Happy Things

Meeting Peyton and Chris's new pup

Spring evenings outside my window

Grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner

Piles of pups snuggled on the couch

And my sweet Peyton and her Christopher celebrating their Fourth Wedding Anniversary

What happy things can you add, my friends?

Billie Jo

Easter And Goodbye To A Pope

Happy Easter Monday, my friends! As our priest reminded us yesterday at Mass, we must remember that Easter is not a moment. Instead, it is a new beginning for us, a time of resurrection and renewal. So, although the baskets are empty and the eggs are no longer hidden, we should strive to keep the joy of Easter alive in our hearts.

For me, that means not rushing to put all signs of Easter away and moving on to the next big thing. It means continuing the prayer time I made time for all those days of Lent. And, it means reminding myself of all the good in my life and in the world. 

Easter was quieter this year, as two of my not-so-little children remained in Maryland. That left Peyton, Chris, and Flynn here with Steve and me. Although I often fretted about the time when all my kids wouldn't be together on a holiday, I found it just as beautiful and fun, knowing they were celebrating together and being happy and proud of them for doing it on their own!

This was Easter in Pennsylvania: a quickly put-together display featuring the very first lamb cake Peyton and I ever attempted, using my Grandma Mil's vintage cast-iron lamb cake mold. She made one every year, and I always went to her house to watch. I remember her telling me to put toothpicks in the head so it would stay in place. I made the cake, and Peyton iced it. We were happy with how it turned out!

Peyton, Christopher, and Flynn. 

Meanwhile, in Maryland, Madison, Nicolas, Rhett, and Kyrstin celebrated with a lovely Easter dinner together. Madison served chicken, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. Rhett made tiramisu for dessert, too!

And that was Easter. I no longer fret about making each holiday the same with the same traditions and recipes. Life changes. Holidays change, too. And it is really quite alright!

I woke to the news that our pope's journey on earth had come to an end. May his soul find the joy and peace which he guided us toward, as he is welcomed into Heaven during the most holy time of year.

Today, Flynn and I will do our homeschooling, and then we're going to visit my dear friend Heather. Yay! I hope you have a lovely, cozy day, my friends. Happy Easter!

Billie Jo

Good Friday And Easter Weekend

Good Friday morning, my friends. Literally, Good Friday. Today, our family will remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. We plan to attend church service, followed by fasting and prayer. An interesting fact: In the Catholic faith, today, Good Friday, is the only day of the year when no Mass is celebrated. Instead, we practice prayer, fasting, and abstinence.  

Earlier this week, I crossed two more appointments off my list. I had my yearly dermatology exam and my annual physical with my primary care doctor. I'm thankful for good results all around, and I can report that I'm down to one final appointment: my annual eye doctor appointment next week! 

It wasn't all waiting rooms and blood pressure cuffs, however. We had some fun mixed in, including dinner at Peyton and Chris's house, followed by cookie decorating, a post-appointment lunch date for Steve and me, and more Mission: Impossible movie nights for Steve, me, and Flynn. 

We had the best time at Peyton's house. She set the table with festive Easter items, including little treat cups filled with chocolates. She made sloppy joes and the most delicious homemade dip for vegetables. I'll get that recipe and share it soon, I promise. Then she gave us our own cookies to decorate, and we did a pretty good job! I wish I could better explain how I felt when we said goodnight and walked to the car. I was so happy. Happy for her because she is living her dream. Proud of her for all she does to make each holiday so very special for us. Thankful for Christopher for making my daughter so happy and loved. And yes, a little but sad. Maybe sad isn't the right word. Nostalgic? Yes. That's it. This beautiful young woman having us into her home for a fun night of dinner and cookie decorating is the very same Peyton that I carried on my hip, played Strawberry Shortcake Memory with every afternoon, had toast and coffee with in a big comfy chair, and tucked into bed arranging mounds of stuffed animals just so. It's like the blink of an eye, childhood is. For every mother. Before you know it, you are your mother, and your children are you. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Steve and I chose this for our postappointment date on a rainy, chilly April afternoon.

And yes. That would be our three of the four dogs at the groomer!

All fresh and clean. For a bit anyway!

And one last PSA! Wendy's now has Tangerine Lemonade! It is so good! 

I hope you all have a Happy and Blessed Easter, my friends. Our's will be quiet and cozy. I will be back on Monday!

Billie Jo

Just For Fun~ Easter Edition

Easter. Just the word brings back so many memories, doesn't it? I can still see my Easter basket. It was wicker with a wide purple ribbon woven through. How many of these Easter favorites do you remember?

Easter bonnets?

~ Yes, for me, and for my girls!

Coloring Eggs?

~ Yep, as a child. And again, as a mom. I still think of this when I smell vinegar. And the yellow never worked!

Cadbury Creme Eggs?

~Nope. Just Nope.

Easter Egg Hunts?

~ I never liked them as a child. I think I was not assertive enough! I always wanted everyone else to find the eggs. My kids? Maybe a few. But the weather always seemed to be rainy and muddy. So, mostly, no.

Easter Baskets

Were your Easter Baskets set out to be filled by the Easter Bunny and then hidden...

Or were they filled by the Easter Bunny first?

~Always, always, always, our baskets were set by the fireplace empty, and filled and hidden by the Big Bunny Himself! He must have a strict, official rule for that around here because he did the same for my kids.

Chocolate Bunnies. 

Hollow? Or...

Solid?

~There is one response for me as a child, me as an adult, and all my kids as well. Solid. Game over.

Easter Movies?

Here Comes Peter Cottontail, or

~The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town?

~ I remember The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town vaguely. But for me, it's Peter all the way! 

And finally. What is an Easter list without these?

~With sincere apologies to all who indulge, it's a no from me. No. Just, no.

Well, my friends, did I miss any of your favorite memories? 

Have a cozy, blessed Wednesday as you prepare for Easter.

Billie Jo

Google for all the images of Easter memories.