Five on Friday - September 18, 2026

Hello, friends! We’ve made it to the end of another week, which means it’s time for another edition of Five on Friday! I’ve got a fun mix of things to share with you today, so grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get to it. Here we go ~

1.  Happy Hour with Ina Garten

Here's something new to add to your listening list this weekend!  Ina Garten has a brand-new podcast, Happy Hour with Ina Garten, and I'm pretty sure this one was made for me.  Each week, Ina invites an interesting guest to join her for a cocktail, a little something to eat, and some fun conversation.  The first episode featured Kate McKinnon and it was full of talk about gardening and pickling.  Kate also tells a story about her audition for Saturday Night Live.  You can listen wherever you normally get podcasts or watch the full video episodes on Ina's new YouTube channel.

2.  New Books Out This Week

This was a big week for book releases and several went straight on my TBR list.  Here's the ones that caught my eye:

Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey — The new novel returns to Peachtree Bluff and follows Caroline as she unexpectedly finds herself caught between a new romance and her not-quite-ex-husband, while Ansley faces trouble of her own. If you love a series, this is book 5 in the Peachtree Bluff Series.

Available HERE

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult — A new novel about Molly Fitzgerald, whose mother died on September 11, and the way an unexpected crisis forces Molly and her husband to question what they thought they knew about their lives and each other.

Available HERE

The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham — A new novel set at Tiffin Academy, an elite boarding school where the senior class is beginning a school year filled with relationships, secrets and drama.

Available HERE

3.  Sleeve Holder Arm Bands

Fall is coming, which means it’s almost time to pull out all those cute sweaters and long-sleeve tops! I love the look of sleeves casually pushed up, but getting them to actually stay that way is another story. Enter sleeve holder arm bands! Slip them on under your sleeves, push everything up to just the right spot, and your sleeves stay perfectly styled without constantly sliding back down. Such a simple little fashion hack that can make your whole outfit look a bit more polished and put together. I’m definitely adding these to my fall wardrobe arsenal!

Available HERE

4.  Dot's Chipotle Honey Pretzels

If you’re a fan of that sweet-and-spicy combination, here’s a new snack to be on the lookout for! Dot’s has a new limited-edition Chipotle Honey Pretzel flavor, combining a touch of sweet honey with a smoky chipotle kick. I already love Dot’s pretzels, so naturally I’m going to have to hunt down a bag of these. They sound like the perfect snack for fall football watching!

5.  Maybe she shouldn't be driving ~

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! We have lots of fun things on the agenda, and I can’t wait to get the weekend started! I’m ready to soak up every minute and hopefully make some great memories along the way. Whatever you have planned, I hope your weekend is filled with a little fun and plenty of reasons to smile. See you back here next week!

Let's Make Buffalo Chicken Dip!

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is the day I share a little something that’s been on my mind, and then invite you to link up and share what you’ve been thinking about too.

Now that football season has officially kicked off, I’m already thinking about one of my favorite parts of game day—the food!  Around here, you really can’t have a good football-watching afternoon without a few delicious snacks, and one of our all-time favorites is Buffalo Chicken Dip.

I first shared our go-to recipe way back in 2022, and since that was quite a few football seasons ago, I decided it was time to dust it off and bring it back to the top of the recipe file. It’s creamy, cheesy, just the right amount of spicy, and always one of the first things to disappear. If you’re looking for something easy and delicious to serve on game day, this one definitely deserves a spot on your menu!  Here's the post from 2022 ~

There are millions of recipes for buffalo chicken dip out there.  This one that we use is extremely simple and quick to pull together.  

Here's What You Need

2 cans of chicken, drained

2 - 8 oz packages of cream cheese

1 cup Ranch dressing

3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 bunch of celery

1 box of chicken-flavored crackers

Here's What You Do

Drain the 2 cans of chicken and empty them into a skillet.  Add in the 3/4 cup Frank's sauce and heat over medium heat.

Stir in the cream cheese and ranch dressing.

Stir until well blended and the mixture is warm.  Mix in 1-1/2 cups of the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.

Transfer mixture into a small slow cooker and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.  Cover and cook on a low setting until hot and bubbly.  This only takes about a half-hour.  We've been known to be a bit impatient with waiting and eating it as soon as it gets transferred to the slow cooker.

Serve with celery and chicken-flavored crackers.  I love stacking the celery on my favorite Nora Fleming small tray and football charm.

This dip has just the right amount of heat for my taste, but if you are someone who loves to sweat when you're eating something spicy you could use Frank's Hot Sauce in place of the Wing Sauce. Enjoy!

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 - September 16, 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

Mixed Berry Freezer Jam

Big Hurt Bigger God

Easy 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

Cream Chocolate Eclairs

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 11, 2026

Happy Friday, friends. Before we jump into this week’s Five on Friday, I couldn’t let today pass without taking a moment to remember September 11, 2001. It’s hard to believe 25 years have passed since a day that changed our country—and so many lives—forever. Today we remember those who lost their lives, the families who still carry that loss, and the first responders and everyday heroes who showed incredible courage in the face of unimaginable tragedy. May we never forget. 

And with a grateful heart for the ordinary moments we’re blessed to have, let’s move into this week’s Five on Friday.

1.  The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

Ariel Lawhon’s newest novel, The Pirate Queen, is out this week, and this one is especially exciting for me because I’m seeing her at an author event tonight! She's the author of The Frozen River and that is on of my favorites. This book is inspired by the legendary Irish pirate queen Grace O’Malley and is filled with history, adventure, power, and a fiercely determined woman at the center of it all. Historical fiction fans will definitely want to put this one on their radar. I always love hearing an author talk about the story behind the story, so I’m especially excited to hear Ariel share more about this book tonight—and, of course, add a signed copy to my bookshelf!

Available HERE

2.  Practical Magic 2

Calling all Practical Magic fans—the Owens sisters are back! Nearly 30 years after the original became a cult favorite, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning as Sally and Gillian Owens in Practical Magic 2. This time, the family’s magical legacy continues with a new generation, while Sally and Gillian once again find themselves dealing with the Owens family curse. Joey King and Maisie Williams join the cast, and Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are back too. If you loved the sisterhood, magic, and, of course, those famous midnight margaritas from the first movie, this one needs to be on your list. Practical Magic 2 hits U.S. theaters today, September 11!

3.  Oreo Apple Pie A La Mode Cookies

Well, OREO certainly knows how to get us ready for fall!  The new limited-edition Apple Pie à la Mode OREO cookies are hitting shelves, and they sound like fall wrapped up in a cookie. Think apple pie flavor with that creamy à la mode twist—all without having to bake a thing! I haven’t tried these yet, but you know I’ll be keeping my eyes open for a package. If you spot them before I do, grab a pack and let me know if they’re worth adding to the fall snack rotation!

4.  Dryer Balls

I’ve been using wool dryer balls for years, and mine have finally reached the point where it’s time for a fresh set! If you haven’t made the switch from dryer sheets yet, I’m a big fan. They help separate the clothes as they tumble, allowing the warm air to circulate better and helping laundry dry more efficiently. They’re reusable, help soften clothes, and can cut down on wrinkles and static—all without having to toss a dryer sheet in with every load. Mine have definitely earned their retirement after countless loads of laundry, so a brand-new set is headed to my laundry room!

Available HERE

5.  Hmmm...

And that’s a wrap on this week’s Five on Friday! Tonight I’m heading to the Ariel Lawhon author event, which I’m really excited about, and then I’m looking forward to settling into the weekend. I hope you have something fun planned—or maybe absolutely nothing planned at all! Either way, I hope your weekend is filled with a little relaxation, lots of laughter, and time with the people you love. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you back here next week!

A Sunny September: Decorating with Sunflowers and Mushrooms

Hello and welcome 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.  This week, I finally took down our patriotic-themed decor and put up the late-summer sunflowers.  Can't wait to show you how it turned out ~

I mixed cheerful sunflowers with the cutest little mushrooms to create a look that feels like the perfect bridge between summer and fall. The bright yellow sunflowers bring in plenty of sunshine, while the mushrooms add just the right touch of woodland whimsy. It’s fun, happy, and just a little bit quirky—which is exactly what I was going for!

The kitchen table needed a little sunflower love too!  I kept the centerpiece simple and cheerful, carrying over the sunflowers and touches of fall from the rest of the house. I love having something pretty in the middle of the table that makes me smile every time I walk through the kitchen. It ties in perfectly with the window and mantel and gives the whole space that warm, sunny feeling I was hoping for. I've been looking for a dough ball and found the perfect one at Hobby Lobby.

The mantel got in on the sunflower and mushroom fun too. I carried the same cheerful theme over, mixing sunny yellow blooms with a few whimsical mushrooms and touches of greenery. 

And there you have it—a little tour of my sunflower and mushroom decor! I love how these cheerful touches have brightened up the window, mantel, and kitchen table and given our home that perfect in-between-season feeling. I’m not quite ready to go all-in on pumpkins just yet, so sunflowers and mushrooms are happily filling the gap! Before long, I’m sure the fall bins will be coming out, but for now, I’m going to enjoy every bit of this sunny little season. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!

Now it' 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 - September 9, 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

Peach Ice Cream

An Owl-together Fall Tablescape

Stamped Tumbled Tile Coasters

Dirty Apple Cider

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 4, 2026

Hey Hey - Happy Friday!  I'm so excited to be headed into a holiday weekend.  My to-do list is long, and I'm hoping three days are enough to at least make a dent in it.  First things first - here's my Five on Friday post for this week ~

1.  Leanne - Season 2

Season 2 of Netflix's Leanne dropped on July 31, and Eric and I have already watched the entire season! We flew through the episodes because this show just makes us laugh. Starring the hilarious Leanne Morgan, the series follows a Southern woman who suddenly finds herself starting over after her husband leaves her—and, of course, there are plenty of funny moments along the way. The whole cast is fantastic, and every character brings their own special kind of crazy to the mix. If you're looking for something light, funny, and easy to watch, definitely give Leanne a try. Now Eric and I are just over here impatiently waiting for another season!

2.  I've Got a New Complaint by Laurie Notaro

This book came out this week and I've anxious to crack it open.   I have a feeling some of her writing will be about things I can relate to...

Laurie Notaro can time travel. The portal is Scottsdale, Arizona. Once inside her elderly parents’ home, she’s a child again―who’s two years away from collecting Social Security. Caught between generations, Laurie is young enough to be thrust into the role of caregiver yet old enough to be grappling with her own creaking bones and analog life skills. It’s an awkward age.

Navigating it is just a matter of winging it. She runs rampant through Italy with her American driving skills. Infuriating office politics leave her little choice but revenge and some hexes. Laurie also confronts a high school bully at a reunion, considers an elaborate funeral at a puppet theater, and fancies an ideal retirement plan involving bank robbery. As for sex at sixty, honestly, it’s a challenge. The parts are a little rusty (at least they sound that way).

Regardless of indignity or mishap, the #1 New York Times bestselling author finds agency with the sharp wit of a woman who refuses to go gently into that good night.

Available HERE

3.  Fabric Shaver

Even though the temperatures might not be saying fall just yet, we all know sweater weather will be here before we know it! I’m already thinking about pulling out my favorite sweaters, and I know a few of them are going to need a little TLC after last season. Enter this handy fabric shaver! It quickly takes care of all that annoying pilling that can make a favorite sweater look old and tired. A few swipes and those little fuzz balls are swooshed away, leaving your sweaters looking fresh and practically brand new again. Such an easy and inexpensive way to give your fall wardrobe a little refresh without buying anything new!

Available HERE

4.  Taco Bell Churro Ice Cream Taco

Okay, Taco Bell has my attention with this one! They teamed up with Salt & Straw to introduce a brand-new Churro Ice Cream Taco, and it sounds like the perfect combination of two of my favorite things—churros and ice cream! The $3.99 treat has creamy churro-flavored ice cream tucked inside a crispy waffle cone shell and is finished with puffed rice and a dark chocolate-flavored coating. It rolled out nationwide on September 1 and is only available for a limited time while supplies last. I haven't tried one yet, but I have a feeling a Taco Bell run may be happening very soon!

5.  Yep...

And just like that, another Five on Friday is in the books! I hope you found a little something today that made you smile—or maybe even something you need to add to your shopping cart. Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with plenty of fun, a little relaxation, and time spent doing the things you love. Enjoy every minute, and I’ll see you back here next week!