Friday Faves - 5.28.21

Happy Friday, friends!  Not only is it Friday, it's a holiday weekend, AND the sun is actually shining here today!!!!  After several weeks of rain, rain, and more rain, I am thrilled to see that bright yellow orb in the sky!

It's been a quiet week here at the farm--just trying to stay dry and sane with the yucky weather.  In the midst of the dreary, God always seems to provide some bright spots.  Here are a few of mine from this last full week of May:

More Miniatures

I know I've posted about my fairy garden, but I just couldn't resist telling you about these cute little additions that arrived this week.  I had a birthday coupon from the Enchanted Forest so I used it to buy these sweet little pieces to add to my collection.  I actually had a 3rd, but they emailed me after I ordered to tell me they were out of stock on it.  

The Enchanted Forest is a delightful shop in Frankenmouth, Michigan.  When Caroline and I visited a few years ago, we couldn't quit "oohing and aaahing" at every display as well as calling each other to look at something so cute we needed to share it.  It's located in a fun little shopping area that is well worth the trip if you are in the area.  There is also a Christmas store in that same town that's so huge!!!  I've ordered a few things from The Enchanted Forest and am sure I will find more in the future.

Clark Crew BBQ

Brian's cousins have set up Visiting Angels to come sit with Granny once a week.  We've only had them here twice, but it has been SUCH a blessing to get out for several hours at a time without worrying about getting back quickly.  They have a 4 hour minimum which is a perfect amount of time.  

Yesterday, Brian was here so I talked him in to escaping with me.  We decided to eat lunch and just as I was going to an Oklahoma Day Trips fb page to ask for suggestions, I saw a post for best bbq places.  Clark Crew was recommended by several people so we decided to try it.

It did not disappoint!  I had the burnt end sandwich--which came with their homemade chips and Brian had the knuckle sandwich (smoked bologna and pimento cheese) along with a rib.  Mine was fabulous and Brian really liked his, as well.  It's definitely a place we will go back to!

And, funny story...I was in the bathroom and realized after I had done my business that there was no toilet paper in my stall.  The "Can you spare a square" episode of Seinfeld kept playing on repeat in my head, but I finally worked up the courage to ask for someone to give me some toilet paper (there were 2 other women in the bathroom).  One stayed silent, but the other laughed and said, "Yes!"  She proceeded to chat and was just plain funny.  Totally made my day to be able to chat with a stranger--whose face I never saw--through a stall door.  Kindness counts, my friends!

Pie Junkie

After lunch, we had some time to kill while we were waiting to pick up Caroline from work.  Brian decided to explore some of the little areas in OKC and I convinced him to stop at Pie Junkie.  I love this place!  They have several different flavors of pies, but I always get key lime-it's just too yummy to pass up.  Brian got the Birddog Buttermilk--which he has had before.  

They also have savory items like chicken pot pie, but who wants those when there's a piece of key lime staring at you.  I restrained myself from buying another t-shirt, but I have almost filled up my punch card so there's always next time.

Pretty Flowers

I took Granny to Lowe's on Saturday to get a couple more rosebushes and ended up with 3 of them and a gardenia.  I convinced her we didn't have room for the pretty pink hydrangea she liked, but after getting home and planting everything, Brian said we could put a row of them behind the azaleas.  So I went back to Lowe's the next day and grabbed 3 more of them and a pot for my gardenia because I wanted to keep it on the porch where I could smell it.  

We've got to do a bit more work on the flower bed (and by "we" I mean Brian) to even out the soil and place the hydrangeas in the ground, but it is going to be SO pretty!  I can't wait!  The two hydrangeas that were there made it through the freak freeze, but only one has blooms on it yet.  They are both full and green so I'm hoping that means they will be full soon.  

Again, even in the midst of the dreary, cloudy days, God provides beautiful things.  Enjoy a few of my favorite #farmcharm pics from the past week: 

Pretty little cardinal

Beautiful sky

Look at all those colors!

Lavender roses seem to like their new home here on the farm

Blooming roses

Storms rolling in

The new "ponds" in the front yard

Granny's Mother's Day begonias are thriving!

My windmill pic of the week

Flynn jumped up on Granny's lap and she was happy as a lark the rest of the night

 

Royal Reads 5.26.21 - The Switch

I love a fun book that makes me giggle aloud as I read it.  The Switch by Beth O'Leary is one of my new faves.  It was utterly delightful!  My friend Barb recommended it and when Barb gives a book 5 stars, you add it to your "to read" list.  

The Switch takes place in London.  Leena is a workaholic who is ordered to take a break.  Eileen is her grandmother who decides to date at the age of 79.  So they switch places--Leena moves to the quiet Yorkshire village to "rest" and Eileen moves to London to date more than the 5 undesirable prospects in her village. 

Both characters are full of life and so stinking fun.  Maybe I found it extra charming because I live with a 102 year old, but I could totally imagine both women and they felt like friends afterward.  Yes, it was predictable, but sometimes, you just need a good book that makes you laugh and takes you on a journey where you know the destination.

Barb said it was an excellent audio book because of the accents, but I can't do those unless I'm in a car driving because I fall asleep.  

After "The Switch" I picked up "The Flatshare" by the same author and it was also a ton of fun.  She's written a 3rd book--"The Road Trip" but my library doesn't have that so it went on my to-read list--without me even knowing the premise of it.

With all the depressing rain we've had lately, I needed a couple of cheerful books and these delivered.

Have you read them?  I'd love to gush over the characters with you if you have!

Friday Faves - 5.21.21

I'm back!  Last week, I was in the midst of cleaning and packing in a house without internet.  I think I'm still recovering from it--both physically and emotionally.  I finally unpacked my suitcase yesterday, so I'm counting that as a win--it took less than a week.  

Here are a few of my favorite things from the past couple of weeks:

Plants

I am ashamed to admit I live on a farm, but have a black thumb.  I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, but the jury is still out to see if it will stick.  I got several plants for mothers day/birthday/anniversary (when you celebrate all 3 in the same week, you never know what gift was for which occasion).  They have all been successfully planted into the flowerbeds and pots.  Granny "bossed" me on the ones in the ground so hopefully I'll get just a little of her gardening ability.  The lady can grow anything!  

Anyway, I have a new lime tree (yay for margaritas and key lime pie), a couple of dahlias, and 2 pretty lavender plants.  I'm taking Granny out today to find 2 more rose bushes for her and am hoping to get a gardenia for me to put on our front porch.  

Cross your fingers that I can keep everything alive--if they come back next year, you might even catch me dancing!

Wiseman House Chocolates

I love a good chocolate, but I'm not a conneseuier.  I settle for Dove and Godiva and think that's pretty good. When Brian's cousin sends Granny some Kilwins, I feel like I hit the jackpot. Y'ALL!  Have you ever had Wiseman House chocolates?  We visited a little town called Hico last week on our anniversary and picked up some to bring back to the girls.  I, of course, grabbed a couple of truffles for myself and a caramel.  YUM is an understatement.  The town itself wasn't that exciting, but it is worth the drive just for the chocolate!

Cricut Maker

I'm adding my Maker to my list of faves because I have wanted one for several years.  But, as you can see from the pic, I'm a little overwhelmed.  I've tried to watch the beginning video a couple of times, but have been interrupted.  And now that I finally have this machine, I don't know what to make.  I feel like I'm in over my head.  I never hooked my old Cricut to my computer.

Do you have a Cricut?  What's your favorite thing you've made with yours?  Do you sell anything you make?  If so, drop your link in the comments.

Depression/Anxiety Meds

You may have heard me joke about this one, but I really am thankful for the difference these have made for me.  Growing up, I attended 6 different elementary schools and I vividly remember the question, "Is there anything else we need to know about your child?"  My mom's answer was always "overly-emotional."  UGH!  

I've cried a lot in my life, but I just thought I was an emotional person (my mom said so, right?).   I've been on medication a few times over the years, but always went off them after I started feeling better.  I've been taking Lexapro for a couple of years now and it has made a huge difference.  I still cry, but it's not every day anymore.  I still feel things deeply.  I still overthink.  But I'm also able to process a little more clearly than I was 2 years ago.  I'm thankful for my friends who openly talked--without shame--about their mental illnesses.  

May is mental health awareness month and you may be tired of hearing about it if you don't suffer from any misfiring neurons.  Or maybe you're trying to avoid the fact that you DO and everywhere you turn this month someone is talking about it.  But, I am thankful to live in a time when we can be honest about what's going on inside our head and get the help we need.  

Until next week, here are some of my favorite #farmcharm pics:

Caroline had a box turtle for a day...until it escaped

Granny has finally gotten into watching the chickens with us

Cauliflower from the garden--did you know it can get sunburned???

Flynn was enamored with my birthday cupcake

How now brown cow

Gotta take at least one windmill pic every week

I'm trying to admire how pretty this little snake is, but EWWWW!!!

Just a few of the geese

Pretty in pink

This bird had me laughing as he kept bugging the cow

Cantaloupe is a chicken favorite (also a natural de-wormer)

One of the hydrangeas is starting to bloom and I couldn't be happier!

Royal Reads 5.19.21 - Lilac Girls

I love stories about WW2 and the Holocaust.  I'm especially fascinated by the life of those in concentration camps.  Their strength in the midst of such a horrendous experience amazes me and the atrocities committed against them horrifies me.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is one of my faves in this genre.  It tells the story of 3 different women: an American socialite/fundraiser, a German doctor and a Polish teenager.  It's almost like 3 books in one.  Their stories are not only fascinating, the author does a great job of winding them together in a believable fashion.  She does not romanticize the bad choices some of them made which I also loved.  I was left wondering throughout the book if all the characters would redeem themselves in the end.  Writing this review makes me want to go back and read it again (if I were further ahead on my book challenge--reading 60 books before the end of 2021, I totally would!).

There are actually 2 other books in this series: Lost Roses, somewhat of a prequel and Sunflower Sisters.  I loved Lost Roses but did not realize there was a 3rd book until today, so I haven't read Sunflower Sisters yet.  I just put it on hold at the library and can't wait!  Isn't it the best feeling--when you find another book from an author you love that you were unaware of?  I'm almost giddy at the thought (even though it will be a long time before my hold is ready)

Do you enjoy the WW2/Holocaust genre?  What's your favorite book/author about that time?  

Friday Faves...5.7.21

 

YAY for Friday!  Are you as glad for this weekend as I am? It's been quiet here on the farm the last few days.  Granny has been in a pleasant mood and other than her waking up several nights @2am and thinking it was morning, it's been somewhat easy.  Brian and I are heading to Texas tomorrow for a week.  I'm a little overwhelmed by all we have to get done while we are there, but I won't deny that I'm looking forward to sleeping through the night without being woken by cats or Granny's. 

Here are a few of the things that have brought a smile to my face this week:

Sloggers

I have wanted a pair of Sloggers for a while now and finally bought myself a pair.  I've always bought the cheap vinyl boots at Tractor Supply, but they are a pain to put on sometimes.  I can slide into my sloggers and don't look as redneck when I wear them with shorts.  Granny likes them too, but thankfully they are a size too small or she told me she would take them from me.  Aren't these the cutest?  I have worn them in the chicken coop, to the pond and just traipsing around the backyard.  You can thank me for not posting the pic of them on my feet--my white legs would have blinded you the rest of the day!

Decorating our Porch

I started decorating Granny's porch last fall when I found an old wagon in the barn.  I have been changing out the decor every season and find myself looking forward to it!  It helps that I saved these fun boards from the barn demo because I can add something to it each season/month as well.  After Easter, I went with a lemon and lavender theme and lots of flowers.  When we get back from Texas, I will be changing it out for a patriotic theme with watermelons.  I'm going to bring the wagon back out and hopefully paint some stumps to look like watermelons.  We'll see how much I actually do--my eyes are bigger than my crafting ability these days.  Do you decorate your porch for each season?  Also, where have you seen cute watermelon stuff?  I've got the patriotic covered, but need to find some more watermelon things for my tiered tray.

Writer's Group

Y'ALL!  Last summer, I messaged my friend Patty to ask her to pray for me because I was looking for a job.  I told her that I might actually make the time now to write the book I told her I wanted to write several years before.  She invited me to a writer's group she started that met via zoom a few times a month.  I was hooked the first time I attended, but fall was a bit crazy with Gran so I wasn't able to be consistent until the beginning of this year.  

The way it works is that a couple of people share each time and everyone else gives feedback.  I have not only gained a ton of confidence in my writing, I have learned SO much about giving a valuable critique.  And the best part of this group?  Everyone is FOR each other!  There's not any competition--we are all genuinely excited when something good happens to another.  I am reading a children's story I wrote this weekend and can't wait to hear their thoughts!  

Sunrises and Sunsets

I know y'all are going to ask me to stop posting pics soon--I feel like I flood my social media with them.  But I just can't get enough!  This morning, I was exhausted, but when I opened my eyes and saw the pink sky, I hopped up out of bed to race out and snap some photos.  Seeing a sunrise or a sunset reminds me of God's love--I can't look at them without seeing His artist's hand all over it.  The song Wonderful Maker goes through my head every time I see one:  

You made the world and saw that it was good.

You sent your only Son for you are good.

What a wonderful Maker, what a wonderful Savior

How majestic your whisper, how humble your love

What a wonderful God

I love this swing SO much (and the sky behind it isn't half bad either)

Country Roads take me home...

Is there such a thing as too many swing pics?  I think not.

Matty is such a pretty boy!

I'm not sure how Charlene felt about sharing her food with this turtle, but she tolerated it.

This man is ALWAYS working hard, y'all (and will kill me if he ever sees how many pics I post of him without his knowledge)

The first broccoli!!!

And cauliflower!!

And strawberries!

Blue skies smiling at me...

This is what farm life is REALLY like some days

P.S.  I now have affiliate links!  If you click on an item I link and purchase it, I have the opportunity to earn a little bit.  I feel like I'm a tech guru now (just don't ask me how I actually GET the money-LOL)!