Monday Musings on Peace and Quiet
I’ve been listening to this book lately, and I’m so glad I downloaded it. I began reading it a few years ago but put it down and never finished it. Audible books are so much easier for me because I can listen while cooking, walking on the treadmill, or folding laundry. There’s a lot to be said about the benefits of not multitasking, but listening to a book is a worthy exception to me.
SCARF AND LAPEL PIN FROM MY CLOSET ARCHIVES
I wore this outfit shopping on Saturday and got the nicest compliment! While standing in line to pay for a few things, the young lady in front of me turned and said, “Oh my God, I love your outfit! You look so smart. You look like you’d be fun to hang out with!” It was a sweet and funny compliment. Especially from someone in their twenties, which I can comfortably say is not my typical audience on the blog. 🙂
My daughter Vanessa is in town and recovering from a lousy case of Shingles (noooo fun, and I hope you never have to deal with it). We found these fun and hilarious hats at Anthropologie yesterday. They immediately reminded us of our trip to Japan a few years ago, where we tried on the wildest (and most expensive) hats in a Tokyo shop. Apparently, hats are a weakness for both of us.
I’m not sure where we will wear them or how we might style them, but they were too cute to leave at the store…especially at 40% off! I know I’ll be bringing mine up to Canada when I return in the New Year because it’s much colder there.
Like many of you, this next week will be filled with family time, little traditions, gift exchanges, and holiday baking. I decided to use up an extra bag of cranberries my husband had bought by baking some cranberry walnut orange muffins. They sound delicious, and I think they could be if I’d realized that the flour I purchased is actually “vital wheat gluten” – apparently something used to make vegan meat. What a nightmare!
After a quick trip to the store, my daughter made some delicious ginger snap cookies, which I’ll have to hide from myself. Tomorrow, we’ll make Mexican wedding cakes – a Christmas favorite. While our tree has been up for a few weeks now, I’ve saved a special tree for my daughter and I to trim later today — its a Southwest tree, filled with chili pepper lights, and ornaments that my mom purchased for me many years ago, when she was living in New Mexico.
If you’ve been out, you know the stores are a nightmare and packed with shoppers. I still have a few things to pick up at Sephora, which has really come through for me this year, and then I’ll be staying home and decompressing.
We’re hosting a Christmas day brunch and enjoying time with our grandsons, followed by a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings. That means I’ll be taking a few days off from the blog. I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday. I’d love to hear about your holiday traditions, so please share if you have any favorites or your favorite holiday baking recipes!
I’m sorry I said Pamela when I meant Jennifer…I am goofy! I just finished another blog and my fingers transposed, however the message was for you, Jennifer😂
Sandra
No worries, Merry Christmas Sandra!
Merry Christmas! Love the hats! I just bought a black faux fur bucket hat! I love hats and yours and your daughters look great!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, Jennifer and to all of your readers!! You and your daughter look great in hats—so fun! I think you would be a blast to “hang with” too; what lovely compliments from the young lady in line! You always look so beautiful and put together; I love your style! Enjoy and savor!
🎁🎄🎅🏻🧑🏻🎄⭐️💕, Rita
Thank you Rita! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks for keeping us in the know about latest styles and your fun adventures.
Merry Christmas Sue!
Hi Jennifer,
Merry Christmas! Just posting to tell you how much I am enjoying your blog.Thanks for your emails. Also, I really liked your reading list you posted a while ago and I decided to check out the audio version of the book by Ina Garten, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens.” Such a great book! Thanks so much for the suggestion. Now I’m checking out her other cookbooks from the library. So much fun!
Thanks for letting me know. Merry Christmas Susan!
Merry Christmas!! Thank you for all the information on your blog, I have learned so much. I love that navy blazer. I make a prime rib dinner every Christmas. The whole family looks forward to it every year.
That sounds fabulous! Merry Christmas Diane
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 Enjoy your family
Merry Christmas Stacy
Merry Christmas, Jennifer.
By the way…. The jeans, navy jacket outfit suits you very well, I love it.
Merry Christmas! Thanks so much Chris
Merry Christmas Jennifer to you and your family, your plans sounds wonderful, love the hats!! Just finished baking too many cookies for friends…..looking forward to a geat New Year! and your great blogs
Merry Christmas Nancy!
Merry Christmas, Jennifer! xo
Merry Christmas Juliet! xo
Love seeing you share fun and special times with your daughter!! Reminds me of times shared with my mom in years past! She has been gone for many years, but the memories never fade! Can’t wait to see you rock that sherpa hat in the new year!! Hope your holidays are merry and bright – as you bring light to each of us in your posts!
Thank you so much!
A lady in line at the grocery store told me her family celebrates Christmas Eve with a Weiner roast. Sounds fun! Enjoy new traditions and old, everyone!
How fun!!