Halloween Decorations for the Home ~ A Holiday Product Review

 Just in case you were wondering, Halloween is coming up quickly!  In three short weeks it will be upon us full blast.  Are you ready?

If you enjoy Halloween as much as I do, you can go to great lengths to decorate your home for this frightful holiday.  Your decor can be as easy as a whole bunch of pumpkins and gourds artistically displayed, to a full out haunted house.  It is all up to you.

Decorating should be fun to do and easy to remove once the holiday is over,  in my humble opinion.  To that end, I went looking for decorations that would fit nicely into my "easy" lifestyle.  

Wouldn't you know it, good old Amazon.com has a great selection of really easy and not too expensive outdoor decorations that fit that bill perfectly.  

 Inflatable decorations are easy to put up and even easier to take down again.  In most cases all that is required is a long outdoor extension cord to plug these in.  

These inflatables can be cute or really scary.  Pumpkins and ghosts are good fun choices, but those witches and goblins, werewolves and skeletons are pretty popular too.  

Just around the corner from us, one home has several of these blow up decorations that are lit up for the evenings.  They are lovely, easy to place and easy to remove too! That's important because we all know that right after Halloween we will shift to Thanksgiving and Christmas decor instead! So that easy removal is a bonus for sure. 

Everyone has been waiting for a great reason to celebrate and I can't think of a holiday that is more fun than Halloween.  I love watching the little ones who are just so cute in their costumes and really don't understand the whole concept of knocking on doors and getting candy.  Their eyes tell the story and the awe which they are in is contagious.  Of all the holidays in the year, I think this one is the one that makes me feel young again.  After all I can get myself dressed up too and I will!  No one will know who is hiding under that disguise!

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Review Some of Grammie Olivia's Favorite Things

Grammieknows is what my darling little ones tell everyone, whenever I answer a question for them. 

Sometimes the answers are true and other times they are a story that makes absolutely no sense, but has them laughing in the aisles.  My propensity for telling tales has earned me the moniker of being a know it all.....So I guess the nickname Grammieknows fits pretty good.

Trilliums 2016 from  Grammie Olivia's Garden. 

What Grammie does Know is, that gardening is a balm for the soul and works nicely to make a body tired, so that sleep can, eventually make the body rest.  Working in the garden not only makes the body tired, but it is great exercise.  As we age, we need that exercise to keep us moving one step at a time.  You know (and Grammieknows) if you don't use it, you'll lose it!  It is so true with exercise, if you don't move those muscles, arthritis and weakness will take over.  

Muscle Medicine

 

Gardening also provides a way for you to enjoy the beauty that is all around.  From the ground right up to the sky, flowers and plants make the world a more beautiful place. It doesn't stop at the ground level either.  All those flowers planted in garden beds, encourage bees, butterflies, birds and small animals to gather and enjoy the work of your hands.

Finding great tools to use to make the job easier is also a lot of fun.  I have my special tools that I just can't be without!  Like any other craftsman, looking for new tools is a joy and I love sharing those great finds.  You can see some of the tools I love in another Review This Article, I love my tools.

Being green minded, may be avante garde today, but I have been that way for a long time.  I don't encourage the use of chemicals in any way, shape, or form.  There are natural solutions to every problem and I try to search those out.  When something works particularly well, you will find me sharing that with everyone who will listen. 

 

Recipe for Homemade Weed Killer

Like my favorite weed killer, that is made up of Vinegar, Salt and Dawn (Blue) Dishwashing liquid.  I know you want the recipe now....  So, it's one gallon White Vinegar,  2 cups of Salt, and 1/2 cup of Dawn.  Always shake it up well, before applying.  Put it into your sprayer or divide it up into several different spray bottles (make sure you label them) and use early in the morning(on a dry day) for your weed issues.

Gardening is such an incredible opportunity to stand on God's earth and work to make the world a better place to live, breathe, and be!

You will find me on Review This, or on my website, www.grammieknowshow.com and sometimes on Facebook posting things of interest to gardeners  and those who enjoy flowers and nature at https://www.facebook.com/GrammieKnowsWeekendGardeners.
The other places where Grammie Olivia posts things of interest include  Pinterest for fun and lots of interesting subjects that just tickle her funny bone.  You can check out some of the interesting things Grammie Olivia finds online right there.  

I love to hear from others, so use one or all of the platforms I have shared with you to drop me a line.  I will answer, because after all, GrammieKnows.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Back Packs or Rolling Totes!

For many of my friends and family, the time is drawing quickly to a close when summer holidays are a done item and the back to school craziness is again upon us.
Along with all the clothes shopping that needs to be done, there is also that list of items needed for the start of the new school year, and that list seems to grow every time you head out to the store.
There is just that one other new thing you just know will be perfect for your scholar. Whether it's a new backpack, lunch bag, pencils and pens or notebooks, you are sure that you will need them all.

So Will it be a Back Pack or a Wheeled Tote?

The answer will depend on the child....read on!

When kids come home from school, their back packs or rolling totes, seem to be the most important item they will have. After all you need something strong and sturdy to carry home all the books and journals/notebooks that are the sign of a new school year.  Their backpack will need to be large enough to contain all their "things" and at the same time, be manageable for youngsters to either have on their backs or roll home.

Now, I know that many parents seem to be divided when it comes to the "type" of school bag, their kids are going to be using.

Young kids in grades 1 through 3 seem to like back packs that go over their shoulders and hang down their backs. These types of bags do tend to make the children stand up straighter, but sometimes the weight is a little too much for their growing bones to handle.   So,  instead of them standing up taller, they slouch in a way to make the weight lie across their backs a little more evenly. Either that or you have children that have sore backs from carrying the weight of all those books, or the bottoms of their bags are falling out, because they are dragging their backpacks home.  You will have to keep an eye out on your child's behaviors when dealing with their back packs and moving them back and forth.
Having a carrier that has good straps and functional pockets is half the job, the other half is being ergonomically designed so that filled with books, it is still easy to have on your back and not make you tired or sore.  If you are finding that your child is dragging their backpacks along the ground, it just maybe too heavy for them to handle.  In that case a rolling tote is a much better answer.  You don't want your child to arrive at school already tired from the load they are carrying.

If your child is wanting a rolling pack for school, there are also lots of choices.This is just one of the styles available and suitable for school aged children. The only down side to the wheeled packs would be, winter where lots of snow, would make pulling this, just a little cumbersome.

Which ever way you choose to for your youngsters to get their books and gear back and forth to school, I'm sure that there is a fashionable and fun way to do just that.

For every child there is a Back Pack or Rolling Pack to suit their tastes and needs.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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What do an Electric Snow Shovel and a Deep Fryer have in common?

A while ago, while the snow was still flying in the sky and falling to the ground faster than running water, my other half and I decided that now would be a great time to own our own Electric Snow Shovel. 

What actually happened, though, was not what I expected.

My husband likes to research anything that we are going to purchase to make sure that we are getting value for our dollars.  One of his favorite mottos is "Getting the  Biggest Bang for Your Buck!"  So with that in mind, I knew that I was going to be shoveling whatever white stuff the clouds were going to dump on me,  that day and probably the next.

Fast forward about three days: low and behold, my sweetie's favorite truck comes by with a delivery.  I was sure that it was my new and improved Electric Snow Shovel and my back, arms and legs were all doing the happy dance.

One big problem,  the size of the box and the dimensions of that same said box, were no where near what I would have expected for an Electric Snow Shovel!

Now we have a rule in our house,  that if the delivery truck comes, only the person that it is addressed to, is allowed to open whatever is in the box.

Well wouldn't you know it, he was out and I was in!  Darn,  I couldn't break our long standing house rule, even though my fingers, hands, arms and legs all said......."DO IT!"

A few hours go by and my sweetie finally makes it home.  I am waiting like a kid, who has the biggest secret and can't wait to tell the next person who crosses his path.

He enters the home and sees the  box in the middle of the living room and I with a great big grin on my face, look at him with great big puppy dog eyes and ask, "What's in the box?"

He grabs the box and takes it into his "man-cave" leaving me with this goofy grin on my face.  "I'll be right back" he says ever so coyly.

Well up the stair he comes in short order carrying not my new Electric Snow Shovel, but rather this lovely looking T-Fal Deep Fryer!

In my state of excitement and anticipation, we could now add total confusion.  Because I love this man, and he loves me, I let him explain.

Honey he says very coquetishly,  I got us something that both of us could use and neither one of us has,  I got us this lovely T-Fal Deep Fryer! 

T-Fal Deep Fryer

I just looked at him with total uncomprehension and said, "but I thought we were getting an Electric Snow Shovel?"  

He says ever so quickly, "honey, the Electric Snow Shovel isn't on sale yet, but the Deep Fryer was!

So I spent the rest of March and April of this year, shoveling by hand, while my sweetie was busy in the kitchen making Home made Fish and Chips.  Guess I will wait until the Snow Shovels are no longer needed to get mine.

Snow Joe, Electric Snow Shovel

Right now though,  I am thoroughly enjoying summer and the snow can wait until December at which time I am sure that I will be the owner of my very own Snow Joe Electric Snow Shovel.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Halloween Countdown Continues 5 days to go!

Halloween is almost here! The ghouls, goblins, witches and princesses,   have all checked to make sure that their costumes are ready for the big night.  After all, this is a one night a year event and it should not be marred by a costume that  is less than perfect!

Review This wants to make sure that along with all the fun the kids are going to have tonight, that they are also seen by all those who may be driving on this Halloween Evening.

We know without a doubt that children get excited and maybe a little careless when they are having fun, but on darkened streets, this could be a recipe for disaster and no one wants that!

So without further hesitation, I am going to suggest a few ways to keep our kids safe and having fun, without any accidents to spoil the fun and turn it into a real "fright" night.

Being seen by cars is the most important part of keeping our kids safe.  Consider sewing or adhereing some glow in the dark reflective tape to their costumes.  These tapes are available in fabric stores or hardware stores or on-line.  Add a few stripes and make it part of the costumes design so that when any light hits it, it will glow with a brightness that everyone will see.  Or another option is to buy some glow in the dark paints and literally paint part of the design of the costume using these paints.

 Glow in the Dark Paints available through Amazon.

If this is not an option for your trick or treater, than might we suggest that a flashlight will be a good alternative.  Not only will it make them seen, they can also use it to light a path to the doorway of the next house that they will be visiting.  No tripping over garden ornaments, or hoses or anything else that would be in their path.   I like this one because you can attach it to their goody bags with the clip, so that their hands are free.  Sometimes the kids would just rather not have anything else to deal with other than their goody bags.


  Clip on Flashlight by Melissa and Doug.

I love the idea of lights and making the children as visible as possible, but still keeping with the spirit of Halloween.  If you have taken the time to construct your costume,  maybe you have thought to add some solar lights to part of your "get up" !

I can picture it now,  Ms. Witch with her hat and long hair just covered in twinkling lights......or a cauldron goody keeper that emits a frightening light....or even cool glow sticks that come in a variety of colors. Share them with friends and the more that are together the better the light will be.

Glow sticks are fun for all the kids, share them with your friends and make sure that they are visible too!

These are just a few of the steps you can take to make sure that your children and their friends are not walking in the dark, possibly not being seen by those around them.

Add some reflective tape to their goody bags and the toes and heels of their shoes.  They will be spooky looking, because their feet will be making tracks before you realize that there are goblins or ghosts on your doorstep.

For everyone to really enjoy Halloween, let's remember to BE Safe and Have a Really Good Time.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Sometimes it is really hard to find the right Gift!

Picture by Earthfeeler 

I'm sure we have all been in that position, where someone we care for and we've known for a long time, has a birthday or special occasion and we are looking for that perfect gift!

No, I'm not talking about a gift that is going to put you in the poor house, or something extravagant that shows everyone how magnanimous you are,  I'm talking about that gift that both the giver and the receiver are going to look at each other, and without words, say, "This is the most perfect gift, ever!"

I have one of these gifts in my possession.  Every time I get down or the whimsy fairy comes out, when the melancholy and uncertainy seems to take over my life, I will gather my arms around my middle, find my "safe" spot and after some time in thought, will pull out the words that will undoubtedly bring me back out of my "funk" and set me on the road to right, again.

What makes this book so special?

I first came across this book when I was a teenager, full of angst and not really sure of my place in the world.  I can remember feeling like the world was a quagmire and I was sinking..........One of my teachers understood where I was and rescued me with the help of some of the most profound words ever spoken or written.  It has become my lifeline!  Especially when things are in control and sometimes when they are out of control, I know I can find the words to help me through.  One thing is certain, the words contained in this book will help many people, through many periods of their lives, just having the words available there and opened, to read,  in a moment of uncertainty.

That is what I call a gift!  It will last for a long, long time without gathering too much dust.  It will never be too big or too small, it won't wear out and it will be meaningful all through life.  It is one of my favorite gifts to give, especially when I love the person who is the receiver.  It will not only give when given, but will come back to give again and again.

Please let me introduce you to The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran



This copy of my book, is the one that I like to give as a gift.  It is a beautiful book and the pages feel wonderful under your fingers.  The ecru paper is thick and can stand being handled.  I love the fact that when I am done pondering the words,  the book slips into it's cover and is safe again, until I need it's words to soothe my troubled spirit.  

picture: www.hdwallpaper.co.uk

The other gift that goes hand in hand with this one is the Desiderata !

I love this beautifully done written in calligraphy poster.  Framed it will become a lovely gift that makes everyone who reads it feel special.   If this one doesn't fit your style, there are many others available.  The words are the same and will resonate with the reader regardless of the style of poster.
For anyone who is needing a little reaffirmation, these two choices for gifts, will  give more than anyone ever expected.  And hopefully, these will be the gifts that becomes a favorite with that person for a long, long time, delivering a smile over and over again through life.



You are a child of the Universe, pass it on to someone you love too!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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