A trip to Michaels, a plate wall, and a lemon bundt cake recipe - Happy Monday! ♥

 Good Monday morning friends! ♥

Hello from rainy Massachusetts.  The rain started yesterday afternoon and hasn't stopped.  It's gray and gloomy but at least it's not snow, so I'm not complaining.  John is home sick today.  He's curled up on the couch with the beginnings of a flu and I feel it's the perfect day to make soup and stay in this outfit all day.  In fact, that's the plan : ) 

Rob left for work about 6 this morning. I don't know how he does it, honestly.  I was up with him, but as soon as he left I poured myself a coffee and swiftly returned to my warm bed to drink it and scroll my phone - where I stayed for a good hour and it was lovely.  I love starting my days with coffee in bed.  Especially rainy days.  Especially rainy Mondays.  

Anyway, it's now a few hours and a few more coffees later.  I came downstairs, flipped on the furnace (because it's freezing again) and a fresh pot of coffee for my Dad when he wakes up...and such is the start of a new week.  

So, how was your weekend?  Mine was actually quite nice! ♥

Despite the rain Sunday and today, Saturday was a beautiful day.  It was warm and sunny and I left the house with only a sweatshirt and no coat!  Fabulous!  If you recall, I had high intentions of going to the thrift store, but I ended up getting sidetracked and decided to put that off until next weekend.  I had some other errands to run first.  One being Staples to get ink for our printer (very boring), however right next to Staples was Michaels craft store.  My mom and I LOVED Michaels and would go there often. As soon as I entered the store I got hit with that "craft store" smell (you know the one) and brought me right back.  It made me so sad yet I didn't want to leave.  My mom was a big crafter and I spent many years doing craft fairs and Christmas bazaars with her.  Trips to Michaels, JoAnn's Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby for supplies were a part of everyday life for many years.  We had a lot of fun in those stores and being there brought back all those memories.  

My heart was breaking but I was smiling at the same time ♥

While I was wondering around, I remembered something I needed! A few months ago Rob's mother was cleaning out her basement and gave me these floral plates. I'm obsessed with anything floral and everyone knows it ♥

 They were just too pretty to leave in the cabinet.  I've been wanting to do plate wall somewhere in my house and I finally decided where.  I just needed the hangers.  I bought 4 packs and headed home to complete my project.  

Just the sweetest corner now!  I'm crazy about how it turned out.  

I think my mom and my mother-in-law would approve ♥

On Sunday we had some family stop by for a visit - my two cousins who we haven't seen in while.  Isn't funny how when you are young you see your cousins all the time (at least I did) and then one day everyone grows up, gets married, and you now hardly ever see them?!  I hate that part of life, but the good side of it is when you finally do make the time to see each other, it's wonderful. 

 I made this yummy lemon bundt cake and we all sat around the table and talked for 3 hours.  

It was such a nice afternoon catching up ♥

The cake was really good too.  I got the recipe (here) from A Latte Food.  It was light and fluffy and sooooo good!  I didn't make the glaze and just dusted with powdered sugar instead.  It was still warm when the arrived and completely heavenly.  

Perfectly springy! 🍋

We will be picking on the rest of this for the next few days and I'm not mad about it. 

♥

Well friends, thanks for listening to me ramble on. I'm off to start my day now. Lots of "real life" work to do today. Boooo! 

Have a wonderful Monday!  I hope you're week is off to a good start.  Hey, we're already one day closer to Friday : )   

I'll be back tomorrow - I'm going to try to start daily blogging again.  We'll see how it goes! 

XO