Toy Review: Great Gift for a Grandchild

I recently had the opportunity to visit my grandson. I am a long-distance Gramma, so this visit was long-awaited and much anticipated. He is already 19 months old and I haven't visited since he was a couple of months old.  

While there, I was able to see what toys he enjoyed most and what toys he already had before I went to the store to add to his toy collection.  I bought several things for  him and he seemed to enjoy everything I gave him.  But there was one toy that seemed to stand out as something he enjoyed more than the others. I have to say that I was surprised that of the things I bought for him, this little Laugh & Learn Sing-with-Me CD Player seemed to be his favorite.

Because it is made by Fisher Price, I expected it to be of good quality.  It is.  I didn't fear that anything would break while he played with it.  I suppose the "CD" door could pop off if pulled with enough force, but it didn't seem at all fragile while he played.

Laugh & Learn Sing-with-Me CD Player photo by Amazon

It is important to know that the name of this toy is slightly misleading. It does not play CDs.  The discs have titles of those sing-along songs that many of us learned as children.  The discs are for the child to insert in the slot at the top or to open the door and place them inside.

When the door opens, there's a little voice that says, "ooooopppeeeenn". She also announces when the door is closed.  He enjoyed triggering that voice.  The voice made me smile.  

The buttons, when pushed, light up and trigger music to play.  I sang along with the ABCs, 1 - 2 Buckle My Shoe, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and more. Oh how he giggled with I sang Itsy-Bitsy Spider complete with the hand motions. 

This toy is clearly good for helping to develop his motor skills.  The handle is the right size for his little hands, and he enjoyed carrying it around. He enjoyed learning how to put the discs into the slot and into the door as well as learning to push the buttons on his own.  Putting the discs into the slot took some time and concentration. But for some reason, he stuck with it and enjoyed doing it.

If you are looking for a gift for a baby shower, your child, or your grandchild, I highly recommend this Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Sing-with-Me CD Player. 

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A Classic Feel Good Comedy About a Moon and Love

Snap Out of It! It's a Moonstruck Movie Review!

That's what Cher says to Nicolas Cage when he tells her he's in love with her, "Snap out of it!" then she slaps his face! It's a famous, classic scene in the 1987 movie Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicolas Cage.

A Movie about Love Centered Around 'Cosmo's Moon'

Moonstruck ranks as one of my personal all-time favorite romantic comedies. If you haven't seen it, and you're a fan of funny romantic movies, then you will surely enjoy this one! You know a movie ranks high on your radar when you start quoting lines from it all your life! Well, that's what this movie did to me.

Some of the famous movie quote lines from Moonstruck:

• When you love them, they drive you crazy because they know they can (A quote by Olympia Dukakis, who plays Rose Castorini, Cher's (Loretta Castorini) mother in the movie.
• Rose Castorini asks, 'Do you love him,  Loretta? Loretta says, 'Yah Ma, I love him awful,' 'Aw gee, that's too bad,' says her mother
• It's Johnny Cammareri <---It's the way Julie Bovasso, who plays 'Rita Cappomaggi,' says this - She plays Cher's Aunt in the movie.
• La Bella Luna!
• Alla famigilia, Salut!

What is Moonstruck About?

The movie is about a thirty-something woman, Loretta Castorini, played by Cher, whose boyfriend, Johnny Cammareri, played by Danny Aiello, finally proposes to her. She accepts because she feels it's time to be married.

Her mother,  Rose, asks her, 'Do you love him,  Loretta?' she says no, Ma..she responds by saying she only likes him and that he's a good man. Her mother is relieved to hear that because, as pointed out in the famous quote above, Rose tells her daughter, 'When you love them, they can drive you crazy. ' Rose's husband,  Cosmo (Loretta's father in the movie, played by Vincent Gardenia), drives Rose crazy; she loves him and suspects he's having an affair.

After their engagement, Johnny has to fly to Palermo, Italy,   to be with his dying mother, and he asks Loretta to visit his brother Ronny (a brother she had no idea he had!) Johnny wants to resolve his differences with his brother and asks Loretta/Cher to invite him to the wedding.

Loretta goes to see Ronny (played by Nicolas Cage). He's a funny, dramatic caricature of a scorned man. Ronny blames his brother for the loss of his fiance five years previous. Loretta goes upstairs to his apartment to talk sense into him, and one thing leads to another; they sleep together, but even worse, they fall in love!

In the end, her mother asks her about Ronny, 'Do you love him,   Loretta?' ...Loretta says, 'Yah, Ma, I love him awful'...her mother says, 'Ah geez, that's too bad.'

There are many other 'love mix-ups' taking place, making this movie pure entertainment to watch.

What is Cosmo's Moon?

The movie centers around the moon, referred to in the movie as Cosmo's moon. Rita's brother, Raymond Cappommagi, played by Louis Guss, tells the story of when he was a young boy who saw this huge moon in the sky, so he proceeded to his bedroom window to look at it, and he swears he saw Cosmo standing outside his sister's window. The old wise tale is that the moon brings the woman to the man.

Watch on Amazon Prime

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Reviewing Handmade Toys for Granddaughters

With 3 granddaughters, I'm always looking for something unique to give them. Standard toys are one thing, but handmade toys are special. And, of course, my granddaughters deserve those special toys. When I discovered a whole collection of charming handmade toys, I knew I wanted to review them here for you.

Charming Handmade Toy Collection

They come from a shop called Coastal Crochet Crafts on Etsy. It turns out the creator of these toys is our own Review This contributor Wednesday Elf. She's a grandmother like me, so she understands the need for those very special toys for the grandkids.

It was a tough time making my choices. There are so many adorable handmade animals, or Critters, as she calls them. But I did finally make my decision. And you'll notice that even though I have 3 granddaughters to give handmade toys to, I have 4 choices here. That's because this delightfulgiraffe is for me!



My choices for my granddaughters include this oh-so-darling honey bee. How could anyone, young or old, resist this little critter? I can just picture my granddaughter hugging this honey bee with a huge smile on her face.

Frankly, all of these handmade toy critters are fully hug-able. Wednesday Elf is an accomplished crocheter and it shows with the quality of her work. That's why the decision to get her creations wasn't hard. It was hard to decide which ones to get.

Making Choices with Handmade Toys

My next choice is ideal for my oldest granddaughter. She has an owl collection. This Grace the Grey and Pink Owl is perfect for her. It turns out Coastal Crochet Crafts has a number of owls in different color combinations. So every owl lover will be pleased with your choice.

That final choice turned out to be Cuddly the  Caterpillar. This was tough for me. Cuddly is another one that I wanted just for myself. But, being the good grandmother that I am, my little one deserves him.

I know my granddaughters will cherish their special new friends. Handmade toys hold such a special place in my own heart.


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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Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Movie Review

If you are looking for a lighthearted, fun-filled entertainment, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is the perfect movie for you!  

This is the 3rd Night at the Museum movie starring Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.  A terrific series!

It is a great family movie that, in my personal opinion, is appropriate for any age, young or old.  Rarely do we see movies that are purely original these days.  This is definitely unique in plot and fun.

It is rated PG, but I am not quite sure why.  I actually had to go in search of parental concerns to be able to address them in this movie review.  You can read the few statements submitted in the Parents Guide linked here.

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Movie Plot Summary

 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Several Viewing/Purchase
Options Available (4K UHD)Check Price

If you have seen the original movie, Night at the Museum, than you are already going to know what to expect.  There is magic in the museum at night as the exhibits come to life. 

In the opening scenes of "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Movie" we are given a brief look at the discovery of the Tablet of Ahkmenrah, which is responsible for the current day "magic" at the museum.  

The movie quickly moves to current day and to the Museum of Natural History in New York City which is hosting a evening dinner when it all goes horribly wrong.  It seems the Tablet of Ahkmenrah is corroding and the cast has to go to London to visit the Pharaoh himself since he is the only person who knows the secret of the tablet.  Of course, they must take the tablet to London and bring the exhibits in the British Museum to life in order to talk to the Pharaoh.  

I have heard laughter is the best medicine and I completely agree.  This movie is quite entertaining.  I found myself laughing out loud often with the rest of the audience in the packed theater the weekend after Christmas.  I suspect we all needed a bit of a break and an opportunity to unwind.  This movie was the perfect solution.

A Remarkable Cast of Actors in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

"Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" has so many great actors that it is actually difficult to know which actor is favored.  From admiring the still amazing dance steps of Dick Van Dyke, to battling a multi-headed snake with Dan Stevens (Sir Lancelot), Ben Stiller shares the screen with a cast of truly great actors. 

The movie is a tad bittersweet as we view a short scene that includes Micky Rooney, and we can't help but be reminded of our tremendous loss when we see Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt.  As always, Robin Williams makes us laugh along with him in spite of our grief.  Two great actors who will long be remembered for their decades of influence and entertainment.  They were both like old friends who we thought would always be with us.

 

 

Conclusion

If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend venturing out today to sit back, relax and enjoy "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb".

In my opinion, "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" is a 5 star, must see movie! 

5 out of 5 stars

Night at the Museum Series - In Order of Release & Entire Collection

 Night at the MuseumCheck Price Night at the Museum: Battle of the SmithsonianCheck Price Night at the Museum: Secret of the TombCheck Price Night at the Museum 3-Movie CollectionCheck Price

 

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year 

from the Staff of

Review This

May 2015 bring you a year of Peace and Joy!

Lights from Garden Glow

Missouri Botanical Garden

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Food Review: Southern Good Luck Foods for the New Year

Set the table for a down-home New Year's Eve party. Give your family and friends the best of wishes with these Southern good luck foods for the New Year.

The Deep South of the United States is filled with good people, good times, and good food. Along with this goodness is an air of superstition and food symbolism. And, the New Year is no exception. On New Year's Eve, Southerners have three favorite dishes that are more than just good luck charms. These foods are plentiful and inexpensive.

Here are the three foods you'll find on a Southern table for New Year's Eve dinner. Serve these dishes to your party guests in the hope that y'all will gain wealth, health, and happiness in the coming year.

Serve black-eyed peas to grow your wealth

 

Don't go making the mistake of calling these dried packages of protein beans. Any Southerner will tell you that these are not beans, these are peas. Black-eyed peas, in fact, and they symbolize good luck.

It is believed that eating black-eyed peas will help expand wealth because the peas swell up and expand when cooked. Also, black-eyed peas can endure the rough spots. These peas grow in the harsh southern summer sun when many other plants wither and die.

Black-eyed peas are served often at our house. It's easy to cook black-eyed peas and there are so many ways to prepare these staple foods.  We make a simple black-eyed pea and vegetable soup with onions, carrots, and collard greens.

Patrick and Gina Neeley, from Down Home with the Neeleys on the Food Network, have an awesome recipe for Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon and Pork. Their recipe calls for chicken stock. If you are looking for a low-sodium and vegetarian soup stock, save your vegetable scraps and make your own homemade vegetable soup stock instead.

Add a side of collards to have hope for better things to come

 

Collard greens are the color of money, the color of hope, and the color of new growth. How can you go wrong with the triple crown of good luck?

This West Coast girl had never heard of collards until moving to the South. The bitter taste and tough texture weren't to my liking. Then we started growing collards in our garden and picking the young leaves for our dinners. The flavor is much milder and the leaves are much easier to eat.

Another popular Southern cook, Paula Deen, has a simple dish for a Quick Collard Green Saute that is delicious. If you don't like collard greens, you can substitute any of the cooking greens such as spinach, mustard greens, bok choy, or Chinese cabbage.

Clean your plate with cornbread to keep your good fortune

Leqenik by Violetamyftari. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

 

As my best Southern Gentleman would say, "Gotta slop up all those peas and collards, can't let the good luck go to waste." And a slice of golden cornbread is just the way to save your good fortune. The golden yellow of the cornbread symbolizes riches and because the cornbread rises as it cooks, it is a symbol of increasing wealth.

Add a touch of golden happiness to your New Year's meal with this Buttery Corn Bread Recipe from Taste of Home. This is a simple recipe that just takes a few minutes to mix together and 30 minutes to bake.

Sit back and enjoy your holiday get-together

After dinner, sit back and enjoy the Southern hospitality. Spend quality time with your family and friends. Share some laughter. Sing some happy songs. And, have hope in a prosperous new year.

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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Bruno Mars Spectacular 2012 Grammy Performance

Bruno Mars Doo-Wops and Hooligans on Amazon

Years before Bruno Mars became a mainstream talent, I remember my 'anti-mainstream son' calling me over to his computer to watch 'this really talented guy'...named Bruno Mars. 

My son, who's in a pop-punk band, must have an eye for talent because he also introduced me to Jason Mraz and The Fray before both were really well known.

Bruno Mars & the Hooligans 2012 Grammy Performance

If you search YouTube, you'll find a few videos of the 2012 Grammy performance. I had a video featured here, but unfortunately, they come and go on YouTube, so it's best to search for yourself.

After the Grammys, I searched to listen to other song performances: Britain's The X Factor, 'La Maroquinerie in Paris, The Jungle Tour, The Today Show, and many more! Their performance on The X Factor has a severely respectable 4.7 million views,  and it's great! However, I really enjoyed the Paris performance of Runaway (there's a bit of 'language' in the beginning). It's more of an intimate setting, making you feel like you're crashing a private party!

Here's the Paris Performance!

(Warning: Language in this Video)

Bruno Mars is the best all-around entertainer since Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson!

He's the total package; wicked fierce talent, charismatic sex appeal, and can he dance! He also has a deep demographic reach. He's a multi-generational talent, and although the younger generation may not appreciate the value of being able to attract all ages, it's rare. It's one of the first signs that a star has the gift of 'staying power.

A little about The Song Runaway by Bruno Mars and the Hooligans
You'll find the song Runaway on the studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. It was released on October 4, 2010. The doo-wop sound of the album was chosen to appeal to a broad range of listeners from both genders. The album charted all over the world! If you remember the song, 'Just the Way You Are,' it was the lead single and stood at number 1 for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. This album features numerous hit songs; Grenade, Just the Way You Are, Runaway Baby, and Marry You - every song on this album is a hit.

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Merry Christmas from the Review This Staff

Merry Christmas

From all of us at

Review This Reviews

May your hearts sing with Joy at the Wonder of the Season!

May you Delight in the Beauty around You!

May you enjoy the laughter and joy of family and friends.

May the peace of God surround you as you celebrate the birth of His Son!

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A Guide to France and a Review of It...Well, More Like a Love Letter!

Why I Love France! 

I'm traveling in Europe, and decided to spend a while in France. It's just as awesome as everyone says! Well not everyone thinks so, of course, and France has a reputation for being unkind to Americans, but my husband and I wonder why. Everywhere we go we are met with kindness and people go out of their way to help us.  This is a welcome change from our Italian experience!

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Yes we loved Italy;  the ruins, the food, the art, the beauty, and everyone at all our hotels. But the average Italian on the street? Not so much. They all seem in a hurry, and not interested in helping anyone, let alone Americans who don't speak Italian. In fact they seem sort of angry. 

If we hadn't had our guidebooks, and my Google translator app for my phone, I think we would have been lost a lot more than we were. (We were totally lost several times in Florence and walked miles out of our way!) They are sort of rude, even to each other. Just not what I expected at all.

Like I said, the people in hospitality are generally nice. But don't get me started on the people at the train stations! (The ticket office people I mean.) At restaurants they can be either really nice, or really snotty. It's a toss up!

Florence, Italy

We Love France Even More Than Italy! 

But we love France! Everyone here seems generally happy and nice and they go out of their way to help, not just the hospitality people, everyone on the street. I had 4 different men try to help me with my luggage at the train station even when it meant they might miss their own train! And the station employees are also very nice and helpful. 

Our train to Lyon broke down so it was unavailable; a train employee cheerfully informed us they would find a solution, and they did!  20 minutes later a bus arrived to take us to Lyon and he drove like a madman to get us to the station on time to make our connection. (We barely made it!)  We were not even able to get to our correct car or we would have missed the train.  

I was worried after our Italian train experiences, but not to worry.  The French ticket agent just smiled and said no problem, you're on the train and that's what counts. So refreshing! All the people around us smiled and smiled. They even tried to talk to us and since I speak some French it was totally enjoyable. 

Saint Sernin Basilica, Toulouse, France

So here we are in Toulouse which is sort of like a mini Paris. It's called the Pink city because many if not most of the buildings are constructed from pink bricks. And it's breathtakingly beautiful too.  Since it's Christmas time, there are lights everywhere, and everyone seems to be in a great mood.  

But the difference between France and Italy  is that when French people hear us speaking English, they stop and tell us where to go for good food!  Ah, the French and their food. All I can say is the reputation is deserved. We love it! 

Jacobins Convent ceiling, Toulouse, France also known as the Palm tree ceiling

Before we left the USA, I checked out several travel books, and after my research I decided that the Fodor's ones are not only tried and true, but they are the most helpful for the kind of traveling we are doing; we don't have a schedule or a plan other than to stay where we like the vibe, and move on after we're done exploring. So if you're going on a trip, I highly recommend the Fodor's guides! We are using this one: 

 Fodor's France 2015 (Full-color Travel Guide)Check Price

But there are older ones available too, and of course guides for any country you can imagine.  So far every recommendation has been totally helpful and thorough. I don't think you can go wrong using a Fodor's Travel guide!

!  More countries coming up! Do you have a favorite European country? Let me know, as we are open to seeing new ones! 

All photos,© Heather Burns

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Reviewing Chicken Soup for the Soul

By now, it is likely that everyone has heard of the book series "Chicken Soup for the Soul". According to their official website, the idea of touching lives through telling positive stories began during Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's motivational speeches.  After some time, they compiled these stories into a book. A small publisher gave them a chance after they had been turned down by the big publishers. And so, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series began.

Over the years, I have read several of the books.  Then I had basically forgotten about them. Until recently.  

For several reasons, work related and writing related, I picked up newer copy of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. And I was again reminded of how down-to-earth and wonderful these books are.  

Living with Alzheimer's photo by Amazon

I am currently reading Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer's & Other Dementias.  As I read, I am struck by how educational and supportive the book is. It is quite a bit like being at a good support group but never having to get out of my pajamas or leave the couch.  I do not currently have any family members or close friends who are suffering from dementia. But I have learned a great deal from this book and believe it would be very helpful to the family members and friends of folks who are living with dementia.

Teenage Soul photo by Amazon

Because I work with special education students and am always on the lookout for positive messages for them, I purchased Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and took it to work. I understand that the kids will always listen to other kids before they listen to a boring, old social worker.  While many of my kids at the school are too young, I did have some teenaged students who read portions of this book. Some of the the students seemed to benefit from these stories.  In fact, my book disappeared. Which means, one of them related well enough that they borrowed it permanently. 



As I mentioned, there are 250 books in the series.  Some of the topics or themes you will find include:holiday:

• pets
• age-specific (teen, pre-teen, seniors)
• motivational
• dealing with illness
• religion (angels, miracles)
• self-help (empowering yourself, finding happiness)
• and much, much more

It's Christmas photo by Amazon

If you've never heard of the series, I strongly recommend that you find a copy on a topic that interests you. Because there is such a large variety of topics, I'm sure you will find a one that suits you perfectly.   If you've heard of the series, but like me, hadn't read any of them for awhile, I urge you to pick up a copy. 

Slow down during this hectic season and take time to feel good.  Soothe your soul with a little chicken soup.



Disclaimer: In affiliation with Amazon.com, Dawn Rae is a blogger and content writer who may earn compensation from the sale of Amazon products

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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