Wednesday, April 2, 2025

It’s Wednesday and that means hodgepodge with Joyce!

No foolin’ that my skinny margarita is better than many restaurant margaritas. I plan to have this on hand as well as some other things for outdoor entertaining. Keep a couple of chilled white wines, some nuts, olives, and potato chips.

1. No foolin’! April is here. What’s one fun thing on your April calendar? 

My April calendar is more packed than normal. I am so excited to host an old buddy from Spain and his wife and son. They are staying at my house for two nights so I have a lot of work to do. Then, the following weekend some girls are coming in town for a girls’ weekend and it will be a full one. My kid is in Macbeth -a community Shakespeare performance – both of those weekends so we have to figure out when to see him! Also, we are cleaning out my mom’s house and getting ready for an estate sale, along with talking to a realtor. So, yeah, April is going to be busy. But, I am really looking forward to my two fun weekends. My job is going to get in the way!

2. It’s often said, ‘A fool and his money are soon parted’…what’s the last thing you wasted money on? 

Well, I have been spending money on sneakers. I bought Vejas in the fall for Spain and they turned out to be too narrow. I bought another style of Vejas in the spring and then went and got fitted and found out I need a wide. Vejas run narrow, so they are just not very comfortable. So, I guess I wasted money on sneakers. They aren’t cheap, either.

3.  April 2nd is National DIY day. Are you a do-it yourself kind of person or maybe you’re married to one? If so, what’s the last thing you DIY-ed. If you’re not a DIY-er what’s the most recent job you had to hire someone to complete? 

We do most of our own stuff. We do our own taxes and many of our projects. This is Tom’s project this week. He is replacing all the boards in the deck.

4. Do you eat lamb? If so do you have a favorite dish that calls for lamb? 

I do not. Eddie Otis loves lambie and lambie gigante so much.

5. Do you fit a stereotype in some way? Explain. 

I don’t want to, but I probably look like the stereotypical middle aged high school teacher but then I start rapping or singing my Spanish songs and people are like – ok – she’s not normal.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am using paper plates this week but there are still so many dishes! When you cook a lot, you have a lot of dishes. It’s annoying!

Amy

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

This post is not an April Fool’s joke, nor is it unique. I’m not the first person to talk about this concept, but it is something that has been on my mind lately.

I want to leave space in all areas of my life..

My refrigerator functions best for me when I leave space:

I am not sure if this photo is the best example of leaving space, but this is my current fridge view.

I have to see what I have and I feel like I waste less when I have less.

My closet functions best for me when I leave space:

It’s taken me a long time to realize that less is more in my closet.

I am currently trying to figure out how to best utilize my bins.

I don’t like too much out in my living room or kitchen. I like it to be simply decorated. It’s easier to clean and I want only decor that means something to me, if possible.

I leave space in my calendar, too. I have friends who try to do so much in one day.

I have friends who say they wish they “had time” to read. My question would be are you leaving space in your schedule to read? What are you doing with your time instead?

I also want to leave space for spontaneous plans. People stop asking when you are always busy and can never say yes.

I am pretty routine oriented and that can be my fatal flaw. I hope that I can leave space for changing up the routine.

The other night I was so happy I left space for a phone call. One of my high school buddies called me on my birthday and I was at brunch. We never connected that day and on his birthday I told him I owed him a phone call and he would get one when least expected. So, we played phone tag a couple more times and finally he connected with me one evening last week. I sat on the patio and we laughed our heads off for 45 minutes. Normally I would have been doing my shower and wind down routine but I am so glad I broke from that routine. That phone call was so good for my mental health!

Maybe I am getting away from the point, but in what areas of your life do you leave space?

Amy

Monday, March 31, 2025

How are you on this last Monday of March? I am good! It’s my spring break! I am just staying in town but Tom is off work with me and we are doing some house projects and yard projects. I am happy to link up with Sarah and Holly to share my weekend.

Part of me wanted to plan a trip and part of me thought the decision making would be stressful. Also, I don’t like being with all the spring breakers. Lol.

Vacation is a state of mind, not a place. I will keep reminding myself of that.

Thursday for the last day of school before spring break, I brought the sunny vibes.

I told little boy I would be off work soon.

After school I kicked off the break with my friend Victoria who teaches at another school. We went to Irish Rover and it was lovely.

We had some smoked salmon paté and irish soda bread.

Then, I went home and made spaghetti. I already had the meat done so that made it quick.

I love a slow breakfast at home and here was my Friday breakfast…

I finished this over my breakfast and I loved it!

I decided to give up on the interspecies girl and lochness monster relationship in this book and return it. Not that there is anything wrong with that if it’s your cup of tea. It’s too bad because I love the cover!

I had a fresh stack of requests that I brought home with me.

A healthy mix of non-fiction/self-improvement and fiction. I am not going to Yorkshire, but I saw it on the shelf and loved York, England so thought I would read it.

And, I started this because it was recently recommended in blog land and it was on the new release shelf.

I also went to Marshall’s and Whole Foods. I never go to either, but Whole Foods was amazing! I want to shop there regularly.

Mason had to work late afternoon but was free and wanted to go to his favorite lunch spot.

He always gets a decaf and loves it. He loves how it comes with a Biscoff cookie.

We split the frites and a choripan. And, we still had leftovers. Neither of us were super hungry.

I was going to go get a pedicure but Elizabeth called and wanted to stop by and I quickly pivoted. Eddie Otis doesn’t like her at all. He did calm down.

I was enjoying the patio so much as the weather was just perfection that I said screw it to my toes and made a coffee with a Peep.

For dinner, I made fish tacos with mango salsa. I read on the patio again after dinner.

Saturday morning it was cloudy but so warm.

Our outdoor area is so neglected but we will get to it this week. And, Tom is replacing the patio boards because they are deteriorating. I guess the reclmained wood was too reclaimed.

Tom and EO went to visit Tom’s parents, the kids were working, and I got ready for some friend time.

I went shopping with my friend Jessica at Work the Metal.

Then, we stopped for Greek food and cookies! What could be better?

The pedicure happened Saturday late afternoon and I went with a periwinkle blue that I bought at Marshall’s.

We had a Stoney River Steakhouse gift card so I picked up a Cobb salad to share with Tom…

And these little steak sliders and sides. We split one meal and still had enough for Mason to have a full meal after work.

I bought myself flowers at Whole Foods for less than $6.

I bought a spring magazine, too!

I made another good breakfast of more of a veggie scramble.

EO is either sleeping or transporting his stuffed animals.

Sunday Tom did my returns with me. I had one Amazon and one Old Navy.

It was a gloomy day so I was happy to read more!

And, enjoy some rain…

And, really this kind of sums up my relaxed state right now.

I’ve got some hard stuff going on and coming up, but, for now, I have some of my favorite foods, the ability to watch the sun rise and set, some great library books, my flowers I bought myself, my favorite songs I will sway to (let’s not go too crazy with full out dancing), and I do feel blessed.

Thank you for blessing me with your comments!

Amy

Friday, March 28, 2025

Well, my first favorite is that it is Friday! I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share an eclectic bunch of favorites today. I hope there is a little something for everyone!

I thought this was pretty cool – LL Bean and Free People collaboration or collab as the young kids say…

Now I want a new boat tote.

I am really enjoying seeing all the spring offerings!

Did you all watch With Love, Meghan? I wasn’t a fan. I did, however, read about the shoes she wore to go garden in; apparently they made a big splash. I ordered them! They are Crocs and will replace my rubber Danskos that Eddie Otis snacked on. I like a slip on option for taking him out and that can get wet.

It’s margarita season! I want to remind you of this skinny marg recipe that I got years ago from my sis. Mix 1/3 to 1/2 stick Crystal Light lemonade into a shot of tequila. Add some lime juice if you desire. Top with Fresca. Feel free to do more or less of the ingredients depending on your preferences. Add a lime wedge to make it more professional and fancy. You will be shocked by how good it is.

I also want to remind you of my skinny buffalo chicken dip – mine now – can’t remember where I first saw it:

I used two cans of chicken – like tuna – you can also buy in the pouch now, too. Trust me that it works best with this kind of chicken. Add one laughing cow wedge, 2 tablespoons of non fat plain Greek yogurt, some ranch dressing powder – maybe 1-2 tsp. and a glug of Frank’s hot sauce. I like to heat mine up in the micro. I like it a bit warm. You can add more hot sauce, more ranch powder, more yogurt.

So, yeah, I had buffalo chicken dip, celery, and a skinny marg one day after school this week!

My keychain broke so I bought this and love it so far. I love having a keychain that you can wear on your wrist.

I want to talk about my new favorite lipstick. It was recommended by a reader back in the winter when I was talking about red lips and I have recently realized just how good it is. I have now ordered two more springy colors.

It is the Revlon Colorstay Ultimate liquid lipstick. It goes on so smooth, you can smack your lips together to get more coverage, and it has lasting power. I am super picky about texture. This is great and I think it’s cheaper on Amazon than in the stores. Here are the other colors I ordered. I also did the virtual try on that Amazon offers. Lol. You turn your camera on and it puts the color on your lips.

This is Top Tomato. I ordered Miracle Mauve and Stellar Sunrise.

I picked this mint up from a planning period meeting we had last week because it is the kind of mint my Dad always had and it made me smile. It made me smile again to find it in my school backpack. I swear that these show up in places when I need to see them.

I am so doing this! I put Peeps in my Kroger order. I also have hot chocolate in my order so that would be so fun, too!

Well, that’s about all I have for you today!

What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy

PS – If you are behind in posts, this week I shared:

Hello Monday

Cooking Lately

Hodgepodge

and

Fashion Files

Thursday, March 27, 2025

When the clock hits 3:20 today I will be on spring break! I am linking up today with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files.

I keep wondering how my style will change in retirement but right now I don’t think it will change much. Plus, I do plan to work again after a break. Since the pandemic I have definitely worn more jeans to school. Jeans seem dressy now – hard pants – remember that term? I almost exclusively wear dresses until like October and then switch to jeans and wear jeans or pants until after spring break. That seems to have been my post-pandemic teacher outfit pattern.

I remember my friend Beth getting rid of all of her teacher clothes and then saying she was left with not much. She retired pre-pandemic.

I have been really good to my feet lately so all of my outfits would look better with different shoes.

Let’s go back to last Thursday. I was excited to wear my new Natural Life rainbow cardigan that has Aviator Nation vibes – well, kind of.

Thursday night happy hour I switched to my hot pink cougar blouse, fringe sweater vest, and black booties.

Friday for school I wore my new Aerie tassel sweatshirt.

It was pretty cool out but I added my summery bracelet stack that is really, really old.

Saturday for the baby shower I went to I wore my gold clogs, J.Crew Factory clearance pants, and my new Natural Life black super lightweight blouse. I wore a beige cami underneath.

Sunday for a guitar concert it was cold and rainy so I wore the rainbow cardigan again. I like it better with black underneath.

Monday for school I brought the spring break vibes as it was the last week before break.

Tuesday I had to proctor a test and knew I would be on my feet so it was super comfy.

Our building AC got turned on and it has been very cold outside. Make that make sense. Our building is very cold. I am never cold at school. So, figuring out what to wear has been a challenge.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

It’s Wednesday and that means hodgepodge day with Joyce.

These may be my favorite questions ever for a Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. Spring has officially sprung (in the northern hemisphere anyway)…did she roll in more like a lion or more like a lamb in your neck of the woods? What needs more of your attention in terms of a good spring clean this year-your house or your garden/yard? 

She rolled in like a lion! It was so cold on the first official day of spring! I wasn’t too mad since we have had some great weather. And, I know how fickle spring can be in my area.

Goodness – both! I will be more focused on the house. Can I tell you my excuses? Puppy. Four people living here again. Tom will have to deal with the yard since it’s all I can do to keep up with inside. The kids do help and I leave notes almost everyday. The biggest thing they help with is puppy who requires a lot. Some of the stuff I need to do or want to do. Decluttering is at the top of the list. We have a pretty small house and if I am not careful and let too much in it becomes a problem.

2. What’s put a spring in your step lately? 

Spring clothing! All the color! A few new things!

Less clutter in my closet that enables me to see what I have!

Patio time!

Reading on the patio!

Being intentional to see friends again after a long winter of not much socialization and then the sadness that came with 2025. I saw friends, but not in a fun visiting sort of way. I also have not been able to do much for friends. I have been hanging on by a thread.

3. When you were a kid, what was the best snack to find in your lunchbox? If you didn’t do the lunchbox thing, tell us what was your favorite after school snack. 

I remember discovering string cheese in Wisconsin on vacation. I think we were watching a water skiing show. Cheese and you could “string” it? But, at home we had Little Debbies in our snack drawer. I guess I liked those in my lunch, too. I remember my quarter taped to the top of my lunch box to buy milk. The tape would get crumbs in it and it was gross. This was when lunch boxes were metal.

I still love string cheese but I think Little Debbies are really gross and artificial tasting now. Why did I like them?

4. In what area of your life are you planting seeds ? 

I guess in my relationships but only in the ones that I feel are mutual. For the people that don’t give much to me, I have put them in the peripheral. I think I am getting more like my Dad as I get older in that I don’t need as many people in my social circle but I want those people to be quality people. I am done with toxic relationships or people that don’t mutually check on me. I’m not going to throw anyone away, but I will just not expect much. Does that make sense? I also am trying to understand that people are going through things just like me and it’s not necessarily about their feelings toward you.

This may sound bad, but I will not keep up with many people from work. Not many people said anything to me when my mom passed. You could say it’s on me that I haven’t cultivated work friendships but that is not the case. I get to know as many people as I can and ask about them. I offer help to them. when I can. So, that is fine. It makes it easier. Some people say that elementary and middle schools have more friendly cultures because they are in the trenches together. At a big high school it is easy to be more distant and cliquey perhaps? Also, some subjects think they are superior to others. Ha!

I don’t want to become bitter and I hope this doesn’t have me sounding bitter. I really don’t feel bitter. I am trying to say this in a matter of fact way because that is how I feel.

5. Why do you live where you do? Would you consider living somewhere else? Why or why not? 

I guess you could say I live where I live because it’s close to home or has always felt like home. I was raised in Madison, Indiana and the closest big city was Louisville, Kentucky. We came here for the zoo, for museums, for shopping, for dates, for prom dinner, and more. I went to college near Lexington and then lived there for four years and then was ready for a change and thought Louisville was the answer. Then, I met Tom who was living in Louisville and it all came together to move here.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It’s hard to believe that exactly a year ago we had just said goodbye to Ernie and that we were already looking for a new puppy.

New puppy:

Look at my baby!

We are definitely in love. We miss our Ernie, but we have a new love, too. Their personalities could not be more different. Ernie was the easiest we have had and a bit of a loner. This one wants to be touching one of your body parts at all times.

We just don’t deserve dogs, do we?

Amy

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Friday night we had breakfast for dinner:

I was really scared I wouldn’t get back my brain for meal planning there for a while. After my mom passed away people fed us for a good two weeks. Then, I relied too much on take out because I just didn’t care and couldn’t manage. It was all I could do to get out of bed in the mornings and go through the motions. Finally about three weeks later, I started to want to cook again.

My cobb salad:

When I am in times like this I tend to go for the classics – tacos, spaghetti, a piece of salmon, broccoli, and potatoes. So, that is what I did and it worked. I think I also did fish sticks, mac and cheese, and peas and hot dogs and baked beans. So, it doesn’t always have to be cooking. It can simply be heating up. I also recently made a big cobb salad for our main dish and we loved it.

These are not bad and I think they are better in the air fryer. We use our oven’s air fryer setting.

When I hear or see a recipe that I want to make I type it in my phone memo or screenshot it and that guides me for the next week.

I almost always steal something when I see someone else’s meal plan, so here goes!

Here is my meal plan for this week:

Sunday – gumbo

Monday – spaghetti, Texas Toast, and bagged salad

Tuesday – chicken enchiladas

Wednesday – salmon, brussel sprouts with balsamic and some type of potato

Thursday- leftovers or everyone fend for themselves – at this point we should have gumbo and enchiladas left

For lunch, I have those bagel slims and I am putting garden vegetable cream cheese on it with tomato, cucumber, shredded carrots, pickles and lettuce. Erica liked it the last time I brought it and it is a very common lunch for me in the summer.

Other lunches are gumbo leftovers, spaghetti leftovers, and that’s all we need because we just have 3 lunches to do this week. We are ordering lunch one day for the co-worker who is having a baby. I told Erica I would do them all this week because she is taking kids to Cuba from our school and has a lot to do. She fed me lunch for 3 weeks after my mom died! So, we try to help each other out.

Next up:

Things with roasted cauliflower

fish tacos with mango salsa – you want to talk about a restaurant quality recipe?

asparagus fries that Jen shared!

buying us a new grill!

I am excited to change up foods to more springy meals, too.

What have you been cooking lately? Anything you want to cook?

Amy

Monday, March 24, 2025

It’s Monday and it’s the last week before Spring Break for me! I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share my weekend.

Let’s go back to Thursday. Have you made any new friends lately? It’s pretty hard in your 50s, no? Well, I have always talked and been friendly with my principal’s administrative assistant. I taught one of her kids before she worked at my school and she is maybe a year or two older than me. She keeps my school running and she has great style. Well, we talked about doing a happy hour and adding in her neighbor who I also kind of know. I also taught one of her kids. We made it happen on Thursday night.

We went to Steak and Bourbon for their 5-7 happy hour and I was a little nervous just since I didn’t know the other lady very well.

We had the butter candle, of course! We spent two hours chatting and there wasn’t an awkward moment. It’s daunting to take an acquaintance to the next level, though.

Friday was an easy day at school because all the juniors were involved in a junior ring ceremony and then they could sign out.

I came home, rested, and then did a big breakfast for dinner that included grits. Tom loves grits and almost always complains about restaurant grits. He doesn’t want cheese. He’s a grits purist.

I watched – don’t judge – Farmer Wants a Wife Friday night. Lol. It made me chuckle.

Saturday morning – my favorite day of the week! Ahhhhhh – I move slowly, piddle around, and just see where the wind takes me most Saturday mornings. I have been going to get a spray tan around 10 or 11 after I shower. I get medium clear and this time I remembered to cover my face. I ask for another hair net. I think the tan face brings out my melasma and doesn’t look good. Pretty scary!

I did a Kroger pick up. I have been doing them like two times a week. I just can’t get all my shizz together for a whole week.

Then, Tom and I went to a couples baby shower for my co-worker. She taught my kids Spanish 2, also! So, we have worked together for a long time. She looked gorgeous and the cake was amazing.

I had some time on the sunny patio and I am reading this Nicholas Sparks and it sucked me in. I haven’t read one of his in a while. The man can write a story.

Someone asked what devotional book I am reading right now. I found this brand new on a shelf at my mom’s house. My last devotional book made me mad at something I took as extremely chauvinistic. It makes me happy to use something of my mom’s anyway.

Sunday morning was cold but I braved it anyway…

I did my Easter decor and started gumbo. I got the recipe my French teacher colleague gave me and it turned out perfect to simmer on a rainy Sunday.

We went to a classical guitar recital of Jack’s teacher as a family. All four of us in one car!

We came home and I made this to go with the gumbo:

I read a bit more and then I thought I needed to get out before my Sunday ended. I got gas, cash, and went to the mall. Anthro has lots of lemon stuff.

And that’s a wrap!

What was the highlight of your weekend? I hope you had a good one!

Amy

Friday, March 21, 2025

We are still almost a week away from Spring Break! Well, we have four days next week. Both of my sisters are heading into their well-deserved spring breaks today so I am happy for them.

We are trudging along over here. School has not been easy. I wonder if this is God’s way of saying I am doing the right thing by calling this my last year. It’s pretty hard to retire – they need a copy of my social security card, Tom’s social security card, my birth certificate, Tom’s birth certificate, and our marriage license. There is a lot of paperwork to fill out. Unfortunately, I can’t just do my favorite type of good-bye – the Irish good-bye.

Let’s link up for Friday Favorites with Andrea and Erika.

This soda bread is so good and so easy! I have enough buttermilk left to do another loaf so I think I might just do that this weekend! Also, if you don’t have buttermilk there is a regular milk and vinegar trick you can do.

If you have never made bread before, this would be a good first one to make. It ain’t sourdough, but it’s got a really nice rich flavor and you hardly need butter. But, Kerrygold butter makes it even more amazing.

Here is Jen’s recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 c. unsifted flour
• 2 Tblsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 Tblsp butter, softened
• 1/2 c. raisins
• 1 c. buttermilk

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Grease cookie sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
• Cut butter in with pastry blender or fork until crumbly.
• Add raisins.
• Add buttermilk; mix with fork only until moist.
• Turn out onto floured board. Knead 1 minute until smooth. Shape into a ball. Flatten into 7 inch(ish!) circle (about 1/2 inch thick)
• Press floured knife 1/2 through the bottom; do again at right angle into quarters.
• Bake 30-40 minutes until golden brown & hollow sound when tapped.
• Cool on wire rack, brush top with melted butter & dust with flour if desired.

I leave the raisins out. No thank you – I prefer my grapes in liquid form, not shriveled form!

If you are in the mood for cheesy, here it is. This chick takes Spanish cooking lessons in the movie. I did some “jejeje” – that is a chuckle in Spanish.

Totally random but I just can’t hate social media. I have been messaging with my old buddy. I babysat this guy a lot during the summer when he was six years old. He lived across the street from me and he was my little buddy, too. He just got the cutest little puppy named Sherman.

If used correctly, social media keeps us connected to people we care about, that we share a history with, you know?

I did two lunches this week for my meal prep partner and I. The first was simply the Irish leftovers! The second was the lemon arugula bagged salad from Trader Joe’s and the lemon chicken breast that is already cooked from Trader Joe’s. Erica loved it.

Erica is really sad that I am retiring but she is happy for me. I have told her I will bring lunch to her window.

Baby got neutered and chipped this week. Here he is all groggy.

Sleepy boy with Daddy.

Ok, I will tell you that I called it the “chip and chop”. He bounced right back and we are trying to keep him calm now.

Monday and Tuesday were beautiful here.

A little rose on a Tuesday?

Highly recommend! I am not sure why I enjoyed this book so much but I did.

Then, I started this…I simply adore the hot pink boots and title font. It’s set in Scotland, too! I think something is happening that I am not sure I can read. Scroll to the next photo if you don’t want a spoiler.

I am pretty sure the love interest guy is a lochness monster that changes back and forth from man to monster. I don’t know that Amy can do that. That’s too weird.

You are safe now if you scrolled…You see this view a lot, but it is a favorite.

Baby being calm.

I tried something really, really delish this week. Have you heard of the Pineapple Dragonfruit lemonade from CFA? The order taker at the drive thru told me there was both diet and regular, but the diet I ordered was pretty sweet. So, he could have been mistaken.

It is really yummy. I will get this again!

I have certain brands I really love and stand by. One of those is Reef. Should I get these for summer?

I mean – it says “from coffee to cocktails”!

For the brands I really like I go directly to their website and look around. Most of the retailers that sell them only scratch the surface of what they offer and sometimes the website offers a nice first time discount.

My list of favorites is pretty short this week!

What was a favorite of yours?

Amy

Thursday, March 20, 2025

It’s Thursday and Fashion day with Kellyann and Jill!

Can we now say I have gotten my money’s worth from my three pairs of wide leg Halaras? Who is tired of hearing the word HALARA? What about my new wide New Balances?

Let’s go back to last week. I think this was Thursday and I wore this white Old Navy ribbed long sleeve tee under and old consignment kimono/poncho thing.

I can’t remember what I wore Friday and I forgot to take a photo!

Saturday night I wore:

Monday I wore the black Halaras, white tank, and old green/white Loft button up.

Tuesday I wore my new Natural Life tee. I feel like I look like a toddler. Does this outfit come in a 3T?

I thought the t-shirt material would be thicker, but I do like it and received a lot of compliments on it.

I was comfortable!

What have you worn lately?

Do you have a favorite outfit?

Amy