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
What a lovely post Billi Jo! I too took a nap yesterday after church services. It sounds like your mother was a wonderful woman! {{smiles}} Hope you have a very nice week!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Peyton and Chris were able to spend the weekend with you. You are still going through those "firsts" after the passing of your mom. They can bring a bit of sadness with them. Sending love and and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI love that photo of your mom and I also love that song. It looks like you had such a fun day!
ReplyDeleteYes, I always hate to clean up after a family gathering too, Billie Jo. I always feel like I'm sweeping the good times away. I know that's not true & that we still have the wonderful memories and the pictures but....I feel melancholy about it all the same. I love the picture of you reading your book & your sweet Mom. She looks like she was a patriotic sort of gal. Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow, you got wonderful photos of the fireworks!! Such bittersweet memories, no wonder you were kind of sad when the celebration ended. Your lawn chairs are so pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteSummer takes a turn after the 4th of July. No more holidays until early September but plenty of hot weather (accompanied with heavy humidity in my state) and all of a sudden people are preparing for the new school year.
ReplyDeleteYour snapshots of the ocean are always good.
Hi Billie Jo! Looks like a perfect July 4th weekend. I always get a little down at the end of special family events, trips, or vacations, so I do hear you, my friend! I also get teary-eyed by fireworks and patriotic songs! God bless your mama - she raised you right - to love God and country! Have a good week! See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteYes Billy Joe, that's how I feel when the holidays are over and my loved ones are gone. But that only lasts a short time because the next day I go back to my daily routine. Your mom is very sweet in the photo. Be strong and remember her!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely fourth. Your pics of the ocean are always stunning. I'm so glad you got time with Peyton and Chris too! What a lovely idea to play music with the fireworks too. Love that! I have no doubt you just feel your Mom in those moments. Big hugs and lots of love sent for a beautiful bright new week ahead. 💗
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet picture of your mom. Good memories.
ReplyDeleteThe Grand Old Flag! I remember learning that in grade school. Haven't heard that one in ages. I agree with you about the ocean. It never gets old, I could stare at it all day. But I also like to jump waves. You'd have to save my seat until I got back. :) Glad you had a great day!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are lovely. Those donut sure look good!!!
ReplyDeleteI sure loved reading this post, Billie Jo. Family times at the beach are some of my best memories. Hard to beat it. Wishing you a blessed week ahead!
ReplyDeleteSpecial memories of your mom. She is always with you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an EXCELLENT TIME! Plus doughnuts. Not too shabby.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of your mom! And fireworks set to music... goals.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you had a happy weekend. You will have many more -- and hopefully many more doughnuts with rainbow sprinkles!!!
ReplyDeleteA lovely weekend. Xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful weekend my friend. Have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteaahh, such sweet memories of your mom, Billie Jo. She looks so cute in her red, white, and blue. Love the picture on the beach at sunset with the fireworks. And those donuts! So yummy, especially warm right out of the oven. I love your strawberry coffee cup, by the way. ; )
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific week, Billie. Jo.
~Sheri
Hi Billie Jo! I'm so glad everyone was able to get together to celebrate the holiday weekend! I agree, goodbyes can be hard. My brother and sister-in-law moved to Florida in May, and it was hard to say goodbye to them. They are now nine hours away instead of an hour. We talk often, so that helps. I love your cute mug, and those doughnuts look delicious! What a beautiful picture of your mom. I know it was especially tough for you not having your mom around for July 4th this year. This was the second July 4th without my mom, and I missed her so much. Holidays have been really tough for me. Like your mom, she loved our country and everything patriotic. Thinking of you, dear friend.❤️
ReplyDeleteIt does look like such a lovely time - the beach, the waves, the fireworks, family, and warm donuts. I absolutely love the picture of your mom, oh my! I know what you mean, my son had a few days off and spent them here at home, it seems like we do special things when they’re back- out came red, white and blue decorations, homemade ice cream, root beer floats, cooking on the grill. And then it’s sad when it’s over-I’m like you, I tucked everything away until next year. I remember being a newlywed and visiting my in-laws who lived three hours away on weekends. Before we left, my mother-in-law would always say, when can you come back? I would always think, oh I want to sleep in on a Saturday, it’s such a long drive, I have things I need to do on the weekend-Now I understand how she felt, and I wish I would’ve understood then. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Billie Jo- I truly appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteFireworks on the beach - how fun! And what a great picture and memory of your mom. I grew up singing You're a Grand Old Flag - it's a great lively song. We learned a number of patriotic songs in grade school.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Yes, I know the feeling of sadness when it ends. It was hard for me to leave Montana. Enjoyed your photos. Take care.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, I just packed up things from Abigail's high school graduation party (it's not blogged yet) but I too was a bit sad -- happy that is was magnificent and that we were able to bless our little Abigail, sad that it was over. But I remind myself that now the slow days of summer are truly beginning and I do love those.
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening,
Tara