Hey y'all! For today's Friday Favorites, I'm linking up with Share 4 Somethings with Jennifer at Overflowing with Thankfulness. She'll have the link up going tomorrow...last Saturday of each month. We had a good week...the last of our cool weather, putting together some Easter care packages, and going on a little day trip with Michael today. Here's a look at what I've been loving, reading, learning, and eating.
LOVING
Speaking of Easter, I loved seeing these sweet memories pop up in my photos this week. But what were we thinking with the fake rabbits in the JCPenney portraits. They were a little creepy! And the Easter bunny with Jack...yikes!
I love roses! Here's the first red rose of the season.
And my favorite rose bouquet from HEB.
We picked up a new toaster oven/air fryer at Costco recently. It is so nice...does everything our old toaster oven did PLUS being an air fryer. It's on sale right now at Costco.
READING
I'll have all my book reviews out next Wednesday, but wanted to share my latest 5-star read. Actually, I would call this one 5 PLUS stars. In this historical fiction novel, teenage Victoria lives on her family's peach farm in Colorado after WWII. The story follows her life through the 1970's - tragedy, forbidden love, family drama, and more. The writing is lyrical, and I loved every minute of it. It is uplifting and tragic all at once.
LEARNING
I learned that it is sometimes better to regroup and try something different instead of giving up all together. I was losing motivation for my Bible Recap reading plan and decided to try the Bible in a Year podcast instead. (I think Lauren recommended this?) It basically follows the same outline as the Bible Recap, but I like the format a little better. In the podcast, Father Mike reads the scripture including a Psalm, prays, and explains in a commentary. I have been reading along in my Bible and then taking a few notes using his commentary. I'm getting a lot more out of it with this method.
I just planned a short family vacation for all four of us in May! We will be going to Vancouver, Canada, and I can't wait to learn more about our destination. We're looking forward to a cool weather trip before the heat of summer.
EATING
We had some orancello (spelling?) while we were in Auburn, and Michael decided to try his hand at making homemade lemoncello. It will be a few months before it is finished.
Can I just tell you it makes a mama's heart happy when her kids send food pictures that look healthy and delicious? Both of them are doing a great job of cooking for themselves...much better than I am here at home! Grace made homemade butter chicken with veggies on the left, and Jack made chicken rice and broccoli on the right.
I'm still making about one charcuterie meal each week. This was a Mexican theme with taquitos from Costco and homemade queso. (I blogged about this set of cards in this blog post.)
In Case You Missed It
Have a great weekend...see you next week for some
spring wardrobe refreshes and March books!
Linking to
Share 4 Somethings with Jennifer at Overflowing with Thankfulness
We haven't been to Vancouver yet but we loved Victoria! It's such a beautiful place to visit - I know how much you love your garden, Butchart Gardens has the most amazing displays.
ReplyDeleteVancouver is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about Father Mike's podcast! My aunt was just telling me the other day that she's been listening and she loves it! I might have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteOld pictures make us smile and laugh! I am always impressed with the beautiful roses in your yard. Vancouver is high on my bucket list so I look forward to hearing about this trip! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteWell, this is just the sweetest thing ever I bet that orange cello was so good!
ReplyDeleteAw, those throwback photos are so sweet.. we have a few really creepy/scary Easter Bunny photos from when I was a kid that always make us laugh now. Those roses are beautiful. The kids' food looks so healthy! You sure did raise them right.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of charcuterie each week. So fun! Ohhh! I'd love to go to Vancouver. Can't wait to read about it.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 20 (21 in Oct) and my son will turn 18 Easter weekend. Neither one of them really cook, so I love that your kiddos do! It sounds like they are out on their own? My sister told me about the Bible Recap book but I was already doing several other things so I didn't try it this year. I hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletea book centered on a peach farm. you know, I don't think I've ever read a book in that setting! i'm off to check it out ... you've piqued my interest. so nice to meet you this weekend, Tanya. let's hear it for 4 Somethings!
ReplyDeleteThose roses are gorgeous! I bet you'll love Vancouver and Victoria! It's been many years since I was last there, but Victoria is one of my favorite little cities in Canada. Be sure to see Butchart Gardens. Have a blessed weekend! Visiting from SFS#12
ReplyDeleteYou are doing to love Vancouver and Victoria. Victoria will remind you a bit of England. I love the Parliament Building and grou
ReplyDeleteButchart Gardens is spectacular...but just sitting and watching the sea planes land in Victoria is a delightful thing--especially at sunset.
ReplyDeletePopping over from the Share Four Somethings link!
Tanya, how fun to have the homemade lemoncello. It's great that you kids are cooking healthy meals too.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this post! The Easter bunny pics, the healthy meals the kids are making, the lemoncello and of course that you liked my podcast recommendation!!! I love Fr. Mikes podcast and am so happy you do too!
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Don’t Mind Our Mess