Annie Rains, Christmas Romance Books, The Man Who Invested Christmas, Charles Dickens and lots more on Monday Musings.
MONDAY MUSINGS NO. 101
Good Monday morning friends! How was your weekend?
We had a wonderful weekend filled with lots of Christmas cheer, tree lighting, party, etc.
Then Sunday I spent the day in the kitchen and it was a disaster. Have you ever had a day like that? When nothing turns out?
I think it was the humidity or maybe the recipes or it could have been me. I am not sure but the only thing I have to show after many hours was a batch of granola, and 2 batches of nuts, which turned out.
The honey cashews nuts tasted great but they all stuck together(humidity), the cookies were a failure, both batches. They tasted ok, but looked nothing like the photos. The dough did not even looks like the video I was following.
I will be back in the kitchen trying again today because on Thursday I am “hosting a virtual” cookie exchange here on the blog! Make sure to come and check out all of the scrumptious cookies made by some of your favorite bloggers.
Do you ever have problems with humidity and baking?
Oh well, I still have a few days before my dad and sister arrive for the weekend to make some sweet treats.
How was your weekend?
Ok, enough about me let’s get the +5 Things.
+5 THINGS
1.READ~
Through the Snow Globe(Free Kindle Unlimited)
What if you could have one more day with someone you lost?
Diana Merriman, a physical therapist, is probably the only person in the small town of Snow Haven, North Carolina, who isn’t looking forward to Christmas. It’s been three weeks since her fiancé Linus was critically injured when a car hit him as he biked home from the toy store he owns and manages. Watching him open his eyes is the only gift she wants, but she can’t help losing a little more hope every day.
But an unexpected visit from a friendly neighbor and finding a snow globe of Snow Haven—a gift Linus had hidden in the closet—the night before Christmas Eve changes things in ways Diana never would have imagined. Because on Christmas Eve Diana wakes up to find that it’s not—Christmas Eve, that is. Instead, it’s somehow December 4 all over again, the day Linus got hurt, and as mystified as Diana is, she immediately starts a plan to save her partner from his fate.
Nothing is that simple, of course. Instead of a single repeat of that day, Diana finds herself in an endless loop of December 4, experiencing every possible variation of events. Along the way, she uncovers startling truths about herself, her relationship, and even her career that illustrate the ways she’s retreated from her life—and in the face of life’s slights and outright blows, from her deepest feelings. Suddenly hope is second only to joy as Diana opens her heart to the people she loves in every way she can.
NEED MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS?
If you have already read this book or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.Â
BOOKS FOR KIDS
More Holiday Books For Adults
2. Watched~The Man Who Invested Christmas
You can watch The Man Who Invented Christmas for FREE on Amazon Prime.  It tell s the story of the creation of The Christmas Carol one of the most famous books of all time written by Charles Dickens.
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
Love this podcast, Being Roman with Mary Beard
How a Notorious Alleged Smuggler Is Trying to Pry Back the Mafia’s Multimillion-Dollar Caravaggio
What We’ll Be Obsessing Over in 2024
Every State, Ranked by How Miserable Its Winters Are
Why Does Honey Crystallize? (And How Do You Bring It Back to Life If It Does?)
The real villains of today’s housing market
The Personal Sandra Day O’Connor: A Backstage Force and Front Stage Star
12 Must See Things to Do in NY At Christmas
4. SHOPPING BREAK~FINDS & SALES
OUTFIT OF THE DAY
A black tulle shirt and an embellished sweater are classic and beautiful for holiday parties! Add a spritz of perfume and a pair of earring and you are all set to head out for an evening of fun!
I love the addition of shoes with a little bling! If you have black shoes add a shoe clip of attach a brooch!
By the way, if you are a fan of Floris perfume but not the prices, check out TJMAXX they are selling it for $175.00 LESS than Saks 5th.
Holiday Shopping
J. Crew 50% off Holiday Favorites!
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT~WEEKEND MEANDERINGS
This weekend I joined Kim and Juliet for weekend meanderings, Vibeke Svenningsen, Vibeke Designs, Olympia Le Tan, Holiday Outfits and More on Weekend Meanderings.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings and found something to read, watch or even add to your cart.
What book are you currently reading? Are you binge watching a favorite show or listening to a good podcast? Have you seen any good movies lately?
Have a great day friends. Thank you for spending part of it with me.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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I commiserate with the baking problems. A couple of years ago, I was having issues with Christmas cookie recipes I had used for years. Turns out, my oven was at fault, not heating to proper temp although digital read out was OK. Solution, I needed a new oven!!! Merry Christmas!
IT is so frustrating. I had great success today with the recipes I was using. But I do not think I will try the failed recipes again.
Sorry about your oven! Merry Christmas.
I’m getting ready to read Miss Read’s Christmas for at least a third time. I love and reread all of her books!
Thanks for your beautiful blog!
Paula, thank you for the tip. I am off to find my own copy of Miss. Read’s Christmas.
Elizabeth,
I’m so very sorry about the baking not turning out yesterday. You put in so much effort too. I had the same happen to me with two loafs of Pumpkin Bread. I forgot to put in the white sugar. I would have tossed them, but my husband said do not throw them away. So I guess it was not a total waste of ingredients and time. I was so disappointed. I sympathize what you encountered. It’s a big grrrrrrr.
Katherine, thank you. It is frustrating sometimes in the kitchen. It is funny because I cannot figure out if it was the humidity or something wrong with the recipe. No matter today was a much better day in the kitchen.
Sorry about your pumpkin bread. May I make a suggestion? Use it for French toast or to make bread pudding. I have recipes on the blog for both and they are delicious.