Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. What’s something recent that had you ‘tickled pink’? 

This isn’t recent but it came up in my Facebook memories this week. I was a teacher who liked colored paper and would even do colored paper for my quizzes. I asked him if I could take a photo and captioned it, “that awkward moment when your quiz matches your shoes”. I knew him really well and he was tickled, too.

I was tickled pink by the sun on Monday when I got out to go to the library and Trader Joe’s. We still had ice on the ground along with the snow, but the sun was powerful and it felt so good!

I was shocked to see hydrangeas – not that I know their season but it felt early. I saw several sweet treats, too, but only snapped pictures of most and resisted buying.

Look how pretty in pink my library stack turned out, too!

My sister Molly had flowers from my mom’s funeral pressed for Kate and I and herself. How beautiful did they turn out?

I am very easily “tickled pink” and I love the color pink!

2. A bed of roses, everything’s coming up roses, every rose has it’s thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns…which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

I guess I have rose-colored glasses on this week because I am uplifted by the weather forecast. I am so ready to have this stuff melt and see some green. I know that we still have more winter but a brief February reprieve would be nice. March can still be really cold but I love March!

I am going through all the months as a new retiree so it’s giving me education and information on how each month looks. I am trying to stop and smell the roses instead of rushing through all of my tasks like I have done for 31 years!

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

Acts of service – taking down the recycling and bringing it up, taking out the trash and recycling, shoveling off the steps. Anything I don’t have to ask for, really! And, then I am sure to say thank you.

I love Tom turning on the outdoor lights in the morning or the evening from his phone.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what’s your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine’s Day? 

Tom’s first Valentine’s gift to me was ski pants! We learned to ski together at 26 and 30 years old. Tom learned to snowboard and I learned to ski.

I like practical gifts or gifts that show someone listened to me or really thought about me. I just got some surprise new Apple Airpods from Tom so I don’t expect anything this year.

These are dangerous:

I bought them for a gift and sampled.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

“Love is a battlefield” – Pat Benatar

Haha – that is kind of a joke, but I do think you have to pick your battles and not think the grass is greener. Love is hard and love is a choice.

Tom came home from work looking like a Yellowstone extra this week.

“Cause all of me loves all of you – all your perfect imperfections.” – John Legend

I really like this because you have to take the whole package and even the imperfections can be endearing and beautiful.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I’m not a big Bad Bunny fan but my students really liked him – especially my students with Hispanic heritage. His song said “I should have taken more photos” referring to when he had the chance before things changed and he lost family or familiar places. I have very few photos of myself with my kids because I was the photographer! I don’t regret a single professional photo or a single Christmas card photo or all the photos I took and printed out.

In going through my mom’s things, she was just like me if not more extreme. We have so many photos! I gave her this professional and it just captures the joy of my twins when they were three. I love it!

So, take the photos! Get in the photos! I think that is one thing that blogging does help with. We have to take the photos! Take photos for other people at special events when you know they are busy and send them to them.

Amy

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

I saw this prompt and thought it would be so fun to do with Marsha. I just went with the first 10 things I could think of. I can’t wait to hear what other people say.

1.McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish sandwich – I would say I only have one a year but “it slaps” as the kids say. My Dad loved this, too. As a kid we only got McDonald’s on road trips, and we took a lot of road trips. It was always our go-to. My Dad was annoyed with Kate for having to wait on her “plain cheeseburger”. Lol.

2.Fun glassware – I have two hearts, one bows, and one lobster so far. I also love my hobnail glasses and my wineglasses that are more square looking. Drinks taste better in a pretty glass.

3.Scrolling on my phone – Sometimes it’s what I want to do. I do have a timer set on my phone and that helps. I love the funny Instagram reels especially. People are so creative. I like to share funny things with Tom, my sisters, and my friends.

4.Getting packages – It’s just so fun to get something, isn’t it? It’s like Christmas! I hate returns with a passion, though, so this is what helps me to not go overboard.

5.Tea/Gossip (as in “spill the tea”) – I like to think I am just interested in people. I am a student of human nature. I just really like to hear crazy stories. When anyone asks if I want to hear something I’m like – do you even know me? Of course I want to hear something! Now, with that said, I am a vault. If someone tells me to keep a secret, you better believe I will – unless it’s something that is unethical, of course.

6.Classic potato chips – No flavoring, no dip to dip it in, just a small bowl of regular potato chips. My Dad loved potato chips so much. I do this maybe once a month. My Dad was a big runner and ran from age 30 until he passed at 76. He didn’t eat red meat or drink hard liquor, but he did love his sweets and his chips.

7.Brunch – I love brunch food and a brunch mimosa. I usually am good for nothing the rest of the day – ha!

8. New shoes – I immediately put them on and stare at them. This goes back to childhood.

9. Creamer – I add it to my stand up frother and it’s just divine.

10. Reality TV – Again, I’m a student of human nature.

Can you relate to any of these? Tell me one thing you hate that you love!

Amy

Monday, February 9, 2026

First, I must correct myself – Bad Bunny is Puerto Rican/Boricuo and not Cuban. I knew that but had a glitch. A Cuban American student of mine was obsessed with him so that is how I made that mistake. I was going to make Cuban sliders for the Superbowl, but I made ham and swiss sliders. I’m sure you were quite worried about that! As a high school teacher, I had to know all the happenings that kids cared about but now I don’t have to!

Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly to share the weekend full of sporting events. Isn’t it fun to sit on the couch and eat chips while we watch our best athletes?

Friday morning walk…

This is snow with ice on top or ice with snow with more ice with more snow with more ice. All I know is that is it so difficult to walk in. I can walk on fresh ice snow or walk where Tom and I have made footprints. I feel like Tom, EO, and I are the only ones who have left footprints in a long time.

No wonder we are tired of it! I bet some of you live in areas with similar statistics.

I finished this and really enjoyed it. I have read two chick lit books from the Valentine’s shelf at the library, but they have both been deeper and had a message of moving forward. That is my favorite kind of read – chick lit romance that is well written but also leaves you with a message.

I started this next – the premise sounded fun to me. A woman realizes her high school ex is the next contestant on a Bachelor like show, and she reaches out to producers to try to get on the show.

Friday afternoon I had a happy hour with some of my former colleagues. One was unable to make it at the last minute but I enjoyed catching up with the other two. I just feel so far removed already! They have had some drama that makes me thankful not to be in the mix. We went to Mojito Tapas.

Anyway, it was nice catching up!

I had already made pasta sauce and boiled pasta for dinner. I thought this looked like Olympic rings.

And I made cacio e pepe with bucatini. It’s a very simple pasta and bucatini is like spaghetti with a hole in the middle.

I found both of the pastas at World Market and this Italian cola, too. It was good! See the parmesan on the bucatini? Guess who stole the remainder of my wedge of parmesan. It wasn’t Tom or Mason if you guessed one of them. It was Eddie Otis!

The opening ceremony highlighted elements of Italian culture and here you go – a chic Italian lady in a silk scarf!

I was happy to receive my new prescription sunglasses in the mail from Zenni Optical. I am pleased with both my regular glasses and these! If you are a glasses wearer and you don’t have prescription sunglasses, you need them. I wear mine in the winter, too.

I did it, y’all! I finished my book about the widow behind Veuve Clicquot (Widow Clicquot) and I was on the hunt to actually try the product. I have lived a sheltered life of little champagne, you see. I went in our Kroger Wine & Spirits (in Kentucky they can’t be in the grocery; they have to have their own store front) and they had a mini bottle on sale for $49 and this normal bottle on sale for $54 so what was a girl to do? I performed some “girl math” to justify buying the…

BIG BOTTLE! I tried it Saturday and it is good! I have a little thingy to keep it carbonated so I will savor it.

FYI – it was on the menu at the happy hour place I went to Wednesday for $140 a bottle – not sold by the glass.

Here are the recipes from Friday night:

Cacio e pepe – this is such a good pasta to me. It’s so simple and it’s just delicious.

Homemade mild italian sausage pasta sauce that went with the Olympic rings – I didn’t love the flavor of this pasta sauce that used a base of crushed tomatoes. It needed something else, I think. I did add tomato paste.

I made French fries this weekend with Yukon Gold potatoes. Here me out – they taste like McDonald’s with this type of potato. I just air fry and use Pam, a bit of olive oil, and Lawry’s. I made them a little too salty.

We had salmon and zucchini.

I also plan to use this recipe this week – probably tonight:

Bourbon chicken with broccoli and brown rice – yum!

Another meal idea that I used this week was – a bag of ceasar salad mix with the Bare Nuggets or cut up Bare filets on top.

I made a care package for some friends that had a family member pass and took it to them – Valentine’s candy, flowers, the Hawaiian ham and Swiss sliders, Chex Mix, plantain chips and guac, regular chips, and kale salad from a local market. I also made plenty of sliders for us for lunch on Sunday or whenever. It’s been a while since I made them.

They wanted me to come in so I did, and we chatted for a bit, and I think I made them laugh. My sister Kate recently delivered food to a sick husband of a co-worker. It was like a meal train from her work. She said she was invited in and she said yes. We talked about how important it is to take the food, not overthink the food, and go in if you are invited.

We didn’t go out to eat Saturday as has been our winter routine. We tried a couple of new Netflix shows and ate at home.

Now, to link up with the Share Our Lives gals here…

Since I’m old I did not grow up on tv bingeing and streaming services. I will say that there was nothing better than coming home to an empty house with TBS Saved by the Bell on at 3:35 and 4:05 and opening our weird snack drawer where I could find Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies and Little Debbie Starcrunch.

The most bingeworthy show is Gilmore Girls! My twins also love it and they love good acting, witty banter, and all the elements of filming and production that I don’t see. They both started high school on the video production track and then dropped it for other pursuits. They both have dabbled in acting so they appreciate these things. We watched all the other Amy Sherman Palladino shows, too. Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is one of hers.

New Girl is another that just makes me happy. I love so many of the characters. If you need a laugh and feel-good show, it’s good for that.

How I Met Your Mother – I was late to the game but it’s really good.

I guess you could say I sort of binged House Hunters. It used to be my “going to bed show”. I would end the day with at least one episode, but I usually only saw house number one. I had to re-watch the same episode night after night to find out which one the couple chose.

The Office, Friends, Seinfeld, and Parks and Rec would all be bingeable. I think they are only 22 minutes long without commercials.

Sex and the City was one that I had DVDs for! I didn’t have HBO, but I was given the DVDs when they came out and I remember watching those a lot.

Currently, I am re-watching Younger. It’s another going to bed show for me – it’s just soothing and I know the story already.

Yes, I know I shouldn’t watch tv before bed. I should read. Oh well.

I can’t wait to hear what others say and maybe I can discover a new to me show!

What did you do this weekend? I’m just having a hard time even leaving the house when it’s this cold. My weekend was mostly tv and reading, cleaning, and cooking.

Amy

Friday, February 6, 2026

This week just flew by for me! We still have snow and ice on the ground, but the temps got higher into the 30s and it helped everything. We got another snow on Tuesday afternoon, by the way. We had enough to keep the kids at home on Wednesday. I see 50s in the forecast for next week and I am giddy! I might wear shorts and lay in my recliner outside.

Thank you for linking up with Currently this week! Go back and read those if you have time on your hands this weekend. Also, I posted my January books, my February goals, and a silk scarf challenge for you!

I’d like to share the most random assortment of things today like I normally do!

Monday I was back to tutoring my Spanish student at Starbuck’s. I didn’t want to spend a ton or consume a ton of calories so I ordered the cutest little…

Solo espresso macchiato, single shot of espresso, extra hot with one sugar and a dash of cinnamon. I heard about this on IG. I get there early and order, so I am ready for my student. It’s going well. He wants to chat about his new car, his summer job, and things like that. I feel like we have connected. It’s hard because I don’t love the methodology his teacher uses but I am trying to keep the old boca shut. I brought him colorful index cards from Dollar Tree for him to make his flashcards. Old school, baby. It works.

Kristin said this is a good (her favorite?) brand of ice cream and I had never heard of it. Kroger carried it! It is delish! It’s very creamy but the calories really aren’t bad.

Ok, you guys… it has taken me a long time to actually listen to Jenn, but if you mix this and the Loreal Lumi glotion in your hand and put it on your face, it makes a nice light “foundation”. You also are getting a 30 spf.

The Lumi:

I am super picky about texture and things like that when it comes to makeup. This is a winning combination if you don’t want a heavy foundation.

You might know I have a lip product problem. I have a new favorite. If you are more of a lip balm person, this formula is so nice. It smells nice and it glides right on and isn’t too thick. I ordered mine but it’s at Sephora. It’s French. I ordered Mon Cheri. I want to order another color!

In the kitchen this week, I am trying to use up snow storm food and I ordered a small Kroger order on Monday to supplement. I had avocado toast for lunch – I use Dave’s killer bread. Yum! The key to mine is putting Everything But the Bagel seasoning atop your avocado.

I had to use up the last of the Chex Mix ingredients:

I made taco salad for dinner one night:

I made cod, zucchini, and potatoes mediterranean style one night – with baked feta.

In the reading department, I finished:

Loved it! It was deeper than the cover looks. This was such a fun premise of adult artists working at a arts summer camp!

Started this – it’s also deeper than it looks. It is set in Aruba – or part of it is set in Aruba – where I had my honeymoon!

I had a happy hour with a new-ish friend. It’s Tom’s boss’ wife (she and the boss are younger than Tom and I) and we are always friendly, but we have never done anything just us before. We ordered the goat cheese with strawberry jam – so good!

It was lovely! When I saw her at Tom’s work party she was saying since she works from home she never gets out and as a new empty nester she would like to. I said I’m up for happy hour and she said that would be great and to text her. I did and we made a plan. I often have to do the asking is what I’m saying. You can tell who enjoys your company and who doesn’t. If you are struggling with this, I want to encourage you to try. It’s really hard to make new friends as an adult.

Also, I sold my Hunter boots that I wasn’t wearing to a woman about my age on Facebook Marketplace. I met up with her in the Kroger parking lot this week and we chatted and she said we should get a coffee sometime. How funny is that?

Here is another story – I ran into a lady who lives in my neighborhood, was in my book club that went for about 3 years and then fizzled out, and who shares our same hair stylist. I said hello and we shared pleasantries and I said to let me know if she wanted to get coffee and she replied, “No thanks, I’m good”. Haha! This has been maybe 10 years ago now. So, there will be rejection! I think this is such a funny story because one could simply say, “Ok” and then always be busy. I kind of appreciate her honesty. You won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and they won’t be yours.

I did something new this week! I got my brows waxed and tinted. I needed a wax because they were just not shaped well and I was tired of trying to pluck. When I saw the place also offered tinting I asked if I could get a consult about it. The wax was $32 and the wax with tint was $54. I decided to do it and I’m so happy! I will not have to use as much brow product. It only took about 10 minutes and it should last for a couple of months and then I will see if I want/need it again. If you are local, I went to Clique Beauty. I saw Tricia who was wonderful. I used to get my brows waxed but hadn’t done it in years. Hair and pedicures are the only other beauty treatments I get – I used to get dip and gel nails, though. I have never had a facial(and it shows!).

Very bad photo:

Have you seen everyone making an AI photo? I don’t know how they did it, but I do have the ChatGPT app so I used that.

I asked it to make me a photo with things I love – cooking, reading, prosecco, and chocolate labs. Look at my scarf! I am trying to wear all of my scarves over the next week for my challenge! I am mad that AI didn’t polish my nails. How much does that look like Eddie Otis? I didn’t even give a photo of him. I only gave a headshot of myself.

Tell me a favorite of yours from the week!

Don’t forget that tonight is the Olympics opening ceremony. I am making pasta much like in my AI photo! I will probably make a sports bar type meal for Sunday’s Superbowl, but we are just staying at home. Or I could make Cuban food for Bad Bunny or as I called him in class “Conejo Malo”. Cuban slider sandwiches isn’t a bad idea, now, is it?

Cheers to the weekend,

Amy

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Hello! There is no more Fashion Files link up but alas I still want to talk about fashion one day a week and why not on a Thursday!

I got a text from a friend saying she would be in town with her son while he does a day of interviews and would I like to take her to my consignment shops? Um, heck yes! I plan to share that here next week. I will be looking to see what kind of silk scarves are available!

Let’s talk about silk scarves today. I have been seeing them everywhere! I am not talking about the wintery blanket scarves or anything knitted. Those are more for outerwear, in my opinion. It’s been funny seeing all the 2016 flashback photos with the giant blanket scarves, quilted vest, skinny jeans tucked into boots looks. Boy, did I love that look, but I don’t want to do it again – yet.

A silk scarf still can keep you warm, though. I’ve been surprised to find that out. The name of the game is covering all your skin. If you have any neck out, you can be quite cold. So, the silk scarf is chic and warm.

I got a new scarf last week:

I was going for birds and color and I think I got it! But, I do not understand size and dimensions so it is quite large. I decided to wear it like this on Saturday for some errands:

That evening, I changed into brown heeled boots and wore it to dinner.

Here is where I found that scarf. It’s from Amazon and it is very nice quality. It came beautifully packaged, too, and would make a nice gift.

Now, I am going to be challenging you to try a scarf over the next week at the end of my post, fyi, so get ready! If you don’t currently have one, you can get one for under $10 easily.

I have also purchased this scarf from Amazon about three years ago:

I couldn’t find the link but I bet you could find something similar.

A super easy way to incorporate a small silk scarf it to merely tie it to your handbag for some European chic. I bought this one mainly for that reason. I love the design and the blue and white.

Here are my other ones:

I bought this back in the fall:

I bought this at a Christmas fair. It has horses. It could go around a ponytail, be worn like a tie, or be put on a handbag.

This last one is really special. In March of 2000, Tom and I went to Germany for his first time back since he moved at age two! We took his mom, his sister, his niece, and his aunt, too. All the ladies received this scarf as a gift from the Germans (not all the Germans – just Tom’s family of Germans). The scarf says Tom’s mom’s hometown “Bremermaven” at the bottom and it depicts the sailing ships of the town since it’s a port on the North Sea.

Click here to see Amazon’s offerings. I wouldn’t overthink the pattern or what it’s going to match. I would just pick something that you find beautiful – like a work of art.

The easiest things to pair them with are a button up shirt or a crew neck sweater or tee in my opinion. You can top it with a cardigan or blazer if you want.

I think they can be great for the in-between seasons, too. When the calendar says spring but it feels like winter, a springy scarf can help make you feel more seasonally appropriate.

The silk feels great next to your skin, too. You can also spray a bit of perfume near your scarf and it will hold the scent for you.

I love the look of a scarf with a classic tan trench coat!

Those are both easy ties to achieve, but do play around in front of a mirror.

Love this – I like the pattern mixing:

Some other inspo:

Now, here’s your homework. I want you to notice if you see anyone wearing a scarf over the next week. See if you have any scarves you could try. Wear one over the next week. If you want me to share how you wore it, email me your photo or DM me your photo. amywscott0@gmail.com (THAT IS A ZERO AFTER MY NAME) or amscott2. If you send me a photo, I will assume I can use it on my blog. This is kind of the blind leading the blind as I am not an expert. I will be challenging myself to wear all my scarves! Do you think I can do it? Gotta go put on my scarf for the day!

Amy

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Thank you for joining me for Currently and I am also joining Joyce for Hodgepodge!

I know I will sound like a broken record in some of my responses, so sorry in advance!

Loving…

Fires, my pup, coffee, and more!

We are almost out of firewood! We are loving this opportunity for a cozy setting. We are only having a fire on Saturday or Sunday. Winter mood – activated.

Little Eddie Otis. He turns 2 this month! I had a Kroger pick up with him. I keep him in the back and have my Kroger guy put the groceries in front with me. EO tries to protect me from danger by barking.

We went in Feeder’s Supply after and got new treats and EO headed to the sale rack (just like mama) to pick out a new stuffie. He picked an octopus with Play-doh on his belly? I don’t get it, but we didn’t have an octopus.

Happy boy!

I tutor at Starbuck’s on Mondays but don’t want to spend a ton of money or calories. I tried this little baby coffee and it was great!

Baking/Cooking…

I am still obsessed with my sweet potato cubes. I actual like to peel and chop but you can buy them peeled and chopped already. Here you see my Pyrex egg mixture (microwave one egg, liquid egg whites, cottage cheese in a Pyrex dish with some Pam sprayed first) and some avocado. I ran out of Amylu chicken sausage.

I made (no baking involved) Rice Krispies for Tom to take to the office. Pro tip: Save your takeout containers that are the nicer ones for stuff like this.

I baked my Crescent Roll cinnamon rolls.

I am obsessed with this little recipe – no baking involved, either. Here is the recipe for no bake chocolate peanut butter bars. The graham cracker adds a really nice element. I keep these in the freezer.

Watching/Reading…

Tom and I finished:

Whoa!

I am reading a fun chick lit book and loving it! I am not sure why it’s been filling my cup but I really like the premise. Here are my January books. I wanted light-hearted next and I got it.

Planning…

for a time without all this snow? This is what my driveway looks like 9 days after the snow.

and what the yard looks like.

This is such a good dinner, if I do say so myself. I am already planning to make it again. I bought a bag of just lettuce and I made taco meat. I bought the little baby Doritos and Taco Bell taco sauce. It’s just a really good taco salad. I added sour cream, shredded cheddar, salsa, and avocado. You could add beans and corn.

I’m planning when to achieve my February goals that I posted yesterday.

Savoring…

the snow is pretty and it can be fun to walk in. I know it won’t last forever so I am trying to enjoy it.

I’m also trying to savor this time of relative quiet and coziness.

I’m savoring still having Mason live here. Man, I think it’s really going to hit me. He is a joy and a pleasure most of the time.

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th…on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What’s your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event? 

I am excited! I am especially excited to have it on during the day since I’m not working. I would have to say ice skating. My mom loved watching ice skating and we watched it with her growing up. We only had one tv in the house and my mom ruled it. Yes, I said my mom ruled it. My Dad did not sit around watching sports. He was not that kind of Dad. He was always doing something around the house and if he was sitting, he had a newspaper or a book.

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football’s championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us…what’s your superpower?

My superpower is guessing what time it is and coming really close. I also think I’m very observant and can pick up on things about people. I think I’m attuned to who can be trusted and who is a bad egg.

3. Are you a romantic? 

Yes and no. I’m pretty practical and a realist. I don’t know if this is relevant here, but I didn’t care that much about the details of my wedding. I was not a bridezilla. I couldn’t wait to be married and do the little daily things together.

I do think I romanticize the little thing in life a la Jenn. Go back and read her post yesterday if you missed it.

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what’s a dish you like that calls for one of these? 

I am kind of new to loving a small amount of blue cheese. I like a bit with wings with the celery and the hot sauce. I like that combo a lot. I also love a Cobb salad. I love feta and all things mediterranean. I tried to go get this whipped feta with honey from a local place but there was no parking so I am going to try that again soon.

5. What’s more important-doing what you love or loving what you do? 

This is a tough one, Joyce! I think doing what you love is more important than just doing something that earns the big bucks because if you are miserable, what’s the point? You spend so much of your life at work. You need to find a way to love or at least like what you do. Attitude and perspective is so important. I have seen people do jobs that I don’t think are appealing with a great attitude. Act the way you want to feel sometimes and it works, you know?

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Whew – I might be out of random thoughts! I’ve shared a lot here today!

I will share this. Did you know that in some parts of the country, people serve chili and cinnamon rolls at the same meal? I had that combo Sunday and it was so good! I ate my chili and then had a leftover cinnamon roll from breakfast for my dessert.

Do you do this? Would you?

What would you say to any of the prompts today?

Amy

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

I did pretty well with my January goals. I try to make these the fun goals in my life. I do have serious goals, as well, but these are about being intentional, seeking out fun, and making the most of my leisure time – for the most part.

I’ve also found that having them written down where I can see them helps. I can add or subtract as the month goes on. This doesn’t need to be a super militant exercise!

A couple of things I couldn’t do because they hadn’t happened yet, but overall I think I did well.

Continue to work on sleep and skin care

Buy fresh flowers weekly

Get a pedicure

Start self-tanning

Find new recipes/simplify meals

Re-read a Fiona Ferris book

Become someone who wears scarves – he, he – I just bought a gorgeous scarf!

Watch Olympics opening ceremony and do some kind of themed meal Friday, February 6

Make a fancy-ish V Day meal at home on Saturday, February 14

Go to a Galentine’s event

Make a Mardi Gras meal on Tuesday, February 17. I’m going to try gumbo and hush puppies

Take one of the library cooking classes with the February chef

Take V Day decor down February 15 and put up St. Pat’s Day

Plan a couple of happy hours with friends and compile a list of my fave winter hh places and deals they have and then go to those places

Coffee shop alone at least once

Movie alone

Lunch out alone

Plan a game night

Declutter like a beast

I know I will add more but that’s a good start!

Amy

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

I am merely going to list my books in the order in which they were read.

I don’t buy books as a general rule. I read only library books. I read only books with pages you have to turn. Why? When my Kindle died many years ago, I decided I missed turning pages and decided to go back to old school. I don’t re-read most books and don’t want the book clutter, so I don’t buy books. It makes my reading life easier, to be honest. When I see a book I want to read, I put in the request on my library app and when the book comes up for me, I’m happy.

I feel no guilt at not finishing a book. If I am not enjoying it, what’s the point? So, the books you will see here were all books I enjoyed.

I prefer historical fiction and chick lit or fiction that is well written. I don’t love anything too dark and I haven’t done many mysteries since Nancy Drew.

Under the Stars and The Champagne Letters were my favorites if I had to pick. I also really liked Flora Lea. But I also really liked Christmas with the Queen. See my dilemma? I liked them all!

Amy

Monday, February 2, 2026

And, just like that…it’s February! Did you like the Sex and the City reboot? I did not. My sister Kate did. What brought that up? It was called And Just Like That. I am linking up with Holly and Sarah to share my weekend.

I learned that I can’t show you a draft post on both Friday and Saturday’s posts. I tried to link the January books I read on both Friday and Saturday and it didn’t work because I only had it saved as a draft. So, tomorrow it will come in its own post!

I got amazing sleep finally on Thursday night. You know how when you are congested and you just don’t sleep soundly? I hadn’t slept well for four nights in a row and it was catching up with me. I woke up Friday morning feeling so much better. I had only been out in my car one time – on Wednesday – and I was ready to get out! It makes you appreciate the ease of getting out and about after having so much snow, you know? I’m happy to report that I am almost back to normal and I slept well the last three nights. A January goal was to get to bed earlier. I feel like if I miss my window I don’t sleep as well.

I lost my anniversary band in my closet or bedroom a week ago and Tom was convinced that it was in Eddie Otis’ belly. I didn’t think so. On Friday I thoroughly cleaned my closet floor and looked in each and every boot on the floor. Then, I started with shoes on the shelves.

It jumped into a clog! I sent this picture to Tom and he replied “toe ring”.

I hate losing things and I was so happy. Tom gave me that for our 10-year wedding anniversary and he is not a jewelry giver, so it was special!

I was jubilant as I got myself out of the house.

I got myself a peppermint tea with honey and it was so good. This is a local place and I like to support them.

I also noticed for the first time all the birds nests and birds that live in their signage. So cute! I talked to the drive thru employee about them and she said they love their birds. It’s not a great picture but there were a few nests and several birds.

I had a Kroger pick up. I went to Target to do an online return. I ordered some spring pants that didn’t work out and I was glad since I had already summed up my January fashion purchases! I was craving a Jimmy John’s sandwich and was tired of cooking. I get a “Little John” at Jimmy John’s and it’s the perfect size.

This was a total impulse purchase. OMG – dangerous. These are so good.

Target has so much stuff for Superbowl. They have aisles and aisles of snack foods in a separate area and then they have all these football themed items.

I thought these were adorable for V Day.

I didn’t buy any of them but I enjoyed looking. I only got a few food items that I needed – Kroger was still out of stock of several things from the winter storm including bananas!

I read my book off and on for a bit and napped a bit. Around 4:00 I knew I could finish it before dinner, and I had a small glass of prosecco with it. This book really picked up for me about halfway through and I ended up loving the story and the message.

I had purchased Bare brand chicken strips and decided to make a dinner of chicken biscuits, truffle fries (I have truffle oil from Trader Joe’s and put it on frozen fries), and a simple salad with homemade dressing. Blog reader Kim gave me the chicken biscuit idea! Tom was thrilled not to be asked what he wanted, to be at home for dinner after a long week for him, and he loved what I had made. I don’t mean this in a Tom is a jerk way. He really just wants me to decide. We watched another episode of His and Hers.

I did my nails. They won’t last all the way to V Day, but I still thought it would be fun to do this leftover heart set of nails:

Saturday the sky was full of more snow! Our road is still so bad!

I had lots of library books to return and needed something lighter to read next. I picked up a few books from the February romance shelf that they had set up.

I started this and it’s so cute! It’s what I needed! I love the premise – set at an arts summer camp in Minnesota and they have adult artists-in-residence mentors to the kids.

I will eat at home on Friday if I know I get to go out on Saturday! It was Mojito Tapas this weekend which never disappoints.

When in Rome…the original mojito:

pescadillo – little lightly fried fish with a really good aioli.

patatas bravas – brave little potatoes

I came home and did my baby foot peeling mask that my sister gave me for Christmas. It feels so weird. Hopefully I will molt in 7-10 days and have feet that could caress a baby.

I woke up to 1 degree on February 1. Oh, Mother Nature, you are so witty.

Please don’t bring the snow moon. We have seen her.

I self-tanned and it helps me to see a little color.

I cleaned, did dishes, did laundry, and piddled.

I still have some snowstorm food to cook so I made cinnamon rolls:

and I soaked beans over night for a pot of beans:

I went to a warehouse sale at a boutique nearby and didn’t buy anything.

I went to Paul’s Fruit Market for a couple of things and to CVS for a couple of things. CVS had really cute pickleball stuff if anyone needs a gift.

I ate chili for lunch:

And, we spent most of the afternoon in front of the fire being lazy.

I texted about 5 friends to make plans for the next couple of weeks, so I have some social things on my calendar to help me in the doldrums of winter. I tutor my Spanish student this week and I am taking lunch to Elizabeth one day, too. They haven’t posted the library cooking classes for February yet, but I will keep checking.

I will be posting my January books and my February goals tomorrow! It’s a two-fer day!

Don’t forget this Wednesday is Currently along with Hodgepodge. I will open up the link at 4:00 am EST. The prompts are loving, baking/cooking, watching/reading, planning, and savoring. Feel free to interpret those any way you like. I’m so excited for my second Currently! Send me any suggestions for March!

Our district has a two-hour delay today. Are you back to normal schedule? Tell me something you did this weekend!

Amy

Saturday, January 31, 2026

It’s time for “Share 4 Somethings” where we recap the month with Jenn.

Something I loved

My reading life! I used to hardly read at all in the winter! TV was my jam in the winter. I just completed book number 7 of January yesterday and I had a celebratory glass of…. prosecco. Not quite champagne. I also thought I would treat myself to Veuve Clicquot. I’ve never had it. Maybe soon? It is a true story that a widow ran the most prestigious champagne business in the region. “Veuve” means widow in French and Clicquot was her last name. “Viuda” is widow in Spanish and “Viudo” is widower. I had to teach my students the different between widow and widower and my hint was “Violet and Victor were widows and widowers” – “Vi” at the beginning?

Here are the 7 books I read in January – I have started my 2026 book blog post.

Fires (I typed “fries” first so I guess that is my subconscious saying I’m craving them) in my living room fireplace

Sunshine and some mild weather and watching snow come down when I had all my people in my house – that was a big surprise to have Jack come and spend the night and it was awesome. It was nice to have some mild weather and it was nice to have some true winter weather. Both things can be true.

Something that sustained me

Coffee and making my own creamer a few times – that hot cup of coffee in the winter – ahhhh

Sweet potato cubes roasted in the oven – obsessed with the avocado combo

Sweet texts and phone calls – I love when someone thinks of me. I got a sweet one yesterday that my niece wanted to show me her prom dress – already!

Something I’m carrying forward

The attitude of fun! I did a post on having fun and I really felt that a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders at the beginning of January. We sold my mom’s house right before Thanksgiving which was such a blessing. We didn’t want to be responsible for a vacant house through the winter. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I prepared for Christmas, so I was busy with that. Then, when that was over, I felt that I could plan for fun. Yes, you do have to plan for fun! Did you read my blog post? I like the above picture of myself because I can remember feeling happy. I was happy to be in a beautiful space with the sun shining and with friends.

Fiona Ferris books. Jenn talked about one she read this month. These are the only books I buy. I use the library exclusively for my reading, but these are books that I go back to because I find them so inspirational. This goes hand in hand with my fun goals. Fiona is a great role model for living your life to the fullest.

Something I’m making space for

All the feelings! This may not make sense to some but I’m still mourning my beloved career of 31 years. It brings me all the feelings. Many days I am so happy to not deal with the administrative bs, the emails, the meetings, the stress. I hardly cuss anymore and I attribute that to not being as stressed. When you are a teacher, it feels like more than a job. I am not saying that we should be revered and that we are special, but being a teacher is an encompassing. I absolutely feel that it was my calling and I loved so much of it. I was actually excited many days to get to my classroom and get things set up. I loved laughing with the kids and just the general banter. I loved coming up with ways to explain a concept or to help them remember vocabulary. At the same time, I also think it was the perfect time to close that chapter for a few different reasons.

We just had the one-year anniversary of the passing of my mom so that feels big. What does my family look like without either of my parents? We are figuring that out.

Mason is planning to move out next month albeit just here in town but that will be a big change. I will officially be an empty nester, and I will probably not have kids living with me again.

I’m sitting with my feelings and sometimes that can be uncomfortable. I also know it’s a privilege to have time to process them.

I honestly started 2026 feeling grateful, blessed, and lucky to have the life I have.

As a final note, I miss the feeling of helping people. I hope my little ol’ blog helps someone out there. That would fill my cup!

I didn’t plan to go so deep on a Saturday!

Amy