It's July! Thinking of my mom on her birthday ♥

Hello Friends! Happy July! ♥

We have officially entered the dog days of summer! It's hot, we've celebrated July 4th, we've eaten hot dogs, and gone to the beach.  We're in deep!  Some of us "autumn loving" people are already thinking about pumpkin spice, but because we don't want to get lynched, we're keeping it to ourselves...  

For now, we're living our summer dreams.  

For me that means staying nice and cool in the air conditioning: )  

But before I continue, I have to ask...did you see the Strawberry moon last week?  

She was magnificent. 

I was pleased I remembered to go outside and look for her.  So many times I fall asleep or completely forget to look at the moon.  

Not this time ♥

That made my week, but anyway, on to July...♥

To put it bluntly....it's been hotter than the equator here.  It was officially a heatwave with temps over 100 for three days straight. UGH.  I kept trying to remember how freezing cold I was in January with snow up to my eyeballs every time I wanted to complain, so I wouldn't dare : ) 

This is summer in New England. We're used to it! lol 

My hydrangeas are loving this weather btw! 

And I spotted my first tomato! Yay! 

For the 4th we were invited to our friends Dave & Lisa's house. We had burgers, hot dogs, and margaritas!  It was fun!! 

I brought ice cream sandwich cake. It's so easy to make.  All you do layer ice cream sandwiches with caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce, cool whip, and freeze.  It's sooooo good.  

I packed it in ice so it wouldn't melt on the way to their house! 

 I posted the instructions on my blog the last time I made it.  I'll link it here. 

So easy and always a hit! ♥ 

 Ice Cream Sandwich Cake 

YUMMMM! (and no baking required! :) 

The fourth of July is also my mother's birthday.  It will always be her day. She would have been 84. 

 I was missing her a lot over the weekend. 

My entire life our 4th celebrations always revolved around her.  As a kid we would have big family cookouts with fireworks and a cake for her.  When I got older, no matter where I was, my day would always end at her house (now my house) to have blueberry pie and watch the POPs on TV. 

A celebration every year, for America and her ♥

This was on July 4, 2023.  She passed only a few months later.  

I remember being upset that my blueberry pie bubbled over. She said it was perfect and tasted delicious.  

That's how she was. She was just happy I was there ♥

This year I made a blueberry cobbler for me and my Dad, just for my mom (she loved anything blueberry). 

  Yesterday I sat out on my deck with a cup of tea and the leftovers for lunch. 

I added ice cream for good measure.  

I'm sure she would have approved ♥

When she was a little girl her Dad used to tell her that all the fireworks in the world were just for her birthday - and she believed it!  I've always loved that story 🎇

  

And once again we are back to Monday and a new week.  The 4th has come and gone and now we'll try to enjoy the rest of summer before it fades away into fall.  This week I have lots of work to do, meals to make, and piles of laundry that need attention. We are expecting rain tomorrow (we desperately need it) and I'm quite excited for a rainy day.  I'll have candles lit and the coffee pot will be working overtime.

 Its finally cooling off a bit and we can breathe again.  The rain will help clear the air too.  

I hope you all had a Happy 4th and are enjoying the beginning of July.  

Can one stay cozy in July? I'm here to tell you they can!  

I do. Stay cozy my friends ♥

 

Weekend reset in Ogunquit, ME ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday!  ♥

Can you believe July 4th is this week?! Holiday work weeks are always a little tough because you're trying to cram 5 days of work into 4 days.  The day off will be lovely, but you work for it.  Especially me this week, because I'm coming off a three-day weekend. On Friday we made a short car journey up to Ogunquit, Maine.  It could possibly be one of my favorite places in the entire world. This is our third year visiting.  It's so beautiful and charming and a little weekend away is all I need for a summer reset.  

We stayed at The Sparhawk Resort right on the ocean (first opened in 1897!).  It's so quaint and from the moment I noticed a rotary phone with a long spiral cord hanging on the wall behind the reception desk, I knew I was in the right place.  They also still use actual keys to enter the rooms which is pretty rare these days.  My kind of place :) 

Click the link to see photos of the interior.  They recently redecorated the breakfast room to a blue and white theme and it's stunning ♥

The landscape is absolutely gorgeous and it's right on the marginal way - a breathtaking walk along the ocean.  

We didn't have much planned, and that was the whole idea.  We slept in, took long walks, shopped, ate out, had ice cream every night, and my favorite part....sat on my balcony and read my book.  

It was blisssss ♥

Sometimes just getting out of the house and having a change of scenery is just what I need to recharge my batteries. 

The smell of roses and the sound of the ocean waves help too! ♥

It was a bit foggy with a chill in the air, but you know me...I didn't mind at all. 

♥

I also had my once a year LOBSTAH ROLL!  It was delicious!!!!  

I'll be thinking about it until next year.  

The weekend was short and sweet but definitely worth it.  We arrived home Sunday afternoon (only an hour and a half ride).  I promptly jumped into clean Pj's, unpacked, put laundry on, and started thinking about dinner.  Back into the routine like nothing ever happened, yet I felt so good and rested.  Hoping that feeling takes me through this busy work week! We'll see :) 

Happy new week, friends! Xx 

I just saw that tonight is the Strawberry Moon! I'll be sure to be outside taking a peek🍓

I love the sentiment of it and it's just how I felt after my little weekend away.  

Also, this is a side note, but is it just me or is there something so cozy about drinking coffee in a hotel room early in the morning?  Rob is always in charge of getting the coffee first thing in the morning (I still drink it in bed like at home) and there is something so very cozy about that, don't you think? hee, hee....:) 

John's next chapter ♥

 Hello Lovely Friends! ♥

I posted this on Instagram and Facebook this week, and I wanted to share it here as well.  Because you all have followed John for so long - I started this blog when he was in kindergarten!! - I feel like we are all family. 

Soooo....after one year of community college and a bunch of core requirements under his belt, he's decided to transfer to a state university in the fall as a Music Education major.  Music has been his passion since he was 3 years old, so I couldn't be happier that he's decided to follow his dream and pursue a career in music.  

I must say his year at community college was no less than amazing!  It served its purpose of taking required classes (that all transferred over) while being able to take a step back without pressure to really think about what he wants to do. All for FREE btw! : ) I highly encourage anyone who is not quite sure what their path is after graduation (and let's face it - who does?!) community college is the way the go! He was able to thoroughly think about and research the programs without the pressure of high school finals, activities, and general excitement that year brings.  It went by so fast! He's now able to enter as a second year student at university into a program that he is sooo excited about. 

And honestly, the only reason he's not sticking with the community college is because they do not offer a music program, which is where his heart is truly at.  He'll be able to perform in the orchestra, jazz band ensembles, study music theory, and much more.  It's all finally coming together for him, and we couldn't be more excited to see what this next chapter brings. 

The university is only about 40 minutes from here, so he's decided to commute which a lot of local kids do. He'll not only save money, but this way he can still keep his job at the movie theater (which he loves) and participate in the bands he has with his friends on the weekends. I feel like it's all coming to together for him.

If you could all keep him in your prayers as he enters this next chapter of life, I would truly be grateful.  I honestly believe you don't always need to take the traditional path to get where you need to be in life.  Sometimes it takes time and a little sidestepping and that's perfectly OK ♥

Love you! xx 

Good Monday Morning! ♥

 

Hello Lovely Friends! Good Monday Morning (as I type this it's still morning :). 

I hope you all had a nice weekend.  We were blessed with beautiful weather Saturday and Sunday!  Summer is here and it definitely feels like it! There are fallen rose petals sprinkled all over the lawn but I don't mind a bit.  It looks like confetti ♥

 On Saturday Rob took me out for a nice breakfast and then he went home to watch soccer -which people are completely obsessed with - in the best way possible - around here!:)  While he did that, I went out and about to run some errands.  I checked some things off my list that had been lingering on there for weeks, so I felt productive.  I picked up a new lamp for my bedroom that I had been wanting for ages.  It sounds silly but I was so happy about it.  It's the little things folks, it truly is (see my smile!!). 

On Saturday night John and I saw Toy Story 5.  We loved it!!  I loved seeing it with him as Toy Story has always been a HUGE part of our lives.  John was Woody for Halloween at least 3 times when he was growing up. The whole franchise holds a special place in our hearts.  Needless to say, we loved the movie and the message behind it. 

If you haven't seen it yet, please go soon! ♥

Sunday morning mass was so nice.  I love getting there early to admire the sun shining through the stained-glass windows.  It fills me with peace and it's a great way to start my week. 

 I spent the rest of day home with my Dad, just us.  It was the perfect way to spend Father's day. We made dinner together which was fun. He had bought some delicious steaks from Omaha Steaks that honestly, I was afraid to cook because I didn't want to ruin them.  He's much better at that than I, so he was in charge. My job was the baked potatoes and green beans.  The meal was amazing, and I'm sorry to say I was so excited to eat, I never took a picture. We still have a few more in the freezer so next time I will! For dessert I made a pineapple coconut ambrosia pie.  Don't you just LOVE a no bake pie in the summer? I do!  I saw this recipe in a cookbook I picked up at the library from Joy the Baker.  I love her, so I knew it would be good! It was sweet, but we have big sweet teeth over here, so no complaints from us! It actually reminded me of my favorite DQ blizzard - tropical!  Rob and John can enjoy the pie tonight. 

I felt my mother with me a lot this weekend. Especially when I was out shopping. That would have been something we would have done together and I'm still struggling to get used to being by myself in those situations. I don't think I will ever not feel that void. I felt like she was thinking about me, but instead of being sad, it brought me a strange sense of comfort that she was near...if that makes any sense.  

Anyway, now all of a sudden, it's Monday and we're off and running with a new week. It's a short one for me because we are heading up to Maine for the weekend. I'm excited for a break and a change of scenery for a few days. I think my soul needs it.  This time Friday I will be drinking coffee and reading a book on my hotel balcony overlooking the ocean in Ogunquit, Maine.  I can feel the stress leaving my body already.....♥

Wishing you the most happy day (even if it is Monday!...lol).  Try to celebrate the small joys.  It really does help ♥

Talk soon! Byeeee! xo 

Some things I know ♥

  Here are some things I know ♥

Having my first cup of coffee in bed while watching an episode of I Love Lucy is the best way to start my day.  

♥

When it comes to fashion (or my lack there of :) I'm at the point in my life where I will choose comfort over trends.  I always regret it when I don't.  I never regret being comfortable. However, if we still lived in a time when every outfit (men's and women's) required a matching hat, I might feel differently. 

♥

Nora Ephron taught me the power of white twinkle lights strung around a kitchen window. 

 I will never go without.  

♥

Wallpaper is highly underrated.  Why did we stop wallpapering? Especially flowered wallpaper.  I still remember the pink flowered wallpaper from my childhood bedroom and how much I loved it.  

♥

Sprinkling parsley on any dish instantly elevates it.  The same goes for dusting powdered sugar on any dessert.  It also hides imperfections (not that you have any....but I always do! :) 

♥

I will never go to sleep without removing my makeup, cleansing, and moisturizing my face.  I learned my lesson.  I cannot tell you the number of times I've dragged my half-asleep self into the bathroom to do this. It's so worth it.  

♥

I don't snorkel, scuba dive, or parasail.  You will never see me swimming with fish, diving to the bottom of ocean, or flying high above it.  It's just not my cup of tea.  But have fun! I will happily sit on the beach under an umbrella and watch.  

♥

Nothing will ever compare to the golden age of Hollywood.  All we knew is what we read in movie magazines.  It was exciting and the actors and actresses were soooo glamours. They had class. Stars like Clark Gable, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, and Carey Grant were unreachable.  They were like aliens for another planet. Now everything is constantly in our faces, the good and the bad, and (speaking for myself) I'm trying to get away from it. It's too much.  Just watch the Oscars.  Sadly, it's not the same.  

♥

Books are my happy place.  As are old fashioned candy stores (the ones that give you a little brown bag to put your candy in), afternoon teas, and people with gardens - I'll talk to you all day. 

♥

Lastly....and I am firm on this one....

Tuesdays are much better than Mondays! ♥

And those, dear friends, are some things I know. 

Love you! 

xoxoxo 

Happy Tuesday - catching up from the weekend! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

Here I am this morning meandering around my front yard in my pj's, coffee in hand, checking on the flowers.  Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this.  My neighbors probably get a good little chuckle from time to time seeing me in my ugly, mismatched jammies, but surprisingly it doesn't bother me too much.  My only rule is I never make eye contact. I wanted to step out check out the roses this morning. They are loving the sunshine.  Usually, I keep my morning coffee drinking to the seclusion of my back porch, but today I ventured out front. It was worth it to see the roses.  Plus this morning Rob was out there doing yard work so he was my buffer zone :) 

We had a very nice weekend.  Saturday we went to my nephew's graduation.  

It was beautiful day! ♥

It's so hard to believe these kids are all grown up! I get misty just thinking about it. 

We had a fun day with family celebrating. It got hot in the afternoon and by the end of the day, we were beat. 

As expected, by Sunday my social battery was drained, so we kept it low key.  I did get my post mass breakfast that I was hoping for and after a quick trip to the library to return some books, Rob took me out for an ice cream. The first of the season. 

YUM! ♥

We also watched a great movie called Song Sung Blue.  Have you seen it?  It was excellent.  Kate Hudson was actually amazing in this film.  I believe she was nominated for an Academy Award.  

I can see why! ♥

Have tissues handy because you will cry. I was not expecting it at all! 

It's also a true story which makes it even more emotional : ) 

♥

In other news, yesterday I tried overnight oats for the first time! 

I went for raspberry almond.

 

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting but it was delicious! I really liked it.  I'm going to have fun trying different flavors, but this one with fresh raspberries was really yummy! 

 

In the summertime I like to have cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit for breakfast.  This is a nice alternative - and from what I'm reading, the health-conscious people say it's full of protein!  It was surprisingly very filling too. 

♥

This week is already shaping up to be a busy one.  Lots of work meetings and such, and on Wednesday morning I'm going for round two of my shingles shot. That's adulthood for you! Fun! 

So what's for dinner tonight?  I'm dancing a jig this morning because I know just a few feet away from me in the fridge are LEFTOVERS! My favorite meal! Last night I made garlic chicken with roasted rosemary potatoes and summer squash.  I made extra on purpose which was a great decision.  

Having a night off from cooking, as much as I love it, is a simple pleasure I've come to really appreciate ♥

The other day I made a quick trip to Fresh Market and treated myself to some amazing produce, bread, and herbs.  It really does make a difference in cooking.  Do you have a Fresh Market near you?  I only discovered it last year and I'm obsessed with it. I like it much better than Whole Foods. 

John is away on a little vacation to Cape Cod with some friends this week, so the house is especially quiet. I'm off to pour a cup of coffee, put on another episode of I Love Lucy for background noise while I get some work done.  It's going to be a hot one today (maybe hitting 90 this afternoon) so the kitchen will be kept cool and maybe we'll have BLT's for lunch. 

 It's starting to really feel like summer ♥

Have a great day, friends!  xx 

June is off to a good start ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

We have arrived at the end of a beautiful week here in New England and so far, June has not disappointed me.  After a rainy and stormy Memorial Day weekend, the sun is making up for lost time.  

I've been having my coffee on the porch this past week, watching the birds, with the sweet smell of lilacs in the air.  I can't help but think about the bitter cold winter we had and how I thought it would never end.  So much snow!! And now here we are.  This is why I love the changing seasons.  

There is always something to look forward to.  

I need to come back out here with my clippers later this afternoon and snip some of these before it's too late.  Unfortunately, the season is short.  Blink and you'll miss it! 

This week was a busy one, but I did make sure to get outside and enjoy nature as much as I could.  I've been walking every night after dinner.  Right after I do the dishes, before I've had a chance to even sit down (because if I do...forget it...it aint happening :).  I live at the top of a hill so if you walk in my neighborhood, it's a workout - which I guess is the whole point since it's the only real exercise I get.  

I really like that time of day to walk. I believe it's called twilight so naturally...  It's nice and cool because the sun is setting and it seems all my neighbors are busy doing their dinner dishes or watering their plants or walking their dogs.  It's a cozy time.  And you know me, if I'm going to "work out" it has to have a cozy aspect to it! Lately I've been listening to music (mostly 80's pop) because that gives me a pep in my step up the long hill to my house.  If I go around twice it takes me about 20 minutes and it's a solid mile.  I'll take that.  Then it's back home for my nightly cereal and chocolate chips. I know, it doesn't seem right, but I am who I am : ) 

Tomorrow we will be attending my nephew Anthony's high school graduation.  

Last year was John and now it's Anthony's turn.  

These two have been best buds forever! ♥

John has always had a special relationship with his cousins.  With him being and only child, they have always been more like siblings to him.  

Julia, Sophia, and Anthony.  Such great kids and I'm so grateful for them! 

They've always supported each other! 

And love to spend time together! 

Tomorrow we'll celebrate Anthony! He's the last of the cousins to graduate. 

How time has flown! ♥

The forecast is expected to be warm and sunny (not too hot, but better than that...no rain :) 

Sunday will be my day to relax.  My social battery will no doubt be drained by then.  Rob and I will go to an early mass and hopefully out to breakfast.  He doesn't know it yet, but that's the plan! lol

The rest of day I would like to sit on the porch, sip iced coffee, and do some reading....at least for a little while anyway. I can already picture it in my head and I can't wait.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend too! ♥

Happy June! xx