Monday, September 18, 2023

weekending things

 


Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? Mine was good, and I hope yours was too! I'm linking up with Holly and Sarah for today's post. 


I celebrated the fact that it was Friday by reading outside that morning. I love this fall-like weather we've been having. It's perfect for reading outside, and the dogs loved the extra time outside.



I have been reading some great books lately! I can't wait to share them with you this month. After it started warming up, we came back inside and I cleaned a bit while I had the alone time.


Dad was here by noon, and right as he pulled into the driveway, Noah was coming back home with our lunch that he went to pick up for us. After we ate lunch, Noah went out to wash his car, since he was off work, and afterward he asked my dad if he wanted to go for a ride. Of course my dad said yes to this!


So sweet! I took Dad home that afternoon after getting my own car washed and making a Costco run for gas, and when I came home, Todd was here with dinner waiting for me. That's the best thing ever!


This amazing dinner was some kind of pizza from our favorite local food truck, Tacos N Ganas in Memphis. This one box of "pizza" fed five of us! I had two slices, but could only eat one. Drew called and asked if he could come by to eat before he headed out of town for the weekend to see his girlfriend. Of course my answer to that question is always a resounding yes, and I talked him into sending me this picture of them from Monday night of last week, at her white coat ceremony.



After he left, I settled in for the night in my pajamas.



On Saturday morning, after more reading, I watched this movie from 2010. I'm not sure how I missed this? Have you seen the movie? It was really good!



Later in the morning, I met up with Mom and Trish for a few errands and lunch. We always have fun together and ate a delicious lunch at a favorite place of ours: Steak Escape. They have the best fries, and I douse mine in copious amounts of malted vinegar. 





We went to Marshall's and Home Goods, where I bought a few goodies. At Marshall's, I bought a pair of army green pants in my favorite brand. They're the skinny/fitted type of pants that I love in the New York & Company brand. I have the same pants in black, white, and now the army green. All of my pants are too big and I'm needing to replace them now. These were a couple of sizes smaller and fit really well. I liked the outfit I was wearing, so I took this picture in the dressing room while I was there. Lastly, I bought two journals, but my favorite is the one with the black and floral background. I love new journals! I came home after this and read for the rest of the day while Todd watched football on tv. We had meatballs for dinner, with the best marinara from Aldi's. It's pumpkin and with chipotle peppers. 


I was up and at work early yesterday, and I wore another new dress. 



I really like this one and think it's the perfect fall dress. I'll wear it with a denim jacket and black clogs the next time I wear this one. I came home to eat leftovers for lunch, then settled into read/watch tv for the rest of the day. I did normal chores as well—dusting, laundry, cleaning the kitchen counters. While I was sitting to watch Gilmore Girls, I was browsing the church website and came across this picture.



I sent this to my husband and sisters and mom, saying, "I'm famous!" 🤣 I jest; our church staff had professional photos taken for our staff directory on the website. Todd worked that night, so I enjoyed watching shows and movies while I had free reign of the tv. Throughout the weekend, we saw lots of balloons around town, because our balloon festival was taking place. How beautiful is this picture I found on our town's Instagram? My friend Red Bardes took this.



How was your weekend? I'd love to hear about it! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all!


18 comments:

  1. Your weekend sounds really nice- I like your outfits and how fun to go down a couple of sizes. Donnie wanted to order me some women´s football pants (so odd and random I know) and he kept asking me my size. I teased him that he knows my size- I was the same size for all of my adult life. In the past couple of years, I have gained a few pounds. I know he didn´t want to offend me but he wanted to get the right size, lol. Speaking of size, Steak Escape is really good. Our local mall has one. Your picture in the staff directory is so good. Congrats on being famous! Have a great Monday!

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  2. I love the jeans outfit and the new gingham dress! Did you give us details on the dress? Your upper body is looking really slim, too. I found it interesting where I lost weight. I really am trying to get back on track. I am allowing way too many indulgences. Tell me more about the Aldi marinara? I am on week three of shopping there as my main store and I am learning more. I found a great product - they have a Laughing Cow cheese dupe and the garlic herb is to die for. Boursin is $6 now at Kroger so I used it in place of the Boursin on the bacon wrapped chicken dish and it turned out great. You can also melt it and make an alfredo sauce with some pasta water and/or chicken broth. Erica discovered that last year.
    So much to talk about! Ha!

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  3. Maria, that is funny and so random about the football pants! So did he order them and have they come in yet? I'm so curious about these! Thanks for that, it's always fun to pick out some new things, especially when it involves having lost weight. I hope you had a good weekend!

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  4. Thanks, Amy! I never shared about it, since I hadn't worn it before the weekend, but it's another Shein find. I really like it! I sized it normally, but let me tell you, the bust area is fitted! I thought I'd have a panic attack getting out of it, but it was fine. I have a few more that I haven't shown yet that I also love. It is interesting where all has gone down on me- my feet are another area, and I'm no longer a size 9. I'm more an 8 or an 8 and 1/2. So weird! I'd prefer to lose in other areas! That marinara is amazing! Who knew pumpkin and chipotle peppers went together so well?! I may share a post about it soon. Have a good day, my friend!

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  5. You look great Jennifer! Kudos to you! Love the outfits too :) What an awesome little weekend

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  6. Thanks, Holly! It was a good weekend, I hope yours was too!

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  7. Wow - love that photo of the hot air balloon! Looks like a contest winner:) You look super cute in that new dress. And, yes, so officially in your staff photo! Happy Monday, my friend!

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  8. That hot air balloon photo is stunning! You had quite a busy weekend.

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  9. What a nice weekend. I read some outside too this last week and also just sat out with hubby and the dog. Our weather has been perfect! Looking forward to hearing about what you've been reading.

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  10. Love that photo of your dad getting in the car for a ride; I bet that made his weekend! It sounds like you had a really lovely weekend.

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  11. Jennifer, isn't that beautiful? I loved it! Thank you so much! I hope your day has been good so far!

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  12. Pamela, I thought so too! I did, but it was a good one. I hope yours was as well!

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  13. Cathy, that's so nice! It feels like a luxury to be able to do that after a hot past few weeks. I hope your day has been good, my friend!

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  14. Joanne, isn't that sweet? I think it did too.

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  15. I like so much this photograph of this red globus. It is a very, very nice photograph. Sure It was a real espectacle. My weekend was good, but calmed, not much activities like you. Have a very nice month, full of LOVE for you and your family.

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  16. J.S. Vila- I hope you had a great weekend!

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  17. You look great, such a cute picture for the church and love that gingham dress on you!

    I just mentioned tonight we need to go eat at Taco n Ganas! Sounds like a great weekend!

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  18. Thank you, Maria! I do love the dress. It's so perfect for fall! That's so funny. I need to eat there again too!

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weekending

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