Monday, July 26, 2021

Good Monday Morning ♥

 Good Monday morning friends! 

How was your weekend? 




Every Monday my friend BJ does a post on her blog where she shares her thoughts over "Monday Morning Coffee."  I was thinking of her today so I thought I would do the same.  This morning I'm drinking our favorite Maxwell House coffee with a splash of the Dunkin Donuts extra creamy, cream.  It's sweetened with sugar and tastes so good.  



I'm also burning a new candle called Enchanted Moon.  Very appropriate since I have been admiring the moon all weekend.  Did you get a chance to see it?  I snapped this photo Friday night.  Her beauty never ceases to amaze me  




On Saturday I celebrated my birthday and turned 47.  It's not a very special number but I did enjoy my day.  John and I went shopping and I treated myself to some goodies at Target.  That night we had a delicious dinner.  On Sunday morning the three of us got up early and went to breakfast, something I hadn't done in ages.  I got cinnamon swirl French toast that was to die for!  



Sunday evening we celebrated with a family dinner with my parents and sister.  My Dad made the whole meal including the cake!  It was wonderful 




I can't say I'm sad about turning 47.  I am so touched by all the messages, texts, cards, and calls from friends and family.  

I even got these beautiful flowers from a special friend 



Sunday afternoon I did a little self care session and gave myself a facial and hair treatment.  I thought why not pamper my 47 year old self?!  It felt good.  I really need to do this more often.  

Starting a new trip around the sun feeling fresh! : ) 



And all of a sudden the weekend is over.  Today I'm working, still catching up from being on vacation.   I also have to food shop and plan something for dinner.  I haven't gotten that far yet this morning...lol!  

In other news John and I are watching The Office!  He's seen it many times and has been trying to get me to watch it for ages. I finally agreed and I love it! We are almost at the end of the second season.  It's so funny!  Now I understand what all the hype was about : ) 

I hope you all have a great day and start to your week!  Can you believe we are almost at the end of July?!  Let's slow things down a bit, shall we 

Byeeeee!!! xoox


Tuesday, July 20, 2021

I had the best week! ♥

 Good Morning Friends!  

I am currently sipping coffee in my cozy bed with my laptop.  I've been absent on here the past week because we have been traveling!  Rob, John, and I had a wonderful time visiting our dear friends in Pennsylvania.  BJ and I met on this very blog....or was it her blog...we can't remember and it really doesn't matter.  All that matters is through the wonderful world of blogging I met a life long friend what I will forever be grateful for! 



We even coordinated our outfits....not planned : ) 

It's about a 10 hour drive from Boston and I would do it again in a minute to be able to spend time with BJ and her family in their beautiful lake house.  They are so hospitable and I felt like I was in my own home.  We laughed, played games, drank coffee on the deck in our pj's, and laughed some more.  There were trivia games, rides in the boat, tubing and jet skiing (which John is still talking about!:) movie watching, candy eating, and they even had an early celebration for my birthday.  It was so much fun and I will hold these memories in my heart forever! 

One day we went for lunch at a tea room.  It was darling and I'm still thinking about the blackberry & cream coffee I had.  Soooo good! But what made it even better was the company.  I have found my people : ) 

If you know BJ or have ever read her blog you know she's all about home, cozy, family, and celebrations.  We were lucky enough to come during one of her favorites....shark week!  I have to say I did well at shark week trivia!  We had an absolute blast! 








I adore these two! 


That view! 




best buddies : ) 


Shark week festivities! : ) 


My spot...dog on my lap not pictured 


Our room for the week. She knows me so well ♥ 



My birthday party! That cake was delicious!!! 



We arrived Wednesday and left early Sunday morning.  It went by too fast. I had tears in my eyes as we drove away. We weren't even at the end of their street when we decided next time we have to stay longer! :)  

It's hard having friends that live far away.  But the good thing is there is always something to look forward to.  We have already begun planning our return 



You can visit BJ's beautiful blog HERE 

Get yourself a cup of cozy and stay awhile 

 Have a wonderful week friends! Today I'm grocery shopping and catching up on life.  Back to work tomorrow and counting the days until the next vacation.  But first...more coffee please : ) 

Byeeeeee ! : ) 

Monday, July 12, 2021

10 Things I Love ♥


Good Moring Friends! Happy Rainy Monday.  I hope you all had a nice weekend 

This morning I was looking at this collection of sea glass that I display every summer.  I've had it for so many years.  It's a little thing that brings me joy when I look at it.  

 I haven't posted a "10 things I love" list in a long time!  I think it's an excellent way for me to express gratitude.  I mean, even on my worst day I can appreciate a good cup of coffee, or a beautiful sky, or a colorful dish of sea glass.  All the little things in life we love are what make our days better, don't you think?

With that being said, here are 10 very random things I love: 

 carrot cake with cream cheese frosting...especially when it's a birthday cake

the feel of my face at night after I've washed my makeup off and applied moisturizer

sparkly pink polish on my toes : )

Michael J. Fox in Family Ties, which I've been watching a lot of lately on Pluto! I love 80's sitcoms! 

the smell and feel of antique stores

bouquets of hydrangeas

comfy pajama sets, especially in the fall.  I can't wait for the cooler weather. 

quaint town squares with stores that have twinkly lights in the windows 

quiet slow mornings 

strawberry sundaes from Dairy Queen

And as a bonus 11th item I would like to add THIS BLOG as a thing I love. Because I do. 

What are some little things that are making you smile today? 

Have a wonderful Monday and a beautiful start to your week! xo 


Friday, July 9, 2021

How are you? Let's catch up! ♥




Hello Friends! How are you? Happy Friday!  


I've had a busy week which it why I've been quiet around here.  Nothing special, just life happening. Short weeks are always the busiest.  At least where work is concerned.  Everyday I set up my little "office" at my kitchen table and tap away at my computer until dinnertime.  It's not so bad.  I have an unlimited supply of coffee and there is no dress code : ) 

Like most of us, we are dealing with crazy weather!  One day it's 101 degrees and the next it's 50 and raining! I've never seen anything like it.  Today as I type this, it's POURING rain.  It's dark and dreary and I have candles burning everywhere to make it cozy.  I don't mind a summer storm because in the heat I'd rather be inside anyway. At least now I can blame the rain. 

I've been taking it easy on meals the past few weeks.  Quick and simple has been my motto.  Mostly because I'm just too lazy to be creative.  My family doesn't seem to mind.  I love my George Forman grill and will basically grill anything...chicken, steak, porkchops. Pair it with an arugula salad and some bread and we've got ourselves a meal.  I do miss comfort foods this time of year and I'm sure in no time I'll be whipping up chicken pot pies and lasagna again! By August I start to get really antsy for fall and all things associated with it.  How many days until Halloween???

John is having a fabulous summer so far.  He's been to the beach and his cousin's pool, and today he's off to the movies.  Perfect for a rainy day.  I'm so glad he's been busy.  I miss the days when I could keep him occupied with a water table and the sprinkler. Just him and me. I think about those times a lot because they were the happiest in my life. And don't think I don't remind him of that constantly  

This weekend I don't have much planned and I couldn't be happier.  I have food shopping and a few errands to do on Saturday and Sunday will be my cleaning day (it's also my favorite day :).  We are also getting ready for a little trip next week which I'm so excited about! 
Isn't it wonderful to look forward to things! 

I hope you all have a great weekend! Stay Cozy Friends! 

Here's a little wish for you going into the weekend.... 




Byeeeeeee!  

xoxo 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Fourth of July! 

I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday! 

We had a lovely, and low key weekend.  The weather has been rainy, so sadly we were not able to see any fireworks this year.  We did, however, watch the Boston Pops on TV like we do every year.  

We also celebrated my mother's birthday on Sunday with a family dinner and her favorite blueberry pie.  She enjoyed her special day with phone calls, cards, and messages from family and friends.  I always think about how much fun it would have been as a kid to have a fourth of July birthday.  Fireworks every year, just for you! Growing up we always had big cookouts on the 4th and always a cake for my mom.  It was like a party just for her.  The good old days! 

It wouldn't be my mother's birthday without blueberry pie 



It was also my first time trying my hand at a lattice top : ) 


 

I think I pulled it off.  Whew! 




On Monday we were invited to my sister in law's for a small gathering and I wanted to share with you the dessert I brought. 

The idea came from Pinterest and it was the easiest thing I've ever made!! 




All you need to make this dessert is: 2 boxes of ice cream sandwiches, caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce, Cool Whip, and sprinkles. 
 



Line the bottom of a 9x13 dish with one box of ice cream sandwiches. 




Top with an entire jar of caramel sauce.




Layer the second box of ice cream sandwiches. 




Top with a jar of hot fudge sauce. 

*you may need to heat the hot fudge in the microwave for a few seconds so it's pourable*




Almost done....




Top with Cool Whip and sprinkles.

 (I bought 2 tubs but one was just perfect) 




Now freeze for several hours or overnight. 

I put mine in the freezer for a few minutes to "set" and then I covered it in foil and froze it overnight.




Enjoy!!!!  




A foolproof dessert that requires NO baking! Yaaaaay! 
 
It was a big hit, especially with the kids 

Well, we are in the thick of the lazy, hazy, days of summer now.  The fourth has come and gone already and time is chugging along.  July is a busy month for us and I'm going to try and enjoy every moment. As much as I love the fall, I don't want the summer to slip away from me so quickly...and I feel like it always does.   
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Like my mom, I turn another year older in July and lately I've been feeling it.  But that's something to discuss another time....which I will : )

Have a wonderful Tuesday, friends! Thanks for stopping by!