Down Home Goodness

I know it is the end of February and actually right now there is snow falling lightly with a bigger storm on the way for Monday night. I know that but...  all week long my home had been 'bugging me'. I'd come home from teaching and there would be a little pile here, some dust there, an undecorated area there... and it felt like my home was screaming, pay some attention to me! So I did. 

On Friday night Scott had an event at his school. It was the perfect opportunity for Abigail and I to spend some time together. My sweet-as-pie girl and I love to talk, organize, decorate together. And so we sat in her room, emptied out her dresser of everything. (she recently got some new clothes and she'd recently been so busy that putting away her laundry in too packed drawers has become a bitter task) So everything came out. We decided what fit, what she liked... all that went back. All that she'd outgrown (glory, halleluiah, she needs to grow!) I put in a pile to donate. And once her room was organized it felt so much better. 

So when Saturday morning rolled around I wanted everything to feel that good again. That was my starting point - my just what I needed to get me motivated for my whole house. On Saturday morning I got up bright and early and began cleaning. I started upstairs, dusted, waxed, shined up the glass. (We love these non toxic cleaners we've recently switched to) I cleaned the bathrooms, Scott did the 'big job' on our bird cage, I cleared and cleaned. I took one room at a time and really dove deep (for the time I had). I made everything clean, organized, pretty, and comfy cozy. 

And now when I walk through the house I feel so happy. I keep walking around admiring all that I did in one little morning. It makes all the difference. 

I want my home to be a place where my family wants to come home to. I want it to be comfortable, happy, cheerful (we do that with our words, actions, kind and gentle spirit), and peaceful. Getting it all shiny again makes me all the more ready to give to my family. 

When I was done cleaning I looked around and decided to add a few spring-y touches to our home - mostly in our kitchen and mudroom/entrance area. I listened to this soundtrack (click HERE) which makes me think of summer is coming - bright days - blue skies - which was just was I was in the mood for. It's the perfect soundtrack for decorating or when I need a burst of sunshiny-ness. 

I love this cheery spot in our kitchen with the little antique lamp I found in Vermont. (Scott painted it white for me)

I love vintage bowls, linens, and tiny vases of flowers. It all says to me, stay a while here. This is a happy place. 

I love this baking center and added some of my vintage tablecloths to all of the baskets to bring that 'spring will come' feeling to our home.  

Even the mudroom got a bit of a spring-y feel to it. Just a quick dust to the shelves and some vintage cheery tablecloths are just the touch it needs. 

Recently I've been reading this verse and I love it so. And this quote. They touch my heart. 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa

I love home. I don't live in my 'perfect home'. Some people think that because I blog and instagram our home that I love it so much. I actually don't, ha! I do love so many parts to it. If I ever had to move you would have to rip the built in china cabinet outta my hands, ha!

But ya all... 

if I shine it all up

when I get to fill it with Connecticut colonial, country type furniture and all of the mugs I love, the dishes that love to change out... when then I do L O V E it! I do! 

Sometimes we gotta just shine things up and love what God gave us. So I suppose I've fallen in love with this old home of ours because I love to make it cozy, comfy, and filled with memories, love, and sweetness. And that is not just vintage tablecloths in a basket. That sweetness needs to come from my words, my work, my actions, my tenderness. And each day that is a choice. 

I read this recently in a book called Sanctuary: Creating a Blessed Place to Live and Love:

"God will stir up our hearts and allow us to live excellently and in abundance within our own homes." 

Isn't that just beautiful. 

And I also read:

"Be sure to show gratitude to God for your home today. 

• appreciate the value of having shelter. Give thanks every single day that you have a place to call home, no matter how humble or elaborate your home may be. Take ownership of it and treat it in a way that is pleasing to God. 
• spend less time dwelling on your future home or dream house and be grateful for the present blessings, the "right here" and "right now". 

So that's me: filling our home up with vintage-y goodness, keeping it tidy and clean, baking - it all inspires me to do what's even more challenging (I'm looking at your tiring days!) which is filling it up with joy and cheer and kind words or encouragement and love. Decorating is easy some days compared to that!

But don't ya just love that pie "cute as pie"? I just love it so much and that old, rusty pie holder too! 

And these tea cups have a cherry look to them, don't they? I've actually changed that whole mug rack since yesterday when I took this picture, ha! 

Well, that's my D O W N - H O M E - G O O D N E S S  blog post for today. Hoping it blesses you and encourages you to feather your nest with all the goodness and comforts of home. See ya all soon! 

 

Auditions

We are no strangers to auditions in our home. I wish I made a tab years ago on this blog called 'audition' because then they would be so easy to find. 

There have been times when we've had the amazing feeling of "I got innnnnn!!!!!!!" 

And we've had the "oh well, not this year, I'll keep trying" auditions. 

I just love them both because they show persistence, effort, and above all love for playing the viola. 

This is Abigail's most recent audition. 

I stood at the door and recorded her songs and breathed in the feeling of wow! 

Scenes from Valentines Day

The weekend before Valentines Day we went to visit Anna. It had been a while since we'd seen her (we brought her back for her spring semester toward the end of January!

We went out to eat, to a fun bookstore, and to my favorite antique shop!

It was so much fun to be all together even for the afternoon. 

And then for Valentines Day at home Abigail opened a few small gifts, lots of Valentine cards and we had a simple evening at home. 

I love that no matter the age of my daughters I get to decide how I want to make their day special. It doesn't matter that they are 19 and 15... they are all mine and I love to think of special ways to make their day sweet. I am so grateful to love them for life. 

Here is look back at other years: 

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017 and more 

2016

2015

2014

2013 and more

2012

2011

A Health Update

24 hours of not clicking that button on my phone that has a big I in the middle and I already feel different. I don't think it will change my life but I know it is right for me this lent. Click HERE if you want to read my Lenten journey. 

 Music (click HERE) 

This blog feels like an old friend. Sure I've still been blogging regularly but knowing that it the only place I'll be posting makes me remember the 'good ol days' of being here as a mama. Blogging here feels lighter, easier, less curated, just me. And that is exactly what I was led toward this lent. 

I put this song on today (see link above) and it made me want to do an update post on Abigail. 

I know she reads here. So I don't want to be too too sappy or sad. Just an update.

Dinner tonight was a vegetable soup. She'll eat anything. She had Jazz Dancers for Pop 'n Jazz 7 pm to 8:45 so I knew I had to get her out the door quickly. But it's hard for her to eat quickly. She just can't. Just this Monday we were at Radiology at the children's hospital for her.

I filled her water bottle as she was getting ready to head out the door. Handed her her first pill and then another. 

Most of the time I barely notice. It's been 14 years of this. 

But tonight I did. 

Pills after dinner. A shot before bed. A brace to sleep in all night. 

Please pray for my little girl. None of these things: her diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagus, growth hormone deficiency, her scoliosis are life threatening. But they are life altering. 

It has become increasingly difficult for Abigail to swallow. This Monday found that her esophagus is indeed narrowed and there are some irregularities in the wall. I'm not sure what the doctor will do about it. There is a lot of trial and error with managing a chronic illness. 

But we will wait and try and pray. 

These pictures not from that swallow test on Monday but from a few weeks ago - an endoscopy. 

And with that update, off I go... a bunch of things to do tonight before I go to bed... 

A Long Weekend in Winter

We had a four day weekend for President's Day and although not all of it could be vacation we chose to take one day and make a day trip out of it. It was wonderfullllll. The only regret we had is that we didn't leave home sooner. We left around 1:00 and wish we left around 10:00 am. Next time for sure! We chose a charming little town called Essex. You can read a little more about Essex in this post. Click HERE It was named by the New York Times as one of America's top 100 best towns. 

We shopped a bit... 

We had tea (it was cold walking around outside)... 

We enjoyed looking out at the water... 

And the best part is we dined here... 

They had a separate menu for allergies (which made us really happy)... 

Yes, this afternoon was just what we needed. 

 

My Lenten Journey - recently updated

This year I am so excited about Lent that I wish it would just start now. It's Monday evening and I can't wait until Ash Wednesday. After much prayer and pondering I feel led my God to make some very big daily changes in my life. 

This year I will be fasting from

💗 noise 

💗 social media (instagram)

💗 podcasts

💗 music (except classical)

💗 videos and television completely 

It might seem like a strange combination of things to "give up". Listing it like that makes it seem odd to me too. Here's the thing: I do a lot a talking in my profession. I spend my day with 20 nine and ten year olds. I teach and so I talk. That's okay but I need more quiet in my heart, in my soul, in my head. 

So giving up "noise" is sort of like the umbrella of everything. I need an "off switch". Although I don't think I spend an excessive amount of time on Insta I do like to get house ideas, books for my classroom ideas and other odds and end ideas. But I need to think about what I like around my house and stop looking at others. I need to go back to the old fashioned way of finding books for my classroom - poking around the quiet library and my own lists I've made over the years. 

And podcasts -- I'll especially miss Sally Clarkson. (she's the only one I listen too) but I just need more quiet to hear myself more, my thoughts. I have good ideas to parent my lovely teenagers too. I just need to let my mind rest and follow my heart. 

Videos and television - for that it's simply just quiet I need. I need to read more (I'm going on a special trip this June and I want to reread everything Laura Ingalls Wilder has written). And I just need less noise. 

I might be fasting on a lot of normal things but I'm pretty sure I'll be feasting on: 

💗 more time

💗 loving my girls more intentionally 

💗 doing things to nourish my marriage more

💗 space

💗 prayer 

💗 thoughts

💗 reaching out to friends 

and other things I will just let unfold. 

I can hardly wait to get started! 

Oh and yes, I will be blogging. This blog is a quiet space for me. I really don't know anyone who still blogs (maybe just one or two) and although years ago a blog was more social media, now it is just a place to hold family memories. I am actually looking forward to giving this blog more attention and love as I fast from other things. 

(update)

And this from a post (theyoungcatholicwoman)

Five Reasons Why You Should Give Up Instagram for Lent

1. Noise, Noise Noise

We live in a world FILLED with noise and it only seems to be getting noisier. We were not created to know everything about everything all of the time. We weren't created to know about what a pwerson who live in Italy is doing and what our print she was wearing on any given day. We fill our lives with meaningless chatter, pictures, and videos, and then wonder why we can't concentrate when we pray. 

2. Dive Deeper

While Instagram mini thread (like this one) are helpful, they are merely the surface of the depth of Catholicism. Instagram is for instant gratification. One post, while helpful and convicting is not a replacement for the fullness and depth of the writings of the saints and church teachers, or scripture itself. Saying no to Instagram is saying yes to intentional time spent with God. 

3. Counter Consumerism

Instagram has become a place for shops to advertise and market themselves. While great for shops, an audience has been curated that is rooted in consumerism with new fashion trends, water bottle, and anything your heart desires. Where does that leave us? Maybe if we admit it to ourselves, with an attachment to material things and an inability to say no. 

4. Get Connected (like actually connected)

On Instagram, the uniqueness and intentionality of our creation by our heavenly Creator is reduced to circles and 1- square images. The fullness of a person cannot and will not ever be able to be captured in a screen. I encourage you to actually reach out to a friend and make plans with them, instead of hiding behind a screen and sending memes to them and calling it conversation. 

5. Make it Permanent

Lent is a framework for tilling the soil and the sprouting of a habit. It is up to us, through God's grace to maintain it. There's definitely good and bad to Instagram, and as an account that creates and operates primarily on Instagram we recognize this. But the 40 days end and you find yourself not really missing Instagram, maybe don't get back on it. You may find that joy of the Resurrection is better celebrated off your phone! 

And click HERE for more really good thoughts on lent. 

Hartford Symphony Orchestra Pre-Concert

So proud of her!

Both girls played here years ago. Click HERE

Friday Night Is So Yummy

I love Friday night. We like to stay home. We like to cook. We make the same thing every Friday night. It's our cozy, yummy, comfort food and we love it better than any restaurant we could go to - or any take out either! It's our pizza bread night and it's just what we need. 

We eat perfect all week - someday I can post about that but Scott and I are super healthy about what we eat all week long - it makes this meal feel decadent.  

I make the pizza sauce on Thursday night - it needs to simmer all evening. I make the dough on Thursday night too. And on Friday Scott creates these fun pizza breads. We sit in the family room all around the coffee table and watch something. Something else different about us that we don't watch any shows or movies at all - weird, I know, but it's us. For me, I have teaching, and house things, and my girls, and life, and a few hobbies thrown in that are more important to me that watching anything. And Scott has basically the same thing. We've just never in our 27 years been TV people. So what to watch on a Friday night that we can all watch since it's the one hour it is on out of the whole week? We found this on Disney Plus and we love it!

It's so great to have our time finally all home (well, except for Anna) and doing something that warms us inside and out. Happy Weekend! 

Our Classroom Family

I've finally figured out a way to get my phone pictures on this blog of mine. (even if they aren't perfect - you all know how I love the crisp, professional pictures from my big camera) 

But those pictures on my phone are memories and since this is why I blog, I've just got to get these here too. 

I want to remember this evening back in the busy of December when Abigail was at an orchestra rehearsal, Scott came to my classroom and hung these big wooden letters. Oh I love them so much with all of their hand drawn portraits up there. Swoon! 

 

I was taking these pictures to show my best teaching friend (who has years ago stopped blogging) who I still talk to. It's so cool how we started off as friends because our daughters wrote to each other and we were stay at home Moms and now we are Moms back in the classroom and we're still close friends. I love that. 

My Big Fiftieth Birthday!

(Just a little photo note: I like a great big camera - I don't like carrying around a great big camera, but still - so these are phone pictures... just saying)

Yes, on January 5th I turned 50 years old! It really was such a weird feeling. Of course I knew it was coming and I knew it was a Big Deal... I mean 50 for crying out loud! And of course I didn't want a big deal. So Scott listened to all of my ideas and made it happen. 

I turned 50 on a school day. My day started out with my team coming in my classroom with gifts. Why oh Why didn't I take any pictures?! Gosh darn, I wish I did. My team is the absolute best to work with: Amy and Brian! Amy had found a way to contact Scott and asked what they could do as a treat for me. Usually we pick up a donut or something yummy for the birthday person... but I hard to do that for since I don't eat sugar, coffee, caffeine, bagels. Boring, I know! So Scott directed them to fruit and scones from Whole Foods. The very best gift from them was a gift certificate to cover one of my recess duties! And yup, I used it that very day. (A recess duty in January is really cold!) 

And then my name was announced on the morning announcements. So now the whole school knew - all of the teachers, all of the students. There as no escaping all of the attention now!!! (To be honest, I could care less about my age or turning 50 at all - I just hate all of the attention) My class was adorable and so excited. 

My parents sent me flowers - so so pretty. And I asked a fifth grader I had last year to take a picture of me with my class (and flowers) Pretty goofy, but I still love it. 

We decided to celebrate on the weekend with a special dinner. We went here. It was delicious! And I love the intimate setting. It's such a cozy restaurant with the most amazing Italian food ever. Scott had set up everything with the restaurant ahead of time - cake and all. It really was magical. 

And there were some pretty sentimental, extraordinary gifts. This ring I blogged about way back here 7 years ago was redone and it means the world to me! 

We are going to visit my hero, the home Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her Little House on the Prairie stories. I always said to Scott, "someday will you take me to her home"? I always thought we would be retired and it would be trip we would have to do without our girls but I am so glad it's now! 

Post on her back here

I am so grateful such a happy day with memories forever.