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

Friday Photos

Hello! And Happy Friday, my friends! Well, it is time to wrap up August. And honestly, I cannot believe it. I love fall, as you may know, but I cannot believe how quickly this summer flew by. I am, therefore, resolved to be fully present these next few months, my favorites of all, noticing all the things that make fall so special. 

Meanwhile, in preparation for the cozy days and nights ahead, I am refreshing the bedding here in our home. Every August, I like to replace the mattress pads, wash the pillow covers, and put a new set of sheets on the beds. It is such a good feeling getting into a fresh, clean bed on a cool autumn night. And now, we are all set.

One night this week we drove to the condo and sat on the beach for a bit in the early evening. It was so pretty, quiet, and relaxing. 

I am appreciating the quiet, cooler mornings during my walks. And seeing some familiar friends along the way.

Madison and Flynn had a fun day out on her last week of summer vacation. I love the relationships each of my children has with each other. They are each other's best friends, and I am so thankful for that.

And I am also thankful for the relationships I have with each of my children, allowing for things like enjoying an impromptu dinner while watching a beauty pageant on TV. Madison invited me over while everyone else was at the movies, and her pasta was delicious!

The weekend lies ahead, blissfully empty of any events here. I plan to catch up with you all, write out a few notes and cards to mail, and prepare for Flynn's upcoming homeschool week. We will attend Mass, meal plan and prep, and hopefully spend some time in the pool. Now, I am off to put some chicken thighs in the crockpot with pasta sauce, some peppers, and some onions for dinner tonight. I will serve it with pasta and maybe a salad. And garlic bread, too.

Happy Weekend!

Billie Jo

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