Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

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

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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

Friday, January 30, 2026

Well, what does it say that I can’t wait until next week when it will be in the 30 degree range again? It will feel practically balmy outside!

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from this snowed in week.

Like many of you we had snow last weekend and we were lucky that we got little to no ice. We didn’t lose power! We accumulated about 8 inches of snow. A favorite is that we tried the plastic over the back porch and back stairs and it worked. Those are relatively clear! Why have I not done this before?

I feel so bad for the Nashville area. We have had that kind of ice once and it is crazy what it can do.

I was glad I did laundry, took out trash and recycling, and did some things to make life easier pre-snow. I put gas in the car – you never know! I also bought paper plates and since we seem to eat more meals and snacks that was a big help, too!

Tom didn’t really change his routine so this week has felt a bit normal-ish.

Tom was the only one at the office on Monday and he loved it! They could have worked from home but he has all his stuff in his office and a four-wheel drive. Plus, Eddie Otis doesn’t understand WFH and would have tried to be in Tom’s lap.

Our schools have been out all week with a combo of traditional snow day and online days.

I guess I caught a cold while out gathering snow supplies. I made myself this little “couch basket” with some of my sick necessities. I guess having a cold when you are stuck at home anyway is as good as time as any. My couch basket was easier to keep away from EO, too. He will steal the remote. He will steal my Aquaphor and did.

I am using Aquaphor on my sore red nose from all the blowing, Vick’s Vapo Rub under the ol’ nostrils, my boom boom stick – love, my Neti Pot, and a small amount of ibuprofen. I am taking hot showers and drinking lots of water. I also have found that eye masks feel good on sinuses. So, my undereye area has never looked better. One of my January goals was to work on my skin care so this time without makeup has been good, too.

I am behind in replying to comments but thank you so much for your kind words about the one-year anniversary of my mom’s passing. Time is so weird. It feels like less time but also like more time has passed than just a year. We miss her so much. There are reminders of her everywhere in all of our houses since she was a big gift giver. I told someone that I use something she gave me every day.

I bought some German noodles at Fresh Market and made a chicken noodle soup. Boy did the noodles keep expanding. It actually really hit the spot.

It turned out more like chicken and noodles than a soup when it was all said and done but it was amazing. I used bone broth instead of regular broth so I guess I’m getting extra protein.

I also made Rice Krispies treats and I threw in more marshmallows and a few of the heart shaped ones, too. I sent most of these to work with Tom. I have to find ways to make him more social and palatable for his co-workers.

I am still obsessed with the sweet potato, sausage, egg combo.

I am so excited about this! Kristin and I have chatted a great deal about the Denver season of Love is Blind – Season 9. The memes were hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I am so excited about Ohio! My sister lives in Ohio and I have friends in Ohio and I’m from Indiana which is similar. I have a feeling Ohio will be really good.

Follow me at amscott2 on Instagram if you would like. I do have a Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa account and now that I’m not a teacher, I might change my amscott2 to C and C at the C? I don’t know. I just post things I think are funny or I show some things that aren’t on the blog and some things that do end up on the blog. I just have fun with my Instagram account and it’s a great way to connect with former students and my nieces.

I am reading this and enjoying it. Since I’m sick, I don’t feel like drinking champagne while reading. Oh well.

It has been so sunny! The sun really does help even when it’s this cold. Just feeling that sun through the car window was so nice on Wednesday.

I got in my car for the first time since Saturday and I found my missing egg bite. I didn’t remember eating one of them, but I couldn’t find it. Ha! I had two egg bites from Starbuck’s that I brought home, and I kept thinking “did I eat one already?” Glad to know I’m not crazy. Well, not for that reason.

Anyone want to see what a 5-day old egg bite looks like?

I went to TJ Maxx and Target in the same shopping center.

Piles of snow everywhere in the parking lot!

I got disposable coffee cups, bathroom cleaner,

light up tweezers, a blush stick, and a foundation that I had just heard about.

Target had so many Chobani creamers. I bought the birthday cake one.

I was laughing at the Paris Hilton creamer and…

the Harry Potter creamer.

Dolly Parton’s baking mixes have been pretty good and I saw she had freezer meals. I texted Tom to see if he wanted one (legitimately asking) and he said to get him the extra-large breast meal.

My hair has been looking so brassy – I think is the word. I am going to try to use purple shampoo every few days. I’m trying this:

I didn’t realize that when a blog moves to Substack they can’t do a link up but now that I think about it that makes sense. So, there is no more Thursday Fashion Files link up but I will probably still share on Thursdays what I have been wearing.

I ordered a springy scarf! I love it!

And, I ordered a new small wallet. I have been without a traditional wallet for years.

I want this happy meal! It’s at a steak house downtown. Especially since I am reading about the widow Cliquot champagne – don’t you think I need to go here? Actually, a happy meal sounds really good. I could make my own!

I thought this was hilarious! Thanks, Pat! I am pretty tired of cooking. The restaurants are going to be so full this weekend!

Currently is next Wednesday! Again, here are the prompts:

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!

Also, I’m not sure how I am going to share books but I want to be better about it and have them all in one place. I have started a “2026 books” post. If you click on the red font, it will show you the 7 books I read in January. My favorite was the Beatriz Williams book. I have them listed in the order in which I read them, and I am still debating a rating system like coffee cups. But, I don’t read books I don’t like. I put them down! So, I guess what I am saying is that I liked them all.

Tell me about your favorites this week!

Can you believe I got this long of a post out of being sick and snowed in all week?

Amy

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Well, there is not much in my Fashion Files this week so I would like to take this time to sum up my January fashion purchases as well. I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill.

It’s hard to look cute when it’s really cold. Well, Cameron Diaz in The Holiday is winter fashion goals, no? I can assure you that I didn’t look like that.

I have been wearing my Target A New Day long sleeve tees almost every day. I think I am on my third season of these. The material is great and I bought one in black, tan, coffee brown, and burgundy. I wish I had another black one because it gets worn the most and a white one, too.

Here I am in Halara jeans, the tan one, my new off white JoyLab for Target vest, and my tan Adidas Sambas:

Long sleeve tees are imperative for vests and for under sweaters.

I got dressed up in really cold temps for Tom’s work party. I wore new with tags consignment Chico’s pants. I am so glad I bought these this summer. a TJ Maxx sweater with sheer sleeves, and a sweater vest from a consignment store. The clutch makes the outfit. I love this clutch!

I knew back in the fall that black shoes were needed in my fall and winter wardrobe. I didn’t do anything about it until a couple of weeks before Tom’s work party.

I found these on Amazon:

I am wearing them in the above photo. The heel height is perfect.

And, I ordered these and they are perfect, too. I had these a couple of years ago but they were too big and I returned them. I never re-ordered them.

So, each cost under $50 and they were much needed. No regrets.

I am proud of myself for not doing too much “boredom shopping” in January. In the past I have always bought more winter clothes or shopped clearance racks. I went to a warehouse sale and bought zero items! That’s big for me! I have avoided looking at clearance and sale items online and I have avoided it in stores, too. I have bought things just because they are cheap and that has been a problem for me.

Do you think it’s wrong to be proud of yourself? I always feel a little guilty when I say I am proud of myself, but shouldn’t we be proud of ourselves sometimes?

Here is what I bought in January. You may be left thinking, “She should not be proud of herself!” He, he.

I got rid of most of my vests a season or two ago. They looked dated. They were either the 2016 quilted ones or too puffy a la Michelin Man.

This was a total impulse purchase that paid off. I walked in to Target to do a return or for one specific item and saw these JoyLab vests on a table with some gorgeous colors. I really like cream/off-white and could see myself wearing it so I got it. It wasn’t Target cheap. It was like $45! But, I am happy to say that I have worn it so many times in January!

I was looking at the Old Navy website for some reason and came across a pair of simple cotton leggings (not athletic) and that is what I wanted to wear with button ups. They were $10.

Thinking ahead to spring, I thought this blouse looked nice:

And, I wanted another simple lightweight white tee for under my crew neck sweaters.

Practical order, no?

A couple of weeks later I went in the ON store and bought two graphic tees for $8.49 each.

I liked this for spring under a cardigan, perhaps:

And, this one is actually light, light pink and has cherries shaped like hearts and bows. I thought it would be cute for V Day but could be worn for not just V Day.

I did make a couple of trips to consignment shops in January and I found this new with tags Urban Outfitters ballcap.

I ordered an Amazon Essentials navy sweater to match and have worn it both with the cap and without.

What do you think?

What about you?

Amy

Wednesday, January 28. 2026

It’s Wednesday and Hodgepodge with Joyce day in blogland.

Also, my mom passed away a year ago today. It’s hard to believe a year has gone by. I want to celebrate my parents on their birthdays rather than their death days, but I still think it’s important to reflect. My sisters and I decided we would do a TJ Maxx shopping trip to honor my mom and then share our hauls. My mom loved TJ Maxx so much and loved to buy and return things from there, too!

This is my view right now:

It would be prettier without the footprints and the recycling bin.

This is the ugly side of snow in the Kroger parking lot:

1. I live in the south so we’re pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you’re having today affect your mood in some way? 

It is winter so snow can be expected. I just feel like I got what I wanted this year and I’m done. Doesn’t Mother Nature know that I only needed snow days when I was a teacher? Ha!

I think we had about 8 inches and not much ice so that is the good news. But, when the temps are this cold the snow sticks around for way longer than I would like.

It absolutely affects my mood. I just want to hibernate, bake, snack, and not do much else.

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

I like all of the above foods. I do like cabbage in vegetable soup and cole slaw. I probably like cooked cabbage more than raw cabbage.

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children’s childhood? What’s a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? 

Oh yes! I was a child of the 80s! My sisters and I all had one. I didn’t get the one of my dreams, so I had to settle. My mom found me a boy named Samuel Alexander and I wanted a girl, so I added a bow to her/their short hair, put her/them in a dress, and changed her/their name to Samantha Alexandra.

4. Something you’ve spent a lot of time doing lately? 

Enjoying this fire. For years we didn’t make fires upstairs. We only made them downstairs in our basement with our gas log. Well, Eddie Otis is still not granted access to the downstairs and I prefer wood anyway. So, this has been a delight this season.

I keep making myself a hot drink – winter spice tea or hot chocolate with heart shaped marshmallows.

5. Somehow it’s the last week of January…sum up your month in just three sentences. 

Well, I have been trying to enjoy January – the longest and most unexciting month of the year in my opinion. “30 days have September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31 excepting February alone and leap year, blah, blah, and January which has 31,332 days and makes you feel every single one of them.”

Being retired has helped me. I have gotten to be out in the sun when it comes out since I’m not trapped in a school building from dark to almost dark.

Also, I have learned to be an indoor reader! For years, I could only read outside and that meant in summer, mainly. I got my neck light which helped a lot. I also can do do daytime reading indoors. Anyway, it’s a big deal for me.

My three sentences:

1. I cooked a lot; it was the month of microwave eggs, sweet potatoes, and avocado. I ate pretty healthy.

2. I was pretty social. I ate dinner out on Saturdays with Tom and had several coffee dates or happy hours with friends.

3. I read a lot. At the time of this post I am on my 7th book of January.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am pretty proud of not boredom shopping for clothing too much this month. In the past, that is what I did. I resisted a warehouse sale – even when they went to $5 and $10 racks! Don’t feel too bad for me because I still bought plenty. I bought a vest, two t-shirts, a blouse, two pairs of shoes, a baseball cap and a sweater. I think that sums it up! I guess I better hope that I don’t find anything at TJ Maxx!

What would you say to any of these topics today?

Amy

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

I started this post a couple of weeks ago but I wanted to insert that I really enjoyed my fires over this snowed in weekend. Tom has to open the flue but I can keep it going.

We tried the plastic trick and I’m pleased! We ran plastic from the back door down the steps and then Tom had to shovel off some of the snow but look how clean it kept this area! It always gets really icy so look at that!

Another thing I’m glad I did was buy paper plates. I don’t always have them on hand, but it was helpful to have them.

So, back to fun! I am talking genuine FUN. Can you remember? Hopefully it was over the holidays or since then and not that long ago. Maybe you have had fun snowed in?

As an adult do we even let ourselves have fun?

I had a sad to me conversation with a friend who doesn’t read my blog. I told her I was going to a one-hour, free cooking class on how to make pretzels. She said she doesn’t have time for things like that. One day she will have an hour but right now she doesn’t, she said. What made this statement crazy to me is that this friend doesn’t work outside the home and has one kid at home, but who drives.

My point is that fun has to be a choice sometimes. Sometimes I had to learn to do something more efficiently to make time for fun. Example – getting groceries delivered. If you have limited time is there something in your life that you could do more efficiently to free up your time?

It’s also funny to think about the fact that we as humans have more leisure time than any other humans that came before us. We aren’t spending time churning butter or washing our clothes on a washboard down by the creek. What is taking up our time?

Also, your fun is not my fun. My fun is not your fun.

I had fun at Tom’s work party. I really like the people he works with. I enjoy socializing with them once a year.

I had fun playing two games with my family over the holidays. I am trying to get my group of 6 friends to have a game night soon.

Have you stopped to consider what you think is fun recently? Many of us just keep swimming and grinding and we don’t think about our own fun. I think women are even more guilty of that than men. We play the role of cruise director for the fun of the rest of the family! Of course, there are seasons in your life where you won’t have as much time for fun.

Another point I want to make is that you don’t have to wait for a trip or a vacation to have fun. That would be sad if you only had fun on vacation.

A book that had a great impact on me came into my life when I was around 32 and had 2 year old twins. I was part of the MOMs – Moms of Multiples (Children – not shoes) group for a few years and met a friend named Lindy who also had twin boys! She started a book club via email within the MOMs group. We did a book study on The Artist’s Way.

I am not sure I even read the whole book/finished the book study but two things really stuck out to me.

She asked the question: what did you enjoy doing as a 9-year-old child? (I don’t know why 9 was the magic age). Do you still let yourself do those things?

9-year-old Amy loved school and playing school, writing and acting in skits, doing Chinese jump rope with friends, riding bikes, roller skating, reading, baking, exploring in the woods near her house, swimming, being outside – literally from sunup until sundown when she could, and going to the library and shopping. My fun with my sisters as we got older was reading funny Christmas newsletters and making up our own satirical version. We also had a really fun time putting together a red neck appetizer party for our family friends. We cut up Pop Tarts and put toothpicks in them and things like that. Weird kids.

Does this kind of sound like grown up Amy? I think it does! Chinese jump rope could be bad at this age, though. I’m not even sure how my friends and I got into this.

The author also encouraged us to take ourselves on “dates” to reconnect with that 9 year old self.

I don’t think people should wait for the weekend to have fun or wait until the summer to have fun if you have the choice.

This is also why The Happiness Project resonated with me.

Also, fun doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. One could argue that by having less money you might need to employ more creativity which can be fun.

How I have fun:

Making foods for myself or my people/trying new recipes

Laughing with someone in person or on the phone

Putting together outfits/reading about fashion trends

Reading

Sitting outside in the sunshine

Walking in nature

Going to interesting events, out to dinner, listening to live music, going to comedy shows

Exploring new places in my city or while traveling

Going to the movies or watching one at home

Being in or near water

Picking out and giving gifts

Playing with my dog

Going to dinner with my family, my husband, or friends

Going to happy hours and finding happy hour deals and good atmospheres

Helping people

I’m sure I could keep listing things, but you get the idea!

I want to leave you with a quote from my Dad. My Mom would rope him into many things like square dancing, bridge club, dinners out, etc. My Dad was fine with less interaction for sure. It sounds like Tom and I, right? I would often ask my Dad if he had fun at whatever thing he had just attended and he replied many times with, “FUN is a strong word. I wouldn’t go that far.”

Ok, I really want you to put something fun on your calendar. Or, make a fun bucket list. Let me know in the comments what you plan to do!

Amy