Sunday Morning Coffee
Happy Sunday Morning Coffee! This is my favorite post to write, as I share a little about myself and a bit more about my favorite things.
Sunday mornings are the best. There’s no rush to get anywhere, the house is quiet, and you can relax with your morning coffee and catch up on your favorite things to read. Today I am sharing some thoughts, and, I’d love to know what you think.
Season 2 Volume 23
Just remember, this is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.
About Me and Sunday Morning Coffee
OK, this week I am going to be brutally honest and bare my soul to you. I am struggling to manage my time right now. What used to be easy, like stopping to run two or three errands on the way home, now seems like way too much. So many people. So many cars on the road to be aware of. It’s just so much of everything.
Having a weekend full of plans leaves me feeling a bit exhausted before the weekend even begins. I am struggling to balance the life I have gotten used to basically staying at home the past two years, with just my family, to the need to get back out into the world and do things.
Is it just me? Are any of you feeling the same way?
I truly believe that this feeling is a symptom of post-pandemic. It seems to be a common feeling, regardless of age. I think that two years of doing, well, a lot of nothing, is the culprit.
This feeling is not overwhelming my life or creating anxiety. It’s just that I’ve noticed that I make decisions differently now. I choose carefully what I am willing to add to my calendar. I don’t feel the need to pack it all in and FOMO is non-existent. So that is a positive!
New is always uncomfortable. Perhaps two years of staying mostly at home have cured me from doing all of the things, all of the time. I think what I am feeling is not a struggle, but an acceptance of contentedness.
Yep, let’s go with that. I would love to know how you feel about this subject!
Around the House
We have been very content hanging around the house. But this weekend we took a trip to the Bay Area to spend some time with my son Andrew, and his wife Charlotte.
It was so much fun! Of course, we will be home early on Sunday morning.
And, as I mentioned, I love spending time at home. And with family.
Something New
I am and always have been a huge fan of Pottery Barn. Many of the furniture pieces in our home are from Pottery Barn. Our dining room table and chairs are from Pottery Barn. The sectional and swivel chair in our family room, are also Pottery Barn from twenty years ago!
New at Pottery Barn
I love to peruse the Pottery Barn catalogs and they have a new collaboration with one of my favorite influencers, Julia Berolzheimer (formerly Gal Meets Glam, now Julia Berholzheimer). The Julia Berolzheimer collaboration with Pottery Barn is simply stunning. There are so many pieces I want to have in our home, like this potting bench or this two-tier scalloped etagere have such incredible detail. I love the sophisticated simplicity.
You all know how I love colored glass, look at this gorgeous recycled glassware collection. The entire collection is worth checking out. Garden, bedding, tableware, oh there are so many incredible items at all different price points. Swooning!
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My friend Janine from Happy Happy Nester shared her Best Recipes for Breakfast.
HBH shared an incredible recipe, Chili Mango Summer Rolls with Ginger Peanut Sauce.
Martha shared Blooming Flowers in the Cutting Garden.
KariAnne at Thistlewood shared 11 Ways to Make Your House Look Cuter.
This past week, we were busy getting the house refreshed for the summer season. I chose two colors, sage green and tan, and added them to every room in our house. I am test driving these colors for the beach house, and I have to say, I think they are winners. What did you think?
Martha Stewart always has solid advice to share. This week, she shared an article titled Six Affordable Renovations That Will Increase The Value of Your Home.
It’s summer and this is going to be a very fun week. We are sharing some wonderful Father’s Day gift ideas, a fun summer dinner in the carriage house, how to plant raised vegetable beds, how to make tomato cages, my favorite summer desserts, and a fun Portmeirion special occasion.
- Sunday Morning Coffee – S2/V23
- A Trip to Provence – S2/V22
- It’s Wedding Season – S2/V21
- Two Weddings – S2/V20
- Things My Mother Taught Me – S2/V19
- Ventura Beach House – S2/V18
- Our Small Beach House Remodel – S2/V17
- Vintage Charm – S2/V16
- My Happy Place – S2/V15
- Hedley & Bennett – S2/V14
- My Favorite Potting Bench – S2/V13
- All Things Gardening – S2/V12
- Farmhouse Style Modern Beachhouse – S2/V11
- Gatherings and Sunday Morning Coffee – S2/V10
- The Beach House Kitchen Remodel – S2/V9
- The Airbnb Waco Fixer Upper – S2/V8
- Hello Spring – S2/V7
- Our Family Sports Story – S2/V6
- Abstract Art – S2/V5
- Valentine’s Day Decor – S2/V4
- Winter Home Decor – S2/V3
- Winter Decor Ideas – S2/V2
- A Winter Color Palette, Season 2/Volume 1
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Last week I hosted an Amazon Live Show titled How to Refresh Your Kitchen for Summer and you can watch it here.
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I feel similar to you about balancing wanting to get out and do things, after staying home for so long, and getting out and doing the RIGHT things! I am much more selective now with whom I spend my time and how I spend my time.
Suzy,
Good for you!
Leslie
How are you hanging the curtains on your patio?
Details, please
I totally relate to finding the new and the right balance of staying in and going out…saying yes…and politely declining. I think what the past couple of years did is give some of us (overachievers perhaps) permission to take a deep breath and put first things first without having to answer to anyone. Some of us may have been doing that all along anyway, but there was a bit of baggage that came along with saying no…or even the dreaded FOMO. I for one am struggling with it more on a professional level than a personal level but I’m still ok with where I’m at on this path. Contentedness brings a lot of peace, eh?
Lori,
It really does my friend.
Leslie
Leslie, we were just talking about that last night with a group of friends we used to see often, now, post pandemic, rarely. For two years it was so easy and cozy to stay home and make no demands on ourselves. I never want to get back to the hustle I once had, but I do love seeing my friends once again. Our dinner parties are much more simple. Not one of us wants to work very hard it seems, but we do want to see each other! It’s finding the balance. xoxo
Kristen,
Simple is a good thing. I love seeing my friends but we don;t feel like it has to be over the top!
Leslie
Leslie,
Thank you for sharing your feelings with us, your readers. I feel the same. While never a big socializer, I’ve gotten more and more used to being in the comfort of my own little home. Post-pandemic (at least we all hope we are post-pandemic), I find myself wanting leave my house less and less. I know there is a fine balance between the mind-healthy merits of socializing, vs the love of being in “our own little corner in our own little place”, and I need to been keen to those merits. And keeping up the mental energy to get myself out there to either run the necessary errands, to visit –IRL–with friends, and just to get sh*t done (keeping it real). You’re awesome with all you accomplish, as evidenced in your blog. You’re actually a super-hero. And if you ever feel like you need to step back, do less, then I recommend you listen to that voice inside, and live your life for the most enjoyment that works for YOU. P.S. I’m not sure if I wrote that just for you; maybe a little to myself as well. God bless!
Thanks, Gail. Although I do feel like I have stepped back. I am more relaxed and don’t do as much as I use to. It’s been good.
Leslie
During the pandemic, we all got use to not having a schedule….I eventually gave up on trying to clean and organize every closet and drawer. Consequently I got further behind…. And now 2 yrs older I just don’t have the stamina to catch up…. But then I fret about the mess… we all slowed down during the pandemic and difficult now to re-charge.
Renee,
Just take baby steps. Works for me every time.
Leslie
I have been a homebody for many years. It became a sanctuary for me when I was going through a traumatic divorce. So, adapting to staying at home during the pandemic was not a stretch for me. Yet, like you, I have noticed that I am even more selective about where I go and how I spend my time and who I spend my time with. I see the same with my children who were not necessarily homebodies. I don’t think we look at the world the same way we did before the pandemic and I don’t think that is a bad thing. I also want to say thank you for a fresh and enjoyable blog. You keep posting feasts for the eyes and inspirational ideas that are approachable and low-cost. I look forward to getting my coffee cup each Sunday morning and joining you!
Thank you so much. I am so happy you enjoy my blog. And yes, being selective about where we spend our time is a good thing.
Leslie
I am so used to staying home now that I really hate going anywhere. Your whole house is just spectacular. I would love to cook in that kitchen
Kathie,
Staying home is not a bad thing. I just like that I don’t feel obligated to try to do it all anymore. I am much more relaxed.
Leslie
Leslie~I truly understand your feelings and agree it’s more than likely post pandemic. For sure, life has changed for all of us and we live in troubling times. Last year, I was hospitalized for 2 weeks and 5 doctors sent me home to die. Recovery has been a process & each day I treasure life more than the day before. God is good. Like you, other than visiting with our kids, relaxing in our lovely home is what we enjoy doing most. It’s our safe haven we can share with select friends. I’m not missing the “whirligig” but maybe that will change. Dorothy on The Wizard of Oz said it best-“There’s no place like home”! My best to you as you find your new norm. ❤️
Oh my gosh Bonnie! I cannot believe what you have been through. I am so sorry. There is no place like home, that is for sure!
Leslie
You are echoing the thoughts of so many of us Leslie and I thank you for putting it out there so all of us who follow this blog feel a little better this Sunday morning, we are not alone. We will be moving out of state end of July, I just can’t imagine all that will change in my life and how I will cope, but as I have always learned, change is healthy at any age, so we will be fine in our brand new home, and it will become our sanctuary once again.
Cindy,
Your moe sounds amazing and I am excited for you!
Leslie
There’s a quote by Samuel Johnson that sums up my feelings on our new-found resistance to re-enter an often too busy world. “To be happy at home in the ultimate result of all ambition…
Thank you for inspiring your readers to create a home that reflects our own individual definition of happiness.
Becky,
I couldn’t agree more. I am so happy at home and appreciate you sharing this quote.
Leslie
Well, like everyone else the feelings are mutual. Plus, you must remember that your heart is running a race all the time! As a fellow A-Fibber, I experience the “being in Cardio mode all the time”. also. Take time to rest, be easy on yourself, don”t demand sooo much from yourself. Find Peace that passes all understanding, and don’t sweat the small stuff cause it is all small! STRESS! is a killer, believe me I had a heart attack Thanksgiving 2021 because of stress and A-Fib, no plugged arteries, no high cholesterol, it was a real bummer!! Life today reminds me of Daniel 12:4, But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. You have a beautiful blog that gives me great joy and you have been on my heart ever since you had your oblation…Take care of yourself and have oh so much fun in France, oh, if only I could fit in your suitcase, HA!
Terry,
Oh my goodness Terry, I am so sorry you experienced that. I am enjoying my less cluttered social life and am really excited for France. I promise to share everything!
Leslie
I just wrote something similar…the pandemic has taken it’s toll on me. However, I want to get back out. I nest in the winter so I love an action backed summer here at the beach in NJ. I love going out to hear local musicians several times a week and riding my bike to happy hours. But…I’m struggling to do it. I want to, and I can’t, I feel like I don’t know how. I also feel some people are a little angrier these days and it’s hard to know if you can have a genuine conversation anymore. I feel like I’m in the twighlight zone but I’m going to push myself to get out and enjoy life…and I’ll nest at home in the fall.
Joan,
I hope you will get out and enjoy some time with friends. I think it is important and I really enjoy it. Start small and I think you might feel more comfortable.
Leslie
I think it’s important that we slow down and find the simplicity of our lives. It’s unfortunate that it took covid to show us the way, but Americans just seem to be TOO busy! Personally, I always tended to be a homebody, and I’ve embraced it now. On another note, I’m looking forward to hearing about your trip to France! We’re thinking of taking the same trip in 2023.
Jill,
Slowing down is a good thing and I know it’s been wonderful for me. I promise to share a lot about France. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Leslie
I don’t like to get out alone much. I don’t like driving mainly because people are just crazy drivers now. Every time I come to a traffic light someone always runs a red light. It’s like they have forgotten the rules of driving. My husband and I are retired and mostly go on errands together. I will run up to Target, Hobby Lobby and other stores by myself but I don’t go nearly as often as I used to. Also, everything costs so much more now so being retired and on a set budget means I don’t get to just go out and spend money like I used too. However, my husband plays lead guitar and so we still go to a lot of jams in the evenings so that keeps us pretty busy 2-3 nights a week.
Good for you. Jams in the evenings sound very fun!
Leslie