Today I am joining my pals Mary Ann and Annie for our Sunday favorites. This week they include a healthy soup, a beautiful garden and a casual outfit you will love.
A HEALTHY SOUP
KALE BACON POTATO SOUP-FOOD NETWORK
I have a soft spot for pureed roasted veggie soups of any king. This kale potato bacon soup from Food Network is on my list for next week. You could substiture turkey bacon. In this one the veggies are actually cooked in the bacon grease so I am sure it is eve more delicious. I persoanlly will not cook the veggies in the bacon but rather drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven. We are trying to drop a few pounds, so the bacon grease, as delicious as it sounds, will not be happening. If you aren’t worried about the calories go for it! If you do roast the kale the color will not be quite as vibrant.
AN OUTFIT YOU WILL LOVE
Rag and Bone Knock off BR Factory Outfit of the Week
I am trying to respond to responses I have received on the survey so far. The turnout has been great but I would love to hear from even more of you. The link is at the bottom of the post. Many asked for more reasonable options, and extended sizes. I am a bit obsessed with this color combo this year I confess. This week’s jacket (which is a good knock off of the rag and bone military jacket that you have seen me wear many times. I purchased mine on super sale (it is still on sale and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough but even on sale it is very pricey. This jacket from BR Factory is a great knock off at a great price. Their handbag is beautiful, as are the boots (a great pair of loafers would work as well). I personally cannot wear inexpensive shoes because of my foot issues, but if you can…love these!. I love this scarf (may have to order it ) from sophie store new zealand.
SHOP OUTFIT OF THE WEEK
A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN
KATIE RIDDER’S BEAUTIFUL GARDEN IN FREDERIC MAGAZINE
Is anyone else garden dreaming this time of year. Tis the season for dreaming and scheming! If you live east of the Mississippi Katie Ridder’s beautiful garden will provide you with plenty of garden envy.
If you like beautiful gqrdens you might enjoy the enchanting gardens of Dominique LaFourcade.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME’S FAVORITE SALADS
Mary Ann and Howard are both wonderful cooks. If you want to start off the year eating healthy, you will love digging into their favorite salads.
2024 BLOG SURVEY
Thank you to those of you who have responded. It has been so helpful. I appreciate all of your suggestions. You can still respond here. Please do if you have time. I know a few of you have had issues with the survey. Feel free to email me or share any of your suggestions in the comment section.
That’s it from my desk. Thank you so much for being here and reading a healthy soup, a beautiful garden and a casual outfit you will love. Now let’s pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann for their favorites.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
MOST LOVELY THINGS
Cindy, I do enjoy your blog so much, and don’t have any improvements to suggest. You are spot on with your style and different subjects. I was one also having survey difficulties, so will leave it here. Have a wonderful healthy , happy, and productive year ahead. The world has so many challenges presently, so let’s try what we can individually to lessen them…whatever that might be.
Cindy!
I love your outfit of the week. I recognize that Rag & Bone Military jacket…you wear it so well!
xoxo
I have committed to daily exercise, minimum 1 hour brisk walk daily and strength training 3 times weekly for 35 mins each with good stretching. That has enabled me to lose a few pounds and change my pear shape to one that is more evenly proportioned. It feels great and I have a lot more energy being more active than I was a Couple years ago.
Love your blog, you have great fashion style! Your outfits have influenced my wardrobe. Thank you!
I’m still not able to respond to the numerical part of the survey, so I won’t.
Totally love this blog, always look forward to it.
Keep up the wonderful work!
Me either
Hi Gayle
I am so sorry. I used google to simplify the survey this year but I understand some of you are still having problems and I am so sorry. It abolutely will not let you pick the same choices for any of the rankings each has to be different unfortunately
I had to “fake” some of my answers – rank them lower so that it would accept the column. Thank you for seeking our feedback – I appreciate it.
I really enjoy the interviews you do – that’s my number 1- as I enjoy learning about other people & what they do & how they think. Hope interviews continue in 2024.
Also I don’t know why I am so intrigued but I find that I’m on Txtanyablogspot each month for Prime purchases round up. I find Katie Clooney links up there too. I guess I’m amazed at some of the great products people find that can also help me in my life.
Hi M
They certainly will. We have a new quarterly series where we are interviewing designers and architects and I am working on skincare and fitness as well.
Yes, tried twice to respond to your survey – the links still won’t let me reply.
Many thanks – love your blog.
Same issue. I gave up.
I am sorry Debra.
Happy Sunday Morning! Thanks for the more affordable fashion suggestions. Love the jacket and such a great price at Banana Republic! In my cart, it goes!
Wishing you and your family, assistant included, a fabulous New Year!
So happy to hear that my friend! Thanks pal! Same to you!!
Hi Cindy. As usual a great blog. The soup looks interesting. Have you thought about using a vegan bacon? After watching (again) We Are What We Eat on Netflix I’m even more committed to a mostly vegetarian diet. With some fish. Certain fish of course. What we are doing to this planet is very sad. And our children and grandchildren will inherit this mess. We can modify our life choices to set examples. So it would be awesome if you address some of those issues as an influencer. And as they do in the Mediterranean, eat a tiny bit of meat (chicken included) and lots of vegetables and fruit. I see a number of bloggers (not you) advocating buying stuff including clothing and in the next or same blog going on and on about closet clean outs or getting rid of excess. I did stop following some of them. As elders we need to guide the generations to come. Peace and love.
Hi Leslie
I agree. You know it is interesting.I tend to eat very little meat (my husband loves it) and and a lot of vegetables and fruit. It is what I like. I haven’t tried vegan bacon but I would probably love it! You are the one that informed me about organic kale…now I buy nothing but organic kale. I am working on touching on a broader base of topics next year. I appreciate all of your suggestions and will do my best to cover all of your interests. I so appreciate each and every one of you, and you know you hold a special place in my heart because I look at my garden every day when I come do my desk. It makes me happy.
You might urge your husband to watch the Netflix program. When he sees how these animals are raised and their deaths he might be willing to make changes. The standard American diet is one of the worst in the world. Thank you for considering some of my suggestions for your posts. We all have the power to make a difference. ❤️
Loved seeing Katie Ridder’s garden on your blog. I was lucky to see it last summer with a private group. She sometimes has Open Days from the Garden Conservancy. So many wonderful gardens in this area.
Hi Kathy
You are so lucky to have viewed her beautiful garden! Love all that Katie does. She and her hubs are so talented.
Cindy, The ranking elements is the problem. Only one choice from 1-7 is on each category allowed. Some of us want to rank each selection the same ; a 7 on each category.
I know Ann and you can’t unfortunately…so sorry!
Hi Cindy,
I was surprised and pleased to read you were 5’4” tall, 130 pounds . I’m the same height but 15 pounds heavier, with a rectangular figure, ten years older. My goal is to hover at 140. 130 seems ideal, however, as we age it is normal to add a few pounds. More importantly , IMO is to keeep physically fit. My oncologist nurse replied to my weight concerns that thinner persons have a more difficult time fighting off illnesses. My point is “ you look simply wonderful “. Over the past year I’ve seen do many bloggers drop a bunch of weight only to gain it back plus more.
Your smile is a lovely way to for me to see starting the day.
Hi Ann
I am not concerned about the way I look…it is where the weight is. I need to do more than walking. My goal is to do more in the new year!! My healthy weight for me is between 123-128. I am not thin in any sense of the word. I know how to wear the right clothes. I would like to build muscle and lose a few pounds. No interest in losing a ton of weight.
The survey question which has us ranking elements 1 – 7 will not process.
Hi Joan
For those of you having problems in the ranking area. If you try to rank one of the categories the same it will not work. I have received over 300 responses but I know some of you have had trouble with that particular area. I just did another test and it worked for me. If you continue to have problems please email me with any comments. I will be happy to add them.
I wanted to rank every choice as a 1!
Hi Marcia
You are too nice!!
Hi cindy, I don’t see a link for the BR knockoff for the rag and bone jacket. Look forward to trying to soup this week and always look forward to reading your posts🥰
Hi Mary
I am so sorry I fixed it!
How do I access soup recipe?
Hi Patti
I fixed the link. Thank you for letting me know!