Celebrating the Bride-to-Be: Josie’s Special Day

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a space where I share what’s on my mind and invite you to join in and link up with your own thoughts. Today, I’m reminiscing about the lovely time we had celebrating Josie, a beautiful bride-to-be, at her shower this past weekend! Let me share some of the highlights with you ~

Guests were welcomed with a sign inviting them to come on in. The porch was adored with hydrangeas flanking the door in our tall planters (HERE). I picked up a boxwood wreath (HERE). We added a white tulle bow to make it look more like a bridal veil. To round out the welcoming atmosphere, we had an Echo on the porch playing instrumental love songs. Tucked inside the bow on the wreath were cotton balls with the signature scent of the day, English Pear and Freesia (HERE).

As each guest arrived, I made sure to snap a quick photo of them with the bride-to-be—a special little keepsake for her to look back on and remember everyone who came to celebrate. We turned our dining room table into a welcoming station, creating a warm and inviting first stop for guests as they came in. We displayed framed photos of each bridesmaid paired with a short note sharing how the bride knows them. It was such a meaningful touch and gave everyone a glimpse into the special friendships that have shaped her life.

Once inside, guests were handed a small clipboard with all of the games attached, making it easy to keep everything together as they mingled, chatted, and grabbed a bite to eat. I’ve used these clipboards (HERE) for years at so many different events, and they’ve truly been such a great investment!

We kept the games simple and fun—gift bingo, guess their ages, and find the guest. Each one encouraged guests to move around, strike up conversations, and get to know one another. Our goal was to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable mingling, and I think it worked beautifully.

Planning the menu was so much fun! Here’s what we decided on:

Lemon Curd and Raspberry Tartlets

Caprese Skewers

Pimento Cheese and Hot Pepper Jelly Pastry Cup

Charcuterie in Tea Cups

Cucumber Canapés

Shrimp Cocktail

Amaretto Cake with Raspberry Filling

The mantel was beautifully styled with blue hydrangeas, soft candlelight, and a framed photo of the soon-to-be bride and groom. We carried that same look over to the staircase, weaving hydrangeas along the banister and adding touches of tulle to tie everything together for a cohesive, romantic feel.

Hydrangeas from Amazon (HERE and HERE)

In the kitchen, we set up the food on the table and placed the drinks on the island to keep everything flowing smoothly for guests. The banister was dressed up with a touch of tulle as well, adding a soft, elegant detail that carried the décor seamlessly into the space.

Each guest went home with a sweet little favor—a jar of homemade body lotion lovingly made by one of the bridesmaids, along with a tube of lip balm. It was such a thoughtful and personal touch to thank everyone for celebrating the bride-to-be.

It was such a beautiful day celebrating our bride-to-be! We’re all so excited and can’t wait for the wedding ahead.

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 15, 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
6. Angie – SALT PRAIRIE | IG | PINTEREST 

HIGHLIGHT LINKS

Pineapple Mocktail

25 Blueberry Recipes for Canning

How to Keep Chipmunks & Squirrels Out of Your Potted Plants!

What Did You Read This Month

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.

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Five on Friday - April 10, 2026

Hello!  I'm going to get right to it today because we are knee deep in getting ready to host a bridal shower at our house tomorrow ~

1.  The Book of Pizza

King Arthur Baking Company's Book of Pizza came out this week and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.  We did a little pizza making back in my sourdough days, but haven't made a homemade pizza in a while.  Maybe with the help of this cookbook we will jump back in.

The bakers at King Arthur Baking Company researched, tested—and tasted!—hundreds of pizzas and cooking methods to develop the most comprehensive book yet dedicated to the art and science of making pizza at home. Organized around twelve distinct styles—New York, New Haven, Chicago Tavern, Grandma, Neapolitan, and more—King Arthur Baking Company’s The Book of Pizza goes deep on every element of a great pie, from dough and sauce to the cheese and the bake.

Comprehensive yet accessible, the book is packed with innovative topping suggestions to match each crust style (don’t sleep on the Prosciutto and Hot Honey Neapolitan pie). But it also empowers bakers to mix and match sauces and toppings, allowing them to customize pizzas exactly to their liking. Rounding out the pizza recipes are four quintessential pizza night salads and an entire chapter of desserts, including Spumoni Semifreddo, an array of Italian-inspired cookies, and simple cakes, like Olive Oil Cake with Chocolate Ganache, to end pizza night with a bang.

Available HERE

2.  Fragrance Oil

I'm a huge fan of Joan Malone's English Pear and Freesia scent.  What I'm not a huge fan of is the cost!  I want down the rabbit hole on Amazon looking for alternatives and found this fragrance oil.  In a smell test, I'm not sure you could tell the difference!  And the price is a fraction of the cost. I dropped some on a tissue and put in under the seat of our car.  Man, does our car smell great!  I'm going to hide a tissue that has a few drops on it in our front door wreath so guests will be welcomed with this wonderful fragrance.  If I get really ambitious, I'll add it to some candles.  You could also use it for pet shampoos, bath bombs or room diffusers.  So many uses!

Available HERE

3.  Hacks Season 5

The final season of this award-winning Max comedy just dropped. We’re still a season behind, but it’s definitely on my watch list. Jean Smart is absolutely hilarious and plays Deborah Vance perfectly. If you haven’t seen it, it’s set in Las Vegas and follows a legendary stand-up comic trying to stay relevant in an ever-changing entertainment world.

4.  Dippin' Dots

The classic Dippin' Dots is starting to show up in grocery store freezers, which feels so nostalgic and fun. It used to be something you could only get at amusement parks or special events, so seeing it in stores is kind of exciting. I’m thinking it would be such a cute treat for summer nights or even a fun addition to a movie night at home.  

5.  Try it...

Have a lovely weekend!  I can't wait to show to all the things from the shower!  See you next week.

Let's Make Lemon Raspberry Cake with Sugar Crunch Top

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  I'm so glad you stopped by.  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 excited to share with you a recipe I've made a couple of times and is perfect for spring and summer - Lemon Raspberry Cake with Sugar Crunch Top.

First, a big shoutout to Tastes of Lizzy T - this is where I originally found the recipe, and I’ve made only a few small tweaks. I mainly wanted to have it saved here on the blog so I can easily come back to it, because I know it’s going to be a repeat favorite. The next time I have a little extra time, I can’t wait to explore more of her recipes!

Now back to the recipe ~

Here's What You Need

1/2 cup salted butter (softened to room temperature)

Zest from one lemon

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon juice

2 large eggs

1-1/3 cup all-purpose floud

1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup full-fat sour cream

2 cups fresh raspberries

Here's What You Do

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.  This cake is super moist and I served it straight out of my pan.  (Note to self:  perfect excuse to buy a new, pretty 9-inch cake pan.)

Place your sugar in a separate shallow pan (I used a pie plate) and zest the lemon over the top of the sugar.  Use the back of a spoon or rubber spatula to press the zest into the sugar.  

Add the butter and 1 cup of the zesty sugar into a bowl and whip together for about five minutes.  Your mixture should be pale and fluffy.

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.  Next, add in the lemon juice.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined after each addition.

Gently fold the raspberries into the cake batter using a rubber spatula.  

Spread the batter in the prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar evenly over the top of the cake batter.

Bake for 40-45 minutes.  It's done when the top is crackly and lightly browned.  The center won't look as done as the edges.  I'll be honest, the original recipe said to bake it for 35-40 minutes and the two times I've made this recipe it had to stay in the oven longer than that, so I bumped the cooking time to 40-45 minutes.  Bottom line - cooking time may vary.

Let the cake cool completely in the pan before serving.

This cake is bursting with delicious flavor! The combination of raspberries and lemon creates the perfect balance of sweet and tart. I hope you love it just as much as we do!

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 8, 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

Save

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
6. Angie – SALT PRAIRIE | IG | PINTEREST 

HIGHLIGHT LINKS

Buttercream Candies

Easy Couscous & Veggie Salad

Cards I Made in March

Roasted Radishes

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 3, 2026

Happy Easter weekend!  We have a holiday today and I'm sure excited to have a long weekend.  Our church does this amazing cross walk on Good Friday.  I'm volunteering so my day is busy, but full of goodness.  Before I head out to that, let me share my Five on Friday ~

1.  The Drama

The Drama is definitely on my must-see list! The wedding storyline immediately pulled me in, and I’m really hoping we get a chance to see it soon. Critics are already saying it could be one of the most talked-about films of 2026.

Led by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama leans into the kind of dark, discomforting humor that audiences love. The film centers on an engaged couple in the days leading up to their wedding, when a shocking revelation begins to unravel their relationship. As tensions escalate, what starts as a love story spirals into — you guessed it — lots of drama. Early reviews suggest audiences should be prepared for a visceral experience. Equal parts hilarious and haunting, the film invites nervous laughter as often as it does discomfort, leaving viewers debating its meaning long after the credits roll.

2.  Beauty Brands Spray Sale

If you’ve been waiting to stock up on a good hairspray, the Beauty Brands sale is such a great time to do it. They’ve marked down a wide variety of favorites—from flexible, brushable formulas to strong-hold sprays that actually keep everything in place without feeling crunchy.  Whether you’re needing something lightweight for everyday styling or a little extra hold for special occasions, it’s definitely worth taking a look while everything is discounted.

3.  Mailbox Cover

I’m in the middle of a full porch refresh for spring, and I can’t wait to share the finished look with you! I ended up carrying the makeover beyond just the porch and gave our mailbox a little seasonal update too with this new cover. It adds the perfect pop of color and honestly just screams spring and summer the moment you see it.  I love keeping a cover on our mailbox year-round—it’s such an easy way to add a little personality outside. The magnetic strips hold everything securely in place, even on windy days, and installation couldn’t be simpler. Plus, they’re so easy to swap out with the seasons, which makes decorating feel fun and effortless.

Available HERE

4.  Strawberry Angel Food Cake Blizzard Treat

Dairy Queen is introducing its new flavor of Blizzard - Strawberry Angel Food Cake!  The DQ website describes it perfectly - "This delightful treat combines light and fluffy angel food cake pieces with real strawberries, all blended to Blizzard perfection with DQ's world-famous soft serve."  YUM!!  Might be swinging through a Dairy Queen this weekend to give one of these a try.  

5.  Truth...

Wishing you a beautiful and joy-filled Easter!  May your day be filled with hope, renewal, and time spent with the people you love most. I hope your celebrations are full of meaningful moments, sweet traditions, and maybe even a little chocolate along the way. Happy Easter! See you next week!

What I Read in March 2026

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a space where I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  On the first Thursday of the month, I reflect on the books I read the previous month.  So let's jump in and see what I read last month ~

March was a bit of a lighter reading month for me—I only finished three books. Even so, it was a bit of a mixed bag. Two of them were definitely worth the time and are easy recommendations from me, while the third… not so much. That one just didn’t hit the mark, and I’d honestly say it’s not worth adding to your reading list.

Chronicle in Stone by Ismail Kadare
Our library book club selected Chronicle in Stone as our March read, and I’ll admit it wasn’t a favorite of mine. From the very beginning, I struggled to connect with it, though I kept reading in hopes that something would click as the story unfolded. Unfortunately, that moment never really came for me. I tried to stay open-minded and give it a fair chance, but by the end, my opinion hadn’t changed. It turns out I wasn’t alone—only a few people in our group truly loved it, while most of us found it difficult to fully enjoy.

Masterful in its simplicity, Chronicle in Stone is a touching coming-of-age story and a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit. Surrounded by the magic of beautiful women and literature, a boy must endure the deprivations of war as he suffers the hardships of growing up. His sleepy country has just thrown off centuries of tyranny, but new waves of domination inundate his city. Through the boy’s eyes, we see the terrors of World War II as he witnesses fascist invasions, allied bombings, partisan infighting, and the many faces of human cruelty—as well as the simple pleasures of life.

Evacuating to the countryside, he expects to find an ideal world full of extraordinary things, but discovers instead an archaic backwater where a severed arm becomes a talisman and deflowered girls mysteriously vanish. Woven between the chapters of the boy’s story are tantalizing fragments of the city’s history. As the devastation mounts, the fragments lose coherence, and we perceive firsthand how the violence of war destroys more than just buildings and bridges.

Available HERE

Someone Else's Shoes by JoJo Moyes

I’ve long been a fan of Jojo Moyes, so I was thrilled to see she had a new book out. As expected, it did not disappoint. Just like her previous novels, this one completely drew me in—I found myself devouring page after page, not wanting to put it down. The story was charming and heartfelt, with just the right balance of light moments and deeper emotional layers. It made me smile, tugged at my heart, and left me thinking about the characters long after I finished.

Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.

That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.

Full of Jojo Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling, and warmth, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.

Available HERE

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

This book had been sitting on my TBR list for quite a while, and I’m so glad it finally made its way to the top! From the very beginning, I was completely drawn in, and it quickly became one of those reads I couldn’t stop thinking about. I absolutely loved it and will be recommending it to just about everyone I talk to—it’s that good. The story, the characters, and the overall feel of the book all came together in such a memorable way.

I think it would make an excellent book club selection, too, with plenty to discuss and reflect on. I actually listened to the audiobook version, which I really enjoyed, but I already know I’m going to need a physical copy for my shelf. It’s definitely one I’d love to revisit and have on hand to lend out or flip through again in the future.

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn't explain much about where he came from or why he's there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person's story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.

Available HERE

Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking about today?  Link up and share!

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