Happy Friday, friends!
I hope you have had a wonderful week.
We get three full nights of football this week (Tuesday, Thursday and tonight!) which has made it an extra good week 🙂 .
Don’t forget, I will be back here TOMORROW with a bonus Saturday post (including a giveaway!), so make sure you’re here. If you missed any of the blogging fun this week (and it’s always extra fun in the fall), go back and check out this week’s lineup which included things like my ultimate SWEATER WEATHER HAUL, THINGS THAT MAKE ME FEEL “UNSQUARED AWAY”, HOW ANDREW AND I “MANAGE” TEENAGE LIFE, MADELEY’S GOTCHA DAY, and more!
Okay, as always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and sharing this week’s SUPER PACKED EDITION OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!
Starting with…
Guess what?
Today…
…is my sweet mama’s birthday!
Awwww, I am so blessed she’s my mom.
It’s been an extra, extra special year for us. On top of just seeing her often like I do, over the last 10 months, we’ve been to Michigan together, we went to Australia together, she took Madeley to Hawaii, and she came to visit us on Nantucket. The older I get, the more I really, really appreciate this time with my mom and dad.
So what do you think I’m going to do today?
Mades (who doesn’t have school today) and I are heading to my parents’ town to have lunch and hang out with them.
Happy birthday, Mom!!
Speaking of “moms”, I have been in full on “football mom” mode this last week, and it was certainly a favorite!
On Friday night, I headed to McKinney’s football stadium to watch the pre-game festivities and first part of the McKinney Boyd High game…
…I got to sit next to three of my favorite ladies. Stand by, this story gets interesting, ha!
Pre-game includes…
…a video of all the varsity cheerleaders introducing themselves. How did we end up here?! She was literally just a baby. Goodness, just so much fun!!
The pre-game activities before kickoff were extra festive because it was the first game at home and also Senior Night.
There’s my girl! Since it was Senior Night, the senior cheerleaders wore white to stand out and the rest of the varsity squad wore their reds.
As soon as the football players ran through the tunnel and we were about one minute away from kickoff, they came over the loudspeaker and had everyone exit the stands and take cover in the concourse because of lightning. Urg, not fun. I called Andrew, who was in Lucas where the Lovejoy game was starting in 30 minutes, and asked him about their weather. He said they weren’t having any issues. Since the Boyd game wasn’t resuming any time soon, I got in my car with Erika’s mom and mother-in-law, and the three of us headed to Lucas (about 30 minutes away). Erika and I were going to call each other and let each other know what was going on in case she needed to head over too or we needed to go back.
As soon as we drove into the Lovejoy parking lot, Andrew called and said they were told to evacuate the stadium and take cover in their cars because of lightning…
…so for the next 2 hours and 15 minutes, I sat in the car and chatted with Erika’s mom and mother-in-law. We actually had so much fun. The three of us were laughing at all sorts of things as we sat there and watched the lightening. Meanwhile, the Boyd game was still on delay too, so Erika stayed put. My brother and his family were in my mom’s car with her and Andrew was in his truck with my younger girls. We all sat there until finally…
…over two hours later, they told us our game could resume. Here we are, in stadium #2 for the night around 9:30 PM. Erika called and said the Boyd game was also resuming, so she stayed put and watched the first two quarters. And then she called and said there was more lightning, so it was cancelled officially. Boo.
Meanwhile over in Lucas, we were able to watch…
…a little Leopard football ourselves…
…on this night, they had him in the #70 jersey. With about three minutes left in the second quarter, lightning resumed in Lucas too and this game was also cancelled. Double boo.
We got home around 10:30 and never even saw an entire football game!
No worries, we weren’t done with festive things for the weekend though…
…we got to wake up bright and early on Saturday morning for the Boyd Cheer Mini Clinic 🙂 . How much do I love these two girls?! It was so sweet seeing my big and my little out there together.
This last Tuesday night, we headed back to Bowen’s middle school football game but this time…
…we were also there to watch this cutie! She is a photographer for the school yearbook and LOVING it. How BIG does Miss Ashby look?! We blinked and she ended up in the 7th grade.
We look forward to football season all year long, so needless to say, we are soaking it up. The chaos and all 🙂 .
Speaking of all these games, do you know what McKinney Boyd High School and Lovejoy High School have in common?
They both are…
…RED! I wore THIS TENNIS SKIRT on Friday night to both games.
Tennis skirts are my jam for sporting events 🙂 .
On Saturday…
…I wore THIS TANK with MY JOGGERS! You guys, I really think I could have done an entire post on THESE JOGGERS. They are unlike any of my other joggers. These are more like an actual pant…but they’re comfortable and movable like athleticwear. Look…
…they even have zipper pockets on the back like a pant does. THESE JOGGERS come in a variety of colors and not only did I feel comfy all day, I felt really pulled together too. The waistband is soft (no zippers, snaps or anything pulling/tugging in the middle), there are pockets on the front and back, and the fabric is substantial enough that you don’t feel like you’re wearing sweats all day. Love. Love. LOVE! For a size reference, I bought them in xs ‘regular’, but they come in both petite and tall sizes too.
Speaking of love, Old Navy has been really hitting some homeruns this fall…
…I shared MY COMFY SWEATSHIRT last week, but I bought several other pieces too…
…I ended up wearing THIS TOP yesterday morning for my dog walking, carpooling, tidying up and working from home. Isn’t it SO cute?! This MICROFLEECE HALF ZIP comes in so many other colors too and is on sale!!
I bought these two tops as well and tried them on to show you (both on sale and come in other colors!)…
…well, yes! I cannot believe the price of this SHERPA especially for the quality. It’s so soft, I love the piping, I love the pockets…
THIS SHERPA is cozy and cute and will be on me on repeat 🙂 . If you’re thinking about holiday gifts already, this would make an excellent one!
One last top…
…I love green, so I grabbed this MICROFLEECE SWEATSHIRT in my favorite color!
This one also comes in sizing petite, regular, and tall from xs to 4x…AND IT’S ON SALE TOO!
I wanted you to see the banding at the bottom. Super cute!
Okay, this is so random, but this week, I was looking to see which of my blog posts in 2025 has had the most views.
I was shocked to see that it was…
What in the world?! I tried to go back and look and it *appears* that it went viral on Pinterest. I’ve mentioned this before, but for YEARS, the most popular blog post each year was always my LEMON COCONUT BARS (a recipe that is now 10 years old!) because it too went viral a decade ago on Pinterest and still draws traffic every day. Well, right now, that’s the #4 post so far in 2025 and my great grandmother’s very simple and delicious EASY APPLE COBBLER is number one.
Listen, it’s September…’tis apple season, so I hope you check out that recipe and consider making it this season too. It’s so very easy and one my family has been loving for DECADES.
Think of my sweet great grandmother when you try it! If you’re not an apple person, you can use cherries, peaches, blackberries…any other fruit too!
And finally…
…you guys, I am also sharing my TRADER JOE’S SEPTEMBER HAUL today too and holy cow, there is a TON of goodness in that post. Hop over HERE to check it out. Trust me, you do not want to miss all the fall in this haul 🙂 .
That wraps up this week’s Friday Faves!
I will see you all back here TOMORROW for our bonus Saturday post. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful start to your weekend. See you in the morning! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
Have a wonderful weekend! I made your autumn applesauce and it was a hit
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! I am so happy that you made it in your kitchen too!
Lindi says
It’s been a challenging week seeing the state of our nation. How have we declined to this point?
I don’t know. That’s where many of our thoughts have been this week, I think.
Amy says
Agreed. Has definitely not been a wonderful week.
Sheaffer says
What a crazy night of football and storms! And your tennis skirt is DARLING!
SS says
We’ll have to try some cobbler when our weather cools back down (80s again)….but we did pick some honey crisp right from the trees a few days ago talking with blueberries!!!
Courtney Mac says
Good grief, the McKinney high school stadium is HUGE! Everything really is bigger in TX.
Kristin says
Happy birthday to your mom!!!
Paula Hobbs says
Happy Birthday, Lovie!!! Have the best time celebrating her today!! TGIF 🙂
Sarah DeWald says
Just added the joggers to my cart!
Allison says
Happiest of birthdays to your adorable mom! Have the best day celebrating her!
Erika Slaughter says
What a FUN football week it’s been!! Happy Friday!
Julie says
Friday Night Lights in Texas seem like SO much fun! Enjoy your weekend!
Kristen says
Wow- I have never seen a high school stadium like that? We don’t have those here in New England!
Carol says
Happy Birthday! to your sweet Momma. Like your Grandma, I don’t think your Momma ages either, Two beautiful ladies. You are truly Blessed to have them. Thank you for sharing them with all of us throughout the years. Have a Great time celebrating today and a Great weekend.
Chrissy says
Just a friendly note that it’s “lightning” not “lightening”!! There’s no E 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I need a copy editor 🙂 Thank you!
Kari says
What an adventure y’all had on Friday…crazy! The Boyd stadium is incredible, everything really is bigger in Texas!
Hope y’all have a less eventful FNL today!
karimillerblog.com
Life As Kim. says
It sounds like you are enjoying the football and I can see why! What fun, well apart from the lightening!
Happy birthday to your mom, I hope she has a great day!
I picked apples from my dad’s trees yesterday so I might have to try your apple cobbler recipe!
Deb says
So shocking to think about Madely being in 7th grade – they grow up fast! Those joggers look amazing – going to have to try those out.
Melissa says
Running across town in the heat, rain and lightening is not fun or the least bit interesting.
Andrea Conrad says
Happy Birthday to your beautiful mom!! You all are so lucky to have her. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Traci M says
do you have a link for your black running shorts!! love all things! Happy Friday!
Mix and Match Mama says
Those are oldies but goodies. They’re the basic Lululemon ones! They’re here: https://shopstyle.it/l/cuEoq
Traci M says
thank you!!!
Karen in VA says
Thank you for posting sweatshirts that come in bigger sizes. I love the blue and white one you are wearing, but unfortunately I need a really big size right now. So happy to see this one does come bigger!!
Yvonne says
Happy Birthday to your sweet mama! Just wondering do you think you could do a post on your mom’s exercise routine, or does she even have one?…..asking for a friend! 😉
Also love seeing Ashby doing photography for the yearbook!
Mix and Match Mama says
My mom does not have one. My mom has always lived with the motto of being outside and “doing”. She does most of her own yardwork (including hauling all the mulch herself), she walks her dogs constantly, if she needs to buy something big/heavy, she does and carries it, assembles it, installs it…she is SUPER active every day and it has kept her super healthy.
Yvonne says
Thank you for the info. I turned 60bthis year and have always loved walking, but trying to add some weights to my routine too.
Appreciate you always being so helpful!😀
Kristi says
My favorite jogger as well! Comfy yet pulled together. Athleta for the win again!
Elyse says
Are they staying at the high rise they are supposed to be? My regular size initially looked fine but the waist traveled down to my belly button while wearing. It looked more sloppy in the knees and such. Did you size down?
Mix and Match Mama says
Mine are! I did not size down and mine do not slip.
Sue says
Well, you inspired me to throw some frozen berries in a pan and make some cobbler! It is currently in the oven. I hope it turns out – the berries were a bit frosty, so I’m afraid it is going to be a little too liquidy, but I guess we’ll see soon! 🙂 It smells good. Thanks for sharing and hope the storms stay away this week!
Diane Moore says
Somehow, I only saw the Trader Joe’s post yesterday 🤷🏼♀️
So, Happy belated Birthday to your beautiful, gracious mother. Many happy returns of the day!
I look forward to today’s post, too!!
Kacy M says
Old Navy is great for petite sizing. Super underrated!
Faith says
What a great post! Hate I’m a day late reading it but glad I didn’t miss it. The apple cobbler sounds amazing!
I love that the schools there are into school spirit and celebrate like they do. I wish all the high schools were like this.
Marisa Patel says
Happy belated birthday to your Mom! It is so wonderful that you are able to see her and do as much as you do with your parents. I also have a 7th grader (she turns 13 yo tomorrow) and she is my baby so it is hard to swallow for sure! I have a pair of the joggers and they are just as fabulous as you said, I think I need another pair! I am going to make the cobbler again this season (we had it during the 4th of July) because it was a huge hit with my family and friends, thank you for sharing it with us!