As far as I’m concerned, it really is the little things.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share a few of the things I’m loving now that are making the delights of spring even more delightful. Because some things are just too good not to share.
Quilty And Crafty Things I’m Loving Now
While researching patterns to make a quilt for our seventh granddarling, who will make her appearance this summer, I stumbled upon the
SheCanSew website and blog and quickly fell in love. There are so many fantastic patterns here, and they’re all free!
These tiny vases are just darling and perfect for single bloom or sweet little mini-bouquets to brighten up your home or give as gifts.
One of my online friends mentioned that she creates a special, keepsake felt ornament for her grandchildren every year. Isn’t that a wonderful idea? I’ve decided to do the same and am starting with this
fun polar bear pattern I got on Etsy. After a friend posted a photo of
this adorable miniature bookshop she’d built from a kit, I had to try it for myself. It will take me some time to finish it, but so far, so good! The instructions are very clear. Though I enjoy all kinds of crafting and fiber arts, I’ve always found painting a bit intimidating.
The Watercolor Workbooks from Emily Lex Studio have easy-to-follow instructions that have given me confidence and helped me paint very pretty pictures!
Money-Saving Things I’m Loving Now
The face cream I’ve absolutely loved for years (BareMinerals Butter Drench) has gotten so expensive that I thought I’d have to switch to another brand. Luckily, I found
LaLaDaisy.com with discounts of 20-60% off of many (but not all) major brands of cosmetics. Thanks to them, I was able to get my face cream for $30 instead of $44. And the shipping was free! This website is a real find.Eyeglasses from Costco! They’ve got so many great choices of frames, and couldn’t believe what a bargain they were. I was able to get both regular and prescription sunglasses for less than I paid for a single pair of glasses last year.We’ve been using
these microfiber cloths for almost a year now, and I just love them. They’re advertising for cleaning glass, but we actually use them as a substitute for paper towels, which we’ve practically quit buying now. It’s good for my pocketbook and the environment. We’ve washed them over and over and they still work great!We eat a LOT of yogurt around here. Investing in my own yogurt cooker and making my own has definitely paid off over the years.
I’ve had my yogurt maker for years and years but this newer model seems like a great deal.
Things I’m Loving Around the House And Kitchen
It might sound crazy, but of all the things I’m loving,
this reusable lint roller and pet hair remover might be my favorite. This sucker picks up dog hair like nobody’s business! Last week, after vacuuming my office rug thoroughly, I got down and ran this baby over the rug. I could not
believe how much hair it picked up. I’m pretty sure that every pet owner on my Christmas list will be getting one next year.The
Frontgate Resort Towel Collection is hands down the best, softest, and most luxurious towels I have ever owned. After reading a glowing review in the NYT’s Wirecutter column, I decided to give them a try for myself. They’re just incredible, as plushy, soft, and elegant as any hotel towel. A bit of a splurge that’s worth every dime.
This terrific electric tea kettle gets a regular workout at my house. It brings water to a rolling boil in as little as one minute and features an automatic shutoff, so I don’t have to worry about walking away and accidentally letting the kettle boil dry. And what am I using all that boiling water for, you ask? To make cup after cup of
this Twinings Decaffeinated English Breakfast Tea. Because too much coffee makes me jittery. Another good for me treat I enjoy on a regular basis is no-butter or oil popcorn made in
this nifty microwavable silicon popcorn popper. We like it so much that we’ve even given it as gifts. I have a lot of cookbooks, but
The Mediterranean Dish cookbook has become one of my very favorites. I’ve
cooked scores of recipes from it (even those that don’t have pictures!), and they’ve all been terrific.
Miscellaneous Things I’m LovingThis might seem like an odd addition, but if you’re as interested in theology as I am, you’ll be fascinated by this book,
Church History in Plain Language, by Bruce Shelley. It gives a complete history of the church in language that, while not dumbed down, is straightforward enough for a layperson to understand. As a dedicated road warrior, I have long been a fan of Chico’s Travelers Collection. My latest purchase was
this gorgeous Crushed Jacket. It’s reversible and looks great over my black Traveler’s slacks and top. Another travel goodie I’ve fallen in love with of late is
this nifty set of travel bottles. It’s a tidy, compact way to store your shampoos, conditioners, facial wash and such.
I’ve always loved listening to music on Pandora, but lately, I’ve been on a country music kick. My Dolly Parton station is full of the familiar songs I grew up listening to, sing-along selections from Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and, of course, The Divine Dolly. However, I’ve also really enjoyed the thoughtful, female singer-songwriter vibe of my Brandi Carlisle station, with music from Brandi, Patti Griffin, Tanya Tucker, The Chicks, Miranda Lambert and, once again, Miss Dolly. (Some people are just timeless.)At the end of the day, the thing I am loving most this spring is spring itself! After a long, wet, gloomy winter, the joy of birdsong, blooming flowers, and a good walk on a warm (or at least warmish) day is immeasurable!
Happy Spring, Friends!
