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Sunday, November 14, 2021

Christmas Gifts Reviewed on Review This Reviews!

Treasures from the Archives of Review This Reviews!

Whether you are shipping Christmas gifts or giving them in person, the contributors of Review This Reviews have some fabulous Christmas gift suggestions.

Many of us struggle with what to give. It is a tremendous help to have a place we can trust to share personal reviews of wonderful gifts the writers have either given or received. While the featured gifts could be given at different times of the year, these reviews have made it to this page because they are excellent suggestions for Christmas.

One of our contributors has a special talent for writing riddles and creating word search puzzles. You will find Barbara's published books in our collection of reviews. She has published a Christmas Riddles book, as well as a Christmas Word Search book. These books would be awesome gifts and stocking stuffers.

There are gift reviews for women, men, & children, plus reviews that have focused on specific hobbies or for the home. For instance, there is one review specifically written for gift recommendations for crafters and sewing enthusiasts and several written for those who love to cook. After all, our contributors cook, therefore we have excellent gift suggestions for the "chef" in your life.

We have an assortment of jewelry reviews, apparel reviews, and even a few suggestions for your quirky friend or family member. From Cow Onesies for Adults to Sudoku Toilet Paper, we strive to add a bit of humor to everyone's holiday.

The Pinterest board below serves as a catalog of awesome Christmas gifts! When you see a picture of a gift on the board that you like, simply click it to read the full review. From there, our reviews provides links for purchasing the items you choose.

Have fun shopping for Christmas gifts instead of stressing over what you can give.

The board below features 30 of our most recent reviews.

Click through to Pinterest here to see all of the Christmas Reviews by Review This Reviews Contributors, as well as a few from our trusted friends!

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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Friday, November 12, 2021

Give a Kindle Unlimited Gift Subscription Reviewed

Kindle Unlimited is the perfect gift for people who like to read!

We frequently hear the term "the gift that keeps on giving". That phrase is especially true about a subscription to Amazon's Kindle Unlimited. You can give a 6 month, 12 month or 24 month subscription depending on your gift giving budget. Plus, it makes the perfect annual gift for someone who has everything.

Personally, I like to give a Kindle Unlimited subscription for birthdays, especially to family members who live in other states. Because you choose the date of delivery at the time of purchase, you can even buy it on the very day and have it delivered immediately. I'm not as likely to forget the date of Christmas, but birthdays do tend to slip up on me. However, if I get to Christmas Eve and realize I need to send a gift, Amazon has me covered with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Whether you are buying a Christmas gift, a birthday gift, an anniversary gift, or simply a "thinking of you" gift, Kindle Unlimited always comes in the right size with free shipping. All you need is the recipient's email address!

How to Gift a Kindle Unlimited Subscription

It is as easy as clicking this link, making the subscription length choice, filling in the email address, date of delivery, and adding a gift note (if desired), then checking out.

Prices May Change - Subscription Cost Shown is Price at Published Time of Article

It takes on a few minutes to give a gift that keeps on giving and will be used all year long!

You may also wish to give a Kindle Fire (color illustrations) or a Paperwhite Kindle (smaller & lighter than the Fire) along with the KindleUnlimited subscription. This would truly be the ultimate gift for someone who loves to read.

Kindle PaperwhiteCheck Price Amazon Fire HD 10 tabletCheck Price

How to Give a Kindle Unlimited Gift Subscription Reviewed written by:

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Thursday, November 11, 2021

Autumn Colors in Missouri 2021

fall leaves on the tree photo by mbgphoto

Fall Color November 2021

I love the beautiful colors of Autumn. It is my favorite time of the year and after the long hot summer I am always looking forward to the cool, crisp days of Autumn. This year the hot days of summer seemed to never stop, in fact they carried on well into September. This delayed the beautiful colors of Autumn to well into October and in my area the peak didn't come till the first week in November.

Peak Colors in Missouri

In order to discover what is normal for peak colors in Missouri I went online and read the Missouri Conservation website.

That site lists the normal time for Autumn colors beginning about the middle of September, with the peak being by mid October. But as you can see in the photo below at my home in the St. Louis Missouri area the changing colors were only beginning at the time of the Autumnal Equinox on September 22.

View from my Deck

Here is a photo from a walk in the park in mid September when the leaves are getting a tinge of color.

sidewalk bordered by fall leaves photo by mbgphoto

September

The Missouri Conservation website states that predicting fall color in Missouri can be difficult. Missouri is blessed with a large variety of bushes, shrubs and trees which change colors at different rates. The entire autumn color season will last from 4-6 weeks and where the best colors are best will change according to what varieties of foliage is in a particular area. The changing of colors in Missouri start in the northern part of the state and progress southward. The weather plays a big part in when the colors change. This year we had 90 degree temperatures into September and high 80's into October. This set records for one of the warmest falls on record. These temperatures delayed the fall colors.

What Makes Leaves Change Color

For a review on what makes leaves change color I looked online for some basic information. I found out that leaves are green because of chlorophyll production and lots of chlorophyll produces green color and mask any colors underneath. Light regulates chlorophyll production so the shorter days of Autumn produce less light and thus less chlorophyll production. The photo below shows a tree in my front yard as the days are getting shorter and the green is disappearing.

fall leaves starting to change colors photo by mbgphoto

Peak Colors for 2021

Today is November 5th and the colors are really starting to pop. The television newscasters last night said that the next week will be our peak colors. Here are a few photos I took yesterday. I love the bright colors.

yellow and orange fall leaves in the tree

red fall leaves on the tree photo by mbgphoto

close up of fall leaves photo by mbgphoto

November 10th Update

Here is an update on the colors from my front porch on November 10th. The colors are certainly vibrant now.

Zazzle Products from My Autumn Photos

Autumn photos are great for cards, mugs and other products I make on Zazzle.

Spectacular Fall Colors Coffee Mug
by mbgphoto

Bandstand Forest Park Card
by mbgphoto

Autumn Leaves Card
by mbgphoto

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Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Mirror Mirror on the Wall - A Gift Suggestion

How many times have you stood in front of the mirror first thing in the morning and thought, "What words of wisdom do you have for me today?"

There are many times in my life where I have been overwhelmed, upset, depressed, down in the dumps or excited about something that will be happening. All of these feelings sometimes just grab hold of me and I stare at my reflection hoping that some wisdom will come me and help me over whatever hurdle seems to be in my path.

Now I've been thinking a lot about my grandchildren who have just gone through two years of hardship and stress. I know that they have missed out on so much with all the restrictions put in their path. I also know that kids are resilient little beings and that they will bounce back. In the meantime, I have been thinking about ways to help them cross those barriers and climb over their disappointments so that they can look at themselves through my eyes and smile.

Little words of encouragement are always needed by everyone and our children and grandchildren are no exception to the rule. So because we aren't physically close to them, we can still be an encouragement for them from afar.

How? Well, this year, I'm making sure that my Grandchildren know what they mean to me daily! And this is how I'm going to do it.

We are buying each one of the Grandchildren a mirror to be hung on their wall in their rooms. Hung at a height that will make it possible for them to check out how they look and at the same time have a message that will either make them smile, or pause and think, or just laugh!

So how are we going to get a message on their mirror? Easy peasey when you have a set of Liquid Chalk Markers!

These markers write on glass easily and are erasable too. So when you need a new message on your mirror just clean off the old with a damp cloth and add the new.

Everyday you can change up the message, or leave one there as a reminder of your Grandparent's thoughts for you!

Everyone loves a little encouragement and there are lots of ways to add that spark to your mirror with Words to Live By ! Checking out Pinterest is another great source for Quotes for all kinds.

My Grandson's are going to love that their mirror will say "You make me smile!" and "You are the kindest boy I know!"

My Granddaughters are going to love theirs too! One will say, "You are poetry in motion!" While the other one will say, "Your imagination just makes me happy!"

Can you just imagine what seeing these words on their mirrors everyday will do to their spirits? I imagine and hope that it will give them a positive outlook that will carry them over any hurdles they happen to be facing.

When they need a little pick me up, grab the Liquid Chalk and write a note to them or let them write a note to themselves.

I'm looking forward to seeing their reactions and when they are finished with needing some positive reinforcement, they will always have a nice mirror to see themselves in!

I know they will see a wonderful person who has empathy and joy in their lives, that is for sure!

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Tuesday, November 9, 2021

The Burning by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman – Book Review

Forest Fire on a hillside overlooking a lake

A raging wildfire. A massive blackout. A wealthy man shot to death in his palatial hilltop home

Synopsis

Available on
Amazon

The protagonist of this story, Clay Edison, is a deputy coroner. Caring for the dead, he speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves. He prides himself on an unflinching commitment to the truth. Even when it gets him into trouble.

The Burning, set in the San Francisco Bay Area during one of the state’s terrible wildfires, is Book #4 in the Clay Edison series by Jonathan & Jesse Kellerman.

A murder scene becomes personal for this deputy coroner when he discovers a link to his brother, Luke, while investigating the crime scene.

Luke is fresh out of prison and struggling to stay on the straight and narrow. But when Clay calls Luke to find out why his lovingly restored vintage Camaro is in the murdered man's garage, he discovers his brother is missing.

While trying to find his brother before anyone else can, Clay is forced to do his job, as well as cope with a wildfire and a massive blackout occurring in his northern California area. Is his brother a killer or a victim? And, where is he?

An open journal book on a desk with a pen

Image Source: Pixabay

The Kellerman Authors, Father & Son

Jonathan Kellerman is the well-known author of the Alex Delaware Series (36 books to date) and is married to author Faye Kellerman (known in particular for her 29 mystery novels in her "Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus" series. Now, Jonathan is joined by their son, Jesse, a writer in his own right. To date, Jonathan & Jesse have co-authored 5 books, including four in the Clay Edison series.

The Kellermans are an amazing family of writers of mystery thrillers.

Summary

The Burning is a real page-turner – a harrowing collision of family, revenge, and murder.

For more book reviews on ReviewThisReviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

Monday, November 8, 2021

You, Me & The Christmas Trees: Hallmark Movie Review

The Hallmark Christmas Movie season begins with an evergreen SOS in You, Me & The Christmas Trees as the lead off movie for 2021. Of course romance ensues as the evergreen mystery unfolds and a solution must be found in time for Christmas!

A Christmas tree emergency brings Tree Whisperer Danica McKellar as Olivia to the town of Avon to save a families Christmas tree farm. Benjamin Ayres plays Jack, whose tree farm is in jeopardy due to a mysterious disease which is attacking his Christmas trees. Scientist Olivia is determined to provide the answers and just might find a little romance along the way!

A light and fluffy romcom with a believable chemistry between McKellar and Ayres helps make this movie a great way to start off the Hallmark Christmas movie season. This movie stays in the Hallmark lane of family entertainment and viewers will enjoy the scenery of Avon (a real town), Christmas traditions (hot cocoa anyone?), town celebrations (tree lighting ceremony) with the charm of lead actors leading the way.

You, Me & Christmas Trees delivers for Hallmark fans, look for replays of You, Me & The Christmas Trees throughout the Hallmark Christmas movie season.

Danica Leaves Hallmark Channel for GAC

As Hallmark fans are aware, Danica McKellar is one of Hallmark's A team actors especially for the Christmas movie season. She has signed an exclusive four movie deal with GAC with her first movie to premier in January 2022.

Admittedly when I heard the news that Danica was leaving Hallmark for GAC I had to google GAC to find out what exactly GAC is? GAC is a rebranded country channel which is now offering family entertainment. GAC = Great American Channels and GAC Family will be offering holiday movies this year. You will notice a few familiar Hallmark faces in the GAC holiday movies too!

More Hallmark Christmas Movies

Reviews:

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2021 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2020 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Finding Father Christmas by Cynthia

Christmas Tree Lane by The Savvy Age

Broadcasting Christmas by Cynthia

Top Ten Hallmark Christmas Movies by The Savvy Age

Debbie Macomber's Mr. Miracle Hallmark Movie Review by Cynthia

Favorite 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movies

Christmas In Rome with Lacey Chabert and Sam Page
Christmas At The Plaza with Ryan Paevey
Christmas Town with Candace Cameron Bure and Tim Rozon
Christmas at Dollywood with Danica McKellar and Niall Matter

How Can I Watch Hallmark Christmas Movies?

If you are fortunate your cable subscription includes Hallmark, Hallmark Channel is available to stream with the Hallmark Everywhere App. Log in with your cable subscription username and password.

A monthly plan is also available with the Hallmark Movies Now service for $4.99 a month. A seven day free trial is offered to enjoy the Hallmark movie catalog on demand.

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

Do You Ever Feel Indifferent About Things In Your Life - A Personal Diary Entry

A Personal Diary Entry - Do You Ever Feel Indifferent?

How do you handle the feeling of indifference?

I'm even reluctant to write about this mood!

Why am I reluctant to write about it? Apparently, I've heard and read that indifference is one of the least attractive and least productive emotions.

The Dictionary Definition of Indifference: "Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy"

In no-way do I feel a lack of sympathy for others when I'm feeling indifferent! (just wanted to put that out there)

Indifference About A Day, A Direction, Feeling a Lack of Control - That's The Indifference I'm Speaking About

Some days, not often, but a little more often lately, I feel a complete lack of control.

I know, I know, I know .... you're about to tell me that's a good thing.

Well, I agree; at times, that can undoubtedly be a good thing.

However, this lack of control brings out that dreaded word and feeling, "whatever."

The Not-Knowing is Suppose to Be a Good Thing, Right?

Do you think, lack of control and not knowing what's ahead is a good thing? Do you accept those moments in your life for what they are ... hopefully a temporary blip?

For me, it seems when things are somewhat overwhelming and a bit out of control, I get a little bit "indifferent." I get a sort of "so what" "whatever" feeling. I honestly despise that feeling. In my opinion, a lack of concern about a situation is unproductive.

Could it be a survival mechanism? Nah, I just think it's a newer feeling for me, and I have to learn to process it because I've rarely felt this way about life.

Since I'm solution-oriented, feeling "blah-what-ever" about a life issue annoys me further! I prefer to move forward and resolve matters ... not wallow in "whatevers."

The good thing about not knowing the answers and the resulting indifference is being forced to practice patience and accept that I can't control everything. Things have to resolve themselves in their own good time.

Two Things We Cannot Change: Natural Law and Other People

Most of us who have lived long enough already know and understand that we cannot change others. Goodness knows it took me into my thirties (a long time ago) to figure that one out.

However, I must ensure I don't get too indifferent about situations I cannot change or control lately. I'm not a heartless person and never want that unkind trait to infect my persona. It won't, but holy-hannah feeling indifferent really does suck!

What Do You Do to Cope With and Manage Your Feelings?

My entire life, I've written poetry. I recently published 50 years of poems on Amazon. I've been writing poems since I was 8 years old and decided it was time to assemble a book.

To cope, do you write? Read? Exercise? Sleep? Sing? Dance? Travel?

So today, I'm feeling indifferent (blah); this too shall pass.

Oh, by the way, what I've been doing to combat this unproductive feeling? Binge-watching Prime and Netflix series. Yah, I know, everything in moderation :)

Additional Personal Diary Entries:

Do You Have Any Regrets in Life?

Everything Will Be OK?

How to Accept Change in Life

10 Ways to Be Happy Even When Life Sucks

Ten Ways to Handle Stress and Anger

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Saturday, November 6, 2021

Review of the Tycoga Vineyard and Winery

During a recent visit from my brother & sister-in-law, we went out to lunch at the Tycoga Vineyard & Winery located about 18 miles from my home. My brother used to make his own wine as a hobby and enjoys trying different wines, so I knew he would enjoy visiting this winery. We had an extremely pleasant couple of hours doing a wine tasting and having this winery's fresh handmade wood fired pizzas for lunch.

Tycoga Vineyard & Winery

Tycoga Vineyard & Winery is a family owned business that began in 2010 with only 50 plants. Their intent was to only grow grapes and sell them. Their first plants produced a small crop.

Then one day a couple stopped by and gave the Tycoga family their phone number. They said they thought that these were wonderful grapes and that they needed to make wine instead of just selling the grapes.

Tycoga Vineyards

After many long talks with this helpful couple, and learning about grapes, the Tycoga family ended up planting many, many more grape plants. They now have over 26 acres of plants.

TYCOGA Vineyard & Winery was then established in 2014. The Tycoga tasting room opened on December 20, 2014, and final construction was completed in April 2015.

Handcrafted Wines

Tycoga Wines

Tycoga now has over 20 different types of wines from Dry to Sweet. This wide variety of mainly ESTATE produced wines allows the Tygoca family to showcase wines to both the novice and the experienced wine drinker. TYCOGA Vineyard & Winery has entered the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition every year since 2015 and they have won awards every year, including bronze, silver and gold metals.

The wines at Tycoga also include a dessert wine and a sparkling wine. The dessert wine pairs well with a delicious piece of chocolate cake. During a wine tasting, they offer you a piece of chocolate to eat – first tasting the dessert wine without the chocolate and again after eating the chocolate. It allows you to see how well it goes with a chocolate dessert. Yum.

Food

Wood-Fired Pizza

Tycogo Winery offers 16 varieties of their delicious wood-fired Pizzas Click this link for the menu.

Private Parties and Small Events

Outside Patio overlooking the Tycoga Vineyard

Outside Patio overlooking the Vineyard

Tycoga Winery has an event room, a Barrel room and an outside patio for booking anything from a bridal shower to a wedding, or for an office event, birthday party, retirement party, graduation or any other special occasion. An attractive venue for your special event.

Summary

If you enjoy visiting wineries and find yourself traveling in Southeastern Iowa, spend an hour or two at the Tycoga Vineyard & Winery. It has a delightful atmosphere and very friendly staff.

The name of the winery comes from the TYCOGA Family children - Tyler, Courtney & Gabe.

Tycoga Vineyard & Winery

Location:

Tycoga Vineyard & Winery

Address: 2585 195th St, DeWitt, IA 52742

Phone: (563) 659-1443

Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Website: Tycoga.com

Related Links to More Places to Visit in Iowa:

Field of Dreams Movie Site - Dyersville, Iowa
Midwest Adventures
Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill Restaurant - Princeton, Iowa
Figge Art Museum of Davenport, Iowa

*Tycoga Vineyard & Winery Travel Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Friday, November 5, 2021

Before I Go to Sleep Movie Review

What do you get when you put two terrific actors together? The easy answer is, one fantastic movie!

I recently watched Before I Go to Sleep starring Nicole Kidman & Colin Firth. I normally wouldn't choose to watch a R-rated movie, but the combination of those two actors simply would not let me pass it by. I was completely spellbound from the first minute of the show.

The movie contains violence, but I found it easy enough to look away without losing the cohesion of the plot. This is one of the few R rated movies that I can say I would recommend it in spite of the nudity, sexual content, foul language, violence, and uneasy viewing moments.

I am, once again, quite impressed with Colin Firth's ability to play such an emotional part, as well as, Nicole Kidman's excellent acting talent. It is impossible for me to say which one should be given the highest praise.

Before I Go to Sleep Synopsis

Christine, Nicole Kidman, wakes up every morning in bed with a man she doesn't know. Every morning, Ben has to explain to his wife that she was in an terrible accident that causes her to lose all memory while she sleeps.

Before I Go To SleepCheck PriceDuring the day, Christine is completely capable of following everything, reading, remembering whatever she is told, and the actions she takes during the day. But, the following day, it is all gone again.

As the story unfolds, she understand why she might prefer to stay oblivious to the past. Ben gently walks her through events of the past, and sometimes that proves to be very hard on him. After all, it means he must relive tragedy repeatedly.

Unbeknownst to her husband, Christine has sought help from a psychiatrist, Dr. Nasch. He calls her every morning after Ben goes to work and gives her instructions on exactly how to find a video diary that she has been keeping for herself. As she watches herself in the videos, she daily learns from herself what happened on previous days. This allows her to rebuild a short memory so she can hopefully regain all memory.

What she remembers though, is not only life changing, but life threatening.

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If you love a suspense movie that keeps you guessing, hoping, wondering, thinking you have it all figured out until it throws you right back into questioning, then you will love this movie!

No doubt, you will also have a greater appreciation for excellent actors who can make you believe anything.

Before I Go To Sleep - Available on DVD, Blu-ray or Prime VideoCheck Price Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson -
The BOOK if You Prefer ReadingCheck Price

More Great Movies Reviewed

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Thursday, November 4, 2021

Hope Heals - Book Review

Books find us when we need them. If ever I needed to focus on hope and healing, it was at the moment I downloaded this incredibly life-affirming account of how two extraordinary individuals survived the unsurvivable. This is an encouraging read for anyone dealing with trauma, a seemingly impossible situation, or a season of the heart requiring a lifeline.

Katherine and Jay Wolf were twenty-six, with a new baby, and tons of dreams, when the unimaginable happened—Katherine was struck down by a devastating brain stem stroke. People just don't survive the kind of massive neurovascular event this young mom had experienced. At the time, Katherine was expected to die during the initial marathon surgery needed to remove half of her brain.

Forty days on life support. Endless surgeries. Slim odds of regaining lost capacities. What could possibly sustain a family during such an extreme time of suffering and uncertainty?

Hope Heals is about endless love, authentic community, redefining yourself and what it means to be healed, and making the most of second chances. It is about finding an anchoring hope. Most of all, it is about overcoming.

A memoir like this truly puts things into perspective. Katherine and Jay's journey causes one to reflect on what it means to find restoration in the midst of living an unexpected life. It is that restoration that gives birth to new dreams.

Read this book for free with Kindle Unlimited. I also recommend the sequel: Suffer Strong - How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything.

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