Friday Favorites (June 5, 2026)

 

Happy Friday Friends!  We made it!  Here are some big faves from our week...

Galatians 5:22-23

 

 

During my year long bible studies, some verses jump out at me more than others...I think timing has something to do with it...God wants to push me in one direction or another or slap me upside the head and tell me to get with it...to remember what I am here for...this one did just that this week... 

Galatians 5:22-23 is a well-known passage in the Bible where the Apostle Paul lists the nine visible attributes of a life lived in accordance with the Holy Spirit. These qualities—often referred to as the "Fruit of the Spirit"—are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

The 9 Fruit of the Spirit

Translates describe these characteristics as a natural overflow of a person's relationship with God, rather than a checklist of rules to follow: 

• Love: Choosing compassion, selflessness, and grace over hate.
• Joy: Experiencing inner gladness and hope that transcends difficult circumstances.
• Peace: Trusting God and resting calmly rather than living in constant anxiety.
• Patience: Controlling frustration and enduring difficult people or situations.
• Kindness: Treating others gently and helpfully, even when they do not deserve it.
• Goodness: Doing what is morally right and demonstrating integrity.
• Faithfulness: Remaining loyal, steadfast, and trustworthy in your commitments to God and others.
• Gentleness: Responding with humility and a mild spirit rather than pride.
• Self-Control: Not allowing your emotions, impulses, and fleshly temptations to dominate your life. 

Blue and Gold Night 

 

We were so thrilled that we got invited to Blue and Gold Night at WHS this week.  It meant that Diana won a scholarship!  We didn't know which one that she won but we were so excited to find out!  Our parents joined us for dinner then we showed them the big graduation video- there were many tears!  Then we peeled through her yearbook and took some pictures and headed up to the high school for the big ceremony.

 

 

 and we got to see...in print...her class superlative...Worst Driver...we are so proud...ha ha!!

 

 

 

We were so happy for Diana and so so proud of all of her hard work.

 

First, she won the Dr. Henry E. LaBranche scholarship which is awarded to a senior whose plan is to go into public education and who has demonstrated character and leadership while at WHS.  It honors Dr. LaBranche and his legacy to education.  He was a superintendent here for years and we were told that he was so happy that Diana was the recipient!

 

Then she won one of the WHS Jaguar Football/Cheer Scholarships awarded by the Windham Wolverines Organization and WHS.  Her friend Noah won the football one while she won the cheer one obviously :)  We were so happy for both of these kids!

 

Lastly, Diana won special recognition as an NH Scholar for her academics and involvement in the arts.

 

 Aftewards, she is pictured here with Mr. Bob Coole, from the Windham Endowment, who presented her with the Dr. LaBranche Scholarship

 

 and with Allison Hunt, President of Windham Cheer who presented her with the WHS Cheer Scholarship

Together with her pal Noah- the winners of the WHS Football and Cheer Scholarships with the Wolverines Board Members

 

and with Uncle Matt who was there for the occasion as well!

Auntie Cass was in the house too!  We just couldn't snap a pic fast enough!

It was a wonderful night that we will never forget!

 

 

More Senior Things

 

An Advent Calendar-Like Countdown from my friend Melissa.  Diana is having fun opening one window each day and collecting her prizes

 

 

Her Grad Cap is complete!  She got most of it done at her friend Lily's with besties then finished it up at home- it came out great!

 

 

Her Grad gifts from us are sentimental- The College Survival Guide filled with cash and gift cards when she has those different needs and wants.  The book, "Oh The Places You Will Go" Signed by her teachers from Kindergarten through Senior Year!  The final one is my fave, the book "For My Daughter With Love." It took me all year.  You follow the prompts on each page and give different bits of advice for different times in her life.  I added a picture to every page too.  She already dove into it- she was so appreciative- have never seen that much appreciation for her.  Reminded my girls that they get annoyed with all of my picture taking and documenting but they will always appreciate it in the end .

 

Friends...we are almost there...

 

 

Diana's Graduation Video

 

I will leave you with this...don't feel like you have to watch it...it is 44 minutes long but I am documenting it for us.  It was made by the lovely and talented Amber DiPrima who has been a part of Diana's journey from the beginning....it was so much work pulling the pictures and videos and keeping them in chronological order (Thank God for this blog!) and then choosing the songs...it was all worth it :)

 

 

 

That's a wrap!  I am off today and playing in a golf tournament...a good distraction for sure...hope to have some fun and get my steps in!  The rest of the weekend will be party planning and relaxing when we can.  Have a great one!

Currently: June 2026

 

Hi Friends!  Although a day late, due to Hodgepodge, I am joining Amy for her fun monthly linkup.  This month, we are talking what we are Enjoying, Wearing, Watching, Listening To and Buying...so here we go!

 

 

Enjoying

 

All of the extra family time as we enjoy the senior year and grad festivities...it started in the fall during football season and senior sunrise and continued all year into basketball season and senior games for both seasons, the senior trip to Aruba, Decision Day, and now all of our special moments and nights...Diana's grad video which we showed her on Tuesday night and gave her the sentimental gifts we have been working on...some for years.  Last night started the special awards night too which I will write about more tomorrow!  Soaking it all up!  

 

 

 

Wearing

 

 

 All the dresses for this very special grad season.  Last night was Blue and Gold Night and I put on a Lilly dress that has been in my closet for over 10 years and never fit!  Well friends...happy to report, I squeezed into it!

This coming Monday night is the Senior Sports Awards banquet and I am proud to say I will be throwing on another Lilly that has been in my closet for just as long and never fit until now- woohoo!

 

 

 

 

Watching

 

 

 Just started Palm Royale.  My friends told me I would love it because of Kristen Wigg AND because of all of the Lilly that she wears :)  So far, I am liking it...not loving it ;)  I think I am just preoccupied right now and really can't truly focus on a show.,

 

Listening To

 

Diana's Senior Playlist.  The girls and I drove around the other night and blasted the songs...even the sad ones...I think Diana is finally ok with facing reality...but she is having a tough time too...guess that means that she has been truly enjoying high school :)

 

 

 

Buying 

 

 

It has been a combination of grad party essentials and dorm room essentials- most from Amazon. 

The final things for the grad party have been syrups and pumps for a Dirty Soda Bar and Food Risers for our App Table.  Recent dorm room purchases have been multi-pronged outlets, a storage ottoman and a rug. 

 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 

Hi Friends!  I am joining Joyce once again for her fun weekly linkup...as always, she has some thought provoking and entertaining questions so let's get started...

 

 

1.What's something you find extremely difficult that most people would say is simple?

 

 

 Sewing?  Just not great at it.  Mrs. Mullen always had to fix Diana's pointe shoes after I sewed the ribbons and elastics on- ha!

 

 

 

 

2.  "And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies I  had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." 

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Does the season of summer make you feel this way? Elaborate. 

 

 

 

Yes it certainly does...summer has always been my favorite season...growing up it was about the pool and beach and time spent outside with friends...drinking from the hose in the yard...jumping through the sprinklers...roller skating in the neighborhood...riding bikes...a special visit to Canobie Lake Park...nowadays it means all of my favorite things...extra time with my girls...longer days...all the heat...more time spent outside...swimming...the beach...lake time...bring it all on! It reminds me of that song with the lyrics, "and just like that I'm Loving Life Again"... 

 

 

3. Pickles. Love 'em or no thank you? What's your favorite type of pickle? What's something you eat that definitely needs a pickle added?

 

 

 YES...love!  All about the dill...but have also just discovered these sweet and spicy pickle chips by Grillo's and I am in love...have been adding them to my meals over the last year for extra flavor- I think they are great in any kind of wrap or bowl actually!

 

 

4. Tis the season...do you know any June brides? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite movie wedding? 

 

 

 My cousin is getting married in June but we cannot make the wedding. Our next wedding will be Zach and Zoe's in October!  My favorite wedding movies are: "Father of The Bride", "My Best Friend's Wedding", "Wedding Date" and "Made Of Honor"...I am a Wedding Psycho...always have been...since I have been a little kid....I LOVE love and I LOVE weddings :)

 

 

 

5. June 1st is/was National Say Something Nice Day...say something nice here. 

 

Oh what a fun day!  Ok...

 

I am grateful for you Joyce AND this blogging community...what wonderful women I have met in this little corner of the world...they teach me how to be a better person all around! 

 

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

From a message I found online....these words hit deeply...so after I am gone...a note to my girls...

 

If tomorrow never came for me, here is what I'd want you to know.

 

You were the best part of my life.

 

I didn't always get everything right...but I loved you with my whole heart every single day.

 

You never had to earn my love. It was yours from the start.

 

And it always will be.

 

You are stronger thank you think you are.

 

Even on the days you doubt yourself.

 

Take up space.  Speak your mind.  And walk away from people who don't treat you right.

 

Be kind...but never let anyone mistake your kindness for weakness.

 

Walk in faith, not fear.  Know your worth.  Protect your peace.

 

And never forget how deeply you were loved by your Mama.

 

Always.