Friday Favorites ~ September 20, 2024

 Oh, what a week!  Happy Friday!  

It was a difficult afternoon/evening on Monday for me, but I am thankful for feeling stronger since then.  The first favorite of the week was going over to a friend's house Monday night to get a hug.  I am thankful for a friend I can text and say, can I come get a hug?

Thankfully, there was much more to look forward to this week!

A favorite was also laughing so hard at work Tuesday! It felt so good to laugh really hard!

After work Tuesday, I met my sister downtown.  We ate at a local Mexican restaurant and we stayed at a new hotel downtown.

A view from our hotel room

It was a cool, modern room

My sister and I walked on Beale Street.  I actually saw a friend I haven't seen in about 35 years!

We had our sequin shirts on since we went to see the play, MJ the Musical.  

This is a play about the music of Michael Jackson.  It is told in a documentary way of him preparing for a tour.  It also would flashback to his life as a child and part of the Jackson 5.  Of course, his music was sung throughout the play.  The music and dancing was incredible.  It is also so impressive how they use the stage to create different scenes with just lighting & props.

(side note...this was taken before the theater filled up!)

This is super random, but does anyone reminder this song?  I saw Shaun Cassidy in concert in the 70's!  I haven't heard this in forever it seems.

I worked from the hotel Wednesday morning, spent the afternoon at home & went to my support group at church that night.  That has become a favorite for me.  

Did y'all see the moon this week? It was captivating Wednesday night!! That is a favorite!

Another favorite is my fall decor, which you can see more here!

I will fill you in on the rest of the week/weekend come Monday.  

Enjoy your weekend and the first day of fall!!!

Hodgepodge ~ September 18, 2024

Hi.  It is Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce again!  

1. Something that's had you 'chuffed to bits' recently? 

I am going on a trip this month and when I look at the weather, it has me "chuffed to bits"!  Fall weather makes me happy.  That was one of my favorite things about living in Bogota', Colombia.  The weather there was always fall, between 60-70 degrees year round.  

2. Tell us about an instance recently where you were tempted to 'throw a wobbly' (expression used to describe tantrums thrown, usually by adults or people who should know better) 

Oh, I could have done this easily on Monday when having a hard conversation.  I just have to keep reminding myself of the truth.  

3. Something everyone seems to love but is not your 'cuppa tea'? 

The first thing that comes to mind is peanut butter! I have just started eating pistachios and pecans in the last 2 years.  Prior to this, I would not eat any type of nut and still don't eat other types.  I am also not a beans person in my soups or chili. I like that Texas style chili!

4. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding...which entree would you choose? Yes, you have to choose. 

Fish and chips!  I would definitely get this if I were in England for a meal.  This is a picture of my fish and chips from my last visit to London in February 2014.

5. Something you want for your birthday this year? 

I would like to get a new sofa and coffee table.  Is that too much for a girl to ask? I haven't looked for sofas, but I have looked at some coffee tables.  I like my current one, but going forward, I would like a round one.  Of course, I have a long on-going list of Amazon things too, so an Amazon gift card would make me happy too :). My birthday is in November, so I still have one to celebrate this year.  

6. Insert your own random thought here

Last week, I shared the lyrics of the song "Waymaker".  Today's random thought is the song, "I Am" by Eddie James.  Here are the lyrics :

I am the lord, I'm the almighty god

I am the one for whom nothing is too hard

I am the shepherd and I am the door

I am the good news to the bound and the poor

I am the

I am the righteous one and I am the lamb

I am the ram in the bush for abraham

I am the ultimate sacrifice for sin

I am your redeemer, the beginning and the end

I am

I am jehovah

And I am the king

I am messiah, david's offspring

I am your high priest and I am the christ

I am the resurrection, I am the light

I am the bread and I am the wine

I am your future so leave your past behind

I am the one in the midst of two or three

I am your tabernacle, I am your jubilee

I am hope, I am peace, I am joy, I am rest

I am your comfort and relief from your stress

I am strength, I am faith, I am love, I am power

I am your freedom this very hour!

You're my hope, you're my peace, you're my joy, you're my rest

You are my comfort,

You're relief from my stress

You're my strength, you're my faith, you're my love, you're my power

You are my freedom this very hour!

Have a great day!

 

Talking About it Tuesday/Fall Decor ~ Sepember 17, 2024

In honor of the first official day of fall this upcoming Sunday, I am sharing my fall decor for this year.

Once again, I like that I re-arrange this a little different each year!

Last Friday, I pulled out my fall decor and I am so glad I put some out this year.  It does bring me cheer to see it in my home! 

My daughter painted this pumpkin patch scene below.

In my kitchen, I have a few small touches like this painted ceramic pumpkin that my daughter also painted and some fall dish towels, not pictured (she also did the other 2 pieces of art on this shelf).

I also have this cute fall plate which was a gift from sweet Jennifer!

Dining room table

I have a few fall pumpkin pillows on the sofa.

I love that my lights come on year round on a timer on my mantle & below my tv.  I do this during the summer months as well.

These faux flowers & vase were a new addition last year.

I have a picture of me & my girls from 2 years ago at Thanksgiving displayed.

In my holiday jar, I added pumpkins for this season.

I love this picture of the mall in Central Park taken at fall.

Coffee table decor

In my bathrooms, I have fall soaps and candles.  These are my easy decorating staples for every season.

All of these items make me feel cozy at home, ready for some cool temperatures and soups!  

Have a great day!

 

Hello Monday ~ September 16, 2024

 Good Monday morning!  Half way though September and I am thankful the weather has been cooler this month than typical.  How are you doing?  

It started raining here on Thursday and it is just ending today.  While I am thankful for the rain, I am ready for a break from it!  I feel like it is a little indiciative of life.  Sometimes it rains heavy, sometimes it is a light rain and sometimes the sun shines!  

Friday, I worked in the morning and a friend came over for lunch.  We ate and she helped me set out some fall decor and clean a few things.  I was super thankful for this time.

Later that evening, Jennifer came over and we enjoyed hanging out on the back porch.  We ate dinner and caught up on life outside the blog. 

Saturday morning, I spent several hours running errands.  Most of those errands were going to several thrift stores.  I sold some clothes and was looking for a college tshirt.

I also went to Kroger and got a half price Starbucks drink! It was a good morning to run errands.  That evening, I went to visit with my parents.

Sunday was another rainy day.  I went to church and took a nap that afternoon.  I can count on one hand the times I take a nap in the year, but yesterday was one of them.  I haven't had a lot of sleep the past few nights, so a little extra rest felt nice.  I made some brownies and a key lime cake to take to my community group with church Sunday night.

Now for a new Monday....  I am praying for some conversations to be had today and a break in the rain!

Have a great day!

Friday Favorites ~ September 13, 2024

Happy Friday!  It has been a busy week, but I am glad it is Friday.  The week has definitely had its ups and downs for me.  I have a few favorites to share from the week, just not so much in pictures.

My absolute favorite was spending the weekend with Brook and getting her off to a good start to a new year of college.

Monday was a rough day for me for a few reasons.  However, the Lord sent me some encouragement at just the right time and I don't want to forget that.  I am thankful.

Monday ended well with our monthly book club meeting and dinner.

I really enjoyed the time together, but we didn't get a picture this time.

The patio weather was also perfect!!

I did also receive this new book in the mail that I am looking forward to reading:

Tuesday, I had a busy day at work and then went to a friend's house.  Four friends, whom I go to church with, and I gathered and it was fun to have a night of good snacks and laughter.  

Wednesday, I worked, met a friend for an afternoon drink, & had some time at home.  It was the first batch of time I had at home since getting back on Monday, other than sleeping.  I was able to get laundry done and bake sourdough bread.  Getting a few things done at home was a favorite! 

Thursday wasn't a favorite, but it is behind me now, right?  

Today, I am working, decorating for fall and hanging out with a friend tonight, so it is already sounding so much better!  

I hope you all have a good weekend!

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge ~ September 11, 2024

 Happy to be linking up with Joyce today for Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. When the Hodgepodge lands on September 11th I want to acknowledge that. Will you purposely pause to remember, pray, or attend any sort of ceremony on 9/11? Share any thoughts or memories you'd like to share about this day. 

It is a day of reflection for sure.  I remember this day, just like we all do...where I was, what I was thinking and the thoughts after that day and how our world changed forever.  This is a pictue of my girls and I at the World Trade Towers site back in 2010, I think.  I went to the museum on a trip in 2015.  Back in 1998 was the only time I went inside the WTC.  

2. Growing up, did you spend a lot of time with your grandparents? What's something you learned from a grandparent? 

Oh, I treasure the memories with my grandparents.  One grandfather passed away when I was a baby, so I have memories of 3 grandparents.  My grandmother, who was a widow, had a heart of gold and was the biggest prayer warrior.  She kept a notebook and would write down the weather and watch sermons on tv and kept notes.  

I probably spent more time at my other grandparents house.  They had a lot of land and us cousins would have fun there in the summer.  I loved them dearly.  My grandfather, who I just said last week he is the most amazing man I have ever known, taught me the importance of honesty and integrity.  My grandmother taught me a lot about laughter and being a good friend.  I loved them all dearly, miss them and think about them so often.

3. What's your go-to breakfast? 

My go to breakfast is a Built or Quest bar.  From there, it varies to a combination of some of these things:  sourdough bread slice, greek yogurt, strawberry smoothie, scrambled eggs or bacon.

4. Tell us the story behind one of your favorite photos. 

I have always loved this picture of me and the girls.  This was taken in St. Louis at the Westward Expansion musuem.  The girls were so into all things "prarie" at that time.  We met a friend up there for a long weekend for a girls trip and I just enjoyed being with my girls so much.

5. This week Friday lands on the 13th. Are you superstitious in any way? Do you like scary movies, and if so what's your favorite? 

I am not superstitious.  I am not a fan of scary movies, so I really don't have a favorite.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My thoughts have been all over the place this week.  I woke up in the middle of the night with some heaviness of some crippling news I had received earlier on Monday.  This song, Waymaker, came to mind.  I have some highlights of the lyrics here below, but go listen to it if you need some encouragement today to keep going.

You are here, moving in our midst

You are here, working in this place

I worship You

You are Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper

Light in the darkness

My God, that is who You are.

You are here, touching every heart

You are here, healing every heart

You are here, oh, turning lives around

You are here, and You are mending every heart

I worship You

Even when I don't see it, You're working

Even when I don't feel it, You're working

You never stop, You never stop working

His name is above depression

His name is above loneliness

Oh, His name is above disease

His name is above cancer

His name is above every other name

Yes it is

That is who You are

(That is who You are) Jesus

And that is who You are

Oh, I know that is who You are

That is who You are