Playing Games with the Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo looks like a black
 Pringles can and fits in with any decor.

Have you heard of the new electronic gadget called the Amazon Echo? I wrote a review about it that you can read here, but let me quickly tell you a little bit about the device, then I'll let you know how you can have fun playing games with your Amazon Echo.

This awesome gadget looks a lot like a Pringles can, but it's actually a speaker that responds to its name, plays music, wakes you up in the morning, tells you the weather forecast and sports scores, reads the news to you, turns your lights on and off, and even orders stuff for you from Amazon.com, all with just a voice command from you.

You can have fun with the Echo (most people call her "Alexa;" her alternate wake name is "Amazon"), too. She has quite a sense of humor (well, as much as an electronic assistant can have) and is very cooperative if you just want to have some fun with her. Here are a few games you can play with your Echo.

"Alexa, who is singing that song?"

Play a game of "name that artist" or "name that tune" whenever you listen to music on your Echo. If you're not sure who's singing the song, just ask Alexa! Not sure of the song title? She'll answer that question, too.

"Alexa, how far is it from here to the North Pole?"

How about a game of trivia. Gather your friends and try to stump each other on facts, with your Echo as the final authority. Have your friends guess the answer to questions such as "How tall is Mount Everest?" or even "How many tablespoons in a cup?"  Closest to the correct answer wins!

"Alexa, Simon Says..."

Use the Echo's remote control from another room to play a game of Simon Says. Put Alexa in a room with your friends then, from another room where they can't hear you, speak into the remote control's microphone. Say, "Alexa, Simon says..." followed by whatever message you would like Alexa to repeat.

For instance, if your Echo is in a room with the kids, have Alexa say, "Kids, dinner's ready. Report to the kitchen!" They'll come running to find out how you did that!

"Alexa, I love you!"

Okay, we know she's not human, but everyone likes to feel appreciated. Let Alexa know that you love her. She'll let you know that she thinks you're pretty special, too.

"Alexa, tell me a joke." 

In the mood to laugh? Seriously, Alexa has quite the joke repertoire and most of them are pretty funny. If you need cheering up, just say, "Alexa, tell me a joke," and she will. Here's an actual joke that Alexa just now told me:

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Kanye.
Kanye who?
Kanye believe it? I tell jokes, too!

These are just a few ideas for games to play and fun things to do with your Amazon Echo. Get creative and come up with your own ideas, or use the "Things to Try" section of the Echo app to find more ideas. Don't have an Echo yet? Here's that Amazon Echo review link again where you can learn more about this fascinating and useful gadget and find out how to order one for yourself.

-- Susan Deppner
Read more of my reviews.

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Book Review: Get More Work Done With Scrum

Want to help your co-workers become more productive? Learn how your team can do twice the work in half the time in this book review of Scrum by Jeff Sutherland.

Project managers have always struggled to help companies make more product, to complete projects on schedule, and to avoid employee burnout. It was a constant battle until the early 1990s.

In 1993, Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland developed a new way of managing projects. Their work with software developers paved the way for a faster, more reliable, and more effective way to create software. This tool can be used to help any company, not just software developers, become more productive.

Implement Scrum and create productive teams

This project management tool, called Scrum, increases team output and productivity through accountability, interaction, and continual improvement. It is a framework that helps teams get organized and get more work done.

Scrum uses visual tools to show team members the work that needs to be done and implements problem solving techniques to eliminate those things that prevent a team from getting the work done efficiently.

Want to learn how you can implement Scrum in your organization? Jeff Sutherland, a co-creator of Scrum, takes you on a journey of learning in his book, Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time (Crown Business, New York, 2014).

Find tips to do more work in less time

This book doesn't tell you how to become more productive, it shows you. All through the book, you'll find examples of how teams used Scrum to overcome obstacles, find their strengths, and create a harmonious workplace.

You'll see how organizations went from failure to success by implementing Scrum. You'll get a peak inside the problems these organizations faced, see what strategies worked, and find out what strategies didn't work. Sutherland doesn't hold back and takes every opportunity to show how Scrum can work in a variety of industries.

Here are some of the other features that make this an enjoyable and helpful book:

• The writing style. This book is easy to read and easy to understand. Sutherland uses plain writing  to deliver his message in a way that is effortless to comprehend.
• The chapter takeaways. Each chapter ends with a summary of the important points covered in that chapter. These takeaways not only provide an excellent recap, but also provide a checklist that can be referenced later when you need a refresher.
• The problem-solving approach. Sutherland shows how problems can be overcome by implementing Scrum. He tells how companies have rejected Scrum, only to come back later to try Scrum with success.

Scrum is recommended reading for anyone that wants to increase their productivity, decrease distractions, and have more time for fun. You'll enjoy this book if you are:

• A manager searching for new ideas to increase the amount of work your teams output and for productive ways to improve employee morale.
• An employee wishing to be a valuable asset within your organization and to advance within your profession.
• An independent contractor desiring to increase the efficiency of your client's projects and to gain an advantage within your industry.
• An individual looking for ways to remove the distractions that keep you from getting your work done and from having more fun time to spend with family.

Get your copy of Scrum and get more work done

I give this book 5 stars because it is full of ideas that will help individuals, small businesses, and large organizations become more productive. After 230 pages of easy reading, I saw an increase in my ability to get more work done. I found new ways to get rid of distractions and better ways to organize my workload.

If you manage a team of people, need to increase their productivity, and want to give them more playtime, get a copy of Scrum. By practicing the sound project management techniques in this book, your team will be getting more work done in the office and having more fun at home.

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland (Crown Business, 2014) from Blogging For Books in exchange for this review. My opinions are my own.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Review of Detective by Arthur Hailey

Politics for Police Detectives

I have never read a book by Arthur Hailey that I could put down for long to do something else. This one was no different. As usual, Hailey is using a book to expose what goes on behind the scenes in different professions and occupations. In this book he tackles police and homicide detectives and the politics at work in police departments.

Police Work VS Family: Why Malcolm Must Go to Florida

As the book opens,  Detective Malcolm Ainslie is called to work at a crucial time in their family life because of a call from the Miami Police Department. He is supposed to be leaving the next morning to fly with his family to Toronto to visit his wife’s parents to celebrate her father’s 75th birthday and their son Jason’s eighth  birthday.  His family has been looking forward to the vacation for weeks.

Yet late on the night before Malcolm is to leave for Toronto he gets a call  from the prison chaplain at the Florida State Prison in Raiford saying that the serial killer Malcolm helped arrest, “Animal” Doil is scheduled to be executed in the morning and that he wants to confess. Doil and the prison chaplain both know that Malcolm had once been a Catholic priest and that he had left the priesthood before going into law enforcement.

The prison was located eight hours away from Miami and there was barely time to make it before the execution. The only reason Malcolm wants to go is because some of the murders were not tried, since only the one that could be proved beyond the shadow of a doubt was taken to court. Malcolm is hoping to find out about the rest of them. One of them had not fit the pattern of the rest. Malcolm was afraid that killer still might be at large.

The department furnishes a driver to leave with Malcolm immediately. His boss promises to try to get him a flight to Toronto from Jacksonville  so that he can still make the family party, although a bit late. Malcolm’s wife Karen had been more than a little upset about the change in plans. He was seriously afraid missing this trip might be the last straw in their marriage.

Prison Priest VS Former Priest

Another conflict rears its head between the prison chaplain, who is jealous of his territory and wants to be sure Doil doesn’t think Malcolm is still a priest who can do anything for him spiritually. Malcolm has no intention of acting as a priest. He only wants the kind of confession that will let him know what really happened.

Malcolm arrives in the nick of time to see Doil before the execution. The priest was wasting time interfering religiously until they were able to get him to leave the meeting. Doil confesses to every one of the murders except the very one Malcolm himself has doubts about – the murder of a former colleague Cynthia’s parents.

 Doil gives Malcolm some information about a murder they didn’t know he committed so they could verify it. Doil wants Malcolm to witness his execution, and when he does, he notices Cynthia is also there to witness, along with her new boyfriend, a novelist, Patrick Jensen. Malcolm had had an affair with Cynthia earlier, but had broken it off when Malcolm would not leave Karen for her. Cynthia had found subtle ways to get her revenge since then.

The rest of the book deals with the confession of Doil, the execution, the party, which Malcolm does get to, the history and details of the serial killings and Malcolm’s quiet investigation into the murder of Cynthia’s parents. Readers will need a strong stomach as they view the crime scenes with the detectives.  I could have done without that part, since they were grizzly. What is most interesting are the undercurrents in relationships and politics on the police force and the influence they have on the cases and how they are handled.

My Analysis

As a thriller this did not disappoint me. Although I thought I’d solved the case, there were still some twists and turns toward the end I did not expect. What most disappointed me was the human weakness Malcolm displayed at the end. I was very disappointed that he seemed to have learned little from his past experiences in human relationships.



 Detective
This is a first-class thriller with complex well-developed characters. It also offers insight into how police departments operate in large cities. If that's the sort of book you appreciate, you should definitely read Detective.

& 

& 

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Gift Idea for Dad - the Man Mug

The Man Mug

What to do when the Father in your life doesn't wear ties and Father's Day is fast approaching?  As I am browsing for items that would make great gifts for dad, I have found something that, based on the reviews, I am also considering buying for myself.  I think the Man Mug would be a great gift for many of our Dads. 

What is so special about the Man Mug?

This is the description of the mug from the folks at Man Mug 

"... 16.9-ounce beauty is made of top quality stainless steel designed to hold a pint of beer with room for a thick, foamy head."

In addition to holding a pint of beer, the mug is made with double walled construction in order to keep cold drinks cold (or hot drinks hot). This construction also keeps the mug from sweating. No need for coasters (or Mom yelling at Dad because he forgot the coasters.) The thick handle doesn't transfer the cold or heat. 

The Man Mug

I own a stainless steel mug. I love my mug. There is something good about drinking a cold beer from it. Or making a root beer float in it. But my stainless steel mug, as much as I love it and will continue to love it, is not insulated. As a result, it sweats everywhere. Including dripping onto my lap. This Man Mug seems to be an awesome improvement in an already awesome mug idea.

The Best Gift for Dad

Let's not forget the very best gift for dad. The best gift we can give a parent is the gift of our time. My father is many miles away and I will not be able to spend time with him in person.  But if I could, I would consider taking him this mug, and one for myself, along with a six pack of beer so that we could just sit and chat.  

He may or may not love the mug as I think he would, but I guarantee he'd love the beer and the visit.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

A Encouraging Country Song About Finding Strength - You've Had Enough, Today is the Day You Stand

Have you been through difficult times but still found yourself willing to 'Stand'?

Without realizing it, you've made it through another day of turmoil. Your exhaustion has unwittingly become the driving force necessary to get over what seems like an unclimbable mountain ... so without anything but sheer will, YOU STAND.

"Stand" on Amazon

Review of Stand, by Rascal Flatts: 'Stand' is a country song that expresses your newly discovered tenacity with lyrics that inspire a 'take action' mentality; 'on your knees, you look up, decide you've had enough, you get mad, you get strong' (lyrics).

As this inspiring song articulates, the getting up, not the falling down that matters. When we stand against great odds, it's as though we're giving ourselves permission to learn from our struggle and, better yet, to move forward in pursuit of the happy life we deserve.

If there were a way to get to the rainbow without having to experience the rain, would we grow and learn? As 'Stand' by Rascal Flatts articulates, our struggles are only as big as we allow them to be. Once we decide that enough is enough, that's when we find out what we're truly made of....Sugar and Spice, sure, why not...mixed with a little Hot Pepper Sauce for bravery.

Have You Learned to Be a Stronger Person? 

Have you mastered inner strength over the years? It's difficult to understand why things must be so incredibly challenging, but not so much when we understand that we are ultimately responsible for our choices.

Wrapping our minds around taking responsibility for our choices (as adults), especially when those choices haven't been the wisest, takes guts. Our pride can take a hit when we self-admit our own failings: From choosing the wrong life partner, the wrong job, the wrong friends, addiction, being nasty, and more!

Our choices are giving us the results we currently see. Changing our choices will change our results. When we 'Stand' we're accepting the change that has to happen - whether someone else initiated that change, or whether we were the ones who elected to change - it doesn't matter, it's the acceptance that moves us forward into a new and exciting chapter.

Standing Up and Surviving Change Is the Biggest Gift You Can Give Yourself

It's cliche, but it's true: everything happens for a reason. Even if that reason isn't what we want to face or deal with, the fact that we're in a situation requiring change is a sole indicator in itself that we either made mistakes, ignored clues, had a hunch what was right and didn't listen to that inner voice, are victims or our own bad choices or simply remained inactive on a matter for years that ultimately ended up escalating.

Whatever scenario we face, one thing is for sure: we deserve a happy life. Happiness comes first and foremost with belief. It's supposed to be a place we live in most of the time, not an elusive emotion that only shows up for a split second or never shows!

When we believe we are worthy of happiness, happiness has a chance to find us. It takes a massive amount of bravery to initiate change in our lives. As the song says, 'You get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands off and stand.'

Rascal Flatts reminds us that 'when push comes to shove, you find out what you're made of.' The first step is brutally difficult. It's the reason we get stuck...we can't take that one first step.

Sometimes, life chooses for us, and we're forced into taking that first step. Either way, we 'Stand'.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Koffee Kingdom Site Review

What can be more fun for a coffee lover like me than a site devoted entirely to coffee? Frankly, it's coffee everything. From bean roasts to cute-shaded sugar cubes, Koffee Kingdom has it all.

Yes, I will admit that I'm addicted to coffee. But for me, it has to be a good cup of coffee. Some things I knew about what makes a good cup for me, but I wasn't sure why. So I read a great article on this site: Coffee Bean Roasts and How They Effect Flavor. Now I know to choose the right roast to get the best cup of coffee for my tastes.

Coffee Makers: Keurig is King

What I also discovered is why I want to have a fresh cup of coffee every time. Sure I knew about Keurig Coffee Makers, but didn't know why I would want to get one of those until I read a review about these machines.

In the article Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker, there is a list of all the benefits. Frankly, that sold me more than anything else. The idea of getting a fresh cup of coffee every time is just part of the appeal. No waiting for a pot to finish dripping, no wasting the extra coffee in a pot, and no handling filters and coffee beans all the time.

Coffee Home Decor As Well

Drinking good coffee is one thing, but enjoying a little coffee atmosphere in my home decor is also a treat. And don't you know the site Koffee Kingdom has some of that, too. My little breakfast nook has coffee-themed wall decals, but I was looking for just a bit more to carry the theme. Tin coffee signs looked like a good addition. I found some cute ways to add to my decor.

There are plenty of other options as well, including wall clocks with a coffee theme, serving trays that add a little coffee humor, even fun mugs. Well, honestly, do we ever have enough mugs to enjoy our favorite brew? I don't so I love to find new ones.

Koffee Kingdom for Enjoyment

So my analysis of the site Koffee Kingdom is that it's got it all. The kind of information I need to make a perfect cup of coffee, great additions to my coffee world, and some fun ideas for gift giving as well.

Is the site worth checking out? My answer is yes. If you enjoy coffee like me, you will enjoy Koffee Kingdom. Then let me know what you think, too. 


Posted by: BuckHawk

About This Contributor

BuckHawk decribes herself as "Basically a lazy person who prefers the easy things in life." So that's what she writes about. Easy home decorating, easy recipes, easy entertaining. But, she is also a lover of animals, gardening and crafting. You'll find her writing all over the Web, but with Review This Reviews! she has the opportunity to write about all of her loves.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Review of Shadow On The Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Recommendation for "The Shadow on the Quilt"

When I finished reading "The Shadow on the Quilt" by Stephanie Grace Whitson, I simply had to write a review of the book immediately.

Even though this book is set in the 19th century, some of the difficulties, decisions and emotional crisis this widow faces could easily take place in any time period.  The desire to erase the bad decisions of the deceased and protect the lives of their loved ones is easy to understand.  I even found myself wishing I could protect Juliana, the widow, from the knowledge of her late husband's deceptions.

But, that is only the beginning of this book.  You, too, will want walk this path with Juliana and rejoice as she finds acceptance, contentment and happiness once again.

A Quick Synopsis of the Book 

Written by Cynthia Sylvestermouse

 THE SHADOW ON THE QUILT (The Quilt Chronicles)Juliana's husband was a prominent and respected member of their small town community.  When the local brothel burned to the ground, he was one of the victims of the fire.  The official press story touted him as a hero, stating that he had entered the establishment to help save lives, but there were those who knew the truth.

Cass is the foreman overseeing the construction of the couples mansion and was there when Juliana's husbands body was pulled from the ashes of the brothel.  As an employee, he had also known of the mans infidelity prior to that night and berated himself for never having confronted the man.  Of course, he feared losing his job.

When Juliana is devastated by the death of her husband and by the discovery of his deceptions, Cass has to balance friendship, honestly, and compassion.

This story definitely has a romantic appeal, but I would have to say that Julianna's strength through her bereavement, betrayal and the scandal was what truly give the book backbone and made it worth reading.      

More About the Book and the Book Genre

"Shadow on the Quilt" is actually the second book in "The Quilt Chronicles" series.  Although it is not necessary, you may wish to read the first book in the series, The Key on the Quilt.

This book is a Christian historical fiction.  It appeals to my interest in history, although I am far from a history buff.    I also prefer reading this particular genre because I never have to worry about the language, the descriptions or the story becoming too crude, frightening or violent.   Plus, romance is just that; romance, not eroticism. 

About the Author of "The Shadow on the Quilt",  

Stephanie Grace Whitson

Shephanie Grace Whitson is a best-selling author and two time Christy finalist.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with a minor in English and music.

By her own admission, Stephanie enjoyed writing reports and research papers in school, but never expected to be a novelist.  While home-schooling her children, she found she needed a "creative" way to teach her children history.  They visited a small, pioneer cemetery where they began to discover what life was like for the people buried there.  Her first character was born and was introduced to the world in her first published book, "Walks the Fire" in 1995.

Quote directly from Stephanie Grace White:  "Hindsight has shown me why that happened.   God was providing a career for a woman who was going to have to support her family as a widow beginning in 2001."

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Meet Susan Deppner, Review This! Contributor

The author with her dog, Daisy, and one of her favorite electronic gadgets, her Kindle reader, Pinkie.

Hi there!

As I write this (May 2015), I'm the new kid on the site, the most recent addition to the Review This! team. I'm thrilled to be rubbing virtual shoulders with the other terrific writers here, most of whom I've known for years online.

Who am I? I'm an over-60 baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. Color me sassy (from time to time) as well as red, white, and blue. I'm also a wife and mom whose family drives her crazy who's totally crazy about her family, including the four-legged members.

My interests? Wide and varied, which is a good thing for a writer. I love reading and writing about all sorts of subjects, so expect the occasional book review. I love to cook, so expect cookbook and kitchen gadget reviews and perhaps a recipe or two. I'm a wannabe geek, excited to jump on the bandwagon when a fun electronic gadget catches my eye and my fancy, and I love sharing that excitement (in plain English; no tech talk, I promise!) with friends and fans alike.

My online real estate has been under development for many years now and if you're interested in a tour, you'll find most of it at these web and social media sites:


https://susandeppner.hubpages.com
https://Pinterest.com/Susan52
https://twitter.com/susan52
https://about.me/susan52

I'm tickled pink to be writing here at Review This Reviews! and truly appreciate your visit. Please bookmark this site and come again, soon!

Best always,
Susan

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Reviewing Jenaluca Kitchen Scoop Set

Set Of Kitchen Scoops: The perfect gift for a bride

Recently, I was invited to a bridal shower for one of the neighbor girls down the street. There wasn't even a hesitation as to what I would get for the shower. I have a favorite gift to give when it comes to brides, a set of kitchen scoops.

Jenaluca Ice Cream Scoop Cookie Scoop Melon Scoop 3 Pc Set - Select 18/8 Stainless Steel - Elegant Gift Package

Why scoops you ask? Well, for one thing I feel that every cook needs a good set of scoops whether she or he realizes it. Once they have them in their kitchen, they find that there are so many ways to use them.

Wouldn't one scoop be enough? Actually, I like having the different sizes in my kitchen, let me explain.

The Large Scoop: Not just for ice cream

Included in the set above is the large size that immediately brings to mind scooping ice cream. Yes, I use it for ice cream and sherbets all the time. I also use it for scooping portions of mashed potatoes onto our dinner plates along with any other mashed veggie that we may be having. When making cupcakes, I use the large scoop to put my batter into the baking cups so that my cupcakes are a uniform size when baked. It also works nicely for serving portions of pudding into a pretty dish for dinner guests. The large scoop holds 3 tablespoons of whatever you are scooping so it is easy to find all kinds of uses for it. 

The Medium Scoop: Cookies anyone?

The medium sized kitchen scoop holds 1 1/2 tablespoons of ingredients so I use it the most for my cookie dough. It is a perfect size and I love that my cookies are a uniform size when baked. It is also the kitchen scoop that I grab when I make meatballs. Once the grandchildren came along, I also use the medium scoop for serving the little ones their portion of mashed potatoes. I like to use this size for smaller cupcakes and muffins, too.

The Small Scoop: A fruitful tool

The third and smallest tool in this kitchen scoop set holds 2 teaspoons of ingredients. I love to use it for melon balls and any other fruit that can be scooped. It is also handy when I want to make smaller meatballs. Since I know that it holds the two teaspoons, I will often grab it to measure out ingredients for recipes, too.

Choose Scoops That Last: 

There is hardly a day in my kitchen that I'm not grabbing at least one of my kitchen scoops for something. When I first started out, I had a fairly cheap ice cream scoop and it wore out pretty quickly. I replaced it with a relatively inexpensive one and that one wore out, too. Finally, the light bulb came on in my head! These are tools in your kitchen that are used often so buy a good one that will last. In the long run, I've saved myself money by purchasing the better quality scoops that last for what seems forever. 

That is why when I have a gift to purchase for a bride, I choose a good set of kitchen scoops like the Jenaluca set. I know she will use them for a very long time in her own kitchen. I know they are good because I use them myself.  

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Introducing Singer-Songwriter Stephen Cuthbert

Stephen Cuthbert on YouTube

Stephen John Cuthbert, born in 1985, is a dedicated and talented singer-songwriter from North East England's pretty seaside resort of Redcar. Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Stephen about his passion for music, and I wasn't surprised to learn that music has been a part of his life since he was little.

As we all know, it takes a great deal of talent to be a songwriter, and Stephen has a creative knack for bringing together descriptive, heartfelt lyrics with catchy and appealing sounds. In fact, you would think, by the album Stephen put together last year, that he had been writing music all his life. However, he pointed out that although he's always maintained a deep connection to music, he didn't, in fact, get down to writing his own songs until 2013....and get down to writing he did! His self-titled album, Here and Standing, offers 11 original songs, featuring the first song he ever wrote called 'Money Tree.'

Stephen's Songwriting Inspiration

When asking Stephen where he gets his inspiration to write, he indicated he 'usually needs to be in a particular mood, but that most of his lyrics come to him as he's about to drop off to sleep at night'...which is why he keeps his iPhone handy to quickly jot his new ideas down!

I was curious to know what comes first - the music or the lyrics - and he said he does not have a set pattern when he writes; sometimes, a particular chord sequence will come to mind, and he'll adjust the lyrics to fit. But he also states the reverse happens; he can write a full song and then fit the music around it. Although he's in the early stages of his career, he's open to writing songs for other artists, so he knows how to attack a songwriting project from any angle.

Famed musical inspirations include Elvis Presley, Michael Buble, and Trace Adkins. Stephen points out that he's not isolated to one particular genre and writes for numerous genres, including country.

Anything is Possible

Stephen remembers seeing the famed X Factor success story James Arthur playing local pubs in his area before being discovered. He says, "It really hit home how if you stick to your dreams, eventually you will get to where you want to be." Perseverance should never be underestimated.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON: