Friday Favorites

 

Favorite Office Help

A dry erase board to put under your monitor or put on your desk !!!

 WHATTTT???

As much as i go through scratch paper, this is genius!

Favorite Kitchen Helper

I am always looking for a mini colander to wash grapes or fruit for a snack. 

Favorite Craft

Because its Disney... Cinderella's castle. 

I've been looking for a little cross stitch to try again  - I used to LOVE doing cross stitch

Favorite Fidget Fun

I love any sort of fidget things that keep my hands busy while I'm on the phone or trying to read something I need to study.  It stretches & bends & twists. Great for adults & kids.

Favorite Whisk Cleaner

What is this magic!!!!!

Favorite Winter Help

I like this has a squeegee on the other side of the ice scraper!

Favorite Dishwasher Help

Because I never tire of The Golden Girls

Favorite Tee

Favorite Funny

Happy Weekend Y'all!!!

My books are happy, I just like saying Muk Luks & people in Canada really are the nicest!!! {Thankful Thursday #294}

 

My list was long this weekend... that's never a complaint... 

So I'll try & not share them all to make this too long, but who doesnt love some good news?

This week I'm Thankful for:

Our Vet
We got Ozzie his appointment for the first appointment we could get just because he had worms & we had been taking him potty out front to keep him away from the other dogs - & them away from the worms.  We didnt care who was the vet - just get him in.  When we got there & they came out (because we cant go in - everything is curbside) they told us it was our favorite vet who was there!   & now, we're scheduled with her for all the other puppy check appointments. I just LOVE Dr. Stephens (if you're in the area - at Ridgeview) She's the only one who sees our Aussies & I especially love her because even with Bruno being 19, she NEVER one time suggested putting him down because he was old.  She helped him every bit of the way live a good life up to the end. I'll always trust her just because of that.

Clean Bill of Health
Ozzie checked out as a good healthy pup. It was so cute when everyone we saw, vet, technicians, were all CONGRATULATIONS!!!  YOU HAVE A NEW BABY!! ... I love animal people.

Book marks
I love me some book marks but I especially love these that came from my friends.  Meranda & my Planner link up buddy, Lauren had randomly sent me these - & I got them a day apart. I was like, my friends get me. They really get me.  I use so many book marks with all my books, journals, planners & Bible & Bible studies... they get some good use!  & I love when I see them, I'll think of my friends!

Brothers
I am so relieved that Ernie has taken a liking to Ozzie. I mean, he's still jealous & we are still giving the Big Boys one on one time - but I love seeing him play & being gentle with him.

Engaged!
I heard great news of a sweet friend of mine got engaged over Christmas. She actually was in my youth class & I just think the WORLD of her.  When I heard she was proposed to, I actually teared up.  So happy for her & cant wait for her to start her married  life.

Jammies
My brother had picked me out some jammies at Christmas & I honestly am LIVING in these babies. I asked him where he got them because I'm gonna need more of them. They are Muk Luks & they feel like heaven.  Click on the pic to check them out.  I honestly am getting some more in other colors - I mean, I'm still working from home so I need some new "work clothes - HAHA

They look cuter on her than me

Bread
Yep... I'll still proud of my bread I made over the weekend.  Ready to make some more!

Canadian Surprise
I continue - after all this time - to meet some of the neatest people all around, just because of this blog. Who would have ever thought.  But a few months back, I had a new friend reach out to me & we just connected over so much in messages & conversations.  She has twins & it was fun to compare how her twins are so much like my nieces & she had gotten a new doggie in their family awhile back & it was fun hearing all the new addition stories - she's just a joy!  So I was thoroughly surprised when I got a package from Canada & she had told me to keep an eye out for it because she didnt write who it was from on the inside - totally something I'd do too.... When I opened it, I saw all the Canadian candy & that would have been enough. I LOVE me some Canadian candy!!!!!  

When I pulled the candy out to show Hubby, I saw this face mask with Aussies all over it & GASPED. I've never seen anything like it!!! I AM IN LOVE!!!!!!  I mean... come on... how perfect is this mask???

& when I pull up the mask, I saw the first book & instantly knew what it was!!!! Karen & I had talked about this in a message - how much we love Anne of Green Gables & the books .... & here they were - the full set in front of me.  I just have always loved the story of Anne - maybe its the red hair, maybe its the individualism that she has, maybe its the spunky personality, maybe its because she always wanted to be a teacher (what I wanted to do growing up)... I just have a connection with her.

Let me tell you.  I cried. I really did cry. I wasn't expecting anything like this & just the sweet gift that she knew would mean so much.  These are going to go on my library shelf in my special books that friends have given  me that I'll treasure forever.  I cant wait to dig into these too. I've never read the full series & now I can!!!! So excited.  I truly am blessed by some amazing people in this world!

So all this good -I'm gonna ask for some prayers...
My mom is back in the hospital... I had to call 911 again Tuesday night & we also found out she has COVID right now... which means Ricky & I will be getting tested this weekend after spending the past few days with her in the car & being in her house.  Appreciate every single one lifted!!!

Tell me something good about your week!!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

All tied up in knots.... {Hodgepodge}

 Click right HERE to join JOYCE for this week's Hodgepodge

1. When were you last a guest at an event or in someone's home? Tell us about it. Do you enjoy having guests in your own home? 

ummm.... I'm thinking sometime in 2019. Seriously.  Nothing happened in the first 3 months of 2020 & ever since March, I've been at zero events that havent been online.  

I guess I can count our outdoor Bible study at my Framily's house where we met every Monday for 7 weeks to do Beth Moore's Bible Study at 8pm.  I was totally a guest at their house.  She had blankets on the patio furniture when fall set in & they made me some amazing coffee... so Yeah, that counts.

2. What has you 'tied up in knots' currently or recently? Are you any good at tying actual knots? 

I mean.... my nerves have been tied up in knots for basically... well... coming up to a year now.  Geez.

Plus, life is just throwing some stresses with some family issues & all of it together... I'm not sure "knots" is the appropriate word.  Boulders?  Mountains? Or is "Strangling in knots" a thing?  It sure feel like it.

Can I TIE a knot? ... no... but I sure can put my earphones in my purse & come out with some pretty magical knots that even the best boy scout would have issues to get out.

3. What's something you've been wanting to do and have decided 2021 will be the year you 'take the plunge'? 

I'm not someone who makes big plans... I really dont.  Even on a normal year.  

I have a few things on my list to get done this year but it would make you snore to read it. I mean, "Baking bread" is on it... & I've already done that - so maybe I'll do some other big things... like, Organize my pantry - WHHoooOOOOooo... exciting, I know.

4. Something in your home that's old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something blue? 

Something Old - Me.

Something New - Ozzie!

Something Borrowed - Ohhh, Yeah, I have a friend's wood burner from church!  We just found it the other day - I need to get that back to her.  I need to play with it again actually.  Maybe that will be my answer to the one above - I'll make some new fun things!

Something Blue - My car is blue!   If it has to be "in your home"...I'm not sure. We're not big blue people in our house.  My mom had EVERYTHING blue growing up so she laughs that neither me nor my brother hae anything blue in our homes. We said we got "blued out" growing up.

5. Share a favorite quote, a verse of scripture, and/or a bit of wisdom for couples getting married in this challenging and seemingly unpredictable season we're currently/still experiencing. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here's 2 new things I've tried this past week. Both are the sorts of things that have a healthy edge, but still not so healthy. I'm always looking for protein & those crunchy things were pretty good.  These had a good little spice to them.  The Hubs said they stunk... but I thought they tasted good.

& the carrots were pretty good too. Which the Hubs said, anything that is deep fried has got to be good.  Such an American thing to say.  But I choose to look at it that I ate my veggie serving at dinner.  

Perspective is everything.

Thanks Joyce for another week of Hodgepodge!

Show Us Your Books {January 2021}

 

Well, this is sad... 2 books... but its better than nothing right?

& I squeezed out that last book just over the weekend.

Maybe next moth will be better... 

The Other Mrs.
*** / Liked It

Quick Summary:  Sadie & Will move to a new house to get a new beginning after having family issues with their marriage & problems with their son - inheriting a family member's home after a suicide & taking guardianship of her daughter, but life isn't any easier on this new island.

That summary doesnt even wrap up what this is about but mystery books, I try to keep everything as spoiler free as I can.

This one has me a little confused for the first half & hearing multiple POV's... but once it all clicks, its a pretty fast & good read to finish it out.  I was taken in & taken by surprise... & really enjoyed the last quarter of it.

I heard this is coming to Netflix so glad I read it before it does.  Excited to see how they make it work.

“A man who is willing to cheat on his wife, she said, will often make promises to you that he can’t keep. When he tells you he loves you, it’s a form of entrapment. Cheating spouses are masters at manipulation, she said. He may tell you things to keep you from ending the affair. He has both a wife and a lover on the side. He has no incentive to change.”

In A Holidaze
**** / Really Liked It

Quick Summary: Mae goes to a cabin that her family & all their friends go to every year since she can remember. When she leaves having one of the worst trips ever & gets bad news about the future of the visits, she gets the chance to do it all over again... & again.. & again... in Groundhog's Day fashion.

This was just a fun read.  I loved the first part of it - couldnt put it down. Laughing & gasping all the way through.  Loved the friendships of all the people that have gotten together through the years every Christmas in a cabin & continued with their own families.  It was very "The Big Chill" sort of vibes.  

The main story is about Mae & her relationship with brothers & when she learned she has nothing to lose since the trip may start all over again, its fun to see how it works out with the brother she's had a crush on her whole life.

I did get a little "eye rolly" at the end when the brothers were getting upset ...didnt make sense to me & aggravated me because it didnt seem to fit with the character.  But I could overlook it for the ending. 

Glad I had this one for the Holidays (even though I finished it after Christmas) & would recommend it next holiday season! ...if not anytime for the sheer fun of it.

“It never occurred to me that you might be mine.”

The weekend that I read a book & baked some bread... basically I'm Laura Ingalls

 

Be like Harvey, going into Monday & this week & 2021 keeping one eye open at all times!

Well, I'm pretty sure that Ozzie thinks he has moved to some form of the tundra where its gloomy & dark all the time because as of yesterday, it was 10 days straight of no sunshine... may be longer than that. I just know every day of 2021 has been  cloudy. I have not seen the sun since we drove down to pick up the puppers & even then, at our home, it was foggy & cold... it was only sunny over 2 hours away.  

I'm beginning to think the sun doesnt exist anymore.  

For someone who NEEDS sunshine to keep my mood up, its starting to wear on me about now. 

Between that, & the crazy week in our country, I'm just glad I have a puppy to make me smile & laugh & cut me up with those sharp puppy teeth.. YIKES!!! ... is there anything sharper than puppy teeth?  Man, to be so small, they can tear some skin up! ... & shoes...& socks... & bed skirts... & dog beds. All in one week.

Nothing really exciting happened this weekend.

Saturday, we got up early & I had to do a UPS drop off for work & a bank run & then I ran into the grocery while The Hubs stayed out in the car... which always puts on the pressure to hurry up & get done & get out. Probably why he did it.

The biggest part of my Saturday was turning on the heat in my enclosed room &finishing up a book - my first of the year... which was carried over before Christmas.  I had lost my mojo on reading & it was a Christmas book.  Glad I finally finished it.  

Yes that's a chew toy & a sock....all of our dogs think socks are the best toy ever

But Ozzie is learning the doggie door so I sat outside in the room to let him run in & out with his brothers & play ... & play they did  He ran & hung with them till the big boys were worn out & then we could hardly keep him awake the rest of the night. He was exhausted.

Sunday, I woke up to check out my dough that I had mixed together on Saturday night. My first attempt at making bread.  It's something I've always wanted to try & was so intimidated by it.  Who knew it could be easy to make a simple no-knead bread.  

When I woke up & saw my dough had rose, I felt like I had just won the platter from The Great Baking Show.  I was anxious to see how it would do in the oven...

... but an hour later, when my kitchen smelled like a Subway shop, I was pretty happy & excited.

The crust was a little crunchy - but the inside was soft & warm. I slathered some butter on it & YUMMM!!!! 

Only later did I read you're not supposed to cut it for an hour or two. oops.  Live & learn.

I'll be making some more again real soon.  You can count me out on doing a carb free 2021. 

The rest of my Sunday was full of ambition... I needed to run to Sam's Club to pick up some stuff for work & also to get some puppy pads... but it was (again) gray & cloudy & COLD - so COLD... & I just didn't have the motivation to leave the house.  I did good to just stand outside to make sure Ozzie went potty in the yard.

I did get my Christmas stuff down... which feels super weird.  The Hubs even said, wasn't Christmas just 2 weeks ago?  Because he's used to me leaving up all the stuff till at least the end of January.  But I went ahead & took it all down because for the first time ever, we have a dog that wouldn't leave the tree along. Granted - he's a pup, but we had gotten Ernie at the end of November & he was young & never once bothered the tree.  This guy? He would grab the bottom limbs & the ribbon that was hanging & run & tug it. I had to catch the tree from toppling over a few times - so forget that.  Everything came off.   & all the decorations came down....

We still have 2 group of presents still to do Christmas with family - so I just got some boxes & put the gifts in & will put them in my library until we can get together.  But it's always so weird to have that empty room feeling when Christmas is put up.  .. I mean, my room isn't empty by far with a huge play pen in the middle of it for Ozzie... but, ya know what I mean.

What were some other highlights of the weekend:

* We got our Echo Shows hooked up - loving them
* I ate my first Goo-Goo Cluster. How have I never had one?
* Took Ozzie over to meet my mom
* I finished Season 4 of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina... & really at a loss at how it ended. Yuck!
* Broke 5 finger nails in one day... sigh...
* Tried to protect Zoe more than anything. Ozzie is OBSESSED with her & wants to crawl in bed with her to play & bite on her face like he does Ernie & she's having NONE of it. You wouldn't either if you were 112 years in human years.
* And to leave your day with a cute note.... this is how Ozzie has been taking his naps with The Hubs. This is the same man who says,  I'M IN CHARGE HERE... yeahhhh... these dogs know they have him wrapped around their little finger paw.

So .. how was your weekend?

Do you have any bread baking tips? Give them ALL to me!!!

Is your Christmas down yet?

Do you have an Echo Show?  Any trick or tips I should know?

Friday Favorites

 

Favorite Pens

Because I dont care... I'll never grow up enough to not love cute pens

Favorite Socks

Who knew they even MADE The Office socks of Kevin spilling his chili - LOL

These honestly made me laugh just looking at them

Favorite Air Pods Helper

You slide those rubber parts over your ear buds & that hook grips in your ear so they dont slide out as easily!!! WHAT??? Perfect for when you're active with these earbuds in!

Favorite Computer Help

I really should have invested in one of these back in March!

My life would have been much easier working from home.

Favorite Makeover Hack

Marple Adhesive Film.

I could use this in my pantry to make it look brighter & fancy!

Favorite Puppy Helper

Its a Poo bag holder - with a flashlight!!!

So you can put on a leash for night walks & pick up the STUFF that's left behind.

For me, I need it when our new puppers is out - just because we're making sure all his mess is cleaned up till we know he's all healthy & worm-free.

Favorite Sanity keeper

You plug things in this & they turn off 30 minutes later.

So if you're like me & scared to death you left your hair straightener or curling iron on - BAM!

No more worried - GENIUS!

Favorite Funnies

Happy weekend Y'all!!!