Alternatives to Standard Christmas Trees |
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Six Easy Christmas Tree Alternatives
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Watermelon Day Review
Source: Pixabay |
It is so refreshing because it is 92% water. This makes the watermelon a good thirst quencher, something definitely needed in the hot days of August and throughout the summer.
Some call it a fruit; others think it is a vegetable. In fact, it is the official vegetable of the state of Oklahoma.
Fun Watermelon Holiday Treats
Watermelon Pizza. Source: Google Search |
Watermelon can be a tasty food as seen in recipes found doing a Google Search. Simply made with watermelon slices, other favorite fruits (like strawberries and blueberries) and yogurt, giving you a tasty dessert or a fun appetizer for a summertime picnic.
Crafty Watermelons
The watermelon is popular with crafters. Here are a few fun ones.
Watermelon Fabric Beverage Coasters
These cute beverage coasters are made with 2 different cotton fabrics so it is reversible. One side has watermelon wedges and slices on a black background and the other side has large black ants on a red and white checkered background. Perfect for your summer time decorating.
Beverage Coasters are an easy way to decorate your table for any holiday or home decor, plus being a practical item to protect your furniture. They are made with 100% cotton fabric and there is a layer of cotton batting for extra protection for your furniture. They are approximately 5" x 5" square.
These watermelon coasters and many other themes are available in Kathie's Etsy Shop she calls CutePurseNalities.
Watermelon Kitchen Decor
Watermelon Potholder Crochet Pattern |
This is a pattern to crochet a potholder that looks like a watermelon for your kitchen.
This cheery, double-sided watermelon potholder is perfect for summer! The front is as shown in the photo and the backside is a solid green. This pattern is perfect for seasonal summer-time use and will impress family and friends at the next BBQ.
The pattern can be found in the Etsy Shop of The Driftless Designer, who is Reina of Minneapolis.
Summary
National Watermelon Day is an unofficial holiday with no known origin. It may have been begun by watermelon farmers, or by the National Watermelons Day. No matter who came up with the idea to celebrate the watermelon on August 3rd, it remains a refreshing summer snack that is naturally healthy.
National Watermelon Day
August 3
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Father's Day Gifts Reviewed on Review This Reviews
Treasures from the Archives of Review This Reviews!
Warm weather beckons us to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities which makes June the perfect month to celebrate Father's Day. When I think of baseball, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, four-wheelin, motorcycles, bicycles, or even washing cars, I think of my dad. As a child and young adult, all of those summer activities included my father. In fact, as an adult with adult children of my own, my dad is still a part of all of those family activities and more.
The Review This Reviews contributors recognize that not all fathers are the same or enjoy the same activities listed above. Some dads prefer video games, radio controlled devices, woodworking, or other hobbies. Many play golf like my father-in-law. One thing every man I know enjoys, is eating! Some may enjoy cooking as well, but they all love food.
Because we have over a dozen contributors on Review This Reviews, we have dozens of hobbies, entertainment, and activities that our own fathers, husbands, brothers or sons enjoy to use as a reference for reviews of excellent gifts for men.
So many wonderful memories in our lives include our fathers. Let's be sure to remember our dads on Father's Day with a phone call, visit, a card, perhaps dinner, and even a specially selected gift. Either of those things would be considered a "gift" to your dad because it will be you taking time to express your appreciation and love.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Mother's Day Gifts Reviewed on Review This Reviews
Treasures from the Archives of Review This Reviews!
On Mother's Day, we celebrate our moms. We take this one day each year to express our love to our mothers and to give them a gift of appreciation.
As a mother myself, I know the size or expense of the gift doesn't matter. A card with an expression of love, signed by my precious child, touches my heart deeply. I keep and cherish those cards more than just about any other gift. It takes only a moment to write "I love you" and sign the card, but this is a treasured gift that I will keep all of my life.
As a child, I enjoy finding a unique gift that my mom will keep and enjoy displaying or using. Because Mother's Day is separate from other gift giving holidays, I embrace being able to focus just on one important person in my life.
Many of us are blessed with wonderful mothers. We need to always remember that our moms are truly a gift to us. Remembering them on Mother's Day, is really very little to give back.
Select a gift that easily fits into your own budget. I know for a fact, no loving mother wants their child struggling to pay for a gift. If a $4 card is what your budget will allow, give the card. If you don't have $4 to spare, write "I love you" on a piece of paper, sigh it and give it to her. That card or slip of paper, regardless of price, will be among her most valued treasures.
If you wish to send a larger gift along with the card, the contributors of Review This Reviews offer suggestions based on their own experiences. We write about gifts that we have received and loved, as well as gifts that we have given that have been greatly appreciated. Please refer to the Pinterest board below to see the gifts reviewed and recommend by our Contributors.
Every family situation is different. Choose what works best for you and your mother. Just remember her on Mother's Day! That is what matters most.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Bats, the Good, the Great and Why You Want Them!
Bats have had a bad reputation for many years and much of it comes from not understanding this mammal and all of it's wonderful attributes. Halloween, scary stories, murder mysteries and more have used scenarios with bats as a harbinger of bad things to come. Stories of bats becoming entangled in people's hair and attacking at night have added to the fear many people have when it comes to this animal. Vampires and other "horror" scenes have reinforced the idea that bats are "bad news". I'm here to set the record straight!
Let's start with what we know about bats!
Bat are mammals that hibernate like bears in the winter months. Once the weather starts to warm up and the bugs come out of the ground, you will if you are lucky, start to see bats as well.
Of all the animals that you can have in the garden (and all of them have a job to do), I would be encouraging bats to find me. Having a bat box ready for them is step #1. These are easy to build and can be fastened to a nice cozy dry spot. Just under the eaves is a great place.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Day of the Mushroom Review
Basket of Picked Mushrooms (Wikipedia) |
Mushroom Day, or Day of the Mushroom, is celebrated each year on April 16. No one appears to know who created Mushroom Day (or why), but it has become quite popular on cooking and recipe websites,
What is a Mushroom?
Definition per Wikipedia: A mushroom, or toadstool, is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source.
Many kinds of mushrooms are poisonous. The mushrooms most of us care about are the 'edible mushrooms'. The most common of these are the white mushrooms or button mushrooms many of us use in cooking. A couple other popular edible mushrooms are the Portobello and the shiitake mushrooms.
(c) Wednesday Elf |
We have always been told that the mushroom is a fungi, but to further classify it, the Department of Agriculture considers mushrooms to be vegetables because they provide many of the same nutritional attributes of vegetables. For a complete history of the edible mushroom, click here.
Celebrating Mushroom Day
There are numerous ways to eat mushrooms and dozens of dishes which use mushrooms as an ingredient. To celebrate Day-of-the-Mushroom you probably should fix a favorite mushroom recipe.
I never ate mushrooms as a child, being a very fussy eater who wouldn't 'try' new things. So it wasn't until I was grown, married and a parent that I was introduced to a mushroom treat that changed the way I thought about mushrooms forever more!
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms by Small Town Woman |
We had moved to the Central Coast of California near San Luis Obispo and a new neighbor invited us over. There were several appetizers prior to the meal, one of which was a plate of Atascadero Stuffed Mushrooms. Now, Atascadero Mushrooms are well known in the central coast area of California. This was our first introduction to these mushrooms. They look like button mushrooms, but are very large.
Our host had fixed them by cutting off the stems, chopping them and mixing them with crabmeat, bread crumbs & seasonings then stuffing them back into the base of the mushroom cap, sprinkling Parmesan cheese on top and popping them in the oven. The taste ~ unbelievably good. I became a mushroom fan immediately.
If you want to try your own crab-stuffed mushrooms, this recipe on a blog by Small Town Woman for Quick and Creamy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms sounds fabulous and close to the stuffed mushrooms which won me over to being a mushroom lover.
Mushroom Decor and More…
The mushroom has become so popular over the years, that it is enjoyed in more ways than just as food. Many home décor items are decorated with scenes of mushrooms and mushrooms appear on wearable items such as T-shirts.
The mushroom has even become a fun toy item.
Mushroom Garden Interactive Toy |
I love this colorful Mushroom Garden educational interactive toddler toy. It lights up, has music and fun sounds, and teaches colors and numbers. It also has a memory game. Tots have fun and learn at the same time.
So enjoy the DAY-OF-THE-MUSHROOM on April 16.
Related Mushroom Dates:
- Stuffed Mushroom Day – February 4
- National Mushroom Day – October 14
For more holiday reviews, check out:
Holiday Review written by Wednesday Elf
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Do You Send Easter Cards?
Do people still send these cards though? It seems more and more that people are just sending greetings through social media and e-cards which is such a shame as it really is nice to receive a card through the mail.
Let's have a look at some of the beautiful cards that are available to send Easter greetings to your friends and family around the world.
Cute Vintage Easter Cards
I do love cute Easter cards and some of the vintage designs really lend themselves to cutenessI do love this one as it looks like the rabbits are begging the little girl for Easter eggs! At least that's what I see when I look at this fun and cute card. There are lots of other cute vintage cards that are based solely on bunnies, but I do like seeing a little girl in this one.
Custom Easter Cards That are Gorgeous
My parents lived in a different country to us so my daughter was always sent an Easter card and a gift - I remember one year she was sent a gorgeous bunny soft toy that actually smelled of chocolate. For years that chocolate aroma lingered, she loved that bunny!
I think a custom Easter card like this one would put a smile on any child's face.
Fun Easter Cards for Dog Lovers
I'll admit I'm a dog lover from way back and as far as I'm concerned I am and always will be a dog mum! I would absolutely love an Easter card that gives a nod to one of my 'babies' and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.
I could not believe the variety of different dog breeds that are represented in Easter cards, definitely pop on over to Zazzle and have a look you will not be sorry!
Which Style of Easter Cards Do You Like?
So which type of Easter card is your favorite. I could be here for hours looking at cards which is why I have only added a few, but I have to say I love cute Easter cards whether they are modern or vintage.
Before I go let me ask you two questions - do you send Easter cards? What type of Easter cards do you like to receive?
Happy Easter!
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Easter and Church A Simple Way to Make It Easy for Children
Children and Faith, Our Duty as Christian Parents and Grandparents During this Holiday Season.
In the last 30 years Church attendance has dropped significantly. Christians still want to attend services at special times of the year and one of them is coming up very shortly. There are two major celebrations in the Christian community. Christmas being the first. Easter is the Second. Both of these times in the year are Holidays, and important in the life of a Christian community. Christmas we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ and at Easter, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the Tomb. Both of these "Holy Days" are usually marked by increased attendance at your local church's worship services.Easter Church Services
The Question remains, how do we get our children (many of which haven't participated in regular Church Services) to sit quietly at the Services we are attending? Every parent enters the church with trepidation and fear that their little ones will be disruptive during the Easter Service.
I'm here to tell you that with a little planning ahead, children can and will behave in a way that will not put you to shame. But it does take some planning.
So let's get to it. Prepare, prepare, prepare!
First of all let's find out how long the church service will last. Sometimes it will be 30 to 45 minutes and other services may last a few hours. Knowing how long you need to keep your children engaged will help you plan better.
Let's assume that services will be about an hour long. That 60 minutes of quiet time that your children need to get a handle on.
Let's Pack a Church Bag* to take with us to services. Inside will be all kinds of quiet activities that your children can do when they become restless. So these are the things I would take along:
*Contents of a great Church Bag
- Books, depending on the age of your children, they can be picture books or story books.
- Stickers and some paper for them to make their own picture of the Bible story they will hear.
- Coloring books with crayons. (if you have more than one child, make sure you have a book for each one of them!)
- Puzzle books, find the words, or crosswords are great!
- Small soft Easter type toys, stuffed bunnies, chicks or eggs. You can find some really cute ones here at Coastal Crochet Crafts!
There are several available and they will help you to explain to your children what this Season of Easter is all about too! Children learn from their parents and grandparents about their faith beliefs and it is up to us to encourage that faith. After Church Services are concluded, I'm sure there will be time for the infamous Easter Egg hunt. Children especially like this part of the Easter festivities. Dinner on Easter Sunday will be a gathering of all the family at the table to share in the wonderful foods and desserts that have been lovingly prepared for us. After all Easter is a whole season of REJOICING! Everything is new including the seasons. Everything is in bloom or will be soon.
Please know that most Christians are very happy to see the little ones at church services! They are a delight to us older folks who remember all to well taking our own children to Services.
Happy Easter to all, The Lord is Risen, He is Risen indeed!
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Lego Easter Egg Hunt Set Reviewed
Fun Idea For Easter Basket Stuffer
Add some Lego Fun to the Basket (image courtesy of pixabay.com) |
Saturday, February 16, 2019
National Gumdrop Day Review
Image Source: Wikipedia (and Fotojet) |
Who Invented the Gumdrop?
The gumdrop was invented by a chemist and candy maker named Percy S. Truesdell. In 1915 he changed the texture of this sugar concoction. By adding starch in a formula he developed at Ohio State University, he changed a hard candy into a smooth, chewy delight. He later became known as the “Gumdrop King”.
Uses for Gumdrops
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Crafty Gumdrops
Gumdrop Penguins |
DIY Gumdrops
Image Source: Mkreal on Flickr |
Other Gumdrop Tidbits
An interesting sidelight is the fact that the classic board game Candy Land
features both a Gumdrop Pass and a
Gumdrop Mountain.
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, oh what a life I would lead.
A more modern offshoot of the original gumdrop are today's popular 'gummies' in the form of gummy bears and gummy worms. Kids seem to love these gelatin-based chewable sweets.
Summary
So, enjoy a gumdrop, or two or three, on National Gumdrop Day, February 15, or any day of the year this chewy treat appeals to you.
Happy Gumdrop Day!
(c) Gumdrop Holiday Review by Wednesday Elf written on 2/15/2019. Updated on 2/16/2024
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