This week I finished my Christmas shopping! I love when that task is done because now I feel like I can kick back, relax, and enjoy some Christmas outings and activities. I’d like to head into Chicago before the big day – the city is always so beautiful this time of year. And of course…
Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration yesterday? I spent the day doing a little Christmas decorating (I’ll be sharing photos on Monday!) since we’re hosting turkey dinner with our family on Sunday. I like doing it on Sunday – it gives me more time to prepare. Plus, it gives my kids the opportunity to celebrate…
This weekend I’m starting a new decorating project. I’m painting the trim and lower half of the walls in the stairway and upstairs hall in Evergreen Fog by Sherwin Williams. I’m also looking through my wallpaper samples that I’ve chosen for the living room – and at the same time I’m considering papering the upper…
Do you feel it? The Christmas spirit is rolling into town, lights are being strung on home exteriors, kids are making their wish lists, and homes are getting cozy with greenery. You might remember I debated whether to do any holiday decorating, but my tree is up and I plan to finish the final touches…
The weatherman is predicting a bit of snow for us this weekend. I’m never ready for snowflakes but try to greet winter as graciously as possible. But for now, I’m focusing on the fact that we still have a little more than a month left of autumn. While it’s raining – possibly snowing this weekend…
Happy Halloween! After tonight it’s time to switch gears toward Thanksgiving and Christmas. I haven’t decided yet how much decorating I’ll do for the holidays. Since the whole family heads to Galena for Christmas, I’m not hosting a holiday dinner at home. So I’m left wondering why I’d want to do all that work putting…
Summer is definitely over here in the Chicagoland area. Our temps have dropped down into the 50s and the leaves are beginning to change color and fall. And we’re finally getting some rain after what seemed to be a weeks-long drought. I’m ready for autumn even though I’m a summer girl at heart. For Friday…
Fall is in full swing with its riotous colors and crisp days. I don’t know of a single person who doesn’t love this season. Before you head out for leaf peeping this weekend, enjoy some of this week’s Friday Finds! From fixer-uppers to home details to baked donuts, what’s not to love? Let’s kick off…
Wednesday night hubby and I ventured into Chicago for a comedy show and dinner at Topo Gigio – a favorite Italian restaurant. I love all the different neighborhoods of the city and we were in the Old Town district. My only regret was we didn’t have enough time to explore so I’ve already been checking…
Has another week gone by already? Lately I’m waking up when it’s dark outside thinking it’s 3:00 am, only to find that it’s actually 6:30 am and time to get up! That’s the only thing I don’t like about fall – the shortening of days. But I do like all the fall colors and getting…
First, I want to thank all of you who commented on this week’s book giveaway post saying how much you love my blog! Your kinds word were so refreshing during a stressful week. Some of you mentioned how you start your day with a cup of coffee while reading Town and Country Living. That truly…
September is going by quickly and I have to admit that although I love summer, I’m ready for the cozy days of autumn. The leaves are just starting to turn color and I even noticed my burning bush is becoming tinged with red. Now if the nights would cool off enough so I can sleep…
This morning I’m starting my weekend off with a hydrafacial. It’s a little luxury that I like to give myself from time to time. Your face looks like a dewy dumpling afterwards and I can definitely tell a difference in my skin texture for weeks after. And then I’m ending the weekend with my daughter…
This weekend I’m headed to Sawyer, Michigan for a girl’s weekend with my granddaughter Zoe. We take weekend trips on occasion and I always enjoy them. It helps me reconnect with her as she heads into the teenage years. We’re staying at a little farm cottage retreat complete with goats and horses. The home is…
Our weather dropped by about 20 degrees this past week and it sure has put me in the mood for fall! I’m thinking of all things autumn related like pumpkin spice candles, baking in the kitchen, going for walks through crunchy fallen leaves, and more. It’s surprising how a change in weather can affect your…
Eeeeek! I have some fun news to share. My grandson has been longing to visit Japan so I told him 2026 is the year we’re making it happen! We plan to visit (along with his mom) during cherry blossom season. If you’ve ever been there, please let me know your favorite places in the comments…
