Monthly Musings ~ March

 As we approach this last day of March, I am joining in on this month's Monthly Musings all about Easter and Spring.

1.  Do you celebrate Easter, Passover or another holiday?

We will celebrate Easter next month.  We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus who is our source of hope in this world and everlasting life.

2.  Do you decorate your home for spring?

I brought out my spring decorations last week and will keep these displayed throughout April. 

Just a little blue bird on my end table

I added this bunny plate to our entryway.

The dining room table is pretty simple with these spotted eggs on moss in my dough bowl.

Just a few touches of spring in our guest bath with some flowers and a Happy Spring sign.

Our breakfast table with some faux tulips and a Happy Spring banner.

I did treat myself to some real flowers this week however!  I love the Stargazer Lily!

Our mantle/fireplace 

Last year, I had this Welcome sign on my front door, but I moved it here to display this year.

I have some regular eggs on moss in my candle holder.

And this little bunny hangs on our back door from our garage, so no one sees this but us.

3.  Favorite spring meal?

I like anything on a lighter note and think of lots of fruits!

4. Is your spring break in April or March?

Our schools and universities in our area are always in March.

5.  Favorite spring Easter tradition or activity?

When the girls were little, we would go camping every Easter weekend with a group of friends.  We all were homeschoolers, but it was a fun group!  We always had an Easter egg hunt for the kids and lots of fun time for the adults too.

These days, it is fun to see my greats if I can. 

6.  What are you most looking forward to this spring?

Hopefully, catching up on some things around the house, work and a high school graduation!

7.  Favorite spring fashion items?

I am looking forward to wearing my new shoes.  Usually, I get one new pair of shoes a season.

8.  Do you transition your wardrobe from winter to spring?

I usually make this transition from winter to spring clothing and shoes mid-April or by early May, depending on how soon the warmer weather stays consistent.

9.  Does the Easter bunny visit your house?

We always gave our girls an Easter basket, or actually, it is an Easter sack their grandmother made for them when they were younger.  We never did go visit the Easter bunny though.  

Now that the girls are older, I just give them an amount & let them choose what they want the most....clothes, shoes, skincare, pedicure, etc.

10.  Any traditions or activites coming back post Covid?

We will probably have a meal with my parents and sister and some of her family, but no set plans yet.  

Our church always has an Easter Eve outdoor concert the night before Easter with a Christian musician & that has always been a fun time with friends.

Linking up with Patty and Holly

What's Up Wednesday

 

What we're eating this week

Monday - frozen pizza

Tuesday - grilled chicken salad (ha, a 180 from last night's dinner :))

Wednesday - church

Thursday - ?

Friday - event

What I'm reminiscing about

Early marriage.....things seemed so much simpler then.  I am sure I have forgotten some hard times, but it is sweet to think about those early days.

What I'm loving

I am loving having my nails polished!  I had a dip nail manicure about 5 weeks ago.  The first one did not take very well.  I had a second one done and I love that it has lasted 3 weeks.  I am getting my nails done today for an event this weekend.

What we've been up to

It seems this is the same answer every month....work.  However, I am thankful at least one day a week, I am able to run some errands and have lunch with a friend.

What I'm dreading

Sadly, this answer has been the same the last few months too....taxes.  I am hoping to get these done this weekend.

What I'm working on

I am working on lots of planning for trips.  I am trying to figure our Easter schedule and then fall trips as well.

What I'm excited about

We are taking a cruise in May and I'm excited to get away and see some new places.  So far, everything is on track and hoping it stays that way for the next 2 months.

What I'm watching

We have watched the new show, Courtship.  It is a dating reality show of modern people but set in England in the early 1800's.  It is a little interesting, and I was just curious at what this format would be.  I still try to watch the weekly Hallmark movie, but seem to stay about a week behind in watching those. I'm honestly not watching a lot of tv, but spend too much time playing games on my phone to escape instead.

What I'm listening to

I am listening to my weekly podcast, & trying to keep up with them all! I'm still a fan of the Big Boo, Bestie Breakdown, Office Ladies, Storytellers Live, Jesus Over Everything, First Thing, and In the Face of Illness.

What I'm wearing

I am mostly wearing jeans and lightweight sweaters and shirts, pairing them with a cardigan, denim or military jacket.  Sometimes we have cooler temperatures in the morning but it is warm by the afternoon.  It's that time of year where we sometimes experience different seasonal weather in one day!

What I'm doing this weekend

I have a work event this weekend, which I hope goes well along with taxes and going to see a local high school play, so it will be a full weekend.

What I'm looking forward to next month

I am looking forward to meeting a new great niece!  This will put my count up to 7 precious greats. 

What else is new

Big college news here....our daughter is going to SCAD this fall!  This has always been her first choice, but it took us a while to get to a firm decision.  We are excited for her and this opportunity.

Have a great Wednesday!

Hello Monday!

Good morning blog friends! 

I hope you all are doing well as we embrace this last week of March.

My college girl was home this weekend to attend a wedding.  She rode with a friend, so it was so nice to have her home without a car so we could ride to places together :).  We spent Friday together doing some shopping and went to lunch together.  Friday night and Saturday morning, she went with me to our women's retreat at our church.  We heard Paige Brown speak, who is one of the best bible teachers I have ever heard.  We met my parents for lunch Saturday.  That evening, I took her to drop her off with her wedding date and we finally got this picture together.  It was the first picture I had taken because I just so enjoyed being in the moment with her and having one-on-one time.  It was so good for my soul.

This sums up the highlight of my weekend.  So thankful to reconnect with her.

Happy Monday!

Linking up with Holly & Sarah

Hello Monday!

 Happy Monday & Spring!  I am back from Spring Break with a little recap.

We spent the first 2 days of Spring Break at home.  We worked, but also had some down time.  Wednesday, we headed out to western North Carolina.  For some of the drive, my daughter drove through the mountains and my husband helped her navigate the gears.

As we drove, we passed by the river we rafted last fall and it was so fun to see all the rapids!

We met up with friends who also spent time on the mission field.  We ate at the cabin where we stayed for all meals except for one.  We ate alongside a riverfront and it was a gorgeous setting.

We went to see the local fish hatchery and it was funny watching the fish jump out of the water.

There were foosball competitions.

My oldest daughter drove over and spent one night with us, so we enjoyed her being with us for the restaurant and a hike we took.

We loved sitting by the fire catching up with friends.

Our girls had not seen their little boy in the past 8 years so we recreated this picture.  The first picture was taken 8 years ago when we spent a month with them in Belgium for missionary training.  The lower picture was from last Friday.

We were also able to meet their daughter.

It was a great weekend away and hope you all have a good start to your day!

Linking up with Holly & Sarah

Hello Monday!

 Hello Monday!

  Like so many of us in the country this weekend, we had another touch of winter.  It was so beautiful to watch snow fall Friday night.  We got 4 inches and I just loved watching it!

Snowing on the daffodils!

Saturday, I spent time preparing for a celebration in honor of my big sister's birthday.  She does so much for her family and she is recovering from a knee replacement surgery last month, so it was good to be able to celebrate her on her birthday.  It was so fun to have my greats there, minus the oldest one.

We almost turned the balloons to say 22 instead of 55 :).

Cake time!

This is my newest great nephew born in December.

So thankful for my sister!

Sunday was a low key day, but a good day.

Now off to work from home today and run a few errands.  It is spring break week here so this will probably be my only post of the week.  

Enjoy your week!

Linking up with Holly and Sarah

10 on the 10th ~ March 2022

Here we are, almost at the end of the week.  I am linking up today for 10 on the 10th Q&A's about Spring.

List your favorite thing about spring.  Which season do you like best?

I love seeing all the flowers in bloom!  Although, fall is my favorite season :).

What puts spring in your step?  What does your favorite pair of shoes look like?  When do you wear them?

A day with sunshine & temperatures between 60-70 always helps a day seem better!  I have shared my favorite pair shoes multiple times on the blog, which are my UGG boots.  But since we are on the theme of spring, I just got this pair and am looking forward to wearing them this season.

Around St. Patrick’s Day we see invitations to ‘kiss me, I’m Irish’ on graphic tees and images everywhere.  Are you Irish?  If not, what would your graphic tee read?  ‘Kiss me, I’m…”

I do have a wee bit of Irish blood.  However, maybe since I would only want to be kissed by my husband, my shirt would read, "Kiss me, I'm your wife."!

What flowers would make up your perfect spring bouquet?  What is your favorite floral fragrance?

I love a stargazer lily, hydrangeas, and tulips.  My favorite scent would be lilies.

Spring cleaning?  A necessary evil or overrated?  What’s your favorite cleaning tip?  Cleaning product?

I would say a necessary evil, however,  I honestly don't do this.  My favorite cleaning tip is just to do a little each day, which is how most of us probably operate.  

Slinkies are coiled spring toys.  Did you ever have a Slinky?  Silly Putty?  What was your favorite toy as a child?

I did have a Slinky, but I didn't live in a house with stairs when I was a kid.  Silly Putty was fun to play with and press into the comic strips.  A few favorite toys as a child were Holly Hobbie toys, barbie dolls, all my albums, especially Donny Osmond, and I had a handheld Merlin when I became a teenager.

When we ‘spring forward’ on March 13, what do you hope to do in that extra daylight?

Hopefully get in some more late afternoon or after dinner walks.

The following colors will be trending for spring soft lilac, canary yellow, hot pink, salted caramel, scarlet, sky blue.  Will you be styling any of these?  Is there a color you will avoid?

Those are all beautiful colors, but I tend to shy away from most anything yellow, unless it is an aceessory.  

What will you be reading this spring?  Do you have a favorite devotional or quiet time routine?

I am reading Gently and Lowly.  I read a devotional in the morning and read my book at night.

Share an inspirational thought or spring quote.  Why does this speak to you?

I read a lot of inspirational thoughts, but this is one from Lisa Whittle:

One of the things that is hard for a lot of us is knowing when to accept the reality of something while holding out belief that God can work a mircale in our lives.

God is in both. He doesn't want us to live our life in a stat of wishing and wondering, while He does want us to trust that He has the power to change anything at any time.  Move forward in both faith and acceptance.  Keep asking God for the miracle, while asking Him to help you live well in the present realities of your life.

Have a great day!

Friday Favorites ~ March 4, 2022

 

We made it to Friday!  Friday at 5pm is one of my weekly favorite things!

Here are some more little random favorites.......

ONE

Today is my parent's 56th Wedding Anniversary!  Congratulations to them and I am thankful for that example of marriage in my family.

TWO

Monday, I was able to see 2 of my great neices and my great nephew for about an hour and a half.  I soaked up every moment with those sweet kids.  That was a HUGE favorite of my week.  I stayed in the moment and didn't take one picture, but my heart was full.

THREE

My college girl calling me just to say hi while she was on a walk is a favorite.  Oh my goodness, this means so much, especially when they don't live in the same town as you.

FOUR

The weather has been beautiful this week!  We have had cool morning and evenings, but lovely days.  We have used our heater on the back porch, and I also cut some flowers from my yard to have some cheer.

This week was full of the simple favorites, but those are the ones that mean the most.

Happy Friday and weekend!

Currently ~ March 2022

March is here and maybe a little warmer weather is coming soon.  I never want to rush that, but my goodness, it has been a cold January and February!  

I am joining up for this month's currently series with Anne where we are talking about what we are currently collecting, craving, picturing, playing and wishing.

Collecting

My first thought with this was past collections I have had in the past.  When I was a young girl, I collected decorative turtles.  I know it sounds odd, but I had a shelf of them.  Then 20 years later, I collected glasses from Hard Rock Cafe.  Every time I would travel, I would purchase one from different cities and even received a few as gifts.  I haven't bought one in a long time though.  I currently don't collect any items.  

Craving

Most afternoons, I am craving something sweet to eat.  That's the first thing that came to mind :).  Chocolate is a form of stress relief for me.  I sure wish it was exercise!!

I am also craving time with my girls this summer.  I miss one on one time with my college girl and hope to have some intentional time with my youngest before she leaves for college this fall.  

Picturing

I am picturing what the fall will look like for us.  Speaking of college earlier, we don't know where yet my senior will be attending college...still in the waiting phase over here.  Then we will see where our fall trips will be...I'm picturing trips to see my girls.  I'm picturing what life will look like just cooking and washing for 2 people at home!

Playing

I am playing lots of podcasts!  My weekly list consists of Office Ladies, Jesus Over Everything, The Big Boo Cast, Story Tellers Live, Something to Celebrate, Whoa That's Good, The Bestie Breakdown, The Open Door, Don't Mom Alone, Proverbs 31 Ministries, In The Face of  Illness, and First Thing.  This is a long list, so there are a few episodes I don't listen to every week, but I do try to keep up with most of these.

Wishing 

I am wishing for lots of things.  I wish all the best healthy things for my family...to have healthy relationships, to be spiritually healthy, physically healthy, and emotionally healthy.  I am wishing for travel restrictions and testing to be lifted before we travel in May.  I am wishing for good college news to come soon.  I am wishing for peaceful work weeks to come.  

Wishing you all have a good week!

Prime Purchases ~ March 2022

 One of my favorite link-ups is today.....Prime Purchases with Tanya!  

Here is my Amazon round up from the month.....

Valentine Earrings

I had looked for some Valentine earrings at local stores, but couldn't find any, so I purchased these earrings and will now wear them every February 14th.

Fuzzy Slipper Socks

I also purchased this set of fuzzy slipper socks.  They come in a package of 5, so I gave each of my girls 2 pairs and I took one.

Magnetic Cable Ties

I saw these on someone else's Amazon recommendation, however, my apologies for not giving credit here.  I often "add to list" many things you guys post about & then purchase them later.  I have used these to wrap up cords from my hair dryer, straightener and curling iron to help keep those items a little more tidy.  

Hot Rollers

I was a teenager in the 80's, so I have been friends with hot rollers in the past.  I tried to give it another chance, but we broke up.  I returned these.  Maybe I need another brand or size?  I'll see if any of you have any recommendations!

5 n 1 Kitchen Tool

This is also an item I saw from someone's recommendation.  It was on sale, so I bought it.  I have used it just once and it was nice, but for sure haven't utilized all the 5 features.

Small Hair Claws

I had also looked for something similiar at stores, but found these cute colors on Amazon for a lower price & they have great reviews.  When I linked these, it did say now out of stock, however, there are lots of similar items online if you need a small hair claw.

Enjoy all the Amazon inspiration today!