Yesterday’s errand’s became an unexpected date with Chad that included unlimited soup, salad, and the sweetest little non-alcoholic gingerbread drink. I am already thinking about how to recreate it. Today will be simple in the way Thursdays sometimes are. I will start with a protein shake for brunch, something easy I can sip while I get myself together. Dinner will be pierogis with sour cream, warm and familiar, and sometime today, I will settle in with toast and jam as I keep spreading awareness for Dressember one small snack at a time. This afternoon I will head to Ashton Villa to hear Oliver Dickens speak while he and his family are in town for one of Galveston’s favorite Christmas traditions, Dickens on the Strand. He is the great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, carrying his family’s stories the way some people carry heirlooms, with a mix of pride and tenderness. Every December, Galveston transforms the historic Strand District into a Victorian street festival inspired by A Christmas Carol; costumes, carolers, roasted nuts, and a bit of old-world magic tucked between the buildings. Oliver will be sharing family lore, history, and the kind of behind-the-scenes Dickens stories only someone born into that legacy could tell. We will be joining the festivities on Saturday and I cannot wait. Gracefully yours, 🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo LTKdayinmylife LTKHoliday LTKfoodie