I love this idea! I hope Kristin does not mind! She does a post like this every now and again and I really enjoy reading it. I first became friends with Kristin when she was selling her Madewell tote (gasp!) and I bought it from her and still love and use it. It is an older model and very heavy. She just was not reaching for it so she sent it on and made me very happy!
Anywho, it is o.k. to disagree! If you disagree with me I will still be your friend. I value your opinions and enjoy hearing other perspectives. When did it become that we cannot have differing opinions? Amy, get off of your soap box!
My first unpopular opinion is about bum bum cream. It does smell good but I am not sure how much better it smells than a cheaper lotion. Many bloggers rave and rave and rave and I thought it might make me into a Brazilian goddess. This is very expensive and for me it is not worth buying again. If you disagree that is totally o.k.! Have you tried it?
I am sorry Tom and Sheri but your natural product does not work. If you have gotten this wrinkle spray to work, please let me know how and on what fabrics. I have tried Tom and Sheri Iron in a Bottle on multiple fabrics and nothing. I am loyal to my chemicals, I guess. I love Downy Wrinkle Release and it even smells better to me. This stuff works! I have noticed they use it on Below Deck to get wrinkles out of the sheets, too! I would have never thought about using it on bed linens. Have you tried either?
My next unpopular opinion is about the golden arches. My boys refused to get food from there from about age 8 and up. They were against all fast food. When they got a little older they started requesting other places. But, I really like McDs. I love their egg mcmuffin and sometimes I love a basic cheeseburger or fish sandwich. I only go about 6 times a year and I do always try to get one Shamrock shake in March! What about you – do you secretly or not so secretly like the golden arches?
Happy Hump Day! Today is the day! I have a Spectrum internet truck scheduled to be at my house between 2 and 3 p.m. Remember how they used to give you such long windows like anywhere from 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. I guess they have stopped that practice. Remember the Seinfeld episode? Ha! You know – this was not all bad. I broke up with using my phone so much, I went to my classroom which has honestly been nice, and I have had more time for my books.
I will link up with The Style Six here today, too.
I am in love. I ordered a kind of expensive to me sweater from Amazon here recommended by Simply Small Town blog. It is super soft and runs true to size. It is long enough for leggings. I wore this to work on Monday.
I got out one of my Old Navy plaids for work on Tuesday.
Now, what should you wear for Thanksgiving – a mask! Done! You are welcome!
I love the look of a graphic tee with a cardigan or kimono. I have a feeling Thanksgiving is going to be really casual for many this year. Or, many will need to really bundle up to be outside. Layers are always a good idea!
And, I love this combo. I have a similar scarf and I think the rust sweater would look just as nice as mustard. I do not have a mustard sweater but I love this color.
Pinterest gives me so many good ideas for shopping my own closet! Try it! Search Thanksgiving outfit and see what Pinterest gives you! I think it is really fun!
What have you been wearing and what do you plan to wear for Thanksgiving?
I thought we would talk gift ideas today. I normally start my shopping the day after Thanksgiving or two days after for Small Business Saturday. I am pretty chill about it and it all comes together. This year everything is different. Your UPS deadline is December 15. Your USPS date is December 18. You can send directly from Amazon, of course, to the recipient. You can also have gifts sent directly from many retailers. I really am not sure what our plans will be at this point. I will go ahead and buy gifts and hope to see everyone in person in some fashion.
I would love to shop locally, too. I love the convenience of Amazon and online shopping, but I just feel like our local stores need us now more than ever!
Step One: Make a list of all the people you buy for and write potential ideas down next to their names.
Step Two: Is there a theme you can use for gifts – food gifts, pjs, slippers, blankets, restaurant gift cards. I love the idea of supporting local businesses with gift cards. They get the money now to help them through these hard times. Your loved one gets a special take out later.
Here are my ideas in no particular organized fashion! Please share your ideas in the comments!
I kind of have gifts for the home on my brain. What does the recipient do every day? What would make their home life easier, better, more fun?
Museum gift stores – some may even have an online site. There are really unique gifts to be found!
10 foot phone charger cord – my boys laughed at this but they have found it to be super useful.
Wireless charging pad – I am thinking about these for my boys.
We will be at home streaming shows this winter – a Disney Plus subscription, a projector for a big wall inside that can be used outside come spring, too. Echo Show might be fun, too.
Little makeup fridge or 6 soft drink can fridge – These are so cute and can be run from a USB or outlet.
Notepad set – order monogram or personalization. You could put a fun saying, meaningful word, too.
Think non-traditional places – there are some cool gifts to be had at the boat business of our SIL/BIL. Tom got a float for my sister last year and she loved it! He drew her name. They also carry Maui Jim sunglasses. There is also a little Mom and Pop hardware store with candles and other gifts.
Etsy – so many cute and unique gifts and you are helping someone with their small business!
Pins – my son has a thrifted jean jacket and is starting to put some metal pins on it and it looks so cool and so 80s!
For small kids, I like the idea of bubble bath, bath toys, bath crayons
Plants – there are certain plants that purify the air and we are spending so much time at home! I have noticed teens love plants, too. There are faux and real plants in their rooms. I stare at teenage rooms all day now. That sounded weird – I am a virtual teacher, not a creeper!
Funky lights for teens are great, too! I also like the clothesline photo holders.
I am actually happy for Monday to be here because I have a second modem on the way from a different internet provider! I am linking up with Heather and Tanya at http://www.my glittery heart.com.
Friday I worked at school and was just beat when I got home. I read and rested and then picked up bbq. Tom had a late meeting and I was happy that not go out. The modem had arrived and I tried to hook it up myself with no luck. Tom tried, too, spent an hour on the phone with ATT, and finally they said they would send a technician Saturday morning. We sat down to eat at 8 and watched Queen’s Gambit.
Saturday morning came and I got an ATT text saying they would be here Tuesday morning. We both lost it! Tom called and they were not accommodating so we fired them, called Spectrum for internet, went to Verizon to change plans, and got YouTube tv. We had had ATT for internet, Uverse tv, and 3 phones. Spectrum is sending us a modem today – we hope!
Saturday I was switching between my old phone and my new phone – my old phone was not compatible with Verizon so I took Tom’s old work phone that he bought from the company after he got an upgrade. It is very hard to transfer without WIFI. I currently don’t have any of my photos. I hope to get them back.
Saturday night we went to our friends’ new house for pizza on their porch with their heater. It was nice!
I am reading this book – cheesy but I’m ok with it. I spent some time on the patio.
Sundaymorning-Trader Joe’s – lots of Christmasstuffout but Iresisted. I triedto get things for lunchesanddinnersthisweek.
I tested out the peppermint marshmallows with a mocha coffee-yum!The highlight of Sunday and the whole weekend –
We got to have lunch with our Jack! Then we did some shopping with him – he found two jackets.
And, we got Blizzards and watched some Mandalorian on our sad set up. We have to use our phones for now. We got 6 months free of Disney + from Verizon.
And, I am typing on my phone! How was your weekend?
It is a Friday the 13th! I am linking up with Andrea, etc. right here.
How was your week? My week was a bit crazy!
Sometime in the late night Tuesday our modem stopped working. Our modem controls our internet, our t.v. service, our thermostat, and maybe my mood cycles. I spent an hour on the phone with the nicest AT&T guy Wednesday morning. He told me to be careful when I went downstairs to check the colors of the flashing lights on the modem. I really do not think he wanted to get off the phone with me. I was pretty pleasant will say. He also told me to put him on speaker and it would be awhile so I could do something else. I told him I had already unloaded the dishwasher and he commended me. Anyway, he promised to send a new modem and gave me hope that it could be there the same day. Well, it has now been over 30 hours and it is not expected until tonight now. Maybe that is why he was so nice?
So, Wednesday I worked using my phone and luckily we did not have live classes. I just had meetings and planning to do.
Yesterday I went to school at 7:30! It was so weird. I packed three bags which was really funny. I was kind of happy to be back in my classroom.
On top of this, we had workers all day Wednesday and yesterday. So, maybe it was good that it forced me to go to school. The Master bath is moving. Never fear – it will stagnate again soon I know.
Here are a few random favorites from the week…. I know one of them will be getting my new modem!
I just cannot resist the call of the Target or drugstore beauty aisles. I had been doing really well and only purchased my new Maskcara brand palette over the last several months (By the way the company Maskcara re-branded to the name Seint in case you are interested.)
Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon in Make it Happen. I really like this. It does not dry you out but this color is really bold. I would like to try a lighter color.
I still have some of my Glossier Boy Brow but I added this. I do this first and I really like it. Maybelline Brow Extensions is the name of the product and I got medium brown. It is like a thicker pencil/crayon. I follow it with Boy Brow and I think it looks pretty good for this eyebrow newbie.
I do not think I can recommend Maybelline Color Strike. It is an eyeshadow and it has nothing on my Charlotte Tillbury Eyes to Mesmerize. I have been using it as an overlay on my tightlined eyeliner, though, for some sparkle. It feels like not enough product comes out for you to the do the whole lid. Maybe I am doing something wrong.
I read that this kills the Coronavirus. My source was a blog and it said that the dentist had patients swish this before getting worked on. Maybe I used too much but I could not get the taste out of my mouth. Just putting this out there to help you, but beware. I am not sure what I will do in the future. Maybe I will try using less and rinsing with water immediately. Anyone else heard this?
I got my first Walmart delivery Tuesday while I was working! Walmart has some products that Kroger does not carry so I thought I would try it. The person left the groceries on the porch and I came to find out it was through Door Dash and not Walmart in my area.
I really wanted to try these and Kroger did not have them.
After school one day I enjoyed another Truly Lemonade and finished Troubles in Paradise. It wrapped up the trilogy really well and I was said to say good-bye to the characters.
Winter in Paradise is the first one and I think it would be nice to read right now!
Look at all the leaves Ernie and I had to walk through this week! Wow!
One morning was mild enough for me to do my coffee outside in shorts. I am still loving my Woodwick candles.
Here is what my white tree in the bedroom looks like lit up in the dark.
I have been wanting a pair of New Balance and I had a DSW coupon – I checked Amazon, too. I got a similar pair to these for only $29 shipped because I had a $30 off coupon, plus a $5 birthday reward to add on.
The most fun of my week was meeting my teacher friend at a patio for Taco Tuesday. Our table naturally socially distanced us – we were so far away! They had specials all day long. It was so nice to visit.
I started this and it seems really cute so far.
I apologize for my late blog post one day and for being slow to respond to comments. Blame it on my WIFI issues!
I took this idea from Carolina Charm blog; She is the cutest and has really good ideas and really good recipes, by the way. I used to not really be a soup person but now I am. I thought I could make soup for Sunday dinner and then eat the leftovers for lunch throughout the week this fall and winter.
Now, some weeks I have made it on Saturday or Monday so I am not doing this perfectly, but I still like the idea!
My first Soup Sunday was spicy vegetable soup with turkey sausage. I used spicy V8 as the base and then added canned diced tomatoes, canned carrots and green beans, frozen corn, sauteed zucchini just because I had it, fresh spinach, diced potatoes, and turkey sausage. It was delicious!
My second attempt was lentil bacon soup. It had broth, bacon, lentils, carrots, onions, and it needed tomatoes so I added them. Warning and TMI: My body was not used to the amount of fiber that lentils apparently contain. This was my least favorite soup taste wise and I really do not know if I will make this again.
The next week was Halloween so you have to make chili, right? My chili is really good in my opinion. I used lean ground beef and make sure it is in really small chunks after cooking. I start with a can of Red Gold tomato juice, add a packet of chili seasoning mix, cans of diced tomatoes, cans of beans, and add a bit of cinnamon and sugar. Trust me! Then, I do cooked macaroni noodles on the side for people to add and serve it with shredded cheese and Fritos, too.
Then, this past weekend I made Carolina Charm lasagna soup.
This was really good and got rave reviews from Tom. You top it with a ricotta and parmesan mixture and can stir it in if desired. I will let you get it directly from the source here.
Next up for this weekend, is white chicken chili! I am excited. I may add corn because Tom really likes corn. Or, I may not. And, I am going to serve them with my new cornbread muffins in a tube, you all! I will tell you about those tomorrow!
What soup should I make next? Are you a soup person? No soup for you!
I continue to struggle with taking photos and knowing what time of day is best! Ha! I am linking up today with the ladies of The Style Six here.
Our weather turned warm and it is a challenge to find fall colored things in summer fabrics! I do have a few, though. I took the photo below to show my sister who gave me this necklace. This is a mustard colored sleeveless tank from Old Navy – very old and it works quite well with it. I had a cream sweater over it.
This is what I wore to go to dinner Friday night. It was very warm out but it did get colder as the sun went down.
One day to teach I wore this leopard kimono. They can only see a bit of my outfit from my computer screen.
I showed you my new long sleeve white tee and this is one reason I needed it. I bought this blush poncho at the end of the season last year. And, there is my necklace from my sister again!
Just trying something out below. Why do people on Pinterest look cute and I look like a ranch hand? Not that there is anything wrong with ranch hands. I like them!
And another teaching outfit. Business on the top, party on the bottom. I do have on shorts.
Ha! Pretty crazy around here. You can tell I keep re-wearing my favorites and I am super happy with my lightweight fall kimonos. I hope they are still in style? Speaking of in style, are blanket scarves still in style? I hope so! I have so many! Remember my hack – cut them in half so that they do not takeover your life. Simply fold in a triangle and cut.
We are going to get a bit serious here on ye ol’ blog. Thanksgiving is almost here and I have heard lots of people talking about their plans or lack thereof. I think all of us are in the same boat (Mayflower reference?); all of our states’ numbers seem to be getting worse. What is the cause of this? In my area, everyone – and I mean everyone is wearing masks. Some even wear them outside to walk. I do see some wearing them not quite correctly, but the effort is really good around here. Now, I really do not go many places but the effort is commendable on the part of the citizens and the businesses.
I am calling this a dilemma because in my case we cannot carry on business as usual. I am not here to judge anyone else because only you know your circle of people and maybe your whole extended family has been your quaranteam. Or, maybe you are all isolating to the same degree.
Some say the numbers are up but the deaths are down. Still, I do not want anyone sick or compromised and any death is too many, you know? Some say it is due to colleges being in session, some k-12 schools being in session (in my city only the private schools are in session and most are only going a couple of days a week), some sports being allowed to be played, backyard parties, eating in restaurants, you name it. I really do not know. I would say it could be a combo of any and all.
I know some states – California is one I think – are trying to regulate Thanksgiving festivities. Kentucky might try, as well. For California, I heard something about outdoors only, no more than three households, music can be played but only by one of the three households (not a fourth), and only woodwind instruments. Guys, I cannot make that up even if I tried. Darn it – I really wanted to hear a flute this year! Sorry -just trying to bring a bit of levity to a hard situation.
A Thanksgiving plate from days of yesteryear
I think we need to use common sense. My family has not made set plans yet, by the way. We have started talking but no definite plans are on the table. Our tradition has been Thursday at my sister-in-lawś house with Tomś side of the family and Friday in Indiana with my side of the family. That way we get to see everyone!
Here are some ideas:
If it is going to be too hard or uncomfortable, involves too much travel or compromising positions, then it is ok to have Thanksgiving with just immediate family this year or just make up your own tradition for 2020!
The immunocompromised/elderly folks in the family should be asked their comfort level.
A meal could be delivered to the folks that live in town but choose not to participate if they are comfortable with that. Many restaurants are doing single serve or small serving carryout meals, too.
They are saying that smaller groups and shorter time frames are helpful. Pick your favorite family members and make it an eat and run. Just kidding! I was just making sure you were still reading.
Effort can be made to eat outside. You can open a garage door. You can be more casual this year and use camp chairs to spread out. You can use paper plates. The kids might think this is really fun. Some of these changes might stick.
This is a temporary (we hope) problem. It is o.k. to break tradition this year for safety. I have heard many people say that this has forced creativity and that has been a blessing.
Have only one family unit serve themselves at a time and then take plates outside.
Wear masks while inside making plates. Only take mask off when outside and distanced.
Have one person wearing a mask prepare plates and one person deliver them outside.
Use crockpots and put them on a table in open garage for better ventilation.
Make a bonfire and maybe start a new tradition. Toast marshmallows to top the pumpkin pie, anyone? Roast your own sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows? Turkey dogs over the fire?
What other ideas do you have for safety? What have you and your family decided to do?
On my side of the family we have different schools of thought within our four households. We have two that think it is no big deal to get together. We have two with kids going to in person school. We have one that is extremely worried. And, then we have me who is kind of in between. I think it can be done safely but I plan to take precautions.
Here are my biggest takeaways:
Do not judge/criticize/make fun of someone in the family who is being cautious. ¨Ha ha – you are wearing a mask!”, for example, would be really inappropriate.
Do not get angry with someone who chooses not to partake.
If people feel safer wearing a mask, that is fine.
Talk to family now to find out comfort levels and discuss expectations.
Make every effort to social distance and be outside or in a well ventilated area.
Do I think you should get tested? The only way this works is if you get tested and then go nowhere or do anything until the day of your family get together. So, I do not know. That could leave to a false sense of security.
As with everything in life, try to focus on what you can do and not what you cannot.
How was your weekend? I am linking up today with Heather, Tanya, etc. right here. Our weather has been in the mid-70s for the last several days and that is a rare treat here in Louisville, KY!
You will not believe this…I did not use my car last Wednesday or Thursday! I taught all day, took my 11 a.m. walk with my boy Ernie, and then at the end of the day I went out to the patio to enjoy our gorgeous weather and read or if we are totally honest, mess around on my phone a bit, too! I got up to go make empty nester dinners for two around 5 both days. Wednesday we had breakfast for dinner and Thursday we had burrito bowls. Boom! I guess I do not need to go out every single day. I am growing, you all!
I will say that the early dark does affect me, too, and maybe I felt it more important to get some sunshine than to run around. I need to go back outside after dinner while it is still mild and turn on my twinkle lights. That is a goal for next week! The shortest day of the year is December 20 and after that each day will get longer. This is what I am telling myself to stay positive.
Exciting blog news… your girl Amy paid $25 to have a search box at the bottom of this little amateur blog. Will you try it out and let me know if it works and what you think? Type in a key word of something I have talked about in the past like “apple cider sangria”. Sorry it took so long. If I had known it was only $25 I would have done it sooner. I.am.slow.sometimes.
So, that was a lot of words before we even got to the weekend.
Friday I worked and my hub was off – he has vacation days to burn or he will lose them because of 2020 and not doing much, plus he felt like it was wrong to take off when he was needed and when things were so new and scary in March-May. He still got up at 4:30 to go to the gym which woke me up. I have a hard time going back to sleep once I am awake and the old bladder wakes me up, too. Oh well.
I talked Tom into a patio lunch really close by because I only had a bit over an hour.
We had really good salads with balsamic.
And, I had a half of a veggie sandwich with homemade chips.
After I finished teaching for the day I had a Kroger pick up. I am really liking ordering a pick up for Thursday or Friday and then not worrying about groceries on the weekend. I hope I can keep this up because it is working really well.
Friday night it was finally my turn for birthday dinner! We went to dinner in September for one friend and in October for the other and November was my pick. We tried a new to us Italian restaurant with a massive patio.
The night was perfect. I had a sangria.
We had focacia, a really good orange bibb lettuce salad and I ordered eggplant parmiagana.
It was really nice!
My one friend gave me this snakeskin clutch/cross body and this bracelet. Love!
And, my other friend gave me this clutch and these leather earrings! Love them! They both know what I like!
And, what a good idea. My friend made this card for me from our photo at the last dinner. I guess she just got one card made and I honestly did not know you could do that.
I forgot to tell you that the electrician finished on Thursday so now we have Master bath lights.
I did some reading on Saturday. Everyone needs to read this book. I am reading it even though mine have started college. We are using many of these ideas/philosophies. Read this even if your kids are young. It will change your life. It is just like when people told me I could not take my kids to Disney for less than $5000. That is a lie. We did five days at Disney for $1400. No one missed out on a thing and we had an awesome trip.
Saturday afternoon just Tom and I got out on the river. We brought snacks/sandwiches and just tooled around and then floated. We have never been able to keep the boat going past October. This will be our last weekend and then we will have to winterize it and say good-bye to boating season 2020. It has been a great year for boating.
So many boats were out. This is another little restaurant where boats can park.
We bought this used boat 6 years ago and have really made the most of it I think. It has brought us a lot of joy.
We got home around 5:00 and I started Carolina Charm blog lasagna soup. She said this is now her preferred way to enjoy lasagna!
It is so good! Tom really liked it. It involves broth, beef or sausage (I used sausage), fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, spices, and then you top with a ricotta and parmesan mixture. I mixed mine in to the soup.
Sunday morning I had my coffee and just a bit left of this book. I gave up. It is really annoying. I liked it for awhile but with twenty pages left and more games being played and misunderstandings I just said no more. Did anyone else read it?
Next up is this! I am sad to end the trilogy but I am excited to see how it wraps up.
Sunday morning I did my Thanksgiving decor and Tom and I cleaned more thoroughly than we had in a while.
Then, it was time for maybe our last boating outing of 2020. 2020 has been rough but the weather and the river have been really good to us. My sis told me about these Truly black cans that are all lemon flavored. Original lemon, strawberry lemon, mango lemon, and black cherry. These have more flavor than the white can Truly and they are my new favorite!
The fall colors against the river are really pretty. I have said before that I kinda like fall boating more than summer?
We parked at Captainś Quarters. We split a seafood platter because this will probably be the last time we will go here this year.
And, we ended our day watching the sun go down.
It was a good one. We have one more weekend before our boys move back in!
What was the highlight of your weekend? I would love to hear it in the comments!
It is Friday! What a week! After Halloween and Election Day I think we all need a nap this weekend, no? I am linking up with Andrea, etc. right here.
Last Saturday for Halloween I did this fun purple color. I got tired of it and changed it by Monday but it was fun for Halloween.
I used my camo strap on this brown purse last weekend, too. I thought it looked good with cognac, too.
I wrote actual letters to two former students at college and to my aunts and uncles in Michigan and Ohio. I wish I did this more because it is nice to get old fashioned mail. My aunts had sent me birthday cards and they do not do Facebook so I thought I should respond. My college girls’ moms gave me their addresses when they first left in August and I am ashamed how long it took me.
Remember my Goodfellow pullover? I washed it with my year old burgundy Aerie leggings and the trim turned out pink. I am very mad at myself because I normally wash on cold plus I have washed the leggings at least 30 times. Someone in the household (Tom or Ernie) must have changed it to warm. But, I think I like this pink trim! Ha!
And, every fall and winter I seem to need shirts to go under ponchos and vests. I found this Target A New Day that I think will be good to have. It used to be that they have stacks and stacks of different colors. Why is this not a thing anymore? Anyone have recs for more solid color long sleeve tees? It seems like these staples only last a season or two for me.
And, I saw this on Facebook:
Pretty crazy, right?
Next week I will be talking about Thanksgiving and all of the challenges it will present this year.
What were your favorites this week? I would be remiss if I did not count your comments and sweet birthday wishes as my favorites, as well. Thank you for adding to my life in such a positive way. You are my lifeline during these dark times.
Hope to see you back here on Monday! Let me know what made you smile this week!
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 