Friday Favorites, 9.6.2024

 

Happy Friday, friends! I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika for today's blog post. How has your week been? I can't wait for the day when I can say that I've had a great week, but for now, that's just not happening at the moment. I'm hopeful it'll come soon, though! 

That being said, being here brings me joy, and for that I am thankful. I do have some favorites from the week that I wanted to share! 

I have mentioned this candle once already this week as a favorite, but it's worth repeating. The smell is divine! There are certain things that very comforting to me: the way my home looks and whether or not it clean and cozy feeling, textures, and good smelling things. This candle definitely delivers! 

My fall decorations are my favorite! I love things that have a bit of whimsy added in, and this little owl is just one small thing I have that fits that bill. 

Chloe snuggles have been my favorite this week! 

Lysa TerKeurst's ministry is one of my favorite things right now. I have read a couple of her books recently, and I appreciate her encouragement to women on social media. Are you familiar with her story? That's the same path I'm currently walking on. 

My sweet friend Barbara gave me this little devotional book at church on Wednesday night, and it was so thoughtful of her! Thoughtfulness is one of my favorite attributes. I needed the devotion about being controlled by anger yesterday. 

A few other favorites from the week are:

• binge watching the show I stopped a couple of years ago and getting sucked back in
• the laughter I had throughout the week
• puppy loves
• tropical Skittle flavored water 

What were some of your favorites this week? I'd love to hear from you! I hope you enjoy your weekend, friends. Thanks for reading my blog today! Love to all.

Jenn 🖤

Thankful Thursday

 

Because it's Thursday, I can't let one pass without writing a list of what I'm thankful for this week. I'll be honest: I've been on the struggle bus lately, and it's hard to find things to be thankful for. That being said, I know that if I don't purposefully look for those things anyway, that I would be far worse than I am on the average day. So, I'll continue to look for the bright spots among dark days, trusting God that even when life hurts, His plan is perfect and will accomplish what He wills. 

This week I am thankful for:

• the fact that the Lord hears my prayers and can take it when I pray in my anger 
• my family and the fact that they never let my bad mood scare them away
• my sons and their health, especially after some scary days for my Drew after his hospital stay last week
• friends who still want to talk to me even when I call them to complain/vent yet again
• puppy cuddles
• my Pastor who prays for me immediately when I ask him to
• the frilly things in life that bring joy, like my decorated home for fall
• the amazing scent of the candle sitting next to me
• progress in weight loss, even if it seems to only come off in ounces
• the Twizzlers I added to my grocery list this week 🤣
• less time on social media
• the blogs that I love to read and those of you who read mine
• old friends that I'm seeing again thanks to the fall schedule at church
• a clean car thanks to the huge drink I spilled inside it on Sunday
• cooler weather and overcast days

What are you thankful for this week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jenn 🖤

Share Your Shelf

 

Happy Thursday, friends! Today is all about the books I read in August...and sadly, there aren't many to discuss. I'm not able to read much right now, so I've been listening more than anything, which is better than not reading at all, right? Below are the books that I read and/or listened to this month; click on each picture to be redirected to a separate Amazon link, if you want to check any of them out for yourself. 

First up this month was Jenny James Is Not a Disaster, by Debbie Johnson.

My friend Amy recommended this book to me, and I liked it! This book is about a woman who knows a thing or two about a bad day, but then The Terrible Day happens. Her job is in jeopardy, her car broke down, and she arrived home just in time to watch her cozy little cottage slide off the cliff into the sea. She and her son find themselves with no place to live, but her recluse-like neighbor Luke opens up his homey camper to them. As she finds herself on the road with these two men and Luke's dog, Jenny starts to imagine what her life could become. Maybe when you fall, you actually find the best way to move forward. 

Next up was this incredibly helpful book by Lysa Terkeurst, Forgiving What You Can't Forget. 

In this book Lysa uses her personal life testimony to share how she learned to move past the pain that she felt stuck in when her marriage went through the greatest trial she'd ever experienced. She shares scripture and practical advice on how you can learn to forgive when an apology is never spoken from the one who caused the pain. This book is slightly devastating in that when she wrote it, she and her husband of twenty plus years had just recommitted their lives to each other in a vow renewal ceremony, but their years together ended in divorce after this was written. That being said, there's some helpful advice within these pages. 

Next up was a book that I read again for book club, After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

When Lauren and Ryan's marriage reaches a breaking point, they decide on an unconventional approach: they take a year off from one another with no contact. Lauren goes through a year of self-discovery and comes to some surprising conclusions about what she believes in love. This book is about what to do when love fades; it's about staying in love, seizing love, and committing to it with everything you've got. 

Spoiler alert (not really, though): I didn't love this as much as I did the first time through. Chalk it up to life circumstances. 

And those are the books that I read this month, friends. It was a sad reading month for me! I've been on a downhill slope since June, and I don't see it changing, because I'm having issues with focusing for long periods of time. I'm better with audible things and rewatching my favorite shows. What did you read in August that you loved? I can't wait to hear about your books! Thanks for linking up with us today and reading my blog! Love to all. 

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Currently, September 2024

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm so glad you're here today to link up with us for this month's Currently link party. Today we're talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, smelling, watching, and admiring. In October we'll talk about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, wearing, reading, and cooking. 

I'll jump in with today's post!

I am loving listening to things being read to me. As I write this post, I'm listening to a book on Audible; I'm also listening to the Bible being read to me this year, which is new and refreshing. The Lord knew I needed that this year, because of distractions in my life; I find myself unable to focus on things like I used to be able to do. In case you don't already know this, I'm reading along with The Bible Recap community. If you're interested in doing this yourself, here's a link for you to read more about it. We're starting the New Testament on October 1, so now is the perfect time to join in! 

I'm listening to several books at one time right now: one recommended by a friend, and a couple of nonfiction books. I just purchased another one to start with a free credit that I had. 

I am looking forward to all the fall things! Here are a few:

I could on, but you get my gist! 

I am smelling my fall candles! My current favorite scents are from Bath and Body: one is Paris Cafe, which smells like a strong cup of coffee, and the other is toasted marshmallow, which smells like a campfire. 

And yes, this smells as divine as you would think. 

I am watching several shows on Netflix.

I'm only into rewatching things these days, because of the issue of not being able to concentrate on new things for too long. This is also why I'm not reading much right now, and listening to things more. 

I am admiring my fall decor! I'll post more pictures later, but here's a teaser. 

I'm so glad you joined in for today's post! I'm excited to read them all. Thanks for reading my blog, friends! Love to all. 

Jenn 🖤

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Hello September

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! And happy September to us all; this is one of my favorite months of the year with August being my least favorite. It's because of where I live and how hot it is when that month rolls around, although we're also known for our hot Septembers. Even so, bring on all the fall decorations! That's what I did this weekend, I pulled out all of my fall decor to celebrate the start of my favorite season. I love to have it decorated on September 1, since that's the month that ushers in fall. 

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! Here were a few noteworthy things that I did.

I got my weekend kicked off with my friend at her salon. I love fresh highlights! You should see how big my hair is when it's brushed out. 🤣

And since it was a self-care day, apparently, I got my nails done as well. I was ready for a fun color to usher in September! I consider this color part of the fall colors palette. 

I met a friend for dinner, and we got stuck inside by the deluge of rain! We desperately needed this storm, so I was glad to have to wait while it watered our very dry land. 

At the end of a Saturday at home spent decorating and cleaning, I got dressed to meet Marilyn for dinner. I pulled out something more "fall" from my closet on this night. 

We met up at a place called the Salad Station, which is one of my new favorite places. We practically had the place to ourselves! It felt incredible outside that night, and we ended our night out at one of the patio tables before parting ways. I'm so grateful for this friend! She is always up for an impromptu girls night, and I'm at a place in my life where I need that right now. 

What did you do this weekend that you loved? I'm linking up with Sarah, Holly, and Joanne today for this blog post. Thanks for reading my blog! Love to all. 

Ps. I'll see you back here tomorrow for the Currently link: the prompts are things we're currently loving, looking forward to, smelling, watching, and admiring. 

Prime Purchases

 

Happy Monday and happy Labor day, friends! I'm linking up with Tanya for this post today. Happy prime shopping! Click on each picture to be redirected to a separate Amazon lik. 

I bought myself some new white sheets for my bed recently. 

I love these sheets! They're oversized and don't come off my King sized bed, and they're super soft. They pair nicely with the new coverlet I bought myself recently as well. 

I love the coverlet equally as much, and yes, it is that color. 

I recently bought these slides for myself to wear around the house and around town when I run errands.

They are so comfy that I bought a second pair. 

I bought this hand truck that Joanne mentioned recently, and I've used it multiple times already for work!

I also bought Graham some house warming gifts for his new home to help him out; I got him plates, knives, and a holder, and two lamps. I bought more of the body butter that I love, mousse, mascara, brow gel, and blush to replace what I ran out of. What have you Primed that you love lately? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all! 

Share Four Somethings

 

Happy Saturday, friends! Today we're talking about the things we loved or disliked, accomplished, improved upon/needs improvement, and noticed this month. I'll jump in!

Loved

I have loved my morning quiet times!

And I loved being with my sisters. I am so fortunate to have them in my life! Actually, I've loved lots of family time this month, including family from out of town and our new family weekly dinners. 

It's been a great August! 

Accomplished

I accomplished quite a bit concerning my future! I made my closet completely mine, and I am loving how that makes me feel seeing all of my clothes and shoes so well organized and displayed in a way that feels pretty. 

This feels very empowering and liberating! I'm embracing my new self/future. 

Improved upon

I am the most proud of what I've improved upon this month, and that is speaking up for myself. If I have something to say, I say it with zero hesitation and fear over what anyone may think. I've had to say some hard things recently, and I'm forever grateful to have family and friends cheering me on. 

Noticed

It's started happening already, even though it's not quite September; I've noticed that the mornings are getting cooler! I'm so excited about this that I'm celebrating by decorating for Fall today. I am beside myself! Pictures to come soon. 🖤 

I'm so glad you're here today! I am excited to read all of your posts this week. Thanks for being a part of this fun link party, and for reading my blog today! Love to all. 

Jenn

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