Penny's Passion: December 2019

Monday, December 30, 2019

Weekending - December 27, 2019

Did you realize we just had a weekend?  I've been taking a little break since Christmas and honestly, my days are starting to run together!  I'm off this week too so I'll be totally lost on what day it is!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to coordinate my final wedding of the year.  And, if I must say so myself, it was beautiful!  Helping a couple pull off their wedding dreams is something that truly fills my cup.  It's a lot of work, but the rewards are so worth it!  I have one slot left next year, so if you know anyone who is looking for an extremely reasonably priced wedding coordinator, please pass my name on to them.


I'll be doing a complete post on their wedding as soon as I gather some pictures, but I just have to show you the gorgeous venue.  The ceremony was held in the garden setting of  the Conservatory in St. Charles, Missouri.


I had the chance to work with my favorites vendors:  Carol Gentemann Floral Designs, Turner Creative Photography, and Night Magic Entertainment.  Choosing vendors is so important.  They can make or break your important day and I was so excited to know this couple chose vendors I could trust to do great work.  


Carol Gentemann Floral Designs

I was also happy to welcome my niece, Kristian, to my wedding team.  She had helped me once before and I knew she would be a great asset!


Seeing the smiles on the newlyweds' faces and watching their guests have fun was a great way to cap off the weekend.  Congratulations Carolina and Sam!



Now it's time to get ready for the new year.  There's a buzz in my heart thinking about starting a new year.  A new decade!  I've been giving a lot of thought to the blog and where I want it to go in the coming years.  Watch for an upcoming post on that.  Until then, be safe and ring in the new year in style - whatever that "style" is for you!  I'll be in Kansas City celebrating with friends.  Unfortunately, Eric will be staying at home because of his work schedule.  But we'll find a time to welcome 2020 when I return!

Friday, December 27, 2019

Five on Friday - December 27, 2019

Okay guys - here's the last Five on Friday post for 2019!  Can you believe it will be 2020 in a week?!?  Here's what I have for closing out the year ~

1.  Little Women
I'm adding this one to the list of movies I want to see if for no other reason than Meryl Streep is in it!  Little Women opened on Christmas Day.  Here the summary from Rotten Tomatoes ~
Writer-director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) has crafted a Little Women that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author's alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life. In Gerwig's take, the beloved story of the March sisters - four young women each determined to live life on her own terms -- is both timeless and timely. Portraying Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, with Timothée Chalamet as their neighbor Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.

 

2.  White Chocolate Snickers
Keep your eyes peeled for White Chocolate Snickers!  They will be hitting the stores in January.  That's right, in January you will be able to get the crunchy peanuts, chewy nougat, and gooey caramel mixture coated with a nice, thick layer of white chocolate.  So much for your New Year's resolution to cut back on sweets!

White Chocolate Snickers Are Making a Permanent Comeback

3.  Rubbermaid Easy Find Containers
Right before Thanksgiving, Eric and I decided to ditch all our Rubbermaid containers and invest in a new set.  We had accumulated so many random pieces, some with lids and some without.  Every time you opened the cabinet, you ran the risk of having them topple out all over the place.  Replacing all the mess was this nice set of 42-piece, stackable containers with lids that snap together.  Best decision ever!  Do yourself a favor and start the year with containers that all have lids!  Click HERE to purchase.


2020 is literally right around the corner.  Get this balloon assortment ordered today from Amazon Prime and you'll be all set to party for the night away in style on New Year's Eve!  Nothing says party like a bunch of balloons!


5. Life as an adult...

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Have a great weekend!  I'm coordinating a wedding on Sunday and am keeping my fingers crossed for great weather.  It's the last weekend of 2019 so do something epic!  

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Thursday, December 26, 2019

Friday Favorites Linky Party - December 27, 2019

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Thursday, December 19, 2019

Five on Friday - December 20, 2019

With only a handful of days left until Christmas, are you ready?  Still have a few people on your list you have no idea what you're going to buy?  No worries - you have plenty of time to order a special gift from Amazon Prime and pull off the perfect holiday!  I thought I'd help you out and give you a few ideas on my five today.


1.  Cookbooks!
So many great cookbooks came out this year!  I love reading them like novels and I bet if you have a person who loves to cook on your list, they would welcome a new cookbook and an apron to go along with it.  Here are a few of my favorites ~
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

2.  National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
Bust out your ugly Christmas sweater today to celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day!  This whole ugly sweater thing has really taken off in recent years.  Are you still in need of one before Christmas?  Here are a few that are available on Amazon Prime.  Place your order today and you'll have it in time to roll right into your Christmas celebration.


NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY – Third Friday in December

3.  Shower Steamers
This would make the best gift!  The box of 6 aromatherapy fizzies will turn your shower into a home spa.  Decide what scent you need to start your perfect day.  To sweeten the deal even more,  you get exclusive access to their comprehensive Aromatherapy Wonders - the complete book of aromatherapy, revised and expanded. It will help you increase your knowledge about aromatherapy and find the essential oils that have the highest positive impact on your health!

4.  Warmies Plush Animals
Speaking of aromatherapy, have you heard of these Warmies plush animals?  They are fully microwavable and meets all US safety standards.  They are filled with dried French lavender and provides soothing warmth and comfort.  Some of the benefits include stress relief, bedtime buddy, and reduces anxiety.  They are also known for colic relief.  It sounds like the perfect gift for the babies in your life!


5.  My philosophy lately:
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Okay guys - lets get this holiday started!  I'm off work now until the first of the new year and I'm just a little bit excited about it!  I'm looking forward to wrapping and baking and letting the season soak in for a few more days.  Hope you make the most of the days ahead and enjoy all the holidays have to offer.  I'll be dropping in a few more times before the end of the year.  Hope you stop by!

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This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks

Friday Favorites Linky Party - December 20, 2019

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:
Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | 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
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst
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!

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Oh What A Weekend!

It's hard to believe that we are already at Thursday this week!  And Thursday means Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  Link up below and share what you're thinking about today.

I've been wanting to share a weekend recap but every day passes without me being able to get my thoughts down on the blog.  Eric and I had taken off work last week to enjoy the holiday season.  That theme carried right through the weekend!  That's what I'm thinking out loud about today.


Saturday I cashed in on the birthday present my son and daughter-in-law gave me.  They had made the wise decision to gift me an experience.  It was a double win for me because not only did I get to experience a cool glass class, but I also got to spend some quality time with them.  Kayla and I headed to Third Degree Glass to learn how to make a paper weight.


After hearing the safety instructions and suiting up with safety glasses, we got down to business.  The hour it took to make our creations flew by and it was so fun.  I'm adding this place on my list to take my friends during our next girls weekend.  


Our instructor was by our sides to help every step of the way (thank goodness!).  Have you ever worked with glass?  Let's just say I have a whole new appreciation for all the glass artists out there!


Our glass is safely tucked away in the heat chest and we will be able to pick our creations up in a week.  Can't wait to see our finished projects!


Regardless of how they look, it was a fun experience and I would definitely do it again!


After our class, we met the guys at one of my favorite places - The Fountain on Locust.  So many delicious things to eat there!  But you have to save room for their ice cream desserts!


It was definitely Sunday Funday around here.  My family braved the snow that was falling and drove over.  I have to admit - I had been planning this day for a while.  This kids were greeted with personalized aprons and cookies to paint.  The aprons were so easy to whip up with the help of my Silhouette!




The kids had fun doing a couple more craft projects and drawing on the chalkboard tablecloth before there was a knock on the door.....


Who was knocking??  It was Santa Claus coming to pay a visit!  60% of the kids LOVED Santa, 20% wasn't quite sure and 20% took a bit to warm up to the big guy.  Overall, 100% success!


Santa was perfect!  He was patient while the kids decided just how close they wanted to get to him.







Having Santa pay a visit to our house was one of best decision of our year.  The kids loved it and the adults loved seeing it all unfold.  I sure hope we can turn this activity into a tradition.  This capped off our vacation week on such a high!

Now it's your turn.  Link up and share what's on your mind today.  I'd love to hear from you!


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Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - December 18, 2019

Welcome!


Our hosts just want to say THANK YOU to all those who contributed to last week's party and WELCOME to all the new bloggers who have joined our weekly blog hop. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us.

Merry Christmas 2016

Since Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve falls on Tuesday this year, we will not be having a blog hop those 2 days.
All of us at the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop want to wish all our readers a very wonderful Merry Christmas and Happy New year!! We will see you again on January 7th in 2020!!
This week, we decided to do something a little bit different and feature some of our host's holiday posts too. We hope you enjoy them and stop by to visit them.

Let's get this party started!!


The Short Order Cook

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Balls



Penny's Passion


Eclectic Red Barn


simple steps for Living for Life



Ducks n' A Row



Engineer Mommy



My Life Abundant


The 3 topped viewed posts from last week


Thanks to our co-hosts who share our party on their blogs every week ♥ Please follow them and share our party, too?


  • Please TWEET our party
  • 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 by!
  • 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 the title.
  • 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 really good chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.
  • Thanks! ♥
So, now, let’s get this party started!

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