AmyJo

(more sleep = always such a good thing!!) I can't say I have ever used a tanning bed or tanning spray. I am my pasty white and I have come to accept it, lol, just don't tan very well. The person below me uses a backpack.

Good morning all! A very hectic week at work but I'm back home and actually at the office, where I'm getting a computer upgrade. There was nothing wrong with the old one but there you go. Deborah, I'm very sorry about your kitty's teeth! Hopefully that will make life easier, but still what an ordeal! Maggie, I hear you! I've been burning three candles which are almost at the end and very sooty... Need to change them out. How did the Southbound throw for you? It seems to me they may have been stronger last year... Susan, Michele, your melts sound delicious. I hope you both are doing well. Well this morning it was: ScentSationals Blackberry Lemonade - juicy and strong! Have a lovely day all.

Hello all, a busy work week so this is just a quickie. I hope everybody is doing well. Back on the road and it's a soggy situation here in Virginia and West Virginia. Still the fog was lovely on the mountains this morning. Before work I was melting Rockets Blueberry Spearmint, absolutely delicious and I'm glad this is a great big piece of wax that will last awhile. Take care everybody!

Greetings all, Maggie, sending prayers that your husband is feeling better and will stay that way. Susan, I agree, the one-wicks don't throw very well. I love HR Christmas Clouds! Debra, gingerbread kettle corn?! That sounds beautiful! Michele, you can send me your snow. Sharon, I hope you are well today! Valerieeeeeeee? Report in please... Tonight it's Homeworx Blackberry Tres Leches and Homeworx Sugared Beignets, both coming to the end and both gorgeous. Back on the road tomorrow. Have a good night all.

Hello everyone! Just arrived back at home after visiting The City Of Brotherly Love, or at least the outskirts. Very good but hectic week and happy to be home. Susan, I'm sorry about those puny wicks, I had to toss one recently that did that. How are the 1-wicks performing for you? I like those, but in my house they do best in the bathroom due to low throw and taking forever to pool. Often they go on a warmer. Frustrating because there are lots of gorgeous scents! Maybe you're having better luck! Michele, you are a busy bee and I'm so happy about your knee. As for rabbit holes, what can we do?! It's fruitless to worry about it, just enjoy!! That TBG Belladonna Tincture sounds wonderful. Hi Sharon, I see you're putting Darley to work, great choice! Maggie! Debra! Valerie! Yoooooohoooooooo!! Well I only melted little bits this week because it was so crazy. Today it's: Hayden Rowe Christmas Clouds - White Clouds, laundry, and VBN. I love this scent. Not sure what it has to do with Christmas...I guess it's the "Noel" in the VBN. And burning my beloved: Homeworx Root Beer Float - oh, I would burn this in every single room if I could. Absolutely authentic and strong and delicious. Wants to smoke like a chimney so the wicks are ultra short, which is helping. Stay well all!

Good morning all! I don't have to travel until tomorrow and am really enjoying working from home for a couple of days. Susan, good for you to chop up that candle and get some use out of it, since it wasn't burning right. Say more, was it smoking? Puny wicks? Not pooling? So many ways to misbehave. We should start a "When Good Candles Go Bad" thread so we can complain about this. And I love that fragrance....grrrr. Debra...now Debra... We are going to maintain our excellent new habits (and I say this after purchasing a candle duo yesterday) after we reduce our stashes, yes? We are going to keep our collections to a manageable level. We are going to strictly follow the One In, One Out principle. We are not going to buy wax late at night, when we are upset about work, tired, hungry, or homesick, or when we are overcome with FOMO. This, and other works of fiction. Maggie says if we can do this, we are a rare unicorn. But it's nice to dream... So! Clemmie woke me up at 3:30 wanting to cuddle, and there was no going back to sleep, so I lit some candles: Homeworx Blackberry Tres Leches and Vanilla Currant Biscotti - be still, my heart - these two are so lovely together. BBW London Tea and Biscuits - primarily a lemon scent with a light shortbread background, absolutely gorgeous, but so light that it has been relegated to the (very small) bathroom. It takes hours to pool out and now that it has reached the halfway point, is starting with the puny wicks...see above. And three hours later, I've switched over to wax: SGA Palo Santo Type - such a beautiful wood scent, very very strong so not sure I will stay with it all day, but lovely for now. I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far. Does anyone have snow? So warm here and the birds are singing their heads off.

(You are very generous to do all the cleanup!) Yes, I have nightlights throughout the house except in the bedroom. We both are good at crashing into things in the dark and making a racket DH could sleep with any lights on but I like to sleep with the bedroom pitch black, so there is a balance to be struck there. The path to the door must be clear. The person below me likes some alone time during a particular time of day when everyone else is asleep.

Good morning all, Back to work today. I do feel refreshed after the break. Maggie, I'm so happy your party went well and I'm not at all surprised! That's a late night especially with the cleanup. You are such a loving friend to organize this wonderful party every year! Michele, I can imagine you will be happy to have a little rest after your DD's bridal shower! You put so much of yourself into the preparations and your daughters are very lucky. Valerie, you too deserve a rest after being sick and helping your daughter find a car. Did you find one you were happy with? I'm glad both of your DD's are not so far away now. The PartyLite candies do sound lovely and when I come off of this no-buy (well, that's the plan...) I would like to check them out. Debra, I know what you mean about cinnamon....I can take it in little bursts and then I need some alone time. Your Cheryl's sounds beautiful - I don't think I've had coconut with blueberry/lemonade and that sounds like a good combo. Susan, Crossroads Candles you say? Hmmm, another one to check out after the no-buy. I do remember that being mentioned on here before! Sharon, it's a good thing that Darley Lama isn't readily accessible over here, because that would be a constant temptation. Well yesterday it was all Vintage Road: VRC Holiday Cookies - a Christmas cranberry blend with pine and cranberry, beautiful and very strong VRC Cranberry Orange Cookie - delicious! Both of those were from the VRC Cookie Sampler and extremely strong, lasting 24 hours in the Ashland warmers which are my hottest ones. VRC Cranapple Marmalade 1-wick candle, light but lovely. And this morning so far it's: BBW Pink Lilac & Vanilla 3-wick - and this beautiful fragrance is a favorite. Filling the room and a heavenly sweet creamy floral. Enjoy your Monday all. Back on the chain gang!

(mmmmm... Cranberry grapefruit sounds perfect!) Now that's a tough one. I enjoy wax in so many different forms. Scoops are ultra strong, but a little messy to dispense. I love unique shapes for their creativity and cuteness, but because they are irregular they can be awkward to store. I like loaves because it's somehow inherently satisfying to have such a chunk of a favorite wax, but it usually ends up being too much in quantity. Clamshells are easy to store, but it seems that the plastic can get soft and funky and not hold in the smell over time. I guess for practicality and ease of use and storage, I like the breakawsy bars, but for aesthetics I love shapes. . Good grief that was TMI! The person below me loves when her guests help clean up.

Good morning all! The last weekend before going back to work. These two weeks went so very quickly! Happily it looks as though I will not have to travel until Tuesday. We shall see. Susan, I love any candy cane scent - that sounds delicious. Debra, thank you for mentioning CFTKR, which I have been neglecting. I know Carol's wax lasts such a long time, so I am less proactive about reaching into that basket. How was the potpourri spice blend? Michele, thinking of you today at your daughter's bridal shower! I'm sure it will be lovely due to all your hard work! Maggie, also thinking of you as you entertain your friends at your party! You ladies are so creative. I'm glad you're happy to be back at school and I can imagine the kids are recovering from the holidays just like the rest of us! Sharon, the Halloween Darley Lama wax sounds lovely. Yes, I'm pretty much a seasonal melter, although there are some things I will melt at any time like mint scents. I constantly waver between organizing by vendor, season, or scent notes. I kind of liked having everything organized by scent notes last year... But it feels like too much work right now to change it all out from its current by-vendor status. Well yesterday I inventoried the candles and realized that I really don't need any more for quite awhile. As usual I have overdone...I remember being alone in Virginia in October and thinking, wouldn't it be lovely to have a flickering candle, now that it's fall? And went merrily down another rabbit hole.. At least I can see a dent in the wax. I'm doing a melting challenge from IG and that's been fun so far! So today it's: That Smell Good Shop Bonfire Bliss - a sweet smoky blend that I'm really enjoying. BBW Marshmallow Fireside - the classic scent, which I first tried in their little round wax melt clams two years ago - but this candle is really being difficult, with puny little flames the size of a match head. Enjoy your weekend all!

Yes I would enjoy some snow! It is January, after all! So much rain instead. The person below me will have a signature drink at an upcoming party.

Good morning all! Well we all slept like Rumpelstiltskin last night after the noisy night the day before. It sounds as though our little tribe had a good New Year's! Maggie, you are actually building a big pyramid?? You continue to amaze me! You are on for games when we do all get together! And I doubt that you ever looked like Pigpen! Michele, I know you are in full action for Saturday's shower. I know it will be a great success!! And how did I miss VRC Gingerbread Applesauce? That sounds delicious! This vacation has gone so fast. I am trying to savor the last few days. Well this morning it's: YC Balsam & Cedar melt cup - I love this scent and it could be stronger. L3 Snow Bunny Blue Sugar - Pink Sugar, Blue Sugar, Spearmint, Buttercream. This is glorious and I'm so happy to be back in step with blue sugar...I really melted it too much last year and needed a break from it. Much better than the straight Snow Bunny of the other day which was just too sweet by itself. Happy Thursday all!

Yikes, I no longer have my compass! I had a diving compass for some years when we lived near the ocean. I do know how to use one (and could have used it a few years ago when Montgomery the Pyr and I were totally lost hiking in the woods, lol). The person below me uses a particular tool for trimming wicks.

Good morning and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Maggie, I love your month title so much. I think all of us can relate to that!! How can it be 2020?! I hope everyone had a safe, enjoyable evening last night. We had quite a lot of local noisemaking with firecrackers and guns going off between midnight and 2 am. We played with Eli, who thankfully wasn't as upset as last year, until he calmed down. Clemmie was mildly interested but went back to sleep, contrary to previous years, and the beagles couldn't have cared less. So that's done for another year! Debra, I hope your kitties came through the celebration ok! Did they need cuddling? I truly hate these noisy holidays for the animals. To answer your question about the candles, I am melting most of them all the way down. There are a few I wasn't so crazy about that did go back into the cabinet only partially melted.... some of those super-sweet caramel ones... Maggie, I did go to sleep early or I would have played games with you! When is your party? I'm glad your Dad is doing well and that's funny about him zooming home. A man after my own heart - wanted to get his sleep in before the noise! Susan, I'm truly sorry you have to work today! Your gourmand scents sounded tasty yesterday. Sharon, I enjoyed it yesterday when you were already in 2020 and the rest of us were lagging behind. You had a jump on the New Year and I hope you had a good evening! Well this morning it's: BBW Blueberry Pie - I really have to fight off the desire to eat this candle. Homeworx Amaretto Pumpkin, nearing the bottom and a sooty mess but still smelling glorious. BBW Frozen Lake - so fresh! ScentSationals Festive Bubbly - fresh pear, grapes, and white floral - from a melting challenge on IG and today it's a fizzy scent (#moniesmeltingchallenge if you'd like to play!) - this one is SO STRONG so he may have a limited welcome in my kitchen. Have a wonderful first day of the New Year and I hope this one will bring happiness and good health to all of you!

Greetings all! Well the last day of 2019, and this year sped by... Are you going out tonight, or spending it curled up at home? I will be in bed as usual when the New Year rolls around. Unless there are firecrackers, in which case I will need to bring Clem and Eli the Large White Beast down off the ceiling. Maggie, I stand in awe of your annual Friends party - so creative. And two major games?! I have no such abilities. How is the Rockets wax performing for you? That sounds like a delicious blend. Well this morning it's been: Scentworx Blushing Blossoms three-wick from Kohl's - pink currants, cherry blossoms, peony, spiced vanilla - beautiful sweet floral, light but fills the bathroom, nice burn until the two-hour mark when it started sooting. I will keep the wicks short. L3 Scoop in Strawberry White Cake - love, love, love! Filling the house within minutes. The Melting Duck Naughty Noel - a gift from a dear CF friend - Strawberry, Peppermint, and VBN - absolutely delicious, in adorable little duck shapes, thank you my friend! Happy New Year's Eve everyone and be careful out there tonight.

I haven't used a weighted blanket but I like the concept - I've always layered blankets to get that weighted feeling. Until they get too hot... And get kicked off... (I'm not making anything special either...I used to do a pork roast, sauerkraut and black-eyed peas for good luck but idk, we may just do Chinese and I'm glad you loved all your candles!) The person below me is reading a new book.

Already done. I had two gifted BBW candles, one a too-sweet caramel scent and the other the very cologney Graphite, which were exchanged for Berry Waffle Cone and Strawberry Pound Cake, both a great improvement. (How about you?) The person below me will make a special dish for New Year's Day.

Good morning everyone and nice to hear from pretty much everybody over the last few days! I'm off this week and my goals are to work on the hospital songbook, do some cleaning, and spend some time with some friends. DH is playing at a closed New Year's party so I will have to stay at home in the peace and quiet. Susan, glad you're back home and resuming melting. Your fizzy Ginger ale scents sound wonderful. Debra, yes it's funny, I always loved herbal lavender growing on the plant, but I had to get used to it in wax, and now I can't get enough. Michele! You're driving!! Nothing keeps a good woman down! I'm so glad this has gone smoothly overall. I'm so sorry your allergies are keeping you from melting, just not fair at all! Good luck with all the shower preparations and I'm glad your younger DD has helped you so much. Valerie! Good to see you! I'm so glad your DD is back and only one state away. Also I'm glad you're feeling better, no fun to be sick in the middle of the holidays and while car hunting! I'll bet your homemade Plum tart is delicious. Well we had a power outage much earlier this morning due to wild, high winds, and so I lit a candle in various rooms so we could see what we were doing: BBW Frozen Lake BBW Spiced Chestnuts BBW Pink Lilac & Vanilla (divine) Homeworx South Seas Gardenia (gorgeous) And this morning it's: YC Sparking Snow, in the melt cup, which is a beautiful pine scent. Hershey's S'mores - wax cubes - a gift from a sweet CF buddy and this is excellent! Realistic! Thank you! I will move on to a scoop later today. EDITED - Gave all the candles a rest and switched to L3 Frostbite scoopable, which is Berries and Peppermint. This is so strong, it is going through the walls. I'm sure the neighbors can smell it and my eyes are actually watering. Gorgeous scent but industrial strength!! Happy Monday all!

Good morning all! Maggie, I'm glad you're enjoying your holiday scents and making your way through your bags. I also love the holiday scents and am continuing to melt/burn them, but I'm mixing them up with some of the backlog..... Thanks for asking, Clem seems completely herself again and ate heartily for the rest of yesterday. I think she just likes to give us grey hairs! Your Donuts and Eggnog melt sounds delicious. Deb, yes that mall is very dangerous indeed and thankfully I seldom go in. I will say that the YC is usually deserted but with the SAS, it was crowded. Susan, how lovely to take a trip with your family! It sounds like a wonderful time. I would give a lot to play games again with my family and it made me happy to hear that you still do that. Well it's been a variety of scent around here: BBW Tree Farm and to be honest this was not my favorite, with an odd vanilla note...I prefer the Fresh Balsam. YC Candy Cane Crush melt cup - I loved this, very strong, just like candy canes with that powdery minty note. L3 Snow Bunny - pink sugar, spearmint, and buttercream - this was a big fav last year and it's still very strong, but I find it too sweet this year. Interesting how the nose can change its mind. L3 Herbal Lavender, Buttermint, and VBN - exquisite, I love this sharp lavender. Most of these L3 scoops were more than half melted from last year, so I think I will make some headway on the collection. Here's hoping... And to enjoy them, that's the intent after all!! Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

Good morning all, I hope everyone is well and enjoying some downtime after the Christmas festivities! Looking at making a new melting basket with non-Christmas scents and not sure how I want to do it. I would like to mix up the vendors, but then it's hard to see a dent... So may start out by vendor. That worked well last year, or at least it did until I got bored with that approach and went off on a buying campaign. EDITED - by vendor it is. It's L3 Scoops Week! This morning it's been two candles: BBW 'Tis The Season - I love this scent but the flames have gotten tiny. I guess I should cotton ball it. BBW Pink Lilac & Vanilla - such a beautiful creamy sweet floral. This one has the opposite wick issue, with huge dancing flames, very hot, and I trimmed both these candles the same. These are the wicks that like to fall over so I will keep them even shorter. In any case it smells lovely. Earlier, Clemmie barfed on the pillow... Nothing says good morning like the sound of a cat's breakfast coming up... So laundry will be first on the agenda. Enjoy your Saturday all!

Well, normally yes I do hang them, but for whatever reason, this year they are in a pile on the table! *shameful* The person below me will leave up some of the Christmas decor as Winter decor.

Hello hello, lovely to see the chitchat! Debra and Maggie, totally agree, I miss the Colonial Candle melts, love their fragrances so very much. They didn't have many melts this year, but ewwww, they had that licorice one that I thought I liked last year... Not to mention what they did to Snow Day... Don't get me started... Sharon, thank you for clarifying what Boxing Day means, I had no idea. I do know that Lush does 50% off on that day and I totally forgot about it, probably a good thing! Sharon, yes, if Christmas falls on the weekend, many businesses, but not all, will give another day off. Debra, I am trying to restrain myself from the big BBW sale, although I caved a bit today - I went in to exchange two candles which I had received from extended family and ended up buying two body care items at half price as well. My store didn't have any of the candles on deep discount, although the sale is young and there are a couple of weeks to go. As long as I was there, Yankee Candle was right next door and had their melt cups on sale for $3 each, so "a number" of them came home with me. It's hopeless. I am home alone with a pan of eggplant parm that I baked for Christmas and it is just killing me. What is everyone doing today? Debra and Sharon, the beach sounds fabulous. Mag, I'm with you... I am fighting the urge to take down the Christmas decorations... Good to hear from you - Michele, Susan, Valerie, report in please.

Good morning, I see that the crickets have scattered! Maggie, Debra, so good to see you both and I'm glad you had good Christmases! Mag - I totally blobbed yesterday - this is so important in life. LOL! Debra - oh the dishes are one of life's constants, aren't they?! Well I've been digging into the gifties and they all smellso good: The Melting Duck Eucalyptus Spearmint - so refreshing! Beautiful shapes. Cheryl's Lord of Misrule - perfection and again I love her shapes, perfect size. BBW Chocolate Lava Cake three-wick - I can feel myself gaining weight just smelling this chocolate decadence. Homemade Christmas Memories - we have such a talented wax-maker in our midst, such a beautiful and nostalgic scent. Thank you sweet friends!! Enjoy your Friday, all!

*sound of crickets*

Good morning all! Did everyone everyone survive Christmas? I hope it was peaceful and joyous at least some of the time! It's been: YC Cranberry Chutney wax cubes, very strong and delicious. BBW Tree Farm, lovely evergreen scent. BH&G Frazier Fir melts - just as good as any other vendor and a fraction of the cost.... Sometimes I think we could just shop at Walmart and have lovely scents... But that will probably not happen... Beginning today I am back on my celebration of what I have... Not switching to another category to overbuy...*sigh* Have fun all!