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. St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17. Do you believe in luck? Are there things you do thinking they'll bring you good luck or things you avoid because you think they're bad luck? I don't believe in luck or coincidence; I believe in the sovereignty of God. I believe that He directs my steps and guides me on this path of life. I believe that He already knows the outcome of my life, and that He ordains everything that happens in my life. So while I don't believe in luck, I do think it's fun to participate in fun little traditions, like all the things my sons used to do when they were young to bring about a snow day at school. I will always participate in such things, because it's good to have fun and to not take yourself too seriously. 

2. Forest, lime, sage, mint, olive, emerald...what's your favorite shade of green? Of these, I would say emerald, but I'm more of a jade or Kelly green type of woman. 

This was what I wore yesterday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day...and yes, I froze half to death since it was so cold. On a side note, there is a beautiful SUV that I see all the time around my house; the color of it is jade, I guess, but it's this gorgeous shade of shimmery green. Every time I see it, I think of how I would love for that to be the color of my next car, not that I am looking at cars anytime soon. I enjoy having no car note! I paid mine off last summer. 

3. In Ireland the meal on this day is often a hearty beef or lamb stew served with colcannon (mashed potato mixed with cabbage and leeks). In the US, corned beef and cabbage is the more typical St. Patty's Day meal. Baked, fried, roasted, mashed...what's your favorite way to eat a potato? All of these food items sound delicious to me! My favorite way to eat a potato is the baked or mashed way. I love a baked potato bar, but I also make the best mashed potatoes. 

On the other hand, these truffle fries from Rotolo's are to die for! 

4. What color of the rainbow most suits your personality/mood today? Tell us why. The color I'm feeling today is something on the brighter side...maybe a bright green or pinkish red? I'm traveling today, so that makes me happy, and I equate happy with a brighter color. 

I can't wait to see these little lovelies, this precious Golden (Cowboy), and the rest of my Colorado family! I'll see a lot of them later this afternoon! 

5. Which "lucky" quote most resonates with you? Elaborate.

'Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.' E.B. White 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck.' Benjamin Franklin 

'Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.' Seneca 

'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I underlined the one from Benjamin Franklin, though none of them really strike a note with me. While I don't necessarily believe in luck, I do believe in diligence, a good work ethic, and perseverance. I think that with those three things, you can achieve almost anything. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I have been watching Love is Blind on Netflix; as I watch this, I'm wondering who on earth would want to participate in something like this show? The statistics are low for the US version, and the latest season was kind of a train wreck. Yikes! I have more that I want to say, but I need to jump off here so I can go meet Mare for a celebratory dinner. 

I'll be taking a blog break until Tuesday, most likely. I'll look forward to catching up with you all then! I hope you all have a great rest of the week and weekend, friends. Thanks for always being here to read! Love to all.

Jenn 

Tuesday Talk -- inspired writing

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I saw something online yesterday that stopped me in my tracks, and the idea for today's post was born. I hope you enjoy this deeper dive that I'm taking on my blog today; it's Tuesday, after all. 

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Sometimes life unfolds in ways I never dreamed of, never whispered in my prayers, never imagined I'd have to walk through. There are moments when the road bends so sharply it knocks the breath right out of me, and I'm left wondering how to steady myself again. 

But even in those places—the ones I would never have chosen—God has this quiet way of showing up. Not always with the answers I wanted, but with the strength I didn't know I would need. Not always with the path that I thought was best, but with protection tucked into places I didn't see or realize until later. 

More and more, I'm learning that the detours aren't failures; they're invitations. They draw me into God's provision, His kindness, His steady hand over my life. 

When life doesn't look like what I hoped or prayed, He still provides. He still protects. He still threads grace through the cracks, giving me just enough life to take the next step. And somehow—slowly, gently—He makes the road beautiful once again. 

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Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. I'll see you back here tomorrow for the Hodgepodge. Love to all!

Jenn 

Hello Monday, the spring break edition

 

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. I'll jump right in, backing up from Friday. 

First off, I have to say how excited I am to be on spring break this week. It felt great not waking up to an alarm this morning! I have a few things to do that are extremely important today and tomorrow before I leave town Wednesday. I hope to combine some of my things with seeing people I want to see. Mom mentioned us getting together on one of these days, and I'd love to have lunch with Marilyn before I leave. I anticipate the whole week flying by, but it's okay; I will enjoy every moment! 

Friday was such a fun day at school! It was just a half day, so it flew by! We started early (7:45) with mandatory training in a faculty meeting. When school started, I didn't have much to do, but I helped my co-worker and friend Karen get paperwork in order to send home with students regarding their IEP's. We had an idiom and vocabulary parade that was fun! And then there was a basketball game with students versus staff. The students won by four points! The ref you see above is our principal, Kristie. I love her! She's so much fun, and she came to school with blue hair that day since our girls won the championship game. Students went home at 12:15, we ate lunch, then had another mandatory meeting, and they let us go home at 1:45. 

I went to the nail place immediately following work and got my nails done. I never get a French manicure, but that's what I got this time and I still love it as I write this! The only thing I did was have her do the base color a color that is more white than pink or neutral. The tip color is the same white they always use, but I love it so much more than what they normally offer for a French. Even the girl who did them said how much more she loved it over what they usually do.

I came home after this and took a nap. I was so tired from a mentally exhausting week! When I woke up, I went to dinner with Chris. We ate at one of the local places I love, Booya's. We didn't stay out long, but came back to my house to watch a movie, Song Sung Blue with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Have you seen that? It was really good! 

Saturday was a great day; the weather was amazing all day long! Chris loves to eat breakfast out on a Saturday, so that's what we did. We went to a little place out in a neighboring town about fifteen minutes from here; it was good! We finished and went to Walmart for a few things that we both needed for the week ahead. I bought myself a cute jacket that can double as a rain jacket! I'll take it to Denver with me, and will probably carry it on the plane with me since I can stuff it in my backpack. We hung out around my house for most of the day, but we did eat an early dinner since all we had was breakfast that day. I wanted to take him to a park in Memphis to watch the sunset that night, so that's what we did. We have this beautiful park in the middle of the city (Shelby Farms) that was packed that day because of the gorgeous weather. We drove through the park so I could show him how much it's changed since he last went, then we drove out of the park to a field to park and watch the sunset. It's ideal for sunset viewing! 

It was gorgeous and romantic. The next time we do this, we're taking a picnic and maybe a Bluetooth speaker. After the sun said its goodbye for the night, we drove to get frozen yogurt. It was a great day and night! It felt easy and relaxed, which was what I needed, honestly. I love that whenever I have an idea on something to do, Chris' typical reply is, "Whatever you want, Sweetheart." He's so easy and loving and attentive! And that he willingly poses (or even has the idea himself) to take pictures is a bonus. 

Sunday was church! I was there early again, then we went to lunch with Mom and Bill afterward. For the rest of the day, I chilled. I got caught up on some house work and made a list of things I need to do here before leaving Wednesday. What did you do that you loved this weekend? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 

Friday Favorites, 3.13.2026.

 

Happy Friday, friends! How was your week? It's been an eventful week for me, but it is officially spring break after the kiddos leave school at 12:15! It's an early dismissal day for us all; I have training early this morning, and then I've been told we're being let go at two. I'm beyond excited for a week long break (and a paid vacation). I have some favorites from the week that I want to share today!

Being lazy on Saturday of last weekend was my favorite! Chris and I finished Ted Lasso that day, but we both slept most of the day away right here on my couch. 

These were my favorite things that I saw on socials this week! Forgive me for the curse word on the one right above this one, but I legit almost spewed my drink when I read this. It's so freaking true! It was a tough entry into the week with that lost hour. 

I got a new book recently that I started reading this week! It was a suggestion from Debbie. I'm excited to start reading this; it was written the year I was born (1976), and it's written for women. A new book will always be my favorite! 

Speaking of books, this one is another favorite. Marilyn gave me this last fall, and we're working through it on our own. I have recently started writing in it again.

Seeing my picture on this board of achievement is a favorite! I was given the Eagle award recently, and I felt so honored. I love my job and my work family! 

Getting dressed for work is still a favorite! I think my favorite outfit this week was the one with the green top and white vest. My little first grade friend asked me what in the world I was wearing that day, and why I looked like a doctor. Out of the mouths of babes! I will share today's outfit Monday; we're having an idiom parade at school, and as I wrote this last night, I hadn't yet decided on whether or not I was going to dress up. I thought about "green with envy" or "hot mess". 

Celebrating these birthday boys was my favorite this week! Jonah (and Noah, who was unable to be here for his birthday) turned 23 on Tuesday, and Graham turned 27 on Wednesday. I had a family dinner here to celebrate! 

Wednesday was a favorite at school! Our girls basketball team went to the championship game this week, and they won! This was us sending them off with a parade and dance music. 

Making a March bucket list of sorts at work has been a favorite the last two weeks. I need to write or doodle during testing to keep from falling asleep!

Matching my watch face with my outfits is my favorite; so is my new(ish) ring stack! 

This cookies-n-cream latte flavored ice cream in my adorable mug was my favorite this week!

Dinner out with Chris at our favorite taco place was my favorite!

Last but not least is little Reese-y Piece-y. She got overheated yesterday and Chris had to rush her to a vet. After some IV fluid and tests, she got to leave, but this was terrifying! Her little body was lifeless when he got to her; I met him at the vet, then we went to have dinner before coming back here for a bit before saying our goodbyes. She was pretty heavily sedated when we got here, but I am thankful to say that she will be okay and will make a full recovery. This was horrifying! 

Do you have a favorite from the week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks again for all the kind words this week, friends. Love to all!  

Jenn