Visit Your Relatives Day – A Holiday Review

National Visit Your Relatives Day is celebrated yearly on May 18.

A Holiday Celebrating Family

Having recently returned from a visit to two of my grown children in two different states, along with their families, I was intrigued to discover the delightful holiday known as Visit Your Relatives Day.  And I highly recommend visiting family, both your close nuclear family  and extended family. 

So many events occur in family life – weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, new baby, graduations, etc. - each become more special when family can celebrate together.

Grandson and his G-Ma

On my recent visit, not only did I get to see my daughter and her husband in one city, but my daughter & I then traveled together to a nearby state to visit her brother and his family. The main feature of the trip was to celebrate my grandson's 21st birthday. 

In years past, families generally lived near each other, making spending time together fairly easy.  Today's lifestyles tend to take family members in many directions, with siblings and parents, aunts & uncles, cousins and grandparents living vast miles apart. Therefore, having a holiday to celebrate visiting family is a nice reminder to find ways to spend time together. 

Family Visits

With today's technology of cell phones, video calls, and the internet, it is easier than ever to 'keep in touch' with family on a regular basis with video calls and email.

But there really is no substitute for actual face to face interaction.  Physical contact with our relatives both near and far is important to our health and well-being.  It is also marvelous to be able to reconnect with each other and celebrate our memories and shared history.

Summary

Virtual communication is a long-distance treat between real-time visits, but there is really nothing that replaces an actual hug from a grandparent, holding your sibling's new baby in your arms, or being there in person to share your grandchild's birthday. 

So, on National Visit Your Relatives Day, reach out to a relative in any way you can, and always keep in touch. 

National Visit Your Relatives Day
May 18

For More Holiday Reviews, Check out ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

 The Relatives CameCheck Price Visiting FamilyCheck Price

 

*Holiday Review of National Visit Your Relatives Day is written by Wednesday Elf

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

SentrySafe Safe Box Lock Box Review

When our daughter went to college, we made sure she had a lock box for her spending cash and jewelry.  

One of our biggest concerns about dorm living is that she wouldn't know all of her roommates.  She was allowed to request one roommate, but the other two would be assigned.  Plus, they would all have guests visiting the dorm room.  Again, they would be students they had just met on campus.

Our daughter didn't have expensive jewelry or a lot of cash.  Mostly, she had her class ring and cash for the laundromat.  We made sure she had several rolls of quarters so she could use the washing machines.  Ironically, the quarters were highly sought after.

Something we did not think about in advance, was is the need to lock up her wallet, car keys and computer flash drives when she went to the swimming pool or gym.  That little lock box turned out to be an essential item for her dorm room.

Yes, someone could carry off the entire box, but they would not be able to slip it in their pocket like you could keys, cash, or flash drives.  

After graduation, she was able to continuing using that box for her passport, birth certificate, etc.  The SentrySafe lock box adds the additional protection for those documents by being fireproof and waterproof for an hour.

The only downside that we have found with the box is that it is heavy.  However, since she rarely lifted it, that was not a problem. Better to have the fire and water protection than to have a lighter weight lock box.

Because she had so many uses for this lock box at college and afterwards, we also purchased one for our son when he went to college.  

 

 SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe BoxCheck PriceSentry Safe Lock Box

We opted for the smaller lock box since it was plenty large enough for their needs.  

• Key Lock
• Exterior: 14.3" depth x 15.4" wide x 6.6" high
  
• Interior: 12.8" x 8.5" x 4.4"
• Fireproof for 1 hour (depending on temperature)
  
• Waterproof for 72 hrs. of submersion
  
• Approximately 27lbs.
• Made in Mexico
• Great for Dorm Rooms or Home
• Perfect for Under the Bed Storage
  

For a full college dorm room checklist, click here! 

Read More Product Reviews On
ReviewThisProducts.com

 

SentrySafe Safe Box Lock Box Review by:

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Review of Spring Flowers 2023

 I love photography and, in the springtime, flowers make particularly great subjects.  Each year I have been trying to post some of my favorite flowers from that year.  In this post I will highlight some of my favorites from 2023.  The photo above is of some daffodils in one of our city parks.  It was taken in early March when they were just starting to bloom and since it was a rather cloudy morning the blossoms were "bowing down" waiting to be warmed by the sun.

A Few Tips for Photographing Spring Flowers

• Cloudy days are great for showing off the colors in the flowers.

• Right after a rainstorm you can get some great photos including raindrops on the flowers.
• Be sure to get some closeups and some wider shots of a grouping of flowers.

• Look for unusual angles.
• Set your aperture to blur out the backgrounds.
  
  
  
• Don't forget to photograph the beautiful blossoms in trees as you see in the photo above and the one below.

• I like taking photos of the buds of a flower and then of the fully opened bloom.
  
  
  
  

Flowers around my Neighborhood

The great part about spring flowers for me is that I don't even have to travel far.  I can find lots of spring blooms in my own yard or on my neighborhood walks.

Enjoy the Beauty of Springtime!!

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Your Back Will Love This Practical Laundry Bag Backpack

Carrying laundry to and from the basement laundry room in our old house has always been a bit nerve-wracking, thanks to the narrow, steep basement steps that wouldn’t meet today’s building codes. I can’t navigate them safely without holding onto the handrail (which is only on one side). So, when I was perusing Amazon and accidentally happened upon a laundry bag backpack, I got quite excited.

Today, I’m sharing my review of this spacious, practical laundry bag backpack that turned out to be the perfect solution to my clothes-toting challenge.

Whether you have a large family, hate doing laundry or know a busy college student who makes trips to the washer and dryer only when they're running out of clean clothes, toting around large loads of laundry can be a real pain in the back, especially for those of us who already suffer from back pain. Fortunately, the smart folks at Ãzhido have made toting multiple loads' worth of dirty or clean clothes back and forth to the laundry room or laundromat a lot easier on the back with their extra-large laundry bag backpack.

Here's what I love about it.

Hands-Free, Comfortable, Back-Sparing Design

Because it's a backpack, my hands are free to hold onto the banister as I lug my tops, pants, underwear, socks, etc. up and down the stairs to the washer and dryer. There is also much less strain on my back, thanks to the lightweight fabric and the weight load of the contents being balanced behind me and distributed evenly between the comfortable, thick, foam padded straps. 

As a result, I can easily carry multiple loads' worth of apparel to and from the laundry room in one trip, something I could never manage with a conventional laundry bag or basket.

Extra-Large Capacity

Excluding the gray, drawstring-top extension gusset (which folds down into the bag when not needed those dimensions increase to 39.4"L x 15.1"W x 15.1"H with a 115-liter (4.06-cubic foot) capacity, easily enough space to accommodate three to four loads' worth of clothing.

There is also a 15” x 11.2” outer pocket to hold laundry detergent and other items, which is especially useful if you are going to and from a laundromat. I have also used it to keep delicate, hand-washable items separate.

Even filled with two loads' worth of clothing, the bag is just half full.

Perfect for Bedding and Oversized Items

Because of its generous capacity, this laundry bag backpack can be used to carry large quilts and comforters, king-size bedding, pillows, down coats and others large, bulky items that can be unwieldy.

Adjustable Size

Just as the extension gusset at the top accommodates extra-large loads, the webbing strap can be folded over the top and securely latched to make the bag more compact when carrying smaller loads. The length of the shoulder straps can also be adjusted to fit the wearer and balance the weight optimally.

You can gauge the size of this extra-large laundry bag backpack on my 6' tall husband. The gray webbing strap can be folded over the top and securely latched on the other side to make the bag more compact for smaller loads. You can also see the large outer pocket for detergent, delicates, etc.

Sturdy Fabric and Durable Construction

The main body and padded straps of this laundry backpack are made of sturdy, rip-resistant 600-denier oxford cloth fabric. All points of wear have reinforced stitching, and the durable webbing straps and secure locking catches are also made for heavy-duty wear and tear over the years.

You can see the reinforced stitching and sturdy webbing on all the straps as well as the loop for hanging on a hook or doorknob or to carry the bag by hand for smaller loads.

Convenient Carry Handle / Hanging Loop

The sturdy loop made of heavy-duty webbing can be used to hang this laundry hamper backpack from a doorknob or hook or even carry it if your load is light.

Wide Opening

The wide opening at the top makes both filling and unloading this laundry bag extremely easy.

You can see how easy it is to fill and unload the bag, thanks to the wide top opening (the gray extension gusset is opened up here to accommodate up to 3–4 loads).

Compact Folded Size

When not in use, this laundry bag backpack folds down to a very compact size for storage.

Wide Choice of Colors

At the time of this review's publication, this laundry bag backpack comes in a choice of 13 colors: Teal (the one I chose), Army Green, Black, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Khaki (a pale tan, like chinos), Light Purple (a plum color), Orange, Pink, Purple (a grape color), Red (a deep crimson), Yellow and Charcoal Grey. The wide selection of colors is especially nice if you plan to give these as gifts.

Very Affordable

At the time of this review's publication, the price of this extra-large, heavy-duty laundry bag backpack on Amazon is on sale for less than $22 ($20.49 TO $21.49, depending on the color), regularly $22.99-$26.59, making it an affordable and effective solution to a frustrating problem.

Makes a Great, Practical Gift

The manufacturer emphasizes the usefulness of this product for college students, and I agree that these would make wonderful graduation gifts for high school seniors or anytime gifts for college students.

I also think they would be terrific gifts for anyone who uses a laundromat, has their laundry room on a different floor from the bedrooms or just does a lot of large loads on a regular basis.

Your Back Will Love This Practical Laundry Bag Backpack by Margaret Schindel

Get More Gift Ideas From My Product Reviews

You’ll Love These Insanely Comfortable Memory Foam Slippers

Solaire Mattress and Adjustable Base Plus Product Reviews

Saatva Organic Cotton Bedding Product Review

Holiday Gift Guide: Thoughtful, Affordable Gift Ideas They Will Love

Long, Lined Leather Gloves - A Luxurious, Affordable Gift She'll Love

How To Get Bright, Younger-Looking Eyes In 60 Seconds

The Best Dentist Approved, Inexpensive, 5-Mode Electric Toothbrush

The Best Affordable, Super Sharp Kitchen and Steak Knives Set

The Best Powerful, Lightweight Stick Blender With Versatile Attachments

The Best Bone-Conduction Bluetooth Headphones Review: Shokz OpenRun Pro

The Best Dentist Approved, Inexpensive, 5-Mode Electric Toothbrush

The Best Tool Roll Organizer To Store & Protect Your Tools

The Best Affordable Programmable Large- and Small-Batch Coffee Maker

The Best Manicure Tools for Strong, Healthy Nails

The Best Low Carb Keto Gift Ideas: Keto Gift Guide

Flippy Tablet, Kindle, Phone, and Book Stand Lap Pillow Review

Hamama Microgreens Starter Kit and Seed Quilts Review

Read More Product Reviews From Our Contributors

Read More Gift Reviews From Our Contributors

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Char-Griller Smokin Champ Review

 Ghar-Griller Smokin Champ Review: The Smokey Goodness of Grilling

Most people love the taste of smoked food. And, if you are one of those people you need a good quality smoker grill in your life. The Char-Griller Smokin Champ is one of the best affordable smoker grills for the market, and it's perfect if you love to cook with smoke.

This grill is designed to give food that perfect smokey flavor, and it will not disappoint you. The Smokin Champ will deliver consistent results with its even heat distribution and adjustable vents. Whether you're grilling, smoking, or even baking the Smokin Champ will help you get the perfect results every time.

In the photo above is my Smokin Champ just after we assembled it. My daughter got this for me four years ago for Father's Day and it's everything that I expected. This grill has served us well for the last four years and I expect many more.

My Char-Griller Smokin Champ is made of high-quality steel that lasts years. It has a large cooking area of 614 square inches with a warming rack of 315 square inches, making it easy to cook for a large group of people. Or, it's just as convenient to cook for two people as most time it's just me and Fran grilling some burgers and veggies.

Features of my Smokin Champ:

• Large cooking area
• Warming rack
• 3 cast iron cooking grates
• Side firebox
• Easy slide-out drawer to clean the firebox
• Built-in thermometer to monitor the temperature 
• Side shelf for utensils
• Ashpan with hangers for charcoal grilling

This is a photo of the firebox, it is also made of heavy-duty steel with a drawer that pulls out for easy cleaning. The firebox is separate from the main chamber making it easy to add wood or charcoal without losing heat in the main chamber.

My smoker is known as an offset smoker. There are many other types of smokers on the market. But, I prefer the offset smoker, it takes a little time to learn how to control the temperature, so there is a little skill involved. Once you have mastered it you will be very happy with the results of the food you cook. 

Overall, Char-Griller Smokers are an excellent and affordable choice for anyone who just loves to cook with smoke. Or, if you don't want to use the smoker you have the option to just grill over charcoal. It's perfect for backyard barbecues and family gatherings. This smoker and grill has served our family well over the last four years and I'm looking forward to this year's grilling season. Every grill master in the family needs a fun apron. Check out my article on Funny Grill Master Aprons.

Here is a link to some of my favorite grilling and smoking recipes:

Main Dishes/Grilling

If you like cooking with charcoal, Char-Griller has a great affordable selection of Smokers and Charcoal Grills.

Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro 830 Square Inch Charcoal Grill with Side Fire Box, 50 Inch, BlackCheck the Price

 

Click here for more Product Reviews from our contributors: ReviewThisProductReviews.com

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Reviewing How to Pack Your Breakfast Smoothie With Nutrition

Photos by Lou16, design via Canva

Smoothies can be a great breakfast idea for people who don't have much time to eat in the mornings or don't feel like they can eat in the morning.

A protein smoothie can easily be made the night before and grabbed to drink on the go which makes it perfect for the person who gets up at the last minute before racing to get a train; or for the busy mum who is trying to make sure her children eat their breakfast and get to school on time before she gets to her own job.

They are also perfect for the person who just can't face the idea of food first thing in the morning.  My own father didn't eat breakfast for the majority of his life as he couldn't stomach any food until he'd been up for a number of hours.  He could manage coffee or tea, however so I think a smoothie would've been a great idea.  My late mother-in-law would take a smoothie for breakfast after she became a widow and lost her appetite.

Now there's a lot more to a protein smoothie than just protein powder and water though, when you're having them for breakfast you need to make sure that you pack plenty of nutrition in there as it's the most important meal of the day.

An ideal protein smoothie should include protein (I use Arbonne's protein powder, but I have seen recipes that use chickpeas instead), vegetables, fruit and healthy fat.

Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie

2 scoops chocolate protein powder

1/2 avocado

frozen cherries

baby spinach

1 tsp raw cacao powder

coconut milk

Blend this all together for a delicious breakfast smoothie.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

grated carrot

frozen pineapple

1 heaped tsp cashew butter

oat milk

dash of ground cinnamon

Blend this all together for a delicious breakfast smoothie

There are lots of different options you can use for a protein smoothie and there really is one to suit everyone.  You can check out a range of smoothie recipes in my Facebook group - Healthy Tips to Feel & Look Your Best. including the delicious Pineapple Lump smoothie and the Blueberry & Lemon Smoothie.

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Lego Flowers & Lego Bouquet Sets Reviewed

Lego flowers and Lego bouquet sets are a wonderful way for Lego lovers to give flowers for any occasion.  

It isn't always easy to think of a unique gift for someone we love.  We often send flowers for holidays because they let the recipient know we are thinking of them.  Sadly, flowers don't live very long and the gift gets thrown away too soon.  Unfortunately, while they are lovely for a short time, unless you take pictures, they are quickly forgotten.

If you make and send Lego flowers, they are not only unique, but they won't die!

There are several Lego flowers and Lego bouquets available now that would be an awesome Mother's Day gift, birthday gift, Christmas gifts or any "thinking of you" gift.

Any handmade gift is a treasure for the recipient.  Lego builders now have a fabulous gift they can make and give to someone they love.

Even children can build these Lego flowers and give them as a gift.  What better way to tell someone you love them then with a handmade gift of flowers.

 

Lego Flowers & Lego Bouquets

Build and give a single rose, tulip, or sunflower.  If you have time, you could even build and give a Lego bouquet.  You could even mix several sets to make a completely unique, one of a kind gift for that one of a kind loved one.

LEGO Iconic Rose 40460

LEGO Tulips 40461 - 111 pcs, Green,violet,white,yellow

LEGO Sunflowers Building Kit, Artificial Flowers for Home Décor, Flower Building Toy Set for Kids, Sunflower Gift for Girls and Boys Ages 8 and Up, 40524

 

Lego bouquet sets include everything we need to build a lovely bouquet of flowers.  There is also a lovely orchid Lego set.  For someone like me who loves orchids, but cannot keep a real orchid alive, this would be the perfect bouquet gift.

Choose between a wildflower bouquet, a traditional mixed flower bouquet, the orchid, or even a succulent bouquet.

LEGO Icons Wildflower Bouquet Botanical Collection Building Set for Adults, Valentine Décor for Him or Her, Artificial Flowers with Poppies and Lavender, Unique Gift for Valentines Day, 10313

LEGO Icons Flower Bouquet Building Decoration Set - Artificial Flowers with Roses, Home Accessories or Valentine Décor for Him and Her, Gift for Valentines Day, Botanical Collection for Adults, 10280

LEGO Icons Orchid Artificial Plant, Building Set with Flowers, Valentine Décor Gift for Adults, Botanical Collection, Great Gift for Valentines Day, Birthday or Anniversary for Her and Him, 10311

Lego Icons Succulents 10309 Artificial Plants Set for Adults, Home Decor, Birthday, Creative Housewarming Gifts, Botanical Collection, Flower Bouquet Kit

 

 

Regardless of which Lego bouquet or flower set(s) you choose, there is no doubt it will be a gift that is loved and reflects your love for the recipient.  Plus, it will be a precious piece of decor that can be displayed in any room of a home without having to worry about watering, sunlight, or feeding.  It will always be lovely!

Check Out More Lego Set Reviews
Right Here On Review This Reviews!

 Lego Flowers & Lego Bouquet Sets Reviewed by:

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

I Will Find You – A Book Review

The latest suspense thriller by Harlan Coben

Storyline

As the story begins, David Burroughs is in his fifth year of a life sentence for murdering his three-year-old son, Matthew. Only one problem; he didn't do it. 

David was alone with his child that night, as his physician wife was working a night shift.  He knew he got drunk the night it happened and apparently slept through the whole thing. He woke up to discover that Matthew had been murdered. Since there was no evidence pointing to anyone else, and since David had no real alibi, he was convicted and sent to prison. 

Half a decade later, his wife Cheryl has divorced him and remarried. David has had no visitors all this time. Then, Cheryl's younger sister, Rachel, comes to see David to show him a strange photograph taken by friends of Rachel's on vacation at an amusement park. In the background is a boy who bears an eerie resemblence to David's son. It doesn't seem possible; it just can't be, yet David just knows.  Matthew is still alive. 

Somehow David has to get out of prison, search for his son and discover what really happened. To do so, he plans and successfully accomplishes a daring prison escape. 

Now David's life is on the line and the FBI is following his every move. Can David evade capture long enough to discover what really happened, save his son and clear his name? The shocking truth will be revealed in the final moments of the story. 

Summary

Another thriller by this master of suspense. I Will Find You is Harlan Coben's most recent (March 2023) novel. 

Quick Links to more reviews of Harlan Coben:

• Book Review of CAUGHT by Wednesday Elf
• TV Series Review of THE STRANGER by Lou16 aka Louanne Cox
• Book Review of WIN by Wednesday Elf
• Review of the Mickey Bolitar Series of Young Adult Books by Wednesday Elf
• The Boy from the Woods – review by Wednesday Elf
• The Woods Book Review by Wednesday Elf
• The Match – A Novel by Harlan Coben – Book Review by Wednesday Elf

*Book Review written by Wednesday Elf

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Pull Out Drawers For Kitchen Cabinets Reviewed

I have recently been focused on getting my kitchen cabinets better organized.  I have a tall cabinet pantry with deep shelves.  Items or cans stored toward the back of the cabinet pantry are very hard to get out.  I am required to take everything out from in front of whatever I need and then put it back afterwards.  That process is time consuming and rather tiresome.  

I was thinking one day that what I really need are pull out shelves in that cabinet that would allow me to easily access things in the back, plus see what is there.  I went in search of a solution and found the SlidingSusan Pull Out Drawers for Cabinets.  I measured my cabinet and immediately ordered one drawer to try it.

I was very excited when it arrived and my husband offered to install the drawer for me.  I took everything off the shelf and he went to work.  According to him, it was easy to install.  

This drawer makes a world of difference! It is like doubling the size of the cabinet simply because I can easily access everything stored on that shelf.  

Previously, I forgot what I had and would end up buying more as needed for a specific recipe.  Unfortunately, that meant I would end up with a few cans of food that passed their expiry date before I used them.  

After using the first SlidingSusan drawer for a few weeks, I bought two more pull out drawers for additional shelves. They are truly fabulous and save a lot of time when grabbing a can of something from the cabinet.  Plus, I will no longer discover unused cans that have expired because they got pushed toward the back.  The Sliding Susan pull out drawers are expensive, but when I consider how convenient they are, plus how much of a toll they spare on my back and shoulders, I believe they are well worth the cost.

 

The Sliding Susan Pull Out Drawers for Cabinets

 SlidingSusan Pull Out Cabinet Organizer - Fully Assembled Pull Out Drawers For Kitchen Cabinets - Dovetail and Soft CloseCheck PriceThese drawers come in several different sizes.  It is important to measure the opening and depth of your shelf before you place your order. 

The drawers have 3" sides which do a great job of holding cans in place so they won't slip off and hit the floor.

The slides allow the drawers to fully pull out, plus they have soft closure that helps keep the items secure.  I did put a liner on my drawers to help keep the cans and bottles from sliding around on the shelves.

The drawers arrive completely assembled. We only had to screw the base to the original shelf.  

I love being able to pull out the cabinet drawer and grab whatever I need quickly, without having to take everything out every time I need something.

 

Additional Tools Needed for Installation 

• Center Punch (to start the holes in the existing shelf)
• Drill
  
• Screwdriver
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Wood Glue (my husband used wood glue in the drilled holes to make the screws more permanently secure)

  

 

Read More Product Reviews On
ReviewThisProducts.com

 

Pull Out Drawers For Kitchen Cabinets Reviewed by:

 
 

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.”

FOLLOW US ON: