Five on Friday - February 19, 2016

Welcome to Friday! Wow, this week has flown by for me. I've been working a lot and still have a lot of work to go before I'm ready for a program at my real job next week.  I'm looking forward to a great weekend so I'll be all rested up and ready to go on Monday.  Before I start the weekend, here's my Five on Friday ~

1.  Our New Niece - Nevaeh
We got a very special surprise last week.  My brother's family adopted a precious little girl and they named her Nevaeh.  Her name is Heaven spelled backwards and she truly has been sent from there.  Eric and I went to their house last weekend to meet her and she stole our hearts.  We are so blessed to have her in our family!

2. Downton Abbey
There are so many things I love about Downton Abbey and I know I'm really going to miss this series when it concludes on March 6.  One of the things I'm going to miss the most is Maggie Smith and her witty comments as she plays Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham.  When I ran across this you tube video, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites this week.  What are you going to miss about Downton when it concludes?


3.  2016 Grammy Nominees CD
Eric has gotten me the Grammy Nominees CD for the last several years and I absolutely love them!  It's all the best songs wrapped up in one great package.  Artists like Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, and Meghan Trailor and many more have hits on this year's disc - 21 in total.  Great mix of music!

Click HERE to purchase

4. Finger Puppets
I was searching for some Easter basket ideas this week for my little niece and nephews and ran across these adorable little finger puppets. How cute are they!?! The set includes one elephant, rabbit, bear, cow, mouse, panda, frog, duck, koala and dog. Each are approximately 2-1/2" in size. All ten are only $6.99, with free shipping! How could I pass them up?

Click HERE to purchase

5.  Words to Live By....


Have a wonderful weekend!  I'm hoping not to have to work on Saturday during the day and then we're going to a retirement party for my friend Janet who retired a few weeks ago  in the evening.  A bonus this weekend is our weather is supposed to be in the 70s!  Woo Hoo!  I might have to break out the sunscreen!  See you back here next week!
  

Linking up with:

Rebecca at XOXO Rebecca

Jennie at The Diary of a Real Housewife

Hill Collection

Amy at The Farmer's Wife

Amanda at Meet At The Barre

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home

High Five for Friday
5 on Friday 
The Jenny Evolution
The Evolution of Mom
Why Girls Are Weird
Ins and Outs

This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - February 18, 2016

Last week we had our first ever neighbors supper club and I'm still thinking about how much I enjoyed getting together with this group of ladies.  As the evening progressed, our conversation turned to talking about books we've recently read, books we wanted to read and books people are talking about.  So you know what I'm Thinking Out Loud about today?  You guessed it -- Books!!

Lately I've been doing all my reading on my Kindle.  Reading before I go to bed is one of my favorite things to do.  The Kindle makes it so nice to be able to read without having a lamp on.  Just read until you fall asleep and the little gadget will turn off all by itself.  Love it!  Do you read on an electronic device or paper book?

I have a confession to make -- I owned my Kindle for probably a year and a half before I ever loaded a book on it.  Now I have 34587 many books just sitting there waiting for me to begin reading them.  I'm psyched about Eric and my upcoming trip to Spring Training so I will have a bit more time to do some page turning.

Today I thought I'd share some books I read long before I started blogging so I didn't have a change to share them with you.  They are oldies, but goodies.  Have you read any of them?  (The reviews are copied from other sources.)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

To purchase, click HERE

“A tender and satisfying novel set in a time and a place lost forever, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by war--not the sweeping damage of the battlefield, but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. Especially relevant in today's world, this is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more importantly, it will make you feel." 

-- Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain

To purchase, click HERE

Praise for The Art of Racing in The Rain: 'The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs; that compassion isn't only for humans; and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then, I'm lucky enough to read a novel I can't stop thinking about: this is one of them.' Jodi Piccoult 'The Art of Racing in The Rain has everything: love, tragedy, redemption, danger, and--best of all--the canine narrator Enzo. This old soul of a dog has much to teach to us about being human. I loved this book.' Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants 'The Art of Racing in the Rain takes you on an unforgettable journey through another kind of mind, through the eyes -- and nose -- of a dog. I found it fascinating.' Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation "I savored Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain for many reasons: a dog who speaks, the thrill of competitive racing, a heart-tugging storyline, and -- best of all -- the fact that it is a meditation on humility and hope in the face of despair. Since finishing this engagingly unique novel, I've found myself staring at my own dog, thinking, Hmm, I wonder ..." Wally Lamb, Author of She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True Praise for How Evan Broke His Head: "An engrossing family drama." Publishers Weekly "A powerful story!" Seattle Times "A compelling tale." Seattle Post-Intelligencer "Funny, bewitching, observant." Portland Oregonian

Same Kind of Different as Me

To purchase, click HERE

Denver Moore grew up in Louisiana in the 1960's, working on a plantation as a modern-day slave. Ron Hall is an international arts dealer who moves between upscale New York galleries and celebrities. It seems unlikely that these two men would meet under normal circumstances. Until Deborah Hall, Ron's wife meets Denver and sees him through God's eyes of compassion. When Deborah is diagnosed with cancer she charges Ron with the mission of saving Denver. From this request, an extraordinary friendship forms between Denver and Ron, changing them both forever. A remarkable true story of friendship and unconditional love!

Do you have any old books on your bookshelf that you just loved?  Please share!  

So that's what I'm thinking out loud about today.  Now it's your turn!  Vanessa over at X-tremely V and I would love to hear from you.  Link up below and share with us what you're thinking out loud about today.

Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at

Home of Malones

East Coast Chic

Hodges Podges

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

While I'm Waiting

The Deliberate Mom

This is How We Roll

Love the Everyday
Party at My Place

This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!

Naughty Brownies!

A few weeks ago I participated in my very first Pampered Chef meeting and had the opportunity to see a couple recipes whipped up right before my eyes.  One of them I knew I wanted to share with you because, well -- you'll see why!  These brownies are just too good not share so you can enjoy them too!

Here's What You Need

Nonstick Cooking Spray
1 package (16.5 oz.) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
1/2 package fudge brownie mix (don't worry - you can use the other half to make some regular brownies)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp water
2 eggs
12-24 miniature peanut butter cups (optional, but I highly recommend them)

Here's What You Do

~  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray wells of Brownie Pan with nonstick cooking spray.

~  Cut cookie dough evenly into 12 slices.  Place in wells of pan; gently press dough down into wells.

~  In a bowl (I used the Classic Batter Bowl), combine brownie mix oil water and eggs.

~  If desired (and trust me, you desire!), place 1-2 peanut butter cups on top of cookie dough, pressing down gently.

~ Using Medium Scoop, place 1 scoop of brownie batter into each well, being sure to not overfill wells.

~  Bake 19-21 minutes or until brownies pull away from sides of pan.

~  Remove pan from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack; let cool 5 minutes.  Serve and enjoy!

I have to say, I am loving the Brownie Pan!  It's one of those items that when I purchased it I wondered if I would really ever use it.  Well, I've used it twice in the last week and I see more brownie pan creations in my future.  I'm dying to use it for cornbread!  If you'd like to add one to your kitchen collection, it can be purchased HERE.

I love that this pan lets you make 12 perfectly sized desserts.  It's wonderful for serving to dinner guests or taking to a party and not worrying about slicing when you get there.  So glad I added it to my kitchen equipment!

Linking up with:
Pint Sized Baker
Mandy's Recipe Box

Handmade Tuesday's with Kristen

Let's Be Friends Blog Hop with The Dwelling Tree

Green Fashionista and Martinis & Bikinis: Recipe Swap Eat Drink & Be Mary: Delicious Dish Tuesday Love From The Kitchen: Tuesday's Table The Diary of a Real Housewife My Own Home Caleigh's Kitchen Tuesday Talk Pennies into Pearls Simply Sweet Home

This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks!