Friday Favorites (August 28, 2026)

 

OH friends...this is our #1 fave this week of course!  Here are a few additional faves, though, from our week...

 

 

Diana's Birthday

 

Eva and I snuck down to North Andover to take the birthday girl out for lunch...so good to get our squeezes in :) 

 

 That night, her roommate/friend Laci surprised her by decorating her bed and giving her some thoughtful gifts...she and some of their mutual friends did all this while she was at cheer practice :)

 

and then a few besties from high school showed up to surprise her and brought Crumbl...she was over the moon and had the best birthday :)  Warmed my Mama heart! 

 

 

 

Dirty Sodas

 

Eva and her Besties are having a blast running their little Dirty Soda business...they have had three successful sales days so far and they are giving a portion of their proceeds to Windham Blackout- so proud! 

 

 

Girls Night

 

Eva and I had a great dinner out with our besties and one of my business mentors.  We caught up and planned some fun things for the new school year :)

 

 

 

 Cajun Shrimp

 

Lynn also influenced me with my nails this week and we went old school...brought back OPI's Cajun Shrimp- who else out there wore this in the 90's?  Raise of hands ;)

 

 

Madre

 

Madre is what Eva calls me...as she is prepping herself for Spanish class this year...check out this shirt we found...it was a must have...ha! 

 

 

 

 

Blackout is Back!

  

Best for last!  We are "on tour!" We decorated the school bulletin boards....we made presentations in town....we are back....woohoo!

 

 That's a wrap!  Come back tomorrow if you are so inclined for a BONUS POST.  I am linking up with Jenn for Share Four Somethings!  Have a fabulous weekend friends!

Wednesday Hodgepodge on Thursday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Hi Friends! I am a day late but couldn't let Joyce's fun questions go unanswered now could I?  Nope!  Let's have some fun...

 

 

1. How do you feel about the transition from lazy summer days to a busier fall routine? 

 

Me Labor Day Weekend 2013- Diana had just started Kindergarten!  A relaxing day on the beach :)

 I always love back to school...and routines and structure and the September weather...but I cling on to summer for dear life...it is my favorite season...I feel kinda robbed this year...there were so many celebrations and grad festivities that it wasn't a "normal" summer...I am not complaining...got so much special time with family and friends but didn't get to the beach or outside as much as I wanted to.

 

 

2. Your favorite cookie? 

 

 They are called "Colossial Cookies" and I haven't had one in years...one of my mom's best recipes when I was growing up...will have to dig up that recipe/beg her for it ;) Then I will share it with YOU of course!

 

 

3. What's something you've learned from a culture different than your own? 

 

 

 The art of dining and truly appreciating life and all its beauty in Italy...no rushing...just relaxing...talking...enjoying the weather...the food...the drinks...our surroundings...for hours on end

 

 

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic...which hat would you most like to wear? Tell us why. 

 

 

Food critic...it is a favorite pastime...and I like to celebrate chefs and restaurants when I find winners...I am also a champion of small business owners....would love to write food and restaurant reviews for sure!

 

 

5. What's a small, random thing from your childhood that you still remember clearly?

 

 

My first birthday party...kid you not..I remember I didn't feel well...I had a stomach ache and wanted to lie down in my crib but my dad kept sitting me up and showing me my presents 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

 

 Diana's real birthday was on Monday...I will chat about that more on Friday Favorites but for now I will leave you with this...some of her best friends surprised her at school

 

Laci, her Roommate and Friend, decorated the room and gifted her an awesome basket full of treats 

 

 

and then some of her high school besties showed up to surprise her and bring her Crumbl...she ended up having an amazing day!  So happy for her and may have cried when I saw this video the first time :) 

 

 

What's Up Wednesday (August 26, 2026)

 

Hi Friends...although this is my favorite linkup of the month and probably post of the month too...I am melancholy and not happy that summer is winding down..my favorite season...we have lots to look forward to in the fall...but I always long for summer days...probably because I am in front of my computer most of the time and don't have the luxury of getting outside that much...this was a busy summer and a time of transition so I am hoping by next year, we can get some time at the beach and maybe a little getaway...until then...let's recap our August...here is what is up with us...

 

 

What We're Eating This Week

 

Monday Pastina with Salad

 

Tuesday Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork and Jiffy Cornbread Casserole with Green Beans

 

Wednesday Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads with Rolls 

 

 Thursday Grilled Chicken and Fettucine Alfredo with Broccoli

 

Friday Eating at our very first Merrimack Football Game!  We snagged season tickets AND a Tailgating Spot so we are bringing the Blackstone and Grilling up Burgers and Sausages for our Friends and Fam!

 

 

 What I'm Reminiscing About

 

 

Everything?  During this time of change for our family....I have been flooded with memories...I am staying strong but it is hard :/

 

 

 What I'm Loving

 

All of our August Celebrations...as crazy as our month is each year, it is for great reasons- this year even more!  Our Anniversary- Moving Diana Into College- My Dad's Birthday- Diana's Birthday- and this Friday, Our First Ever Merrimack Football Game #GOMACK  

 

 What We've Been Up To

 

I am working on a Blog Re-Haul with my Pal Chatgpt- and still thank you for your patience

 

 

Eva had her first Brazilian blowout  ...

 and she and Mama enjoyed dinner out together after 

 Diana had a blast cheering at the Shrine Game for the 2nd year in a row

We enjoyed attending our last grad party of the year...our class...these special Mamas...missing them already and can't wait for our dinner next month!

 

The Girls and I completed our Annual Mommy Daughter Boogie Board Day as we finally got to the beach! 
 

 We got most of Diana's Things Packed Up For College

 Diana had a blast at her first NCA College Cheer Camp with some new teammates!

 

I enjoyed a couple of girls' nights out as I caught up with besties

 

Eva made a special Build A Bear for Diana's Birthday/Going Away that she could take with her to college :)

 

 

We attended Zach and Zoe's Bridal Shower

 

 

and had a blast as our little family of four headed to Newburyport for our last dinner alone for the near future 

 

We enjoyed a lazy Sunday in the pool- so good for the soul!

 

The Limelights Have Bloomed

We celebrated 22 years of marriage and had the best night especially when our girls joined us :)

 

Walks on the Rail Trail have still been a favorite- and bonus when Cass joined me on a couple of mornings!

 

and a Dragonfly even joined in one morning :)

 

Rob and I enjoyed celebrating Aubrey

 

Diana enjoyed hosting her friends one last time before they all take off for their respective schools and next steps

 

Then the next day we hosted her family so we could celebrate her birthday and send her off to college the proper way!

 

 

and then we did it...we moved our baby girl into MACK...so bittersweet

 

Eva and I enjoyed picking peaches, plums and nectarines

 

and the rail trail has continued to be my salvation :)

 

We Celebrated My Dad Turning 85!

 

and bonus when Diana could join us!

 

and lastly, on Diana's real birthday, Eva and I took her out for lunch and had so many laughs while we played Psych...we howled...just what the doctor ordered!

 

What I'm Dreading

 

Nothing at the moment

 

 What I'm Working On

 

 Work Work- Blackout- September Meal Planning

 

 What I'm Excited About

 

Our First Merrimack Football Game on Friday Night! 

 

What I'm Watching/Reading

 

I watched "Don't Say Good Luck" this past weekend and it destroyed me

 

 

Rob and I just started binging "Modern Family" from the beginning...need some laughs!

 

 

and My Book for August was "Seaside Sisters" by Pamela Kelley 

 

 

Brooklyn-based Hannah is a bestselling author struggling to write her second book after personal losses. Her older sister, Sara, still lives in Chatham, Cape Cod, where they grew up, and is married with four children. Once a dedicated librarian, Sara dreams of reviving her love affair with literature, but instead, she is stuck with too many family responsibilities and a fizzling marriage.

When Hannah gets the chance to retreat to her aunt's oceanfront house in Chatham for the summer, it seems like just the thing to get her creative juices flowing. And she’ll be able to spend more time with Sara, who is eager to find her way back into the workforce, to do something rewarding and book-related. The pair will spend the summer making friends, rekindling romance— especially Spencer, an old acquaintance from high school-turned very hot grump— and opening themselves up to the magic of books and the beach.

 

This was ok- cute and quick but I am ready for something more intense I think 

 

 What I'm Listening To

 

Our Summer 2026 Playlist with songs from artists like Zac Brown Band,  Rodney Atkins, Taylor Swift, Alex Warren, Sombr and More

 

What I'm Wearing

 

 A Little Bit of Everything

 

Outfits with White Jeans for Nights Out 

 

A Summer Dress and Heels for a Client Lunch

 

A Lilly Tank and White Linen Pants for our Anniversary Date Night

 

White Jeans and a Cami from Altar'd State for Our Family Dinner

 

a Lilly Midi Dress for Zach's Shower

 

and a Green Silk Dress for Papa's Surprise Party!

 

 

What I'm Doing This Weekend

 

MACK  Football Game on Friday Night...Relaxing....and some Hockey for Eva on Sunday  

 

 

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

 

Celebrating My Birthday with my Favorite People

 

 

What Else Is New?

 

I think I covered it all!