How is it almost July?

 Hello everyone!  I didn't intend to be away from this space for so long.  Where did the time go?  Life got so busy with homeschooling my fifth grader the last few months of school that I really didn't have time for much else.  But we did it!  It wasn't the easiest year, but I am so proud of what we both accomplished.  Yay!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the first day of July.  The summer seems to be going by too quickly.  My daughter gets her bottom braces put on in the morning (she got the top set put on in March right before her birthday) and our shaggy dog gets groomed in the afternoon.  I know she is so ready for a cool, summer cut.  

We really don't have any big plans for the upcoming holiday weekend.  The weather is supposed to be amazing, so that will be nice.  We will probably barbeque on Sunday and head up to the mountains for the day either Saturday or Monday.  We were hoping to get away for a few days or even a week this summer, but I waited way too late to book something and now everything is booked.  And there seems to be a real shortage of pet-friendly accommodations as we were hoping to bring Rosie along with us.  Maybe something will pop up, if not, it's no big deal as we are just enjoying relaxing and not having to have much of a schedule.  

My little lettuce/flower garden is coming along nicely.  It's so nice to walk out to the backyard and pick a bouquet of flowers.  We've also been hitting up the farmers' market on the weekends as often as we can.  I just love a Saturday morning spent at the market.  There is a lady there that makes the most wonderful muffins.  Last time she had strawberry-lemon-cream cheese and they were fantastic!  

Oh, and we recently got a new kitchen island and it is a wonderful addition to our kitchen.  It is so nice to have a bit more storage.  It's also wonderful for rolling out pizza dough.

I hope you are having a great summer!  

Spring things

 

Just wanted to pop in and say hello!  I hope you all are well.  It's beginning to feel and look like spring here.  The trees are starting to blossom and daffodils are popping up everywhere.  Charlotte's birthday is coming up soon and we are planning to make a chocolate cake with pink frosting.  That's exciting!  I made a homemade pizza on Friday for the first time in a while and it turned out great.  I ordered the sweetest mugs and little bowl from Hogbon Pottery in England.  Everything I ordered is just so cute and very well made.  Well, I'm off to have another cup of tea and maybe go for walk and will likely eat a few more mini eggs.  It's a really good thing they are only available once a year!

This and That

 Just popping in to say hello.  We had a little snow overnight, but by mid-morning it was melted and gone.  It snowed most of the night last night, and I got up a few times to take a peek out the window - it was so pretty, I wish it had lasted longer.  Do you have snow where you are?  The sun came out, and we went for a nice walk this afternoon.  I made Swedish meatballs and potatoes for dinner.  Everyone loved it.

I'm still buying a nice bunch of tulips most every week now and have been since right after Christmas.  One of my very favorite flowers.  They bring so much brightness into the house during these winter days.  My husband asked me what I might like for Valentine's Day, and of course, I said tulips.  I ordered chocolates for all of us, which arrived yesterday.  Looking forward to enjoying them very soon!  Also, I ordered a new rug for our family room yesterday.  I'll be sure to share it with you soon.

I hope you have a great week.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Winter Days

 I am enjoying these cozy, winter days.  I've been baking and cooking a lot.  Also, drinking lots of lattes and hot tea.  I recently added a slice of orange to my Earl Grey tea, and it makes it extra special.  The kitchen is definitely my happy place.  I love to feed the people I love.  

I feel like we are starting to get into a groove with homeschooling.  It's been over four months now, so I would say it is about time.  We definitely still have days that we both struggle, but it's better than it was in the beginning.  Charlotte will be back at her old school next year in a classroom setting, and she's very much looking forward to that.  It's a much better fit for both of us.  Although this hasn't been easy, I am so glad we were able to have this year at home together.  Very special, indeed.

No big plans for us this weekend.  We are planning to get out for a walk at some point.  I'm sure there will be cooking going on and maybe some cleaning.  I made homemade sourdough bread today to go alongside a lentil soup I'm making for dinner.  

I hope you have a great weekend, whatever you are doing.  Stay warm and cozy!

Happy New Year

 Hello friends!  I hope you are having a nice and cozy start to the New Year.  We have a full day of homeschooling planned today, but I wanted to stop in and say hello to everyone.  A dear friend made me the most gorgeous St. George's Cross quilt (we both share a love for England) and recently gifted it to me and I'm just thrilled with it.  It's so special and will be treasured for many, many years.   I also received a milk frother for Christmas and I am absolutely loving it.  I'm making oat milk lattes almost every morning now.  Such a special treat to start the day with.  I'm enjoying these chilly, winter days.  It's cloudy today and I have fairy lights sparkling in the background in the kitchen as I type this.  I'm also making a big batch of spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.  Stay warm and cozy!

Lovely Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I hope you are all safe and well.  We are getting excited for Christmas and I hope you are, too!  I can barely believe it's only five days away.  I made jam thumbprint cookies today and we are making gingerbread cookies later this week.  Christmas will be a bit different this year as we are all playing it safe and not gathering with family and friends and it makes me a little sad as I will miss our yearly Christmas Eve traditions.  It will just be the three of us and the puppy, of course.  We are planning to make filet mignon, fingerling potatoes, Cesar salad, and bread for Christmas Eve dinner.  My mom will be dropping off a cheesecake for dessert that she ordered from a little bakery in NY - I can't wait!  I do love a good cheesecake.  We are planning a nice and slow Christmas day with gifts to open, lots of coffee, and french toast for brunch!

What are your plans for Christmas this year?  I do hope it's a Merry one!!