Five on Friday - November 28, 2025

Happy Friday! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had such a great day celebrating with family and friends! Are you out braving the shopping crowds today? Thanks for popping by Five on Friday in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. Let’s jump right in!

1.  Landman

Season 2 of Landman is officially here on Paramount+! Eric and I love watching this show together, so we’ve been counting down the days to see what twists and turns this new season would bring. We’ve already watched the first two episodes, and they absolutely did not disappoint. The story pulls you in right away, and we’re already eager to see what happens next!

2.  Family Friendly Games

Whenever we get together with friends, we almost always end up pulling out a stack of games. It’s one of our favorite ways to spend time together—lots of laughs, a little friendly competition, and memories we talk about long after everyone’s gone home. Right now, Amazon has some fantastic deals on a few of our go-to games. If you’re looking to refresh your own game stash or need a fun gift idea, these are definitely worth checking out!

Mexican Train Dominoes

Available HERE

Elimino!

Available HERE

Splendor

Available HERE

Ticket to Ride

Available HERE

Quixx

Available HERE

3.  Heated Gloves

Winter has officially arrived! The forecast is calling for snow this weekend, which sent me digging through closets to round up all our cold-weather gear. While I was taking stock of what we have, I stumbled across these rechargeable heated gloves and now I can’t stop thinking about adding them to our winter lineup. They look so warm and practical—perfect for everything from shoveling the driveway to outdoor walks. And honestly, they’d make fantastic Christmas gifts too!

Available HERE

4.  Clevefy Citrus Shower Steamers

Let’s be honest—these next few weeks are going to be a whirlwind of activity, and every little bit of calm and energy helps. One of my favorite ways to start the day on the right foot is by using a shower steamer. I drop one in as soon as I hop into the shower, and the refreshing aroma fills the whole space. It’s such a simple little ritual, but it makes a big difference. If you’re looking for a way to give your mornings a quick boost, these shower steamers are a game-changer!

Available HERE

5.  Wish List...

Enjoy your weekend! We’re heading to Oklahoma to visit the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve wanted to go for years, and we’re finally making it happen. I can’t wait to share all the fun details when we get back!

Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time where I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking about how grateful I am to all of you!

I’m always grateful for this little corner of the internet and for each of you who takes the time to read, comment, and share. Your visits truly mean the world to me.

On this Thanksgiving day, I'm reflecting on a few of the things I'm most thankful for ~

• Family—near or far, loud or quiet, chosen or biological

• Friends who show up, cheer you on, and make life brighter

• Good health and the ability to enjoy the everyday moments

• A cozy home that keeps you warm

• Food on the table and the people gathered around it

• Work that provides purpose—or rest when you need it

• Unexpected kindness from strangers

• Laughter that lightens even the hardest days

• Memories that remind you how far you’ve come

• Traditions that bring comfort and joy

• New opportunities on the horizon

• The beauty of changing seasons

• A community that supports, encourages, and inspires

• Faith, hope, or whatever keeps you grounded

• The simple moments—hot coffee, a good book, or a long walk

• Technology that keeps us connected

• The chance to learn, grow, and start fresh anytime

As we head into the holiday, I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with good food, warm moments, and the people who make your heart feel full. Wishing you a day of gratitude, joy, and maybe even a well-deserved nap after the feast!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! 

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 - November 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
6. Angie – SALT PRAIRIE | IG | PINTEREST 

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Cute Chocolate Covered Turkey Strawberries

Candy Cane Cocktail Recipe

Gratitude Activity Sheets

Air Fryer Twice Baker Sweet Potatoes

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 - 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!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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