Friday, August 8, 2025

Hi and happy Friday! How are you all? How was your week? I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites of mine.

Stay tuned until the end because it was my first day of NOT going back to school! That would be the biggest thing that didn’t happen this week, but I will be sharing some mundane things that made me happy.

First favorite – fresh chives. Yup, guys, this is how exciting my blog is becoming. We shall celebrate herbs.

Why does this make such a difference? I bought them for potatoes and I have been putting them in my eggs. I use two eggs, about a half cup of cottage cheese (I never measure), and then some chives.

I eat breakfast around 9:00 or so and I love that I can do this now. I truly wait until I’m hungry most days. This feels like a luxury. I’m trying to eat slower, too.

I ran out of this and my other brand (rhymes with “shutter”) just didn’t work as well. I highly recommend this for the “clean feel” and I think it works. I do make sure to always shower it off at the end of the day.

Poor Tom – he has a really bad case of poison ivy on his ankles. He went hiking Saturday and he saw the poison ivy and he avoided it – he thought. He wore tennis shoes and short socks. I remember telling him to wear pants before he left. It is unlike him to not be outdoorsy prepared so I know he is kicking himself. He is miserable. I bought more bug spray while buying him every type of anti-itch cream on the market. We already had most types and calamine lotion. I found a Benadryl brand anti-itch and added that. His ankles are even swollen.

We had this taco salad one night this week and it hit the spot. I have a grocery post coming next week about an epiphany I am having. Chives and grocery epiphanies. Are you on the edge of your seat? I used original Doritos and they slapped. You could do Cool Ranch and they would equally have the ability to slap.

I bought a Reese’s pumpkin! Oh, the ratio of peanut butter to chocolate is so much better, right? And, that is the danger of going into the grocery store! I have a posse of former students that work at Kroger and a big group of them are all guys who go to University of Kentucky. It’s always fun to see them. They keep asking me about retirement and it’s the cutest.

I love going through the car wash and I treated myself to one this week. Tell me you don’t sing , “Car Wash” like me. I know you do! I wish the car wash took longer because I really enjoy it. What does that say about me?

My fruit flies/gnats are gone! My two plug in Zevos are working to get them and the occassional fly that enters, but this tip is also interesting…

I guess you better start drinking some wine…are you willing to put in the work?

I’m gonna tell you what I think the root of the problem was with my personal fruit flies and it’s pretty gross. Eddie Otis has food and water bowls on a plastic stand up off the floor. It’s better for big dogs to digest their food we have heard. He is the most vigorous eater and moves his bowl around while eating. Well, some of his food got trapped below the bowl and that created the perfect environment.

We are now more diligent about washing his bowl and lifting it up off the stand after every meal, too. Oh, Eddie!

So, just in case you aren’t taking notes – chives, grocery epiphanies, fruit flies…

I made the best cold foam coffee with my instant espresso and my new frother. I think the frother is a great gift or great investment. It makes home coffee so much better!

I think this is an old phone of my mom’s. I found it while going through some stuff! I didn’t even remember phones like this! I had this type of Nokia (I think we all did), but I don’t remember the designs?

A couple of updates…

Finished this – I really, really liked the story. Anyone else? It was a quick read for me. And, now I want to go to Maine.

I couldn’t finish this. But, now I am curious about the ending based on what someone on the interwebs said. Did you watch it? It is muy mature fyi.

Screenshot

My niece Nora and I have not continued our cooking project, sadly. She got busy. We did stromboli, black bean burgers, Spanish shrimp and potatoes. I realized it doesn’t have to just be a summer thing so if she wants to pick it back up we can! Also, I want to invite Lena to do it with me next summer. She is a sophomore this year.

I picked up this drink at Trader Joe’s and it is good. You must like ginger because the ginger juice is pretty strong.

Loved this! I don’t like a matching mani/pedi anymore. I want it to go but I like the contrast.

Do you like the combos?

Ok, to wrap up the favorites…

Yesterday was the first day of school in my district and I joined in the fun with my first day photo:

It’s just orange juice! I got some really sweet messages yesterday about NOT going to school. I got a sweet email from reader Sally! Hi Sally!

Then, I took myself to Con Huevos which is a fabulous Mexican breakfast place. My former student waited on me! She knew what day it was and was so sweet to me!

She talked me into their new hibiscus mimosa…

And I ordered chilaquiles which are basically breakfast nachos – lol.

Then, I got myself a strawberry acai lemonade and took it to my…

pedicure. I tried to get Bubble Bath because I currently have a white mani (see chart above) but the tech wouldn’t let me. She said it was too light. So, this is what I ended up with. Meh. I didn’t feel like fighting it!

I was going to go look at fall decor but it’s just so hot so I will save that for another day! I did get a fall magazine which is a treat! But, they really didn’t have many fall magazines out yet.

The nice thing was that I parked my car and walked to all of these places in the same shopping center. I went to the nail salon, Kroger, Con Huevos, and Starbucks without moving my car. Peachy!

What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many!

Amy

30 thoughts on “Friday Faves”

  1. Glad you got rid of the fruit flies! We don’t have a fruit bowl but we do keep bananas out on the counter… and my husband thinks I’m crazy but if we get fruit flies in the house the bananas have to go! Your not back to school outfit photo is great and it sounds like you had a fabulous not back to school day. I like the pedicure color!

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  2. so much to love about this post! Chives going on the grocery list! Eddie is so cute! And talk about cute, you with your drink and sign for first day not going back…that’s precious! Cheers!

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    2. Hey Amy, it wouldn’t let me return your comment via email and answer your question so I’m putting it here. They actually are only 10 minutes apart from each other.  Saugatuck, is where we went last year. I would say if you’ve not been to either start with South Haven, everything is right there and the lighthouse is just so darn charming. There aren’t really any beaches in Saugatuck per se. It’s mainly just more for shopping. South Haven has two beautiful beaches on either side and the Saturday Farmers market is great! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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  3. I love that OPI color chart! I enjoy things like that, and while I don’t do matching mani/pedi anymore either, I do like for them to blend or match somewhat. I have white/white on right now, though, which is my favorite. The whites are different, but I like it with being tan and wearing a gold ankle bracelet. I love that first day of NOT going to school picture, and think your day sounded perfect. I love that a student waited on you! That makes it even more special. Poor Tom with the poison ivy! We have a soap here that gets used when this happens…it supposedly does the trick, but I can’t think of the name of it at the moment. I hope he feels better! Enjoy your day, my friend!

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  4. That picture of you is everything-seriously post it everywhere- ha!! I did watch The Hunting Wives- yes risque but so good- you should finish it- incredible ending which leaves the door open for a second season too!

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  5. Chives! I’m here for it. lol
    (Silly) question about the eggs – do you put the cottage cheese in while you scramble them?
    Love the mani / pedi chart – bubble bath and funny bunny are my faves. This summer, I’ve had Cajun shrimp on my toes (& I’m never so “bold” to wear a red color 😆) and funny bunny or bubble bath for my mani.
    I loved Maine Characters. Quick and easy read.
    Your first day of not going to school looked fabulous!

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  6. Also, poor Tom! I hope he’s better soon. When Trav and Hayden have gotten poison ivy, it’s been really bad. I grew up with it in the backyard and my brother would get it but I never did. I’m not trying to test the theory but maybe I’m not allergic to it?

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  8. Looks like you enjoyed the first day of not going to school to the max! Our district’s first day is Wednesday. I’ve renewed my sub license but haven’t jumped through the hoops with my sub employer. Feeling reaaal unmotivated to do that so of now, I can’t sub. Have a great weekend!

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  9. The first day of no school pic is EVERYTHING!

    I think green polish goes well with just about any other color. Green is a staple color in nature. Flowers come in every color under the sun and they’re all on green stems. (I say this having never worn green polish before, because I’m not terribly adventurous.)

    One of these days, I’m inviting myself to your town so I can have one of these fun Amy days! Your restaurants especially are far more interesting than most of ours here.

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  10. I love your first day of no school sign! Celebrate and enjoy and your hair looks great in that picture. One of our family’s favorite meals is Doritos Chicken Salad. I cook the chicken in taco seasoning and prep a bunch of salad toppings including black beans, strawberries, corn and all the usuals then we assemble with Doritos. The extra special treat is the dressing which is a mix of Catalina and ranch and comes out quite tasty.

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  11. Fresh chives are worth writing about, they really do improve meals.
    Oh no! Poor Tom! I hope his ankles are better soon. There is nothing worse than itching!
    That is a great tip to get rid of the fruit flies, I will have to remember that!
    I remember having a phone like that, what a blast from the past!
    I love your Not back to school photo! What a great day you had!

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    1. I didn’t have any playmates but I did enjoy my own company – lol. Yes! It’s the best. Aren’t they pretty? I love things like that. I love color, too. It would be fun to get my colors done but I think it’s like $300!

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  13. I love when I can hit several stores from one parking lot. I have a fave TJmaxx location that has the best things, and right next door is an Ulta, Bath/Body Works, and Target. Score! I will eagerly await your grocery post. 🙂 Poor Tom! Back in the 90’s, I mowed the grass in sandals and must have had some poison ivy growing the yard. My feet were covered in poison ivy, and then I had to wear hose to work. Not fun! Hope you have a good weekend.

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    1. Me too! I am really partial to my little neck of the woods with my Kroger, a fab Cuban tapas place, the Mex breakfast place, my mediterranean place, my nail place, and I could go on. Love! And, I see someone I know in each and every place most times!

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  14. I used to eat scrambled eggs with cottage cheese for breakfast, but it gave me heartburn right off the bat. I’m not sure which of them caused it. It’s too bad because that’s a lot of protein. I feel for Tom. When I get poison ivy, I usually have to go to the doctor. I’m allergic to so many of the meds they give you that I usually end up on prednisone pills (I can’t do the shots…too much prednisone at once). I agree about the Reese’s pumpkins, Easter eggs, Christmas trees…you don’t have to mess with the crumbles of the chocolate when you take the paper off, either! Love your first day of no-school agenda! Perfect!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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  16. I seem to only get fruit flies when I have tomatoes on the counter. I guess they really are a fruit. That Nokia phone was the best phone ever! I had one for years and never took the upgrades offered because that phone never lost power. I loved it. Happy first week of no-school. Glad you celebrated and sounds like you had a nice week.

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  17. I think I’ve one bought one OPI in my day (Strawberry something?) but I like the idea of color pairing. Matching isn’t my favorite.

    I love chilaquiles! Had them on vacation once and top 5 best meals of my life, I think. (On the beach so probably had to do with the atmosphere)

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