Our Abigail is Fifteen

Way back in May (May 18th to be exact) our littlest one (we call her that sometimes) turned fifteen! 

And although her birthday falls right in the middle of the 'end of year' chaos that our teaching/principal/all the concerts every time we turn around schedule is, we always stick to our traditions to make it a happy, wonderful day. And we did it again. 

Here is Abigail's fifteenth birthday. 

I am one blessed mama to be able to celebrate her! 

The day started out actually the evening before with a note from Anna on her pillow as she got into bed. I love the the sweetness started early from her big sister. 

The next morning, as we always do, Scott and I woke her up by singing to her. 

It was a school day and we are out the door by 7:04 but it is the very best way to wake up on your birthday. I can't believe this was our fifteenth singing morning! 

After school, after we all got home it was chicken pot pie for dinner. Daddy makes it the best these days! And he was able to scoot out a tiny bit earlier than I was to help make all of the birthday magic happen. 

Chicken pot pie is her birthday dinner choice every year! 

Flowers arrived from grandma. 

 

I took some pictures before our little family party started to remember exactly what she looked like on her fifteenth birthday. 

Don't you just feel all filled up with joy when it's your child's birthday. I love her oh so much! Look at her smile! 

It was a pretty evening out on the porch and we gathered there after dinner for cake and presents, laughs and relaxing. 

And with the blow out of the candles, she turned fifteen! Love you Abigail! 

Oh how she wanted that water bottle she saw in Whole Foods a few weeks before. It was a little gift but a big surprise for her! 

Heart birthday plates, cake, balloons, and great big happy smile. 

She opened a strawberry dress.

and new adorable sneakers! 

A tennis racket for our little tennis girl. 

On the weekend we did it all over again, this time for a small grandparents party. I love making my daughters their birthday cake and Abigail picked the same as the last several years. It's a homemade ice-cream cake with ganache covering it. It is so so so so good! 

It's a bit tricky to make but so worth it. I made the cake first and then the next day filled it with ice-cream. Then I make the ganache and covered the top. 

Back on the porch for her grandparents party. This time with her homemade cake! 

mmmmmm so so good! 

She opened gifts and we talked until it was dark outside. 

I love standing back and taking scenes in. The way our house looks - even the way you can see upstairs into her bedroom and the hallway. 

I love the twinkle lights and all of the love poured into Abigail that sweet night on the porch. 

Abigail and her grandpa. 

Happiest birthday Abigail Mei Mei... we love you! 

Home

This morning at breakfast the girls took their Summer Goals sheets they filled out last week...

(They write some goals each summer that focus on 'Honor God' and 'Honor Self')

(These include action steps they've come up with on how they would like to draw closer to God throughout the summer and action steps on honoring themselves like health and learning goals) 

They are very creative and intentional with their goals. This helps to give our open summer days some structure with lots and lots and lots of open time throughout. 

While they did this I took in a few 'scenes' and was pleased. I think that having a home to love and be in has always been one of my goals. It's so hard during the school year although I still make it a priority. It seems that I just don't have enough time to enjoy it during the school year. I work to make it cozy, happy, welcoming, pretty, and then I'm off to my classroom. The summer is a delight for sure as I get to be in our home more. 

I noticed our living room mantle and how I love the simplicity and elegance of it this summer. Two brass candlesticks and some antique vases with my Dad's watercolor of my darling girls as the seashore. 

I took these off this morning as we are well past the girls spring birthdays. (I've yet to blog those but will soon) I like to choose one mug and work off of the colors of that mug to add to it. The china Susan Branch birthday mug I chose for the happy colors and picked others that would coordinate. I loved the May/early June kitchen mug rack so much, but now it's time for others. 

This summer is going to be lovely. I can just tell. 

 

Our Second Day in the Berkshires

Just one hour and twenty minutes away is pure New England charm, beauty, and relaxation. 

We stayed in a wonderful, brand new Marriot and loved every minute. We watched a family movie late at night called, "Yes Day" which was so cute. We talked, talked, talked until almost midnight, and then all slept in one room... the BEST!

In the morning we had breakfast, explored, Lenox and Lee, had a wonderful lunch and then the girls and Scott had ice cream. So happy to find a vegan place for Abigail. 

What a fun little get away for us! We have another big / longer trip coming up this summer but for now it was lovely to just get away. 

A Quick Trip to the Berkshires

New England charm

Quint shopping

Picturesque landscape

... sure, let's go!!

Last time we were at the Red Lion Inn it was at a Christmastime years ago (back here). It's charming and so New England, all tucked into the Berkshire mountains. 

Oh this shoppe (around the corner) ... swoon!

Green wicker chairs in the sitting room part of the bathroom. 

Oh this painting, if I could have this for above our mantle in the living room. Oh I would if I could. 

A glimpse into the shoppe... 

And a walk around Stockbridge, MA

Later that night were were in Lenox, MA in a vegan restaurant - it was her first time ordering off a menu. (with allergies we always have to ask the chef to make something that she could possibly eat) A menu and a choice was amazing! 

... more coming soon! 

Getting Back to This

Well, here we are! It's summer! And I am thrilled! 

But I am so behind on things I want to keep on this blog. When I thought about where to start I knew I had to start with something simple -- so it's a few phone pictures and a few moments in the past 3 days since the last day of school. 

Our last day of school was Friday. (although Anna has been home from her freshman year of college for quite some time). 

We spent Friday afternoon with Scott's family celebrating our niece's high school graduation.  

And then on Sunday we celebrated Father's Day (more on that soon) with a special lunch out on the porch. 

Today was the first 'real' day of summer with my girls and I having the whole day sprawled out in front of us. We jumped right into one of our most cherished traditions -- reading on the couch after lunch. We've done this for 15 years!!!! Anna was a tiny toddler and Abigail an infant. When Abigail took her afternoon nap I used to make a little 'nest' out of blankets for Anna and I upstairs in my bedroom. We sat on the floor and she 'read' her books aloud (Fancy Nancy) and I read mine. It has been a tradition to read in the afternoon ever since. And today was the very first day! 

And there you have it -- back to summer. Now that I'm home I'll be on here way more often sharing tidbits of our summer and a few things that happened back in spring. I'd love if you'd leave me a comment if you stopped by. That way I can read your blog too (if you have one - even if you don't feel free to leave a comment)! 

Cheers to summer! 

Spring Cleaning

On that three day weekend (Memorial Day) I could hardly wait to pull up my sleeves and clean up a few things that have been bugging me at home. The first project was the baking center.   If we ever had to move I would pick up this 1920's antique and bring it with me. I love it so much. 

But between autumn apple pies, Christmas tea cakes, and winter muffins, things got a little muddled in there. So it needed a big 'spring cleaning'. Now every time I walk by I smile. And every moment I look forward to a bit of free time to bake. 

This baking center holds all of the ingredients I might need along with every baking accessory I use. It holds soooo much. But I think because I keep so much in there it's easy when I'm busy to put things back in not the right spot. 

I wish I took pictures of the inside of the drawers for you. All of my measuring cups and spoons are all lined up on tea towels; it's just so cute! 

When Scott built it he put in those little wooden counters. I oiled them up, I did and how they are all shiny. I keep my bread box there along with the mixer that is always plugged in and ready to go. The shelves below hold all of my baking sheets and muffin tins. 

This little vintage toy stove still works {although I wouldn't dare, it's so old} and I have a candle as a little pie that 'just came out of the oven'. 

And this toy stove I love so much too. Look at that turkey coming out of the oven! And those tiny pots and pans. 

I've been collecting vintage table linens ever since I got married. And this is my 'everyday' collection. {I keep fall and Christmas separate} They remind me of a good ol'fashioned picnic at my Grandma's house! 

Now that the baking center is all organized and happy, it's time to move on to my cookbooks and recipe binders next! 9 more days of school!