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.
As you can see by the title of this post, I made a chocolate cake. Did I need a chocolate cake? No. Did I make it anyway? Of course. And guess what? I have never posted a chocolate cake recipe on this blog. I was shocked when I went searching for a recipe on here and couldn't find one. Who am I? I felt I needed to rectify that immediately.
So actually, I did it for YOU! :)
I wasn't in the mood for anything too fancy or too rich, just something quick, with simple ingredients to satisfy my sweet tooth. I don't know about you, but I can't end a meal without something sweet. And it appears all my Easter candy had dwindled away....oops😳
I remember a recipe I've been saving from a little cookbook that my mother gave me called "Recipes We Grew Up With." I dug it out of the stack and thankfully had all the ingredients on hand to make it.
I love that this recipe is from 1943. Tried and true. And here I am making it in 2026!
Can you just imagine the generations of moms and dads that mixed up this batter and served it to their families. All by hand. All with love ♥
** I made two small additions**
#1 I added 1/4 cup of cold brewed coffee, just like Ina Garten taught us. The coffee brings out the chocolate flavor. And she's right!
#2 I added a tsp (measured with my heart) of vanilla, because every cake needs vanilla.
The smell of chocolate filled my whole kitchen ♥
I didn't have anything handy to make frosting, so I improvised.
I had a container of cool whip in the freezer that I let thaw. I dolloped each slice and you know what???
Perfection! ♥
As I type this post I'm enjoying another piece. I will probably regret it but not really. Don't we have hard enough days? We can't be expected to give up cake too?! I promise to do my walk tonight and I'm drinking lots of water too, so see - I'm a health nut! ♥
I'll leave you today with this that I saw on Facebook the other day. I'm quite sure the moms of 1943 would never in a million years imagine how much I would love to have that stove. It seems to me that simple wins every time, but that's just me...with one foot in the past trying desperately not to step too deep into the future.
Have a lovely night friends. It's almost Friday! ♥
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! :)
Hello Friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Our Sunday was lovely. We started with church, breakfast, and then a lovely day at my brother-in-law's. I wore a green sparkly top, my mother's gold watch, stud earrings, and I didn't take one picture! Not even of the delicious grilled lamb chops my brother-in-law made or the yummy fruit pavlova with fresh whip cream my sister-in-law brought. The food was divine and it was great day celebrating one of the most important days....we are blessed ♱
And even though I didn't take any photos, I must admit it was nice to have my phone tucked away for the day. I'm trying to be better at that ♥
Easter (as with all holidays) are much different these days. John is grown so there are no more egg hunts or Easter Bunny surprises anymore. That makes me sad, but there are still games, and laughs, and coffee chats galore. And I love that. My mom is not here obviously, and that changes everything about everything. I'm still trying to get used to living with it. My mom was the anchor of my family and now that she's gone, I cannot even begin to tell you how things have changed. People and dynamics change and I've spent way too long trying to understand it. It's sad, but I must carry on. And I will.
I ate way too many jellybeans and Cadbury mini eggs and I have not one single regret. When we got home I managed the strength to do a lap around the neighborhood in hopes of digesting before bed. It kinda-sorta worked, if not physically, then mentally at least :)
I hopped into my stretchy pants, watched two episodes of Downton Abbey (I'm rewatching again!!!) and off to bed I went ♥
I love Easter. I love springtime. I'm so happy the flowers are starting to bud. May good days lay ahead for all of us!
Happy new week, Friends! I'll be back tomorrow! Xx
This made me laugh today because that's how I feel sometimes. I have no idea what to cook anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if we all didn't mind eating cereal for dinner. How easy would that be?
But alas, that's not the case.
These days I'm trying to spend less time in the kitchen and am constantly searching for quick and easy meals, preferably made in one pot - the less dishes the better!
♥
I've been forcing myself to try new recipes lately (making my endless online scrolling count for something I guess!). Sometimes they work and sadly, sometimes they don't.
Oh, the disappointment! I had such high hopes :(
For example, I tried that porkchop recipe I was telling you about. I was so hopeful. Well, it was a dud. I should have known. I never have good luck with pork chops! Please remind me of that next time I start talking about pork chops!
Anyway, not to say that sometimes they aren't winners! Another example....I tried a chicken recipe last week that we all loved! Praise the Lord! This one is definitely worth sharing and although my pictures aren't great, I assure you the chicken was!
I added some cooked brown rice (of the instant variety :) to the sauce before serving and it was absolutely delicious! ♥
I'll definitely be making this one again and adding in to the rotation.
I'm just winding down work for the day, and I thought I'd pop on and say hello. My day started early this morning. Once a month I take my Dad to the hospital to have bloodwork done. Today was the day. Thankfully he got a very good report and didn't need any shots or infusions! His numbers are all very good! We celebrated with a coffee & donut (which is NOT on his diet but since this was a happy occasion, I let it slide...:)
I came home, switched on my Easter village, and got to work. I am so grateful I can work from home!! I don't have to leave my Dad home by himself all day, and believe it or not - I'm much more productive in my home office than my real office.
Sidenote: I'm loving my Easter decorations this year. They are so cheery after the long winter. I suppose its like that every year, I just am really appreciating it this year. It has been so so cold. I'm o-v-e-r it! We are definitely over the worst of it now and warmer days are coming. I can feel it!
I wanted to show you something else that made me smile today...♥
I found this tiny little cup with some of my mother's things.
It's the prettiest floral pattern (love) and has four legs, which is very different.
I have no idea what it would ever be used for besides decoration. For now, I've put it on a teacup shelf I have in my upstairs kitchen.
This shows you how small it is compared to a regular teacup.... ♥
Regardless I love it and it will probably stay there forever. My mom and I clearly had the same taste and love for the same things. She saved it for a reason and I will too ♥
Overall, it's been a good day and one that has gone by very quickly. A typical ordinary March day that I have truly appreciated - there was sun, good health, and pretty things.
Yup, a good day indeed ♥
I'm off to start dinner now. I'm trying a new pork chop recipe tonight. If it's good, I'll share it!
Hello from rainy Massachusetts. The rain started yesterday afternoon and hasn't stopped. It's gray and gloomy but at least it's not snow, so I'm not complaining. John is home sick today. He's curled up on the couch with the beginnings of a flu and I feel it's the perfect day to make soup and stay in this outfit all day. In fact, that's the plan : )
Rob left for work about 6 this morning. I don't know how he does it, honestly. I was up with him, but as soon as he left I poured myself a coffee and swiftly returned to my warm bed to drink it and scroll my phone - where I stayed for a good hour and it was lovely. I love starting my days with coffee in bed. Especially rainy days. Especially rainy Mondays.
Anyway, it's now a few hours and a few more coffees later. I came downstairs, flipped on the furnace (because it's freezing again) and a fresh pot of coffee for my Dad when he wakes up...and such is the start of a new week.
So, how was your weekend? Mine was actually quite nice! ♥
Despite the rain Sunday and today, Saturday was a beautiful day. It was warm and sunny and I left the house with only a sweatshirt and no coat! Fabulous! If you recall, I had high intentions of going to the thrift store, but I ended up getting sidetracked and decided to put that off until next weekend. I had some other errands to run first. One being Staples to get ink for our printer (very boring), however right next to Staples was Michaels craft store. My mom and I LOVED Michaels and would go there often. As soon as I entered the store I got hit with that "craft store" smell (you know the one) and brought me right back. It made me so sad yet I didn't want to leave. My mom was a big crafter and I spent many years doing craft fairs and Christmas bazaars with her. Trips to Michaels, JoAnn's Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby for supplies were a part of everyday life for many years. We had a lot of fun in those stores and being there brought back all those memories.
My heart was breaking but I was smiling at the same time ♥
While I was wondering around, I remembered something I needed! A few months ago Rob's mother was cleaning out her basement and gave me these floral plates. I'm obsessed with anything floral and everyone knows it ♥
They were just too pretty to leave in the cabinet. I've been wanting to do plate wall somewhere in my house and I finally decided where. I just needed the hangers. I bought 4 packs and headed home to complete my project.
Just the sweetest corner now! I'm crazy about how it turned out.
I think my mom and my mother-in-law would approve ♥
On Sunday we had some family stop by for a visit - my two cousins who we haven't seen in while. Isn't funny how when you are young you see your cousins all the time (at least I did) and then one day everyone grows up, gets married, and you now hardly ever see them?! I hate that part of life, but the good side of it is when you finally do make the time to see each other, it's wonderful.
I made this yummy lemon bundt cake and we all sat around the table and talked for 3 hours.
It was such a nice afternoon catching up ♥
The cake was really good too. I got the recipe (here) from A Latte Food. It was light and fluffy and sooooo good! I didn't make the glaze and just dusted with powdered sugar instead. It was still warm when the arrived and completely heavenly.
Perfectly springy! 🍋
We will be picking on the rest of this for the next few days and I'm not mad about it.
♥
Well friends, thanks for listening to me ramble on. I'm off to start my day now. Lots of "real life" work to do today. Boooo!
Have a wonderful Monday! I hope you're week is off to a good start. Hey, we're already one day closer to Friday : )
I'll be back tomorrow - I'm going to try to start daily blogging again. We'll see how it goes!
