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.

It's Feeder Season!

It's one of the best things about fall and winter. 

With the cold weather and bare trees, 

your bird feeders become hubs of activity.

Ever notice how some birds sit at your 

feeder and munch, while others flit back and 

forth on an endless quest to ferry seeds away?

Chances are this is for one of three purposes: 

fear of hawks, lack of the proper "tools," 

or planning for the lean winter ahead.

Small birds like the ones that visit feeders 
are constantly obsessed with finding safety from predators.
 If food is at a risky, exposed location, 
such as a feeder, birds must remain vigilant, 
continuously scanning their surroundings for threats. 



Birds such as Finches and Grosbeaks, 
with their seed crushing bills, 
can eat and scan simultaneously,
 looking down only briefly to grab another seed.

Birds that must look down and hammer at seeds
 prefer to fly to a safer place with their food 
instead of working on it in an area exposed to predators. 
This is why you often see Chickadees flitting
 back and forth from feeder to trees or shrubs 
and back with their seeds.

Some foods - such as shelled seeds and nuts - might even require specialized methods to crack them open. 
Blue Jays manage to wedge the seed between their toes.
 Looking down to work on a seed is still risky
 and you will often see Blue Jays quickly 
scan their surroundings before hammering away.

But the most fascinating reason is “caching”- the behavior
 of storing up food supplies in a safe place for later. 
This is one of the main reasons you see birds fly off 
with their food instead of eating at the feeder. 
Lots of birds - and even mammals such as squirrels, 
beavers, and bears - cache food for consumption
 later on, during lean times.

Caching isn’t as easy as it might appear. 
A bird must fly back and forth, 
one or a few seeds at a time, over hundreds of trips. 
They also have to make sure the caches aren’t stolen and remember where all the food is hidden 
when hunger strikes. 
Most common North American feeder birds
 can have anywhere from hundreds to thousands of
 separate caches scattered around their home ranges.



Many caching species have keen spatial memory, 
and can remember precise locations using 
visual cues like distance and direction from landmarks
 such as rocks and vegetation. 
In fact, birds such as Black-capped Chickadees increase
 the size of the brain (in the area associated with memory) 
as caching ramps up in the fall.  
I'm not so sure that Scrub Jays have that capability.
I have almonds sprout up under my larger trees, 
probably from the orchards a few blocks away!



Ravens and Scrub Jays also cache as
 inconspicuously as possible. 
Ravens cache food behind structures so that 
other Ravens cannot see what they’re doing, 
and Scrub Jays prefer shady locations, 
making it harder for other Scrub Jays 
to see what’s going on.

Hence under our trees.

Now if they could only remember where they put them!

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.

Campers and Trucks Holiday Garland ~ Review

This 15' white Tinsel Garland by Holiday Time is the cutest I've seen in a long time. 

It's decorated with Christmas Tree topped red campers and trucks. 

I was surprised by how lush the garland is, not sparse at all. Strong, not flimsy.

This garland is very versatile, perfect for your Christmas Tree, banister, doorway - anywhere you need some Holiday cheer.

 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.

Composting Equals Surprises

Another lazy gardener tip!

 I have no room for a compost pile nor the energy to tend to it.

So this is my little hack.

I collect all fruit and vegetable peels along with trimmings, eggs shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit or veggies past their prime, etc.  They are added to a bowl I keep on my counter (I'm sure you could find something much prettier).

When I get a chance I bury them around my gardens.

Just dig a hole 

Add trimmings from the bowl

Cover with dirt and tamp down.

The trimmings will decompose adding nutrients to your garden as well as feed your worms.

NOW come the SURPRISES!

You just never know what will pop up when composting this way.

This year I have these awesome volunteer plants!

Onions

Cantaloupe that is taking over

Full of blooms

With Cantaloupes almost ready to pick

This Cherry Tomato made it through 2 Winter so far!

And it's producing for the 3rd year!

I don't know how that is possible 

but I have watched it very closely and it is the same plant.

So not only are you making your gardens healthier, reducing your waste, and feeding the worms, but you just may get some volunteer plants along the way.

More garden posts here

November Gardening Tips

Gardening Tips

■ Clean, sharpen, and oil  garden tools. ■ Start forcing bulbs  like paperwhites, hyacinth,  and amaryllis for the  holidays ■ Add organic matter  to beds ■ Cover compost so that  rain doesn't  flood and leach the nutrients ■ Keep weeding

Frost Tips ■ Prune flowering trees  as they drop their blossoms ■ Plant Roses, Azaleas and Camellias, and Tropical Fruit  Trees suited to your area as they become available ■ Keep planting bulbs that don't require a cold period  (amaryllis, anemone, calla lily,  freesia, homeria, lilies, oxalis, Ranunculus, Sparaxis,  watsonia) and annuals with  cool season bloomers ■ Keep your fall vegetable  garden going. ■ Sow wildflower seeds ■ Keep an eye out for  insect pests

Easy Sea Star Christmas Tree Ornament

Yes, I am still stuck in "beach" mode.
We're having such a mild Winter - no rain in sight, no Snow forecast for the hills.
Definitely going to be a rationed water Summer :(

Sunny every day, cold in the mornings, a nice balmy 60 - 65 in the afternoons...
is it no wonder I can't get in the Christmas mood -
not to mention it's 2020...UGGGH!

So I'm doing my best to "get in the mood"
Here we go -

Tons of Tulip, Rock and other shells from Miami Beach.
Hauled these and others found from all my beach
excursions around with me each time I've moved.

Thought I'd make an ornament..
a Star

Gathered 5

Made sure they kinda looked like a Star

Glued

Added a silver cord for hanging

Covered in Mod Podge

Dredged through silver glitter.....
Here's an OOPS
Meant to use fine glitter, but grabbed the coarse.
Oh well, we'll see how it turns out...

Tapped to remove loose glitter, let dry.
Spray with sealant, let dry.

Added silver faux pearl to center

Finished!
The large glitter turned out OK.
I was worried it would overpower the small ornament.

And on the tree it goes!
I made a few more to try to get with the
 Spirit.

I used white glitter on these so their different
colors would show through.

Sea Star Christmas Tree Ornaments

more here