Friday Favorites~a weekly series where we share our favorite books, decor, fashion finds, recipes, podcasts, articles and more.
Friday Favorites No. 662
Good morning friends! How was your week? I won’t lie, it has been a rough one. When you have a family member that suffers from mental illness it is heartbreaking, exhausting and it affects every person in the family. Sadly we have been dealing with the ups and downs of this for years(almost 40) and for the last few years things were good(maybe we were kidding ourselves) but lately it feels like the wheels have come off the bus as they say. For the record, I am not speaking about myself or my husband, it is a close relative.
On a lighter note, I turned 59 this week! Where does the time go? In years past I have shared lessons I have learned and I did think about writing another post like it but the only lessons that I think I could share this year are:
No one cares what you have to say. More often than not when someone calls with a problem or an issue, they want you to LISTEN. I am not being a pessimist, it is true.
The other is that you can’t help someone that doesn’t want help. You can try and try and try and if they do not want help you are wasting your time.
I am sorry to be such a downer, but I wanted to share just in case there are others dealing with the same feelings.
Ok, let’s get to it because I have lots to share.
FOOD
Just in case you are looking for a few additions to your Thanksgiving table. I am sharing a few things I think you might like.
Mini Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry pot pies! A combination of ground turkey, onions, celery, potatoes, chunky cranberry sauce and Havarti cheese is all wrapped together by flakey, buttery homemade pie crust.
Brussel sprout lovers, why not try this cheesy pancetta Brussel sprouts casserole.
If you are looking for a side for the holidays New Orleans culinary star Mason Hereford spent years perfecting this easy-to-make Thanksgiving dressing. I cannot wait to try this.
These browned butter cranberry crumble bars are scrumptious!
LINKS TO READ+WATCH+LISTEN
Confessions of a private chef: foie gras for pets, ecstasy for pud
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Why We Struggle to Say No—And How to Get Better at It
The Secret to Hosting Thanksgiving and Still Enjoying It
Who Really Owns All Your Health Data?
A happy circumstance: Bob Ross paintings sell for more than $600K to help public TV stations
All Praise to the Lunch Ladies
3 Little Morning Habits that Will Change the Rest of Your Life
When Did Air Traffic Controllers Become Federally Controlled
Books
Secretly steaming open envelopes and reading the letters inside, Bilodo has found an escape from his lonely and routine life as a postman. When one day he comes across a mysterious letter containing a single haiku, he finds himself avidly caught up in the relationship between a long-distance couple who write to each other using only beautiful poetry. He feasts on their words, vicariously living a life for which he longs. But it will only be a matter of time before his world comes crashing down around him.
This Year it Will Be Different
From the New York Times bestselling author of Circle of Friends and The Glass Lake comes This Year It Will Be Different, a stunning new work that brings us the magic and spirit of Christmas in fifteen stories filled with Maeve Binchy’s trademark wit, charm, and sheer storytelling genius. Instead of nostalgia, Binchy evokes contemporary life; instead of Christmas homilies, she offers truth; and instead of sugarplums, she brings us the nourishment of holidays that precipitate change, growth, and new beginnings.
In “A Typical Irish Christmas,” a grieving New York widower heads for a holiday in Ireland and finds an unexpected destination not just for himself, but for a father and daughter at odds. The title story “This Year It Will Be Different” also delves into the emotions of a person at mid-life–a woman with a complacent husband and grown children who are entering a season that can forever alter her life, and theirs. In “Pulling Together,” a teacher not yet out of her twenties sees her affair with a married man at a turning point as Christmas Eve approaches–and she may be off on a new direction with some unusual friends. And in the delightful tale “The Hard Core,” the four most recalcitrant residents of a nursing home are left alone at Christmas with the owner’s daughter in charge: the result is sure to be disaster–or the kind of life-affirming renewal that only the spirit of the season can bring.
The stories in This Year It Will Be Different powerfully evoke many lives–step-families grappling with ex’s, long-married couples faced with in-law problems, a wandering husband choosing between “the other woman” and his wife, a child caught in grown-up tugs-of-war–during the one holiday when feelings cannot be easily hidden. The time of year may be magical, imbued with meaning. But the situations are universal. And Maeve Binchy makes us care about them all. As the Philadelphia Inquirer noted, “Maeve Binchy’s people come to life fully. They make you laugh and cry and disturb your sleep.” They do precisely that in this extraordinary collection, on the night before Christmas when we are snug in our beds, or anywhere, any time of the year.
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days
Jeanette Winterson brings together twelve of her brilliantly imaginative, funny and bold Christmas stories, linked by personal memories and twelve delicious recipes for the Twelve Days of Christmas. From jovial spirits to a donkey with a golden nose, a haunted house to a SnowMama, Winterson’s innovative stories encompass the childlike and spooky wonder of Christmas. Enjoy the season of peace and goodwill, mystery, and a little bit of magic courtesy of one of our most fearless and accomplished writers.
Looking for more books?
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
SHOPPING
This week I am sharing a few things I found while holiday shopping.
I love these plates, and the tablescape too!
This set of modern “transfer ware“, I especially love the pinecones and acorns.
Isn’t this black and purple plaid skirt beautiful?
Every day is a holiday, why not wear this bright and beautiful skirt this season?
More Holiday Outfits
UNTIL TOMORROW
I hope you enjoyed the recipes, links and books I discovered this week on Friday Favorites. Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Weekend Meanderings with Kim and Juliet!
I hope that you have a wonderful day, thank you for spending part of it with me.
Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
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On My Radar
Wisdom in what you say – not a downer at all. It just is that way: hard to watch someone close to you struggle and you can’t help someone who does not want the help or isn’t willing to help themselves. Thanks for all you share. I enjoy your blog.
Jeannie, it is so difficult to watch. And honestly so hard to keep things in perspective when their behavior affects you and hurts your feelings and family.
Dear Elizabeth,
I totally can appreciate what you and your family are experiencing with the member of your family that has been dealing with mental illness for over 40 years. It’s very upsetting and upsets the entire family. If the person decides to go off their meds that is usually not a good thing. We too have several members in our family (not us) that struggle with mental issues. Of course we are always present to help, even through it’s at a large distance away.
I know how this is creates a heavy heart of WORRY. We’ve been dealing with this for over 30 years, the other person my entire life. Now resting in heaven.
Wrapping you in warm hugs. I’ve learned over the past 35 years the families that seem to be “the perfects,” they aren’t, they too have many issues.
Thx for sharing, I now get to know the whole person.
You are invited into my “Kindess Club,” no car bumper sticker is required. What is, extending kindness to yourself, family members, neighbors, friends. You already do these things I’m sure. You are invited into right? Good I thought so!
Katherine,
Thank you my friend. It is so hard to even wrap my mind around the goings on with this person. Their actions are so hurtful to the entire family and they simply are not capable or caring. As you know from experience is cause a lot of pain and damage to the family. Sadly this time I think some of the damage is irreparable.
I love the idea of your kindness club! Thank you for the invitation!
Having had my own struggles with mental health for many years, and dealing with children and grandchildren who also struggle, I can well understand the impact of what you’re talking about. And, holidays don’t make this kind of problem any easier, in fact, it’s even harder during times when it seems that everyone else is celebrating. I can only say that I hope your family members find the kind of help they need.
Thanks for your blog!
Paula, you are so right, the holidays make everything more difficult. Sadly, this person does not think they are or have a problem and will not get any help. It has been a long battle to get them help.
I appreciate you sharing your story.
Blessings to you this holiday season.