It’s been a drab and dreary week here (after a flash of Spring on Monday). To say I’m ready for Spring is an understatement! Watching movies that take place in the warmer months, with green grass and leaves on the trees has me longing for flowers and color! That said, let’s get on with this week’s Friday 5+1! This post contains some affiliate links.
Easy Grow Planter Box
With warmer weather on my mind, I saw an elevated planter box and just started thinking about the possibilities. Flowers, veggies, herbs – lots of possibilities! I’ve had a garden in the past, but at our current house, I just don’t get enough sun in the space where I had mine, so I’ve resorted to farmer’s markets and enjoying veggies from the gardens of my neighbors. This looks like it could be a nice way to grow a few things of my own, even if it’s just an herb garden. It has a drainage system in it and everything – which would be great for me since regular watering is a challenge for me for some reason (even when it comes to getting enough water myself!).
Winter Garden
You all know that I’m a fan of Kristin Hannah’s books, and if you haven’t read The Nightingale, you need to because it’s my favorite book of all time at the moment. I finished Winter Garden last week, and it reminds me of The Nightingale, except that the story is told in World War II Russia. Kristin Hannah is a master storyteller, and always manages to surprise me in her books. Winter Garden is a story of a mother’s past, as her two daughters learn of her history and how it impacted the way that she mothered them.
The Great Alone
In keeping with my Kristin Hannah love, I continued on by listening to The Great Alone. A totally different story – with most of it taking place in Alaska. It’s the story of a young girl and her parents – her father suffering from PTSD after the Vietnam War, and her mother clinging to the memory of the man he used to be. The family moves to Alaska and starts a new life there – learning how truly challenging it is to survive in the drastic conditions of this part of the world. Their daughter, Leni, also forges her own life, and discovers a love of Alaska, as well as the friendship and love of a boy, Matthew.
This book was like no other that I’ve read, and I loved the detail of what life is like in Alaska. Long days of daylight in the summer, and long, dark winters that are beyond my comprehension. I came to appreciate the community and unique circumstances that Alaska offers, while also knowing that I would never make it through one winter there! But I sure wouldn’t mind visiting in the summer one day. Great read, wonderful story – the characters are always so well developed and interesting, and I find that I can love them and hate them all at once sometimes!
Pretty Custom Hardware
While I was at Menards – looking at knobs and pulls (and hinges) – I noticed their custom hardware offerings. I’m a big fan of older furniture pieces and their pretty hardware, and lo and behold, Menards has some pretty nice options. Who knew? I’ve seen custom hardware selections in other stores, but I don’t recall seeing any that are like these. Good thing to remember if you’re redoing a a vintage piece of furniture and need to source some new hardware.
Cheeseburger Gnocchi
I made this recipe for Cheeseburger Gnocchi this week and it was delicious! Different from some of the things I usually make, but I’m on a gnocchi kick lately, and this one was a hit with the family too. #winning Even better that this one was quick and easy! A great weeknight dinner when you’re in a hurry.
My +1 for the week – wimpy handshakes
My sixth grade daughter had her D.A.R.E. graduation last night, and as the kids got their “diplomas”, they shook hands with one of the educators as well as the officer who taught the program. It’s interesting to watch the kids (and the adults for that matter), and how they approach handshakes. One thing that we’ve drilled into our kids is to have a firm handshake – not one of those wimpy, limp wristed, flimsy handshakes. And to look the person in the eye when you shake their hand. These little life skills really add up over time. The officer had a firm handshake, the educator – not so much. I just think a handshake really sets the tone in a lot of circumstances, some consequential, some inconsequential, but it’s still important.
Exhibit A – my son at his high school graduation. 🙂
Hopping off my soapbox. Have a great weekend!
Jenny
11 Comments
Denise
February 23, 2018 at 10:26 amThe link for the garden box isn’t working.
Jenny
February 23, 2018 at 7:09 pmNot sure what happened there – fixed it and here is the link – https://rstyle.me/n/cyh6x2cb3sf Sorry about that!
Deb
February 23, 2018 at 2:46 pmYes…I found that also, the link to the raised garden container is not working and I would very much like to purchase one. Thank you!
Jenny
February 23, 2018 at 7:09 pmNot sure what happened there – fixed it and here is the link – https://rstyle.me/n/cyh6x2cb3sf Sorry about that!
Andrea
February 23, 2018 at 4:25 pmI can’t stand wimpy handshakes either. We have made sure our daughters (11 & 13) know how to properly shake hands. They now refer to wimpy shakes as dead hands.
Jenny
February 23, 2018 at 7:09 pmYES! Thats a great way to describe it. Like a dead fish!
MEM
February 23, 2018 at 5:57 pmI am also a Kristin Hannah fan – I loved The Nightingale and Winter Garden and I am currently reading Home Front. I had to laugh about the wimpy handshake – my Dad taught me to have a strong handshake – more like a grip – and it usually either surprises or impresses people. I tend to automatically judge a person by his/her handshake.
Jenny
February 23, 2018 at 7:14 pmA good handshake just seems like something that should be taught automatically – like brushing your teeth or washing your face. Especially since they really can create a first impression (good or bad) in an important situation.
Debbie
February 23, 2018 at 5:58 pmThe elevated planter box is at Walmart. I had google come up which I thought was weird so I just entered search “elevated planter box” and it came up. Good luck.
Deanna
February 23, 2018 at 6:24 pmYou always have the best book suggestions!! Thank you!
Jenny
February 23, 2018 at 7:11 pmI’m glad that that you like them Deanna! 🙂