Good morning friends! Happy Friday to you, how was your week? It has been busy here, lots of wrapping, baking and work. I am a little behind this years because I had guests for two weeks and I didn’t do anything but enjoy them and take a break. This weekend I am doing all of my baking for the neighbors and the things I am shipping. I will bake the things that we like and that we are taking to Christmas dinner a few days before Christmas. It is going to be a crazy day with all of the storms from California to Mid-west so please be safe.

I have lots to share this week so sit down, relax, get a cup of cocoa or wine and enjoy.

Friday Favorites, Food, Finds, Books and More

Food

I love Christmas baking and seeing all of the cookies, pies and cakes on Pinterest. This beautiful  Orange Cranberry Cake  made by Whitney at Salt & Baker is simple and beautiful!

I’ve never had fondu but Oh Sweet Basil shared the “perfect fondu” recipe this week and now I have added it to my list of things to make and eat over the holidays.

I have never made fudge for the holidays, but this year I think I am going to try The Best Homemade Fudge from Foodie Crush, doesn’t it looks fabulous. If you have a favorite fudge recipe please share it in the comments.

Are you going to be entertain this month? If so I have a fabulous Cranberry Bourbon Punch for you to make for your guests. I found the recipe in Garden & Gun Magazine a few years ago. I will admit that I am not a bourbon fan but at every party that we have served this punch people have loved it.

18 Festive Cocktails to Master for the Holidays, According to the Pros.

Speaking of cranberries which are plentiful right now so make sure to stock up, you might want to make this Cranberry Breakfast Cake to give to friends and family for Christmas breakfast. It is so easy to make and it is delicious.

Biscoff cookie fans you will want to take a look at this recipe for Biscoff Cheesecake.

Do you gift homemade food for the holidays? What do you make? Candy, cookies, jams, liquor? I have made all of the above but this year I am looking for something else to add to my baskets and I think I might try something from my friends. This week my friends Cindy  and MaryAnn are going some other friends to share some easy, delicious and beautiful homemade gifts. You can find all of the links at Cindy or MayAnns’ blog.

Interesting Articles

Just in case you missed it on Wednesday I shared The Wisdom in Hot Chocolate

The pleasures of collecting Christmas decorations

Christmas decorating ideas when you have no space for a tree

11 Facts You May Not Know About Christmas Trees

I love this Christmas trip down memory lane.

The Best Holiday Movies to Watch this Season

The 5 Best Food Documentaries on Netflix Right Now

How “The Great” Recreated 18th-Century Russia on a London Soundstage

10 Books To Read if You Want To Improve Yourself

Noises Off: Finding Focus in a World of Pandemic Brain and Techno-overload

When You Can’t Change the World, Change Your Feelings

You Already Have Enough. Let It Change Your Life.

Does Travel Really Change People?

I love this I love this beautiful story of friendship.

Love these videos.

Books

I read Meet Me in London yesterday, the perfect escape from a busy day.

When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed, will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for…?

If you are a fan of Hill House on Instagram and you missed the announcement, Paula wrote a book! Hill House Living is a beautiful book to give to your friends and family or to buy for yourself this holiday.

I ordered Feels Like Home for myself. I love Laurens blog, books and her Instagram. This beautiful book is another great one to give for the holidays.

If you want to see more of the books I feature on the blog each week you can click on the “My Book Shop” Icon in the sidebar and it will take you to my Pinterest board were I pin all of the books each week.

Finds

I don’t have a mini-me but if I did this  would be perfect. After all ever occasion calls for a little sparkle.

She would also need , because a). it’s plaid and b). is is so cute.

This pillowand it is $3.99.

Have you seen the fabulous things at Banana Republic? I want

I do not need another winter coat but I can still look and I love this

And this entireI love everything about it, especially the sweater and the green scarf.

What have you been buying for yourself or for gifts this week? Did you find anything that we “must have” or must make or must read? If so, please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Pin me for later

That’s it for this week my friends. I hope you found somethings to read, something to make and something to enjoy. Have a wonderful weekend and again travel safe in the storm.

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