Currently in May

It's the first Monday of the month and time for the currently link up with Jennifer.  This month we'll be talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, leaving behind, letting go of, and looking at.

 


Loving: Having whole family dinners now that Alec is back home. We also had a lovely belated birthday party for Ian this past weekend. 


Alec has been planting seeds, we sorted through all the totes he brought home from college and already started re-packing for next year. He's back at work and settling into being home with us.

Looking forward to: This is the time of year my attention turns to our yard, deck, and patio. I am looking forward to eating outside and soaking in the sunshine. I also can't wait for the flowers to start blooming-- we have some early blooms like forsythia already. 

Leaving behind: I sure hope we're leaving all the ice and snow behind us for spring and summer; we did have a couple of small storms in April. 


Letting go of: All expectations. It's something I've been working on for years; once my boys became teenagers and then young adults I knew that their schedules were not mine to micromanage so I try not to have any expectations when it comes to holidays, vacations, together times. That way I can enjoy the time we spend together without disappointment. I can't say I've got it down 100% yet but I'm pretty close.

Looking at: I have been spending lots of time at my crafting desk working on cards and scrapbook pages. I'm always on Pinterest and YouTube looking for cute card making ideas.



Linking up with:


Comments

  1. Maria RineerMay 7, 2025 at 5:41 AM

    Managing expectations is a work in progress and I think it's something we'll have to do at all stages of our kids' lives from when they're teenagers to young adults to when(/if) they get married and have their own families, etc. Great pictures of Ian and his cake- I hope he had a great birthday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM

      Definitely! Ian had a lovely birthday party, thank you.

      Delete
  2. Amy ScottMay 7, 2025 at 6:19 AM

    That cake is gorgeous!
    I am also trying to spruce up my outside space and anxiously waiting for Tom to finish my deck so I have a sunny place to read! I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM

      Aw, thanks! I made and decorated that myself (my baker was apparently on strike).

      Delete
  3. Jennifer GoodwinMay 7, 2025 at 7:32 AM

    I love the pictures of Alec, and hearing how he's already re-packed some of the totes for next semester. It's good that he's settling in, and that cake is stunning! Hopefully it's warmer, sunnier days ahead! The expectations thing is hard; I'm always working on that as well. Have a great day, friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM

      He is definitely settling in well and really hit the ground running already returning to work.

      Delete
  4. Laura @ Our Grand LivesMay 7, 2025 at 7:50 AM

    Ian's birthday cake is stunning... I'm guessing it tasted delicious, too! I completely understand the joy of "whole family dinners" - they become such a gift, don't they? And, I couldn't agree more... letting go of expectations is hard to do and it's something I continue to work on, too. I enjoy an experience so much more when I do! Have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM

      It did taste delicious; it was a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. Yes, I find I enjoy most experiences so much when I have zero expectations going in.

      Delete
  5. Benita JamesMay 7, 2025 at 8:18 AM

    Hapy New Month .

    Family dinners are always special, and a belated birthday celebration is a great way to make memories. Letting go of expectations is a wise approach, and it's great that you're finding more peace in that. Happy crafting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rebecca JoMay 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM

    I'm so ready to leave behind all the snow & ice & cold... give me some beautiful blooming flowers too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM

      Yes! I am always ready for flip flop weather.

      Delete
  7. Dara @ Not In JerseyMay 7, 2025 at 8:47 AM

    Your letting go of is very smart.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LyshaMay 7, 2025 at 9:08 AM

    It is always so great to have everyone home. Mama's hearts are the happiest just in time for Mother's Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM

      Definitely! Which is good since it seems like 2 of the 3 will be working that day.

      Delete
  9. Julie's Creative LifestyleMay 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM

    I love that gorgeous birthday cake! It's so nice when the kids come back from college. We hated move out day and then sorting through everything. It's so nice to have family dinners too. I hope you have a wonderful Mother's day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM

      Thank you! Ugh, move out day nearly did me in-- he's on the 5th floor and we parked a block and a half away (the closest we could get) so I really got a workout in.

      Delete
  10. HollyMay 7, 2025 at 9:54 AM

    Oh managing expectations is a GREAT one- work in progress here too

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kim CarberryMay 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM

    How lovely to have everyone home and to celebrate Ian's birthday! That cake looks amazing!
    I hope the weather does start to improve, we had a gorgeous week last week but this week is chilly again.
    I have realised now that my girls are older and they are off doing their own thing the time we do spend together has become more meaningful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM

      Aw, thank you! He really wanted his favorite chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.

      Delete
  12. Lindsay's Sweet WorldMay 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM

    Letting go of expectations is such a wise thing to do. I used to feel constantly let down because my expectations were always too high for anything and everything, and since I started letting go of those expectations, I've found that everything is so much more enjoyable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM

      Oh me too! I'm just sad it took me so many years to realize it!

      Delete
  13. Heather{Our Life In a Click}May 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM

    It all sounds good. I need to let go of expectations as well. I'm getting better at it but still need a reminder. Looks like a good May so far. That cake is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM

      Thank you! It has been a good May so far.

      Delete
  14. Kari May 7, 2025 at 12:22 PM

    That birthday cake looks so yummy!
    Letting go of expectations...that is something I am learning to do. 💜

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM

      Thank you! I was pretty proud of how it turned out. My cake decorating skills are rather rusty after years of not having to do it.

      Delete
  15. JoyceMay 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM

    What a pretty cake! Happy birthday to your son! Hope you enjoy the new rhythms of a college student returning home and time with your family this summer. The temperature here needs to get on board, no snow but it's cool here this week and I need the lake to warm up. Keeping our expectations in check is a lifelong challenge I think : ) Happy Mother's Day to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM

      Thank you! We had a pretty cold and rainy week this week too.

      Delete
  16. Jodie's Touch of StyleMay 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM

    I just realized I haven't been getting your emails lately telling about a new blog post. Can you check to make sure I'm still on your email list (jtouchofstyle@gmail.com)?
    I always love seeing the cards you've made. I miss doing that at times,
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne May 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM

      I'm hearing that from many of my subscribers and I am finding that is also happening to me (not getting emails of many of the blogs I've subscribed to)...You are listed on my list as subscribed! I have no idea what is happening but I did Google a bunch and basically found that most all email servers are cracking down on what they call 3rd party emails. I'm assuming you've checked your spam folder? (My missing blog follows aren't in mine either)... I did try restarting my blog campaign tonight and can you let me know if that works?

      Delete
  17. Tanya May 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM

    I love the cake and birthday celebration. Leaving expectations behind is so hard, but family life is happier when I can manage to make it happen! Beautiful cards!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Min - Write of the MiddleMay 7, 2025 at 7:01 PM

    Hi Joanne, as always I'm in awe of your lake view! Gorgeous birthday cake (so clever!) and belated Happy Birthday to your son! I'm sure you'll be enjoying warm weather, flowers and green grass again soon. Those cards you're making are so good! Thank you for linking up with #WWWhimsy xo

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Favorite TV Shows Growing Up in the 80's and early 90's

Image
Do you remember the TGIF lineups on Friday nights? I can remember planning sleepovers and time with friends around TV Show lineups of our favorite shows... or else trying to set the VCR to record our favorite shows if we weren't going to be home. And through the years I had SO MANY favorites! Growing pains aired in 1985 which put me around age 8 and it stayed on the air until I was 15 or so; I'm pretty sure most people in my age group watched mostly for Kirk Cameron and all his antics.  I still have a soft spot for family sit-coms!  The Facts of Life aired when I was just 2  and stayed on the air until I was 11 so I'm sure the episodes I remember so fondly were either some of the later ones and then reruns shown later on when I was old enough to watch from the beginning. I think everyone would have loved an Edna Garret in their lives.   Benson another sitcom that began airing when I was just 2 and was done by the time I was 9 (another one I must have watched mai...
Read more

Prime Purchases in April 2025

Image
 It's the first Monday of the month and time for Prime Purchases. I didn't buy all that much this month; just 2 orders!  My biggest purchases were Evan's textbooks for next year (which I'll share later in the spring when I show what he's studying for his senior year). I did order a few things for the rest of the family and bought a couple of "just for fun" stuff for me. My husband loves these click belts but his old one was all worn out so he asked me to get him another one.   I bought some of these large command hooks for Alec's dorm room for next year.  I was told we were out of these probiotics.   I bought myself this National Parks color by number book and this National Parks word search book.   And finally I bought myself these earrings- - I LOVE them! Linking up with:  
Read more

Things That Make Me Laugh

Image
I loved the challenge of this week's list for our 26 lists link up.  I don't know about you but I really need to laugh more lately.  It's such a great stress reliever. 1.  Books-- I love a good funny book that makes me laugh out loud.  I haven't read one in a while but if you have any recommendations I'm all ears.  The last book I can remember making me laugh was the Un-Honeymooners. 2  The boys being silly. 3.  Watching shows like America's Funniest Videos or Family Feud. 4. My husband.  Most people don't realize it but he's actually pretty funny and often makes me laugh. 5.  Whenever my sisters/ family get together and we get to reminiscing (particularly if my Aunt Elaine is around) we end up laughing so hard at all the old family stories that we are all in tears by the end of the night.  It's fabulous. 6. Movies like Mom's Night Out, Christmas Vacation, and Grown Ups make me laugh out loud. 7.  When my ...
Read more

Highlights and Favorites Each Day in April

Image
 Oh April... you were mostly a very stressful month with all sorts of not so fun problems (from Alec's struggles to get the classes he needs/any dorm room at all for next semester to a state tax audit to assorted family health and housing problems [none of the 5 of us living in the house but close family none the less]). Throw in some not so fun weather, like snow, and I was ready to throw in the towel completely by the 15th. That said most of these stressors were small and manageable and there really was some good to be found in every day even if I did have to dig a little deeper for it than normal. It sure did go out with a bang though! 1. So thankful for our generator; we needed it to cook dinner along with the grill. Up at nearly 2:30 am with my mind whirling about anything and everything, Evan found out his class was canceled after driving to school but we made the best of it and went hiking instead (after he picked me up). We lost power all afternoon from a downed tree and I ...
Read more