Pity the fool who owns a pool. It’s like having a large, delicate, expensive pet | Andrew Herrick

This back yard creature must be kept under constant chemical constraint, or it risks becoming more liability than asset

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I’ll call him Bruce. He’s any of the 3.1 million Australians living in a house with a pool or spa. Over my long career in hardware, listening to the woes of so many Bruces, I’ve discovered that owning a pool is not all fun and bubbles at cocktail hour.

In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad. On first viewing his bayside property, Bruce already believed the agent’s claim that by far the most desirable addition to any home is a pool. It did look nice, glistening blue in the back yard. And weren’t the kids rapt. But now, years later, Bruce isn’t.

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* This article was originally published here

Create Your Own Cozy Hygge Mini Christmas Tree for the Perfect Holiday Ambiance

The holiday season is all about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, and what better way to do that than with a Hygge-inspired mini Christmas tree? This adorable, simple-to-make craft captures the essence of Hygge – the Danish concept of coziness and contentment – by using minimalistic decor and natural elements.

Whether you’re looking for a charming centerpiece for your dining table or a sweet addition to your windowsill, this mini tree will bring a sense of coziness to any room. With easy-to-find materials and a few simple steps, you can create a delightful tree that radiates warmth and holiday cheer.

Ready to bring the Hygge vibes to your holiday decor?
Check out how to make your own Hygge mini Christmas tree here!

* This article was originally published here

JMW Turner’s mother deserves respect and understanding too | Brief letters

Exploring neurodivergence | Volunteer plants | Frankie the flamingo | Thriving jazz | Young letter writers

I’m glad we’re starting to look at historical figures through the lens of neurodivergence (Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent, 10 November). But why give JMW Turner the benefit of 21st-century advances in neuroscience and not afford the same courtesy to his mother, Mary, who was “believed to have had a psychiatric disorder and would fly into a dangerous temper”? This language could have come straight from the admission papers that got her committed to a mental asylum.
Jill Metcalfe
Bottens, Switzerland

• Delighted to learn from Claire Ratinon that our rewilded garden is full of volunteer plants, not weeds (Had a bad year? Embrace ‘volunteer crops’, your garden’s gift to you, 7 November). Like her, we have welcomed a surprise crop of squash and tomatoes, and a glut of raspberries, as well as animals.
Linda Morris
Southport, Merseyside

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* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

JMW Turner’s mother deserves respect and understanding too | Brief letters

Exploring neurodivergence | Volunteer plants | Frankie the flamingo | Thriving jazz | Young letter writers

I’m glad we’re starting to look at historical figures through the lens of neurodivergence (Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent, 10 November). But why give JMW Turner the benefit of 21st-century advances in neuroscience and not afford the same courtesy to his mother, Mary, who was “believed to have had a psychiatric disorder and would fly into a dangerous temper”? This language could have come straight from the admission papers that got her committed to a mental asylum.
Jill Metcalfe
Bottens, Switzerland

• Delighted to learn from Claire Ratinon that our rewilded garden is full of volunteer plants, not weeds (Had a bad year? Embrace ‘volunteer crops’, your garden’s gift to you, 7 November). Like her, we have welcomed a surprise crop of squash and tomatoes, and a glut of raspberries, as well as animals.
Linda Morris
Southport, Merseyside

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

This DIY Snowman Candle is the Cutest Winter Craft You’ll Ever Make!

Looking for a fun and festive winter craft that doubles as adorable decor? This DIY Snowman Candle is the perfect project to brighten up those chilly days! Whether you’re decorating for Christmas, winter, or just love snowmen, this charming candle craft is an easy way to add a touch of cozy cheer to your home.

With just a few simple supplies, you can transform an ordinary candle into a whimsical snowman that looks great on mantels, tabletops, or as part of a winter centerpiece. Plus, it makes a wonderful handmade gift for friends and family!

Want to create your own snowman candle? href=”https://pinkfortitude.com/snowman-candle/” target=”_new” rel=”noopener” data-start=”709″ data-end=”787″>Check out the full tutorial here!

Dollar Tree Wood Block Snowman Ornaments

Make A Snowman Out Of Dollar Store Items

Lighted Block Snowman

* This article was originally published here

Vintage Sheet Music Glitter Christmas Ornaments

If your Christmas tree leans vintage—think mercury glass, striped ribbons, and sweet old postcards—these rosette-style medallion ornaments are about to steal your heart. Made from “antiqued” sheet music, edged with sparkling glitter, and finished with a charming vintage center, they’re lightweight, easy to make, and so beautiful they look like they’ve hung on the tree for generations.

These paper rosettes (also called medallions or pinwheels) work perfectly as tree ornaments, garland accents, or even as a stunning topper on a special gift. The best part? You can make a whole set in an afternoon with just a few supplies.

What You’ll Need

• Sheet music – Real vintage pages, book paper, or printed sheet music (print on cream cardstock for sturdiness)

• Cardstock circles – 2.5″ for the front, 2″ for the back. Choose vintage postcard images, Santa faces, or holly designs

• Adhesive – Hot glue gun for assembly, tacky glue for glitter

• Glitter – Fine gold, champagne, or antique silver (glass glitter for extra sparkle)

• Ribbon or baker’s twine – For hanging

• Bone folder or ruler – For crisp folds

• Scoring tool or scoring board – Optional, but makes folding easier

• Circle punch – 2″–2.5″ or scissors

• Distress ink or tea – Optional, for aging the paper edges

• Matte sealer – Matte Mod Podge or spray sealant

Cut Sizes (Per Ornament)

• Three strips of music paper – Each 2.5″ × 10″ for a 4.5″–5″ medallion

• One 2.5″ printed circle for the front

• One 2″ plain circle for the back

• 10–12″ ribbon or twine for hanging

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

1. Prepare and age the paper
   If you’re starting with bright white paper, brush a light coat of diluted coffee or tea over it. Let dry completely, then press under a heavy book to flatten. Ink the edges with brown distress ink for an authentically aged look.
2. Score and fold
   Score each strip every ½”. Accordion fold the strips along the score lines, pressing each fold firmly with a bone folder or ruler.
3. Join the strips
   Glue the short ends together to form one long pleated strip. Then glue the two remaining ends together to create a full pleated ring.
4. Shape the medallion
   Place the pleated ring flat on your table. Gently press the top edges inward so the folds fan out into a circle. Add hot glue to the center and press the 2″ back circle in place to secure.
5. Add the vintage center
   Flip the medallion over and hot glue your printed 2.5″ circle to the front. Smooth it down so it sits flat.
6. Glitter the edges
   Using tacky glue, lightly run a bead along the outer edges of the pleats. Sprinkle with glitter, shake off the excess, and let dry.
7. Seal and string
   Seal the center and glitter edges with a light coat of matte Mod Podge or spray sealer. Glue the ends of your ribbon under the back circle or punch a hole to thread it through.

 

Design Variations

• Rustic Farmhouse – Swap glitter for torn muslin bows and rusty jingle bells.

• Glamorous – Add pearl cabochons or rhinestones to the center.

• Gift Toppers – Make smaller 3″ versions and attach to wrapped presents.

• Garland – String several together for a festive piano or mantel garland.
  

 

These vintage glitter medallion ornaments are the kind of Christmas craft you’ll find yourself making year after year. They’re quick, beautiful, and make thoughtful handmade gifts for anyone who loves old-fashioned holiday charm

* This article was originally published here

How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis on Audible

I just finished listening to How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis on Audible, and let me tell you—it felt like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed. I’ve had this audiobook saved for a while, but I didn’t press play until one of those mornings when the dishes, the laundry, and my brain all seemed to be conspiring against me. You know those days where everything looks fine on paper, but inside you’re quietly falling apart? That’s the space this book speaks to, and it does so with such kindness it almost made me cry into the sink.

K.C. Davis has this gentle, no-nonsense voice that feels like someone sitting on the couch beside you saying, “Hey, you’re not lazy, you’re overwhelmed—and that’s okay.” There’s no judgment, no unrealistic Pinterest-perfect advice, just pure compassion for those of us who have ever stood staring at a mess and felt too paralysed to move. I listened while folding towels (or pretending to), and I actually felt lighter—not because my house magically cleaned itself, but because the pressure I’d been piling on myself started to loosen.

What I loved most was how she reframes care tasks as morally neutral. That line stuck with me. The dishes aren’t dirty because I’m failing—they’re dirty because people live here. It’s so obvious and yet, somehow, it changes everything. The audiobook format really adds to that warmth. K.C.’s tone is so calm and grounded; it’s like she’s giving you permission to exist in the chaos without shame. I found myself nodding along while sorting craft supplies and realising that, honestly, my house doesn’t need to look like a magazine to be a home.

There’s also something beautiful about listening to this while moving through your day. Audible lets you soak in her message while doing the very things she’s talking about—washing, tidying, breathing. It’s not a how-to book about cleaning; it’s about caring for yourself when life feels like too much. And lately, that’s been every week.

If your house feels like it’s yelling at you, or you’re constantly behind and blaming yourself for it, this book is your rescue rope. It won’t guilt you into productivity—it’ll remind you that you’re already doing enough, and that rest is part of the work.

Listen here: How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis on Audible

 

* This article was originally published here