Friday, January 17, 2025

OMG it’s Friday! A 5 day week after a 3 week winter break? I have lots of happies this week, though, so hope you will join me along with Andrea and Erika and all the other blogs in Friday Favorites.

There could be a spoiler coming so scroll down if you are scared. My first favorite is that I am loving the ads for the new Bachelor starting January 27th. This show has been hit or miss for me with the exception of The Golden versions in the last couple of years, but now I’m all in because…

as you may remember I saw some filming taking place in Madrid, Spain at the end of September. So, if he chose Spain as one of his places I immediately like him! Plus, I am hoping to see the cute little patio where I was eating lunch with my fam and my former student Madeleine! I’m also hoping to see a few more Madrid stops. Madeleine texted me later that day that she ran into the film crew again.

He was playing soccer with kids in a small plaza between the patio and a church and this girl was also playing. I don’t know if that necessarily means she makes it far because he could have brought the whole lot of them to Spain.

And, this gal below is from my city of Louisville!

So, yeah, I’m 53, but let me have my fun, ok?

I finished two books in the first 2 weeks of January! Go me! I have been a bad winter reader in the past so I am happy.

I recommend this:

If you want to drink more tea and you need it to be caffeine free, this is so good and can be found for not too many doll hairs (isn’t this weird that internet people say this instead of dollars? Why?) at your local supermarket since it is Celestial Seasonings brand.

I made myself a cute little Greek yogurt parfait. I like frozen fruit because as it melts it gives you the juices and I learned not to put the granola on top because it gets soggy. I will have to keep it in a separate bag.

Cute boy:

My camera roll is either Eddie Otis or snow photos right now!

Remember Eddie Otis’ parents? As he approaches one year old next month, we have been comparing.

Here is his Daddy Terry:

And, here is his mom Aly:

We think he favors his mom!

So, we went back to school on a 2 hour delay on Monday and the neighborhood roads were still so icy really until Wednesday after school. But, our temps have been so low that not much could change. We have had really bright brilliant sun all week, though!

They didn’t even shovel this pathway that the teachers have to use from the parking lot to the building. We have a pretty long walk in, too.

Ugly snow piles in our parking lot:

I changed to this mani:

I left my room and my desk super organized and it made me so happy on Monday. I had all my copies already made for this week, my makeup midterms ready for those kids, and I just had my work life as together as it could be. I’ve got my piles, but I must have a clear desk in order to function.

These boots have been the rockstar of my week and I have worn them in and kept them on all day.

Enjoy my pale freckled legs!

This is such a good breakfast! I have a few roasted sweet potato chunks, Amylu chicken breakfast sausage and…. one egg scrambled with some Kirkland liquid egg whites. Y’all – with the current price of eggs I decided to try this and you know what – it’s better than just eggs. It makes them super fluffy.

Erica my co-worker, fellow Spanish teacher, and meal prep partner is trying something that I wanted to share with you. She ordered 6 garden cups to try. 6 is the minimum and it says they stay fresh for 5-6 days after delivery. One cup is one serving. So, for our lunches one day she gave me a Cobb salad, and one day a Caesar. They include protein in the form of chicken cubes and bacon.

It makes so much the plate was almost too small. They were really delicious!

Now, I brought a bagged salad and used a washed empty container of hers and it’s about the same without the protein. The gardencups are about $10 each, but if you are in a busy season it might be good for you. My mom is trying it.

Here is Erica’s link if you want to help her out and plan to order anyway. She will get some money off her next order. This link also gives you 10% off your first order. The different types of salads are interesting – Asian, Buffalo Chicken, Southwest. The nuts, seeds or crunchies are in a little plastic pouch as is the dressing.

I did a Wednesday pick up. I went to the store on Sunday but decided to get ahead of the weekend this time and it was great. Why do I feel like I need to go to the store all the time lately?

If I post something on IG I usually get a comment from a former student. They just warm my heart so much.

This cute graphic gave me some hope, but for now I will just be happy if this snow and ice melts already!

How do you northerners do it?

I am looking so forward to 41 and rain!

What made you happy this week?

Amy

31 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. I’ve definitely learned to keep the granola on the side when packing fruit and yogurt too; much like croutons for a salad they soak up any sort of moisture so fast. Wow; you all still have a lot of snow. I know that is so unusual for you.

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  2. I have never watched the Bachelor but I probably would if I had a personal connection… Your neat desk looks, well, neat! I get twitchy when I sub in a disorganized room (and I am not even a neat freak) or see a disorganized desk. Adding liquid egg whites to scrambled eggs is a good idea. The price eggs is nuts! Have a good weekend!

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    1. Oh I have seen some horrible teacher desks when I have covered a class. I’m the same! Nowhere to put my stuff and I kinda get anxiety!
      Right? I really like these liquid egg whites if you have a Costco membership!

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  3. Reading your blog made me happy this week so thank you 🙂 Love the nails and your meals are making my mouth water as always!

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  4. I have the Sicilian Inheritance on hold for my kindle thanks to your suggestion . Hopefully I can read it soon. The best thing I did for myself was going go school for 20 min on Wednesday. I logged into technology, wrote on my board, got organized, etc. It made my back to school anxiety far less yesterday 😂 those salad jars look cool! I’ve never seen those. Can’t believe they didn’t shovel the walk for you all! Im ready for the snow to be gone since it’s not pretty anymore 😂have a great weekend!

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    1. I hope you like it!
      Yes, I bet that felt good! We weren’t allowed to go to school on Friday when it was just a teacher day work from home. But we were allowed to go to school Thursday from 5:30-6:30 to get supplies only if you happened to check your email at 4:30 – an hour before!
      I can’t make this stuff up!
      You too!

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  5. I am in awe of all of that snow! I do love the bright blue skies and the snow, so pretty!

    The pictures of EO’s parents crack me up – they look like such adults – ha! That probably sounds crazy but I feel like I can imagine what their voices would be like if they could speak! Enough craziness.

    I hope you have a great weekend!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. It’s been crazy!
      That does not because everytime I look at Terry I hear, ‘Hi I’m Terry” and I picture him being a big redneck sitting in a honky tonk. And I picture Aly as a southern lady who happened to walk in the honky tonk and see Terry on a barstool.
      We have a lot in common! I wonder if we would hate each other IRL! Ha!

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  6. Hopefully the rain will clear away some of that snow that’s leftover. We still have snow on the ground here, which is odd since it’s been in the mid to upper fifties the last two days. I’m hoping the last of ours melts today as well! I love seeing EO’s mom and dad; I think his coloring is more like his dad’s, but he does favor his mom. I had a yogurt parfait this week as well! There was a breakfast event at our church yesterday, and when I went to get some food, the yogurt stood out to me; I made mine with light vanilla yogurt, blueberries, and granola. It was delicious! I may add those things to my next grocery order. I hope you enjoy your day and that it passes quickly. Happy Friday!

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    1. Sorry for the late response.
      We still have the same snow and ice lingering. Part of my driveway is really bad.
      That is really a delicious yogurt combo and I am really craving it lately.

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  7. What made me happy this week? I got some serious cleaning and decluttering done around my house. Yesterday I cleaned out my pantry, closet in my laundry room, my girls bath cabinets and part of my garage. I am going to have to watch the Bachelor! So neat that you saw filming in Spain! So why didn’t your school shovel the sidewalk?!! 😬 That looks so dangerous and I could imagine most teachers are carrying stuff to their classrooms too so they have their arms full!!

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  8. I agree that EO favors his mom. I might watch The Bachelor just for fun. I used to watch it many years ago. That is horrible about the sidewalk. I think I would slip and fall on that. I just went to the store and it was wiped out as Texans get ready for possible snow next week! Have a good weekend!

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    1. Something about their eyes/face shape. I am so glad I have these photos. I got to meet both of them, too. I would love if some of my blog friends watched along so we can talk about it. I am now at the age where I am worried about falling because I know how limiting it would be.
      I bet it was fun to get snow!

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  9. Oh yes! I remember you seeing The Bachelor being filmed in Spain! It sounds like it’s going to be interesting for you to watch.
    Eek! The roads look so bad with you. Stay safe and be careful!

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  10. I learn something new all the time reading your blog. I haven’t seen doll hairs or whatever they say so the app doesn’t pick up that they are making income claims. So many get rich quick claims out there these days. EO has his moms eyes but dads color. Perfect combo. I find I have been going to the grocery store lately, no snow for us but cold and grey and I want to make all the comfort foods

    have a great weekend

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    1. Well, I am here to educate! Ha! I think you are right. For sure he looks like his mom in the eyes. I am making a pot of chili today and I am actually excited to smell it simmering all day!
      Sorry I am late in responding!

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  11. I haven’t watched The Bachelor in years, but a connection to the cast might make it more fun. I cannot abide a messy desk. I still remember a 2nd grade teacher at my daughter’s school whose desk was unbelievable. I so wanted to offer to organize it for her, but I suspect she would quickly return it to its messy state. Hoping your snow melts soon but those temps are not going to help. Stay warm!

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  12. The first day of the week, my desk is a mess because I show up 2 minutes before the kids do and just dump everything I brought with me plus all the stuff I need for the day plus whatever I’m working on that day. I had a regular building sub in my room the other day and I was like “sorry this is a disaster” and she was like “no, your desk is the cleanest I see”. INSANE. It’s always clean when I leave for the day.

    Nope, winter can stick around! 🙂

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    1. That makes sense and I’m sorry you don’t have any time to get ready.
      yes, I am sure they have seen much worse.
      you are one of those winter loving people and you’re lucky. I did order a new scarf! love scarves!

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  13. Well, this Northerner stays inside as much as possible when it snows even though I love it! The other day it got up to almost 50 so a lot of snow has melted. But, what did melt then froze. We are going to have frigid days the next two or three days with some lows near 0 or below, not to mention the real feel (or whatever they call it now). At least, you’re getting sunshine! My desk would have driven you nuts! It was always a mess, but I knew exactly where everything was. My co-workers knew not to bother it because I did know where things were. My plan book, though, was always in the center and uncovered (usually). I agree that EO looks like his mom.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. yes! very smart! This week is going to be so cold.
      If I subbed for you I would have to sit at a table or a student desk because if I am working on something I like a clear open space. Ha! I am pretty adaptable, though.

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