Merry Christmas and Happy Advent, dear one!
This morning, I received a weather advisory on my phone that we were under a snow squall warning. In case you’re like me and can’t rightly remember what a snow squall is (I had to google it!), it’s basically a brief but intense blizzard creating white-out conditions from blowing snow and severe winds.
So, yours truly will be staying inside for the time being and doing a final bit of shopping from my home in the woods.
I know Christmas is next week, but I also wanted to share with you a few items that would make good gifts to yourself or a loved one–for Christmas or beyond. Even if you have all your Christmas shopping completed, I think you’ll still find an item or two below to bless you!
Pioneer Woman’s Spicy Molasses Sugar Cookies: If baking is a holiday tradition of yours, this recipe is Winner Winner Dessert for Dinner! They’re easy and so flavor-y with just the right amount of spice. Also, they stay nice and chewy (I always prefer a chewy cookie over a crunchy one). They’re Christmas in a cookie!
Big Train Spiced Chai Tea Latte Mix: I first discovered this brand of chai when we lived on Hawaii many moons ago, and I’ve loved it ever since. It’s another treat that adds to the cozy this time of year.
Illume Candles: One of these days, I want to do a “favorite things: all things candles” because I’m getting a lot of research in on that front! You know I like Chesapeake candles for their light scents and favorable price point, but I want to tell you about Illume candles, which I first heard about from the Out of the Ordinary podcast. I’ve bought Woodfire, Balsam & Cedar, and Winter White from this company, and good golly do I LOVE their light yet fragrant scents. And while they come in various sizes and styles, like pillars and in tins, the candles I’ve linked to above are nice because their containers are really pretty too. That scores bonus points with me!
When Change Finds You: 31 Assurances to Settle Your Heart When Life Stirs You Up: Tie a ribbon around this thing as is, and she’s all set to go to bless a loved one of yours. Also, today is the last day to request a signed bookplate sticker for you to place inside the book! I’ve heard from many of you who are gifting it to loved ones, and I’m so thrilled to have created something that can bless folks not just at Christmas but all through the year.
Great British Baking Show: Our family has faithfully watched this for many years now, but this newest season is my favorite yet. (Although have you seen the Christmas episode featuring the cast of Derry Girls? I laughed so hard my stomach hurt!) Anyway, this hug-in-a-show-format is equal parts humor + warm ‘n cozy, and gosh do I ever LOVE IT.
Christmas Spotify List: Carrie Underwood? Check. Boston Pops Orchestra? Check. Julie Andrews, Leslie Odom Jr, and Point of Grace? Check, check, check. I have diverse musical tastes, and that’s reflected here.
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan: I don’t usually put book recommends under the favorite things categories, especially books I’ve only just begun. But I’m making an exception here. Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan definitely falls under the category of cozy winter reads. (I mean, check out its cover!) I’m not yet finished with it, but so far it’s so, so good. My 18 year old daughter read it before me, and she raved about it as well as commented that this is the perfect time of year to read it.
Patti Callahan wrote Becoming Mrs. Lewis, which I read in 2019 and LOVED.
My Family Recipe Journal by Aarti Sequeira: If you’ve been looking for a gathering place for all those family recipes, look no further than this journal by Food Network star and fellow (in)courage writer Aarti Sequeira. It would make a divine Christmas gift to yourself or a loved one!
That’s all for today, dearhearts! Sending you much love!
xo,
Kristen
(Some of the above links are affiliate links.)
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