Over The Moon 261
We pin EVERY feature link and Most Clicked Link. To have a chance to be featured and leave a comment in our comment section. Please include your link number or post title to make our list of features. Each of our hostesses choose their own features so be sure to visit them. We will return your comment as we visit those posts! So come on in, be one of the first to link up, and remember to go Over the Moon with us!
Did you miss last weeks Over The Moon? You can find it at Over The Moon 260.
Hey everybody!!! I created a new Facebook group named Homemade Everything. You can find it through search or by clicking Homemade Everything. Please come by and check it out join the group and leave a post! I wanted to extend the reach of all our blogger friends and OTM guests.
My hope is that when you leave a link here at the party you will click on this link and add your post to Facebook too. The link will always be the start of my news section here on Over The Moon.
Come party with us! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
Now for the news around here.
I just can’t believe we are into February already.
It still feels like New Year needs to happen.
WARNING: this is sad. And the first time I have talked about it with anyone.
For the last 45 years we have gotten together with our best friends to celebrate.
In the first years we would go to see the Red Wings play and then go for dinner. Once back home we played UNO. (A card game).
As the kids were born, we would all go to a nice family restaurant. Then again, back home to UNO and M&M’s galore. Then a celebration of horns and noise makers.
The last 2 years as the kids were much older our group dwindled. They had parties of their own and also girl friends.
Our UNO game was not ordinary either.
We played in the UNO Federation.
We had an official score book kept by Dan. (He was the official scorer for the Tigers).
My oldest made a crown for the winner. We played a homemade cut throat game too.
We made bets with M&M’s and we ate all the Christmas cookies and fudge we could after a large dinner.
This year was very different.
Not only the pandemic, but the entire tradition.
Dan found he had undiagnosed kidney disease. In January 2020. He suffered for almost 9 months thinking it was his bad back or kidney stones.
His Dr didn’t do enough testing because of Covid taking over our hospitals. Probably like many other cities this year.
In September he was so sick his wife took him to the hospital where they discovered one kidney atrophied and the other barely working.
He went on dialysis. And had a heart attack during the procedure.
That led to a pacemaker. And a severe bacterial infection that trashed his lungs.
He was in the hospital 2 months before the family was told he would never live on his own again. And he made it clear for years that he didn’t want that.
He passed on November 19. His wife and kids allowed to be by his side.
This year we all changed our names for the game to reflect our friends being there. Dan scored. We signed the official shore sheet. Added the start and stop times and weather conditions. Just as he had done for years.
And just like the last game we played, Dan won the crown. We had his kids and wife on zoom and we all cheered. And cried. And ended the night with quiet instead of fanfare.
Just like all of you, New Year was different this year as we missed being with friends and family.
And knowing it would never be quite the same again.
So, for me, New Year still hasn’t happened.
We know next year will be better. And hope we can all get together again.
Sorry for being so morbid. I feel though many of you had drastically different holidays this year too.
I feel there is hope for the future and we must cling to that thought.
Hugz.
Now On To The Party!
Let’s meet your Hostesses!
Take a look at my wonderful Features from last week!
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup by Mix Helens Country Cottage
Chicken and Onions Baked with Rosemary by Scratch Made Food for Hungry People
Tuscan White Bean and Broccoli Rabe by Julies Creative Lifestyle
Vintage Style Valentine Door Hander by Interior Frugalista
And here are your Most Clicked Choices from last week!
Congratulations to all the featured bloggers! Please visit all the hosts to see each of their feature picks!
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I would love for you to visit all my weekly parties. Over The Moon opens on Sundays at 6:00 pm EST.
Come and get inspired!
For an explanation of how Linkup Parties benefit both Hosts and Guests read Why Choose Linkup Parties?
I am at 164, 165 and 166. Sorry for the loss of your friend. I had something like that happen to a group I used to do things with. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thank you so much Patrick for the kind thoughts. So many have suffered the same emotions. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful photos each week. I see them as a way for me to be able to travel. Have a great week!
Thank you for hosting the party. And thank you for sharing your special memory of your good friend. I love the fun way that you celebrated. I’m sorry for your loss because it is hard to lose a person who is part of such a tradition. But I am glad that you have such nice memories of times spent with Dan. Our links this week are: #155, #156, & #157. Hugs to you.
Thank you Amy. I appreciate your kind words. And thanks for sharing. Enjoy your week!
Marilyn, thank you for sharing so we can grieve with you. I’m convinced we all will have broken hearts by the time this is over, if we don’t already. What loyal and loving friends you are to this family, especially now that they need you more than ever. I’m next up at #149, a post with lots of reading suggestions for this year.
Thank you Aletha for such kind thoughts and words. You are always so wise Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Hi, Marilyn; what a heart-breaking story; I think the saddest part is that Covid19 is still to blame, for absorbing needed medical attention away. I hope this year indeed brings better outcomes for everyone. Thank you so much for hosting another great party, it sure brightens up the week! I am sharing #143 Tortilla Soup (Vegetarian). Take care, and best wishes for a nice week.
Thank you Irene. i think COVID was responsible also. And it hurts that all his symptoms mimicked covid too. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Hey Marilyn, I’m at 140, 141, 142 this week. I appreciate so much your sharing of this tragic story. As you say, we all have something, but I really learn from how you handle things. What a lovely memorial. Hugs for you!
Thank you so much Lisa. What a nice thing to say. I hope this year treats you well. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
I know you are incredibly sad. 2020 had so much loss, and to move on to a better year, we must hold on to that hope. Thanks for hosting again. 🙂 I brought by some Hoisin BBQ Sauce. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you CJ. Hope is exactly what moves me forward too. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
I added 137 and 138 this week, thanks for hosting and have a great week.
You are welcome Anita! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Thank you so much for hosting and have a great week!
You are welcome Cindy! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
I’m #127 and sharing a crocheted bee pillow I made this week. Have a nice week Marilyn.
Thank you Julie. I have been seeing him at all the parties. He is so cute!! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Hi Marilyn
My internet was out last night so I am #123 today
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your good friend, Dan. I know how hard it is to lose a dear friend–I’ve lost a few to cancer over the last few years. May he rest in peace and may good memories bring comfort to his family and friends.
Pat
I am sorry Pat for your losses also. Until now I have been happy to not think much about these types of things. Life sometimes brings you where you should be. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
I hate it when bad things happen to good people, so sorry for the family and your own loss as well. Posting today at 118, 122, 124. Also thank you for the lovely feature of my Chicken and Onions with Rosemary, Toasted Crumbs, and Parmesan Cheese. I appreciate it.
You are welcome Melynda. Congrats again. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Such a sad story. TFS. We have lost so many loved ones this past year too, none to Covid. We didn’t celebrate New Years Eve because there was nothing to celebrate. 2021 looks like it is shaping up to be worse than 2020. I’m #115
I hear you Amy. It is hard to find ways to celebrate at times. But it helped me to create a situation I could control and remember later. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
What a sad story. So many have lost so much this year. 🥺 Prayers for his friends and family to find comfort.
Thank you for hosting again, Marilyn. Many of us find welcome respite in blogs, baking and crafts.
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Thank you Niky. Reading blogs and seeing such inspiration gives me hope. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
How very sad, thank you for sharing Dan’s story with us. So sorry for your loss, Marilyn, sending hugs from Canada. Thank you for featuring my heart hanger this week! Linking up at 106 & 107. xo
Thank you Marie for your words. So many are in the same boat. And we think about all that everyone is experiencing. But living it is so much harder. (I always knew that but never identified.) Congrats on the feature! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Thank you for another wonderful party! I hope you have a great week.
So good to see you Chas!! We need to catch up soon. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Oh Marylin, that got me. I am so, so sorry to hear this sad news, but what got me was that Dan got to play on and WON! I hope Dan gets to play every year, a new tradition has been born. Huge hugs and love to everyone.
Thank you Rebecca. It was actually Miss Jo’s idea to play with different names this year. I think that we will do that as a new tradition. We always set an extra pla ce at the table for those that can’t be with us. I think New Year has just been added to that tradition. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Thank you for hosting this lovely party.
Have a lovely week.
Naush
You are welcome Naush. Your posts are always so creative. your blog is fun to visit. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Thank your for hosting the party. I have linked up #79, 80 81.
I hope you have a great week,
Kippi
Thank you Kippi for coming to share this week! It is always a pleasure to see you in my comment section. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Goodness, it is almost February.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Marilyn. It has been a tough year for so many (and for so many different reasons). I think it is so critical that we continue sharing and connecting despite the pain.
Tonight I shared a recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup (#7).
As always, thanks for hosting and have a great week.
Thank you Shannon. I do so believe that. I wanted to put up a remembrance wall in the sidebar, but felt it would grow so fast this year. Here is too a kinder and more understanding year. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Wishing you and your loved ones a happier and healthy 2021. Thanks for hosting again…I’m number 76.
Take care, Shelley
Thank you Shelley. I think it sounds selfish of me to talk about it, but sharing with my friends here has helped a lot. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Hi Marilyn,
I am so sorry for your loss this year, it has been a very sad year for so many and I pray that 2021 will be better, I am hopeful. Thanks so much for the great feature for my Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup, what a delightful surprise! I am sharing some goodies from my kitchen at #47,48,49 and thank you so very much for the opportunity to share!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. And congrats again on the feature! I love slow cooker everything so this one is on my list. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Dear Marilyn, How very sad to hear of your loss. Seems that everyone I know is going through sad times in one way or another. Here’s to a better, kinder world as we head into spring and may you continue to celebrate the life of your friend Dan with each new year. I brought my Beef Short Ribs with Polenta to the party this week, #46. ~Leslie
Thank you Leslie for your condolences. Losing someone you know has been ill or is somewhat older is hard enough. But losing someone so full of life and my age is so different. you are right! A kinder and more caring world is needed. And it starts from within. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a wonderful week!
I love popping in here for the party. I always find such inspiring ideas and recipes. Thank you for hosting. This week I brought CHICKEN BLT CASSEROLE, BLOODY MARY SHRIMP COCKTAILS and BOURBON PECAN CHICKEN. I hope you have a FANTASTIC week.
Thanks Tamy! Blood Mary Shrimp Cocktail sounds like a winner! I look forward to trying that one. Thank you so much for sharing, and being who your are. Have a wonderful week!
The loss of a dear friend cuts so close to the bone. So sorry for this sadness….
Thanks so much for your faithfulness here every week.
I am #15 & #24
Thank you Michele. it is at this time I have found even deeper comfort in my faith. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Marilyn,
I know you are incredibly sad. There are many of us who experienced loss in 2020. All we want is to move on to a better year and we must hold on to that hope. Thanks for sharing with us, I think that helps and I hope it does bring you some closure.
I am #’s 16-18: DIY Buttermilk Pancake Mix, Vanilla Cranberry Bread, and Happenings on the Homestead #101.
Take care my friend,
Melissa | Little Frugal Homestead
Thank you Melissa. When I decided to write about it I thought of when you wrote about your good friend this year. And another blogger that lost her husband. It is a part of life, but still hard to understand. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Thank you for sharing Dan’s story with us. It a good reminder of all the lives touched because of this virus, and for me, to not self-diagnosis.
Dan sounded like a good person and friend.
I hope it starts to feel like the new year has started for you.
My posts this week are # 8 and #9.
RR
Thank you Rachelle. It has taken a long time for me to talk about. There is something to think about when you start to lose friends. Life is too short. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!
Thanks so much for hosting! I’m linking up with TOP 10 POSTS OF 2020 AT GRAMMY’S GRID. I’m also hosting some link parties. Won’t you drop by and link up?
So glad to see you Grammy Dee. I will love reliving your top posts! Have a great week.