I'm still in movie love mode after the 98th Academy Awards last night. Did you watch it? I loved the romantic gowns and dapper men with their sparkling lapel pins. Jessie Buckley's acceptance speech for Best Actress in Hamnet made me misty-eyed, and Barbra Streisand's tribute to Robert Redford was truly touching. I was equally touched while screening He Calls Me Daughter for today’s post. Below are my thoughts and a giveaway.
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| Courtesy: Fathom Entertainment |
I’m pleased to share my first film review of 2026 with you today. What I assumed would be a sad, hard-to-watch film brought me more smiles than tears. The Optimist covers heavy topics, including Holocaust remembrance, mental health awareness, infidelity, suicide, love, loss, grief, and yet, after watching this film, I find it to be perfectly named. Please consider these trigger warnings before reading my no spoiler review or seeing this film.
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| Courtesy: Trafalgar Releasing |
For a short month, February sure has felt long this year. I think it’s because of all the harsh winter weather we’ve had to endure. I felt like we all could use some cheering up and hosting a giveaway is a great way to do that! I’ve teamed up with a great group of bloggers for the last Friday in February.
Happy first Friday in February! I’m excited to watch the replay of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games with my husband tonight, so dinner has to be quick and easy. I’m sharing a dinner that fits busy nights, a set of lovely books for the American Horticultural Society and a few bedroom closet organization essentials in this edition of Friday Faves.
Since National Puzzle Day is next Thursday, the 29th, I thought I’d share this fun, offline snow day idea since so many states in the US are under a winter storm warning for this weekend. Now’s the time to find your puzzle stash and clear off a table before the winter weather arrives.
Happy Friday, dear readers. I’m excited to combine two fun and popular topics in today’s post. Friday's Faves and a look back on the top ten blog posts here on the blog for 2025. I’m thrilled to see that my film coverage had the most interaction and views, with four film posts making the top ten. Next was food and drink, with three posts, and a three-way tie with one each for books, home and garden, and Nashville.
Happy Friday, friends, and welcome to my January reset edition of Friday faves. We’re nine days into the new year, and I’ve spent the majority of those days offline resetting our home. Once the Christmas decorations are down and stored away for the year, I get busy. I enjoy cleaning, organizing, and adding decor to freshen up our home. Here’s what I’ve been enjoying so far this year.
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