Memorial Day, zucchini muffins, melt in your mouth chicken, and a bunch of other random things! Happy Monday! ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy Monday and happy Memorial Day!  ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend and for all who celebrate - are enjoying this Monday holiday.  I'm currently having a lazy morning, sipping my coffee slowly and intentionally.  Unfortunately, there will be no cookouts or outdoor celebrations in my neck of the woods today because it's pouring rain.  Everything is a washout this morning. Thankfully, we didn't have anything major planned anyway.  Just a quiet day a home, resting, recharging, and remembering.  Our town parade got moved inside one of our municipal buildings.  I'm not quite sure how that will work but John will report back later.  He was meeting up with some friends to check it out.  I'm happy at home, dry, and will probably be in pjs all day. 

That's my idea of a day off : ) 

Yesterday I made a batch of zucchini muffins with these two beauties I picked up at the grocery store.  

Yay for zucchini season! ♥

It's one of my favorites (any which way!) 

They came out yummy!  I had two (heated in the toaster oven with butter) for breakfast. 

Here is the recipe I used.  

I would like to add chocolate chips next time! ♥

On Saturday night some friends invited Rob and I out to dinner at a local winery.  As you probably know we are "out to breakfast" people.  We love getting up early and going out for coffee and breakfast - but sometimes we do go out after dark! LOL  

We had a really fun time! The place was very cool and I even splurged on a glass of wine which I don't normally drink (but when in Rome, I guess :).  

It was delicious, as was the homemade pizza! ♥

We finished the evening with espresso and then went to another place for dessert. 

If you know anything about my husband this behavior is practically unheard of, but I think he's softening in his old(er) age! 

Anyway.....♥

...back around the house the peonies aren't minding the rain at all.  They will be blooming any day now. I can't wait.  One of the best parts of the spring and summer is being your own florist.  There's always something that can be cut and brought indoors to enjoy.  I love having a vase of flowers in the kitchen or on my bedside table.  Even a budvase on the windowsill in the bathroom makes me smile.  It's the little things. 

Before I sign off for today I wanted to quickly share this chicken recipe that promised you last week! It's so good and makes a very easy weeknight meal.  I've made it a few times now and everytime it's a winner ♥

It's called melt in your mouth chicken.  

I didn't name it, the internet did ... but it really does melt in your mouth : ) 

All you need is: 

1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

2/3 cup mayo

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp pepper 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix mayo, parm cheese, and all seasonings in a bowl.

Coat chicken breasts on both sides.

Bake uncovered in a shallow baking dish for 45 -50 minutes.

Mix, coat, bake, enjoy!  ♥

The mayo and the parm cheese combined make the creamiest sauce.  It's really delicious!  

If your plans to grill today are a washout then maybe think about this dish.  You won't regret it! 

Have a lovely day, my friends!  I'm going to spend the day reading, writing a few letters, and we'll see what else.  I'll be around visiting your blogs to say hello too! 

Happy official start to summer! We made it! ♥

Bye! xo 

A Bunch of Randomness ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

 

Thank you for the nice comments on my last post about old style blogging.  It's nice to know I'm not the only one missing it. Let's get on a mission to bring it back. 

Is "randomness" even a word??  My computer didn't highlight it in red to autocorrect, so I guess it is! 

I was going through my camera roll and my photos taken over the past week are so random I just had to share.  My Dad always makes comments when he sees me taking pictures of seemingly nothing and says "oh am I gonna see this on Facebook??"  No Dad I say..."of course not".  What he doesn't know is the blog is a different story.  

We are all kindred spirits here and I love you that ♥

What do you think about the new addition to my bedroom?  It's an old plant stand that was folded up and buried on our back porch.  I dusted it off and fell in love it with it.  I just got rid of an old glider chair in this corner and had a big empty space waiting to be filled. I decorated it with a plant I got for mother's day, my favorite picture of my parents, some books, a candle, and a basket with a hand knit blanket one of the nurses gave my mom in the hospital.  It's purple, her favorite color.  I think it looks nice.  I will probably change the décor around a hundred times and I'm excited about that.  Of course my mind went right to Christmas because you can best bet there will be lights and a little tree on the top shelf.  Can't wait for that! 

♥ 

I treated myself to some new lip products this week too.  You all know I'm a makeup junkie and nothing makes me happier than new makeup.  This was a little set I picked up at CVS. It wasn't expensive (which also makes me happy- I love a bargain!) and the color is very pretty.  Perfect for going into the warmer weather.  The candle I got for Christmas from my sister and I just moved it into the bathroom.  

It smells like the beach ♥

A rainy day, newspaper, and cup of coffee.  Yes please. 

 I could sit here forever ♥

I had leftover scones from the strawberry shortcake I made mother's day weekend so I froze them.  I had forgotten all about them until one morning it hit me.  The scones! I defrosted two.  Strawberry Jam on one, lemon curd on the other.  I was so happy that day :) 

♥

More bunnies!!  This spring our neighborhood is loaded with them.  We seem them every night.  I'm a little obsessed!  I took a picture of this one and my phone accidently make it look like a watercolor painting.  

I kind of want to frame it  ♥

I snapped a picture of this tree on my walk last night.  I've walked past this tree probably a million times and never noticed it has wisteria growing on it!! I looked up to see a bird and I was so surprised to see all the purple flowers!  You can't tell from this picture, but this is pretty high up.  

It's so lovely! ♥

Ok, so after a month a half I finished my puzzle!  Yay! I didn't work on it consistently.  I enjoyed picking at it here and there, so that's why it took me so long.  It started out as a family project but one by one my family abandoned me.  I was determined to finish it and I did.  I borrowed it from the library so it was a gamble that all the pieces would be there. I'm happy to say my faith in humanity has been restored because all 1000 pieces were in the box. Whew!  It took about 30 seconds to break it up and back to the library it went and on to the next person.  On Saturday I checked out a new one and I'm looking forward to starting it this weekend.  

♥

On Sunday my cousin and his family came by for a visit.  I make this yummy blueberry gallate.  I've posted the recipe before but I'll link it again in case you need a quick dessert.  It's so delicious and looks fancy but it isn't.  You can use any frozen fruit and a frozen puff pastry sheet.  

Rustic Fruit Tart

I also have a video on my YouTube channel from a few years ago of me making this if you want to check it out.  My hair was very short : ) 

I added powdered sugar and a big dollop of whip cream in the middle.  

Cut it like a pizza and enjoy.  

YUM! ♥

This morning after a doctor's appointment my Dad stopped at a bakery and picked up blueberry muffins for us.  Oh how I wish I could start every morning with a freshly baked blueberry muffin.  The best.  

My Dad has a sweet tooth like I do.  We share a love of baked goods and all desserts to be honest with you ♥

I came running when I saw the bakery box : ) 

I'll leave you today with this meme I got from Pinterest.  So true, right?!  I'm adamant I'm not anti-social, but I will admit to being selectively social!  Yes, there is a difference!

Can you relate? 

♥

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you are all having a wonderful week.  It got suddenly hot here (It's 85 today!).  Tomorrow night John has his spring band show performance, which is always a sign that the end of the school year is coming.  And I just realized this weekend is Memorial Day Weekend.  Summer is just around the corner! xo 

Weekend in New Hampshire ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

I am just back from a long, relaxing, weekend in North Conway, New Hampshire.  We've been here many times before so it felt like "going home" if that makes sense.  We are creatures of habit and enjoy going back to the same places again and again.  Its comforting.  The ride is about 3 hours from Boston which is not bad at all if you pack enough coffee and snacks : ) 

The weather was a bit chilly but I didn't mind.  We got hot chocolates instead of ice creams, which was perfectly OK (even better) by me.  We shopped, ate good food, and soaked up as many beautiful mountain views as possible.  The scenery is breathtaking and the air is so clean.  It felt good to be outside walking around.  

One night we ate at an Irish pub which was so COZY I didn't want to leave. The French onion soup....YUM! (I'm kissing the tips of my fingers and waving them in the air....: ) 

We shopped at handcrafted stores (which I LOVE), and visited a Christmas shop because I'm never satisfied with the season I'm in. That store made me so unbelievably happy my family was embarrassed....lol

At night we hung out in our hotel room, played trivia games, and watched Seinfeld.  When I say it doesn't take much to make us happy I mean it.  We honestly had the best time.  It's been awhile since we had a change of scenery and this weekend came at the perfect time. 

It was needed. 

♥ 

So now that I'm relaxed and recharged it's time to get back to real life.  Today I'm working, doing laundry, and planning meals for the week. When's the next vacation??? 

Have a wonderful Monday Friends! ♥

I hope your week is off to a great start! Time for me to get coffee and get to work : ) 

Family weekend in New Hampshire ♥

Hello, my friends! It's been too long since my last post! Where have I been?

Well, I'll tell you... 

We went away for a mini vacation up to New Hampshire!  It was a wonderful 4 days in the mountains!  This was our view from the rental house we had in North Conway.  

The house was absolutely lovely and slept all of us very comfortably.  All 23 of us!!! 

It had all the comforts of home.  There's Rob doing his crossword puzzle : ) 

The kitchen....where all the good food lives.

And John on the balcony.  

Our room, where Rob brought me coffee every morning. 

I needed it before facing 22 other humans first thing in the morning....just saying... :) 

The house had a pool which was wonderful for the kids!  Especially since it was in the 90's all weekend! 

Cousins!  

Under the kissing bridge! ♥

We went on some adventures while we were there! 

Polar Caves 

(Notice that John and I have matching Disney shirts : ) 

Our weekend away with family was a lot of fun! I wish we could have stayed longer.  Something about that mountain air.....

It's taken us a few days to recover and get back into the swing of things.  And now we are unpacked and all the laundry is done. I went back to work yesterday and daily life has resumed. 

We are enjoying slow August afternoons, in the a/c, away from the brutal heat.  

(The coolness of September is going to be a welcome change.  I can't wait!)

 

Now that I'm home I'll be back to my regular blogging! Thank you for visiting me today.  I've missed this place! 

There's no place like home! 

Happy August! xoxo