Friday, July 24, 2026

It’s Friday and time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites.

I finally have a hydrangea bloom!

She looks healthy, but she is without any more blooms right now.

I have a giant periwinkle hydrangea from my childhood home. We moved into that house in 1975 and when my parents moved in 2005 my dad dug up this bush for me. My friend said it’s been a weird year for hydrangeas in our area due to the weather. Normally it flowers in May. Better late, than never.

The weather cooled off gloriously between Tuesday and Wednesday and this photo represents my favorite place to be. I start my day with about two of these cups of water, electrolytes, and two cups of coffee.

My friend Elizabeth invited me to try a new place for their happy hour special of $5 bubbles and oysters.

They brought you complimentary popcorn:

We ordered really good seasoned frites:

Elizabeth tried an oyster. I don’t do oysters!

And, the happy hour menu said “rummy gummies” for $2, so I ordered us each one. I thought it was going to be one gummy bear. These are gummy bears soaked in rum. Oopsie.

We had a nice couple of hours catching up!

I worked on my basement bathroom this week. I bought some new towels and products and spruced it up.

We added this bathroom about 15 years ago. Our house originally had two baths and now has three.

Speaking of little houses, I finished Little House on the Prairie about a week ago, sadly. Did you know Nellie Olsen makes an appearance?

This is from last weekend, but this is how much Eddie Otis loves Mason.

He is currently sleeping on my foot as I blog!

I enjoyed buying World Market candy from England for the England World Cup game.

And, this was the German candy I bought for the tablescape last weekend for my mother in law. I looked up German flowers and they showed some like this. I thought the red and white gingham plant containers looked German, too.

Oh, Facebook memories…

This was a common summer view of mine…

This is really good! I can’t remember where I heard about it but it’s a sparkling white wine called “Salty Blonde”. Trader Joe’s carries it! I am very much into the screw top these days so I can put it back in the fridge and save it easily.

Happy mail!

I finished this and the cover is deceiving; it was a fun summer read with some depth. I really enjoyed it.

I decided to start this next. It’s moving kind of slowly for me.

Still loving this polish!

I’m so happy my nails are getting healthier and stronger!

I tried a new method of baking both regular and sweet potatoes this week. Cut in half, dry, spray Pam and add sea salt to both sides and cook face down at 425 for an hour. I found that I didn’t quite need an hour and it depends on the size of your spud.

I always feel like somebody’s watching me!

I took myself on a little shopping trip one day this week. I hit up one consignment store and one boutique and brought home 5 things I will show you on Tuesday! I also did some online shopping this week. 4 of the things were consignment and only 1 was from the boutique.

I got a square donut for myself and one for Tom as a surprise in his breakfast/lunch bag the next day!

I listened to an interesting podcast this week about what she called “dark personalities” in your life. That term makes me laugh. But, seriously, are there people in your life that are like a dark cloud and others that are like sunshine? I have talked about this some this week!

What were your favorites this week?

As always, your comments are my favorites, and I hope I replied to all of them! If you missed any posts this week, I talked about my rules for adulthood, hodgepodge, fashion files, and Hello Monday.

I will be back tomorrow for a rare Saturday post of Share 4 Somethings!

Cheers to the weekend,

Amy

26 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  2. Can’t wait to see what you bought!

    I know quite a few dark personalities in my life – some are relatives and some are people in some of the same social circle – I usually refer to them as Eyore. I try to limit my exposure and I think they feel the same about me – my positive outlook makes them uncomfortable!

    Have a great weekend!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  3. Your hydrangea is beautiful, and I love that it came from your childhood home. What a special connection to have in your garden! The happy hour sounds like such a fun catch-up, and the rummy gummies made me laugh. What a fantastic surprise!

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    1. Thank you! Yes! I agree. It really was. The rummy gummies were another childlike whimsy thing I have had happen this summer like getting the personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut! Ha!

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  4. EO is the sweetest. Your nails look great! Love the way you are cooking your potatoes. I have been saying I want to do that with sweet potatoes. It looks like they come out all carmelized- yum!

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  5. Great week, Amy! Summer is the best!

    Your bathroom looks lovely, I love the colors, so serene! You actually inspired me to buy some new towels. I love Home Goods (gosh, you have so many great stores in this country!).

    Talking about dark people… there is this great term “projection” where they try to reflect their own feelings on you… I hate that! You know when a (dark) colleague says things like “How ARE you, are you having a tough time with your class?”…

    I really look forward to see what you bought!

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    1. Thank you! My spaces will be ready for you and your hub to road trip north next summer – I hope! That would be weird and wonderful.
      Oh, that’s good. Oh, I have literally erased those horrible colleagues from my brain!

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  6. I need to make a trip to World Market. I love walking up and down and looking at all of their merchandise! Those puppy dog eyes get me every time – I would be a terrible dog mom because I would always give in haha!

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  7. Hydrangeas are such beautiful flowers. My grandmother had a built in planter box on her ba k patio where she hydrangeas. They loved that spot and bloomed like crazy every year! I am just happy that my hibiscus finally got one bloom. 😊

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  8. Yay for the hydrangea, I hope you get some more and that looks like the perfect spot to start your day. The happy hour with your friend looks lovely! Yum to the English chocolate, Maltesers are one of my favourite treats.

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  9. What a great week you’ve had! So you don’t like oysters, even if they’re cooked? I learned something new about you! I love that new spot you went to with Elizabeth. I also loved younger Mason and Jack in the big chair! I recognized that moment and had lots of them myself. Happy Friday, my friend! I loved our hour long chat today. Maybe we can do it again next week? xoxo

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  10. As a German, I have to tell you that your table decorations with flowers and German candy for your MIL birthday get together was spot on! Good job!

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  11. My hydrangeas are blooming like crazy. I wonder if it’s the kind. I don’t know what mine are. Can’t wait to see your purchases! How I miss having a basement period…with or without a bathroom. Your bathroom looks brand new! Rum gummies sound interesting…

    https://marshainthemiddle.com

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    1. Awesome! I hope mine blooms more than just one!
      Thank you – coming Tuesday!
      I do love having a basement.
      They weren’t very strong of rum – they were delish.

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  13. Your outing with Elizabeth looks fabulous. Rummy gummies 😂 I love the floor tile in your shower. I didn’t realize that was Nellie Olson! We have a hydrangea bush in our backyard and it’s hit or miss with blooms each year.

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    1. Thank you! Lol! Thank you so much – I probably wouldn’t go so beige if I were doing it now. I know! I read it on IG. Last year was a really good year for my hydrangea. I’m still hoping!

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