Monday, May 14, 2018

I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day and Mother’s Day weekend and I’m also keeping those of you in mind that struggle with this holiday.

I’m happy to say that this is my last 5 day week of the school year.  We have a 4 day week and a 3 day week after this.  The 4 day week is due to primary election day on Tuesday, May 22.  Get out and vote, please!

I came home Friday from school to my May Ipsy bag.  It contained the world’s tiniest vial of eye serum.  It is so cute I could give it to someone for their dollhouse!  It also had a blur stick (?), a brush, some glow lotion, and an eyeliner.  Now, I will have to figure out how to use it all.  This bag wasn’t my favorite.  I wish it came with an explanation of what to do with everything, but for $10, I think I’m getting a lot of products I can use.  In past Ipsy bags, I have received a blush I love, setting powder, It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye, and many more products that I am currently using.  I am overwhelmed when I go in Ulta or Sephora so this is working for me.

I greeted my boys when they got home and then I made dinner.  My friend texted me that she would be at a restaurant nearby where her daughter was having her birthday dinner with her friends and that she would be sitting in the bar alone.   I have a hard time being spontaneous and I often say “no” just because I’m tired or I didn’t “plan” to do the activity.  I am trying to say “yes” more when “no” has been my default for years.  It was a nice visit and I’m so glad I went!

The restaurant has a really cool patio with this cool water feature.  I’m trying to be more like Joanne  of Europafox blog with her beautiful pictures of England.  Now, my photos will never look like idyllic Cumbria (region of England).  Check out Joanne’s blog!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t sleep in on Saturday.  I was ready to get up and have my coffee.  I also baked my Trader Joe’s Meyer Lemon bread and it turned out great.

I should have walked and listened to a podcast, but I was worried that Trader Joe’s and the regular grocery would be too annoyingly busy if I waited too long.  And, it was already HOT.  Remember complaining that warm weather would never get here?  Yeah, me too.  And, we have skipped spring weather and headed straight to summer weather.  Oh, well.  So, I was out the door by 8:30 and I wore this to run my errands.  I have the “Can’t Adult Today” tank and a kimono and my white knit skirt which is really a skort.  I have on my favorite flip flops by Reef.  I’m sure skorts aren’t in anymore.  I was looking for a comfortable option to shorts last summer and found this at Kohl’s.  I don’t shop at Kohl’s much but I have a few items from the Chaps line that I really like.  Kohl’s overwhelms me and I don’t want to play their Kohl’s cash game.  Don’t hate me – I know there are people who know how to work it, but I’m not one of them.  I don’t like the Old Navy coupon game either.  It seems like for me I spend money on things I don’t want or need just to use the discount.  I’m on to their game!  Haha!

After I did my errands, which also included the library, I came home, put everything away, did dishwasher and laundry and then it was time to watch a few of my cooking shows.  I tape Pioneer Woman and The Kitchen.  I did my nails with “Suzy without a Paddle” by OPI.

At noon, I took my boys to a friend’s house to work on a video project.  I asked if they had everything and they told me they did.  After I dropped them off, I got a text that said “yo mom” and I replied “what did you forget?”  Sure enough, one son wanted me to come get him so he could get the missing items.  I made 4 trips to the friend’s house today!  When I was alone in the car, I was listening to my favorite podcast shown below.

I made myself a light lunch that included grape tomatoes and mozzarella balls with salt, pepper, evoo, and balsamic glaze.  If I were making this for company, I would have more mozzarella, but since it was just for me I wanted more tomatoes.  Yum!  And, it’s on my beautiful (in my opinion) Wal-Mart Pioneer Woman plate.  My youngest sister is also a Pioneer Woman superfan.

We live in a modest brick ranch house but I love it and I love my neighborhood.  Our flowers look really nice this year, I think.  These are our rhododendrons.

These are our azaleas.  We need to restain the front door, so please disregard.

This is my treat to myself a couple of weeks ago- new pot and geraniums.

One of the items I purchased at Trader Joe’s today was this Peach Moscato recommended by Penny from Penny’s Passion blog.  I drank some on my patio Saturday afternoon with my book The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews.  I’m liking it so far! (the book)  The moscato is slightly bubbly and not too sweet.  Penny did not steer me wrong.  I’m going to be buying this again.  It takes like summer!

I decided to just cook dinner on Saturday night instead of going out.  I made shrimp, broccoli, and my version of potato skins.  I have to get better at remembering to take pictures.

Here is how I make my fake/easier potato skins.  Remember how popular these were at restaurants in the 90s?  I have a friend who always ordered these but it was a very complicated When Harry Met Sally type order.  She would say, “I will have the potato skins if they aren’t too potatoey and if they aren’t cooked in lard because I’m a vegetarian.  Also, no bacon and no chives in the sour cream and I need 12 napkins to blot the grease.”  We got such a kick out of this order and it was quite endearing at the time.

So, I microwaved a potato (a big baking potato) and when it was cool I sliced it into rounds.  Put on Pam sprayed foil on baking sheet and top with a little evoo or butter and add some cooked bacon and cheese.  Serve with sour cream.  It’s the same flavor but less labor intensive.

Then, my hub and I rented a movie – the newish Baywatch movie – while our boys did some homework and played some games.  They had stayed at their friends for about 4 hours to do their project so they were happy to stay home.  Hub mowed the lawn and walked the dog at the dog park so between the both of us we did get most of the chores done and it was a good day.

The movie Baywatch was better than I thought it would be.  It was just a light-hearted comedy with a bit of a plot and had some silly and off color jokes.  I don’t think I would have paid to see it in a theater, but it was fun to watch at home.

I enjoyed a decaf coffee because my basement was so cold.  The upstairs is probably 20 degrees warmer than the basement right now, and yes we have to have AC on because of how bad the pollen and allergens are here.

Honestly, I didn’t go many places Saturday or really do much, but I think it was just what I needed.  It felt nice to not have many obligations.

Sunday,  I was able to sleep in a little later and I did some prep cooking for the week and enjoyed some coffee and breakfast.  I was so excited to receive The Magnolia Table cookbook and the newest Magnolia Journal magazine for Mother’s Day when my boys woke up!  I read those things leisurely and took one son back to work on the project while the other son took a trip to the mall with his dad and I.  We ended up buying him two new pairs of shoes because there was a BOGO deal with the second one half off.  My son said it should be BOGOHO and I didn’t think that sounded very good.  Ha!  We also got him an Auntie Ann pretzel and I used a Bath and Body coupon and only bought one item.  I had a lazy afternoon and then my three boys took me to Blaze Pizza for dinner – my choice.

I’m saying Hello Monday with  Lindsay’s Sweet World, My Glittery Heart, and The Sirois Family.

Let’s do this!

Amy

Friday, May 11, 2018

TGIF! Okay, only one more 5 day week after this! I’m linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favorites! Mine are really random this week! Happy Mother’s Day to all – I blogged some ideas on Tuesday in case you are still shopping. I’m hoping to see a movie and get outside and eat in a restaurant! What are your plans?

#1)  A sweet girl gave me this mug because I wrote her a letter of recommendation.  It was not necessary for her to do this, but how thoughtful.   

#2)  I wash my hands about 3 million times a day and I love a nice smelling soap.  This is so summery.  I just got some Bath and Body coupons in the mail today, so look out, I’m coming for you B&B this weekend.  I can never figure out how I spend so much money there.  I’m always shocked when they give me the total – oops!

#3)  I was tickled by this comment after a sweet girl gave me this for Christmas.  I asked her if she thought I was stressed and needed this lotion and she said that the only other choice on sale was “energy” and she thought I had plenty of that.  Ha!  I don’t have enough energy – fooled her.  This smells amazing and I think it’s hilarious that I have two boys who use this lotion on their hands every day.  I keep it on my desk for them to use and they think it smells so good.  I have realized that I love the smell of eucalyptus.  

#4)  I just can’t drop $30-50 on a planner!  That’s a new pair of shoes, folks!  I love palm print anything and found this at Target for $9.99 .  My hub would get mad at me for not saying $10 and rounding up, but we all know that’s not how girl math works.  9.99 sounds way better!

#5)  One of the loves of my life is my boy Ernie.  He is a five year old chocolate Labrador retriever and he loves my ice cream but I shouldn’t feed it to him.  I splurge and buy him his own treats in the freezer section of my grocery store.  

#6)  I have been making this low carb egg casserole for over a year.  My mom found the recipe and it’s my habit to make it on Sunday and eat it every morning.  6 eggs, a can of green chiles, a small container of cottage cheese, and a handful of shredded cheese.  Stir it all up in the pan you are going to bake it in.  I spray Pam first.  I also add a little pepper and cajun seasoning.  You can add more stuff if you want.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Shay from Slay it Again Shan makes hers in muffin cups and I think that would be a good idea.  Right now I just cut into 6 squares.

I sauté some zucchini for the whole week and eat that on the side and a couple of pieces of turkey sausage.  I love this breakfast and it keeps me full until lunch.  We put this on every vegetable at our house!

#7)  Our family has been on a kick with these little babies lately.  My one son loves them.  Hawaiian buns, ham, swiss, put in glass baking dish.  Make a mixture of butter, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepper and brush on top.  Finally, sprinkle the Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning on top.  This can be found on Amazon, too, I have heard.  Bake at 350 for 10 ish minutes uncovered.  Sorry I don’t have the amounts.  I just guess and they turn out great every time.  

Wishing you all the most wonderful weekend! I can’t wait to see your favorites!

Amy 

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Thoughts on…being a teacher…

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week I thought I would talk about being a teacher.  It is a huge part of my identity and I thought maybe some would like to hear my thoughts. No offense if you skip today’s post and come back for Friday Favorites tomorrow!

My mom was a teacher, my aunt was a teacher,  and my uncle was an administrator in a school.  Now, I am a teacher and both of my sisters are teachers (elementary art and 2nd grade), my first cousin is an elementary teacher, and my brother in law is a middle school teacher.  Guess what we talk about at family gatherings?  You guessed it!

I think I first wanted to be a teacher in 2nd or 3rd grade.  I have vivid memories of coming home from school (which I loved) and teaching my stuffed animals and dolls what I learned that day.  My parents put up a giant chalkboard in the playroom.  I played school with neighborhood kids and my sisters, as well.  I remember being upset that at one neighbor girl’s house she was always the teacher and made me be the student!  It was not as fun as being the teacher!  You might say I’m a little bossy!

I think in 7th or 8th grade I gave up wanting to be a teacher in favor of a newspaper writer and later, after discovering my love for the Spanish language,  I thought I would pursue foreign correspondence or international law.  I started college with a double major in Spanish and political science but in sophomore year I decided to try an education class.  I was hooked and decided to major in Spanish with a secondary education specialty. My education classes were interesting and I loved learning about the history of education in our country, development of the brain and how people learn, educational theory, and methods of teaching, among other things.  

I landed my first real teaching job at age 22 in the summer after I graduated from college.  Actually, I was in Mexico for two weeks on a mission trip when my mom took the call about my first job interview for my first teaching job!  Boy, was my first year hard!  Student teaching is great, but you are really thrown to the wolves when you start with your own classroom.  I remember falling asleep at a Rolling Stones concert my first year of teaching.  I was so tired!  I also coached cheerleading, was soccer sponsor, sponsored a couple of other clubs and served on a couple of committees.  Oh, the things we do to our first year teachers.  I seriously worked until 10:00 every night.  It was also interesting that I was only 4 years older than the seniors!

I remember the first time I signed a note with my “teacher name” with my  “teacher signature”.  I couldn’t believe I was really a teacher!  I hope that I have never forgotten the enormous privilege and the enormous responsibility I have as a teacher.  We can build kids up so much with our words and we can also hurt a kid forever with our words.  I try to always be happy to see my students and I try to make learning as fun as possible, while still holding them to high standards.   

I have learned so much through the years, but I have so much more to learn.  And, if you made it this far in this blog post, you deserve an A!

What do you remember about your teachers and school?  What do you think has changed since you were in school?

If you feel moved, send an email, Facebook message, letter to a teacher that influenced you.   We love to hear from former students!  Make sure you give some information like when you graduated, what class you took with them, and your maiden name.  Remember they have had thousands of students possibly.  But, I will say we remember most of our past students!

Thank you to all of my teachers and all of my kids’ teachers!  

Amy 

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Today I’m participating in Style Perspectives with TheBlendedBlog.com to talk about favorite t-shirts.

I don’t wear many t-shirts, to be honest. I do, however, wear graphic tees.

Are you on board with the graphic tee trend?  I like it and think it’s fun, but I only have four.  Maybe four is a lot, though?  I can wear three of them to work with a kimono or sweater and my students comment on them so I think they like them.  As a high school teacher, I get comments on my outfits almost daily.  Does that surprise you?  I feel like sometimes they study us more than they listen to us?  Ha!

I have my new this season “Fiesta like there’s no mañana” from Old Navy and that’s perfect because I’m a Spanish teacher.  I have three muscle tanks (a little wider straps than a normal tank) that say “Can’t Adult Today” (I don’t think I should wear this to work – ha!), “You had me at Pumpkin Spice” and “But First Coffee”.  These all came from Target last year and are all very thin and need another tank under them.  

Here are some graphic tee with kimono examples.  I like this look.  What do you think?

Above is my take on the trend. I got the kimono at TJ Maxx. This is a good spring and fall outfit. I have worn it to school, a vintage flea market, and to run Saturday errands.

Let me know if you try this trend!

Amy

What to Buy for your Mother’s Day Gifts

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

I hope I’m not too late to help a girl out with Mother, Grandmother, or Mother-in-Law gifts for the big day on Sunday!  If you will see this person in the flesh, I think you’re good.  If you must send it, we may be on shaky ground, unless you go the card and gift card route.

First of all, let me talk about my love for The Dollar Tree.  You may have a dollar store that goes by another name but you know what I’m talking about –  the stores where everything is a dollar.  Except….the greeting cards are two for a dollar!  50 cents!  Have you SEEN the price of a card at a regular card store or grocery store these days?

I get almost all of my cards at The Dollar Tree – especially when I’m my most organized self.   I stock up on cute and funny birthday cards, get well cards, and sympathy cards.  I can’t bear to spend $4-5 on a card and I would rather put that toward the gift.  

I recently bought my Mother’s Day cards for my mom and my MIL.  I am sending gift cards this year because they both enjoy getting them.  My mom likes getting TJ Maxx gift cards because that is her favorite store.  My MIL is super easy to please and will love Amazon because she does most of her shopping online.  

Here are other ideas that might work for you:

-a plant, flats of plants, even better if it includes a “coupon” to plant said plants.

-a “coupon” for another service around the house that she can’t do well anymore.

-a massage or a pedicure.  We also have a salt cave in my city that would be interesting to experience alone or with you.

-a Groupon experience.  I love Groupon!  Check it out and see if there is something up her alley.

-brunch out in a restaurant.

-lunch out in her favorite restaurant.

-a movie date (I can see this being really fun for a grown son and mother).

-a day trip to IKEA or a museum that she might like.

-Shari’s berries or an Edible Arrangement sent to her for something different than flowers.

What are your go to Mother’s Day gift ideas?  If you’re a mom or a dog mom, what do you personally like to receive?  I like to ask for something that I won’t buy myself.  This year, I’m asking for one of the following:  The Magnolia Table cookbook by Joanna Gaines, the white Nike Apple Watch band, or black patent leather Birkenstocks.  I think my husband prefers me to be specific so I will be this year!  

Now, many years my hub and I say no gifts for Mother’s or Father’s Day, but we will buy patio furniture or a new something that we need.  Are you happy with that?  I have a hard time with that because I’m a sucker for holidays (even Hallmark ones) and love to buy gifts and make things special for my loved ones.

I also want to remember those who don’t have their mothers with them anymore.  This can be a day of sadness.  I would suggest planning something fun for your immediate family or spending time with a surrogate person in your life that means a lot to you.  Maybe if you and a friend both have lost your moms, you could plan something together?

Hope this helps!

Amy 

Monday, May 7, 2018

I’m linking up with The Blended Blog to answer these questions just for fun!  I’m also linking up with Hello Monday with My Glittery Heart and The Sirois Family!

1. Comedy! I love to laugh!

2. Fiction – I do like historical fiction but reading is my escape.

3. Both! I love going to the theater but home is easier.

4. Play. Breaking into song is just cheesy most of the time.

5. Dinner!

6. I don’t think I can pick a favorite book.

7. I would love a game night. It’s hard right now because our friends are still running kids around most nights but maybe in a couple of years.

8. Two truths and a lie around a campfire. Say three things about yourself and one is a lie. People have to decide which is the lie.

9. The Office, Seinfeld, Friends

10. Sitcoms today

11. Both equal

12. Twizzlers!

13. With butter

14. 3D movies make me feel a bit dizzy. I can do them but it’s not my favorite.

15. I think I like British chick lit with some history thrown in!

Weekend Recap

I had a 3 day weekend!  Friday morning I sipped my coffee and read your blogs after reading my daily Everyday Holy by Melanie Shankle, of course.  I then went to the bank, the DMV, the grocery, did a return at Loft, took boys for a haircut, and I think that’s all.  Shew!  I’m tired.  I guess work would’ve been more relaxing!  Just kidding! After lunch, I did my consignment stores without bringing anything home.  I’m getting better!  Around 3 my hub called and said he was taking off early and wanted to take the boys to Avengers Infinity War.  I opted out and instead read on the patio and prepared a light dinner of nachos and chili lime corn.  I usually do go to the movies my boys like. I have been pleasantly surprised by many like Ready Player One and Isle of Dog.  As a boy mom, I think you adapt.  I grew up in a house of all girls and wasn’t versed in anything “boy”!

I woke up Saturday morning to light rain.  I love rain when I can stay home. I took my book outside with my coffee and lit a candle because it was still a little bit dark.

I spend a lot of time out here.  I like to be outside as much as I can and this is my green view this time of year.  

After relaxing a bit, I started making preparations for a Derby party we were going to.  They provided a full bar and you could bring a dish to the communal table but most also have their own spread on a table.  I made Benedictine sandwiches (a cream cheese with cucumber and onion and a tiny drop of green food color) and Lindsay’s recipe from Bourbon Lipstick and Stilletos blog for Bourbon Brownies with Bourbon frosting.  Both turned out great! 

The party was a lot of fun but no one expected the weather that we got.  It literally rained all day long.  I was so happy that I wore my tall black rain boots.  There were women in white jeans and wedges.  I was dry and comfortable.  They had big screen tvs in several places and you could place bets in a betting window that was really a horse stall in the barn on the property!  I won $10 on one of the races.  We stayed at the party from about 1 until 7.  I was exhausted and ready to see my boys when we got home.  We picked up some fried chicken, potato wedges, and green beans for them.  Hub found a movie “The Shallows” and it sucked me in.  

Sunday I cleaned up the house, did laundry, and did Costco run.  It was beautiful out so I wanted to get outside.  I took Ernie to the river to swim and to greet his Daddy when he finished paddleboarding.

Meal Plan for this week:

I’m going to wing it!  Kids, this is the result of having too much fun over the weekend.  I’m sure I have enough stuff to throw together for dinner each night – I just didn’t plan it out and write it down this week.

This is going to be a busy five day week.  I’m excited to get it started and over because I’m stressed about a big event Tuesday.  

Hope your week is great!

Amy 

Friday, May 4, 2018

#1)  No school today and a 3 day weekend, baby!  It is Derby season in Kentucky and today is Oaks, so we have no school!  The first item on my agenda is to read all of your blogs today!  Ha!

#2)  This metallic pink tube got my attention!  It is called “Enchantress blush” and it was about $5.  New hack:  use lipliner and apply one coat of Lipsense.  Top with this and the Lipsense makes it last almost all day.  Yes, I love my Lipsense, but I like the texture of real lipstick sometimes.  Yes, I’m weird.  And, I think I have a slight problem with buying too many lip products.

Read more

Thursday, May 3, 2018

You know how frayed hems are in?  This is about the extent of my DIY ability so don’t get too excited.  I’m a shorty and need to hem many pants so I went into Old Navy and bought a pair of white jeans that fit in the waist, hips, and legs (or so I thought… more on that later*) and I took them home and cut them.   I used a pair of jeans that had a good length as my guide for one leg and then I held that up against the other leg.  Then, I threw them in the washer and dryer and they came out perfectly frayed.

This is a DIY that I can handle.  You can do jean shorts, too – JORTS!

*What is it with ON jeans becoming so loose and baggy as the day wears on?  I don’t know if I could get into the next smaller size anyway.  Why must they do this?  I can get one wear out of them and then have to wash and dry to wear again or else they are too baggy.

Anyway, don’t be afrayed!  Let me know if you like this look and if you decide to try it!

Amy

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

O.k., other teachers can relate to what I’m about to say.  We are now at the point of the school year where everything is a STRUGGLE.  It is becoming increasingly harder to get dressed in the morning.   I’m ready for shorts and swimsuits and cover ups and not fixing my hair!  This is not good because I do still have more than a month to go.  I know those of you who don’t get a summer off are cursing me under your breath.  I feel so lucky that I get a break after every year to recharge my batteries, reflect on the job I did, and just be for awhile.

But, the hard part of teaching is that during the school year, there is absolutely NO flexibility.  From August 9th-ish until June 4 this year, I can only go to the bathroom a couple of times a day.  I have 20 minutes for lunch and that includes going to the bathroom.  There is no popping out for an appointment or a lunch or an errand.  And, as a teacher, you really can’t have a bad day.  You always have to be ON.  Now, I know I’ve never had another “real” job.  I started at age 22 and now here I am many many years later.  Most of what I know about an office environment comes from “The Office” and I’m pretty sure that isn’t realistic.

I’m thankful for my summers off.  I’m thankful for a week in the spring and two weeks at Christmas, but we do work really hard when school is in session and it is very hard to take a day off.

O.k.  rant over.  I love my job, but it is that time of year!  And, I’m supposed to be talking about clothes!

Monday – I’m not sure I like this outfit.  Meh.  It was comfortable.

Tuesday – I wore an army green swing dress with this really long kimono which I promise also had army green in it.  It’s not that flattering but it was comfortable.  I’m wearing teacher Dansko sandals.  I need recommendations on teacher comfortable shoes that are in style.  I think these look clunky!

I wore my new white leather feather earrings today!  I have got to get control of my leather earring habit.  (Along with my lipstick habit)  

This is a hot pink swing dress with a white jean jacket over it and my pom pom scarf that I was going to wear on Tuesday.  I discovered the hot pink dress has a stain and I’m afraid it’s permanent.  I will try to work on it.  

Wednesday’s outfit is a magenta swing dress, a cream knit cardigan, and one of my two horse scarves.  It is Derby week in Kentucky and I like to break out my horse scarves.  They are very lightweight.  I wore my black and white one last week and this past weekend to the art fair.

Thursday is the last day of our work week so I will probably be pretty casual.  

What are your weekly clothing staples?  What do you feel the best in?  Is there a piece of clothing that you would say is the most you?  

Here are some blogs that have really helped me with my style.  

Susan After 60. 

Susan is adorable and I don’t care what your age – she explains proportions and how she makes decisions on what to buy.  I really don’t dress like she does, but I appreciate her advice.  She is not trying to be anyone but herself.  Check it out.  She is a classy lady.

Putting Me Together

This site has so many resources.  It’s clothes that real people wear.  You could seriously buy about 10 items from her resources and feel like you have plenty to wear.  

Mom Advice – Capsule Wardrobes

I love her style.  She is adorable and works within a very small capsule each season.  

I will stop there for now, but maybe this deserves a whole post of its own.  

I love clothing and putting outfits together.  I think it’s fun and it doesn’t stress me out.  As you can see above, my outfits are not perfect and I don’t always feel like it was the best I could do.  

Thanks for stopping by today!

Amy 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Happy May Day!

I remember people getting really excited when we found out we were getting a Trader Joe’s.  Facebook posts abounded of stories of other TJ stores in other cities, products that were cherished, items that were only obtained upon visits to other cities  lucky enough to have a store.

It just so happened that I scheduled a doctor’s appointment for the day ours opened – A-choo!  I went into the food area and felt overwhelmed.  There were so many people as excited as I was.  (People, this is middle age… getting excited about a grocery store.  It’s quite sad.)

Next, I went into the wine area because, of course, I had heard of “Two Buck Chuck” wine.  It was really called Charles Shaw and I think the price had already gone up to three bucks.  It was a crisp fall day and I had just gotten beautiful cognac leather riding boots.  I was as happy as only a day off on a weekday and new boots can make a girl.  Next to me a lady was holding a bottle of red wine one moment and the next she was dropping the bottle on the floor next to my boots!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!  I fled the store and ran to my car to begin googling how to get red wine out of leather boots.  I took off my cream Target scarf and sacrificed it in the name of the boots to wipe the wine away.  Google was not really my friend that day as I found very few answers to my query.  I can’t remember where I drove but I did call a friend who I knew would listen to my plight.  (Hi Mindy!)  As I talked on the phone I looked down and those magic boots were absorbing (I like to think they were drinking) the wine.  After a little while longer they were back to normal.  ISN’T THIS THE HAPPIEST ENDING YOU’VE HEARD IN A LONG WHILE?  Those boots served me well for about 7 years.  They have now been sent on to someone else at Goodwill.

Since that first fateful day, I have learned a few things about what to buy and when and how often to go.

If you made it through that story, you deserve some photos.

Seasonings:

Everyone talks about the Everything But the Bagel seasoning and with good reason.  This is great on eggs, avocado toast, on top of your cream cheese on your Everything Bagel… 

Don’t overlook the other spices, though. Spices are expensive at the regular grocery stores.  I have started using the Chili Lime on corn on taco night.  I love the pink himalayan salt.  I think all three of these were under $2 each.

Frozen Foods:

It’s nice to have some frozen foods on hand and these are some that I always try to have.  This Jasmine rice is amazing.  I can’t make homemade rice that tastes this good.  Inside, there are 3 packets and you just microwave them for 3 minutes.  

The fried rice is also good.  Sometimes I will serve this along with our favorite orange chicken from Costco.

Snack Foods:

I found these crepes in the freezer section and thought I would try them.  The box comes with 7 crepes and a serving size is 3 crepes.  I just had one as a sweet treat and I was pretty impressed!

These chips and corn puffs are yummy snacks.

Everyone talks about this reduced guilt guacamole made with greek yogurt.  It is seriously so good. I like it with these plantain chips.  Yum! 

Easy Meals:

Easy dinner above – pasta, jarred sauce, ground beef from my freezer, caesar salad.  Done.

I really like TJ’s baking mixes.  This is a lemon cake mix and I think it will taste like Starbuck’s lemon pound cake.  I like to keep one of these on hand if I need to bake a treat for someone or just feel like making something sweet.  My pink pen got in the way of my photo in the bottom right hand corner.  

I’m so not used to taking photos of everything.  I need major improvement in the photography department.

I hope you liked my review and please let me know what you think I should try!

Amy