Friday, July 25, 2025
Happy Friday! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some faves.
How was your week? We finally got a break from the rain and it’s been hot and sunny. I didn’t have much on the calendar this week, which can be both a good and a bad thing. You have to plan for fun!
I’m sorry if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, but can we talk about how cute their greeting cards are? They are $1 and here is an example of a blank card:
I am trying to send more mail! The other night I had a stack of cards and my address book and I told Tom I was working on “my correspondence” like a Victorian lady. Aunt Agnes had an employee to help her with her correspondence in Gilded Age. Lol. It was great until Eddie Otis licked my correspondence and smudged it. He just wants to help me with everything! He wants to help with the laundry, dishes, putting on my socks, getting the mail, moving the rugs (yes, I’m serious), bringing in groceries – you name it.
Anywho, I was writing cards to family members from the Michigan weekend.
If you get a chance, stock up on cute cards for just $1 each at TJ’s. Have you seen how much greeting cards cost at the grocery or the drug store? I still like Dollar Tree for cards, too.
I went to Ulta and needed new hairspray and yes, the art on the bottle swayed me. But, I do love it!
I also found a new body wash at Kroger. It is sea spray/salt air scent and I like to be seasonal with my products. It’s fun to change them for each season. It’s also small enough to fit on my shelf in the shower.
I still can’t believe I did this. I wanted to try the Dubai chocolate in its pure form. I have had a Dubai chocolate croissant before, but not the real deal. This bar was $15 and I bought it! I saved enough money on greeting cards that I can buy $15 chocolate! I do realize I can be such a walking contradiction!
It’s Dubai chocolate but it’s made in Germany. That moment when your nails match your chocolate…
I think it’s delicious! I heard that Trader Joe’s has one for $3.80 but I haven’t seen it there myself.
I had a library haul on Monday…
I’m trying to cook more beans. I am spending more time alone, you know.
And, my library has a recycled magazine box and I scored a couple! Have you seen the price of magazines?
The best meal I cooked this week was a salmon bowl:
I saw this on Instagram and thought it was good for keeping a vacation mindset:
I bought 3 birthday gifts (I was proud of myself for getting all of these gifts early) at my new favorite boutique called Scout:
I’m reading this:
I started The Hunting Wives Club but I’m just barely in so I don’t know what I think yet.
And, I finally got a really mild morning to read outside:
I’ve been making my iced protein coffee. This week it has been instant coffee mixed with half a carton of Premier cookie dough.
I’m still loving my bright yellow nails and this is a better photo of the actual color:
I’m not a big drinker of soda, but I wanted to try this and it’s really good in my opinion. It would make a nice cocktail, too!
I made strawberry freezer jam this week. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be on my summer list or not, but then I got the urge to make it.
I had a happy hour with Mason! He declared it the best conversation we have ever had. Ok! I couldn’t believe he said that!
He got to try the goat cheese with strawberry jam on baguette and guess who might try to recreate that at home with her jam?
I have been so appreciative of having a new to me car! It has been so nice to have working AC and a working back hatch. I know it’s just a car but it has been a joy to drive. I really like the color, too. I have most recently had a black car for 10 years and before that I had a white car for 10 years so this is different for me.
Cam from Southern Charm said these were really good and when I saw them at the check out at TJ Maxx I had to try them. Tom and I both loved them!
These stainless steel wipes are great! I added them to my Kroger order. They are also on Amazon.
You all know I hate mosquitoes, but I forgot about flies and other flying things coming in the house in the summer! Not even the insects want to be out in the heat!
But, we are having an issue with gnats, fruit flies, or drain flies. This is not working on them. I have made sure there is no fresh food out, made sure my garbage disposal is run and there is no organic matter in my drain, and they are better, but still here. I also set out apple cider vinegar to try to catch them. Help! Anyone have a good solution other than winter?
I also am becoming a grumpy Karen about yard work. There is no time that a mower, weed eater, or other loud tool is not being used right now in my hood. It’s 2025 and we have accomplished great things. Why have we not created silent yard tools?
Sorry to end on a negative note!
Happy Friday!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Add a bit of soap to the apple cider vinegar and change it out daily; the soap coats their wings and they can’t fly back out. It usually takes a few days and then they should clear up. I’ve been trying to send out more “happy mail” this year too– just random cards to friends and family. I figure I have so many made I might was well use then and who doesn’t love getting mail that isn’t a bill or advertisement?
Alec had a bar of the Dubai chocolate when we picked him up from college. We all agreed it was good…but not worth the price tag!
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Will do! I need more apple cider vinegar now! Ha! It has gotten better but it’s still annoying to see one of these flying creatures in my kitchen no less!
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Oh my goodness, I feel the pain with the loud yard tools! I thought it was just me since I work from home, but all of our neighbors have yard services and they come on different days. I feel like I cannot escape the sound and it drives me crazy!
Your new car looks so pretty! I love that color, it’s so sophisticated!
We have issues with gnats too and have those Zevos in several places in our home. They help some but not nearly enough. If you find a solution I can’t wait to hear it.
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Kellyann
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I know I am more sensitive to noise than some, but it’s really ridiculous. Our next door neighbor has an ex husband that uses a blower everyday. He will still have it going when we are trying to watch a show and we can hear it. Why is the ex always there? We can’t figure it out.
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Alyssa has been saying we need to go to Trader Joe’s so that is on our agenda. Our TJ’s is about twenty two minutes away. Not far but not really close like so many other stores are. I would love to try the $3.80 version of the chocolate. I can’t pay $14.99. I mean, I can but I won’t! It looks delicious. I will also check out the greeting cards at TJ’s. I’m glad you like your new car- it’s definitely fun to get a new set of wheels. Have a great weekend!
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Oh you will have so much fun! There is some website that gives you meals made from 5 ingredients from TJ’s or less. I can list my favorite things for you, too! I buy their frozen jasmine rice, their Everything but the bagel ciabatta rolls (one of my kids loves), the brown sugar oat creamer, their cheeses are really good, and so much more!
You too!
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Growing up everyone mowed their grass on Saturday mornings. Now it seems almost everyone has a lawn service and they come whenever every day of the week. Our neighborhood has a ‘rule’ nothing before 8 am and nothing after 6 PM, mostly for the people coming in to do work I guess, but it helps. Hubs just got a new truck and it’s nice. It’s a year old but feels brand new, and I forgot how nice it is to have a new vehicle. He loves talking about all its features lol. I love iced coffee this time of year. I make a pot of decaf and refrigerate it so I almost always have some available. I like mine with the Italian sweet cream. I don’t put sweetener in my hot coffee, but the iced needs something. Have a nice weekend!
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We have some lawn services that mow as late as 8 pm! I like that rule. Tom does ours and usually does it on Saturday afternoon or right when he gets home from work on a weekday.
I went from a 2012 to a 2022 so there are some cool new features.
That is a good idea! I wish I could drink black coffee and I can but I prefer some type of cream. This brown sugar oat is my absolute favorite! I feel like it’s not as bad?
You too!
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I like to buy TJ cards too. Just curious to know if Tom did research on your SUV. I like it and loathe car shopping ? From reading the blog Tom seems to buy quality. My suv is 10 years old
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Trader Joe’s is where it’s at for cards! And I’m only kind of new to buying cards there. So sweet that Mason said that about your time together.
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Now I want to try the Dubai chocolate at Trader Joe’s if I can find it. You always influence me! 😂 I love their greeting cards too. I refuse to spend $5.99 or more on a piece of paper that is most likely going to get thrown away!! Glad to see you are enjoying your summer!
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Mmmmm, Dubai chocolate is truly amazing! There’s a local restaurant here that makes it in-house, and it’s stupid expensive, but super delicious! A few weeks ago, Costco had boxes of bite-size ones. I keep hoping they come back.
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LOL we’ve been making cocktails with that ginger ale this week. Gin, lime, cherry ginger ale.
I think I’ll watch The Hunting Wives this weekend. We’ve been watching Untamed together on netflix. It’s good.
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I had no idea TJ sold cards! I don’t buy them often because of the prices, so I’ll definitely check this out. I’m intrigued by that hairspray. I love anything beach themed. You’ve shared so many fun recommendations today!
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I’m going shopping/thrifting with my oldest granddaughter this weekend. There’s a TJ on the way so maybe we’ll stop. The goat cheese, ciabatta and jelly sounds delicious! Mike has new car fever, and his SUV is beginning to show its age. The only problem is he wants a Corvette!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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I need to go to Trader Joe’s more for cards! I get them sometimes when I am there, but don’t think to go there just to get a card. The ginger ale drink sounds refreshing! I have tried the plug in devices for bugs, but they didn’t work for me either. I do hate the bugs of summer! Every time I think we have a winter freeze I think it will help with the summer bugs, but I am proved wrong each year, ha!
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I’ve noticed more gnats and small flies indoors this summer than usual. Maybe because we’ve had a lot more rain (I’m in the Hudson Valley region of NY), and they thrive in the humidity? Anyway, I use those Zevos fly traps, and it’s shocking (in a disgusting way) how much they catch. I’ve got them throughout the house, even though I notice the flies mostly in the kitchen.
A few years ago, I had what I would term “an infestation” of gnats. Nothing worked until I realized that they seemed to be concentrated around my houseplants. I moved the plants into the garage, and within a day or two, the infestation abated. I treated the plants for insects, and eventually brought them back inside. So, if you have indoor plants, you might want to move them outside for a bit to see if they are contributing to the problem.
Good luck.
Kate
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Maybe because of how wet it was for much of the country? I did read that over watering a houseplant can attract them but also just general moist soil. Good tip!
We are now having some good luck with Zevo but yes, it’s so gross!
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So much reading goodness! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!
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How do you feel about the Emily Henry book you’re reading? I’m curious about it, since I haven’t loved hers the last two years. I love that your library has a recycled magazine box! I don’t buy them either, on account of their price, but I like to snag them when I find a good deal, like a year for less than $20. I’m currently enjoying my year of Architectural Digest still…I think it’s wrapping up soon, though. The gnat issue is so annoying! I’ll be curious to hear what people say.
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I like it! It’s a little slow, but I’m hanging in there. The only one I really liked was Beach Read – the first one. This will probably be my second favorite. Same. I love a magazine but don’t want to pay a lot!
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We don’t even have a Trader Joe’s in the country I live, I read about it and feel like I am missing out. Those cards are cute!
hehehe! Eddie Otis sounds like such a willing helper.
My eldest paid about £15 for a bar of that Dubai chocolate which I think was such a ridiculous price for what it was. It was nice but nothing amazing to me.
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I heard Trader Joe’s tote bags are all the rage in London as a fashion statement!
He really is – too willing.
It is a ridiculous price because pistachios are not expensive. The pastry dough inside might be what is expensive?
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Gosh, so much to comment on! I also love the TJ’s cards and really don’t buy anything else now. I laughed at Maria saying her TJ’s was 22 min away, because almost everything in our area is 20-30 minutes away. Lots of suburban sprawl and traffic here! I tried watching Hunting Wives, but only got through 2 episodes. The Tx stereotypes were kind of ridiculous, and it just seemed like way to much raunchiness (and I have a high tolerance for that.) I want to try that Canada Dry, and the body wash sounds wonderful too. Love your new car. My dead battery had me thinking of a new ride, but I have a few more years to go. I’ve had this one 8 years, and hope to make it to 10. What a parenting score to have your son say it was the best conversation! Hope you have a good weekend!
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It’s so raunchy! I watched a couple
More episodes after scheduling my post. Ugh. No character is likable either!
I didn’t even think about the TX stereotypes!
Thank you! We try to run cars as long as we can.
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I hear you about loud tools. We have a very loud airboat on our lake. (the kind they use in the Everglades) It does not belong here in Pennsylvania! It is soooooooo loud! One time I saw it being towed by another boat and was hoping it was out of commission for a while. Well it’s not! It is still out there making noise!
I have not tried Dubai chocolate yet. I may have to give a try. Your new car is pretty!
Enjoy your summer fun! We are saying goodbye to July this week. 😞
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