I usually gather my ideas for my Sunday posts in a google doc. This week I was wondering What Makes you Happy on Sunday? Is there anything, in particular, you would like to see featured here?
THE EMPRESS ON NETFLIX
Is anyone besides me watching the Empress on Netflix? I really enjoyed the first season (hopefully there will be a next). I don’t watch a lot of TV so I am not much of an authority, but I thought this was really well done. I loved the acting, the writing, and the beautiful costumes. I am not much of a royal follower until years later when it becomes history. Are you watching? What did you think?
I ran across this fun sweatshirt at H&M and thought this week I would do a cheap, chic workout outfit for the outfit of the week. Many of you have commented how much you like both the Target leggings and the lululemon for durability so I linked both. I have been meaning to link up the workout bra that I found on Amazon (it is great). I have also found if I throw on a cotton scarf with my workout outfit, I look a tad more polished if I have to run errands too.
SHOP OUTFIT OF THE WEEK
TOM SCHEERER ON INSTAGRAM
Do you own Tom Scheerer’s latest book More Decorating? It is wonderful. Photography by Frances Colagnese. Tom says he doesn’t do red (I am kind of in that camp as well) but I spotted a flash in his latest book. His Instagram is filled with wonderful inspiration here even if you don’t buy his book. I also own his first book Tom Scheerer Decorates and it is still as relevant as it was when first published.
HOUSE AND GARDEN CITRUS RECIPES
What’s more refreshing than lemon this time of year, especially if you live in California and have a tree or two. These citus-infused recipes from House and Garden UK are making my mouth water.
SELF MAGAZINE’S WORKOUT PLAYLIST
If you need a little motivation to get you moving, you might enjoy this workout playlist from Self Magazine.
Well, that’s it from my desk this week. We are still getting pounded with rain. After this week it looks like we will get a break. Thank you for being here. I would love to hear What Makes you Happy on Sunday?
Let’s pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann for more fun.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
MOST LOVELY THINGS
Love the citrus recipes, Cindy … our lemon harvest is over the top and we’ve been eating lemon everything. Just found an idea for a Valentine dessert in the mix too. To throw my 2 cents regarding workout leggings, I shell out for the Lululemon’s … they last forever and I’ve been wearing the same two pair for years. I only recently bought two new pair (in a newer style, on clearance) and I expect it will be a few more years or more before I have to make an additional investment. I love Lulu! xo
Hi Juliet
Good to hear! I have heard that from many of my readers as well. I miss my lemon trees!
Hello Cindy and followers….I enjoy this blog so much and get good information. I also live in workout wear and can really style it up to be presentable and even creative chic. My problem is the poor fabric quality being found in merchandise these days. I had always been able to find nylon/spandex/Lycra mix but no more. Everything seems to lead with polyester. That creates a different fit and look and feel. Lululemon still does nylon/spandex but the Target tights you referenced are…wait for it…polyester. I’m not always willing to spend Lululemon prices. Tell me I’m not alone in this..
Hi Carolyn
The Athleta tights are nylon/lycra. I have found them to wear beautifully but some readers that do a lot of lifting think they do not wear as well as Lululemon. I am not willing to pay those prices either. Most of my Athleta tights I buy on eBay or on sale on the website like right now. I always buy new when it comes to Athletic wear.
Sundays are special for us as we make a nice breakfast and watch Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley. Sometimes we’ll go for a drive or go for a walk. Since he has moved out Number two son will often wander in after work for dinner or we’ll host our oldest son’s family for dinner keeping the family Sunday dinner tradition going.
I watched The Empress and a German speaking friend suggests that it is better in German ( the language it was filmed in) the costumes ( even the males) and hair styles are gorgeous although the series has a Baz Luhrmann feel at times;) I have read the Accidental Empress and just received Sisi through my Libby app. Also recently read that The Empress has been picked up by Netflix but probably not available until 2024. The Corsage is apparently streaming on Apple TV, prime video and Disney +, I hear it’s very good and might be a foreign film Oscar nominee for Austria where Sisi is still a deity. My friend sent me photos in November from Germany of an Austrian chocolate company’s advent calendars featuring the empress!
Hi Cindy, I am new to your blog and am from Mississippi I just purchased the sweatshirt and can’t wait to wear it. I love your blog and your style.
Cindy! Your workout outfit is adorable! I can see you wearing that while listening to that playlist! You’re so lucky to have so many lemons!! 🍋
Thank you for always inspiring me with your wonderful Sunday 5 Favs! Being retired, Sundays are not as special as they used to be, Today with Willie Geist and CBS Sunday Morning are a must, my daily morning walk, leisurely breakfast and always reading my favorite blogs, Sunday Fav 5 posts! I also ordered the H&M sweatshirt, love it!
Hi Gail!
Always so great to hear from you. I finally decided since I live in workout clothes I should up my game. I spotted that sweatshirt and thought all of you ladies would love it. I haven’t received mine yet but I can’t wait!!
Morning begins with a Matcha Latte and CBS Sunday Morning. Walking dogs ensues thereafter. I’m retiring in about 7 weeks but have to say I’m feeling a bit trepidatious about it as it feels like I’m officially entering the final stage of my life (at 65). Hopefully it won’t feel isolating. I am looking forward to Sundays with nowhere to go on Monday. I, too, bought the Sweatshirt and love reading your Blog. Would love to start one as well.
Hi Dani
My husband is retiring in a few weeks as well. I know what you are intimating..it is a concern. I think he will (post surgery) have more fun than he has had in ages. I will still be working so that part will be interesting!! Good luck with retirement!
I find it interesting that only one person mentioned church. Guess it’s not a “thing” in California or your followers. So happy for me is going to wake up and since it’s cold, light the fire and start the coffee. Then go to Church, coming home and getting in comfy clothes and depending on the weather, enjoy the outdoors with a walk or sit by the pool. Today I made soup, juiced 47 lemons and froze the juice. Liquid gold! I make some into ice cubes for drinks and freeze the rest in cup increments to use for cooking and baking. I had beautiful lemons from my daughters MIL. Her in-laws have a farm in south Georgia.
Hi Monica
I think you might find it interesting that most of my followers do not live in California. My largest group of followers are from the Houston Metro area and Atlanta, and I have a large following in Australia and Europe as well. I would they are from all over the place but they definitely not California focused at all. I think perhaps many quit going to “physical church” due to Covid and many have not gone back. They have chosen to go to church online because of health concerns about being in groups. It would be interesting to hear? I sure miss my lemon trees from my former home. We have a few in pots here but not the masses we once had. I usually make soup on Sundays too. Why is that? So that we can have it as a backup during the week if we don’t feel like cooking? Thanks for your insights. Great conversation starter!
Hi Cindy,
We don’t watch hardly any Tv except the nightly news and I forgot to say 60 Minutes on Sunday evening. I really like Anderson Cooper and everyone on the show and the interesting stories. I do the same as you do with football. The injuries bother me. I always say it’s so brutal. Right now Giants and Vikings are on, both great teams.
Stanford is an outstanding hospital. I hope Steve’s infused ankle surgery is a complete success. I know he retires next month (yay for him). PT will follow? I have horrid feet and ankles. Going in for an MRI on Friday. Arthritis and maybe way too many marathons and running for way too many years.
I don’t know what I would do without my HOKA’s Bondi 7 Wide width and my pressure relief insoles I buy on line.
Cindy, I so enjoy your blog. Sundays are for relaxing and catching up on my emails. Then I head to church around 10:30
I loved seeing your decorating at your small rental and now at the new house. I make notes of places you recommend in your area for visits to my daughter who is Templeton. She and her husband have a catering business , Shekamoo Grill!! Watch for them. Their Persian BBQ is fantastic!! They are at Slo Farmers and winery events in the area.
Jan
Hi Cindy,
I have been thinking about you and Steve and wondering how you guys are coming along with the crazy amount of rain. I’ve been remiss to ask, I hope the roof and garden is fine and no water has come close to the inside of the house. We welcome rain, we usually get so little, however the forecast is rain for the next few days. Yay for us!
Sundays our rituals are, Willie Geist/Sunday Today, (if I’m up and around to do TV) we really like him. Meet The Press, Sunday Morning (with Jane Pauley) I grew up with her, she is a favorite of ours. Face The Nation.
Football and sometimes a pamper day, and sometimes preparing for the week to come.
What about you and your Sunday how does it play out?
I will check out Empress thanks for sharing. I really have enjoyed Yellowstone, at first I was not so sure.
Hi Katherine
We are fine here. We are up a little higher that the river etc. For some reason once we moved we quit watching much tv but I love all of the programs you mentioned. Steve is constantly immersed in football and I pretend to be interested to please him. Often walk in the morning, then we will go to lunch and perhaps check out a new winery or area. Steve is about to have his ankle fused in a few weeks at Stanford and it has really been bothering him so we have been laying pretty low.
That fennel and orange salad is one of my FAVES! The Tom Sheerer book is great. Love the sweatshirt. We are going to be staying near the Marais!
I wrote about happiness today too!
I love fennel and oranges too. This salad is a new one to me, a little different than my usual one. I thought that sweatshirt was great especially for the price!
I am not in a working process anymore though Sunday is not a special day for me and somehow I still celebrate him. After breakfast we go for a walk, then I cook our lunch, which is enjoyed for a long time like every day, then digest and relax, etc.
I hope you are in the green regarding the CA storm disaster.
Hi Mumbai
I know what you mean about continuing to celebrate it. I try to work Monday through Friday and take the weekend off but it doesn’t always play out as planned! We do not have any flooding issues here. We are not in a low lying area.
Yes! I loved the Empress. I watched it last fall and it’s worth it for the costumes alone. The Emperor’s mother’s wardrobe is just spectacular. I hope for season 2 as well. There is a new series based on this same historical figure that follows here later in life – I am looking forward to that too! I think it’s called Corsage.
I don’t really have traditional weekends – my husband travels all the time and I don’t work 9 – 5, so the days run together. I am in Maui right now, and going whale watching, so it’s a happy Sunday for me! 🙂
Hi Gray
Oh you poor thing…Hawaii…Kim just got back. I will look for corsage. I love period pieces. Any more suggestions?
I know – it’s tough! 😬
Yes!!
Hmmmm? Sunday…..I wake up and make coffee, turn on the fireplace, catch up on emails and your posts. Go to church at 11…FBC in Paso….love Pastor Mike and Shelanie the worship leader. Come home get casual and go to Castoro or a concert…or Sculpterra or my Fav is Hearsts Ranch winery on the beach and buy a bottle of wine and get lunch and then walk at San Simeon.
Hi Deb
We have never been to any of Castoros concerts. It sounds like we need to check them out. We have also not been to Sculpterra but it is on my list! Hearst Ranch sounds heavenly too especially on one of our scorching days!!
YES , I agree Cindy’s blog and my second cup of coffee. .. Make my Sunday! Thank You
Hi Eileen
Thank you so much. I always love hearing from you.
Being retired Sunday has lost its bittersweet moment of hours off then return to work tomorrow. We, Luddites that we are, still not eating out!!! So Sunday is often a day of low and slow braising giving up a delicious dinner and planned overs for a few days. Opening a nice bottle of wine and dinner by the fireplace. Being grateful for our health and that we still make each other laugh. Glad you are well. Was worried about rains/mudslides your way.
Patricia I have been meaning to email you. Glad all is well in the heartland. Your day sounds heavenly.
My favorite Sunday thing to do is either to go out to breakfast or get a special treat from a bakery. Another favorite thing is to read my favorite blogger with my first cup of coffee in my bathrobe first thing (how’s that for flattery?) I haven’t watched The Empress but it’s good to know about on these rainy days. I just finished From Scratch that I enjoyed. I have patterned All in Motion leggings that are cuter than plain black tights and I am guilty of wearing them too much. The HydroFlask bottles are the best-I’ve had mine for years and they still keep things cold for hours. I need to check out the citrus recipes since I have a little Meyer lemon tree that is prolific this year. Funny that the UK is sharing citrus recipes!
Hi Wren
Thanks for the compliment pal. Isn’t that interesting that H&G UK has so many wonderful lemon recipes? I am going to check out the patterned all-in-motion leggings as well. I live in mine too. That is why I thought I need to step up my game and throw on a scarf when I need to look respectable.
Cindy, Great inspirational post this Sunday. When sunny on a Sunday morning I go out to my adorable garden house to see plant growth. Or, get out on the Pickelball court surrounded by people. This wet day in Arroyo Grande I have candles lit, fireplace on, and reading my bookgroup book. How wonderful to be retired !!!
Hi Nancy
Your Sunday sounds like mine. We are very thankful for the rain aren’t we, but we will certainly be glad to see the sun again!!
What makes me happy? Aside from my family, friends and pups…a walk, finding a beautiful pinecone or seeing the first bud on a tree. A cup of hot chocolate in a beautiful up. Baking. The smile from a stranger on a bad day. Kindness.
Love this sweatshirt, in fact I had already ordered it! Great minds think alike.
As far as House and Garden everything they share is fabulous! love all of the citrus recipes!
Have a beautiful day and stay warm and cosy.
Elizabeth
I am often inspired by your favorites as well. However, as you know I do not bake (very rarely). I sure enjoy all of your recipes though. I pass them on to the people I know that love to bake!
If you liked Empress, try reading Allison Pataki’s two books about Elizabeth. The Accidental Empress and Sisi were both great and gives some insight into all of the Hapsburgs. I’m hoping there’s a season 2 with the Netflix series but I know there are no happy endings for Elizabeth.
Hi Linda
I have not read Sisi but did read the accidental Empress. I am trying to pretend I do not know her fate as well. I will check out Sisi.
On Sunday morning our puppy and cat hang out in bed with us and we love having coffee and watching Willie Geist and CBS Sunday Morning! Today in Santa Fe it’s snowing and it looks so beautiful and magical!
Hi Tamara
I am so glad you all are reminding me about Sunday Morning. I love Willie Geist as well. I think they made a big mistake when they passed him over on the Today show. I used to turn the tv on and watch a bit of SM before rising in our Chualar house. We have not had a tv in our bedroom since then, and for the most part I do not miss it.
P.S
We have new friends (neighbors) who live here part-time and part-time in Santa Fe. I adore Santa Fe. When Steve retired I would love to visit aqain.
Cindy . I think getting into a good book, a day out to have lunch or walk makes me happy. Being with all my people gets me happy too. I have to start on the Empress next it looks good. Love the outfit! What a cute sweatshirt. This is a good list of lemon recipes and I’d love to try the lemon mousse! Hope you’re drying out soon. We still have a big downpour this morning and last night. xoxo
Hi Kim
Yes! I think you would like the Empress. I think that sweatshirt is great as well. I have one ordered! It looks like it is getting ready to dump again here!
I loved The Empress. I stumbled upon it on Netflix and too hope for another season!
Hi Dianne
I too stumbled on it. Sometimes those with all the hype are not as appealing!
Cindy, love all the citrus recipes as our orchard is abundant with lemons, grapefruit, and oranges right now. What makes me happy? Any time all my children are home!
Love the Empress too. Happy Sunday!
Hi Mary
I completely agree about the children especially little Summer. I haven’t seen her since Christmas and I am really missing her.
Loved watching The Empress! My family is Austrian and I grew up hearing about beautiful Sissi. Hoping for a second season to watch.
Hi Ellie
Yes let’s cross our fingers!!
In the northern states, sunshine makes us happy in the dreaded mid-Winter months. My first screaming hot cup of coffee makes me so happy. Even photos of my beautiful Summer flowers make me happy. Having my studio clean and organized makes me happy. It is important that we identify the little things in life that we often take for granted. Happiness is often a choice. Smile, it costs nothing, and eventually it becomes who you are and uplifts everyone you meet. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Celkalee
I remember that feeling growing up in the Midwest. You are so right about the first cup of coffee. The first cup is now the only cup for me, but I sure enjoy it. I just love hearing what makes all of you happy. It has made my day today!
Great question — love watching the morning sunrises over the water with a good cup of coffee and then a brisk walk with my dog. Since I’m retired that is pretty much every morning!!!
Hi Kim
Now that sounds wonderful!! I grew up on a lake.