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!

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    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!

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    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!

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    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!

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    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.

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  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!

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    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.

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  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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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!

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    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!

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    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. 💜

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    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!

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    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

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    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!

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  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

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  19. Ju-LynMay 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM

    You are so good with your hands: the cake looks fabulous, and your cards are lovely. I love the vibe of both!

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  20. MarilynMay 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM

    Expectations, yes, that is such a good thing to let go of! I have definitely improved in that area by letting them go or letting them be known :). It is always a work in progress though. Great job on the cake! It is beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne May 8, 2025 at 5:02 AM

      Yes, other times it does help to let them be known.

      Delete
  21. JenniferMay 9, 2025 at 1:17 PM

    Well home to your college man! It will be nice to have everyone under one roof...and good for you letting go of expectations. Will make for a smooth(er) summer, I'm sure!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Christie - So what? Now what?May 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM

    Managing expectations as our children grow (and especially as they start having families of their own) is a big one, Joanne. I'm glad you're enjoying tiime with your college student. That cake looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kym May 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM

    oh that cake looks incredible! Totally agree on leaving behind the cold and snow for several months - it's time! Though the snowy photos you shared are beautiful. I like what you said about letting go of expectations. It's a long process but so important for the good of the relationship as our kids become adults.

    ReplyDelete

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