Speaking of faves, Friday is always my favorite.  I like the end of the week.  I always get this feeling of I made it (hey, with 4 kids at home, I’m just keeping it real) and now I can breath a little easier for 2 days.  Although this week, the older kids have been at camp (I had a few afternoons of literal quiet) and I spent two days at IKEA for La La’s room (sneak peek next week).  The thing about IKEA is that it always sounds like a good idea but, for me anyways, it always ends badly (or maybe, difficutly, is the better choice here?).  But as of yesterday I got what I needed.  All it took was driving an hour in the misters pick up truck.

And now the weekend sigh.  This weekend is bittersweet for me.  I’ll be celebrating life in every sense of the word.  A life worth living and a life well lived.  It’s my birthday which is happy.  Although, honestly, I think I have finally reached the age (can you guess how old I am?) where I don’t look forward to birthdays so much (well, except for presents + cake, I would be lying if I said I didn’t like that part).  It is crazy how fast life is going.  But it is also the one year anniversary of my grandpa passing (he died one day before my birthday).  Though I thought one year would make a difference in the missing, it hasn’t.  Some days I miss him so very much….his voice, his humor, his deep baby blues and mostly the assurance and comfort that someone is always watching out and concerned about me.  He was wasn’t just my grandpa he was my friend.  Honestly, the concept of having someone here one day, all the days I’ve ever known, and gone the next, for the remainder of my days, is such a harsh reality.  Yet, I know he is in a better place and I find comfort in that.  But gosh, I still miss him so and the tears show up, like clockwork, when I think thoughts of him.  I’m hoping this weekend, though, I can celebrate him and his life, that I can think on the qualities and traits that made him so wonderfully him and try to find that same likeness in me or the hope of cultivating those qualities my life.

Some of my strongest memories of my grandpa have to do with food.  I could tell you all of his favorites.  Apple Fritters were his favorite donuts (plain cake donuts coming in 2nd) and always coffee or tea with one sugar.  And, well, speaking of  donuts + celebrations, I’m kind of taken with the idea of  donut party!  Especially a donut party done fancy.   Hello, juxtaposition (oh how I love you, juxtaposition). Why haven’t I ever thought this pretty brilliant idea?  Well, if you haven’t either than put this idea in your pocket and save it for later.

And what about you lovelies?  What does your weekend look like?  I hope it is filled with happy things like donuts and memories that make your heart sing.

+  a few of my this week  +

01 / Of course I have cake on the brain.  I’d be really happy if someone mad this one for me.

02 / Kids getting stir crazy?  Some easy breezy art class esque ideas.

03 / I’ve never thought about making this beauty product.  But now I must.

04 / Don’t you love age specific beauty tips?  These apply to my age “range.”

05 / a mix tape, or, I suppose I should say, play list for the weekend (with the cutest cover evah)

Did you see this weeks Monday Mess?  And be sure to check back this coming Monday for our first mess in the U.K.

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