Good Monday Morning! ♥

Hello friends! ♥

I am just back after spending a week long visit with my dearest bestie, BJ.  She and her family hosted us one again at her beautiful lake house in PA. It was so much fun and we miss them already! It was a week long pajama party with coffee, movie marathons, games, tubing, a sunset boat cruise, and just being ourselves....hanging around in our PJ's (matching!) and talking for hours.  It was truly the best! They even had a birthday celebration for John which made my heart so happy! Our families love each other as much as we do which is such a blessing.  

We have so many laughs together! ♥

I am missing her and this view right now. 

But I know I'll be back.  Hopefully soon! : ) 

We met through our blogs.  How wonderful is that? I would never have known that out there was someone who loved cozy drinks, blankets, endless episodes of Seinfeld, Fall, family, game shows, pumpkin spiced everything, and scary movies...as much as I do! 

Here we are on our way to dinner one night, which proves we did get out of our PJ's and put makeup on at least one time!  

It makes me sad that we live so far away from each other, however the distance just makes our time together even more special.  I wish you all to have a friend like BJ.  Someone who gets you and you can be 100% yourself around. What a gift! ♥

And now I'm home. Eight and half hours later.  Unpacked, showered, and back in my routine.  Last night I whipped up a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins to have for breakfast this morning because even though it's still HOT and 90 degrees out, my heart is turning to fall.  

I'm decorating this weekend! 🍁

Happy Monday Friends! I hope you all have great start to the week!  It's the last week of August and John's last week of summer vacation.  Let's make it a good one! ♥

Byeeeeee! xoxox 

PS... because in case you didn't know...

John is 15!! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! 

 John celebrated a birthday this week.  He's 15!! I can hardly believe it.  When I started this blog he was in preschool.  I don't know where the years have gone.  I do know that my little boy is growing up to be a wonderful, polite, funny, smart, kind young man.  I couldn't be prouder of him and I'm grateful everyday to have him in our lives  ♥

John is not one for attention.  He prefers to "slip under the radar" as he likes to say.  He wanted to keep his birthday low key, which was fine with us.  We had a family dinner a few weeks ago when my sister was here, so this week it was just us.  We started the day with cinnamon rolls (as you do!) and then John and I went shopping and to a movie.  I do not take for granted that my 15 year old son wanted to go to movies with me on his birthday : )  We saw Bullet Train (his choice) which ended up being a pleasant surprise.  I even ate a movie theater hot dog and didn't die! So that was good!! 

That night it was burgers, cake, and presents.  John said the best part of his day was getting texts and messages from friends and family. 

 

I love a day movie.  No crowds!  ♥

No gonna lie, it was actually very good!! 

 

Two days later he met up with some friends and went out for pizza. He's known these boys since preschool & kindergarten.  They all go to different high schools now but are as close as ever.  They call  themselves the "core group" because friends have come and gone, but these six have stayed the same.  

They are all great kids!  ♥

Another fun birthday in the books! 

Meanwhile... 

As for me I've been enjoying slightly cooler temps this week and started burning my fall candles.  The scent has been heavenly as we are slowing inching toward fall.

Well I'm off to finish packing because tomorrow morning we leave on a road trip! We are heading back to PA to visit our dearest friends who have invited us back for another week at their beautiful lake home.  I'm beyond excited to be sipping coffee with my friend and her family once again! 

Have a wonderful weekend my friends! xoxo 

♥

Almost there...♥

Good morning friends! Happy Wednesday! ♥

I'm feeling relief this morning because our heat wave finally broke! After endless days of  95 to 100 degree weather (with humidity!!!) it finally rained that we are back in the low 80's which is much more bearable for summer.  It's still too hot for me, but hey, I can't have everything.  I'll take 85 over 105 any day : ) 

It's mid August now and my mind is wandering to what comes next.  All the pumpkin scented candles are on the shelves at Bath & Body Works and that is usually my gage that Fall is around the corner.  Just the thought of putting on a cozy cardigan & fuzzy socks gives me a happy feeling of hygge that I cannot wait to experience.  

John is clinging to his last few weeks of summer vacation (and I honestly don't blame him) but as someone who doesn't love hot weather either, he's looking forward to wearing his favorite Champion sweatshirts and curling up on a dark rainy afternoon with hot coco by his side.  He actually loves turning the clocks back for daylight savings so it's dark at 4pm.  We have that in common. 

Yup. He's definitely mine ♥

Don't get me wrong, I still have some summer dreams left in me (and John has a birthday to celebrate), but Fall is now in reach and I can let myself start to prepare for it.  

 

How about you? Are you ready for a change?  I don't think I could ever live in a place where the seasons don't change.  There is always something to look forward to.  Always a promise of snowfall or budding flowers, or changing leaves. Thank goodness for that. 

Have a lovely Wednesday my friends! What's for dinner tonight?  Lately I'm sick of everything I make. I'm off to pour another cup of coffee and figure it out : ) 

I'm looking forward to cooking all the Fall comfort food meals...pot roast, butternut squash soup, pumpkin pie. Yum. 

Soon. It's coming. ♥

Hello August! ♥

Good Morning Friends! 

Welcome to a new week and a new month! August 1st.  Here we are already.  The final month of summer.  Or as I call it....the hottest.  August is usually brutal and this one will not disappoint.  We are going to be in the 90's all week.  Ugh. What can you do?  It's the final hurdle before Fall so I'm ready for it! ♥

I started my day with coffee and 2 blueberry muffins that I made over the weekend. Ok, they were a box mix, but technically I still "made them" and might I say they are quite yummy! I like them warm with melty butter on top.  I really really want to go blueberry picking this summer but with this heat I just can't bring myself to do it.  Even early mornings are that steamy humid that makes you feel gross just being outside.  I'll see how the next few weeks go, but as of now I'm good with farmers market blueberries.  This girl is not built for that kind of heat.  

 

I ended July with a big milestone.  I had my yearly mamogram.  Not something anyone particularly enjoys.  This time I got called back for another round of photos but thankfully I got an A+ on my report card and don't have to go back until next year!  It's always a huge relief once that's done! 

I said my Thank You prayers on my way home and picked myself up some flowers as a treat.  

I think it's important to treat ourselves, don't you?! ♥

Finally, did I mention that I went back to work last week? Since the pandemic I've been working from home.  Last week I went to my office for the first time since March 2020!  It was crazy to be back after 2 1/2 years! My desk was just as I left it, although I did find a shriveled up orange in my drawer!!   I'll be going in once a week now, still working at home 4 days. I think its a good balance and a nice way to ease back into things.  It was a challenge to find something to wear that actually fit. You could say I've been "dressing down" for that last few years! lol 

Tonight my sister is coming over and we are celebrating a late birthday for me and an early birthday for John. (His actual birthday isn't until the 16th so I guess it going to be a month long celebration.) We are both going on vacation in August so we put dates on the calendar when everyone is available!  I'm making dinner and my Dad is making the cake. 

I'm starting today off slow because I know this week is going to be a busy one.  John is doing some community service hours at his old school (helping the janitor) Wed, Thurs, & Friday. I have an eye doctor appointment and John and I are in charge of feeding my friends 2 cats while she is on vacation. We'll pop over daily to feed them and make sure they have enough water.  She said they might hide from us so we'll see if we actually ever SEE them or not! : ) 

♥

Well.....goodbye July, hello August! Let's do this! 

♥

Happy Monday friends! I hope this day and month are starting off well for you! Stay cool because Fall is coming! xoxo