10 Recipes for Your Summer Cookouts
Weekly Christmas in July: Hallmark Movies and A Cozy Mystery Recommendation (Week 2)
Just a few days ago we celebrated July 4th and here I am with a long list of Hallmark Christmas movies and a holiday cozy mystery for you to enjoy during the hot, humid days of July. There’s a lot of movies to get to, so let’s not waste any time. Today I’m going to share with you five of my favorite movies that are airing this week and I’d love to know what your favorites out of the whole week’s lineup are. To see the schedule, click here. Ready to dive into some holly, jolly viewing fun? Get that cup of hot cocoa and grab your favorite throw to cuddle up in. It’s time to watch some movies and do some reading.
Speaking of reading, this week I’m thrilled to share with you a mystery that has all the cozy and festive vibes.
Friday Faves 7/5/24
Happy Friday! Happy first week in July! July? Wasn’t I just writing my faves post for June? Yep. Now we’re in a whole new month with a long-stretch of summer ahead of us. So let’s make the best of it, says the pumpkin spice, tall boots loving gal. For this summer, Christmas in July edition of Friday Faves, I’ve added two new categories.
My faves this week include a podcast, a Instagram account that always makes me smile, the workout of the week, a favorite YouTube channel, my current read, hair care products and favorite Christmas movie. Ready? Let’s get started.
Weekly Christmas in July: Hallmark Movies and A Cozy Mystery Recommendation (Week 1)
It’s that time of the year. Christmas in July is in full swing with Hallmark rolling out their amazing collection of Christmas movies that make you want to crank up the A/C, pour a cup of hot cocoa and snuggle under a cozy blanket. I’ve come to realize this is a great way for me to live in denial as the days heat up. I’m not a summer gal. But even if you are, I’m sure you will be enjoying this month long marathon of Christmas movies.
For me, there’s something a little different this year. I’m all in on Christmas in July because a couple weeks ago I turned in the next Food Blogger mystery manuscript to my publisher and it’s set at Christmas. I can’t wait to share more details of the book with you in the coming weeks. Until then, I thought I’d pair a published cozy mystery set at Christmas with the coziest Christmas movies because this gal loves both!
MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF by Darci Hannah
Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewellis ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe . . .
With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever—winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition . . .
Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake‑off, and she’s not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone’s stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead—and covered in crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie!
Solving a murder was never on Lindsey’s wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she’ll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.
Hallmark Christmas in July Movie Schedule for the week of July 30th – July 6th
Sunday 30th
12:01 AM
Christmas Next Door
Eric Randall, an author of bachelor lifestyle books, is left in charge of his niece and nephew for the holidays. Eric turns to his friend April, a lover of all things Christmas, for help. Stars Jesse Metcalfe and Fiona Gublemann.
2:01 AM
Coffee & Chat #30
Happy Friday!
It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through the year. It feels like it was just yesterday that I rang in the New Year (all cozy asleep in bed that is) and I was shoveling snow. But, it’s the end of June now. Which means, we’re getting closer to the ‘ber months! I know, I know, don’t rush it. But I can’t help it. Especially this year because…a new Food Blogger mystery is coming in one of the ‘ber months. That’s all I can share right now. The manuscript landed in my editor’s inbox a couple weeks ago and we’ll be finalizing the title and cover soon. It’s a Christmas mystery. Okay, that’s all I’m going to say about it. Lips are sealed.
In addition to getting the manuscript to my editor, I was busy this month planning out the next quarter (which starts on Monday!). I set three goals for the quarter which includes writing outlines, pre-release work (setting up events and other good stuff for the upcoming Food Blogger mystery) and working on my systems (I’m trying out a new task management program) to help streamline my things. It’s amazing how much admin work there is as a writer. Who knew?
When I haven’t been at my desk, I’ve been outside in the garden beds. Over the past few years, because of life, those beds have been neglected so I’ve been making an effort to tidy them up. It’s a big process but taking it one section at a time is helping. And I have been enjoying going out on Sunday mornings to weed and maintain those spaces. I’ve also started a new cross stitch project. I purchased the chart last fall but didn’t stitch it. A few weeks ago, I pulled it out along with a piece of linen and started the project. I absolutely fell in love the the sampler and I’m hoping to have it completed by Halloween.
I’m sure I’ll be able to make more progress on this project since it’s that time of the year – Christmas in July, baby! Though, it seems to be starting in June. There’s QVC, which started their Christmas in July last week ( I may have ordered something Christmasy) and there’s Hallmark’s Christmas in July which runs from Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern through Wednesday, July 21. Ready to crank up that A/C and fill your mugs with hot cocoa? If you are, click here for more info on the movie schedule.
I think that’s all I have to share for today. Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me. I’m going to get a refill and get back to work. Before you get your refill, please drop down in the comments what you’re up to today, or this weekend. I’d love to know.
