Friday, April 17, 2026

It’s already Friday and time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from the week!

The rhododendrons popped this week! There was nothing blooming on Monday and then suddenly on Wednesday this:

The azaleas have been showing off:

A cool thing about this week was that I started every morning with my coffee on the patio! I also read my devotional and did my blogging from here and it was a treat!

Eddie Otis was trying to figure out why my routine was different. I leave the back door cracked and let him choose where he wants to be.

Spring break was last week, and school was back in session this week. That meant we no longer had the playground behind our house to ourselves. It’s noisier again and traffic is heavier again. We just tried to walk earlier, and it was fine but one day the kids were already playing outside at 8:30!

Except…

Seriously? I cut off the “F” for you since my blog is rated G. Let’s use sidewalk chalk for good and not evil. I’m assuming this was an extracurricular activity and not done during the school day. Get those kids back on their Chromebooks! Just kidding!

I’m still loving my blue gel mani!

I got my first gel pedi and picked light yellow to be a little different. It works with my blue, too.

I finished:

It was a good mystery and I enjoyed it. It might have drug on a little too long but it was still good.

Then I started this:

It’s cute but dragging a bit. Do I say this about every book? Maybe.

I had tutoring this week:

I really have no motivation or inspiration to cook dinner since Easter.

I made BLTS, frozen fries, and a simple salad:

Mason came for dinner one night and he wanted Mediterranean so we picked this up:

It was so cute to see how happy Eddie Otis was:

I made bunless cheeseburgers one night with tons of veg that I had to cook before they went bad:

And I made chicken enchiladas with my own homemade sauce. I had to re-do the sauce because my first attempt had way too much chili powder. I think part of my issue is not feeling like cooking at 4:30 or 5. I need to figure out how to do prep in the mornings again.

When Mason was here he left his wallet so Eddie Otis and I met him in his new neighborhood and walked and then we treated him to a coffee and an empanada at a new coffee shop.

City dog:

He didn’t try to go after the bunny and the bunny was calm as could be:

Eddie Otis and I walked by the neighboring tennis center one day:

And, one day the neighbor’s ex-husband blew non-existent leaves, then mowed, then blew again. It was also a high wind day. Of course, it was gorgeous out and I was enjoying reading on my patio. I turned to my friend ChatGPT:

Bahahahaha! It’s not been too bad lately but he loves to pick the perfect time to annoy me.

Look at this!

I am back to my Dr. Teal’s! I use vitamin C in the am and lavender in the pm. I love both of these so much.

If I miss a product/buy a product again you know I love it. Why did I wait so long to re-stock?

I talked makeup this week and the comments are really helpful if you missed it! Click here!

So, what filled your cup this week?

Amy

15 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. I haven’t felt much like cooking lately either. I think I’m just sick of all our winter/cold weather meals but don’t quite feel like grilling season is here yet either. I can’t wait for grilling season!

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  2. Your weather looks so perfect! EO is living his best life since you retired. He must be loving the walks and time with you.

    I need to get another gel pedicure. I do prefer them to regular ones. I haven’t painted my nails in ages – maybe this weekend. Also? I am still reading Theo of Golden, I haven’t picked it up in a few weeks. I gotta make time to read!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. It’s so nice – 60-70 and no humidity with a breeze. I wish I could bottle this weather. I usually eat breakfast and lunch outside and then after lunch I stay outside and read.
      I think the gel pedi is worth it. You have to really like your color since it lasts a long time.
      Theo was slow for me. It was a sweet story but the middle was slow.
      Maybe you can have some reading time this weekend?

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  3. Oh my gosh EO is so sweet with Mason! The cutest! Love all of your outdoor time and loving your nail color- that is one of my faves! Enjoy your weekend 🙂

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  4. I love that pic of EO on your stairs looking at you like, “Mom? You coming in again?” He’s so cute. I am sure Mason loved being at home with him! All that walking you’re doing is amazing! EO is such a good walking buddy. I’m intrigued by your Dr. Teal’s. Should I try some? I am so achy a lot at night from all the walking/standing I do at work…does that Epsom salt help with that any? I can’t do a bath, but in the shower would it make that much difference? It must be good if you have not one, but two that you use daily! Tell me your thoughts, Yoda. Happy Friday! xoxo

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    1. EO has been getting so many more freedoms! We have stopped using one baby gate. He is now allowed to nap in my bedroom! This is huge!
      Mason really misses him but now thinks he lives to far away from our house (20 min) to come often. Lol.
      I don’t think this would give you epsom salt bath benefits but the smells are natural and so nice. I have bought several bottles of each.
      Compression socks would help you. They are really amazing.
      You could also try to rub a cream on your legs – maybe magnesium?

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  7. You should get some sidewalk chalk and change that message to Good Luck to you! 😂Your flowers are beautiful!! I have an amaryllis blooming right now that is bright red and white. I didn’t plant pretty annuals this year and opted for deer resistant drought resistant native perennials. So far no deer have eaten them.

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  8. Your rhododendrons are so pretty and the azaleas too! Ugh to that chalk on the sidewalk! The yellow on your toes looks cute, perfect for this time of year. All the food you have been eating looks good, especially those chicken enchiladas!

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  9. The sweet expression on doggo’s face nearly did me in! Love the azaleas, too. I joined a very low key hole-in-the-wall winery this week, mostly for the privilege of sitting on their patio, sipping wine, and gazing out onto farmland listening to their guinea hens and feeling the breezes. I want to make it a regular thing…

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  10. Your azaleas and rhododendrons look beautiful! I have a little hibiscus sprout happening. I want to dig it up and put it somewhere else. I got a gel pedicure yesterday…a grey lilac color. Love the photo of EO and Mason! Jack is not a good walking dog. He wants to “talk” to everyone he sees. Then, we go through lots of poo bags. I’m not sure what it is about walking that does that for him!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com

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