Five on Friday - February 28, 2025

Hello from the beach!  I'm at Tybee Island with four of my friends.  I'm taking a break from the fun to share my Five on Friday post with you.  Let's get to it...

1.  Planetary Parade

A rare planetary alignment is occurring tonight!  Six planets - Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus - will line up in the night sky.  This cool phenomenon is known as the Planetary Parade and is visible worldwide.  To see the planet parade, find a dark place free of light pollution with a view of the western horizon.

2.  Mostly What God Does Is Love You

The beloved Today Show host, Savannah Guthrie, has a new book out!  The target age for the book is 4-8.  I'm thinking this would be a great Easter gift!  Here's the summary ~

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and TODAY show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, this beautifully illustrated picture book showcases the wonders of nature, the beauty of God’s creation, and most importantly, how very loved you are by God. Mostly What God Does is Love You reminds children (and adults) of God’s great love for them, how very cherished they are by the creator of the universe, and how in turn, they can share that same love by being kind and compassionate to others.

With its awe-inspiring and charming illustrations and a poetic, relatable and age-appropriate message, Mostly What God Does is Love You is the perfect way for adults reading Savannah’s bestselling book Mostly What God Does to share this all-important reminder with the children they love—that the vastness of God’s love is all for them and how they can share it with others as freely as God shares his love.

Mostly What God Does Is Love You:Reminds children that God is always with them, loving them unconditionally.
Is perfect for family reading, bedtime story, school or daycare story time.
Makes the perfect gift for birthdays, Easter, graduation, and other celebrations and gift-giving occasions

This sweet, uplifting book is sure to leave a lasting impression on children and adults alike, reminding them of the most important thing in the world—God’s enormous love for us—and how we, too can spread love and kindness, just like God does.

Available HERE

3.  M&M Fan Club Reward Program

Are you a lover of M&Ms?  You are in for a surprise - the new M&M Fun Club is launching!  This is a free loyalty program that allows members to score points on purchases for special giveaways and experiences, along with plenty of M&M's swag.  Head over to the company's website and sign up for a free membership.  You can earn things like M&M-scented candles, tubmlers, blankets, puzzles and more.  In addition to scoring points when you purchase M&Ms, you can also obtain points by completing certain activities and challenges online.  Sign up and start earning points today!  

4.  Alani Energy Drink

A few weeks ago, my friend Jill and I headed out for a morning outing. She brought along peach-flavored Alani energy drinks to give us a boost, and they were absolutely delicious! Each 12-ounce can has just 10 calories. So far, I’ve only tried the peach flavor, but they offer a wide variety, including cherry twist, Hawaiian shaved ice, pink slush, and many more. I can’t wait to try more!

5.  Yep...

Okay, I'm going to get back to vacation!  See you next week.

On Vacation!

Hello from Tybee Island!  Glad you popped in today for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  Starting today, I'm on vacation with four of my friends!  I love girl time and it's even better when it's at the beach.  

I love girls' trips because they’re the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and deep connection. There’s something special about escaping the routine and spending uninterrupted time with my closest friends—laughing until we cry, reminiscing about old memories, and creating new ones. Whether it’s a weekend getaway to the beach, a cozy cabin retreat, or an exciting city escape, every trip is filled with inside jokes, spontaneous adventures, and a sense of freedom. It’s a time to recharge, uplift each other, and celebrate the bond we share. No matter where we go, the best part is always the company.

I didn't want to miss the opportunity to hear from you, so feel free to link up below and share what you are thinking out loud about today.  I'll leave you with one picture from my location this week ~

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Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - February 26, 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

TOP VIEWED

Delicious Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake

VERY POPULAR

The Best Books I Read in 2024

Best Warm and Cozy Farmhouse Colors

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Dirty Girl Scout Vodka Cocktail

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

Five on Friday - February 21, 2025

Oh boy - we've had a cold, cold week!  Some heat is coming our way this weekend and I'm looking forward to temps above freezing.  Spring will be here soon, right?!?  While we wait for warmer weather, let's take a look at my five for this week ~

1.  Reacher Season 3

Hey all you Reacher fans - Season 3 has begun.  Three new episodes were released yesterday on Prime and there will be a new episode each week through March 27.  Reacher, a veteran military police investigator, will be investigating a series of crimes and conspiracies.  Season 3 is an adaptation of the seventh "Jack Reacher" novel, "Persuader".  The season picks up as Reacher, now a drifter, becomes embroiled in a rescue mission of an undercover DEA informant while confronting his own haunted past, according to Prime Video.

2.  Insulated Sleeves with Handles for Drinks

I saw the coolest thing the other day in the elevator at work.  A girl had an insulated sleeve on her iced coffee.  It even had a handle!  When I commented on how cute the pattern was, she said it was great for keeping the cold beverage off her hands.  How ingenious!  She said she got them from Amazon, so I looked them up the minute I got to my desk.  Yes, they then went straight into my cart!  I'm thinking they will be great in the winter to keep my hand off the cold cup and in the summer to help the ice not melt as fast.  The things you learn in the elevator...

Available HERE

3.  TableTopics Road Trip to Go

Next week I'm going on vacation with 4 of my friends to Tybee Island, Georgia.  I'm so excited to spend a few days just hanging out at the beach and exploring Savannah with them.  Then we are all driving back to St. Louis together.  I'm bringing along TableTopics Road Trip to Go to help pass the time.  The set includes 40 family conversation cards.  It will be a fun way to spark insightful discussions and will help make the long ride home more enjoyable.  This set is good for the whole amily!

Available HERE

4.  Cotton Candy Flavored KitKats

KitKats are introducing, for a limited time, a new flavor - Cotton Candy!  The traditional milk chocolate exterior coating has been switched out for a blue-hued, cotton candy flavored, white chocolate that pairs perfectly with their crisp, then, wafer layers.  Apparently, this new twist of KitKats is available in select retailers nationwide for a limited time.  They also can be found at Costco, where they are sold in a variety pack with includes the milk chocolate and vanilla KitKat bars.

5.  Yep...

Have a wonderful weekend! We've got a busy few days ahead—tonight, we're having dinner with our son and daughter-in-law. On Saturday, I’m meeting with the couple I’m assisting with their wedding at their reception venue. Then on Sunday, we’re catching up with friends for lunch after church. Lots to look forward to! See you next week!

St. Patrick's Day Tiered Tray

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a time for me to share what’s on my mind and invite you to join in and do the same. Today, I’m taking a trip down memory lane and revisiting our St. Patrick’s Day Tiered Tray from the archives!

I’m really loving how the holidays are spaced out this year! Sometimes, there’s such a quick turnaround between St. Patrick’s Day and Easter that I don’t always decorate for both. But with Easter not until April 20 this year, there’s plenty of time to celebrate each one! I came across some photos of a past St. Patrick’s Day tiered tray, and I’m excited to share them with you today ~

Our window is fully decked out in all things green, adorned with plenty of shamrocks for a little extra luck! 🍀✨

Many of the pieces decorating each layer of our tiered tray came from one of my favorite spots—Hobby Lobby! Every year, I love adding a few more leprechauns to our collection. 🍀✨

The welcome sign warmly greets our guests, letting them know how happy we are to have them!

This St. Patrick’s Day tiered tray brings a festive touch to our home, filled with cheerful greens, lucky shamrocks, and a few playful leprechauns. I love how it adds a bit of holiday magic to our space, making it feel extra special. Whether you go all out with decorations or keep it simple, celebrating the season in little ways always brings joy! 🍀✨

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 - February 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

TOP VIEWED

Embracing Silence: The Beauty of Quiet Moments

VERY POPULAR

Simple Ways to Show Yourself Some Love This February

Chorizo Biscuits And Gravy

EDITOR'S CHOICE

White Chocolate and Raspberry Latte

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

Five on Friday - February 14, 2025

Happy Valentine's Day!  Isn't it great that Valentine's Day is actually falling on a Friday.  We can celebrate all weekend long!  Eric and I are going to dinner tonight with friends and then Sunday I'm hosting a small Galentine's party for our church group.  It's going to be a fun weekend!  Let's kick it off with my Five on Friday for this week ~

1.  Season 3 of The White Lotus

Sunday night I'll be glued to the TV to see the opening episode of The White Lotus, back for Season 3!  The White Lotus show has been a hit for HBO!  This season is set in Thailand and it's rumored that a star from season one will make an appearance.  There will be a total of 8 episodes in Season 3, but they are only dropping one per week.  So much for binging watching!

2.  We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

Jojo Moyes's newest book released this week!  I love her books and am excited to dig into this one.  It's a long one - 464 pages.  Here's the summary ~

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach you: about love, and what it actually means to be family.

Available HERE

3.  Raspberry and White Chocolate Pie

We might have to swing through McDonald's drive thru this weekend to pick up a sweet treat they are offering for a limited time.  The Raspberry and White Chocolate Pie arrived this week!  It's a twist on the chain's classic apple pie.  It's a "decadent" dessert with crispy pink pastry, filled with a smooth white chocolate ganache and a raspberry compote.  Doesn't that sound so yummy!

4.  Fleeced Lined Sweatpants with Pockets

I purchased a new pair of sweatpants from Amazon and I'm been wearing them on repeat since the day they arrived!  First, they are fleece lined, so they are nice a toasty on my legs.  Second, they are so, so comfy!  They have my favorite thing - pockets.  My pair is khaki, but they come in many other colors.  I might need to get another pair before winter is over!

Available HERE

5.  My thoughts exactly...

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  I have a long weekend since we are off work Monday for Presidents Day.  Looking forward to having an extra day to recover from the weekend!  See you next week.

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - February 12, 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

TOP VIEWED

Sweet Treats and Hot Chocolate

VERY POPULAR

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Baby Set Squared

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Feed the Birds

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

2025 Valentine's Tiered Tray

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and I just managed to finish decorating our tiered tray in time for the celebration! I wanted to create a festive and charming display that captures the spirit of love and warmth. Here’s the look we’re embracing this year—hope it adds a little inspiration to your holiday décor!

This year, we introduced a new addition—the Valentine Cupcakes picture! It blends beautifully with the kitchen decor and adds the perfect festive touch.

Every layer of the tray is adorned with hearts, adding a festive touch to celebrate the day of love!

Overall, our corner window radiates love and warmth, perfectly capturing the spirit of Valentine’s Day!