Friday Favorites, 7.18.2025.

 

Happy Friday, friends! How's your week been? I wasn't feeling a Thursday post...as time inches closer to me working full time, don't forget that I probably won't be here everyday to post. I don't know what it'll look like yet, but I know I won't be doing five days a week. Also, for a little bit of blog "business", sweet Joanne reminded me that I hadn't shared the prompts for Currently in August. We'll be talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, scheduling, buying, and gearing up for. 

I'll jump in with the favorites I have from this week! 

Mornings have been my favorite this week, and I haven't had to rush off to be anywhere. I've enjoyed being lazy; I've read blogs, lingered over coffee, listened to worship music, caught up on my Bible reading plan, and one day I slept in! It was amazing. I've been sitting at my kitchen table again for journaling, quiet time, and list making. I've had to make all the lists this week! Yesterday morning I even sat at the desk in my living room and sat down to pay bills. I opened the mail I had accumulated there and threw away a bunch of stuff that needed to be tossed, including the letter from the IRS that Chloe ate. I'm rolling my eyes at this ridiculous statement. Speaking of dogs that eat things, please note that Stella ate part of the kitchen table this week, a Roku remote, and some of the wall in the dining room. I wish I was kidding. Anyone want her? She's free to a good home! 😉 

Work bestie and I had lunch together yesterday! She's one of my favorite humans on earth; her heart is even more beautiful that her smile. We went to The Salad Station, then to the library for beach books. I love our time together and I miss her, but we have plans to have girl dates on Friday nights, since that's the night her husband works late. We won't do this every week, but it'll be so good for us to remain close. I love this woman dearly! She's another one I trauma bonded with this year. 

These girls are my favorite dog sisters. 

This was one of my favorite things that I saw online this week! It's such a true statement. I'm grateful for new beginnings, do-overs, forgiveness, and grace upon grace multiplied. JP, if you're reading this, I'm talking to you. ❤️

Marilyn's cardboard cutout of Elvis will always be my favorite! So was stopping by to see her for an afternoon catch up on Wednesday. 

I bought a new couch this week! It's my favorite, and it's the dogs' favorite as well. 🤣

This may be too personal to share here, but I'll ask forgiveness later. I drove Jonah's truck this week and accidentally saw part of a text thread between his brothers and him; one of my sons stalks Marilyn and her daughters. They had commentary over this picture! 🤣 The relationship they have is my favorite! 

My freshly painted "new to me" home is my favorite!

I ordered the rug you see in the pictures above, and two of the arm chairs pictured right above this. I can't wait to see it all put together and to hang new art on the wall above the couch! 

Mom gave me the idea to move the piano to this wall, and it's my new favorite thing! I thought it was great advice, and I appreciate that she brought it up to me.

I can't wait for my new rug to arrive; I think a brighter and lighter color on the floor will be a favorite for years to come. I bought a large one, so that it'll cover the majority of the floor in this space in the living room. 

This green romper is my favorite! I will wear this thing out, I assure you.

Marilyn and I are headed to the beach for four glorious nights today! I know it will be a favorite trip of the summer for both of us, and I'll probably share some of the details on Monday from the beach. Tell me something that was a favorite for you 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 linking up with Joyce for the weekly hodgepodge; I'll jump right in!

1. What's a characteristic you admire in others? Explain. I admire the quality of being able to extend grace to someone; I believe this is because as grace has been given freely to those of us who are believers, so we are to extend it to others. I'm definitely not saying that I'm great at doing this, but I do try my best, and I'm always working on it to make strides toward  improving. There are a few people who have taught me this over the years: my friend Abbey; my friend Steffeny, whose favorite phrase is "grace upon grace"; my friend Richard who was instrumental in helping me change my attitude about my ex-husband and his girlfriend; and my own sons. I'm grateful for the people in my life who have had an impact on me; there are many more than just the few mentioned here. 

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

This is my favorite mug! It's insulated, which is why I love it; I also love that it's copper, that it's large, and that it's easy to hold. It has a lid, as well, but I rarely use it since I mostly drink coffee at home. 

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day...will you (or did you) give something away? If so, what? Do you regularly do this, or do you tend to accumulate? I gave some things away this week! In the painting and redecorating phase that I'm in right now, I decided I didn't want to use the same pictures and artwork I had, so I donated it to Goodwill. I also donated a coat and a few other things. I am good at purging often!

4. You're planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities, or smaller off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these top 12 off the grid towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed, which would you most like to visit? Tell us why. I like both! I love cities because of the life that I love to witness; I love small off the grid towns because they're usually quaint and picturesque. There's a time and a place for both! 

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

I haven't been to any of these places, friends. 🤣 

5. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle? Been to a Disney park? Met a celebrity? Won a contest? Tell us something about whatever you answered yes to on this question. When I was a young girl, I got to meet The Beach Boys at a concert I went to; I don't remember it, but I've seen a picture of me being held by one of them. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hi, I'm Jenn! I'm 48 years old and divorced, and I do not at all recommend ever (ever, ever, EVER) getting a divorce at any time, especially in midlife. I am at the point in life that I could write a book on dating in your late 40's after divorce, and friends...nobody would want to read it, because it would be sad and depressing. Men are disturbing creatures to whom too much credit is often given. I had someone ghost me this week! Like fell off the face of the earth after two days of nonstop texting and about 500 text messages; and I'm pretty sure he lied about someone dying to get out of meeting me. What the actual hell? Sorry for cursing, there are no other words that are strong enough to express my disgust. Be a freaking man and tell me, "thanks, but no thanks". I was so mad that I subscribed to Truthfinder for six months, because I've about convinced myself that he's actually married with a family and was lying. (Total speculation there, but that's the vibe I got.) 

Anyway, for you married people out there, keep working on your own marriages! Date them, have the sex as often as possible, dote on them, never complain about them, and cherish the moments. Because if you don't you'll end up in my shoes, where marriage is looking less and less attractive as time goes on. Kidding...but kind of not kidding. 

Sorry to end on that note, but I've got to get ready to leave my house! Thanks for reading here today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 

Tuesday Talk: Colorado Trip

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I love writing travel recap posts for my own memories. I have a lot of pictures, so I'll keep it light on the words part. 

Travel outfit and some energy for the trip! My five a.m. wake up call came early that day.

Debi (on the left) picked me up at the airport, then we promptly met up with Lisa and Jaret (my nephew) for lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. Lisa had to work a lot while I was there, so I didn't see her again until Sunday night at dinner. Debi and I went to Nordstrom Rack and browsed before going back to her house for the evening. We both took naps, then had a "girl dinner" of charcuterie type things and watched a movie with my niece and her boyfriend. It was a terrible movie, but a fun night. My buddy Cowboy was so happy to see me! 

I love the Colorado scenery! For the rest of the night we sat outside and watched tons of fireworks in the distant skyline of Denver, which you can see from her back porch. 

I loved having my coffee out on her back porch Saturday morning! It was so cool outside, and I almost needed a blanket, but the day quickly warmed up. We drove into the Denver area that day for an art festival in an area referred to as Cherry Creek. We had fun browsing the booths! We got hot and walked to the mall to cool off; this would be the first of two that I went inside while there. We window shopped, and then I bought myself a Swatch watch at the store that was inside the mall. I love it so much! Debi took this picture of me to document the day; I love solo pictures of myself now that I'm single. 

Sunday found us in Colorado Springs at Garden of the Gods! How stunning are these views? I've been before, but it's been eight years since I was last there. My dad loved this place!

 

And that night for dinner, we met up with Lisa, Erika, and my little girls! This did my heart so much good to be with them again. 

I had my quiet time in Debi's kitchen Monday morning and said goodbye to my little buddy before leaving to meet with Erika. I transitioned to her house for the next two nights, which was exciting!

We went to grab the girls Chick Fil A for lunch before gymnastics; after their practice, we got ice cream at a place called Butterfields. It was so good! We stayed in for dinner that night; Erika had put red beans and rice in the Crock Pot for our dinner, and it was delicious. Jaret (her brother) came over and joined us, then she and I sat on the back patio for hours talking and catching up. Erika is my niece that feels more like a younger sister. I loved spending so much time with her! 

 

We swam on Tuesday! This was so much fun. That night I got us pizza for dinner, and Lisa and Jaret joined us. Afterward, Erika and I sat outside again with drinks this time. 

On Wednesday, the girls had appointments for evaluations at their homeschool tutorial. This was fun for me, since I was a homeschooling mom! They did great and are officially kindergarten and third grade ready! We went to the library next, then to get frozen yogurt. That night everyone came over for a cookout, and I left Erika's to stay the last two nights with Lisa. 

On Thursday we met up with Debi at another mall! We went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch and had drinks with our meals and appetizers. That night Lisa and I went to dinner with her best friend Jan. I loved meeting her bestie! 

And just like that, my trip was wrapping up. 

I loved being there a full week! I felt like I had great quality time with everyone, and I loved the one on one time with each family member. It wasn't rushed, it was laid back, and great memories were made. I feel like I fully relaxed and loved all the moments of laughter that I had throughout the week. I also had a lot on my mind while I was there, so I was thankful to be away from home to sort it all out in my brain. Time away does a heart good, right? 

I plan on doing this again next summer! I've already told my family members this, and they're all okay with this decision. One fun fact: I will always detest flying out of Denver because of the fact that it's in a bowl and is a bumpy ascent to 30,000 feet in the air. I always get sick to my stomach over this! 🤣

Thanks for being here to read today, friends! Love to all!

Jenn ❤️