Field Notes 6/9/2025
Friends! We are back for another week of field notes! We’re just getting warmed up. I have a lot to share with you from this last week. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s get to chatting, shall we?
In the Field
I was finally motivated to get some yard work done this past week. I had it on my to-do list to pull out all the pavers around the trees in the front of the house. I got that done and also weeded the front flower beds. The mower was fixed and I was able to get the lawn mowed and the yard weed whacked. It looks so much better out front now. I didn’t take any photos unfortunately. I will try to get some for next week.
Lessons in Progress
I am still thinking about my trip to Cherokee to see Ryan Bingham! Such fun! I also took a day to go thrifting with a friend from high school. She lives close to Chattanooga where we went to school. And she took me to some great places near where she lives! I got some really great pieces and the prices were much better than here in Knoxville. We are planning a return trip for antiquing. I need to set aside some money for that and really think about what pieces I would like to add to my collection(s). The picture of me below was for my friend! We were having a conversation about jewelry and big earrings and I told her that I don't wear a lot of jewelry and that I am simplistic with it. But I thought of her when I was getting ready on Saturday and I pulled out my big gold earrings to go with the outfit I was wearing. I couldn’t help but snap a quick selfie and send it to her! LOL.
Speaking of. I was out delivering groceries a few weeks ago and came across some free things on the side of the road. I turned that van right around and went back and found some amazing things! I needed some side tables for the back porch and snagged a couple. They also had a bunch of plant stands and some ceramic chicken statues for the flower beds. I took some photos of the back porch where I used the side tables. I also found chairs for my thrifted table. I searched FaceBook MarketPlace and found these two very sturdy chairs for $10! They’re a perfect fit for the back porch. Did I tell you about the table?! I found it at KARM. They have stores all over Knoxville and the surrounding area but their prices are high. It’s kind of a thing here. You either love KARM because you can find just about anything and don’t mind paying the price. Or you hate KARM because their prices are high. They are supposed to be supporting the homeless population here in Knoxville, and they do. But they are so overpriced and at the heart of a thrift store should be making items affordable for the people who can’t afford to buy new clothes. But I digress. Love them or hate them, sometimes you can find a good deal. I had been looking for a round table for the back porch and finally found one at KARM. I had a $20 gift card and the table was $36 total. But it was supposed to have 2 chairs that went with it. The manager of the store gave me 50% off the table because the chairs were not there! So all in I have $28 into my back porch decor! I’ll take pictures of the front porch and the plant stands and chickens for next week’s round up.
I also use the back porch a lot, especially for my outdoor office! It is so nice to sit outside and work or journal or just have my coffee. Anna will sniff around for a bit and then curls up on her little bed and watches my every move. LOL.
I listened to an amazing episode of Jay Shetty’s podcast. It really dives into relationships and how to be emotionally available, but it’s not just for couples. It’s for everyone, whether you are coupled up or alone. It’s about how to satisfy our own needs so we can make better decisions on who is allowed in our lives, what we will tolerate, and where to draw our boundaries with ourselves and others. I highly recommend it if you are a podcast listener. Have you listened to his podcast yet? I am learning so much and it’s helping to calm my squirrel brain.
Tried & Tested
The goat cheese ice cream recipe is up on the blog! It’s so good! And I’m not sorry to say that I have eaten one pint already. I am saving the second pint for later in the summer. I helped my sister in law’s BFF with her pressure canner last week too. She was having some issues with it acting weird, and we take pressure canning seriously. Sometimes you have to call in the reinforcements just to make sure. Everything went fine and she reported back that she’s used it since then without any more issues. While I was there we were talking about making mustard. The only mustard I’ve ever made was a grainy white wine mustard but my sister in law’s BFF was making Dijon mustard. I got to thinking about it and thought what the heck! I love Dijon mustard. So I am currently soaking some mustard seeds in white wine and apple cider vinegar. I am using a recipe but in true Kristin fashion, I am also making it up as I go.
I got some fresh eggs from my friend that I visited last week. I am saving those eggs for breakfast or for something where I want the eggs to shine. I did a little video last week and shared it on YouTube and Instagram about my latest grocery haul. I’ll share it here too so you can see how I spent $30 at Kroger’s last week. I also bought Anna Lee some toys this past week and that ate into my budget a little. But she’s worth it!
Did you see that the Coffee and Pie Chat is back and we’ve had our first pie along?!? You can read more about it (and get the recipe for Melopita Pie) here.
Noted & Saved
I finished a book last week, Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. She wrote a column, Dear Sugar, for years and the book is a compilation of some of those columns. She is such a gifted writer and also advice giver. I really took some things from the book and will use them in my daily life.
My oldest nephew graduated from high school last week and then we had his graduation party last night. It’s hard to believe he has graduated from high school! I lived in New York when he was born and didn’t get to spend a ton of time with him through the years, but we did reminisce about the times he came to visit me in NY. I’m lucky to have been able to spend the past few years with him and see him graduate. I can’t wait to see where he goes after this! He has been dual enrolled in the welding program at the local community college here and will soon graduate from that program as well! So impressive!
On My Radar
I’m still working on my to-do list and am slowly marking things off of it. I am excited to plan my birthday bash. It will be low-key but will be at my house. I have to hurry and get things done around the house so it will be presentable for the get together. I’ve been cooking a lot at home. I mention that every week, but it’s true. I made shrimp grain bowls again for this coming week. I cooked shrimp, sweet potatoes, corn, and black beans. I made jasmine rice with coconut milk and then mixed everything together. I heat a bowl up and then put half an avocado and some hummus in it. YUM! Oh. When I went to visit my friend last week, we had Indian food! It’s been ages since I’ve had Indian food. There was so much food that I brought leftovers home and had it the next day.
I think that’s it for this week. I did ride the mechanical bull at my nephew’s graduation party. It was the first time I’d ever done that, if you can imagine that! I mentioned on social media that I think I might be in my cowboy era and I am seriously thinking that could be true!
‘til next time
-k
xoxo
