5 Friday Favorites: November 1, 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! Happy November 1st. October was crazy with travel for me and I returned home early this week from Texas. I jumped right back into a really busy, fun week. I delivered the message at the Wednesday service at my church, had a birthday lunch with some good friends, and a couple of doctor's appointments. So here is a recap of my week in Texas which might be like watching your Aunt Edna's slideshow of her trip to the Grand Canyon.

1. French Girl Lip Tint

I drove to Austin from Dallas and back with some of my sorority sisters for an event and on the way back my girl, Lynn and I stopped at Joanna & Chip Gaines's Magnolia Market. My mom and I went there years ago, but it has changed a lot since then. Now they have the cutest little cottage shops. My favorite was one called Homebody which carries all kinds of bath and body products. Lynn had this this lip tint already and since I am easily peer-pressured by my besties, I bought one, too. It's a great color and smells great.

2. Osea Body Oil

My skin is so crazy dry so I've been wanting try a body oil. I tried one which I will not mention that smelled like the butter oil they put on your popcorn at the movies. Um, no thank you. At the Homebody shop I got a sample size of this body oil. It's great. It absorbs quickly so you don't feel greasy and smells amazing. I've been putting it on my legs, arms, elbows and neck after I shower. I'm definitely getting a full size one asap.

3. Oceans 

I had the best time visiting with my dad. We watched the Texas game together, went to church and out to eat a few times. He has lived in the most wonderful independent living community for almost a year now and I am so grateful for how well he is doing. He has some great buddies and everyone is so kind. When I said good-bye to him this time, I, of course, cried my eyes out. But it was different this time. I was not as overcome with worry and fear as I have been every other time I have left in the past 17 months since my mom passed. I do know that each good-bye could be the last. I know that anytime I say good-bye to anyone, it could be the last. We are not promised tomorrow. And that makes me sad. But this time, I cried in humble gratitude for the way the Lord has shown up for us in the most horrible of times. I do not know what is to come for my dad or for any of the people I love. But I'm trying so hard to trust in the faithfulness of God who has proved to me over and over that He keeps His promise to lead us through the unknown. As I drove to the airport, this song came on the radio. It's pretty amazing how He works. 

And I will call upon Your Name, 

and keep my eyes above the waves. 

When oceans rise, 

my soul will rest in Your embrace. 

I am Yours and You are mine.

4. Kinder BBQ Sauce

This Friday Favorite is brought to you by one Kyle Skinner, who texted the family group chat last night with this recommendation. When it comes to BBQ. the boys know of what they speak, so I will blindly recommend this sauce to you even though I haven't tried it. Godspeed. 

5. Texas Forever

Here's a slide show of the most fun week visiting my dad, my college gals and my high school buddies. It is worth it to take trains, planes and automobiles to find your way to your people. Trust me. We need each other at this stage of our lives more than ever. We're all going through it and long time friends who know who you are and where you came from are a blessing beyond measure. Make the plans.

Magnolia Market

Magnolia Bakery

The Sisters in Austin

Recreating our Rush Days

Did we have a party bus? Why, yes we did.

It's possible the Texas Theta 87 Pledge Class owes the waitstaff at Nomade's in Austin an apology.

College Football Saturday with my HS besties

Friends for more years than we care to count

The Most Handsome Lunch Dates

Oh, we had a BIG time, as my Grandmom would have said. Which is appropriate for a trip to Texas, I suppose. We, Texans, are a unique and often obnoxious lot. I was trying to remember who said the famous line "You can all go to hell and I will go to Texas." Because I love it and also: OBNOXIOUS. It was Davy Crockett apparently, after he lost a bid to represent Tennessee in Congress. I can't exactly end with that quote, can I?

Here's another by John Steinback: 

I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans.”

That's all for today. Have a great weekend, Friends. 

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