coffee...it's a family affair!

coffee- 

in our family

coffee 

is like a love language! ;) 

for as long as i can remember,

coffee was the only drink of choice

in my family.

my parents 

were never without of pot

brewing.

dad carried an old tupperware tumbler

before there were travel mugs!

his old truck smelled of coffee.

to this day,

the smell of black coffee 

brewing in the morning,

reminds me of my parents home.

i began drinking coffee

as a young pre-teen.

it was inevitable really...

i mean,

a pot of coffee 

was always on in our home

as a kid!

i remember coming home 

from school,

where i would find mom

sitting at the kitchen table

with a cup of coffee.

as a teen,

i knew she was there

if i needed to talk,

sitting at that old table 

with her coffee. 

it seemed so very natural

when my brother, casey

decided to try his hand at coffee roasting.

for one, 

we live in the pacific northwest

so, yes...coffee houses

are everywhere

but, also with the family's

love of coffee...

it also seemed to be the perfect path.

casey

is

a micro-coffee roaster

and 

his coffee is amazing!

(no, i am not partial)

i sit here this morning,

with my french roasted coffee

and am so proud of 

my brother,

casey.

he just opened a website

where his coffee can be ordered.

http://www.caseyscoffee.com/

his gallery is awesome too...

it has pictures of his own family 

along with pictures of my mom & dad

and 

also his siblings-
which means, me along with my
two brothers! :)

http://www.caseyscoffee.com/gallery/

his different blends:

http://www.caseyscoffee.com/products/

you cannot go wrong with any of these blends!

if you decided to try some of his coffee

and you order it...

please let me know!

i would LOVE to tell him...

that one of my friends order his coffee!

*by the way this was NOT a sponsored post!

i truly LOVE his coffee

and wanted to share it with you!

simply sweet

it has been busy around our house.
a time for adjustments and new normals.

we recently moved my mother-in-law into a care center.
she has alzheimers and the whole family (as a united unit)
made the decision that it was time, to get more help with her care.
the center is amazing, the staff are all wonderful and i am growing attached
to these sweet elderly people, who all smile when i walk down the hallways!

this week,  a few of the sweet moments that i
collected. noticed. treasured. soaked in and savored:

1. field trip to the pumpkin patch with the grandson (cider doughnuts!)
yum! sweet!
2. coffee date with my husband. we sat side by side in the coffee shop
i had a book in my lap and he was on his ipad. no words were needed. 
sweet moments.
3. a skype date with my 5yo grandson who lives overseas, hearing his laughter &
meeting his newborn baby brother (via skype) who was born last week!
these skype dates are so sweet and i treasure each one of them!
4. at the care center, we were sitting around with mom and a few residents;
my 4yo grandson broke into song-entertaining many of the staff and the elderly!
simply adorable.
5. living in the beautiful pnw means sometimes it is hard to walk
outside but, this week i was able to get outside and
go on a few wonderful walks. seeing trees with their orange and yellow leaves
seeing beauty all around me.
6. laughter. yes. sometimes that is all you can do. either laugh or cry.
i choose laughter and joy.
7. i entered a giveaway on instagram and won! i will be receiving it soon!
whoohoo!

life is made up of a lot of little things, that is what makes it special.
sometimes with all the hustle and bustle of life though, it is hard to
recognize those small sweet moments.
to take the time to see these moments for what they are: sweet.

it is my prayer that this week you are blessed with
many wonderful, sweet moments.
that you can stop and take a moment to soak them in.
may you be filled with joy as you remember to savor them!


join me will you?
sweet moments are all around us if we take the time to see them.
i am linking up to:

                                                       SWEET SATURDAYS

happy spring!

we went for a walk

a week ago,

taking advantage of the sunshine.

around here

in the pacific northwest

you need to 

learn to take advantage of the

sunshine 

when you can

because,

tomorrow it could

rain! :)

we went to one of our 

favorite coffee shops;

it is near the

 boardwalk

and walked along the ocean.

the sailboats

the ocean

and a cup of coffee

with the one you love?

does it get much better

 than that!?

my wish for you?

that you too,

 have

a wonderful spring,

that you would be able

to look

and

truly see;

the lovely and the beauty

in each and every

single day!

the beauty 

is there.

sometimes

it is in the simplest of

moments.

but, it is there.

we just need to 

Be Still.

it is there.

treasure it.

hold on to it.

savor it.

be thankful for

all.

be blessed

smile

and shine!

this weekend

You have read 11 of 50 books

22%

22%

2 books ahead of schedule

my reading challenge stats


kind of fun to
keep of track
of how many books
i actually consume. ;)



what are you reading
this weekend?

me?
well, i read
heaven is for real
by: todd burpo;
in less than two days
and have moved on to
one of my murder mysteries
from my favorite:
james patterson.


sleeping in
going for a short walk
coffee
and a book.
that is what this
saturday
looks like!
how about you?

mugswap

i entered a mugswap
this year and had so much fun!

first i found out whose name i
had received and a little bit
about her and her likes. :)
i also told the organizer what
i liked and a little bit about me
for the person who would be
sending me a mug.

then it was off to shop for
my pal: Jan
she likes colorful, bright and cheery...
so off to pier 1 i went.
i picked a bright, fun yellow mug with flowers
and off it went to her home.

then i waited patiently for
my mug to come
and to see what they would
pick out for me. :)

it was perfect.
my whole blog theme
is always about life;
how to look for the good
be thankful.
and see beauty each day.
right?

well here is what she picked out
for me:

it says:
Make a life worth loving.

how perfect is that???
thank you Aubrey.
i love my mug!

i loved doing this exchange
and look forward to doing it
again!

thank you kim
for the organizing you did!

ps. after i sent my mug
to jan, i got the sweetest note
and we follow each other on instagram
and i have a new found friend,
all because of the swap! :)

Sunshine & Coffee

it is gorgeous out today;
i can hear birds tweeting up a storm
and the sun is shining through my
windows (that need cleaning!)

i am off to have coffee with a friend
and a possible walk in the sunshine!

it is well with my soul.

happy friday peeps!!

let's show someone a smile
and shine our lights!

life

we had a wonderful anniversary.

the day was filled with time together.

we went to:
a coffee shop and sat for awhile.
went to see a matinee just the two of us.
he had some errands to do afterwards
so he dropped me off at the mall and
then picked me up an hour later
and we went to our all time favorite mexican restaurant
and then on our way home we stopped and brought home
my favorite flavor of ice cream. (choc. cherry!)

when we got home
he went to popped the trunk
and presented me with a bouquet of flowers!

yeah, he is a keeper. ;)

i am going to share a few pictures from my phone

which represents life here lately-

our anniversary consisted of 

coffee. ice cream. flowers. dinner & a movie.

olive chillin' in the sun

a day at home

my farmer boy's socks and one of his old wrestling tshirts

(a perfect way to spend a day)

a date with the hubbie

coffee & harry potter. :)

my group of high school friends...

we have named ourselves:

the YA-YAs :)

are all doing a four mile walk/run

this coming weekend together.

the quote on the bottom of the shirt

which didn't show up in the photo reads:

"i have no doubt we will not run out of things to say in 4 miles; not even in 400 miles"

i am SO looking forward to this weekend

when we will all be together.

there is always much laughter and fun.

i cannot wait!

i wish you blessings as you go 

about the rest of your week.

shiny. beautiful. blessed. indeed.

seeing beautiful

today was lovely

this morning, my husband walked in while i was
having my coffee and said,
"there is a car auction that i would
like to go to."
so i threw a hat on and off we went
(i brought my coffee with. ha)

after the auction where of course
he did not buy anything...
we went to DQ for an early lunch

we live in the pacific northwest and it rains a lot ;)
today though it was GORGEOUS!
the sun was out and it was 50 degrees. sigh
lovely. just beautiful.

we decided to take the long way home
and wound up stopping for more coffee. :)

afterwards, we are driving home
and i look out the window and
i actually told mark
he needed to pull over for me,
i wanted to take a picture of the beauty around us.

i mean wow.
we live in an amazing part of the pacific northwest.
i love it.

i really try to take time and see the beauty.

we stopped to pick up
groceries for tomorrow
because, we are hosting friends for
super bowl sunday. :)
i needed stuff for crockpot chili! mmmm-

when i got home i decided
enough was enough...
i needed to get outside and enjoy this weather.
i threw some boots on (it is still muddy out)

and went for a two mile walk.

it felt so amazing!!!!

i hope you my friend are having a
wonderful weekend so far.

may you be blessed with happiness and see beautiful.

sunshine & coffee

sunshine. coffee.

window shopping. antiques.

 thrift & used book stores.

time with my

daughter.

memories made.

what a great way to spend

a friday!

look at this throw i found

while thrifting.

it was a whole $2 :)

i washed it up 

and love

the fall colors!

and then

oh my goodness,

i called my daughter over

because i couldn't 

believe what i had

just found...

a vintage chalkboard

on sale for $3.25

i almost screamed

but, instead 

hastily picked

the prize up and 

held it close to my

chest until i 

payed the cashier! :)

it will look adorable 

in our playroom

for the grandkids!

we are planning

to finish yard work

and do a bit

of decorating

for tomorrow's event.

what do you have

planned for today

or for the weekend?

whatever it is

i wish you;

joy and happiness!

let's shine.

hello, monday!

coffee? check. okay.

let's do this.

hello, monday!

monday notes

yesterday as i sat taking
notes of our sermon
to update our church facebook page

i thought about this sermon
and how this was what i try to do!
striving for each and every day-
and what i reach for even here on my blog
each and every day...

so i thought i would share
my sunday notes
for monday!

1. we have this moment.
2. do you know your sins are forgiven?
if so then get happy!
3. some people are addicted to being miserable.
they are not happy unless they are miserable!
so then wherever they go,
that is what comes out of them...
misery!
4. what if instead of misery we said,
"today is the day! let us rejoice and
be glad in it!"
5. we have today, let's show others
love & forgiveness, today! 


finally this one,
i really loved!

6. if you are not a caring & kind person
try acting like one for awhile
thinking and doing kind things-
slowly over time being kind
will become second nature...
you can/will become that kind & caring person!

you can write a different script for your life.

let's rejoice and be glad!

may you have a nice monday.

it is raining here
but, the possibility of
some coffee time with my hubbie
makes the laundry, dishes and housework
seem just a bit more sweeter!

shine on!

happy leap year~

happy leap year!

funny story;

32 years ago when my

then finance'

 and i were planning

our wedding...

he said, 

"the end of february is the best

time of year for me on the farm"

so what did i do?

i look at the calendar and 

picked the last saturday of feb.

and called our pastor...

i say, 

"we picked a date!"

"feb.29!"

pastor ron says, 

"um, mel... i don't think

you want to get married 

on a leap year!"

ha, i had just looked at

the calendar and picked the

last saturday!!!

so hence,

the picking of

 feb. 22nd

as our wedding date. :)

may you have a 

wonderful leap year day...

as for me?

well this day looks

wonderful

with plans to meet a dear friend

at a

 coffee/used bookstore

 then we are off

to the grand opening of

a new consignment store!

so

coffee, used books and thrift shopping

all with a dear friend?

yes...today is lovely!

blessings to you today!

saturday thougthts

saturday;

rain comes down hard

on our metal roof...

i wake up slowly

to the pitter of the raindrops

with plans to drive to

the near by town

taking my daughter to lunch

& to get in a bit of 

thrift shopping 

with her

too.

we lunch at olive garden,

do some shopping (yay!)

as i start for home

the sun starts to break through the

hazy, rain clouds...

making it appear misty.

i wind up meeting my husband 

at the bookstore

for some coffee...

it has been a wonderful,

relaxing saturday~

contentment;

for me comes in noticing

the little things-

i am ever

thankful and happy!

do you have plans 

for the long weekend?

be blessed my friends~

little faces

day 8~

i couldn't be more thankful for happy little faces

at the mall last week- i adore this sweet, happy face!

*how can anyone have a bad day,

just look at this little, happy face!

late last night

i received a call

asking if i could watch

my 2 1/2 grandson

because daddy got called

to sub at the local high school

(he is a math teacher)

so early this morning

before i had even began

my day...

before the cobwebs had

been cleared

with my coffee...

a little face walked in

through the back door-

all he wanted to do for the 

first hour was to

snuggle in granny's lap!

today i am thankful

for my grandsons

and their happy little faces!

now i am off to try to sneak

in another couple cups of really

strong coffee! :)

if you were here right now

drinking some coffee with me,

what would be on your mind?

do you have things to be thankful for today?

i hope so-

or maybe you have a heavy burden...

know that i care-

may you have a lovely day.

be blessed-

*the chalkboard-
remember when i painted the bulletin board
with chalk board paint? (here)
it was/is a HUGE success!!!!  :)

friday & happiness

yesterday
i had both grandsons
here at the house,
by the end of
the evening this granny
was too pooped to pop!
i think this must be why
you have your kids when
you are young and full
of energy!! LOL

i loved this little quote
as soon as i read it
and asked jam if i
could  borrow steal it! ;)

i have so many things
on my to do list,
and yet...
a sweatpants kind of day
just might be in order
along with another couple
cups of coffee...
oh wait,
if i can muster some energy
i could to go to the local craft show!

22nd Annual

Fall Craft & Antique Show

October 13, 14, & 15 

Thursday & Friday 10-8    Saturday 10-5

Northwest Washington Fairgrounds

we have another
birthday party/get together
this weekend at my mom's

how about you?
what do you have planned
this weekend?

whatever is in store for you
i hope you find
a bit o' happy!!

promise

i think this day
is a coffee drinking
sitting in front of the
fireplace
kind of day-
maybe i will throw in some
book reading for good
measure!

the promise of
a visit with a dear
friend
and more coffee
is just what is needed
to make this day just
lovely!

oh yes,
this monday is starting
to look like a wonderful
day!

i hope this day
brings you lots of joy
as well!

tuesday coffee~

it is a glorious tuesday
the sun is shining here
today!

i sit here with my
little white & red
coffee mug
filled with potent,
rich, black coffee.
the steam is still
rising from the mug
as i sip away...
clearing the morning
grogginess away-

a list a mile long
of things that need
to be taken care of...
phone calls to make
bills to pay,
and i just sit here
with my coffee and laptop.
yep, ignoring the rest of
the day for just a bit longer!

this past week
our church congregation
heard news of two of our
godly men being sick and
hospitalized.
one with cancer on his spine,
one with a life threatening
blood clot.

our pastor needed
help with organizing
meals and visitations
and i remembered
a plan someone had
used for their sick
nephew...
an online meal sign up.
and then lo & behold
a friend posted
another link on face book
and so i began researching
the ease of both plans
and decided on the
one my friend had shared!

so yesterday
i sat up a meal train
for this sweet family.
it is so easy to do!
if you are ever
interested in something
like this for a new mom,
someone who is ill...or whatever...
you can find it at mealtrain.com

i am off to savor
a bit more coffee
before i take
on the rest of the day-

what ever you have
planned for the day
may it be filled
with many blessings!

& will you join me
in shining a light
and maybe even a little
sparkle!? :)

bits and bobs

saturday was a day for
sleeping in,
getting coffee from the drive-thru
and then a long drive to enjoy
the sunshine-
what a great time!
my hubbie and i were able
to visit & go to lunch
and then our favorite bookstore,
where we sat &
drank MORE coffee
read magazines and relaxed...
it was a nice way to spend a saturday!

after getting my drive thru coffee :)

i have had my boot off my
ankle now for almost a week
and it is slow going!
the physical therapy will
hopefully stretch out the
achilles but, right now it is so tight
and i cannot bend it very well
so i have a bit of a limp.
i have to wear an insert in my right shoe
which is a bit difficult with some of my shoes-

it has been nice to wear my skirts
without the boot...let me just tell ya that!
in fact, i bought some adorable
loafer/oxfords and am loving them-
they will be so fun for my fall outfits!

these have a bit of vintage/retro feel to me

which i totally adore!

this was taken yesterday on 9/11/11

this is the front of our house :)

i am hoping that this week

is a blessed one for you-

that you can find some happiness & joy

even in the day to day mundane stuff...

there is always loveliness in life

if you look for it! :)

let's shine & sparkle!