Friday Favorites~a weekly series where we share our favorite books, decor, fashion finds, recipes, podcasts, articles and more.
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 614
Good morning friends! Happy St. Nicholas! Did you wake to a stocking full of sweets, an orange and a few nuts? I am snacking on a pice of chocolate as I type this. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about you can read all about the Feast of St. Nicholas here.
This morning is a big day at the house, we are one step closer to the powder bath being finished. The stone counter is arriving along with the sink. Then Monday the plumbers will return to add the fixtures, the toilet, etc and all that is left is the lights, shades from the UK, mirror and wallpaper which will take awhile as we have yet to pick it out.
Ok, let’s get to Friday Favorites.
FOOD
I don’t know about you but this time of year I either don’t feel like cooking or if I do it is comfort food. This week I am sharing a little of both.
Don’t these mini cheese balls look cute? A great appetizer with drinks or even served with a salad.
This Baked Brie and honey appetizer is easy to make and something that you can make at a moments noice when friends pop in.
Honey butter cheddar biscuits, yum! These tasty biscuits are delicious eaten alone or piled high with ham.
White wine sausage bites with mustard dipping sauce, perfect for the holidays and game day too.
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
How to Avoid Being a Toxic Friend
That Healing Sound, When Music is Medicine
Orca Fashion News, interesting read.
The Ancient Roots of Apple Cider
BOOKS
It Happened In Scotland
Christmas in the sleepy Scottish fishing village of Gandiegow this year is a time for quilting, patching up broken hearts, and rekindling an old flame…
After pulling herself out of a three-year fog of grief over the loss of her husband, Joe, Rachel is bringing their five-year-old daughter to see his hometown of Gandiegow and visit with his grandfather. But Rachel wasn’t planning on running into Joe’s cousin, the man who made her have second thoughts at the altar…
Brodie has come home to help his grandfather’s fishing business, but he’d prefer not to see Rachel. Although she did break his heart six years ago, the grip she has on him hasn’t faltered. If they can stop butting heads long enough and learn to overcome the past, they may find new love in the new year…
Once Upon a Wardrobe
1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it’s just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: “Where did Narnia come from?“
Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers.
Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life.
After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother’s request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: “The way stories change us can’t be explained. It can only be felt. Like love.“
The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt
A lush, enchanting story of a woman who must use the magic of the fantastical plants that adorn her crumbling estate in Victorian London to thwart the dark plots of the men around her…
Harriet Hunt is completely alone. Her father disappeared months ago, leaving her to wander the halls of Sunnyside house, dwelling on a past she’d rather keep buried. She doesn’t often venture beyond her front gate, instead relishing the feel of dirt under her fingernails and of soft moss beneath her feet. Consequently, she’s been deemed a little too peculiar for popular Victorian society. This solitary life suits her fine, though – because, in her garden, magic awaits.
Harriet’s garden is special. It’s a wild place full of twisting ivy, vibrant plums, and a quiet power that buzzes like bees. Caring for this place, and keeping it from running rampant through the streets of her London suburb, is Harriet’s purpose.
When suspicion for her father’s disappearance falls on her, she marries a seemingly charming man, the first to see past her peculiarities, in order to protect herself. It’s soon clear, however, that her new husband might be worse than her father and that she’s integral to a dark plot created by the men around her. To free herself and discover the truth, she must learn to channel the power of her strange, magical garden.
MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
SHOPPING
Are you a fan or red? I think it is a great color for many and looks beautiful not only at the holidays but on the cold, white days of winter. A pop of this cheerful color is sure to brighten your day. This week I paired a beautiful red sweater with jeans, a white button down and of course a little plaid. Click the images for the details.
This outfit is cosy and comfy at home, out for errands, or even a casual get together.
UNTIL TOMORROW
What are your weekend plans? Have you started baking?
Tell me your favorite thing about this week?
I hope you enjoyed the recipes, links and books I discovered this week on Friday Favorites. Thank you for spending part of your day with me, your time is valuable and I am grateful that you spend a little of each day with me. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Don’t forget that Kim, Juliet and I will be back tomorrow on Weekend Meanderings!
If you have missed a Friday Favorites post you can find them all here.
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
On My Radar
