Happy Friday!

Hello Friends! Happy Friday!  I hope this week is finding you well.  We are still getting settled into our new routine and slooooowly getting used to it.  Change is hard, but not impossible.  I'm so proud of John.  He's entered a new world that he's not used to.  I worry about him, but he's such a trooper. 

This morning GOOGLE Photos surprised me with this beautiful collage.  Don't you love it when they do that?!  It's just what I needed on this gloomy Friday.  Oh how I would love to jump into any one of these captured moments and relive it : )  

I currently have homemade applesauce simmering away in the crock pot and tonight we are attending our first town football game of the season.  Fall has only just begun (not really, but really :) and I'm doing my best embrace it.   It is my favorite time of year after all! I'll be bringing a thermos of pumpkin spice coffee to the game with me! I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!  xoxo

Wednesday Thoughts ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I woke up this morning not feeling well.  It started off as a no-good-awful-day.  You know the type.  I decided to bring my work outside and not miss out on the beautiful fall like weather. 

A few deep breaths and I'm suddenly on the right track to feeling better.  There is so much sadness in the world right now, I must remember to appreciate the little moments and this is one of them.  

I'm blessed to be able to work from home and enjoy this lovely day...with coffee and sunshine.  

I think I'll stay here awhile.

Happy Wednesday my friends!  I hope you find a little bit of joy somewhere.  If not, go outside and look for it.  It works.  Trust me ♥

Happy Labor Day! ♥

 

Hello Friends! Happy Labor Day! ♥

I just love a Monday holiday, don't you?  Especially Labor Day.  It's the unofficial end to summer and start to fall.  I spent the day relaxing and recharging my batteries.  It was needed.  John started school last week and I'm sure like some of you, we are trying to get back into that routine of getting up early and out of house on time. It's rough! 

 The start of the school year is always an exciting time.  This year is a little different because John is now at a new school. Its a big change to go from a small Catholic school to a very large public school...and he's feeling it.  It's going to take some time to adjust.  He'll get there.  In the mean time it's my job to provide support and cinnamon rolls...and I'm happy to oblige! 

In other news the weather is getting cooler!  We've been able to sleep with the windows open for the last couple of nights and it's been wonderful.  I'm sure the heat is not completely gone yet but we are getting there.  I can feel the change coming.  You know that smell it the air? It's here.  

The time of year when nightlights seem a bit more magical ♥

I've been waiting since my birthday to use this cozy blanket that I received as a gift from a sweet friend.  She knows how much I love Peanuts and cozy nights.  I will be wrapped in this until Spring! 

♥

Wishing you all a happy and cozy week ♥

 xoxox 

And so it begins... ♥

Hello Friends ♥

On Sunday as we patiently waited for Henri to arrive (which thankfully seemed to miss us!), I was a busy bee at home cleaning and bringing out fall.  Yes it's still summer. Yes it's still 90 degrees and humid, but in my heart it's time to turn that page.  John starts school in a week and I needed to have the house in back to school mode. I can't even think about school if it's still summer.  

I'm sure all my fall obsessed friends understand : ) 

Anyway, up in the attic I went which was easily hotter than the equator! UGH.  I lugged down the bins and off I went.  Not everything came out but enough to give us a nice fall vibe in here.  

I'm so ready for this! ♥

 

One week until high school begins! Eeeeek! 

   

Meanwhile.....

I'm dreaming about cold dark morning drinking my steamy coffee under the glow of these fairly lights. 

Frosted windows with leaves blowing past....I can't wait for the glow of the colors to shine through.  

It's coming....(this pic is from last year... my view was so pretty : ) 

And about all the cozy dark nights to come under blankets while candles flicker.  

Watching movies and making Christmas lists.  Happy, happy! 

Comfort food like pot roast and chicken pot pies, with apple crisp or bread pudding baking in the oven. 

This year I'm planning on making homemade applesauce as soon as apple harvest begins : ) 

Not yet...but soon! 

It wouldn't be the kick off to fall without a pumpkin donut from Dunkin Donuts.  

My all time favorite.  YUM!

As for today, I have sweet & sour chicken bubbling in the crock pot and John and I are off to a movie.  He's holding on to every last minute of summer vacation! 

Happy Wednesday friends!  Are you ready for fall??

Ready or not it will be here soon! xoxo 

**this is me....hahah!**

A Quiet Morning ♥

Good morning friends and happy Friday! ♥

We woke up this morning to no power.  Ugh. I had already gotten my coffee and headed back to bed, which I always do when suddenly I heard a loud BOOM.  It sounded like a gun shot and probably would have scared me more if I hadn't recognized the sound.  I heard it once before last summer and I knew it was a transformer in front of our neighbors house up the street.  The house got suddenly quiet.  All fans and a/c stopped.  No humming fridge or morning news coming from the TV in the living room.  Oh well.  I just hoped it wouldn't last long enough for it to heat up in here....  

  

Thank the good lord the coffee was already brewed!  I lit some candles and basked in some silence which I truly enjoyed.  I was missing the balcony in New Hampshire that I sat on in the morning last weekend admiring the mountain views.  And I thought of my friends beautiful porch that we enjoyed at her lake house in July.  I decided someday my retirement home has to have a view of some kind...a lake, a mountain, the ocean....and a deck with a chair just for me.  

I kind of can't wait for that ♥

Luckily it was only about an hour when we heard the electric company truck outside.  

Ta-daaaaa!  What a thrill when it finally came back on!  The cool air started to blow and I quickly ran to the microwave to heat up my coffee.  Thank God it's Friday!!! : ) 

The weather is going to be humid and stormy this weekend.  My plan is to bring out fall!!! My pumpkins and fall candles are calling me. I know some of us are still holding on to summer but I'm just about to let it go.  We are in full back to school mode around here, which to me means a change of season, no matter what the calendar says.  

Have a wonderful weekend friends!  Stay cozy....fall is coming!!  ♥

Byeeeeeee!!!! xoxo 

John is 14! ♥

Yesterday my little boy turned 14 ♥

It's hard for me to believe he's growing up so fast!!  Anyone that knows John knows he loves music, The Office, and being with family.  

Here are a few more things about John at 14:

♥

he loves long car rides

he drinks coffee now! eeek! 

he starts high school in two weeks

he is kind to everyone he meets

his new favorite food is seafood (just like me!)

Dunkin Donuts is his second home : ) 

he loves shopping

he has an infectious laugh (especially when watching The Office)

thanks to Rob he has discovered classic rock (i.e. ACDC, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, etc..)

his visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Face this summer was a one of his favorite days ever 

he still plays drums and is looking forward to the high school band

he loves sleeping and has turned into a late sleeper

he loves New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, the beach, and still loves Disney (yay!)

It's been a big year for John.  He graduated 8th grade and has left a school he's been at since preschool.  New adventures begin in September.  We are so proud of his positive attitude.  

He's much more laid back than I am! LOL 

 

Nothing makes me happier than to see this boy smile! ♥

Happy Birthday John! Now please stop growing up so fast!!! 

At age 7.  Feels like yesterday. 

Have a happy day friends! Enjoy the little moments.  They go by fast.....♥

Weekend in New Hampshire ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I am just back from a quick weekend get-away to New Hampshire.  You all know how much I love the ocean, but there is something about being in the mountains that also has my heart.  Rob has a very good friend that generously offered us his condo for the weekend...which we graciously accepted!  The place was beautiful, comfy, cozy, and just what we needed.  

My wifi was spotty for most of the weekend and quite honestly, I did not mind.  It was nice not reaching for my phone every five minutes.  I spent the majority of my time unplugged and enjoying time with my family.  We walked, talked, ate, shopped, swam in the pool, ate some more, watched movies, and slept!  It was glorious! 

We've come to this part of New Hampshire (which is about a 3 and a 1/2 hour drive from Boston) many many times, and every time we come here it's always like the first time.  The beauty of the mountains, the rivers rushing, and that clean mountain air...its just the best.  

It was a hot weekend but when I took my coffee out to the balcony this morning I felt a chill in the air.  It was breezy and I could smell fall coming.  That made me smile : ) 

And just like that I'm home again, but feeling refreshed and a little more rested which is always a good thing.  

I have a busy week ahead and a very special birthday to celebrate tomorrow.  

Someone is turning 14 on Monday.  I still can't believe it!  14! Wow.

I have just a few more hours to process that and then I will celebrate him!  ♥

Have a great day friends! Byeeeee xoxo