Friday, June 30, 2023
It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!
First up is cooking! I am having fun cooking for a family of four (Mason just got a job that usually goes from 3 to 9 or 10 so I am leaving a plate in the fridge), but I have enjoyed cooking dinner for over a month.
Here is what we have had this week:
Sunday night – entree salad with grilled chicken and Cheese Gal dressing
Monday night – no power – Qdoba
Tuesday night – Mix and Match Mama’s bacon tomato pasta, roasted green beans (frozen thin – Jack’s fave), Texas Toast
Wednesday night- new Japanese barbecue marinated chicken, roasted broccoli, cauliflower rice and taught Jack how to make Hawaiian ham and swiss sliders
Thursday night – everyone on their own (Jack with friend, Mason at King’s Island Amusement park, Tom leftovers and ham and cheese sandwich, Amy out)
Sunday we tried to take our friends Scott and Jessica (there are two Scotts and two Jessicas in my life so you hear those names a lot!) to lunch by boat.
The boat wouldn’t start and after an hour we determined we needed a new battery but it wasn’t going to happen that day.
So, we drove like peasants (just kidding – we have a peasant boat, too) to Cunningham’s on the River.
A favorite is time with friends even when it doesn’t go according to plan!
In the parking lot on the way in, we saw a woman crumple and fall to the ground and she took forever to get up. I was seriously worried about her. She had someone with her and tons of people rushed to help.
On the way out, I dropped my phone – hard.
I thought surely my phone was damaged, but this baby really works. I am glad I had two more in the package. If you don’t have this on your phone, you need it!
This is a lifesaver favorite!
Sunday night entree salad:
My kids went with a group of friends to see Spider Man in the late afternoon. When the movie was close to ending, we received word of a tornado watch and then the tornado sirens started going off. I texted to tell them to stay at the theater but the one not driving called and told me they were almost home. Thankfully they made it home and ate dinner. Then, Mason had plans to go stay with a friend and left after the storm had stopped – ish.
Jack and I watched a show and the power flickered a few times. Then, it completely went out. I didn’t realize another storm was coming, but this one did some serious damage to our area. A house was completely destroyed by a giant old tree. Two other giant trees took down power lines. We lost power around 8:20 Sunday evening.
Jack played guitar while we watched the rain continue to come down.
Then, it hailed!
It’s good to be a candle hoarder when this happens. When we went to sleep, we didn’t want to leave candles burning, so I was glad to have these cool lantern things.
I bought mine from a local boutique, but I have also ordered some for gifts. I couldn’t believe how long the little water activated lights kept working. They are still going strong. You fill the plastic luminary with water up to the half way point and drop the little floating “candle” in the water.
I slept ok and it was still pretty cool in the house. Monday morning I headed straight to Starbucks for two venti brewed coffees and I used my own stuff at home to doctor it up. Thank goodness that Starbucks had power! Most of the local businesses were fine except one gas station.
Monday was gorgeous. Mason came home and the kids played games (board games) in the house and Ernie and I stayed outside all day. I did run some errands, too.
I bought Ernie a baby pool in case the power was out for a long time.
Jack went to work and Mason, Tom, Ernie and I walked around the elementary school behind our house and it was damaged, too.
Tom and Mason mowed.
Mason and I went and picked up Qdoba.
Then we lit the mini Solo Stove for s’mores.
Monday night it was very hard to sleep. I moved to the basement couch because it was so hot on the main floor. Around 3 am, I went back to my bed and was in and out of sleep. At 5:00 a.m. something in the air changed and I realized the power was back! I slept so well from 5-6! Ha!
Now came the work to get my life back together. I tossed the contents of the fridge. Ouch! I checked the freezer stuff – most was still frozen solid. I did laundry, ran the dishwasher, placed a replacement grocery order and went to Kroger for some more urgent needs. Tuesday was just a day of re-setting. I was grateful and thankful, though!
It did motivate me to clean the fridge and a couple of other areas on my list, which is also a favorite.
I was so happy to be able to cook again!
Some more favorites…
I would not totally replace my beach towels with Turkish towels. I like the fluffy nature of a traditional towel for laying out in the sun. The Turkish towel was great for wrapping myself in at the pool party last weekend, though. I love that it folds up small for travel or for space saving. I love that it takes up less space in the washer. But your girl wants a fluffy towel. My favorites are Tommy Bahama from Costco.
I am a fan of Lume, but I ordered the wrong scents. I really like the cream and rubbing cream on my pits is better than I thought. The smell goes away after a bit, but this really does work for me. I put on regular deoderant the other day and smelled myself stinking. Anyone like Lume? What scent should I get next?
I picked up this cute summery necklace in Target a few weeks ago.
This is really good! Do you also love the chopped salad kits?
I love the rain water scent. You would think I had had enough of the rain from last week and weekend!
This is really good! It’s a big trend right now and with good reason. I marinated my chicken in it and then also served it with more sauce.
Here’s what it looked like:
I check out cookbooks from the library and this one is great! I read cookbooks like novels.
Ok, Jennifer, I couldn’t finish, but I got close. I skimmed the last 8 chapters or so and read the ending. It was a cute story, great location, good food descriptions, but the dialogue really bugged me. I didn’t like the dialogue between the teenager and the mom especially. It moved slowly, too, and I guess I wanted more to happen. This will make 4ish books in June for me, I think. Happy Place by Emily Henry, Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst, The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella, and The Temporary Roomie by Sarah Adams, The Party Crasher has been my favorite.
Up next is one of these. I am thinking Flying Solo. It is by the author of Evvie Drake Starts Over.
Reading is really so personal. We might be in different states of mind and have very different opinions from others. I wasn’t wowed by Happy Place but I have heard others say they couldn’t put it down.
What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
So glad you have your power back- isn’t it funny how we take so much for granted- sometimes these inconveniences show us just that! Thanks for sharing your reads- needed some new suggestions!
LikeLike
It made me appreciate all the little things! Yes!
LikeLike
Yikes! That is quite the crazy round of storms. Glad you all made out okay.
LikeLike
Right? Thank you!
LikeLike
Oh man, I had no idea the storms were so bad, I have not watched the news this week. When we lose power it is so miserable. No escape from the heat. Thank goodness yours wasn’t off any longer!
I have only been reading on my kindle lately and just the freebie books. I really need to find a good one and request it from my library, there is nothing better than a real book when it comes to reading!
I hope you have a great weekend Amy!
xo,
Kellyann
LikeLike
It was kind of a surprise to us, too. It really is. I hate it when I don’t have anything I really want to read. I am enjoying my current book – Flying Solo by Linda Holmes. It’s making me laugh out loud at times.
LikeLike
Did you know Target sells Lume? I have tried the Toasted Coconut and Clean Tangerine. My favorite of those two was the Clean Tangerine, I really like it!
Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Yes, I have wondered if it’s the same formula? I hope so. I have a sample size of Clean Tangerine and I am thinking about one with sage in it? Maybe lavender and sage? The flavored scent seems to go away quickly and then it doesn’t bother me. You too!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness what a week you had. Those storms sure sounded scary but good to hear that you were all ok (except for the poor food). The screen protector for your phone did a great job! Hope you have a wonderful weekend Amy 😊
LikeLike
Yes! It could have been worse, though. Thank you. Yes to always having a screen protector!
LikeLike
Sorry the storms hit you so hard! We had a friend loose some trees (East TN) but I don’t think we ever lost power. We have had so.much.rain this June!
We have gone to the boat more than once in our lives just to have it not start :/. No fun! At least you could make the most of it!
It’s funny you say how much you are enjoying cooking — my kids asked me to make dinner tonight (they don’t live here but live in town) and I have been putting it off ALL DAY. I guess I’m out of routine? I’ll do about anything to have them come home, though, so meatloaf (the request) it is. We did dinner salads a couple of weeks ago and they were a HIT. I need to remember to do them more often – especially with the garden going gangbusters like it is.
I finally got a blog post up today (part of my procrastinating I think?) but also because I so enjoy keeping up with all of you that you inspire me :).
Have a great holiday weekend – hope the battery was the issue with the boat and you can get back out there!!
LikeLike
It could have been a lot worse. Thank you!
Oh well – it happens.
That is so sweet that they requested that. You do get out of the habit. I think my meal prepping has kept me pretty used to it.
Happy 4th and I will check your blog!
LikeLike
What a week! I’m glad you weren’t out power any longer and these summer storms have been rough this summer in the south. In the meantime, all of your meals sound delicous! Happy weekend!
LikeLike
Thank you! They really have. To you, too!
LikeLike
Oh no! I’m sorry you lost power. I know how it feels to do the replacement grocery shopping. I hope you all are able to get out in the boat soon. This weather has been crazy…the storm this morning woke me up.
LikeLike
It’s ok – I think it was our turn! This weather! Ugh! Another day we had planned to go boating…
LikeLike
I’m so sorry to hear about the storms and power outages. I know what you mean about trying to sleep without A/C! I agree that reading is so subjective. Sometimes if I don’t finish a book, I know it is really about my mood and not the book itself. Have a good weekend!
LikeLike
Thank you! As we get older, we need that AC! It really is. Sometimes it’s mood and stage in life. You too!
LikeLike
I’m so glad your power came back on for you! We had major outages here as well- it was probably the same storm front moving from my area to yours. My dad’s power just came on late yesterday afternoon, so they had to leave their house. Thankfully they have a generator that saved most of their food. It really is funny how what one person loved, someone else didn’t. I also read a book you recommended and couldn’t finish it- the one about the deaf/blind young man? I tried so hard! I just couldn’t get that into it. I think I like the family dynamics type of books- moms, daughters/granddaughters. There’s so much truth to them, usually, but I thought it had such a beautiful redemptive story line, which is probably most of what you skimmed. It did happen in the middle of the book. I think we can still be friends, though. 😉 So glad your week turned around and that you had some delicious meals!
LikeLike
Thank you! It’s was really only bad for sleeping and cooking. The weather was really nice on Monday and I was fine. Oh, man – that is a long time for your sweet Dad.
That is true about The Sign for Home. That book has really stayed with me and it is out of my normal wheelhouse so I can see how you wouldn’t go for that book – or anyone else, really. But, I loved the way it was written and I loved learning how the deaf bllind (both!) community has to communicate. I am a language nerd.
About Italian – I just looked and I read until page 309 out of 359, so I made it most of the way and then I really did skim and read the ending. We definitely can still be. I felt bad saying that and even talked to one kid about it but I also wanted to be honest.
Yes, it turned around but I still feel like the week was devoted to “getting my life back together after the storm”. Lol. It could have been a lot worse.
LikeLike
We have had a couple of storms the last two days, and I welcome them because we have been so dry. You had so much destruction…it’s always amazing when you see huge trees uprooted. I don’t think we have ever been without power long enough that I’ve had to throw any food out…knock on wood. I am so glad I found your blog! Apparently, whatever I did worked because I’m getting notifications of your new posts! I invite you to link up for Final Fridays!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
LikeLike
I welcome rain, but the storms need to stop. As I say this, it is storming again. Thank you so much! I have a button for you to receive emails of my posts, so maybe that is what you did? I will write that down for Friday and look at your theme. It’s always nice to find a new to me blog and meet a new to me blogger.
LikeLike
I love a good storm, and don’t even mind losing power as long as we quickly get it back. But yours was out for awhile! Happy it’s back and I know it’s upsetting to clear out the fridge but you have the right attitude about cleaning it out.
LikeLike
I do, too, but I know if I lose power it will not be restored quickly, for some reason. Thank you! Yes, that’s ok. It’s better than a tree falling or something like that.
LikeLike
I’m so sorry about the storms that hit your area! We had an E-3 tornado roar through here several weeks ago and devastated the neighborhood right next to us. I hate being without power (and we’ve been there several times after hurricanes) so a couple of years ago we had a whole-house generator installed. It is awesome! We’re on the coast so this comes in handy during hurricane season. Happy 4th of July everybody! Love seeing Ernie.
LikeLike
Thank you. Yes, we have some friends with generators. Happy 4th! Awww, thanks!
LikeLike
Power breakage is cozy but creates problems! It happens at our cabin sometimes, not ok winter time! We did a smart thing before we left: connected the router to a timer so it turns off/on once every 24 hour! Clever huh!? (a neighbor’s idea I must confess…)
Reading is personal! Oldest daughter and I read the same books (we’re into fantasy, strange, I know) but youngest one want classics like Catcher in the Rye, The Outsider…
LikeLike
This was not cozy – lol! I don’t know anything about that? It sounds like science!
Yes, it is! I still love looking at other peoples’ recommendations, though.
LikeLike
I love Lume’. I’ve been using it for about 3 years now, I’m a “fluffy” girl and it works wonders for under my belly, thighs, b–b’s, and pits. Have a Happy 4th.
Visiting today from Share Four Somethings #1
LikeLike
I didn’t even know it had been around that long! I have not really used it anywhere but the armpit yet but that sounds smart as our hottest time of the year approaches!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like you are really enjoying cooking every evening. What great meals you have had, I love the sound of the Japanese barbecue marinated chicken.
Wow! That was really lucky that your phone survived! I have one of those on my phone, it’s good to know they work.
LikeLike
Most – not all! Thank you. I know- I really swear by these glass protectors.
LikeLike