Friday, April 3, 2026

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

Your girl is a mess this week; let’s pretend it was an April Fool’s joke when I posted Currently a day early because I was all discombobulated! I think I just tried to post too much! You can see Hello Monday, March Books, March Spending Diary, Currently, and Hodgepodge by clicking on any of the titles. Whew!

The elementary school behind our house starts and ends school quite early. They start playing on the playground around 9 am and it goes on with different grade levels until almost 2:00. When do these kids learn? Ha! So, Eddie Otis and I have been getting out to do walk number 2 (Tom walks him in the dark at 6:15) around 8:30. We have the whole place to ourselves and say hi to our neighbor dog friends. Walking so early is really good for us. Then, we do another walk around 10:30 or 11 and this one is a leash walk in the neighborhood.

I like to take time to appreciate the beauty of spring…

We’ve also been going on more errands together and we have a field across from our neighborhood and have been going there at the end of an errand.

New gate! Tom finished our fence with new gate project and it’s so nice!

I picked up these carrot bags and got one for each of my kids’ roommates, too. They will contain mostly food stuffs.

I finished this sweet little book this week.

I started this book next.

I have had lots of patio reading time this week. It’s been super windy but it’s still so nice. I do not take this for granted!

Tom usually just does our taxes on Turbo Tax and this year we hired it out and did our whole family plus my mom’s final taxes. She was alive for 28 days of 2025.

Group text when I told Jack and Mason they were done:

I made schnitzel Sunday to lure them home and only Jack was able to come but it was nice. Mason came for dinner Tuesday.

I made Polish Haluski and Tom really liked it. It’s cabbage and onion with egg noodles. I added turkey sausage.

I had heard about the Whole Foods family meals. Many youths are using them as “meal prep” and dividing them up in portions. I got the rosemary chicken, green bean, and lemon potatoes. It was $26.99 and made 6 meals for us. I sent a portion home with Mason and Tom and I had it for dinner twice and I had it for lunch once. They also had a salmon, broccoli, and sweet potato version but it was a few more dollars. My friend is taking one to a person who had surgery.

I tried a glass of Sancerre Rosé this week. Elin Hildebrand always talks about Sancerre in her books. I will buy this again!

I pranked Tom on Wednesday by changing his beloved soft drink to diet.

And, some of these Hershey’s kisses are small green grapes.

It was a short sleeve blouse week!

I loved my new navy ruffle from Old Navy,

my checked from Target,

and a new Marshall’s embroidered blouse.

I got my 2026 mah jong card in the mail! Not everyone has one yet, so some will still use the 2025 for a bit.

I made a really good iced coffee. I put 1 T. sugar in a mason jar with 2 t. instant coffee granules and 1/4 cup cold water. Shake vigorously for about 1 minute. Pour over ice and then add 1/4 cup cold water and milk to the top. I used a bit of creamer with the milk. It was really good!

Have you put yourself on a social media diet? I unfollowed anyone who was trying to make me buy stuff I don’t need. I unfollowed anyone that made me “compare” or anything that I just didn’t think was healthy. I am inspired by most that I follow on Instagram now. I love getting to interact with a former student who just had a baby or a former student that also loves to read. For me, Instagram is a happy place. Now, Facebook is another story but there are some connections there that I still want to have.

Isn’t this a nice thought?

Happy Easter! I made my menu: ham, Sister Schubert’s rolls, bacon quiche, au gratin potatoes (I love using my mandolin!), asparagus orzo (new recipe), spring mix green salad, and deviled eggs. I am not inspired by any dessert ideas. Anyone have one?

Amy

Thursday, April 2, 2026

So, we have gone from 50s to 80s in the last week.

Here is what I wore on a cold day. These are my Halara straight legs, New Balances, and my Target fish sweater. I was having a bad hair day but my hat looks wonky.

And, then it was warm. I tried out my new Old Navy navy blouse for the first time and I loved it! I returned the white version because I thought it was too sheer but I would like the salmon color. I have been adding more navy to my closet. I wore it with my Dillard’s Westbound jeans that Jenn told me about and my Kork Ease sandals in this photo. I have had the jeans for several years and the Kork Ease are from last summer.

Then my Birkenstocks to see if I liked them with this…

I can’t remember what shoes I ended up wearing. I think I switched to my Adidas Sambas.

I wore my Target blouse for the first time with my gauzy black pants to go tutor. I forgot to get a photo but I love the hem detail and took a photo of it while I was reading after my tutoring.

I wore a TJ Maxx blouse with light wide legged Halaras and my Mary Janes to go shopping. My mission was short sleeved blouses at Marshall’s and a few food items at Whole Foods which is right next door.

I found an embroidered blouse to bring home with me. I also found some Easter basket things.

I do try to get out of exercise clothes and “get dressed” each day because it makes me feel good to wear my clothes! I find myself changing sometimes 3 or 4 times a day with the changing weather and activities. Oh well. I can. I’m an adult.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

It’s Wednesday with Joyce!

Also, I opened my Currently link up yesterday and posted my own early; I had good intentions but then kind of flubbed it up. Oh, well – check it out and link up if you wish!

1. March is rolling on out of here. Sum up your March in ten words or less. 

I had a good March! Some highlights for me were: walking more, reading outside, making an Irish meal for St. Patrick’s Day, plant BINGO, some patio hangs, new spring shoes, new spring blouses and clothes, new fence completed, quality time with my dog Eddie Otis, and learning mah jong better.

2. Are you afraid of heights? When was the last time you found yourself dealing with a height, and did it make you nervous?

I am not super afraid of heights. With that being said, I do feel weird looking down once I get to the height. I can’t remember the last time I was nervous about heights, though.

3. What’s a word you struggle to spell on a regular basis, and sometimes need to double check before writing it down? Use the word in a sentence that tells us something about your April calendar. 

Occasion – see I just had to look it up. The double cc’s don’t seem right. I want to put double ss’s. But fun fact…I have five spelling bee trophies in my basement. I won in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades and then I won an advanced round and something else. We had a high school “spellbowl” team and I did that one year, too. I have always prided myself on my spelling. I used to study the dictionary.

“I have many occasions to look forward to in April.”

4. Love ’em or hate ’em, with Easter comes the sweet treat known as Peeps. So… do you love ’em or hate ’em? Speaking of peeps, what’s your favorite way to have chicken? 

Love them! My mom would put them naked in our Easter baskets and they would have Easter grass stuck to them. Try putting a Peep on a S’more and your life will change!

I love grilled chicken the most I would say. I also love a perfect chicken tender on occasion – see, I must use this word a bunch!

5. This week’s Hodgepodge lands on the first day of April, which happens to be National Poetry Month. Do you like poetry?  Share a favorite line or two from one of your favorite poems. What makes this one a favorite? 

I am not a big poem person unless it’s a limerick or funny or it rhymes. I did enjoy teaching AP Spanish the poetry unit in their book because we had some good discussions and I got to “go deep”. This might be a generic answer but Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken has been a favorite since I was in late elementary school and read it.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

I see it as do your own thing, be your own person, and don’t just be a follower. In my own life, I completed all the steps to be a high school administrator when I was only 28. I did a Master’s in Administration and Supervision, completed the portfolio, and passed the 6 hour test, and then got married. Just a year and a half later I was pregnant with twins. I chose to remain a teacher and not jump on the assistant principal track because I wanted to be home with my kids after school. As time went on, I considered if I would regret it, but I was still enjoying teaching so much. No regrets.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I decided to freeze my Amish friendship bread starter. I just wasn’t excited to bake this cycle.

Amy

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

I started this again this month just like in February to keep myself in check not thinking I would publish it. It’s like airing your dirty laundry!

I recorded everything to the best of my ability but I could have missed a couple of things.

To note: this was our first full month as empty nesters.

Sunday, March 1 – $0 in person purchases but did order 3 pairs of shoes – BOGO 50% at DSW and Dr. Scholls – gold mary janes and gold Aerosoles and Sperries. I may not keep all of them. This has been a purchase(s) I have been sitting with for about a month. I have waited and waited to pull the trigger on some shoes I feel will “complete” my spring wardrobe.

Note: I returned the Sperrys. I just wasn’t sure they fit my vibe and after a couple of weeks I hadn’t worn them yet, so that told me to return them!

Monday, March 2 – +$40 tutoring, $3 in drip coffee at Starbuck’s, $13 consignment button down shirt for Mason for work – stopped on way to tutor at Starbuck’s. Ate all meals at home.

Tuesday, March 3 – invited to eat tomato soup with puff pastry by friend Elizabeth for $5 at Osteria – well, I spent $23 with tip! Kroger pick up $108 and Costco $191

Wednesday, March 4 -Publix $50

March 5 – Boutique grand opening, Lucias cafecito coffee shop – $14, French bakery $4, Fresh Market $21

March 6 – Pedicure $38 + $10 tip and Cultured $32 with Elizabeth. Cultured was closing/moving that location so it was the last day.

March 7 – Kroger with Mason $132 (most was for Mason to help him get started) let’s say $30 was for Tom and Amy, Martini’s $91, Old Navy order $78

March 8 – $7 beer with $1 tip after walking on a path right next to a brewery. I was going to make it a total no spend day but that’s ok. It was worth it!

March 9 – mah jong $15 gift for the mah jong teacher

March 10 – woohoo! No spend day! Went on a hike with Heather and Eddie Otis and ate all meals at home!

March 11 – It was bake the Amish Friendship bread day and I didn’t have enough flour or sugar or bread pans. Lucky day because bread pans were buy one get one free! $22

March 12 – $139 Kroger pick up

March 13 – Trader Joe’s wine store $35, Trader Joe’s Grocery $75, plant and candle purchases at plant BINGO $51

March 14 – Liquor Barn beer cheese for Tom and to take to party, chips, pretzels, chocolate $46, DSW Return +84 (decided to return Sperry boat shoes), cocktail bar $25, Pizza order $50

March 15 – Sister Kate bday present $42, gym $0, car wash $14

March 16 – Cold day! Amazon return $0, looked in a hardware shop/gift shop, looked in a new to me gift shop $0 NO SPEND DAY

March 17 – I made money this day! +$20 Facebook Marketplace sale of TB sandals, $3 at Starbuck’s for a drip coffee while tutoring, +$80 Tieks sale on FBM, +$40 for TB flats sale on FBM, +$40 for tutoring – up $177

March 18 – Amazon Return – I swear I didn’t order a replacement and it came anyway from my Monday return! $0, paid taxes on the boat and trailer but I am not counting that because this is my grocery and variables spending record. Ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at home $0

March 19 – afternoon mah jong game, did place an order for $50 for a mat for myself and walls/pushers for myself so that now I can host at my house and have a complete set. I also placed a LMNT replacement order and an eyeliner, brow pencil replacement order $37, – Paul’s Fruit Market $6, Gracious Plenty $10, Old Navy +22 and -$70 oopsie, Panera $9

March 20- Library $0, Bagel sandwich $10, Mexican for dinner $55 on a patio with friends

March 21 – Haymarket $6, Bagel place $20, ate leftovers at home for dinner on a Saturday – what?

March 22 – $111 Kroger pick up, $58 inside, $35 on drinks and food at free premiere event. Lol. The food hall was too tempting – I got a cocktail and Spanish patatas bravas.

March 23 – Gifts for four nieces/nephews approx $40 each, $43 nails for myself (gel), $10 tip

March 24 – small Kroger run $40, Michael’s $14 (Mah Jong tile bag), Rainbow Blossom $12, Jones Road Beauty $84 (finally clicked buy and bought Miracle Balm and What the Foundation)

March 25 – $11 Captain’s Quarters happy hour, $50 Feeder’s Supply

March 26 – nail fixed $0, Fresh Market $21, Kroger $16 – Tom’s baseball themed dinner, Derby event $0 (my friend treated me to my cocktail and we shared spinach artichoke dip)

March 27 – Trader Joe’s $35, Trader Joe’s Wine $40, Mexican take out $35

March 28 – Target $22

March 29 – coffee shop $13, Kroger $62

March 30 – +$40 tutoring, no other expenditures. I didn’t leave the house til tutoring! I made dinner in the morning and EO and I took two walks and read on the porch.

March 31 – Posting on this day so hoping no spending!

Groceries Grand Total:

$857 and this does include home supplies like dishwashing detergent, toiletries, and things like that.

This site says that the family of two adults spends $560 for two in 2026. I find that very, very low in this economy!

Clothing:

Clothing: $78 Old Navy haul (returned two blouses for +$22)

DSW: $135 – $84 returned Sperrys = $51 (gold Aerosoles kitten heels)

Dr. Scholls: $34

Old Navy return and bought more + $22 and -$70 spent $48

Take out:

Door Dash $70 Galaxie, $50 Parlour Pizza, $35 Mexican – Pretty proud of reducing Door Dash!

Would like to have more no spend days!

Anyway, I am not too disappointed. I did get out more and did buy more breakfast and lunch out for myself. I think it was so rare in January and February that I was ready for more breaks from making my breakfast and lunch in March. But, on the positive side, Tom has been taking his lunch almost every day!

Whew! I’m tired! How did you do in March?

Amy

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Happy April Fool’s Day! Happy start of April and a new month to you! Can you believe it’s April? As you are reading this, I am hoping Tom has discovered one of his first April Fool’s pranks. I am switching out his Ale 8 for a diet version. Bahahahaha. I hope to think of a couple more pranks.

Ale 8 is a soft drink made near Tom’s hometown. It’s basically ginger ale.

Thank you again to Tanya for my adorable logo!

Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan)

I wish I were a gardener. I think I might try to do some basil on the upper patio. I need to get a plant holder and I think I can trust Eddie Otis now. I’ve had to be bare bones on both patios due to his shenanigans. So, not literally planting anything. I can’t wait for my hydrangea to bloom! I also hope to finally fill my galvanized tub with some plants.

I am trying to hatch plans for things that are coming up this year. As an overthinker, sometimes it’s hard to pin things down. I question myself and ask “should I do that?” I hate that about myself but I am working on it. Plans can change but if you fail to plan you won’t have anything on the calendar.

Cleaning (spring)

I am trying to keep up with general cleaning with a loose schedule. I am also going to work my list! Yes, a list – finally!

Eating and drinking

Did you catch my “Groceries for Two” post? I am still meal planning for dinners. I think it’s time to change up my breakfast a bit. I’m trying to focus on protein and favorite vegetables for lunch and dinner. I am craving salads, so that’s good!

I’m drinking coffee, water, LMNT electrolytes, and some wine or a cocktail once or twice a week. If I add LMNT to sparkling water, it is such a treat!

I want simple foods right now, too. If I see a meal that looks good on someone else’s blog or on social media, I put it in my notes app on my phone.

Reading and watching

Did you catch my March Books post? I read 8 fiction books in the month of March! I have some good ones, so go back and check that out.

I am watching all the Bravo shows, Bridgerton, Age of Attraction, and Love is Blind Sweden! I also tried Love Overboard on Hulu. Talk about a dumb show! With Tom, we just finished How to get to Heaven from Belfast.

Loving

• that Mason is happy (even though I miss him)
• my spring additions to my closet – my Old Navy blouses are getting lots of wear and my gold kitten heels and my gold Mary Janes are, too.
• that I sold my shoes I wasn’t wearing
• that I finally really learned how to play mah jong!
• that I went to some cool things this month – plant BINGO, the PBS show premiere, a speakeasy, lunch with a friend, charcuterie with a friend, and some new boutiques with friends and by myself, and some happy hours with friends
• that I walked more this month

Looking back at my camera roll is a reminder of my month!

I would love to hear what you are up to Currently!

Click here to join!

Amy

Monday, March 30, 2026

We are preparing to close out another month – crazy, no? We have Currently on Wednesday; don’t forget to join me! Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan), Cleaning (spring), Eating and drinking, Reading and watching, Loving are the prompts.

You can start linking up at 4 am tomorrow! Set your alarms! Ha!

After you read this, go back and read my March books post which also went live this morning.

Linking up with Sarah and Holly…

Let’s start the weekend with Thursday afternoon! Tom is a big Reds fan and it was opening day. (You might remember how I went to the hottest Reds game ever recorded last summer? I walked a bridge from Kentucky into Ohio in full sun to get there. We sat in full sun. My legs slid on the seat. I wore a fan around my neck. My hair was kept wet. Anyway, you may not remember but I sure do.) I planned a little surprise dinner for him. Out of the photo is a bowl of baked beans and some potato salad just so you know it was a balanced meal. He had a hot dog, peanuts, fake Cracker Jack – I could not find the real deal – and a baseball Hostess cupcake.

I got him the free trial of the Reds streaming service (I think it’s part of the MLB app?) since we can’t get the games here on regular tv – I really don’t understand it. I had the tv on for him set to the game. I left for a plan with a friend. I got an excited text while I was out that it was time for baseball. His college basketball team didn’t do so well this year so he was ready for the change of sports seasons.

I went to a Derby Girls Night event at a nearby shopping center. I met my friend Jessica, and we started with a drink and a snack on an enclosed patio.

I am getting this again! It was a limoncello spritz. Give me all the lemony flavors lately.

And, spinach and artichoke dip.

This is my former student who is now a married mom and sommelier! She is the cutest!

Another student works there, too. It’s so fun to see a student everywhere I go!

My favorite store we visited was a new mostly home goods store called “Gather”:

Each of the shops had specials going on and some had drinks and snacks. Derby is a big deal, obviously, and many had Derby dresses and hats/fascinators on display.

It was a fun evening!

To be honest, I could not have been more pleased to have a rainy Friday morning. I opened the window and had my patio light on and did my morning routine.

Eddie Otis and I took a muddy morning walk when the sun came up…

I went to the library and was met by a goose.

And I went to Trader Joe’s for a couple of things.

Eddie Otis and I had a pretty lazy day. He stole a couch pillow and then looked pretty comfortable!

I had my own happy hour since I am my own bestie…

Tom and I ordered Mexican since I can’t be my own bestie and my own cook, ya know?

This is kind of weird. I realized the fiction book I was reading by Viola Shipman is the pen name of a man and the person teaching me to be my own bestie is also a man.

Anyhow, that doesn’t mean anything but I did think it was interesting.

My niece Lena sent me a thank you video for her sunglasses and bathing suit. She has her boyfriend in the background.

Molly’s four kids all have birthdays in March and I sent them all a swimming costume for their beach trip. It was fun to type “swimming costume”.

Saturday was cleaning day. I did more than just the regular maintenance and was able to check off some items from my newly minted spring cleaning list. That’s all it took was making a list.

I did the cabinet under my sink in the bathroom, the cabinet above the microwave, and I went to the basement and started dealing with some of my parents’ paper work.

I put all my candles away and got out my diffuser.

I went to Target and had a good old fashioned look around. I only bought a couple of food items. I think when you are dealing with clutter you are not interested in bringing in more clutter.

I had seen this and wanted to try it. OMG – it is dangerous.

I had heard of this cleaner brand and bought it and it was decent.

And, my Jones Road came in. I bought the What the Foundation in beige and the Miracle Balm in Pinky Bronze. I will report back about it or show you a before and after photo.

It was cold on Saturday but it was super sunny so I got to read outside and watch Tom finish the fence! He called me over to do the final saw cut in the fence so “I would feel a part of it”.

We watched baseball and were lazy after the fence. I actually cooked dinner on a Saturday night!

Sunday I went to Kroger and got the carrot bags for “Easter baskets”.

I treated myself to a coffee shop coffee and breakfast sandwich while I was out doing my Kroger shopping.

There was a group playing mah jong and I went over and talked to them. Do you talk to strangers?

I started this cute little book.

Tell me something you did this weekend!

Amy

Monday, March 30, 2026

Let’s go ahead and summarize my March books! I hope you also read Hello Monday! It’s a twofer as I have a lot of stuff to post here at the end of the month!

Glad I read but it won’t be a favorite…

Loved so much! This might be my favorite of 2026 thus far…

Glad I read. I got a little bored about 1/3 of the way through but then I stuck with it. It did come together well toward the end.

Two non-fiction books I skimmed:

I don’t count these in my books read for the month since I can’t make myself read every single page.

I love a self-help book. I think there is always a little nugget I can get out of them.

I really couldn’t put this down – get it?

Love all the Sarah Adams books for a quick, fun chick lit book!

I don’t know if I can recommend this book. The family annoyed me.

This started out cute and light but then it got pretty silly. Two words: “chicken” and “wheelchair”.

This surprised me. I really liked it.

So, that’s a wrap for March.

Amy

Friday, March 27, 2026

It’s Friday! Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites of the week.

Does it look like I went to the beach? Kinda? I did not. Monday and Tuesday were still pretty cool, but sunny. Wednesday morning dawned much warmer and sunny and I sent out a text to a friend and said, “Let’s pretend like the Ohio River is a different body of water?”

It was lovely! We both chose a lemon berry fizz cocktail and…

shared some spinach queso while enjoying the view and getting caught up. Many people had the same idea. I love patio season!

I loved their Easter decor, too!

Happy mail!

I am now the owner of a Mah Jong mat with carrying case,

walls/pushers for the tiles

and my mom’s vintage set that I kept is a Chinese mah jong set so it is missing the jokers which are my favorite tiles. So, I ordered an American set.

I went to Michael’s for this cute little bag to hold the tiles.

People spend hundreds of dollars on all the MJ stuff. My mat was $20 something, my walls were $20 something, and my tiles were $30 something. The bag was $12. I want to be able to play at places besides my home. Everything came from Amazon except for the tile pouch.

This cheese is really good and a really good price! I read about it somewhere and my Kroger had it. I was considering “White Chedda” for my rap name.

I decided to try gel instead of my press ons. I was going for a really pale pink and a short almond shape nail.

Meh, not so sure about it and one nail chipped two days later!

I don’t know how long I will do it – cause you get on the gel train and have to go in and get it changed every 3-4 weeks or so. I’m on another train – the Amish Friendship bread train. Every ten days I have to bake. How many trains can one lady take?

Here is Tom’s accomplishment from Sunday:

He built the gate into the fence and now he has to cut it and attach bolts so it will look like this:

Eddie Otis still keeps trying to “go out” the gate that isn’t cut yet.

Tom’s helper brought me a scrap. Isn’t that sweet?

When Tom is doing any outdoor project, EO is right there at his side. He never lays down. He is such a funny dog.

Jack gave me a new bird feeder for my birthday and I have been enjoying filling it up along with one other one I had. I did a Kroger pick up with a big bag of birdseed and the Kroger employee threw me off when he asked, “you got a bird?” I have lots of birds. I have nature’s birds.

My favorite chair, my favorite position, my favorite sun shining…ahhhhh

Leg makeup:

This is what I applied. It lasts for several days and I do shower.

None of my requests were coming in so I picked some chick lit fiction books solely based on covers:

EO turned 2 in February and I have seen some maturing. I am now leaving the hall bath door open and the primary bedroom door open. This is growth! I was trying to get out the door (we still crate him when we leave because he’s not that mature) and I found him back in bed. I was saying “come on; it’s time to take a break (which is what Tom came up with for his crate)” and look at this stinker:

Then he buried his head and went back to sleep:

Stink eye:

You all, Michael’s has no humans. There is not a single check out left for a human cashier. It was so weird.

Lemonade Mrs. Meyer’s for summer?

I have to be able to walk EO on a leash so I fitted him for a “bra”. It’s miraculous!

We will still do plenty of off leash time, too. Here are some views from our walks…

This is our friend Skyler:

EO sunbathing:

I got burned this week – oops.

I put out my minimal Easter decor…

I love asking Alexa to play Bridgerton music (playing as I type). I love “The Hyacinth” or the cover of the Charlixcx “360” song. Eddie Otis seems to like it to as evidenced by his cute little snoring right now.

Also, don’t forget Currently is next Wednesday! I will actually open the link Tuesday at 4 am if you want to join early.

Here are the prompts:

Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan)

Cleaning (spring)

Eating and drinking

Reading and watching

Loving

Cheers to the weekend!

Amy

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Well, we have had temps from 30s in the mornings to up to 89 on Sunday! It’s been sunny every day, the grass is green, things are blooming, and it’s so exciting to get out the spring clothes from last year (or beyond) and shop for new spring duds- within reason. I am still amazed at how few clothes I really need now in my retirement life!

I love the window when you are comfortable in a long sleeved blouse and pants. I feel like it’s a short one. I also look the look of long sleeves with shorts. I want a long spring! I don’t like to jump straight from cold to hot. Give me all the 60s and 70s!

I wore this to dinner Friday night on a patio at a Mexican restaurant. It’s hard to tell but my blouse is a dark denim color (it’s a lightweight material, though, so it’s not like a denim material). This is one of the four Old Navy blouses I purchased. I have on Amazon jeans and my gold kitten heels. It’s also a short window of closed toed shoes. I’m just going to say – I know gold heels aren’t for everyone, but I have already worn them a lot. They make me happy!

Here is the blouse but in the white. I wore it with my Halara lightwash jeans and my red Free People espadrilles. If you want a really easy spring look – jeans, white blouse, and a red shoe – could be a sandal, could be a Mary Jane, could be a sneaker. I don’t know what it is about this combo, but I think it’s super chic. Do not believe the line from Sex and the City: “Only clowns and little girls should wear red shoes”. I hope I quoted that correctly! I am using my purse made from Guatemalan textiles that I got to “design”. I am using a strap I had (rather than the leather that came with it) and I like how it looks.

Here is the pinstripe version of the blouse:

I returned the Sperrys I am wearing. They just didn’t feel like me and I didn’t want to waste money. They made me feel “manly”. Not that there is anything wrong with being or feeling manly.

And, finally, here is the flowery version of the blouse.

I know some say not to buy multiples but if I wear them all and it’s a style that works for me, why not?

Also, I keep going back to the comment someone made, “it’s not fast fashion if you keep it a long time”. I will no longer feel badly about making purchases from Old Navy or Target.

I will buy multiples! I will buy from whatever retailer I want!

I like to help local businesses, so I took this photo to tag Bonhomia on Instagram. I really like trying to take aesthetic photos like the young gals.

I wore this to a celebration of life this week. It was cold but I thought the black floral blouse with black pants would be ok. Is it gauche to show what I wore to a celebration of life? As my cheery sister said, “we better have lots of funeral clothes ready for this stage of life”. Thanks, Kate. That’s something I wanted to think about. The pants are a little long. They are Chico’s new with tags from a consignment shop!

Now, it really probably is gauche to take a mirror selfie while at the celebration of life but here is my trench. I wished I had a lightweight all black coat instead.

I wore jeans, a white tee, a scarf, and my chambray to run some errands. Do you like denim on denim? I like it if there is a contrast with a lighter and darker I think.

I am wearing my gold Dr. Scholl’s mary janes. When I wear a scarf, I like to get the hair out of my face and wear small earrings.

I am wearing this set so much – with a tee shirt under. I have already washed it and it washed well. It is on sale for $23 right now. I am trying to resist getting it in another color. It appears many of the sizes are selling out online. You probably need to go in the store to see it. It is not marketed as a set, but I created a set. I sized down in the shorts, and I could have sized down in the sweatshirt. It’s pretty roomy.

I’ve been carrying this! You can’t put too much in it, but it’s been fun to carry. My sister was like, “what is that?” when I sent her a pic so it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, for sure!

I’m gonna say something maybe dumb or maybe helpful. I like to self-tan my feet for the open top of foot shoes. It just looks better to me.

Right now, I am trying out a “leg makeup”. You apply it and it lasts many days even with frequent showering. It’s supposed to be better for legs with freckles than self-tanner.

I tried to order Miracle de Paris brand from Amazon but got this knock off. I like it the day after I have applied it. It just gives your legs a bit of color. I also put it on my arms and shoulders.

Now, I do think you can overdo it, but a little color makes a lot of people look better.

Anyway, share your thoughts if you have any! Please be kind; I’m fragile.

Amy

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

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

1. It’s officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you’re in the southern hemisphere it’s officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

It sure did this weekend! I am hoping we don’t get the flooding we can get in the spring. I love rain, but not flooding, of course. I feel like I prefer spring just because of mindset and from living my life on the school calendar for so long. Spring meant summer was not far behind. I love fall, but I know what is coming – winter.

2. What’s your favorite thing about spring? 

I love seeing all the green. I love the flowers and trees blooming, the garden centers coming to life – even Kroger has flowers outside. I don’t even mind a spring rain. It’s so nice to not need a jacket anymore. I love spring clothing. Give me all the colors! I love driving with the sun roof or windows open.

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one’s feet…which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

I think I have a spring in my step. I am feeling more positive, finally. I had a hard year – blah, blah, blah. I am not going to rehash it all – don’t worry. I have done some major internal work over the last few months about what I need, how I show up for myself and in my relationships, and what I want moving forward. I have sat with discomfort. I have had the blessing of time to reflect. I know myself better.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What’s a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? 

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

The only one I don’t like is peas. I can handle snap peas in some dishes but I just don’t like peas. I love asparagus, artichokes, spinach, and eggs the most. I’m excited to lighten up my menus and embrace the flavors of spring.

5. What’s one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

Gosh, what isn’t on my list. I don’t have one actually written down this year and that could be my problem. I am feeling overwhelmed by stuff. I need to declutter, but I am also kind of mad at what my kids have left me to declutter that isn’t mine! I probably need to ask them to devote a couple of hours to come help me with their cast offs. I’m in limbo waiting on house projects to begin.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

With all the good of spring, we also have the bad. My neighbor’s ex-husband has already started his leaf blower back up. Friday was a gorgeous day, and he blew for about 3 hours. Saturday, he blew during dinner near our front windows for about 2 hours. Like, it was so loud in our house we had to turn the tv volume up. There is nothing to blow. There are no leaves. What is he blowing? It’s 2026. Can we make a quiet leaf blower? It wouldn’t matter; this guy goes to Home Depot and says “give me the loudest you’ve got”. Tom has a theory that he is not allowed in the house, so he blows to be close. He doesn’t mow the yard; a mowing company does it. He only blows. Yes, he blows!

Currently has snuck up on me!

Please join me next Wednesday, April 1; this ain’t no April Fool’s joke!

Let’s share what we are:

Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan)

Cleaning (spring)

Eating and drinking

Reading and watching

Loving

The link up will go live at 4:00 am on Tuesday so you can link up early and it will remain open for a week. I hope you will join in!

Amy