Wednesday, February 15, 2017

THE GIFT OF MAKING CHANGES




Brooks Patrick
February 10, 2017
8 lbs., 2 oz.
Proud Parents, Jeffrey and Deirdre


Is he smiling or what?  We are so filled with love for this little guy already.  We were in the hospital waiting room with Deirdre's parents when Jeff came through the door from the Labor and Delivery section, arms raised high, "It's a baby boy!"  We were able to see mom and baby a little bit later.  Isn't he the most handsome little one you've ever seen?  I'm fighting a cold but once I'm not contagious I want to eat him up!  Ironically, Brooks was born the very same day as Elsie, February 10.  My sons having their firstborn on the same date, 2 years apart...wow.



Our little Madelyn came to visit on my birthday on the 3rd.  She's really smiling a lot.  She grows so fast, I'm wondering how Mondays With Madelyn will be once she starts crawling.  A lot of vacuuming and sweeping I'm sure.  Once the weather gets warmer, a looooong time from now, I want to go for walks with her in her stroller and maybe a few trips to the park up the street.  This is so fun.  I don't know how Emily feels but when Madelyn isn't sleeping, getting her bottle or a diaper change,  I like to put her in the portable cradle in front of the TV with Sesame Street on.  Before you think of me as being that type of mother, I mean grandmother, who lets the TV babysit the kids, you should see her smile and wiggle to the music and those cute Muppets as they sing and dance.  I think the music and colors and faces are really pretty cool for a baby.  Better than watching me fold sheets.

  

I am so wanting to make changes.  I think winter and being inside virtually most of the day makes me want to get wild and crazy.  The clean out and organize phase is over, or let's just say I'm good with the 2 closets and 4 drawers I did.  I also purged 3 sweaters and countless cotton tops that I shrunk in the dryer.  Does anyone else have problems with shrinkage?  I do have a tendency to buy more inexpensive clothing for hanging out around the house.  But man, I've been so good about hanging sweaters, bras and rugs to dry.  I know~~~I shouldn't wash them together.

So I was going for my highlights and I was going to have my girl cut it shorter and I was also thinking an alternative would be bangs.  She talked me out of short bangs and I did realize I would be a version of myself at ten years old with makeup and a lot of expensive hair products.  So she gave me side bangs.  This selfie is right after and of course, it's styled perfectly.  Since, it's been a disaster.  The bangs are going straight up in a bouffant sort of style (think Elvis), and when I finally tame them to casually go off my forehead, I've used so much gel, mousse and hairspray, my hair is bulletproof.  I've never been good with hair, I don't know why I have it.  I mean long hair.  Maybe it's the ease of pulling it up in a ponytail or loose bun and looking like the same old Jane day after day.  Maybe I should just accept the way my hair wants to go.  I might just avoid messy drawers, closets and fussy laundry as well.



After I cleared the Christmas decor off the mantel (about 2 weeks ago), I left it bare so I could pretend I was looking for inspiration.  I was actually parked in front of the TV every night watching Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med.  I do not watch these shows because I live here, God knows it's happening all around me,  I don't have to see it on TV when I have the news (I don't take this lightly) but I love to recognize streets, intersections, restaurants and the general links to Sweet Home Chicago.  Do you know they actually film here and really do use real names of streets, parks, etc.?  I was watching a chase scene recently on Chicago P.D. and they were going after a suspect downtown.  The dispatcher called in, "He's heading toward LSD east on Columbus"  As the officers said, "Copy that.",  I'm screaming, "No!  Take Randolph Street.  Less lights and traffic!!!"  I love interaction television.  

But getting back to the mantel, I really strove for simplicity and you know by now clutter is my middle name.  I think I got it with the mercury glass on each end (does anyone love mercury glass pieces anymore?  I love it and always have it here and there in vignettes).  I like to have something green or organic in every arrangement and I decided toss some books in randomly.  Every mantel needs a little randomness.  Some of mine are a total mishmash of stuff and I just tell myself that people will think I'm on to something, go home and totally trash out their mantelscape.  The sign is handmade from the cutting of the wood to the distressing and stamping of the words.  I wish I could remember the name of the blog where the husband and wife make the most incredible one of a kind pieces of art.  If you are sincerely interested, let me know and I will dig through my archives to when I first bought it.  This has been hanging in the master bedroom for a long time but as I said, I'm making big changes.  This was tough because I love my windows on the mantel.  



Well, you can see the window didn't make it far!  Another wall in the living room.  I really pared this down.  I usually keep family pictures in the bedrooms and family room but it's about mixing it up.  This will stay until spring/Easter, whichever comes first.  I'm feeling a little lighter.



Source Unknown


I'm sharing a recipe that knocked the socks off The Husband and I.  I think it may be a new Go To for making pork with a crispy coating and juicy flavor.  I may even use it on chicken.  The key is giving the meat a dry rub, browning it over high heat on the stove and then baking it with a light brushing of mustard and honey near the end.  You can find the recipe here.  No pictures from me.  I simply can't take good looking pictures of the food I make.  In fact I think it may make most readers turn away in disgust.

For your information I made the following changes:

~~~I did the whole recipe with pork tenderloin
~~~I increased the amount of the herbs and spices just a bit
~~~I cooked the meat to 120 degrees as opposed to 140.  It continues to cook once removed from the oven and I didn't want it dried out.

That's it.  I'm going to try it on chops and chicken.  This would be great on the grill as well.  

Bon Appetite

*****

I was super excited that The Husband fulfilled my birthday wish with something other than tacky pajamas and bad perfume.  ;-D  We have tickets to see Idina Menzel at the Chicago Theater in August.  I just love her.  She's a wonderful Broadway actress who has won Tony Awards for her roles in Rent and Wicked.  She is also the voice of Queen Elsa in Frozen, in which she sang Let It Go, and won an Oscar and a Grammy.  So...I'm such a fan and I just love the theater.  We used to go quite a bit before my hearing went downhill.  With headsets provided I can now enjoy going again.  Musicals are my favorite.  Funny, I barely mentioned it to The Husband and there were the tickets on my birthday.  Great seats, too!

I also forgot to mention that this sweet guy gave me a potting table for Christmas!  Yes!  A freaking potting table for the garden!  I've been crabbing and dropping hints forever and there it was Christmas morning, well sort of.  A photo copy of said potting table with the actual one in the garage waiting to be assembled.  This will be interesting.  If I want it by spring I may need him to get started now.

We are having ups and downs with the temperatures here but we are going up to 60 degrees (!!!) this weekend and after missing the lake 2 weekends in a row, I'm excited to get there and get some fresh air.  The Husband bought yet again, a new wood chopping device.  This one helps you make kindling and that's a must for making a good fire.  Have I ever told you I'm a really great fire starter?  With a big fireplace, wood burning stove, chiminea and outdoor wood burning stove..well, sometimes I've been inclined to get involved.  We do the outdoor fires 3 seasons, and the indoor fires for a good  6-8 months.  While he plays Davy Crockett, I plan to walk the dogs.  They are so huge and lazy with the lack of activity as the winter drones on.  And I need some exercise, too.  Seriously.  

Feel free to share some of your laundry woes with us, your like or dislike of seeing plays and musicals, as well as  any changes you will or won't be making as we near the dream of a possible early spring.  ;-D

Jane x 


59 comments:

Art and Sand said...

Bangs, a new baby and simplicity sound pretty good to me!

NanaDiana said...

The new baby is adorable. Nothing like grandkids to warm the cockles of your heart. Looks like you have lots going on there----mantles and food and bangs, oh my! Have a really great rest of the week------

Anonymous said...

Ah ha!!! LOVE HIS NAME!

We're even! . . . and two girls and one boy! ( Sounds like they kept the gender a secret until arrival, just like the good old days.) FUN! Chrislyn and Jason did that with baby #3.

Isn't life grand, Jane? It's so nice you are able to watch Madelyn. I hope to retire Feb. 2018, so I may watch the kiddos while Chrislyn volunteers at school. Holland starts kindergarten in the Fall.

Happy Belated birthday, Aquarius sister! ( I applied for Medicare Part A, yesterday. Bitter-sweet . . . not accepting waking to "65" today. )

I always love a peek at your pretty mantel!

Congratulations to all of the beautiful "B's"!

w/L

Theresa said...

Adorable baby boy:) I know that your heart is full of love for that sweet smile! Laundry, I also buy some inexpensive clothes! My routine is wash them, put in the dryer for a couple minutes and hang them to finish drying! In fact that's what I do with ALL of my clothes and they last longer and dry with very few wrinkles:) Enjoy your day dear friend, it's a rainy one here this morning! HUGS!

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I love Idina too - would have given anything to see her in Wicked!

Unknown said...

Good morning, Jane!

What a handsome young man you have there! He's adorable. Sweet name, too! There is nothing in the world like grandchildren. Mine are 11 and 25! When I think of them, my eyes fill with tears, I love them so much, and they both have such sweet, and loving spirits. I get Rheagan from school everyday, and it's so much fun for her to tell me how her day went. She is smart beyond her years, and some of the things she comes up with, never cease to amaze me.

Would you believe we have had temps in the 70's for the last couple weeks. I dashed into the GW yesterday, and people in there were wearing shorts! In mid-February! We've been running the AC. Strange weather, but in GA you can expect anything. I'm sure we will have more winter weather. I noticed my periwinkle is full of blooms, jonquils are blooming, and I've seen some Forsythia in bloom as well.

My stepson's surgery went well. The problem was that the 1st surgery had not healed on the inside. The surgeon did the same surgery on him that Peyton Manning had, 'One level anterior fusion'. He can now hold his head much higher and is in Intensive Rehab in Atlanta, FINALLY!! They are teaching him how to care for himself. He is incontinent, of course, being paralyzed from mid-trunk down, and they will teach him how to handle that himself. I'm really glad he will be learning things that he needs to do. We tried very early on to get PT for him, but that fell through. Now he can finally get the assistance he needs to live a more normal life.

I'm still on my cleaning spree! I've organized all my closets, and have a huge donation for GW. I take things in and bring things out! I seriously have too much stuff, and am thinking I might reopen my EBay account, and try to sell some things.

I enjoyed your post so much. Take care!

Unknown said...

I forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday!! So Happy Birthday!! :)

Vintage Bounty said...

You simply crack me up!! I just love your blog. You are a wonderful writer, and a very inspiring blogger!
I just noticed that among other similarities, you and I both refer to our spouses as "The husband" in our writing!

Looking forward to more posts!
Laura

Beth said...

Love your haircut, Jane. You will get the hang of styling it and if not, let it grow again and you will do well with it. There is a local tv anchor here who got a haircut recently. It was beautiful the first day; now, not so much. She apparently doesn't know how to style it like the hairstylist did. Oh well. It'll grow!
Your grandson is beautiful. Congratulations!
Blessings, Beth

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Congratulations on your new grandchild! I hope your cold passes quickly so you can spend some with him! Love the selfie. Hair is always a nemesis for me, too!

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh Jane, Brooks is so beautiful! Oh the babies you have to hug and kiss. I admit I'm jealous. I like the bangs, I got some the last time I went to the salon and they do take some getting used to. I'm pretty hopeless with hair too but I actually feel like having bangs makes dealing with it easier.

I love that you got theater tickets. Over the years Earl and I have decided that we treasure shared experiences over things, so getting a special experience for a gift is something we try to make happen a lot.

I'm so excited for the warm weather coming this weekend too. Hope you have a great time at the lake.

Scribbler said...

That is one handsome baby boy! So sweet of your husband to have paid attention to what you wanted for gifts. I am still trying to train mine. The only way I ever get what I want is to go buy it. Sigh...

I have always loved theatre, and for many years, I was active in community theatre, and even dipped my little toe in the water on a professional production once. Then I met my previous husband while doing a play. We got married, then he decided he was gay, and that ruined it for me. I think I have only seen a handful of plays since because it brings back bad memories. TMI?

Your bangs do look great in your selfie, but I don't do bangs any more because my hair is naturally very wavy, and when short, curly. So, it is always a hassle trying to keep them straighter and bangs which are curlier than the rest of my hair just looks weird.

Hope you get some mild weather up at the lake. It is like Spring here in the daytime, although it gets chillier at night. All the bulbs are up, and shrubs are starting to flower. They are all very confused!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Wow! A year apart for your sons, that's pretty special! Babies are adorable:).
Plant where you bloom with the potting table. Spring time will bring plenty of beautiful days playing with babies and planting flowers:).
Take care, Kathleen in Az

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

What a sweet new baby! Love that you have two born on the same day too! Happy belated birthday to you as well! Sounds like you got some great gifts. Hope it warms up soon so you can use that potting table. What a neat surprise!

Vee said...

Congrats on your new grandson. He is so handsome! The family is growing. You didn't ask, but look up some studies on SStreet... I read a study once that said it creates very low attention spans because it bounces from one topic to the next so quickly. I'm pretty sure that a lot of early education teachers think so. So watching you fold the laundry may actually be preferable. =D

It's me said...

What a sweet boy Patrick is ......congratulations ...love ria x ❤️

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Congratulations on your new grandson. A new baby to love is the best way to start the year.

I love going to plays and you are very fortunate that your husband enjoys it also. My Retired Man will go grudgingly but always ends up enjoying it anyway. However, it is a struggle each time.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Congratulations, Jane, on your new, absolutely adorable little grandson! Don't you just love that new baby smell and the fun of trying to guess who they look like the most? How exciting that both of your son's babies were born on the same date. It sure will make birthday celebrations easier :) Love seeing your sweet little grand-daughter, too. I so enjoyed this post - you always make me laugh describing your adventures in day-to-day life. I can never get my mantel right.....Yours is so pretty, even without a thing on it. Watching the 'home-town' television shows are great. Those three are great shows. I always loved 'Frazier' and 'Greys Anatomy' not only because they were great shows, but they were filmed in Seattle. Too funny about the bangs, although they really look cute. I have a hair appt. in two weeks to make a drastic change - from dark brown to blonde. I needed a pick-me-up. Now if I can just lose about 20 lbs........The recipe looks really good, I think I will try it on chicken. Your hubs did good getting you the theater tickets! I think that is the perfect date....dinner and the theater! I hope it is a wonderful night. Enjoy your weekend at the lake and hope you have nice weather to get those pudgy pups out for a walk or two. Sending hugs xo Karen

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Congrats on the new little one! I love your new hair style.

Deb from frugal little bungalow said...

Congrats on the new addition / oh my he is just adorable!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to all. Brooks Patrick is adorable. God Bless.
Marilyn

Rita C at Panoply said...

Congratulations, Jane! That baby boy is so handsome, and I adore his name! Love that hairline he has - beautifully shaped face. And the serendipity of the two boys' babies' birth dates!
I love your hair in the photo - it looks pretty, Jane. I used to always want to change my hair in winter until I cut it short. Now I like it year round, works for me. My thing in winter now is to let my toenails go naked so they can re-moisturuze. I keep nail polish on them about 8-9 mos out of the year so they're suffocating by late November. They look awful, but I wear socks all winter.
I've been organizing under the duress of my kitchen and bath projects, lol. Oh my, I have so.much.stuff. A garbage bag FULL of nothing but plastic - mugs (incl hospital issued), old pitchers, and other useless things like dog food lids (our dog died 11 yrs ago). Pathetic.
Love your sign and the phrase "trash out their mantelscape".
Yay to the garden potting table! I'm jealous!
Fun catching up with your life. Take care taking care of Chicago in the interactive programming! Maybe they should listen to you!
XO,
Rita

Carla from The River said...

Happy Days Jane,
What a fun post. You are so real, I love that about you.
Congratulations on your new grand baby. What a cutie!

I too cleaned out two closets. It felt so good to get them cleaned up!

I am going in for a hair cut next Wednesday. ;-) I will see what I decide to do, I have been tossing some ideas around.

Love to you,
Carla

Junkchiccottage said...

Congrats on your new grandson. He is just adorable. I have to say that my 7 month old granddaughter loves the Mickey Mouse Club House. Does not matter where in the house she is when that comes on she is glued to the TV. I think it is the colors and the songs.
I think you would look cute with a bang. Your hair is cute but I totally understand the straightening of the longer bangs to keep them from curling or being out of control. Have a great rest of the week.
Hugs,
Kris

Kim said...

Oh my, he's adorable!! I could stare at your cute grandbabies all day long.Truly delicious! I have side bangs and they rarely behave. We wrestle every morning. Idina Menzel is wonderful, what a great gift! I saw her in Rent a million years ago. I missed her in Wicked, but loved her in Glee. Have fun!! : )

Sarah said...

All those sweet babies in your life. You are a lucky grandmother! Brooks is adorable. Get over that cold quickly, Jane. ;-)

Love the new look. I'm not good with my hair either. I wore a pony tail most of my childhood, and sad to say that it's my go to style most days as an adult. I'm not a short hair girl. Tried it and just hated it! My hair is too thin and flat for cute short hair.

Enjoy the weekend at the lake.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

You have a beautiful new grandbaby, Jane! So precious.
I like your new hair cut. My daughter had long hair and recently had about 7 inches cut off. It was a big change but looks great.
Hope you get to use that potting table before too long! I'm ready for spring even though we've had a mild winter here. Love my flowers and can't wait to see some green grass!
Enjoy the rest of the week!
xo Cheryl

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Congratulation to you all on the birth of your new grandson, so precious and absolutely gorgeous of course! Love the new haircut, but know what you mean about managing a new style yourself. Mine is so different now from 10 years ago and though I love it ( having gone from brown Bob to natural silver grey crop), it's a bit more maintenance now! X

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

oh, those precious babies - I'm sure you're over the moon. Same date, that's amazing!

I shrink many things in the dryer - and since I have expanded, not shrunk, in recent years, well... *sigh

Jacqueline said...

Wow, so much fun going on! We saw Idina two ears ago and just loved her.
A potting table - JEALOUS! What a great gift.
The pork sounds fabulous, but nothing beats those little babes! How precious. That is the best dessert in life!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Congratulations on your new adorable grandson! He's so precious!

Don't you sometimes wish you married a hairdresser? A straight one of course ;). I do. And a massage therapist, esthetician, chiropractor too! My advice...don't fight your hair's natural tendencies. It's a fight you can't win.

Sounds like we have the same laundry routine, which is basically a free for all lol. But unlike you, my clothes shrink just by hanging in the closet ;).

I enjoy shows too. The prices in NY have gotten crazy!! I'm talking more than 300 a tic for many shows, so we rarely indulge. Last week we went to a show here in Sarasota. It wasn't good but I just wanted to check out the theatre. Tics were $104 all in, so a big difference than NY.

Your hubby can give mine some pointers on gift giving. He sounds very thoughtful!! Now tell him to get started on that bench NOW :).

XXX

Lynne said...

Sweet sound it is to be there and hear the words . . . .
"It's baby boy!" . . . or . . . "It's a baby girl!"
And what a handsome one he is . . .
And your "three monther" . . . smily and beautiful . . .
February 10 . . . special date indeed!
Love the way you write and tell your stories . . .
Decluttering . . . does it ever end . . .
Mantle tweaking . . . so much fun . . .
Mercury glass was such a rage . . . (I still like it too)
(I remember when it first appeared on the "rage screen" and was a bit impossible to find.)
(Thank you Pottery Barn)
See Saw weather is a bit frustrating of late . . .
I miss a snowy winter.
Hearing bird tweats and bits of green in February, "not quite right!"
Love thoughts of wood burning views and fragrance . . .
Enjoy those warming temps, lakeside.
Valentine tickets for me/us . . . in a smaller venue . . .
Sunshine peeking in . . . I know what I am going to write about . . .
Thank you for your writing style, real, loving, warm, tender . . .

Deborah Montgomery said...

I hear ya, about being stuck indoors in this cold, cloudy Midwest in the winter. It was freezing yesterday here, and going up to 62 on Saturday. No wonder everybody's sick!
Congratulations on the new little grand baby! What a sweet, sweet blessing to you and your family. I'm looking forward to that some day.
Hmm . . . we always seem to want what we don't have. Here I have a super short haircut and I would love to have long hair that I could sweep up in a messy bun.
A friend and I just bought season tickets for our symphony next year. Nine Friday morning concerts. Looking forward to it!
And the de-cluttering never ends . . .
xo Deborah

podso said...

Like your side bangs and congrats on your new grandson. He's beautiful.

Susan Freeman said...

What a joyful time for you with a new grandson. You days must be so full and happy. Loved the story of your hair. I have worn shoulder length hair with longish bangs brushed to the side forever. Anything more complex than that and I would be completely challenged!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

deb said...

loved catching up on news ... Congratulations on your new grandson!! He is beautiful.

Susie said...

Blondie, Love seeing your babies. I always love smelling little baby necks. They are so soft and perfect. How nice the boys babies have the same b-day. I have been shredding papers today. I save too many things...thinking I will read it again , or send it to someone else to read. Gaaa...just shred it !. LOL. Good for you getting some organizing done. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Rue said...

Congratulations, Jane! I love babies. Not ready to have grand babies yet lol but one day ;)

So glad to read that you're back in the lake house. I know you must be thrilled. It looks great from what you've shared.

Hugs and love to you, sweet friend.
xo,
rue

Benita said...

Congrats on the new grand! He is absolutely adorable....I would want to carry him around all day! And how cool is that those babies share a birthday??!!

I have problems with shrinkage, just not in the right places. ;-) Some of the hubster's shirts have reduced in size even though the label clearly says that it won't shrink. Clothing is not made how it used to be...sheesh, I'm old. My parents used to say stuff like that all the time!

So glad you got something good for your birthday this year! Men try, but sometimes just seem to fall short! :-) You will have a most amazing time! I love going to the theater...it just always WOWS me and I'm constantly in awe of the talent! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day! Love and hugs to you!

Bluebird49 said...

Oh, what a beautiful boy! I've not been online for a few days, and I missed lots of goings on with you!

You look mighty young to be a "MiMi"(What my grands call me.) Just be thrilled your hair's still all there!

I think of you when I watch the Chicago shows. I laugh to think how that would work in my tiny town, only having less than twenty streets within the town limit. We are just outside that, so we don't rate sidewalks.

Happy Belated Birthday, Jane!

A Joyful Cottage said...

You have pretty hair, Jane. I've been wearing mine in a super short pixie for almost two years, ever since I stopped coloring my hair. Two months ago I thought a change would be nice, so I let it grow out several inches and I absolutely hated it. Somehow it just made me feel like an old lady with an outdated haircut. So, yesterday I had my stylist cut it back to my pixie (I used Jamie Lee Curtis as my model -- our gray hair is about the same). Now I'm happy again. This is me at this age, and I love it. Cute baby. You're a blessed woman. xo

Stacey said...

Jane, I just love your posts...like chatting with a girlfriend.

Your hair looks fabulous! I understand what you mean about not being able to fix it right though. Some days I think my hair is just rocking perfection and other days it's a flat mop on my head. We try though. Right?

Your new grandson is precious right along with Madelyn. We may or may not have grandkids here someday. There is no talk of it from my boys and neither are married. I do hope and pray for them though.

Spring can't get here fast enough for me! We already have buds on trees and the forsythia is beginning to bloom. :)

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Happy Belated- as in way belated birthday.

Loved this post - Jane, you are so danged cute and so funny - I like visiting your blog cuz it reminds me of just sitting and visiting with you and hearing your stories and such. My fav kind of blog makes me feel like we're friends visiting one another.

Love your bangs- did the same thing not long ago - have long straight hair too (pony tails rule) and I don't know what the heck to do with these too-long side bangs. Ugh. Oh well.

Anyway, have a fabulous weekend. Big hugs. ♥

Maria Elena said...

Congratulations! Beautiful baby boy! You are so blessed, Jane! Happy belated birthday to you. Sounds like you got some wonderful gifts. I am jealous of the potting bench. I have wanted one for years!:) Enjoy your weekend! Maria

Jill said...

Congratulations on the new grandson!!

Mereknits said...

I am late catching up my friend. Congrats to that gorgeous boy joining your family. He is blessed to have all of you. A little Sesame Street never hurt anyone, and that includes babies. I am loving the side bangs, very fun! I love Chicago Med and Fire, I leave the other one for my husband to watch alone. Hugs to you.

Poppy said...

Jane, congrats on the new baby boy in the family! Like his cousin, Madelyn, he, too, is adorable! Good genes, I'm sure!

You have great hair! Go with the flow, I say, that's why I never wasted time trying t straighten my waves, and besides, they suited me much better.

Same story re: ridiculously overpriced theatre tickets in Toronto, too, which is really too bad, since it is my first love, but only managed to go to a 'Dirty Dancing' revival, which was 'eh'.

Have a wonderful week!
xx
Poppy

Dewena said...

Your family does have plenty of February birthdays! How wonderful that 2 sons both had babies on the same day--well, I guess the women had a little something to do with it too. With a name like Brooks this baby is destined to great things. One of my heroes has always been Brooks Phillips, the author of O Little Town of Bethlehem.

I love your new hairstyle and feel your pain on not being able to exactly replicate it at home. Wouldn't a personal hair stylist be fabulous? And a late happy birthday, Jane. Your tickets sound absolutely worth waiting for.

I must try to catch some of the Chicago television series you watch. My grandson and his wife have been in Chicago a couple of years now, almost since their marriage, and they just moved into their first home, a condo in an old building downtown. She is an architect and is loving being able to turn her talents to their own place. I loved seeing your own changes in your home, always love glimpses into blog friends' homes!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Congratulations on that beautiful baby boy. He is really beautiful. Now you have three wonderful grandbabies.I know you are to the moon and back.

I love those Chicago shows. I traveled to Chicago so much when I was working. Every other year I was there for a month straight. So I know a lot of the streets and places. There is going to be another one about lawyers in Chicago. I would say that I was there a couple times a year.

I am very bad about cleaning out closets and drawers, but i need to do it. you didn't say when your BDay is, so if I missed it Happy Birthday. So glad you didn't get tacky PJ and terrible perfume. I told my son just give me a gift card and I can get what I want.

I like your hair style, it looks good on you and makes you look younger.

Love the mantle - looks so good.

Well my dear, get over your cold so you can give that baby lots of hugs and kisses.

Hugs,
Mary

Pondside said...

Sweet, sweet wee boy! What a blessing those grandchildren are!
Lovely to drop by again, Jane, and to catch up. A potting table - give that man a medal! That is a lovely gift!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jane, bangs are a problem. Mine just kept getting heavier and heavier because a little more hair would get cut with the bangs every time they were trimmed. (I like to say this as if someone else was doing the cutting, but it may or may not have been me!) So I decided to grow out all but a little tiny section, and I'm liking that a lot better. I have a friend who has been calling me Blondie for decades; he calls his wife Dolls!

Melanie said...

Congratulations on your newest grand-blessing! How amazing that he was born exactly two years after Elsie. Looks like he has a head full of dark hair.
Your hubby gave you some nice birthday gifts. I know you will enjoy both.
I hang my cotton shirts to dry - I have a portable drying rack in my basement - so I don't have a problem with shrinkage.
Hope you're enjoying our beautiful weather!

Elaine said...

Congrats on your newest grandchild. You are going to be busy with all the little ones and years from now going to soccer games and dance recitals. A lot to look forward to.

In the meantime, it's fun to get a new hairdo. I decided my hair was too dark for Winter and I got some highlights. Glad I did. Makes me think warmer days are coming. We had a bad week of snow. I am sure you did too. The cleanup cost the condo association quite a bit.

Looking forward to Spring. Hope you have nice weather in your neck of the woods soon.

La Table De Nana said...

So nice to hear more about you:) More than IG..Littles are BEAUTIFUL..they are my favorite thing in the world..
Love everything you talked about..funny..interesting and real:)

Linda said...

HI Jane...
So thrilled about your new grandson! And..if he had waited 1 more day...I am the 11th!
Your hair looks great! Wish I had long hair, to be able to do more with it!
Guess I'll have to do some decluttering when I get home!
Enjoy your week...
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Kit said...

My how precious he is! I am glad that baby and mother are doing well. As well as Grandma! Glad things are going well. You haircut looks great, but I learned a long time ago not to fight my hair. It keeps me from getting stressed and now I have wash and wear hair that goes well with my lifestyle. :) Have a great weekend! Kit

Decor To Adore said...

There is SO much goodness in this post dear Jane! Oh what a true bundle of joy. I also enjoyed seeing pictures of the lake house too in the most recent post. It is so delightfully cozy. I adore the fireplace.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Hi Jane, first of all I forgot to sY HOW GORGEOUS mADELYN LOOKED IN HER CHRISTENING DRESS! omgOODNESS, JUST LIKE A TINY BRIDE! tHIS HAS BEEN A PRETTY MILD WINTER FOR US HERE IN pA. iN FACT fEB. WAS ONE OF THE WARMEST ON RECORD! but, mARCH HAS BEEN AWFUL. rAIN, SNOW, WIND AND COLD:( not MY IDEA OF sPRING. Oh good grief, just looked up and saw the caos lock key was on. Sorry! I wish we went to see shows, I would LOVE that. It never seems to happen though. My hubby is not one for pplanning activities. I guess I need to just make some plans and tell him where we are going:) Hope your weather is getting better. Today is miserable here with POURING rain and 45 degrees. Tomorrow should be much better! Have a great weekend!!!!

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