Saturday, August 30, 2025

I’m coming to you on a rare Saturday to join in Share 4 Somethings with Jenn!

Things I’ve loved…

I live in front of an elementary school and it’s where my kids went from k-5. If I go out my back fence in the morning the grass is really wet, so sometimes I walk down to the path which is maybe 8 houses down from mine.

I love bamboo!

I love all this overgrown ivy (I think that is what it is) and I love to see this view in all four seasons. I am definitely a four season gal. It would be hard for me to live somewhere where you didn’t have those distinct seasons.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this gate open. There is a house that runs a bonsai tree (and other types of trees) business – can you see them in the background of the photo?

It warmed my heart to see all the neighborhood kids that are biking to school in 2025.

“Ma’am you’re going to have to stop taking photos on the school grounds” – just kidding. I didn’t get called out.

Things I’ve learned…

Even when I just read chick lit, I feel like I learn something or get a new perspective. I now want to go to a local bookstore and support them. I almost went to an event this week but I had another obligation and it would have been tight to get there. Tidy Dad is from near Louisville and was speaking at Carmichael’s bookstore. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a book event. I did go hear Gretchen Rubin speak once but it was at a big venue.

Anyway, this book was so cute. I really enjoyed it.

And, then, I started this and oh my goodness…I am learning things about space!

Some things the went well…

I had a really good week. Was this a one off or am I learning a new routine? Is it the fact that the weather has been so good. It’s probably all of that. I loved being able to have a patio lunch this week with a friend. I think I would like to do lunch out once a week.

This is just such a novelty for someone who packed their lunch and scarfed it down in 12 minutes for 31 years. I had a 20 minute lunch but I had to talk to kids, go to the restroom, heat it up, etc. Lol.

Some things I’ve let go of…

Well, I am in the process of letting go of cookbooks. I don’t want this rack when I have a new kitchen. It’s a hot mess. I do have a cabinet where I can not have my favorite cookbooks out looking messy.

I love this moms’ group cookbook, my mom’s best friend gifted us her recipes one Christmas, and then the last one is a cookbook I made for my family!

I am sentimental about keeping recipes with loved ones’ handwriting. I have my mom’s recipe box. I need a way to share any of her recipes with my sisters and their families.

How do you feel about cookbooks and recipes these days?

And, a little off topic…

It’s so hard to see these photos sometimes. This was about this time of year when they were getting ready to walk to school. We almost always put Jack in red because that was his favorite color. Mason was usually blue or green. Look how tan these little squirts were.

And, another little bonus. I often have people say I do a lot or I know about a lot of things going on in my community. Well, I did a really bad job at that this summer, but I do want to share my strategy.

I see lots of things on Facebook or Instagram. I screenshot them on my phone and keep them in my camera roll until they have happened. I also pencil them in on my agenda. If I am able to go, great. If the weather isn’t conducive or I don’t feel like it, no big deal. I also sometimes ask someone that I think would enjoy that event.

Here are some possibilities coming up. It’s Oktoberfest season!

It looks like I cut off the details but I will look them up on their website.

Tom loves bluegrass so on a Sunday that we aren’t boating I thought this would be fun:

In addition, I keep a list on my phone in the memo of things I want to do or places I want to go:

I have not made an early fall bucket list, but I should do that soon.

It was fun to be with you on a Saturday!

Amy