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As you have probably figured out, I love gadgets! And, gadgets for reading can be so much fun! This article from Mashable by Elisha Hartwig lists Ten Gadgets for the Bookworm in Your Life. From coffee/tea/wine holders to booklights and even a way to waterproof your eReader, they are fun to explore. With Valentine's Day coming up, perhaps there is something here for that special someone in your life!
I am finding that there is less and less of a generational divide when it comes to dating sites and apps. We've come a long way from the wedding I attended 15 years ago where the bride announced to the reception guests that she and her new husband met online. The silence was deafening (they are still happily married today)! Now, widowed friends are using them as are young adults. Many of my friends and relatives have found their significant other online and we have celebrated the weddings of many of those unions. The state of dating online seems to be morphing from long questionnaires that lead to detailed profiles (Match, eHarmony) to shorter profiles used primarily by smart phone users (Tinder, OKCupid, Hinge, Clover, How About We). This article by Molly Wood of The New York Times details the newer apps, particularly Tinder. There is a good deal to learn, particularly if you are new to or re-entering the dating arena.
It's Groundhog Day and the verdict is split. Punxsutawney Phil is calling for six more weeks of winter and Staten Island Chuck predicts an early spring. In any event, spring will come even though it doesn't seem possible on such a snowy and icy day. It's a good day to begin planning your spring gardens and what better way to enhance the process than by attending one of the (somewhat) local flower shows. Here's what's on the calendar:
Connecticut Flower and Garden Show, February 19-22
Philadelphia Flower Show, February 28-March 8, 2015
The Orchid Show: Chandeliers (New York Botanical Garden), February 28-April 19
Macy's Flower Show: Art in Bloom, March 22-April 4
You may also want to check out some gardening apps to plan your 2015 blooms. This article, Gardening Apps for Fabulous Flowers, Herbs, and Vegetables, by Chenda Ngak of CBS News will help you have the neighborhood's best garden. If you still want more, check out Gardening Apps from appadvice.com.
It's finally the Big Day! Super Bowl Sunday (and the Puppy Bowl)! From the last few posts, you know how to watch the game, cook for a crowd, and watch the ads. Have a great time but don't forget that it may be snowing when it's time to go home. Have a designated driver, drive safely and keep an eye on the weather with weather.com. May your favorite team win!
With all the excitement and hype about the Super Bowl, don't forget that Sunday, February 1, at 3 pm, is also the airing of the 2015 Puppy Bowl! Brought to you by Animal Planet, you can watch the most adorable puppies. Check out the starting lineup, fantasy game, videos, player profiles, behind the scenes, and more. It will definitely help reduce your stress level during the Super Bowl!
Do you know where and how you are watching Sunday's game? If you are still undecided, check out these articles:
How to Watch the 2015 Super Bowl on your iPhone, iPad and Apple TV from Jared Newman of MacWorld
NBC Stations: Coverage begins at 12 pm ET, Kickoff at 6:30 pm
Countdown to Kickoff and Tablet Streaming Instructions from the NFL
Enjoy the game!
If you are still planning your menu for Sunday's game, check out these Game Day Recipes from Wilton's own Village Market! I'm thinking that the Layered Nachos Supreme is in my immediate future!
Microsoft's goal is to "make people love Windows on a daily basis," according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Lance Ulanoff of Mashable talks about his views on how Microsoft is "inching in that direction" in his article Windows 10 Hands-On: Cortona Leads a Feature-Packed Update." He talks about Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri, the Start Menu, Action Center, Spartan (the new browser to replace Internet Explorer), Gaming and Photos, and more. It's chock full of information; check it out!
Few things are more restorative for me than nesting at home--cooking, reading, decorating, and dreaming so I thought I would share my favorite blogs with you (all recommended to me by my sister!):
Between Naps on the Porch: Susan talks about gardening, decorating, recipes, tablescaping, before and afters, DIY projects, thrifting, antiquing, home tours and lots more. Her photos are terrific.
A Stroll Thru Life: Marty is constantly changing things--through DIY, thrifting, painting, and sewing--from ordinary to extraordinary one project at a time. I love the photos and detailed instructions.
Houspitality Designs: Shirley retired from working in the healthcare field for over 20 years and started a new career in decorating. She also loves decorating for Christmas (one of my favorites). And, more great photography here.
If you have a favorite blog you would like to share, please email me; I'd love to hear from you!
