Friday Favorites ~ May 2, 2025/Derby Edition

 Happy Friday!  It was a short week since I was out of town Monday, but overall a good week.  How was yours?  Today I am showing some favorites in reverse of my week with a highlight for the upcoming 151st Kentucky Derby tomorrow!

Wednesday evening, I met a friend from church at a taco place and I had tacos over a lettuce bed.  One was a fish taco and the other was chicken and this was delicious!

I also had a dance lesson Wednesday, which was a favorite.  It had been several weeks since I had a lesson.

After work Tuesday, I drove down to my sister's house and we got these fruit bowls at a local acai bowl place in her town.

I saw this rainbow in the sky after a rain and I love being reminded of God's promises all these years later after the first rainbow!

We were at the ball field to watch my 3 year old great nephew play T-Ball.  He is adorable and so sweet to watch!

There he is on 2nd base with has dad right by him.  

Next week I will recap the amazing blog trip from last weekend.  However, on the last day of the trip, Jenn and I decided to take a tour of Churchill Downs Monday before we headed home.  This is Derby Week so there was such a fun energy there and we loved the tour!

They have the list of all the Derby winners since 1875 and the ones who have won the Triple Crown were written in gold lettering.

They were getting the track ready!  You could smell the dirt!

This was part of the original architecture.

What you see at the top of the stadium is called "Millionaire's Row".  The Queen stood there when she attended the Derby.

We had so much fun!

Mystik Dan won last year's derby.

The famous Secretariat

Fashion through the years...

After a ride home, we ended it with a trip to our favorite salad place.

 We just needed a re-set after all the snacks consumed during the weekend!

If you are ever in Louisville, I recommend a tour of Churchill Downs.

Thanks for reading the blog and in the meantime, Happy May and Happy Weekend!

Hodgepodge ~ 4/30/25

Well, it's my first post of the week, so I hope everyone is having a good week so far!  I traveled last weekend and went back to work Tuesday, so it is a slower start to my week as far as blogging. I love joining Joyce with the Wednesday Hodgepodge though! 

1. My very first edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge was published on November 10, 2010 (linked here if you're curious). Tell us something about your life from that era. 

My birthday falls on the 11th, so this would have my last day in my 30's.  I turned 40 on 11/11/10.  I was happily married and my daughter's were 9 and 6 at the time.  It was a sweet time of life and I miss it a lot.

2. What's a song you love that relates to time in some way? 

I mentioned this last week, but I love the song "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart.

The other song that popped into my head is "Too Much Time on My Hands" by Styx

3. May is nearly upon us. When did you last need to yell 'MAY DAY-MAY DAY!!'? 

I probably needed to yell it 2 1/2 weeks ago, buy I didn't.  I am looking to be rescued from a few situations, but until then, I keep swimming!

4. How do you feel about food trucks? Is this a dining experience you enjoy?  Do you have a favorite What's something you've ordered from a food truck? 

I am neutral on food trucks.  I feel like they are little overpriced for the amount of food, but I can roll with that option if I am with a group and it is the only food option!  

5. We're bidding farewell to April...what are three adjectives you might use to describe the month you're leaving behind. 

Busy - I worked a lot and traveled a little

Fun - My trips were so fun!

Waiting - It has still been a month of waiting on resolve of several issues. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week I mentioned that I have a playlist for my daughters.  In addition to the Rod Stewart song mentioned earlier, I also have "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts on the list. It is a sweet song.

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go

And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed

I hope you keep on walkin' 'till you find the window

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile

But more than anything, more than anything

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too

Yeah, this, is my wish

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget

All the ones who love you, in the place you left

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret

And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake

And always give more than you take

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish (My wish for you)

This is my wish (My wish for you)

Hope you know somebody loves you (My wish for you)

May all your dreams come true (My wish for you)

Have a great day friends!

Friday Favorites ~ April 25, 2025

 It is finally Friday!  I am so excited it is the weekend and I have a few favorites to share with you.

I originally was off work Monday, thinking I was going to be traveling.  Instead, it was a busy day of random things at home.  I received a nail salon gift card for my birthday back in November I had not used.  I finally used it on a pedicure since it had been a year since my last pedicure.

I met my parents for lunch afterwards.  They had come into Memphis for an appointment, so I was glad to see them sine it had been 2 weeks.  I try to normally see them once a week.

I then met up with Jenn, went to another friend's house for an errand, then Jenn and I went to eat Mexican food.

Tuesday, a favorite was having a good day at work.  After work, my co-worker and I went to a volunteer appreciation event at the hospital.  I have gone the past few years and they always have such good food!

One favorite from this week was eating lunch and doing some shopping with one of my best friends.  One thing that made this so fun was that it was a last minute plan Wednesday morning to meet a few hours later.  I had a list of things to do that day, but I loved being able to be flexible and do those things at a later time.  I spent the evening at home and it was good to have a night at home.  My goal is to have at least one night home a week.  

Thursday was my long work day, a 10 hour work day.  I am thankful that overall it went well.

My favorite favorite of the week is that today is Friday!

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Monthly Musings ~ April 2025

 Good morning and Happy Thursday!  I am enjoying the week so far and have a long work day ahead of me today.  However, I am very much looking forward to a great weekend too and am so thankful!

Today, I am linking up with Monthly Musings talking about Spring hosting, decorating and gardening.

1. I do celebrate Easter every year.  I am so thankful to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that brings.  I have a good friend who is Jewish, so I do respect the Passover holiday and have been learning a lot about that too.

2.  I don't plant a garden, but am fascinated by those who know when/how to plant food items and more than that, keeps them growing and thriving!

3.  I have a few simple Easter decorations, but I honestly didn't decorate this year.  I am slowly packing up my house to sell sometime this year, so all my holiday items are packed already. Here are a few pictures from a few years past.

4.  I love any key lime or strawberry dessert for the spring.  They are so light and refreshing to me!  Of course, I love frozen yogurt, but I enjoy that year round.  I haven't had any in a week or so though!

5.  My favorite spring flowers are lilies, roses, hydrangeas, but really, I love any spring flower!

6.  My best tip for hosting a spring event is fresh flowers, spring pretty napkins, and if you are outside, fans and bug spray!

7. My favorite beverage is sugar free sweet ice tea and flavored waters for the spring/summer.

8.  I am planting flowers in pots more this year and last year vs. planting anything new in my flower beds.  I want the flexibility to take a pot with me whenever I move, so I will invest in some plants for my flower pots.

9.  My favorite Easter candy is definitely Robin eggs.  I also love some strawberry Starburst jelly beans, but haven't had those in years. My sister gave me a bag of them to take on the plane with me the day I moved to South America. Here I was the day of one of the greatest adventures of my life.  Speaking of which, this was actually 11 years ago today! If we are just talking favorite candy, it would be caramel M&M's!

10. I am not a fan of marshmallow peeps, but they are cute for decorating.

Enjoy this spring day!

Hodgepodge ~ April 23, 2025

Hello sweet blog friends!  I am linking up with Joyce for our favorite Hodgepodge feature of the week. 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Picnic Day...will you celebrate? Do you enjoy picnics? Dining out of doors picnic or otherwise? What are three or four things I'd find in your picnic basket? 

I love having a picnic!  I won't be having one today though. If I were, you would find some cheese, crackers, fruit, maybe some deli meat and a bite of dark chocolate!

2.  A time recently where you felt 'antsy'? 

I had to do something hard on Monday and definitely felt a little antsy about it and still do, yet I know it was the right thing.

3. As the saying goes...'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.'  Do you like lemonade? When did you recently need to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking?

I do enjoy lemonade, with strawberry lemonade being my preference.  At my favorite restaurant, Salad Station, I love to mix unsweet tea with diet strawberry lemonade.  I was scheduled to spend time with one of my best friends in Charlotte Sunday night, but she couldn't be there afterall when I was in town, so I spent time with my sister-in-law and flew home early.  It allowed me to also have some time at home yesterday getting some things done, which I was also grateful for to have the "extra time".

4. Recently five 'celebrities' made a brief (ll minute) foray into space aboard Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket. Did you hear about this? Your thoughts? If money were no object is this something you'd like to do someday? 

I did and not sure I quite understand the meaning of celebrities going into space, outside of curiousity.  I have been a space fan for the last 15 years, to the point that I had a poster of the International Space Station in my old laundry room.  We use to get up early or stay up late to watch the ISS when it was coming over our house.  We went to three of the NASA centers in 2009 (Houston, Cape Canaveral and Huntsville).  I hosted a space/astronaut birthday party for Brook when she turned 6.  We even wrote to her favorite astronaut and received an autographed picture!  If it wasn't for a blood clot disorder I have, I think I would love to go in space.

5. Favorite thing about the 'space' you're sitting in right now? 

I am thankful to be available to help my daughters by lending an ear and advice when asked.  I am thankful to have young great nieces and nephews that I can still hold.  One my great nieces asks me for a "holding hug", which is where I pick her up and hold her.  It is the sweetest thing!  The space I am in with life currently is difficult.  I have some things ongoing I can't speak about here, but I am still thankful for other things that make me smile in the space I am in with life.  I am hopeful!

****clearly, I did not answer this question in a literal sense of the word.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I often share song lyrics here and today I have another one for you.  For each of my daughter's when they went to college, I created a playlist for them.  Brook and I have listened to hers on each of the 3 times I have moved her into her place for the school year.  One of the songs I play for them both is "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart.  You are probably familiar with it, but if not, read these sweet words.  

May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam

And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home

And my you grow to be proud, dignified and true

And do unto others as you'd have done to you

Be courageous and be brave

And in my heart you'll always stay

Forever young (forever young)

Forever young (forever young)

May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong

Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain

And in my heart you will remain

Forever young (forever young)

Forever young

Yeah!

And when you finally fly away, I'll be hoping that I served you well

For all the wisdom of a lifetime, no one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you win or lose

Forever young (forever young)

Wishing you a lovely Hodgepodge day!

Talking About itTuesdays ~ Easter weekend 2025

 Good morning!  I couldn't quite get a blog post in order for Monday, so I am joining up today to talk about my Easter weekend.  I hope you all had a lovely weekend and Monday!  

I headed out Friday morning and this was my ride over to Charlotte, North Carolina.  I was so thankful to have a weekend away and a change of scenery.

My oldest daughter had flown in town the night before and my youngest drove in from Savannah and picked me up at the airport.  We went to my sister-in-law's house that night and had a fun night laughing with family and new friends to us.  We also celebrated my nephew's 20th birthday as he grilled hamburgers for us.

Me and my sister-in-laws

Saturday, we went shopping at the Re-clectic store. Have you heard of this store?  There are  about 5 or 6 major cities around the country.  Here is the description:

"Reclectic, a division of Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN), is an eco-conscious solution to sell overstock and retired products from our family of brands."

They sell a lot of Anthropologie and I saw some Farm Rio dresses here too. 

We went out for a late lunch/early dinner.

My girls with their grandparents.

This was the first time the 3 of us had been together since Christmas!  Isabella had to leave Saturday evening, so we only had 24 hours together, but it did my hear so good to see them both at the same time!

Meanwhile, an Elvis tv was on tv with subtitles in German.

Sunday morning, we went to church and I always love the music on Easter!

We had a huge brunch with family.  There was bacon, quiche, deviled eggs, chicken and waffles, hasbrown casserole, ham and fuit.

My in-laws, Brook and my niece and nephew.

It was a great, short weekend with family I don't see that often. I am so thankful for them.  I flew home Sunday night and my flight was delayed by an hour and a half, which is why the blog post didn't happen for yesterday.  I am also thankful for Jenn who picked me up from the airport late last night!

Enjoy your Tuesday friends!