Things I Like And Things I Don't: Summer Edition

Memorial Day has always signified the unofficial start of the summer season. To commemorate this momentous event, I bring you some things I like about summer and a few I don't! 

During summer, I like...

Late afternoon and early evenings, reading on the beach.

All the summer food, like hot dogs, corn on the cob, garden lettuce, and tomatoes.

Mid-afternoon thunderstorms.

Earlier morning walks.

Eating dinner on the porch.

Shark Week.

After dinner ice cream runs.

Three months of Big Brother.

And dreaming of autumn every single day.

Some things I don't like about summer???

The sun. And the heat. And the sun.

And the heat.

Bugs. Mosquitos, bees, wasps, hornets, moths, and on and on and on.

And crowded beaches.

But that's just me!

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

(Pinterest for the fun.)

Memorial Day Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning on this Memorial Day 2026, my friends. I was up early and got my walk in before loading the dishwasher, making coffee, and drinking a glass of water. I try to do that every day before my coffee because drinking enough water isn't part of my skill set. We have no plans for the day until dinner, where we will have the first of many BLT dinners this summer. Details to follow!

This weekend was lovely, despite the cooler air and intermittent drizzle. We did celebrate the birthday. of one very special young man, our son-in-law Nicolas! Madison hosted us at their beautiful home and decorated it so nicely, using his beloved home country of Denmark as a theme. Nicolas is an amazing man, and we are blessed to have him as part of our family. 

Madison made one of his, and our, favorite meals! Nicolas had it growing up in Denmark, and Madison recreated it perfectly. It is called Ristaffel in Danish, and is basically chicken cooked in a curry sauce and served over rice. Then you have your choice of several different toppings that sound as if they shouldn't go with this meal, but trust me. They do! 

Madison had pineapple, raisins, tomatoes, bananas, cucumbers, oranges, and peanuts, along with some delicious mango chutney to choose from! It was delicious! If you want to try, just search for a curry chicken recipe and enjoy!

I enjoyed visiting with Madison and her dog, Draper, while she was cooking. In other news, I am continuing my current obsession with salads, and I decorated a bit for summer!

Have a lovely Memorial Day! See you back here on Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Answers to some questions last week:

Stacy- This bird is a Red-winged Blackbird. I had to look it up, as it was unfamiliar to me. It is beautiful!

Ginny- Yes! Flynn actually gets one smoothie or an acai bowl for free every shift!

Robin- I would love to share the fudge recipe! It is easy, but so good!

Our Favorite Fudge

• 1 (12 oz) bag semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 (12 oz) bag milk chocolate chips
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk, divided
• 2 tablespoons whole milk, divided
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

Directions

• Prepare the Pan: Line a 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring the foil extends over the edges for easy removal. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Make Semisweet Layer: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, ⅔ cup (about 9 oz) of the sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and fully melted, about 3–5 minutes. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Place in the refrigerator to set slightly while preparing the next layer.
• Make Milk Chocolate Layer: In the same saucepan (cleaned) or a new one, combine the milk chocolate chips, the remaining sweetened condensed milk (about 5 oz), 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth, about 3–5 minutes. Carefully pour over the semisweet layer, spreading evenly.
• Chill: Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the fudge is firm.
• Cut and Serve: Lift the fudge from the pan using the foil overhang. Peel off the foil and place the fudge on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch squares (or desired size). Serve at room temperature or chilled.
• Store: Store fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. Layer with wax paper to prevent sticking.

*I cut this recipe out of a magazine from the checkout counter. It is our favorite,  and Rhett used to have it for his birthday!

All The Things This Week

Happy Friday, my friends! And can you believe it? This is Memorial Day Weekend! We have no plans for the weekend, and I am happy as can be about that. This week has been beautiful here in Maryland, allowing for early morning walks and even homeschooling on the porch. I felt a little like Snow White while I was walking, with so many creatures stopping to say hello. 

Totally not an actual image of me on my walk. 

Actual images of all the creatures I met this week.

In other news, Flynn started her very first job this week! She is so excited to be working at a local smoothie restaurant, and after her first day, she came home so happy! I am proud of her and look forward to watching her learn, grow, and make new friends. 

This is another reason I love homeschooling. We can work around her job and even do afternoon school on the porch. Porches aren't for iced coffee breaks anymore! But I highly recommend it.

And lastly, we celebrated Rhett's birthday this week! The one who brought Tonka trucks and endless laughter to our family turned twenty-four. Rhett is such an amazing young man. He is such a sensitive, fun, hardworking, and caring person, and brings so much joy to our family. I am so thankful God chose me to be his mom.

I surprised him with fudge, like I used to when he was little. 

He requested smashburgers and Madison's macaroni and cheese for dinner...

And his very favorite...Sara Lee All Butter Pound Cake with strawberries and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

We laughed because the pound cake looked so funny with the candles!

Well, time to get going. I am going to have some breakfast and get going with my day. I have laundry, homeschooling, and some vacuuming to do today. If it rains all day, I may sneak in an afternoon nap, too. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends. Thank you for visiting. I always apprecoate when you.

Billie Jo

I Think

 

I think technology is not always what it is cracked up to be. My mom had the same appliances for my entire childhood. They were indestructible, like Superman, and if something did need fixing, a nice repairman came the same day and had the part to fix it right in his truck.

I think the world needs a daily dose of SSR. Remember that? After recess, we had sustained silent reading. For about fifteen minutes each day, everyone sat quietly and read a book. Even the teachers. Imagine if we could do that today. 

I think these two delicious things together were the epitome of '80s coolness. We thought we were all that riding around with that seltzer water! And I can still hear the sound the cheez balls made when you shook that can!

I think we need to slow down with all the apps and phone stuff. Pencils and paper have served us very well thus far. Writing things down creates something tangible and aids us intellectually in ways I can't explain. Walking through the store with a piece of paper really isn't all that bad, right?

I think whoever wrote this is very perceptive. Midlife has its share of challenges, but it also has plenty of benefits. Among them? Midlife gives us the knowledge, power, and confidence to let go of the need to please, and the chance to realize we can be who we are. We can say no. We can choose the people we surround ourselves with and let go of the relationships we thought we had to keep, just because. 

I think these are two of the best episodes of one of my favorite shows. I also think television programs today, for the most part, are filled with extra garbage meant to please a small percentage of people, and that shows from the past are much better. Oh, if you aren't sure, these are two episodes of The Twilight Zone!

Well, I guess that is enough for today, my friends. That's all I have! Have a wonderful Wednesday. Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Pinterest for the images.