Friday Favorites (September 11, 2026)

 

 and now on to our favorites from our week...

 

 

 

 

Meal Planning

 

I always bring my A game in September especially....anyway...here is what our delicious week looked like...Rob and Eva were on their own on Wed and Thursday nights as I was out for both- eek!  They thought my meals were winners though so mission accomplished
 

 

 

 

 

 Tonight is Friday Night Pizza Night FTW!

 

 I also shared this recipe on Tik Tok last week..here it is in case you are in the mood for something sweet!

 

 

 

 Nucielle Jewelry!

 

Oh I love it already.  This is my first Tik Tok affiliate sponsorship.  They sent me some beautiful pieces and are offering a generous discount if you use my code!  50% off- wow.  Website is nucielle.com and the code for the discount is HOLLYBRETON.  Disclaimer:  I will receive a small commission from any purchases with my code!

 

 

  Their pieces are just classy- classic- affordable and just beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Birthday Celebration

 

 

Our friends took us September babies out to Capital Grille this week for a birthday dinner celebration.  It was fabulous.  We took part in their "Wine and Wagyu" event.  You got to choose from a selection of burgers and a glass of wine for $38.  Unreal deal and oh so delish.  The burgers came with fries too and of course, we upgraded to truffle fries ;)

 

 

 and they surprised us with the most delish desserts too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cotton Candy Sky

 

I observed a beautiful sunrise on my way to the gym one morning this week...had to snap a pic!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Back Again

 

I was picking up Eva from Cross Country Practice on Tuesday....and had to snap a pic...I thought to myself...I can't believe I am back here again...for the fifth time/fifth kid...the Middle School...holding onto these ordinary days...I know they don't last and my heart is aching all the time now so there's that...just a privilege getting to raise these girls I tell ya

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

 

  

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 

Hi Friends!  I am joining Joyce for her weekly Hodgepodge...some great questions this week...had me in all of my football feels...so let's get to them!

 

 

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football.

 

 

10 when it comes to High School Football...High School Football has been a part of my life since I was in middle school.  I attended the high school games in our town...I cheered in high school and football season was always my favorite.  There was a slight break in college...college games just weren't as exciting to me.  Then my boyfriend was a big football player and his family was a big football family so we would go home and watch his brother's games...then after college, he coached for his hometown team and I would go to those games as well...then fast forward...to helping to raise my stepkids...Zach's football years were my favorite 

 

and then I got to see more games as I was involved in Blackout and then I was at all of the games while Diana was cheering her junior and senior years and now I get to watch Brooks...after this year, I will be down to just the Blackout Games...until Eva gets to the high school then all bets are off again...ha!  I know we will be attending Merrimack games and that is exciting and all but nothing compares to high school football games for me 

 

 

 

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? 

 

 When it comes to managing work and home, I think we do a pretty good job of balancing it all and managing.  Now we are down to only one kid at home who needs to get places so it seems much less overwhelming to me.

 

 

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party? 

 

 I do like wings.  Rob likes to make different kinds of wings in the air fryer and I am always game for being his taste tester :) For tailgating, thinking about all of the years we have done that, I guess chips and dips would be the staple that returns every year.

 

 

 

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know?

 

 Work Hard- Be Humble- Be Kind

 

 

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like. 

 

I remember it like it was yesterday and though I didn't know any of the victims or their families personally, I mourned with them.  That tragedy has changed our country so much and every time I watch a special or documentary, it brings me back and my heart hurts. 

 

  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Going to leave this right here... 

 

 

 

Hello Monday on Tuesday (September 8, 2026)

 

I wanted to officially share this announcement on my blog...it has been an exciting few weeks in these parts...

 

 

On August 27, 2026, Merrimack Athletics officially announced that Merrimack College Cheerleading is being elevated from a club sport to a VARSITY sport beginning THIS academic year, 2026–27.

So this isn't something they're considering for the future. It is happening now.

What Merrimack announced

Athletic Director Joe Foley said the change reflects Merrimack's desire to give cheerleaders greater resources, opportunities, recognition and support as part of the athletic department. He specifically noted how important the cheerleaders have become as ambassadors for Merrimack and to the game-day experience.

The team will continue its major roles:

• Cheering Warrior football at Duane Stadium
• Cheering men's and women's basketball at Lawler Arena
• Traveling to the Metro Basketball Championships in Atlantic City
• Competing at NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach

And Merrimack isn't elevating a program that is just getting started competitively. The cheer team was the 2025 NCA Division I Runner-Up and also reached the finals in NCA D1 Intermediate and Game Day.

 

Diana is absolutely pumped and we are so excited for her! 

 

This is a pic of when she face-timed us to tell us...we had to stay quiet until the college made the official announcement- we were all thrilled and she was quite emotional...glad we could share it together!

 and with her biggest fan at her first ever college game!

 

 I also wanted to say that Blogger was having issues late last week and although I read all of my favorite blogs, I wasn't allowed to comment...maybe it's just me but let me know if you had trouble too...just know I will comment when I am allowed to! :)

 

Ok...back to our weekend...

 

Friday Night

 

Lea got me this shirt- reppin' my 52!  Go Brooks!

 

It was time for the first WHS Football Game of the season.  Brook's Fan Club was in the house.  We enjoyed pre-gaming at the Cavern Pub and then went to the game down the road in Pembroke.  The JAGS pulled off a win 31-28.  It was a "nail bitah" as we say in New England-so so fun!

 

 

 

Saturday

 

We were up bright and early and I headed down to Merrimack to pick up Diana and her friend from home.  We brought her friend home and then headed to our Starbucks for coffee and catch up.  She then wanted to come by the house to see the fam AND Remi :)  Eva was so excited as was Remi...she said...ahhh it feels so good to walk around where there is "space!" Too funny :)

 

 

After saying HI to everyone, I brought her back to school so she could continue her fun long weekend.

 

At home, I was able to take a little nap then the rest of us headed down to my parents.  My Mom spoiled us with a beautiful dinner to celebrate my brother's and my birthdays.  It was such a great night!

 

 

Sunday

We were up bright and early again!  We headed to mass and then it was softball all day in Mason, NH.  We enjoyed watching the first two games of the season with Eva's new Club Team.  She loves these girls and is actually playing with older girls this season- some already in high school- eek!

 

 

On our way home, Diana asked if we could pick her up as there wasn't much going on, on campus that night.  She was already planning on being with us on Monday so just thought she would sleepover and sneak some extra time in.  So we picked her up.  

Papa took the girls out for dinner while Rob and I headed out to dinner with Cass and Steve- another great night!

 

 

 Monday

 

Labor Day!  Our little fam headed up to the beach- my happy place!  It was only the 2nd time I got there all summer but it was the perfect day- the weather was beautiful- the waves were huge and the sun felt incredible!

 

 On our way home, we stopped at Markey's for our first "steamahs" of the season...it was such the perfect day!

 

 

We dropped Diana off and said seeyah soon!  When we got home, Rob headed out to do the grocery shopping for me...Pidge chatted with friends and I watched some tv until it was time for bed.  It was a wonderful long weekend!  What were you all up to?