This Week Life is Amazing ~ From the Heart

Life is sometimes a big struggle and we can find ourselves more than a little lost with all that is happening around us.  Every once in a while something happens that seems to take us out of the darkness and chaos, to remind us that life is still very, very good.  And this week has been amazing!

Let me tell you a little story.  

When I was 18 years old, I became a BLOOD DONOR!  Oh I didn't do it for the right reasons, I was busy trying to get out of one of my high school classes.  At that time, the Canadian Red Cross ( now known as Canadian Blood Services) would come to high schools, set up a clinic, and hopefully recruit new donors for this important life saving venue. That was my door to getting out of that dreaded class!

Anyways, that was many years ago and much has changed in the process of giving blood.  Some of the changes are great and some of them are not. but all were necessary to keep the supply of blood safe for those who needed it most.

You see the story changed for me when my father became ill.  At that time I was already a regular donor but hadn't really thought about how much my donation would impact others.  Oh I knew people needed blood for all kinds of things, but it was never personal to me.  Well that changed quickly.

My father had cancer and while he was undergoing treatments, he would receive blood transfusions as part of his care.  When he would come home from those transfusions, he looked so much better and had more energy.  It seemed transformative to us and to him.  I would talk to him and he'd say to me, please keep on being a blood donor, it makes such a difference to me!

Well how can you say no to that?  Especially when you find out you and he are the same blood type!

At that point in my life, I no longer looked at giving blood as a chore, rather it became part of my mission to help my father and anyone else who needed that help.

Fast forward to this week.  While I was at my regular BLOOD DONOR CLINIC, the people who had just finished their donations, were sitting at the coffee table and tossing their donor cards on the table for the volunteer to record their donation on the back.  Jokingly I said. Okay, "Who's got the most donations and do they get a prize?" Everyone at the table had a good laugh until I pulled out my card and they got a look at it.  Theirs were emblazoned with 10, 20, 30 donations and then mine hit the pile and it said 100!

I didn't think it was a big deal, but everyone at the table were totally impressed.  A discussion ensue and I encouraged all of them, that their day will come when 100 will be on their cards too.

It wasn't until this week when a package arrived that made me stop and think.  My other half said, "did you order another book?"  I was truly surprised to be getting a package because I did NOT order anything.  Opening it I was even more surprised!  I guess getting to that 100 was a bigger deal than I had thought. It was a certificate from Canadian Blood Services!

Now I was truly impressed and my other half made me realize that I had dedicated the last 25 years of my life to giving blood 4 times a year.  Well when you put it that way, I guess it is impressive.

Now this story is not about bragging rights, because that just isn't me, rather it's a story about encouraging YOU or anyone in your family to become BLOOD DONORS!  The need is always there and as the Slogan says, "It's in you to give!"  It doesn't cost you anything other than about an hour of your time and it helps people that you may never ever meet!  But be certain of one thing,  the people that need the blood will be thanking you in their hearts for helping them!

Do you need something to help you through your darker times?  Take an hour and become a BLOOD DONOR, you will feel so much better about life when you know you make a difference.

In Canada if you want to know more you can follow this link: https://www.blood.ca/en/ways-donate

In the USA you can follow this link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/

I do hope that this, my story, will encourage you to become part of a lifeline for so many people that are in need!

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Air Fryer French Bread Pizza Review

 Sometimes you just need a late-night snack, or you're looking for a quick meal. Whatever the case, try some French bread pizza in your air fryer.

We always keep Red Baron French Bread Pizza in our freezer. From frozen to your plate in 10 minutes or less.

The instructions on the box will say to preheat your oven to 375 degrees and bake for 20 to 23 minutes. 

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees and set the timer for 6 minutes.

What I love most is the crunch. The air fryer gives the bread a golden, toasty base without turning it rock hard. Not only does this turn out to be a delicious snack or meal, but you're also using less energy by using your air fryer.

You can also make these from scratch using fresh French Bread, pizza sauce, and your choice of various toppings. 

We use a Ninja Air Fryer, and the 6-minute timer is perfect. You may need to experiment with different times for various air fryers.

Cleaning up is another benefit of using your air fryer. Just wipe out your air fryer basket, and you're ready to make some more.

Overall, Air Fryer French Bread Pizza is one of those effortless comfort foods that delivers big flavor with very little effort.

Ninja Air Fryer, Roast, Bake, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Reheats, & Dehydrates, 4-in-1, Fries, Frozen Food, Veggies, and Juicy Meat, Less Oil, Easy Meals, Healthy Meals, Compact, 4 QT, Grey, AF101Buy NowRed Baron Singles French Bread Pepperoni Pizza, 5 Ounce -- 24 per case.Buy Now

 

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Reviewing Mary Maxim: Exclusive Yarn and Crafts

I have recently received my first order from Mary Maxim. I am delighted both about the Bag-O-Day Crochet Tonal Hues yarn and about the variety of craft items offered by Mary Maxim. With more brick and mortar crafting stores closing over the past few years, it has been important to me find the reliable online sources. Mary Maxim quickly jumped to the top of my list of favorite crochet, yarn, and craft suppliers. I was reminded of my good first impression when I received the printed catalog in the mail.

So excited about the projects shown in the catalog

Mary Maxim: Exclusive Yarn and Crafts

I've only learned about MaryMaxim.com in the past year or two. This is a four generation, family owned and operated craft business with a history in the United States and Canada. 

They offer:

• Yarn (wide range of fiber, weight, and brands)
• Knit & crochet (kits, hooks, needles and accessories)
• Crafts (plastic canvas, paint-by-number, needlework, beaded kits, and diamond painting)
• Jigsaw Puzzles
• Patterns (vintage, modern, and patterns by popular individual designers)
• Gifts and Home
• Gift cards

When I heard talk about Mary Maxim on social media, I hadn't recalled hearing of them previously. Yet, while doing some research, I found that they have been in existence for over 65 years and one of their vintage catalog covers looked so very familiar. We very well may have had Mary Maxim patterns in my childhood home (my mother crocheted and I learned how to crochet at a very young age). 

I am over-the-moon excited about the Tonal Hues yarn that I ordered from Mary Maxim. This yarn was designed by Crystal at Bag-O-Day Crochet and is available exclusively from Mary Maxim. The colorways are gorgeous. The yarn is soft and luxurious. 

Tonal Hues yarn 

Mary Maxim also has craft kits available. For example, I would like to buy a particular crochet afghan pattern. That pattern is an exclusive pattern and includes the amount of yarn required for that pattern. I sometimes have difficulty choosing the yarn that is best suited for a particular pattern and this takes the guess work out of it. 

If you enjoy crafting, and aren't familiar with Mary Maxim, I hope you check out their website and/or request a free catalog. 

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Check Out This Medical Grade Manuka Honey for Wound Care

When it comes to wound care, I've always kept it simple. Living in Canada, Polysporin has been my go-to for as long as I can remember—it's the first thing I reach for when there's a cut, scrape, or any other wound that needs healing. 

However, I recently discovered something worth considering for wound care: ActiVon Medical Grade Manuka Honey.

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I Used to Use Regular Honey… Until I Learned Why I Shouldn't!

A few years ago, I used to apply regular organic honey to minor wounds, thinking it was a natural and soothing solution. And truthfully, I never had any bad reactions to it. But earlier this year, I happened to do some reading—and wow, I had no idea that using non-medical honey on open wounds wasn't actually recommended.

Apparently, regular honey (even organic) can contain bacteria or spores that haven't been filtered out, which makes it unsafe for wound use. 

That discovery led me down a research rabbit hole, and it was there that I first came across medical-grade honey, specifically Manuka Honey from New Zealand.

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Discovering ActiVon

That research led me to a product called ActiVon Medical Grade Manuka Honey, and I decided to give it a try. 

Right away, I could tell this wasn't anything like using regular honey. ActiVon is sterilized, filtered, and formulated specifically for wound care. It's a 100% medical-grade Manuka honey gel—nothing added, no preservatives—and it's safe to apply directly to open skin.

It's designed to create a moist healing environment, which is actually better for wound recovery. The gel has a thick but smooth consistency, making it easy to apply, and it stays in place nicely.

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How I Personally Use It

This year, I had a wound that was healing well, but I still wanted to support the healing process and make sure everything stayed clean and healthy. I used a small amount of ActiVon directly on the area, and in my typical Canadian style, I paired it with a dab of Polysporin—that's just my habit.

Let me be clear: I'm not a doctor, and I don't recommend mixing products like that. I'm sharing what I personally did, and it worked well for me.

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What Makes ActiVon Stand Out

Here's what impressed me most about using ActiVon:

• It keeps the wound moist, which helps promote faster healing and reduces the likelihood of scarring.

• It creates an osmotic effect, which gently pulls out harmful tissue and debris from the wound bed.

• It reduces the risk of infection while eliminating odors—without masking anything artificially.

• It felt gentle, and even though I was nervous to apply honey to a healing wound, it felt soothing. It's a bit sticky, of course, but that's to be expected.

• It's 100% natural, and the fact that it doesn't absorb into the bloodstream makes it a safe option.

• It contains no added preservatives, only pure, medical-grade Manuka honey that has been filtered and sterilized.

• The packaging makes it easy to use, and I love that the tube size is perfect—not too big, not too small.

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A New Favorite in My First Aid Kit

This has now become a product I keep on hand. I've even purchased a second tube—just to have in case I need it again. It gave me peace of mind knowing I was using something natural yet medically designed for healing.

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Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely—but with the usual disclaimer: talk to your doctor first. 

I'm someone who tends to dive in and try things on my own (sometimes before asking anyone!), but not everyone should do that. 

If you're considering trying ActiVon for wound care, it's best to get professional guidance, especially if you're dealing with chronic or serious wounds.

That said, if your doctor gives you the green light, ActiVon Medical Grade Manuka Honey is 100% worth exploring.

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Disclaimer:
I'm not a medical professional. I'm sharing my personal experience using ActiVon. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any new product on wounds, especially if you have existing health conditions, Bee allergies, other allergies, or are treating serious injuries.

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Raising Cane's - Restaurant Review

A few years ago, I moved to Kansas City to be near my family. One day, my daughter-in-law was at work with the only family car when she contacted my son that the car would not start. He called me and I picked him up so we could go ‘rescue’ her, jumpstart the car with my jumper cables, then get them to an auto supply store for a new battery.  On the way, my son suddenly announced that it looked like it was a “raising cain” day! 

When I did not respond; only staring at him perplexed, he asked if I heard what he said. I answered, yes, but I didn’t understand what he was talking about. 

Turns out, since it was going to be past dinnertime by the time we were done, thus making it too late to begin fixing dinner, they would stop to pick up take-out.  Being new to Kansas City, I had never heard of the place he was talking about ~ Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Restaurant! :) 

History of the Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Restaurants

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant (also known as Raising Cane’s or, simply, Cane’s) is a fast casual food chain specializing in chicken fingers. It was founded in 1996 by Todd Graves and Craig Silvey. Their first restaurant opened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

The restaurant chain was named after Todd Graves’ yellow labrador retriever, who is the company’s mascot! :) 

The Raising Cane’s menu is very simple, consisting of really delicious chicken fingers, french fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, Cane’s Sauce and soft drinks. Today, this restaurant chain is considered to be the third largest chicken restaurant chain and has over 900 locations, both throughout the United States and internationally. 

Summary

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has become one of my favorite ‘go-to’ places to eat and I highly recommend it if you are a fan of chicken fingers. The menu may be very limited (by design), but they do it VERY WELL. 

It had already been a favorite for my son and his family. Interestingly, this Spring one of my grandsons celebrated his 16th birthday and by June he had begun his very first summer job. Where else would the job be but at ‘Raising Cane’s.’ 🙂

*Raising Cane’s Restaurant Review written by Wednesday Elf

+Image sources: Wikipedia

For more restaurant reviews, click on:

ReviewThisReviews: Restaurant Reviews: U.S.

 

Chicken Finger Dipping Sauce, Dupe for Famous Canes Sauce, Pack of 2

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