Crochet is such a fun yarn craft that makes beautiful items. I've crocheted for decades but have always had trouble joining panels of crochet or granny square blocks. I recently started a small Tunisian crochet project that was less of an actual project and more to give me something small and easy to do on days that I don't physically feel like doing much else. By chance, my little crochet project that looked like a small scarf is turning into a beautiful lap blanket because of a wonderful tutorial from TL Yarn Crafts. I am exceedingly pleased with how this project is shaping up. It will make a beautiful gift.
TL Yarn Crafts. I found TL Yarn Crafts quite by accident. It was perfect timing since I was refreshing my memory with Tunisian Crochet. The TL Yarn Crafts channel and websites were created by Toni. On her YouTube channel, she shares over 200 crochet patterns. She has tutorials for crocheter's of every skill level: beginning, medium and advanced. I found her tutorial to be very well-filmed, with every motion easy to see. Her instructions are easy to understand.
The TL Yarn Crafts crochet YouTube channel includes:
crochet patterns - hats, sweaters, granny squares, and blankets
crochet tips and hacks - blocking, twisted tassel, keyhole tassel, edging, and more
Tunisian crochet tutorials - Tunisian hooks, the absolute basics, and patterns such as tunisian crochet in the round.
yarn and accessories reviews
yarn craft business tips and advice
My Project - Tunisian Swatch to Striped Lapghan (happy accident)
I had a pretty green gradient yarn by Lion Brand in my yarn hoard. Since I didn't feel up to working on larger projects, I decided to practice my Tunisian crochet skills. Basic Tunisian crochet consists of using one long crochet hook, picking up loops in one direction, and pulling the yarn through each of those loops in the opposite direction. Easy-peasy. No counting. Just row after row of "yarn on" in one direction and "yarn off" in the other direction. I hadn't Tunisian crocheted in quite awhile and wanted to practice the technique for making even edges that I had recently seen in a video.
Once I had a scarf-length piece, had come across a video in which TL Yarn Crafts was making little Tunisian crochet squares. Rather than making the squares separately and joining them later (usually using a simple sewing stitch with yarn and a needle) she was joining as she went.
TL Yarn Craft's project was beautiful and her tutorial was clear. I realized that I could use the same technique to join my scarf-shaped swatch with other scarf shaped pieces and make a striped lapghan. The result is easy and turning out beautifully. The seams are even -something I wasn't able to do when trying to sew blocks together.
I am using the green and the blue skeins of Lion Brand Gradient yarn cakes. This yarn is easy to work with, soft, and offers beautiful colorways. This yarn is soft and easy to work with. It is a great choice for a large variety of crafts: blankets, sweaters, hats, and stuffed animals.
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.”
Life Read Me a Story: A Song About Storms, Healing, and the Wisdom of Nature
Some lyrics are written to entertain. Others are written to comfort people during difficult seasons of life. Life Read Me a Story was written from a reflective place. It is a song about emotional exhaustion, healing, resilience, and the idea that nature itself may hold lessons about how human beings survive hardship.
At the heart of the song is a simple but powerful question. What if life were easy all the time? What if there were no storms, no struggles, no heartbreak, and no challenges to overcome?
The song explores those questions through the voices of a husband and wife sitting together in their kitchen, emotionally drained and quietly wondering why life cannot simply feel peaceful. As the song unfolds, Mother Earth becomes the voice responding to them, gently explaining that growth and balance cannot exist without difficult seasons.
Verse One: Wanting Life to Feel Easy
The opening verse captures a feeling many people experience but rarely say out loud. The couple is tired. They are questioning why they always have to be strong. They wonder what it would feel like to wake up without pressure, fear, sadness, or emotional weight waiting outside their front door.
The lyrics imagine a life in which storms simply pass over them, and the sun shines continuously. They dream about a life untouched by hardship, where nothing interrupts their peace and nothing challenges who they are.
This part of the song is not about weakness. It is about emotional fatigue. Sometimes people do not want riches, excitement, or success. Sometimes they simply want relief.
The couple represents anyone who has ever asked themselves why life sometimes feels so heavy. If you can listen with headphones, I've structured pretty detail in the music.
The Chorus: Mother Nature Responds
The chorus shifts perspectives completely. Instead of the couple speaking, nature begins answering them.
Mother Earth responds with calm wisdom, explaining that all living things depend on balance. Rain serves a purpose. Storms strengthen roots. Clouds nourish rivers. Even flowers depend on darker days to grow.
One of the song's central messages is found in the line about the sun shining continuously. Although endless sunshine sounds beautiful, the song reminds us that constant heat would eventually destroy life rather than sustain it. Without rain, the Earth would dry out. Rivers would disappear. Growth would stop.
Nature survives because it adapts. Forests recover after fires. Trees continue growing after storms. Rivers overflow and eventually settle again. The chorus suggests that human beings are not separate from that process. Like nature, people are also capable of healing and restoring balance after difficult seasons.
The chorus is designed as a comforting response to the couple's pain. It does not dismiss their struggles. Instead, it gently reminds them that hardship does not always mean destruction. Sometimes it is part of becoming stronger.
Verse Two: Acknowledging That Pain Can Feel Too Heavy
In the second verse, the couple begins to understand the message, but they are still struggling emotionally. They admit that some storms feel overwhelming. They understand the idea of growth, but they also recognize that too much rain can leave roots tangled and unstable.
This is an important emotional moment in the song because it refuses to romanticize pain. The lyrics openly acknowledge that life can become exhausting and difficult to carry.
Mother Nature responds again, this time with empathy rather than explanation alone. The Earth itself has experienced destruction, imbalance, storms, and rebuilding. Yet despite everything, it continues finding ways to restore itself.
The message becomes deeply personal. If nature can recover after devastation, perhaps human beings can too.
The couple slowly begins shifting their perspective. Instead of only asking why hardship exists, they begin listening to what life may be trying to teach them through those experiences.
The Bridge: Accepting the Journey Without Pretending Pain Is Easy
The bridge brings the song's emotional meaning together.
By this point, the couple has not escaped life's difficulties. Their problems have not magically disappeared. What has changed is their understanding of struggle itself.
The lyrics acknowledge that struggle is not punishment, and stillness is not always peace. Without challenges, there would be nothing pushing people to grow, heal, evolve, or discover their own strength.
One of the most meaningful lines in the bridge says:
"I am the flower, I am the tree. I needed a weathered journey to discover what I can truly be."
That line represents the entire heart of the song. Human beings are part of nature, not separate from it. Just like trees, flowers, rivers, and forests, people are shaped by changing seasons. Some seasons feel beautiful. Others feel pain. Yet every season leaves behind lessons, strength, wisdom, and growth.
The final message of Life Read Me a Story is not that pain is enjoyable or easy. The message is that renewal remains possible, even after the darkest storms.
The Meaning Behind the Song
What inspired this piece was the realization that nature constantly demonstrates resilience. Storms pass through forests. Trees fall. Rivers flood. Yet somehow, the Earth continues to search for balance and renewal.
There is something comforting in that idea.
Not because it minimizes human pain, but because it reminds us that healing is woven into the rhythm of life itself.
Life Read Me a Story was written to acknowledge life's complications honestly while still offering hope. The song recognizes that people will face storms they never asked for. However, it also reminds us that growth often happens beneath the surface long before we can see it.
Sometimes the rain is not the end of the story. Sometimes it is what teaches the roots how to grow deeper.
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Whether or not you are a Caregiver long-term for someone with a chronic or ongoing medical condition, or simply helping a family member through the recovery phase of an illness or broken bone, a Caregiver Pager is helpful to both Caregiver and Patient.
Wireless Caregiver Pager by CallTou
Ideal for the elderly or seniors, or anyone who is disabled or bedridden temporarily or long-term, a Call Button allows help to be available at the touch of a button.
It is easy to carry. The receiver can be moved with the caregiver. It has a working range of 500 feet, allowing it to be taken from room to room. Simply plug the receiver into an outlet in whatever room you need it to be. You can have the receiver in the living room or kitchen during the day and take it to your bedroom at night, guaranteeing being able to hear it if your ‘patient’ or senior resident of your home needs help.
The call button can be hung around the neck of the person who needs it by a neck strap (included) like a pendant, or secured with a bracket or double sticker.
Easy to use (plug and play)
It has Smart Ringtones with 55 ringing tones to choose from, along with 5 level adjustable volumes.
Both call button and receiver are waterproof and dustproof.
Battery-operated (batteries come included)
There is an included user manual, plus the product offers 24 hours customer service.
This SmartCall System is available as a single button, if the patient/person is in one room primarily (or to wear around the neck), or as two buttons for use in additional areas. In my home, there is one in the patient’s bedroom and one in the bathroom, in case aid is needed in either area night or day.
Being able to wear a caregiver pager around your neck is particularly helpful if the patient were to have a fall and couldn’t call out loud enough to be heard.
Whether you or a loved one is a patient or simply elderly and wanting to live as independently as possible, this Caregiver Pager becomes a very handy tool for providing reassurance of help if needed.
Summary
Customers give it high marks, saying it is the best they have found short of having one that connects to emergency services. Absolutely perfect for home use ~ for dependability, reliability, and peace of mind for both caregiver and patient. My family and I have found this to be true.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor—just someone who has personally experienced this and found it very helpful. If you have any medical questions about this product, please consult your health care provider.
*Review of the CallTou Wireless Caregiver Pager was written by Wednesday Elf
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.”
I have several colanders in my kitchen, but the one I most often grab is my
mini colander.
When I first purchased my mini colander, I bought it for rinsing small
bunches of fruit, like a few strawberries at one time. I have been
very surprised by how many different food products I now rinse with it.
Just about everything I need to rinse/strain can be contained in the small
mini colander. The Great Northern beans shown in my picture on the right, is the entire 1 lb. package of beans.
I also appreciate how lightweight the mini colander is to hold. So
much easier to use than a large colander. It has a raised base and
easily sits in my half sink. Larger colanders require the larger side
in my double sink and get in the way when I am trying to work in the
kitchen.
My mini colander is dishwasher safe and takes up a lot less room in the top
shelf of my dishwasher. That is a huge benefit to using the mini
colander.
I purchased my Good Cook Profreshionals Mini Colander at Kroger, but Amazon
has similar mini colanders available for purchase and delivery
convenience. Sometimes it is very hard to find exactly what you want
in a brick and mortar store.
Mini Colanders
I measured my mini colander at 6.25 W (not including the handles) x 2.75 H inches. It is small
enough to sit inside my smallest glass mixing bowl which makes it very easy
to store. I sure wish I had purchased more than one, but I am thrilled
to find similar colanders available on Amazon.
I previously reviewed and shared my recipe for cooking white beans (shown in the introduction) or white bean soup. You will find that recipe by clicking here.
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.”
World Bee Day in an annual day that calls attention to the critical importance of bees in our world. Did you know that bees are very important to the production of food in the world? They are among the most effective pollinators which enable fertilization and the production of seeds and fruits. Approximately 1/3 of all the world's food crops depend on bee pollination. Without bees many plants would struggle to live and this would lead to diminished food availablily.
World Bee Day
May 20th is an annual observance to raise the awareness of the essential role of bees. In 2017 the United Nations approved May 20th to be the first annual World Bee Day. This date was picked to honor Anton Jansa of Slovenia who was a pioneer of beekeeping that was born on May 20, 1734.
The 2026 theme for World Bee Day is "Bee engaged in pollinator-friendly agricultural production."
I found the following YouTube video on World Bee Day. It was written for children, but it can also be very educational for adults. It tells about bees and their place in food production.
Fun Facts About Bees
There is one Queen bee in each hive. She is the only one that produces new bees. She may live up to 5 years. She can lay up to 2600 eggs a day.
When a queen bee dies the worker bees create a new queen by selecting a young larva and feeding it a special food called "royal jelly" this enables the larva to develop into a fertile queen.
The rest of the female bees are worker bees. They all have assigned jobs. They can live for just 5-6 weeks.
The male bees are drones. Their primary function is to mate with the queen bee and pass on their genetics to future generations.
The worker bees have duties assigned them from birth. Here are a few of the duties I found interesting.
Scouts- they go out to find where the pollen is most plentiful. They also search for a place for a new hive.
Funeral directors- when a bee dies the funeral team takes the dead body out of the hive and disposes of it.
In order to keep warm in the winter, there are a group of bees that gather and block the entrance to the hive with their bodies. They beat their wings to send in a warm breeze. Even when it is below freezing they can maintain the heat in the hive to 90 degrees.
What you can do to help?
Some of the ways you can help to save the bees include:
Planting native, bee friendly flowers
Reducing or eliminating herbicide and insecticide use
Leaving patches of bare soil and untidy areas for nesting
Providing water sources with stones
Supporting local organic farmers
My husband has been learning a lot about bees and last year he encouraged me to plant more bee friendly flowers in my flower bed.
I planted sunflowers, cone flowers, black eyed susans and other bee friendly plants. Here are some photos of the bees on our plants last year.
More Information on Bees
If you would like to learn more about bees, Amazon has several books available. Here is a link to one that looks like it would have a lot of information. https://amzn.to/4eVPt60
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.”
Well I know that there are many James Patterson lovers out there and I'm one
of them. So when I got the opportunity to read his latest book, I jumped
at the chance.
NetGalley
kindly offered this book to me for review and to say the least, it was another
of his books that I could not put down.
The Country Road Murders
is coming out July 13th 2026 and can be preordered on Amazon. For
Kindle members it's free!
So far
The Country Road Murders written by James Patterson and Mike Lupica has been like many of his
other books, outstanding!
Don't be turned off by the number of chapters (115), because they are short
chapters and make it easy to put the book down and pick it up again.
That for me is a bonus! I hate having to re-read half a chapter to
remind myself of all that is happening in the story. Each chapter is
easy to remember with just a few sentences to bring you right back into the
story.
Silas Tucker jr. is the local hero of small town Cross Rivers NC.
His father was also a well respected and admired member of the
community. Murdered when Silas jr. was just 12, he left a legacy that is
continued by his son.
Cross Rivers is in a bit of chaos caused by the local thugs who are tearing
the town apart by trafficking drugs in the community. Murder and missing
persons seem to be daily happenings in town. Everyone is scared of the local
"thugs" who belong to the Southern Mafia! No one wants to stand up to
them and they yield their power over the community with impunity.
Then Silas jr. makes a return to his home town after a devastating
accident. Like his father, he wants to right the wrongs that are
happening right under his nose.
Will Cross Rivers ever get out from under the prevailing powers that are
tearing their town apart? They will if Silas has anything to do with it.
This book is a wonderful and thrilling story that will keep you turning those
pages until the very end and then you might just want to read it again or pass
it on to your favorite book-reading friends. You will enjoy this and
your friends will thank you for sharing it with them too!
So many books to enjoy and if you happening to be looking for your next good
book, check out all the wonderful reviews right here on
Review This Reviews!
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.”
This is the fifth of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.
This store is called PositiveAffirmation. I already had an Affirmation category in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle; however, it kept growing. To keep things cleaner, I created another store, also featuring affirmation products. My intent was to have all new designs in this new store, but I inadvertently had some overlap. For the most part though, the designs in these two stores are mostly unique to each of these stores.
The categories, so far, in my PositiveAffirmation store on Zazzle are:
Apparel and Accessories:
Here you will find Aprons, Belt Buckles, Pin on buttons, Hats, Necklaces, Ties, Tote Bags, and Tshirts.
Some of the designs in this store are simple one word affirmations. The words are usually made from a cutout letter font, featuring a photo of some of my flowers for the inside of each outlined letter. I think they give an extra added appeal to the affirmation.
The Home, Pets, Car category includes, Car (products), Clocks, Keychains, Kitchen, Luggage Tags, Ornaments, Pillows, Posters, Signs, Tiles, and Wall Art.
I usually write in an affirmation, but on this particular design, I made a template that is to be filled in with the person's own favorite affirmation. I know that using a mirror when reciting my affirmations have proven to be very helpful, and wanted to encourage others to try the same method. I designed the artwork for the mirror.
The New Products category is automatically an option by Zazzle, assigning any newly created product here, if the designer doesn't already give the new product a category, when designing it. This category is usually empty.
Office and School:
This category includes Binders, Business Cards, Dry Erase Boards, Mousepads, Notebooks, and Stickers.
An affirmation can serve as subtle reminders each time we see it, i.e. when we see it on our notebook.
As of this writing, there are only two items in this Category, so there are no subcategories as of yet. At some time, there will be more. Your suggestions and requests are welcome. As well as any requests for other categories too.
Stationery:
The Stationery category includes Address Labels, Cards, Notepads, Postcards, and Stationery.
Address labels may be thought of as pretty small for an affirmation, however a simple reminder to Give Thanks can be a timely reminder for Thanksgiving, as well as throughout the year.
Thank you for your visit, comments, and or sharing too.
Cheryl Paton
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.”
Quick, fun and easy DIY to use extra ice cream cones and turn into Bird Feeders. You know ... the ice cream sundae bar at the birthday party and that bowl of cones that sat out all day and are now nice and stale? Or the package you dropped and turned the cones into crumbles!
Materials
Scrap twine, thin rope or pipe cleaners
Bird Seed
Ice Cream Cones
Peanut Butter
Sharp ish tool to make holes in the cone
How To Make The Ice Cream Cone Bird Feeder
Turn cone upside down.
Poke a hole on each side across from each other.
Feed string or twine through hole and make a loop.
Tie the loop. This will be your hanger.
Cover all or parts of the cone with peanut butter.
Sprinkle a paper plate with bird seed.
Roll cone around the bird seed to cover the peanut butter.
Gently press birdseed into peanut butter.
Find your favorite tree branch and hang.
Enjoy!
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.”
I created and produced this piece on May 8th, 2026, inspired by the way I
was raised and the life we shared with my parents.
While the memories are deeply personal to me, I know many people will
recognize parts of their own families in these lyrics and moments.
So much of it centers around the little things mothers become known for
over the years, the sayings, expressions, habits, and reactions that somehow
stay with us forever.
One thing that always made us laugh was how my mother's filter slowly
disappeared as she got older. She became more blunt, more honest, and often
unintentionally hilarious. Now that I'm older myself, I catch pieces of her
in the things I say, and every time it happens, it makes me smile.
The Things We Carry Forward
One line I especially wanted to include was "two blinks and a stare." It
perfectly captured something so many people understand instantly: that
silent look from Mom that said everything without a word.
My brothers and I knew exactly when we were pushing our luck. We were
raised to help out, contribute, and pull our weight around the house, and
those values stayed with all of us long after childhood.
Some of my favorite memories involve my dad arriving home with several
extra people unexpectedly showing up for dinner. In the 1970s, that kind of
thing happened often, and my mother somehow always seemed
prepared.
Her freezer was constantly stocked, and within no time she could put
together a full meal for whoever walked through the door. Looking back, I
still wonder how she managed it so effortlessly. It created a home that felt
warm, welcoming, and open to everyone.
The video also includes both male and female vocals for a reason. The older
male voice symbolizes my brothers, while the younger male voice represents
my youngest son.
There is a moment in the lyrics about my youngest son trying to hide a
laugh under his breath, the same way we used to around my mother, and that
memory is completely real. Watching him tilt his head to conceal a grin
because he knows he should not laugh is something that instantly brought me
back.
At its heart, this song is about recognizing that our mothers never truly
leave us. Their words, habits, expressions, lessons, and stories continue
living through us every single day. I realized I am not simply turning into
my mother over time. Parts of her have always existed within me. Sharing
these memories and speaking her words aloud is one way of keeping her spirit
alive across generations.
And if you happen to be reading this around Mother's Day or another
meaningful family occasion, I hope you spend it celebrating the woman who
helped shape your life. If you're holding onto your memories from a Mom who
has passed, here's a big hug.
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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.”
This is a review of last year’s book by Dean Koontz, published in January 2025. The book is titled “Going Home in the Dark”.
Long-time fans of Dean Koontz will recognize his ‘quirky’ sense of humor in this book. In fact, that humor is more apparent than ever, as the author seems to have taken a personal interest in ‘asserting’ himself (through dialogue) throughout the narration of the story by its 4 main characters. It certainly gives the book an interesting slant, beginning with the first page of text in a note from Dean Koontz himself. The title of said ‘note’ is:
There are four main characters in Going Home in the Dark who call themselves the Amigos! Outcasts, definitely in the Nerd category, Rebecca, Bobby, Spencer, & Ernie become solid friends in their teens as a way of surviving both high school and the fact that none of them had any sort of solid parental support or guidance. That shared trauma turned them into a fiercely independent unit—a bond so enduring that nearly twenty years later, when this story begins, they are as close as ever.
The so-described 4 Amigos grew up in an idyllic small Midwestern town called Maple Grove and, whether because their teen situations were so dreadful they searched for a better way, or whether they were just very smart and creative, they each became extremely successful, and very rich, pursuing their chosen fields.
Rebecca Crane: California - Actress
Bobby Shamrock - East Coast - Novelist
Spencer Truedove - Chicago - Artist
Ernie Hernishen - Maple Grove - Song Writer
Ernie is the only one of the four Amigos who stayed in Maple Grove, while the other three followed their professions in other parts of the country. Even though they live independent lives as adults, they continue to stay in touch with each other on a regular basis. Their friendship is such a lasting kind that when Ernie falls into a coma, the three others immediately return to Maple Grove.
Once back in their hometown, Rebecca, Bobby and Spencer suddenly discover repressed memories from the age of 14 when they first met and became ‘The Amigos’. Now, the current circumstances force them to confront the buried secrets and shared trauma from their past. They must discover what it all means in order to help Ernie and perhaps save themselves.
Summary
This novel combines childhood fears, buried secrets, friendship, and a strange darkness lurking beneath the idyllic small town of Maple Grove.
This is a horror/thriller novel by Koontz, but with the author’s narrative comments sprinkled throughout, frequently breaking the tension, it allows the stories’ ‘happenings’ to appear in a lighter vein even though the situation often seems to be dire.
How everything is resolved, whether or not Ernie wakes up, and the constant suspense of not knowing if all four Amigos survive will keep you on your toes throughout the reading of ‘Going Home in the Dark’.
A psychological thriller, with supernatural elements.
For more reviews of books by Dean Koontz, click here!
*This review of the Dean Koontz 2025 novel “Going Home in the Dark” was written by Wednesday Elf
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.”
No one wants to spend a lot of time cleaning their house, even though we
all prefer a clean home. I always appreciate anything that makes my
housework easier. For many years, I have been dusting with the
Swiffer Dusters with the short handle. They really do make dusting the furniture a lot faster and
easier. I recently started using the
long handle Swiffer Duster
and found it to be a dream come true.
I am barely over 5 feet tall, therefore reaching the top of any tall piece
of furniture like the TV cabinet, or the tops of picture frames, is
impossible for me without a
step stool. At least, that was true before I tried the long handle Swiffer
duster. Now, I can stand on the floor and reach the top of any
furniture or pictures in my home. If I stand on my tip-toes and have
the long handle fully extended, I can even dust the crown molding around my
ceiling. That is pretty amazing!
At first, I thought the long handle was flimsy when fully extended.
However, I have come to appreciate that slight flexibility as I realize it
will not press hard enough to scratch anything I am dusting. I would
rather it feel flimsy than to have it damage anything. Plus, it is
extremely lightweight.
Long Handle Swiffer Duster
Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty 3 ft Extended Handle with Pivot TopCheck PriceThe kit I originally purchased came with a 3 ft. handle and several duster
refills to get started. I can shorten the adjustable handle to about
15 inches if desired, but I often leave it fully extended and use the
original short-handle duster as needed. However, there are times when
I don't wish to carry both around the house with me. Being able to
adjust the long handle, makes it possible to dust a room with only the one
Swiffer. The top of the handle will also pivot which allows me
to run it across the entire top of a picture frame without having to climb
up on my step stool.
The most recent duster refills that I purchased came with "dust busting
strips" to help dust more thoroughly in places where dust tends to build-up,
like the top of my refrigerator or the inside of AC vents.
I highly recommend both the short handle Swiffer duster and the long
adjustable handle Swiffer duster to make dusting faster and easier.
There are better things in life to do than spend your day dusting!
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.”
We had many good years of cooking with our old stove. We knew we needed a new one, so it was time to go shopping.
We found one that we liked and opted to spend the extra money for the built-in air fryer.
We realized that we didn't have air fryer baskets and trays for oven use.
So it was shopping again for an oven air fryer basket. We found this set on Amazon, and it has worked out well.
The set consists of two baskets and trays. The large one is 15.3" x 11", and the smaller one is 13.4" x 9.6".
The baskets are raised, this allow for 360-degree air circulation without the need to flip your food. The set is made of stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean.
The set also comes with 60 sheets of parchment paper, 30 for each tray size.
Oven Air Fryer Vs. Countertop Air Fryer:
There are some differences between oven air fryers and countertop air fryers. They both use the same technology by rapidly circulating hot air to crisp the food.
With the oven air fryer, there is a larger cooking space, so you will need more time to cook. I've noticed the food is not as crispy because the air circulation isn't as concentrated. What I do like is that the oven air fryer's larger capacity lets you cook more food in the oven than on the countertop. I also found that the oven air fryers use more energy than the countertop air fryers.
We currently have a Ninja Foodi Grill Air Fryer and still use it because it cooks faster, and the food comes out crisper. The oven air fryer saves us some counter space; we only take it out for quick cooking.
If you need oven air fryer baskets and trays, I can recommend this set.
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.”
This is the fourth of a seven part series of my various stores on Zazzle.
The store that I'm reviewing here is MazePuzzles. I already had a Birthday category in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle; however, I knew that I wanted to make a variety of maze puzzle themes, so I went with creating a store for just this theme. Another thing that sets this store apart from my CherylsArt store, is that I used very little of my own artwork in designing these maze puzzles. I created most of these puzzle designs from designs on Canva, of which I subscribe to.
In my MazePuzzles store, I show the Collections first on the landing page; these are sorted alphabetically by theme, followed by product type. A design theme collection is the perfect place to look if you're planning a themed birthday party. There you will find all the different products for that particular theme.
The roduct type collection is the perfect place to look if you know you just want a birthday card, or want to see all the different designs in one easy to look at place.
Here are how the product categories are arranged in my MazePuzzles store.
Birthday Maze Greeting Cards:
It's great seeing all the different maze puzzles pictured in one easy to view location. It can help you decide which maze puzzle you want to go with. The maze puzzles not only include different animals and such, the puzzle themselves range from pretty easy to somewhat harder.
The Monkey and Bananas maze can be considered easy or hard, depending on whether the overlapping vines might offer just some added fun or confusion!
Here is another option for inviting your guests. The invitations differ from the greeting cards, as there was enough room to add the party details to the front of the cards.
Birthday Maze Notepads can be a fun addition to a maze puzzle themed birthday party. All the kids can work a puzzle while they're waiting for cake to be served, or in between game playing, etc. The notepads are 5.5 inches by 6 inches and there are 40 sheets per pad, making it easy for kids to try again should their sheet get messed up. A larger, 8.5 by 11 inch option is available, but the purchasers would need to edit their selection to get the whole design to fit within the printing area.
The maze puzzles are offered on the 7 inch square paper plates. The square can also be ordered on 9 inch. There are also round plates offered in the same sizes as the square plates, and also a round 7 inch bowl.
Birthday Maze Postcards:
The postcards can be used instead of greeting cards or invitations, to invite the guests. It can save on paper usage and possibly postage.
Birthday Maze Napkins:
The maze theme is printed on paper napkins. All of the items in this store are easy to personalize using the provided template forms.
Maze Puzzle Paper Cups:
The maze puzzle design is just printed on one side of the paper cups. Having hosted birthday parties before at an art store, I could just imagine young kids turning their cups all around to view the maze puzzle from alternate sides, and then you know what might happen next. Anyway, I decided to go with the one sided view!
The yard signs are a fun way to show guests where the party is. These signs are printed on lightweight, weather resistant, corrugated plastic, that is 4 mm thick. They are listed to last for 6-9 months for outdoor use, depending on weather conditions. They come in a choice of shapes, including circle, house, helmet, and arrow. Various sizes are offered for the different shapes. You may need to edit to get the design to fit into whichever shape and or size that you select.
Do you have a favorite design so far? There are actually eight different maze puzzle designs in all. You'll have to visit the store to see them all.
Did you think of any other product that you might desire for a maze themed birthday party? Let me know in a comment below. Thank you.
Cheryl Paton
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.”
