Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Monday, December 12, 2022

Well, break is so close I can almost taste it but I also have so much to get done at school. I have three different finals to create, copy, and grade, 4 round table discussions to lead, and demonstration speeches to finish. Also in there will be about a million emails, at least one meeting after school, and probably a bunch of other “surprises” to my schedule. In addition, I want all my grades to be finalized and I want to be planned out for at least the first week back after break. Plus, the dorms are closing and my college kids will be home at the end of the week. Why is this time of year so busy?

I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share my weekend and then with Jen and the other gals here for Not Just a Mom.

Here are some of the highlights of my weekend starting with Thursday because that’s almost the weekend!

We had a Spanish Club cookie exchange with about 15 kids which was perfect. Everyone brought 24 cookies and left with different cookies.

I played Christmas music in Spanish in the background.

I had purchased a couple of containers from Dollar Tree and the first one and the seventh one to arrive got to have the containers.

It was fun and I think the kids had fun. I run Spanish Club by myself but I always invite all of the other 5 Spanish teachers. Erica helped me last year but this year hasn’t been able to come.

To start the weekend off right, I headed to a cozy spot at Drake’s for happy hour with Elizabeth and Erica.

I went home and changed into my Prosecc Ho Ho Ho shirt and yes, I am wearing this as much as possible.

We ordered BLT tots and I am going to try to re-create these at home.

And, we also shared some pretzels and beer cheese.

This weekend I got to try a new breakfast spot with Heather. Big Bad Breakfast just opened in this gorgeous space.

It is right next to Costco so I went there afterwards and spent about a million dollars.

I also made it to Trader Joe’s this weekend and had so much fun looking at the seasonal stuff. Post coming tomorrow on what I purchased.

We had Tom’s work party and this is Tom’s co-worker’s wife. We took a photo in the photo booth and I removed his company name and the background to show you a new trick we learned. She was looking at a photo on my phone and we happened upon this trick. Touch a person in a picture for a very long time until it kind of lights up and then select “copy”. Then, text it to yourself and save it in your camera roll and you have a head or a person without a background. I bet this might even work for a passport photo if you printed it out in the right dimensions. Maybe everyone else already knows this trick?

We had salads and a beautiful dessert waiting for us and the choice of salmon or chicken and vegetables. This nice party took a break since 2019 and is back. It was very nice.

The color of the night for the ladies was GREEN! In this photo you can see four ladies in very dark green velvet or bright green and in the next…

a green jumpsuit.

And, two of my students were servers. I told them that I couldn’t get crazy since they were there. They did a dance that we do in class for my photo.

Saturday Tom and I had a mini “day date”. We went Christmas shopping and to Christmas on the Farm at Locust Grove. This is the home of George Rogers Clark’s (Lewis and Clark) sister.

A cabin on the property:

The distillery:

We have been here a lot and there are hiking trails that we have done with our kids and Ernie many times. We also had family photos taken many years ago on the property that turned out amazing.

We went home and I made the maple and bourbon chili again! This time I doubled it, baby! If you look back to my Currently post you will find the recipe.

The weather was pretty mild so I had my chili and some truffle fries and a new drink out on my patio while I read.

For dinner, Tom and I tried the new Thai place near our house. It replaced our old Thai place and let’s just say I am sad.

Yesterday I did my meal prep and I am ready for a break! I do give myself a break from prepping from time to time and it always makes me come back fresh and ready to start it up again.

Loving Lately:

We couldn’t find the base last year and I was so sad. We found the base! I love having this tree in my bedroom.

All things peppermint…I love the candy cane chapstick all year ’round.

It came! I think this is really good, but don’t get mad at me if it’s not your cup of tea or iced coffee.

Using my red and green strap is another thing I’m loving!

I am wearing all my plaid and red and green, too.

What about you? Weekend highlights? Loving lately?

Amy

Friday, December 9, 2022

Ahhhhh Friday! I told my next door neighbor teacher, Bill, that it was starting to feel like Groundhog Day and I am so ready for winter break! It’s been both a long semester and a quick semester. Do you feel that way, too? Or are you normal and you don’t measure your life by semesters?

Let’s link up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites, shall we?

I have not replaced my lipsticks since probably 2019 with the exception of a gloss here and there. You guys – it’s almost 2023 so that would make it four years! I could not find a classic red in my stash (that seriously needs to be tossed) that I wanted to wear this month. I know I love the Maybelline Superstay Ink Crayon. Seriously, it’s a great product! So, I went to Walgreen’s after school on Monday and bought “Own Your Empire”.

But, I knew I needed a better lipliner so I bought and love Milani in the color Spice. I think you really need a lipliner when you wear a red so that it doesn’t run outside the lipline.

I love NYX products and I also picked up this clear gloss that is supposed to plump called Filler Instinct. Sometimes I will go matte and sometimes I will go glossy.

I have looked too many times in Target and Kroger over the last month for Winter Mint Chocolate Premier Protein with no luck so I finally just ordered it off of Target.com – Same with Mrs. Meyer’s peppermint handsoap and kitchen cleaner spray. I can’t wait to get these items! They scream December to me!

Remember how I complained about the cocktail the “Leafblower” I had last Friday and my “neighbor” who blows leaves for hours in every season? Look what popped up in my Facebook memory. Tom was double fisting with two leafblowers. Why do we have two? Maybe Tom is the problem? I sent him this photo and he was like, “why do you have that?”

Tom and I hadn’t had a burrito bowl in a few weeks so that was our Tuesday dinner. So good!

Erica made the lasagna cups for one lunch this week.

I tried a new machine at the gym this week and I think I like it.

We went to our friends’ house last Saturday and I love these little clay faces Beth hung in her hall bath.

My friend Victoria is celebrating her birthday this week so we had a happy hour at Cultured and it was so cozy and wonderful.

For the board we ordered, you pick three cheeses and two meats and they create the rest.

They also have amazing cocktails that are reasonably priced.

I gave Victoria the dough bowl Frasier fir candle and rechargeable lighter and she sent this photo of it when she got home!

So, I told you we are doing demonstration speeches in Spanish 3.. .This guy works at a local pie shop that also has cookies and he demonstrated this Christmas tree cookie. He also gave each student a plain cookie and their own piping bag. They had so much fun participating. You’d be surprised how much high school kids are like elementary kids, I think!

I am so glad my school is very loose about food rules. We can have homemade foods brought in. We are allowed to accept food gifts. It’s very nice and creates a nice atmosphere, I think. I am also doing a cookie exchange with Spanish Club. I think kids need stuff like this. Do you have memories of food in high school? My journalism teacher (my favorite teacher!) bought us donuts frequently.

So, what were your favorites this week? I hope you had many. Please think of me as I try to figure out my gifts this weekend! I haven’t bought anything except a stocking stuffer!

Amy

Thursday, December 8, 2022

It is Thursday and that means a link up with Jill and Kellyann!

Let’s start with Friday night – you can tell how badly my hair needed to be done – don’t worry..it happened the next day. I had my photographer at home – Mason! This is what I wore to the Madrigal Dinner – my new Chico’s black silk blouse – love it!, an old JCPenney Liz Claiborne faux fur vest, a 20 year old Target crochet skirt – seriously – I have a picture of me holding 3 month old twins in this skirt – and Target suede boots. I will have to look for that photo. It’s very stretchy.

Monday for school I wore the vest again with a black and red button down from Old Navy years ago, black leggings, and my Tory Burch flats that are probably at least 10 years old. They rub on your big toe bone by the end of the day, but I will say they still look new. Tom says I look like I’m wearing hub caps on my shoes when I wear these. Can you tell the difference in my hair between the first and second photo?

And, Tuesday I wore the new Amazon sweater, a headband (because second day hair), a simple Target black tank, and my Target Universal Thread black jeans with very old Costco booties.

I felt like I needed a longer black top so I could wear this sweater with leggings, too, so I ordered this – it was on a lightning deal for $16 and is Daily Ritual brand. I also tried on some old tights and wanted to replace them so I could wear some dress and skirt outfits with black opaque tights and booties. I am low key trying to re-create this outfit with stuff I have:

The skirt I have is quite a bit longer than the one in the inspo photo!

For school yesterday I wore my Scotch tape leggings, my black Target button down, and my Amazon sweater vest. I realize now that I don’t like my shoes. I should have worn black I guess.

After school, I was meeting my friend Victoria for a birthday happy hour at the charcuterie shop I really love. It called for an outfit change!

Stay tuned for photos in Friday Favorites of our fabulous charcuterie board.

So do you have a favorite outfit? What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

It is the day where we link up with Jennifer and many more to share our “Currentlys” in our life. Some of this will be redundant, I am sure, but I will try to add some new information, too.

Loving

My new Soup Sunday! Kellyann recommended Leslie’s chili and it is good! Tom approved, too! It is a maple bourbon chili and you need to double the recipe. Tom asked for it and it was gone. I think next time (which is probably this Sunday) I will do a bit less maple syrup. Tom said not to, but you know…I’m the cook.

Then, this past Sunday, I did skinny lasagna soup. So good! I added spinach and zucchini.

What is your favorite soup recipe?

I am also enjoying my new clutch – it can be used year ’round, but I like the red and green for now, especially!

And, I love the sweater! I mentioned it in my Prime Purchases but hadn’t done the test run yet. I would say you could size down a size or two depending on how you want it to fit.

Funny Side Note: My Spanish 3 classes have to do demonstration speeches in Spanish this week. Examples are…how to drive, how to decorate a Christmas cookie, how to write an essay, etc. One girl is doing “How to Be Sra. Scott”. Some of her steps are: Buy a headband, Wear a sweater, Spend time with your college friends (Heather and Heather), Talk about Clothes Mentor (consignment shop), Sing songs, Make couples out of your students. Ouch! Now, remember we do get to know each other well by nature of learning a language. We talk about lots of different topics in Spanish! So, the above headband and sweater made me think maybe she’s right!

Gifting

Again, this is from Prime Purchases yesterday and these are some of my recent gift purchases. Click on the red type and it will take you to my post and the direct links to look at these items. I am not trying to sell you anything and I get nothing when you click! Remember that this is a very amateur blog, ok?

Wrapping

Nothing! My above gifts went into gift bags with tissue paper. Do you call that wrapping? I do really love wrapping gifts but I’m not that good. My sister the art teacher makes the pretty wrapped gifts and does creative things like putting buttons on top of the gift instead of ribbons. My other sister the elementary teacher is also really good at wrapping. We once had a friend come to my parents’ house and say “those basic wrapped presents must be Amy’s”. Wow! I do a good job with what’s inside, KAREN!

Also, I wrap everything – almost everything that goes in our stockings, too. I even wrap a Chapstick. I leave some candy unwrapped. I know some families don’t wrap anything. Like…Santa gifts are just out in the open with no wrapping! I would never. Everything always got wrapped. I stand by my wrapping decisions.

Hoping

For some snow! We had that crazy November 12th snow (photo below) that was so pretty but way too early. I would love a white Christmas.

Attending

Our Madrigal Dinner:

Jack’s guitar concert and Jack’s church choir affair.

What are you currently loving, gifting, hoping, wrapping, and attending?

Amy

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Well, it is time for another Prime Purchases as it is the first Tuesday of the month. Thank you, Tanya, for providing this fun link up.

I started out the month needing some skinny syrup and I chose gingerbread latte flavor. It’s good! I have been happy with all of the Jordan’s Skinny flavors. The best deal is at TJ Maxx or Homegoods, but sometimes you just need to order!

Next up, I ordered a gift for a friend. I chose this frasier fir scented candle in a dough bowl. I had seen some in a boutique but they didn’t have this scent so I took to Amazon and found it from a Etsy type seller that also uses Amazon.

Then, I also got this rechargeable lighter to go with it.

I mentioned my new black Dr. Scholl’s wedges are a bit loose so I bought these to stick in the back heel. I don’t see much difference, sadly.

I don’t think I like this, sadly. This brand of cinnamon sunset tea is seriously one of the best teas I have ever had. I was intrigued by the words “bourbon” and “smoky”. I need to play around with it and maybe add some lemon juice and honey.

My sister in law had these great super absorbent dishcloths/towels at Thanksgiving and I thought they would be great to help me break up with paper towels. I ordered the smaller size without meaning to, but I still like them. I put the neutral colors in the kitchen and the pastels in my bathroom.

I desperately needed a few more of my favorite hangers. I have black but I ordered these in cream. I hang almost everything and fold very little.

My hairstylist lost her husband and I ordered her this initial necklace with his initial. She wears silver and I hope she likes it. It’s just a small token, of course, and I just really like Kendra Scott pieces. Did you know you can get KS on Amazon?

And, finally, I am excited to see if this sweater works for me. I ordered a size down because it was in stock and ready to come quicker. Do you ever play around with sizes and colors and see the drastic difference in shipping dates?

If it works, I will show you in Fashion Files!

What have you been priming lately?

Amy

Monday, December 5

How was your weekend? And, just like that we are already almost a week into December. Eek! I am linking up today for Hello Monday with Holly and Sarah.

Friday night I had plans to meet up with Erica for a drink before we went to our school’s Madrigal Dinner. We were going to be dressed up so we picked a really pretty bar area of a restaurant called Mesh. It was also really close to the venue we were going to. I have not had cocktails this good in a bar or restaurant in a long time. I am willing to pay if they are good, you know? I got an espresso martini…

and a cocktail called a Leafblower (bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, and apple cider), which is ironic because my neighbor has the loudest leaf blower on the market and chooses to blow leaves all year round with it and especially every time I go to sit outside. I am serious – he goes to Home Depot and says “Give me the loudest you’ve got”. Also, he continues blowing while Tom and I are eating dinner and we can hear it as clear as day in our house. You want to hear something even more strange? He doesn’t even live there. It is his ex-wife’s house. Anyway, the drink was really good but it could use a name change.

We also ordered grilled Blue Dog Bakery bread.

It came with whipped butter and oil and balsamic.

We stayed for a bit over an hour and then headed to the dinner.

We had broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl, wassail, salad, chicken, rice and carrots, and bread pudding.

It was really nice and is quite the professional show! The kids are always so happy that you come and I got to see a couple of former students. I was beat, though, when it was over. Five day weeks and two evening outings – whew!

Saturday morning was hair day! I had had to cancel the day before Thanksgiving because I was sick and didn’t want to give it to anyone at the salon.

I got a spontaneous call to eat Mexican/Cuban breakfast from one of my Heathers and my default is now YES instead of NO!

I went home and did my nails and watched the telly and then also did some chores and got a head start on Soup Sunday. I made skinny lasagna soup but added spinach and zucchini. This is also one of my two lunches for Erica and I in addition to being our Sunday dinner.

At 4:45, we headed to our friends’ house and then to walk around for Bardstown Road Aglow. Bardstown Road is a happening street with tons of shops and restaurants. It was hopping. Our friends live right off of this street.

We stopped to eat at a bbq place called Mark’s Feed Store.

We shared onion straws:

I had pulled chicken, slaw, and fries.

Then, we walked a bunch more. I saw this interesting Coca Cola car with a skeleton in it:

Most places had a warm drink and cookies outside:

A Christmas tree made of cigar boxes in front of a cigar shop:

We saw a few people we knew while we were walking. It was nice to see so many people out and about.

We headed home around 9:00. I watched a bit of tv but couldn’t keep my eyes open.

Sunday morning I slept in a bit and then I did some reading, quiet time, and my breakfast meal prep for the week. I did trash emptying, cleaning, and laundry, too. I also had to work on the blog and run to the store for a few extra items I didn’t get in my grocery pick up Friday. I was kind of lazy until we left for another church concert of Jack’s.

And, that was a wrap on the weekend!

What was the highlight of yours?

Amy

Friday, December 2, 2022

Whew! It’s Friday! I am linking up with the gals here for Friday Favorites.

It’s been a good week, though. I have been tired at the end of each day, but that is my normal.

So, here are some of my faves from the week. I hope you had many, too!

I sent my kids back to college with a Trader Joe’s 99cent chocolate advent calendar. They chuckled. I don’t think I had gotten them one the last two years of college. I always get them for all my nieces and nephews and give them to them at Thanksgiving. I got the guitar version especially for Jack who plays guitar.

We actually had a Tuesday night outing. Tom and I got to hear the jazz ensemble that Jack is a part of. He is playing electric guitar for this group. Mason was able to slip away and join us, as well. He was in the middle of writing a paper, but came anyway. Again, it’s nice to be able to do something like watch a Tuesday concert. Jack is on the far left with the guitar. His professor is next to him on stage and played with the group and seems really enthusiastic. We noticed one of Jack’s other music professors in the audience supporting this group. Small colleges, you all. Don’t discount them. My kids are going for cheaper than a state school and I know without a shadow of a doubt that their professors know them. Small was the way to go for us. I also attended a small liberal arts college so I guess I have a bias.

I need some new black tights! Anyone got a recommendation? Actually, I haven’t even looked to see what state mine are in, but I thought I would check. How cute is this outfit?

I picked up a $10 blanket for my couch at Target. I am enjoying it!

Who is ready for Emily in Paris? We only have to wait until December 21st!

Jennifer recommended this brand and I am really loving it. You cannot be the price and it doesn’t have any of the yucky stuff in it.

I love my holiday plates from Target many years ago. I have the Santa,

the tree,

and the reindeer and I think I have 10 plates total.

Let’s talk food from the week. I made a shepherd’s pie that is Erica’s recipe. I used double beef broth because I don’t have any beer and I added some tomato paste to make it more tomatoey. You all, this is so good! Tom approved, too!

Erica made my favorite meal of the week – beef bulgogi bowls. Wow!

I am enjoying watching the squirrels eating my pumpkin!

Fashion Files was yesterday, but here is my Thursday outfit. I love this bright sweater.

I really love this Gucci stripe sweater look and I ordered a similar one from Amazon.

We will see if it fits. I went down a size to get it quicker. One size would have been here January 14 and another size on Monday!

I am re-instating Soup Sundays! I am really excited to make skinny lasagna soup this Sunday. I’m going to add spinach and zucchini to boost the vegetables.

So, what were your favorites this week? I would love to know!

Amy

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Happy December to all! Did you catch my December goals post yesterday? I urge you to make a list, too – even if it’s just in your phone memo. I know I forgot some things and I will also be adding to mine as things come up.

It’s time to link up with Jill and Kellyann for our weekly Fashion Files. My hope is that I give you an idea from your own closet. I don’t think you have to run out and buy something new, but maybe you will say, “I think I have something I haven’t thought to wear that way”. I know that happens for me when I look at fashion posts or Pinterest.

What have you been wearing lately? I try to wear all of my “fall colored” stuff by the end of November so that I can get excited about my blacks, plaids, sparkly, and velvet stuff. It just makes me feel like I have more to choose from when I look at the seasons that way, you know?

I did a Turkey ‘Fits post here, but our weather turned out super warm on both of my Thanksgiving celebration days – Thursday and Friday.

Thursday I wore a Target Knox Rose dress from last spring with my Target suede boots from last winter and a Target sweater from last winter.

Friday I wore a Loft clearance dress from last year that happened to be in a petite length – score for me! I think this dress looks like a tablecloth in the very best way.

The most important thing was that I was comfortable and felt like myself.

Back to life, back to reality on Monday had me wanting to rebel. I wore my new Deff Leppard t-shirt from my crazy Target delivery – I had ordered this back in July and it finally showed up on my doorstep in late November. I wore my Amazon silk leopard skirt (leppard/leopard – too much?) with my Walmart Scoop blazer – both from last year. I wore my Lucky booties.

On Tuesday I wore my TJ Maxx chambray tunic with black leggings and my new black wedges for part of the day and then changed to sneakers. I also wore my new velvet/faux leather headband that was a bday gift from Elizabeth.

I was so happy to find some new Dr. Scholl’s wedges at DSW. One problem. The 8s seemed snug in the toe box and the 8.5s slip a bit when I walk. Ugh!

They also rubbed a bit at the top of my foot. I think they would be fine for a few hour event, but they didn’t serve me well for an 8 hour work day on my feet. Other than that, they are just what I was looking for. Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard to know this until you actually wear them.

Then, I wore this yesterday with my new Hush Puppies Sofie pumps. So comfortable! I was shocked when I saw they carried a pump like this.

My mission with both the above pumps and the black wedges was to find more shoes to wear with my leather pants. I will not consider these school shoes because they would be destroyed and they aren’t quite comfortable enough for 8 hours.

What have you been wearing lately? Any favorites from above? I do take lots of risks with my teacher outfits and I got lots of compliments from students on the brown leather pants and the Def Leppard t-shirt. Ha!

Amy

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Look at me posting this before December – woohoo! Can you even believe it’s the last day of November, though? What a whirlwind of a month, no?

Who is ready to eek out all of the December goodness? I am also going to really be focusing on how to make my January something to treasure and not dread. It’s the hardest month of the year for me.

This year I thought I would do a December-specific Bucket List. I did well with my summer and fall lists and I think the whole point of these lists is to be intentional and joyous in a particular season of life.

-Attend a holiday concert for Jack’s music group at his college.

-Attend my school’s annual madrigal dinner – it is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and support one of my students in the group. I have plans to attend with Erica.

-Attend Tom’s work party and wear one of my new sparkly pieces.

-Attend my work party – it is a very casual affair after school on the last day before break but last year it was a hoot.

-Wear all the plaid, sparkly, velvet garb that I own.

-Go to a Christmas pop up bar downtown. I have got to make this happen. It is like Christmas threw up and they have seasonal drinks in fun holiday cups and a few snacks on the menu, too.

-Make my family’s pink merengue cookies! I love making these for my sisters because they hold special memories for us.

-take my time wrapping and watching a Christmas movie

-go to as many little events around town that I can – many of our little shopping areas have festive events.

-make a new Christmas cocktail. I am thinking about making it Lindsay’s White Cranberry Cosmo! Also, I bought a bag of cranberries to sugar and freeze.

-enjoy J and M at home from college on December 15.

-go ice skating – hopefully at our little pop up Christmas village but if not at the normal skating rink. I grew up ice skating on the lake that we lived on. I love ice skating but haven’t done it in years.

-celebrate Christmas as a family of four – I need to decide on our meals.

-celebrate with my side of the family – we decided to have a pasta party and have several types of pasta and pasta bakes, salad, and garlic bread so that will be fun.

-celebrate with Tom’s side of the family and decide on the food.

I know I am forgetting a few things. What’s on your December bucket list?

Amy

–

Tuesday, November 29. 2022

The new WW plan rolled out in mid-November -ust in time for all of the holiday eating! If you remember the color plans – purple, blue, and green – it is pretty much the blue plan. Erica (my meal prep partner and co-worker) choose blue in 2021 and I was on purple. There was an assessment that you took that told you what would be best for your habits and tastes. Basically, the criticism of the Personal Points plan (which came between the color plans and the newest one) was that is was too loosey goosey and allowed too much freedom.

In my humble opinion, they can all work for you because they all teach you to track and to look at your portion sizes. And, that is another criticism – that people can live and die by the food tracking. I get that, too.

Anyway, I am still paying the monthly membership and trying to get back to better tracking and I have been doing pretty well. I found out there is a teacher monthly rate for only $10 a month. I might have to quit and re-join to get that, but I plan to call customer service. For me, the app is absolutely worth the cost.

I used to get potatoes as a zero point food, but now I have to count a plain baked potato as 4 points. I made this Spanish omelette over the Thanksgiving break and ate about half of it and saved the rest. Having to control my potatoes is probably a good thing.

I made this “Big Mac” salad Saturday after my body needed something other than heavy Thanksgiving food.

On this new plan, I get all the non-starchy vegetables and fruits for zero points. I get beans, chicken, fish, eggs, fat free cottage cheese, non-fat Greek yogurt for zero points. You are supposed to build your meals around the zero points foods and add in whatever else you want that keeps you within your daily points range. I get 23 points a day. Also, you get 28 extra points a week that I usually use on Saturday night.

My goal is to get back into tracking from now until Christmas. I just want to maintain and continue my habits I have acquired. Erica and I will continue sharing the meal prep duties for our last 3 weeks of school until break. We are using WW or Slender Kitchen recipes for the most part.

I also want to try to be conscious about getting the protein I need at each meal to fill me up.

I am excited to get fruit now and plan to eat more apples and clementines and to especially use these as my after dinner dessert.

I plan to use some of the same strategies I used last winter break. The holiday is only one day (or two or three if you count Eve and NYE), wear jeans for some part of everyday as accountability, continue to meal prep to have healthy foods on hand, and walk and work out as many days as possible.

Are you on the new WW plan? Thoughts?

Amy