Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

My goal was to have a “low spend” February. I felt like I was ordering too much on Amazon in January and spending a lot on groceries. I think the winter storm affected that! I was worried about having all the food to cook on hand. We snacked more. We ate our feelings. I was tired of winter and its clothing. You know the drill.

I do think I cut down on eating out this month and we did less take out, as well. Tom has expressed interest in taking lunch to work a couple of days a week, too. He’s finding it harder to find lunch deals and the cold and the traffic have made it more appealing to stay in his office. Yay! This makes me happy. For years he has gone out to eat five days a week to get out of the office but he’s growing up, I guess.

Another goal was to keep a pretty organized fridge, to eat from the freezer, and to cut down on food waste.

I also did not want to shop for myself too much. I feel like I spend too much on toiletries, too. Why do I buy something and then I turn around and need another toiletry? I am trying to use up what I’ve got and keep a list of what I would like in the toiletry department.

I also wanted to have fun this month on a budget. I looked for free things or happy hour deals and free events. .

I continued to use the library and read 6 books this month; the library really is my best friend. If I were to buy those books new – Let’s average the cost of about $15 a book at Target – it would have cost close to $100. Girl math says I can use that on shoes!

I think I had a pretty good month all things considered! I would give myself a B probably if I were getting graded.

Here’s the breakdown to the best of my knowledge…

Amy’s Entertainment (meals out or things with friends): $159

Osteria $51, Green District $15. Steak and Bourbon $20, El Mundo $14, Highland Morning $26, Cheddar Box $20, Red Hog $13

Amy Beauty: $184

eyebrow wax/tint: $61, hair: $123 including tips of 20-25%

I am still so happy with my eyebrows! Tinting is so amazing! No regrets!

Tom and Amy date night: Mojito $86 (included a meal for Mason), Black Rabbit $66 including tips of 25-30%.

We stayed in (even on Valentine’s Day) for dinner a lot more this month than in January.

Amy Clothing: $196

I think I made some really good purchases, but I didn’t plan to shop this much.

Target cream crochet sweater: $37

Target fish sweater: $30

Target plaid short sleeve: $25

Amazon jeans x 2: $42 + $42 (really proud of myself – this was only Amazon fashion purchase of the month)

Consignment striped button up: $10

Consignment sleeveless sweater: $10

Kroger: $786

This is my main grocery shopping place. I usually do pickups. It’s right by my house. We use a lot of Kroger brand items.

All groceries for the month combined: $1109

2/2 $79.06

2/5 $121.63

2/6: $62

2/10: $11.61

2/13: $127.86 and $46.97

2/16: $13

2/18: $6

2/19: $161

2/26 $160 – I had to break down and do an order. We were literally out of everything, but I did well from 2/19-2/25 using up what we had!

Paul’s: $99

This is a little market near my house. It’s too easy to pop in!

2/1: $31

2/7 $42

2/8 $26

Trader Joe’s: $51, $72, and $50

I really reduced my TJ’s runs this month!

2/9 $51

2/15 $72

2/27 $50

Costco:

2/19: $99 – mainly dog food

Daily Expenditures:

Sunday, Feb. 1 – Paul’s Fruit Market $31

Monday, Feb. 2 – Kroger pick up $81, Feeder’s Supply dog treats and one toy $37, $3.95 Starbuck’s while tutoring my Spanish student (have to buy something to use their table!) +$40 tutoring money earned

Tuesday, Feb. 3 – Target lace trimmed track suit $70 – ended up returning.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 – $64 brow wax, tint, and tip, $40 Osteria happy hour with Jen that turned into dinner also – her idea and we split a chicken parm +40 Facebook Marketplace selling my yellow Hunter boots I never wear

Thursday, Feb. 5 – $110 Kroger pick up, $195 Costco run, $40 Walgreen’s toiletry items

Friday, Feb. 6 -Mojito $25 happy hour with old school friends

Saturday, Feb. 7 – $42 Paul’s Fruit Market (mostly sympathy gift for friends); Dave’s Hot Chicken $50 dinner

Sunday, Feb. 8 – Walgreens $42, car wash $15, gym $0, Paul’s $26

Monday, Feb. 9 – Library $0, Trader Joe’s $51

Tuesday, Feb. 10 – consignment shopping with friend $0, Lunch at Green District Salad $16 with tip

Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Amazon Return, Goodwill drop off, Kroger $11.61, Walgreens Shingle $0

Thursday, Feb. 12 – Free Galentine’s Event but did buy a 12 cent mimosa (!!) and then spent $16 on an appetizer at Steak and Bourbon

Friday, Feb. 13 – Target Return +$70 but saw crochet sweater $35, Kroger Pick up for Valentine’s meal and staples we were out of $127.86 and I went in and spent $46.97 more! Ugh!

Saturday, Feb. 14 – Haymarket sandwich for lunch $12

Sunday, Feb. 15 – Shiraz $13 and Thai $32

Monday, Feb. 16 – McDonald’s $5, Kroger $13, El Mundo $13

Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Hair day! $123, Cajun gumbo delivery because mine was ruined $30

Wednesday, Feb. 18 – charity dinner $53 (pre-paid), Kroger milk and a frozen meal for Tom to take to work $8

Thursday, Feb. 19 – Kroger pick up $150, Costo $99 (dog food and a few food items)

Friday, Feb. 20 – $20

Breakfast, $40 plant store, $20

Consignment, $60 dinner

Saturday, Feb. 21 – $0 – ordered gold mary janes on Amazon

Sunday, Feb. 22 – Target return +$26 and Target purchase $48

Monday, Feb. 23 – tutor student +$40, Starbuck’s $9 (too much! – I go there to do my tutoring and freeze because I don’t know what to order)

Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Amazon return at UPS store $0, Lunch with friend Beth $20, purchase of two of the cutest pink and green candlesticks and tiny taper candles $14

Wednesday, Feb. 25 -EO pedicure $26, feeders treats and bday toy $48 -oopsie, Taco Bell $9

Th, Feb. 26 – Beth and Jenny high school friends for happy hour at Red Hog – I only spent $8 but with tip it was $13. I bought a bottle of wine next door for $13, too.

Friday, Feb. 27 – movie ticket $12 with online fees (maybe next matinee I will just wait to buy ticket), Kroger pick up $160, Door Dash dinner $50

Sat, Feb. 28 – library $0, Trader Joe’s $50, pizza $20

It was hard to record everything this month, but it was eye opening and it helped me to be intentional. I would like to have more zero spend days going forward.

I feel like you just saw my dirty laundry!

Amy

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

You either have adult children or you will have adult children, no? I am inspired by mothers a bit ahead of me in this walk. I have parented harder in the last few years than I really thought I would if you want to know the truth. It’s a different sort of parenting. I remember my cousin who is ahead of me in the parenting game by a few years saying she longed for the days of physical rather than mental exhaustion. Have you ever felt that way?

Ok, this might be good! If I find out these movie ads I’m seeing are a hoax I will be upset!

I have 23-year-old twins. They were pretty neck and neck with things in life until senior year of college. Mason studied abroad in England for the first semester of senior year and Jack found himself in an uncomfortable dorm suite situation with three strangers and decided to move home for senior year and commute. I was disappointed but agreed that it made sense.

So, from beginning of senior year until this past September, Jack was at home with us. Mason lived on campus until the end of senior year and then lived at home with us until two weeks ago. Wahhhh! All in all, it was about the same amount of time. There isn’t the stigma with moving back home with your parents that there used to be. In Europe, kids live at home all through college and up until they get married.

Looking back now, we could not have had a puppy without them at home. I was out of the house from 8-4 and unable to come home to let the dog out (Who let the dogs out? The kids, the kids). Tom was out of the house from 7:30-almost 6 and could come home but it wasn’t that easy with about a 20-minute commute. They were able to help us between their two work schedules. I really enjoyed most of that time that they were at home, too. I felt like they had a time of re-connection in their relationship, too.

I feel like Tom and I dabbled in the empty nest world during each of those three years they were on campus. They chose the same liberal arts college in our city but lived on campus. They started at the height of Covid in August of 2020, and Tom and I felt really good about the college’s policies and the fact that they were near if they got sick. This was in the days of mandatory testing, vaccines, mask wearing, etc. Oh, and our kids went to college without driver’s licenses because their lessons got cancelled and the DMV shut down. They drug their feet a bit about starting the permit and license process and then poof their lessons got cancelled and we didn’t know when the DMV would open back up. They did get their licenses the summer after freshman year of college.

Having twins and no other children, we only got one shot and had to divide our attention between two young humans hitting all the milestones together – if that makes sense.

I try to respect my kids’ privacy and don’t share a whole lot here on the blog. Neither of them is active on social media much and I have always said they act more like kids of the 80s. They both love records (especially Mason), comic books, and board games.

They both live here in our city with a roommate each. I think both of them have a good first apartment/house in the “real world” situation. They aren’t great with phone calls, but they text quite a bit.

Jack’s text last week:

So sweet. Forgive the mistakes.

And, this cracked me up. Mason had just moved out:

He was looking for capers to whip up a casual chicken piccata dish in his new place! So Mason!

Tom never thought the college years should be defined as us being “empty nesters”. He said they were still coming home for the summers and breaks and such and that didn’t count. I guess he was right because this feels more permanent even though one or both could end up back here at some point.

I was ready for Jack to move out in September because we had started butting heads about household contributions and I didn’t love how late he would sleep on certain days. It also made me nervous knowing his commitments and what time he was leaving to get places on time. Both of my kids think it’s rude to be early. What the what? I was from a military family that said, “if you are on time, you are late”. It’s so part of my makeup to be early and to allow more time for any place I have to go. Honestly, it improved our relationship greatly for him to move out. He regularly asks about me now and it feels like he has so much more appreciation for us and what we provided.

Mason moving out a couple of weeks ago was harder. He was a big help to me and Eddie Otis and was pleasant and actually wanted to talk and spend time with Tom and I… until about a month ago. We started butting heads and I was doing more parenting than is healthy at this stage. I just couldn’t help myself. He was annoyed with things I was doing (like unloading the dishwasher too early and horrible things like that) and it was really getting old.

So, I am in an adjustment period right now and I have my moments. I feel like the making dinner pressure is off a bit because it’s easy to just cook for Tom and I and I feel like Tom and I can be on our schedule now – we both get up early and go to bed early and don’t have to worry about when anyone is coming home. We don’t have to be as quiet in the kitchen with someone else asleep.

I’m also sad that I don’t have a kid at home to give me that “mothering” purpose.

I miss the younger years with my sweet kids.

I am trying to say things like “let me know what you need help with” when I talk to my kids. I am trying not to use “you should” and “back in my day I did___”. I can still remember how opinionated my parents were with me and that sometimes it really made me feel bad. I would have thoughts that they weren’t proud of me when they said they didn’t agree with my adult decisions.

I will say that the world is not the same today as it was in 1994 when I graduated from college. It just isn’t. It is very, very expensive to have now what I was able to afford at 22. I was able to have an apartment (with a roommate), a car payment on a brand-new car, afford travel, and have a pretty good social life on my first salary of $21, 000. It’s a fine line between being understanding and letting the kids use today’s world as a crutch for why they can’t do something, though.

Since I have twins, when they are together it’s almost as if no one else exists. They have inside jokes and are just really in tune with each other. I try to get them one on one so I can chat with each one separately. I’m hoping to take them out one on one soon. I also like to nurture their bond and I try to give them some money to have fun together every few months. It’s super important to me and I know that has been one of the hardest things for them to go from living together to not living together and having conflicting work schedules.

Anyway…I’m doing ok with my new normal, but I did have my moments as I was getting adjusted and still have my moments.

Amy

Monday, March 2, 2026

I had such a nice weekend! We need to go back to Thursday, though… and let’s link up with Holly and Sarah.

I had a happy hour at one of my favorite places, Red Hog, which has a really long marble table inside a heated outdoor structure. Unfortunately, there was a private party, but my two high school friends that live nearby and I made do with this table next to a heater. It was still a bit chilly out that afternoon.

We ordered drinks and this homemade brioche bread and butter to share.

It was so nice catching up and laughing together!

This is how Tom told me he was on his way home from work. Ok….

No words – just his selfie. That’s my “hi” below.

Friday I finally saw Wuthering Heights at a matinee with my college roommate and bestie.

The chairs are so comfortable that I was afraid I might fall asleep but I didn’t!

It was stunning! It was so good. I don’t know that I ever read the book, but I read up on the plot before going. I am not sure how close it was to the original story. I also realized you didn’t really need any background to enjoy the movie. I loved it so much. I would see it again. It’s best seen in the theater for sure. I read that it was filmed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in England. The landscape was gorgeous.

I came home and Eddie Otis and I picked up groceries and walked. I read outside a little bit but it was still chilly. I did finish this book on Friday. Oh wow. It was thought-provoking. I didn’t really like the mom or the dad. I had a problem with the dad buying White Claws for his just turned 18 year old son. I didn’t give anything away. I didn’t love how they parented. Look at me – so judgey.

With that being said, I’m glad I read the book and it scared me even more about AI. It won’t be one of my favorites, but I did like it.

We ordered some take out for dinner and I got this Greek salad – it was unique.

Saturday morning I got up and out early to run some errands and I took a homemade breakfast burrito to go in my car – yum!

I went to Kroger to return stinky salmon – yes I did, to the library, and to Trader Joe’s. I ran into an old teaching friend at Trader Joe’s and that was so nice!

Look at my stack:

I started this and I am loving it!

At this point, I got hot! I changed into shorts and a t-shirt!

Eddie Otis did some sunbathing:

Mason ate lunch on the deck:

As if my day couldn’t get any better, these magazines arrived and my former student dropped off our Girl Scout cookies.

I filled up my bird feeders:

Around 5, Tom, Eddie Otis, and I drove downtown to walk around the NULU area, and it was hopping and there was literally no parking! I don’t know if something was going on or if the weather just brought people out. We ended up just driving along the river and getting some pizza for dinner. We are watching How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and watched an episode.

Sunday Tom and I ran an errand, but it was a lazy, lazy day. It turned cold again but I did go for a walk without a canine.

Don’t forget the March edition of Currently is this Wednesday:

Saving my life right now – sounds dramatic, but this is just what really adds light to your life,Cleaning/purging,Loving,Planning (trip wise),Taking a break from – are the prompts.

I hope you will join me!

What did you do this weekend?

Amy

Saturday, February 28, 2026

It’s a rare Saturday post coming at you so I can link up with Jenn!

Something I loved

Gosh, this month went by quickly! I love looking back at my February photos to jog my memory. I also love referring back to my February goals list to see how I did. I had a full month and feel very blessed. I also did really well on my goals list. We had a cold month and our electric bill doubled what it was in January!

I loved having fires in my fireplace on the cold and snowy weekend days. I loved having my Valentine’s decor up, too.

I loved all my themed meals I tried to make.

Since the Olympics was set in Italy, I went to World Market and got a few authentic Italian things.

Here was my cacio e pepe for the opening of the Olympics. I didn’t watch as much as I thought I would. I am more a Summer Olympics gal! I can’t wait to make cacio e pepe again.

I loved making my German Valentine’s meals and my attempt at Mardi Gras gumbo. Oh well. I love a theme and would you believe I have been making themed meals for Tom since we were dating? I had a little one-bedroom apartment and made him some funny themed meals in my tiny kitchen.

I loved one on one time with friends this month. I went to a Galentine’s event with my friend Jessica and we ended the night with the best lemondrop martini.

A nice happy hour and meal with my friend Jennifer:

I had a consignment shopping day with Katie and a plant shopping day with Kara. I had a lunch and shopping day with Beth, and finally a happy hour with two high school girls that live nearby.

Something that sustained me

The sun – even when it was cold, we had a lot of sunny days. Even when I’m just in my car picking up groceries the blue sky and sun help me!

My reading life – check out my February books

A bit more routine – albeit a loose one

A joyful attitude – more joy and less sadness

Phone calls and texts with family and friends – along with in person time mentioned above

Something I’m carrying forward into March

Learning how to better parent adult children

Worrying about what is mine to worry about – I can make a problem mine very easily

Matching energy – I had some let downs with people in my life in February. One person lied to me and one person didn’t make it seem like I was important in their life. So, I need to take these actions at face value, realize those actions are about the other person and not me, and spend my energy elsewhere. I think?

Something I’m making space for this month

More walks outside alone. I love walking EO, but I also need to walk alone.

Music. I am playing more music at home, and I am also anticipating some live music opportunities coming up. The music rather than a podcast has really lifted my spirits. Sometimes I think we have too much talking and not enough music in our lives, no?

Well, my Four Somethings got deep real fast!

What is something you would share with me today?

Amy

Friday, February 27, 2026

Well, today will be a two post day so I can share my February books. I had another good winter reading month! Yay! Here are my January books. Reminder that I only read library books and I only read books I like. So, I like them all!

I loved this story so much – this would be a great summer read. I am not sure what appealed to me so much but I loved the premise of adults at a summer camp.

This was another story I really liked although there was a trigger warning about a parent’s death in the story. It was actually therapeutic for me. I know it looks like I read “fluff” but I take things away from even what looks like chick lit and I would say I read chick lit with some depth.

This made me laugh out loud a few times. The main character was a hoot. If you are a fan of The Bachelor, you might like the premise.

This was such a quick read for me. I think I liked it more than the first book and I am excited to watch the Apple tv show.

This is super rated R and I kind of got tired of it with about 50 pages left. So, I did really like it until the last part and then I had to force myself to finish it. I knew what was going to happen and all that.

This was a really unique book. It’s all written in letters and emails. I got the large print edition and I am not sure why. It sure was nice. I hate to do that and keep it from someone who really needs it, though. It made me think of the practice of writing actual letters, too. I think I have saved every letter I have ever received. Ha! I was always a big letter writer. My mom gave me the letters I wrote to my fam from college and from Spain. I went to college from 1990-1994 so it’s a little surprising how much I wrote to them – meaning the phone was available. I also have lots of letters from Tom from the time period where we were long distance and when he had to go live on construction job sites. What a gift to have someone’s handwritten letter.

So, I read 6 books this month. I generally read while I eat breakfast and lunch and then in the afternoon after lunch for a bit. I don’t turn on the tv at all during the day. I think that is key to having time to read. You can read or you can watch tv. Do you agree?

It’s ok if you aren’t a reader. My sister Kate keeps trying to make herself one and she just doesn’t enjoy it. That’s ok. She has other hobbies and gifts.

Amy

Friday, February 27, 2026

How was your week? I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites of mine this week. I’m double posting today – my other post will be my February book recap. Also, I am posting tomorrow for Share Four Somethings. Look at all this content! Woohoo! You’re gonna get sick of me!

Thank you for all the comments you left Eddie Otis for his first post on his 2nd birthday! He had a great week. He was spoiled. He got a pedicure, his first bandana (chili peppers), and a trip to stock up on his favorite treats and to pick out his next stuffie. Yes, folks, I have become a crazy dog mom.

On Sunday, Tom and I tried gumbo again. I am wondering if it’s my pot. We used a stainless steel pot because we don’t have a Dutch Oven. We first browned the sausage, and it left some black burny bits. We were supposed to leave the sausage flavorings in the pot per the recipe. Then, we stirred that dang roux for an hour! I thought it turned out pretty good except for the burny bits but Tom was not a fan. He didn’t even want to save the leftovers.

I was a bit perturbed as gumbo is not anything I would ever order on a menu! Oh well.

I made another Tom request – sheet pan pot pie with puff pastry. It turned out beautifully, but the pot pie mixture below the puff should be thicker. Or, I could have used a smaller sheet pan.

I finished this early in the week and wow – this is a book that will stay with me.

I started this and whoa – I hope I can see it through but it’s going to be a bit rough I have a feeling. I am worried about the mom and oldest girl in the family.

I will need a fluffy chick lit book next.

I had my Spanish tutoring at Starbuck’s on Monday. I feel like I have to buy something to use their space, but I only drank about 1/4 of it. Meh. I should pre-plan what I am going to order instead of looking like a deer in headlights at the register.

One of our dinners this week was sub in a tub. Yum! I love this meal!

I have been a bit down this week – the cold and a couple of other things that have upset me – so I turned to Fiona for her wisdom. I have been reading a bit with breakfast this week.

I anxiously await the next episodes of both Love is Blind 10 and Love Story – JFK, Jr. and Carolyn – lol.

I was looking through old photos and found my twins in their JFK, Jr. backwards ball cap era.

Jack is hugging Mason from behind:

I think Mason was mad about something:

This was on the ferry from Key West to Fort Jefferson and it was about 2.5 hours. We sat on the front of the boat and I was in heaven. It was an amazing day touring the fort and snorkeling there.

I had a fun morning one day this week. I checked out some shops with my friend Beth. I had gone to this little strip center’s holiday open house but it was super crowded. I discovered the cutest little plant store within a bigger decor store and I discovered a gourmet provisions store with salads, soups, prepared foods, and baked goods. If you are local, Petals is inside Digs and the food shop is called Elderberry Provisions. I can’t wait to support both businesses!

I only bought one thing that day – these tiny pink and green candlesticks and tiny taper candles. I thought they would be so cute on my Easter/Spring mantel. The candlesticks were only $5 each and the tapers were only $1 each.

Then, we ate lunch at Cheddar Box and I think I had the sandwich of my life. It was listed as one of their specialties and it was turkey and brie. I had a cup of tomato artichoke soup and that was excellent, too. Beth had their hot brown which is of Louisville fame!

Here is Eddie Otis bringing home his new stuffie. He picked out a Highland cow. When I say picked out, I took him down the toy aisle and this is the only one he nosed.

I am not a good steak cooker/maker! Our friends brought Tom steaks to thank him for something and I think I successfully cooked them. They were ribeyes and I made a horseradish sauce to accompany.

I couldn’t believe EO wasn’t bothered by his bandana:

He crates himself:

It makes me feel better that he randomly goes in his crate with the door open all day long.

Mason subbed at my school and I offered to drive him because the traffic and parking is just a nightmare. It was a fun blast from the past to be in the “carpool line”.

He was going to walk but Mother Nature is menopausal. What on Earth? It said rain and high of almost 60 and sunny by afternoon and she decided to sleet/snow.

This made me pretty darn sure I am an Enneagram Two. I am feeling all of these things in this current season of life:

What filled your cup this week?

Amy

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Hi! I thought I would talk both fashion and ways I make my week easier with the Monthly Musings gals here.

1. paper planner! I just love writing things down and being able to see dates spread out before me.
2. mostly meal planning and a little prep – I will have a really good week and then I will be tired and fall short the next week sometimes. I like to roast up cubed sweet potatoes for my breakfast right now.
3. I don’t choose my outfit the night before anymore. I haven’t really in a long time. So much of what I wear is mood dependent.
4. Ironing? Who does that? Ha! I try to do my personal laundry twice a week and the household laundry once a week. My husband does his own. Laundry is not a burden for me. I also love how my detergent smells. I am currently using Moonlit Goddess by Bath and Body Works.
5. I usually do a Kroger pick up. I don’t use paper for my grocery list but just add things to my app and then voila – I have my order ready.
6. It’s just me so I don’t really have that trouble anymore but I always said to do as much the night before as possible. Have everything laid out. Keep a set work bag/school bag. Only use it for those purposes.
7. New fave – Bare filets on a biscuit with frozen french fries and a bagged salad or bare nuggets on Sister Schubert’s rolls – not super healthy but better than drive thru?
8. Just to have less stuff! I’m working on it. To have a place for everything, a drop zone, etc.
9. The easiest is a banana! But I love making a microwave egg, egg whites, cottage cheese in the microwave in a Pyrex bowl. I have that with my roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, and Amylu chicken sausage. I guess that doesn’t sound that easy anymore!
10. Get up before everyone else! Get up early! No wet hair in the morning! I also think people don’t really know how long it takes them to get ready. I shower at night and never have wet hair in the morning because that would take up valuable time and it’s winter and cold! Time yourself to really see how long it takes.

I also love a list. I take each calendar day and then transfer it to my notepad list for the day. If I don’t get it done, I will put it back on my calendar for the next day. Of course, I love to cross things off! It’s so satisfying!

Current favorite breakfast with the pre-roasted sweet potato and the Pyrex microwaved egg:

I purchased this personalized notepad from Amazon and this is where I write my daily lists:

Now, let’s talk fashion…

I popped into one of my consignment stores after visiting the gorgeous plant shop with my friend Kara last week. Lucky for me that they are in the same shopping center, no?

I picked up this button up shirt. I was not familiar with the brand but it looked pretty decent:

I picked up this sleeveless/cap sleeve sweater that is a boutique brand – Blu Pepper:

I paired them together:

Then, I think I saw this on an Instagram ad. I have been wanting a gingham top.

From Target:

I know it’s a little maternity-esque!

Did you know fish sweaters are in? Kinda weird! Is this like fisherman aesthetic from last year?

This was at Target staring at me! I tell you what – I have bought some clothes at Target in 2026. This is not how I would wear it out. I was just trying it on.

Did you notice my jeans in the first four photos? They are my first non-Halara jean purchase since 2023 if my records are correct. They are fabulous and a rec from Tanya. Here they are. I don’t know what to tell you about sizing. I had ordered two sizes and both fit but the larger one stretched out throughout the day. I would say they might run slightly big or true to size. That was really helpful, no? They have a little bit of stretch to them. Also, you see they are cropped on the model and then look at the length on me above. I really like buying cropped jeans because they are the right length on me! I am 5’4.

This was my Friday outfit that went from day to night. I am wearing my first and only pair of Halara jeans that button and zip. My other pairs are all pull on. These have a fun side detail and I love them. I’m wearing a textured black blouse.

Here you can see the side detail a bit and my leopard Mary Janes:

This was a try-on but I will wear this out in the spring I think! This is my new Target sweater and the Amazon jeans.

I wore this in the frigid cold Sunday – my Les Alpes very warm Target sweater, black yoga pants, sneakers.

I wore this for a day of shopping and lunch out with a friend:

I have on the consignment sweater, a tan long sleeve, a silk scarf, and I wore my tan Adidas sneakers.

I feel like I need a new spring shoe. I did some “research” in store at DSW last week but did not purchase anything.

The floral detail is so fun for spring:

I am going to say something controversial – I do not find real Birkenstocks or Danskos comfortable on me. I do, however, find the rubber Birks to be comfortable and a great summer shoe for me.

I loved this buckle detail and these are on my list. Isn’t it pretty?

I love this style and it stays on me well and fits well:

$50 for rubber shoes is quite a lot so I might be going a different brand if I get a pair.

Also, I have been thinking about having my colors done again. I did it as a teenager with my mom. I found my swatch and I did an online version of getting my colors done and I got the same result. I am a summer!?!?

This is my palette from the 80s. I didn’t want to be a summer because they are supposed to wear silver jewelry and the colors are pretty muted. I read that you don’t really change unless you have gray hair.

Have you had your colors done?

What have you been wearing lately?

What have you been dreaming of?

Are you ready for spring clothing?

Amy

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the ‘historic triangle’ which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What’s one place in America you think everyone should see? If you’re not American what’s one place in the US you’d like to see? 

I have been to all but Boston and Philly. I have been to DC multiple times and NYC just once other than the airports.

I would love to see Boston but probably not when it’s super crowded.

I think everyone should see DC.

Being there for a 250-year celebration would be super cool, but the number of people makes me start to twitch.

My Dad had to go to DC for the military and that was my family’s spring break as a child a few times. We especially loved the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum since my Dad was an Air Force pilot.

Tom and I took our kids to DC for spring break and here we are visiting Mount Vernon during the same trip.

Our kids were very interested in what they were learning in elementary school so the time felt right.

The summer after DC we did Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. They were so much fun on both of these trips.

Here’s how I have all my photos – in albums – I also did captions. My twins loved a hotel room. They would claim their double bed and immediately get in. This was in Williamsburg.

I had been to NYC’s airports, but my first and only time exploring it was when my sister Kate had a summer internship at the Guggenheim. My bestie and roommate Heather and I flew to see her and have her show us the city:

Her original degree was in “Museum Studies” but she went back and got her teaching degree and is now an elementary art teacher.

Heather in the black and me in the denim and it could possibly be JFK, Jr. shirtless next to me? I spot a backwards baseball cap. If that’s not him, Heather and I are sure that he passed us on his bike.

We’re sorry, officer.

Staten Island Ferry

The weather was horrible while we were there. It was cold and rainy in July and we had to borrow Kate’s sweatshirts. We tried to get on tv shows by standing in line in the rain!

We got on the front row of David Letterman because he was in Indiana and we told the staff we were, too. Samuel L. Jackson was on the show.

I think I would love to see Napa, CA. I have been to California and I have seen San Francisco, but I think going north from there to see the northern part would be of interest to me.

2. Three sounds you love to hear?

Baby laughter (is there anything better?), anyone laughing (especially if it’s a really funny laugh), sounds of pencils while kids are taking a test (haha)

3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

Screaming, throat clearing, nose blowing – It’s a real pet peeve of mine when someone full on blows their nose at a dining table. Please go to the restroom.

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

Um, yes! I am quite picky about my chips. They need to be not too thick, perfectly salted, and bonus points for warm if I’m in a restaurant. I love salsa (if it’s not crazy spicy), guac, and queso. Come on, this was a pre-requisite to be a Spanish teacher! Yes, I make chilaquiles sometimes. They are so good! I prefer them with salsa verde.

Also, it’s surprisingly easy to make your own tortilla chips with the thin corn tortillas in the air fryer or the oven.

Here are some chilaquiles I split with my friend Victoria:

5. We March into March with next week’s Hodgepodge…what’s one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

My sister Kate (of Guggenheim fame from the above NYC photos) was born on St. Patrick’s Day, and she is one of the most important people in my life. We are part Irish, too. I have always loved celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. I’m already looking forward to making Jen’s corned beef and Irish soda bread.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Boy, did I take a walk down memory lane in going through my albums for this post. I wish I could squeeze those sweet little twin boys.

I also really enjoyed seeing my 90s fashion. I remember loving my wardrobe in the days of the NYC trip.

I had a LBD – little black dress – that I even wore one of the first times I saw Tom, a chambray shirt, a black floral skirt from Kmart, a denim jumper that I wore a white t-shirt under, a denim dress – all things I think are back in style probably!

I think this was us dropping someone off at college – maybe the baby of the family, Molly, on the right:

This was us at Versailles, I think, on our epic European trip with our mom and dad – Our dad only stayed for half of the time due to work- but we stayed a month!

Look at those chunky sandals!

Well, I think I got off topic a bit!

This was fun!

Amy

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

I have a special guest today on the blog. I’m going to step away and let Eddie Otis’ paws do the work for me.

Eddie Otis here. You can call me Eddie or EO if you want. My Daddy picked my name. It’s so silly. His baseball coach was named Archie Otis, and my big, big brother’s name was Archie (no Otis after). The baseball coach had a son named “Eddie Otis” and my Daddy thought that would be funny. My big brother’s name was Ernie, so I think some people get confused. They tell me I’m the third in a line of chocolate labradors.

Here I am in the back of mom’s car:

My friends got me this cool bed with my name on it.

Anyway, I’m starting to become a “good boy” as my mom says. She likes when I lie down next to her. She pets me nonstop when I do this.

I love my stuffies. Boy, do they get me a lot of them. I am not supposed to, but I love taking them outside. Here I am with two in my mouth at the same time! I mean – heck – I didn’t even know it at the time, but now I’m thinking that was pretty cool.

I know the names of all of them. I’m pretty smart. I have Axel and Moo Cow in my mouth in this picture.

Boy, I made the mudroom muddy last week. I was just chilling. I really love the tile in here and I think mom is trusting me more to be in here with the yummy shoes.

Here’s me – pretending not to see the yummy shoes but I sure am thinking about them.

Let’s got back to how it all began. I was born on a farm in Indiana. My first mom’s name is Ally and my first Dad’s name is Terry.

Ally:

Terry:

Do you think I look like them?

So, my new Mom and Dad came and saw me play with my two chocolate brothers. There were some sisters, but they wanted a boy. They picked me out because my brothers were in a fight and I was more interested in the humans. Isn’t that silly?

A few weeks later, they came back and said they were taking me “home”.

This was my first time in my yard.

My mom and I watched the solar eclipse there a couple of days later. My mom looks so goofy.

I didn’t have glasses in my size so I had to cover my eyes.

This was really silly. I laid in this bowl of water for this thing called a “rain chain”.

My parents took me to a concert in a tote bag. It was so crazy!

My Dad taught me how to go down a slide on my playground.

I went out on this thing called a boat.

I got to go see my cousins at a graduation party.

My favorite place to be is with my Daddy. He’s the best.

This is my serious face.

I liked to sleep in my dog wash. Don’t try to wash me – are you kidding? I just liked to sleep here.

Here I am with my mommy.

When I’m old enough to date, this will be my profile picture. I just think I look so good here.

But maybe I should include this one, too?

I love to help Daddy with outdoor chores. This fall I built a fence! I love to mow, too. Here’s me mowing a couple of summers ago.

Dad and I take some great naps together.

Dad must really like that green jacket thing. He mainly wears green and blue.

A few more things about me…

I like to get hugs from my Daddy, too. I stand up on my hind legs and we hug. If I need one, I usually just paw at him until he notices.

I really like linens. Socks are so yummy. I actually eat those. I just like to carry around dish towels, wash cloths, my family’s clothes.

I love to steal things and be chased. It’s really fun.

I love the taste of an Amazon Fire Stick. My parents have had to order so many. What a hoot!

Taco Tuesday, anyone? I really like my taco.

I pretend to not know the words “no” and “come”. As if!

I love my dog sitters. I have had Makena, Ali, Avery, Ella, and Sophie. They love me. Here I am with Sophie.

I’m not sure what I’m getting for my birthday today but I hope it’s good!

EO

Monday, February 23, 2026

It’s Monday and time to link up with Holly and Sarah to share our weekends.

Weather-wise, we had a nice spring preview last week and now it’s winter again – for a couple of days and then we are supposed to get 60s by the end of the week. Ok, I can handle that. Do you think snow is done for the year? It could be for us, but we have had big snows in March before.

It’s the last week of February! Wow, did this month go by quickly!

I am trying to not go to the grocery this week. I went on Thursday and got pretty well stocked. I have been doing a spending diary this month and trying to have a low spend month, so I would like to be able to call my grocery total final.

I am working at getting EO to calm down outside. Sometimes he can’t help but bark at all the many noises he hears. I have been playing calming dog music, classical, or soft jazz in the house at the busy times of day and that really helps.

This was Thursday afternoon. I got him to lie down and relax!

It was so nice to see most of the snow gone! Wow! I can’t remember any time in my life where snow stuck around for over 3 weeks.

I am caught up on two shows – Love is Blind Season 10…

and Love Story.

They are dropping new episodes little by little which I kind of like.

I took a pretty long press on nail break and then put on this pale pink Thursday night after my shower. This is before filing and trimming. I can’t have my nails too long.

We loved getting out and seeing the sun Friday morning.

I had breakfast plans with my friend Kara at Highland Morning:

I got biscuits and gravy and only ate half and was still full until dinner.

And, I tried a few bites of their key lime pancake. It was so pretty and would be so perfect for St. Patrick’s Day but I didn’t love the flavor. It was definitely “breakfast dessert”.

We went to this gorgeous plant store! They had moved from downtown to near my house.

We each got a couple of new plants.

I put this guy in this cute container I already had.

I picked up library books:

Love going into the weekend with a fresh stack of books! I have loved this feeling since I was a child. I can still remember being in the children’s section of my hometown library.

EO tried to take not one, but two, stuffies outside!

We met friends at a speakeasy for dinner. It was so cool!

You know how you can never see the menu at a restaurant? They had this cool light up menu!

I slept in a little bit Saturday and woke up to Eddie Otis cuddling beside me.

I cleaned off his crate of all his accessories and our many dog towels.

I moved plants around, swept, mopped, and cleaned the mudroom.

I asked Alexa to play cleaning music and it was the best playlist! I loved every song! Try it out!

Here is my meal list for the week to get me through without going to the grocery again (I hope!):

Next to it is my February Goals list!

I spent a few hours cleaning and finally made my favorite breakfast that was more at lunch time. I am still hooked on this combo.

I didn’t go anywhere on Saturday! Can you believe it? I was happy at home. I guess since I had such a full day Friday I was content. Tom and I watched a new show, I read, we watched Olympics, and then I made a great dinner with a combo of leftovers and new things.

I made spinach salad with warm bacon dressing:

roasted carrots and a chicken sandwich for me with leftover chicken and a fish sandwich for Tom from my Friday night fish.

It turned super cold overnight and we even had some Sunday snow! I had a Target return and saw this Western themed section.

I spent some time reading this:

Tom and I watched a gumbo recipe and attempted another batch together!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s almost time for another Currently. It will be Wednesday, March 4 and here are the prompts (thanks to Jenn for her help!): saving your life right now, cleaning/purging, loving, planning (trip wise), taking a break from (since it’s Spring break month).

If you also do Hodgepodge, feel free to do them in the same post or you can do two different posts. Feel free to interpret the prompts any way you want.

What did you do this weekend?

Amy