JobSmart and DieHard: Reviewing Two Extremely Durable Adjustable Beam Flashlights

I am tough on flashlights. I frequently drop them and have lost them outside for months. I rely on them at least twice daily. I depend on flashlights both for regular chores and for checking on things outdoors in the middle of the night when my dogs indicate that there is something outside that shouldn't be. The two flashlight brands I depend on are Jobsmart and DieHard. 

I have a small homestead and am fairly new to many homesteading activities; such as raising chickens. This past year and a half has been a learning experience. One thing I have noticed is that dependable lighting is a MUST and I was fortunate to choose two flashlights that have been more dependable and durable than I would have ever imagined. 

JobSmart 350 Tactical

The JobSmart line of flashlights are available at Tractor Supply Stores. I purchased mine very soon after I moved to the homestead when I realized that my camping lanterns, lights, and headlights weren't quite bright enough. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm slightly afraid of the dark when walking around on my mountain ridge land after dark and want a very bright light. However, my budget doesn't allow for the highest lumens and big-name brands. 

I chose the flashlight that was in the middle of the price range offered at Tractor Supply at the time. It happened to be the JobSmart 350 Tactical. It turned out to be a fantastic choice for me. It uses 3 AAA batteries and the batteries seem to have a long life. I only had to replace the batteries after losing it outside for months when it was turned on.

The JobSmart 350 Tactical is thinner in size than my DieHard and lighter weight. It has a twisting adjustable beam that focuses in a wide swath or a thin beam that is very bright and reaches the chicken coop from my house so I can check on things in the middle of the night without going outside. 

Product Details from the website:

Light your way with the JobSmart 350 Lumen LED Aluminum Flashlight.

• Up to 350 lumen output
• High/low mode
• Twist to adjust focus lens
• Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)
• Working time: 1.5 hr. in high mode; 4 hr. in low mode with alkaline battery
• CREE XPG LED bulb
• Aluminum and Rubber construction

DieHard 1700 Flashlight

When I dropped my original flashlight over the edge of the deck and couldn't find it, I bought a replacement. That happened to be the DieHard 1700 Flashlight. This flashlight clearly has more lumens than my JobSmart which is great because the smaller, focused beam could reach to the top of my yard when the shed sits - about twice as far away as my chicken coop. The DieHard is thicker and weighs more so it does seem clumsier to carry for daily chores. This flashlight sits on a shelf next to my front door so it is easily and quickly accessible for scanning my yard at night. 

It has been an excellent flashlight; durable and bright. 

Product details from the website:

• Ultra Bright 1,700 Lumen LED Flashlight
• Pro grade anodized aluminum construction & heavy-duty true grip design
• Precision flood-to-spot beam through twist focusing
• 3 power modes—high/medium/low
• Includes 6 AA DieHard batteries

There are many reasons to have dependable lighting; emergencies (roadside and household), power outages, hiking, camping, and homestead chores. I need dependable lighting since my homestead chores occur before dawn in the mornings and often after sunset in the evenings. My chores have to be done during inclement weather. While these flashlights do not claim to be waterproof I have used them during all weather and have dropped them onto wet ground. I can't afford to buy tools that will easily break or wear out. That is why I am glad to recommend the JobSmart 350 Tactical and the DieHard 1700 flashlights. 

Perhaps you prefer to shop Amazon due to remote locations or delivery preferences. Or perhaps you prefer USB rechargeable flashlights or flashlights with different specs. There are plenty of flashlight brands and varieties to choose from HERE.

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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Indoor Plant Grow Light - Bought it, Use it, Love it

If you're looking for a grow light for your indoor plants, check out this indoor plant grow light that I'm using and love.

I recently relocated one of my plants from near a window to a dark corner, and knowing it would suffer from lack of light, I invested in this plant grow light, and I swear I heard my plant thanking me! Here's a photo of it:

Indoor Plant Grow Light - Available on Amazon

Here are Some Benefits of an Indoor Plant Grow Light:

• Energy Efficiency: The grow light uses LEDs. It is designed to be energy-efficient.
• Adjustable Height: It has a 31-inch telescope grow rod, so you can adjust it to the height of most medium-height house plants.
• Full Spectrum: The grow light offers a full spectrum of light wavelengths, providing the highly-uniform light that plants need to grow. 
• Self-Dimmable Control: The grow light can automatically simulate the intensity of natural sunshine, making it an excellent option for plants that need varying light levels. You can also adjust the light manually if you prefer.
• Full Range Timer:  The remote control lets you set the auto stop and start times automatically between two and twenty-four hours.
• Nice Lighting Ambiance: When the grow light comes on automatically in the dark corner, it provides lovely lighting decor.

Easy to Use: 

The grow light is easy to use and doesn't require any tools to set up:

• Plug the connecter into the top of the lamp
• Then plug it into an electrical outlet
• Adjust the rod extension bar to the height you need for your plant
• Put the rod directly into your plant 

I took a guess about the light my plant needed, comparing it to its previous location, which was by a window. I chose the option "Real Sunshine" on the remote, and 4 hours.

The steps to use the remote are easy:

1. Press "On" for the automatic timer settings ("M" is for manual settings, I don't use that one)
2. I selected "S" for Real Sunshine
3. I selected 4H for four hours of light
4. Note: The real sunshine option slowly brings the light on, like the rising sun on a plant outside

Here's a photo of the remote:

I'm not a gardening guru by any stretch of the imagination, but my plant is even happier with the grow light than it was by the window. It's perkier, and I'm hoping the dark unhappy edges on a few leaves cease to occur. 

However, I've recently read that those dry burnt-looking edges on the leaf tips may be from inconsistent watering and letting my plant dry out too long in between waterings - yep, I am guilty of that sometimes. I prefer to under-water, but in this plant's case, I may be under-watering too much. 

This plant should do much better with this grow light and a better watering schedule.

Five stars for this grow light.

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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Goodbye Again by Mariah Stewart – Book Review

Goodbye Again is Book Two in the Wyndham Beach contemporary romance series.

Synopsis 

In Book 1 (An Invincible Summer reviewed here on ReviewThisReviews!) we met Maggie Lloyd as she moved back to the small town community of Wyndham Beach, Massachusetts. Her best friends since high school, Emma Harper and Lydia (Libby) Bryant helped her adjust to all the changes her widowhood and then her reuniting with her first love from high school, have brought.

In Goodbye Again, it is time to learn more about Libby Bryant, whose husband left her after the suicide of their daughter. 

Libby desperately needs to move on and make some positive changes in her life.  When she discovers that the long-standing bookstore in town has closed due to the elderly owner's Alzheimer condition and is for sale, Libby decides to buy the neglected bookstore and bring both herself and the shop back on track.

With a little help from her friends, she is well on her way with new paint and new ideas for the new and improved bookshop. One friend Libby has known forever, local contractor Tuck Shelby, begins to make himself indispensable. Not just in the rehab of Libby's shop, but in her life. Tuck now wants to be more than just a 'friend'. But then her ex-husband, Jim, returns with a long overdue apology, hoping for forgiveness and a chance to start over.

Summary

The book shop has rejuvenated Libby, along with the attention of two charming men.

When the shocking truth of her daughter's unexplained suicide comes out, Libby suddenly has a life-changing choice to make.

Moving on doesn't mean leaving everything behind.

Related Links:

• An Invincible Summer by Mariah Stewart (Book 1)

+Note: The third book in the Wyndham Beach Series, All That We Are will be reviewed soon. This book features the third friend of the three women the series is about ~ Emma Dean. 

For more book reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Goodbye Again Book Review is written by Wednesday Elf

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

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Mini Cheesecakes Recipe and Mini Cheesecake Pan Review

I have always preferred making cupcakes because they offer a way to have individual serving sized cakes without requiring utensils and plates.  When I came across the Norpro Mini Cheesecake pan, I had to have it!  

My family loves cheesecake and I thought it would be awesome to have individual serving sized cheesecakes.  They have been quite a hit!  I've made them several times since receiving the pan.  Having the mini cheesecakes has allowed everyone to serve themselves whenever they wanted a snack or dessert.  The pan makes 12 mini cheesecakes, which is the perfect number for my acrylic cake plate that fits in my refrigerator. 

There is a cheesecake recipe on the side of the Norpro Mini Cheesecake pan, but I preferred to use my own easy cheesecake recipe since that is the cheesecake my family loves.  I also lightly butter the individual cups in the pan to make the mini cheesecakes lift out easily.  Since it is a nonstick pan, they might push out without the butter, but I haven't been willing to test that theory.  Also, I do hand-wash my mini cheesecake pan. I want it to last for many years.

Mini Cheesecake Recipe by Sylvestermouse
ReviewThisReviews.com

Prep Time	Cook Time	Cool Time	Total Prep Time	Fridge Set	Ready In	Yields
15 min.	15 min.	45 min.	1 hrs. 15 min.	Time 4 hrs.	5 hrs.	12 servings

Ingredients 

For the crust: 

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (8 graham cracker sheets) 
• 2 tbsp sugar 
• 5 tbsp butter melted 

 
For the cheesecakes: 

• 16 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature 
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 egg 

 

Instructions 

1. Set out the cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature for at least an hour before you start
   
2. Wrap the mini cheesecake pan (or muffin pan) with aluminum foil in preparation of water bath baking.  (I wrap each cup separately and then wrap the bottom & sides of the pan with a single sheet of aluminum foil
3. Lightly grease each mini cheesecake cup with softened butter
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. (Convection Oven 325°F) 
   
5. Combine the crust ingredients until well combined
   
6. Using the crust tapper tool, press the crust firmly into the mini cheesecake pan cups (about 1½ tablespoon each)      
7. In a large bowl with spout, beat together softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth
   
8. Add egg, beating until just until incorporated (do not overbeat)
   
9. Pour mixture evenly over crusts in the mini cups
   
10. Place mini cheesecake pan in larger pan for water bath (Pour enough HOT water in the pan to reach half way up the pan.) It is easier to set it on the shelf in the oven and then add the water. Pan is really heavy when filled with water 
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes in waterbath. Do not over-bake – middle of cheesecakes should be set
    
12. Turn the oven off, open the door slightly and allow the mini cheesecakes to cool in the oven for 45 minutes. 
13. Remove from oven 
14. Remove from mini cheesecake pan and cool completely in the fridge at least 3 hours   

Serve topped with cherry pie filling or other toppings if desired. 

 

Book Review - A Girl Called Samson

 

A Girl Named Samson (photo created in AI)

I love reading historical fiction, and although I have read lots of books from the World War II era, I had not read any from the American Revolutionary War period.  The title on this book is what first intrigued me to download this book.  What an amazing story!  It kept me interested from page 1 and now I feel I know a lot more from that period of history.

 

The Story

Deborah Samson was born in 1760 in Massachusetts.  When she was quite young her father abandoned her family, and her mother was unable to provide for Deborah and her siblings.  Deborah ended up being bound out to be an indentured servant at age 5.  She stayed with various people in her early years, but when she was 10, she was indentured to a young farmers family that had 10 boys.  It was Deborah's duties to help look after the boys.

The family was very kind to Deborah and from them she was able to learn a lot.  Although she didn't go to school herself, she had a thirst for knowledge and was able to learn from the boys as they were growing up.  She had a friend and mentor in the Reverend Conant and when she was 15, he gave her a journal for her birthday.  In this journal she would discover her longings through her writings.  The Reverend also put her in touch with his niece Elizabeth, who became Deborah's pen pal. Elizabeth was older and married and provided Deborah with advice and someone to share her ideas.

When the American Colonies were gearing up for war, each of the 10 boys in turn ended up enlisting in the Continental Army.  Deborah yearned for a life of freedom and equal rights for women.  She had learned much from the boys and could shoot a rifle with the best of them.  

When Deborah turned 18, she was free from her bounds and could go out on her own.  The family welcomed her to stay on with them, but Deborah wanted adventure.  She ended up dressing up as a young man and enlisting in the Continental Army.

The story now gets really interesting as Deborah works hard to maintain the secret of who she really is.  Eventually she falls in love in a surprising twist to the story.  

My Recommendation

I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in historical fiction.  This story is loosely based on a young woman from history named Deborah Samson.  It is a great testament to the power of a young woman daring to chart her own way despite the circumstances.

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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