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

I Didn't Make These

 But I wish I did. 

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee On The Eve Of September

 

Well, my friends. Here we are. Tonight, we go to sleep in August, and we wake in September. I don't think the transition between any other months is as dramatic as the one from August to September. There is a total shift, signaling both an end and a beginning. September is the perfect transition from unscheduled, laid-back, carefree days and nights to more scheduled, structured ones. The sun and heat are gradually replaced by cooler air with a hint of colorful leaves and cinnamon spice. The green around us will slowly change to hues of vibrant red, orange, yellow, and gold, and finally to muted shades that fade to brown. The long nights outside become shorter and darker earlier, prompting us to gather inside with candles and cozy quilts as autumn begins again.

In preparation for all things cozy, I baked a half-batch of cookies from a recipe Peyton shared with me. We were on the phone one evening, and she sent me a picture of the cookies she made. They looked so good; she sent me the recipe, and I went right into the kitchen and whipped some up. They are delicious! I will link the recipe  down below.  

The last weekend of August was a good one for us. We did some things around the house, went to Mass, dinner, and a movie together, and enjoyed a Steve's Sunday dinner of Smashburgers, tomato pie, and cucumber salad to end the weekend.

And Mocha seemed to sense that cozy time is here.

Well, I am off to the dentist. Then home to prepare for the first day of school! Have a lovely Monday, my friends.

Billie Jo

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies