Friday, January 9, 2026

It’s Friday and I’m on a mission to enjoy January! How was your week? Did you appreciate getting back to normal routine? I am happy to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from the week.

I was kind of happy to get hub back to work this week because it also meant I would be more structured.

I got myself to bed between 9:30 and 10 each night this week and it made a big difference for me. I naturally wake a bit before 6:00 when I do this. Over the holidays I let myself stay up until as late as 11:00 (late for me) and slept in until between 7 and 8. This showed me that 10-6 is really my optimum!

I also was ready to stop eating the Christmas chocolate, cream cheese and Chex Mix!

Let’s talk about some favorites this week…

I had a nice lunch out with two friends this week and I chose a salad with blackened chicken. One friend said “do you mind if we refuse the bread?” and my heart was sad but it was for the best. And, none of us had alcohol with lunch. We all had water. How about that?

Now I know who goes out to lunch…

I say this because I always wondered what it would be like when I retired. Was everyone going out to lunch but me?

I tried two new laundry detergents this week. I tried a sample of Buff City Narcissist and really liked the smell and tried this from Bath and Body Works and I love the smell! This will replace my Diva at least until it runs out. It makes the whole house smell nice!

I bought some Saratoga sparkling water this week and love it! The pretty blue bottles are nice, too.

This is an Amazon purchase. I got a personalized notepad for my daily list. I prefer no lines and I need to be reminded of who I am – just kidding! Here it is if you want one for yourself or for a gift! I write lots of lists! I can’t help it – I love a personalization and I love a monogram!

Please do not get “Amy Scott” on yours.

I made my own creamer! Starbuck’s told me they are out of sugar cookie lattes (my new favorite this season) and I also can’t find the sugar cookie oatmilk creamer in stores. I found a pretty easy recipe and made my own. Do not judge the amount of sugar if I share it with you here. You take 1.5 cups of half and half and 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup heavy cream. You heat on stove until dissolved. Then you remove from heat and wait about 10 minutes and add a tablespoon of vanilla and 1/2 tsp. of almond extract. Then you put it in a mason jar and refrigerate. I will play around with reducing the sugar or switching to brown sugar next time.

New obsession – mug omelettes! The consistency is so good. I feel like the cottage cheese works better in this than on the stovetop and one might say that the mug is easier to clean after, as well.

Crack one egg and add about 1/2 cup cottage cheese and some liquid egg whites. Microwave in a Pam sprayed mug for 1 minute and then probably another 30 seconds. Holy fluffiness! Plop!

I diced two sweet potatoes and roasted them for the week and I am obsessed with Amylu chicken breakfast sausage links. They are the best I have tried. This breakfast keeps me really full until lunch.

Eating healthy can be scary…

Look at my sweet potato! She didn’t win any beauty competitions. This was picked out for me by the Kroger picker outer. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Tom really liked this dinner. I made taco meat and put his on red and green peppers that I roasted. I don’t like peppers so I put mine atop pinto beans and sweet potatoes.

I’m not sure why my book photos turned out like this but I really enjoyed this:

And, after two pretty serious books, I picked this for my next read:

Library pick up of two requests:

Have you been hearing about the icon glasses? I really have no idea why they are called that. I think Anthro, Walmart, World Market, and Target carry them. I have wanted some since the Halloween ones I saw. I finally got Valentine’s-ish ones but they really can be used anytime. I got two hearts, one bows, and this adorable lobster:

The red rim makes it even cuter. I wish they all had that rim but this is the only one. I got mine at Target. I’ve been using them for my electrolytes.

These electrolytes taste like a margarita and a paloma, by the way!

The bows:

I got the cutest vest at Target!

I ordered these because they weren’t in store:

They might work for you, but they didn’t work for me. They are way too long!

I did a $19 grocery haul at my Kroger. The salmon was $12 and everything else had a sale sticker. You can absolutely find better deals if you go in and I know I need to do this more than picking my groceries up. The challah is for Jack who loves it.

Speaking of, I had a really fun lunch with Mason, Jack, and Jack’s roommate. Everyone was off and able to get together yesterday. They picked Boombozz and wanted pretzels and cheese and pizza.

They chose a vodka sauce pizza and a white goat cheese pizza.

It was really nice, and I made the young people laugh a few times! Maybe they are laughing at me and not with me?

I came home and read outside with a gingerbread tea and it was lovely!

Our 80 pound chocolate lab climbs up in “Daddy’s” lap every evening. It’s the cutest thing and Tom loves it. These two have quite a bond.

Tom texted me from work the next day after receiving an email welcoming him to Disney +. Apparently EO had pressed the remote and I put this on Instagram…

I would say that means he wants more Disney movies in his life and less of Tom’s detective shows. Poor baby!

Happy Friday to you and thanks for reading!

Amy

42 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. I love the red rimmed glass! I haven’t seen those, but have some icon that are cute. Too funny about the dog : ) We’ve had warmish weather here this week but rain is coming today and it will be a wet weekend. I’m with the friend who said don’t bring the bread. I won’t miss it but if you bring it I’ll definitely eat it. Have a nice weekend!

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  2. At the risk of sounding like a Debbie Downer when I see those icon glasses, I can´t help but think that Goodwill stores will be flush with them when the trend dies down and goes away. I think they´re cute… they just seem like something that you can see possibly being dated in a few years and everyone getting rid of theirs. Hopefully I´m wrong and everyone keeps theirs for years and years :). Also, though I´ve know your last name, seeing it in print made me realize that if you married a man named Michael or named your son Michael, you´d have a Michael Scott in your life! (From The Office?) The pizza and pretzels look really good! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Well, the glasses are made of glass and pretty sturdy. I considered the purchase since September with the Halloween ones. If something does end up at Goodwill, then someone else will buy it and enjoy it. Another man’s treasure.
      Michael Scott wasn’t even a thought when I got married and had kids. I did joke about “Scott’s Tots” with my students, though. Do you remember that episode?
      This is a bougie pizza place that has won awards for their unique flavors. I didn’t eat much so I let them have at it and take the leftovers.

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  3. How funny that EO ordered Disney+! Ha!!!

    Nolan and Emma would love those lobster glasses now that they live in Maine.

    I am now buying Downey Unstoppables Limited Collection – they smell amazing! I love No.6 – I use them with my regular laundry detergent and the scent is incredible. I do love bougie detergent for my towels and bedding – a little luxury!

    Your taco meat on peppers dinner looks so good!

    Have the best weekend!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. He is a funny dog!
      Yes, I was thinking that they would be great for Nantucket people, too. I really like red, white, blue, lobster and thought about doing that and a nautical theme for my patio last summer. Eddie Otis made it a decision to continue not to have pillows out there. He is still into stealing them!
      Exactly – a little luxury! You were the one that told me about Bath and Body Works detergent I think? I will go sniff the number 6!
      I thought it was a good low carb dinner. Tom has been pretty good this week on clean eating with me but I just don’t like peppers!

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  4. So many great things this week! The pic of the men eating lunch out made me laugh. I love that you had lunch out with your guys and the extra…those pretzels look yummy. I can’t believe EO ordered Disney plus for y’all! It’s amazing that the weather has been mild enough for you to read outside some. I know you love that! I would have done the same, had I been home some in the daytime this week. It’s been the same here. I love those icon glasses! I feel like I need a couple of them…I may go look at them on Target’s website and see if I can order two for juice. I think the hearts are my favorite! Speaking of that…so are you! I hope you have a great weekend, my friend. xoxo

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    1. Awww – so are you! I know you love your hearts and why only use hearts one month of the year? Speaking of – where is your heart themed clothing?
      The pretzels and the queso were divine. I enjoyed that the most.

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  5. I love the notepad! It would make a fun gift too. I also love the cute dog pictures! And it looks like you had a nice week. I can’t write a Friday Favorites post because I don’t do very much during each week!

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    1. I would love to receive it! Thank you! I did! I don’t either – look at me talking about laundry detergent and water, girl! I want to hear about your little things!

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  6. The picture of EO and Tom is so cute!! I am trying to cut back on my sugar intake after noon and focus on higher protein. I still have my morning cup of coffee with Coffee Mate peppermint mocha creamer but I refrain from all the sweets after that. I am sleeping so much better!! Wish me luck on continuing that trend!

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      1. I have to add that since cutting sugar I haven’t had heartburn or reflux! Definitely worth trying for anyone who has sleep issues or reflux!

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  7. As one who used “to lunch” at least a couple of times a month I never wondered about who actually did eat lunch out around here— spoiler– not many! But you can definitely tell those that are retired and leisure or at least have the day off versus those that are out to lunch either on a break from their job or having a working lunch by the intensity they seem to give off. Your personalized notepad is adorable! But I am the opposite in that I have to have lines.

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    1. Ha! Yes, you can. The place we went was a slow, sit down, expensive-ish place. The worker bees are probably at the counter service place.
      I am loving my lists! Isn’t that funny about lines/no lines. I know many people prefer lines. I don’t want to be boxed in! Lol!

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  9. The earlier mornings have been tough but I have enjoyed more of a routine this week. That salad looks good and I am off the alcohol so far in January. I am not a fan of sparkling water but that Saratoga comes in such a pretty bottle.
    The mug omelette sounds like such a good idea! I need to try one, they would be perfect for my lunch.
    They even have those icon glasses here in the UK. I almost picked up a couple of Halloween and then Christmas one’s when I saw them in Tesco. They are very cute!
    hehehe! Oops to Eddie Otis signing you up to Disney+.

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    1. It’s a trade off for sure! So good! Good for you! I think it helps your sleep! I am only recently a fan of sparkling. The consistency of the mug omelette is amazing!
      The glasses are a great size and heft.
      I know – he is a funny dog.

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  11. I have icon glasses listed in my post today, too! XO for Valentine’s Day. All of your food photos look yummy – the pretzels and cheese is my favorite.

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  12. I couldn’t handle the “bigger kitchen” book. Mostly because it could’ve just been 10 instagram captions!

    Refuse the bread?! That’s literally the best part! It is kind of crazy how everyone in the world but teachers gets a real lunch break (unless you’re a SAHM lol).

    It’s not ideal but I’m generally a sleep 11-7 person.

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    1. You are not the first person that has said that! Since it’s a library book I thought why not? She is in a different stage of life than I am, too.
      Yes, and usually she hogs the bread! She is a size 4 and when we eat here she eats most of it. I just wanted one or two reasonable pieces. The butter is so good. Oh well.
      The teacher lunch is why I eat so fast – trying to work on slowing down.
      11-7 is good if that works for you and your kids. My kids were great sleepers in summer and on breaks and I usually had until 8 or 9 to myself. That quiet time before they woke up was gold to me.

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  15. I have laundry detergent from stocking up years ago, but I might try the BBW. I didn’t know they made detergent. Can you get it in the store? I still want to get some of your hobnail glasses, but I have very little cabinet space so that keeps me from spending the money…one of these days, maybe! Jack, our Westie, likes the British Baking Show so he doesn’t mind not watching Disney (though we have it).

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. You need to go in the store because I think you need to smell the different options. I am loving Moonlit Goddess. I think they had about 10 different ones and they also have dryer sheets – which I know are controversial! All I can say is this smell is making laundry day much more pleasant!
      I don’t have room for any more glasses either!
      Aww – so cute!

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  16. I love reading your posts, Amy, because you always make me chuckle. I’m sure you made those young people laugh. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you! That is my hope! I miss having my captive audience of high schoolers. We laughed so much! I actually sometimes think it’s not normal to get paid and get to laugh so much when I look back! You too!

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  17. Your lunches out look fab! That potato- lol
    The personalized notepad is too cute. After school yesterday, I went to Target. I almost placed pick up order but decided to “treat myself “ after a long week of school with a Starbucks and Target run inside. I came home with more than I needed 🤣 have a great weekend!

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  18. We had lunch out on the back patio today and I thought I got enough to eat. But after reading this blog post, I think I’m hungry again — for all of it! That mug omelet looks especially good!

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  19. Just caught up on your last three posts! It’s always fun to stop by and see what. you are up to! Since I blog with a friend (the “Laurie” to my “Laura”), we typically don’t participate in the “Currently” or link ups like it but I sure love to read them! Your son looked so professional in his shirt and sweater and that book by “Naptime Kitchen” is one I gave my daughter for Christmas! I love the premise of it! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you! I get that! You guys are the cutest blog partners and besties, too, right? Thank you- he likes dressing up.
      I am not sure it’s tailored to my demographic but that’s why the library is so awesome! Hope you had a great one!

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  20. I have glasses that have lemons on them, and I really like those that you have. I was wondering what bow pants were and now I know, ☺. Wishing you a beautiful day.

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