My Little Port

Planters are a practical and affordable alternative for those without a lot of backyard space. Windows come alive with the use of window boxes placed where flowers can get plenty of sun. Planters are also perfect for flowerbeds, and give smaller outdoor areas an easy to maintain facelift without taking up a large amount of space. When made of wood, these planters are durable and pretty. (more…)

If there is a sword that any survivalist will love, it is the Original Rambo “First Blood” knife. With its stainless steel blade, there won’t be a tree or hide around that you won’t be able to cut up any way you please. Best of all, though, its non-magnetic aluminum butt cap features a compass, which basically sells the sword in itself for anyone really into survivalist ideas. (more…)

My husband says sterling silver jewelry has become an addiction with me! Especially the pieces from this particular online store. Well, I can’t deny it. Every time an art show comes to town, or one of the local jewelry stores has a sale on necklaces, silver pendants and so on, I seem to be the first one there. I even have my favorite “dealers” as he calls them. It is a bit of a joke between us, but he always voices his protests with a smile. “Well, it could be worse. You might have an addiction to gold jewelry.” (more…)

You’ve gotten the phone call we all dread. Someone close to you is suffering, maybe dealing with a death or a sudden illness, and it’s Valentines Day. You want to reach out to them and let them know they are loved and supported, without being intrusive. The right sympathy gift, from http://www.thebasketspot.com/sympathy-c-16.html, can go such a long way in letting someone know you care. (more…)

Last spring I gave knives to a niece as a wedding gift, and as Christmas approaches I am thinking of giving a better set of knives to my parents. I researched the subject because knives can be expensive and I wanted to get the best product I could afford. I found out there are lots of good knives out there, but look for ones with high carbon-steel alloy blades. The handle should feel good in your hand and may be wood or plastic, although plastic is more dishwasher friendly. Look for a full tang…meaning the blade goes from the tip to the end of the knife handle. Solid riveting will make sure your knife does not come apart. There are three basic knives you really have: The Chef’s Knife in 6, 8, or 10 inch lengths depending on your hand size. Paring knives in varying sizes for different tasks. A serrated knife or bread knife for cutting cakes, breads, tomatoes etc. Through personal experience I found Chef’s Shears come in very handy as does Santoku Knives.

I gave myself a nice set of knives a couple of years ago, and it has made all the difference in prepping and serving meals. I always thought sharp knives are a luxury when really they are a necessity. Never feel guilty about buying food quality kitchen tools that you use every single day. In my quest for knives, I found several sets I liked, but ultimately settled on the Chicago Cutlery Insignia 18-piece Block Set. It had everything I wanted and more: 3 & 3.5 “ Parers, 5” Boning, 5.5 “ Utility, 7” Santoku, 7” Serrated, 8” Slicer, 8” Chef Shears, and eight 4.5” forged Steak Knives. They all came in a Block with an in-block sharpener…that alone is fantastic! My knives are no longer clanging around in kitchen drawers getting nicked, and I don’t rummage around looking for a specific knife. Every knife I need is a step away. I also thought to myself, this is a name I recognize, that has stood the test of time, and they have a lifetime warranty. The bonus of having steak knives included in the set sealed the deal. In retrospect, I made a good decision, so I’m glad that I took some time to research my subject, and ended up with the perfect knife set, and the perfect knife set gift.

Going on a picnic is a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors with your family. If you or someone you know enjoys going on picnics, picnic blankets is a great item to have at your next outdoor picnic.  The Simple Picnic Blanket by the campingoutfitter.com  is a great buy because it is affordable and convenient.  With sturdy straps for easy carrying, it is a must have for those that have a lot to carry and unpack.  It is lightweight, comfortable and comes in great colors.  Buy one for yourself and another to give as a gift. (more…)

Have you ever seen a Highland cow? They are the sweetest looking bovines. I’d seen some in a pasture the week before I googled this piece of jewelry. When I saw this absolutely adorable sterling silver Highland cow pin I let out a yelp. “What’s going on in there?” my husband shouted from the other room. “Look at this!” He did eventually meander into the computer room to see what all the fuss what about. “Huh.” He said noncommittally. (more…)

Outdoor enthusiasts know the true value of a good compass. When the sun is not shining to provide a good directional basis for east and west, finding your way through a maze of trees and wildlife is very challenging. Standard compasses, while effective, often times fall short and are easily broken and not always as accurate as you may need them to be. More than likely there is a good chance of it slipping out of your pocket or not being able to read it due to having no light. Now there is a revolutionary change in the compass world; a Humvee digital compass. (more…)

There comes a time in everyone’s life when a loved one has to leave their side and no one is ever prepared for it. In this time of sorrow and passing it is necessary to be there for all their family. One must show their sympathy and their love, and what better way than with the gift of light. The Calming Candle Garden Sympathy Gifts are the best to give in this time of sadness because it will show that there is a light in the darkness. (more…)

For anyone who likes to entertain or just be entertained there are certain gifts that they would love. Of course opera tickets may not be on that list but drinking and dinning might be. These are the ones that would love anything to do with serving wonderfully pleasant mixed drinks. What better way to serve drinks to your friends than in personalized shot glasses that were given to you as a gift. This is a great way to impress them and to show your fun side at the same time, they will surely be the conversation of the evening.  We all love to entertain at our house but love to have that something extra to wow everyone and these beautifully crafted glasses are it.

They come in a set of four and are etched with your single initial or up to four lines with twelve characters each. Imagine the amazing verse you could put on it for your beloved wife, or the funny joke for your best friend. Anything is possible with this beautiful glass set. The island shooters shot glasses are the perfect gift for the Hawaii theme wedding too or even the Hawaian themed birthday party. They give fun and class at the same time so it won’t look like you skimped on the wedding or birthday gift. All in all this is a great gift for anyone to have in their home and their lives, not just because it serves great drinks but because it comes from the heart as well.

Have you ever met two kids that are exactly alike? Sure, some look a lot alike, or even act very similar. But even identical twins have very distinct personalities. We all like to joke with our friends that our kids have been raised under the same roof, by the same parents, with the same rules – yet they turn out completely different. But do we really raise them the same?

How we raise our kids depends a great deal on that child’s personality. I boil this down to determining
what brings that child joy. I have the great good fortune to be raising one child that’s an introvert and another that’s an extrovert. The introvert requires a certain amount of down-time where she can be alone to gather her thoughts. (I find a personal journal and a nice writing pen make an excellent gift for this sort of child.) But her younger sister hates spending time alone and is happiest when she is with a room full of people. You can bet this creates conflict in my household. So, we work to find group activities for the little one, and work to help the older child find time to have her quiet moments.

Birth order can also play a role in how we raise our kids. Children can tend to take on certain traits based on their place in the family. My husband and I are both the oldest, and we are both pretty typical “oldest” – responsible, but not very creative. Our youngest, on the other hand, is a serious risk taker. She has the misfortune of living in a household full of “oldest” people, and we are all constantly amazed by the things she will try. Usually these risk taking activities are in the name of getting attention, but she has been known to fly off monkey bars even when no one is looking just to see what will happen. She ended up with a broken arm to prove that flying doesn’t work for 5 year olds.

Do you have a child that is similar to you in personality, maybe more so than your other children? This can create interesting parenting challenges. My oldest is very similar to me in that we love to read and watch old movies. She also has very high standards for herself and for everyone around her. It is very easy for me to relate to her. But there can be a down-side to this. I relate to her weaknesses as well as her strengths, and I often push too hard against the weaknesses. On the other hand, my youngest child is extremely high energy, loves sports and people, and hates the idea of sitting still (especially in a dress). I have a difficult time relating to her need for constant motion and stimulation. I confess it exhausts me at times. But on the other hand, she motivates me to try new things, get moving, and I find her extroverted nature inspiring and charming.

I don’t know about you, but disciplining is not my favorite part of parenting. However, it is necessary, and I want others to enjoy being around my children as much as I do. I try to remember that to discipline means to teach. And we have discovered that “teaching” works better when we learn what motivates that particular child. For one of my children, the “threat of punishment” does not work nearly as well as the “hope of reward”. Taking away a toy or privilege seemed to make no difference to her. Do you have a child that seems to find trouble more often than the others? I have a friend that does, and she often hears, “You love her (the sister) more than you love me.” I lover her response: “It has nothing to do with loving anyone more. It has everything to do with following my instructions.”

Don’t worry about raising your kids exactly the same. After all, they are very different people, and those differences should be celebrated. And when thinking of unique gift ideas, remember that what is going to be a sure hit with one child may be a total strike out with the next. Whether it’s a pretty charm bracelet or a baseball bat, the right gift for each child will be as different as they are. Enjoy the challenge!