Category: This and That

Posted in Let's look, This and That

Let’s Look and Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday. How’s the week treating you? I think the busy weekend we had has me “surviving” not “thriving.” It’s already midweek, so we’ll just keep moving right along.

Today is a double dose of blog posts!

I’m linking up with Shay and Erika for Let’s Look, but that post for me is short and sweet…

…so I’m also linking up with Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Starting with Let’s Look…so far this year, we’ve looked at…

  • Things we outsource without regret in January…
  • Ways we’ve turned into our parents in February (I missed out on the February post, but I’m sure I’ve turned into them in the best possible ways.)

This month, we’re looking at…favorite family vacations.

In July, one of our Share Our Lives posts was about best vacation memory. Well, I couldn’t choose just one memory, so I recapped quite a few vacations there.

One thing I’m grateful for is our fall break tradition of going to the 30A area of Florida with friends. We’ve gone the past four years and have made countless memories as a family of four but also with friends who feel like family.

Moving on to Wednesday Hodgepodge…

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or ‘gut instinct?’ Does everyone deserve a second chance?

I think I am, but I also think I’m a pretty good judge of character when trusting people.

Trust is built on a little bit of both of logic and ‘gut instinct.’ I guess the more you’re around people, the easier it is to “read” who you can trust or not. I try to find the good in people and not be jaded.

As far as deserving a second chance…depending on the situation yes, I’d say most people would deserve a second chance. Of course there’s the saying, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” and “Don’t let someone show you twice who they really are.”

2. ‘Beware the Ides of March’…March 15 is on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar. Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to Rome?

Listen, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried to read Shakespeare with one hundred freshmen! Thankfully, they go into Romeo and Juliet with some foundational knowledge. We’re actually reading RJ right now…and Romeo and Juliet just got married…which always as my freshmen shaking their heads.

Reading Shakespeare is tough, so I try to mix it up for them. We read the graphic novel version (online) for Acts 1 and 2. Then, we read the full text for Act 3 with comprehension questions. I usually read the “bridge” text (shorter version) for Acts 4 and 5. With my Advanced classes, we read the full text and students even volunteer to read parts. I always sprinkle in activities to check understanding and take a deeper look into certain vocab words. One of my fellow teachers shared the Broadway play (via You Tube) with Orlando Bloom as Romeo, so we watch a little bit after each act.

When I was sixteen, I went on a two week trip to Europe with school. We went to Italy, but we didn’t go to Rome.

3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What’s your favorite salad dressing?

I do like Caesar salad, and if it’s on a menu, oftentimes, I will order it. No anchovies…no thanks! Overall, my favorite salad dressing is Ranch.

4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that’s easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated office space? Are you happy with the space?

At home, I typically sit on the couch or at the kitchen table to work. It just depends what I’m working on. If I need to spread out a bit, I will go to the kitchen table. We have a dedicated office space but not a full office. We use what would be our formal dining room partly for office space. It just fits our needs better.

I wrote this post back in 2020 sharing how we updated the living room and dining (office) space. The space serves our needs. Since we all have laptops, we can all kind of work wherever we choose, but it’s nice having the cabinet for storage (school supplies, envelopes, chargers, etc) and the bigger desk if we ever need more space.

5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips…what’s your favorite Spring flowers?

Tulips from Trader Joe’s…

I think I buy flowers the most in the spring. I guess I’m ready to sprinkle in some color and freshness around the house after winter.

…I know they aren’t listed because they aren’t an early flower, but I love my hydrangea mug that I got last year at a local boutique. I need to bring it out into the coffee mug rotation.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day which means it’s almost corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread time. I always host my brother’s family, and I guess time slipped away. I just texted the other day to check on their weekend plans.

Along with random thoughts…I love Irish soda bread and say every year that I wonder why I only make it once a year?!

Have a great Wednesday!

Posted in This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello!

Well, I made it through the first day back at school in over two weeks. I will say that it was a bit easier since we had a two hour delay. My students were chatty…but in the best way! It was nice to see them after some time off.

Our weather continues to be wild. Our temps were in the 60’s, and there were people outside shoveling in shorts and t-shirts!

I’m linking up with Joyce today for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. What’s something recent that had you ‘tickled pink’?

Well, I know what that saying means, but I’m talking about pink…literally. I don’t own a lot of pink clothing, but I do have this Lilly sweatshirt in navy. So, when I saw it in the pink version, I thought it would be perfect for spring. I can wear it with leggings but I can also wear it to school.

Yesterday, one of my teacher friends delivered the Girl Scout cookies I’d ordered a few weeks ago, and my family was “tickled pink” with that delivery.

2. A bed of roses, everything’s coming up roses, every rose has it’s thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns…which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way?

Hmm…this is a tough one. Maybe “stop and smell the roses” as the many snow days at home were starting to get to me a bit, but I did recognize that I can’t control Mother Nature or school decisions, so I made the best of the time off.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated?

“Acts of service” is definitely my love language, so I feel appreciated when Trav or the kids help me out in some way. I also feel love and appreciated when I receive a note or a card.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers – what’s your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine’s Day?

I love flowers, and I often buy them at Trader Joe’s to freshen up the house. Even better is when someone is thoughtful enough to send flowers. A few months ago, some of my friends sent me a pretty plant, and that brightened my day.

Trav and I usually don’t do anything to extravagant for Valentine’s Day. We always exchange cards and go out to dinner at some point. I’ve enjoyed making a special dinner at home with the kids when they were younger….but I still try to find the time to do the same now too. Tonight, we’re having heart shaped chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and fruit for dinner as a family. We’re celebrating a bit early since you never know what plans the kids have on the weekend.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Quote: “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m loving the Olympics! I was “spoiled” over the weekend and Monday being able to watch the events live during the day. Now that I’m back to school, I’m catching the Prime Time coverage (and also trying not to see results before I get to watch!) I watched Glitter and Gold last week, so I’m all about the ice dancing!

I hope you have a great day!

Posted in This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday! I’m linking up with Joyce for the first time in 2026 for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk…which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter?

I haven’t done any of these activities so far this winter. We had a bit of snow in December, but I wasn’t really out and about in it. It looks like we have some snow headed our way this weekend?!

Ice skating is fun, but not something we do often. I remember ice skating as a kid at Crown Center in KC. Almost ten years ago, we took the kids to that same rink which was their first time skating.

Hadley has ice skated a few more times through the years as Lexington has a little outdoor rink downtown during the holiday season.

One activity that isn’t listed, but that I always think is fun is snow tubing. We used to go every year with a group of friends, and the kids and the adults enjoyed it.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites, so let’s jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with the photo from the year 2016.

We got quite a bit of snow in January 2016. I loved the frog hats that the kids wore for quite a few years.

I know the prompt calls for one pic, but here’s a family photo from our Siesta Key, Florida vacation in the summer of 2016. I actually remember that we were walking on the beach after dinner, and someone offered to take our photo after I took theirs.

3. What’s a trend you hope disappears in the new year.

Kids and teens saying “6-7.” Ugh.

4. They say there’s a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about regular granola? do you like bars of other kinds?

I do like granola bars, but overall, the only ones I eat are the Quaker Oats chocolate chips ones. They are just the ones I tend to buy as the kids like them, and I will eat them too if I need a snack.

I like granola, but it’s not something I eat regularly. We always have some on hand as Trav and the kids sometimes add some to yogurt. Occasionally, I will put peanut butter, sliced banana, honey and granola on a low carb tortilla for a snack.

The only other bars I eat are the Barebells ones that I get at Trader Joe’s.

They seem to be harder to find now, but I do love the Grab the Gold bars that I can sometimes find at Kroger.

5. A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well….which one describes something about your life right now?

I’m not sure. I’m definitely not a raging river, so that’s good. haha

I guess I could be a frozen lake since it’s so cold outside right now…but I guess I’m also a trickling stream just carrying on with the school year and the start of a new semester.

6. Insert your random thought here.

I usually don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day until February 1st, but I feel like putting out some decor sooner. Maybe I can do that one evening this week? I don’t do much, but I do have a few items…and I picked up a couple more while at Target recently including two of these little plates and this two pack of tea towels.

I hope you are staying warm and having a great week!

Posted in Holidays, This and That

Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

This week is moving right along, and I’m playing catch-up. It’s been a bit since I’ve linked up with Joyce, and while she hosts her “hodgepodge” on Wednesdays, I didn’t have time to finish this post. Anyway, better late than never!

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over?

I do feel like there is a lot of commercialization with the holiday, but I just try to focus on what matters the most to my family during the holiday season. We enjoy baking, watching movies, and having downtime. When the kids were little, I started with “want, need, wear, read” and that was a good guide for shopping…and then Santa brought a couple of bigger gifts. Honestly, what gets me is stockings…I always buy more than can fit in the stockings. haha

2. What’s one small thing you want to savor before the year ends?

I always savor the time off…but most of the time, our time off is after the busyness of Christmas. I just really appreciate having two weeks to finish up Christmas prep odds and ends, time with family, and time to do things I’ve been putting off during the busy school years.

I also want to savor all the holiday decor. It’s fun going shopping and seeing Christmas lights and decorations as well as seeing lights on neighbors’ homes.

3. December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so, does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays?

We do still send Christmas cards, and I love the tradition. I truly love opening the mail and seeing friends and family’s cards.

Some friends we don’t see often, so it’s great to see how their kids are growing. My mom, Gma, and aunt always send homemade cards which are special.

I just feel like people don’t send them as much because of lack of time, price of stamps, and social media. We all kind of keep up with friends in different ways now, but I love the tradition of sending a card. It might be one of those things that I give up as my kids get older, but I assume I will send one for a few more years.

4. What’s your least favorite holiday task? What’s your favorite?

I think my least favorite task is having to organize ideas to send to others…but that is definitely easier now that the kids are older. It doesn’t “help” that the kids’ birthday is in November, so, especially when they were little, I had to give ideas to family members in November and December (what a blessing though, I know!)….and then that also meant, we had lots of items coming in (again, obviously a blessing) and not really the time to purge. Sometimes, it just felt like a lot for my “type A” personality when I didn’t have time to get organized. When I’d get overwhelmed, Trav would say, “Tell them to text me.” My response would be “You’re the worst at responding to texts, so that’s why they text me.” haha!

As the kids have gotten older, cash has been the main gift from family for their birthdays and then I tell the kids to give Christmas gift ideas…or they don’t get anything. haha!

Also, I don’t love wrapping presents…I mean, I want to …but I just don’t. I will get organized, turn on a movie, sit in the basement and wrap, but then I still have to get up and down a hundred times, I always run out of tape, I’m never as organized as I want to be and so on. I always seem to be sweating at the end. haha!

I don’t know if it’s a task, but I do enjoy baking a few traditional cookies. Often times, I wait until we’re on break, and bake a few cookies with the kids.

5. Let’s do a little holiday this or that.

  • shopping or wrapping – as I stated above…I dislike wrapping…and I don’t mind shopping. Most of my shopping is online, but that actually makes me enjoy the in person shopping I do.
  • baking or decorating – I like both, but decorating takes more energy and baking is usually just one afternoon. If I had to choose, baking would be something I enjoy more.
  • real tree or artificial – Through the years, we’ve had both. Honestly, I love a real tree, but not the maintenance. With an artificial one, I can put it up a bit early and leave it up a bit longer.
  • turkey or ham – ham. Turkey is for Thanksgiving.
  • white lights or colored lights – Colored lights are fun, but I love the simplicity of white lights.
  • ugly sweaters or matching pjs- matching PJs…so fun!
  • peppermint or cinnamon – Peppermint during the Christmas season.
  • presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day – Christmas Day is when we open gifts. On the years we are home for Christmas, sometimes we let the kids open their presents from each other on Christmas Eve.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Today, we’re having our English department potluck. I made a loaf of chocolate peppermint cake (from the Trader Joe’s mix), and I’m also putting meatballs in my slow cooker once I get to school. We’re also doing a white elephant gift exchange. It will be a great way to enjoy our lunch together.

Have a great and festive day!

Posted in Holidays, This and That

Halloween This or That

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday! This week seems to be flying by! I love a this or that post, and especially holiday themed ones. With Halloween around the corner, I’m sharing my answers…

…for this cute graphic that I found via Pinterest, of course.

Screenshot
  1. Carve or decorate a pumpkin: Our pumpkin carving tradition is holding on strong! It’s one of my favorite traditions.

2. Haunted house or corn maze: Neither! Hello, anxiety!

3. Addams Family or Hocus Pocus: Definitely Hocus Pocus. That being said, in the car, the teen girls were talking about Wednesday. I didn’t realize there was a second season, so maybe I can watch that.

4. Chocolate candy or fruit candy? Have you met me? Chocolate for sure!

5. Witches or Vampires? Witches!

6. Pumpkin spice or hot chocolate? I don’t do pumpkin spice lattes anymore, but I’m loving the pumpkin cold brew at Starbucks.

7. Halloween party or haunted house? Again, neither? lol

I enjoy passing out candy on Halloween. I think Hadley has Halloween party plans. I’ve never been a haunted house girl because I don’t like being scared!

8. Scary movies or kid friendly movies? I don’t mind a scary movie if I’m at home. I don’t want to see one in the movie theater. Kid friendly movies are great…for me too! Most years, we watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

9. Mummies or ghosts? Ghosts! Somehow, I think they are cuter.

10. Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger? NEITHER!

11. Cute costumes or clever costumes? Cute costumes, but I’m always amazed at how clever people can be with their costume ideas. Let me remind you of the cutest costume duo ever:

12. Candy corn or malt balls? I understand if you don’t like candy corn, but who likes malt balls?! I prefer candy corn when it’s mixed with peanuts, Reese’s Pieces and Crispix.

13. Trick-or-treat or hand out candy?

Oh…I miss the trick-or-treat days.

We’ve been back to passing out candy for a few years now.

We’ve officially segued into the kids wanting to go to high school Halloween parties with their friends.

14. Spooky or sweet Halloween decorations?

My kids give me grief that I have cute decorations instead of scary ones.

15. Skeleton or scarecrow?

I love these little guys that I stick in our mums the week before Halloween.

16. Witches broom or witches cauldron? Cauldron, I guess?

17. Buy a costume or make a costume?

We always bought the kids’ costumes through the years. It was just easier…as long as they didn’t change their minds!

Some fave costumes through the years…

18. Dum Dums or Blow Pops? Blow Pops…I appreciate the gum after all the effort.

19. Monster Mash or Thriller? Thriller!

20. Pumpkin patch or fall festival?

You know I love a pumpkin patch. We didn’t get to go last year, but I think we have time on Saturday. I can’t wait!

Let me know if you agree or disagree with any of my answers. Only one week left until Halloween!

Posted in This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday! Happy October 1st!

Why do the weeks off from school go by so quickly?! We’ve been having a great week so far; I will tell you more about that later.

I’m linking up with Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge post.

Here are my answers to her prompts this week:

1. What’s your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now?

I love apple/pumpkin/vanilla in the fall. You can find those combinations around my house thanks to my assortment of candles.

2. October is Country Music Month…are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are your more of a country mouse or city mouse?

I am a country music fan, and I have been for a quite a few years. I typically have channel 57, The Highway, on my radio most of the time. Some of my favorite country music artists are Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Tyler Childers, and Zach Bryan.

Most of the concerts I’ve been to in my life have been country music artists. Chris Stapleton is from Kentucky, and he put on an awesome show at Kroger Field a few years ago.

We saw Bailey Zimmerman a couple of years ago, and two artists that opened for him, Josh Ross and Brandon Wisham, have been on the radio more and more. It’s been fun to watch them become more popular and have hits on the radio after seeing them in person.

Kind of random but I really enjoyed Carrie Underwood as a judge on American Idol this past season. She just brings a great perspective considering how much winning Idol changed her life. She seems a bit reserved/guarded, but you can tell that she has genuine gratitude for her success thanks to American Idol.

Also, I heard an old Faith Hill song on the radio recently, and it took me back! I’ve always loved Faith Hill.

We’ve been to Nashville quite a few times…for fun, for music, for sports, to see friends and more. It’s only about a three hour drive from Lexington.

City mouse or country mouse? I’d say that I’m technically somewhere in between. I like quiet, but I like the convenience of being near things. The thought of having to drive far just to go to the grocery store isn’t something I can wrap my brain around. I also don’t necessarily love driving back country roads. I guess I am more of a “city mouse.”

3. How about ‘country cooking’? chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, mach and cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, collard or turnip greens, deviled eggs, BBQ, gumbo, banana pudding. Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you’ve tried or would say a firm “no thank you” to if offered.

I am not a country cook. Poor Trav married me… who has never fried anything and hates mayo! haha

His mom and aunts are great country cooks. I cook a lot, but I’m definitely not a country cook.

My fave from this list would definitely be mac and cheese. “Hard no’s” for me would be deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes.

One food that’s not on the list is green bean casserole, but it’s one of my favorite “southern” foods. I always look forward to it at Trav’s family functions.

Fun fact: Hadley loves biscuits and gravy…but really loves the gravy most of all…she’ll just eat it with a spoon! Hayden really isn’t a picky eater, but the one thing he doesn’t like is corn…and he refuses to eat cornbread. I love cornbread.

4. What is something that has a positive impact on your mood?

How I start my day…I can’t be rushed. As I’ve shared time and time again, I like a slow start to my morning with some quiet time. Even if we have to go somewhere early on the weekend, I factor in getting up with enough time for even twenty minutes to sip my coffee and start my day slowly.

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells how that month looked for you.

You know the English teacher in me loves this prompt.

Noun – school – We got the hang of our school routine this month.

Verb – maximize (my time) I truly felt like September was such a busy month that I had to use my time wisely. I made lists, I went to my room to work for a few minutes before Hadley’s home volleyball games, I graded a bit on the weekend (which I really don’t want to do, but it did help start my week of right feeling caught up), had groceries delivered, and just did whatever it took to keep my head above water.

Adjective – busy -Just the season of life we’re in, but life is busy. The kids’ activities and school were in full swing…even the weekends were pretty full.

6. Insert your random thought here.

October truly is my favorite month of the year.

The temps finally start to dip, football is in full swing, soups and chili are for dinner, and pumpkins are on my front porch!

Tomorrow, I’ll recap September!

Posted in This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello! I’m late hitting “publish” on this post, but…

How is your week going? So far, so good for us. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve joined Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge, so I’m doing that today!

Here are my answers for her prompts for the week:

1. What’s a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate.

Loyalty and humility. I am a very loyal person, and I look for that in friendships. People who are boastful or just want to hear themselves talk…ugh.

2. Do you have a favorite mug? Let’s see it. Why is this one your favorite?

I have lots of mugs I love, but this is my new fave. I’ve shared it on here previously…I went into a store looking for a dress and walked out with this cute hydrangea mug.

You know I love hydrangeas.

This mug is also a fave during the holidays…although it could be used every day. haha

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day…will you (or did you) give something away? If so, what? Do you regularly give away or do you tend to ‘accumulate?’

Good timing because yesterday, I donated three bags of clothes to Goodwill…and Hadley drove me there!

I guess my clothes can accumulate, so I tend to do a closet purge in January and July.

Sometimes, things accumulate on our kitchen counter like books, bills, school work, etc…and that kind of drives me crazy. At least I keep it on one part of the counter, but I can only stand clutter for so long.

4. You’re planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these 12 ‘off the grid’ towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed, which one would you like to visit? Tell us why.

I think I enjoy exploring both big cities and smaller towns because both have unique things to offer.

The World Atlas list:

Boothbay, Harbor Maine; Middlebury, Vermont; New Hope, Pennsylvania; Rehoboth Beath Delaware; Brevard, North Carolina; Saugatuck, Michigan; Medora, North Dakota; Ouray, Colorado; Lamoille, Nevada; Neah Bay, Washington; Hood River, Oregon; or Cabmbria, California.

I’ve been to Maine, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Washington and Oregon, and while I haven’t been to those specific towns, I know what charming towns are in those states.

Last summer, when we were in Oregon, I believe we did go through the Hood River area.

Also, this post is timely because we just got back from Saugatuck! It’s such a cute town. I shared part one of our trip yesterday, and will share part two when we were in Saugatuck soon.

5. Have you ever…ridden a motorcycle? been to a Disney park? met a celebrity? won a contest? Tell us something about what you answered yes to on the list.

I’m not a risk taker, so I’ve never been on a motorcycle. haha

When I was 12, we visited family in California, and we went to Disneyland. We’ve taken our kids to Disney World twice. Once when they were five and the other time they were nine. I don’t fully get the Disney hype, so both times, we just went for one day. I joke that my kids don’t know you can go to Disney for more than one day. haha

I know I’ve met a few “famous” people through the years, but nobody major is jumping to mind.

I don’t think I’ve won a contest…maybe a small raffle at school! This prompt made me think about when I was a kid, and we were at TCBY yogurt, and there was a contest to be prince/princess for the day at KC’s Renaissance Festival. Being the nice sister that I am, I also entered my brother’s name…and guess who won?! He did! So there he was walking around in a parade, wearing a crown, and eating a turkey leg…all thanks to me!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The coffee mug question prompted me to think of this, but I’m on week two of drinking decaf coffee. I’m just giving it a try after considering caffeine intake. I really don’t think I drink too much coffee…typically two cups, and then water the rest of the day, but this is a bit of a test for me.

Trav did find me some K-cups that are “half caff,” and those might be a good compromise?!

One thing I’ve been doing for a few months is drinking water before my coffee in the morning, and I like that new habit.

I’ve thought about drinking some kind of “greens” — you know, the packets that you mix with water —I’d love some recommendations if you have any!

Have a great Wednesday.

Posted in This and That

This or That: Summer Edition

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a This or That post. Usually, I find them on Pinterest or Instagram, but the one I’m sharing today is one that I created. I guess with the calendar flipping to July this week, I’m really trying to focus on all of the goodness of summer.

Here’s my Summer This or That:

  • Pool or beach: Well, really my answer is that I love both. Obviously, I love whenever we can get to the beach, but I get to the pool as much as possible in the summer.
  • Sundress or Shorts: I’m definitely more of a dress girl. That being said, Amy influenced me, and I’m loving my new shorts from Aerie. I’ve also been wearing these shorts from Target this summer.
  • S’mores or ice cream sandwich: To me, nothing says “summer” more than a s’mores.
  • Sleep in or wake up early: I’m still a pretty early riser, but I love not setting an alarm and sleeping in a bit. During the school year, I get up at 5:50, so in the summer, if I can sleep until 7:30, that’s really sleeping in for me. That being said, I’ve made a run at 9:00 and even 9:30 a time or two this summer; it’s been glorious.
  • June or July: I love the month of June. It’s just the best with the start of summer and typically when we go on vacation. That being said, I love the 4th of July…but then I start thinking about school a bit which is no fun! Notice I didn’t include August as a choice…that’s my least favorite month of the year!
  • Sunrise or sunset: I’m a sunset girl for sure. I love beach sunsets, but I’ve seen a few pretty moments this summer too…just looking out from my front porch.
  • Hot coffee or iced coffee: I still love hot coffee in the morning, but over the past year or so, I will occasionally get an iced coffee from Starbucks. My fave is the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. I also love iced coffee when we’re in warm locations like on vacation…plus, it’s fun to try new coffee shops.
  • Carnival rides or carnival food: I’m not much of a carnival gal, but I do love a funnel cake!
  • Sunglasses or hat: I chose hat for my answer, but I can’t leave home without sunglasses either. I’m a ball cap girl for sure…especially in the summer or on the weekend. My favorite pool/beach hat is now this one, and these are still my “go to” sunglasses.
  • Bikini or one piece: I’m a one piece girl all the way…always have been, always will be. I just ordered this one this month, and it’s been perfect. I love the thin straps and fun pattern. I always size up one in swimsuits.
  • Sandals or wedges: I’d fall over in wedges, so simple sandals are my fave. I wear the heck out of these rose gold ones (I size up one full size) along with my two pairs of thin strapped sandals from Target last year.
  • BBQ or bonfire: BBQ for sure. I don’t love how smoky bonfires are….a well-contained fire pit is ok with me. I’m so much fun. haha
  • Prime sale or other sales: Honestly, I know all the summer sales can be a lot and all you hear about. I do appreciate the Prime deals, and typically make a list of a few things to order, but I definitely don’t go overboard. I do have a list of a few items I’d like to get for my classroom.
  • Pineapple or watermelon: I love both, but I always think of watermelon in the summer time. It’s definitely a family favorite.
  • Reading list or play list: I love my summer reading list. I typically read a few other books, but my reading list guides what I request from the library or even what books I take on trips or poolside to read. That being said, with the kids driving me around this summer, we’ve been listening to their playlists which has been fun.

I’ll share this template on Instagram. If you want to share your answers, feel free to tag me!

Spend some time soaking in summer today!

Posted in This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Did you catch my post yesterday? I was late hitting publish, but I always love sharing my Prime Purchases…just as much as seeing what others purchase as well!

It’s been a few weeks, but I’m linking up with Joyce for her weekly Wednesday Hodgepodge post.

Here are my answers for her prompts for the week:

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)…what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now?

When I was a kid, I loved running around the neighborhood and playing with friends. We didn’t belong to a pool, but there was one in the neighborhood that we’d occasionally go to, and we’d go to my grandparents’ club as well.

We spent a lot of time at the Lake of the Ozarks which was always fun! I remember thinking it was so neat taking a “bath” in the lake. My grandpa would put shampoo in his hair and jump in! We always had fun on the boat as well as swimming and fishing….and playing cards.

A couple of summers ago, we took the kids and met up with one of my college friends at her family’s house at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we all had a great time.

Right now, I do actually kind of like that we all get a chance to do what we want in the summer. There is a kind of rhythm and routine in that the kids still have workouts, we’ll go to the pool, we eat lunch out sometimes…but then Hayden will go to the lake with friends for a couple of days, Hadley loves camp, I love pool time, and Trav likes hanging out outside. Of course, we do things together, but I’ve tried to embrace letting the kids do what makes them happy since we’re so busy during the school year. So far this summer, we’ve had lots of family dinners together which has been nice.

I do miss when the kids were little…and honestly, we spent a lot of time at home or in the neighborhood. We’d walk to the play ground, do a craft at home, go to story time at the library, they took naps, and it was just nice being a “stay at home mom” for a couple of months.

Last summer, I shared a few “Throwback Thursday” posts that I really enjoyed writing.

Summer REading
Camp
Summer 2010

Maybe I’ll bring that series back!

2. Something you’ll celebrate this summer?

T-rav and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage next week!

3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like?

I think summer tastes like watermelon, smells like coconut and citrus, and apparently, summer sounds like cicadas!! Yikes!

4. June 18th is National Splurge Day…what’s the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today?

I bought a new Barrington bag a few months ago. I’d had my other one for at least five years, and it was showing its age.

Today, it’s not really a splurge, but it’s a “splurge” in that I’m taking the time for myself…I’m going to Reformer Pilates class and getting my monthly facial today. It’s a “self-care” kind of day.

5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme.

Here are a few funny summer memes:

Screenshot

6. Insert random thought here.

Hayden’s 6am cross country practices/conditioning started this week. I’m grateful Trav is taking the morning shift! Crazy to think that next summer…I guess he can drive himself!

Hadley is getting her PE credit out of the way by taking online gym last week and this week. Every day, she’s had some kind of physical activity and then a research/writing portion due. So far, they’ve done a fitness test, worked on volleyball, badminton, and soccer skills and practiced CPR. It’s been interesting to say the least. haha!

That being said, apparently she prefers this way to sweating during the school year.

Have a great Wednesday.

Posted in This and That

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Yesterday was non-stop with family things, friend things, and school things, so I’m late linking up with Joyce, but these are my summer hours, ok? haha

Anyway, let’s get to it…

Here are my answers for her prompts for the week:

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up?

I will start with the last question first…I always had great birthdays growing up! It seemed that we had family over to celebrate, and some years I’d have birthday parties with friends. I had a few parties at Show Biz Pizza, but there were even years where we had snow on my (January) birthday, so we went sledding down our front yard hill.

For my kids, I guess just because I love my birthday so much, and I have one day to celebrate both kids, I’ve always made a big deal about birthdays. For a few years, we’d have a family party for them and then when the kids got a bit older, we’d have a friends party and a separate family party. Some years I baked the kids’ cake(s), and then we moved to cookie cakes or Bundt cakes.

Some traditions included the “birthday” banner until they were 10. This was probably my first Pinterest craft, and I just kept it and changed out the number year to year.

Also until they were 10, I bought them birthday t-shirts. I think I’m practical enough to know when it’s time to let a tradition go…haha….but the t-shirt years were cute!

I still always hang streamers from their door, so they wake up to some fun! We’ve certainly eased back on some of the celebrating just as they’ve gotten older and busier, but I still think they feel very loved and celebrated.

As for mine and Trav’s birthdays, we feel the love too! There’s always cake, a gift or two, and we go out to dinner.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses…what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct?

Listen, I’m not picky if someone wants to send me flowers…haha! I don’t know that I’ve ever received roses, but they have been in some bouquets. I definitely don’t see the world through rose colored glasses. I’m not jaded, but I’m definitely realistic/practical as to how I view the world.

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day…will you celebrate? What’s something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese?

Ohh…just last weekend, I made one of my favorite pasta salads. I took it to my brother’s house for dinner last week. My ten year old nephew wasn’t going to put any on his plate…but he did…and then went back for seconds! So, there you go –that’s all you need to know. 🙂

The link to the pasta salad (via Pinterest) doesn’t seem to work anymore, but it’s just…

  • Pasta
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Salad Supreme
  • Italian dressing
  • Mozzarella (So, there’s the cheese part to answer this question!)

4. ‘Tis the season…any weddings on your June calendar? What’s the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage?

This is a season of weddings for us. We have a niece getting married this weekend and a nephew getting married in July.

Travis and I will celebrated 20 years this month too!

The first word that comes to mind when I hear “marriage” is “partnership.” I really couldn’t do this life without T-rav!

5. What are you most looking forward to this June?

Summer! Pool time, family time, friend time, a wedding, and more.

6. Insert your random thought here.

For whatever reason, nothing random is coming to mind! That’s a first.

I hope you are having a wonderful summer day!