What I'm Eating Wednesday

The mornings are becoming a bit cooler, and my recent breakfast of choice demonstrates that. As if on cue, organic oatmeal with chopped apples, ground cinnamon, and a quick splash of cream sounds and tastes perfect to me. Every morning under a comfy throw blanket, of course.

The upcoming homeschool year means more structure to our days. I am returning to my daily lunch menu, and this salad is on the top of the list. It is just fresh lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, chopped cucumber, shredded cheese, and bacon bits. I didn't have any cooked bacon on hand, and cooking it sounded like too much effort on this day.

Not to worry, though. I have not gone completely to the other side. I balance all healthier eating with the reality of enjoying life. And pizza is a major component of that for me.

What about you, my friends? What are you enjoying these days? I am always up for ideas!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning, my friends! How was your weekend? It was good here, with an equal balance of productivity and relaxation. I caught up on laundry, planned the first week of homeschool for Flynn, and did some Sunday morning meal prep. I boiled some eggs, chopped and roasted some sweet potatoes, and sliced a pineapple and cantaloupe. We went to Mass, out to dinner, and hung out at the condo, went swimming, and took a couple of naps. 

I had been slacking on my morning walks for the past couple of weeks because, honestly, I could not deal with the humidity. Today, the weather was lovely, and Mocha and I resumed our morning routine. And, I think, although it may be wishful thinking, that I felt the tiniest flicker of autumn in the air. Just sayin'.

Dinner last night was taco bowls. This is always a favorite here and so simple. I cook some rice in the rice cooker, which, by the way, we use all the time, chop some lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado, shred some cheese, heat some corn, and cook some ground beef with taco seasonings. I add some Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, and there you have it. So good!

Flynn spotted the faintest rainbow in the sky when we were at the condo Saturday night.

Lastly,  Mocha is happy with the snuggly new blankets I got for fall.

And remember:

Happy Monday!

Billie Jo

Happy Things

Sometimes it is nice to stop and think of the things that bless us and make us happy, like visiting your grown daughter and her husband and being spoiled with love, delicious food, and amazing hot coffee.

Or returning home to the most delicious meal of pasta with short ribs cooked by a wonderful family friend.

Or the gift of beautiful skies on warm August evenings.

Have a lovely weekend, my friends. Notice some happy things!

And maybe, just maybe, pull out some fall???

Billie Jo

Remember When?

It is almost back-to-school time, and as hard as it is to believe, my youngest is entering her junior year of high school. This got me thinking about when I was that age and what was part of my daily life. Like... 

As my kids say..."That was the vibe."

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Friday

Here we are, my friends, halfway through August. Summer is still in charge, and she is happy to remind us daily. Autumn is on her way, however, dancing up the path, with colorful leaves swirling around her as she does. Soon, lazy summer days will give way to structure and schedule. The heat and humidity will eventually give way to cooler air that smells of cinnamon and crunchy leaves. And I am here for it.

In the meantime, we enjoy all the ordinary things, because no matter the season, ordinary is best. We are ordering greasy cheese pizza late at night.

We are sitting on the porch while Mocha keeps an eye on the neighborhood.

We are going to Madison and Nicolas' house for dinner on warm summer evenings.

And we are just being cozy.

Have a nice, ordinary weekend, my friends. 

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Random Wondering On A Wednesday

I was just wondering...

1. Do you wash a brand new mattress pad before you use it?
2. How often do you vacuum your bedroom?
3. What is the one show you are watching now you won't miss?
4. Do you eat popcorn at the movies?
5. What do you eat for dinner on nights you just can't or don't want to cook?
6. When do you put on your pajamas?
7. How often do you wear makeup?
8. What was your favorite school lunch?

Just curious!

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

My answers:

1. I don't like washing new mattress pads. But then I think about it, and I do.
2. I vacuum our bedroom once a week. I should do it more because...wool rug!
3. Right now, we will not miss an episode of Big Brother!
4. I do eat popcorn at the theatre. And I get a fountain drink too. I think there's a rule.
5. If we don't cook, I will eat a bowl of cereal, pierogies, or Kraft macaroni and cheese!
6. In the fall and winter, I put my pajamas on around 4 PM. In the summer? Right before bed.
7. I rarely wear more than sunscreen, powder, and mascara anymore. It is wonderful!
8. My favorite school lunch was peanut butter sandwiches and chicken soup. That generic peanut butter in those huge tubs on the soft square generic bread was the BEST!

It's the little things.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope you had a nice weekend, however you chose to spend it. We had a quiet weekend around here, all while the heat and humidity fought a battle to prove who is the most evil of them all. They are still at it, by the way. 

Steve was up in PA for the weekend, visiting with Peyton and Chris. Rhett and Flynn worked on Saturday, which meant I had an entire day home alone with three pups. I had big plans of accomplishing great things. I did not. While I did Swiffer my bathroom floor, scrub a few toilets, and polish the kitchen sink, I spent much of the day on the couch with a book and the TV remote. I contend that the dogs are happier that way, and who am I to neglect the well-being of three sweet pups? Sunday, Flynn and I went to morning mass, stopped for a Dunkin refresher on the way home, ordered takeout wings for dinner, and watched Big Brother. 

 

I didn't need to worry about dinner on Saturday. Madison dropped off one of my favorites...my mom's goulash. And she even grated fresh Parmesan cheese too. 

She also brought me these beautiful flowers from the farmer's market. They are absolutely perfect!

We kept up with Steve, Peyton, and Chris all weekend, and they seemed to be having a good time.

And when it is unbearably hot and humid, Dukin refreshers are the way to go. Pineapple Mango for Flynn and Strawberry Dragonfruit for me. We got them with green tea, but lemonade is good too.

I know that we are still in the depths of summer, and I am much more cognizant of living in the moment now that I am... ahem... older. I do, however, love the thought that autumn is near. In fact, I think that I enjoy the anticipation of autumn and all it entails as much as autumn itself. Well, almost. This is the time I can look at fall images, recipes, decor, and movies, and make all sorts of plans and ideas. For example, maybe I will make this recipies this fall:

Or plan to watch all the movies...

Or take a walk on the perfect autumn day.

I can think about 

And 

So, as we enjoy the remaining days of summer, I can also find happiness in the anticipation of all the autumn, coziness, and pumpkin spice that is just around the corner.

Happy Monday, my friends. And to be completely transparent, I am already using Pumpkin Spice creamer in my coffee. Just couldn't wait. 

Billie Jo