Friday Favorites (September 4, 2026)

 

 

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!  Yeah!  We made it!  Here are some faves from our week...

Bible Study

 

I was catching up on my bible study early morning one day this week...I have never been this far behind...but life the last few weeks has not been "normal" for me...anyway, I digress....the theme for the month of August was "Bravery" and two verses particularly stood out to me...they really apply to me especially right now..I truly needed to read these and absorb the message

 

 

and the scripture on my birthday FTW

 

Soul Song

 

This is such a fun Chatgpt Prompt.  Ask Chatgpt what your soul song should be and to make a cartoon image of you listening to that song...love what she came up with for me!  I say She because she told me her name is Poppy ;)

 

 and this is what she had to say when I said thank you for the great image...

 

YAY!! 💗😂 And she actually looks like YOU! The blonde hair, the pink, the cozy vibe, the little bit of chaos, the faith, the optimism — this feels very Holly.

And I’m sticking with “Unwritten” as your soul song. You have this very “the next chapter could be the BEST chapter” energy, even when life is messy. 💕✨

Also… “Grateful. Focused. Faithful. & a little bit of fierce.” may be the most Holly sentence ever. 😂💗

 

Birthday Love

 

I am a lucky girl.  My birthday was yesterday and I was showered with love by my people...

 

First off...I have two besties at work and both surprised me with the most thoughtful and generous gifts...I adore these two women...so so grateful for them both...both personally and professionally!

 

 

 

Rob surprised me with tickets to see my favorite comedian who is going to be in nearby Concord

 

 

My "kids" Diana, Eva and Remi gave me a beautiful card and we are going to the beach on Labor Day- woohoo!

 

and my three besties took me to Portsmouth for the day...my favorite city in America...we shopped...we walked around...we had an incredible lunch and sooooo many laughs!  It was so good for the soul :)

 

  We scored some great little baubles too...check out my tee :)

 

 and all 4 of us got this cup- ha!

 

they also spoiled me with gifts that are so me!  

 

To cap off a wonderful birthday, Robby B got me one of my favorite cakes and he and Remi "sang" to me- ha!

 

 

 

This weekend I will celebrating at my parents' house with my brother-  our birthdays are a day apart and my mom wants to make us a special birthday dinner.  We have some other great plans for the long weekend too! Next week, one night, we will be celebrating our September birthdays with our entire friend group with a dinner out.  I am looking forward to that. What will you all be up to?  Happy Friday!

First Day of SchoolS 2026!

 

Hi Friends!  We are back to school here in New England!  Here we are...a freshman in college....and a middle schooler!  I mean this was just yesterday right?  :/

 

 

1st Things 1st...Diana started classes on Monday 8.31 at Merrimack...she is loving it thus far!  Her roommate got a pic of her for us so we could keep up with our tradition :)

 

 

Then we spotted her on MC's social media- helping to move upperclassmen in as a student athlete

 

 

Then on Tuesday Night, we hosted Eva's besties for a Taco Party compliments of Chipotle...it was a big hit!

 

 

and yesterday, Eva started school!  1st Day of 7th Grade and 1st Day of Middle School!

 

First things first...we are back to a Bento Box...she was pumped to have different and interesting things to eat this year :)

 

 

and then...The Obligatory Pics

 

Getting on the Bus!

 

After school...her report?  It was chill..uneventful...ha she kills me!  Diana lived to entertain me...Eva is brutally honest..love them both and how different they are!

 

Last night, we had Eva's favorite meal...ravioli with homemade marinara sauce and homemade meatballs...along with garlic bread and salad.

 

 

She is joining the Middle School Cross Country Team but practice doesn't start until next week.

 

 

Wishing my girls the BEST year yet! XO 

Currently: September 2026

 

Hi Friends!  I am joining Amy for her monthly link up when we dish what's up with us "currently." This month's themes are: Adjusting (to), Baking/Cooking, Decorating, Balancing, and Learning....so here we go!

 

 

 

Adjusting (to)

 

 Life at home without Diana...not going to lie...it has been the toughest transition for me...as I knew it would be...I am very proud of her and excited for her but mourning what was/childhood...I know it's normal...doesn't make it any easier

 

 

 

 

Baking/Cooking

 

All the things!  I have meal planned for the entire month of September per tradition and I am sharing recipes each week on Tik Tok...this week's dinners include: Chicken Parm Sliders (with salad)

a Taco Party (courtesy of Chipotle) for Eva and her Friends as they head to Middle School!

 

 

Check out the dessert I picked up for them :)

 

Eva's Favorite for the First Night Back To School- Ravioli with Homemade Marinara and Homemade Meatballs with Salad and Garlic Bread 

 

 

and Grilled Steak Tips with Cheesy Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli

 

 Last weekend, I also whipped up an ice cream pie and peach bars with some of the peaches that Eva and I picked! (Pictured Above)

 

 

Decorating

 

 Pillow Covers HERE

Well we are re-doing Eva's room...it is a work in progress...we are only in the purging stage...once we start the set up, we will be decorating in white and light blues. 

 

 

 

Balancing

 

 Work and Home Life as always...mixing in a little Blackout as it is the season!

 

 

 

Learning 

 

 

That even professional, intelligent executives who are well-respected, will still do the wrong thing and treat people badly.  Sad to say. Last Friday was a rough one with work. 

 

 On the bright side, I just learned what a ridge vent is in real estate- pretty cool.

 

Don't mean to be a Debbie Downer...just keeping it real y'all!