Friday Finds #31: New Beginnings
Happy New Year and welcome to 2021! Raise your hand if you’re glad to see 2020 come to an end. The beginning of this year is predicted to be rough and challenging, at least until the new vaccine makes its way to most of the population. Who ever thought we’d live to see a pandemic similar to that of 1918? At least there’s hope for brighter days ahead! (This post contains affiliate links.)
Next week I’m back to the office at Aquascape and there’s plenty of work to do. I’ll start work on the spring/summer issue of Aquascape Lifestyles, a free digital magazine about ponds, waterfalls, fountains, and gardening.
Outside of work, we’re living simply and staying at home as much as possible. I just finished reading Where the Crawdads Sing (an excellent book that now has a movie deal). Next up on my reading list is Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
Speaking of books, today I announce the winners of The Romantic Prairie Cookbook by Fifi O’Neill!! Congratulations to …
Jessie H. and Elizabeth S. Ladies – check your email box for your notification!!
On to this week’s Friday Finds:
Let’s start with a bit of fantasy and adventure! Have you ever been to the longest tree-top skywalk bridge at Tennessee’s Anakeesta? It looks absolutely amazing and I’m putting this on my bucket list, for sure.
Back to reality – if you’re like most people, January is a month dedicated to re-organizing. Midwest Living magazine shares some great easy organizing solutions.
I stumbled across this amazing stairway reveal on Pinterest and it blew me away! I’ve always had a thing for interesting staircases.
If the short and gloomy winter days are pulling your spirits down, take a gander at these dreamy sun rooms that are sure to leave you feeling a little lighter.
Baking always puts me in a better mood. Maybe it’s the smell of something delicious coming from the oven. Try my Peasant Bread which is the easiest yeast bread I’ve ever made. Serve it with soup, salad, or as a sandwich. Or simply snack on it!
Going back to the subject of work, here’s what the view from the Aquascape office looks like this week. There’s a grotto behind the waterfall and I took this video with a trip to the grotto for you to enjoy!
Beautiful waterfall, grotto video, thanks ! And peasant bread will be so good with a bowl of homemade soup. Happy New Year and let us not forget the “lessons” learned in the past year.
Happy New Year, Patricia!
Glad you enjoyed the video – and enjoy the bread if you decide to make it!
We have a small backyard that faces several other backyards with fences. Due to our HOA here we can only add some things and the trees or garden shrubs will be the main part of our privacy. You have a beautiful yard Jennifer and your water feature (pond) is something I’d love to have but I think a small scale fountain may be the closest I will ever get. Excited to look at Aquaspace online inspiration.
If you read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, one tip I have is don’t let your mind drift while reading, pay attention. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. I enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing but read many upset at how far fetched it was. I enjoyed it a lot. Feel free to add any other good books you read in the future but nothing scary, k?
I made some great cinnamon rolls that I wish I’d stop eating! Argh!
Homemade cinnamon rolls sound wonderful!! Aquascape has a lot of cool fountain options. My daughter and I installed this one (it’s a kit) at her house last year. Just the two of us did it. The hardest part was digging out the hole for the basin. The rest of it was a breeze. I plan to add a fountain to my front yard this summer. The birds love it. https://www.aquascapeinc.com/products/medium-stacked-slate-urn-landscape-fountain-kit
Thanks for the tip about the book!
Happy New Year Jennifer from Vancouver ,BC , Canada!
What a treat your trip to the grotto was. Kids would love that little hide away and so would any adult looking for some alone time!
I have snow envy, all we have is rain here, and plenty of it these days ☹️
Thank you so much for your beautiful blog, I start every day with it. I don’t know where you find the stamina to keep it up but I am so grateful that you do.🙏
All the best to you and your family in 2021💖 Stay positive and healthy!
Cathie
Aw, Cathie! You just made my day. I love blogging so I guess it’s easier to do something you love (it doesn’t feel like work). LOL. Glad you enjoyed the grotto video. It’s even better in person! Happy New Year!
Oh, thank you for that video. That is amazing. I read Where the Crawdads Sing, and loved it. I didn’t know they had a made a movie to. I will have to check out your next book up. Wishing you and your family a very healthy, safe, and happy 2021.
These were all fun! That staircase reveal was awesome. The homeowner made some really thoughtful improvements. Happy New Year!
Wow! Gorgeous falls!! I love reading your stories
Happy New Year!
I also loved ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. Great book. Happy New Year.
We just finished the cinnamom rolls our college daughter made. Perfect for the cold morning! Happy New Year!