Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends! Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Short and sweet today because this week has been BUSY and tonight it no exception.  I really love leaving school tomorrow with EVERYTHING prepped and ready for the three weeks in between Thanksgiving break and Christmas which means I've been working overtime to get it all done ;) 

You know who hasn't bee working overtime? This little guy in his FAVORITE spot... a blanket leg hammock ;) hahaha

Apple Crisp

 With Thanksgiving a week away it's for sure time for apple crisp.  This is easier than making an apple pie and, dare I say, tastier.  I love a scoop of it warmed up in a mug in the morning or after dinner outside on the patio.  The crisp on top is the best and a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes it to the next level ;) I prefer this over apple pie and love making it on Thanksgiving and then eating the leftovers in the mornings during break.

Teen Boy Gift Guide

This Patagonia lined flannel is probably one of Luke's most-worn items of all time.  He has it in a white/cream color with a gray plaid and he's worn it for multiple years in a row. It's warm enough to wear over a hoodie as a coat but light enough that he can also wear it unbottoned over a graphic tee.  It's extremely well-made and versatile and, while it's an investment, is something that I think he'll have in his closet forever. 

Teen/Tween Girl Gift Guide

There are a limited number of things tthat I feel like I can speak confidently about - and teen/tween girl shopping is on my short list ;) Credit it to YEARS of spending my 9-5 with girls this age coupled with living with one and, dare I say, I would consider myself an expert on this topic!

Rather than break things down into "under $20" or "stocking stuffer" or whatever.... I'm going to put everything in one giant post.

First up - midliner markers.  TRUST.  They're using them for everything at school and they last for a LONG time.  They're taking notes with them, writing notes with them, and doing everything in between.

Weekend Happies: Alice At Wonderland Edition

 WHEW! What a weekend! This weekend was pretty packed but it was all fun stuff so I thought I'd share!

Griffin joined theater this year and her first play was this weekend!  She was "Frog Newsie" and various other roles in Alice at Wonderland - a modern (and super fun!) adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.  Theater has been such an amazing experience for her and she has loved every single part of it.  

Friday Favorites

 Happy Friday, friends! Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Golf season is around the corner and these two are back in lessons and LOVING IT!  

Costco Faves: Hosting Edition

I hosted some girls at my house last night and felt like my little spread was pretty much "brought to you by Costco" and wanted to share some of my hosting favorites that would be PERFECT to bring to or have out at Thanksgiving.  Literally each of these items someone asked me about last night and so I felt like the time was right to share!

Christmas Books

 I wasn't planning on sharing Christmas books this year or this early BUT I had someone message me on Instagram yesterday letting me know that a TON of the books I have posted here are all on sale! SOOOOO Surprise! It's Christmas book day ;). 

I've been collecting Christmas books since Luke was a baby and while we're beyond reading them nightly like they did when they were little 

It's one of my absolute favorite Christmas traditions and I so enjoy picking out a few new books to add to our collection each year.  Today I'm going to share ALLLL of our faves and hope that you find a new good one (or two!) to add to (or start) your collection.

Sounding Joy is my new FAVORITE!  "Does it sound like falling snow, or a kiss on your cheek? Award-winning recording artist Ellie Holcomb explores this question through a delightful collection of Christmastime scenes, leading up to the discovery that joy sounds like the angels singing that Jesus had been born."

Nostalgic Movies Pt III

So today's picks may be geared a bit more toward the teen/tween family dynamic but use your own discretion (and Common Sense media) and enjoy!  We're also going to pretend that I accidentally publish this post last week, mmmmkay?!?!?!

Ocean's 11

This is probably in my top 10 movies of all time.  Again, one that I could watch over and over and never get tired of.

Thanksgiving Touches

I'm not going to lie - Christmas is creeping into our decor and I'm SO EXCITED but I also love to let Thanksgiving have her moment so here we are.  Turkeys and twinkle lights ;). My plan is to keep it PRETTY MUCH only turkeys until the week of Thanksgiving but we'll see how long I can hold out.  

Friday Favorites

 Happy Friday, friends! Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Last weekend Dave and I had got to support one of our FAVORITE organizations at their annual casino night. If you've been a blog reader for a while you probably remember Anna Grace (our long-time babysitter and "Mason wrangler") and this is an organization that her parents founded. 

Sheet Pan Pork Loin and Potatoes

I shared this recipe back in 2022 and thought it was time for a reshare.  I made it this week and forgot just how EASY and delicious it is.  It's really more than a method than anything exact.... this week I had three pork loins and double the beans and it worked just fine.  I also don't measure the Hoisin sauce I just pour a bunch on there.  Everything comes out flavorful and tender and THE GARLIC BUTTER OMG! ;)