September Ends

 

Hello! And Happy Friday! This was my view several times this week as we rode between the condo and the house. It is a beautiful ride from the ocean to the bay, and soon, I will be brave enough to do it myself. But not quite yet! We have been staying at the condo and working at the house doing simple things like making up beds and organizing cupboards. We plan on moving in this weekend, and then I can start decorating! 

Here is a sneak peek at our bedroom in the new house, and I am excited to finally sleep there! It needs a few more things, but it has a bed, and that is all I really need!

When we aren't at the house, organizing and arranging, I can be found in this cozy spot at the condo with my pup. 

Last night, we watched the first episode of The Golden Bachelor. Even though I have watched The Bachelor since the dawn of time, I didn't know what to expect when he was a seventy-one-year-old man. It was evident in the first few minutes that this would be a very different season, and we all loved it. Steve even skipped his longstanding date with Thursday Night Football to watch! If you are interested, The Golden Bachelor airs on Thursday nights on ABC. 

Tonight, I am going to watch The Miss USA Pageant. Every year after it ends, I swear I am never going to watch it again. And every year, I find myself on the couch, rooting for Miss Pennsylvania to make it to the Top Ten. It is a nostalgic thing, really. My sisters and I would watch every year when we were young, each choosing her favorite and marking down the scores. Bob Barker was the host, and we loved hearing him and his familiar "Come on down!" phrase he used at least once each year. So, I will watch it tonight for no reason other than my love of tradition. It airs tonight at 8:00 on The CW network. Will you tune in?

Well, have a lovely weekend, my friends. I plan on putting the finishing touches on the house and filling my kitchen with all things healthy and delicious from the local farmer's market. And although I am sad that September is ending, I am consoled because...

Thanks for visiting!

BillieJo

Google for the spooky image!

Word Fun Wednesday

 

Fill in the blank ~

Fall is _________________________.

Happy Wednesday!!

BillieJo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Hello there! Happy Monday! Mocha and I are up early, sitting in the same spot we were last night. I will spare you the morning version of the photo, however. We were just wondering...

1. Have you ever watched Gilmore Girls?

Somehow, someway,  I have never seen this show. Is it all things I love, like cozy and home and holidays? Yep. Are we watching it together now and loving it? You bet! Am I singing the theme song in my head on a loop? Absolutely.

2. Do you have to have something sweet after dinner every night? 

I do. No matter what we have for dinner, I need even a little bit of something to end the night. Sometimes, we have an actual dessert. Other times, it is a fun-size candy bar I find digging through the pantry. Last night, I was reduced to a little Baby Ruth bar. But it did the trick.

3. Have you thought about Christmas yet?

I have. Sort of. I haven't entered full-fledged ~ Christmas Prep 2023 ~ mode yet, but I have cracked open the notebook I have to keep track of the gifts I have purchased throughout the past year. When I see something I know someone would like, and it is a good price, I get it and write the info down in the notebook. Then I stash it in my super secret hiding place until wrapping day.

4. Do you wash new mattress pads before you use them?

I want to say I do. And I actually want to. But I don't. Yesterday, Madison and I were making up the beds, and I opened the mattress pads I bought and decided I couldn't see washing them all. So there's that. 

Finally, I wanted to share some photos of the ocean during the tropical storm this past weekend. Thankfully, we were spared the torrential rain forecasted, but the wind was unbelievable. This was right before the storm arrived...

And this was during!

Yesterday, things had settled, and the sun was shining again. 

We ate breakfast at a Greek restaurant yesterday, and I had the most delicious avocado toast ever. The owner came around to visit and explained that he uses only fresh, healthy ingredients in everything he serves. 

Mocha hopes you all have a cozy Monday!

Thanks for stopping by.

I always appreciate it when you do!

BillieJo

Fall Is (Almost) Here!

That's right! Tomorrow morning, fall officially arrives. Why does that make me so happy? I could list all the things I enjoy about fall: The cooler air, the colorful leaves, the cozier evenings, sweaters, pumpkin spice coffee, apple cake, and soft throw blankets. But it is not simply the things associated with fall that I love. It is more of a feeling. For as long as I can remember, fall has been my time. To me, fall is the beginning. It is the beginning of a new year of school, a new season in life, a chance to gather our things and our loved ones, just as the squirrels gather their food and retreat to our homes for the winter, where we will all settle in together.

Before we do, however, let's take a quick look back at the last week of summer.

 

Mocha snuggled on my lap for the long ride to the beach.

I enjoyed my morning coffee in the condo with an amazing pumpkin-scented soy candle.

Then it was off to the house to start making it a home. First up, fall everywhere, of course. Not pictured: piles of empty cardboard boxes, towels, and sheets strewn near the laundry room waiting their turn, and a beautiful kitchen filled with things to be washed and put away, 

We all worked for a few hours and then returned for dinner and TV. Thursday Night Football for some, Big Brother for the rest. This is the view from the bridge as we headed back. The house is about fifteen minutes from the beach. We are planning on returning for a bit today, if only to pick up some things to bring back here to wash because we expect a tropical storm later this evening!

And I had to share this with you. My lovely mother is happy and settled in her home. She is doing so well and looks even better. Isn't she beautiful?? And so kind and sweet. And happy. And she is my mom!

Well, that is all I have for you today, my friends. I plan on pouring a cup of pumpkin spice coffee tomorrow, snuggling in, and visiting your blogs. Have a wonderful weekend! And thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo