We Interrupt Our Regular Scheduled Programming

But wait, there's more.

Yes. The entire family. Some were here at home. Some at their own home. Some at the condo. We were dropping like flies. If it weren't so horrible, it would have been humorous. Fortunately, some were affected less than others, so while I have little to no memory of Friday at all, Steve felt well enough to provide Saltines and fluids regularly. It is Sunday night now, and I think we are on the mend. Tomorrow I plan to open the doors and windows, change the bedsheets, and have a dance party with several cans of Lysol. 

We will resume our regularly scheduled blogging on Wednesday with a catch-up post. And I hope to visit with you all soon! 

Billie Jo

September

 

Happy September, my friends.

Billie Jo

Labor Day Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! And Happy Labor Day! The pups and I are up early, and although it is the perfect day for one, I opted to skip my walk and enjoy the quiet of this September morning with my coffee and soft throw instead. I will lace those sneakers up tomorrow. For now, however, I am soaking in the start of my favorite time of year. With pumpkin coffee, of course.

I hope your weekend was all you planned and then some. Here, it was productive, enjoyable, and fun. Saturday, Flynn worked, and I accomplished all the things around the house that require me to be motivated to do: vacuum, wash comforters, and scrub the kitchen sink. We went to Mass and then to the condo for pizza. Sunday I got groceries, swam, took a cozy afternoon nap, and then made dinner. What did I make for dinner? I'm glad you asked! I made a delicious pot of soup with a recipe that Peyton gave me. She made it for us the last time we were back in Pennsylvania, and we loved it. I will link the recipe below. It is Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup, and you will want to make some!

I also put together a meat-and-cheese tray. Sometimes it is easier to do dinner like that when I am not sure when everyone will be home. 

Took a quick picture before Mass on Saturday to send to Madison. She approved. 

And lastly, a little corner of my pantry I have been messing with forever. I have it just how I want. Madison got me the pretty painting as a reminder of our trip to the Hamptons. We saw hydrangeas everywhere. 

Well, although we are having hot dogs later to celebrate Labor Day, we are also homeschooling today, because why not? Have a wonderful Labor Day, my friends. You know what this means, right? Time for all things cozy! Cooler days, darker skies, flickering candles, soft throw blankets, pumpkin spice everything, sweatshirts and leggings, changing leaves, and that nostalgic feeling of slowing down, snuggling in, and being present.  

 

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Monday!

Happy fall!

Billie Jo

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup

Back To Homeschool 2026!

We began our new school year here this week, and my one and only student is now officially a junior. I can't explain how much she and I enjoy this journey together, and how amazing it is to watch someone I once taught letters and sounds at on a little white table, surrounded by apples and pumpkins, begin to study American Literature with me. I could lament how quickly those years in between passed, and believe me, I feel it, but I choose to embrace this exciting season we are in now because I know from experience that this will also be a time I will look back on wistfully someday.

This year Flynn's classes are Geometry, American History, Literature, Anatomy and Physiology, and an elective of General Psychology. Next semester, she plans to study Forensic Science. I guess all those Forensic Files episodes she grew up on made an impact! 

We did a little schoolroom makeover this summer. We have a dear family friend who is so talented in all things crafty, carpentry, and design. He helped us pick out a theme, hung the wallpaper and window treatments, and now it is cozier and a lot more fun!

Ever since the kids were little, we celebrated the beginning of a new school year with a back-to-school dinner. This year, FLynn chose homemade pizza and macaroni and cheese!

And Madison made her a chocolate chip pecan pie for dessert! It was delicious!

And here is my happy, fun, studious, intelligent, and sweet eleventh-grade student!

If you are a long-time reader, you may remember her looking like this...

And just to give you a smile on this beautiful Friday...

Sad. But true! 

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, my friends!

Billie Jo

I Didn't Make These

 But I wish I did. 

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee On The Eve Of September

 

Well, my friends. Here we are. Tonight, we go to sleep in August, and we wake in September. I don't think the transition between any other months is as dramatic as the one from August to September. There is a total shift, signaling both an end and a beginning. September is the perfect transition from unscheduled, laid-back, carefree days and nights to more scheduled, structured ones. The sun and heat are gradually replaced by cooler air with a hint of colorful leaves and cinnamon spice. The green around us will slowly change to hues of vibrant red, orange, yellow, and gold, and finally to muted shades that fade to brown. The long nights outside become shorter and darker earlier, prompting us to gather inside with candles and cozy quilts as autumn begins again.

In preparation for all things cozy, I baked a half-batch of cookies from a recipe Peyton shared with me. We were on the phone one evening, and she sent me a picture of the cookies she made. They looked so good; she sent me the recipe, and I went right into the kitchen and whipped some up. They are delicious! I will link the recipe  down below.  

The last weekend of August was a good one for us. We did some things around the house, went to Mass, dinner, and a movie together, and enjoyed a Steve's Sunday dinner of Smashburgers, tomato pie, and cucumber salad to end the weekend.

And Mocha seemed to sense that cozy time is here.

Well, I am off to the dentist. Then home to prepare for the first day of school! Have a lovely Monday, my friends.

Billie Jo

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Friday Photos

Hello! And Happy Friday, my friends! Well, it is time to wrap up August. And honestly, I cannot believe it. I love fall, as you may know, but I cannot believe how quickly this summer flew by. I am, therefore, resolved to be fully present these next few months, my favorites of all, noticing all the things that make fall so special. 

Meanwhile, in preparation for the cozy days and nights ahead, I am refreshing the bedding here in our home. Every August, I like to replace the mattress pads, wash the pillow covers, and put a new set of sheets on the beds. It is such a good feeling getting into a fresh, clean bed on a cool autumn night. And now, we are all set.

One night this week we drove to the condo and sat on the beach for a bit in the early evening. It was so pretty, quiet, and relaxing. 

I am appreciating the quiet, cooler mornings during my walks. And seeing some familiar friends along the way.

Madison and Flynn had a fun day out on her last week of summer vacation. I love the relationships each of my children has with each other. They are each other's best friends, and I am so thankful for that.

And I am also thankful for the relationships I have with each of my children, allowing for things like enjoying an impromptu dinner while watching a beauty pageant on TV. Madison invited me over while everyone else was at the movies, and her pasta was delicious!

The weekend lies ahead, blissfully empty of any events here. I plan to catch up with you all, write out a few notes and cards to mail, and prepare for Flynn's upcoming homeschool week. We will attend Mass, meal plan and prep, and hopefully spend some time in the pool. Now, I am off to put some chicken thighs in the crockpot with pasta sauce, some peppers, and some onions for dinner tonight. I will serve it with pasta and maybe a salad. And garlic bread, too.

Happy Weekend!

Billie Jo