Happiness is...

enjoying a great cup of coffee in the morning, playing hide-and-seek with my son, toes in the sand, having the ironing done, a summer bouquet, a family day trip, the sun shining, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, family, my little boy's laugh, spending a couple hours in TJMaxx (with a cup of coffee), new school supplies, a cool breeze coming in the window,curling up under a blanket, having a cardboard box in my living room that my son's imagination turns into many things, finding art in nature with my camera, being loved, and most of all just being together!  Make your happiness list...

it's raining, it's pouring...

...but we're not snoring!  I'm sure everyone in New England is doing everything but snoring right now.  We squeezed in our soccer game this morning, took a family trip to pick out our new flooring for the kitchen (I'm so excited), and came home to put away a few last things from the yard - Hurricane Irene is on the way.  Hopefully, she'll be a Tropical Storm by the time she arrives!

This week, we will be adding new recipes to our blog!  Stay tuned for a fruity twist on soup ~ yum!

Here are a couple pictures of the beach this summer...ahhhhhhhhhhhh, there's nothing like a carefree day at the beach with a few magazines, a can't-put-it-down book, sun lotion, lunch, chairs & an abundance of beach toys!

I call this picture 'solitude'!!  :)

hello Monday

Hello to the last Monday of summer vacation, hello cool crisp air coming in the windows (it feels like back to school), hello busy week ~ back to work, soccer practice, and squeezing in some end of summer family time, hello kindergartener!!  (how did that happen?)  My little man is sooooooooooooo excited about kindergarten!

Hello summer photos...being neatly tucked away for memories sake.  Hello freshly picked bouquets.

Here's to a new season, just around the corner.  May we welcome fall with open arms, and remember fondly the carefree days of summer ~ we had so much fun together!  xo

summer's end...

It's happening...summer is coming to a close.  The night's are getting cooler - can't you feel it?  It feels good to let the breeze come in, and it makes me feel like it's time to go back to school.  Our school supplies are bought, lunch boxes and water bottles are ready for a new year, and we're celebrating the last few days together with some day trips!
Here's one last picture of my beautiful blue hydrangea...most of the flowers are starting to turn a grayish blue, they're just not as vibrant as they were all summer.  They're feeling that fall is just around the corner, too.

Here's to an amazing school year, for ALL of us!!

dresser re-do

It amazes me how many projects, day trips & lists I can accomplish over summer vacation ~ it's such a wonderful feeling to know that I'm getting things done that are on the list in my mind, but I'm also spending much quality time (&much needed time) with my family!

I got this dresser when my Grama passed away...it's a perfect small bureau for my accessories!  I painted it the same color as our bedroom walls (so it blends in...our bedroom is tiny).  Then, with a paint pen, I wrote one of my favorite quotes across the top of it.  This way, I'll read this quote each morning when I wake up...a positive feeling each morning!!  Thank you, Grama! xo

"Breathe, let go, and remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure."

Mmmm...summer foods!

One of the BEST things about summer is visiting a Farmer's Market, or farm stand, and picking up some fresh fruits & veggies.

We picked up some fresh, garden grown tomatoes, avocado, lime, basil & mozzarella ~

For a delicious summer dinner, we laid out the tomatoes, and placed mozzarella & basil on top, then drizzled a little balsamic and oil over them.  Next, we squeezed some lime juice over the avocado slices.

Mmmm...what a delicious and nutritious summer meal! 

home again, home again...jiggety - jig!

We had a very enjoyable, & relaxing vacation...and now we're home!  Vacations are always so wonderful - but, isn't it always a nice feeling to come home too?  It will be nice to sleep in our own beds (Michael is already sound asleep)...it's just very comforting to be home.  I am grateful to have such a cozy house to call HOME!

My husband & I discussed Soups & Sauces ideas over vacation too...our vacation was mixed with business & pleasure.  We're all going back to school in a few weeks (my husband included) - we're all so excited for him!!  We've been brainstorming ideas for our first "home" party for Soups & Sauces - coming soon!  Can't wait to share more details.

Happy Friday (almost)!
SS&M ~ Soups Sauces & More

lazy days of summer ~ while they last...

And, we're off...

time to put our toes in the water one more time this summer, and we can't wait!  I'll take lots of photos over vacation, but can't promise I'll be doing much updating to my blog this coming week.  Cape Cod, here we come!!!  :)

summer list...

Well, here it is so far...our summer list!!
On the left, are sticky notes that we would still like to accomplish together.  On the right, are things that we have done already!  What an exciting summer it has been!!

I keep a photo of our lists from every summer, so that we can look back & remember the fun things we did with one another.  Next week, we're off to the Cape for one more week.  We're planning on going on a whale watch - that should be fun!  When we come home, we need to find a cool night to sleep outside in our new tent.  Camping in our backyard is on our "not done" list....and Michael keeps reminding us of that!  Enjoy the month of August ~ I'm sure it's going to fly by!!!