Sweet T and a Honey B
Food, Fitness, and the Adventures That Make Life Sweet

A Little Sunshine Goes a Long Way

Normally I do not write weekend recaps, but this particular weekend was so beautiful it deserves it’s own shout out. It may have been the spectacular weather or the lack of plans Hubs and I had to stuff into a 48-hour period (come to think of it-it was definitely a combination of both), but this was a very welcomed couple of days. After recent weekends of parties, showers, and plans with family and friends, we were sure to take advantage of slowing it down this weekend. 

There was ONE plan I made sure was on the agenda for Saturday. This weekend began the annual Downers Grove Farmers Market held every Saturday morning from the middle of May through the middle of October. This certainly isn’t the biggest market I have ever been to, but absolutely my favorite. There is something about my routine of buying massive sized sunflowers, enjoying a vanilla iced coffee from Door County Coffee, and picking out some delicious fruits to enjoy during the week that excites me every time. My cousin, Kaitlyn, and I make it a point to attend together most weeks and this is a tradition that has become very special to me. It’s still a little early for most flowers and a lot of fruits, but you can bet I came home with a bag of goodies nonetheless. I was most excited to try my Blueberry Lemon Biscotti from Gallery’s Choice with my coffee this morning. 

Hubs decided to attend with me this week and we met up with my Aunt Lynda and Kaitlyn to share in the rest of the town’s excitement about the market and much-anticipated sunshine. 

Post-market involved some various Mother’s Day errands (my part) and fixing a broken sink (Hub’s part. I stayed far away). My list of errands included a stop at Target (naturally) and it seems like it’s every week I find a reason to raid the dollar spot. Is anyone else as drawn to this as I am? I purchased an adorable carafe with a Pineapple on it. We planned on making our signature wedding drink this weekend so this was more of a NEED than a want…right?

I came home to get ahead of some tidying and waited for Bry to finish the sink. All week we had wanted to try a new-to-Downers Grove restaurant called ‘3 Corners‘ so we had been planning this for a date night. I highly recommend the jalapeno poppers as an appetizer. The food was delicious and the company was even better 🙂 .

Mother’s Day began with abundant sunshine again. It was hard for me to stay in bed because I wanted to enjoy every moment of it that I could. I began the day with a long walk around my neighborhood. Afterwards, Bryan and I had plans to stop at Brewpoint for Iced Bartolomes, and bring a cup to my mom at the hospital. Unfortunately, she was scheduled to work this Mother’s Day but I had to see her, if even for fifteen minutes. Luckily there was a lull in patients when we went to visit around lunchtime because Bry and I walked as one of her friends was teaching her how to design her own Bitmoji. I’ve already received three and my favorite is of her as an avocado…. =P

During the evening we celebrated my beautiful Mother-in-Law over a delicious grilled chicken dinner made by my Father-in-law. She requested “something chocolate” for dessert so I made some brownies with chocolate chip cookie dough frosting. After a glass of blueberry wine, way too much caesar salad, and a brownie, we moved to the couch to relax, play with their pup, and laugh at some of Bryan’s bad jokes. I am so lucky to have my in-laws in my life and it was a perfect way to end the evening. Hubs and I went home to take a short walk to enjoy the last few minutes of sun and sat down to enjoy a ‘Honey-B’ (drink recipe coming this week) while we watched our shows.

I feel so much more refreshed going into Monday after weekends like these and I find that I need to be reminded of that once in a while. I hope you too got to enjoy the sunshine with your loved ones these past couple of days and that everyone’s weekend was a happy one. 

Happy Mothers Day!

“Everything I am, you helped me to be”

 I consider myself incredibly lucky that I can confidently say that all of my favorite childhood memories involve my mother. Saturday mornings included library book readings and stops at the local Busy Bee Bakery. The soundtrack to every car ride included Fleetwood Mac or Phil Collins loudly on cassette tapes. Sleepovers with my girlfriends always ended with running up the stairs from the basement to the smell of her incredible french toast and bacon. I will be forever thankful that she made herself present in every aspect of my life growing up.

 While every day as a child was filled with comfort, love, laughs, and the greatest hugs anyone could imagine, I think my relationship with my mom as a young woman is dearest to me. Anyone that knows the infamous Patti, knows she is special. Though I don’t know I could ever convey in words just HOW special she is. After my Dad passed away in 2004, I watched her devote all her time and energy into making sure her pre-teen daughter had every single thing she could have ever needed and wanted. She became Superwoman and the best role model any daughter could have ever asked for.

 Her concern for others, ability to overcome any and every obstacle thrown at her, and infectious ‘wheeze laugh’ when she or my Uncle Mike say something hilarious, are my absolute favorite things about her (as much as I hate to admit it – I also really enjoy her crude hospital humor). To this day, my favorite part of each day is hearing her call me’ Bunny’ on the other end of the phone- followed by something hilarious about a crazy patient she had at work. 

 

For as long as I can remember Mom has told me, “If I could give you half of the happiness I had as a child, I am doing a good job”. I will never be able to properly thank my mom for the life that she gave me but I want to spend each day trying. She is my biggest cheerleader, confidant, and best friend. She has taught me true kindness and compassion, how find a reason to laugh when it’s difficult to find one, how to be a good wife (and one day, a mother), the important in teasing my hair, and the joy of making sure a Starbucks Barista knows me by name.

Mother’s Day may be special to her and all of the moms out there, but it’s special to me too because I certainly have the greatest one there is.

 

Happiest of Mother’s Day to all of the mama’s out there. I hope your day is filled with love and being surrounded by your favorite people!