Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Friday, October 2, 2026

It’s October!

How was your week? Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika to share…

Eddie Otis and I have had a quiet week. It’s been fall break for our district so we haven’t had the traffic noises and commotion around 8:30 and 3:20. We have been more leisurely on “our” playground since the kiddies are not using it. We’ve also walked at the high school since we can and EO has enjoyed some new sniffs. Our first walk of the day is off leash, and I just let EO tell me where he wants to head. Getting outside so early is good for both of us, to be honest.

On Wednesday morning, the light outside looked really cool so I said, “let’s go”! We went out a bit earlier than normal and were rewarded with a gorgeous sky!

Aren’t we lucky?

I read about “pet nat” wine in a book and then my friend mentioned it all in one week – last week – so I went about finding it – not easy. Petillant Naturel means it’s a naturally sparkling wine by the way they bottle it. I really liked it! I love bubbles and any cocktail that is “sparkling” like my personality. Just kidding!

The young kids would call this a “side quest” and it’s fun to have time to go on these now!

I got some new New Balance 471s for fall and I love them. They are nubby and comfy!

I have heard many women say they like Old Spice Fiji so I got some and love it, too! I think I once had the Fiji body wash? It doesn’t really give palm tree or coconut to my nose but it’s a pleasing light scent.

I got some new self-tanner and it has a nice light scent. I love a mousse but you have to use…

mitts! I am not looking to be super tan but just have a little bit of color as we go into fall. It gives a really nice bit of color, I think.

I needed new hairspray – I like one that I can comb or brush through easily and one that is not too stiff and found this in the clearance section at Kroger.

Like everything else, hairspray is so expensive now, so I was happy to get this deal! It smells very nice, too.

I’m trying to get more protein, and I have enjoyed my protein shake/instant coffee combo this week.

This is so good! It tastes like a melted vanilla milkshake. I used this in my proffee above and drank some alone.

I also made a really good egg casserole with Jimmy Dean turkey sausage crumbles.

Do you know this trick if you have an iPhone? I use it a lot. After choosing who you are texting at the top, you go down to the message space and hit “+” and it allows you to choose “send later”. I will schedule a text while I am thinking about it. Sometimes it’s too early/late and sometimes you know the person will be busy so it’s a great option. You can also schedule a birthday text for the future if you think you will forget. Isn’t that cool?

This always makes me think of my mom who would text my sisters and I all hours of the day and night. She would text while we were teaching or at 3 am. I would often wake to group texts from her. I miss that even though it annoyed me often. Sometimes the question was only for one of us, and we would get “stuck” in a group text. Lol. I was proud of how well she embraced new technology, though.

I used my dishwasher “delay” button for the first time this week – so easy! This is a reminder to me and to everyone to learn the technology you have at your fingertips!

I finished Emma M. Lion Volume 4 and I like seeing my cute little stack on the mantel.

I started this and it’s fun so far. It’s set in Canada and I often think when I watch shows or read books in Canada how different we are between the US and Canada.

Some other things to note this week…

My nephew Miles passed the ground school portion of his pilot’s license! He started the process back in January and has been working hard!

I loved receiving texts from two nieces this week, too. One was asking fashion advice, and one was asking how to talk to her parents about a small issue.

Sunbather:

Walking at mom’s old school:

Kinda gross but kinda pretty:

And I had a nice happy hour with a friend yesterday afternoon with a refreshing sangria…

We tried a ricotta focaccia…

and some fries that taste just like McDonald’s – lol.

Don’t forget Fashion Files on Tuesday!

Don’t forget that October’s Currently is next Wednesday! October’s Currently will be on Wednesday, October 7 and the prompts are: Falling for, Scaring (me), Working on, Loving, and Entertaining (me)

What were some of your favorites this week?

Amy

Thursday, October 1, 2026

How is it October? September was a full month of reading where I had to read inside in the AC for the better part of the month because this September was hot!

I really enjoyed The Shippers and the premise. I think you could read this any time of year. I think this would make a really cute Netflix movie.

Oh, gosh, this book was sad but I also liked it. How is that for a review? I love any book with a Paris setting so I am a sucker for “Paris” in a title.

This was cute! I have enjoyed all of Emily Giffin’s books.

I ordered this off of Amazon and while some might find the advice to be common sense or something they have heard before, I really enjoyed reading it. I read it the same week Dolly Parton died and I felt very empowered by this book and by my deep dive into Dollyisms. I also got to attend the book launch party. The author is the mom of Jack Harlow, rapper, but more importantly, Clay his brother and my former student and I got to see him and another former student.

I didn’t end up finishing this book because I knew where it was going. It was ok.

This book was cute and had its moments but it’s not one that will stand out.

STOP EVERYTHING! STOP SCROLLING!

These are the books I didn’t know I needed. Beth Brower wrote them in 2019 so I am not sure why all of a sudden I started seeing them on many different platforms. She is also the writer of The Queen’s Gambit which was made into a show and I watched the show without knowing it was first a book.

There are 8 volumes written in journal style by the main character Emma M. Lion. Emma is hilarious and a single lady in 1883 London. The ninth volume is set to come out in February. I don’t often buy books but I ordered the first four volumes off of Amazon and requested the rest from the library. I may have to break down and order more since they are on major waiting lists at my library, too. See their new popularity?

After reading three, I started worrying about going too fast so I read this cute book about a Korean matchmaking family. I really liked it and read it in about 3 days.

How did I miss this Fiona Ferris book? I ordered it to get ready for fall!

I can’t believe I have finally recorded my reading here. I still don’t have any sort of rating system but I will be excited to have an official count by end of year. I also plan to name my favorites. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and I have loved reading since I was a child. My mom would make fun of me not hearing anything else if my “nose was in a book”. I was the first to read in my kindergarten class and read “Go Dog Go” to my classmates. My favorite childhood series was The Boxcar Children.

If I had to say my favorites from the year right now I would say:

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

Calamity Club

Mad Mabel

This Book Made Me Think of You

Have you read any of the same books I read? Anything you are excited to read?

Amy

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

It’s Wednesday and time to link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. When you think of autumn what sounds come to mind? 

Leaf blowers! No, that’s just a little joke. The leaf blowing maniac next door doesn’t just blow in the fall. I love the sound of leaves crunching under my feet. I also love wet leaves if I have on my rainboots. The wet leaves can be “slicker than snot” as my dad used to say.

2.  Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy? What’s your favorite mountain? 

Yes, although I would probably choose a beach or a city. I have been to the smokies the most because of proximity to where I grew up and where I live now.

3. What’s something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill? 

Laundry even though I had my boys learn how to do it at a young age. I still felt responsible for the switching of loads and the folding and putting away or at least the management of it getting done. I had to nag. Now, laundry is an easy and enjoyable task, even. Tom does his own and I do my own and the house laundry. Tom helps with that if I need him to.

4. Let’s play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose. 

• pumpkin spice latte or chai latte – I love both and they both feel very “fall” to me. I usually pick PSL
• apple cider or hot chocolate   – I love both but hot chocolate
• stew or chili – I love both but chili
• sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole – Sweet potato if there are no nuts but I love both
• butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup– Butternut squash soup
• cranberry sauce or gravy – I am not really a fan of either. Cranberries taste pretty bitter to me and I like my mashed potatoes naked, thank you very much

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two. 

It was a hot September and at times hard with Mason gone and not being able to celebrate my twins’ birthday, but we got away for one night for a music festival and I had some fun times with Tom and friends. Mason moved to Santa Fe for grad school on August 24th, for reference.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have really enjoyed my fall decor since September 1! I went ahead and added Halloween specific things, but I don’t have much of that anymore.

You can really go crazy on decor but I kept new purchases this year to just a couple of things from the Target Dollar Spot.

I added one mum (so far) and two pumpkins, also:

I have a fall bow on the front door and a pumpkin yard flag.

I was listening to a podcast that was talking about how much spending people do for Halloween, specifically at the Halloween pop up stores. They also mentioned that some of the decor is AI generated! I had no idea, but that makes sense.

What would you say to any of the topics today?

Amy

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

This past week has been fun! Link up with Marsha and I if you also have a post today! It’s been fun because Marsha did a cute little comparison of Halara jeans and Cicy Bell jean-like pants and because I got to wear some early fall clothing! Woohoo!

I’m not sure if this is very flattering – should have tucked the shirt in to some degree but last Tuesday the weather changed from summer to fall in perfect timing with the first official day of fall and I wore my Halara barrel, Old Navy pumpkin tee, and Old Navy cardigan wtih my Adidas Sambas.

The next day we were going to a concert and I tried this on but then at the last minute remembered my new crochet long cardigan…

I wore my charcoal Halaras, Dansko Mary Janes, white J.Crew Factory blouse, and the boutique cardigan I found a month or so ago. The floral blouse above is a boutique brand blouse that I got last winter, I believe.

I wore this to Friday happy hour. It’s my consignment sleeveless sweater with a tank under, my Halara straight legs (I think this would have looked better with wide leg, maybe), my Kork Ease sandals and my new Amazon necklace. I already had the bracelet which worked well with it. The necklace was a rec from Jen.

Here is a little Cicy Bell story. I ordered a shirt that made me look like a security guard and contacted Cicy and said I wanted to return it. They said just keep it but gave me a $40 credit. Now, that’s some customer service. I chose this brown polka dot cardigan with my credit and had to pay about $25 more. Now, do I think it is worth $65 for the quality? Probably not. I am happy to have it, though, and again, A+ for customer service.

The sweater is pretty thick and warm so it will be a bit before I can actually wear it and I might have to wear it to outside events only. Lol. Or it could be like a jacket. Cicy Bell is also available on Amazon, by the way.

I’m not really a J.Jill shopper but I have been in the past. I have three pairs of capri leggings – remember wearing them with kimonos as I did? That was my jam for a bit. The material is just perfect for a wearing out legging. They are not athletic type leggings and they have no pockets. I think the pima cotton is what makes them perfect to me. So, I ordered a pair of black full length that I envision wearing like this and with a crisp white button down and flats. I ordered them in petite length and I love when I have that option.

I bought these Birkenstock lookalikes at TJ Maxx last fall. I can’t remember who told me this trick but you wear Pilates sticky socks with them and they stay on better.

I did something fun with my capsule of late summer/early fall clothing in my closet. I took a “brand inventory” to share with you. These do not include work out wear, pajamas, or home clothing – just things I would actually style for outfits to wear outside my house.

Halara: 9 – I have light wide legged, medium wide legged, another medium wash wide legged, charcoal wide legged (seen above), stripe down the side wide legged, light straight legged (seen above), dark green barrel (seen above), dark green wide legged track pants, dark pair that button and zip. All of the others are elastic waist.

J.Crew Factory – online and in store: 5 – I have ordered online and I also go in the store next to my Trader Joe’s sometimes and find something on the clearance rack.

Old Navy: 7

Target: 7

Boutique brands – Umgee, Entro from my local boutiques: 5

TJ Maxx: 5

Consignment: 2

Amazon: 2 – both are cardigans – black scallop and red

Are you surprised at my inventory? What would be your highest number if you did this?

I am so impressed with how the Halara jeans wash and hold up and how comfortable they are. I noticed they now offer a heavier weight or some sort of lining for colder weather, but for the perimenopausal/women out there, the weight is perfect to not get too hot. I did notice after wearing the light straight leg that I had scraped the back:

I must have scraped the jeans on a chair I was sitting on outside or something. If you want to try Halara, I would do a medium wash wide leg pull on. They are super flattering and I think the elastic waist (pajama jean) is what they are known for.

Link up here!

Amy

Monday, September 28, 2026

How was your weekend? Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly to share!

The star of the weekend show around here was the weather! Eddie and I started out the weekend with a gorgeous nature preserve walk…

We got some sun together after lunch…

Sunbather…

There was a rave going on at the school playground behind my house with a DJ all.day.long. It included lots of screaming to go along with Mr. DJ. I put in my air pods and used the noise cancelling feature and was happy as a clam. New trick!

I had a happy hour that afternoon with my friend Elizabeth at Captain’s Quarters and it was just perfect. I mean, it would be better if the water was blue rather than brown and if it was an ocean rather than a river, but we can’t get everything we want. I had a lemon berry fizz…

We ordered some green chili wontons which are kind of a thing around here and they are delish…

and some queso…

I went home and Tom had pad thai for dinner, but I was full. I watched this movie Friday night…

It was cute.

Saturday, I spent almost the whole day outside! I started with coffee in the morning…

and some seasonal reading material for the first weekend of fall!

EO calmly hung out with me on the patio while we waited for Lance, I mean Tom, to get back from his first ride of his new bike…

Then Tom took EO on a long walk while I did Kroger and some household chores and then we spent the rest of the day like this watching the UK game and then a couple of shows…

Lololol – True love!

We can use the patio again! We had our lunch out there and just had a really nice day. I did some reading, too, and finished this book by the end of the day yesterday. It was different and cute. I miss Emma M. Lion and am ready for volume 4!

We ordered pizza for dinner and watched Brothers with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

Yesterday I vacuumed, mopped, did laundry, and then Tom and I checked out a new international grocery. It was so crowded and the line to check out was so long, so we didn’t buy anything.

I spent some more time reading in my happy place. We would’ve boated but the river is messed up again – high and full of debris from rains and storms that flow down to our area. We haven’t had much rain lately here.

Our temps were in the 70s all weekend long and I think that is my sweet spot! You can wear shorts or pants and you need a sweatshirt in the mornings and evenings! Ahhhh!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, September 25, 2026

How was your week? Mine was good! It was pretty crazy at the start of the week because Monday felt like summer and then – boom – Tuesday, the official start of fall, called for a cardigan! I celebrated by wearing my pumpkin t-shirt with it!

As usual, I have a bunch of random (usually little) favorites. I hope my favorites help you look at the little things in your life and feel happy, too. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika today, per usual.

Let’s go back to Sunday first at Tom’s side of the family gathering. There was a beautiful pool and it was so sticky hot. I got in – alone. I have no regrets. We had to get on the road back to Eddie Otis and Tom commented, “You didn’t stay in the pool for long” and I said that I had zero regrets. I cooled down and was happy on the ride home. I think I would have regretted NOT getting in! Would you have gotten in alone? Disclaimer to say that the hostess told us to bring our suits and I was invited to use the pool!

I am so thankful that this wasn’t a catastrophe. On the way to the family gathering, a car in front of us swerved and we didn’t know why. We were unfortunately unable to swerve in time to avoid hitting this rotor hub that had flown off of a truck ahead of the car. It made the loudest noise but we kept driving and Tom got under the car when we got home, and it must have just bounced up on the undercarriage of the car and didn’t appear to do any damage.

This is what it looked like:

So scary!

The new short Costco Hunter boots are great! I’m so happy to have new boots that keep my feet dry!

I had tall Hunter boots that lasted about 10 years. I finally donated them. I know this brand (unless they have gone to cheaper materials) lasts.

Eddie Otis and I did a new walk for him that included this pretty water feature:

He looks so wistful and longing but I think he is just being cautious before he gets out.

I visited a boutique that moved into a new space this week. It had lots of great stuff! Shop local!

I tried the “viral” Starbuck’s grilled cheese for myself this week. It’s really about method. Did you know that grated (freshly grated by you) cheese is the way to go? You mix your cheese with butter and garlic powder and then spread it on the inside of your sandwich and then grill. It was really good!

Ah, Emma M. Lion and I have been really close this week. It’s just delightful.

I am enjoying using my Anthropologie mug from last year! It’s so cute!

This is kind of silly and not the best for the environment, but I ordered some plastic cups with lids and straws and some tiny condiment containers. I have enjoyed using them this week for my iced coffees and electrolytes and the little cups for hummus for Tom or as you see here a few chocolate chips for him.

I don’t really care about sports. I said it. This year, I am actually enjoying watching University of Kentucky football games with Tom. I’m reading at the same time but I like this time together. There is a new young coach and he is infusing a lot of new energy so that’s fun.

Also, his mom has a cake business called “Sissy Cakes”. Her cakes were sold at my Paul’s Fruit Market and I met her at a Christmas fair last year (before he was announced to be the new coach) but now she has gotten so popular because of her son (and because the cakes are really good, but her son brought a lot of publicity) that she only sells from her own storefront now. So, that’s kind of fun! They are super moist (sorry!) bundt cakes. They come in lots of sizes.

So, maybe we shall eat the coach’s mom’s cake during the games? Heather dropped off a couple of pieces of the orange juice flavor that she had leftover from an event and I kept telling Tom to eat “Will Stein’s mom’s cake”.

I bought a mum! Eddie Otis sniffed it and then look dubious about whether his mom will keep it alive.

I am so charmed by the pumpkins with acne. They are called “knucklehead” apparently and I don’t think that’s very nice. I bought one and a white one.

Look at these weird guys – they look like they have leprosy. They are kind of cool. I didn’t get their name.

I love stalks of corn. They remind me of my Indiana roots.

Ok, I don’t want this to become a problem but hear me out…the Diet Dr. Pepper in the football can is really crispy. The plastic bottle I bought last week was meh. I have been craving a soft drink a bit and I don’t want to get in the habit. I can buy just one at Paul’s Fruit Market, a fave little market by my house.

Tom and I had a rare weeknight out to see a jazz trio. Tom originally wanted to take the whole family but Mason would be in Santa Fe and Jack works late and closes on Wednesdays so that was a little sad but we enjoyed it just the two of us.

Not sure they will stay here but they made me happy:

And I wanted to announce that it’s now been a year of “Scandinavian sleeping”. We each have our own duvet with comforter inside. It looks a bit odd but we love the complete control and ownership this arrangement has allowed! We really have glädje and lagom!

This has been a weird Friday Favorites but do you expect anything different from me?

I want to remind you to join in for Fashion Files on Tuesday and that Currently is coming up soon, too: October’s Currently will be on Wednesday, October 7 and the prompts are: Falling for, Scaring (me), Working on, Loving, and Entertaining (me).

What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Ah, fall! We just love it so much, don’t we? Let’s not think of what’s coming and try to live in the moment. What’s coming, you ask? WINTER!

I am going to use some photos from past seasons in this post, fyi.

Here are some things I hope to do this season…

Decorate for fall! Buy real or faux mums and pumpkins for porch. Decorate fall in general September 1 and add Halloween October 1 and Thanksgiving November 1.

Eat on patios now that it’s tolerable again

Enjoy apple flavors in September

Enjoy pumpkin flavors in October

Use solo stove on porch

Watch tv on porch

Entertain on porch

Play mah jong

Read some fall themed books

Watch some fall themed shows/movies

Make soup and try some new soup recipes

Make my first batch of chili

Do some hiking

Bake bread

Make some new recipes – I really enjoyed learning a bunch of new German recipes last year. Tom and I took a German cooking class, bought a German cookbook from our old German restaurant no longer in business and we really embraced the whole German theme! I haven’t decided what kind of recipes to try this year

Take lots of fall photos

Clean out and organize fall clothing

Go to fall events

Go to the pumpkin chunkin’ event/fundraiser

Make a German meal for Oktoberfest

Experiment with fall flavored coffee/cocktails

Make apple cider sangria

Fall leaf peeping on the boat

Celebrate besties’ birthdays – first bestie is September, second is October, and then mine is November

Celebrate my birthday

Celebrate Thanksgiving

What about you? What is on your fall list? Do you make one?

Amy

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for Hodgepodge with Joyce!

1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live?What’s something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall? 

*If you’re answering today from the southern hemisphere feel free to sub spring for the word fall. 

It is starting to feel like fall is in the air. I noticed some leaves starting to fall a couple of weeks ago amidst the crazy September heat we had. We have had a few mornings where you can feel the hint of fall. Ahhhhh! September and October are super crazy in the world of education so last year, my first year of retirement, was a real treat. It was nice to feel like I got to enjoy fall! I enjoyed reading outside, walking more, and just stopping to smell the pumpkins – lol.

2. What’s a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?

I think I would say dusting. I can get to the laundry, dishes, floors pretty well, but dusting always seems to be last.

3. What’s something you’re falling for lately? 

The Emma M. Lion series – omg! It’s what I needed. I don’t normally buy fiction books. I use my library. The last several books I’ve read have just been “mid” as the kids say. Well, I bought and started Volume 1 and I was so happy to have a book that was way more than “mid”. I proceeded to buy more in the series and request later books from the series from the library. Since I save so much money with my library, I am fine to buy some of these! I just want to savor them. Have you read her yet?

4.  Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year.  Are you a fan? What’s your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?  

I love pumpkin! I have not bought a PSL at Starbuck’s and I never even think about Starbuck’s anymore thanks to my Chobani creamers and my frother. I have already had Chobani pumpkin spice creamer this season and I am going to make some pumpkin bread or muffins soon. I would say pumpkin bread is my favorite. I love pumpkin pie, too. I usually just have one or two slices per year.

By the way, if you are starting to think about Christmas shopping, the plug in frother would be a great gift for a coffee lover in your life.

5.What’s something you wish would never change? Explain. 

Gosh, Joyce, what a tough question. I guess I would say good old-fashioned morals and values, etiquette, and how to treat people, and how to live.

I am not sure where many are getting this anymore and it appears that many aren’t. I am worried about this. As technology evolves, I feel like we are missing the new skills to navigate said technology in the “right” way and I feel that we’ve forgotten that many things haven’t changed. If you wouldn’t say something directly to someone, don’t say it on the internet. Is it ethical to use AI to do your homework? Does anyone even care about ethics? Does your good name mean anything? I used to get into these conversations with my students when it came up. I felt that I had a powerful platform and a responsibility to use it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Aren’t pumpkins and gourds beautiful? I really want to go crazy and buy a bunch and make a display. I would enjoy them on my back porch where I would see them the most.

What about you? How would you answer any of the questions this week?

Amy

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Well, it’s here – at least on the calendar! It is the first official day of fall as you are reading this. Last week here in Louisville, Ky we had a heat advisory, and it was so hot, muggy, and sticky on Sunday while we were at a primarily outdoor family gathering so I was done!

I’m hoping to show you some different outfits soon! I feel like I have been on repeat for the last several weeks, but that’s real life and I show you my real outfits – I swear!

Here are some ‘fits from the past week…

This consigment striped button up really needs a camisole underneath, but it was so hot that I went without. I can’t even remember where I went in it. I have on my side stripe Halaras so you’ve got the stripe on stripe.

To go see my former student’s baby, I put on this tee I bought at Old Navy for Valentine’s last year because it is cherries shaped like hearts. But I think you can enjoy cherries and hearts anytime, no? The shirt is a pale pink even though it looks white and I wore it with what have become my favorite athletic shorts – clearance Old Navy this season pink with red trim. I wish I could find more of them. They have a fun little flutter on the sides.

I wore this is meet my friend for happy hour – I have on last year’s purchase of Free People canvas mary janes, Halara light wide legged denim, and an embroidered blouse that was a TJ Maxx find in early summer this year.

I looked at my fall and winter stuff and went ahead and pulled out my fall graphic tees from Old Navy last year. I bought “Witching Hour” and one with tiny pumpkins and I wore both last week! I wore “Witching Hour” to run some Saturday mornings and then I changed into…

this dress for the celebration of life I attended Saturday afternoon with my friend for another friend’s husband. It is old Walmart Free Assembly and I wanted to wear it because it had pockets for my keys since I didn’t want to carry a bag. It was also super hot that day and this dress is made of a cool feeling fabric.

For the family gathering low country boil on Sunday I wore my Old Navy skort one last time since it’s pretty summery and the white Target blouse. I ended up changing to flip flops instead of these sandals.

I got a wild hair and decided to stop by Old Navy in person instead of placing an online order that I planned. I wanted this witch hat graphic tee. I didn’t realize it was part of the Disney collection and I am not a Disney Adult. I also didn’t realize it also had black cats and little orange and yellow doo dads. This is why shopping in person can definitely be better! It was only sale for $10.

I also grabbed this Summer Fridays t-shirt that was on sale. I think it was $8.49. I liked the light blue and thought it would look good under something.

And, I got this brown interesting shoulder tee for $7. I think I can wear it under a certain sweater I have and I am loving brown right now.

What can I say? I love a tee. The Old Navy graphic tees are cut for women and super soft. They aren’t fast fashion if I keep them for several years. I try to baby them and wash them on cold. I need to line dry them, too, I think.

What have you been wearing lately? Buying? Prepping for fall?

Join the party here!

Amy

Monday, September 21, 2026

How was your weekend? I’m linking up with Sarah and Holly to share about mine and my words will be brief because I am writing this much later than I normally do. You will see the difference between morning blogger Amy and evening blogger Amy. Some of you are thinking “finally she won’t be so wordy”.

Friday night we ate dinner at Mojito with our friends. When in Rome…you must order a mojito there. They are sooo good!

I got a grilled fish sandwich and left off most of the bread; it’s a lot!

It finally rained! Yay! It rained both Friday night and Saturday morning.

You guys – I am in a Emma M. Lion vortex and so happy about it. The wait list was too long at the library so I ordered it on Amazon. Then, I quickly ordered the next two volumes of the nine volume series. I believe the ninth comes out in February. They are written as journal entries and set in 1883. It’s a bit of a Bridgerton or Gilded Age vibe but the journal writer, Emma, is hilarious in her observations.

I made myself the most delicious breakfast burrito Saturday and browned the outside. I need to do that again!

Then, I took myself on a mission to get some food for the day and to get a graphic tee at Old Navy. I wanted the witches hat!

Then, I got dressed for a celebration of life and picked up my friend Victoria and we went together to our teaching friend’s husband’s service. We all taught together 26 years ago.

I was starving and stopped by our new Jersey Mike’s and that would be my late lunch and dinner it turned out!

I put some game day snacks/dinner together later for Tom but I couldn’t eat anything else.

We watched the UK game late because Tom was gone some of the afternoon, too.

And, Sunday morning I made Mix and Match Mama’s apple cobbler and it was a hit at the family event we took it to…

We drove about an hour and a half to Tom’s cousin’s house for a family get together.

Her house is gorgeous and overlooks Kentucky farmland and we had a low country boil…

Look how she prepped the pats of butter for the corn with the corn holders:

What a nice day!

And, look at this forecast…

I will take the rain for those temps!

I’m sorry for what I said when I was hot!

Amy