Friday Favorites ~ January 30, 2026

 Oh boy.  Friday favorites....It has been such a different week being snowed/iced in, but I still have a few favorites and a recap of the week.

I have cooked more than I have in probably 2 years, ha!  First, were these 2 pretty loaves of sourdough!

For lunch this week, I had some pork loin, veggies and sweet potato fries.

But then these were 2 of my dinners this week...

a bowl of Honeycomb cereal

and popcorn and M&M's

Because I had ingredients leftover, I made this apple dip to eat as a snack.  It is cream cheese, covered in caramel sauce with a heath/toffee crumble topping.  It is delicious with apples!

Being inside for 4 days alone wasn't a favorite, but I honestly did better than I thought I would.  I kept busy with a little work from home, tv shows and I am currently working my 3rd 1000 piece puzzle this week. I finally finished Sullivan's Crossing and High Potential. 

A few other favorites....

-having help getting the ice chipped away outside my garage.  Several times this week, I drove back and forth from my garage to the end of the driveway to make tire tracks (I have a long driveway).  

-a facetime call with Brook

-dinner out

-driving to Target when the temperature finally got above freezing for one day (it is back below freezing day & night until Monday)

-sweet texts from blog friends checking on me living alone during a snowstorm, which honestly has been one of the things I dread the most.  

This is my street Thursday afternoon.

A mug I bought at Target

And these sweaters are maybe the Valentine clothes I need.

Thankful for this group & to call them real life friends!

And not to be forgotten or taken for granted, having power and plenty of food are favorites from my week and I am so thankful for both.

Hope you have a warm and safe weekend!

Monthly Musings ~ January 2026

 Happy Thursday!  I am linking up with Patty for January's Monthly Musings where we are talking all about winter fun and Valentine's Day.

1. Describe your winter so far in one word.

lonely....I know that sounds sad and I am not trying to get any pity, but that is the word that comes to mind. I'm really doing okay, it just gets lonely living alone and not dating.

2.  What winter activities have you never tried but wanted?

I haven't ever been snow skiing out west, but now I think I am too nervous at my age I would break a bone!

3. Favorite winter beverage?

Typically, I would say a good cup of hot chocolate, but I have also become of a fan of a London Fog tea this year.

4. Least favorite winter chore?

Hmm...This is not a chore, but maybe all the layers it takes to put on/take off to go outside in the snow.

5. Soup or chili?

I like both if it doesn't have beans in it! This is my go-to chili recipe:

1 lb. ground beef

3/4 c. chopped onion

1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can Ro-tel

1 can tomato sauce

1 cup water

Cook beef and onion in saucepan over medium high heat for 5 minutes or until beef is crumbled and no longer pink.  Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes.

6.  Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Dark chocolate for me please!

7. Share your Galentines/Valentines plans.

I am hosting Galentines at my house for myself, Jenn and Kendra.  I have some decor, food & game ideas, and we are going to work on vision/bingo boards for 2026.

8. Do you dress festive for Valentine's Day?

I had a LOVE sweater, but it is in my pile to donate. 

9. Do you make any sweet treats?

I do have some dessert ideas I will make for Galentines.

Valentines Chex Mix

Red Velvet Brownies

10.  What is your love language?

It use to be acts of service.  but now it is all of them!

I leave you with this reminder today....

Hodgepodge ~ January 28, 2026

 Happy Hodgepodge day!  

1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? 

After a snowy weekend, temperatures are still very cold here. I am not sure when I will be able to drive again.  Other than one night, I have surprisingly done well being by myself.  I have completed 4 days at home by myself.  I am so thankful for power and plenty of food!

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

I will eat avocados, kale, cauliflower pizza crust and cottage cheese mixed in things, but no thank you to the cabbage.  I guess I will be living in the past enjoying these other food trends!

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? 

I think I had one, but it wasn't a huge part of my childhood.  I did go to the Cabbage Patch Babyland in Cleveland, Georgia with my nieces when they were little.  I had one baby doll I loved as child because her legs would bend and I could hold her on my hip!  I think she is still in my parents attic somewhere. Besides Osmonds albums and other music (which I have always loved), I remember really wanting a Merlin.  Do you remember these?  It was a great birthday when I had my own.

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? 

Working puzzles, preparing food and watching tv!

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. 

It has been a long month...Christmas seems a long time ago. It has been a cold, lonely month.  I am finally feeling better from my 6 week upper respiratory infection though!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thanks to Joyce for this great link up week after week!

Have a good day!

Hello Monday ~ January 26, 2026

Good morning!  No surprise, the topic today is snow as it has affected so much of the country this past weekend.  Here is a glimpse of my snowed in weekend in the south!

Friday after work, I had lunch with a friend then went to my parents house to bring them food and make sure they were okay to be inside the next few days.  I also stopped by my niece's house to see her girls and hung out with another friend that night before coming home.  I knew it would be several days before I would see humans again! Life is funny. The weekend prior, I was saying I would do something this weekend.  Well then the snow came.  Just another reminder life is out my control and a bummer to have another weekend alone.  However, I had time to mentally prepare, so I am doing pretty well so far.  By this afternoon or tomorrow, I may need to get out and see someone though!

I started strong Saturday by organizing my makeup, washing makeup brushes and going through my pantry and kitchen cabinets.  I didn't have too much to go through there since I just moved 2 months ago, but it was still a good time to see what I brought to this house.

I made breakfast....scrambled eggs with crumbled turkey and cheese added, along with sourdough and strawberries. 

Snow and some sleet fell throughout the day. I stayed inside.

For lunch, I had leftovers from Friday's lunch which was a crusted pork loin with mashed sweet potatoes and salad.

I watched tv and had a few sips of this drink. I also talked to Jenn multiple times during the day! I never opened my computer the whole day and it was nice to have a break from it.

I also made some brownies.  It was from an old mix and honestly weren't that great.  It took me eating 2 to decide that :).

I basically spent the rest of the afternoon and well, until close to midnight finishing this puzzle.  This is for you Amy!

Sunday morning felt nothing like a Sunday, but we got more snow overnight and through midday Sunday. Day 2....I can do this. Since I spent the most part of yesterday afternoon sitting working on the puzzle, I started my day with a quick walk on the treadmill.  

For breakfast, I made bacon and had sourdough with it.

Lunch was a frozen pizza.  This is my favorite brand of frozen pizza. They also sell a plain cheese version and a veggie pizza.  I have only seen the veggie version at Costco, but it is sold in a 2 pack and then I usually add pepperoni to it at home. I bought this pepperoni version from Kroger.

I folded clothes, went through a closet, did some computer stuff and then did a little travel planning for a spring trip. Another quiet day and night.

How are you holding up in this cold weather?  I am thankful to have not lost power, for little projects and plenty of food. 

Thanks for reading and stay warm on this Monday! Is it Monday??? Ha!

Friday Favorites ~ January 23, 2026

 Happy Friday friends!  Are you ready for a cold weekend?  Now the South is predicted to have snow, so we know its going to be cold!!  We usually do get a good snowfall every year, but usually just once :).  That is about all we can handle in the south.  Our cars/roads are just not prepared for it. Here is a little Friday update....

Monday, I spent the afternoon at my parents helping them do some housework and then was able to stop by my niece's house and see some greats for a little bit.  That night, I went with Jenn to her friend's house for the football national championship game.  I was glad Indiana won and there was also good food!

I have a flip calendar I have had for around 4-5 years.  I pulled it back out this year and was already a few days behind.  Tuesday, I flipped it to that date and it was just what I needed to read. Right after my former husband left me, I read Isaiah 54 every day for 2 months.  I quickly claimed this verse! 

Tuesday morning, Anna and Elsa joined us at the hospital when we served breakfast to families.

Another favorite was dinner at a friend's house Tuesday night.  I am so thankful for my dear friend Lori! We go back about 15 years and our daughters are best friends.

I received this plant for my birthday and it is finally in full bloom!

The calendar came through again for me.  This was a great reminder to read before the weekend:

Speaking of the weekend.....

I survived the grocery store and made this impulse buy! I haven't bought a box of cereal in years.

I made a late night stop at Wal-Mart last night. There is no bread, milk or eggs. And apparently, we want our cheese in the south too.  Okay my Northern friends, I am guessing this doesn't happen every time it snows there?

Lastly, this is quick random recipe I made last week.  It is basically an "upside down" pizza.  I put some  pepperoni in my small black skillet then layered some slices of mozzarella on top. I added a tortilla on top and let that cook for a few minutes.  I flipped it and then added some sauce.  Once it cooked together for a few minutes more, I rolled up the tortilla and cut it into rolled up bites for a quick meal.

Stay warm my friends and thanks for reading this week!

Hodgepodge ~ January 21, 2026

 Happy Wednesday and Hodgepodge day friends!

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

A snowy walk sounds nice, but I haven't done any of these items as we haven't had any snow yet.  Usually, we don't have snow until January through March.  I will admit, as much as I love to watch the snow fall, I sure hope we don't have much this year as I don't want to be snowed in at home.  

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

I posted some highlights from my 2016 yesterday, but here is an additional picture from that year.  I shared yesterday that Brook and I went to NYC.  We went to a taping of Live with Kelly.  This was during the time when she was looking for a co-host (pre Ryan Seacrest).  I still watch Live with Kelly and Mark every day, so this was fun for us to be at a taping of the show.

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? 

Hmm...I wish it was easier to get concert/event tickets.  It seems like even if I click at the time something goes on sale, very few seats are left.  Although, I still remember lining up at a ticket window to buy tickets too, so I am also thankful for the convenience of online purchasing.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I am not a fan of granola or granola bars.  But, I do eat a protein bar every day!  My girls even laugh at me saying, "I will just eat a bar". I don't like nuts in bars, so that limits a lot of bars.  My favorites are Built, Quest or Barebell.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

This is such an interesting question!  The 2 that stand out to me are a trickling stream and a deep well.  So often I feel like I am in a deep well.  I think that comes from living along and feeling lonely so much.  Even though I am around people often, I still usually feel pretty lonely.  A deep well seems like a lonely place!  The good thing is that I am not stuck in a deep well.  I also relate to the trickling stream, because I feel like I am also slowly beginning to rebuild my life.  The stream usually leads into something bigger and sometimes you don't know what is right around the bend.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week, Harry Styles announced he will have a new album release in March and all signs point to a new tour in 2026/2027.  Harry Styles is a musician that began with the group One Direction.  I have taken my daughters to see him twice in concert previously in Nashville and I am a fan too.  I have loved watching so many reels about this album & tour announcement! I have sent my daughters no less than 20 reels probably about this.  I know they think I have too much time on my hands & they are not wrong.  

Enjoy your day!

Talking About it Tuesdays ~ 2016 Trends

 Good morning friends!  Have you seen the social media viral trend of posting photos from 2016?  I am sharing some photos from my 2016 year!

In 2016, I was still living in Bogota, Colombia South America.  I was in the states for Christmas and New Years though.

This is Brook and one of her best friends, Catherine, on NYE.  This summer, Brook will be maid of honor in her wedding!  And, we went to their house this past year on NYE too! Her mom is a dear friend of mine.

These 2 friends are still dear to me and we watched the season premiere of The Bachelor together.

Upon our return to Bogota, we prepared for Isabella's fiesta de quince....her 15th birthday celebration. It was one of our best nights!

Remember me going to see my Colombian friends, who now live in Australia, in Dallas in December? Here they are with Isabella 10 years ago!

My girls :)

This girl loved being the only American in her Colombian school!

We took a family vacation to Cartagena.  This was such a milestone for us to travel within the country for a vacation instead of a work event.  In our 3rd year of living there, we finally felt comfortable with our Spanish to do this and we loved it.

This was Mother's Day 2016...Edwin, Isabella, me and Brook.

This is Clara, our beloved Spanish teacher.  I love this woman and miss her so much.

Summer of 2016, I flew back to the states and went to my last Huey Lewis concert.

I love this picture of my girls! This was at one of our favorite places.

We took a team retreat to Villa de Leyva, a beautiful town a few hours from Bogota.

I miss the bread, juices, soups and hot chocolate from Colombia.

In the fall of 2016, Brook and I traveled to NYC and met my parents there for a few days.  Isabella was in school and Brook had returned to homeschool, so she was able to travel with me.

Later that fall, we began saying our goodbyes to dear friends in Bogota.  I met these 3 girls in Colombia during my first visit in 2009 & we reunited when we moved there in 2014.  I still keep in touch with them via social media & love them.

This is group picture of some dear friends on a farewell dinner with us. Edwin and Clara were with us this night.

This is my dear friend, Sarah, who I was able to see last summer when she was visiting Kentucky.

And of course, my dear Edwin.  

Brook and I on our way moving back to the U.S.A.!

One of the first things I did was meet my new and first great-nephew!  He is 9 now!

There were so many things to buy moving back to the states, but one of our first purchases was a car! We still own this car.

I am not sure why this is such a trend, but it was interesting to look back at 2016 at a glance!

Hope you have a great day!