Friday, March 21, 2025
We are still almost a week away from Spring Break! Well, we have four days next week. Both of my sisters are heading into their well-deserved spring breaks today so I am happy for them.
We are trudging along over here. School has not been easy. I wonder if this is God’s way of saying I am doing the right thing by calling this my last year. It’s pretty hard to retire – they need a copy of my social security card, Tom’s social security card, my birth certificate, Tom’s birth certificate, and our marriage license. There is a lot of paperwork to fill out. Unfortunately, I can’t just do my favorite type of good-bye – the Irish good-bye.
Let’s link up for Friday Favorites with Andrea and Erika.
This soda bread is so good and so easy! I have enough buttermilk left to do another loaf so I think I might just do that this weekend! Also, if you don’t have buttermilk there is a regular milk and vinegar trick you can do.
If you have never made bread before, this would be a good first one to make. It ain’t sourdough, but it’s got a really nice rich flavor and you hardly need butter. But, Kerrygold butter makes it even more amazing.
Here is Jen’s recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 c. unsifted flour
- 2 Tblsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 Tblsp butter, softened
- 1/2 c. raisins
- 1 c. buttermilk
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease cookie sheet.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
- Cut butter in with pastry blender or fork until crumbly.
- Add raisins.
- Add buttermilk; mix with fork only until moist.
- Turn out onto floured board. Knead 1 minute until smooth. Shape into a ball. Flatten into 7 inch(ish!) circle (about 1/2 inch thick)
- Press floured knife 1/2 through the bottom; do again at right angle into quarters.
- Bake 30-40 minutes until golden brown & hollow sound when tapped.
- Cool on wire rack, brush top with melted butter & dust with flour if desired.
I leave the raisins out. No thank you – I prefer my grapes in liquid form, not shriveled form!
If you are in the mood for cheesy, here it is. This chick takes Spanish cooking lessons in the movie. I did some “jejeje” – that is a chuckle in Spanish.
Totally random but I just can’t hate social media. I have been messaging with my old buddy. I babysat this guy a lot during the summer when he was six years old. He lived across the street from me and he was my little buddy, too. He just got the cutest little puppy named Sherman.
If used correctly, social media keeps us connected to people we care about, that we share a history with, you know?
I did two lunches this week for my meal prep partner and I. The first was simply the Irish leftovers! The second was the lemon arugula bagged salad from Trader Joe’s and the lemon chicken breast that is already cooked from Trader Joe’s. Erica loved it.
Erica is really sad that I am retiring but she is happy for me. I have told her I will bring lunch to her window.
Baby got neutered and chipped this week. Here he is all groggy.
Sleepy boy with Daddy.
Ok, I will tell you that I called it the “chip and chop”. He bounced right back and we are trying to keep him calm now.
Monday and Tuesday were beautiful here.
A little rose on a Tuesday?
Highly recommend! I am not sure why I enjoyed this book so much but I did.
Then, I started this…I simply adore the hot pink boots and title font. It’s set in Scotland, too! I think something is happening that I am not sure I can read. Scroll to the next photo if you don’t want a spoiler.
I am pretty sure the love interest guy is a lochness monster that changes back and forth from man to monster. I don’t know that Amy can do that. That’s too weird.
You are safe now if you scrolled…You see this view a lot, but it is a favorite.
Baby being calm.
I tried something really, really delish this week. Have you heard of the Pineapple Dragonfruit lemonade from CFA? The order taker at the drive thru told me there was both diet and regular, but the diet I ordered was pretty sweet. So, he could have been mistaken.
It is really yummy. I will get this again!
I have certain brands I really love and stand by. One of those is Reef. Should I get these for summer?
I mean – it says “from coffee to cocktails”!
For the brands I really like I go directly to their website and look around. Most of the retailers that sell them only scratch the surface of what they offer and sometimes the website offers a nice first time discount.
My list of favorites is pretty short this week!
What was a favorite of yours?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
You should for sure get the shoes! When I first saw the screenshot, I thought the company was using your blog title in its ad!! That drink from CFA sounds really good. I love fruity lemonades and a no sugar version sounds like a good (if chemically) alternative to the full sugar one. I sometimes wish I “did” social media to connect with people from my past but I can’t make myself do it! Have a great Friday and weekend :).
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Ha! Isn’t that funny? I’m not big enough for a company to use my blog! Lol. It is so good. I never order drinks but this makes me order a drink!
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I must try that lemonade. Looks so good! Can you believe I’ve never made Soda Bread! Totally saving your recipe! Loved the glorious days this week then winter came back up here, lol. Hello Spring in Indiana! I know it’s hard, but you will love retirement!!! LOVE! I know I really do! Enjoy your weekend!
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It would be great with vodka or rum! lololol
Try the bread! You will love it!
I am so ready! I am excited!
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Chip and chop 🤣🤣you are right about social media —& I do love when it’s used correctly. I’m glad the soda bread a favorite. It’s ok about the raisins ☺️ the sandals are actually calling your name. I bet Erica will miss you! What an adjustment but maybe she can stop by your house for happy hour. I know you all will stay connected. We still have two full weeks until SB 😭have a great weekend!
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Haha!
Right?
Thank you – I could handle the raisins but I didn’t have any.
They are! I need new ones because of my wide foot diagnosis and EddieOtis eating them last year.
That is painful – two more weeks?????
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I immediately thought of the milk and vinegar swap for buttermilk – it’s all I do anymore when a recipe calls for it. And I agree, soda bread is a nice bread to make as a first timer. Easy and delish!
I am all about an Irish goodbye – ha!! My maiden name was O’Donnell so I think it’s safe to say it’s how I’ll always be! You are totally doing the right thing retiring, you seem to have peace about it and that is how you know!
Chip and chop is hilarious! Yes, get the shoes. The universe is telling you loud and clear that they are meant for you!!!
Have a great weekend, Amy!
xo,
Kellyann
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I can’t decide if I can taste a difference or not? I like to use real buttermilk in this bread, the Chuy’s copycat dip – so weird but that is what it calls for, and in mashed potatoes sometimes.
I think it’s actually rude to the host to make a big production and to take them away from the fun. I text later and thank them.
I think I do have a peace about it. It is getting weird and flattering to have kids come up and make sure I am the teacher for the class they are signing up for next year. I will announce it after spring break I think but make them promise to still take it.
Chip and chop!
Yes – the shoes could be too high but Reef has some seriously cute shoes!
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I only have two recipes that call for buttermilk – red velvet cake and soda bread. So I have not tasted the difference. But it would be fun to try side by side to see!
That’s gotta be tough with the kids. When I left my school 7 years ago to start at FLVS – I left in January – and it was awful. I didn’t want to announce it so I just disappeared. I felt awful and my admin was mad that I left. No party, no goodbye, just a cleaned out office.
Anyway…that was 7 years ago and everyone seemed to live! Ha!
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That would be fun! Then, you would also have two cakes and two breads and what can be wrong about that?
I am leaving with several other teachers so I won’t get all the spotlight on me. They seem old and I am young!
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I’ve never made soda bread, but this sounds tempting! Thanks for the recipe. Deciding to retire is tough and individual. I think you know you’ve made the best decision for yourself, but you will question it for a bit. Yes!! Get those shoes! They couldn’t be more you unless they said Amy on them!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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you should try it! Very true. I will question it but I also felt in my heart I couldn’t give it what the job deserves another year. I am so tired of all the BS and the inflexible schedule.
Haha – thanks!
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I will have to try that bread recipe! Looks good! A favorite thing this week is finding a few really cute tops at Goodwill. One Loft top looks brand new. Hope you have a great weekend!!
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It’s so good! you will love it. You find the best stuff at GW.
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It does sound like a lot of work to retire!
I love the sound of the soda bread and it sounds quite simple to make.
Ohh! That Pineapple Dragonfruit lemonade sounds good, I love the Dragonfruit lemonade from Starbucks so I imagine this tastes even better with the pineapple.
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It’s really so easy! you should do it! I have not tried Starbucks version so now I want to!
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That CFA drink looks so refreshing! Man, that is a lot to retire. I know you are counting down those days for spring break. I am glad you will get a week off to catch up on life. Enjoy your weekend!
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It is! It’s a little too sweet, but I can work with it.
I am! Thank you!
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That reminds me of a book I was given as an advance reader copy; I loved the other book by the author and I was so excited to dive in… only to find that the main love interest was party werewolf and would wolf out to become Wolfie at times. I just couldn’t do it.
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Yup – it happens sometimes!
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As of 3:00 pm I’m on spring break! About 50% attendance today, and even lower for kids old enough to drive themselves to school. It’s the end of Q3 grading period, so I got all my grades finalized. My principal usually lets us WFH on the post-spring break teacher work day if our grades are done.
Stopped at Whole Foods to pick up some cheese, crackers, and cured meats to have a nice charcuterie this evening, along with a glass of rose.
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yay! You made it!
That sounds like a great way to celebrate!
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I also love Reef. I think the name of the shoes is a sign to buy them. I’m glad EO’s chip and chop went well. It’s hard to keep these dogs calm! Your spring break is so much later than ours down here. I think you are feeling burned out at school in preparation for leaving. You will be ready when it happens. I know it’s not the same, but when I “retired” before having Grace, I just didn’t have the best spring semester. I had planned to stay until my due date, but then decided to stay home starting May 1st instead. I was just tired and a little burned out. She arrived on the 11th, and I was glad to have that week at home before the delivery. Anyway, hope you have a great weekend !
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Thank you! I agree! They are high quality shoes! We can try them on in a nice department store here but they don’t have every single style.
It is hard to keep them calm.
I am so burned out. And, the little things annoy me more than before. It is so hard to teach while pregnant!
You too!
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I like my grapes in liquid form, too, and I laughed out loud in English when I read that! It’s funny how, in Spanish, laughing is ‘jaja’ and their sneeze is ‘achís’ instead of ‘achoo.’ I’ll have to watch the movie, I’m in the mood for a cheesy one. Good luck filling out all your retirement forms–it sounds like quite a process!
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Right? Ha! That is so funny. You might like the cheesy movie with your Spanish background. It might make you hungry for Spanish food.
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I haven’t heard of that drink at CFA, but I am going to look for it next time. I loved the Sophie Cousens book too! Spring break sounds so lovely! You can make it 4 days! We don’t have our spring break until the Thursday before Easter (4/17) and it feels so far away! The chip and chop made me giggle! Have a great weekend!
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I love the pictures and talk of Eddie Otis; I know you’re glad to have the chip and chop and over with! That made me laugh, by the way. I love those Reef sandals! I just updated my summer shoes right before I made this comment; I bought the brand I most love right now from Amazon, the Dr. Scholl’s brand. They’re super comfy and good for my feet/back. I even bought a new pair of white sneakers!
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