Friday Things #471
1. Last weekend, we celebrated my grandma’s 90th birthday! What an absolute milestone ❤️
2. Next week, we are heading back to New York for a new set of scans and a bone marrow biopsy for Dominic. Since we’ve been able to do his last two treatment rounds here in Pittsburgh, it’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly two months since we’ve been there! This stretch of time is the longest we have gone without needing to travel there since last May; it’s been a very welcome break!
3. Have you heard of the reverse grocery list? It sounds like a good idea in theory but I don’t think I patience to set it up the first time! Do you have something like or a full food inventory?
4. On taking back some of your time << love some of these recommendations!
5. This breakfast sandwich is calling my name!
6. Do you have a favorite recipe you make every Easter? Some go-to’s in our family over the years have been my fennel and cumin-crusted lamb, my grandma’s broccoli salad, and strawberry pretzel salad.
7. The Kitchn says that these are the most exciting snacks to buy right now… do you love any of them? I’m a big pretzel crisp fan, and now I have a bunch of new snacks I want to try!
8. Was I the last person to know about the Cat & Jack return policy at Target? I just found out yesterday that they accept returns for up to one full year for pretty much any reason, including the clothes getting holes in them (hello, they must know my children) or if your kids have simply outgrown the items. It sounds bananas, and I had no idea!
9. We watched The Night Agent on Netflix this last week and it was SO GOOD. Highly recommend! Thrilled to see that a second season has already been ordered.
10. TGIF! These two 💙💖
Happy Easter to you and your beautiful family. Your grandmother is very lovely and looks amazing for 90. Prayers and safe travels as you head back to New York with Dominic.
I use an app called OUT OF MILK. When I run out of something I put it in the app. You can enter any store you shop at including department stores. You name your folders like Dairy, Produce whatever you like.
It keeps track on the store folder things you bought then you can uncheck the the check mark. I have used for several years. I can’t imagine using a paper list. Most people have their phone with them so it is easy to use. Just don’t lay your phone down when picking up items for your cart. I lay it in my purse.
Happy Easter to you and yours, Michelle.
Happy 90th to Grandma! She looks great and what a sweet picture.
Our Easter meal traditions; ham (bone in), scalloped potatoes, mac n cheese, Italian green beans with bacon and onion, deviled eggs and a mandarin orange jello salad. I love your hot cross bun recipe too! Prayers for you all and your trip to NYC and for good news for Dominic.
Your Grandmother is beautiful! What a blessing she must be to you and your family! Prayers for Dominic and your family next week 🙏🏻❤️
Congrats to Granma! Dominic is in my prayers, as are the rest of you.
Prayers from Texas for Dominic next week and for strength for you. We are in the middle of The Night Agent and LOVEIT! Did you watch The Recruit? It’s pretty good but sometimes not realistic but very enjoyable! Safe travels.🙏💜
We moved on to The Recruit right after we finished Night Agent… we’re watching it right now. It’s good, but I do more multitasking during it… it doesn’t captivate me as some other shows do ;-)
Happy Birthday! God bless your Grandma!! A milestone for sure.
Beautiful picture with your children.
Prayers for Dominic….always continuing…
Happy Easter!
Michelle, what a cute picture of the kids with their great grandmother!! And she is 90? Wow!!! She looks good for her age.
I’ll keep Dominic in my prayers.
Have a great weekend!
Your Grandma has aged very well, beautiful! Happy 90th Birthday to her!
Prayers and good vibes being sent your way for Dominic’s trip to New York. Always think of you and your family and keep you in our prayers here.
Happy belated birthday to your Grandma! And good luck next week on Dominic’s scan and biopsy. My DIL is started chemo soon for breast cancer, so we will be going through all this soon. Prayers to everyone going through this awful disease!!
Your grandmother looks great – obviously good genes! As for the reverse grocery list, about 10 years ago I visited my cousin in TX who would’ve been in her 50’s. While she at work, I was bored so I started cleaning out her kitchen cabinets. I found many duplicates of items that you rarely buy, so I made a list of everything so she could immediately check before buying it again. I don’t think she kept it up, but it was a fun way to kill a day.
Hope Dominic’s scans give good news.
Wishing your grandma a very happy birthday. She looks terrific! Also wishing you a successful trip to New York 🙏
Michelle your gramma looks wonderful! The picture is beautiful! Safe travels to New York and prayers go out for Dominic and your whole family ! It’s so nice to see life is getting back to normal for you ! Love those pictures of Judith & Duke ! Have a blessed Easter ! Love to all ❤️❤️❤️
Ummm, when did Joseph start looking like a young man and not a little boy anymore?!? What a fantastic picture and happy birthday to your grandma!
I make a grape salad with cream cheese and green grapes. It’s beyond! It makes a lot but it is worth it!
Have a happy Friday!
In the reverse grocery list, I have been doing that for a long time in an excel spreadsheet. LOL. It never had a name aside from what’s in the pantry. When my mom wasn’t able to move around or do anything anymore, my dad and became her caretakers. It was easy to look at the list and see what we needed. I kept a printout at that time, and checked what we needed. It was easier for my dad who took over the grocery shopping. The list is now on our phones and at a glance I can say I need yeast and cheddar cheese and he checks the box. It took time to get into the phone, but for us it works great and it helped cut our grocery bill by not buying what we did t need.
Oh my gosh, right?! He has really grown this year and his looks have certainly matured!
Happy Birthday to your Grandma! Buon Compleanno! Your family is beautiful, and I wish nothing but the best for Dominic, as well as the rest of your lovely family. God bless you all, and have a very Happy Easter!!!
Love,
Valerie L.
Happy birthday to your Grandma!!! She certainly doesn’t look her age!!!! I’m so happy things are going in the right direction for your son!! I will continue to pray for you all. You have a beautiful family!!! I remember when they were all so tiny, shiny and new… they grow up so fast. Love and blessings to you all!! Kelly 💗
Ninety years old! Happy birthday, Grandma (Noni?) How lovely for everyone.
Always holding the good thought for Dominic and the rest of the family. He will probably have such a growth spurt when his treatments are done!
Did one of the dogs have a “boo boo” on its left shoulder or are Golden Retrievers now wearing “Fades”, too?
Oh Joyce, I wasn’t sure what you meant until I looked at the picture of the pups again. That is definitely some weird lighting and angle because there is absolutely nothing wrong with her shoulder and it isn’t shaved or cut weird, but I can see when I go back and look how it appears! So strange!
Happy Birthday Grandma. What a beautiful family picture.
Michelle, have you ever written anything on air fryers? I trust your judgement and would be very interested in your thoughts. I am contemplating getting one but am reticent to add another gadget to my kitchen. Have never seen any comments from you about them and don’t think I missed it because I read your blog faithfully! Thanks
Hi Stephanie, I have not written anything on air fryers. We have a toaster oven that has an air fryer function, but I don’t own a stand-alone air fryer. For our family of 5, it seems like most ones wouldn’t be big enough? I honestly haven’t ever given it much more thought, but maybe they make bigger ones now and I should give them another look!
What a wonderful picture of the children with their Great Grandmother! Very special.
I had not heard of Reverse List. It sounded a little too intense for me. When I was still working, I did create a simple list according to the grocery store layout and made copies (yes paper) but you could do it on the phone, just easier for me to hang on the side of the fridge and when you used something up, just check it off. I still use it now. My list is half started when I am ready to shop. We also have one of those Boogie Board Tablets on the fridge (write/erase) everyone knows to add used up or special wants to that and checks it before they head to the store.
Prayers for a good report on next doctor visit. Happy Easter!
Your grandmother looks so good for being 90 years. What a blessing for the whole family.
Prayers for Dominic.
Have a very happy Easter.
Praying for Dominic and your family.
Congratulations to grandma on her birthday! Good thoughts to all of you.