Thursday, April 23, 2026

Tuesdays are my new Fashion Files Day so Thursday will be my random day going forward.

Today I thought we would talk food – grocery shopping, meal prepping, cooking, eating, and lots of other random and “deep” thoughts by Amy.

I have been making a dressing that involves apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, and just a smidge of dijon mustard. I add a little minced garlic, and some salt and pepper. I think I do about 1/4 cup of each of the first three items. I have been a little obsessed with this atop spring mix, pumpkin seeds, feta, hardboiled egg, and a piece of salmon or grilled chicken on top sometimes. My inspo was my amazing restaurant salad from a couple of weeks ago.

I love to make my dressings in a Mason jar or a Bonne Maman jam jar and shake it up really well. Tom complimented the dressing so that was good, too!

I made Greek Bowls this week. I made my chicken and Tzatziki sauce in the morning and cut up all my veg in the morning, too.

I sometimes get really lazy when 5:00 rolls around so doing some elements in the am really helps me.

This week I baked up a couple of baking potatoes for meals or to dice and cook and I also did a cookie sheet of sweet potato cubes.

I baked these to take to Mah Jong:

I don’t really have a set grocery day now.

I have so many grocery choices. I have a Kroger within walking distance. I have Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Publix, Fresh Market, and Whole Foods nearby. You name it and we have it. I have tried Walmart and just Walmart Neighborhood Market (just the food part of a Walmart) and Meijer. We also have a place called Paul’s Fruit Market that is fabulous for prepared foods, beautiful fruits and vegetables, gifts (love a foodie gift), and specialty things. We have a healthy store called Rainbow Blossom and I have gone there a few times recently.

I think I will always do a weekly pick up from Kroger since we use so many Kroger brand items, we get our fuel there and receive fuel points, and it’s just so convenient to our house.

I have been avoiding Trader Joe’s because I tend to buy impulse things and snacky things and not really meal things. I tracked all my spending including groceries in February and March. In April, I will just look at grocery and see how I did.

I have a new love….

Whole Foods! It’s in a horrible location – on our busiest street for retail shopping with a mall next to it – but if I go on a weekday morning it’s not bad at all.

I discovered their family meals:

My friend has been using these to take for meal trains. She said one family reported that the salmon, broccoli, sweet potato meal to be their favorite that anyone had brought.

I love their bags. They are great to save and reuse.

I bought one piece of salmon and one piece of chicken at the prepared food counter. They each provided two servings for Tom and I. This was to put on tops of the salad I’ve been making. Now, this isn’t practical for a large family but for the two of us it’s a great option.

I bought fresh pizza dough and made my own pizza. The center was too doughy so I think I should have used less of the dough so it would cook fully.

I love their sourdough bread since I’m a sourdough failure. Anyway, I am enjoying getting some odds and ends there. You pull up your Amazon app on your phone and there is an in store code for Prime members.

I made my own chicken for our Greek bowls using this method I really like. I almost always buy tenders for things like this since they cook up so fast. I pat dry the tenders with paper towels, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and for these I added Greek seasoning. I put them in a pan with some olive oil and cook on one side for maybe 5 minutes, on the other side for another 5, turn off heat and leave on the burner for a few, then move off the burner for a few, then let rest of cutting board and chop. I also include the juices if I’m storing it to use later.

I also bought fresh pita bread at Whole Foods and made my own pita chips. Tom loved them.

I did all this prep in the morning and it really helped me out on a day I had an obligation from 4:15-5:15.

Homemade tazatziki:

I try to take EO on some errands with me. He sits in the way back of my small SUV and can’t jump to the back seat or the front with me. He gets right in the vehicle and is pretty good. When I take him to do a Kroger pick up, the employee puts the groceries up front with me.

Look at that cute little head!

I try to reward him with a walk somewhere new after doing the errand with me.

I picked up this half loaf of Lewis cinnamon roll bread. It’s really good! This would be a great quick breakfast for your school kids.

Someone talked about chocolate Riesen candy on a podcast and it’s been on sale at Kroger. Tom and I are both enjoying these! Have you ever had one? It’s like dark chocolate on the outside and caramel in the middle. They are from Germany.

Final “Deep” Thoughts:

I love eggs and I still do my one egg, some egg white, and some cottage cheese mixture. I microwave it and add it to my chicken breakfast sausage, sweet potato cubes, and avocado many mornings. Sometimes I add a little parmesan or other cheese I have on hand.

Sometimes I make an egg sandwich or something different. I wake up hungry but just have coffee and water for the first hours that I’m awake.

I’m going to try this in lieu of my cottage cheese:

Sounds a little scary!

I try to eat breakfast around 10 and then I have a small lunch around 1. Lately I have been craving a half of a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato on the Whole Foods thinly sliced sourdough. Isn’t that weird? The good ol’ sandwich. We eat dinner around 6:30 and it’s just whatever I feel like. Tom tells me he just wants a meat and two veg and sometimes that’s kind of freeing.

I eat almost all of my meals at home. I rarely use a drive thru. I have been surprised that I haven’t gone out for breakfast or lunch more in my retirement.

I plate every meal even if it’s just me. I take the time to sit down. I don’t eat in my car. This is a luxury that I didn’t always have. I like to read my book while I eat lunch. Bonus points if I can sit outside.

I’m still getting used to cooking for two. We both will eat leftovers and sometimes we have two totally different things for dinner. Sometimes I buy too much – I forget that we will have leftovers or that there are only so many days in a week!

I tried the Whole Foods pick up and it was great!

I don’t do well with an overcrowded freezer or fridge. I can’t see what I have and I get a bit overwhelmed. That’s exactly how I feel about my closet!

Sometimes simple is the best – I have to remind myself of this when I try to make dinner too complicated.

The most expensive food is the food that gets thrown away – just heard this from Debt Free Mom on IG when she said buy a few more luxury food items if it helps you eat up your food at home.

Sometimes buying a little higher quality or more special food items keeps you from the drive thru or from using Door Dash I think.

We all have to learn to do what works for us in our current season. In the words of the great philosophers of our current times – “you do you, boo”.

Anything you want to talk about?

Amy

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

It’s Wednesday and that means Hodgepodge day with our host Joyce!

1. April 22nd is Earth Day…what’s the most ‘out of this world’ place on earth you’ve ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

Happy Earth Day! I guess I would have to say The Grand Canyon or Glacier National Park. The Bonneville Salt Flats was also cool. I felt like this question required something not man-made or built by man. Closer to home, I would say Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge, Clifty Falls State Park (in my hometown of Madison, Indiana), McCormick’s Creek State Park, Turkey Run State Park, Cumberland Falls State Park (you can see a moonbow if the conditions are right) – I love woods, rock formations, water trickling amongst rocks, moss, and have always loved and even craved being in nature since I was a small child.

Going off on a tangent…

Also, I think I have spent more time than the average bear at the Indiana State Parks. My Dad’s side of the family had a gathering at one once a year and my mom’s side had a weekend stay at one once a year because it was halfway-ish between where we lived and Michigan where they all lived. We did Potato Creek State Park, Fort Harrison, Pokagan State Park, and bounced around to different ones. The Michigan people say the Indiana State Parks are top notch if you are ever looking for a state park. By the way, Indiana is NOT all flat and cornfields. Click on the Clifty Falls link or the Turkey Run link. Look at me showing my Hoosier pride. I was born in Evansville, Indiana and grew up in Madison, Indiana as we moved there when I was five.

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

This one spoke to me since we are in the season of spring.

3. What’s the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

Putting your grocery cart in the cart corral. Seriously. That action or lack of action tells me everything I need to know about a person. If you are a lazy jerk, park next to the cart corral. Then, no one will know you are a lazy jerk.

One time, I watched a woman leave a cart next to her car and then it blew into her car as she was trying to pull out. I was smiling like a Cheshire cat. Karma!

4. What’s your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What’s the last thing you made using that tool? 

My coffeemaker! Coffee! I am still using a Cusinart drip coffee pot (hand me down from my SIL) for my morning coffee. After much “research” I have concluded that this is the most economical. I have a Nespresso that I haven’t used in a while. I don’t think it makes the coffee hot enough. I am happy not to buy pods.

I am currently making/mixing my own “half caff” and putting it in a large Mason jar. I just buy already ground coffee. The giant Folger’s is from Costco and the decaf is from Kroger.

And, my frother! I am not being dramatic when I say that my home coffee has totally taken away my desire for a coffee shop purchased coffee all because of my frother!

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I’m going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today’s – 

What is your greatest extravagance? 

Happy hour out probably. I love a crisp glass of wine in a perfect wine glass at a place with some aestethic appeal. I love a craft cocktail in a perfect glass at a place with a “vibe”.

This drink was called a “Gonzo” and was foamy and delicious from my event on Sunday:

St. Patrick’s Day drink:

Cheers!

Also, there are really creative mocktails on many happy hour menus these days. I usually one do one drink when I go to these places and chase it with lots of water. But, yes, this is an extravagance.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

All of my thoughts are random!

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Welcome! Today is the first week of the new Tuesday Fashion Files.

You can show one outfit you’ve worn or multiple outfits you’ve worn. You can talk about clothing, shoes, accessories, undergarments, swimwear, brands you stand by, thrifting, online shopping, in person shopping – whatever you want to talk about that involves fashion.

The credit goes to Marsha who will be hosting with me. She had the idea and approached Kellyann and Jill, former hosts.

The why: We all have to get dressed and we all should feel good about it! We don’t all have the same style but sharing what we’ve worn might inspire others. Even if you don’t consider yourself fashionable, you should consider linking up. Taking outfit pictures daily (or on the days I put an outfit on) has helped me to become a better dresser and shopper!

I would love to see some of my blogger friends link up who don’t normally talk fashion. Come on!

A little about me…

I just retired from my gig as a high school Spanish teacher. I had to get dressed five days a week and wear comfortable shoes. Now, I have more freedom in my footwear but still always want to be comfortable. I also still want to get dressed but I am finding that I wear more jeans outfits than ever before.

I love shoes! I recently ordered these Spanish espadrille wedges via TJ Maxx.com. Espadrilles are a classic and the wedge is very comfortable. I have not worn these out yet as they feel too summery for right now.

One idea I have is switching out my jeans for a denim skirt.

I purchased two last year from Walmart of all places!

Here is one:

I swear it’s longer than it looks in this photo. It does not look inappropriate on me!

And, this one:

I love the two tone of this one.

I can also wear my cut offs. I feel that the distressed looks a little too distressed at this point. I am in the market for a pair of non-distressed.

I love the look of cut offs with a blouse! It’s kind of unexpected. Here is me last year:

So, take any jeans outfit you’ve worn this spring and switch the jeans out for a skirt or shorts.

Saturday night I went out to dinner and wore this:

Husband is trying to get in the shot, I guess. I wore one of my four Old Navy blouses, Halara jeans with side stripe, and my gold kitten heels.

Sunday I wore another pair of Halaras, my beige Adidas Sambas, a white tee, and my Target crocheted sweater. I wore a small silk scarf, too.

I am going to Churchill Downs on the Tuesday of Derby week and had dress options, but wanted to look at my boutiques that carry Umgee, one of my favorite boutique brands.

I found this dress:

Here are my old options that I could wear, too…

I love this Walmart Scoop dress:

this Walmart Free Assembly dress (I went through a Walmart dress phase and they had some good ones!):

this boutique dress that I also have in hot pink in case the temps are a bit cooler:

The worst thing you can do at the track is to wear uncomfortable shoes. If it rains, ladies wear rainboots with their dresses, too.

Here is what I have ordered:

I have a love of gold or metallic shoes!

What have you been wearing lately? What are you in the market for this spring?

Click here to link up with us!

Amy

Monday, April 20, 2026

How is it the end of April? Is this life now? We get to the end of the month each month and I’m shocked? Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly for a weekend recap.

Let’s start with this dapper fellow on Thursday. Tom has been able to cut our other dogs’ nails but this one – nope. We have to take him to the professional. He has to see the groomer that deals with “behavior issues”. He is getting better each time he goes and this time he received a complimentary yellow tie.

Then, we had a reward field sniff. We’re out in the country in this photo. Just kidding – this field is across from our neighborhood. When people think Louisville is super urban or scary I tell them that my current living situation feels more small town than the small town where I grew up. I have everything I need really close by and I see someone I know everywhere I go.

Thursday afternoon I went to Heather’s to play mah jong with my other Heather. We have been playing with three instead of four and it works well.

Friday morning, I loved seeing all the bikes in the bike rack at the school behind our house.

I took myself to the library and Whole Foods. I went to Aldi a couple of weeks ago and it was not a great experience. I don’t like that you can’t buy just one onion or just one apple. I wasted some of the food I bought at Aldi which is the most expensive grocery of them all, no?

Whole Foods was the total opposite experience.

I even love their bags.

You show your Amazon Prime code at the checkout and the groceries at WF don’t seem expensive to me anymore – maybe because all groceries are expensive now?

I started this:

I bought a ball of pizza dough at WF and Tom and I had this pizza for dinner…

along with a salad that I made.

My Saturday alarm clock:

We got up and then he chilled…

Tom and Eddie left for their Saturday routine and I did a Target drive up and then went here:

Then we visited with my canine niece, human niece, and Tom’s sister at the boat store.

Then, I saw the pink snails. They are migrating to a Derby party and move every few days.

A little more if you are interested:

Pink Snail Migration Charity in Louisville

The Pink Snail Migration is a whimsical, traveling art installation in Louisville, Kentucky, that’s raising funds and awareness for the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program.

• Art & Movement: Thirty-five large, brightly colored pink snail sculptures are being moved over 35 miles from Woodland Farm in Goshen to 21C Museum Hotel in downtown Louisville Yahoo+1.
• Event: The snails will be special guests at Steve’s Derby Eve: A Darker Shade of Pink, hosted by Woodland Farm owners Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson WHAS11+1.
• Style: Created by Italian art group Cracking Art, the snails are part of a long tradition of colorful, oversized animal sculptures for the 21c art hotels Yahoo.

People are hunting for them and taking photos!

I shopped for a dress for Churchill Downs and swooned over the colorful fascinators. I feel like women wear more fascinators than hats these days. They are much more wearable to me. They have a base of a thin headband that is pretty comfortable.

Saturday was a rainy day, and it started getting colder and colder as the day went on. I ate lunch and read outside under my patio roof and you know what doesn’t happen on a rainy day? Leaf blowers, weed eaters, and mowers don’t run! Woohoo!

I do have a current social concern – girls (I think) who do blood curdling screams during play. Do you remember in the 70s/80s when parents taught you to never scream like that unless something was really wrong? That’s not a thing anymore. There are horror movie level screams coming from the playground all day long. Elementary teachers and parents of young girl children: weigh in. What is happening? I have broached this topic with both of my elementary teacher sisters.

And yes, I am a crotchedy old hag for talking about this.

We went to eat Mexican with Tom’s sister, our niece, her boyfriend, and some friends.

I got a fajita bowl:

Sunday morning was cold and my streak of starting the day outside ended in favor of a cozy blanket inside.

I cleaned all the floors in the house and got ready and went to a new to me coffee/wine/gift shop!

Mason happened to have lunch break and met me there and got his lunch paid for.

New bright green bike lanes in the area where I was:

Then, I headed to this event at Mason’s work. A new book shop is opening and they had a book swap and wine tasting. It was such a nice event!

Since I read all library books, I had to buy one. I bought one of my favorites of 2025:

I received this:

We got a tote bag and candle!

They had quite a spread:

My friend Beth met me and treated me to this fun drink:

We wandered around a bit before heading home.

We have some cooler temps coming:

Tell me the highlight of your weekend?

Don’t forget – our first new Fashion Files is tomorrow! Start small, but just start! Join in with us with one outfit or one hero piece of clothing!

Again, here is what Marsha and I are doing:

You can show one outfit you’ve worn or multiple outfits you’ve worn. You can talk about clothing, shoes, accessories, undergarments, swimwear, brands you stand by, thrifting, online shopping, in person shopping – whatever you want to talk about that involves fashion.

I have had a few comment that they aren’t fashionable and I say to that “pish posh”. Just show us what you’ve worn!

Amy

Friday, April 17, 2026

It’s already Friday and time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from the week!

The rhododendrons popped this week! There was nothing blooming on Monday and then suddenly on Wednesday this:

The azaleas have been showing off:

A cool thing about this week was that I started every morning with my coffee on the patio! I also read my devotional and did my blogging from here and it was a treat!

Eddie Otis was trying to figure out why my routine was different. I leave the back door cracked and let him choose where he wants to be.

Spring break was last week, and school was back in session this week. That meant we no longer had the playground behind our house to ourselves. It’s noisier again and traffic is heavier again. We just tried to walk earlier, and it was fine but one day the kids were already playing outside at 8:30!

Except…

Seriously? I cut off the “F” for you since my blog is rated G. Let’s use sidewalk chalk for good and not evil. I’m assuming this was an extracurricular activity and not done during the school day. Get those kids back on their Chromebooks! Just kidding!

I’m still loving my blue gel mani!

I got my first gel pedi and picked light yellow to be a little different. It works with my blue, too.

I finished:

It was a good mystery and I enjoyed it. It might have drug on a little too long but it was still good.

Then I started this:

It’s cute but dragging a bit. Do I say this about every book? Maybe.

I had tutoring this week:

I really have no motivation or inspiration to cook dinner since Easter.

I made BLTS, frozen fries, and a simple salad:

Mason came for dinner one night and he wanted Mediterranean so we picked this up:

It was so cute to see how happy Eddie Otis was:

I made bunless cheeseburgers one night with tons of veg that I had to cook before they went bad:

And I made chicken enchiladas with my own homemade sauce. I had to re-do the sauce because my first attempt had way too much chili powder. I think part of my issue is not feeling like cooking at 4:30 or 5. I need to figure out how to do prep in the mornings again.

When Mason was here he left his wallet so Eddie Otis and I met him in his new neighborhood and walked and then we treated him to a coffee and an empanada at a new coffee shop.

City dog:

He didn’t try to go after the bunny and the bunny was calm as could be:

Eddie Otis and I walked by the neighboring tennis center one day:

And, one day the neighbor’s ex-husband blew non-existent leaves, then mowed, then blew again. It was also a high wind day. Of course, it was gorgeous out and I was enjoying reading on my patio. I turned to my friend ChatGPT:

Bahahahaha! It’s not been too bad lately but he loves to pick the perfect time to annoy me.

Look at this!

I am back to my Dr. Teal’s! I use vitamin C in the am and lavender in the pm. I love both of these so much.

If I miss a product/buy a product again you know I love it. Why did I wait so long to re-stock?

I talked makeup this week and the comments are really helpful if you missed it! Click here!

So, what filled your cup this week?

Amy

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Exciting Announcement: The Fashion Files link up with be starting back up but on Tuesdays. We will start next Tuesday, April 21. I will open the link up at 4 am and keep it open until the following Monday at midnight. Gosh, I hope I don’t forget! Ha!

You can show one outfit you’ve worn or multiple outfits you’ve worn. You can talk about clothing, shoes, accessories, undergarments, swimwear, brands you stand by, thrifting, online shopping, in person shopping – whatever you want to talk about that involves fashion.

The credit goes to Marsha who will be hosting with me. She had the idea and approached Kellyann and Jill, former hosts. They were ok with the resurrection of the link up. Thanks, gals!

The why: We all have to get dressed and we all should feel good about it! We don’t all have the same style but sharing what we’ve worn might inspire others. Even if you don’t consider yourself fashionable, you should consider linking up. Taking outfit pictures daily (or on the days I put an outfit on) has helped me to become a better dresser and shopper!

I would love to see some of my blogger friends link up who don’t normally talk fashion. Come on!

My schedule will still be: Hello Monday, Wednesday Hodgepodge, and Friday Favorites. Now I will do Fashion Files on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my “wild card” day where I talk about whatever floats my boat that week.

After lots of outfits and going out last week, I don’t have as many outfits this week.

I am still trying to figure out my retirement wardrobe. So far that has meant more jeans and less pants. I have more freedom in my footwear!

I wore this last week for an early morning errand. You can’t see from the photo, but these are my Land’s End track pants. I sized down and should have sized down another. I wore my Adidas Sambas (I have gotten my money’s worth), an Old Navy plain white tee, and my Aerie white button up.

I wore this for mah jong on my patio followed by a casual pizza dinner out. I have on my straight leg Halaras, Kork-Ease sandals, and my Umgee yellow and green floral blouse.

This week I checked out two little boutiques and left empty handed. One wasn’t really my style and the other had mostly accessories. Yes, I love to shop, but I have definitely become a more discerning shopper!

I need to try on my dresses and my two fascinators. I have a peach fascinator and a white fascinator. I am going to Churchill Downs in a couple of weeks. I have a long sleeve dress option if it’s cooler out and some short sleeve options.

Churchill Downs in the 90s when we didn’t worry so much about headgear:

These are my Heather besties from college. I’m in the middle and I think I got my dress from Kohl’s. I loved the mod print of the dress.

I’m also choosing flat sandals for the day because comfort, you know?

Back to everyday wear, I am still loving my Old Navy blouses and it’s time to use my Old Navy cash on Sunday. I think I will order the green “set” like my magenta set and another blouse.

The magenta set:

This runs big. I sized down one in the shorts. I think I will size down in the hoodie with my next set.

I’m thinking about getting the peach version of this navy blouse:

I need to wear my new espadrille wedges from Spain (via TJ Maxx – lol!) but they do look a bit too summery for now maybe?

And I’m excited to carry my new farmer’s market bag:

I am a bit intrigued by the Old Navy Devil Wears Prada collab but I probably won’t get anything:

I still want gold flip flops, and I think I know what I will get. I’m loving jeans, blouse, metallic shoes. You can change up the jeans for jean shorts or a jean skirt. Easy. Done.

What have you been wearing lately?

Anything on your fashion wish list?

I hope you will link up in just four days time – next Tuesday, April 21. Just look at my amateur mirror photos. That’s about all I can manage!

Amy

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s the day to link up with Joyce!

1. Big week in the US of A…do you do your own taxes? What’s something you’ve found ‘taxing’ lately? 

This is the only year we haven’t done our own. Tom does them on Turbo Tax usually, but this year we offered to do my mom’s personal (she lived for 28 days in 2025) and her estate taxes to help my sisters out. It has been a bit taxing! I have had to make several phone calls and send several texts and emails with the accountant we hired. Glad to have that done!

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I love packing! First, I make sure everything is clean. Then, I won’t let myself wear what I think I am packing starting about a week before if it’s a big trip. I lay everything out on the guest bed that could be a possibility and then usually end up putting some things back. I try to pick a color scheme so that everything can be mixed and matched. I pack more tops than bottoms because you can re-wear bottoms. I think I can pack fairly lightly. I have learned that travel me doesn’t wear as much makeup or jewelry or want to fuss with it.

I have started packing a lightweight tote bag and this has been great to have. You can fold it up in your purse and use it if needed.

Here is me in Spain with my little cloth tote along with my crossbody bag – another must:

We are a carry on only family. Here we are waiting on the train to Barcelona. We do happen to have a Spanish guitar plus its case because we purchased it in Madrid.

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm…who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? 

Honestly, I have made too many grilled cheeses and I am over them! I hardly ever partook of them, but my boys loved them. Most recently we added fig jam with Havarti. Now, that being said, I love a croque monsieur on occasion.

4. There’s a well known quote that says-

‘A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it’s more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

I think growth is necessary but maybe it doesn’t need to be constant. Why can’t you have growth along with stability and peace?

5. Let’s wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips – I choose daffodils since they are usually the first sign that winter is over. We have them growing wild right outside our fence line and they make me happy.
• lemonade or iced tea – A couple of times a year I will order a non-sweet iced tea and put a little sweetener in myself. Sweet tea is too sweet for me. Lemonade works well in a cocktail but oftentimes straight up is too sweet for me, too.
• gardening or hiking – I wish I was a gardener but I’m just not. I love hiking and being one with nature. I used to do it a lot. We took our kids hiking so much when they were little. We had backpacks to carry them in and then they had their own hiking backpacks with a water tube attached that they loved. We also camped a lot with them.
• ladybugs or butterflies – I feel like I see ladybugs more so a butterfly is more special. Our zoo has a butterfly garden. I would love to attract more to my yard!
• umbrella or raincoat – Usually I am fine with a hood up. I don’t get too freaked out by rain. I’m ok with getting a little wet.
• floral patterns or polka dots – I don’t think I currently own a polka dot, but I would like one. I don’t want to look like Minnie Mouse so it would have to be the perfect polka. I love a floral.

A couple of my favorite florals…

A J.Crew Factory clearance rack find:

A TJ Maxx find from a few years ago:

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wow! Our grass is so, so green and I was admiring the bright pink with the green this week.

Happy Hump Day to you!

Amy

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

I’m kinda laughing at myself as I type this title because I am the least qualified person to do this, but maybe that’s a good thing because it’s like “beauty for the average Joe”.

The face:

It’s got dark spots, wrinkles, melasma, asymmetry, but it’s mine. It’s seen some things. It’s conjugated lots of Spanish verbs.

In the above photo, I am wearing sunscreen, glotion, a bit of bronzer, blush, eye liner, eyebrow pencil, and lip product. I have no foundation or mascara. Mascara bugs me. I feel like I can see it and then I hate the removal process. I will get more detailed in a moment.

I have never had a facial or anything done. I would like to get some of my spots treated. I have no idea what is even possible. My face has been put on the back burner while I was working and raising my kids, then putting said kids through college. Mama’s face was not the priority.

With makeup, I want a 5-minute face and that is what I have here.

Here is what I used:

Jenn sang the praises of the Sun Bum and Loreal Lumi Glotion combo. I put both products in my palm and combine them, then apply with my hands. I use a bit of the e.l.f. halo glow for contour along my hairline and on my cheeks. It gives me a bit more color. I picked up this gorgeous pink Laura Geller blush stick at TJ Maxx a few months ago and I ordered the Violette French bisou blush. I use both of them together.

I learned of the importance of brows a few years ago. I love the combo of this elf pencil with spoolie and the elf liquid brow together. I did have my brows waxed and tinted in January and am going back soon. I used the Ilia stick as my lipliner and my all over color. I love the Ilia stick. It is a great product. I used the bisou balm by Violette, too – love! – and then ended with the Selena Gomez Rare Beauty gloss – obsessed! This pencil eyeliner is still new to me, and I am still trying to get better. I read to start in the middle above the pupil and do tiny strokes instead of trying to draw one continuous line. I did use powder liner and a tiny brush, but I have switched to pencil. Like I said, mascara bugs me. I left it off. I do think eyeliner really makes your eyes pop, though.

I ordered WTF foundation and Miracle Balm from Jones Road. I’m not impressed. I opened the WTF and said, “WTF is that smell?” I hate the smell and I hate the thick soupy texture. It’s thick and soupy but then has no coverage. Now, I do not have the Jones Road brush. That could be the problem. I have been using my old Merit brush and it has hairs coming out of it. I miss my Merit products to be honest. I love a stick makeup and it was really good stuff. It took me awhile to appreciate Merit, but I would buy their foundation stick, bronzer, and blush again.

The Miracle Balm doesn’t even show up. I picked pinky bronze.

My friend Faye has several Jones Road products that she let me try. The only ones I would buy are the Hippie Stick – smells great and can be used for hair flyaways, elbow moisture, cuticles, and more – and the blush stick.

She also gave me this lip product and I love it!

If I buy a beauty product more than once it says something. I do like to try new things and think that the perfect product might just be out there for me.

I get so sucked in by the ads and demos. They look so convincing, no?

I tend to prefer the more expensive brands of beauty products because they are more highly pigmented and a little goes a long way. I can get them to last a long time. I try to look in the small size bins of Ulta or Sephora to save some money. With that said, I do think I have a good mix of drug store and higher end in my current toolkit.

My friend Victoria told me about this product that she found at Kroger. I tried this Australian brand last summer and wasn’t super impressed.

She bought this color:

I bought this color:

It really is bouncy and jelly consistency! I tried it on both my cheeks and my lips. I think you must super moisturize your cheeks before using because I looked like I had a rash.

I really liked it on my lips, though.

The product costs about $10. I think Kroger only had the two colors. I would like to see the other color on me.

What is your holy grale product?

Amy

Monday, April 13, 2026

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

Thursday I took Eddie Otis to a new to him park and it was gorgeous out and I think he enjoyed it -as evidenced by the three hour nap he took after we got home! One of my goals is to go to new places and last week I did four new places!

I have a dog walking belt bag that has treats, waste bags, leash, etc. so I can grab and go. This has worked well for me!

Thursday night I had dinner out with my friend Kara and we had a delicious martini – can’t remember what all it included but it was good.

I had my favorite meal of 2026 I do believe. I ordered a salad that had pumpkin seeds, green apples, blue cheese, and a maple bourbon vinaigrette. I added salmon. It was so good.

Kara loved hers, too. She got catfish, cheese grits, and kale.

We split some bread pudding and the sauce was so good.

Friday, I made myself an iced coffee. I ordered cups so that I feel like I spent $8! I have been using espresso powder, water, brown or white sugar, skim milk, and a touch of creamer.

Mason is working at a gorgeous leather goods store along with subbing. I have mentioned this store before because my former student started this business in his college dorm room. He now has stores in Charleston and Nashville, too. I am so proud! Mason didn’t use my connections (lol) to get the job, but he got the job a few months ago and is really enjoying it. They sell leather bags, shoes, coasters, bookmarks, sunglass straps, cookware (that isn’t leather), and so much more. The store is lovely. They also have a speakeasy/bar within the store.

I went down to their happy hour to meet Mason and we had a drink together after he finished his shift.

Mason is learning their new belt bar. You come in, pick your leather, pick your color stitching, and pick your hardware. This would be a great Father’s Day gift if you are local.

Check out Clayton and Crume’s website. My student was Clayton. I called him “Leo” because that was his Spanish name he chose. And, yes, he was an excellent Spanish student. I have the classic tote with my monogram. Tom got it for me for Christmas a couple of years ago and I love it. Tom has a belt and he loves it.

I went home for dinner and ordered bowls for Tom and I for dinner. We have a place called Currito and I had wanted to try it. I loved it! I could make this myself for sure. Tom got the Bangkok bowl and I got the Harvest.

We watched the Artemis II coverage. So interesting!

Saturday morning Tom went on a hike and I went to a small art fair with my friend Victoria.

We saw this guy – Fitzgerald – he works at his mom’s rug store where the fair was held.

I went home to Eddie Otis and cleaned and prepared and then had some time for some reading and a nap.

Then, my friends came over for patio mah jong. I had the Master’s on the outdoor tv and made pimento and egg salad sandwiches and had jelly beans, pistachios, cut up donuts, plantain chips, and guacamole and I made the Master’s Azalea drink – lemonade, vodka, and grenadine.

One of my friends can’t come empty handed and gave me these adorable mah jong napkins with holder!

Tom got home from hiking and we grabbed the husbands and went to Diorio’s Pizza. Tom was talking here and we were waiting on the third couple.

You can order by the slice which most of us did.

It was a nice day.

Sunday was lazy. I went to Kroger for just a few things and spent most of the day reading outside. I had a good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly for lunch.

That’s about it!

We had some nice weather, too.

Tell me the highlight of your weekend!

Amy

Friday, April 10, 2026

How was your week? It flew, right?

Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika to share…

It was spring break here for all the public and private schools and I loved the quiet and the lighter traffic (since I live by an elementary, middle, and high school), and I guess I made it kind of feel like spring break for myself, too.

The week started off so chilly! Eddie Otis and I enjoyed our walk on Monday but were shocked by the cold!

Unprepared:

I played Monday night Mah Jong! It was so nice. You just show up to the restaurant on the river and you can order drinks and food. I met some new ladies that we played with.

There was one gentleman there, too.

More chilly walks…

Eddie Otis’ friend Skyler:

Eddie Otis got to run errands with mom. He got gas, treats at Feeder’s Supply (he also helped himself to a biscuit on a low shelf – lol), and then got to walk in a neighboring field.

Look at this tongue; he woudn’t get out of the car when we got home.

I had a drink Tuesday afternoon at a new to me place called Tartan House with my friend Beth. Their decor was lovely…

I had a drink called a Como Spritz and I loved it.

Then, we walked down a couple of doors to a new place called Chica’s Cantina and had some chips and dip…

I enjoyed a Mel Robbins podcast featuring fashion stylist Erin Walsh. She wrote a book called “The Art of Intentional Dressing” and she says to approach your closet with this question “How do I want to feel today?” I think I like my Halara jeans so much because I like how they make me feel. Same with my new gold kitten heels. Have you looked at your closet this way?

I had a brunch out with my friend Faye. She also brought her Jones Road products to let me try! How nice is that?

This week I finished this cute book:

and started this…

I found and ordered some espadrilles from Spain through TJMaxx.com!

We have a new Wednesday evening farmer’s market nearby and I checked it out. It was lovely!

I found a lady selling handwoven bags and I actually bought two!

This one was $20:

This one was $30:

I’m already hitting some of the things on my Spring Bucket List!

I took down Easter and put up Derby decor.

My mom gave me this horse out of recycled scrap metal:

She also gave me this vintage KY ash tray:

Old Navy has Devil Wears Prada 2 merch! The movie comes out at the end of April so I need to re-watch the first.

Nate Bargatze has a movie coming out at the end of May!

And, Louisville is getting a Tupelo Honey!

Happy Friday to you and thanks for reading!

Amy