Friday, October 17, 2025
How was your week? Mine flew by! It’s Friday and time to link up with Andrea and Erica to share some of my favorites from the week.
I had a rare Monday night dinner out this week! I have to say it was fun to go out on a Monday. I met Erica on this lovely patio.
And, one of my students from last year works there and wanted a pic!
Do you study a menu ahead of time? I usually do. I decided I wanted the warm bacon spinach salad with grilled chicken and stuck with it. It was delicious. I need more real estate, though. I like a bigger plate to spread my salad out. Lol.
Tom’s office had to be evacuated Monday for a gas leak and Eddie Otis benefitted because he got a weekday river swim out of it. I am still laughing at his Monday afternoon swim where he found a big piece of floating pumpkin from all the pumpkins that had been chucked in up river the day before!
Sometimes I like to let myself run out of a product and see if I miss it. I ran out of dry shampoo and I missed it badly! It hides roots in between salon visits and it gives your clean hair a bit of boost if you need it while styling. Basically if you don’t have dry shampoo in your life, you need it. I ordered a new brand from Amazon and I love it and the smell. This is less than $7 and my old brand was $10 or $13 in the grocery store last time I checked. Now, if you are brunette you might need to get one specifically for a brunette. This does come out light in your hair.
I enjoyed wearing my new boots this week! Check out my post yesterday for more details.
If you don’t have one of these chairs in your life, you need one. You also need to give this to someone for a gift if they don’t have one. I have put in some time in this chair this week reading.
I know I’m sounding like a Karen but I don’t think there is enough learning going on at the school behind my house. They are always on recess. Get in class, kids!
I did not finish this book. The guy was quite a bit older but the big deal they made about it and the slow pace of the relationship you knew was going to happen…
I didn’t finish this, either. I took back the sequel, too. It moved too slowly for me. It was such a long book, too.
Holy dirty book, Batman. My sister warned me and I thought how bad could it be? I like the golf story line but man, oh man, are the physical romance scenes graphic.
I picked up these two from the library this week:
I don’t like to recommend a product to you all right away, but I have been using this for about 3 weeks now, I think. I love this product! It’s so good! I got mine at Walgreen’s.
The elementary school starts at 7:30 so Eddie Otis and I can walk without kids out at the start of the school day. He needs to be off leash and I need him to be off leash as much as possible.
You guys – the number of bikes at the school just makes me so happy!
Eddie and I went to the nature preserve again, too.
Eddie met a new friend named Abby. Abby’s Dad must have hot boxed before walking so we didn’t stay together for very long.
While I was waiting for more Love is Blind Season 9 I started Season 3. This group is from Dallas. It’s really good, too. I can’t tell you how much enjoyment I am getting from the memes on Instagram about LIB Season 9.
Then, LIB 9 came back on Wednesday night and Annie and Nick’s conversation was hysterical. Nick, “I just want to eat my chalupa”.
I made Mexican lasagna for us and someone who had surgery this week…
And, I had a patio wine pairing with Elizabeth this week. It was her idea for each of us to pick a wine and something that went with it. I used my cute little guest check plates. I am so mad that I forgot a picture! My wine was this cabernet sauvignon and it is so good! I paired it with a sharp cheddar and it worked. Elizabeth did a beaujolais and paired it with a cranberry goat cheese.
Do you ever go to The Kitchn website for recipes?
Here is mine and it’s kind of depressing because it’s before the prices went up!
Thank you for your sweet reactions to the funny quotes from my kids on Tuesday. I found some other old pics when I was going through things this week:
Our first family of four photo – I think we went to JC Penneys!
I love this pic!
This was on the stairs at my mom and dad’s. Look at those sweet faces!
And, yes I did have a lot of fun dressing them!
Happy Friday to you! Do you have something Halloween/Fall on the agenda? I am working through my Fall Bucket List pretty well!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
That is a big pile of bikes which is cool! Several bike to our 6th grade building but, man, it starts early and it is DARK. I´d have a lot of trepidation letting my child bike to school that early especially with how much traffic there is in the morning due to the 6th grade, the junior high and the high school all being on the same road and all starting at he same time. That is great that you had professional photos taken when your kids were so little! I got pictures of my kids taken all the time but we didn´t do a professional family photo until Alyssa was three. Oops! But we had lots of non professional ones before then :). Great pics of you guys and of your boys. Enjoy your Friday!
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That is true. It is still a bit dark but it’s the only school that starts at that time. The MS and HS start at 8:40 – so late!
We only had a handful of prof. family photos but I’m glad we did it.
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The boots are so cute and I’m glad you have a new dry shampoo you like. I like using Hask charcoal dry shampoo. I am glad it was a better week and hope you enjoy your Friday! Maybe I’ll have time to watch an episode of Love is Blind. 🙂
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Thank you! I have not heard of that brand. It was! I hope I can, too! I do have a lot of errands, but it’s all good. I can’t wait for you to see the train wreck that is Love is Blind.
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This weekend we have one last college tour planned but I think that’s it. Ben and I are hoping to get out for a date night too but we’ll see. We got my husband a chair like that for father’s day and he loves it.
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Oh, that is bittersweet! I hope you get to go out, too! It’s such a good chair!
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Good morning, Amy-
My husband and I are spending a weekend in Louisville next weekend. We are staying at the Seelbach! I managed to get tickets to the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular for Saturday night, but I was hoping that you could give me restaurant recommendations. We are willing to drive from the hotel – the recommendations don’t need to be within walking distance. We are not into fancy places for dinner, though. We love Mexican, BBQ (smoked pulled pork & beef, etc.), great hamburgers, fried chicken, great soup & sandwiches for lunch, and traditional American food. We are only spending 1 night in Louisville so I would especially like a recommendation for Sunday breakfast/brunch.
A friend recommended a tour of Churchill Downs, but I am not so sure. Do you think it is worth it?
Also – where can we go for some shopping?
I love reading your blog each day. I grab my coffee and usually start my mornings with your blog! The quotes from your sons had me laughing and giggling! And I always love the pictures you include.
Thank you,
Ann
Ann L. Bushle
1119 Tahoe Terrace
Cincinnati, OH
45238
513-227-9253
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Hi! Two places that wouldn’t be too far for you are Feast BBQ in NULU for lunch – you order at counter and they bring to you so not fancy. They have a bourbon slushie that I love. NULU is on the edge of downtown and is a bit of a mess now with creating new bike lanes or pedestrian areas. But, it is so fun to walk around that area. Go in Red Tree and Revelry if you like fun little trinkets. I also love Royals Hot Chicken in that same area but even the mild is hot. I get no spice. Their loaded fries are so good, too. They are also order at counter and have bourbon slushies.
Another chicken place is Chick n Mi and it’s pretty close to that area. Do look at the menu because it’s different. For Mexican I love Noche but that would be driving a bit further to The Highlands Bardstown Rd. area.
Bodeguita de Mima is Cuban and really cool – you would need a reservation. You could try the famous Hot Brown at the Brown Hotel for brunch. I think it will be HotBrown Week while you are here and some places will have them on special for $12 I read.
I think Churchill Downs would be cool if you are into horse racing and watch the Derby. You would enjoy seeing it on tv later and saying you had been.
Oh, the best burger in town is supposed to be Toasty’s Tavern and my son said it is really good.
I kind of feel like you should see the river and maybe have a drink before dinner if you can. River House and Captain’s Quarters are the best river views and they are slightly out of the downtown area. I wish you had time for the Belle of Louisville steamboat. Do Google these places and see if they are your vibe and feel free to email me with anymore questions. I’m happy to help and I hope you find my city enjoyable. amywscott0@gmail.com
Thank you for the sweet comments!
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Oh your Mexican lasagna sounds interesting! I love the sounds of your wine night- so fun and delish and the pics are priceless- have a great weekend!
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I think I have posted the recipe – let me look! https://coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa.com/2018/08/01/wednesday-whereabouts-errands-and-in-the-kitchen-with-a-recipe/
You too!
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Such sweet photos! I always took my kids to get photos at JCP! Why we didn’t do a family pic is beyond me!
I love how you got together with Erica and Elizabeth this week and all the fun you had with EO! Retirement is suiting you for sure!
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Kellyann
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Thank you! We have only done a handful of professional family photos through the years but I don’t regret it. Tom loved it – NOT!
I had 3 social things this week – one was spontaneous – I had a really good week. You too!
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Morning! Your days are so full and fun, retired and all! I did link your “funny sayings” post in MY Friday Favorites today – sincerely the best. I loved my anti-gravity chairs so much that I even re-threaded them when some of the ties frayed and snapped – it gave me another couple years out of them. I did leave them outside all the time – they probably would have lasted longer if I had brought them in more often. We bought a lounger this year at Costco to replace them and the dog thinks that’s *his* place to sit now. I really liked the first couple of seasons of Love is Blind and then just kind of got tired of them. . .I always think these things are more “authentic” in the beginning then it all becomes a game. I would like to see life-long matches made for these couples though! I heard the UK one was good – it’s on my Winter To-Watch List.
Have a great weekend!
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I am still finding my way in this new retirement life! And, I feel like the house tasks are never done! Thank you for linking my post – so sweet of you to share those words, too.
I keep my chair outside but most of the time it’s under my patio with a roof. I have been through 4 of these chairs since I discovered them 15 years ago? I like having the shade top on this current one to block my face a bit sometimes.
Yeah, the LIB gets old. I will take a break soon. The UK one is worth it for the accents!
You too!
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Your Frye dupe boots are so cute. I have been thinking about getting the Walmart version if they are in stock. They may be more of a yellow color than yours. They are $44.98. We are still waiting on a good cool front. I am patiently waiting to wear jeans more!
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It does sound like fun to go out on a Monday, I never do that but I always do study a menu ahead of time!! That food does look like it needs more room on the plate!
hehehe! Good on Eddie Otis getting in on the pumpkin action.
I don’t think I could live without dry shampoo, I have bright coloured hair so the less I wash it the longer it lasts.
I love your new boots, the colour is something different and the old photos did make me smile!
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Your elementary school sounds like the opposite of ours. I think in our district they get about 15 minutes of recess per day. My hair stays clean so much longer now (age!) and I hardly use dry shampoo anymore. Batiste is probably my favorite brand. Love the throwback pictures. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Haha–yes, I always study the menu before I go somewhere too! I love your family photo pics.
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Yes, my week flew by because it was my birthday week! I took myself shopping and bought a couple of beautiful pendants from this really cool alternative store. Actually, Mike was in the car, but I knew he couldn’t negotiate the store as it’s very crowded. We went to Sears for photos of the kids. When we first got married, we bought an Olan Mills package so we have some really horrific ones of just the two of us! The school near us has the playground on the other side of the building so it’s rare to hear them out. I have gotten to the point that I only wash my hair three times a week. I don’t have any luck with dry shampoos…they just gunk up my scalp and make me feel dirty. I probably use too much. Have a wonderful weekend. It sounds like it’s going to be a wild one here which means it will be sunny and chill!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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I looked at the grocery lists on that website. The titles read like House Hunters descriptions which is kind of funny lol. I do notice if it’s just me and the kids here, I spend like $40-60 every 3 or 4 days instead of $150 once a week because things go bad more quickly. So a lot more trips, but a lot less stuff?
The JCP pictures! I remember those days. Your boys look seriously identical with the matching haircuts.
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Your patio lunch and outings are lovely and glad the weather has been cooperating. EO & the piece of pumpkin LOL! all the bikes at school are precious. My kids loved walking and in 4th they rode their bikes sometimes (before Covid stopped school). The throwback photos are just precious. Love the back to back one!
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