Pull Up a Chair

Simple Gifts

This week has been one of those full, head-spinning weeks—finals on campus, long drives, and a to-do list that refused to cooperate. But last night, when I finally stepped outside and looked up, the cold winter sky was clear and bright. It stopped me just long enough to remember that even in the busiest seasons, simple gifts still find their way to us.

That’s the heart of this week’s issue. Yes, I’m sharing some of my favorite gardening, cooking, and cozy-home gifts—the things I reach for over and over. But simple gifts aren’t always bought. Sometimes they’re handwritten notes tucked into a book, a small bouquet gathered from whatever’s still growing, a jar of homemade seasoning blend, or a warm loaf delivered to a neighbor’s porch. Sometimes the best “gift” is simply showing up for someone.

So pull up a chair. Let’s wander through the little things—bought and handmade, practical and sentimental—that make life sweeter.

Let’s dream it, design it, and live it—together.

With love,
Lane + Jules

From the Farm Kitchen

Gifts for the Cook

The best gifts for the cook are the ones that make everyday meals feel a little easier, a little cozier, or a little more joyful. Whether you're baking bread on a cold morning, simmering soup while the house quiets down, or just warming water for your nightly tea, a well-loved tool can feel like a gift that keeps giving.

Here are a few of my kitchen favorites this season:

Bosch Mixer or Artiste Mixer (Nutrimill)

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I love a mixer that can work. This Bosch is an absolute powerhouse for bread bakers, batch makers, and anyone who wants reliable equipment that lasts. Through January 1, they’re $50 off. If you use my code, you can get an extra $20 off on top of that—so it’s $70 off with code: SWEETBOMBDIGGITYFARMS

​http://nutrimill.com/SWEETBOMBDIGGITYFARMS​

ForJars Canning Lids + Vacuum Sealer Pro

ForJars is a staple around here. Their lids seal beautifully, and their Vacuum Sealer Pro Machine is such a practical gift for anyone who cooks, cans, or stores bulk ingredients. It’s one of those items that earns its keep year-round.
Use code: BombDiggity

My Favorite Electric Tea Kettle​
This little kettle stays on my counter because I use it constantly—morning tea, evening tea, and everything in between. It’s fast, clean, and makes even simple moments feel a touch more intentional.

The Ninja 12-in-1 Cooker​
A do-it-all machine that tackles weeknight meals, slow cooks, steams, sautés, and more. If you’re gifting someone who loves versatility (or someone who loves one appliance that replaces twelve), this is such a good pick.

And don’t forget the simplest kitchen gifts:​
a handwritten recipe card, a jar of homemade seasoning blend, a small loaf of bread wrapped in a linen towel, or a bundle of herbs from your winter garden. Sometimes the gifts we make with our hands become the most treasured ones on someone’s counter.

Out in the Garden

Gifts for the Gardener

Gardeners are easy to love because they’re always tending something—soil, seedlings, spaces, and often people, too. The best gifts for gardeners are those that make everyday rituals feel a little easier and a little more beautiful.

Here are a few of my favorites this season:

Lero Leather Gardener Belt​
This is at the very top of my list. Handmade, beautifully designed, and practical enough to use every single day, it keeps your pruners, twine, phone, and tools right where you need them. It’s one of those gifts that feels both luxurious and deeply useful—my favorite combination.
Save 20% off with code BombDiggity20

Farmers Defense Waterproof Gloves​
I’ve tried a lot of gloves over the years, and these are the real deal—durable, comfortable, and actually waterproof. They’re perfect for early-season chores, muddy days, and all the messy jobs gardeners secretly enjoy. They are on sale now, and you can also save an additional 10% with code SWEETBOMBDIGGITYFARMS

Wooden-Handle Pruners​
These pruners may be inexpensive, but their cut is clean and satisfying, and the wooden handles bring a timeless, classic feel. They’re simple, sturdy, and one of those tools you reach for again and again.

And don’t forget the gifts you can’t buy:​
A bundle of saved seeds tucked into hand-labeled packets, a cutting from your favorite plant, a handwritten note about how to care for it, or a small bouquet gathered from whatever survived the frost. Gardeners treasure those simple, thoughtful gestures just as much as the tools that help them grow.

Favorite Things

Car Jump Starter

This is the gift you don’t know you need until you really need it. Compact, powerful, and easy to use, it gives such peace of mind—especially for winter drives, busy schedules, or anyone who finds themselves driving a lot of miles. Practical? Yes. A lifesaver? Also yes.

​
What Skincare Do You Use?

I get asked about my skin all the time, and honestly, my routine could not be simpler. This pure squalane is the one thing I won’t skip. Our bodies naturally make squalane, but we lose it as we age, which is precisely why this has been such a game-changer for me. It keeps my skin soft, healthy, and hydrated without any fuss. I use it morning and evening, and I have tried several varieties, but this one is plant-based, and I like it best.

Noble Loom Socks(especially the women’s western prints—so fun!)​
Soft, warm, beautifully made, and full of personality. These socks are the perfect blend of cozy and cute, and the western prints might be my favorite thing about them. They wash well, wear well, and make a great stocking stuffer or self-care treat.
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And of course, a few of my favorite “simple gifts”:​
a handwritten note, a sprig of herbs tied with twine, a tiny watercolor card, or a jar of something homemade. These little touches turn even the smallest gift into something meaningful.

Designing a Life You Love

The Gift of Intentional Living

Designing a life you love isn’t about grand gestures or sweeping reinventions. It’s built through small choices—how you greet the morning, what you hold onto, what you set down, and where you let your attention land. Sometimes it’s choosing a tool that makes the work easier; other times it’s gifting someone a small thing made by your own hands because it feels more meaningful that way.

A well-designed life often lives in these tiny moments: tying a ribbon around a homemade jar of jam, tucking a sprig of rosemary into a package, writing a quick note of encouragement, or offering something you grew yourself. These aren't big, expensive gifts—they’re anchors. They steady us. They remind us who we are and what kind of life we’re crafting.

This season may be full, but it’s also rich with opportunities to shape your days with intention. You are designing your life—one simple gift, one thoughtful gesture, one small choice at a time.

Tuck it in Your Pocket

Have a question you'd love me to answer? A project you're proud of? Something inspiring you've seen? I’d love to hear it—and it might just show up in a future newsletter.

We’re building something beautiful here, together. Now that's BombDiggity!

Here’s to simple joys and big dreams,

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360 Bethlehem Lane, La Follette, TN 37766
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