A Year Older and Sunday Morning Coffee

Today is my birthday, and I’m celebrating more than I ever have before.

Not because of a big party or fancy gifts but because I genuinely feel like I’ve earned the celebration this year. It’s been a year of growth, transformation, and joy, inside and out, and I honestly think it’s the best I’ve felt in years.

A woman with light hair stands indoors, smiling, holding a large brown tote bag. She wears a beige top and pants. A wooden table and white door are in the background.
Season 5 Volume 23

Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

Collage with a cozy interior featuring a dining area, kitchen, and coffee-themed text: "Sunday Morning Coffee.

About Me

A woman in a white blazer and patterned skirt stands in front of a black-and-white artwork mounted on a stone wall.

It’s My Birthday—and I’m Celebrating Big This Year!

I’m healthier, both physically and emotionally. That alone is worth toasting to. I’ve made self-care a bigger priority and learned to listen to my body, rest when needed, and move in ways that make me feel strong and alive. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up for myself with grace and consistency. And it’s working.

A woman in a blue patterned dress and white shoes stands next to a man in a dark suit. They are outdoors on a paved area with trees and a building in the background.

My marriage is one of the biggest blessings this year (and the past 38 years). I have the most incredible partner by my side. Our love continues to grow deeper each year, and I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am to share this life with someone who supports, inspires, and truly knows me. Dave and I laugh more, we plan more, and we take time to enjoy each other in the day-to-day moments that make life beautiful.

Seven adults and one child pose for a formal group wedding photo outdoors, with the bridal couple in the center and others dressed in formal attire.

My children—my heart—are all in such wonderful places in their lives. I love watching them grow into who they are meant to be … partners and parents! They have found their passions and are building their futures, which fills my soul with pride and peace in ways I can’t fully explain.

A white two-story house with dark shutters, a steep roof, and a brick chimney, viewed from the front with a straight walkway leading to the entrance.
A neutral-toned living room with a large white sectional sofa, a round white coffee table, and framed photos arranged in two rows on the beige wall.
A well-organized craft room with sewing machines, shelves of supplies, a dress form, and floral decor on hardwood floors under pendant lights.

But perhaps what makes this birthday feel so different is that this past year, I gave myself the gift of tackling what I call “the everyday stressors.” Those nagging things that weigh us down in the background. I took action.

  • Our broken air conditioning? Fixed.
  • The stove that barely worked and was nearly as old as my grown children? Replaced.
  • The clutter that made it hard to breathe and think? Cleared and reorganized.
  • My third-floor craft room? It’s so organized it is now my favorite room in our home.
  • The front landscaping that had long needed a refresh? Transformed.

All those little things that silently drained my energy are gone. And with them, I’ve found more room to breathe, more mental space to dream, and a stronger connection to the home and life I’ve built.

A dessert plate with “Happy Birthday Leslie” written in chocolate, holding walnuts, cheese, bread, strawberry, jam, and a sauce, with a lit blue candle.
The perfect “dessert” for someone who doesn’t eat desserts!

So today, I’m not just blowing out candles. I’m taking a deep breath and soaking in everything this past year has given me.

My birthday wish? That you do the same.

Take inventory of what’s weighing you down. Identify what’s stealing your peace or dimming your joy. And then, bit by bit, let it go. Change what you can. Ask for help if you need it. But don’t let the little things stand between you and the happiness you deserve.

A woman stands indoors, smiling and holding a young boy who is also smiling. They are in a living room with a white couch and wooden floor.

Life is a gift. It is a messy, beautiful, unpredictable, incredible gift.

Celebrate it.
Fix what’s broken.
And never forget to enjoy every single day.

Cheers to another year of joy, purpose, and love.

My Latest Project

My Latest Project

A well-maintained lawn with lounge chairs near a rectangular pool, surrounded by trees and string lights above.

Our Backyard is Ready for Summer!

Over the past few months, I’ve been pouring my energy into our backyard—and now that summer is here, I’m thrilled to say it’s never looked better. The grass is lush and green (finally!), and it feels so good to walk barefoot across the lawn. Every corner of the yard has come to life, and it truly feels like our own little retreat.

A backyard with a green lawn, wooden raised garden beds filled with plants, trees in the background, and wooden patio chairs in the foreground.

My kitchen garden is overflowing with fresh vegetables—tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and more—and it brings me so much joy to step outside and pick something straight from the garden to use in a recipe. There’s just something magical about growing your own food.

I have twenty-three tomato plants, and every single one of them has tomatoes. Most are green, but just yesterday, I found lots of Sungold cherry tomatoes that should be ready for picking this weekend.

A clear blue swimming pool in the foreground with a large white house and green trees in the background under a bright blue sky.

And the flowers! Oh, the flower beds are bursting with color. From roses to hydrangeas, every bloom adds a layer of beauty and happiness to our outdoor space. Seeing all the planning, planting, and care come together is rewarding.

Summer is here, and we’re ready for backyard dinners, garden-to-table meals, and long evenings spent outside under twinkling lights. It’s been worth every effort—and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A pair of brown gardening gloves, one showing the palm side and the other the back, with adjustable wrist straps and "HANDLANDY GARDENING" printed on the back—perfect for Mother's Day gifts on Amazon.

Women Safety Work Gloves 

Ten packets of Sereniseed organic seeds including cucumber, broccoli, carrot, bean, lettuce, basil, pepper, tomato, snap pea, and zucchini, each with illustrations of the plants.

Sereniseed Certified Organic Vegetable Seeds

Premium Organic Potting Natural Soil

Canopy Island Pool Float

Outdoor Market Patio Umbrella

Rattan Round Serving Tray, Set of 2

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

Round white clay plate with raised floral patterns rests on a table; a label beside it reads "TOTAL INCHES: 16 1/2 STUDENT.

Pottery Requires Patience (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

This past week marked my fourth pottery class, and let me say, I’m obsessed. I’ve fallen head over heels for hand-building pottery. Shifting clay into beautiful, functional pieces is incredibly satisfying, especially when adding textures and creative touches that make each item uniquely yours.

I’m already dreaming of handmade tableware sets and one-of-a-kind serving dishes for dinner parties. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s this: pottery demands patience.

And for someone who might lean just a tiny bit toward being a control freak, that’s a challenge.

A round, floral-patterned ceramic plate is broken into several pieces on a white surface.

I’ve had to hold my breath more than a few times. The first time I created a piece I loved, I set it down too fast and cracked the base. (I did make a few more, though …) Another piece fell apart in my hands as I moved it from one board to another. I’ve broken six pieces before they reached the kiln, just from handling them too roughly.

A close-up of a clay plate with a carved sunflower design and a visible crack running through the center.

And let’s not talk about the five more that cracked from rushing the drying process. I learned that patience isn’t optional when working with clay; it’s essential.

A large, unfinished ceramic mug with a textured leaf or face design sits on a wooden table in a pottery studio.
A square, shallow ceramic dish with a yellowish glaze and an embossed abstract swirl pattern, placed on a light wooden surface.
Rectangular ceramic tile with a glossy light green glaze on the top half and white on the bottom half, displayed vertically on a slotted white wall.
Fingers crossed this color glaze on my items will actually look like the Apple Green glaze.

Even glazing, which I imagined would be fun, has its challenges. I didn’t love my initial glaze options. I wanted cleaner and crisper colors—prettier finishes that felt more “me.” So naturally, I’ve been asking a million questions (as one does) and have already decided to switch from Cone 10 to Cone 5 clay, which opens up a whole new world of glaze possibilities. But again, that switch takes time. It’s a process.

My first batch of glazed pieces is in the kiln—they’ve been there for three days. THREE. DAYS. I know that sounds dramatic, but it feels like I’ve been waiting forever. I’m anxiously anticipating how they’ll turn out, hoping they survived, hoping the glaze looks right, hoping they don’t open the kiln and see my cracked dreams.

A white, square ceramic plate with a floral embossed pattern is displayed on a table next to other dishware, with a name tag labeled "Leslie" partially visible underneath.

But here’s the thing: I’m learning to let go despite the broken pieces, the waiting, the uncertainty. I’m learning not to get too attached to the outcome of any one piece. I’m learning that making mistakes is okay (and I will probably make a lot more). Most importantly, I’m learning that this process is about so much more than the final product.

Pottery is about being present. It’s about exploring creativity, embracing imperfection, and finding joy in the journey. It’s about being okay with not having all the answers and learning as you go.

Rectangular ceramic tray with raised edges, featuring an intricate floral and leaf pattern embossed on its surface.

So, if you’re starting with clay, my advice is to be patient and curious, let go of perfection, and keep going.

Each lump of clay holds a lesson, and maybe, if we’re willing to slow down, it’ll shape us as much as we shape it.

A box of 10 wooden texture rollers with unique patterns; a circle inset shows hands using one roller on clay.

Clay Texture Rollers

A block of off-white modeling clay with a slightly uneven surface and rough edges.

Deouss Mid High Fire White Stoneware Clay

Embossed rolling pin with floral patterns, accompanied by two round cookies featuring the same intricate designs.

Embossed Wooden Rolling Pin

Person holding a large rectangular brown board by a handle, with only their lower body and hand visible.

Clay Wedging Board with Built in Handle Portable Wooden Mat Clay Board

A set of clay sculpting tools including wooden and metal shaping tools, a round yellow sponge, and a wire clay cutter arranged on a white background.

8 Pieces Wooden Pottery Sculpting Clay

Seven sets of unfinished wooden shapes—hexagons, circles, triangles, rectangles, ovals, and squares—are displayed upright on white cylindrical stands against a plain background.

Ceramics Plate Forming Molds

This week's to do list.
  • Spend more time at Green and Bisque finishing pottery pieces.
  • Get the range hood at the beach fixed.
  • Get ready for a girl’s trip to the beach.
A tarnished ornate silver teapot with decorative handles and feet sits on a black cloth on a kitchen countertop.

Martha’s Polishing Silver Method works like magic.

A batch of mini funnel cakes dusted with powdered sugar is arranged on a white surface with a striped cloth nearby.

I have never quite understood Funnel Cakes but these look amazing!

A man with short brown hair and blue eyes wearing a black shirt is shown against a pink background framed by a dark green border.

The Decorating Advice Nate Berkus Has Followed Since Becoming a Dad

A glass filled with ice, sliced peaches, and a light-colored beverage, garnished with a peach slice on the rim.

Nothing represents summer more than peaches, and this Easy Peach Sangria recipe is divine!

A rectangular dessert decorated to resemble the American flag, using blueberries, raspberries, and piped white cream or frosting in stripes and star patterns.

Ina Garten’s Flag Cake looks wonderful and easy to make.

A container of Wright’s Silver Cream by Weiman with a blue lid and cleaning cloth, labeled to clean, shine, and restore silver items.
Wright’s by Weiman Silver Cleaner and Polish Cream
Six folded cloth napkins with a red, white, and blue checkered pattern are arranged in a fanned-out display, perfect for celebrating Happy Memorial Day gatherings.

DII 4th of July Tabletop Collection, Napkin Set

Hobnail Drinking Glasses Set

And what a week it was!

  • Nine chocolate layered dessert bars with a crumbly topping are arranged on a white plate; a decorative ribbon is in the background.
    To Die For Christmas Cookie Recipes
    There’s nothing quite like baking Christmas cookie recipes that fill your home with the smell of butter, sugar, and pure holiday joy. Every December, I find myself searching for new treats to share at our family gatherings and parties, cookies that…
  • A woman wearing an apron and oven mitt stands in a bright kitchen, smiling while preparing food on a wooden cutting board with baking supplies around her, ready for hosting Christmas.
    10 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Hosting Christmas
    The holiday season is magical, but let’s face it, it can also be stressful, especially if you’re hosting Christmas. Between planning meals, decorating your home, and ensuring everyone has a wonderful time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, you can reduce…
  • A living room with a light gray sofa and two decorative pillows, featuring two decorated Christmas trees near a window and natural light streaming in.
    Christmas Living Room Decor
    Every year, when December arrives, our living room decor becomes the heart of our home. It’s where we gather, unwind, sip cocoa, admire the lights, and reflect on the memories tucked into every ornament and garland. And this year, continuing my…
  • Christmas Craft DIY
    The Best DIY Christmas Pillow
    This is one of my favorite Christmas craft DIYs: my Christmas Tree Pillow. It’s easy to make and looks store-bought, but it’s handmade. Shapes and colors are the key to this easy DIY Christmas pillow. Are you ready to see just…
  • A cozy living room with a decorated Christmas tree, white sofas, a round coffee table with wrapped gifts and potted plants, and sunlight streaming through large windows.
    Christmas Decor in the Family Room and Sunday Morning Coffee
    What a week it’s been! Between adding Christmas decor to our family room, a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, and attending a beautiful wedding in Georgia, my heart feels full. I love weeks like this, the kind where your calendar is busy, but…
  • A tray holds twelve matte Christmas ornaments in pastel pink, green, and white, arranged in a neat grid.
    DIY Velvet Christmas Ornaments – A Handmade Christmas
    It’s hard to believe we’ve reached week thirteen of my A Handmade Christmas series! Here are my handmade velvet ornaments. Every week, I look forward to creating this series: sixteen weeks of handmade holiday projects designed to bring creativity, warmth, and…

Set of 2 White Ceramic Pie Plates

A gray Hoka running shoe with black laces, a thick cushioned sole, and the HOKA logo on the side—an ideal gift for Amazon Father's Day.

Hoka One Men’s Flat Sneakers

Four pairs of stackable stemless glasses in pastel colors—pink, green, blue, and yellow—are arranged in a row on a white background.

Unbreakable & Crystal Clear Plastic Wine Glasses

Ninja ice cream maker with digital control panel, shoot-style ice cream container, and a pitcher under the mixing area—perfect for creating homemade coffee ice cream.

Ninja Swirl by CREAMi Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker

Set of six copper-colored decorative charger plates for outdoor parties.

Hammered Copper Chargers, Set of 6

Square Chinese Lanterns

A woman stands in a lush garden surrounded by tall flowering plants, including purple alliums, with a small wooden shed in the background.

Yay! The ‘Martha Stewart Aesthetic’ Is the Trend of the Summer, (According to Pinterest).

Summer is a lot of fun, and I have many fun items to share this week. I can’t wait.

  • How to Achieve a Nancy Meyers-Inspired Interior in Your Home Decor
  • How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches
  • The Best Homemade 4th of July Patriotic Decorations
  • A Beautiful Outdoor Dinner Party on Our Back Porch
  • Al Fresco Dining Poolside Style
  • Air Dry Clay 4th of July Treasures
A round wooden cutting board with a handle and a hole near the end, featuring natural wood grain patterns—perfect for slicing homemade apple pie.

Acacia Wood Cutting Board with Handle Wooden Chopping Board

Fifteen woven star decorations arranged in three rows, each row featuring red, white, or blue stars to celebrate a Happy Memorial Day.

Red White and Blue Star Shaped Rattan Balls

Blue Round Placemats, Set of 4

You Might Also Need…

Four hanging white outdoor string lights with exposed glowing bulbs, connected by a white cord and socket fixtures, against a plain background.
48 FT Outdoor String Lights Commercial Grade
Ceramic dish shaped like the United States, decorated with red stripes and a blue star on the left side—perfect for celebrating and serving treats on Happy Memorial Day.

Boston International Serving Platter

Rattan Round Serving Tray, Set of 2

Woven basket with a handle, perfect for serving Christmas morning breakfast, accompanied by six circular woven placemats.

6 Pack, Round Woven Placemats

A stainless steel barbecue grill tool set in a carrying case, perfect for Amazon Father's Day gifting, shown with an apron holding tongs, spatulas, skewers, forks, and brushes—everything Dad needs for the ultimate grilling experience.

Kaluns Grilling Accessories

Pleats Porcelain Dinner Plates

A white, round ceramic pie dish with fluted edges and "Le Creuset" embossed on the rim, perfect for baking a homemade apple pie.

Le Creuset Stoneware 9″ Heritage Pie Dish

A charming bouquet of the best faux flowers, featuring white daisies with green centers, elegantly arranged in a transparent vase.

Gerbera Daisy Silk Flowers

A white countertop ice maker with a front handle, silver accents, and a glass of iced fruit drink placed beside it.

Gevi V2.0 Countertop Gemi Nugget Ice Maker

Shop My Home
Amazon Best Sellers
A Home to Share
A Home to Share
by Leslie Saeta

This Week’s Top Sellers

We shared a lot of our favorite home items this week and here are the top sellers!

A portable electric pressure washer with hose, spray gun, detergent bottle, and four interchangeable nozzles displayed on a white background.

Electric Pressure Washer

Stack of colorful, fabric-covered cushions labeled "CUSTOM" and "MADE IN US," perfect for your next pool party, with a swatch panel displaying various vibrant fabric color options on the left.

Royal Shade Custom Size Bench Cushion, 3 inches

Stack of colorful fabric-covered cushions on a wooden table with a color swatch chart on the side—perfect for your next pool party. Text on cushions reads: Custom Sizes/Colors, Made in US, Fast Delivery.

Royal Shade Custom Size Bench Cushion 4 Inches

Two black metal garden trellises, one supporting a climbing rose plant with pink flowers, the other supporting a tomato plant with red tomatoes.

2Pcs Plant Cages and Supports

A rectangular woven straw clutch with a flap closure, featuring a braided texture in a natural beige color.

Straw Clutch Purse

Six decorative burlap flowers in various shapes and designs, arranged on a white background.

Burlap Flowers 6PCS

Three plain, rectangular jute tote bags with white handles, arranged side by side on a white background.

Burlap Totes Bags Bulk

A large brown tote bag with a glossy finish and two handles, featuring the words "TOTE BAG" printed in white on the front.

Coffee Kraft Paper Tote Bags

Three beige jute tote bags with white handles and button closures are arranged in a row against a white background.

Burlap Totes Bags with Buttons

You can pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (click the Pin button in the top left corner) or follow me on Pinterest!

A smiling older woman stands indoors holding a brown tote bag, wearing a beige blouse and pants. Text below reads, "A Year Older and Sunday Morning Coffee.

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4 Comments

  1. Happy Happy Birthday! You have a lot to celebrate. Age is just a number its your attitude that counts I say! Enjoy your special day. And oh the pottery is beautiful 😍

    Reply

  2. Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your year of substantive growth with your readers…your words struck a cord with me. Have a wonderful year!

    Reply

  3. Happy Birthday Leslie, I enjoy reading about your life and fun , interesting things you make and do. Could you please tell me about the beautiful blue dress you are wearing in the first picture. Our 60 anniversary is coming up and I have been looking for something like this for the celebration. You look fabulous! Thank you

    Reply

  4. I’m so happy for you Leslie! What a fabulous place to be on a milestone day! I totally agree with your suggestions to get out from under the clutter and take care of ourselves – I’m truly inspired! Happy Birthday!

    Reply

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