Family Time and Sunday Morning Coffee

Family time is what makes everything else feel meaningful. Today I shared family time, a sneak peek at a project I absolutely loved creating, and a garden update that finally feels like a success.

From a magical few days in Marin celebrating Graham’s birthday, to stitching something deeply personal with my Favorite Things shirt, to seeing my raised garden truly thrive, it’s been one of those weeks where everything feels full in the best way. Family time grounded it all, and I can’t wait to share more of each with you for Sunday Morning Coffee.

A group of eleven people, including adults and children, pose together in front of a house with a "Happy Birthday" banner and a table with cupcakes.

Season 6 Volume 14

A collage with a house exterior, a kitchen, a door with a wreath, text "Sunday Morning Coffee," and a Christmas ornament labeled "The Santa Family.

About Me

Two adults stand outside on grass, smiling at the camera; one holds a baby wearing pink stripes. Trees and a wooden fence are in the background. The baby's face is covered with a heart.

Family Time

We spent last week in Marin County, and it was one of those stretches of family time that I wish I could bottle up and keep forever.

We had four full days together with our kids, daughters-in-law, and grandkids, and every moment felt like a gift. There is something so special about having everyone in one place, even if just for a few days. The laughter, the noise, the chaos, and all of the little in-between moments are what make it so meaningful.

Young child in a red and blue Spider-Man outfit stands outside, squinting while eating a cupcake with pink frosting.

The highlight of the weekend was celebrating Graham’s third birthday. He chose a Spiderman theme, and it could not have been more perfect. There were bright colors, lots of excitement, and the kind of joy that only a three-year-old can bring to a celebration.

Watching him light up throughout the day was my favorite part. He was completely in his element, surrounded by people who love him, and every detail felt magical.

A young boy in a red outfit rides a toy car down a small plastic ramp on artificial grass in a backyard.

What I loved most about the weekend wasn’t just the party itself, but everything around it. Morning snuggles, shared meals, spontaneous playtime, and those quiet moments when you just sit and take it all in. These are the memories that stay with me.

Family time like this doesn’t happen nearly often enough, which is why I treasure it so much. It’s a reminder of what matters most and how lucky we are to gather together and celebrate life’s sweetest moments.

My Latest Project

A white button-down shirt with various colorful embroidered designs, including text, small figures, drinks, vehicles, and objects, displayed on a hanger.

A Sneak Peek at My Latest Project

I have to share a little sneak peek of what I have been working on lately, because this project has completely taken over my creative time in the best possible way.

After quite a bit of thought, I decided to make a “Favorite Things” shirt for myself, and it has turned into quite the embroidery project. I started with a simple white cotton button-down and have been slowly adding tiny embroidered designs all over it. Each one represents something I love, and I just finished stitching my thirty-fifth design.

Thirty-five.

I don’t think I realized when I started just how much time and attention this would take, but I have loved every minute of it. There is something so special about creating something that is entirely personal. Every little detail on this shirt tells a story, whether it’s a place, a memory, or something that just makes me smile.

The back is embroidered too!

Some of the designs are names, some are symbols, and others are little icons that represent moments or things that are meaningful to me. And I have to say, seeing them all come together on one piece has been incredibly rewarding.

I keep adding “just one more,” which is how I ended up with thirty-five.

This is not a quick project. It takes time, patience, and many thread changes. But it is also one of the most enjoyable things I have made in a long time.

As you might expect, I chose a pretty complex project in my second month learning machine embroidery. But … I learned a ton!

I promise I will share a full blog post with all the photos and details, including how I planned and stitched it, and what I learned along the way. But for now, I just wanted to give you a little preview.

This one feels really special.

So what do you think? Want to learn more?

I may use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you make a 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 woman wearing a plain white button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves and blue jeans, standing with her hands in her pockets. — Button Down Shirts for Women

A Brother SE2000 sewing and embroidery machine in use, stitching a colorful teapot design onto white fabric with the design displayed on the digital screen.

Brother SE2000 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine

A circular arrangement of colorful embroidery floss skeins with a set of embroidery needles placed in the center.

124 Skeins Embroidery Floss Cross Stitch Thread with Needles

What Worked This Week

Young tomato plants growing in a garden bed with green cages and netting in the background, showing small green tomatoes and healthy foliage.

My Raised Garden Beds Update

I have a very happy update to share about my raised vegetable garden, and for the first time in a long time, it feels like a win.

Everything is absolutely flourishing inside my zipper cages. I cannot even tell you how relieved I am to finally say that the squirrels have no access. After years of watching them enjoy my garden more than I did, this feels like a major breakthrough.

My tomato plants look incredible. They are strong, full, and already producing small tomatoes, which is always such an exciting moment. There is nothing better than seeing those first little green tomatoes appear and knowing what’s coming next.

A small garden bed with basil, tomato, and leafy green plants growing in soil; supported by metal cages and surrounded by green netting.

And the biggest surprise of all? My basil.

For the first time ever, nothing is eating it. The leaves are full, vibrant, and growing faster than I can use them. I find myself walking out to the garden just to look at it because it finally feels like everything is working the way it should.

The zipper cages have completely changed the outcome this year. It’s such a simple solution, but it has made all the difference. I’m hopeful this might be my best garden yet.

Kitchen Garden Revival by Nicole Johnsey Burke

A green mesh greenhouse in a kitchen garden contains potted tomato plants with ripe red tomatoes and plant supports inside.

Crop Cages for Garden Plant, 9.8×3.3×6 Ft Plant Protection

Gardening Apron

GO Steel Garden Arch, 7’8″ High x 4’5″ Wide

A set of six gardening tools with wooden handles and metal heads, perfect for tending your kitchen garden, arranged neatly on a round wooden tray.

Japanese Gardening Tools Set, 6 Pcs Garden Tools Set

Two tall green metal garden trellises support climbing pink roses, perfect for adding vertical interest to your kitchen garden. Shown as a pair with a labeled sign indicating "2pcs 70.87in Green.

Garden Metal Garden Obelisk Trellis

Enjoy time with my siblings
Finish my summer planning for the blog. Lots of new things are coming!
Get ready for my best friend’s daughters wedding!

A glass punch bowl with lemon and orange slices, mint leaves, and purple flowers, next to a glass with a mint garnish and a plate of citrus slices. A hand ladles punch into the glass.

Have you ever seen a punch look like this? Check out Pleased as Punch.

Abstract artwork with terracotta-toned geometric and organic shapes on a white background; blurred bouquet of flowers in the foreground.

I Love this Abstract Paper Patchwork DIY!

Rectangular fruit tart with rows of strawberries, cherries, apricots, oranges, kiwi, and blackberries on a wooden surface with scattered fruits and mint leaves.

This No-Bake Rainbow Fruit Tart Looks Amazing!

A clear glass vase filled with assorted colorful flowers sits on a table set with plates and cutlery; a pastel-colored background is visible.

How to Create a Colorful Spring Bouquet.

A painting of a gray vase with pink flowers and brown stems, set against a background of vertical pink and yellow stripes.

Looking for some Beautiful Frame TV Art for Spring?

Pale Gold Bezel Frame TV Frame

Samsung 55″ Frame TV

Whitewashed Terracotta Vase

And what a week it was!

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