Random (Nearly) Spring Ramblings & My Favourite Things.
- themarigoldgc
- Mar 19, 2024
- 8 min read
It's been a hot minute since I last shared my favourite things and all the ramblings that roll around in my head. Things I want to share with you all that do no necessarily work for the Sunday Bits post... so here it is, my latest thoughts on all that is good in the world. Some of my favourite spring deals and ideas for home and garden.
Still one of my favourite moments in the house is the spot in the foyer where my dried roses hanging from these hooks. We just cut a board, I slapped some paint on it, and hubby installed the hooks. Super easy. Not sure about your steady hand when installing the hooks? You can also buy the wall rack ready made for you. Comes in white, brown, black, and weathered barnboard.
So... Did you know that spring is on Tuesday the 19th this year? As in today! It's a bit earlier (date wise) this year because it is a leap year. We have been having absolutely wonderful weather but this morning woke up to a cooler and cloudier day. They say winter is coming back for a week, supposed to get cold and snowy again by tonight... so, well, there is that, hah! Welcome spring, hah!
We brought out our patio furniture on the weekend, thus making room for me to putter in the greenhouse! I will start my perennials out there, no bottom heat, no heat in the greenhouse, nothing. They will come up when the time is right. I am also starting my brassicas in there, popping them into the mini greenhouse that resides within the big greenhouse and they can pop up when their time is right, as well. Is hard to imagine that is supposed to be -2°C for a high this week while the temp yesterday was +19! More about the greenhouse in the Potting Shed post, when I see how horrible the weather actually is.
Have you played the NYT new Connections game? That is my current favourite game! I actually pay $20 a year for the NYT Games package as I really enjoy the daily challenge. It is how I start my day, kick start my brain. I really love the Friday Crossword puzzle. Here is a link for free games if you prefer not to sign up to the NYT.
I just found out that our local library has a book club! I can't tell you how excited I am. I went straight over, picked up my free library membership and the April book club book. I cannot wait. I love reading as much as I love gardening, they are my most favourite things. The book is called The Maid by Nina Prose. Have you read it? What did you think?
I ordered a fancy new dog bed for Hemingway. It is supposed to last years and years rather than months like these foam ones from the local pet stores do. Hemi is a big boy at 238 lbs (or more, lol), so the foam ones soon go flat under all his weight. The amount of the foam beds that I have bought over the years for our mastiffs! This bed is said not to flatten under his weight, one lady claims she has had hers for 8 years! Anyway, the fantastic new bed has been stuck in customs for the past week while they try to figure out who is paying the duty fees... me or the vendor.
This morning I decided that I was due for a treat so I made myself a lovely foamy (cashew) milk latte. What is it about frothy warm milk that just makes everything just a little bit better? Amazon is having a huge spring sale right now so I am sharing the links in case you want to treat yourself to something special. This is the Nespresso machine that we have, it is 44% off right now! I heat my milk in the microwave and then froth it with one of these handheld frothers, also on sale at 48% off. Or, get the frother with stand for just a few dollars more ( do this, it just makes sense).
*As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase an item from one of these links, I make a teeny bit of money to support my blog. It does not cost you a penny more than it would if you went to the item on your own, without my link. Huge thanks : )
Now, this one is a real big splurge but I am sharing it because it is so beautiful, plus because my daughter in law has one, absolutely loves and recommends it. It froths, it does everything, and it is pretty, too... but yes, it is pricey. A real splurge if you know any coffee aficionado's. This white one would look great on my counter top with those blue tiles behind it, hahaha, it is called Sea Salt. They also have other colours, like damson blue, which is a pretty dark, almost navy blue. These are also on sale, 26% off, but still a real investment piece.
My friend asked me to look into really good pots and pans that are safe and non-toxic. I chatted with hubby about it (hubs is a chef) and he said that chefs will always pick stainless steel as their number one choice. I guess that is why we have the set that we have. He says it conducts heat better. It's not fancy looking but it is safe, completely non toxic, will last a life time.
Cast iron is also popular choice, more affordable, and very, very safe. I personally love cast iron pans and use them every day, but they are so heavy. I need to use both of my arthritic hands to use the pans and the roaster. They can be seasoned any time you feel that they are sticking, super easy to do. I actually just brown some pumpkin seeds/pepitas for my salads once a month (sometimes weekly), with a bit of pink sea salt and lots of evoo. Pan is seasoned nicely, stays non sticky, and I get yummy seeds for my salads.
Canadian Tire has a Paderno cast iron dutch oven on sale right now, perfect for making the no knead artisan bread, or check out this one on Amazon for even less.
That first set is highly rated on Wirecutter. If you prefer a non-stick pan that will not flake and is safe to use, this one is highly recommended, gets 5 stars across the board.
I used my other washable blue rug when we redid the grandies bedroom so I now need a more summer hued rug, one that I can switch out whenever I want a different look. I have mentioned before that my rugs have to machine washable, they have to be affordable, and the only size I can do that fits in my front load washer is a 5x7. So, these are the two that I am trying to decide between, plus will get new runners for spring as I put the others in our master bedroom after we got rid of the carpet. With my allergies and my big dogs, I need to be able to wash them often and vacuum them regularly. These are all non-slip and affordable. They come in other colours, too, if you lean more towards greys or something else. Check out some more of my favourites in 'How I keep my house clean with big dogs (&little kids).
My allergies go crazy 2 or 3 times a year. I get wheezy and covered in hives from top to toe. They usually last a month or so, after which I am covered in scabs and scars from all the scratching. During this time, I clean every surface like a madwoman to get rid of any possible pollutants. So, I wash all the rugs, the throws, towels, bedding, and even the washing machine itself.
I used to use Mrs Meyers multi purpose on everything from floors, to counters and toilets. Lemon verbena is my favourite scent. They even have laundry soap! I still use these, but my new favourite is the Mint floor wash. I use it for everything, too! Yes, I use floorwash for dusting, toilets, countertops, everything. They also have a fabulous laundry soap and fabric softener. Smells so good you just cannot help but get happy!
Well.ca has Mrs Meyers on sale right now, check out this new scent called Daisy. Buy Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Daisy Bundle at Well.ca | Free Shipping $35+ in Canada
These deals for the home that you really need. These floral dish cloths. Once you try Swedish cloths, you will never go back! This lovely white washed wooden farmhouse style pedestal. This peach blossom flowered table runner.
Love this first riser/pedestal, the shape is so right! Then I see this white chippy one and now I don't know which one is best! Or maybe you want to put all your make-up, toiletries on a marbled ceramic tray instead? I have one of these and love it!
And... tote bags. You all know I love them. This zippered, pocketed chamomile flower tote is great for quick trips to the shops, this navy coloured jute tote has a water resistant lining, and these washable, heavy duty, canvas grocery bags.
This Sel de Mer tote bag that I bought for myself, baby girl, and my d-i-l, is still my most favourite ever. It stands on it's own, has pockets, zips up, is just the right size. The girl's love theirs and I get so many compliments on it. Even my brother commented on it, loves the frayed edges, must be a family thing!
It comes in other colours, too, like red, pink, while, black, but I really love the blue one. You may know this about me already ; )
I saved the best stuff for last... anything and everything gardening related! Can you relate? Seriously fun stuff.
We left the potting table behind with the greenhouse when we moved, so I am trying to decide which one of these would best work in this much smaller potting shed. Love the galvanised top on the first two, the hooks on the side of #1, but #3 has a soil bin and hooks! What to do?
Get two 6'x3' galvanised raised beds at an awesome price. They have bigger and smaller but these are the ones I want to put in my greenhouse to raise the soil, warm the soil earlier, make my melons super happy. I know a lot of folks that are going from wooden raised beds to these metal ones and I wish I had thought of it last year when we made our raised beds. The prices are terrific and they will last a whole lot longer, too. If you are worried about them getting hotter or drying out faster, check out the read here from someone who has them.
Prefer a squared off one in an 8'x4', check out this one that comes in cream, avocado green, silver, or green.
These pretty pots that I bought for my dwarf indoor tomatoes.
I have some fun household and Easter stuff to share but will put them in another post. I hope you like the sneak peek of the new studio shop thingie. The naming contest starts in just a few days! Stay tuned!
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