Five on Friday - June 19, 2026

Hello!  Happy Juneteenth!  I'm so happy to be off work today.  My to-do list is a mile long, so let me get right to my five for this week ~

1.  Toy Story 5

I'm so excited about Toy Story 5 opening today!  It's hard to believe that Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang have been part of our lives for so many years.  Every movie has managed to bring laughter, adventure, and a few tears along the way, and I can't wait to see what comes next for these beloved characters.  Whether you're a longtime fan or grew up watching the films with your kids, there's something special about returning to the world of Toy Story.  I'm ready to grab some popcorn and enjoy!

2.  Come Undone by Eddie Huang

Eddie Huang's new novel came out this week and is getting some buzz.  It sounds like a book I'd like to read.  Here's the summary ~

Hubie lives an exciting life. He hosts a traveling food show, works with his best friend, and samples the best the world has to offer. There’s only one problem: his love life. Hubie treats his romantic partners as courses on a tasting menu. His one rule when it comes to love: three months and it’s over. Hubie is no hubby.

Then he meets Anastasia, a mysterious woman who seems to share his approach to life—she wants fun, sex, and the freedom to depart before dawn. They have chance encounters in glamorous locations around the world—a luxury spa in the Utah desert, a cliffside hideaway in Jamaica, exclusive Los Angeles parties—where they party and flirt with electric energy, but are always with other partners. When they finally connect, the chemistry is undeniable. Just as they find a way to be together, the specters of their pasts—the secrets and burdens beneath their carefree exteriors—arise to threaten everything. Will they truly embrace each other, flaws and all? Can they shake off shame, regret, and the lingering weight of old wounds to open themselves fully to love?

Sharply comic but with hidden depths, Come Undone is about how we run from love and how it hunts us down.

Available HERE

3.  Softshell Ice Cream Ball

Are the kiddos needing something fun to do already this summer?  This clever little gadget turns making homemade ice cream into an activity everyone can enjoy. Simply add the ingredients, fill the outer chamber with ice and rock salt, and then roll, toss, or gently play with the ball while the ice cream freezes inside.  In about 25 minutes, you'll have a delicious batch of homemade ice cream and plenty of laughs along the way.  It's a great way to get kids and adults involved, and it makes dessert feel like part of the entertainment rather than just the ending to a meal.

Available HERE

4.  ALDI's Blind Boxes

ALDI is bringing a little extra fun to grocery shopping with its free Blind Box giveaway happening June 22 through June 25. Each day at noon Eastern time, shoppers will have a chance to snag a limited-edition mystery box filled with ALDI favorites—ranging from snacks and pantry staples to protein-packed and fiber-focused assortments. There are four themed boxes total, including a Snack Box, Protein Box, Fiber Box, and a surprise Mystery Box, each designed to highlight some of ALDI’s most popular products. The catch is that they’re only available while supplies last, which adds to the excitement and makes it feel a bit like winning a grocery lottery. It’s a creative way for ALDI to introduce customers to new and best-loved items while adding a little thrill to an ordinary week of shopping.

5.  Hmmm...

Have a wonderful weekend and very happy Father's Day!  Wishing all the dads, grandpas, and father figures a very Happy Father’s Day filled with love, laughter, and time well spent with the people who appreciate them most.  See you back next week!

In case you missed it this week on the blog:

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Bringing Red, White and Blue to My Kitchen Window

Bringing the Red, White & Blue to My Kitchen Window

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking about my red, white and blue decorations in our kitchen window!

Fourth of July is just around the corner, and our kitchen window is all decked out and ready to celebrate! I always look forward to pulling out the red, white, and blue decorations each summer. There’s something so cheerful and festive about adding patriotic touches throughout the house, and the kitchen window is one of my favorite spots to decorate. From stars and stripes to vintage-inspired accents, I love filling this space with pieces that capture the spirit of Independence Day. The bright colors make me smile every time I walk into the kitchen and help create a fun, welcoming space for the season.

Every layer of the three-tier stand is decked out!

Hobby Lobby was my source for all the little Uncle Sam figurines.  I've had them for years and love scattering them all around the display.

The picture in the center is a simple reminder that our freedom is possible because of the brave men and women who have served and protected our country. Their sacrifice and dedication are something worth remembering and honoring, especially as we celebrate Independence Day.

I always enjoy creating seasonal displays in this little corner of our kitchen, and this patriotic setup may be one of my favorites. The bright colors, meaningful reminders, and festive touches make it a fun way to celebrate the season and reflect on the blessings of living in this great country. Now we're ready for all the Fourth of July festivities!

 

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 - June 17, 2026

 

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.

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

HIGHLIGHT LINKS 

The Best Summer BBQ and Grill Season Recipes

Crock Pot Sweet & Smoky BBQ Ribs

Strawberry Salad Dressing with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Patriotic Pinwheel Cookies

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 - June 12, 2026

Wooza - this week flew by!  It has been an extremely busy one and I'm so looking forward to being able to take a breath this weekend.  Five o'clock can't get here soon enough!  Let's jump right in to my five for today ~

1.   Sweet Magnolias Season 5

My weekend plans definitely include some binge-watching because Netflix just released the entire new season of Sweet Magnolias! I’ve been looking forward to catching up with Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue and seeing what new adventures, challenges, and small-town drama await them in Serenity. One of the things I love most about this series is the strong friendship between the three women and how they always support each other through life's ups and downs. The previews hint at plenty of surprises this season, including a wedding storyline, which has me especially excited. If the past seasons are any indication, there will be plenty of heartwarming moments, a little romance, and a few unexpected twists along the way. I have a feeling I'll be spending more than a few hours on the couch this weekend watching "just one more episode!"

2.  Road Trip:  A Novel by Mary Kay Andrews

Mary Kay Andrews has a new book out just in time for your summer reading list.  Road Trip is promised to be a fun, heartwarming read filled with family drama, mystery, romance, and plenty of Irish charm. When two estranged sisters inherit a painting that could be worth millions—or could be a fake—they set off on a journey to Ireland to uncover its secrets. Along the way, they find themselves untangling long-buried family mysteries, revisiting their roots, and navigating a relationship that has been strained for years. With picturesque Irish villages, colorful characters, a touch of romance, and an intriguing treasure hunt at its center, this novel has all the ingredients of a classic Mary Kay Andrews summer read. It's an engaging story about family, forgiveness, and second chances that will have you dreaming of an Irish adventure of your own.

Available HERE

3.  Summer Dress

There's nothing better than an easy, comfortable dress for summer, and this one checks all the boxes! The relaxed fit makes it perfect for staying cool on warm days, while the soft, stretchy fabric keeps it incredibly comfortable to wear. Even better, it's wrinkle-resistant, making it a great option for travel or busy days on the go. It comes in a wide variety of colors, so there's something for everyone. When the temperatures dip in the evening, it pairs perfectly with a denim jacket. I chose the black version, but after seeing how much I love it, I have a feeling I'll be adding a few more colors to my closet soon!

Available HERE

4.  Bonine

If you've been around here for a while, you've probably heard me sing the praises of Bonine before, but with summer travel season in full swing, it's worth mentioning again! Whether you're heading out on a road trip, setting sail on a cruise, or spending a day at an amusement park, Bonine is one of those products I never travel without. A few years ago, I started experiencing motion sickness whenever I read in the car or rode certain amusement park rides. After a friend recommended Bonine, I decided to give it a try, and I've been a fan ever since. For me, it works incredibly well, lasts for a full 24 hours, and best of all, it doesn't leave me feeling drowsy. If you or someone in your family struggles with car sickness, seasickness, or motion sickness of any kind, it's definitely something worth keeping on hand for your summer adventures.

Available HERE

5.  Cheers!

Have a great weekend!  We have some fun things planned and hopefully will also be catching up on rest.  Whatever you're doing, I hope you have a wonderful time.  See you next week!

In case you missed it this week on the blog:

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Let's Go To Belgium - Day 5 in Paris!

Let's Go To Belgium - Day 5 in Paris!

Hi and thanks for popping in to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm continuing to recap our trip to Belgium.  I'm up to Day 5 and you are never going to guess where we spent it - PARIS!  If you've missed the first part of our trip, you can catch up here ~

Day 1     |     Day 2     |     Day 3     |     Day 4

We hadn’t completely decided where we wanted to spend Day 5 of our trip before we left. We tossed around several ideas, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Luxembourg. But once I discovered that Paris was only about an hour and a half away by train, the choice became easy. Paris, here we come!

Since we only had one day to see as much of Paris as possible, I decided to splurge on both the Paris Museum Pass and a Big Bus pass. The Museum Pass allowed us to skip the long lines at several attractions, helping us make the most of our limited time.

When Eric and I visited Paris several years ago, we absolutely loved the Big Bus hop on hop off experience. We've tried similar buses in other cities since then, but none have compared to Paris. I knew it would be the perfect way to see the city's highlights while giving us a break from navigating the subway system or spending the entire day on foot.

As soon as we got off the train from Brussels, we headed straight to the du Louvre.  If you've ever visited this museum, you know you could spend days there!  We had a plan and moved fast!  

Located near the Louvre is the D'Orsay.  We hit that next!

There was a Big Bus stop right outside the Musée d'Orsay, so we climbed aboard and set off to explore the city. As we rode through the streets of Paris, we soaked in the sights and sounds all around us, trying to take in every detail and capture as many memories as possible.  Our hopping off spot was the Eiffel Tower!

After walking around the tower a bit, back on the bus we went to go the Notre Dame.  Before entering the cathedral, we stopped for lunch across the street at Cafe Panis and got so incredibly lucky to have an amazing view from our window seat.   

Eric and I had visited Notre Dame before the fire, so I was anxious to see it since it reopened.  I swear I could still smell the smoke!  It is so beautiful and seems brighter than before.

After Notre Dame, we loaded up on the bus for another spin around the city.  Paris has so many beautiful things to see!

To close out our day in Paris, we boarded a sunset cruise on the Seine River. It was the perfect way to sit back, relax, and soak in the beauty of the city one last time. As we drifted past some of Paris's most iconic landmarks, we reflected on all we had seen and experienced during our whirlwind visit. 

As the boat docked, the twinkling lights on the Eiffel Tower put on their show!

We had just enough time to stop at Breizh Cafe for a crepe on the way to the train station.  It was as delicious as the reviews said it was!

I had visited Paris once before, but it was Ian's first time experiencing the City of Light. To be honest, Paris wasn't very high on his list of places to visit, and I was hoping our day there might change his mind. Mission accomplished!

He fell in love with the city and, shortly after we returned home, booked a trip to come back with his wife, Kayla. While one day is certainly not enough time to do Paris justice, it was enough to leave a lasting impression. I'll gladly take any amount of time I can get in this incredible city!

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 - June 10, 2026

 

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

HIGHLIGHT LINKS 

Fresh Strawberries and Cream Martini

Thrift Flip

Rock Painting Fun!

Kid-Friendly Watermelon Slush

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 - June 5, 2026

 Happy Friday!  I'm crazy busy getting ready for a wedding I'm coordinating this weekend, so let's get right to my five for this week ~

1.  Whistler by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett's latest book was released this week and I can't wait to crack it open!

When Daphne Fuller and her husband Jonathan visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they notice an older, white-haired gentleman following them. The man turns out to be Eddie Triplett, her former stepfather, who had been married to her mother for a little more than year when Daphne was nine. Now fifty-three, Daphne hasn’t seen Eddie for many years, not since the fateful event that changed the direction of both their lives. Meeting again, time falls away; while their relationship was brief, it had a profound impact on them both, and now that they are reunited, they have no intention of ever being separated again.

Whistler is a story about two adults looking back over the choices they made, and the choices that were made for them. It’s a story about bravery, memory, the often small yet consequential moments that define our lives, and the endless stream of loss that in time comes for us all. Beautiful in its simplicity, it is ultimately about how love endures, and how the feeling of being known by one other person, even for a short period of time, can change everything.

Available HERE

2.  Carolina Caroline

Headed to the theater this weekend and wondering what to see?  Carolina Caroline opens today and is getting great reviews.  Carolina Caroline is a heartwarming film about family, second chances, and finding your way home. Filled with small-town charm and relatable characters, the story follows Carolina as she navigates unexpected challenges, rekindled relationships, and personal growth. With its blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments, it's an enjoyable feel-good movie that celebrates the importance of love, friendship, and staying true to yourself.

3.  Fourth of July Dress

I was searching Amazon for a cute dress to wear to our Fourth of July celebrations and came across this adorable find! The tiered silhouette is especially flattering and forgiving through the midsection, and the red gingham print feels perfectly festive for the holiday. It also comes in several other color options if red isn't your style. One thing to note: shipping took a little longer than the typical Amazon Prime delivery, so be sure to order early if you have a specific event in mind.

Available HERE

4.  Sunglass Case

I'll admit it—I own more pairs of sunglasses than I probably need, which means they tend to end up scattered all over the house. To make it easier to find the pair I want each day, I decided it was time for a designated storage spot. Enter this chic sunglasses case! Not only does it keep all my pairs organized and easy to find, but it also gives them a safe place to live when they're not in use. Stylish, practical, and much better than hunting through drawers and countertops!

Available HERE

5.  Charge it...

And that's a wrap on this week's Five on Friday! Thanks for spending part of your day here with me. I always love hearing what you've been reading, watching, wearing, or loving lately, so be sure to leave a comment. Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you back here next week!