Sleepy Time Gifts for Kids - Review

Everyone is familiar with the Aesop Fable about a 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'. Well, how about a grandson in wolf's clothing. 

Grandson David loves everything to do with the theme of wolves. His bedroom is decorated with wolf pattern sheets and bedspread. He requested a handmade plush wolf from his grandma who crochets, along with his birthday wolf toy to put on his headboard. And he is quite the budding artist and created his own website for his wolf-related pencil art work he calls Art Wolf.

Therefore, when his mom told me that suggestions for Christmas gifts included new pajamas, naturally I sought out Wolf-themed PJs. 

Animal Related Sleepwear

In addition to wolves, children love animal themed pajamas. Probably the most popular animal among the youngest children is dinosaurs. I know David's little brother Tyler LOVES dinosaurs! 

Dinosaur Pajamas

Disney animals are also favorites. Little girls love Marie, a favorite cat from the Aristocats movie.

Disney Girls Aristocats Pajamas

Dogs and Cats are beloved by children. This puppy pajama set would delight any little girl.

Puppy Pajamas

And, of course, you can never go wrong with bears – the most popular animal of all.  Any bear from teddy bears, cartoon bears, panda bears and that favorite Winnie-the-Pooh bear would please any kid to wear to bed. 

Winnie-the-Pooh Pajamas

Summary

David in his Wolf Pajamas

So, any time you need a gift for a child, just remember that pajamas are always appreciated by mom, and favorite animal designs please the children.  David was delighted with his (grandma-sent) wolf pajamas this past Christmas.

Related Link:

• Review of Boy's Wolf Union Suit Pajamas by Cat & Jack

Sleepytime Gifts for Kids Review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Made With Love – From the Heart

 Reviewing heart-shaped gifts for Valentine's Day

This is a gift review of handmade gifts that are definitely 'made with love'; thus, are perfect for Valentine's Day or any occasion where you wish to express your love for the recipient.  

There have long been certain gifts associated with Valentine's Day. Flowers are the most popular, especially roses.  Chocolates and jewelry run a close second.

Today we are going to talk about handmade gifts made with love.

Couple in Love

Couple in Love Giraffe Wood Puzzle

For a sweet way to express the love of a couple, this set of giraffes with a heart in the form of a wood puzzle would be perfect.

Handmade from hardwood birch, sanded and coated with linseed oil, this 3-piece puzzle of two giraffes hugging, with a heart in the middle, is a lovely depiction of a 'couple in love'. Created by Ecopuzzle on Etsy.

Cuddly in Crochet

Crochet Pig with Heart

Cute for a little girl for Valentine's Day – a cuddly crocheted plush pig holding a heart.  Handmade by Amanda and found in her Etsy Shop Created by Manders.

Hearts Bibs for Baby 

Bib with Heart Designs

An easy and very practical way to remember baby for Valentine's Day is with a bib with a hearts design.  Cute photo-op too. 

These bibs are handmade in cotton with red hearts on a striped background. The back of the bibs is soft, absorbent terry cloth. Bib closes with a snap and comes in infant and toddler sizes.

Handmade by a Kentucky crafter for the Etsy Shop Nana's Notions Crafts. 

Grogu with Heart

Grogu with Heart (Baby Yoda)

A fun Valentine's gift for any Star Wars fan is this Grogu with Heart.  Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, has become very popular. Finding him with a heart fits right in with this made with love from the heart themed gift guide.

Grogu with Heart and many other Baby Yodas can be found in the Etsy shop of Mad Mac Crochet created by Michelle of Calgory, Canada. 

Hearts for the Home

Valentine Beverage Coasters

For a heart-warming home décor gift, check out this set of Valentine Coasters handmade by Wednesday Elf for her Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts. This particular set of coasters has sold, but Elf will be happy to make another set just for you. Just contact her at her Etsy Shop.

Summary

So, if you are  looking for a gift that is perfect for Valentine's Day, or for any occasion where you want to give a gift that is 'from the heart', check out the Made with Love items here or anywhere on Etsy.

Source: Pixabay

This Made with Love article 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Quicksilver by Dean Koontz

 

A Book Review

Synopsis

Shortly after dawn, on a lonely highway outside the tiny town of Peptoe, Arizona, three men on their way to work discover an abandoned infant nestled in a white bassinet.  Except for the blue blanket which wrapped the baby, the only other item with him is a note with the name “Quinn Quicksilver”, and his date of birth. The men turn the 3-day-old baby over to the police who place him in a Catholic orphanage in Phoenix. 

For whatever reason, the baby is never placed and grows up – mainly happily – in the orphanage. As he nears his 18th birthday, typically the time orphans must leave the home, the kind Sisters locate a job for him as a writer/researcher at a locally published magazine.

Though unexceptional, Quinn was happy with his life until the day of strange magnetism which compelled him to drive out into the middle of nowhere. Then it helped him find a valuable coin. Shortly thereafter, this strange magnetism helped save his life when two government agents began to pursue him for an unknown reason.

During a shoot-out at a desolate former dude ranch, Quinn finally meets his destined traveling companions – the beautiful Bridgett and her grandfather Sparky.

The trio discover they are all compelled by the same strange magnetism.  As they travel together through the Arizona Sonoran Desert, they are drawn toward something sinister and an enemy they must defeat.  Although we are looking at just two 19-year-olds and a grandfather, they discover resources within themselves they did not know they possessed.

Summary

Quick Silver by Dean Koontz

Once again, Dean Koontz takes us on a combination Sci-Fi and Mystery adventure that keeps up the suspense until the very end. 

Quicksilver, just published in 2022, is the newest novel by award-winning author Dean Koontz.

For more book reviews on Review This!

check out ReviewThisBooks.com

Quicksilver book review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

National Lego Day Review

 

What: National Lego Day

When: January 28

Attention all Lego fans!  And I think anyone born after 1962 ARE fans! 

As we celebrate the yearly holiday of National Lego Day, the year 2022 was extra-special as we celebrated the 90th birthday of LEGO. Lego was invented in Denmark in 1932 and this fascinating building toy as we know it today was introduced to the United States in 1962. Most of you enjoyed playing and building with Legos as children. Many of you have continued your interest into adulthood. Or, if you won't admit to your grown-up self that you still love playing with Legos, you can easily hide your 'fandom' by 'helping' your children and/or grandchildren build their latest set. 

The writers on Review This! have written reviews of many Lego sets, from small ones to very large ones.  In case you have missed any, I give you this compilation to check out many of the favorites which are on the market today. 

Reviews of Lego Sets in Themes

CITIES

Lego Creator Holiday Bakery Set
The Lego Creator Holiday Bakery is a fun accessory set to Lego City. Reviewed by Louanne Cox.

Lego City Fire Station
Every city needs a fire station and Lego City is no exception. Louanne Cox reviews the Lego Set #7208 fire station.

Reviewing Lego City Airport |Set #3182
The Lego City needs an airport. This Lego Set #3182, with 703 pieces, comes with everything you need, including mini figures of a pilot, flight attendants, a service man and a passenger. Review written by Louanne Cox.

Lego City Construction Site
Help build your Lego City with this construction site set #7633. The set comes with 3 vehicles and 5 minifigures and has 898 pieces. Review written by Louanne Cox.

Reviewing Lego City People Pack
When building your Lego City, you sometimes need more people. Lego has People Packs to add to your city's population. The Lego People Pack #60202 has 14 minifigures (Lego People). Review written by Louanne Cox.

SUPERHERO

Spiderman Far From Home Lego Set
The Spider-Man Far From Home Stark Jet and the Drone Attack Lego Set #76130 has 504 pieces. Review written by Sylvestermouse.

TV SIT-COMS AND CARTOON CHARACTERS

Lego Big Bang Theory Reviewed
The Lego Big Bang Theory set for grown-ups and kids. Review written by Louanne Cox.

Scooby-Doo Mystery Mansion Lego Kit
A fun holiday set perfect for Halloween. The Scooby-Doo Mystery Mansion Lego Kit is retired, but still available on Amazon and on eBay. A delightful cartoon character in a Lego Set. Review written by Sylvestermouse.

CREATOR SERIES

 

Reviewing 2004 Lego X-Pods
The creator sets for the Lego X-Pods first came out in 2004. They were essentially 'Legos-on-the-Go', with everything you needed to start building all in a pod you could carry around. Reviewed by Louanne Cox.

Lego Off-Road Power Set
The Lego 5893 set comes with instructions for three different Lego builds, a Lego Truck with Digger, the Off-Roader, and a Dune Buggy. The set is part of the Creator Series. Review written by Louanne Cox.

Lego Gingerbread House Set
The Lego Gingerbread House Set is a fun set to create for Christmas. It also makes a pretty holiday table centerpiece. With 1477 pieces, this set will keep the kids busy while they wait for Christmas to arrive. Review written by Sylvestermouse.

OCCASION THEME

 

Lego Easter Egg Hunt Set Reviewed
The Easter Egg Hunt Lego Set has 126 pieces and is perfect for Easter. Review written by Beverly Owens

DISNEY

Lego Disney Castle Set – Cinderella's Castle
The Fabulous Lego Disney Castle Set #71040 has 4080 pieces – a fun challenge for older Lego fans. It comes with favorite Disney characters of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Tinker Bell. Review written by Sylvestermouse.

Disney Winnie-the-Pooh Lego Set
Everyone loves Winnie-the-Pooh. With this Lego Set #21326 with 1265 pieces, Winnie and his friends can enjoy the Tree House and all the 'Pooh' adventures. Review written by Sylvestermouse.

BASIC

Reviewing a Set of Basic Classic Legos
The LEGO Classic Creative Supplement Set is a set of basic Legos to create whatever you can imagine. Review written by Wednesday Elf.

DISPLAY SHELVES

The final touch to your Lego Hobby is to have the perfect place to display your completed creations. Sylvestermouse gives you this lovely home decor piece.

Lego Display Shelves
When you complete your Lego Sets, especially the large ones, you will need a place to display them. The display shelves reviewed here by Sylvestermouse are the perfect solution.

SUMMARY 

This quick resource guide to reviews of Lego Sets will hopefully guide you toward the exact set(s) you are looking for. More reviews will be added as they appear, so come back anytime to see the latest. 

Happy Lego Day! 

Check Out More Toy Reviews at
ReviewThisToys.com
Or
Reviews on Lego Sets
Right Here On Review This Reviews!

Holiday Reviews on Review This Reviews!

*Lego Day Holiday Review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Flying Fish Bar & Grill - Restaurant Review

SLOGAN: “Where the Fish Fly” 

We spent 13 years living on Tybee Island, Georgia, then later lived another 6 years on Wilmington Island located off Highway 80 east of Savannah and just minutes from Tybee Island.  As you can imagine, we had a lot of visitors over the years drawn to the area the same way we had been.  Between the historic sights of Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean off Tybee Island, not to mention the temperate winter weather in Georgia, our northern friends loved to come visit. 

As a result, we quickly found our favorite restaurants to take our visitors to.

Flying Fish

(c) Elf

One of our favorite restaurants was the Flying Fish. This was especially true during the years we lived on Wilmington Island, GA. It is located less than 2 miles away from where we lived, conveniently located on Highway 80 between Savannah and Tybee Island, just a short 15 minute drive east from downtown Savannah. 

Locally known as simply “The Fish”, the restaurant was started by Mike McMahon in 2007. Mike is a local Savannahian who has worked in the seafood industry all his life. Because Savannah is known for a wide variety of tasty local seafood, Mike took his knowledge of seafood and applied it to a tasty menu of fresh Georgia Shrimp, Flounder and Oysters, along with crispy fried calamari and crab claws.  And, of course, the famous Low Country Boil, consisting of spicy peel-and-eat shrimp, sausage, corn and new potatoes, which is a classic Southern recipe along the Georgia and South Carolina (low country) coasts!

If you are not a big seafood lover, The Fish also caters to “landlubbers” with dishes of Chicken Alfredo & Pasta, chicken fingers and wings and beefy burgers. They also feature a full service bar. 

Our Favorite Dishes 

Image Source: Pixabay

Love their fried shrimp or fried oyster dinners and several times have had their Shrimp for 2 meal, which is a very plentiful platter of fried shrimp with French fries, cole slaw and hush puppies. (Mmm, I could go for a plate of that right now!)

For many years, the Flying Fish was open daily, beginning with lunches, and had 'lunch specials'.  My brother and I loved going out to lunch on Mondays when the 'special' was pork chops deliciously prepared (our favorite non-seafood dish).  Due to the circumstances of the past couple years, I see that the hours have been reduced to just 5 days a week and not opening until 4:30 p.m, except on the weekends. It is still an eatery well worth visiting. And I have truly missed the Flying Fish since moving back to the Midwest.  I still have their menu, which is occasionally fun to 'drool' over. Click here for the Menu to see for yourself.

Location: 

Flying Fish Bar & Grill

7906 East US Highway 80

Savannah GA 31410 

(912) 897-2009

Hours: Open Wednesday and Thursday 4:30 and Fri thru Sun 11:30 am … until the party stops! 

Website: Flying Fish https://www.flyingfishsavannah.com

Summary

So, if you are a snowbird planning a trip south in the winter, or vacationing in the Savannah, Georgia area, add The Flying Fish Bar & Grill to the “restaurants” section of your itinerary. You won't be disappointed in the food or the relaxed atmosphere. And Tell Mike hi for me.  :)

Related Links:

My family & I do seem to seek out seafood restaurants wherever we may find ourselves. I may miss the Flying Fish Bar & Grill in Georgia, but have since found another here on the Mississippi River in my current location. Another FISH-named restaurant equally as tasty ~ the Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill.

Flying Fish Bar & Grill Restaurant Review written by Wednesday Elf

Seafood Restaurant Recipes to Make at Home can be found right here.

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

FOLLOW US ON:

The Krewe of Hunters Book Series Review

 

By Heather Graham

Series Synopsis

FBI agent Adam Harrison had been involved in mysterious searches and situations so often that the government had asked him to put together a group of special teams who became known as the Krewe of Hunters. Jackson Crow, the only member chosen straight from the ranks of the  FBI behavioral Sciences Department, became the leader of the original team. The other members were carefully selected by Adam Harrison and Jackson Crow for their unique talents; some from other branches of law enforcement and some who had other skills needed for investigations (computer skills, audio & visual skills, etc.). Once the teams were formed, they all went through the rigorous FBI training at Quantico.

These teams are called upon to investigate and solve strange and unusual cases. What makes these teams special is more than their skills and FBI training; it is their paranormal abilities. Each team member is able to talk to the dead. You might call these 'ghost stories' and the 'ghosts' are as interesting as the crime-fighting characters. In fact, quite often a ghost is able to help in solving a crime. 

The other interesting thing about this series of books is the various locations where the investigations take place. The author adds in a bit of past history each location is famous (or infamous) for.  For instance, one story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts at Halloween time. The reader gets a history lesson about the area and the Salem witch trials that occurred there in the 1700s. Another story takes us to San Antonio and the Alamo. 

The book I found most interesting to date (#11 - The Night is Alive) is the one that takes place in Savannah, Georgia, because I lived in that area for almost 20 years. The restaurant & bar where the main part of the story action takes place is fictional, but all the other places mentioned are real. It was a fun trip down memory lane to read this particular mystery. 

The Krewe of Hunters Series

Book 1 in the Krewe Series

There are currently 37 books in the Krewe of Hunters series. Each book features primarily one crime to be solved and while quite often several team members are sent to investigate, the focus is on one member of the team each time. That way you get to know the background of that member. That member also seems to 'meet' just the right person to fall in love with. You also get to see the relationships and working dynamics between everyone.

The series begins with the formation of the first team and by book six a second team is formed. Six members seems to be optimal for their working relationships for each team.  In Book One, when the first team is formed, their first crime is located in New Orleans where the name Krewe of Hunters becomes the teams' name. And in several books there seems to be another unique person found who will be perfect for a team. 

Summary

So, we have a murder mystery, a ghost story, a history lesson, and a love story in each book.  

I am approximately one-third of my way through the entire series and I find each book so fascinating I don't want it to end ~ and I can hardly wait to get to the next one. 

At the end of several of the books, in addition to the history of the area, the author gives us a history of the foods indigenous to the area, along with a couple recipes. An interesting and varied series of books for sure. 

Book 37 in the Krewe of Hunter Series
Released on July 26, 2022.

Book List of the Krewe of Hunters

Book 1: Phantom Evil

Book 2: Heart of Evil

Book 3: Sacred Evil

Book 4: The Evil Inside

Book 5: The Unseen

Book 6: The Unholy

Book 7: The Unspoken

Book 8: The Uninvited

Book 9: The Night Is Watching

Book 10: The Night Is Alive

Book 11: THE NIGHT IS FOREVER

Book 12: The Cursed

Book 13: The Hexed

Book 14: The Betrayed

Book 15: The Silenced

Book 16: The Forgotten

Book 17: The Hidden

Book 18: Haunted Destiny

Book 19: Deadly Fate

Book 20: Darkest Journey

Book 21: Dying Breath

Book 22: Dark Rites

Book 23: Wicked Deeds

Book 24: Fade to Black

Book 25: Pale as Death

Book 26: Echoes of Evil

Book 27: The Summoning

Book 28: The Seekers

Book 29: The Stalking

Book 30: Seeing Darkness

Book 31: Deadly Touch

Book 32: Dreaming Death

Book 33: The Unforgiven

Book 34: The Forbidden

Book 35: The Unknown

Book 36: Sound of Darkness

Book 37: Aura of Night

Book 38: Voice of Fear (latest book in the series published in October 2022).

For more books reviewed by the writers of Review This, check out

ReviewThisBooks.com

Review of the Krewe of Hunters mystery book series 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Modern Amigurumi for the Home – Craft Book Review

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small, cute dolls. It comes from the Japanese words ami (crocheted) and nuigurumi (stuffed toy).  

*As defined by Google 

Amigurumi Crochet Designs

From Annie's Crochet comes this Modern Amigurumi for the Home crochet leaflet with 8 adorable designs to crochet in the Amigurumi style.

Amigurumi Cat on Etsy

Amigurumi Birds on Etsy

Designs include two cute cats, two birds and a rooster, Petunia the Pig a darling dog, and an adorable Fairy House.

This crochet leaflet includes color photos of finished items and full instructions to create your favorites from this collection. Author Elisa Sartori has named each of these cute designs with the names Madge, Esther, Felix, Mr. Rico, Petunia, Poppy and Luna. The Fairy House goes by the name Le Petit Maison. 

Summary

This craft pattern leaflet is available on Amazon where it is ranked #164 in the Stuffed Animal Crafts category. It is also available online at Annie's Craft Store and at yarn stores such as JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby. 

Amigurumi is a really fun style of crochet which can vary in size. There are no restrictions about size or look, so whatever type of yarn or hook you use, the end result can vary in size. The world of amigurumi is sweet, cuddly, and smiley.

So, add a little fun to your home décor with these adorable Amigurumi designs to crochet from Modern Amigurumi for the Home! 

Related Craft Book Reviews: 

• A Review of the Craft Book Amigurumi Two” - craft book review by Wednesday Elf
• Easy Crochet Critters – craft pattern book review written by Wednesday Elf
• Around the Corner Crochet Borders – pattern book review written by Beverly Owens
• Baby Crochet – pattern book review written by Wednesday Elf
• Hello Crochet Friends – an inspiring story of a young boy who found crochet to be of great help in overcoming disruptive behavior problems. Not a pattern book, but a wonderful read about how crochet can help anyone.  Book reviewed by Dawn Rae.

For more reviews of Crafts & DIY, go to ReviewThisCrafts.com

*Modern Amigurumi for the Home crochet craft pattern leaflet review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks – A Book Review

 The Wish is the latest book by Nicholas Sparks published in September 2021.

Synopsis

Image Source: Pixabay

Maggie Sparks grew up to be a well-known travel photographer who also helped run a successful art gallery in New York City. But her life might have taken a different track if she had not been sent away at age sixteen to live with an aunt in Ocracoke, a remote village on an island on North Carolina's Outer Banks. 

At first Maggie hated the remote island and missed her friends and family in Seattle. Then she met one of the few teenagers on the island. Bryce shows her how much there is to love about this isolated beach town. He also introduces her to photography, which eventually defines the rest of her life – as does Bryce.

Maggie spent many years photographing remote locations around the world and running the gallery in New York where she featured her photographs, along with a fellow artist's work.  But as the story begins, she is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas, struggling to understand and cope with a newly sobering medical diagnosis.  

As her health worsens, Maggie becomes dependent upon a young man she has hired to help manage the gallery.  As Maggie and Mark count down the last days of the Christmas season together, she begins to tell him the story of another Christmas decades earlier on that remote North Carolina island and the love that set her on the course she could not have imagined on that long ago time in 1996.

Summary

Author Nicholas Sparks has had over 100 million copies of his books sold. His stories are often sad, because life always includes some sadness. But Sparks has a special way of capturing what is real in every life, with the sadness being offset by the wonderful joys to be found. The Wish is another wonderfully real story.

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks

“Never forget that love is always stronger than fear.”

~ Nicholas Sparks in The Wish

Related Links:

• The Return by Nicholas Sparks (Book Review by Wednesday Elf)
• Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks (Book Review by Wednesday Elf)
• The Choice by Nicholas Sparks (Movie Review by Sylvestermouse)
• Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (Book & Movie Review by Sylvestermouse)

Book Review of The Wish 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: