Monthly Musings ~ February 26, 2026

 Good morning.  I am linking up with Patty for this month's Monthly Musings about ways we make our weeks easier.

1. Paper planner, digital calendar or other option?

I have used a paper planner in the past, but I mainly plan my schedule and to-do list straight from my phone's calendar.  I can view my personal and work calendar there.  On my desk at work, I do have a large paper calendar where I will write some work events.

2. Meal planning, meal prep, or wing it?

I do a little bit of all 3 at different times.  On Sundays, I will try to think of my week ahead if I have any night outings.  I have had very few this year during the week.  I have been trying to eat from my freezer.  From a meal prep standpoint, I have a lot of cooked meats in my freezer that I can use for meals.  There are some days/nights when I am at home and will wing it with just eating snacks though, which is not always a good thing.  

3. Do you choose your outfit the night before?

I usually do have an outfit in mind, but I often will change my mind!

4. Tips for managing laundry and ironing.

Keep in mind, all of my answers are based on a single adult living alone, so most of you are not in that situation, or probably not any of you for which is a good thing!

My laundry is easy to manage.  I do 2 loads a week...one of clothes and one for towels/sheets.  As far as ironing goes, it is on a need to basis.

5. Grocery shop instore or online?

I still do grocery instore shopping.  I have done a pick up order a handful of times.  If this service was an option when my kids were younger or when I was working out of the home full time, I think I would have done this more often.  I get every other kind of package at home, but I have never had groceries delivered.

6. Best tips for getting out the door in the morning without chaos?

Again, it is just me getting out the door and I only go to the office 2 days a week, so thankfully, I don't have to get out the door early every day. However, I do sometimes still rush out the door!  I try to have my lunch planned the night before so I just have to put it in my bag and get out the door.  My biggest struggle is getting out of bed.  I don't drink coffee or have pets, so I don't have anything getting me out of bed. I wake up early, but getting out of bed to get ready is a slow process for me.  This is a newer thing for me as another thing that has changed for me in the past few years. 

7. Share your easiest dinners for crazy weeks.

An easy dinner for me would be opening a box of tomato soup (from Trader Joe's is my favorite), a frozen pizza (Milton's brand is my favorite), or a protein bar!  

8. Best tips to keep your house organized during the week.

I think the easiest way for organization is to watch the paper intake that comes in the house, including receipts and mail.  Obviously, cleaning countertops helps a house feel organized too.  

9. Share your easiest breakfast.

I love a protein smoothie, sourdough bread, protein bar/shake,  I also like some of the chicken sausage that you can buy pre-packaged from Costco.

10.  Share your best overall tip not covered yet.

Balance as best you can work/home life.  I recommend to not do work outside of working hours.  However, if I do have something quick to do, I make sure to schedule send an email or not let it interfere with someone else's time off work.  I am big about being respectful of that.

Thanks for reading along and hope you all have a great day!

Hodgepodge ~ February 25, 2026

Hi and happy Hodgepodge day!

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see? 

I have been to all of these places, but Boston is a place I would like to explore.  I flew there years ago (like probably 30) on a trip to New England.  We basically landed at the airport and drove around the city on our way out of town, but didn't take time to see the sights really.  Here are pictures from all the other cities!

I think all of these cities are great, with honestly, NYC being my favorite.  But, if you really want to get some history, I recommend Philadelphia and Jamestown/Williamsburg.

Philadelphia with one of my dearest friends a few years ago

Young Marilyn at the age of 17 in New York City with the World Trade Towers behind me.  I have always loved this city and have been dozens of times.

Our family went to Washington, DC in 2013.  Ironically enough, the week we were there was a government shutdown for the first time in 17 years (at that time), so most things were closed.

My youngest daughter and I went to Charleston last October.

My brother lives in Richmond, which also has a lot of history.  On our first trip to see him, we went to Williamsburg and Jamestown.  Here are Brook and I at Williamsburg.

2. Three sounds you love to hear? 

The first thing that came to mind were words: 

Momma, Aunt Marilyn, I love you

Some other sounds I love to hear are:

a candle/fire burning

 music...Music is so healing and encouraging to me!

kids laughter

airplanes taking off

ocean waves

3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

My word list:
I have bad news, political talk, rejection

Alternate sounds:
insects (mosquitos, flys)
echoes
gunshots/loud noises
nails on chalkboard

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

I love chips plain or with any of the above, but guacamole is my favorite.  At home, I usually have salsa on hand though.  I like nachos with chicken, cheese and guacamole on top.  I have made a King Ranch Chicken before which is very good & so easy, especially this slow cooker recipe. I also enjoy a good margarita paired with chips and guac!

This is one of my stand out favorites I had on a cruise port in Mexico.

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

My youngest daughter will come home for her last Spring Break from college!  I haven't seen her in 10 weeks and I will be ready to hug her neck.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have been experimenting lately with purchasing different brands of do-it-yourself nails.  I tried Doonails over the weekend and have been pleased so far.  This is a cat eye nail, so the color looks a little different in each picture.  As of writing this post, they have stayed on 3 days, so I am pleased so far and hoping to get at least a week's wear out of these.  

Have a great day and I will be back tomorrow for Monthly Musings!

Friday Favorites ~ February 20, 2026

 Woo hoo!  Happy Friday friends!

A favorite of mine from last week was spending a morning last weekend with my sister. We went to a bakery and enjoyed a variety of croughnuts (a hybrid of a croissant and a donut) and then went to a coffee house too.

After working from home Monday morning, I spent the afternoon visiting with some of my greats.  There is nothing like a little face running to meet you at the car.

The middle 3 of this crew wanted to ride with me to go see my parents.  Needless to say, they (their great grandparents) were so happy to see these little faces too. I was so thankful I could say yes when they asked to go with me.  

Before leaving, I got to hold their baby sister, my newest great born last fall.

We also went by to see my other nieces and this one is so full of life!  She just turned 1 year old in November.

When I went to drop off the other kiddos, their sweet momma (the one who made me an aunt) invited me to stay for dinner.  I left afterwards and these two loved running alongside the car as I was leaving.  I felt loved getting a strong welcome and a loving goodbye! The sky was so pretty too!

Wednesday afternoon, I got a massage, which is always a favorite.

Work has been more stressful for me the last few weeks, but I did receive this sunshine Jellycat from co-workers.

Other than the afternoon with my greats, it has been a really quiet, kind of boring week so I have been alone a lot and going to bed early.  Either way, I am always glad for a weekend!

Hodgepodge ~ February 18, 2026

 Hope your week is going well so far friends! I am linking up with Joyce for this week's Hodgepodge.

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

I don't abide by the Lenten season yearly, but I do think it is an honorable practice.  In the past, I have given up something, usually a food or drink.  I do love the idea of adding something to your life instead.  I read about this a few years ago on Erika's blog and it always stuck with me.  This year, I plan on adding something positive to my life. 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I do like pancakes, but if given the choice, I would choose a waffle.  It has probably been several years since I have eaten pancakes.  I eat plenty of other breakfast carbs (enter sourdough...), but pancakes isn't a go-to for me.  I do like syrup, but not drowning out my food.  I also would love some strawberries for garnish if you're asking :).  No pancakes are on my menu this week.  But maybe, breakfast for dinner?

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

This is not something I deal with too much anymore.  I often have a lot of little things on my personal to do list, but most are not on a time constraint.  I do feel this some at work because it seems all things are "urgent", but usually the pressure comes from others instead of within myself.  

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

My favorite is for sure topaz, which is the November birthstone. I am a November birthday!  I do like gem tones in my wardrobe along with black and white.  I am learning to throw in a little red in there too though.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

I take so much personally so if something goes wrong. Not only do I feel responsible for the issue, but also I feel like it all falls on me to fix the problem. This applies to the little things and bigger things.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had lunch last week with a family friend and it was great to catch up with him.  He is from North Carolina, but was our pastor & on our missionary team when we lived in Bogota', Colombia (we all served with the same organization).  He and his wife and their kids now live in Norway and he leads an international church there.  He was in town speaking at a missions conference.  Sunday, I went to my old church to hear him preach Sunday morning and went back Sunday night too.  It was such good services and I also loved seeing so many old dear friends.  He brought me some Norwegian candy that is the equivalent to a Kit Kat in the USA. 

Enjoy your Hodgepodge of a Wednesday!

Talking About it Tuesday ~ Galentine's Day/February 17, 2026

Happy Tuesday friends!

 I know yesterday was Monday, but I didn't want to talk about Valentine's Day as the theme of the weekend since I wasn't with a guy or my kids.  This is one my boundaries where I can't spend too much time reading about these things. I was not on social media much at all over the weekend.  I am happy and I hope one day I will have this, so in the meantime, my Tuesday talk is all about Galentine's Day, celebrating friends!

I hosted a Galentine's party at my house Friday night and had bought this heart pasta at Aldi.

It was fun to decorate for Galentine's! Behind my table, is a string of old Valentine cards from my childhood.  They are from my parents, grandparents and even one from my brother.

I assembled a mixture of strawberry chex mix, a candy mix of popcorn, cookies and pretzels, and then I added a bag of red/white M&M's.  It was such a good mixture.  I ate so much of this over the weekend.

I also made red velvet M&M brownies and used my heart cutter with them.

Here are other pictures of some house decor...

I made sourdough foccacia bread, which turned out so good.  This is my favorite variety of sourdough.

I ordered a fun set of Galentine games (all paper games so we didn't have to leave the table :)) & we all started a little bit on creating ideas for a vision/bingo board for 2026.  In the background of these things was a great Galentine's playlist I created with the help of their imput on Spotify.

Kendra gave us each a gift, which was so cute and thoughtful. It was a fun night!

Friday Favorites ~ February 13, 2026

Happy Friday!  I have been a bit more scarce on the blog this week, but it has been a super busy week back home this week.  There have been some ups, downs and emotions this week, but I definitely have some sweet favorites too!

First, Happy Galentine's Day!  You ladies are my favorites!  

Like seriously, look what I received this week...

Carrie from Northwoods Scrapbook blog had a giveaway a few weeks ago and I won one of the gifts. She has been so encouraging and kind. I loved getting this package!

This is a paper rose bouquet...perfect for Galentine's Day!

I also received these thoughtful cards from Maria and Joanne.  Love these ladies!

I enjoyed eating these bags of popcorn from this local North Carolina company, which is women owned!!

Piles of dirty snow still are all over town, but they are slowly all melting. Melting snow and ice is a favorite!  

I got a hair cut this week from my former neighbor.  It was a little strange to go see my old house for the first time in 3 months.  I stayed and showed her how to make sourdough. I am wearing my new sweater from Shein I received this week.  I love it!

My daughter's boyfriend came by the house to pick up a few things before he left to go visit her.  I am so thankful for this kind man who has come into our family's lives.

Speaking of kindness once more, my precious co-worker/friend gave me this personalized pen and the sweetest note yesterday at work.  The timing was good as it wasn't the best day at work for me.

I am looking forward to lunch with a friend and a Galentine's celebration tonight.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Much love and thanks for reading!