Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Friday, May 15, 2026

Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites…

It was a hard week around here. Mother’s Day was hard and I woke up Monday wondering when these “Hallmark holidays” will get easier. Not only is my mom gone, but we don’t have a big extended family locally to do things like this with. I did cook chicken alfredo for my kids who were able to come over after work for dinner so that was nice. Tom and Eddie Otis went to visit Tom’s mom and EO’s grandmother and they got home in time to see the kids, too.

Monday, we comforted our friend who had to say goodbye to her sweet dog. Heather made her a photo plaque at Walgreen’s that turned out beautifully and I brought comfort foods – farmer’s market Amish sourdough, jam, chocolate chip cookies, and a quiche. We sat and talked and all three of us cried for her loss.

Then, Monday night I started seeing photos and videos on social media of my hometown church on fire. Hometown friends were sending me notices, too. This is the most special place in my hometown besides the house I grew up in and it was brutal to see. By end of the day on Tuesday, it was determined that the fire was started by an electric golf cart plugged in next to the church. The sanctuary was destroyed. My parents are weeping, I know.

This is the fall view of the church:

The steeple still stands but behind it is the sanctuary:

Look at this cool photo captured by a friend of mine that lives there:

Do you see it?

My ex-boyfriend is the deputy mayor (I’m not flexing; it’s true) and he says that the city will help them rebuild. They have insurance and a fund to help has been started, as well.

The beautiful thing is how the community came together. No lives were lost. There is a coffee shop across the street that fed the first responders and kept their restrooms open.

Next to the church is a bridal store (that used to be a funeral home) and I found these photos hauntingly beautiful; a call was made for trucks to transport the dresses out to save them and the community showed up. They are now being stored in a nearby church basement, and they saved them all – including dresses for brides getting married very soon.

I posted about my church on Instagram and so many former students reached out. One even said that she would like to donate. Awwww! I was very active in my church youth group and those were my best friends. I also brought other friends to join the group. We had amazing leaders and did so many cool things. My parents were super active and they became even more active in their retirement. My Dad was a trustee and treasurer and was there several days a week. My mom led the women’s tea fundraiser and the Jesus Clothes closet and was there all the time, too.

My Dad was so proud of the organ, and it was going to be the highlight of his three daughters’ weddings, he always said. Their funerals were there and the church fed our people. Anyway, it’s one of those special places that you think will always be there.

I went looking at my photos of the sanctuary.

My Dad walking me down the aisle:

The kiss:

The formal posed photo:

Even though I started my favorites with a solemn tone, I got to cook for my kids, my friend who lost her dog, and I saw the beauty of people coming together this week.

Jack gave me this cool horse serving platter for Mother’s Day. He even went to a shop that I like to shop for me.

Mason got me this book:

So fun!

I started and finished this book this week and I liked it. I enjoyed the 70s setting. Has anyone read it?

I picked up these library holds. I have “book anxiety” if I don’t have books waiting for me.

These are some recommendations I have gotten from either IG or other bloggers.

But I started Mad Mabel! It is a story that sucks you in. I am really enjoying it so far.

With all the sadness and melancholy I have been feeling this week, I found solace in nature with Eddie Otis. Look how beautiful!

We have had some gorgeous weather this week!

If you read Fashion Files on Tuesday, I talked about gauze. Old Navy now has more gauze in the store. I had to kill some time waiting for another store to open and walked in and saw new merch:

I have this shirt in yellow that you see in white and brown. I ordered two dresses that didn’t work from Nordstrom Rack which is right next door to this Old Navy, so I returned those in person.

I am sorry if I haven’t commented on your Fashion Files link up yet – or your comments, for that matter. It’s been hard to be on the computer for too long this week.

Eddie Otis got a pedicure and they gave him a handsome bandana.

I talked about this in Hodgepodge, but I watched the movie and it’s so well done. I recommend it for this weekend if you haven’t watched it yet.

I got a new hand soap this week and really love this scent!

And it was a favorite to get to go to a patio for lunch this week!

My companion was Mason!

We split the fish sandwich and the beet salad and I was too excited to remember to take photos of the food!

Happy Friday to you and thank you for your sweet comments on my church on Wednesday.

Amy

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Wow! May is really chugging right along, isn’t it?

Do you ever feel like your life is really basic, really boring, really average? I had the thought that several little things I do make me really happy because they feel a little “fancy”. I have always liked that word. I don’t think it’s used enough anymore! Right?

I am not ashamed to say that I love glassware. I like certain glasses due to their look, their heft, their size. I will definitely judge a restaurant on their drinking vessels! I do not want to drink from styrofoam (unless it’s cute on very rare occasion), or plastic, or old red Pizza Hut cups that I had to wash by hand on a weird cup washer device.

I put my water in a wine glass sometimes and it feels fancy. I don’t love a slice of fruit in my water but that’s even fancier.

I was a big dill buying fresh herbs. Fresh herbs feel a little fancy.

I put some in my eggs.

I like my croissant spoon rest. It feels a little fancy.

I put my food on a real plate. These are our wedding china plates. We didn’t go super formal but I still love this simple design and the color yellow.

Fresh flowers feel a little fancy.

Walking my dog feels fancy some days if I imagine I’m in another country.

Breakfast out feels fancy to me.

Sometimes taking a drink with me to a hair appointment or to run errands makes it feel like more of an outing. I love my glass iced coffee cup but I also do like these plastic to go cups I bought and the TJ Maxx disposable coffee cups I bought in January (I looked back) that I use on rare occasion. On my last hair appointment, I made a drink to take and it really did add to my enjoyment of getting a beauty service done. I felt fancy.

Fiona Ferris books make you think of how to eek the most out of your life.

If I like how a product smells, I will clean more! I feel a little fancy using this cleaner and it makes me happy.

Sitting on a patio feels fancy. I have started a “patios I want to visit” list.

Getting dressed feels fancy. I loved this recent IG post.

I feel like putting on an “outfit” can help your enjoyment of what could have just been an errand. Looking at my errands as an outing or an adventure is fun for me.

The youths are talking about “side quests” and “microadventures”:

When they use these terms, I think they are just saying to look for a little fun in your average, ordinary days and weeks.

Reading a magazine feels fancy to me.

Adding a piece of jewelry or pair of shoes with my outfit can feel really nice and fancy, I think. I have a ring that I love that adds some bling and my gold kitten heels feel real fancy!

What is something fancy that you do or could do?

Amy

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

It’s Wednesday which means Hodgepodge with Joyce!

1. What’s one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

You don’t have it all figured out and you don’t have to. Be open to opportunities and the lessons you will learn. I had a goal to leave the country at least once a year and did that from age 21 until age 28. I was single for much of this time, and it allowed me to see what I wanted for my future and to figure out how to support myself. That gave me loads of confidence.

When I look at my young face I think of all the things I am going to experience. Learn from the people around you and the lessons you are being taught. Accept help. I remember veteran teachers that were so kind to me. I didn’t have a classroom for my first 3 years, and a veteran English teacher let me use their computer and grade recording program.

The young face below would start her high school Spanish teacher career in just three months but first she got an opportunity to chaperone a mission trip to Mexico for two weeks for basically free! While in Mexico, my mom accepted a job interview for me and that’s the job I got and where I stayed for four years. I tried to stay with my college boyfriend who was still in college, but our lives became very different and we broke up.

Here I am with my college and beyond roommate Heather. We had an outdoor ceremony, and it started raining so we had to run in the chapel to finish! We lived in two different apartments together after graduation for 4 years! It really was our Friends era. We watched the show and had lots of other friends in apartments and would hang out at ours or theirs. She started dating her husband who was friends with my husband and that’s how we met!

My kids in their college graduation regalia – they didn’t get a high school graduation because the year was 2020.

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

I think I need a trip back home.

My hometown is really special to me. I am doing my best to keep those ties without a parent or a home base there anymore.

After going there so much for the packing and preparing to sell of my mom’s house from January 2025 until June 2025…

I had the best time in September with Tom for a music festival and have already booked our hotel for this year – still need to buy our tickets. The house still wasn’t sold at this time and we did go there to check on it but we finally got to go just for fun in September.

Molly and I made a fun day out of the closing of our mom’s house in November. After shedding our tears, we did a comical wine tasting and enjoyed the Christmas decorations…

and in December the whole fam had so much fun there together – we played games, ate, laughed, and bowled.

But, Monday night I watched as this unfolded…

My church since I was five years old where I spent to much of my childhood and youth, where I got married, where Kate and Molly got married, where we had my parents’ funerals… caught on fire.

My heart hurts. As I type this, I don’t know the extent of the damage.

3.  “There’s no place like home” is an oft repeated line from Baum’s book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

Every time I travel, I am so happy to come back home. My house is far from perfect, but it’s mine and I feel happy and contented here. Even though my hometown is super special to me, my adopted city where I live now is super special to me, too.

4. May is National BBQ Month…do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What’s your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What’s the last thing you grilled? 

We still have not replaced our grill! Tom is not blessed with the grilling gene, the desire to grill, or is he home early enough during the week to get the grilling done for when we like to eat. So, we will maybe get a grill this year when they have some sales? Any grill recommendations out there?

5. What’s a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

Gosh, this is a hard one. Laughing with my little family of four, my extended family, or friends probably.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I read this book a few years ago but like with many books, I had forgotten all the details. No one was more surprised than I was that I liked a book that involved an octopus.

I started the movie on Netflix this past weekend and wasn’t sure I could do it because again, the octopus, the fear of it being too sad, etc. Watch this and stick with it. It is so well done. I also think you could tie in the themes of home and community, being open to learning and opportunities, and so much more that is relevant to today’s Hodgepodge themes.

Watch it!

Amy

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Hello and welcome to another edition of Fashion Files with myself and Marsha.

I have not done too well with outfits over the past week! I have not been “getting dressed” some days like I would prefer.

On Monday, I threw this on for an errand. I have on my new Aerie cut offs, my last year’s Aerie Maine lobsta sweatshirt and my old gold Birks. I am not Aerie’s demographic, but I am so pleased with the quality of their stuff. It washes well and feels good on.

I wore this for a rainy afternoon of Mah Jong at my friend’s house. I can’t decide if I should capitalize the name of the game and if I need more h’s or more g’s. Lol. These are my Amazon jeans, my Hari Mari flip flops from last year and an Aerie button up! This post is not sponsored by Aerie.

Let’s talk about the Hari Mari flip flops. I wanted a good quality tan flip flop and I considered several different brands. These are such good quality and so comfortable. I can’t remember where I heard about them. I wear them every single day for at least part of the day.

I didn’t put on another real outfit until Friday when I was headed to the mall for Chicken Salad Chick and a couple of other stores. I wore my Free People red Mary Janes, my striped Halaras, and my Old Navy striped blouse.

I wore this to the Saturday farmer’s market. I thought it was going to rain but it never did. I have on my new Crocs Miami flip flops, old Umgee gauzy pants, new this season Target checked blouse, Amazon scalloped cardigan and a hat from Michigan that was Mason’s.

The Crocs Miami are fabulous!

Let’s talk about gauze. I like it better than linen because it doesn’t wrinkle like linen. I have a “camp” shirt up from Old Navy a few years ago in black, white, and hot pink. Here is the black:

I am wearing it with very old Target Universal thread olive drawstring shorts that are fabulous.

Remember when we talked about fast fashion? It ain’t fast when you keep something for 10 years!

I will say that your white pieces just usually don’t last as long because the get the pit stains and such. So, I usually have to say bye to white sooner.

I added another gauzy piece from Old Navy. I couldn’t find it in store; I ordered this online. Here I put it with the same olive shorts.

I also wore it with my Aerie cut offs:

I thought these graphic flat lays from The Good State on IG were so cute:

Let’s talk a little more about gauze! I have turquoise and orange gauze shorts with pockets from a local boutique. They were on sale! I have a green J.Crew dress from a consignment store that I wore a ton last summer!

The J.Crew kelly green gauze dress:

The white gauzy “camp” shirt:

The shorts are also Old Navy. They were on major clearance a few years ago and I love lime green.

Here are the gauzy boutique shorts that I also have in orange:

I introduced my friend Beth to gauze last year and she is a gauzy girl now, too!

What have you been wearing lately?

Link up here!

Amy

Monday, May 11, 2026

How was your weekend?

Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly for a recap and then with the ladies at Monthly Musings for “Go to Lunches on the Go”.

Friday morning, I went to the gym and then a couple of hours later walked Eddie Otis in the neighborhood and it was a gorgeous day!

Chicken Salad Chick was having a Mother’s Day BOGO deal and I had been wanting it for a bit, so I went to the one at the mall and saw these ladies playing Mah Jong – so cute! Also, after a week of not really getting dressed, I put on a cute outfit to go do this!

I got Classic Carol for me and Fancy Nancy for Tom (I don’t like nuts) and the cookie for me and the red velvet for Tom. I thought we would have this on Saturday and I also ate it for lunch on Friday.

We have WAY TOO MUCH chicken salad now! I didn’t realize how big these were!

I wandered in Anthro with my chicken salads – weird. I love the vibe and the aesthetic but never buy anything!

Then, I had felt a strong need for black flip flops as of late. I wandered down to Von Maur because I always like their flip flop selection. They have Reef and some good brands. They also have a piano player and it feels nice in there. Things are spread out. Do you have a Von Maur?

I ended up with the Crocs Miami and wore them all day long. They are so comfortable! I have never had a big toe entrapment to my knowledge and I was fine with it.

I had myself a nice little lunch of chicken salad and read my book on the patio. I think the playground screaming has become white noise but just so you know the screamers were out in full force on a Friday and there was screaming from 8:00 am until that final bell at 2:10!

Tom and I ordered pizza for dinner and watched Shrinking.

I went to the first Farmer’s Market Saturday morning. It was already packed at 8:30!

I bought a gift for a friend of Amish bread and jam and strawberries for us. Spoiler – Tom and I thought they were the best we have ever had. I was melancholy much of the weekend because our friends had to say goodbye to their sweet dog. That was why I bought a gift. And, our other friend is going to make a photo ornament so we will give them the gift together.

I met Tom and EO at the river and little EO had a nice swim!

We started the process of cleaning the boat, charging the batter, and getting gas in it. EO “helped”.

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw I finished this book. It was so sweet but then it turned really confusing and I still don’t know if I connected all the dots, then it turned cheesy and unrealistic.

I went out around 4:30 before I started dinner. Yes, we had dinner at home on a Saturday – let the record state!

I liked my outfit and wore my sandals from my mom and my new Aerie cut offs and I got a new piece of gauze for my gauze collection that I will talk about on Tuesday.

For dinner, we had a salad:

Tom had corned beef from the freezer and sauerkraut and we both had asparagus and potatoes. The asparagus was so good – I made it in the airfryer at 400 for 20 minutes or so.

Ok – another niece had prom and I was shocked to find out she had gone back to her natural hair color. She has been dying it really dark. This is a trend these days – did you know that? She is a senior while Lena is only a sophomore. Nora looked stunning! Nora is the one I did the cooking challenge with last summer.

Lena

Nora and Lena are cousins, not sisters. Lena is a mascara expert and I ask her advice.

Saturday night Tom and I started a new show called Vladimir and I kept asking for just one more episode! So good! Then, I started the Hallmark movie “All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong” – lololol. It made me chuckle.

Sunday I had some relaxing time to myself with some magazines and a library book…

I went to a little boutique and took the scenic route…

then I made alfredo for my kids who had to work but they came for a late dinner. It was a treat!

And now for…

Share Our Lives – On the Go Lunches

I don’t really eat on the go anymore. I sit at home with a plate now! But, for a long time I packed my lunch. I did almost always take a break and sit down. I even had a round table in my room so I could sit somewhere besides my desk.

I don’t really eat in my car. I don’t find protein bars very good or satisfying so I rarely eat those. It doesn’t feel like “real food” to me and it has a weird after taste.

I probably go through only 1 or 2 drive thru windows a month and it’s usually for a coffee treat. I have a locally owned coffee shop near my house that I will treat myself to once in a while. I can’t remember the last time I had Chick Fil A but that would be what I get if I do need food.

If I think I will get hungry between breakfast and lunch when I have to go somewhere I take a banana. I think a banana is such a perfect food. It comes in its own biodegradable container.

A sandwich is also such an easy food. I recently saw an IG nutritionist say that people have forgotten that a sandwich is a high protein meal. Duh! I don’t like ham and never have that much – it’s too pink – but I am worried about the lunch meat thing so please tell me turkey if it’s roasted is better?

Homemade egg bites in a mini muffin tin

Recipe I found on the internet:

Mine:

A wrap or a burrito is a great on the go food. I love a breakfast burrito. For years, I made a bunch of English muffin breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos to keep in my freezer and then I would pull one out to take to school.

Another thing to think about is a quick breakfast like a banana or yogurt parfait and then eat your eggs/breakfast food at lunch time.

My Amy McMuffins:

My Amylu sausages and low carb egg casserole – 6 eggs, green chilies can (small), 1/2 cottage cheese and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes – cut in 6 squares.

My burritos:

Let frozen fruit melt, add vanilla yogurt, and a bit of high protein granola. Tastes like dessert.

I find salads take a long time to eat if you are short on time.

I love a “bowl” – build anything really in a to go container – rice, beans, chicken, etc. and you can do any cuisine – Mexican, Asian, BBQ, burger, etc.

A grown up lunchable is a great on the go meal – you can get the containers that have the partitions and put some different items in each one.

Don’t forget leftovers or reconfiguring leftovers. I would pack my lunch for the next day while cleaning up dinner, so it didn’t really take any extra time.

I am packing Tom’s breakfast and lunch now and he eats a yogurt, a banana, 3 Cutie oranges, a sandwich or tuna salad and crackers, some chips, and some chocolate.

I’m excited to see your ideas!

Amy

Friday, May 8, 2026

How was your week? I’m linking up today with Andrea and Erika to recap mine and share some favorites. Did you miss any posts this week? I posted Hello Monday, Fashion Files, Currently Hodgepodging, and What I Get Excited About. Yes, I write a lot these days so go grab a drink and settle in.

Wow! Monday was cold, cold, cold. It was rainy and windy, and I had to break out my wonderful coat again. Tom is really good at practical and thoughtful gifts. Who knew how much I could love a coat? It’s called a D Robe.

Very emo:

We walk around 8 am behind our house and then later on in the morning we go somewhere in the car to walk or “run errands”. Eddie Otis can do some of my errands with me. He buys his own treats at Feeder’s Supply, he does Kroger pickups, and more!

After a nasty Monday morning, I was spoiled with gorgeous blue skies and sun!

Sunday my neighbor two doors down had a fire going and I put this on Instagram…

More fires, less leaf blowers – something like that!

I put Yesteryear down and started this…

I must have missed this Sophie Kinsella; I have read all of her books. I may go back to Yesteryear, but I’m not sure. One thing I’m learning is to not listen to all book opinions out there. I don’t always agree about the overly hyped-up books.

I finished Hallmark’s Kentucky Roses. It was filmed at Churchill Downs, Oxmoor Farm (where I have gone to see a polo match and soccer games, but I have not been in the farmhouse -yet), and the restaurant Village Anchor (have gone there many times). It was fun to see all the local places. Have you been reading my blog long enough to know about my experience as a movie extra?

And, look what’s on tomorrow:

So funny!

This flavor is new to me and I love it!

I made a Trader Joe’s boxed banana bread mix this week and added a very ripe banana to the mix and it turned out really delish. I individually wrapped up all the slices and put them in the freezer to take out as needed.

I made ham and swiss sliders this week. So good!

I saw a beautiful sunrise leaving the gym this week.

We are getting the chain Paris Baguette really close to my house and it looks like it’s almost ready to open! Do you have one where you live? I was surprised to see it’s actually from South Korea – not North Korea – or Paris, France.

I tried a new to me place this week…I love to shop locally, and this is the best pimento cheese I’ve ever tried. One of my April goals was to go to new places and I think I am continuing that this month.

I tried a little savory shortbread, too.

And…wait for it…I have found the best chocolate chip cookie in Louisville. It was flat but chewy with giant chocolate chips at the perfect ratio and flaky sea salt to finish.

We had a Mah Jong game scheduled but one of my Heathers had to cancel so the other Heather and I played “messy mahj” and really studied the card. We both think we improved a lot! I don’t know what it is about this game that gets ahold of you.

Notice I have Sharpied out some lines on the card which also helps me. We never play a concealed hand so I got rid of some of those options. Also, I ordered my card in large font.

For Cinco de mayo, yo hice enchiladas de pollo con salsa verde. Oops, did I just switch to Spanish? Es un chiste! They turned out perfectly spicy (just a little bit) and deliciosas. Do you know why I said “deliciosas”? Because the adjective has to agree/match with the noun. So “enchiladas” and “deliciosas” match. And, yes, I had to review/teach what a noun was and what an adjective was!

Yes, I do practice my Spanish but not enough. I speak whenever I have the opportunity. I met a new coffee shop owner from Ecuador and spoke with her, and I speak at any restaurant with native speakers. I usually just ask, “Can I practice my Spanish with you?” and I don’t say I’m a former Spanish teacher.

Sorry that it looks like a dog’s breakfast (el desayuno de un perro) but you will have to just trust that it tasted good!

Tom, Tom, Tom. I should really do a post about Tom.

He announced to me that he got me a chair for Mother’s Day!

I have been wanting a reading chair in the corner of our bedroom, but we currently have our old armoire (that we need to get rid of) where my chair would be. I already have a wonderful chair on my patio, but I thought it could be another outdoor chair?

He hands me the tiniest Amazon package and says I can open it early.

My chair:

It’s a phone stand! I actually really love it and have never had a phone stand. This is such a Tom gift.

We had a good dinner of salad with chicken and brussels sprouts on the side one night this week.

I went to a mid-week farmer’s market…

There was no produce there but I bought some peonies and notecards. If you haven’t visited a farmer’s market in a while, there is so much more than food.

I also had a trip to Costco…

They had beautiful ferns but I resisted for now.

I enjoyed my sunroof! Isn’t that the best feeling?

What made you smile this week?

Amy

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Today’s post is a mix between a “Friday Favorites” and a gratitude list. Of course, I get excited about the truly deep meaningful parts of life, but I thought I would talk about the little things in life.

The magic of flowers blooming again and taking photos of them- it never gets old.

A fresh Chobani creamer and finding a new good flavor. I can’t help it. I like my frothy creamer. It gets me out of bed. This new s’mores is good!

A new podcast episode release of…

Watch What Crappens – Hosts Ben and Ronnie make fun of the Bravo shows and I am literally doubled over laughing

Tuesday Night Date Night

Big Boo Cast

A magazine in the mail – even though they are dinky and mostly ads now

An alert that new library requests have come in for me – I like to have a large stack of options for free! Isn’t the library great?

A really well made cocktail

A great candle that burns great and isn’t headache inducing

Clean laundry and seeing it all folded nicely – still using B and B Moonlit Goddess

A sunny day with a light breeze

Spring rain

Making my dog happy by saying it’s time to walk

A great pad of paper and a great pen – my favorite brand of pen is Tul from Amazon

Getting to play Mah Jong

Cute napkins and plates

When I make something good and a little fancy like a quiche

What is something you get excited about these days?

Amy

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Hi! I’m glad you’re here today! It’s the start of a fresh new month. Many refer to this month as “Maycember”. If you are a teacher or a parent of school age kids from kindergarten through college, it’s a busy, busy month. My sisters are super busy right now, one of my friends is moving her college grad daughter to a new city, one of my friends welcomed her daughter home from study abroad in Germany – all kinds of exciting transitional things happen this month.

It’s weird for me to have a May to myself! I am almost at my completion of a full school year as a retiree. It went by crazy fast – except for January and February! Ha!

My advice to you is to be organized, plan ahead, plan for easy meals, and then just take it one day or week at a time. Get up 15 minutes earlier each day and see how much you can get done. Take an hour to get your ducks in a row. Delegate! Also, say “no” to a few things. All this is easy for me to say now, isn’t it? But, seriously, you cannot do it all.

Link up with me at the bottom for Currently and read on to see my Hodgepodge answers with Joyce!

Digging – Literally or the 70s version meaning “loving”

I am digging this spring weather! I sometimes start my morning outside with my devotional and blog reading and writing but almost every day I eat lunch outside and then extend that into my reading time. I am so happy that Eddie Otis is finally growing up a bit. He comes out with me and then decides he’s done and goes back inside to nap and gives me some time to read. It turned cold on us again this weekend but I knew it wasn’t going to last long.

I am digging my spring clothing! I am really enjoying wearing my blouses and jeans. I am starting to pull out some shorts to wear out of the house, too. I think dresses will be coming soon, but I have only worn one to Churchill Downs and one out to dinner on Derby eve.

My new Aerie shorts and flip flops with an ON blouse:

Wearing a dress:

Weeding – Literally or “cleaning out”

I am weeding out my spring and summer clothing – I need to go through my dresses.

I’m also weeding out things from both of my kids’ old rooms and their basement area. For my Mother’s Day gift, they are coming to work on this with me!

Enjoying – foods, shows, books, clothing, people – whatever!

I am enjoying walking Eddie Otis more now that I have his “bra”. This keeps him from pulling too hard on the leash with me. I wish I had gone to the pet store sooner to do this! We are walking more and that benefits both of us.

I am enjoying so much right now: my outdoor spaces, reading outside, my flowers in wine bottles, my huge stack of library books.

I am enjoying my gold Birkenstocks again and they seem more comfortable? Weird, I know.

For food, I am enjoying simple things. A sandwich, an omelet, salad with protein, things like that.

For shows, all the Bravo shows and I am starting Running Point Season 1 so I can watch Season 2.

Eating/drinking – I found my favorite sourdough bread ever. It’s a thinly sliced half loaf from Whole Foods and I have been having a half of a sandwich with deli turkey, tomato, lettuce, and mayo. I still love my egg mixture for breakfast and have it with three Amylu chicken breakfast sausages. I am still drinking all the water I can, LMNT electrolytes, and coffee.

Shopping for – We are going to need a few house things soon so I am trying not to shop a lot right now. Tom wants to replace our porch ceiling fans, for one example.

I’m really trying not to do to any intentional clothing or shoe shopping now. If I see something I might get it, but I don’t need to go looking. I did see some adorable dresses on Nordstrom Rack and ordered a couple to try. I do feel that my dresses are lacking. I can return in person if they don’t work.

And, now, for Hodgepodge…

1. What’s something you may do this month?

Tom really needs to take some time off from work and we are trying to figure out a couple of weeknights away with our little boy Eddie Otis.

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo… how do you feel about Mexican food? What’s your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option? 

I love Mexican food! I like to order things I can’t make as well, like chilaquiles. I have made them, but they are probably best with homemade tortilla chips. I feel like some of my Mexican dishes are better than a restaurant’s. I think my white chicken enchiladas are really good. I like my guacamole more with a few exceptions. Now, we are probably talking more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican food here. I can’t make white queso as well so that is something we enjoy getting at a restaurant.

Tom first called me his girlfriend at a Mexican restaurant so that is special! Ha!

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they’ll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember? 

My catty answer is screaming. The children of today like to scream. I live in front of a playground and I can hear screaming inside my house. Bloodcurdling, horror movie level screaming. And, yes, I am aware that I now sound like a cranky old woman.

My real answer is probably very close to what I remember – the friends and family they spent time with, shows and movies, trips, favorite foods and who made them.

I hope they remember it as a time of freedom from worries.

I remember Jack turning to Mason as a child and saying, “Come on, you need to play with me. Soon we will be adults and life will be no fun anymore”.

4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

Teach your children to only scream in the case of a true emergency. Buy earplugs.

Keep it simple. Have a structured routine. Your kids do not need technology, tons of toys, lavish trips and experiences yet. I just saw an acquaintance take her kid to NYC for a 4th or 5th birthday. My first thought is…”What will this kid expect for the subsequent birthdays?” In my day, we had some cupcakes in someone’s garage and called it a day. We are seeing and comparing others’ parenting on social media and it makes it really hard. Normalize a simple birthday. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your kid needs a happy, healthy you.

5. What’s a phrase your mother often said to you? If you’re a mom do you say it to your own children? 

“It’s bedtime for Bonzo” and yes, I do, too!

Bedtime for Bonzo is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Frederick de Cordova and produced by Universal International Pictures, starring Ronald Reagan as psychology professor Peter Boyd, who raises a chimpanzee named Bonzo to demonstrate that environmental influences outweigh hereditary factors in shaping behavior.The film premiered on February 15, 1951, in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a wide U.S. release on April 5, 1951, and runs for 83 minutes.

This is actually the first time I have looked this up!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have had my first serious thoughts about moving from this house. I don’t like that I am becoming grumpy. I love kids! Between the screaming kids and the next-door neighbor’s ex who uses a leaf blower almost every day, plus the fact that we have the school traffic, 500 new apartments being built across the main road to get to our house, a new VA hospital going in very, very close to our house, it’s something to think about. It’s just weird when you have been so contented and never given it a thought and then one day you do. I also don’t want to “cut off my nose despite my face”. I am home more now and I’m noticing it more now.

Let me know if you have experienced this and have any advice.

Link up here for Currently!

Amy

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Welcome to Fashion Files! Thank you to Marsha for our cute new graphic!

I hope you will join us!

I took this photo because it made me happy to see my gold kitten heels. These shoes make me feel fabulous. Do you have a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes that does that for you? I also really like the print of my dress. I have hardly worn this but got it at a little boutique in my hometown that is now out of business, sadly.

I wore this to dinner last Friday night.

I wore this new dress to the track on Tuesday. It’s by Umgee which is a boutique brand. I have an assignment for you – see what locally owned boutiques you have near you and check them out.

I usually find dresses and blouses for $50-$60 but I feel like I keep them for a long time and the price per wear goes down. I tell myself I have to audibly gasp at the print to buy it.

For some reason, my gold Birkenstocks feel more comfortable this season. I enjoyed wearing them with jeans one day last week.

Let’s talk about my new horse cardigan. I found this two Sundays ago at a boutique called Pink Tag. I have been wanting a horse sweater for a long time (weird statement). I had one from Loft but it was a crew neck, and I didn’t love the fit or fabric so that got donated.

This horse cardigan was the last one on the rack and it was also around $60. The weather turned cold after my Tuesday day at the track and I am not kidding when I say I wore it part of every day from Wednesday-Saturday (Derby week). I also wore it on Monday (the day after I bought it). I think it will also look cute in the fall.

One day I wore it with this consignment button up underneath, one day I wore it with a black tank, one day I wore it with a white tee, and I wore it with denim shorts and jeans. Lol.

These guys did a pretty good job keeping me comfortable at the track on Tuesday. I love them! I got mine at DSW.

I have enjoyed wearing my new Aerie gold flip flops, too. Here are my new Aerie denim cut offs and my Old Navy floral blouse worn together.

I don’t show you many casual outfits but here is my walking and errand outfit over the weekend. I wore my last season Aerie Maine lobsta sweatshirt and my favorite black leggings.

A couple of things that caught my eye…

These Chico’s jeans:

These Sam Eddleman sandals:

My nails are a hot mess. Just getting gel twice and going through the removal process has damaged the surface.

Apparently bare nails are in!

Have you heard to curl the front pieces of your hair in front of your face? I wasn’t sure if I understood this, but this told me I did. First of all, if you aren’t clipping up the top half of your hair to curl the under, that really helps. Then, move the side front part of your hair to the middle of your face to do your curl.

I think the clipping up of the top half of your hair and how much hair you curl at at time matters more than your barrel size. I use a 1 inch and take a fairly small amount of hair each time. My hair does better if I wash it the night before than day of.

I have decided to try to sell two pairs of my sneakers.

These New Balance 530s are just too big. They are my regular size but they run 1/2 size big apparently. I feel like I have trouble getting shoe and clothing sizes right sometimes!

These are also my normal size but they run narrow.

I put them on Facebook Marketplace where I have had good luck selling shoes.

I am a big fan of self tanner and spray tans, but…

I have been reading outside when I can for an hour or two a day. I have developed a bit of natural color using sunscreen.

Bad photo and I do have shorts on:

This gives me a little confidence to start wearing those dresses and shorts. But, oh, what I wouldn’t give for the unblemished legs of the youth.

I bought this a long time ago and I have put it on a few times. It does something! It’s messy and I have to keep a wet washcloth for my hands and Eddie Otis tries to lick it off.

It’s Hawaiian so it must be good!

Anyway, I bring this up to say I guess I’m natural this year.

I placed an Old Navy order using my stupid Supercash. I say “stupid” because I hate the game involving Kohl’s Cash and Supercash. It makes you feel obligated and I can never get it right.

I ordered the navy blouse I have but in coral:

a striped tank, a navy elevated t-shirt, and a black tank swimsuit.

I returned it all!

I love the swimsuit but it was too big so I just have to re-order. Here it is if anyone wants a classic tank suit. I was quite thick and good quality and is on sale for under $24.

The coral just didn’t look as nice as the navy.

I’m proud of myself for returning and not trying to make it work.

Well, this has been a long and chatty Fashion Files.

What have you been wearing and what have you bought?

Link up here!

Amy

Monday, May 4, 2026

May the Fourth be with you! It’s time to link up with Sarah and Holly to share our weekends!

Can we believe it’s May? I can’t!

Friday was a chill day. I went out and got a few things we needed from CVS and then treated myself to a sugar cookie latte. So good! I had some patio time to read. I am reading the first book of The Windy City series by Liz Tomforde right now. It’s very chick lit and very rated R. I’m not sure I will read the others or not yet!

I had the Kentucky Oaks race on during the afternoon and had three nice phone calls! Do you talk on the phone? I really don’t enjoy texting that much and love a good old fashioned phone chat.

Ugh – my nails look so bad. I got tired of the press ons and removed them and the glue was hard to get off. I bought an OPI white at CVS and did them myself.

Meanwhile, it was little Lena’s first prom as a sophomore because she is dating a senior! Lena is my namesake with the same middle name as Aunt Amy. We’ve had a bond from day one. I sent her the Selena Gomez lip gloss because it matched her dress perfectly in the bottle.

She inspired me to put on my gold heels and a dress I haven’t worn much. Just kidding – we had a dinner reservation.

I made myself a nerds gummy cluster cocktail because Melanie Shankle talked about one from a restaurant. Then, later, my friend told me how bad this candy is for you.

We ate in a tent attached to a really popular restaurant because Derby brings so many people out to eat. It looked like we were at a wedding.

Our experience was pretty meh. The menu was limited, the tent was noisy with a heater running from a truck next to it, and my chicken parmesan was good but lukewarm.

Oh well, it was good company and fun to be out on a Friday night!

Friday night I got a text from Mason asking if he could hang out with us on Saturday – and come for brunch or lunch and hang out until he had to work a Derby event! Of course! I decided to make pancakes and bacon. Then, I invited Jack as well before he had to work.

But first, I went to Trader Joe’s, Clothes Mentor, and Old Navy.

Both of these are really good!

I got these to make a snack board later in the day:

I sold some clothes to Clothes Mentor for the whopping amount of $9. I will donate most but wanted to see if I could make some money back. I returned my entire Old Navy Supercash order. I just wasn’t excited. I will talk about that tomorrow in Fashion Files.

Are you making bacon on a sheet pan in the oven yet? It’s so much neater!

Both kids were here from 11-12:30 and they had fun eating and talking. Then, Jack had to leave for work and Mason hung out with us until 7:00. He did some reading on his own and I also read my book some.

Then, he agreed to watch The Devil Wears Prada original movie with me while Tom did yard work. It was so cold and really too cold to be outside Saturday! Mason liked the movie and even said he would be willing to see the second with me in the theater if I needed someone to go. Awwww.

I made a snack board and popcorn and then made tacos and corn for dinner. After Mason left I watched the Derby race and some of the Hallmark movie…

It was cheesy like all of them, but it was fun seeing a restaurant I have gone to a bunch as one of the scenes!

Look what’s coming next weekend:

Lololol!

Do you try to shop seasonally? I loved this graphic I found:

I plan to make strawberry salad and asparagus soon. I need to buy dill. I love dill. I keep blueberries in the freezer.

Don’t forget that we have the Fashion Files link up tomorrow and Currently Wednesday!

We have a lot going on in the blog world this week!

What was the highlight of your weekend? I’d love to know!

Amy