Hello! Welcome to this week’s Happy List. I’m delighted you are here.
This week on the blog I shared the denim Christmas trees I recently made. They are currently decorating the dresser in my bedroom.
I also shared a gem from the archive, a story about two teenage girls, a blood drive, and a star ring. This story will warm even the coldest of hearts out there.
As always, thank you for being here. The Happy List is my way of balancing my media diet and finding the beautiful, interesting, and inspiring in the online world. We all need more balance in our lives and connection too! If you want to reach out, and I hope you do, you can always comment on this blog post or email me here. You can also reach out on Instagram or Facebook.
Here’s the Happy List!
THE INN AT KENMORE HALL
Who wants to go to Massachusetts and stay at The Inn at Kenmore Hall, which is described as informal but luxurious?
*raises hand*
The estate dates back to 1792 and it looks like they have five guest rooms and a cottage. You can check out all sorts of dreamy photos in this Lonny article or visit their website directly.
(image: The Inn at Kenmore Hall via Lonny)
TREE SKIRTS
Are Christmas tree skirts making a comeback? It’s been all about the tree collar for years now, but I’m seeing tree skirts everywhere this year.
This one with pompoms from Grandin Road is fun.
(image: Grandin Road)
FEATURED AND A FUN PUSHUP FACT
Guess what? A quote from yours truly was featured in a Redfin article. Pretty cool, right? Check it out here: Home Gym Ideas to Motivate Your Workouts.
Speaking of working out, the other day I was wondering if the weight I can bench press is the same as the weight I’m lifting when doing a pushup. Surely there must be a formula for that, right?
Yes! According to the Cooper Institute in this Livestrong article, you support 69.16 percent of your body weight in the up position of a pushup, and 75.04 percent in the down position.
This means that I’m lifting more weight right now when I do a pushup than when I bench press. (I can bench press 75 pounds.) I don’t know if this is good or bad. I think it just means that pushups are hard. Hahahahaha!
P.S. I’m not sorry there is no photographic evidence of me doing pushups or the bench press.
COUNTRY LIVING
I think my heart skipped a beat when I saw this picture in Midwest Living. The brick wall, the horseshoes on the stairs, the floor. Wow.
This Illinois home used to be a polo clubhouse and stable. Henry Ford Jr. and the Kennedy family were known to practice here in the 1930s.
(image: Midwest Living)
I rarely share two pictures from the same article, but this snow globe on an antique tree stand situation was so cool. I’d love to make something inspired by this picture.
Go check out the full house tour here. It’s totally worth your time.
(image: Midwest Living)
FAVORITE PHONE WALLET CASE
I just bought, for the third time, the same Vena vCommute wallet case for my iPhone. Not because the case has ever broken or failed me in any way, but because I’ve repurchased it each time I’ve got a new phone.
The wallet part is just so good. It’s completely hidden but easily accessible. If you need a new phone case for an iPhone, I’m a big fan of this one. They make them for all the different iPhone versions.
![VENA vCommute for iPhone 16 Pro Max Wallet Case, [Military Grade Drop Protection] Flip Leather Cover Slot Card Holder with Kickstand - Red](https://aprettyhappyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/71J1kdtciuL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
(image: Amazon)
P.S. Handy Husband and our son like this iPhone case because the wallet detaches so they can set their phones on the magnetic charger.
BOOK PAGE BELLS
I don’t think I’ve ever done a bell craft.
*audience gasps*
I know, I know. What have I been doing with my time?!?
This vintage-inspired book page bell from The Ponds Farmhouse might make me change that. This is very pretty! Get the tutorial here.
(image: The Ponds Farmhouse)
SWEET POTATO BREAD KNOTS
I know you shouldn’t experiment with a new recipe when you’re having company over. I know this and I do it anyway.
That’s why you should make this Sweet Potato Bread Knot recipe from Tasty Kitchen as practice this weekend (because they are that good) and then make it again if you are hosting Thanksgiving or are tasked with bringing the rolls.
These are the best rolls EVER and I will die on that hill. You can substitute canned pumpkin or sweet potato for fresh sweet potato in this recipe.
Sorry I don’t have a better picture. I should make another batch and take new photos…for the blog, not for my belly. No ulterior motives here. Nope. Not me.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Big Brother isn’t watching. He’s singing and dancing. He’s pulling rabbits out of a hat. Big Brother’s busy holding your attention every moment you’re awake. He’s making sure you’re always distracted. He’s making sure you’re fully absorbed. He’s making sure your imagination withers. Until it’s as useful as your appendix. He’s making sure your attention is always filled. And this being fed, it’s worse than being watched. With the world always filling you, no one has to worry about what’s in your mind. With everyone’s imagination atrophied, no one will ever be a threat to the world.” – Chuck Palahniuk
Thank you for reading today’s Happy List.
Be good to yourself and others this weekend.
I’ll see you back here on Monday.
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