I haven’t written a “this or that” post in quite a while, so I thought a Halloween one would be fun. I found this one on Pinterest.
This or That:
Trick or Treat
Definitely treats, please!
Spooky stories or Spooky movies
While I love reading books that are suspenseful, a spooky movie is fun this time of the year. That being said, I’d take a Halloween/fall themed movie over a spooky one.
Apple cider or pumpkin spice latte
I like apple cider, but I prefer coffee with a splash of cream and a dash of pumpkin spice.
Hocus Pocus or Nightmare Before Christmas
I definitely prefer Hocus Pocus. We watched the new one last year on fall break.
Hay maze or haunted house
I definitely prefer a hay maze. I don’t think my anxiety could take a haunted house. haha
Hayden and friends went to a haunted house last week. My friend who took them definitely wins for “fun mom!”
Then, my kids’ school hosted a haunted house for the community like they did last year. The kids went last Friday night and had fun.
Carve a pumpkin or paint a pumpkin
We always carve them. I love that tradition…and I’m clinging to it.
Scare someone or be scared
Neither!!!
Buy a costume or make a costume
Through the years, we’ve always bought them. When the kids were little, my mom did make one of their costumes…just like she did my brother and I were little.
Trick-or-treat or pass out candy
We are back to passing out candy after many years of trick-or-treating. I do think the kids will go out tonight for a bit. Hadley and friends have a group costume, but Travis and I will be on the front porch handing out candy.
Halloween party or cozy spooky movie night
Definitely a night in would be on my list. It’s not spooky, but I miss the tradition of watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
Pumpkin patch or apple orchard
You know I love a pumpkin patch!
That being said, I grew up across the street from an apple orchard, and I loved going to pick apples. I haven’t done that with my kids though!
What would your answers be? I will post this one on Insta!
How was your week? Ours was pretty good, and we had some downtime in the evenings which was very much needed.
As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are some favorites from the week:
Hayden had a lot of fun with this friends at a UK basketball/football charity event last week. They bowled with some of the players and got autographs and pictures.
It’s almost middle school basketball season, so Hayden’s on a rec team, and it’s always fun to watch him play basketball.
We enjoy watching him run, but we think it’s important for him to have other interests, and I’m glad he still loves basketball.
The cross country season wrapped up a couple weeks ago, and Travis is having the end of season banquet next week. We got the team and individual pics back, and I can’t believe how great they turned out.
Here he is in 6th and 7th grade. My oh my…no one prepared me for how quickly kids grow up in middle school!
My mom & Gma visited this past weekend, and it was nice to see them. It was a very low key weekend with not much on tap, so we had time to hang out, play a few games, and the kids loved their souvenirs that my mom picked up for them on her recent trip to Ireland.
I love the view from my front porch this time of the year. Unfortunately, many of the leaves have already fallen off. I hope they can hang on a bit longer.
Favorite Clothes:
It’s a simple sweatshirt, but I was at Walmart recently and snagged this hooded sweatshirt in two colors and two sizes. I got my regular size large in the gray, and then I sized up in the blue color, so that I could wear it with leggings. You can’t beat the $9 price tag!
Favorite Food:
Random photo, but I was kind of in a lunch rut, and tried something different for me. I made pita pocket sandwiches for lunch a couple of times this week.
One has rotisserie chicken and shredded mozzarella. After I warmed it in the microwave, I added some BBQ sauce. The other one has Pepperjack cheese and turkey pepperonis. I’ve also made both and put them in the toaster when I’m home. That’s the preferred method, but the microwave melts the cheese and makes for a decent lunch.
This weekend, I’m hoping we can squeeze in our traditional “spooky meal” & pumpkin carving.
Favorite Mom Meme:
This has been true for a long time. lol
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday
With Halloween next week, I’m always nostalgic for the years when the kids were little. This Batman and Robin duo will always be my favorite.
Weekly Recap:
I shared a little bit of everything this week: memes, holidays, clothes, and musings!
What are your weekend plans! My weekend starts today with a fun day at Keeneland with friends. Also, Hadley has some fun weekend plans, and Hayden has a basketball game. We hope to make it to the UK football game too.
Well, it’s almost time to turn the page of the calendar to November, so today I’m sharing my answers to Patty and Holly’s fun end of the month link up.
This month’s topic is Thanksgiving prep.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We get to see family, enjoy great food, and don’t have the stress of gift giving!
1. What are your Thanksgiving plans?
We typically alternate staying home vs. going to KC for Thanksgiving. This year is a KC Thanksgiving year.
I love green bean casserole at Thanksgiving. I always just use the classic recipe on the side of the French’s fried onion container.
I also love corn casserole, but I tried to make it once, and it was a fail. I will leave it to the Thanksgiving pros (AKA my sister-in-law and/or Trav’s aunts)!
3. Best food prep tips?
I’ve really only hosted Thanksgiving a time or two, and it’s so much work. I’m really grateful for those who have hosted through the years.
Of course, making a list is always helpful, and asking others to bring some of the food is essential too.
4. Favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
I love starting my Thanksgiving morning with the Macy’s parade.
5. Turkey? Ham? Other? Both?
To me, turkey is for Thanksgiving and ham is for Easter!
6. Apple pie? Pumpkin pie?
Pumpkin pie all the way. I love my pumpkin pie served cold with a dollop of Cool Whip!
7. Football or family movie?
There’s typically football on in the background while everyone hangs out and eats at Thanksgiving. Christmas movies start the Friday after Thanksgiving.
8. Stuffing or dressing?
It’s the same thing, right? But…one is inside the bird and one is out?! I definitely don’t like stuffing, but I’ve made sausage dressing a time or two, and I really like it.
9. Turkey trot or Thanksgiving parade?
Thanksgiving parade all the way.
10. Have you ever done Friendsgiving?
Our neighbors hosted a Friendsgiving a few years ago, and it was so nice to get together. That being said, the month of November about takes me out every year with Travis working so much, the kids’ activities and birthday, holiday travel, gift buying and more. So, it’s hard to find the time, at this stage of life, to do some of the extra fun things like Friendsgiving.
Thanksgiving always has been one of my favorite holidays. What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving?
It finally has been feeling like fall, but the temps are on the rise again this week. I’ve definitely be wearing a mix of clothes lately, and I’m sharing those with you today.
Last Monday, I wore one of my favorite types of outfits: leggings, sneakers and one of my favorite quilted SSYS tops.
On Tuesday, I was feeling fall festive and wore my new jack-o-lantern sweatshirt and black cropped flare jeans with and the mules I bought last fall.
With warmer temps, I wore one of my favorite midi dresses and favorite cardigan on Wednesday.
How cute this this lavendar SSYS poplin top? I bought it this summer. It’s sleeveless, so I paired it with my favorite cardigan (again!) but in black, skinny pants, and the Amazon mules.
I apparently love a popped collar.
I was very casual on Friday with a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers.
On Saturday, after my workout, I threw on my Old Navy sweatshirt and a hat to run errands. The temps were warmer, so I threw on my favorite slides. I will wear sandals as long as possible!
I love these new Amazon yoga leggings. Sorry for the awkward side pose, but I was trying to show you the side slit. These leggings are high waisted and so soft. They are not the “suck you in” type of leggings, but the high waist is appreciated, and I did do a low impact workout in them just fine!
On Sunday, I wore one of my favorite Target dresses and boots from last year to church. Obviously, I love a cardigan, so I threw the Amazon one on again. I wore this same outfit yesterday. I usually try to wear my church outfit one day of the week to school. The less decision making the better at 7 am!
After church, I got into comfy clothes ASAP.
On Monday, I wore my favorite pink pullover with my new chinos that I snagged with Old Navy’s recent 50% off sale and the mules. I’ve only had the mules a year, but they are the perfect fall shoe!
So that’s what I’ve been wearing lately. With the up and down temps, I like to mix and match what I wear as much as possible. It will be full on sweater weather soon, I’m sure.
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A few week ago, WordPress had a writing prompt: How do you celebrate holidays? I thought it was a good one to write about.
Today, I’m taking a look at how my family celebrates most of the holidays…in calendar order…
Valentine’s Day:
Travis and I have never been big gift givers on Valentine’s Day. He knows I love a card, so I typically get one from him (with his signature bubble letters for my name). We’ve always tried to go out to dinner at some point around that time of the year as our gift to each other.
Once we had the kids, I started celebrating it a bit more because of them. I probably make too big of a deal about it, but I usually give them chocolates and a few small gifts.
I miss the dress up days:
Last year, the kids had a school dance around that time. Hayden was thrilled.
I always enjoy decorating a bit for V-Day too…
One of my favorite traditions is that we always send family a Valentine’s Day card.
St. Patrick’s Day:
Growing up, we’d always have corned beef and cabbage, and that’s a tradition I started carrying on quite a few years ago. My brother and his family come over for dinner, and my dad typically visits us around this time of the year. I don’t do much else for St. Pat’s Day. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to a parade or anything like that.
I usually make “lucky” pancakes if I remember!
Easter:
I enjoy putting out a few Easter decorations after St. Patrick’s Day.
We always dye Easter eggs a few days before Easter.
We do Easter baskets and find the hidden eggs in the morning…
…before heading to church.
Then, we typically drive to E-town to see Trav’s family.
Mother’s Day:
For Mother’s Day every year, I ask for a card, hanging ferns for the front porch, and for my children to behave. We go to church, and then typically go out to brunch or an early dinner.
Last year, Hadley had a dance competition, but it was still a lovely day.
Don’t blink!
Of course, I call my mom and we always send a gift. Sometimes her birthday even falls on Mother’s Day.
Memorial Day:
Memorial Day Celebration with American Flag on background. Text “Memorial Day – Remember and Honor”
Growing up, my dad’s side of the family often got together for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and sometimes Labor Day too. For us, Memorial Day weekend is obviously when the pool opens, so lots of time is typically spent there.
Through the years, we’ve also had ball games, track meets, and other commitments. The past few years, we’ve gotten together with neighbors which is nice.
Father’s Day:
There have been quite a few Father’s Days spent at the ball field, and sometimes we are on vacation. No matter where we are, we celebrate T-rav.
Last year, we went canoeing and had ice cream cake.
I call my dad and usually send him some kind of gift and card. If he’s visiting sometime around his May birthday and Father’s Day, we’ll make a point to grill out steaks and have a nice dinner.
4th of July:
Ah! I love the 4th of July. Again, as a kid, I remember getting together with family, grilling out and watching fireworks.
Of course, when the kids were little, I loved dressing them in red, white, and blue.
Some years we are on vacation, and other years we are at home.
There have been a couple of years Hadley has been at camp, and I’ve missed having her home for one of my favorite holidays.
I typically make red, white, and blue waffles.
If we are home, we typically grill out, light a few low-key fireworks, and then go watch fireworks from our favorite place.
Labor Day:
Labor Day weekend is usually pretty relaxed. With school starting a few weeks before, we typically like having down time at home.
That being said, the pool is still open, so we usually end up there at some point.
The past few years, Hayden has had a cross country meet that weekend, and often times there’s the first Kentucky home football game.
Sometimes, we get together with our neighbors too.
Halloween:
Oh I’ve loved Halloween through the years. Since the kids’ first Halloween, we have had some pretty great traditions. For years and years, we got together with the same crew of friends.
My brother and his family would come over too. They’d come to our house, and we’d have soup or chili before trick-or-treating.
Once the kids hit middle school, they wanted to run around the neighborhood a bit more with school friends, and they started doing that.
I’ve loved their Halloween costumes through the years.
Now, we’re a week out from Halloween, and there hasn’t been any costume talk. I won’t be surprised if Hadley and friends throw something together, but I don’t think it’s on Hayden’s radar. Maybe he’ll help me pass out candy?
Last year was the first year that Travis and I were back sitting on the front porch passing out candy. It was bittersweet, but I guess that’s where we are now.
Thankfully, our pumpkin carving and “spooky” dinner traditions live on!
Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Time with family, great food, and no gifts!! When I first moved to Kentucky, I declared that we’d go to KC for Thanksgiving and Christmas as often as possible. From 2004-2008, we didn’t miss a KC Thanksgiving or Christmas. In 2009, we stayed home because the kids were just born. After that, we drove to KC for most Thanksgivings and Christmases. Around 2019, we started alternating between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.
Anyway, no matter where we are, I love starting my Thanksgiving morning with coffee and the parade.
We either have Thanksgiving at my cousin’s house in Kc…
… or Trav’s aunt’s house in E-town if we stay home.
My sister-in-law hosted us in 2020.
I love a pumpkin pie for dessert on Thanksgiving.
There are no better leftovers than Thanksgiving leftovers. Our tradition is to make turkey rice soup on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Christmas:
Christmas is a busy time of the year for most!
I always enjoy decorating the house, and usually put out decorations mid-November.
We make the most of December with a few holiday parties, seeing the Christmas lights at the horse park, and baking cookies.
For years, our elf would visit.
Since the kids were little, most Christmases we celebrated early at home because we’d go to KC for Christmas. Trav’s mom has always hosted his family’s Christmas on the 23rd, so when the kids were little, we’d leave a note for our elf to take to Santa asking him to come on the 22nd. Thankfully, this always worked, and we didn’t have any questions from the kids.
I love sending out Christmas cards every year. I love it so much (and have a tough time deciding) that I typically choose a couple of cards to send.
One tradition I love is that the kids still pick out something to give each other on Christmas morning.
Whether it’s a year we stay home or go to Kc, we always go to Louisville on the 23rd and celebrate with Trav’s family. Then, we head to KC on the 24th.
In KC, we spend Christmas Eve at my dad’s cousin’s house and then spend Christmas Day at my dad’s, mom’s and Gma’s houses.
While in KC, we usually make our traditional Christmas cookies, and go see the “magic tree.”
In Lex, we go to church on Christmas Eve and then let the kids open one gift before leaving milk and cookies out for Santa when the kids were little.
Then, we open gifts in the morning, have breakfast and relax most of the day. No matter where we are, we watch A Christmas Story on Christmas day.
New Year’s Eve and Day:
This will probably not come as a shock to anyone, but I’ve never been a big fan of NYE. I miss the days of tricking the kids with a countdown at 9:00!
For many years, we didn’t have tons of plans and the kids would be in bed early with us following not too far after.
Some years, we’ve hung out with neighbors and the past couple of years we’ve had a progressive dinner with friends. It’s nice that the kids can kind of do their own thing while the adults hang out.
Most of New Year’s Day is spent hanging out, watching football, and clinging to the final days of winter break!
Shew! What a fun way to look at an entire year of festivities. At times, life can feel so hectic, but we sure have a lot of fun!
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
I haven’t done this in a while, but I’m sharing a favorite for each day.
Friday:
No picture, but on Friday, Hadley tried out for my school’s club volleyball team that will play January-May. Once she gave up dance, she knew she wanted to focus on volleyball, and this tryout was one she was both nervous and excited about. The tryout was from 6-8, and by 8:30 she knew she was on the team. She was so excited, and we’re really proud of her.
Saturday:
In Monday’s post, I shared my top 5 from the weekend…and three of them happened on Saturday. Hayden had an awesome state meet race, Hadley and friends had fun at cotillion, and my MIZZOU Tigers beat the CATS.
Saturday was an amazing day.
Sunday:
The highlight of my Sunday was making the quick trip to the pumpkin patch. I shared these pics in Monday’s post, but…
…here are a few more…
You can never have too many pics from the pumpkin patch!
I love all the pumpkins.
Monday:
A cup of my new favorite coffee is what got me out of bed on Monday morning. One of my friends brought this flavor on fall break, and I loved it. She picked up a few more for me with her Walmart order. #itsthelittlethings
Real talk — life has been hectic, and it’s been hard keeping up with it all. I knew that we might actually have a few nights of dinners together! (crazy but true), so I was intentional about planning out the “You are Special” plate for dinner.
We were celebrating Hayden’s cross country season, and he’s off to a great start in school.
Tuesday:
Hadley got the red plate on Tuesday. Besides the club team, Hadley tried out for her school team on Monday. While we didn’t find out the results until Wednesday night, we were still celebrating her effort.
Also, on Tuesday, I wore my new Etsy sweatshirt. I got this jack-o-lantern sweatshirt in the color “sand,” and it’s a new favorite.
Wednesday:
No picture, but Travis got the red plate on Wednesday. He did a great job with his runners this cross country season.
Also, we had an evening at home with nothing on the agenda, so I continued watching Beckham which I’ve really enjoyed.
**Also, Hadley found out she made the school volleyball team.**
Thursday:
At the end of a busy week, I loved a rainy night at home with LEFTOVERS for dinner. On Wednesday, I made this (one pot!) pasta dish which is a family favorite, and I was so happy to not have to cook on Thursday night!
Favorite Mom Meme:
LOL! LOL!
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:
This week, some of my Facebook memories have been filled with elementary school photo day pics. *sigh*
Today, I’m covering topics #29, #30 and 31 to wrap up this challenge.
29. Bucket List
I’m soooo lame! I can’t really think of anything, and I don’t plan on ever jumping out of an airplane or climbing Mt. Everest!
Even for being a home body, I do have travel on my list. I went to Europe when I was in high school, and I’d love to go there again.
When I was younger, I always said my dream was to be on Wheel of Fortune. I’m pretty good at that game. I guess if I ever get on that show, it will be with Ryan Seacrest as the host!
I have a tattoo on my foot, and I’ve always wanted one on my wrist. We’ll see!
I’d love to see the Golden Girls house!
My brother has been and sent me this pic! Jealous!
30. Favorite Comfort Food
Mac and cheese is for sure the best comfort food for me. I remember as a kid requesting mac and cheese as my birthday dinner. I love a homemade mac and cheese. This is one of my favorite recipes.
Soups and Mexican food are also up there on the list.
31. Weird Quirk of Mine
Oh…where to start?!?! haha
Three popped into my mind pretty immediately.
I’m superstitious about the number 13. I’ve shared that before, but I am. Even little things like the tv or car radio volume…I never have it on 13!
Also, I have a habit of playing with my hair. It’s not even a nervous thing, just something I do. I’ve tried to be cognizant of it, and not do it so much because my hair is thin and short enough!
I’d say my most weird quirk is I use my first two fingers and thumb to play with fabric like my pillow or a shirt. I don’t even know how to explain this but I guess it’s kind of soothing. When I was a kid, I sucked my thumb and held a blanket and did this with the blanket. Now if I’m sitting and thinking or I guess nervous, I do it as well.
Like I said, my list of quirks could go on and on…and on!
Do you have any “weird” quirks?
Anyway, this little “Blog Challenge” was fun. I enjoyed the topics, and there were definitely some I wouldn’t have thought to write about.
My goodness yesterday sure did feel like a Monday. It was cold and dreary, and I was tired! It was still a good day though.
Anyway…
I always have my nails painted, so I thought this would be a fun way to kick off a new blog idea:
I’ve used the OPI brand for years and years. I remember getting my first manicure after Travis and I got engaged. All my friends were wearing the “Bubble Bath” shade, and that quickly became my “go to.” Through the years, I’ve mostly painted my own nails. Sometimes, I would get in the car, paint them really quickly, and then they’d dry while I drive. I’ve always been a multi-taker. š
A few years ago, I started occasionally getting a gel manicure and then about a year and a half ago, I started getting SNS manicures pretty regularly. I go every three to four weeks. I make sure they trim my nails short each time because I can’t stand to have long nails.
I love a pedicure, but I’m more practical about them and only get a few a from April – September. Polish on my toes tends to last long anyways.
Here are my top 10 nail polish colors:
My go to shades:
I love a neutral nail polish…
Bubble Bath
Funny Bunny
Sweetheart Pink
Let Me Bayou a Drink
Summer shades:
In the summer, I still keep my nails pretty neutral, but when it comes time for a pedicure, I typically choose one of these two colors:
5. Strawberry Margarita
6. Mexican Move-mint
Fall/Winter colors:
In the fall and winter, if I don’t do a neutral nail polish, I typically wear a darker color. In the fall, I choose a more light brown shade and then sometimes in the winter, I choose a darker brown. Occasionally, I will wear a shade of gray. I always have polish on my toes, and in the winter, it’s usually one of these shades.
7. Krona-logical Order
8. Lincoln Park After Dark
9. How Great is Your Dane
10. Steel Waters Run Deep
So that’s it! Those are my favorite nail polish colors. What’s your favorite shade? I was thinking a navy color might be pretty in the fall. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello and happy Monday! How was your weekend? Ours was one of the best ones we’ve had in quite some time.
Iām linking up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday to share myā¦
This weekend was a doozy! I feel like I need a weekend to recover from the weekend….but it was full of so many good things!
Hayden ran in the state cross country meet on Saturday afternoon, and it was the first race of the season with cooler temps! It was perfect running weather…or so I’ve been told.
Hayden had a goal of placing in the top 10, and he finished 7th! We were so happy for him!
His cousin Jacob, who runs professionally, was in town, so it was really neat that he was there to see Hayden’s race.
Travis has also put in so much hard work and dedication this season, and I’ve loved watching him coach Hayden.
These three seasons of middle school cross country went by in a blink!
Hadley and friends had their first 8th grade cotillion dance of the year. While I was at Hayden’s race, Hadley was at her friend’s house getting ready with her girl friends.
So pretty!
A beautiful group of girls, on the inside and out!
After Hayden’s race I stopped by before they left.
They were both excited and nervous for this dance, but they ended up having so much fun.
Hayden was supposed to be at the dance too, but since he had his race and was excited about the UK game, we let him go to that.
I told him that he will be at the December dance with (jingle!) bells on.
The CATS were playing my Tigers…and Hayden definitely “bleeds blue!”
Jacob was at the game, and Hayden hung with him for a bit too.
A combo of it being a busy day, iffy weather, and I didn’t feel like being heckled, I went to my brother’s house to watch the game.
Shew…it was a rough start for MIZZOU, but once they turned it around, they were on the road to victory!
I was lowkey about the win š
At the end of last week, I realized if we didn’t go to the pumpkin patch on Sunday, I wasn’t sure if we’d ever get there this season. So, yesterday afternoon, we headed to Evan’s Orchard per tradition.
I can’t remember the last time we were there on a sunny day! The temps were cool, and it was overcast, but we still got our apple cider donuts and…
…pumpkins to carve!
Let’s just say that I’m thankful for Hadley’s loyalty to this tradition.
While we weren’t home much this weekend, when we were, I caught two favorite movies that I hadn’t seen in a while.
Friday, night Karate Kid was on, and then Saturday afternoon I watched Troop Beverly Hills. I love both of those movies.
We truly had a wonderful weekend, and it was very much needed.
This week, our evenings are less hectic, and Iām so very thankful for that! I hope everyone has a great start to their week.
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