Sunday Potager Ramblings #60 (diy’s, seeds, handmade ideas, & Canadian gift ideas, eh?)

Only 25 sleeps till Christmas Eve. Yikes, eh? I have not yet started baking, cooking, or decorating, though we did hang up our outdoor garland before the cold snap came. It was just hung up out there, no bows, no nothing, so it looks pretty sad and unfinished. Hopefully we can get the rest of the porch finished up this afternoon.

I have done a bit of gift purchasing, though. Some in person (at shops that are not too busy (London Drugs, Canadian Tire, Home Depot) but the rest on-line. Honestly, after catching RSV last year during my holiday shopping, I am super leery about going out amongst people. That was so brutal.. I was sick for more than three months!

It has been crazy busy around here the past few weeks with appointments and other commitments, so I was putting out those Black Friday sales posts in between all the craziness. I hope you found some ideas for your family and friends : )

I also joined a craft group to meet more people and learn new skills. Gotta keep those grey cells hopping! My monthly book club meeting is in just a couple of days, too, but I have yet to get the book. Crazy! It is looking like I will have about 20 hours to read the December book. Eek. Let’s hope it is a page turner!

However, my wreath making materials are still sitting out there on the deck (due to the cold, snow, and ice), just waiting… Sigh.

Okay, before we go on to the rest of it, I have to ask… What do you think about Stranger Things Season 5? I’m worried about Dustybuns, but (spoiler alert) was happy to see ‘sister’. Can hardly wait to see more on Christmas Day. Not sure I love the way they have divided up the final season to 3 dates (impatient!), but can’t wait, nevertheless. It’s funny. I cannot wait to see the final episodes, but dread having it end.

A decorative seed pack labeled 'Bravery' with intricate designs, placed next to a small terracotta pot, gardening book, and scattered dried herbs. — *MYSTERY SEED PACKET (Bravery) — To & From Gift Co.*

Seed companies with sales on for the holiday season…

These seed companies are vying for your attention this holiday season, too. Great for the avid gardener’s stocking, or for your own self, to benefit from the deals.

TomatoFest is where I have bought a good portion of my seeds over the years, as they have the best compilation of varieties. That said, they are the only non Canadian seed co. on this list. If you want homegrown tomato seeds, check out Heritage Harvest tomatoes instead. They are also one of my go to companies as they have a great selection and have grown and trialed them, too. Renee’s Seeds are sold by West Coast Seeds, a Canadian seed company. In this list are some new companies that are worth checking out, too. The seed packages from ‘To&From’ are the prettiest that I have ever seen!

Green Friday Sale – Renee’s Garden
Organic Heirloom Tomato Seeds | Heirloom Tomatoes TomatoFest
Canada’s #1 Source for Heirloom Seed – Heritage Harvest Seed
Home – T&T Seeds
Native Wildflower Seeds for the North | A Canadian Company – they sell vegetable seeds, too!
Shop — To & From Gift Co. Seeds, prints, totes, and so much more from this Canadian company.

A potted kalanchoe plant with lush green leaves, placed on a textured surface next to a bowl of mandarin oranges. — *This is ‘Heather’. She is my granddaughter’s kalanchoe plant. I am plant-sitting while she is on vacation. Hoping to have her blooming when they get back.*

Here are the only gardening links I have for you this week. Information about houseplants, birds, and paperwhites are very timely : )

A cozy outdoor dining space featuring a striped tablecloth, rustic wood furniture, and decorative items like potted flowers, glasses, and plates. The area is adorned with garlands and string lights, creating a warm ambiance against a backdrop of a scenic landscape. — *Outdoor Christmas decorations – 21 ideas to copy at home | House & Garden*

Homey Bits & Diy’s

Outdoor Christmas decorations – 21 ideas to copy at home

Birth Month Colors: Transform Your Home With Your Birthday Hue (I don’t hate my birth colour for the walls, but not sure I would use it either. Check out yours and let me know what you think)
How to Wash Towels So They Stay Fluffy and Absorbent

Latch Hook Wall Hanging DIY
How To Make Your Own Linen Napkins (Placemats)
How to Sew a Simple Garden Apron (Free Pattern)
How To Macrame: A Step By Step Guide For Beginners
Here is a link to a whole bunch of free gift tags you can download and print off at home.

All Canadian Shops!

I know I said I wasn’t going to share anymore gifting posts with you, but then I came upon all these Canadian gift ideas that I just have to share! If you don’t want to go the Amazon route, but also don’t want to hit the shops, here are some amazing ideas.

These are not just links to what you see in the photos, but links to shops/stores that have so many great ideas in all price points… and they are all Canadian, eh!

And, most all of them have some kind of Cyber Monday deal going on, whether for shipping or for the gifts.

A colorful seed packet labeled 'Painted Daisies' from the To & From Gift Co., surrounded by fresh daisies on a pink background. — To and From Shop (seeds, stickers, totes, calendars, prints, and more..)

A green frying pan on a kitchen countertop next to plates of pancakes, bacon, olives, and nuts, with a garlic bulb and a vase with a leafy stem in the background. — Kilne | Love to Cook. (houseware, table wear, flat ware

Duchess Cocktails – boozy or mock. Order to your door, or pick up at the liquor store.

Gray sweatshirt featuring a blue jay design and the word 'Toronto' beneath it. — Clothing, pins, patches, products to make you smile.

Brown hoodie featuring a graphic design with a pineapple motif and textures. — Hardpressed Collection | Hardpressed Print Studio Inc. (Sask. clothing and gifts)

A blue cotton tote bag featuring whimsical illustrations of swans and water lilies, displayed against a brown background. — clairemanning – Etsy Canada (totes, towels, dish cloths, more…

A decorative lunch box featuring whimsical illustrations of animals, houses, and trees, secured with a green elastic band. — Good Egg (under $25 gifts, housewares, kitchen goods, kid’s gifts. a little bit of everything… )

Cream-colored Christmas stocking with a decorative ruffle and bow. — Fraiche Ruffle Stocking,21 inch,natural colour

A wooden board featuring an engraved floral design, accompanied by vibrant yellow daffodils placed beside it on a wooden surface. — LivCan Design – flower press, plant propagation, wooden kitchen gifts.

A white tea towel featuring a hand-drawn illustration of a wooden crate filled with blueberries, labeled 'Nova Scotia Wild Blueberries'. — Holdfast Ink – tea towels, the cutest totes… great gift ideas from NS.

A holiday gift set featuring a striped blue cracker with a red ribbon, accompanied by four small tins of skincare products from Everist, each labeled with different colors. — Everist | Hair + Body Concentrates

shampoos, conditioners, body, soap.

A tote bag featuring a whimsical illustration of a girl sitting on a pile of books, with the name 'Matilda' printed in blue. — The Library Store – books, puzzles, jelly cat, totes….

Sliced artisan bread on a wooden cutting board with two decorative brown paper packets resembling jars filled with flakes, alongside a small bowl of butter. — Sourdough Starter | ORGANIC | Dehydrated – Etsy Canada – starter.

A close-up of a solid perfume stick labeled 'Milk & Honey,' showcased in a minimalistic, pale pink container with gold-colored text. — 828 Aroma – solid perfumes and colognes. Great scents for traveller.

Four illustrated glass tumblers featuring outdoor designs including a campfire, mountains, forest, and wildlife. — Bough & Antler Northwest Goods (giftware of all sorts and kinds, great stocking stuffers.)

A folded tea towel featuring a colorful illustration of a hummingbird and yellow flowers, with a label that reads 'Tea Towel'. — Porchlight Press tea towels, totes, cards, note books

Rows of gift boxes containing homemade vanilla extract and cookies, decorated with twine and labels. — *Homemade Vanilla Extract Gift + Shortbread Cookies*

Baking & Stuff

I have a Christmas get-together to go to next weekend and am supposed to bring a small plate of something yummy to share. Thinking it should be a tray of something sweet, but maybe a small savoury? Any ideas for me? It is an evening thing. If you have a great idea for me, please share it at the bottom of the post! I need a really good one as the hostess is a cook extraordinaire.

Homemade Vanilla Extract Gift + Shortbread Cookies (the amber bottles and berry baskets are on Cyber Monday sales right now)
My tried and true, most favourite Almond Biscotti
Chewy Chocolate Chunk Gingerbread Cookies. These are so good – should I make these for the party?
Sourdough Thumbprint Cookies With Discard hoping my sourdough is soon ready!

This is the 48 hour sourdough recipe that I gifted all the ladies in the coffee group last year, plus hubby’s all time favourite. It takes a while, so if you want the best sourdough bread ever, you want to think ahead. It absolutely must rise in a banneton though, or it spreads like made. I like this set of two oval ones, but I also have these round ones.