A trip to Michaels, a plate wall, and a lemon bundt cake recipe - Happy Monday! ♥

 Good Monday morning friends! ♥

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! 

XO 

Friday Musings ♥

  Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Friday! I'm just back from my weekly grocery shopping, a task that I do not enjoy and am always so happy once it's done!  And isn't it so nice for two or three days when the fridge is full?! I feel like I have my life together when we are fully stocked.  Check in with me around Wednesday when I'm scrounging for crumbs. Total chaos :) 

I'll enjoy it while it lasts ♥

The sun is shining today, and it promises to be a nice weekend.  I'm planning on a little shopping tomorrow morning.  I'd like to grab an ice coffee and pop into a few local charity shops. I have a list of items that I'm looking to thrift so hopefully I'll have good luck.  My kitchen painting project is finally complete (pictures coming soon)!!  I'm SO happy to have things back to normal and not have workers all over the place.  And now the fun part - I can focus on a little decorating.  I feel like I'm starting over with a clean slate and that makes me very happy. My parents hadn't changed anything in a long time.  It was hard to do at first but over time it's gotten easier. We have a bakers rack in the kitchen that I'd like to makeover, and some bare spots on the walls that need "a little something"... I don't know what yet, but hopefully I'll find something fun ♥

On Sunday we have some family coming by for coffee to visit my Dad. Everyone is so busy these days, so when people make time to visit it is very much appreciated.  My Dad loves it too. Sunday is a perfect day to do it too, because oh shoot...I guess my housework will have to wait! DARN! lol...Well, except for laundry that unfortunately can't wait and won't stop.  But that's a rant for another day.

This afternoon I have to finish up some work and maybe go for a short walk before dinner (if I feel motivated enough). I think the fresh air and exercise would do me good.  Tonight I'm making baked haddock for dinner (yum!) and then settling in to watch part 2 of the Bob Barker documentary series on E. I watched part 1 last night and as a child of the 80's and lover of The Price is Right (especially on sick days!), I am horrified. Have you watched it?  Here's your warning...it was not all sunshine and roses on the set.  That's all I'll say about that.  

Have a great weekend, friends! Stay cozy and I'll be back on Monday! Xx 

PS. Happy First Day of Spring!!!!!!  ⚘🎕

Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♥

Hello Dear Friends! ♥

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you all had a wonderful day! 🍀

We celebrated last night with a boiled ham dinner and my friend Eileen's mom's Irish bread that I look forward to making every year.  

I had a warm slice with my coffee this morning.

It was yummy! ♥

My mom loved this Irish bread and I was thinking of her while I was making it. 

She looked forward to it every year too ♥

I've scattered a few more bunnies around the house because it's time to start thinking about Easter.  

Only 2 weeks away! 

 These two little guys on the windowsill are making me smile today ♥

These early days of spring are so nice because I can finally see the river again.  

Nature is waking up ♥

It's refreshing after the long winter!

I put up my "egg tree" this morning. So simple. I probably could have found a better stick, but this was the first one I saw :) 

I love the pastel colors of the eggs ♥

Especially in the sunlight. 

The sun shadows in my front window are a sign of better days to come.  Warmer days with the smell of Lillies of the Valley in the air. 

They usually bloom around Mother's Day ♥

 I hope you're having a great week friends! We are having leftovers tonight, so I don't have to cook (yippee!).  It's currently 4:00 pm as I type this.  I'm going to make myself a cup of English Breakfast tea and take 5 before Rob gets home.  John is having a friend over tonight to "jam" so the house will be rocking with music later...haha.  Can you believe he's in his last semester of his first year of college?! Last year at this time I was starting to plan his graduation party! It blows my mind how fast time flies: )

Happy Wednesday everyone! xx 

♥

Spring Fever ♥

Good morning Friends! ♥

Look what I just noticed?  We have signs of life in here. 

Yay! 

This week we had two days of 70 degree weather. It was glorious and it's what we New Englander's call "false spring" ♥

We know we are being teased but we are living for it anyway. 

We open windows, go for walks without jackets, and would you believe John had shorts on yesterday?!  

Yes, we lost an hour of sleep from daylight savings but last night I was doing the dishes at 6:30 and it dawned on me that it was still light outside.  I saw neighborhood kids on bikes and one kid on a scooter.  We are all waking up.  

 

Its already dropped 20 degrees since yesterday, but it's ok.  We are heading in the right direction.  Our minds are fixed on spring now and nothing is going to mess with that.  

I went out for a walk yesterday for the first time in a while.  It was so nice to breathe in the fresh air and hear the birds chirping.  

We all have spring fever ♥

Within two days most of the snow from the blizzard (20 inches from just a few weeks ago!) has melted.  

The bushes (that were completely buried!!) are still here aaaand look what I saw.....

...alive and thriving ♥

Nature is so amazing.  She knows just what to do. 

I can't wait for these hydrangeas to be blooming.  

It's hard to believe these deadheads (that are so delicate) are still in one piece after all that snow.  

We had happy ducks swimming in the river yesterday morning.  

They were too quick for me to photograph, but I was thrilled to see them and hear their quacks!  

♥

I'm sure we have more cold days ahead, but they are getting fewer and fewer.  

We've made it through the winter of 2026.  It was a tough one! 

This is a side note, but did your mom have these porcelain China flowers?  This wheel barrel has lived in my house my entire life. I have no idea where it came from.  I remember it on a shadow box in our living room when I was a kid.  I recently found it on a shelf (when I was removing it for the painter!!! - who came last weekend!).  

Anyway, I always LOVED it and now it has a permanent place on my coffee table upstairs.  Why was it hidden on a shelf?  I put it with another one I have, that my mom gave me as a gift.  

It's a little trio of flowers and I love it ♥

My coffee table feels so springy now and colorful.  It's matching the mood outside.  

I have decided that this year will be the year I bring out the old antiques in my home and display them.  Our attic is full of them, and I have my mother to thank for never throwing anything away : )

Out with the new and in with the old, I say!  I'm in my granny-chic era and I'm loving it ♥

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Spring is officially here in 10 days!!  

We made it ♥

Xx

March: In like a lion, out like a lamb...hopefully ♥

Hello Friends! Happy March!! ♥

We are in the home stretch of winter now.  Yay! 

It's the winter that will not end.  Since I posted last we had a blizzard! It dumped over 20 inches of snow on us. It was crazy.  Every window was covered and when we could finally see out, all we saw was white.  Pretty? Yes.  But oh, so cooooold!  

We had three full snow days with no work or school. That hasn't happened in years.  Thankfully we didn't lose power!  I made pancakes for breakfast and soup for dinner.  

We ate comfort food and watched movies while the snow came down ♥

It wasn't so bad.  It was actually nice to see everyone slow down.  

They had no choice :) 

And then a few days later, the sun came out.  

My daffodils started blooming and I realized that Spring is almost here.  

March came in like a lion, but is slowing turning into a lamb...♥

It was 23 degrees on Monday...and we might reach 50 today.  

Yup, 50! 

To celebrate I started decorating for spring.  Not full-blown Easter yet, but a few pastels here and there never hurt anyone.  I put away the last of my winter snowmen.... packed away safely for next year, and out came some bunnies, spring dishtowels, new sheets on the beds, and new vanilla candle that is divine.  

This weekend I made a banana bread with (my new obsession) homemade butter.  All this is bringing me life.  I feel rejuvenated.  

Isn't that what spring is supposed to do?! ♥

YUM! ♥ 

Don't get me wrong, we are still in the throes of winter (I won't be fooled) but I know in a few weeks I'll see buds on the trees.  I knew it would happen.  

It always does ♥

Every morning, I come downstairs and open the blinds to see the sun shining in (insert happy face here).  My houseplants are thriving and I'm thrilled they have survived the winter.  

 I would like to get more plants this spring. I'm redecorating a baker's rack in my kitchen that will hopefully include some pretty blooms.  Once it gets a bit warmer, I'll head to the plant store and see what they have.  

A day strolling the nursery with an iced coffee is something I'm very much looking forward to ♥

And of course, with it being lent, I've been practicing gratitude now more than ever.  Here is what I remind myself of everyday.  Along with giving up chocolate (not easy, by the way:) I am trying to be my best self during this time and let go of things that don't serve me anymore (also not easy).

♥

This morning we've got blue skies and the drip, drip, drip of melting snow.  

These are ordinary days of March, friends ♥ 

In my next post I'm going to share a few new recipes I've made over the last few weeks and some books that I've read this winter that I loved.  I just wanted to do a little catch up first.  I hope you are all keeping cozy and are enjoying these last days of winter.  The season is about to change and that makes my heart happy. 

Have a wonderful day, friends! xx 

PS just because I mentioned it last time, here are my Valentine brownies I made a few weeks ago.  They were a hit ♥

Happy Valentine's Day ♥

 

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Friday and happy day before Valentine's Day! ♥

We are slowly inching our way through February and frankly, things are looking up.  The sun is out today and there is a slight warmth (if you can believe it) in the air. Slight meaning "above freezing" but I'll take it :) 

Every once in a while we hear huge clumps of snow sliding off the roof like a literal avalanche.  It's awesome because it means it's melting up there.  The great thaw has begun! 

But alas, it's still winter and I'm trying to embrace it. There will be more snow and cold days but it's ok. Because I know for sure....spring is coming.  It always does.  

So what's new with you??! ♥

I took my first cup of coffee back to bed with me on this Friday morning. I took a few quiet moments to sip it and wake up a bit before heading downstairs....

Ok, I'm awake now and just processing that it's almost the weekend.  YIPEEEEE! ♥

Last night I made a cinnamon coffee cake to have for breakfast this morning.  I forgot all about it until I came down and saw it sitting on the counter - just where I left it.  I thanked my Thursday night self for planning ahead. 

Yesterday I ran to the market to pick up groceries for the week.  I treated myself to a Valentines Day present and brought home this daffodil plant for the kitchen window. The floral department was just bursting of tulips, hyacinths, roses, and these beautiful yellow daffodils that were SCREAMING springtime.  I was so happy to see it and didn't hesitate to pick one up and put it in my cart.  

I'm excited to watch it bloom ♥

 

She'll wait until the time is right because she knows we shouldn't rush these things, but regardless, I'll be waiting and watching for those pretty little yellow teacups. 

Strawberries were on sale this week for Valentines Day. I wish you could smell these! I can't tell you how many times I've stuck my nose in the bowl just to take a sniff.  So good!  

Another signs of warmer days to come! 

Not only are they yummy but it's also aromatherapy! ♥

Out back still looks like this.  

I promise you there is a river under all that snow and ice somewhere.  

  It's so quiet and still.  

I love seeing the long shadows of sunlight on the snow.  I don't think I could ever live in the city.  

I need nature every day ♥

Meals this week have been very simple.  One night we did breakfast for dinner.  I made Susan Branch's German pancake which is a family favorite.  The recipe is in her Heart of the Home cookbook.  A few years ago, I made a video about it.  Give it a click if you want to see a very cringy pre-covid me with short hair making this pancake.  Feels like a 100 years ago, but the pancake is still delicious.

 And very easy to make ♥

And that's it my friends.  

Same old ordinary days around here, which is just perfect for me.  This weekend I have loads of laundry to do, toilets to clean, and shelves to dust.  Just your average life as a princess - not really!  I'll catch up on chores, read my book of the moment, and make a yummy Valentines Day dessert that involves brownies and a heart shaped cookie cutter. I'm nothing if not creative! : ) 

Speaking of Valentine's Day, remember when Valentines looked like this?...♥

How fun! I miss those days!  So simple and yet so perfect. 

Have a wonderful weekend friends and Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

I hope you spend it doing something you love with the people who mean the most to you.  And of course, have something SWEET to celebrate!  

Love you! Bye! xoxox

PS I'm still waiting on the painter.  Patience is a virtue :)