Cake and Coffee {Verismo Review}

I am back home for two weeks! 

I have some business I must attend to before returning to Texas to finish moving my Mom to GA.  While home, I wanted to take some time to catch up with my daughter Sara!

What better way then Cake and Coffee!

A few months ago I was contacted by Jessica at Staples wanting to know if I was interested in doing a product review on the Verismo coffee brewing system by Starbucks! 

I was given the complete system and coffee pods of my choice for the review.   I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are 100% my own.

I choose the champagne color and it is a bit more 'gold' then I realized but it still looks great in my kitchen.  It also comes in Black and Red.  I like that you can brew an Expresso to a Latte with this machine.  They have Milk Pods to make a nice foamy drink! 

Water tank holds enough to brew several cups of coffee.  I like how the Verismo has a cleansing cycle between cups.  

Pick youe Pod, drop in the slot and pull down the lever.  Pick the size brew and press a button!

Voila, an amazing cup of coffee!

Easy to use and attractive enough to put on a coffee bar or table at a breakfast!

Sara and I both choose Cafe Verona to drink with our yummy cake!

Coffee, Cake and a great visit with my daughter!

The Verismo was easy to use and the coffee is very good.  If you are a Starbucks addict then this is the system for you! 

Available at Staples with many coffee products to choose from. 

 I set the table with matching dessert plates and mugs.  It's good to be home! 

I'm joining

You're Gonna Love It

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Final TTF at The Thrifty Groove

It's True! 

No more Thrifty Things Friday!

Why you ask?

Diann and I have had so many changes in our lives the last few years and the last few months we have been struggling to give TTF the attention it deserves.  We both plan to continue blogging but just need to end the weekly commitment of TTF.

Thank you all for your participation over the years. 

This week I'm sharing a little thing from my past.  As I go through Mom's treasures I've found many that I will take home with me...but I also found a few of my own! 

I was a Girl Scout from Brownies through Senior Scouts when I graduated from High School.

For most of those years my Mom was by my side as my Girl Scout leader.  We made some amazing memories during those years.

In 1967 as they were taking the photos for the 1968 Girl Scout Calendar, I found myself lucky enough to be asked to one of the photo shoots.

Here is an article that was in the local paper about some girls from my area being in the calendar.

(Side view of girl with short hair is me)

I wish I could say I was in a big photo inside but

I did make the back cover and I'm really proud of that!  It was a fun experience for sure!

As you can tell my Mom was glad to point out which one was me!

One of the few small 'claims to fame' I've had in my life!   It was fun to come across the article and calendar while going through Mom's things!

I hope you will join Diann and I for one last

Thrifty Things Friday

Thanks Diann for letting me join you and for being such a great friend. 

Wishing you Joy,

Linda

Fabric and Books...Oh My!!

Editing down your home is not an easy chore.

We were doing pretty well until we entered the 

Sewing Room!

My Mom has been a sewer all her life and a Quilter for over 20 years.  She loves fabric and books and has a large collection of both.

Downsizing is not easy!

These are the books and magazines that Mom has collected over the years.  We have found a home for the books.  A quilting shop will take them and distribute them to Quilt Clubs in the area for their libraries.  Not sure what we will do with the magazines.  

We will be making boxes of fabric to donate to clubs that make quilts for Battered/Abused Women and Children, Breast Cancer Patients and Victims of Violence.  That will leave a lot of fabric and Mom will take some with her to Georgia.

These decisions are so hard for my Mom.

It is hard for me to watch her trying to make them.

Pushing her along but not too hard.  Time is running out and we have to do this....NOW!

I leave on Tuesday for a two week visit back home.  I have to get a new Driver's License, renew my car tags and see my family!  I'll return the end of May for the final packing, moving and driving to GA!

Thanks for all the positive comments and prayers!

Wishing You JOY,

Linda

Update From Mom's House

Mom and I are working so hard to figure out what she is taking to Georgia and get it packed.

We are both tired but keep at it every day!

I took some photos but seem to have lost them while trying to upload to my Chrome book.

Oh well....take my word for it, we are living in a mess!

Fun times back home with Tiger are shared with me via photos, phone calls and emails.

A new family tent had to be tested so a backyard campout was in order!

Tiger had his sleeping bag and

the mattress was for his Grand-Mum who was visiting (Blake's Mom)

Mama slept in the house because she had to work the next morning

 but came out to tuck Tiger in!

The night went well until early morning...

The birds woke Tiger up....they are so LOUD Daddy!

I was so glad Tiger had some time with his Grand-Mum Sandra.  She doesn't get to see him as often as I do and enjoyed her week long visit.  She emailed me and told me Tiger spoke about me a lot and misses me!  I miss him also.

So other then work work work not much is going on in my life! 

Linking up with You're Gonna Love It!

Wishing you Joy,

Linda

It's A Very Hoppy Easter

Mom and I are enjoying a beautiful and quiet Easter!  Corned Beef and cabbage on the menu and not a hard boiled egg in sight. 

While I'm away I think the bunnies have come out to play!  I put them in the cubbies the day before I got a call to come to Texas, so without any supervision, 

there is no telling what they are up too.

I was in such a hurry to leave I didn't even get photos, but these are some from years past!

They look so sweet and innocent in the cubbies

These little one's are party egg cups for sure!

I see some snuggles going on....

Of course this one didn't hear a thing

and this one wouldn't tell if he did

Oh well....guess I'll just have to let them enjoy the day!

I do wish I was there to hunt Easter eggs with Tiger

Here he is at one and enjoying his first real Easter!

Last year at two and hunting eggs! 

I hope I get a new photo later today.

I sure do miss this smiling face!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Linda