Review of an Easy to Use One Cup Coffee Maker

My Mom finally took the plunge and treated herself to a Keurig Coffee Maker. As most of us know by now, the convenience rests in making one cup of coffee quick and straightforward.

Since Dad passed, and Mom doesn't need (or want) a regular-sized coffee maker, she's been talking about getting a Keurig. Well, she finally took the plunge, and sitting on her counter is this pretty coffee brewing system.

Quite frankly, I wasn't sure if I would like it; the main reason is that I had tried another brand

of one-cup coffee makers several years ago and didn't like it. I found it complicated. However, in regards to this particular make and model, I do like it...and yes, it's easy to use.

It's different than the type of coffee maker that would work for my family, though - I have too many family members, and a one-cup brewing system just wouldn't cut it.

Who Would Benefit From a Keurig:

• Empty Nesters - absolutely ideal for just a couple!
• Widowers - my Mom is in this category, and this set-up couldn't be any better
• Kids in Residence - University students in Dorms! A convenient item to have in their rooms
• The Cottage - Since the number of people varies at the cottage when it's quiet, and you don't have many visitors, this is a terrific alternative coffee maker.
• RV's - If you're on the road, the ease and speed of getting a cup of coffee is ideal.
• Nanny's Room/Grandma's In-House Suite - For those fortunate enough to have either a Nanny or a parent living with them, this machine could easily be placed on a shelf in their bedroom.

So here's the ultimate question: would I invest in a one-cup coffee maker, a Keurig...YES, I sure would! My favorite coffee brand is Maxwell House, and you can get Maxwell House packets for this machine - I had two cups this morning! Most of all, it's the speed and convenience that make it a worthwhile investment.

Available on Amazon - Keurig Coffee Maker

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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Crafting in St. Patrick's Day Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (Pixabay)

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is honored and celebrated on March 17 each year.  The green of the Irish flag is the official color for St. Patrick’s Day.  Green is also associated with Ireland's poetic name, the “Emerald Isle”.  Creating crafts in green is a fun way to add to the pleasure of St. Patrick's Day.

If you are a yarn crafter like me, grab some green yarn and create anything from a plush animal to whatever 

St. Patrick's Day Crocheted Octopus

Plush Baby Octopus in Crochet

This little plush octopus is handmade in crochet in a combination of Irish green and the gold of the 'pot of gold' at the end of the rainbow we sometimes associate with Irish mythology. 

This St. Patrick's Day crocheted octopus measures about 2 inches tall and 6 inches across his tentacles. This one is available in my Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.  If you crochet and would like to create your own Irish octopus in crochet, I created a free pattern tutorial for you. 

What is a Shamrock?

Source: Pixabay

The Shamrock is known as a symbol of Ireland. According to legend, St. Patrick used it as a metaphor for the Christian Trinity.   

Shamrock Beverage Coasters

Shamrock Tabletop Coasters

Shamrock designs are popular in any form.  These cute beverage coasters handmade in needlepoint on plastic canvas are just the thing to protect your tabletops at your St. Patrick's Day celebrations, which might include 'green' beer or Irish coffee!

These Shamrock Beverage Coasters were created by Pat and are available in her Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts.   Irish drink coasters measure 4 x 4 inches with a design of that Irish clover and stitched in two shades of green with the design outlined in black.  

*This set of Shamrock coasters just sold, but I would be glad to create a new set just for you.  You can contact me anytime at Coastal Crochet Crafts on Etsy.

A Collection of St. Patrick's Day Crafts

For a large selection of St. Patrick's Day crafts for both children and adults, check out this article The Best St. Patrick's Day Crafts by Loraine Brummer (lbrummer)

Irish Green Plush Penguin

 

Irish Green Plush Penguin

I crocheted a plush penguin in Irish Green yarn as my way of celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  This green penguin is a round and roly-poly 5 x 5 inches and enjoys this March holiday loved by the Irish. He can be found in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts. 

Shamrocks by Kathie

Shamrocks on Purses, Coin Purses & Lanyards

A collection of Shamrocks on handmade quilted purses, coin purses, fabric quilted table runners and fabric lanyards created by Kathie in Iowa for her Etsy Shop called CutePurseNalities. 

Kathie's beautiful purses and tote bags are outstanding and her fabric lanyards and coin purses are so handy. In addition to St. Patrick's Day Shamrock themes, Kathie creates in many other designs, including animals, nature, other holidays, seasons, foods, shapes and science. 

More St. Patrick's Day Craft Ideas

Available on Amazon

As a parent, a teacher, a Scout leader or a child caregiver, have fun with the children you know while telling them about St. Patrick's Day or getting ready for a St. Paddy's Day party.  

This book of 12 St. Patrick's Day crafts easy for kids to do is an enjoyable place to begin. The book is available in Amazon's Kindle Store.

If you have any St. Patrick's Day crafts or tutorials to share, please leave the link in the comment section below. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Quick Links:

• Easy St. Patrick's Day Crafts to Make with Young Children
• CutePurseNalities Etsy Shop
• CoastalCrochetCrafts Etsy Shop

 
Article by Wednesday Elf of the crochet blog Crochet - Crafts - Critters. 
Wednesday Elf can also be found in her Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts  

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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Planting in Spring for Summer Beauty Review

Gardeners are planners!  In order to have beautiful gardens year round, they must plan ahead, often planting months before they can expect to see the rewards for their labor.

In fall, we plant blubs for spring flowering, but in spring we plant for summer and fall flowers.

Many of us keep a journal of what we planted where.  That way we don't accidentally dig up bulbs or perennial plants.  Some blubs and plants are pretty forgiving and will simply bloom together or around each other.  Others would be ruined by accidental invasion, so we plot and plan well in advance and then wait for the glorious presentation of beautiful blooms.

Flowers to Plant in Spring for Summer Blooming  

When we plant our bulbs in the fall, it can seem like an eternity before the flowers bloom, but that is not the case with spring planting and summer flowers.  Here are some examples of flowers we plant now that will reward us before we know it.

• Cornflower ~ Friend and gardener Beverly Owens recommends Coneflowers which not only have the benefit of beautiful blooms, but also attract butterflies and bees to our gardens.
• Calla Lily ~ One of my personal favorites is the Calla Lily.   I have always planted a variety of colors, but Paula Atwell introduced me to the Black Star Calla Lily.  I am very excited about adding the Black Star to my blooming collection. 
• Nasturtiums ~ This is another flower that is available in a variety of colors including a black Nasturtium.  These plants are fabulous for ground cover or as climbing flowers.
• Alliums ~ Gorgeous spiral blooms that are a unique treat in any garden.  These flowers certainly don't look like your average garden bloom.  On Diary of a Wild Country Garden, Jasmine features Alliums, Freesias and Oriental Lilies.
• Aster ~ Big and beautiful blooms for in summer and fall.  
• Butterfly Bush ~ Attract additional beauty to your garden with a butterfly bush.
• Astilbe ~ A delicate looking perennial that is actually very strong and resilient with gorgeous flowers and fern like foliage.
• Delphiniums ~ The delphinium is lovely, but there is one concern, it can not tolerate extreme heat and hot temperature regions.  
• Daylilies ~ If you live in the south, you can plant Daylilies in the spring for summer blooming, but northern region gardeners should wait until fall to plant Daylilies.

Late Summer / Early Fall Flowers

 

Depending on your region, some Mums will start to bloom in late summer.   Many regions do not see Mum blooms until fall, but I wanted to include them here simply because they can and should be planted in the spring and you will want to select a place for them while planning your garden.

Planting mums in the spring also gives the plant time to acclimate to your soil and to deep root.   Susan Deppner not only asks the question  What to do With Mums in Spring, but provides answers from experts and fellow gardeners.

Summer Flowers with Side Benefits

 

Sunflowers are not only gorgeous summer blooms that are planted in the spring, but their seeds and tubers are edible.

Likewise,  the beauty of the Nasturtium flowers is noted above, but did you know that Nasturtiums are edible and can be used for flavoring in food?  

Here are a few more summer flowers that are also sources food and nutrition.

• Bee Balm
• Johnny Jump-ups 
• Lavender 
• Marigolds
• Roses
  
• Squash Blossoms
  

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I enjoy working and writing online.  There are so many wonderful articles shared by fellow online writers that encourage, inspire and teach freely.

Do you have an article about Summer Flowers that are planted in the spring that you would like to share?  Please leave the link in our guestbook below so we can visit your Summer Flowers article today.

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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Customized Crafting Supplies on Zazzle

Do you enjoy doing crafts, but sometimes can't find the right materials to fit your project?  Zazzle has a host of different craft supplies that you can customize to fit your needs from materials to ribbons and much more you can find the supplies for that perfect project on  Zazzle.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse by lighthouseenthusiast
Check out other Peggy's cove lighthouse Fabrics at zazzle.com

I enjoy lighthouses, so I am using photographs of my lighthouses to demonstrate the various Zazzle crafts supplies that can be created.  The item above is a fabric created from my photograph of Peggy's Cove lighthoue in Nova Scotia.

Fabrics

Zazzle carries 7 different types of fabric that are available as swatches, fat quarters or by the yard.  You can create your own design as I did above or choose a design already custom made by one of the many Zazzle artists.

Ribbons

Ribbons can also be made on Zazzle to complement your craft projects.  They come in either grosgrain or satin and are in 1.5 inch and 3 inch widths.  You can buy them in spools of 2, 6 or 10 yards.  These ribbons are great for craft projects, gift wrap and hair bows.  Here is one I created from my Peggy's Cove photo.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse by lighthouseenthusiast
Check out more Zazzle Ribbon

Stickers

Zazzle has a wide array of different shapes and sizes of stickers that can be used in craft projects.  I once made a sticker of a church to put on bookmarks for a church convention.  Stickers can decorate packages or add a finishing touch to a special card.  Here are some of the stickers I have made on Zazzle.  They are all ones taken from my lighthouse photography.

Ocracoke Lighthouse Sticker by lighthouseenthusiast
Check out other Ocracoke island Stickers at zazzle.com

Round Island Lighthouse Heart Stickers by lighthouseenthusiast
Create my own sticker at zazzle.com

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Rectangular Sticker by lighthouseenthusiast
See other stickers from Zazzle.

Big Bay Lighthouse Stickers by lighthouseenthusiast
Create your own stickers at zazzle.com

Split Rock Lighthouse in the Fall Square Sticker by lighthouseenthusiast
Look at Split rock lighthouse Stickers online at Zazzle.com

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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Writing and Remembering the Old-Fashioned Way

Blue Butterfly

Writers are well aware of how quickly a great plot or idea for an amazing article will come into our heads. They are such good ideas that we are sure we will remember them until we finish whatever it is we are doing.  Right?  Wrong. We don't remember and the ideas flit away as quickly as they came. Finding a way to save our thoughts is something we need to learn to do.  I prefer the old fashioned way - a favorite pen and a journal.

Technology for Writers

Recording our thoughts as soon as we get them has been highly recommended or practiced by many authors, including Mark Twain. Currently, some authors still create that novel with pen and paper. But for the most part, typewriters followed by keyboards have been a writer's best friend.  We sit at our electronic gadgets to write, edit, and sometimes to add our thoughts to the internet.  I love my laptop and would be lost without it. But I also have to capture those fleeting thoughts when my gadgets aren't available.

During very long drives, I often wish I had a voice recorder.  I always end up with great ideas when I'm driving.  I don't pull over on the interstate to jot those ideas down. And no matter how good the thoughts were I have forgotten them by the time I arrive at my destination.  While driving, a recorder would be an excellent choice.  However, my preferred method of keeping track of ideas is with a good spiral journal.

Spiral Journals for Writers

Orchids on Brown

I have kept journals for many years. I write both important and trivial things in them.  My journals are a combination of address book, tracking politicians and legislation that I'm interested in, personal diary, research organizer, and fiction blurb depository.  I am occasionally fearful that upon my passing from this earth, someone will read my journals and confuse the factual entries with the fictional blurbs. After all, one page might contain my current weight and exercise information and the next might contain a few paragraphs describing how the lady-next-door lost her mind and planned to murder the annoying neighbor. Let's hope the only people who see my journals after my passing either understand my writing habits or have an odd sense of humor.

Piccadilly -- In looking back at my collection of journals, I realized that Piccadilly is a brand that I most often use.  I like the colorful and durable covers, the sturdy wire spiral, and the quality of the paper.  I often feel as though the act of unplugging and physically writing sometimes gets my creative juices flowing. This Orchids on Brown and a butterfly are my two favorite journal designs. The large journals are approximately 9 x 11 and fit perfectly in the bag I carry to work. This size lends itself to longer rambling entries.

Occasionally, I prefer to carry a smaller journal. On long hikes, other outdoor adventures, or traveling in public venues (such as the metro) I don't want the extra weight of a large journal. So I carry a small version.  While I use this for rambling notes and bits of fiction, the medium sized journals are also good for jotting short notes and not feeling like I'm wasting an entire page.

Zazzle -- I have several friends who use their photography to create gorgeous spiral journals on Zazzle. Their original artwork makes these journals unique.  In addition, you can often personaizel Zazzle items further by adding a name. CrypticArt's Web of Pearls spiral notebook and Melkav's Beautiful Bouquet are just two examples of the many spiral notebooks offered.

Spider Web of Pearls Spiral Note Books by CrypticArt

Beautiful Bouquet Notebook/Journal Notebook
by melkavcreations

If you don't yet have a way to hang on to those fleeting story ideas, I hope you try jotting them down in a journal. If you have a tried and true method of not losing those ideas, I hope you share your secret with the rest of us. 

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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Spring Flowers and Plants Reviewed

Snowdrop Flower (Galanthus)

As the snow and ice start to melt, our hearts and minds yearn for spring and the beauty of spring flowers and plants.  Those of us who love to garden can hardly wait to be able to get outside and work in our flower beds.  To clean out the residual winter debris, to plant new flowers, to fertilize, and to just be able to breathe in that fabulous spring air that seems to cleanse our lungs of stale indoor recirculated air with each deep breath.

My mind is planning and my fingers are twitching to get to work as I look out my kitchen window.  My flower pots and beds are summoning me even as I write this article.  I can hardly wait to be greeted by the face of my most beautiful iris and to touch to fragile petals of my tulips.  Oh, truly the daffodils are calling from beneath the ice covered ground.

Can you hear the awakening of spring?  Do you long for the beauty of blooming gardens?  Then lets take a moment to plan, order and prepare for the glorious rebirth of nature just outside our doors.

Flowers to Plant in Spring

Many of our early spring flowers come from bulbs that would have been planted back in the fall.  However, there are a few that we can plant in early spring. 

• Pansy ~ The flower with a face is such a lovely addition to any garden.  It is perfect for flower beds and container gardening.
• Hydrangea ~ The hydrangea bush is a pretty big bush with beautiful large blooms that are actually clusters of tiny flowers.  They can be planted in early spring or early fall.  You will find planting instructions, care suggestions, as well as see a selection of hydrangeas at How to Grow Hydrangeas.
• Azaleas ~ Beauty and charm are the two word that come to mind when I think of Azaleas.  Having grown up in the South, Azaleas are simply part of my everyday world.  To such a degree, they are easy to take for granted.  You can learn all about proper care of Azaleas in this video on Southern Living.

Spring Plants

A spring garden would not be complete without those fabulous plants that often serve as background for our flowering plants.  The greenery in a garden is essential, but there are a few plants that truly stand out all on their own.

Lambs Ear Plant

• Lamb's Ear ~ Silver Carpet Lambs Ear is one of my personal favorites.  It is appropriately named because it feels like a little lambs ear when we touch it.  It is a very resilient plant that allows even small children to touch and feel.  The beauty of this plant far exceeds it's visual appeal. They flourish in many regions.

 

Spring Floral Arrangements

Part of the beauty of having you own flower garden is being able to step into your own backyard, cut a few flowers and make your own floral assorted arrangement to bring inside.  I typically like to do this when my flowers are fully bloomed, or right before a storm when I know the blooms will be shattered.

I recently discovered an article of inspiration on "Accenting Your Easter Bouquet with Dark-Hued Flowers".  Since I love "black" flowers, the ideas and suggestions in this article very much appeal to me.  I normally place a black flower in a single bud vase, but I was intrigued by the author of this article, Paula Atwell and I asked myself "why not include them in a bouquet?!!"


That is one of the things I love most about working online.  There are so many great ideas shared by fellow online writers that encourage, inspire, excite and teach freely.

Do you have an article about Spring Flowers that you would like to share?  Please leave the link in our guestbook below so we can visit your Spring Flowers article today.

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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Photographing Butterflies

Each year I like to take a class or two to update my photography skills.  When I heard that there was a special class at The Butterfly House on capturing great shots of butterflies I was anxious to attend.  The class was held during the hours that the house was closed so that the photographers could use tripods and not disrupt the normal flow of guests.

On the day of the class it was a frigid 8 degrees outside.  The scene above is the frozen lake at the entrance to The Butterfly House.  I was looking forward to getting inside to the warm butterfly conservatory where the temperatures are kept in the 80's for the tropical butterflies.

Photography Tips

When the class started the instructor gathered us around for a few tips about photographing butterflies.  Before we entered the conservatory, he had us put a plastic bag over our camera lens and secure it with a rubber band.  This would help the camera become accustomed to the change in temperatures and prevent condensation on the lens.  We then entered the conservatory and gathered around for a few tips on photographing butterflies.

• Use a tripod
• Use a remote shutter release
• Set you white balance at cloudy
• Set your ISO at 400
• Use Aperture priority and start with a 5.6 aperture

After the instructor gave us these tips we removed the bags from our cameras and we were ready to begin our photography. Capturing a good butterfly photo requires a lot of patience.  I walked the path of the conservatory looking for a butterfly that was sitting with it's wings open, in a spot where it wasn't hidden in the foliage and where the light was good for a photograph.  Now that is a tall order! 

 

Photographing Blue Morpho  Butterflies

There were a lot of Blue Morpho butterflies flying around but very few that were sitting still.  Here are a few photos I was able to get of these beautiful blue butterflies.

The first butterfly was perched on a bench and stayed there for the longest time.  I sat on a bench across from it and set up my tripod.  It stayed there while I shot a whole series of photos and then went to let some of the other classmates know about this shot.  In the second shot the butterfly was back in among the foliage and in the shadows.  Our instructor used a reflector to shine light on the butterfly and I was able to capture this shot.  I love the way it really shows all the lines on the butterfly. The photo below shows a Blue Morpho butterfly with its wings closed.

 

More Tips from our Instructor

• Take your time finding the right shot
• Take notice of the background....look past your subject to see what else will be in your photo
• Shoot away from the light
• Use reflectors to bring light in to dark areas
• Don't expect every shot to be great...if you come away with just a couple good photos it will be a successful shoot.
  

 

Tropical Butterflies

The Butterfly House features more than 25 species of butterflies from around the world.  Here are a few of my other favorite shots from the photography class.  I especially like the second one with the transparent wings.

Zazzle Products from my Photos

Blue Morpho Butterfly by Butterflyblitz
See more Blue morpho butterfly Accent Pillows at zazzle.com

Blue Morpho Necklaces by Butterflyblitz
Look at other Blue Necklaces at zazzle.com

Morpho Beauty Poster by Butterflyblitz
See another framed artwork on Zazzle

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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Reviewing Handmade Book Crafts for Readers and Writers

Know a book lover? Show your love with a gift to warm their book-loving heart. Here's our review of easy to make handmade book crafts for readers and writers.

There's a new craft website on the Web and, in its first month, Craft Closet has been a busy place. When you're looking for crafty ideas, information, and inspiration, browse the Craft Closet archives. There are sewing projects, crafts for kids, ideas for paper crafts, jewelry tutorials, crochet patterns, and so much more. 

Today I'd like to share with you some of the cool handmade book crafts that the Craft Closet writers have created.

Update:  Sorry, but the Craft Closet has closed and all of their article links have been removed

Scrapbooks Made With Paper Bags

Making scrapbooks is a popular hobby and a great way to preserve memories. If you have some lunch-size paper bags around the house, you can make your own scrapbooks. Just stack the bags on top of each other and sew down the middle.

After you've assembled the basic book, it's time to get out your scrapbook materials and begin decorating. This paper bag scrapbook even has pockets where you can slip small surprise pages.

Easy to Sew Fabric Book Covers

Book covers are an easy way to hide an ugly book, keep your reading choice a secret,  decorate a bookshelf, or protect a valuable book.

When you want to be creative and you have basic sewing machine skills, this pocket-style fabric book cover is a fun project that can be completed in an hour and can be made from fabric found in your scrap drawer.

These fabric book covers can be made to cover any size book. Send kids off to school with a funky new covers for their textbooks. Make a one-of-a-kind cover for your checkbook. Or, hide your latest romance novel behind a cover of fabric.

Customized Journals

Do you or a friend keep a diary? Every have difficulty finding just the perfect journal? Here's an easy way to solve that problem. Upcycle a journal for yourself or your friend using colorful duct tape or washi tape.

Start with a simple and inexpensive journal or notebook. Shop your local dollar store or other discount store for good deals. Then, pick your favorite colors and get taping. You'll have a journal to fit your mood in less than 30 minutes.

More Book Making Ideas

If you've been inspired and want to try your hand at a few more book craft projects, check out the Little Book of Book Making for more ideas.

Inside the Little Book of Book Making, you'll find dozens of unique book making projects from folded books to books with sewn bindings.

Posted by Coletta Teske

About This Contributor

Coletta Teske writes reviews on books, business management, writing, crafting, cooking, and gardening. She is also an avid recycler and shares her tips on recycling. She delights in upcycling an old object, recycling or transforming discarded items into a new treasure.

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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A Wonderful Way to Grandparent Across the Miles

Developing a relationship with a toddler across the miles can be a tricky thing.  As my son's child is approaching his second year of life, I realize that I am arriving late to the grandparenting-via-the-internet scene. Suddenly, here we are.  Reading to my grandbaby online has been a wonderful experience. But it requires the right book.  I have found that Dr. Seuss' Hop On Pop is the perfect book right now.

Video Calling versus Telephone Calls

My son and I talk on the phone. I treasure those phone calls. But when we try putting the baby on the phone it's no good. At least, not with my grandbaby.  He got to the stage that he would listen for a second, but wouldn't respond.  I think he only wanted to push the pretty buttons. So we have begun using video calling.

I consider myself technologically challenged. I can move around the internet adequately but I have to use fairly simple programs.  As I realized that my grandbaby was getting to the age that he could begin to understand that "Gramma" is a real person, I began to want more time with him.  Of all the video calling programs, I chose Skype to help create some time to visit.  I just muddled through on my own but if you would like more help, there are articles such as Using Skype to Connect with Grandchildren of All Ages to provide both instruction and ideas.

Choosing the Video Calling Program

My son reading to my grandbaby and I

Skype is easy to use, even for me. There are many video calling programs out there and you can choose the one that works for you. But I've chosen Skype.  On Skype, I like the ease of use.  I like the feeling of privacy, I have to answer the call and I don't have random video screens popping up of things I don't want to see  (and that some people should have the sense not to show). The split view shows the small view of me as well as the large window that shows my son and grandbaby.  This split window screen helps me see what I am showing to my grandbaby - especially while i'm reading a book.

The challenge with Skyping with a toddler has less to do with the program and more to do with being interesting.  Let's face it, looking at Gramma on a screen isn't as interesting as pounding on the keyboard or running around the house.  So, trying to keep a toddler's attention isn't easy but it can be done.

Being the Attention-Grabbing Gramma

There are many ways to get and keep the attention of a toddler while online; albeit sometimes not for very long. I mimic my grandbaby. If he is showing me his Snoopy slippers, I show him my socks.  If he shows me a toy, I try to show him something interesting.  In those small ways, he keeps interested.  I like to read to my grandbaby and have realized that some books just don't translate well across the miles. Too many words or too busy of artwork just doesn't keep his attention. Slick pages reflect the light and he can't see the pages as I read.

I have found that Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss is a very good attention-keeper.  The few words on each page keeps the pages turning quickly.  The pictures are very easy for my grandbaby to see when I hold the book up to the camera.  He is intrigued by the pictures and he always points at the mouse and the bee.

I can keep his attention with Hop on Pop.  After I read to him, he runs to get a book and has his dad read to him and Gramma.  Right now, his favorite books to read back to Gramma have to do with Lighting McQueen.  You may know Lightning McQueen from the Pixar Cars movies. That little boy loves the Cars characters and Lightning McQueen. I share a bit more about his treasured collection in a separate article.

Now that I know about Skype, I wish I would have started a bit earlier than at a year and a half with him.  Yes, it is frustrating at times but keep at it and you'll find a way to interact and entertain that grandbaby - becoming closer even if you are too many physical miles apart.

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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Five Toe Shoes for that Barefoot Feeling!

Review of Vibram Five-Toe Shoes

There are two popular makes of Toe Shoes: Vibram Toe Shoes and File Skele. My son requested these for his birthday, and of course, that request resulted in this research!

The most preferred brand is Vibram Five Toe Shoes; however, if you're looking for a slightly less expensive Toe Shoe, then Fila's is also a good choice.

The notable difference between the two shoes is that while Vibram Toe Shoes have 5 toe slots, Fila Skele comes with 4. The last two toes on Fila Skele-Toes are a shared slot.

You'll also notice that Vibram Toe Shoes are designed to shape the foot, whereas Fila Skele has less of a contoured fit and more of a ridged bottom. Vibrams were designed to emulate a barefoot feeling and thus shaped like a foot.

Why Wear Five Toe Shoes?

There's much evidence that running barefoot allows a person to run faster and farther with less injury.

Vibram Toe Shoes are designed so that you land directly below your center of gravity...which would be on your forefoot. This type of shoe gives you less of an impact and provides better balance while giving you more propulsion.

Since you're in a simulated barefoot shoe, you'll be able to sense more of the impact on your feet and thus make adjustments to improve agility and balance. This is one of the reasons Runners love these types of shoes. These toe shoes are also structured to help strengthen the lower legs and foot muscles.

In my son's case, he's not a runner; he just decided these would be comfy and wanted a pair!

So Here's what I found out about the different brands:

For Women, Men, Boys, and Girls

Vibram Toe Shoes have various designs. Below is a breakdown of which designs are available

For Men and Women:

Women's Vibram Toe Shoes: Komodosport, Classic, Sprint, Jaya, Jaya LR, Flow, KSO, Treksport, Kso Trek, Performa Jane, Bikila, Bikila LS

Men's Vibram Toe Shoes: Komodosport, Classic, Sprint, Flow, KSO, Treksport, KSO Trek, Bikila, Bikila LS

Kids Vibram Toe Shoes: Boys KSO, Girls KSO

For Running, Fitness, Water Sports, Yoga, Trekking, Traveling, & After Sports

Running: Bikila, Sprint, Flow, KSO, Trek Sport, KSO Trek, Bikila LS, Komodo Sport

Fitness: Bikila, Classic, Sprint, KSO, Trebk Sport, Performa Jane, Jaya LR, Komodo Sport, Bikila LS, Jaya

Water Sports: Sprint, Flow, KSO

Yoga: Classic, Sprint, KSO, Performa Jane

Trekking/Hiking: Flow, KSO, Trek Sport,

For Travelling: Classic, Sprint, KSO, Trek Sport, KSO Trek, Performa Jane, Jaya LR, Bikila LS, Jaya

Unwinding/Relaxation: Classic, Sprint, KSO, Trek Sport, Performa Jane, Jaya LR, Jaya

The most popular all around Toe Shoes are the Vibram KSO Toe Shoes, which are the ones I've decided to go with.

Available on Amazon

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Here's a helpful video review:

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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