Last Saturday was a special day. Not only was it Sweetest Day, but my son’s wife gave birth to their first baby! Say hello to Charlotte Joan – my fun surprise – who was only 6 pounds and 10 ounces. Her mama was in labor for about 8 hours. Not too bad for your first…
The alarm goes off at 6:00 and it’s dark out. Just a few weeks ago it was still light outside. This time of year creates a cozy vibe when people don sweaters, cuddle up under blankets, and enjoy comfort foods like soup and baked goods. Earlier this week I made my favorite Italian Vegetable Soup….
For as long as I can remember, we always get one warm week here in Illinois during the month of October. That burst of warm weather is currently happening and prompted me to take today off from work. This will likely be the last balmy weekend of the year. I want to get outdoors to…
Almost overnight our daytime temperatures here in Illinois plummeted from 80 degrees to 60 degrees. Fall is definitely in the air. Shorter, cooler days provide more time for reading and finding interesting things. I’ve got a few Friday Finds that I think you’ll really enjoy! This week involved fall gardening and cooking. Annuals that were…
Fall is officially here and that means so many things! It’s time to enjoy the riotous colors of the season by taking a long (or short) nature walk. Or maybe you prefer to venture to one of the many outdoor craft markets or farmer’s markets. It’s also a great time for one last getaway before…
Happy Friday, Friends! This week has blown by and I’m glad it has because next week is my first-ever glamping vaction! It’s just a 2-night mini vacay to get away from it all and immerse myself in nature. Hubby and I booked a charming little yurt located on a mostly private, small lake in Wisconsin….
Technically, it’s not officially fall but today’s weather feels like autumn to me. It was only 58-degrees on my drive to work with a light rain falling on the farm fields. Next week it’s back up to the 80s for an Indian summer. Last weekend we took our Labor Day trip to the Knoxville area…
Welcome to Friday Finds! I’ve got good stuff to share with you as we head into apple-picking season. September is a beautiful month and I hope to enjoy every minute of it. I’ll spend as much time outside as I can! Speaking of being outside, today I’m on my way to the Smoky Mountains with…
This is the last weekend of the last full month of summer and I find myself yearning for May and June so I can enjoy the season all over again. I love the warmth of the sun, the fullness of the Earth, the cheerful songs of birds, and the happy buzzing of bees. Looking forward,…
Before I get started with today’s collection of weekly Friday Finds, I want to thank all of you for visiting my blog and leaving comments. Lately many of you have expressed how much you enjoy this blog and it warms my heart immensely! If I can brighten someone’s day – even just a little bit…
Summer is gradually slipping through my fingers and there’s nothing I can do about it. Sigh. I always start to feel a little melancholic this time of year, but I’m trying to fight the feeling and enjoy these gorgeous August days as much as I can. This week I’ve been obsessed with planning short getaways…
Can someone slow summer down for me? It’s flying by way too fast. It seems like I just got home from Saugatuck and here it is, Friday already! And you know what that means – it’s time for Friday Finds. The above photo is my son Cory watching the sunset over Lake Michigan during our…
Things are getting crazy out there in the world! From the virus to protests to tear gas being used – you’d think it was the 1960s. I’m managing to find peace in nature and the outdoors – and finding beautiful things to share with you. The past few weeks I’ve been running more on a…
Hi Friends – and happy “day before the weekend!” July is coming to a close and I realize time is running out for making the most of summer. I feel like I need to hurry up and hike more trails, enjoy more picnics, visit new places, and the list goes on! One thing I haven’t…
In two weeks my family and I will be vacationing in Michigan. We weren’t sure we’d be able to take the trip due to the pandemic, but there aren’t travel restrictions in our area so we’re good to go. We need the break from the chaos, but in the meantime I’ve been enjoying the simple…
Welcome to week two of hot and humid weather and another edition of Friday Finds! I think my body is acclimating to it because it doesn’t seem to bother me too much. I still go out in the garden every day and get to enjoy my flowers – like these adorable pink cone flowers. I…
