Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Wednesday Hodgepodge



Well, look at me, 2nd week in a row to participate in the HP. Yea!  And, it's the busiest time of the year but guess I'm on a roll.  Many thanks to Joyce for staying with us all these years and coming up with fun questions week in and week out.

1. What's one fun thing on your December calendar? 


I have several fun things on my calendar but one that I'm really looking forward to is our daughter's arrival with her 3 "sidekicks" on the 26th.  Her husband will be unable to come as they have a zoo (horses, sheep and dogs and puppies due to arrive near Christmas) and someone has to care for the zoo.  Often they can hire someone to do the caring but it can get rather hard to do so during the holidays.  So, that's just the way it is and we, as Joyce would say, roll with it. 

2. Sherwin William's Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, described as 'a hint of silver lining', 'a breezy blissful blue' (see sample here). Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2024 is Blue Nova, where 'violet and blue come together in a sumptuous hue'. (see sample here) Valspar's Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea -green' (see sample here)

Seems like the design world is keen on the color blue for the new year. Do you have a lot of blue in your home decor currently? What shade? Of the three colors listed which one's your favorite? Do you need to paint? How likely is it you'd select one of these shades for your home? Which one? 


I do have a little blue in our house.  The above is one of our guest bedrooms in a soft grey blue with that color carried out in the bedding.

Our more formal dining area is a silver  grey blue that I love.  We used Sherwin William colors throughout the house.  These are the only two rooms with "blueish" colors.

Upward would be my choice of the colors listed and we do not need to paint inside, perhaps the porch columns in the future.  But, we would most definitely not use any of the new shades of 2024 for them. They will be repainted the original color, a light off white.

3. Do you struggle with 'the seasonal blues'? What are some things you do to try to beat the blues? 

I don't know that I would call it struggle but the week between Christmas and New Years can be a real downer for me.  I don't dwell on it but rather work on all the year end things, organize and clean and clean.  It keeps me busy and before I know it, it's January 2nd of a new year.

4. Blue jeans...love 'em or no? How many pair do you own? Are you married to a particular brand? 


A couple of years ago Bridget introduced me to Democracy jeans and it was a game changer.  They have the absolution technology that makes them so comfortable in the waist.  I'd have to say I LOVE them.  They have "bocoos" of styles, colors and lengths.  As to how many jeans I have. Well, let's just say, toooooo many.  Chicos has a style that I wear too but it's mainly Democracy and they're priced so, so reasonably.

5. In terms of holiday preparation (baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, meal planning, etc) how far along are you? 1=haven't given it a second thought, 10=nothing left to do but wait. 

I'm at about an 8 or 9. Tree is up and touches of other decor around,  gifts are bought and wrapped, cards are ready to mail, meals are planned and groceries bought (unless it's an item that can't be bought this far in advance).  And, I've made my usual 30 - 35# of fudge and have begun wrapping and delivering it.  I've been making this fudge for almost 40 years and I think you might call that a tradition for sure.


The above picture is of 10 packages of fudge ready to be delivered day before yesterday. It's one of the highlights of the season for me.  I love seeing just how attractive I can package  it. I know, weird! ~chuckle~ If you happen to be interested, you can find the recipe for Cotton Country  5# Fudge under my Recipe Tab at the top of my blog.  I also added a whole lot of helpful hints to the recipe.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our family Christmas will be after Christmas this year.  Every few years it happens like this.  Bridget and family, when it works, come before Christmas and go home on the 23rd so they can be home for Christmas Day.  But, this year the boys do not get out of school until the 21st and that doesn't leave them enough time to come and get home on the 23rd.  So, they will arrive on the 26th this year, we'll have our family Christmas on the 27th and then just enjoy each other until they have to head back to Oklahoma on the 30th.  It's never bothered me as to the date we have our Christmas, we make it work when we can all be together. 


Monday, December 4, 2023

December Prime Purchases




Oh, my goodness, just in case you didn't realize it, Christmas is 3 weeks from today! So, hopefully you have most of your gifts bought but if you are still in need of a few more, perhaps something in this post will assist you with that. 


Plant Covers for Freeze Protection


You may have some plants that you need/want to cover on lower than freezing nights.  I do and a friend told me about this handy covers.  I had never heard of them but they are so neat and very, very easy to use.  I have 4 gorgeous asparagus ferns in one of our back flowerbeds and I do hate to lose them.  We had a couple of below freezing nights 2-3 weeks ago and I covered them and we've not had any since so I took the covers off until we have more below freezing temps. They zip and tie on and off very easily.



OPEN FRONT JACKET


This is a great "grab and go" jacket.  I say jacket because if you live in extremely cold climates, it is likely not thick enough.  But, for milder climates, such as here in Louisiana, it is great. It comes in several colors, has no buttons, and is just as I say, a "grab and go" jacket.



VACUUM FOOD SEALER


I decided I needed a vacuum sealer for all the cookies I bake and freeze. I've always used air tight containers and they do work just fine, but I'm thinking these vacuum sealed bags will take up less room in the freezer.  This is very user friendly and just perfect for what I will be using it for.


CUSTOM NAME STAMP

I have not had a return address stamp in years and years.  They are so handy, even quicker and easier than a label.  They make a great gift as well.


SHOPPING BAG WITH WHEELS


Okay, ladies, if you need a shopping bag, then look no further.  This is such a nice bag, has 4 wheels so there's no dragging it behind you, it stays right by your side.  The handle is the perfect length and it folds up for storage.  It can be a tote as well.  I love it for vendor type shows that are very popular this time of year.  There are several colors and patterns. I took mine to a vendor show this past week and had several folks ask me about it.  

64 oz. ACRYLIC PITCHER


Isn't this the best looking pitcher? And, the best part is how light weight it is.  I have some gorgeous glass pitchers but let me tell you, they are HEAVY and even heavier when full. Acrylic is the way to go and you can find so many good looking items in acrylic.  I don't need anything super dressy and this holds 64oz.  I love that it is square, a different look for a pitcher for sure. 


VOTIVE  CANDLE  HOLDERS

I use votives quite often for tablescapes and when I saw these I had to have them.  They have a vintage look to them and I have some really good looking votive candle rings that will look great with these.  Votives always give off such a nice ambiance, be it day or night.


SKETCHERS  WOMEN'S  SLIPPERS


I'm pretty sure I have featured these before but since I just ordered another pair, I thought I'd share them again.  I think they are the best slippers made.  I like a full slipper and one that can be worn outside on the concrete and these fit the bill.  I wear them year around but they are really warm for winter wear.  They do come in several colors.



NO SHOULDER BUMP HANGERS

I cannot stand bumps on the shoulders of my sweaters or knit tops.  These hangers take care of that issue and they are not huge like some I've seen.  I like slim hangers due to the space that a thicker hanger takes.  I now have all of my sweaters on one of these hangers and now I don't have to steam the bumps off the shoulders before I wear them.

JOGGER  SET

If you want something cute and comfortable, then this is for you.  The fabric is very comparable to the Air Essentials by Spanx and one fourth the price. The zipper with the wide collar on the top is such a good look. And, it comes in a whole lot of colors. 

LADIES  TRACKSUIT

This is another great look if you like wide legs.  And, again, the fabric is very similar to Air Essentials by Spanx and very affordable. Very comfortable and sharp looking. 

ANTI  SLIP  SLEEVE  GARTERS


Most of you likely know about these little "jewels" but, in case you don't, you likely need them occasionally.  I use these for many of my long sleeve sweaters and tops.  I'm not a fan of long sleeves but neither do I like to roll up my sleeve on some things.  So, these help to keep the sleeve pushed up and you don't have to keep pushing it up.  And, it's easy to hide them by pulling the extra fabric over them.  I've used them for many years but must have hidden the last ones I had because I cannot find them anywhere.  So, I just ordered some more.  I'll try not to hide these from myself.  These come in several styles, I just happen to like these.  And, what a great stocking stuffer!

100% TURKISH 6 PIECE TOWEL SET

Are you or anyone on your Christmas list in need of new towels? These are 50% off and we love them.  They are just the right thickness, dry extremely well and the edges stay flat.  And, they come in a whole lot of colors.


Well, that's it for my Prime Purchases 2023! 


Wednesday, November 29, 2023

The Wednesday Hodgepodge





It has been a "hot minute" since I have participated in the Hodgepodge and I so enjoy being a participant.  But, what can I say, life happens and time slips by.  I am so glad to be participating today.

1. Does anybody really know what day it is? Last week we skipped the Hodgepodge and I just assumed this week would find us in December, but nope. Still November. Do you wear a watch? Use a paper calendar or strictly electronic? What's your favorite hour of the day? Why? 


I do know what day it is but, it can get very confusing when holidays roll around.  I felt like last Thursday was a Friday and I didn't really get back on track until Monday.

I definitely wear a watch, it's the first accessory I put on after taking a shower in the morning.  I hate to admit how much I love my smart watch but I really cannot imagine not having it.  I use so many of its features everyday outside of the time, date and temp. I have just about worn out the timer on it.  It's so convenient to set it and I never let clothes sit in the dryer to long, cook something to long and the list goes on and on.

I am still very attached to my paper calendar that hangs above my key drop as I walk in from the garage.  We keep everything on that calendar and one glance and I know what my week holds.  I do use my IPhone calendar for birthdays.  I know the younger generation uses their smart phone for everything and all family members sync their phones and they all know what each is doing.  I think that's fantastic for them but I'll just stick to my old fashioned paper calendar.

My favorite hour of the day.......hummm......that's a toughie.  I love the first hour I am up a lot but I also enjoy the hour I head to my recliner in the evening.  I guess that says I enjoy the beginning and ending of my days. The beginning means a fresh start and the ending is generally a satisfaction of a day well spent.

2. Tell us something about how you celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. 

We had a very simple Thanksgiving with our son and his family.  I cooked a simple meal of grilled pork tender steaks wrapped in bacon, a potato casserole and a green bean dish. I'm not much at preparing a big Thanksgiving meal and perhaps I should be ashamed of that. I have done it very few times and it was sooooo much work and there were sooooo many leftovers. I must confess that for the past several years we have gone to our Country Club and enjoyed the biggest and best buffet this side of heaven.  This year the club is undergoing a major remodel and was not open for Thanksgiving.  Thus, we ate here. After eating, my DIL, the girls and myself played Phase 10 for a couple of hours.  It was a very enjoyable time.

3. What's a sound you hate to hear? 

The yan yan and yah yah of the news media.  Makes me crazy!

4. Where do you not mind waiting? 

As I've gotten older I've grown a bit more patient with waiting but, it's certainly not my favorite thing to do.  I don't really mind waiting in the self check out line to check out my groceries.  The line generally moves quite rapidly and I prefer to bag my own groceries because I know how I want them bagged.  That was a pretty lame answer but, it's the best I could come up with. ~smile~

5. I really wish our daughter and family lived closer than 8 1/2 hours away. They live too far for a quick weekend trip. It takes a bit of planning to make the trip.  But, it has been this way for 20+ years and it's very unlikely to change. We do make the best of the situation.  It's just tougher the older we get.  Did I really just say that? Well, it's the truth but sometimes the truth hurts. ~wink~

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Me with Daddy

My brother and his wife

My niece and her husband


If you are my friend on FB then you have likely already seen the pics from my Dad's 94th birthday on Nov. 9th.  My brother, his wife, their daughter and her husband all came in from Des Moines to join in the celebration.  Daddy told me that he did NOT want cake and ice cream but rather root beer floats.  So, that is exactly what we served and can I just tell you that it was a big hit with the residents that joined in the fun.  We did offer Coke floats for those that might not care for root beer but I think we ended up only serving 3 Coke floats.  Who knew there were so many folks that enjoy root beer.  I am certainly not one of them. It was one of the best birthday celebrations he has had in several years and it thrilled us to see him enjoy it so much.  He was worn to a frazzle afterwards and slept real good that night but it was worth it.  He says he thinks he'll make it to 100.  And, he's liable to, only the good Lord knows.


Monday, November 6, 2023

November Prime Purchases




And, here we are, the first Monday of November.  Yikes, Christmas really is just around the corner and I think I have some items that just might help you with your Christmas shopping.  Without any further adieu, here ya go!


Christmas  Tote  Bags



Aren't these the cutest!  These could be used for putting a gift in to give, or as a tote.  They are a heavy material with woven handles and have such cute Christmas prints on them. You could even give the bag as a little "happy" in early December so the recipient could use it until Christmas. ~ just a thought~



SILVER  STRETCH  BANGLES

I love bracelets, well, I love all fashion jewelry if the truth be told.  These are so good looking and they are stretchy.  They look a lot more expensive than their actual cost.  And, you can wear all of them or some of them, all depends on your preference.  I'm betting someone on your Christmas list would enjoy having these.  AND, they come in the nicest box ready to wrap.



OVERSIZED  HOODED SWEATSHIRT



This is such a good looking casual top and looks great with leggings.  And, it comes in several colors.  It is oversized so think about that if you order it.  I ordered a small as I do not like big and baggy tops that I think look tacky.  The small is plenty big but not tacky. 




YOUR  NOT  FINISHED  YET - DEVOTIONAL  BOOK



This devotional book is "hot off the press."  I am a huge fan of Christine Caine and this devotional book gives some awesome spiritual food for thought.  No devotional can replace time in God's Word, but they can sure be a nice addition.  




LOUNGING  SET


I love lounging clothes and wanted a couple of new sets for the upcoming colder weather.  I browsed through several on Amazon and decided on this set and they did not disappoint.  They are well made, the fabric is soft, cozy and comfortable.  I will be in these most evenings we are at home this winter.  They come in 6 different colors.  I'm betting someone on your Christmas list would enjoy these.  Description calls them a sweatsuit, BUT...........they are definitely more of a lounging set to me. 



TRINKET  TRAY


A dear friend gave me one of these a few months ago and I love it.  There are probably about 30 different sayings you can choose from.  There's some great ones about friendship.  And, they also come in the nicest box and ready to wrap and give.  A wonderful remembrance!



SKINNY  SYRUP - CINNAMON DOLCE


If you are a coffee drinker and you have not tried Skinny Syrup then, my friend, you should. I have been using these for about 5 years and they take coffee to a whole new level.  I keep about 3 different flavors out on my coffee bar at all times.  I'm a big fan of the Cinnamon Dolce and Peppermint Bark right now and there are many, many flavors and what a great gift for your coffee drinking friends.  AND, did I mention it has ZERO calories.



GLOSSY  REUSUABLE  GROCERY/GIFT BAGS



Okay, I admit, I have a love affair with all kinds of bags!  These are so, so pretty and shiny and again, they can be used as gift bags, or as an eye catching tote.  If used as a gift bag it would be like giving the person two gifts.  I love the woven handles and thickness of material. And, you get 5 of each color for a total of 30. They are definitely not just for Christmas but for any occasion. And, you could share a few with family and friends as who really needs 30 of these? ~smile~



CHEST BAG/FANNY PACK


Fanny packs have taken on a whole new look from "way back when."  They can now be worn across your chest or low on your waist (sitting on your fanny).  This one is so, so cute if you like bling, and I do.  They come in a few colors and are so handy.  I like to use them for vendor shows and such as I do not want to carry a purse.  It's big enough for a phone, a small money tote and keys.  Then you have your hands free to carry your shopping bag(s).  And, again, what a great Christmas gift for someone on your list. It comes in several cute designs and colors (without bling). 



POTHOLDERS



Okay ladies, if you are like me, your potholders can get rough looking after a while.  And, washing them only helps somewhat.  I like to replace mine once they have their "ratted and tattered" look.  These are really nice and have the heat resistant backing on them and they come in 6 colors.  They are so affordable and this my second time to order these and they hold up well.  Again, what a great useable gift!



MORE   POTHOLDERS


If you like a little "fancier" potholder then these might be for you.  And, can I just tell you that there are probably 30 choices of designs and you can buy them in a set of 2 or a set of 4. And, need I mention gift again?



SWEATER  WITH  PEARLS


Okay, are you looking for a cute sweater for the Christmas season?  Well, this one just might fill the bill.  While it could certainly be worn anytime, I ordered it to wear for the Christmas season.  BUT, it comes in a whole  array of gorgeous colors, so "take your pick."  It says "oversized" but I disagree with that description.  The sleeves are very full but the body of the sweater fits very true to size in my opinion.




RESIN  STATUE



I wanted a new piece to put on the ledge of our spa tub.  I browsed through many possibilities but this one spoke to me when I saw it.  It is a beautiful ivory, copper, gold, tan and chocolate crane.  I'm such a bird decor lover that made it even more appealing.  It's about 21" tall, so it makes a nice statement.  


And, that's a wrap! I do hope that you saw something that will help you with your gift giving. And, if not for gift giving then perhaps there's something that appealed to you for you.



Monday, October 2, 2023

October Prime Purchases



Well, guess I had a lot on my mind this morning as I completely forgot it was the first Monday of the month and that means Prime Monday.  So, sorry it wasn't posted earlier but I just now remembered.  Hope you enjoy!

It's PRIME time and I have quite a list to share with you today.  With Christmas just around the corner, maybe these will assist you with your gift giving.  You can thank me later. ~chuckle~


JUMBO  SMOOTHIE  STRAW



Okay, if you drink the nutrition shakes, milk shakes or ice cream sodas, then you need these in your life.  My Dad loves a root beer float almost every afternoon and he loves these straws.  If you have ever tried to suck something of a thick substance through a small straw then you know it's pretty much impossible. And, they are so colorful and happy looking and that always matters. ~laugh~




LARGE  BIRTHDAY  GIFT  BAG


Our family has 3 birthdays the first week of October. We have them on the 2nd, 3rd and 7th.  One of the gifts I am giving to one of the grans is big and I decided to check and see if Amazon had any cute big birthday bags.  Well, of course, they did!  I ordered 3 , 1 to use now and 2 to keep on hand.  This is such a colorful bag and worked perfectly for the gift I have.



PILOT  REFILLABLE, RETRACTABLE, ERASABLE PENS


I still use a wall calendar and I like to write on it with an ink pen but I often need to erase something I've written on it.  These are the greatest and the eraser works like a charm.  You can't tell there was ever anything written in the space.  It sure beats the ugliness of "white out."  I do use my phone for many things but I had used a big wall calendar a long, long time before smart phones and just prefer sticking with it. 



SATIN  LONG  SLEEVE  BLOUSE



Apparently satin blouses are all the rage.  I've seen them on so many ladies and I really like the look.  So, of course, I figured Amazon had some and I was right.  These are so, so pretty and come in an array of colors.  They refer to them as "satin" but they are really polyester and wash and dry like a dream.  I could not be happier with the two colors I ordered.



NICKEL  FOOT  FILE


I get pedicures regularly but I absolutely do NOT allow that "cheese grater" thingy to be used on my feet.  Never in a million years!  Can you tell I feel strongly about those things? But, I do love to use a foot file a couple of times a week while I'm showering.  I am a fanatic about foot care and this is one of the best files I've ever owned.  Hey, it would make a great stocking stuffer.  Just sayin'..........



JOGGERS  WITH  POCKETS


These are the cutest black and grayish camoflage joggers.  The fabric is silky smooth and soft and slip on a white top and you'll be "cute as a button."  You can't beat "cute and comfy" in my estimation.



LIGHTED  PORCH  PUMPKIN


I love lighted jack-o-lanterns!  I've had a really big one that I've put out on the front porch for many years but the poor thing had gotten so faded and old looking. I decided it was time to search for a new one.  Well, this is the exact one I had.  I was so excited that I decided to order 2 and put one on each side of the porch.  They are so cute and sometimes I walk outside after dark just to look at them glowing in the dark.  Sometimes it's the little things that make us smile.  If you need a really big lighted jack-o-lantern then here ya go!  They are not heavy and definitely need to be protected from extreme weather conditions.  Our front porch serves as just the right amount of protections for these fellas.



A  MINUTE  FOR  CAREGIVERS


I know several folks on the journey of caregiving and this is such a great source of encouragement for those in that season.  I'm a big fan of this author and listen him on American Family Radio every week.  There are about 52 encouraging minutes in this book.  It's easy to just grab, read one of the entries and feel encouraged.  I keep one of these books on hand to give to someone who is on the "care giving journey." 



BLING  AIRPODS  CASE


You know I love bling and this air pod case is definitely blingy.  But, I sure don't have to worry about losing it as it shines brightly wherever I place it.  It's very affordable and would definitely make a great stocking stuffer. ~just sayin'~



PURE  BAMBOO  SHEETS

Okay folks, these are some of the finest sheets I've ever owned.  One of my sister in laws told me about them and I decided to order a set.  She said they were like sleeping on a cloud and she was right.  They are so soft and yummy.  They are not inexpensive but I'm betting they will last a long time.  Someone on your Christmas list might want/need a new set of sheets.



VINTAGE DESIGN  OUTDOOR/INDOOR LANTERNS


I love soft glowing candle light and these lanterns look so nice on a couple of our shelves.  They are battery operated and have a 4 hour timer (which I love).  They are a heavy plastic but no one would know that by looking at them.  They have a flickering glow which makes them look even prettier.




GIRLS  PRINTED  LEGGINGS


Our oldest granddaughter will be 14 the end of this week and she's getting this set of leggings as one of her gifts from us.  She loves printed leggings and I think these are so cute and hope she will too.  The sizes start at 3T and there are lots of designs to choose from.  She cannot wear leggings to school but she'll enjoy them for activities outside of school.



BUFFALO  CHECK  PILLOW  COVERS

I love buffalo check!  I have looked for a "real red" buffalo check for a couple of years and finally found it this year.  These are a 20x20 pillow covers and I ordered the forms to go inside them.  I will use these on our front porch benches during the holidays.  I think I now have buffalo check pillows for each season of the year.  They come in several other colors as well.



         STRUCTURED  SILICONE  MINI-MUFFIN  PAN


I am a big fan of these structured silicone pans.  I have seen the silicone pans for years and years but they were so "floopy" that I just wasn't sure how that would work with batter and try to move them.  Well, it is NOT an issue with these for sure.  They have the structured edges and that makes the so easy to move to and from the oven.  And, baked goods just pop right out of them.  I made a batch of fudge the other day and dropped it by the spoonfuls into the pan and it worked like a charm.  And, I've also made brownies in them and they worked perfectly too.  I do spray mine with Pam but I'm not sure it's necessary.



V-POD  WIRELESS  TENS  UNIT



 I'm pretty sure I've shared this little jewel in a previous post but it bears repeating.  If you have any sort of ache or pain this will likely assist in giving you relief.  And, the best part is that it is wireless and runs by an app on your phone and the "zappers" are rechargeable.  I used mine so much after my neck surgery, not immediately, but after about 6 weeks.  It was such a help with the spasms.  If I even have a twinge in my lower back, I pop this on and it takes care of it in about 30 minutes.  Most chiropractors use these and that is who introduced me to them years and years ago.  My first one was a battery operated, wired version and while it worked great, this is so much easier to use with lots more options.  


Okay, that's it for this edition.  Now, go shopping and add a few of these items to your cart. You'll thank me later. ~smile~