Mid September Weekending

~Enjoying~ 

Loving having Anna home with us so much and pouring into her. Anna and I have a standing early Saturday morning date. Bagels in the cutest best bagel shop and thrifting/antiquing. It's so fun! 

~Visiting~

We got to see our college girl and loved every minute with her. We took her out to lunch (gotta get off campus - that's the best part of a visit) and to an apple orchard. It was delightful. I held her hand the whole time and just kept staring at her. This mama's heart is still not used to her being home with me. I miss her so much! 

Fall In Our Home ~ part 4 (updated)

One of the coziest spots in our home: It's our mudroom/laundry room. And since this is the very first thing I see then I walk in the door after school I love love love that it is cozy and welcoming me home. 

There's a bench which is perfect for putting on shoes but also bringing that cozy all around the room. 

I love having all of my laundry supplies out - might as well make it cute! 

This little room is our welcome home. 🧡

Today I just found these frames and had to add them. They are the cheeriest touch to this room. I can't believe that I had forgotten about them. I do remember that day around 29 years ago. Scott and I went to Stanford CT with my dad to a scrapbooking store. It was called "Exposures" and it had the most amazing frames. Oh how I wanted these and I bought them... one for each month. I remember having them out in our first house each month and in this home when the girls were little, but it has been so long. I now found the perfect spot for them. They bring me such joy! 

Fall in Our Home ~ part 3 ~ Dining Room annnnd a little story about how I decorate these days

Other rooms decorated for fall so far this year: 

A Cozy Corner of our Kitchen  

General Store

Today I woke up (Saturday) and it was oh so sunny in our dining room. I love this space in the fall because of all of the woods, warm tones, dishes with gold rims, and Hitchcock chairs (my love of Hitchcock runs deep as found a bunch of posts like this one and this one and this one) 

My decorating style is simple. I love vintage, classic, antique, traditional. I don't use anything from Homegoods, Target, Amazon, or Hobby Lobby. I don't like decor that needs to be stored away in a different season. I also don't like signs with quotes on them. I love real art: watercolor, oil paintings... I love decorating with old books from wonderful authors, I love dishes that have stood the classic test of time, I love woods and anything made beautifully. I love ironstone and baskets that are antiques. 

Here is a peek into our dining room: 

My decorating style has evolved over the years for sure. I just to love 'all that stuff' that was seasonal at all those stores. Now I just can't even look at those stores. For some reason being in 'those stores' bring me anxiety and make me want to clean out my house. For real! But meandering through an antique store makes me feel peaceful, calm, and cozy. Dim lights, jazz music, peaceful. 

Please please know there is nothing wrong with filling your cart at 40% off stores. No judgement. I used to decorate that way. I loved all of that, had all of that. 

I've just changed and love my rooms to look almost the same season to season. Just changing the dishes and flowers - maybe throwing in a pumpkin is all I need. 

Classic, traditional, classy, antique. 

I wish I could afford more oil paintings. That's the only thing. This way I now decorate takes T I M E because you really have to hunt for things and save your money for bigger things. 

But it make me happier and I love having less but better quality. 

So there you go, a little peek into our classic dining room and my thoughts on decorating. I hope that you fill your home with autumn with things that bring you such joy. Whatever your style, make it cozy and sweet. 

Seeing her Online

I wrote in my last post about how I'm doing with Abigail in college. I think it's going to take a long long time for me to get used to her being even old enough to be in college. We are grateful for Anna being home (I'll post more on that another time) and she is doing amazing on this new phase of her life. But it doesn't change that our baby is a young adult and is living on campus. Oh man, I sure to miss that little girl! 

One thing that has been wonderful is finding little snippets of her on social media. Her college has "Fairfield Nights" every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They are fun activities run my other students - fun, crafty/gamey type of fun for those that don't party. 

Here are a few posts she's popped onto. When I've seen her I jump up and run to Scott to show him and then we just sit and stare at her and talk about her - my heart feeling full, even for just a few moments. 

This was on the 'drop off night' -- 

This one popped up that first weekend -- 

This was her first day of classes (so her first day of school picture - so glad she remembered) 

I was so happy to face time her - this was the first time -- 

It really is so exciting watching her new chapter unfold. I can't wait until I see her the first time. So proud of you Abigail - keep sharing your joy with your new world. 

Early September Weekending

Well we are slowly inching our way into fall. Here the school year has really just started and so Scott and I after a whirlwind end of summer getting our girls all set where they needed to be are easing into our weekends. 

I know it sounds delightful and yes there are moments with a bit more freedom that can be lovely but I am still really really sad and missing Abigail home more than I expected. Scott is saying the same thing. 

I've done this before and I know she will come home of course - summers, vacations, etc, but right now we just miss her oh so much and we both really miss the four of us together. I've had a few good cries. The first time I talked to Abigail I was sobbing when I heard her sweet little voice. And she encouraged me, "oh mama, I'm so sorry you are sad". 

She is doing amazing. Not homesick on little bit. She joined lots of clubs has two groups of friends she enjoys spending time with. She's involved in Catholic Campus Ministry and Grace Notes. I'm proud of her and college is the place for our little girl to bloom. We just ache for her...

Anyway, it is almost fall and it sure is cozy on the weekends here. 

We had a cozy one and a fun one. Here are some pictures to tell the story. 

Cozy Dinnering

We plan our dinners a week ahead and we picked this one out for a cozy Friday night. It was beyond yummy and just what we needed. 

Exploring

(in NYC) 

Tea Timing 

After our day away in NYC on Saturday we were busy on Sunday getting a bunch of things done after Mass. Around 4:00 I wanted a tea time for Scott, Anna, and I so I baked scones and we just enjoyed a few moments together. 

Looking at this cozy pictures fall is certainly here. And it makes me so happy! Go slow fall, go slow!