If You Are New

 

Hello! A reader and friend, Brenda, reminded me that I may have some new readers here that may like to get to know me a bit more. And she is right. So if you are new, and are interested, here are some things she suggested I share. Thanks, Brenda!

My favorite book is The Jester by James Patterson.

My favorite movie is a tie between Joker and Baby Driver.

My (current) favorite song is As It Was by Harry Styles.

My favorite color is brown. Yes, really.

Growing up, my favorite activity was being home with my family and my books.

My favorite activity now is being home with my family and my books.

I live in Pennsylvania.

I graduated from college in 1991 with a major in English literature and certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

Steve and I got married six weeks after I graduated from college.

I taught second grade for five years in the smallest public school district in Pennsylvania and loved every minute.

I retired to become a full-time mom when Madison was born, and I still love every minute.

I am blessed with four beautiful children here on earth and one soul I look forward to meeting in Heaven. I also am blessed with two terrific sons-in-law.

I have been diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder, controlled with medicine, therapy, and lots of hard work.

I love books, coffee, Christmas, fresh bedsheets, and being home.

I dislike crowds, shopping, exercise, being in the sun, and long car rides.

I had Mohs Surgery for basal cell skin cancer on my face a few years ago.

I love blogging and all my blogging friends.

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Happy Tenth Birthday, Little Blog! And A Giveaway!

 

Us ~ October 2012

Ten years! Today marks ten years since I began writing about my life here in this little space. Ten years ago, I knew next to nothing about computers, blogging, or uploading photos. I did, however, desire a place to document the daily activities of our family life as well as read about and learn from others who shared my love of home and family. My daughter Madison encouraged me that summer afternoon so long ago, and I am forever thankful that she did.

This blog has enabled me to share special moments, recipes, traditions, and, perhaps most importantly, pieces of our ordinary days. I have learned from and been inspired by so many friends over the years, women I would never have had the opportunity to know had this wonderful world of blogging not connected us across the miles. I have even met some of these incredible women in real life and now consider them and their families lifelong friends. 

Ten years. Three graduations. Two weddings. Two amazing sons-in-law. And a lovely girlfriend of Rhett's too. Countless holidays. Two new houses. One new puppy. Endless desserts. Joyful days. Sorrowful ones too. Pumpkins and colorful leaves. Snowfalls and Christmas trees. Anxiety and OCD. Yankee candles. And, of course, Halloween. 

Thank you for sharing all that and more with me, my friends. I am truly blessed to know each and every one of you. Please know how much I appreciate you and what your friendship means to me. I enjoy reading your blogs and look forward to sharing your lives with you each day. Thank you again!! And because a birthday should be celebrated, I am celebrating YOU! I am having a small giveaway to thank you for being a part of my afternoon coffee and evening tea these past ten years. If you would like to be entered in the giveaway, simply leave a comment below by Sunday, August 7th, at noon. I will then have my assistants, Rhett and Flynn, draw the winners, and I will post them on Monday, August 8th. What can you win, you ask?

One winner will receive an Amazon gift card.

One winner will receive a Yankee Candle gift card.

Three winners will receive a Dunkin gift card.

Good luck!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Fun With Friends

 

You know you have a true, lifelong friend when... a) She and her family drive eight hours to spend time with you. b) You don't feel you have to clean the entire house before they arrive. c) You come down in the morning in your jammies and no makeup. d) You are beyond sad when they leave. My answer? All of the above! 

My beautiful friend Danielle, who has an amazing blog right HERE, and her awesome husband and son are visiting here this week, and my entire family is so thrilled. We have had the best time talking, drinking coffee, playing games, boating, eating, laughing, and just being. There was lunch at a tearoom, coffee at a favorite coffee shop, a pizza-making contest, a fire with music and smores, and so much more. 

I pray everyone finds a friend like Danielle. Someone who laughs with you, who loves to drink coffee, and watches old game shows with you. Someone who gets you and loves your whole family too. Someone who, were it not for these things called Blogs, you never would have known existed. Someone who lives the same life as you do in her own part of the world, but you wish were right next door.

Thanks, Danielle!

We love you guys!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend. We certainly did here in Pennsylvania. Typical for March, our weather was slightly undecided about which season it preferred. Saturday was beautiful. Warmer and sunny, with a few random showers here and there. Sunday was cold and rainy, and did I mention cold? 

Friday evening, Peyton picked Flynn up, and she spent the night with her and Chris! She had such a good time. Peyton made shrimp tacos, and they played games, watched a movie, had pancakes for breakfast, went to mass, and out to dinner. 

My Peyton and my Flynn. 

Saturday morning, Steve and I had a breakfast date at Perkins, and then we visited with my mom. We arrived while they were doing their morning exercises. It was so nice to see her interacting and enjoying herself! We had a nice, long visit with her, talking and laughing. Every moment I spend with her reminds me of how very blessed my life has been because she has been with me every step of the way. 

Sunday brought a special visit with one of the most amazing families I have ever met. This wonderful Blogging world brought Kathleen and me together, first through comments, then through texting, and eventually in real life. We have met a few times through the years, and I am so thankful for the beautiful friendship our families have formed. They were in our part of the woods this weekend, and Kathleen asked if we were available to meet for lunch. We were free, and if we weren't, we would have become free, so we met at a restaurant and picked up where we left off as if no time had passed. We talked and laughed and vowed to get together again. Thank you, Kathleen, for a great visit!

The whole bunch of us! We were only missing their oldest, at college, and Peyton and Chris, who don't get up before noon on Sundays. : )

Last week, my Rhett saw his favorite basketball player, James Harden, who now plays for the Philadelphia 76'ers. They played in Cleveland, and Steve, Nicolas, Rhett, and Kyrstin went to see the game. I was so happy for Rhett! He is a huge fan and had a great time. Rhett is such an amazing son, and I am so thankful for him every day. He is doing wonderfully at work with Steve and is a great brother to all his sisters, especially Flynn. He is an amazing boyfriend to his lovely girlfriend and a blessing to me every single day. 

Leaving you with a picture Flynn took while Madison was driving her home one night last week. The lake is thawed, the days are longer, and the sunsets stunning. Happy spring, my friends!

Have a cozy day.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! We are smack dab in the middle of summer, and although my heart belongs to fall, I am enjoying these long, cozy summer days. Our weather has alternated between hot and sunny and torrentially stormy and humid. I know many are dealing with much more severe weather, and I am praying for you all. 

In other news, you know how much of an advocate I am for this wonderful world of Blogging. In a few weeks, I will mark nine years of sharing my simple, cozy life here. Through the years and along the way, I have met many women from different places throughout the world who share my love of home and family. Some of these women became real-life friends. They were kind enough to travel so that our families could meet and spend time together. This past weekend was a wonderful example of the power of Blogging.

My dear, sweet, fun friend Danielle and her family drove way too many hours to visit and spend time here with us! They arrived Wednesday afternoon and left Sunday morning. In between, we went to a charming tearoom, played cards and trivia, watched movies, rode around the lake on the boat, took the kids tubing, sat on the deck and drank coffee, laughed, ate out, ate in, celebrated Danielle's upcoming birthday, and made plans for a return visit. My entire family enjoyed every single minute. And to think that had I not started sharing my thoughts on this little blog, Danielle and I would never have known that out there somewhere was a woman who loved family, home, coffee, cozy, and Disney as much as each one of us do.

Oh! And you know you have a lifelong friend when she comes and thinks nothing of the fact that you are celebrating Shark Week!

Today is laundry day. I have already picked up my groceries and put them away, so I am ahead of the game. I am making an easy and delicious garlic and lemon fish recipe tonight and will serve it with egg noodles, steamed vegetables, and a salad. After that, we will watch The Bachelorette, always a positive commentary on the youth of our world finding love by dating numerous people and choosing one in the span of six weeks to spend a lifetime with. 

Have a nice Monday, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

Danielle has a beautiful blog HERE.

Billie Jo 

Celebrating One Million!

The very first picture I posted on my blog...A teeny tiny Flynn Grace.

August 3, 2012.

New Blog Look!

Shoutouts!

Do you have some favorite blogs you think others would like to read?

Are there some you think should have more readers?

Let me know in the comments, and we can all find new friends here in Blogland!

You can name them, or even link them.

I enjoy reading so many blogs, and you can find them on my sidebar.

Here are a few I will share today:

Madeline at  https://adashofsnark.blogspot.com/ 

Danielle at http://danielle-daniellesweets.blogspot.com/

Rachel at https://livingbetteronedayatatime.blogspot.com/

Heather at http://justjoshuasgirl.blogspot.com/

Patti at https://pattiamg.blogspot.com/

Please visit them and let them know you are new.

And now, please share some of your daily reads that you would

 like others to know about!

Happy Wednesday!

Good Morning And Some Winners!

Happy 7th Birthday, Little Blog And A Giveaway!

Seven years ago tomorrow, August 3, 2012, I hesitantly began writing thoughts and sharing pictures in this little space on the Internet. I am so very thankful I did. And I am so very grateful for you, my friends. Thank you for reading, sharing, and caring. In honor of seven awesome years, I am having a fun little giveaway! 

I am not one for formality, so if you would like to add some amazing scents to your home, just leave a comment below. I will randomly draw three names from those comments, and the first will win the large Vanilla Cupcake Yankee Candle! The second and third names drawn will receive a gift set of eight votive Yankee Candles in four autumn scents including our very favorite, Spiced Pumpkin! 

I will draw the names at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 6, 2019, and post the winners on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. Again, thanks so much for reading! And Good Luck! Have a cozy August weekend with the people you love!

Blog Friends Are Real Life Friends

Do You Ever Wonder?

As bloggers, we visit each other through the magic of the blogosphere, seeing what we choose to share with each other. One thing we rarely see is how our friends share their posts with us. Do you ever wonder about that? Or is it just me? This is how I visit with you. I write my posts, upload my photos, publish them, and read all yours as well from my laptop. I am usually here in the kitchen or on the couch, but right now I am coming to you from my bed while watching an episode of Seinfeld. And that is really more than you wanted to know, right?

Happy Wednesday!

Winners On A Wednesday!

That you all for the kind words in honor of my six years here in Blogland! I am thankful for each and every one of you, my friends. We did indeed choose two winners for the fancy schmancy giveaway, and here they are...

Random Photo Friday And Happy 6th Birthday Little Blog! A Giveaway too! ( Closed.)

Can you believe we have been having afternoon coffee and evening tea together here for six years??? Me either! Thank you for sharing your lives, homes, holidays, recipes, joys and sorrows with me, my friends. This little space is a great source of comfort, joy, fun, and wisdom for me. And although the more popular platforms have replaced Blogging for many, I plan on remaining here in this slower paced, cozy setting for as long as you will have me. In celebration of this momentous event, I am having a little giveaway at the end of the post. Before that though, here is a peek at the past week here in our family home. Which for some reason, involved a great amount of food.

Bring Blogging Back

This little blog recently turned five years old. Before I began writing my own blog, I read several others written by women very much like me. They inspired me with their love of home and family. They shared ideas, recipes, and photos of their homes. I felt connected to an entire community of women who shared my interests and values, and despite the fact that they lived all across the country, I felt as if we were neighbors, sharing coffee and talking about our days.

I was so inspired that even though I knew nothing about blogging, and even less about computers, I jumped in feet first and began my own little blog. Because of this space, I have met some of the most amazing women, and have developed the most wonderful friendships with women from all over the world. I have even met several of my blogging friends and their families in real life, and know that these people will be part of my life forever.

Where am I going with this? I am making a plea. I am making a plea to anyone out there reading blogs to jump in and begin a blog of her or his own. Throughout the past several years, I have noticed a drastic decline in the number of new bloggers joining this world of online scrapbooking. I have also witnessed many of the amazing women I so enjoyed reading abandoning their blogs for one reason or another. I totally understand that one of the most important aspects of blogging is timing. You must be at the right time and place in your life to be able to devote yourself to your blog and enjoy it as well.  If now is not the time, I understand. I have been there! Babies and schoolwork...home and family...work and laundry...these things come first.

However, if you do have the time, and feel like you have something to share, do it! Simply choose a name, pick a theme, and start writing! Visit other blogs and introduce yourself. Those bloggers will, in turn, visit you. All you need is something to share and a phone or camera to snap a few pictures. That's it. Write about what you know. Upload a few pictures. Speak from your heart. And others will read.

I would be remiss if I neglected to mention one of the main reasons I believe blogging is less popular today than even a few years ago...That being the increase in usage of Instagram and Twitter. I have nothing against either. In fact, until a few years ago, I maintained an Instagram account that I really enjoyed. I also had a Twitter account that I used occasionally. Instagram is fun. It is easy. The response is quick. In today's world of instant gratification, Instagram is a big draw. But it was that instant chaos that finally made me stop. I felt compelled to respond to the likes and comments as quickly as they came in. I felt the need to post multiple times a day. And there was so much to see! I found myself scrolling way too long. And it never ended.

Blogging takes place in a slower paced world. I feel at ease when I open a favorite blog and read a post. I sit down and even drink a cup of coffee as I spend some time visiting. And if I miss one? I visit later, when I have time. It may be me, but I find blogging to be mindful and cozy. Please note, I am not against Instagram. I am simply putting out a plea to others to not view it as a replacement for blogging.

Blogging is my hobby. It is a place to write and share and document moments of my life. Here, you share as much or as little as you want. Someday, I know I will be thankful that I took the time to write about my everyday life with my family. I will be grateful I didn't try to fit it all into those tiny Instagram squares. And I will be able to look back and see how I decorated my Christmas tree or what we had for dinner on any given Halloween. I will see the beautiful fall trees and the smiles on my children's faces on Easter morning. That is why I blog. Why not give it a try sometime? You will be gad you did. Promise. : )

My very first picture from my very post...

A teeny, tiny Flynn!

Sometimes I post pictures of pumpkins...

And sometimes...pie!

I was thrilled when I met my first ever blog friend Tara...

And again later when she brought her beautiful family to visit!

We met Kathleen and her amazing family when she so kindly picked up my Madison at an airport and let her stay in her lovely home!

And I also met my dear friend Joey and her precious family when they visited our home last summer!

We all made so many wonderful memories.

Flynn found a forever friend in Joey's husband Roger.

The community of bloggers is full of wonderful people...

Perhaps you would want to join us?

Happy 5th Birthday Little Blog...And A Giveaway!

Five years. Five years ago I hesitantly joined a group of women who shared pieces of their lives in this little world of blogging. I knew next to nothing about blogging or computers, but I quickly found  help and friendship, as well as a sense of belonging. Things have changed through the years, and many of the women I read and interacted with have abandoned their blogs for one reason or another. I miss the friends I made that are no longer writing, but am happy that I continue to make new friends along the way. I am blessed to have developed and experienced true friendships with some of my dear blogging friends, and I will be forever grateful to this small piece of the internet for introducing me to these amazing women, all of whom share my love of home and family and faith and life.

But enough about me! I am celebrating YOU. Blogging is wonderful in itself, as it creates an amazing scrapbook of our lives. To have others read and comment, however, makes it all the more worthwhile and fun. So, in celebration of you, I am having a state of the art giveaway. Simply leave a comment down below, and I will place your name in a really clean, big bowl. Then one of my assistants/children will draw two names and they will be the lucky winners! The first name drawn will win one of my very favorite holiday items...

The Yankee Candle Twelve Days of Christmas votive set!

Love this combination of two of my favorite things: candles and Christmas. : )

The second name drawn will win another favorite...

This sweet smelling Vanilla Birthday Cake Body Wash and Shower Gel!

 I will accept comments/entries through 6:00 P.M EST Sunday, August 6, 2017.

The winners will be announced in my Monday post.

Again, Thank You for reading, and good luck!

Thanks For The Love...And Winners!

I must begin this Monday morning by thanking you for the love and prayers for myself and for my Madison as she embarks on her exciting adventure. Please know your care and support do not go unnoticed. Just another reason why I love this world of Blogging. : )

Madison and Nicolas have arrived safe and sound back in Denmark, and are settling in nicely. His family was happy to see them and as always, welcomed her warmly. We are slowly beginning to establish a new "normal" here at home, with numerous texts, calls, and video messages to get us through. : )

They made it!

The view.

And a colorful reminder from God that everything will work out just fine. : )

My girl.

All grown up.

But still...my girl.

Now...on to those winners!

We gathered all the entries...

And took turns drawing names...

Peyton was first.

She drew...

Kelli!!!

Rhett drew the next name.

He picked...

Barb Rezac!!!

And little Flynn picked last.

Her pick?

Theresa!!!

Congratulations!

Please email me your information, and I will get them right out in the mail.

Have a wonderful week, my friends!!!!

Thanks for reading!