Penny's Passion: May 2018

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Friday Favorites - June 1, 2018

How was your short week?  I don't know about you, but it sure didn't seem like a short week to me.  I'm ready for the weekend!  And I'm looking forward to checking out all the links today!

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday - May 31, 2018

It's Thursday - WHAT!?!  That happened fast!  I still have the weekend on my mind, so that's what I'm thinking out loud about today.

Memorial Day weekend started early at our house because Eric and I were both off work on Friday.  We rose early and headed to Kansas City for my friend Linda's retirement party.  She's way too young to retire, but being a teacher and instructional coach in the same school district for 32 years allows her to move into this new phase of life.  I couldn't think of anyone more deserving!

Eric and I rolled into KC early in the afternoon and got set up for the party before Linda arrived.  So many of her school connections came to wish her well.  It warmed my heart hearing so many of her colleagues talk about how she had helped them with their careers.  Here are a few of the decorations I made for the event ~





Saturday morning we decided to head to the theater to see Book Club.  We thought it was very cute and had some great life lessons sprinkled throughout.  There haven't been many movies starring Diane Keaton that I don't like and this one is no exception.  Did you see it?


We were due to arrive at Linda's brother's house by mid afternoon.  Linda is the oldest of nine children so when the majority of the family get together, it's loud and FUN.  I'm blessed they have taken me and my family in and we're allowed to be a part of gatherings such as this one!

There was a surprise brewing.  Unbeknownst to Linda, when everyone left for church those of us that stayed behind quickly set up for another retirement party.  This one was just a family affair and she was blown away when she walked in the door!  The choreography of her arriving last worked out perfectly and we were all waiting on the stairs to greet her!




The cake and cookies were absolutely adorable (and delicious)!  The light box Kayla and Ian gave me for Mother's Day made it's inaugural debut.  I have a feeling I'm going to be using it A LOT because it's was so darn cute.



The rest of the night was spent toasting Linda, eating an amazing pasta dinner and playing games.  We also drew partners for the Annual Washer Tournament being held the following day.


Let me just say - everyone needs a Linda in their life.  We have been best friends since the sixth grade.  We were together for all the shenanigans of grade school, high school (still surprises me we survived that), and college.  There have been marriages, children and divorces.  Linda has been in my life for, well, every major event of my life.  And now I'm so excited to be there with her in her new phase called retirement.  We have big plans!!  Selfishly I'm hoping she will be able to visit more and we can take more trips together.  Congratulations Linda!!  We love you!!


We got down to serious washer business early Sunday morning.  The metal discs were flying by 10:00 am and even though the heat index climbed to over 100 degrees, we were not going to let that slow us down!


My partner even got an esteemed "leaner"!


It was a great day of fun and the winners were crowned by 6:00 pm.  Congrats to Patrick, Jordan and Margie!


Sunday night we were exhausted and were in bed by 11:00 pm.  We packed in so much merriment in just a few short days!

The alarm went off early on Monday because we needed to get back to St. Louis.  After stopping at my parents for a quick visit, I headed the rest of the way home and tried to get ready for the week.  I know it's a short one, but man did I feel like there was much to do!

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



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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop


Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Is summer fun on your mind? Me too! Of course, many of us have some weeks left before school officially ends and summer officially begins but who cares? Summer thoughts abound and I will bet that your posts are starting to show it. We can hardly wait to see what you have for us! Before we get started with a new party, though, let's appreciate the ones you all visited most last week ...

Most Viewed

Mirror Gallery Wall - LeCultivateur 

Very Popular

 
35+ Self Care Ideas - Serenity You
 
 

Editor's Pick

DIY Rolling Planter Box - Kleinworth & Co
So let's get this party started! First, if you have not already, please follow us on Twitter:
   
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  • Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites or blog parties, please.
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  • If you are NEW to Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us what number they are?
  • NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.
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Friday, May 25, 2018

Five on Friday - May 25, 2018

Happy Memorial Day weekend!  I took off work to get a head start on the weekend - which I'm very excited about by the way!  Enjoy my five for today ~

1.  The Great American Read on PBS
I'm not sure how The Great American Read on PBS is just now hitting my radar.  Where have I been?!?  Have you heard about it?  Here is what it's about quoted from the PBS web page:

"THE GREAT AMERICAN READ is an eight-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey). It investigates how and why writers create their fictional worlds, how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about our diverse nation and our shared human experience.

The television series features entertaining and informative documentary segments, with compelling testimonials from celebrities, authors, notable Americans and book lovers across the country. It is comprised of a two-hour launch episode in which the list of 100 books is revealed, five one-hour theme episodes that examine concepts common to groups of books on the list, and a finale, in which the results are announced of a nationwide vote to choose America’s best-loved book.

The series is the centerpiece of an ambitious multi-platform digital, educational and community outreach campaign, designed to get the country reading and passionately talking about books."

I caught the first two-hour show, narrated by Meredith Vieira, on the web this week and absolutely loved it.  From the website, you can also print the list of America's most loved 100 books.  Needless to say, it warranted me adding several books to my list of books I want to read!



2.  National Wine Day
We all have a reason to enjoy a glass of wine today - it's National Wine Day!  Invite a friend to happy hour and raise a glass in honor of today.  I've got several favorites.  My newest summer one is Villa Alena Moscato & Peach that I talked about HERE.  What's your favorite?

National Wine Day May 25

3.  Solo:  A Star Wars Story
Star Wars fans rejoice - you have a movie opening this weekend.  Solo:  A Star Wars Story hits the theaters and even though I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, I love seeing the little kids dressed in the Star Wars costumes looking all excited in the theater when I'm there to see something else.  Here's what Movie Insider is saying about this movie, "Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes."  Have fun Star Wars fans!

Image result for solo movie

4.  Space Saving Hanger
I know a hanger may not seem like something to get all excited about, but folks I'm all excited about this one!  I've used these hangers for year to hang my skirts, but recently I saw Shelly from over at The Queen In Between hanging up her shorts.  Well I couldn't buy more of these fast enough so my shorts can be hung.  I typically fold my shorts, but many times that causes them to get wrinkled.  This summer I see a whole lot less ironing because my shorts will be neatly hung up on my cool new hangers.  Want some?  Click HERE.


5.  Be Good This Weekend....

38 Pretty Hilarious Quotes

Hope you have a great Memorial Day.   Let's all take a minute to honor and remember the men and women who have died while serving our country.  We're headed to Kansas City to celebrate the retirement of my friend Linda.  She has been a teacher for over 30 years and now she gets the opportunity to try some new adventures.  It's also the yearly washers tournament with her family.  Pop in next week to see how we did!

Linking up with:
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Thursday, May 24, 2018

Friday Favorites - May 25, 2018

Happy Memorial Day weekend!  Hope you have a fun, safe weekend and enjoy all the links from today ~

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:
Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin
Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!
And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - Royal Wedding Thoughts

It's Thursday!  Who else is counting down the days until the upcoming long weekend?  We're getting so close!

Glad you stopped by Thinking Out Loud Thursday today.  I know we are all on Royal Wedding overload, but I have just a few things that I've been thinking about and I'm going to share them with you today ~

Twins
If you know me at all, you know I'm all about being symmetrical.  How lucky was Meghan to have a friend who has adorable twins!  It made the pictures of her walking in SOOOO perfect!  No uneven veil carriers at this wedding.

Twins On The Train

Bless You!
Let's hear it for the three year old that knew to cover her mouth when she sneezed!  Way to go parents, or nanny, or whoever taught little Princess Charlotte her manners.  Parents everywhere are jealous.

Tired Face

Victoria Beckham
Girlfriend, crack a smile.  Seriously!  If for no other reason than you are walking in to a Royal Wedding with an absolutely drop dead gorgeous man as your date.  I promise your face will not crack.  Life is way too short to parade around with that sourpuss look on your face.  SMILE!!

The Cutest Couples At Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding

92 Years Old
Lord, please let me look this good and be this mobile when I'm 92 years old.  Amen.



"You look amazing."
When Prince Harry gazed into his beautiful bride's eyes and said, "You look amazing", I totally melted.  What a sweet memory for her.  Moms out there -- reminder your sons to say something special to their bride when they meet at the alter.  It's those things that money just can't buy, but makes the day so, so special.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand at the altar at St George's Chapel on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.

So that's what I'm thinking out loud about today.  Now I'm going to try to put the Royal Wedding in my rear view mirror and let go of my obsession with trying to read every article and view every photo!!

Now it's your turn -- what are you thinking out loud about?  Link up and share!




Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! We are so glad you are here. Hey, we want to thank you all for tweeting and sharing our party. The news is spreading and new guests arriving every week. Our party was viewed over 12,000 times last week! Keep up the good work and we will, too! So, let's see what posts you visited last week the most. (Our features next week will based on the number of clicks from this week's party! That is how it works ♥)

Most Viewed

Favorite Finds Friday - A Narrow Minded Woman
   
 

Very Popular



How To Clean Yellowing Pillows - Chas's Crazy Creations
   

Editor's Picks

Malted Chocolate Stout Cake - Dizzy Busy And Hungry

  So, let's get this party started!
Co-hosts of the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
First, please follow our hosts this week on Facebook!
  • Please TWEET our party ♥ Use the hashtag #WWBlogHop
  • Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites or blog parties, please.
  • Visit others. Let them know you stopped!
  • If you are NEW to Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us what number they are?
  • NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.
  • Thanks! ♥
 

Monday, May 21, 2018

Weekending - May 18, 2018

I swear I'm not sure how a weekend can go by so rapidly!  This one was a true blur.  When I started the day on Friday, the only thing on the agenda for the entire weekend was going to the Cardinal baseball game on Friday night and watching the Royal Wedding.  As the day progressed, that changed and my calendar filled up!

The highlight of the weekend came Sunday evening.  Kayla and I, along with a friend from work and her sister, went to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Fox Theater.  After the show we got a chance to meet some of the cast!  So exciting!!


Now let me back up to Friday and start from the beginning of the weekend.

Friday morning we woke to pouring rain and it persisted throughout the day.  At game time, the rain was continuing to fall.  Luckily we were in a suite at the stadium so we were at least able to stay dry.  The game started an hour and forty-five minutes late.


I have to be honest, by the start of the game I really wasn't feeling it.  Party Penny was no where to be found.  I hung around through the third inning, which was 10:00 pm, then I headed home with the Cards ahead 4-0.  There was a lot of action after I left because the final score was 12-4.  Way to go Cardinals!


Eric and I both wanted to catch the royal wedding so we sat the alarm for 3:00 am.  Being the fools that we are, we had stayed up watching CNN after I got home from the game until around 1:00 pm listening to all the pre-wedding hype.  We're pretty much caught up on all things royal.

Saturday morning the alarm went off early and we laid in bed watching the guests arrive and seeing the streest of Windsor fill up with spectators.  I learned a new term - Fascinator (the headpieces worn).  Moments before the bride was due at the church, this came up on our TV.


Thanks Spectrum for making us scramble to another TV that is hooked up to a high def antenna so we didn't miss any of the action.  We were taping it just in case, but it was fun to see it live.  The whole event was such a happy occasion.  I loved it all!  Did you watch it?  What was your favorite part?

The TV was turned off mid morning so we could get a few things done around the house before Eric headed to work and I met my friend Debbie at the Fox to see The Phantom of the Opera.  (Yes, if you're wondering, I saw it twice this weekend).  We both loved it!

After the play, we ventured to The Fountain on Locust for a little dessert.  This was the first time I visited this establishment, but had heard a ton of great things.  As you enter, you are immediately greeted by the coolest art decor interior.


Their specialty is signature ice cream martinis and other adult desserts.  It's been voted the Best Restaurant to Impress Out-of-Towners and is definitely on my list to take my friends during our next girls weekend in St. Louis!


Sunday morning we woke to thunder, but the sun was shining by mid-morning.  I sat outside and started a new book - Of Mess and Moxie.  It had been in my Kindle queue for so long I honestly had forgotten what it was about.  In case you're wondering, here's the Amazon description:  "In this highly anticipated new book, beloved author Jen Hatmaker parlays her own triumphs and tragedies into a sigh of relief for all normal, fierce women everywhere. Whether it’s the time she drove to the wrong city for a fourth-grade field trip (“Why are we in San Antonio?”) or the way she learned to forgive (God was super clear: Pray for this person every day, which was the meanest thing He ever said to me. I was furious.), she offers a reminder to those of us who sometimes hide in the car eating crackers that we do have the moxie to get back up and get back out. We can choose to live undaunted “in the moment” no matter what the moments hold, and lead vibrant, courageous, grace-filled lives."  Guys - I'm 15% in and am loving it!  Highly recommend this book and it's only $9.99 right now on Amazon.  Click HERE to check it out.

Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by [Hatmaker, Jen]

In the afternoon Kayla and I did a little retail therapy.  We found the cutest things at Antropologie and I got some new shorts at Ann Taylor.  Then we headed to the Fox for my second viewing of The Phantom of the Opera.


                

We had dinner at the Top of the Grand Stairs restaurant inside the theater.  As we ate, the organist serenaded us with songs played on the house organ.  It was a wonderful prelude to the show.  My flatbread was fabulous! 


After the show, Kayla and I waited by the stage door and were able to get autographs and photos with the cast.  My heart sped up a bit at the chance to get a picture with the Phantom himself, Quentin Oliver Lee!  

                  

We also got up close with Christine (Emma Grimsley) and Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny (Jordan Craig).


Image may contain: 3 people, including Penny Talbot Struebig and Kayla Reynolds, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

Memories of a lifetime right there!  Kayla and I will be reminiscing about this night for quite a while!

Now it's Monday and just like that the weekend is gone.  But what a fun one it was!!  Hope you had a great one too!

Don't forget to pop back in on Wednesday for the Wonderful Wednesday blog hop and Thursday for the Thinking Out Loud blog hop.  Fun times!!

Check out what others were up to this weekend.

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