Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

I have said this before, but I am a fair weather reader. I love to read outside! I do read in the winter, but not nearly as much. I guess that also has to do with my job of high school teacher. Summer has always been the time of year that I can easily go through 20 books. Now, we aren’t talking War and Peace; I prefer a fun, chick lit book in the summer. I do sometimes go deep, though. I read American Dirt last summer (or the summer before? Covid time warp) and I read The Nightingale one summer. I went through a heavy WWII historical fiction stage.

Here are the books that I have been snapping photos of or taking screenshots of. Some come from Target shelves, some from Instagram, some from blogs. Thank you if you have given me some of these ideas!

I request almost all of my books from my library and read actual physical books now. I had a Kindle, but when it died – after maybe 10 long years of faithful service – I didn’t replace it. I have already requested many of the books below! There is nothing like a stack of library books in the summer!

Also, I do like to read a bit of non-fiction. I usually tend toward self-improvement and time management type books. I also like personal finance from time to time. I like going into the library and seeing what is on their new releases shelf, too! I go to the library 1-2 times a week in the summer. It was always an important ritual with my kids. Mamas, if you aren’t taking advantage of all that your library has to offer, why not? We went to two-three different libraries and did story times, crafts, summer reading programs, and checked out books, music, and movies.

I recently gave myself a gift of two Target paperback books. I had not bought a novel for myself in probably 3 years? Thank you, wonderful public library! I am not going to read the books again and don’t want the clutter, either, but I didn’t have any library books I was excited to read, so it was all good!

I already finished this and it would be a delightful warm weather read! This was about a girl who needs a place to live and a new start in life and ends up moving in with a recluse man who is grieving the deaths of his parents. They both benefit from this unconventional living arrangement.

By the way, I say I like chick lit, but it has to be well-written and with some depth to it.

I am now onto this! Yes, I do judge a book by its cover. I love the colors. This book is about a girl who takes a chance on a new start in Arizona with her friends.

Thank you Bourbon, Lipstick, and Stilletos! I did not know that Emily Henry had a new book and Beach Read is one of my favorites as of late. I have already requested Book Lovers.

I have already requested The Roughest Draft, too!

I have been hearing a lot about this book, but I have never read a Sally Hepworth book. I plan to request this, too.

This looked interesting – especially because I am a Spanish teacher!

I like books like this…I will have to buy this, I think. I can’t find it on my library website.

Things I Bought and Liked is a fun IG follow. This book sounds interesting!

I can’t remember who recommended this, but it sounds intriguing to me. I have already requested it. I like to have a fiction and a non-fiction going at once.

If you haven’t read Bread and Wine, I urge you to get on that. It is seriously one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. My friend Kara agrees. We would also say The Happiness Project is up there, too. So, I was super excited to hear that Shauna Niequist had a new book out!

I plan to read Lessons in Chemistry on the rec of Mom Advice blog. My library already had 30 requests for this!

I love Matthew and have already requested Greenlights. I have heard good things! I would love to hear his voice, but I’m not really an audio book person. But, hey – maybe I could be for him?

I really need to stop saying “I’m not a ____ person”, by the way. I think this is really limiting self-talk. I didn’t think I was a bath person before I had a new bath tub. Guess what…I am very much a bath person. If I said, “I’m not a private jet and champagne person”, I might not get the chance to be, you know?

This looks good! Follow LaLaLife on IG for lots of book recs!

This is blurry, but it looks good!

I read the first two books by K.A. Tucker, so I am excited to read this one as recommended by Mix and Match Mama blog.

This looks like the perfect summer read!

And this!

And, this! I am drawn to this because my niece is named Nora!

And, finally this looked good!

Sorry some of them are so blurry – these are all old phone pictures.

So, when do you find time to read? For me, I have lots more time to read if I stay off my beep phone! I am seriously going to work on not even having my phone next to me this summer while I’m reading. It’s all too easy to scroll IG or Facebook again and again and I’m not missing anything! It’s the same people posting the same things, right? No offense! I don’t post much myself, but for some reason I feel obligated to make sure I’m not missing anyones’ news.

I sometimes like to start my day with reading a bit of my book, but my main time is during those lovely afternoon hours of summer before I start dinner. I am not a big evening reader because I tend to fall asleep. I try to always take a book with me if I think I could be waiting somewhere for any amount of time, too.

Are you a summer reader? Any recs for me?

Amy

Monday, May 16, 2022

Ok, the weekends are going by so fast! It’s time to link up with Holly and Sarah for Hello Monday, though!

Also, I apologize for being slow to respond to blog comments. And, I have been bad about reading and commenting on other blogs. I promise I will get better…very soon!

May is a weird time to be a teacher. Our classes are all out of whack right now due to AP testing and state testing. Last week I found myself “babysitting” multiple other classes and my own few students who weren’t testing. I have freshmen through seniors in some of my classes, but in most I have a mixture of juniors and seniors. It’s been crazy!

The good thing about this is that I can see former students and have some fun and this was on Friday!

Teaching high school really keeps you on your toes. A student took a picture of my car one day after school…”I always feel like somebody’s watching me”…

When the mask mandate was lifted in March, all the language students and teachers shouted, “Now we can have food day!” I call it the Experiencia Cultural (Cultural Experience) because it sounds more academic. Each student has to choose an authentic-ish recipe to make alone or with a partner and it is for a grade. We did this in two classes on Friday.

Food day wears a teacher out.

Friday night we were all home for dinner and I kinda made everyone a different thing. Tom heated up his chicken corn chowder from Fresh Market and had that with their Waldorf chicken salad. I can’t remember what the kids had and I had an old favorite:

Sandwich thin with vegetable cream cheese, cucumbers, and tomato slice. Yum! This is a great summer lunch food, too! I also had broccoli, half of a baked potato, cottage cheese, and pickles. I told Tom I saved at least $60 by not getting takeout so I would be cashing that in later.

We have settled in to having our college kids home. They both started their jobs last week. Their stuff is a mess and not fully unpacked, but they have contained it to their rooms and their basement hang out space. I just can’t worry about it right now.

And, for my crazy Friday night, I took a bath and read.

And, just like a baby, that made me very sleepy and I was out like a light at 9:00!

Saturday morning was gorgeous! What’s better than breakfast on the porch?

I did all the errands and it reminded me why I hate to do Saturday errands. There are so many people! I did a Target return and didn’t buy anything else. I had been ordering a few clothing items from Target and nothing worked or felt worth the money. I went to Costco – DO NOT go there on a Saturday morning. I find myself going there more now that I am eating healthier because they have a lot of good things for me. See my Costco post here. I also did a Kroger pick up. I had about 10 items I needed even though I did a pick up on Wednesday. I decided it’s ok to do two orders in one week because it’s free if you spend $35 or something and of course I do. It made me so much happier than having to go inside. I also did a return to Amazon at the UPS store. Then, I had to put it all away!

I made Mason and I Greek bowls for lunch. Tom was on a bike ride and Jack was working.

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading on my patio and it was bliss. I fell asleep, too!

Then, Saturday night, Jack had plans with friends and Mason and Tom went to a concert (we had gifted him Leon Bridges tickets for Christmas) and I had my college besties over for a special blue drink…

And, then we went to Churchill Downs for Downs After Dark. The theme was bourbon and beats.

It was so much fun! I made it out until like 11:15! We had concession stand pizza and some Derby drinks – the Lily and the Woodford Spire.

Sunday morning was kind of cool, so I read for a bit inside.

Then, I started some meal prep for the week. I went back to the egg casserole and I am going to have that with AmyLu breakfast chicken sausage links.

And, I am so excited for my Mexican quinoa! You cook quinoa according to package directions. This is only a cup! Then, you mix it with some enchilada sauce, green chilies, salsa and cheese and bake it for about 15 minutes or so.

We have a weird week this week because we have students on Monday, but not on Tuesday due to election day. Then, we have them again Wednesday through Friday, but also have more testing. It will be a crazy one again, I am sure.

What was the highlight of your weekend? I hope you had many!

Amy

Friday, May 13, 2022

It is time for Friday Favorites here!

It’s Friday! We only have one more Friday after today. Our last day of school is Thursday, May 26. Teachers have to work two days after, but that’s ok.

Here are just a few favorites from this week because I seriously didn’t take many photos.

It has felt like summer!

My front landscaping flowering bushes are just so pretty. I feel like the color has never been more vibrant!

I probably made the best burrito bowl ever this week. I cut very thin corn tortillas with a pizza cutter and sprayed Pam and added salt and baked for about 8-10 minutes at 375. Why do this? You can eat way more for the WW points than when you eat tortilla chips. Plus, they are actually better!

And, one night I made skinny pizza.

I ordered some really great tank tops from Target this week. I ordered a black and a white one. This is a Melanie Shankle recommendation. They were very inexpensive!

I got a new iphone for Mother’s Day! I am excited to hopefully have better photos! I actually hate switching to a new phone – new case, new pop socket, etc. It’s not fun for me! Anyone else?

It’s Dove bar season! These are sooooo good. Each one is 4 WW points. Jen taught me to feel for the ridges to try to get my favorite vanilla instead of chocolate. They all look the same inside the box, so this is a great tip!

And, because it is almost graduation time for us, I dug out my high school graduation photo. You know you had hair like that, too!

What were your favorites this week?

Amy

Thursday, May 12, 2022

It is time for another edition of Fashion Files with Jill and Kellyann! I don’t have a whole bunch of outfits for you this week, but let’s get started anyway…

First off, I have an outfit I wore to the steamboat race that is part of Derby. I wore my woven Coconuts by Matisse sandals, dark jeans, new Amazon belt from part of the 4 pack, and my Target blouse.

Next, I broke down and bought a new dress! Kellyann told me about Wanda Loves Sharing on Instagram and I fell in love with this yellow dress (that also comes in black). It is Walmart.com Scoop! You know I fell in love with the Scoop brand due to my blazers!

And, finally, this is actually a senior spirit week outfit. It was soccer mom versus barbecue dad day and I tried to be a soccer mom, but Tom thought I looked nautical. This is a really old Kohl’s skort and a really old Target Universal Thread knit top.

I was comfortable!

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Ok – last bathroom post! I showed you the new bathroom here, but I have added a new rug!

And, we ordered and hung these mirrors. At first I didn’t think I liked them, but now I do. They are backlit and have a defrost feature.

We also now have a blind on the window (thank goodness) and it matches the blinds in our bedroom.

I bought these drawer storage containers at Target.

I have my tooth stuff and face creams in one drawer:

Makeup in one drawer:

And, hair in the tall drawer:

I commandeered the drawers on the right side of my mirror and on the left.

More hair in thie drawer:

Supplies in this one:

I really cleaned out and pared down before we moved into this bathroom. I had only had a pedestal sink to set my stuff on, so now it feels luxurious to get to spread out.

The new bathroom is really coming together and it is really what I envisioned. I have not bought new towels, but I am thinking a dark grey. I really want white, but I know myself and I probably shouldn’t do white. Any recs on color or favorite brand of towels?

Thanks for reading,

Amy

PS – I will be back Thursday for Fashion Files. No Wednesday post this week!

Monday, May 9, 2022

It’s time to link up here for Hello Monday and here for Not Just a Mom – Go To Gifts!

I was off Friday and I headed to the college campus around 9:00.

I was praying for the rain to hold off because we had to move out in a torrential downpour last year!

I just think these areas are so beautiful and I always take photos.

I went home with a full car and then the kids followed in their car. We were all exhausted. The rain continued to hold off and I enjoyed some patio time!

I was really excited to get this book in the mail!

I made teriyaki chicken and fried rice for dinner (cauli rice for me!).

Tom and I enjoyed a fire Friday night. It was so nice out.

Ernie didn’t look sure about this…

Saturday morning I went ahead and did my meal prep so I could stay out of the kitchen on Sunday. I did 5 breakfast burritos, buffalo turkey meatballs, and turkey sausage and veg.

I went to the gym because I had skipped Friday.

I tried the “viral” Tik Tok avocado toast that has grated hard boiled egg. Nope – sticking with my fried egg on top!

Tom and I went to my hometown to visit my mom and we went out to eat and had a really good meal.

It was also the Derby (we didn’t do anything this year!) and they had a couple of drink specials so I tried an Oaks Lily drink. It was so good!

We had some fried mushrooms…

my mom had a jambalaya pasta…

Tom had pork medallions with brussels sprouts and potatoes…

and I had a salmon grain bowl.

We took home half of our meals and Jack and Mason ate the rest!

Tom watched a Cincinatti Reds baseball game and I watched New Girl with the kids before I went to bed.

Sunday morning Tom took a 25 mile bike ride and I went to my happy place – Trader Joe’s!

You must try this if you have a TJ’s!

I made cinnamon rolls and made myself a veggie scramble. It was so nice out on Sunday!

Tom and I took Ernie to swim in the river and then sat on the patio together.

Jack and Mason got me sushi for Mother’s Day and we watched The Great together.

I had some much needed downtime this weekend; it’s going to be a long week and my big test is this week. I have 38 students taking a 3 hour exam to try to earn college credit. Eek! Nervous!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Go To Gifts:

For Kids:

-I really like to give kids their own umbrella and cool rainboots. I have sometimes done a raincoat, too. I feel like this is something different and have you seen how much kids like having their own umbrella? Ha! And, how much they like wearing rainboots?

-I like to give bath toys and bath crayons.

-I used to always give my March birthday nieces and nephews new swimsuits and goggles.

For adults:

-I like foodie gifts. I gave smoked bourbon pepper, bourbon caramel sauce, and bourbon barbecue sauce once.

-You can’t go wrong with a nice candle.

-I look at my Amazon purchases and see what I have really loved – along the lines of “Oprah’s Favorite Things”, but “Amy’s Favorite Things”.

-I think the straw headband, initial necklace, set of belts, visor, Diva laundry detergent would all be great things.

-I love to shop at local boutiques and find unique things. I try to include a gift receipt so they can exchange if needed. I won’t be offended!

What are your go-to gifts?

Amy

Friday, May 6, 2022

Friday!!!! It’s time to link up here for Friday Favorites; this Friday is a big day – our college kids move back home! They will have completed two years. It’s really hard to believe. I am so thankful for such a good year for them. It was so much more normal than their freshman year.

Also, we don’t have school today due to the Kentucky Derby so it works out well for me to help with move out.

Other favorites this week…

In case you were wondering…Tom and I are doing pretty well sharing a bathroom for the first time in almost 22 years of marriage!

We got the door put on our next bathroom project so at least I can close it and not have to look at it until we are able to start.

I got a light lavender polish that I am loving:

Am I really saving money on home manis if I keep buying new polish? Ha!

I also am really enjoying my new Target book purchase. I am a big library user, but I splurged on a couple of new paperbacks last weekend.

I shared about my eucalyptus in my Prime Purchases and this is how I’m using it:

I found three of these bottles on major clearance at Meijer this winter.

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week and I was surprised by this beautiful bouquet from a sweet student.

Yesterday was Derby attire day, but it was also Cinco de Mayo, so I did this:

Part of the Derby festivities includes a steamboat race on the river. It’s about as exciting as it sounds at 5 miles an hour. But, it was fun to see some people at my sister in law’s boat business on the river.

My roommate of 4 years in college and 4 years after college:

Add in my sister-in-law:

The dumpster left and I can park in the garage again!

I ordered this and I’m so excited. Do you listen to this podcast? I wish I had had Kendra when I had young kids. She has amazing ideas.

I had some time to hang out on my patio after school yesterday. Ahhhh….

What were your favorite things this week? I hope you had many!

Happy, happy Friday,

Amy

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Happy Cinco de Mayo! It’s time once again to link up for Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill.

What have you been wearing this week? We have had nice weather for the most part and 60s, 70s, and even some 80s. My classroom isn’t a refrigerator anymore. It’s a nice temp right now!

I continue to try to wear it all! I am trying to either wear or donate everything in my closet that is springy and school appropriate, because that’s the main place I go right now. There are things I haven’t worn since 2019 but that I wanted to keep. I am enjoying these things fitting again or fitting better than they did before. I am still struggling to understand how I wore these things when I was heavier. I guess the lesson there is that sizes of clothing fit bodies of many sizes and that you just have to try.it.on! Some like things to hang looser and some like things to fit tighter. Food for thought…

Here I decided to wear my beloved gold lace up Marc Fisher sandals from last summer (I didn’t have to re-tie them once at school!), my Amazon palm print skirt from a year or two ago, a basic old black tank from Loft, and my Walmart blazer.

Here I wanted to try out my black and white belt from my new Amazon Prime Purchases post. I have on my Loft blouse that I got a few months ago, high waisted Target jeans, and my pointy bow mules. I think I decided they are too pointy and too hard to walk in. Maybe they just can’t be a school shoe? I think I’m ok in this photo – I was probably just caught mid-sentence. Thank you, Erica! Are you so tired of taking my photo?

This is an old Amazon floral maxi and I just don’t think I love it anymore. I wore it with an older Versona sweater kimono. I was comfortable so there’s that. I kinda felt like I was in a nightgown.

This was a Friday outfit:

I wore my dark jeans, gold Birks, a very old Mexican-ish Old Navy blouse (sleeveless) and the kimono sweater again.

I wore these amazing earrings my friend Beth made:

She gave them to me because they were too big for her. Honey, those are small for me!

And, lastly, I wore my old Costco top with my Versona clearance pants. I don’t have a great shirt to wear with these pants and I simply adore the pants! They are like a swimsuit material almost. I wore my clear sandals that do pass the teacher all day test.

We have teacher superlatives and I keep trying for “Best Dressed” but it hasn’t happened for me. This year I’m getting “Most Likely to Have a Talk Show” I heard. Oh well. A girl can keep on dreaming, right?

Honestly, I haven’t really put much time into getting dressed lately. I just kinda spend 5 minutes picking something I don’t think I’ve worn yet. I look at the above photos and just think I look so tired. I am!

Do you have a favorite outfit? Anything that you think I should say good-bye to? I won’t be offended.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

You can feel the excitement in the air around here! Louisville, Kentucky is the home of the famous Kentucky Derby horse race. Are you a fan of horse racing? I have been to the Derby numerous times, but I was usually in the in field where you didn’t see much horse flesh if you know what I mean. It is a giant party!

Since I have gotten older, I think I would much prefer to be at a party. Everyone is so happy because it is the first weekend of May and that means summer can’t be far behind.

Most parties would include some of the following:

benedictine sandwiches (cucumber, cream cheese, and green food coloring are the main ingredients!)

pimento cheese sandwiches

ham and biscuits

Derby pie – you aren’t really allowed to call it that unless the bakery that owns the recipe makes yours. It is a pecan and chocolate chip pie. I don’t like it because I don’t like nuts.

You might also see all manner of cream cheese dips. We love our cream cheese around here!

Some parties also have bbq and buns. That is also big in this area.

Have you heard of the famous Hot Brown from The Brown Hotel here in Louisville? It is decadent. A few years ago, I started making a Hot Brown Dip that I think is to die for! I like to serve it with Jimmy John’s bread thinly sliced and toasted in the oven for a bit. I may regret telling you this, but did you know that you can get day old bread there for very cheap? It’s great to use for appetizers, too!

Hot Brown Dip:

Mix together cream cheese (softened), diced turkey, bacon, a pinch of nutmeg, a bit of garlic powder, and a bit of pepper. Put it in a oven safe dish and heat for about 15 minutes, then top with cooked bacon and diced tomato and grate a bit of parmesan on top. Put back in oven for a bit and broil for a couple of minutes. This re-creates all of the flavors of the Hot Brown! Spread on bread to serve. Yum!

I also like to make a batch of store bought mix brownies and make my own icing and add a bit of bourbon to it. I got this idea from this blog! We love all things bourbon here, too!

Happy Derby,

Amy

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

It is Prime Purchases Tuesday! It’s the time that bloggers are very bad influences on our pocketbooks! I never use that term; it just seems appropriate in writing, you know? I say “purse”. Can’t help it. What do you say?

Thanks to Tanya for providing this link up!

I tried not to buy any new clothes for most of April, but I did buy some accessories and a few other little things.

First off, I really stand by Amazon Essentials and I love the minimalist look of these. They stretch a bit and stay on your foot really well. If you have a wide foot, they won’t work for you. If you have a narrow foot, they should work. I went with my regular size.

I love my cake batter delight flavor and it is hard to find.

I am out again and taking a break and enjoying caramel this week.

I showed you this, but wanted to show it again. I think it looks great with a black dress or a black blouse.

I really like NYX and love this new to me lip gloss!

I had the vision to use eucalyptus in my new bathroom and this is actually real!

I also got this little wastebasket for the bathroom.

Do you get dry eyes? I think it comes more with age, too. I bought these eye drops and really like this brand.

I needed a visor for summer and I think I will like this one.

I has velcro so you can adjust and put on after your ponytail is done.

I bought this 4 pack of belts that I think will be really useful.

The visor and belts were recommended by bloggers, but I apologize that I can’t give the correct people credit.

So, see – I didn’t buy any clothing! Ha!

What have you purchased lately?

Amy