Wednesday, April 15, 2026

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s the day to link up with Joyce!

1. Big week in the US of A…do you do your own taxes? What’s something you’ve found ‘taxing’ lately? 

This is the only year we haven’t done our own. Tom does them on Turbo Tax usually, but this year we offered to do my mom’s personal (she lived for 28 days in 2025) and her estate taxes to help my sisters out. It has been a bit taxing! I have had to make several phone calls and send several texts and emails with the accountant we hired. Glad to have that done!

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I love packing! First, I make sure everything is clean. Then, I won’t let myself wear what I think I am packing starting about a week before if it’s a big trip. I lay everything out on the guest bed that could be a possibility and then usually end up putting some things back. I try to pick a color scheme so that everything can be mixed and matched. I pack more tops than bottoms because you can re-wear bottoms. I think I can pack fairly lightly. I have learned that travel me doesn’t wear as much makeup or jewelry or want to fuss with it.

I have started packing a lightweight tote bag and this has been great to have. You can fold it up in your purse and use it if needed.

Here is me in Spain with my little cloth tote along with my crossbody bag – another must:

We are a carry on only family. Here we are waiting on the train to Barcelona. We do happen to have a Spanish guitar plus its case because we purchased it in Madrid.

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm…who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? 

Honestly, I have made too many grilled cheeses and I am over them! I hardly ever partook of them, but my boys loved them. Most recently we added fig jam with Havarti. Now, that being said, I love a croque monsieur on occasion.

4. There’s a well known quote that says-

‘A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it’s more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

I think growth is necessary but maybe it doesn’t need to be constant. Why can’t you have growth along with stability and peace?

5. Let’s wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

  • daffodils or tulips – I choose daffodils since they are usually the first sign that winter is over. We have them growing wild right outside our fence line and they make me happy.
  • lemonade or iced tea – A couple of times a year I will order a non-sweet iced tea and put a little sweetener in myself. Sweet tea is too sweet for me. Lemonade works well in a cocktail but oftentimes straight up is too sweet for me, too.
  • gardening or hiking – I wish I was a gardener but I’m just not. I love hiking and being one with nature. I used to do it a lot. We took our kids hiking so much when they were little. We had backpacks to carry them in and then they had their own hiking backpacks with a water tube attached that they loved. We also camped a lot with them.
  • ladybugs or butterflies – I feel like I see ladybugs more so a butterfly is more special. Our zoo has a butterfly garden. I would love to attract more to my yard!
  • umbrella or raincoat – Usually I am fine with a hood up. I don’t get too freaked out by rain. I’m ok with getting a little wet.
  • floral patterns or polka dots – I don’t think I currently own a polka dot, but I would like one. I don’t want to look like Minnie Mouse so it would have to be the perfect polka. I love a floral.

A couple of my favorite florals…

A J.Crew Factory clearance rack find:

A TJ Maxx find from a few years ago:

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wow! Our grass is so, so green and I was admiring the bright pink with the green this week.

Happy Hump Day to you!

Amy

28 thoughts on “Wednesday Hodgepodge”

  1. I tend to have far more florals in my closet than polka dots too. I agree with you too in that growth is important but it doesn’t need to be constant growth. What beautiful flowers! We hardly even have any buds up here yet.

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    1. Yes! I love a floral. I even like a fall colored floral. Not all of mine are spring or summer.
      Yes!
      Thank you!
      That will be something for you to look forward to. My hydrangea is starting to grow from the bottom now. It has green leaves coming up!

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  2. I love the colors of spring especially flowers and contrasting colorful flowers and the bright green grass. I always do our taxes using TT but the year after my brother died, I hired someone to complete his taxes for the last year that he was alive. His tax situation was not complex but I did not want to mess anything up for the estate (also not complex but I didn’t want to mess anything up). I have worn several polka dot “lite” items. If the dots are small and/or don’t contrast a lot with the color of the item on which they sit, I don’t think it’s reminiscent of Minnie Mouse but I know what you mean that you want to avoid that!

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  3. I am impressed with the carry on bags for your international trip! I usually at least gate check my bag if I can when I fly. I am glad you guys have the taxes behind you this year since you had additional forms and questions to handle.

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    1. We have had to take a small plane from Lou to Atlanta and have had our carryons gate checked a couple of times. When you are hopping on trains you don’t want a big suitcase.
      Thank you – me too! I was stressed about it!

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  4. Your azaleas are so pretty! We have so many deer in our neighborhood and they eat anything that flowers! We’re switching to artificial flowers for color.

    I like a carry on if I’ll be moving a lot on a trip but if we’re going to one destination then I am fine with more.

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. Thank you! Darn deer as so pretty but can be destructive. I have seen some really good artificial lately for the front porch.
      I like the carry on for less decisions and choice when I travel. Also, we have had the ability to do laundry on our last several trips so we have that as back up!

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  5. There have been a few times where we’re traveling and the day before I’ll see my hubs wearing something he plans to pack (and then will need washed that night). It’s easier for men to pack in general though I think. They don’t need as many shoes for one thing. I’m big on planning my outfits and then not wearing them all week. We’ve always used an accountant and there is still the organizer to complete, etc so it’s not stress free but I do not want to mess with taxes. For years ours were super complicated so I wouldn’t have attempted it. We could probably do our own now, but we like our guy and it’s peace of mind having a professional handle it. Have a great day!

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    1. Haha – so much easier for men!
      I probably pack too early sometimes.
      I overthink it, too.
      There are some things where getting a professional to do it just makes sense because the stakes are higher.

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  7. I loved your answers to the prompts! I like how you pack and that you pick a color theme. That’s a brilliant idea! I almost picked the daffodil for that same reason, but I just think tulips are some of the most stunning flowers around. We have so many patches of them here in town when it’s their season; I never take pictures because they’re in many of our medians. That pink bush at your house is stunning!

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  9. I believe in growth and change and I think you are right though- it doesn’t have to be constant. Ok that J Crew top is so pretty on you! Now I need to go to their website 😉

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  10. I do the same thing with setting things aside after I do laundry if I think I’ll take them on the trip! Then I’ll wear the most random things on the days before I leave.

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  11. What a relief to get the taxes done and great that you could help your sisters out. You seemed very organised with the packing. Daffodils are my favourite for the same reason, them appearing means winter is almost over.

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  13. Isn’t it wonderful when you have those taxes done, though, whoever does them? I think we’ve only ever had ours done professionally a couple of times once Mike discovered Turbo Tax. I am better about packing, but I still took a huge suitcase to Ireland and Scotland. That was because I knew I wasn’t going to have to do any lugging. The tour company did it all. My travel buddy was the one who introduced me to having a large tote bag that can be used as your carry on when you go home so that you can buy more stuff and put in your checked baggage. I do the same with my clothing. I’ve never done a capsule wardrobe, but for that trip, I did have five bottoms (two of which I didn’t wear) and several tops. I also added four scarves. Everything worked with everything else. I don’t like fresh tomatoes, but give me a grilled cheese with grilled tomatoes in them every time (as long as I’m not making them). Your fig jam sounds really good, too. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a floral person! But, I still like polka dots. Love the photo of your azaleas. They look so beautiful against the green grass!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. So wonderful! Glad April 15th is behind us. I prefer to have less choices when I’m traveling so I still would want to pack lightly, I think. But, that is nice that someone hauled it for you!

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