Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Wednesday, September 28. 2022

It’s time for What’s Up Wednesday with Sheaffer and Shay! I don’t always remember to do this monthly post, but I think it’s really fun to write and I love reading everyone elses’, too!

How is it already the last Wednesday of September? I knew it would go quickly, but wow! We started school on Wednesday, August 10th this year, so we have been in the swing of things for quite a while and today at 2:20 our Fall Break starts! We only have 3 days off, but I will take it.

Eating:

My loyal readers and friends know that I do a weekly breakfast meal prep. This week I did my low carb, low WW point egg casserole with Amylu mini chicken sausage links. I love this combo so much! I do faux egg McMuffins and breakfast burritos on other weeks. I eat my breakfast and lunch at school and doing this little prep on the weekend saves me so much time each day.

I will do a separate post on this, but OMG! I do lunches with my co-worker, Erica and we have been using Slender Kitchen this fall because the recipes are on point. If you can’t wait, here is this recipe for lasagna cupcakes. I mean – how can you go wrong with something with two wonderful things in the title? They are made from wonton wrappers, you guys! And, they are very low calorie – did you know that?

I liked Erica’s so much, I made them for Tom and I and they got the Tom stamp of approval. Erica and I both added Laura’s lean ground beef to the original recipe.

I will talk more about this in my Friday Favorites, but I also have been eating birthday cake! My buddies are all turning 50 this year. I was one of the first to hit this milestone. This cake was to die for!

I am still trucking along trying to eat well Monday through Friday with a few splurges on the weekends.

Reminiscing – not really doing much of this lately just because I have been so darn busy!

Loving – I did my first dark pedicure of the season this weekend and I am loving it. Dark polish pedicures are my fave!

I am also loving these tri-color mums! I didn’t know this was a thing! I got mine at Kroger for $20.

Been Up To – I will talk more about this tomorrow, but it finally felt fall enough that I did my fall decor. I didn’t go crazy. I have a small front porch, so I just did some lanterns on the porch and this flag. I like to put most of my outdoor decor in the back where I sit and enjoy looking at it, you know?

I also did some simple interior decorating for fall – more to come on this tomorrow.

Dreading – I guess I always dread the cold of winter that follows the fall. But, I try not to dwell on it too much right now.

Watching – Tom and I just started the new season of Amazing Race. On my own, I watch all things Bravo! I am watching Southern Charm, Below Deck, Real Girlfriends of Paris – the star of the show is Paris!

Reading – I am still loving my reading life. I had a real slump at the end of summer. I am an outdoor reader and it was so hot anyway! This is my kind of outdoor reading weather. I am taking the time to read on my patio almost everyday and it is filling my cup.

This is so cute and quirky so far!

Working On – Fall decor, starting to think about holiday gifts, all the stuff at school, and purging some stuff around the house. Why is this so hard?

Excited About – My Early Fall Bucket List, celebrating friends who are turning 50, quality time with my people, the leaves changing, fires, apple cider sangria, chili, and all the fall goodness!

Listening To – My job is so full of people that I enjoy listening to the sounds of silence for a bit when I get home. I also enjoy Lazy Genius, Big Boo, Watch What Crappens podcasts.

Wearing – I am loving my white, blue, and black button downs!

I am pulling out my fall dresses from last season!

I am wearing my early fall blouses – the ones that don’t make me hot, but still have a fall-ish color palette!

Doing this Weekend– Come back Monday and I will tell you! Ha!

Looking Forward to This Month – My Early Fall Bucket List items, quality time with my people, all the fall goodness!

What about you? Anything you want to answer from above?

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

You seriously won’t believe how easy this is and how delicious it is. It could have been from a restaurant and it got the Tom stamp of approval!

You need:

a container of Boursin cheese

a bag of spinach

mushrooms

grape tomatoes

chicken broth (optional)

grilled chicken

angel hair pasta (or any kind)

Slice up your mushrooms and halve your grape tomatoes. Dump the whole bag of spinach into a stockpot or large skillet or wok and add a bit of chicken broth if you have it. I think I added about half a cup. It you don’t, just add a bit of water and olive oil. Add the mushrooms and tomatoes and let it all cook down for a few minutes. Then, add the Boursin and let it slowly melt into the mixture. Once melted, add your already cooked/grilled chicken.

Serve atop angel hair pasta.

This was posted on Facebook by a high school friend. I already bought the ingredients to make it again! Lighten it up by using whole wheat pasta or it tastes great with no pasta at all!

Let me know if you try it,

Amy

Monday, September 26, 2022

It is time to link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday!

How was your weekend? Mine was full and the weather was gorgeous! It was the stuff that September dreams are made of!

I took a trip to Trader Joe’s immediately after school Friday and it was full of fall goodness…

I still haven’t found a better moisturizer than this!

I bought a pumpkin kringle – so good…

and these cider donuts…

to take on the boat Saturday…

For dinner Friday night, Tom and I ran up to McAllister’s and this hit the spot.

I fell asleep super early so I was up with the birds Saturday morning. No complaints from me because I love weekend mornings…

It was the weirdest thing – it wasn’t storming, raining, or even very windy and our power went out for about 20 minutes…

We had big plans to travel by boat to my hometown like we did last year. It is about an hour and a half and it was chilly!

We brought our friends Beth and Bob…

Ice cream for the ride back!

The ride back was so bumpy and windy! The way there had been smooth as can be even though it was cold. We arrived back around 6 p.m. tired but happy…

I finished this on the patio Saturday night. It was really good. I usually don’t do darker, mysterious books, but I don’t read right before bed, so I can do more of these.

Sunday morning I started something lighter and pretty quirky!

I sauteed some apples for an experiment…

It rained and I had some hot chocolate after doing my abbreviated meal prep. I only have three days of school this week, so not much is needed.

Then, I went to do a rare Sunday Kroger pick up – had already done one on Tuesday, but needed some more things. I also went to Dollar Tree. The rest of the day was spent cleaning, reading on the patio, getting stuff organized and decorating for fall. Pics coming soon!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Amy

Friday, September 23, 2022

Oh man, what a week! See, I said it again! It’s time, though, for everyone’s favorite day of the week and favorite link up – Friday Favorites here with many other ladies.

First of all, it was great to feel much better this week, so that was a definite favorite. Did you read my Nurse Amy post? Check out the great suggestions in the comments, too. I can’t believe I forgot to mention the Starbuck’s Medicine Ball tea or the copycat version at home. Read Carolina Charm’s recipe here.

Another favorite was this ice cream that I have been meaning to look for at Target and finally did on Sunday. It is good! I won’t eat anything that tastes disgusting and this did not have a weird aftertaste or an artificial vibe at all. The whole thing is 370 calories and I was able to restrain myself and eat it in two settings, so not too bad for a much needed weeknight treat.

My car read 100 degrees after school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Adiós, summer! I will miss you, but not these temps. Honestly, this summer was not that hot here. I was just thinking about this the other day.

Wednesday was Spanish Club day! It was our first meeting of the year and we had a generous food donation from a local business, Ramiro’s Cantina. I have the daughter of the owner in my class and he offered; I was shocked by just how much he brought. We had chips, queso, salsa, quesadillas, and Jarritos Mexican soft drinks.

The kids’ eyes lit up when they saw the spread. It always warms my heart to see kids that love Spanish so much that they will stay after school to talk about it some more. I even had three senior girls that get to leave school early for co-op come back just for club.

I missed getting outside due the heat this week, but one night I waited until 7:30 and read a bit of my current book…

I am sucked in! Anyone read this?

The sky was lovely, too!

This is really good and fall like. I have had it for awhile and just got it out again now that fall is here!

I made it to the gym 2 times at 5:00 a.m. and walked the track with Erica one day after school. I still haven’t been 100% after being sick, so I will take that as an improvement.

I may not post as much next week and I may take a break from outfit photos because I have a little fall break. I wore this after I posted Fashion Files…

And, I wore this. This is my new TJ Maxx find from the weekend with old J.Jill crops and my cow loafers.

Moo!

I had lots of after school stuff this week that were all school related. I had no fun happy hours!

One day was a professional development, but it was a good one!

Our hall bath is coming along…

And, yesterday the weather was gorgeous! Ernie and I walked between the tennis center and my school’s baseball field…

Ernie found a baseball!

After our walk, I had my own happy hour…

I made a new drink recently. One shot bourbon, a bit of Simply Peach, a bit of Crystal Light lemonade powder, a bit of lemon juice, ice, and Diet Canada Dry. Yum!

I think it was Jennifer who talked about “redneck caviar”? Well, Tom is hooked. Take a Ritz cracker, spread pimento cheese on top, and add a bit of bacon jam.

Ernie and I read some of The Paris Apartment last night, too.

I think this week I only went to work, the gym, and Kroger! Exciting, right?

What were your favorites this week?

Happy Fall!

Amy

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Happy First Day of Fall! And, the highs today are in the 70s for us after a few days of 90 degrees. You will see all the basic girls in boots with their PSLs! I try not to rush the season, but we are ready, aren’t we?

I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files…

Hush Puppies update…I am going to be featuring both of my Hush Puppies in today’s post. They are good! If you have ordered some, let me know what you think. If you are interested in trying some, I do have a link if you wouldn’t mind using it…click here. I would get $20 off of a $100 purchase. I really may order another pair. If you are a teacher, they have a very generous teacher discount. They shipped quickly, they were boxed and packaged so nicely, and the quality is great. You all, I really think these may be better than Rothy’s, Tieks, Tory Burch, and other highly touted flats in terms of comfort.

First up, here is a weekend outfit. I am trying to show more weekend outfits and I am trying to style my button downs in different ways,too! Cut offs, a white tank, white button down over, and my Hush Puppies cow print driving mocs.

For school one day, I wore a basic black pencil skirt, my Target Rolling Stones t-shirt (but I really did see them in concert in 1994 so I can wear this), my white button down, and my second pair of Shu Shop sneakers, thanks for Johnna. Hi Johnna! So, I have pink stars with a glitter back that I bought this summer. I have worn them a ton. Johnna, my blog reader and friend, found this very neutral version for fall and I am in love.

I wore my high waisted jeans, Birks, new Target top, cardigan to school on Friday. Did you read my jeans post yesterday?

This week I wore my Matilda Jane pants, Anthro blouse (gift from Beth), and my bow mules that have to go. These suckers will not stay on my feet. Luckily, I brought a change of footwear.

And, I wore jeans on a Monday because it was raining. I paired them with my Loft black blouse, a magenta sweater that quickly came off, and my Hush Puppies flats. They are so stinking cute! The back rubbed a bit, but I think only because I had blisters from wearing sneakers without socks.

And, I ordered and received new Wit and Wisdom Itty Bitty Boot Cut in petite length from Nordstrom. These jeans are good! They have the absolution technology that helps suck in your tum. I also showed these in my jeans post yesterday. I have not actually worn these out yet, but I was trying them on to see if they fit.

So, I still have not repeated a school outfit and we are now at the 6 week mark! I think that says I have plenty of clothing! I also feel pretty set for fall. What about you? Do you have holes in your closet? I do like to buy a few things at the beginning of each season and then wait a bit and see what I feel that I am missing as that season moves on and the prices of the clothing drop. I am definitely a better shopper than I have been in the past. I am more thoughtful about what I need and I take my time.

My least favorite outfit is the jeans with Birks outfit. My favorite outfit is the first one – the weekend outfit. I love shorts with long sleeves! I always have loved that combo.

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

I know that many people on a healthy journey say looking good in a swimsuit is a huge motivator, but is there any better feeling than a pair of jeans that fit just right and give you confidence?

I have been a bit worried about jeans. First of all, I keep hearing that skinny jeans are out. Wide legs are in, mom jeans are in, high waisted are in, straight legs are in, and on and on. Um, yeah, none of that is going to work best for my body type.

I felt much better when I received my issue of Real Simple…

and I read the article “Can I Still Wear my Skinnies?”…

Basically, they are saying to still wear what you love and what works for you. The fashion industry wants us to shop each and every season so they have to come up with new trends and send us the message that the old is no longer good enough.

Also, how are you gonna tuck your jeans into your boots if you don’t have a skinny pair?

One thing I have done to make my jeans from last season feel more on trend or more modern is to cut and fray the bottom hem. I have one pair of medium blue, one pair of darker blue that look dressier and that I didn’t cut, one light pair, and one slightly high waisted pair.

I did make a new purchase this season, influence by Sheaffer. I bought the Wit and Wisdom Itty Bitty Boot Cut jeans from Nordstrom in the petite length. I am 5’4 so this was a great option for me. Also, I would call this a slight flare, rather than a bootcut. This shape can be flattering on my body type because the jeans fit close the leg and then flare out, rather than just being a wide leg.

On my bod:

I am not sure if I would be comfortable tucking in, but they give you legs for dayz.

My medium wash denim with cut and frayed hems:

My light wash, also with cut and frayed hems:

My slightly high waisted jeans:

Looking at these now, I think they might be too long, but it could just be the Birkenstocks.

My darker denim that I didn’t cut:

All of the jeans you see above are Target Universal Thread. I prefer the mid-rise, but I did go up a size to try the high waisted ones last season (beware that you may have to do that if you have a tummy like moi) and I surprised myself by actually really liking them. I highly recommend you order online and get a couple different sizes of several styles. It took me awhile to figure out what I needed.

Now, my jeans are all a bit snug, so I am using this as my motivation to get back to where I was. I let myself have a bit too much freedom this summer.

And, footwear makes a huge difference. Sneakers and Birks do nothing for elongating the leg. A bit of a heeled bootie or a heeled clog are so much more flattering.

Have I made you feel any better about your skinny jeans?

If you are going to other cuts, that is fine, too! You do you! But, there are many of us that don’t feel like the 2022 jean trends are going to work for us.

So, sound off in the comments! Favorite brand? Favorite cut? Are you trying any new trends this season?

Amy

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

No, I am not really a nurse, but after being under the weather last week, I felt it might be good to share some thoughts. I started with the tiniest touch of a sore throat that never amounted to anything, that led to sinus headache and congestion, and a tiny bit of a cough. I think it was all due to the ragweed pollen that was very high last week. I get sick every year mid-September! I try to prevent this by showering and washing my hair after being outside. You don’t want to sleep with pollen in your hair and you breathing it in all night long. Well, it usually catches up with me at some point.

I am a big fan of homeopathic remedies. I even avoid taking over the counter stuff unless I really need it. When I take ibuprofen, I take just one.

At the start of a sore throat, I put about a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water and gargle. This has helped in the past to clear it up and stave off a full blown sore throat for me.

Tom and I are obsessed – and I don’t use that word lightly – with the neti pot. We have been using it for probably 15 years. We each have our own and we run it through the dishwasher to sanitize it well. We only use distilled water in ours because we don’t want to catch a brain amoeba. I’ve heard those are bad. Our kids can be talked into doing it sometimes when they are congested, but they think we are over the top about the neti.

I swear that I think this little contraption cuts my congestion in half. If I would have been congested for 4 days, I am only congested for 2 days. We do it in the shower because it is less messy that way. You put a saline packet in the pot and then pour in warmed up distilled water. You pour the teapot into one nostril and then the other back and forth until your pot is empty. Sorry I said “we” so much. We definitely do not neti together; this is a solitary endeavor when one of us is sick.

I also like to drink tea when I am sick.

This soup makes me feel better. We used to call this Clifford the Big Red Dog soup when our kids were little because the box had his picture on it. They loved it.

I tried Lindsay’s Hot Toddy and I will do that again! It soothed my throat, chest, and helped me sleep like a drunk baby.

I am low key obsessed with Vick’s Vapo Rub. I put a dab under each nostril during the day and when I go to bed. I sometimes use it when I’m not sick. I also did this while wearing a mask to help me breathe. Don’t judge!

If I have a sinus headache, I put ice packs on my cheeks or forehead. I also have a little lavender pillow that you put in the microwave and I can put that on my head.

I am so thankful that I only felt poorly for 5 days or so!

What about you? What are your go-tos when you are sick?

Amy

Monday, September 19, 2022

Today’s Hello Monday is going to be mostly pics and not many words because I did a bit too much activity this weekend and am writing this right before bedtime!

Friday after school I had Erica and Elizabeth over for happy hour on my patio and did a bit of tidying Thursday night…

I made Crescent roll wrapped brie with my raspberry jam on top of the brie. It turned out great!

Friday night I took Jack to dinner and it was really nice! He has a Saturday morning class so he pretty much has to stay there on Friday night, but I could tell he was missing his mom. We went to Carali’s which is a Peruvian chicken place…

I got a bowl…

We shared yucca fries…

Jack got a wrap with plantains…

I took a bath and read when I got home Friday night and was in bed by 9:00. I was still feeling a bit under the weather.

But, before I went to bed, I tried Lindsay’s hot toddy – wow! It really helped, I think!

Saturday we celebrated my mom’s birthday! My sister and my mom came to town and we did some shopping and eating.

This is a non-alcoholic drink – a frozen mint pomegranate lemonade…

My sister declared it the best drink she has ever had!

hummus and a few other mediterranean snacks…

Kate found the fanny pack of her dreams!

And, for dinner we ate at an Italian restaurant that has amazing ambiance…

My finds of the day were these to go coffee cups…

some more skinny syrup…

and this denim popover…

I finished this book and it was really good and with more depth than expected!

Trying to get back into this, but the mom is just so horrible and I don’t know if I can handle the writing style…

I did a little meal prep – I had the small low carb tortillas so I made breakfast tacos and two breakfast burritos…

My breakfast was a farmer’s market skillet I guess you could say…

Then, Tom, Ernie, and I went boating for our Sunday Funday…

And, I needed one more weekend day! Isn’t that always the case?

This is my last 5 day week for awhile! The week after this we have a fall break and have Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday off. It seems super early, but we did start school on August 10th this year.

How was your weekend? I hope it was great! We had high 80 temps and will get to the 90s a couple of days this week before we have highs in the 70s! You know you’re old when you talk about the temperature all the time, right?

Amy

Friday, September 16, 2022

What a week! Are you tired of me saying “What a week”? I probably will be saying this until May.

It’s time to link up with the ladies for Friday Favorites here.

Here are a few faves from my camera roll…

Monday was our first “mask optional” day! Two other teachers and I compared our matching maskne (mask acne) from the weeks of wearing the mask. It was so nice to have a naked face.

I saw so many smiles in the hallways and in my classes. Awwww!

I found a new fave/second fave Glade plug in. I also love Cashmere Woods.

I am still using and loving this. I bought mine at Costco.

I ran out of instant cold brew coffee so I have been pouring my cold coffee dredges with skinny pumpkin latte creamer into a cup to make my cold brew protein to take to school. It becomes a pumpkin-ish (not too strong) caramel flavor and it’s good. I hated to waste this little bit of coffee, so this new plan is making me happy.

These two teas are really nice. I want to drink more tea. I had a hot cinnamon sunset Tuesday during my planning period at the end of the day.

I talk about Kroger all of the time around here. I thought I would show this bag they gave me with all of the related stores – I think?

Maybe that means they have similar deal or products if you don’t have a Kroger but have one of these near you?

The weather has had a touch of fall and it has been divine!

Look at that sky!

I am still getting outside in the afternoons before I cook dinner and/or after dinner to read and it’s still really helping my mental health. I think the hardest part of back to school is being trapped inside a building all day. I am almost finished with this and it has been a joy. I have really enjoyed it!

Kroger has been giving me a bag of free samples lately! I do my pick up and I get home and am suprised to see a resuable Kroger bag with maybe 8 different product samples. These are 100 calories and really good! I wouldn’t have tried them if I hadn’t gotten a sample!

The drive to the gym is spooky. No one is out!

I cannot say enough about how I think these have helped me!

It looks like Ernie was helping me clean my closet, but he thinks when I go in my closet that I am putting my shoes on to walk him. I did it!

I bought a new OPI in a light grey and already messed it up a bit.

My niece turned 23 and we went to a new charcuterie place one day after school.

I love to support local businesses, but this was $23 and did not include crackers.

My drink was pretty looking, but just tasted ok. It reminded me of an Instagram filter.

Morgan got a frozen drink and said it was good.

I made Tom and I breakfast for dinner one night!

I made burrito bowls one night!

This is what my breakfast looked like this week…

And that’s about it for the week! What were your faves?

Happy Friday!

Amy

Thursday, September 15, 2022

It is Thursday and time to link up with Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill.

Let’s see what we’ve been wearing…Saturday we had 80 degree temps, and then from Sunday on it has felt like there is a touch of fall in the air. It has been perfect at around 70 degrees. But, the ragweed pollen is high. Ask me how I know!

I am really bad about taking weekend outfit photos, but I will try to work on that. If I go somewhere during the day on the weekend, chances are that I am in cut offs.

I wore gold Birks, cut offs, and a relatively new boutique blouse that I snagged on sale for $10 this summer to go to the flea market. I think this blouse is the perfect early fall transitional piece.

Saturday for dinner I wore a Target impulse buy blouse, light jeans, and clog sandals. My photographer didn’t do a great job capturing the entire outfit – ahem. I was in Target getting a few things and I wanted a transitional blouse to wear out that night and I picked this up. It is a little bit shorter than what I am used to, but I think and hope it worked out for me. No stomach was showing. Have you noticed how all the shirts are shorter for the high waisted jeans?

Another Target recent purchase, but it wasn’t impulsive. I gasped when I saw this style and print online. It comes in another colorway, too. I started the day with a cardigan over it. This is my type of dress and it is the Knox Rose brand, which I like sometimes. It has pockets!

This is my outfit when I don’t know what to wear. Everyone needs one of those. I didn’t feel great (ragweed) so it was perfect. These are my trusty Chico’s pants (bought for $10 at a consignment shop), a sleeveless Loft blouse that is really old, and a kimono from TJ Maxx that is really old. My clogs make me feel a bit like a garden gnome, in a good way. Several students told me I looked good? So, there was basically no effort in this outfit.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy