Ocean City, Maryland ♥

Hello Lovely Friends! ♥

Happy Monday! I have a vacation hangover this morning.  We are just back from an amazing vacation in beautiful Ocean City, Maryland.  My friend BJ and her family hosted us for a whole week in their beachfront condo.  Look at this view. 

  Not a bad way to start the day : ) 

We spent the week talking, laughing, playing games, eating delicious food, watching movies, and breathing in the incredible salty air right outside our window.  

It's really hard having friends that live so far away, but the good thing is that it makes our reunions all the more fun and special.  

We had a great week together :) 

Our condo was absolutely gorgeous! I'll take you on a little tour. 

I was in love with the blue and white color scheme! ♥

The bed was so comfy too! ♥

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It was a bit chilly but we had sunshine everyday! 

Some of us enjoyed walks on the beach and some of us just sat with our toes in the sand.  

I won't say who's who... :) 

Breakfasts at the beach are my favorite! ♥

One day we visited the cutest town called Berlin. We had an amazing lunch at the historic Atlantic Hotel (built in 1895).  Afterwards we strolled the square, visited antique stores, the bakery, and got an ice cream. 

It was such a lovely day! 

This was a Hallmark movie moment for sure ♥

Feeling grateful and blessed with this bunch! ♥

**also my lunch was incredible - I must recreate that pasta salad somehow**

Antiquing makes me happy! ♥

This antique store had a whole set of Blue Onion dishes! We had these when I was growing up! I only have one left (for nostalgia sake).   And I've never seen those bowls before.

They are so pretty! 

I've been on the hunt for an old fashioned phone (to accompany my typewriter).  I thought I'd found one here but she was $85! I decided to make one more trip to search the attic before I actually buy one.  

Cherry Vanilla! LOOOOOVE! ♥

These two are the best of friends! 

The Boardwalk in Ocean City is a special place.  We were able to stroll it a few times.  Once we went early in the morning.  There were folks there flying kites and riding bikes.  It felt very vintage, like I stepped back in time.  I wanted to get salt water taffy because that seemed appropriate,  but they weren't open yet.  Next time for sure! 

We also got in our share of dog snuggles this week.  Some more than others : ) 

Ice cream and more fun pics on our last night ♥

On our last night BJ and I stayed in the condo while everyone else went out to dinner.  When I suggested we stay in, she quickly agreed.  We are so alike! 

 We spent the time in our PJ's, eating leftovers, and solving all the worlds problems.  It was my favorite night of the trip.  The next morning we loaded up the car, said our goodbyes, and off we went...back home to Boston, taking all our new memories with us. 

♥

 

I can't think of a better way to spend our spring break! It was so much fun and I can't wait till the next time we see our friends!

But, as always, all good things come to an end.  Today we are back to reality. Back to work and school.  I have laundry going downstairs and I'm thawing chicken for dinner.  It's raining today and smells like Spring outside.  It's hard to believe next week is MAY! 

Have a wonderful day friends.  I hope your Monday is off to a great start. I have about 1000 emails to go through so I better pour another cup of coffee and get at it.  

Stay cozy! ♥

xoxox

Today feels like summer! ♥

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Thursday! ♥

I'm pretending it's summer today.  Why?  Because it's 84 degrees out?!  I don't know how long it will last and I'm not ever going to question it.  Some of my Instagram friends are still getting snow. 

 I'm just enjoying a little sunshine while I can : )

I popped out for an hour today and treated myself to a pedicure.  I now have smooth feet and pink toes!  I'm sandal ready, just in case this blast of summer-like weather lasts.  

After I picked John up at school we stopped at Dunkin and got some drinks.  I was in the mood for something fruity.  This mango pineapple refresher was delicious! 

It did the trick! YUM! ♥

 

I've been laying low this week.  The week after a holiday is always a bit exhausting, isn't it?  We had a wonderful Easter with our family.  I can tell you that I definitely ate too much AND I definitely enjoyed every minute of it.  We still have chocolate eggs and peeps in the house but they are slowly dwindling! (Mostly thanks to me 😬)

 Yesterday while I was having my morning coffee I ran around the house and gathered up most of my Easter decorations and packed them away until next year.  I was anxious to have a clean slate.  Away went the bunny village and plastic eggs.  We'll see ya next year! 

We are heading out of town for John's spring break next week and I don't know about you, but I always clean my house BEFORE I take a vacation.  Is that weird?  I just like to have a clean house to come home too.  It's the BEST feeling! 

I still have a bunch of stuff to do over the next few days to get ready for our trip.  

We are packing up the car and heading to a new destination to spend the week with our dearest friends! 

 I AM SO EXCITED! ♥

But before we can do that, laundry has to done, dinner has to be made, John has a biology test (ugh!), and we need to get some sleep to prepare for our road trip. 

Speaking of road trips, I must say they are my favorite way to travel.  I always sit in the backseat.  I do this for two reasons.  1. Rob's driving scares me. 2. Its more comfy in the backseat. 

 I bring a pillow, blanket, snacks, drinks, and my earbuds.  I've already downloaded three books to listen to.  Someday I would like to experience train travel.  I think it would be right up my alley : )  

I am wishing you all a very happy weekend!! ♥

 I'll be back soon to share my vacation destination and reunion with my bestie!  

Byeeeee! xoxox 

PS - I want to share with you the ONE picture I took on Easter.  

What do you think of my bunny pancakes?? 

♥

Happy Easter! ♥

Hello Lovely Friends!  ♥

I feel like only a minute ago it was Monday.  The week flew by and I can't even tell you what I did yesterday.  I think some laundry....I went to the grocery store one day...worked a lot....it's all a blur to me.  Can you relate?! 

Last Sunday we had our family holiday dinner here, which was wonderful!  For the rest of the week I've been eating fruit and salads to try to balance all the desserts and mini eggs that are still lingering around the house! That struggle is REAL : ) 

Today I made a big salad with hard boiled eggs for lunch and it was delicious.  

But then it was right back to the mini eggs!  #helpcantstop

Speaking of Sunday, I wanted to share two desserts that I prepared.  

If you are a coconut lover like I am, then you would love these macaroons.  They are so easy! 

I felt like they needed a little PIZAZZ so I drizzled them with some melted chocolate chips.  

It was a wise decision!

♥

Recipe linked here if you want to treat yourself.  

They are as big as golf balls and so yummy! 

 

I also made a banana cream pie which was luscious.  It's the Susan Branch recipe that I love so much.  You basically make a cooked vanilla custard filling and pour it over the bananas and let it chill.  It feels very old fashioned and tastes like it too.   

This time I made a graham cracker crust because I find that sometimes with cream pies a pastry crust can get soggy.  This did not.  

I will confess that I did use Cool Whip instead of real whip cream! I have no regrets : ) 

Everyone loved it!  Recipe linked here.  

If you don't know by now I want to be Susan Branch when I grow up!  Love her soooo much! 

♥

Anyway, Easter dinner #1 was a success!  This Sunday we are invited to my brother in laws for dinner with Rob's family.  I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone.  And I heard there might be an egg hunt.  I hope that rumor is true!  I'm pretty good at egg hunts.  It's one of my hidden talents : ) 

I'm planning on our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then we'll go to an early mass as a family.   

We'll have plenty of time to relax before we're off to dinner.  

 

I'm wishing you all a happy and healthy Easter!  

I hope you spend your day with your loved ones, eating chocolate eggs & jelly beans!  

Remember to wear your stretchy pants! 

♥

Because you'll need them!  

♥

Is the Wizard of Oz or Mary Poppins on Sunday night?  When I was a kid I remember they were ALWAYS on Easter night and it was a BIG deal!  Remember that excitement?  

Ahh...take me back! 

Happy Easter friends! Have a wonderful weekend! 

xoxoxo