It's New Year's Eve! I hope you are well, safe, and ready for growth and new opportunities in 2022. I'm looking forward to a new gardening season and to kick it off I planted white Muscari and some yellow Dwarf Iris bulbs in a raised bed and whiskey barrel. I received both of them as a Christmas and realized that in California they needed to be in the ground no later than December for an early to mid Spring bloom. In the video below, I show how quick and easy it is to plant both types of bulbs. I will keep you posted on their progress as we begin to warm back up and they grow into beautiful flowers.
Friday, December 31, 2021
#Planting White Muscari and Dwarf Iris in December for Spring Blooms
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Kavee C&C 5x2 Cage Kit Set Up and Review for My #GuineaPigs
Five baby guinea pigs were dropped off at our local Tractor Supply store. Before they all were taken to a local animal rescue I wanted to take home two for myself. I had guinea pigs in the past so I was familiar with them, but I still had a lot to learn. The Internet and plenty of videos on the subject helped me to get the baby guinea pigs to adjust properly. I decided to adopt two males and I learned that males like companionship, but they also enjoy their own space. I had them in a much smaller cage from Petco and realized rather quickly that I needed a better solution. After researching plenty of cage options, I decided to go with a Kavee C&C cage with a lid. I purchased my cage directly from their website for the U.S, but I also noticed that they do sell their cages and accessories on Amazon as well.
In the video below I show you how I put together the 5x2 cage with a lid (recommended for male guinea pigs since they are very territorial). I also dressed it up and then let my guinea pigs give their first impressions. If you're thinking about a pet for your children or maybe even yourself, guinea pigs are good company. However, not all guinea pigs are the same. Some guinea pigs like it best with their feet always planted on the ground (not being picked by humans a lot ). While others, are very social and want to cuddle up. I am glad that I decided to take in two of the five to give them the best life possible. I have included the accessories I purchased as well, all from Amazon below. Have a wonderful Christmas with your pet babies too!
Recommended Accessories I Use from Amazon
MuYaoPet Rabbit Guinea Pig Snuggle Sack Fleece Bed for Cage Small Animal
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Visit to #Pioneertown #Western Movie Village and Real Town
During the holidays I like to visit various tourist sites, museums, landmarks, etc, in California, and this time I visited Pioneertown, a western movie village and real town. This town was developed in 1946 by Dick Curtis, Roy Rogers, Dale Evens, The Sons of the Pioneers, and other period stars. It's still an active, working set, and real people are residents in the small town. How fun, right?! They have a functioning church and post office too. There are many little shops with unique gift items, visiting goats, and if you enjoy Western movies you'll enjoy a live show by the 'Gunfighters for Hire' on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, October through May at 2:30pm. They perform free comedy skits of old-west re-enactments and shoot-em-ups on Mane Street. There is a saloon for getting a bite to eat and something to drink. Wear comfortable shoes or your cowboy and cowgirl boots.
To learn more, visit http://www.PioneertownSun.com
In the video below, I share my walkthrough of the small town, but I recommend taking your own day trip to Pioneertown, CA to look around and explore. If you go, let me know in the comments below what you thought about the place and if you saw a Western shoot-out while there!
Monday, December 6, 2021
My First Year Fall #Garden Tour 2021
My first-year fall garden has been doing very well. It has been unusually warm this fall, but cool enough for my peas to thrive. I have been enjoying them tremendously. I still have tomatoes pulling through and they have been plentiful too. I have carrots, radishes, beautiful lavender, and other plants in my raised beds. I'm glad I am able to share my fall garden with you, in hopes that you will see that you can grow your own vegetables too. It wasn't easy in the beginning, but I stuck with it, through the insects, caterpillars, earwigs, aphids, and others. I'm looking forward to learning even more in 2022 and sharing my future garden ventures with you. The weather will be cooling off, even more, this week, so I finished this video garden tour just in time. I have my Brassicas (cabbages, cauliflower, etc.) growing from seed in the house, but they will be heading out once they are larger and stronger. They enjoy the cooler weather so I will keep you posted.
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Happy #Thanksgiving!
Selena Thinking Out Loud wants to wish you and your family a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Before you sit down to eat and celebrate with your family, take some time to share what you are thankful for because we are all blessed. I am truly thankful for my health and strength on this Thanksgiving Day.
Peace & Love,
- Selena B.
Friday, November 19, 2021
Recap of Art in the Arena at The Pond Digger Ranch in #CherryValley, CA
In Cherry Valley, California is the annual Art in the Arena at The Pond Digger Ranch. Many local vendors display and sell their creations to the public. The vendors sell pottery, metal art, natural soaps, charcoal art, hand-sewn items, wood-carved statues, and more. It's the perfect opportunity to learn about new small businesses and purchase items for the holidays while watching the video below. I have provided the information for all of the vendors with whom I was able to meet and show their items. Contact them if you would like to order anything or commission them for artwork and such. After enjoying time with the vendors, I couldn't leave the ranch without seeing the 2-day old alpaca with her mom and her dad too. It was enjoying the shade on the beautiful, sunny, day. The chickens, hens, cats, horses, and pigs, to name a few, were enjoying the day as well.
On The Pond Digger Ranch, they rescue animals and many times nurse them back to health so they can be released back into nature. Also, if you are looking for a good contractor to build a pond at your home or business with koi fish, then here is the place to contact for an estimate and a thorough walk-through of the process. In the video, I show some of the varieties of koi and other fish that are available. The ranch's website was provided in the video as well. During the holidays, getting out among animals and connecting with good people is what the holidays are all about. It's a time to celebrate and enjoy good company. Hopefully, next year you'll attend the next Art in the Arena as a guest or vendor. It's free to the public and where comfortable shoes too, ladies...lol. They share an update in November on Facebook every time they open for the year for the event. Enjoy the video and reach out to the vendors below.
Vendors mentioned in this video:
- Pots to Pens to Gems - FTerryj123@gmail.com
- SDJ Metal Art
- Cindy V Walker Art - www.CindyVWalkerArt.com
- Two Generations Art - (909) 991-5909
- Enlighten Dogs Training Center -www.EnlightenDogs.com
- www.Facebook.com/HorseShoeDreamCatchers
- All Things Sewn - KimYana1020@gmail.com
- NVS Crafts - DBSwss@aol.com
- Creations by Kylee - CreationsByKylee.com
- Kurts Kustomz - www.Instagram.com/Kurts_Kustomz
- Toreia Miller Art Works - www.Facebook.com/ToreiasCreations
- Charcoal and Copper - Winoart.Etsy.com
- Bad Cat Creations - BadCatCreates@gmail.com
- SWAC - StudioWorksArtCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
John Boos & Co. Gourmet Maple End Grain Butcher Block Cart #Giveaway! (U.S.) Ends: December 20, 2021, 11:59PM EST
In the kitchen, during the holidays you can never have enough room for pots, pans, dishes, and all of the ingredients necessary for making holiday dinners. That's why this John Boos & Co. Gourmet Maple End Grain Butcher Block Cart is so convenient and a must-have because of its durability and high-quality wood finish. Deliciously Savvy, I and some other amazing bloggers have come together to deliver this giveaway to you! All of the details and the giveaway form to enter are below. Good Luck!
Welcome to the John Boos & Co. Gourmet Maple End Grain Butcher Block Cart Giveaway!
1 Winner ($1106 RV!)
This giveaway is part of our Holiday Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.
HOST IS:
DELICIOUSLY SAVVY
Promoted by:
Michigan Savings and More,
A Rain of Thought, Eclectic Evelyn, Golden Goose Giveaways, Jessica Inspired by Faith The Stuff of Success, Versatileer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This giveaway's Sponsor is:
WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ INSTAGRAM ~ YOUTUBE
~~~
John Boos & Co Gourmet Maple End Grain Butcher Block Cart
Since 1887, John Boos & Co. has been handcrafting the finest butcher blocks, cutting boards, and countertops in the USA. Their craftsmen love and know wood and are experts in handcrafting American Hardwoods into top quality products of beauty, durability and function.
Find a Authorized Retailer Near You
The John Boos Gourmet Block Maple End Grain Butcher Block Cart is the perfect addition to every kitchen and it is perfect for all of your chopping and cutting needs….. Plus it is made by John Boos & Co. right here in the USA in Effingham, Illinois by skilled craftspeople using time honored techniques. The final result is a stunning work of art each and every time.
~~~~~~
THE GIVEAWAY
This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 12/20/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to mcushing7 at hotmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Melissa Cushing at mcushing7 (at)hotmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.
Sponsors interested in joining our gift guides can see the information HERE.
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Keystone Lockable Latch for Wood Gate #Review
There are several ways to secure a gate, but I wanted to use a double-sided key lock for my gate. After reading many reviews on Amazon, I decided to purchase a Keystone Latch Series lockable latch. I already installed the frame of the gate using the Adjust-A-Gate. This lock was simple to install, but I do recommend finding a tool that will allow you to easily cut through metal. The rods on the inside of the latch will need to be cut to length to connect to the other side of the key locking unit depending on the size of the wood post you're using. Overall, I would recommend this latch. It had mixed reviews on Amazon, but after installing it myself I believe it is strong enough to handle daily use. The bottom button of the latch could stick if pressed too far in, but you do not need to push the button all the way in because the lock unlatches very easily with half the pressure. My video review below will walk you through the installation process of this lock as well if you're interested in this product.
*Disclaimer: Some products listed are Amazon affiliate links. I am able to earn a small commission for products purchased or links used above. I use these products in my daily life and that's why I recommend them. I hope you like them too.
Friday, November 5, 2021
National Diabetes Month and Helpful Resources #DiabetesLogbooks #DiabetesCookbook
November is National Diabetes Month and the perfect time to educate ourselves and our families about the disease and its effects on the body. Many American adults either live with diabetes or have prediabetes. People with type 1 diabetes can't properly produce insulin because their immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells that produce it. People with type 2 diabetes are insulin resistant and can’t use insulin effectively to regulate their blood sugar. As part of their lifestyle, many people have to test and track their insulin, glucose, and blood sugar levels daily. Below are some resources to help you or people in your life track their levels throughout the year.
For more information on events and informative activities about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association here.
Friday, October 29, 2021
Visiting Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm for Halloween Season!
Happy Halloween! I visited Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm in Redlands, California. I made it through the corn maze, ate funnel cake and kettle corn, played games, and purchased some pumpkins to dress up the front yard. It was a pleasant, spring-feeling, day in October here in California. The food was pricey, but if you want to go and have a good time and enjoy the season with family and friends that doesn't matter. If you can't make it to the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm here is a video look at some of my experiences for you to enjoy. Hopefully, you will visit your local pumpkin farm or pumpkin path to bring in the start of the holiday season. Stay safe and be well.
Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm website: https://liveoakcanyon.comSunday, October 24, 2021
Installing an Adjust-A-Gate Frame Kit Review #DIYProjects #ProductReview
Recently, I purchased an Adjust-A-Gate frame kit from Home Depot. I wanted to make my job easier than actually building a gate so I thought that I would give one of these kits a try. Since I used galvanized posts instead of wood posts, I had to use a different j-bolt setup, which I share below where I purchased that unit if you're interested. I also installed a 2-side lockable latch instead of the basic latch included with this kit. That information is below as well. Overall, after those basic modifications, I took my time and figured out how to get this gate frame kit installed. It comes with instructions, but I realized that it was still a bit of trial and error and learning as I went along. Fyi, the frame was shaky until I screwed the 2x4s on the frame, which tightened the extension I needed for the frame to reach the 5ft 7in. length I needed. I do recommend installing this frame kit and the fence pickets before you install your latch to ensure proper alignment and placement with your newly installed gate. While you are installing the j-bolts you can use the latch to get an idea of how far out you need to screw the j-bolts so you reach your key latch. Overall, I got it set up and the kit saved me time from building a wood gate. I would recommend it if you're not big on building an entire wood gate yourself.
Disclaimer: Some products listed are Amazon affiliate links. I am able to earn a small commission for products purchased or links used above. I use these products in my daily life and that's why I recommend them. I hope you like them too.
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Building a New Wood Fence for the Backyard #DIY
I completely finished building a new wood fence for the backyard. I'm super happy about it because the neighbor's old fence took a beating in these California winds and it was very decayed as well. In a future video, I will share with you how I installed the wooden gate and a double-sided key lock, but for now, hopefully, you can get an idea of this process.
I believe if I can do it, you can do it too. Be patient with yourself, ask for help when needed, and learn from others by watching others, to complete any task. The previous video and resources below will help you also if you're wondering how I built the fence panels and the brackets I used from Amazon. Enjoy!
Additional Resources for You
How to Build Fence Panels: https://youtu.be/Ilu8BsB1FoE
Vlog | Fence Teardown and Setting Metal Posts in Backyard: https://youtu.be/eFImnbwiz0s
WAP-OZ Steel to Wood Fence Brackets (12PK) can be purchased on Amazon here
Wagner Control Stainer on Amazon here
Disclaimer: Some products listed are Amazon affiliate links. I am able to earn a small commission for products purchased or links used above. I use these products in my daily life and that's why I recommend them. I hope you like them too.
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Caregiver Daily Log Books for Senior Citizens to Track and Record Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
On October 1st, we celebrate International Day of Older Persons. It's a holiday to recognize senior citizens' contributions and well-being. For many years I had the opportunity to care for older adults during my career as an in-home caregiver. I helped many seniors continue to live an independent life in their homes. It was important to have a daily tracker to record their rehabilitation, activities of daily living, meals, and medical appointments. I feel that seniors should be celebrated every day because of their contributions to society and continual wisdom. To ensure that they are living their best life, there are daily logbooks available for caregivers. Use these books for recording and tracking the care provided to senior clients. Below, are some logbooks available on Amazon, with a couple designed by Selena Thinking Out Loud.
Caregiver Daily Log Book: Track and Record Personal Care Assistance and Activities of Daily Living
Disclaimer: Some links in this blog post may be affiliate links in which I may receive a commission. There is no charge to you. Thank you for supporting this blog and helping to continue creating free content.
Thursday, October 7, 2021
How To Build a Raised Bed for a Backyard Garden #Gardening
Even if you are in a tiny space and have a balcony or patio, you can still create your own garden oasis. You would just build your raised bed smaller or use the container gardening method. Last week, I shared with you my first summer garden tour so I thought that I would back up and give you a look at how I built the raised beds. I would recommend getting the best quality wood you can afford like cedar or redwood and ensure that it's thick wood because over time your raised bed will have a lot of soil in it and get exposure to watering and the environment (sun, heavy winds, and debris). I did use a water-based stain on the outside of my raised beds to slow down the time I will have to replace them again. So far so good! I'm in Southern California so we have a longer growing season and I'm currently planting my radishes, carrots, peas, lettuce, cabbage, and other leafy vegetables as the weather becomes cooler. This heatwave happened earlier than usual this year, but hopefully, it's settling down now and I can get some cooler crops growing. I will be building two more garden beds closer to next spring to grow a lot more warmer vegetables. The video is below and if you have any questions or suggestions leave them in the comments below. Stay safe and be well.
Additional Resources
Raised Bed Gardening: A Guide to Growing Vegetables in Raised Beds - No Dig, No Bend, Highly Productive Vegetable Gardens: Inspiring Gardening Ideas, Book 11
Monday, October 4, 2021
Reading Journals for Kids for National Book Month
National Book Month is celebrated in October. It's the perfect time of year to reiterate the importance of reading. Not only is reading necessary for daily life, but it is another opportunity to learn and discover new things, new places, and different viewpoints from people of various cultures and backgrounds. Reading is one of the best pastime activities to relax and enjoy a good book without television, social media, and other distractions. Many kids receive required reading lists, which help to advance their reading skills and keep them busy throughout the year. Other children may have a more flexible curriculum and reading journals and reading logs help organize all of the books they read during the year.
In the reading journals for kids below, there is a table of contents, open-ended questions directed toward the books they are reading, and space to write down more recommended books from teachers, friends, and family. Some of the books were created by Selena Thinking Out Loud and others are favorites on Amazon. At the end of the year, a child can see all of the books they have read and feel proud of such a great accomplishment. Happy reading!
Saturday, October 2, 2021
My First Year Summer Garden Tour #GreenThumb
Hello everyone! I hope you have been well. I have been working on my first-year garden a lot this summer during this intense heatwave. Southern California hit 100 degrees in June. I don't know where Spring came and went, but I'm glad that I was still able to learn and apply some gardening knowledge so far this year. In the video below, I invite you into my first-year garden. This is my first summer garden tour and I'm excited to share everything that's been growing. I have been growing beautiful, gigantic, sunflowers, green peppers, tomatoes, asparagus, grapevines, a cherry tree, squash, and more.
I have learned SO much from many gardeners on Youtube and reading books and articles. I have been doing my research y'all...lol. Now that it's about a week since the first day of Fall, I have also started three varieties of peas that I show you while on the summer tour as well. I recommend following the Farmer's Almanac, entering your zip code, and it will give you its historical recommendations on when to start your seeds, plant in the ground or raised bed soil, and transplant new crops. I am very surprised by the results I have been having so I mention "thrive" quite a bit throughout the video...lol. I started off dealing with the aphids, whiteflies, and earwigs galore. That wasn't fun and it wasn't easy at first, but I learned what they all looked like and their habits of destruction and eventually figured it out, using Diatomaceous Earth and Insecticidal soap. It's never too late to start a garden and since I'm in Southern California I'm gearing up for my Fall garden and looking forward to showing you my first-year Fall garden tour for 2021. Stay tuned, thanks for watching, and happy gardening!
Recommended Resources
- Farmer's Almanac (Planting Calendar): https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar
- Transplants purchased from Growjoy
- Drip Irrigation purchased from DripWorks
HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade, 10lb with Powder Duster Included in The Bag
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Planting Grapes in Whiskey Barrels #Gardening
There has been an extreme heatwave in Southern California since late May. However, I have been diligently working on my first-year garden. In March of this year I planted grapevines I purchased as transplants from Tractor Supply and FastGrowingTrees.com. I am happy to report that they are doing very well. The varieties I planted appear to like the heat and grow more when it's warmer. I chose to plant Niagara, Suffolk, and Himrod. Currently, they all have plenty of foliage and they are making their way up the trellises I built for them. Although the Niagara grapevines are not first-year plants, I do believe that I will have production next year. These were very easy to get started and I will have to keep you posted on their growth. The heatwave is still present in the weather forecast, but hopefully, within this next week, we will get a break. I know my fruit and vegetable crops will appreciate it.
I created a video showing you how I planted them and the soil and fertilizer I used to establish the grapevines. It's never too late to start a garden. Grab some seeds and start growing.
Friday, April 2, 2021
Planting Blueberries in a Whiskey Barrel Planter #Gardening
I hope you have been well. During my weekends, I have been arranging my backyard garden and it's finally a good temperature to plant my blueberries that I purchased. I have two different varieties, the Aronia and Sunshine Blue. The Sunshine Blue blueberry is one years old and had indications of blueberries on it so I'm hoping that I can get more this year as well. I have been watching out for critters and checking the soil to keep it moist with my fingers. Blueberries like well-drained soil and they are acidic like Indian Hawthorne plants and Azaleas. In the video below, I show you what I decided to use after doing my research and watching others' recommendations. So far this combination of ingredients have been working like a charm. My blueberries are beginning to make new stems and green leaves. They enjoy the full sun too.
Are you planting blueberries this year and have any tips? Please share them in the comments below.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Setting Up Whiskey Barrels for Planting in my First Backyard Garden #Gardening
I hope all has been well. It's a couple days from Spring and I have decided to move forward with preparing my first backyard garden for planting fruits and vegetables. Although I am a novice gardener, I hope to learn a lot this year and share my ups and minimal downs (crossing my fingers) with you. To start, I decided to use whiskey barrels to plant my grape vines and blueberry plants. I learned that they like a lot of space and full sun so they are being set up first in the garden. The backyard is uneven so I will level it out as much as possible and use pavers for each whiskey barrel. In this video, I show you how I did this part of the project. I will be uploading my progress in the videos to come. I have been studying, reading, and trying various things with regards to gardening so hopefully I will have success this year and the videos help you too. If you're starting a garden this year, share your plans and ideas in the comments below. I look forward to reading all about them and if you have any tips I am all ears for those as well. Most of all, please stay safe and be well.
Monday, March 1, 2021
Andrews Seed Company Seeds Review for My First Fruit and Vegetable Garden
I recently purchased a plethora of vegetable seeds from Andrews Seed Company for my first backyard fruit and vegetable garden. I have realized over the past year that I should start living a self-sustaining lifestyle when it comes to my food. I am a vegan and normally purchase lots of fruits and vegetables, a week, from the grocery store so why not learn to grow them instead. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been learning a lot about raised beds, container gardening, and starting seeds indoors from some YouTube channels. CaliKim and Garden Answer's YouTube channels are very insightful if you're looking to get started, just to name a few. CaliKim also has a gardening book for anyone looking to start their own organic garden with no experience.
Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy - No Experience Required!
I like supporting family-owned, small business and if you're looking for seeds, Andrews Seed Company may be a good place to purchase some. In the video below, I show you the seeds 7 day and 14-day germination. They are growing even more now in their third week. It's still chilly outdoors in Southern California, too cool for them now, so they are cozy in a lightbox staying warm.
I used large peat pellets to start my seeds and they have been a huge success. You can find them on Amazon.
Let me know in the comments, below, if you're growing your own fruits and vegetables and share any pointers you may have.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Wagner Control Stainer 350 #ProductReview
I purchased a Wagner Control Stainer 350 to finally stain the fence panels that I built for the backyard. It's important to stain and seal them from the intense weather. I wanted a stainer that would be easy to use, easy to clean, and do the job efficiently and effectively. I hope the video review, below, helps you learn more about this Wagner product. In the video, I was able to stain one side of each fence panel. I will do the other side once they are all installed for less mess from the stain. If you have used this stainer in the past, let me know where you purchased your air filters because that's the only con I would say I have for this model. I couldn't easily find it at my local hardware store, but I know the Wagner website should have it to purchase. However, overall I was satisfied.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)