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Showing posts with label Product Reviews. Show all posts

Monday, November 3, 2025

Great Gift Idea for Bird-Watchers - Motion-Detected Security is a Bonus

I recently received a very thoughtful gift. I was given a Bird Snap video/audio bird feeder. My children set it up within minutes, including the app on my phone, and installed the feeder on my deck near my existing cluster of bird feeders. Such a fun and modern way to watch the birds at my feeder, whether I'm home or not.

I was gifted the Bird Snap bird feeder with camera and solar panel offered on Amazon. There are many, many versions of video feeders offered with a variety of prices and options.

Fellow Review This Reviews contributor Mary Beth Granger reviews and recommends the Smart Bird Feeder Camera that she was given last year. You can see her review here. I had thought about buying myself a Bird Feeder Camera on her recommendation then but it was one of those wish list items that I didn't end up buying for myself.

Bird Snap Camera Bird Feeder

There are many brands and versions of bird feeders with varying degrees of video and audio capability. I am hoping that with my review of my set-up, you'll be able to consider which options are important in the feeder camera you choose.

Motion detection
Live video
Live audio and Two-Way audio
160 degree wide viewing angle
Real-time notifications
TF card included
Solar panel and cord
IP65 Weather proof
1.8L bird seed capacity
detachable liquid nectar holders (hummingbirds); fruit holders (orioles, etc)
Free app for viewing and downloading videos and/or activating the live camera.
Optional AI bird identification subscription

The phone app allows for a variety of choices (with no subscription fees): live video, review of videos on the cloud or TF card, downloads to your phone gallery, an alarm, real-time audio (listening) and real-time audio (speaking from my phone to the outdoors), sleep option, and ability to snap photos.

There is an AI Bird Identification subscription that can be purchased to identify the species of birds that visit your feeder. I have not subscribed and cannot comment on this feature.

My Thoughts - Dual Purpose (Bird Watching AND Security)

After my Bird Snap was set up, I noted the very wide angle. And initially, I thought I would move the camera in order to exclude my "working homestead" area from view; chicken coop, lawn mower, water catchment, and other "clutter". After all, in general, we are often encouraged to share images that are pretty and "Instagrammable". Fortunately, I am often slow to do things on my to-do list. Before I re-positioned the bird feeder camera, I realized that motion near the chicken coop and in my driveway (both at the house and near the road) was being recorded. If I do decide to move the feeder, I will likely move it to have a better view of my driveway and the front of my house; clutter be darned. Similar to a security camera at a person's door bell, I would be able to see, record, and speak to anyone coming and going.

So far, aside from showing my cluttered work area to the world, I've only had two initial hesitations about this product. 1) even though it was placed next to my existing cluster of bird feeders, it seemed to take awhile for the birds to trust and visit this new feeder. I believe they could hear, feel, or see the motion from the camera activating causing them to fly away before the video started. 2) During a very windy day, I received notifications on my phone all day. But that was user error, as I had forgotten that I could set "sleep" on the feeder remotely, and eliminate all of those leaf-blown notifications.

The birds now seem to be braving the new feeder without hesitation. And I know that on windy days to "sleep" the feeder to stop the excessive notifications.

Preferred Bird Seed

I love bird-watching and have done it for years. I am not expert at bird identification but I can easily recognize the regulars around here. I am excited to try to lure the Orioles and other fruit eating birds next year! Meanwhile, I offer a variety of bird seed here to try to attract a variety of birds. I have noticed the trend that the Nut and Fruit blends are preferred.

Video clips from my Bird Snap; showing both birds at the feeder as well as things happening near the chicken coop.

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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Monday, October 27, 2025

Cook With Color Nesting Bowls Review

Cook With Color Nesting Bowls have been one of my favorite purchases this year. The bowls were used moments after they were unboxed and are used daily. The convenience of the matching lids has made kitchen prep and storage so much easier and quicker.

Sizes

Bowl capacity

0.32 QT, 0.74 QT, 1.37 QT, 3.69 QT and 5.8 QT.

Colors

Over 30 color choices !

Lightweight

I love classic glass mixing bowls, but they are heavy! Great to mix but a little heavy to store food. These nesting bowls are light weight and work so well to store fruit, veggies, leftovers in the refrigerator with the matching lid.

Storage

The bowls and lids nest within the largest bowl; love this and necessary for small or downsized kitchens.

Dishwasher Safe

Top rack dishwasher safe

Microwave safe

Freezer safe

Options

This brand has every type and color of lightweight bowls to make prepping, cooking and storing so easy ! These bowls make a great compliment to your kitchen tool set. Browse the collection here.

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Monday, July 14, 2025

Outward Hound Treat Puzzle Level 2 Review

Always on the watch for helpful puppy products for enrichment! The Outward Hound Treat Puzzle level 2 came highly recommended and indeed has over 78 thousand reviews with a 4.5/5 star average in a very popular online store.

Three Levels In One

The Outward Hound is a three level puzzle depending upon how the components are arranged. I found this pup quickly learned how to find the food. Slightly disappointed the pup needed about 4 feeding times to conquer the puzzle. Three minutes and poof the food was gone! The food was one cup of puppy food which filled about 75 percent of the nooks and crannies of the puzzle. I would expect if the puzzle was 100 percent full the feeding would take longer.

Durability And Chew Marks

I was surprised the components of the puzzle were not puppy proof. Indeed after one use the pup with teeny tiny teeth left its' mark.

The reviews did mention a concern with the chewability of the puzzle as a possible negative.

With a watchful eye I concur. Without purchasing and trying the product chewability is subjective to each dog. Apparently teeny tiny baby puppy teeth can and did leave chew marks on the puzzle. this puppy also lifted off the white bone covers as a toy and tore off a door... leaving me to not feel comfortable with this puzzle unsupervised closely.

Recommendation

I was hoping for a puzzle puppy feeder to keep the pup busy. I liked so many of the features of this puzzle, but ultimately decided it was not a great fit for this pup due to the chewable components and need for very close supervision.

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Monday, May 26, 2025

Roll Out Wooden Walkway Reviewed

Ever have THAT problem area of lawn? The part which turns into an unintended walkway from a maintained lawn view versus the reality of a lawn area that is being used as a walkway? Also known as the cut through patch of lawn that everyone has decided should be a path...

After a tough winter, the cut through needed help this spring. It is definitely not fun to walk through the cut through path after rain. Many options were discussed from pavers to cement to stones and all had merit, cost and labor.

Last year I tried the rubber type artificial pavers? Those were expensive, labor intensive to assemble and install and were ultimately returned. I loved the idea because the pavers were very light and movable, but not realistic either in price or installation.

I have seen the rollout walkway online in many places. Different colors, different lengths, different treads and decided upon one to try on this cut through.

Which Brand?

Many reviews and many different price points for rollout walkways online. As this was a DIY test I decided upon the Yoopin 6 foot walkway. The prices of course increase with the length. This walkway was offered in six and eight feet and in two colors. I chose the brown color.

Materials

The walkway is made of spruce and rolls up for convenience. The width is 17.5 inches wide and 1.5 cm thick. It is advertised as non slip and I may add a few pieces of reflective tape for night use.

Flexible! I loved that the walkway does not have to be rolled out in a straight line, it can be modified to fit the terrain. It can also be easily lifted and removed to mow the lawn.

Recommendation

I was admittedly skeptical, but after rolling it out... I decided to purchase another and increase the length of the walkway. The area needs to be leveled with additional topsoil, but as a DIY goes, this was very simple and the purchase fit the problem.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2025

A Review of the Easiest Way to Organize Your Closet

Are sick of your closet looking like the FBI just searched it? Are you tired of having to look through 30 tops you rarely wear, to find the one that you do? Do you hate putting on a pair of pants, just to find they are ripped or stained? I used to go through all these scenarios on a daily basis because my bedroom closet was just a mess! Trying to find something to wear to work was a nightmare and when I finally did, pulling it out of a packed closet meant that it was a wrinkled mess and had to be ironed before I could wear it, or go to work looking like I slept in it.

If you have these problems like I did and are ready to do something about it, I have a plan for you that is guaranteed to solve your closet problems for good! It’s actually fairly simple, once the decision is made. It’s just 3 steps to a clean closet and the means to keep it that way.

Step 1: Sort and Toss. This is probably the most time consuming and painful step. You need to go through every single thing in your closet and put it in one of three piles.

Keep - Items you wear frequently and love. They fit well and are comfortable.

Throw away - Items that are damaged, stained or somehow unwearable.

Donate - Items that are too small or too large. This also include items that you may love, but that really don't look good on you or don't fit right. This pile most importantly must include things that you don't wear even if there really is no good reason. If you have not had it on your body in the last year, out it goes.

Keep in mind that you have a finite amount of space in your closet and once it is full you will have to find more items to remove from the keep pile. Once you have your piles, and everything is sorted, immediately bag up the throw away stuff and take it outside and put it in your trash can, so you won’t be tempted to change your mind. Bag up the donated stuff, close the bags with zip ties or knotted twine and put a tag on them. Call your charity right then and there and arrange for pick up, then put the bags in the garage, out of sight.

Step 2: Organize – There are many ways to organize your closet. You can get the shelves that screw to the wall, or you can get space bags, or you can go to Ikea and custom build yourself an organizer. Personally, I prefer to take the easy and more inexpensive route and buy free standing organizers from Amazon

They are very easy to use, you just assemble them, set them in the closet and you are good to go. They are also not expensive, so I think they are the perfect solution. It is also wise to invest in some smaller totes for the shelves. They can hold scarves, belts, purses and other accessories.

My favorite organizer is the Whitmor Double Rod Freestanding Closet Organizer. I like that is has two rows to hang on. I use one for tops and the other for pants and blazers. The shelves are very handy, I use the bottom two for shoes and the rest have totes for accessories. I love this organizer!

Because it is freestanding, it does not take any tools to put together and it only weighs ten pounds, so anyone can move it. It's dimensions are 45.2" x 19.3" x 68" and it is pretty easy to put together. And it is less than $40! You really cannot find a better deal to organize your closet.

I also found some Storage Baskets that I really love. I didn't want stiff basket weave or plastic, so I kept looking. I finally found some gorgeous woven cotton rope totes. They are so soft and can be washed in the washing machine! They are perfect for long term use.

Step 3: Stop or slow the amount of clothes you buy. This is going to be the hardest thing for some of us. Shopping is so much fun and clothes are so pretty! However, you cannot keep your closet organized if you are continually buying more clothes and never throwing any out. If you do this, it will be no time before your closet will again be looking like it does now. Once your closet is full, you need to make a hard and fast rule that for every piece you buy, you have to get rid of one. That way your closet will maintain it’s organization.

Staying organized in any part of your life is challenging, but closets are a special problem by themselves. Organizers are a good way of helping keep this problem under control. Spring is a great time to start!