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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Summer Tips for Pets ~ A Product Review

There seems to be no lack of things that we can do to make our pets more comfortable during the summer months.  Just in case you are a new Pet Parent, here are some wonderful ideas to make Summer Months and the heat bearable for your pets.

SUMMER TIPS FOR FAMILY PETS

• The Number 1 and I think most important tip is to keep water available at all times.  If it is a really hot day, you can add a few (1 to 5) ice cubes to the water to keep it cool.
• Take your pets especially dogs out for their walks early in the morning and later in the evening.  Why?  Well let's just say that the pavement gets really hot when the sun is beating down on it.  If you can't take your pets out early or later, then make sure you are walking on grassy areas!  Grass is naturally cooler on their little feet.  
• If you are going for longer walks, take along a water bottle for you and one for your pet.  They make these lovely and easy to use portable water bowls for you dogs.  If you are interested you can find a whole bunch of different options for travelling water bottles right here!
• Use a cooling Bandana to help keep your dog chilled while out in the heat.  Or you can get a Puppy Cooling jacket. If you are interested in cooling bandanas or cooling jackets for your dog you can check a whole lot of them out on this page link!
• Dog booties are a must if you are walking for long distances on hot pavement.  Dogs paws are really sensitive to heat and they can blister and burn. Whether you have a large breed dog or a small breed, they both need foot protection so you can find what fits your Poochie's needs on this page and there are many different choices that you can make!  
• When you come in from your walks a nice cooling mat/pad will make your pet feel wonderfully chilled.  Again if you have a large or small dog, your needs might be different, but you can find wonderful cooling mats for your dogs whatever their size right here!
• Needless to say if your dog is a long-haired variety, they will be shedding a lot of fur over the summer months and good grooming,  while essential all year long, makes an even better idea in the summer.  Getting all that extra hair off of them will keep them cooler.
• If you are a home owner and have the space, a nice little kiddies pool or a special dog pool, will be an added extra for your poochie friend.  Don't over fill the pool, but just give them enough water to splash around, keep the pool in a semi-sun area.  Dog's can get sunburned too!  But please don't use sunscreen on you pet, rather keep them in a shaded area!

Having a pet in the house is wonderful for our mental, emotional and physical needs and they are a part of the family.  So when you know that it's hot out there, it's our duty as pet parents to keep our pets happy during the extra hot days of summer.

They sure appreciate it and you will too!  Your dogs and cats will be much happier and relaxed when their needs are met.

I think I have covered the most important parts of keeping our pets safe and happy, but if there is something I have forgotten, please leave me a comment and I will certainly look into your suggestions. 

  Many thanks for reading and Happy Summer to all!

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Reviewing Benefits Of Sun Protection Hats for Adults and Children

I always look forward to Spring and summer, It is so lovely to get some  sunshine and enjoy lovely weather, but too much or too strong sun exposure can be harmful so I look for ways to enjoy the sun safely.

One way we can protect ourselves is to wear a hat. However although we can wear any ordinary hat, if we want the best sun protection it is better to buy one with added sun protection built in to the fabric. Most are factor 50 which is excellent sun protection.

Sun safety is very important and a Sun Hat with built in sun protection can be very helpful. As summer arrives  and the temperatures rise and the Ultra violet (UV) factors also rise we should all be more aware of keeping ourselves safe in the sun.

My husband and I always wear a Sun Protection Hat now and it really makes a huge difference to how we feel when out about about in the sun, we feel much more protected and cooler.

What Are UPF Protection Sunhats?

UPF sunhats are designed with tightly woven materials and special treatments to block harmful UV rays. They are better than a standard hat in this respect and offer more protection. 

A short explanation is that we are used to hearing Sun Protection Factor SPF in sunscreens, but in clothing and sun hats you may see UPF which means Ultraviolet Protection Factor.

UPF measures the level of Ultra violet radiation the fabric permits to get through to our skin.

UPF 50 in a sun hat blocks 98% of the sun’s rays and protects us from UVA which are the ones that age us and UVB which are the ones that burn. You may still see them advertised as SPF or UPF and should look for factor 50 ideally. 

They are available in a very wide variety of styles for men, women and children. Styles include wide brimmed which are my favourite, baseball caps, bucket hats, beach hats, travel hats, stylish hats and some corded to keep them on in windy conditions. Some are plain, some pretty,  others two tone so you can have a two in one hat, some very practical, others more decorative but all offering you added sun protection.  

A range of colours are available from blues, pinks, creams, greens, black and many others so there is sure to be a colour that you like.  

 Women's Travel Beach Hat with Chin Cord - UPF 50 Sun ProtectionCheck Price

Why Do We Need A UPF/SPF Sun HAT? 

Most offer sun protection to our scalp, hair and face. If the brim is wide enough it can also give protection to our eyes, ears and neck.

Sunscreen on the face and head needs reapplying often, can cause allergic reactions and can rub off during the day. For many people it is more difficult to apply to your head and not perhaps very comfortable and may be greasy or tacky. If you can wear sunscreen on your face and neck you should. However, by wearing a Sun protection hat as well, we cover all bases by being sun safe and maybe a little cooler. Yes hats can blow off or be taken off, but as long as the person keeps the hat on, perhaps with an adjustable  chin strap, it gives all day protection. 

Some medications can make your skin very sensitive to sunlight and you may be advised to keep your skin covered while taking them. Always check with your doctor, but if advised to avoid the sun, a wide brimmed SPF sun hat may be a very useful accessory to protect you while going about your day. 

Some health conditions make exposure to the sun inadvisable. Your doctor is the best person to advise you, but if they approve wearing a wide brimmed SPF sun hat may be useful to help you go about your day more safely. 

Sun Protection hats can really help us by protecting our skin from the sun, helping to shield us from burning or damage by the suns rays and even serious cases of skin cancer on the head and neck. My friend got skin cancer on her head despite having thick hair. She never wore a hat all summer both home or abroad. After having surgery for the skin cancer, she does now. 

If you cannot wear sun screen due to allergies and still want to go out during summer, a sun hat is essential to protect your scalp, face and neck. Due to allergic reactions to sun creams and other creams and cosmetics I am unable to apply sunscreen. I have very fair sensitive skin which does not tan easily, so it is vital to me to wear a SPF sun hat at all times when the sun is out from Spring to Autumn to protect my skin. 

Many sun creams contain chemicals which not only can irritate the face, eyes and skin but the chemicals may affect marine life too. A UPF/SPF sun hat may be an option if this affects you. Also look for sunscreens kinder to you and the environment. 

There is a SPF sun hat for any occasion. Whether its gardening in your own garden yard, going for a walk, days out sightseeing, dog walking, hiking, beach days or exotic holidays. 

A UPF/SPF Sun Hat can make enjoying the heat and suns rays a little safer for everyone.

 Wallaroo Hat Company Men’s Summit Sun Hat (Stone, Large/Extra Large) – UPF 50+, Wide BrimCheck Price

Sun Hats With SPF Benefits for Teenagers And Adults

• A sunhat with added sun protection can be fashionable, sporty, practical, even stylish. You can always add a ribbon or brooch to the hat if its too plain for you or you like to individualise it. 

• If the brim is wide enough, it can protect your face against sun skin ageing and from the skin going red and sore or getting burns. 

• A sun hat may help make up look better for longer.

• AN SPF sunhat is very helpful for people with fine or thinning hair as it offers protection for the skin on the scalp, as well as the face.

• UV exposure can fade hair colour so if you colour your hair it is worth wearing a good sunhat.

• If you have short hair or neck coverage is important to you there are styles with back flaps to guard the neck. It is often a difficult place to apply sunscreen thoroughly and can feel tacky or greasy if it gets in your hair.

• An SPF sun hat is great for people who like to be active and outdoors. There are hats suitable for hiking, gardening, fishing and many sports. I always wear a Sun Protection hat while I am gardening and out walking in nature in the summer. 

• I find an SPF sunhat with a wide brim also keeps me cooler. 

 Solbari Everyday Broad Brim Sun Hat with Pocket UPF50+ Uv Protection, Sun Protective Hat for Women Beige MediumCheck Price

Benefits for Babies And Children

• Children have more delicate thinner skin and it is important to protect it from the suns rays.

• It might not be the easiest task to keep reapplying sun screen especially to a child's scalp, neck and face, although of course we should try, but a hat with a strap to keep it on may work and be a good double form of protection. 

• Children generally like to be active and a SPF Sunhat will help to protect their face, eyes, head and neck from sun damage and burning while they have fun, play or watch sport.

• If a child grows up to feel that it is normal to wear sun screen and protective hats and clothing, they will hopefully continue to wear them. It keeps their skin protected from damage now and also perhaps guard against serious skin damage and cancers later in life. 

 Coolibar UPF 50+ Baby Splashy Bucket Hat - Sun Protective (one Size- Aruba Blue)Check Price

Points To Consider In A Sun HAT

Ensure it has UPF factor fabric, ideally Factor 50.

Check the brim width is suitable for your protection needs and your activities.

Choose the colour and style

Choose the size - for this you will likely need to measure around the head above the ears then check with the size charts.

Is the Hat adjustable to your head

Especially if you travel a lot does it fold up or lie flat for packing

Is it reversible - useful for travel, or if you want to buy only one hat.

When it arrives is it comfortable for you to wear for long periods of time. 

Does it have a chin strap, a detachable one is useful to make it more versatile.

Is it washable or wipeable to keep it clean.

My favourite features in a sun hat include a wide brim to give some shade and more protection, an adjustable chin strap so that there is less likelihood it blows off in the wind and also gives me the strap to hold it with over my wrist if I don't need it on. 

I like a choice of colours and I do like a two tone reversible so I get two hats in one which is great for travel. I like when they are packable and foldable as well or at least lie flat.

There is a Sun Protection Sun Hat that will suit every person and they do make a thoughtful gift. 

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Reviewing The Benefits of Sun Protection Hats for Adults and Children by Raintree Annie

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Reviewing Fisherman's Wool Yarn by Lion Brand

I recently had a request for a crocheted, warm blanket for camping so I dug through my stash of yarn in order to come up with a yarn and pattern idea. I found two skeins of the Fisherman's Wool by Lion Brand that I had purchased some time ago with the idea of making a warm sweater for myself. This yarn is a pleasure to work with and is creating a beautiful blanket with a super easy, and quick, stitch. I am enjoying this yarn and project so much that I may end up making a warm blanket for myself!

Fisherman's Wool by Lion Brand

This Fisherman's Wool by Lion Brand is currently offered in 6 colors; varying shades of brown and white/oatmeal, with one "tweed" color. These colors lend themselves to rustic or cabin decor perfectly. They are also the perfect colors for sweaters, scarves, and hats.

• Yarn Weight: 4 medium/worsted
• Length: 465 yds in solids, 348 yds in prints
• Fiber: 100% Pure Virgin Wool in all colors except Birch Tweed
• Birch Tweed Fiber: 90% wool, 7% acrylic, 3% rayon
• Care: Hand wash, lay flat to dry (do not dry in a dryer, do not use bleach)

More details about the Fisherman's Wool can be found on the Lion Brand Yarn website.

With a prime membership, you can currently order the Fisherman's Yarn on Amazon and save the shipping cost. 

Personal backstory

My son and I had a conversation recently about camping and warm blankets. He wanted me to make a blanket for his dog, similar to the wool blanket that I used to keep my dog warm years ago.  We had a difficult time narrowing down which dog, which camping area, and other assorted details. We finally realized that he was remembering a Peruvian wool poncho that we had purchased from vendors at a craft fair. While that poncho was woven, I thought that I could probably make a blanket for my son and his dog.

In my yarn stash, I found 2 skeins of Fisherman's Wool. I love the natural colors of the yarn and I had planned to learn how to make cable stitches that are often found on Celtic Irish sweater designs. As usual, my crochet project dreams were bigger than my amount of free time and skill. But that turned out to be a good thing as this yarn is creating a beautiful blanket. I am surprised about the softness of this wool yarn - I had expected it to be scratchy. The yarn is relatively soft, but allows for good stitch definition. And best of all, the yarn doesn't split or snag. I am so surprised at how easy it is to work with.

Personally, in addition to sweaters and blankets, I think this wool yarn would make wonderful, old-fashioned teddy bears! 

Moss Stitch 

For this blanket project, I'm using the Moss Stitch. It is also called the Linen, Granite, and Woven stitch. It is a stitch with much smaller spaces between stitches, that add to the warmth of the finished item, but not so tight that the blanket is stiff. The Moss Stitch creates a design that adds interest when the colors change, but does not require any counting or multiple row pattern changes to create that design. The Moss Stitch is a popular stitch for good reason and patterns and tutorials can easily be found in books, blogs, and in videos.

Cable Crochet Patterns

The Lion Brand website also has a large variety of free crochet and knit patterns. If you look on the site, you can find a good number of crochet cable patterns including this gorgeous Heirloom Crochet Cabled Throw kit (includes the pattern and the yarn). 

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Reviewing Veterans Tribute Park

 Last week I visited a park that was new to me.  It opened in October 2018.  It is located on Kisker Drive in Weldon Springs Missouri.  It is an 120 acre park with lots of wonderful features.

Park Features

The park is loaded with features for every age group.  They include:

• Two Lakes where you can enjoy a nice stroll or go fishing.
• A Dog Park
• Playground
• A Great Trail System for those who like to hike.  
• Storybook Walk   This trail is designed for parents and kids who love to read.  Book pages are posted at various stations along the trail, so you can read a book while you take a walk.
• Picnic Shelters

In addition, it has two of my favorite features- the Veterans Memorial Plaza and flowers which I will tell you about in more detail in the sections below.

Veterans Memorial Plaza

Veterans Memorial Plaza is a beautiful area that honors Veterans from the St. Charles County area that have given the ultimate sacrifice.  It includes a beautiful walk lined with flowers that lead to the Tribute Wall.  The tribute wall is a curved stoned wall engraved with names and has waterfalling over the wall.  After you see the wall, the walk continues up a slight incline and has stops from each of the conflicts from 1812 to the present day.  Each stop features a board that describes the conflict and, on the walk, in front of the board is a star on the sidewalk with the names of those residents of the county that died in that conflict.  It is a very moving feature of the park.

Lots of Beautiful Spring Flowers

I visited the park in early May and there were lots of beautiful flowers that lined the walkway to the Veterans Tribute.

Zazzle Products From my Photos

Two-toned Iris Beauties Two-Tone Coffee Mug
by mbgphoto

https://www.zazzle.com/inspirational_greeting_card-256580751976839042

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A Little Luck: A Fun Look at Lucky (and Unlucky) Numbers

Have you ever had a favorite number you swore brought you luck? Maybe it was your birthday, your jersey number in high school, or just a number that "felt right." 

Well, you're not alone. It turns out humans have been assigning luck (and bad vibes) to numbers for centuries. From ancient cultures to modern-day lotteries, numbers have carried weight far beyond their mathematical value. 

So let's dive into the surprisingly quirky world of lucky numbers and their infamous unlucky cousins.

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Where Did Lucky Numbers Come From, Anyway?

There's no official "history of lucky numbers" carved in stone, but lucky digits have been floating around since ancient times. 

Early civilizations believed in numerology, where each number had a specific meaning or vibration. 

The Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, and Babylonians all had their take on which numbers could bring good fortune (or doom). Fast-forward to today, and we still hold some of those beliefs. 

It turns out old superstitions die hard—especially when they're tied to money, love, or fate!

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So, What Are the "Luckiest" Numbers?

You'll notice some numbers keep popping up across cultures, and they've gained a reputation for bringing good vibes. Here are a few that take the top spots:

7 – The Universal Lucky Charm

If you ask people their lucky number, seven wins by a landslide. It's a spiritual number, connected to perfection and completion. Think: seven days in a week, seven wonders of the world, and even lucky 7s on a slot machine. It's practically the Beyoncé of lucky numbers.

8 – Wealth in the East

In Chinese culture, eight is considered extremely lucky because it sounds like the word for prosperity and wealth. 

It's so revered that people pay extra to have it in phone numbers, license plates, and even addresses. 

Want to sell your house faster in China or anywhere else? Make sure the address has an 8.

3 – Harmony and Good Things in Threes

The number three represents balance and harmony. Think of the saying, "third time's a charm." In storytelling, things often happen in threes—three little pigs, three wishes, three musketeers. Coincidence? I think not.

9 – Power and Magic

Nine is often associated with wisdom and experience. In Norse mythology, there are nine realms. In numerology, 9 is the number of the humanitarian and spiritualist. It's also the last single digit, which gives it a sense of completion and power.

11 – Intuition and Inspiration

Though not always labeled as "lucky," eleven has a certain magical, intuitive vibe. Many people make wishes when they see 11:11 on the clock. I know I do! It's a number that's thought to open a spiritual gateway (or at least a wish-granting moment).

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A Few Numbers That Didn't Make the Lucky List

Let's not forget the dark side of digits—those numbers we avoid like stepping on cracks in the sidewalk.

13 – The OG Bad Luck Number

Ah, thirteen. So misunderstood. In Western culture, it's considered super unlucky. 

Hotels skip it. Airplanes skip it. Heck, Friday the 13th even has its own horror franchise.

The roots are fuzzy, but it's often linked to bad omens and betrayal (looking at you, Judas Iscariot, the 13th guest at the Last Supper).

4 – The Death Number (Literally)

In many East Asian cultures, especially Chinese and Japanese, four is avoided like the plague because it sounds like the word for death. Some buildings even skip the 4th floor entirely. So if you're giving someone flowers in Japan, don't send four!

But believers can take charge with these home tips on how to ward off evil spirits!

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Famous Numbers in History

Beyond superstition, some numbers have simply earned their legendary status thanks to history:

• 1066 – The Battle of Hastings, which changed England forever.

• 1492 – Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Love him or not, that number sticks in your head.

• 1776 – Independence Day in the U.S. Enough said.

• 911 – Not lucky, but certainly significant, especially in North America.

• 666 – The "Number of the Beast." If you've ever looked at a receipt total and gone "nope," you've felt its power.

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But Here's the Wildest Part…

Now for the twist—ready? 

I personally know ten people who have won the lottery. Yes, actual winners. Not the "my cousin's neighbor's dog-walker" kind of story, but real people in my life. And some didn't just win pocket change—we're talking millions. 

A few were instant ticket winners, others hit it big in traditional draws. It always shocks people when I tell them I personally know big lottery winners! And yep, we won a luxury vehicle in 2001! That was amazing! It's since been sold, but wow, what a day that was when I received the call that we won the early-bird prize for that draw.

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Final Thoughts: Numbers, Luck, and a Little Magic

Whether you believe in lucky numbers or not, they make life a little more fun. 

They add meaning, spark tradition, and—let's be honest—fuel our dreams when we buy that one lottery ticket "just in case." I'm not saying numbers can change your fate… but hey, if you've got a number that feels lucky, go ahead and play it. You never know what magic it might bring.

What's your lucky number? Do you have one or more than one?

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Reviewing Features When Choosing A Garden Hosepipe

 

We have always had a hosepipe for our garden. We generally use it for watering the garden particularly the containers and pots, washing the car and general cleaning of the patio. We also use it for filling up the bird bath and cleaning out the big bins. 

Why Do You Need A Garden Hosepipe?

Hosepipe uses

Are you watering a small or large number of plants in pots or containers, your lawn or other plants?

Do you intend to wash your car or motorhome at home?

Do you need it to clean your patio?

Do you need it to fill a birdbath, child's paddling pool or dog bath? 

Over the years we have had several different types of hosepipes and while we do restrict its use for eco reasons and cost reasons we do find certain tasks are so much easier for us with hosepipe. 

Hosepipes can make everyday tasks like watering gardens, cleaning patios, filling paddling pools, cleaning and filling bird baths and dog baths easier and quicker. However there are different types of hosepipe that may suit different needs, budgets and uses. 

 Standard Hosepipes 

This was my first hosepipe and one I replaced more often than I can remember. Very affordable and widely available, standard hosepipes are within most peoples budgets and do the job. They are usually made of plastic or rubber. 

In my experience while I never expected them to last too long, the biggest issue with them was the constant checking and releasing kinks that prevented proper water flow. 

I understand now that you can buy kink-resistant coils to help with this issue or even hoses with kink resistant features in affordable models. They are a decent affordable option if you buy one with this feature.

Expandable Garden Hosepipes

This was our previous hosepipe and I loved it! These hoses shrink when empty, making them much smaller, lightweight and very easy to store.

 When in use, they expand to their full length as water flows through them. I found it was important to let the entire hose fill with water and fully expand before starting to use. Being expandable meant it was really easy to store and crucially to move around.

 It was so lightweight. I also liked the various spray nozzle features such as mist, fan, cone and shower. The handle on my model however did have to be kept pressed down which if doing a long watering session I found hard on my hand. So I would now always buy one that you can clip in place to stay on. 

We had ours for nearly two years and were very careful about storing it inside in winter. However it did not survive the second winter and split one day beyond repair. 

It was really good for our garden while it lasted and I was very impressed. So easy and light to use. I think that maybe it got too much use and being dragged across sharp gravel and concrete may not have been good for it. I wonder if it is maybe better for lighter duties. Otherwise our expandable was a really excellent hosepipe. If I got an expandable one again I would look for a heavy duty option like the one below.

 J&B XpandaHose 75ft Expandable Garden Hose with Holder - Heavy Duty Superior Strength 3750D - 4 -Layer Latex Core - Extra Strong Brass Connectors and 10 Spray Nozzle w/Storage BagCheck Price

Steel-Core Hosepipes

Our recent purchase is a steel core hosepipe and we spent rather more than we ever have on this one as we wanted durability as a primary function. It is built for strength and to be long lasting. Steel-core hosepipes are reinforced with metal, which makes them much more resistant to annoying kinks and splits or punctures.

 I can certainly say that it feels more robust and copes well with our gravel drive and concreted steps and many changes in direction as I go around the garden. It has not kinked or split or punctured and is easy and fairly lightweight to use. I thought it would be heavier but it is really very easy to move around. 

I love that it has many spray nozzle features such as full, mist, jet, cone spray etc which gives a lot of choice in how you use it.

One of the features is for the spray to stay on when a clip is pulled over so it reduces strain on the hands as you no longer have to hold the lever down. These steel core hoses are certainly more expensive, but the idea and my hope is that they last longer.

 SPECILITE 75ft 304 Stainless Steel Garden Hose Metal, Heavy Duty Water Pipe with Nozzles for Yard, Outdoor - Flexible, Never Kink & Tangle, Puncture Resistant (Sliver)Check Price

Features To Consider In Garden Hoses

• Storage Space. Some Hosepipes come with with hooks and wall mounted features. If you like a tidy garden wall-mounted reels are a great solution for storing the hosepipe preventing damage and tangles. An automatic rewinding device is an even greater feature to make life a bit easier. Or are you happy to store in a bucket or bag? 

• The handle should be a comfortable grip and ideally be able to be held down with a clip or similar. This saves a lot of pressure on our hands constantly having to hold a handle down. It makes watering a lot easier and then only light hold of the handle is required.

• Spray nozzle choices. For me I like a wide range of spray nozzle features to choose from. So I mostly use a mist for plants that need a gentle spray, jet for cleaning the car or patio area, full or shower for general watering and cone for spraying the larger areas such as grass on the lawn or newly seeded areas. 

• 

• Anti kink abilities. Maybe this is a pet hate of mine but i cannot cope with a hosepipe that is constantly kinking and stopping the flow of water, so for me and maybe for you this is important. 

• Durability for your needs. Are you using it for light jobs such as watering pots or heavier use for a range of activities. Will it be dragged across difficult surfaces or a smooth patio or well mown grass?  

• Budget. There maybe a balance cost as you can buy hosepipes very cheaply or rather more expensive. However the higher the quality and guarantee available the hope is the longer they will last, thus saving money in the long term.

Disadvantages Of Using A Hosepipe.

For water saving strategies hosepipes are probably not the best for watering a garden. Water here is expensive now and so using less water has become a mission for many people.

So if you can water your garden with a watering can either via a tap or ideally by using a rain water butt or a trough then you could save money on water bills that way. 

 2 Gallon Watering Can for Outdoor Plants with Removable Long Spout and Stainless Steel Sprinkler Head, Large Plastic Watering Can for Garden Flowers PlantsCheck Price

We may in a hot summer face a hosepipe ban where it is not permitted to use a hosepipe for anything, except in special circumstances. 

Using a hosepipe is probably not the most eco friendly item to use if we are trying to save water.

Using a hosepipe can work out more expensive for your water bills, depending on how you use it and if you are on a standard charge or a water metre.

Advantages of Using A Garden Hose

For me using anything but a smaller watering can to water our garden plants is difficult. I have a back issue and while most of the time now it is under control, there are some things that will set it off and sadly using a watering can full of water and walking down our steps to the garden can and does result in pain for me. I only usually water plants in pots, other plants in the ground can usually survive without watering. 

Equally for my husband who is severe sight impaired it is less dangerous for him to hold a hosepipe and do a lot of watering without having to move too much than it is for him to have to constantly walk up and down to the tap and navigating steps and a gate to do so.

Perhaps for some people with certain disabilities and some people who are older a hosepipe may be a better option than carrying a heavy full watering can. 

Washing our car at a commercial jet wash or car wash involves driving quite a way, then paying for it. At home we can wash the suds on the car using a bucket and car wash and simply rinse off with the hosepipe for a cheaper and more convenient way to wash the car. 

We do not pay anyone to clean our big wheelie bins, we do that ourselves using suds and a brush then rinse it all out with the hosepipe. 

There are many hosepipe options to choose from, including not having a hosepipe at all. I hope I have managed to cover some of the main features and qualities to consider, the basic choices available and main features to help the decision which to buy to suit your needs a little easier.

Read More Gardening Reviews on ReviewThisGardening.com

Read Diary Of A Wild Country Garden Blog

Visit Raintree Earth Designs for gifts and cards designed with nature photography

Barbara Mays Review Ladies, This Is the Garden Hose You’ve Been Waiting For

Reviewing Features When Choosing A Garden Hosepipe By Raintree Annie

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Book Review- Washed Up on Sea Oaks Beach

 

Do you enjoy a good cozy mystery, that takes place on the beach and includes lots of dogs and fun characters?  If so, you will not want to miss Karen C Whalen's latest book Washed up at Sea Oaks Beach.

Book Summary

Anytime I am looking for a cozy mystery with lots of fun engaging characters, Karen C Whalen books just fit the bill!  I loved her latest book Washed up at Sea Oaks Beach.  

In this book she brings back all of the wonderful characters we met in the first book of the Sea Oaks Beach series. I really enjoyed following the latest adventures of Breanna, Roscoe, Ty and other friends and residents of the small beach town of Sea Oaks Beach.  They are a great group of characters that really pull you into the story.

Like the title implies, this book starts off with a body being washed up at the beach.  Roscoe and Breanna are walking along the beach when they see a woman laying on her side in a shallow tide pool.  She is in a black wetsuit and Roscoe immediately tries to revive her while Breanna calls for help.  It turns out she is dead, and they find her surfboard nearby.  As they are looking around Breanna sees something out in the ocean and wonders if it is another person.  Roscoe sees it too and goes out to get what turns out to be a dog on a surfboard.  The dog, a Chocolate Lab is rescued and brought to the animal shelter where Breanna volunteers.

As the story progresses, Breanna fosters the dog and is determined to try to find out who his people are and to try to get justice for the woman who was found murdered.  I won't spoil it by telling you more, but I highly recommend this book.  It is one I couldn't put down.

Amazon Link

Washed up at Sea Oaks Beach and all of Karen C Whalen's books can be found on Amazon.  Here is a link Washed up at Sea Oaks Beach

More Reviews of Karen C Whalen Books

Karen has written three different cozy mystery series.  They are the Dinner Club series, the Tow Truck Driver mysteries, and the Sea Oaks Beach series.  Here are some links to other reviews I have done on her books.

Everything Bundt the Truth

Murder at Sea Oaks Beach

Booty in the Backseat

Stiletto to the Pedal

Friends Come to Call

Toes on the Dash

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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The Hudson's Bay Company Stripes Collection

The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) was a long-established Canadian retail company with fans in Canada, the United States and around the world. Founded in 1670, it opened its first retail store in Manitoba in 1881 and dominated the Canadian retail scene until 2025, when its operations ground to a full stop. Needless to say, it has been around longer than we have been alive.

Initially known as The Hudson's Bay Company, it rebranded as The Bay in 1965 and as Hudson's Bay in 2013. I am not sure when or why people started calling it HBC, whether that was an official change or just an acronym.

The Canadian Press said, "The affinity Canadians have for Hudson’s Bay is only on par with Tim Hortons." If you are one of those fans of the department store, you probably love the quality merchandise they carried as well as the items that feature the iconic stripes of green, red, yellow and indigo that first appeared on a Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket near the end of the 18th century. The stripes eventually became an emblem for the company adorning an endless assortment of merchandise. 

Here's a short news article sharing the story of one lady who has been collecting the striped merchandise for a long time. I love that she even greets the reporter in a striped HBC coat. My mother, though not a collector, is sad that her favorite department store is closing.

Once the store announced that it would be closing, the striped merchandise sold out seemingly overnight. Shoppers visited in mass trying to find something, anything, with those famous stripes. On this page, discover some of the merchandise produced over the decades that is now available from sellers on eBay.

BLANKETS

The blankets have been made pretty consistently since that first one was made so long ago so you have a choice on eBay. You can buy a new, used, vintage or antique blanket. Be wary that with the demise of the company, these blankets have become very sought after, which translates directly into very expensive. As I write this article in April of 2025, I see a new blanket that sold for an astronomical sum, more than an antique one, which likely would not have been the case in previous years. Discover a collection of the Hudson's Bay Company wool blankets here, on eBay.

COFFEE MUGS

As always, I think a coffee mug is a perfect and practical gift idea or souvenir. In this case, an HBC fan can use it everyday to be reminded of their favorite store and the history of the company.  Personally, I like the traditionally shaped mug, white with stripes as shown here, but there are a variety of mugs available on eBay. Discover the Hudson's Bay stripes mugs here, on eBay.

UMBRELLAS

Given the tough job that umbrellas are designed to handle, I don't know how long Hudson's Bay umbrellas will be available but I see three today. If you think you might like to own one of these weather defying tools, click here to see the HBC umbrellas available on eBay right now. That's an item that I could put to good use.

BARBIE DOLLS

Here is a totally impractical item from the Stripes collection though it is definitely a fun way to celebrate the historic company. There have been a number of Barbies sold by the company but just three, to my knowledge, that are dressed in stripes. The first (not shown here) is the 1996 Barbie School Spirit doll, dressed in a striped coat and hat; the second is the 2016 Limited Edition Silver Label Barbie doll smartly dressed to walk her dog before she heads off to her job in the city; and finally, the 2020 Limited Edition Barbie Signature doll dressed for canoeing in the great Canadian outdoors. There have been other Barbies but these are the ones with stripes. Find your Hudson's Bay Stripes Barbie here on eBay.

MORE STRIPED ITEMS

Who would have thought these striped items would become so sought after? The most popular items are definitely the wool blankets that I mentioned earlier but I can't possibly share all of the other fabulous striped items that are available with you here on this page. If you haven't found exactly the Hudson's Bay item you want, try looking here on eBay where there are more than 532 items with the iconic Hudson's Bay Company stripes available today. Besides the items I have showcased here on this page, I also see jackets, coats, scarves, mittens, hats and socks; bags and jewelry, kitchenware including a Le Creuset Dutch oven; bedding including comforter sets, sheets, throw blankets and cushions, Christmas ornaments, stockings and nutcrackers. You name it, HBC has produced it over the past decades. What would you like to find with the stripes on it?

Oh, by the way, there's a chance the iconic and trademarked 'Stripes' brand could survive in one form or another but for now, if you want some stripes, you need to turn to the resale market. 

Happy Hunting!

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Links:

Hudson's Bay Company items in my eBay store.

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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