Hello! Welcome to the Happy List. I’m so glad you’re here.
I don’t want to alarm you if you haven’t checked the date but it is December 1. Finally! It’s actually felt like December for a few weeks now. I’ve been checking the calendar for days now thinking it’s already December since the internet seems to have moved on to the Christmas but I was wrong every time.
This week was all about ornaments on the blog. It’s the best time of year to be crafty! I shared my origami tree ornaments with the cutest wood star topper. I also shared the mini wood tree ornaments that I customized with paint.
Next week is a big one of the blog. I’m sharing our dining room mantel which skews more toward art installation rather than simple holiday decor. I’m also sharing our fully decorated Christmas tree! I hope you come back for those two blog posts on Monday and Wednesday.
I say it every week and mean it. Thank you for reading this blog. It makes our day. If you want to share the blog or an idea we post on social media, we would be very grateful. We also love talking to you. If you want to connect with us or ask a question, you can always comment on this blog post or send an email here. You can also reach out on Instagram or Facebook.
Here’s the Happy List!
CACTUS CHRISTMAS
How could you look at this picture and not smile?
Just once in my life I think I’m going to need to decorate a cactus for Christmas. Pretty sure this one is a faux creation by @HeyWanderer. For more Christmas tree alternatives, check out this My Domaine article.
(image: @HeyWanderer via My Domaine)
THROW BLANKET UPHOLSTERY
I am so impressed with how Made By Carli turned throw blankets into upholstery for an ottoman. She used a needle and thread but not a sewing machine to make this and it will make sense why when you read how she did it. This sounds like something I would do!
Check it out here.
(image: Made By Carli)
SAFETY CAN
Here’s a gift idea! Kidding. It’s not really a gift idea but it is something we just purchased for safety sake. It’s a safety can that you can toss oily rags, stain rags, etc. in when you are done doing a woodworking or other home or auto project that involves rags covered in combustible materials.
No one wants a house or garage fire because rags caught on fire!
WEST POINT TIME CAPSULE
Did you hear about the previously unknown time capsule found in the base of a statute at West Point? The time capsule has been dated to 1828.
Can you imagine doing renovations and then finding a box like this? I would not have been able to contain my excitement.
(image: West Point U.S. Military Academy)
Then can you imagine having to have the patience to wait in order for the box to be x-rayed?
(image: West Point U.S. Military Academy)
Inside the box they found some very old, very rare coins. You can see the pictures here. You can read about this discovery here.
If you are ever in New York state, West Point has a visitor center that is very interesting to tour. I wrote about our experience touring it here. It’s one of those places that, as an American, makes you a little emotional.
ADORABLE
These terracotta gnome ornaments by One Little Project are adorable!
I don’t know how much yarn it would take but I like the idea of making giant gnomes using this idea too.
Get the directions here.
(image: One Little Project)
GALLERY WALL
This gallery wall caught my eye because it’s wide but not tall. You don’t see that very often and it definitely works here, especially against that gorgeous wallpaper.
See more photos of this cozy Swedish apartment over at The Nordroom.
(image: Historiska Hem via The Nordroom)
HOT GLUE HACKS
I have not been thinking broad enough when it comes to hot glue! The Krazy Coupon Lady has a blog post with a whole bunch of hot glue hacks like how to make instant tap shoes or how to use matches with hot glue for when you need glue in a pinch.
When my kids were little I really could have used the tip to plug bath toys with a little hot glue so that they didn’t get nasty and moldy.
(image: The Krazy Coupon Lady)
FUDGE WREATH
Fudge but make it in a wreath shape. Brilliant! When I saw how TidyMom made the wreath shape I was like “Oh! That’s easy!”
This would be a cute neighbor gift or something fun to bring to a holiday party.
Get the 5-minute fudge recipe here.
(image: TidyMom)
POETRY MOMENT IN SONG
Snow (excerpted lyrics) by Sleeping At Last (YouTube)
The branches have traded their leaves for white sleevesAll warm-blooded creatures make ghosts as they breatheScarves are wrapped tightly like gifts under treesChristmas lights tangle in knots annually
Our families huddle closelyBetting warmth against the coldBut our bruises seem to surfaceLike mud beneath the snow
So we sing carols softly, as sweet as we knowA prayer that our burdens will lift as we goLike young love still waiting under mistletoeWe’ll welcome December with tireless hope
Let our bells keep on ringingMaking angels in the snowAnd may the melody disarm usWhen the cracks begin to showLike the petals in our pocketsMay we remember who we areUnconditionally cared forBy those who share our broken hearts
The table is set, and our glasses are fullThough pieces go missing, may we still feel wholeWe’ll build new traditions in place of the old‘Cause life without revision will silence our souls
Thank you for reading today’s Happy List.
Be good to yourself and others this weekend.
I’ll see you back here on Monday.