Monday Morning Coffee Chat

Good Monday morning, my friends! How are we all doing with the time change? I remember when the kids were babies, and I had them on a schedule. I had the hardest time deciding when to put them down for their naps after changing the clocks. Steve would just shake his head! Those were the days!

I am sitting here with my coffee by the fire, staring out at the slowly falling snow. I have said my prayers, unloaded the dishwasher, and am just about to make breakfast. Later I will homeschool with Flynn, change my bedsheets, and do a grocery order. Dinner tonight is tacos! When one has thawed ground beef in the fridge to use, one makes tacos! You can't go wrong with that! Monday nights are for The Bachelor, so that is my plan after the dishes are done, the counters are wiped, and the little kitchen lamp is turned on. 

Here are just a few pictures to sum up our weekend...

Obligatory on the way to Mass selfie 

Flynn at dinner after

Peyton happy to finally have snow

And Madison happy at work in her very own Bridal shop

Oh! And the super pretty, super easy, and super delicious breakfast I made for Steve and me Saturday morning ~ an egg, Laughing Cow Cheese, and spinach roll-up on a low-carb tortilla!

Have a cozy Monday, my friends!

Billie Jo

Mocha And Movies

This little lady had a big day yesterday. She had to have her teeth cleaned and some possibly removed. I have learned that little dogs, especially Yorkies, are prone to periodontal disease. I dropped her off bright and early. Our vet is excellent, and the young lady I left her with put me at ease. They called me later in the day and told me Mocha was waking up and had done very well. She also told me they had to remove 15 teeth! 

I could barely wait until it was time to get her, and boy, was she happy to see me! Once her excitement wore off and we had our instructions and medication, we headed home.

After a happy reunion with Kirby, who didn't know what to do all day without her, Mocha settled in for the night. Right where she belongs.

This time of year does lend itself to cozy nights in front of the tree, doesn't it? It also reminds me of evenings long ago when I had a little Madison who loved Christmas as much as I do. I remember giving her a bath, dressing her in her fresh pajamas and robe, and sitting down with her by the tree to watch the classic Christmas specials. It was cold and dark outside but cozy and warm inside. Every evening starting around six o'clock or so, one channel played the classic Christmas movies like 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, Red Boots For Christmas, Jack Frost, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, The Year Without A Santa Clause, and of course, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty The Snowman. Those nights with her are some of my most treasured memories. They must also be Madison's because she sent me this last week. It is a schedule of Christmas movies on AMC and looking closely, I see some of those very same memorable movies listed! And they begin early like they used to, so little ones can watch them before bed. There are others, of course, but so many classics and favorites. 

You can save this to your photo stream and enlarge it, or visit AMC's website for the details. This may be what we need this year. We can snuggle in, revisit old Christmas traditions, and reconnect with the calm, peaceful things that bring joy this time of year. With all the technology available and the pressure to constantly go and do today, we need to make a conscious effort to do something that years ago was the norm. That is, coming home after a long day of work or school and turning off the outside, so we can gather together on the inside and enjoy the peace of Christmas. And maybe some cookies and cocoa too.

Have a cozy day, my friends,

and thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning! Thanksgiving 2022 is but a memory now. We enjoyed the roast turkey, turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and pumpkin pie for days. The fridge is now empty of leftovers and pretty much everything else, and the tablecloth is washed, folded, and stored away until next year. Suddenly, it is Christmastime! We have only a few weeks to enjoy Christmas music in the car, twinkling tree lights in the evening, nostalgic shows on television, and that general joyous feeling reserved for this time of year. I say this not to incite fear or a sense of panic but instead as a reminder that the joy of time of year is specific to each of us and our families, as is how we choose to spend it. This year, I choose simplicity, introspection, intention, and calm. That works for me, but not for all. Some people wait all year for the excitement, the shopping, the parties, and the crowds. That is joyous for them. Enjoy your time with your people, for it passes quicker than Santa flies back up the chimney.

Before the Christmas celebration began here, we celebrated the birthday of my firstborn, Madison Marie! My Madison turned 26, and as I type those numbers, I still remember all the excitement, happiness, and joy we felt in a hospital room on a snowy November evening. I remember holding the baby I had dreamed of and thinking she was mine. I was her mother. Madison has brought us joy from that day on, and I am so proud to be her mom and her friend.

Her husband Nicolas planned an entire party for her, which was amazing! Nicolas prepared the most delicious food ever! My favorite? Smoked salmon and cheese spread with radish on Brioche bread for an appetizer. And the dinner was fresh pasta with vodka sauce with the most delicious tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad. He served us and cleaned all the dishes. It was the most beautiful party for my wonderful girl. 

The cake? Oh, the cake! Madison is perhaps the biggest Taylor Swift fan ever, and Nicolas was inspired by a cake in one of Taylor's videos. He sent the picture to Peyton, and...well, I'll just show you.

This is the picture from the video...

And this is the cake that Peyton made...

Madison was so happy!

It was delicious.

 Just a little note to any mom who feels sad that her daughter is growing up. I validate you. I do. But allow me to let you in on a little secret. Grown children are a whole new kind of wonderful. Your child becomes your friend. You will step back and let others do things for them out of love, which will bring you so much happiness. I promise. 

Well, time for me to pour another cup and get going with my day. Today I plan on finishing my laundry, so my bathroom will be ready for the yucky hunting camp laundry. I also have some lesson planning to do. This week is pretty quiet except for tomorrow when my little Mocha goes to the vet for dental surgery to clean and extract some of her teeth. Poor little thing. She will be at the vet most of the day. I am nervous for her, but I believe in the people there who know much more than I do.

Have a cozy day, my friends. 

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Traditions ~ Old And New

 

If you have read here for a while, you know we are a family fond of tradition. Tradition makes me happy and brings joy, comfort, and memories that warm the heart. Some traditions remain, while as our children grow, we create new ones. Today I am sharing one of each. The first photo is this year's annual gingerbread house. This tradition began over seven years ago when Madison asked Flynn if she wanted to make a gingerbread house with her. This year was the seventh year these two have shared a special time together, assembling their Christmas tradition. And the second picture? One of the many precious photos of my firstborn and my last. 

A new tradition this year? Peyton and Christopher invited all of us to their new home for a Christmas cookie decorating evening. Peyton made the cookies earlier in the day and then prepared the icing and other assorted decorations. We had pizza first and then listened to Christmas music as we decorated the cookies. Afterward, Christopher made homemade hot chocolate for us all. It was a wonderful evening, and I hope the start of a new tradition! 

How do you feel as we get closer and closer to Christmas, my friends? Are you in disbelief as I am that it is indeed actually Christmastime again? Depending on your stage of life, this time of year can be pretty busy with all kinds of plays, parties, school events, concerts, and shopping trips. Enjoy them all. Those years pass quickly. Remember to spend some time in the evenings, with the tree lights glowing, a fire crackling, and music playing. This is the time, my friends. Enjoy.

P.S. If you happen to have Dish for television, they have an excellent channel on 198. It is a free gallery of all kinds of Christmas scenes like fireplaces, nature scenes, falling snow, and many more, complete with soothing sounds and music!

Billie Jo

Birthdays, Snowflakes, and Puppies

Twelve years. We are all so thankful God blessed us with this beautiful, easygoing, creative, music-loving soul. Flynn Grace, you are loved.

And then this. Twenty-five! Our firstborn is twenty-five. A lovely, confident, hardworking, selfless, Taylor Swift loving, fashion icon young lady and loving wife. Madison Marie, we love you!

What else have we been up to? We watched some snow fall.  We took some naps. We thought about decorating. We even pulled the tubs down off the shelves. And then we snuggled by the fire some more. How about you, my friends? How is December treating you so far?

Enjoy. And this year, keep it simple.

Billie Jo

Quick Sunday Post

 

Dreams Come True

Just ask my Madison.

Whatever You Choose To Do...

Years ago, right after college, I was hired as a second-grade teacher in a perfect little school district near my home. I was thrilled to be able to spend my days in a classroom with those young students. I was so thrilled in fact, that after a few days, the school secretary stopped me and asked me if I wanted to know how much I would be making per year. I remember literally staring at her and asking her if I was actually going to get paid for doing something I loved so much!

Weekend Plans

I decided to bring back my "Weekend Plans" posts on Fridays, despite the fact that we usually have little to no plans on the weekends. Go figure. Anyway, this weekend ushers in the magical month of December, and I am happy about that. Sure a little voice in the back of my head reminds me of the gifts that need purchased and wrapped and all that, but now I am able to shush that voice with a cup of coffee and a warm Christmas throw. Thanks middle age. You are awesome!

This weekend Steve and Rhett will continue their hunt for the elusive big buck while the rest of us relax at home with Christmas music playing in the background. Saturday we have mass, and then Madison and Nicolas are attending a Holiday Ball and I plan on a perfectly cozy night of ironing in my Christmas jammies. 

Sunday is supposed to be warm here, so I have plans for the guys to decorate the outside of the house with some reindeer and ribbon. We never used to decorate outside, as our old house sat so far off the road that no one could see it. This house lends itself to some tasteful outside decor. Says the woman who has no intention of actually doing any of the decorating. Sunday night we will watch our Steelers and hope the right team shows up to play. You never know with those guys. I am thinking of making a pot of soup for dinner on Sunday too.

So that is that. And now a quick look at what we have been up to here in our cozy little home.

The Wedding Festivities Begin! The Engagement Party

On Sunday afternoon Steve and I, along with Nicolas' lovely parents Peter and Kirsten, hosted an engagement party for our firstborn children. We were so happy to welcome family and friends to meet and celebrate the beginning of this wonderful wedding season.

When Your Daughter Moves Home From Denmark ...

With her fiancé and they are going to live with you for an entire year, this is how happy you are while you drive to the airport to pick them up!

My New Favorite Summer Read

Yep!!!!

We are over-the-moon happy around here!

Head on over to Madison's for the complete story...

You can find her here!

Hashtags

#coffeedate #twins #myfirstborn #shoppingtoo

This Makes Me Happy

Any guesses???

Ok. One more...

Yep!

My firstborn is returning home today!!!!

She and Nicolas are coming for a visit!

And my heart is happy. 

What are you happy about today, my friends??

Random Photo Friday

Wow! This week found us transitioning from the fun of Mardi Gras to the solemnness of Ash Wednesday coupled with the festive celebration of Valentine's Day, and finishing with the food and fun of Chinese New Year....Which we celebrated a day early, because of our abstinence from meat on Fridays during Lent. Add some outside time in the snow for Steve and the kids and a hair cut and color for me and we had one full week! Here...take a look.

We finally had snow and non-frigid weather at the same time, so the outdoor people in the family bundled up and enjoyed! Have I ever told you how great Steve and I are as a team? He is all about the snow and cold and outside, and I...am not. 

Meanwhile, across the ocean, my firstborn was also enjoying time in the snow with Nicolas and his family during their ski trip to Sweden.

 Can I just say how proud I am of this girl? She literally embraces every single opportunity, be it learning a brand new language or putting on a pair of skis for the very first time.

Three years ago she could neither speak Danish nor ski, and now she does both with such joy and confidence.

I am so grateful to her Nicolas and his family for sharing so many life experiences with my girl.

These two.

That's all.

How much better does a cut and color make you feel?

I was long past due.

Here is a pic I sent to Madison for her approval.

Tuesday we celebrated Mardi Gras...

Wednesday, Valentines Day

(With an AMAZING cheesecake from Juniors, and Peyton's delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies, for the non Cheesecake lovers)...

And Thursday, Chinese New Year.

Finishing this one with my Mocha, as snapped by Rhett.

Because. Puppies.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends.

Thanks for visiting.

I am always happy you do!