One More Time

Hello! Happy Friday! So, yesterday, Flynn, Steve, and I loaded up the van and made the long drive back to Pennsylvania. One final time. Yes, we are going to sell the lake house and finally become permanent residents of Maryland! This has been a long time coming, and although I will miss this area, I am ready to close the book and begin again. For the past few years, we have maintained both places, and honestly, we are ready. 

This trip is packed to the brim with packing what remains here, and honestly, going through things relentlessly. Things I have kept safe and sound in Rubbermaid tubs, moving from house to house. My logic is simple: if I haven't thought of it, needed it, or missed it in the past several months, I can free myself of it. 

I also have my run of appointments these next couple of weeks. And you all know how I feel about that! I have my mammogram, female doctor, dentist, dermatologist, primary care doctor, and eye doctor appointments coming up in the next two weeks. If you have a moment, please send up a prayer for peace for me. These things get in my head sometimes, and although I have made tremendous progress in my OCD and Anxiety journey, I understand many people feel anxious before appointments. So, I am going to simply get on with it!

Leaving Maryland...

Still driving...

Made it!

This morning.

Have a lovely weekend, my friends!

See you Monday!

Billie Jo

 

Seventy Years

Yesterday, April 7, 2026, marked 70 years since my mom and dad were married. Seventy years. Although my parents are no longer with us here on earth, I still commemorate that special day. I still imagine a beautiful April Saturday in 1956, when a few snowflakes swirled as two young people began their life together. I think about all the people who celebrated that day with them, all the planning, and the excitement. I remember my mom sharing her memories of that special day with me: shopping in Buffalo for her wedding dress, the brunch my great-grandmother Grace hosted for the wedding party immediately after the mass, and the drive from her house to the church with a family friend named Andy. 

Although that special day has long since passed, and the majority of the people who celebrated with my parents and their families are no longer with us, I will continue to hold a special place in my heart for April 7, 1956, as long as I live. For it was this day seventy years ago that two young people started a life that grew into a family of five daughters, myself included, twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. There were homes, cars, family vacations, and Sunday dinners. There were special days like Christmas and Easter, and ordinary days where dinner was served at the kitchen table, followed by TV in the family room. There were joyful days, sad days, trying times, and days filled with laughter and love. 

Seventy years. And counting. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad. We love you!

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

Billie Jo

Happy Easter 2026!

Good morning, my friends! And Happy Easter! The Easter Season lasts for 50 days, so if there is something you have yet to do, you have time! Our Easter was lovely, cozy, and blessed. We missed Peyton and Chris, but texting and sharing phone calls make being apart a bit easier.

Friday night was the last Lenten Fish Fry, so we ended our Good Friday fast with that.

Rhett and Kyrstin, cute as can be...

And Nicolas and I, because we were wearing matching shirts. He's a good sport like that. Then, on Saturday, Madison and Nicolas had us in for a delicious Easter Dinner.

They prepared all the food, and it was delicious. There was turkey breast, steamed green beans, steamed carrots, oven-roasted potatoes, apple-and-herb bread pudding, cranberry sauce, and chicken legs.

Dessert was a homemade peach pie and vanilla cupcakes with the most delicious cream cheese icing and coconut.

After dinner, some watched basketball, while others started one of our favorite Netflix series, Love on the Spectrum.

Easter Sunday morning, I was up early to enjoy the sun and the joy of the day. Then I prepped for our Easter Brunch. I washed and set out fruit to dry, made two different quiches, and set a simple table. Then we got ready to head to Easter Sunday Mass! It was sunny and warm but windy outside.

After a beautiful mass, we returned home and enjoyed brunch together. We had quiche, bacon, fresh fruit, coffee cake, sliced avocado, and Easter muffins, made by Flynn. We also enjoyed some super fresh steamed shrimp that Steve picked up, because when you live at the beach, you eat steamed shrimp for brunch! 

After brunch, we cleaned up, and as the sky outside grew cloudy and the spring rain began to fall, we changed into cozy clothes, snuggled on the couch for a few games, baskets, and plastic eggs with prizes inside. It was a beautiful Easter Day. I hope and pray you have the peace of Easter in your hearts today, my friends. Enjoy this Easter Monday! 

Billie Jo

For my Mom.

She used to sing this song all the time.

Holy Week Happenings

Hello, my friends. It is Holy Week. Here are some pictures of life around here this week. 

Spring appeared, and daily walks resumed. Madison and Nicolas hosted us all for the annual Easter Bunny Cake decorating night, something we have done for years. Her cake was French vanilla with a perfect whipped icing!

And last night, we started what we hope will become a new tradition: a commemoration of The Last Supper, complete with (mostly) food from Jesus' time. I have wanted to do this for a long time, and this year it came together. We were blessed that a close family friend came to visit and help. It was a beautiful and impactful night.

Steve made fresh white fish, baked with olive oil and chopped herbs; Madison prepared oven-baked carrots with olive oil and herbs; and I made a salad with greens, arugula, feta cheese, walnuts, and chopped apples. Our family friend made a new-to-us dish, Charoset, a delicious mixture of chopped apples, chopped walnuts, golden raisins, honey, cinnamon, and lemon zest, representing mortar, and served with Matzah bread. We made all the food ourselves, just adding olives and oil along with pita bread, from our favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Rhett, Kyrstin, and Flynn helped with everything from chopping herbs to checking temperatures and setting the table. The table was set simply, with candles and a bowl of grapes.

After dinner, we visited, played our daily game of Boggle, and added a game of Pictionary. Then Madison served a delicious honey cake for dessert. We all agreed that this Last Supper meal was a wonderful addition to our Holy Week. It was actually easy to prepare when we all pitched in, and honestly, the food was delicious. The prayers were meaningful and prepared us all more fully for today, Good Friday, and the glorious Easter Season to follow.

Have a blessed and Happy Easter, my friends. Whether it be a quiet, cozy day with your small group of people,  a large family gathering with baskets and bunnies, or something in between, it is your Easter Day 2026. Relax and enjoy. You deserve it. 

Happy Easter!

(I linked a couple of recipes down below, if you are interested.)

Billie Jo

Charoset

Bourbon Honey Cake