five things we learned last week
Bright ideas we gathered from your comments.
1. Tis the season to embrace the spirit of giving. As Joanne M. reminds us: “We have definitely added Make it Right to our year end giving. What do you spend on designer coffee in a week? If you spend $15 and multiply it by 52 weeks, that makes $780. Think about it, one Latte at $3.50 times 52 equals $182-is that too hard to do? I am not into the movie star scene but Brad Pitt seems to have it together.” Click here to read more about joining Brad Pitt to help with housing in New Orleans.
2. Never under-estimate the wonders of 3M. Lainakay suggests the sticky stuff for holiday decor: “I don’t use the weighted stocking holders. I use the removable hooks from 3M and attach them to the horizontal surface of the mantel. They hold a lot, you can buy various sizes with various weight capacities. I attach them to the mantel where I want them and then cover them with evergreen garland. I’ve been doing this since my children were babies and have never had a problem! The 3M hooks remove easily when the holidays are over! I use them for lots of other holiday decorating, too… hanging wreaths & garland, corraling cords…” Read more about stocking holders here.
3. We love that you cook along with us! Shoshana made our day by saying of last week’s Real Life Test Kitchen, Cocoa Fudge Cookies: “Mine are in the oven right now. I always take cooking/baking inspiration from your blog -– thank you!” And thank you to all our reader cooks who weigh in with tips, advice, and recipes!
4. Beware non-stick roasters. As Lesley told Megan K: “Don’t get a non-stick roaster! Your chicken might be spectacular, but your gravy will never live up to its potential without a regular surface.” See the rest of Megan’s Holiday wish list.
5. For out of town guests, consider a pop up trundle bed. iloveupstate.com says: “I have one in my guest bedroom and it’s great.” Click here for more day bed suggestions.
