Friday Favorites - October 17, 2025

  

Borrowing from L. M Montgomery's "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers", I'm so glad I live in a town where there is a World Market!

In light of my random comment in Wednesday's Hodgepodge, I'll try not to overwhelm you with photos!

There was an endcap of nutcracker-abilia including some cute mugs.

Everything one needs for holiday baking.

A Staub or Le Creuset dupe - so pretty for the holidays.

Gingerbread-abilia and a cute glass - gingerbread martini, anyone?

Favorite British biscuits but has McVitie's moved its factory to the Netherlands?

Terry's Chocolate Oranges, a UK stocking staple, but made in France now?

Love these carafes for holiday parties.

And finally, this pattern struck me as being very Pacific Northwest.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Around the 'Net

 

Do you still send Christmas cards in the mail?  I do, even though the number I get in return is less and less every year.  That's ok, I love sending them and I'm grateful for those who are still sending them as well.

I found this little tidbit intriguing.

and I have another one - in the case of a couple, never separate the man's first name from his last.  So, Jane and John Smith, never John and Jane Smith.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 624

 Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Here are this week's questions, which you should answer on your own blog and then pop over to Joyce's blog (click on the graphic for the link) Wednesday to add your link to the party.

 

1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music?  Last time you went somewhere for the live music?

I really had to rack my brain on this one.  June 2018, a few months before we left Norfolk, we went to a house concert.  It's just as it sounds, a house where they book a performer, set up chairs, sound, and lights and put out a few snacks.  It was an intimate, smoke-free evening of music.  Country music singer-songwriter Kelly Willis was the performer.

I think we would make more of an effort if it wasn't so ridiculously expensive.  Between tickets and parking, it can really add up.  I need to look for more budget-friendly options.

2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

• Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
• Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
• Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)
• Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)
• Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
• Krylon-matte coffee bean
• Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
• Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
• Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? 

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most? 

I am familiar with Sherwin Williams, Behr, Valspar, and Glidden but I've never heard of the others.  My preference would be Dutch Boy's Melodious Ivory - Vic's not a fan of colors on the walls, most of our house is Silver Bullet or Double Click.  On our to-do list is the detexturing and painting of the living room.  It's a very warm beigey color and the texture is really heavy.  It's a huge job though so I'm not sure when we will get to it.  I'm sure it will be either Silver Bullet or Double Click.

Melodious Ivory by Dutch Boy

This looks darker here than it actually is

Hazelnut Crunch is the most appealing name.

3. What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'? 

I think that would be just about any DIY job that Vic works on.  He's such a perfectionist that it takes FOREVER for him to complete a job.  I'm not complaining, though, because his work is always top-notch.

4. Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert Day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!! 

I wasn't aware of National Dessert Day, but I have some Belgian chocolate mousse pots (from Costco) in the fridge, so we'll have one of those in celebration.  Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory is my absolute favorite dessert for an over the top, indulgent choice.  I have simpler dessert tastes as well, but you said just one!

5. Perhaps today is the day I will drink less coffee.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Do you take a lot of photos every day?  Do you post a lot of photos on your blog?  There are days that go by that I don't take a single photo.  I suppose as a memory keeper that's a bad thing as even the simplest moment is something to be remembered but I just feel that there are some blogs that are so full of photos, one would think the blogger's phone was permanently attached to their hand.  Thoughts?

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #194

   

I'm really enjoying Emily London's Christmas in London's department stores on You Tube.  The first one was John Lewis which I wanted to watch because I saw a particular ornament last year that couldn't be shipped so I was hoping that it will be in stock when we're there in December.  It looks like I'm in luck.  While I was watching, I added a few more things to my shopping list.

This is the one I really want, the UK bauble.  I'm wondering if I can get a dozen in a shopping bag as my carry-on item?

I couldn't resist this ornament.  It's a Bourbon biscuit which is two thin rectangular dark chocolate-flavored biscuits with a chocolate buttercream filling.

Quality Street chocolates in a tin were always in our house at Christmas.  You can buy them here in the US at World Market, but John Lewis has a Pick 'n Mix Quality Street section where you buy the tin and then fill it with your favorites.  I couldn't resist this ornament as well.

Sophia has a LEGO set on her Christmas list, so I thought this gift bag was perfect.  I didn't see any LEGO bags at Hallmark, but I'll check some other stores locally to see if I can get it here.  If not, John Lewis to the rescue.

And finally, this cushion!!  Oh my goodness, MUST.HAVE!  Not sure how I can get this and the UK baubles home but I'm sure going to try.

More shopping coming next week.

Life Last Week (6-12 October 2025)

  

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!

The weather for the week ahead:::

These are my kind of temperatures!

On my reading pile:::

 The Venetian Daughter by Ella Carey on my Kindle and I picked up The Last Light over Oslo by Alix Rickloff at the library.

On my TV:::

This week I continued watching The Hardacres on BritBox and the Great British Baking Show on Netflix.  I finished up the Hart of Dixie marathon and Vic and I watched The Gold which was excellent.

Blood of my Blood, the prequel to Outlander, Season 1 came to an end.  Can't wait for Season 2.

Checked off the list:::

• Amazon Prime Days - 7-8 October - resisted the temptation to shop.
• Vic arrived home on Thursday after his ten-day trip.  So glad to have him home, and Malone is too!

Crafts roundup:::

Keeping current on my memory planning.  Finished the American Girls Club album so now I've moved on to make some foundation pages for December Daily 2025.  A foundation page is usually a drawing of a page layout, along with any journal cards and embellishments I plan to use.  It may or may not become an actual page in the album.

 

And in other news:::

Week Seven focuses on the Guest Room.

This week, we deep clean and organize in preparation for holiday guests.

In holiday prep, we keep plugging away on gifts, whether to-make or to-buy. Decor alert: Halloween is coming!

I'll leave the links up here if you're interested.

Holiday Grand Planners - Get Organized Community | Facebook 

Organized Christmas? Try a Holiday Plan | Organized Home

It's been a very quiet week with Vic gone although activity picked up over the weekend.

We started off at Hallmark.  Saturday was the start of the Keepsake Ornament Debut and although I didn't have any ornaments coming out in October, it was fun to browse.

We stopped for lattes and crepes for lunch (that's my Creamy Chicken Crepe with chicken, spinach, bacon, and Gruyere - delicious!) and then headed over to the gourmet market.

Lots of fun pumpkins for sale.

And so many varieties of mushrooms.  The ones in the top left-hand corner look intriguing - they could be mistaken for heads of cauliflower.

And finally, a funny at Costco!  I think he was distracted by the price tag!

It's Day Thirteen of the government shutdown - tough times ahead for many if this is not resolved soon.

Around the 'Net

 

I love this!  

Few television shows carried the charm and consistency of Murder, She Wrote, and few animated films rivaled the magic of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Remarkably, the two worlds overlapped through three extraordinary talents Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, and David Ogden Stiers. While solving mysteries on television, they were also helping Disney craft one of the most beloved animated films of all time. Lansbury became the heartwarming Mrs. Potts, Orbach lit up the screen as the charismatic Lumière, and Stiers brought wit and class to Cogsworth.

Angela recorded “Beauty and the Beast” during her Murder, She Wrote years, famously nailing the song in a single take despite doubting her voice would suit it. Meanwhile, Orbach, already a familiar face on her show, added his Broadway flair to the enchanted candelabra, and Stiers’ comedic timing carried over seamlessly from Cabot Cove to the Beast’s castle. Together, they created a trio of performances that became instantly iconic.

What made it even more special was how naturally their talents intertwined across genres. The same warmth, intelligence, and chemistry that made Murder, She Wrote beloved were the very qualities that gave Beauty and the Beast its soul. It was as if Cabot Cove had cast a little magic of its own into Disney’s fairy tale proof that great storytelling, whether in mystery or in melody, always finds a way to endure. 

Source: Hollywood Flashback Club Facebook Page

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 623

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Here are this week's questions, which you should answer on your own blog and then pop over to Joyce's blog (click on the graphic for the link) Wednesday to add your link to the party.

 

1. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made? 

I am SO like my mum when it comes to worrying about my family.  Worrying is just a natural trait for us.  I know I should carry Proverbs 3:5 with me all the time but I still add a BUT to the end.  I just can't help worrying about whether Vic and Sophia are happy and fulfilled and safe and a dozen other things.

2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts? 

I'm nuts about autumn.  The changing colors of the trees, the pumpkins, the pumpkin spice taste of a latte, the scent of a pumpkin spice candle, all the things autumn.  It's driving me nuts that there are so many things taking time away from decorating the house with all things autumn!

3. What does abundance mean to you? 

Abundance means having more than enough.  I think abundance should go hand in hand with sharing with others.

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto...what's your caramel treat of choice? 

Caramel macchiatto, especially the iced variety when the weather is warm.

5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall?

This really made me think.  From the time I was eight until I was eighteen, we lived in Belgium and then in England.  I don't remember autumn being a big deal the way it is now in the US**.  I don't recall a pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or other memorable event in the autumn.  I'd have to fast forward to being the mom of a toddler and taking Sophia to all the autumn activities - field trips to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard, eating apple cinnamon donuts, and decorating the house for the season (harvest rather than Halloween so it wasn't scary).

** As I proofread this post before it's published, I watched a vlog this morning where the vlogger talked about how seasonal specialties (something as mundane as an air freshener) were just not a thing in the UK years ago.  When she made a trip to the US in the 1990s, she was amazed at all the seasonal items that were available.  What do you think, UK readers, do you/did you find this to be true?  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Hallmark Channel's Fall into Love movies have been a great way to immerse yourself in all things autumn.  I'll say it again; they make me want to move back to New England!  Click on the picture to download the movie guide.