Some weeks feel ordinary at first glance, but when I look a little closer, I realize they’re filled with small celebrations tucked into everyday—moments that may not seem grand, but stay in my mind and my heart.
Kentucky Derby
This week’s first celebration to share with you was the fun party for the Kentucky Derby. Our friends threw the best party ever! The food is always so delicious! They make outstanding smoked meats, along with lots of scrumptious sides and desserts. Everyone also brings something to share. Then, if that’s not enough, there are games to play while we wait for the race. Then we pick which horses will win, place, or show. There’s just something about the pretty hats, the food, and everyone picking their favorite horses that turns the annual horse race into a celebration!
Did you watch the race? It was exhilarating! Golden Tempo was in last place and then won by a neck! Wow!
And here’s my fun little connection—NBC’s Derby reporter Donna Brothers went to the same Pennsylvania high school as I did. How cool is that! She told the female trainer, Cheri DeVaux, that “she hoped she would be the first woman trainer to win the Derby,” and sure enough, she called it!
Backyard Blooms and Creatures
After all the Derby excitement, the week calmed down a bit into a quieter celebration of sorts.
The backyard cactus flowers are blooming, and the saguaros around the neighborhood are still showing off their crowns. I’ll never get over how something so prickly can produce such pretty flowers. The desert really knows how to throw its own kind of spring celebration.
And look what I found while taking a photo of these purple flowers. A yellow paper wasp.
Another Favorite Mug
A simple celebration of sorts was when I had a slow cozy morning with coffee in my favorite mug from Ireland. Nothing fancy—just coffee and memories. Funny how a mug can take you right back to another place.
More Coffee
Speaking of coffee… I spent some time at a friend’s house, sitting and chatting over a coffee and her homemade scones. She had a few neighbor friends over as well. There’s something so comforting about sitting together, talking easily, and feeling welcomed—hospitality at its best.
Then I was invited for coffee at another friend’s house. More easy conversation was had! What a delight. Later this morning, a different friend is having me over for coffee. I guess I have become a social coffee drinker. What fun!
I hope I can do the same coffee shares when we are back in Pennsylvania. There’s something about enjoying each other and having leisurely conversations.
Micro Moon
And then, to top off the week, we watched the Flower Micro Moon rise with the neighbors. We were chatting out front, and then sweet man said, “Look at the moon!”
The Micro Moon is called that because it is further away from Earth. Opposite of a Super Moon, which is closer to Earth.
It wasn’t a week of grand events, but rather a week full of small celebrations—laughter with friends, a horse from behind that wins, beauty in the desert, a favorite cup of coffee, and a pretty moon rise.
And sometimes, those are the moments that mean the most.
Thank You
Hope your week had a few celebrations. Today is Cinco de Mayo. Perhaps you will celebrate with some Mexican food or margaritas!
Hope your days ahead are filled with little celebrations of sorts.
Before I go, I want to wish many of you a Happy Mother’s Day. However you spend it—surrounded by family, enjoying a quiet cup of tea, or remembering those dear to your heart—make it a celebration.
Thanks for spending some time with me today.
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Nancy, your week of “small celebrations” is such a wonderful reminder that joy really is found in the everyday moments. I loved how you wove together simple pleasures and meaningful pauses…it’s those little snippets of happiness that make life feel full and rich. Your friends’ Derby party looks like lots of fun. 🏇I was amazed at Golden Tempo’s finish too. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!❤️
Thank you so much Mary. Your kindness warms my heart.
Happy May!
Small celebrations are the best! We need to rejoice in every day!
Amen!
Happy May!
Happy May to you too my friend!
You’ve been around in the past week or two! That Derby Day party looks and sounds like such fun and is there anything better than getting together with friends for coffee/tea and treats? Scones are so wonderful — haven’t made any in ages, and I need to! Happy Cinco de Mayo — that guac and the ‘ritas look wonderful. And gorgeous flowers! Happy week (can you top this one?)!
I agree, blessings all around! We are thankful for wonderful moments and sweet celebrations. Thank you for your visit my friend. Happy May!
Life little pleasures are the best. My daughter bet on Golden Tempo! That same daughter finished her 400 semester clinical hours for nurse practitioner, and graduates this Saturday! Some celebrations will be big!
What a CELEBRATION!! Congratulations to your daughter in her graduation and her Golden Tempo Win! You are a proud Momma as you should be. Congratulations Rita! How exciting for your family.
Happy May!
Nancy, I love your thoughts on small celebrations in everyday! Everything looks lovely and fun!
Thanks Mitzy! Truly Blessed!
Happy May!
Nancy, it’s the little celebrations that matter! You’ve had a great week I love your flowers! I was pulling for a different horse to win but I was excited to see the first woman trainer win the Derby! I haven’t had any celebrations this week but we have a birthday and mother’s day coming up. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you always for your kindness, Beth. You always fill my heart with joy.
Happy May and enjoy your Mother’s Day.
What a wonderful and Blessed week you had Nancy…friends are indeed a treasure…and we all need to sit back and enjoy each others company and if we have a cuppa…so be it. On another note…horse racing…my first gray was scratched on Friday…Sigh!! then we watched as my second choice gray horse fell over before even entering the starting gate and so was also scratched and finally, my 3rd gray choice exchanged places with Golden Tempo and came in last! But it was still a fun race to watch. 🥰 Thank you for the wonderful cactus photos…Have a Blessed week with your sweet guy.
Thank you, Kari, for your sweet comments.
This year’s Derby was far from ordinary! I hear Great White will be running in the Preakness. I wonder if Golden Tempo will?
Thank you for the visit.
Happy May!
Thank you for sharing your sweet and fun activities and celebrations. Hooray for friends who go all out on parties… and invite us!! (We have friends like that but they’ve never hosted a KD party!) The photo op is amazing and it sounds like the food was, too. Your coffee dates sound delightful and I completely thought the pears were lemons (and I wouldn’t have thought otherwise if you hadn’t said something!). Have a great day!
Okay, we are the lemon sisters! 😄
The Kentucky Derby Party is so fun! We enjoy ourselves every year.
Thanks so much for your sweet comments.
Happy May and enjoy your Mother’s Day!
Hi Nancy, I read your post this morning but didn’t get to comments. We had appointments in Birmingham and haven’t been home long! Small celebrations ended up being a grand week of fun! The Derby party looked fantastic, and aren’t you a beauty in your hat! All of those invites for coffee and treats are simple pleasures, but offer so much in connecting with others and sharing life together! I am always amazed at all of the blooms in your area!
Thank you for sharing your week, it was certainly special! Enjoy your small celebrations, sweet friend ❤️
Thank you always for your sweet comments. You are always so kind.
It was a grand week! Here’s to another.
Happy May and Enjoy your Mother’s Day dear friend.
Your many coffee times, solo and with friends, sound fun and relaxing at the same time. Your group really knows how to party when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, and I love your high school friend connection! Happy Cinco de Mayo! My husband made his delicious green chile chicken enchiladas (my favorite), and we accompanied it with refried beans, guacamole and chicharones. A special meal, for sure!
That sounds soooooo good! I am sure you had a wonderful celebration!
Thank you for all the love. Happy May!
Nancy your week was full of ‘galloping’ good times! I think you will agree, Derby days are for making memories and celebrating in style! I love the pear table setting!
Thank you so much Mary. It was a wonderful week!
Happy May!
Thank you for the Derby recap… I missed it! I love watching horse racing. Y’all look great in your Derby attire and love that mint Julep. The cactus florals look amazing. I was so happy to see them for myself one year ago this week when we were in Fountain Hills to arrange my Dad’s memorial service.
I’m happy for you that you get to have coffee with so many friends, Nancy! Those little moments have big rewards and help keep the daily drudgery at bay! Enjoy the desert beauty!
Thanks so much Terri! It was a wonderful week. I always enjoy your visits. You feel my heart with Joy!
Happy May and Happy Mother’s Day!
Hello,
Oh, what a fun post. I love the little celebrations indeed. Your robin cup makes me smile, we have a robin nesting in our pine tree.
xo
Carla
I love how you opened up this week’s post, dear Nancy Lou. What might’ve felt ordinary is truly pretty EXTRAordinary when we look more closely. Everyday moments that matter! Thank you so much for bringing another visual feast for the eyes. Always fun! xoxoxox! ❤️😊❤️
I do it all for you Vicki Lou!
Thank you always for all the love.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Oh goodness! Yes! Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️😉❤️
What a fun week, Nancy! You all look so cute for the Derby party. Yes, I watched it and it was so exciting! I was so happy for the jockey and the trainer. You could’ve fooled me about the tablecloth, too! I thought lemons myself. 😊 Enjoy all the simple joys in life, my friend, and Happy Mother’s Day to you! 🌹
Thank you, Kitty! Happy Mother’s Day!