Friday Favorites, 11.21.2025.

 

Happy Friday, friends! What a week it's been. The days leading up to Thanksgiving break next week are no joke; throw in some crazy weather and an underground spirit week for the staff only, and well...whew. Ms. Loyal is beat! 🤣 In spite of the crazy, I had some favorites from the week that I'd love to share with you today. Here goes! 

I'll start with my outfits this week; getting dressed each day is still my favorite! I had fun doing things for our underground spirit week: Tuesday was mismatched shoes, Wednesday was pajama day or comfy/cozy day, Thursday was 67 day (I had a vinyl 6 on my shirt later that morning while my co-worker had the same 7), and today is "drink out of anything but a cup" day. It's also Dragon Day, when we all wear team colors for tonight's big playoff game between CHS and Southwind High School. I'm writing this on Thursday night, but I am not sure what I'll wear today since I already wore my maroon shirt this week. Maybe I'll wear a white top with jeans and my Dragons trucker hat? I'll keep you posted. Of these, do you have a favorite outfit? 

Fourth grade is my favorite! I'm not supposed to have a favorite group, but they're definitely in top place. This sweetheart is one reason! I've known him since he was in first grade, and he was just as cute then as he is now. How great is his hair? We did a really fun project with them this week, and we're all taking a virtual field trip to NYC today! We've been learning the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and we're "flying" to NYC during 4th grade intervention. I'm the flight attendant and will be doling out snacks and drinks right up until we "land" in the big city. This was us working on a writing project this week; we've started a writing workshop with these kiddos, and they are all off to a great start. 

Spending time with these adorable girlies was a favorite this week, for sure! 

Sleeping in my bed with the new-to-me headboard has been my favorite! I bought this from Marilyn a few weeks ago, and I love how it looks in my bedroom. I love that it updated the look and feel of the bedroom. 

Having dinner (and then ice cream) with Christa this week was a favorite! It's shameful how long it's been since we last saw each other, but I think it was back in June for her birthday. We have a Christmas "date night" on the calendar, and I'm excited. It's always so good to catch up, and I love that no matter how long it is between visits, we always pick right back up. I love this friend!

Big Apple Red by OPI nails are my favorite! I was ready for a bright color, and this will do with the actual Christmas season right around the corner. 

Drawings from students will always be a favorite!

Dinner with my Chris Tuesday night was a favorite! We threw it back to our first date night location and ate there again. He shocked me last weekend by completely shaving his beard; I've already asked him to never do that again and to grow it back in a hurry. 🤣 We both teared up saying goodbye this night; it would be a week from this night when I'll see him next. We were both really sad about this! 

Coloring this at work on Wednesday was a favorite.

So was celebrating Kendra's birthday at Rotolo's for dinner! 

This chicken parm pasta was to die for! 

Graham outdid himself again on his Christmas lights on a vehicle; this year he wrapped his Mustang! It's my favorite. 

My newly painted garage is also a favorite, especially when two of my sons are here hanging out with friends! This was what I came home to Wednesday night after Rotolo's. I love hanging out with my sons! 

We had a fun afternoon assembly yesterday at school, and because of the great fundraising efforts made by our students, they got to make human ice cream sundaes with our admin staff! These ladies are my favorite. 

Lastly, this beautiful new mug is my favorite! I received this as a gift yesterday from one of third grade students. How sweet was that? It's a Lilly Pulitzer mug, and I couldn't have been given a more perfect gift. 

What was something that was a favorite for you this week? I'd love to hear from you! I'll be blogging from McKinney on Monday, so I'll see you back here then; have a great weekend! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 

P.S. As a quick reminder, Share 4 Somethings will be happening next Saturday the 29th, and the December edition of Currently will be on Wednesday December 3rd. 

November Monthly Musings

 

Happy bonus blog post day! I couldn't pass up this fun link party about Thanksgiving favorites. I'm jumping right in!

1. Favorite Thanksgiving dishes? My favorite dish is my mom's dressing. I have a recipe somewhere, but it's made from cornbread and a few slices of white bread, chicken broth, celery, onion, and plenty of sage. It's so good! Runners up dishes are squash casserole, green bean casserole, and the mashed potatoes my stepdad makes. On the sweeter side, I love my mom's lime Jell-O salad, and deviled eggs. 

2. Stuffing or dressing? Dressing with giblet gravy, without a doubt! 

3. Are you hosting this year? I'm not, nor have I ever, except for the one time when my mom was out of town. I would love to start having things at my house, honestly. 

4. Turkey trot or football game? Football game on in the background while I take a tryptophan induced nap! 

5. Are you decorating before or after Thanksgiving? I've had my home decorated since the first Monday of November. What can I say? I love the season and want to enjoy it as long as possible. 

6. Are your Thanksgiving meals sit down or a more casual affair? They're sit down, but they're also casual. We do a buffet line since there's always so much food and people. If we're thinking about the style aspect of this question, I would say most of us prefer to be comfy, but I like a mixture of comfort/style. 

7. Pumpkin or apple pie? Apple pie, of these two, but I'd prefer pecan pie over all. 

8. Are you traveling or staying closer to home? I'll be on the road on Monday of Thanksgiving week, but will be home for the actual holiday. 

9. Do you like to Black Friday shop? Not in years past, but I'm considering it this year! 

10. What are you most looking forward to this holiday season? I'm most looking forward to the Christmas season, when all my sons will be at home with me. I have some fun ideas of things I want us to do together, and I can't wait to have them all under my roof for the night. It's my one night a year! I'm also looking forward to sharing these special time with Chris and going on fun date nights for the season. He's been forewarned. 

Thanks for reading my late night post! Love to all. 

Jenn

Thankful Thursday

 

Happy Thursday, friends! We are one week away from Thanksgiving; it's so hard to believe, right? Do you have big plans? I'd love to hear about them at the end of today's post. Here's what I'm thankful for this week.

I'm thankful for friends at work who let me talk things out and process.

I'm thankful that I didn't have any unauthorized charges on my bank account this week that left me in the negative!

I'm thankful that I've learned to figure things out on my own, no matter how long it's taken me to get here. My default always used to be to text my ex, but not anymore! 

I'm thankful for things to do after work at night.

I'm thankful that tomorrow is Friday!

I'm thankful for my home that I've made mine; she's beautiful all decked out for Christmas!

I'm thankful that I get a week off for Thanksgiving break.

I'm thankful that I got to see my niece and her family Sunday night!

I'm thankful for Chris, and that I got to see him before he left town this morning. We had dinner Tuesday night, and it'll be a week before I see him again. I can't really remember life without him, and I'm glad I'll also be out of town while he is so I won't be bored.

I'm thankful for things that make me appreciate of my son's dogs, and the reminder to not get upset when they act like dogs.

I'm thankful for afternoon naps in my recliner.

I'm thankful for my siblings, and that we're all so close. 

I'm thankful for the upbringing I had; I have an extremely difficult student at school who is going to be a jerk, because of the culture of his religion and how they treat women. 

I'm thankful for my car and that it's paid off.

I'm thankful that I get to do things that are fun to me.

I'm thankful for the never-ending, overwhelming love of God, and the thousands of ways He shows me that love each and everyday of my life.

What are you thankful for this week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 

the Wednesday hodgepodge

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm here with Joyce again today for the weekly hodgepodge...this is a post that I dearly love; thank you, Joyce, for your inspiring and thought provoking questions each and every week! I'll jump right in. 

1. Let's do our gratitude question first this week...what's the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately? It's funny to me, that this is a question. I stopped to take a picture of my home yesterday morning as I left for work, with the leaf covered lawn and roof, and was feeling extra grateful that I get to be in my home. This time last year, I really expected to be in an apartment. While there's nothing wrong with that (and though I may still end up in one eventually), I really am glad that I get to stay in my home. I'm in the process of making it officially in my name only, and would love it if you'd pray for me in this. I'm a little nervous about how it'll all turn out. 

I actually wrote something about this yesterday while I was at work, but look for it next Tuesday when I share another inspired writing blog post. The thing I most love about my home are the people who come into it to visit; this would be my sons, my other family members, my friends, and the wonderful man I'm seeing. I love the feeling that I get when I come home, the smells, the sounds, the sights, and everything that makes this place mine. Like I said, I am beyond grateful to be right here, today. God has been so good to me, friends, and His faithfulness will always blow me away. 

2. Do you like squash? Of the varieties listed, which one's your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Is squash of some sort on your Thanksgiving menu? I love squash! My mom makes the best squash casserole for the holidays that has cheese and crumbled Ritz crackers on top. Of the ones listed, I am unsure as to which one I like the most. 

acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, zucchini, crook net, patty pan

3. When is the last time you were squashed in somewhere, or felt squashed? The last time I felt squashed was when I went to The Orpheum with Chris. The seating is tight! I didn't mind it, though, I just pressed right into Chris and he kept his arm around me all night. 

4. Have you ever played squash? What about other "racquet sports" such as racquet ball, tennis, pickle ball, badminton, table tennis? Are these sports something you enjoy? I've never played squash, but I've played racquet ball, tennis, badminton, and table tennis. I enjoy table tennis the most, probably.

5. What's something in today's society or culture that feels like a racket to you? If you don't like that one, tell us about a place you've been recently where there was a lot of racket. Everyday when I'm at work and the second graders come into room 304, it feels like a racket. 🤣 There are so many of them, and they are all big talkers! I literally feel like my head is spinning each and every time they leave. I adore them all, don't get me wrong; they're just a whole lot. Karen and I make googly eyes at each other for the whole 45 minutes that they're there. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Do you remember the old song Traveling Soldier by The Chicks (formerly known as The Dixie Chicks) before they became controversial and ended their career? That's neither here nor there, but they put this song out back in the late 90's or early 2000's; there's a new version out by Cody Johnson that I love! Here's the video:

I can't wait to read your answers to these prompts! Thanks for being here to read mine today, friends. Love to all! 

Jenn

inspired writing-- the beauty of long lasting friendships

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm doing something new on Tuesdays, starting today. I've been feeling inspired to write lately, so I want to start sharing some of that here. I hope you enjoy today's post, and the ones I have planned to come in the following weeks. Happy reading! Feel free to leave me your thoughts or suggestions at the end of today's post. 

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There's something sacred about the friendships that stand the test of time--the ones that weave themselves into the story of our lives one season at a time. These are the people who have seen us through our best days and our hardest ones, who have watched us grow, change, fall apart, and rise again. And somehow, through every shift, they stay.

Long time friendships carry a different kind of depth. They're built on years of shared history --inside jokes that never get old, familiar comfort in silence, and the kind of understanding that doesn't need to be explained. They hold our younger selves, our messy chapters, our triumphs, and our heartbreaks. They remind us of who we were and celebrate who we're becoming.

These friendships don't survive because life is perfect or easy. They last because of grace--because two people choose, again and again, to show up. To forgive. To listen. To cheer each other on. To reach out even after life has gotten busy. To say, "I'm here," and mean it.

As we grow older, we come to appreciate that real friendship isn't loud or complicated. It's steady. It's warm. It's the text that arrives right when you needed it. It's the familiar laugh you'd know anywhere. It's the person who shows up at the door when life breaks your heart, and the one who celebrates the quiet victories no one else sees. 

Long lasting friendship are one of life's greatest gifts--proof that love doesn't always have to be romantic to be soul-deep. They remind us that we are known, we are valued, and we are loved across the years. 

Here's to the friends who have walked beside us through every season--and to the ones we are still growing old with. May we keep choosing each other, again and again.

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I'm so fortunate to have so many friends like this. I was inspired to write this after the weekend, when my people were there for me. And here's one that I had dinner with just last night, Christa.

Thanks for reading my blog today, friends! Love to all.

Jenn 

Hello Monday

 

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you had a great weekend! I can't wait to hear from you at the end of today's post. I'm linking up with Holly and Sarah for today's blog post. My weekend was super low key, and not the best I've had, if I'm being honest. I had lots of let downs and disappointments, but it's a new day and I'm pressing on. 

This road was beautiful to drive down as I drove to Marilyn's on Friday morning. I needed to run a couple of errands before I went to her house, so this was a cut through from one part of town over to her old house. I will never get tired of country drives with these fall leaves! I got to her house and we finished emptying her house of odds and ends. I helped with wiping surfaces down, doing double checks on every closet/cabinet in the house, and vacuuming. We stopped to get lunch before heading to her new house, where we unloaded everything and put some things away. She and I left again to go back to her old house one more time, then we ended by getting frozen yogurt. We parted ways for a couple of hours so that I could home to check on the dogs and feed them, then I went back to her for dinner. We didn't do much at that point, well I didn't. She had been a busy bee all afternoon and had gotten lots done in my absence. 

We ate dinner, listened to Christmas music, then took our first picture together at her new house! This felt like a milestone. I didn't stay late since she had to be a work event early the next morning. I woke up and watched a Hallmark Christmas movie. This was cute!

I had some Bible reading time on my couch...

And then I got my hair colored on Saturday; those were the big plans of my day, it turns out. It's a long story, but my Saturday night plans didn't happen. Instead, I grabbed dinner with Marilyn at a favorite local bar/grille type place, Skybox. 

My other big activity of the day was making sourdough. I haven't made it in months! 

Chris did end up coming over later in the evening, so at least I got to see him for a little bit. I had to be at church early Sunday morning to work in the tech booth again this week, and then I came home after church. I took a shower because my hair was super frizzy, then I took a nap and did some things around my house in preparation for the coming week. Chris came to pick me up that afternoon, and we headed to my mom's house for dinner. I finally got to see my niece and her family!

 

It was a fun night, and I'm glad Chris was there with me. I kind of broke him in for Thanksgiving next week. Next week! Eeeekkkk! 

How was your weekend? What did you do that you loved? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn