Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Early Halloween Shopping at IKEA

 I know, I know...it's too early to think about Halloween! It was even earlier when I placed this Ikea order for some Halloween decor.
I just couldn't resist and I was pretty sure it would sell out early.   I also didn't know when I would be getting to an Ikea.
I love this little lantern with a kitty on one side....
...and a ghost on the other. 
 I'm a sucker for anything cat related!  I thought the pillow was a cover...oops!! but that's ok. It's not too big and I'm using it now since it only screams cat lady.
I needed a few other practical items so that was my excuse *cough cough* for ordering some whimsical decor.   I love these shelves and those fold down hooks will come in handy.  I am getting excited about fall decorating and of course, Halloween but these new decorations will have to wait.


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Friday, August 14, 2026

4th of July Weekend '26

I started my 4th of July weekend by picking up City Girl #2 at the ferry.

It's always a beautiful view while we're waiting.
We got to go to local fireworks on the beach for the first time.
We didn't know what to expect but the town put on a great show.
So fun!
This little cutie (Toki) was visiting as well.
Summer bucket list item: S'mores by the pool!
We hadn't been to our old hometown's parade in a few years and it was so fun to experience it again.
My mother in law always puts out a nice spread and we all contribute something too.  It's early-ish morning so coffee and breakfast are first.
Waiting for the parade.
It was a HOT one this year so many of the participants welcomed a spray of water.
Hanging with some cuties. He loved the parade!
We ended the day with a barbecue before heading back to the beach.

We got in lots of pool time and some beach walks.
I made my 2 Ingredient Cobbler (smaller version) with frozen mango and Trader Joe's sugar cookies.  

We also had a pool day with this cutie and her parents.  


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Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Loving Lately

 Here's what I've been loving lately.
my bubble braids
visiting mourning dove 
Willow likes watching her too
bouquets made from my garden

more garden treats

bike rides
new recipe
(I made half with feta, half with mozzarella)
my lipstick plant is blooming
more bouquets from the garden
surprise hydrangea blooming
zinnias from seed
morning glories using the cosmos as a trellis (both from seed)
fresh hair cut
Lego flowers
and pool days!

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Friday, August 7, 2026

{Travel} Upstate New York: Work, Family, Music & Sightseeing

 Mr. Click had a work event in Troy, New York which also happened to be the day before a concert we had booked in Bethel, New York. 
We made it into a little getaway weekend.  We stayed on the waterfront in Troy.
When we got to the hotel, we walked around a little and along the Hudson River.  We walked around River Street Market that had quite a few restaurants.  We also checked out the area around the hotel.
I thought this was an interesting use of space in our room.  That night was Mr. Click's work event so I ordered dinner at the Bistro in the hotel (delicious Mediterranean bowl!).  When he got back, we hung out at the bar in the hotel with some of the other event attendees. We also met two make up artists from the show The Gilded Age! That was pretty exciting. The show films in Troy for some of the scenes. I love that show!
The next morning we headed into what I think is the downtown Troy area. We had coffee at a cute coffee shop Alias Coffee before heading to our next destination.
The scenery was so beautiful on our drive.
In another serendipitous turn of events, we were able to visit our niece and her husband at their lovely home on our way to Bethel.
We got to meet their kitties (one was too shy for a photo).
They gave us a tour of their amazing home and property.  It was our first time visiting them so it was quite exciting.    We went out to lunch with them in their super cute hometown.  It was a great meal and a beautiful day.
Then we were back on the road to Bethel...more gorgeous scenery along the way. We stopped once for a call and got some really good cappuccinos at a Greek restaurant.   We made it to our next hotel in the afternoon.
We stayed in the town of Monticello, outside of Bethel.  This was my look for the concert.
It was about a 15 minute drive to the venue.  
It is on the site of Woodstock and a historical landmark.
We didn't know what to expect and we were blown away by how beautiful (how many times can I say beautiful?!) views and grounds.
Everyone working there was so friendly and helpful.  There were so many food and drink vendors and zero lines.  
We had some great seats!
We were there to see J J Grey and The Mofros  and he was the second act on the bill.  Mr. Click is a big fan of his music which can be described as swamp rock,Southern soul blues and funk.  He put on an amazing show and left us wanting more!
The venue is pretty incredible and looked even more magical at night.

The headliner was Joe Bonamossa and we stayed for a few of his songs before heading back to our hotel.
The next morning we headed out to Beacon, New York.

City Girl #1 had told us about this quaint town and it sounded like a good place to visit.
We had a delicious brunch at Beacon Bread Company.  The lemonade was top tier as well.
The rest of the morning we walked around town, stopping in shops and window shopping at others.  This cat cafe was tempting but I just said hi to the kitties.  
It started raining and we figured that was our cue to start our drive home.  It was an easy drive and we were happy to be home after a wonderful getaway.






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