Tuesday Talk ~ Weekend Recap/August 12, 2025

Good morning friends!  I didn't make it around to blogging yesterday.  I am a little in a weird state and blogging took a backseat, but I am back today with a little weekend recap.  

Friday night, Brook and I went to a baby shower for my niece.  Yes, I have another great niece joining the family next month! It was a family shower, so it was sweet to be with all the adult and little girls too.

I helped with a workday at my church Saturday morning for about an hour, then met Jenn at Salad Station. I needed to eat healthy after good shower food the night before!

We went to the paint store afterwards for me to get some samples. The paint store is so inspiring!

Later Saturday afternoon, a friend came by to look at some work I need done at my house.  He brought his 5 year old daughter with him and I gave her a quick manicure.  We go to church with this family, so I have known this sweet girl since she was a baby.

After this, I went and met my oldest for dinner!  She came into town for a few days!  Outside of a 18 hour visit last month, this is the only time she has been here since Christmas.  

We went into Anthropologie and loved seeing all their fall decor!

After dinner, we took a walk at our local park.  It was a beautiful sunset.

After church Sunday, we went to my sister's house for a cookout and watched the littles swim.  They are all so funny!

Monday morning, I took Isabella to my favorite breakfast place, Eggs Up Grill.  

We went to a lot of boutique stores aftewards and spotted more fall decor.

And of course after that, we went to Menchie's for yogurt.  It was a good day with her (Brook was working).

I have loved having time with both my girls this week.

Hope your week is going well and thanks for reading!

Friday Favorites ~ August 8, 2025

 Happy Friday friends!

I hope it has been a good week and here we are at the beginning (almost) of a new weekend!

Here are a few favorites of mine from the week.... 

I was able to be a little lazy Monday morning then ran some errands and got a few things done around the house.  I have a punch list of a few things I need done at the house.  I am trying to do a few things myself, hire some people for other things and maybe ask a friend to do one or two things for me.  One thing I needed to do was to put a transition piece upstairs between flooring and carpet.  The carpet is old and will eventually need to be replaced by a new owner, but it still needed a transition piece. I bought a piece at Lowe's and was able to install it.  I have a miter saw at home to help me with this easy project.  I put a light coat of stain on it and am calling this done!

Before:

After:

This verse was just what I needed to see this week!

I worked Tuesday then went to see my parents and had dinner with them and my sister.  I spent the night at my sister's house so I could be at my nephew's house at 6am Wednesday to keep 2 of their 3 kids.  My nephew and his wife are both nurses, so they go to work super early.  I spent the day with these cuties who are 3 1/2 years old and 10 months old. It was a non stop day! I had 2 protein bars and an energy drink before noon, ha! (and that doesn't include breakfast).  I was happy to help them and spend time with my great nephews.  As a bonus, one of my nieces came over with her 3 for about an hour to play too.

After the day, I met up with Jenn and some ladies from church for dinner at Newks.

Thursday, I was back at work and went by 7Brew for a drink after work with 2 of my co-workers. Thursday night was low key at home and then I am working again this morning.

I hope you all have a fun weekend ahead!

Hodgepodge ~ August 6, 2025

 Good morning!  I am beginning the post linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. The midpoint of summer (believe it or not) is August 7th. Describe a perfect summer day. Have you had one this year? 

I wouldn't say I have had a perfect day this year, but I have enjoyed some moments for sure.  What would that perfect day be? 

Maybe sleeping in after a good night's rest.  Waking up in a new place with my girls with me. We would eat a good breakfast, spend the afternoon swimming and playing with my great nieces and nephews.  An evening boat ride on a lake with a picnic dinner and a cute date would be a great ending.  Keep in mind I don't have a boat, lake or a cute date, but just dreaming :). 

2. What's one thing you wish you knew before starting high school? 

You won't remember 99% of the things that happen to you during this time!

3. What's something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly? 

I am thinking of breakfast foods.  I like scrambled eggs well done and bacon crispy!

4. What's the most overrated food you're convinced people are just pretending to enjoy? What's a trendy food you actually do enjoy and would say is definitely not overrated? 

sushi? I don't eat sushi, but I know a lot of people do like it.  

I enjoy blended cottage cheese in recipes and I feel like it is definitely having a moment with the push for us all to get extra protein.

5. Wrapping it up this week with five fun this or that's...

personal stylist or personal chef? 

Personal Stylist!  I would love to have a professional color analysis.

dance like nobody's watching or sing like nobody's listening? 

Dance like nobody's watching!  I love to move to the music.

unlimited tacos or free pizza? 

Free pizza

bookshelf organization-by size or by genre? 

genre

ten minutes late or ten minutes early? 

10 minutes early

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My random leads me into this month's Currently prompts with Jenn!

Loving

I am loving the temperatures being back to normal, manageable summer weather this week and the cooler weekend we had.  I am loving having Brook home.  I know I say that a lot, but it is so true.  

Looking to

I am looking to others to help me with a few house projects.  I have a list of things I need to do to get my house ready to sell. I still don't know when that will be, this year or next, but I am trying to get a few things done here and have to hire people :(.

Scheduling

 I am always trying to schedule a trip!  I may try to have a quick trip in September.  This usually helps me as I adjust to not having Brook home. I always schedule little things on my calendar and write down most things so I don't forget!! 

Buying

I did a lot of Amazon buying this summer and still am working on that post to be released soon! Other than Amazon, I am buying food and that's about it.

Gearing up for

I am gearing up for the fall and lots of little things to bring me joy in the midst of dreading some hard things.  I am always trying to hold both joy and grief.

Sending lots of love to you on this Wednesday and thanks for reading!

Hello Monday ~ August 4, 2025

Good morning to you!  I hope you had a nice weekend.  Here is a little recap since Friday...

I worked Friday morning and then went to sit with my sister at her infusion and got a kick out of this crossword puzzle in the waiting room.  I guess this was going to help her pass the time?  I did enjoy spending some time with my sister.

Friday night, Jenn came over, we ate frozen pizza and we went to a place to learn line dancing.  We were excited and nervous. Apparently so because Jenn left her wallet at my house afterwards and I left my car keys in her car!  And all we had were diet cokes to drink!

We did a group lesson and then I got back out there 2 other times to dance with random people and then participated in another group lesson. It was a fun night!  Most of the people were younger, but there was a small group that was around our age still having fun and kicking up their heels!

Oh to have the confidence of this man on the dance floor who did not care who was watching him!

Saturday morning was lovely with the temperatures lower and a tease for fall.  Brook and I ate breakfast on the back porch.  

I got a kicker of an email with an update on some legal things and it was for sure another dragon for me.  I took to the bed for the rest of the afternoon and Jenn came over.  We did eat a crazy early dinner, she left, I was home by myself in pajamas pretty early and watched the first episode of Sullivan's Crossing.  I also finished season 4 of The Bear.  Do any of you watch it?  It is not for the children with the language, but I am hooked.  I loved the wedding episode and the end episode was sad for me.  

Sunday, I went to church then met Jenn for lunch. Afterwards, I walked over to Trader Joe's for a few basics and picked up these flowers for myself to have for the week. I spent the rest of the day at home being pretty lazy & catching up on a few things. Other than Friday night, the weekend was really low key for me. 

Have a great Monday!

 

Friday Favorites ~ August 1, 2025

Happy August!  It's the month of back-to-school, routines, meal planning and shopping for the fall! Here are some random highlights from the week...

So the highlight of my week was not eating healthy.  It started with me treating myself to a bag of my favorite type of M&M's....the caramel.  This is a sharing bag.  I shared it with myself.

Tuesday, we had a staff lunch at a nice restaurant located on the Mississippi River. My meal was delicious and we split several desserts. Thankfully, my meal was somewhat healthy.  I had redfish with crab meat on top and it was served over mashed potatoes and a side of squash and other veggies. It was delicious!

A friend of mine had a house concert at her house Wednesday night where some friends who have a band played their music.  It was so hot outside, so I didn't stay long.  However, I did find the snack table and couldn't resist the cookies and the veggies and hummus.  I'm trying to tease my brain I had balance here.

Thursday evening, Jenn came by since I hadn't seen her all week with her new job.  

This week was low key, but better for me.  I worked every day, although not full days.  Today is much cooler, with a high of 85, so I will gladly take it for the first day of August. My weekend will be low key and I am okay with that too.

Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for the encouragement this week and for reading the blog my friends!

 

Monthly Musings ~ July 2025

 Happy Thursday!  Linking with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings on How We Summer....

1.  Favorite thing about summer 2025?

Having Brook home and seeing Isabella

2.  Favorite thing you ate this summer?

Key Lime Pie!

3.  Did you see any movies this summer?

I saw Mission Impossible at the theater and enjoyed it.  

4.  What books did you read this summer?

Um, none!

5. Ready for fall or hold onto summer?

Ready for fall please!  I am tired of the bugs and want to sit outside more and take walks.

6. What is different about your summer schedule than the rest of the year?

Due to no school in session, traffic to work is so much better for me and I can leave a little later from my house.

7. How do you take a break/relax in summer?

I take a vacation and also have learned to lean into my Saturday mornings and use that as a time of relaxation.

8. Any trips still on the calendar for the rest of the summer?

I don't have any specific ones for the summer, but I may try to take a weekend trip in September.

9. Any summer concerts this year?

I went with Jenn to see a group ( I don't even remember who it was) and we will go see Teddy Swims in a few weeks!

10.  When does summer end in your world?

I would say it ends at Labor Day when Brook goes back to school.  

Hodgepodge ~ July 30, 2025

 Hi and welcome to this week's edition of Hodgepodge! Thank you Joyce for hosting this each week for us!

1. On July 29th 1957 The Tonite Show premiered with Jack Parr as it's host. This marked the beginning of the modern day talk show. Do you watch any daytime or late night talk shows today? Do you have any thoughts on the hubbub surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, or are you more in the camp of 'who is Stephen Colbert? 

I do like Stephen Colbert, although I didn't watch his shows regularly, but I always enjoyed interview segments he did. I have been a fan of late night and day time talk shows, as these next set of pictures will show.  (I didn't mention Hoda here since I had just posted my picture with her last week, but I use to watch she and Jenna Bush Hager every day too.)

I have vivid memories of my dad watching the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson when I was a kid.  I can still hear him laughing from my bedroom after I went to my room.

I became a fan of the David Letterman Show when I was in high school. When I was out of college, I was able to see 2 different tapings of the show.  It was so fun to be in the studio audience, but that was pre-cell phones!

In October 2016, I was in the studio audience of Good Morning America.  Ben Affleck and John Krasinski were guests, so it was a good day to be there!  I had a little cameo in the audience. You can see me in the glasses and black shirt to the left in the pictures of John Krasinski.

During that same trip, Brook and I also were guests in a taping of Live with Kelly.  This was during the time when she was searching for a co-host, right before Ryan Seacrest came on board as her co-host. I still watch this show most every day, or at least the opening segment.

2. What's the best part of your day? 

Waking up to see Brook before before she leaves for work and knowing I will see her at night.  Most days, this happens, although there are a few mornings/nights where we don't see each other.  I am so thankful to have her home for the summer!

3. What's something your generation does that you actually dislike? 

My mind is going blank on this one overall.  Honestly, the only thing I can think of is balancing a checkbook?  Does anyone personally still do this?

4. When you cook do you clean as you go, or clean it all up once you're finished cooking? What's the last thing you cooked/baked in your own kitchen? 

One would have to cook to answer this question, ha!  I will at least put dishes in the sink or let something soak if it needs it.  I will either load the dishwasher at night or do it the next morning.  Since it is usually dishes for 1 or 2 people, the dishes don't add up too fast.  When I use to live in a household of 4 people, I would clean up the dishes each night.

The last thing I baked in my oven was sourdough bread before I went to the beach. 

5. Sum up your July in ten words or less. 

sad, tragic (due to the Texas floods)

relaxing, laughter (beach trip)

overwhelming, frustrating (house and legal issues)

anger, disappointment (past relationship)

hot!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Have a great day friends!