What Time?

 

What time of day is your favorite? As I age, my days become more relaxed and unscheduled. I notice time more, and while it still passes much too quickly, I am determined to appreciate and savor the heck out of it all! This morning, when I took the pups outside, I realized that early mornings are definitely my favorite in the summer. 

I love waking early, knowing that the whole day lies ahead. I love waking up with nature and watching it all come alive. On summer mornings, I am slower and more deliberate, lingering outside until the pups insist we go in for their morning treat. I make my coffee, take my pills, and pour fresh water for the dogs. I do all this with light shining through the windows, highlighting the dirt and dust on them, but who cares about that, really? In what universe do my dirty windows matter one single bit? (This new attitude brought to you by Middle Age. Thank you very much!) Then I sit and sip my coffee while I say my morning prayers and watch for the birds to visit. Summer mornings at my stage of life? 10/10. Highly recommend.

What about the fact that I am a self-diagnosed autumn soul? What about the crisp, windy fall days and the snowy winter ones that follow? Well, on those beautiful days, evenings are my favorite. But that is a post for another day. For now, I will sip my coffee and watch my birds. How about you?

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! It is overcast and humid here today, with the promise of spotty showers and the possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm. What is it about a rainy summer day that makes me feel happy? It may have something to do with my innate love of all things cozy. Who knows? Soon enough, we will have those bright, hot, sunny days, the ones my mom used to sing about... " Roll out those lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer! " That song takes me back to the days of Bob Barker and The Price is Right before lunch, drippy ice cream from a plastic bucket scooped onto green, brown, or pink colored cones, rides around town with my dad in his truck with the windows down, and kickball games and Ghost in the Graveyard with our neighbor friends after dinner. Now, summer is many different things, but one of the favorites is something as simple as this.

Tomatoes. Garden tomatoes, to be specific. I am a simple person, and a bowl of ripe garden tomatoes on my counter just brings me joy!

Madison found these sweet salt and pepper shakers for me at Anthropology. She gave them to me for Mother's Day, and yes, that is a Tomato Sandwich candle, too! Madison has a friend who makes them. Tomato sandwiches, pasta with tomatoes, BLT sandwiches...I could go on and on. But I won't! I'll end this with a wish for a happy summer day, my friends! 

I hope you enjoy in the ways that make you happy!

Billie Jo

Friday And Fathers

Happy Friday, my friends! Here we are. It is suddenly in the middle of June, and summer is here! How do I know? The weather outside is hot and humid. The birds sing in the morning, and something...a frog or a toad?...croaks at night. My flowers are blooming beautifully, not because of me, but despite me, and Flynn has been eating Bomb Pops after dinner. Summer. 

I love my summer wreath so much that I decided to keep it up and make a few simple additions for June and July. I added this perfect doormat...a Mother's Day gift from Rhett and Kyrstin, and suddenly, I am decorated for summer on the porch!

Another blog-worthy item from this past week is the delicious strawberry rhubarb cake Madison brought over!

It was amazing.

Steve and I went on an impromptu date in my Jeep the other night. We picked up dinner and ate it at the pier, watching the boats and all the people. Speaking of Steve... Happy Father's Day! One of the things I tell my girls is, "Marry a man like your father." Steve is the concert-goer, trip-taker, clothes-shopper, driving instructor, and financial planner. He is a hard worker and has instilled in our children the importance of finding a job you love. He also reminds them that family and faith are more important and always come first. 

Plus, he reads here all the time. So, Happy Father's Day, Steve! And Happy Father's Day to my dad, who is celebrating in Heaven.

And this year, he has his wife beside him. 

Have a wonderful, summery weekend, my friends! Thank you for visiting! 

Billie Jo

I Like...But I Don't Like...

 I like summer, but I don't like being in the sun.

Or being hot.

Or sweaty.

I like fresh sheets on my bed, but I don't like removing the old ones.

Or washing them.

Or putting them back on.

I like ordering things online, but I don't like all the boxes they come in.

Neither does Steve.

At all.

I like making plans, but I don't always like following through with them.

Sometimes I do.

And then I am glad.

I like ice cream, but I don't like milkshakes.

Weird, I know.

Go figure.

I like reading books.

And novels.

And poetry.

And blogs.

I like being home.

I like not being busy.

I like wearing a housedress.

I like creating a cozy place for the people I love.

I like being me.

The end.

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

Monday Morning Coffee... And A Muffin!

Good Monday morning, my friends. I was lucky to have a delicious blueberry rhubarb muffin with my coffee this morning. It is a happy day when your firstborn bakes and brings you some of her delicious creations so you can enjoy them with your coffee. How was your weekend? We had a nice, quiet one here. The weather has been cloudy and windy, but Friday night, Madison and I were able to spend some time at the beach. It was beautiful and calm.  

On Saturday, we went to mass, and afterward, Steve asked what we wanted to do for dinner. I was hungry for pizza, so we went to our favorite Italian restaurant and enjoyed the most delicious pizza ever. I even had a Coke, which I rarely do because I try to drink water, but hey. Sometimes you just have to let loose and really go wild! : )

Last but not least, I am missing my mamma today. I hear her singing in my heart, though. She always said that you can't be sad if you are singing.

Have a good day, my friends. Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

 

Pups And Other Stuff

Happy weekend! This week flew by in a flash of...well, normalcy. Is there a better way to spend a week? Not doing all the exciting things. Just living. Just being. And why are we hesitant to document those days? Something about going back and reading about the normal days of my life makes me happy. Those significant events are tucked somewhere in there, able to be retrieved quickly, but the ordinary days are easily forgotten. This is why I am thankful for this little space. I am easily reminded of how I spent many ordinarily beautiful days with my family.

Days beginning by waking up with a snuggly pup in my bed. And yes, you are looking at Charlie Brown Halloween flannel sheets. Yes. I am fifty-five years old. And yes, it is June. Also, no matter where I am, these two are near me. Perhaps because I like cozy blankets on the couch.

Of course, other people have fun and find joy outside their comfort zone! Like my adult children, who still play nicely together!

The delicious taco bar Kyrstin set up for all of us on Tuesday is not pictured but entirely blog-worthy! 

These two are living their very best life, driving fancy cars out in Las Vegas, while Peyton is living her's, back in Pennsylvania with her pups and her husband in her garden!

As for me? Well, this pretty much sums up my week. Throw in some homeschooling, cooking dinner, doing laundry, swimming, deep cleaning some drawers and cabinets, napping, and finishing my binge-watching of YOU, and you are all caught up!

Photo by Madison, who has the most beautiful view from her backyard.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! I plan on sipping some coffee and visiting with you !

Billie Jo