Friday Favorites~a weekly series where we share our favorite books, decor, fashion finds, recipes, podcasts, articles and more.
FRIDAY FAVORITES NO. 616
Good morning friends, how is your week. It has been a fun and busy week here.
My niece was in town for a few days of Christmas fun and to celebrate her engagement. The house was buzzing with contractors and the master bath is looking fabulous! The tile is almost finished, the vanity is in and next up are the finishing touches on the walls, the plumbing, paint, knobs, lights, etc.
Tuesday my parents arrive and then the holiday fun will begin. In the meantime I am baking cookies and then next week I will make a few of my favorite holiday treats.
As always, I have lots to share so let’s get to all of our Friday Favorites!
FOOD
With family and friends in town I have been looking for new recipes to try this season. Do you have any “go to” recipes that you love?
Christmas Morning Creme brûlée French Toast is an easy and delicious make ahead breakfast or brunch recipe. This recipe is not just for Christmas morning it is perfect all year long.
Stuffed pork tenderloin is a delicious alternative to beef tenderloin or ham.
White cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and apple make these buttery biscuits perfect for breakfast or as a side at holiday lunch and dinner.
This Christmas salad with pomegranate vinaigrette is filled with sweet, salty earthy flavors and would be delicious with your holiday dinner or served as dinner with crusty bread or soup.
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
The 2025 Movies That You will Want to See on the Big Screen
Deny and Delay: The Practices Fueling Anger at U.S. Health Insurers
Why Do We Revert to Our Childhood Selves When We Visit Family?
The Radical Transformation of the Avocado
Meet My Pal, the Ancient Philosopher
Should You Let Your Car Insurance Track Your Driving for Cheaper Rates?
A Manuscript Thief Strikes Again
How a Young Dutch Woman’s Life Began When She Was Allowed to Die
The Interesting Etymologies of 71 Everyday Words
BOOKS
Jacob T Marley
These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge’s miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn’t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge?
Or had he?
In a thrilling and poignant sequel to the World’s most beloved Christmas tale of love and redemption, Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, a reformed Ebenezer Scrooge finds that his newfound mental and spiritual peace of mind cannot solve his remaining enduring problem: loneliness. Scrooge knows a pair of adopted kittens playfully named Julius and Caesar cannot make up for the love of a woman. By sheer coincidence, Scrooge discovers his estranged former fiancée Allyce Bainbridge is a widow whose husband died valiantly while serving with Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards in the Crimean War; however, Scrooge’s socially awkward attempts to regain her trust are bitterly rebuffed. It takes another visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, to tell Scrooge that only “The Ghost of Christmas Love” can unlock the chains of resentment binding Allyce’s twice-broken heart. Marley further compounds Scrooge’s dilemma by enigmatically telling him that this “Ghost of Christmas Love” will only manifest to Allyce if Scrooge is willing to make a sacrifice that all his wealth and gold cannot buy. Scrooge sets out to right the wrong from his past nagging at his soul breaking Allyce’s heart. He enlists the unlikely but sincere help of Florence Nightingale and a cast of endearing characters, not all of whom are what they seem to be, in a satisfying story that answers the question: What happened to Ebenezer Scrooge after his Christmas Eve visit from the ghosts and his change of heart?
All I want for Christmas
Can she find love this Christmas?
Christmas in Copenhagen is a magical time of year but Darcy Cotterell isn’t feeling festive. Newly single, again, she’s not even going home for Christmas. Instead she will be spending her holiday finishing her art history PhD. Her best friend, Freja, has other ideas. She signs Darcy up to a dating app, determined that she won’t be lonely this Christmas.
Darcy agrees to three dates – but her mind is on work, not play: an unknown portrait by Denmark’s greatest painter has been found and she is tasked with identifying the woman in the painting. During her research, she encounters sexy, arrogant lawyer Max Lorensen – who happens to be bachelor number one! The attraction is instant but, knowing they must work together, they abandon the match. Or try to. But their feelings are undeniable – until Darcy discovers Max has an agenda .
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 Finds
Are you finished shopping for everyone on your list? If not and you are looking for stocking stuffers I shared a few things for everyone on your list.
For everything else my holiday shop is filled with gifts for gardeners, Anglophiles, Franchophiles, Bibliophiles, foodies, him, here and more.
Tired of shopping and spending money, this list s for you.
UNTIL Next Time
Are you traveling for Christmas? Travel safe and have a wonderful time.
Staying home? Are you hosting?
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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