Thursday, October 31, 2024

Five on Friday - November 1, 2024

It's November!  Holy smokes - how did that happen so fast?!?   Glad you're here to welcome in the month and to read my Five on Friday post.  Let's get right to it ~

1.  Time Change Weekend
Who's ready for an extra hour this weekend? I'm all for it! Remember, this is the weekend to set your clocks back by one hour. Technically, clocks should be set back at 2:00 a.m. early Sunday morning, but we usually adjust them on Saturday night before heading to bed.  What are you going to do with your extra hour? Whether it’s sleeping in, reading a book, or pampering yourself, make the most of your time!


2.  Here
Tom Hanks and Robin Wright reunite in the new movie Here, and I couldn’t be more excited! First off, it’s Tom Hanks—does he ever make a bad movie? And then there’s Robin Wright. I loved her in Forrest Gump, so I can’t wait to see her in this role. Here’s a quick summary ~
Reuniting the director, writer and stars of Forrest Gump, Here is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations, capturing the most relatable of human experiences. Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Castaway, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Contact, Back to the Future) directs from a screenplay by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Killers of the Flower Moon, Dune, A Star is Born) and him. Told much in the style of the acclaimed graphic novel by Richard McGuire on which it is based, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright star in a tale of love, loss, laughter and life, all of which happen right Here.

It doesn't matter how hard I try, we still end up with mildew in the corners of our shower.  I usually have Eric strip away all the caulk and start over.  But now I've found a new solution!  After seeing several ads for this MXY Arbor House gel, I purchased a tube from Amazon.  I was amazed at what a great job it did!  The label says to leave it on for 10-15 hours, so I put it on after we showered in the morning.  By the afternoon, my shower was completely mildew free!  This product is definitely becoming a household staple!

4.  The Grey Wolf
Are you a reader of the Chief Inspector Gamache series?  Well, book number 19 was released this week!  Here's the summary ~
Relentless phone calls interrupt the peace of a warm August morning in Three Pines. Though the tiny Québec village is impossible to find on any map, someone has managed to track down Armand Gamache, head of homicide at the Sûreté, as he sits with his wife in their back garden. Reine-Marie watches with increasing unease as her husband refuses to pick up, though he clearly knows who is on the other end. When he finally answers, his rage shatters the calm of their quiet Sunday morning.

That's only the first in a sequence of strange events that begin THE GREY WOLF, the nineteenth novel in Louise Penny's #1 New York Times-bestselling series. A missing coat, an intruder alarm, a note for Gamache reading "this might interest you", a puzzling scrap of paper with a mysterious list—and then a murder. All propel Chief Inspector Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization. Something much more sinister than any one murder or any one case is fast approaching.

Armand Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, his son-in-law and second in command, and Inspector Isabelle Lacoste can only trust each other, as old friends begin to act like enemies, and long-time enemies appear to be friends. Determined to track down the threat before it becomes a reality, their pursuit takes them across Québec and across borders. Their hunt grows increasingly desperate, even frantic, as the enormity of the creature they’re chasing becomes clear. If they fail the devastating consequences would reach into the largest of cities and the smallest of villages.

Including Three Pines.

5.  Think about it...


Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your extra hour!  The weather here on Saturday looks perfect for hiking so I'm hoping we can make that happen.  It's supposed to rain here on Sunday so I'll save our inside chores for then.  See you next week!

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Switch Witch!

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today is Halloween!  That's what I'm thinking out loud about today.  


Have your kids been to one too many Trunk or Treats, leaving your house overflowing with candy? There's a Halloween idea that's been circulating that I wish I'd known about when my son was younger. Have you heard of the Switch Witch? If not, here’s how it works: let your kids keep a small stash of candy, then invite the "Switch Witch" to come by and take the rest. In exchange, the Switch Witch leaves a little non-candy treat behind. Genius, right?

If this is a new concept at your house, there is The Switch Witch book that can explain the whole thing.  Here's the book summary ~
Mrs. Switch is no ordinary witch. She has the power to create a healthier Halloween that boys and girls look forward to each year. Come and read how a little boy named Gavin learned about this special magic--the magic of the Switch Witch. Read the legend/myth and create a Halloween tradition in your home. Your kids will love to see it in print and read the story over and over. The Switch Witch fosters creativity and healthier living.

The Switch Witch is a clever idea for several reasons:
  1. Reduces Sugar Intake: It helps limit the amount of candy kids consume after Halloween, making it easier to avoid sugar overload while still letting them enjoy a bit of their haul.

  2. Encourages Healthy Choices: By swapping out candy for a fun, non-sugary treat, the Switch Witch can help reinforce the idea that treats don’t always have to be sweets.

  3. Makes a Fun Tradition: Kids get excited about the magic of the Switch Witch, turning the post-Halloween cleanup into a special event instead of a candy war.

  4. Promotes Sharing and Giving: The act of giving up some candy can help kids learn about generosity, especially if the extra candy goes to a local charity, community center, or even troops overseas.

  5. Reduces Clutter: For parents, it's a simple way to keep candy overflow under control, making the post-Halloween season feel more manageable.

It’s a win-win that helps families enjoy Halloween without the excess sugar and adds a fun tradition to look forward to each year!

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


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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - October 30, 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 | X
  4. Tammy – MY LIFE ABUNDANT | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE
  5. Denise – THIS IS MY EVERYBODY | FB | IG | PINTEREST | X | YOUTUBE

TOP VIEWED

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Thursday, October 24, 2024

Five on Friday - October 25, 2024

Oh my goodness - we've made it to Friday!  I'm grateful you decided to pop in today to see what five things I'd be talking about.  Here they are ~

1.  The Pasta Queen on Prime
I am so darn excited to watch this show!  The Pasta Queen (aka Nadia Caterina Munno) is now showing on Prime.  Nadia is a New York Times bestselling author, a descendant of an Italian pasta dynasty, and has racked up millions of followers on social media.  She will be exploring four regions of Italy highlighting their cuisine and ingredients.  Then she'll be going back to her kitchen to give us step-by-step instructions on how to whip up the dishes!  Thirteen episodes, each about 30 minutes in length, are now available for your viewing pleasure.  

Deborah Levy's book, The Positions of Spoons, came out on the first of this month and it became available on Audible yesterday.  I can't wait to dig in and hear all the things she has to say!  It's a short book - only 159 pages and only a little over two hours to listen to.  I love putting books like this in my guest rooms for people to read a page or two if they are having trouble falling asleep or just want to relax for a minute.  Here's the summary ~
Deborah Levy’s vital literary voice speaks about many things.

On footwear: “It has always been very clear to me that people who wear shoes without socks are destined to become my friends and lovers.” On public parks: “A civic garden square gentles the pace of the city that surrounds it, holding a thought before it scrambles.” On Elizabeth Hardwick: “She understands what is at stake in literature.” On the conclusion of a marriage: “It doesn’t take an alien to tell us that when love dies we have to find another way of being alive.”

Levy shares with us her most tender thoughts as she traces and measures her life against the backdrop of different literary imaginations; each page is a beautiful, questioning composition of the self. The Position of Spoons is full of wisdom and astonishments and brings us into intimate conversation with one of our most insightful, intellectually curious writers.
Whenever we travel, I always take my bedside charging block with me. But when we return, I end up digging through my bag to retrieve all my cords. So, I finally decided to buy a new charging block to keep permanently in my travel bag. We're heading out of town in a couple of weeks, and I’m excited to try it out! If you're going on a cruise, unlike a power strip, this block is reportedly allowed.  Definitely worth the small investment.

Our evenings have been cooling down.  When the weather starts getting cooler, I love fixing a cup of tea to drink while I'm winding down at night.  My tea of choice recently has been The Republic of Tea Cinnamon Vanilla.  I add just a touch of honey and a couple sweeteners.  OH.MY.GOODNESS!  It is so delicious!  And it's caffeine-free so I don't have to worry about it keeping me up all night.  

5.  So true...


Have a great weekend!  We will be over here knocking out a few chores around the house.  I'm determined to actually get our garden cleaned out before it's time to plant it again.  The summer shoes are also going to get packed away this weekend!  See you next week!

In case you missed my blog posts this week, here’s a recap of what you missed ~

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Not-So-Spooky Spider Tablescape

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday, where I share what's on my mind and invite you to join in by linking up and sharing your thoughts too!  Today I'm sharing my Halloween tablescape!


Halloween will be here before we know it.  We skipped putting up our Halloween decorations this year and went straight into Fall.  But I couldn't totally ignore it so I decided to do a not-so-spooky tablescape in honor of Halloween.

Target had the cutest Happy Halloween plates this year and I couldn't resist picking some up.  I only got 4 and now I'm thinking I might get a few more.  


The buffalo plaid placemats are from Amazon.  When they arrived, the package was super thin and I was afraid there really wasn't four in the pack.  Wrong!  They were all there.  The upside is they won't take up hardly any room to store.  :)

A couple packages of glittery spiders from Michaels went a long way!  I used glue dots to attach them to the glasses and candlesticks.  




Overall, the table came together super quick leaving me plenty of time to move on to the menu!  




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

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Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - October 23, 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
EDITOR'S CHOICE

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Monday, October 21, 2024

2024 Front Porch

Last weekend I took down our sunflower wreath and put up our fall one.  I wanted to touch up our side planters and panicked a bit when I walked into Michael's and there wasn't so much as a single pumpkin to be had.  WHAT?!?  It's only the middle of October!  Okay, note to self:  finish buying fall decorations by August.


Luckily, I ran over to At Home and they had me covered.  I found a leaf garland and metal pumpkins that would serve my purpose.


We've had the black planters for years, and I love updating them with seasonal and holiday decor. To keep them stable during strong winds, we've placed several bricks at the bottom.  They were a great purchase!  

Available HERE

Available HERE

The wreath is new this year.  I picked it up from a local craft Facebook group.  The creator, Brittany Liberton, did a great job!



The orange buffalo plaid rug (available HERE) adds a vibrant pop of color as well.  I picked it up from Amazon.  Two of the three pumpkins on each side of the door are real and one is fake.  Can you tell which one isn't real?  


After my small panic attack, I think I pulled off a nice fall porchscape.  I'm immediately going to start thinking about Christmas before all those decorations are gone too!  


Sunday, October 20, 2024

Things I've Bought on Amazon Lately

It has been a hot minute since I shared some of my Amazon purchases.  I thought it was time for an update ~



Where are my organizational fans out there?  This little label maker is the bomb!  It runs off of an app on your phone that provides over 600 templates.  There are also many fonts to choose from!  I've been labeling everything in my sight and love it!  It would be an awesome gift for that student in your life.


We needed a new rug for the front porch and this orange and white buffalo plaid was just what I was looking for for fall!  I'll share a picture of our front porch later.  If you're looking for an addition to your porch, this could be the rug for you.

Halloween tablescapes are so fun and these new placemats are going to fit in perfectly!  Again, I'll be sharing pictures of my table soon.  You'll notice these placemats adding cuteness.  


A few years ago I decided to change all my hangers to the same ones.  It turned out that was an awesome decision!  I needed to add more to my collection so I purchased a new pack of 50.  That should keep me in business for a while!


My T-shirts were in desperate need of organization. These storage boxes have been working great! I filled one with my short-sleeved T-shirts and one with long-sleeved T-shirts.  Then I decided to re-order so I'd have a place for my leggings and tights.   


Don't you just love a good Amazon purchase!  What are some items you've purchased from Amazon lately that you love?  

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Five on Friday - October 18, 2024

Happy Friday!  We have had so much fun the last few weekends visiting friends, but this weekend we are spending at home.  The weather has finally started feeling like fall.  We have quite a long list of chores to take care of and I'm hoping we can check most off this weekend.  First thing to check off is my five for this week.  Here goes ~

1.  2024 Hallmark Christmas Movies
It's that time of year!  Time for the new Hallmark Christmas movie lineup.  New movies are starting today!  I absolutely love turning on the Hallmark channel and watching movie after movie.  This year I'm especially looking forward to the movie premiering on November 30 titled Holiday Touchdown:  A Chiefs Love Story.  If you want to go deeper into the Hallmark scene, check out the Hallmark Jenny blog.  She'll keep you up totally up to speed!


2.  Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer
Have you seen Netflix's series The Lincoln Lawyer? I'm hooked! Season three just dropped yesterday, so I'm planning a bit of binge-watching this weekend. Mickey Haller is back, skillfully representing both innocent and guilty clients, and it's such a suspenseful thrill to watch him in action!  I suspect I'll know how the 10-episode season ends by Monday.


3.  Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey
John Grisham and Jim McCloskey teamed up for their newly released book titled Framed:  Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions.  It sounds so interesting!  Here's the summary ~
John Grisham is known worldwide for his bestselling novels, but it’s his real-life passion for justice that led to his work with Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries, the first organization dedicated to exonerating innocent people who have been wrongly convicted. Together they offer an inside look at the many injustices in our criminal justice system.

A fundamental principle of our legal system is a presumption of innocence, but once someone has been found guilty, there is very little room to prove doubt. These ten true stories shed light on Americans who were innocent but found guilty and forced to sacrifice friends, families, and decades of their lives to prison while the guilty parties remained free. In each of the stories, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey recount the dramatic hard-fought battles for exoneration. They take a close look at what leads to wrongful convictions in the first place and the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony, and corruption in the court system that can make them so hard to reverse.

Impeccably researched and told with page-turning suspense as only John Grisham can deliver, Framed is the story of winning freedom when the battle already seems lost and the deck is stacked against you.

4.  New Pop-Tart Flavor
Pop-Tarts is bringing the cozy vibes of the classic wintertime drink to our grocery store shelves.  For a limited time, Frosted Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Pop-Tarts will be available for your eating enjoyment.  These pastries features cacao, and the filling is ooey gooey marshmallow, topped off with vanilla frosting.  Yum!


5.  Yep...


Have a wonderful weekend! I’m hoping to get some fall decorating done and share it on the blog next week. The front porch is at the top of my to-do list! See you next week!

In case you missed my blog posts this week, here’s a recap of what you missed ~