Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a nice weekend, my friends. Here, we had a tiny glimpse of spring, and despite my affection for fall and winter and all things cozy, I loved it! When I took the pups out early yesterday morning, I smelled spring. Do you know what I mean? It's hard to describe, but it is just a mix of warmth, fresh soil, fresh air, and...spring. 

Once I was outside, I realized that the birds may have some insider information on the arrival of spring. And maybe that missing one hour of sleep was worth it to wake up to this.

Back inside, I lit the candle for the third week of Lent.

What else did I do this past weekend?

I read. Not sure how I feel about this one, but I finished it. 

I ate. We went to the restaurant that Rhett manages, and had a delicious Lenten Fish Fry. Delicious!

And I went to mass. The weather was so nice at our house, but as we got closer to the ocean, the fog became so thick that you could hardly see.

Couldn't resist. Rudolph's my favorite.

Other weekend activities include but are not limited to: sweeping the bathroom floor, vacuuming our bedroom, changing the bedsheets and the quilt because one little pup had too much to eat and was sick in bed, and then deciding I might as well wash the blanket too - Clearing a path to the washing machine so I could, in fact, wash said bedding, and then continue to wash, dry, and fold a tremendous amount of laundry - Working on my planner for the upcoming week - Playing Boggle on Netflix with the family - Making No Bake cookiws with Rhett - Eating too many No Bake cookies and having zero regrets-

And receiving beautiful evening photos from Steve while he walked on the boardwalk...

This inspired me to look outside for a peek at the sunset here at the house.

And I am so glad I did.

Today, Flynn and I will continue our homeschooling together, and Steve is cooking dinner. Tonight, we will most likely gather after dinner for our evening routine of an episode of The Chosen, followed by some Boggle. Exciting? Maybe not so much. Comforting, cozy, and relaxing? Absolutely. Soon enough, we will be scattered outdoors during the beautiful summer evenings, some working, others swimming, walking, or running into town for an ice cream. All good things to look forward to, of course. For now, though, I am hanging on to this together time. Happily.  

Have a wonderful Monday, my friends.

Thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo

No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Servings: About 24 cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes (plus cooling)

Ingredients

• ½ cup oleo (margarine or butter)

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• ½ cup milk

• ½ cup peanut butter

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder

• 3 cups oatmeal

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Prepare the Base: In a medium saucepan, bring the oleo (margarine or butter),

sugar, milk, and cocoa powder to a boil over medium heat. Stir frequently to

prevent burning.

• Cook the Mixture: Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1

minute, stirring constantly.

• Add Remaining Ingredients: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the

peanut butter, oatmeal, and vanilla extract until fully combined.

• Form the Cookies: Drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls onto a sheet of wax paper.

Shape into rounds if desired.

• Cool and Set: Let the cookies cool at room temperature until firm, about 30

minutes. Store in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.

* We use only two cups of oatmeal.

* I cannot remember where I found this recipe. We have loved it for so long!

 

Friday Photos

Hello, my friends, and Happy Friday! This week has been comfortably ordinary, as March days often are. I used to find March to be long, uneventful, and dreary. Age has blessed me with wisdom, as it often does, and I now appreciate March for what it is: a bridge between the cozy, winter days and the brighter spring ones. This week, the sun shone so brightly outside one day that I felt I should be outside, enjoying the sun and warmth. In actuality, the air was bitterly cold, so I happily snuggled back on the sofa for the rest of the afternoon. Warmer days are coming, I know. 

Spending this time inside has allowed me a chance to add some personal touches to this house we are making a home. The kitchen...

And right nearby, the dining area...

I added a rug that adds some coziness and color to the dining area while keeping the open floorplan clean. The soft rug is pup-approved, too. Which is good, because we often have four around! Marty, Flynn's precious Maltipoo...

My ten-year-old Yorkie, Mocha, loves Rhett so much...

Marty with Madison...

Madison and Nico's cute Havanese Draper with Rhett...

Marty with Flynn and a sophomore schoolwork...

And Steve's sweet Cavapoo, Cosmo, eyeing up my dessert!

Yes. Dessert. Made by Rhett and Kyrstin this week when they made dinner, chicken parmesan with alfredo. I have no photo because I just couldn't wait!

This tiramisu was delicious!

Now, I actually did cook this week. Although it was not fancy, I did whip up a family favorite last night. And it was as good as always. Organic chicken nuggets, canned green beans, homemade macaroni and cheese, and the simplest tossed salad...

Tonight we are going out for a fish fry, and tomorrow we will go to mass. The rest of the weekend is free, though I do have plenty to tackle. Maybe I will start with a cup of coffee and make a list of things I need to do? That is something, right?

Besides, I don't want to overdo it. We do lose an hour of sleep, right?

Happy Friday, my friends. I am looking forward to visiting with you this weekend. Thanks for visiting. I am always so happy you do.

Billie Jo

If I Try Really Hard

 I can still...

See these sitting in my mom's kitchen cupboard...

Remember all the hours I played with this amazing dollhouse...

Taste the gritty pieces of undissolved powder in this, no matter how much I stirred...

Feel the cool, fresh feel of my favorite set of sheets...

See my sister Margie wearing one of these around her neck...

Taste the distinct taste of these special treats my mom found for us every single year...

Hear this comforting voice at the end of every weekend...

Taste the sweet crunch of these that my mom would decorate our homemade birthday cakes with...

Know the cozy, safe feeling of this, right down to the blanket...

Remember the excitement of wearing a pair of these on the first day of eighth grade, even though it was 70 degrees outside...

And remember laughing with my family every Sunday night, watching...

and

Because I had the most wonderful childhood ever.

I hope you have happy memories too.

Billie Jo

Google for the memories.

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! Welcome to March, where the bright sunshine tempts us to get up off the couch and get outside, but the winter weather isn't ready to give in yet. So, even while the sun shines, the cold air reminds us that we can stay inside, cozy by the fire, for just a bit longer.

We can pretend, however, like I did with an iced coffee my son brought, who knows my Starbucks order even if I don't. For the record, it is a vanilla sweet cream cold brew, and it is delicious.

The weekend was fun and quiet. And fun. Friday, Kyrstin treated us to an underrated Lenten staple, in my opinion: McDonald's Fish Filet-O-Fish sandwich. I know it isn't healthy or packed with protein or whatever is popular this week, but it is good, and everything in moderation, right? Saturday, I did laundry, and then we went to mass. After mass, Steve, FLynn, and I went out for pizza and then to see this at the theatre...

This is who we went to see in concert last fall, and this movie was a behind-the-scenes look at this incredible band and their love of making music. I must say that I learned a very valuable lesson about judging and preconceived notions when Flynn started listening to Twenty One Pilots a few years ago. Suffice it to say that I won't be judging based on appearance any time soon. I absolutely love their music and its message, as well as the values of these two young men. And did I mention I love their music? 

I don't have any more photos from the weekend, but if I did, they would be absolutely fascinating: Me folding laundry and attempting to carry folded laundry to my room. Me refolding laundry after it falls on the floor, me enjoying actual phone calls with two special people, me playing Spades on my phone, me giving in and washing the Dutch Oven that sat in the sink overnight while Steve and I played mental Stratego, waiting to see who would cave and finally wash it. Me, taking a Sunday afternoon nap, which is indeed a form of self care. 

Today, Flynn and I will homeschool, and that is all that is on the schedule. Not sure about dinner yet. Steve is doing a lot of the cooking, and I am so thankful. Steve does not meal plan quite as religiously as I do, so I am learning to go with the flow, which is not a bad thing. And I greatly benefit from his newfound interest in cooking, so there's that. 

I will close by acknowledging the global developments that occurred over the past weekend. While I choose to remain silent here, please know my heart is heavy, and I join so many others in praying for the one thing I believe is necessary in our world today: peace. I pray for all our leaders and decision-makers, as well as for our active military and their families.

Have a lovely Monday, my friends. Allow yourself some grace. Do something for you today. Eat the cookie. Take the nap. Call that friend. Bake that cake. Take the walk. Treat yourself!

Billie Jo