Hello sweet friends! Music? Yes, let’s. :)

This post will be rather short. At the moment I’ve got beef that’s just about thawed and ready to be made into meatballs, banana-chocolate chip muffins minutes away from coming out of the oven, two mini crock-pots full of tomato sauce, basil, garlic, and Italian sausage, and garlic bread rising underneath a checkered towel. I’d be lying to you if I said it doesn’t smell like Heaven over here. :) I’ve also got the most delicious drink in hand as I write to you – Pinterest for the win! I’ve used this recipe over and over, with good friends, family, or just when I feel like treating myself. :) (Good ahead and indulge, it’s Friday.)

Today, my dear friends, is Christmas in July. I have celebrated this delightful holiday for as long as I can remember; from being little and watching Christmas cartoons on Cartoon Network with my family, to working at a gift store with an abundance of Christmas wrapping paper available all year round – excellent for wrapping CIJ gifts, to having my own home and treating friends and family to delightful Pizzelles, Christmas music, a big Italian feast, and yes, a Christmas tree. (If you’d rather listen to a Christmas song, feel free to click here. :))

Last year I was able to really deck out the dining room – which is where our little celebration is mostly held. Food, records, and dim lighting make it the perfect room. The air gets turned on until it’s nice and chilly and the blinds and curtains are drawn so it’s like the sun has set before 5pm. Our dear neighbors/friends come over and we have the most wonderful time. We drink, we eat, we laugh, we play games, we listen to music – ’tis a little holiday in the scorching heat of July.

So that is where my day is taking me today. I ran errands, went grocery shopping, bought new hanging baskets (half off!), returned some library books, and have been pretty much in the kitchen ever since I got home. In between mixing and taste-testing, I’m giving the house a good, thorough cleaning, doing a bit of downsizing, and giving it some extra love. My summer class is finally finished and I’m already reminded that work is around the corner as I visit Target and see those big Back To School signs (how cruel, it’s not even the end of July – but I’m also celebrating Christmas so I can’t really talk). Aside from school starting, we do have lots to look forward to, lots of big changes, and in due time life will be back to normal again.

Until then I’ll be here, sprucing up the house, giving some shine to the windows, cooking from the garden, taking walks with Rusty, watching sunsets with Paul, and enjoying summer in our little home. Enjoy your weekend, friend! Sending summer Christmas cheer from my home to yours! :) xoxo