Five on Friday - March 1, 2024

Happy Friday friends!  Did you make the most of leap day yesterday?  Now it's time to welcome in March.  Let's kick off the month with Five on Friday ~

1.  Dirt Cake Oreos

A new flavor of Oreos is hitting the shelves soon so be on the lookout.  The Dirt Cake Oreo features a chocolate cookie filled with a layer of brownie-flavored creme and a layer of chocolate creme mixed with Oreo crumbs.  On the top, you'll find multicolored gummy worm-inspired sprinkles.  Does it get any better than that?

2.  Dune:  Part Two

Sure to be a box office hit, Dune:  Part Two opens this weekend.  Do you have tickets already?  Here's the summary ~

"Dune: Part Two" will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

3.  Amazon Dress

Our weather was all over the place this week.  In one day, we had a 40-degree swing in the temperature.  The day it was 79 degrees, I got excited about putting away my winter sweaters and went looking on Amazon for a lighter-weight dress for work thinking it was going to be spring soon.  Found one!  This one is reasonably priced and as cute in real life as in the picture.  It also will travel well on a couple upcoming trips I have.  Now I'm ready for when the weather warms up a tad!

DRESS

4.  After Annie

Anna Quindlen's newest book was released this week and it sounds intriguing.  Definitely going on my TBR read.  Here's the summary ~

When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her children, and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all their lives. Bill is overwhelmed without his beloved wife, and Annemarie wrestles with the bad habits her best friend had helped her overcome. And Ali, the eldest of Annie’s children, has to grow up overnight, to care for her younger brothers and even her father and to puzzle out for herself many of the mysteries of adult life.

Over the course of the next year what saves them all is Annie, ever-present in their minds, loving but not sentimental, caring but nobody’s fool, a voice in their heads that is funny and sharp and remarkably clear. The power she has given to those who loved her is the power to go on without her. The lesson they learn is that no one beloved is ever truly gone.

Written in Quindlen’s emotionally resonant voice and with her deep and generous understanding of people, After Annie is about hope, and about the unexpected power of adversity to change us in profound and indelible ways.

AFTER ANNIE

5.  Dating these days...

Have a great weekend!  My daughter-in-law and I are going to a Joya event tonight.  I can't wait to see their new jewelry line!  We are supposed to have great weather on Saturday and Sunday so we need to think of something to do outside.  See you back next week!

Sedona Girls' Trip - Day 2

Thanks for popping in to Thinking Out Loud Thursday, a time when I talk about something I’m thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same. Today I am continuing to document a recent trip to Sedona with a couple of my friends. If you missed Day 1, you can see it HERE.

On the agenda for Day 2 of our Sedona trip was hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail. This hike was on my bucket list and I was so excited my friends agreed to go! The iconic red rock arch was someplace I’d seen countless times in photographs and I wanted to experience it for myself.

A friend who had previously experienced hiking Devil’s Bridge said the hardest part was the last little bit before you reached the arch itself and she wasn’t kidding! After hiking the nearly 2 miles trail, you come to a very steep, natural rock staircase. If you get this far and decide not to go on to the bridge itself, there are still areas where the scenery is stunning!  It was quite cloudy the day we hiked.  I can only imagine how beautiful the mountains would be if the sun was shining on them.  

We drove to the trailhead and had been warned that parking at the Dry Creek Road parking lot could be tricky as the spots fill up fast. Luckily, we were able to snag a spot in the lot! If you decide not to drive, there is a free shuttle out of Sedona that drops hikers off at the trailhead. It runs from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

On the day we hiked, there was only a small crowd at the top. Everyone was very courteous in waiting their turn to venture out onto the bridge. I would imagine during more popular vacation times the line and wait could be quite long. Other visitors were so encouraging and supportive of those of us a little less confident of going out to the middle of the bridge area.

When we were finished hiking and got back to the car, we realized we were starving. The Hideway House had been recommended to us so we headed there. Lunch was okay, but the view out the back of the restaurant was wonderful. It was cloudy and looked like it could rain at any second, so we elected to sit inside. They had outdoor seating that would be great on a better weather day.

Our VRBO had a hot tub that was calling our names upon arriving back to our home-away-from-home. It was the perfect way to soothe our tired muscles from the morning hike. Soon it was time to climb out and get ready for our dinner reservation at the Latin Inspired Grill Mariposa.

Mariposa, part of the Dahl Restaurant Group, is one of six restaurants opened by chef Lisa Dahl. Lisa is one of the country’s leading female chefs and restaurateurs. I love her mantra, “When you cook with love, you feed the soul.”. We enjoyed our dinner (and dessert). It was dark when we arrived, but you could tell that the scenery around the restaurant would be spectacular during daylight hours. In warmer weather, their outdoor seating would be to die for! 

After dinner, we went back to our abode.  Day Three we had an adventure planned I can't wait to share with you!  I'll be posting about it soon.

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

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - February 28, 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

Free Printable Easter Bookmarks

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

Sedona Girls' Trip - Day 1

On the last day in January,  I headed out with two of my best friends for a girls' trip to Sedona.  This is the year we all turn 60 and we wanted to celebrate the occasion with a trip.  After several emails and Zoom calls narrowing down our location choices, we decided on Sedona.  We scanned through VROB listings and restaurants we wanted to dine at, making reservations as we went.  Planning the trip was fun and doing it with friends made it any better!

The plane touched down in Phoenix.  We hopped in our rental car and started driving to our destination in Sedona.  Our first order of business when we were on the road was to find a place to eat lunch.   A quick Google search led us to the PHX Burrito House.  

We were a little skeptical when we pulled up in front of the restaurant.  There was even a short conversation about looking for another location to eat, but we decided this place deserved a try.  It turned out to be a great decision to stay!  The food was great and the atmosphere was fun and quirky.

On our way out of Phoenix, we quickly noticed the landscaping beginning to change.  The red rock mountains came into view and the desert lay all around us.  

The VRBO we had selected was a 3-bedroom house with a hot tub titled Brewer House.  It was going to be a great home away from home location for the next few days.  The view from the living room was spectacular!  

We drew numbers to see who got which bedrooms and got settled in.  That night we had reservations at the prestigious Elote restaurant.  The atmosphere was charming!  There was a nice patio outside where we enjoyed a margarita as they got our table ready.  

So we could try more things, we each ordered an item from the menu and shared the plates.  All the flavors rich, bold, and scrumptious! 

If you're planning a trip to Sedona, make a reservation at this restaurant as soon as you can!  We had heard that reservations were hard to come by so we made our's about a month before arriving.  I checked the website as I wrote this post and they were booked out 7 weeks.  

We knew we would be enjoying a few cocktails at dinner so we elected to take an Uber to the restaurant.  Our driver expressed how lucky we were to get reservations and recommended the Smoked Brisket Enchiladas.  We took her recommendation and were so glad we did!  It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious!  

After a very flavourful meal, we Ubered back to our desert abode.  I went to bed that night thinking how lucky I was to have these two friends to travel with and excited about the hike we were going on the next day.

Sedona Day 2 post coming soon!

Five on Friday - February 23, 2024

Whoop Whoop!  It's time for Five on Friday!

1.  Ordinary Angels

We've been seeing the previews for Ordinary Angels for a while now and every time we see them, I look to Eric and say I want to see that movie.  It's finally time!  Ordinary Angels opens today and stars Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson.  Here's the summary ~

Based on a remarkable true story, ORDINARY ANGELS centers on Sharon Steves (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.

2.  Cushion Inserts for Shoes

One of my favorite pair of shoes needed some attention this week.  On the outside, they still look great.  But on the inside, the insole had lost it's cushion and it was not very comfortable to wear.  I ordered these cushion inserts and now they are as good as new!  At $6.58, the inserts were a lot cheaper than throwing away the shoes and buying new ones!  Do you have any shoes that could benefit from a little extra cushion?

Shoe Cushions

3.  A Fire So Wild

New this week from Sarah Ruiz-Grossman is her new book A Fire So Wild.  It sounds good!  Here's the summary ~

As a wildfire threatens Berkeley, the city’s inhabitants are forced to reckon with the cracks in the lives they've built.

Abigail, a wealthy homeowner, decides to throw a lavish birthday in a hillside mansion to raise money for the city’s newest affordable housing project—and prove to her family that she’s made something worthwhile of her life. Sunny, a construction worker who sleeps in a van along the bay’s shore, is in the running for an apartment—but only if enough funds are raised at the party.

As the heat and smoke from the approaching blaze descend upon the town, tensions rise and residents—young and old, haves and have nots—confront the inequities laid bare, and the fragility of building a life in a world on fire.

Alternating among a colorful cast of characters, A Fire So Wild is a timely, tautly paced novel that questions why when everything burns, not everyone is left with scars.

A Fire So Wild

4.  Churro Twists

Last week on our Sam's Club run, we spotted a bag of Churro Twists.  The picture on the bag reminded me of the Cinnamon Twists at Taco Bell.  We love those things so a bag went into our cart.  They are delicious!  As a matter of fact, both Eric and I would choose these over the ones at Taco Bell.  The cinnamon sugar flavor, along with the crunch, makes this a wonderful snack!  Grab a bag for yourself and see what I'm talking about! 

5.  I might be ordering too much Amazon...

Have a great weekend!  We are hoping to see a movie and get some things done around the house.  See you next week.

Let's Make Spinach Artichoke Tartlets

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  Here is where I talk about something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing a quick, easy appetizer anyone can make and everyone will love!  Spinach artichoke tartlets have quickly become one of my go-to appetizers.

 Here's What You Need

A box of Athens Phyllo Shells

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

I saw someone whipping these up on Instagram and knew I wanted to make them.  They proved to be not only quick and easy to make but also a crowd-pleasing appetizer.  I first made them for my Galentine's party.  Then turned around and made them for our Super Bowl party too.  

Athens Phyllo Shells are so versatile.  We almost always have a box or two in the freezer.  They are so easy to stuff with either a sweet or savory filling for an appetizer or dessert.  For today's recipe, I stuffed them with the spinach artichoke dip from Sam's Club.  

Here's What You Do

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Take your shells out of the freezer and arrange them on a baking sheet.  There's no need to thaw or pre-bake them.

Next, fill each shell with the spinach artichoke dip.  It takes a teaspoon or so for each shell.

Top the filled shell with a little bit of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Pop in the oven for 15 minutes.  Remove and serve.

It doesn't get any easier than that!  The creamy, flavorful dip combined with the crunchy shell is the perfect combination.  Can't wait to have them again!

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

 

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

What About Love

VERY POPULAR

Snickerdoodle Blondie Cookie Bars

Easing Into Spring

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Cranberry with Thyme Vinaigrette

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

2024 Year of the Dragon

The Year of the Dragon 2024 is upon us!  Seems like a perfect theme to use for a dinner party!  In the Chinese folklore, the dragon is a majestic and lucky creature.  It symbolizes bravery, creativity, and innovation.  Here's how we creatively celebrated with our tablescape!

I found a three-piece dragon on Amazon and thought it would be perfect to use as the centerpiece.  When it arrived, it was much smaller than I had anticipated so I improvised by propping it up in three floral centerpieces.  Hidden beneath each dragon piece is a shot glass holding it up.  

At each place setting was the traditional red envelope with gold chocolate coins tucked inside.  The Chinese tradition of the envelopes is those who receive one are wished another safe and peaceful year.  

I had just bought a black tablecloth and napkins for our New Year's tablescape and was happy to use it again so soon.  When I buy new stuff like that, I always think "I'll use this a lot".  Then most of the time it sits in the closet for years.  Not this time!  

For dinner, I made one of our favorite things - Sukiyaki!  You can find the recipe HERE.  We served the Sukiyaki over rice and had pre-made eggrolls and crab rangoon on the side.  It was such an easy menu and made putting the dinner party together so effortless!

People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be charismatic, ambitious, adventurous, and fearless.  They possess confidence, independence, and vision.  Cheers to embracing the Dragon's energy this year.  I hope you set your intentions and soar toward your dreams!

Five on Friday - February 16, 2024

Hello friends!  Thanks for stopping by Five on Friday today.  Let's get right to it ~

1.  Bob Marley One Love Movie

We have seen the previews of the new Bob Marley movie a couple of times and it looks pretty look.  It released this week and I'm hoping we can see it soon.  If nothing else, I bet the soundtrack will be great!  Here's the summary ~

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.

2.  Tree Hut Pink Hibiscus Shea Sugar Scrub

Is the cold winter weather taking its toll on your skin?  It might be time for a little scrub action to take away some of that flakiness.  Exfoliating your body removes the dull, dry skin and reveals the glowing, soft, smooth skin underneath.  This product is vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and has a long-lasting fragrance.  Spend some time pampering yourself!  You deserve it!

Available HERE

3.  Shamrock Window Clings

Our Valentine's decorations will be coming down soon and I will replace them with our St. Patrick's Day things.  One of the new things I'm buying this year is new window clings.  We put them on the sidelights by our front door, mirrors, and any place else they will cling to.  Each set comes with over 100 clings, so you should have enough to cover every surface your heart desires!  

Available HERE

4.  Vanilla Cupcake Goldfish

A friend of mine at work introduced me to Pepperidge Farm's vanilla cupcake goldfish this week.  OH MY GOSH!  The flavor reminded me of a vanilla wafer.  They are a great snack - 35 fish are only 140 calories and are made with no artifical preservative or flavors.  They are going straight in my shopping cart when I go to the grocery store this weekend.

5.  Here's a thought...

I'm so excited that this is a long weekend for me!  We're off work on Monday for Presidents Day!  I have a list a mile long of things I want to get accomplished.   One of the things is to finish the book I'm reading for book club, which is Monday night.  That's one of the more fun things on the list!  

See you next week!