Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning. My friends! How was your weekend? I hope it was happy and productive, cozy and quiet, whatever you planned. Saturday morning, I was up at 4:50 and had enough time to make some coffee and snuggle on the couch before the Coronation of King Charles began. While waiting for it to start, I recalled a summer day in July years ago when I also woke early and climbed onto my mom's bed to watch my first royal wedding on tv. I have followed the Royal Family ever since! The coronation was a beautiful, fascinating event, and I was so glad I could witness something that hadn't happened in seventy years. Watching the coronation unfold, I could not help but think of how amazing it is that the traditions and ceremonies remain unchanged through the years. I thought about how quickly time passes and how our lives are a small chapter in the unending book of life. 

I enjoyed coffee and a delicious fresh strawberry scone Madison made for me while I watched.

Another perk to getting up so early? Watching the world awaken right outside my window.

Today I will slowly begin some things I let go of while I was sick together. Steve and the kids did a great job, so I have a minimal amount to do. I have some laundry...don't we always...and some lesson plans to rearrange, and that is about it. The weather is turning more springlike here, so I plan to sit outside for my afternoon coffee. The lake is glistening now, and the grass is green. Some boats are back in the water too. Another lake season begins. 

Have a cozy day, my friends. I am going to catch up with you today, and I am looking forward to visiting!

(Motivation app)

Billie Jo

(Google for the images.)

Start Of Spring. Outside And Inside.

Spring has arrived here in Pennsylvania, and the outside world is beginning to awaken from the long winter slumber. The lake, which never entirely froze this year, is calm and quiet. The birds have returned to my feeder, especially the jackals, who tend to bully the tiny little guys, and the buds are appearing on the branches. When I step outside, the smell of spring takes me back to the days when my kids were little, and we ventured out to play after months of being indoors. I remember pulling out the bikes and big wheels, wiping off the swings on the swingset, and reminding the kids to stay on the driveway because the grass was muddy and wet. If I try really hard, I can still hear their shouts and giggles of joy. Early spring has a distinct smell and feel, and I will forever associate it with the pure happiness of being outside with my little ones.

Inside, I am beginning to set out my Easter and spring things. So far, I have this on my windowsill. One of my favorite spring scents from Yankee Candle is Jellybeans, and I have had it forever. A dear friend sent me this beautiful flower and I enjoy watching it come to life. 

And that is all I have today, my friends. The weekend will be quiet, with things to do around the house, laundry, grocery lists, mass, and phone calls. Steve and I are watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix called The Staircase, and it is very good. I started one on Netflix called MH370, The Plane that Disappeared, which is also really good. Just in case you are looking for something to watch this weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you have planned. 

Thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning, my friends! I am sipping my coffee on the couch, looking out at the lake. Seemingly overnight, everything decided to become green. Spring has arrived in Pennsylvania, and I am glad. Yesterday all my people were here to help us prepare our little lake home for summer. They washed porch furniture, cleaned out kayaks, organized items, and were kind enough to take some things I had stored for them in our garage. Almost two years ago. Because for some reason, cleaning and organizing a garage was at the bottom of our To-Do list and apparently kept being pushed further and further down. 

I even grabbed a broom, put on some music, and swept, organized, and purged until my body reminded me that I am no longer thirty years old and perhaps my services could be better utilized elsewhere. More in a supervising capacity. When we were done, Steve cooked a delicious meal on the grill. He made stir-fried rice with beef, shrimp, and vegetables. Peyton brought one of our family favorites, chocolate chip pumpkin bread, mainly for Kirby, who celebrated his birthday yesterday! Fourteen years old! 

(Apologies for the blurry photo. It is old, but too cute to leave out!)

It is hard to believe Kirby has been in our family longer than Flynn! Today is going to be rainy and stormy. Also known as cozy. My plans include schooling, laundry, washing my bedsheets, and enjoying my afternoon coffee. There are other things to be done, to be sure. Age has enlightened me, however. There will always be other things to be done. There will be dust under my couch. My tubs of photos may not be organized. My refrigerator shelves will be sticky. The mirrors will have toothpaste splatter on them. And I am ok with that. Finally.

How was your weekend? And what are your plans for this Monday in May?

Whatever they are, enjoy, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

May Days

 Happy Friday, my friends! This past week finally resembled spring of some sort, although it seemed more like summer with temperatures in the 80s.  I am not complaining, mind you. It is just funny how we seem to jump from winter right into summer now. Truth be told, I am more of an overcast, breezy, leaf-blown October day kind of girl, cozy inside with a pumpkin-spiced candle lit and a big mug of pumpkin-spiced latte by my side. That will come soon enough, I know. For now, I look forward to a change in our daily routine. More outside time, lighter meals eaten on the deck, early morning kayak rides, and days spent reading under an umbrella by the lake. 

Speaking of lighter meals, I prepared one of my mom's signature warm-weather meals this past week, one of my favorites. She called it Refrigerator Delight. It is also known as pulling together anything leftover in the refrigerator and making a meal out of it! I had the makings for a vegetable quiche, an easy salad with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and shredded cheese, and a  roteressie chicken that I cut into pieces and served cold. I added an old standby, a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and dinner was served! 

Today in our Catholic Faith, we commemorate May 13th as The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, the day in 1917 that The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. This feast day was always my father's favorite; he prayed the rosary every day.

This weekend we plan to work outside getting the outside ready for summer. All the kids are coming over to help bring the deck furniture up, clean off the front porch, check and clean the kayaks, and any then Steve is cooking Steak Fried Rice on his outdoor griddle. I plan on scheduling a nap sometime too! My friends, I hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever is on your schedule. Thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo

Fish Fry Friday

 

Good Friday morning, my friends! As you can see, our annual visitors have returned, indicating that spring is not far behind. Although I know that March and even April in Pennsylvania can sometimes bring winter's last hurrah. I can't say that makes me unhappy, though. One last cozy snow? I'll take it.

Tuesday, we celebrated Mardi Gras together. This year we had pancakes, and the kitchen was filled with all kinds of activity and fun! Nicolas even made Danish pancakes called Pandekager, and they were delicious! If you want to try them, just click HERE! They were a big hit!

Tonight we begin our Lenten tradition of Fish Fry Fridays. Our very favorite fish fry is and will always be at our local parish, headed by our friend and pastor, Fr. Ross. We have yet to find one that we like as much, so we plan to take the short ride for our favorite a few times. Do you have fish fry during Lent, where you live? I'd love to know!

Have a cozy weekend, my friends. I have not been around to visit lately but will soon! Thanks for reading. Keeping Ukraine and our world in prayer,

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

Good morning! Pour a cup of coffee or tea and join me for a few minutes of cozy. Today I am drinking my favorite coffee with my favorite creamer from my favorite mug. Nothing fancy, I'm afraid. Quite mundane. Comfortable. Me. I am sitting in our family room, enjoying the sun streaming in through the windows that face the lake. Soon it will be warm enough to enjoy my morning coffee outside. Not quite yet. But soon.

Steve had my Jeep all serviced and cleaned for me! So we got dressed and took it for a ride. Real clothes. Washed hair. Powder, blush, and lip gloss. I am really on a roll!

Yesterday, my four amazing children celebrated me with a beautiful, delicious luncheon for Mother's Day. (Rescheduled from last week due to the evil cold.) My friends, it was so special. So perfect. So bittersweet. Perhaps those of you with older children will relate. You see, as a mom, we are the ones who plan, prepare, organize.  All those lunches and birthdays and holidays we celebrated served as models for our children. And as sad as we are when our little ones grow, we are rewarded when that love comes right back to us through the hearts and hands of our children. 

Madison, Nicolas, Peyton, Christopher, Rhett, Kyrstin, and Flynn planned and prepared this beautiful luncheon yesterday, and I was so happy. I was happy to see them work together, happy to see them laughing together, happy that they remembered all my favorite foods! I was happy. Yes, Mother's Day looks different now. Gone are the homemade cards and breakfast in bed, followed by soccer games and ice cream. Yet, I am not sad. Those beautiful memories are tucked inside my heart. Right where they belong. These moments are here. Right now. And perfect.

Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

A Weekend In May

Hello, my friends. Happy Friday! Here we are in the middle of May! In Pennsylvania, our weather has looked like May but felt more like March. All of our spring outside activities, washing porch furniture, trimming hedges, organizing kayaks and boat supplies, have been on hold. This weekend looks sunny and warm, so I am hopeful we...meaning Steve...can start to transition our home to summer mode. 

Thanks for all the comments on my last post! Sometimes it is fun to change things up a bit. One thing I learned is that we like our Lucky Charms! I actually forgot about those, and I do love them! And I am happy to know I am not the only one who loves her pajamas. I hope you all have a nice weekend. We will be celebrating a very special birthday here. Our Kirby is turning 13 years old tomorrow! Peyton is making his favorite pumpkin muffins, and we have a few very special gifts for him. 

Kirby is very special to all of us, but his heart belongs to Steve and Peyton. 

He is patient with Mocha and loves socks and American cheese. 

Happy 13th, Kirby!

Kirby as a pup...the photo that started it all!

Happy Weekend!

 

Accepting Appreciation

 

With some help from our superintendent ~aka Daddy~, my number one student Flynn surprised me with beautiful flowers, chocolate, and the most perfect homemade card for Teacher Appreciation Week! I could not have been more surprised. First of all, because I had no idea it is Teacher Appreciation Week. And also, because honestly, I never think about what I do as something that needs to be appreciated.

I love teaching. Long before I became a mom, I worked at a child development center on my college campus. I led circle time with three and four-year-olds, supervised playtime, and spent hours pushing little ones on swings. I loved it. Loved. I was blessed to secure a job right after graduation as a second-grade teacher and spent five wonderful years teaching vowel sounds and multiplication facts to sweet seven and eight-year-olds. I loved it. 

The best moments I have had teaching, however, remain the simple moments at home. I taught four little blessings how to walk and use a spoon, and tie shoes. I spent hours on a Noah's Ark blanket on the floor, helping little hands fit red plastic cubes into a yellow bucket. Eventually, I became a homeschool mom, teaching everything from preschool to advanced math at desks in my dining room. Three of my children graduated high school and are successfully working in fields they love. I am blessed to have one remaining student that enjoys our time together at the kitchen table studying ancient civilizations and Shakespeare. 

When she surprised me with the card, flowers, and candy, my first instinct was to say that she didn't have to thank me! She and Steve didn't need to be appreciative of me! This is what I do. I teach. And I love doing it! Sometimes it is hard to accept thanks and compliments. But something Steve has encouraged me to do is just that. Allow others to express appreciation and thankfulness. Validate their feelings. Accept praise. And eat the chocolate. 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all the teachers out there.

And also, Happy and Blessed Mother's Day to all mothers, those waiting to be, those wishing to be, and those praying to be. Happy Mother's Day to all the aunts and friends, and neighbors who love our children as their own. May we love and shower appreciation on them this weekend, as we honor the mothers and grandmothers who have gone on before us. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!  Thanks for visiting. I am always happy you do.

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good morning, my friends! I am here in my morning spot sipping my coffee with pumpkin spice creamer out of my new mug. If you know me, you know of my love for Halloween. I recently saw this mug online and had to treat myself. As I told my family, who support my fascination with Halloween but don't quite understand it, I am not saying I wish it were Halloween. I am so ready for spring and summer! I just like the feeling of autumn and Halloween all year long. 

Today I will be doing laundry, homeschooling, and prepping dinner for tonight. I am planning on some homemade chicken tenders with baked potatoes and roasted green beans. It is cooler and rainy here in Pennsylvania, and while we had a tiny taste of summer, we will regress to much cooler weather this week. 

I hope you have a cozy day, whatever it may bring. Thank you for visiting!

I will be around to visit with you soon.

Friday Photos...Mostly Of Food?

 

Good Friday morning, my friends! You know, when Steve approached me with the idea of moving yet again last summer, I must admit, I had some reservations. In almost thirty years of marriage, however, he has yet to steer me wrong. This is what he told me I would enjoy. And he was right. I am blessed to wake up to this view every single morning. So, good on you, Steve! (I know he reads here.)

Early morning walks around here are pretty sweet too. But, I promised photos of food, and I shall deliver! First up, our first hamburgers on the grill of the season. This is Madison's plate because I eat my burgers totally plain. Seriously. And a photo of that would be boring.

Peyton baked a blueberry crumb pie for dessert this week. And it was amazing! In between all that, I tried to eat some healthy things because it's all about balance. So I've heard.

That was our week here. This weekend will be lovely one day and stormy and cool the next. I cannot believe it is the last weekend of the month! That means we have our saintly meal on Sunday. March celebrates St. Joseph, and the meal is "A Hearty Italian" one! We will attempt to make Lentil and Rice Soup, Pasta in Tomato Sauce, Bread Crosses, and Struffoli or Honey Balls. I will share pictures on Monday. 

That is all from windy Pennsylvania, my friends. Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for visiting!