time in a bottle...

If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I'd like to do...

 ~I do try to save everyday like a treasure~ here's a glimpse of some Nauset Beach sand that we scooped up on a visit.  It's a treasure to us.  I love having it nearby!  

Was there a moment that you treasured today?  I treasured my son getting a new pair of sneakers today - oh my his feet have grown so fast - and watching him wear them ALL afternoon around the house.  As soon as he hopped out of the tub, his new sneaks went right back on.  The little things put such a smile on my face - I love my little man!!  :)

seeing blue

I've been seeing a lot of blue lately~ maybe the cold weather is finally getting me down...Well, my collection of blue bottles perked me up the other day.  I moved them to a sunny spot in the dining room & am enjoying them much more.  They're different hues remind me of the many colors of the ocean.  Find something that makes you smile today!

fishing pier

~We had so much fun exploring both old & new finds at the Cape this past weekend...we walked Main St. in Chatham, went out for breakfast, poked through a Thrift Shop, shook hands with a photographer (we've always admired his work, but never met him in person), visited the Candy Shop (& of course, bought some candy), stopped by the fish pier, and walked a couple of our favorite beaches.

~We'll be back again, Cape Cod.  Hopefully our next visit will be a little bit warmer...
and maybe a little longer!!

there's nothing like ocean air...

There's nothing in the world like breathing in ocean air to rejuvenate the soul~ and we needed it!!  Next time, we'll stay for more than one night...but it was sooooooooooooo worth the drive!  Family time on Cape Cod...
Where do you go to renew your spirit?  It's an amazing feeling to have such a special place to go to!!

have a little faith

I LOVE beach rocks!  They're in my dining room (like these), in my planters, on my nightstand, and scattered in my gardens.  They remind me often of my happiest place on earth!  I need to collect more rocks on our next visit to the Cape - I can never have enough.  I believe "one is closer to God at the ocean than anywhere else on earth..." It's time to take a road trip!!

~believe

good morning Monday!

Good morning cup of caffeine!  

Here's to a seeing more of the yard this week (& less snow), hoping for a robin to visit soon, and seeing some buds on the trees.  This coming weekend officially starts spring ~ yippee!!

Hello to the weekend...

Hello weekend, hello family time, hello laundry, cleaning, & running errands...
     Hello looking ahead to spring, green grass, warmer weather, longer days & positive thoughts for  healthy~happy days ahead!  Here's one of our motivational songs...
     Hello World!!!  

missing the beach...

 
"Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. 
Patience & faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach- waiting for a gift from the sea." ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

We are missing the sea immensely, and need to get there for a visit to simply breathe in the ocean air.  We promise to roam Main St. in Chatham soon, and throw a rock in Nauset.  We're coming Cape Cod, we promise!!

recipes for the month...

 Mmmmmmmmmmmm.....

     Check out our added recipes for the month of March...just click on the link to the left.  We are planning on posting a soup & sauce each month, or recipes that go along with the season.  My husband has written up a Bechamel (sauce) recipe, and a Chorizo and White Bean Soup.  Hope you enjoy them!!  Happy cooking! 

in the works~

     I'll be the first to tell you that I'm new to blogging - love to follow blogs, but I'm  just starting out with my own.  Two things I'm working on:  I'm in the process of learning how to create a Blog Button.  I have 2 buttons on my blog:  one from Boston Bee, & one from Gussy Sews.  When I create my button, other blogs can post my button for me...I'll get there.  Also, I'm working on having the photos at the bottom of my blog become links that take you to a slide show of 3 childrens' bedrooms that I've painted.  Like the title says, in the works!!  Thanks for following!

quotes...

I enjoy reading quotes, & keeping certain ones close to my heart~  Here's one from a book I'm reading titled, The Gift of an Ordinary Day, A Mother's Memoir, by Katrina Kenison.

"Our gift is often paired with a wound...Our strength seems to be born of our suffering, growing and flowering out of our limitations."

Do you have a favorite quote, one that you keep with you always? 

pirate party

~The invites went out, the goody bags (treasure chests) were filled, and the party happened!  We had a lot of fun with seven 5 year old boys:  we painted pirates, ate pizza & cake, and opened very thoughtful gifts!  The boys all left with a treasure chest full of pirate goodies, and fun was had by all!  Happy 5th birthday to my little man!!  xoxo

chores...

We started a new chore chart with our son...first, we asked for his input on what he should be responsible for.  We got out the label maker, & Michael helped to spell out his chores (fun sounding out words with a 5 yr. old), then we hung it on our frig.  Next, we found these cute magnetic containers at WalMart, and labeled them as well.  For completing his chores each week, he receives 3 tickets:  one for savings, one for charity, & one for spending.  Each ticket = one dollar.  The spending container has money in it at the moment from a birthday card he received!  Now, when he wants to purchase something, he needs to consult his spending container, not Mom or Dad. It's been working really well so far!!  :) 

fixer~upper

This was my Grama's bedside table, in her home at the Cape.  I inherited it when she passed away, and finally refinished it with a cocoa paint to use as a side table in my living room.  I purchased these paper drawer liners, too.  I'm so excited that it's a part of my home now!!  Thank you Grama!

to-do-list...

One more day of school, until February vacation...I've started my to-do-list already...

Do you live by lists?  They make me feel organized , and keep me focused on my goals.  I never feel as though I need to complete my list, but it helps give me a sense of accomplishment.

Here's what it looks like so far:

1. pick gray paint for front door
2. organize & clean out coat closet
3. visit the Salvation Army with bags of clothes
4. Play Star Wars with Michael (Lightsabers...or Lightsavers, as he call them)
5. finish goody bags for Michael's birthday party
6. write thank you's
7. correct gobs of papers from this past week at school 
8. play with Michael
9. and, play with Michael
10. and...take a few family naps!

5 years ago today...I became a MOM!!!  What an amazing experience it has been! I love my little man!  xoxo

 

 

moments...

~Hope you enjoyed today spending some special, quiet moments with the people you love the most!!  I certainly did! xoxo

...toes in the sand...

I have found myself thinking a lot about the beach lately...I think winter is getting to me.  Here's my little man with his toes in the sand ~ our favorite place to be!  Happy weekend everyone - enjoy time with family!!

heart song

~This song melts my heart...especially when my son sings it with me! 

What is your heart song?

The groundhog DID see his shadow - right?  Here's our cozy home, covered in snow & icicles...and it's snowing again as I type.  I'm going to go to bed & dream of sandy Cape Cod beaches, flip flops, and cut-off jeans.   Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...