Friday, July 10, 2026
Happy Friday! How was your week? What filled your cup? Linking up with Andrea and Erika to share a random assortment of things with you!
My week went by quickly and it was pretty routine – I did laundry, went to Kroger, did a Trader Joe’s run, went to the library, donated a trunk load of stuff (yay!), did a return, that kind of thing. I didn’t do anything social this week. That’s ok! Sometimes weeks need to be like this!
Here are some favorites…
Jen has gotten me into pretty match boxes, too! I bought this tiger on a couch matchbox in my hometown and it looks nice with my Volcano candle that is perfect for this time of year. I love the smell of a match – do you? I used to be scared to light them myself, but I faced my fear and I strike like a boss now.
After all the rain last week, our yard developed some giant mushrooms! They looked so funny! I’m glad Eddie Otis didn’t try to eat them.
This book deserves the hype in my opinion. The 650 pages went quickly for me and I was never bored. I can’t say the same about The Correspondent or Theo of Golden. I’m glad I read them, but they did drag at times. I decided to abandon Yesteryear after about 100 pages, so I can’t speak about one. My lesson this year has been to try not to get swept up in over-hyped books if it doesn’t appeal to me after reading the summary.
The cute shop in my hometown where I found the matches was having a 75% off sale and I bought this tray for Christmas:
I am obsessed with this plaid.
And these cute little spoon rests or jewelry dishes:
I’m a sucker for little dishes like this.
I’m loving my new shampoo and conditioner. I heard that the Elvive line is actually really good for your hair.
His face just cracks me up every time I see this photo! He is a very expressive dog!
I am keeping both of my new Amazon coverups! I sized up because this fabric is thin and without any give.
It comes in other patterns, too. I don’t think you can tell from the photo, but the sides are stitched to give it more structure.
It also comes in multiple colors and patterns.
On me:
Did you read my thoughts on dance yesterday? It was fun to participate in my second Global Writing Challenge! I shared a photo that I will share again.
The deputy mayor of my hometown that introduced us to Bo Duke:
Us my sophomore year and his junior year in our grey and peach finery for prom – I dug this up for yesterday’s post:
I also shared this dance recital photo of me:
My hair was really dark when I was younger and then it naturally got lighter and then in my twenties, I got some “help” keeping it lighter! My Dad was a blondie and my mom had dark hair. Kate is a natural blonde. Molly is dark. I’m in the middle!
I had a little bit of a dinner break this week! Tom requesed McAllister’s one night:
Chick Fil A one night:
He tried the new pimento cheese chicken sandwich and loved it. We split the market salad with the fruit.
I decided not to finish these books:
Look what was waiting for me:
This also caught my eye:
Tom and I are still enjoying on Apple TV:
We also started this on Netflix:
Something really exciting happened in my family this week. After Christmas and meeting my Dad’s former co-pilot, getting some old flight logbooks, and some encouragement:
The pilot Jeanne:
My nephew Miles has been working hard to get to this moment:
I’m so proud of him! Miles is 19 and has a twin, Mia.
Tom loves watching the Tour de France each summer and this summer is really fun for both of us because they started in Barcelona and we have gotten to see where we were in 2024.
My friend Rafa lives in a town that is part of the route and he was a volunteer. I have been enjoying his Instagram stories about it. Rafa is the second on from the right kneeling down. You might remember that Rafa visited me in 2025.
How fun! I like to read while Tom watches the racing and then he tells me what to look at!
What were your favorites this week? The week after a holiday is always a bit wonky, no?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
My hair is the opposite; I was super light haired as a child… like my hair was so blonde it turned white in the summer and as I got older it got darker and darker. I had a fabulous and very busy week. Shopping on Wednesday was kind of a bust so we tried to go shopping again yesterday. There were no good sales anywhere! But my mom and I had a great time spending 2 days together.
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Congrats to your nephew! That is quite an accomplishment for a 19 year old!! It looks like you had a nice week. A break from cooking for a meal or two? Nice! I had a break one night this week and I really enjoyed it, lol. Alyssa’s hair was dark at birth then lightened up and then got darker- all within about five years. My other two kids are like me- blond at birth and then a decent bit darker by the teen years. I like your new cover ups. Have a great weekend!
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How cool that your nephew is becoming a pilot! Your dad would be so proud!
Love the throwback photos – it’s so cool to look back on all those years ago!
I was told the audio version of Calamity Club was really entertaining but 29 hours worth of listening. I may have to get the book. I feel the same way about Theo of Golden, glad I read it but it wasn’t pulling me in.
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Kellyann
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I have the tassel coverup in navy and love it. I kept both of the new I bought because I am in a cover up every day, more than most things I wear so keeping both made sense. Congrats to your nephew! I’ve got Calamity Club on my list but it’s our book clubs selection for October so I’m waiting a bit to read it. I enjoyed both Theo and The Correspondent but read Theo long before anyone mentioned it and I think that helped. The hype definitely is a factor for me in a lot of books. I’m a natural brunette but sometimes forget that : ) Have a great weekend!
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I love all your favourites this week. Congratulations to Miles on getting his pilot’s licence, what an amazing achievement. I recently discovered the Elvive range, and I’ve been using the purple conditioner since I went a bit lighter with my hair, which also meant going a bit brassier, can’t win! I nearly started the Harlan Coben series, but my husband said we should wait and watch it together. I’m not sure I can hold out much longer, though!
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One of Diana’s friends is moving to Florida tomorrow to go to pilot school and his whole family is moving with him! So very cool- good for your nephew! EO cracks me up and that pic takes the cake. Again- love the dance pics 🙂
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Congrats to your nephew! That is awesome. Both coverups are really cute! I like McAlisters but it has been a while since I have been there. You keep striking those matches like a boss :)! EO really is a pretty dog. Hope you have a good weekend!
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I also love those small dishes! Right now my jewelry are all over my nightstand in a mess…
I might order that black cover up, it looks really nice on you!
Good for you to stop reading books that you don’t like! There are so many amazing books out there to read instead!
Congrats to your nephew, that’s big!
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It’s so nice to have dinner breaks every once in a while! Even though you weren’t social this week, it seems like you had a great week. I agree about how often social things need to happen; I think we should listen to ourselves more. For instance, some days I’m not feeling a need to be around people; other days I can’t stand the thought of being alone. I think it’s about balance, and is dependent upon what your life is like at that moment in time. I’m not always in the mood to talk to people after work; sometimes I sit in my car afterward and the silence is almost deafening. I was sharing this with Chris last night… I don’t think I ever understood that until I started working in a school again.
Enjoy the weekend and soak up your time away! ❤️
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I have FOMO when it comes to books mentioned on blogs or YT. 😂 I will buy them or get them from the library and in some cases I love them and other times I just can’t get thru them. I am not a cutesy Hallmark movie kind of person. Those books are the ones I just can’t get through. I love a good psychological suspense book though like Frieda McFadden!
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Congratulations to your nephew. He is brave to fly a plane solo.
The coverups look great on you. Last week at the pool, an older woman arrived in what I’ll describe as a Mrs. Roper dress/coverup. My husband said I should get something like it for the pool, but I couldn’t pull that off.
I enjoy your notes on books. One of my favorites of the year so far is Whistler by Ann Patchett. I’m not sure why I liked it so much more than any other book this year (maybe it was the horse on the cover).
Kate
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I didn’t know you could get pretty match boxes like that, I love the smell of matches too but very rarely use them. I have heard good things about The Calamity Club. I listened to Yesteryear as an audiobook and that was not worth the hype! I use the Elvive colour protect shampoo and conditioner and I really like it. Oh wow! How exciting for Miles to have his first solo flight!
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Calamity Club is waiting for me at the library, so I’ll get it when I go on Monday. Hopefully, I will be able to get through it. I don’t always succeed with reading long books. I like both of your coverups!
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Congrats to your nephew! That is quite an accomplishment! My son-in-law got is private pilot’s license a few years ago and he loves it (although my daughter still gets a bit nervous whenever he takes off)! I love both of your cover up purchases! They will be perfect for boat and pool wear!
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I was wondering about that shampoo. I use Paul Mitchell for color treated thin hair. Thanks for the book recommendations, that cocktail one looks interesting. Wishing you a beautiful day.
https://thatsmesimplylinda.blogspot
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Love all your finds…including the matches! So cool for Miles…what an accomplishment! One of my kids’ friends just did his first solo flight this week. I still say a prayer when mine back out of the driveway…I can’t imagine them up in the air. lol
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I’m with you on not wasting time on books that don’t engage me. Usually I read the first page or so and can tell instantly. Sometimes I get halfway thru and call it quits! The Loreal products that have no sulfates are very good. I am almost out of shampoo and will look into this one.
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You had so many good things this week! I really like that black tassel coverup. I went to my friend’s house the other day and found one I’d gotten in London in 2012. For no longer than I wore it, I don’t think I’ll get another. My hairstylist told me I have really dry hair so I’ve been looking for hair products without alcohol. Pretty much anything that volumizes has alcohol in it, though. I have always heard great things about Elvive. Congrats to your nephew. That is such a cool accomplishment. I’m not the biggest fan of flying, but I thought being a pilot would help me with that. Can you tell I’m a control freak? I am reading another Elin Hilderbrand book, but I can’t remember the name of it. The Academy was OK. I’m looking forward to the sequel to tie up some of those loose ends. And, I’m really glad you joined us for GWC!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Ugh. I get so frustrated with WordPress. It wants to me to sign in to leave a comment but I don’t use WordPress any more for my blog. I lost my last comment because I didn’t sign in.
Enjoyed this post. Kind of like a weekly catch up. I love weeks where I get things done like you did. Hurray for not having to cook a couple of nights. That pimento cheese chicken sandwich is scrumptious.
Love the little plates. So dainty. Haven’t heard about the pretty matchboxes but I used to collect matchbooks. Haven’t thought of that in years!! Wonder where my collection went?
Congratulations to your nephew. Enjoyed the pictures from the high school dance and your younger years. You were a cutie. And the cover-ups are so cute on you. Especially like the one with the pompoms. Fun!!
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I love the black cover-up!
I don’t think I’ve read a Carley Fortune book. Same thing with them being really hyped up , I think.
Tartan plaid is my absolute favorite. It’s so perfect for Christmas!
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