Friday Photos

Good Friday morning, my friends. First up, I wanted to thank you for your kind words in response to yesterday's post on the passing of our dear friend Mary. She was an amazing lady and friend. We will miss her dearly. 

We are now smack dab in the middle of summer, and it certainly feels like that around here. I don't mean just temperature and humidity-wise, either. I am referring to the whole vibe, as my kids call it. Summer is slower and allows for more spontaneity around here. Dinner may be planned or maybe not. We eat outside and linger on the porch, letting dirty pots and pans sit in the sink while we visit as the sun goes down. We swim in the morning, or maybe at night. The laundry room is scattered with damp towels, and half-empty bottles of sunscreen are scattered everywhere. And it is good.

This week...

These guys watched lots of World Cup soccer.

We were the lucky recipients of Madison's amazing baking.

I took my early morning walks.

While Steve walked in the late afternoon, and for much longer too!

And, as much as I am living in the moment, enjoying summer and all that entails, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge what is going on in my mind and in my planner! If you know me, you know!!! With apologies to all the summer lovers out there!

But I am just beginning to think about fall. I promise! Well, I am looking at fall decor online. And reading through cookbooks to find new fall recipes. And decorating my planner with leaves and pumpkins. But that's it! After all, the anticipation and planning are half the fun!

Have a wonderful summer weekend, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

BillieJo

A Special Thursday Post - Blueberry Mary

Today, our family lost a very dear friend. We first met Mary through her husband, the happiest man ever, when Steve began getting blueberries from him. When he passed nearly fifteen years ago, we reached out to her, and she became one of our very closest friends. Her son was kind enough to bring her to our house for holiday celebrations, simple summer suppers, and to meet us at one of her favorite places, Pizza Hut. Because Mary always picked and prepared the most perfect blueberries, Flynn began calling her Blueberry Mary. And Mary loved that.

Mary was a beautiful lady. She was hardworking, classy, devout, intelligent, happy, and humble. From her, I learned how to make salmon cakes, play dominoes, and love all things blueberry. I saw her develop a beautiful friendship with my sweet mother and an interest in each one of my children as individuals. I learned of her love for her family and the joy they brought her. I watched her gracefully move through different stages of life, always looking at the bright side of things, no matter what.

Mary loved being busy. She loved puzzles and was very, very good at them. She loves a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut, playing dominoes, and watching Wheel of Fortune. Mary always dressed nicely and carried herself like a true lady. She loved life and was so devout in her Catholic faith that I am certain Heaven is welcoming her today. 

Every person should be so blessed to have someone like Mary in their life. We are so thankful she was a part of our lives, and we will miss her so. It is worth noting that the day before she passed was National Blueberry Day, and Madison actually made a blueberry coffee cake that we have been enjoying. I like to think Mary had something to do with that. 

Billie Jo

What If

 
What if we could normalize...

Sitting on the porch in the evening, listening to music on an old-fashioned radio

Coming together as a family for dinner around the kitchen table 

Baking and serving homemade desserts made with real ingredients 

Sending cards in the mail just because

Embracing and prioritizing calm and the unstructured over the busy and the scheduled?

Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good morning, my friends! Happy "Recovery from the Holiday Weekend" Monday! I hope your weekend was everything you planned and hoped for. We had a wonderful time celebrating our country's 250th Birthday. We spent time at Madison and Nicolas', our house, and at the condo, doing all the things. Most importantly, we spent time together.

Hot Dog and Hamburger Eating, Flags Waving, Stars and Stripes Forever Playing, Fireworks Bursting, M&Ms Melting, Waves Crashing, Old Memories Comforting, and New Ones Making

It was so much fun! Yesterday, after we said goodbye to Peyton and Chris, with reassurances that we would see them soon, I got to work wiping, washing, sweeping, and tidying. This is something I have always done after saying goodbye to one of my children after a visit. I don't do this because I feel like I need to clean. Rather, I do this to keep myself busy and distracted until the sadness passes, and the fact that my house is put back together is simply an added bonus. 

After my quick therapeutic cleaning session, I promptly lay down on my freshly made bed and fell asleep. Afternoon naps in the heat of summer bring me a special kind of happiness, I tell you. I woke refreshed and ready for Mass, which our parish holds on Sunday at 5:00 PM and is often lovingly referred to as the "Last Chance Mass." After Mass, we grabbed some burgers at 5 Guys, a place we don't often frequent, but we wanted something quick and easy so we could head to the beach. 

Just the evening before, this beach was filled with people, sitting around fires in the sand, listening to music, and watching fireworks. I enjoyed that, for certain. Last night, however, was my kind of evening on the beach. It was less crowded, quieter, and calmer. We sat and visited, and I read my book until it was time to head back home across the bridge.

Today will be a quiet one around here. I have a short list of things I want to accomplish this summer, one of which is catching up on Flynn's scrapbook. I also want to go over Flynn's curriculum and make some choices for the fall. I also want to sit on the porch with my coffee and simply be. Believe it or not, that is the hardest thing to do. With so many things competing for our attention, we may find it hard to feel comfortable letting things be. Things I want to work on? My phone can ring, and I can let it go to voicemail. A text can come, and I can respond later. The constant need for instant gratification can be replaced with contentment, peace, calm, and coffee. And a cookie or two. 

Have a nice day, my friends. Thank you for visiting. I am going to visit with you today, and I am looking forward to seeing what is new in your world. 

Billie Jo