Happiest of New Years to You!!!
1-4-25
What I Can’t Let Go Of:
This blog is publicly, a politics-free zone, so all musings will be “Otherwise“.)
(just like the NPR Politics podcast on Fridays- minus the “Politics or otherwise” disclaimer.
How much preparation goes into our holiday celebrations,
yet how fleeting they seem to be as I look back on them.
This year’s gathering looked very different:
New location (our daughter and bonus son’s home in DC)
New eyes to see it all through (our first grandchild — 20 weeks old)
New family-friendly activities planned by all
(yet sadly, few executed because we spent the week passing the crud around)
The same renewal my heart feels when we all gather under one roof for multiple days of togetherness — sharing, dreaming, playing, laughing, exploring and loving and caring for each other.
Most Popular Blog Posts This Past Year
10
Easy DIY: Best Wall Hung Backrest and Custom Seat Cushion
Do you have a backless bench you’d like to make more comfy? Thinking about adding banquette? Here is the easiest and most comfortable way to make your own.
9
Best Storage Trick for Your Florals
Clever (and cute) way to safely store your florals and be able to access them easily. Sometimes, working with what you have is the best solution!
8
How to Dry Limes and Ideas for Using Dehydrated Limes
The tricks to creating beautiful dried limes!
7
How and Why to Paint the Inside of Your Fireplace
What a difference this made for us. But for health’s sake, you definitely want to do it correctly.
6
How to Install a Beautiful Decomposed Granite Patio
Sharing all the steps and lessons learned through the process of installing our own DG patio.
You can’t seem to get enough of our patio — and neither can we!
5
How to Dry Lambs Ear
YES! It will retain that silvery sage color AND the soft fuzzy texture!
4
Crushed Granite Vs. Pea Gravel Patio: Which to Love?
The end is so worth the process!!!
3
Throw the Best Blind Wine Tasing Party!
Step-by-step guide for the best party. Your friends will be demanding an annual rerun
2
How to Make a Soft Fold Roman Shade the Super Easy Way
Don’t be intimidated. Using my Low-Sew tricks, you can make a custom, functioning roman shade in an afternoon!
1
Massive Wall of Floating Bookshelves — How to Install
This mother-daughter duo had no experience. But with strong Can-Do attitudes and a lot of careful measuring, the wall is installed and still the centerpiece of their home almost three years later.
Did any of these surprise you? No one individual post surprised me, but the composite group did.
In total, it seems more come to my website for what might be considered larger DIY projects, vs. smaller craft projects. If that'[s the case, no worries, because 2025 is planned full of larger projects we want to get done on the house.
However, I love crafting and diy-ing smaller decor projects too. I enjoy sharing these and encouraging others to try new “making” ideas.
Most importantly, I am not dreaming up and posting projects for the broad internet! I am posting for YOU!!!
My subscribers and devoted readers are my reason for the time, energy and resources I put into my blog and supporting platforms.
I want to make sure I am posting the kinds of projects and info YOU, my reader and follower wants. What do YOU enjoy seeing and reading about? What do YOU want to learn about? What do YOU want to try?
Hmmmm, kind of sounds like it time for a new survey. A questionnaire, but I promise to make it fun!!!
Shopping With Friends
When the Christmas comes down, are you like me, it’s time for deep cleaning and organizing? Here are a few of my essentials:
First is the bedding!
Usually we’re hosting and that means lots and lots of bedding. Last year, Lynn shared these elastic sheet bands. Just fold/roll up your clean sheets, the bands do all the work of keeping things tidy and size organized. Holy Smokes! What a difference they have made for us!!! Particularly when prepping for the next guests.
When Vacuuming Isn’t Enough
When you need a bit more cleaning than just vacuuming — hello hot chocolate dribbles — my Little Green Machine can’t be beat! And it’s on sale now. Mine has gotten such a workout over the years, I was thrilled to discover I could order replacement brushes and brush head! SIDENOTE: How can it be so satisfying to see such disgusting yuck being sucked out of your rug and couch?
Tiny Crevices = Big Headaches, right?
The worst part about deep cleaning are the Those spots you just can’t get to (even with the old toothbrushes you’ve saved). You can see the gunk, but you just can’t get to it. Oh, but look what I found!!! These super slim crevice brushes with stiff bristles and a very thin brush head. Shower door hinges — easy peasy! Where the vessel sink meets the countertop — no problem! And so many more . . .
Speaking of brushes!
I bought this assortment of brushes, pads and polishers about 18 months ago. (And it’s on sale now). Game changers!!!
Just make sure your power drill is fully charged before you start cleaning. These brushes make the jobs so easy, you won’t want to stop. You’ll be looking for things to scrub and polish.
Now Let’s See What the Other Gals Found For Us
Lynn and Anna are still in holiday mode. They will return next month.
Cindy – Reinvented Delaware
- My Apple Watch needed an update! It’s easy to give your Apple Watch a makeover with a new watchband! My daughter bought this gorgeous watchband for me! It adjusts to fit any wrist! Speaking about a little makeover, this face roller and massager is making my face feel like it has had a makeover everynight! It’s hard to explain, my this face roller is taking away all of the tension in my face muscles!
- With all the devices we have these days, touch screen gloves are a necessity! This four pack will match any outfit I have. I’ve been using these warm gloves during my chilly mid-day walk in the woods and they are keeping my hands toasty warm on these cold winter days! When I get home from the walk outdoors, I immediatley put on a pair of the coziest slippers I’ve ever had! The faux fir slippers have memory foam and arch support – perfect for my aching feet!
- Noise cancelling headphones are a game changer! I have been putting this set of headphones on while I write blog posts, read books on my Kindle and soaking in the bathtub while I watch YouTube videos! With the bluetooth capability, I can listen to audio books, podcasts or the relaxing sounds that come with these headphones. They are great for creating a peaceful and serence enviroment so that I can focus on the task at hand – even if it is simply to relax!
- Hubby replaced a 30+ year old baking stone from Pampered Chef. I loved that stoneware sheet pan but recently, it broke. It had served its time and it was tired! Hubby found a new one for me and I can’t wait to start using it. I’ll be baking cookies on it while I watch the slide show of images that my family has added to my new digital frame. This frame comes with an app that each member in the family can get on their phones and add images to my frame! Since our grands live a distance away, I’ll enjoy seeing their latest activities and snapshots on this large digital frame.
Lora – Lora Bloomquist
- I still love THIS vacuum. I love that it’s cordless, I love that I can easily switch it from a floor vac to a hand held in an instant. Definitely get extra components if you can; they’re handy. Think I’d love a second one for our upstairs. Perfect taking down the Christmas decor tool for right now!
- Before Christmas I got THESE beautiful curtains after I saw Liz Marie Galvin hanging them in her house. What a fun change! They give the living room such a cozy vibe. They are staying up at least through Valentine’s; maybe I’ll get another colorway after. If you’re craving a decor change, fresh curtains can give you an inexpensive, big boost!
- THESE cute pillow covers can be enjoyed all winter. I added them to our bed, covered in the wool log cabin quilt my grandma made. It’s a cozy look for winter, and a hope that we may actually get some snow this winter; it was a green Christmas here in MN:(
- I can’t wait to clean our floors with THIS steam mop. After all the holiday cooking and baking, they’re feeling pretty sticky. I got handed down this mop from my mom (mine is an older version), and have loved how easy it is to clean my wood floors. I use THIS cleaner in combination with the steam. Let the January cleaning begin!
I hope you’ve been enjoying the most wonderful holiday season — in your preferred way. Whether surrounded with a wide, boisterous bevy of family and friends, or a quiet respite of selective doings, I hope this holiday season lit up your heart and filled your spirit.
Hi Diane! Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing so many great links and resources. Can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in the coming year.