Hello and welcome to Five Things Friday!
I’ve been mulling over this (big/not big) idea since the beginning of the year. I needed something to replace Sunday Sundries where I not only featured images from the hashtag on Instagram, I also listed everything I was grateful for in the preceding week. Sunday Sundries was a wonderful series … I’ve documented literally hundreds of grateful moments (which I really enjoy reviewing) and it truly was an amazing practice that did my heart good. And while I continue do this in private, I felt it was time to move on.
Five Things Friday will be about what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment. I know the title is not unique in any way. In fact, if you Google it, you’ll find hundreds of hits … but no matter. This is MY Five Things Friday.
So let’s just get started OK?!
Five Things Friday | February 24th
What I’m Loving
I was sitting in my dining room this morning watching cold hard snowflakes fall outside my window and was contemplating the colours of this northern world of mine (and what will be the colours of this world for 2 more months.) And I remembered … I remembered why last autumn I saved these sprigs of yellow yarrow, even though they drop seeds and dust all over the place.
Today I’m loving dried flowers and birch branches on a cold February day.
… sunlight and shadows …
What I’m reading
Actually, I just finished reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. OH my. I will admit that I had a hard time getting into this book but once I did, I devoured it. It really does capture the horrors of World War II … oh the horrors :(
I finished it late last night and was taken completely by surprise please no spoilers here! but I have to go back and reread a chapter or two to see if I was just asleep or what … .
What I’m watching
For the last year, the hubs and I have been watching “The Sopranos”. We found the entire series (minus the last episode … ha ha) for $5.00 at a garage sale! Add in the $35.00 we spent on the purchase of the last episode, and it was $40.00 very well spent. Hours and hours of drama … I can’t say this show is for everyone but what an amazing glimpse into the world of organized crime. Most of the time I could hardly wait to clean up after dinner so we could watch one or two episodes (even though I had my eyes closed a lot of the time.) And I swear I did not breathe during the final season … and at the end I stared at the TV for many, many minutes … frozen. Then the hubs and I had a big discussion. Again, please no spoilers here!
But on a side note, do you know anyone who’s interested in purchasing the entire set of The Sopranos for $40.00? ;)
What I’m Eating/Drinking
I’m loving the Peppermint Hot Chocolate on sale at Williams-Sonoma right now (disregard the tea in this photo ;) Regular price $28.95 for 12 oz of mix, on sale for $7.99. I know, it’s still expensive but whoa! what a treat. I think I have to go back before word of this gets out ;)
What I’m Photographing
Whilst I was in Arizona, I was photographing everything from succulents to hyacinths.
Just before we left I decided to take them out of the pot to celebrate the bulbs and roots … aren’t they gorgeous?
What I’ve Discovered
This month I discovered a new magazine: The Magnolia Journal. Its’ full to the brim with inspiration, ideas, art and recipes … it’s a beautiful read and I highly recommend it.
So there you have it! Thank you so much for joining me on my first Five Things Friday!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Fabulous Barb! Loved it!!
Thank you so very much Karen!
Love this Barb ! I also love the Magnolia Journal ( I used it in a recent IG photo ! )
Thank you Caz! I went back to your feed to take another look (because I always see your photos ;) and I see you used the botanical print … those are what made my buy that magazine on the spot! :)
Wonderful Barb. I want to see that Magnolia Magazine. Been watching it come to life. The new series will be a joy to read.
Thank you Jo-Ann, and thank you so much for stopping by (you will love The Magnolia Journal).
Lovely article and new beginning! I now feel good about my decision to not toss out all of my dried flowers! Messy as they are, each holds a memory of how and where they were gathered.
Thank you Sharon! I’ve used my dried echinops so many times I decided I had to move on to something else ;)
Hi Barb,
Love today’s Blog and thanks for the magazine review..,I had seen it in Barnes and Nobles and was wondering about buying it? Will return to pick it up .
Ann
Hi Ann! Yes, I really like this issue, it’s full of beautiful photography. Thanks so much for stopping by!
live this list barb! i just subscribed to magnolia magazine and can’t wait to get my first issue.
Hi Kelly! thank you so much … so glad you stopped by!
This looks a lot like my list would look, except maybe for the Sopranos! Absolutely loved The Nightingale and just subscribed to the Magnolia magazine after buying the first issue. So much goodness there! Things are warming up here and spring is here off and on so soon I’ll be photographing the desert in bloom. Can’t wait! By the way, love this new format!
Hi Terri! yes, I would never recommend the Sopranos to just anyone … it’s pretty brutal but still amazing drama. We loved it. Sigh to spring in the desert … it appears there will be lots of wildflowers this year. In fact there were already some while we were there in February. Thanks so much for stopping by today – I’m so happy you like my new series!
What a wonderful idea for a new series – thank you! and I LOVE the pops of purple in your hyacinth photo – what a gorgeous color!
Thank you so much Mary! I’m thrilled you like it :)
A delightful post along with your beautiful images. I never watched the Sopranos, but it sure was popular while on TV. There are several TV shows that I probably need to catch up on via Netflix. I am headed to Phoenix in a week to hopefully photograph the cactus in bloom and to see my good friends, Terri and Barbara. Hopefully someday we can coordinate another time together in Phoenix. Best to you.
Hello Deanna! How lovely to hear from you! Enjoy Arizona … and I’m looking forward to seeing your pic’s which I know will be gorgeousness!
It’s always a pleasure to read you and admire your lovely pictures… I’m amazed by your energy and all the beautiful and inspiring ideas… love your blue hyacinths… thank you for sharing…
I just subscribed to Magnolia Journal! It looks marvelous…thanks for the tip. I love your Five Things Friday; such a wonderful concept and great to hear what you are crushing on…because now I am crushing on them too! I admire your creativity so much, and your hyacinth bulb photo made me drool, it’s so gorgeous.
I’m looking forward to reading your future Five Things Friday. Thanks for mentioning the Magnolia Journal. We love the Gains and they were who came to mind when I read Magnolia Journal – a quick google search confirmed it. Now I need to get me their magazine.