Monday Morning Coffee - Holy Week Edition

Good Monday morning, my friends! I just finished my first cup of coffee on this cozy, windy day, and I am thinking about another to go with the homemade banana scone Madison brought me last night. 

In fact, just as I was typing that, she sent me this picture. Like mother, like daughter!

This week, our faith celebrates Holy Week, which began yesterday, Palm Sunday. I snapped this picture discreetly before mass, of course, because I loved the powerful meaning behind the simple design.

I cannot believe we are here, at the end of Lent. To commemorate Palm Sunday, we lit the final candle, had a simple but delicious meal of soup and sloppy joes, and ended the night with some Palm Sundaes. 

If you have never had Graters Ice Cream, you should give it a try sometime. It is my very favorite, and we get it for special occasions, because it is that good!

Today is chilly, rainy, and windy, and I think Mocha has the right idea. We will lie low and be cozy. Flynn and I have schoolwork to do, and then we are having a simple breakfast for dinner. We are saying a family rosary tonight too as part of our Holy Week activities.

Here is the little message I sent in our group chat, listing some of the things we will be doing this week. I always say that participation is optional, but everyone in my family is a good sport and always supports my ideas. 

Have a nice day, my friends. Thank you for visiting, and I plan to visit you too!

Billie Jo

Friday Already?

Hello, my friends. And Happy Friday! Do you ever feel like you want to say something like, "Stop the world, please. I'd like to get off." I mean, I would at least like to ask if it could slow down a bit! Jeesh! I remember as if it were yesterday, coming home as a teenager, popping my head into my parents' bedroom, where my dad would be acting as if he were watching TV, when we all knew he was waiting for each of us to get home before he fell asleep, and filling him in on my night. He used to tell me something at the time I couldn't understand, yet I never forgot. He told me not to wish my life away, because the older you get, the faster it goes. 

Of course, sixteen-year-old me smiled and kissed him goodnight before going off to my room to listen to my stereo and talk to my friends on my little white corded phone. We talked about an upcoming Chemistry test, prom dresses, and how many days until summer. Those days, school years lasted forever, and summer was three whole months of long, lazy days. I suppose we honestly thought they would last forever. Suddenly, I am fifty-six, with a sixteen-year-old of my own, memories of my mom and dad in my heart, and months and days that pass so quickly they feel like a dream. I keep a picture of my dad on my refrigerator and often tell him that I get it now. I do. And I think of what my mom used to say, too. Life is but a dream. So I try to remember those things in the midst of this roller-coaster ride of life. I try to slow myself and relish the small moments that make up these quickly passing days. Like these...

Madison getting me this precious bunny with a ribbon that matches my kitchen accent perfectly. Just because...

The beautiful pictures she and Nicolas send when they visit the ocean on a random Thursday morning...

The pictures I snap on an ordinary, cloudy day during my morning walk...

After-school wind-down time with pups that wait all day for this moment...

My ten-year-old puppy that is my shadow...

And cookies fresh from the oven...

There are so many more, like afternoon calls with Peyton on speaker, Rhett and I eating Panera DoorDash before he heads to work, Flynn and I sitting in our little schoolroom, talking, laughing, and learning, Steve taking all the puppies outside over and over, and Kyrstin organizing our evening Boggle game. Just little moments making up our ordinary lives.

And to add some lightness to all this seriousness, here are a few reminders not to take ourselves too seriously, courtesy of Pinterest. 

Happy Weekend!

And for a little treat to start off Holy Week, how about having a sundae bar for Palm Sunday? I mean, I don't need an excuse to eat ice cream, but why not, right?

Billie Jo

A Little Bit Of Easter

Well, the leprechauns and shamrocks are packed away, and cute little bunnies have taken their place. Steve brought me some pretty tulips, and Flynn baked cute and yummy cupcakes. I lit the Strawberry Bunny Shortcake candle, and just like that, Easter is here! 

I hope you have a cozy, bright, and happy spring day!

BillieJo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a nice weekend, whether it was outside doing spring, inside being cozy, or a combination of the two. We were at the condo this weekend, and while we stayed indoors for the most part, I did enjoy beautiful sunrises on both Saturday and Sunday.

Different days, but each beautiful in its own way. I also got some swimming in and was so thankful for the indoor pool. On both days, I was able to spend time alone, moving these old bones and clearing my head as well. Afterward, I showered and put on my housedress for the rest of the day until we had to go out. And of course, a little shadow needed to make sure I was close by.

This is my current read, and it is good. I am enjoying the steady pace and really like the characters.

I always take a quick picture to send to Madison before I go out!

Last night, we came home, got changed, and went to dinner with some friends. We ate at a new Brazilian steakhouse and had a really nice time. I was home in my jammies, face washed, toned, and moisturized by 9:30. All in all, good times.

Today, finally, I resumed my morning walk, and although the weather was overcast and cool, I felt happy to be out in the early morning again. After Mocha and I walked, I came back inside, made my coffee, threw a load of laundry in, poured my first cup, and started my prayers. Then I got my second cup, an English muffin brushed slathered with butter, and began this post. 

And that is about it, my friends. I have homeschool and laundry waiting for me, and dinner to decide. The sun is back out, and I don't have anywhere to be today.

I am looking forward to sitting down later and catching up with you! Have a cozy Monday, my friends!

Billie Jo