A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2019

posted in: Gift Guides | 0

Inside: Another gift guide? Yes, but I never once mention any special days of the week. For those still looking, here’s my Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2019.

*As an Amazon Associate, when you click on any product links and purchase them I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.

Wrapped gifts to illustrate gift guide.
We’ve got wrapping to do! A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2019.

Let me guess. Since about twelve a.m. November 1 you’ve been inundated with everybody’s idea of what makes a great gift guide. Am I right?

Well, good. So I’m on time–on time because while you were busy preparing for Thanksgiving and deleting all those gift guides from your inbox, I’ve been carefully crafting mine for those of us who wait until the last minute . . . er, um, I mean the perfect moment, for shopping.

Let’s get to it, then. Time’s a wastin’.

Gifts Under $20

Dunkin’ Donuts White Chocolate Peppermint Ground Coffee, 11 oz., $12.75. 

Every year around this time I love to drink peppermint chocolate flavored coffees. The problem is, I’m very picky about which ones I buy because so many I’ve tried have no peppermint taste at all. Enter Dunkin’ Donuts Limited Edition White Chocolate Peppermint. Pair this up with a cute mug, a paperback, and a soft plushy throw, and you’ve got a nice little gift without a lot of thought.

Chances are you can find DD white chocolate peppermint coffee in your grocery or discount store–but maybe not. I know I haven’t seen it in my stores. So here’s the link in case you can’t find it anywhere, either.

Suds By Stacy and More Surprise 12 Pack Essential Oil Sampler Pack, $11.99 + $7.00 shipping.

Em got me a huge sampler (more than 30 small bars) of these soaps, and they have lasted me a year. Besides the great scent, what I love about these soaps is that I didn’t have to constantly put lotion on my hands last winter. These kept my hands soft through the colder months.

 

Gifts Under $30

2020 Wall Calendar – A Year of Flowers, $29.00.

I have my sister-in-law, Ricci, to thank for pointing me to these lovely wall calendars by Carleigh Courey. (Ricci carries these in her shop.) She gave me one of these last year, and I really have enjoyed it. What I love about this calendar is that the beautiful botanical drawings hearken back to around the time my novel-in-progress takes place.

1Cover_2020web.jpg

Leather Journal Lined Paper – Handmade Leather Bound Writing Notebook (6×8 in), Leather Journal by ThoughtSpace Journals, $24.97.

Last year I had been looking for a new gratitude journal, and I liked the primitive leather look of this one. Then when I got it, I loved the brown, lined paper for writing in–so much so that I bought one for my son-in-law, who also seems to like his. The journal comes in a nice gift box perfect for giving.

Gifts Under $50

Kindle Fire HD 8 Tablet (8″ HD Display, 16 GB) – Black, $49.99. (Limited time deal.) 

My Kindle is such a part of my daily routine that it goes beyond just a recommendation. And, to be honest, mine is getting old. Unfortunately our devices need updating from time to time, and it’s about time! But the thing is I’ve had my Kindle Fire HD 7 for six years this Christmas, and that’s a long time for a device! (By the way, the Kindle Fire HD 7 comes in at $39.99, also limited time deal.)

 

Gifts Under $100

Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate & Fitness Tracker, One Size (S & L bands included), $68.99. (Limited time deal.)

I love my Fitbit–I’ve mentioned that before. And while I do not have this particular version of tracker (I have the Fitbit Alta), the company is topnotch, the Fitbit Inspire is a bestseller with Amazon, and it’s been tested along with other fitness trackers and found to be a great value with the Amazon folks. If you’re wanting to make fitness a priority in the new year, I highly recommend this purchase!

Tuxton Home Duratux Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Dutch Oven with Lid, 6-Quart, Silver, $89.09.

I love, love, love this Dutch Oven! I use it all the time for everything from making soups and chili to cooking preserves and pickles for  canning to simmering bone broth. It’s very sturdy, yet you don’t have to be a weight lifter to tote it around. One of the features I love best about this pot is that it has quart (and liter) measurements on the inside, which is why it’s my go-to pot for canning. Takes the guesswork out of how many jars I’ll need.

And there you have it–the Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2019! Happy shopping, my friends!

Are you ready for Christmas? Tell us about it in the comments.

Related posts:

A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2017

A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2018

Before Christmas Gets Crazy: Six Tips for Slowing Down and Enjoying the Season

Winter Skies, Making and Baking, and Other News Fresh From the Farm

 

Posts from a year ago:

Slowing Down to Enjoy Christmas

Make Our Healthy Butternut Squash, Apple, Cranberry Bake

 

From two years ago:

Taking End of Season Garden Notes

The Story of the Hillbilly Christmas Wreath

 

 

 

Before Christmas Gets Crazy: Six Tips for Slowing Down and Enjoying the Season

posted in: Simple Living | 2

Inside: Before Christmas gets crazy, settle down with a cup of coffee and revisit our six tips for slowing down and enjoying the season.

*As an Amazon Associate, when you click on any product links on my website and purchase them, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.

Slowing down to enjoy Christmas.
A good suggestion for slowing down to enjoy Christmas.

Before Christmas Gets Crazy

It’s December 2, and I’m getting a little (lot) anxious. I already feel behind. Whether I’m subconsciously comparing myself to the more organized among us or my head is just plain swimming (or sledding downhill at breakneck speed?) with my ever-increasing to-dos, I’m sitting down with a cup of coffee to figure my way through December–before Christmas gets crazy. To help, I’ve pulled up my post from a year ago, “Slowing Down to Enjoy Christmas” and am reacquainting myself with the six tips for slowing down and enjoying the season.

Surprised? Seriously, I often revisit past posts for much-needed inspiration, garden notes, or ingredients to a recipe I don’t quite have memorized. But I digress. . .

For your convenience (and mine) I’ve pasted the post below to help us all!

Merry Christmas Season!

Slowing Down to Enjoy Christmas

I often write about living the simple life, but when it comes to making Christmas plans, I’m like a hungry woman on a run to the grocery store.

Before heading inside, I’ve convinced myself that I’ll just pick up a basket to fill, but once I clear the doors and look around, my resolve skitters off, hiding behind the jumbo tins of flavored popcorn. I’m grabbing one of the big carts. Suddenly, my inclination is to load it up with seasonal activities until I can hardly push it. Several large cans of shopping and lunch with family. A few bags each of festivals, church plays, and recitals. A couple of cartons of craft shows and fashioning my own ornaments. A ten-pound sack of cooking, baking, and making. A couple of cans of parties tucked in around the sides, plus filling out the top with movies, decorating, and TV specials. And, if I balance my cart just right, I might squeeze in that DIY wreath project from Pinterest. . .

My December calendar can quickly go from calm to chaotic, spinning out of control. But here’s the reality—I don’t have time for everything I want to do. Not even close. And even if I did, the result wouldn’t be pretty. I’d find myself overwhelmed, frustrated, and frazzled, complaining and enjoying very little of the season. What I’ve learned about myself is that I need my downtime.

So how do I balance what I’d like to do, what I have to do, and what I can reasonably do with the time and energy available? I use the following tips.

Our Six Tips for Enjoying the Season

Make a list of what’s most important. What do I want to do? What brings me and my family the most joy? Which traditions, events, foods, and activities would I like to include? Who do I want to spend my time with? These questions help me prioritize.

Of those parties and gift exchanges that didn’t make the main list, I decide which ones are obligations and which ones I can politely decline.

Embrace convenience. I buy frozen meals or make large batches of a family favorite for busy days when I have little time to cook. I’ve also been known to purchase the pre-made break-apart cookie dough when I need to bring something to a gathering. While I appreciate the time and effort it takes to make something from scratch—I do this often myself—I’m also equally delighted with those savvy shoppers who have a knack for finding just the right festive foods to bring to a party.

A Rural Girl's Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide.

Do tasks incrementally. Often I’ll keep the wrapping paper, tape, and bows handy to wrap a few gifts at a time. I extend my baking over several days. Pickles and jams were made back in the summer, so they only need to be packaged for gift baskets. Breaking tasks into smaller parts helps me get the job done little by little.

Practice wellness. In the busyness of the season, it’s easy to let go of those daily good habits. To remind myself, I’ve come up with an acronym: REV—rest, eat healthy, vitamins. If I want to keep up with the extra activities I have planned, plus maintain a good attitude, I need to get enough sleep, make healthy food choices (mostly), and take my supplements. I’m also mindful to get plenty of water and some exercise. Being on the go this time of year usually takes care of the latter. If I feel the start of a sore throat or sniffles, I’ve got a tube of Airborne handy to keep me from getting sick.

Keep up the daily routine. Morning coffee with my devotional and checking my email. Reading. Unwinding in front of the television before bed—these are a part of my everyday life. They help me relax and stay sane, which goes a long way in keeping my stress level in check. My routine balances out the hectic times.

Remember the reason for the season. Spending time with the people I love and care about, giving to those less fortunate, and, most of all, celebrating Jesus’ birth—these give my life meaning and put the “why” in the choices I make every December.

While I’m still tempted to load up my cart with the annual Christmas “goodies” of celebrations, crafts, parties, food, and fun, being mindful of what truly matters and prioritizing accordingly results in a less stressful more joyful Christmas, not only for me but for those I love the most.

Perfect pines.
Mike hauling up a Scotch pine for Mom.

Resources and Related Posts:

Debbie Macombers Christmas Cookbook

A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2017 

A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2018

The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 1: A Simple Song (2017)

The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 1: Return of the Hillbilly Christmas Wreath (2018)

Finding my Pace: Slowing Down to Enjoy Life

 

Posts from a year ago:

Make Our Healthy Squash, Apple, Cranberry Bake

Wake-up Call, Missing Dad, and Other News Fresh From the Farm

 

Posts from two years ago:

How to Prepare Strawberry Plants for Winter

Taking End of Season Garden Notes

Garden Season 2019 Notes

posted in: Simple Garden | 1

Inside: We’ve come to the end of another garden season, and like every year, the garden abounds with lessons of what worked and what didn’t. Join us for a review of the end of the garden season 2019.

*This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on any of these items and purchase them I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.

Grouping pots together, one of our top ten gardening tips.
Coleus, planted in an old Weber kettle grill. An annual tradition for me!

Not to pick on the nursery rhyme, but the question begs answering: How did your garden grow? Well, for me garden season 2019 was a mixed bag this year. Some good, some not so good, and a fair amount of mediocre. Early on I had problems with a family of coons, and, if I’m being honest, I found them pretty aggravating! Dumping out containers, digging in freshly planted beds, and eating ripening peaches off the table were just a few of their shenanigans. I put some of those inexpensive solar motion sensor lights on all sides of my house (I highly recommend these lights!) to deter them, but they didn’t seem to mind the light. At least I ended up with a decent outdoor lighting system for under $40.

But I digress. So now let me answer my own question: How did my garden grow?

What’s New

I made some changes to a number of beds this year. I let the old strawberry bed go back to grass and planted new strawberry plants in the raised bed instead of putting tomatoes there, and I’m really pleased with the results.

Another view of the planting bed.
Trying out planting strawberries in a raised bed.

The tomatoes went into my small “whatever” bed, which seems to come in handy for whatever I have that doesn’t really have a designated space.

Young tomato plant in its new bed.
Tomato plant in its new bed.

I expanded the size of this plot by moving the herbs to the west side of the house–another move that has worked well this year.

My herb garden, 2019.
My herb garden, along with some purple cabbage.

Highlights and Lowlights

Although planted late, the tomatoes did well, as did the peppers, and we had a decent amount of fresh eating. The cukes, not so much. Early on they developed a fungus with all the damp weather, and I was only able to make one batch of my famous Curry Pickles. (Not actually my recipe, but I found it in one of my favorite canning and preserving books–The Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving. I make it every year, along with the Sweet Garlic Dills, which are amazing!)

As I previously posted, the sweet potato harvest was nothing to write home about.

Tiny sweet potatoes.
Tiny sweet potatoes easily fit in the palm of my hand.

The container flowers around the steps looked so much better than they did last year. (Rainwater will do that.) I was particularly happy with the Beedance Biden which I planted in my old milking boots.

Profusion zinnias fuller due to pruning.
Another favorite–red-orange profusion zinnias looking lovely in my container garden.
Beedance Biden, a flower new to my container garden.
Beedance Biden, a flower I’m really loving!

 

The peach harvest was one of those mediocre outcomes I talked about. Still, I have a gallon bag of cut peaches in my freezer, waiting for me to make some preserves. Sounds like a good idea this week, with the weather turning colder.

Peaches from my tree.
Peaches from my tree–aka raccoon and bug buffet!

The Stump Garden 2019

We’ve been doing the Stump Garden for three years now–see 2017 and 2018–and this by far is my favorite year. I resisted the urge to over-plant it, and while it was sparse in places for the first month or so, the Stump Garden gradually filled in and looked quite lovely most of the season.

What we planted in our 2019 stump garden.
Here she is–our 2019 Stump Garden!

The fall pictures don’t do it justice, as I should have snapped pics at the height of growth and beauty instead of right before frost, though it still looks good.

The Stump Garden fall of 2019
The Stump Garden fall of 2019.

 

Closeup of our Stump Garden.
Closeup of our Stump Garden.

The Zinnia Story Continues

A few years ago I wrote about a huge volunteer zinnia plant that I let grow (I named it Super Zinnia), and the lessons it taught me that particular year–three years ago. I saved the seed from it, planted those and other zinnias the following garden season, and those crossed, creating a lovely pink zinnia that flourished in several flower beds last year despite the lack of rain. They were the high point of the garden season in 2018. But when it came time to save seed, I got a little lazy. My thinking was that they were so prolific that all I really needed to do was bend the spent flowers down back into the beds, and I’d have a huge crop of them in 2019. I even scattered some of the seed so the beds were generously covered.

Enter garden season 2019. The problem was, come late spring and early summer, I found no baby zinnias. None anywhere to be found! The great-grandchildren of Super Zinnia did not exist, despite the hundreds of seeds scattered in the various beds the prior fall. I thought about Super Zinnia and how she had been the catalyst for so much healing back then, and I was sad to think nothing was left of her. I said a simple prayer that somehow, someway, there was a seed that had survived so that this original zinnia would live on. Quietly I heard in my heart, “Trust me.”

Periodically I would check those beds for any sign of a little zinnia, but I saw nothing for the longest time. Then about mid summer, I spotted this little plant that was, lo and behold, a baby zinnia!

And here she is, the great-granddaughter of Super Zinnia!

Pink zinnia from my garden season 2019.
Great-granddaughter of Super Zinnia!

And, yes, I am saving some of the seed!

Garden season 2019 and my favorite zinnia.
Aren’t they lovely?

 

So that was my garden season 2019, with all the highlights, some lowlights, and a lot of in between. How did your garden grow this year?

 

Resources and related posts:

URPOWER Solar Lights Outdoor

The Complete Book of Small Batch Preserving

Taking End of Season Garden Notes

How to Save Flower Seed

My Adventures Growing Zinnias

Our Top 10 Favorite Gardening Tips

Make Our Healthy Butternut Squash, Apple, Cranberry Bake

 

Posts from a year ago:

How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes

Results of my Late Summer Garden

 

From two years ago:

Get Started with Essential Oils: Advice from an EO Teacher

Surviving Frost, Roasted Bean Mondays, and Other News Fresh From the Farm

 

 

 

Make Our Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds

posted in: Simple Food | 0

Inside: Does the world need one more pumpkin spice flavored recipe? Heck yeah! We weigh in with our easy to make Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission with no additional cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.

Pumpkin spice pumpkin seeds.
Celebrate fall with our Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds.

I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making something pumpkin spice for a while now, thus our Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds. Lots to love about these. For one, they are so simple to make and require such few ingredients. For another, they’re perfect to make with the kids or to whip up for a quick snack or last minute “hey I need to bring something to the party” dish.

Pumpkin Seeds as Health Food

Did I mention pumpkin seeds are good for you? Pepitas (another name for the raw, hulled pumpkin seeds) boast an impressive list of nutrients, including magnesium, copper, manganese, protein, omega 3s, and zinc. Pumpkin seeds are a natural food for men’s health because of the zinc, and the phytoestrogens in the seeds reduce menopausal symptoms in women. Among other benefits, they can help regulate insulin and because of the rich source of tryptophan, they may improve sleep. Pumpkin seed oil also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Where to Look for Pumpkin Seeds

First off, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Recipes for whole roasted pumpkin seeds abound, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m referring to hulled, raw pepitas, which are a lovely shade of green. I’ve found them in my Kroger store in the health food area with the nuts and seeds. In other stores I’ve seen them in the buy in bulk areas of the store. Nowadays they’re much easier to find, but should you have a problem, here’s a source.

Roasted pumpkin seeds with pumpkin spice.
Easy to make and good for you, too!

The Recipe

Are you hungry? Here goes!

Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds
Author: 
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup of hulled, raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice
  • 1½ tablespoons of sweetener (or sugar if no dietary restrictions)
  • 1½ tablespoons of melted butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a bowl mix seeds, melted butter, and spices well and spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes and let seeds cool before serving.
  4. Enjoy!
 

And there you have it–autumn goodness in a jar!

Just a quick note, you can grind a little sea salt on top to add a salty dimension to the sweet. Then resist the urge to snack on them straight off the baking sheet.

Makes a nice little “thinking of you” gift for someone you love. Celebrate the season and bake a batch today!

Pumpkin spice pumpkin seeds in a mason jar.
Makes a great little gift!

 

Resources and related posts:

Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Make Our Simple Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

How to Turn an Old Shirt into a Pumpkin

The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 2: Spiced Nuts

How to Soak Nuts

 

Posts from a year ago:

How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes

Road Trippin’, Fallingwater Inspired, and Other News Fresh From the Farm

 

From two years ago:

How to Be a Peacemaker

Get Started with Essential Oils: Advice from an EO Teacher