Happy Memorial Day

 

Happy Memorial Day! Let us all take a moment to reflect on and give thanks to all the men and women who served this great country of ours. My American flag is proudly flying today!

We are having a slow day at home today which is just perfect. We are planning to grill hotdogs later this evening along with chips, and homemade brownies with strawberry ice cream. The sun is out and I'm looking forward to spending some time outside. It's turning out to be a beautiful day after so much rain lately. What are you up to today?

We have a few day trips planned for this week and then we are heading to Florida for vacation next week. I'm so looking forward to getting away and spending some time relaxing by the pool, taking walks on the beach, and enjoying the sunshine!

Hope you have a great week!

A New Cookbook

 

Hello everyone! I hope you've had a good week and are ready for the holiday weekend. Charlotte had her last day of 8th grade yesterday. It's so hard to believe and is going by too fast! She had finals all week and studied really hard for all of them. She finished strong, and we are so proud of her! While she was finishing up school yesterday (my husband works from home, so he was overseeing homeschool), I got a fresh haircut, color, and highlights. Now I feel more ready than ever for summer! I also went shopping at Talbot's, which I rarely shop at, but I lucked out this time with a pair of cute, cropped linen pants and a cute blue linen top. I've been searching for the perfect pair of linen pants, and I finally found them. And everything was on sale, which made it even better!

Sweet Charlotte gifted me a new cookbook for Mother's Day a few weeks ago, and I love it! As you can see in the photo above, I've already made the chocolate chip blondies, and they were a big hit. I'll definitely be making them again. The cookbook is beautiful and full of so many wonderful-looking recipes that I can't wait to try. I'm excited to try the strawberry ice cream sandwich cookies this summer. And the sweet corn and basil pasta dish looks wonderful on the cover. If you are in the market for some new cooking inspiration, I'd recommend picking up this book. You won't be disappointed! 

Hope you have a great weekend! 

My Birthday

 

Hi. I wanted to share a few pictures from my birthday last Friday. We spent the afternoon in Blowing Rock, plant shopping at my happy place, followed by dinner and, of course, chocolate cake back at home. It was a great day filled with my favorite things and favorite people! I received cards and gifts, phone calls, and text messages from friends and family, which made it extra special!

And can you believe how gorgeous my frilly peonies are? They have to be the most gorgeous peonies I've ever had. Just stunning, really. They started out a really dark pink, then faded to an almost coral-fuchsia color, followed by a very pale pink. Maybe I'll receive another bunch for Mother's Day this weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I know this will be very different for me without my mom here to celebrate, but Charlotte is excited to celebrate me, which makes me very happy.

Hope you have a great weekend! It's supposed to be sunny and warm, and I'm so ready for it after too many days of rain.

Happy May Day

 

Happy first day of May! I love the month of May! It is also my birthday month. All the flowers are blooming, and the weather is finally warming up - it's a great month.

Anyway, I made a delicious and easy pasta dish for dinner tonight and wanted to share the recipe with all of you. I actually make this at least once or twice a month. It's quick and easy for a weeknight dinner. I use this jar of sauce (I use the spicy vodka sauce, but they also have a non-spicy version), and the recipe is on the jar. Basically, you boil your pasta - I use this brand and you can find it at most grocery stores, add the jar of sauce along with one cup of heavy cream to a separate, large pot - I use my  Le Creuset brasier ( I love this braiser and use it all the time from stovetop to oven) for the sauce and let it simmer until the pasta is ready. Drain the pasta and toss it in the sauce with two tablespoons of butter, and that's it! Super easy and delicious. I also added some fresh basil to finish it off. I hope you make it! Please let me know if you do. 

Have a great day!

It's been a while

 

Hi. I hope everyone is enjoying spring! I know it's been a while since I've been in this space. Sadly, my dear mom passed away last month - it's still so hard to believe and kinda unreal even saying those words. She had a short battle with an evil illness and suffered so much this year. She fought it so hard with everything she had, but eventually, her body gave out, and she's now no longer suffering and in pain and is happy and healthy again in Heaven with her Heavenly Father. I find comfort and peace in knowing I will see her again someday. She is dearly missed, and I think about her every single day. My mom loved Jesus and her family, and she was a wonderful "Gigi" to her granddaughter, Charlotte - they were so close. She was a very positive person and never complained. She always gave the best advice. I miss our daily phone conversations, when we talked about anything and everything. Not only was she my mother, but also a best friend, and I miss her. She's with us in spirit, and I know she's smiling down on me. But life goes on, and we carry on the best we know how - one day at a time. 

I've been spending lots of time in the kitchen (my happy place) because it's been a good distraction. Although I've been terrible at remembering to take pictures of all the dishes and treats I've been making. I did, however, remember to snap a picture of this yummy baked ziti with meatballs I made on Sunday. It was delicious, and we had leftovers for the next day! 

Our sweet and sassy Rosie is celebrating her 4th birthday today! Also, Charlotte celebrated her 15th birthday last month, which is just so hard to believe! How is my baby fifteen already?? She's such a kind, happy, and thoughtful young lady. I'm so proud of her!

Thanks for visiting! 

Happy Easter!

 

Happy New Year 2024

 

Happy and Blessed New Year, dear friends! Here's to a happy, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous 2024!!

I don't usually make resolutions, but I do plan to get outside and exercise more this year. Walking is so good for me mentally and physically, and I feel so much better after I do it.

Our plans for the first day of 2024 include watching the Rose Parade, going for a nice, long walk and enjoying the sunshine this afternoon, and making traditional pork and cabbage for dinner.

I hope you have a great day, whatever your plans might be. I'm grateful and thankful for this New Year and all of the blessings that are to come!