Penny's Passion

Friday, November 15, 2019

Five on Friday - November 15, 2019

After a crazy start to the week with a snow storm on Monday, we've made it to Friday.  I'm ready for a weekend!  Who's with me?  The start of the week was rough, but the rest of the week leveled out and was a lot of fun.  Wednesday night I hosted supper club at our house and yesterday I attended the Girls, Inc 13th Annual Strong, Smart and Bold Luncheon.   Now it's Friday and I'm ready to share my five for this week with you ~

Michelle Obama's journal hits the stands on Tuesday just in time for the holiday gift giving season and you are going to want to pre-order yours today.  Here's the description from Amazon ~
What’s your journey of becoming? Based on Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir, this gorgeous journal features an intimate and inspiring introduction by the former First Lady and more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes to help you discover—and rediscover—your story.

“It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.” —Michelle Obama

In writing Becoming, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama shared her own extraordinary journey to help create space for others to tell their stories and to give people the courage to discover the power of their own voice. With this journal, she now provides you with the encouragement to find value in your own personal journey of becoming. Printed on cream writing paper, with a grosgrain ribbon, foil-stamped cover, and removable half-jacket, Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice includes thought-provoking prompts designed to help you reflect on your personal and family history; your goals, challenges, and dreams; what moves you and brings you hope; and what future you imagine for yourself and your community. Writes Mrs. Obama in the Introduction to the Becoming journal, “I hope you’ll use this journal to write down your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, in all their imperfections, and without judgment. . . . We don’t have to remember everything. But everything we remember has value.”

These pages will help you capture your own voice and journey so you can nurture your sense of belonging. Inside, you’ll find an opportunity not only to take heart in the experiences that brought you to where you are today, but also to feel empowered to take those next steps, wherever they might lead.

2.  National Bundt Day
Okay, I honestly can't type or say the word "bundt" without thinking of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  Let's all celebrate today with a slice of bundt cake because it's National Bundt Day.  I've blogged about an orange bundt cake (HERE) that is so delicious!  If you're looking for a bundt recipe to make today, check this one out.

Recipe HERE

3.  Ford v Ferrari
Tonight I'll be in the seats watching this freshly released movie - Ford v Ferrari.  The previews look fabulous!  Plus, who doesn't enjoy watching Matt Damon and Christian Bale for a couple hours.  Here's the summary from Fandango ~
Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in FORD v FERRARI, based on the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

Get ready - Thanksgiving will be here before you know it.  Buy this Thanksgiving Activity Tablecover and make the kids table the envy of the party.  It would also be a great hostess gift if your Thanksgiving is going to have kids involved.  Heck, I bet even a few adults would enjoy doodling on it too.


5.  Monday - Friday.....


Okay guys - have a great weekend.  My friend is rolling into town this afternoon and we are going to start celebrating my birthday weekend.  The weekend is full of fun and then on Sunday we're flying to Vegas to go to the Aerosmith concert!  Yes, it's going to be an epic birthday celebration!  Pop back in next week to get the recap.  

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Thursday, November 14, 2019

Friday Favorites Linky Party - November 15, 2019

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday - November 14, 2019

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a space for you to link up below and share what's on your mind today.

Today I'm thinking about the great time I had at hosting our supper club gathering.  As I type this, it's late on Wednesday evening and my guests just left.  I still have a bit of cleaning up to do so this post is going to be short and sweet.

Sitting around the table and chatting with friends is one of my favorite things to do.  There's something about gather around the table that just warms my heart.



In preparing for the evening, out came the silver, pumpkin dishes and the fall centerpiece.  It would be so easy to not use the good stuff, but why keep it put away?  With the holidays right around the corner, are there special family heirlooms you would like to share with your guests?  Now's the time to get them out and let everyone enjoy them!



Now it's time for me to finishing cleaning up and get to bed.  And it's time for you to share what you're thinking out loud about today.  Link up and tell us what's on your mind.


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Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 12, 2019

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Welcome to the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop where we enjoy linking up posts about recipes, crafts, DIY, everyday life and more.  The party starts every Tuesday at 7:00 pm EST.  Come and join!! #wwbloghop

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Gringo Chicken Tortilla Soup on Soup Recipe Swap

Winter arrived in St. Louis yesterday and every time I looked out the window at work I felt like I was in a snow globe.  As the wind whipped the flakes around, all I could think of was getting home and hunkering down with a warm bowl of soup.  Which, as luck would have it, coincides with the Soup Recipe Swap I had planned to do with some of my blogger friends.

We have a few soup favorites and today I'd like to share the one I decided to whip up yesterday - Gringo Chicken Tortilla Soup,


Here's What You Need
1-1/2 cups cooked chicken
1 jar of black bean & corn salsa
1 lb. Velveeta (cubed)
2 - 15 oz. can chicken broth
1 - 15 oz. can corn (drained)
Sour cream


Here's What You Do
Stir broth, chicken, salsa and corn together.  Simmer 10 minutes.  

Add cubed Velveeta, stir and simmer until melted.  

Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.  

The black bean and corn salsa we use comes from a local vendor.  If you're in the St. Louis / Southern Illinois area, look for Gringo George's Black Bean and Corn Salsa.  The stuff is amazing!  It has just enough spice to give it a nice little kick. 


Once I made it home last night, this recipe came together and was ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes.  Using a rotisserie chicken pre-made from the grocery store helped cut the prep time.  If you're in need of a quick meal that will warm you up from the inside out, give this recipe a try!

For more soup, stew and chili recipes, please check out the others participating in the swap.  I'm passing it over to Cindi at Diary of a Mad Retiree.  I'm excited to see what she is sharing! 


Michael Ann  http://outandback.live/

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Monday, November 11, 2019

Weekending - November 8, 2019

Welcome to Monday!  Winter came along with Monday morning here in the St. Louis area.  After an absolutely gorgeous fall day yesterday, this morning we are getting snow and the temperature has fallen to a crisp 33 degrees.  I have a feeling this winter is going to be a doozy!

First order of business today - thanks to all our service men and women.  Your job is so important.  Hope you feel very appreciated today and every day!



Let's take a look back to the warmer weekend ~

Friday night was so low key and wonderful!  We picked up Chipotle for dinner and totally chilled in front of the TV.  I finished reading Olive, Again (review coming soon) and started watching a new series on Hulu - Four Weddings and a Funeral.  Have you seen it?  So cute!  It was 10 episodes of goodness and kept me entertained this weekend.

Olive, Again (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel by [Strout, Elizabeth]
Available HERE


Saturday morning Eric had to work so I was home alone.  I decided to play some Bon Jovi really loud and conquer cleaning out the pantry.  What a job that turned into!  It was on my list of things to do before the holidays started, but geez, I really wasn't thinking it was going to be an 8 hour endeavor.  Thank heavens it's done and now I'm ready to move into the season of entertaining with only food that is not expired.  Ha!

While half the neighborhood was putting up their Christmas ornaments, I was happy arranging our Thanksgiving decorations.  I'm hosting a dinner with a few neighborhood girlfriends on Wednesday night so I didn't want to skip bringing out the Thanksgiving cheer.


This time of year hosts the most beautiful sunsets!  Saturday night I was able to capture this one (photo unfiltered).


Decorating for Thanksgiving bled into Sunday and I can happily report I'm done!  Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite holidays so I know having the feeling of the holiday wrapped around me when I'm at home will put a smile on my face for the entire month.





This is going to be a busy week on the blog.  Tomorrow I'm taking part in a Soup Swap.  Be sure to stop by and see what soup I'm sharing and check out all the other links to people's favorites.  I'll be sharing more of the Thanksgiving decorations on Thursday, along with a couple other Thanksgiving tips. Five I'll be here with my usual Five on Friday. 

Have a great week and see you soon!

Friday, November 8, 2019

Five on Friday - November 8, 2019

Happy Friday friends!  Holy smokes - this week has flown by!  I'm so looking forward to have a few days to get caught up.  And I know it's a lot to think about, but I'm dreaming of actually getting a bit ahead!  Before I hop into my to-do list, here's my five for this week~

1.  Aldi's Cheese Advent Calendar
I'm making a trip to Aldi's this weekend to pick up their cheese advent calendar that hit the shelves on Wednesday.  For $15, this giant festive box has 24 mini pieces of cheese hidden behind a paper doll.  Be surprised each day as you open the "sweet and strong cheddar cheese", "sweet, nutty, and rich red Leicester cheese", and "savory and mild Edam cheese".  Of all the advent calendars out there, this one is sounding pretty fantastic to me!


2.  Last Christmas
This weekend would be a good time to take a break from watching the Hallmark Christmas movies to see this holiday movie that opens today.  We've seen the previews and it looks cute.  Here's the synopsis from Fandango: A woman who works as a department store elf finds romance with a charming suitor.


                             

Check out these stoneware bowls I ran across on Amazon.  They would be perfect for chips and dip, soup and crackers, chili and cornbread - so many things!  The description says the color would be cream and red.  You get two bowls for the low price of $24.95!  Definitely on my wish list.  Next Tuesday, I'm participating in a soup link up party.  How great would these be to have on hand to hold all the new recipes we can collect!


                  

It came to my attention recently that not everyone has a streamer.  If you are one of those who don't, what are you waiting for?!?  We use our almost daily instead of ironing.  It heats up quickly and removes wrinkles as you glide the steamer over your clothes.  I was sick of ruining my clothes with the iron.  This steamer was the answer!  It's also great to slip in your suitcase when you're traveling.  They also makes great gifts!  


5.  Binge watching....


Have a great weekend.  I'm going to tackle a million things around the house and finish reading my current book (Olive, Again).  There are Halloween decorations to put away and Thanksgiving decorations to go up.  I need to pick the soup recipe I'll be sharing on next week's link up.  And I still haven't switched my summer and winter clothes around.  Oh boy - I'm going to be busy!  I better get busy!

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