Monday, March 23, 2020

How was your weekend? Did it feel any different than the week? You may have been ready for a break from online school/homeschooling? I am linking up today with Heather, etc. if they provide the link up today here.

Our Friday was gorgeous and sunny until dinner time. I took advantage of the weather and spent some time outside. Then, from Friday evening until late Sunday afternoon it was chilly. The trees are blooming beautifully here.

Hub installed our blinds. They open from the top or the bottom by simply pulling on a little plastic piece. I was adamant that I did not want the beautiful windows and doors covered by treatments. I think I am going to like these. They were still super expensive but we saved a lot of money by installing them ourselves.

Friday afternoon before it turned cold we took Ernie swimming in the river where we keep our boat. Can you tell how high the river is from all of the recent rain? It was a lovely shade of brown, too. It was nice to go somewhere.

We got carryout for dinner – trying to support local restaurants. I am worried we will lose that option eventually. I hope not!

Then, Friday evening, Tom and I bought a ticket to livestream our favorite singer – Bob Schneider. It was really cool. Support your favorite artists like this now if you can!

After the concert ended at 9:00, our power went out! It was only out for two hours but it was the weirdest thing. We didn’t have bad weather or anything. I decided to read my book by clipon battery powered book light!

Saturday morning my plan was to hit the grocery at 7 when it opened for just a few things. Well, everyone else had the same idea. I don’t know if you can tell, but the parking lot had at least 100 cars. There were lots of people wearing masks and rubber gloves while shopping – that is a harrowing sight. I didn’t find everything but I did get a pack of ground beef. There are many shelves that are either almost bare or totally bare but they were trying to restock some shelves. I heard some people complaining about not finding things. I hadn’t been in Kroger since maybe Tuesday?

I made Joanna Gaines chocolate chip cookies. I accidentally bought the mini chips.

The day went by super fast because we worked on setting up our new bedroom now that the windows are covered.

For dinner, I decided to make mexican at home. I made chicken enchiladas, queso with Rotel and Velveeta, and Spanish rice. For dessert I made chocolate chip cookie sundaes and I also had my homemade margarita.

Here is what the bedroom looks like so far. I am happy to report a good night’s sleep and we both can’t believe how spacious the room still feels with the bed in it.

Sunday the boys helped Tom move our washer and dryer up to the mudroom!

I started this book. It was so cold I didn’t want to go out but I did take my walk and I called an old friend, too.

We ate dinner as a family and then Tom and I played trivia using the Zoom app with our friends. It was really fun!

How was your social distancing weekend?

Amy

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Have you always thought about baking bread? I love the book Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. She really gets you excited about cooking for your people! My friend Tanya at The Other Side of the Road blog posted this recipe from http://www.homegrowntraditions.com and I am here to tell you that I have made it twice and plan to make it until my supplies run out. I had trouble finding flour at the grocery about a week ago. A tip is to try Walgreen’s or CVS because they have baking supplies. Of course, try not to go out if you can help it and you may already have these items at home.

Here we go!

You need:

3 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. active dry yeast (this is not quite a full packet of yeast if you buy it by the packet)

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 and 1/2 cups warm water

Mix together with a wooden spoon and over with a tea towel or plastic wrap for 2 hours

After two hours preheat oven to 450

Place a pyrex dish with water in the oven (I forgot one time and it didn’t matter so I will probably skip this step)

Shape your dough into two round loaves and score the top with a knife (Simply make slits in the dough)

I had to add more flour to be able to work with my dough but I found it very relaxing.

Bake for 18-20 minutes.

It really is best eaten right away. Thank you Tanya and Homegrown Traditions!

Amy

Friday, March 20,. 2020

Well, one week down. Are you doing o.k.? Working from home? Homeschooling your kids? I have enjoyed reading some of my friends talk about being lunch lady, principal, IT guy. There have been a few detentions and expulsions apparently and even some firings.

Your comments have been much appreciated this week. I am so thankful that many of my favorite bloggers are still blogging. I love the journal type entries, easy recipes, ideas for kids and adults, and even some normal type posts. How can I help you? What would you like me to write about?

Here goes some random stuff from the week:

On Wednesday, I ran up to the nail salon before they were mandated to close at 5 p.m. to get my dip removed. I arrived around 10:30 and it looked like I wasn’t the only one with that idea. I had to make an appointment and come back. I was a little bit worried about being close to people but I was also wanted to help support them before they had to close. It was a tough call. I got a local coffee – Heine Brothers – and did my nails at home. I have a huge stash of polish and I really don’t dislike doing them but I am washing my hands so much it won’t last long!

On Wednesday, WordPress told me I hit 500 posts!

Another example of why I think Kendra Scott is an amazing company. Their super generous birthday deal can still be had if you have a March birthday.

One of my students posted this below. I like charts and found this helpful.

The memes that have come out are super creative, like this one below.

Last week I added something to my new bedroom. No, I haven’t moved in yet because the window treatments are not up yet. They did arrive this week so hopefully this weekend we can do that. I am debating if I should keep the sheepskin chair and replace it with an armchair and ottoman. I love the little table.

I have a very creative friend and she texted this to me this week. We are going to try to do this tonight or Sunday night. I don’t know if we should order food from the same place and have the same drinks. I think maybe we can dig up a trivia game or find an online game or something. Any ideas?

I am considering posting recipes this weekend – one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Would you be interested? It isn’t that much work for me and if it helps someone I may go for it.

Thank you for reading and stay well!

Amy

Thursday, March 19, 2020

I don’t think this is what any of us thought we would be doing today. Even if you are still going to work each day I’m sure that looks different. Also, I hope my title isn’t misleading – awkward clearing of throat – I had ideas for your kids yesterday so this is a follow up!

As of right now, I am not really required to do any work from home. I am still trying to maintain my classes by posting on Google Classroom at least once a day and I am trying to be productive and keep a schedule. My boys are doing school work and spending time together but don’t require much of me. My husband is still going to his office for now. So, I have a lot of time on my hands like many of you.

Some of these may seem very little or silly, but having a list helps me. I hope you find something here today, too, and please share your ideas below. Isn’t it so crazy that as humans when we are busy we can think of so many things we would rather be doing at home but when we have to stay home we are only thinking of what we could be doing outside of the home?

-Get dressed in the morning. This helps me to be more productive.

-Exercise every day in some way shape or form. I have been walking alone and with my dog. My dog has never been happier. Don’t let the photo below fool you. He is happy!

-Make yourself a drink and light a candle. This is something little but it might lift your spirits.

-Call that friend that you always say you need to call. I love hearing people’s voices (not the voices in my head) instead of just texting. I am making of list of people to call. Get ready; it’s not a telemarketer!

-Start a blog! I use WordPress. You can start a free blog if you don’t want to pay for a more upgraded website.

-I feel better helping others. I am trying to text someone each day to see if they are o.k. or if they need a roll of toilet paper.

-Take photographs of cool things around your area. This photo below looks like something in Ireland (well maybe not quite like Ireland!). It’s actually behind my school as I was walking my dog on Monday. Maybe get out the big camera!

See if someone else needs their dog walked. Maybe someone who is trying to work from home needs help with this? They can stand 6 feet away from you while handing you the leash?

Make a recipe you have never made before. Below is egg in a hole.

-Do your own nails at home.

-Go through all of your cookbooks or old recipes and see what you can make with what you have on hand. Maybe you can even do a cooking challenge with a basket of ingredients?

-This would be a great time to go makeup free. See what happens to your skin if you let it breathe?

-This would be a great time to do the baby foot peel. Your feet peel like crazy and since you are staying home, why not? You will end up with baby feet. I did it a couple of years ago and it was gross but wonderful.

-This would also be a great time to go deoderant free or to switch to natural deoderant?

-Do the 40 bags in 40 days challenge or change to 15 bags in 15 days – list 15 areas of the house to declutter.

-Play a card game with your husband with candlelight.

-Have an indoor picnic or carpet picnic with your husband.

-Have an outdoor picnic with you family or significant other. Maybe go to an empty park picnic table.

-Go on a drive with your family or significant other. Extra points if you create a special playlist.

-Make up an adult scavenger hunt for the drive or for the house. My husband can never find his keys, wallet, socks – this would turn it into a game!

-Practice your instrument. I used to play piano and now would be the perfect time.

-Try out a new hairstyle using a You Tube tutorial.

-Get all of your spring cleaning done.

-Take advantage of the free virtual art museum tours. Chicago Art Institute and Le Louvre have them as well as many others, I’m sure.

-Watch a slide show/video/make one of a past trip.

-Watch old home movies with your kids.

-Do Minute to Win It challenges with your family or just spouse.

Please know that I am not taking our current situation lightly. If our worst problem is being stuck at home in 2020 with all of the modern conveniences and plenty to eat we should consider ourselves lucky and blessed.

Amy

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

How are you holding up? It’s o.k. to be brutally honest. I started to go to a dark place Monday night. I started all the what ifs and negative thoughts. I have to take it one day at a time. Are you the same way? It also didn’t help that we had several grey days in a row. The sun came out in full force yesterday and it was so appreciated!

Also, I have news! This is my 500th post! I started the blog two years ago next month. Who knew I had that much to say? This blog has given me a creative outlet and has brought me many new friends. I am so happy I finally dove in and just started one already.

So, here are some random things today and if you stick with me I will also have some ideas for you.

The memes have been really good. I am not making light of the situation at all, but this is funny stuff!

I went ahead with my green dinner last night. It is silly but I think my 17.5 year old boys like it!

I am not being too strict on wake up times or bed times yet. The boys are hopefully going to still get to go to college in the fall and they need to manage their own stuff. We are not technically doing distance learning but they are working on reading, projects, and AP prep stuff. So, around 10 a.m. Monday I offered to make them chocolate chip pancakes because it’s something I can do to make them happy.

I read lots of blogs and have for years. I cannot handle the blogger that goes on with a fashion post without acknowledging what is going on. Go ahead with your post, but please add something to show that you know what is happening around you. Amiright? I usually try not to judge too harshly but I find it very insensitive. I know that it is their job but I respect the blogger who changes their post to reflect what is going on and maybe adds some tips for working from home or keeping a positive attitude.

Ideas:

First of all, I don’t understand school districts that want you to have your child doing school work for 8 hours. That is not the same as being in school and it’s just too much. Let’s let kids read, build, play games, do chores, and learn some life skills, too. If they are pushed too hard while we are experiencing this stressful time I am worried we will create a generation of super anxious kids who don’t love learning anymore!

Please leave yours in the comments for my dear readers with younger children. Unfortunately my teens won’t go for any of these things anymore!

-Load family in car in jammies and drive around and play I spy or look at the promise of spring in the flowers that are blooming

-Have a carpet picnic complete with picnic blanket and basket – or have the picnic in your yard

-Come up with a scavenger hunt indoors or outdoors.

-Have a car wash – wash the kids’ bikes, riding toys, etc. if it is warm enough where you are

-Let the kids play in the rain or teach them the song “Singing in the Rain” and really go out and do it

-Give the kids a bubble bath and bring them a tray with a glass of juice on it. I once did this for my boys and they loved it! They were probably 8. They each took their bath one at a time.

-Whitney from Polka Dotty Place ordered some fun bath toys – crayons and colored bubbles.

-Have the kids put on a play for you. Make tickets and popcorn.

-Use sidewalk chalk to write uplifting messages and pretty pictures.

-Play Amazon Fulfillment Center with old Amazon boxes.

-Have a minute to win it challenge.

-Have a contest to see who can make the best sculpture out of Amazon boxes.

-Play school and trick them into doing their actual school work.

-Take one of the zoo or art museum virtual tours and then draw something you saw.

-Play art museum. They create and then you display and pretend to be looking at art.

-Play zoo. That could get crazy!

-Play spa. Trick them into letting you lie down with cucumbers on your eyelids.

O.k., it’s your turn to tell me something random or leave an idea!

As always, thanks so much for coming to my little space of the internet!

Stay well,

Amy

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Happy St. Patrick’s
Day! Happy birthday to my sister!

I did a bit of panic buying – nothing crazy and I am not hoarding toilet paper. My freezer cannot hold anything else, though. I am trying to stay organized and list what we have and what I can make during these strange times.

I also still plan on having a green dinner tonight. If you have young children I think it may be even more important to make things as fun as possible. I have green food color and will make:

green mashed potatoes

green butter to have on some bread or rolls

broccoli

turkey sausage with onion and green pepper

If I can go out and get skittles and rolos I may add that, too, but I don’t feel that it’s a necessity.

Breakfast Ideas: These are on a list on the memo board and I will cross off as we run out

egg in a hole – super easy and so good. Just cut a hole and put butter in pan and crack an egg inside or do like I do and scramble first in a bowl

bagel with cream cheese

granola bar

French toast

cinnamon toast

avocado toast

Spanish omelette

pancakes

cereal

Lunch options: I have another list on memo board for lunch

mac and cheese

tuna salad

egg salad

quesadilla

grilled cheese

peanut butter and jelly

avocado toast

turkey corn dogs from freezer

ramen

pasta mixes

Dinner options: I need to add to this list which we need to have first so things don’t go bad

Mexican lasagna

quesadillas

nachos

pasta bake

frozen pizza

tuna noodle casserole

chicken and noodles

chili

quiche lorraine

burrito bowls

ham and swiss sandwiches

sides:

broccoli

green beans

waffle fries

steak fries

roasted potatoes

baked potatoes

corn

Maybe you have some of the same items stocked and this will give you some ideas? What ideas do you have for me?

Do you plan to keep buying when you can just in case? I am wondering if I should schedule a Kroger pick up every few days? I also would like to be able to help others in need if I have extras.

Amy

Monday, March 16, 2020

After some thought on how to proceed with blogging during this time, I have decided to keep on writing. I need to connect with you more than ever and I hope that we can be sources of strength for each other. I hope you will continue to come here! I also hope all of my favorite bloggers will continue to post.

If it is available, I will link up with Heather, etc. right here.

So, Friday was our last day of school until at least April 6 – the next two weeks are for stopping the spread of the Coronavirus and then our regularly scheduled spring break. My twin boys are seniors at the school where I teach Spanish, if you are new around here. We are not set up for digital learning; these 9 days are simply like snow days and will have to be made up unless we can figure something out. They have quite a bit of “homework” during this time for their AP classes. The exams run the first two weeks of May unless they are postponed. AP classes are courses with an exam at the end that can award a student college credits depending on how well they do in case you aren’t familiar with them. I also teach AP Spanish and need to stay in contact with my students so they can still be prepared. We are a little bit ahead of the game this year due to no snow days and the fact that I started practicing for the exam a little bit earlier. I am using Google classroom and asked that my AP as well as my other levels check there each day for “suggested activities”. We will have to see how that goes.

I am a pretty social person. I interact with 150 students and several colleagues each day.

Friday night we stayed in because I felt like we were supposed to. After dinner, one son and I sat outside and read on the new deck because it was such a nice night.

Saturday morning I walked and it felt good to be out in the cooler weather before the rain came in. I saw a neighbor who had just come from Kroger and I started getting a bit nervous about having enough food. I had scheduled a Kroger pick up for Sunday evening because that was the earliest time I coudl get; I anticipated them being out of a lot of stock. So, I went to Kroger and there was not a single thing of milk or eggs to be had and many shelves were empty. There was also no ground beef. My husband found milk at a different Kroger and I went to the locally owned market and bought eggs and beef. I think people just don’t know what to do and this is how they react around here to an inch snow prediction, too. I think we have enough to last us two weeks if I get really creative. They have asked people in Kentucky not to do crazy hoarding. I am definitely not doing that. The irony is not lost on me that a goal for 2020 was less food waste; I definitely cannot allow that now.

The other irony not lost on me is how I complain about being more busy than I would like. I’m not the worst offender as I have friends that are soooooo busy (by choice in my opinion). Well, this has sure cleared my calendar.

Saturday I found myself preparing all three meals at home and just lounging around because it rained all day long. I feel like we are waiting for the other shoe to drop. We watched some t.v. as a family, I read a bit, my boys played an online game with friends. I did not allow them to do anything social nor did they ask.

Sunday I drank my coffee and read inside and then hustled to Trader Joe’s at 8 am. TJ’s is usually a calm, zen experience for me around that time. It was borderline frantic. I have never seen so many people there that early and so many shelves with dwindling stock. I decided to let my son go to a friend’s house for a bit in the afternoon and Kroger called to tell me my order was ready early. Now I have no more room for food. I had to make a couple of shelves in the basement storage room for overflow. Where are these people putting all of their food? I walked again and the sun came out thankfully. We watched some t.v. and I read some and my son practiced some music. We decided to support a locally owned Mexican restaurant for dinner. I hope that was an o.k. choice.

So, where do we go from here? I plan to keep a schedule and do some school work and blog work every day. I plan to get dressed. I plan to walk everyday. I plan to get outside everyday. I am going to limit my time on social media because it makes me anxious. I am going to try to actually call (not text) a friend every day. I plan to make a list of areas to clean each day. I also have lots of plans for my boys – we will see how well this goes over: school work, getting outside, applying for community scholarships, applying online for summer jobs, practicing an instrument, talking to a friend, spending time with me!, learning to cook some new things, and I’m sure I will think of more. As of right now, my husband is still planning to go to work.

How are you feeling? What is your game plan? Anything you want me to write about?

Amy

Friday, March 13, 2020

This post almost didn’t happen. Things have been crazy and stressful and uncertain around here. How are you holding up? What is your area doing in regards to safety? I am linking up with Andrea, etc. if there is a link up today right here.

We got word yesterday around dinner time that we would be closed – the largest district in Kentucky- from March 16-April 6. The first 9 school days we were supposed to be in school and the last 5 school days was our regularly scheduled spring break. The kids have been pretty crazy since Monday with the will we/won’t we questions. I couldn’t blame them but I was trying to carry on as normal. I also had my extra class I am teaching after school on Wednesday and my principal observed me – not great timing!

I don’t know if this is a favorite, but I did an extra grocery run for some shelf stable things and this was the toilet paper aisle. People were courteous and calm.

In the midst of the stressful, worrisome week I was able to enjoy my new deck and some spring like weather. Here I had a decaf coffee in my favorite mug after school.

Temporary furniture. But, seriously, if you don’t have an anti-gravity lounge chair you must get one.

I placed a Victoria Emerson bracelet order – she is having a major sale and I needed to stress-shop. One thing I ordered is a gift. I have also been stress snacking. I hope to start stress walking with my extra time.

I am taking this seriously. I am a worrywart and a germaphobe by nature. I have been cleaning my classroom extra all week. I pray for all of you and yours and I will miss my students and didn’t want it to come to this. I do think that our leaders have made the best decision at this time.

Stay well and share with me what you and your community are doing.

Amy

Thursday, March 12, 2020

I just want to say that I put these fashion posts together over the weekend. I feel kind of weird talking about fashion when there are very serious concerns right now for the health and safety of our country. I pray that we get this virus contained and that you and your loved ones are o.k.

Have you embraced the Pantone color of the year? This classic blue has never been what I considered my color but I have accidentally accrued quite the collection.

My current dip nails are this color, too!

You have not seen this yet – it was an impulse purchase at Target for $15. I love a swing dress and I had thought this color would be a good one. The price was right and I went for it.

For Christmas, hub gave me a stack of four of these bracelets from a local favorite boutique called Revelry. I have worn a combination of these almost every day since. Good job, hub!

This one has shades of blue.

This blouse is from Target but I bought it a couple of years back at my consignment store. I have worn it quite a bit!

This Amazon kimono has been pretty popular – I know Sheaffer of Sheaffer Told Me To has it and it is a best seller on Amazon. I have a plain blue top from Versona that I can wear it with now and then the swing tank dress will work well when it warms up more.

And, my St. Patrick’s Day palazzo pants also have this classic blue!

This blue is the team color of my husband’s college team, too! The University of Kentucky Wildcats are who he cheers for and I end up watching a lot of the games, too, thus the need for this color in my closet. I just am not a big sports enthusiast. I did get a Master’s degree from UK, though. I also got one from the University of Louisville so I can tell my students I root for both schools.

Do you have this color in your closet?

Amy

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Do you like to dress for St. Patrick’s Day? I bought these palazzo pants back in January and thought they would be great for this purpose. Isn’t that crazy? The little stripe of green is enough and then I can wear them lots of other times, too. I plan to wear a black top with them and maybe try them with a white tee and jean jacket for a bit more casual look. These are from Steinmart and I love my palazzo pants for a comfortable but professional work option. I am linking up with the ladies of The Style Six right here.

Did you read my sneaker trend post? I am going to try these with my new white Madewell sneakers.

I bought this Kate Spade looking necklace at a consignment store years ago with the same thought in mind – to wear it for St. Patrick’s Day! It looks good with black and white tops and I have even worn it with a yellow and white stripe top.

I tried them out for school on Monday and got so many teenager compliments! I do need to have them hem I decided. If you saw my white sneaker post yesterday this was my first time wearing them to school!

I would love a graphic tee to wear but I haven’t found the right one.

I am hoping to go to the parade on Saturday and I might wear the pants and I would love to find a graphic tee that would work with the pants, too!

Will you dress for the day on Tuesday?

Don’t forget my Friday Favorites last week – dye the milk green, serve Lucky Charms and then for dinner green mashed potatoes and butter and all the green food you can get your kids to eat!

Amy