Friday, August 4, 2023

Well, this is a Friday I just wasn’t ready for, but I am going to remain positive and focus on the things I am excited about. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some random favorites from the week – there is a little bit for everyone, I think!

First up, is this book. After I finally got into it (it’s a me problem!), I really enjoyed it. Maybe Every Summer After is a little better, but it’s a close race for me.

I started this just yesterday and say what you will about “COHO”, but she sucks you in!

I got a text from my cousin and blog reader this week that said she had made the Crescent roll, fig jam, ham, and cheese thing and her family loved it and dubbed it the “figgy piggy sammich”. You could literally put any combo inside. This might be a weekend idea for you or maybe something to save as the weather turns cooler this fall? Or, it can be a quick back to school meal. We all need to make a list because things are going to get hectic. I handle my stress with lists!

I tried Sweet Magnolias when it first came out but never got past the cheesiness! But, I was desperate and the new season came out so I decided to give it another go. I am really into it now! I am at the beginning of season 2.

It looks like you can watch it in Polish if you prefer – ha!

I am a big fan of organic farmer Jeremy. I can assure you that I would have gone to the farmer’s markets this summer even more had Jeremy had a booth at mine. My farmers are either Amish (which I love – don’t get me wrong) or 85 years old. Oh well. We can’t get everything we want in life.

Farmer Jeremy:

The fruit and veg related innuendos between Jeremy and Dana Sue are laugh out loud funny/cheesy.

I decided to look for a popcorn spray that I can get at Kroger because my beloved Winona is not available there. I think I might like this guy better! I guess his name is “Kernel/Colonel Seasons” – Bahahaha! Anyone tried it? I pop my own popcorn from raw kernels and use this and a bit of salt.

Jennifer mentioned a brand of jeans at Dillards called Westbound that are pull on with no hardware. I took a chance and ordered a pair that were on sale for $29 knowing that I could simply walk into my Dillard’s to return them if they didn’t work.

Here is me just trying them on:

They are meant to be cropped but are more ankle length on me at 5’4. They have tiny front pockets that really work and normal back pockets. I really think I like this style for fall!

Then, I had an errand at the mall later in the day and saw these in Anthropologie and thought they were quite similar:

And, I wore them out for a happy hour:

Excited to add a new pair of jeans!

I had an errand to Costco this week to restock the freezer for easy things to help me out next week and went in the liquor section and picked this out and I love it! I will be buying more. I like a screw top because I only have a glass and I have wanted to try more Sauvignon Blancs.

I took Jen’s advice and made:

the one pot ham and cheese tortellini for dinner one night with peas.

It was delicious! I had a pack of pancetta from Trader Joe’s that I used for the ham and it was really good. This is an easy back to school dinner, too!

Now I will jump from food to razors – random, like I said!

I have not been happy with my razor choice for quite some time. I ordered a flamingo razor off of Amazon and I really like it! Have you tried flamingo?

The weather this week…I had to put on a sweatshirt to sit outside in the mornings! Love that!

Ernie liked it, too.

I debated getting a gel mani as a back to school treat, but I think I’ve decided just to keep doing my own. My nails are so healthy now and I hate to ruin that. I feel like my nails get ruined in the removal process of both gel and dip.

I had a fun book to pick up at the library this week! I have 4 books waiting on me now!

Remember my friend Beth and her new blog project all about hosting? Check it out here. She wanted to pick my brain about blogging and we met at Martini’s for happy hour this week.

I had a strawberrybubbletini:

and a Jolly Rancher:

We were able to sit outside and it felt amazing!

We shared some baked goat cheese in marinara:

I had to go to Dollar Tree for school stuff and they have gift cards now!

I worked on my room with Mason and it was really fun and he was so helpful!

I thanked him with Mediterranean!

Yesterday was my favorite type of morning – I read in the rain with a candle!

Thank you to reader Molly who suggested I adjust the straps on my gold Birks – duh! It worked like a charm and now they fit so much better!

I made Jennifer’s quiche! Yum!

And, I want to leave by asking you to pray for a blogger that has no idea who I am, but whom I really admire. Susan was just diagnosed with breast cancer and her long time partner who she calls Mr. Mickey was just diagnosed with bladder cancer. Susan is such a role model and inspiration to so many and here is proof; as I am writing this there are 571 comments on her post. I have been reading her blog for many years and this is the weird thing about the blog world. I cried when I read her post. You feel like you know these people maybe even better than the people in your “real life”.

Make it a great weekend because tomorrow isn’t promised and live your best life as Susan always does! What were your favorites this week?

Amy

28 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. Happy Friday!! The “last one” always just creeps up on you….
    Glad Mason has been around to do so many things with you this summer – so fun!!
    Have a great day – our teachers went back this week and my old colleagues in middle TN had students this week….the seasons keep passing 🙂
    Thanks for the recipe ideas. I miss cooking for my family for this reason – I love trying new things.

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    1. Yes, it does! Sad! We just know we are getting on that train and we don’t get off until next May/June! Time is flying. Maybe you can just half the recipe for you and hub or take leftovers to work? I know – it’s really hard for me to adjust and I only have 4 at most.

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  2. Those jeans look dynamite on you! I love Sweet Magnolias. We need some lighthearted sweet TV. Your food always looks scrumptious! Never seen that butter spray. What a great idea. Have a super weekend!

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  3. Funny, I’m having the opposite problem; I used to really enjoy Sweet Magnolias and just can not get into it this summer. Those new jeans are fabulous! I honestly don’t know that I have ever heard of Dillard’s though (and a quick Google search reveals why; they don’t seem to be north of Virginia on the East Coast). We’ve been having some much cooler mornings and days too and I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. On the one hand it’s nice but it really makes summer feel like it’s ending and I don’t like that. We still have quite a few weeks left to enjoy.

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    1. I get it – it is super cheesy! Thank you! Yes, I think it is more in our area. I think in the northern states you all just want to hang on to summer because it’s just so short for you. I get it!

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  4. Oh my goodness, I don’t know that blogger but I am going to check her out and definitely add her to my prayers. It is funny how we feel so close to people we’ve never met.
    On another note, and totally superficial one at that – what color is that pink OPI nail polish? I need to know, I need a new one and I am with you, doing my own no more gels or dips unless I am going on vacation.
    xo,
    Kellyann

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  5. Those jeans look great on you! I’m so glad you told me about them, because I love mine as well. I forgot to send you a picture! I’ll do that when I wear them, it’s still too hot right now. Speaking of that, I am SO JEALOUS of your weather and sweatshirt in the mornings! It won’t be like that for us until September or even mid-September. I would not do your nails at a salon again, if I were you. Yours are looking beautiful and healthy, and if mine were like them, I’d keep doing them myself. Also, you do a great job on them and it always looks like you’ve had a manicure. I hate to hear that about Susan, I will be praying for her and her family. Thanks for sharing that with us, I’ll go read her blog again. Happy Friday, my friend! Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you! The problem is that my nails only look good for 2 days bc of all my dish washing!
      Thank you so much for the jeans tip. I didn’t have this style and I think I will really like it.
      Susan has taught me so much about style and proportion. She is a wealth of information and is just lovely. I think you would like her blog.
      You too!

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  6. I love Susan’s blog posts. Susan and Mickey make such a cute couple. Love the jeans on you and the fingernail polish is so pretty. As good as you do your nails I would continue doing them at home. I feel like when I get my nail/pedicure it takes so much time out of the day and I get bored really say. Enjoy your last days of summer before school starts. Our school starts next week.

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    1. Thank you! They are a different style than anything I have! It is really good. I would add some more cheese to the middle along with what I put on top! You can never have enough cheese!

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  8. I’m glad that was an easy and delish dinner. I will definitely add peas next time…my kids love peas. I LOVE your new jeans…and the pink polish is perfect for summer.
    I hope you enjoy your last weekend of summer. I haven’t even unpacked my room. I’m telling you— I have a lot to do when I get back 😆 (but we don’t have kids until the 16th…so I know I have time even though we have four PD days next week)

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    1. It definitely was! I don’t make much tortellini or ravioli, but I think everyone likes it a lot!
      Thank you! Thank you!
      I am not taking fulll advantage of it and spending most of it at home, but maybe that’s ok?
      I really think it’s good that you said yes and it will all come together!

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  9. Hey, so glad that your Birkenstock’s now fit much better. My family lives in Germany and there is a Birkenstock outlet store close by, so every time I visit, I have to bring back a pair or two…. They are so much cheaper there, less than half price.

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  10. I’ve never read Susan’s blog, but I have followed bloggers in the past who had serious struggles with health (one passed away) and I still think about them. What a weird world blogging is.

    Always a screw top. I can’t even find my wine bottle stoppers that I know I have somewhere.

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  11. All the food looks delicious, and your nails look healthy and great. It seriously looks like you already have gel nails because the polish goes on so smoothly. I love the jeans! I’m so sorry to hear about the blogger. I really do feel like I know my “blog friends,” and I’m thankful for our community. Hope you have a good weekend!

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    1. Thank you! I really don’t mind doing my own nails and find it relaxing. I usually do them while listening to a podcast. I think the jeans will be a good buy! Me too – she is such an inspiration. Blogging is strange that way, but we talk about things that are quite deep and feel we get to know each other. You too and enjoy your fun week together!

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  12. The end of break must be so rough, love your positive attitude. Those jeans are surprisingly cute, HA! Don’t typically lean towards pull on options, but those look great on you. May have to try a pair. Good luck the first week back, you got this!

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    1. It is! Ha! I am glad I get such a long and refreshing break. I don’t either, but these seem like a good option to have and I think the silhouette is very modern. Thank you. I hope so!

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  13. Oh that makes me sad to hear about the blogger. So thankful she has a community of support. All the food looks good and your nails look pretty! I feel like I have been working the last 6 months to get my nails healthier again after stopping dip manicures. I just struggle with it not chipping after 24 hours, regardless of what brand or top coat I use. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Yes, she is positive about it and has lived a healthy lifestyle. Thank you! I know- it took me a long time for mine to grow out and lose those ridges and become strong on their own. Same – I can’t get more than a couple of days. Using light polish helps since it’s not as noticable.

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  14. What a coincidence, I was desperate for a new series to watch and so I re-started watching Sweet Magnolias again last night. I had only seen 3 episodes and I couldn’t get into it so I stopped about a year ago. I’m starting to like it now….I think?? I’m sad to hear about the blogger and I will be sure to pray for her and her husband. I’m popping over to her blog now. Hope you have a lovely weekend and all the best as you start back for the new school year.

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