Five on Friday - April 8, 2022

Happy Friday!  Let's get right to my five for this week ~

1.  Book Junkie Bingo

A friend of mine turned me on to this website and I'm so excited that she did!  For those of you who are in book clubs, this is the site for you.  On BookJunkieBingo.com you can search for a book and then buy a bingo game that goes with it.  The kit includes the bingo cards and enough questions to play two games of bingo.  I recently purchased a set for the book my book club is reading and we will be playing at our next meeting.  It's something different and I'm looking forward to seeing the group's reaction.  If you want to add a new touch to your book club, check out BookJunkieBingo.com.  

2.  OPI Aurora Berry-alis

I picked up a new nail polish color and am loving it!  It's OPI's Aurora Berry-alis.  (Who comes up with these color names?)  This one is a just-right pink that screams Spring.  Getting a new bottle of nail polish is always a favorite to me because it glides on your nails so nicely.  Do something nice for yourself and pick up a new bottle!

3.  Fubbles - No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket

Easter is fast approaching and if you're looking for basket ideas, put this item high on your list.  This amazing product is designed to not spill the liquid bubble mix inside.  You read that correctly - the bubbles will not spill out of it!  Anyone with kids knows this is a major deal.  No messy bubble juice all over the sidewalk when you use the Fubbles - No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket!  Where was this when my son was little?

4.  Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Fabric

Recently I got a rip in my favorite puffy coat.  The stuffing was falling out and I didn't want to have to throw it away because of the tear.  After a bit of googling, I learned about this Gear Aid Tenacious Tape.  It worked perfectly!  My coat is now repaired and ready for wear.  I might be the last person on earth to know about this magic stuff, but if you have anything nylon, mesh, vinyl, rubber, or plastic that needs a repair, this could be your answer.

5.  The Fun of Aging

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!  We are off to Memphis to see our niece in a play and to meet our newest great-niece who is just a month old.  Pop in on next week to read all about it!

Going to the Beach!

This Thursday for Thinking Out Loud, I've got our upcoming vacation on my mind.  In a few short weeks, Eric and I are headed to the beach for some much-needed relaxation.  Just the thought of waking up to the sound of the ocean waves puts a smile on my face!  But before we load the car, I want to share some of our favorite things we take on our beach trip every year.

When we drive to the beach, we way overpack.  I take everything that will fit in the car that we might use or want.  And I'm not even sad about it.  I take our favorite candle, indoor grill, fan, and a ton of food.  Then there's all the beach stuff!  Our SUV is loaded!  But I don't want to get there and then wish I would have brought this or that.  

Everyone knows the obvious things to take to the beach - chairs, umbrella, towels, sunscreen.  Today I'm thinking about some of our favorite not-so-obvious things we've found helpful while at the beach ~

Beach Umbrella Anchor  

If you don't have one of these in your beach arsenal, get one immediately!  It's easy to screw in the sand, then it holds your umbrella in place even through the windiest days.  Game changer!

Beach Towel Chair Clips

If you don't want to be fighting to keep your towel in place on your chair, get a set of these clips.  They clip your towel right to your chair and you don't have to worry about it blowing away while you are dipping your toes in the water.

Beach Umbrella Hook

Last year was the first time we had one of these beach umbrella hooks and we loved it!  If your towel is damp, you can hang it up to dry.  Keep your items sand free by hooking them on this gadget.  It's nice!  

Sandproof Blanket

We love laying this blanket out and sitting our chairs and other beach possessions on it.  As much as I love the beach, I also have a dislike for sand in everything.  This blanket helps keep the sand under control.

Sand Cup Holders

Speaking of sand, I like to keep the sand off my beverages and out of my cups.  The sand cup holders prevent that!  

Wireless, Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Those waves at the beach get loud!  If you want to hear your tunes, bring along a Bluetooth speaker.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Last year was the first time I used a waterproof phone pouch and it was amazing how much more at ease I was about having my phone on the beach.  

Do you have any secret weapons you take to the beach that makes your trip more enjoyable?  I'd love to hear what they are!

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

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - April 6, 2022

Happy Wednesday! Welcome to another week of the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! We are so glad you're here!!

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

Scroll down to see them all and link up at the end.  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

Please follow the hosts on at least 1 social media channel!

1. Ahna - HAMMERS N HUGS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
2. Anne & AnnMarie - SIMPLY 2 MOMS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
3. Angela - THE SHORT ORDER COOK | FB | IG | PINTEREST
4. Bev - ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
5. Cindy - SIMPLE STEPS FOR LIVING LIFE | FB | IG | PINTEREST
6. Christin - MY HOMIER HOME | FB | IG | PINTEREST
7. Emily - LeCULTIVATEUR | FB | IG | PINTEREST
8. Jana - HARVESTING HOME | FB | IG | PINTEREST
9. Penny - PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
10. Sinea - DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
11. Tammy - MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST
12. Tara - STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST

Top Viewed

This black and white Easter table is so fun! Be sure to visit Thrifting Wonderland for more views of this lovely tablescape!

Very Popular

How cute is this butter bunny!! Visit Linda’s blog Crafts a la mode to see how she made this darling bunny!!

Editor's Choice

CoCo from The Crowned Goat shared her lovely spring home your! Be sure to head over to her blog for lots of beautiful inspiration!!

Be sure to grab our Specially Featured graphic below if your post was featured this week, and hyperlink it to this post on your blog or sidebar. We love showing you off!

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 - April 1, 2022

 Happy Friday!  This week has flown by!  I'm still not all the way cleaned up from our Oscar party from last weekend.  Hopefully, I'll get everything put away and the Easter decorations out before this weekend is finished.  But let's start the weekend with my five for today ~

1.  April Fools' Day

Today is April Fools' Day so be ready for some shenanigans!  Growing up, I loved to play a prank on my dad each April 1.  He drank his coffee with a heaping spoonful of sugar.  I thought it was hilarious to switch the salt with the sugar, then watch his face when he took his first swig of the day.  He probably knew what I was up to and was just humoring me, but it made me laugh every year!  

2.  Julia

HBO Max is giving us a new show on Julia Child and I'm here for it!  The series dropped three episodes this week and has five more to go.  Here's the description from HBO ~

JULIA is inspired by Julia Child’s extraordinary life and her long-running television series, “The French Chef,” which pioneered the modern cooking show. Through Julia’s life and her singular joie de vivre, the series explores a pivotal time in American history – the emergence of public television as a new social institution, feminism and the women’s movement, the nature of celebrity and America’s cultural evolution. At its heart, the series is a portrait of a loving marriage with a shifting power dynamic.

 I know what I'm going to be doing this weekend!

3.  T-Shirt Folder

I bought one of these gadgets this week and it's fabulous!  Folding laundry is going to be a lot more fun around here.  I was so excited to try it, I pulled out all the sloppily folded t-shirts in my cabinet and made them look like a stack straight from a display rack in the store!  For just a small investment, your t-shirts can be perfectly folded too.

4.  Nana Loves You More

Jimmy Fallon's new book, Nana Loves You More, was released this week and it's getting rave reviews.  Do you know someone who's becoming a grandmother?  This would make the perfect give for them to read to their new grandbaby!  And grandmothers, this would be the perfect book to slip into your grandchild's Easter basket.  Grab one today!

5.  Reminder for my next hike...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  I'm looking forward to taking it easy and not doing too much of anything.  The book I'm reading, The Paris Bookseller, is getting very good so I'm dying to finish it.  I also purchased some new organizational containers for the drawer in our bathroom.  Maybe I'll tackle cleaning that space over the weekend.  Pop back next week to see how much I actually got accomplished.

And the Oscar Goes To...

Hello and thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  I'm going to share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.

Today I'm still thinking about what a great time I had last weekend.  I would have loved to do a Weekending post, but time completely got away from me so I'm sharing the good time today instead.

Last weekend my friend Linda traveled across the state to partake in the Oscar party we were having.  She was a huge help in getting ready for the party!  If it hadn't been for my friend Carol and her crew coming over to decorate and Linda's last-minute help pulling it all together, I would have been very stressed!  As it turned out, we had a wonderful weekend and everything was perfect by the time the guests arrived.

Before the party on Sunday night, Linda and I managed to join my son and daughter-in-law for dinner on Friday night, binge-watch the entire season of Bridgerton, see the movie Lost City in the theater, stream Licorice Pizza and do some outlet mall shopping.  Yes, we were busy!  

The main attraction for the weekend was definitely the Oscar party.  The guests strolled up the red-carpeted sidewalk and came in through the VIP entrance.  

Once inside, they were greeted with a signature cocktail, The Red Carpet Fizz, made with Almond sparkling wine and cranberry wine.  I had rimmed the glasses earlier in the day with cranberry sugar.  Each guest could also pick out their own award-themed glass tag.

Carol and her crew had done a spectacular job decorating!  I had been purchasing things and literally just throwing them in a tote.  She was able to find the perfect spots for everything!

The kitchen island and area where we have our tier tray got decked out too.  

And the paparazzi captured it all on film!  

We of course had an Oscar ballot and played games.  I love using the mini-clipboards I bought years ago to put them on.  These are great for all kinds of parties - baby showers, bridal showers, so many things!  They ended up being a great investment.

Everyone brought an appetizer and we snacked all night long.  For dessert, we had decorated cookies, candy, and ice cream sandwiches.  If anyone lives in my area and needs someone to decorate cookies for an event, send me a message and I'll share my source.  She is fantastic!  

At the end of the night, guests left with a goody box containing gourmet popcorn, movie candy, and a candy bar.  It was a fun night!  I wish I had gotten more pictures, but once people started arriving I was too busy having fun to remember to take pictures.  I'll just have to make that a goal for next year's party.

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 - March 30, 2022

Spring home refresh ideas and finds, a cute Spring-inspired bunny centerpiece, and how to make spring flower candy are all highlighted in today's Wonderful Wednesday blog hop.  Today's hop is all about Spring!

I am so ready for Spring, I can barely stand it. The weather has not been cooperating over here, but I think we're closer than we're further.  From some Spring refresh ideas for your home to a super cute Spring-inspired bunny centerpiece, you'll love this week's features!

Scroll down to see them all and link up at the end.

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to another week of the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!  We are so glad that you are here.

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

Please follow the hosts on at least 1 social media channel!

1. Ahna - HAMMERS N HUGS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
2. Anne & AnnMarie - SIMPLY 2 MOMS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
3. Angela - THE SHORT ORDER COOK | FB | IG | PINTEREST
4. Bev - ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
5. Cindy - SIMPLE STEPS FOR LIVING LIFE | FB | IG | PINTEREST
6. Christin - MY HOMIER HOME | FB | IG | PINTEREST
7. Emily - LeCULTIVATEUR | FB | IG | PINTEREST
8. Jana - HARVESTING HOME | FB | IG | PINTEREST
9. Penny - PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
10. Sinea - DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
11. Tammy - MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST
12. Tara - STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST

Top Viewed

March at the Thrift Store - Thrifting Wonderland

Very Popular

Let's Make Spring Flower Candy - Penny's Passion

Editor's Choice

Cottage Farmhouse Spring Centerpiece - Follow the Yellow Brick Home

7 Ways to Refresh your Home for Spring - Living Large in a Small House

Be sure to grab our Specially Featured graphic below if your post was featured this week, and hyperlink it to this post on your blog or sidebar. We love showing you off!

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 - March 25, 2022

Happy Friday friends!  I'm so stoked about this weekend - it's Oscar time!  I was doing a slow panic earlier this week just thinking about my very long to-do list and how I was going to get it all done.  My friend Carol came to the rescue!  She and her crew came over and decorated my house and got it party-ready.  I can't wait for my guests to see it and to share it with you next week!  

But first, let me share my five for today with you ~

1.  Bridgerton Season 2

Netflix is giving us season 2 of Bridgerton starting today!  The Shonda Rhimes hit mirrors the Julia Quinn books and is scrumptious to watch.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to miss Rege-Jean Page this season, but I'm sure there will be a lot of others filling that gap.  Can't wait to see what Lady Whistledown has to gossip about!

  

2.  Michael Buble's Higher

Michael Buble is releasing a new album today titled Higher.  This is his 11th album and it's been three years since his last one.  We can look forward to hearing him doing a duet with Willie Nelson on the song "Crazy" and a new version of Paul McCartney's "My Valentine".  I'm looking forward to hearing all 13 songs on this one!

3.  The Recovery Agent

Janet Evanovich is starting a new series and the first book was released this week.  You might know Janet from her Stephanie Plum series.  This new series is all about Gabriela Rose.  Amazon summaries it like this ~

Lost something? Gabriela Rose knows how to get it back. As a recovery agent, she’s hired by individuals and companies seeking lost treasures, stolen heirlooms, or missing assets of any kind. She’s reliable, cool under pressure, and well trained in weapons of all types. But Gabriela’s latest job isn’t for some bamboozled billionaire, it’s for her own family, whose home is going to be wiped off the map if they can’t come up with a lot of money fast.

Inspired by an old family legend, Gabriela sets off for the jungles of Peru in pursuit of the Ring of Solomon and the lost treasure of Lima. But this particular job comes with a huge problem attached to it—Gabriela’s ex-husband, Rafer. It’s Rafer who has the map that possibly points the way to the treasure, and he’s not about to let Gabriela find it without him.

Rafer is as relaxed as Gabriela is driven, and he has a lifetime’s experience getting under his ex-wife’s skin. But when they aren’t bickering about old times the two make a formidable team, and it’s going to take a team to defeat the vicious drug lord who has also been searching for the fabled ring. A drug lord who doesn’t mind leaving a large body count behind him to get it.

The Recovery Agent marks the start of an irresistible new series that will have you clamoring for more and cheering for the unstoppable Gabriela Rose on every page.

4.  Oscars Ballot    

Will you be watching the Oscars on Sunday night?  Click HERE to get your free, printable ballot.  Rather you're having a party or just watching with the fam, it's fun to fill out a ballot and see how you do picking with winners.  We'll definitely be filling out ballots at my party on Sunday!  

5.  Not a bad idea...

Okay - I'm off to tackle a few more things on my to-do list.  Our friend is arriving this afternoon for the weekend and we can't wait!  I'm hoping to have most of my chores down before she arrives so it can be solid fun all weekend long!  Pop in on Monday to see how the weekend went.