Looking Back

Yay! 2019.  Don't you just love this time of year and all the tv shows looking back on all that happened over the course of the year.  I am always amazed.  A lot happens in a year.  A lot happened right here with us.  In 2019 there were 149 blog posts.  That blows my mind for two reasons.....1) that I had that much to say and 2) that you met me here to read it.  I can't tell you how much that means to me.

We talked about so much:

we reviewed around 40ish books

we did a little shopping

we prayed and surrendered to God together

we did a few crafts

we made a few recipes

we shared a few vacations

we had a few experts share some advice with us

we even researched some nail polish options

Without a doubt the most popular post of the year was the telling of my scary story for Halloween

If you missed it click here and see who won in the me vs. possum tale.

I also got a lot of feedback on all the book posts.

You guys always seem to enjoy when we retail together.

And praying our Surrendering verses together was such a blessing.

Even though I was off last week, please know that I have been praying, thinking and planning our next year together and I think it is coming together quite nicely.

I will be off again on Wednesday to bring in the New Year with my family, but I will be back on Friday with a little preview of the upcoming year.

I would love for you to invite someone to join us here. If you know someone who might enjoy the chats we share, please send them the link and encourage them to subscribe and/or check in with us here. The more the merrier!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!!!! I will meet you back here on Friday.

The Winner is......

Thanks so much for taking the time to enter the giveaway on Friday for this

super soft, comfy throw.

I am pleased to announce the winner is

Deloris (@delobeads)  !!!!!!!

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your new throw.

Thanks to you all for reading. I appreciate you meeting me here to chat more than you could ever know.

 I am taking the rest of the week off from blogging.  I am just going to hang with my people, wear stretchy clothing, relax and refresh.

Here's wishing each of you a blessed time with your family and friends.  I hope you have some down time to renew yourself and marvel at the magnificence of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Giveaway - Soft, Cozy Throw

Well here we are - almost at the end of 2019 and ready for our last giveaway of the year.

You all know how much I enjoy a good throw and I have one for one of you to enjoy

It is super soft and plush

It has beautiful soft tassels

It is a pretty bluish slate color

It is honestly one of the softest, comfiest throws I have put my hands on.

I know one of you will love it.

All you need to do is leave a comment here saying " Pick Me!".  I know many of you have had trouble leaving a comment, so here's a few tips:  Get in the web version especially if you are reading the blog from your email or on your phone.  You just need to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on "view web version".  Then click on leave comment and enter your comment.  It will not show up immediately but once I approve it, it will be visible.

You will also be able to enter on instagram.  So if you have instagram, hop over there and get another entry.

I will leave the giveaway open until noon CST on Sunday, December 22nd.  I will select a winner randomly from all the entries.

Best of luck, everyone.  You are going to want to be on your couch under this beauty!

Winner announced here on Monday!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

A Printable For Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve.  The anticipation of the next day is just so much fun.  The family is all home together and there is nothing else to do but enjoy. I usually put some something in the slow cooker that we will have for dinner.  We usually have lunch out and head to a church for Christmas Eve service.

When church is over we head home to have dinner and just hang out.

While everyone is hanging out, our Christmas Elf runs around to everyone's bedroom and leaves them their new PJ's, a little treat and sometimes a little note.

I thought I would share the note with you this year, just in case you want to use it for your family

Click here to print a copy

Here is what my people will find on their pillow

Their new pj's that the Christmas Elf has laundered for them, this year's note and some bedtime chocolate.

But even if you are not doing the pajamas, the note and a little treat would be just as fun.

Enjoy time with your family and all the little touches that make celebrating so much fun! And may you be blessed when you gather under your very own tree.

Remember to come back on Friday for the last giveaway of the year.

See you then.

The Winner is......Book Giveaway

I loved hearing from you all and which book you were most interested in.....trust me you cannot go wrong with any of them.  So if you don't win you should still give them a read.  You will not be sorry

But the WINNER IS

JUANA MALONE!!!!!!

Juana selected Then She Was Gone 

which by the way was the most popular pick from you all and it is on its way to her directly from Amazon.

Thanks so much to all of you for entering.

Now hang with me the rest of the week.......

On Wednesday I have a fun printable that you may want to use with your family this Christmas

and 

On Friday, we will have the last giveaway for 2019 

Have a wonderful Monday and I will meet you back here on Wednesday!

Favorite Things Party 2019

 Last week I had the chance to host one of my favorite things ---- My Favorite Things Party!!!!

Each year I invite over a few or 20 of my favorite people.  We each bring 3 of our favorite things wrapped and ready for exchanging.  We put each person's name in a basket three times.  Everyone draws out 3 names and those are the 3 gifts that person will be taking home.....but first we eat

This year I kept the menu super simple.  I did Mississippi Pot Roast in the slow cooker. I used this recipe from Belle of the Kitchen.  I also did some boneless, skinless chicken breast in another slow cooker.  For this one I just added a pack of
 and a can of


and about 2 pounds of chicken breast.  Once the chicken cooked on low all day, I simply took two forks and shredded it. I also shredded the roast when it was done shredding the peppers right into it.

I bought Hawaiian Rolls, Chipotle Mayo, Horseradish, Spicy Brown Mustard, Provolone Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese and Pickles.  Everyone made sliders to their own liking.  I served chips and grapes with the sliders.

Then for the sweet treats I made Crockpot Candy using this recipe from Inspired by Charm.  Then I made sugar cookies from the Betty Crocker Ready Mix

which makes the absolute best sugar cookies and my go to Five Flavor poundcake

It turned out very cute and delicious

I also added frozen hot chocolate which I made with a 1/2 cup of hot chocolate mix, 1/2 cup of whole milk and 1.5 cups of ice.  It all went into my blender and then into little shot glasses, topped with whipped cream.

Everyone brought great gifts.  There were socks, and storage containers, magic bullets, soaps, chocolates, lanterns, stainless steel straws, teas, a personal alarm, jewelry, books, dish towels, gift cards, body cremes, kitchen gadgets, tool kits, vibrating eye masks and lots of other goodies.

As we exchanged we shared why the item was one of our favorites.  It is always so interesting to see what everyone will bring and even more fun to see what will go home with you.

I gifted each lady with a little tote to carry all their goodies home in

For my favorite thing, I made tea towel aprons and included my friend Jennifer's tea cake recipe and apparently failed to take one single picture of them.  Maybe I will make them again soon and do better about documenting their making.

Regardless, it was a fun night with great friends, good laughs and a wonderful way to kickoff this holiday season.

Have a great weekend!

Book of the Year - Giveaway

If you are planning on reading more this next year, here are all the books I reviewed for you in 2019

December 2018 books
January Books
February Books
March Books
April Books
May Books
June Books
July Books
August Books
September Books
October Books
November Books

Today I am sharing my top three favorite books that I reviewed for you this year.  They all have a little suspense and intrigue which is interesting because that is not my "go to" kind of read.  So they really must be good because I remember the experience of reading each of them. 

One of my favorites is


Bluff by Michael Kardos. I read this one all the way back in April.  Amazon thought I would like it and they were correct.

Next.....



The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine. I read this one in November if you'd like to go back and read what I thought of it.

And this last one I actually read last December but I reviewed it this calendar year



Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell.  This one is really out of my normal reading pick but I really loved it.  There was no question it would be in my top three.

I would like to send one you the book you would be most interested in reading.  So leave a comment here or on Instagram or Facebook and tell me which one you would like to win!  And feel free to hit all three ways for additional entries to win.

I will randomly select a winner on Sunday, December 15th at 3:00pm CST from all the comments and announce it here on next Monday.

Can't wait to hear which one sounds the best to you!

November Book Review

Welcome to the November Book Review.  I read some meaty books this month.....high page counts, complex characters, the whole nine yards. I read two Kristin Hannah books and one author who is new to me who may also become a favorite.



Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. Two sisters have had a strained relationship for years.  One has sworn off love.  The other has just fallen in love for the first time.  Will they be able to come together and repair what has long been lost?  Kristin Hannah is one of my favorites.  She develops characters and paints the story line beautifully.  This one is no exception. It is a good, complex, well written story.  Thanks, Kristin for another enjoyable read.

Then I read



The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine.  I loved this book.  It is a little mystery, suspense and romance with a splash of crazy.  There were a few chapters that I was really getting annoyed with one of the characters, but I just kept reading and I am so glad I did.  None of it made any sense....UNTIL......keep reading.....just keep reading.....you will not regret it.  If you enjoyed The Other Wife, you will enjoy this one.  By the way, there are a few explicit scenes but they are very minimal compared to the depth of the rest of the book.  If you only read one from this month's list, this is the one I would recommend.

And then back to Kristin



Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.  Two young teen girls meet on Firefly Lane where they are growing up.  One comes from a traditional family.  The other has a drug addicted neglectful mom.  They form a lifelong friendship and this is their journey through it.  I found both of them to be very unlikable at times.  I wasn't sure who to root for.  Although I am a huge Hannah fan, this may be my least favorite.  I really didn't get it until I read the epilogue of the book.  I thought it went a really long way around a lot of stuff to make the point it was obviously written to make.  By the way, a very commendable point in the end. But I think this book was written for personal reasons which may be why it was kind of iffy in the middle.  Also, fair warning, if you are in a vulnerable place in your life about addiction or cancer I think this would be a tough read for you and you just might want to select a different book.

So there are my reads for November.  Honestly, I went through a reading dry spell....you know life just kind of took over and I just didn't have the time.  If you are at that point in your life, just keep some good notes or you can always come back to these posts later.  But don't beat yourself up about it.  We are all at different points in life with different things going on.  And maybe reading is just not your thing and that is fine too.  Hey, tell me what your thing is.....I always like to consider new options for myself.

Have a great week, everyone.

Oh and definitely drop back in on Wednesday.  I will be revealing my favorite reads from this whole year and giving you a chance to win the one of your choice!

Surrendering - December Edition

Well today we conclude our year long prayer focusing on Surrendering.  Hasn't it been wonderful relying on the faithfulness of God - the most faithful!!! I greatly appreciate you joining in this collective prayer circle.  Here is a reminder of our prayer journey this year:

Printable Year Plan

And here are our prayer verses for the month of December

Printable December Verses

What a wonderful place to end this year's prayers - The Gospel. When it comes down to it The Gospel is our light and our understanding. I hope during this holiday season you will have the time to share it with someone, to live it in front of many and to reflect on it for your own edification. Blessings to you, my friend!

Christmas Decor - Dining Room

Welcome back for just a little more Christmas cheer.  Today let's look at what is going on in the Dining Room and continue to look at how I am making use of things I already have with the occasional new thing thrown in.  First, remember how I did the Garland on this Great room tree

I just did a traditional start at the top and wrap, tucking it in here and there.

Well in the Dining Room I chose a different method for the ribbon garland

I cut the ribbon into about 12-14 inch pieces

Then I took each piece, tucked it in and gave it a little loopy loop

It is wired ribbon so it holds its loops pretty well.  I used a solid and a plaid.  

Here's a close up look

It is just a different look. I like both looks.  I won't ever cut my great room garland because I think it needs to be stretched out more so the names of God are readable.  But I did not mind cutting this wired ribbon. The only thing I added to this tree this year is a few more felt ball garland strands that I found at Hobby Lobby.

And then I got to work on the table

This is my wedding china, a simple white plate with a gold rim so I have had it for 27 years.

About 10 years ago my mom gifted me with the little salad plate with the green holly to add to my china.  About 5 years ago she gifted me the matching holiday candles.  I bought those crystal candle holders at a thrift shop last summer.  

Here is the buffet

It holds my favorite Christmas piece.........my Lenox Nativity.  My mom also gifted me with it probably 20 years ago.  It is a treasure.....and so is she.  My girls gave me those battery operated tapers last year.  They found them at The Mooresville Mercantile.  They are in little vintage candle holders from Vintage West in Providence.

You probably remember the ornament garland I made a few years ago.  It took its place again.  This year we moved the little pallet tree to join it.

Then there's the landing with its new cushion cover with all manners of miscellaneous little decorations that we have used in various places over the years.  The piece of fabric covering that cushion is the only new thing added here.

So enjoy whatever decor you have.  Maybe consider using it in a different place or a different way.  Add a little something here and there.  Remember, all the great decor in the stores right now will be on a serious discount in a few weeks.  That is a great time to pick up a few new things for the next year.

See you back on Friday!

Christmas Decor - Greatroom

Ok, it is officially December so we can pack away the pumpkins and seriously talk Christmas Decor!  Woo hoo!!! Today I just want to encourage you to use what you have and think of new or different ways to use it.  I think part of what makes Christmas special is knowing the Nativity is going to come out on display, remembering ornaments from years past.....seeing all those things that trigger happy memories is part of the joy.  I like Pinterest as much as anyone.  I read several bloggers and follow them on Instagram.  My Facebook feed has lots of inspiration.  But my goodness we see those put together spaces and want our houses to look JUST LIKE THAT......and they can ......but over time.  I find pieces I love and add a few each year.  Today I am going to show you the great room.  Here is the view from upstairs

You can see all of the pillows.  Most are from Pottery Barn and Home Goods.  And here is the mantle a little closer up.  I have added a lantern just about every year.  I added the greenery in the pots last year.  I have had the candles forever and use them in various places around the house all year long.  I just use a white faux fur throw that I picked up at Home Goods under the tree.

This year I added this garland

It is from World Market Place and I am using two of them.

And here is my tree this year.  I bought this garland more than 7 years ago on Etsy.  It has the names of God on it.  You can search Etsy and find similar ones.  I have added ornaments to this tree every year.  Just a few at a time

Here is a close up of the tree.

On this tree I wrap the garland.  Later in the week I will show you the dining room tree where I use a different method.  

Another add this year is this little display

I bought a few white cake stands from Hobby Lobby and I picked up some of the little white houses in the Target dollar spot and some others at TJ Maxx.  They are all over the place this year so not hard to find.  My little bottle brush trees are from the Target Dollar Spot last year.  You can find them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. And the little snowmen came from Sweet Pineapple on Airport Road.

I hope you are enjoying pulling out your sentimental favorites and add one new thing this year, if you desire.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

More decor on Wednesday.  Have a wonderful week!