Penny's Passion: January 2024

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

2024 Valentine's Tiered-Tray

Thanks for stopping in Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking about our Valentine's tiered tray!

Last weekend I finally replaced the gingerbread on our tiered tray with hearts for Valentine's Day.  I wasn't quite ready to pack away the evergreen, so I just incorporated it into the love theme.


Hearts, hearts everywhere!  I loaded the area down with all the hearts.




The top of the tray shouts out LOVE.  Isn't that the theme of the season?


The gold candle sticks made an appearance this year for the first time in the Valentine's window.


And that's a wrap on the Valentine's tiered tray!  Happy Valentine's Day!




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



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Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - January 31, 2024

 

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 | TWITTER
  4. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
  5. Tara – STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST
  6. Denise –THISISMYEVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER

TOP VIEWED

VERY POPULAR
EDITOR'S CHOICE
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!

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Click here to enter

Friday, January 26, 2024

Five on Friday - January 26, 2024

Can you believe this is already the last weekend in January!?!  This month went by in a blur.  Now on to the last Five on Friday for the month ~

Robyn Carr's latest book came out this week and it sounds like a great vacation read to me.  You might recognize the author, Robyn Carr.  She's the author of The Virgin River series.  I didn't read those books, but I love the show so I'm hoping I'll love this book too.  Here is the summary ~
Celebrity cooking show host Marni McGuire has seen it all. She’s been married—twice—and widowed and divorced. Now in her mid-fifties, she’s single. Happily so. She just needs to convince her pregnant daughter, Bella, of this fact. And maybe convince herself, too. Especially after Marni’s efforts to humor her determined daughter result in a series of disastrous dates that somehow prompt Marni to wonder if maybe the right man for her is still out there after all.

Similarly single, Marni’s best friend and colleague is confident she’s content without a man, but both older women soon find themselves leading by example as the young intern on their show appears caught in a toxic relationship—and Bella reveals her own marriage maybe isn’t built to withstand the stresses of the baby on the way.

Suddenly, all four women find themselves at a crossroads, each navigating the challenges of dating, marriage, loneliness and love. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on. The realities of modern love are far from easy, but there’s no better group to have in your corner than friends who will lift you up, no matter what, and hold fast in the face of any storm.
Available HERE

A couple weeks ago I ordered this rotating makeup organizer from Amazon.  I was beginning to think it was never going to be delivered.  And then it arrived and the wait was so worth it!  I typically have makeup and brushes all over my bathroom sink.  This handy spinner is just the right size, holds all my stuff, and makes the counter look so much better!  It comes in a couple colors.  Mine is cream with the gold little feet.  I'm thinking about getting another one to put on my nightstand for my hand lotion, lip balm, reading glasses, etc.  Love it!

Available HERE

3.  Oscar Nominations
The Oscar nominations came out this week and we always try to see the movies up for Best Picture.  We have a ways to go this year!  Of the 10 movies nominated, our count for the ones we've seen is 3-1/2.  The 1/2 was Maestro.  We were halfway through and I just needed a break.  The half I saw I didn't love. The three whole movies we've seen are Barbie, The Holdovers, and Oppenheimer. The show airs on March 10 and will be hosted for a fourth time by Jimmy Kimmel.  How many of the movies have you seen?  

Best Picture

American Fiction (Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson, Producers)
Anatomy of a Fall (Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, Producers)
Barbie (David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, Producers)
The Holdovers (Mark Johnson, Producer)
Killers of the Flower Moon (Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, Producers)
Maestro (Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers)
Oppenheimer (Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, Producers)
Past Lives (David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Producers)
Poor Things (Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, Producers)
The Zone of Interest (James Wilson, Producer)

4.  The Many Lives of Martha Stewart
I'm pretty pumped about CNN's new original series called The Many Lives of Martha Stewart.  The series has four parts.  The first two episodes are airing this Sunday and two episodes are coming the following Sunday, February 4.  The names of the episodes are so cute:  Setting the Table, Crafting an Empire, In Hot Water, and The Comeback.  Can't wait to soak up all the Martha!


5.  What's going on around here?


Have a fabulous weekend!  I have a little bit of Valentine's decorating to do and then I'm packing for a girls' trip I'm taking next week.  See you back here next week!


Wednesday, January 24, 2024

2024 Valentine's Mantel

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.   Today I'm thinking about our 2024 Valentine's Mantel!

After the Christmas decorations came down, our mantel was looking pretty dismal.  We brought out the Valentine's decorations and got to work!  The result definitely put us in the Valentine's spirit!  Let's take a look ~



The decorations are all things we had stashed away from years past.  I've popped in several stores this year looking for new things, but haven't had much luck finding new things to add.  Maybe that's a sign that I should just use what we already have!  


The sprigs of dogwood add a whimsical touch and a feeling that spring is on the way.


The XOXO sign was something I picked up from Hobby Lobby last year.  I found it in the section with nursery items, but thought it was perfect for Valentine's Day.



With the mantel complete, it's time to move on to the tiered stand in the kitchen.  I'll be sharing that 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

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - January 24, 2024

 

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 | TWITTER
  4. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
  5. Tara – STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST
  6. Denise –THISISMYEVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER

TOP VIEWED
VERY POPULAR

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Cake Mix Valentine's Cookies

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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Friday, January 19, 2024

Five on Friday - January 19, 2024

Happy Fri-nally!  This has been a week and I'm so, so glad Friday has arrived!  Let's get straight into my five for today ~

1.  Hostess Valentine Ding Dongs
I'm not going to lie, I love Ding Dongs.  So, when I spotted the Valentine's Ding Dongs I was overjoyed!  These heart-shaped chocolate-covered cakes are available at Sam's and I hear they are also at Aldi's.  What a fun little treat to slip in your lunch bag.  They are out for a limited time so get them while you can!

Speaking of Valentine's, I bought a pack of these adorable window clings and I'm going to decorate like crazy with them!  They are going on the sidelights by my front door, mirrors in the bathrooms and any place else they will stick.  The package comes with a total of 100 heart clings so there will be plenty to spread them around everywhere! 


We have had some VERY cold weather this week.  My husband, Eric, has to work in and out of the elements all day.  One thing that helped him make it through the week was a rechargeable hand warmer that was gifted to him.  The charge on the hand warmer lasted all day and was a life saver in the kind of weather we had.  I wish I would have had one back in the day when I was sitting on the sidelines of Ian's sporting events!  


A friend of mine gave me a tube of Jack Black NightMode Lip Treatment.  This stuff is amazing!  Her daughters had turned her on to it and it definitely lives up to the hype.  I've been using it at bedtime and it was made my lips feel and look so much better!  The winter has been hard on my lips in years past, but this year I'm winning the battle of dried, cracked lips thanks to this lip treatment.  
Jack Black NighMode Lip Treatment

5.  Common Courtesy...


Have a fantastic weekend!  We have our Bible study group meeting tonight and then I have girls' night out tomorrow.  We're hoping the Kansas City Chiefs bring us a big win on Sunday!  Oh, and I still have a little bit of Christmas decorations to put away.  See you next week!

In case you missed it this week ~

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

2024 Valentine's Porch

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking about the touch of Valentine's decor on our front porch!

When the Christmas decorations come down, I'm anxious to get the Valentine's decorations up!  I started with our front porch this year and added a new wreath.  


For years now, we have had two tall planters on each side of our front door.  They have held up so well and my love for them hasn't waned.  We usually have holiday decorations in them or ferns through the summer.  After Christmas, I decided to add two fern balls to the planters.  That decision was a winner!



We hope our Valentine-decorated front porch radiates love and warmth for this season.  Now I need to get busy with the inside!  

Shop the Post


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

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - January 17, 2024

 

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 | TWITTER
  4. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER
  5. Tara – STILETTOS AND SHIPLAP | IG | PINTEREST
  6. Denise –THISISMYEVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | TWITTER

TOP VIEWED
VERY POPULAR

EDITOR'S CHOICE

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