Thoughts from my little Orchard on the Slope

You guys…I had a mouse in my house this week!! A MOUSE IN MY HOUSE!! I live in a house with 4 cats. FOUR. And I had a mouse infiltrate my laundry room even with those four cats…ugh. Any advice on how to stop this from EVER happening again, clearing any signs of that mouse from my house, and also how to clear all memories of that mouse from my brain would be appreciated. Seriously, I need any and all mouse advice ASAP because I cannot sleep without thinking about his beady little eyes…soooo gross.

On a happier note…the mouse is now dead. Not a happier note for the mouse, but for me…A HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!

Ok…on an ACTUAL happier note, I read a few more Jane Austen inspired books this week. Being sick has really upped my reading game the last few weeks:) If you missed it last week, I shared a few Jane books, and I will have a new post later this week with a few more book suggestions for the other Darcy lovers out there…You know who you are!!

Also on the blog this week, I chatted ALL about saving money on groceries. This week I listed 5 ways to save on your grocery bill, but you can also check out THIS previous post with even MORE ways I save on groceries. Because you know me, I would rather spend money on vacations than on getting chubby…ALL THE WAY!!

Wanna know what I found this week that I CANNOT live without?!?!

Guess what else?!?! I also went to a store…an ACTUAL store!! TARGET (cue angels singing and harps playing). I had the kids with me, so it wasn’t all harps and singing, but it was better than months of sitting at home and DREAMING of shopping at Target at least. I found a few cute things too. Besides some little spring goodies from the Dollar Spot, I also grabbed two dresses and a shirt. AND GUESS WHAT ELSE?? Magically they all ended up fitting and I think I am keeping all 3…which NEVER happens…I think the angels and harps helped!!

First I grabbed THIS shirt. Emersyn approved, it is nice and flowy which is a must after these months of covid baking, and the floral print is perfectly springy…which is what I was looking for.

Next, I grabbed THIS dress and THIS dress because I couldn’t decide. ANDDD I think I am keeping them both. I have been on a black, leopard, repeat kick with my clothes lately…so I am happy to add in a bit of color for spring and summer. Also, I keep seeing people in cute hats and I want to be one of those cute hat wearing people…but seriously…I just don’t think I can pull it off. Have you jumped on the hat trend?!?!

What is catching my eye over on Pinterest this week??

I love a great before and after, and THIS garage transformation is EPIC!! The before picture TRULY looks like me exact garage disaster right now and the after is AMAZING. I am now totally inspired right now at 1:48 am to go clean my garage and start this project. I am a night owl, but even I cannot commit to this one tonight…but soon!!!

HERE is another great post with TONS of before and afters. THIS IS SO INSPIRING. To see the befores and then what they created is amazing…but also totally do-able.

I am all about an easy recipe, and I just spotted these 2 ingredient breadsticks!! I had to go check it out of course, and with the topping, there are technically 4 ingredients, but STILL!! I will give you a hint…one of the ingredients is GREEK YOGURT…not even kidding. I will try these and let you know.

Do you change your door wreath for each season. THIS basket wreath caught my eye this week, and I cannot get it outta my mind. I LOVE IT!!!

We really wanted to do shaving cream eggs last year and forgot. I LOVE how fun these Easter eggs turn out using shaving cream!!

ANDDDD last but not least…I simple dinner recipe. I am swooning for this Pioneer Woman twice baked potato casserole!! Bacon, cheese, potatoes…what else does a girl need?? I am adding this to the menu this week for sure.

And because EVERY week is better with a little ANNE in it…

But really one can’t stay sad in such an interesting world, can one?? –Anne Shirley

This has been a heck of a year, but still the world keeps being interesting, so I am gonna just focus on THAT this week. The days getting longer. The blooms coming out. The birds waking me up in the morning. Anne wouldn’t let a year long pandemic get her down…so I won’t either. Let’s chat soon. JESS

**You can find more of my favorites HERE and HERE!!