Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - March 3, 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

How to Make Symphony Brownies

Ham and Cheese Sliders

This Is What He Remembers About Me

Easy Faux Floral Centerpiece

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

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What I Read in February 2026

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.  On the first Thursday of the month, I share the books I read the previous month.  Let's see what I read in February!

The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman

I absolutely loved this book! In fact, I’ve already added it to my list of titles that would make an excellent book club selection. I don’t believe I’ve read anything else by this author before, but after finishing this one, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of their work. Here’s a quick summary ~

In rural 1930s Virginia, a young immigrant mother fights for her dignity and those she loves against America’s rising eugenics movement – when widespread support for policies of prejudice drove imprisonment and forced sterilizations based on class, race, disability, education, and country of origin – in this tragic and uplifting novel of social injustice, survival, and hope for readers of Susan Meissner, Kristin Hannah, and Christina Baker Kline.

When Lena Conti—a young, unwed mother—sees immigrant families being forcibly separated on Ellis Island, she vows not to let the officers take her two-year old daughter. But the inspection process is more rigorous than she imagined, and she is separated from her mother and teenage brother, who are labeled burdens to society, denied entry, and deported back to Germany. Now, alone but determined to give her daughter a better life after years of living in poverty and near starvation, she finds herself facing a future unlike anything she had envisioned.

Silas Wolfe, a widowed family relative, reluctantly brings Lena and her daughter to his weathered cabin in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to care for his home and children. Though the hills around Wolfe Hollow remind Lena of her homeland, she struggles to adjust. Worse, she is stunned to learn the children in her care have been taught to hide when the sheriff comes around. As Lena meets their neighbors, she realizes the community is vibrant and tight knit, but also senses growing unease. The State of Virginia is scheming to paint them as ignorant, immoral, and backwards so they can evict them from their land, seize children from parents, and deal with those possessing “inferior genes.”

After a social worker from the Eugenics Office accuses Lena of promiscuity and feeblemindedness, her own worst fears come true. Sent to the Virginia State Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptics, Lena faces impossible choices in hopes of reuniting with her daughter—and protecting the people, and the land, she has grown to love.

Available HERE

Leave It Up To Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

I picked up this book through one of the Amazon First Reads selections, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve really become a fan of short stories lately. There’s something so satisfying about curling up on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, sipping a cozy cup of hot tea, and finishing an entire story in one sitting. Here’s the summary of this one ~

Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways.

Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter.

As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the process: In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

Available HERE

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White

This was our library’s book club pick for February. While I wouldn’t rank it among my all-time favorites, I still found it to be an enjoyable read. It definitely gave us plenty to talk about, with several thought-provoking elements to unpack during our discussion.

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she'd hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who's done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the "relocation" of France's libraries, he's forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn't want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

Available HERE

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

One of my book clubs decided for February we would read any book by Abby Jimenez.  I chose Part of Your World.  It's the first book in a three book series.  Full disclosure - I had already read books 2 and 3, so you definitely don't have to read them in order!  I love Abby's books!  They make my laugh out loud and also touch my heart.  Fun reads!  As a bonus, several of her books are free on Kindle Unlimited.

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Available HERE

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

This was a re-read for me, but I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.  After reading Part of Your World, I wanted to remember the tie-in with the second book in the series.  

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game ... by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor ... especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Available HERE

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

Five on Friday - February 27, 2026

It's Friday!  I'm ready to get the weekend started.  Let's kick it off with my Five on Friday this this week ~

1.  Bridgerton - Part 2 of Season 4

I can hardly believe we’re down to the final four episodes of Season 4—I’ve been counting the days! I’m so excited to see how everything wraps up. Tomorrow I’m hosting a little Bridgerton-themed tea party for one of my book clubs, and it feels like the perfect excuse to fully immerse ourselves in all the romance, drama, and Regency-era glamour. We’ll be sipping tea, nibbling on sweet treats, and, of course, diving deep into the latest twists and turns of the series. Something tells me that once I press play, I won’t be able to stop—I’m fairly certain all four new episodes will be completely devoured before the weekend is over!

2.  Holloway House Floor Cleaner

Our hardwood floors had started to lose their luster and were looking a bit tired, so we decided to give Holloway House Floor Cleaner a try—and wow, what a difference! Oh. My. Goodness. They’re now gleaming brighter than when they were first installed. You would never guess they’ve endured 20 years of daily wear and tear.  It’s incredibly simple to use, and it leaves behind a protective layer that helps fill in tiny micro-scratches and smooth out the overall appearance of the floor. The finish looks even, refreshed, and beautifully polished. We couldn’t be happier with the results!

Available HERE

3.  Repairing Serum

My daughter-in-law recently gave me a bottle of COSRX Snail Mucin Repairing Serum, and I am beyond impressed! I had a few stubborn dry patches on my face that just wouldn’t seem to go away, but after only a handful of applications, they completely disappeared. My skin feels smoother, softer, and so much more hydrated.  This serum truly works wonders—and the best part is that it’s incredibly affordable. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get amazing results. It’s definitely earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine!

Available HERE

4.  New M&M Flavors

The creative team at Mars has clearly been hard at work dreaming up some fun new twists on a classic favorite. They’ve just rolled out three brand-new M&M’s flavors, and they sound absolutely delicious!  Now hitting shelves are Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll, which combines that creamy peanut butter center with warm, bakery-inspired cinnamon sweetness; Cherry Chocolate Cupcake, a rich chocolatey treat with a fruity cherry flair; and Lemon Meringue Pie, a bright, zesty option that’s perfect for anyone who loves a citrusy dessert.  It’s always exciting to see what new flavor combinations they come up with next, and these dessert-inspired varieties definitely bring something fresh and playful to the candy aisle!

5.  Good idea...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! My son and I are heading out on vacation together next week, so I’m planning to have all my packing finished before the weekend wraps up. It’s going to be a busy few days — we have our Bible small group meeting tonight, and tomorrow is the Bridgerton-themed tea party. So many fun things happening all at once! I can’t wait to share all the highlights with you. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for updates and a little behind-the-scenes peek at everything!

Bringing the Luck of the Irish to Our Mantel

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 sharing our St. Patrick's Day-themed mantel.

As soon as Valentine's was over, I was ready to pack away the winter look and bring in a little fresh green. Decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day is such a fun and easy way to do just that. It doesn’t take much to instantly brighten the whole room. The mantel is one of the first things you notice when you walk in, so adding a touch of festive charm there feels like a simple way to celebrate the season and bring a little extra luck (and joy!) into our home. 

I had so much fun adding little leprechauns all across the mantel, tucking them in between the other décor so you spot them one by one. They’re peeking out from behind greenery, and adding just the right touch of whimsy to the display. 

To soften everything and bring in a fresh pop of color, I also added a few silk flower arrangements. The blooms add texture and fullness, and their cheerful green and white tones help brighten up the whole space. Together, the playful leprechauns and the florals make the mantel feel festive, layered, and perfectly ready for St. Patrick’s Day.

We’ve had a couple of St. Patrick’s Day-themed prints in our décor stash for years now, and somehow they still feel just as charming as the first time we used them up. Even though they make an appearance every March, they never feel tired or overused. Instead, they instantly bring that familiar pop of green and a festive spirit to the mantel. There’s something comforting about pulling them out year after year — it’s like welcoming back an old friend who knows exactly how to set the tone for the season. 

Decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day may be a small change, but it makes such a big impact in our home. A few pops of green, some playful leprechauns, and those familiar prints instantly shift the space from winter to festive and fresh. I love how something so simple can bring a little extra cheer to our everyday routine. Now we’re all set to celebrate the season — and maybe enjoy a bit of luck along the way.

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

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - February 25, 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

Glazed Pistachio Biscotti

Pear and Cheese Salad

Banana Nut Bread with Maple Syrup and Pecans

Paper Chain Octopus

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 - February 20, 2026

It’s Friday! Even though it was a short work week for me, it somehow felt like it stretched on forever. Does anyone else feel that way sometimes? I’m extra happy to see Friday roll around and to know the weekend is finally here! Let’s jump into this week’s Five on Friday ~

1.  Little Debbie Birthday Cake

A brand-new Little Debbie treat is making its way to store shelves, and it’s ready to turn any ordinary day into a celebration! Who says you have to wait for your actual birthday to enjoy a slice of birthday cake? Now you can indulge in that classic party flavor whenever the craving strikes. This festive snack features soft, fluffy vanilla cake layered with sweet crème filling for that perfect balance of light and creamy. The entire cake is coated in smooth white icing and topped off with a generous sprinkle of bright rainbow confetti for a fun, cheerful finish. Even better, it comes in a unique hexagonal shape that makes it feel extra special and party-ready. Whether you’re packing it in a lunchbox, serving it as an after-dinner treat, or sneaking one with your afternoon coffee, this little celebration is sure to make the day a bit sweeter! 

2.  Be Your Own Bestie by Misha Brown

Misha Brown’s new book, Be Your Own Bestie, has been getting absolutely glowing reviews, and everywhere I turn someone is talking about how encouraging and empowering it is. From what I’ve heard, it’s filled with practical advice and heartfelt reminders about treating yourself with the same kindness and loyalty you so easily give to others. That alone has me so intrigued! I’m really looking forward to carving out some quiet time to dive in and see what all the buzz is about.

Here’s a quick summary of the book ~

You deserve happiness.
You deserve hope.
And you deserve a sassy best friend who can help you learn not to settle for less.

It’s time to start loving yourself radically. And Misha Brown—you may know him as @yourbestiemisha—is here to guide you along your journey of self-discovery, accountability, and most importantly, self-love. With his no-nonsense (but always loving) approach, Misha shares stories from his own life, encounters with others, and the wisdom gleaned from them to help you release the patterns, relationships, and beliefs that have kept you from stepping into your full fabulousness.

With equal parts hilarity and heart, Misha’s S.A.S.S. Method to glowing up your life consists of:

S – Self-reflection: Turn your focus inward to push away what’s been holding you back
A – Affirmations: Reshape the way you speak to and about yourself
S – Standing your ground: Set boundaries and stop apologizing
S – Sculpting the life you want: Take bold steps toward your own happily ever after

No matter where you are today, now is the time to begin showing up for yourself as your own best friend. Because you deserve it, bestie!

Available HERE

3.  The Last Thing He Told Me - Season 2

I'm carving out some time this weekend to watch the first episode in the second season of The Last Thing He Told Me.  I loved the book by Laura Dave and the first season, so I'm expected a lot from season 2.  It's streaming on Apple TV+.  We'll get to see a new episode every week on Fridays until April 10. Based on the sequel The First Time I Saw Him, the upcoming installment features a time jump, more revelations, a reunion, and even more danger that will get Hannah into mama bear mode as she struggles to figure out how to keep her daughter safe.

4.  Relaxed-Fit Cable Crewneck Sweater

I grabbed a new sweater from Amazon last week and I’m so glad I did — I absolutely love it! This classic cable-knit crewneck is such a great find and is currently priced at just $13.94. It’s incredibly soft, super comfortable, and best of all, machine washable (always a win!).  I was on the hunt for something easy and casual to pack for an upcoming trip, and this one checks every box. It’s perfect for layering, throwing on with jeans, or dressing up just a bit with accessories. It comes in three great colors and ships quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to wear it. Honestly, at that price, you might want to add one — or maybe even all three — to your closet!

Available HERE

5.  Hmmm...

Have a great weekend!  I'm excited to be having lunch with a friend tomorrow, then we're having a few friends over for dinner tomorrow night.  Hope your weekend if full of fun too!  See you next week.

Three Tiers of Irish Cheer

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about the invite to you link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking all about our St. Patrick's Day themed tiered tray!

The minute Valentine’s Day was behind us, we pulled out all the green and started decorating for St. Patrick’s Day! Our tiered tray, which sits in the kitchen window, is now overflowing with shamrocks and a little bit of shenanigans. It was definitely time to swap out the wintery evergreen for something lighter and more spring-inspired.

All three tiers are filled to the brim with shamrocks and cheerful little leprechauns! From top to bottom, each layer has its own festive touch — pops of bright green, playful Irish accents, and just enough whimsy to make it feel extra fun. Every tier adds a little more luck and charm, creating a sweet St. Patrick’s Day display that makes our kitchen feel ready for all the shamrocks and shenanigans March can bring. 

The teapot that graced the window during our Valentine’s display decided to stick around for St. Patrick’s Day, too. Instead of packing it away, I loved the idea of letting it transition right into the next holiday. With a few shamrocks and touches of green added around it, the teapot feels perfectly at home in its new festive setting. Sometimes it’s the simplest pieces that can carry over from season to season with just a little styling tweak — and this one was too sweet to put away just yet.

With just a few extra touches here and there, the window came together perfectly! A couple of small accents were all it needed to feel complete — festive, cheerful, and ready for St. Patrick’s Day. 

Now that the kitchen window is finished, I'm moving on to the mantle.  You'll be seeing that on the blog soon!

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