Hello there, dear reader and welcome to this years edition of My Favorite Things. You can see past years additions here, here and here. For those of you who are new to these posts, let me explain. Once or twice a year I like to post a review of products and media that have been meaningful, enjoyable and important to me over the past year. Many of these would make a great gift for someone on your list.
Along with this years post I’m giving away a fabulous 5.8 Quart Digital Air Fryer. My kids gave me one for Mother’s Day last year and we have all fallen in love with it. (See my product review below). I’d love to send this great appliance to one of you fine readers.
To enter the giveaway leave me a comment below telling me something you are grateful for this month. It is November, after all! 😉 The giveaway will be open from November 20th through Sunday December 1st. Winner will be announced on Monday December 2nd. Good luck to all!
GoWISE USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer and 50 Recipes for your Air Fryer Book (Black)
This fabulous Air Fryer has been a game changer around here. It circulates the air around the food in a way that leaves it nice and crispy on the outside, moist and delicious on the inside. We use it mostly to make healthy French Fries. I use cooking spray instead of oil and man are they good. If you’re looking for a way to amp up your healthy cooking ideas, this is it. They run about $100 or less on Amazon, depending on the size you get.
Lasko Designer Series Ceramic Space Heater-Features Oscillation, Remote, and Built-in Timer, Beige
My husband bought a couple of these space heaters early on this fall and I absolutely love them. We keep one in our bathroom and one under my computer desk. It comes with a remote, will rotate and has a timer as well. It heats up a small area very quickly. They are around $50 on Amazon.
I’ve fallen in love with these awesome silicone straws and insulated tumblers.
I have two and fill them both up several times a day. Often I place a lemon wedge and fresh mint inside. I keep one in the kitchen and the other in my car (since it seems I spend as much time there as I do at home!) It’s such a refreshing way to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart speaker with Alexa
I know that Alexa is not new to any of you. We’ve become a society reliant on them, haven’t we? The feature I wanted to bring to your attention and the one I love the most is the intercom ability Alexa has. MyHandsomeHusband has placed one in each of my kids rooms and in various other parts of our home which means I can “drop in” on any of them at any time. This makes it possible for me to check in with them in the morning to see if they are awake and getting ready for school, or to ask them to come and help with dinner or dishes, or to inquire about what they have planned for the night, etc. Game changer, for sure.
Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket | Reversible Sherpa/Royal Mink, 3 Heat Settings, Garnet
MyHandsomeHusband gave me one of these awesome Heated Blankets for Christmas last year. I love and use it all the time. It’s perfect for snuggling up to watch a movie, read a book or even on those extra cold nights when the sheets on my bed are too cold to manage. I tuck it under the covers and heat it up before I climb in at night. Heavenly. 🙂
Dr Teals Coconut Oil Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution 3 lbs
A dear friend gave me these awesome Epsom Soaking Salts for my birthday this year and they are fabulous. Once in a great while I allow myself a nice soak in the bath and use them. They really soften up my skin and have such a relaxing effect. I need to take advantage of these more often.
Glauceau Vitamin Water
This vitamin water has come in so handy this year. I like to use them as a replacement for diet soda (which I admittedly still drink and am hoping to limit my consumption of as time goes on. Maybe 😉 The vitamin water is refreshing and is loaded with great things our bodies love, like antioxidants, vitamins and electrolytes.
DREAM PAIRS Women’s Mid Calf Fashion Winter Snow Boots
I bought a pair of these fun gray boots last winter. They have a super soft, furry inner-lining that keeps me warm on those extra cold days. I also love the neutral gray color, feels like it goes with pretty much everything.
My sister-in-law gave me a necklace like this for Mother’s Day last year. It has all of my children’s names engraved on it. I love it! This would make a great gift for your mom or mother in law or sister. Available on Etsy by clicking HERE.
Earlier this year I was looking for a new form of exercise to add to my day that would be gentle and kind to my body. My sister suggested Yoga and specifically the Yoga with Adriene videos on You Tube. To say I love them would be a grand understatement. I had never done any kind of yoga in the past nor had any idea how restorative, therapeutic and healing it would be for me. It’s helped me to have a greater appreciating for my body and to honor the gift that it is. There are over 500 videos on Adrien’s You Tube channel. She has several 30 Day Yoga challenges that are great for beginners or advanced “yogis” as well.
Click the picture link above to see one of the 30 day challenges. She’s got a lot to offer. Hope some of you give it a try.
POLDARK from MASTERPIECE THEATER and PBS
I would imagine many, many of you are familiar with Poldark. MyHansomeHusband and I have fallen in love with it! It’s a great TV series taking place in England just after the Revolutionary War. The scenery is stunning, the music is gorgeous and the story is captivating and fabulous. Highly recommend!
LIFE: narrated by David Attenborough
Now, I would wager that you were not planning to see a BBC Documentary series appearing on My Favorite Things this year, but hear me out on this one my friends. This series, and pretty much any other series that David Attenborough has narrated, have become family favorites. Please believe me when I say they are FASCINATING and so well done! Each episode focuses on one form of life, how it grows, struggles and ultimately survives. The photography is absolutely stunning. The music is beautiful and the narrator is so charming and endearing. My family and I vacationed on the Oregon Coast this past summer. When we were exploring the tide pools and all the creatures there we kept saying to each other “…now all we need is the gentle voice of David Attenborough to tell us what all these things are and how they’ve learned to survive in their environment.” If you are looking for something great to watch with your family, this is it.
The Book of Mormon Journal Pink Floral
The Book of Mormon is a religious book I love and find a lot of peace and guidance in. Recently these wonderful Journal Editions became available and I’ve noticed that my study of this book has gotten so much better because of it. There are large margins all around the text and I find myself scribbling insights all over in it. It’s helped me process my thoughts, understand different characters and appreciate the doctrine so much more.
I noticed on Amazon that they have many of these same kind of journals for the Bible as well.
Hope you enjoyed my list this year, gang. Thanks for dropping by today! Happy Holidays!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
192 comments
I am thankful for my family
I am very grateful for my two wonderful daughters. I live 500 miles from one and 350 miles from the other. Anytime I need these girls they come running and call me every day.they are both busy but try to see me and their father every other month.
I’m grateful for bloggers who give me inspiration for the daily question of “What’s for dinner?”
I’m not a big fan of TV or movies but Poldark is also one of my favorites. Sadly the series has ended so we will only see gorgeous Capt. Ross Poldark in reruns (do they still do those?).
I am thankful for a roof over my head, food to eat and a loving, healthy family.
I’m very grateful for my health
I am grateful for teenagers. I love my own and many others. They are inspiring to me!
I’m grateful for my body. I don’t always fuel it the most proper of ways, yet it goes and goes and goes. With my body, I am able to hug and kiss my family. I’m able to use my body to get them food to nourish them. My body can help me help others. My body just ran its fastest mile ever just the other day and I’m continually amazed at how the body was created to work.
I am thankful for people who will meal plan for me 🙂
I’m grateful for your delicious recipes delivered to my inbox!
Besides my loving Savior, I am thankful for the wonderful people He has put in my life.
I am thankful for a full belly, a roof over my head, and a wonderful family around me.
I’m thankful for my grandchildren and how they keep me young.
I am extremely grateful for my favorite food bloggers who share their very best ideas to help me rock it in the kitchen!!!! ??
I am so grateful for a home to live in and the good health of me and my children.
Family! Family! Family!
I’m thankful for beautiful friends who are like sisters to me.
I am thankful for family and friends. I’m thankful for the freedom to Worship Jesus too.
I am thankful for my job and wonderful co-workers.
Along with every one else, I’m thankful for my family…my grown kids and those still at home (8 total)!
I’m also thankful to have been able to build my life and raise my kids here in the US with a Green Card giving me opportunities I wouldn’t have had.
I am thankful for God, family, dogs, sunshine, health, Jamies recipes and today:)
I am thankful for running water and a flush toilet!
I am grateful for a skillful surgeon earlier this month of November for my thyroid surgery.
I’m thankful for my parents. I’m lucky enough to live next door and they are always taking care of me.
I am thankful I found the wife of my biological father. Sadly, he had already passed away but I have a sweet new mama.
I am thankful for my Savior who loves me inspite of all my short comings.
I’m grateful for blogs like yours that have inspired me for many years – many of your recipes are now our family favorites!
I’m grateful for my family and the time we get to spend together
I’m thankful for good books and a good cup of coffee. And, of course, I’m thankful for my family!
I’m grateful for my very supportive family, for the 190 missionaries in the California Los Angeles Mission, and for the world’s best companion. 🙂
I am grateful that my grown kids are healthy and happy and doing all the things the want to do and have found the people they love. Letting them go was hard but watching them be grown is awesome!!!!
I had the yearly appointment with my oncologist and she said I am cured from cancer. How can I be anything but thankful? I am so blessed.
I am thankful for my family and friends. Most importantly, I am thankful for our Lord Jesus Christ!
I love your recipes!! I am thankful to be here, hitting 28 months of being cancer free. I’m an ovarian and uterine cancer survivor.
I am grateful for my family and my Savior. For the chance I’ve had to focus on teaching my children the gospel this year and the change its brought into our house.
I am so grateful for the 240 missionaries in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. We’re here because they are here bringing others to Jesus Christ Aloha?
I am thankful for the kindness I see in the world. Sometimes you have to look hard, but I love reading stories about the good in people shining through! Yes there are plenty of sad, hateful stories, but the ones speaking of kindness bring me joy!
I’m grateful for the opportunity to take care of my in-laws. They’re in their 90’s and it’s not easy at times, but I love them!
I’m thankful for my health. Last year I had a double mastectomy at the end of the summer and then was in ICU for a month over Christmas for heart issues and blood clots in my lungs. I’ve been back to work (as a special education teacher in a state prison) now for eight months. I’m also extremely grateful for the nurses, doctors, family, friends, and pastor who helped me through the ordeal.
I am thankful for my family.
I am so thankful for the legacy of my father. He passed away but I feel his spirit with me and I’m so grateful for the example he was to me growing up and to my children.
I am grateful for my dear, sweet parents who taught me to love unconditionally.
I am thankful this year for my family and my home.
I am grateful for my family our health and safety this year.
I am thankful for the year of health.
I am extremely grateful for good health and a safe place to live.
I am thankful for so many things. Thankful most of all for my Lord and savior for without him I wouldn’t have my many blessings.
I am thankful for the Lord’s love and grace. He answered my prayers and blessed me in amazing ways.
I am very grateful for my family’s good health this year, especially my husband’s. It was a scary year healthwise last year.
I am thankful for the people in my life–family and friends!!