Memorial Day and Sunday Morning Coffee

Memorial Day weekend at the beach has given Dave and me a chance to slow down, enjoy some beautiful weather, and spend a little time reflecting on what this holiday truly means.

This week’s Sunday Morning Coffee is filled with so many things I cannot wait to share, including a wonderful book club dinner inspired by Theo of Golden, the finishing of our beach house bedroom makeover, and a few thoughts about gratitude, family, and some very special memories connected to our beach house remodel from three years ago.

So grab your coffee, settle in, and join me for this week’s Sunday Morning Coffee.

A living room with a white sofa, fireplace, and framed art. Large window reveals an ocean view. Natural decor elements like a plant and woven baskets are present.

Season 6 Volume 20

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

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

A beautiful sunset at Ventura Beach, Ca.

There is something about Memorial Day weekend at the beach that always makes me slow down a little and appreciate what matters most. Dave and I are spending a few quiet days at the beach house, and honestly, it is exactly where we both wanted to be this weekend.

The weather has been beautiful, with cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and that perfect ocean breeze that somehow makes everything feel calmer.

View through a window of a beachside scene with red umbrellas, a rainbow flag, lounge chairs, and calm ocean waves under a clear sky. Indoor furniture is visible in the foreground.

We have intentionally kept things simple. Morning walks by the water, coffee outside on the patio, casual dinners, and lots of time doing absolutely nothing productive.

I think after a busy spring filled with projects, travel, entertaining, and all of the excitement of everyday life, we both needed a few days to relax and recharge.

Of course, Memorial Day weekend is also much more than the unofficial start of summer. It is a time to pause and remember the men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country. I think it is easy to get caught up in barbecues, beach days, sales, and celebrations, and forget the true meaning behind the holiday.

Every year, I try to spend at least a little time reflecting on the sacrifices made by so many families, so we can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.

Two white cushioned chairs on a patio overlook the ocean at sunset. A black water bottle and a glass candle sit on the table in front of the chairs. Patchy clouds fill the sky above the horizon.

There is something especially meaningful about sitting quietly by the ocean and reflecting on gratitude. Maybe it is the water’s peacefulness or simply being away from distractions, but it always helps me reset my perspective.

I find myself thinking about family, health, freedom, and how fortunate we are to spend time together in a place we love so much.

The view of the ocean from our beach house in Ventura.

Dave and I have always loved the beach because life feels simpler here. The days are slower, conversations last longer, and somehow the constant pressure to rush disappears.

This weekend has been a reminder that sometimes the best moments are the quiet ones. A cup of coffee outside. Watching the sunset. Listening to the waves at night. And most importantly, remembering the deeper reason we are all able to enjoy this holiday weekend in the first place.

Two cushioned wooden chairs sit side by side on a poolside patio, perfect for relaxing during a pool party, with a garden and house in the background.

COMLAX FIELD Outdoor Furniture Set, 2Pcs Patio

A set of white ceramic dinnerware featuring scalloped edges and raised beaded detailing, including plates and bowls—perfect for creating a stylish pool party tablescape—stacked on a white background.

Perlette Off-White Beaded 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

Outdoor patio set with cream cushions on wicker sofas and a glass-top coffee table, arranged on a woven rug beside a swimming pool and surrounded by tropical plants.

Grand patio 7-Piece Wicker Patio Furniture Set

My Latest Project

One of the biggest projects we tackled this past weekend was finally finishing the transformation of Dave’s office into a bedroom at the beach house. And after two very full days of moving furniture, organizing, decorating, and probably lifting far more than we should have, it is finally done.

I cannot wait to share it with all of you here on my blog next week, because the room turned out even better than I imagined.

What makes this makeover especially meaningful is that the room has changed so much over the years. For a long time, it was Dave’s workspace, complete with desks, monitors, stacks of papers, and all of the practical things that come with trying to carve out office space in a beach house.

But lately we realized that what we really needed was another comfortable bedroom for our family and guests.

So we completely reimagined the space.

Bright, modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a wooden dining table with wicker chairs, and pendant lighting.

It is amazing how much a room can change with new furniture lighting, bedding, and a little vision. The new room feels calm, cozy, and bright, which honestly fits our beach house so much better. There is something really satisfying about creating spaces that work for the season of life you are currently in, rather than holding onto how things used to function.

As we worked on the room, I kept thinking back to three years ago, when this entire house was still under construction during our major remodel project. It is hard to believe how much time has passed because I still remember every single detail so clearly. The dust everywhere. The constant decisions. And the excitement when the walls finally went up. The stress when things did not go as planned. And most of all, the feeling of building something really special for our family.

Beach house exterior with sand in driveway — Before

The remodeled exterior of our beach house with new windows, plaster finish and new front and garage doors. — Before

Looking around the house now brings back so many wonderful memories from that time. What once felt like a never ending construction zone is now one of our favorite places to gather as a family. Every room tells a story, and this newest bedroom feels like another chapter being added to the house.

I think home projects become emotional because they are never really just about furniture or paint colors. They are about creating spaces where life happens. Family visits. Holidays. Morning coffee. Late night conversations. Grandkids playing in the hallway. All of those moments become attached to the rooms we create.

And honestly, that is exactly why I love home projects so much.

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Water Hyacinth Rectangle Baskets

Napkin Holder

Cabinet Pulls

What Worked This Week

Nine women sit around a dining table set with pink plates, napkins, and floral centerpieces in a well-lit, decorated room.

One thing that absolutely worked this week was hosting my book club dinner for the book Theo of Golden. Honestly, it may have been one of my favorite book club gatherings we have ever hosted.

First of all, if you have not read this book yet, you really should. It is such a beautiful story about kindness, connection, friendship, and the impact one person can have on others. It is thoughtful, emotional, and incredibly uplifting without feeling overly sentimental. I found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished the book, which is always the sign of a wonderful read.

The evening itself turned out even better than I had hoped. I went all in on the details because the story inspired me so much, and you know how much I love creating meaningful experiences around entertaining. Every little touch felt intentional and personal.

I don’t want to share all of the details yet.

A wooden dining table set for two with floral plates, cutlery, glasses, a vase of pink tulips, and framed portraits on the wall in a bright room with large windows.

I actually have an entire blog post coming this week with all of the details, because there were so many special elements I want to show you. From the table setting to the menu to the thoughtful little details for each guest, it was one of those evenings that reminded me exactly why I love hosting so much.

One of my favorite parts was creating personalized place cards inspired by the book. Each table setting included a heartfelt note I wrote for each of my friends, inspired by Theo himself. It felt intimate, creative, and, honestly, very fitting for a story centered on seeing and appreciating people for who they truly are.

The conversations throughout the evening were just as meaningful as the book itself. We talked about kindness, grief, friendship, art, and the ways small acts can completely change someone’s life. Those are the kinds of discussions that make book club so special to me. It is never really just about the book. It is about connection.

I also loved seeing how many of my friends were deeply moved by the story. Several of us admitted we cried while reading it, and everyone seemed to walk away feeling encouraged and inspired.

There are some books you enjoy, and then there are books that stay with you. Theo of Golden definitely falls into the second category for me.

Two clear glass tumblers with red heart designs sit on a pink surface, surrounded by rose petals and red heart-shaped decorations—perfect for celebrating love or honoring Memorial Day with a special toast. — 2 Pcs Heart icon Glasses

A clear vase filled with a bouquet of bright pink peonies and green leaves, perfect as a centerpiece for your next dinner party.

Dark Pink Silk Peony Bouquet

Sixteen small wooden easels are displayed, with one holding a colorful painting and the text "16 pack"—perfect for Memorial Day crafts. The remaining easels are empty and arranged in neat rows. — 16 Pcs 5 Inch Mini Wood Display Ease

Enjoy, relax, and have a fabulous time at the beach.
Finish embroidering all of the sweatshirts and bags for our girls’ weekend in Ventura.

A bowl of tomato salad with sesame seeds and herbs, surrounded by toasted bread slices on a wooden board, with two glasses of white wine and a blue napkin nearby.

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A round loaf of artisan bread with a golden crust and decorative scoring, resting on parchment paper on a metal cooling rack.

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A living room with blue walls, built-in bookshelves, a fireplace, a round coffee table, sofa, armchair, and large windows letting in natural light.

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A stack of pancakes topped with butter and syrup sits on a white plate, with a fork holding a bite. A glass of orange juice and a jar of syrup are nearby.

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Three framed abstract artworks with geometric patterns hang in a row above a dark blue sofa; a light gray throw is draped over the sofa’s arm.

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A stainless steel frying pan with a honeycomb-patterned nonstick interior and metal handle, perfect for preparing meals at your next dinner party, photographed on a white background.

HexClad 12″ Hybrid Stainless Steel Frying Pan w/Stay-Cool Handle

A stack of four round plates with a colorful floral pattern on a white background.

Melamine Small Plates

Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

And what a week it was!

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