Ho, ho, ho and happy Friday!
I’ve been waiting all year to say that!
You’re welcome.
This week I shared my chalkboard globe advent calendar. The idea for it came from a lot of thought, planning and preparation. Just kidding! It came from sheer desperation.
I also shared the Peg Doll Place Cards that were painted by my 11-year-old. It was the neatest way to personalize our Thanksgiving table. If you don’t like to paint, you could always convince my 11-year-old to paint some for you!
I’d love it if we connected on social media too! I’m on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Earlier this week on Instagram I shared a picture of a gingerbread creation that took 65 hours to create!
Here’s the Happy List!
If you have a child in your life who doesn’t have one of these Santa’s Sleigh Is on Its Way
It’s a super cute way to get the kids excited for Christmas and it is really fun to see your state or country’s landmarks in a book. It’s even better if your city is mentioned.
I have collected the books for every major place we’ve lived even though the story doesn’t really change – just the landmarks. Someday I’ll be able to read the books to my grandkids and tell them about all the places their mommy or daddy lived. Awwww!
PRETTY IN WHITE
I just love everything about this picture in Traditional Home magazine.
RED WINE CRANBERRY CHEESE LOG
I don’t know how well this dish travels, but it sure looks pretty!
I’m sure it tastes amazing too. Get the recipe at Tidy Mom.
(image: Tidy Mom)
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Since Christmas is coming and along with it ALL THE THINGS that need batteries, let this be my annual PSA to encourage you to finally hop on the rechargeable batteries
Yes, they are more expensive initially. However, they will change your life!
These are the rechargeable batteries
Just don’t forget the charger. Oh, and my second PSA is to remember to check toys and other items for batteries before you donate them. You don’t want to accidentally ‘give away’ your batteries like I have done.
I SEE SEASHELLS BY THE…TUB
This is a great example of something I don’t want in my house, but it still made me smile!
It would be fun for a vacation rental and then I could enjoy it without having to worry about dusting it.
RAINBOW SWAMPS
Have any of you seen this naturally occurring phenomenon? Rainbow swamps?
This is a photo taken by Allison Goz at First Landing State Park in Virginia. The rainbow sheen is from naturally occurring oils in the water due to decaying plant matter and not from pollution, according to a quote in this BBC article.
(image: Allison Goz via BBC News)
I’d love to see something like this. I’m glad I know a little more about it because I would have assumed it was the result of some sort of petroleum pollutant.
BOOK ART
I’ve seen these books from the Etsy shop, Reefrainaria, bouncing around social media and I think it is such a fun idea.
(image: Reefrainaria via Etsy)
She makes them with a bunch of different sayings or you can customize them.
SNOW BEAR CHALETS
I don’t ski and I really don’t like to be cold. Nevertheless, I would brave it to stay at Snow Bear Chalets in Whitefish, Montana.
They had me at chalet.
(image: Snow Bear Chalets)
Also, if you remember the live edge coffee table The Junk Whisperer made, then you’ll know why the below image had me drooling.
A live edge wood bench? Be still my heart. I’m imagining it in my own house with white built-ins so the wood really pops and this idea makes me really happy!
(image: Snow Bear Chalets)
MOUSE HOUSE
Speaking of cool chalets…
Did you see this story about the guy who built a very intricate house for the mouse in his yard? The photos are so stinking cute it will almost make you like mice. Almost.
(image: Simon Dell via Bored Panda)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world.” — Inauguration speech, Jan. 20, 1989. – President George H.W. Bush
Rest in peace, President Bush.
That’s it for today, friends.
I hope you have the happiest of weekends.
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