Happy Things

These things make me happy ~ Birds at my feeder ~ chocolate pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon pumpkin frosting ~ a single candle during dinner on an ordinary Tuesday night ~ and my Mocha playing with her favorite lamb ~ 

What makes you happy today, my friends?

I'd love to hear.

Happy Wednesday!

Simple Happiness On A Monday

Happy Things

This Makes Me Happy

Any guesses???

Ok. One more...

Yep!

My firstborn is returning home today!!!!

She and Nicolas are coming for a visit!

And my heart is happy. 

What are you happy about today, my friends??

This Makes Me Happy...My Girl And New Friends

She's home! My firstborn has flown...literally...home to our nest. And...for now...all my babes are all together again. And that makes me happy.

Saying...not goodbye...but see you soon...

with a smile on their faces. Yet sadness in their young hearts.

And then...suddenly...back with the parents...who missed her so.

But that leaves out an entire part of the story! Imagine getting a text from a blog friend...whom you have never met nor actually spoken to...asking you for a favor. Asking you to pick up her daughter at the super big airport in New York City, and welcoming her into your home for the night. And then helping her find a way home on a bus. But then realizing that the bus ride would be way too long, so offering to meet her family halfway on a Saturday afternoon. And you know who said Yes! Of Course! Right away?

That would be the sweet, funny, amazing, blessed Kathleen.

And there she is...waiting for my girl.

She and her hubby Bill spent way too long in the airport waiting for my Madison.

And took her to their home and a nice bed with fresh sheets and a magazine and body wash waiting for her.

Now that is a friend!

We met, and as it was when I met Tara, it was like seeing an old friend again.

Not at all like meeting someone for the first time.

Kathleen is exactly as she seems on her wonderful blog...she is beautiful, funny, kind, lovely, mothering, and gracious.

Not only did we make friends immediately, our kids did as well.

Look at all those blessing we have!

And the hubbies? They could have talked forever.

I see a meet up in our near future.

And I hope they do too!

This morning I had coffee with my Madison.

In my brand new mug from Denmark.

One guess what it says. : )

And this evening, Steve made her favorite meal...meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and tossed salad.

For dessert, Peyton made her a favorite...peach pie.

And all of this makes me very happy. : )

Have a blessed week, my friends.

This Makes Me Happy...These Two

I love the love between these two. Between this young man of mine who truly cares for his little sister. Today he took her to see The Peanuts Movie. Just the two of them. And it was all his idea. It may be a small thing, but these two together make me happy.

All ready to go!

 

And I can't forget big sister Peyton who made these special cupcakes for the occasion. : )

 

If I could share a small piece of motherly advice...make little things special.

They will always remember. : )

 

 

 

This Makes Me Happy...Spring Walks

Yes, spring walks make me happy. Especially when they double as a learning experience. I will be the first to admit that Science is not my strongest subject. It wasn't when I was a student and it certainly isn't now that I am a teacher to my kiddos. Good thing I am a strong believer that all learning doesn't have to take place between the pages of a textbook! I am always happy when a chance walk leads to an exciting and lovely learning experience. And I am also happy when I remember to bring my camera along. It may seem simple, but spring walks make me happy. Here are a few pictures of our recent after lunch spring walk/science lesson. : )

Oh...I just realized...I can count this for Phys. Ed. Too!!! : )

Happy spring, my friends!

This Makes Me Happy...Winning!

Well, actually winning is just a bonus. Meeting new people and making amazing friends in this wonderful world of Blogland is the true prize. : )


However,  I was lucky enough recently to win not one, but two fun giveaways on some amazing blogs I read. First I won this super interesting book...

This is not the actual copy...I actually finished it and lent it to a friend.

I enjoyed this book so much and am so thankful to my dear friend Kathleen who blogs here.

Thanks again, Kathleen!

 

 

And just a few days ago, I received this happy mail...

 

 

What a wonderful assortment of spring goodies!

Those eggs?! Amazing!

I was so excited to receive this from a brand new friend, Carrie, who blogs here.

Thank you so much, Carrie!

 

So there you have it...some sweet friends who made my day a bit happier. Feel free to visit these wonderful bloggers and perhaps make a new friend yourself.

 Winning...and blogging...make me happy!

 

This Makes Me Happy...Retro TV Shows...And A Giveaway!

Santa added to our Retro Television Show collection this Christmas, and we are glad! I want to share a few of our favorite shows that we enjoy watching together as a family. These shows are the ones I grew up watching with my sisters, and am happy to say my own children enjoy them as well. It is no secret that I place a large value on the importance of family time, and this is one way to spend it. Each night, after dinner and after the kitchen is cleaned, we gather together and spend some time watching these classic shows. I encourage you to try it, especially during these blustery, cold winter evenings. Here are some of our favorites...

This is our newest addition...the original Batman. So much fun!

 

 

Always a favorite...right Kathleen? : )

 

 

We haven't started this one yet, but I am waiting!

 

 

Fave. No other words necessary.

 

 

And this one...simply love.

 

 

All of these are available at Walmart or Amazon...perhaps even Netflix or Vudu...but if you want a head start and would like to win a brand new set of Little House on the Prairie Season One,  just leave a comment below. It is one of our favorites, and I would love to gift one to one of my readers. We will draw a winner Wednesday, January 14, and announce the winner on Thursday, January 15. Good Luck!

 

So remember to gather together and find a show you all enjoy. Spend time together as a family. It may seem silly, but retro television shows make me happy.

This Makes Me Happy...Our Autumn Porch

Autumn brings beautiful weather and amazing colors to our part of the world. As much as I enjoy sitting on our front porch during the beautiful summer months, I enjoy it that much more in autumn. Perhaps it is the slightly cooler mornings or the slowly changing shades of the leaves from vibrant green to glorious hues of red, yellow, purple, and orange, and finally to assorted muted browns before falling to the ground yet again. Whatever the reason, spending time on our autumn porch always makes me happy. : )

Have a wonderful autumn, my friends!

This Makes Me Happy...Zucchini

Yes. You read that correctly. Zucchini makes me happy. Now, perhaps this is because I don't actually grow zucchini. I rely on the talents of others for that. Like the sweet older man down the road who leaves it on my doorstep during the last weeks of summer. Perhaps it is because it suggests ever so slightly that the glorious days of autumn are near. Or perhaps it is simply because zucchini lends itself to so many wonderful things. Whatever the reason...as strange as it sounds...zucchini make me happy. : )

Zucchini bread. Always a favorite for breakfast or with my tea. Warmed and slathered in real butter, of course.

Chocolate zucchini cake is a summertime tradition here. Oh how wonderful the house smells when this is baking...with a hint of cinnamon and cloves. : )

A favorite meal this time of year...zucchini lasagna. : )

Madison's specialty...Pasta with fresh veggies...

And Peyton's...zucchini cake with cream cheese icing. : )

Maybe the easiest and best way we prepare it...

Simple roasted zucchini. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder, pepper, and fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven until tender. And enjoy.

And zucchini may very well make you happy too!