Monday, October 31, 2022

Happy Halloween!

First, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words on Friday when I showed my heart and talked about my week. Friday was a much better day and I know it starts with me. I need to practice self-care and boundaries so that I can give 100% at work. There was a lot of good in last week, too, but I kind of let the little things get to me.

With that being said, pray for teachers today with Halloween on a Monday and the day after Halloween hangover!

That jeans pass is for you Kristen!

I am linking up with Holly and Sarah to talk about my weekend – the last of October. Tomorrow is already November and Prime Purchases day with Tanya!

Let’s go back to Friday. After school, I enjoyed a fall walk with Ernie. Look at all of these leaves!

For dinner, Tom and I had pizza – he had lunch leftover and Totino’s and I had skinny!

Mine:

His:

I was in bed by 9:00! I was wiped out!

That meant I was up and at ’em early on Saturday and made some components of one of my lunches this week – Erica requested the breakfast bowl again.

Here was my Saturday breakfasst:

I ran to the library and to two stores and then we took the boat out for lunch.

Elizabeth came, but her fiance wasn’t able to make it.

I had a really good cheeseburger without the bun and a few fries!

We got home around 4 and I showered and napped a bit. Tom was still full from lunch and his snacks when we got home, but I made a piece of avocado toast for my dinner.

Then, we went to jump the college kids’ car. It wouldn’t start Saturday. We were headed there anyway to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mason was a member of the shadow cast. They played the movie while the actors acted it out. I had never gone to a showing/performance before.

They put a V on my forehead since I hadn’t seen it before. I knew what it was, of course.

Jack came with us. It was really fun! I can’t believe I made it for such a late performance!

Both kids had decided to come home just for the night and Tom thought having the car at home in case it wouldn’t start again would be good. Tom drove it home and I stayed for the clean up that the cast had to do. Then, the kids and I hit up Taco Bell at 11:30. I had not done this since maybe 1996?

Mexican Pizza, baby! Without the meat! My roommate Heather is a vegetarian and she taught me this method. I wish I could tell you how many of these we ate together!

Pray for my stomach!

It was supposed to be raining when I got up at 8:00 – yes I majorly slept in for me – but it wasn’t, so I enoyed my patio lights with my coffee.

Ernie waiting for his Daddy!

This book really is awkward. I’m enjoying it, but I guess I should have listened to the title. The main character has pet hamsters that are talked about way too much. She is very quirky.

A completed lunch of a breakfast bowl:

I also made two Kodiak pancakes for our “dessert” at lunch tomorrow. We are both trying to avoid the Halloween candy that is everywhere at school right now.

I made myself an omelette and turkey bacon with all the vegetables from the bowl.

And, then I ran to Kroger to get a couple of things for the week.

Jack had a choir concert at 3:00 at a church near campus. There are benefits to going to college close to home for both the kids and the parents. Since they are living on campus they are getting the best of both worlds – I hope. I do wonder if they will regret not going farther away, but given the timing of the start of their college career, it has played out nicely. They left for college in August of 2020 and got to live on campus with a few adjustments. They couldn’t visit other dorms, had to mask, had to test, some classes were online. But, for the most part their college really handled the situation well.

Anyway, I digress…

How was your Halloween weekend?

Amy

Friday, October 28, 2022

Linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!

I debated sharing this in favor of staying positive, but it’s been a hard week. I have basically just worked and come home and I feel like I have been run over by a steamroller every day. A colleague said she is February tired in October. I concur, but I am not exactly sure why.

Last week we had active shooter training that we had to lead for our students and this week we have had fights occurring and had to change some policies because of this. It’s just hard.

My students are great, but it’s just hard. It’s hard to keep their focus. I think they are so distracted by what’s going on with their phones. What are they missing? If they aren’t on it, they are thinking about it, maybe?

I don’t know. I hate to start on a negative note, but I don’t want to be fake, either.

Erica, my co-worker and meal prep partner gave me an early birthday gift to complete my Day of the Dead patio. How cute!

I am reading this fall book right now. There is way too much talk about the main character’s pet hamsters so far so I am trying to block that part out. Very weird!

Tom’s company competed in a chili cook off and I got to go, too. The weather was beautiful!

Of course I voted for Tom’s!

Their theme was Talladega Nights and Tom had to be Ricky Bobby’s Dad.

They even had a cocktail called “Mountain Booze”.

We took Ernie on a walk before dinner and the trees and the sunlight looked so pretty!

And, Tom and I are enjoying watching Amazing Race this season.

What were your favorites this week?

Amy

Thursday, October 27, 2022

It’s time for Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill and then stay with me at the end for Monthly Musings – Thanksgiving Prep is the topic this month.

I have been behind on sharing my outfits and I have forgotten to take my photo some days.

I can’t remember if I showed this outfit or not, so I am including it. New Kut from the Kloth flares from consignment and Loft blouse from last year. I have on a headband so you know it’s second day hair! Sorry there is a desk in front of me – ha!

I wore one of my three Target Universal Thread dresses for my friend’s surprise birthday dinner. I paired it with my Walmart Scoop blazer from last year and some Target suede boots from last year.

Jeans, Anthro blouse, cardigan for a Friday. I wore my Hush Puppies flats and was super comfy. These flats are really good! These are new straight leg jeans that I will tell you about in a minute.

These pants are Matilda Jane but they kinda look like Aerie flares that the teen girls are wearing. I paired them with a black tank and a knit leopard duster.

Matilda Jane pants again and a Loft consignment blouse I found recently.

Matilda Jane pants and a blouse from last year from a little boutique near my house.

Another consignment blouse from J.Jill and straight leg jeans I will tell you about.

Same blouse from the boutique with jeans on the weekend:

My new Old Navy distressed button fly jeans, tank top, and my new Old Navy flannel.

I ordered this shirt from Belk for like $9. I love prosecco and thought it would be fun for the holidays. It says “Prosecc Ho Ho Ho”. It was $9!

So, I started feeling like my skinny jeans from last season were constricting my legs and I just felt weird. I am not throwing them out by any means. I think they will be warm in the winter and work with tall boots or maybe with my bigger sweaters to give a better proportion on the bottom.

If you are feeling the same way, a great baby step to a different jean silhouette is the straight leg. I came home with a dark and a light and they were each on sale for $18!

They are called the high rise straight. Now I did have to go up a size because of the high rise. I have a stomach and needed that room. Also, they were too long, so I cut and washed and dried them for a perfect fray hem.

My distressed were not on sale, but I really liked them so I got them. They are called the High Rise O.G. Straight Ankle and they are the perfect length on me as you can see above. I am 5’4.

I really recommend that you do like Kellyann and I did and try on multiple styles and sizes to see what will work for you. I didn’t want to deal with returns so I went in and it was a good experience. I feel set for my jeans for the season, now!

Monthly Musings – Thanksgiving Prep:

I haven’t given much thought to Thanksgiving and my family doesn’t have our plans made yet, either!

I am linking up with many ladies here so check out more posts!

1. Do you host Thanksgiving or go elsewhere? We usually go to Tom’s sister’s house on Thursday and do Tom’s family and then go to my family’s meal on Friday. That way we get two dinners and get to see both sides.
2. What dishes do you make or contribute? I am usually given a few side dishes to make. I often do the potatoes because you have to have someone serious about their potatoes, you know? Just kidding! I also like to bring a signature cocktail to my family’s feast.
3. What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe and will you share with us? I posted here and here.
4. What are your Thanksgiving traditions? I usually make breakfast for my family of four and then we have a leisurely morning. I love to watch the parade while cooking.
5. Stuffing or dressing? Dressing – I don’t want to eat from the cavity of a fowl.
6. Pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie? Pumpkin! It’s special because this is the only time of year I have it! Must be served with Cool Whip. Must be Cool Whip.
7. Casual dining or set the table? Probably in between. My SIL sets a beautiful table with a floral arrangement, but we do buffet serve yourself with nice plates. My mom loves a paper plate and again it’s a buffet serve yourself and there isn’t room for everyone at one table.
8. Favorite beverages to serve with Thanksgiving dinner? My apple cider sangria!
9. Do you shop Black Friday? Heck to the no. I am still eating Thankgiving feasts. I believe in Cyber Monday.
10. Holiday movie or football games? Well, I am not ready for Christmas until I have fully given thanks. I am a purist – sorry. I don’t care about football but I like having a game in the background because it just feels right.

Whew – that was a lot!

Amy

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

It is time to link up with Sheaffer and Shay and hope I’m not being too redundant for my regular readers!

Eating Lately:

You know it – more Slender Kitchen recipes! I told you I was going to make One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta – amazing!

and

Red Curry Thai

These were both dinners for Tom and I and then lunches for Erica and I. I love just using one website right now to get new ideas.

I also made us a breakfast bowl for one of our lunches.

Reminiscing about:

I have a few fall photos framed as part of my fall decor.

I love this photo of my sweet twins at an apple orchard in my hometown. My Dad was with us.

And they also had pumpkins there…

and a professional family photo at a historic home near our house. Our photographer was my former student.

Loving:

This sight!

And, my companion, of course. I love walking through crunchy leaves!

Been Up to:

Oh, you know, just trying to teach 150ish kids a day. On Friday, Spanish 3 got to try to play Spanish Scrabble. These girls wanted a photo of their group, their Scrabble board, and a staged fight over the game!

They are so cute and sweet! And, in case you don’t know, high school girls are super casual. The attire is t-shirts, sweatshirts, running shorts, sweatpants, and tennis shoes. Seriously, has there ever been a more low maintenance time for our teens?

Dreading:

I don’t know. I guess the winter a bit. I have a huge let down when Christmas is over. I want to find a way to love January!

Working on:

This was just for fun, but I thought it was so cute. It is a Thanksgiving appetizer that looks like pumpkin pie. Directions coming soon!

I also put myself in charge of the taco meat for Spanish Club’s taco bar this week.

Excited about:

A couple more fall boating outings, hopefully. We normally winterize the boat at the beginning of November.

Watching:

My Bravo shows! Also, for some reason I am watching Bachelor in Paradise. I only watch about an hour of tv a night right now.

Reading:

I bought a couple of fall books on Amazon.

Listening: I am listening to my podcasts – Watch What Crappens, Big Boo Cast, Midlife Matters, and Bestie Breakdown. I also really think I like the new T. Swift album. I am not a Swiftie by any means, but I do like her music.

Wearing:

Here is my casual fall weekend ‘fit. I am wearing a flannel as a shacket because I can’t really handle anything too long or bulky on my frame.

For work, I am cycling through my Matilda Jane pants with blouses. I think these pants are great. The quality is great and they look nice for work while feeling like I am wearing sweatpants.

Well, that’s about it for me! What’s up with you on this Wednesday – the last of the month! How is that possible?

Amy

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Why do I love these types of posts so much? I think I’m a Life Hack Nerd. I am constantly trying to be more efficient, I think. Are you like this, too?

I would love to post what’s working for you, too! Please leave it in the comments and I will do a follow up with your responses unless you tell me otherwise.

Here we go:

Thursday Kroger Pick Up – I like doing this on my way home from work. It’s not a separate trip. I place my order Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I use the Kroger app and actually start building my list as we run out and need things during the week. It also saves all past purchases. Now, this does mean I have to know what foods I need for the weekend and the week ahead. Erica and I usually start talking about the following week’s lunches around about Wednesday so it forces me to pick my recipes. I also sometimes ask her what she wants me to make that I haven’t made in awhile. And, yes, in this time of high grocery prices, I absolutely think not going in the store saves money. I look at my calendar for the week ahead and plan breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Yeah, it takes some time but I think it’s time well spent. (Get it? Spent?)

Thursday Laundry – I throw in my load or two of clothes while I am unloading the groceries. I like to have the washer and dryer empty for the weekend in case Tom needs it, the kids bring laundry home, and for when we do the sheets.

Washing hair every other night – I take a shower at night no matter what, but I have only been washing my hair every other night. I have even stretched it another night lately. My hair seems to be doing better now with this method. I also use a bit of dry shampoo in the mornings where I didn’t wash the night before. I often wear a headband for my second or third day hair day, too.

Not checking work email at home – I am so proud of myself! This is hard. I took work email off of my phone. I have absolutely zero notifications set up. I don’t have Google Classroom or Infinite Campus or Remind or anything. I check my email before I close my work computer for the day at school and then I wait until I get to school at 6:45 the next morning. Game Changer! Also, our principal still sends his Sunday video message but I watch it at school on Monday morning now. You guys! I did not think I could achieve this but I did!

Walking Ernie and then reading outside after school – Getting outside so much on a work day is absolutely helping my mental health. We have had a gorgeous fall! On a typical work day I get home between 2:45 (yes, I’m lucky, but I do go to school at 6:45, remember?) and 3:30 so that gives me a solid two hours to just BE before I start making dinner. Also, remember that I do not get to step foot outside during the whole school day, unfortunately.

Ahh, look at that sky!

Lighting a fall candle every morning – I’m not just wanting for the weekend to light my candle anymore. Man, could this be a metaphor for life in general! What else can we do during the week instead of waiting for the weekend? Why can fun only happen on the weekends?

Not wearing makeup to work – Hear me out. I am putting on a bit of eye makeup and lipstick, but leaving my face bare most days. This stemmed from my face being really dry and needing to use hard core moisturizer. I think the letting my skin breathe is helping my skin to look better! I mean, teenagers know I’m old regardless of my makeup, right?

Reading for pleasure – I broke my no book buying streak to purchase a couple of fun fall reads from Amazon. Yes, I still like a book with pages. These came recommended by Bourbon, Lipstick and Stilettos on IG who used to have a blog. I always like her recs.

What’s working for you? I will post them next week or Friday, depending on how many I get!

Amy

Monday, October 24, 2022

Welll, here you are again, Monday…

It’s time to link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday.

Friday I came home right after school and then I was able to talk Tom into taking me out for Mexican! And, then, our friends Heather and Scott were able to join us. The trees have suddenly turned so beautiful!

I had a “skinny” margarita. I am not sure why their skinnys look orange and their normal are true margarita color…hmmmm

I got the fajita bowl!

We had a really nice evening eating and chatting!

Saturday morning I went ahead and made 4 breakfast burritos. I already have one faux egg mcmuffin in the freezer, so I want to use that up.

Also, my first lunch for Erica and I is is going to be a farmer’s market breakfast bowl.

I made my Saturday breakfast at the same time. Then, I cleaned and did chores around the house while listening to podcasts.

I am going to tell you Thursday about a few new fashion purchases. I bought a pair of Old Navy – gasp! – button fly distressed jeans and an Old Navy flannel that I am using as more of a “shacket”. Kellyann convinced me to go in Old Navy recently where I tried on several styles of jeans (and sizes). I avoided the flares because I now have a pair of light and dark that I love. Look at all of our newly fallen leaves! I love them so much!

I took myself on a bit of a Saturday errand running spree and picked up my first PSL of the season to sip while driving. It was lovely! Starbuck’s is such a rarity for me now that it made it a true treat.

My favorite trees are the red ones!

One of my stops was Michael’s and it was a Christmas wonderland! Not ready!

I went in a new store and it is really nice but very pricey.

I came home and ate Mexican fajita bowl leftovers that I wrapped in a low carb tortilla and the rest of my turkey meatballs and green beans. I sat on the patio, of course!

I did a bit of reading. I am trying to finish this and I have one more library book. I splurged and ordered some fall themed books from Amazon that are coming soon. I want to be ready for them!

One of the things on my Michael’s list was a new set of more Edison type bulbs string lights for my mantel.

It’s apple cider sangria time, people!

I lit and enjoyed my candle!

I talked Tom into going out to dinner again – we should have just stayed home – and we had a very mediocre meal. I ordered a stromboli and Tom ordered a sloppy joe.

We came home and walked Ernie in the dark and then I enjoyed my patio for a bit while Tom collapsed in his chair. He did a 30 mile bike ride that morning.

Sunday morning I got up and did some blog work for the week. I was glad that I had already done the meal prep that had to be done.

My other two meals for the week for Erica and I will also be dinners for Tom and I. I am still excited to use Slender Kitchen recipes. I am really excited to try Thai Red Coconut Curry with chicken and One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta and I am going to add chicken. I am leaning more toward comfort foods and moving away from the summer meals that I was enjoying. I am also excited to add some Thai cuisine. I had to buy a few specialty items like fish sauce so I hope I like this and can use it up for other dishes. Remember that I include links when I can. Just click on the red type and it will take you to the recipes, websites, or my older posts.

Groceries were all picked up and put away on Thursday after school, so I was set. Even if I forget something, it is so much easier to run in for a few items.

Sunday morning I also had to make a bunch of taco meat for Spanish Club this week. I decided to make it and freeze it, then take my crockpot to school and dump it in to warm it up. We are having a taco bar for our next Spanish Club meeting and no one volunteered for the meat.

Kinda gross photo:

Next I tried an experiment. I found this cute little “pumpkin pie” app for Turkey Day!

Instructions coming soon – the hardest part is cutting the cheese. Did anyone giggle?

I looked outside and my husband was on the garage roof!

Then, it was time for a fall boat trip – can you tell we are trying to eek out as many boating sessions as possible?

I read my book and Tom watched football!

And that was a wrap on my weekend, sadly. We really need rain and we are supposed to get it on Tuesday. But, man, this weather has been so great!

We have an amateur weather predictor at school – she is a Science teacher by day. She says we are going to have a cold and snowy winter. I like a bit of that, but I tire of it really quickly. But, fall…never!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, October 21, 2022

It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!

Favorite number one is that it’s FRIDAY! Fridays are hitting really great right now, you know?

For my other favorites, let’s start with some new stuff…

I have really fine hair, but lots of it, you know? I think this is what has led to some major tangles as my hair has gotten longer.

This smells amazing and works for me! I just searched Amazon and picked something with a good price point.

I got a new fanny pack. I saw this on Kelly Stamps on IG and the price was right. I think I’m really going to like it. It holds triple the amount of the Lulu belt bag that I have and it sits in a better spot on me.

I had a lot of fun on Sunday and Monday…

Sunday we went to the punkin’ chunkin’ where they catapult a pumpkin towards a target in the river. This is a breast cancer charity event.

I got to tour a sweet boat that is for sale. We went by car because sponsors paid a lot of money for these boat parking spots and there would be no boat parking for us.

Isn’t that nice? I could live on that boat!

Hanging out and chatting…the weather was divine!

Tom wanted some jerk wings…

Then, on Monday night my friend’s husband pulled off a surprise dinner for her 50th birthday. She had been to her college daughter’s parents weekend on her actual birthday the day before so she didn’t suspect anything. It was so fun to surprise her!

I split a caprese salad – yum!

And, I got halibut.

Here’s a picture of us when we first met in 1990!

Maybe this is why I’m so tired today? I did a lot at the beginning of the week!

Another favorite was that my college kids were home until Tuesday after dinner. We had a nice dinner together Tuesday night and then watched the new season of Derry Girls. I think they enjoyed sleeping at home and just having some down time. They have been super busy since August.

Some meals I have had lately have been a favorite…

Greek bowls:

I included Cut Da Carb “pita” chips and hummus.

A take out salad from Waldo’s Chicken and Beer:

Lunch of chili:

Burrito Bowls:

Erica’s Slender Kitchen Indian food this week:

The weather has been chilly this week! We are warming up, though. Wednesday after school it felt great in the sun. Taking the time to get that vitamin D and read for a bit is still a goal of mine.

What have been your faves this week?

Amy

Thursday, October 20. 2022

I have talked about this for years and I still do it. I absolutely think it helps me to be more content with what is in my closet! I think the key is to not take it too literally. Find something in the same color or color family. Find something you have that can can work. Do not try to be exact!

Here is what I do:

I do a very specific search on Pinterest or Google images or both for a piece in my closet that I want to wear. I type in “black button down shirt outfit”:

I screenshot the inspo that I like the best…

I like how she has light jeans and a brown belt. I probably wouldn’t have thought of that on my own.

I like her darker distressed jeans and the pop of red. I don’t have a red handbag but I have red clogs. See what I mean about not being too literal?

I really like the look of black on light jeans so here’s another inspo of that look…

Here’s another example. I just knew I wanted to wear a sweater with jeans but wasn’t feeling inspired…

I screenshot some front tucked sweater looks because I think showing some waist is more flattering…

And, I got a new fanny pack that works way better for me than my Lululemon bag, so I went to get some inspo for that! The pack looks kinda cheap in the Amazon photo, but it looks way better in person. I am going to use it as my wallet and throw it into my bigger tote for school, but it is plenty roomy for anything else I need to do.

I keep these screenshots on my phone until I try the outfit and see if it works for me.

Errand running outfit:

Do you think this method would help you to shop your closet?

Amy

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

This is a reader request!

I’ve learned that chili making can be quite controversial! I grew up eating chili and I had made chili myself lots of times before landing on MY recipe. Well, it’s actually stolen from a neighbor of Tom’s growing up and from the back of the Red Gold tomato juice can!

Ingredients:

-One big old can of tomato juice found in the juice aisle. I use Red Gold but you could use another brand I’m sure.

-one chili mix spice packet

-one tablespoon of sugar

-one teaspoon of cinnamon

-macaroni noodles cooked and added separately upon serving

-ground beef

-very tiny diced onion

-one can diced tomatoes

-one can chili beans – mild or hot – your preference

Brown your ground beef and when almost done, add onion. Drain on paper towel lined plate and then add back in to your pot. Add juice, tomatoes, beans, spice packet, sugar, and cinnamon. Let it all cook together and let the flavors marry. Serve with macaroni, Fritos, and some cheddar cheese.

It’s really simple, but it’s the best I have ever had!

Amy

Tuesday, October 18. 2022

I was kind of at a loss for a post for today so I thought I would share how I shopped and planned for Fall Break food for the college aged kid.

Maybe this will just give you some family meal ideas.

I started with a list of favorite meals that I knew they might want.

Dinner:

Chili with grilled cheese

Chicken Alfredo

Honey Mustard Salad

Burrito Bowls

Lunch or Snacks:

Totchos (Nachos made with tater tots)

Nachos

Quesadillas

BLTs

Tacos

Charcuterie with crackers, salami, cheese, green apples (their fave)

Breakfast:

Giant pop tart

Cinnamon toast

Cereal

Everything potatoes (diced potatoes with everything but the bagel seasoning)

Chocolate chip pancakes

I also made sure to have lots of chips and their favorite soft drinks – Sprite and Virgil’s root beer.

I ordered the groceries for pick up on Thursday. I was fully stocked going into the weekend. Are you trying this yet? What is your grocery day?

Now do I need to cook three meals a day for them? No! Did I cook three meals a day? No! But, I really enjoy making food for them and that is how I show love. They can make stuff for themselves, too, of course.

Mason loves my everything potatoes and this was just a snack I think. Bare Nuggets from Costco in the air fryer and homemade honey mustard and ranch accompanied both.

Jack got frozen fries with Bare Nuggets and the same two sauces plus ketchup. I broke out the fall plates for them, too.

If you belong to Costco, these are a must buy. They are really not that bad for you, either.

Mason laughed really hard when I suggested a giant pop tart. It was really too sweet, in my opinion but it was fun to make. Ready made pie crust, strawberry jam (that I made! this summer), another pie crust, and then after it cooled a simple powdered sugar icing and sprinkles.

I bought some Halloween candy to have out for them and then I made the S’morechuterie platter.

Chili with macaroni noodles, fritos, and a grilled cheese.

Jack likes very basic nachos. What are you gonna do?

I also made honey mustard salad with angel hair chicken alfredo.

Did Tom get fed? Yes! He gets fed every day!

The nice thing, too, is that I always get a “thank you so much for the food” from my kids.

I loved having them home and I feel lucky that I can bless them with some home cooked meals to give them a break from their dining hall food.

Amy