Zip And A Delicious Dinner Recipe

 

Coffee And A Candle Monday

 

Our Christmas Lake Home 2020

 

Cake And Cozy

Coffee And A Candle Monday

Good morning, friends. I usually compose my posts in the early morning, so I thought for the Monday mornings leading up to Christmas, I would share the coffee I'm having and the candle I am burning. Because. Cozy. Today, I am having a new favorite coffee, Starbucks Mocha flavored ground coffee with a splash of Coffeemate Pumpkin Spice creamer. My mug is a favorite Disney mug that each of the kids received several years ago. And my candle? My candle is our family's very favorite Yankee Candle Home For the Holidays. I have burned this scent in our holiday home for as long as I can remember. The kids say it makes our home smell like Christmas.

It is chilly and rainy here in Pennsylvania today. Flynn is still on Thanksgiving break, so today I will finalize December lesson plans and deep clean our bathroom. Other than that, I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing. It is just that kind of day! Thank you for sharing coffee with me today. I hope you have a cozy, safe, healthy, and happy Monday, my friends!

Thanksgiving Days

In this upside down and inside out year, as we cling to some semblance of normalcy, we can look to Thanksgiving and Christmas for comfort and safety. Although different this year, the holidays, as we choose to spend them, will hopefully remind us that throughout history, families still ate turkey and decorated trees and played festive music in good times and bad. 

Tomorrow our little family will cook turkey and gravy (me), stuffing (Steve), sweet potato casserole (Madison), green bean casserole (Peyton), and mashed potatoes (Nicolas). We will also enjoy Peyton's pumpkin pie and, as a special treat, a blackberry pie celebrating Madison's 24th birthday! 

After cleanup, we will gather together and watch the Steelers on tv. I will most certainly think of my dear dad, who I miss terribly always, but especially this time of year, and will talk with my wonderful, amazing, loving mother who for so many years took a frozen bird from the refrigerator and somehow magically and effortlessly transformed it into the most delicious Thanksgiving meal ever.

Have a blessed, cozy, yummy Thanksgiving, my friends.

Celebrate your way.

Hello!

It's almost...

There is so much to do!

Have you put your turkey in the fridge to thaw?

Bought your stuffing bread?

Checked your pantry for green beans, corn, poultry seasoning, and pumpkin?

Washed your good china?

Ironed your tablecloth?

Just kidding!
Me either!

This is my current state.

I am thinking about those things.

And as my dear mother says, "It will all get done. And if it doesn't, so what?!"

Just relax and enjoy.

Especially this year.

And remember...

Celebrating Flynn

When our family gathered around the table last night to celebrate Flynn Grace turning eleven, we spoke of the same thing. Flynn is a blessing to us all. She is so easygoing, so agreeable, so laidback, and so dang fun. We shared memories and laughs and ate venison and homemade macaroni and cheese because that is her favorite meal.

And then we watched as she opened gifts chosen so carefully and thoughtfully by each of her siblings and significant other, and she was so thankful. And happy. And humble. But the presents were not the real gifts. The gifts came after when I watched Chris help her tune and adjust her new guitar. And when she wore the brand new jersey from Nicolas and enjoyed the amazing cake that Peyton made. She showed off her newly pierced ears, from a special day she spent with Madison. And talked and laughed with Rhett and Kyrstin all night long. 

Flynn is a gift to all of us. She loves movies, milk, One Direction, hoodies, and sweats, sleeping late, playing video games, swinging by the lake, listening to music, and "chilling" with her mom. She brings joy to our home and keeps us all young. We are all so thankful for the gift of our Flynn Grace. 

Happy Birthday, my baby.

Happy Birthday!