more bookish and granddaughter (and daughter!) delight

Saturday my girls and I planned on going to Books & Brews. Hannah and I headed up to Mikayla's midmorning. Had some quality time with Murphy while Mikayla and Phoebe were finishing getting ready.

It was a short trek from her place but sadly we were a little disappointed. It was more of a bookish themed coffee shop. They did have books for sale but not many. It was a cute little spot and one I would frequent- perhaps, if it was more near by.

We all got lattes- and they were pretty good. We just wanted more books- so we decided to continue on to a "real" bookstore. The River's End Bookstore, in Oswego. 

But we were also hungry and decided lunch first! We went to Riverwalk Bagels- where Laura and I had a fabulous little lunch on my birthday a couple years back.... this time was weird.... and I felt a little bad that I talked it up so much. But to be fair is was mainly the cashier that gave us weird vibes.  The bagels were delicious! Mikayla and I both got turkey sandwiches and Hannah an Italian one.

After that we had the bright idea to go visit Dylan where he was working at Harbor Fest- "near-by". We thought it would be a quick walk and then we could hit the bookstore on our way back. It was both much hotter and much farther than we anticipated (and uphill). But we made it. Dylan treated us to ice cream cones from Ben and Jerry's food truck. 

Unfortunately, Phoebe woke up and was so hungry about the time we headed back to the bookstore.  She cried the entire walk back and we all felt so terrible for her. We were so relieved to reach the bookshop and AC! There was a table and chairs in the front corner where Mikayla was able to feed the hangry baby. We all had a much needed respite.

I treated us all to a new book!

from left to right- Hannah, Amy, Mikayla & Phoebe's picks

Yesterday morning I had a doctor appointment and so did Phoebe about an hour apart at the same doctor office. So naturally we all went to lunch together! 

We also hit up Hobby Lobby. Mikayla for some scrapbooking supplies and me for some more watercolor paper. We also saw a couple friends. 💖

Back home I shaped this lovely loaf I baked this morning.  I had a book break and enjoyed a coldbrew coffee while I read a chapter.

 

After dinner, I did a little watercolor and caught up on the June and July BOM quilt blocks!

All in all it was a lovely extended weekend.

Hannah's Birthday! and weekend update.

Despite the snowstorm in Syracuse, Mikayla and I made it to Buffalo to spend Hannah's birthday with her!

We thought we might be able to beat the snow out of Syracuse... that did not happen. As the school closings started rolling in we gave pause. But decided to go ahead- if we could just make it to the Thruway we would be ok we decided.  Mikayla drove- her car is slightly bigger than mine and has 4 wheel drive, and Stella (my car wasn't getting her snow tires on until the next day).

I was riddled with anxiety waiting for Mikayla, wondering if we were making the right call. Or if we were being really foolish.

The highway was mostly clear... we did run into a few bands of snow as we headed west.

But as we approached Buffalo the skies began to clear and we even saw some BLUE!

Our first stop was a cute little coffee shop- The Sugar Palette

Birthday Girl!

They gave out cute little Buffalo shaped shortbread cookies with the lattes.

We then tried to find a fabric store that apparently doesn't exists. After walking up and down the street a few times we gave up and headed to Hobby Lobby.  Oh I dearly miss Joann Fabrics!

But Hannah was able to find fabric for PJs for her and Jake. And I found binding fabric for my current- vastly overdue project. Stay tuned...

After Hobby Lobby it was the Chinese Buffet for lunch!

We also hit up the thrift store and 5 Below before we headed for home.

Hannah's little apartment is super cute. 💙

Our drive home was smooth sailing until we hit the first Syracuse exit. It almost immediately turned into blizzard like weather and very snow covered roads. Our progress slowed to a crawl as our blood pressure and anxiety rose. But we made it to our house safe and sound and over joyed to be home.  Mikayla decided to stay the night at our place as her house is another 40 minutes north.

Most of the schools in the area had a two hour delay Friday morning. Mikayla's school ended up having another snow day.  We celebrated with sourdough pancakes.

I had Friday off and spent most of the day being cookies for a cookie exchange in the evening and sewing.  Mikayla was able to head home late morning as the snow cleared considerably.

White Chocolate Peppermint Sourdough Cookies

Mikayla's HIGH SCHOOL graduation quilt finally in the final stage! It WILL be finished for Christmas.

Bruno got a little too close when I was glazing the cookies... 😆

Work on building my library has begun...

Saturday morning the dogs woke me too early, but we cozied up on the couch and I finished my church book club book in the light of the Christmas tree.  It is a delight!  Highly recommend- if you like faith based hallmark movie feels.

Yesterday I found a note on the chalkboard in my Sunday School class. I love my church family so much!

And now its Monday.  And its STILL snowing! It is going to be a loooooooonnnng winter friends. But I am resolving (again) to keep up on my planner this week. I did a quick work out this morning and rewarded myself with fancy French Press coffee.

I finished Acts this morning! My 51st book of the Bible.

There was a gift on my desk this morning from a dear friend who must've stopped in while I was off last week.  How cute are those notecards!

Have a great day! Stay cozy. 💙⛄

Hannah's 18!

 My girls and I played hooky yesterday and spent the day together. It was DELGIHTFUL.  As we were eating lunch together I was like we should always do this- take the day off and spend our birthdays together. 

We started off at the mall where we got coffees, made a return at apple and then the main event and the reason for our trip to the mall. Build-a-Bear. A new cow was released and Hannah wanted it for her birthday.

Then we went to our favorite little bookshop 💖📖

We all got a new book and bookmark.

Hannah also got a free cupcake bookmark for her birthday!

Then lunch at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

We circled back to Sugar Blossom Cake Shop to get some goodies to take home for dessert.

We also did some thrifting- Hannah scoured the racks and came away with some good finds. Finally Trader Joes and Tops.

At home I made her requested birthday dinner- baked sweet and sour chicken- its a bit labor intensive but so good! And lo mien- which I thought could have been better but got rave reviews from the kids.

I can not believe our last little is now 18! Where or where does the time go? I do miss the days of littles but there is much delight in this season too. I am so proud of Hannah and the beautiful young lady she has become. 💖  More celebrating to come on Sunday! 🎉