Friday Things #565
1. Did you do anything to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this week? It was literally the first day that I felt like I was mostly functional after the flu (took almost 2 full weeks!); I bought some Lofthouse cookies at the store for the kids and made Irish soda bread to go with chicken for dinner :)
2. Isabelle is having her tonsils and adenoids removed today! Praying that everything goes smoothly and that she has an easy recovery. Joseph’s was fairly rough back in the fall, so I’m hoping that she fares a little bit better.
3. Joseph played in his first chess tournament last weekend and really enjoyed it! He didn’t finish in a medal spot, but was very proud of going 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. He’s gotten very good and usually beats me!
4. Help me choose my next book! I currently have these on my shelf and can’t decide:
- Us Against You (sequel to Beartown, which I read at the end of the year)
- Funny Story (Emily Henry)
- It Starts With Us (sequel to It Ends With Us, which I read about two and a half years ago)
- The Frozen River
- Wild Dark Shore
- The Paradise Problem
- The Wedding People
5. This was part of an article I read recently that pertained to kids going off to college and sorting through all of the saved “treasures” from childhood: “These fragments they leave behind are the main chapters of my life, but for them, just the beginning ones - ones they probably will forget.” And my goodness, did that hit me! YES… watching our kids grow up in our home feels like our main act, but for them, it is just the starting point.
6. I’m craving a big bowl of homemade stovetop popcorn; it’s been way too long, and I may need to make a batch tonight.
7. Love this reminder: “The way to help someone is not to critique what makes them smaller, but to encourage what makes them larger.”
8. Are you a March Madness watcher? We fill out brackets every year for fun and have fun tracking the games, especially during the first weekend. The kids have really gotten into it in the last couple of years!
9. What movies have you watched recently?
10. TGIF! This boy is the sweetest 💙
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I just finished listening to The Wedding People and it is honestly my new favorite book. I just loved it and cannot recommend it enough.
Definitely go with Funny Story. Praying Isabelle’s surgery went well and recovery is going smoothly. :)
Definitely US Against You as that author ,F. Backman, is coming out with a new novel in May entitled My Friends.
Thank you for your Friday notes and recipes on your blog. Prayers continue for each member of your family.
By the way, are you still doing the Saturday newsletter as I have not been receiving it? I loved all the suggestions and advice in it.
I loved The Wedding People. So far, my favorite book this year. Funny Story was very good, too. I liked it a lot.
Sweet Duke picture! My husband makes the BEST Reuben sandwiches for St Patrick’s Day. Nothing as delightful as Isabelle’s and Dominic’s smiles. Frozen River was a little slow to get going but was super good read- book club pick and good, well -developed story- Funny Story was a nice light read- enjoyable but not huge substance – and It Starts with Us was really good as well- so go with your mood whether you need light and easy or more intense- think your list looks great, though! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing your pictures & insights!
Funny Story
Please read The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor. There are three more books in the series, and they are all wonderful. They are contemporary fiction with some romance and elements of the supernatural. All of the characters are delightful. I only wish she would follow up with book five!
Beautiful family ❤️
Definitely read The Frozen River! It was the only book in a long time that everyone in our book group loved! You will enjoy the writing, love the characters (it’s based on a real midwife) and also you’ll learn a lot from this remarkable story.
Read the Frozen River. Very good
The Wedding People is really good
I’ve heard nothing but raves about The Frozen River…it’s on my list
It Begins With Us was ok…kinda boring and predictable
God bless Isabelle!!!🩷
Emily Henry is fabulous. Reading my third novel now!
“Here” is a lovely movie. 🪻
Prayers for your sweet girl! I highly recommend The Frozen River!
Poor Isabelle…she has had a lot going on lately for sure and now surgery.
I hope all goes well, she enjoys lots recovery ice cream.
Thanks, Michelle, for the clarification regarding her braces. Things have changes…for the better I would say. In stead of getting braces in her early teens, she will already have a lovely smile.
Enjoy the first weekend of Spring!!
Read the Frozen River!!!
The best book I’ve read lately is Josie Silver’s “One Night On The Island”. Hope Isabelle springs back quickly from her tonsillectomy. I bought a Salbree Microwave Popcorn Maker & I love it! It collapses so it takes up very little cabinet space.
I loved The Frozen River! I would definitely recommend it for your next read.
The “Frozen River” was my favorite!! It is a great historical read!
Loved The Frozen River! Highly recommend
It Starts With Us and Funny Story are both easy to read romances—just okay, fun to read. I’m waiting for The Wedding People. Frozen River was one of my favorite books I’ve read recently. I read that one in a weekend. Good luck, Isabelle. Those tonsils are nasty when they keep making you sick. Much better to have them out.
Wild Dark Shore! Everything she writes is gold
I totally agree and had to buy Migrations after reading it from the library a few years ago. We’re talking about author Charlotte McConaghy. I just finished Wild Dark Shore and loaned it to my sister. I hope Isabelle does well! Your kids are all cuties. I love hearing about them.
So happy to hear that you are feeling better. Praying for a speedy recovery for Isabelle. Have a great weekend.
Sending prayers for Isabelle and her speedy recovery. Lots of ice cream and yummy drinks! Such a cute pup!
My little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie, celebrates his 1st birthday tomorrow!
Have a good and restful weekend! I am happy to hear you are feeling better!
Glad to hear you are finally feeling better and keeping Isabelle in my prayers for a smooth recovery from her surgery. Congrats to Joseph for doing well and having fun! I loved the comment about children growing up- oh, so true and touching. “Home and childhood” is just their starting point.
The Frozen River and Duke is so handsome 😍