Hello Friend! On Friday, I told you about a Blind Date book party I was going to attend on Saturday, and I must say, it was a fun experience. The hostess went all out and prepared the most delightful brunch. My favorite was undoubtedly the applesauce cake, which was moist and perfectly spiced. Alongside the cake were delicious egg bites, a beautifully arranged fruit platter bursting with color, savory Chex mix for that perfect crunch, a steaming vanilla latte, and warm apple cider with slices of oranges that added a festive touch to the gathering. To keep things lively, she had us draw numbers, and it was like a white elephant kind of game in which we could steal from someone else, adding an element of surprise that made the event even more enjoyable. When we all unwrapped our books, we discovered that none of us had read the book we received, which led to plenty of conversations about our different tastes in literature. I got Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah. It was so fun to explore new titles and hear recommendations from everyone in the room. In the end, the hostess gave us a parting gift of gummy ‘book worms’ to munch on while we dove into our new books, a sweet gesture that I loved so much and felt was the perfect conclusion to this charming gathering.

Let’s talk about wrapping presents. I managed to knock some out the other day. While it’s not my absolute favorite activity, I like the art of creating a pretty package that brings joy to the recipient. This year, I have been painting tags here and there, considering the individuals I’m giving gifts to, which adds a personal touch. Even though I still have much to do before the holiday season fully unfolds, I’m excited to share the ones that are finished. Do you prefer using ribbon or premade bows for your presents? I grew up using premade bows with a sticky back that made wrapping quick and easy, but ever since I’ve been married, I’ve discovered a fondness for using ribbon. I believe it adds a touch of uniqueness, transforming an ordinary gift into something quite special. Sometimes I simply tie a classic bow, but other times I like to get creative and add extra loops for flair. I also experiment with ribbons in various widths and designs. Here are the ones I have wrapped so far.

On Saturday evening, we hosted a get-together with our best friends. I decided it would be fun to spice things up by having a friendly competition to decorate gingerbread houses, with the guys pitted against the girls in a battle of creativity and skill. Mr. Handsome, though not initially thrilled by the idea, graciously appeased me. When I visited the Dollar store to gather supplies, I was a bit disappointed to find that they only had two tiny houses and a limited selection of gingerbread men cookies. However, this didn’t dampen our spirits; in fact, it only added to the laughter as we improvised and made the most of what we had. It was such a joy to see the unique creations that everyone came up with, filled with whimsical designs and personal touches. The evening was filled with conversation, friendly banter, and a warmth that made the simple act of decorating gingerbread houses a cherished memory for all of us.

The gingerbread man with just a white beard is a depiction of a drummer that Job likes. And of course, the other one is a zombie made by Mr. Handsome.

I hope you have swell day.

Best,

Amy

7FrecklesbyAmy.ETSY.com