Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Monday, May 6, 2024

This was one of those weekends that both felt long and short. I had Friday off so it was a three day weekend! I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share what I did.

Thursday after school Erica came over for a quick happy hour and because she wanted to see how much Eddie Otis has grown. She left and I made dinner and we did the normal evening routine. I stayed up a little later than I have been, so that was nice.

Friday my piranha puppy let me sleep until 6:20 and Tom had taken him to bed at 8:30 the night before so I was nervous. Thank you, Eddie Otis! I felt great after a week of very little sleep. We do puppy playtime on the floor after breakfast and after he gets worn out, he naps and lets me do blog stuff. Then, we did a walk and he let me do my laundry and a load of towels (his laundry – puppies make lots of dirty laundry).

Awwww – warning that there will be lots of EO photos in this post!

How does one get up and do things when you have this to cuddle?

It was a rainy dreary day and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on the Kentucky Oaks (day before Derby). I watched the outfits and some of the coverage on tv, though, throughout the day.

I offered to bring EO to Tom’s work for the first time and it made Tom slightly more popular.

Eddie Otis is really a sleepy boy most of the day and until after dinner, really.

Various napping positions here… Boy, is it nice to have a lap dog for a bit!

In the late afternoon, we went outside.

Then, it was time to meet Daddy at the vet! My kids say that I should not call Tom “Daddy”, but oh well. Tom met me and we both got to hear that his weight has officially doubled now. He got a couple of shots and was definitely a good boy. Mason was home and wanted Mexican takeout so Tom picked it up and I took EO on home.

We woke up Saturday to more rain…but everything is just so green!

I made an egg scramble for Mason and I.

I did a little morning reading. Years ago, I asked myself what I liked so much about vacation and I answered myself that I liked drinking coffee and eating outside, reading outside, and the slower pace. So, I have tried to replicate the things I do on vacation at home. I’m sure this is not a revelation to anyone, but I made these practices intentional many years ago.

My new smart oven told me it was Derby…

I found out when it is a good time to go to Trader Joe’s – Derby Saturday morning!

My project this weekend was to work on cleaning and sprucing up the patios and getting some new plants and flowers.

I also wanted to make Derby foods for just our family on Saturday. I made hot brown sliders, benedictine spread, and set out a few things I didn’t make.

Tom pressured washed the patio and the rug and got ferns to hang, too.

I got myself the recent Southern Living and of course, it had Derby day stuff!

I watched Derby coverage on and off all day and finally when it was time for the big race I sat on the patio in the rain and watched on my phone.

A former student got to sing My Old Kentucky home with the U of L choir:

For dinner, we had all already eaten all day so I didn’t make anything else.

Yesterday morning, I got a nice photo of my big boy:

He has learned “sit”!

Another niece had another prom:

I only went to one store on Sunday and it was Dollar Tree. I found some cute sets of blank cards that I like to have on hand.

Jack and I made a cake and used the Hershey’s Cocoa frosting recipe on the package again. We made our cake from a box and subbed the veg oil for butter.

Eddie Otis learned what mowing was yesterday. Look at his little butt following behind Tom. He would follow for a bit and then run back to me.

My chartreuse press on is still going strong as of typing this on Sunday afternoon.

I’m excited to buy some summer colors but I’m making myself use what I have for now.

Tell me something about your weekend!

Because I have such a busy few weeks ahead, I am planning to only post on Monday, Thursday, and Friday unless I am able to join another link up.

Amy

Friday, May 3, 2024

Happy Friday! It’s a really happy one for me because we don’t have school! It’s the day before The Kentucky Derby here in Louisville and that is called Oaks Day. So many teachers were taking it off that they decided to make it a flex Professional Development Day so technically I already worked today over the summer.

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites!

I shared some of these in my Currently post Wednesday, so forgive me! Also, if you had a busy week like I did – here is Hello Monday, Share Your Shelf, Fashion Files, and High Brow (a post about eye brows!)

I am tired. I had a good week of sleep last week, but at the beginning of this week Eddie Otis was restless at night. Then, I think I was restless or went to bed too early or too late. I firmly believe I have a window for optimum sleep or optimum falling asleep. Are you like that? Also, my back hurts. These can also be end of year teacher problems and not just new puppy problems.

Last College Payment happened this week! When you have twins, you have a condensed and intense situation on your hands!

A lot of you talked about this in the comments and there have been a lot of questions about their next steps. I may do a post on that even though I do try not to talk too much about their personal lives here. Today (to be exact) we will have Mason moving home and we will have four humans and one canine under the roof for at least a year I would say.

I love bringing the outdoors in and using Mason jars! I saw someone post a beautiful teal Mason jar and I need that!

I found this at my Kroger and tried another good flavor – Hazelnut. So far, I have tried and loved Cookie Dough and Hazelnut.

I have had the black Sand and Shore from Target for years and added the silver. I am really loving the look for only $10! These seem to be more useful than flip flops right now for the multiple puppy trips outside. We have to carry him down the back steps still. He can go up them if he feels like it but he often whines to be carried up.

Still really want these or something similar.

Trader Joe’s does it again and for under $7. This was recommended as a good wine for summer. Bonus that it has a screw top so you can take it on a picnic or elsewhere. If you like chenin blanc and have a TJ’s try this!

Erica and I are still sharing lunch duty. A fave this week was my breakfast/brunch. We had low carb egg casserole, one piece of bacon, potatoes, brussels sprouts, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions and a side of one tiny cinnamon roll, French bread, and dill havarti cheese.

Eddie Otis doesn’t like my frother. I laughed when he was backing away…

So cute so far…

I’ve loved my green mani this week! Again, I use Impress press ons that I order online. I like the petite size but can also deal with short. These are petite and I only had to file them slightly.

Shay mentioned this chicken breast and I love it! It’s from Trader Joe’s and I put some with pasta and ate some on its own this week. I can’t wait to buy it again.

And, Jack approved of this and wants it again!

I’ve had fun this week wearing my Derby earrings!

If this isn’t cute, right? Tom is so happy!

And, the rest of my Derby earring collection…

Wednesday night, we took Eddie Otis to a steamboat race party and he swam in the river!

We had a tired puppy after all the fun!

I found my college graduation picture with my bestie and roomie Heather:

Wow – if that girl only knew!

And, I couldn’t love this more. There was a fun little book at the library that had mottos for surviving work life and I didn’t check it out but snapped this photo:

Did you know weekend work emails are illegal in France? Close the computer and eat a croissant!

I had to work hard at it, but I stopped checking emails after work hours and on weekends. Sometimes I break my rule, but not often. We have a lot to learn in this country, don’t we?

What were your faves this week?

Amy

Thursday, May 2, 2024

This is my second post of today so that I could link up with Jennifer for her new Share Your Shelf link up!

So, I almost exclusively use library books that are real books! My Kindle broke several years ago and I just went back to real books. I have saved so much money by using my library. I put in requests on the app on my phone and then go pick them up. Sometimes I browse the new releases while I’m there. I also love to have a non-fiction going at the same time as fiction. The money saved goes for new clothes and shoes!

I think we don’t change much as we get older. I still have the same hobbies that I did as a child. I loved to read, bake, be in nature, be creative and make up skits and songs. Hello – that is still me! I’ve always had that giddy feeling when I leave the library with a fresh stack of books.

I don’t worry about reading super intellectual books because reading is enjoyment and escape for me. With that said, I can’t read bad books or books that are written in short choppy sentences or that keep repeating details like I’m dumb. There are several popular authors that I just cannot read. I’m sorry to those of you that enjoy some of these authors.

My sweet spot is a chick lit book that is also funny. Sarah Adams is a new favorite author. Cara Bastone is new to me, too. I just finished this:

I just started this:

In my last library pick up:

I have quite an eclectic mix here!

I love to check out cookbooks because I don’t want the clutter and I would want to check it out before committing!

I read all year long, but I usually read 20-30 books in the summer. I also would call myself a “fair weather reader” because I read more outside than inside for some reason. I just love reading outside!

I read on every car trip my family took and my family knew that I was in my own world and wouldn’t respond if I was reading. They had to really get my attention to pull me away from the story. I love that I am a reader. My Dad also took a book everywhere and said that he could never be bored if he had a book. Awww!

What’s on your shelf?

Amy

Thursday, May 2, 2024

It’s Thursday and time to link up with Kellyann and Jill. I’m actually doing two posts today so I can be part of two link ups – so check out my other post, too!

This was a school outfit. I’m wearing my last year Target blouse (Tanya’s rec!), my new Umgee pants, and just white Madewell sneakers. Eddie Otis is trying to play with my pants!

Friday was senior awards and I had to dress up. I wore this old Target Knox Rose dress and consignment Target heels that are a dupe for a more expensive brand. They are pretty comfortable, but I did bring a change of shoes for after the ceremony.

Saturday errands and spray tan day called for all black. This photo was taken in J.Crew Factory where I did not purchase anything! I’m wearing Walmart cut offs that are a couple of years old, a very old Target knit top, and my very old Birks.

I wanted to wear my few years old gold lace up sandals, but I think this looks weird. I wore the same cut offs and put on my Old Navy blue and white stripe button up. I ended up half tucking and not knotting the shirt. I wore this to dinner on a patio.

Sunday I wore this to the farmer’s market. These pink cut offs are the same as the black from Walmart a few years ago. The top is very old from Costco and is starting to yellow a bit.

Monday for school I wore this dress so I could wear matching Derby earrings. This week is a four day week and I have four pairs of Derby earrings now! Ha!

The next day I wore this with my pink Derby earrings! I wore this Old Navy top that I also have in black and blue with my Amazon pink pants that I cut off and left frayed. They have remained frayed without getting ratty.

And, I have been wearing my new silver faux Birks from Target!

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

A few years ago I noticed my brows were changing. I’ve never really had to worry about my brows. They’ve always been thick (not quite Brooke Shields thick, but pretty thick), and honestly, I didn’t know I was supposed to worry about them. In the 90s I got them waxed. I guess I did that for some time. I never plucked them to death and I never got them waxed super thin except one time when I went to a really bad waxer.

I can’t believe what a difference brows make in your overall face. They make you look younger, more awake, and just all around better, in my opinion.

Exhibit A:

What is going on? One is higher than the other. One is thicker than the other. These are definitely not identical twins and I’m not even sure they are fraternal twins. They are a hot mess.

Exhibit B:

Better?

I’m really not great at makeup but if I can use these low brow (won’t break the bank) products, anyone can.

They are both by elf:

First I start with the pencil end:

I follow that with the spooly end and just brush them out and make them look more natural. I end with the black brow mascara product.

These products last me a really long time because I don’t use that much at a time.

I hate to browbeat this topic. I finished this post by the sweat of my brows. Please don’t knit your brows and trust me on this.

Where do you stand on brows?

Amy

Monday, April 29. 2024

It’s Monday and that means link up day with Holly and Sarah!

Let’s go back to Thursday evening because I usually finish my Friday post Thursday morning, so this didn’t make my Friday Favorites!

We took Eddie Otis to Waldo’s Chicken and Beer and he slept in our friends’ arms the whole dinner! They fought over him, to be clear. We told them we promised he was an active puppy most of the day!

Models leaving the dinner:

Like father like son. Tom was wearing his Barbour jacket from England and we thought it looked like an ad. No, it was not that cold, but Tom apparently thought it was.

Friday I had to be on stage for senior awards day.

I got a Class of 2024 cookie!

For dinner I made breakfast foods and we went to bed early. Both of us were worn out. Can we please go to a 4 day work week?

Saturday morning Tom went hiking with a friend and I single puppy mommed it from 8-4. We spent a lot of time on the upper and lower patios.

I was even able to read during morning nap!

My latest press on mani lasted 8 days:

I was so tired I couldn’t count, but it was 8 days.

Later in the day I went to Trader Joe’s, the library, and to use my last spray tan of the month,

I got this:

Tin-Tin (my Swedish blog reader and friend), this book is so cool! I can imagine you going to all of these places.

I was able to read while EO napped and it was wonderful.

Daddy came home and EO needed a bath:

Another night, another patio for EO.

We went to Limestone Yacht Club where the nice owner brought him his first big boy dog bowl of really cool square ice. He thought it was his job to get all the ice out of the bowl.

This guy has now doubled in size in just 3 weeks. Tom took this picture after dinner and he just looks so big!

And, yesterday for Sunday Funday, we went to the opening of the afternoon farmer’s market.

We had some friends come and meet EO and we sat and talked for a bit. Tom and Eddie Otis got really tired.

On the way home we picked up our Kroger order and then Tom got some tv time and I got some patio reading time while this guy kept on napping.

We had a really lovely weather weekend – 80s! It was a really nice one.

What about you?

Amy

Friday, April 26, 2024

It’s Friday! I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some favorites from this week. I hope you had a good week, too!

My first favorite is that I’ve gotten more sleep this week! I think Eddie Otis is learning the night time drill and his bathroom breaks might be getting more regular now? He goes to bed in our bed around 8:30-9 and stays in the bed until 6:15. We take him out once or twice from our bedroom and then he goes back to sleep-ish. He does have a few chew toys in our bed.

I got my hair highlighted and it looks so much better. I debated getting it chopped off and wearing it straight, but for now I’m keeping my current routine.

I’m loving my new replenished Seint makeup and my Lipsense lipstick this week, too. If you are curious, I would recommend finding some follows on IG to see what they are all about.

Ok – yum! I can’t find this at my Kroger, but I did find it at Target and I’m going back to get more. There is nothing “yucky” in this creamer. I have to have some creamer. I cut out any type of sweetener in my coffee years ago, but I like some frothy cream, you know?

Eddie Otis is a biter! Look at my arms!

I do see some improvement in his biting and I do think he is realizing what “no bite” means now.

I love prom season and promposals. Look at the cute Crumbl promposal my senior niece got:

Catching himself in the mirror!

In things that make me laugh at school…we have a goose that has laid her egg in our school courtyard – in one of our raised planter boxes. They put caution tape around her and I heard they gave the counselors shifts of “goose duty”.

I am the last to leave the house these days around 8:00. I don’t have to be at school until 8:30 but I like to be early. I actually spent most of the year arriving between 7:30-7:45. I come home during planning period at 10:30 so EO has been crated for 2.5 hours. I take him out, walk him, play with him, and then he gets another hour and a half crated before Tom comes home for lunch. I have been leaving Tom a lunch:

He finds it hard to make his lunch and deal with the excitement of a puppy, so this is a little thing I can do for him.

These are really good rice cakes. I spread a Laughing Cow cheese on top for a snack:

I come home at 3:30 and EO and I pretty much stay outside until 5:30. We play and he gets sleepy toward the end of that time so I can take him in to make dinner and he naps a bit.

Our front flowers look so pretty right now!

This week was pretty slow – work, home, work, home, and didn’t involve much else other than a Kroger pick up on Tuesday after school.

I made taco wraps, Boursin and tomato pasta, chicken teriyaki bowls, and that’s about it for our dinners.

What were your faves this week?

Amy

Thursday, April 25, 2024

It’s Thursday already – yes I said already! It’s link up day with Kellyann and Jill.

Let’s go back to last Wednesday or Thursday when it was a rainy morning. Eddie Otis is learning the drill. This picture really makes me laugh. Look at my blogger puppy! I wore my patterned pants (very old), pink consignment blouse (very old), my white Madewells, and my rain jacket. Eddie Otis wore nothing. He does not even have a collar on!

The next day I wore another pair of patterned pants. My students said they looked like Alani pants – the energy drink, you know?

And, I think I forgot to take a photo Friday so this was Saturday:

And, later Saturday when I wanted to change:

Sunday:

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

I got my hair done and did my Seint makeup and used my Lipsense and here it is:

I hardly ever take selfies and I’m super awkward.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

It’s hard to believe it’s the last Wednesday of April but so it is. It’s a fun link up with Shay and Sheaffer today!

What We’re Eating…

I’ve had a fun semester with my kids! Jack took a chemistry of cooking class and we made a cake, bread, meat, and finally cookies. He had to take photos, record results, and have us taste them. For all of the cooking projects except one Mason and I helped and we had a really fun time doing it.

This past Sunday we got to eat these cookies!

On Sunday, I went ahead and made most of dinner early because I knew I had something to do late afternoon and I also made taco meat for the next night’s dinner. Honestly, this trick saves me in the summer, too. I know that my energy is greatest in the morning and I sometimes get a jump on it.

Mason and I made egg in the hole with sourdough bread for breakfast:

And, a highlight of our eating lately was these truffle dusted steak fries. OMG!

I am really trying to treat myself when I can. I recently had a nice lunch next to my hair place. I ordered a spinach salmon salad that was sooooo good!

And, here is what I did with the taco meat. I made like taco wraps or burritos with a side bagged southwestern salad. Tom proclaimed it “better than Taco Bell”.

What I’m Reminiscing About…

I don’t know. I haven’t let myself go too deeply into this yet, but of course school and summer is on my mind. I have mothered my twins from kindergarten until senior year of college and loved every minute of it. They are my life’s work and have made it so much fun and so rewarding. Oh no… here I go down that path. I am also going to be completing my 30th year of teaching high school Spanish. I have lots of emotions tied into that as well. The three of us have been on the school schedule together for so long! Sometimes I think Tom feels left out when we talk school stuff!

What I’m Loving…

Just loving having a dog again. We miss Ernie and Eddie Otis is definitely not a replacement for him. I’m slowing down and focusing on family, home, work, and puppy needs. We are spending a lot of time outside just enjoying nature. Just like babies, puppies force you to slow down and focus on the things that are important in that moment.

What We’ve Been up to…

Sunday we went to another church to hear Jack sing. We’ve been going to anything they invite us to go to, of course.

I have been joking that Tom gets EO when he is most docile. Tom is really happy.

What I’m dreading…

Even though we have very little school left, this time is hard. Kids are pulled out for so many tests and I have mixed classes of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors within the same classes. It’s hard to plan for these last weeks and end on a good note. I am working on that right now.

What I’m excited about…

I’m excited for all things summer, really. I hate being sticky hot, but I’m excited for shorts, flip flops, summer drinks, summer foods, more time outside, more unscheduled time, farmer’s markets, seeing friends, more time with my kids, and so much!

What I’m watching/reading…

Not much! My tv and reading time has decreased for now. I am still finishing a Cara Bastone book when I can sit outside with puppy asleep or being watched by someone else.

I have a couple of library holds to pick up but haven’t had time to do that, yet.

What I’m Wearing…

Weekend Fit:

School Fit:

Weekend Fit:

Trying to wear my Adidas a lot and just trying to wear what I have. I’m starting to cycle through my dresses and trying to wear all my fun patterned pants to school. When I’m home, my collection of rubber Birkenstocks are great for taking the puppy out in the wet grass. I have white ones and black ones and then some pink and blush ones from Target and Hobby Lobby. I am definitely set for pool and boat shoes for summer, but they are so fun to buy!

What I’m looking forward to next month…

I think we are doing one Derby activity, Mason moves home, school ends for college and then for me a few weeks later, taking Eddie Otis places, new flowers and plants for outside, and so much more!

What’s up with you on this last Wednesday of the month?

Amy

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

This is going to be a really short post because we have no routine! Just kidding – I guess we do!

So, Tom has tried to still go to the gym in the mornings but has not made it every day depending on how much we are up with Eddie Otis. Sadly, I cannot figure out how to do this and still make it to work on time. In the summer, I plan to leave immediately when Tom gets home. In planning for summer, I am keeping Eddie Otis in bed until 6:15. Ernie got up at 5:00!

So, I take Eddie Otis out at 6:15 and then we do his breakfast. He doesn’t want to eat right away but he is so thirsty. I should say he has giardia, unfortunately. It is a parasite and we have had to give him powder on his food and a little pill. This could be affecting his thirst levels, his eating, and his bathroom business. We are hoping to get rid of it ASAP.

So, I have moved my morning devotional reading, blog reading, and writing to the living room floor and coffee table. I also have my coffee there for now. I sit on the floor and play toys with EO before I even think about doing anything on my own. I am also trying to work on him playing independently – lol.

He plays for quite a bit and then he is worn out!

Tom takes over and I go get ready and this guy is figuring out what we do after that:

After I’m ready, Tom leaves for work and then i play or walk EO again.

He gets crated for 2.5 – 3 hours now and depending on the day Jack helps out or I come home during planning to let him out. Tom has also been coming home for lunch everyday. We are saving lots on Tom’s lunches out! Ha! Also, I think Tom misses him and just wants to see him mid-day.

After school around 3:35 – yes, I have been rushing home – he has again been crated from about 1-3:30 and then it’s outdoor play time. I think EO really likes the yard.

We sometimes have visitors and we end up playing until around 5:00 and then get sleepy, again.

We’ve been trying to take him in the car every few days or so to get used to car rides.

I make dinner usually with EO watching me. He seems to really like laying in the kitchen. Then, we do living room playtime again.

A couple of evenings I have taken a blanket out and a few toys and we’ve sat in the yard.

For now, EO can fit on the arm of the most popular chair in the house:

Tom is still going to bed at 8:30ish and tries to take EO with him. I usually follow around 9:00-9:30.

EO sleeps on our bed and thank goodness for our bedroom French doors. We take him out directly from our room. We’ve had a couple of nights where we each only take him a couple of times but usually it’s between 4 and 4000 times each. We lay a sheet down over the comforter and provide a few chew toys. We have the fan on and have noticed EO seems to get hot easily. He seems awfully young to already get hot.

In addition, we keep all the doors closed to bedrooms and bathrooms and my closet – my shoes are not going to be your snack! If he is awake, we are constantly watching him.

So, that’s the routine for now. I thought Tom was the puppy whisperer, but now I think we are too old for this. We literally forgot everything about having a puppy!

But, this face, amiright?

Amy