Friday, July 29, 2016


Have we really come to another Friday? Hard to believe this is the last week of July.  Where has the month gone?  Next week is the beginning of August and as I mentioned a few days ago, I’m resisting the urge to pull out my pumpkin spice candles and pumpkin decorations.  By August I start getting antsy for Fall, but my family doesn’t want to hear about it. There’s still a whole lotta summer left, so let’s enjoy it! ♥

While some of you are still living your summer dreams I thought I would show you a few pictures of life around here this past week and also share a YUMMY recipe for Peach Cobbler!

This is one of our favorite desserts.  Also perfectly accepted for breakfast! I speak from experience. 




On Sunday I quietly celebrated my birthday.  Hello 42! Let’s make it a good year, pleeeease! 




My parent’s made me my favorite meal – Turkey dinner with all the fixing! It’s like 

Thanksgiving in the middle of July! 




I took John in for his annual physical.  He’s grown to 4’8 ½ inches!  He’s also styling his own hair these days.  He uses more gel than I do! This make me wonder what the teenage years are going to be like.




We enjoyed some delicious summer meals with arugula and grape salad…




And corn! One of the only veggies that John likes so I make it like crazy in the summer! 




I got one of my Dad’s special homemade lunches! This was the day after my birthday so you can bet there was a turkey gobbler sandwich in there ♥ 




Yesterday the three of us took a little day trip to Cape Cod.  I sat in on a talk celebrating Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday! Guest speaker was my favorite….Susan Branch! 




Snapped this at a rest stop : ) 




My favorite time of day….twilight time.




Peaches, peaches, peaches!!!! 

Here’s a quick recipe for peach cobbler that you will love! 

All you need is: 

6-8 ripe peaches
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup sugar
cinnamon




For the filling, cut the peaches in half and remove the stones.  Slice the peach halves thinly and put into a bowl.  I leave the skins on.

Add 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 tsp vanilla to the peaches.  Mix and set aside while you make the batter.





In a separate bowl combine the milk, flour, baking powder, and sugar.  Melt the butter and add to the mixture.
Mix with an electric mixer or wire whisk.  Make sure there are no lumps.  The batter will be a thin consistency.




Grease or spray an oven proof baking dish.  I always use this 8x8 Pyrex.  Pour a little bit of the batter in the bottom of the baking dish - just to coat.  Then add the peaches.  

Sprinkle with a little cinnamon (or a lot of cinnamon  : )




Cover the peaches with the rest of the batter.  Some of the peaches will poke through the top. 





Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown.




And that’s all there is to it! 

Enjoy! ♥ 




Have a happy weekend my friends! 

 Xoxo 



Wednesday, July 27, 2016

A quick summer salad...Italian style ♥

Hello friends! ♥
 
Our Christmas celebration was so fun and we wished it could have lasted longer. 
But alas, it's back to reality and the 100 degree dog days of summertime! The days where my makeup literally melts off my face as soon as I step outside the house. 
 
I guess you could say I'm more of an indoor girl on these kinds of days. When I was a kid I remember on really, really hot summer days when my friends were off at the beach or an amusement park I would rather have stayed at home in my air conditioned family room watching The Price is Right and reading books.  But that's just me.   
 
In my defense, summer vacations were the only time I was able to watch The Price is Right, so you can't blame me.... : )
 
I haven't changed very much, have I?  ♥
 
 
 
 
Anyway.... today I wanted to share with you a very simple salad that I always make in the summer.  It's pretty much a staple around here. 
 
 
 
 
I was first introduced to this salad by my husband's Italian family.  I remember first eating it at his grandmother's house one hot summer afternoon.
 
I think it may have been the first time I ever had arugula.
 
I've been in love with it ever since! I put it on everything from pizza to eggs. 
 
Not kidding...it's that good!
 
 
 
 
This is not your average green.  It has a peppery taste - almost spicy. 
 
It's really delicious. 
 
 
 
 
For this salad, all you do is take some arugula, and toss it with red grapes. 
 
Drizzle on a little olive oil and a dash of salt.
 
 
 
 
 The cool sweetness of the grapes is the perfect company for the spicy arugula. 
 
 


 I love this salad with a nice summer meal.

 Last night we had balsamic chicken and corn on the cob.  Yummy!!!
 
There was also peach cobbler for dessert, but I'll save that for next time ♥
 
 
 
 
Wherever you are I hope you are staying cool and enjoying these dog days of summer!
 
Get outside and do something fun!
 
Don't be like me : )
 
xoxoxo
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, July 25, 2016

Christmas in July ♥

Well, our first annual Christmas in July was a hit!  

John woke up this morning to some familiar faces...



 And a few small presents.




 I lit my Christmas cookie candle, put some music on and viola....it was Christmas!




What better reason to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast!




I must note that this was probably one of the hottest days of the summer.  It's well into the 90's out there.  But not in here.... : )




After breakfast we put our favorite Christmas movies on and made cookies.




Decorating is the best part!


Honestly, this didn't take much effort to put together, and we had the best time.  What a kick he got out of Christmas cookies in July!




He begged me to make it a tradition!

Done ♥

We are spending the rest of day sipping frozen hot chocolates, staying cool, and watching movies.

I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas in July!




Now I have to admit, as much as I love the summer I am yearning for fall and holiday times.  I was very temped to bring out my pumpkin spice candles but I didn't.

I'll give it a few more weeks! ♥♥♥



December, 2015

Friday, July 22, 2016

My week in pictures ♥

Hello, my friends!
 
We've made it to another Friday! This weekend is extra special for me because it's my birthday on Sunday! I'll be celebrating with a small family dinner at my parents house on Saturday night. On Sunday we have a birthday party for another family member (who is turning 2!) and I'm happy to share my day with him. I've never been one to go crazy on my birthday, just as long as I'm with loved ones and there is a carrot cake involved I'm happy!
 
 
I noticed I had a bunch of random photos on my phone this week so I thought I would post them for you.
 
Here is my week in pictures...
 
Dream. Hope. Believe.
 
 
 

On Sunday John celebrated his 9th birthday with some friends at the YMCA. His actual birthday isn't until August but he asked if he could have his "friends" party a little early.  I think it's his way of making his birthday last all summer!


 
 
They had a wonderful time and I'll share more about it once his real birthday comes closer!
 
 
 
 
 Our homemade cupcakes were a hit. 
 
There were plenty leftover for us to treat ourselves with all week!
 
 
 
 
Lately I'm suffering from PDD - post Disney Depression! This always occurs right after a magical Disney vacation.  Little reminders around the house comfort me ♥
 
 
 
 
John and I have a movie day this week.  We saw The Secret Life of Pets.  We were a little disappointed.  It wasn't as funny as we expected and was even a bit scary in some parts (at least I thought so). 
 
 We made up for it by getting ice cream!
 
 
 
 
Before work selfie....
 
 
 
 
I got photo bombed!
 
 
 
John was assigned this book for summer reading.  He also has to complete a packet with a word search, crossword, and questions about every chapter. Times have surely changed since I was his age.
 
We've been reading a few chapters each night.
 
It's very good so far ♥
 
 
 
 
Caught up with a few "mom" friends over nachos while John was at a Harry Potter birthday party.  
 
 
 
 
When it's 99 degrees out, this is how we do summer ~
 
 
 
 
He's binge watching Good Luck Charlie on Netflix!
 
Such a cute show!
 
 
 
 
Getting prepared for Christmas in July on Monday with Frozen Hot Chocolate!
 
It's sooooo good!!!
 
 
 
I found this necklace at the bottom of my jewelry box.
 
I forgot how much I loved it.
 
 
 
 
And the sunsets........have been spectacular lately. 
 
 
 
 
 Wishing you all the sunniest of summer days and the coziest of nights!
 
 
 
 
 Happy Weekend! xo