Back To The Beach, S'mores Bars, And Look Who We Saw!

Good Friday morning, my friends! Well, we loaded up the minivan on Wednesday evening and headed back to the shore. As you can see, I travel comfortably, but I also like to be put together, as in a quick shower and hair washed, but no makeup. We travel in the evening because Steve likes it, and because of the traffic and Steve prefers to drive then, I am all in! We got in late and visited with the kids before heading to bed. Yesterday, we met up with our dear friends Justin and Gina, who happened to be here on vacation! We have known them since they were in high school, and now they are married with two precious little boys and are the most beautiful young family.

 

Last night, we went to a beautiful outdoor arena to see one of my favorite comedians in person! This man is on my television at least once every single day! Madison checked the website every day to see if the sold-out show had any tickets available, and one-day last week, she found some! 

Do you recognize this guy? Jerry Seinfeld was as funny as I thought, and then some! We laughed the entire time! Being this close to someone I have watched for over thirty years was surreal!

 

It was a fantastic night! Lastly, Peyton was happy to hear that some of my blog friends were interested in the recipe for her S'mores bars! She even had pictures, which are just as good as they look!

I will link the recipe down below. And that is it for today, my friends. Have a wonderful weekend doing what makes you smile.

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

S'mores Cookie Bars

Weekly Meal Wednesday

Hello! And Happy Wednesday! Although we are still in cook-on-the-grill mode around here, I realized on Monday that the dark, rainy day was perfect for a cozy, comfort-food dinner. So instead of chicken on the grill and a boat ride when Peyton and Chris came for dinner, we had Cheesy Baked Ziti with steamed broccoli and garlic bread and a fun visit together. This recipe is fantastic. Delicious! I will share the link below if you want to pick up a few things for the next rainy day. Peyton made some S'mores cookie bars that were gone before I could take a picture!

Yesterday, Steve and I went to my best friend Heather's for dinner, so she and I could watch The Bachelorette together. That is our thing. We love it, critique it, cringe at it, and laugh at it. Her husband loves this blueberry pie, so I put on my apron and baked a pie! Technically, I was still in my pajamas, so there was no apron. But you know what I mean. This recipe comes from a blog friend I met when I first started. Patty was one of my first blogging friends, and since she shared this recipe on her blog years ago, I have passed it on to more people than I can count. Patty no longer blogs, but if she happens to be reading, Hi, Patty! Thanks for the recipe!

We do keep our pie in the refrigerator. It is so good cold!

Before I go, thank you all for your kind words of love and support. This is why I love this little Blog World so much. Because we choose to read, follow, and befriend those with similar thoughts, feelings, and circumstances, we can develop authentic relationships full of empathy and care. My mom is improving, and I had a good conversation with her yesterday. Thank you again. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

( I'll start slowly, promise! )

Billie Jo

Cheesy Baked Ziti

( Pinterest for the autumn fun.)

Monday Morning Coffee

Has this ever been more true?? Happy Monday, my friends! Please enjoy these weekend photos while I pour myself a second cup. 

We went to dinner with Peyton and Christopher Saturday evening to celebrate his birthday. We had a nice dinner, and he enjoyed his lobster stuffed fillet! We ran into my bestie Heather there, which is always a good time! Afterward, we went to get ice cream at the cutest little spot around.

We spent the day yesterday with my beautiful momma. We sat outside and watched the cars go by, then went inside to play a card game that she and Margie like: Red Light, Green Light, 123. It is fun, and Mom really enjoys it! I am smiling in this photo, but honestly, I was struggling inside. I never want to imply that everything is always great, happy, and perfect. We all have difficult, crappy times that we keep to ourselves. And that is totally ok. I am sharing this today because I know others are dealing with this horrible disease, and I want you to know you are not alone. Yesterday was the first time I felt that my sweet momma didn't know me. And it was hard. I know in my brain that Alzheimer's Disease takes our loved ones away from us first, but my heart isn't ready quite yet. I know that the next time, she may very well know me, and I am comforted by that. But as my Madison gently reminded me, as hard as this is for me, it may be easier on my mom if she doesn't have to miss us when we aren't there. I cried when we left because I love that woman so much, and I miss her already. When we got home, I washed my face, put on my cozy clothes, and went to bed. Steve woke me up at nine o'clock! I had a comfort food dinner of leftover egg noodles, we watched an episode of Gilmore Girls, and I went back to bed. Today, I woke up with a sense of peace and a confirmation that crawling into bed and covering up your head is good for the soul once in a while! 

And the moon on the lake last night was simply beautiful. 

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

I am doing ordinary things today, like laundry, dishes, and tidying up. 

Peyton and Chris are coming for dinner and a boat ride, too. 

Today is a good day.

Enjoy!

Billie Jo

It's Friday!

Good morning! At 6:30 a.m., the world around here is a beautiful place. Everything is quiet, slowly coming awake to begin again. I haven't yet opened my phone or turned on the television. All that can wait, the good and the not-so-good. I can sit in the quiet that is a brand new day. I sip my extra hot coffee and listen to my prayer app. I take these first few moments to ground myself and appreciate the chance to start over again. 

My mom is my inspiration. We were visiting last weekend, sitting together at a table. I wrote down our exchange because I always want to remember. Margie and I were visiting with her. And I said something like ~ Well, Mom. I don't know any big exciting news! Sorry about that! And she looked at me and Margie and, without missing a beat, replied ~ Well, as long as we are together, that is great! 

Have a lovely weekend, my friends. We plan on going to mass, followed by dinner with Peyton and Chris, to celebrate Christopher's birthday on Saturday. We will visit my mom on Sunday and will probably go to eat with Marge and Chris. We also hope to get in some boating! I also look forward to visiting your blogs and finishing my current book. It is very well-researched, written, and fascinating.

Finally, if I could be summarized in a picture, it could possibly be this one taken by Kyrstin. 

Happy Friday!

Billie Jo