Things I’m Loving Friday #391

Hello, hello! How are you doing today? We had a decent week but it included a lot of runny noses from Ryder and Rhett. Both boys were thankfully fever-free (and Ryder had a negative COVID test) but I kept Ryder home from school all week. We made the most of our impromptu preschool break and did a lot of puzzles and baking, visited some local parks, read a bunch of books and had a pajama day. My fingers are crossed the congestion gets much better over the weekend and preschool is in the cards for Ryder for next week.

As for the weekend, I’m so, so excited for the next few days! I’m heading to Savannah to celebrate my friend Lauren’s birthday! Lauren’s parents were kind enough to offer up their vacation home to our crew (we’ve been once before and it’s such a special place) and I’m looking forward to some much-needed uninterrupted time with friends. (This is my first time spending the night away from Rhett since he was born!) I hope to share more about our adventures on the blog next week, but until then let’s dive into this week’s roundup of favorites, Things I’m Loving Friday style!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Things I’m Loving Friday #391

• Merry & Bright Puzzle Calendar

When I was at Barnes & Noble yesterday, I saw this puzzle calendar and knew I had to get it for the boys. Ryder is incredibly into puzzles right now so I know it will be a hit with him and since the puzzles are 80-piece puzzles I think they will be interesting enough to intrigue Chase, too! My grand plan is to have the calendar show up on December 1 as a holiday surprise from their Elf on the Shelf! I’m not sure if it’s the fact that our weather took a turn into super-chilly territory this week or what but I am feelin’ the holiday spirit already and am trying to resist breaking out our Christmas décor for at least a few more weeks.

• Thankful Turkey

Judging by the above bullet point you may think I’m speeding right past Thanksgiving but I promise I’m not! I saw this Thankful Turkey idea shared on @busytoddler‘s Instagram page and thought it was such a great way to help teach little ones about gratitude and keep our family’s focus on our blessings this November. You may read all of the details in her post, but the gist is to create a turkey and have your children add “thankful feathers” to the turkey every day. I’m planning to do this with the boys for the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving this year!

• Portable Charger

This purchase has been a long time coming. Going into our most recent trip to Wrightsville Beach, I found myself a little stressed out thinking that I could possibly lose battery on my phone when I was trying to track Ryan through the Ironman app and film him during his race. This prompted me to order a portable charger and when Amazon recommended this one, I read a few reviews and added it to my cart. It worked like a charm and I love that it has multiple outputs for simultaneously charging various devices. The selling point for me, however, is that it comes with its own little cords so you don’t have to remember to pack long cords in your bag when you want to use it. I think this is also one of those random things that would be a great holiday gift for someone who is a little hard to buy for since it’s random but very useful!

• Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty novels never disappoint and I couldn’t wait to read her latest! I tend to find her books to be a twisty mix of thriller/relationship dynamics and Apples Never Fall fell into this not-really-a-real-category for me as well. And I liked it! A lot! It’s full of surprises and kept me engaged the entire time.

The book centers around the disappearance of Joy, a recently retired mother of four, and the seemingly happy wife of Stan Delaney. The Delaneys achieved success through the family’s tennis coaching center but retirement has a way of unveiling marital issues and long-kept secrets.

The arrival of a stranger on their door step — a young woman asking for help following a physical fight with her boyfriend — gives Joy a place to channel her energy and motherly love. But is this stranger who she says she is?

Apples Never Fall alternates between the past and the present — and in the present Joy is missing and the stranger she showed kindness to cannot be located. As the police begin to question Stan, a divide among the four children arises and more secrets begin to surface that will have the entire Delaney family reexamining everything.

• Friday Flashbacks

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats (A festive fall treat that’s as easy to make as it is delicious!)

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chicken Curry (One of my all-time favorite Instant Pot recipes!)

Question of the Day 

What is one thing you’re loving this week?