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!