Royally Living (2024)

25/01/2024

Seriously. I’ve never seen so much Valentine’s Day stuff. The earrings. And headbands. And handbags. And sweaters are everywhere!

I mean there’s so much stuff people have to be dressing for a whole season now, right?!! Not just a day. Like Christmas. Only with hearts, not plaid.

I honestly see why people do that “no shop January” thing.

We are absolutely inundated with stuff.

All. The. Time.

And, hey, if you really enjoy dressing for Valentine’s season. Have at it. There’s some really cute stuff out there. (I’ve actually got my eye on a sweater from Talbots! lol).

But it’s ok to not buy stuff too. Which is probably what my husband will remind me of when the next Amazon box arrives. 😂

Ok folks. Happy shopping. Or not. Wishing you lots of love this season. ###

😘 Jennifer-Marie

p.s. Random thought just came to me. Simple and obvious yet still pretty profound… Maybe going back to only shopping in physical stores is the way to go. There’s something to be said for actually seeing it, touching it, trying it before buying it. Like in the olden days. Ya know, the 90’s. 😂💛

_____________________

24/01/2024

I know some of y’all are wondering why the heck we’re in the heartland while it’s been record cold and snowy. We’re obviously bad snowbirds! 😂

But these pics should answer your question!

We’re hanging out with Grandma! 💕

Grandma doesn’t live at Terra Bloom. I know a lot of people confuse that. She’s in her own one level condo just ten minutes away. And loves her space and has the tv on what she wants it.

Last night we went over to spend some time. Doggie loves Grandma like nothing you’ve ever seen. And our plan was to watch a Hallmark-ish movie with the Amazon Firestick we just put together for her.

Netflix! Which Grandma doesn’t quite know how to operate.

When the movie was done we set the television back to her settings. And went to drive back to Terra Bloom.

But. It. Was. All. Ice.

So we went back in to spend the night. And watched two more movies before sleepy time. (The Christmas Prince movies in case you’re wondering!)

I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear Grandma belly laugh at the movies.

I’m so grateful Mother Nature had a plan for us. Getting iced in with Gramdma and Netflix is a memory I won’t ever forget.

🥰 Jennifer-Marie

p.s. Nope. These aren’t the perfect pics. But these are the kind of pictures you’re gonna wanna look at for years to come. Please. Please. Please. Make your Insta for you! ❤️💕
____________________

18/01/2024

Some quotes require no caption. 😂

But I’ll share some love on Ted Lasso, the show. One of my all time favorites…

We were late to the game on Ted Lasso. I just couldn’t figure out how I’d like a show about football/soccer?!!

But I was f-ing wrong! It’s f-ing amazing. (FYI, footballers use the f-word a lot! According to Roy Kent, it’s encouraged.)

I love the show, the story, the characters, the writing, the team. I loved watching it so much. I actually cheered during their pretend games — Miles too. ⚽️

Did you watch? Do you love it? Are you gonna tune in? Do you agree with Ted’s quote? 🤣

Happy Apple TVing, mes amis! ❤️

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_______________________

17/01/2024

To the magic of marriage. And to Modern Family! Which seriously rivals Frasier for making me laugh! 🥂

And to my husband, Miles, who’s my favorite person to watch television with! Along with the Furry Princess too of course. 🥰

What’s your favorite comedy? And who’s your favorite person to watch it with?

Wishing you a day of magic and laughter! 💛

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_________________

17/01/2024

To the magic of marriage.🥂

And to Modern Family! Which seriously rivals Frasier for making me laugh!

And to my husband, Miles, who’s my favorite person to watch television with! 🥰

What’s your favorite comedy?

Wishing you a day of magic and laughter! 💛

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_________________

16/01/2024

We went to the Iowa Caucus tonight, here’s our experience…
__________

Jet Set Jiles. Coming to you for the Zebra Press…

The high today was negative one. But we grabbed our press passes anyway. Braved the cold and went to experience the Iowa Caucus first hand.

It was friendly. People knew their neighbors. People chatted.

The theory behind the caucus is that you sway your neighbors to your candidate. People speak on behalf of the candidates they support.

Come 7 o’clock (prime time in the Midwest) order was called in the Hawkeye state. And the Iowa Caucus officially began.

The high school we visited hosted several precincts in different areas.

We were in the auditorium. With 100 people voting.

But before the voting started, here’s what really struck me…

As the meeting started. Everyone stood. There was a teeny tiny flag on the stage, and they started with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Followed by a prayer.

And then they sang the first verse of God Bless America.

There was something charming, sweet, nostalgic, and calm about it. Decorum from a bygone era.

Then people began to speak for their candidates. With a 3 minute time limit per person.

Then the vote happened.  
People wrote their candidate on what looked like a small colored pice of paper, no bigger then a post it note.

Zip-lock baggies were passed around the auditorium and folks put their votes in the clear gallon sized bags.

Votes were then tallied on the stage in front of the group.

It was so fascinating. So different than the primary I’m used to participating in.

They’re’s a certain percentage that has to happen that I don’t fully understand. Otherwise they have to go to a second vote. With more speeches. But the numbers worked and only one vote was needed in our little auditorium.

100 votes were cast. And although no one spoke for him, Trump won with 36 votes. Followed by Desantis with 28, and Nikki Haley with 27.

Ok, friends, Jet Set Jiles signing off from the Hawkeye State.

🖤💛🖤💛

_______________

16/01/2024

Happy heavenly birthday to this little muffin! We tell the Furry Princess about her all the time. 🥰

She was quite the dancer. Loved chewing on Teddy. And looking out the window. She’d pranced proudly when she had an audience. But had no desire to walk unless there were people looking at her. What a good girl! 🐾❤️

________________
🌈

15/01/2024

This furry princess is mesmerized by the fireplace!

If you were snowed in with us, you’d be like “awe, look at her, she loves the fireplace, look how cute she is, this is adorable, who’s the good girl by the fireplace, who’s the good girl, who’s the pretty girl?!!

😂

My favorites are pictures 2 and 3. Picture three is Miles taking picture 2! It’s so sweet! 🥰

Also, including some snowy pics, and the weather map.

These pics aren’t Insta perfect. But they are my imperfectly perfect pics. Full of happy memories!

Sending lots of love and good wishes for happy happy memory making.❤️

😘Jennifer-Marie

__________________
🔥

14/01/2024

So grateful to have been young, in the safe-space of college, and figuring it all out. So grateful to have friends who were figuring it all out with me. So grateful that when we were figuring it all out we all didn’t have iPhones and social media to document all of it.

Who’s with me?

🙋‍♀️
😂
❤️

Give me an emoji in the comments if you agree!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

__________________

12/01/2024

Posting a little Paul Child quote tonight as I’m missing Julia on HBO Max.

If you haven’t watched it yet, I envy you. lol. It’s sooo good!

Plus, David Hyde Pierce & Bebe Neuwirth are in it. And how much do we love them from Frasier and Cheers!

If you’re thinking “oh, another Julia Child show, I’ll pass”… Don’t. This one is special!

Let me know if you watch!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

________________

11/01/2024

I’ve been playing with words lately. I’ve got a post on it coming soon. But this word has somehow floated to the top for a little post of its own.

𝓥𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼.

It’s like the word wants to speak. (Yes. I know that sounds coo-coo, but the word’s not going to let me go sleepy until I post this! 🤣)

𝙑𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣. 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣.

And this word can seem like a biggie.

𝓣𝓸 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓫𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯 𝓪𝓼 “𝓿𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼” 𝓲𝓼 𝓪 𝓵𝓸𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓾𝓹 𝓽𝓸.

But also it’s not.

𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓬 𝓱𝓾𝓶𝓪𝓷. 𝓘𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓭𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓫𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓿𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓷 𝓪𝓶𝓪𝔃𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵, 𝓳𝓸𝔂𝓯𝓾𝓵, 𝓯𝓾𝓵𝓯𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮.

Vivacious should be normal.

𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙯𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩!

Vivacious. This is just one word you deserve to describe you.

𝓓𝓮𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯. 𝓓𝓮𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮. 𝓓𝓮𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭.

I love you! ❤️

😘 Jennifer-Marie
___________________
♥️

10/01/2024

Sometimes the best thing is to do nothing. And just be.

Fireside in this instance.

😘 Jennifer-Marie & the Furry Princess

_________________

10/01/2024

Please. Please. Please. Create art for you. If you feel more enriched for doing it. Then whatever you created is a masterpiece.

We’re staying at Terra Bloom for a little bit. It’s our family house in Iowa. The previous owners were the Blooms (hence part of the name of the house).

John and Isabell Bloom were both fine artists. They studied under Grant Wood — painter of American Gothic the most parodied painting ever!

While they were studying with Wood, they meet and fell in love. John was a successful painter. He’s pretty well known around these parts for Monkey Island. Isabelle was a very successful sculptress, achieving fame among locals that are not even into art.

Anyhow, we’ve got lots of their art in the house. But you know what else is here? Some goofy little spice sculpture things that my Grandma’s friend, Julie, made (swipe to see!).

They’re goofy. A little vintage. Joyful. And I’m sure they brought lots of happiness to Grandma’s friend making them!

So whatever it is. Painting. Playing an instrument. Creating on Canva. Coloring. Doodling. Writing. Singing. Sewing. BuJo-ing. Quilting. Flower arrangements. Whatever?!! Do it!

Did I ever tell you how I can completely transform myself into a divine space of grace by simply being completely in the moment, in a clutter free house, cutting and arranging flowers, then placing them around our home?

That might seem random. But do you see what I mean though? There are so many ways to be artistic and achieve that moment of grace. It’s a high. In the now moment. Completely aware. But kinda floating at the same time. It’s meditative. But more.

And I swear no booze. It’s better than booze. lol.

If it’s artistic. And it brings you joy. Do it. That one way we can live an enriched and enchanted life full of grace.

Ok. Off my soap-box now. And sending lots of artistic love, joy, and divine grace!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

____________________

09/01/2024

There’s a lot of depth with the moral of the movie. But it’s not at all heavy. It’s a very pleasant watch…

Bank of Dave is a true-ish story about a successful British van salesman and self-made millionaire, Dave Fishwick of Burnley in the UK. He does good for his community by giving loans during the financial crisis — helping businesses and creating 100s of jobs in the process. From this do-good-ing he decides he wants to open a bank to fund local business endeavors with local money, and he hires a fancy London lawyer to help.

It’s an easy watch that Miles and I both really liked. Also, if you’re a Def Leopard fan you’ll love it. And if you’re not a Def Leopard fan there isn’t so much Def Leopard that it will turn you off.

It’s a special story. And a nicely done, happy, movie.

Happy netflixing. ###

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_________________________

🎬

09/01/2024

For a couple years, Miles has been saying he wants to start videoing me every time we go to a McDonalds’ drive through. Evidently I always have something to say when we’re driving away. He thinks I have opinions. I think it’s just good sense. lol.

Tonight we’re in Iowa. And it’s snowing.

Yes. I know it’s not even snowing at home in Virginia. And we do really know the point of snowbirding is to actually get to somewhere where there is no snow. But that’s for another post.

Anyhow, back to the point…

We stopped at McDonalds to stock-up on some ice tea knowing we might not be leaving the house tomorrow. And they accidentally messed-up one of my teas.

So here’s my love letter to the Golden Arches…

😘 Jennifer-Marie

___________________
🍟

🍔🍟

09/01/2024

For a couple years, Miles has been saying he wants to start videoing me every time we go to a McDonalds’ drive through. Evidently I always have something to say when we’re driving away. He thinks I have opinions. I think it’s just good sense. lol.

Tonight we’re in Iowa. And it’s snowing.

Yes. I know it’s not even snowing at home in Virginia. And we do really know the point of snowbirding is to actually get to somewhere where there is no snow. But that’s for another post.

Anyhow, back to the point…

We stopped at McDonalds to stock-up on some ice tea knowing we might not be leaving the house tomorrow. And they accidentally messed-up one of my teas.

So here’s my love letter to the Golden Arches…

😘 Jennifer-Marie

___________________
🍟

🍔🍟

09/01/2024

There’s a lot of depth with the moral of the movie. But it’s not at all heavy. It’s a very pleasant watch…

Bank of Dave is a true-ish story about a successful British van salesman and self-made millionaire, Dave Fishwick of Burnley in the UK. He does good for his community by giving loans during the financial crisis — helping businesses and creating 100s of jobs in the process. From this do-good-ing he decides he wants to open a bank to fund local business endeavors with local money, and he hires a fancy London lawyer to help.

It’s an easy watch that Miles and I both really liked. Also, if you’re a Def Leopard fan you’ll love it. And if you’re not a Def Leopard fan there isn’t so much Def Leopard that it will turn you off.

It’s a special story. And a nicely done, happy, movie.

Happy netflixing. ###

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_________________________

🎬

05/01/2024

Memory making. A rather simple concept to focus on. Yet it can be an extremely beautiful, mystical, and sovereign way to approach life.

I wish you a 2024 full of merry memories that your soul will forever cherish. 🥰

❤️ Jennifer-Marie

p.s. If you want a quickie easy memory to create this week you can try my take-out hack.

Simply get take away food that you’d normally eat at home. And drive someplace pretty or unusual and eat it there.

Bring some nice cloth napkins. And be sure to stop the car in a safe spot. This is a memorable picnic in the car being creating. Not mindlessly eating takeout in the car because you don’t have time for dinner.😬

What’s around you that’s pretty or unusual? River. Mountains. Airport. City skyline? Even parked on a pretty main street watching the people go by can be fun!

Do this with your love. And talk about how you’ve never done it before. Or reminiscence on memories of a past take-away picnic in the car. Or whatever pleasant things feel right to talk about in the moment.

Enjoy! And please let me know if you do it! 😘

_______________________

28/12/2023

I was going to write a whole long thing on me being pressured to wear Birkenstocks in the 90’s. But I’ll just give an abbreviated version at the moment. Because frankly, all this person was doing was trying to suppress who I really was. And my artistic expression through fashion at the time. And my golly. Isn’t the most important thing to be yourself?!!

Anyone that really knew me back then knows there’s no way I’d of ever worn Birkenstocks. I wore heals, boots, a couple of mules, and I had a great pair of Chanel sneakers (which I still have!). But there was no way Birkenstocks were me.

(I do have a current fondness for some leopard Birkenstock-ish mules that I can’t find in my size. Swipe to see. They’re cute! But that’s me now. Not then.)

Anyhow, rather than reach into the “trauma” of the whole story. I decided it was just better to post this now. I sense someone needs to hear it.

Be you! Because anyone around you when you’re not being you aren’t the people you want around you anyway. (Ok. That sounded like an after school special! 😂).

But seriously…

More than anything, it’s important to be true to yourself and walk your path… in whatever shoes you damn well please. ❤️

😘 Jennifer-Marie

___________________

27/12/2023

Among all the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays. I hope you’re able to connect with your angelic self. To enjoy the moment. To feel peace. And to live the magic of the season!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

p.s. Also, please remember you’re enough. Just as you are. ❤️

_________________________
📸: shutterstock
🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

26/12/2023

So what do we think? Is it a Christmas movie? 😂

😘

_____________________

26/12/2023

This is an updated old recipe my mom used to make. Way back in the day. Anyhow, she gave it to me and I tweaked it a little.

It’s super easy. And most of the ingredients keep a long time, so it’s easy to have on hand.

We had some tonight. And there’s so much crabmeat left we can have it again, fireside, tomorrow. ❤️

It’s a dip/spread thing…

Just layer
Whipped crème cheese (Mummy used to use a block softened)
Cocktail sauce (she used Heinz chili sauce)
Lowerys seasoning salt (my addition!)
Crabmeat (she also used to use canned baby shrimp 😂)
Finish with some flat leaf parsley for some freshness (also, my addition — it really adds something!)

We really like it on Chicken in a Biscuit crackers. 😋

Enjoy! And also, doesn’t it look like Christmas?!!🎄❤️

😘 Jennifer-Marie

___________________

26/12/2023

Merry Christmas! Today was lazy day. Full of love, leftovers, pajamas, and Christmas movies in bed! ❤️😂

I’ve been eyeing this Castle for Christmas movie. I’m glad we waited to watch — it was nice to have a “new” movie on Christmas Day.

It’s pretty predictable. It’s happy. There’s some fun fashion. Gorgeous scenery. Plus a Scottish village and a castle! It’s a feel good flick.🥰

Miles liked it too…

Me: what do you think of it so far?

Miles: I’m liking it. I mean it’s stupid. But it’s fun. It might as well be a Hallmark movie.

There is one thing that stops it from being a Hallmark movie. Any ideas? 🤭

Have you seen it? Plan to watch? Let me know what you think!

I hope y’all had a really wonderful Christmas Day! Sending lots of joy and heartfelt love your way.

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_______________________

25/12/2023

I don’t know if y’all remember this but Christmas Eve is the Furry Princess’s got-cha day!

We went for a drive around DC after dinner, with some coffee, to look at the lights & decorations. The Willard didn’t disappoint! And people were kind enough to take some pictures of us! ❤️🎄

So glad this little sugar plum is part of our world! She is the Christmas magic everyday.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! And to all a good night! 😘

______________________

24/12/2023

I’m not sure where everyone’s getting their booze over the next couple days. But I think we all need to send a big big thanks to for this piece of nostalgia!

Iconic. ❤️

I never actually went in. But I’ve got so many sweet sweet memories just driving by. 🥰

Happy Christmastime everybody!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

____________________

24/12/2023

Here’s the tree I posted from a week-ish ago that everybody loved! Here’s another shot with it all lit up!🎄❤️

Like I said before, it just screams happy to me. And I wanted to send a little more happy your way!

Happy Christmas! Here’s to a Christmastime filled with beauty!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

__________________
🎄 🎄 🎄

24/12/2023

I have no idea how this movie escaped me twenty years ago?!! But we watched it tonight and we both LO❤️ED it!

Miles would pause the show every so often and tell me “good job” for finding this movie.🥰

(I can’t adequately describe the joy I feel when I pick a flick that really enjoys!)

It’s on Netflix. And it’s the 20th anniversary. And if you haven’t seen it that Ted Lasso Christmas special from a couple years ago is going to make even more sense! 😂

Happy viewing! And let me know what you think!🎄

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

____________________

23/12/2023

We watched Maestro on Netflix. Glad we watched. It’s really well done.

But I probably won’t watch it again. I’d also probably save it for after Christmas, unless you’re just done with Christmas movies.

Miles was really looking forward to this movie. And glad we watched too. He did say he was glad we were watching at home on Netflix versus the theater. 😊

We did make popcorn though! Served in a Spode Christmas bowl. You can swipe to see the furry princess eyeing it. lol. 🍿

Happy Saturday!

😘 Jennifer-Marie

_____________________
🍿

22/12/2023

I don’t know about y’all but all my Christmastime “plans” haven’t been going according to plan.

Long story short. Grandma doesn’t want to travel to Virginia anymore for Christmas. And at 94 she should really have that! So we’re heading there to celebrate with my side of the family.

All of Miles’ family is in Virginia, along with my parents, and I didn’t realize how easy part of Christmastime was when Grandma would just hop on a plane and head this way. I’m not saying this to complain. I’m saying it for the folks that may not realize at the moment this is something they should be very grateful for!

So yes. We’re doing stuff with the bigger family. Cuz ‘tis the season.

But I’ve also been trying to carve out some special moments for me, Miles, and the Furry Princess while we’re still here. In our home. That looks so pretty for Christmas!

So I was kinda thinking, doing stuff on the solstice, could be a neat new tradition before heading to the heartland.

Nice dinner at our favorite French restaurant. Open our gifts for each other. Fire. Prosecco.

This would of course happen after we packed and got the house “perfect” to be able to leave for a bit. (I’m the type that wants every pillow fluffed, and everything put in its spot before we travel!).

But stuff came up. My parents, who are already at Grandma’s, had some damage after our bad rainstorms the other day. So we choose to help with that.

As far as our fancy French dinner and gift exchange. It didn’t happen.

We ended up in the town we both grew up in, at the go-to family restaurant.

Afterwards we got two fancy Starbucks drinks. And drove around looking at the Christmas lights with holiday music on the radio.

That lights drive might have been by accident, but we also may have just created a new tradition.🎄

Here’s to plans. Sometimes breaking them. And memory making.❤️

Happy Solstice everyone. Here’s to the sunshine ahead.🌞

😘Jennifer-Marie

_________________
🎄

Royally Living

25/01/2024

24/01/2024

18/01/2024

17/01/2024

17/01/2024

16/01/2024

16/01/2024

15/01/2024

14/01/2024

12/01/2024

11/01/2024

10/01/2024

10/01/2024

09/01/2024

09/01/2024

09/01/2024

09/01/2024

05/01/2024

28/12/2023

27/12/2023

26/12/2023

26/12/2023

26/12/2023

25/12/2023

24/12/2023

24/12/2023

24/12/2023

23/12/2023

22/12/2023

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share