Friday, January 2, 2026

It’s Friday – I think? I am not sure if Andrea and Erika are doing their regular link up and that’s ok!

You all were so sweet in responding to my 2025 wrap ups this week on Wednesday with Hodgepodge and yesterday with my own post. I guess I am just sick of my own self talking about my year!

I was out of town for two nights from Saturday until Monday and then I received a text from a former student asking me for coffee Tuesday morning. We sat in this cute little coffee shop by my house that I go to often and chatted for two hours. It filled my cup!

It was nice to be home! And it was nice that Tom has been off work since end of day on the 23rd! He goes back January 5th.

Tom has admitted to me that he likes having an 80-pound lap dog. We are at the point where if Tom is in this chair, Eddie Otis is in his lap. It’s both adorable and strange!

I did a fresh and clean press on mani and I’m loving it!

I decided to start this even though it was after Christmas based on so many of my blog friends recommending it. I’m loving it! I don’t think it’s too Christmasy. I think it really good be read any time of year.

Look at this stack of library books along with my cup of winter spiced tea!

I had a super lazy day on Wednesday, and it felt so good. It was the first day I just let myself lay around and read in a really long time.

I did make Chex Mix!

We have lots of holiday leftovers and one of them is the cream cheese/red pepper jelly thing with Wheat Thins. This is so delish.

I’m loving my Glitter Mimosa. I just put a bit in with prosecco on NYE and it was super sparkly.

Speaking of super sparkly, I bought these sequined pull on pants at TJ Maxx a few years ago and they are so fun. My besties bought me this clutch for my birthday a few years ago and I love it so much.

It’s good to have a few sparkle pieces in your wardrobe. They don’t go out of style!

We had a nice dinner out on NYE and we were back home by 9.

I ordered a beet salad with salmon. The balls are goat cheese. It was so good.

We didn’t get a great picture but this is the girls’ side of the table. I do not know what is going on with my hair, but I don’t like it.

I didn’t shop for clothing for myself between Thanksgiving and Christmas even though I was tempted. I am very easy to shop for. Lol. I didn’t buy any more Christmas sweaters and made do with what I had which was quite a bit. I ended up wearing all of my holiday themed pieces at least once. Now I am excited to wear the V Day stuff like the sweater below (picture from last year).

I want to wear crew neck sweaters with a white tee peeking out or a button up collar peeking out. I want to be content with my winter clothing that I have and not shop much until spring or only shop with spring in mind. Winter clothing is my least favorite to buy.

I have my planner ready!

We don’t want to mess around on NY Day – I made black-eyed peas, cornbread, cabbage, and andouille sausage (pork means progress).

V Day is out!

I had a fun happy hour on NYDay with my friend Elizabeth. We got these $4 champagne cocktails and they were fancy and delish.

We also got some fried pickles.

The dinner – I did add zucchini, too.

Don’t forget about Currently coming up on Wednesday! The idea is that you “fill in the blank” of the following present participles and include a photo if you can. You can even highlight my -ings below and paste onto your blog post if you wish.

Loving

Resolving

Planning

Eating/Drinking

Watching/Reading

I’m excited to see what you all have to say!

What were your favorites this week? Are you ready for more structure? Are you still enjoying eating copious amounts of cheese and chocolate?

Amy