Five on Friday - October 9, 2026

Happy Friday! I'm slowly easing my way back into reality after a glorious week of vacation. Why is it always so hard to get back into the swing of things? But Friday is here, and that means it's time for another Five on Friday! Let's jump right in ~

1.  The Social Reckoning

Adding another movie to my list.  If you watched The Social Network, here's one to put on your radar! Aaron Sorkin is taking us back into the world of Facebook, this time diving into the scandals, secrets, and whistleblowers behind the social media giant. Starring Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White, this drama looks like it could be a fascinating watch! I'm always intrigued by movies inspired by real events. How about you?  

2.  Pick You Up! 

Sheryl Crow Has New Music! – Here's something that makes me happy! Sheryl Crow is releasing a brand-new album today called Pick You Up! If you loved her music back in the '90s (and who didn't sing along to "All I Wanna Do"?), you'll be excited to hear she's returning to that familiar sound. The album features seven new songs centered around hope, connection, and finding a little light in this crazy world. I think we could all use a little of that! This one is definitely going on my playlist!

Available HERE

3.  Every Story is a Love Story

You know I'm always on the lookout for a good book, and this one caught my attention! With a title like Every Story Is a Love Story, how could I not be intrigued? I'm a sucker for a story that tugs at the heartstrings, and this sounds like one worth adding to my ever-growing TBR list! How about you? Is this one on your reading radar?

Three years ago, Wolo’s wife was killed in a tragic car accident. In an instant, the great love of his life was gone, and so was their beautiful future. In the face of a loss that seemed insurmountable, Wolo has slowly rebuilt a semblance of a life: he goes to work, hangs out with a small circle of friends, and fends off the matchmaking efforts of the older women in his family. The grief that dogged him has, with time, become a little gentler.

Until a letter arrives one day, unbidden, threatening to upend his life once again. It is from Victoria, the woman who was behind the wheel that terrible day. Wolo’s family pastor tells him the letter is the work of the devil; his mother expressly forbids him from making further mention of it; his father’s second wife calls, from Cameroon, to tell him to destroy it. But Wolo ponders it for days, and ultimately agrees to meet with the woman who killed his wife. When he does, the compassion and deep remorse of the woman affects him in ways he had never imagined, and he begins to wonder if the long road to healing can be shared.

What do we owe to those who have hurt us? Are we defined by our worst moments and our deepest regrets? And, more than anything, can forgiveness ease our suffering? Moving and full of life, Every Story Is a Love Story charts the uneven path from heartbreak to healing.

Available HERE

4.  Jelly Bras

Comfort Meets Cute! – Who says you have to sacrifice style for comfort? These COCOMARTS Jelly Bras are wireless, have a little push-up support, and feature the cutest scalloped edges! No uncomfortable underwire digging in, just a smooth, flattering fit. If you're looking to give your bra drawer a little refresh, these might be worth checking out!

Available HERE

5.  What season is this?!?

And that's a wrap on this week's Five on Friday! We are so excited to be hosting an out-of-town guest this weekend for our annual putt-putt golf tournament! It's always such a fun time filled with lots of laughs, a little friendly competition, and probably some questionable golf skills! I'm looking forward to a weekend of making memories and spending time with friends. Hopefully, the weather cooperates and my putting game is better than usual! Whatever your weekend has in store, I hope it's filled with things that make you smile. Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you back here next week!

Let's Make Noah's Ark Clam Chowder

Welcome to another edition of Thinking Out Loud Thursday! We are fresh off a wonderful vacation in Maine, where we enjoyed our fair share of delicious seafood! All those tasty meals reminded me of a fabulous clam chowder recipe I've shared in the past. It's simply too good to keep tucked away in the archives, so I thought today would be the perfect time to bring it back and share it with you again!

When the weather turns cold, I like to bring out the soup recipes.  One of my favorites is this clam chowder.  It's easy to put together and will make a crock pot full.  The consistency is thick enough that it's perfect to serve in a bread bowl, which definitely makes it guest-worthy.  

 Here's What You Need

2 cans Cream of Potato Soup
2 cans of New England Clam Chowder
2 cans Cream of Celery Soup
1 can of clams - rinsed
1 pint Half & Half
1 cup of cooked diced potatoes (I use one drained can)
1 stick of melted butter

Here's What You Do

This is pretty simple ~ you open all the cans.  Melt the butter.

Mix all the ingredients together and put it in a crock pot.

Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours.

That's it!

 

In just a few short hours and not a lot of effort, you have a large pot of wonderful clam chowder.  When the cold wind is blowing outside, this delicious thick soup really hits the spot.  We love to scoop up a big bowl when we're watching the football games on Sunday or coming in from running errands on Saturday.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - October 7, 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

Sweet & Salty Chex Mix Recipe

Easy Cranberry Apple Muffins — Pinecones & Acorns

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Cards and Scrapbook Pages

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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Five on Friday - October 2, 2026

Happy Friday from Maine!  We are spending our last few days in Maine exploring Acadia.  It is truly so beautiful here!  But I'm taking a minute away from the amazing views to share my Five on Friday post.  Let's go ~

1.  Verity

If you’re a Colleen Hoover fan, you’ll want to put Verity on your movie radar! The bestselling psychological thriller is hitting the big screen with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett. The book was dark, twisty, and definitely a little disturbing, so I’m curious to see how it translates to the screen. This one looks perfect for kicking off spooky season!

2.  The French Illusion by John Grisham

John Grisham has a new book out this week, and this one definitely caught my attention! The French Illusion takes us to Paris for a honeymoon that goes terribly wrong. With Grisham’s signature suspense and a beautiful European setting, this sounds like one I might need to add to my TBR list.  Here's the summary ~

After Paul and Chelsea Tanner’s fairytale wedding, their future is full of promise. But their honeymoon to Paris takes a dark, shocking turn when they are kidnapped while on a day trip to the French countryside. Who would target them, and why? It turns out this is not the first crime of its kind. The search for clues soon stretches across borders, with the FBI, CIA, and French Intelligence trying to work together to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Struggling to find answers, a young lawyer is recruited to be the bait in an elaborate CIA operation.

Available HERE

3.  Halloween Facial Masks

How cute are these for a little Halloween self-care!  The Loopeer 8-Piece Halloween Facial Mask Sheet Bundle is such a fun way to turn an ordinary night into a spooky spa night. With festive Halloween designs, these would be perfect for a girls’ night, Halloween party favors, boo baskets, or just treating yourself while watching a scary movie. Grab a bundle, invite your girlfriends over, and make it a ghouls’ night in!

Available HERE

4.  Lobster Sweater

I bought this lobster sweater specifically for our Maine trip, and it has been one of my favorite things I packed! It’s cute, fun, and just screams New England coastal style. Throw it on with jeans and you have an instant outfit that looks put together without even trying. And honestly, you don’t need a trip to Maine as an excuse to wear it! If you love unique sweaters that get noticed, add this one to your cart—you’ll be so glad you did!

Available HERE

5.  Yep...

We’re wrapping up our Maine adventure, and I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye to the beautiful views, lobster, and all the memories we’ve made along the way.  I hope you have a wonderful first weekend of October filled with a little fall fun of your own. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here next week!

What I Read in September 2026

Hello and thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  On the first Thursday of the month, I share my reading list from the month prior.  Let's jump in to what I read in September ~

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

I really enjoyed A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner. I love historical fiction that weaves together stories from different time periods, and this one did that beautifully. It was an emotional read filled with love, loss, and the courage it takes to move forward after tragedy. Here’s a little about the book:

September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries...and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. What she learns could devastate her—or free her.

September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine, and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers...the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. But a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf may open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life.

Available HERE

A Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

A Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose was one of those twisty thrillers that kept me guessing! Just when I thought I had things figured out, another surprise came along. It was a fast-paced read with plenty of secrets, deception, and twists that made me want to keep turning the pages. Here’s a little about the book:

From New York Times bestselling author Jeneva Rose comes the definitive edition of her shocking breakout thriller, The Perfect Marriage. Fully reedited, it features a sneak peek of the first three chapters of the upcoming sequel, The Perfect Divorce.

Sarah Morgan is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Washington, DC. With a perfect case record and having made named partner before the age of thirty-five, her life is going exactly as she planned.

However, the same cannot be said for her husband, Adam, a failed author, who's grown to resent his wife's meteoric success as he feels it's come at the expense of their relationship.

For almost two years, Adam has kept his affair with Kelly Summers a secret, but everything changes when her body is discovered at the couple's lake house and Adam is arrested on suspicion of murder.

Sarah now finds herself facing her most challenging case yet when she vows to defend her husband--a man accused of murdering his mistress.

While Adam is certainly guilty of sleeping with Kelly, the question remains: Is he guilty of killing her too?

Available HERE

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Horse by Geraldine Brooks was our library book club selection this month. I really enjoyed how the story blended historical fiction with the fascinating world of horse racing while moving between different time periods. There’s a lot to unpack in this one, so it also made for a great book club discussion! Here’s a little about the book:

Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack.

New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance.

Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse—one studying the stallion’s bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.

Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.

Available HERE

The English Bookstore in Bologna by Boo Walker

The English Bookstore in Bologna by Boo Walker was such a charming read! With its Italian setting, books, and a story about new beginnings, it was an easy one to get swept up in. And a little bonus—if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free! Here’s a little about the book:

Tucked away on a cobblestone street in enchanting Bologna, Italy, is the only English bookstore in the city. It’s owned by prickly Sandy Cooke, who keeps love, and even romantic fiction, at a distance. Her employee, timid and hopelessly optimistic Moira, dreams of transforming the struggling shop into a vibrant community hub. Against the odds, one Bolognese summer, it becomes a haven for fellow expats at their own crossroads.

Bianca is a psychotherapist escaping both a breakdown and withering reviews of her new self-help book. On her heels is her father, George, wrestling with retirement―and regrets. He’s had a few, but the light of his life has always been his daughter. Then there’s Harold, a young and awkward barista from Denver recovering from his first belly-flopping high dive into love. Maybe it’s time for reinvention.

At the only English bookstore in Bologna, paths converge for five damaged souls who discover that healing doesn’t require much―just honest connection and an open heart.

Available HERE

And that wraps up my September reading! I had a nice mix of historical fiction, suspense, and lighter reads this month, which always makes for a good reading month in my book. Now it’s time to turn the page to October, and I already have a few books waiting on my TBR. I’d love to know—what was the best book you read in September?

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 - September 30, 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

Pecan Pie Cupcake Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Recipe

What Signs Do You Follow?

Crunchy Apple Salsa

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 25, 2026

Happy Friday, friends! We’ve made it to the end of another week, and I am extra excited about this Friday because vacation starts tomorrow! We’re headed to Maine for a week of lighthouses, beautiful scenery, easy hikes, lobster, and hopefully lots of gorgeous fall color. Of course, our timing couldn’t be more interesting—we’re heading straight into a nor’easter! Nothing says “Welcome to Maine” quite like wind and rain, right?! We’re packing the raincoats, keeping an eye on the forecast, and planning to make the best of whatever Mother Nature sends our way. But before the adventure begins, I’ve got five things to share, so let’s get this edition of Five on Friday started!

1.  Dolly Pardon Day

This one feels a little bittersweet this year. After losing Dolly Parton in August, Dolly Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible life and legacy she left behind. I was so sad to hear of her passing—she was truly one of a kind! From Jolene and 9 to 5 to her huge heart and the millions of children impacted by her Imagination Library, Dolly gave us so much to love. I think the best way to celebrate today is to turn up a little Dolly music and remember the joy she brought to so many. There will never be another Dolly!

2.  Churro Doughnut Dots

Well, Krispy Kreme has my attention! They just introduced Churro Doughnut Dots, and they sound dangerously good. They take Krispy Kreme’s light and fluffy doughnut dough, toss the little bites in cinnamon sugar, and serve them with dulce de leche dipping sauce. Each order comes with eight dots, and they’re only around for a limited time. These sound like the perfect little fall treat—and I’m pretty sure “shareable” is merely a suggestion! If you love churros AND doughnuts, you might need to make a Krispy Kreme run.

3.  Heart of the Beast 

There’s a new movie hitting theaters this weekend that looks like it could be a good one! Heart of the Beast stars Brad Pitt as a Special Forces officer who survives a plane crash with his combat dog, Odin, only to find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. The two have to battle the elements and find their way back to civilization—and apparently the bond between Brad and the dog is a huge part of the story. It’s part survival thriller, part adventure, and part man-and-his-best-friend story. This one looks intense, but so good! And really...Brad Pitt and a dog? You don’t have to twist my arm.

4.  Closet Drawers

I’ve been doing a little fall cleaning and decided my closet could definitely use some help! I added these Fixwal Closet Drawers, and I’m loving the extra organization they give me. The set comes with two stackable units with two drawers each, and at 21.2 inches wide, they give me plenty of extra storage without taking up a ton of space. They’re perfect for sweaters, workout clothes, pajamas, accessories—or all those things that never seem to have a good home. There’s just something so satisfying about walking in the closet and seeing everything neat and organized. Now let’s see how long I can keep it that way!

Available HERE

5.  Put this on your to-do list...

And that’s a wrap for this week! My suitcase is calling my name, and I still have a few things to check off the list before we head out tomorrow. I’m ready to put the to-do list away for a bit and enjoy a week of making memories with Eric and our friends. I’ll be sharing some of our adventures along the way, so be sure to follow along! Have a wonderful weekend, friends. Next time you hear from me, I’ll be in Maine!