Friday Things #522
1. Daddy teaching her a chord or two 🩷
2. Dominic got to go on his very first field trip last week and he could not have been more excited! Both of his preschool years were during Covid times and activities like field trips were halted, then he missed last year’s kindergarten field trip because he was just coming off of a treatment cycle and not feeling well. He had such a wonderful time, and I am so happy that he’s getting to experience normal kid stuff!
3. On that note, Joseph got to experience standardized testing for the first time last week. Ugh, I remember all of those hours spent filling in the little bubbles with your NUMBER TWO pencil. Apparently, they take the tests on tablets now!
4. I finished reading Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez yesterday and oh my goodness, I loved it so, so much! I got so attached to the characters and had moments of heart pounding and lump in my throat while reading. Thanks to everyone who recommended starting with this first book in the “series”… I can’t wait to read Yours Truly and Just For the Summer!
5. For my birthday, my sister got me another subscription to Book of the Month, which I am loving! It’s so fun to choose a new book from a curated selection that I may not have otherwise looked at or chosen. I’ve narrowed down May’s choices to these three… want to vote on which one I should select?? >> The Return of Ellie Black (mystery), The Paradise Problem (romance), or Real Americans (literary fiction)… leave your pick in the comments below!
6. A great way to keep clutter from getting out of hand >> 10 Things to Put Away Every Day
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7. It’s a big weekend! The Kentucky Derby is Saturday and Sunday is Cinco de Mayo! If you’re thinking about recipes to make for either occasion, I have Kentucky Derby recipes here, and all of my Cinco de Mayo recipes here. Do you have any food traditions for either occasion?
8. Let’s talk toaster ovens… if you use yours very frequently (we use ours multiple times a day), how often do you clean it? As in, take the racks out, scrub, scrub the inside? I feel like I need to work on giving ours a little more regular TLC! (We have the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and LOVE it, it’s constantly in use at our house!)
9. While we are about 10 years late to the party, my husband and I started watching the John Wick movies last weekend. Slightly violent, but also a little witty, we watched the first three and they were pretty good!
10. TGIF! Mr. Duke wishes you a wonderful weekend!
Hi Michelle,
Many public libraries have electronic books, audio books, movies, and magazines that are available via Hoopla. If offered by your public library, it is a great way to get free content. This is for you, your husband and your kids. For example, I like British programing (used to have Acorn) and missed the Miss Fisher movie and was able to pick it up via hoopla to watch. My daughter listens to ebooks while she drives. The selection is pretty good.
I’m glad your children are doing so well. What a great family you have!!
I can’t wait for my turn to come up at the library for The Paradise Problem!
I am voting for the The return of Ellie Black! Hope you enjoy the twisty ups and downs!
Part of your world is probably one of my favorite books ever! I LOVED the characters and the story. I’ve reread it several times! I love all of her books but that’s definitely number one and my second favorite is Just for the Summer.
The book I’d choose would be the mystery.
I love my Breville toaster oven and use it at least once a day but I don’t clean the inside often enough. I do dump the tray and wash it but there is something sticky/greasy on it that I haven’t been able to remove. I’d love a solution to getting that off.
I’d love an air fryer function and I looked into the one you’ve got. There are 2 models that have superseded it and they have voice activation! I’ll be saving up for one of those. They’re almost $800 CAD.
Love hearing how Dominic is so excited about all the great things kids get to do.
So happy to hear that Dominic got to go on his first field trip,Hope that Joseph did well on his test.Duke looks like a real loving family dog. We have a Westie she is a rescue and so loveable too we call her Ellie Mae.
Have you read “The five wishes of Mr Henry McBride I could not put it down. Hope they make a movie of the book.My best recent read is “The Covenant of Water”:by Abraham Verghese it is the most beautiful story. Prayers ongoing for Dominic…😊
I vote for The Return of Ellie Black just because it sounds more interesting than the other two and besides, I love mysteries!
I guess I missed your birthday. Happy Belated Birthday!!
Hi Martha, I’m not sure that I announced when it was my birthday ;-) It was the end of March :)
Hello Michelle,
I believe you may have left out the BOURBON on the Kentucky Butter Cake (https://www.browneyedbaker.com/kentucky-bourbon-butter-cake/)?
DO HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
Hi Marie, There is a bourbon option! I included it in the post write-up. Just swap the water in the glaze for bourbon… no other adjustments to the cake are needed.
Happy belated birthday Michelle!! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!
My vote is for “Real Americans” Happy reading!
I’ve been in BOM club since Covid started and love it. I just ordered Young Americans and bit the bullet and ordered the Women which I had on hold at the library. I like contemporary literature the best- no mysteries for me.