March: In like a lion, out like a lamb...hopefully ♥

Hello Friends! Happy March!! ♥

We are in the home stretch of winter now.  Yay! 

It's the winter that will not end.  Since I posted last we had a blizzard! It dumped over 20 inches of snow on us. It was crazy.  Every window was covered and when we could finally see out, all we saw was white.  Pretty? Yes.  But oh, so cooooold!  

We had three full snow days with no work or school. That hasn't happened in years.  Thankfully we didn't lose power!  I made pancakes for breakfast and soup for dinner.  

We ate comfort food and watched movies while the snow came down ♥

It wasn't so bad.  It was actually nice to see everyone slow down.  

They had no choice :) 

And then a few days later, the sun came out.  

My daffodils started blooming and I realized that Spring is almost here.  

March came in like a lion, but is slowing turning into a lamb...♥

It was 23 degrees on Monday...and we might reach 50 today.  

Yup, 50! 

To celebrate I started decorating for spring.  Not full-blown Easter yet, but a few pastels here and there never hurt anyone.  I put away the last of my winter snowmen.... packed away safely for next year, and out came some bunnies, spring dishtowels, new sheets on the beds, and new vanilla candle that is divine.  

This weekend I made a banana bread with (my new obsession) homemade butter.  All this is bringing me life.  I feel rejuvenated.  

Isn't that what spring is supposed to do?! ♥

YUM! ♥ 

Don't get me wrong, we are still in the throes of winter (I won't be fooled) but I know in a few weeks I'll see buds on the trees.  I knew it would happen.  

It always does ♥

Every morning, I come downstairs and open the blinds to see the sun shining in (insert happy face here).  My houseplants are thriving and I'm thrilled they have survived the winter.  

 I would like to get more plants this spring. I'm redecorating a baker's rack in my kitchen that will hopefully include some pretty blooms.  Once it gets a bit warmer, I'll head to the plant store and see what they have.  

A day strolling the nursery with an iced coffee is something I'm very much looking forward to ♥

And of course, with it being lent, I've been practicing gratitude now more than ever.  Here is what I remind myself of everyday.  Along with giving up chocolate (not easy, by the way:) I am trying to be my best self during this time and let go of things that don't serve me anymore (also not easy).

♥

This morning we've got blue skies and the drip, drip, drip of melting snow.  

These are ordinary days of March, friends ♥ 

In my next post I'm going to share a few new recipes I've made over the last few weeks and some books that I've read this winter that I loved.  I just wanted to do a little catch up first.  I hope you are all keeping cozy and are enjoying these last days of winter.  The season is about to change and that makes my heart happy. 

Have a wonderful day, friends! xx 

PS just because I mentioned it last time, here are my Valentine brownies I made a few weeks ago.  They were a hit ♥

Happy Valentine's Day ♥

 

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Friday and happy day before Valentine's Day! ♥

We are slowly inching our way through February and frankly, things are looking up.  The sun is out today and there is a slight warmth (if you can believe it) in the air. Slight meaning "above freezing" but I'll take it :) 

Every once in a while we hear huge clumps of snow sliding off the roof like a literal avalanche.  It's awesome because it means it's melting up there.  The great thaw has begun! 

But alas, it's still winter and I'm trying to embrace it. There will be more snow and cold days but it's ok. Because I know for sure....spring is coming.  It always does.  

So what's new with you??! ♥

I took my first cup of coffee back to bed with me on this Friday morning. I took a few quiet moments to sip it and wake up a bit before heading downstairs....

Ok, I'm awake now and just processing that it's almost the weekend.  YIPEEEEE! ♥

Last night I made a cinnamon coffee cake to have for breakfast this morning.  I forgot all about it until I came down and saw it sitting on the counter - just where I left it.  I thanked my Thursday night self for planning ahead. 

Yesterday I ran to the market to pick up groceries for the week.  I treated myself to a Valentines Day present and brought home this daffodil plant for the kitchen window. The floral department was just bursting of tulips, hyacinths, roses, and these beautiful yellow daffodils that were SCREAMING springtime.  I was so happy to see it and didn't hesitate to pick one up and put it in my cart.  

I'm excited to watch it bloom ♥

 

She'll wait until the time is right because she knows we shouldn't rush these things, but regardless, I'll be waiting and watching for those pretty little yellow teacups. 

Strawberries were on sale this week for Valentines Day. I wish you could smell these! I can't tell you how many times I've stuck my nose in the bowl just to take a sniff.  So good!  

Another signs of warmer days to come! 

Not only are they yummy but it's also aromatherapy! ♥

Out back still looks like this.  

I promise you there is a river under all that snow and ice somewhere.  

  It's so quiet and still.  

I love seeing the long shadows of sunlight on the snow.  I don't think I could ever live in the city.  

I need nature every day ♥

Meals this week have been very simple.  One night we did breakfast for dinner.  I made Susan Branch's German pancake which is a family favorite.  The recipe is in her Heart of the Home cookbook.  A few years ago, I made a video about it.  Give it a click if you want to see a very cringy pre-covid me with short hair making this pancake.  Feels like a 100 years ago, but the pancake is still delicious.

 And very easy to make ♥

And that's it my friends.  

Same old ordinary days around here, which is just perfect for me.  This weekend I have loads of laundry to do, toilets to clean, and shelves to dust.  Just your average life as a princess - not really!  I'll catch up on chores, read my book of the moment, and make a yummy Valentines Day dessert that involves brownies and a heart shaped cookie cutter. I'm nothing if not creative! : ) 

Speaking of Valentine's Day, remember when Valentines looked like this?...♥

How fun! I miss those days!  So simple and yet so perfect. 

Have a wonderful weekend friends and Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

I hope you spend it doing something you love with the people who mean the most to you.  And of course, have something SWEET to celebrate!  

Love you! Bye! xoxox

PS I'm still waiting on the painter.  Patience is a virtue :) 

Hello from the Arctic Circle! ♥

Hello Lovely Friends and Happy February! ♥

I am so happy it's February because it means January is over and we are one month closer to spring! I have always loved winter my entire life, but to be completely honest with you, this winter has slowly been killing me.  It's so cold!!!!  It warmed up to a balmy 33 degrees today and I actually felt relief in the air.  We've been lingering in the teens for days. That's how cold it's been.  Now I know why snowbirds exist.  Why freeze to death when you can go to Florida in the winter?!

 Sadly, that's not me yet, but maybe someday.

Anyway, enough of my complaining! 

(that's a lie and I apologize in advance...this post is full of complaining :) 

I pinned this cute picture sometime in December and have been saving it to post in February.  I thought it was so cozy and cute and cheery and just we need right now in the dead of winter.  

Not only does February mean we are getting closer to spring (even though that dang groundhog saw his shadow :(  it also means Valentines Day is coming ...which means chocolate and hearts and a bunch of other things I love. 

 I'll try to focus on that during this thankfully short month (there I go again!). ♥

 

If you've been wondering where I've been, the answer is.... right here.  

Buried in snow ♥

We had a big storm last week that left us 20 inches deep.  The weather man said it's the biggest snow fall we've had in the Boston area in 4 years.  

I believe it and I kind of forgot what it was like.  

The worst part wasn't the storm, it's after that because it's been so cold that everything is frozen.  What you see here is rock solid.  

Today has been the first day we've seen sun and it's glorious ♥

The snow is starting to melt because every once in a while I hear big clumps sliding off the roof.  

I haven't seen a squirrel or bunny in days. They are smart and staying warm. In the early mornings I do hear the birds chirping.  I image they are also complaining about the cold and how they can't wait for spring. 

So that's pretty much all of January!  Just me under the frozen tundra! Drinking coffee, reading my book under a blanket, and trying to stay warm.  I'm a bit anxious with all the snow because this is also the first year of my life where I've had a teenage son who drives in it.  He's not the least bit concerned, which concerns me!  Moms, how did you do it?  If I have to say "drive slowly" one more time....Lord have mercy! 

However....there was a bight spot!  Last weekend we celebrated Rob's birthday which was really nice.  We went for a cozy breakfast at one of our favorite places with my in-laws.  We love going out to breakfast and for some reason it's extra nice in the winter. Anyway, it was yummy.  We ended up having dinner in (his request!). I made cheeseburgers and we ended the evening with a heart shaped chocolate cake. Of course, the best part ♥

So far February is off to a good start.  My Dad had two doctors' appointments this week. Both went extremely well, so I'm grateful for that. Yay 2026!  

We've had the house cleaned and is all ready for paint.  We're just waiting on our painter's availability, which hopefully will be soon.  I can't wait to get that done and over with.  Patience, I tell myself.  Patience. 

If you are reading this from a warm climate just know I am so jealous of you! If you are frozen like I am, we'll get though this!  Spring is coming!  Let's plan our gardens and summer vacations now.  It's always nice to have something to look forward to ♥

Stay cozy my friends!  Be back soon! xo 

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!