Week 34 - Believe

influencing

Dec 31

We made it. We made it Caroline’s Cookies Grand Opening. I waited in a 2 hour line that was worth every minute of the wait. That December menu was really something else. The doubled stuffed chocolate chip will haunt my dreams for the foreseeable future. The red velvet and the eggnog were top tier. I cannot wait for whatever she’s cooked up for January. I’ve met and and talked with Caroline’s a couple of different times now and she is just the kindest young woman. I wish her infinite success at her new location and all the ones that will no doubt come.

If that wasn’t enough to kick start my Christmas week, we went to New Orleans for a little Christmas adventure. We started with early dinner at Superior Seafood where I had my new favorite cocktail, a Hendrick’s Orleans. We had the cornbread with crawfish, crawfish beignets, oysters, and shrimp and grits. It was absolutely delicious and I would order it all again a million times over. After that, we went to the Roosevelt where I was surprised to learn that the lobby was not decorated for me and my newfound success but rather for Christmas and they do this every year. We of course took the obligatory family photos and I wound up taking other people’s family photos as well. Post Roosevelt we went to my favorite, Carousel Gardens for Celebration in the Oaks. We rode all the rides and laughed til our cheeks hurt. My kids love going and it’s such a treat every time. We listened to Christmas music the entire time during our travels about and it put me firm in the spirit.

There was last minute hustle and bustle picking up, tracking down, and wrapping gifts. I don’t know that I sat down all weekend. Christmas Eve we made and decorated our cookies for Santa, went to Church, and then went to my cousin’s house for our monthly family dinner, complete with “Dirty Santa” and games. My cousin is not one for small measures and greeted us at the door with a snow machine. We had crawfish etoufee, gumbo, and the best homemade candies. My neck fan gift was a huge hit as predicted and was one of the first to be double stolen and thus taken out of commission. I am told the losers ordered at least 2 in the days following for themselves. We went on a reindeer hunt with the littles and were shocked to find some bells that had clearly fallen from Santa’s sleigh. The only thing better than experiencing Christmas magic as a child is watching your children experience it. The joy and sparkle in their eyes. I just can’t get enough of it.

On the content creation front it was another slow week. It wasn’t for lack of ideas! I had plenty! It was lack of time to film and edit. I am learning good lessons though and will have to plan on the chaos in the future. I’ll have to get in the habit of filming ahead so all I have to do is hit “post.” You live and learn!

Bachelor in Paradise Season Finale - Sigh. This was not the greatest season. Everybody left heartbroken, or together but not happy. I had the highest hopes for Eliza and Aaron but the update at the end did not give me hope. John Henry and Kat are still doing well I guess. I did love the update at the end with all the weddings, engagements, and babies!!! Love seeing everyone’s happily ever afters!
Annual rewatching of Miracle on 34th Street. A John Hughes classic. One of my top favorite Christmas films of all time.
The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis - I loooooooved this book. Chateau in France, secrets between friends and family. I was guessing until the end.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson - 5/5 stars. The best Christmas evening book by the fire with a glass of wine. Easy to finish in one setting and delivers all the twists and turns and thrills you could want. Packs the perfect punch.
Someone Knows Something Podcast - Firmly back on my true crime kick. Starting from the very beginning with Season 1 Episode 1 on this one. I’m 4 episodes in and I have to know what happened to Adrien. I cannot imagine the pain of this family going decades with no answers.
DeuxU Podcast - Permanent Plug
Cranberry Beef Bourguinon by Half Baked Harvest - This is easily one of my top 5 meals of all time. There’s an instapot recipe that’s very delicious for what it is but if I were blindfolded, I could absolutely tell the difference between the two. Cooking low and slow for 2 hours in an entire bottle of wine is flavor that can’t be cheated. It is worth every minute of effort. This is another salty butter slathered on sourdough bread dipping meal. I love this for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. This is the winner.
Christmas for the babies!
Ghostbusters Switch Game
Leapfrog Wooden AlphaPup
Wavelengths Game