Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, all! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections.
Please forgive me today, but I am finishing up some wonderful holiday family time, so Sunday Reflections will be a bit shorter.
This next week, I should be back in my regular blogging routines and out and about in the retail world.
The holidays were wonderful, however, I need to wake up and get going….
This year I plan to read books about women who pursued their passions.
I want to learn from them and be inspired by them.
Beginning with Ina Garten’s memoir has been a great place to start.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: INA GARTEN
While her cooking is incredible, Ina Garten inspires me more with her business savvy, wisdom, and courage.
The fact that she even worked in the Ford/Carter White Houses before cooking did not surprise me in her book, BE READY WHEN LUCK HAPPENS.
She is someone who constantly needs a challenge…often easily bored…
“from page 172: ‘As you know, when life is everything I want it to be, the part of me that thrives on a challenge is always looking ahead to the next one – the puzzle that keeps me thinking, the problem I want to solve, the goal I’d do anything to accomplish, the idea that sticks in my head and gets my adrenaline pumping.”
As any good memoir should do, I learned so much I did not know…such as, she is the type of person to go learn how to fly a plane, but not actually do it.
Underlying all the accomplishments early in life, she decided to follow her husband, Jeffrey’s advice, and purchase a cheese shop in the Hamptons at age 30…called, you guessed it, Barefoot Contessa.
Jeffrey’s advice? “Pick something you love to do. If you love it, you will be really good at it. And don’t worry about whether you make money. Just do it!”
Well, she pursued her love of food and went forward with training…followed her passion…and made a lot of money.
Ina is strong enough to share what worked and what didn’t and lessons learned.
When I read a book like this, I do it with pen in hand. I noted the lessons and the quotes.
I may be 71, but still plan to pursue my passions and enjoy this life.
Learning from the pros is part of it.
I do recommend the book and if you are a fan, you will want to read it.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS – DECOR CHANGES IN PROGRESS
A very active holiday season is the excuse I will use for many of the decorations still being in place….they really must come down this week.
This tree of lights is really a spring flower tree that I hang ornaments on to make it seasonal.
But, Mr. B has decided he likes it so much, that we are going to leave it up permanently and just take off the ornaments.
As I said on Friday, I am shopping and seeking ways to keep the “cozy” …the Hygge…around all year long.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: MUST READ POSTS
I hope you read these two posts this week because I believe they are so good for the beginning of a new year:
- The Saturday Fashion Post on what your clothing says about you
- 2025 Word of the Year
I have not asked yet, but if there is a topic you would like for me to write about, then please let me know.
And also if you have thoughts on today’s Sunday Reflections…
I hope to see you tomorrow…until then….
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
DON’T FORGET THE JANUARY SALES!! MANY ARE ALREADY UNDER WAY!
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
Julia Louis Dreyfus has a great podcast called Smarter Than Me. She interviews wise women including Ina.
Thanks for sharing this, Ann!
I read this book and recommended it to friends, something I rarely do. Reading the book felt as if we were chatting as friends, it was so well-written. The idea of just doing what you want, even if you don’t make money, well, most people are not in that situation. However she made a success of it due to her incredible hard work. A good read. Thank you for featuring it.
You are welcome, Irene! She made many courageous and smart decisions,
Good morning Pamela. I read yesterdays post twice as well as all the comments. It gave me much to think about. I didn’t have a chance to comment though. Yesterday I put away all my Christmas decor and it took all day and about 25 trips up and down the stairs to store things. The tree, in three sections, though is bagged in my studio as we have ice and I can’t get under the house to store it in the crawl space. The house looks very bare. I want to do a deep cleaning tomorrow before returning the things to the bookcase, mantel, etc. And I want to think about a more creative and cozy display for winter. I have a snowflake tree much like your spring flower tree. It stays up year round in the corner of the dining room. So I want to find a way to add more soft light like this in the living room as well. Still thinking about yesterday’s post. I am revising my adjectives. I have 3 so far. Strong, polished & current. Even though I am an artist I struggle with choosing “creative”. I don’t wear scarves or statement jewelry or anything embellished. So still thinking about it. I am awaiting my copy of Ina Garten’s book from the library. I’ve always admired her charm and poise and of course her talent. Enjoy your family time
Good Morning. I just finished Ina’s book and loved it. Her style of writing makes you feel like you are along on the ride of her exciting life. I gave it to my sister-in-law to read. I find that I purchase so many hard cover books that I need to start sharing them with others, even though when I glance at them on my bookshelf, I frequently think about the author and what I learned from her wisdom. My sister-in-law texted me late last night that she had just started reading it and loves it!
On another note – this same sister-in-law’s mother has a white Christmas tree in her family room. It is there year around. She decorates based on the current holiday. You may want to decorate your “spring” tree with valentines in February, followed by Easter bunnies! Your grandchildren may find this as a wonderful new tradition while visiting!!
I would love to read about how you meet people in your new city who become real friends. Obviously not a quick effort, but important. Love your visits to women owned businesses.
I am meeting lots of wonderful people. The next step will be making friends…will keep you up to date and re-visit this.
I love this last idea so much…just might borrow it! Thank you!
Those are three awesome adjectives! Thanks for sharing all of this, Kathie!
Thank you for the reading recommendation. I just requested it from my library, but meanwhile I downloaded it on Spotify and will start listening to her when I go for my walk this afternoon Great recommendation. She has had a fascinating career.
Ina is an amazing woman. I wondered if this book was well done, so thanks for reviewing it. I also like to read about women in the past, and would recommend “The Last Castle” about Edith Vanderbilt and “The Lives of Marjorie Meatherweather Post.” Also anything about Clementine Churchill.
I am a big fan of Ina’s cooking shows and adore her beautiful house and garden. Will download her book to my Kindle.
I dismantled all the Christmas decor two days ago, and feel inspired to live with the pared back simplicity for a week or two before deciding on some re-arranging and feathering of our nest. I watched a short video yesterday that was a compilation of a young couple’s first year making their house into a home, and felt a spark of desire to invest some time and effort to add a new layer of charm to my home. I know I don’t want “busy” but I do want, like you and Mr. B., more “cozy.” ✨️
A very Happy Sunday to all here! Heading up to Portland for several days to enjoy my sons. 🤸♀️
I enjoyed The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki. Growing up on Long Island the Post’s heir’s name was all around me but I never knew who she was or what she had done. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I enjoy reading about stong women and how they overcame the norms of the day. The Six Triple Eight on Netflix shines a light on a little known WW 2 fact and some strong, amazing women. My goal is to read more this year and that includes audiobooks; I find if I have a book on my phone and I listen to it while driving I focus more on slowing down. One of my words for 2025 is Focus since I tend to do too much and get so busy which then leads to fatigue. But also I am Grateful to be 73 going on 74 and able to have that ability.
I learned so much about her I did not know…enjoy!
Thanks Marcia! Will add them to my list!
I love the idea of adding a new layer of charm! I think that is my goal!
Will look for your book recommendation today! Thanks Linda!
I always look forward to your Word of the Year and I really enjoyed yesterday’s post about enclothed cognition. What Not to Wear was one of my favorite shows. Diane B. commented about following Gabrielle Arruda and I’ve found her blog to be so helpful in explaining color seasons. Looking my best is important to me as it makes me feel confident and approachable, and it never hurts to get a compliment or two on one’s appearance. As a member of Team Overdressed, I have a quote that I cut out of a magazine years ago about fashion that I love (source unknown): “Fashion and the way we look are a part of our human condition. It’s tribal and social and personal. I don’t think it’s superficial; it’s quite profound.” Have a wonderful, 2025, Pamela!
Ooh! I think I need to be in a book club with Marcia and Linda! These are my kind of books.
Thank you for the recommendation of Ina Gartens book. I also love biographies and memoirs. It is very cold and grey here today. Our high will be 31 degrees! We got a dusting of snow that is going away. It is definitely a wool/cashmere sweater day. And I am wearing my knee length puffer coat with the faux fur trim on the hood today on our dog walk. Trixy will be in her little red faux fur lined coat as well. Her hair has grown out to 3” long. She was just groomed and looks like a fluffball. I have had trouble finding little dog coats that fit my Havanese. She is longer in the body than small breeds are except Dachshunds. If you know where i could shop online for a good doggie puffer coat besides Amazon as I have shopped their coats and none of the sizing works. Her red coat is the best I could find and it is jacket length on her. Today she needs a coat.
Marcia-
I loved the Marjorie Meriweather Post book. I am working on taking down decorations today as we are snowed/iced in here in the Midwest. Trying to find a way to incorporate some of the joy of the Christmas decorations into the bleak winter months-maybe a lit tree is the answer!
I agree, Connie…sign me up!