Monday, March 30, 2026

We are preparing to close out another month – crazy, no? We have Currently on Wednesday; don’t forget to join me! Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan), Cleaning (spring), Eating and drinking, Reading and watching, Loving are the prompts.

You can start linking up at 4 am tomorrow! Set your alarms! Ha!

After you read this, go back and read my March books post which also went live this morning.

Linking up with Sarah and Holly…

Let’s start the weekend with Thursday afternoon! Tom is a big Reds fan and it was opening day. (You might remember how I went to the hottest Reds game ever recorded last summer? I walked a bridge from Kentucky into Ohio in full sun to get there. We sat in full sun. My legs slid on the seat. I wore a fan around my neck. My hair was kept wet. Anyway, you may not remember but I sure do.) I planned a little surprise dinner for him. Out of the photo is a bowl of baked beans and some potato salad just so you know it was a balanced meal. He had a hot dog, peanuts, fake Cracker Jack – I could not find the real deal – and a baseball Hostess cupcake.

I got him the free trial of the Reds streaming service (I think it’s part of the MLB app?) since we can’t get the games here on regular tv – I really don’t understand it. I had the tv on for him set to the game. I left for a plan with a friend. I got an excited text while I was out that it was time for baseball. His college basketball team didn’t do so well this year so he was ready for the change of sports seasons.

I went to a Derby Girls Night event at a nearby shopping center. I met my friend Jessica, and we started with a drink and a snack on an enclosed patio.

I am getting this again! It was a limoncello spritz. Give me all the lemony flavors lately.

And, spinach and artichoke dip.

This is my former student who is now a married mom and sommelier! She is the cutest!

Another student works there, too. It’s so fun to see a student everywhere I go!

My favorite store we visited was a new mostly home goods store called “Gather”:

Each of the shops had specials going on and some had drinks and snacks. Derby is a big deal, obviously, and many had Derby dresses and hats/fascinators on display.

It was a fun evening!

To be honest, I could not have been more pleased to have a rainy Friday morning. I opened the window and had my patio light on and did my morning routine.

Eddie Otis and I took a muddy morning walk when the sun came up…

I went to the library and was met by a goose.

And I went to Trader Joe’s for a couple of things.

Eddie Otis and I had a pretty lazy day. He stole a couch pillow and then looked pretty comfortable!

I had my own happy hour since I am my own bestie…

Tom and I ordered Mexican since I can’t be my own bestie and my own cook, ya know?

This is kind of weird. I realized the fiction book I was reading by Viola Shipman is the pen name of a man and the person teaching me to be my own bestie is also a man.

Anyhow, that doesn’t mean anything but I did think it was interesting.

My niece Lena sent me a thank you video for her sunglasses and bathing suit. She has her boyfriend in the background.

Molly’s four kids all have birthdays in March and I sent them all a swimming costume for their beach trip. It was fun to type “swimming costume”.

Saturday was cleaning day. I did more than just the regular maintenance and was able to check off some items from my newly minted spring cleaning list. That’s all it took was making a list.

I did the cabinet under my sink in the bathroom, the cabinet above the microwave, and I went to the basement and started dealing with some of my parents’ paper work.

I put all my candles away and got out my diffuser.

I went to Target and had a good old fashioned look around. I only bought a couple of food items. I think when you are dealing with clutter you are not interested in bringing in more clutter.

I had seen this and wanted to try it. OMG – it is dangerous.

I had heard of this cleaner brand and bought it and it was decent.

And, my Jones Road came in. I bought the What the Foundation in beige and the Miracle Balm in Pinky Bronze. I will report back about it or show you a before and after photo.

It was cold on Saturday but it was super sunny so I got to read outside and watch Tom finish the fence! He called me over to do the final saw cut in the fence so “I would feel a part of it”.

We watched baseball and were lazy after the fence. I actually cooked dinner on a Saturday night!

Sunday I went to Kroger and got the carrot bags for “Easter baskets”.

I treated myself to a coffee shop coffee and breakfast sandwich while I was out doing my Kroger shopping.

There was a group playing mah jong and I went over and talked to them. Do you talk to strangers?

I started this cute little book.

Tell me something you did this weekend!

Amy

33 thoughts on “Hello Monday”

  1. We had a date night out this weekend and then I read a couple of books and even squeezed in a hike (despite having to wear my winter jacket still!).

    Like

    Reply

    1. Nice! I would have liked to go out but we had projects. Good job on the hike! Sorry about the jacket. We had a really cold day Saturday but it was warmer yesterday.

      Like

      Reply

  2. You made me laugh a few times today! Swimming costume, ahh yes, I love that! So British!

    The fence looks great and what a sweet dinner you put together for Tom. Your night out looks like fun too and much better than opening night of baseball!

    xo,

    Kellyann

    Like

    Reply

  3. We sort of kind of celebrated Reds opening day as well :). You definitely put quite a bit of thought into Tom’s evening. How sweet! Your activities all look nice and fun. We had rain on Friday morning, too, and I thought of how it would have been a great day to not have to work but I was subbing so out I went in it… Have a great Monday!

    Like

    Reply

    1. It was fun! I already had plans when I found out when opening day was or I would have partaken with him. Sometimes the students are subdued with rain – lol.
      You too!

      Like

      Reply

  4. I sent my hubs the recipe for Ina Garten’s Limoncello spritz and said that will be my summer drink. We make our own limoncello so always have that in the freezer. We watched a lot of basketball with some highs and also low lows. We love the coach at Tennessee and really wanted them to make it to the final four for him most of all. You put together a fun dinner! Have a nice week!

    Like

    Reply

  5. I hate mud but it’s so dry here that it wouldn’t be the *worst* thing?

    Good motivation for spring cleaning!

    I’m so often at the grocery store and am like “i’ll get a bottle of wine” and then realize they don’t sell it here. Literally haven’t bought wine in 6-9 months.

    Like

    Reply

    1. As long as I have on my short rain boots I really don’t mind it. Speaking of, I need new ones. My best ones were $19 at Costco but they are seasonal!
      I decided some of my items are too broad. I need them to be really specific – clean out hair tools drawer, clean out earring collection.
      Same – we have separate entrances for wine at TJ’s and Kroger. We do, however, have drive thru liquor stores! Woot woot! I use that if I am on my way somewhere and need to bring something.

      Like

      Reply

  6. What a perfect and springy little weekend- love it all- thanks for sharing- yes please to a Limoncello Spritz! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  7. Yay for celebrating opening day! I use to make a big deal of it here when A was still in the picture. I still watch baseball on opening day though, but I don’t have a theme if it is just me. It looks like a really nice weekend! That’s great to have the fence finished and the the store you went in looks cute. Enjoy your Monday!

    Like

    Reply

  10. Oh yes, I do remember you at the game when the weather was red hot! I love the look of that meal and how great you have the Reds streaming service for Tom! It sounds like you had a great time at the girls night event. That did make me chuckle about the writer of the book being a man! Good job with your spring cleaning list.

    Like

    Reply

  11. We went to see Project Hail Mary at the movies. It was sooooo good. We love the movies. Fun Fact: Tony and I are investors in several Galaxy Theaters around the country!! Las Vegas, Sparks Nv (by Reno) Tucson, Az. Riverside Ca and Gig Harbor Wa. We used to have Tulare (where we live) but it sold many years ago and our investments have all paid off in huge dividends. Before Covid… We used to have a movie pass and it would only cost us each one dollar to go to a movie! Covid ruined a lot of things, no? Anyway I just thought I would share that fun !! Happy Monday!!

    Like

    Reply

  12. That was a very creative opening day meal.

    I’ve been using Jones Road WTF and miracle balm for almost a year and really like both products. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on them.

    Like

    Reply

      1. I don’t have the brush either. I use my fingertip to apply, and that works fine. I apply very little product; perhaps if you want fuller coverage a brush might be useful, but I think any brush would work.

        Kate

        Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg

        Like

      2. Thanks! I can see where you don’t need much product. The Miracle Balm doesn’t seem to
        Show up much in the color I picked – pinky bronze.
        I’m not sold on either product yet but I’m going to keep trying it out. Both products will last forever with how little you need to use!

        Like

  13. I remember you writing about walking across the bridge to go to the game. That’s love! I love how you are your own bestie (at times). I need to work a little harder at that, maybe. I am hoping to attend a girls’ night out in May or June…depends on if Mike gets his hip. Hope you have a wonderful week!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    Like

    Reply

  14. I love how your books reflect a spring color theme! The meal and Reds streaming package were such thoughtful things you did for Tom.

    Like

    Reply

    1. So far, I’m not super impressed but I need to make sure I’m not applying too much WTF , The Miracle Balm hardly shows up in the color I picked! Sometimes I worry that I don’t pick the right colors.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Pingback: Friday Favorites – Good Friday – Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Leave a reply to Tanya Cancel reply