Monday, November 10, 2025

How was your weekend? Let’s link up with Holly and Sarah to find out about mine!

You guys!!! This is my neighbor’s tree, and the sun has been hitting it just right this week. Isn’t this gorgeous? I know people talk about leaf peeping trips and country drives and cabins in the woods – and I do, too – but there is so much beauty around us in our everyday lives, too. I am so thankful to live amongst this beauty!

Starting from Thursday, here is my weekend…

I treated myself to a “running errands coffee” and decided to make it iced…

Here is what I did. It needs more of some type of milk, but it was good and I will definitely get it again. I appreciate the people that come up with these lower calorie swaps!

I want to try this one, too!

I picked up two books from the library!

This one:

And, this one:

I didn’t know who Caroline Chambers was, but someone recommended this. I have not connected with a cookbook like this in forever. There are so many things I want to cook, you guys! Here is her website. Her recipes look like things we like to eat (for the most part), don’t contain crazy ingredients (or too many ingredients), and she offers lots of “riffs”. It just is very approachable. I have been feeling very uninspired in the kitchen lately so I am hoping this is my remedy.

I love these indices in the back:

What to cook when… you want something healthy, you’re craving something cozy, etc.

She also has them organized by protein but encourages protein swaps.

I love reading cookbooks cover to cover like they are a novel!

Tom worked so hard last week and into the weekend. I am amazed at all he got done. He redid the fence – just has a little section left.

He filled this dumpster with old patio boards, carpet, and garage things and topped it off with our leaves.

Friday morning, I had a breakfast date with my friend Beth. We tried a new place called Grale Goods and it was so good!

I came home to Tom and assistant Eddie Otis taking a break…

Tom would not like me showing you his dome.

I read outside for a bit – fall vibes book – with my tea and candle.

I watched some of the work…and went and helped Tom with some of the things that the thumbless EO was not good at like holding a tape measure. I also brought a sandwich out for them. See, I helped?

My friend Heather picked me up for this holiday open house late Friday afternoon. We had so much fun looking at the holiday decor and gifts and getting lots of tastes of wine and nibbles. It was hopping with more middle-aged ladies than you thought possible.

Then, we had a drink and dinner in a cool lounge…

I had a power bowl:

I came home to this:

I noticed this on socials. This is a street by my house and a coffee/donut place I shared about recently:

Saturday, I did some housework and I gave Tom the day off to go hiking with his friend so I had to solo parent Eddie Otis.

At 6:00 we went to our friends’ house and I had an excellent spicy marg with just the ingredients shown below:

Our friends made Philly cheesesteak sandwiches on their Blackstone along with onion rings in their air fryer before we went to a concert.

Their dog Luna:

The concert didn’t start until 8:00 so I was nervous. I think it’s my favorite concert venue in Louisville now and it’s called Paristown Hall. It’s in a cool fixed up area.

We bought the cheap seats which actually are the best in the house. I thought it was standing room only in the balcony, but they had high tables and chairs and couches. It was awesome!

We saw The Wood Brothers and a duet opener from Ireland that we really liked.

Sunday, I made some banana bread because we had lots of brown bananas.

We got home late Saturday night, and I didn’t sleep in, so I was pretty tired and lazy much of the day. I did manage to plan some meals, order groceries, finish laundry, organize my closet, and piddle around a bit. The weather turned cold yesterday and we might have snow as you are reading this! Eek! Too soon! But, it should be back to the 60s by the weekend.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, November 7, 2025

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from the week.

This week has been different for me because Tom has been off. Originally, we were going to take a week-long trip, then we were going to just take an overnight, then Tom was going to go on an overnight hiking trip with his friend, and then it turned into staying at home and getting a dumpster. The least fun option of all of the things.

Non-sexy dumpster:

Let’s see some favorites from the week from the mundane to the more exciting…

I am enjoying the oatmilk creamers more and this is a new fave for sure – sugar cookie! I’m finding that the oatmilk foams up really well in my frother. I found mine at Target rather than Kroger.

It was time for some veg after a sugary weekend. I made spaghetti squash, brussels sprouts, and potatoes with cajun oven baked cod:

I made roasted broccoli and tri color carrots with chicken and rice:

I’ve been enjoying Mason’s gift to me in my window:

And, my SIL’s gift to me on the mantel:

I love bees! Well, in decor more than in real life, but they are super important in real life.

I have enjoyed my burgundy press on mani:

My two new pairs of Target shoes:

I talked about them in yesterday’s Fashion Files.

I saw these at Walmart Neighborhood Market and bought them. Yum!

My sister Molly sent me this awesome scalloped marble cheese board or decorative board:

these cocktail napkins:

and this book:

Love! She knows me!

I bought clearance Halloween paper plates and have enjoyed giving myself the gift of less dishes this week:

hot tea in the late morning or afternoon:

We ran out of this, but I included it in my Kroger order and I realized how much I love it:

I put a little squirt of this in my tea most of the time:

I finished this book this week and it’s deeper than you might think by the cover. I enjoyed it!

The reason for the dumpster…we had the old patio wood sitting here since April and Tom wanted to replace all the fencing. On Monday he went and got all the new fencing materials and then started disassembling the old fence. It’s a blessing and a curse to be handy. It’s either your time or your money.

Eddie Otis was the supervisor. I watched this dog walk with Tom for each and every board that he threw in the dumpster. It was so cute. Tom is really good about letting him be outside with him while he works. If EO feels like he is missing out stuck inside it’s not a good situation.

Little EO was outside with Tom from 8:00 am until about 4:00 pm helping him do all the work he did. I think EO only took one indoor nap break in all that time. He was so stinking tired at 4:00 and immediately fell asleep and started snoring. It was so cute.

I had a nice little happy hour at home with Mason- sauvignon blanc, Spanish serrano ham, classic potato chips, baguette – a la Spaniards. Mason had cabernet sauvignon as he is more of a red wine person.

Wednesday morning was an exciting time. We had tree people working outside to dig out some old stumps and Tom and I ripped up nasty 30-year-old carpet in our living room. This carpet has seen some stuff. Into the dumpster it went. Tom also took the opportunity to clean out the garage.

We are replacing it with darker engineered hardwood like in our bedroom eventually but it’s a vast improvement.

So, our reward for the hard work was the final boat ride of the season. It’s time to winterize with the temps dipping really low soon.

We generally do our first boat ride and last boat ride just the two of us. I took my apple cider sangria with me and we had a nice little ride.

I stopped by a cute little market on the way home called Haymarket and then we decided to order Pad Thai and watch Chad Powers. We are eating at like 5:00 because of DST and our bodies being slightly messed up! It’s 6:30 and I feel like it’s 10 pm!

What were some of your favorites this week?

Amy

Thursday, November 6, 2025

First of all, I must mention the tragedy that befell my city of Louisville, Ky on Tuesday late afternoon.

I am 9.3 miles from the airport. I was sitting outside reading and saw little black clouds and wondered if it was going to rain. Then, I heard about the incident from friend Heather. UPS is our largest employer (26,000 employees) and a big part of our community. A cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff and at least 7 lives were lost and 11 were injured. We had a shelter-in-place command until they could get ahold of the situation.

Please pray for all affected.

There is no way to segue gracefully into linking up with Kellyann and Jill.

Last Thursday I wore this to a wine bar with my friend Beth S. The sweater is old from Loft and I am wearing Halaras and my brown clogs. I had a really bad blister and had to keep choosing open backed shoes. The Halaras got a hole in the hem (about 1/2 inch from the bottom) and I cut them off. I think I will need to get them professionally hemmed because it doesn’t look great.

Pre-cutting them off:

Again, I had to wear the open backed shoes and I am wearing my new Land’s End stripe track pants, a white shirt, and a vest. This was Saturday running errands outfit.

The pants:

They come in short length! They are super soft. They run big. I would size down one to two sizes. I sized down one but wish I had sized down two.

Saturday night I wore my striped jeans with a plain white old Costco Lucky brand sweater and my new birthday money Mary Janes.

I did it; I bought the Target cow print! They are really nice quality and comfy. I know I usually try not to buy Target shoes but there are exceptions to my rule.

I decided to keep the leopard vest. It’s so cute! Is it flattering on me? Probably not. Also, I debated if I needed to size down but ultimately thought that would be too snug.

I wore this on my birthday to breakfast and to a beer garden. So easy to throw on over black!

For my birthday night, I wore this. It would have looked better with black pumps, but my black pumps just can’t hold a candle to my tan ones – comfort speaking. These are Chico’s pants (consignment new with tags), my fall short sleeved boutique blouse, and my Amazon scalloped cardigan.

Another birthday gift:

Target mules

Well, that’s it for my fashion this week!

What have you been wearing?

Amy

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Today I am linking up with Jenn for Currently and Joyce for Hodgepodge. Let’s go!

Currently loving…

The season we are in. I am really trying to savor it and enjoy it.

I love a yard full of leaves! We are team “leave them alone for a long time” over here. It warmed up a bit on Monday, and I was able to enjoy the sunshine and the view.

Either Tom or I have been turning on the patio lights with Alexa in the mornings. This is Eddie Otis waiting for Tom to come out the side garage door after returning home from the gym at 6:15. Every morning I think how beautiful it looks.

I’m also loving thoughtful gifts…

Mason gave me this for my birthday along with a headache hat you keep in the freezer:

Jack gave me a replacement bird feeder with squirrel defense to replace my feeder that was 25 years old and broken. Awwww!

Currently looking forward to…

I’m one of those people that doesn’t like to rush the Christmas season. I like to stay in fall and Thanksgiving mode. Sometimes I decorate the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so that – poof – after Thanksgiving it is a Christmas wonderland.

I am looking forward to cozy time at home with my family and some of the aspects of the holiday. I need to work on my holiday bucket list! I stopped my fall list at Thanksgiving.

The holiday open houses literally star now!

Currently smelling…

I love smelling the remnants of a fire and we have a neighbor with an indoor/outdoor fireplace. I usually smell it on the early morning playground walks with EO. Such a good smell!

I’m also smelling my vanilla pumpkin candle right now!

Currently preparing for…

I have already started shopping a bit. I have my ideas written down. I have already bought advent calendars and pajama pants.

Currently thankful for…

So much. I guess most on my mind is that we got an offer on my mom’s house and hopefully the process will go smoothly. The inspection report is due back any time now.

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you’re looking forward to? 

I am looking forward to a couple of nights out – a dinner, a concert, and I hope to go to all the fun holiday open houses in different shopping centers and neighborhoods.

2. Dictionary.com’s word of the year is ‘6-7’. Huh? 

This may be dumber than “skibidi Ohio” and I am so glad I retired before the kids started saying this in school. It would have been fun to say “seis siete” once maybe. The high school kids might not have been as bad as middle schoolers with saying “6-7”, though.

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it’s meaning because apparently I’m old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it’s a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

I have lost all respect for dictionaries everywhere that are accepting this. No wonder we are dumbing down society.

What do you think? 

Dictionary. com says it’s selection each year is a ‘linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by ‘6-7’. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

No. Just no.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

Skibidi Ohio.

3. What’s a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

Top Golf.

Buying yogurt with toppings for $$$.

Going out for ramen. Isn’t it like 50 cents at home?

Lol.

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc? 

I like hot tea in the afternoon because I don’t want to give up my morning coffee habit. I like English breakfast, green, Early Grey, Bengal spice, vanilla chai – I don’t love the more floral notes. I don’t want to drink hot potpourri, you know?

I love iced tea every now and then but I prefer unsweetened and then I doctor it up a bit. Sweet tea is too sweet!

5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here’s the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing? 

Spending time with family and friends.

Being outside in nature.

A good book, a good movie, a good show, and watching talented people do their thing.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am so happy for the people in warm weather climates to have nice weather now! The Texas and Florida people are so happy!

Amy

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Let’s talk outerwear today! That should be stimulating, no? You know how some ladies look chic and elegant in their coats? Yeah, that’s not me!

I used to just consider it an afterthought, but now I think it can be part of your outfit. In fact, I used to hate coats hiding my cute (IMO) outfit.

I feel like we need a rain jacket, a light jacket, a warm short coat or jacket, a long warm coat, and a dressier coat at a minimum.

This jacket below is one I got for free! The boutique Tunie’s has a thing every year where if you spend $30 you get a free poncho, vest, jacket, or something that they pick up at market – a pretty nice freebie. This was last year’s gift with purchase. I have been wearing this to the gym because it’s so cozy and it helps me open the door to the cold at 6 a.m.

This is my Walmart trench from a couple of years ago. I love the look of a trench. I don’t wear it like the cool kids, but it’s alright.

A little better? My Adidas were a little too small so I gave them to my niece. Seeing them here makes me miss them.

I love my rain jacket. Some say to get a rain jacket in a bright color because a rainy day is dreary, but I love black.

I feel like the olive utility jacket looks a bit dated now? I haven’t worn this yet this season so it might go bye-bye.

I also think this coatigan is looking dated, but if it had lapels, I would be more excited so I am going to look for that!

A la Pioneer Woman’s mom and sister:

This is a dressy Chico’s jacket and it’s quite a sweet story, I think. It looks weird with the long sleeve black tee, but it looks better with naked forearms. I wasn’t happy with my selection of clothing for my mom’s visitation and funeral so I went to one of my consignment stores. There was a short sleeve black Umgee (one of my fave brands) dress in my size and this coat. My mom would have been so thrilled with my finds and maybe, just maybe she helped me out?

Oh, and I also found black suede pumps but the heel did fall off of one at the end of the day – lol.

Here is me trying them on last February:

This is a Walmart jacket that I love from a couple of years ago.

Sometimes I simply wear this vest that I got from an online boutique several years ago. It’s hooded and has pockets and it’s really cozy.

I have lots of wraps and ponchos and those can work for a dressy event or for when you don’t need a lot of jacket.

This one is consignment from years ago and is one I wear a lot.

I have a few vests, too, but this post would go on all day!

I ordered this to try out; I thought it was so fun!

I have this North Face jacket that everyone and their brother and sister and mom and cousin has. Let me tell you – when you zip this sucker up, it is very warm. This is about as warm as you need in Louisville, KY most of the winter.

I bought this packable 32 Degrees brand evergreen color coat for my UK trip in December of 2023. I don’t think I wore it once. It wasn’t very cold there. And I needed my rain jacket every day, so I just layered thick sweaters underneath the black rain jacket you see at the beginning of the post.

And, wait for it…

I only need this old guy a few times a winter. Some winters I don’t even take out…

DARTH VADER:

Darth Vader is my Costco coat. I got it several years ago on Costco.com. Dogs fear me. Kids fear me. People fear me. It is usually snowing when I have to pull this bad boy out.

And, there you have my coat collection.

Let me know if you have any coat retailer recs!

What outerwear are you wearing or buying this season?

Amy

P.S. – Do not overlook your consignment stores for outerwear! I have seen Barbour jackets, people! I have seen new with tag items. Outerwear is something that might be donated/sold after only a few wears.

Monday, November 3, 2025

Do you need a Monday to recover from your weekend?

It’s time to link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday where we share what we did…

Let’s go back to Thursday. My friend Beth S. wanted to do an early birthday happy hour for me so that is what we did. We went to a new to me place called Cuvée Wine Table.

I wore my wine and cheese sweater and the owner came over to say he liked it.

Friday was Halloween and I enjoyed my new mug for my coffee after the gym:

I meant to drink from my other new Anthro glass later on but I forgot.

The gym is next to Bamboo donuts so I got one for Tom, Mason, and I. I got a cider donut and OMG was it good!

I have to post this every year! The first Halloween my twins were only two months old so they just wore a pumpkin beanie and footie pajamas, so this was their second Halloween and Tom made their Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble costumes out of felt.

EO and I had a crisp, sunny, perfectly fall walk. It was much appreciated after a week of rain. Look at his cute little backside trotting in front of me.

We don’t get many trick or treaters because there are only about 10 houses on our street. People seem to hit the longer streets in our neighborhood. Plus, EO goes crazy when anyone knocks.

Tom and I went to a nearby neighborhood to eat dinner. By the time we were done, it was so crowded with trick or treaters.

Saturday morning I had a Target pickup and a library pick up. My hair was wet but I tried out my new lipstick and tried to take a selfie in the sun.

This is a really good classic lipstick. I was looking for a really good red, and this skews a bit hot pink to me, but I do like it.

I accidentally did pick up in store instead of drive up so I had to look around, too. They were frantically moving Halloween for Christmas!

We were lazy in the afternoon and EO got a chance to be “lap dog”.

“Who me?”

We went to the mall for Tom to return some boots…

and for Tom to “help” me pick my half price Kendra Scott piece.

I picked the beaded one with the turquoise stone.

Then we left the mall after looking around a bit and then went to a fish restaurant where I had very unphotogenic baked fish (you’re welcome for lack of photo) and then we stopped for ice cream at Graeter’s. I got toffee chip!

We watched the first two episodes of Chad Powers when we got home and I laughed out loud at the silliness.

Yesterday was my birthday and of course I had birthday cake pop creamer!

It was a nice crisp fall day but a little moist.

My SIL took me to breakfast!

She doesn’t photograph well, but she is yummy…

It’s a potato casserole with sausage and eggs atop.

Tom and I went to hear bluegrass music and I had a…

pinapple upside down cake mimosa – yum!

The drive home on country roads was so colorful!

And, finally last night, Mason, Tom, and I went to Stoney River Steakhouse for dinner.

Restaurant salads are so good!

And, I ordered steak and biscuits and au gratin potatoes and took half home. It was so good!

Jack came after he got off work and we had cake and I opened family presents.

It was a great day!

Amy

Friday, October 31, 2025

Happy Halloween! It’s also my birthday weekend! It’s so odd that I never thought my birthday was close to Halloween growing up. It’s two days after! It’s also time to fall back on my actual birthday (Sunday) at 2 am so I guess I get an extra hour to celebrate!

This week was cool and rainy. It rained from Monday until yesterday!

Let’s share some favorites with Andrea and Erika! You guys liked my holiday pre-gaming post this week. After Halloween, you can go back and read my thoughts! Please read the comments because there are lots of good suggestions that I am going to take, too!

I was happy to get this in the mail…

and this at the library…

It’s really looking like fall…

This was before the rain started and now we have a bunch of wet leaves, which I also like. I walked Eddie Otis outside and tried to sit outside a bit but it was really just too cold and rainy so I am feeling a bit nature deprived.

I am back to this hairspray. It is a fave to have a hold that doesn’t feel stiff. I need to be able to comb through.

I’m trying out a less curly look…

I am drinking an afternoon tea to warm up outside or after being outside and it’s divine. A couple of other faves in this photo – new Anthropologie mug, faux Birks, and a library book.

I went to the Walmart Neighborhood Market this week to look for some things Kroger doesn’t carry. It’s not a big Walmart, but just the grocery part of Walmart so it’s not too bad.

You guys – these rolls are dangerous. They are so good. I learned to make copycat Chick Fil A chicken minis!

I wanted to try this flavor and I can really taste the apple cider vinegar. So, I’m not sure…

I got Iowa Pine for December and Snowdrop for January. I also need to find the peppermint for December, and I need one more acorn spice until then. Yes, I do love Mrs. Meyers.

Walmart also had some flavors that Kroger didn’t.

I’m trying Chestnut Praline Latte this week and it’s yummy and very fall adjacent!

And, it’s my birthday weekend so why not get Birthday Cake Pop! So sweet, but I like it! It comes in an adorable smaller size.

We had burger bowls one night. Tom and Mason don’t love this meal, but I think it’s so good! I made the Sunday night chili meat at the same time I made the burger bowl meat.

Tom, Mason, and I decided we needed Brit Box streaming service – we reallly need to weed some of our streaming services out – and started Ludwig and it’s so good!

I bought a body wash without a pump and was going to order a pump and then decided why not do what I had originally thought I would do. Look how cute! And, they were a steal – less than $13 for all three with labels included.

Posting these again for me and you:

See your name, Jenn?

Last week we received an offer on my mom’s house that has been on the market since the end of June. The wife went to my mom’s school where she taught forever, and the husband lived in China for work for a bit (my mom traveled to China 15 times). The realtor told us this and she couldn’t help but think it was the right couple for the house. It will be bittersweet, for sure, since it was our parents’ home for 13 years and my mom lived there alone for another 6 years. The kids don’t remember going to any other home to see them.

I have found and booked an Airbnb for my side of the family to spend Christmas in our hometown together. We plan to go after Christmas and stay two nights. It’s such a cute space. It used to be a roller rink and it’s the entire third floor of a historic building.

So, I have had some favorites this week from the little things to the massive things in my life.

I hope you also had many favorites this week.

Thanks for reading!

Amy

Thursday, October 30, 2025

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday and I can’t believe how few outfits I have to show you! Ha! I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files, nevertheless.

It’s really starting to feel like fall around here. I am taking this opportunity to wear old fall things and see what I want to keep and what I want to let go.

Last Thursday night I got to attend a fashion show at a nearby outdoor shopping center. This center contains a few boutiques that I like to pop into from time to time and a few restaurants that I love.

Here is what I decided to wear. It was at 5:00 and it was sunny but a bit cool. I should have worn pants, but I have been wanting to wear my two new Old Navy skirts – burgundy and black that I got for next to nothing. They are pull on and a good length. I wore a last season Umgee blouse and an old consignment wrap. I should have worn tan boots instead of black. I have the same boots in tan.

I wore this to dinner Friday night (that just turned into getting takeout) because everywhere was so busy. Oh well. The outfit was striped Halara jeans with new this season Umgee blouse. I love the print of the blouse.

Saturday I wore the same jeans and my new this season black Umgee top with my new this season leopard Dolce Vita Mary Janes. Darn it if they didn’t rub a blister. Why, oh why? I even added moleskin and they still rubbed a blister.

Because my Friday outfit didn’t really get to go out I did it again Saturday night but wore my darker Halaras and my favorite Hush Puppies pumps. They are tan with a wooden heel and super comfortable. I should have ordered them in black but they are no longer available. Can you spot Eddie Otis’ chicken stuffed animal in the shot?

For my jacket, I decided to just wear this fuzzy, hooded vest that I love so much. I bought this from an online boutique years ago.

Tom’s oufit at the going away dinner. Tom has quite the vest collection.

My sister Kate meanwhile met up with her high school friends in Columbus, Ohio. I thought they all looked so cute! Kate is three years younger than me. I know all her friends really well, too.

On Monday I tried on and wore a really old fall blouse from Target. I wore it with my black Halaras and my black Lucky brand booties. Do you have black jeans? I think they can be a great option to have!

I am working on an outerwear post where I want to talk about coats, jackets, and vests because they do make an outfit sometimes. I have the long sweater coat that many have but I want to update it this season to one with lapels. Look at Pioneer Woman’s mom and sister in their chic coats. Let me know if you have a rec!

And, I have so many wraps and shawls, you guys. I really need to weed some out. Pioneer Woman wears hers well and this is a great outerwear option for this time of year.

Remember how I wasn’t going to shop in October but wait until my November 2nd birthday to shop? Yeah, me neither!

I have been shopping with my digits. But, look at it this way…they will arrive around my birthday, right? Happy birthday to me from me!

I ordered this…eek!

I just thought it was so cute. Now, let’s hope I ordered the right size because mama don’t want to do returns.

I ordered these:

I ordered these:

I ordered an Anthropologie scarf necklace that made me look like a thick necked flight attendant. It has been returned. If you follow Melanie Shankle, it is from her recommendation. It was too expensive anyway. So, I ordered a regular scarf from Amazon for the price of a coffee. Much better.

I pre-ordered a pair of Halara high waisted pull-on jeans in extra petite. There was only one wash that came in this length, and I am hoping it will be the perfect length for me. Did I really need them? Probably not. We aren’t talking NEED here. But, as you can see above, I am getting lots of wear out of them.

I do get dressed most days. I get out of athletic clothes around 10 and put on a real outfit. I think it’s good for me.

What have you been wearing? Any recommendations for me or thoughts on my outfits. Be kind. I’m fragile.

Amy

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

It’s Wednesday and time to link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge. Let’s do it!

1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree? 

I am not a bungee jumping kind of risk taker, but I have been pretty bold in a few instances in my life. I went to Spain alone as a 17-year-old and lived with a strange Spanish family – meaning I didn’t know them; they were pretty normal. I went alone to do semester abroad in Spain when I was 21. I didn’t have a friend that did it with me or anything and I was the only one from my college. I moved to Louisville alone and lived alone for a time.

I think I take social risks and put myself out there sometimes.

2. What’s your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth? 

I love chocolate and peanut butter. I like pb M&Ms but rarely eat them. I like Reese’s Pieces (ET Phone Home) but rarely eat them. I like Reese’s shapes but like my homemade buckeyes better. I do have a sweet tooth, but I would pick a good quality baked good over candy.

3. Somewhere you’ve been recently that had you feeling ‘like a kid in a candy store’? 

World Market a couple of weeks ago! I do more consumable gifts these days for my adult kids and they had so much Christmas stuff out. I appreciate things from different countries, too. Anyway, don’t sleep on World Market for gifts, stocking stuffers, decor, and more.

I always feel like a kid in a candy store in the library!

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world? 

Maybe this sounds bad, but I felt like my job that I did for 31 years was the most effective way to make a positive change in the world. I hoped to give kids a foundation in Spanish to go out and do some good in the world. As time went on, I realized I wasn’t just teaching Spanish, but I was teaching kids. It was about so much more. I hope I gave them job skills, people skills, organization skills, coping skills, and more. Also, as a Spanish teacher I got to talk about different cultures coming together, immigration, current events, and more.

I also think pouring into the children in your life – your kids, your nieces and nephews, friends’ kids, neighbor kids – is another effective way. Kids need real life role models more than ever.

5. Do you like surprises? 

Not really. It depends. I like to be in control. I like to be the one doing the surprise. I surprised Tom for his birthday one year with all his friends meeting us at a Reds game. My sisters and I surprised our parents at a winery for their 70th birthday (and my mom wrote about it in her Storyworth stories) with all their friends and family.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Halloween falls on a Friday this year and that is weird because high school football games are on Fridays! Well, my high school (that I just retired from) is playing my first high school where I started my career back in 1994 on Thursday night (I guess they changed because of Halloween), so I plan to walk over! Full circle! I am hoping Tom and Eddie Otis will go with me but if not, I am fine to go alone.

I just read that some neighborhoods are trick or treating on Thursday due to this. So, smart kids out there will go trick or treating both nights and score!

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Now, I don’t want you to get mad at me because I do realize Halloween hasn’t even happened yet. If you have littles that is a big one for you! Maybe favorite or screenshot this post for after you get through Halloween!

Here are some things you can start doing right now to be calm in the next two months.

Clean out freezer – I did this recently and we still had last year’s ham, some Christmas gift bacon?, and Tom’s bean soup from January. You will need your freezer space, and nobody got time for Salmonella!

Clean out coat closet and try on – People need your coats that you aren’t wearing! I plan to do this soon. Tom and I have way too many jackets and coats. We have started needing to wear them and this is great motivation for us to see what we have.

Make plans with family, reservations, order food – It’s time to start talking to people about the plans. I have been bugging my sisters already because this is going to be a hard year for us. I think we have figured out our plan.

What will you buy and what will you cook? I have started seeing Thanksgiving offerings from restaurants and markets.

Buy plane tickets if you need to and haven’t already if you have to fly.

Reflect on last year – what went well? What didn’t go well?

What matters? If there is something you did that doesn’t really matter and it stressed you out – let it go.

Make list of who you will buy for – I usually just put this on my phone and I can add ideas as I get them.

Some of you have gained fiances, sons in law, daughters in law, etc. this year. How will you stay flexible to allow for more complicated family dynamics? That’s a tough one!

Do you plan to bake? Make a list of what you plan to make; the stores are already discounting baking supplies. You could add a few things each week to your grocery order.

Buy this Fiona Ferris book! It really made my holiday last year! I do believe that I had a chic and simple Christmas!

I enjoyed my red/green purse strap and got dressed in somewhat festive attire to run my errands last year. I ordered what I could to help make it easier on myself, but when I did need to go in person shopping, I felt happy and lucky to get to do these things.

Advent calendars – if this is your tradition, there are so many cute ideas out there. Some are pricey so really think about if this matters to you. I know I am getting Mason a tea advent calendar!

Look at pictures from last year to jog your memory as you are making plans.

Start marking down community events in your calendar so you can plan to do some of them.

Start going to stores for inspo if you have time. World Market, Anthropologie, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx might get you in the mood!

Do not buy anything until you look at your holiday bins. You might want to do that early to see what you have.

Donate any holiday stuff that you don’t love. Others can use it and you will feel happy making someone’s day! If you have a kid who has just gotten their own place, they might want some. They also might not and don’t take it personally.

I incorporated some fun things we saw in England, Scotland, and Spain because it was so special to me. For example, last year I did an appetizer spread like what we would have in Spain.

If you do the new pajamas, now is the time to start ordering those. I have looked at Old Navy’s offerings.

Last year, we did a new tradition of a new book and good chocolate on Christmas Eve and we all loved it. I think we might do that again.

On Eve, we(I) decided to eat at an Irish restaurant and I loved it!

Is it Christmas morning if you don’t have monkey bread? You decide.

We got to go to this quaint church on Eve! Jack sings there.

Tom and I give each other magazines in our stocking, and it was mild enough last year that I got to read them outside!

Chex Mix! Why is it a Christmas thing? I don’t know!

Eddie Otis also wanted to hand out puppy chow.

Buy your pets their gifts! Eddie took up smoking last year.

I love going places that have decor and twinkle lights. Life is short; wear the Prosecc Ho Ho Ho shirt.

Personal opinion: I think the reason why we as women get stressed out is because we don’t do the above things and we don’t take the time to reflect and be intentional. I ask my kids what their favorite things are and what matters to them. Keep it simple and don’t do things that are causing you stress. Delegate. You know what has always come up with the best gifts for our kids – Tom. Yup, shocking.

Your teens and adult kids want money. Period.

We always did the “something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read”. Loved it!

This year is going to be hard. If you are in a similar situation, try to do something different. Can you go away? Do a scavenger hunt? Do a Goodwill fashion show? Prices have gone up. Can you do a talent show and give a gift of your talent instead of tangible gifts? Can you just draw names? Can you do a group charity gift and feel good about helping others? If you bring this up with family, you might be surprised at the relief of the others.

Change is hard and change is scary, but sometimes you gain a lot from doing things differently.

I hope I have given you some food for thought and not given you a whole new bundle of things to stress about! I hope I have helped more than I have hurt!

Leave your ideas and suggestions in the comments and I am sure I will talk about this topic again!

Amy