Ramblings of a Red-headed Snippet

Books, food and a few other things.

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 21: 🎶 "Friends and relations send salutations." (Book and Christmas cards) 🎶 • I have mentioned several times how much I enjoy sending and receiving hand written notes. And this year, I was so excited to pull out a favorite fountain pen, a stack of Christmas cards and write quite a few to dear ones here on IG. As I popped them in the post, it was with a satisfying sigh. Their destinations stretching all across the globe. A little festive cheer to brighten their mailboxes. • And in return I have received some truly beautiful cards myself! Thank you one and all! Every day as they arrive, reading your sweet messages warms my heart. And reminds me there truly is good cheer in this world of ours. • I also had the great fortune of winning a holiday giveaway from @faberbooks. This delightful Christmas mystery, CRIME AT CHRISTMAS, showed up yesterday evening. I'm looking forward to fitting this in, before the end of the month. Thank you, @faberbooks!! ❤ • #JingleBookRock --> Book and Christmas cards #LILBookishDecember --> It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 20: 🎶 "All I want for Christmas is..." (Recommend a book for a gift) 🎶 • After a bit of hibernation the past few days to get over a cold (lots of Christmas movies, tea and sleep), I'm finally on the mend. I've also had the chance to read a bit. So, this prompt is perfect, since I've been reading quite a few books this month, I'd definitely give as gifts! 🎁 • This time of year, I always love a good mystery. I've been making my way through the British Library Crime Classics this year as a read along with @bookishsteph1 and @pagesandcup as well as a few others. And they have quite a few fun holiday stories in the collection. I just added, THE SANTA KLAUS MURDER, to my collection, which I can't wait to read, since I've heard it's a good one. Any of the BLCC editions I'd easily recommend to anyone who enjoys a fun, cozy, whodunnit, set during the golden age of mysteries. Plus, their covers are so gorgeous! • Also, I have the absolute pleasure of announcing the winner of my @theboxwalla giveaway today!! Congratulations to @hotcocoareads!!! 🎉🎉 Will you please DM me, so we can get your custom box mailed out to you! • #JingleBookRock --> Recommend a book for gifts #LILBookishDecember --> It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

As the year is quickly wrapping up, I've been thinking back on all the wonderful books I've read this year. There have been quite a few. I've also been introduced to new authors, many who were women writing during the early 20th century. And, I think I've fallen in love with this genre that envelopes so many of the themes I enjoy in a book. • This year Barbara Pym, was one of the authors I found and love. She is a quick witted, light hearted and completely enjoyable author who will make you laugh out loud at her humor. • So, when @theboxwalla let me in on a little secret about a new series they were launching called 'Forgotten Women', showcasing, "the extraordinary women writers who have slipped through the cracks and have been, sadly, forgotten". I was hooked! Then they let me know the first in the series was, 'Women who drink tea'. How could I NOT be excited!! Included, was Barbara Pym's, EXCELLENT WOMEN, a wonderful card with information about the series and the author's background, and the most fragrant and delicious tea from @provperfumeco. My blend is Brambleberry Rose, with hints of vanilla, rose, raspberry and cocoa. How decadently divine! • I have to give a heartfelt thank you to @theboxwalla for sending me this wonderful first book in their new series. And I truly can't wait to see who else is included in the line up. If you'd like to order your very own 'Women Who Drink Tea' package, do head over to @theboxwalla's website. I have included a link in my profile. There will be a limited amount available in January. • Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway I'm hosting with @theboxwalla for a chance to win your very own custom box. See back a few posts for all the details. It ends tonight at midnight PST!

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 12: 🎶 "But it's a green Christmas in this town." (Green books) 🎶 • Today, I was going to feature five classic @viragobooks I picked up at a local bookstore yesterday, a perfect display of green books for today's prompt! But, then the post popped in this afternoon and this @everymanslibrary, 'Christmas Stories' was included in the pile of parcels. • A treasury of short stories by writers of the past two centuries. Including Dickens and Tolstoy to Truman Capote and Alice Munro. I think this will be the perfect little book to read from now to Christmas. • #JingleBookRock --> Green Books #LILBookishDecember --> Baby, It's Cold Outside #TolkienYule --> Letters, Logs and Lanterns #ampersanddec16 --> Stripe #squeakybookishlibrary --> Feel Good Books

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 11: 🎶 "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care." (Festive #socksunday) 🎶 • Today we went over to my parent's house for a bright and early breakfast; a send off for my brother. And in a way, the family brunch we would normally be having on Christmas Day. With blueberry pancakes flipped to a golden brown on the griddle, eggs being poached in a pan, delightful smells coming from the oven and the clink of glasses and cutlery as the table was set. The whole gang, laughed and joked around the kitchen island as we each took turns cooking various dishes. • After our boisterous little gathering, I'm back home, ready to curl up and relax for a bit, this Sunday afternoon. Today's prompt is a festive sock Sunday, but I realized, I'm more of a slipper person, so how about comfy slippers, it counts right, @bookishsteph1 and @pagesandcup? • #JingleBookRock --> Festive Sock Sunday #LILBookishDecember --> Baby, It's Cold Outside

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 9 & 10: 🎶 "Our cheeks are rosy and comfy cozy are we." (Cozy Christmas) and "I've read these Christmas books so many times." (Favorite Christmas books) 🎶 • This time of year is always bustling, but it's been especially busy this year. My brother who's in the military has been on leave, so we've enjoyed having him home for the last few weeks. He'll be reporting for active duty this next week, so this Christmas season has been especially bittersweet. Tomorrow we'll be say goodbye, and one always seems to choke up when goodbyes like this occur. • I've been re-reading LITTLE WOMEN this month, for a read along hosted by @booksnot, @lblovesbooks and @spaceandverse. This is one of my favorite books, since I was eight years old and one I usually try to read every few years around Christmas time. This read has been especially poignant, I think because the relationship between, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, always reminds me of the one I share with my siblings. We squabbled and had our moments growing up and yet I can say that my siblings are some of my best friends and we still can sit around the table and laugh until our sides ache, sharing stories about our various antics while growing up. My family is far from perfect and we still occasionally have our issues, but they will always be my family and this time of year seems to remind me of what it does mean to be a family, coming together, making those memories we can look back on and remembering what this season is truly about. • P.S. Christmas cards have been arriving daily, which absolutely warms my heart. 💌📮And this lovey book card is from my dear friend @teereads! Thank you, Teresa! ❤️ • #JingleBookRock --> Cozy Christmas & Favorite Christmas Books #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Halls #AllIWantForChristmasIsBooks --> Childhood Favorite & Currently Reading #TolkienYule --> Jingles, Jollies and Joys #ampersanddec16 --> Decorate #squeakybookishlibrary --> Books and Christmas Treats

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 8: 🎶 "I'll have a blue, blue Christmas." (Blue books) 🎶 • It finally started snowing today, and there's a magical look about the courtyard outside my window. I've been on aunt duty this week, so we've been bundled up inside with a plethora of books and toys, watching Mickey Mouse's, A Christmas Carol and investigating the Christmas tree about every three minutes or so. An 18 month old nephew can give you quite a run for your money. • For today's prompt, I wanted to showcase a few more of the @penguinbooks Christmas Classics as well as a Christmas collection of @vintagebooks I picked up earlier this year (thanks @bookishsteph1 for the heads up!) It has eight books in the set and each one has a different Christmasy cover. I'll be reading Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm later this month. • #JingleBookRock --> Blue Books #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Halls

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 6 & 7: 🎶 "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." (White books) and "Last Christmas I gave you my heart." (Favorite book read last December) 🎶 • We've had a snow forecast for the entire week, and yet not one flake. The skies are a moody slate grey, and the temperatures have been sitting at the perfect temp to make snow, but no luck as of yet! Yesterday anticipating a snowy evening, I grabbed a pile of blankets, lit festive candles and curled up on the couch with Meet Me in St Louis starring Judy Garland. I've always loved the Christmas scene at the end of the movie. And "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is one of my favorite Christmas songs. • I also want to recommend one of my favorite holiday books. I adore these Penguin Christmas Classics, and last year, I read the Louisa May Alcott edition pictured above. There are six books in the collection so far, and each of them are a delight. • #JingleBookRock --> White Books & Favorite book read last December #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Halls #AllIWantForChristmasIsBooks --> From page to screen #TolkienYule --> Frosts, Furs and Fireplaces

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 5: 🎶 "Baby, it's cold outside." (Book & scarf, mittens or gloves) 🎶 • Earlier this year I was introduced to the author, Angela Thirkell. And have been making my way through her Barsetshire novels. This Christmas I'll be reading her festive short story collection, CHRISTMAS AT HIGH RISING, originally published in the 1930's and 1940's. • Thirkell has a charming, humorous and often times irreverent way of telling a story. I just adore her quick wit and laugh out loud scenes. • @viragopress recently released three new novels in this collection which are pictured above. MARLING HALL, THE HEADMISTRESS and MISS BUNTING. I can hardly wait to get to them early next year! • #JingleBookRock --> Book & Scarf #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Halls #AllIWantForChristmasIsBooks --> Judged by the cover #TolkienYule --> Evergreens, Elves and Eggnog

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 4: 🎶 "...tales of the glories of Christmases long long ago." (Festive #shortstorysunday) 🎶 • Today, I finished putting up the Christmas decorations. It's decidedly festive in my little apartment. With the smell of fir trees, cinnamon and apples in the air, and the first Harry Potter movie playing in the background. I trimmed the tree, hung the wreath and afterwards made a cup of hot chocolate. I'm now settled in for the evening, with snow on the forecast, twinkling lights in the background and this short story collection I'll be reading this month. • #JingleBookRock --> Short Story Sunday #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Halls #AllIWantForChristmasBooks --> Last read #TolkienYule --> Dinners, Duvets and Decorations

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 3: 🎶 "There'll be scary ghost stories and..." (Ghost stories) 🎶 • This time of year one wouldn't generally think of ghost and goblins and things that go bump in the night. And yet, during the Victorian era this was quite common at Christmas time. Probably the most well known author for these types of tales was Mr. Charles Dickens, and his famous 'A Christmas Carol'. There are very few who aren't familiar with Scrooge, the three Christmas ghosts, Tiny Tim and the term "bah humbug!!" • Another yearly tradition of mine, is to read this slim novel during the month of December. I love the prevailing message of bringing joy to others through good deeds, selfless acts and a second chance, even for the most Scroogish among us. • If you'd like to read this novel this season. Do join the Dickens Buddies (@bagfullofbooks, @bookishsteph1, @booksnot, @pagesandcup and myself) as we read this classic tale with the tag #ScroogesBuddies. • #JingleBookRock --> Ghost Stories #grimdragon --> A book you consistently recommend #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Hall #TolkienYule --> Candy Canes, Candles and Carols

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 2: 🎶 "Wrapped in red." (Red Books) 🎶 • It surprises me whenever I do a colored book challenge how often a color is repeated as a cover color. My shelves seem to be filled with the colors red, blue and black. What colors are most prevalent on yours? • This weekend will be kicking off tonight with a family extravaganza downtown to see all the Christmas lights. I've usually gone with friends or family each year to see the twinkling lights. And, afterwards we head to a nearby cafe, sipping on hot chocolate and chatting for hours. It doesn't seem like Christmas without this yearly tradition. 🎄✨ • #JingleBookRock --> Red Books #LILBookishDecember --> Deck the Halls #TolkienYule --> Bells, Berries and Baubles #AmpersandDec16 --> Red

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Day 1: 🎶 "Making a list, checking it twice." (December 2016 TBR) 🎶 • Today is the first day of the #JingleBookRock challenge hosted by myself, @bookishsteph1 and @pagesandcup!! I've loved scrolling through all the pictures under the hashtag so far and all the announcements of readers joining! • My #DecemberTBR is filled with quite a bit of holiday cheer, festive stories and a murder or two... I'll also be participating in several read alongs this month. So, if you see one listed below that you'd like to join, please do! • ✨ The Hobbit --> read along for #happyhobbitholiday, hosted by @bookishsteph1 ✨ Silent Night --> read along for #BLCCchallenge. ✨ The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding --> read along for @maidensofmurder and for #ChristmasWithChristie. ✨ Christmas at Thompson Hall and Other Christmas Stories --> read along with the #trolloping group. ✨ A Christmas Carol --> read along for #ScroogesBuddies, hosted by the Dickens Buddies. ✨Little Women --> read along for #alittlewomenholiday hosted by @booksnot, @lblovesbooks and @spaceandverse. ✨Christmas with Anne --> read along for #12DaysofXmasStories.

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

It seems that after a heavy snow the morning sunlight that trickles through my bedroom window is even more bright and cheery than it is on a hot summer day. Today, after working on a few projects, I wandered back into the room to grab an item or two and saw this glorious sunlight bathing my bed in it's bright warmth. Without hesitation, I popped on the kettle, grabbed my current read and decided to take a little break. It was glorious.

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

With late autumn abruptly turning into winter in one short day, I'm looking forward to embracing that quiet, cosy and warm comfort of home or "hygge", which (as many of you may already know) has been a significant part of the Danish culture for quite some time but has recently become popular throughout the rest of the world. • So, today when I have a quiet moment or two, I'll be flipping through this gorgeous book by @louisa_thomsen_brits with photography by @susanbellphotographer. • Also, I have to draw attention to my adorable fox mug!! 🐺 ☕️❤️ I have a slight obsession with woodland creatures and when the adorable @foldedpageadistillery posted about her fox mug a while back; the hunt was on! Alas, after searching several stores and with no luck, she surprised me with the greatest show of generosity! Hikari volunteered to go back and pick up an extra one and graciously sent it to me. What a surprise! Thank you, Hikari, you're such a doll! 😘

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

We've been snowed in today. The snow hasn't stopped falling since 2am this morning. So, I've been enjoying a winter wonderland tucked up in the warmth of my cozy apartment. With the soft croons of Christmas music in the background, I've been putting up the Christmas decorations. And soon, after a few hours of delicious smells bubbling and baking in the kitchen. I'll be dipping into homemade turkey chili and jalapeño cornbread. The perfect recipe for a snowy day.

[ramblingsofaredheadedsnippet]

Yesterday was a day full of food, family, a few (friendly) political discussions, the chatter of multiple conversations going at the same time, and that contented feeling one has of going home to a quiet home afterwards. • With a full schedule of plans over the next week or so while family is still in town. Today, while everyone is nursing their food hangovers, I've been in my typical indulgence mode on a day off. I recently picked up THE OUTRUN by Amy Liptrot, this years winner of The Wainwright Prize. So, I've been enjoying this book about redemption and a renewal of hope set on the wind tossed shores of the Orkney Islands. • I love a good memoir, and books about travel and nature, so a few of the other books shortlisted for the prize have caught my eye as well. COMMON GROUND by Rob Cowan, THE FISH LADDER by Katharine Norbury and THE SHEPHERD'S LIFE by James Rebanks.