Penny's Passion: September 2024

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Five on Friday - September 13, 2024

Hello from London!  We are having the best time on vacation and I can't wait to share it with you, but in the meantime here's my Five on Friday for today ~

Liane Moriarty has a new book out this week!  Get ready - it's a long one at 505 pages! Since I spend a lot of time commuting to work, this might be a good one for me to listen to.  Here's the summary ~
Aside from a delay, there will be no problems. The flight will be smooth, it will land safely. Everyone who gets on the plane will get off. But almost all of them will be forever changed.

Because on this ordinary, short, domestic flight, something extraordinary happens. People learn how and when they are going to die. For some, their death is far in the future—age 103!—and they laugh. But for six passengers, their predicted deaths are not far away at all.

How do they know this? There were ostensibly more interesting people on the flight (the bride and groom, the jittery, possibly famous woman, the giant Hemsworth-esque guy who looks like an off-duty superhero, the frazzled, gorgeous flight attendant) but none would become as famous as “The Death Lady.”

Not a single passenger or crew member will later recall noticing her board the plane. She wasn’t exceptionally old or young, rude or polite. She wasn’t drunk or nervous or pregnant. Her appearance and demeanor were unremarkable. But what she did on that flight was truly remarkable.

A few months later, one passenger dies exactly as she predicted. Then two more passengers die, again, as she said they would. Soon no one is thinking this is simply an entertaining story at a cocktail party.

If you were told you only had a certain amount of time left to live, would you do things differently? Would you try to dodge your destiny?

Liane Moriarty’s Here One Moment is a brilliantly constructed tale that looks at free will and destiny, grief and love, and the endless struggle to maintain certainty and control in an uncertain world. A modern-day Jane Austen who humorously skewers social mores while spinning a web of mystery, Moriarty asks profound questions in her newest I-can’t-wait-to-find-out-what-happens novel.

2.  Emily in Paris Season 4 Part 2
Okay Emily in Paris lovers - part 2 of Season 4 is here!  We have 5 more episodes to soak in.  Emily Cooper is off to Rome for a European adventure and I can't wait to see what transpires.  I'm hearing there's a new love interest as Emily moves on from Gabriel.  Hopefully, we'll hear more of Mindy's voice too.  Can't wait to see all of it!


3.  McCormick Finishing Sugars
I was so excited when my daughter-in-law showed me this limited-time collection of finishing sugars by McCormick.  I want to try all of them!  They are perfect for elevating your beverages, breakfasts, desserts and more.  I'm thinking these would be perfect for a hot chocolate bar or rimming the glass for holiday cocktails.  For more ideas and recipes, check out McCormick's website HERE.


I love switching up my watch band and this one is one of my favorites.  I've had it for a couple months now and it still looks the same as the day I got it.  The size can easily be adjusted for any wrist.  Mine is rose gold, but if that's not your favorite this band also comes in gold, silver, and silver gold.  


5.  Just a thought...


Have a great weekend!  We are in vacation mode for a few more days, and then it will be back to reality.  Can't wait to share details from our trip!

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Let's Make TikTok Cinnamon Rolls

Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. Recently I decided to see if the TikTok Cinnamon Roll recipe lived up to the hype. I’m here to report that it definitely did! So today I’m sharing the recipe ~


Here’s What You Need
1 can of cinnamon rolls (I used the Pillsbury Cinnabon ones)
½ cup-ish heavy whipping cream
¼ cup butter
¼ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon


Here’s What You Do

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of your baking dish with cooking spray.

Place the cinnamon rolls in the pan. Make sure your pan is big enough so the rolls are not touching each other, but not spread out tremendously either.

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Heat until the brown sugar has melted.

Pour the heavy whipping cream over the cinnamon rolls. With a pastry brush make sure the top of the rolls are coated with the whipping cream. This is where the “ish” in the recipe comes into play. If you use a bigger dish, you might need a little bit more heavy whipping cream to cover the rolls. 


Top with the melted butter mixture.


Pop in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The tops should be golden brown.

Remove from the oven and ice using the icing from the can.


Just this little bit of added work makes the cinnamon rolls extra moist and fluffy! This is definitely my new way of preparing cinnamon rolls!

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


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Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - September 11, 2024

 

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
Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

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.

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Monday, September 9, 2024

What We Did in August 2024

August was packed with fun activities! We kicked off the month by meeting our friends' new Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, Teddy.  He is adorable!  We wanted to see him right away because we knew he wouldn't stay little for long.



Next up we celebrated our daughter-in-law’s birthday. I always let the birthday person pick what I fix and Kayla chose Chicken Enchiladas and Mungo Salad.  For dessert, I whipped up a made-from-scratch funfetti cake. Using my Silhouette machine, I made a pattern to lay on top of the cake of her name and filled in the space with sprinkles. I must admit, I was pretty proud of the way it turned out!


Way back in December, my friend Jodie and I bought tickets to see P!nk. The date finally arrived for the concert on September 10! P!nk was a bucket list entertainer for both of us and she didn’t disappoint. That lady has talent! We met up with some other friends who were also going to the concert for dinner and then went to the show. The opener was Missouri native Sheryl Crow. She was fantastic also! The whole evening was a blast!




The week after the concert I flew out on Thursday to spend the day with my family on their beach vacation. They were in the Rosemary Beach area, which is a spot I had not been to before. The water was crystal clear and so, so blue!  A highlight was seeing our niece and nephews playing in the sand.  Aren't beach days the best!


It was fun spending a bit of time with them on the beach before picking up my friend Debbie from the airport on Friday. We were spending a few days in Orange Beach at a condo, Regency Isle, that I had been to several times before.


 We relaxed on the huge balcony and took in the surf and sun. Any stress I had in my body melted away laying there listening to the waves crash to shore while reading my book. We did a little retail therapy at the nearby outlet mall, Door Dashed, and took an awesome dolphin cruise with Surfs Up.


My love for sunrises drew me outside every day to watch the show in the sky as the day began. Sunsets are a favorite of mine too. But on this trip, the moon put on a show as good as the sun. My pictures really don’t do justice to the beauty of the moon reflecting off the ocean.




Our window area got a makeover into the Sunshine Shroomscape.  I blogged about the new design HERE.


The weekend after I got back from the beach we hosted our friends TW and Mary at our house. We planned an antique weekend where we went to an estate sale and to several antique stores in the area. By the end of our day, the car was loaded with all our found treasures.


September is shaping up to be a busy month! We're off to London for vacation and can't wait to explore a new city. While I'm a bit sad to say goodbye to summer, I'm excited for the fall ahead!

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Five on Friday - September 6, 2024

Happy Friday!  It's a super happy one for us because we are leaving on a jet plane this afternoon for vacation!  London here we come!  Before we head out, let me share my five for this week ~ 

1.  Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread
Aldi's is hopping in the pumpkin spice craze with their Happy Farms Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread.  It's available starting today.  Wouldn't this be delicious on a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel?!?  If pumpkin isn't your thing, it also comes in a salted caramel flavor.  Breakfast is sounding pretty good!
2.  National Read a Book Day and a New Cookbook
Here's a twofer - one, it's National Read a Book Day, and two, since I read my cookbooks like novels I'm sharing a cookbook that was released this week.  Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories (A Definitive Guide to Southern Baking) by Anne Byrn sounds like a great read to me!  And bonus - the recipes will be awesome to try.  If reading your cookbooks isn't your thing, pick up any book and celebrate National Read a Book Day today!  If you're looking for a new book to crack open, check out the books I read in August HERE.  


3.  Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
Opening this weekend is the newest Beetlejuice movie.  Michael Keaton and many others are back to share the newest adventures of the kooky character of Beetle Juice.  Here's the summary ~
Beetlejuice is back! Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice. After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it's only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice's name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

4.  The Perfect Couple
If you're in the mood to binge-watch something this weekend, The Perfect Couple might be an excellent choice!  The novel by Elin Hilderbrand has been adapted to a Netflix six-episode series and it dropped this week.  This show promises a dose of murder mystery entangled with an upper class family committed to the facade of perfection.  Nicole Kidman stars as the unflinching matriarch.  This one is definitely on my list to watch!


5.  Definitely me...
Have a great weekend and I'll see you back next week!  I have some posts teed up while we are away and I'll be sharing pictures of our travel adventures on Instagram.  See you soon!

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

What I Read in August 2024

Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. On the first Thursday of the month, I talk about the books I read the previous month. August was a huge reading month for me! Here’s what I read~


Eight books in one month for me might just be a record. It helped that I had two books over half done when the month started and one book was a short story that I finished one Sunday morning before even getting out of bed. Overall, I liked every one of them!

The Summer That Made Us
When I saw this book was by the same author, Robyn Carr, as Virgin River I knew I wanted to read it.  I was sucked in right away and the book held my attention to the end.  Some things were predictable and others were a shock.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it would be a great vacation read.  Here's the summary ~
The next original trade women's fiction novel from beloved best-selling author Robyn Carr. Carr is the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series. Her trade women's fiction novel Four Friends debuted at number five on the New York Times.

A television talk show host returns to her childhood summer home to rebuild her life after she's fired for falling ratings. The return is bittersweet as the house has been neglected for years. She's flooded with memories of the wonderful summers she spent with her sisters and cousins before a tragic event changed everything. Working to uncover what really happened the last summer they were all together, she reaches out to her family and the women all gather for an uneasy family reunion. As they share their stories, they realize their recollections of their summer childhoods are vastly different and no one's lives are what they'd dreamed of when they were children. But being together again helps them all to heal from the scars of the past.

Natural Selection: A Short Story
This Elin Hilderbrand short story was one of the free selections this month through Amazon Prime First Reads.  It's a quick read!  I liked it but didn't love it.  At least I didn't feel like I had a lot of time invested.  Here's the summary ~
After a string of bad dates and no prospects, Sophia Othonos has finally hit the jackpot: an actual nice guy. When he suggests a romantic getaway, she’s sure they’re about to take the next step toward their future. A rustic cruise to the Galápagos Islands isn’t exactly her idea of a vacation, but Sophia is ready for anything…until her boyfriend has to cancel.

Now she’s all alone on a trip that was meant for two. Sophia finds herself at a crossroads about who she is, what she wants, and whether her relationship is really everything she thought. But if she’s going to suffer an identity crisis, at least she gets to do it amid the unexpected majesty of nature.

Eight days of wild, unobstructed beauty are enough to make anyone reevaluate their life. These islands are all about adapting to your surroundings—and change just might be what Sophia needs most of all.

The Homewreckers
What a cute read this one was!  I was drawn to it because I love the author Mary Kay Andrews and it was free with my Kindle Unlimited subscription.  It was a great summer read that had plenty of twists and turns.  Here's the summary ~
Hattie Kavanaugh went to work restoring homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at eighteen, married the boss’s son at twenty, and became a widow at twenty-five. Now, she’s passionate about her work, but that’s the only passion in her life. “Never love something that can’t love you back,” is advice her father-in-law gives her, but Hattie doesn’t follow it and falls head-over-heels for a money pit of a house. She’s determined to make it work, but disaster after disaster occurs, and Hattie’s dream might cost Kavanaugh & Son their livelihood. Hattie needs money, and fast.

When a slick Hollywood producer shows up in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a beach house renovation reality show called The Homewreckers, cast against a male lead who may be a love interest, or may be the ultimate antagonist. Soon, there’s more at stake than bad pipes and dry rot: during the demolition, evidence comes to light that points to the mysterious disappearance of a young wife and mother years before.

With a burned out detective investigating the case, an arsonist on the loose, two men playing with her emotions, and layers upon layers of vintage wallpaper causing havoc, it's a question of who will flip, who will flop, and if Hattie will ever get her happily-ever-after.

Sandwich
Sandwich was another free read through Kindle Unlimited. I wish the description had mentioned that the book touches on topics like reproduction and miscarriage. I was drawn in by the mention of menopause, but the focus on reproductive issues caught me off guard in an unpleasant way. If these subjects are triggering for you, I’d recommend skipping this one. Here's the summary ~
For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.

This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.

It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

All the Colors of the Dark
This is one of my favorite books so far this year.  Get ready though because it is loooonnnngggg - like 586 pages long.  But honestly, it didn't seem that long while I was reading it.  Here's the summary ~
1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.

A Summer Affair
Elin Hilderbrand's newest book, Swan Song, came out recently and I realized that it was the fourth book in a series.  I wanted to read the series in order so I dug into the first book, A Summer Affair.  I realized about 25 pages in that I had read this book before, but I couldn't remember all the details so I kept reading.  This wasn't my favorite Elin Hilderbrand book, but it was still good.  I was disappointed in some of the things the main character did.  But now I'm through the first book in the series and deep into the second book.  Here's what this one is about ~
Claire has a problem with setting limits. All her life she has taken on every responsibility, assumed every burden, granted every request. Claire wants it all—and in the eyes of her friends, she has it: a devoted husband, four beautiful children, even a successful career as an artist. So when she agrees to chair the committee for Nantucket's social event of the year, she knows she can handle it. Claire can handle anything.

But when planning the gala propels her into the orbit of billionaire Lock Dixon, unexpected sparks begin to fly. Lock insists on working closely with Claire—often over a bottle of wine—and before long she can't ignore the subtle touches and lingering looks. To her surprise, she can't ignore how they make her feel, either. Claire finds the gala, her life, and herself spinning out of control.

A Summer Affair captures the love, loss, and limbo of an illicit romance and unchecked passion as it takes us on a brave and breathless journey into the heart of one modern woman.

First Lie Wins
Loved this one!  It was a Reese Book Club selection and kept my interest from start to finish.  There were times I just couldn't read it fast enough to see what was coming next!  Highly recommend.  
Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.

Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there's still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge. . . .

Guncle Abroad
Guncle Abroad is the second in Steven Rowley's series and it was a fun book to read.  There were things that made me laugh out loud and others that were very thought-provoking.  If you haven't read Guncle, I would suggest reading it first before this one.  Here's the summary ~
Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.

When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.

Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?

Gracing the work with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.
Whew - that's a lot to think about today!  Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

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Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - September 4, 2024

 
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

TOP VIEWED
VERY POPULAR

EDITOR'S CHOICE
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! 

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Click here to enter