Monday, April 13, 2026
How was your weekend? Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly to share!
Thursday I took Eddie Otis to a new to him park and it was gorgeous out and I think he enjoyed it -as evidenced by the three hour nap he took after we got home! One of my goals is to go to new places and last week I did four new places!
I have a dog walking belt bag that has treats, waste bags, leash, etc. so I can grab and go. This has worked well for me!
Thursday night I had dinner out with my friend Kara and we had a delicious martini – can’t remember what all it included but it was good.
I had my favorite meal of 2026 I do believe. I ordered a salad that had pumpkin seeds, green apples, blue cheese, and a maple bourbon vinaigrette. I added salmon. It was so good.
Kara loved hers, too. She got catfish, cheese grits, and kale.
We split some bread pudding and the sauce was so good.
Friday, I made myself an iced coffee. I ordered cups so that I feel like I spent $8! I have been using espresso powder, water, brown or white sugar, skim milk, and a touch of creamer.
Mason is working at a gorgeous leather goods store along with subbing. I have mentioned this store before because my former student started this business in his college dorm room. He now has stores in Charleston and Nashville, too. I am so proud! Mason didn’t use my connections (lol) to get the job, but he got the job a few months ago and is really enjoying it. They sell leather bags, shoes, coasters, bookmarks, sunglass straps, cookware (that isn’t leather), and so much more. The store is lovely. They also have a speakeasy/bar within the store.
I went down to their happy hour to meet Mason and we had a drink together after he finished his shift.
Mason is learning their new belt bar. You come in, pick your leather, pick your color stitching, and pick your hardware. This would be a great Father’s Day gift if you are local.
Check out Clayton and Crume’s website. My student was Clayton. I called him “Leo” because that was his Spanish name he chose. And, yes, he was an excellent Spanish student. I have the classic tote with my monogram. Tom got it for me for Christmas a couple of years ago and I love it. Tom has a belt and he loves it.
I went home for dinner and ordered bowls for Tom and I for dinner. We have a place called Currito and I had wanted to try it. I loved it! I could make this myself for sure. Tom got the Bangkok bowl and I got the Harvest.
We watched the Artemis II coverage. So interesting!
Saturday morning Tom went on a hike and I went to a small art fair with my friend Victoria.
We saw this guy – Fitzgerald – he works at his mom’s rug store where the fair was held.
I went home to Eddie Otis and cleaned and prepared and then had some time for some reading and a nap.
Then, my friends came over for patio mah jong. I had the Master’s on the outdoor tv and made pimento and egg salad sandwiches and had jelly beans, pistachios, cut up donuts, plantain chips, and guacamole and I made the Master’s Azalea drink – lemonade, vodka, and grenadine.
One of my friends can’t come empty handed and gave me these adorable mah jong napkins with holder!
Tom got home from hiking and we grabbed the husbands and went to Diorio’s Pizza. Tom was talking here and we were waiting on the third couple.
You can order by the slice which most of us did.
It was a nice day.
Sunday was lazy. I went to Kroger for just a few things and spent most of the day reading outside. I had a good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly for lunch.
That’s about it!
We had some nice weather, too.
Tell me the highlight of your weekend!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
That sounds like such a wonderful and delicious weekend.
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Yes! I hope you had a great trip!
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Your weekend sounds nice! Lots of good looking drinks and food and social time. The leather store must be doing well- how awesome is that! And that Mason works there and is doing something “tradesy”/”artisan” that even if he doesn’t do for a long period of time will make for good stories and memories :). I’m curious how the guy started it out of his dorm room. It seems like a business that would require more space and specific tools/equipment that a dorm room wouldn’t be conducive to but great on him that he did it. And what a unique business to start. I hope it continues to thrive and that Mason enjoys his job there. Have a great Monday!
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That’s what I think, too, about Mason. I believe he started with only belts. You know the stitched preppy belts – I think he started that and then hand stitched the leather or sourced that out. He and his roommate did it. I heard about it from the beginning since I kept in touch with him. Then, he did craft fairs and I would see him. He is in his thirties now. He has another student as his mom model with her son on the website. I bought bagels from her last year. Even though Lou is a big city, it feels small and I have these connections that I treasure.
You too! I hope you have a smooth subbing week!
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That store Mason’s working at looks so cool – what a great concept. Also? So glad you clarified that the cookware is not leather -ha!!!
I need to get a Mah Jong mat like yours that has some of the rules on it, etc. Is yours from Amazon? I ordered my new card and I’m thinking I need to get some games going closer to home!
xo,
Kellyann
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It is! He really cares about a nice environment. They sell special bottles of bourbon, wine, candles – it’s a great gift shop. They get lots of tourists.
Honestly, look at the back of your card. It has all the rules. It’s helpful to read over the back of the card, I realized. Yes, all of my stuff is from Amazon. My two besties Heather and Heather and I have been playing with just the three of us and we really like it. We have a fake player named Betty and she does the Charleston with us but then we play. It’s quicker and we know each other so well. Having it at your house could be really nice!
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I love the scent of a leather store. I’m glad your son is enjoying the work. There is a lot of mah jong gear out there now. I received quite a few things from some of the women I taught to play and it’s fun. We had beautiful weather all weekend long and enjoyed watching the space coverage and The Masters both. Have a nice week!
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Yes! I can’t imagine wanting multiple tile sets and mats but stranger things have happened. We have some boutiques with cute mahj pillow, napkins, cups, etc.
I wish I could bottle up this weather. Love it!
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What a lovely weekend! So great to see you getting to spend time with your sweet boy- it finally felt like spring here this weekend!
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The walk with Eddie Otis sounds like a good one and your meal on Thursday night does look good! Well done to Mason and the store he works at looks wonderful! The patio mah jong get together sounds like a fun one.
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The highlight of our weekend was rain!! We need it so badly. Went to an Earth Day event at our city hall and got some freebies. My friend’s son installed software on the Artemis so he got to climb all around it! He was also in the launch room. Such a great experience for a young 20 something kid!
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What a great weekend, especially Mason time on Friday and friends time on your patio on Saturday. I love that you’re hosting like this, and playing a game that you’ve learned to love. I’m so proud of you! You’re killing your goals list between that and taking EO to new places. The highlight of my weekend was definitely having Noah’s car parked back in the driveway. I’m so relieved that he is back here…you know the backstory and I know you understand my feelings on this. Plus, this gives them a roommate in each other when they move out. Enjoy the day, my friend! I plan on doing the same.
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