The Last February Friday

Hello! And Happy Friday! If January seemed long, February made up for it, because I am struggling to believe it is March this weekend. I did, however, concede, as proven by this picture of Mocha snuggled in my Snoopy Shamrock blanket. 

 

March means Easter is not far behind, and I love a good, festive treat, so when I saw these at Walmart, I grabbed a couple and tucked them into my cabinet. They are Duncan Hines, my favorite brand, and they are so cute!

This week, we had fun playing a newly recognized game called "Where is Little Cosmo Right Now?" He never hides; rather, he just goes and sits somewhere waiting for someone to notice.

                                                                     

If you are looking for a delicious and easy meal for the weekend, I got you. I have made these before, and they are good! They are crockpot French Dip Sandwiches.

First, grab your crockpot and spray it with olive or avocado oil. Then add the meat.

Next, slice an onion or two and throw them in on top.

Throw in some minced garlic, 

Sprinkle in some onion soup mix, and pour beef broth over everything. Let it cook all day long.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Rhett suggested we put the Provolone cheese on the rolls, then toast them in the oven for a bit before taking them out and adding the meat and the shredded cheese. Good call! We had them with fries, sweet potato fries, and fresh pineapple. Delicious!

And what is a good dinner without dessert? Madison made and brought this delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie!

Amazing.

After dinner each night, we watch The Chosen. It is the first time for all of us, and we are loving it. 

And this week, we also began watching Survivor Season 50. 

I cannot suggest watching TV together as a family enough. Rather than scattering to places all over the house after dinner, why not gather and spend some time together? 

Well, I am off to pour another cup of hot coffee and watch the snow melt outside my window. This weekend, I am going to snuggle in and catch up on my blog readings. We also have mass, and then Steve, Flynn, and I are going to the movies! Sunday, I have nothing! This opens up a myriad of possibilities: reading, baking, tidying, napping, and possibly even taking a walk. We will see! 

Whatever your plans, my friends, enjoy. And I will see you back here on Monday!

Thanks for stopping in!

BillieJo

Here is the recipe for the sandwiches. It is not mine. I purchased it on a subscription from an Instagram account. I can't remember the name.

Things I No Longer Do

1. I no longer own more than three sets of sheets for our bed. Gone are the days of sheets for every holiday and season. I now have three sets of sheets, all white. I don't have the energy for a closet full of chaos anymore.

2. I no longer allow myself to feel any sort of way about the life I choose to live. I realize now that I can live my life the way I choose, and others are free to criticize me for that if they feel the need.

3. I no longer care if something is marked "Not Dishwasher Safe." I will take my chances.

4. I no longer vacuum because it is Friday. I like lists and make them, but I don't let them override my common sense. If the floor isn't dirty, it doesn't need to be cleaned. This realization is a perk of aging, and I am here for it.

5. I no longer watch the news daily. I do not need that kind of negativity in my life. News spreads quickly, and if something happens that I need to know, I can check in then. Or not.

6. I no longer worry about repairing relationships that drained the life right out of me. Trying to support, comfort, and be there for someone unable or unwilling to do the same for you is toxic, and it is really alright to admit that, wish them well, and move forward.

7. I no longer apologize or downplay my superpower. I own it.

8. I no longerhave to put the house to bed at night. I have a sweet teenage daughter who folds all the blankets, arranges the pillows, unplugs the lights, empties the dishwasher, and takes out the trash after I go to bed. And I am thankful.

9. I no longer deny that my hero, my inspiration, is no other than Mother Bear. She is everything I want to be. Well, except for the not being human part. 

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends. Are you buried in snow from the It-Came-Out-Of-Nowhere Blizzard of 2026? I mean, sometimes we hear about a snowstorm for ten days before we get a flake. This time, I looked at our forecast on Friday, and it said there was a possibility of snow. Yesterday, it said we would be having a blizzard! And, indeed, we are! I hope you are safe and sound and cozy as can be. 

We did lose power last night, so I did what I thought was best: I went to bed. When I woke this morning, I found the power restored, and I was thankful. Backing up to this past weekend, before the snow appeared, we set out to the condo and got a delicious take-out fish fry to commemorate the first Friday of Lent. Because that is what one does on Fridays of Lent, right?

Saturday morning found me awake, witnessing a most beautiful sight, reminding me that, despite all the ugliness in the world, I have the opportunity to find peace and calm if I just glance up and look. 

Steve went for a walk on what he called a most perfect day for a walk on the beach. 

Meanwhile, Marty and I had other plans. Very important ones that involved not walking on the beach. : ) Do you see what I am wearing? Do you have any of them? I have a few of these that I absolutely love, but I don't know what they're called. They are like a dress, but not dressy, more cozy. They aren't pajamas or a nightgown. I wear them after I shower if I am not going anywhere, or before I go, so my clothes don't wrinkle. So, there's that. Oh, did I mention cozy?

Flynn was out with Steve, so I wanted her to know her pup was in good hands.

Well, that is all for this snowy Monday morning, my friends. Please stay safe and warm. And cozy, of course. Today, Flynn and I will do our homeschooling, which currently involves Algebra, Chemistry, World History, Literature, Grammar, and Art History. Dinner is undecided as of yet, but I think it will involve chicken.

Have a wonderful Monday, my friends. Thank you for visiting, and for your comments. I appreciate your friendship!

BillieJo

Friday Of A Festive Week

This week was filled to the brim, I tell you. And yet, oddly enough, I have very few photos to share with you. Here is a picture I previously shared of our Mardi Gras celebration on Tuesday. I am still thinking about that King Cake.

Wednesday, of course, was Ash Wednesday, and no, I never did find my purple cloth, but I did find one I like better!

Last night, we celebrated the Lunar New Year! We had our favorite Chinese takeout and fortune cookies for dessert.

Throw in some Olympics watching, and we had a full week. Celebrating these special days is different each year. Sometimes it is elaborate, other times it is thrown together at the last minute with whatever supplies I have in my holiday cupboard. What doesn't change is the fun we have as a family, celebrating special days. 

Other notable events this week? I am praying with the Hallow App this Lent, and according to their website, we will " Journey through The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Together, we'll let go of what holds us back, return home to the Lord, and let Him send us out as His hands and feet." Although you don't need the book, Peyton and I couldn't wait to get started with it!

We homeschooled this week, of course, and this little guy was always ready to get started. He sits behind me on my chair every single day.

And is ready for our afternoon couch time after school, too. 

Have a nice weekend, my friends. It will be quiet here. We are heading to the condo for the weekend. Plans are uncertain, but may or may not include swimming, napping, reading, game-playing, and movie-watching. 

Happy Weekend!

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Pinterest for the reminder.

From Mardi Gras Into Lent

Hello, my friends! Well, even though it feels to me like I just took down the Christmas tree, I find that Lent 2026 is here. Before the fast, however, comes the fun, right? Yesterday, after homeschool, Flynn and I set the table for our Mardi Gras celebration. I truly believe the Mardi Gras party supplies I purchased from Party City almost fifteen years ago were the single best purchase ever. These beads and coins are almost as old as Flynn! The plastic tablecloths come and go, but the beads and coins? Treasures! 

I printed off some fun name tags and games and made sure to send Peyton a picture to let her know I was wearing her beads! 

We had the easiest and most delicious Jambalaya and corn muffins for dinner.

And Madison and Flynn made our version of King Cake...MonkeyBread...for dessert...

Peyton sent us a picture of her homemade cinnamon rolls! 

Today, Mardi Gras is packed up for another year, and we move into the holy season of Lent in our home. Last night, after I wiped all the King Cake crumbs from the table, I set out the Lenten display I chose for this year. ( Still missing is the beautiful purple cloth I usually put under the crown of thorns. Must have gotten lost in the move. Which, by the way, is my excuse for anything I can't find these days! ) Sitting here this morning, I am struck by the symbolism of that small task. Wiping the table is like wiping my heart before I begin this prayerful time of year. Just as I wanted my table to be clean before I set out a new display, I want my heart to be wiped clean as I begin my Lenten journey. The fact is, however, that this table will not remain spotless. We use it daily for meals, schoolwork, and games. Things will get messy, just as they do in life, but each time, I can wipe it clean and tidy it up. Lent is like life, I suppose. It is long and messy at times. But totally worth it at the end.

Have a cozy Wednesday, my friends. 

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! It is rainy, dreary, and windy outside my window today. So, I am cozy under a throw blanket, sipping hot coffee by the fire. It's funny how my body instinctively responds and adapts to the different seasons. Today, it is chilly and rainy, and if you asked me how excited I would be to lace up my sneakers, go for a walk, and come back and drink a glass of water, I'd say zero percent. I am happy here, by the fire, cozy as can be. If you asked me that same question on a mild Monday morning in early May, however, you would get a very different answer. Once spring comes, the fireplace sits still and quiet, without a thought of sitting by it with coffee and a blanket. So, there's that!

I hope your weekend was everything you wanted it to be, and then some. We enjoyed a mix of quiet contentment and festive fun here. Friday evening, Steve, Flynn, and I enjoyed a cozy evening at home with takeout, Boggle, and The Olympics. We are really enjoying the Boggle and Pictionary games on Netflix. You should really give them a try. It is a great way to spend time together without scrolling on our phones. I mean, technically, you use your phones, but it is a game, so it's totally different!

Saturday was Valentine's Day, and we started the day at Madison's for a Valentine's Day Brunch. It was so nice, and she prepared everything so beautifully! We ate a delicious breakfast, visited, and played a game. Madison loves to entertain, and she is so good at it. Here is her table all set for us.

She served soft-boiled eggs, salmon, cream cheese, and bagels; heart-shaped toast; sliced avocados; and fruit salad, along with tea and juice.

And she made the lightest, most delicious blueberry breakfast cake!

We had the nicest time. After brunch, we went home for a bit before heading to a beautiful mass, followed by dinner at Rhett's place. Kyrstin's mother was down for the weekend, and we had the best time visiting with her, too. Have I ever told you Kyrstin's mother's name? You won't believe it, but her name is Billie Jo! Spelled exactly like mine! What are the chances???? 

Sunday was a quiet day, with me completing my short list of weekend jobs around the house. Later, Steve and I went out to our new favorite Mediterranean restaurant for a little date night. It never disappoints. I have yet to learn the names of the dishes, but essentially we had steak, rice, shrimp, lamb, and pita bread with olive oil. Delicious and fun!     

Obligatory selfie to send to the kids. 

Flynn took this on our way to mass this week. And it makes me happy.

Today, we have homeschool, and after that, we are having what my mother used to call "Refrigerator Delight" for dinner. We are working on using what we have in the fridge and freezer before buying more to shove in there and cover it all up. I am all about meal planning and shopping accordingly, as you know. This week's meal plan was easy because it contains Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Chinese New Year on Thursday, and Ash Wednesday in between. That leaves tonight, so we are going to have an assortment of dishes, including but not limited to chicken tenders, frozen vegetables, cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, fish sticks, and applesauce. 

If you are thinking about celebrating Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, I have a few ideas we have enjoyed in the past. We have done pancakes, as is tradition for many. When my kids were little, that was always a good meal to serve. Lately, we have enjoyed jambalya and cornbread with Monkey Bread for dessert. Chinese New Year will be takeout, because we have the best, freshest Chinese restaurant ever right near us! Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting for Catholics, and we usually have fish for dinner, as we do on Fridays of Lent. Other favorites are tuna and noodles, and macaroni and cheese.

Well, the sun is up, somewhere behind the clouds! I am going to pour another cup of coffee and eat a slice of Madison's blueberry breakfast cake she sent home with me. I hope you have a wonderful day, my friends! Thanks for visiting!

And remember, you do YOU!

Billie Jo