Y’all Know I LIVE To Torment My Grown Children, Right??

For those here that are new, I live in Sandpoint, Idaho. Our children and families live in California. YES, it IS SO HARD!! I am missing SO much. THANKFULLY, my children are amazing. They all come up at least once a year. I go there at least once a month. It’s not ideal but it’s better than nothing right?? Right (sorta, but not really. I want to walk next door and see my kids. Yes, one on each side! Come ON LOTTERY WIN!!)

Zachary and family will be here for Thanksgiving week! I am giddy excited. (Yes, I am secretly hoping for MONSTER snow storm and a much longer visit. Shhhhh don’t tell.

Yes, I have company (can you call your own children company?) coming and the craft fair. Ohhhh so much to do. YES KAREN, STILL!

My sweet son Zachary, even growing up, has loved Thanksgiving. I swear he loves Thanksgiving more than Christmas. With that said, he has always, always, hated when I decorate for Christmas before the day AFTER Thanksgiving. Well, Zachary. You are NOT the boss of me. And since you aren’t here to stop me… guess what’s up in my LIVINGROOM!! HA! Yes, my tree is up.

I’m getting all the family games out. Planning meals for 5. Ahhhh yes, that is the sigh of contentment.

I did some shopping on Temu (I love Temu. TOO much!). I want little ‘trophy’s’ for family game nights.

Public service announcement

If you aren’t using Rakuten you are leaving money behind.

Going through Rakuten I got 9% back on my order! I dunno about you but every little penny helps. I picked up cute little wood bears. A Christmas sweater for me… IT JUST FELL IN THE CART!! honestly! Besides, I got 9% back.

Next On My To-Do Do List

Bookmarking a LOT of crockpot dinners. Find my recipes for cookies and biscotti.

Quick Question

I saw a crockpot recipe on Instagram for a dessert (I REALLY shouldn’t make it ahead of time. I KNOW me. I will eat ’em all) it’s a scoop of peanut butter, chocolate chips, Reese peanut butter chips, chocolate bars and peanuts. Let it melt in the crockpot, stir together. Scoop on to parchment paper, sprinkle with sea salt or crushed peppermint. I’m drooling just writing that. Has anyone tried it? I will let ya know how it tastes.

Now as for Norgan The Elf…. I truly feel he should also be out and about. RIGHT?!! Course, knowing Zachary Norgan could go flying off the deck into the snow. OHHHHH MAYBE I can get Zac to finally acknowledge Winston!

So, HA! Zachary! MOM wins!

I’m Refreshing My Blog (and Exorcising Some Digital Ghosts)

Updating old blog content is like digital archaeology—except I’ve unearthed a full-on resident spirit: The Ghost of Peanut Butter and Whine.

This digital poltergeist has been causing absolute chaos behind the scenes. If things look a little haunted around here, here is the proof:

• The Vanishing Act: The ghost keeps deleting my best images and video tutorials, leaving behind sad, empty boxes.
• The Link Graveyard: It’s been sneakily stripping away my trusted brand partners and replacing them with sketchy “AI Crypto” links.
• Font Sabotage: Apparently trapped in 2001, it keeps reverting my clean layout back to “Geocities-era” antique fonts.

My 2026 Blog Refresh Plan

To banish these spirits and keep my traffic climbing, I’m launching a step-by-step exorcism plan:

1. Exorcise the 404s: Running a broken link checker to track down every dead end and missing image.
2. Modernize Recommendations: Swapping out outdated products for my absolute 2026 essentials.
3. SEO Deep Clean: Refreshing metadata and strategically placing focus keywords.

Stick Around Please!

Don’t let this be a “one and done” visit. While I’m cleaning house and banishing spirits, check out these (very much alive) links:

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: Check out the sidebar for my current giveaway. I promise this one is fully alive, kicking, and ghost-free!

Earn Cash: Some things never go out of style. Rakuten still pays you to shop, and in this economy, who is turning down free money?

Hey, while you are here you could shop through my link on Amazon, or Walmart.