Thursday Thoughts

Today I'm thinking about...


...This weekend. Because my friend Marian is coming to visit. And after spending an entire week with us last fall at the beach, she is still willing to return my calls! She is coming up for the Superbowl, and we are glad.

Friday is also my sweet mother's 78th birthday. She is not feeling well, but we are planning a nice dinner out once she is. In the meantime, she is enjoying the quiet, cozy, winter days in her little home. She also enjoys playing cards and bingo with her friends. And I am so happy for her.


Madison has a craft show with her Mary Kay on Saturday afternoon. She spent this week tying lipstick and lip-gloss into beautiful Valentine packaging and is excited to go. : )


We escaped the worst of the snow this week. Here are some pictures of what we have been up to this last week of January...

Pretty pretty pretty outside...

warm and cozy inside.

I finally packed away my Christmas bedding.

I'm a hold out, you know. : )

Three of my four all ready for a lunch date and grocery shopping.

We do everything as a family. : )

My girl...always willing to snuggle.

Ironing is my thing...especially when it involves pretty, festive aprons.

 Our contribution to National Chocolate Cake Day this year...

It was good. Really good.

And just in case you think I went all sugar happy...

this was my lunch this week.

Grilled chicken breast marinated in Peyton's homemade Asian dressing with  lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Keepin' It Real...Naptime

And I don't mean for the kids.  In the interest of fairness, I feel compelled to admit to you that yes, I take a nap. Almost every afternoon. I am a morning person. I awake early, shower early, begin my day early. And that makes me happy.  It also makes me sleepy around the same time every afternoon. Could I hop on the treadmill instead of onto the couch? Absolutely. Should I? Probably. But that would mean missing out on one of my Flynn's favorite parts of the day...snuggle time. Since she was little we have taken time most every afternoon to snuggle in the same spot with the same blanket and recharge for the rest of the day. She calls it Snuggletime. : ) She used to sleep as well. Now...not so much. She snuggles and watches a show or two while this old lady gets her rest. Note: Homeschool Bonus...Older kids at home in case Mom falls asleep on the couch. And honestly, I will truly miss this special time when she outgrows it. But then again, I'm 45, and haven't outgrown it yet. : )

If you need me, this is where you'll usually find me around 2:00 everyday. Try it sometime. It will change your life. Promise. : )

Don't Forget...National Chocolate Cake Day!

Just a reminder! Tuesday, January 27, is National Chocolate Cake Day! Really. It's a thing. As if I need an excuse to bake and eat chocolate cake! So put on your aprons and get baking! And don't forget to share you photos!

Thursday Thoughts

Today I'm thinking about...


...Time. And how quickly it passes. I have learned to stop lamenting that fact and have tried to embrace it by living in the moment. Time passes, things change, children grow. So why not hold on and enjoy? Here are a few pictures of the past wintry week in our part of the world...

My beautiful mother...she loved the pillow I had made for her with pieces of my dear father's favorite ties...

 

 

My sisters and I shared our memories of my father wearing each one with her. She recognized them right away, and told me she will treasure it always.

 

 

 

My Madison had her first Mary Kay skin care class, and Peyton was happy to help her out with the refreshments! Not pictured would be these amazing brownies. Because they were devoured as soon as I put them out! Thanks, Sarah! : )

 

 

My baby...with braids...

 

 

and the next day without. : ) And yes...she took a paper shamrock to Mass. And it sang. : )

 

 

Just me...

 

 

and my coffee.

 

 

Have a wonderful January weekend, my friends! : )

 

 

 

Make Your Winter Fun...Celebrate!

It is no secret we love to celebrate holidays in this house. I began celebrating these little holidays when I had three little ones five years old and under with a long, cold winter stretching out before us. It was a way to give them something to look forward to, as well as add some fun to our winter days. As with most things, it became a tradition we continue to this day. Why not start your own traditions this year?

Below are the upcoming holidays you can plan for and celebrate any way you choose! Remember, it doesn't have to be Pinterest inspired or expensive...just fun and festive and yummy! I get my supplies online from Party City. I have seen items on Oriental Trading Company and at Walmart as well. Often times I have leftover supplies, so I keep them in labeled Rubbermaid containers. Each January, I look and see if I need to replenish any for the upcoming holidays. Easy and fun! : ) So...mark your calendars and begin the planning. There are a lot of special days coming up!

Super Bowl

Sunday, February 1

Even if you are not a huge football fan, it is fun to watch the commercials! We usually make some fun snack food and a sheet cake to celebrate.

 Groundhog Day

Monday, February 2

Rise and shine! You can catch the real Punxutawney Phil around 7:00 Am EST. We also read these books, and use this adorable cookie cutter to make groundhog cookies. We like Molasses cookies with a mini chocolate chip for the eye. You can visit the official site here to find the cookie cutter as well as printable activity pages for the kids. : )

Valentine's Day

Saturday, February 14

What better reason to celebrate than Love? We make a nice meal of stuffed shells and garlic toast every year. Peyton also makes a special dessert to celebrate. I purchase the BEST chocolate hearts to place at each setting. I have done this since Madison was little, and the kids look forward to that little heart every year. You can find them here.

Mardi Gras

Tuesday, February 17

This is a fun one! We decorate the table with beads and masks and have a blast. Peyton and I make our version of a King Cake and we celebrate before Lent begins.

Chinese New Year

Thursday, February 19

What better excuse for Chinese Take Out? We love to decorate and eat and read about the Chinese new year traditions. Working on the chopsticks, though. : )

St. Patrick's Day

Tuesday, March 17

This is another fun one! We wear our green and gold and have a good Irish meal of Red Potatoes, Cabbage and Bacon. And of course, our traditional Lime Jello Poke Cake. : )

So there you go! Some special days to brighten your winter. Mark your calendars. And please post about your celebrations, too! : ) 

Thursday Thoughts...And A Winner!

Today I'm thinking about...


...Not much! I'm enjoying this little time of the year in which we have few commitments and more time spent at home together. We are hunkering down in our country home and planning meals, doing schoolwork, watching television programs, playing games, and making treasured family memories. It is January. And as nature slumbers and refreshes itself, so do we. : ) Here are a few pictures of our past week together...

Kirby is enjoying the snuggly days with us. : )

My little lady all set for Mass last Saturday...

and my little Sunday morning treat.

We worked on Thank You cards for the thoughtful Christmas gifts the kids received...

and Daddy took some young people outside to build a snowman. Thank Heaven for outdoorsy husbands!

 Cupcake Day. What more can I say?

My Madison. Last weekend she embarked on her first "Grown Up" adventure. I am so proud to share with you that she has begun her career as an Independent Mary Kay Consultant! She was born with a makeup brush in hand, and I am so happy that she is choosing to embark on a career in which she will be able to put her talent and knowledge to use, as well as do something she truly enjoys. And I am also proud that she is beginning while still finishing high school. She attended a Mary Kay conference and came back so excited to begin. If you are interested, please feel free to visit her website and check out her products. She ships anywhere in the United States! You can find her here. : )

And congratulations to Mary! She was picked by my personal assistant Peyton as the winner of the Little House On The Prairie DVD set. Please email me your information and I will get it right out to you. : )

And that's a wrap! Have a cozy, blessed weekend friends!!!

Our Winter Home

Christmas is packed away, but our home is still decorated. For winter, that is. I am always ready for the bare, uncluttered space that January brings. It is peaceful and cozy after moths of holiday fun. Here is a peek at our winter home...

The hearth room is cozy with touches of snowmen and snow flakes...and the beautiful poinsettia that somehow still alive. ; ) 

Gone are the candy canes on the little holiday tree...

but cute little snowmen take their place. : )

And the mantel is all set with touches of snow fun and blue.

Around the corner, this little table holds some snowy touches. And containers that hold lots of Christmas candy. : )

I am loving the fresh, clean scent of a new Let It Snow candle.

And am also loving that we decided to keep the cocoa center out as long as it is cold outside.

The kitchen table is clean and simple...just the way I like it.

And if you are missing those cute Christmas scented soaps...no worries! This Iced Blackberries is amazing!

A few touches add some warmth the the family room...

as does Peyton's favorite winter throw. : )

The kids are LOVING the card table I set up in the foyer. All of a sudden they are rediscovering wonderful games to play together. I am going to keep this up as long as they want. I love the time they spend together as the snow falls and the wind howls outside.

And finally...we are enjoying this crisp, fresh scented candle every evening in our winter home.

Stay warm and cozy, my friends!

This Makes Me Happy...Retro TV Shows...And A Giveaway!

Santa added to our Retro Television Show collection this Christmas, and we are glad! I want to share a few of our favorite shows that we enjoy watching together as a family. These shows are the ones I grew up watching with my sisters, and am happy to say my own children enjoy them as well. It is no secret that I place a large value on the importance of family time, and this is one way to spend it. Each night, after dinner and after the kitchen is cleaned, we gather together and spend some time watching these classic shows. I encourage you to try it, especially during these blustery, cold winter evenings. Here are some of our favorites...

This is our newest addition...the original Batman. So much fun!

 

 

Always a favorite...right Kathleen? : )

 

 

We haven't started this one yet, but I am waiting!

 

 

Fave. No other words necessary.

 

 

And this one...simply love.

 

 

All of these are available at Walmart or Amazon...perhaps even Netflix or Vudu...but if you want a head start and would like to win a brand new set of Little House on the Prairie Season One,  just leave a comment below. It is one of our favorites, and I would love to gift one to one of my readers. We will draw a winner Wednesday, January 14, and announce the winner on Thursday, January 15. Good Luck!

 

So remember to gather together and find a show you all enjoy. Spend time together as a family. It may seem silly, but retro television shows make me happy.