Thursday, May 28, 2020

I couldn’t let it pass without addressing such a milestone here on the blog. I haven’t fully processed it and maybe in part that is because of the strange type of closure we experienced. Also, we have photos next week in cap and gown, so I don’t have those yet. Also, several of you gave me suggestions for how to make the day special. Thank you.

So, how did we get here? How did more than 13 years of educating my twins go so quickly? I say more than 13 years because before their K-12 public school experience, we had the learning we did at home and at their daycare/preschool. To anyone that had a hand in their education, I say thank you! On one hand, I feel like my work is done, but on the other hand, I know they will still need us for many things, especially in this strange world we are currently navigating. So, I may come back with more thoughts on having high school graduates, but for today, here is what I have…

I decided to enter Kroger and look for a cookie cake. They didn’t have any but I found a plain one with a white border and the cake decorator was happy to do this for me in less than five minutes. I had to clean out my classroom from 8-10, so I did this afterwards.

I set up the dining room table with things they hadn’t seen before: their framed senior photo, balloons tied to jolly ranchers (one of their favorites), their cap and gown, their senior gift (a water bottle) and senior t-shirt. Jack came out and saw it and said, “Who died?” I guess he thought it looked like a memorial.

Tom watched from work because it was at 11:00 a.m. There were technical difficulties and it didn’t get fixed until 11:30 – just par for the course these days. The boys and I watched it together and the boys joked around a bit.

Jack turned out to be one of the valedictorians – anyone who had a 4.0 for the first 7 semesters. Don’t ask about his last semester, please. Over the course of 4 years, he took 9 AP courses and exams. His real name is James. Jackson is his middle name.

Mason did not end up with a 4.0, but he was pretty close. He took 11 AP courses and exams.

There is so much more I want to say about their 4 years and there are many photos I want to dig up.

Our principal gave a nice speech, as did the class president. Their beloved junior English teacher and one of the teachers who took Mason to Europe this fall read all of the seniors’ names and wore his Harry Potter costume to do so. Why didn’t I get a picture? So, that was about it for the “graduation” and then I made a nice dinner and we had the cookie cake for dinner when Tom was with us.

Our principal:

There are so many thoughts and so many words that I want to say. This was not just their high school but a second home. I found out I was pregnant with them in my second year at this school and had them in my third year. They came to countless activities, helped me in my room, and ran the halls more times than I could count until they became freshmen. I don’t even think they will realize the scope of that until they are much older. They handled having a mom who was a teacher with grace and didn’t take advantage of it. In four years, they only missed 3 days of school.

And, I will leave you a view of my empty, sad classroom. On one hand, I am happy to tie up this year because it ended on such a sad note. On the other hand, I am not ready to leave this year behind. I was talking to a colleague and we realized we have been away from our classrooms for longer than we are away from it for the summer! Isn’t that crazy? Yes, that is Ricky Martin looking at you.

I have all the feels right now!

As you are reading this, I am wrapping up my grades and having a final virtual faculty meeting.

I wish I could leave you with some optimism for the start of next school year, but there is still so much uncertainty. I will plan for the worst and hope for the best, maybe?

Thanks for listening, friends! You’re the best!

Amy

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Once I started going out a bit more – to Target a few times and Kroger a few times (I still do pick up each week but sometimes I will run in for a couple of forgotten items), I realized I didn’t want to put my favorite tote style purse in the cart. I have long been a fan of the crossbody and this situation just calls for these. My favorite neutral crossbody was purchase from a consignment store a few years ago for $8.

With a cross body, your purse doesn’t touch anything but your body.

My wallet is the lemon pouch, keys, hand sanitizer, a cleaning wipe, and of course my mask are my new contents.

Do you use a cross body? Do you have a pandemic purse or a need for one?

Amy

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

I know most of you are cooking more than normal. Even though I enjoy cooking, I still feel the dread set in around 5:00 when I realize I have people to feed. Also, my energy wanes in the afternoon. I get up with no problem in the morning ready to get my day started. That’s when I have my energy. So, I decided to FINALLY work smarter and not harder and employ morning meal prep strategies. Now, if you aren’t a morning person, you could also do this later in the day or at lunch. You can also prep at night for the next day. The idea is just don’t save all the work for the witching hour. This is especially true if you have little kids. I remember how that was.

The other day I made homemade enchilada sauce in the morning. I actually doubled the recipe and put half in the freezer. This was so easy and it comes from Budget Bytes website, which I had never heard of.

I also started the crockpot on low with about 2 chicken breasts (I should have done more to freeze), water, and taco seasoning.

At 5:00, I only had to assemble.

I also recently cooked up about 4 pounds of ground beef. I made sloppy joe’s, taco meat, and then left some plain for spaghetti. It is so nice to pull that out at 5:00!

I have also boiled my noodles for mac and cheese in the morning recently.

Do you ever do morning meal prep? Or weekly prep? What are your best tips?

Amy

Monday, May 25, 2020

I am going on with my weekend post today and I will link up with the ladies here if they do it today. Today won’t really feel like weekend because I will have school work to do for finalizing things by Thursday. I think the boys also have stuff to finalize.

Are you ready to see lots of food photos?

So, Friday our governor said we could gather in groups of 10 and our restaurants would open to limited capacity. My two friends came to my patio for takeout brunch and we made our own mimosas. We were still careful and spread out at the table. We all had separate containers and no one went in the house. It was so nice. I know we are still battling this and I feel so lucky to be able to do something normal like this. I worked several hours in the morning and again when they left.

I got the surfer girl omelette, potatoes and their Everything muffin like an Everything bagel. We all got the same order.

That afternoon was my AP Spanish test. I left the boys alone to do that and actually went outside to make sure I didn’t make any noise.

For dinner Friday night I made enchiladas with homemade sauce courtesy of Kristin from Stuff, Things, Etc. blog. The sauce was so easy!

Saturday morning I did another thing from my past life. I went to a socially distant farmer’s market. It was one way, you had to wear a mask, the farmers’ booths also had barriers to keep you from getting too close. I would have stayed longer but my mask was bugging me in the heat. I have one mask that is more breathable. Are you all struggling with masks?

I bought wildflowers,

asparagus, peanuts, and sourdough bread.

The river is really high but Ernie still got his Saturday swim!

Tom worked hard to put the furniture together. It took him about 2 hours. We are happy with the look and the quality so far. It is Walmart Better Homes and Gardens Hawthorne and the tip to look at it came from Jen at Show Me and Sweet Tea blog. Thanks, Jen!

The rest of Saturday I did some cleaning, fridge organizing, laundry, reading and I took a walk.

That night our friends asked us to sit on a patio for dinner. We were confused as to the restaurant rule. Some restaurants are saying you can only sit at a table with your family. We were prepared to get take out if that was the rule. They sat us on either end of a big table. All the servers were wearing masks.

It was really nice to be back at a Mexican restaurant. We have been getting weekly takeout so I felt safe with the tables spaced out so much and hardly anyone there. I wiped down the table with my own Clorox wipes. We didn’t share any food.

Sunday morning I enjoyed my first coffee on the new furniture. It had rained again like it has almost every day lately!

And, finally yesterday afternoon we went back to the other farmers market and our friends met us. It was blazing hot so we didn’t stay long at the market. We took folding chairs and sat far apart under some shade trees and visited.

And, those were the highlights of my weekend.

How much have you gotten out?

It is really surreal the first time you get back out into the world. I am still going to be careful. I am trying to really think about what is a need right now. I don’t need to go to the grocery and I can do Kroger pick up. I don’t need a pedicure even though I want one. I can wait a while longer to get my hair done. My friends think I am super strict and I am always quoting the governor. It’s the teacher in me. I am a born rule follower.

Hope you are continuing to enjoy your weekend!

Amy

Friday, May 22, 2020

Guys, this is a big day! Today is the AP Spanish exam and two of my students taking it are my boys! Also, today is the day the governor of Kentucky says we can have social gatherings of 10! Finally, I am having my favorite brunch take out (if you are local it is Wild Eggs!) on my patio with two friends. I am will link with up Andrea, etc. over at http://www.momfessionals.com. So, all of those things are definite favorites.

How did we get here guys? On March 12, there was absolutely nothing in me that believed we would still basically be here on Memorial Day weekend. My mind is blown.

Speaking of minds blown, this amazing method to close your cereal box has been all over my social media. Have you seen it? You tuck in the two short sides and one long side and then if you make the sides fold in, the flap will close nicely like this. Do not judge the Cap’n Crunch. I can only be friends with you if you say and write “cap’n” the correct way.

O.k., I will show you the failure of the Kroger brand Raisin Bran – which we like better than Kellog’s, by the way. My professional opinion is that this hack only works with the thicker name brand cereal boxes. I will pause while you go try to do this to all of your cereal boxes. You know you want to.

Do you watch Food Network? I enjoy several shows on this channel. Even if you don’t, you must check out Amy Schumer Learns to Cook. Her husband is a chef and they are staying in a friend’s cabin during quarantine. It is delightful.

I brought out the light blue polish. It made me happy. I will last a few hours.

One of my Pandemic indulgences has been magazine buying. I have bought April magazines and May magazines. I ran in to buy one thing and picked up InStyle this week. I used to always read this magazine. Blogs are the new magazines. You heard it here.

This intrigued me. Anyone tried this yet? Jergens Sol Water Mousse tanner is the full name. Sol means sun in Spanish so maybe that’s what drew me in.

New virtual life trick. You wear a gross old black tee but throw a kimono on for the meeting or class. I had a busy virtual life this week. I taught 5 virtual classes and had 1 virtual meeting. That is my new definition of busy.

These are my Pandemic shoes. I will probably be tired of them soon and/or they will cause flashbacks. Plastic Birkenstocks are the perfect Pandemic shoe. They can get food spilled on them. They can be worn with kimonos. They go with pajamas. They work with leggings.

One day I tried the mango Bud Light Seltzer. Yum! So, I do endorse the Bud Light Seltzers, the Corona Seltzers, and the Truly Seltzers. Those are my recommendations if you are a seltzer person. You want to hear something weird? We can only buy beer and hard seltzers in our Kentucky grocery stores. You can’t buy hard liquor or wine. But, you can buy hard liquor and wine in drug stores like CVS and Walgreen’s. And, you can’t buy any alcohol on Sundays until after 1:00. If you go in a liquor store, you can buy it all, but not on Sundays until 1:00!

I have been wanting to try Glossier boy brow for a long time and I finally did it. You guys, this is really a great product. I bought the brown. It has a mascara brush and it is really easy to use. I am starting to get weird gaps in my brows. This fills them in nicely.

I heard about this Tan-Luxe The Butter from Melanie Shankle/Big Mama. It usually costs $90 but goes on sale for $39 regularly from HSN.com. It smells really nice for a self tanner and I think I am really going to like it. It has a bit of a sparkle to it. I actually can’t believe I spent $39 on a self tanner but I think it will last a long time. I’m sorry I don’t know if the sale is still going on, but I hope it is if you are interested.

And, those are my favorites for the week!

It really doesn’t feel like Memorial Day weekend. Do you have plans?

Do you have a Pandemic indulgence like my magazines?

Have you ordered anything you might not have normally?

We have a house project this weekend! I hope to see some more people, too.

One last thing before I go… my boys have a virtual graduation Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. that will be live streamed. Hub has to work so he will watch it from the office or later on the link. How do I make the day a bit momentous? I am thinking a Chick Fil A tray, a cookie cake, something along those lines. It is simply a couple of speeches, the seniors yearbook photo and their name, and a tribute video, by the way.

Amy

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Who needs an easy cocktail recipe for summer? Tinto de Verano comes to us from Spain. Spain produces a lot of red wine as you may know. Tinto or tinted is what they call it – vino tinto. So, tinto de verano simply means summer red wine. I know some of you are big red wine drinkers. I can usually drink reds without getting a headache, but the white wines sometimes do me in!

I happened to have an opened bottle of a pretty decent cabernet sauvignon from… CVS. I am class like that.

Simply pour about a half glass of red wine to a half glass of lemon lime soft drink or my favorite – I talk about it all the time – Fresca.

You might be surprised and you might be reminded of a lighter tasting sangria. Some sangrias can be quite heavy. I love the added carbonation – I talk about that all the time, too. Give this a try! Maybe break out the charcuterie. There is nothing that says you can’t travel to Spain on your patio.

Let me know if you try it!

Amy

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

I thought we would talk about sunglasses today. Do you love sunglasses as much as I do? I wear them all year long as my eyes are very sensitive to the sun. It is like another accessory, too! I did a sunglasses post last year but I wanted to update with my current collection.

Are you an expensive sunglasses person or a cheap sunglasses person? I am a little of both. I really do think quality sunglasses are worth the money. I take better care of them. I keep them in the case. They can last for years and the price per wear goes way down.

I also like trendy sunglasses and tend to buy at least one of these a year.

Last year towards the end of summer I got it in my head that I needed sunglasses with a bee on them. So, for the price of about $12, I found these on Amazon.

I still plan to wear them this summer!

Now let’s talk about my other current favorites.

These are my husband’s RayBans from the 90’s! He still had a receipt in the case that said he bought them in 1996, people. And, that is a glimpse into how my husband takes care of his possessions. He didn’t say I could have them; they are on loan. But, I have now known him for 23 years and he has never worn them in that time!

The next pair are my Mother’s Day gift from maybe 7 years ago. Hub said the square frames looked better on me and they were different. Ray Bans are a classic that never go out of style in my opinion.

The next pair are for when I wear silver. Yes, I like my metals to match. I am kind of weird about that. These are Guess and they were free. My husband’s company let them pick something out of a gift catalog and he didn’t want anything so I chose these and have had them for maybe 5 years. The sides are a pinkish redish.

My new favorites and only pair from 2020 are the Quay Australia Stop and Stare that I bought off of Amazon. Have you heard of Quay? They don’t seem to be as good of quality as Ray Ban, but the quality is decent. They are also about 1/4 of the price.

Two years ago I was really into the colored aviators. These purple ones were cheap – $10 – and I still have them.

The next ones were from a consignment store but are real Ray Bans. I am so sad that I somehow scratched them and they are unwearable now. Anyone know any tricks for fixing scratched lenses that wouldn’t hurt the green tint?

So, I guess I am pretty brand loyal to Ray Ban and I really like wire rims and aviator style.

When TJ Maxx opens, I love to look at their selection. For around $15, you can find really good quality sunglasses – some of them designer.

I am also contemplating prescription sunglasses. Anyone have these?

What is your favorite brand of sunglasses? Favorite style?

Let’s hope that sunny days are ahead, o.k.? I mean that literally and metaphorically!

Amy

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

I thought I would do a very random post today. This is what I would tell you about if we were sitting over a coffee or a cocktail!

From my recent Amazon purchases post…

I decided to return both the kimono silk robe – I want it much more roomy than it was- and the navy romper. The navy romper had a fixed tie and not an adjustable tie. I want to be able to cinch and un-cinch. It was super easy, though, to return both items. I did the request a return, got the QR code, and took it up to my Mailboxes, Etc./UPS store. I wore a mask and I was in and out in less than 3 minutes.

I am kind of proud of myself because I am only keeping things thing are perfect. Before I would just think I could make things work. That led to lots of items that would end in the donation pile.

I am almost finished with the sequel (kind of) to Bromance Book Club. I like the second one better. I say it is kind of a sequel because it just tells the story of peripheral characters from the first one. These are just light hearted easy reading with some PG-13 parts if that bothers you. They are set in Nashville which I liked. Weird fact about me: I get nervous if I don’t have a next book to read. I don’t currently have another book to read. I am nervous.

My sister had a Bud Light lime seltzer in a Zoom happy hour a few weeks ago and she said it was good. So, I ordered this variety pack from my last Kroger order.

I have tried black cherry and strawberry and I like them both! I have not tried the mango or the lime.

Are all the hard seltzers controversial, though? I really like the light and refreshing vibe for the summer. It seems like everyone and their brother is coming out with a line of these. I would say these are almost the same taste as the Corona seltzers that I had last time.

A pretty new follow for me on Instagram is Cattle Baron in Cashmere. I think I heard about her from Big Mama/Melanie Shankle. She has product recommendations, recipes, and funny memes. It is almost like the content of a blog in an Instagram story. I have been laughing out loud at the memes she finds and puts in her stories. You really need to follow her! If you don’t have an Instagram, you should get one. I find it to be so much more lighthearted than Facebook. I also have a Twitter but I find it really boring. I regularly get rid of the app. I tried Snapchat a few years ago and it’s not for me. I have enough social media with Facebook and Instagram.

Remember how I told you I wanted to play around with cocktail recipes with my new strawberry Fresca? I think I’m going to try a spiked strawberry lemonade! Doesn’t that sound good? Also, my SIL and I drank blueberry lemonade cocktails in Hilton Head several years ago from the beach bar – yum! I can do that, too.

Did you jump on the Facebook avatar trend? I did it out of boredom this weekend. I never made a bitmoji of myself, so this was my first time doing something like this. It was fun to choose all of the features but the features were pretty limited and I’m pretty sure I just gave my description to a Russian bot that is coming after me. I wish I could achieve her hair volume.

Back to Instagram and a very important topic…

I tried an Instagram filter and I want these eyelashes now. I was born with stubby lashes. I have been sharing my opinion about how I can’t understand the eyelash trend but I think it was because I was salty. I am now thinking about trying a treatment. My friend says the Rodan and Fields is really good. Any other recommendations out there that don’t cost as much as my first car? My first car cost $800 in case you were wondering.

Today I am teaching 3 live classes. I will try to put on earrings. If you put on your blue light blocking glasses and lipstick you can get away with no other makeup.

What would you tell me if we were sitting at a table with coffee or a cocktail?

I miss sitting at a table with a coffee or a cocktail!

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Monday, May 18, 2020

How is it going in your neck of the woods? I think lots of you are finished with school? This is our last full week and then we technically have school for two more days after Memorial Day. This week I have scheduled myself for lots of live classes to say goodbye, wrap things up, and to do a final push before my AP Spanish students take their exam on Friday. I’m so nervous! Also, it is time to start looking at final grades and planning for summer school and even next year. But, there are still so many unknowns and I don’t feel like I can wrap my head around that until I get closure on this year. As far as staying healthy at home, not much has changed here yet, but on Friday our restaurants can open to 33% capacity if spread out by 6 feet and our patios can open. We can also start socializing carefully in groups of 10.

I don’t think much will change for me until June at the very earliest. I will still be working until May 28. I am fine with continuing to do grocery pick up and getting once a week take out. I am fine with socializing at a distance outdoors only. What about you?

I am happy to link up today with Heather at My Glittery Heart so go here if you would like to read more blogs!

Here are a few highlights from my weekend…

On Friday my Walmart Better Homes and Gardens bench/storage ottoman arrived. Hub had to put it together and he said it was easy. I was pleased with the look and the size of it. Today the rest is supposed to be here!

I have no more photos from Friday but I did cook dinner at home – barbecue sandwiches, mac and cheese and salad.

Saturday morning I ran to Kroger to get just 5 things. I didn’t do a grocery pick up last week in an attempt to shop my freezer and pantry. I got the wonderful pimento cheese and found strawberry Fresca! I have plans to play around with some cocktails with this flavor.

This is the other half of our watermelon from last weekend’s farmer’s market. I cannot tell you how much more delicious this watermelon was than any I have had from the grocery store. It was only $5, too!

Ernie got a shower because his river swim Saturday left a very stinky dog!

Saturday afternoon I tried an attempt on a strawberry margarita on the rocks. I don’t have a good blender but I have had thoughts about getting a frozen margarita machine. That’s what the pandemic does to you. I did strawberry pulp, tequila, lime juice, a bit of lemonade powder and then the Fresca. The Fresca is unsweetened so I needed the powder for sweetness. I may try a take on the Sonic cherry limeade but make it a strawberry limeade?

Saturday night we got take out fish and took it to our friends’ patio and stayed far away. It was nice but we didn’t stay long and came home and feel asleep on the patio.

Sunday morning I had coffee on the deck as the sun came up.

Sunday was laundry, fridge clean out, dishes, cleaning, lots of school work for me, and then the rest of the day was just lazy on the patio. The boys had some homework due at midnight and Tom took a 27 mile bike ride and then mowed the lawn so he earned a lazy couple of hours on the patio.

I had a 2:00 coffee on the patio while it lightly rained.

I filled the bird feeders and got a kick out of this squirrel hanging upside down to eat my bird seed. I have really become one with nature.

My 12 year old niece started a blog and her first post came out on Sunday, too. Check her out! She has really started cooking and baking a lot and it amazes my sister how she can come up with something just based on what she finds in the pantry or fridge. She is the same one from my Friday Favorites that I told you about.

I hope you had a good one!

What was your highlight?

Anything coming up for you this week?

Amy

Friday, May 15, 2020

Are you ready for a major hodge podge of favorites this week? Linking up with Andrea, etc. right here.

How was your week? Are many of you finishing up the distance learning school year? My friends in town with kids in the private schools are. We go until May 27 so it doesn’t seem that close even though I know it really is.

This week I did a Hello Monday post, a Tuesday post about Outdoor spaces, a Wednesday post about recent Amazon purchases, and a Thursday post about last summer’s favorite clothing. So, many of my favorites today are updates on those posts.

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you to Jen of www.showmeandsweettea.com. When I showed my Wayfair pick that is currently out of stock she reminded me about the Better Homes and Gardens line at Walmart. I know this isn’t a great photo and I haven’t seen it with my own eyes yet, but I chose this set (Tom liked it, too.) It is two chairs with pull out ottomans. I thought this was a cool feature and we would push them in when not in use. It also comes with a table.

I decided to also get the matching storage bench/ottoman.

The storage bench comes today! and the rest is supposed to come Monday. We still don’t have the railing material in and we have to do one more coat of the stain but I am excited for this to come together. I will miss my anti-gravity lounger but I am sure I can still use it.

Majorly shifting gears… Do you love Nothing Bundt Cakes? If you have never tried one, you must! A few weeks ago my 19 year old niece who likes to bake sent me this recipe that she found on Pinterest. It starts with a cake mix and you just add instant pudding powder, eggs, sour cream, oil, and water. You are supposed to also add chocolate chips but I didn’t have the mini kind it called for and then I forgot to add big ones. I know I didn’t do a great job with the icing, but this tasted so good and so similarly moist to the real thing!

Our weather wasn’t great this week on Monday-Wednesday, but I sat outside in my little covered corner to read and drink a Paloma one afternoon.

I know a lot of parents are going to be struggling to make this summer feel like summer. We almost always had a pool membership but even when we did I liked to have some water toys for the yard. I came across this cool sprinkler thing at on Instagram and thought I would share. I have a feeling the water toys are going to go quickly. And, you know what? Most kids would think this was just as fun as going to the pool if not more fun. Maybe you can have socially distanced water play in your yard?

I really want some new Birkenstocks and I am thinking white or rose gold. I know that white isn’t that practical but who wants to be practical all the time? Look at these Birkenstocks, though for fall maybe? I think this brand is a division of Birkenstock. These could be great teacher shoes!

My 12 year old niece is really becoming quite the baker, too. I love when my nieces are old enough to text. It just adds more fun to our relationship. This was our sweet exchange this week.

I had a fun Facetime with my work friend this week, too. It’s so nice to see faces!

My navy romper came and I am happy with the quality. Check out my Wednesday post for more info. Sorry for the bad photo.

My silk kimono robe came in, too. I think you need to go up at least 2 sizes. I want this a little bit more roomy because it is a robe. But, the quality seems decent. We will see after I wash it!

And, my earrings arrived and they are huge! What do you think? Too big?

My sister said this new movie release on Netflix is hilarious so I plan to watch this with Tom this weekend. Warning – this sister and I and our husbands like slapstick comedy that isn’t too high brow.

What were your favorites?

Do you have any weekend plans?

We are still socially distancing around here but on May 22 (our governor changed it from May 25!) we can be around 10 people! So, if today is May 15, can I be around 5 people? Just kidding!

Thanks for reading!

Amy