Happy Friday, friend!

I’ve got a new project.

I’m one of 9 pre-k teachers at our homeschool co-op, and I just found out that the pre-k room is only used by our co-op, not by the church where we meet. I wondered if I could fix up the room. It is spacious and clean and has some great storage. It’s just plain off-white walls, gray carpet, and there’s basically no decor. I’m not a decor person, honestly, but I feel like I could help make the room more colorful and inviting.

Of course, I asked the people who run the co-op as well as the church’s children’s minister, and everyone said that it was a great idea.

I’ve reached out to the other 8 pre-k teachers to see if anyone had anything to contribute: ideas, time, resources. I’m waiting to hear back from them, and then I will get on it. [What I DON’T want is for it to be just my thing, you know? I want feedback! Input! Help!] I’m excited about painting part of the walls: it will be a mural or maybe a design (like squiggly stripes) rather than just painting a solid color. A few other things I’ve come up with:

• get a colorful rug or two

• hang colorful banners around the windows instead of putting up curtains

• reorganize all the cabinets and closets

• rearrange the furniture and toy areas

• set up a reading area with a shelf, some books I can pick up from Goodwill (or perhaps other families can donate some), and maybe a comfy chair or two (although, would this cause an issue since there would not be enough comfy chairs for everyone?)

• cute wall pegs to hold their coats and bags

• maybe repurpose the giant bulletin board (currently empty) to hold their artwork instead of sending so much home with them

More social, less media.

I’ve really been tossing this around in my head lately.

I’m not a super social person. I mean, I’m pretty good with one-on-one interactions, but big groups tend to tire me out quickly. That said, I’ve been feeling a pull to do more in-person things. To contribute more locally, to my church, community, co-op.

Additionally, I am wanting to be more present throughout the days. My phone feels so heavy in my hand. I’d rather turn it off and put it aside. I don’t know what’s shifted exactly, and I feel sort of weird about it honestly. Social media has been such a big part of my life for so long, but it feels less familiar right now. Like I don’t quite fit in there anymore?? (That sounds very dramatic😆 Maybe I’m just in my luteal phase.)

At the same time, I really like movies and podcasts and TV shows😅 So… media. And on that note, I’m going to add this next bit to most of my emails!

Foods and drinks I’ve liked recently!

1. Baked then sautéed sweet potatoes. - I had baked a few sweet potatoes, intending to blend them and make sweet potato bowls (I’ve shared that recipe several times, but if you missed it, let me know!). They were just gazing at me from my fridge, so I decided to try something else. I sliced them lengthwise then cooked them in butter, cut-side down. They got all caramelized and delicious! We ate them with simple grilled chicken.

2. Watermelon peach cherry seltzer. - I muddled some fresh watermelon into ¼ cup of tart cherry juice, then added ice and a can of peach seltzer water. It’s soooo tasty. And I think tart cherry juice is good for your kidneys or something like that. 😅

3. Bacon potato onion scrambled eggs. It’s been a minute!! I used to have this every day, for a month or more. And then I stopped, I got sick of it. I made it again last night for dinner, and - oh my - sooo good. I think it’s either a highlight story or a post on my IG feed, but basically, sauté some chopped onion and potato together, add cooked bacon, and then scramble that into some eggs, salt, and pepper!

4. Honey peanut butter. Our Whole Foods has an area where you can grind fresh peanuts or almonds into nut butter. One of the options is honey roasted peanuts. And when you grind that into peanut butter, oh my goodness. It’s heavenly. It’s still a bit gritty, not super smooth but definitely not chunky. I just eat a big spoonful when I’m in the mood.🎉

5. Cold brew + a splash of creamer. Cold brew is too expensive though, so I’m going to start making my own. It’s just so smooth, I love it. And the creamer makes it just right!

That reminds me, FALL is TOMORROW.

Look, I’m not putting pumpkins all around my house. No shade if you do. I just like the food-related bits of Fall! And on that note, I AM going to try making some fun fall-flavored…well, everything.

Pumpkin muffins (someone sent me THIS RECIPE ages ago, and I’ve not tried them yet)

Apple pie ice cream

Apple hand pies

Something with cranberry - ideas?

I’m interested in trying out the pumpkin cream cold brew from Starbucks, just because their cold brew and cold foams are both stellar. But pumpkin flavored stuff from there tastes fake to me. In any case, it’s worth at least one try!

PARTY DRESS.

Okay in late October, there’s a party. I’m going with a friend. It’s got no dress code, but I’m really wanting something cute and silly and funky. Think 80s Prom. My cousin’s daughter was selling some of her clothes on FB and had this super cute silver dress with a giant bow in the front. I got it. It’s WAY too small. 😭

So now I’m dress-less.

Goodwill usually has some goodies, so I’ll keep checking there! And if I find the perfect 80s prom dress, I’m going to have to tease my hair, the whole shebang, right?!

That’s it for this week.

I hope you have a great happy weekend and that you’re able to do at least one nice, fun thing just for yourself. ❤️

Random note: the address at the bottom of these emails is NOT MINE. It’s the one for the newsletter hosts… I can’t figure out how to change it! I do still have a PO Box, though, which is Bethany King, PO Box 8152, Shreveport LA 71148.

And if you’d like to support me and my emails and IG and all that, you can do it in a couple ways! First, there’s Buy Me a Coffee, which is basically a virtual tip jar. And second, there’s my Amazon wish list! I add to it as I think of new things I’d love to have.

Thanks so much for being here. Sending you so much love!
~ Bethany