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.

Five on Friday - April 18, 2025

Happy Easter weekend!  I'm so happy to have a holiday today.  We have lots of great stuff going on this weekend, but let me first share my Five on Friday ~

1.  Panera's New Sandwiches

Panera just rolled out two new sandwiches featuring their brand-new croissant bread, and they both sound absolutely delicious—I can’t decide which one to try first! One is the Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast, layered with Black Forest ham, provolone, Asiago, and a rich caramelized onion–Gruyere spread on buttery Croissant Toast. The other is the Fromage Croissant Toast, stacked with provolone, American cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, and a flavorful garlic aioli. See what I mean? Which one would you go for?

2.  Ransom Canyon

Missing Yellowstone? Netflix might just have the fix. Ransom Canyon follows three powerful ranching families locked in a battle for land, legacy, and love. Set in rural Texas and inspired by Jodi Thomas’s bestselling book series, this drama delivers all the grit and heart you'd expect. The full 10-episode season dropped yesterday — ready for your next binge.

3.  Spring Top

I'm heading out of town on business next week and needed a lightweight, easy-to-pack top—found the perfect one on Amazon! It comes in tons of colors and is ideal for spring. I love the 3/4 sleeves, the flattering length (long enough to cover the tush!), and the classic round neckline. It's definitely going in my suitcase for next week!

Available HERE

4.  Great Big Beautiful Life

Emily Henry's much-anticipated newest book, Great Big Beautiful Life, comes out on Tuesday.  Reserve your copy today!  I can't wait to start reading this one.  Here's the summary ~

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it.

Available HERE

5.  This is me...

Have a wonderful Easter!  Our church is having a Cross Walk this evening as a way to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us.  We'll be celebrating Easter at our son and daughter-in-law's house on Sunday.  Lots of great stuff!  See you back next week.

Five on Friday - November 29, 2024

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I'm looking forward to putting away our fall decorations and pulling out all the holiday things.  Before I start that fun, let me share my five for this week ~ 

1.  Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

I’m absolutely fascinated by these bird feeders! I can think of a few people who would love them as gifts. Simply hang the feeder, and when birds come to eat, you get to watch them up close in action. Plus, you’ll receive instant alerts on your mobile device the moment a bird visits. Now that’s birdwatching at its finest!

Available HERE

2.  Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen

Martha has new cookbook out just in time for Christmas!  This one celebrates her landmark 100th book with a collection of 100 treasured recipes.  If you're inspired by Martha, you need this book!  Here's the summary ~

Join Martha in the kitchen as she shares favorite recipes and invaluable tips. Learn how to cook her mother’s humble Potato Pierogi, her decadent Gougères, a comforting Apple Brioche Bread Pudding, and the famous Paella she makes for the luckiest friends who visit her in summer. You’ll find something to satisfy everyone’s taste, whether it’s a simple meal you make for yourself, a weeknight family dinner, or a special celebration, recipes range from breakfast & brunch to soups & salads, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, and of course dessert.

Like a scrapbook of Martha’s life in cookbook form, this is the ultimate collection for devotees as well as newer fans who want to become more confident in the kitchen and do what Martha does best: Start with the basics and elevate them. From timeless classics to contemporary delights, these recipes reflect storied moments from her legendary, trailblazing career.

Available HERE

3.  Moana 2

Load up the kids and head to the theater - Disney's newest movie, Moana 2, opened this week!  Here's the summary ~

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana and Maui for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

4.  Outdoor Christmas Tree Set

You’ll definitely spot these on my porch this holiday season! I ordered a set and was so pleasantly surprised by their quality. They come pre-lit with 8 lighting modes and even have a built-in timer that keeps the lights on for 6 hours and off for 18 hours.  Can't wait to see them on our porch!

Available HERE

5.  Black Friday Shopping Advice...

Have a great weekend! I’ve got a long to-do list I’m aiming to tackle before Monday rolls around. Let’s see how much I can get done. See you next week!

Friday on Friday - December 1, 2023

Oh my goodness - it's December already!  Glad you stopped by to see the first Five on Friday for December.   Let's go~

1.  Santa Hotline

If writing a letter to Santa isn't your style, maybe you could try calling the big guy on his hotline and leaving a message at the beep.  The phone number for Santa Claus in 2023 is 605-313-4000.  As soon as Santa answers, you'll hear the jolly St. Nick give a cheerful message and then you'll have an opportunity to leave your wish list after the beep.  His voice is full of cheer and the kids will love hearing him!

2.  Virgin River - Season 5 Part 2

If you're a Virgin River fan and already watched the first 10 episodes of Season 5 - SURPRISE!  Two more holiday-themed episodes just got released!  Will Charmaine ever have those twins?  What's going to happen to Preacher?  I'm sure I'll be able to answer all the questions on Monday because this weekend I'm going to devour those two new episodes!

3.  Shark Navigator Lift-Away Delux Upright Vacuum

We bought a new vacuum a few weeks ago and dare I say, I love it!  Honestly, I never thought I'd feel that way about a vacuum of all things.  It works on both our carpets and hardwood floors, plus the canister unhooks and you can use it to do steps.  The lightweightness of it is wonderful too!  I bought it at Kohl's and got a great price plus some Kohl's cash to spend later.  Win win!

4.  Wine Glass Charms

Look at these adorable wine glass charms!  They are perfect for helping guests know which wine glass belongs to them.  And how perfect would they be for a hostess gift!  This is the type of thing I like to have on hand in case I need a last-minute gift too.  There are several different design sets to choose from so grab a couple!

5.  The fun group...

Okay - let's dive into the weekend!  I'm going to finish up the little bit of decorating I still have left and hopefully start wrapping some gifts.  See you back next week!

Five on Friday - November 13, 2020

Hope you're not superstitious because today is Friday the 13th!  To be honest, I've always had pretty good luck on Friday the 13ths so I'm hoping some good fortune will come my way today.  

I'm glad you popped in to see my Five on Friday today.  Here's what I have for you~

1.  The Crown

Back for season four, Netflix's The Crown kicks off on Sunday.  I'm ready for it!  This season brings in the sagas of Princess Diana and Prince Charles.  Season four will cover the era where my interest in the Royal Family began to ramp up.  And I'm not sure I will ever get enough of the People's Princess.  Looking forward to watching all the drama play out!

2.  A Promised Land

Tuesday Barack Obama's newest book, A Promised Land, will be released.  This is volume one of an expected two-volume set.  Here's the summary from Amazon ~

A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making—from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy

In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office.

Reflecting on the presidency, he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy. Obama brings readers inside the Oval Office and the White House Situation Room, and to Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, and points beyond. We are privy to his thoughts as he assembles his cabinet, wrestles with a global financial crisis, takes the measure of Vladimir Putin, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to secure passage of the Affordable Care Act, clashes with generals about U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, tackles Wall Street reform, responds to the devastating Deepwater Horizon blowout, and authorizes Operation Neptune’s Spear, which leads to the death of Osama bin Laden.

A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage. Obama is candid about the balancing act of running for office as a Black American, bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change,” and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad, open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible.

This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day.

3.  Skillet Cookie Kits

Have you been inside a Big Lots lately?  You might want to stop by because they have the most adorable cast iron skillet cookie kits!  We picked up a couple and I was thinking they would be perfect for a secret Santa gift, but now I'm thinking we should just keep them for ourselves because they are so darn cute.  For $6 each, they would make great stocking stuffers, neighbor gifts, or just a fun activity to do with the kiddos.  They have several varieties so you're sure to find your favorite flavor.

4.  Rakuten

Do you use Rakuten when shopping online?  This is the site where you can literally earn free money for shopping.  With more of us shopping online now instead of visiting stores, it's the perfect time to start using Rakuten if you don't already.  If you sign up now, you'll get $40 after you spend $40.  That's an unbeatable deal!  Click HERE to sign up or just check it out.  I've been using Rakuten for years and love getting my big fat check in the mail every quarter!  Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

5.  Current diet.....

Eric and I are taking a few days off and are looking forward to a covid friendly trip.  We'll be doing some hiking and will be back on Monday to tell you all about it.  Hope you have a great weekend and see you back here next week!

Linking up with:

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home

Five on Friday - March 20, 2020

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone is practicing social distancing so we can get this virus knocked out.  I know it will be a bigger challenge over the weekend, but hopefully, everyone will use judgment.  One thing that is safe is reading blogs, so let me share my five with you today ~

1.  Stay at Home Book Tour
One of the activities I know I'm going to miss is going to the library to see a couple authors that had planned stops.  Anne Bogel, the author of Don't Overthink It, is hosting a Stay at Home Book Tour.  Every day next week a different author will be hosting Zoom events to chat about their book.  Here's the schedule ~

All events to take place the week of March 23; all times EDT.
Monday: Patti Henry, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, noon
Tuesday: Leesa Cross-Smith, So We Can Glow, 7pm
Wednesday: Anne Bogel, Don’t Overthink It, noon
Thursday: Kimmery Martin, The Antidote for Everything, 7pm
Friday: Ariel Lawhon, Code Name Hélène, 11am

Visit Ann's Modern Mrs. Darcy blog (HERE) to sign up.  I'm excited to see how the first one goes on Monday!

2.  Tips to Structure Learning from Home

My friend Linda, who is a retired teacher and instructional coach, added a fantastic blog post this week to her site that will help all the parents who are now facing homeschooling their children.  You can find it HERE.  It's packed full of resource links and helpful hints to make your experience good for both you and your children.  

3.  Hallmark Christmas Movie Marathon

The Hallmark Channel really stepping up and doing their best to keep everyone's spirits high.  This weekend they will be bringing back 27 of their "Countdown to Christmas" movies.  Starting Friday at noon and going until Sunday evening, you can curl up on the couch and veg on all the Christmas cheer you can stand.  Thanks Hallmark for doing the right thing!

4.   Aromatherapy Shower Tablets

Let's face it, the world is a little bit stressful right now.  I love starting my day in a relaxing way by popping an aromatherapy tablet in the shower.  As the tablet fizzes, a light scent fills the shower.  You will be able to feel the stress and tension melt away!  Grab some for yourself!  They come three to a box so you could also bust the pack up and give one to three of your friends.  

                       

5.  Don't do it....

Be wise and safe out there!  We will get through this challenging time as we all work together to contain this crazy virus.  Remember to support the small businesses in your area.  I'll be back next week to share some fun stuff with you!

Linking up with:

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday

Weekending - October 19, 2018

I.Love.Weekends.  It's not like I hate Monday through Thursday, but there's just something about weekends that I adore.  This weekend wasn't jammed packed, but had a great balance of fun and work.  Here's how it went down ~

Friday morning started with this gorgeous sunrise!  This was my view as I was backing out of the driveway to head to work.  I actually stopped the car, got out and snapped this picture.  So many times I glance up, note the beauty and just keep going.  On this day, it was nice to pause a second and just take it in.

After work, a few of my work friends got together to catch up.  This group used to get together to watch Scandal.  Now that Scandal is gone, this was our first Non-Scandal Scandal night.  The hostess, Jamie, greeted us with the most delicious sangria before our dinner of chili and cornbread.

We capped off the evening by watching Book Club and dessert.  The apple pie was from Sugarfire Pie for all you St. Louis peeps.  I had no idea that Sugarfire opened a pie place!  It was superb!

Saturday morning I lounged in bed for a while reading my book club book - A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult.  It just came out this month.  Have you read it?  Well, there's a part about a girl hiding in the closet and that made me start thinking about what a disaster my closet was and how we needed to change over our summer to winter clothes.  I woke Eric up and we literally spent the next 6 hours cleaning the master closet.  The end result was we have three ginormous bags full of clothes and shoes we are donating and you can actually walk in the closet without tripping over stuff.

                         

  

I bought a new shoe rack for my booties and boots last week and it was a great addition to the closet.  

         

 

The last couple of years I've used the trick of cutting pool noodles and sticking them in my boots to get them to stand up straight.  It works like a charm!

If you have a closet or drawers that needs a bit of a organization makeover, here's my shopping list of things that have really helped me ~

We worked on the closet until it was time to get ready and join our friends for dinner at one of our favorite places, Cooper's Hawk Winery  That place has never disappointed us.  We start with a wine tasting and then move on to dinner.  Fun evening!

Sunday was a lazy morning.  I read more of my book.  Eric was grateful I didn't get any more crazy cleaning ideas.  We decided to grab lunch at Noodles and Company.  It was our first time there and we loved it.  It's located very near our house, but we just never think of eating there.  This might have been our first visit, but I know it won't be our last!  I got the BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese.  Next time I'm going to try their Zoodles.

Eric headed off to work and I headed out to run some errands.  The day wrapped up with me making a pot of white chili.  I'll be sharing this recipe tomorrow with a soup linkup I'm doing with some other blogger friends.  If you have a favorite soup recipe, don't forget to pop in and link up.  If you like to fix soup, definitely come back and check out all the links!

Now here we are at Monday and the start of a fresh week.  My friend, Debbie, and I are going to a cheese making class tonight.  I'm pretty excited to see how that goes!  See you soon!

Five on Friday - August 17, 2018

Happy Friday!  I'm not sure where this week has gone.  This month is whizzing by far too fast!  Before today zips past us, here's my five on Friday ~

1.  The Wife
This movie opens today, but unfortunately I don't think it's showing at any theaters near us.  I'll be on the lookout for it though because it looks fantastic.  Here's how Fandango sums it up:

After nearly forty years of marriage, JOAN and JOE CASTLEMAN (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) are complements. Where Joe is casual, Joan is elegant. Where Joe is vain, Joan is self-effacing. And where Joe enjoys his very public role as Great American Novelist, Joan pours her considerable intellect, grace, charm, and diplomacy into the private role of Great Man's Wife. Joe is about to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his acclaimed and prolific body of work. Joe's literary star has blazed since he and Joan first met in the late 1950. THE WIFE interweaves the story of the couple's youthful passion and ambition with a portrait of a marriage, thirty-plus years later--a lifetime's shared compromises, secrets, betrayals, and mutual love.

Is it playing near you?

                      

2.  Bento Lunch Boxes
Are you packing lots of lunches these days?  When I pack my lunch, I use way too many plastic bags.  Bento Lunch Boxes would allow me to fit my whole lunch in one reusable container.  That would have to be better for the planet!  And at the price of $12.99, it wouldn't take long before I was saving money also.  They are leak proof, stackable, and microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe.  Want some?  Click HERE to check them out.
3.  Texas Ranger
James Patterson's new book, Texas Ranger, hit the stands this week.  Does he write great books!  Here's the synopsis by Amazon of his latest one:

In James Patterson's white-hot Western thriller, a Texas Ranger fights for his life, his freedom, and the town he loves as he investigates his ex-wife's murder.Across the ranchlands and cities of his home state, Rory Yates's discipline and law-enforcement skills have carried him far: from local highway patrolman to the honorable rank of Texas Ranger. He arrives in his hometown to find a horrifying crime scene and a scathing accusation: he is named a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife, Anne, a devoted teacher whose only controversial act was ending her marriage to a Ranger.

In search of the killer, Yates plunges into the inferno of the most twisted and violent minds he's ever encountered, vowing to never surrender. That code just might bring him out alive.

 Click HERE to get your copy.

4.  Maple Bacon Breakfast Seasoning

Eric brought it to my attention this week that McCormick has a whole new line of breakfast seasonings.  The one that caught my eye was the maple bacon one.  I mean, doesn't everything taste better with a little bacon flavor in it?!?  So this stuff can be sprinkled on cooked eggs or hash browns, mixed into cream cheese or butter, or used to season omelets or frittatas.  I will definitely be trying it!  If Maple Bacon isn't your cup of tea, they also have Apple Cinnamon, Strawberries & Cream, Brown Sugar Vanilla, Bell Pepper Salsa and Garden Herb.  Wow McCormick - you have really outdone yourself!

5.  Great question....

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I'm away from home all next week, so I have a lot to do this weekend to get ready.  Pop back in on Monday to see what fun things we did this weekend.  Next week I'll also be sharing a sheet pan recipe Eric and I tried this week.  You definitely don't want to miss that!

Linking up with:

The Peaceful Posse

Amanda at Meet At The Barre
Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday
5 on Friday

The Blended Blog
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