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Happy Homer-versary!

Posted on June 5, 2020June 4, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Today’s post is all about Homer! It’s our Homer-versary with him on Monday, June 8, so of course we need to celebrate him! 😉

I’ve shared previous Homer posts, but thought I’d share one more to celebrate one year with our Homer (AKA Pookie, Biscuit, Homster, and Pook-a-to)

We’d lost both our our beloved Boxers within a year of each other as of last spring. I wasn’t sure when my heart would be ready for another dog, but the practical side of me figured summer would be the best time to look for a dog. We’d never rescued a dog, but some friends and neighbors had mentioned the Petfinder app. I set my search for Labradors/Lab mixes within 100 miles. Travis wasn’t sure about having a puppy again, but I was the kids’ age when we got a new puppy, and I remember how exciting and memorable it was to be surprised with a puppy.

After searching the app for a couple of weeks, I realized how quickly some pups are adopted. So…when I saw this face, I did some quick convincing to Travis for us to apply for him.

His name was “Glorious” and his two brothers “Notorious” and “Victorious” were found abandoned on the side of the road. Tails of Hope Rescue in Cincinnati, OH nursed them back the health before making them available for adoption.

I submitted an application on a Thursday and the next day, Friday, I received the approval email while sitting in a summer professional development session! Needless to say, my lunch break turned into a stop at Petsmart with my friend to buy all the puppy goodies I thought we needed.

We surprised the kids on that Saturday morning with the news, and drove to get our pup. There was much debate about his name…I wanted to name him Sunny and nobody was having it! As we pulled into the parking lot, Hayden said, “What about Homer?” (As in the fact that Hayden loves baseball- Homer/ home run/ Homer Bailey) and we loved it.

I will always remember how excited the kids were when we finally had him in our arms. It was such a sweet ride home, and they were so excited to show Homer to everyone!

While he’s cute, he is a handful…and has been since day one! The number of things that have been #homered in our house are too many to count 😂

He loves to be near us which is so sweet and both the kids are obsessed with him. While the kids loved our other dogs, the kids were either too young to appreciate them or as the kids got older, our other dogs were slowing down and aging too. So, to see the love the kids have for Homer and the joy that Homer brings to our family is simply the best. Homer has definitely helped our hearts heal from the losses of Shiloh and Scout. I’m very grateful that we made the decision to adopt. He needed us as much as much as we needed him.

Now, according to my Shutterfly app, I’ve taken 400+ photos of Homer. I will just share a few faves 😉 (ok—“a few”=25!)

#spammingyouwithpuppypics 🐶😂

The number of bandanas I’ve ordered off of Etsy…too many to count.

Hayden requested Homer on his birthday cake.

Helping Hadley get ready for the Father/Daughter dance!

We guesstimate mid-March as his birthday.

Clearly, we are oobbbbsessed with our Homer. Good thing he is cute because he sure is ornery!

Homer “Glorious” White (as the kids call him when he misbehaves) 😂, you’ve certainly changed our lives for the better; we wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world.

Homer 6 months old Homer’s DNA Happy birthday Homer!

Have a great weekend!

Easy Lunch Idea

Posted on June 4, 2020June 2, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Y’all, it’s no secret that my love for Trader Joe’s runs deep! I put together some of my favorite ingredients with my Kroger staples and made this easy and healthy lunch that I now eat a couple times a week.

Ingredients:

Jasmine rice (Game changer for me. I’ve just discovered this rice and LOVE it) There are three microwaveable bags in this box.
Sweet potato (I cut into small bites, drizzle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and sprinkle with TJ Chile Lime seasoning. Then I roast the bits in the oven at 400 for 20 minutes)
Black beans (drained and rinsed)
Feta cheese (I’ve used other cheeses before as well like shredded mozz)
Protein (I use this short cut with Perdue Carved Chicken Breasts from Kroger and cut them into bite sized pieces) You could use steak or shrimp too, I’m sure.
Sriracha Ranch (or a drizzle of regular Ranch would be good too) Also, I’m not a fan of spicy food, but a little bit of this goes a long way and is delish!)

Instructions:

Roast the sweet potatoes.
Cook the bag of rice in the microwave.
Cut the chicken into small pieces. Then, I warm up the chicken and the beans in the microwave together.
Mix rice, sweet potatoes, beans, and protein together.
Top with Feta cheese.
Drizzle with Sriracha Ranch.
Enjoy!

When I make this, I can actually get about three meals out of it. So I make one serving in a bowl and divide the other ingredients into Tupperware for other meals. Then, when it’s time to enjoy those, I heat up the ingredients and top with Feta and the dressing.

What do you love from Trader Joe’s?? What are some of your go to lunches?

Happy eating!

Gift Ideas

Etsy Flower Pots

Posted on June 3, 2020June 1, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I shared an Etsy post recently about some of my favorite purchases, so I thought I’d share an update on the flower pots I ordered.

I ordered the 8 inch hand painted flower pot for end of the year teacher gifts. I had the pots personalized with each teacher’s name, and they turned out so cute. I knew I’d love them so much, that I also bought one for our back patio that was personalized with the word “home.”

We bought some flowers over the weekend and then gave the teachers their gifts on Monday.

Front side of my patio pot.

Back side of my patio pot. The detailed flowers are so cute and whimsy.

The kids with their gifts for their teachers.

and one outtake photo 😉

These are a super cute gift idea or would be a great addition to your outdoor space!

Take care,

Home Updates, Kids

Transformation Tuesday: Kids’ Bedrooms

Posted on June 2, 2020June 1, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Well, this is the last stop (for now) for my Home Updates series. To be honest, I feel like I’m ending this tour in a slightly underwhelming way, but I still thought I’d share.

Also, real talk: sometimes my kids’ rooms make me cringe! They tend to be full of clutter which drives me crazy, but I like to keep it real over here…and I make all of the rest of the house look “my kind of pretty,” so they should have their space.

Even though the kids aren’t babies anymore, they still tend to have lots of stuff…so I try to provide them with as many organizational options as possible to keep Legos, baseball cards, art supplies, hair ties (Why does Hadley have 100 scrunchies?!), etc. Also, I’ve given up…they’ve cluttered their walls with whatever the want, and I’m just going to have to deal with it 😉 Anyway, here’s a peek at their spaces.

Before:

These are the only pics I found on the listing photos, and I think both of these photos are of Hayden’s current bedroom.

Summer of 2015, after we’d lived here a few months, the kids spent the night at their grandma’s house, and Travis and I painted both of their bedrooms in about 24 hours. So, this is a pic of his freshly painted bedroom in June 2015. He’s had this bedding for years! The other side of that quilt has cars on it, and we bought it when each kid moved into their own room when they were three. I’d say we’ve gotten plenty of use out of that quilt. We bought the plaid comforter after painting the bedroom.

Hayden’s bedroom now! All the sports signs a boy could ever want! haha

We bought the hat rack from Pottery Barn Teen, and it’s been perfect for his wall and keeping everything organized.

I made this canvas for Hayden we he got his own room in our former house. It’s from one of my favorite scenes in To Kill a Mockingbird. When Dill first meets Jem and Scout, he says, “I’m little but I’m old.” Dill had such a cute little personality that I thought the quote was perfect for Hayden.

This magnetic frame was a little DIY that Travis and I completed together. Well, I found the frame years ago, and then we finally purchased a piece of sheet metal and nailed it to the back. Then, it became a place for Hayden to use magnets to hang photos and his drawings.

I don’t have any before pictures of Hadley’s room, but here’s her freshly painted room in June 2015. Since then, she’s gotten a new bedspread and new bedside table. Her bedroom furniture was the furniture my parents bought me when I was in the seventh grade. When the kids got their own rooms in our former house, we painted the bed, the desk, and then dresser white. Honestly, that was before I knew about chalk paint, so that project was definitely a labor of love. I bet if I’d used chalk paint, it would have taken half of the time.

Here’s her current room. Hadley’s not super girly, so I love that she chose a light lavender for her paint color, and I found the hanging poms for her window at Hobby Lobby. The wooden monogram came from an Etsy shop, and I painted it white. We found her side table at Ikea.

My grandma gave me two wooden chairs that are many many years old, and Hadley uses one at her desk.

I love the “Girl Boss” sign that Hadley found while we were at Home Goods one day. Also, this summer, she really wanted a little plant for her room, so I picked her up a succulent at Trader Joe’s since they are hard to kill! 😉

I love the artwork on her wall. She painted the unicorn at a painting class we took. I found the pineapple at Hobby Lobby, and have a “thing” for pineapples as they are an expression of “Welcome” in a home. Lastly, I found the “In a field of roses, she is a wildflower” print on Etsy and then bought the frame. If that doesn’t sum up Hadley, then I don’t know what does!

So, that’s a little look at the kids’ bedrooms! We obviously didn’t have to do much in those rooms besides fresh paint, our own decor, and some updated blinds. I had a little control with their spaces, but wanted to give them the freedom to make choices…and then I just shut the doors when I can’t take the clutter!

Hallway Bathroom

The last major space for us to update is the smallest space in our house….the hall bath. I’m not sure when that will happen, but thought I’d go ahead and share those pictures.

Our current setup. I at least tried to make it cute 😉 This is the kids’ bathroom and what guests use if we have people over. First world problems, but the space is so small that it’s a recipe for a daily fight while the kids get ready in the morning.

Thanks for following along on this Home Update series I put together. We’ve worked hard making our house feel like home. We just keep checking off projects one at a time.

Here are my other Home Update posts:

Have a great day!

Delish Desserts, Weekend Top 5

Weekend Top 5

Posted on June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy Monday! How was your weekend? The weather in Kentucky was gorgeous! As with the past few weekends, we had a good mix of productivity and relaxation…and we tried to spend lots of time outside before the summer temps arrive!

The world feels pretty heavy right now, so fresh air and sunshine provided some sense of comfort.

Here’s our Weekend Top 5:

Hayden got a haircut and lots of snuggle time with Homer.

The kids enjoyed the Slip N Slide…and have the bumps and bruises to prove it!

Saturday afternoon we celebrated cousin Layla turning 3. They had an ice cream party for her. It turned out really cute and the weather was amazing! My kids had at least two cups of ice cream and two of the delicious cookies!

Cousin time!

Sunday morning, we went to The Stave, an outside restaurant just past Versailles in Frankfort, KY, which was our first time eating at a restaurant since early March. Travis had been there before for lunch, and we ordered brunch this time.

The restaurant is near Woodford Reserve Distillery. There were plenty of picnic tables all spaced out and then a “tree house” with seating of spaced out tables and chairs. We had ordered ahead and sat at a picnic table by the creek to enjoy our food. Travis and the kids shared biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, and potatoes. I ordered the local chorizo hash. We all enjoyed our food.

Again, it was our first time actually eating at a restaurant in many months, and I was impressed. Of course, the servers wore masks, the tables we spread apart, and you could even purchase a plastic table cloth for $1 for the picnic tables if you wanted to. We enjoyed the weather, the kids threw rocks in the creek, and we took our time eating our meal. It was a great way to start our Sunday.

I’ve seen Christine share about her very indulgent brownie recipe on her Instagram stories. Hadley helped me make it yesterday for our Sunday dessert.

Ingredients:

Brownie mix (+ingredients needed for the mix)
Double Stuf Oreos
Chocolate chip cookie dough

Instructions:

Spray the bottom and sides of an 8×8 pan.
Press cookie dough down for the bottom layer.
Place Oreos in rows to fill the pan.
Fix brownie mix per the instructions on the box and pour over the Oreos.
Bake at 350 per box instructions for 8×8 pan (I think mine baked a little over 50 minutes!)
Definitely let it cool as long as possible before cutting into it. We baked it in the afternoon & didn’t eat it until after dinner, so it had perfectly set up.
Enjoy!

Finished product! Delish.

So that’s what we were up to this weekend! Now, we are ready to tackle the first official week of summer!

I hope you have a great week!

Books and Shows

May: What I’ve Been Reading

Posted on May 29, 2020May 29, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday! I read three books this month, so I thought I’d share those with you today!

Two Girls Down

I enjoyed Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna as it was a good mystery/thriller type read. Two sisters go missing in a strip mall, and their family hires a bounty hunter named Alice Vega who enlists the help of a former cop, Max Caplan. The two work together to try to find the girls before time runs out. Of course, there are some twists and turns as well as lies and deceit. It was definitely a page turner of a book that I enjoyed.

The Southern Side of Paradise

This book is the third and final book in the Peachtree Bluff series. I loved this series by Kristy Woodson Harvey so much. I love how the book ended, but I hate to see the series wrap up! All three books are perfect vacation/summer reads, for sure.

As with the other books, Ansley and her three adult daughters are the main characters. Ansley has found happiness and feels like life is pretty perfect, but secrets come to life and there’s a health scare with of the one daughters, Emerson. The bond of these sisters and the ups and downs in each of their lives continue to provide tension but also bring them closer together. Of course, the small town charm can’t be beat. This series, set in the south, is definitely one of my faves!

Defending Jacob

So, a friend of mine recommended Defending Jacob on Apple TV. Then, later, another friend mentioned that it’s a book as well. My library had the Kindle version available, so I downloaded the book and read it in a matter of days.

Jacob’s father, Andy Barber, is the assistant district attorney in Massachusetts and the whole town is shocked when his son, 14-year-old Jacob, is accused of killing a classmate. Andy has hidden some of his past that comes to light as his son goes to trial. The book (and the series) do keep you guessing as to if Jacob is innocent or guilty.

I was about 80% finished with the book and really wanting to find out the final verdict but then there were even more twists and turns!

Since we only recently got Apple TV, there were already five episodes of those show, and I watched them over a couple of days. A new episode is released every Friday, and I believe today’s released episode will be #8. The acting in the series is so good…the actors have me hooked! The series stays pretty close to the book which made the book an even quicker read for me. Well, I know how the book ends…so I can’t wait to see it play out on the small screen! I definitely recommend this book and this series!

Have you read any good books lately? Let me know!

I hope you have a great weekend, and happy reading!

Kids, School

4th Grade Wrap Up

Posted on May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Well, yesterday was the last day of school! It was certainly an emotional and fun last day for Hayden and Hadley.

Of course, we’ve been distance learning since March, but I was so impressed with the extra opportunities the teacher provided their students in the past week.

Last week, the music teacher hosted a Virtual Talent Show. Hadley (with the help of Hayden) had Homer do some tricks! Hadley filmed Hayden’s pitching in the backyard. They had a great time seeing what other students shared as their talents.

Also, last week, the school hosted a virtual International Week. Usually, there’s an International Night in the spring, so they modified some of those activities and students learned about different countries and continents each day and there was a video of a “Parade of Nations” with pictures of students representing their various home nations.

On Tuesday this week, the teachers provided a link for a virtual field trip to Ft. Harrod which was a trip they were to have taken in April. They viewed the video and interviews and had a discussion about colonial Kentucky. Of course, it wasn’t the same as actually going on the field trip, but I appreciated that they still planned the experience for the students.

Yesterday, the last day of school, they each had their final Google meeting followed by a virtual field day. Honestly, both my kids were pretty sad, Hadley in tears and Hayden pretty quiet, when their meetings ended. Hadley was so sad not to have a normal goodbye, and I think Hayden felt the same way, but in his own quiet way. While my heart hurt for them, I am proud that they care about their school, their classmates, and their teachers to miss what’s “normal” to them.

Transitioning to the field day fun helped them ease into summer! I think Hadley’s class ended up “winning.”

Here are my traditional end of the school year pics!

Hadley has grown (literally taller!) but also has matured so much this year!

Hayden continues to push himself out of his comfort zone and tends to be a quiet leader.

First day of school vs. last day of school. They look so much older to me with the comparison!

In kindergarten and first grade, the kids went to after school care. I remember picking them up on the first day of kindergarten and “making” them take a picture in front of the school. Then, they naturally high-fived each other…so now I make them do that every year! Hadley appreciates a tradition…Hayden grumbles at my requests! 😂

Then, it was time for field day. On their Google Classrooms, there were links posted on the pics (the graphic in the middle of collage) with activities. Then, we took a pic of the kids doing the activities, sent the pictures to their teachers, and that’s how their classes earned points. All the activities took about 45 minutes or so. The kids definitely had fun! (and, of course, Hayden accused Hadley of cheating! 🤨)

Then, a few moms got together for some social distance silly string and water balloons for the kids. The activities definitely brightened their mood and were a great way to kick off summer.

This year was the first year our school has used the Dojo app. Who knew at the beginning of the year how much we would rely on it for communication?! The teachers and administrators did an amazing job communicating with us throughout distance learning and the sweet messages from the teachers yesterday had me tearing up.

When we picked up the kids’ supplies, each teacher had put a little gift in the kids’ bags. This sweet gesture made both of them smile.

My kids are far from perfect. I promise…but of course, they make me proud. Third grade was a huge adjustment last year as it was the first year of them earning grades, there’s state testing, other assessments, etc. Fourth grade felt like an easier year as they were used to the expectations but they also had more opportunities as older kids in the school.

Both kids ran for their school’s cross country team this year (coached by their dad!) and earned awards for their Science Fair Projects. Hadley joined Academic Team for the third year in a row and as a 4th grader, she was able to join chorus. Both kids ended the year on the Honor Roll…which earned them the red plate for dinner and breakfast at home!

That being said, I’m the most proud of them for trying new things, being a good friend, being respectful, and trying their best. (The last one is a work in progress…😉)

I’ve chatted with other mom friends about while this time has seemed surreal, and at times overwhelming, I will forever look back on this time and cherish it. I never stayed home with the kids. I chose to continue my teaching career (which was best for all involved!), so I’ve always treasured my summer time with them…and now I can add this time to my memories as well.

I have the best seat in the house to watch them dream, believe, and achieve.

I can’t believe in a year they will be in middle school #omg and then I will blink and they will be graduating high school!

Here are their thoughts on the 4th grade.

End of the school year interview

I hope everyone has had a great end of the school year wrap up and an even better summer.

Have a great weekend,

What's up Wednesday

What’s Up Wednesday

Posted on May 27, 2020May 26, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday…also known as our last day of school! We are ready for summer, for sure! Since it’s the last Wednesday of the month, it also means that Shay and Sheaffer host this fun link up. As always, I thought I’d join them.

WHAT WE ARE EATING THIS WEEK:

Sunday – Travis picked up steaks to grill and twice baked potatoes from a local place. Both were so delicious!
Monday- We grilled out with a few neighbors. Everyone brought their own food. We had brats and hot dogs, watermelon, and I made this delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. It was so good!
Tuesday- I kept it easy with a frozen pasta meal and side salad.
Wednesday – Tonight, I’m going to tryout this new taquito recipe with Trader Joe’s Mexican Street corn (my fave!)
Thursday – Most likely taquito leftovers with chips and guac!
Friday and Saturday – We’ll carry out food to continue to support local restaurants.

This chicken Caesar pasta salad was so good!

WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

With today being the last day for 4th grade…how is that even possible?!? I’m definitely reminiscing about how quickly these elementary years are flying by! Hayden and Hadley only have one more year at our beloved elementary school. We’ve been so blessed with our elementary experience.

WHAT I’M LOVING:

I’m loving slowly getting back into the swing of things. I’m ready to proceed with caution. Hadley requested the “pink drink” from Starbucks, but then got nervous she wouldn’t like coconut milk so they made it with lemonade 😂 It was so hot out that I got myself a vanilla frappuccino. I hadn’t had a Starbucks since early March.

I put the finishing touches on the sunroom with a new table from Ikea and these two lamps from Walmart. Walmart really has upped their game in the past couple of years! I’ve had the white Ikea side table on the right for five years. We don’t have any lighting in the sunroom, so I purchased another table and matching lamps to give us more light in the evening.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

We enjoyed the three day weekend while of course remembering and honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Homer was a good boy and let us take his photo wearing his festive bandana on Monday.

Sparkler fun on Monday night…

And, of course, we’ve been finishing up distance learning with a virtual field trip and today the kids have a virtual field day!

WHAT I’M DREADING:

Nothing at the moment! But the last week of school always takes a lot out of me , so I’m ready to check the end of the school year off my list 😃

WHAT I’M WORKING ON:

I made it a goal to walk every week day morning for the past couple of weeks, and have done a pretty good job getting my steps in! Then, I’ve also tried to make time for an additional workout ….I always feel better after a good sweat sesh.

WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:

I’m excited that it’s officially summer! Y’all, I think I’m even more excited that I have a hair appointment today! #praisehands

WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING:

After watching The Morning Show on Apple TV, a friend recommended Defending Jacob. I watched many episodes in a matter of days and then another friend told me it was a book! The Kindle version was available at my library, so I downloaded it. I read the book in a couple of days…and whoa! whoa! whoa! was it a good read with some twists and turns at the end that I wasn’t expecting. Right now, there are only seven episodes out on Apple TV, so I haven’t finished the series only the book. That being said, the series does follow the book very closely!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:

Landyn officially has her podcast out, and I’m loving it. I’ve listened to all the episodes so far, and they are perfect for my morning walks!

Also, I’m loving season 2 of Even the Rich. Season 2 focuses on the Murdoch family, and it very interesting.

WHAT I’M WEARING:

I ordered this dress from Amazon thinking it would be perfect for the summer. I ordered the blue marl color and really love it! I wore it on Monday to our cookout. I’ve now ordered it in the olive color too.

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

Honestly, I’m not sure! It’s such a bummer with the pools being closed, and that’s what we would be doing!

Our niece is turning 3 and having a little drive by birthday party, so of course we’ll wish her a happy birthday.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

I’m looking forward to the ease of a summer schedule and the possible return of baseball for Hayden. Youth sports can start back up middle to end of June…I still keep thinking I will believe it when I see it…but I know he’s ready to get out on the field with his friends.

Thanks so much for reading my What’s Up Wednesday post. Don’t forget to check out the other ladies’ posts too!

Now, I’m off to surprise the kids with a silly string end of the year celebration with a few friends.

I hope you have a great day.

Memes

May Memes

Posted on May 26, 2020May 25, 2020 by jgalvinwhite

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend full of remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for our freedoms.

In Kentucky, we were able to start getting back to a bit of “normalcy” this weekend. Restaurants can open up to 33% capacity, non-essential businesses are opening, and small gatherings (while maintaining social distancing) are now allowed. We’re still easing into this phase, but it’s nice to see us moving in a forward direction. I certainly hope it’s not two steps forward, three steps back.

Usually I share memes on Mondays, but decided to take a little break yesterday. The end of the school year definitely still takes its toll on me even from a distance!

But here are a few memes that made me laugh this month!

Memes

I’m a high-maintenance sleeper. Sound machine, dark, cool room, a weighted blanket, and my favorite pillow. Travis doesn’t need “all the things” to sleep like I do! That being said, I can nap like nobody’s business.

I love this meme, and it is my truth! Let’s just say I don’t necessarily have a happy go lucky personality. I’m more matter of fact and sarcastic!

This meme always makes me laugh…and I’ve always felt this way about group texts. I mean I love group texts if they are for the whole group…but I will be the first to send a text to just one friend or family member if it doesn’t need go to everyone. Sometimes, group texts overwhelm me. I joke that Hadley doesn’t know texting etiquette just yet with her Ipod…she will hold you hostage in a group text for the rest of your life!

I do make a point to shower every day, but when the kids were little, sleep would definitely win over showering if need be!

Only a few more days of working from home!! #praisehands

Of course, I’ve seen this meme over the past several weeks, and I’m sure everyone else has too! Thankfully, 1 and 2 are opening back up…but obviously, I need to keep working on #3.

Right?! 2020 needs to come correct with a do-over.

Alright, one more math joke from the mom who struggles with math before distance learning wraps up tomorrow!

Just a few funnies for the month of May! I hope to keep up with my daily posting, but I may just have to take this week day by day! Have a great week!

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {#26}

Posted on May 22, 2020August 20, 2021 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and Happy FRIDAY! How is it already Memorial Day weekend? I feel like the month of May has flown by! We’ve made it through our final full week of distance learning, and, for that, I’m very thankful!

I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

I’m going to start off with my very favorite favorite this week…

My 150th Blog Post:

Y’all, this is my 150th blog post! I can’t believe how much I have enjoyed starting this blog, “meeting” new people, finding other blogs to follow, and also just finding the time to keep Show Me and Sweet Tea going. Thanks so much for following and reading posts that are of interest to you!

Blog Categories:

Speaking of the blog…I feel like a “Big Girl Blogger” because I organized my posts into categories on my site! It took some time to label and move things where they needed to be, but I’m so glad to have that system in place, and I hope it’s easier for readers to find posts that they are looking for. Getting organized is always a favorite of mine.

Favorite Moments:

May is a big birthday month in my family. Both my mom and my dad have May birthdays, just a few days apart. I thought it would be fun to have Hayden and Hadley and their two cousins spell out Happy Birthday to each of them. My sister-in-law took her kids’ pics and sent them to me, and I put them in a collage…and I was able to print the collage at Walgreens to put in their birthday cards.

Hadley FaceTimed my mom on her birthday and put a candle in her waffle with (too much) Nutella and peanut butter. Then, she had GG “blow” out the candle. The kids did the same for the Major on his birthday a couple of days later.

I always say, “Find you a Hadley.” She loves big and has a very generous heart. It was sweet of her to come up with that idea.

Another favorite was the kids’ artwork this week. Their self-portrait needed to include something that they love. I always crack up when Hayden draws himself in his glasses, and Hadley doesn’t miss a detail…look at that scrunchie!

I finished the third and final book in the Peachtree Bluff series. It was such a good read, and I loved this series so much. All three books would be great summer or vacation reads!

Trader Joe’s had some of my favorite flowers when I stopped by there last week.

Favorite Recipe:

Hadley’s Girl Scout troop wrapped up their year with a virtual cookie bake off. Each girl received a sleeve of cookies to use in their baking recipe. On Monday, they had their Zoom meeting and each shared their finished product as well as the recipe with the troop. We modified one of my favorite baking recipes to include the Thin Mint cookies Hadley received. The cupcakes were so delish, and the girls had fun presenting their finished products. Her troop leader is gathering the recipes for a little cookbook, so the girls can have all of the delicious recipes in one place.

Favorite Clothing Item:

It’s been about 20 years since the last time I purchased overalls, but these Universal Thread overalls from Target didn’t disappoint. Real talk: at this point, when I put on these overalls, I’m dressing up! 😂Anyway, I think they will be perfect for the spring and summer months.

Favorite Kid Quote:

I made Hadley’s lunch yesterday, and when I gave it to her, she said, “Is this ‘on the house?'” 😂 I told her that her whole life is “on the house!” I’m not sure where she heard that saying, but it was just funny to hear her say it.

Favorite Mom Memes:

Non-essential stores are beginning to open up around here. I do think our local Home Goods isn’t scheduled to open up just yet, but that’s the one store I’ve really missed visiting during this time of quarantine.

With distance learning wrapping up, I had to share this meme while it was still timely!

Bonus Favorite: Flashback Friday

I think I shared this toddler pic of Hadley in a previous post. Now, Hayden’s teacher has asked for one too for something they are doing next week, so I thought I’d share his too. I miss when they were this little!

And this pic from 2013 popped up in my Facebook memories 😢 They were ready for the pool…I’m wondering if we will get any pool time this summer?!

Weekly Post Recap:

Monday: Pizza Pork Chop recipe

Tuesday: Tuesday TAlk

Wednesday: End of the School year interview

Thursday: Etsy finds

Well, that’s a wrap on this week. Don’t forget to check out the other ladies’ posts too!

I can’t believe this is my 150th post! I really appreciate all of the support along the way.

I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!