Sunday Morning Coffee 2
Volume 2
Today I am pleased to share with you Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.
Thanks for joining me for Sunday morning coffee. Today I am sharing my weekly thoughts about entertaining, decor, crafts, and recipes and how we can use these ideas to make simple changes at home and in our lives.
A Little Bit About Me
Things didn’t quite go this week as I had planned.
In fact, this week was one of the hardest weeks of my life.
On Tuesday, my mom passed away.
My mom was known as Nana to her 14 grandkids (pictured here) and three great grand children. She was the kindest, most caring and incredible mother. She had the best full-time job in the world and treasured it more than anything … being our mom. She was selfless and always caring and she was always there for my dad and the five of us kids.
We were a military family and moved every two to three years and yet she managed to always make our new homes feel like our forever home.
My mom taught me everything. She taught me how to cook and bought me my first oven … a Suzy Homemaker oven when I was six. She encouraged me to try new recipes and we use to send each other cookbooks whenever we found a “keeper”.
My mom also taught me how to sew and I used her Singer sewing machine for years. She encouraged me when I wanted to sew a new outfit every day for an entire summer. She loved that I wanted to make my own wedding dress. And on my wedding day, she told me that my dress was the most beautiful bridal gown she had ever seen.
The greatest gift I ever received from my mom was that every day she taught me how to be a great mother. I even wondered if I could raise our boys as well as my mom and dad raised us. They always encouraged us to be caring, kind, and to enjoy life. They taught us to always strive to do the best we could. And it worked.
My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about four years ago. We knew she had been struggling with her memory and it’s a very cruel disease. When my dad passed away two years ago, she lost her soulmate, and the transition was very hard for my mom. Fortunately, we found her a wonderful place to live and I have been so blessed to visit her often as she lives very close to me.
The past year has been incredibly difficult as in-person visits with my mom have been on hold since February as a precaution to the health and safety of all of the residents. Since then all I have wanted to be able to do, is hug my mom.
A few weeks ago mom was put on hospice and we were finally able to visit her! My siblings and I were in full PPE, but we were finally able to hug her and hold her hand. These past few weeks have been so hard. But I do find peace knowing that she is now with my dad, the love of her life.
I love you mom with all of my heart.
Michael’s expression makes me smile. He’s the one in the front left.
Around Our Home
In the Kitchen
Some of you may know that seven months ago I made a big lifestyle change. I made two big changes … with my diet and sleeping habits.
Our household is now gluten free, dairy free, meat free, dessert free and everything free! Just kidding, Basically we are eating very healthy.
And I love it.
So why did I do this?
Last year I read a book called The End of Alzheimer’s by Dale Bredesen. As the cover of the book says, it is the first program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline. It’s a lot of information but there are things you can do now to help prevent Alzheimer’s. Having lived this disease with my mom, I would do anything to prevent this from happening to me.
It has been very easy to change my diet and I have also really tried to focus on getting more sleep. Three nights a week I try to be in bed by 10:00pm. And screen time before bed is not allowed. I have started reading a lot.
The next thing I must do is start an everyday exercise plan.
I should mention I just started seeing a doctor who works with patients to help prevent Alzheimer’s. I have had a lot of tests done (12 vials of blood and a brain scan) and I am learning exactly what I need to do to keep this disease away.
Given what is at stake, it has been a pretty easy lifestyle change. But I have a lot more work to do.
And if you want to hear it, I would be happy to share this journey with you,
A Decor Tip
Faux flowers on Amazon
I love fresh flowers.
But sometimes it is easier to use faux flowers. And I do love that they last forever.
We aren’t doing a lot of fresh flower shopping in Southern California these days so I have been using a lot of my faux flowers.
And for some reason, they are all pink. If you aren’t a fan of pink, most of these flowers come in a lot of different colors.
In the Craft Room
Look at these amazing fun craft ideas that I found this week.
I love this Valentine’s Day garland. It’s made from Pom poms and felt.
Click here to see the DIY.
I love these mini Valentine’s Day rolling pins. They are so easy to make and make such a cute gift.
Click here to see how to make these.
I love these Folded Paper Hearts from Martha Stewart Living. They are easy to make and would look good all throughout your home.
Click here for the DIY and the template.
Reflections on the Week
I only posted a few times on my blog this week. In case you missed any, here are my blog posts from last week.
My Favorite Things
You have no idea how hard it is for me to narrow down all of the things that I love. But I am going to try! Every week I will share a few of the things I have found that I think you might love too.
Last year I had my website redesigned. I hired Gillian Sarah. It was the most incredible experience. Gillian not only designed a beautiful website for me, but she guided me through the process of rebranding and reorganizing my 550+ blog posts. She is amazing!
Apartment Therapy wrote a funny article titled “8 Things From your Grandparents Bedroom That Are Cool Again“. I won’t tell you how many I have (it’s a lot) but this Chenille Bedspread is one of my favorites.
How many of these Cool Items do you have in your home?
If you are thinking about leading a healthier life this year, you might enjoy 11 Healthy Morning Habits Nutritionists Swear By.
Here are Some Instagram Accounts You Might Want to Check Out
- Ellen from Featherglass
- Taylor from The HouseinCanoe
- Lindsey from Reviveanddesign
- Lindsay from Woodsandivory
My tip for this week is to read a good book. I am making this suggestion because I am reading more but also because I need some good book suggestions! Please leave your book suggestions in your comments below. Right now I am looking for happy books to read.
My Favorite Comments on the Blog
Pam says:”I really enjoyed your first Sunday Morning Coffee. I especially enjoyed reading, “don’t put it away just yet.” We live in Indiana and we have at the very least 12 more weeks of gray ahead. I leave my “sparkle“, as I call our Christmas lights, up until the very end of January. Then I begin to get out my Valentine things … This year I think I’ll turn my little 1/2 bath Christmas tree into a little Valentine’s Day tree. It will be a nice little surprise for my family.
Leslie: Pam! I love that you are using some of your holiday decor to cheer up some of those gloomy weeks in Indiana! Your Valentine’s Tree sounds wonderful,
Barbara Mantel & Table: “This was so fun – what a great idea Leslie! I think your pine cone wreath has to be one of my all time favorites – so nice to see it make another appearance! I never got to make it with my mom before she died, but now you’re inspiring me to make one in her memory! Thanks as always for all the wonderful ideas and just plain eye candy! Happy Sunday!”
Leslie: Barb! You are simply the best. I am so happy you are going to make a wreath in honor of your mother. I think I am going to do the same. Thank you for the wonderful idea.
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Pink Things I Love for Under $30
Good Things from Martha
Yep, each week I am going to feature one of the gazillion Good Things tips that Martha Stewart has shared with all of us over the years. I have met Martha twice, at two of her book signings.
Next week I am going to share a fun story about Martha Stewart. And me.
Martha shared her top Good Things tips and these bottles are one of her readers favorites.
I have had one of these dishwashing bottles next to my sink for over 30 years.
Thanks Martha for this inspiration. Click here to see more.
What’s Ahead
I wasn’t online much this week so I need a bit of catching up to do. I will be sharing some fun decor in our living room and also a new version of my #1 craft project from last year. I can’t wait to post another gluten-free recipe, a craft, and how to update your front porch.
Pin the image below to your Pinterest Boards (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
I’m so sorry for your great loss. It’s never easy to lose your mom even when you know it’s coming. I enjoyed reading your beautiful tribute to her.
I would love to hear more about your journey to healthier eating! I was wondering why you decided to go gluten free. I can use all the encouragement I can get to lead a healthier lifestyle!
I am so sorry for you and all your family, it is a huge lost. Thank you for sharing this post, I am going to purchase the book. My Mom passed away with Dementia, now my older sister has it also. I hope you will in the future share more of the journey you are taking to remain well. I have started The Faster Way to Fat Loss, losing weight, exercising and eating whole healthy food. I want to do all I can to stay well.
Leslie,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. My mother-in-law died last year from Vascular Dementia, and my 86 year old mother has just been diagnosed with Alzheimers. It truly is a horrible disease. My heart goes out to you, as it had to be so painful not to be able to spend time with her this past year. I will be buying the book, and making some lifestyle changes as well. I wasn’t aware that preventing Alzheimers was a possibility. Blessings to you during this very difficult time.
Leslie,
I’m so so sorry to hear about your mom. It’s such a hard loss even when we know it’s for the best. Your mom sounded like a wonderful person!
Prayers to you and your family.
Hi…I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom…she sounded like an incredible person and you are all blessed to have had such a wonderful person in your lives.
Be well,
💕Debbie
Please share your journey. Prayers for you and in memory of your sweet mother.
My deep condolences to you on the loss of your Mother. No matter our age, it is heartbreaking to lose our Mother. I hope all the wonderful memories you have will help get you thru your grieving process. I lost my Father to Alzheimers and know what a cruel disease it is. Blessings to you
Leslie, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my father to alzheimers a few years ago. It is an incredibly cruel and painful disease for the entire family. I appreciate your sharing and the book recommended. If I could save my kids from going thru all of this, a few self sacrifices now would be worth it.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom and glad you were able to hug her and say good-bye. My mom is in the early stages of dementia/Alzheimers and it has been so challenging as we have also not been able to see her this year. I just recently found your blog and love it! I would also be interested in hearing about your journey to prevent Alzheimer’s. It is a bit scary when you realize that your genetics may carry the possibility of this disease for you. Good luck!
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. The strongest person in the world is a grieving mother that wakes up and keeps going. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you and your family.
How awful Leslie…not only her passing but to watch also..I am so sorry to hear this..hoping your ambitions to craft will certainly keep you busy..Your mother taught you so many gifts/talents..love..sending prayers for your family and remember all the brilliant memories of her…
Leslie. I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I know it is a terrible loss and hard to cope with. I will say a prayer for her soul, as my mom always told me, bring Italian and Catholic, that it comforts their souls. To this day, I do not doubt a thing my mom taught me. She was born on January 19, 1915, and I lost her on January 9, 2013, so the last few days are sad for me. I lit a candle for her anniversary in Heaven, and it will finish burning tonight. I miss her every single day, still, and years back, when I brought her home to live with us, to keep her safe and warm and healthy, she would hit me every night before I got her into bed, kiss me and tell me I was the best daughter in thev world. I find comfort still remembering that. Take care of yourself, get more sleep so you don’t get run down and please stay safe from this deadly virus that is getting worse each day. I love to do needlepoint, but my eyes are giving me trouble lately, needing cataract surgery. I love love to read, have more books home than I can count, but are on hold or can use magnifying glass. I miss reading so much. I love reading cookbooks too, lol,almost as much as a good book. I have several Danielle Steele books home to read and just ordered another of hers and two of James Patterson being a fan of his Alex Cross books well over 25 years. I will look thru my bookcases and send you names of some you might like, though I don’t know what you enjoy reading. I received What Unites Us by Dan Rather, who I have always admired and still do. He has been there so many times on fb to give us courage through this terrible time. I love Anne River Siddons books, Peachtree Road is one, I have manynof hers. Barbara Delibsky has written some wonderful books. There are just so many out there.
I hope you will do your best to recover with time, sadly much time, from this terrible loss. Some days are better and some are devastating. Be good to yourself. Marianne
I’m so sorry for your loss. I too loss my mom in June and have a big hole in me. She taught me all I know, but did it with 5 children and limited resources. She too was in a nursing home for medical limitations, so we were locked out for covid, as you were. A metastatic cancer overtook her. We took her out and she died 10 days later. I still go to call her often as I used to talk to her every night. I hope to honor her by being the kind of person she was, though I never can be like her. I just try to live the life as she would. Thank God for family and children and grandchildren. Thank you for sharing your mom’s story. My mom and I loved Martha too!
I am so sorry you lost your mom this week. I know how you feel. It’s been one year since I lost mine and it seems like it was yesterday. You feel so empty inside knowing she isn’t there to see anymore. I loved your wedding dress and what a treat to see it on you. I did not know there are doctors who work with patients now to prevent this disease! I know there is pills, etc but I like your approach to learning what to do now. I don’t think there is anyone who has not been affected by this horrible disease just like everyone knows someone who has died from cancer. So yes, I think it would be very honorable if you shared anything you feel you are learning as we can all try some take aways that just might help down the road.
my deep condolences in your loss, kathy….. i am sending a prayer that i have sent to many friends…. even though its wording is not “modern”… i loved the sentiment…. i hope that you appreciate it. God’s blessings to you and your family.
I remember thee in this solemn hour, my dear mother. I
remember the days when thou didst dwell on Earth, and thy
tender love watched over me like a guardian angel. Thou hast
gone from me, but the bond which unites our souls can never
be severed; thine image lives within my heart. May the merciful
Father reward thee for the faithfulness and kindness thou has
ever shown me; may He lift up the light of His countenance upon
thee, and grant thee eternal peace. Amen.
Seamus Heaney In Memory of Mother
Leslie,
I’m so sorry, you and your family are in my prayers! You reached out to me a few weeks ago on our mastermind group with KariAnne. Thank you! If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I lost my mom to cancer and my grandma to Alzheimer’s and you are right, it is a cruel disease. Again, if I can do anything, let me know!
So sorry for your loss.
Leslie,
Thank you for sharing. I can tell that family and good friends are the center of your life. Looking at your photos you shared I see a beautiful family. Your Mother sounds wonderful. What a blessing to have such a gifted mom who taught her daughter so much about being a woman and about homemaking and life skills. You have been blessed with an amazing legacy to pass down.
It had to be hard to watch Alzheimer’s rob your beautiful moms mind. Covid made the separation so hard. So glad to hear that you were able to see her and have some closure. Truly sorry for your loss Leslie. Praying for Gods comfort during this painful time.
Leslie I am sorry to read about you losing your Mom. Your Mom sounded a lot like my Momma. It is very hard to lose a family member, especially your Mom. My heart breaks for you and your family. Focus on all those good memories you have on her!! I would like to hear about your journey. I am vowing this year to eat healthy and exercise more. I am praying for you and your family.
Leslie,
So sorry to hear about your mother. I, too, lost my mom to this dreadful disease. I would be very interested in learning more about your journey of prevention. I have 2 sisters, and all three of us are so fearful we may end up the same as our mother. Any info would be very appreciative.
Angie