Day 2 in Yosemite: A Breathtaking Adventure

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time when I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm recapping our second day at Yosemite!

In case you haven’t seen the earlier parts of our trip, here are the links to get you caught up!

Memories from Sequoia National Park 

Where to Stay When Visiting Sequoia National Park

A Day Among Giants: King’s Canyon Adventure

Day 1 in Yosemite:  Awe at Every Turn

For our second day in Yosemite, we decided to enter through the north entrance. Staying about halfway between the north and south gates definitely had its perks! The drive in was absolutely breathtaking — we followed a scenic, rocky valley that looked like something straight out of a postcard.

Once inside the park, we didn't get very far at all before we pulled over to take in the beauty.  Waterfalls and babbling brooks are my jam and there was one immediately upon entering the park. 

We were in no hurry, so we decided to sit down and enjoy the views!

Our first major hike of the day was to Vernal Falls Bridge.  This mile-ish hike isn't as easy as some, but the sights along the way were stunning.

We weren’t sure if we’d get to see any water in the falls since our visit was so late in the season. You really had to look closely, but once we reached our destination, we spotted a gentle stream of water trickling down the side of the mountain!

Coming back down the mountain turned into a bit of an adventure for a few one of us who took the road less traveled!

Later in the afternoon, we swung by the Ahwahnee Hotel which is located inside the park.  The Ahwahnee Hotel is one of Yosemite’s most iconic spots — and for good reason. Nestled in the heart of the valley, it’s surrounded by towering cliffs and breathtaking views in every direction. The historic hotel feels grand yet cozy, with its stone fireplaces, rich wood beams, and timeless charm. Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s worth stopping in to wander the lobby, grab a drink, or just soak in the beauty and history of the place.

We packed a picnic and headed to the meadow beneath El Capitan to watch the sunset. We found the perfect little spot, spread out our tablecloth, and settled in for the show. As the sun dipped lower, the light kept shifting across the face of the mountain — it was absolutely mesmerizing. I know it sounds cliché, but pictures just don’t do it justice!

It was another absolutely perfect day exploring with our friends! There’s just something about sharing experiences like this that makes them even more special. It’s true what they say — good friends really do make life brighter, better, and a whole lot more fun!

Now it's your turn - what are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

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Amazon Prime Days! Items 50% or More Off

Hey, hey! It’s Amazon Prime Days, and the deals are rolling in! Here are a few great finds currently marked down by 50% or more ~

If you’ve been holding off on grabbing a few wishlist items, now’s the time to check Amazon Prime — tons of products are marked down by 50% or more! From home essentials and beauty favorites to tech gadgets and fall fashion finds, there are incredible deals happening right now for Prime members. Whether you’re looking to get a head start on holiday shopping or just want to treat yourself to something new, these limited-time discounts make it easy to save big. Be sure to act fast, though — the best half-off deals never stick around for long!

50% Off!

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - October 8, 2025

 Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!  We are so glad that you stopped by.

Here you will find inspiration from dozens of bloggers, including recipes, home DIY, gardening, decor, family fun, traveling, fitness, and so much more.

A friendly reminder to our guests that, as a courtesy to the hosts, we ask that you follow every host on at least one social media channel.

If you are a blogger, then be sure to link up below. You may be our next feature! 

Before we get this party started, let’s meet the hosts and check out this week’s featured favorites.

MEET THE HOSTS

Save

1. Bev – ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
2. Penny – PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
3. Sinea – DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X
4. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE
5. Denise – THIS IS MY EVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Recycled Bottle Halloween Ghosts

Spaghetti Carbonara Copycat Recipe

Trick or Treat Candy Bar Martini

8 Fall Date Ideas for Couples

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Please follow all hosts on AT LEAST 1 of their social channels.

Add as many family-friendly posts as you would like to. NO Etsy shops, adult sites, or blog parties please.  Visit others. Caring is sharing. Like, comment, and pin posts.

Party entries appear in REVERSE. This way your entries will be seen no matter when you arrive. Please TWEET our party and invite others to join.

Let’s Party! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Five on Friday - October 3, 2025

Happy Friday!  So glad you stopped by to see my five for this week.  Let's get right to it ~

1.  Taylor Swift - The Official Release Party of a Showgirl

Hey Swifties—this is THE weekend we’ve been waiting for! From October 3–5, you can catch the exclusive world premiere of The Fate of Ophelia music video on the big screen. Not only that—you’ll also see behind-the-scenes moments from the shoot, brand-new lyric videos, and Taylor’s never-before-seen personal reflections on her 12th studio album. It’s all happening in theaters only, and you don’t want to miss it!

2.  The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill

The Irish Goodbye just hit shelves this week, and it immediately caught my attention. From the description alone, it sounds like exactly the kind of book I’d love to curl up with—full of the kind of storytelling and charm that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to stop. I haven’t started it yet, but something tells me this one is going to be right up my alley. Here's the summary ~

It’s been years since the three Ryan sisters were all together at their beloved family home. Two decades ago, their lives were upended by a fatal accident on their brother Topher’s boat. Now the Ryan women are back for Thanksgiving, eager to reconnect, but each carries a heavy secret. The eldest, Cait, still holding guilt for the role no one knows she played in the boat accident, rekindles a flame with her high school crush. Middle sister Alice has been thrown a curveball that threatens the career she’s restarting and faces a difficult decision that may doom her marriage. And the youngest, Maggie, is finally taking the risk of bringing the woman she loves home to meet her devoutly Catholic mother.

When Cait invites a guest from their shared past to Thanksgiving dinner, old tensions boil over and new truths surface, nearly overpowering the flickering light of their family bond. Far more than a family holiday will be ruined unless the sisters can find a way to forgive one another―and themselves.

Available HERE

3.  Tacolate

Taco Bell is sharing a new product starting today!  The Tacolate is a remake of the old Choco Taco.  Who's missed those?  My hand is in the air!  The Tacolate is a taco shell made from hand-pressed, extra-crunchy waffle cones.  Then they fill that with cinnamon ancho chili ice cream and dip in chocolate before getting the final coating of crunchy, toasted brown rice.  YUM!

4.  CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

I had to restock my facial cleanser this week, and it reminded me just how much I love this one. I’ve been using it for years, and it continues to impress me every single time. It’s one of those tried-and-true products that has really earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine. What I appreciate most is how gentle it is—it removes makeup effortlessly without leaving my skin feeling tight or dry. Plus, it checks all the boxes: fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, non-drying, and non-irritating. It’s simple, effective, and dependable. If you’ve been thinking about trying a new cleanser, this is one I would definitely recommend looking into.

Available HERE

5.  Get yourself a treat...

Have a great weekend!  My mom is visiting and we are planning to do all the things - shopping, see a movie, eat lots of food.  We also have a birthday party to go to for a special little six year old.  See you next week!

What I Read in September 2025

Happy Thursday, friends! Thanks for joining me for Thinking Out Loud Thursday. This is my space to share what’s been on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. Since it’s the first Thursday of the month, I’m taking a look back at the books I read in September—here’s my recap!

Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict

Our library’s book club pick this month was Carnegie’s Maid. I always enjoy a good historical fiction novel, and this one definitely delivered. A few members of the group aren’t big fans of the genre since it can be tricky to know which parts are fact and which are fiction, but overall, I really enjoyed it and was glad we chose it.

Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She's not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh's grandest households. She's a poor farmer's daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets. But the woman who shares her name has vanished, and assuming her identity just might get Clara some money to send back home.

Clara must rely on resolve as strong as the steel Pittsburgh is becoming famous for and an uncanny understanding of business, attributes that quickly gain her Carnegie's trust. But she still can't let her guard down, not even when Andrew becomes something more than an employer. Revealing her past might ruin her future―and her family's.

With captivating insight and heart, Carnegie's Maid is a book of fascinating 19th century historical fiction. Discover the story of one brilliant woman who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist to the world's first true philanthropist.

Available HERE

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book of the Finlay Donovan series.  I thought it was an entertaining as the first two.  The characters are cute and I'm ready to dive in to the fourth book!  Here's the summary from book three ~

Finlay Donovan has been in messes before—after all, she's an author and single mom who’s a pro at getting out bloodstains for rather unexpected reasons—but none quite like this. She and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they “borrowed” in the process of saving Finlay’s ex-husband. The Russian mob handled her debt, but that means Finlay now owes them.

Still running the show from behind bars, mob boss Feliks has a task for Finlay: find a contract killer before the cops do. Problem is, the killer might be an officer. Luckily, hot cop Nick has started up a citizen’s police academy, so Finlay has the perfect cover-up to sleuth out the real criminal as she does some “research” for her new novel. Nick is more than happy to get close to Finlay, but he’s also getting dangerously close to the truth.

As Finlay and Vero dodge potential spies and juggle the daily trials of parenting, they can only hope they find the crooked cop before Feliks catches up with them—not to mention revealing Vero’s mysterious past, Nick’s growing interest in Finlay, and the threat of her looming book deadline.

Available HERE

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is my daughter-in-law’s favorite book, and over the years I’ve collected all kinds of themed items for her. I even make it a tradition to buy her a copy whenever we travel to a foreign country. Then it dawned on me—I had never actually read the book myself! So after starting it in August, I can finally say that in September, I finished reading it for the very first time.

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters in a respectable but not wealthy family, as she navigates love, family expectations, and social class in Regency England. When the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy first insults her, Elizabeth forms a strong dislike for him. Over time, however, she discovers that her first impressions were mistaken—Darcy is honorable and deeply cares for her. Through misunderstandings, witty exchanges, and moments of self-reflection, Elizabeth and Darcy overcome pride, prejudice, and social obstacles to find true love.

Available HERE

 

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein

The selection for my work friends book club this month was Spectacular Things.  I really enjoyed this one!  The characters were relatable and loveable.  I can totally understand how it became a Reese Book Club selection.

Mia and Cricket have always been close. The gifted daughters of a young single mother, the “Lowe girls” are well-known in the small Maine town they call home. Each sister has a role to fill: The responsible and academically minded Mia assumes the position of caregiver far too young, while Cricket, a bouncing ball of energy and talent, seems born for soccer stardom. But the cost of achieving athletic greatness comes at a steep price.

As Mia and Cricket grow up, they must grapple with the legacy of their mother’s secret past while navigating their own precarious future. Can Mia allow herself to fall in love at the risk of repeating a terrible history? Will Cricket’s relentless chase of a lifelong goal drive her sister away? When does loyalty become self-sabotage?

A sharply observed and tender portrait of sisters, love, and ambition, Spectacular Things is a sweeping story about the impossible choices we’re forced to make in pursuit of our dreams.

Available HERE

Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - October 1, 2025

 

Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!  We are so glad that you stopped by.

Here you will find inspiration from dozens of bloggers, including recipes, home DIY, gardening, decor, family fun, traveling, fitness, and so much more.

A friendly reminder to our guests that, as a courtesy to the hosts, we ask that you follow every host on at least one social media channel.

If you are a blogger, then be sure to link up below. You may be our next feature! 

Before we get this party started, let’s meet the hosts and check out this week’s featured favorites.

MEET THE HOSTS

1. Bev – ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
2. Penny – PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
3. Sinea – DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X
4. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE
5. Denise – THIS IS MY EVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Classic Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

10 Unique Ways to DIY Pumpkins

Giant Krispy Kreme Glazed Spiced Apple Cider Donut Cake with Caramel Praline Frosting

Little Almond Wafers LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! Please follow all hosts on AT LEAST 1 of their social channels. Add as many family-friendly posts as you would like to. NO Etsy shops, adult sites, or blog parties please.  Visit others. Caring is sharing. Like, comment, and pin posts. Party entries appear in REVERSE. This way your entries will be seen no matter when you arrive. Please TWEET our party and invite others to join. Let’s Party!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Five on Friday - September 26, 2025

Wow, this Friday sure snuck up on me! Part of me wishes there was an extra day in the week just to spread out all the things on my to-do list. Since that’s not happening, I’ll just tackle as much as I can and be content with the progress. One thing I will make sure to finish—because it’s always so fun—is putting together my Five on Friday post. Let’s do this!

1.  Awake

If you are like me and listen to The Next Right Thing podcast, you heard Jen Hatmaker talking about her new book, Awake.  At the conclusion of the podcast, I immediately went to check it out at my library.  I'm currently number 19 in line to get it.  I might just have to purchase a copy!  Here's the summary ~

At 2:30 a.m. on July 11, 2020, Jen Hatmaker woke up to her husband of twenty-six years whispering in his phone to another woman from their bed. It was the end of life as she knew it. In the months that followed, she went from being a shiny, funny, popular leader to a divorced wreck on antidepressants and antianxiety meds, parenting five kids alone with no clue about the functioning of her own bank accounts. Having led millions of women for over a decade—urging them to embrace authenticity, find radical agency, and create healthy relationship—she felt like a catastrophic failure.

In Awake, Jen shares for the first time what happened when she found herself completely lost at sea—and how she made it to shore. In candid, sur­prisingly funny vignettes spanning forty years of girlhood, marriage, and parenting, Jen lays bare the disorienting upheaval of midlife—the implosion of a marriage, the unraveling of religious and cultural systems, and the grief that accompanies change you didn’t ask for. And, drawing on all resources—from without and within—Jen dares to question the systems beneath the whole house of cards, and to reckon with the myths, half-truths, and lies that brought her to this point.

More than one woman’s story, Awake is a critical analysis of the story given to all of us: the story of gender limitations, religious subservience, body shame, self-erasure. With refreshing candor, Jen explores a midlife renaissance—grieving what’s lost, cherishing possibility, and entering the second half of life wide awake.

Available HERE

2.  Halloween Facial Mask Sheet

I love putting together little goody bags for just about any occasion, and Halloween is no exception. How cute are these festive facial masks?! They’re going to be the perfect addition to the treat bags I’m making for a few friends. After a busy night of trick-or-treating, they can relax, pop on one of these masks, and let the stress of the day melt away. Snag some while they’re still available!

Available HERE

3.  Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

Pumpkin spice season is in full swing, and Trader Joe’s is fueling the craze with the return of their Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread! Back for a limited time, this seasonal favorite is perfect for spreading on bagels, pumpkin bread, or even cookies. Grab a tub while it’s still on shelves!

4.  National Save Your Photos Day

Saturday marks National Save Your Photos Day, and it’s the perfect opportunity to give your precious pictures a little extra attention. Think of all the moments you’ve captured over the years—family gatherings, vacations, milestone celebrations, and everyday snapshots that mean so much. Taking the time to back them up might feel overwhelming, but imagine how devastating it would be to lose those memories to a computer crash, phone mishap, or accidental deletion. Whether you save them to an external hard drive, upload them to a cloud service, or make printed copies, the important thing is to take action. Set aside a few minutes this weekend to protect those photos and give yourself peace of mind knowing your memories are safe for years to come.

5.  Who's with me...

Have a wonderful vacation!  I'm hoping to get caught up on some things and start the week feeling refreshed and energized.  See you next week!