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Saturday, April 11, 2026

The Baseball Diamond Review

How the "Baseball Diamond" Got Its Name

The playing field of most sports are rectangles, including a football field, a soccer field, a basketball court and tennis courts. So how come the playing field of baseball is a Diamond?

The basic definition for the Baseball Diamond describes the surface on which the game of baseball is played. It is the infield square formed by home, first, second and third bases.

A baseball diamond is actually a square. It only looks like a diamond if you look at it from behind home plate or any of the bases. The distance between each base is equal, with four 90-degree angles and having 90 feet between each base.

A baseball “Diamond” is really a square turned on its side!

Baseball’s Playing Field

Baseball is unique in the world of sports. In addition to having a different shaped playing area, it is the only sport with no time limit. Whereas, football has four 15-minute quarters, soccer has two 45-minute halves, basketball has four 12-minute quarters (NBA), and hockey has three 20-minute periods (plus two 17-minute intermissions), baseball, on the other hand, has 9 innings with no set time limit. Each inning continues until the team at bat incurs three outs, however long it takes. And, if the game is tied after the end of the ninth inning, an unlimited number of innings is played until a winner is declared.

More ‘Diamond’ Terms in Baseball

In addition to baseball’s playing field being called a ‘Diamond’, the term is attached to a couple other areas of the game.

During the 1930s, ballplayers were called diamond artists or diamondeers. The fans were known as diamond bugs.

Summary

So, the next time you go to a stadium to watch a baseball game (or view it on television), take the time to notice how the playing field appears from the stands or from the angle of the TV camera as the batter looks out toward the pitcher. You will see how it looks like a ‘Diamond”.

For more Baseball Reviews, check out
ReviewThisReviews: Baseball

For more Sports Reviews, check out

ReviewThisReviews: Sports

*This Baseball Diamond review was written by Wednesday Elf, the Baseball Contributor on ReviewThisReviews.com.

The Language of Baseball or How to Speak Baseball

How to Speak Baseball: An Illustrated Guide to Ballpark BanterCheck Price Baseball as a Second LanguageCheck Price

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Friday, April 10, 2026

Mom's Beef Stew Recipe Reviewed

I grew up eating and loving my mother's beef stew. To be honest, I've never liked any other beef stew. I suspect it is because Mom uses tomato sauce as part of the "soup" instead of just beef broth, or perhaps it is because she doesn't add onion. Whatever the reason, Mom's beef stew is like magic, especially on a cold day or when I am sick.

I have also cooked Mom's beef stew my entire adult life. I learned how to prepare it long before I ever married and moved out of my parent's home. It is still one of my favorite meals. While I often desire beef stew in the winter, it is delicious any time of the year.

My husband likes to eat his beef stew over rice. Several family members like to crumble up crackers over the top and stir them into their bowl of soup. Clearly, there are multiple ways to enjoy beef stew. Whichever you prefer, one thing that is always true, everyone loves Mom's beef stew.

Mom's Stew Recipe

I like to cut up a beef chuck roast for the stew, but when I was a child, we often used stew meat that was already cut up and sold in packages at the grocery store. Either is fine, but my husband prefers more meat in stew. Therefore, it is cheaper to buy a chuck roast when it is on sale and cut it up, than to purchase prepacked, cut up stew meat. Mom and I both agree that the chuck roast is also better meat.

Mom's Stew Ingredients

Beef Chuck Roast or Stew Meat (minimum of two packages of stew meat)
5 – 7 Red Potatoes (peel and cup up)
1 bunch of Carrots (peel & cut-up)
1 Can Green Beans
2 cans of Veg All
2 small cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce

Directions

Cut up a beef chuck roast or use 2 packages of cut-up stew meat. (See Image Below)

In a large dutch oven pot, add meat, salt, pepper and water. Water should be close to the top of pot, easily covering all meat

Bring to a boil, then turn down to a low boil, which is 4 on my stove top.

Cover with tilted lid or a Pampered Chef "Boil Over No More" and simmer for 6 hours, checking occasionally to make sure water does not boil too far down. Add water as needed to keep the meat from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Cook for 6 hours, then add the vegetables and cook for 1 hour

Add tomato sauce and simmer for 30 minutes

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Mom's Beef Stew Recipe Written by:

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Thursday, April 9, 2026

The Fatal Flotilla at Sea Oats Beach

This fun new cozy mystery by Karen Whalen is sure to delight all the cozy mystery fans out there. I have been a fan of Karen's mysteries for several years now, and I always look forward to her new releases. This latest book did not disappoint. In this book she brings back Breanna Hart and her interesting group of friends.

Book Summary

Breanna Hart is an interesting character who is a real animal lover and volunteers at the local animal shelter. As this book begins Breanna is at the Flotilla just before Christmas in Sea Oats Beach. All of the boats are brightly decorated with shimmering lights as the parade in front of the beach. Everyone comes out to watch the flotilla, and it is a delightful sight. Breanna too is enjoying the festivities until they see an abandoned boat floating nearby and she discovers a dead body on the boat. The victim is found to be killed by a gunshot. He was a big supporter of the animal shelter where Breanna volunteers

Breanna takes it upon herself to go on a fact-finding mission to discover who the murderer was. She gets the help of several of her friends and also a bloodhound from the shelter named Tracker. She has several threatening incidents that occur that put her in danger, and she is warned by the police to stay out of the investigation. Breanna cannot help herself though and continues to search for clues.

As the holiday approaches she is determined to discover the culprit.

Book on Amazon

You can find the book on Amazon at The Fatal Flotilla at Sea Oats Beach

Reviews of other Karen C Whalen Books

The author has written three different series of books. The Tow Truck Driver Mysteries, the Dinner Club Mysteries, and the Sea Oats Beach mysteries. I have reviewed several of the books and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Here are some of my reviews.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Patio Dining Set - Reviewed

Well, it is finally springtime, but here in Western New York, the weather is still not cooperating. Soon, though, we will be getting out the deck furniture for some much-anticipated outdoor fun.

Fran bought this Sophia and William 7-Piece dining Set 5 years ago, and it has served us well. Every year before winter, I store the chairs in the basement and cover the table along with the rest of the deck furniture, and leave it outside on the deck.

Our set includes one large table and six matching chairs, providing ample seating for family and friends. I remember it arrived in two separate boxes. The table was easy to assemble; the chairs were a little more difficult but manageable.

We have enjoyed this set for the last 5 years. It has held up well, so I expect we will get many more years of outdoor enjoyment with our dining set.

Durability and Materials:

Weather-resistant frames designed to resist rust and corrosion.
Durable finishes that prevent fading from sun exposure.
Low-maintenance materials that are easy to clean and care for.

The set is a stylish modern design, and the chairs are comfortable. We believe this was a great value for a 7-piece set.

For more Outdoor living, check out my Amazon storefront:

Sam's Favorites - Outdoor Living

Sophia & William Patio Dining Set 9 Pieces, Patio Table and Chairs Set for 8, 83Buy Now

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Sunday, April 5, 2026

Dear 1975 – A Look Back Through the Years We’ll Never Forget

I sat down to write the lyrics and the song Dear 1975 as a tribute to us, to the older generation who lived through those times, and to the memories we carry.

When we look back, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we didn’t know how good we had it. But the truth be told, I did know. I was fifteen years old, safe and secure in my parents’ home, in the same room in the house my brother now owns.

I can still go back there if I want, but it’s never the same without my parents. Even so, I’m so grateful that my brother has the home.

1975 represents something bigger for us seniors. The world is moving so fast now, and it’s easy to look back through rose-colored glasses, but I think most of us who lived happy, healthy lives in the ‘70s will agree the decade was simply wonderful.

Life, The Music, and The Freedom in 1975

The culture in 1975 was amazing.

The music was unbeatable. The sitcoms, the variety shows, the freedom. It’s funny to even use the word freedom to describe it, but that’s exactly what it felt like.

On social media, so many of my peers who grew up in the ‘70s often reminisce about how free we were, and it’s true. I remember being on my bike from morning until night, riding to friends’ houses, calling my mom to say I wouldn’t be home for dinner because I was eating at Linda’s. Even when she moved across town, we biked there too, then on to the park, then to school, meeting our friends along the way.

There were no cell phones, and our parents were okay with it. We were just on the move, living and breathing that kind of independence that seems almost impossible to imagine today.

Here's the lyric song video tribute I wrote for us who are of the generation of 1975:

Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

And then, of course, there was the nightly reminder on TV: Do you know where your kids are? I think back to that now, and I can’t help but laugh.

Ten o’clock at night, flashing across the screen were the words and commentary, "Do you know where your kids are?" I was always home by then, thinking, who actually loses track of their kids? But it was the ‘70s, and we had that notice, that little nudge from the world, as if to remind parents that yes, the kids were out exploring the world, and yes, that was okay, but time to come home!

Thinking About Mom and Dad in the 1970s

Some of my most vivid memories involve Mom and me watching movies together, or Dad coming home from long work trips. His briefcase would be filled with coins, which my brother and I would happily dump on the floor and divvy up.

Dad would be sprawled on the floor in the living room with the eight-track playing country songs, the kind that I can still almost hear in my mind.

Our vehicles had eight-track cassette tapes, and I begged for my first tape recorder for Christmas just so I could hear my own voice, and promptly discovered I didn’t like it.

Our house was always full of people. Neighbors dropping in, friends hanging out, the laughter and chatter filling every corner. That, to me, was the ‘70s. Family, friends, security, and an unspoken understanding that life, in those moments, was exactly as it should be.

Writing Dear 1975 was my way of capturing that warmth, that freedom, and that sense of rootedness we sometimes forget to appreciate when we’re young.

It’s a reminder of the simplicity we sometimes take for granted, the moments that feel small at the time but last a lifetime. It’s a diary entry to my younger self, and to anyone who remembers 1975 the way I do: full of music, laughter, love, and the kind of freedom that can only come from feeling safe in the world.

*********

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Saturday, April 4, 2026

Clutter Cornucopia Review

CORNUCOPIA:

One of the dictionary definitions for the word ‘Cornucopia’ describes it as “an abundant supply of good things of a specified kind.” In this review, you will find a compiled list of several helpful books on how to conquer clutter and/or organize your home and your life. All have been reviewed by the contributors here on ReviewThisReviews.com.

A Collection of Books on Clutter (and what to do about it)

Clut`ter To fill with scattered or disordered things that restrict movement or efficiency. A collection of things lying about in an untidy mass.

For simple ways to take back control of your stuff, author Stephanie Culp’s book “How to Conquer Clutter” will give you some advice on the subject in an informative, but also humorous, way.

Paper Clutter

MY clutter, in general, is mostly under control. I like things orderly, and almost everything in my domain stays pretty much under control. EXCEPT, when it comes to paper. For whatever reason, I do not deal well with paper ~ sorting, filing or disposing! I begin with good intentions, then become overwhelmed and just turn around and go do something else!

Thus, Barbara Hemphill’s “Taming the Paper Tiger” has been a lifesaver for me, and perhaps it will for you.

More De-Clutter Book Reviews

Our RTR Contributor Brite-Ideas gives us "Three Ways to Hide Clutter."

Between screens with lovely scenes and furniture with storage places, your clutter can quickly be tucked away if unexpected company arrives, or if you simply have gotten tired of ‘looking’ at the clutter' which you have not had time to put away.

Personal Thoughts on ‘Tidying Up’

collage of the book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

This Japanese ‘art of decluttering and organizing’ found in the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” written by Marie Kondo, does more than simply aid you in putting your house (and your life) in some semblance of order. It basically puts your past in order, revealing that you are now surrounded only by the things you love.

Summary

Since this is the Spring-Cleaning time of year, having just celebrated the first day of Spring, this list of helpful de-clutter books seems appropriate. There also just happens to be a National Cleaning Week beginning the 4th Sunday of March each year.

*This reviewed group of How-To books for learning how to declutter your home and life, is brought to you by Wednesday Elf.

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Friday, April 3, 2026

Moist and Delicious Carrot Cake Recipe Review

Not all carrot cakes are created equal!

Many times I have heard people say they did not like carrot cake. They tried a layered carrot cake from a grocery store or in a coffee shop that, while beautifully decorated, tasted dry and yucky. Let me encourage all of you to try again, but make the cake yourself. This recipe will change your opinion of carrot cake and totally rock your world of desserts. You will never think of carrot cake the same way again.

For many years, I have been making this carrot cake recipe. Everyone loves it. Even I, who normally hate nuts in anything, love this cake and the nuts don't bother me one bit. Of course, I chop them up very fine with my nut chopper. Therefore, we get the nut flavor without having to contend with chomping or choking on larger nuts.

As for the "dry cake" issue, this single layer carrot cake is quite moist and delicious. Plus, it has a glaze icing that soaks into the cake, as well as a cream cheese frosting. We like to heat each individual slice in the microwave for 20 seconds before serving so the cream cheese icing melts slightly. If it has been refrigerated for more than a day, the microwave heating takes about 5 seconds longer.

Moist Carrot Cake Recipe

This cake recipe takes longer to make than most cake recipes that I bake, but it is worth it! The cake is baked, of course, but the glaze icing is cooked on the stove top. The cream cheese frosting is spread on top of the cake after it is refrigerated for 2 hours or more. So, it isn't quick, but as I said, it is well worth the extra time and attention.

One big tip I like to share, when using a hand mixer, I set my mixing bowl in my kitchen sink to eliminate the splatter across my counter tops. It definitely makes for a faster clean-up.

Ingredients:

2 cups & 4 Tablespoons Swans Down Cake Flour (or all purpose flour: 2 cups)

1 Tablespoon baking soda

2 cups sugar

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup canola oil (plus more for pan)

¾ cup buttermilk

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup shredded coconut (I use Angel Flake shredded coconut)

1 cup finely chopped pecan pieces

2 cups grated carrots (4-6 carrots needed)

_____

Ingredients for the Cake syrup (made separately - see recipe below)
½ cup buttermilk
1½ sticks Unsalted butter (6 ounces)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Cream cheese frosting (made separately - see recipe below)
8 oz cream cheese
1½ sticks Unsalted butter
2 cups confectioners sugar

Directions

Set out 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter to heat to room temperature even though it won't be needed until you make the syrup recipe

Generously grease a 9x13-inch cake pan
Preheat oven to 325° (Convection Bake 300°)
Grate Carrots & Chop pecans
Combine cake flour, baking soda, sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl & stir together
In a separate bowl & using a mixer, mix canola oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, chopped pecans and grated carrots
Combine the wet ingredients with the flour mixture, mixing well
Pour batter into oiled pan
Bake approximately 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

_________

Start the syrup recipe (see below) 10 minutes BEFORE cake is out of oven so it will be ready when the cake is removed from the oven

Cake Syrup Recipe

1 cup sugar

½ cup buttermilk

1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. – Takes about 5 min. in my *Magnalite pan

While the cake is still hot, poke holes all over the top with a large fork
Pour the cake syrup over the top, allowing cake to soak up the syrup. Use a spoon if needed to redistribute the syrup that gathers at the sides
Refrigerate cake until completely cool (minimum of 2 hrs)
Set out 1½ sticks unsalted butter & Cream Cheese to heat to room temperature for frosting recipe below

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups confectioners sugar

Combine ingredients - Using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix until smooth and free of lumps.

Then frost the cooled cake

In the directions above, I mentioned using my *Magnalite pan to cook the syrup. Wagnerware Sidney Magnalite (produced in the 1930's and only available through secondary markets like eBay or antique stores) is my preferred pan for cooking candy & glazes. It is heavy and has superior heat conductivity. Current day Magnalite is not the same as the Wagnerware Magnalite of the past that was made in Sidney, Ohio. While I highly recommend Wagnerware Magnalite, any heavy stainless steel saucepan should work fine to make this simple glaze.

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Thursday, April 2, 2026

Overview of CherylsArt on Zazzle

This is the first of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.

Zazzle is a print on demand company. They print, ship, and handle the orders and any returns. Artists and designers open stores on Zazzle and upload their designs to various products. My first store that I'll be giving an overview of is CherylsArt.

CherylsArt is my general overall store and my first store on Zazzle. You'll find a lot of different design types and product types there.

The current main categories are:

+ Affirmations

My most popular item in my Affirmations section is the Proverbs 25:11 verse featuring an apple of gold on a background of silver, on magnets. There are a lot of different affirmations, on various products, to choose from in this store.

A word fitly spoken is like Apples of gold magnets
by CherylsArt

You will find quite a few affirmations here on a variety of products. Sometimes we all can use a reminder to feel good and or to refocus.

+ Apparel and Fashion Accessories

The apparel part includes leggings, tank tops, and tshirts. The accessories part include belt buckles, belts, hair ties, hats, head bands, nail art, necklaces, pin on buttons, scarves, and watches.

Although I designed this apple watch back in 2013; it didn't start selling until Christmas of 2025! I think it finally became the right time for it; people were ready for a bit of humor I believe.

Red Apple Painting and Numbers Watch
by CherylsArt

+ Art and Wall Decor

Art and Wall Decor includes canvas prints, drawings on faux wrapped canvas, drawings on wrapped canvas, posters, wall decals, wall panels, and wall tapestry. The drawings categories have their own categories so that the ones that can be painted in can easily be found. They make fun activity options.

+ Baby

The Baby category includes, adoption, announce baby, baby bags, baby bibs, baby blankets, baby shirts, baby shower, binders for photos, burp cloths, clocks for the nursery, dry erase boards, and pillows for nursery.

These cloud themed dry erase boards are a great way to share messages about the baby. They come in a choice of pink and blue. This is especially great for new and busy parents who need a way to communicate what's up.

Pink Sky Bubbles and Clouds Dry Erase Board
by CherylsArt

+ Celebrations

The Celebration category is about all things that can be celebrated. This category includes birthday, candle parties, graduation, neighbor get together, party hats, retirement, ribbon, rubber stamps, stickers, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. This category pretty much covers what isn't a birthday or wedding themed.

+ Elections

The Elections category includes products for my preferred candidates, as well as informational items on helping all votes to count.

+ Holidays

The Holidays category includes Christmas in July, Christmas/Winter (which also includes other winter holidays), Easter, Father's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, Mother's Day, New Years, Saint Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

+ Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car

The Home, Pets, Sewing, and Car category includes sub-categories for each of the mentioned categories.

The car category includes bumper stickers, car mats, license plates and frames. The home category includes accessories for the home, bathroom, bedroom, calendars, clocks, doormats, dry erase boards, hand sanitizer, kitchen and dining, light switch covers, moving, ornaments - that aren't holiday, and tiles. The Pets category includes dog beds, pet bowls, and pet tags. Sewing and Crafts includes fabric. There are sub-categories under fabric to make browsing easier.

A popular item in my Home category, is this Moving postcard, in the Moving sub-category. The truck painting proved to be a very popular choice for awhile. As with any item in CherylsArt, if the item includes artwork, the artwork is created by me. With the truck image, I saw a truck that I thought was awesome, and got permission from the driver to include my artwork of it on products. He said it was fine as long as I included his name in my description. Here is a shout out to Dan Hyde. p.s. The color choices are mine.

We're Moving, change of address postcards
by CherylsArt

+ New Products

You will not normally find any products in this category. Usually I choose the category right after designing the new item.

+ Office and School

The Office and School category has a lot of sub-categories. They range from alphabet rulers to yard signs, and pretty much anything you can think off, in between.

+ Sports, Toys, and Games

The Sports, Toys, and Games category includes games, guitar picks, sports, and toys.

No, these aren't throw pillows. They are actually game bags for cornhole games. So you will find these in the Sports, Toys, and Games Category, under the sub-category of Games.

Personalized Beach Theme Cornhole Game Bags
by CherylsArt

+ Stationery

The Stationery category includes pretty much anything stationery related, that isn't birthday, graduation, or wedding related. Items include address labels, cards, envelopes, letterhead, notepads, photo cards, postcards, rubber stamps, stationery, and stickers.

+ Travel

The Travel category includes luggage, luggage handle wraps, luggage tags, travel mugs and tumblers.

+ Weddings and Anniversary

The Weddings and Anniversary category includes a long list going from Anniversary, to all types of items wedding related. I don't know how it works for customers searching in individual stores on Zazzle, for wedding, but for me when I search for a wedding item in my store, I need to include the item type to get any search results. I guess it may be because there are so many wedding items.

These address labels are in the Wedding category, as I designed them for with a couple in mind, though anyone else can use them. There are also matching wedding invitations, etc. for this design, in Weddings. If you're not sure about which category to begin your search, go towards the top of the page, below the header, and do a Search this store search; i.e. fern address labels.

Green Fern Branch Leaves Address Labels
by CherylsArt

And there you have it. I have changed my store layout a number of times over the years. At one time I based it on the designs, but that got to be way to many. Then I sorted the categories by product type only. That was too much of a mix match. So I currently decided on general themes, and then did further breakdowns into sub-categories. You will find more sub-categories in my CherylsArt store, once you explore on any category that has a lot of items in it. If you know the item type and theme that you are looking for, you can also fill in the Search this Store box that is located below my store header.

Hope this helps for when you're shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

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