5 Things We Love Right Now
Wildgrain
I love all carbs, much to my waistline’s chagrin: bread, pasta, crackers, muffins, croissants … yum! However, I am not a baker, so I typically serve prepared breads. I was thrilled to learn about Wildgrain, a subscription service that delivers bake-from-frozen sourdough breads, fresh pastas and artisan pastries right to your home. The breads are ready in under an hour, while the pasta takes the same amount of time to prepare as dried—but it tastes so much better! With the holidays here, Wildgrain will help you have fresh baked goodies on your table without all the work! Wildgrain.com
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament
Our Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments collected throughout the years. Treasured ones include those handmade by the girls during elementary school (every tree should have an ornament decorated with painted pasta!), ones my mom has needlepointed for us, along with those picked up on various trips. If you need a unique gift that will be used year after year, check out this year’s Crown Center mayor’s Christmas tree ornament. Made with wood from last year’s tree and decorated to commemorate 50 years of the mayor’s tree, it’s sure to be treasured by the recipient! CrownCenter.com
Pumpkin Trio
If you are a regular reader of this column, you know I feature pumpkin items in October. But that doesn’t mean my love of pumpkin ends after October! To keep the pumpkin goodness going throughout November, treat yourself to a pumpkin trio from Walton Wood Farm. It features pumpkin spice pancake mix, pumpkin pie hot chocolate and Hello Pumpkin Hand Rescue. Yummy treats and smooth, silky skin? Yes, please! WaltonWoodFarm.com
Donate Blood
Ever since she was able, my older daughter has been donating blood. It started with a blood drive when she was in high school, and she continues to give. She asked me to join her, and I’ve been trying to go on the regular to make a donation. Lately I’ve been hearing about a blood shortage and part of me thought, “Are they saying that just to get people to donate?” But after my most recent donation, it took less than a week for my blood to go through the stages to be ready for patients (usually this takes several weeks), so I think this shortage is real! If you are able, consider donating! RedCross.org
Christmas Lights
Okay, you are going to laugh at me now that I’ve become “that” person … read on. Every year we take a night to drive around and see Christmas light displays. We started when the girls were young and continue the tradition to this day. Last year we brought our dog and oh. My. Gosh. He loved it and was mesmerized by the lights! He—and we—really enjoyed the drive-thru Holiday Magic Experience. Bonus! You can win a pass for your family (please be sure to bring your doggo!) to see Holiday Magic or Winter Magic display! Enter here!