Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends. And Happy Fall! Officially! Tomorrow. So, I guess it is Happy Fall Eve! I am so ready for that true fall feeling, you know? That certain, distinct feeling you get when you step outside in late September and into October? It is nostalgic and cozy. And cooler too. 

This weekend was lovely around here. Friday night, Madison and Nicolas hosted the most beautiful and fun dinner to celebrate my birthday. I requested one of my very favorites, my mom's goulash, and Madison replicated it perfectly! It tasted like my childhood and reminded me yet again of the beauty of the circle of life. My mom used to make that delicious meal for me, then I made it for my family, and now, they make it for me. 

A sweet friend got me a most delicious birthday cake, and Madison made my new favorite brownies for dessert. They are delicious! Peyton and Chris were here too, so it was an extra special birthday celebration. And now, I am fifty-seven!

The remainder of the weekend was quiet and productive. On Saturday, I did all the things on my list: Laundry, washed bedding, vacuumed, swam, showered, and then made a meal plan and a grocery list while snuggled under the new blanket Madison and Nicolas got me and while smelling the new candle Peyton and Chris got me.

Oh, I made up some grab-and-go snack boxes too. Sunday is a relaxing day around here. That is why I like to get everything done on Saturday. Sunday is for slow mornings with hot coffee, morning swims, afternoon movies, and football, followed by a nap. Then mass and dinner to end the weekend. I think it is easy to fill our days without giving ourselves a chance to simply be. Sundays have become our time, and it is actually really nice. And finally, I resumed my morning walks today, and fall was all around!

Have a lovely Monday, my friends!

Happy Fall!

Billie Jo

Outrageous Brownies

Why not make a pan of brownies to celebrate? Cozy season is here!

Fall Photos On A Friday

Hello! And Happy Friday, my friends! Well, it has been a while. Between the sickness and the Blogger issues, I haven't been able to be present here as much as I like. I am feeling better, and so far, Blogger is too, so let's get back to normal, one of my favorite words. Normal.

A few weeks ago, I decorated the house for fall, one of my very favorite things to do, and as the evenings arrive earlier, the house becomes cozier and settles in for the night. This time of year is my favorite. Summer is tucked away with all her excitement and activity; hot days and muggy nights become crisper and cooler. Iced coffees become hot pumpkin spice lattes, and the grill gives way to the crockpot. And cozy clothes are truly cozy once again. Last night I took a few pictures of how our house looks as autumn envelopes us once again.

Have a lovely autumn weekend, my friends. I will be sipping pumpkin coffee and visiting with you! I can't wait to get caught up! 

Happy Friday!

Billie Jo

Wednesday!

 

We are all feeling better!!!!!

Be back Friday!

Billie Jo

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