Welcome to Friday Favorites, a weekly series where I share interesting articles, books, fashion finds, recipes and more.
Good Friday Favorites morning to you friends. Happy December! It is hard to believe that it’s 4 days until St. Nick comes, 23 days until Christmas and 30 days until the new year.
Slow down, enjoy the wrapping, lights, cookie baking, ice soaking, tree lighting ceremony, holiday parties, shopping and all of the rest. Enjoy the extra time with family and friends and take time for yourself as well to enjoy the magic of the season.
I have lots to share today, a scrumptious sandwich, a recipe that is better than takeout, some great books, lots of links you may have missed and so much more.
Grab your hot chocolate and let’s get to it.
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 509
Food
I love a good sandwich and this croque monsieur is one of my all time favorites. It is comfort food at its best.
Better than take-out Sheet Pan Sticky Ginger Soy Chicken and Broccoli.
A refreshing winter salad filled with nuts and fruit.
12 Secret Family Cookie Recipes
Links
I love house tours and I love them even more if they are decorated for the holidays, check out Juliets library, Cindy’s courtyard, Annies’ dining room, Kims’ pink tree(stunning), Mary Anns’ dining room, and Rhondas’ Kitchen.
A stylish holiday mantel needs more than stockings to look its best, Christmas mantle decorations.
Stop watching trailers. Maybe it’s not the movies that are the problem. Maybe it’s the marketing.
Viva Magenta! What Pantone’s colour of the year tells us about 2023
The Myth of the Brilliant, Charismatic Leader
Emily In Paris season 3 is coming – and the outfits are better than ever
Homemade Gift Idea, Try limoncello
Better late than never! Take it from these late bloomers who followed their dreams
Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVie dies at 79
Q & A with the co-founder of Frances Valentine
Keep Your Brain Sharp for Years to Come
7 Nice Things You Can Say to Anybody
How to disagree without making someone defensive
The Best Spotify Playlists to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Books
The book actually came out in 2011 but the cover has been refreshed because it is now a movie!
New York City at Christmas and a visit to Tiffany’s is a recipe to sweep a girl off her feet unless fate has other plans . . .
When Ethan Greene lost his wife, he never thought he would be able to replace her, until one woman stepped in and showed him how to be happy again. Now, on a romantic Christmas trip to New York City, he has a plan to show Vanessa just how important she is to him and maybe even to give his daughter, Daisy, a complete family again. He’s going to propose with a perfect ring from Tiffany’s.
Gary Knowles and his girlfriend, Rachel, are on the trip of a lifetime in New York at the most magical time of year. The only thing missing is Gary’s gift for Rachel, since as usual, he’s left his shopping far too late. On a last-minute Christmas Eve visit to Tiffany’s, he quickly picks out a charm bracelet for her and heads back to their hotel. But, in a moment, one small mistake changes everything…
December 2022; Littel Wade village, Dorset.
In the four days leading to Christmas as dark nights fall, darker secrets rise.
…Seemingly impossible objects are discovered in a scrapyard which may be home to much more than just junk.
…while two friends try to unravel why their village is bereft of smiles, and how events of hundreds of years ago could change everything for one of them.
Winter 1533. Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief minister, is tasked by his king with finding a garrison site in deepest Dorset. His depressing snowbound mission is unsuccessful in many ways.
Christmas, 2022. Post COVID, Littel Wade, a tiny, unwelcoming village in Dorset, remains indifferent to the festive season. But over the five days leading up to the 25th December, seemingly impossible objects are discovered which may have completely logical explanations or wonderfully fantastical ones.
Prompted by this mysterious find, two friends try to understand why their village is so bleak, what once lay un-noticed in a nearby scrapyard, and why snow is coming…that may not be snow at all.
The Littel* Tale Of Wintering is a story to be enjoyed as the nights close in, temperature drops and both magic and reality jostle for our attention.
It is a Christmas enigma full of drifts and shadows and a very strange December indeed.
The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather
At age thirty-one, American Charlotte Merryweather has spent ten years in London pursuing personal and professional perfection. Yet her present-day success- heading her own PR company, owning a gorgeous apartment, planning a future with her devoted boyfriend- only heightens the shock of a visit from the past.
“Lottie,” Charlotte’s twenty-one-year-old self, drives onto the scene at the wheel of a rusty, orange Volkswagen Beetle identical to Charlotte’s first UK ride. Charlotte pursues a friendship aimed to bestow upon Lottie a decade of wisdom. Yet Charlotte’s prosperous polish proves a pale substitute for Lottie’s innate, youthful graces- openness, passion, and kindness. Will the student become the teacher in this witty turnabout?
Books for Christmas Gifts
What does joy sound like?
Does it sound like falling snow, or a kiss on your cheek? Award-winning recording artist Ellie Holcomb explores this question through a delightful collection of Christmastime scenes, leading up to the discovery that joy sounds like the angels singing that Jesus had been born.
Ellie will be releasing children’s music as a companion to this board book. Her sweet and lovely celebration of Christmas encourages each reader, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat sounding joy!
Finds
Outfit of the Day
plaid shoes// sweater//pants//earrings//handbag//coat
Boden
Chico’s Finds
H&M
Talbots
Anthropologie
Target
In Case You Missed It
I’ve “opened” a Holiday Shop on the blog. You can find Christmas decor including trees, wreaths, pillows and more. You can also find holiday outfits, plaid finds , Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him , Hostess Gifts, toys and and so much more. You can also shop my Amazon storefront for gift ideas.
UNTIL TOMORROW
Have a great day friends, I hope you found something to read, make or enjoy on Friday Favorites. Thank you for spending part of your day with me, I always appreciate it.
I hope to see you back here tomorrow for Weekend Meanderings with Kim and Juliet!
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Thanks for sharing these! I’ll be attempting to make gluten free ginger bread this week!
Sara, that sounds delicious! There are a lot of great recipes to try. Let me know how yours turn out. Have a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth, you write the most amazing blog posts. I aspire to be you when I grow up!
This post has so many yummy recipes, great home tour suggestions and so much more.
Wendy, thank you that is so nice of you to say. Trust me my friend you have already surpassed me. Your blog is wonderful! Have a very happy holiday!
I love a good croque monsieur
They are so tasty.
I always enjoy your finds! Have a great weekend.
Thank you Mandy! Have a wonderful weekend.
The Princess of Wales looks stunning in the magenta pleated coat dress- thank you for sharing that.
Croque Monsieur is one I’ll be making for family real soon. And I really appreciate the link to the article on Fast Company about how-to-disagree-without-making-someone-defensive. Many thanks! Have a wonderful week!