Penny's Passion

Friday, August 14, 2020

Five on Friday - August 14, 2020

Let's give a shout for the weekend!  I'm so ready to get this workday finished so the weekend can begin.  It's been one of those weeks and I'm looking forward to relaxing a little.  I'm also looking forward to sharing my five so let's get to it ~

1.  Wedding Every Weekend Movie
Every since the pandemic has had us sheltering in place, I've been hooked on Hallmark movies.  First it was just the Christmas ones, but now it's just any one that happens to be on.  There's a new one debuting this weekend - Wedding Every Weekend.  Anything with the word wedding in it has me hooked.  In this Hallmark movie, Nate and Brooke go to the same four weddings, four weekends in a row as "wedding buddies".  It doesn't take a lot of imagination to guess what happens.  Hallmark has been taking a bit of heat over this particular film because one of the four couples is a same-sex wedding.  I say, good for Hallmark.  It's about time they became a little more diverse and inclusive.


2.  Finding Freedom - Harry and Meghan
Tuesday this gem hit the stands.  I'm such a sucker for anything royal family.  Here's the book summary by Amazon ~
The first, epic and true story of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s life together, finally revealing why they chose to pursue a more independent path and the reasons behind their unprecedented decision to step away from their royal lives, from two top royal reporters who have been behind the scenes since the couple first met. Finding Freedom is complete with full color photographs from Harry and Meghan’s courtship, wedding, Archie’s milestones, and many more unforgettable moments.

When news of the budding romance between a beloved English prince and an American actress broke, it captured the world’s attention and sparked an international media frenzy. But while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have continued to make headlines—from their engagement, wedding, and birth of their son Archie to their unprecedented decision to step back from their royal lives—few know the true story of Harry and Meghan.
For the very first time, Finding Freedom goes beyond the headlines to reveal unknown details of Harry and Meghan’s life together, dispelling the many rumors and misconceptions that plague the couple on both sides of the pond. As members of the select group of reporters that cover the British Royal Family and their engagements, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have witnessed the young couple’s lives as few outsiders can.
With unique access and written with the participation of those closest to the couple, Finding Freedom is an honest, up-close, and disarming portrait of a confident, influential, and forward-thinking couple who are unafraid to break with tradition, determined to create a new path away from the spotlight, and dedicated to building a humanitarian legacy that will make a profound difference in the world.

3.  Live Nation Virtual Happy Hour with Jon Bon Jovi
We missed seeing Jon Bon Jovi live in concert this year (thanks COVID), but tonight Live Nation is hosting a virtual concert!  Before the concert starts, there's also a virtual happy hour to help Jon Bon Jovi and Jesse Bongiovi (his son) raise money for World Central Kitchen.  How can you help?  Order a bottle of Jon and Jesse's wine at hamptonwaterwine.com.  Use the code LIVE10 to receive 10% off your Hampton Water purchase.  $1 from every purchase will go to the WCK organization in an effort to help combat hunger and poverty around the world, given the recent impacts of COVID-19.  All proceeds will go to minority-owned businesses.  Cheers!


I love pretty bookmarks so it's not surprising that I fell in love with this van Gogh set the minute I spotted them on Amazon.  The set of 5 magnetic bookmarks is only $6.99!  The magnetic bookmarks are my favorite because they don't easily fall out of the book.  With 5bookmarks coming in the set, you can easily share them with friends.  Grab yourself some!

5.  Makes sense....

Image may contain: text that says 'HOW SEEING SOME PEOPLE WEAR THEIR MASKS, I NOW UNDERSTAND HOW CONTRACEPTIVES FAIL.'

Have a fabulous weekend.  We are expecting great weather this weekend and I'm hoping to get caught up on some things around the house.  My brother had an accident last weekend, so if you are one to say prayers I would appreciate you including him in yours.  He's on the road to recovery and we're hoping the healing continues.

Linking up with:

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Friday Favorites Linky Party - August 14, 2020

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:
Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst
If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!
And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - August 13, 2020

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Today I'm sharing a few things that are bringing me pure joy lately.  In the midst of this pandemic, finding joy may be a bit harder.  But finding joy in the little things can make all the difference in keeping your spirits up!


Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned Pacifica Lavendar Moon Body and Pillow Mist?  I had been having trouble sleeping and was ready to try just about anything to catch a solid night of z's.  In comes this mist.  From the first night I spritz it all over my pillow and covers, it made a difference in my sleep.  Now it has a prominent spot on my nightstand and has become an important part of my nightly routine.



In the afternoon, I love to take a few minutes and enjoy a cup of tea.  One of my new favorite flavors is Vahdam Sweet Cinnamon.  From the moment the aroma of the cinnamon hits my nose, I can feel the stress of the day slipping away.  Great little afternoon treat!

A few years ago, I started listening to podcasts while getting ready in the morning.  I have my favorites and one of them is The Gratitude Dairies.  Listening to Janice Kaplan's insights and reminders to recognize the small things sets the tone for my day.  Studies have shown that gratitude helps your brain process other positive emotions, including joy.  So theoretically practicing gratitude helps bring us joy.  Each episode is under 10 minutes, but the thoughts stay with me a lot longer than that!


What are some little things that bring you joy?  Do you have a playlist that makes you happy?  A candle you like to burn?  I'd love to hear about them in the comments.  Maybe they would bring others joy too!

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

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - August 12, 2020

Welcome!

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Our hosts just want to say THANK YOU to all those who contributed to last week's party and WELCOME to all the new bloggers who have joined our weekly blog hop. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us.
Don't forget to use this hashtag #wwbloghop when sharing our party!
Let's get this party started!!

Top Viewed


Very Popular






Editors Choice with summertime inspiration





Thanks to our co-hosts who share our party on their blogs every week ♥ Please follow them and share our party, too?
Be sure to grab our Specially Featured button if your post was featured this week to show off on your blog or sidebar!
Featured Button
Please TWEET our party
  • Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites, or blog parties, please.
  • Visit others. Let them know you stopped by!
  • If you are NEW to Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us the title.
  • NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a really good chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.
  • Thanks! ♥
So, now, let’s get this party started!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

Friday, August 7, 2020

Five on Friday - August 7, 2020

Hello Friday!  I'm taking a vacation day today, so the weekend is beginning a little earlier than normal.  The weather is supposed to be gorgeous today and I can't wait to spend some time outside!  Before I get out the door, here's my five for this week ~

1.  Made in Italy
A new movie comes out today and it looks like one I'll love!  Eric and I are really missing going to see movies in theaters.  It was a favorite thing for both of us and we've been struggling a bit without it.  This week we are going to turn down the lights and kick back on the couch with a big tub of popcorn to watch Liam Neeson's new movie Made In Italy.  Neeson plays alongside his real-life son Michael Richardson.  It released to theaters (if you can find a theater open) and streaming.  Here's the synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes ~
Made In Italy is a heart-warming father son story set in glorious Tuscany about bohemian London artist Robert (Liam Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Micheál Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair.... Renovations go badly, with father and son soon finding themselves at odds. Robert's comical lack of DIY experience leads him to seek help from some colourful locals including the no nonsense Kate (Lindsay Duncan), an ex-pat making her living selling villas who quickly captures his attention. For Jack, the state of the house seems to mirror his search for memories of happier times with his mother. He soon falls for Natalia (Valeria Bilello), a vivacious young Italian chef, who restores both body and soul with delights from her local trattoria -- until the pair find their developing relationship in jeopardy from Natalia's jealous and threatening ex-husband. As Robert and Jack painstakingly restore the villa to its previous glory, they also start to mend their relationship. The future may now look quite different and surprise them both.

2.  Member's Mark Sangria
We did a small social distanced happy hour on my friend's patio this week and she served Member's Mark (Sam's) Sangria.  It was to die for!  She added a little fruit and it was a refreshing cocktail.  I'm adding it to my Sam's list so we can have a bottle at home to enjoy.  If you're looking for a new cocktail, check out this one.  It's a winner!



3.  Perseid Meteor Shower
Get outside over the next week and gaze into the skies for a glimpse of the Perseid Meteor shower.  This coming week should be the peak for the Northern Hemisphere and is considered the best meteor shower of the year.  Fifty to a hundred meteors per hour should be shooting across the sky. Pre-dawn hours are the best, but it's possible to view meteors from this shower as early as 10 pm.  Go HERE to get specific information for the best viewing in your area.



4.  What's Your Enneatype?
Have you been hearing people talking about what enneagram number they are?  Been wondering what number you really are?  Liz Carver and Josh Green's book, What's Your Enneatype? is here to answer all your questions!  It was released this week and is getting great reviews.  Here's the summary from Amazon ~
Pronounced ENN-EE-UH-GRAM, stemming from the Greek words ennea (nine) and grammos (a written symbol), the Enneagram is a centuries-old categorization tool that classifies human personalities into nine interconnected personality types. It is a powerful tool for self-observation, maximizing your strengths, and improving your relationships.​
Learn—through in-depth descriptions, illustrations, and more—how to assess how you think, feel, and experience life, so that you can correctly identify which of the nine types you are.
  • Type 1: The Improver/Reformer/Perfectionist (Life Strategy: "I must be perfect and do what is right.")
  • Type 2: The Helper/Giver/Befriender (Life Strategy: "I must be helping, caring, and needed.")
  • ​Type 3: The Achiever/Performer/Motivator (Life Strategy: "I must be impressive and look accomplished and successful.")
  • ​Type 4: The Individualist/Romantic/Artist (Life Strategy: "I must be understood uniquely as I am.")
  • ​Type 5: The Investigator/Observer/Theorist (Life Strategy: "I must be knowledgeable and equipped.")
  • ​Type 6: The Loyalist/Skeptic/Guardian (Life Strategy: "I must be secure and safe.")
  • ​Type 7: The Enthusiast/Optimist/Epicurean (Life Strategy: "I must be enjoying myself and avoiding pain.")
  • Type 8: The Challenger/Protector/Advocate (Life Strategy: "I must be strong and outside the control of others.")
  • Type 9: The Peacemaker/Mediator/Reconciler (Life Strategy: "I must maintain peace and calm.")
Authors Liz Carver and Josh Green, creators of the hugely popular Instagram account @justmyenneatype, help you discover how knowing your type—and the types of those around you—can affect your daily life, your decisions, and your relationships with others, and how to use this wisdom to live life with more clarity, peace, and insight than you ever thought possible.
So what's your enneatype? Find out today and get started on the journey to better understand your world, yourself, and your place within it.

5.  Beware.....

       Image may contain: text that says 'Do not let them take your temperature going into the store! It's a scam! They're erasing your memory. I went for bread and eggs and came home with Blue Bell Ice Cream and Snickers.'

Have a great weekend!  Eric and I are going to visit his sister and delivering some baby gifts for our upcoming great-nephew.  I'll be wearing a mask more than I normally do on the weekend (because we're normally staying home), but it will definitely be worth it!    Pop in next week to read all about it.

Linking up with:

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Friday Favorites Linky Party - August 7, 2020

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:
Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst
If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!
And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - August 6, 2020

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking about a thing I did that made me smile and lifted my spirits.

These days, there's not a lot going on that brings me joy.  Trips are postponed, concerts canceled and parties suspended until things get better.  I realized fairly early on in this pandemic that I was going to have to identify things I could do that would make me happy or I was more than likely going to go crazy.

One thing that always lifts my heart is sending happy mail to friends.  I know how excited I get when I pull down the mailbox lid and see a handwritten envelope waiting for me inside.  It warms my heart and lifts my spirits to know that I might be able to bring a bit of joy to someone else's day by sending them something they'll see in their mailbox.

This past Saturday morning while the rain was falling outside, I sat in bed watching The Notebook feeling sad and sappy.  I knew I needed to do something to lift my spirits.  Packing a few parcels to be shipped off to some friends was just the thing to lift me out of my funk.  The whole experience from making the notecards to addressing the envelopes and thinking of my friends who will be receiving them was the ticket to putting me in a better mood!


The picture on the front of the notecards was one I took a few years ago from our hotel balcony in Paris.  I was so enthralled by the Eiffel Tower and took an absurd number of pictures of it.  This one was uploaded to the app Waterlogue to get the cool effect.


I'm sure there's a fancier way to create notecards, but I just copied the picture into PowerPoint and inserted a text box.  For this size card, you can get 2 from an 8-1/2x11 piece of cardstock.  The poem was something I found on Pinterest and printed on the backside.  When the paper is printed, you can cut it in half and fold it in the middle.  Easy peasy!


The tea might look familiar if you read my Five on Friday last week.  A sample had come in my SipsBy box and I immediately ordered more!  If you'd like to try it, it's available HERE.  

This week I've started getting sweet notes from the recipients and that has made me smile too!  Talk about a win-win for all involved!

What are some things you do to make yourself happy?  Have you found new things since the pandemic?  I'd love to hear what they are!

Now it's your turn.  Link up and share what you're thinking out loud about today.



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter