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 

I'm loving Spring and an update on Dad ♥

Today is a beautiful Spring day.  I have all my windows and sliding doors open.  The sun is shining and there is a warm breeze going right through the house.  It's blissful. I don't think I've every appreciated Spring so much as I do now.  

Here are some things I love about Spring: ♥

*line drying laundry - smells so good! 

*open windows - I love the fresh air so much despite my allergies

*bunnies in the yard - they are the cutest and I want to hug them

*planning for summer - hopes and dreams

*switching to lighter clothes and springy pajamas - YESSSS 

*blooming flowers everywhere - a natural mood booster

*planting an herb garden - make me excited to cook 

*evenings getting a bit longer - I somehow don't feel as tired 

I certainly miss the coziness of winter but I'm learning to live in the moment and appreciate where I am. I think I'm OK if Spring stays around for a little while : ) 

Today I'm grateful for days like this.  I'm also grateful for really GOOD coffee which feeds my soul like you wouldn't believe.  And most of all I'm grateful my Dad is home!!  It would take me too long to tell you about his rehab experience - which wasn't the best to say the least.  On Sunday we went against the rules (rebels that we are!) and left the rehab without proper discharge.  Walked right out the door.  He couldn't take it any longer and that's all I needed to hear.  Sometimes the best medicine is your own bed.  On Monday he saw his own doctor and got his staples removed.  Yesterday he started physical therapy here at the house.  He's up and walking now and doing better and better every day.  Today I took him to the ear doctor to pick up new hearing aids.  After the appointment we went out to lunch. He was craving a big juicy cheeseburger (still mooing) and who and I to deny him that?  We are home now.  He's icing and elevating his leg per doctor's orders.  Things are progressing as they should and that's such a relief. He's got one more follow up appointment with his primary care doctor tomorrow.  After that he's good for a while.  And so am I : )

We were joking over lunch how one LONG week ago he was in the hospital and now here we are out to lunch.  Thank God!  Not bad for an 85 year old. Not bad at all! 

Have a lovely day friends! I am wishing you a beautiful spring day wherever you are.

We are halfway to Friday! ♥

XO

Catching up! ♥

Hello Friends!  ♥

I hope you all had a lovely Easter.  For me it seems like a lifetime ago. The photo above is the only one I took that day and when I look at it, it reminds me of a brief moment of peace I had over a coffee and my sister in laws pavlova (which was delicious by the way).  Let me catch you up...

On Monday April 14th my Dad went into the hospital for a knee replacement surgery.  He had a very bad reaction to the anesthesia and pain medications, which left him very sedated for days and when he finally did wake up he wasn't himself.  It took quite a while for all that to work through his system.  The doctors kept telling me that even though it's scary, it does happen with people and it really is quite common - especially with the elderly - so you just have to "wait."  Easier said than done.  My Dad is 85 and not in the best health as it is so naturally, I was worried (I'm always worried). I must have walked this hallway a thousand times over the course of the week.  

 

Hospitals are not my favorite place, and I am reminded so much of my mom here because we spent so much time in and out of this place.  In this very hall. 

Fast forward to the Monday after Easter.  My Dad was back!  It was early in the morning, and he called me on the phone asking when he was going home!  He sounded like himself and I literally couldn't believe it.  I flew to the hospital.  It took a few more days for the effects of what happened to bring his vitals back to normal, but he got there.  And then...the knee pain set in.  The reason he went to the hospital in the first place.  With all the chaos, I almost forgot.  A few days later he moved to a rehab to start physical therapy for the knee surgery and thankfully he's doing very well!  It's painful but I see progress every day and he'll probably be home next week.  

Thank you God  ♥

I feel like I know this hospital way too well and I hope I don't have to go back there for a long time.  Although I will say the cafeteria has very good coffee.  But that's the only thing good about it.  

Meanwhile, outside the hospital life continued to happen.  

John got his license!  Very exciting!  ♥

And spring is officially in full bloom!  ♥

We are all suffering with allergies (especially the new driver!) but at least it's pretty.  

It's 70 degrees and sunny.  

Our trees are blooming and when the wind blows it looks like confetti in the air! 

I will enjoy this until the summer heat arrives...and then I will hibernate until Fall.

Yes, I'm already thinking about that but please don't hold it against me : ) 

The lilies of the valley are getting ready. 

They are my favorite.  I knew they were thriving under all that winter snow and ice.  It's time for them to finally have their moment in the sun ♥

And the forsythias are such a pretty spring color.  I want to cut some of these and bring them inside.  Today was the first day in over 10 days when I've felt like myself again.  I'm starting to catch up on things at home and opening my eyes to appreciate what's happening around me.  You know that feeling of just being happy to breathe?  That's me right now ♥

We're going to have a little rain tomorrow but that's ok.  I can't wait to wake up in the morning and have my coffee.  I'm getting a long overdue haircut and then I'll get my Dad a chocolate donut and head up to visit him in the rehab.  And I'm grateful I'm able to do it. 

 ♥

I hope all is well in your corner of the world and you are enjoying beautiful spring days.  Have a great weekend friends! I'll be visiting your blogs and catching up this weekend.  I've missed you! xx 

Vintage Coffee Ads from the 1950's ♥

Good Monday Moring my dear friends! ♥

How was your weekend? We had another rainy one (I think that makes 3 in row) so I'm especially happy to see some spring sunshine today.  The upside to all this rain is my neighborhood is full of blooming forsythias and that tells me spring is definitely here.  We attended a beautiful Palm Sunday mass yesterday and then it was home to drink hot coffee and park it on the couch for the afternoon.  I usually like to do things around the house on Sundays but sometimes my body says "nope, not today!" and that's okay too.  

While relaxing, I had some fun going down a Pinterest rabbit hole.  Don't you just LOVE Pinterest?  Truly, anything I'm looking for is there! It's amazing.  

It's like a little magical space ♥

Anyway, I love vintage ads from the 1950's. I found some fun coffee ones that I'd like to share with you today.  Looking at these you can clearly see how times have changed.  They all made me laugh and I feel so deeply in my soul that I was born in the wrong era! 

For example:

"This new coffee flavor makes early morning angels. It turns BEARS into DEARS... It's a wonderful spirit-lifting success"

Sadly, advertising is not like this anymore, however I have never heard anything so relatable in my entire life.  

See what I mean? Me. Wrong era. 

"Don't blame the coffee pot!"

Don't blame the coffee pot Lorraine...it's your coffee, it's terrible.  Time to switch brands! 

(**but your robe is fabulous!**)

 

"Guests will sing its praises, your family will want it for their regular every-meal coffee" 

I want guests to sing praises for my coffee!  The last line reads 

"Economical too - costs you only about 1 cent a cup!" 

Wow.

"Good things happen over coffee.." 

"There's no fence in town refreshing coffee can't tear down"

That's the power of iced coffee for ya.  I've always thought so. 

This all-American family planned baby's 1st birthday over after dinner coffee and now their dreams have come true.  All thanks to the coffee.  Awe....how sweet. 

"Give yourself a coffee-break!"

I believe in coffee breaks.  Sadly, this is not what it looks like in my office.  

This one really told a story:

The bended knee may be out of date

And the high laced shoes may be done of late

But the boy and the girl and the coffee stay

As when Pop found Mom just yesterday.

For coffee is always on the scene...

Lending its warmth to each couple's dream

And over some coffee how often do

The dreams of the warmest hearts come true!

Pure poetry!  

So, did mom and dad get engaged one day after their first meeting? That seems a bit racy for back in the day.  

Apparently good things really do happen over coffee! 

But not for poor little Johnny.  Dad cut the football game short because mom made pot of coffee.  He's literally sprinting in the house.  Better luck next time Johnny.  

Did they offer him some or is that hot chocolate in his cup? 

This may be my most favorite of all. 

"Husband Pleasing Coffee"

"Get a good man.  Get him good coffee."

Hmmm...I must switch to this brand!  LOL 

"Mmm! Nothing smells as good as coffee!"

"What a break for Jim.  A delicious cup or two of fragrant, steaming coffee and he'll tackle mid-year cramming like nobody's business.  Ah, the aroma...filling the room and making Jim's mouth water!"

Let's be real here.  Jim is full of caffeine and will be up for days!  Mid-terms? Not a problem if mom keeps the coffee brewing! It's not the smell that's keeping him going! 

 

"Give yourself a coffee-stop - stay alert and stay alive!" 

Nowadays we drive up to the window but back then they brought the coffee right to you.  They better be planning on staying awhile.  I don't think to-go cups were invented yet! 

But how lovely does this scene look?  I'm swooning ♥

All this coffee talk and now I want one.  I'm afraid I'm a bit underdressed so I think I may need to put on my pearls first.  I hope these ads made you smile today!

Have a wonderful Monday friends! ♥

I'll be around to visit your blogs after my second cup! 

Byeee! xxoo ☕

Orange Scones ♥

Good Monday morning friends! ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  It's still raining here but like I said to my Dad this morning, it's typical of spring.  All our grass and flowers are getting a good soak and will be happier for it.  Plus, what's better than a cozy, rainy Monday?  It's a slow start to the week and that's ok with me (said by someone who is NOT a fan of Mondays :) 

 I was up extra early this morning and wanted to put the oven on to take the chill out of the kitchen, so I thought why not make some scones. We have navel oranges the size of softballs right now and I was dying to crack into one.  Isn't the smell of fresh citrus intoxicating?! It's so good.  Anyway, I got this scone recipe from Pinterest, a wonderful site called The Almond Eater.  This was my first time trying it and certainly won't be my last! 

RECIPE HERE 🍊

They came out moist and delicious!

I had all the ingredients on hand and only took me a few minutes to put the dough together.  

 

*I made a few slight changes to the recipe*

The make them slightly more "orange-y" I took a tablespoon of milk OUT and added IN a tablespoon of orange juice.  I did the same with the icing.  I used less milk and, in its place, and I added in orange juice. 

I juiced the huge orange I zested and used the freshly squeezed juice.  I drank what was left over and it was yummy! ♥

YUM :)

I just poured myself another cup of coffee and now I'm headed into my home office to get some work done.  On this rainy day I did myself a favor and plugged in the Christmas lights around the upstairs kitchen windows to bring some light into the room. I love these lights and refuse to take them down.  My plants love them too.  Let's just call them Easter lights, okay?  

That empty spot is reserved for some tulips that I promised I'd treat myself to this week. Pink or yellow? I can't decide.  

Have a lovely day, my friends! ♥

Stay cozy...xoxo

They say it's Spring ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy April! It's Saturday afternoon as I write this and just finished catching up on some computer work.  I thought I would update some photos on my side bar and give this blog a little refresh.  I think it looks good for Spring! And speaking of refresh, I want to introduce you to my new vanity table.  It came in a little box in a gazillion pieces with a gazillion screws to go with it.  I'm happy to say I put the whole thing together myself and didn't have any leftover parts which is always a good sign.  Let's hope it doesn't fall apart on me one day! 

I'm actually crazy about it and am loving getting ready in the morning.  Picture me sitting on the stool with a mug of coffee and my phone playing 50's music.  I thought since I'd have everything in front of me I would get ready faster, but unfortunately, I'm just a bit too comfortable and it's taking me longer.  Punctuality is not my strong suit.  Just ask Rob!  Anyway, the good thing is I purged a lot of old makeup and now only have things on hand that I actually use.  Those drawers you see are full, but very organized : ) 

This lights you see were optional and are removable.  I had mixed feeling at first but now I really like them.  There are three light settings.  There's also a plug and USB port on the side.  Very convenient.  

        

So how are things? In my corner of the world Spring has sprung!  It's still a bit cool but last week we had some beautiful days in the mid 60's.  Yesterday we almost hit 70! Crazy.  Today is rainy and chilly but that's to be expected.  April showers will hopefully bring May flowers! 

I finished up putting up our spring decor because I can hardly believe Easter is in 2 weeks!  Last year I hosted an Easter brunch. This year it's going to be simple. We're going to take my Dad out to breakfast after church and later in the afternoon we'll swing over to my sister in laws to see Rob's family.  My Dad is having knee replacement surgery the week before so we're not sure how's he's going to be feeling anyway.  This week we've done all his pre-op appointments and he's ready to go.  Fingers crossed it all goes well.  He's going to have his rehab at home which is great. Regarding recovery, they say everyone is different.  Prayers he's up and about as soon as possible. This surgery has been a long time coming and he's anxious to get it over with.  

In other news, Easter candy has entered the house! 

Who would do such a thing? 

(me!)

    

Today John is off at a Jazz festival with his class jazz band at UMASS Amherst in Boston.  There have been so many senior activities lately and he's loving it.  I don't think he's ever been this busy.  He has less than 2 months of school left and is determined to make the most out of them.  Easter week he has the week off for Spring break.  I took a few days off to spend with him.  We're going to look at a couple of community colleges in the area.  He's thinking about pursing teaching music. He wants to live at home, commute to school, and continue working at the movie theater.  A few of his friends from school has decided to start a band this summer as well.  It's an exciting time for him.  I know I say it all the time, but it's all gone by so fast.    

It's ok though because now he can drive me places and get the coffees too.  

I've adjusted (sort of ♥)

Have you noticed the rays of sunlight in the morning since daylight savings?  I've been waking up every morning to these lovely shadows dancing across the kitchen.  They come and go quickly so I have to hit the timing just right to see it. It makes me smile when I do. 

♥

And with that sunshine and warm weather is also birds chirping, bunnies hopping, chipmunks and squirrels scurrying... It's springtime alright.  And I love these blue flowers! 

They are always one of the first to pop ♥

Last weekend I wanted to make something springy, so I made lemon blueberry sweet rolls!  One of my all-time favorite recipes from Joanna Gains!  They take a bit of work but it's worth it.  I saw I had frozen blueberries in the freezer, and I wanted to do something with them. They are so good and made for some sweet mornings.  I'm thinking about trying them with raspberries ♥

And that was pretty much my week.  I failed to tell you about all the bills I paid, loads of laundry I did, and countless errands I ran. Plus, work meetings and boring adult phone calls and things that needed attending to.  Who needs to talk about all that in this pretty spring post.  We have a painter here right now, so the house smells LOVELY.  Meanwhile Rob is still digging holes for plants. He can talk to you for hours about dirt and landscaping.  Oh, and we're still working on the bathroom project.  It's almost done! Almost.  What's for dinner tonight?  Who knows? I'm thinking take out.  How about you!?  

Just keeping it real ♥

Have a happy rest of your weekend, friends!  Happy Spring!

Byeeeee! 

An ordinary yet productive weekend ♥

Hello from rainy Massachusetts! ♥

Good Monday morning my friends and I hope you all had a nice weekend.  Mine was so good!  It was beautifully ordinary, yet productive. We had lovely weather on Saturday.  It was in the high 60's and sunny! It definitely felt like spring. Rob and John both had days off so we started the weekend like this...

Out for coffee at our favorite little place ♥

Later that day Rob went outside to do some yard work while I puttered in the bedroom.  My vanity table is coming this week and I got in my head that I wanted to change the furniture around to make a perfect space for it.  After a few hours (and it would have taken less if I only thought to measure ???) I got it just right! I moved the bed and dresser into different spots and honestly, it feels like a new room.  This is something I remember doing all the time in high school. I would spend a wild Friday night changing around furniture (yup, I was a party girl...:).  The irony is even though I'm 50 years old, I'm in the same room! Doing the same thing! ♥

I'm so happy with my new layout.  It's fun to change things around sometimes.  Also, sidenote - I have a king size bed and a beast of a dresser. I'm much stronger than I thought I was!  

When I was cleaning out my mother's things I had found these pillowcases.  She had them tucked away in a hope chest and I don't even know where they came from.  They were too pretty to let go.  I finally put them on my bed and I really do love them.  I broke the news to Rob about the wallpaper and I'm happy to report that he is in full support (although thinks I'm a little nuts).  He even knows of a company who will hang it if we're not up for doing it ourselves.  

I'm going to start looking at samples soon. I decided to use the pillowcases as my inspiration ♥

Meanwhile, John was getting ready to go to a dance at his youth group.  I finished up just in time to drive him to his friends house.  Some of the boys were meeting there and then carpooling to the church.  He had an amazing time at the dance!!

Last week all the kids had a meeting after mass where they were loosely taught how to properly waltz.  At the dance all the boys were given a list of girls to dance with.  In between fast dances they had to dance waltzes with each girl.  John danced with 10 girls! 

I heard the DJ was great, there was a photo booth, sit down meal with assigned tables (like a wedding), and lots of laughs.  I think the purpose was to have the boys and girls actually mix with each other (very old fashioned and I love it!).  

He had so much fun! ♥

Rob continued digging holes while I made dinner.  We decided on rhododendrons and forsythias for bushes in a little side patio area of our yard.  I know it's early days, but once he decides to do something, it's done yesterday! Off he went to Lowes and before I knew it, the plants were planted.  It's officially spring! Next up are the flower boxes but it's still a little too cold for me.  A few more weeks and I'll be ready.  

On Sunday I took my Dad furniture shopping. He got a couch and loveseat for his sitting area off the bedroom. I think he's excited to have his own little retreat to decorate the way he wants.  He had already picked out a carpet a few months ago and we got the furniture to match. Mostly neutral and navy tones. Very warm and cozy!  The couch and loveseat are navy.  All he needs now is a coffee table, end table, and possibly a recliner chair but we want to see how the furniture looks in there first.  It's being delivered next week.  Here's a sneak peek from the store...♥

We both loved the set.  Very comfortable too! ♥

We just found out he's going to have knee replacement surgery next month, so our goal is to finish the room by then.  

I will leave you today with a picture of last night's dinner, which was my favorite meal of the weekend.  Homemade sauce with sausages and spinach & cheese raviolis. Comfort food at its finest! ♥

It's rainy and cold today and not at all like it was over the weekend but I know warmer days are coming.  I'm off to make a cup of tea and get some work done. 

I hope you all had a nice weekend too!  Even it was ordinary.  

They really are the best days! :) 

Xx ♥