2-22-25
What I Can’t Let Go Of:
(just like the NPR Politics podcast on Fridays- minus the “Politics or otherwise” disclaimer.
This blog is publicly, a politics-free zone, so all musings will be “Otherwise“.)
In this digital age, I find myself overwhelmingly grateful for FaceTime and Zoom.
With our precious six-month-old grandchild living 3,516 miles away, these technologies have become a lifeline of connection.
Our family text thread and FaceTime calls bring immeasurable joy, making the vast distance between us somehow more bearable.
I’m continually amazed at how screens can foster such genuine human connection. This extends beyond family to my professional life as well.
As a content creator, the work can be solitary – but no one succeeds in isolation.
Enter my Band of Bloggers: six kindred spirits spread across America, from Delaware to Dallas, Chicago to Pasadena, with two in Missouri.
What began as a professional alliance of writers who merely knew OF each other has blossomed into something extraordinary.
Through weekly Zoom meetings and daily text threads over nearly three years, we’ve grown from colleagues to confidantes, forging fierce friendships that transcend our screens.
Just moments ago, as I sat in DC with my granddaughter in my lap, I joined a Zoom call with “the girls” – my blogging besties. My heart, already full from holding this precious angel, swelled even more as these two worlds merged.
In an era often criticized for its digital dependency, I’m profoundly thankful for how these screens help nurture and strengthen my most treasured human connections.
Somehow You don’t think of tulips (my personal fav) and candlelight together.
But it can be quite lovely.
I have been forcing these bulbs and they are just at the perfect stage.
But I was flying out early Thursday morning for a long weekend in DC with our daughter and bonus son and of course our little granddaughter.
I needed to leave the house well before daylight,
and I expected they would be past their prime by the time I return,
so I lit the candles on the table and snapped a picture to remember them by.
Curious About:
Roses or Tulips for you?
Are you a traditionalist or a bit of a rebel?
I’ve always preferred tulips
But am I really in the minority?
Leave your preference in the comments below,
include the color if that is the dealbreaker or maker for you
On the Blog This (and last) Week
Planning a Mardi Gras Party?
It’s not too late with my quick, easy and totally frugal decorating scheme.
I even have free SVG files for making French Quarter street signs and dressing up candles — and well, anything else you may want — with fleur-de-lis stencils.
Repurposing!
What to do with all those old candle jar that seem to be multiplying in your cabinets?
Turn them into stylish containers! Mine is holding dog treats on a side table
What will yours hold?
This GRANDMA’S Favorite Finds This Week
Oh my goodness, THIS coat!!!
I love ingenious design, and this kangaroo coat certainly is that!!!
Katie bought it on a friend’s recommendation. Jess also recommended buying it one size larger so her husband could maybe use it too.
My first day on this visit, Katie with the car, was stuck at the office late so Jon and I had to walk for daycare retrieval. It was a very COLD half mile.
But I remembered the kangaroo coat and Jon was able to get it on, albeit tight, but our little one was snuggled up against his chest the whole way home with her own hood protecting her from the icy wind.
The kangaroo pouch is a separate piece that you zip into the coat only when you need it.
And get this, several styles including Katie’s is on sale for $95, originally $295. There are several styles and several colors.
And look what I discovered. A men’s version!!!
Our daughter and bonus son, after multiple completely unrelated friends raved about Lovevery,
they gave in and ordered a subscription for they toy boxes.
Every two months they receive a box perfectly curated to their daughter’s development.
The experts at Lovevery link brain science and Montessori to the way you play.
You receive the right toys at the right time. This supports your child’s learning during important developmental windows with play essentials that are tailored to their exact stage.
Beyond the toys themselves, I love the expert tips they include in each Play Guide flip book.
Each kit includes toys for curious babies and tools for busy parents. It’s so easy to access expert tips, research, and activities that fit into your family’s life.
Time spent researching can be spent playing together,
building a strong base for their child and their family.
Priceless benefits!
And honestly, we all agree they would be happy having half the toys they have
as long at they have their Lovevery box.
This is the kit for 7-8 months, The Inspectors, the one our granddaughter will be receiving next.
And I can already tell it will be perfect. She has moved into starting to really concentrate on something that catches her eye.
You can actually see her studying things and mulling over what it is for a long minute or two, before trying too stuff it in her mouth to get the real scoop.
Beyond the Lovevery toys, this has to be our next favorite!!!
The Sassy Crinkly Ball
And super reasonably priced, especially given that it has been a favorite for over three months.
All the “petals” are different fabrics and textures with crinkly material inside. And it comes with the purple loop for attaching to stroller or car seat straps.
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I hope you’ve been enjoying the weekend!!! Thanks for hanging out with me a bit,
Always my favorite…Hot Pink Tulips!!!
Also, I’m so excited to hear about these toys as I’m about to become a first time Grandma! We live 900 miles apart so I too, am thankful for FaceTime. Baby is due in 2 weeks and I can’t wait. I’m a 100% believer in toys with a purpose so the Lovevery kits will make a perfect gift from Grandma. Thank you, and I hope you’ll share more grandma tips. 😊
Yeah Amy! We rebels need to stick together!!!
I’m with you! I’m a tulips girl too 😀 I like all colors, preferably all at the same time 🌷
Yeah for tulips! And loads of color makes life such fun!!!
Tulips are an irresistible flower for both my husband and me! We grow them in our yard…if the deer don’t get them! We also go to tulip fields where we live in western Washington. But our tulip obsession is taking us to The Netherlands this spring to see the Keukenhof Gardens! This will be the tulip trip of a lifetime!! What is our favorite color of tulip…every color! 💐
Oh Marcia! I am totally green. Going to the Keukenhof Gardens!!! Is there anything better? And I so get the deer issue. Tulips are one of their favorites here, so I have to force the bulbs inside if I am to enjoy them. Daffodils they will leave alone. I planted a mix of crocuses ad hyacinths and they will trample the hyacinths and step all around them to get to the crocuses. ACK! They make me crazy!!!