When there is just so much to celebrate!
No. 59 And The Sunday Six is a gift!
Good morning!
Friends, today is a special day. It is my maternal grandmother’s 100th birthday! Wow! Happy 100th Birthday to my Grammy!! Incredible. She is superb and I hope she has an incredibly special day. Perhaps she will even read this newsletter! I welcome you to write her a happy birthday wish, if you’d like. Her name is Judy. :)
Birthdays are important no matter the year, but the century birthday is perhaps even more important than, say, the average 39th birthday. ;) Growing up, my grandmother has always been the very first person to call and wish me a happy birthday. I’m looking forward to speaking with her as soon as possible to wish her a happy birthday and seeing her today to celebrate in person. Woohoo!
My grandmother has taught me countless lessons and shared so much of her time, energy, and passion for the good stuff. She is one of my original shopping partners, allowing me to roam around whatever toy store or department store we went to for the day then collecting countless items and finally having to pick one (or two) as my treat from the trip. She has always been a partner in fashion as we both love a great sweater/jacket/dress with pockets as well as cool, but comfortable shoes. We both love turquoise jewelry, a cozy fleece, and Marimekko. She is forever stylish.
Did I tell you she was in the shoe business? She sold shoes at Filene’s for almost 20 years! Her career in retail spanned so many decades; her work ethic was unmatched as she was going to work well into her eighties. :)
My Grammy has always encouraged me to work and do my job well, but remember to enjoy life - “don’t work too hard,” she has said on more than one occasion. She is a fierce supporter of joy and is the first one to be the most enthusiastic when she hears of good news. She still discusses the day I graduated from college, the day Seth and I got engaged in the Public Garden, and what a wonderful dog Pepper is - even though she still jumps up a lot.
When I (finally) got my driver’s license three years ago she was so darn proud! I was honored she was so impressed; she loved to drive more than anyone and to this day definitely wishes she was driving around in her VW Passat. She likes cars too and has repeatedly said that Seth’s car is her favorite. Ha! She has great taste.
Finally, she has instilled in me my interest and passion for baking. My grandmother has baked more chocolate chip cookies and blueberry muffins than anyone and just thinking about them right now I can still remember their smell, taste, and texture. I ‘helped’ her when I was little by mixing the dough and putting the dough on the cookie sheet, but I’m sure I was eating more of the dough than actually making the cookies. I have countless memories of going into the kitchen in her house in Maine during the summer and smelling blueberry muffins baking - always extra early in the morning! And while I may need to eat gluten free now, the scent and taste of those cookies and muffins will be with me forever.
I started baking after my celiac diagnosis and I was determined to still enjoy cookies and muffins as they should be. I used regular recipes, replaced the flour, and ta da! Fantastic flavors were on my table once again. I have shared all of the cookies and treats I’ve baked with my grandmother (and other family and friends) and she has loved them which makes me so proud. To think I could bake something as delicious as her famed chocolate chip cookies - I’m honored! I have not baked in quite some time, but perhaps it’s time to start again. Stay tuned. ;)
I could go on and about my Grammy and everything we have done together throughout my life, but I hope these brief moments give you a snapshot of just how awesome and important she is to me - and to everyone who knows her. She has done so much and has helped so many over her lifetime. I’m so thrilled to celebrate her 100th birthday today - she is truly one of a kind.
As she says whenever meeting someone for the first time, “I’m so glad to know you.” A phrase and mindset that will stick with me, always.
In celebration of my Grammy’s 100th, today’s edition of The Sunday Six is free for all subscribers. Enjoy!
The Sunday Six
Cancel your plans tonight and watch the entire season of Nobody Wants This on Netflix. Best show of the year. I just loved it. And I laughed a lot.
Speaking of incredible TV, Shrinking is back for Season 2 on Apple TV+ October 16 and I cannot wait. It is fabulous.
The Bagel Bar has quickly woven its way into our weekend mornings. Gluten free bagels that don’t have to be shipped overnight to my house?! Hooray! I love their bagel, lox, and chive cream cheese paired with an iced coffee and a sunny Sunday morning. Please note - it is not a gluten free restaurant. I have successfully eaten their GF bagels four times now without issue, but please trust your gut. Always note allergy when placing your order.
Seth and I stopped into my favorite Faccia a Faccia Friday night after getting drinks and snacks with my co-worker (also very fun). We didn’t need a full meal which is why Faccia reigns supreme. Order: tuna tartare, stuffed olives, mozzarella sticks with caviar (just do it), and then one of their house-made gluten free gelato flavors for dessert. Perfection! We were out past 9pm, it was bustling everywhere, and I was like…is this what the rest of the world is doing? I’m usually watching TV!
I’m thrilled fall has arrived so that my signature outfit formula - jeans/tee/jacket - can finally get some use. I love jacket weather and a good denim one never hurts. I ordered this one from Frame on sale and I’m thrilled!
My grandmother and I both love a great shift dress. This leather-trimmed mini dress from Gucci is so freaking perfect I can’t stand it. #wishlist
Birthday Bonus!
It was also Pepper’s birthday this past week - she is now 2 years old! Cuter than ever and bringing joy to everyone she meets, I can’t imagine a day without Pepper sprinting around, giving tons of kisses, and chewing the ears off of every toy. Happy Birthday, Pep! :)
Thank you for being here and reading each week. I really, truly appreciate it!
Cheers and joy,
Mollie