Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 

Hi Friends and Happy Wednesday! Once again, I am here for the fun linkup hosted by the lovely Joyce so let's answer her fun questions...

 

 

1. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate. 

 

 

 

I feel guilty relaxing any time of year...I chalk that up to the traditional Italian Catholic guilt that I was born with/raised to have (insert eye roll emoji here)

 

 

2. What's a telltale sign you're upset?

 

 

I get quiet...and I am never quiet...processing my emotions...putting my guard up...either that or I raise my voice because I get extra emotional...again Italian Catholic...blah blah blah...ha!

 

 

 

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposely used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative? 

 

 

 For a Recruiter like me, when it first started entering my newsfeeds and message boards, I got a bit nervous.  You know the naysayers saying it was going to replace humans and in particular, recruiters.  I made sure I read up and started playing with Chat GPT.  Well friends?  I am happy to report that AI is a great tool for Recruiters and professionals in general.  We are utilizing it to help make our jobs easier and make us better at what we do.  I have embraced AI and I am constantly playing with tools to make sure I remain current and cutting edge.  Now learning this makes me excited.  I always love to learn and become better!

 

4. You're invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing? 

 

My friends always request my "crack bars." That is what they actually have dubbed them.  They are really "Rolo Ritz Bars" and you can find the recipe HERE.

Other than that, I tend to go for appetizers.  I love trying new recipes.  This corn salad/dip is a new fave.  You can find it HERE 

 

 

5. It wouldn't be summer without___________________. 

 

 

Swimming!

 

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 I drink seltzer water all year long.  Anyone who knows me knows that the Polar Orange Vanilla is my favorite flavor.  Drinking seltzers helps me hit my water goal every day.  Hey!  It also keeps my life more interesting...anyway, I digress.  Polar has a limited time summer flavor that I am crazy about!  It is Poolside Grape Pops and it is outstanding- give it a shot!  It will bring you right back to childhood AND help you add another glass of water to your daily total ;)

 

 

Everday Images: June 2026

 

 

Hi Friends!  I decided to join Kym at A Fresh Cup Of Coffee for her monthly linkup- a linkup that prompts us to take more photos of our beautiful every day lives. Here goes nothing!

Everyday Images #91

~~~~~

 

At Home

 

 

Lunch Break = Wasa Crackers with Cottage Cheese Mixed with Truffle Hot Sauce and Topped with Pickles and My Grape Seltzer of Course!

 

 

Who I'm Spending Time With

 

 

 My Sweet Boy!

 

 

 

What I'm Working On

 

 

Working hard to bring in more Blackout Sponsors this year! 

 

 

Where I'm Going

 

 

LDA again...picking up Eva from camp when Diana has to get to work...love this little ride...reminds me of days of past...when my girls were younger...always loved making the drive to and from

 

 

 

 

When I'm Taking a Break

 

 

I try to make dinner during my lunch break and on Monday I was extra inspired after watching 5 Star Weekend and whipped up my first galette!  This is a strawberry galette made with the strawberries we got fresh at Sunnycrest Farms! That is also my homemade Red, White and Blue Flower Arrangement because I am a little extra...always 

 

 

 

Why I'm Happy Today

 

Though there are many mixed emotions right now and I am worried...I am proud of us for being so organized with the college "stuff."  Last night, Rob built this night stand/shelves for Diana's Dorm Room for me...my heart was full :) 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs

 

 

 

Softball/Proud Mama Alert

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Monday (July 13, 2026)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Monday!  I am here with Sarah and we are chatting about our weekends.  Hope you will join us!

 

Here is what our little summer weekend looked like...

 

Friday Night

 

Still battling sickness but, I couldn't miss supporting my girl.  We headed down to Tyngsboro MA for the start of Eva's last tournament of the season with GSE.  It was a great game and they cam up victorious!  

 

 

After the game, we had to bring her back to the LDA studio as the TTC Campers were filming their Thriller Film that night.  The girls had so much fun.  Diana did a great job with their hair and makeup.

 

 

Side note: Diana got cast in Waitress and cast as her dream role of Dawn.  We are THRILLED for her- this may very well be the last time we see her in a production like this and we will all be there with bells on!

Eva got cast as Alice in Bye Bye Birdie- we are so excited to see her in that production- especially in the Telephone Hour!

 

 Saturday

 

We were up bright and early.  We all headed to Eva's first game of the day.  They won again!  I must say I am loving this HOT WEATHER...after our brutal winter and cold and rainy spring, you will never find me complaining about the sun and heat we are experiencing this month- it is divine! 

 

I took off for home and Rob and his dad stayed for the 2nd game.  (I had started 5 Star Weekend the night before.  It was just released on Peacock and it is a series based on the great Elin Hilderbrand's novel.  It was INCREDIBLE- just as wonderful as the book.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND)

 

I headed to the neighbor's house to celebrate a clean bill of health for their daughter after her battle with cancer.  What a wonderful reason to celebrate.

 

Eva and her team won the 2nd game and Rob quickly showered when they got home and he and I headed to our friends/other neighbor's house for their daughter's graduation party. (As you can see, I wasn't great at snapping pics this weekend- I did happen to snap one pic of the grad party because I loved Tom and Keith's Patriotic Hey Dudes and need to get Rob a pair!)

After we left the party, we and the McLain's headed to Red's for some drinks and apps outside- it was an awesome night and guess who got to seat us?  Maybe just our favorite little hostess 

This is her and her work pal Nancy :) 

 

 

 Sunday

 

It was an early morning.  We headed back down to Tyngsboro MA for the next game. The girls won and it was another beautiful day.

 

I headed home after the first game to do the meal planning, grocery ordering and some cooking for the week.  Then I headed to bed to rest up and try to get rid of this thing once and for all.

 

The team lost the 2nd game- seemed to be the trend this season.  Oh well!

 

When they got home, I got up and Eva and I went through her clothes and got her closest organized. She really wanted to do it and I didn't argue.  Funny how she is organized before we have organized Diana who leaves for college in August!  Ha! 

 

A certain someone snuck off to the beach for a bit before she had to get to work.  Of course, she snuck in a photo shoot too ;)

 

Anyway- I finished 5 Star Weekend and already started it again- YES that good!

 

Rob made us dinner and we crashed pretty early.  What were YOU all up to?

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites (July 10, 2026)

 

Happy Friday Friends!  I am so happy to see this day.  I have been sick all week with a sinus infection...completely run down so I am looking forward to some rest and recovery with just a few things on the calendar this weekend.

 

Before the weekend is upon us, here are a few faves from our week... 

 

Triple Threat Theater Camp

 

and...we are back!  My girls are LOVING their time there... 

and friends?  I haven't seen this kinda happiness in awhile...warms my heart!

 

 

Lunch Date!

 

Rob was off on Monday...I wasn't...so to do something special together we enjoyed a lunch date!  It was just what the doctor ordered.  We had a nice outdoor meal at Tuscan Market.  I got the Chicken Milanese and Rob got the Chicken Parm...it was so yummy and I got another meal out of mine! 

Then he wanted to try this ice cream place at the village too- Salt  & Straw.  Do you have one near you?  They have such unique flavors and most are only for a limited time.  He chose the "Strawberry Pretzel Salad".  It was a cream cheese based ice cream with strawberry jam and graham crackers in it- he loved it- I took a bite and loved it too- yum!

 

 

The Blackstone

 

 

Friends?  This has quickly become a family and friend fave.  Highly recommend...so so easy to whip up dinner on this bad boy.  This is only a tabletop version. They have large, stand alone versions too that can cook so much food on them at one time!

 

 

 

My Patriotic Tea Cup

 

Nuff said ;)

 

 

College Dorm Organizing

 

Almost have enough courage to start recording our dorm haul- Eva is prepared to film it all and do the editing for me so I can post and share.  We were thrilled to find that the fridge and microwave we got Diana fit on this shelf.  All three purchases were scored during Amazon Prime Days FTW!

 

 

 

 

Fave Bible Verse of the Week

 

 

 

 

 Best for Last!

 

Our 2026 Windham Blackout Tee Shirt Video was released this week!  I had a WHS student help me this year.  I did the filming and he did the editing and we love the finished product!  This is our WHY...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge!

 

 

 

Hi Friends!  Happy Wednesday!  I am joining Joyce for her fun linkup as always!  Let's get to these questions...

 

 

1. What's something you enjoy now that your younger self would never have appreciated? 

 

 Technology. We didn't have any of it- cell phones- iPads- On Demand TV- all the conveniences nowadays that I have come to depend on and enjoy!  Sometimes it is mind boggling to think I never had any of this up until the end of college!

 

2. What was peaceful about today? 

 

 I am writing this on Monday evening and today was the first day both of my girls went to theater camp.  The house was nice and quiet and I got into my work zone and felt busier which always gives me a buzz and makes me happy! Being busy at work, as funny or as weird as it sounds, brings me peace.

 

 

3. It's National Blueberry Day (July 8). Will you celebrate?  You can have one of the following right now-a slice of blueberry pie, a warm blueberry muffin, or a stack of blueberry pancakes...which do you choose?

This or that-blueberries or raspberries? blueberries or strawberries? 

 

I LOVE blueberries!  Blueberries and lobster signify summer for me.  I prefer blueberry anything and would pick them over raspberries and strawberries any day!  Out of the list above, I guess I would pick a warm blueberry muffin! 

 

 

4. Do you need a break? From what? 

 

 Yes I could use a little break and a little staycation to rest, relax and get some beach time in but I am not sure that will happen this summer.  We are in a busy season.  Some day I will miss this believe me but I do desperately need a break from work, stress and all of the worrying about where my business will be coming from.

 

5. What has surprised you most about getting older? 

 

That I have more energy now and feel better than I ever have in my entire life physically. It is a gift I am not taking for granted! 

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

On that blueberry note, here are a few fun blueberry recipes.  Thank you for inspiring me Joyce!

 

Blueberry Cream Cheese Croissant Puff HERE 

Blueberry Caprese Salad HERE 

Blueberry Breakfast Quesadilla HERE 

Baked Brie with Balsamic Bacon Blueberries HERE 

Grilled Chicken with Blueberry Relish HERE