Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! It is rainy, dreary, and windy outside my window today. So, I am cozy under a throw blanket, sipping hot coffee by the fire. It's funny how my body instinctively responds and adapts to the different seasons. Today, it is chilly and rainy, and if you asked me how excited I would be to lace up my sneakers, go for a walk, and come back and drink a glass of water, I'd say zero percent. I am happy here, by the fire, cozy as can be. If you asked me that same question on a mild Monday morning in early May, however, you would get a very different answer. Once spring comes, the fireplace sits still and quiet, without a thought of sitting by it with coffee and a blanket. So, there's that!

I hope your weekend was everything you wanted it to be, and then some. We enjoyed a mix of quiet contentment and festive fun here. Friday evening, Steve, Flynn, and I enjoyed a cozy evening at home with takeout, Boggle, and The Olympics. We are really enjoying the Boggle and Pictionary games on Netflix. You should really give them a try. It is a great way to spend time together without scrolling on our phones. I mean, technically, you use your phones, but it is a game, so it's totally different!

Saturday was Valentine's Day, and we started the day at Madison's for a Valentine's Day Brunch. It was so nice, and she prepared everything so beautifully! We ate a delicious breakfast, visited, and played a game. Madison loves to entertain, and she is so good at it. Here is her table all set for us.

She served soft-boiled eggs, salmon, cream cheese, and bagels; heart-shaped toast; sliced avocados; and fruit salad, along with tea and juice.

And she made the lightest, most delicious blueberry breakfast cake!

We had the nicest time. After brunch, we went home for a bit before heading to a beautiful mass, followed by dinner at Rhett's place. Kyrstin's mother was down for the weekend, and we had the best time visiting with her, too. Have I ever told you Kyrstin's mother's name? You won't believe it, but her name is Billie Jo! Spelled exactly like mine! What are the chances???? 

Sunday was a quiet day, with me completing my short list of weekend jobs around the house. Later, Steve and I went out to our new favorite Mediterranean restaurant for a little date night. It never disappoints. I have yet to learn the names of the dishes, but essentially we had steak, rice, shrimp, lamb, and pita bread with olive oil. Delicious and fun!     

Obligatory selfie to send to the kids. 

Flynn took this on our way to mass this week. And it makes me happy.

Today, we have homeschool, and after that, we are having what my mother used to call "Refrigerator Delight" for dinner. We are working on using what we have in the fridge and freezer before buying more to shove in there and cover it all up. I am all about meal planning and shopping accordingly, as you know. This week's meal plan was easy because it contains Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Chinese New Year on Thursday, and Ash Wednesday in between. That leaves tonight, so we are going to have an assortment of dishes, including but not limited to chicken tenders, frozen vegetables, cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, fish sticks, and applesauce. 

If you are thinking about celebrating Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, I have a few ideas we have enjoyed in the past. We have done pancakes, as is tradition for many. When my kids were little, that was always a good meal to serve. Lately, we have enjoyed jambalya and cornbread with Monkey Bread for dessert. Chinese New Year will be takeout, because we have the best, freshest Chinese restaurant ever right near us! Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting for Catholics, and we usually have fish for dinner, as we do on Fridays of Lent. Other favorites are tuna and noodles, and macaroni and cheese.

Well, the sun is up, somewhere behind the clouds! I am going to pour another cup of coffee and eat a slice of Madison's blueberry breakfast cake she sent home with me. I hope you have a wonderful day, my friends! Thanks for visiting!

And remember, you do YOU!

Billie Jo