my love for the dockatot grows

Friends,

You may recall that a few months ago I shared my love for the Deluxe DockATot. Now, I need to tell you about the Grand Dock.

My Littlest Farmer outgrew his Deluxe Dock around seven months old. I had intended to go without one after that, but life happened. He ended up with a cold on top of transitioning from being swaddled, so we decided it was just too much change at one time and the Grand Dock would be a constant we could control. 

The wonderful folks at DockATot graciously sent me a complimentary Grand Dock to try out and review, and for that, I am so thankful. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend the Grand Dock.

ja-vie's, the best flats for mom

Friends, I need to introduce you to the flat you've been waiting for. Ja-vie's are everything your feet have ever needed and everything your sense of style has ever wanted. Let me tell you how I know.

The folks at Ja-vie were kind enough to send me a pair of their Comfy Jelly Knit Flats in True Red. When I opened the box, the first word out of my mouth was GORGEOUS. Once I put them on my feet, the next word was BEAUTIFUL, followed shortly by how PERFECT they fit. My Farmer was wondering what in the world I was going on and on about to myself while I was trying them on.

farm photo friday

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!

I’m a little late in getting this post up, but I consider getting it up at all a success in my book these days. 

Here is the short and sweet version of a few things I’m currently loving...

[1] The smell of fresh cut hay

[2] A growing garden

[3] Rainbows after the storm

[4] Millie the cat-dog 

[5] Being a mom of farm boys

Linking up with April| Five on Friday, Erika | Friday Favorites, and Della| High Five for Friday

~Trista~ 

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tbb asks: june - summer lovin' edition

Well Friends, I know I've still been a little scarce, but I am hoping to improve this month! I miss all of you and desperately need to see what's happening in your worlds. As for ours, it only continues to become more hectic. Summertime is here and that means so is hay season, garden season, swim season, and hopefully at some point, a week at the beach - and THAT is something I'm counting down the days until.

Now, in true summer fashion, I'm linking up with the lovely ladies from the TBB and sharing some of my summertime favorites. Let this be the kickoff to a great summer, loads of fun, and the making of even more precious memories.

1. Walk or Bike Ride?  I'm a sucker for a leisurely stroll.

2. Favorite Picnic Food? You can't beat a good grilled hot dog. 

3. Pool or Lake? Pool. I can't help but think of what else might be lurking in lake water - like snakes. 

4. Favorite Flavor of ice cream? Rocky Road.

5. Ice Cream Cone or in a Dish? Waffle cones are my favorite. 

6. Flip Flops or Slides? Flip flops. Anyone else struggle to keep slides on?

7. Jean Shorts or Jean Capris? I feel so much more comfortable in capris. 

8. Favorite summer Fruit? Stawberries. My Farmer says I'm un-American since I do not like watermelon!

9. Corn on the Cob or Cut Off the Cob? I love corn on the cob fresh out of the garden.

10. Favorite summertime song? Island in the Sun by Weezer. 

11. Favorite summertime activity? Sitting around outside in the evenings with family and friends. 

12. Favorite Berry? Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry or Blackberry? Strawberry, not really a fan of any of the others. 

13. Bikini’s, tankini’s or one pieces? Tankini or one piece. I'm pretty self conscious as it is, so the more I can cover the more comfortable I am. 

14. Dresses or Skirts? Dresses. Ten years ago I would have said skirts, but they stopped making the style that was flattering on me. I can't find A-Line skirts for the life of me. Anyone remember B Moss?

15. One Word to describe Summer? Happening. There's always some fun to be had or farm work to be done, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

By the way, I so hope to get a life update out soon. Have a wonderful week!

~Trista~

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friday favorites: books edition

Hi Friends!

In my long overdue update a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I'd been on a reading frenzy. I tend to either blog like a crazy fool or read like one, and reading has won out.

Below are the books I’ve been reading since my last book post. I’m sharing my rating and a few brief thoughts. Click through to Amazon to see the full book description.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I haven’t read quite all of her books but I am getting close. November 9 is a great story and one that keeps you on edge the entire way tugging your heart this way and that. It’s not my favorite of hers but it was still an “I can’t put it down” read nonetheless. 

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love Sophie Kinsella and I enjoyed My Not So Perfect Life. However, it was a little slow to start and felt a little more predictable than her other novels. Regardless, I love an easy read with all the feels. 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A few of you recommended this novel a few months ago and it was just as good as you said it would be. It was a quick read with a lot of heart tugging. The book leaves you feeling satisfied, thankful and humbled. 

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had high hopes for this book when I read the description, but it wasn’t as awesome as I thought it would be. It was a little slow and kinda dry. The overall story, however, was enjoyable. 

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is hands down the best one I’ve read since Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. There are few books that stay with me for months after reading them. It Ends With Us is one of them and definitely makes my Top 5 best ever read list. 

Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's been a little while since I read Secrets in Summer and I couldn't recall it's main idea without reading the book description. It was an enjoyable read but not a memorable one.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed The Hating Game. It was an engaging romantic comedy. I think it'd make a great Hallmark movie minus the language. 

True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am usually a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks, but this one was not one of my favorites. It was good, but not great and I expect great from him. 

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was excellent. I was mesmerized the entire way through waiting for what would happen next. The love story was wonderfully woven within the drama. After the book, I decided to make time for the movie. BIG mistake. The movie is nothing like the book. I was utterly disappointed.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I thoroughly enjoy historical fiction novels with female protagonists and The Alice Network did not disappoint. It didn't quite make the best books ever read list (five star books), because there were just parts of it that I thought were out of place. I'd think let's get back to what really matters here. 

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A lot of you were reading this and raving about it, so I added it to my list. It took me a couple of tries to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. This opened my eyes to something entirely new about our history. I even researched the basis of the story afterwards. Excellent read.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Although Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite authors, Hopeless was not one of my favorite novels. It was a good read, but not one I'd recommend to older adults. It is a young adult novel and even though sometimes I enjoy those, this was not one of those times.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Although a little out of my usual genre selection, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was unpredictable and kept me on the edge of my seat trying to anticipate the next turn. It was definitely an I can't put this down novel with an unexpected ending with which the reader is satisfied.

The Bookshop at Water’s End by Patti Callahan Henry

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had The Bookshop at Water's End on my want to read list before it was even available and was not disappointed. Patti Callahan Henry's novels are always thought provoking and heart tugging. This would be a perfect beach read.

Hardcore 24 by Janet Evanovich
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think I continue reading this series because I've read all of them. I keep hoping that something ground breaking will come of the love triangle. I'm not sure I am even interested in the comedy/mystery that goes along with the bounty hunter tales, especially this one. Hardcore 24 was zombie centered and I am just not into zombies, of any kind. However, there was a little drama for the love triangle in this one so I gave it three stars instead of two.

I am currently reading Gabriel's Inferno and although it's a series, I have my doubts I'll continue to read through after the first novel. Any favorites you highly recommend I get on my reading list?

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! I hope to get a life update out soon...

Linking up with April| Five on Friday, Erika | Friday Favorites, and Katie | High Five for Friday

~Trista~

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