Friday, February 9, 2024
Well, this week went by quickly for me! Did you feel the same? I am happy to link up with Andrea and Erika for some of my favorites that I had this week!
First of all, I think I forgot to tell you, but I made Andrea’s ham tomato cream tortellini and I plan to make the sauce again to use with regular noodles. Jack and Mason had an old friend over last week and I whipped it up and they loved it. If you are looking for an easy, but impressive meal this weekend or next week, try it! It would make a good little Valentine’s dish, too!
I have been like a lizard since the sun came out of hibernation. I have been trying to get a little bit each day. So, that has definitely been a favorite!
Also, I really love this LaCroix limoncello either by itself or with a raspberry lemonade stick mixed right in the can or in a glass with ice.
I surprised my college kids last weekend with the Subway footlong cookie! We also had spaghetti, Ceasar salad, and Texas Toast. Such an easy meal, but definitely a favorite. We are enjoying a meal with all four of us from time to time lately!
Tom trying to fix his pants is a favorite! He is using my neck reading light!
Jack has an online chemistry of cooking class this semester and had to bake a cake. When he finished and took all of his measurements and photos to upload online, he said we could frost it. I made a simple ganache with chocolate chips and heavy cream and then topped it with mini chocolate chips. So easy and so good!
I bought myself a frother and it doesn’t froth. What am I doing wrong? I have put skim milk and creamer in it and nothing. It heats it, so that’s nice, but I am still having to use my handheld frother.
I am enjoying my Val mani this week! It’s a favorite to look down at nice nails.
Jennifer taught us the Youtube screensaver trick and I did it!
Here is the one I picked:
I wrote and posted my State of Education post on Wednesday and that was also the day I took a half day off for some adulting I had to do.
I have never taken a half day and this is the first year my district has made that an option. You can either work 8:30-11:45 or 11:45-3:30. I worked in the first half of the day, did my thing, and took myself to lunch with a Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc and a book…
and a salad.
I wandered around the mall and heard “Moon River” played by the piano player and teared up.
I visited Sephora and bought two items my cousin Julie (the makeup connoisseur) had recommended to me:
LYS Beauty cream blush:
and Rare Beauty Bronzer stick:
I’m still using my Merit products and they are sold in store at Sephora I noticed. I won’t buy all Merit again, but I do like some of the products that came in my set. I’m still planning to go back to Seint for my foundation/contouring.
It was absolutely good for me to take a bit of time. My kids were taken care of and it helped me to have energy to get back at it on Thursday.
Ernie is struggling. He has hurt his back leg and we also think his back hurts. I take him on an after school walk everyday and just let him tell me how far and fast he wants to go. He always wants to go, though. Something is going on with his fur, like he is losing or getting his winter coat?
Blue skies are my favorite, too!
I also had a really nice opportunity to be one on one with Jack this week. We went to our local Spanish/Cuban place and had dinner:
We had queso fundido, salad, and Chicken Marsala that we shared.
What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many!
Thank you for all of your support in regard to my Education post. You all are the best and we could go on and on, I think. I want to reiterate that I love my students and I have very few problems in the grand scheme of things. When I do have a problem, I try to tell the classes why and explain how I think it should be.
If you had a busy week, I also posted Hello Monday here, What’s Saving Your Life here, and Fashion Files here!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Your valentine mani is the cutest!! I am going to have to check out that tortellini recipe.. I have so much leftover ham in my freezer to use up. The cake looks delicious. I LOVE chocolate ganache.. perhaps too much. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! Really enjoying it!
This sounds silly, but I never thought about diced ham in pasta but it works so well! This package of diced ham from Kroger is under $3, too.
I am not sure I knew how easy ganache was to make and it tasted delicious and the glaze looked professional, in my opinion! I will be doing that again! Ha! Relatable!
LikeLike
The half-work day followed by a sauvignon blanc and salad sounds perfect! I hope Ernie gets better. Our older cat has been sick and my younger son took her to the vet today. Apparently, she’s stressed because of the new kitten we rescued. The poor old girl is now on antidepressants!
LikeLike
It felt decadent to eat alone with my book. I got a bit tipsy and then bought makeup while tipsy! He! Oh no – I was hoping they were finding a mutually beneficial relationship!
LikeLike
I love your mani – so cute! I need to paint my nails, honestly I think I haven’t at all since NYE!
That cake looks so good, your ganache sounds scrumptious.
Taking a half day for yourself is something I hope you do more often, what a treat. That is the ultimate in self care.
Have a wonderful weekend Amy!
xo,
Kellyann
LikeLike
Thank you! Wow! I hate my nails bare, but it’s probably a me thing.
The ganache was so easy!
I really need to – I probably needed a whole day. I felt my patience wearing thin. I had not taken off since December 22 (and Dec. 20 and 21) but that was go go go in the UK. There is something about a week day off that feels different, you know?
You too! I know you are probably melancholy. I hope you can plan a trip to see Nolan soon?
LikeLike
Tom is adorable fixing those pants! It tells you how long since I’ve been in a subway, I had no idea they had a foot-long cookie, that looks delicious! I love your festive nails. Yes, can you believe I just found out in December about the YouTube options like that. I love the ones that have scenes that play music as well. So much fun to get creative even on the TV, lol! Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
He’s crazy! The pants are probably 15 years old and he should send them on their way! My students told me about the cookie! Thank you! I didn’t know either! I need to do more of their playlists, too. I do that at school from time to time. The kids love music. You too! Bet you are kinda glad to be home!
LikeLike
Thanks for the shout out! I have so much to say here, but I’ll keep it short. First, I’m sorry that Ernie is struggling! Can you feed him anything to help with inflammation or get some medicine for his soreness? We do that from time to time. Our dogs fur is also doing that; I think they’re starting to shed their winter coats. It looks exactly like his! I am so glad to hear you took a half day to yourself; I haven’t been to a mall in ages and would love to go to one, if ours weren’t so bad. I’ll live vicariously through you, since they are. Why did Moon River make you tear up? I know it’s kind of a sweet/sad song, and I do the same, but I wondered if it was a song your dad liked and it made you think of him. It reminds me of my dad! It’s one of his favorite songs; have you heard it sung by JJ Heller? You should listen, her voice is beautiful and crystal clear. I love that one on one time you get with your boys, and the dinner looked amazing! I hope your Friday flies by and that your weekend is full of sun and blue skies!
LikeLike
Of course!
Thank you! I am not sure – maybe will research this today?
You know – malls feel weird in 2024. I like my outdoor mall the best. I also have a little bougie shopping center right by my house. But, being in a mall mall is weird. You aren’t missing much! I ate at a mall restaurant and went in 3 stores, I thinik.
Yes – that is why. It’s just so beautiful plus I had had a glass of wine and it was a big pour. I also think of “Fly Me to the Moon”. My Dad has home movies of his first flight in the Air Force that my mom had put on VHS and then DVD with that song. No, I will check her out.
It was sweet to me that Jack wanted to have time with me and instigated it. Even though he lives here, we really don’t see each other much.
Friday was good for the most part. We woke up to storms – so crazy for Feb.!
I am so glad you feel better. I hope you have a shopping day planned! Is Todd able to sleep in the bed again? How are his injuries?
LikeLike
So many favorites! I like that La Croix flavor as well. The cookie and dessert both look good. The last time I went to a Cuban restaurant, it was delicious! I reminded me of being in Colombia, so it was sentimental as well. Your nails look so cute and I need to try the screensaver Jennifer shared. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Thank you! It’s good! Too much chocolate around here lately, but no GS cookies – yet! Cuban food is really popular here and my city has become one of the largest Cuban pops in the country!
You should – it’s fun when you are at home and walk by the tv! You too!
LikeLike
I love your blog! Just a quick comment regarding your recent education post…I hear you!!!! My husband is a superintendent in a large district in the Dallas- Fort Worth area of Texas, I have worked in schools and venues as a clinical social worker with kids/parents for years, and I am a mom of 2 kids very similar ages as yours, and I absolutely believe in public ed! I have so many words regarding this topic, but I just want to say thank you for loving your students like you do! Keep up the great work with your blog too(: Take Care! Julie C.
LikeLike
Oh wow – can’t imagine the stress he is under. Ours is much hated right now and people want him to retire. You are sweet to say that. I am generally a pretty happy teacher and have learned boundaries. I no longer bring work home or check email at home – unless a rare circumstance. Sometimes I put a reminder on Google Classroom on the weekend.
I give all of myself during my work hours and that will have to be enough.
I can imagine you can be quite drained in your job, too. The emotional stuff can be so taxing.
Aww – this little hobby has been fun!
LikeLike
Your husband cracks me up, lol. I love that you share life as it is, and your sweet Ernie.
LikeLike
He does some crazy things. My Dad also did things like this! I try to, but sometimes it’s weird to share stuff and wonder if anyone cares? Lol!
LikeLike
Your half work day looked so relaxing. Maybe you got a dud of a frother? I’m still using an Ikea battery powered frother that I believe was $1.99!
LikeLike
It felt great! Maybe? It’s odd that I’m getting barely anything. Wow! Still have never been to IKEA!
LikeLike
Great post! What is a raspberry lemonade stick? A foot-long cookie, be still my heart! The tart looks yummy, we’re going to make a torta nera (chocolate walnut tart) this weekend as a trial run for a dessert auction that’s coming up at church. I hope it looks as good as yours. I’ve had a couple of frothers but had the most success with the Aerolatte, quick and easy to use.
LikeLike
It is like a drink flavoring powder in individual size. Crystal Light makes them or there are store brands. I got Walmart brand. Nice! Good to know – might replace both of mine with that brand.
LikeLike
We need some sunshine here! This week we seem to have all the weather apart from sunshine. Send some this way please.
That footlong cookie looks amazing!
When my fella sews anything he always has a torch on his head too. hahaha
That screensaver trick from YouTube is just genius!
LikeLike
It really is a mood booster. I said that it felt like the UK during the 13 days without sun where it also spit rain more often than not.
It was good!
So funny!
I liked trying this tv trick. Nice when you are home and walk by!
LikeLike
Hmmm, I’m not sure what’s going on with the frother! I have never tried frothing creamer, but the skim milk should froth up at least a little. Frustrating! I need to try that tv screensaver trick…so fun! I hope Ernie gets the pep back in his step, poor guy! The half day sounds like just what you needed!
LikeLike
Me either! That’s what I thought, too. It was kinda pricey, too. It’s fun! Thanks. It was really nice, but I probably needed a whole darn day!
LikeLike
Love the mani and the screensaver. Jennifer inspired me to update my phone background. You’ve never taken a half day? I’m the queen of half days 😆and I don’t mean unnecessary ones- it’s good to have a 9:30 or 1:00 dr appt kind of half day 🙂 The cake looks delish. I hope you have a great weekend
LikeLike
Thank you! It makes life more fun for me to do seasonal things. No! We couldn’t do half days til this year. I think it might be easier to take one in your role. For me, I will be there for two of the sections of the same class I teach and not for the other ones. It probably makes more sense for me to just take the whole day! You too!
LikeLike
Amy, I finally had some time to sit down and read this week’s posts, thank you!
There were so much interest in your education post, that’s great! The situation over here is exactly the same I would say! When I tell people I teach middle school the most frequent reaction is; Wow, I could never do that! But they are still very good at complaining!
You look really fresh and healthy in all your pictures, and your outfits all look great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! Thank YOU!
Wow – I am surprised that your ed situation is the same. Middle school is notoriously the hardest level here, too.
Thank you! That is such a nice compliment!
LikeLike
It has been so nice to have sunny days once again! I’ve never really liked any flavors of La Croix, but this sounds really good. I’m going to look for it. I think I may get one of those footlong cookies for my grands for V Day. I’ve already got Mike some truffles. Who knew something as easy to make as ganache could be so delicious? Were you at a Von Maur? It looks like all the ones I’ve ever been in. Isn’t music one of those things that can instantly bring tears or a smile? I hope Ernie is soon feeling better. Maybe it’s the changes in temperature?
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
LikeLike
Yes! It really helps my mood. Don’t think it’s too flavorful. It’s just a really light hint of the flavor. I just really like sparkling water now. For years, I hated it! I think the grands would like it! I know – now I am going to be making ganache a lot! Truffles are nice! Yes, that was Von Maur! Yes, and I don’t listen enough to old standards like I should.
LikeLike