Welcome, dear readers, to another edition of Friday Thoughts! As we journey deeper into July, it’s truly astounding to realize that more than half of our cherished summer break has already unfolded. Time, as they say, flies when you’re making memories and navigating life’s adventures.
This summer has been a tapestry woven with threads of excitement and challenge, moments of pure joy and occasional disappointments. Such is the rhythm of life, wouldn’t you agree? Yet, looking back, we can confidently say it has been a truly rewarding season, filled with growth and connection.
Today’s post is a bit of a wander through my recent experiences – it’s reflective, a little eclectic, and touches on some personal notes that make me feel a tad vulnerable to share. But it’s all authentic life, unfolded here for you. Whether you dive into every word or simply skim the surface, know that this space serves as a wonderful outlet for me to articulate thoughts and share glimpses of our journey. Should you embark on this full read and reach the end, consider yourself a true rockstar in my book!
Above all, what truly lights up my week is hearing from you! I genuinely cherish your perspectives. Please share how your summer is progressing and feel free to weigh in on any topic below. Your comments are a highlight, fostering a vibrant community discussion that I eagerly anticipate.
For more engaging conversations and insights from our community, you can explore all previous Friday Thoughts posts here. Many of the most enriching discussions and invaluable information are found within their comment sections.
1) Our Latest Card Game Craze: Play Nine
Amidst the ongoing saga of massive outdoor projects and garden upkeep – both completed and still awaiting our attention – we’ve stumbled upon our newest family game obsession. And let me tell you, it’s an absolute gem! This deceptively simple card game has captivated us entirely. I discovered Play Nine {affiliate link} after one of you graciously recommended it in a previous post about games, and it has since become a staple in our home. We’ve introduced it to countless friends and family, and almost without exception, they’ve instantly fallen in love and purchased their own sets.
Despite its golf-themed appearance – which, no offense to golf enthusiasts, initially gave me pause – the game transcends its aesthetic. While the objective is indeed to achieve a low score, much like golf, the mechanics are entirely unique and incredibly engaging. What makes Play Nine truly fantastic is its versatility; it can be enjoyed by as few as two players or as many as six, making it perfect for both intimate evenings and lively gatherings. Its rules are remarkably easy to grasp, allowing new players to jump in and enjoy the fun almost immediately. If you’re searching for a new game to add to your repertoire, especially one that fosters lighthearted competition and hours of entertainment, I cannot recommend Play Nine highly enough. It’s truly solidified its place as our go-to game, and yes, we are completely obsessed!
2) The Mystery Cookie Sensation: Craziest Creation Yet!
Last week, I shared a tantalizing photograph on Instagram, seeking your collective brilliance to name what I can only describe as the craziest cookies I’ve ever baked. Seriously, these cookies are an absolute marvel – incredibly, ridiculously delicious. In just the past two weeks, I’ve whipped up probably six or seven batches, including a monumental order of 150 for my cousins’ wedding dinner yesterday. The response on Instagram was overwhelming, with over 400 messages pouring in, each offering a unique and often hilarious name suggestion. Your creativity never ceases to amaze me!
I’m beyond excited to share the much-anticipated recipe for these sensational treats next week. Alongside the recipe, I’ll be proudly announcing the winning name – the one that truly captured the essence of these cookies – as well as highlighting some of the other fantastic suggestions that were simply too good not to share. The anticipation is building! In the meantime, the naming contest is still unofficially open for a few more days. Do you have any last-minute brilliant ideas? What do YOU think this unforgettable cookie should be called? Your input could still sway the final decision!
3) Entrepreneurial Spirit: My Son’s Cookie Dough Business
Speaking of cookies, our three older children are diligently working to earn money for an upcoming church trek/camp, as well as a memorable family trip planned for next spring break. Each of them is aiming to contribute several hundred dollars towards the cost of these adventures. While my two older boys have secured “official” jobs – one dedicating his time and effort at a horse ranch, and the other tackling upkeep, yard work, and various fix-it projects on our rental property and the sprawling 20 acres behind us – my sweet 12-year-old took a different, equally impressive path: he decided to launch his own cookie dough business. With incredible initiative, he designed this appealing flyer and immediately set to work!
He dedicated three full days to the kitchen, meticulously preparing and freezing batches of cookie dough in anticipation of his sales. He’s done a fantastic job spreading the word among neighbors and friends in our area, and his efforts have paid off handsomely – he’s already sold almost 20 dozen cookie dough balls! We are incredibly proud of his hard work and the independence he’s shown in tackling this venture largely on his own. Given his natural talent as an amazing chef and baker, this business choice felt incredibly natural for him. While we definitely need to have a serious discussion about “cleaning as you go” and perhaps degreasing the kitchen floor, observing his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit has been an absolute delight.
4) An Unforgettable Family Reunion at Three Peaks Lodge
This year, Brian and I had the privilege and challenge of planning his extended family reunion. The planning process, I must admit, consumed a significant portion of my waking thoughts for quite some time, so there was an equal measure of relief and nostalgia once it concluded. With a vibrant family of 48 individuals, their tradition dictates staying under a single roof for reunions – a wonderful concept that, naturally, presents unique challenges when searching for a suitable space large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Following a query to our wonderful Instagram community for recommendations, we serendipitously discovered Three Peaks Lodge in St. Anthony, Idaho. And wow – simply, wow! This lodge proved to be an absolutely amazing discovery, providing arguably the most perfect reunion location we could have ever dreamed of (and this glowing review is entirely unsponsored). We were so thoroughly impressed, in fact, that Brian’s family has already secured their booking for the 2021 reunion. The lodge boasts an absolutely gigantic kitchen, capable of seating over 40 people, making meal preparations and communal dining a breeze. Throughout the lodge, you’ll find enchanting rock walls, thrilling slides, and even hidden tunnels, providing endless entertainment for all ages. Outdoors, the amenities are equally impressive: basketball courts, tennis courts, numerous picnic tables, a relaxing hot tub, and vast grassy areas perfect for various games and activities. With ten comfortable bedrooms, six well-appointed bathrooms, and a massive bunkroom, the lodge truly had everything we needed. It was, in a word, perfect.
Brian and I practically packed up our entire house to bring with us – a slight exaggeration, but close! Beyond all the kitchen supplies and planning materials, we brought along our custom-made Nine Square game, a thoughtful gift from our friends. It was an undeniable hit, keeping both kids and adults thoroughly entertained for hours on end, alongside a plethora of other outdoor games like Spikeball, Flimsee, and Kub. The variety ensured there was always something fun happening.
One particular highlight that I hadn’t anticipated was the “Baby Faces” game. I meticulously printed out 5×7 pictures of every family member as a baby, assigning each a unique number, and arranged them on a prominent wall. Participants received “scorecard” sheets listing all the names. The goal? To match the correct baby photo numbers to the family member names. The individual with the most accurate matches earned the grand prize: a set of teething rings and a Baby Ruth candy bar! I was genuinely astounded by how competitive Brian’s family became, striving to achieve the highest score. I think his dad and older brother spent at least four hours intently studying that wall, determined to identify every baby. It was absolutely hilarious to witness their dedication.
Brian, with his characteristic flair, meticulously planned some epic family Olympic games that engaged everyone, from the littlest babies to the beloved great-grandmas. It was an incredibly fun and inclusive event. And yes, your eyes do not deceive you – those are indeed Ding Dongs being carefully stacked on Jackson’s forehead during one of the challenges! Such creative and memorable moments are what make reunions truly special. 🙂
Another brilliantly hilarious and awesome moment was the bobblehead skit performed by some of the grandkids. They sported oversized cutouts of Grandma, Grandpa, and the two great-grandmas’ faces. To create these, I printed high-resolution photos at Costco (16×20 inches), glued them onto foam board, carefully cut them out, and then attached a sturdy plastic cup to the back. The kids then gripped these cups in their teeth, making the “bobbleheads” bounce with every movement. If this setup sounds slightly wild or concerning, I encourage you to simply Google “bobblehead skit” – you’ll quickly discover just how outrageously funny and harmless they are!
Beyond all the planned activities, our reunion was primarily a joyful symphony of talking, laughter, playing countless games (both indoors and out), and, of course, a significant amount of delicious eating. I contributed to the culinary feast by preparing this mouthwatering honey lime chicken and this hearty lentil chili, which we served as an interactive build-your-own nacho bar, complete with an abundance of tortilla chips and a wide array of toppings. For a delightful breakfast spread, I made this rich dark chocolate granola and this wholesome honey almond granola, served alongside creamy yogurt, a bounty of fresh fruit, and classic scrambled eggs with toast. Yum! Brian’s siblings also brought some truly stellar meals to the table. Rest assured, no one left hungry during our incredible gathering!
5) The Art of Quilting: A Labor of Love and Learning
To all my fellow quilters out there, where are you?! A few weeks ago, I shared an update on Instagram announcing the completion of this beautiful flag quilt, crafted using a pattern by Camille at Thimble Blossoms. It was finished just in the nick of time for the 4th of July celebrations! Now, I’ll be completely honest: I have a tendency to utter a few choice words when I’m engaged in any sewing project, and I’ve yet to encounter a hobby that frustrates me quite as profoundly as quilting. And yet, in a wonderfully perplexing twist, I also find immense enjoyment and satisfaction in it. It’s a love-hate relationship, but mostly love!
My quilting journey took a significant step forward while visiting my mom. She took me to her local quilt store and patiently taught me the intricate process of long-arm quilting the top layer. I was a bundle of nerves – this hobby is certainly not for the faint of heart or intense perfectionists! – but ultimately, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my mom. Her gentle but firm push outside my comfort zone enabled me to complete this project 100% by myself. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. Honestly, why do moms always have to be right about these things?! Their wisdom truly is unparalleled.
6) Discovering Pickleball: Our Newest Family Obsession
We are incredibly recent converts to the world of pickleball. My brother first introduced us to this captivating game a few weeks ago during a visit to Montana, and honestly, our collective thought was: “Oh my goodness, why did no one tell us how much fun this is?!” The appeal was immediate and undeniable. We quickly purchased our own paddles online {affiliate link}, and since then, it’s been an absolute blast for our entire family. A few minor squabbles and tears have inevitably cropped up during competitive matches, but thankfully, not too many!
While our charming little community unfortunately lacks dedicated pickleball courts, we’ve found that our existing tennis courts can be *fairly* easily modified to accommodate the game. Additionally, there are some public park pickleball courts located about 25 minutes away, which we happily frequent. What makes pickleball so accessible and enjoyable is its relatively low barrier to entry. Even I, who consider myself arguably the least athletic person alive, manage to be halfway decent (and by that, I mean not terrible, but certainly not a pro!). The game is a fantastic blend of strategy, quick reflexes, and social interaction, suitable for almost all ages and skill levels. Am I truly the last person on earth to discover the joy of pickleball, or are there others out there who are also recent converts to this wonderfully addictive sport?
7) Navigating Life’s Edges: Setting Personal Boundaries
Lately, my mind has been significantly occupied with the concept of boundaries. It’s a truth I readily admit: I am not naturally adept at establishing them, and frankly, I never truly have been. However, this has become a focal point, and I’ve been making a conscious and concerted effort to implement healthier boundaries across various facets of my life. This includes setting clearer limits for my personal pursuits, particularly in areas like blogging and social media engagement, as well as refining my interactions with the people in my life. A prime example is learning to step back and stop actively managing the emotions of those around me – a habit I’m diligently working to unlearn.
Much of this initiative stems from a profound desire to alleviate some of the anxieties that I contend with on a daily basis. It’s not a topic I frequently delve into, as it touches upon some of my deeper insecurities, and it’s perhaps too intricate to fully explore within the confines of this post (though I would wholeheartedly welcome picking up this conversation in the comment section, should you be inclined). For today, however, my earnest request is simple: I would absolutely love for you to help me fill in the blanks in this sentence. There is absolutely no judgment here – every answer is safe, whether it’s profound, a little quirky, hilariously real, deeply sensitive, or anything in between:
“I want to do more _____________ and less _____________.”
My own honest responses, as of today, would be:
I want to do more being true to myself and less worrying about making others upset.
Alternatively: I want to do more reading in the New Testament and less scrolling through Instagram.
And lastly, perhaps a lighter one: I want to do more cookie eating and less cookie baking. I’m definitely going to need to get my kids more involved in that last one! 🙂
If you feel comfortable sharing, I would be genuinely honored to know what your personal response to that sentence would be. Your insights often provide new perspectives and a sense of shared human experience.
Thank you for being such an incredible community. I deeply appreciate your presence here.
Community Highlights: Your Insights on Photo Storage & Signature Dishes
As a popular request, I’m delighted to provide a quick recap of a couple of “hot topics” that sparked wonderful conversations in our last Friday Thoughts post. Namely, the highly practical questions: What do you use for photo storage? and What is your signature recipe?
First, let’s dive into photo storage, a topic relevant to nearly everyone in our digital age! I meticulously reviewed each and every comment, compiling a swift and informal summary of how you, our amazing community, manage your precious personal photo collections. The overwhelming majority of comments highlighted positive experiences with Google Drive and Google Photos, with many noting that Google Photos conveniently syncs to both their computer and an external hard drive, offering a robust backup solution. Other highly recommended responses included Amazon Prime Photos, wd.com for Western Digital drives, Backblaze for cloud backup, forever.com for long-term digital archiving, Carbonite for continuous data protection, and, of course, the reliable and enduring good old-fashioned external hard drives. It’s clear there’s a wide array of effective strategies out there, catering to different needs and preferences.
And now, onto the delectable topic of signature recipes! While it proved impossible to categorize the sheer variety and passion behind all these responses, I absolutely adored reading about the dishes you are famously known for! I loved it, loved it, loved it. Your culinary prowess spans a delightful spectrum, from comforting cinnamon rolls and vibrant chickpea curry to classic chocolate chip cookies and delicate almond puff pastries. The answers were truly golden, and now I find myself wanting to try every single recipe! It’s a testament to the incredible diversity and talent within this community.
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