Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan Installation and #Review

Happy Holidays! I recently installed a Hampton Bay ceiling fan in both bedrooms over the summer. I have been doing a lot of home improvement projects since I have been spending more time at home. The heat was unusually intense this year so I needed to add more ways to push the heat out the rooms. We do have A/C, but sometimes we like to save energy and turn on a fan. These Hampton Bay 52 inch LED Ceiling fans were pretty easy to install. In the video, I install one of the two and share my first impressions after things were completed. I purchased this product for my personal use from the Home Depot.

Staining a Coffee Table | DIY Project

Recently, I decided to try to re-stain an old wooden coffee table in the living room instead of purchasing a new one. Since we have been in quarantine, it was the perfect time to try a DIY home project. I'm no pro or subject matter expert so I had to figure this process out as I went along. I even purchased a palm sander to add to my tools for this task.

In this video, I share the process I took, my hiccup and new approach, along with finally getting a final product that I could appreciate.

Have you worked on a DIY home project this year during quarantine? If so, share your project in the comments below. I would like to know more about it.

Ryobi 2.6 Amp 5 in. Random Orbital Sander

BLACK+DECKER Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch

Ronald Reagan Library - An American Christmas Exhibit #VideoRecap

During the holidays I like to visit various museums and the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum is always at the top of my list. The last time I was there I had the opportunity to see several different Christmas trees in the exhibit, An American Christmas. I realized that I did not share the video footage and this is the perfect time of the year to do it! Although, this year has been filled with uncertainty for us all, we can still enjoy the holiday season. If you're decorating your home with lights and a Christmas tree too, have fun and enjoy the video recap.

Christmas Tree Fully Decorated Pre-lit 6 Ft Pull Up Pop Up Out of Box Ready Minimal Assembly Needed Holiday Decorations w/ 350 Warm Lights with Stand

Best Choice Products 6Ft Pre-lit Pre-Decorated Pine Hinged Artificial Christmas Tree w/ 818 Flocked Frosted Tips, 58 Pine Cones, 58 Berries, 250 Lights, Metal Base

Field Roast Hazelnut Cranberry Roast Review #Plantbased #HolidayDinner

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! For my holiday dinner, I tried Field Roast's Hazelnut Cranberry Roast, which is 100% plant-based and vegan. I usually get another brand for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but this was the only one available so I jumped on it.

The pastry dough on the outside of this roast loaf really sets off the plant-based, vegan sausage, cranberry, and hazelnut filling. I had leftovers for three days after Thanksgiving. I also made some homemade cranberry sauce again, which elevated this roast even more. The sweet potatoes and sauteed Brussels sprouts were great too. I can say, I was impressed and I'm thinking about purchasing another one for Christmas dinner.

In this video, I walk you through the preparation process of baking this roast.

Below, are some other Field Roast plant-based options and resources you may enjoy. Happy Eating!

Field Roast: 101 Artisan Vegan Meat Recipes to Cook, Share, and Savor (Book)

Field Roast Vegan Fieldburger 3.25 ounces (Pack of 48)

Field Roast Plant Based and Vegetarian Frankfurter, 2.7 Ounce -- 72 per case

Genstone Faux Stone Installation on Front of House #Review #DIY

I have a lot to be thankful for, my health and strength, food and shelter. Recently, I had the opportunity to complete a home improvement project on the front of the house in one day. The sun shines directly on the lower half of the house, which caused some chipped paint to start so I began researching solutions. I came across Genstone, a company that specializes in faux stone panels, faux stone siding, and brick veneer siding. Its stone comes with a twenty-five-year limited warranty. They already had several reviews from satisfied customers. I was going to do the traditional stone with concrete, but I wanted an option that was simpler and quicker to install. After measuring the area of the house, I found the style of faux stone I liked at Home Depot and ordered there. However, I strongly recommend that you order directly from Genstone because, with the COVID-19 conditions, it took two months to arrive. If I had ordered directly from Genstone, I would have received a better idea of delivery times. They were getting production back into full swing when I called them directly so it was definitely worth the wait. The tools used for this project are listed below and also mentioned in the YouTube video below. You will see that a hand saw will cut through the faux stone perfectly and PL Premium Construction Adhesive is great for additional support before applying your deck screws. I did put down 10-minute craft paper as an additional barrier of protection from rainwater. However, that is up to you and how the weather affects your work area. The DIY project was completed in one day and I was able to add some fall decor to the front of the house, which looked amazing, complimenting the faux stone. I am very pleased with the results and would recommend this product and company to you. 

If you have any questions about this project, leave them in the comments below. Enjoy the video!

Tools and Genstone Product I Used for This Installation

• GenStone Faux Stacked Stone Panel 41" x 11.25" in Desert Sunrise

• Hand Saw 

• Level 

• Cordless Power Drill 

• PL Premium Construction Adhesive (12pk)

• Deck screws 

My Genstone Faux Stone Video Installation

How to Remove a Broken Sprinkler Riser #FixitYourself

I hope you are safe and well. This past week, while I was cutting the front lawn, I happened to bump too hard into one of the sprinkler heads. It broke off leaving some of the riser in the PVC pipe. I thought that I would have to dig up the sod around it, but luckily I did some research and digging, no pun intended and found an inexpensive tool, Orbit Plastic Riser Extractor, to remove the broken sprinkler riser. It worked really well for me and I show you how it works in this video.

Orbit Plastic Riser Extractor

You can purchase it on Amazon or you might can find it at your local hardware store. Thanks for watching and stay safe and well!

Removing a Tree Stump with Reciprocating Saw #HomeImprovement

The days are shorter and the nights are getting cooler, but I had to finish removing the last tree stump from the backyard before the rainy season. Southern California's weather has been unpredictable this year, hot then cool and back to warm again. I was able to use the chainsaw to cut the trees down to stump level, but as the blade got closer to the dirt, it dulled, something I had to learn during these DIY projects. During this COVID-19 experience, I have been doing a number of home improvement projects. I have realized that this has become a fun outlet for me, learning how to do things by myself without hiring a contractor for everything. Also, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and Amazon have all been my go-to places when I have needed tools, parts, and supplies. 

In the following video below, I show you how I removed the final tree stump from the backyard of the house with the Porter Cable Reciprocating Saw. It made the job much easier and I thoroughly enjoyed 

using the Diablo 12 inch Carbide Pruning Blade. The reciprocating saw came with a smaller blade, but I wanted to use a blade that gave me lots of success on the other stumps. It cuts through wood like slicing through a stick of butter. The two together, as you will see, worked well and I show you how to attach the pruning blade to the saw as well. The Porter Cable saw had more power than I expected. I will definitely use it for more wood cutting projects and yard work in the future with other blade attachments. 

Are you working on a home improvement project? If so, share your favorite tool(s) and project in the comments below for others to learn about.

 

#Halloween Pumpkin Carving Kit #Review

Happy Halloween! In some parts of the country trick-or-treating is limited. However, you can still make this day fun for the kids, friends and family alike. Grab some pumpkins and carving tools and get to work making funny faces to display. In this video, I decided to try Pumpkin Masters' Pumpkin Carving Kit. 

The pumpkin tools are a bit small, but they still are not safe for children under 3 years old and do require adult supervision. The tools provided in the kit did get the job done, but you will have to have a bit of patience while you carve. Overall, it was a fun activity that I believe you and your kids will enjoy. The 10 designs are labeled by difficulty level so you know what you're getting yourself into before you try each one. I would recommend that you use medium-size pumpkins to make sure that you can completely flatten the design on the pumpkin before using plastic wrap to keep everything in place as you carve. I used LED lights inside each pumpkin and they worked well. I displayed each pumpkin creation on the front porch, which added character to my Fall decor. 

Halloween may be a little different this year, but don't let that stop you from having fun with the family anyway. If you have "Halloween at Home" ideas leave them in the comments below for others to read. Have fun!

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park | Day 2 #TravelVlog

Hello, I hope you are safe and well. I finally had time to get this video ready for you, sharing our Day 2 adventure of visiting Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, CA. God blesses you when you least expect it, even during these times he is still blessing. I'm hoping to one day get back out into nature to share more adventures with you. For now, enjoy this video of the Grand Canyon and put it on your bucket list. It's a breathtaking place for all ages to see. Stay hopeful and prayerful for healing and recovery for all.

• Grand Canyon

• The Grand Canyon: Between River and Rim

• Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park (Color Travel Guide)

#Travel Vlog: Visiting Grand Canyon National Park | Day 1

I hope you are safe and well at home on this Good Friday. This week I'm reminded of how beautiful our Earth is and how important it is to take care of it. In November 2019 I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon National Park. We spent two days in the park, exploring various viewpoints, hiking, and appreciating its natural beauty.

Once we are free to travel again, I hope you will plan your trip to the Grand Canyon. For now, here is Day 1 of our travel vlog adventure.

Hiking Resources for you...

OlarHike Hydration Backpack Pack with 2L BPA Free Leak-Proof Bladder, Insulated Water Backpack for Hiking,Biking,Running,Camping


Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet (2 Pack) – Adjustable Size – Fire Starter – Loud Whistle – Emergency Knife – Perfect for Hiking, Camping, Fishing and Hunting – Black and Black+Orange


America's Great Hiking Trails: Appalachian, Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, North Country, Ice Age, Potomac Heritage, Florida, Natchez Trace, Arizona, Pacific Northwest, New England


SEOULSTORY7 5Pack Men's Climbing DryCool Cushion Hiking/Performance Crew Socks 5Pair Large2

#Travel Vlog: Mining Town in Jerome, Arizona Became a Ghost Town

I hope you are feeling healthy and safe at home. I decided to edit some more footage from the Arizona road trip I took in November 2019. This travel vlog shows our visit to a mining town in Jerome, Arizona.

According to historical facts, Jerome was built on top of what was the largest copper mine in Arizona. It produced three million pounds of copper per month, with the mines eventually closing in 1953. Creative artists came to Jerome after it was left a ghost town and transformed it into a successful historical attraction, including boutiques and shops. Now many people visit this unique town on their road trip through Arizona.

Have you been yet? If so, share your experience in the comment section below. If not, I recommend putting it on your bucket list of places to visit.

You may want to try the popular Bobby D's BBQ and Grill while you're there. They have salads for the vegan folks like me too.

Here are some other mining and ghost towns to explore with the following resources:
Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps/a Travel Guide to History

Colorado Ghost Towns and Mining Camps

Death Valley to Yosemite: Frontier Mining Camps and Ghost Towns--The Men, The Women, Their Mines and Stories

Ghost Towns of the West

#Travel Vlog: Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams Arizona

Today I was reminded of how beautiful and relaxing it is to spend time in nature and among animals too. This past November, I had the opportunity to go on a road trip through parts of Arizona, stopping at various places. We had a great time and the Bearizona Wildlife Park was fun, exciting, and a learning experience. It's perfect for the entire family, with a drive-through park and a walk-through section, similar to a zoo. 

In the video below, I'm going to share with you our experience visiting the park, but I recommend that you put this place on your list of travels-to-come. We may be living in a state of quarantine right now, but it will not last forever. We will be able to venture back out in nature together, exploring, discovering, and enjoying all of nature's beauty.




Want to learn more about some other best sites to see in Arizona? Check out this production on Amazon.

State to State: Arizona Road Trip

Quick Vegetable Bean Soup [Video]

I decided to prepare a quick Vegetable Bean Soup with some vegetables I had in my freezer. I always like to add some kind of beans for added protein. Since we are encouraged to stay indoors, it is important for us to eat good foods that will keep our immune system strong. 

In the video below, I share with you the steps for preparing this quick soup. Enjoy!

Here are three popular soup recipe books for you too!
The Healing Soup Cookbook: Hearty Recipes to Boost Immunity and Restore Health

Taste of Home Soups: 380 Heartwarming Family Favorites

The Soup Book: 200 Recipes, Season by Season

Daiya Pepperoni Pizza #Review #VeganPizza

It's pizza tonight! In this video, I share a video food review about Daiya Meatless Pepperoni Pizza. It’s a plant-based option for vegans and anyone who wants a dairy-free and meat-free alternative. Is pizza your pastime favorite food? If so, that's great! If not, share your favorite Netflix and chill food in the comments below.

Daiya Pepperoni Style Pizza, 16.7 Ounce (pack Of 08)

12 St. Patrick's Day House Party Supplies and Decorations

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by many people in the U.S. and in several countries. Unfortunately, many public events are being cancelled due to Coronavirus fears so why not have a house party on March 17th instead! Invite your friends and family to the party, dress in green, color the beer and food, and decorate your space to your heart's content with these St. Patrick's Day party supplies and decorations found on Amazon.

St Patricks Day Decorations, 64 Pcs Green Lucky Irish Party Supplies Accessories, Shamrock Balloon, Banner, Tissue Paper Pom Poms, Hanging Swirl, Paper Tassels


108 St Patricks Day Party Favors Supplies Set Includes 12 Shamrock Sunglasses 12 Shamrock Necklaces 12 Shamrock Bracelets and 72 Saint Patrick Temporary Tattoos Irish Green SuppliesAccessories Toys 


Rocinha St Patrick’s Day Paper Plates Napkins Cups, 24 Set Shamrocks Disposable Dinnerware Irish Party Supplies Decoration



St.Patrick's Day Honeycomb Centerpieces Saint Paddy's Day 3D Table Decorations Shamrock Leprechaun Horseshoe Pot of Gold Table Toppers for Kids Irish Birthday Party Baby Shower Photo Props Supplies




Joyin 108 Pcs St. Patrick's Day Party Favors Set with 12 Shamrock Necklaces 12 Glasses 12 Bracelets and 72 Saint Patrick Temporary Tattoos St Patricks Day Dressing-up Accessories Irish Party Supplies


St Patrick's Day Party Supplies Shamrocks Disposable Paper Plates Cups Napkins Tablecloth SERVE 30 for Irish Saint Patrick Party


Tifeson 12 Pack St. Patrick's Day Beer Can Coolers Sleeves Party Favors - Saint Patrick's Day Party Decorations Supplies - Neoprene Can Insulated Covers for 12-Ounce Canned Beverages, Bottle, Drink


Saint Patrick's Day Party Supplies for 32 - Shamrock Themed Large Plates 9”, Napkins 6.5”, 3 Plastic Table Covers, 12 Foot Banner, 12 Hanging Swirls - Great for St. Patrick Tableware and Decorations


YIHONG St. Patrick's Day Decorations Set, 22 Pieces Hanging Swirls with Lucky Irish Green Shamrock, Leprechauns, Saint Patrick Poms, Banners for Home Theme Party Decorations


Dazonge 34ct St. Patrick's Day Party Decorations Kit | 14 St. Patrick's Swirls with Cutouts, 1 'LUCKY' Banner, 1 Felt Shamrock Banner, 4 Strings of Shamrocks | St. Patty's Day Party Favors Set



Ankuka 82 Pcs St. Patricks Day Party Favor Set with Green Hat, Mustaches, Tattoo Sticker, Lucky Bracelet, Eyeglass, Shamrock Necklace and 60 coins, Medal and bow tie for St. Patrick Irish Party Supplies


52 PCS St Patrick’s Day Photo Booth Props Kit for Party Supplies, Irish Day Shamrock Set for St. Patrick’s Day Accessories Decorations

My First Puppy | German Shepherd Husky from the Shelter #adoptapet

On December 10, 2019, I picked up the newest member of our family. We named her Halo and she is our German Shepherd-Husky puppy. 

We were looking for a larger dog and my boyfriend happened to receive information about a holiday adoption event at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter. I decided to go down there to see what dogs were available and that's when I saw her. She was sitting in the last viewing room by herself, looking bored and unimpressed by all of the people walking by, ignoring her room. She was a puppy with large paws and eyes that would light up anyone's heart. I did not see any information regarding her on the viewing window so I asked a volunteer at the shelter and they said, "Yes! She is available for adoption." The volunteer was keeping watch while I frantically called my boyfriend to tell him that I think I found the one! I sent him a video of her on my iPhone and he was instantly hooked too. My heart was beating fast as I walked into the room to introduce myself, but she just wanted to play, which calmed me down and I thought to myself, "I'm about to get my first puppy." 

Before this decision, my boyfriend and I had experienced loss. He lost his Chihuahua dog to cancer and I lost my father and great aunt three months apart. It was a challenging 2019 for both of us, but we were open to a new puppy. I would say I was mostly. We had tried other places, searching for a husky puppy, but we were faced with scammers and high prices from breeders. So we decided to take our time and see what animal rescues and shelters had to offer.  

So after visiting with the puppy, I knew that she was the right fit for our family. I filled out all of the paperwork and she was officially claimed. Before she could leave the shelter, she needed to be looked over again by the veterinarian, spayed, and given her first set of shots, so I had to come back on the following Monday. I would have to get her second and third set of shots and bring her back for her rabies shot and get her pet license at four months old. With my leash in hand and the dog tag that I created for her at a Petsmart store, I went to pay the adoption fee and then they brought out our German Shepherd-Husky puppy (I did not know that she had Husky in her until I took her to our veterinarian for her second set of shots. We got some Husky too!). 

She was on her way to a new, forever, home with lots of room to run around and play. From what I heard, she was left in one of the shelter's overnight lockers by someone who surrendered her. I believe it was fate and we are ecstatic. 

In the following video below, I share how she's progressed so far from nine weeks old when I picked her up from the shelter until now at five months old. 

Have you added a new fur baby to your family? If so, tell me about it in the comment section below this blog post.



Here are some puppy supplies that we had to purchase to prepare for our German Shepherd-Husky puppy. 
AmazonBasics Single Door Folding Metal Dog Crate Kennel - 36 x 23 x 25 Inches (There are other sizes)

PEDIGREE Puppy Growth and Protection Chicken and Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food 36 Pounds


Pedigree Choice Cuts In Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food Variety Pack, (36) 3.5 Oz. Pouches

Puppy Starter Kit,12 Piece Dog Supplies Assortments,Set Includes:Dog Toys/Dog Bed Blankets/Puppy Training Supplies/Dog Grooming Tool/Dog Leashes Accessories/Feeding and Watering Supplies

LEGEND SANDY Squeaky Plush Dog Toy Pack for Puppy, Small Stuffed Puppy Chew Toys 12 Dog Toys Bulk with Squeakers, Cute Soft Pet Toy for Small Medium Size Dogs


Frontline Plus for Dogs Small Dog (5-22 pounds) Flea and Tick Treatment, 3 Doses