Recent Amazon Purchases - Disney Edition

Hi there! Today I’m giving you a peek at a few of the Amazon deliveries that arrived for our Disney trip.

Let’s kick things off with Bonine. Honestly, this little bottle is a total lifesaver for me. Without it, the trip just wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable. These tablets completely take away any motion sickness I might get from traveling or hopping on rides, and the best part is they don’t leave me feeling drowsy. It’s like having a bit of magic in pill form that keeps me feeling great the whole time!

Next up are these adorable Disney Hair Bows!  My niece has really long hair and I can't wait to put it up in ponytails and clip on these bows.  The pack comes with 4 different colors.  Every outfit I'm taking for her is covered!

The night before we left, I painted my and my niece's nails.  Then I popped on some of these Cartoon Nail Art stickers!  It was super easy and our nails look adorable!  The packages comes with a ton of stickers.

We will be getting the refillable mugs at our resort and I'll be able to keep them clean with these Camp Soap for Dishes and Hands.  The package is small so they fit perfectly in our tight suitcases.

I blogged about these a couple weeks ago in one of my Five on Friday posts.  I feel so much safety having these Kids Shoes Air Tag Holders on the kids shoes!

I'm so excited that our Disney adventure is finally happening! I just know it’s going to be filled with so many fun moments, new memories, and probably a few surprises along the way. I can’t wait to come back and share all the details with you—the highlights of the trip, the little tips and tricks we picked up, and of course, all the magical experiences that made it extra special. Stay tuned, because I’ll have plenty to tell once we return!

Five on Friday - September 5, 2025

Happy Friday!  We are so excited over here because tomorrow is the day to leave for Disney!  Our niece and nephew will be joining us and this is their first time visiting the parks.  I can't wait to see their excitement and share the experience with them!  Before we head out, let me share my five for this week ~

1.  The Paper

There's a new comedy on Peacock starting yesterday titled The Paper and I can't wait to watch!  If you loved The Office, you are probably going to want to catch it too.  Here's the summary ~

Do you miss The Office? Well, Greg Daniels (creator of the US version we’re talkin’ about) is sending the documentary crew that chronicled the exploits of Dunder Mifflin’s variously wacky employees to follow around the staff of a Toledo, Ohio newspaper. With Dunder Mifflin’s own Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez) on the paper’s masthead, it sounds like Daniels and co-creator Michael Koman (Nathan for You) wanna recapture some of The Office’s lightning in a bottle. I hope they do. The Office (and Parks and Recreation) are two comfort comedies I sorely miss. Recycled ideas or not, I’m ready to subscribe to The Paper. Four episodes debut today, then two eps will drop weekly until September 25.

2. The Blue Zones Kitchen One Pot Meals

We always seem to cook more once fall and winter roll around. This new cookbook feels like the perfect fit for the season! Packed with over 100 quick and easy one-pot and one-pan recipes—each inspired by the Blue Zones and ready in 30 minutes or less—it’s a great way to add fresh variety to our recipe collection.  Here's the summary ~

After more than 20 years spent uncovering the secrets of the blue zones—the happiest and healthiest places around the world—Dan Buettner puts the lessons he's learned into practice with 100 research-backed recipes designed to boost your longevity.

Inside you'll find easier-than-ever plant-based breakfasts, dinners, snacks, and sides inspired by the blue zones, with grocery store-available ingredients and made with flavors Americans love best, including:

A protein-packed Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet
The perfect crunchy snack: Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
Good-for-the-soul Creamy White Bean and Tomato Soup
A twist on a classic: a Deluxe Blue Zones Minestrone
Veggie-loaded Spanakopita Pasta
Crowd-pleasing Southern Style Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu with Sweet Corn and Green Beans
An easy Slow Cooker Bourguignon
No-Bake Peanut Butter and Honey Cookie Bites
Written with busy households in mind, these one pot, one pan, or one baking sheet recipes enable you to eat like the world’s longest-lived people without spending hours in the kitchen.

Perfect for busy families, health-minded home cooks, culinary enthusiasts, and anyone interested in eating the Blue Zones way, this is a cookbook that will change your diet—and your life.

Available HERE

3.  Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Aldi’s seasonal section is brimming with autumn goodness right now, and it’s making me so ready for cozy mornings and crisp evenings. I can’t wait to try the pumpkin spice waffles—they seem like just the right mix of comfort and fall flavor.  Next trip to Aldi's, these are going straight in my cart!

4.  Acrylic Dual-Tip Markers

Rock painting is such a fun and creative craft for the kiddos, and I have to admit—I might just enjoy it myself! There’s something so satisfying about picking up a plain rock and turning it into a little work of art. Right now, these markers are on sale, making it the perfect opportunity to grab a set for the whole family. They’re not just for rocks either—they work beautifully on fabric, wood, and glass, so the possibilities for creative projects are endless. Whether you’re decorating the garden, personalizing gifts, or just enjoying a relaxing craft session, these markers make it easy and fun to get creative.

Available HERE

5.  My poor husband...

Have a great weekend!  We will be on vacation, but I'm hoping to have an Amazon purchase post for you on Monday.  See you soon!

What I Read in August 2025

Hi friends! Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday. This is my little space to share what’s been on my mind and to invite you to join in by linking up and sharing your own thoughts. On the first Thursday of each month, I like to look back and recap the books I read in the month before. So, here we go ~

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

I loved this book so much!  As a matter of fact, I'm going to be recommending it to every book club I belong to!  I can totally understand how it became a Reese's Book Club Pick.  Here's the summary ~

“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”

Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.

As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

Available HERE

The Big Burn:  Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan

This was our August library book club selection, and it was a big hit with everyone. The book was packed with fascinating stories and details—I especially enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of this period in history!

Timothy Egan turns his historian's eye to the largest-ever forest fire in America and offers an epic, cautionary tale for our time.

On the afternoon of August 20, 1910, a battering ram of wind moved through the drought-stricken national forests of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, whipping the hundreds of small blazes burning across the forest floor into a roaring inferno that jumped from treetop to ridge as it raged, destroying towns and timber in the blink of an eye. Forest rangers had assembled nearly ten thousand men to fight the fires, but no living person had seen anything like those flames, and neither the rangers nor anyone else knew how to subdue them. Egan recreates the struggles of the overmatched rangers against the implacable fire with unstoppable dramatic force, and the larger story of outsized president Teddy Roosevelt and his chief forester, Gifford Pinchot, that follows is equally resonant. Pioneering the notion of conservation, Roosevelt and Pinchot did nothing less than create the idea of public land as our national treasure, owned by every citizen. Even as TR's national forests were smoldering they were saved: The heroism shown by his rangers turned public opinion permanently in favor of the forests, though it changed the mission of the forest service in ways we can still witness today.

Available HERE

We All Live Here by JoJo Moyes

JoJo Moyes’s newest release was another winner in my eyes! From the very beginning, I felt connected to the characters and completely invested in their stories. The pacing kept me turning the pages quickly, eager to see what would happen next. It’s one of those books that pulls you in and doesn’t let go—I didn’t want it to end!

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

 

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

I have to admit, reading this book made ME a little bit anxious!  There were a lot of words that seemed, at times, to just go on and on.  That being said, the ending was very sweet and I'm glad I hung with it.  

Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix their own marriage. There’s a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.

Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

Available 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 - September 3, 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

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Quick and Easy Gluten-Free Reese's Cookies

Grief Has No Timeline

Brown Sugar Rub for Smoked Salmon

Chicken Pot Pie with Phyllo Dough

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! 

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Five on Friday - August 29, 2025

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  It's so hard to believe that we are winding down summer.   Let's get to the last Five on Friday for this month ~

1.  My Life with the Walter Boys

Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys is officially back for Season 2! It’s been a while since the first season wrapped up, and now we’ve got 10 fresh episodes to dive into. Season 1 left us with a major cliffhanger, so I’m excited to see how the story unfolds this time around. If you’re new to the series, here’s a quick recap to catch you up ~

The first season follows 15-year-old Jackie Howard as she moves across the country from dazzling Manhattan to rural Silver Falls, Colorado, to live with her new guardian: her mother’s best friend, Katherine (Sarah Rafferty), who is raising 10 kids with her husband, George (Marc Blucas). While settling into her new, chaotic countryside home, Jackie is determined to stay focused on her dream of getting into Princeton … all while wrapping her head around her feelings for two very different Walter brothers: the reliable and bookish Alex, and the mysterious and troubled Cole.

In Season 2 of My Life with the Walter Boys, Jackie is 16-years-old. Since she left Silver Falls in haste at the end of Season 1, Rodriguez says that her character is “trying to figure out where she belongs this season. She’s definitely not trying to lose either side of herself, and trying to make sure that they can coexist.”

2.  New Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough    

Be on the lookout for Nestle's new Toll House cookie flavor!  The Trick-or-Treat Cookie Dough is hitting the stores now and has a new flavor combination this year.  It features a chocolate cookie dough base and...wait for it... butterscotch morsels!  Each 14-ounce package has 20 cookies ready to pop in the oven and enjoy.  To top it off, it even comes with festive sprinkles to give your cookies a little extra flair.

3.  I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen

Every now and then, I like to mix a self-help book into my reading list, and as soon as I spotted this new release, I knew it was one I had to pick up. It just hit shelves this week, and it’s already in my cart! Here's the summary ~

10 simple mindset shifts to love the life you're already living
· identifies and dismantles 10 lies about the so-called good life
· small, real-world changes that add up to a new outlook on life
· learn to live and mother in ways that work for you and your family

In a social-media saturated world, it's all too easy to see the shiny lives of others and find your own less than lustrous. And while most women won't admit they're unhappy, they will tell you they just wish. "I love my life! I just wish ____." After 10-plus years of professional life online, Kate Strickler, founder of Naptime Kitchen, has experienced the many ways we see a life on the other side of the screen--and wish it were our own.

Setting out to fight the lie that what she had wasn't enough, Kate discovered simple perspective shifts that ultimately helped her fall in love with the life she already had. Here she shares the small changes you can make that add up to a whole new outlook on life. With her trademark real-life tips and life hacks mixed with humor and stories she's never shared before, Kate helps you identify and dismantle 10 lies about relationships, money, time, and home life. As you discover how to live and mother in ways that work for you and your family, you'll stop just wishing your life away--and begin to truly enjoy the one you already have.

Available HERE

4.  Air Tag Shoelace Strap

Our Disney World countdown is officially on, and we’re just about a week away from heading to Florida with our 9-year-old niece and nephew! This will be their very first trip to Disney, and we can’t wait to experience the magic through their eyes—rides, parades, characters, fireworks, the whole works. Of course, with how big and busy the parks can get, the last thing we’d ever want is to get separated from them. For some extra peace of mind, we’re planning to use these clever shoelace straps that securely hold an AirTag (sold separately). That way, if we get split up in the excitement, we’ll know exactly where they are. It’s one of those little travel hacks that makes me feel a whole lot more relaxed so we can focus on the fun and make the most of our Disney adventure!

Available HERE

Air Tags Available HERE

 

5.  Yep...

Wishing you a wonderful Labor Day weekend! We’ve got a few house projects to tackle, and then on Sunday after church we’re hosting some friends. I’m really looking forward to three full days of downtime and fun with Eric. Can’t wait to catch up with you all next week!

A Tray Full of Sunshine

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! It’s my little space to share what’s on my mind and invite you to join in and do the same. Today I’m chatting about my recent tiered-tray refresh. With summer winding down, it feels like the perfect time to bring out the sunflowers!

I didn’t have to purchase a single new thing to put this display together. Instead, I simply shopped my own home and pulled out some of my favorite pieces from sunflower displays I’ve created in the past. It was fun to give them new life by rearranging them in a fresh way, and I love how a few simple changes can make everything feel brand new without spending a dime.

As summer starts to wind down, I always feel a little pang of sadness. But surrounding myself with all this sunflower sunshine instantly lifts my spirits—it’s like bringing a little burst of happiness indoors, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

I decided to carry the sunflower theme right into our family room, dressing up the mantle with every sunflower I could find. It turned into a cheerful little focal point, and I love how the bright yellow blooms instantly warm up the whole space.

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 - August 27, 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

HIGHLIGHTS LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

Weight Watchers Cheesecake Pudding and Cool Whip

Apple Cinnamon Oat Muffin Recipe

Slow Cooker Italian Roast Recipe

Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake

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