Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning, my friends. I am cozy on the couch with two pups and an empty coffee cup. My view is the same as this, except my Mocha is not lounging in the sun as she was on Saturday. Speaking of Mocha, she celebrated her eighth birthday yesterday, which apparently makes her a "senior" pup! She is five pounds of pure love and has been since the day we brought her home.

Although it seems like yesterday, this photo reminds me that, indeed, it is not. Flynn at five was the cutest thing ever!

And at 13? Still is! She is always happy to go with Steve wherever he has to go. They have the best time together, which makes me so happy. In other Happy News...

Madison's husband Nicolas received his Permanent Residence Card! This means he can live and work here in the United States for an extended period. He and Madison have worked hard for this, including numerous visits with attorneys,  participating in several interviews, and paying countless fees. We are so happy for and proud of Nicolas. We are also thankful that he continues to love and share his beautiful Danish culture and traditions with us too!

Finally, my mom! She recently qualified for nursing home care, and we decided that the best place for her is an hour or so away in our hometown. My sister Margie lives there, as well as so many of the people my mom knows from all different stages of her life. Her very best friend from school recently came and visited her! She is so very happy and well cared for. We miss her terribly but have wonderful phone visits and are kept up to date by Margie on all the activities she enjoys. I called her last week, and although she was happy to hear from me, she told me that she was in the middle of making blueberry muffins! Isn't she the most beautiful person ever?

Well, time for me to get going. Today Flynn, Madison, and I are going for lunch and an afternoon visit with Peyton at her cozy home. Then tonight, Flynn is hosting a family movie night here with everyone except Steve and Madison, who are uninterested in the movie. It is the original Star Wars. And can you believe I have never seen it?!?! I am curious to see how I like it, especially since I am postponing my weekly Bachelorette viewing to watch! 

Have a great day, my friends.

I pray for all affected by the flash flooding, the intense heat wave, and those still burning wildfires. 

Thanks for visiting!

BillieJo

The Last Week Of May~ At The Beach

 

We got dressed up and went out to dinner.

We walked through a darling town that could be used in a Hallmark movie.

We celebrated a fantastic young Danish son-in-law's 28th birthday!

We had fun with Aunt Margie and Uncle Chris.

We snuggled. A lot.

We played Monopoly. And cards. And more fun games.

We ate ice cream at the best little place right across the street.

We walked on the beach.

We enjoyed beautiful sunsets.

We...meaning Madison and Flynn...made a delicious dinner using fresh produce from the farmer's market.

And we spent time together.

Which is the best.

Have a wonderful, long holiday weekend, my friends.

Thank you for visiting!

Just An Update On The Circus That Is Us!

 First up. This young man celebrated his birthday this week. Thank you for all the kind wishes! He read and appreciated them all. I was so proud of Madison for incorporating his beloved Denmark into the celebration she planned. And if I may, I am so very proud of this young man. Here he is at work with his favorite pup, Draper. Madison dropped in as a birthday surprise and brought ice cream! Nicolas is working at the dealership and has consistently strived to learn as many aspects of the business as he can. He is currently the manager of one of the franchises, and he is doing an exceptional job!

Speaking of working at the dealership, this little lady started her first job last week! I dropped her off, and Daddy met her at the door. I am so happy for her! She was super excited to go to work with Daddy. When I was about her age, I remember vividly starting work at the department store my parents owned! I wish I could say I was as excited as Flynn is!

These two newlyweds became homeowners last week! I am so very proud of and happy for them. They are two of the hardest-working young people I know. 

And these two young people. They are the cutest couple ever. Rhett is also working at the dealership, running the Business Development Center. He is unbelievably knowledgeable and hardworking! It is almost as if he were born into it! He loves his work, and I am so very proud. 

Madison continues to run her beautiful bridal store. She is still working with brides by appointment only and has found that to be much more enjoyable and productive. She enjoys giving each bride her undivided attention. She has also spent so much loving quality time with my Flynn lately to help with the transition of Peyton not being here quite so much.

Steve and I continue to adjust to life as parents of older and married children. It is very different but wonderful and blessed in its own way. I am so very thankful to God for sending us Flynn when he did. We are still parents of a young one! And for that, we are thankful! 

Oh! And I made pizza! I am usually good with meal planning, but I found myself with nothing on the schedule one night this week. I rummaged around and found three loaves of frozen bread dough, some blocks of cheddar and parmesan cheese, a small bag of fresh mozzarella balls, and a few cans of tomato sauce. Pizza it is! I thawed the bread dough on the counter all afternoon. Then I made some sauce by putting some Hunts Tomato Sauce in a pot, adding Italian seasoning, garlic powder, a bit of sugar, some grated parmesan, and a bay leaf. I let that simmer while I shredded the cheese. Then I assembled the pizzas and realized I might have a few pieces of pepperoni somewhere in the fridge! I baked them until we couldn't stand the delicious smell any longer, and then I set them out to cool. Steve was so eager to cut them, but I made him wait until I took them all out so I could take a picture! All for the blog, my friends!

Well, that wraps things up here. Have a wonderful, cozy, fun family weekend! Here in Pennsylvania, it is going to be chilly and rainy! As in 48 degrees chilly! We have a few plans, especially since we have one more birthday to celebrate! Peyton has her special day Monday, Memorial Day. 

Thanks for visiting, my friends.

I am always glad you do.

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good morning! After a hot weekend, we are waking to a cooler, cloudier day here in Pennsylvania. I am enjoying my second cup of coffee with Italian creamer inside today, with a favorite episode of The Twilight Zone playing in the background. Our weekend was filled to the brim with happiness! 

First up, we celebrated Rhett turning 19 with his favorite dinner...tacos...his favorite cake...Jello...and some of his favorite pastimes...riding on the boat and watching movies. Thank you for all the wishes. He read them all! Saturday afternoon, we had a very special visitor...

Yep! My mom was finally able to visit us here at home! It was beyond wonderful to have her here with us. She grew up with summers on a lake, so she loved sitting on the covered deck looking at the lake. We had pizza and ice cream and even played cards. And see that little pup there? He hasn't seen Mom in well over a year. But he ran right to her and never left her side! It was a perfect, happy day! 

Today, we celebrate another special day! My first son-in-law Nicolas is celebrating his birthday today! We will celebrate him with a special dinner, incorporating some Danish traditions that are so dear to his heart. Nicolas is an amazing young man. He is kind, fun, hardworking, sensitive, and caring. He is always up for any of the many family traditions his mother-in-law comes up with. He is an amazing friend to Rhett, Peyton, and Flynn, finding common interests with each. And most importantly, he is a wonderful husband to Madison. This young man who flew across the country to meet a young girl and her family has become part of that very family. And we are blessed.

How was your weekend, my friends?

What are your plans for today?

Have a cozy one, whatever you are doing.

And thanks for visiting!

Green Card Happy!

May Days And Birthdays