Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning! This is my vibe right now, my friends. Just dragging a bit this morning and wanting to stay snuggled up with Mocha a little bit longer. Flynn came down with a cold, and it slowly progressed over the weekend in the textbook way colds seem to do. She has had everything from a sore throat to a stuffy nose and the general yucky feeling to the relentless cough. She and I spent Saturday and Sunday on the couch, finally finishing The Walking Dead with bits and pieces of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner in between. Everything else can wait. For now, we rest, drink soup from mugs, and watch movies we have seen many times before. Fortunately, Flynn felt well enough for our Friday night's traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner. 

I made the best Irish Beef Stew and again discussed why we only have it once a year. Madison brought the most delicious Irish Soda Bread, and Peyton did it again with an amazingly perfect Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Cake. I will link these recipes below and strongly urge you to try them!

Today the green and gold are packed away, and soon the bunnies and eggs will appear. Tonight I am making homemade chicken tenders with sweet potatoes and green beans and then I plan on watching The Bachelor to see if Zach can get closer to deciding which of the remaining women he will choose to spend the rest of his life with. Because Reality TV is the perfect place to do that.

Well, I hope you have a cozy Monday. Thanks for visiting. I am always glad you do!

Billie Jo

Irish Beef Stew

Irish Cream Chocolate Cake

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Hello! And Happy Friday! Are you wearing green today? Would you believe me if I told you I don't own a single piece of green clothing? I do have a shamrock necklace I plan on wearing, so I'm covered. This morning I have a hair appointment, and after that, I am coming home to put an Irish Beef Stew into the crockpot for dinner tonight. I made it last year, and it was delicious, so the kids requested it again this year. Madison is bringing Irish Soda Bread, and Peyton is bringing dessert. I'll share some photos on Monday!

The snowy days this week made me hungry for comfort food, so dinner on Wednesday was a delicious roast chicken with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, peas, and corn. Now, before you think I am Wonder Woman and I Dream of Jeannie combined, let me tell you how I created this delicious faux fancy meal. The chicken is a Perdue Harvestland Oven Ready Roaster. It is fully prepared, so you literally unwrap it and put it in the oven! The potatoes are Idahoan instant, and they are really good! The stuffing is Stove Top and the vegetables, Birdseye. I did make the gravy myself with the drippings and liquid from the chicken. It was not Thanksgiving dinner, but it was very good and perfect for a cold and snowy Wednesday in March. 

Well, time for me to get going. I need to fix my hair before I go to my appointment. Tell me I'm not the only one that does that! Thanks so much for visiting, my friends. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a festive St. Patrick's Day! 

Billie Jo

(Pinterest for the fun.)

Top Of The morning To You!

 

Hello! Just an average March morning here, my friends. I need to load and run the dishwasher, shower, homeschool, and run some laundry. And I will get right to it. Soon. ; ) Have a cozy Wednesday, my friends!

Billie Jo

St. Patrick's Day 2022

 

Our St. Patrick's Day festivities have evolved through the years as my children have grown. Gone are the days of Leprechaun surprises, chocolate gold coins, and rainbows made of fruit. You know what? I do miss those days, but I am enjoying how we celebrate now just as much. This year, Madison and I planned and hosted a special tea the day before St. Patrick's Day. She and I made some delicious tea party sandwiches and a brand new punch recipe, purchased some cute sugar cookies and excellent locally made scones, and brewed some Irish tea. We added some green grapes, and Peyton made a delicious Irish Apple Cake.

Madison, my sister Margie, me, Kyrstin, Flynn, and Peyton are all ready to enjoy our afternoon tea.

St. Patrick's Day itself was quiet. In the morning, I prepared a delicious Irish Stew that cooked all day in the crockpot and added a locally made Irish Soda Bread for dinner. Peyton brought a homemade Boston Cream Pie for dessert. 

Holidays are special to our family. But then every day is, right?

Have a cozy weekend, my friends!

I will be around to visit!

Billie Jo

Pray for Ukraine

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope your weekend was everything you wanted it to be. Friday night, we did indeed head to our favorite parish fish fry, and Flynn was kind enough to allow me to snap a selfie before we left! We took our pastor's lovely mother with us and had the best time visiting with her. She is the most beautiful person and just sent me a photo yesterday when she visited my mom. 

Is this not the most beautiful photo?

The storm did indeed arrive and brought snow and wind with it. We were left with four inches of spring snow and some frigid temperatures when it was said and done. That meant days inside with my book and my throw blanket, which did not bother me at all. This week brings St. Patrick's Day! I have a few touches of green and gold around, including two favorite Yankee Candle scents, Lucky Shamrock and Emerald Isle. I hope my friend Peggy is reading, because she is a fan of the candles too!

Have a cozy Monday, my friends!

I am heading to get some color in my hair and then back home for school, dinner, and The Bachelor, which promises the first night of "The Most Dramatic Finale Ever." Lol!

Billie Jo

Friday Photos

 

These weeks fly right by, don't they? Despite some chilly weather here, we had a nice week, made even better with the fun of St. Patrick's Day. Madison hosted a lovely tea party for the girls and me in the early afternoon. After that, we celebrated together here with a traditional Irish dinner of Irish Stew and soda bread. Madison brought a delicious tart, and Peyton made her yummy chocolate chip cookie pie. After dinner, we played a fun game of St. Patrick's Day Family Feud, which was a big hit! 

Now we pack away the green and gold and bring out the bunnies and carrots. And Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. I swear they taste better than any other shape. The weekend looks to be more like spring, which means less cozy couch time and more walk-in-the-sun time for me. And for Mocha, who has a new way of enjoying our walks.

Yes. You see correctly. That would be me. Carrying my pup on a walk. Now, I have a very logical explanation for this, I promise! When we walk together as a family for leisure, I take Mocha on a leash. She meanders around, sniffing and enjoying the walk. However, when I walk alone in the mornings, I carry her because she doesn't really enjoy the "let's walk fast and get this exercise over with" vibe. Do I realize how ridiculous I look? You betcha! But it's a risk I'm willing to take. 

Have a nice weekend, my friends. And thank you for all the love for my dear sweet mom. She is doing wonderfully and is as happy as can be. 

See you Monday!

Friday Photos

Plans For St. Patrick's Day Weekend

Get out your green because St. Patrick's Day is here! This weekend is all about celebrating the green and gold. Well, sort of. My sister Margie and I and our families are taking my mom and our friend Blueberry Mary out for fish fry tonight! Sunday is Mary's birthday, and we are so happy to be able to celebrate with her.  Saturday Marian is coming! The guys have plans after Mass in the evening, so the girls and I are deciding between a crazy night out with dinner and a movie, or a quiet night in with dinner and a movie. Stay tuned.  Sunday is St. Patrick's Day, and we have awesome plans to stay home and eat festive food. And that is our exciting weekend. Hope your weekend is fun and festive too!

St.Patrick's Day 2017...In Pictures

Hope your day was magical too!