Five on Friday - December 27, 2024

Hope everyone had a glorious holiday and is enjoying the last few days of the year.  I have a to-do list a mile long that I'm slowly working my way through.  I'm determined that 2025 is going to be a fabulous year and I want to make sure it starts off with me feeling organized and energized!  

I'm wrapping up the year with the final Five on Friday for 2024.  Here goes ~

1.  Wicked

On December 31 you will be able to rent or buy Wicked to watch at home!  Universal made this announcement and says it will be available through major digital retailers including Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, Fandango Now, Comcast Xfinity, Microsft Movies and TV, and Cox.  It even comes with about three hours of bonus material, from deleted scenes to commentary to the sing-along version of the movie.  Definitely adding this to our movie collection!

2.  2025

We are hosting some friends over for New Year's eve and I want to do a little decorating.  These 2025 balloons will add the fun festive touch I was looking for!  They are easy to inflate, deflate, and are reusable (think graduation, 50th birthday, 2nd birthday).  If gold isn't your color, they come in several others.  

Available HERE

3.  New Year's Earrings

Speaking of New Year's, I purchased these fun earrings to ring in the new year.  Aren't they fun!  They will round out my outfit, making it perfect for the evening.  Need a pair to round out your New Year's Eve outfit?

A

Available HERE

4. One Line a Day Journal

This is the perfect time to start a one-line-a-day five-year memory book.  Each day you write just one line.  Over the course of time, you will compile many memories and be able to see what your thoughts were one, two, three, and four years ago.  One line a day is very doable and it's even okay if you skip a day or two. 

Available HERE

5.  Resolutions...

Enjoy the final days of 2024! I’m thrilled to welcome 2025 and make it our best year yet. I hope you’ll keep visiting the blog and find inspiration in the posts I share.  See you soon!

2024 Christmas Card

As the magic of this season fills the air, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for being part of this journey. Your support, kind words, and enthusiasm mean the world to me.

In mid-November, we took a trip to Asheville with our friends, Jill and Craig. Before we left, I mentioned to Jill that I hoped to get a photo of us for our Christmas cards. They were so thoughtful and eager to help, assisting with photos and scouting out stunning backdrops for us to pose in front of. Here’s the photo we ultimately chose for our cards…

May your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, and the warm company of loved ones. Here's to creating beautiful memories, cherishing traditions, and embracing all the wonders of Christmas!

Wishing you peace, love, and happiness today and always.

With gratitude and holiday cheer,

Penny

Five on Friday - December 20, 2024

Here we are - the last Friday before Christmas.  How did that happen?!?  I'm still running right on time over here, taking it one day at a time.   Things will slow down after today and I'm looking forward to slowing down and enjoying the remainder of the holiday season.  But first, let's look at today's Five on Friday ~

1.  Virgin River - Season 6

Virgin River is back!  I'll be binging this series if I have a moment to spare this weekend.  The long-awaited wedding of Mel and Jack is promised at some point and I can't wait to see it.  There are 10 episodes sitting out there ready to be watched.  Yay!

2.  Mufasa:  The Lion King

Disney's new movie, Mufasa, is opening today!  Here's the summary ~

"Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka--the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny--their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

3.  Flying Orb Ball

Last weekend Santa visited our house while our niece and nephews were here.  He brought each of them one of these flying orb balls.  I have to admit, they were pretty darn cool!  The kids could throw the ball, run with it and then catch it.  It looks like you can still get it delivered from Amazon before Christmas.  If you're looking for that one more gift for the kiddos, this could be it!

Available HERE

4.  What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking

Finding something to cook day in and day out is not easy.  This cookbook could be a lifesaver!  It's high on my wish list and I'm really hoping to see it under the tree on Christmas.  Bon Appetit says it's the best cookbook of the year!  Here's the summary ~

With three little boys less than two years apart and a packed schedule as an online creator, Caroline Chambers often doesn’t feel like cooking. Can you relate? When you just can’t motivate yourself in the kitchen, this is the simple cookbook you should reach for.

Inspired by Caro’s wildly popular Substack newsletter of the same name, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is brimming with efficient recipes that take the guesswork out of dinner—in fact, each one is a complete meal: protein, veg, starch, done! The recipes are organized by the amount of time they take to cook, so whether you have 15 minutes to throw together Peanutty Pork and Brussels or a little bit longer to simmer Turkey Bolognese with Sneaky Veggies, dinnertime is totally doable. On top of that, Caro gives you more ways to choose, so you can search by protein (Chicken thighs waiting in the fridge? Make White Chicken Chili. Nothing but beans in the pantry? Cannellini Caprese with Burrata is it!) or mood (Tomato Farrotto is perfect for a cozy craving, and Crunchy Honey Harissa Fish Tacos are an excellent way to show off). Most importantly, these recipes include Caro’s famously extensive swaps, riffs, tips, shortcuts, and more to be sure they work best for you, helping you save money, improvise, and even learn a thing or two. They don’t compromise quality or flavor—and they deliver every time. With as few ingredients, steps, and, of course, dirty dishes as possible, dinner awaits!

Perfect for beginners and those seeking easy cookbooks for simple meals, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking is the ultimate "I don't want to cook" cookbook. With its focus on efficient, flavorful recipes and minimal ingredients, this easy dinner cookbook appeals to time-constrained parents, working professionals, and anyone who craves delicious homemade meals without the fuss. Readers seeking uncomplicated cookbooks for beginners will appreciate Caroline Chambers' approachable style, clever shortcuts, and flexible recipe options, making this book a go-to resource for satisfying meals on even the most exhausting days.

Available HERE

5.  Me right now...

Now let's get the weekend started!  Come 5:00 pm I'm off work until after the holidays and I'm giddy with excitement.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you next week.

Mantle and Family Room Christmas Tree 2024

Hello! Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday, where I share what’s on my mind and invite you to join in and do the same. December has been incredibly busy—I’m staying on top of things, but just barely! It’s definitely a day-to-day rhythm over here.

Today, I’m thinking about my family room tree and mantle and would love to share it with you. After that, it’s your turn to link up and let us know what’s on your mind. Let’s dive in!

This was the first time in nearly two decades that my friend Carol didn't decorate my house for Christmas.  She wasn't available this year so I tackled it with the help of my friend Jill.  Thank goodness for Jill!  She recognized my hesitation in knowing how to pull off the decorating and jumped right in to help.  

I'd been seeing dried orange slices all over social this year and I loved the way they looked.  So I made a batch and used them on the mantle and tree.  They were a great add this year!

When Ian was little, we always decorated the tree with garlands of popcorn, cranberries, and Cheerios. Our dog, however, thought the popcorn strings were his personal snack and would eat them right off the tree. I spent countless hours restringing popcorn—it felt like a never-ending task throughout December! A few years ago, I came across some faux popcorn garland at Hobby Lobby and bought it immediately. Now it’s on our tree, looking incredibly realistic. If only this had existed back when we had a dog!

Hobby Lobby also had the best bells! A couple of sets hang from the end of the mantle.

Each side of the fireplace sports a few holiday decorations too.

I took tons of detailed pictures this year to make next year's decorating less stressful.  Hopefully, my friend Jill will be available to help too!

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

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - December 18, 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

Gingerbread Springerle and Christmas Memories

VERY POPULAR

Simple DIY Bottle Brush Tree Decor

Holiday Baking with the Kids:  17 Simple Recipes

EDITOR'S CHOICE

The Best Sloppy Joe Recipe

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

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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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Five on Friday - December 13, 2024

Happy Friday! 🎉 As the week winds down, I'm glad you popped in Five on Friday.  Let’s dive in! 

1.  National Cocoa Day

Today is National Cocoa Day, which makes it the perfect time to get cozy on the couch and enjoy a big mug of hot cocoa.  Our favorite hot cocoa is made using the recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa can.  

Here's What You Need:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa

Salt

4 cups milk

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1/3 cup hot water

Here's What You Do:

Mix 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of Hershey's Cocoa and a dash of salt in a medium saucepan.

Stir in 1/3 cup of hot water.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Boil and stir for 2 minutes.

Add 4 cups of milk; stir and heat until hot.  Do not boil.  Remove from heat; add 3/4 tsp. vanilla.

Beat with whisk until foamy.

2.  Holiday Shipping Dates

Do you have packages that need to be shipped off to friends and family for Christmas?  Here are the deadlines if you'd like your package to arrive before December 25.

United States Postal Service

• USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 18.
• First-class mail — Dec. 18.
• Priority Mail — Dec. 19.
• Priority Mail Express — Dec. 21.

Federal Express

• 5-day shipping — Dec. 17.
• 4-day shipping — Dec. 18
• 3-day shipping — Dec. 19.
• 2-day shipping — Dec. 20.
• 1-day shipping — Dec. 23.

UPS

• UPS 3 Day Select — Dec. 19.
• UPS 2nd Day Air — Dec. 20.
• UPS Next Day Air — Dec. 23.

3.  Elton John - Never Too Late

There's a new movie out this week about Elton John and it's going straight on my list of movies I want to see.  Here's the summary ~

"Elton John: Never Too Late" follows Elton John as he looks back on his life and the astonishing early days of his 50-year career in this emotionally charged, intimate and uplifting full-circle journey. As he prepares for his final concert in North America at Dodger Stadium, Elton takes us back in time to recount the extraordinary highs and heartbreaking lows of his early years and how he overcame adversity, abuse and addiction to become the icon he is today.

4.  Biodance Real Deep Mask

If this time of year is making you a bit frazzled, you might be in need of these Biodance Real Deep Masks.  The mask is intended to be worn for 3-4 hours or overnight.  They give your face soothing and intensive hydration.  It's clinically proven to increase skin moisture by 951%!  Best of all, it's safe for sensitive skin.

Available HERE

5.  A thought...

I have had the best week soaking up all the holiday goodness I can possibly fit into each day.  The fun continues this weekend with a visit from our niece and nephews!  There might even be a special visitor from the North Pole stopping by!  Hope you have a magical weekend too.  See you next week.

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - December 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

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

Oh Christmas Tree

VERY POPULAR

Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

Plaid Patterns for a Warm and Cozy Christmas Table

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Mom's Apricot Strudel

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 

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Five on Friday - December 6, 2024

Happy Friday!  Christmas is getting closer and closer!  I'm not sure my readiness is keeping pace with how quickly it's getting here, but I'm sure it will be fine.  Not a lot will get done here this weekend because I'm taking a little trip with some friends.  Before I board the plane, let me share my Five on Friday post ~

1.  Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Gather the family and turn on NBC tonight at 7 p.m. Central to watch the classic Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Today is also the 60th birthday of the film!  And after more than 50 years, the TV special will not be on the usual CBS.  If you miss it tonight, NBC will also be airing it on Thursday, December 12.  Several streaming channels have it too.  This is one special we try very hard to see each Christmas season!

2.  This Beautiful Day

This week a new book by Mister Rogers came out and it's going straight on my Christmas list!  This Beautiful Day is a collection of reflections for each day of the year.  I look forward to making this book part of my daily routine in 2025.  Here's the summary ~

This Beautiful Day gathers the most trusted advice and insight from Fred Rogers into 365 daily reflections. Every page is an invitation to generosity, compassion, and joy,infused with Fred’s warm voice, his dearly loved work on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and his timeless insight, all of which have shaped the lives of countless children and adults.

With advice on everything from navigating transitions to nurturing community,This Beautiful Day is a kind reminder from a beloved neighbor that, "you don't have to be anything more than who you are right now."

This Beautiful Day is part of The Day by Day series, a collection of books designed to help readers infuse the rhythms of their lives with meaning and intention.

Available HERE

3.  Scentsicles

Do you have your artificial Christmas tree up and missing the smell of a fresh one?  Here's the answer!  Scentsicles!  Hang the contents of one jar on your tree and you will never know it's not freshly cut.  I've used these in the past and love them.  They come in a couple different scents, so you can get your favorite.  I'm going with Christmas Berry which features notes of holly berry, blue spruce, cedarwood, and warm spices.

Available HERE

4.  Southwest Gift Card at Sam's

Are you planning to fly anywhere on Southwest?  Sam's Club has a great deal on Southwest gift cards right now.  Their $500 card is on sale for only $429.99!  That's a heck of a savings!  Click HERE to take advantage of this deal.  Not a Sam's Club member?  Now might be the perfect time to join.

5.  Brilliant plan...

Have a fantastic weekend!  I'm leaving Eric at home to man the fort while I go to New York to see the high-kicking Rockettes.  To say I'm excited is an understatement!  Seeing the Rockettes has been on my bucket list for quite some time and this weekend I'll get to check it off.  Can't wait to share the experience with you!

What I Read in November 2024

Hi there! Thanks for visiting Thinking Out Loud Thursday, where I share what’s on my mind and invite you to join the conversation. Since it’s the first Thursday of the month, I’m diving into the books I read last month. Let’s take a look at what I read in November!

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

I kicked off the month with a Christmas-themed book by Mary Kay Andrews, The Santa Suit.  It was a cute story that celebrates the magic of Christmas.  It's a relatively short book, 224 pages, so you might be able to enjoy the whole thing in one cozy afternoon.  Here's the summary ~

When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love―but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit―beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.

Available HERE

 

Option B:  Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandburg and Adam Grant

My son recommended this book and I'm so glad he did.  One of the authors, Sheryl Sandburg, lost her husband very unexpectedly and the book explores how we move on to Option B when things go drastically off what we planned as our first option.  

After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg felt certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again. “I was in ‘the void,’” she writes, “a vast emptiness that fills your heart and lungs and restricts your ability to think or even breathe.” Her friend Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, told her there are concrete steps people can take to recover and rebound from life-shattering experiences. We are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. It is a muscle that everyone can build.

Option B combines Sheryl’s personal insights with Adam’s eye-opening research on finding strength in the face of adversity. Beginning with the gut-wrenching moment when she finds her husband, Dave Goldberg, collapsed on a gym floor, Sheryl opens up her heart—and her journal—to describe the acute grief and isolation she felt in the wake of his death. But Option B goes beyond Sheryl’s loss to explore how a broad range of people have overcome hardships including illness, job loss, sexual assault, natural disasters, and the violence of war. Their stories reveal the capacity of the human spirit to persevere . . . and to rediscover joy.

Resilience comes from deep within us and from support outside us. Even after the most devastating events, it is possible to grow by finding deeper meaning and gaining greater appreciation in our lives. Option B illuminates how to help others in crisis, develop compassion for ourselves, raise strong children, and create resilient families, communities, and workplaces. Many of these lessons can be applied to everyday struggles, allowing us to brave whatever lies ahead. Two weeks after losing her husband, Sheryl was preparing for a father-child activity. “I want Dave,” she cried. Her friend replied, “Option A is not available,” and then promised to help her make the most of Option B.

We all live some form of Option B. This book will help us all make the most of it.

Available HERE

 
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake was our library book club selection for November.  It had been on my TBR list for a long time so I was glad to have a reason to bump it to the top of the list.  I ended up listening to it because it was long (416 pages) and I knew it would be a challenge for me to get through it before our book club meeting.  It had a lot of twists and turns which kept my interest throughout the whole book.  Here's the summary ~

In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.

Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

Available HERE

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

I thought I'd throw in a book titled Thanksgiving in November because, you know, Thanksgiving and all.  It was a cute and a great book to read as I was drifting off to sleep every night.  I had read several books in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and you could recognize her writing in this book as well.  It's nothing super literary, but a fun little read.

When Megan Murphy discovered a floppy-eared rabbit gnawing on the hem of her skirt, she meant to give its careless owner a piece of her mind, but Dr. Patrick Hunter was too attractive to stay mad at for long. Soon the two are making Thanksgiving dinner for their families.

Available HERE

A friendly reminder for Amazon Prime members: don’t forget to claim your free First Reads book for December! I’m excited to enjoy some cozy reading time by the fire, surrounded by the glow of Christmas tree lights this month.  Happy reading!

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 - December 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

How to Start Pursuing Your Passion

VERY POPULAR

Make-Ahead Holiday Casseroles

Merry Monday: Christmas Home Tour – Kari Miller Blog

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Pull-Apart Festive Christmas Dinner Roll Wreath Recipe

 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