Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Do you use rotisserie chicken in a lot of recipes like I do? I use it for my Mexican Lasagna, quesadillas, burrito bowls, enchiladas, nachos, and so much more.

Sometimes I do not want to deal with getting the meat off of a store bought rotisserie chicken (and by the way, Costco and Kroger offer it already taken off the bone) and this actually ends up being easier for me. I almost always have chicken in the freezer or the fridge. Right now I have lots of frozen chicken on hand from my stop in to Fresh Market last week on a Tuesday. Every Tuesday they have 2.99/pound chicken and I finally remembered to go there. I feel like their quality is great, too.

Here is what you need:

boneless skinless chicken breast

chicken broth

garlic powder, salt, pepper, or any spices you like, really

Put chicken in a pan or stockpot and either use all chicken broth or half broth/half water like I did. Add in your spices and cook slowly until cooked through. I think if you cook too quickly it can get dry.

Simply shred with two forks after it cools a bit.

Here is what the final product looked like – just like rotisserie chicken but white meat only

Also, I decided to make rice with the leftover liquid. The rice turned out super flavorful. I am trying to waste less food in 2020 so that made me super happy.

This may be the most no-brainer post ever, by the way. You may be thinking – duh! Ha!

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Again this week I will abandon outfit photos for something different! I have not shopped much in 2020 at all but now I am anxious to get a few pieces for spring. I can see all of my spring clothing in my new closet and know where my “closet holes” are. I have also been looking at outfit inspiration on Pinterest.

I stopped in at my consignment shop not thinking much would come of it. I feel that the quality has gone down. I had a specific item I was looking for – a plain black clutch. I have a gold, leopard, among others, but wanted something to go with patterns. I found more of a wristlet for $13 by Steve Madden in perfect condition. I also happened upon shoes that I have considered buying full price – these Earth booties in great condition. Some people might find it unappealing to buy consignment shoes but I don’t have a problem with it if they are in good condition. I will clean them up a bit. They were $20. I have heard that these are the most comfortable booties ever. Amy from MomAdvice blog loves them.

Target Universal Thread does it again here. I will have to wear a cami under but it is so cute for spring. I will have to style it and make sure it will work for me. $24.99

My friend Kellyann wore this dress. I may have to eat my words about Target’s Wild Fable line. This dress is fairly thick material and appears to be well made. Again, I will have to style it and make sure I can pull it off with the shoes I want to wear. I also have white capri leggings but I don’t want to look like a toddler. It is pretty short. It is $24.99. I think this could make a great summer day dress and double as a cover up.

And, this disappointed me. First of all, I think you need to size up one and second of all it is a very, very thin material. I don’t like the print in person as much as I did online. This went back. Lisa from Coast to Coast looked adorable in hers. I saw her in it after I had already ordered. It may work for you, though. It is $19.99.

And, finally I have this on order. It may be too long but we will see. You can find it here. I know this picture isn’t great so you should click. This is the wonderful Knox Rose line and it is a bit pricey for Target at $31.79.

I really do go back and forth on Target clothing. On one hand, I want to get away from fast fashion. On the other hand, the lines Universal Thread, Wild Fable, and Knox Rose speak to me. My Universal Thread things from last summer were my closet workhorses and they will still work this year.

I highly recommend you go to Target.com, shop by brand, and order things for in store pick up or shipped to your house and then return to a store if you have one near. Target prices have gone up but I think the quality has, too.

What are your thoughts on Target clothes for women?

Amy

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

I am linking up today with my friend Tanya right here! What a great idea she had to share things from our Amazon order history. I find Amazon to be amazing but overwhelming. I put things in my cart but wait to pull the trigger. I definitely do not go crazy on Amazon like I know some people do! No judgement here, though. It is a wonderful resource.

First of all, I really do recommend this product. It does exactly what it says it will do it you have a center console that opens and the headrests that let you clip it on. If you like to have your purse next to you and you often have someone else in the passenger seat, it is really handy.

Here is what it looks like in my car.

I “installed” it myself!

I love this popcorn! I couldn’t find it in stores.

It is a tiny portion but it is really good!

The boys and I have been taking elderberry gummies this school year for immune support here. Bonus, they taste really good and this is my dessert at lunch time at school!

I had been looking for a cream blush and I am really happy with this so far.

That is about it for me!

Are you a big Amazon shopper? Any recent finds that I should know about?

Amy

Monday, March 2, 2020

Hello March and hello dear readers! How was your weekend? Did you do any of the tips from last week’s post? I am linking up today with Heather, etc. so go right here to join us!

I don’t have any pictures from Friday, but I had a good day. I stayed after school for over an hour getting work done. I felt like I had a good teaching week and it was a good feeling. After I left school I had a Kroger pick up scheduled. I had not done it since December because it was so bad the last time. I waited an hour and then my order still was so wrong. This time was wonderful. I was the only car there and I was done in 10 minutes. I really like getting the grocery run done on Friday. I may keep this up.

I convinced my husband and our friends to go to a Mexican place for an early dinner on hub’s way home from work. We had a nice time and when we left it was snowing. I got Cane’s for the boys and took it home to them and then we all watched a show. It was a perfect Friday night!

Saturday morning my son had to be at school early for a quick recall team road trip. I packed up my library books and went to the locally owned coffee shop and had the place to myself. Why don’t I do that more often? It was so nice. A former student waited on me, too!

This is the book I started getting into. I also made my list for the day.

I came home, did laundry, cleaned, organized, and made avocado toast for lunch.

Our other son had theatre all day and I enjoyed my spring Pioneer Woman magazine in the afternoon.

We decided to cook at home so I made Andrea from Momfessionals Southwest Bowls but I asked hub to go get authentic chips and queso from our Mexican restaurant up the road. Mexican two nights in a row!

We hung out as a family and caught up on everyone’s day. Nobody had plans to go out.

Sunday morning I actually slept in until 7! I spent the morning doing meal prep and kitchen cleaning.

I tried the recipe that Tanya from The Other Side of the Road blog shared. It has to rise for 2 hours but it only has 4 ingredients and it bakes up in 18-20 minutes. It is called No Knead Yeast bread and I will make it again! I was so impressed! Thanks Tanya!

I was feeling so domestic that I agreed to make one boy pancakes and the other french toast. Who am I?

I graded 4 sets of papers and then did school work.

My Monday self will certainly thank me, right?

Did you have a nice weekend? I hope so!

Amy

Friday, February 28, 2020

Happy Friday! I am linking up today with Andrea, etc. right here!

Here are some favorites for the week…

I bought these happy yellow daffodils for $3 at Trader Joes last Sunday. Watching them bloom this week has been so nice. Our weather turned cold again but having a touch of spring in the house is so nice. Always buy the flowers!

In the same vein, I am ready for March and I think we all are! This patch of clover made me happy – anyone see any with four leaves for me?

Did you read my post about spring and summer shoes this week? I saw these interesting Birkenstocks – What do you think?

Also, notice my alarm…I set so many alarms every day for so many things. It makes me laugh!

I ordered my first food off of Amazon because I could not find this in my grocery store. Preppy Empty Nester blog recommended this and I whole heartedly agree. I love popcorn and I may like this more than Skinny Pop, which I love, too.

In March, I will let myself buy one Shamrock Shake. Are you a fan? I hear they are already out!

What were your faves this week?

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Amy

Thursday, February 27, 2020

This is a topic I have put a great deal of thought into – the weekend! I use my brain power for the important things., right? Of course each season of life is different; you may have to do what works for you in the given season with the age of your kids, your spouse’s work schedule, etc. I remember when I actually looked forward to Monday mornings because my weekends were so intense with infant twins. Each season will pass if you are currently in a hard season.

These are things I try to do and have found really work for me:

-Do some errands during the week so that Saturday isn’t all about errands.

-Do one load of laundry each week day. I don’t do this right now. But, I do try to start laundry Friday after school to get a jump on it. I hope that when my mudroom next to my kitchen contains my washer and dryer that this will be easier to do!

-Make Friday night dinner automatic: pizza, sandwiches, etc. Come up with an easy tradition.

-Go out on Friday to make the most of your weekend. I have trouble with this sometimes because I’m tired. Sometimes I will simply do a happy hour and then bring food home. Sometimes I will meet my husband on his way home. I’m always glad I did something!

-Divide the weekend into 5 sections and try to do one thing during each section.

Section 1: Friday night

Section 2: Saturday before noon

Section 3: Saturday afternoon or evening

Section 4: Sunday before noin

Section 5: Sunday afternoon

I can’t remember where I heard that tip but I liked it.

-Try to make the weekend feel different than the week. Light a candle. Drink an afternoon coffee.

-This is a hard one… don’t spend your Sunday thinking about work on Monday. What works for me is to take a little chunk of time either Saturday or Sunday morning to do some work. That way it is off my plate and I can relax. The last two weeks I have worked really hard to prepare for Monday before I left school Friday and that has been so good for me!

-Try to do at least one social thing. I read about events on Facebook or elsewhere and pencil them in my calendar I’m case I can make it work.

-Make errands more fun by doing them as a family or as a couple. Or do an errand on the way to something more fun.

What makes it a good weekend for you?

What are your best tips?

Amy

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Trust me when I say you do not want to see my outfits as of late! You have already seen them; I am repeating things and I am bored! I will still link up with The Style Six girls here, though!

Because of this, I am bringing back a series if you will that I did some time ago where you go shopping with me. I decided to start with a local shoe store chain. If you do not have one, you can shop them online.

I am giddy with anticipation for spring and summer shoes.

Here is what I saw.

Love the leopard and I love a khaki shorts and black top combo for summer.

Blowfish $44.99

This pair combines snakeskin and the jute bottom wedge.

Anne Klein $59.99

The white bottomed sandals really bothered me last year but they are now growing on me! This pair combines that look with the typical wedge for a more updated look.

Earth Origins and I think these were $59.99

I have been so happy with my Lucky brand shoes that I have had. These below I think are my favorites! OMG! What is not to love? This is a big trend this year.

Lucky $ 59.99

I tried these on for you and they are weird. They are a good dupe for Rothys but I have a very normal width foot and these gaped at both sides. I love the leopard pattern and they are really a good dupe. If you have a wide foot they might work for you but you can even tell in the photo how much they gape around the top of the shoe.

Why is the lighting so bad in stores? These Steve Madden camo sneakers are so cute in person!

Dr. Scholls makes some really good shoes still to this day (remember the clogs of the 70s and 80s?) I thought these could be a good white option for summer. I am a bit weird about white shoes. Anyone else?

These Danskos are a dark olive green. I was expecting super comfort but they were not that comfortable in my opinion. I am always drawn to Danskos but then I never end up pulling the trigger. .

I have thought about Rainblow flip flops for at least 10 years. Anyone have them? Should I do it?

These are so cute for you or that teen girl in your life! Camo with orange accents? Love them!

I had a good time! You know me; I like to see things in person.

What is your favorite?

Any spring or summer shoe trends you want to try?

Amy

Monday, February 24, 2020

How was your weekend? I am linking up with Heather, etc. so go here to find some great new blogs to follow.

Last week took it out of me. I somehow found the energy to do the Kroger grocery shopping after school Friday with Mason (reluctantly). We mostly got breakfast and snack foods but we used our reward checks and only spent $2.09! Wow!

I made myself a cup of coffee at 5:00 p.m. after the grocery run and found out that nope, coffee at that late hour does not affect my 9:00 bedtime. Good to know! I could not keep my eyes open.

For dinner, we ordered Dominos. It is our go to for ordering pizza these days. Tom and I like the thin crust.

I was so glad I had shopped on Friday because Saturday a.m I was able to do a Goodwill drop off and then change out my dip manicure. I went crazy with this bright blue because I thought the light blue was too spring like for now.

Jack had an audition that afternoon and we accompanied him. Then, Saturday night the boys went together to the play that Jack directed. The play was written by a teen in his program and he wanted to try his hand at directing. Tom and I went to a pub to watch the UK game. I thought of my friend Kellyann because we played Florida. Go see her at http://www.thisblondesshoppingbag.com!

I finished this book this weekend and I liked it but I didn’t love it.

Sunday I treated myself to a local Hazelnut to enjoy while I did Trader Joe’s. I needed meal stuff for the week now!

I got some yellow daffodils and it was a nice trip.

I am switching up breakfast prep this week to homemade Egg McMuffins without meat. You could add ham or turkey bacon if you wanted but I am fine with just English muffin, egg, and cheese.

Sunday was a truly relaxing day. Jack had choir practice and Mason went to a friend’s house to play games. Tom worked on the back deck and I read and watched him work while also doing a million loads of laundry and some more meal prepping.

This week will be a busy one; I feel like I say that every week!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Thanks for stopping by!

Amy

Friday, February 21, 2020

Happy Friday! Oh my gosh – I am exhausted! Our students had a four day weekend last weekend but Friday was a teacher work day (which can be more exhausting) and Monday was Parent Teacher Conference day. We hit the ground running Tuesday and it is a long stretch until Spring Break. I know that all sounds whiney, but this is a tough time of year to keep students engaged. Luckily I have saved two personal days for sometime this spring when I need them and I have some fun things planned in my classes. I am still holding out for ONE glorious snow day. Please?

I am linking up today with Andrea, etc. so go right here!

First off, I really like this new hand wash. It was recommended by my friend Kristin of Stuff, Things, Etc. I love the smell and I think it is free of all those nasty chemicals we do not want. I found it at Target.

Where have roasted sweet potatoes been all my life? I peeled two then put in the microwave for 2 minutes and then after they cooled I was able to easily slice into cubes. I put a bit of EVOO and salt and pepper and roasted in the oven at 400 for about 30 minutes. So delicious! I have used these in a few meals this week. I love meal prep and this was great this week!

I was so happy last Saturday to find this at Total Wine thanks to my reader Nikki. It is so yummy!

I was having Mexican last week and wanted a margarita and brought out my favorite recipe. This is low cal and so good – recipe coming next week but you can see the ingredients below. I am spoiled now and cannot handle the super sweet artificial restaurant versions anymore.

Last weekend I treated myself to a chai latte from local Heine Brothers. They really make the best. Do you like chai lattes? They are so good!

How was your week? Any favorites to share with me? Any recommendations? I am happy to not have much on the calendar for this weekend. I plan to start spring cleaning, decluttering more, and organizing some things. I will have a renovation up date for you soon I hope. Spoiler… not much has happened since the last one!

Happy weekend!

Amy

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Do not get dressed when it rains; stay home in your pjs! But, if you must get dressed, let’s discuss.

First of all, do not wear white when it rains! Do not wear suede shoes – especially lighter colored suede. I pretty much always wear black pants when it rains.

I have black Hunter rain boots that I have had for 8 years? I highly recommend getting a pair of tall or short rain boots. I often wear these to work and bring another pair of “normal” shoes to change into. Since I have tall boots, I often wear black leggings or skinny pant to tuck in to the boots. So much to think about, right?

I had heard of these clear umbrellas, but I finally took the plunge and bought one at Target and I love it! My handle broke unfortunately so another one from Amazon is currently in my cart. What makes this so great? You can put the umbrella down as close to your head as you want and still have total visibility. I love it!

I also have little rainproof loafers from Costco – not pictured. They are kind of like if some one cut off a duck boot and made it a flat. These are great for summer rain.

Also, I noticed Target started carrying a great brand called Okabashi. I used to see this brand at a local boutique; beware, these may be a lesser quality made especially for Target. However, I think these blush and black flats would be great for wet sidewalks.

Once you have the right gear, you may not mind the rain as much! My tall black Hunters in a fall outfit and my short yellows for the Kentucky Derby. I wear my black so much more! I am considering another short pair in black. One reason why I don’t wear the yellow as much is because they are more work to slip on and off. That is silly, but true! And, of course, you need some sort of rain jacket. Would you believe I got my black Columbia for only $10 at Kohl’s? I can’t remember how I worked that deal but it was a good one!

What kind of rain gear do you have? What do you recommend? It has been raining a ton here lately, by the way. I think Mother Nature confused snow for rain.

It’s almost Friday! Thanks for reading!

Amy