Friday, September 25, 2026

How was your week? Mine was good! It was pretty crazy at the start of the week because Monday felt like summer and then – boom – Tuesday, the official start of fall, called for a cardigan! I celebrated by wearing my pumpkin t-shirt with it!

As usual, I have a bunch of random (usually little) favorites. I hope my favorites help you look at the little things in your life and feel happy, too. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika today, per usual.

Let’s go back to Sunday first at Tom’s side of the family gathering. There was a beautiful pool and it was so sticky hot. I got in – alone. I have no regrets. We had to get on the road back to Eddie Otis and Tom commented, “You didn’t stay in the pool for long” and I said that I had zero regrets. I cooled down and was happy on the ride home. I think I would have regretted NOT getting in! Would you have gotten in alone? Disclaimer to say that the hostess told us to bring our suits and I was invited to use the pool!

I am so thankful that this wasn’t a catastrophe. On the way to the family gathering, a car in front of us swerved and we didn’t know why. We were unfortunately unable to swerve in time to avoid hitting this rotor hub that had flown off of a truck ahead of the car. It made the loudest noise but we kept driving and Tom got under the car when we got home, and it must have just bounced up on the undercarriage of the car and didn’t appear to do any damage.

This is what it looked like:

So scary!

The new short Costco Hunter boots are great! I’m so happy to have new boots that keep my feet dry!

I had tall Hunter boots that lasted about 10 years. I finally donated them. I know this brand (unless they have gone to cheaper materials) lasts.

Eddie Otis and I did a new walk for him that included this pretty water feature:

He looks so wistful and longing but I think he is just being cautious before he gets out.

I visited a boutique that moved into a new space this week. It had lots of great stuff! Shop local!

I tried the “viral” Starbuck’s grilled cheese for myself this week. It’s really about method. Did you know that grated (freshly grated by you) cheese is the way to go? You mix your cheese with butter and garlic powder and then spread it on the inside of your sandwich and then grill. It was really good!

Ah, Emma M. Lion and I have been really close this week. It’s just delightful.

I am enjoying using my Anthropologie mug from last year! It’s so cute!

This is kind of silly and not the best for the environment, but I ordered some plastic cups with lids and straws and some tiny condiment containers. I have enjoyed using them this week for my iced coffees and electrolytes and the little cups for hummus for Tom or as you see here a few chocolate chips for him.

I don’t really care about sports. I said it. This year, I am actually enjoying watching University of Kentucky football games with Tom. I’m reading at the same time but I like this time together. There is a new young coach and he is infusing a lot of new energy so that’s fun.

Also, his mom has a cake business called “Sissy Cakes”. Her cakes were sold at my Paul’s Fruit Market and I met her at a Christmas fair last year (before he was announced to be the new coach) but now she has gotten so popular because of her son (and because the cakes are really good, but her son brought a lot of publicity) that she only sells from her own storefront now. So, that’s kind of fun! They are super moist (sorry!) bundt cakes. They come in lots of sizes.

So, maybe we shall eat the coach’s mom’s cake during the games? Heather dropped off a couple of pieces of the orange juice flavor that she had leftover from an event and I kept telling Tom to eat “Will Stein’s mom’s cake”.

I bought a mum! Eddie Otis sniffed it and then look dubious about whether his mom will keep it alive.

I am so charmed by the pumpkins with acne. They are called “knucklehead” apparently and I don’t think that’s very nice. I bought one and a white one.

Look at these weird guys – they look like they have leprosy. They are kind of cool. I didn’t get their name.

I love stalks of corn. They remind me of my Indiana roots.

Ok, I don’t want this to become a problem but hear me out…the Diet Dr. Pepper in the football can is really crispy. The plastic bottle I bought last week was meh. I have been craving a soft drink a bit and I don’t want to get in the habit. I can buy just one at Paul’s Fruit Market, a fave little market by my house.

Tom and I had a rare weeknight out to see a jazz trio. Tom originally wanted to take the whole family but Mason would be in Santa Fe and Jack works late and closes on Wednesdays so that was a little sad but we enjoyed it just the two of us.

Not sure they will stay here but they made me happy:

And I wanted to announce that it’s now been a year of “Scandinavian sleeping”. We each have our own duvet with comforter inside. It looks a bit odd but we love the complete control and ownership this arrangement has allowed! We really have glädje and lagom!

This has been a weird Friday Favorites but do you expect anything different from me?

I want to remind you to join in for Fashion Files on Tuesday and that Currently is coming up soon, too: October’s Currently will be on Wednesday, October 7 and the prompts are: Falling for, Scaring (me), Working on, Loving, and Entertaining (me).

What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy