Happening Now

January 6, 2016 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Reading Three Junes by Julia Glass.

Watching Making A Murderer on Netflix (like everyone else!).

Listening to Jamie Lawson.

Looking out the window at the snow falling down. I’ll admit it does look really pretty.

Using my new planner from Rifle Paper Co. I love starting a new year; a fresh start.

Crossing things off my daily to-do lists in the new planner.

Walking on the treadmill after about a 4 month hiatus and it feels good to be moving again.

Feeling super excited about our new couch. It’s beautiful! We’ve been needing one for about 5 years.

Getting back into the swing of school everyday after the long holiday break.

Loving that the days are getting longer and longer, even if it is only by 3 minutes everyday.

Celebrating Jeremy’s birthday this weekend with a date that’s long overdue.

Spending less time online scrolling and more time actually doing.

Trying to decide on a Project Life kit for 2016. The one I wanted most is sold out and I’m not even sure they’ll restock, so on to Plan B whatever that is.

Decluttering and thinking about starting on a spring cleaning list. I always get the urge this time of year.

Working on a morning routine that gets me up and going before the kids wake, but gosh it’s hard when the mornings are so dark.

Hoping you had a great holiday season and that your 2016 is off to a great start!

Happening Now

December 1, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Listening to the Michael Buble Christmas station on Pandora and James Bay on Apple Music.

Watching Hallmark Christmas movies…when they’re not too cheesy that is.

Decorating the house for the holidays.

Trying to get into the Christmas spirit. It’s been a bit difficult this year for some reason.

Taking a more relaxed approach with our schooling now that we’re in the midst of the holiday season.

Starting our Advent calendar today with coloring books, Santa countdown printables and opening Christmas books.

Participating in Ali Edwards December Daily again this year, which I’ll be sharing here. It’s my favorite project ever.

Crossing things off of my shopping list, but I still have a ways to go.

Feeling my anxiety starting to rev up, but getting it under control early this time. Anyone else have trouble with all the darkness?!

Wearing some cute new sequins slippers I bought on Black Friday for $2.99. Total steal. I should’ve bought more pairs because I’m sure I’ll ear them out!

Needing a haircut and color, but dreading actually going in to do it.

Awaiting the arrival of our new dishwasher!! You guys, this is about 8 years overdue. I’m so happy to be getting a new one. Merry Christmas to me!

Enjoying time spent with family making new memories.

Happening Now

November 9, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Loving homeschooling. I’m so happy we chose this path.

Disliking the early darkness, but who doesn’t?

Enjoying all of the time we’ve been spending outside this season.

Feeling grateful for our health and a fairly smooth surgery for Harper last week.

Listening to James Bay.

Watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. I know, but I can’t help myself.

Reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman to the kids for school.

Wearing Friday Flannel Jamberry nail wraps. They are super cute.

Starting my Christmas shopping. I like to pick things up here and there so I’m not buying everything all at once.

Sewing the kids super soft blankets for Christmas. Nothing complicated. Just simple, cozy blankets.

Planning out some holiday crafts that I’d like to have ready before December.

Baking lots of pumpkin goodies. So far donuts, bars, and bread.

Starting to look at houses again. We have totally outgrown ours and I really want a fireplace.

Needing to start meal planning again. I’ve been having a hard time coming up with meals everyday.

Hoping to take the kids to the new Peanuts movie sometime this week.

Taking the kids on an outdoor field trip this afternoon so we can enjoy this mild weather as much as possible before it’s gone.

Happening Now

October 9, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Figuring out this whole homeschooling thing.

Finding a routine that works that includes lots of outside adventures and play time.

Listening to Apple Music. Lots of Fleetwood Mac, Ray LaMontagne and a little Taylor Swift lately.

Reading tons of information on homeschooling. And I also went back to reading Peace Like A River. I’m going to finish it this time.

Watching the Today Show every morning and lots of Supernatural at night. I’m so ready for The Walking Dead to start on Sunday.

Continuing to pick zinnias from the garden, but everything else is done for the year and ready to be cleaned up.

Eating all the pumpkin donuts. Right now I just want pumpkin everything. But especially the pumpkin donuts from Dunkin Donuts.

Drinking pumpkin spice coffee every morning and the occasional iced pumpkin machiatto from Dunkin Donuts.

Loving all the pumpkins everywhere and the changing, falling leaves. It’s so beautiful.

Feeling excited that my favorite season has arrived and all that is to come in the next two months.

Thinking about attempting a quilt for my mom for Christmas. It would be my biggest sewing project so far.

Going to all the local handmade markets and vintage shops. In search of all the good stuff.

Finishing up my revamped photography website. I love the new look.

Trying new things including Jamberry Nail Wraps, which I am loving. I like them so much I’m seriously considering selling them.

Working on our eat-in kitchen area. It is waiting to be painted and then to have board and batten added. It will look awesome when it’s finished. I’ll definitely post photos.

Planning a fun weekend with family.

Hoping you enjoy your weekend to the fullest.

Happening Now

September 9, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Enjoying the heat while I can but

Celebrating the arrival of a new season

Feeling ready for football, changing leaves, flannel, blankets and pumpkin everything.

Starting to drink tea at night again.

Reserving all the autumn and Halloween books from the library for the kids.

Looking forward to lots of fall crafting. I think I may finally attempt my first quilt.

Decorating the house with autumn colors: acorns, pine cones, pumpkins and garlands.

Lighting candles every night. My favorite right now is cinnamon roll.

Cutting lots of zinnias from the garden to bring inside.

Continuing to bring in tomatoes and basil from the garden.

Freezing what we can’t eat so that we can enjoy it this winter.

Planting some spinach and romaine in hopes that we’ll be able to make some fall salads.

Adding some seasonal and holiday garlands to my Etsy shop soon.

Reading Looking For Me by Beth Hoffman. I’m liking it so far.

Listening to Apple Music. It’s awesome.

Watching Fear The Walking Dead. Obviously.

Planning a mini getaway for October.

Making new friends and it’s so nice.

Figuring out our homeschooling routine one day at a time.

Hoping to have some visitors this weekend, but I have a ton to get done before then so I better get to it all.

Happening Now

August 7, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Focusing on Week In The Life. It ends Sunday and I’m ready to be done. It’s a tough project, but it’s so worth it.

Planning for a visit from my parents this weekend.

Taking the kids for haircuts today before school starts next week.

Feeling a bit nervous about school starting…

Cleaning the house…again. It’s never ending.

Checking on the garden and the tomatoes a least once a day. I wish those tomatoes would hurry up and ripen.

Reading Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer. I’m also reading my new Birds and Blooms magazine that I ordered for $7.00. I love birds and flowers so I figured why not.

Watching Lachey’s Bar. I’ve liked Nick and Drew since 98 Degrees. Don’t judge me. They’re so funny together.

Listening to Magic Lessons podcast by Elizabeth Gilbert and the cicadas outside.

Eating lots of watermelon and salads. Oh and sweet corn. I mean I live in the Midwest where the best sweet corn is grown.

Drinking a little too much caffeine lately.

Compiling ideas for my Etsy shop for the fall and holidays. I’m excited.

Thinking we might need to plan a camping trip for one of these upcoming weekends. I so wish we had a camper. Someday.

Craving a pumpkin scented candle, but I just can’t do it until at least September. That’s my rule.

Enjoying all things summer for as long as possible. I think I’ll go set up the pool for the kids and make some sun tea.

Hoping, as always, that you have a great weekend!

Happening Now

July 10, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Loving every second of this mild summer weather. I mean.

Reading The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg. If you recall, I read the first two in the series and loved them.

Listening to Hudson read books to Harper. It’s amazing.

Working on writing a children’s book. I know. It’s a little nuts, but I have a few great ideas. I think.

Watching our garden grow. It’s magic.

Taking the kids to the library. I love that they love books so much.

Looking into joining a CSA program (Community Supported Agriculture). I’m very interested in the concept and even though we can get local produce at the farmer’s market, would love to receive a box once a week. It would be thrilling.

Feeling as though the summer is flying by, but trying to savor every second.

Thinking Jeremy and I need a overnight date before summer ends. Maybe for our anniversary.

Wishing my friends lived closer because I would love some more girl time in my life.

Dreaming up some future home projects that I can’t seem to get started on.

Needing to paint, but just can’t do it.

Going to a canning class this Saturday at a local nursery. It’s something I’ve been wanting to learn but I find it very intimidating.

Planning to spend the weekend doing all the things summer has to offer.

Hoping you enjoy yours!

Happening Now

June 26, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Loving, really loving our little garden.

Celebrating that it is officially summer. Hooray!

Enjoying all the warm weather activities. Hello swimming pool and sprinkler.

Opening the windows every morning to let in the fresh air before the days heat arrives.

Planning to set up the water blob for the kids this weekend. We only usually do it once a summer and they think it’s the greatest ever.

Working on not putting too much pressure on myself to entertain the kids every second of every day.

Drinking lots of sun tea. and water.

Eating more salads and grilled food and always looking for new recipes.

Buying fresh flowers at Trader Joe’s on every trip. They just freshen up the house to much.

Reading Peace Like A River. I took a break to read Station Eleven because I had it on hold at the library. Book report coming next week.

Watching Supernatural on Netflix. Jeremy is hooked.

Listening to my kids playing or bickering all day long. The best is when they’re getting along and making each other laugh hysterically.

Looking forward to date night with good friends this Saturday. It’s been too long.

Hoping you enjoy your weekend!

Happening Now

June 5, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Obsessing over our garden. Obviously.

Crossing activities off our Summer Bucket List like crazy. Super fun!

Enjoying my living room filled with peonies. The season is almost over though…

Preparing for our first family vacation in three years. It’s going to be awesome.

Reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.

Watching Supernatural on Netflix. We totally got sucked in.

Listening to my kids play, argue, play, argue. You get the picture. Ah summer break.

Planning Harper’s fairy birthday party. I’ll share more later.

Needing to go dress shopping today to find something to wear to Jeremy’s sister’s wedding this weekend. I always have the hardest time picking out dresses.

Thinking we might have to make a trip to the local donut shop this afternoon to celebrate National Donut Day.

Filling up the swimming pool for the kids. It’s finally going to be warm enough and sunny today.

Hoping that the summer slows down just a bit. I can’t believe it’s already June.

Wishing you a relaxing weekend!

Happening Now

May 18, 2015 by tjdoyle0811 Leave a Comment

Reading Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz.

Watching…well nothing new at the moment.

Listening to a little bit of everything on Pandora.

Putting together little present bags as a welcome to summer surprise for the day after Hudson gets out of school.

Planning meals ahead of time in hopes that it will encourage me to cook more. Spoiler alert: It hasn’t so far.

Loving that the temps have been cooler this Spring, but

Hating that it seems to be raining every. single. weekend. I still haven’t been able to build and plant our garden.

Keeping up with Project Life and it feels so good.

Starting to make plans for Harper’s 4th birthday party. A little at a time seems to help me finish on time.

Burning strawberry candles. They’re my favorite for summer.

Enjoying my flower pots this year. Especially the big ones on the deck. I only plant one pot last year on the front porch. This year I have five and looking at them out the window makes me so happy. I can’t wait for them to get bigger.

Finding that I’m really into florals lately. I couldn’t resist these Old Navy pajamas.

Prepping for a shop update this Wednesday. I’ll be adding 4th of July banners to Urban Meadow Market on etsy.

Thinking about making more crusty bread today. It’s supposed to be gloomy here tomorrow and crusty bread would definitely make it more bearable.

Waiting for my peonies to bloom so I can bring them inside to enjoy.

Keeping up (mostly) with writing in my gratitude journal.

(This was supposed to post on Friday, but I guess I forgot to schedule it, so I’m posting it today instead.)