Monday, January 4, 2021
I put a question mark because I am not sure I am ready to say “hello”. I guess all breaks must come to an end but today seems heavy to me for a few different reasons. I am linking up today with Heather, Lindsay, Tanya, and many more here.
Last week was really nice. I like the week after Christmas and I like it when Christmas falls on a Friday, you know? Monday, December 28th Tom went back to work and I had some weekdays at home to myself (and the boys) and it’s just nice to chill without the hustle and bustle of Christmas tasks. Gosh, I love a week day off, you know? It just feels different.
I did OPI Alpine White on my nails. I am getting better every time I do a home manicure.
Thursday was rainy and overcast and I turned on the patio lights. I am loving these!
And, Thursday our plumber came back! See the red, white, and blue?
Now, it is time for drywall to go over this! Drywall makes a big mess. But, this is such a smaller space than the drywall project we had a year ago.
Also, on Thursday I went to Target for a couple of things for NYE that I needed – food supplies – instead of to Kroger. The Valentine’s Day stuff is out in full force! No, I did not buy anything!
Then, I wanted to have a day time fire and have everyone join me, but everyone didn’t want to join me. I sat out and read for a bit.
Fire and….
ice… in the rain chain. I thought that looked cool.
I had been craving lasagna for some time – I think I am the only one in the family, though, so I decided NYE would be the night. I used the real lasagna noodles but soaked them in a bowl of cold water instead of boiling them and dealing with hot noodles. I had seen this somewhere. You guys, it was so easy! Anyway, it turned out great and I froze several pieces for later.
AT 7:00 on NYE, my cousin April had put together some games to play on Zoom. It was really fun and we stayed on until 8:30. Then, I am embarrassed to say that I only made it awake until about 10! The boys ended up staying home and talking to friends online.
I drank my prosecco from my SIL. I am becoming a big fan!
New Year’s Day came and I made a different breakfast casserole with bread this time instead of biscuit dough.
And, I had one more can of Grands biscuits – the bigger ones – and I decided to do a monkey bread in just a little round cake pan and it worked! This time I left off the butter on accident and it didn’t matter! So, sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar in a baggie with the biscuit pieces and then dump them in the pan and bake and pour the cinnamon glaze on top when it comes out of the oven.
I started prepping my good luck foods – did you think I was joking? I am not messing around! I did cabbage and saved some of it plain and used the rest of a veggie soup with kielbasa – so not a veggie soup after all!
We did a little football watching/Amy reading.
Then, I went outside when the sun came out and got hot enough to put shorts on! It was so warm!
Tom and I went for a drive. The river is really high.
We drove along the river and downtown and it was pretty quiet and empty because a lot of businesses were closed for NY Day. We parked and walked around a bit and it was a good time to check out some new to us places.
This has a lot of potential – a new brewery marketplace with room for more businesses. You kind of go down an alley and would never know this was tucked away!
This is a new karaoke bar with a filipino food truck permanently housed here? And, I learned that karaoke is Japanese but in Korea they have something called “norae” and it is a private karaoke room for just you and a few friends. Apparently there is one of these norae bars on every street. I think we are talking South Korea, not North Korea, by the way. Chuckle.
And, this has been here for a long time – Garage Bar – it’s a former filling station/gas station that is now a restaurant with lots of outdoor space.
There is so much fun stuff to do and I miss being around people!
New Year’s Day Dinner: black eyed peas from a can, cabbage, corn bread, pork, potatoes, and oranges.
The boys were not really excited about my dinner or my superstitions.
Come back tomorrow and I will talk about my decluttering plan for the month of January and I would love to have you join me!
I tackled medicines and
spices. It’s not how I want it to be because I am awaiting a kitchen remodel, but I did the best I could.
Tom and I did the Costco run together. We really only go to Costco once every two months or so. We get our dog food, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent (still mad about my blue pods!), dishwasher detergent, trash bags, some toiletries like toothpaste and lotion, and then some food items every now and then. I feel like you have to be really careful at Costco. You get really excited about an item but then things can go to waste if you don’t need that much, you know? Yesterday we got dog food, batteries, chips, lettuce, and paper towels. We did well with resisting temptations and Tom didn’t stray to the electronics like he usually does.
Mason went to a friend’s house and Jack and I watched an episode of Gilmore Girls. No one is more surprised than I am that he was interested. He thinks the acting is really good. Then, we ate dinner and watched a show as a family.
Sunday was the day the kids had to get a Covid test at their college. Mason had been randomly selected back in October but Jack had never had one yet.
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
My break was so good, nothing special but I just enjoyed not doing much and today I am back at it! Ugh! I’m ready to head to the gym in a few minutes and can hardly believe I am up at this hour!
You have the cutest restaurant areas – I love how unique it all is, and I had to laugh that you were outside in shorts when it was 60 degrees – that’s what we call winter! Ha!!!
Have a great day Amy, Happy 2021!
xo,
Kellyann
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That’s important to have a break like that! We have really great places. I know – if it were 60 in summer I would wear pants but I think my perspective changes when it gets really cold.
You too!
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I actually have one more week, can you believe it!? I will be so well-rested!
We’re back in the city, I love the feeling of a modern apartment after a few days in the cabin…!
I love the decor of that Cuban place! I haven’t tried Cuban food, but I guess Florida have a lot of it?
Decluttering? Yes, please! Today I’m throwing out the Christmas tree (literally!) and remove everything with a Santa on it…
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I’m kind of jealous but at the same time I am kind of ready to get back in a routine.
I bet it feels great to see each home with fresh eyes. The decor is so cool. One son doesn’t want to eat inside and I don’t blame him. You should seek out Cuban food next time you make it to Florida because I bet it’s really authentic!
Yes, time to take down the Christmas and you will feel so great to get back to minimalism!
Enjoy your last week!
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As always, your food pics looks amazing. I don’t know if I’ve ever had Cuban food? I’m so glad you’ve had this time with your boys. I was up extra early today which is typical for the Monday back after a break. I thought I wouldn’t have a sleepless night but I guess virtual or not, there’s always so much on our teacher minds.
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Cuban food is a lot of white rice, beans, plantains, pork, shrimp. It’s very good! I don’t know of any restaurants in Lexington? I woke up at 2 am and finally fell back asleep for an hour. Ugh. Same here – mine is mostly being sad about boys going back but I’m also dreading starting virtual again. It’s just so hard. There really is so much on our teacher minds.
Hopefully it will be ok once we get back in the routine.
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I’m hoping getting back in a routine helps. My kids are out of whack on sleeping, some of their activities start back up, and they need a break from electronics (Xbox, ipod) so I’m ready to get them back into a school routine …myself too. I bet it will be hard to have your boys go back to school. That break seems to fly…I hope they have an awesome second semester
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I loved seeing your weekend pictures. It seems like there used to be a long period of Christmas clearance in the stores before they moved on to the next holiday. I remember getting things for 90% off. Now I think they just clear it out ASAP. Your restaurant area looks so amazing. Grace doesn’t head back to college for a few more weeks, and I don’t mind at all! Thanks for linking up with Hello Monday! Tanya – The Other Side of the Road
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Awww thanks! Yes you are right! Now it’s gone! We have some cool places. Oh jealous – I am having a harder time now than in august. Thank you!
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Your mani looks great, and I love that color!
My company is off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, so today is my first day back to work in two weeks. It was a lowkey break, and I’m not ready to get back to work!
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Thank you! January seems like it calls for white or light! How nice you got off but it makes going back painful! I’m in the same boat!
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I love how many outside places you have to eat in your town! As a girl who has had holes in the wall from a leak that lead to a repipe of the house since MARCH, your bathroom pipes look so good!! Hooray for drywall! It sounds like you had a great time with your boys over break! Happy New Year!
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Me too – just need better weather! Oh gosh – I’m sorry! We did and I’m getting sad. Wish I could go back to your boys’ ages!
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OMG, I’m going to have to come visit you so you can take me to the Cuban place! We only had one here locally, and it closed! 😦
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Anytime! We have a couple of other Cuban that I like better. There is a place right by my house that is awesome.
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I’m making lasagna tomorrow because I have been craving it too. I never precook my noodles though; I just add a bit of extra sauce to the dish knowing the noodles with soak them as they cook up. Our local schools started back up with distance learning this week so it was a nice ease into that routine after a week and a half vacation time.
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Yum! Oh yes, I wasn’t sure how much extra sauce or water it would need but I’ve heard that works, too. Yes, a lot of schools are doing first week virtual for safety. Good idea!
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Such a fun post! I really look forward to receiving your daily emails. I’d love to know more about your at-home manicures. I’ve been getting my nails done for a long while and with the new year and Covid I’ve been interested in doing my own nails at home. I’d love to see your manicure routine. Thank you!
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Thank you! You are too kind! I will plan that! I need to do my nails anyway so that will work out great. It is a form of self care for me and I am not very crafty so this is my little art project! Have a great day!
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