Hi Friends!
It has been a good week around here. Nothing spectacular. Nothing earth-shattering. Just one of those weeks that were slow and easy. My energy levels were replenished. Our coffee time was unhurried each morning. Just the way I like it!
Porch Sitting
This week we’ve had many wonderful summer days where the porch was calling because the breeze was perfect, the sun was shining bright, and the birdsong was heavenly. In the mornings, I love cutting flowers from our cottage gardens for bouquets. I’ll place them on the porch, then I’ll sit and relax a little longer, appreciating the beautiful surroundings. You do know, coffee on the front porch tastes even better.
First Craft Night
In Arizona, I have a group of friends who enjoy doing crafts. So why not here? I hosted the first of many Craft Nights here at our summer home with my gal-pal besties, where we painted stepping stones. There were plenty of laughs, a little creativity, and the kind of conversation that only good friends can have. We had lots of fun.
One of the gals got us all this cute stuffie.
Laurentia Vineyard and Winery
Later in the week, another group of gal pal besties and I met at a beautiful winery in Ohio: good company, beautiful scenery, and a chance to sit and enjoy the day. Another reason for girl fun! The Grand River Valley region is the Napa of Ohio. Some great wine is being produced there.
Back Yard Firepit
Sweet man built a beautiful fire one evening, and we gathered our friends to enjoy the night away. There is just something about gathering around a fire that slows life down. Stories are shared, laughter is heard, and no one seems to be in a hurry. Do you have a fire pit?
While sitting around the campfire, a lovely sunset was happening beside us.
Our Cottage Gardens
I’ve also been soaking in the beauty of our summer flowers. Every morning, I enjoy strolling past the pretty corners of our gardens, where it always feels like something new is waiting to be found. I’m trying to appreciate these comfortable temperatures before the heat wave decides to visit us. Are you ready for the Heat Dome to hit? Stay safe, everyone.
Sometimes the best weeks aren’t the ones packed with excitement. They’re the ones filled with friendship, flowers, family, and simple moments that remind us just how blessed we really are. Sweet man and I are lucky that we have this life we have created together. Life is good.
Fourth of July
Now it’s time to switch gears. Family will soon be arriving for the Fourth of July, so meal planning has begun, and preparations are underway. It’s one of my favorite kinds of busy because it means our home will soon be filled with the people we love.
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday this week, I’m grateful for daily blessings that turn a house into a home and a season into summer.
Have a wonderful Fourth of July with family and friends! I hope your house will be like ours. Full of laughter, good food, and those simple moments that become the best memories. Happy 250th Birthday USA!
Linking up with Terri for The Flower Hour
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Your flowers are so pretty! I could make an arrangement similar to the one you had on the porch that’s so pretty! I have the lilies, daisies and have a purple flower though not your variety. The bee balm on one of my plants has just opened- so pretty! Craft night with friends sounds like a blast as was the visit to the winery. Swooning over your tablescape in the last picture- perfection!! Enjoy your time with family and celebrating our great country. I know it’s lots of work to host but hearing the laughter of loved ones and seeing them gathered around the dining table is worth it all :).
Coffee DOES taste better on a porch…with great views like yours! On my way over, Nancy Lou! 😉❤️😉
Hi Nancy,
Porch sitting is the best. Nothing better than getting together with Besties too. Sounds like a great start to summer already. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Nancy, your enthusiasm is contagious!! Such great memories with friends, and fun!
Nancy, I always enjoy catching up with your Tuesday Tidbits, and it certainly sounds like it’s been a good week! Your flowers are looking so pretty and are such a bright spot of summer. 🌸 I also loved reading about your craft night with friends…there’s nothing better than spending an evening creating, laughing, and making memories together. Wishing you a wonderful week and Happy 4th! ❤️🤍💙
I agree that some of the best weeks aren’t filled with excited happenings but rather with sweet memories and laughter with friends. Slowing down to smell the roses is underrated. Your post is filled with so much beauty as usual. Enjoy this new week!
Nancy, you always have so much fun! Your flowers are gorgeous and I love your red, white and blue! Enjoy celebrating America’s 250th anniversary! 🇺🇸
Hello Nancy! I believe you make the most of every day. From crafts to traveling to a winery to an evening with friends around the fire pit. Yes, we have one, but our temps and humidity are scorching right now, so no gathering of friends around our fire pit. Your cottage gardens are beautiful and I am amazed at how you garden in 2 different parts of the country. Enjoy your family, Happy 4th of July, and Happy 250th birthday America 🇺🇸❤️💙🇺🇸
How fun to enjoy crafting with friends, Nancy! All those flowers in your garden are stunning and make such beautiful arrangements. I love all your patriotic decor, too! Enjoy the hubbub with your family this week, my friend! 🎉🇺🇲
So much fun, Nancy…best of all worlds…porch setting, besties crafts and wineries…prep for the joy of visits to come and traditions to cherish…continued fun and happy holiday wishes to you❣️
I love your red, white, and blue decorations and your garden flowers. Celebrating 250 years as a nation–we are blessed. Your time on the porch and with your friends are extra special blessings. Happy 4th of July, Nancy!
Crafting and a winery — my language! And I adore that wonderful mug. Fabulous. Your holiday table is so fun and festive. I know you and your family, friends and guests will all have a spectacular time!
Nancy, you have the right frame of mind….take the time to ENJOY everyone and yourself! Your Porch sitting is equivalent to my Courtyard/Lanai sitting and I enjoy it very much….and yes the coffee AND the tea taste so much better. Great idea to implement craft night with your pals in PA as well as AZ. I love all the smiles of your friends and the Bestie stuffie is so cute. Your flowers in your gardens are lovely…and how nice that you can get such a lovely bouquet from just outside your door. I also love your Patriotic decor that meets anyone who enters….so bright and colorful. We have a fire pit much like yours but we also have a stand alone fireplace… but alas, it has been so hot down here in Florida that the last thing we want to be around is more heat. I would much rather jump in our pool….and lay on a raft right under the waterfall. LOL Enjoy your family as we celebrate our beautiful country’s 250 anniversary.🥰🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Family and/or friend time is the best, no matter what you’re doing. No porch or patio sitting for me, because it’s too hot. No flowers like that either of course, so I enjoy yours even more. I’m not a “craft-y” person but I do love a good wine-tasting and I always enjoy dropping back to the Midwest via your blog.
Happy 250th, USA!!
Your flowers are beautiful, and it looks like you and friends had a great week. The heat dome has arrived, and it is hot, hot, hot. Happy 4th of July.
Your happy life with friends and family always makes me smile, Nancy. It’s such a blessing to be filled with joy whether crafting, going to wineries, sitting by a fire pit or being without loved ones. Happy 4th to you ❤️🇺🇸💙
Ah! What a perfect week it seems you’ve had! I love reading about your happenings every week! For me, about the only downside to traveling so much is missing out on quiet times in my garden. Oh well, I’ll get back to that. It’s one of my favorite things to do too! The colors in that sunset are spectacular! Wowza! Your preparations for the 4th are so festive and looking great! Happy 250 USA!
Looks like you and your besties uncooked your creatively one glass at a time! And your tablescape is ready for the stars, stripes and sips as your friends and relatives arrive to celebrate Independence Day!