My Non-Crafty Favorite Things
I’m always interested in people’s favorite things, since many times I just don’t know what I’m missing. 🙂 So, here’s a go at my favs. Mouseover or click each image for a link and more detail on why it’s my favorite.
Kitchen
Health and Beauty
Technology
Keeping Warm
Home
Books
My Favorites from the Kitchen
Although I cook several times a week for my family, I’m not a big fan of cooking. I like things that make this job faster and/or easier.
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My Favorites for Health and Beauty
Unlike my 16 year old, I’m not much into the beauty routine, so I’m more focused on low-effort, high-impact stuff.
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My Favorites in Technology
I love a lot of technological things but decided to highlight just three of my most favorite favs.
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My Favorites in Keeping Warm
Kind of a strange category, but I feel like I’m always cold. Here are a few things I use to combat that feeling:
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My Favorites in Home
Just a couple of noteworthy items around the house:
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My Favorite Books
And finally, some of my favorite reads. I tend to read mostly nonfiction books that I think might help me to improve myself and my life…
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I hope you enjoyed that non-crafty list! Feel free to add your thoughts and additional suggestions to the comments. 🙂
terrie7777
I thought you may just be a Christian! I have been enjoying recorded worship concerts on Youtube. Mostly I listen to Michael W Smith and Darlene Zschech with Hillsong. What a blessing it has been to me! It was fun to see your non-crafty items. Thanks for sharing!
Janetlarn
Do you have a link to those videos? I’d love to listen to that.
Sarah
I think I will have to add that jacket to my xmas list!
Connie
Thanks Darlene for sharing these non-crafty things with us. I had to laugh that you use a crock pot and pressure cooker. I can relate to that! It sure helps with a busy schedule. Now that I’m retired, my life isn’t so hectic any longer but I still prefer this way of cooking. I also liked your reading material. I’m sure you’ll do very well with your new bible study in January. I’m planning to have a look at that book myself. It is so easy to want comfort food sometimes. Chocolate is my big weakness, LOL!
Darlene DeVries
I hear you on the chocolate. My kids are old enough to bake brownies on their own and it’s very difficult to have them in the house!
Caly
What a fun list! LOVE LOVE LOVE my Apple watch and I’m resistant to any type of jewelry – so that’s saying a lot! With a baby, it’s so nice not to have to carry my phone everywhere, or pick up the baby to go grab my phone when I can see everything on my watch. It’s expensive and definitely a splurge, but I highly recommend! Love these recommendations. Thanks for sharing!
catcards004
Thanks so much for this post!!! I was looking for a good kitchen scale….now I know which one to put on my Christmas wish list. I am ALSO a Vera Bradley fan!! The colors and prints just make me so happy, especially on gloomy winter days.
D Furlong
I’ve had this scale for years and I love it…..have been looking to get one for a friend and voila!……Darlene gives us a link.
Soozie4Him
Darlene, my pastor wrote “Heaven How I Got Here”! It’s a small world after all! Actor Stephen Baldwin was the only actor in the play that the book was based on. They had the play before Easter at our church the last two years. Love your non-crafty faves! 🙂
Darlene DeVries
Wow, it is a small world! How funny.
romoser
Hi Darlene,
I really appreciate the time you take to show us how to make beautiful cards and use new techniques. I appreciate the time you take to show us your favorite crafting things, as well as your favorite non-crafting things, but what I really, really appreciate is your transparency. I am really glad to hear that you have rekindled your relationship with the Lord. God bless you!!!
Darlene DeVries
Thank you for those kind words Romoser. 🙂
Hannah Means
Oh Darlene, What a great post! I SO enjoyed reading your favorites! I have now downloaded the Logos bible. I’m anxious to get a copy of the “Heaven, How I got Here.” I love to listen to Colin Smith! I just love your being a sister in Christ!
Darlene DeVries
Same here, Hannah. 🙂
Lgs53
Darlene,
You are so remarkable; such a terrific teacher and guide. You may have saved my family from another Christmas with “gift cards to Simon Says Stamp and JoAnn’s as the only things on my wish list. Between these non-crafty suggestion and your favorite crafty things, I have found several items I would love to own. Especially helpful is your rationale for and experience with things which helps so much. How you have time to organize your own life, much less help organize mine! Is beyond me, but THANK YOU!
Darlene DeVries
You’re so welcome. 🙂
Michelle Early
Thanks for the non crafty items. I love to see what other people use to make things more efficient and enjoyable!
dvcote
Loved this post, now we need your recipe for use in that crock pot.
Darlene DeVries
I get a lot of my recipes from http://www.skinnytaste.com and also from Cooking Light magazine.
dvcote
Thanks, I joined Skinny Taste.
Carol Mac
Thanks for this, Darlene! I just ordered the audio book for Heaven How I Got Here, I am very interested to here another point of view to this very important event in the bible. I have watched The Bible series and the Ten Commandments is my all time favorite movie (love Charlton Heston)! I am not overly religious but do believe and was raised going to church. I was an alter server for a few years and it made mass more interesting! Love some of the other techie items too!?
Darlene DeVries
I hope you enjoy the book Carol!
Connie
I forgot to mention before that I’m glad you love your Apple Watch. It’s a great concept but I’ll just have to stay with my iPhone 6. The reason is that with both the Fitbit and Apple Watch there have been rashes developing on the wrist which appears to be a chemical like burn. I experienced this with my Fitbit and they refunded me the full value no questions asked! Others have experienced the same thing with the Apple Watch. The rash comes on suddenly and took me several weeks to settle. It didn’t happen immediately because I wore the Fitbit quite happily for over a year before this occurred. So just wanted everyone to keep this in mind. It might not happen but it’s good to know that iit does happen eventually more often than Fitbit and Apple want you to know. ?
Darlene DeVries
That sounds terrible, Connie. I’m so sorry you had a bad reaction!
Connie
Thanks Darlene. I especially enjoyed all the benefits and hated having to stop wearing it.
Anne H.
Just now took the time to read this post on your favorite personal things! I have always enjoyed your blog and clearly you have a sweet spirit, so I’m not surprised at all to know you are a woman of faith! In the last few years I’ve been on a similar journey and found many wonderful tools to use to get me back in line with God, but the one I am still missing (I tried several already) is a daily devo that will take me through the bible in a year. I just downloaded your recommendation (yay!!) and I can’t wait to try it! If you are interested, there’s an App called First 5 — designed for busy moms and women so all they need is just 5 minutes a day to spend first thing in the morning with the Lord. The fellowship and teaching are wonderful, and it’s been a huge blessing to me! Keep that tucked away just in case you’re looking for more inspiration! 🙂 Blessings!!! Anne
Darlene DeVries
Thank you for the suggestion Anne! I’m always looking for additional little ways to keep my faith going. I already downloaded it to my phone! I hope you like the reading plan!
Woody
I have been a faithful reader of your blogs for years and still look forward to your bi-weekly posts! I so admire your talents and the way you “teach” us – you are my go to person for inspiration. You are an amazing person, truly a wonder woman, I continue to be amazed at all you accomplish! Thank you for sharing you outside the craft room. I am intrigued by your jacket and am wondering how long the battery charge holds? Sending best wishes to you and your family for a joyful and blessed holiday season, and of course a healthy, Happy New Year!
darlene
Woody, you are so sweet to say those things – I appreciate it!! 🙂 Regarding the jacket, I usually don’t wear it for more than a few hours, but I don’t charge it every time I wear it. So, I would guess at least 8-10 hours. It probably also depends on what setting you keep it on. The higher the setting, the more battery power you use. Hope that helps!