5 Friday Favorites: December 20, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello, how we doing? It's all fine. Five more days. We gotta get after it, so here are some favorite things from the week that do not include the low level panic that set in when I realized that we had already run out of the Trader Joe's Cedar Balsam hand soap before Christmas Day had even arrived. It occurs to me that the fact that I've decided that we desperately need our hands to smell like a forest in order to adequately celebrate the coming of the Savior of the world means we have made a wrong turn somewhere. Lord have mercy on us. We're a bunch of weirdos. 

1. Pink Cocktail Shaker Set 

I think this is the cutest cocktail shaker and champagne flute set and would make a great hostess gift for whoever is hosting Christmas Eve or a New Year's party. You could even look ahead to February and gift it to your Gal-entine. 

2. Coaster Set

Another cute hostess gift. Seems like I'm ready to party.

3. This Sweater Vest Again

I mentioned this sweater vest a few weeks ago, but I'm mentioning it again because I got it in last week. I got the burnt orange (which Amazon mistakenly calls Gold Flame) and it's the PERFECT Texas Longhorn color if you're a fan of the best school in the land. Really good quality and fit. I'm ordering another in a different color because it's so good and there is a 15% off coupon right now. 

4. A Song and a Movie for This Week

This song, Born in Me is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It's sung from the perspective of Mary after the Anunciation. I highly recommend taking some time to listen if the chaos is getting to you or perhaps you/ve lost your mind over a lack of pine-scented hand soap.

This week I watched the movie, Mary, on Netflix. The writers take quite a bit of artistic license, but in my estimation it was an interesting and well done interpretation of Mary's story. Nothing offended me or made me think that they were taking such massive leaps with the Biblical content that it took away from the message of Mary's obedience and faithfulness. Having said that, if you're someone who is going to get spun out by that type of thing, just be warned there are parts of this you are absolutely not going to find in Scripture. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and highly recommend it.

5. A Sermon on Luke 1:26-38

Obviously, this week, I'm thinking a lot about Mary. Here's a message I delivered a few years ago at Aldie Methodist Church on the Anunciation and Mary's courageous, obedient response.

That's it for today. We went from Cocktail Shakers to the Blessed Mother to this:

Hook Em Horns. 

We're nothing if not a mixed bag around here.

Happy Weekend and have a blessed Christmas.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well/

5 Friday Favorites: December 13, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Good morning! Happy Friday! I hate to break it to you, but we got less than two weeks until Christmas. So let's go. We gotta get after it. Here are my favorite things from this week.

1. The Wedding People

I've seen this book mentioned by so many people, so I started it this week. I usually wait until I finish a book to mention it here, but I'm loving this one. It starts out with some heavy stuff, but turns into a sweet, funny, charming story about a suicidal woman finding her voice and her worth through meeting a bunch of strangers at a wedding she was never meant to attend. Really great read.

 2. Blake Brown All in Wonder Leave in Potion

I have mentioned many times that my hair and I have not been getting along for the past five or so years. Our relationship has become very complicated and it's been a struggle. My friend Lindsay suggested this new product from Blake Lively's haircare line on Facebook so I snapped it up at Target the very next day. I've used it a few times and I promise you I've had at least four compliments from people about my hair. What the heck? I love this stuff. It helps with frizz and fly aways and makes your hair shiny.

3. Notched Collar Blazer

I love the notched collar and the cinched waist on this blazer. It comes in several different shades. I personally probably wouldn't wear it with denim shorts and thigh high boots, but if this is your particular blazer journey, go for it. 

4. Another Cute Amazon Set

This set is on my niece's wishlist and it is darling. Check out the link because there are numerous options including this colorblock top and another set with fun piping on the sleeves and legs. Adorable.

5. Lead Me On - Chandler Moore

 

I heard this song yesterday and it reminded me of all the 20something kiddos I know who are trying to make hard decisions. And there are so many of them out in the big, wide world that I love. More than the three I birthed. I suppose that's what happens when you plant your family in one place for 25 years and set out to find the people you're going to do life with. All of the roots Steve and the boys and I planted here got all mixed up with all the roots of the other families that God plopped down in the same place as us.

It's a beautiful thing to watch kids you've known since they were 7 years old or 3 years old or even newborn grow up and move on and try to find their way. Seems like everytime I get together with friends we go around the table giving updates on each and every kid. But for the kids themselves, the beauty and the joy of this time can get lost. Because there's a heck of a lot of fear that can swoop in to overshadow the excitement of a wide open world of possibilities. 

We adults sometimes forget that most of us felt exactly the same way back then. I mean spending a Friday night drinking Zimas with the girls while we listened to our new Madonna CD and headed out the door in our blazers with massive shoulder pads was pretty freakin' cool, to be sure. But the rest of it? Terrifying.

Anyway, these kids/adults have been on my heart this week. If you know one of them, maybe this song will be a blessing to them. I truly believe if you're trusting Jesus to the very best of your ability (which, I admit, can be brutally difficult) you're going in the right direction. Sure it might seem like He's taking the long way when you're certain there had to have been a faster, smoother route. It might seem like He chose way too many bumpy, rough, dark roads. It might seem like everyone else you know found their way to a wide-open, smooth highway. But if we truly believe that He'll be there to turn us right or left or all the way around, then we just gotta keep on moving. Because He's going to use every difficult step to make us into the people He means for us to be. 

It might seem crazy, but I really believe there is no wrong turn when you're walking with Jesus. There are just detours. And those detours can SUCK. It might seem like He led you one way and then ditched you. But I think He's still there working in ways we can't understand - probably weren't meant to understand. 

Don't take it from me. Take it straight from Him:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."

Lookie, there, kids. It's right there in black and white. Jeremiah 29:11.

Have a blessed weekend. And Happy "Take a Breath" Saturday to most of the college football fans in the land. It's gonna be SO CHILL, man.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well/

5 Friday Favorites: December 6, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Good morning and happy December! This week has been boring and routine and basic and I have loved every second of it. I traveled so much in October and November, so it was nice to hang out in my own house, sleep in my own bed and only be responsible for feeding one other human and one small dog. 

I will also say that last week in particular took a lot out of me. And I'm not saying that because I cooked for three days straight and hosted nine people for Thanksgiving. I'm referring to a certain rivalry game that made its way back to college football after a 13 year absence. It was a glorious return and we celebrated the fire out of the Texas Longhorns win over the Aggies. Drew and Joe were still here to watch the game with us. It's safe to say that there was a level of enthusiasm that Drew and I brought to the evening which ranged from pretty intense to downright undignified.

At one point when A&M blocked a punt, I got so upset, I left the room and went into the bathroom. When I came back Drew said, "Mom, did you go in there to throw up?"

It was a valid question.

I was listening to the BigBoo Cast this week and Melanie mentioned that a woman had gotten so intense during the overtime of a game she was watching that she fell out of her chair and her Apple Watch tried to call 911 for her. I'm not sure I've ever related to someone so much in my life. Also, no Apple watches for me, apparently.

Here are some other things I loved from the week. Although none compares to our defense not allowing the Aggie offense to score A SINGLE POINT.

1. Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Jesus - Anne Wilson

I heard this song for the first time a long time ago and I love it. Anne Wilson's story is heartbreaking and this song is a true testament to how the Lord can make beauty out of ashes.

2. Luggage Set

I've been obsessed with luggage sets lately because I traveled a lot in the fall. I cannot believe this 5 piece set is only $159.00. That weekender travel bag might be worth the entire cost. 

3. Clarins V-Facial Intensive Wrap Mask

I've  mentioned this facial mask before, but I love it. I use it at least once a week. It's not a miracle by any means, but it definitely helps with puffiness after I've had too much salt or wine. It's almost never on sale, but you can get it for 15% off right now.

4. Shrinking Season 2

Steve and I are watching Season 2 of Shrinking and I adore it. I love a show where you can't even decide who your favorite character is because you fall in love with all of them. Although, I will say that D-Train is my fave. Obviously. Just FYI, you have to get past some pretty harsh language, but there are the sweetest lessons to be found in the stories of these people. It's made me think a lot about forgiveness and redemption and healing. Which brings us to a bunch of rambling:

5. The Miracle of Forgiveness

I think and write a lot about everyday miracles. I have found as a Christian and a writer, I have been given either the great gift or great burden of being on the lookout for beauty, meaning and the odd joke or two in the most ordinary of circumstances. God gave me a core belief that He is big enough to care about the small things and show up in a life that is seemingly pretty basic. And perhaps that might be because I haven't been forced to look for those things - for evidence that God is real and true and present - in harrowing tragedy. Though my life has certainly had challenges and difficulties, I do not have a testimony (yet) that contains heartbreaking stories of suffering of great magnitude. So I have set out to accept that calling, all the while knowing (and working very hard not to fear) that the true testing of my faith is surely to come.

For this reason, I've not often had to think too much about forgiveness and restoration. But in the past few years, I've thought a lot about both of those things. And I've thought quite a bit about miracles. God and I are still working through this together. My thoughts are not fully formed which usually means I shouldn't write my thoughts. Oops.

It occurs to me that forgiveness itself is a miracle. The way the Lord can turn a stone cold heart that has been damaged and beaten down and worn flat out into one that is soft and open and healing is a miracle. Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something to change and then one day decided you were done asking? I've often said the phrase "It is what it is." And that is a very helpful and true thing to remember in a lot of situations. But I don't think God is down with that. At least that's what I've found. Even when our hope has run out, even when restoration seems impossible, even when we flat out stop asking for His help, He. still. works. Just because you think the story has ended, doesn't mean that God isn't still writing it with an ending that you could have never seen coming. I've been on the planet for 55 years and I've been following Jesus for a long, long time. And He still surprises me with the way He makes all things new and works all things out for good. He's relentless like that. I'm so grateful.

Have a great weekend, Friends.

HOOK EM HORNS. Beat Georgia. 

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well/

Lots of Friday Favorites: November 29, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello! Hope everyone had the best Thanksgiving! We had a great time with my dad here all week and two sister-in-laws and one brother-in-law joining us for Thanksgiving dinner.

So, we're on to shopping, right???? Let's head to the Amazon, shall we? Every year I try to get a few ideas from the boys to share for adult-ish guy ideas. Let me tell you what I got from the two oldest who are now out of college and working in the real world. Cue the sad trombone.

One asked for an ironing board and an iron. One asked for prescription glasses. 

Kids, don't be in a hurry to grow up. I refuse to share an ironing board on Friday Favorites. Let's start with what we can buy for our husbands to give us.

Holiday 'Fits

Last week I talked about how there are bows everywhere and this sequined dress with a bow on the back is, as my mom would say, "Just darlin".

Friends, I have no where to wear this dress, but it popped up in my Instagram feed about ten times. Even if I did have some where to wear it, I'm not sure if sequins are a thing I should put on my body at this juncture.

Amazon also has a version that is 1/2 as much and comes in six colors. 

If you are looking for bows but not for bling, this sweater is cute and could be worn with jeans. I also have no where to wear this, but it's more my speed.

Except for the restroom issues, I love a jumpsuit with my whole heart and it's a comfortable option for a holiday party. This one is on sale and has good reviews. 

For My Actual Life Which Doesn't Involve Fancy Holiday Parties

Back to Debbie Downer gifts, I am quite offended that the description of this weighted heating pad suggests this would be a great gift for your grandma. I can't wait to get this thing and I will wear it all day long. It's on sale for 20% off. Perhaps this is the first clue that the sequined bow dress has passed me by. I could glue gun some sequins on this thing, right?

Lounge Wear for Lounging Season

This set is adorable and comes in just about every color you can think of. Winter is made for lounge wear. Go get it for anyone on your list. It's 27% off today.

To Go with Your Lounge Set

I can't see a darn thing and I love a real book but a Kindle is an old woman's friend. The paper white Kindle is on sale.

Good Hair Day Incoming . . .

I don't know many women who wouldn't be thrilled to get this L'Ange Blow Dryer Brush and it's 59% off today.

Great Favorite Things Party Gift

The Urban Decay Matte Nudes Eye Shadow Palette I shared a few weeks ago is 50% off today! For all your best girls.

Are These Still A Thing???

Beats are on sale for 50% off today. Are Beats still cool? I was too old for them when they were originally cool so we know I am now. Four colors available.

A Gift for Binging College Football, etc.

Now this is something that no one in my family would be able to use because we spend our weekends with early morning 5ks, outdoor hikes and serving the community, but if you know anyone who sits on the couch all weekend watching multiple college and professional football games, this couch beer/phone/coffee/snack/remote tray could be a great gift. Wear it with your shoulder heating pad and you're in for quite a day.

For the Kids Who Are In Charge of Feeding Themselves Now

This Ninja Air Fryer is Ironing Board adjacent for your young adults, but seems a little less depressing. Both of my older boys have this one and they love it and use it a ton.

For the Boys Who Wear Shorts Year Round

These shorts from Amazon are Drew's favorite. They come in a two pack and are a great length for the young uns.

For Your Former Athletes to Keep On Livin' the Dream

If you kid plays PS5 this NBA 2K25 game might be a winner and it's 57% off.

Skechers Slip Ons for the 80ish year old on your list . . .

Gotta dad that's getting older? My dad is 84 and has the mind of a 15 year old, but has trouble bending down to tie his shoes. He really likes these slip on skechers. 5 STARS from Charlie.

Don't Give this To Anyone But Yourself.

Y'all. this is random and likely a super offensive gift to give someone, so maybe this is a gift to give your ownself. My friend, Joey, has the most beautiful whitest teeth you've ever seen and she swears that all she does is Crest Whitestrips. These are 39% off today.

For your loving husband of 30 years . . .

I really have no idea. 

That's it for today! Happy Shopping and Hook Em Horns. We've got a big one on Saturday. I'm totally chill about it. 

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well/

5 Friday Favorites: November 22, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello and Happy Friday! My dad arrives from Texas today and the boys will all show up at different times in the next several days for Thanksgiving which means I'm crazy giddy with excitement and I gotta get to the kitchen. Here are some favorite things from the week.

1. Calm Candle from Wal-Mart

I had to run into Wal-Mart the other day to re-order my contacts and spotted this huge 4 wick candle for only $10. The packaging is simple and it smells great. It comes in four colors. Score.

2. Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish Kit

I very rarely do my own nails mainly because I can't sit still at home long enough to let them dry properly. I always, always mess them up, but getting them done at the salon all the time does get stupid expensive. My sister texted me about this Essie Gel Nail Polish Kit and promises me that it lasts forever. Even better, it removes easily with regular nail polish remover so it won't ruin your nails. It seems too good to be true, but she says it's great. The set of polish and top coat is only $16ish today. 

3. Colorblock Cardigan

It seems like every single year about this time I see this cute long colorblock sweater and think it'll be perfect for Thanksgiving. I finally ordered it last week and it should arrive today. There are some other really cute color options. 

4. Orolay Thickened Down Jacket

Y'all. I know I've mentioned this coat 7 million times, but it is on BIG TIME sale - 50% off. If you are like me and hate cold weather, I promise you this is the coat you've been dreaming about. I'm talking to all the sports moms out there. This coat will save your life and you might even be able to enjoy the game without whispering profanities into your scarf when not one kid on the dang team can figure out how to get the last out so you can get the heck outta there. I promise you will love it. I have the black because I'm boring, but I like this red, too.

5. On Colossians 12:3

I delivered a sermon a few weeks ago on Colossians 12:3: "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

I'm going to say something that just sounds awful. Is awful. I'm awful. But it's the truth. When I was assigned this verse to speak on by our pastors, I realized something. I realized that I had been sick to death of the amount of times I saw memes and images and tshirts and bumper stickers and social media posts by people yelling at me to "BE KIND".

Listen. I know. I'm terrible and the Lord is quite aware of it. Let me try to explain.

Every time I saw something like that I felt like I was being shamed, talked down to, preached at. Like Suzie Stranger had decided that I must have gotten up today and needed to see her post so that I would have a revelation: "Well, gee, Suzie. what a novel idea. I guess I won't be a jackass today."

I told y'all. I'm terrible. It's clear I'm going through something and God decided to send me His own words on the subject to push me to take a good, long look in the mirror. What a jerk.

I know it's not a widely held belief right now, but I honestly don't think many people wake up with the intent to be ugly toward each other. I really don't. I also don't think the remedy is a poster or a tshirt or a bumpersticker. At least it isn't for me.

The solution for me comes when I remember that this is a command of Scripture and what the Scripture contains is the key to the whole command for me. It's the first part of the verse. These words are not to be skipped. This is not a throwaway phrase. 

Paul says "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself . . ." Because Paul knew from his own experence and God knows that this command to be compassionate, kind, humble and gentle is not something I can sustain on my own. When I forget who I am, who I belong to, who has loved me and forgiven me I might clothe myself in judgment, annoyance, and frustration. Exhibit A: I rolled my eyes at a "Be Kind" bumper sticker. What in the world?

The One who calls me to compassion, kindness, humility and gentleness is calling me to it out of love, not shame. It makes all the difference to me. He makes all the difference to me. 

So this week with all the chaos and family and to do lists, I'll remember this first: I am chosen, holy and dearly loved and it is because of that and only because of that that I will have the ability to clothe myself the way He has called me to. 

So today I will not close by telling you to "Be Kind". I will encourage you to remember who you are and whose you are. If you do, I think He'll take it from there. Happy Thanksgiving, Friends.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: November 15. 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Good morning. I've got a bit of a cold which sounds like a lot of a cold because my voice is reminiscent of your Great Aunt Hazel who smoked three packs of Marlboros a day while she listened Delta Dawn on her transistor radio. 

I have no idea where that little anecdote came from. I do not have a Great Aunt Hazel. My dad, however, had a Great Aunt Helen. I don't know if she smoked nor am I aware if she enjoyed the music of Tanya Tucker, but I do remember that she was as mean as a snake and that my Great Grandmother used to "accidentally" roll over her feet with her wheelchair. 

I was nine years old when my Great Grandmother died and even younger when Great Aunt Helen died. Why am I telling this story on Friday Favorites? Do I have a makings of a sweeping family saga in the depths of my brain just waiting to be shared with the world? Should I ditch the other book and write about Great Aunt Helen? Is this the cold medicine I took talking? Stay tuned.

Here are some favorites of the week.

1. What in the World?!: A Southern Woman's Guide to Laughing at Life's Unexpected Curveballs and Beautiful Blessings by Leanne Morgan

Leanne Morgan is a delight and a joy and I could watch her comedy show clips on Instagram for hours on end. Her book is exactly what you'd expect - funny, charming, thoughtful and smart with a little bit of Jesus thrown in. I loved this memoir.

2. Naked 2 Matte Eyeshadow Palette

Friends, there are some things that we have to let go when we reach a certain age. Everyone is on their own journey, but for me that ever-growing list now includes any heels that aren't platform if I plan on walking the next day, more than three tablespoons of wine if I want to sleep AT ALL, and shimmer eye shadow. From this day forward it will be matte shadow and only matte shadow for me for the rest of time. This Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette has some great neutral shades without a trace of shimmer or glitter or frosting to be found.

3. A Great Salad Dressing from Jen Hatmaker

I don't have a photo of the salad dressing. This is a photo of Drew and me last week when we were watching the Texas game. We did not eat salad. We ate queso and chips. Anyway, I made an amazing Champagne Vinaigerette last week. And I have to tell you that I'm a little shook by the spelling of Vinaigerette. This is how Hatmaker spells it in her cookbook. She's published a lot of books, so I'm going with it. Anyway, the salad dressing is so good. Here you go.

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 Tablespoons Honey

1/4 cup champagne vinegar

1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Salt and Pepper

Mix it up. 

4. Bows, Bows, & More Bows

I guess bows show up often during the holidays, but it seems to me that there are more bows on all the things than ever this year. On sweatshirts, tshirts, holiday decor and jewelry. Park Lane Jewelry has some cute new pieces with bows as well. This set of three different studs would make a great gift for a teen and at only $40 for three pair, it's a great deal.

This Satin necklace with the bow pendant on a delicate chain is perfect for a holiday party. So pretty.

PS If you order either of these on this link (or anything at all on this link!), 50% of your purchase will go to Special Olympics in Allen, Texas!!!

5. My Apologies, but I can't stop laughing at this:

Y'all. I usually try to write something meaningful for #5 of Friday Favorites. Something the Lord has laid on my heart, if you will. I spoke at my church's Mid week service a couple of weeks ago on Colossians 3:12-14 and I intended to summarize the message here today, but I just went and did the opposite. The truth is my head is killing me this morning and I can barely swallow, so this awful, hilarious tweet is what you get. Also, I have strong feelings about paper straws which I will keep to myself.

Rest assured that I'm fairly certain the Lord had nothing to do with my seeing this this morning, but it made me laugh so hard I almost choked on my coffee. Come to think of it, Ecclesiastes does say there's a time to laugh and a time to cry, so . . . I'll see y'all next week.

Have a great weekend.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well

5 Friday Favorites: November 8, 2024

   

It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Hello. I officially have no teenagers left as today is my little one's 20th birthday. We're off to spend the weekend with him, so this will be quick. Here are some favorite things from the week.

1. The Blue Sisters

I read this book last week and really liked it. It's the story of three very different sisters who are dealing with the recent death of their fourth sister. It's a really compelling look at sibling dynamics, generational addiction and the different ways people deal with grief within a family. 

2. The Indigo Girl

I'm on a roll with reading lately. If you like historical fiction, this is a great story about a 16 year old girl left in charge of her father's three plantations in South Carolina in 1739. Loved this one.

3. Sleeveless Half zip Sweater

The weather decided that it would be 80 degrees most of this week, so while the leaves are falling and the calendar very clearly says NOVEMBER, it's still too hot for long sleeves. Last year this halfzip sweatshirt was one of my favorites. I wore it a ton. I was excited to see this sleeveless one. It's so cute and comes in lots of colors so it will be perfect for this transistion while we see if summer decides if it's ready to leave or not. When it gets cooler, you could wear a long sleeve tee under it.

4. Kit Kat Cookies

www.crazyforcrust.com

We had exactly three trick or treaters on Halloween which means we have a whole bag of Kit-Kats left over. I found this recipe for Kit-Kat cookies online and made some to bring Drew and his roommates this weekend. The seventeen spoonfuls of cookie batter I ate were delicious. Not sure how the cookies will be, but I'm hopeful. ;-)

5. My Littlest Love is 20 Years Old

Everything is fine. I will have a moment of missing this little chubby face. I'll remember the day he was born with his flame red hair and his equally flame red face screaming his little lungs out . . . a boy who entered the world as if to say, "I'm the one you've been waiting for, Skinner Fam!"

I love you, Drew Skinner. I love the man you are now and I'm so blessed to be able to witness what God is doing in you and what He will do through you. This call He has on your life? How should I put it in your words?

It's gonna slap, bruh. BANGER.

I'm so sorry. I know. You're so embarrassed for me. Blame yourself for teaching me all the cool things. Not my fault.

Keep trusting His path for you and keep on walking with Him. He will never leave your side. 

PS Hook Em Horns.

Have a day, kid.

Love, Bear

Have a great weekend, friends.

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