It’s officially the last day of October (and the last Thursday of the month), so I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings.
This month’s topic is…Halloween and Fall Fun.
Let’s get to it….
1. What do you usually do for Halloween?
Well, times have changed. For years, I hosted two of my friends’ families for trick-or-treating and chili for dinner. My brother and his fam would join as well. Then, once the middle school years hit, the kids went off on their own around the neighborhood. This year, Hadley is going to a friend’s house for a get together, and Hayden and Travis will help me pass out candy.
This Halloween post from a couple of years ago was a fun little stroll down memory lane.
Halloween is usually a time when I’m pretty reminiscent about the younger years, but thankfully we get lots of trick-or-treaters, so at least I get to see little ones in their costumes.
2. Favorite fall traditions?
I love when we go to the pumpkin patch. We get apple cider donuts and pick out our pumpkins to carve. This year, we never made it to the pumpkin patch, and I was pretty bummed.
Besides that, I love when we can go to Keeneland in the fall. Travis and I were able to go last week on a really pretty afternoon.
Also, it’s fun when we can go to a Kentucky football game, but the kids end up going to those more than we do now.
Another favorite tradition is carving pumpkins. I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen, but we did that last night.
Chick-fil-A and a skeleton!
3. Milky Way or Snickers? Starburst or Skittles?
I definitely prefer Snickers to a Milky Way. I like Starbursts and Skittles equally.
4. Trick or treat or host a party?
How about sit on my front porch and pass out candy? Like I said above, I miss the trick-or-treat days…and hosting friends for a casual evening.
5. Hand out candy or go out with trick or treaters?
These days, I’m on my front porch handing out candy.
6. Do you trick or treat on Halloween or is there another day?
We trick-or-treat on Halloween. A few years, they’ve moved the day because of rain. My kids would usually get a couple or wears out of costumes with trick-or-treating at church, class parties, and then on Halloween.
On Monday, my kids helped at the trunk or treat at their former elementary school which was sweet of them to do.
7. Do you decorate for Halloween?
When I decorate, it’s usually for fall since those decorations can stay up for a couple of months.
I do put out a couple of cute Halloween things like this black cat that I’ve had for years.
8. What do you do with leftover Halloween candy?
If we have any leftover candy, I take it to school to give to my students as a reward. When the kids were little, they’d get so much candy…and I’d sneak some to take to school.
9. What are your trick or treat hours?
I think our trick-or-treat hours are from 6-8.
10. What do you have for dinner on Halloween?
For years, I would make “bloody finger” hotdogs and “brains” (mac and cheese), and “eyeballs” (grapes) on the night we carved pumpkins a few days before Halloween.
Then, a couple of years ago, I started making “mummy dogs” along with the other items. Last night, we had that for dinner before the kids carved their pumpkins.
I love these seasonal posts. It’s fun to look back on our traditions and special activities we do during the season.
What are your Halloween plans this year? Of course, we’ve been in a drought and there’s a chance of rain tonight! I hope it holds off for the little (and big! ) trick-or-treaters.
Say a prayer for me today…there’s nothing “scarier” than trying to teach high schoolers on Halloween. haha
How was your Monday? I hope your week is off to a great start.
Well, like I usually say at the end of the month…how is it already time to share what I read…but here we are!
I read two books this month, and they were both mystery/thriller books, which I really enjoyed for the month of October. #spookyseason
{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}
The Girls in the Garden:
Summary:
You live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people’s houses.
You’ve known your neighbours for years and you trust them. Implicitly.
You think your children are safe.
But are they really?
Midsummer night: a thirteen-year-old girl is found unconscious in a dark corner of the garden square. What really happened to her? And who is responsible?
Quick Thoughts:
I’ve read a few Lisa Jewell books, and I always enjoy them. London with a garden behind the house was the perfect setting for a bit of mystery. As I read this book, I could really visualize the setting. I like the characters and the sense of mystery in the plot. The ending was just as you would expect a mystery to end…with the plot was wrapped up but there was still a bit of creepiness.
Rating:
I rate this one 3.5 stars.
She’s Not Sorry:
Summary:
An ICU nurse accidentally uncovers a patient’s frightening past in this chilling thriller.
Meghan Michaels is trying to find balance between being a single mom to a teenage daughter and working as a full time nurse. While on duty at the hospital one day, a patient named Caitlin arrives in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, having jumped from a bridge and plunging over twenty feet to the train tracks below.
But when a witness comes forward with shocking details about the fall, it calls everything they know into question. Was Caitlin pushed and if so, by whom and why?
Meghan has always tried to stay emotionally detached from her patients, but this time, she mistakenly lets herself get too close until she’s deeply entangled in Caitlin’s and her family’s lives. Only when it’s too late, does she realize that she and her daughter could be the next victims.
Quick Thoughts:
Like with Jewell, I’ve read quite a few books by Mary Kubica too. This book caught my attention from the first page. I’d almost forgotten how it started until part two of the book started and it was full circle. This book definitely kept my interest and kept me on my toes with a few twists and turns. I really enjoyed it.
Rating:
Both Jewell and Kubica are your “go to” girls for mysteries and thrillers.
Unfortunately, I’m thinking two books a month is my average, but who knows…hopefully I will have a bit more time to read now.
How was your weekend? Overall, ours was good. We had a busy Saturday and a “get ready for the week” kind of Sunday. The weather was so beautiful that it was really nice to be outside.
How is it already the last week of October? You know if I’m sharing memes, it’s got to be the end of the month.
Here are some of my favorite memes this month:
Well, of course I feel like this on a Monday:
…and I feel this way on a Monday too!
I feel like October just flew by!
I’m ready for the temps to officially cool off…so I can “slay reclusive girl fall!” haha
This is absolutely me. I need to have advanced notice and a plan.
Also relatable:
This one made me laugh out loud. I swear I get so much junk mail that I do almost throw important mail out.
Real talk. I’m not throwing in the towel, but I think I’m taking a bit of a break with fasting, counting macros and protein, etc. So this one really made me chuckle:
In the spirit of Halloween…
At least this year it’s on a Thursday. That’s almost the weekend.
I went into Kroger for a couple of things yesterday and saw the pumpkin shaped Reese’s. I don’t get Reese’s often, but when Kroger has buy 2 get 1 free for pumpkin, Christmas tree, an egg shaped Reese’s, I almost fall for it…and occasionally snag a few.
I’m sooo tired of receiving the texts, phone calls and junk mail. I’m ready for the election to be over.
I feel like I’m spending so much money on groceries every week…and just yesterday after I put all the groceries away, Hadley asked if I went to the store! ugh.
Wow! I feel like this week crept by. On Tuesday, I said, “How is it only Tuesday?”…and then I said the same thing on Wednesday!
Anyway, as always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are some favorites from the week:
Since last Friday, I recapped our fall break Florida trip, I have few pictures of favorites from last week as well as from this week too.
Hadley’s volleyball season wrapped up last week. They had such a great season and finished third in the city tournament. Then, they had one more home game and won it to cap off the season.
It’s hard to believe her first high school season is over, but it was a good one. She also had a lot of amazing older varsity players to look up to, and senior night was fun to watch.
Trav’s brother came and snapped a few pics, and I love the action shots.
She has a little break before club season starts.
The cross country season is still going on. Right now, just the runners who are running at the region and state meet these next two weekends have been practicing, but last Thursday, the whole team met up to run through a neighborhood and look at the Halloween decorations and lights.
I’d say that’s a fun way to do a workout!
Friday night, we went to our school’s soccer game. It was a beautiful night, and they won the region game.
Saturday night, the kids went to “Fright Night” and had a great time. Hayden was there too…but he does a great job dodging photos. haha
On Sunday, Hadley was all dressed up…
…to celebrate her friend’s birthday. This is such a sweet group of girls.
Our front yard tree’s leaves finally changed colors.
She’s a beaut but missing her friend…
I was very happy about some chocolate cake on Monday!
Travis and I were able to spend some time at Keeneland this week was nice! The fall meet ends tomorrow, so I was glad to go there for a bit before the season ends.
The second horse is by one of his farm’s stallions…and she tied for second in this race.
Favorite Mom Meme:
This couldn’t be more true…
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:
Whenever I think of Keeneland, I think of this sweet memory…The kids were cheering for a horse, and I guess the horse lost…by a nose!
Weekly Recap:
Here are my posts from the week in case you missed one:
I’m excited to share today’s post as I love reading and sharing day in the life posts, but this one is with a bit of a twist.
I thought this would be a fun and different way to share a “day in the life” post…sharing hour by hour.
Here was my Monday this week…hour by hour:
I set my alarm for 5:50, but I hit snooze on Monday. I was settled in the living room and drinking my coffee at 6:05, so I’m sharing by the hour on the fives.
At 7:05, I was making my lunch and filling up my tumbler.
Monday lunches are usually a lot of pre-packaged things like salad from Kroger.
By 8:05, I was in my classroom, and I had my agenda ready to go for the day.
1st hour was happening at 9:05 and I was talking to my students about the explanatory essay that we were going to start writing on Tuesday.
At 10:05, I was prepping the gallery walk activity for my 5th hour class.
At 11:05, I had a zoom meeting for an ARC to review a student’s IEP. Ever since Covid, we’ve mostly had these meetings via Zoom.
At 12:05, I was passing out textbooks before my students arrived.
Then, it was lunch time, and I enjoyed a piece of cake at 1:05.
At 2:05, my Advanced English 1 students were finishing up the gallery walk.
For their paper, they are analyzing how Odysseus is an epic hero. So, for the gallery walk, they rotated through six different stations to think of examples and find text evidence for the six criteria. Then, I displayed the final outcome at the front of the room, and they can use those examples in their paper as they write this week.
At 3:05, it was close to the end of the school day. My 6th hour class, was working on a comic strip for part 2 of The Odyssey, so we were starting to pick up the supplies.
I usually try to leave school by 3:45, but on Monday, Hayden stayed after school, so at 4:05, I was sitting in my classroom grading.
Since I knew it was going to be a late night, I went ahead and took a shower at 5:05. It was nice to be clean so early in the evening. haha
At 6:05, Hadley was finishing up homework before we left for the district volleyball game. While she was doing that, I made a quick dinner. It’s Shay’s “Mexi beef over rice” recipe.
Around 7:05, we were driving to the varsity district game about thirty minutes from our house.
At 8:05, we were watching the varsity game.
At 9:05, I was driving home. Once I got home, I did a few things around the house, and by 10:05, I was doing my nighttime skin care before bed.
That was fun way to capture the day. Maybe I will do a weekend day next.
I’m really loving these hodgepodge posts when I get the chance to write them. To me, they are link a mini diary of sorts.
I’m linking up with Joyce for another edition of Wednesday Hodgepodge.
Here are this week’s prompts:
1. Monday was National Apple Day…did you eat an apple or enjoy something made with apples? Do you like apples? Do you prefer your apples raw, baked or in cider? Do you have a favorite variety of apple?
I don’t think I had any apples on Monday, but an apple and peanut butter is one of my favorite snacks. I definitely prefer raw apples, and I will buy apple cider when it’s in season.
One of my favorite childhood memories is picking apples at the orchard across the street from our house.
My favorite variety of apples is Honeycrisp. Every time I go to Trader Joe’s, I buy a bag of their Honeycrisp apples. I love their bags of them because the apples are on the smaller side, so they are perfect for a snack.
At Kroger, I buy the individual packs of peanut butter, and that’s the perfect combo of a snack with the TJ apples.
2. Do you think there’s any truth to the saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ What healthy habits are the easiest to incorporate into your life and which are the most difficult to adopt?
I’m not sure about “an apple a day,” but of course, it pays to take care of yourself as best you can.
Some easy habits for me are trying to get enough sleep, drinking water, not smoking, exercising, limiting alcohol, and including fruits and vegetables in my diet.
I get at least seven hours of sleep a night, and sometimes I get more. This past weekend, I went to bed around 11:00 on Friday night, and I woke up at 9:45 on Saturday morning. I never sleep in like that on the weekend, but obviously I needed the rest.
I still fill up my favorite tumbler with water at least twice a day.
Truthfully, I’ve been in a workout funk. Of course, we are busy most weekdays, but even this week, I’ve come home and taken a little nap after school instead of working out. Now that Hadley’s volleyball is over, maybe I will get back in a routine.
A couple of harder habits include eating breakfast and managing stress. I never eat breakfast, and I’m ok with that. Occasionally, if I’m hungry in the morning, then I will have toast with my coffee.
Also, I’m not super stressed…it’s just more about being busy…and that’s just the season of life we’re in right now.
3. Who taught you to drive? Do you enjoy driving? Would you rather be the driver or the passenger? Do you have a favorite scenic drive near you?
I was just thinking about this because it’s hard to believe that my kids will be driving soon. My parents taught me to drive, but I also took driver’s ed for a few weeks the summer when I was 15 1/2. When I was growing up, we could get our permit at 15 1/2 and then our license at sixteen.
My kids will be able to get their permit at sixteen, so they have about a year left.
I truly am mind blown that they will be behind the wheel of a car in the near future.
I do remember taking driver’s ed with friends, and sometimes our instructor would let us stop and get snacks at the gas station.
The car I learned to drive on was my mom’s “mom mobile,” and it was a stick shift. When I got my permit, I was so excited to try to drive that we drove to my aunt and uncle’s house. They lived in our neighborhood but a couple of miles away. It took forever to drive there because I kept “killing” the car at the stop signs! I remember laughing so hard and being embarrassed.
I guess driving a stick isn’t really something that we need now, but it’s nice to say I could do it!
I don’t mind to drive, but I also don’t mind to be the passenger. If I’m in the passenger seat, then I am probably reading which is nice.
There are lots of pretty scenic drives, but I’m usually driving in the city or in neighborhoods. On my way to school, there are many pretty tree lined streets. Travis always has quite the view driving to the horse farm; there are many pretty views on his drive.
4. What small habit has had a big impact on your life?
Truly, since having kids, getting up early before everyone else has had a big impact on my life.
There have been a couple of times when I’ve overslept, and I just hate feeling rushed and out of sorts to start my day.
Also, as much as I possibly can, I try and prepare for the day the night before. I like to at least know what I’m going to take for lunch and what I plan on wearing for the day, so I don’t have to make those decisions in the morning.
5. Tell us about something nice that happened to you recently?
There’s nothing worse as a teacher to be gone and not have a sub for the day. A couple of weeks ago, I had Covid, and I had a sub the first day and not the second day that I had to be out. I always appreciate when teachers step in and cover classes. Plus, it was nice knowing that my students had a teacher who would make sure they completed their work.
Before Covid, we were expected to cover classes if needed, but now we do get paid for our hour of coverage if we complete the stipend form. It is nice to be reimbursed for our time if we don’t get a planning period.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Just when I think Homer is maturing, he escaped from the house again yesterday! The only way we can get him back is to pull up next to him in our car, call his name, and he will hop in. Well, when my neighbor alerted me that Homer was out, I called Hadley who got his leash and went to find him. Unfortunately, I was near school to pick up Hayden from practice, so she had to follow him for about twenty minutes until I could get back with the car.
Doesn’t he know we are providing him with a good home? Why does he try to escape when given the chance? When I left to get Hayden, he was on Hadley’s bed with her. It goes to show how smart he is because he heard I didn’t close the door all the way behind me and apparently hopped off the bed and left…without Hadley realizing.
My dad mentioned a documentary on Netflix Inside the Mind of a Dog…maybe I can watch that and gain some insight into his mind!
I’m always interested in all the Enneagram stuff, and follow @mirabellecreations who always posts fun graphics on Instagram.
‘Tis the Halloween season and all things scary. I stumbled upon “What Scares” for different Enneagram types, and I’m taking a deep dive into my 5w6 self for…
What Scares Type 5s:
Being helpless or incapable:This for sure applies to meas I prefer not to ask for help and like to be prepared.
Someone who asks too many questions:I hate nothing more than being peppered with questions. A conversation is one thing, but when I feel like I’m constantly answering questions, and I feel like the person has an ‘angle,” I definitely disengage.
Being overwhelmed by their own needs and needs of others:In this busy season of life, I do feel overwhelmed by my own needs more than my family’s needs. Sometimes I just have “decision fatigue” and will feel overwhelmed.
A huge party:I much prefer a small gathering with people I know.Small talk at a huge gathering is definitely not my favorite thing.
Being pressured or obligated:I definitely don’t want to feel pressured or obligated to do anything.Well, who does?
Not having the right answer in every situation:It must be the teacher in me, but I like being prepared.
Their private info being shared publicly:Well, this is ironic considering I have a blog, but of course I choose what I share and when.
What Scares Type 6s:
Everything going wrong:I like to have a plan, and I like for that plan to go accordingly. haha
Danger ahead signs:What’s around the corner? What’s the danger? Of course I want to know and be prepared.
People who are not dependable: Oh…that’s a big pet peeve of mine.
An unpredictable or unsafe environment:I definitely like to know what’s going on…and don’t like surprises.
Being accused of just being a “scaredy-cat”: I think I do a good job of keeping my worries on the inside. haha
Being called negative or pessimistic:I’m a realist!
Not having an escape route:I definitely like to know where the exits are!
Movie Quotes:
I thought these movie quotes were fun for each type:
…and this one:
Anyway, just a fun look at what scares certain types of people!
TGIF! After being sick at the end of last week, this full week of school sure did feel like a long one. That being said, it was nice to get back into a routine!
Thanks to being sick and just life being busy, I haven’t recapped our trip to 30A for fall break.
I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites...
…for a little…
This is our third year of having a full week for fall break…and it’s also our third year traveling to the 30A area with our same group of friends. This vacay is definitely one of our favorites.
We weren’t sure if this trip would happen until we saw the fall sports schedule. Thankfully, for us, cross country and volleyball didn’t have anything scheduled, so we were able to take this vacay.
By the end of this post, you might be sick of pics of sunsets and me reading my Kindle. haha
Here are the details of our trip:
Saturday:
We left our house around 8:30 on Saturday morning, and had a very smooth ten hour ride to 30A.
Two families left the night before, so they were getting the house settled right as us and another family arrived.
After we got unpacked, everyone scattered, but my friend and I went to the beach for sunset which is my favorite part of a beach vacation.
We had about thirty minutes on the beach.
Once we got back to the house, again, people kind of did whatever they wanted. The dads/husbands ordered pizza and wings and stayed home to watch football.
The moms went to Seaside where most of the kids were, and we enjoyed our dinner before going back to the house for the night.
Sunday:
We had a lazy morning with breakfast at home.
Eventually, we made it to the beach around noon. Because Hurricane Helene had just blown through, the flags were red, and the water was murky and choppy. The water reminded me more of the Atlantic Ocean as opposed to the Gulf of Mexico. We could still get in the water if needed, but no swimming or playing around. So, the kids mostly hung on the beach.
I read most of the afternoon.
The kids played on the beach. The girls mostly laid out, and the boys played bocce ball. Eventually the kids left and went to Seaside.
It was such a beautiful day.
In the late afternoon, the guys went for oysters and the girls went back to the house.
My friend Megan and I stayed all day until sunset.
This crew joined us at the beach for sunset. They are such a sweet group!
Sunsets never get old…
That night, we grilled out for dinner, played “Play 9” and had s’mores.
It was a great first full day at the beach.
Monday:
Monday morning, we took our time getting started with the day. The girls had gotten up early for the sunrise, and shared their pretty photos
We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, but the girls wanted muffins, so I took them on the golf cart to Seaside.
This view is always so pretty:
Then, we went back to the house. Some of our friends also had a house in our neighborhood, and they suggested Black Bear for breakfast. We’d never been, and it’s now a few fave for breakfast!
This bagel hit the spot:
Then, we went to the beach for the day. The water was calmer, but we still had a red flag.
I stayed a few hours, and I headed back to the house in the early afternoon.
I love nothing more than an afternoon nap on vacation. Also, because I’d stayed at the beach all day the day before, I was kind of a lobster in some spots. So, I headed back to the house for a shower and a nap before breakfast.
The kids wanted to go out to eat for dinner, and one of the easiest places to do that is at the Big Chill. There’s a variety of restaurants to choose from and lots of space to hang out.
It was a really pretty night.
We enjoyed dinner and a drink for a couple of hours, and then we went home. Most of us went to bed pretty early.
Tuesday:
We have something planned for breakfast every morning at the house, and Tuesday’s breakfast was bacon and biscuits.
That morning, we went shopping in Seaside…and I got my traditional post office pic with Had.
Of course the girls got a pic too!
Then, we did a bit of shopping. Hadley got a sweatshirt, and I got a t-shirt.
Trav and Hadley went over to Black Bear for breakfast, and my friend sent me this pic:
Then, it was time for the beach…and it was a yellow flag for the day, but the water was back to a pretty green/blue color that we are used to on the Gulf.
How Hayden does the beach:
The kids were so happy to be able to play in the water after the two red flag days. This is such a fun crew:
Hayden and I were back to the house by 3:00 to watch the Royals game play off game.
I had asked my family to make sure they were at the beach for sunset as I knew the next day, we wouldn’t be able to be at the beach at sunset and there was a chance of rain on Thursday.
Anyway, I was happy to get a pic with the fam:
…and a few other pics:
The girls were there for the traditional sweatshirt pic. I love that the pretty colors of their sweatshirts match the beautiful water and sky.
Besties!
At Modica Market, I picked up this 30A Rose’, and it was the perfect beverage for the beach.
After sunset, we went back to the house and had tacos for dinner.
Wednesday:
Wednesday was another beach day. We spent time at the beach 10:30-3, and it was the best beach day we had. The water and the temps were perfect. My friend overheard another beach goer say that they picked up sand dollars at the sand bar that we could see a bit out past where we could touch.
So, we swam (with our flotation devices) to the sand bar. We were out there for about 45 minutes and came back with so many sand dollars.
Of course, the little girls laid them out and counted them once we got back.
We even had some cloud coverage that day which was so nice.
I had lots of time to read…
…before I headed back to the house for the Royals game 3:30. They won both games on Tuesday and Wednesday which was so fun to watch.
That night, while we were getting ready for the adults’ dinner, the girls went to the beach for their own sunset pics.
We headed to dinner at Cafe Thirty-A. I got the lobster alfredo, and it was delish!
We came home to the girls working on a puzzle.
They completed a couple that week!
It was a great evening with an early bedtime.
Thursday:
A few of us decided to hit up Black Bear for breakfast one more time on Thursday. It definitely hit the spot!
After breakfast, we spent some time in Seaside, and did some window shopping and some real shopping.
A rare glimpse of the boys!
Of course, after that, I headed to the beach for a few hours. We “forced” the kids to go to the beach since it was the last day.
It was a purple flag day…so the girls were on the look out for some jelly fish. We did see a few in the water that day.
The girls just kept their toes in the water. haha
Well, the kids didn’t last more than an hour. The girls went to the pool, and Travis took the boys golfing. So, I had a few hours on the beach to read and enjoy the view. A few of the other adults stayed too. We wanted to soak in the last day.
Once I got back from the beach, I showered and started to get organized and pack.
Hadley went to Rosemary Beach with one of the other families.
Eventually, Travis and I made our way to Seaside where Hayden was. The post office was decorated for fall.
While we waited to be seated at Great Southern, Hayden snapped a pic with me 🙂
The three of us had dinner, and the boys ran off again to hang out.
Once we were back at the house, the girls had movie night, and we packed up to leave in the morning.
Friday:
Friday morning, we finished packing up the car, and I forced the kids to take one more pic in front of the house. Truly, they weren’t happy with me…but oh well…I’m used to dealing with moody teens. haha
Then, we hit the road back home. It took us a bit longer to get home; we didn’t do a good job planning our stops. Also, one of our stops was Bucee’s where I’m convinced Travis picked up Covid, got sick, and then passed it on to me. Oh well…we’re all feeling better now.
It’s always sad to leave the beach after a good trip, but it’s also so nice to arrive home and sleep in our own beds.
A few thoughts:
This was our third year doing this trip with the same families, and I feel so lucky to have a crew that gets along, makes plans, but goes with the flow, and we all enjoy each other’s company.
It’s important to have low expectations when traveling with a big group, and I think we do a good job of that. Also, we have followed the same at home breakfast and dinner plans the past few years, but also adjust as needed. For example, the kids all wanted to go out to dinner, so that’s how we ended up going to the The Big Chill rather than eating at home Monday night. Some families or couples end up making their own plans, and that’s fine too. Some love to beach all day, and others just go for a few hours. I think we’ve done a good job embracing each other’s preferences. They all know I love to catch as many sunsets as possible, but I know there are nights that won’t happen, and that’s fine.
Each year has gotten easier as the kids get older. Do I wish my kids, and even Trav, were at the beach more because that’s what I like to do? Yes. But, it’s nice that the kids are old enough to have some independence too.
Bikes come in handy as that’s the kids’ main form of transportation. The house comes with some, but there were extra ones this year, and Trav rented one to use to follow Hayden on his runs.
The golf cart is also a key factor for us as that’s the easiest form of transportation to most places in the Seaside area. We pay extra to use the one at the house.
This was the first year we used the “Splitwise” app. I’d heard of it, but had never used it. We would just add in expenses, divide it up, and settle up using Venmo at the end of the week to repay whoever needed paid.
This year, we arrived on Saturday evening, and usually we drive halfway on Saturday, and arrive late afternoon on Sunday. It was SO nice having the extra day, but then still having the weekend to recover and regroup after a week away was perfect.
Overall, it was a great trip, and we hope to do it again if the athletics schedule allows.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve linked up with Joyce, so I’m doing that today.
This week’s prompts are so fun, so let’s get to it:
1. How did you meet your significant other?
We met at the University of Missouri when I was a senior. Travis worked in college athletics at the time, and he’d moved to Columbia for a career move. I worked in the ticket office my senior year, so I met him there. One Saturday football game, they needed someone to work the player pass gate area, and I thought to myself, if he volunteers me to do it (because he’d also be there), then he must like me.
Well, that Saturday, I was the one to work the player pass gate with him, and I was so excited…until he made fun of my tennis shoes. He called them “buddies.” (which would be “dupe” now!) Listen, I didn’t have quite the budget back then…and Shoe Carnival was the answer. haha
Anyway, a couple weeks later, we went out on our first date.
This wasn’t our first day, but we’d only been dating a few months:
2. It’s Department Store Day. Do you still shop in department stores? If not, do you miss that shopping experience? Do you have a favorite department store? Any fun memories of department store shopping when you were a child?
I don’t shop much at department stores, but I will still look there occasionally for dresses or shoes. I don’t usually have much luck, but I will still pop in every once in a while. I like Macy’s and Nordstrom, but mostly order from them online.
I don’t really have any department store memories as a child, but I do vividly remember going to the mall, and that was kind of a big deal. Ward Parkway mall in KC was my favorite. I remember the cinnamon roll place that we’d go to as well as Ms. Field’s for a cookie!
3. Something you’re currently nuts about?
It’s candy corn season…and I really only like candy corn when it’s paired with peanuts. You know what’s even better?
This little mix:
4. What’s your favorite nut and is there a favorite recipe?
My favorite nut is for sure a cashew! I don’t have any recipes, but I do love chocolate covered cashews.
5. On Wednesday, we officially reach the 70 days until Christmas mark. Have you purchased any gifts?
I haven’t purchased a single item. Unfortunately, I usually feel like I need to “get through” the kids’ birthday in November before I can think about Christmas.
I do have some gift ideas for a few people though as well as some birthday gift ideas I have for the kids too.
6. Insert random thought here.
Shew! It sure feels like fall this week! That being said, I think we skipped the 70’s! We went from mid-80’s to 60 degrees real quick!
That being said, I’m not mad about it. I’m sooo ready for fall. It’s my favorite season.
How was your weekend? Ours was great as we had a busy Saturday and a low-key Sunday. I think I “over did” it a bit on Saturday, but Sunday I had some time to recharge before thankfully heading back to school today. I’m glad to be feeling much better.
Anyway, it’s the second Monday of the month, so I’m co-hosting Share Our Lives with some of my favorite bloggers.
Well, I certainly have a sweet tooth! It’s hard for me to pass up a good sweet! That being said, I try to show restraint, but if something is seasonal, I probably won’t hold back. For example, I don’t eat breakfast, but in the fall, I love nothing more than an apple cider donut with a cup of coffee on a weekend!
At the start of the year, I shared a “12 months of desserts” post where I shared the desserts we made in 2023.
As soon as I started thinking about favorite sweets, I immediately thought of apple cider donuts…which then made me decide to organize this post by season of desserts.
So, here we go!
Fall:
As I said, above, one of my favorite fall treats are apple cider donuts.
Trader Joe’s has them for a few weeks:
….but my faves are the ones from the pumpkin patch!
This apple cider donut cake is a new fall tradition for me to bake:
Also, I love to make a pumpkin pie in the fall too. I prefer it served cold with a dollop of Cool Whip.
Winter:
I always look forward to Shay’s Peppermint Bundt cake in the winter. It’s a tradition that I make it for our Christmas dinner when we are at home.
I like cookie cake alllll year long, but we usually kick off the year with one for my birthday in January!
Spring:
Once spring arrives, I’m ready for lighter desserts like strawberry short cake.
Summer:
There’s nothing better than a scoop of ice cream on a hot day in the summer. One thing about me is I will always look at all the flavor options, but 9 times out of 10, I will get my fave…mint chocolate chip. (I also love peppermint ice cream in the winter!)
I love cheesecake, especially in the summer. Jason’s Deli has such a good slice of cheesecake, so when I can, I get one. I’ve made cheesecake a couple of times, but I haven’t perfected it. Trader Joe’s has a good one too.
All year:
What’s my favorite dessert that I could eat all year long? Homemade Rice Krispies treats. Usually, when we got to Trav’s mom’s house, she has some for me…and his sister makes them when we come to town too. Obviously, I can make them myself, and sometimes I do…but it can be dangerous to have a whole pan of them! haha
showmeandsweettea.com 