Last updated on May 5th, 2024 at 01:40 pm
I would love to say Happy Friday… but as I am eight hour time difference from eighty percent of my readers, it’s actually Thursday for me still. I am very excited for the weekend ahead as it’s 4th of July celebrations this Saturday and on Sunday my extended family is coming over for the kids’ joint circus birthday party. What a great last weekend for Mr P to spend in the USA before he returns to England on Monday. We will be so sad to say goodbye but I know the summer will fly by as fast as it did last year and we will be home again. We have a lot planned over the next two months for the kids to do too.
I will try to keep this post from becoming a novel but we have been so busy this past two weeks in the states. I really would love to share it all with you if only you and I both had the time. Here is a sneak peak at what we have been getting up to in America.
Read
On my way back from our weekend trip to Seattle I scooped up a few new books. Yes, real books and one goal I have (among many) this summer is to read a little each night. My parents house is perfect for this, in the evening. I have tucked into “The Book of Joan” a tribute written by Joan River’s daughter, Melissa. She is just as funny and witty as her mother. Each night, I slip into my parents’ hot tub with this view below of the river and read my book. I have to say I have never slept so good in my life. It’s the perfect way to whine down after running around all day in the heat after the kids.
Heard
I have been listening to country music on the radio everyday, the river running passed my window outside, the kids squealing in the pool and the birds chirping in the morning sun. There is nothing more beautiful sounding than all that. It’s been amazing being home.
Watched
For our wedding anniversary I surprised Mr P with a small flight over to Seattle from my parents as they live in a different state. It’s only a 45 minute flight so it’s easy to pop over for the weekend where I went to university and where all my friends are too. I had this brilliant plan to surprise him with his very first concert ever. I know, how can he go this long without ever going to one. I kept it a secret until the moment we were walking up to the venue. It’s the Seahawk’s field so it was impressive in itself. He was so surprised. We had the best short getaway weekend in the city. We saw friends, we had romantic dinner and stayed in two lovely hotels. It was the perfect “us” time. The concert was the best thing I have ‘watched’ in a very long time. I stood over six hours singing and dancing my heart out. It may have been butter melting hot but it was still amazing. Mr P really enjoyed Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean’s performance. Thank you country music.
Wore
I scooped this dress up in the sale at Zara one day randomly. I thought it would be a great dress for my summer trip to the USA as it’s very lightweight and flowing. The weather has been hitting over 100 degrees f here so it’s been worn a lot lately. I wore it last week to breakfast with my amazing ladies from Seattle. These girls have all been in my life for a very long time and I know I can always count on them no matter where I live in the world. I love you ladies!
With the weather being so hot, makeup can be frustrating. I have never been one to be able to go all natural. I suffer from really red blotching cheeks so if I am going for a light makeup day, I at least have to wear some kind of cover up. I have also always struggled with which one is best. My Mac cover which I use in the winter seems far too heavy in the heat. I have tried a few others that I didn’t like. I heard about Sheer Cover studio which is a mineral foundation. I am always looking for lightweight, easy to apply, maximum coverage and it sounds like this would be the perfect match for me. As I get older, I worry about sun damage and anti-ageing and sheer cover studio ticks all these boxes. It’s on my to do list for this summer to get a better routine for my skin and pay more attention with what I am using on it and not using on it. I am just like everyone else looking for flawless skin and have been looking into mineral makeup. Sheer cover studio can even be used on skin imperfections on your body, I like the sound of that. What do you think of mineral makeup?
Made
We have celebrated MM’s 2nd birthday this week. I was emotional, in denial and stunned at her growing up before my very eyes. She somewhere between the flight from the UK to the USA became the ultimate diva. She wore her Little & Fierce sunglasses all day, even while she blew her candles out. I couldn’t stop laughing at her digging into her yummy cake. She grabbed a fork when I wasn’t looking and just dug in and I had to just go with the flow. You can see more birthday fun here. The sun was blazing for the occasion. The cake was a simple vanilla single layered cake with sprinkles. Sometimes less is really more and MM sure thought so too.
And lastly…
We had an amazing family golf day out. Now, I never thought I would actually say that out loud. Mr P talked me into bringing the kids on the golf course with him for a round of nine holes. I said as long as we had a cart to drive in the heat, I was game. It’s hard to do family days out all day when there is such a heat wave on so I had to make sure the kids were in the shade in the cart. The kids loved driving around the cart, chasing Daddy down the fairway, literally and even hitting a putt or two. They really do look up to their Daddy so much and I humored them and even stole a putt myself. Sometimes it’s fun to be silly and just do something out of the normal family days out. While we can’t do this on major golf course it’s nice to be able to do it at my parents country golf club as it’s quiet and in the middle of nowhere. I think it has really sparked a love for golf in B now too. He would be great at golf with his ability to concentrate and his ocd of getting things just right in their place. Who knows it might be the start of a golf career.. or maybe not.. but I know Daddy was in heaven with how much he was into it.
We have a lot going on this weekend that we can’t wait to share. If LTM seems a little quiet this summer you can always catch me on Instagram and Twitter sharing all our day to day adventures.
Oh Jenny,… It looks like you’re having a fabulous time! That cake looks amazing! I’m a HUGE country music fan too… Very jel!! Enjoy every minute!xx
Thanks Claire. It’s amazing how good family and being home makes you feel. I was getting overwhelmed before I left with so much going on and it’s been great not having that feeling here. Glad to hear you are a country fan the concert was amazing.
Sounds like you guys have been having a lot of fun! That dress is lovely.
Happy birthday to MM, am loving her little bunches. Carry on having a wonderful trip lovely xx
Thank you Sian. We have had a brilliant first two weeks and its’ so good to be home relaxing around so much family. MM looks way too old at the moment I wonder where my baby went.
I love reading about your summers in America Jenny – it all looks and sounds so idyllic! I love that you and Mr P both went out of your comfort zones to experience each other’s loves – your country music and his golf – I think your relationship will be all the stronger for that. Xx
Thank you Sam. Glad you like it and all my holiday spamming. Oh I never thought of it that way but you are right we really did experience each other’s passions. I always think it’s a give and take 50/50 in a relationship that makes it work.
It looks like you are having such a fab time! It must be hard being so far away from home, but then maybe it makes you appreciate everything a bit more?! Each night in the hot tub?! That could be my kinda night 🙂 xx
Thank you Clare. It’s been amazing to be back home and relax. We really have made the most of our first two weeks here already. It’s very hard being so far away but like you said it makes you appreciate it a lot more indeed.
What a week Jenny! You guys look like you’re having the best time. Loving the hot tub view! xxx
Thanks hunny. We really are and its’ so good to be HOME. Oh yes, its great to jump in the hot tub every night as a special treat and just read or enjoy the view. I haven’t been this relaxed and chilled out in years. lol Definitely needed it.
Great Little Loves Jenny sounds like ye are having a great time! It’s so lovely you got to have a break with your husband and I’m very jealous of your nightly hit tub reading! Your little girls cake looks fab! Have a great week and Happy 4th xxxx
Thank you Triona…we are having a blast with hot weather and family all around us. The break was so needed to as we always seem to be so busy and don’t take time for just us. Thank you Happy 4th!
You are going to have an amazing summer. The view from your mom’s hot tub is stunning. I am rather envious 😉 x
Thank you Louisa. Oh yes the view is breath taking for sure I wish I would have been grateful of it when I was growing up here but you know teens what do they know about mother nature and her beauty.
What a lovely time it sounds like you’re having 🙂 that view from your reading spot is beautiful. Happy anniversary to you both and happy birthday to your little girl! Have a fun weekend xx
It’s always great to be home with family thank you so much. Reading spot is a spot I never want to leave ever again. Lots to celebrate these past two weeks thanks for the lovely comment.
Wow that view from the hot tub looks amazing and what a perfect way to relax in the evenings! Happy Birthday to MM. I can’t wait to read more about your trip! x
Thanks Jess it truly can’t be captured in photos its stunning. We floated the river today and it was amazing. So much to do here in the woods. 🙂
Oh I got as far as the book and the hot tub and the pretty view and just about turned completely green with envy – what a spot!! I’m so glad you’re all having a wonderful time!
Haha It was so dark when I took that photo so it was hard to not have it grainy but I had to share its such a stunning view and peaceful spot and I am loving being there winding down every evening. I really need to take life slower when I get back to the UK. I was so stressed out and overwhelmed with too much. Life shouldn’t be like that. Being here in the woods has made me see how busy I was then and I can’t keep going on like that. So I am enjoying that reality check too.
I am so happy that you are having the most amazing time!!! How gorgeous is where your parents live? It actually sounds like heaven. I can’t believe Mr P has never been to a concert before? Happy birthday to your little lady and have an amazing, amazing trip! xxxx
That’s so sweet to say thank you Esther. We really are having a great time with family. I love being home, but who doesn’t? My parents live in the middle of nowhere but its stunning for sure. Worth the 26 hours it takes to get here. lol I know how can a 36 year old never go been to a concert? I couldn’t believe it. He has now.
It sounds like you are having a perfect time back home – Happy birthday to MM! You are looking lovely as ever and it must have been so nice to have not only lovely time with Hubby but time with your good friends too! Have a wonderful July 4th weekend xx
It was amazing to have special weekend getaway with hubby as we have never left the kids both of us for a weekend before and it was long overdue for us time. Then its been amazing to be surrounded by so much family and be home. I haven’t felt this relaxed in years.
Wow your parents place sounds idyllic. Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time back home. Have a great 4th of July weekend x
Happy fourth of July to you too. Yes its truly amazing here in the mountains. Thank you.
You have the most perfect summer’s! Oh… what I wouldn’t give for a hot tub in the garden and a country music concert – though I’ve heard a rumour that Nashville might do a UK concert next year! Fingers crossed!
I wouldn’t argue with that ever. Its amazing being home with family and the lovely sunshine too. Oh the hot tub is blissful and the concert was a treat for sure. I am so grateful. Nashville concert in the UK oh yes please!!! I am there. Great rumor hope its true.
That view from your parent’s hot tub is just incredible Jenny- what a wonderful way to wind down in the evening. And I love that cake you made for MM, I think you definitely have to make us some treats to eat for our MADS fun in September. 😉 Hehe I could eat your treats all day long! xx
I think that sounds like an excellent plan darling. I love making treats. Just wish they wouldn’t melt on the way to London. lol Its a shame I don’t live closer although maybe we both would be fat then with my baking. lol Can’t wait for September.