Friday, May 28, 2021

Five on Friday - May 28, 2021

Happy Friday!  I'm taking a vacation day today to stretch this holiday weekend into four days off.  Let's start it off with my five for today ~

1.  Memorial Day
In case you haven't heard, Monday is Memorial Day!  It was established to be a day to honor and remember all the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  It is also a day to remember all the loved ones who have passed away. Whatever you have planned for this weekend, please take a moment to reflect on the purpose of the holiday.


2. A Quiet Place Part II
This one is NOT on my list of movies to see because I'm such a chicken, but for those of you who like thrillers A Quiet Place Part II opens today.  Here's the synopsis from Movie Insider ~

Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

3.  Amazon Tops
I ordered three summer tops from Amazon this past week and am in love with all of them!  I'm always a bit skeptical when I buy clothes from Amazon, but the quality of all three of these is great.  Both the dotted swiss tops are lined.  The white t-shirt is thin, but not sheer.  It will be great for this summer!  And the little twist in front kicks it up a notch from just a plain, white t-shirt.  

                                                                                                                   
 


4.  Legacy by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts' new book his the stands on Tuesday.  It sounds like a great summer read.  Here's the summary from Amazon ~
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents Legacy, a new novel of a mother and a daughter, of ambition and romance, and of a traumatic past reawakened by a terrifying threat…

Adrian Rizzo was seven when she met her father for the first time. That was the day he nearly killed her―before her mother, Lina, stepped in.

Soon after, Adrian was dropped off at her grandparents’ house in Maryland, where she spent a long summer drinking lemonade, playing with dogs, making a new best friend―and developing the stirrings of a crush on her friend’s ten-year-old brother. Lina, meanwhile, traveled the country promoting her fitness brand and turning it into a billion-dollar business. There was no point in dwelling on the past.

A decade later, Adrian has created her own line of yoga and workout videos, following in Lina’s footsteps but intent on maintaining creative control. And she’s just as cool-headed and ambitious as her mother. They aren’t close, but they’re cordial―as long as neither crosses the other.

But while Lina dismisses the death threats that Adrian starts getting as a routine part of her daughter’s growing celebrity, Adrian can’t help but find the vicious rhymes unsettling. Year after year, they keep arriving―the postmarks changing, but the menacing tone the same. They continue after she returns to Maryland and becomes reacquainted with Raylan, her childhood crush, all grown up and as gorgeously green-eyed as ever. Sometimes it even seems like the terrifying messages are indeed routine, like nothing will come of them. Until the murders start, and the escalation begins…

5.  Driving truth...


Hope you have a safe and fun weekend!  I'll be enjoying it with my friends in Kansas City.  After skipping our normal Memorial Day Washers Tournament last year, the gang is back together this year and I can't wait to see everyone.  It's guaranteed to be a loud, fun, and memorable time!  Pop in next week to hear all about it.


Thursday, May 27, 2021

Friday Favorites Linky Party - May 28, 2021

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Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Be a Good Wedding Guest

It's wedding season!  I've been helping couples plan and execute their big days for about 10 years now and during that time I've seen some things.  Some things you should not have to see at weddings.  Today on Thinking Out Loud Thursday I'm sharing a few tips on what you should not do as a wedding guest.
                                              
If an RSVP is requested, please PLEASE respond.  "RSVP" comes from the French expression répondez s'il vous plaît and means "please respond".  The bride and groom care enough about you to invite you to share in their special day, so care enough about them to respond!  If the invitation states "regards only" and you plan to attend, you don't need to do a thing.  If they are asking for an RSVP, please respond if you plan to attend OR if you aren't going to be able to make it.  Respond either way!  Bottom line - RESPOND!!  When you open the invitation and you know you are going to attend, respond immediately so you can not worry about forgetting to do it.  If you're not sure, put a reminder on your phone to respond by the date requested.  

Plan on arriving 10 or 15 minutes before the start of the wedding.  Mapquest the location ahead of time and make a plan.  It's hard to be sitting guests as the bridal party is trying to make their entrance.  Get there a little early, find a seat, and enjoy the beauty of the day.

If you are asked to sit at a specific table for dinner, please sit there.  After dinner, you can roam and sit wherever your heart desires.  But for dinner, the bride and groom would like you to sit where they have assigned you to sit.  If you're worried about having to sit with people you don't know, think of a few conversation questions you can ask.  Some examples are "How do you know the bride and groom?", "What song do you really hope the DJ plays tonight?", "How far did you have to travel to attend the wedding?", "What's the craziest thing you have ever seen at a wedding?".  

The bride and groom have a lot of things to do at their wedding and reception.  They want to be able to enjoy their time with all their family and friends gathered in one spot.  Be mindful of how much time you are monopolizing them!  If you want to spend more time with the newlyweds, set up a dinner in the weeks after the wedding.  Join them on the dance floor and spend time having fun.  Write them a note and drop it in the card box with any special thoughts you want to say.  It's fine to chat with the bride and groom to express your congratulations, just don't pull them into a lengthy conversation that will make it hard for them to visit with their other guests.  


Dance, drink, and be merry - but not so merry that you will be embarrassed the next day!  Open bar doesn't mean drink yourself into oblivion.  

When the party is over - leave.  If you're not done celebrating, feel free to continue at an after-party.  Many times the bride and groom need to have everyone gone and the venue cleaned by a certain time or they will get charged for the extra time.  If the lights are on and the music has stopped, that's a pretty good sign the party has ended.  Time for you to move out.

Now it's your turn - what are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!  I'd love to hear from you.









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Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Wonderful Wednesday Linky Party - May 26, 2021

                                 Come and join the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! #linkyparty #wwbloghop

Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!  We appreciate you stopping by each week and participating in the blog hop.  Before we start our main event, let's take a look at our features from last week's party.  

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Weekending - May 21, 2021

Weekends are feeling so good as things open back up and we get back to doing our normal activities!  This weekend was a great combination of staying home and getting out and about.

Friday night was a stay-at-home night.  The weather was beautiful and perfect for grilling!  We ate outside and enjoyed watching the Cardinals baseball game.  We didn't so much enjoy the way they played (lost 12-3).  As soon as the Blues game started, we flipped over to catch some hockey.  They, too, let us down by losing the game.  But we did enjoy spending some time together and being outside.


Saturday morning I finished making the programs for the wedding I'm helping with in June, ran errands, and got a few things in order around the house.  I'm so bad at letting the mail pile up all week and then having a stack to sift through on the weekend.  A few new magazines were in the pile so I sat outside, soaking up the sun, for a bit.

We had a date night Saturday evening to see Bon Jovi Encore Concert Series at the theater.  One of the things I've missed the most during the pandemic was seeing live music.  Going to concerts is one of my favorite things to do, and I can't wait to see a live group.  But, until then I'll take what I can get.  It was a bit weird listening to Bon Jovi while just sitting there in my seat nibbling on popcorn.  I had the urge to jump up and dance a little, but I didn't.  I'll save that for when I'm at a real concert again.  Hopefully soon!


The night was topped off with ice cream!  Annie's Frozen Custard was located right across the street from the theater and our car just automatically pulled in.  Perfect ending to a great day!


Avocado toast is one of our new favorite things and that's what we had for breakfast Sunday morning.  I know we are so late to the game on this, but better let than never!  We love it with some Everything but the Bagel seasoning on top.  What's your favorite topping?


In the afternoon, I met with a couple to potentially help with their wedding in 2022.  It's so fun and energizing listening to a newly engaged couple talk about their dream wedding!  

I had been eyeing a field of weeds near our house for a week and thinking it would be the perfect place to take pictures.  Sunday evening I decided to see if our friend would meet me there with her daughters.  It was VERY spur of the moment, but thankfully she stopped what she was doing and delivered her kids to the field.  It was a fun little photoshoot and a great way to wrap up the weekend!  




Friday, May 21, 2021

Five on Friday - May 21, 2021

We've made it to Friday!  Are you as excited about the weekend as I am?  If so, you are pretty darn excited!  Let's kick it off with my five for today ~

1.  Friends Reunion
Mark your calendar and set your DVR - the Friends reunion is Thursday, May 27!  I watched Friends religiously when it was on and I'm so excited to see the reunion.  The six main characters are all back.  I heard Paul Rudd is not in the lineup (Phoebe's husband on the show), but many others will be there.  You'll need a subscription to HBO Max to see it, but in my opinion, it would be worth the $14.99 for a month.  


2.  Bon Jovi
It's no secret that I love Bon Jovi.  As a matter of fact, my friend Debbie and I were in the audience when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  So guess where I'll be Saturday night.  I'll be sitting in a theater watching their full concert-length, brand-new show!  The never-before-seen concert is being recorded live in New Jersey and then will be broadcast into cinemas around the world.  Thank heavens there are a few theaters in our area showing it!


Did you get a blowup pool last year?  Any new water toys?  With summer almost here, you don't want to be disappointed when you pull those things out and they have gotten a hole over the winter.  Have no fear - waterproof Duck tape is here!  I used this stuff last you on my blowup pool and it worked great.  We will always have a roll handy for any future holes that spring up.  Using it was simple and quick.  The leak was patched and we were back in the pool without missing a beat!



4.  Baja Blast Colada Freeze
Swing by your local Taco Bell for their latest creation - Baja Blast Colada Freeze!  The chain is kicking off summer by combining the fan-favorite lime-flavored Baja Blast Freeze with swirls of "smooth, sweet tropical cream".  It tastes as tropical as it looks.  If you care to kick it up a notch when you get it home top it off with a shot of Malibu Rum.  How's that for a refreshing drink!


5.  I need a vacation...


Now let's get this weekend rolling!  I have a wedding meeting and hopefully, we'll get to see the St. Louis Blues win a couple hockey games.  See you back next week!

Naturalizer

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Friday Favorites Linky Party - May 21, 2021

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

Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

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!

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Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Let's Make Strawberry Muffins

It's strawberry season in our area and last weekend I couldn't resist venturing to our local patch and picking some.  Actually, picking a lot!  So this week it's all things strawberry at our house.  I tried a muffin recipe that was just too good not to share!  So today on Thinking Out Loud Thursday it's coming your way.


Here's What You Need
1 heaping cup of flour
3/4 cup of sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons of softened butter
1 cup of diced strawberries (about 10)


Here's What You Do
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare your muffin tin by spraying non-stick spray or using cupcake liners.

Whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder).  


Crack the egg in the center and add in the vanilla.  Give it a little mix.

Next, add half the milk.  Stir.  Add in the other half of milk.  Stir again.  Add in the butter and mix for a couple minutes at medium speed.  

Gently fold in the diced strawberries.  You want to do it gently so they don't get all mushed.  


Fill each liner 3/4 full.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.


These muffins are so moist and yummy!  They make a great breakfast item or snack during the day.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!


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


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Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - May 19, 2021

                          Come and join the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! #linkyparty #wwbloghop

Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!  We appreciate you stopping by each week and participating in the blog hop.  Before we start our main event, let's take a look at our features from last week's party.  

Top Viewed

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And, now, let's get this party started! We would love it if you would invite your followers to join us. When you do, remember to use the hashtag #WWBlogHop! 

DUCKS ‘N A ROW [Sinea] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM PINTEREST | TWITTER

ECLECTIC RED BARN [Beverly] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM PINTEREST TWITTER

ENGINEER MOMMY [Jennifer] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM PINTEREST TWITTER

LeCULTIVATEUR [Emily] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM PINTEREST

MY LIFE ABUNDANT [Tammy] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM PINTEREST | TWITTER

PENNY’S PASSION [Penny] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

SIMPLE STEPS FOR LIVING LIFE [Cindy] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM PINTEREST TWITTER

STILETTOS and SHIPLAP [Tara] – INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

THE SNYDER FAMILY [Brittany] – INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

THE SHORT ORDER COOK [Angela] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

HAMMERS ‘N HUGS [Ahna] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

Be sure to grab our Specially Featured button if your post was featured this week to show off on your blog or sidebar!  


  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! ♥





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