City Walk ♥

It's not often that I venture out of my little suburb and head into Boston, but a few times a year I do get the urge.  Boston is only about 20 minutes from where I live, but with traffic sometimes it can seem like an eternity.  The way around this is to go early on a Sunday morning.  The springtime is the best time to visit because the weather is perfect and all the flowers are in bloom. 

Rob knows my favorite spot.  Right here in the public gardens.  

We took a ride in yesterday morning for a coffee and a stroll.  It was very lovely.  

I always say if I lived in the city I would visit here all the time.  

There are so many locals, spreading out blankets, and having picnics.   

There is always music coming from somewhere too.  

The famous Swan Boats were up and running! I think they opened yesterday for the summer season.  When I was in elementary school we would come here on field trips.  It was so much fun! 

We didn't go on the boats yesterday, but I stood on the bridge and took looks of pictures.  

*check out my Instagram stories if you want to see more of that : ) 

It was nice to be outside, roaming, and admiring all the pretty flowers, statues, and monuments. 

Our city is full of charm & history.  

You can actually feel it when you are here  ♥

We were lucky enough to find street parking but we still had to walk a bit.  

The awning across the street there is the famous Cheers bar (from the TV show).  

We stopped in and visited the gift shop.  

We do this every time.

It's fun being tourists in your own city : ) 

I'm always fascinated by these brownstone type apartments like you see on TV.  I wish I knew someone who lived in one so I could check out the inside : ) 

 

I'm definitely more of a country girl and could never live the city life, however I do like to visit from time to time.  

We got a coffee, bread, and pastries from a North End bakery (which is the Italian section of the city!) to take home.  

That was worth the trip all by itself. 

So that was my morning yesterday.  

Thanks for coming along on this walk with me! 

How about you? Do you prefer city life or are you a suburbs person like me?  Or do you love both?! 

♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend and a happy Mother's Day too! 

Have a great day friends! xoxo 

 

Rainy Wednesday ♥

    Good Morning Friends ♥

Hello from rainy Massachusetts!  Today its literally pouring out and I have to say I'm quite enjoying it. I love the feel of a rainy day.  The sound of the tapping on the windows, the glow of the twinkle lights in the kitchen, and the smell of the air.  I'm having a moment.  And I like it. 

The good thing is that where I live the weather is always changing, better or worse...nothing stays the same.  The rain will eventually stop and the sun will shine again.  My father in law always says "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes..."  

He's absolutely right : ) 

I am one of those people who look forward to rainy days.  It's an excuse to wear extra comfy clothes and be a bit lazy.  The rain makes me tired but I don't mind that either.  The couch feels extra comfy on days like this and tea is an absolute must (don't tell my coffee but I like tea better on rainy days...:).

Have you ever been to Disney World in Florida and experienced one of their daily thunderstorms? They are massive.  I have and I LOVE them!  I love them because once they are over, the air is so fresh and clean.  It's such a nice feeling to walk around after a storm.  It's also a perfect excuse to go back to the hotel, change into warm clothes and take a nap. Does anyone else do this on vacation? 

Jeeze, I miss that place.  But that's for another post...lol  

How is the weather where you are today?  

I'll just be here watching the rain and waiting for a rainbow ♥

Have a lovely day friends!  

Byeeeee! xo 

Snickerdoodles & pretty Spring things! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

Can you believe it's the first week of May already?!  It blows my mind that John only has one month of school left before summer vacation.  It's all going by so fast~ 

This past weekend I had an urge to dust off my Kitchen Aid and bake some cookies. I had a craving for something cinnamon so I decided to try making Snickerdoodles. I'm happy to say that for my first time making them they came out delightful and I would love to share the recipe with you. 

Before I do that I want to show you some pretty spring things around the house.... ♥

Candles are flowers of course... 

I picked up the pussy willow stems at the grocery store last week.  

I just love the look of them in the springtime. 

♥

It seems like only a blink ago I had my hot chocolate bar set up on the hutch.  

(I can't wait to do that again next year, btw : ) 

April showers bring May flowers ♥

However, as lovely as the spring weather is I still love getting cozy under a blanket. 

The best spot in the house.... ♥

With cookies and tea always within arm's reach.  

Ok, back to the Snickerdoodles...  Surprisingly I'd never made these before, which is strange because they are one of my favorite cookies.  The fluffy cinnamon-sugar middle totally reminded me of a donut.  Clearly I had to dunk into my tea (and again this morning in my coffee) to confirm that YES they taste like little donuts! 

It's a very simple batter.  

Allow some time though, because it needs to chill for an hour before you bake the cookies. 

Here is the recipe if you'd like to make them: ♥

(taken from cakewiz.com via pinterest) 

2 3/4 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Topping:

1/4 cup  sugar

2 tbsp cinnamon 

(**check website for substitution for cream of tartar if you don't have it.

 I can't believe I actually had some in my pantry!!**) 

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar.

  

Add the egg and egg yolk and mix until thoroughly combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. 

Dump into wet mixture and mix until just combined.  Don't overmix!

Chill dough for at least an hour. 

Scoop small portions of dough and shape into balls. 

Roll in cinnamon-sugar topping mixture.

Flatten them slightly with the palm of your hand (or with the bottom of a juice glass).

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are slightly soft. 

Enjoy!! ♥

Rolling in cinnamon & sugar is the best part!

YUM!!! ♥

And speaking of sugar...how do you like my new sugar bowl?  It's it darling?!  

My mother gave it to me and I love it! 

(it's the little things) 

♥

I'll leave you today with a view off the back deck, taken yesterday afternoon.  

Happy May everyone! I hope you are off to a great start! 

(ps. make some cookies...they are amazing!) 

Byeeeeee! xoxo 

Good Morning Friends~

Hello Friends!  ♥

We are in full blown spring in my neighborhood today and I am soaking up every bit of it.  

There is still a slight chill in the air, but the pear tree confetti and pretty colors of pansies and tulips make up for it.  

I still prefer Fall, but Spring is my second favorite time of year.

I'll enjoy this until the heat of summer arrives. (that's when I start complaining again....haha) 

 

I had a rather busy weekend.  On Friday morning I went to my first doctor's appointment in over a year! I know....too long.  Its was the first of many "make up" appointments that I missed last year.  This was body scan at the dermatologist and I'm happy to report that all is well! She said keep doing what your doing...so for me that means SPF 50 and staying out of the sun.  Will do! 

It was also a weekend of celebrations.  On Friday we were able to watch a dear friend's wedding virtually which my heart so happy! Isn't technology GRAND!  And on Saturday I attended a small celebration for Rob's sister, who is getting married in June.  Love is all around and life is happening.  

 

And yesterday this happened....

Next one is scheduled for May.

Hugs for everyone!  : ) 

Today I'll be spending the day working, meal planning for the week, watering my plants, and trying to get my act together.  I'm also thinking this might be the week to return to YouTube. It's been a while since I posted a video.  I am going to pick a nice recipe to share with you all, so stay tuned for that ♥

Have a lovely day friends! Thanks for visiting today.  I will see you on Wednesday! xo 

ps. This is the expression I had after putting on a dress for the first time in over a year.  I couldn't wait to get back in my sweats! LOL 

Sour Cream Coffee Cake ♥

 Good Morning Friends! Happy Wednesday! 

It's a beautiful day here today.  I'm enjoying it immensely because we have another round of heavy rain and cold coming tomorrow.  I know I will enjoy that too, but in a different way.  You know what I mean. I love a good, cozy, rainy day as much as a beautiful, sunny, spring day ♥

Today I'm still a bit sleepy because I was up late last night.  After a couple of frustrating days online I was finally able to book my first Covid Vaccine appointment for this Sunday.  The only way for me to do it was to go online at midnight last night.  I was literally clicking on the site at 12:00 on the dot. I'm happy to say it worked and I have a time slot at a CVS right down the street.  

I'm happy to be crossing that off my to-do list! 

For my afternoon treat today to celebrate (and really...to use up some sour cream I had in the fridge) I decided to whip up a coffee cake.  I got this recipe from my mom, who used to make it all the time when I was growing up.  She doubles the recipe and bakes it in a 9x13 pan.  I only had one cup of sour cream so I stuck to the original.  The best part (beside eating it!) about baking this cake is the way the kitchen smells while it's baking.  Its literal heaven.  I will enjoy this today at 4:00 with a cup of tea and it will also be perfect for tomorrows rainy day snack.

Yup, always looking ahead! ♥

1 cup sugar

1 stick softened butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup sour cream

2 cups flour 

1 tbs baking powder

1 tsp baking soda 

cinnamon & sugar 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer on med speed until well blended.  

Add in sour cream.  

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda.  Add to the wet ingredients and mix until well blended. 

Pour into a greased 8x8 baking pan.  Sprinkle the top (liberally :) with cinnamon and sugar. 

Bake for 1 hour.  Let cool before cutting. 

*You could also add 1 cup of fresh blueberries to the batter, which is very lovely in the spring* 

Noted for next time! ♥

The cake is super moist, but the cinnamon sugar top is the best part.  If you are a dunker like I am, it's what I love to dunk in my tea.  I'm just that way ♥

3:55 pm.  Time to put the kettle on.  

By the way, my electric kettle is still hands down my favorite appliance I've ever owned. 

A new favorite.

Yum ♥

And here I be.  For at least 60 minutes or until someone discovers me! 

Have a lovely day friends.  It's already started to rain here and I just heard thunder : ) 

Byeeee xoxo 

Catching up on a Monday :)

Good Monday morning friends! I hope this new week finds you well.   We had a nice weekend here in New England.  Saturday was rainy which we desperately needed and Sunday the sun came out! Spring is always a mixed bag around here.  You never know what can happen.  One thing always remains....

...and that's coffee ♥

Last week seemed to have gotten away from me.  It was a week, let me tell you!

  Within just a few days my coffee pot died, my beloved George Foreman Grill that I've had for 21 years finally gave out, and I dropped the cover to my favorite frying pan and cracked the handle.  I felt like I was walking around with black cloud over me for most of the week.  Luckily I still had a stash of Easter candy that helped me get through it! That candy is now gone! LOL  

I replaced my coffee pot ASAP and yesterday I picked up a new grill, so I'm feeling better.  I use my grill at least once a week and I didn't want to be without one. I think I can repair the frying pan handle which it on my to do list for the week.  

Hopefully things are looking up now!

Can't wait to christen this baby tonight!! :)  

All of my mom tulips out front are about to burst open and that makes me very happy to see.  The buckets of rain we've had has turned everything outside from brown to green and I hear birds chirping every morning which takes me back to my old house. We had a family of birds that would build a nest on our deck every spring.  I loved to watch them and hear them sing.  I have been wondering if they are still there and if the new owner has noticed.  The things I think about...I know, I'm crazy!  : )  

But I digress...

Yesterday morning I watched a darling movie on Hallmark.  For all my Hallmark lovers out there, have you seen this one yet?

It takes place in Ireland and totally sucked me in with it's beautiful LUSH scenery and charming Irish brogues.  I loved it!!!  Yup, that's Alan Leach from Downton Abbey, who is just as adorable in this as he is in Downton.  This movie made my morning. I think it's on again this weekend so if you want to escape reality for a few hours, give it a watch ♥

In other news, I made quiche! I wanted jazz up our Friday night breakfast dinners so I made quiche instead of scrambled eggs.  The best thing about quiche is you can use anything you have on hand for the filling.  For mine I added chopped onion, cubed ham, and cheese.  It was yummy!

This is a crustless quiche recipe that I've made several times and it always comes out great! 

 

Here's how to make it if you want to give it a try:

1/2 cup ham cubes

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups milk

1/2 cup Bisquick

4 eggs

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

Sprinkle ham, cheese, and onion evenly in lightly greased 9" or 10 " pie plate.  Place remaining ingredients in a bowl and beat on high for 1 minute.  Pour into pie plate (over ham, cheese, and onion).

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes until golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Easy peasy! 

I had the last piece for breakfast this morning.  It was just a good.  Leftovers always taste better for some reason : ) 

Also I have to share with you a tip I saw on Instagram. 

If you have hydrangeas that are wilted (and that's so disappointing, isn't it?!)... well, here's what to do:

Snip the bottoms of the stems and put them in scalding hot water.  

Wait about an hour...

 

Viola!   

They spring back to life!!  

Yaaaay! It actually worked! 

I wish I knew this a long time ago, but I'm sure it will come in handy this summer! ♥

And that's all I have for you today friends.  For the rest of the morning I'll be busy working and enjoy my new candle I got a Target.  It's Tangerine Ginger and is so wonderful! 

Wishing you all a happy new week! I hope I have better luck! Fingers crossed! 

Byeeee! xo