Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Friday, May 24, 2024

It’s Friday! I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for the fabulous Friday Favorites link up!

Today is the last day of the 2023-2024 school year! I still have to work a full day on Tuesday, but I shouldn’t have much to do by then. We will have a meeting and a program to say farewell to retiring teachers and a lunch donated by the alumni association. I can’t believe we’re here and I also can’t believe it took so long to get here. Ha! That’s how it always goes, I think.

Here are some favorites from my week. Did you have a good week? I hope you also had many favorites.

Wednesday was “senior walk” where the seniors are led by a drumline and can give notes, flowers, and candy to their teachers and the underclassmen. I taught about 60 seniors this year and got some really sweet notes (my fave!). The notes are what I save and what mean so much to me at the end of the day. I also got a really cool Swig cup that looks very Mexican art-inspired and a cute little vase of flowers, and a pouch with beauty products. So cute!

I was glad the walk happened during my planning period. I got to sit and read all of my notes and think back on the memories made with this group.

It was a weird week, too. We had school on Monday (without seniors), then Tuesday was a teacher day because it was primary election day. I went home for lunch and went to the library and to Target before I had to be back. I got a Starbuck’s passion tea lemonade and hadn’t had one in years.

At the end of the work day, I went home and got Eddie Otis because several staff had wanted to meet him. He was a total ham and then got to see where the magic happens. He sat in Paco’s desk because Paco has been making fun of his long tongue and telling me that my puppy was abnormal.

The students were made that he came in on a non-student day.

Aunt Molly (my sis) sent a funny toy that EO loves!

On the food front this week – I did my last two meal prep lunches Monday and Wednesday! So.tired.of.packing.lunch! Ha! Erica requested sub in a tub and pizza bowls – easy. The pizza bowl was also a dinner. By the way, I am going to make a lunch list for summer of easy go to meals.

One night for dinner we had Greek bowls with Greek potatoes.

My breakfast has been some variation of eggs and Amylu chicken breakfast sausage links from Costco. This day I added spinach and cottage cheese. By the way, Good Culture is the most delicious cottage cheese. Have you tried it?

I am happy to report that my beloved Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deodorant is working as the temps heat up. I was in Ulta last weekend and I wanted to share that they have an aluminum free. This stick smells divine and lasts forever, in my opinion. Also, do you know about Ulta’s incredible return policy? I returned three items that I didn’t like and got my money back. You just have to have your phone number on file with them. I know some love Sephora, but Ulta is easier for me. It’s located in my favorite outdoor mall and easier to get to and less overwhelming than Sephora in my opinion.

Ok, my reading life has improved. I’m usually able to read for a bit after school after I play with my puppy. He sits and stares at the backyard happenings or falls asleep and I read a bit before starting dinner.

This is so cute! It would be a great summer read!

And, look what was ready for me at the library!

Sarah Adams would be a great summer reading author if you have yet to discover her.

I personally don’t like super scary books, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian novels, and I had my fill of historical fiction for awhile with all the books I read about WWII. I did love The Hunger Games and I love Sally Hepworth, but I wouldn’t call her books super scary. I like good stories, romance, funny dialogue, and good chick lit. If you are like me, the above books will probably fit the bill for you. I also love non-fiction books about finance, self-help, life hacks, and stuff like that.

Eddie Otis helped me do the Kroger pick up one day this week.

Hi Mom!

He doesn’t really “swim” in his baby pool. He walks in circles and drinks.

Cute boy:

Yes, my camera roll is now mostly my puppy!

I really need to get to Trader Joe’s this weekend! I want to get some of these:

And, some of these products! Did you know these are supposed to be a dupe for Bum Bum cream?

I hear it sells out quickly!

I have hardly shopped at all in 2024! For me! Seriously!

I ordered some things that I hope work out:

I finally ordered the Aerie set of gauzy shorts and button up called the Pool-to-Party short and the Pool-to-Party coverup shirt. I wasn’t sure about sizing and one size I considered was sold out. I picked this fun melony pink color.

And, I think this is going to work. The fabric is fabulous!

After my cover up post, I realized I don’t really like/aren’t really my style anymore the cover ups I have. I plan to do another closet clean out as school as I have time. I have been wearing all my spring and summer and now it’s time to weed out again, you know? I may just be getting this in another color!

I have also been unhappy with my sandals selection and Jen did a great post that led me to ordering 3 pairs of sandals! I may not keep them all.

Anyway, I am sure I will do a recent purchases post when I see what works out!

Happy Friday! Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Amy

Thursday, May 23, 2024

It’s Thursday and that means Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill!

One day last week I tried blue ON Malibu tee on blue Umgee gauzy pants with my ON cardigan and my last year Target slides:

My helper:

The next day I did my other ON graphic tee with my other pair of Umgee gauzy pants and a green cardigan and my colorful scarf headband that you can’t see very well:

Did you catch my gauze post Tuesday?

The next day I wore an old LulaRoe pencil skirt with a Target black cotton blouse and my Madewell sneaks:

Again, someone is trying to steal my spotlight!

Friday night for dinner I put this on:

Sunday I wore this because it was so hot:

Monday – one of my gauze tops with old palazzo pants:

And Tuesday was just a teacher day so the gauze came out again but with my “Shell Yeah” t-shirt.

The flip flops are Amazon Essentials and flat as a pancake. I do really like them, but not for a long day of standing on your feet. They were fine for a teacher day.

Amy

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

I’m going into the season with two new suits. I ordered the first on at the end of the summer on major clearance from Aerie for $30.

And, the second is from Walmart for about the same price. I wanted it to be a deeper navy and it is a bit more royal blue. I guess it’s in between the two shades of blue.

For me, it’s all about the cover up that I wear over the suit on the boat or to the pool.

One of my most worn is this black Target gauzy lightweight dress. Did you see my gauze post yesterday? I left this out because it’s in my cover up category of clothing.

This also looks nice enough to wear in a restaurant or a store.

And, I also wear this white Target cover up.

The following I’ve had for years:

I got the above at Target or Kohl’s and I’m talking 10 years old or so.

I have two long coverups. This one is a couple of years old from Amazon:

This is from World Market last year:

After seeing my collection, I must be honest. I still like the first two, but I feel like the rest are dated. I placed an order for this one on Amazon. I plan to keep my eyes open when I get to the brick and mortar stores. I also am considering throwing on one of my oversized button ups. I really like that look for the season.

Don’t settle and make sure you love your cover up. You really only need one, but it will make you feel fabulous when you have to put on that swimsuit.

Where do you stand on coverups?

Amy

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

You are my people if you just sang that title to the tune of song that shall not be named on this blog!

I fell in love with this gauzy fabric a couple of summers ago and want to share my gauze collection. Now, I don’t have links for you, but I want to sing its praises and I know you will see it in each and every retailer!

This first blouse is a consignment find – new with tags. It’s Old Navy and I really like it – especially in the transitional time in late spring and early summer.

This is also a consignment find – J.Crew. I often like to repeat a look in long and short sleeve form. I love a white blouse and think it looks so good with cut offs. You can dress these blouses up or down.

I have three Target Universal Thread dresses from three seasons ago? These have been work horses in my closet. I got the white one in a size larger because white.

I wear the black the most and most recently wore it to graduation.

I love this yellow Walmart Scoop dress! I have worn this a bunch.

I love my two pairs of Umgee pants. I got one at a local boutique and one off of Amazon.

The blue ones can give you the look of jeans but in a cooler fabric, too, I think.

Here is a recent school outfit I put together:

And another:

This Chico’s skirt was $5 on the clearance rack a few winters ago.

Will I buy more gauze? I can assure you I will! Do you have any gauze?

Amy

Monday, May 20, 2024

It’s Monday and I am linking up with Sarah and Holly but I don’t think I’ve ever taken so few photos on a weekend. Bad Blogger! I’m also so behind in responding to comments. I can’t wait to have more time for that! I apologize!

Let’s go back to Friday! I brought in my crockpot and made queso for my two AP classes. I had cubed two huge thing of Velveeta the night before and then added two cans of Ro-Tel per batch. They all brought in stuff, too. We debriefed about the 4 hour long exam they took the day before. They have the potential to earn up to 12 college credit hours depending on how well they do and how much their college of choice gives them.

Someone brought in a fiesta pack of Jarritos Mexican soft drinks!

We took photos in the hall!

Some were silly.

I will get to see them as they do their “senior walk” to say good-bye, but this was the last day of having seniors in class.

My sweet 7th period Spanish 3 which only has 3 seniors wanted to do a grazing table so we made a charcuterie board on a brand new plastic tablecloth.

They asked if they were my favorite class and I really don’t have a favorite, but they have been a nice way to end the day. For the last period of the day, I have dug deep for energy to teach a lesson that I have already taught twice before (in my 4th and 6th period Spanish 3 classes) and they have been cooperative, funny, and sweet.

One of the coolest things about being a teacher is seeing the different personalities that each class has. Gosh, you guys, this job is so emotional! It’s so hard because I’m so ready for the year to end, but you never have the same class dynamic again and that part is sad.

Friday night, I rallied and made Tom rally, too, and Tom and I went for pizza with our two couple friends. I ordered a salad and a slice. We also brought home a pizza for our kids who were home hanging out.

I could not sleep Friday night for anything! I think I was wound up from being “ON” all day. I felt so bad Saturday morning from really what amounted to about 3 bad nights of sleep last week. I bowed out of a trip to Tom’s parents’ house, but Tom, Eddie Otis, and the kids went. I tried to clean as much as I could while I had pup out of the house. I made myself a version of Applebee’s spinach artichoke pizza from the 90s on a low carb tortilla. It didn’t taste much like it, but it was good.

I picked up a few things from Kroger – I went inside for the first time in quite a while! They have rearranged my Kroger! It ain’t for the best, either! URGHHHH!

I also needed just a couple of things from Trader Joe’s and noticed they had this:

I didn’t buy it, but I thought it was interesting.

Everyone returned home and I made dinner and read on the porch a bit. I went to bed Saturday night at 8:30 I think!

Yesterday morning I was up with Eddie Otis before 6:00 a.m. He’s really a pretty good puppy, except for the biting. He is such a biter!

The kids have been a huge help with Eddie Otis since they have been finished with classes, but we give them a break on the weekend.

I did my last two meal prep lunches and piddled around – finished laundry and just odds and ends. Around 2:00, Tom and I went to an art fair.

I bought a candle from Lendenwood Goods – the owner is a friend of a friend – and I love her all cocktail or coffee based candles – what a connection, no? Check her out. The prices are great for these nice candles! I really love the wide wood wicks, too.

Then, we went to take the boat off the battery. It had been charging. We were going to try to do the maiden voyage yesterday but it wasn’t ready.

Did you have a good weekend? I hope you did more than I did!

Amy

Friday, May 17, 2024

OMG! It’s Friday! I am happy to link up with Andrea and Erika for this fun link up!

My AP Spanish exam was yesterday! I am so happy to be done! My seniors were done. done. Alas, it’s been a year so I don’t really blame them. I think everyone felt the crazy of this year deep in their bones. We started school August 9th only to go home and not start again until August 21st due to our bussing fiasco. We also had a new bell schedule this year and the addition of metal detectors. It felt like a lot!

But, today is my last day with these seniors and the seniors in my other classes. I will really miss them! They have all next week to do activities, but they just check into first period so they aren’t really in class anymore.

Let’s talk about some faves from the week. It’s definitely a hodge podge!

This dressing is a fave of the whole family. We are trying to eat more salads and we had one with this one this week. I found mine at Kroger.

We found Eddie Otis chilling in the dog wash one evening when we couldn’t find him. We figured out he is attracted to the cool tile. Guess what he never lays on – his two dog beds!

Who you lookin’ at?

Asleep:

Erica and I are also doing more salads for lunch. Monday I did my strawberry salad:

lettuce, grilled chicken, goat cheese or feta, sunflower seeds, strawberries, and Brianna’s vinaigrette.

One dinner and one lunch was ground turkey yum yum bowls. I loosely used Carolina Charm’s recipe.

Erica made a great white lasagna soup. Will have to get her recipe. She used Barilla Protein noodles!

This week’s mani is a blue French and it matches my pedi. My pedi is Essie Ripple Effect. I own it and took it to the salon.

Tom got me Costco flowers that I am enjoying! I needed two vessels there were so many!

I picked up this fun half cookie half brownie cake at Kroger for grad. We’ve all enjoyed some of it this week!

Another week, another Chobani creamer. I didn’t like this one as much as hazelnut. Hazelnut and Cookie Dough remain my faves.

I made the double chocolate croissants from Trader Joe’s last weekend. Yum!

I actually had a chance to drink some coffee on the patio on a rainy morning this week!

Tom surprised me one night this week with these cool lights that Steak and Bourbon has.

He found a knock off on Amazon. I think they are super cool! They have two levels of light and you just touch to turn on. It’s from his Amazon account so I don’t have a link right now.

I offered temporary tatoos for AP to get in the zone for the exam. One arm model:

Eddie Otis got to use Ernie’s old baby pool this week and loved it!

Who me?

And, I only wish Tom looked at me like this. I think someone is in love.

Do you have a favorite from the week? I hope you had many!

Amy

Thursday, May 16, 2024

It’s already Thursday! This week has flown. I am in my second to last week of school for students. I do have to go back after Memorial Day. Things are really winding down. The goal has been comfy but still trying to wear unique/different outfits without repeating. It’s showing me just how many clothes I really have. I haven’t had time to shop! Seriously! When has this ever happened?

I am happy to link up with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files, so let’s go!

I got a lot of compliments on this last Thursday. I feel that it is meh. I also didn’t button the tiny back of neck button because the last time I did with another blouse that I have donated, I lost a chunk of hair. My hair got so tangled up around the button that Tom had to perform a procedure to get me loose. I offered him my hair but he declined. Bald jokes are fun! You’re welcome for the puppy butt shot.

The next day I was super casual and I wore jeans, slim gold flip flops, and my ON oversized top. I’m holding Eddie Otis to show you how big he has gotten.

I was off the next day and got to do lunch with my college kids who were almost graduates! Mason got in my shot! I wore my Dillard’s Westbound jeans, my TJ Maxx blouse, and my newish Beach sandals.

Graduation Day! I did look for a new dress, but I had some options and ended up choosing the black gauzy and brought a cardigan if needed. I fancied it up with my bee clutch

and my champagne earrings.

The next day I put the same outfit on for pics!

Monday to school I wore last year’s Walmart dress with a consignment cardigan. I have on pineapple earrings. I was finally feeling that the end was in sight so the tropical and pineapples made sense!

Tuesday I wore granny’s nightgown which is another dress from Walmart last year. I added the Carly Jean kimono over it. I wore my Amazon two strap wheezing sandals. Only Jen will get that! They “wheeze” when you walk. You know how many people whistle while they work? These wheeze while you walk. I’m here all week folks. Oh yeah, remember when I said I was only posting three times a week? Does anyone really believe me anymore when I say that! I can’t quit you. I just can’t.

And, for our finale, I put out Malibu beach vibes yesterday with my “50 shades of blue”. I have blue pants, blue tee, blue nails, blue toenails, and a blue heart that I had to go to work.

Someone else felt blue, too.

And, that’s my week – or the days I remembered to snap!

Do you have any favorites? Any you hate? I’m a little too fragile for that second question.

What have you been putting on your body? I really want my friend Dan to answer this question! Ha!

Amy

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Whew! The past few days have been a whirlwind! The end of the school year seems like it takes forever – part of that is that as a Spanish teacher I teach 9th-12th grades and different grades are pulled for testing (mandatory state and AP), so I rarely have a full class in May! But it’s also a fun time because we can chat and be a bit more casual. They have independent work and a project to be working on when they are in class. We are for sure wrapping up!

Friday night the whole family – including Eddie Otis went to the nature center to see the play Mason has been a part of. It was really cute. Eddie Otis was really good, too. The setting was really pretty and the weather was great!

Mason below on the right:

Eddie Otis let me sleep in a bit on Saturday. He has to be lifted out of bed. He is quite the diva. He is pretty patient, though. He lets me go to the bathroom and put my robe and shoes on and then I pick him up. Sunday Tom did the morning duties.

So, college graduation was Saturday at 2:00 and it wasn’t exactly as I had hoped. This happens often as parents and often as parents of older kids, I think. We kind of have to roll with it. Jack had to leave the house at 8:00 and sing in both the graduate ceremony at 10 before the undergrad ceremony. So, we drove with Mason and we never got to get photos or both of them together beforehand.

Mason and Tom walking in:

Another thing was that they didn’t get to graduate at their college, Bellarmine University. It was held at the fair and expo center Freedom Hall. So, it was sad not to be on campus. I also didn’t get to take a photo of Mason with his roommate who graduated, too.

It was long! And, then Mason had to be at the play at 5:30 and didn’t even have time to eat at a restaurant. So, that was not what I had imagined, either. We got him DQ drive thru and then Jack, Tom, and I ate at a mediterranean place that Jack chose.

Jack had two friends over and they did s’mores and enjoyed the patio, so that was nice. Mason finally got home around 10 from the play.

So, mamas, we don’t always get to design these events the way we would like. My kids didn’t get a 2020 high school graduation, so this was their first. And, as a twin mom you feel like you only get one shot at these special moments. I couldn’t be prouder, and they both grew so much in their four years. So, I guess I am being real with you all. Those social media photos probably have a not so picture-perfect story behind them most of the time and I try to remember that.

On Sunday, they agreed to don their attire again and Tom and I also wore the same thing. as we wore on Saturday! We did some backyard photos because we didn’t have time to go to campus, but they have promised me would do that soon. I called it all I wanted for Mother’s Day.

Those will have to do for now. I may do a separate post with more information, but neither of them like a lot of attention.

Jack graduated cum laude, which was also a nice surprise. The pink cord was for music. Mason’s cords were for theatre and a theatre organization.

I picked up this vial of holy water from the campus chapel at the beginning of their freshman year and kept it with me since then. I think I lost some of the holy water along the way. What else in my purse became holy in the last four years?

I let them pick the Mother’s Day lunch because it turned into a graduation celebration, too. They picked the butter candle place!

Mason finished up the play Sunday night and it really filled his cup. His castmates all signed a grad card and got him cupcakes, too, so I know he was so touched.

It was a big weekend! I am a mom of college graduates! How did that happen? They are just starting to apply for jobs and will probably work whatever part time job this summer. I’m ok with that. I had my big girl job one month or less after graduating and I never got off that train. I’m still on that train. So, I think it’s ok that they are figuring it out right now.

It also has made me think of my college graduation, the summer after college graduation, and my first apartment and teaching job. That girl on the left had no idea what she was in for. And, that girl on the right is still one of my biggest supporters. We just got off the phone a bit ago. She always remembers the big moments in my life and texts or calls.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Tell me something about yours or your graduation celebrations!

Amy

Monday, May 13, 2024

I will tell you about the weekend; don’t worry! I have two college graduates! And it was Mother’s Day this weekend – and Mason was in a play that ran from Thursday to last night – Whew! It was a full one! But today I am joining the Share Our Lives ladies here for this month’s topic…

5 favorite and 5 least favorite foods

If you a regular reader you know that I love and appreciate good food. The older I get the more bougie my food tastes get, I think. But this is also a good thing because I am not willing to waste calories on mediocre food or foods I don’t love. I think had I answered this question even 5 years ago I would have said more sweet things in my first list, but I think I have changed.

Top 5:

1. Potatoes
2. Good bread – bad bread doesn’t tempt me. I won’t touch a bread basket if I am in danger of losing a tooth.
3. Cheese
4. Eggs in most any form, but I don’t want a runny yolk
5. Good salads and mediterranean are one of my favorites. I like all salads, though. Just don’t put nuts or pine nuts in it. I like salads that involve most all vegetables and fruit combos, too, like spinach and mandarin oranges. I love vegetables both cooked and raw.

Bottom 5:

1. Nuts! I have never liked nuts. Put nuts in your baked goods and then I will not touch them. I do love peanuts and pistachios. I hate pine nuts, too.

2. lima beans and peas – nope! I taught my sisters how to pretend to eat your peas but actually put them in your napkin.

3. Lamb, duck, scallops – I don’t know. Just don’t like them. Oh, or squid or octopus. Yes, I have tried them. Not a fan. I could honestly do without lots of the meat family.

4. Green peppers – too harsh. I don’t really like red or yellow, either, but they seem more palatable.

5. Olives – neither color appeal to me. Green are too briny and black have no taste but bad texture. I do like dill pickles, though, so you would think I would like green olives. I don’t like capers, either.

I couldn’t even make myself find pictures of the things I hate.

That was fun! Do you agree or disagree with me on any of these foods?

Amy

Friday, May 10. 2024

It’s finally Friday and I am happy to link up with Andrea and Erika!

I had a really relaxing weekend last weekend and I wanted to show you a favorite from my happy place – my backyard and my two patios. I normally have this chair folded on my upper patio, but I brought it out to the yard on Sunday and it was divine. Here is mine if you are looking for a gift for yourself or for Father’s Day.

The sun coming through the trees is another favorite from the weekend!

Andrea made popovers recently and shared and I remembered that I had been on a popover journey a few years ago. I already had the pan and I thought it would go well with my Monday night dinner. I used an easier recipe than Andrea’s – less ingredients.

I sometimes forget how good and easy wraps are. I had a lunch alone when Erica was out this week.

I’m still plugging along on this cute book. I really want to get more in this series but they aren’t at my library. Every summer I do give myself some summer gifts for making it through another school year – lol. Maybe this will be my treat?

My high school friend and the author of Host It Notes, Beth, came over to meet EO and brought him a margarita! He loved it!

We had some photogenic moments this week…

We have a school playground behind our house and that is where our dogs get to walk. Tom taught EO to go down the slide!

I was listening to Mid Life Matters podcast which I believe Tanya recommended and they talked about an easy scone recipe.

I had all the ingredients so I thought why not? I would like to try a savory version with cheese next time maybe?

425 for 8-10 minutes

Mix one cup self-rising flour with a bit less than one cup heavy cream. Make it a crumbly texture. Add in the chocolate chips. Make the dough into a circle and flatten (I didn’t even need a rolling pin) and then cut like a pizza with your pizza cutter but separate the 8 triangles so they can bake.

They aren’t super sweet but I will definitely make them again!

What were your favorites this week?

I hope you had many!

Amy