10 Things I Love (plus a few more) : Winter Edition ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Tuesday! ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend and a lovely Valentine's Day!  My eggplant parm was delicious and we spent the rest of the weekend cozy at home by the fire, watching movies.  I organized our pantry on Saturday afternoon, which sounds quite boring but let me tell you - it was so satisfying!  When you make the conscious decision to look at every expiration date you would be amazed how long some of the items in your panty have been hanging around.  Scary.  I threw away so much stuff.  Also, I organized all the pots, pans, bowls, utensils, books, and various other things in there.  My pantry is now a work of art!  All that's left are a few drawers and then lay down some pretty Susan Branch shelf paper and then I'll give you a tour : ) 

A snowstorm came rolling in on Saturday night which was totally fine because we had no plans for Sunday.  I never mind the snow when it happens on a weekend! I can simply look out the window and enjoy it. It's currently FREEZING here and any snow that was left on the ground has turned to ice.  Oh spring....where are you??  My thoughts are gently drifting to April and May and all the pretty spring flowers that will be blooming.  They are there somewhere under all that ice just waiting to make their grand entrance.  I'm ready to roll out the red carpet.  This winter has been brutal.  So cold and grim.  Even I, a certified lover of the colder months, am wishing them away and that's very unusual for me. 

Whenever I feel myself going down the path of complaining and being grumpy, I like to list things that make me happy. It sounds silly I know, but it's a little exercise I do to remind myself that good things can be found in little places, even on bad days.  For example - doing my taxes is no fun, but having a little square of dark chocolate and cup of earl gray tea while I do it somehow makes it bearable.  Yes, it's a cold grim winter, but cozy socks and a blanket keep me warm and happy.  See what I mean?  That's why I started the 10 random things I love posts.  It's a nice reminder.  I was thinking today that I haven't done one of those posts in a while so let's go for it.  

On a very cold and gray February day, here are 10 random things I love: winter edition.

♥

Also here is a recent selfie of me headed to a baby shower.  I was dressed up and had jewelry on so I thought I should document it : ) 

Ok, back to the list... ♥

1. Getting coffee with friends.  A few weeks ago I met my friend Julie for coffee at a new bakery that opened up in town and it was so fun.  Getting out of the house for a little while and chatting with a girlfriend over hot drinks and almond croissants was so good for my mental health.  It was freezing that day as well, but all I felt was the warmth of the oven in that little bakery and I was so happy to sit with Julie to talk about her recent trip to Ireland.  Mark my words, someday I will get myself overseas ♥

2.  Wearing hats.  I have always felt that I was not a hat person.  I don't have a "hat face" and I feel silly in them.  I feel like I stick out in a crowd for looking so ridiculous.  I'm sure most of that is all in my head, but nonetheless, I've never felt comfortable in a hat.  Recently I've discovered that wearing a warm knitted winter hat (yes, with a pom-pom ball on top) actually does keep me warm and since I've turned 50 I no longer care if I have a "hat face" or not, something my mother was telling me my entire life. Just another thing she was right about. 

So I'm wearing the hat! It's cozy, it keeps me warm, and I love it!!!  (side note - I have no photo for evidence, but my hat is blue, the pom-pom is white and I have no shame.  In fact, I'm looking into getting more hats for next winter in more colors. 

 

3. Creating moments.  One of my favorite YouTube channels is Nicolas Fairford.  If you've never heard of him, I encourage you to check him out.  One thing that Nicolas always stresses is to never save anything "for best." In other words, don't save things for only special occasions or holidays.  Make every day special and use your things!  I love having tea or coffee in a pretty China cup, so I make a moment for myself.  It's a treat and reminds me to take time and enjoy things, or else why have them.  My mom gave me this little tea set for one years ago. 

 I've been enjoying using it ♥

4. Embracing the simple life.  I'm learning every day.  As I get older, I realize the less stuff I have the better.  It's easier to organize and keep track of.  When my life is simplified, I feel at peace. 

This book says it all...♥

5. Making things from scratch.  I'm trying to live up to my new year's promise to make more things from scratch.  So far, it's going well.  I'm having fun and saving money at the grocery store too.  Bread, marinara sauce, baked goods, etc.  And every time I feel like I want to order take out I stop and think about what I could make at home first.  Not that we don't ever treat ourselves (trust me we do!), I'm just trying to cut down on it a little bit.  It's just as easy to make pizza at home than order out if I already have the sauce made and ready to go.  And you all know how I feel about dough... that's a pleasure to make!  Or egg and cheese sandwiches.  Why go to the drive through when we can make them in 5 minutes at home.  Cooking is therapy for me.  It's crucial in my life. Also, cooking in winter is best because it warms the house and who doesn't love comfort food?! 

6.  My Charlie Brown Christmas water bottle.  John gave it to me for Christmas.  I love it so much I didn't want to put it away.  Why can't I use it all year? In fact, I think I will...: ) 

7. This perfume I got from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I've mentioned it before, but I have to mention it again because I'm so over the moon for it.  She got it in Italy last October, but you can get it on Amazon - here. It's called Essence of The Park.  It smells like the perfect spring day.  I'm obsessed and will probably wear it forever ♥

Plus I love the bottle.  She's so pretty ♥

8. Ogunquit, ME.  We have officially booked a long weekend in Ogunquit in August, and I cannot wait to return.  We visited last year for the first time (I wrote about it here) and I fell in love with it.  I truly felt at peace there and have been thinking about it ever since.  The seaside, the shops, the lobster rolls! YES PLEASE.  It's so nice, in the dead of winter, to have something to look forward too. We'll be there over John's birthday weekend so that will be a treat too.  18! Oh dear, can you believe that?! I can't! 

9.  Shamrock Shakes! It's that time of year again. I have to get one once a year and the time is now! So yummy and something I most certainly cannot make at home : ) 

McDonald's also has really delicious French vanilla coffee...just sayin~ 

10. Grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, big band music, Freida McFadden books, weekends, drinking my first cup of coffee in bed while still under the covers, car rides with John, strawberry chap stick, Alfred Hitchcock movies, thinking about Christmas when it's not Christmas, brunch, cozy pj's, cute little bunnies in my yard (I don't care that they eat the flowers), not dieting, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (which I've always loved and have recently been watching on YouTube - such a great show!), wallpaper (let's bring it back- enough plain white everything...:), crafts, blog friends, scrapbooks, homemade soup, warm blueberry muffins, book stores, libraries, Yankee Candles, white twinkle lights around the kitchen window, stars, Hallmark movies (I'm still watching Christmas ones! - no shame), cardigan sweaters (I wear one every day - for life), vintage cards, and more and more but I will stop now.....♥

So there you have it - 10 random things I love (plus a few more off the top of my head) to think about while I plug away during this long dark winter.  I'm noticing the days are getting a bit longer which is indeed a good sign.  

There's #11! : ) 

Have a great week, my lovely friends! Life has been hectic for me lately so please forgive my absence.  I will be visiting your blogs soon.  I'm so grateful for our little space on the internet.  Isn't it wonderful?! 

(#12).

Stay cozy friends! ♥

Be back soon! xoxox 

Yup! 😊

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

Hello Friends and Happy Valentines Day! ♥

I took myself on an early walk this morning by the ocean to celebrate and I'm so glad I did.  Was it freezing? It sure was (is!) but the fresh air was so good for my soul.  I always feel better when I push myself to get outdoors, even if only for a few minutes.  

I needed it this morning ♥

 I love the beach in the wintertime, especially when it's this cold.  The water is like glass, and everything feels so still and peaceful.  I didn't stay that long, but just long enough to let it all sink in and it was a good start to my day.  

There were icy patches all along the pathways, so I had to be careful walking.  

    

I sat on this wall for a few minutes before I got really cold and had to go back to the car.  

I'll be back soon.  That bench is my picnic spot in the warmer months.  I'll be here with an iced coffee instead of a hot one. I can't wait.  

Spring is coming ♥

Anyway, back at home I have the fire going and now I'm hibernating for the weekend.  It's been a cold and snowy week and there is more on the way.   These are the dog days of winter, my friends, and all I want to do is bake, nest, read books, and sit by the fire.  

My Dad was in hospital for a few days last week.  Thankfully he's home now and feeling much better.  This visit wasn't a good experience.  Mainly because the hospital was completely FULL so he had to spend the first night on a bed in the hallway.  I kid you not.  I felt so bad for him.  The next day a room did open up and they were able to move him.  No one ever loves being in the hospital, but being in the hallway was a new low.  We were so happy he was only in there for two days!  Now being home by the fire, with warm drinks and blankets, it's makes me so grateful to have all my family here under one roof. 

You really do have to be grateful for every day and never take anything for granted ♥

The other day I baked some bread, and it was the best rise I've ever seen.  Look how happy this loaf is! 

That tells you how toasty it is in here. 

I'm taking hygge to a whole new level this winter and I'm loving it ♥

 Satisfying is the only word I can think to describe it. 

And YUM! ♥

And speaking of YUM, Rob treated us all to some Valentine's Day donuts because they are my Dad's favorite. Taking a look at this box can you guess which one I took? I bet you'd be wrong.  It's the plain one. I love plain donuts!  The plain ones are always my first choice (unless there is pumpkin spice...that's my only exception! :) 

Have you read The Boyfriend yet? Oh you must! I curled up in a chair last week and tore through it.  It was the perfect escape, and I loved it. It was one of those books where I thought I had it all figured out and I was completely wrong.  Don't you love it when that happens?! 

I made a nice pan of brownies yesterday that hit the spot.  I have to have tea and brownies to go with my book.  It's kind of a rule : ) 

So, what are your Valentine plans? Do you go out or stay in? For years Rob and I would dress up and go out.  It was fun when we were younger but not so much anymore.  Now we much prefer to stay in, warm & cozy.  I can't think of anything worse than dressing up and going out tonight.  Get out of my sweatpants? Are you mad?!!

So cooking I will. I'm making one of his (and all of our) favorites. Eggplant parmesan!  I thought that would be nice on Valentines Day.  Right now I have no dessert planned (except leftover brownies) so I might run out the bakery and see what they have. I can throw a coat over my sweats...lol 

As much as I love baking, there's nothing like fresh cannoli's from the guy down the street. Yup...I think I just made a plan! ♥

Well, whatever your plans are, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  

(calendar from John's room...lol)

Also on my list this weekend is watching the new Bridget Jones movie on Peacock.  I don't know if Rob will be interested in that, but love is sacrifice! 

Thanks for stopping by friends! ♥

Stay cozy!!! xoxo 

PS The bathroom project is coming along. It now looks like an actual room instead of a hole in the house.  We're getting there! Yay! By the next update we may have a floor.  Fingers crossed! 

Celebrating a birthday and welcoming February ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Monday and welcome February. Rabbit Rabbit! 

Rumor has it we have six more weeks of winter ahead of us.  I'm grateful for sunshine on those bitter cold days.  We have many ahead of us before spring arrives, but that's ok.  More time to dream.  I've become an expert at lighting fires in our woodburning stove.  I used to fill the whole house with smoke, but not anymore.  I've finally figured it out and I'm loving it...so warm and cozy.  Also loving shutting the heat off once in a while.  Energy costs are so high, it's nice to save when I can.  

So, how was your weekend? ♥

We had a very nice past weekend celebrating Rob's birthday.  Friday night we got takeout from one of our favorite restaurants.  Rob and I split a chicken parm dinner (because the portions are huge!)  John got chicken marsala and my Dad got salmon.  Everyone loved their meal... especially me since I got the night off from cooking : ) I did make a yummy Funfetti birthday cake that we devoured after dinner! 

On Saturday we had a lovely family dinner at Rob's parents' house.  As usual, my mother-in-law did an amazing job.  Her house is so cozy and beautifully decorated, and the food was delicious. Rob's brother and sister both came with their families.  

It was a fun night ♥

 

On Sunday we went to an early mass and then a family friend came over to have breakfast with us.  After he left it was a day of this and that around the house.  We are doing some work to one of our upstairs bathrooms.  I saw "work" like it's not a big deal, but what it really is is a complete GUT and redo (ugh).  It hasn't been updated in a very long time.  Let's just say the tile and vanity were yellow and "harvest gold" colors which haven't been popular since the 1970's. This update was overdue.

Rob has been enjoying the demolition!!  I can't wait until it's done.  We are adding a washer and dryer as well, which I'm very happy about it because it's currently in the basement and this will be much more convenient since this bathroom is right across from my bedroom.  

So here is its current state.  Let's call it the "before" picture.  Hard to believe this was/is a bathroom!  Anyone else feel like your entire house is disrupted when there is a project going on - even though it's contained to one small area? Doesn't matter.  I just know there is chaos up there and I can't look it at ; ) 

Anyway, while all this demo was going on upstairs, I was cleaning downstairs.  I dusted and moped the floors, made a chicken pot pie for dinner, and put some Valentine decorations out because I almost forgot it was February.  Poor February.  Everybody hates her and I'll admit, she gets on my nerves too, but at least we get to decorate hearts and pink things, and pretty vintage cards.  And candy of course. 

That, I love ♥

Today I've been sitting at my kitchen table all day working.  I've drank waaaay too many cups of coffee but that's what keeps me going.  

I hope your week is off to a good start! Time to start thinking about dinner.  

Have a great day, my friends!  ♥

Monday Morning ♥

 

Hello Lovely Friends! ♥

Here we are at another Monday already.  The week is off to a cold start in my neck of the woods.  I lit the fire all by myself this morning.  My second time ever doing in and I think it was a success since it's warm as toast in here and I have all my heat shut off.  Yay.  I'm working at my kitchen table this morning because with the fire going, it's the coziest spot in the house. 

 I have to food shop tomorrow and you know how it is the day before food shop day....old Mother Hubbard's cupboard is bare! I took a quick look in the pantry, and I saw a can of crushed pineapple, so I whipped up a little coffee cake for breakfast to enjoy by the fire.  Hey, we work with what we have, right?!  It turned out very good and I will link the recipe below (another Pinterest success story!).  

The rest of the day I'll be seated right here, working away on my laptop and keeping warm.  It's going to be a busy week with lots more adulting (boo) but I'll try to find bits of joy tucked in there somewhere.  Fingers crossed.  Also, Friday is Rob's birthday so I need to start planning for that. 

Have a great day friends! 

I have to put another log on the fire and get some work done.  What are your Monday plans? 

Stay cozy! ♥

PS I made that "old Mother Hubbard" reference to John yesterday and he had NO IDEA what I was talking about.  I'm really getting old.  Maybe I AM old Mother Hubbard! : ) 

pineapple coffee cake  🍍