Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

Hello Friends and Happy Valentines Day! ♥

I took myself on an early walk this morning by the ocean to celebrate and I'm so glad I did.  Was it freezing? It sure was (is!) but the fresh air was so good for my soul.  I always feel better when I push myself to get outdoors, even if only for a few minutes.  

I needed it this morning ♥

 I love the beach in the wintertime, especially when it's this cold.  The water is like glass, and everything feels so still and peaceful.  I didn't stay that long, but just long enough to let it all sink in and it was a good start to my day.  

There were icy patches all along the pathways, so I had to be careful walking.  

    

I sat on this wall for a few minutes before I got really cold and had to go back to the car.  

I'll be back soon.  That bench is my picnic spot in the warmer months.  I'll be here with an iced coffee instead of a hot one. I can't wait.  

Spring is coming ♥

Anyway, back at home I have the fire going and now I'm hibernating for the weekend.  It's been a cold and snowy week and there is more on the way.   These are the dog days of winter, my friends, and all I want to do is bake, nest, read books, and sit by the fire.  

My Dad was in hospital for a few days last week.  Thankfully he's home now and feeling much better.  This visit wasn't a good experience.  Mainly because the hospital was completely FULL so he had to spend the first night on a bed in the hallway.  I kid you not.  I felt so bad for him.  The next day a room did open up and they were able to move him.  No one ever loves being in the hospital, but being in the hallway was a new low.  We were so happy he was only in there for two days!  Now being home by the fire, with warm drinks and blankets, it's makes me so grateful to have all my family here under one roof. 

You really do have to be grateful for every day and never take anything for granted ♥

The other day I baked some bread, and it was the best rise I've ever seen.  Look how happy this loaf is! 

That tells you how toasty it is in here. 

I'm taking hygge to a whole new level this winter and I'm loving it ♥

 Satisfying is the only word I can think to describe it. 

And YUM! ♥

And speaking of YUM, Rob treated us all to some Valentine's Day donuts because they are my Dad's favorite. Taking a look at this box can you guess which one I took? I bet you'd be wrong.  It's the plain one. I love plain donuts!  The plain ones are always my first choice (unless there is pumpkin spice...that's my only exception! :) 

Have you read The Boyfriend yet? Oh you must! I curled up in a chair last week and tore through it.  It was the perfect escape, and I loved it. It was one of those books where I thought I had it all figured out and I was completely wrong.  Don't you love it when that happens?! 

I made a nice pan of brownies yesterday that hit the spot.  I have to have tea and brownies to go with my book.  It's kind of a rule : ) 

So, what are your Valentine plans? Do you go out or stay in? For years Rob and I would dress up and go out.  It was fun when we were younger but not so much anymore.  Now we much prefer to stay in, warm & cozy.  I can't think of anything worse than dressing up and going out tonight.  Get out of my sweatpants? Are you mad?!!

So cooking I will. I'm making one of his (and all of our) favorites. Eggplant parmesan!  I thought that would be nice on Valentines Day.  Right now I have no dessert planned (except leftover brownies) so I might run out the bakery and see what they have. I can throw a coat over my sweats...lol 

As much as I love baking, there's nothing like fresh cannoli's from the guy down the street. Yup...I think I just made a plan! ♥

Well, whatever your plans are, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  

(calendar from John's room...lol)

Also on my list this weekend is watching the new Bridget Jones movie on Peacock.  I don't know if Rob will be interested in that, but love is sacrifice! 

Thanks for stopping by friends! ♥

Stay cozy!!! xoxo 

PS The bathroom project is coming along. It now looks like an actual room instead of a hole in the house.  We're getting there! Yay! By the next update we may have a floor.  Fingers crossed! 

Celebrating a birthday and welcoming February ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥

Happy Monday and welcome February. Rabbit Rabbit! 

Rumor has it we have six more weeks of winter ahead of us.  I'm grateful for sunshine on those bitter cold days.  We have many ahead of us before spring arrives, but that's ok.  More time to dream.  I've become an expert at lighting fires in our woodburning stove.  I used to fill the whole house with smoke, but not anymore.  I've finally figured it out and I'm loving it...so warm and cozy.  Also loving shutting the heat off once in a while.  Energy costs are so high, it's nice to save when I can.  

So, how was your weekend? ♥

We had a very nice past weekend celebrating Rob's birthday.  Friday night we got takeout from one of our favorite restaurants.  Rob and I split a chicken parm dinner (because the portions are huge!)  John got chicken marsala and my Dad got salmon.  Everyone loved their meal... especially me since I got the night off from cooking : ) I did make a yummy Funfetti birthday cake that we devoured after dinner! 

On Saturday we had a lovely family dinner at Rob's parents' house.  As usual, my mother-in-law did an amazing job.  Her house is so cozy and beautifully decorated, and the food was delicious. Rob's brother and sister both came with their families.  

It was a fun night ♥

 

On Sunday we went to an early mass and then a family friend came over to have breakfast with us.  After he left it was a day of this and that around the house.  We are doing some work to one of our upstairs bathrooms.  I saw "work" like it's not a big deal, but what it really is is a complete GUT and redo (ugh).  It hasn't been updated in a very long time.  Let's just say the tile and vanity were yellow and "harvest gold" colors which haven't been popular since the 1970's. This update was overdue.

Rob has been enjoying the demolition!!  I can't wait until it's done.  We are adding a washer and dryer as well, which I'm very happy about it because it's currently in the basement and this will be much more convenient since this bathroom is right across from my bedroom.  

So here is its current state.  Let's call it the "before" picture.  Hard to believe this was/is a bathroom!  Anyone else feel like your entire house is disrupted when there is a project going on - even though it's contained to one small area? Doesn't matter.  I just know there is chaos up there and I can't look it at ; ) 

Anyway, while all this demo was going on upstairs, I was cleaning downstairs.  I dusted and moped the floors, made a chicken pot pie for dinner, and put some Valentine decorations out because I almost forgot it was February.  Poor February.  Everybody hates her and I'll admit, she gets on my nerves too, but at least we get to decorate hearts and pink things, and pretty vintage cards.  And candy of course. 

That, I love ♥

Today I've been sitting at my kitchen table all day working.  I've drank waaaay too many cups of coffee but that's what keeps me going.  

I hope your week is off to a good start! Time to start thinking about dinner.  

Have a great day, my friends!  ♥

Friday Photos ♥

Hello from the artic circle!  ♥

It's been so cold here this week! (the temperature this morning read 16 degrees!) I'm currently wearing two cardigan sweaters and feeling cozy, but oh my is it cold out! We are certainly in the dog days of winter here in New England.  Thankfully today, despite the cold temps, the sun is shining.  It's so nice to see some rays of sunshine coming in through the window.  There is still tons of snow on the ground.  It's frozen solid now.  It's very "crunchy" walking around outside. 

So how was your week?  Mine went very well and was productive.  I got all my errands done on Tuesday and I'm happy to have gotten my doctor appointment over with.  The rest of the week I worked, paid bills, cleaned, did laundry, ect.  I was "adulting" hard, which is never fun but always feels good with things get checked off the to-do list.  I'm happy it's Friday! Rob has tomorrow off.  We are going out for coffee to my favorite coffee shop in the morning and then spending a relaxing weekend recharging our batteries.  It's going to be too cold to do anything else! I'm craving a pot of homemade soup (and bread) so that will be on the agenda tomorrow as well! 

Today I thought I'd share a few pictures of things that made me happy this week.  Just little snippets of things that brought me joy and corners of my home.  It's cold and chaotic out there.  I much prefer it in here....♥

 

YAY for sunshine! ♥

Happy to see signs of life.  Spring is coming! ♥

Our cozy back room ♥

There is no TV in this room which is nice when you want to read or gaze out at the river. 

 My mom painted this table many years ago  ♥

A cozy reading chair ♥

A Christmas gift that I'll be using all year! LOL 

Getting ready for Valentine's Day. More to come ♥

I read this book every winter for inspiration ♥

Another Christmas gift that I love! ♥

Currently in my bedroom...♥

This was my mom's.  

I put it on my nightstand.  

I wish I was a hat person, or I would be wearing it ♥

Pretty things ♥

Books that make me happy.  Dreaming of faraway places ♥

And finally back to the kitchen...

Plants are doing well this winter!

Another Christmas gift from a faraway friend!  ♥

No need to put away any snowman decor just yet! 

I hope you all had a nice week and are doing something you love this weekend.  Whether it be out and about or just staying home and watching a movie.  You know where I'll be! 

Stay cozy friends! Thanks for visiting today! 

Byeeeee! Xx

It's 2025! Let's Catch up ♥

Hello Friends! Long time no see! I did not expect to be away so long, but days turned into weeks and now here we are - mid January! Rest assured, all is well.  Life has been hectic and I've been busy, but things are starting to slow down now and I can finally start to breathe again.  The weather has been freezing cold, but isn't it so pretty?

As I type this post Christmas seems like a lifetime ago (and a bit of a blur to be honest with you.) Didn't is seem to go by way too fast? I think it was because Thanksgiving was so late and we had so little time to do all the things before Christmas.  I was at the bank this morning having this same conversation with the teller and she told me that next year Thanksgiving is also late, but this time I'll be prepared for it! And God-willing won't have pneumonia in November like I just did. That did not help my situation at all : )

Anyway, let me give you a quick catch up.  December was nuts. Mainly because Rob and I purchased my Dad's house (the house I currently live in and is my childhood home).  We are the official owners now which is great and a huge relief for my Dad.  We've taken that responsibility off his plate now and he can be happy as can be in his cozy chair and do whatever he pleases.  For us, it meant lots of paperwork and forms and everything else that is involved in buying a house. Thankfully, everything went well, we're up and running, and I'm so happy that part is behind us.  The house needs some updating and we're slowly chipping away at it - room by room - trying to enjoy the process.  Put that on top of Christmas and all that goes with it - decorating, shopping, wrapping, and just trying to enjoy the holiday season, AND working a full-time job.  It was also a constant reminder that it was the first one without my mom and that felt very very different.  December was a rollercoaster of emotions. 

My Dad hadn't been well leading up to Christmas. I was so worried he'd be in the hospital for Christmas.  I just felt something coming (hoping I was going to be wrong). It was a relief he wasn't in on Christmas day, but December 26th I had to take him to the ER.  He was admitted and was in for 5 days.  He needed a blood transfusion for a pre-existing condition, he had a bunch of tests run, and a small procedure that ended up being very beneficial (that he should have had months ago, but I won't go into the healthcare system and my feelings on it...because I'm trying to be positive here :)                    

He came home on New Years Eve day and has been feeling better ever since. Thank you, God! I'm sure many of you have experienced what I'm going through - having a parent or family member who is elderly, and you constantly worry about them - back and forth from the doctors and hospital all the time - it's a lot.  I'm very grateful when we have good days. 

SO that's where I've been.  But now I'm back! As I said earlier, Christmas seems like a lifetime ago, but I can't go without sharing some pictures of a lovely Christmas lunch my mother-in-law hosted the Sunday before Christmas.  It was definitely my favorite day of this holiday season.  It was so cozy and relaxed, and I loved it.  

 

I wish I could go back and relive this day again because it was that nice.  I also wish I could eat the meal again! I'm looking forward to next year! 

The week between Christmas and New Years was the week my Dad was in the hospital. By the time he came home on New Years Eve we were ready to have a cozy night in and a very good sleep! We all needed it.  It's a miracle I made it to midnight, but I did! I'm happy to leave 2024 behind and start fresh in 2025~! 

But before I wrap up Christmas with a bow, I just quickly wanted to share with you the most lovely gift I received from my mother in law.  This perfume is my new favorite thing in the world.

She picked it up in October while vacationing in Capri, Italy (but assured me it's available on Amazon if I run out!).  I'm honestly in love with it! It smells like the most perfect spring day.  I've been wearing it every day since it was gifted to me : ) 

And now on to 2025! 

So normally I'm not one for New Years resolutions, however I do like a good starting point and I always think that Jan 1st is a good time to begin something new.  I made a little list off the top of my head of "goals" for the new year.  I posted this on Instagram on January 1st.

So far (14 days in :) I'm doing pretty good.  I'm trying to get out everyday day and walk, even in the bitter cold.  I don't mind bundling up and the fresh air always makes me feel good.  I'm trying to be better about meal planning and making more things from scratch.  I want to be better and keeping up with friends and writing letters, accepting help when needed, and being more positive in my life.  I'm definitely glass-half-empty girl and that's no good for anyone.  Being more mindful of my spending, shopping small business, and going to thrift shops...something I do really enjoy, I just need to set aside time to do it.  That's just a handful of things I have been thinking about and trying to improve. Did you set any goals for the new year? 

On Sunday I made this bread recipe I found on Pinterest.  It came out delicious and only took 2 hours to rise.  If you want to jump into bread making, I highly suggest this recipe.  I've got another loaf rising right now. 

(recipe here)

I also made my mom's sour cream coffee cake which made the house smell like she was in the kitchen baking, and it was like a great big hug.   

(recipe here)

And now as I ease into the new year, I'm enjoying quiet days at home.  

I've always loved January for that reason.  After all the hustle and bustle of December I feel like we can all recharge our social batteries.

It's been FREEZING cold here and I've been loving being more aware of nature and all its beauty. 

 My walks are helping that.  I'm looking forward to seeing everything come back to life in spring. 

My Christmas cactus is blooming for the first time in years.  Yay! 

And despite the bitter the cold, we have sunshine.  Thank goodness for that!

A little sign spring will be here soon.  

*fun fact I thought this plant was dead so seeing this little flower blooming was very exciting! lol*

I live a very quiet and small life and it's my intention to keep it that way.  I'll do little things each day to be good to myself and I hope you do the same. 

Just like the flowers....we rest and then we bloom.....hopefully....♥

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and New Year (I hope it's not too late to say that!!).  

Happy Tuesday my lovely friends. 

Stay cozy and enjoy the sunshine if you can find it ♥

XOXO