"I really am half-Took, half-Baggins." This is well said! I was very Took as a teen and young adult, and then became a total Baggins. Now I'm feeling Tookish again for the first time in quite a long time. I wonder at all of this!
Well your gift guide is brilliant, and normally I can't stand gift guides (they often sound like they're suggesting items simply for the click-through compensation, not because the items have any particular merit). I just grieve that the beautiful family necklace you listed only goes up to four rings -- I have six children! Perhaps I'll email the creator and see if a special order can be made.
I hesitate EVERY YEAR about doing a gift guide because I tend to side-eye ALLLLL of them... I'm glad to hear mine doesn't reek of ick. And yes, I get that! I feel like it'd be so pretty as a collection of lots of rings — I bet someone on Etsy makes similar necklaces with more add-ons.
If you’re going to be in the Nashville area, I recommend you spend at least half a day in the suburb of historic Franklin, Tennessee. Great little shops, some really good barbecue, and Landmark Booksellers, a bookstore that has, pound per pound, the best curated selection of books I’ve ever seen.
Wandering the shops of historic Franklin and driving around to see the beautiful homes in that area was my favorite part of my Nashville trip a couple years ago. Would love to spend more time there.
My wife and I went there for a long weekend for our 20th wedding anniversary a few years ago. If you knew us, this next quirky bit wouldn't surprise you, but one of the things we most enjoyed was going on several historic Civil War tours of houses, battlefields, etc. Not sure I'd recommend it during the current Tennessee cold snap, but it was fascinating.
This week's poll is a STRUGGLE! You should have had us rank them worst-to-most-worst! With no offense intended towards those who love one of these songs, I ask: oh, how to choose just one?
Three way tie for me! As a child of the 80's pop I always loved Do they Know it's Christmas, but when Jennifer Fulwiler had her radio show, she did a perfect and hilarious take down of that song and I will never hear it the same again (still not in my top 3 of disliked, though).
Oh my gosh, I wonder if her takedown exists somewhere? I would love to hear it! I've my own takedown of the nonsense in that song.
80s pop is my jam, too, so there's a certain nostalgia that keeps me singing to it when it comes on the radio. I think I just didn't think too hard about the lyrics when I was a kid.
It may have been when she was on sirius xm- I did not have any luck with a quick google search. She went line by line and included her very sarcastic commentary that was just so funny (especially given how much I loved the song in the 80's and was being called out!) I still love to sing a long to it, too- Sting and George Michael- its a classic!
Dallas- Visit Cultivar coffee and Deep Vellum Books if you are able...also strolling in Bishop Arts is always a cozy activity. 😁 Those are my favorite holiday activities here. Have fun on your road trip!
Cincinnati: Visit the Covington Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Breathtaking stained glass. Nashville: For family-style Southern food at a table with 10-12 strangers passing plates, visit Monell's.
I love your Bonhoeffer quote, and as I am just beginning to learn about him, I highly recommend the movie "Bonhoeffer" now playing in theaters. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good first reading of his works?
I’m excited to listen to the Jonathan Rogers episode — that series is a Christmas present for one child! (Might have to swipe it and read it myself, but he’s a quick reader 😉)
Come on over to Dayton, sort of in-between Columbus and Cincinnati! At one end you have Yellow Springs, a compact little village of the 'Keep Austin Weird' variety, along with nearby Clifton Mill with its wonderful Christmas light display, and Young's Dairy - one of MANY fantastic ice cream places in the area but the only one (I think) that produces its milk on-site. In the middle of town, Carillon Park has more lights & displays, and hands-on period reenactments ranging from early 19th century to the Wright Brothers to WW2, a couple trains that run around the park, and yes, a carillon that plays music regularly! The Air Force Museum is an impressive visit at least once. And pretty much any city in Ohio has Metroparks that are wonderful outdoor oases any time of year, each one unique. Enjoy your family together time!
Columbus - Get coffee at Maudine's, inside The Junto (trendy hotel and event space downtown that has the BEST atmosphere - fireplaces, gathering spaces, a reading room - pure delight!). They also offer spiked espresso drinks if you happen to be in the mood. Another Columbus location worth checking out is The Book Loft in German Village.
For your trip, you might want to check out Holidays at the Dallas Arboretum. It’s really quite beautiful, and a nice 60+ minute walk through the gardens and exhibits.
"I really am half-Took, half-Baggins." This is well said! I was very Took as a teen and young adult, and then became a total Baggins. Now I'm feeling Tookish again for the first time in quite a long time. I wonder at all of this!
Same. I’m just trying not to turn into a Sackville-Baggins.
Haha! No, don't do that!
Well your gift guide is brilliant, and normally I can't stand gift guides (they often sound like they're suggesting items simply for the click-through compensation, not because the items have any particular merit). I just grieve that the beautiful family necklace you listed only goes up to four rings -- I have six children! Perhaps I'll email the creator and see if a special order can be made.
I hesitate EVERY YEAR about doing a gift guide because I tend to side-eye ALLLLL of them... I'm glad to hear mine doesn't reek of ick. And yes, I get that! I feel like it'd be so pretty as a collection of lots of rings — I bet someone on Etsy makes similar necklaces with more add-ons.
If you’re going to be in the Nashville area, I recommend you spend at least half a day in the suburb of historic Franklin, Tennessee. Great little shops, some really good barbecue, and Landmark Booksellers, a bookstore that has, pound per pound, the best curated selection of books I’ve ever seen.
I've heard this suggestion enough times for me to think we'll do this! Thanks.
Wandering the shops of historic Franklin and driving around to see the beautiful homes in that area was my favorite part of my Nashville trip a couple years ago. Would love to spend more time there.
My wife and I went there for a long weekend for our 20th wedding anniversary a few years ago. If you knew us, this next quirky bit wouldn't surprise you, but one of the things we most enjoyed was going on several historic Civil War tours of houses, battlefields, etc. Not sure I'd recommend it during the current Tennessee cold snap, but it was fascinating.
This week's poll is a STRUGGLE! You should have had us rank them worst-to-most-worst! With no offense intended towards those who love one of these songs, I ask: oh, how to choose just one?
Haha, exactly! For me it’s a toss up between Christmas Shoes and I Saw Mommy. 😝 The rest I can tolerate as background noise(up to a point).
Ha! I get it. I do this question every year and I'm always amused at the results... The limited option is on-purpose — how DOES one choose?
Three way tie for me! As a child of the 80's pop I always loved Do they Know it's Christmas, but when Jennifer Fulwiler had her radio show, she did a perfect and hilarious take down of that song and I will never hear it the same again (still not in my top 3 of disliked, though).
Oh my gosh, I wonder if her takedown exists somewhere? I would love to hear it! I've my own takedown of the nonsense in that song.
80s pop is my jam, too, so there's a certain nostalgia that keeps me singing to it when it comes on the radio. I think I just didn't think too hard about the lyrics when I was a kid.
It may have been when she was on sirius xm- I did not have any luck with a quick google search. She went line by line and included her very sarcastic commentary that was just so funny (especially given how much I loved the song in the 80's and was being called out!) I still love to sing a long to it, too- Sting and George Michael- its a classic!
Thanks for looking! And…. Simon le Bon was my fav, haha!
Dallas- Visit Cultivar coffee and Deep Vellum Books if you are able...also strolling in Bishop Arts is always a cozy activity. 😁 Those are my favorite holiday activities here. Have fun on your road trip!
Thanks!
Cincinnati: Visit the Covington Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Breathtaking stained glass. Nashville: For family-style Southern food at a table with 10-12 strangers passing plates, visit Monell's.
I think I've been to Monell's years ago, and you're the third person to recommend that Cathedral — thanks for all this!
I love your Bonhoeffer quote, and as I am just beginning to learn about him, I highly recommend the movie "Bonhoeffer" now playing in theaters. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good first reading of his works?
I haven't read it all, but I have several friends who absolutely love his book Life Together.
I’m excited to listen to the Jonathan Rogers episode — that series is a Christmas present for one child! (Might have to swipe it and read it myself, but he’s a quick reader 😉)
It's SUCH a delightful series!
Come on over to Dayton, sort of in-between Columbus and Cincinnati! At one end you have Yellow Springs, a compact little village of the 'Keep Austin Weird' variety, along with nearby Clifton Mill with its wonderful Christmas light display, and Young's Dairy - one of MANY fantastic ice cream places in the area but the only one (I think) that produces its milk on-site. In the middle of town, Carillon Park has more lights & displays, and hands-on period reenactments ranging from early 19th century to the Wright Brothers to WW2, a couple trains that run around the park, and yes, a carillon that plays music regularly! The Air Force Museum is an impressive visit at least once. And pretty much any city in Ohio has Metroparks that are wonderful outdoor oases any time of year, each one unique. Enjoy your family together time!
Sounds like we'll need to do a whole visit there sometime!
Columbus - Get coffee at Maudine's, inside The Junto (trendy hotel and event space downtown that has the BEST atmosphere - fireplaces, gathering spaces, a reading room - pure delight!). They also offer spiked espresso drinks if you happen to be in the mood. Another Columbus location worth checking out is The Book Loft in German Village.
For your trip, you might want to check out Holidays at the Dallas Arboretum. It’s really quite beautiful, and a nice 60+ minute walk through the gardens and exhibits.
I've heard! Never managed to make it up there during the holidays but it sounds lovely.
Ahhhh when I try to explain my weird hybrid of homebody-ness and the explorer itch, I always sum it up by aying I'm a Took!
Thank you for the Gladiator postscript. Time for me to go weep over the beauty of these ancient places.