Yesterday's weather here in Michigan was heaven.
I spent most of the day outside soaking up the warm sunshine.

Haley & I went on a nice long walk, talking.
I cleaned up a bit in the yard.
And after dinner, it was so nice to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee outside listening to the birds.

Today is cloudy and cool.
But I have a reminder of how beautiful yesterday was...


My Forsythia is in bloom. So, I clipped a few branches and brought them inside.

The day ended just as nice as it started. Enjoying the company of my daughter while watching my favorite movie.



And, guess what? She liked it!

Aloha Friday! Vacation?

Yay!! It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

Any vacations planned for this spring/summer?

No big vacation plans here. We are going to rent a cabin in northern Michigan (off of Lake Huron) mid-summer. Otherwise, we don't have anything else planned. Hubby mentioned taking some of our summer weekends and visiting the lighthouses we have here in Michigan. Sounds good to me. =)

Any big or small vacation plans?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a great weekend!
-Jen

Afternoon on a hill

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.

I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.

And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!

-Edna St. Vincent Millay


I love those days when nature soothes the soul, don't you?

WFMW

What do you do with leftover chicken?



Make chicken & rice salad!

Mix together:

1 c. or so of cooked brown or white rice
1 c. diced or shredded cooked chicken
1/2 c. frozen peas thawed
1/2 c. finely diced veggies & such. I use onion, celery and black olives
Salad dressing of your choice - I use ranch most of the time.
Salt & pepper

Voila-- Lunch! Works for me. =)

Happy Wednesday!

From as far back as 1937

these books have been around. Can you believe it?

Raise your hand if you had a paint with water book as a kid! {{raises hand}}


I picked up a couple of them for Nicholas at Target for .89 each.



What a deal, eh? The little ones really enjoy them.










Here's Haley becoming just like her Mom, hiding from the camera.



Happy Monday!
-Jen

Aloha Friday! Favorite thing?

Woo-hoo!! It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

What's one of your favorite things right now?

Here's my most recent favorite thing:



Hello, you beautiful brown bottle of cocoa butter lotion, you.

I just love the smell of you and the heavenly way you absorb. No greasy residue from you. Just plain softy (I think I just made up that word) goodness.
I love that I can get a big bottle of you for under $5. The frugal girl in me thanks you for that. I definitely think you & I will be best of friends in the summer when I'll need you the most. I've been a happy girl with soft skin ever since I brought you home last week.

Seriously though, how nice is it to find a product that you love and that works and doesn't cost an arm & a leg?! =)

So, what's one of your favorite things?


Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a blessed Easter weekend!
-Jen

Guess I've been taking this B.W.O. (blogging without obligation) seriously. Hehe.
It's been over a week since my last post.

Why?

Hmmm, no particular reason.

Nothing new. Not crazy busy. Just being. Know what I mean?

I'm still waiting for the really nice warmth to hit us in Michigan.

Meanwhile, I'll keep dreaming of planting herbs and more lavender in the garden while continuing to keep myself busy inside the house.
We've had a few nice Spring days, but nothing to brag about it.

Here's the kiddos enjoying some fresh air on one of the fair weather days...






But Mom, how can we look at the camera with the sun blaring in our eyes?

Hope everyone is enjoying Spring so far. Happy Sunday. =)