Friday Again

Happy Weekend, my friends! We have a lot of nothing planned, except for Mass and some time on the beach. Steve and Madison usually go to the farmer's market and get all the fresh produce and bread for the week. Once they do that, I will put together a rough idea of the meals we will have for the week. 

I don't have many pictures to share with you today. All three of the pups were experiencing some type of stomach situation and were not feeling themselves. We had a quieter-than-usual week, keeping close to home! I am happy to report that after a few days of rest and a modified diet of chicken and rice, they all appear to be back to normal. 

In other exciting news, I've finally figured out who's behind the serenade we receive so often here. It appears to be this guy and a whole lot of his friends!

Oh! Madison made muffins! She brought them over, and I thought yet again how happy I am that my kids love to bake.

I'd hate to leave you without a few more pictures, and since I have no more of my own, I took a few that I found online, and kept them for some reason or other, perhaps for this very moment. 

Have a lovely weekend, my friends!

Thanks for reading.

I appreciate you!

Billie Jo

July

Each month has its own unique feel. January's feel is all about fresh starts, new beginnings, and hunkering down for winter. We are now on the other side of the Fourth of July, and the beginning of one of my favorite times of year is upon us. I have always loved the feel of this time of year. When I was a teacher, I started to think about my classroom theme for my little second graders this time of year. When my kids were younger, I would start thinking about school supplies and Halloween costumes as the fall magazines began to arrive in my mailbox. And now, as a homeschool mother of one high schooler, I am starting to organize stacks of Algebra and Chemistry books on my kitchen table.

That isn't all I am doing, though. I love this time of year, the time after the Fourth of July. It's still summer, with long days spent sipping iced coffee and nights spent outside, staring at the sky. All my favorites: swirling fall leaves, soft, cozy throws, pumpkin spice everything, and thoughts of spooky decor are beginning to appear online, and although I am not ready to fully immerse myself in them, I can start to look, and smile, and bookmark things I don't need and more than likely won't buy. The point is, they are there. I can enjoy the feeling of fall and all the coziness for a bit. I can imagine and plan, and then I can close my laptop, pour another iced coffee, and head outside for a few moments of warm sun. The pumpkins, colored leaves, apple-scented candles, and cozy, soft throws can wait. For just a little bit longer.

Happy Wednesday, my friends.

Enjoy your July day!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday-after-a-holiday morning, my friends! How are we all feeling today? I always feel a bit melancholy on days like today. When you plan for and look forward to a particular time and event, it is natural to feel a sense of sadness when it comes to an end. Although we did not plan anything more than spending time together when Peyton and Chris came to spend the Fourth of July with us at the beach, I couldn't help but feel some sadness when they packed up and said goodbye yesterday. I cleared up the remnants of the holiday, mainly some red, white, and blue paper products, threw in a load of laundry, and jumped in bed to take a nap. When I awoke, I was greeted with a happy and festive text from Peyton, and I felt happy and thankful for the time we shared together.

Here are a few pictures from our Fourth of July weekend together. 

Everyone else took advantage of the warm, calm ocean water, and I took advantage of that.

Fresh from the oven, still warm, donuts from down the road are a game changer.

Obligatory pictures of the ocean because no matter how many times I see it, I am still in awe of its beauty and continuity. And I made a friend! He was quiet and didn't hang around too long. We will get along just fine.

And lastly, watching fireworks with Madison's Fourth of July songs playing in sync always brings tears to my eyes. And this year, even more so, as I heard a special song begin...

My mom loved everything patriotic. She loved a parade, and she loved the fireworks. She also loved this song, and I can still hear her singing along!

Have a lovely Monday, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July, my friends! I hope you celebrate in your favorite way. We began our celebration last night at Nicolas and Madison's beautiful home! Peyton and Chris are here for a bit, so I have all my people together for a few days! Yesterday began like this. The beach was calm and quiet, preparing for the crowds and chaos that were yet to come. 

 

After I went to the pool for my swim and exercise time, showered, and rested, we got ready to go to Madison's for dinner. I made a pan of brownies to bring. She had it decorated so festively, and she and Nicolas did a fantastic job of hosting. 

She had delicious snacks and decorations set out. We visited, snacked, and took pictures, and for some reason, when I saw this one, I thought to myself, " Those are my children! I did that! " I think of them as small, you know. And probably always will. We were missing Rhett, who was working, because. Well, adult. 

Nicolas grilled hot dogs, and Madison made her special potato salad, along with a fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil salad. Delicious!

We sat outside to watch the stunning sunset and then went back inside for dessert. Madison had a brownie and ice cream sundae bar!

Then, Steve, Flynn, and I went back to our house to pick up the pups before heading back into town, where I had to snap this picture in the sweater Madison got Flynn for no other reason than it appears to have Marty on the front!

We came back to the condo, and I went straight to wash my face, brush my teeth, and put on some jammies! Flynn and Steve stay up later, and I am the earlier riser. Hence, I see things like this.

And I love it. Have a wonderful day, my friends. No matter if you enjoy a good old-fashioned cookout, or a quiet day inside, safe and sound from the heat or the rain watching fireworks on television, enjoy. Too often, we have an image in our minds of what certain days are supposed to look like. We feel pressured to achieve that preconceived notion and feel less than if we fall short of it. Show yourself grace, and let go of all that. You do you, my friends! Happy Fourth of July! 

Billie Jo

What I Like Wednesday

A Berkshire Blanket and Snoopy collaboration. Two of my favorite things.

Keeping a book journal is something new I am doing this year. I love to read, and spend much of my free time doing just that. Sometimes I forget what books I've read or what thoughts I've had, so this might be a fun and productive way to revisit them.

I am loving this naturally flavored sparkling water. I am really limiting my soda consumption, as middle age is not as forgiving as the teenage years, but I still like something special every now and then. This is delicious and simply flavored with natural ingredients. Plus, it comes in a can, not a plastic bottle!

With apologies to Yankee, Goose Creek is my new favorite candle brand. (Except my forever and ever favorites: Spiced Pumpkin, Home for the Holidays, and Christmas Eve, by Yankee Candle.)This is Red, White, and Blue, and it smells like cherry, citrus, and blue raspberry. 

This moisturizer is excellent. It is a bit more expensive, but having had one round of Basal Cell Skin Cancer on my face, I put a great deal of importance on skin safety. This is SPF 40, and it smells great and feels good on my face. I have a thing about the feel of sunscreen on my face, but this just feels like moisturizer. I then use the Tinted SPF for a tiny bit of color and some added protection. Plus, these are all natural!

This is my favorite scent. It is also the only scent I wear, unless you count the lavender lotion I apply before bed. I have worn Amazing Grace for years and years, and I love that my kids associate the light scent of it with me. They say it smells "like Mom". I have received numerous compliments over the years, and what I hear is...You smell so good! Not...I like your perfume! Big difference. 

Lastly, I'm loving our favorite summer meal... pasta with tomatoes. I use garden tomatoes and fresh garlic sautéed in olive oil. Then I add cooked pasta and a little bit of the water, with some fresh basil. Top it with freshly grated Parmesan and enjoy! This week, I added grilled zucchini and some organic chicken tenders. 

Well, there you are. Just a few of my tried and true favorites! Have a cozy day, my friends. It is getting dark here. I think a storm is brewing!

 

Billie Jo

 

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! Do you have a routine? This is part of mine. Every morning. And I love it.

How was your weekend? We had a nice one here, a mix of sun and storms. Saturday afternoon, we went to Mass, and as seen here, I asked Flynn to snap a selfie for no good reason other than I was wearing actual clothing and had put on some makeup.

I took this picture through the window as we headed over the bridge into the city for Mass.

After Mass, Steve ran Flynn home because she had some plans, and I spent some time on the beach with my favorite accessory.

A book. And I highly recommend this one. It is titled "Keeping the House," by Ellen Barker.

It is one of the best books I have read in a long time!

Evenings at the beach are highly underrated. Soon, Steve returned with dinner! We ate chicken sandwiches on the beach. Why, you may ask?

Well, because we were celebrating our anniversary! Cheers to thirty-four years!

Thirty-four years in the blink of an eye! Thirty-four years... Watching movies on a mattress in the best little apartment during our fist married summer, eating late dinners on the coffee table after we got home from work, four trips to the hospital, returning with a beautiful baby each time, countless family dinners around the table, eating dripping ice cream cones on the porch, bundling up for sledding, lugging up tubs for holiday decorating, one kitten, four pups, countless happy times filled with laughter, and heartwrenching sad times too. Learning to say goodbye to our parents, knowing we are now them, and watching our children grow and live their very best lives as adults, just as we did all those years ago. 

We celebrated with pizza. Because we are fancy like that. 

Meanwhile, Flynn was living her best life with Madison and Nicolas. They took her for ice cream to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer fun!

Lastly, this little guy enjoyed freedom on the deck for the first time. Last year, he jumped through the bars all the time! Now, he realizes that home is the place to be. Why bother? 

Have a cozy Monday, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo