September 28, 2026

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! What a storm! I pray anyone who was in the vicinity of this weekend's storm is safe, sound, and unharmed. We were spared the worst of it, although the wind and storm surge were tremendous. Friday afternoon, Steve, Flynn, and I went over to the condo to see for ourselves. If you are a Seinfeld fan, you may recognize this famous line.

And it was indeed.






While the waves were rough, the water near our building stayed far enough away to not cause damage. Further down, however, closer to the inlet, so many streets flooded. The power of the ocean is unbelievable at times. And yet, Mother Nature still does her thing in the sky. This is what the sky looked like as we headed back to our house Friday afternoon.


Fortunately, our home sits up high, as do many here, and we were safe from any damage from the bay. Saturday was stormy, so I did the usual Saturday-afternoon things, and then we headed to Mass. I thought a windy, rainy September night called for a cozy supper, so after Mass, I made a roast chicken dinner, and Madison and Nicolas joined us for our first cozy meal of autumn.


I strive to always be transparent here, and I must tell you, it was indeed delicious! It was also semi-homemade! Thanksgiving is when we go all out with the entire made-from-scratch meal, but this one was sort of a fast-paced, it's just as good, from-a-box style. The chicken comes pre-seasoned in a cooking bag, so I just literally put it in the oven. The corn is Birds Eye frozen, and the stuffing is good old Stove Top! The mashed potatoes are the best I have found instant...Idahoan. Now, the gravy, though? The gravy is all me. LOL. A wonderful, wonderful friend taught me long ago to mix water with cornstarch rather than flour to thicken it, and it works beautifully. So, there you go. A semi-homemade delicious chicken dinner.


Never one to pass up a good bowl of soup, I saved the carcasses and boiled it down with some chicken stock and poultry seasoning on Sunday for dinner. It was sooo good on another dark and windy night. I added some cooked pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and dinner was served. 


And that is about it, my friends. Today, the clouds remain, but the sun is peeking through, and it looks like a calm autumn day here. Flynn and I will homeschool, and that is about all we have on the schedule. My days certainly are less busy than they used to be. And while it feels different to have so much more time for myself, I am learning to embrace it. This chapter of my life is quieter, and that really is ok! Have a lovely Monday, my friends! Oh! I wanted to let you know another Blog friend has returned to blogging. Please feel free to visit her; I will put the link here. And if you know of any bloggers you would like to share, please link them in the comments. It is always nice to meet new friends!


P.S. October arrives this week! I apologize for all the Halloween and spooky stuff in advance!! 

Billie Jo



One more!





September 25, 2026

Friday Photos

Hello! Happy Friday, my friends. This week passed quietly, filled with blissfully ordinary days. Morning prayers and coffee, afternoon lessons in the schoolroom, dinner, and cozy evenings together watching television. Big Brother is winding down, just as Survivor and Dancing With The Stars are getting started. There is something about this time of year. It gets darker sooner, so we tend to gather after dinner with cozy throws to watch our shows together. Pups too.


In other news, Steve is stepping up his lunch game. This is one of my favorites. 


As is this peel-and-eat shrimp he gets from some friends up the road.


And lastly, Steve braved the wind to capture this beautiful picture last night.


We are anticipating some rain and wind, depending on the storm's path. Hopefully it turns and goes back out to sea. Please stay safe, everyone. This weekend, I plan to stay in and decorate for Halloween! I will put on a YouTube with a spooky vibe, and add some Halloween touches around the house. We will have Mass, and then maybe I will make a pot of soup and some Halloween brownies for dinner. I hope you have a nice autumn weekend, my friends. Thank you for stopping!        

Billie Jo

                                                     


September 23, 2026

Autumn

 

Well, autumn is making her presence known here in Maryland! Today is cloudy, windy, and cozy, just how I like my autumn days to be. How about you?


Do you prefer...

1. All things Pumpkin Spice or Caramel Apple?

2. Watching a movie or going apple picking?

3. Saturday and Sunday football or anything but?

4. Yards filled with colorful leaves or raking and bagging those leaves up?

5. Comfort TV Shows or brand new ones?


And just for fun...

1. How many cozy throw blankets can you see in your home right now?

2. What is the one fall treat you buy every year, no matter what?

3. What is one movie you watch every single year when fall arrives?


Happy Wednesday!

Happy Fall!

Billie Jo


My Answers:

1. Pumpkin Spice. Always.

2. I choose a movie any day.

3. Football all day? Ugh. I can do one Steeler game a weekend!

4. I love leaves on the ground. I never quite got the raking thing. 

5. Hmmm. New episodes of favorite shows. Does that count?

1. Five fall throw blankets, including the one I am using now.

2. I buy the bags of little Reese pumpkins every year.

3. I watch the original 1978 Halloween movie. At least twice!


September 21, 2026

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


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

September 18, 2026

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