Review This Reviews!

Monday, August 22, 2022

Shopping Online For Camera Equipment Review

Back in the day, way back in the day I originally learned to develop film old school in college. Where students were ushered into an itty bitty pitch black room armed with a camera and metal spools where we learned how to remove the film from the camera and thread the film on the spool - in the dark! And then learned the process of developing film and then learned how to manipulate the "picture" in the developing process with the developing chemicals, time of exposure etc etc. Lots of etc's for novices to learn! Fast forward a few decades through many a camera and I have found myself back to wanting to up my photography game and return to a 35 mm camera albeit digital.

Where To Buy Photo Equipment?

This led me to the vast array of products offered at online retailers for camera and photography equipment. I reintroducing myself to a 35 mm camera by purchasing a used Canon Rebel 2 any today the current Rebel is 8 so you can see I went back quite a few model years. I did this intentionally as I wanted to ensure this was an avenue I wanted to pursue (and knowing, suspecting that it would be, much more investment would be forthcoming).

I purchased the Canon Rebel 2ti used from B & H Photo online. The camera arrived quickly. The packaging was excellent and the camera looked brand new. The only negative though very typical of buying any type of used equipment is the lack of a hard copy manual, but that is easily accessible online.

Since the original purchase I wanted a few accessories and a different lens and back online I went to shop. I would love to support my local camera shop; in my area there is only one bricks and mortar camera store left, but unfortunately though understandably they did not stock the older equipment.

I have purchased equipment from B & H Photo, Adorana, Amazon and eBay and have had positive experiences with all. When seeking a specific pieces of equipment I will surf each of the stores and cost and compare prices, shipping charges. With older accessories that may be model specific the item may very limited in supply so that limits comparison shopping.

Review of Buying Camera, Photography Equipment Online

I have found B & H Photo and Adorana are quick if not quicker when using Amazon Prime. The items were securely packaged by all 4 sellers/companies which is very important with delicate and breakable equipment. The packaging on Amazon I found really varied in quality and quickness to ship even with Prime; on the flip side items purchased are also shipping quicker than promised on Prime.

It is critical to vet the sellers on eBay and Amazon. Returns to third party sellers on Amazon can be a slower process than if sold directly by Amazon. Some third party sellers also require you apply for permission to them to return an item prior to processing on Amazon which is another layer of administration. For eBay sellers research their ratings and the comments by clicking on the number of reviews next to their ebay name.

Top Four(In No Particular Order)

B&H Photo in New York, family owned
Adorana in New York, family owned
Amazon (check if the seller is amazon or a third party)
eBay (vet the seller closely)

Adorana has a bricks and mortar superstore in New York at 42 W. 18th Street

B&H has a bricks and mortar superstore in New York at 420 9th Avenue.

Recommendation

While online shopping has never been easier it does 'pay' to comparison shop. I've had positive experiences with all the sellers/stores. As mentioned above if a third party is the seller make sure to vet the third party on the site. If seeking discontinued or older equipment eBay or Etsy can be a great resource!

Review This Reviews contributor mgbphoto has an excellent review of her favorite photos of 2021 using three different cameras including an iphone camera. If looking to up your photo editing skills Mary Beth reviews Lightroom and Photoshop which really are a game changer for novice photographers.

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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Sunday, August 21, 2022

Newbie TikTok for Business Tips - Check it Out

A Review of Newbie TikTok for Business Tips

In my last post, I talked about how I was just starting out with my plunge into the world of TikTok.

Today's post will expand a bit further on some of the additional things I've learned.

The Previous Post Focused on How You Can Upload Photos to TikTok, Versus Creating Videos

Many who stay away from TikTok for Business do so because they don't want to put themselves on video.

Most of us small businesses can't afford to hire companies to create videos, so we believe TikTok is not a viable business tool.

I was like most everyone: I thought TikTok only worked for video creations. Having said that, uniquely interesting, useful, and even funny video creation is the best way to market for business on TikTok.

However, because I write Riddle Books featuring my own written riddles, I found myself potentially being an exception to that rule.

Using TikTok to feature my riddles is an excellent marketing tool.

I upload my created graphics for each riddle, then enhance their interest with special fun characters and music.

Do you have interesting images you could enhance and promote on TikTok?
You can enhance your photos with:
Text to Speech
Voice Over (if you want to use your voice)
Special Elements (funny icons etc)
Text
Background Music

Did You Know There Are Places Online to Get Royalty Free Video?

I hadn't really thought about it before ... that I could access royalty-free video just like we access royalty-free photos.

The two places I've used so far for photos and videos are Pixabay.com and Pexels.com. Be sure to check the commercial license use for each image and video.

When you select a video for TikTok, use a vertical video.

Newbie Ways to Use TikTok for Your Small Business - Ask Yourself These Questions:

1. Do you have premade, attractive graphics that people would find interesting to look at?

If the answer is yes, consider TikTok. Enhance that photo with special elements and background music.

Here's an example of one of mine on TikTok.

2. Do you have text that you've incorporated on your photo?

If the answer is yes or no, consider TikTok. With TikTok, you can add text to your photos, so there's no need to make photos with text if you prefer not to.

Here's one of my riddles on TikTok with a plain photo background, text entered from TikTok, with text-to-read activated, directly on TikTok:

3. Would adding text to a stock video be appealing for your product or brand?

If the answer is yes, consider TikTok. I'm currently experimenting with this by putting riddle text typed onto the background of stock videos. It's working artistically so far.

Here's an example of one of my riddles on TikTok using a stock video.

4. Are you able to make short videos from your cell phone?

If the answer is yes, consider TikTok.

These videos don't have to be fancy.

Just panning my backyard, I was able to put a short background video together.

I uploaded that short backyard video to TikTok, and commenced the creative journey. You can view that riddle here.

Here's an Example of One of My Riddle Graphics Used on TikTok:

Check out how I enhanced this for TikTok

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Craftiness is Happiness (Handmade Gift Review)

Handmade gifts are more than an artistic rendition of what a crafter can create. When given as a gift, it becomes - a gift of oneself.

The reviewers here on Review This Reviews! are a talented group. They can crochet and knit, draw and paint, cook, bake and sew, and create fantastic DIY projects.

This is a review of several of the many artistic crafts created by our reviewers who can do more than write – a craft in itself that they all do well.

DIY Home Décor

Vintage suitcase made into a coffee table

Photographs by Diana Wenzel

Diana Wenzel (Renaissance Woman) shows us how she took a battered old traveling case and, using her creative abilities and some TLC, turned it into a vintage suitcase coffee table.

She states that these chests are iconic and incredibly versatile. Not only will someone gain a unique conversational piece, but this suitcase is a great place to store things like remote controls, or dreams of future travel.

Handmade Yarn Crafts

With a simple crochet hook or a pair of knitting needles, our in-house crafters create a cute collection of fun and useful gifts. They have reviewed here a collection of crafts, including pattern books whose patterns are the basic beginning of a wonderful gift to give.

Modern Amigurumi for the Home Book Cover

Photo by Wednesday Elf

Wednesday Elf reviewed a pattern book of Amigurumi animals to create plush animals for the kids in her family.

From the pattern designs of two cute cats, two birds and a rooster, Petunia the Pig a darling dog, and an adorable Fairy House, Elf has already made the two colorful birds and one of the cats.

Photo by Wednesday Elf

Wednesday Elf has also crocheted many of the cute animals in this Crochet Critters pattern book. My 8-year-old grandson loves the lion the best! Plush animals make a great gift for everyone from babies to children to college students to take for their dorm room. You're never too old for a 'stuffie'. :)

Photograph by Sylvestermouse

You can even make a very easy and beautiful Loop Afghan without using any hooks or needles. You only use your fingers to weave the yarn. Sylvestermouse shows us how in this review.

Handmade Jewelry

Photograph by Margaret Schindel

Jewelry is always a welcome gift and it is especially appreciated when it is handmade. Margaret Schindel reviews how she made a lovely and stylish beaded coil wrap bracelet. This one-of-a-kind bracelet was created as a birthday gift for a dear friend.

Summary

The above are just a few examples of the crafts you can create for yourself or to give as gifts. Check out all the craftiness on Review This Reviews here in this compilation of DIY and Craft Tutorials.

Craft Reviews Compiled by Sylvestermouse

*This handmade gift review was written by Wednesday Elf

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Friday, August 19, 2022

Cooking & Baking Prep Tools: Shot Glasses Used As Pinch Bowls

Shot glasses may seem like unusual prep tools when cooking or baking, but they are actually the perfect pinch bowls for ingredients. In my kitchen, they are as essential as measuring spoons or mixers.

Not only are they glass and transparent, they have measurements printed on them. Plus, they have a weighted base so they will not turn over. Due to their small size, they are easy to stack & store. Shot glasses take up very little space on the kitchen counter when working which allows you to use as many as you need for individual ingredients.

Before I ever start to mix anything, I measure out all of the recipes ingredients in separate measuring cups & shot glasses. The shot glasses are great for holding small amounts of seasonings, spices, extracts, or small amounts of liquid. I still use my measuring spoons to measure & level the seasonings, but you could use the shot glass measurements on the side if you prefer.

By pre-measuring all of the recipe ingredients into separate shot glasses & measuring cups, I don't forget any ingredients, or wonder if I have already added a specific ingredient as I work. If the shot glass of salt is still sitting on the counter, I know I haven't added it yet. Plus, I can stir and mix everything together faster if I don't have to stop to measure each ingredient as I go.

Shot Glasses Are Excellent Pinch Bowls

Shot GlassesCheck PriceShot glasses can be used for so much more than measuring alcohol. Because they allow a clear view of contents and have the measurements printed on the glass, they are great when cooking. I have 4 shot glasses in my kitchen cabinet of baking supplies and I use them often.

In the introduction photo, I have the seasonings for manicotti pre-measured and ready to add as needed.

Printed Measurements on the Shot Glasses

Teaspoons
Tablespoons
Ounces
Milliliters

Shot glasses are also dishwasher safe, therefore clean up is a lot faster. I enjoy cooking & baking, but I hate washing bowls and kitchen utensils.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

One Thousand Wells - Book Review

woman standing on dried, crackled ground

It takes audacity to dream of providing clean water for one thousand African communities. Beyond that, for twenty-one-year-old Jena Lee, what it would really take was learning what love requires—learning to love the world in all its brokenness, rather than trying to save it.

Of course, a love like that is born of risk, and doubt, and sometimes even, disillusionment. A love like that engenders a humbling vulnerability that can shake you to your core.

One Thousand Wells is the memoir you write after, or amidst, the transformation that has stirred your spirit and connected your deep gladness to the world's deep thirst. First, though, to identify that purpose and mission—that soul level gladness—you must find the stories that sing to you. For Lee, those stories came from people who had typically been overlooked.

Before Africa, Jena found herself drawn to the plight of the homeless. While volunteering at a Red Cross Shelter during high school, Lee discovered that among the homeless she had found her home. In the midst of their brokenness, Jena found that which is sacred.

When one has an overpowering sense of calling, there can be overwhelming questions: Where to begin? What to do? With whom to partner? How to inspire others to care about what you find to be most important in the world?

Without visibility and a powerful platform, even the best of intentions can fail to advance a desperately needed mission. Fortunately, there would be no failure to launch. With perfect timing, Jena Lee was connected to the Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay. Together, they would co-found the nonprofit Blood:Water and find the way forward.

For anyone with a heart for spreading love where it is needed most, Jena Lee Nardella's journey of outreach and inreach is sure to encourage action. How will we respond? What won't get done if not for us?

Let us each find that intersection where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.

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Wednesday, August 17, 2022

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

A good keto pizza crust is one of the things people who follow a very low carb lifestyle dream about. Until recently, making your own fathead dough keto pizza crusts from scratch by blending melted shredded mozzarella, cream cheese, eggs and almond flour or coconut flour was the best option. But, while many people love it and it does make a pretty good "holder" for tasty low carb pizza toppings, neither my husband nor I found it a satisfying substitute for conventional pizza crusts made with wheat flour and semolina flour.

Fortunately, more and more keto pizza crust alternatives have been coming on the market and I have started working my way through the most promising looking ones, as I explained in my recent review of The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe featuring vegetable-based frozen Kbosh keto crusts.

I have made two pies so far using Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix and my husband and I liked them so much that we have added this mix to our Amazon Subscribe & Save auto-deliveries.

When you taste it, you will be shocked that this excellend keto pizza crust mix has 0 net carbs per serving!

Note: I discovered that Scotty's modified their recipe so it has less sodium and increased the serving size from 1/12 to 1/8 of the dry or prepared mix, which is a much more realistic serving size (yay!). I have updated this post accordingly as of July 2023.

Main image: Quick, Easy & Delicious Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix 0 Net Carbs Per Serving!

A Tasty Keto Pizza Crust With Just 80 Calories, 5g of Fat and 0 Net Carbs!

Fathead dough pizza crust recipes usually have several net carbs per slice as well as a lot of fat from the mozzeralla cheese, cream cheese, eggs and almond flour! When I first saw that Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix has just 80 calories, 5g of fat and an amazing 0 net carbs per serving, I was pretty skeptical. With macros that low, how could it not taste like cardboard (like so many disappointing low carb and keto baking mixes and baked goods on the market)?

On the other hand, I liked the first mix I tried from the company, Scotty's Everyday Keto Cupcake & Cake Mix, which is remarkably good for something with 0 net carbs. You may remember it as the cupcake mix I used for The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe. So, I decided to give Scotty's Everyday keto pizza crust mix a try as well.

Nutrition Facts

Here are the full nutrition facts for Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix, prepared according to the package directions with 3/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

Amount Per Serving (serving size 1/8 prepared keto pizza crust mix):

Calories	80
Total Fat	5g
Sat. Fat	1g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	280mg
Total Carbohydrate	22g
Dietary Fiber	22g
Total Sugars	0g
Added Sugars	0g
Protein	2.5g

Net Carbs Calculation
22g total carbs –22g dietary fiber = 0 net carbs

Enjoy a Slice (or Two or Three) Guilt-Free!

With so few calories and 0 net carbs, there's no need to limit myself to just one small slice when I make a yummy keto pizza with Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix. Even though the stated serving size is 1/8 of the prepared dough, I usually cut my baked pies into quarters and then eighths and serve two of these generous slices each (i.e., 1/4 of the pie) to my husband and me, along with a fresh, colorful side salad.

Reheated pizza slices made with Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix

I reheated some leftover keto pizza tonight for a quick, delicious dinner that was ready in minutes!

We refigerate the remaining four slices (1/2 pie) and reheat it for a super quick and easy dinner or lunch on another day. We have found that pies made with this keto pizza crust mix reheat beautifully! And who doesn't love leftover pizza?

Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free Pizza Crust

I really like the use of clean, non-GMO ingredients in this mix. More importantly, people with certain food allergies or other dietary restrictions will appreciate being able to eat a delicious pizza crust that is vegan, gluten-free and nut free.

Scotty's Everyday Pizza Crust Mix dough in pizza pan

Prepared Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix in a lightly oiled 12" stainless steel pizza pan

Quick and Easy to Prepare

Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix is quick and easy to make. Just mix it with water and olive oil in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment until the dough comes together and then knead the dough for 3 minutes, either by hand or in a stand mixer with a lightly oiled dough hook (which is what I use).

Unlike conventional pizza dough made with yeast, there's no need to wait for the dough to rise. Just combine the mix with the water and oil, knead the dough and it's ready to roll!

Place the dough on a large, lightly oiled surface (I highly recommend a silicone pastry mat) and roll it out to a 10"–12" circle, depending on your preferred size of pizza crust. Then just transfer it to a lightly oiled pizza pan, brush the top of the crust with a little more olive oil, top with your favorite low carb pizza toppings, and bake in a preheated 425 ℉ oven for 15–18 minutes and cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Keto pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, ham and fresh basil before baking

My first pie made with Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix and topped with mozzarella, fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, ham, fresh basil leaves and freshly grated Parmigiana-Romano cheese, ready for the oven...

Baked keto pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, ham and fresh basil

...and after baking. You can see how the thin edges of the crust were so crisp that they cracked a bit when I tried using a spatula to lift the baked pie out of the pan and onto a cutting board for slicing.

Surprisingly Good Taste and Texture

Low carb, keto-friendly macros and ease of preparation are all well and good. But, of course, the big question is, how does it taste?

Realistically, no low carb dough is going to be as good as a Bertucci's pizza crust! That said, I find that Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix produces one that is much more similar to a wheat-based pizza crust (and also much sturdier) than fathead dough or vegetable-based Kbosh keto crusts (which my husband and I also enjoy in my quick and easy low carb keto pizza recipe, especially on busy weeknights).

My pies tend to be loaded with lots of toppings including wet ones like pizza sauce and ricotta cheese, which can make even a conventional crust a bit soggy. However, we were pleasantly surprised at how firm our crusts made with the Scotty's Everyday mix and baked on the lower rack of the oven came out. The exposed edges had a delightfully crunchy exterior and slightly chewy interior.

Next time I plan to try rolling the dough thinner and building up a slightly thicker rim.

If you have tried other low carb pizza crusts and been disappointed, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised by this high-quality mix!

My second pie made with Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix, topped with pizza sauce, ricotta cheese, portobello mushroom slices, diced ham, shredded mozzarella and freshly grated Parmigiana Romano cheese

Try This (Or Any) Scotty's Everyday Mix Risk-Free

I love buying from companies that stand behind their products. Scotty's Everyday mixes are backed by a 365-day guarantee: If you're unhappy for any reason, contact them and "we'll make it right."

High quality keto baking ingredients cost more than conventional, less nutritious ones like wheat flour. Naturally, high quality, low carb baking mixes also cost more than mixes from big-name brands made by big, multinational corporations.

You may want to start by ordering just one package of this keto pizza crust mix to see how you like it. However, the price is significantly less expensive per package if you order a 3-pack of Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix, and you'll save even more if you choose Amazon's Subscribe & Save option.

Either way, you can feel confident placing your order, knowing that you can contact the company for a refund if you aren't happy with the product(s) you purchased.

Baked keto pizza sliced with rocker-style stainless steel cutter

It was quick and effortless to slice this 12" pie with my razor-sharp KitchenStar 14" stainless steel rocker-style pizza cutter. If you look closely, you can see part of the black blade cover at the far left.

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Making Homemade Pizza

I make pizza for dinner frequently find that having the right tools for the job makes things a lot easier. Here are some of the kitchen tools I use most often for this purpose, whether I'm making a traditiona-crust or keto pizza.

Large, Nonstick Pastry Mat With Printed Measurements

I love using my HIC Harold Import Co 18 x 24-Inch Pastry Mat to roll out all types of dough. It's extra large, nonstick, easy to clean, extra large and rolls up neatly into a lidded plastic storage tube when not in use. Best of all, it is printed with helpful measurements for rolling out doughs for pies, tarts, and up to a 16-inch pizza crust. I also appreciate that the printing of the measurements is durable. I've owned my mat since 2012 and it still looks almost new. If that one is out of stock, this silicone pastry mat is very similar.

Although I didn't expect to when I purchased it, I've found that I much prefer it to my old, traditional cloth pastry mats, not only for low carb baking but also for conventional doughs, since the nonstick surface doesn't need to be coated in flour to keep pie crust or other doughs from sticking (which can make them tough if they absorb too much extra flour during rolling).

Cordeirite Pizza Stone

Baking your traditional or low carb crust on a preheated pizza stone makes a world of difference in terms of crispness and even baking! The best results come from baking directly on the preheated stone or on parchment paper placed on top of the stone, but that requires a pie peel, which I finally ordered but have not yet received. Even if I build my pie on an oiled or parchment lined stainless steel pizza pan, I still place the filled pan on the preheated stone for baking.

Since we now have a large countertop oven but no wall oven, the pan sizes I can use are limited. I love my durable cordeirite 12” Round Pizza Stone that can withstand temperatures up to 1400 ℉ without cracking and can even be used on a grill.

Stainless Steel Pizza Pan

A stainless steel pizza pan may not result in as crisp a crust as baking directly on a pizza stone, but it makes building and transferring your pie into and out of the hot oven a lot easier. It can also help protect your stone from drips and stains (as can baking parchment). This set of two stainless steel pizza pans costs less than $15 (at the time of this post's publication) and my pans have been in use nearly every week since I got them.

Precut Baking Parchment Sheets

If you have read some of my other recipe posts, you'll know that I am a huge fan of precut, flat baking parchment sheets. I have them in several sizes and shapes and use them all the time.

I have been cutting down 16" x 12" sheets, but I just found these 12" round flat unbleached baking parchment sheets that are the perfect size for my low carb pizza crusts and immediately ordered a package.

Sharp, Rocker-Style Stainless Steel Pizza Cutter With Protective Blade Cover

Rotary pizza wheels are small and convenient to store and do a fine job of cutting pies. However, I have always found them a pain to clean, especially since I like to made "loaded" pizzas with lots of layers of toppings and lots of gooey melted cheese, which tends to cling and leave a greasy residue that can get stuck between the round cutting wheel and the riveted arms that attach it to the handle. Even though many claim to be dishwasher safe, I prefer to wash knives and other kitchen tools with sharp blades by hand to avoid dulling the cutting edge.

Earlier this year, I finally decided to try a different style of pizza cutter, one that made it extremely quick and easy to cut an entire pie into neat slices with straight, clean edges in just seconds with minimal effort. The first time I tried it, I was so thrilled with it that I immediately retired my old rotary-style cutting wheel.

I chose the KitchenStar 14" Sharp Stainless Steel Rocker-Style Pizza Cutter With Blade Cover, which is the perfect length for cutting my 12" pies. (It is also available in a 10" length for smaller pies and 16" and 18" lengths for larger pies.) It's a beautifully made, sturdy, heavy-duty cutter made from 18/0 food grade stainless steel and has thick, perforated plastic blade cover to protect the razor-sharp edge (and your family's fingers!) when not in use. The extremely sharp cutting edge cuts through even vegetables and meat toppings cleanly and easily, and the very comfortable, ergonomic, integrated rolled handle provides excellent leverage and control.

I'm planning to use this fabulous rocher-style slicer for many other kitchen uses as well, such as cutting sheet cakes, brownies and bar cookies into even strips and rectangles.

Tip: To protect your pizza pan, pizza stone and slicer blade, I highly recommend transferring the baked pie to a large cutting board before cutting it into slices.

Help Make a Low Carb or Keto Pizza Lover's Dream Come True

Order 3-packs on Amazon and save!

A tasty keto pizza crust that's quick and easy to prepare, has a firm yet chewy texture and just 50 calories, 3.5g of fat and 0 net carbs per slice really is a low carb pizza lover's dream come true!

If someone you know is trying to follow a keto diet or low carb lifestyle or a vegan, gluten-free or nut-free diet, they might love to receive a bag of Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust as a gift. To make it even more special, consider putting together a gift basket or box with a few packages of this mix and one or more of the pizza making tools and supplies I've recommended in this review.

Make Delicious Calzones With This Mix, Too!

You can use your Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix for more than just pizzas. Check out my fabulous Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones Recipe that uses this mix for the crust. Scrumptious!

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs by Margaret Schindel

Posts About My Keto Diet Journey

My First Year on The Keto Diet

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part One

Preparing to Succeed on the Keto Diet, Part Two

Low Carb Muffins & Cupcakes: Treats to Enjoy on a Keto Diet

Low Carb Keto Chocolate Yogurt Granola Chip Pudding Recipe

Good Dee’s Keto Cookie Low Carb Baking Mix Review

Hamama Microgreens Growing Kit Review & Success Tips

My Favorite Hamama Microgreens Seed Quilt Accessories

Keto Cheddar Cheese Biscuits With Chives Recipe

The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

The Best Low Carb Keto Cinnamon Muffins

Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe

The Good Chocolate 100% Organic No Sugar Dark Chocolate Review

The Best Advice to Maintain Your Keto Diet Weight Loss

My New Irresistibly Delicious Keto Cheese Crackers Recipe

Luscious Low Carb Keto Triple Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick & Easy Livlo Blueberry Scones Keto Baking Mix Review

Snack Better With The Best Healthy Keto Cookie Dough Bites

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe

The Best Quick and Easy Low Carb Keto Shortcake Cupcakes Recipe

Comparing the Best Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads - No Added Sugars

The Best Low Carb Keto Sandwich and Burger Buns Mix

Blueberry Biscuit Scones — New, Easy, Low Carb Keto Recipe

The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs

An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea With 0 Calories

Delicious Sugar-Free Keto Cookies That OREO Fans Will Love

Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats Recipe

Easy, Decadent, High Protein, Sugar-Free Rocky Road Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

The Best Quick & Easy Low Carb Sausage and Ricotta Calzones

How to Make Refreshing Vanilla Italian Soda (With or Without Cream)

Reviews of the Keto Diet by Barbara C. (aka Brite-Ideas)

My Personal Keto Testimonial

How I Stayed Committed to the Ketogenic Way of Eating

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Katherine Faulkner's Greenwich Park Book Review

Katherine Faulkner's Greenwich Park is a domestic psychological thriller. Learn more here.

The cover of Katherine Faulkner’s Greenwich Park reads, “gripping and haunting and gorgeously suspenseful” and I agree. I was drawn to the book by the title, a romanticized area of London, England, and by the artwork.

Greenwich Park the book is a murder mystery of the best sort. It draws you in. Pick it up and you might not want to put it down. Pick it up and you will find yourself guessing whodunit. I failed at the guessing of who did it, which I expect is good because it means the book has twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

Greenwich Park is a domestic psychological thriller that is set in the current day in the south east of London. It tells the story of a pregnant woman’s privileged life in a stately Victorian home and of her family and friends. Off work because of her history with difficult pregnancies and because of current health concerns, the main character, Helen, finds herself bored and lonely. That is, until she befriends a woman named Rachel. Rachel is also pregnant but embraces none of the care that many women exercise when they are pregnant. She smokes and she drinks and she is not very interested in her body or her unborn baby. She’s loud and she's obnoxious but, however, she is fun and she quickly manages to infiltrate Helen’s tidy little world. But is it really tidy?

Helen has been described as someone who has everything including “a perfect husband, a perfect brother and a perfect sister-in-law. When she meets Rachel, she also has the perfect nightmare.”

I like Crime by the Book’s three-point list of reasons to read the book. She says that it pulls back the curtain on the lives of people who appear to have picture-perfect lives, that it is a story of obsession and cat-and-mouse tension and that it is intricate and effortlessly told.

If it helps, Crime by the Book says that this book is similar to books to those written by Lisa Jewell, who I have yet to read.

FAST FACTS:

Author – Katherine Faulkner
Format – Hardcover, paperback, Kindle, audiobook, audio CD
Genre – Domestic Psychological Thriller
Pages - 375
Publication Date – September 13, 2021
Publisher – Simon & Shuster
ISBN Number – 978-1-9821-5031-0

If you love a good thriller, you will enjoy Greenwich Park. The book is definitely dark, looking into the world of pregnancy and early motherhood, of friendships, of privileged lives lived and, of course, of the secrets that people keep. I think that it is an excellent first novel, which the author wrote while she herself was on maternity leave. The rights to the book have been sold and I will be watching for a movie or television series as well as for a second book by Faulkner. Meanwhile, you can order your copy of Greenwich Park from Amazon by clicking right here.

See you

at the book store!
Brenda

More Psychological Thrillers:

Alice Feeney's Sometimes I Lie Book Review

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Monday, August 15, 2022

Reviewing the Octopus Kite from the Hengda Kite Store

I had so much fun flying my new Octopus Kite from the Hengda Kite Store that I knew I had to share it with you today. I was very skeptical ordering a $10 kite online. But with over 3,000 positive reviews, I took the chance. I'm glad I did.

During different periods of my life I have flown kites. I am not an expert on kites, nor do I understand much about the different styles of kites and why they fly better on different speed of winds. But whether it was flying kites with my sons when they were young, flying kites as an adult on the beautiful Assateague Island in Maryland, or the few times I've tried to launch a kite up here on my ridge in West Virginia, I do know that I love flying kites. And good kites make the experience almost magical.

Octopus Flyer Kite from the Hengda Kite Store

My preferred type of kite is the Delta style. I find that they are easy to fly in a variety of wind speeds. I have flown parafoil kites but have never owned one. Until now.

The "Software Octopus Flyer Kite" is a parafoil style kite. That means, there are no "sticks" to assemble - no cross bars that we are familiar with in the diamond style and delta style kites. Parafoil kites are only the material, sewn in cells - or tubes - that help catch the wind and keep the kite aloft.

Information from the Henga Kite Store page:

no kite sticks; soft [parafoil] style
strong, durable, and lightweight polyester 210 material
measures 31" wide and 157" long
comes with a plastic handle and kite string
made in the International Kite Capital, Weifang, Shandong, China
Hengda has been manufacturing kites for 20 years

My Experience with the Octopus Kite

The Octopus came with a length of kite string on a handle. But I prefer to use my own kite string on a wooden spool. So I attached the hook from my string into the end of the strings attached to the kite, and off I went.

An internet search showed that I probably should have chosen a day with more wind for my kite's maiden flight.

"Deltas, Diamonds and Dragon kites fly well in light to medium winds (approximately 6-15 mph) while Box Kites and stickless Parafoil kites fly better when the winds get a little stronger (approximately 8-25 mph).

-- NationalKiteMonth

But I was too excited to wait another day. With my weather app showing winds of 2 miles an hour at the most, and feeling that there were periods of no wind at all, I headed up to the top of my hill to give this kite a try.

It flew! Sluggishly on the very low wind day, it flew. And when it came down I had to wait for the next puff of breeze before I re-launched. But it flew. And I loved it!

This Octopus Kite is HUGE, bright, and interesting. I purchased it for an upcoming visit with my grandkids and I can barely wait to see them and fly it with them.

The Kite Loft in Ocean City, Maryland - A Brick and Mortar Kite Store

I mentioned having spent time on Assateague Island, Maryland flying kites. Whether it is Assateague Island or nearby Ocean City... beaches are the best place to fly kites in my opinion. There is a store in Ocean City called the Kite Loft. If you enjoy flying kites, this store is a must-see.

This specialty store is located beach-front that offers top-of-the-line kites. They also host a variety of festivals and kite-related events; including the SunFest Kite Festival. It is quite a sight to behold seeing the sky above the beach full of intricate and interesting kites.

This year the SunFest Kite Festival is September 29 to October 2, 2022. If you love kites and have any chance of attending, I strongly encourage you to go. It is a fantastic event. If you cannot attend, you could get a feel for it on the Kite Loft Beach Cam. The cam can be viewed any day and I often take a peek just to see what the ocean front looks like that day.

I purchased my favorite kite from the Kite Loft - a Delta style kite with a Kokopelli and lizard design. I have since misplaced that kite during moves or someone decided they wanted a fantastic kite. I'm not quite sure what happened but I miss that kite.

While kites at the Kite Loft have a larger price tag they are completely worth the investment.

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Our BarbRad took us to visit Moonstone Beach in Cambria. In that review, she enjoyed watching a family flying stunt kites. Stunt kites have 2 lines and you hold one in each hand. This gives you the ability to control the kite and cause it to make turns and loops. I was never able to master the art of stunts kites because they are very responsive to small movements and I wasn't coordinated enough. I enjoyed watching the video in her review - maybe you will too.

Visit the Hengda Kite Store link on Amazon here.

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