Celebrating the Bride-to-Be: Josie’s Special Day

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a space where I share what’s on my mind and invite you to join in and link up with your own thoughts. Today, I’m reminiscing about the lovely time we had celebrating Josie, a beautiful bride-to-be, at her shower this past weekend! Let me share some of the highlights with you ~

Guests were welcomed with a sign inviting them to come on in. The porch was adored with hydrangeas flanking the door in our tall planters (HERE). I picked up a boxwood wreath (HERE). We added a white tulle bow to make it look more like a bridal veil. To round out the welcoming atmosphere, we had an Echo on the porch playing instrumental love songs. Tucked inside the bow on the wreath were cotton balls with the signature scent of the day, English Pear and Freesia (HERE).

As each guest arrived, I made sure to snap a quick photo of them with the bride-to-be—a special little keepsake for her to look back on and remember everyone who came to celebrate. We turned our dining room table into a welcoming station, creating a warm and inviting first stop for guests as they came in. We displayed framed photos of each bridesmaid paired with a short note sharing how the bride knows them. It was such a meaningful touch and gave everyone a glimpse into the special friendships that have shaped her life.

Once inside, guests were handed a small clipboard with all of the games attached, making it easy to keep everything together as they mingled, chatted, and grabbed a bite to eat. I’ve used these clipboards (HERE) for years at so many different events, and they’ve truly been such a great investment!

We kept the games simple and fun—gift bingo, guess their ages, and find the guest. Each one encouraged guests to move around, strike up conversations, and get to know one another. Our goal was to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable mingling, and I think it worked beautifully.

Planning the menu was so much fun! Here’s what we decided on:

Lemon Curd and Raspberry Tartlets

Caprese Skewers

Pimento Cheese and Hot Pepper Jelly Pastry Cup

Charcuterie in Tea Cups

Cucumber Canapés

Shrimp Cocktail

Amaretto Cake with Raspberry Filling

The mantel was beautifully styled with blue hydrangeas, soft candlelight, and a framed photo of the soon-to-be bride and groom. We carried that same look over to the staircase, weaving hydrangeas along the banister and adding touches of tulle to tie everything together for a cohesive, romantic feel.

Hydrangeas from Amazon (HERE and HERE)

In the kitchen, we set up the food on the table and placed the drinks on the island to keep everything flowing smoothly for guests. The banister was dressed up with a touch of tulle as well, adding a soft, elegant detail that carried the décor seamlessly into the space.

Each guest went home with a sweet little favor—a jar of homemade body lotion lovingly made by one of the bridesmaids, along with a tube of lip balm. It was such a thoughtful and personal touch to thank everyone for celebrating the bride-to-be.

It was such a beautiful day celebrating our bride-to-be! We’re all so excited and can’t wait for the wedding ahead.

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Let's Make Lemon Raspberry Cake with Sugar Crunch Top

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  I'm so glad you stopped by.  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm excited to share with you a recipe I've made a couple of times and is perfect for spring and summer - Lemon Raspberry Cake with Sugar Crunch Top.

First, a big shoutout to Tastes of Lizzy T - this is where I originally found the recipe, and I’ve made only a few small tweaks. I mainly wanted to have it saved here on the blog so I can easily come back to it, because I know it’s going to be a repeat favorite. The next time I have a little extra time, I can’t wait to explore more of her recipes!

Now back to the recipe ~

Here's What You Need

1/2 cup salted butter (softened to room temperature)

Zest from one lemon

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon juice

2 large eggs

1-1/3 cup all-purpose floud

1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup full-fat sour cream

2 cups fresh raspberries

Here's What You Do

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.  This cake is super moist and I served it straight out of my pan.  (Note to self:  perfect excuse to buy a new, pretty 9-inch cake pan.)

Place your sugar in a separate shallow pan (I used a pie plate) and zest the lemon over the top of the sugar.  Use the back of a spoon or rubber spatula to press the zest into the sugar.  

Add the butter and 1 cup of the zesty sugar into a bowl and whip together for about five minutes.  Your mixture should be pale and fluffy.

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.  Next, add in the lemon juice.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined after each addition.

Gently fold the raspberries into the cake batter using a rubber spatula.  

Spread the batter in the prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar evenly over the top of the cake batter.

Bake for 40-45 minutes.  It's done when the top is crackly and lightly browned.  The center won't look as done as the edges.  I'll be honest, the original recipe said to bake it for 35-40 minutes and the two times I've made this recipe it had to stay in the oven longer than that, so I bumped the cooking time to 40-45 minutes.  Bottom line - cooking time may vary.

Let the cake cool completely in the pan before serving.

This cake is bursting with delicious flavor! The combination of raspberries and lemon creates the perfect balance of sweet and tart. I hope you love it just as much as we do!

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What I Read in March 2026

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a space where I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  On the first Thursday of the month, I reflect on the books I read the previous month.  So let's jump in and see what I read last month ~

March was a bit of a lighter reading month for me—I only finished three books. Even so, it was a bit of a mixed bag. Two of them were definitely worth the time and are easy recommendations from me, while the third… not so much. That one just didn’t hit the mark, and I’d honestly say it’s not worth adding to your reading list.

Chronicle in Stone by Ismail Kadare
Our library book club selected Chronicle in Stone as our March read, and I’ll admit it wasn’t a favorite of mine. From the very beginning, I struggled to connect with it, though I kept reading in hopes that something would click as the story unfolded. Unfortunately, that moment never really came for me. I tried to stay open-minded and give it a fair chance, but by the end, my opinion hadn’t changed. It turns out I wasn’t alone—only a few people in our group truly loved it, while most of us found it difficult to fully enjoy.

Masterful in its simplicity, Chronicle in Stone is a touching coming-of-age story and a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit. Surrounded by the magic of beautiful women and literature, a boy must endure the deprivations of war as he suffers the hardships of growing up. His sleepy country has just thrown off centuries of tyranny, but new waves of domination inundate his city. Through the boy’s eyes, we see the terrors of World War II as he witnesses fascist invasions, allied bombings, partisan infighting, and the many faces of human cruelty—as well as the simple pleasures of life.

Evacuating to the countryside, he expects to find an ideal world full of extraordinary things, but discovers instead an archaic backwater where a severed arm becomes a talisman and deflowered girls mysteriously vanish. Woven between the chapters of the boy’s story are tantalizing fragments of the city’s history. As the devastation mounts, the fragments lose coherence, and we perceive firsthand how the violence of war destroys more than just buildings and bridges.

Available HERE

Someone Else's Shoes by JoJo Moyes

I’ve long been a fan of Jojo Moyes, so I was thrilled to see she had a new book out. As expected, it did not disappoint. Just like her previous novels, this one completely drew me in—I found myself devouring page after page, not wanting to put it down. The story was charming and heartfelt, with just the right balance of light moments and deeper emotional layers. It made me smile, tugged at my heart, and left me thinking about the characters long after I finished.

Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.

That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.

Full of Jojo Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling, and warmth, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.

Available HERE

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

This book had been sitting on my TBR list for quite a while, and I’m so glad it finally made its way to the top! From the very beginning, I was completely drawn in, and it quickly became one of those reads I couldn’t stop thinking about. I absolutely loved it and will be recommending it to just about everyone I talk to—it’s that good. The story, the characters, and the overall feel of the book all came together in such a memorable way.

I think it would make an excellent book club selection, too, with plenty to discuss and reflect on. I actually listened to the audiobook version, which I really enjoyed, but I already know I’m going to need a physical copy for my shelf. It’s definitely one I’d love to revisit and have on hand to lend out or flip through again in the future.

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn't explain much about where he came from or why he's there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person's story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.

Available HERE

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Three Things Making Me Happy Right Now

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a space where I share what’s been on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. Today, I’m reflecting on three things that are bringing a little extra happiness to my life right now.

A couple of years ago, I decided to upgrade our laundry detergent because I wanted our clothes—and even the laundry room—to smell amazing. I tried a few different brands along the way, but I think I’ve finally found the one! It’s Laundry Sauce in the Himalayan Cashmere scent. The price gave me a bit of sticker shock at first, but honestly, it’s one of those things I’m happy to splurge on because it’s just that good.  

If you click HERE to purchase, you can get a $25 credit on a cart with a minimum of $90.  Wait until you smell this!

Available here:  Laundry Sauce

On our trip to Belgium, Ian and I spent quite a bit of time on trains—and thanks to Bonine, I felt great the entire time! A few years ago, I started getting motion sick whenever I read in the car or traveled on hilly, winding roads. A friend suggested Bonine, and I haven’t had a single issue since. It doesn’t make me drowsy, and one pill lasts up to 24 hours, which makes traveling so much easier.

Available HERE

After nearly 20 years, we finally had to replace our refrigerator. One item that definitely made the move from the old one to the new is our Lazy Susan for the shelf. It slides out and spins, making it so easy to reach items in the back. It’s been a game changer for keeping everything organized and making sure nothing gets lost in the back.

Available HERE

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Dearest Reader: A Most Delightful Bridgerton Brunch

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm reflecting on a Bridgerton themed brunch I hosted a couple weeks ago!

There’s something so delightful about bringing a touch of elegance and whimsy to an ordinary day, and that’s exactly what inspired me to host a Bridgerton-themed brunch. With soft florals, delicate china, and just a hint Bridgerton charm, it felt like stepping into a scene from our favorite show. It was the perfect excuse to gather friends, sip something lovely, and enjoy a morning filled with good conversation and a little bit of magic.

I kept the menu simple—chicken salad on croissants, cucumber canapés, pimento cheese tartlets, fruit salad, and charcuterie cups. After all, it’s less about the food and more about enjoying time together with friends!

We had mimosas with orange juice balls dipped in pink glitter.  If you haven't done that before, let this serve as your reminder to do it!  Just pour orange juice in the round ice cube trays and freeze.  Remove the frozen balls and roll in edible glitter.  Pop a couple in your glass!  Easy peasy!

 

Available HERE

Available HERE

For dessert, I kept things easy by filling Athens Phyllo Shells with lemon curd, chocolate, and cheesecake for a trio of tartlets. You can find the shells in the freezer section at the grocery store. Guests could finish them off with a sprinkle of their favorite Bridgerton sugar on top!  I also used these sugars at a Galentine's breakfast I had on Valentine's Day with waffles.  Huge hit!

Strawberries & Cream          Sweet Lemon          Lavender Vanilla

For a little favor, there was a Bridgerton Nivea lip balm on each plate.  I was so excited to find these!  They were the perfect thing to send home with everyone and come in several different flavors.

After brunch, we settled in together to watch an episode of Bridgerton, which felt like the perfect way to keep the theme going. With full bellies and happy hearts, it was so fun to relax, sip a little more mimosa, and get swept up in the romance and drama of the show.

We also had so much fun playing a few Bridgerton-themed games, which brought plenty of laughter and a little friendly competition to the afternoon. 

It was such a joy getting to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends, making memories and enjoying every moment together!

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday - March 12, 2026

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is the time when I share a few thoughts on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. I just got home last night after a wonderful week away with my son. We spent several days exploring Belgium and even hopped over to Paris for a day. I can’t wait to share all the fun details from the trip—but that will have to wait for another day!

I didn't want to miss giving you a chance to link up, so please link up and share what you're thinking about today!  I'll be back soon with a full post on our amazing trip!

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What I Read in February 2026

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  On the first Thursday of the month, I share the books I read the previous month.  Let's see what I read in February!

The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman

I absolutely loved this book! In fact, I’ve already added it to my list of titles that would make an excellent book club selection. I don’t believe I’ve read anything else by this author before, but after finishing this one, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of their work. Here’s a quick summary ~

In rural 1930s Virginia, a young immigrant mother fights for her dignity and those she loves against America’s rising eugenics movement – when widespread support for policies of prejudice drove imprisonment and forced sterilizations based on class, race, disability, education, and country of origin – in this tragic and uplifting novel of social injustice, survival, and hope for readers of Susan Meissner, Kristin Hannah, and Christina Baker Kline.

When Lena Conti—a young, unwed mother—sees immigrant families being forcibly separated on Ellis Island, she vows not to let the officers take her two-year old daughter. But the inspection process is more rigorous than she imagined, and she is separated from her mother and teenage brother, who are labeled burdens to society, denied entry, and deported back to Germany. Now, alone but determined to give her daughter a better life after years of living in poverty and near starvation, she finds herself facing a future unlike anything she had envisioned.

Silas Wolfe, a widowed family relative, reluctantly brings Lena and her daughter to his weathered cabin in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to care for his home and children. Though the hills around Wolfe Hollow remind Lena of her homeland, she struggles to adjust. Worse, she is stunned to learn the children in her care have been taught to hide when the sheriff comes around. As Lena meets their neighbors, she realizes the community is vibrant and tight knit, but also senses growing unease. The State of Virginia is scheming to paint them as ignorant, immoral, and backwards so they can evict them from their land, seize children from parents, and deal with those possessing “inferior genes.”

After a social worker from the Eugenics Office accuses Lena of promiscuity and feeblemindedness, her own worst fears come true. Sent to the Virginia State Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptics, Lena faces impossible choices in hopes of reuniting with her daughter—and protecting the people, and the land, she has grown to love.

Available HERE

Leave It Up To Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

I picked up this book through one of the Amazon First Reads selections, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve really become a fan of short stories lately. There’s something so satisfying about curling up on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, sipping a cozy cup of hot tea, and finishing an entire story in one sitting. Here’s the summary of this one ~

Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways.

Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter.

As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the process: In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

Available HERE

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White

This was our library’s book club pick for February. While I wouldn’t rank it among my all-time favorites, I still found it to be an enjoyable read. It definitely gave us plenty to talk about, with several thought-provoking elements to unpack during our discussion.

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she'd hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who's done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the "relocation" of France's libraries, he's forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn't want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

Available HERE

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

One of my book clubs decided for February we would read any book by Abby Jimenez.  I chose Part of Your World.  It's the first book in a three book series.  Full disclosure - I had already read books 2 and 3, so you definitely don't have to read them in order!  I love Abby's books!  They make my laugh out loud and also touch my heart.  Fun reads!  As a bonus, several of her books are free on Kindle Unlimited.

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Available HERE

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

This was a re-read for me, but I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.  After reading Part of Your World, I wanted to remember the tie-in with the second book in the series.  

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game ... by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor ... especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Available HERE

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Bringing the Luck of the Irish to Our Mantel

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing our St. Patrick's Day-themed mantel.

As soon as Valentine's was over, I was ready to pack away the winter look and bring in a little fresh green. Decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day is such a fun and easy way to do just that. It doesn’t take much to instantly brighten the whole room. The mantel is one of the first things you notice when you walk in, so adding a touch of festive charm there feels like a simple way to celebrate the season and bring a little extra luck (and joy!) into our home. 

I had so much fun adding little leprechauns all across the mantel, tucking them in between the other décor so you spot them one by one. They’re peeking out from behind greenery, and adding just the right touch of whimsy to the display. 

To soften everything and bring in a fresh pop of color, I also added a few silk flower arrangements. The blooms add texture and fullness, and their cheerful green and white tones help brighten up the whole space. Together, the playful leprechauns and the florals make the mantel feel festive, layered, and perfectly ready for St. Patrick’s Day.

We’ve had a couple of St. Patrick’s Day-themed prints in our décor stash for years now, and somehow they still feel just as charming as the first time we used them up. Even though they make an appearance every March, they never feel tired or overused. Instead, they instantly bring that familiar pop of green and a festive spirit to the mantel. There’s something comforting about pulling them out year after year — it’s like welcoming back an old friend who knows exactly how to set the tone for the season. 

Decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day may be a small change, but it makes such a big impact in our home. A few pops of green, some playful leprechauns, and those familiar prints instantly shift the space from winter to festive and fresh. I love how something so simple can bring a little extra cheer to our everyday routine. Now we’re all set to celebrate the season — and maybe enjoy a bit of luck along the way.

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