Friday, August 21, 2026

This week flew by! Did you think so, too?

Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from the week.

Isn’t this tree line pretty? I enjoyed it one day with Eddie Otis. It had rained and I wanted a path for us to walk on so we got in the car and went to this tiny little park close to home.

The heat broke and it’s been cooler this week.

The school system can’t keep up with the mowing in the school yard behind our house so some neighbors cut a “path”.

Field trip! I try to take Eddie Otis in the car a few times a week and he loves the car. This week I took him somewhere almost every day!

I was picking something up and he saw these mannequins in the window and growled at them and it made me laugh. I have always been afraid of mannequins so like mother, like son.

Ah, I love a morning rain!

Hydrangea update:

I still have only gotten two blooms. I cut one and one remains on the bush. But the green bushy part is out of control and multiplying. It looks really healthy so maybe I’m just not going to get blooms this year, but the plant is still ok?

This was a joke for Tom. He never assumes I will do his errands, but I ask him if he needs anything each day. Sometimes I say, “what can I do for you today to make your life easier?” and he replies, “just be here when I get home” – lol. One day he said he was out of toothpaste, and he came home to this:

I had a much-needed hair day this week and I always enjoy talking to my stylist, too, so it’s a bonus.

Before:

After:

I got some length taken off and long layers put in and some long bangs, too.

Nail journey update:

The damage has all grown out and they are getting stronger. Yay!

I loved this book! I think it will be one of my 2026 favorites. It was just so sweet, and I loved the Chicago setting.

I started this but I had some really good requests come in so I might table it for a bit. I’m enjoying it, though!

But the other part of this photo is that I was able to sit outside for a bit because it was cooler out! You know, many of the novels that have “summer” in the title really aren’t that heavy on the summer theme, so you are able to read them whenever.

It had been a while since I had checked protein amounts, so I did a little thing this week.

Amylu sausages=12 g

One egg = 6 g

3 tbsp. egg whites = 5 g

1/4 cup cottage cheese = 6 g

I combine the egg, whites, and the cottage and make my microwave egg thing. I will say that 1/4 cup cottage cheese is a little much for my egg thingy.

So, this is 29 g of p. If I added a second egg, it would be 35 g of p. The Kroger yogurt is 13 g. I really love the Greek non-fat vanilla yogurt that is Kroger brand and it’s like 89cents right now.

Another thing I have been doing is cooking my rice in bone broth.

This is my favorite brand of electrolytes, and the lemonade salt is my new fave flavor. It’s so good!

I went to Target on Sunday and I couldn’t leave this darling little plate. It was $5 and it will be perfect for a “Spanish happy hour”.

I do a library trip weekly and look what I found on the new release shelf. It is one of my requests, so I went ahead and got it!

And this request came up for me:

Happy mail! I got two magazines in the mail this week and I am “saving” them for the weekend.

I tried a new iced coffee at home that was delish! It’s called a “Salty Canadian”!

1/2 tsp. melted butter

3 tsp. maple syrup

sea salt

2 shots espresso (I use the instant Nespresso decaf)

froth all that together or shake in a mason jar with lid

add to a cup with ice and milk of your choice

Are you ready?

I saw touches of fall while walking in my hood this week. Are you already seeing some leaves fall, too?

I put away some things that I didn’t plan to wear again this summer and I am going to pull some things for an early fall capsule/transitional wardrobe. I am also going to look at my fall decor soon but not put it out yet. So fun, right?

We still had college dorm room stuff in our basement storage room, and I decided since neither kid took this white shelf that I would add it to my closet:

I’m not sure it will stay this way – just testing it out!

I had a nice lunch with Madeleine, my former student. She is moving next week so this was our final get together! I have so enjoyed our chats this summer! We went to one of my favorite places in Louisville, Red Hog. It gives me California vibes.

We split a BLT and I had a spritz. Everything is always delicious.

Maybe this is why August is a weird month for me:

Did you read my Unpopular Opinions yesterday? Also, it’s so true that if you have the urge to shop, cleaning out your closet or your car really helps. I am team basically nothing in my car. I have an umbrella, a box of Kleenex, and my water bottle. Tom’s car has so much “gear” and “stuff” in it that he can hardly fit any people.

Ha!

And this is why you should be so nice to your teacher friends and family…

What filled your cup this week?

Amy

30 thoughts on “Friday Favorites”

  1. Your hair and nails are looking so good! The meme about ordering stuff is so true. I think we get a dopamine hit when we see a package or even hit “order now” but it’s often for stuff we don’t need and order due to being recently influenced. Your meal out looks good. Your town seems to have a lot of local, non chain restaurants which is cool. Have a great weekend!

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  2. It seems like you had a great week! There are so many great things to comment on, so I’ll just jump in. The weather sounds great, and I am officially jealous. It’s still hotter than Hades here, but even so, it’s about to be fall in my house! I cannot wait to pull out my fall decor, and I’ve gotten some new things lately! I have a couple of things I’d like to do this weekend, including getting my door painted. This may happen this weekend or early in the week. I love how often you took EO out this week; it’s so good for the fur babies to get out of the house just for fun! Is Red Hog the place you and I went to when I met you for the first time? It looks familiar! I’m glad you had the time with Madeline this summer; you have left a lasting impression!

    I hope you enjoy the weekend! Maybe we can chat later today or tomorrow? xoxo

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    1. I did. I had a good attitude about my week, too. I have been thinking about you all week. You have almost made it.
      I was thinking about you when I saw the ‘ber months meme and I think doing fall is such a good idea. Painting the door is a project and you want a project. Decor is also a project.
      Yes, it is! It’s one of my fave places and one of my favorite streets.
      I would love to. I’m pretty open later today and I’m not sure of plans tomorrow. Guess what – the river is still messed up from the storms and rain. We have to cancel boating with friends this weekend.

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  3. I wish our weather would start to cool but that is still a long way off!

    I think it’s so funny that EO growled at those mannequins – ha!!! They are freaky.

    August is the worst month of the year, I feel so badly for anyone with a birthday this month. It’s a rough month!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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    1. I bet! And, it did get humid again yesterday – argh.
      I know! I was surprised he could see them so well through the window.
      I agree! It’s the educator in us that thinks this probably!

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  4. I love your book picks and read your posts with my library app open so that I can request books. Thank you!

    I am ready for fall weather. I want to wake up in the morning and need a sweatshirt. I am OVER hot, sweaty walks.

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  5. Ahhh so many great faves this week! That walking path is just beautiful! I cracked up at your note with the toothpaste- hope Tom got a kick out of that 🙂

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  6. That tree line is pretty, I like it when they are all lined up like that. I am glad it’s cooled down a little for you, it has here too. Aww! That is so sweet you take Eddie Otis out in the car and that made me chuckle with the toothpaste! I am listening to an audiobook Best Summer Ever at the moment and thought I better read it when it is still summer. lol Those magazines look delightful! Ahh! August isn’t too bad here as we have a bank holiday Monday at the end of the month as well as a couple of birthdays!

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    1. Thank you! I do, too. Yes, it’s so much more manageable. Ha – little funny moments in the week. I know – I tend to like to be seasonable, too. Love a mag! Oh, that is nice! We have Labor Day coming up.

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  7. Happy Friday! Love your hair cut and those long layers! Eddie Otis’s mannequin growl is so funny—he is such a good little protector!

    I am definitely going to try cooking rice in bone broth, and that protein breakdown was super helpful! Also, cleaning out a closet to beat the shopping urge is the best advice. Have the best weekend cozying up with your new library haul and magazines! ✨

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    1. Thank you! It definitely feels better. He really is. He is a little weirdo.
      It makes it very flavorful, too. Watch that you don’t get it too salty. I think I did half bone and half water. I could do a little more broth and be ok.
      It really works to clean out the closet, doesn’t it?
      Love fresh books and mags for the weekend!

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  8. Your hair looks amazing! I’ve been having such a time trying to get my blonde right – seems like every colorist I try wants it to be platinum and I want it dark blonde with highlights like yours. Maybe I’ll show them your photo 😉 I may have said this before but it’s a testament to your teaching that so many former students want to meet up with you! I imagine that’s a teacher’s dream – to really see how you’ve impacted a child’s life.

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    1. Thank you! I am starting to get some gray and when you highlight it looks white. I asked her to try to avoid that and she added in lowlights where the gray was coming in, I think. Feel free to show my hair photo. That is so sweet to say. I guess it’s obvious that my connections with them mean so much to me.

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  9. I am going to try that “salty Canadian” drink! That looks so good!! I just read your blog post from yesterday. I agree with you on Amazon. I have returned more clothes than I have kept! I got so sick of buying influencer recommendations on Amazon only to find I hated the fabric and fit. I only buy some household/beauty items as well as the Amazon essentials underwear and Amazon essentials khaki pants for my son. No more clothes from them!!

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    1. I have found I love maple syrup with coffee and also brown sugar. Thank you! I know – I feel the same. Amazon just doesn’t work for me very well. Same – I can often find my beauty products there more easily and at a better price.

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  10. I would say that as long as the greenery looks so good and lush that I wouldn’t worry about the low amount of blooms this year. Though if that keeps happening you’ll want to see about the nitrogen level in your soil as nitrogen tells the plant to make more leaves and takes the focus off making blooms. Thanks for the reminder to request that Emily Giffin book from my library. Last time I tried it wasn’t there/available yet and now it is.

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  11. That walk looks so pretty with EO! It has been a hot week here, but now we are back to normal summer heat, so that is better. I agree with the meme about August though! I need to do a count one day and see how much protein I get. I do buy that same Kroger Greek yogurt. I love the new hair cut!! I am thinking in the next week or so, I want to go through my fall things. I am excited to decorate for all the holidays this year in my new place! I want to see what I have so I am not tempted to buy new things. I went to Target today for the first time in about a month. Thankfully, I stuck to my list and didn’t buy anything additional! Have a great weekend!

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  12. Yay for a hair day. I always feel like a new woman after seeing my hair girl. I sooo appreciated the cooler temps this week. I had some front porch sitting most evenings which was lovely. I always appreciate when Trav runs a few of my errands for me…since he’s more available during the day (lunch time) most days. So, I’m Tom in this scenario! I’ve always kept a tidy car…even when the kids were little. There might have been the occasional Cheeto on the floor but I just always make a habit of clearing out my car when I get out…never leaving trash. Now, with their car, one child is better about this vs the other. Haha
    Happy weekend! (I let homer out at 4…but then slept until 9:30!!)

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  13. Pupper growling at the mannequins made me chuckle – so cute. We are not getting a break from the heat here and in fact, the heat index hovered around 106-108 all week. Which of course, is the week that I finally get my mojo back and have to cross eleventy billion things off my list. I remember thinking “wish I had a wife” when all hubby had to do was throw away his shaving cream can and I added “walgreen’s” onto my list of errands. Ha!

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