Monthly Musings

Posted on June 26, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday…evening!

I got behind on my blogging this week and didn’t want to miss out on all the fun with Patty and Holly. Earlier today, I shared the books I read this month, and now I’m linking up with these ladies for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is….summer vacation guide.

1. Share your summer trips for 2025:

Well, we actually don’t have a big summer trip planned this year. I always thought we’d go somewhere every summer, and most summers we have…but this was one of those summers where time got away from us and the kids’ schedules plus a couple of family weddings have packed our summer calendars.

That being said, we went to KC for a few days and both kids go to camp in July. Also, Trav and I have plans to head to Michigan for a few days and explore a couple of Lake Michigan towns. I’m looking forward to it.

2. How do you manage the post-vacation laundry?

I fully embrace doing laundry wherever we are. We don’t stay in many hotels which means there’s typically laundry access when we stay at houses and condos. Most of the time, we mostly come home with clean clothes in our suitcases. Otherwise, once we unpack the car, if we do have dirty laundry, I toss it in the washer as soon as we get home. If we get home late, I set the washer for “delay wash” to get started the next morning.

3. Most memorable summer vacation?

I think we’ve gone on lots of great trips. Typically, we go to the beach in the summer and have made so many beach memories through the years.

That being said, last year’s vacation to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and Washington, will be one we remember for quite some time. There was truly something for everyone, and we all loved it.

Mexico was also a great experience. It was easy to travel there, the resort was nice, it was all inclusive and checked all the boxes for us on a vacation.

4. Do you cook or eat out on vacation?

We typically eat out on vacation. Most of the time, we buy groceries to have food for breakfast, lunch and snacks, and then eat out for dinner. Depending on where we are or what we’re doing, we’ll keep it simple and order pizza to eat at the house or condo…especially if it means we get more beach time. When the kids were younger, we actually liked going to the beach early and then spending time at the pool or going out during the afternoon, grabbing an early dinner and then going back to the beach for a couple of hours and then sunset.

That seemed to work for us, but when traveling with others, it might not be their preference, I guess.

Of course, if we’re at the beach, we get seafood as much as possible. Trav and Hayden love oysters, and try to get those a couple of times at least.

5. Are you an over-packer, under-packers or just right packer?

Before I answer this question, I need you all to know that I’ve come a long way! haha

I used to pack the biggest suitcase possible and then bring a carry on bag. Then, I got a little better and started packing medium size (but still a bag that needs to be checked when flying) along with a carry-on bag. Now, I need it to be noted that I have traveled a couple of times with a small suitcase and carry-on bag.

I will say that I still firmly believe in packing cubes…for saving a bit of space, but even more so, for helping me stay organized.

Also, if we’re driving, I typically pack my medium suitcase along with a travel bag. There’s room in the trunk, so why not?!

When I leave the house with a suitcase, I’ve packed enough to be gone three days…but also ten days if needed. haha!

6. Beach, lake or mountains?

If we’re talking summer, our vacations are usually to the beach.

Through the years, we’ve also enjoyed other areas with mountains…

We all love the lake when we have the opportunity to go.

7. Road trip or fly?

We mostly road trip in the car. We have to be going pretty far for it to be worth it to fly.

8. Favorite vacation activities?

Again, it depends on what we’re doing. Honestly, I like to relax, so if we are at the beach, I want my toes in the sand and a book in my hand.

That being said, Hayden loves to golf. We all love to hike. Trav likes to try new breweries, so we definitely do more than just go to the beach.

9. Best packing tips?

I always make a list and check it twice. I print a packing list for the kids if we’re going somewhere for a quite a few days. More recently, like when we went to KC for a few days, I just sent them a text with a list of the basics that they needed to pack.

I use packing cubes, and Hadley uses one for her socks, swimsuits, underwear, etc…just to stay organized.

I also started to bring up a laundry basket and fill it with odds and ends as I think of them. For example, when we went to KC, I wanted to bring the Play Nine game, so I put it in the laundry basket. As the couple days before going went on, I added in things like my tumbler, a few snacks, etc…just a way to hold things in one place when I think of random odds and ends.

10. Favorite road trip songs?

Well, we most likely have the car radio on Sirius Channel 56…The Highway when we’re in the car. That being said, when I can get away with it, I like to listen to an audio book. The kids will also connect to Apple Car Play and use their music lists for what we listen to on our drives.

I love writing these posts centered around summer and travel…I’m glad I threw this post together this evening. 🙂

I hope you’re having a great summer so far!

Monthly Musings

Posted on May 29, 2025May 28, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Do you hear that sound? Well, it’s still my alarm clock going off…but I woke up at 6:30 instead of 5:50 today! Today is a teacher work day, so I have a little bit of extra time in the morning. Tomorrow, there will be the sound of silence with no alarm going off!

It’s finally the last Thursday of the month, so I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for this month’s Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is…kicking off summer!

1. What are you looking forward to most this summer?

I’m really hoping we have some time to just relax. To be honest, most summers don’t provide as much rest as I ever need and want…but I know that even if we do still have things going on, I shouldn’t really have to set an alarm! That’s a step in the right direction.

Travis and I have our 20 year wedding anniversary in June! Time flies! I’m not sure if we have any big plans, but I’m sure we’ll do something to celebrate the milestone.

Our niece is getting married in June and our nephew is getting married in July. So, we have some weddings to go to this summer.

2. Any favorite summer traditions?

Pool time is always a fun summer tradition along with celebrating the 4th of July.

3. Any summer travel plans? Please dish!

At the moment, we really don’t have travel plans. That being said, we might get something organized at some point.

We’ll probably go to KC for a few days. This summer is different in that two weekends are scheduled with weddings and one weekend, the kids will be recovering from having their wisdom teeth removed!

Both kids have camp, but of course those weeks aren’t the same. Fall sports start in mid-July…

…and there goes summer!

4. How do you red, white and blue?

The 4th of July has always been a favorite holiday. The past couple of years, Hadley has been at camp. I’m happy for her, but I miss the holiday traditions. We typically have a low key 4th of July. Hayden has run the Lexington 10k the past two years, and I do try to make my red, white and blue waffles. Sometimes we go to the pool, and we typically grill out before watching the fireworks.

I miss the days of the kids decked out in red, white and blue.

5. Beach, lake or pool?

I like all three. Of course, we go to the pool the most. Occasionally, we’ll go to the lake with friends and often we have a beach vacation in the summer. Looks like this summer we’ll make the most of pool time!

6. Favorite summer sweet treat?

Ice cream is always a favorite summer treat. Mint chocolate chip is my favorite flavor. To me, nothing says summer like strawberry short cake!

7. Favorite sunscreens and self tanners?

For quite some time, Neutrogena has been my “go to” sunscreen. I like the stick for easy application on our faces, and the spray, always 50 SPF or higher, is what we use for our bodies.

I’ve been using the Jergens “Instant Sun” for quite a few years as well. I use a mitt to apply it, and overall, it’s very easy to use. It’s nice to add some color to my arms and legs before I get a full tan in the summer.

8. Best flip flops or sandals?

My favorite pool/beach sandals are from Nordstrom. I have had two pairs of these Havianas for many years, and just got a new pair last summer.

I’ve shared time and time again, that I love my rose gold Amazon sandals. (I size up one full size!) I had my last pair for four years, and just purchased the same pair a couple of weeks ago.

These thin strapped “Shade and Shore” sandals from Target are my favorite to wear for a little bit nicer look with dresses and shorts.

9. How are you staying fit this summer?

Fit? What’s that? haha!

I’ve been taking advantage of the cooler temps and going for walks to get some steps in before the heat of the summer arrives.

The Bodi workouts are still very convenient for me to do in my basement…especially when I’m not super motivated. If that’s the case, I usually tell myself that I can muster the motivation to put shoes on and head to the basement for 20-30 minutes.

I also enjoy going to the gym to use the elliptical when I have the chance. I went on Monday, and that’s a nice part of my fitness routine that I’ve missed.

I also plan on taking a Reformed Pilates class one to two days a week which will be a nice change of pace.

I’m excited to have the time to choose what I want to do depending on the day over the summer months.

10. Favorite summer themed movies?

I’m not sure why, but I immediately thought of Grease. My favorite movie is the Hayley Mills version of Parent Trap. I love movies like The Sandlot and The Goonies in the summer as well.

This post has me excited for summer! Thanks for hosting, ladies!

Monthly Musings

Posted on April 24, 2025April 23, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Well where has the month of April gone?! Remember when January felt like an entire year? Now, it’s almost May!

Since it’s the last Thursday of the month, I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is…spring hosting, decorating and gardening.

1. Do you celebrate Easter, Passover or another holiday in the spring?

We celebrate Easter. I love the tradition of dyeing the eggs, and we had a lovely morning at church followed by lunch at my brother’s house.

2. Do you plant a garden? Any tips?

For a couple of years, we did plant a garden, but we haven’t the past few years. It was fun getting cucumbers and peppers out of the garden to use for meals and snacks.

3. How do you decorate for spring?

I always put a few Easter decorations out a couple of weeks before Easter. Then, I change out my door hanger, garden flag, and a couple of decorations for Oaks/Derby.

4. Desserts that just say spring to you?

Once the warmer weather hits, I think of strawberry shortcake as a light, easy and delish dessert.

I’ve made Shay’s Fruity Pebble bars, and they are a fun treat too!

5. Favorite spring flowers?

I love all flowers but especially hydrangeas, tulips, and peonies. The cone shaped “panicle” (I had to look this up!)hydrangeas (top left pic) bloom in our yard, and I love cutting them and putting them in a vase in the summer.

One of our neighbors has a huge flower garden, and she cuts flowers and puts them in tiny vases to share (bottom right pic)…and then we just return the vases to her.

6. Best tips for hosting spring events?

I wish we hosted more, but if we do have people over, I do prefer to do so when it’s “patio weather,” and going outside is an option. I just like people to be able to spread out and not feel confined in the house.

As far as tips, I’d say keep it easy, ask people to help and bring a side dish or dessert, and just go with the flow!

7. Favorite beverage or cocktail that makes you think of spring?

In the spring and summer months, I lean more towards a White Claw or the Trader Joe’s canned Rose’. Sometimes at the pool, I will get a skinny marg. Well, now I want it to be pool weather after seeing this pic!

8. Vegetable garden, flower garden, both, neither?

Like I said above, I’d love a vegetable garden, but we just don’t have a ton of space for it. After seeing my neighbor’s flower garden, it’s so pretty, and that would be fun to have in the yard.

9. Favorite Easter candy?

I love these dang Cadbury mini eggs. I did notice that my Kroger didn’t seem to have the mini bags this year. So, I did buy a couple of bigger bags, and that was our Easter treat the past few weeks.

10. Marshmallow Peeps? Gross or yes please?

Peeps are just ok…I also put some in the kids’ Easter baskets, but I don’t even think they care much for them.

Well, Easter is over…and before we know it, it will be Memorial Day weekend!

Holidays, Monthly Musings

Monthly Musings

Posted on February 27, 2025February 26, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Well, it’s the last week of month which means it’s time for all the end of the month link ups.

I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is how we show love.

1. What’s your love language?

My love language is definitely acts of service. I appreciate it so much when Travis does things for me…anything from making the bed if I don’t have time to running an errand for me or even doing bigger things like planning vacations.

I truly do appreciate it when he helps out in those ways and takes things off my plate. Just yesterday, he came home during lunch to help start dinner in the slow cooker.

2. Favorite love songs?

I like music, but I’m the worst with song titles. I still love the classic Someone Like You as it was our first dance at our wedding. I mostly listen to country music and love Chris Stapleton’s Joy of My Life.

3. Flowers, chocolate or something else?

I love (and appreciate!) flowers and a card….which is what I got for my birthday (along with a nice dinner out and cake, of course!)

4. Favorite romantic movie/rom com?

Oh…there are too many to count. My faves are While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Sweet Home Alabama.

In the past year, I’ve watched all of these with Hadley to show her some of my favorite movies. Just a couple of weekends ago, we watched Sweet Home Alabama. I’d forgotten how much I love that movie.

5. Favorite childhood Valentine’s Day memory?

Oh…I fondly remember class parties for Valetine’s Day, making our Valentine’s Day boxes and giving and receiving Valetines.

The kids had quite a few fun class parties, and I was glad to help out a time or two.

6. How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Our Valentine’s Day is typically pretty low-key. We give each other cards, and then I pick up a few things for the kids.

When the kids were younger, we always made a point to get a sitter to watch them and then we’d go out to eat the weekend before or after Valentine’s Day.

We still try to go out to dinner, but obviously we don’t need a sitter now.

7. Any love or romance traditions?

I truly love the tradition of receiving a card…and Trav writing bubble letters for my name is icing on the cake. haha

8. When do you feel most loved?

I’m sure I feel loved every day, but especially on my birthday and Mother’s Day. Facebook messages, texts, phone calls, and cards are always nice on my birthday. Mother’s Day means a lot to me too, and it’s nice that the kids take some time to show me some love. I really appreciate it.

9. Big night out or chill at home?

At this stage in life, if chilling at home is an option, that’s probably my choice. That being said, I like an early dinner or happy hour and then hanging out at home watching a game or movie.

10. Do you wear red/pink on Valentine’s Day?

I’m not big on either of those colors, but I love a seasonal/holiday sweatshirt. This one from Target was a fun find this Valentine’s Day season.

This was fun…now, let’s turn the page to March.

Monthly Musings

Posted on January 30, 2025January 29, 2025 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday !

My kids and I are chugging along on this five day school week. It’s been a major reality adjustment.

I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for the first Monthly Musings of 2025.

This month’s topic is…winter self-care.

1. What do you do to stay warm in winter?

Stay inside! haha

Truly, thankfully, if it is really cold, I don’t usually have to go anywhere. I never wear socks in the house, but if I’m cold, I will wear some fuzzy socks.

Even with our really cold temps last week, we never turned on our fireplace, but we usually do.

Of course, I’ll dress in layers. As soon as I get home from school, I put on a cozy sweatshirt.

A cozy blanket is a great way to stay warm too.

2. Favorite wintertime activity?

Staying inside! (again, haha)

We seem to have more downtime in January and February which means I get more time to catch up on my shows or watch movies.

I always love having a bit more time to read.

3. Any different beauty routines in the winter?

During the winter, I tend to have very dry skin which means I get out any of my favorite body butters.

Right now, I’m using the candy cane one from Trader Joe’s.

I always use lotion after a shower or for dry skin, but when my skin feels dry and itchy, body butter is the best way for me to combat that.

4. Skating, sledding or skiing?

I think I’ve been skiing once, and it was in high school. Growing up, we’d ice skate occasionally at Crown Center. Sledding is fun, but now that the kids are older, they do that on their own.

For years, we’d go tubing with friends at a place outside of Cincinnati, and that was always really fun!

5. Favorite winter recipes?

Chili and soups are my favorite recipes to make. Pasta recipes are cozy, but I will make pasta dishes all year, but I don’t make chili or soups outside of fall and winter.

Beef chili, Chicken chili, Bev’s soup, Turkey Rice soup, Sausage Tortellini soup

6. Favorite winter hot beverage?

There’s nothing better than a hot cup of coffee on a cold morning, and while I don’t usually eat breakfast, a warm breakfast, like an English muffin or waffle will hit the spot.

7. Best winter memories?

Snow days! ….and sledding down my front yard hill.

8. Coldest day that you remember?

I know we’ve had colder days in the past, but we hit negative windchill for the first time this year last week, and it was pretty cold. Homer sometimes refuses to go down the back stairs if there’s snow or ice on the stairs or the ground. Even when we clear the steps off for him, he seems to remember that there used to be snow/ice on those steps! Anyway, for a stretch of about four days, we had to take him out on a leash a few times in the front yard…and then, he decided he needed walked around the block to find the “perfect spot.” Ohh…it was cold taking him on that lap around the neighborhood for a few days.

9. How are you practicing self-care this winter?

Honestly, I’m usually in a pretty good head space in January and February. Those months, especially January, feel like one big deep breath after the hustle and bustle of December.

So having a bit of extra downtime during those months is a nice part of my self-care. I still stick with a routine of my morning “me time.” Even when we had our stretch of time off for the snow and cold temps, I made sure to make my bed, do skincare and shower, get dressed (even if it was just leggings and a sweatshirt), and even put a little bit of make up on. Even as the days ran together, it was good to keep a routine.

10. Flannel sheets…yes or no?

I like them, but we don’t have any on our bed. For Christmas, my mom got Hadley these cute penguin flannel sheets.

Hadley already loves lounging in her bed. Now, she’s extra cozy. That’s a blessing and a curse!

As much as I love all the months, and I certainly appreciate a snow day, mentally, it does end up taking a toll on us, and we are better when we are in a routine and out of the house!

I hope you’ve taken care of yourself this winter!

Holidays, Monthly Musings, Seasonal

Monthly Musings

Posted on December 19, 2024December 18, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Patty and Holly are hosting Monthly Musings a week early due to the holidays next week. I’m excited to link up with them one more time in 2024!

This month’s topic is…last minute holiday tips/prepping for the new year…

1. What do you do about list minute gifts you forgot to buy?

Thank goodness for Amazon! Usually for me, I’m making a final list of things like gift cards and small stocking stuffers that I can pick up at the grocery store or Target.

2. Favorite last minute holiday recipe?

I love to drizzle honey over a wedge of Brie and serve with crackers. Easy and delish!

3. Favorite part of the holiday season so far?

It was nice baking cookies with my brother’s kids last weekend.

I also always love giving and receiving Christmas cards in the mail. I will share ours next week!

4. Best stocking stuffers/small gift?

I always give Trav and the kids gift cards to their favorite places like Starbucks and Chik-fil-A. I always put candy in their stockings too.

Usually, the kids get socks or underwear, and a new toothbrush. (I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom!) haha!

I also get Hayden baseball cards, gloves, something for running, Chapstick and other odds and ends.

For Hadley, she will get gloves, lip gloss, hair ties, pens and a few other little things.

I’m also known for buying too many things for the stocking –and then they don’t fit!

5. Favorite holiday sweet treat?

Cookies, of course!

6. Will you make a new year’s resolution?

No, but as December winds up, I usually commit to January for getting back on track. For the first time in quite a long time, I “fell off the wagon” in regards to working out. After fall break, I just didn’t make time for working out. Then, after daylight savings, I just loved coming home, putting on my pjs, turning on the Christmas tree and just being at home.

Thankfully, I haven’t gone off the rails with eating, but you know –’tis the season for sweet treats.

In January, I’m going to get back to a 20 minute workout plan that I love to get back in the swing of things.

7. Do you use a planner?

The only actual planner I use is my school planner for lesson plans.

I have a desk calendar at school that I use to write down meetings, bus duty, appointments and kids’ activities. I have most of those same things on my phone calendar.

I also have this magnetic calendar on the fridge, so the kids know when they have practice and also what’s for dinner! (and they can add to grocery list)

8. Stay up until midnight or asleep before the ball drops?

I shared in yesterday’s post that the past few years, we’ve joined a progressive dinner with some of our friends in our neighborhood. We start out at a house for appetizers, then have dinner followed by dessert at a few different houses.

9. What do you do on New Year’s Day?

We’re usually at home clinging to whatever rest and downtime we have until the end of break. This year, we don’t go back until January 7th, so we have a week at home before heading back to reality.

Usually, I make some appetizers and we just hang out at home and watch college football bowl games.

10. Are you taking time off in December?

I’m really grateful to have a built in two weeks off from school break. I feel blessed that I have this time off and usually try to just hang out at home as much as possible, go see a movie, do a “purge” or the house and prep for the second semester of school.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Holidays, Monthly Musings

Monthly Musings

Posted on November 21, 2024November 20, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Thanks for all the kind birthday wishes for my kids yesterday. They had a great day!

Since next Thursday is Thanksgiving (how is that possible?) Holly and Patty are hosting Monthly Musings a week early.

This month’s topic is…holiday fun.

Whether we’re ready or not, the holidays are right around the corner.

1. Any holiday parties on tap?

Trav’s work always has a party as do some of our friends. Sometimes I go to my school’s holiday party…it just depends on the day and what else is going on.

2. Best holiday prep advice?

Make a list and check it twice! Lists are the only way I can survive the holidays. I have a list for gifts, activities, movies, recipes and more.

3. Holiday recipe that’s a crowd pleaser.

I’ve made these Pomegranate Goat Cheese Bites, and they are festive and delish.

4. What holidays do you celebrate in November and December?

Well, it’s not a holiday, but the kids’ birthday was yesterday. Of course, we celebrate them.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year…good food and no gifts!

In December, we celebrate Christmas.

5. Favorite holiday beverage?

I always buy cranberry gingerale when I see it in the store this time of the year. It’s festive and refreshing.

6. What part of holiday prep is a total struggle for you?

For me it’s more about the timing of everything, especially when we travel to KC for Christmas. Those years, we celebrate as a family before we go to Louisville on the 23rd for Christmas with Trav’s family. On Christmas Eve, we drive to KC and that evening go to my dad’s cousin’s house for Christmas Eve night. Christmas day, we see my dad, mom, and then end the day at my Gma’s house.

Obviously, it’s nice to see family and celebrate with so many, but I have to be organized and make sure I have gifts and have us all packed up and ready to go. It’s even more complicated when we get out of school only days before Christmas.

7. Go-to holiday outfit?

I’m low key festive for the holidays and some of how I dress depends on how hot it will be outside or inside! I usually try to plan one nicer outfit to wear to holiday parties and Christmas Eve. Then, it’s nice to have a more informal outfit for other family times.

8. Do you send out holiday cards?

I love giving and receiving holiday cards, and I’ve already ordered ours for this year. Who am I?! Usually, I’m stressing about this after Thanksgiving. That being said, I went with a informal pic of the kids, and a few family photos on the back.

I’d really like to get family pictures next fall. The last time we had professional family photos, Hadley was still taller than Hayden! haha

9. Black Friday shopper? Yes or heck no?

Heck no! I am all about Cyber Monday. I truly try not to go into a store. haha

But really, I actually enjoy going into smaller, local shops and look around and pick up stocking stuffers or small gifts during the holiday season.

10. Do you listen to holiday music before or after Thanksgiving?

I typically wait until after Thanksgiving to listen to Christmas music, but Hadley starts listening on November 1. That being said, we usually click to a Christmas music channel as we drive home from Thanksgiving.

This was such a fun link up! I love thinking about the holidays.

‘Tis the season,

Holidays, Monthly Musings, Seasonal

Monthly Musings

Posted on October 31, 2024October 30, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday! Also, Happy Halloween!

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

Monthly Musings, Seasonal

Monthly Musings

Posted on September 26, 2024September 25, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

How is it already the end of September? I feel like once we get through August and we are in a back to school routine, the school year really starts to fly by!

I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for this month’s Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is…Back to School Routines, Recipes and Fall Fashion.

1. What are your best tips for getting into a fall/back to school routine?

Well, I don’t know that I’m the best one to answer this question….we kind of just “rip the Band Aid off” and go for it.

That being said, I do try to buy school supplies in late July and do other school errands a couple of weeks before we go back to school, so we aren’t scrambling once summer is over.

2. Please share your favorite fall recipes.

One of my favorite fall recipes is Pumpkin Penne Sausage Pasta, which I’ve been making for years. I found the recipe on the side of a box of Kroger pasta.

Last year, I shared a blog post with some pumpkin favorites.

3. Favorite fall fashion staples?

I’m no fashionista, but I always answer this question with the fact that I love adding cardigans to dresses in the fall. I have my favorite cardigan in three colors!

4. Favorite part of back to school this year?

This year, my favorite part has been seeing my kids and my kids’ friends in the hallway. It’s still a surprise for me to turn the corner and see a familiar face. The highlight of my day is when the kids (and their friends) come to my classroom when school is out.

5. Do you celebrate Homecoming where you are?

We do celebrate Homecoming, and our school dance was last weekend. Hadley went and had a great time with her friends.

6. Apple pie or apple cider?

Both!

It’s pretty rare that I have apple pie though…

I did grab these apple blossoms and Trader Joe’s, and they are great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

I always get hot apple cider when we visit our favorite pumpkin patch!

7. Do the leaves change colors where you live? If so, when?

They do…and it depends on the temps, but I feel like the leaves peak around the middle of October, and then we have leaves on the ground by Halloween. Our front yard trees are stunning, but they don’t last long enough!

8. Favorite fall sweet treat? Do you have an recipes to share?

Apple cider donuts are my guilty pleasure in the fall! Hadley does’t like apple cider donuts…which is about the only time I wonder “how can she be my daughter?” haha

I made this cake for the first time last year, and I made it again last weekend.

Apple Cider Donut cake is delish!

9. Hayride or bonfire?

I like a fire pit when we have time to do so!

10. Movies that give you the back to school feels?

I’m not sure why, but Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Back to the Future were the first two to pop in my mind. I guess because Ferris skips school and Marty is in high school.

I loved writing this post as fall is certainly my favorite time of the year. I can’t wait for October!

Have a great fall day,

Monthly Musings

Posted on August 29, 2024August 28, 2024 by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday, and I can’t believe August is almost over!

It’s the last Thursday of the month, so I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is “summer’s end/back to school.”

1. Do you meal plan? Any family friendly recipes to share?

I do meal plan every week. I always write down our activities and appointments for the week on our fridge calendar notepad. Then, I figure out what we’ll have for dinner and make my grocery list.

I try to at least do one slow cooker meal a week, and this one is delish, and it makes a ton. It’s so easy, that we have it at least once a month.

Truly, we get to Friday and Saturday nights, and always chat back and forth about where we should go eat or carry out. I really might try cooking on one of those nights, and then save myself some time during the week and order out. Most weeks of volleyball season, Hadley has three games. That can be hard for meal planning.

2. What are your back to school traditions?

When the kids were in elementary school, we always went school supply shopping and would get their back to school haircuts on the same day. We’d usually go to Chick-fil-A for lunch while we were out.

I always did the back to school breakfast the morning of the first day of school. When they moved to middle school, we did back to school “brinner.”

This year, we went to IHOP for our back to school dinner!

Of course, I always take their picture on the first day of school. It’s hard to believe we’ve had this same chalkboard for ten years.

3. Where do you do your best shopping for kids clothes and supplies?

As the kids have gotten older, we don’t buy as many back to school clothes. Target used to be the best place to buy them during the elementary years.

This year, Hayden didn’t buy anything new, but we finally relented and let us buy him a new pair of Crocs. He’d had the other ones since 6th (or 7th?) grade, and as you can see in the pic above, they are pretty worn out. (Check out his left Croc’s toes! haha)

As far as school supplies go, Walmart is always where we find the best deals.

As for me: (haha!)

4. How do you transition your wardrobe for fall?

I share this answer every time, but I love to wear a cardigan in the fall and spring months, often over a dress. My favorite cardigan is from Amazon, and I have it in three colors!

5. Any end of summer trips planned?

We don’t have any trips planned. Soon, Hadley and I are headed to Tennessee for a volleyball tournament, but that’s about it.

6. Do schools in your area start before or after Labor Day?

We start school before Labor Day. I wish we’d keep it simple, and have summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That would be so amazing.

We always start the second Wednesday in August, but teachers go back before that. One year, we didn’t start back until the third week of August, and that was so nice.

When I grew up, I think we mostly started after Labor Day. Of course, I don’t think we got a week long fall break or a week for spring break either.

7. What are your Labor Day plans?

I’m not sure what we’ll do. I always appreciate the three day weekend at the start of the school year.

Maybe we’ll hit up the pool or grill out.

8. White after Labor Day? Yes or no?

Sure! To me, as long as the temps feel like summer, I will wear my favorite white pants.

9. Pumpkin spice…as soon as it comes out or wait until fall?

I used to love pumpkin spice lattes, but I haven’t really gotten them in quite some time.

I put a dash of pumpkin spice in my coffee at home once the weather turns cooler.

I also tend to get a “London Fog” from Starbucks in the fall months.

Last year, I got a pumpkin spice cold foam from Starbucks, and it was good.

10. Best life hacks for back to school?

Prep early. I like to knock out the school supply shopping and haircuts in late July….and then be in denial that the start of school is around the corner.

See you tomorrow for Friday Favorites.