pair of slippers. 

 A September tradition for me ♥

And all of a sudden, it's Monday again! Today will be a workday for me..also laundry, meals, checking in with Dad, checking on the leaves of course, and lots of coffee! 

Have a great Monday friends!  Thanks for visiting and stay cozy! What's for dinner tonight?  I think pork chops over here, but we'll see... ♥

Bye! xoxo 

Saturday morning ramblings ♥

Happy Saturday morning friends and happy weekend! ♥

I blinked and it's August. Lovely, beautiful August.  The one month that stands between me and pumpkin everything! We're getting there! I'm very relieved that some of you feel the same way I do about the heat and I'm not just being a crazy person.  Thank you for your reassurance. You are my people and I love you : ) 

Since I last posted we've had a bit of a reprieve from the heat which has been glorious.  I was able to turn off the a/c for a few days, open the windows, and it's been lovely. But alas, it's coming to an end.  The heat is returning as it always does in August, but thankfully we are in the homestretch now.  I'm only weeks away from the start of the "ber" months and that's what will get me through.  September here I come! 

It's also John's birthday month.  He'll be 18 on the 16th and I can hardly believe it. 18?!?! 

We have a little trip booked for the weekend of his birthday to Ogunquit, ME.  We went last year and really loved it (I wrote about it here).  We booked the same place for this year.  I've been waiting all summer to get a lobster roll (my mouth is literally watering...:). They are the best in Maine! Thankfully my Dad has been feeling WELL (knock-wood!) and so I feel better about leaving for a few days.  It's been a difficult summer for me in that way because I want to be here with him all the time.  I'm probably driving him mad but it's just the way I am.  Now that he's feeling better, he'll probably enjoy the house to himself for a few days.  At least that's what I'm telling myself so I don't feel guilty.  I really want John to enjoy his birthday weekend.  

So as I type this it's currently very early Saturday morning.  The house is quiet as a mouse.  I woke up early, poured a cup of coffee (that Rob already made for me before he went to work), and brought it back to bed.  I grabbed my laptop so I could read some blogs, and I plan on sitting here comfortably for a few good moments before facing the day.  It's been a long week, and I do enjoy a slow Saturday morning. 

  *she happily sighs*  

I fell asleep last night thinking about my morning coffee.  Do you do that? At 10:00 last night I was looking forward to it so much and this morning it didn't disappoint me.  Ah, the simple pleasures of life.  I do love them.  

I must have had some weird dreams last night because I woke up with random thoughts in my head.  Sometimes I dream about school or places I've worked when I was younger.  I never seem to dream about the future or crazy scenarios; it's always my past.  People I've known and places I've been.  I see my mom all the time, which is nice.  I read that means she's visiting me.  She's always happy and healthy.  Thankfully.  What do you dream about? 

This week I've been on an 80's sitcom kick.  One thing about me is I love an 80's sitcom.  And the only thing I love more than an 80's sitcom is an 80's sitcom theme song!  Why don't shows have fun theme songs anymore?  Tell me you don't know the words to "The Facts of Life"??  I know you...you're singing it right now! : ) TV from the 80's and even some of the 70's were the BEST. It was my childhood. Every night was different line up of shows.  And we couldn't miss them because there was no way to rewatch or tape them.  Seems unimaginable!  Thanks to Tubi and Pluto I'm rewatching some of my favorite shows in all their corny hokey glory.  And don't forget the "very special episodes!".  Those were the best ones.  Someone's locked in a fridge or lost in the woods.  Will they every be saved?? Oh no, it's "to be continued" so we have to wait until next week to find out. UGH! John will never know the horror of seeing "to be continued" on the tv screen! 

Fridays and Saturdays were reserved for Dallas and Love Boat, but the rest of the week it was Family Ties, Who's the Boss, and Newhart. Three's Company, Lavern & Shirley, and Alice.  I also loved Mr. Belvidere, Webster, Kate & Allie, Silver Spoons, and Cheers.  Too many to name.  Last night we watched two episodes of Taxi and laughed our heads off.  TV was much simpler back then.  

And I loved it. Still do ♥

I just realized during my ramblings my coffee is getting cold so that's my sign to get out of bed and pour a hot cup.  I might do a fancy foam on this one.  Because it's Saturday and maybe I deserve it.  I wish I was doing something fabulous today like going to an antique store or out for a fancy lunch.  Sadly, the answer is no. Today I have to call the cable company for something which I'm not looking forward to because every time I call them, I'm on the phone for an eternity.  But I've put it off for too long.  Today is dooms day.  There's also laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning the bathrooms.  It's real life folks.  Real life is happening here.  However, I will take some time to read my book and maybe bake something yummy, so there will be some smiles in my day after all.  

Thanks for having coffee with me this morning.  Have a lovely weekend my friends! ♥

I'm glad you're here.  Bye!! xoxo

PS - for those wondering, YES that was the SEINFELD cafe!! It's real and John had lunch there during his NY trip.  He said there was lots of memorabilia inside and it was definitely a highlight of his trip! (yup, we're huge Seinfeld fans over here too!!) 

*actual photo of me...ok maybe not!* 

It's Hot! ♥

Well it's official. It's officially too hot to exist.  I'm done.  97 today and I'm over it.  I'll be honest with you, I've been struggling these past few weeks to gain motivation to do anything.  I don't know what to cook, I have projects around the house that I plan on doing but somehow don't get done, and all I want to do is lay around like 3rd base. Who's to blame for this I ask? 

I'm looking at you SUMMER!  

Now don't worry, this is completely normal behavior for me.  Late July early August I turn into a crazy person.  It's all I have in me not to drag out my Fall bins and start decorating, tricking my mind into thinking it's autumn.  I know it won't work because no matter what I do inside, it will still be a thousand degrees outside.  I know I must wait, but man, when you're a fall girlie like I am, its rough! 

There have been a few bright spots.  Some sunset walks on the beach, getting the occasional ice cream, read some very good books, and I did have a birthday which was nice.  So ok, I'm not cranky all the time (just most of the time! :) 

I know I'm rambling, but does the summertime make anyone of you feel this way too??

Yep!! That's me! ♥

 

 

Last week I turned 51.  My family treated me to a nice dinner out (in an air-conditioned restaurant - don't you ask me to eat outside...lol).  I will say I did enjoy my birthday.  I'm grateful for so many things and I know I'm blessed.  The number didn't bother me too much.  I'm still not over last year! 

 I mentioned not knowing what to cook and it's true I'm struggling. I'm a comfort food person and that's harder in the summer.  I'm not making chicken pot pies and pot roast in July.  What I have been doing it making the simplest meals possible.  I'm trying to use fresh ingredients, less salt, and let the summer flavors speak for themselves.  Like this pizza I put together the other day.  Garlic, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.  That's it.  And it was delicious ♥

FYI - Do you have a FRESH MARKET near you?  I have one pretty close by and just recently went in for the first time.  I'm obsessed with this place! That's all. 

Breakfasts have been mostly yogurt (which my Dad likes for the first time in his life!), granola, and fruit.  Perfect.  I will try to eat outside on the porch if it's early enough and hasn't gotten too hot yet.  I find if I don't get any fresh air the day is harder to get through.  I miss my walks, but I don't enjoy sweating my makeup off, so there's that.  In time, in time.... 🍂🍂

Another bright spot was a very lovely day I had last Saturday.  For a birthday gift my mother-in-law treated me to a fun afternoon touring The Old House at Peace Field in Quincy, MA (about 20 minutes from my house!).  The home was built in 1731 and was the primary residence of four generations of Adams family members, including John and Abigale Adams.  

♥

We saw the writing desk where John Adams wrote letters to Thomas Jefferson and the very chair that John Adams died in.  I love history and this was so interesting.  If you are ever in the Boston area, I highly recommend this tour.  

Next to the house was the family's private library and this beautiful garden that reminded me so much of an English garden. I think this was my favorite part.  There are rose bushes that Abigale planted herself that still bloom.  

That gave me chills  ♥

It's fun to be a tourist in your own city.  I felt my mind expanding that day.  I really loved it and told myself I need to do that more often.  Even if it's by myself.  

And lastly, do you recognize this place?  John is in New York for a few days with a friend and his family sightseeing and yesterday he sent me this! IYKYK! :) 

We are slightly jealous around here but so happy he's having a good time! ♥

Well, it's coffee and work time for me.  Another day of staying cool, although I am headed out this afternoon to get a haircut. I'm trying out a new place and stylist today so hopefully it will go well.  Fingers crossed!

 If you're a summer person, tell me...how do you do this?  I need help! :)  

Have a lovely day my friends! Stay cool! 

xx 

Friday Photos ♥

Hello from the artic circle!  ♥

It's been so cold here this week! (the temperature this morning read 16 degrees!) I'm currently wearing two cardigan sweaters and feeling cozy, but oh my is it cold out! We are certainly in the dog days of winter here in New England.  Thankfully today, despite the cold temps, the sun is shining.  It's so nice to see some rays of sunshine coming in through the window.  There is still tons of snow on the ground.  It's frozen solid now.  It's very "crunchy" walking around outside. 

So how was your week?  Mine went very well and was productive.  I got all my errands done on Tuesday and I'm happy to have gotten my doctor appointment over with.  The rest of the week I worked, paid bills, cleaned, did laundry, ect.  I was "adulting" hard, which is never fun but always feels good with things get checked off the to-do list.  I'm happy it's Friday! Rob has tomorrow off.  We are going out for coffee to my favorite coffee shop in the morning and then spending a relaxing weekend recharging our batteries.  It's going to be too cold to do anything else! I'm craving a pot of homemade soup (and bread) so that will be on the agenda tomorrow as well! 

Today I thought I'd share a few pictures of things that made me happy this week.  Just little snippets of things that brought me joy and corners of my home.  It's cold and chaotic out there.  I much prefer it in here....♥

 

YAY for sunshine! ♥

Happy to see signs of life.  Spring is coming! ♥

Our cozy back room ♥

There is no TV in this room which is nice when you want to read or gaze out at the river. 

 My mom painted this table many years ago  ♥

A cozy reading chair ♥

A Christmas gift that I'll be using all year! LOL 

Getting ready for Valentine's Day. More to come ♥

I read this book every winter for inspiration ♥

Another Christmas gift that I love! ♥

Currently in my bedroom...♥

This was my mom's.  

I put it on my nightstand.  

I wish I was a hat person, or I would be wearing it ♥

Pretty things ♥

Books that make me happy.  Dreaming of faraway places ♥

And finally back to the kitchen...

Plants are doing well this winter!

Another Christmas gift from a faraway friend!  ♥

No need to put away any snowman decor just yet! 

I hope you all had a nice week and are doing something you love this weekend.  Whether it be out and about or just staying home and watching a movie.  You know where I'll be! 

Stay cozy friends! Thanks for visiting today! 

Byeeeee! Xx