Five on Friday - November 21, 2025

Hello!  Thanks for popping in to Five on Friday.  I love sharing five fun things each week.  Let's see what I have for you today ~

1.  Wicked For Good

Opening weekend for the second half of Wicked is finally here, and the excitement is off the charts! Have you grabbed your tickets yet? I feel like the whole world has been counting down to see how the story wraps up. I can’t wait to experience the big finale on the big screen—soaking in the music, seeing all the stunning visuals, and watching Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande bring their characters to life. It’s going to be magical!

2.  100 Rules for Living to 100:  An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life by Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke’s newest book hit the shelves this week, and I’m so excited to get my hands on it. He’s been someone I’ve admired for as long as I can remember—his talent, his positivity, and the joy he brings to everything he does are just unmatched. I can’t wait to dive into his latest stories and wisdom.

Dick Van Dyke danced his way into our hearts with iconic roles in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Now, as he’s about to turn 100 years old, Dick is still dancing and approaching life with the twinkle in his eye that we’ve come to know and love. In 100 Rules for Living to 100, he reveals his secrets for maintaining your joie de vivre and making the most out of the life you’ve been given.

Through stories of his pivotal childhood, moments on film sets, his expansive family, and finding love late in life, Dick reflects on both the joyful times and the challenges that shaped him. His indefatigable spirit and positive attitude will surely inspire readers to count the blessings in their own lives, persevere through the hard times, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of being human.

Available HERE

3.  New Shirt and Vest

I went searching on Amazon for a new shirt to wear on Thanksgiving, and what I found completely exceeded my expectations! The blouse is lightweight—perfect for layering and ideal for packing on future trips. And the vest? It’s long enough to give good coverage while still having a really flattering shape. Definitely a great find!  Check out all the colors it's available in too.

Available HERE

Available HERE

4.  Norfolk Pine Garland

I recently picked up some new garland for the holiday season, and I am absolutely thrilled with it. If you’re on the hunt for something to freshen up your decor, grab this one before it sells out—it’s that good! The greenery looks incredibly realistic, and the quality is even better than I expected. I can already picture how beautiful it’s going to look draped across my mantel. I can’t wait to put it up and see the whole space come to life!

Available HERE

5.  I'm a little behind...

Have a wonderful weekend! We have a couple of fun things on the horizon that I’m really looking forward to. First up is seeing Wicked on Saturday morning! Then later that evening, we’re heading to an Italian Friendsgiving with some friends. It’s shaping up to be a pretty great weekend!  See you next week.

Thinking About Forgiveness

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Each week I take a moment to reflect on whatever’s on my mind—and I’d love for you to link up and share your thoughts too. 

The holiday season is quickly approaching!  Holidays have a way of stirring up all the layers of family dynamics—some sweet, some complicated. And in the middle of it all, forgiveness often becomes one of the greatest gifts we can offer each other.

Our pastor at Christ Church, Shane Bishop, shared a wonderful reflection this week that was just too good to keep to myself.  Here are his words ~

Forgiveness is absolutely essential to any long-term relationship. The fact is, the longer you have been in a relationship, job, or church, the greater the chances that you have been hurt. Not because people are evil or because people intentionally tried to hurt you, but because we live in a fallen world. And in a fallen world, even people of good will who love God and care about each other will get cross-threaded from time to time.

The key to staying in that relationship, job or church is to forgive. I think there are three keys in play here:

1) Determine intent.

Realize the intent is usually not to hurt you. You have to offer the benefit of the doubt here.  If the intent was to hurt you, you don’t want a relationship anyway.

2) Take responsibility.

Realize that you may be partially to blame in the process. I have noticed that people who are frustrated at me are people with whom I am frustrated.

3) Choose to forgive.

That is right. It is a choice, not a disposition.  Forgiveness is often playing for the long game.  

People who can’t renegotiate relationships after being hurt will miss the nearly infinite benefits reaped by both parties in a long-term relationship. If you have been in your marriage, friendship, job, or congregation for a long time, you have a significant investment in that relationship. You have built something significant together.  Don’t let temporal disappointments rob you of infinitely greater long-term (or even eternal) joys.

What is the secret of successful long-term relationships?  

Forgiveness. 

Plain and simple. 

If you'd like to hear more from Pastor Shane, our weekly services are online.  They can be found HERE.  

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 - November 19, 2025

 

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
6. Angie – SALT PRAIRIE | IG | PINTEREST 

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Dollar Tree Clay Pot Turkey

Tips for Making Sausage Balls The Easy Way

Cinnamon Apple Cider Scones

How to Style a Floral Dress for Fall

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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Five on Friday - November 14, 2025

Hey friends! We finally made it to Friday, and I couldn’t be more ready for a little breather. I’m hoping to enjoy a couple of slower days and maybe tackle a bit of organizing as I get things ready for the fast-approaching Thanksgiving holiday. But before I dive into all of that, I’d love to kick things off by sharing my newest Five on Friday post ~

1.  A Merry Little Ex-Mas

Netflix just released a new Christmas movie yesterday, and if I can find a spare moment this weekend, it’s definitely on my watch list! The previews had us laughing out loud. The story follows separated spouses, Kate and Everett, as they try to pull off one last Christmas with their kids before finalizing their divorce—only to discover that their secret plans might change everything in unexpected ways.

2.  I Spy Thanksgiving

Are you hosting little ones for Thanksgiving this year? Or maybe you’re looking for a fun way to surprise a kiddo in your life? This I Spy Thanksgiving book would make such a cute and engaging gift! It’s a great way to keep children entertained and excited for the holiday. I love the reasons Amazon said you should choose this book:

Why Choose This I Spy Book?

• 🎯 Playful Learning: Playfully boost your child's concentration and attention skills. No reading is required!
• 👪 Quality Family Time: Solve puzzles together, share laughter, and create lasting memories!
• ✈️ Perfect for Travel or Rainy Days: Keep your little one entertained for hours—ideal for long trips or cozy afternoons at home!
• 🎨 High Replay Value: Packed with detailed search scenes and bonus coloring fun for ages 2–6.
• 🎁 Perfect Thanksgiving Gift for Kids: A delightful surprise for your child’s Thanksgiving celebration!

Available HERE

3.  Chelsea Wedge Boots

I treated myself to a new pair of boots this week, and I have to say—they are absolutely adorable! I picked them up in the brown shade, but they come in several other colors if you like to switch things up. They’re made from premium nubuck leather, which gives them such a soft, luxurious feel, and they’re incredibly comfortable and surprisingly lightweight. Plus, they’re slip-ons, so they’re easy to pop on and off, making them perfect for everyday wear.  Oh - and the price is fantastic also!

Available HERE

4.  Coffee Mate Butterbeer Creamers

Attention, Harry Potter fans—this one’s for you! Coffee Mate just released a magical trio of new products, all inspired by the beloved butterbeer flavor. You can now pick up butterbeer-flavored creamer, a rich and fluffy cold foam, and even a zero-sugar creamer option. Whether you like your coffee sweet, foamy, or a little lighter, there’s a version to bring a touch of Hogwarts straight to your morning cup.

5.  When Choosing a Christmas Tree...

In case you missed it this week on the blog ~

Gratitude, Gatherings, and All Things Thanksgiving

Mantel Full of Pumpkins and Fall Feels

I hope you’ll stop by again next week to see what’s new. Until then, wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend filled with all the things you enjoy most!

Gratitude, Gatherings, and All Things Thanksgiving

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing our newly created Thanksgiving tiered tray decor!

This past weekend, I pulled out all the Thanksgiving storage tubs and started adding a touch of the holiday throughout our home. It’s always so much fun to unpack the decorations and decide where each piece goes! Earlier this week, I shared a look at our fall mantel on the blog — if you missed it, you can catch up on that post HERE. Now that the mantel is complete, it’s time to move into the kitchen and show you how I’ve dressed up our window for Thanksgiving!

I started by placing a bundle of wheat in a vase to anchor the look and give it that warm, harvest feel. From there, I spread out some leaf garland to add texture and color. Once the base was set, I had fun layering in all the other pieces — a mix of seasonal accents that brought the whole Thanksgiving look together.

One of my favorite pieces in the display is a set of wooden Pilgrims and a Native American figure that I bought at a craft fair back in the 80s. They’ve been part of my Thanksgiving decor for decades now, and I love how they’ve held up through the years. Every time I unpack them, they bring back such warm memories — proof that some decorations truly stand the test of time!

We have so many pumpkins! I couldn’t resist scattering them everywhere — big ones, small ones, and everything in between. I like to say I spread them like glitter all over the kitchen window, adding a fun pop of color and a little extra festive charm to the whole display.

The Thanksgiving turkey stands proudly watching over the whole scene, tying everything together. It feels like the finishing touch — the piece that makes the entire display come to life. With the turkey in place, the kitchen window feels complete and perfectly ready to welcome the season of gratitude.

And that wraps up our little Thanksgiving corner in the kitchen! I love how cheerful and cozy it feels every time I walk by. The mix of wheat, leaves, pumpkins, and those nostalgic wooden figures brings such warmth to the space. It’s a simple setup, but it captures everything I love about this time of year — gratitude, tradition, and a touch of homemade charm. Let the countdown to Thanksgiving dinner begin!

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 11, 2025

  

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
6. Angie – SALT PRAIRIE | IG | PINTEREST 

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Easy Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

Country Roads in Autumn

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Stuffed Paper Bag Turkey Craft

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

Mantel Full of Pumpkins and Fall Feels

This weekend, I pulled out the bins of fall decor and got to work giving our home a seasonal refresh. There’s just something about pumpkins, leaves, and warm tones that instantly make everything feel cozy. Today I’m sharing a peek at our mantel, all dressed up for fall!

I love how the eucalyptus garland worked with the fall leaf garland—it’s like they were meant to be together! The combo gave the mantel just the right amount of fullness and that layered, cozy look that feels perfectly fall.

The big pumpkin picture came from Hobby Lobby a few years ago.  I'm so glad I snagged it because I've used it every year since then!

From one end of the mantel to the other, there’s no shortage of fall charm! Leaves spill across the top, and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are scattered throughout, creating the perfect touch of autumn magic.

I couldn’t resist adding a little more fall magic below the fireplace too! A few pumpkins and cozy accents on the hearth helped complete the look and make everything feel warm and welcoming.

I’ll definitely be a little sad to take this one down—it’s been such a cozy reminder of everything I love about fall. But with Christmas right around the corner, I’m already dreaming up what’s coming next!

Five on Friday - November 7, 2025

Hello! Can you believe it’s November already? How did that happen?! The air has that crisp, cozy feel, and the trees are showing off their last bits of color before winter settles in. It feels like the perfect time to slow down a little, light a candle, and enjoy all the small things that make this season so special.

 
So, with a warm mug in hand and a grateful heart, let’s see what my five things are for this week ~

1.  The Christmas Ring

Did you ever read Karen Kingsbury’s book The Christmas Ring? Well, it’s been turned into a movie! Two friends and I went to see it last night, and it definitely had that heartwarming Christmas feel we’ve all been craving. The story was sweet, the setting was festive, and it had just the right amount of emotion to make it perfect for this time of year. If you’re a fan of Hallmark-style movies—the kind that leave you smiling and feeling cozy inside—you’ll absolutely love this one!  Here's the summary ~

At a "Christmas in July" sale while searching for her longtime missing family Christmas ring, beautiful military widow Vanessa Mayfield (Jana Kramer), early 40s, meets handsome antiques dealer Ben Miller (Benjamin Hollingsworth). Now Ben is working in Vanessa's hometown, scouring local shops for Christmas finds, and along the way their new friendship is blossoming into something more. But there's a problem neither of them knows about: Ben's father, Howard, has purchased a box of antiques that unbeknownst to him or Ben, happens to include Vanessa's missing heirloom Christmas ring. A ring worth five figures and filled with a lifetime of Vanessa's memories. Ben's father has no idea the importance of the heirloom, so he makes plans to sell it. His Christmas diamond in the rough. Now, it will take a miracle for all of them to understand that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2.  The Christmas Stranger

I must have Christmas on my mind today because here’s another Christmas-themed item to share!  The Christmas Stranger was just released this week, and it immediately caught my attention. It sounds like the perfect story to curl up with during the Christmas season—cozy blanket, twinkling lights, and maybe a mug of hot cocoa close by. I’m adding it to my holiday reading list for sure!  Here's the summary ~

Sometimes the universe sends us exactly who we need...

Three years after losing his family in a Christmas Eve accident, grief-stricken Paul Wanlass hasn’t just given up on Christmas, he’s given up on life. He can’t imagine anything to keep him here—not his work as a computer repairman, not the residents in his Salt Lake City neighborhood, and certainly not the idea of connecting with someone new. When a stranger knocks on his door, claiming to be picking up a laptop, Paul allows him in—but discovers the man has a very different mission in mind.

Paul wakes the next morning unsure if his encounter with the stranger really happened or was just a dream–but when the stranger shows up again, Paul challenges him to give him just one reason to live. The stranger agrees to the challenge but warns Paul not to expect a path he would have guessed or chosen.

As the stranger promised, Paul’s life takes a wild and fateful turn. A robbery connects him with a woman who has also lost the love of her life, and, in a seemingly unrelated incident, Paul rescues a young boy from bullying, only to find the boy needs a different kind of rescue. The twists leave Paul wondering what these people have in common, and why they were brought together. Who—or what—really is this Christmas stranger, and how will Paul find meaning once again?

Available HERE

3.  Thanksgiving Coloring Tablecloth

Let’s take a step back from all the Christmas talk and focus on Thanksgiving for a moment!  I’ve shared this before, but it’s just too good not to mention again. This tablecloth is absolutely perfect for the kids’ table at Thanksgiving! It keeps little hands busy, sparks their creativity, and honestly, even the adults tend to join in on the fun. It’s such a simple way to add laughter and togetherness to your holiday celebration.

Available HERE

4.  Everything but the Pizza Whipped Cream Cheese Spread

For a limited time, Trader Joe's is offering Everything but the Pizza Whipped Cream Cheese Spread.  It sounds fantastic!  I'm going to try to pop in and grab some to try.  They describe it like this, "It’s made with a base of rich and fluffy Whipped Cream Cheese that’s been mixed with a tangy sun-dried tomato spread, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a series of savory seasonings, all of which work together to evoke the taste of cheese Pizza on the palate.".  Yum!

5.  I'm going to try this...

Have a wonderful weekend! I’m hoping to finally take down all the Halloween decorations and swap them out for the Thanksgiving ones—it always feels so cozy once the fall colors and pumpkins are back out. We’re also having dinner with friends tonight, which I’m really looking forward to. Good food, good conversation, and lots of laughter sound like the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Hope to see you back next week!

What I Read in October 2025

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you link up below to let us know what you're thinking out loud about today.  On the first Thursday of the every month, I reflect back on the books I read the previous month.  So, let's look at what I read in October ~

My Husband's Wife by Carla Kovach

This was the selection for one of the book clubs I'm in and it was a wonderful read!  It's cheap to purchase on Kindle and totally worth it!  I found this psychological thriller to be a real page turner and I blow through it really quick.  It had plenty of twists and turns I didn't see coming.

‘Thank you for agreeing to be our wedding planner. Theo is on his way,’ Madison says as we meet to plan her dream wedding. The moment her fiancé enters the room, a newborn baby in his arms, my whole world shifts and I grab hold of my desk to stop myself from falling.

Theo shakes my hand as he introduces himself, but I already know who he is. He’s my husband. The man I thought had died five years ago.

‘Lovely to meet you, Eva,’ he says, carefully avoiding my frozen stare. I’d recognise his smooth voice anywhere.

I want to scream, ask him why he’s doing this to me. But I know just how good a liar my husband is. And he knows my darkest secret. I can’t risk him destroying everything I’ve worked so hard for.

At the end of the meeting, I watch the happy little family walk away, and I don’t miss Theo’s eyes staring at me just a second too long. He knows I’m onto him. But only I know what I’m going to do next…

Available HERE

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus was our library book club selection of the month.  I'm the one who picked it and, to be honest, it wasn't a great pick.  Hardly anyone liked it, including me.  It had a lot of words that just kept going on and on.  Have you read it?  Did you like it??  Maybe I missed something.

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

Available HERE

The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore

Dream Harbor book 5 was a good little read and I enjoyed it.  Nothing hugely literary about this series, but great to curl up and read for fun.  By the way, book 6 it titled The Daisy Chain Flower Shop and is due out in May of 2026.

As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.

Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they're about to spend a lot more time together.

As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

Available HERE

Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

Oh my goodness - this book is a real eye opener!  It's scary to think how many innocent people may be incarcerated!  This book highlights a few cases John Grisham and Jim McCloskey explored.  Could be a good book for the guys on your Christmas list.

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.

Available HERE

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