Friday Favorites ~ 6/7/2024

 

How can it be almost the second week of June already?  Why does Summer fly by so fast and Winter drag so long?  Maybe I'm meant to live where it is perpetually Summertime.  I think I would miss Fall too much though.  I'm just going to enjoy each day as it comes :)

We had so much happen that I missed blogging about the past two weeks as I was very busy and missed a few posts.  A few of those happenings were:

~Memorial Day and all the fun and relaxation it entailed

~Nate's graduation and party

~Laken's Summer course in POD

~Traveling to Lancaster, PA for the weekend for a soccer tournament and lots of shopping

~Prepping for some big meetings at work that I'm glad are over

~Getting a new-to-us Subaru (so happy to have another Subaru!)

~Developing tendinitis in my Achilles Tendon and getting it treated

~etc, etc, etc (for all my "King and I" fans)

I think that catches us up!  Whew!  I'm ready to slow down a bit...which brings me to...

I'm getting ready to start reading "Living Slower" by Merissa A. Alink.  If I get the time.  I used to read voraciously and now I'm lucky to get 5 books read in a year.  I guess there is a season for everything.  I do hope I can get sucked into this book though and get some ideas to "make time for what matters".

The hubby and I saw this sunflower at Lowe's and it reminded me of my mother-in-law, Carrie.  She loved sunflowers and always had them growing in her garden.  I think of her every time I see one :)

I love taking pictures of paths.  This one in particular is at Shawnee State Park.  There is something about standing back and looking forward that fills me with hope.

This picture was taken on Memorial Day, but we're hoping to fire up the grill again this weekend.  I'm also hoping that we can find some good corn-on-the-cob to go with it.

We had some pretty severe storms this week but there were also beautiful, sunny days.  This evening (Thursday as I type this) we got the best of both worlds and were treated to a faint but beautiful rainbow in the sky.  Look closely and you'll see the sign of God's Promise and the reminder that He is faithful to His children.

Hopefully, I won't let time get away from me and I'll be back with Hello Monday to let you know all about our weekend. I hope you'll stop back!

Here's to enjoying the now and documenting one day at a time :)

Thanks for stopping by :)

Colletta 

Hello Monday ~ 5/27/2024

 

Holly & Sarah

I want to take a moment before getting into my Hello Monday post to REMEMBER and HONOR all the brave men and women who gave his/her life so that we could be free.  I think sometimes we look at this day only as a reason for a three-day-weekend and don't truly remember and honor the ones who so greatly deserve it.  So make sure to pause for a moment Monday or whatever day you may be reading this and be grateful.

With all that being said, I am super grateful and excited to have this three-day-weekend.  It is Sunday night as I write this post and it feels so good to still have another day off to look forward to!  I'll let you know how we spend our Memorial Day in my Friday Favorites post (make sure you stop back) but for now I'll share our weekend adventures.

I came home Friday from work and was greeted by these two wrestling.  Oliver and Flynn are so funny together!  I couldn't help myself, I had to snap this picture and share it!  It cracks me up :)

Laken finished up her AP Language class which was her last class of Junior year.  Does that mean I have a Senior???

Every year, on the last day of school, we eat out to celebrate finishing up another school year.  This year Laken decided that she wanted Cracker Barrel.  Only my youngest daughter would order a hot chocolate on an 85F day  :)

The hubby likes to play the peg game at Cracker Barrel.  I don't know the technical name of the game, but I do know that the hubby cheats so that he's not a "plain old ignoramus"!

We went grocery shopping Saturday morning and we couldn't pass up these gorgeous orange Dahlias.  The hubby loves orange flowers and something about these really caught my eye as well.

One the way home, we once again saw the geese by the pond near our house.  Look how much the babies have grown just from when I posted about them last weekend!

Saturday afternoon/evening we stopped by Kaylee and Shawn's.  We spent some time looking at their newly planted garden and the flowers that are coming back up from last year.  Kaylee had just got her hair cut and was worried I would think it was too short but I think it suits her and she looks beautiful no matter what!

They have a Mock Orange Bush that reminds me so much of my Gram.  Gram loved plants and flowers and had a Mock Orange off the back porch.  I think the new owners of her house cut it down, which makes me very sad.  Moving on to happier things!

My grandpuppy, Dahlia, hated that we were outside and she was inside the house.  I made sure to say hi to her before we left.  She is a Great Dane and is such a lover!  Sweet, sweet Dahl Baby!

Aunt Donna and Uncle Charlie invited us to dinner that evening so we took corn-on-the cob to contribute to the meal.  It was our first corn-on-the-cob of the season which is always exciting!  What was even sweeter was getting the corn 10 ears for $2 at Weis.  That price is unheard of these days!  I wish we would have gotten more, to tell you the truth.

Aunt Donna had these cute little piggy corn-on-the-cob stickers.  I had to snap a picture of the hubby using them.

When we got home after dinner, we watched 2 epidsodes of Tracker.  We still have 2 more episodes to watch to get caught up.  It might even be over the season.  If so, we'll have to find another show to watch before bed.  Any suggestions?

Sunday morning we got up and the hubby made us cinnamon rolls for breakfast before Church.  He usually either makes us cinnamon rolls or muffins.  They are out of a can or a mix but I appreciate it SO much.  He's a sweetheart and I love him so much.

When we got home from Church it was time to catch up on some housework which included laundry, dishes and floors.  I had dumped the clean clothes in a pile on the bed and came back to find Oliver "helping".  He did not like me moving the clothes and messing up his little cocoon.  I tried to not disturb him, but I really wanted to get done with the housework and sit on my swing for a bit.

Which reminds me...I didn't get my swing painted the weekend...BUT, I still have all day Monday.  I'm hoping to pick up the paint when my hubby goes to Lowe's and get it finished before the rains come.  

Finally, I'll leave you with a picture of the beautiful "blue" rose that is blooming right off the back deck where my swing is.  Isn't it gorgeous?

So those were our weekend highlights.  I can't wait to read all about yours!  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead :)

Colletta

Friday Favorites ~ 5/24/2024

 

We did it!  We made it through another work week!  Well, almost, anyway...  I'm so excited to have a 3 day weekend ahead.  But first, let's talk about the past week.

The hubby was on vacation all week and I enjoyed having him home during the nights.  I slept so much better which is weird because he's been on third shift for a long time and before that he worked swing shift.  I should be used to him being at work while I sleep.  There is a chance that he might be able to transfer to first shift but we have to wait and see.  I'm really hoping and praying that it happens.  I think it would be good for us at this stage in our lives.  We'll find out more when he gets back to work on Tuesday.

Monday evening was Nate's Senior Awards Ceremony.  We won't be able to attend graduation because he only has a limited amount of tickets, so we wanted to be at the Awards Ceremony to show our support.  We're very proud of Nate and feel very blessed that Laken has him as part of her life and that he allows us all to be part of his life.

After the Awards Ceremony, we went to a close by ice cream stand called The Penguin.  While waiting for our ice cream we witnessed the strangest thing.  At first I thought it was a normal traffic stop with a state trooper pulling over a speeding car.  Next thing we knew, it was as if we had stepped into an episode of "COPS" !  The car took off and then about 10 police vehicles went flying after it.  We were witnessing a car chase!  It was unreal and a bit unsettling.  What an interesting way to end the evening!

We had a very cool, rainy stretch which was a bit miserable for us but the flowers loved it.  Especially our little rose bush off the back deck.  It has been pitiful the past few years but this year it is going to town!  There are tons of buds and the roses are rich and beautiful.

Now that I'm getting used to my new phone, I am starting to fall in love with it.  Especially the camera!  It is so good that I was able to actually take a picture of a jet flying over as the hubby and I were sitting on the porch swing Tuesday evening.  It was really neat to zoom in on the picture and see the jet "up close".

Wednesday evening, before Bible Study, the cats were playing in the middle of the Family Room floor.  Flynn and Oliver were going crazy!  I took quite a few pictures of them because my camera is so stinking fast!  I picked this picture out because it shows their personalities off the best.  Oliver thinks he's big stuff and Flynn is telling him he's small potatoes.

Thursday morning I woke up with an ear ache :(  I was able to get into my PCP and it was verified that I have an ear infection.  My appointment was at 5pm and the pharmacy closed at 7pm so I made it just in time to pick up my antibiotic.  My PCP also told me that my ear canals were red which indicates allergies and recommended that I use Flonase as it is really good at keeping the ears clear.  I stopped on the way home and picked some up so hopefully I'll be feeling better in no time!

Which brings me to now, Thursday night.  One more day of work for me and one more day of school for Laken before we can enjoy the weekend and the SUMMER!  I'm so excited!  It is supposed to be nice weather  Saturday and Sunday but rain on Monday.

My goal for the weekend is to get my swing repainted before the rains come again.  I still need to pick up the paint so I'll probably do that Saturday morning after Oliver's vet appointment.  I thought I'd add a "before" picture showing the fine job the hubby did replacing some of the boards on my swing.  Good as new!  Hopefully I'll be able to show an "after" picture Monday.

I also hope that everyone has a wonderful long weekend!  Let me know in the comments if you have any special plans or if you have to work the weekend.  I'd love to hear!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Colletta 

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 5/30/2022

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday!

The weather outside is:

This weekend was BEAUTIFUL and Memorial Day is supposed to be GORGEOUS!  I don't even mind the thunderstorms here and there :)

On today's to-do list: 

We're having a cookout at my brother's house.  He's been working so hard to get their pool ready and even got a heat pump for the pool!  It is going to be lovely :)

Other than being Memorial Day, we are celebrating my nephew getting into the Tech Center for his first choice of Graphics and celebrating Laken finishing up her school work!  They both worked so hard!

Happening this week:

Proberbs 31's Summer Online Bible Study, "Fighting Words", starts Tuesday, May 31st.  It isn't too late to join in!

Wednesday, June 1st, The Kindred Readers Book Club will be starting to read and discuss "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel.  Come join us!

Currently reading:

"The Rose Garden" by Susanna Kearsley is the Kindred Readers Book Club selection for July.  I like to read ahead and get the discussion questions ready.  I'm just getting ready to start reading this.

Watching:

We went to the theater to see "Top Gun Maverick" and it was AMAZING!  If you get a chance (and liked Top Gun) you really should go see it in the theater.  Great movie.

We recently got Paramount Plus so I think we'll probably be watching "1883" soon.  If you have Paramount Plus, is there anything we should watch?

Listening to:

This week for "Songs on Sunday" I featured "Let the Light In" by Joshua Micah.  I hope you'll check it out :) 

On the menu today:

Burgers, Hotdogs

In the Craft Basket:

I've been working on Sunny Blue Hawaii 2 but don't have any updated pictures.  I have probably 10-15 squares completed so far.

Picture from the Camera

Memory Verse

"But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them."

Psalm 103: 17-18

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 5/31/2021

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend :)

The weather outside is:

The weather over the weekend was chilly and rainy.  I was hoping for the nice weather that was predicted for today so that we could celebrate Memorial  Day and remember those who died so that we could have our freedom.  I'm looking forward to that 80F weather come the weekend.

On today's to-do list: 

I'm getting this post up late so I'll tell you what I've already done today.

We spent the morning getting laundry finished, cleaning the family room and bedroom, going out to eat for lunch, relaxing and going to the Lake in the evening.

I started a Summer Self-Improvement Challenge today that lasts until Labor Day.  It is hosted by Diva and the Divine over on youtube.  Click HERE for the details.  I met all my daily goals for the challenge!  Yay, me!

Happening this week:

Kaylee and Shawn's wedding is fast approaching so I want to get all the invitation sent out this week.  The majority of them will go out Tuesday but we still need a few addresses.

Laken is out of school for the Summer!  Wednesday was her last day as a Middle School Student.  She is now in High School!  I don't know how the time flies so quickly...

The hubby is working first shift (daylight) this wee and had a nice long weekend that was much needed.

As for me, I'll be watching Annalea from 8am-3pm and then working to meet all my above-mentioned Summer Self-Improvement Challenge goals :)

Currently reading:

I started "Aloha Hideaway Inn" by Elana Johnson today at the Lake.  One of my goals for the Summer is to get back into reading.  I picked this book to kick things off because it is set in Hawaii :)  So far it is intriguing and the writing is very good.

On the TV:

I haven't watched TV in weeks!  That will change this coming weekend because "Raya" is coming to Disney+ on June 4th.  We opted not to spend the extra money to watch it as a premiere so we're looking forward to seeing it this Friday or Saturday.  It has been a long time since we've had a Family Movie Night.  Too long!

Listening to:

This week I featured "Help Is On The Way" by TobyMac on Songs on Sunday.  I love this song and have listened to it over and over :)

On the menu week:

I haven't made our menu yet...

Monday ~  Subway

Tuesday ~ 

Wednesday ~ 

Thursday ~  

Friday ~ 

Saturday ~ 

Sunday ~ Potluck at Church

In the Craft Basket:

I haven't been crafting a lot lately.  I did manage to tie the ends in on Kaylee's and Shawn's Afghan that I'm making for the Wedding Shower.  But that was only on the 17 squares I have completed.  I still need to crochet 16 squares, crochet them all together and then crochet the border.  All before the shower in July!

Picture from the Camera

Memory Verse

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."  I Thessalonians 4:16-17

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Journal Entry ~ 6/2/20 ~ with pictures

A few sentences about each day...

May 25, 2020 - May 30, 2020

Mon/25 ~ Happy Memorial Day and Happy Unofficial Summer!  We got Subway for lunch before Kaylee had to go to work and ate at the picnic table on the hill.  After Kaylee left for work, while Doug was napping for work tonight and Laken was doing who-knows-what, I got on the treadmill for 45 minutes.  I'm trying really hard to find the right time of day to make walking on the treadmill a habit.  Mornings and evenings are busy so maybe afternoons will be the right time???  After Doug's nap, we went for ice cream and fishing at Shawnee.  It was a beautiful day :)

Tues/26 ~  It was another gorgeous day!  I think the nice weather is finally here to stay :)  Laken spent most of the afternoon outside on a blanket with the cats.  Fluff decided that the blanket was solely for her and wriggled all over it.  We had to water the flowers and the vegetable garden this evening as they were getting a bit thirsty.

Wed/27 ~  Even though it was a bit cloudy, I was able to hang clothes on the line today!  I love being able to do that.  Damon and Dexter were here today.  Laken played with them outside (when she finally got out of bed).  They played ball and drew with sidewalk chalk.  When we came inside, the kids helped make a Cinnamon Chocolate Chunk Coffee Cake.  It was utter chaos but we got it made :)  It turned out super yummy and I'll be sure to share the recipe sometime soon.

 Thurs/28 ~ Kaylee wanted to go shopping this morning this morning to get some cooler work clothes.  Apparently it was unbearably hot in the warehouse last evening and she was wearing a pair of sweatpants!  We stopped at Hebrews, a little coffee shop, and the girls got their morning caffeine.  It was very muggy this evening so we had an easy supper of weiner winks and french fries.  For dessert we had fresh strawberries with whipped cream :)

Fri/29 ~ Green!  Green!  Green!  We're going green!  Next Friday, that is, but I'm still excited!  Restaurants, hair salons,theaters, etc., etc., etc.  I know we still have to be cautious, don't get me wrong.  It will just be good to get just a little bit closer to "normal".  Kaylee got a letter in the mail from the College saying that she received a scholarship that she had applied for.  It is for $500.  Every little bit helps :)

Sat/30 ~ My recipe for "Irish Stew" was featured on the blog "Scraptastic Saturdays"!  I got a new pretty orange cup to hold my ice water.  they didn't have my favorite turquoise color so I picked the orange one.  I'm hoping that I'll cut back on the pop and drink more water.  We went shoe shopping for Kaylee's work shoes.  She got a pair of Sketchers that are very cushiony.  I hope they work well for her.               

Until next week,

Colletta