Mainstays Ale Matte Black Stoneware Mug ~ Review

''This 3.82" matte black mug is made of stoneware, it is dishwasher and microwave safe. Excellent home or wedding registry gift.
(1) MODERN DESIGN - This rustic speckled dinnerware collection features a lipped rim design on each matte stone mug. These fashionable mugs bring an earthy and organic feel to your dishware set, while also being simple and basic enough for everyday dining.
(2) DURABLE CERAMIC STONEWARE- Fired at high temperatures, stoneware is typically thicker and more durable than porcelain or Bone China. These dishes are sure to make a statement in your kitchen.
(3) MATERIAL: Stoneware – Stoneware has an earthy, organic feel. This cup brings to mind rustic elegance to the table.

(4) Dishwasher and Microwave safe - Made of high quality durable materials

Size: " W 3.82 in x D 3.82 in x H 3.86 in

Wash prior to first use. Dishwasher, Microwave and Freezer Safe. Not for use in the oven.''

Love this stoneware mug by Mainstays. It has a very natural feel to it and the matte black finish brings a nice change to my other mugs. It is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. I used the mug to heat up my coffee in the microwave. Even though the cup was hot the handle was not, a definite plus! Nice weight and great handle for those of us with arthritis.

Available through Walmart Stores

 I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Chaps Plush Plaid Throw Blanket ~ Review

Chaps Plush Plaid Throw Blanket

"Chaps Plush Plaid Throw Blanket - Fuzzy Soft Flannel - 50" X 70", Winchester Plaid - Neutral"

I think I'm in love! I haven't felt anything this soft and plush before.  With this being oversized, you just want to curl up in it and never come out! Love the color and plaid.  Coordinates anywhere with ease ~ from the living room to the bedroom and beyond. 

So soft! 

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

A Few Great Tips for Winter!

Winter has finally hit in our neck of the woods and we've been having some pretty good frost in the mornings. Here's a tip I read, use breathable crib sheets over your delicate plants.

The elastic sure helps it stay on.

This is something I need to do!

Use foam gaskets to seal electrical boxes.

According to energy experts, electrical boxes that hold switches 

 or outlets are major sources of heat loss. 

 Foam gaskets (reasonably priced at home centers) won’t completely seal the boxes, but they’ll help. 

 They’re quick to install— just take off the cover plate,

 stick the gasket over the box, then put the plate back on.

Easy peasy!

Now this is clever!

Use bubble wrap for window insulation! 

Cut the bubble wrap to fit the window pane with scissors.

  Spray a film of water on the window using a spray bottle.

  Apply the bubble wrap while the window is still wet and press it into place.  The bubble side goes toward the glass.

  To remove the bubble wrap, just pull it off starting from a corner.  You can save it and use it for several years.  It does not leave a mess or stains on the window glass.

Another easy peasy!

During the Winter the home can smell a little musty from being all closed up, I thought this was great hack too! And easy!

With the Holidays comes seeing friends and relatives you may haven't seen since last year. That also means sharing of the viruses, colds, flus, and any bugs to be had. We all know stress weakens our immune system and although we all look forward to seeing each other it can be stressful. So here's a few tips to help out with any bumps, bruises, headaches, bugs, etc. that may come your way.





1 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

 Combine the honey and cinnamon in a bowl.

Eat it plain or mixed into tea or

applesauce 4 times a day until cold symptoms are alleviated.

Only for children over 1 year of age.



Holiday Time 10-Count Cool White LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights, with Transparent Wire, 14.2 feet - Review

This holiday season, deck your home with the Holiday Time 10-Count LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights. These beautiful mini icicle lights have a festive color and will illuminate any room of the house with good tidings and cheer. With a lighted length of 9-feet, the 10 mini lights measure 4.62 inches tall and are attached to transparent wire. They are suitable for outdoor or indoor use. You can connect up to 3 sets of this exact same light to coordinate beautifully with the rest of your festive holiday décor, to transform your living space into an enchanting winter wonderland. These lights are available in 3 festive colors: Cool White, Multicolor, and Blue. Celebrate the season with these Holiday Time 10-Count LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights.
Holiday Time 10-Count LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights, with Transparent Wire, 14.2 feet:
10 LED dripping mini icicle lights
Lighted length: 9 feet
Total length: 14.2 feet
Each icicle measures 4.62 inches
Designed with durable, break-, fade-, and chip-resistant bulbs
Connect up to 3 sets of this exact same light
LED lighting remains cool to the touch even when lit
Crafted with clear wire to complete the snowflake icicle look
Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
Available in 3 festive colors: Cool White, Blue, and Multicolor

These Lights Make Me Smile

Holiday Time's White LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights are fantastic. I love the way they "drip" alternately. A breeze to install and have my favorite screw cap at the end to connect more if desired. Not sure why they are considered mini, they are a great size - much bigger than anticipated. Nice sturdy strong wire between the lights makes it easy to prop them where you want them.

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sofia Home - Ruched Faux Fur Throw by Sofia Vergara, 50" X 60" - Review

''Add a touch of flair and elegance to your home space with the Sofia Vergara Classic Leopard Throw. This coordinates well with the Sofia Vergara Leopoard Comforter Set (sold separately). Whether you want to keep it as a fashionable accent to your home décor, or you want to take it with you to go-this fun design will keep you stylish and cozy!''

The Ruched Faux Fur Throw by Sofia Vergara is so soft and so warm. Lined with solid gray fabric on the underside makes this so throw stylish and upscale. Beautiful in any room you place it. Made well with secure stitching. You'll want to get a book and curl up with it!

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Holiday Time 9ft Pre-lit Bristle Glittered Garland - Review

''This is such a beautifully made lush garland, the glittered ends are just right – not too much nor too little. I adore the sturdy bendable covered wire the bristles are attached to. It makes the garland stay where you place it. Lights too! Battery pack which takes 3 AA batteries, gives you the option of on, off, or timer.''

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

2023 - 12 Month Calendar-Beaches-12x12 Hanging Wall Calendar by Day Spring ~ Review

''There's a reason Day Spring's standard 12" x 12" Wall Calendars have been a staple in homes for so many years--because their lovely designs and stunning photos address your need for colorful wall décor while keeping you up-to-date with your busy schedule. Each calendar grid features national holidays, gives enough room to keep track of all of life's important events, and helps with planning for a whole year--January 2023 through December 2023. Our Beaches calendar features breathtaking photography printed on gloss finished paper. Our calendars come packaged in shrink-wrap with a stiffener to protect your product.''

Absolutely love the gorgeous photos that each month brings on the 2023 Hanging Wall Beaches Calendar by Day Spring. I have MANY appointments and need to have the large squares to be able to keep track of them. This calendar provides just that. Made well on thick glossy paper. Easy hang equals ready for the next year quickly and easily.

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Is Your Home Ready for Fall?

5 Top Items on Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall’s gently tumbling leaves seem so peaceful, they can also be a wake-up call that winter's coming. Now’s the time to take care of some important home maintenance. Use this list as a guideline to get your home ready for the cold weather ahead.

By doing these projects now, you can avoid some costly repairs and feel confident that you’ll be warm and comfortable when the cold weather arrives.

1. Get Your Heating System Humming

You don’t want to wake up on the coldest morning to find you have no heat. Schedule a furnace checkup now. An expert technician will make sure everything is running properly and that your system meets the manufacturer’s rated efficiency. The checkup will also measure carbon monoxide leakage.

2. Prevent Gutter Gridlock

Leaves, twigs and other debris can clog gutters, causing water to back up and flow into your house. Save yourself from this expensive repair by cleaning the gutters after your leaves have fallen. Tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets, and replace any worn sections. Check that your downspouts extend at least five feet away from the foundation. If not, you can buy inexpensive extensions and attach them.

 

3. Take a Caulk Walk

Walk around the exterior of your home and check it for air tightness. Carefully look for cracks, which can be the source of air leaks, energy loss and money down the drain. An inexpensive tube of caulk can help prevent energy loss and also help prevent moisture from getting inside the walls of your home. Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting or electrical wiring comes through walls or floors.

Most Common Source of Air Leaks

Dropped ceilings

Recessed lights

Attic entrance

Sill plates

Water and furnace flues

All ducts

Door and window frames

Chimney flashing

Outlets and switches

Plumbing and utility access

Critter entrances

4. Get a Look at the Roof

You don’t need to get up on the roof to spot trouble areas. Stay on the ground and use binoculars to look for buckled, cracked or missing shingles. If you find any, replace them right away. Examine the flashing and look for any rust spots, which could expose your home to damaging leaks. The good news is you can clean, prime and seal the rust fairly easily yourself. Also, if you spot large areas of moss, your roof may be rotting underneath. Call a roofing professional rather than trying to tackle it yourself.

5. Clean Out the Chimney

Looking forward to a cozy fire? Better make sure your fireplace, chimney and vents are clean first. A good cleaning by a professional chimney sweep can help prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide buildup. Some DIY measures you can take include keeping the fireplace damper flue tightly closed when not in use and sealing seal air leaks with fire-resistant materials like sheet metal or sheetrock.

Get these projects knocked out and your home will be warm and cozy for winter. Then head to the store and load up on hot chocolate and some good books.

More tips here

Great for Your Security Light ~ Review

Great Value LED Light Bulb

 10 Watts (90W Equivalent) PAR30 Floodlight E26 Medium Base has 2 in a pack. 

One went directly into my front porch light, the other to my back deck light. Was happy to change out old floodlights to these that are LED! Great compact size that gives you plenty of brightness to see what's out there and also makes them easy to handle/hold while installing for those gripping disabilities. These are made solid and feel like they could make it through a hurricane.

Available at Walmart Stores

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Great Fit for Your Ceiling Fan Light ~ Review

I have such a hard time finding the correct cap size for my ceiling fan light and these Better Homes and Garden DECO 60W Soft White CLASSIC CANDLE 4PK bulbs fit perfectly! Love the sturdy durability of this bulb. Made solid with 4 in a pack gives you enough to switch out your old bulbs to LED. I absolutely think the packaging is awesome. To avoid breakage the top and bottom of each bulb goes into it's own "hole", so no contact is made. They give off a clear clean glow too!

Available at Walmart Stores

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

5 Ways to Decrease Wear and Tear on Your Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is one of those modern conveniences you likely take for granted. It’s easy to load it up, turn it on and forget about it – unless something goes wrong. With many of us staying in more (and eating out less), we’re relying on our household appliances more and more – including our dishwashers.

Because we’re using our appliances more, it’s important to be mindful of the increased wear and tear we’re placing on them. No one wants a full load of dirty dishes and a broken dishwasher to deal with. The typical cost to repair/replace a dishwasher is $100 to $650.

The next time you get ready to run your dishwasher, keep these maintenance tips in mind so it runs efficiently and you can help avoid repair costs.

1. Keep the Filter Clean

You might not know it, but your dishwasher has a small filter that helps trap food particles and keep your dishes clean. When this filter is clogged or dirty, your dishwasher won’t work at its best – and you’ll likely find some small food particles stuck to your dishes after a wash cycle finishes. You should clean your dishwasher’s filter at least once a month. And fortunately, it’s easy to do.

The filter itself is located in the bottom of the dishwasher, below the bottom rack. Simply unscrew it, lift it out and rinse it under your faucet to clean it, then replace it.

2. Use Hot Water

When it comes to cleaning dishes, water temperature matters. It might be tempting to run a cycle using warm water to cut energy costs, but doing so could set you up for problems. Ideally, the water in your dishwasher should be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use water below this temperature, your appliance will have to run longer, and you’ll increase the likelihood of detergent residue building up and affecting performance. Both of these things can quickly reduce your washer’s lifespan.

It's also becoming more common to run the kitchen sink until you get hot water before starting the dishwasher. This is because the new Energy Star rated units don’t use more than six gallons of water during a cycle, which can lead to half of the water in the cycle not getting to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the cycle. This can then lead to dishes not being completely clean or being left with soapy residue.

3. Check the Sprayer Arms and Nozzles

Every dishwasher has wash arms in the bottom that spin and spray water to clean your dishes. To keep your washer performing at its best, check the small nozzles in these arms each month or so for food debris and other clogs that may prevent water from spraying. The nozzles are small, and you can remove any clogs you find easily by using a toothpick.

Before you run a cycle, you should also spin the wash arms to make sure they don’t accidentally hit dishes – especially if you have large items like casserole dishes or pots in the rack.

4. Load it Thoughtfully

You might think it’s best to cram everything you can into your dishwasher, but don’t do it. If you do, you’ll put increased wear on your appliance, and your dishes are less likely to get clean. For optimum performance, make sure your dishwasher is full but not overflowing – you’ll do fewer loads in the long run and your appliance will last longer.

When loading dirty dishes, be sure to scrape off any large pieces of food (like chicken bones) that could cause clogs or damage. These items should go into the trash. Load the dishes with the dirty sides facing toward the center and make sure cups, bowls and pots face downward so the water and detergent can get them clean.

5. Manage Hard Water

Certain areas of the country have water with higher levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in it. This is called hard water, and it can cause buildup in your appliances, including your dishwasher. If you’re not sure if you have hard water, look for a cloudy film on your clean glassware – that’s a dead giveaway. And if you have hard water deposits on your dishes, you have them inside your appliance, too. To manage this, clean your dishwasher monthly with a descaling product like Affresh or Finish, which are easily found in stores or online.

Remembering these simple maintenance tips, your dishwasher should run better and last longer.

😉

More here

New Paint and Address Sign

3 years ago I bought the paint to repaint the shutters, front door and garage trim.

I finally did it! WOO HOO!

It wasn't a lot to paint, it wasn't hard to paint, it was just finding the time. Between work, Dr. appointments, and the house...let's just say I need more hours in the day.

I'm just glad I accomplished it this year. Something good had to come from 2020!

I'm glad I still like the color. It had been so long I'd forgotten which I chose! LOL

Of course, along with new paint comes new house numbers!

These were always in the back of my mind. I wanted something unique. Something that meant something, yes here I go with sentimentality again.

I finally decided to use one of my Dad's old hand saws.

Gathered my supplies ~ White Rustoleum, Frog Tape, some carboard                 (because it was handy) and JB Weld.

Taped up the blade so paint wouldn't get on it with the Frog Tape and cardboard. Painted the handle white.

When the paint was dry, I distressed the handle a bit around the area where it would normally be grabbed.  Next was to add the numbers.

(looking toward the Heavens "yes Dad, I'm using JB Weld")

y'all know how he feels about his JB Weld by now. Me too ;)

Mixed it up

Added the numbers

and a Dragonfly my daughter gave me last Christmas.

Love it, the Dragonfly coordinates with the house paint!

Attached it with tube straps

so it's nice and secure. 

Perfect!

UPDATE

HOMEBNC featured my House Number Sign in their

45+ Best Creative House Number Ideas and Designs for 2021

#14

More projects here