Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - September 1, 2021

Join this week’s blog hop to find inspiration from dozens of bloggers for all things home and family including crafts, decor, DIY, fashion, recipes, fitness, gardening, travel, home improvement, and so much more!

Welcome to another week of the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! We are so glad that you are here.

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

Please follow the hosts on at least 1 social media channel!

1. Ahna - HAMMERS N HUGS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
2. Anne & AnnMarie - SIMPLY 2 MOMS | FB | IG | PINTEREST
3. Angela - THE SHORT ORDER COOK | FB | IG | PINTEREST
4. Bev - ECLECTIC RED BARN | FB | IG | PINTEREST
5. Cindy - SIMPLE STEPS FOR LIVING LIFE | FB | IG | PINTEREST
6. Emily - LeCULTIVATEUR | FB | IG | PINTEREST
7. Jana - HARVESTING HOME | FB | IG | PINTEREST
8. Kera - HAUTE HOUSE LOVE | FB | IG | PINTEREST
9. Penny - PENNY’S PASSION | FB | IG | PINTEREST
10. Sinea - DUCKS ‘N A ROW | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
11. Tammy - MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST
12. Tara - STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST

Top Viewed

Third Thrift Store Adventure in August

Very Popular

Food Prices Rising/ Chip Shortages/Being Prepared 2.0, What I Bought This Week

The Therapy that Really Fueled My Weight Loss

8 Creative Ways to Use Brick Pavers

Editor's Choice

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Be sure to grab our Specially Featured graphic below if your post was featured this week, and hyperlink it to this post on your blog or sidebar. We love showing you off!

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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• Please TWEET our party and invite others to join.

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Five on Friday - August 27, 2021

Hi friends!  I'm coming at you today from our vacation condo in Orange Beach, Alabama.  My friend and I have had the best week full of sun, fun, and relaxation.  I'll be sharing more on the vacation in another post, but today I want to share my Five on Friday ~

1.  The Chair

One lazy afternoon this week we binged Netflix's show The Chair, starring Sandra Oh as Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim.  She plays the first woman and person of color to head the English department for the fictional Pembroke University.  For me, it started a bit slow but by the second episode, I was totally sucked in.  It's a fairly fast watch - there are 6 episodes and each one is 30 minutes long.  Could be the perfect show to watch for a 30-minute treadmill workout.  There's already rumblings of a second season, but nothing official on that just yet.  

2.  Skyjo Card Game

My friend brought Skyjo with us on vacation and it's been so fun playing it!  Skyjo is great for the entire family and is easy to learn.  The goal is to try to get as few points as possible through flipping, trading, and collecting cards over the course of several rounds.  If you're looking for a new game for game night, check this one out!

3.  The Madness of Crowds

Hey all you Louise Penny fans, the latest Chief Inspector Gamache novel hit the stands this week!  Here's the summary from Amazon ~

Time and again, as the New Year approaches, that charge is leveled against Armand Gamache.

It starts innocently enough.

While the residents of the Québec village of Three Pines take advantage of the deep snow to ski and toboggan, to drink hot chocolate in the bistro and share meals together, the Chief Inspector finds his holiday with his family interrupted by a simple request.

He’s asked to provide security for what promises to be a non-event. A visiting Professor of Statistics will be giving a lecture at the nearby university.

While he is perplexed as to why the head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec would be assigned this task, it sounds easy enough. That is until Gamache starts looking into Professor Abigail Robinson and discovers an agenda so repulsive he begs the university to cancel the lecture.

They refuse, citing academic freedom, and accuse Gamache of censorship and intellectual cowardice. Before long, Professor Robinson’s views start seeping into conversations. Spreading and infecting. So that truth and fact, reality and delusion are so confused it’s near impossible to tell them apart.

Discussions become debates, debates become arguments, which turn into fights. As sides are declared, a madness takes hold.

Abigail Robinson promises that, if they follow her, ça va bien aller. All will be well. But not, Gamache and his team know, for everyone.

When a murder is committed it falls to Armand Gamache, his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and their team to investigate the crime as well as this extraordinary popular delusion.

And the madness of crowds.

4.  Thelma's Ice Cream Sandwiches

Have you tried Thelma's Ice Cream Sandwiches?  Oh my gosh - they are the BEST I've ever tasted!  They come in several flavors.  Their signature Snickerdoodle with Vanilla Ice Cream is great, but my favorite is the chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream.  For you mint lovers, there's the double chocolate chip with mint ice cream.  The seasonal ones with pumpkin spice cookies and cinnamon ice cream should be showing up soon.  Look for them in your grocery store!  

5.  Ever have one of these?

Tomorrow we pack up and head home.  It's been such a fun week, I really hate to see it end.  Hope you have a fun weekend on hand.  See you back next week!

Linking up with:

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home

Friday Favorites Linky Party - August 27, 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!

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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!

Sunflower Power

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I want to share our sunflower decor!

Before I left for vacation, I decided it was past time to change the decor on our mantel.  We still had our 4th of July decorations up, which I justified keeping until after the Olympics (the USA and all).  Since the next holiday to decorate for is Halloween, we needed a theme in between then and now.  Sunflowers were the winners!

The decision to go with sunflowers was made even easier because my friend Carol had just made the most gorgeous sunflower wreath for my front door.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life!

      

Our mailbox got a little sprucing up with a new magnetic cover.  We have an entire collection of magnetic covers and enjoy changing them out each season.

Sunflowers seem to be the craze lately.  So many places in our area have sunflower fields to visit.  I must admit, I love them!  Glancing up and seeing them clustered on the mantel makes me smile!

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 - August 25, 2021

 Join this week’s blog hop to find inspiration from dozens of bloggers for all things home and family including crafts, decor, DIY, fashion, recipes, fitness, gardening, travel, home improvement, and so much more!

Weekending - August 20, 2021

Happy Monday!  First and foremost, I'd like to give a huge shoutout to my husband, Eric.  Today he starts a new job and I'm so proud of him!  He's been working inside grocery stores for 30 years and he's taking a leap into a new career.  He's not leaving the grocery store business entirely though.  He'll be delivering Thelma's ice cream sandwiches and cookie dough to stores in our area.  Have you heard of Thelma's?  OMG - if you haven't, find them in your freezer section!  They are seriously the best ice cream sandwiches I have ever tasted.  Congratulations and good luck Eric!  

This weekend started a week of vacation for me.  My friend Linda and I planned this trip last March when it looked like COVID was calming down.  Little did we know that things would change for the worst by August, but we still feel we can make this a safe trip. 

As soon as I turned off my work computer on Friday, we met our son and daughter-in-law at one of our favorites places, Dewey's, for a sendoff dinner.  When we returned home, the packing began.  It always surprises me how much stuff we tote with us on our beach vacations!

We were up and on the road early Saturday morning to conquer our 11-hour drive to the beach.  Nashville was the perfect spot to stop for lunch.  On our way, we did some quick research to find a fun stop and chose Red Head Stranger.  Their tacos hit the spot!  

Seven hours later we arrived in Gulf Shores and got settled into our condo.  I'm thrilled to say this will be our view for the next week ~

Sunday was spent lounging on the beach reading, relaxing, and enjoying the view.  The skies were sunny and the drinks were cold!  

Mid-afternoon we loaded our stuff in the beach wagon and returned to the condo.  We got cleaned up and cooled down just in time for happy hour, which we enjoyed on our balcony.  We had packed a bottle of 1800 Black Cherry Margaritas we had picked up at Sam's and had chilling in the frig.  Have you tried this stuff?  I hadn't before this trip.  It might just become a staple at our house!  It is good!

We had planned on taking a stroll on the beach and the timing was perfect to catch the sunset.  So beautiful and a great way to wrap up a blissful day!

Five on Friday - August 20, 2021

Happy Friday!  Today is especially happy for me because tomorrow I'm on vacation.  A friend and I are headed to the beach and I can't wait to hear the waves crashing into the shore!  We know we'll have to be careful because of the uptick in COVID, but Eric and I did this trip last year and felt very safe.  Before we load up and head out, I want to share my five for this week ~

1.  Complications

Are you a Danielle Steel fan?  If so, you will be happy to know her latest novel hit the stands this week.  The book Complications is set in an exclusive hotel in Paris.  Yes, that in and of itself intrigues me!  Here's the summary from Amazon ~

Known for its luxurious accommodations and bespoke service, the Hotel Louis XVI has been the most lauded boutique hotel in all of Paris for decades, attracting an international clientele of the rich and famous. Now, after four years of renovations and the death of its legendary and beloved manager, it is set to reopen its doors at last. An esteemed group of loyal returning guests is set to descend upon the hotel, joined by a number of new faces who have managed to secure coveted bookings in the wake of last-minute cancellations.

Awaiting them all is the Louis XVI’s new manager, Olivier Bateau, an anxious man whose lack of experience leaves him unprepared. He and his level-headed assistant manager, Yvonne Philippe, both strive to continue the hotel’s tradition of excellence. But they quickly realize that anything can happen at any moment, and on one cool September evening, everything does.

A successful art consultant arrives at the hotel for the first time since her brutal divorce, and is surprised to find new love—if she is willing to risk her heart again. A new guest contemplates ending his life, and saves a life instead. A couple finds their once-in-a-lifetime trip interrupted by a tragic medical emergency, leaving the idyllic future they’ve long waited for hanging in the balance. And one of the hotel’s most high-profile guests, a French politician and assumed presidential candidate, holds a mysterious meeting in his suite that will threaten his life and legacy. Rocked by the events of this one fateful night, guests and staff alike brace themselves for the aftershock, as it quickly becomes apparent that more dramas and misfortunes are still in store.

Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story about a famed hotel, where a few complications quickly escalate into a matter of life and death, changing the lives of everyone who passes through its doors.

2.  CODA

Last Friday night, Eric and I stayed home and had a movie night.  We chose CODA on Apple TV as our selection.  It was a winner!  Have you seen it?  If not, put it on your list.  CODA stands for a child of deaf adults.  Here's the summary ~

Seventeen-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the sole hearing member of a deaf family -- a CODA, child of deaf adults. Her life revolves around acting as an interpreter for her parents (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur) and working on the family's struggling fishing boat every day before school with her father and older brother (Daniel Durant). But when Ruby joins her high school's choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and soon finds herself drawn to her duet partner Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). Encouraged by her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez) to apply to a prestigious music school, Ruby finds herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.

3.  Salted Caramel Brownie Oreo

The Oreo factories released their latest concoction this week.  The Salted Caramel Brownie Oreo hit the shelves this week and they will only be around for a limited time.  Everything about this cookie sounds good to me!  It's definitely on my shopping list. 

4.  Beach Hat

This adorable hat arrived on my porch this week and I can't wait to wear it on the beach!  It's actually so cute I could wear it off the beach.  It was only $10.99, so my expectation was low.  I was so pleasantly surprised!  The quality is much better than I expected and it fits great.  It's going to be the perfect accessory to keep the sun off my face.

5.  Often wonder...

Have a great weekend friends!  My goal today is to finish up work and be packed and in bed by 10:00 pm.  We have a long day of driving tomorrow and I'd like to start the trip feeling rested.  Wish me luck on this because I'm typically up until the wee hours of the morning making sure I've packed half the house and am ready for anything and everything that could possibly come our way while away from home.  See you next week from the beach!

Linking up with:

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home

Friday Favorites Linky Party - August 20, 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!

<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

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!

Let's Make Baked Tuscan Chicken

Hey guys - glad you stopped by!  Today for Thinking Out Loud Thursday I have a real treat for you.  I'm sharing a recipe we fell in love with!  Baked Tuscan Chicken quickly became a favorite of Eric's and has made its way into our menu rotation.  

Here's What You Need

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning

1/4 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika

1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Cream Sauce

1 Cup Heavy Cream

2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic

1 Teaspoon Corn Starch

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/2 Cup Chopped Sundried Tomatoes

1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1/2 Cup Chopped Fresh Spinach

Here's What You Do

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

If your chicken breasts are thick, give them a little pounding to get the thickness to about an inch thick.  Go ahead and take out your frustration from the day on those chicken breasts!

Put the chicken breasts in a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Drizzle them with olive oil.  Combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and rub on the chicken breasts.

Whisk together the cream, garlic, corn starch, and salt.  Stir in sundried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.  Pour the mixture over the chicken.

Bake for 16-20 minutes.  It's done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Remove pan from the oven and sprinkle spinach on top.  Cover the pan and let the rest for 10 minutes.  This will allow the spinach to become wilted.  

We serve this dish over egg noodles.  You could also use angel hair pasta or just serve the chicken without noodles at all.  If you have any leftovers, it's still scrumptious the following day!

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

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - August 18, 2021

Join this week’s blog hop to find inspiration from dozens of bloggers for all things home and family including crafts, decor, DIY, fashion, recipes, fitness, gardening, travel, home improvement, and so much more!

Friday Favorites - August 13, 2021

Happy Friday the 13th!  Hope you guys are having a very lucky day today.  I know Friday the 13th is supposed to be a day you watch out for, but I've always had good things happen to me so I'm glad to see my lucky day roll around every now and then.  Let's see what's on my Friday the 13th Five on Friday ~

1.  International Left-Handers Day

Today really is a day to celebrate for me because I'm left-handed!  That's right, I've learned to maneuver my way through the world using my left hand.  At least I didn't have to worry about kids taking my scissors in grade school because they couldn't use them!  I stand with about 10% of the population who are also southpaws.  And we're in pretty good company.  Eight US Presidents, Mark Wahlberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Prince William are just a few!

2.  The Man Called Messiah:  A Novel

A good friend of my son and daughter-in-law, Corey Stumne, just got his first book published and we are so proud of him!  He's getting rave reviews ~

"Just when you thought you knew Jesus, thanks to Stumne's moving imagination and powerful writing, there is so much more to feel about The Man. Often painful to read, this story brings us starkly face to face with the suffering Savior. Best read on grateful knees."

          --F. LaGard Smith, compiler and narrator of The Daily Bible

"Corey Stumne's debut novel provides a unique perspective on the events surrounding The Man's arrest, trial, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection, all done in vivid detail. Walk the steps of The Man's last days to discover why he chose his path in The Man called Messiah."

          --Jenifer Jennings, biblical fiction author

"The Man Called Messiah is a vibrant and moving retelling of Christ's passion. Stumne drew me into Holy Week and made me believe I was with The Man and his followers. The love of Christ shines through in this powerful, emotional, and heart-changing story."

          --Barbara M. Britton, award-winning author of the Tribes of Israel series

"Corey Stumne's debut novel provides a unique perspective on the events surrounding The Man's arrest, trial, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection, all done in vivid detail. Walk the steps of The Man's last days to discover why he chose his path in The Man called Messiah."

          --Jenifer Jennings, biblical fiction author

Here's the summary ~

The Man is burdened beyond belief. It's been three years since his ministry began, and now it's come to its climax.

Although fully human, he doesn't find much comfort being surrounded by his twelve closest friends. Although fully divine, he can't stomach the thought of what's set before him.

After his arrest, The Man stands before a powerful ruler trapped in a political dilemma. Unseen forces fight for control as The Man awaits his verdict. Enemies since The Man's birth, The Accuser watches his wicked scheme unfold before his eyes. Support eventually arrives, but it might be too late. After all, nothing can stop the shocking plan The Father had set in motion from the beginning of time.

It all ends here, on a hilltop outside the city. Three crosses rise from the summit. One will decide humanity's fate. Determined to reveal The Father's heart, The Man accepts his destiny in order to redeem the world.

Little did his followers know how much it would cost him . . .

3.  Respect

Respect opens today and it is definitely on my list of movies to see!  Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin, along with several other actors I adore like Forest Whitaker and Audra McDonald.  We've seen the previews and it looks great.  Even if it's bad, it will be worth hearing Jennifer Hudson singing Aretha Franklin's songs!  Soundtrack anyone?

4.  Dreubea Tassel Tote Bag

I'm not quite ready to let summer go and welcome in fall, but I do want to be ready when fall gets here.  I ordered this navy blue tote bag in the exact same style as the pink one I ordered in the spring.  It comes in about a million colors, so there's plenty to chose from.  Me and the pink one have gotten along fabulously all spring and summer, so I decided to order it again just in a more fall-ish color.  I love it and for the price, it just can't be beaten!

5.  So me...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  This is the last weekend before my friend and I head to the beach for vacation.  Lots to do!  But it will be a fun list of chores knowing I'm getting ready to go on a trip.  See you back here next week!  

Linking up with:

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home