A Peek Inside...Or At...The Top Of My Dresser

Because I just cleaned it really well. This is my special spot...the place I keep my special things. Not at all like my bedside table...that's a hot mess most of the time...cellphone and charger, tissues, books, etc. But my dresser. And it makes me happy.

My dresser. All clean and tidy.

Now the inside?

That's another story.

Here is the top...And some of my very favorite photos hung behind.

( I really should have taken a "Before" photo.

But who wants to see mounds of dust, right? )

A card a very special friend sent me when my dad passed.

It was much too pretty to store away, so I framed it...

My Madison got me this beautiful tray to keep my rings and earrings on, and I use it every single day...

This.

I don't wear any other perfume. Ever.

It smells...good. Just good.

Not floral, or musky, or fruity...just good.

And another reason I love it?

My kids say it smells like "Mom".

When Madison returned home from Denmark at Christmas, she hugged me and said that I smelled so good. I smelled like Mom...

I bought myself this little bracelet tree on Etsy.

Because I had all those bracelets in a pile.

Which meant I never wore them.

Also...the pile of books waiting their turn...

And a sweet little sign sent from a very dear friend...

The dried roses I saved from my father's funeral sit beneath the photo I took of the last time I held his hand.

I am so thankful I thought to snap that photo that day.

And there you are.

Because I know you always wondered what was on the top of my dresser.

Ok. Maybe not. : )

Feel free to share your's sometime, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

Weekend Plans

The last weekend of January has arrived. Don't ask me how that happened! Time stands still for no-one, right? This weekend is a nice mix of fun and rest, just the way I like it.

Friday night we are free. I think we will have a simple dinner of BBQ Meatballs and macaroni and cheese for dinner. And of course...chocolate cake made by Peyton to celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day! Then we will probably watch some tv or play some games. Speaking of games...have you ever played Googly Eyes?!?! It is sooo fun!!!!

Saturday I have some things to do around the house...think bathrooms and bedrooms...before Mass. After Mass, we are picking up some of our favorite Chinese takeout and celebrating Chinese New Year! Flynn has been studying about it in school this week, and is excited to share some of the new things she has learned. I found a cute unit on Teachers Pay Teachers, and some fun coloring pages free on the Internet.

Sunday. Our first football free Sunday in a long time. Don't even get me started about my Steelers, who apparently missed their flight last week, because I am certain they did not show up for the game. Anyway, we have no plans except for replacing lightbulbs and taking naps on the sofa. I am not sure about dinner, but possibly some ham and scalloped potatoes? We are planning on finishing the weekend watching The Miss Universe Pageant. We will be cheering for Miss USA of course, and Miss Denmark too. : )

Here are some happenings around our house this past week...

I got hugs from my baby...

Who was thrilled that we broke out the Valentine's Day clothes for Mass last weekend.

I was so happy to see that my Madison visited a beautiful church in Copenhagen...

And told us she said a prayer for us there.: )

Peyton baked this pie for our Monday night Bachelor viewing...

I have posted this before, but it is just that good. I found it on my dear friend Patty's wonderful blog here.

I know I post a lot about my sweet puppy Mocha...

But I don't want to forget about our first little pup Kirby. : )

We finally got some snow here in Pennsylvania...

Not as much as they were calling for...

But it was beautiful...

And Flynn and I went right out to capture it as best we could.

And lastly...

How adorable are these two littles???

The precious little girl is...you guessed it...my sweet mother!

And the little boy? Her brother...my awesome Uncle Tim!

I am blessed to have this photo...complete with my grandmother's handwriting on the back...hanging in my kitchen.

I am sharing it with you today because Monday, January 30th is my mother's 80th Birthday!!!!

Her brother Tim turns 79 today, January 27th!

How wonderful is that?!

Well, thanks for visiting, my friends.

Have a cozy weekend doing your favorite things with the people you love!

P. S. If you would like to see an amazingly informative video on make up application, stop by my Madison's blog here.

Because. Mom. 

: )

So Much To Celebrate!

Well, my friends, the Christmas season is behind us. And that is not awesome. What lies before us are the long, cozy days of winter. Fortunately, the calendar provides us with several days to celebrate and enjoy as a means to break up the sometimes long, dark days until spring.

 Years ago, when I had three little ones age ages five and under, as well as a hardworking husband who worked well past bedtime, I began celebrating these special days. We would do a craft, watch a movie, decorate the table, or make a special treat. It was simple. It was fun.

We continue to celebrate these special days with our little Flynn. It is easier now...or perhaps harder...due to the unending amount of inspiration available on Pinterest, Etsy, Amazon etc. But please do not let that pressure you into creating an elaborate themed production, when a small treat and a festive book will be more enjoyable for you all.

However you decide to celebrate or commemorate one or all of these special days, do it YOUR way. And enjoy it. That is what matters most. : )

National Chocolate Cake Day

Friday, January 27, 2017

Chinese New Year

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Groundhog Day

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Superbowl

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Valentine's Day 

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Mardi-Gras

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

St.Patrick's Day

Friday, March 17, 2017

Happy Celebrating, my friends!

Thanks to Pinterest and Google Images

for the pics. : )

Our January Home

Isn't it funny how you absolutely love all your Christmas decor in November and December, but by January you cannot wait to pack it all away until next year? I love Christmas! But tonight, I love my clean, bare, cozy home. And I will enjoy it for a few more weeks. Until the red and pink hearts come out. : )

Happy January Days, my friends!

Weekend Plans

I love January weekends. They tend to be quiet, laid back, and cozy. This weekend will be that and a little more for us. Friday night we are planning a cozy night in with some homemade pizza and a family movie night. My fave. : )

Saturday I have a few things to do around the house before Mass in the late afternoon. After Mass, Steve and I are going to his brother's house for a fun Sibling Night! Steve's brother's wife arranged a fun night of snacks and games with all of the siblings in their family. There will be fourteen of us in all. And I have to tell you, Steve's family gets along better than any family I have ever known. Not only do many of them work together, they socialize and are very close friends with each other. Should be a fun night. : )

Sunday is all about football in this house! Our Steelers are still playing and we will be cheering! And eating all kinds of yummy football food. I am wondering if my friend Beth and I should have a friendly bet, since her family is all about the Patriots! What do you say, Beth?!

So that is what is happening in our part of the world. And this is what happened this past week in our country home...

Saturday night we went out dinner at a favorite place...Yep...Pizza Hut...to celebrate one more meal with Madison and Nicolas while they were still on this side of the ocean...

Margie and Chris and my mom joined us.

And on another note...their Taco Pizza is AMAZING.

Sunday night, Peyton made a delicious apple pie for dessert.

And it was good.

Monday came quickly.

Flynn was so happy to ride with Steve and I while we drove Madison and Nicolas to the train station.

And I was happy to watch as my firstborn helped my baby tie her shoes.

Life is beautiful, isn't it?

Early mornings.

Road trips.

Coffee.

Madison and I passing the time as we awaited for the train.

She needed brown Uggs and I like her grey ones.

So. We switched. : )

Soon it was time for goodbyes...

And that was rough.

But we were brave.

And then...they were gone.

For now.

Thank you all so much for the prayers.

We felt them.

We did.

And then it was back to our cozy little classroom...

Where we have a new friend who helps us read fun little stories..

And where we learn and laugh and talk to Madison on the phone several times a day together. 

And it is good.

Have a cozy weekend, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!