I Like Thursdays: May 7, 2026

 

Greetings and welcome to another edition of "I like Thursdays"!  Be sure to check out other participating bloggers by visiting our hostess LeeAnna!

It's been raining and that is always a good thing since we are still in moderate drought.  The nice part that I like is that it ceases in the evening so we were able to watch the baseball game.

Speaking of baseball, I like that our Phillies are playing better.  It was tough hearing that our GM had been fired but I guess it did something to the team.  To be honest, our team usually has a rusty start in the begining of the season--but we were at the point of absymal.  It's nice to see people playing well again!

We found out this week we once again have baby bunnies in our back yard.  It was Lucky who discovered them.  I held my breath because I don't want him to catch any and hurt them.  Fortunately, Lucky is not a very good hunter.  The animal will go one way and for whatever reason he goes a different way.  He does this at my Mom's as well when there is a cat in the backyard.  This tickles my brother to no end.  😂😂

This week's prompt is "did you ever wear gogo boots? Platform shoes? earth shoes?"  Yes.  But my priority has always been on comfort rather than fashion.   I had the gogo boots but they felt restricting.  I had the platform shoes as well and didn't like them either.  I probably would have loved earth shoes but I couldn't afford them.

It looks like a good weekend and I'm hoping to garden as soon as things dry out.  What are you doing?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: April 30, 2026

 

Hello everyone and welcome to "I like Thursdays" sponsored by LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.

Things I like this week include rain.  We've been getting showers and although it hasn't removed us from the drought zone, at least we are now considered to be in a "Moderate Drought" region.

I'm beginning to feel better after a spell of cold/flu that I caught from my brother.  My brother has been picking up Lucky in the morning and keeping him until about 3 or so.  I actually got some really good naps in during this spell.  It's been a beneficial time for all of us.  Thanks Jim!

It tickles me that the younger generations have discovered the allure of old and vintage items for the house.  Decades ago, I called my decor "Early American Nana" because so much of my decor came from my grandmothers.  Now the fad is "Cottage Core" and "Grandma Core".  There's also "Dark Academia" and "Light Academia" decor...we used to refer to that as Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian decor.  I don't care what words that the kids use to define their home furnishings.  I'm just glad they are investing in real wood aka vintage or antique furniture.  The truth is that most of the older furnishings don't go out of style.  They are timeless.  

Love this quote:

Today's prompt is:

"Do you do spring cleaning ? All over or just clear out the yard of

debris for example, just do a thorough dust collection, or purging of clothing no longer wanted?"  

Yes.  The emphasis is on the garden.  I just cleaned and cleared out my sewing room last weekend because it was raining.  But my main focus is the garden.  I pace myself so that I don't ruin my body but it is progressing slowly but surely.

How about you?  Are you doing the same?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

"I Like Thursdays" April 23, 2026

 

 

April showers bring May flowers!

Welcome to another edition of "I like Thursdays" hosted by LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color!

Well we had some much needed rain fall down here lately and we are grateful!  Unfortunately our temps also crashed and a lot of my spring flowers couldn't withstand temps in the 20s F.

Still I was grateful because I couldn't garden as I was helping sick folks in my family anyway.  I'm hoping things calm down.  My husband is going on a fishing trip next week and I'd like to spend most of that time sewing and gardening.  

Right now whenever I can sneak up to the sewing room, I spend the time cutting fabric for the next project.  It feels good to accomplish anything.

We aren't happy with our Phillies right now but in hockey, our Flyers are doing well in the play-offs (*knock wood*).

Our prompt this week is about telephones.  I have to have it with me because of caregiving but I don't like it.  I especially don't like the spam calls or emails which are frequent.  So many of these refer to me as "Barbara", "Helen", or "Brad".    

I can't use the phone as a computer because it is too small.  It's for phone calls and texts.  That's it.

What are your feelings about phones?

I like Thursdays: April 16, 2026

 

Hello and welcome to "I like Thursdays" sponsored by Leeanna at Not Afraid of Color!

This week we have continued our spring rollercoaster of temps!  It was warm enough for me to get some good gardening in.  Today won't be one of those days--it's going up to the 90s and I'm taking  my brother for a procedure today.  And now I just read it will be going down to 39 degrees on Sunday evening...well at least it is not freezing!

It feels wonderful to be in the garden again.  I already have 3 garbage cans full of weeds.  I'm hoping that 5 more days in the front yard will be enough. I'd really like to get mulch down as soon as the weeds are gone.

I like my stubborn little tulip!  A few weeks ago it had been eaten all the way to the ground.  Maybe a rabbit?  Maybe a deer?  I didn't expect much from it this year but it has come back with a small flower (the top of which had been nibbled on) and greeted me today.  I love resilience!

Today's prompt is about our daily routines.  Most of mine revolve around the dog and caregiving.  I tend to get up early and check email and drink coffee in peace each morning.  Lucky's not a big morning person and doesn't really stir until he hears me in the shower.  With the heat, our summer routine is kicked in--early morning walks at the park.  My husband walks him at dusk.  It seems to work for us.  I will say if I don't get that first SOLO cup of coffee, I'm not a nice person.  My husband gets it and we don't even say "good morning" until the dog is up.  Are you this way about your first cup of coffee/tea?

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: April 9, 2026

 

Hello friends!  It's Thursday and time to celebrate any thing we can find that is positive.  For more hopeful posts, visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.

I like that we had a nice but uneventful Easter.  I think Lucky liked it most of all:

"Got ham?"

I like that I got my sew-jo back.  I'm getting up earlier so I can spend at least 45 minutes in the sewing room.  I've needed this time so much!

Our prompt this week is do we like Spring?  It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!  Here in Pennsylvania our weather tends to be like a rollercoaster.  We had temperatures in the high 70s and then it got cold again.  It's been in the 20s the last few nights.

But the warm winter will be back tomorrow and I can continue to work in the garden.  Last year I didn't want to work in the garden at all.  This year, I'm having fun and thinking of ideas all over the place!  It's good to have inspiration again!

I love Spring even though it is my worse allergy time.  It's worth it.  When I have to, I wear a mask to garden and I have air purifiers in the house.  Lucky loves it too although he already has the itchy scratchies from his allergies.  We will probably have to begin his allergy shots soon.  He had to get a shot once a month until the frost...through the winter he was fine.

Still the days are longer, the earth is waking up with flowers, and the birds are singing.  How do you feel about Spring?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: April 2, 2026

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of "I like Thursdays"!  Today we focus on the good in life and share it on the internet.  See more positive posts at "Not Afraid Of Color" the blog of our hostess LeeAnna!

It's Spring!  I'm working on the garden clean-out and it feels good to be outside.  I'm also being more careful of how long I work.  I time myself so my joints are not in agony the next day.  

As a caregiver--a lot of my likes surround the people in my care.  My husband is recovering now.  Today I take my brother for his first back procedure, an ablation which I hope helps his chronic pain.  Fingers crossed!🤞

LeeAnna's prompt this week centers on Easter.  It is one of my favorite holidays.

Our meals are fairly simple now that there is only 4 of us at dinner.  Just ham, deviled eggs, etc.  I don't feel like baking so we will order a lemon meringue pie.  Easter used to be much bigger when the kids and grandkids were young.  Now the only young ones live faraway and stay home of the holiday.  We were just talking about how much the egg hunts were here and how the kids would insist we hide the eggs all over for them to complete another hunt 😊

Well I'm off to get ready to pick up my brother.  Take care and have a wonderful Easter!!!

I Like Thursdays: March 26, 2026

 

Greetings and salutations!

It's "I like Thursdays" and time to celebrate what is good in the world.  For more positive posts, visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color!

This week's likes include Lasagna!! 

 

I've been making this with the no boil noodles for a few years and my family loves it.  I made a big batch over the weekend and distributed it to family members.  It's always a hit!  The recipe I like is on the food.com website here.  

I finished a quilt top.  I didn't photograph it but will take it to Lizzie to have it machine quilted soon.  Because of time constraints, it took 3 months to make one simple quilt top.  Some days I could only do one block before rushing off again.

I'm hoping to get out into the garden soon.  I may have to use my quilt top method and do a little whenever I get the time.

Our prompt this week is "what was our favorite cereal as a child?"  I like puffed wheat.  I don't know why but it was my favorite...but then I was the kid who loved brussel sprouts too.😂

What was your favorite cereal?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: March 19, 2026

 

Hello and welcome to "I like Thursdays!"  Today we celebrate what is good and share it on the internet.  Hosted by LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color, you can visit her and other positive bloggers at her website here.

We are grateful that a big storm managed to avoid us.  Nearby, roofs were blown off houses, telephone poles and trees fell.  We were very lucky.  It had been in the 70s F all day and then the storm came through.  

Now it's in the 20s again.  And speaking of weather...

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring!!!  Yeeehaw!

St. Patrick's Day was on Tuesday and we didn't do much but my brother sent over Corned Beef and Cabbage for my husband.  My friend Sue sent me the coolest photo from the St. Patrick's Day in NYC:

We are McLaughlins and my family loved this photo!

LeeAnna's prompt this week is:  food we hated as a kid.  I hated onions and I think most kids did.  I also hated hot dogs and foods with soft textures.  In particular cooked celery and I hated tomatoes that were cooked and mushy.

On the other hand, I loved most vegetables including brussel sprouts--they were my favorite.  

I still hate all the mushy vegetables and I can no longer eat onions because of my IBS.  I'm a very picky eater who likes fairly bland comfort food.  

What foods did you dislike as a kid?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: March 12, 2026

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of "I Like Thursdays"!  Today we celebrate good things and fill the internet with positive energy.  Be sure to check out other bloggers and our hostess at Not Afraid of Color!

We had good weather this past week.  We even got to sit out with neighbors as the dogs frolicked!  It felt wonderful!  It's cooler today and raining but we don't care as we had a wonderful few days!

I like baseball!  My husband and I are enjoying watching spring training games.  It's the one thing we watch together on tv!

Lucky has come a long way since we adopted him.  He's more food secure and he very much likes his schedule (and if you forget--he reminds you).  He is not adapting to the time change and even stayed in bed one day until 9 a.m.   Brad and I are both up early but he didn't care.  He was going to sleep!  😄😄😄We couldn't stop giggling at him.

LeeAnna's prompt this week is:   "If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be?"

I really loved the fashions of the 1940s and I didn't mind when similar styles returned in the 1980s.  I didn't even mind the shoulder pads!  It was fun!

I liked the feedsack dresses too:

What was your favorite era?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I like Thursdays: March 5, 2026

 

Greetings!  It's "I like Thursdays" and time to share positive energy on the internet.  Goodness knows, the current times need it!  Our Thursdays are hosted by LeeAnna and if you want to join or look at more positive posts, check out her blog, Not Afraid of Color!

First things first:  It's getting a little warmer and it feels like Spring might be approaching!  Only 15 days until Spring!

This week I'm happy I got a little sewing in.  I finished cutting blocks for the next quilt I hope to work on soon.

I'm getting my cortizone shot today.  The last few weeks I've had a lot of pain in my hand and can't wait for this shot!

My other patients:  Mom doing okay.  My brother seems to be responding well to the test shots before back ablation.  If all goes well, he will have the real procedure in April.  Lucky even got injured running around the back yard.  He is recovering well and taking anti-inflammatory pills.  

The one patient who is not doing well is my husband.  He injured himself during the January 25th snowstorm.  He has costochondritis an inflammation around his ribs.  It's been 5 weeks and he is still not doing much because of the pain (yes he saw the doctor and has medicine).  He's pretty miserable and grumpy.

Our prompt this week is "what's the worst haircut you ever had?"  My mother insisted on pixie haircuts when I was young.  She thought it would make life easier for her.   By high school, I refused to cut my hair at all.  I still prefer long hair.  

What's the worst hair style you ever wore?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: February 26, 2026

It's "I like Thursdays" and time to celebrate the good in the world.   Our hostess is LeeAnna and you can read more good thoughts at her website.

This week's likes include Nazgul, the wolfdog who crashed the cross country olympics.  😂😂

The men's Olympic Hockey Team who honored the late Johnny and Matthew Gadreau.  It was unexpected and so touching.

We dodged a blizzard and only got 4 inches of snow this week!

I like the youtube channel "The Outdoor Theater" which featues wild animals on a secret trail cam.  Lucky is particularly interested in this as well when he hears the crows!  He even takes a break from his nightly gutting of his toys to watch!

Our prompt this week is "What is the most adventurous thing you've done?"  Probably traveled overseas without family.  There was something freeing and peaceful during those trips and Italy was unquestionably my favorite destination.

What is your favorite adventure?

Have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: February 12, 2026

 

It's "I Like Thursdays" and time to be grateful for the little things in life.  Hosted by LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color, be sure to check out all the participants!

I like nice walks with my dog!  This week we have had some more moderate winter weather (in the 30s!) and Lucky and I have been enjoying walks at local parks.  Next week it's going up to the 40s (Farenheit) and some of the snow will probably melt!

I'm relieved for some of my family and friends who appear to be healing well.  Especially my sister-aunt who had her thyroid and some lymphnodes removed.  She's home and doing well so far!  Also my neighbor who's recovering from throat cancer is now swallowing so much better!  

Oranges.  It's the time of the year when they are really good and everyone in my family is having one or two a day!

LeeAnna's prompt this week is "what was your favorite subject in school?"  It was always history.  I loved it through elementary to college.  I still love it!  What was yours?

Hoping you have a safe and happy weekend!

I Like Thursdays: February 5, 2026

 

Well Puxsutawney Phil has determined we will have 6 more weeks of winter.  To be honest, we already knew that.  We have over a foot on the ground and it isn't melting anytime soon.

This week we have been spending a lot of time with family.  Some are having physical problems and one is diagnosed with cancer.

 

But you have to get celebrate the good when you can.  On Monday, we celebrated my Mom's birthday. My husband and I took her to her favorite restaurant (Olive Garden) and invited a bunch of family.  I had ordered a corsage for her and it was a fun day!

We had some decent weather this week.  It went up to the high 20s and even the low 30s a few days.  We still have a ton of snow but it was nice to walk in that weather instead of temps in the teens and below 0.  Today is the day I think the temps drop again but what can you do?  It's winter"

Our prompt for this week is: 

  "remember in elementary school, exchanging Valentines with classmates? It was a big deal, which cheap card to give to which child. We had to give everyone one... we decorated the box too. remember those little cards and the tiny envelopes?"

Yes I remember that well though no particular card comes to mind.  I still like those old cards when I find them at paper shows.

When my daughter was growing up, I always gave her a small heart shaped box of candies on Valentines'.  I had forgotten that and will probably ship one to her as a surprise next week!  Thanks for the prompt LeeAnna!

For more positive posts, visit LeeAnna's blog at Not Afraid of Color!

Have a safe and happy day!

I Like Thursday: January 29, 2026

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of "I like Thursdays" sponsored by LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.

I like that I had two days hibernating because of snow on Sunday and Monday.  

Lucky likes this rug.  I only bring it out for snow days because it absorbs the snow we track into the house.  For some reason, all my dogs thought it was a special bed for them.  😂😂

I like radiators on snow days.

The radiators dry our wet clothes, boots, towels, etc.

Radiators really come in handy in weather like this!

I love my neighborhood.  Everyone was out Monday and dug out as a community.  They wouldn't let Brad and I do anything because we are the seniors and I think they were afraid we would get hurt.  I do pay my neighbor to dig us out (he has good snow toys) but it was heartening to see everyone helping each other.

I love my beauty berry bush.

The berries bloom in the fall and stay on as a good food source for birds and squirrels.  This is especially important with the amount of snow we have right now.  The seed heads in the garden are covered but the bush is high enough to provide food.

Our prompt this week is about puzzles but to be honest, we don't really do them.  I used to buy puzzles for the kids on New Year's Eve.  

Have a safe and happy day!