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Monday, July 28, 2014

Maryland: A Festive Destination

With the recently passed Artscape Festival and the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim taking place now, I am reminded of the amazing cultural events and festivals that are held in this area.

When I decided to move here, from rural Indiana, the decision to be near an urban area was in large part due to my desire to have easy access to large cultural events. I have to tell you that I have not been disappointed. Late summer and autumn is my favorite time of year to attend these festivals.

Costume seen at Maryland's Renaissance Festival

Artscape has just passed. It is held annually and is advertised as “America’s largest free arts festival…”. I have absolutely no reason to doubt that it is indeed the largest. It is an amazing festival. The food, music, shows, and tent after tent filled with artwork is a sight to see.

While located in Virginia, not in Maryland, many Marylanders attend the Chincoteague Pony Swim – the annual event that was made famous by Marguerite Henry's book Misty of Chincoteague. This year the pony round up occurred on July 26 and 27^th and the Pony Swim will take place on Wednesday July 30^th.

Maryland’s Renaissance Festival is an amazing event. There is live jousting, a storyline each year that involves characters in costume, food, and entertainment. So much of the entertainment, food, and crafts are based in that time period. It is definitely a great way to spend a day or two.

SunFest is held in Ocean City September 18 thru 20^th this year. It is the 40^th anniversary of the event. I love SunFest since it occurs after the typical end of tourist season on Labor Day. This festival stretches summer to it’s limit and yet the weather is typically still beautiful weather for the beach. There are crafts, kites, food, and the usual things to see and do while at the beach.

Sept 6 and 7^th 2014 are the dates for the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point. Sandy Point is a beach park that is located at the food of the Bay Bridge. This is a festival that features seafood in a state that boasts about it’s local crabs. Need I say any more?

I think my very favorite festival is the National AppleHarvest Festival. Again, not located in Maryland but located not far across the Pennsylvania state line, the National Apple Harvest Festival is an event that I look forward to year after year. I love wandering around the small county fairgrounds; eating, listening to music, and browsing all of the things there are to browse. The smells and the flavors are all things apple and smoked. The antique tractors and the car show is worth the price of admission alone.

This is just a minute sample of festivals in this area. There are music festivals, the Preakness, ethnic festivals, and so much more. If you enjoy festivals, this is the place to be.

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

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Saturday, July 26, 2014

The History of Chocolate

You learn the most interesting things on the Web. For me, it's the history of chocolate. OK, what else would it be considering I'm a major chocoholic. It also turns out, I'm a bit of a history buff, too. So lisadh's page, Who Invented Chocolate: The Sweet History of Chocolate was a treat for me.

The Cacao Bean

In case you don't know, chocolate is made from grinding cacao beans into a fine powder. Then that powder is mixed with liquid. Anything from oils to heavy creams will create the various types of chocolate. The more ground cacao bean in the mix, the darker the chocolate.

The cacao bean grows on a bush similar to the coffee bean. So I guess the question should be who discovered that grinding these beans will make something different? And lisadh tells us.

Thank You Christopher Columbus

More that I learned from Who Invented Chocolate was that we have lots to thank Christopher

Columbus for, including introducing the cacao bean to Europe. He brought the bean to Spain where the powder was used to make chocolate drinks.

Of course, that are many other people who had their hand in developing the confection that we now enjoy. Lisadh gives us a good overview of the various names that are credited with these developments.

Fun Chocolate Trivia Facts

Besides the amazing history of chocolate, lisadh also gives us some fun trivia facts. If you are a trivia fan, these are for you. My favorite is the last one. In the movie "Psycho" chocolate syrup was used as the blood in the famous shower scene. Can't you just imagine how great that set smelled? Yum.

Along with Who Invented Chocolate, you can find plenty of pages loaded with great trivia facts. I include lots of trivia in my pages as do many others. If you love chocolate like I do, you will certainly enjoy the trivia found by lisadh.

You can share you own favorite trivia facts, your favorite chocolate recipe, or just about anything you consider a favorite through Web pages. If you love it, you will write about it with passion and fun. And that's what makes a great page. So what are you waiting for?

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.

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Friday, July 25, 2014

Live Like There is No Tomorrow!

When it comes to love and romance, I can't think of a better quote than "Live Like There is No Tomorrow!"

We have all heard that phrase many times before, but the quote took on a whole new, very realistic meaning as I read Countrysunshine's article today.

I was completely captivated as their years together and apart unfolded before my eyes in just a few minutes of reading Our Love Story.

There are many thoughts and comments I could write here on the heels of reading the in-depth love story she shared, but I am not going to write them. I want each reader here to have the time to read the article for yourself without spending one extra moment with me.

May we all "Live Like There is No Tomorrow!"

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Thursday, July 24, 2014

Remember Special Times with Photos

Special Occasions are great times to take photos. They also make great subjects for your writing. I have written several pages about special times for our family and included our family photos on the pages. We have a family christening dress that has been worn by all of the female members of three generations. I found writing a page to be a great way to write about the dress and share it with my children and nieces and nephews. Here is a link to the page I wrote about the dress.
Christening Dress

Many online writers like to write about their parents. It is a great way to put those memories from the past in writing. When my Mother died last March my sister made copies of the lens that I wrote on Mother to have available for visitors at the funeral home. We also sent copies to some of our out of town relatives. Everyone said they really appreciated the piece. My Mom a Very Special Lady

My grandchildren all live several hours away from me in another state so it is a big treat for all of us when they come to stay with us during the summer break from school. We try to make this time special with visits to places around St. Louis where we live and special times with Grandma and Grandpa. In some years I will make a photo book for them on Shutterfly and other times I write about the experience on Hubpages and include lots of photos.
Summer Fun with Grandchildren

Next time you are searching for a subject to write about, consider some of those special family memories and put them on a page to share with others.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Little League Baseball is Over 75 Years Old


Little League World Series Stadium, Williamsport, PA

Nearly eighty years ago, a man in Williamsport, Pennsylvania had an idea about establishing a baseball league for boys that would teach fair play and teamwork. His name was Carl Stotz and in the summer of 1938 he gathered up his two nephews and some of their neighborhood friends and they began playing some informal games. By the following summer, Carl and two of his friends were the coaches of a league of three teams, sponsored by different businesses in the area, and on June 6, 1939, the first 'league' game took place.

The next year a second league was formed in Williamsport. It was the beginning of what would become Little League Baseball, which grew to become an international organization of nearly 200,000 teams in every U.S. state and over 80 countries around the world. Stotz' dream had come true.

Little League Used to be for Boys Only

Until 1974, Little League Baseball was for boys only. After a lawsuit, the rules were revised to allow participation by girls in the baseball program. Today, there are over two & a half million players in Little League Baseball worldwide, including both boys and girls in both the baseball league and the softball league.

Little League Begins Their World Series Championships

In 1947, the first Little League World Series was held. Today that event has become internationally known and is held each year in August at the Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, PA, where Little League began. My brother & friends have attended several times and say it is a most enjoyable time.

Read a story about being in a Little League World Series

Available on Amazon

Play Ball (Little League) is an interesting story for ages 8 to 12 years about two cousins, one a pitcher and one a catcher, who grew up playing baseball and then find themselves in the Little League World Series where their team is on the verge of winning the championship.

A Little League Baseball Batter

Not only is Little League an excellent training area for kids who love to play baseball, but many professional baseball players have come out of the program over the years. One of my favorites of the current players in the MLB is Lance Lynn, former pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and now pitching for the New York Yankees. Little League Baseball is a wonderful organization and we salute them as they celebrate 75 years*.

*NOTE: The Little League 75 Year celebration occurred in 2014. The tradition continues to this day.

As a huge Baseball fan, I love talking and writing about baseball. Did I mention my passion is Baseball?

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Monday, July 21, 2014

Gardeners not only Know all the Dirt, they have the Best Tools to spread it around too!

The first set of garden tools ever created are right at the end of each of your arms. I don't know a gardener anywhere, who hasn't made use of those ten fingers to dig, pull, make rows, and then plant seeds.

Unfortunately, those ten fingers will only get you so far and then you need to bring in the big tools. Every Gardener that I know also has his or her own set of favorite tools that help in their task of creating beauty in the space they call home. If you are new to gardening, acquiring your first tools might just be a little easier if you do some reading right here!

Charlino knows how to get rid of weeds in a non-harmful to the environment way! Check out her posting right here: The Best Chemical Free Method Of Ridding Your Yard Of Weeds

If that's not a good enough start there is always some tools from other countries that might help you with any gardening chores you might have. Check out Nejiri Kama, Japanese Sickle or the other favorite Japanese gardening tool, one that I happen to really love and use daily: Sharp Tools are Required, Sometimes

Among other things to do in the garden with your tools is to set up your space. This of all things can be the most daunting. It's not enough to have some dirt, you do need to keep in mind what your plants are going to need as far as sunlight, watering and other needs to get you growing in the right direction. Having a plan sometimes helps! Books are a great resource and can help to kindle the desire to help nature be everything it can be. Planning and executing can be the most interesting part of your new garden and can be done in the months that aren't quite spring or summer yet! Or if you have tried and weren't quite happy with the results, then some books can help you make it better next year. Gardeners are the eternal optimists. Whatever didn't work this year, will work next year for sure........

There is a host of good reading available at the Weekend Gardener's Contributor page Weekend Gardeners/Weekend Warriors

When you think you are ready, it's time to move on to the real joy of gardening and literally reaping the fruits of your labor. Here are some great tips for having the best tomatoes you could ever dream of. 13 Tips for Growing Better Tomatoes

Hopefully you will find something here that will make your time in the garden productive and pleasurable too!

Happy Growing!

p.s. there is a ton of information for gardeners of all skill levels at the Weekend Gardener's page on Facebook, come and like us there or visit Pinterest for even more!

Weekend Gardener on Pinterest

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

Making Chocolate Truffles in the Kitchens of Squidoo

Homemade chocolate desserts - delicious, homemade chocolate truffles - decadent! Of course, as your favorite chocoholic, I found those pages that are perfect for making your own truffles. These aren't difficult recipes either. That's important for our busy lifestyles. So come along with me as we tour those great pages for making chocolate truffles in your own kitchen.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Truffles

When I first went looking for great chocolate dessert ideas, your could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw chocolate truffles. In my mind, truffles are one of the best ways to treat oneself. But, making them in my own kitchen? I'm not that good a cook, folks. That is until I saw this page from the author known as Whitemoss.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Truffles gives you a great and simple basic recipe. It's 3 ingredients. That's it. Really! But this author didn't stop there. She tells us extra things to add in to make the basic recipe even better. The variations sound great, too. There's more, though. She tells us how to dress up our own homemade chocolate truffles to give as gifts.

Making Chocolate Truffles with Kids

apron with chocolate truffles printed on it

Truly, I have to admit here. I was intrigued when I saw NanLT's page, Cooking With Kids: Making Chocolate Truffles. When my granddaughters come to visit, we somehow manage to end up in the kitchen making something yummy. So chocolate truffles sound great for this. She gives us a good basic recipe with good step-by-step instructions in how to make the little round confections.

I know what the next fun kitchen adventure I will have my grandgirls. Yep, making chocolate truffles in my own kitchen. All because an author shared her tips.

Posted by: BuckHawk

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Friday, July 18, 2014

Romantic Movies for Men, Reviewed by Men

It is rare to gain insight on what romantic movies we can get men to watch with us, and enjoy. Sometimes we can get our guys to watch a chick flick with us, but they don't really like the movie. They are watching it just to spend time with the women they love. Of course, we appreciate their willingness to sit through these romantic movies, but it would truly be more fulfilling for a couple if both partners could enjoy the picture.

I really wanted to find some romantic movies to recommend that the guys would also value as a good movie. I am most grateful to the gentlemen who have reviewed a few romantic movies that appeal to a man. Since I have personally seen all of these movies, I know women will enjoy them too.

So, without further ado, let's view the romantic movies that appeal to both sexes.

The African Queen

The African Queen
We can always depend on Bogie to deliver!

He possesses a unique attraction for both men and women and Katherine Hepburn certainly makes a strong female balance as his partner. Together they seem to have an indivisible bound as they work side by side with a common goal.

Tony Leather offers an exceptional review of The African Queen. He wrote such an intriguing review that I had to watch the movie again, even though I have seen it dozens of times in the past.

It Happened One Night

It Happened One NightIn another exceptional review, Maugustine shares that this is "the film that made me fall in love with film". Wow! What a phenomenal compliment to any movie, but especially a romantic movie. If only Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert could know the impact that they had with the one picture.

I am not a filmmaker like Maugustine, but I do love a great movie and It Happened One Night is definitely one of my own personal all-time favorites. Not only is it romantic, but it is also funny. A romantic comedy is simply the best!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers [DVD]
I am thrilled to know that this movie also appeals to men and I appreciate Rusty1430 for giving us a man's perspective of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

I adore this film, but I had never even considered the impact of the brothers relationships to one another.

Since I have 4 brothers myself, I truly appreciate this new insight and wholeheartedly agree with Rusty1430.

More Romantic Movies for Men

I know there are more romantic movies that both men and women will enjoy. These were just a few that I found that men have reviewed and recommended for us.

I would love to invite more men to step up and share your reviews. Please leave your review links in the guestbook below.

We could all use a little help. After all, we want our men to be happy with the movie selections too.

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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Using Photos to Tell Your Story

I think photos make a story so much more interesting. Yes you can use your imagination when you read a story, but actually seeing a place or object can really bring it to life.

The photo below shows one of the beautiful butterflies at The Butterfly House in St. Louis. When I wrote about this butterfly, I used lots of photos to tell my story. Paper Kite Butterfly .

Here are some more ways that writers use photos to enhance their pages.

The photos on this recipe lens written by MissMerFaery really help you to visualize how to make the custard. It also makes you hungry! Homemade Custard
Next time you get ready to write a page online be sure to look through your photo files and find the photos that will bring your subject to life.

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Building Teams and Growing Friendships

Online communities are everywhere. An overwhelming number of websites offers surfers a place to play, share, write, create, read, and participate any which way they choose. How do you choose the right place to spend your time? Join me on a tour of Squidoo. A great place to learn new things, to write about the things you know, and to make new best friends.

NOTE: On August 15, 2014, Squidoo announced that it was being acquired by HubPages. I will forever appreciate what I learned during my time at Squidoo. So long, Squidoo. It's been good to know you!

Thirty something years ago, I became a writer. For the first 25 years, I worked as part of a team. Accomplishing projects with the input of my co-workers and supervisors.

Then came the Internet and a concept called telecommuting.

For the first time in my writing career, I found myself an Independent Writer With No Team Of My Own. No team to brainstorm ideas, no team to keep the project on schedule, and no team cheer leading sessions.

Then I found Squidoo. And my whole world changed.

From the very beginning, Squidoo has offered me the opportunity to join a team. To become a part of something bigger. To contribute to making life better in all kinds of ways. I have enjoyed A Year of Storytelling on Squidoo and I hope to enjoy many, many more.

Squidoo's RocketSquid web writing workshop was my first opportunity to join a Squidoo team. Through RocketSquids, I met a lot of people and, unknowingly, the seeds of friendship were planted. During my first year, I joined more teams, met more people, and grew friendships that make my world a better place.

These friends have become my team members. We check on each other from time to time. We offer ideas when one of us can't nail down a story. We share our joys. And, we share each other's stories.

Squidoo was my online garden. A place with Plants and Flowers Where Friendship Grows.

Until next time, be happy and be well!

Coletta

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.

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