Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a nice weekend, whether it was outside doing spring, inside being cozy, or a combination of the two. We were at the condo this weekend, and while we stayed indoors for the most part, I did enjoy beautiful sunrises on both Saturday and Sunday.

Different days, but each beautiful in its own way. I also got some swimming in and was so thankful for the indoor pool. On both days, I was able to spend time alone, moving these old bones and clearing my head as well. Afterward, I showered and put on my housedress for the rest of the day until we had to go out. And of course, a little shadow needed to make sure I was close by.

This is my current read, and it is good. I am enjoying the steady pace and really like the characters.

I always take a quick picture to send to Madison before I go out!

Last night, we came home, got changed, and went to dinner with some friends. We ate at a new Brazilian steakhouse and had a really nice time. I was home in my jammies, face washed, toned, and moisturized by 9:30. All in all, good times.

Today, finally, I resumed my morning walk, and although the weather was overcast and cool, I felt happy to be out in the early morning again. After Mocha and I walked, I came back inside, made my coffee, threw a load of laundry in, poured my first cup, and started my prayers. Then I got my second cup, an English muffin brushed slathered with butter, and began this post. 

And that is about it, my friends. I have homeschool and laundry waiting for me, and dinner to decide. The sun is back out, and I don't have anywhere to be today.

I am looking forward to sitting down later and catching up with you! Have a cozy Monday, my friends!

Billie Jo

Scenes From A Week

I don't know about you, but March is slowly working its way up in my ranking of months. My younger self thought of March as one long, uneventful stretch of days, seemingly void of any excitement, filled with monotonous days of simply being. Today, while March itself has not changed, my feelings toward this month have evolved from disdain to complete appreciation and thankfulness. 

Young me wanted to rush through the March days, mundane as they were, and jump into a spring that would lead to summer. March was long, boring, and uneventful to a teenage me, always looking ahead to the next exciting time. Now, middle-aged me finds comfort and joy in the very same days I once found boring and simple. I am loving this month, sandwiched between the rush of the holidays and their aftermath and the business of long summer days. I am thankful for the days that follow one another without too much thought of what comes soon, because for me, March is fairly empty of commitments. While I know it is temporary, and April will bring a calendar filled with events, I am hunkering down in this wild, weather-filled, transitional month of March.

So what did this week look like around here? Aside from the St. Patrick's Day festivities, not much. Which, as you probably know, is perfectly alright with me.

Flynn and I worked on empirical formulas in Chemistry, and I remain grateful for my attentiveness to this subject some forty years ago.

Ask me to watch college basketball any other time, and I will politely decline. March Madness, however, is a whole different ballgame. Pardon the pun. I love watching it, perhaps because I enjoy getting to know certain players and their stories. Plus, I love rooting for the underdog. 

And how special is it when your son's girlfriend surprises you with a delicious iced coffee while you are watching the basketball tournament? Very. Thank you, Kyrstin!

A fun fact about me is that I have streaks with food. I can eat a certain thing for lunch for days on end, and then, for no apparent reason, I change course to something completely different. Case in point: I had been eating noodles and milk for several days now, which is a bowl of comfort consisting of noodles, hot milk, butter, salt, and pepper that my mom used to make. Yesterday, out of the blue, I decided I wanted a salad. No reason. But it was good.

Also, yesterday, Madison took Flynn so they could both get their hair done. I am so thankful that Madison loves doing that, and they have so much fun together. Speaking of fun, Flynn decided to go red for summer, and she loves it! While I was skeptical, I have to admit, I truly do think it looks great on her, and her happiness makes me love it even more. Sometimes, letting go and loosening the reins is difficult, but essential for our children to grow. And as my momma used to say, "That is their job...to grow!" My job? Roots and wings, right?!

Well, that is about it for this week. We are heading to the condo for the weekend, which will most certainly include basketball on TV, reading on the beach, Mass, and some good food. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friends. I will leave you with a few pictures I came across recently that have no context, except to say they make me laugh!

Happy Weekend!

Billie Jo

Top O The Morning To You!

How we celebrated St. Patrick's Day 2026

 

I set the table early in the afternoon. I have a cupboard where I keep seasonal napkins, table runners, and candles, so it is always easy to put together a little something special. I ordered the little treat bags from Etsy, and they were really cute.

Madison came over and helped me with the cottage pie, while Kyrstin made a Caesar salad. Seasoned fresh green beans rounded out our special meal.

While some of us, myself included, stuck with our traditional green drink, green Hawaiian Punch this year, others branched out and tried Rhett's favorite Guinness. Two things: When did they start making green Kool-Aid so hard to find? And secondly, Guinness is an acquired taste that I have not yet acquired! 

After dinner, we watched a short video with a special prayer attributed to St. Patrick. If you are interested, I put the link down below. Then we played some fun games I found on Etsy that had us all laughing so hard we were crying! So much fun. 

We missed Peyton and Christopher, but she shared their dinner with us, and I was so happy to see they enjoyed a festive evening too. Peyton sent a picture of the sugar cookies she made, and told me she was keeping the tradition going. I always made St. Patrick's Day sugar cookies with the kids when they were little because Christmas has so many other cookies and Valentine's Day has chocolate, so it was the perfect chance to mix, roll, cut, bake, and ice cookies for a special day. So when Peyton said she was keeping that tradition going, I was so happy, and actually, if I am honest, a little teary-eyed. How does it all pass so fast? I remembered pushing Peyton on the swing in our backyard and how she liked me to tell her, with each push, which holiday would come after the next. I am so thankful I can pull out those precious memories anytime I need them. Here are her cookies.

And her cottage pie with homemade soda bread!

Well, Mocha and I need another cup of coffee! Thanks for visiting! 

Billie Jo

Cottage Pie

St. Patrick's Breastplate

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day; therefore, I am enjoying my coffee in my favorite mug to celebrate. So, how was your weekend? Our weekend was quiet and cozy, and I am not complaining. We attended Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and I lit the pink candle marking the midpoint of Lent, a reminder that as we go through this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we will rejoice on Easter morning.

This is the view we had as we drove over the bridge to Mass, with the wind making the water choppy. When the weather is windy and rainy, I sometimes like to bake brownies. So I did just that.

And shortly after, Madison texted me a picture of this.

Because sometimes she and I are on the same wavelength! 

Cosmo likes homeschool so much that he likes to sit in our little schoolroom on the weekends.

So, for him, I sat in there and updated my planner for the upcoming week. Who could say no to that face? 

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, and we will celebrate with Shepard's Pie and a special Irish dessert that Madison is making. I think maybe a Guinness cake?? But I will let you know!

I'll leave you with these...

Ok. I'm done. But, no. One more.

How does Pinterest know so much about me?

Have a great Monday, my friends!

Billie Jo