Monday, March 2, 2026

Door Country Peninsula Book Review



 Book Review: Door Peninsula Passions: Three-Book Set by Jennifer Probst


Sometimes you just need a series that feels like a warm hug. The kind of books that make you smile, laugh out loud, and maybe even believe in second chances a little more than you did before you started reading. That’s exactly what I found in Door Peninsula Passions: Three-Book Set by Jennifer Probst.


Set in the charming waterfront community of Door County, this collection delivers everything you want in a feel-good romantic escape: small-town charm, strong heroines at life crossroads, swoony (and sometimes stubborn) heroes, and friendships that feel just as important as the love stories.


Each of the three books centers around women who are rebuilding, rediscovering, or simply trying to figure out their next chapter. Whether they’re dealing with heartbreak, career burnout, or unexpected change, they find themselves in Door County — a place filled with scenic views, cozy local businesses, and a community that wraps around you whether you’re ready for it or not.


And then… of course… there’s romance.


What I loved most about this collection is how Jennifer Probst balances humor with heart. There are genuine laugh-out-loud moments — witty banter, awkward encounters, and those classic “oh no she didn’t” scenes — but there’s also emotional depth. These aren’t surface-level love stories. The characters have fears, baggage, and real vulnerabilities. Watching them slowly open up, trust again, and lean into love feels authentic and satisfying.


The heroes? Protective but not overbearing. Confident but still human. And the chemistry? Definitely there — full of spark and tension without ever feeling overdone.


Another standout element is the sense of friendship throughout the series. The women support each other, challenge each other, and show up for each other. It adds a richness to the stories that goes beyond just romance. It feels like community — and honestly, that’s part of what makes small-town romance so special.


This three-book set is perfect if you:


  • Love small-town settings
  • Enjoy strong female leads finding their confidence
  • Want passion without losing sweetness
  • Need something uplifting and easy to sink into



It’s the kind of collection you can curl up with on a quiet evening and completely escape into. By the end, you almost wish you could pack a bag and head to Door County yourself.


If you’re looking for feel-good, laugh-out-loud romance with heart, this set absolutely delivers.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½




Sunday, March 1, 2026

Sunday is Here!



 A Quiet Sunday at Home — Little Wins, Books, and Caring for Mr. C

Hello everybody,

It’s Sunday evening, and I’m finally settling into the bedroom for the night. Today has been one of those slow, quiet days at our house — the kind where you move at a gentle pace and just take things as they come.

Unfortunately, Mr. C has been sick since Thursday, and I’ll tell you, it has been tough seeing him feel so bad. He’s been really dehydrated, and I’ve suggested more than once that we go to the emergency room just to make sure everything is okay. But if you know Mr. C, you know he’s pretty stubborn about things like that, and right now he’s not budging on the idea. So instead, I’m doing what I can here at home — making sure he drinks fluids, offering Pepto-Bismol, and just trying to keep him comfortable.

This morning I ran out early to Dollar General right when they opened at eight o’clock. I picked up some applesauce and a few bottles of Powerade with electrolytes, hoping that would help him get a little hydration back into his system. Sometimes when someone is sick like that, the little things are all you can do, and you just keep trying.

Mr. C. has been up and down throughout the day, resting a lot. While he was resting, I decided to tackle something that has been sitting on my to-do list for quite a while — the laundry room. I spent a little over an hour in there, and it honestly felt so good to get that space back in order. I hung up clothes that had been waiting patiently on hangers, put folded items into the dresser where they belonged, and just straightened everything up.

There’s something so satisfying about checking a task like that off the list. It might not sound like a big project, but those small spaces can really pile up when life gets busy.

I had also planned to move on to the bathroom and do a full declutter and cleaning session in there. I even had everything ready to go. But Mr. C gently protested and said maybe we should wait until he’s feeling better before doing that deep clean. Honestly, he’s probably right. So the supplies are ready, and my plan is to tackle that after work tomorrow evening and give the bathroom a really good scrub and sanitize everything.

For most of the day, though, I spent my time doing something I really enjoy — reading. I curled up with my Kindle app and continued reading Door Peninsula Passions, which is a three-book set. I’m currently on the third book, and I’m hoping to finish it tonight before I fall asleep. If I do, I’ll be able to write up a little book review sometime this week, which I’m looking forward to sharing.

Around three o’clock this afternoon, Mr. C said he was finally feeling a little hungry. That felt like a good sign. I made a simple can of cream of chicken soup, and we split it between the two of us. He had crackers with his, and I added a handful of oyster crackers to mine. It wasn’t anything fancy, but sometimes simple food is exactly what you need. Thankfully, it sat well with him and stayed down, which was a relief.

I didn’t get quite as much journaling done as I had originally planned, but I did manage to complete two entries. I’m still working on catching up from last month, and honestly, I’m really loving how this journal is turning out. I’ve been watching quite a few YouTubers who show different ways to make journal pages interactive, and I’m excited to try some of those ideas in my journal for Mora. Adding little elements like that really makes the pages feel more special and personal.

Later in the afternoon, I did what I like to call a quick “house reset.” Nothing major, just tidying things up a bit. I wiped down the kitchen cabinets, washed the few dishes we had in the sink, cleaned the bathroom counters, and emptied the trash. It’s amazing how those small things make the house feel fresh again.

One thing I always like to do on Sundays is plan out my outfits for the week. Today I grouped together about six different outfits so I won’t have to think about it in the mornings before work. I always include one extra option, just in case I wake up and change my mind about what I want to wear.

Now it’s about 7:30 in the evening, and I’ve made my way into the bedroom for the night. My plan is to spend a little time reading and hopefully finish that last book tonight. Tomorrow morning I’ll start looking for the next book I want to dive into on my Kindle.

Overall, it has been a quiet weekend — peaceful in many ways — though I do wish Mr. C had been feeling better so we could have enjoyed it a little more. My biggest hope now is that he starts improving soon and that I manage to avoid catching whatever he has. With two big vacations coming up this year, I really need to hang on to my PTO hours.

At my job we earn about sixteen hours of PTO each month, which is wonderful, but I tend to save most of mine for those big trips rather than taking random days off. So fingers crossed that I stay healthy and keep those hours right where I need them.

So that was our Sunday — quiet, simple, and full of little moments. I spent some time journaling, tackled the laundry room, read a good book, and tried my best to take care of Mr. C while he rests and recovers.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little part of your day with me. If you’re reading this, be sure to say hello in the comments so I know you stopped by. I always love hearing from you.

Until next time — cheers, and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cheers, Karen

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Mr. C’s. Birthday unfortunately ill.

                                            


                                                  A Quiet Saturday with a Little Music

Saturday finally arrived—the day I had originally planned to celebrate Mr. C’s birthday. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go as planned. Mr. C had been feeling pretty sick since Thursday night, so we made the decision to postpone the celebration I had been looking forward to. Of course, his health comes first, so we decided to just take the day slow and easy.

Most of the morning and early afternoon were very low-key around the house. I spent some time puttering around, doing a few little things here and there, while Mr. C mostly rested and tried his best not to feel miserable. I also worked a bit in my Mora journal, which was a nice, peaceful way to spend some time. Sometimes those quiet moments are exactly what we need.

Later in the afternoon, I mentioned to Mr. C that I might like to get out of the house for a little while—maybe run over to Cotton Blossom or somewhere nearby just to break up the day. I knew he wasn’t feeling up to going anywhere, and he told me I should just go ahead and get out for a bit if I wanted to.

I first tried calling my cousin Brenda, but she didn’t answer. So I reached out to my friend Nancy instead. As luck would have it, she told me that a friend of hers was playing live music over in Elgin that evening. Since Elgin isn’t too far from us, we decided it sounded like the perfect little outing. David Halliburton has been performing in small venues for many years. Nancy and him seem to be really close friends, which is totally cool.

Nancy came by the house around 8 o’clock, and we headed over to hear him play. While we were there, I also got to meet his wife, which was really nice. We ended up having a really enjoyable time. I was surprised that I knew quite a few of the songs he was singing, which made it even more fun to sit back and listen.

It was simply nice to get out on a Saturday night and spend some time with a lifelong friend. Even though the birthday celebration didn’t happen like we had planned, the evening still turned into a pleasant little adventure.

And that was pretty much how I spent my Saturday.

Did y’all have any fun plans this weekend? I’d love to hear about it. Drop a quick hello down in the comments and let me know what you were up to.

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, and thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

#WeekendReflections #SaturdayStories #SimpleMoments #LiveMusicNights #LifeAsItHappens

Friday, February 27, 2026

Food Compilation for February

Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes 

Chili spaghetti with cheese toast

Taco from Torchey’s Tacos in Norman Oklahoma 

Chips and dip

This iced coffee was so delicious 

Lasagna, cheese sticks, garlic toast

Salad to go with Lasagna

Pizza for Lane and Landon

Salad toppings for the win

Mr. C. Made Chicken pasta with a little bit of spice to it. 


Pin wheels Shelby made for potluck 

We all like the pickles, ham and cream cheese combo that Sherry makes for

Chris brought donuts 

pork roast, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Brooks birthday food. 


Got to love boys and their army trucks

Lasagna and mashed potatoes 

Breakfast for the champions donuts and Java Monster drink. 

Strawberry ice cream from Asian store.


Salad for work lunch



 

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Cinder Book Review

 



                                  Cinder by Marissa Meyer

📅 Published: January 3, 2012 

👩‍💼 Author: Marissa Meyer 



Overview


Cinder reimagines the classic Cinderella fairytale in a futuristic, dystopian world. The story follows Linh Cinder, a teenage cyborg mechanic in New Beijing who is treated as second-class because of her mechanical parts. While struggling with prejudice and societal limitations, she unwittingly becomes entangled in political tensions, a deadly plague, and a budding (and forbidden) connection with Prince Kai. As the plot unfolds, secrets about her past emerge, and Cinder must grapple with identity, loyalty, and her role in a conflict that affects the fate of Earth and its lunar colony. 

Marissa Meyer’s Cinder is a refreshingly bold blend of science fiction, fantasy, and fairy tale that elevates a familiar story into something completely original. The novel’s strength lies in its world-building: the fusion of high-tech futures with classic themes of power, prejudice, and belonging makes every twist feel earned and impactful. Cinder herself is a compelling protagonist — resilient and clever, yet vulnerable in ways that make her deeply relatable.


What sets this book apart are the surprises. Cinder’s evolution from a mechanic trying to survive daily life to someone at the heart of interplanetary politics is full of shocking reveals, shifting alliances, and emotional highs and lows that keep readers hooked from chapter to chapter.


The pacing is swift, with enough action and tension to satisfy fans of both YA fantasy and sci-fi. And although it’s technically a retelling, Cinder never feels predictable — it honors the Cinderella roots while confidently charting its own path. All in all, it’s the perfect mix of heart, adventure, and intrigue. 


Thursday is here!

                          

                                     Peach Skies & Little Win

Good morning, friends.

It’s 6:40 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. The sky this morning is covered in clouds, but they’re glowing with the softest peach tone. It’s one of those quiet, breathtaking moments that makes you pause and think about how big this universe really is. Sometimes that thought feels overwhelming — how small we are in the grand scheme of things. But other times, like this morning, it feels comforting. Like we’re just tiny pieces of something beautifully designed.


Yesterday had a few sweet wins, and I’m carrying that into today.


First — Luther sold his old truck. The one that doesn’t even run! He got $900 for it, and the gentleman who bought it — Rodney, who recently moved to Chickasha from California — was genuinely excited about putting some elbow grease into it. I love that. There’s something special about someone seeing potential where others might not.


That $900 is officially going toward a new refrigerator. Y’all have heard me talk about ours slowly giving up on us. So that felt like a responsible, grown-up victory. I tucked that money safely away, and hopefully by next week we’ll have a new fridge picked out and on the way. One thing at a time, right? After that, we’ll focus on getting Mr. C a used vehicle — but not until my Jeep is paid off in July. Slow and steady.


Yesterday also brought a moment that absolutely made Mr.C’s. day. Alisha called him while she was in Rome. He was over the moon. If you know him, you know he carries a lot of anxiety when family travels outside our usual circle. So hearing her voice, knowing she and Jonathan are safe and enjoying themselves, meant everything. She told him they were on their way to a food tour — which is such an Alicia thing to do. No matter where she travels — cruises, California, New York — she always finds a food tour. I love that she has that “thing” she consistently does. It makes her adventures uniquely hers.


As for today, it’s Thursday, and I’m walking into work determined to simply do my best. I’ve fallen short on my saves lately — and I’ve been honest about that. But today, instead of focusing on numbers alone, I’m focusing on the experience. Every member deserves patience, clarity, and kindness. That part is within my control. If I can give each person a good interaction, then I can walk away knowing I did my part.


And if we have downtime between calls, I am pulling out my journal. I am officially two weeks behind in February, and March is peeking around the corner with absolutely nothing planned. I’m especially motivated because of my journal swap with  Moira. We’ve been exchanging journals for years now. Through her pages, I’ve watched her girls grow up. I’ve read about milestones, hard days, celebrations — life through her eyes. That kind of friendship is rare. This current journal runs from January through the end of May, and while we don’t have rules about what goes in them — daily entries, art pages, lists — I want hers to feel as thoughtful and full as the ones she sends me.


After work, I need to swing by the post office and grab a flat rate mailer. I have the cutest little boy boots for Liam to send to Mellissa  and Trevor, and I’m adding a couple of items for Kyndall too. I may not make it before they close at 4:30, so Saturday morning might be more realistic. Sometimes the to-do list has to wait its turn.


And last night? Total tech fail. I didn’t realize how much I’d been on my tablet at work, and by 6:30 p.m. it was down to 10%. I usually unwind with YouTube, TikTok, or Pinterest, but my tablet basically said, “No ma’am.” Maybe that was my cue to unplug a little.


So here we are. A peach-colored sky. A truck sold. A refrigerator fund started. A daughter calling from across the ocean. A journal waiting to be filled. A Thursday full of opportunity to try again.


Life isn’t perfect, but it’s moving. And sometimes that’s enough.


What’s one small win you’re carrying into today?



Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Wednesday Ramblings

 



           Wednesday Ramblings: Pivot, Push & Pink Skies


I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. This week is flying by so fast.


On my drive to work this morning around 6:40 a.m., the sky was absolutely breathtaking — layers of blue, pink, and purple blending together like a watercolor painting. It’s one of those quiet moments that makes you pause and just feel grateful to be awake and witnessing it. I’m ready for this day to develop.


I’m still riding the high from such a fun weekend. Saturday was packed in the best way. I had a great time with my co-worker Sheila, and then getting to see Bob Snyder at The Blue Door in Oklahoma City with Nancy was such a treat. There’s just something about live music in an intimate setting that feeds the soul a little differently.


Sunday was supposed to be Mr. C’s early birthday celebration. Since Jonathan and Alicia will be in Italy during his actual birthday, we planned a grill-out at Brody and Savannah’s to celebrate ahead of time. But… real life happened. Lane and Landon (and a few others) ended up sick, so we made the call to postpone. Pivot and evolve, right?


The only downside was that I had already ordered the cupcake cake. But honestly, we just made it work. We picked it up, shared cupcakes with Lane and Landon, and with Brody and Savannah, and turned it into something sweet in a different way. Not what we planned — but still special.


Monday at work, though? Whew. Not my best day.


I’m really going to have to push it because I’m not on track to hit my monthly goal. I still need 60 saves this week, which feels pretty close to impossible for me. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to try very, very hard and just focus on one member at a time. That’s all I can do.


One evening after work — maybe tomorrow — I’m planning to head over to Blake and Jessica’s to see Hattie, Brooks, and Logan. I also need to talk more about the New York trip. Just thinking about that makes me excited.


At home, I’ve been staging Christmas decor, and it’s looking so much better. It’s past time to get it back in closet or out in shop. I still need to take a few totes out to the shop, but getting things organized is helping my stress level. I’ve realized I function so much better when things aren’t sitting on my mental to-do list, quietly nagging at me.


And then there’s my perioral dermatitis. It’s really bothering me right now — itchy, painful, burning when I put anything on it. Besides the medicine Dr. Angie prescribed, I think I’m going to try “zero therapy” on my face. A very gentle, sensitive soap, the medication, and nothing else. No extra products. Just letting my skin calm down and heal. Sometimes less really is more.


So that’s my Wednesday ramble. Beautiful skies. Weekend gratitude. Work pressure. Family pivots. Skin struggles. And still — a thankful heart.


Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. If you’re reading this, I’d love for you to say a quick hi in the comments. I truly appreciate you being here, and I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Wednesday.