A Grown Up Daughter

 

 

 

No one really tells you how much fun it is having a grown up daughter. It's my daughter Megan's 26th birthday today and how I wish I could be with her to celebrate. When your daughter turns 26, you don't have to worry about planning the perfect party, goodie bags or keeping over excited children occupied. It's as simple as spending time together, maybe over a glass of wine, buying some pretty presents and indulging in a slice of cake. It's about the conversation; grown up conversation, where you discuss the important things in life and what another year might bring.

I enjoyed every year when my daughters were growing up, but there was so much business in the day to day and year to year; always striving for the next milestone, that the quiet times had a tendency to get lost. When we spend time together now, it is intentional and we make the most of being together. Having an empty nest can be hard and spending birthdays apart is never easy, but knowing that the beautiful, happy young woman I raised is making her way in the world is all I can ask for. We may be miles apart on her birthday today, but I so look forward to her next visit, a belated celebration and spending time with my grown up daughter.

 

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Downton Abbey Finale - Reflections

 

 

 

There have been a handful of series finale episodes that have pulled on my heartstrings and left me missing the characters I had grown to love. Friday Night Lights was one of the most perfect finales ever and the Parenthood finale was both bittersweet and inevitable. The writers of these long running series, that we invest our time and emotions in over the years, have a responsibility, in my opinion, to tie up loose ends, let us experience emotion and find a way to say goodbye and complete the character's stories.

 

 

That brings us to Downton Abbey and the culmination of six unforgettable seasons. We have been taken on a journey; sometimes happy and sometimes heartbreaking. We have been able to experience a world, both upstairs and downstairs that were glimpses of a time in history that was rich in the events that shaped the world we live in today. World War I, feminism and the delineation of social class. While the characters sometimes had a hard time accepting change, the show itself never shied away from that theme. It made me happy (and tearful) that the finale gave us so many happy endings (and beginnings) all around.

 

 

The characters, the beautiful setting and especially the detail of the costumes have given me great joy over the last six years. Sunday nights in January, February and March have been synonymous with Downton Abbey and there will be a void, until another worthy PBS show comes along. There are very few series that I look forward to watching again, from the beginning, but Downton Abbey will be one I will enjoy revisiting and that makes the ending a little easier to take.

Happy Tuesday!

 

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Black and White Shamrock Print

 

 

 

It's kind of funny how my decorating moods change throughout the years. Lately, even when it comes to holiday touches, I find that less is more and neutral is better than color. After years of a preponderance of red, even my Christmas mantel was more neutral this past year.

St. Patrick's Day is all about touches of green and there are now a few colorful shamrocks in my home to celebrate our Irish heritage. However, a print that I had put together a few years ago did undergo a change, that to my eye gives it a striking, yet subtle nod to the holiday.

The original post and free printable can be found here. You will see that I originally added some green ribbon and a few shamrocks to the frame. At the time, I loved the contrast between the black and white print and the pop of color. Now, the simple black and white print in a plain white frame, with no emblishment, gives a modern, clean feel to my mantel. A small change, but big impact.

Happy Wednesday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

French Country Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

The Charm of Home

Art and Sand

Between Naps on the Porch

Cozy Little House

Eclectic Red Barn

Skip To My Lou

Rooted in Thyme

DIY by Design

21 Rosemary Lane

New House New Home

Stonegable

Rattlebridge Farm

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