Weekend away, a birthday, and Tony Bennet ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I'm just back from the most wonderful weekend away visiting our dear friends in PA.  As always, we had the best time with them! This is the gorgeous view from their deck!  I could get used to living on the lake!  

We were only there for a few days, but in that short time we made every minute count.  We ate delicious food, drank coffee (did we ever!:), played games, watched movies, talked & solved all life's problems, went out for a yummy lunch, and the kids had a blast out on the boat.  It's hard living 8 hrs away from your friends, but sometimes I think it only makes our time together that much better.  

We spend our time apart looking forward to our next visit.

 

BJ and her family even spoiled me with a birthday surprise.  We had a delicious Red Lobster seafood meal, homemade desserts, and presents.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but boy am I grateful! 

I wish you all had a friend like BJ.  Not only will she spoil you rotten with all your favorite things, she and her family will treat you as one of their own. You'll talk for hours, she'll give you the best advice, and make you laugh too.  I miss her already! ♥

We didn't take that many pictures this time.  We were too busy living in the moment.  Here's one of my favorites from a few years ago.  Nothing has changed : ) 

You probably already know this, but you can visit BJ on her beautiful blog right HERE.....

We said our goodbyes Sunday morning and off we went on our journey home.  Monday we all had the day off which was awesome. It gave us time to unpack and rest from the car trip.  It also happened to be my birthday! I spend the entire day in my most comfy clothes.  We watched a movie and even though Rob offered to take me out to dinner all I really wanted to do was order in and not have to go out.  I decided on Panera Bread.  

I ordered my favorite meal in the entire world....a grilled cheese sandwich and creamy tomato soup! YES I DID! It was the absolute best and I have zero regrets! 

You know I love my comfort food : )

So do my folks, who joined us for our Panera feast. My mom happens to love their strawberry poppy seed salad and French onion soup, so she was happy too! :) 

For dessert they treated me to a delicious cake! I made a wish and blew out the candles.  

49. I can hardly believe it.  The countdown to 50 has begun.  Yikes! 

 I take my wishes very seriously as you can see! LOL 

On a different note, while we were away I got the news report that Tony Bennet had passed away.  I was very saddened by this.  I have loved Tony and his music for as long as I can remember.  I grew up listening to "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Rags to Riches" so often they are ingrained in my memories.  I held Tony Bennet on the same pedestal as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.  All the great singers of that time.  I had the pleasure and honor of seeing Tony sing live, one lovely night several years ago.  He was coming to Boston and Rob surprised me with tickets for my birthday.  It was a night to remember.  He preformed at an outdoor pavilion on Boston Harbor. All the men were dressed  in suits and the ladies in theirs prettiest cocktail dresses.  I knew every song and when he sang "Fly Me to the Moon" tears streamed down my face.  I remember feeling so honored to be in his presence.  Not just because of how great he was (and he was great!) but because I knew for me this was my connection to a time period that I never got to experience.  And there I was experiencing it.  There's a word, and it's escaping me right now, but it means having nostalgia for a time you never experienced.  That's what I felt.  It was an amazing night and I'll never forget it.  

Rest in peace Tony Bennet.  I love you! 

Today I am back to work and if I'm being truthful, I'm not too happy about it.  Those of you who've worked in an office know the joy of coming back to a stack of paperwork after you've been off for a few days.  FUN! But I'll survive. I just need coffee and something in my earbuds and I'll get through it.  Hopefully if the rain holds off John and I will be keeping our Wednesday evening date at the beach.  Last night it stormed so fingers crossed we'll have clear skies tonight. 

Happy Wednesday, friends! Thank you for catching up with me and stopping by today.  

I'll be back soon! xoxox 

Strawberries & cream scones and some Summer favorites ♥

Hello from sunny Massachusetts! It feels so good to step outside on a Sunday morning and see these beautiful peonies looking up at me. We had coffee together this morning.  It was nice ♥

 

So far June has been busy.  We went to a surprise anniversary party Friday night, saw friends for dinner on Saturday, and this week I am catching up with my best friend who is visiting from Ohio.  We are getting in some quality girl talk at our favorite coffee shop tomorrow and I can't wait.  It's also the last week (i.e. the FUN week) of school for John. After Friday he'll no longer be a second grader. Eeek!  I can hardly believe it!

 

 A lot of excitement around here this month : )

 

 

 

 

Since Summertime is here I thought it would be fun to give you a weekly update of some of my summer favorites - things I am currently loving about the season.  I'll try to change it up every week for you and I would also love to hear about your favorites too. 

 

 

Here's my new summer bag.  I got it at Target for $15! I don't know who makes it because there is no label on it.  I love it because it's big and can fit everything I need inside.  I've finally accepted that I just cannot carry a small purse.  As cute as they are I need to carry my life with me wherever I go.  This one is big enough to fit my day planner/journal, which I cannot leave home without.  Plus I love the flower pattern.  It's so pretty for the season. 

 

 

 

A perfect summer lipstick is Bare Minerals Moxie in Raise the Bar.  I got mine at Ulta for $18.  Since cutting my hair short I like to do a more bolder lip color.  The Bare Minerals goes on so smooth and lasts a long time! I actually love the Bare Minerals line and have been using their foundation for years.

 

 

 

Last week I whipped up a batch of these strawberries and cream scones. They are topped with sugar and cinnamon and will make your mouth water.  I got the recipe from Taste of Home. One of my all time favorite websites for easy, old fashioned recipes. 

 

Strawberries are everywhere right now.  I've been buying them every week for smoothies and to pack in lunches.  This scone recipe came together in minutes and the results were yummy! There is nothing like a sweet scone with my morning coffee ♥♥♥

 

 

Here's how to make them:

 

2 cups flour

1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

3/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

2/3 cup half & half cream

1 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries

1 egg lightly beaten

 

In a large bowl combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, lemon peel, salt and cinnamon.

Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cream just until moistened.

Knead in strawberries.  (I used a potato masher to gently mash them in).
 

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. (*tip- flouring your hands will help the dough from sticking to you*) Pat into an 8 inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges and place on a baking sheet - greased or lined with parchment paper.  Brush with egg and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake at 425 degrees  for 9 - 12 minutes. 

Enjoy!!!

This week I downloaded Echosmith's Bright on my IPOD. I'm in love with this song, listening it to in on repeat forever! If you are obsessed with the moon & stars like I am, you are probably loving it too!

I hope you are all having a relaxing Sunday.  I'm off to make a big Italian dinner tonight for the family. With extra red wine for my hubby and extra garlic bread for me! Xx


♥♥♥