Thursday, November 8, 2018

Monday night a fun co-worker agreed to go to a Thanksgiving big batch cocktail making class with me!  For $15 we learned how to make 5 cocktails and came home with print outs of the recipes.  It was held at a cute local whiskey and wine store.  We also got to drink the cocktails – duh!

I will be honest.  None of the cocktails could top my spiked apple cider.  Again, my recipe for a single serving is 1 oz. bourbon, 1 oz. Fireball, about 1/2 cup apple cider and shake really well.  Pour into glass with ice and top with ginger ale or sparkling apple Ice drink or sparkling apple cider or sprite.  I like a little fizz with my cocktails.  You can also put chunks of apples in the drink.

We both agreed that our favorite of the night was the ginger snap cocktail.  Here is just a single serving:

1 oz. apple vodka

1 oz. ginger liqueur

1 oz. lemon juice

a squirt of agave syrup

peeled and grated fresh ginger

dash of cinnamon

dash of grated nutmeg

lemon peel for garnish

dash of bitters

Shake all together and pour into cocktail glass.

Now, my problem with the recipes we learned is that they are too complicated and require specialty ingredients.  I bet I could recreate this with easier ingredients.  Also, the ginger was a bit strong, so I think I would reduce that a bit.  It really did taste like a ginger snap cookie, though.

He did tell us that you do not want to make these too far in advance because the flavors will meld together in a bad way.

Do you have a signature Thanksgiving cocktail or do you just open a bottle of wine?  I am definitely more of a bourbon cocktail girl at this time of year.

Thanks for reading!

Amy

Monday, November 5, 2018

I’m not really minding you today, Monday!  We have a teacher work day from 7:30-2:30 and then we are off Tuesday for election day.  I have a packed day, but it’s mostly good stuff.  Tonight I’m taking a Thanksgiving big batch cocktail class!  I can’t wait!

Friday was my birthday and my personal day!  

So, I took advantage of the red cup deal on Friday.  You got this cup for free with a holiday beverage so I got a creme brulee latte.  Then, you take this cup back for 50cents off drinks after 2 until January, I think.  

I know this is kinda gross, but I love biscuits and gravy a handful of times a year and McDonald’s are really good in my opinion.  I watched tv and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.  

I put out a few Thanksgiving decorations.

I got my hair cut and colored for the first time since April.  

This was a last minute deal, but it was so fun!  My two college besties who both live in my city were able to meet me for lunch.  Afterwards I did a little shopping, including my 50% Kendra Scott store birthday treat.  You all, what a deal.  You can pick one item in your birth month and there’s even a grace period of 3 days into the next month.  I love Kendra even more now.  I will show you what I picked Wednesday.  

Saturday was dinner and a comedy improv show.  I had an old fashioned.  

I enjoyed some patio reading both Saturday and Sunday.  Sunday was our family photo shoot.  We got lucky and had sun before it got cloudy.  

I got out my favorite tea.  

I started this book and couldn’t put it down.  Go get it now!  

So, those are the highlights!  

Have a great Monday!

Amy 

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Happy November!  

I compiled some random stuff/thoughts on a Thursday just for fun.

Tomorrow we get to see Jennifer Welch and hopefully her friends again from Sweet Home Alabama.  I love most Bravo shows and I found these friends to be super endearing.  This sounds like more of a design show this time.

I had some of my Spanish students do a childhood presentation.  I like to model things for them so I did my own before they did theirs.  Here is a picture of me, my Dad, and my Mom.  Look at the hairstyle on my mom!  This was before my sisters entered the picture.  

I also shared that I collected bottle caps as a child.  How weird, right?  I had friends and cousins that did this, too, and we would trade with each other.  Look at these old glass bottle caps and look at the Tab!  

I ordered Papa Murphy’s take and bake for Halloween.  It’s a jack o’lantern!

During my almost weekly TJ’s stop this week I found something that goes under the category of “bad ideas”… Turkey Stuffing flavored kettle chips.  No, I did not buy these!  

A friend and I signed up for this class below at a locally owned liquor store.  I’m super excited.  For the last several years, I have been making my apple cider sangria or spiked cider for Thanksgiving, but I’m anxious to learn some new fall cocktails.  I don’t host a Thanksgiving dinner, thankfully, but I’m known to bring a portable bar.  The class is on Monday night and we don’t have school on Tuesday due to election day, so I’m excited to go out on a Monday!  The time changes Sunday so it will be pitch dark when this class starts!  I will be sure to share what I learn on the blog.

Thanks for reading my random round up!

Amy 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Do you regularly schedule family photos?  I wish I would’ve hired a professional photographer sooner.  Our first session was when our boys were 10.  Before that we just did the walk in studio places.  I feel that there is a big difference in what you get. 

I love to put the finished product on these canvases that I order from Costco.  

This photo totally captured their personalities at the time.  

This is our most recent from two years ago.  Be still my heart.  

I have a motto (I have many mottos, but here is one of them):  “You will never regret paying for professional photographs; you will only regret not paying for professional photographs.”

Seriously, I treasure these photos.  

When my husband asked what I wanted for my birthday this year I told him I wanted a photo session.  My boys got their braces off this year and it’s been two years since our last one.  We didn’t send a Christmas card last year, sadly, because I didn’t have a good photo.  I’m still sad about it, because I frame all of our Christmas card photos for a little vignette I display on our hall table.  

Reasons to schedule a session:  

–You have your holiday cards done

-You can give grandparents photo gifts

-You will treasure these photos

-A professional will capture your family way better than most can do on their own

Tips for Family Photos:  

The above photos were captured by my very talented former student Laura Coppelman of Laura Coppelman Photography.  She is now located in Asheville but makes regular photography trips to Kentucky and to Miami, where she used to live.  Some of my advice comes from her.

-Think solids rather than bold prints or patterns.  You want the focus to be on the subjects’ faces and not on their clothing.  

-Don’t worry about being too matchy matchy as a family.  We went with fall colors of orange, green, mustard the first time and we went with burgundy and grey the second time, but we didn’t over think it.  I don’t even think I bought anything new.  

-Choose a spot that means something to your family.  The first photos are from a historic home where we often visited and did hiking.  We wanted a country feel.

-The second photo is from a urban area in our city.  It has cool murals and we thought it would be a cool background.  

-Laura loves the early morning or early evening light.  Lighting is important.  But, the most important is to take your kids when they are rested and not hungry.  I would say schedule trumps lighting.  So, don’t take teens out at 8 a.m. and don’t take babies out at nap time.

What have I forgotten?  Thoughts? 

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Monday, October 29 2018

How was your weekend?  Ours was low key and now that we have kids this old, we really don’t have any Halloween activities anymore, but I remember how busy the weekend before the holiday was! 

On Friday at school, two of my classes had their “cultural experience” which is my educational term for food day.  They have to make something authentic from a Spanish speaking country.  Look at this spread!  

I talked about Pioneer Woman Barbie on Friday in my post so here is my Spanish teacher Barbie still in package that is on display in my classroom.  I swear I wore this exact outfit in the 90s!  Maybe it really is modeled after me!  

I was exhausted Friday after school, but one son had a chili supper for his theater.  The other son and I did the Frankfort Ave. Hop and sampled some things at Bourbon Barrel Foods.  This would be a great place to do your holiday shopping.  We also went in Carmichael’s Bookstore and ate at The Caspian Grill.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and we went back and picked the other son up and headed home around 8:45.

My husband was supposed to come but our dog got sprayed by a skunk Friday morning. I bathed him twice after school to no avail and my husband was bathing him again with special shampoo after he got home from work. I tried Dawn and baking soda which helped a bit. I felt so bad that he had to stay outside all day in the rain. He had a covered patio, but still. He was shivering during his baths. That skunk smell is no joke!

I finished this book on Saturday.  I really liked it.  It wasn’t what I expected.  My boys had friends over from 1-7 so one of us felt like we had to be home all day to supervise.  It was kind of nice to sit on the patio and not be out running around. When the friends left, we had Mexican take out.  

I decided the scent is a little strong for indoors, so I’m burning this outside.  Love it for outdoors!

I love this jacket and needed it for a walk with pup on Sunday morning.  I love my hat and these 99cents gloves from Target, too.  

I read the Sunday paper on the patio later.  

While boys did homework, our Sunday Funday activity (hub and I) was to go to restuarant on river for “pumpkin chunkin'” for charity.  They slung pumpkins at targets in the river.  

Some people came by boat and you can see the targets which were inflatable rafts in the water.  The people who could come by boat were the ones with heaters and inside areas on their boats!  

We sat by the fire and listened to some music.  It was very relaxing.  

You can see pieces of pumpkin in this photo.

We returned home and I watched two episodes of The Romanoffs.  Is anyone watching this?  It’s on Amazon Instant video that comes with prime membership.  It’s very interesting and I plan to keep watching!  

That’s about it other than a couple of trips to the grocery and some laundry and cleaning.  I have a personal day on Friday so I’m excited about having a four day week.  But, those four days will be busy and a little crazy I’m sure.

Hope you have a great Monday!

Amy 

Friday, October 26, 2018

Happy Friday all!  I’m linking up with Andrea, etc.  for Friday Favorites.  Click here to explore some of the others!  

Here are just a few favorites!

Pioneer Woman Barbie is coming out!  Would kids know who she is?  Is it true that you have made it in life when you have a Barbie made of yourself?  Guess what, I have a Spanish teacher Barbie that I bought 20 years ago – o.k., so it’s not me per se, but still!  I will show you soon!  It just cracks me up that they made a Spanish teacher Barbie.  I’m probably the only one who bought one!

My body does not really allow for a jumper, but I saw this and thought some of you could rock this for the hoiidays!  What do we think?  My only advice is, stay dehydrated.  Do not have to use the restroom or you will have to uncomfortably strip all the way down to potty.  

I took 71 well dressed kids on a field trip Wednesday.  It was a fun day!

I splurged and bought a book last weekend.  Have you read Colleen Hoover?  I’m liking this newest book by her so far.  

If you are local to Louisville, there is a Fat Friday Hop where all the stores are open late on Frankfort Avenue.  Go in Bourbon Barrel Food and The Wine Rack.  Bourbon Barrel will have Old Forester punch and The Wine Rack will have a Samuels Family representative – they are the Maker’s Mark people.  These are so fun, especially if the weather is nice.  I’m hoping to stop by on our way to a chili supper. 

While in the bookstore last weekend, I also saw this book.  Last winter I was all about hygge. Is this Finnish Way the new hygge?  If so, you heard it here first.  I love books like this.  I didn’t buy it, but it is on my list.  

So, that’s it!  I have not done any clothes shopping since my Old Navy order here and my consignment finds here.

Wishing you a wonderful Halloween weekend!

Amy