We are hosting our monthly link up on Monday! This month’s topic is money saving tips. Well, that’s great timing with us coming home from vacation. haha
We’d love for you to like up with us and join us.
While we’re always sad to say goodbye to the beach, we are excited for the cooler fall like temps that await us back home.
I hope you have a great weekend! It’s back to reality for us!
Well, last week, I shared my first “Five Things” post highlighting some things in my kitchen.
Today, I’m sharing another post…but I’m still in my kitchen.
The post last week included items in the cooking part of my kitchen, and today, I’m sharing the other half of the kitchen.
1. Hutch
This hutch was my dads grandma’s hutch. He doesn’t know the history, but he remembers it at her house when he was a kid. He said it’s at least 80 years old.
I’ve only had it a few years, and we actually rented a small U-haul trailer to bring it back after a visit. I just didn’t have anywhere to store glassware and other odds and ends, so I appreciate this gift.
I’ve thought about having it painted, but I don’t know.
This little nook in our kitchen would be perfect for a coffee bar/wine fridge, and that’s on our somewhat short list to do. I have another wall this hutch could go on if we end up doing that.
In the hutch, I have glasses, some Bourbon (fun fact: Travis loathes bourbon…won’t touch it…but it tends to be a common gift in the horse biz…lol), a few personal touches, and then I store place settings and seasoning things in the drawers.
Anyway, it’s a sentimental piece that we have in our kitchen.
2. Woven basket
My mom was cleaning out her garage (I think) and found this basket that she’d made years and years ago. I typically keep it on top of the hutch (see photo above), but I’ve used it to store dinner plates when we’ve had people over.
3. Window pane/shutters
We’ve lived in our house for nine years now, and when we first moved in, I wanted to hang a window pane for a farmhouse vibe. We found this window at Re-store I believe. Travis hung it for me, and I added the wreath.
There’s a story with the shutters. They aren’t actually shutters. The previous owners had taken down swinging doors that went from the hall to the living room. We found them in the garage, and Travis cut one in half for me. I painted it, and he hung it for me next to the window pane.
I will say that after living in this house for nine years, I kind of want to clean things up a bit…but I know that takes a vision and time (and probably money)…haha. I still like the farmhouse vibe, but I do want to update some things and maybe simplify some of our walls. We have a gallery wall on the other side of the kitchen that I’d like to simplify one day as well.
4. Wine rack
This wine rack was a gift from my Gma when Travis and I bought our first house. It’s from Pier One, and I still love it.
5. Wine bottle
How fun is this wine bottle? For Trav’s birthday, one of our friends gifted it to him. There’s a local artist (@holidayroaddesigns) who hosts painting parties and designs and paints bottles as gifts.
This bottle has his initials, UK and horse references.
So that wraps up a peek at the other side of our kitchen. I don’t know which area I will tackle next, but I’ll move on from the kitchen. haha
Well, I felt like I was a little late getting my porch together, but really, it was probably only about a week later than I have done it in previous years.
Every year, the porch looks similar but different. We always buy a couple of cornstalks, a few mums, and lots of pumpkins!
Here’s a peek at the porch:
I’ve had this cute garden flag for years. I love the mix of orange with black and white.
I went to my favorite spot to pick up a variety of pumpkins, but the goose neck gourds came from Trader Joe’s.
The “mum man” comes to my husband’s work, and he always has the best price on mums.
I’ve had these pillow covers for a couple of years, and the jack-o-lantern is from a friend.
On a whim, I recently bought a new black and white plaid rug at Aldi’s, and then I’ve had the door mat and door hanger for years.
I always love pulling up in front of my house this time of the year. ‘Tis the season!
I’m linking up with Tanya today to share my Amazon purchases for the month.
I had a few clothing purchases this month, but a few other odds and ends too.
Oops…I did it again!
I purchased this cardigan in black. I now have it in three colors. I did replace a black cardigan that I’ve had for probably ten years with this one. My previous one was showing its age, and didn’t have pockets. I need pockets, especially when I wear cardigans to school.
Also, I picked up this over-sized shirt (again!), and I now have it in three colors. It works with leggings, jeans, as a sleep shirt, or wear under a cardigan, etc….so that’s why I love it so much. It’s versatile.
Ok…these next two waffle sets have been all over the internet, and I wanted to give both a try. I did wait to purchase both until they were on sale and had a coupon. I’ve seen others share these as lounge wear and/or pjs.
…and this set as more loungewear (meaning — I will leave the house to run errands in it). I’m sure it doesn’t matter either way, but I have been wearing them as such.
Both feel “high end” and are comfy and cute. I did size up one in both just in case they shrunk with washing. I haven’t washed either, but I’m glad I sized up one size.
I needed another bottle of my daytime Vitamin C serum, so I ordered it again. I’ve been using this brand for probably close to a year.
We needed a new kitchen faucet, and Travis ordered this one. I think he liked that it had the sensor, but I turned the sensor off because I like to pull the hose over to fill up our Keurig/coffee pot…haha. Anyway, it’s been a good upgrade from what we had.
My dad wanted a knife sharpening set, so he asked me to send him this one. He gives it two thumbs up!
What’s your best Amazon purchase this month?
{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.}
I started Sunday morning off on the back patio watching Southern Charm while sipping my coffee in one of my favorite mugs.
September 26: Crisp
Well, I could have said “crisp fall air” as we’ve had some cooler mornings and evenings, but really our grass has been “crispy” from lack of rain!
September 27: Memory
I always love this sweet memory of when we took the kids to the pumpkin patch for the first time in 2010.
September 28: early
Quiet early mornings with coffee, a candle, light up pumpkin, and the local news. That’s how I start most of my mornings, but in the fall, it’s even better.
Other Faves:
ThisLife in Lilaccandle is amazing. It’s my first time buying one of Jen Reed’s candles, and it won’t be the last.
Saturday night was a favorite because of the fall temps and a night at home. We pulled the sunroom tv outside and hung out while watching the Mizzou game.
8th grade school pics came in, and they are definitely a favorite. This is the first school pic in a few years without the kids in braces.
Hayden joked with me that he wasn’t going to smile, but I’m so glad that he did…Hadley too, of course.
I made a trip to my favorite place to pick up pumpkins for our front porch. This is one of my favorite things to do every year.
My dad came to visit for a few days. Of course, we took the traditional porch pic, and he was able to see two of Hayden’s races as well as my nephew’s football and baseball games.
Hayden had two great races this week. He had a top 5 finish on Saturday in a very competitive race where he had a 4k PR by over thirty seconds. He really pushed himself to he finish.
Trav’s brother got a few great pics of him running which I always appreciate.
On Tuesday, our district had their end of season championship 4k, and Hayden placed 1st!! He was 1st place in the elementary race his 5th grade year, so it’s neat that he did that again as an 8th grader.
Of course, we’re proud of all he’s accomplished this season. The state meet is in a couple of weeks.
Favorite Mom Meme:
This is very relateable.
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:
Ahhh…I feel like the three years of middle school have flown by!
Well, it’s officially fall break for us, and I’m ready for it. We have some fun plans, so I don’t know how often I will post next week, but I have a few posts planned, including Prime Purchases on Monday!
Well, where has this month gone? It’s already time for Monthly Musings.
Today, I’m sharing my answers to Patty and Holly ‘s fun monthly link up.
This month’s topic is Fall/Halloween Fun…
It really is starting to feel like fall around here (at least in the mornings and evenings)…and we finally got some rain yesterday! Hallelujah!
I love writing posts “all about fall,” so this topic is definitely for me!
1. Favorite fall traditions
We love going to UK football games and Keeneland. The pumpkin patch is always the highlight of autumn for me. The kids have been able to carve their own pumpkins for a few years now, and that’s a major milestone. haha
2. How do you celebrate Halloween?
For years and years, we’d trick-or-treat with the same group of friends. As the kids have gotten older, everyone now kind of does their own thing now.
I still try to have a “spooky” dinner a day or two before Halloween.
Last year, was the first year since 2009 that Travis and I were back sitting on the front porch passing out candy rather than walking around with our kids while they trick-or-treated.
They still have so much fun with their friends.
3. Favorite fall recipes?
I make Pumpkin Sausage Penne pasta a few times during the fall season
Of course, we love to bake –pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin muffins!
I did try a new recipe this past weekend…Apple Cider Donut Cake was a hit with the fam! I will definitely make this again soon!
4. Favorite fall fashion pieces?
I love when it’s sweater/cardigan weather. I needed to replace the black cardigan that I’ve had for years, so I ordered my favorite Amazon cardigan (again!) in black. I now have it in three colors.
5. How do you decorate for fall?
Pumpkins & candles…obviously!
6. Pumpkin spice?
Sure! I love pumpkin muffins and pumpkin bread. I don’t do Pumpkin Spice Lattes though…too many calories, and I don’t enjoy the taste anymore.
7. Thoughts on candy corn
I don’t mind it. Typically, I only eat it when I mix it with peanuts.
8. Favorite fall/Halloween movie?
It’s not a movie, but when the kids were little, we usually watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown as a family, but we haven’t watched it in a few years.
Other movies I think of and try to watch during fall are You’ve Got Mail, Sweet Home Alabama, and Hocus Pocus.
9. Apple pie, pumpkin pie or cider donut?
All of the above. That being said, I don’t know that I’ve ever made an apple pie. We tend to stick with all things pumpkin, and I can’t pass up an apple cider donut.
10. Bonfire, hayride or haunted house?
I like when we can find an evening to do a backyard fire, but it’s definitely not a bonfire. haha
Haunted house? No, ma’am.
I always love this link up. I can’t wait to read everyone’s responses.
With this month wrapping up, I’m sharing the book I read in September.
I feel like I’m struggling a bit getting into a reading groove lately, but I did read three books this month.
Here are the books I read this month:
{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}
The Block Party:
Summary:
This summer, meet your neighbors.
The residents of the exclusive cul-de-sac on Alton Road are entangled in a web of secrets and scandal utterly unknown to the outside world, and even to each other.
On the night of the annual Summer block party, there has been a murder.
But, who did it and why takes readers back one year earlier, as rivalries and betrayals unfold—discovering that the real danger lies within their own block and nothing—and no one—is ever as it seems.
Quick Thoughts:
It has been a long time since I’ve finished a book I didn’t enjoy, but I did finish this one since it was on my summer reading list. Anyway, for whatever reason, I struggled throughout the book. I didn’t really like the characters and couldn’t connect with the writing style or plot. Two different times, I even had two different ladies at the pool ask me about the book, and I told them I just couldn’t get into it.
Have you read The Block Party? If so, what did you think?
Rating:
Look for Me There:
Summary:
In Look for Me There , Luke Russert traverses terrain both physical and deeply personal. On his journey to some of the world’s most stunning destinations, he visits the internal places of grief, family, faith, ambition, and purpose—with intense self-reflection, honesty, and courage.”—Savannah Guthrie, coanchor of Today “Look for me there,” news legend Tim Russert would tell his son, Luke, when confirming a pickup spot at an airport, sporting event, or rock concert. After Tim died unexpectedly, Luke kept looking for his father, following in Tim’s footsteps and carving out a highly successful career at NBC News. After eight years covering politics on television, Luke realized he had no good answer as to why he was chasing his father’s legacy. As the son of two accomplished parents—his mother is journalist Maureen Orth of Vanity Fair —Luke felt the pressure of high expectations but suddenly decided to leave the familiar path behind. Instead, Luke set out on his own to find answers. What began as several open-ended months of travel to decompress and reassess morphed into a three-plus-year odyssey across six continents to discover the world and, ultimately, to find himself. Chronicling the important lessons and historical understandings Luke discovered from his travels, Look for Me There is both the vivid narrative of that journey and the emotional story of a young man taking charge of his life, reexamining his relationship with his parents, and finally grieving his larger-than-life father, who died too young. For anyone uncertain about the direction of their life or unsure of how to move forward after a loss, Look for Me There is a poignant reflection that offers encouragement to examine our choices, take risks, and discover our truest selves.
Quick Thoughts:
I really liked this book. I’d seen Luke Russert promote it when it was published, and added it to my reading list last spring.
I remember when his dad, Tim, was the host of Meet the Press, and when he passed away how that impacted the show.
Anyway, I enjoyed following Luke’s journey through many countries, recalling many amazing places and people while learning life lessons along the way . His mom joined him on a few legs of his journey and their relationship, and what he’s learned from her, was also interesting. I also enjoyed the reflective parts and memories that he shared with about his father.
Rating:
The Senator’s Wife:
Summary:
In this town, anyone is replaceable. . . .
After a tragic chain of events led to the deaths of their spouses two years ago, D.C. philanthropist Sloane Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery are finally starting to move on. The horrifying ordeal drew them together, and now they’re ready to settle down again—with each other.
As Sloane returns to the world of White House dinners and political small talk, this time with her new husband, she’s also preparing for an upcoming hip replacement—the latest reminder of the lupus diagnosis she’s managed since her twenties. With both of their hectic schedules, they decide that hiring a home health aide will give Sloane the support and independence she needs post-surgery. And they find the perfect fit in Athena Karras.
Seemingly a godsend, Athena tends to Sloane, and even helps her run her charitable foundation. But Sloane slowly begins to deteriorate—a complication, Athena explains, of Sloane’s lupus. As weeks go by, Sloane becomes sicker, and her uncertainty quickly turns to paranoia as she begins to suspect the worst. Why is Athena asking her so many probing questions about her foundation—about her past? And could Sloane be imagining the sultry looks between Athena and her new husband?
Quick Thoughts:
This book seems to be a popular one right now. I really love a suspenseful book, and this one is definitely a psychological thriller. It hooked me from the first few pages with the deaths of Slone and Whit’s spouses. Throughout the plot, the reader is kind of “connecting the dots” as to what happened while also wondering about motives of other characters.
The chapters are pretty short, and this was a quick read for me.
Rating:
What books have you been reading lately?
Like last year, I set a goal of reading 40 books this year, and I’m up to 31/40 books. I’ve kind of abandoned my “ABC Reading Challenge”…this is also why I fail at book clubs…I just want to read what I want to read. haha
I got my Monday/Tuesday posts out of order…and meant to share this one yesterday. Oh well, hopefully you had a great Monday, and these memes will provide some laughs for your Tuesday.
Here are a few of my favorite memes this month:
Always a work in progress…haha
I should do this more often…
…but there’s also this:
I loved (and still do) a book fair! I even miss my own kids’ enthusiasm about them from their elementary school days.
This is a good idea!
lol…don’t show this post to Travis.
With age comes wisdom!
Just me trying to get through this week before fall break!
How was your weekend? Ours was pretty good…a mix of all the things. While Monday tends to be my least favorite day of the week, I’m ok with this one as we only have this week standing between us and fall break!
I had this random idea pop in my mind to share a few specific things in various parts of my house…and five sounded like a good number…
So…today I’m starting this new little series…
…and focusing on my kitchen.
1. Hand mixer:
So, a little story about this mixer…it’s from Walgreens circa 2004!
Travis and I were engaged and living in our first house and on a random Sunday, I wanted to bake. At that time, we had a Bed Bath and Beyond wedding registry and a hand mixer was on it, but we hadn’t received it yet.
I assumed we’d get it at some point, but I just thought I’d pay $15 for this little gadget to get us through until then. Well, this little gal has continued to do the trick for 19 years!! We even returned the Bed, Bath and Beyond one that we did receive as a gift.
I often think about getting a nice stand mixer, but the practical side of me knows I don’t really have anywhere to store it. I might ask for a new hand mixer for Christmas because these beaters have seen better days, but this little mixer goes to show that you don’t have to have the fanciest equipment …and, I have to assume that “they don’t make things like they used to.”
2. Creating a Stir cookbook:
This cookbook is also almost twenty years old. It was a wedding shower gift from our friends, and I’d say many southern kitchens have this cookbook. It has always sat in this stand in the kitchen of all three of our houses. I used this cookbook to cook some of my very first dinners for just Travis and me. I don’t use it as much anymore just thanks to other ways of finding recipes, but maybe I will open it up and plan a dinner soon.
3. Dutch oven:
I’ve had this Dutch oven for a few years. My Gma gave it to me, per my gift suggestion, for either Christmas or my birthday. It’s from Target, and I just love it. I keep it out on the stove top year round. It’s pretty and functional.
4. Measuring Spoons:
These measuring spoons were in Trav’s apartment when we first started dating. Through the years, I’ve picked up another set or two of measuring spoons, but I always turn back to these. They are my favorite.
5. Recipe box:
Like so many things in the kitchen, I’ve had this recipe box for years. I can’t remember where I got it…it may have even been a wedding shower gift with a few recipe cards with recipes written from family and friends.
I have quite a few recipes that I turn to often that are in this box, and I use these recipe cards when I make something new that I want to keep in the rotation.
Well, this ended up being quite a stroll down memory lane. I don’t know that all my posts will be that way, but I thought this was a fun way to take a deeper look at some thing things around my house.
Shew! This week was a busy one. I know we stay pretty busy, but this week just had extra things for me like meetings, trainings, and open house. Plus, Travis was still pretty busy with work.
I’m definitely ready for the weekend. TGIF!
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Like the past two weeks, I’m continuing with Erika and Shay’s Photo Challenge and sharing my week that way.
Here are some favorites from the week:
September 15: OOTD
Last Friday, I was having a moment for green, I guess. I wore this sweatshirt to school and then changed into even comfier clothes, including this SSYS shirt and leggings, for Hayden’s cross country meet. I had very casual OOTD.
September 16: Apples
I’ve been burning one of my Honeycrisp Apple candles from Trader Joe’s pretty much non-stop since I got them.
September 17: Friends
Hadley and friends had fun at the UK game on Saturday. (Hayden and friends did too, but I never saw them. haha) Homer, our best friend, looked so cute snuggling on the couch.
September 18: Made me smile
Amy shared about these pumpkin K-cups at Aldi, so I was happy when I found them on Monday. They are delish.
September 19: Cozy
Fall mornings are cozy with candles, pumpkins, a blanket and coffee.
September 20: The letter L
L is for lights and leaves. My house is feeling festive.
September 21: Traditions
Going to the pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins are two of my favorite traditions.
Other faves:
A few other favorites…
Hayden had a couple of cross country meets this week. He had a top 5 finish and 4k PR at a really competitive race in Louisville on Friday…
…followed by a first place finish at a local race on Tuesday.
Hadley was excited to see her cousin at Friday’s race. Then, Hayden spent the night, so he got family time too.
Some new candles arrived on my doorstep yesterday. I’ve never ordered from Life in Lilac, but I love following Jen Reed, and I knew her candles would be amazing. I ordered Fall Fever, and I can’t wait to burn it.
I took advantage of some Bath and Body Works points, and ordered: White Pumpkin, Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun, and Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow.
I *think* I’m set for the fall season!
Favorite Mom Meme:
Ugh…Hayden’s shoes stay scattered around the house! Honestly, Travis is a close second with this bad habit. haha
Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:
Look at this toothless smile! Kindergarten Hadley is too cute.
Weekly Recap:
I had a variety of posts this week…meals, fall decor, and all about fall!
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