A Review of my Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Mix

We eat a lot of salads in our house, especially in the summer when the garden is growing a multitude of fresh veggies.  Our favorite salad dressing is Italian.  We always used to buy Wishbone House salad dressing, but we really went through it because we not only used it on salads, we also liked it on sliced vegetables and as a marinade for meats that we cooked on the grill.  I was buying two bottles every time we went shopping!  

I found myself mentioning it to a friend of mine who also loves salad and grilling.  She said she made her own mix for salad dressing and marinades.  She said it was much cheaper, especially since she had a herb garden which provided her with many of the needed ingredients.  I had to laugh, I could not believe it never occurred to me to make my own, which is really silly since I make so much other stuff from scratch instead of buying it.  

I asked her for the recipe and she texted it over.  I lucked out because I actually had all the ingredients, so I didn't even have to go to the store.  She had split the ingredients in half, dry ingredients and wet ingredients.  I asked her the reason for this in a later conversation, and she told me that she makes the dry mix to give away as gifts at Christmas time.  She said that people loved it because it was so easy to make, and it saved them money too! 

Ingredients:

3/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

1/8 teaspoon parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (omit if you don't like spice)

1/8 teaspoon oregano

1/8 teaspoon basil

Wet Ingredients:

1/8 cup of finely grated bell pepper

1/8 cup of finely grated carrot 

1/4 cup cider vinegar

3 tablespoons of water

1/2 cup of olive oil (can use any oil you like)

 All you have to do is mix the ingredients and shake well for two minutes.  Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.  Keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

This dressing is not only good on salads and meats, it's great drizzled over hot vegetables.  Toss it over noodles and with grated cheese for a great side dish.  It is so versatile once you make some you will not want to be without it.   I usually keep a jar of the dry ingredients mix in my cupboard to season soups and casseroles.  It really is almost like an all purpose seasoning. 

If you want to make this mixture and give it away as a jar gift, simply fill a decorative jar with the dry ingredients only and shake thoroughly.  Tie a pretty card to the jar that lists the wet ingredients to mix with the dry.  That's all there is to it.  An easy and thoughtful gift that almost anyone will love.

This is my favorite jar to use for gifts

4 ounces

I have told my friend what a blessing her recipe has been to me and all the things I make with it.  I have even given her some ideas!   I highly recommend you try it, I think you will love it too.

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Reviewing Marie Antoinette Season 1 (2022) on PBS

I rarely get interested in a television series so much that I begin looking for the next season's premiere date as soon as the last episode airs. But that is what has happened with me when watching PBS's Marie Antoinette (2022). The settings, costumes, characters, and the dilemmas that occur when a teenage girl is sent from one country to another to create an alliance had me captivated. I was hooked within the first few moments.

I have no idea how realistic and historically accurate this portrayal of Marie Antoinette is. Frankly, while I read some historical novels I know that history is not my strength. However, I find myself wanting to know more after getting this glimpse at not only this family but of how countries chose to support each other. Especially after the episode in which young King Louis XVI makes a controversial decision to support the Americas as a country versus a colony. But I'm jumping ahead.

Beautiful, young (just recently a teenager) Marie Antoinette leaves her home in Austria to join her in-laws in France. She is expected to marry the Dauphin(1) of France (Louis XVI) and to quickly become pregnant with his child. A male child.  Antoinette is moved to Versailles where she is expected to follow the complex, confusing rules and etiquette there. Will she become Queen? Will she produce an heir - not only to continue her family line but for this Royal Family in France? 

Young Louis XVI is being raised by his grandfather. His Grandfather Louis XV and essentially his mistress, Madame du Barry. Louis XVI is far more gentle compared to his brother Provence. Provence eventually marries Josephine and in this series they are portrayed as trying to undermine Louis XVI and Antoinette.

While history disagrees with the cause, it is true that Louis XVI and Antoinette take a very long time to consummate their marriage and then take years to have a child. It is true that pornographic and disparaging pamphlets and rumors are spread about Antoinette in the French Court. Becoming Queen in a new country is not an easy thing.

People who review this series seem to love it or hate it. I love it. I love the setting, the costumes, and the portrayal of children who are expected to become leaders of countries. I fell in love with the children Louis XVI and Antoinette... temper tantrums and all. I love the family drama and the relationships that rise and fall when power is involved. People who dislike the series seem to dislike it due to the factual problems that come when a historical setting is portrayed by modern actors/actresses from a modern script. I don't believe it helped that this Marie Antoinette is advertised as feminist.  I approach movies and television series as entertainment with a dash of educational benefit (an example of that educational benefit is realizing the Louis XVI was a mere 20 years old when he became King of France. I don't recall that from High School history class). I assume that things on my screen are going to be factually inaccurate. It is with that bias that I found myself LOVING this version of Marie Antoinette and look forward to the 2nd season. I loved these characters so much that I have more factual (reportedly) portrayals lined up to read and watch.

While I have watched Marie Antoinette (2022) on PBS I have also viewed episodes on Amazon Prime Video.  The Season 1 DVD is available on the PBS site. 

Content advisory: nudity, violence, frightening scenes, alcohol use, foul language, sexual content

(1) Dauphin - the title of the eldest son of the King of France, the heir apparent to the crown, from 1350 to 1830

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Word Search With a Twist - Something Different

Unleashing My Creativity: The Story Behind The Word Search Books in the Stumped Books Collection

As the author and creator of  StumpedBooks (aka StumpedRiddles.com), I also write word search books with a twist.

My goal is to offer people something other than standard word search books. 

So, I embarked on a quest to design a word search puzzle collection that provides the solver with an additional challenge and can also be played as a game.

Unconventional Word Search Puzzle Books Featuring Single and Multiple Clustered Words 

Instead of sticking to single words, I blended multiple words into hashtag-like phrases. 

I aimed to add an extra layer of excitement and surprise for puzzle enthusiasts. 

Before the puzzle solver seeks to find the word, they must solve the hashtag phrase. Most phrases are easy to solve, although a few can be tricky.

The Thrill of Friendly Competition

I believe that puzzles are best enjoyed when shared with others. That's why I included a feature that allows you to turn the Stumped Books Word Search Puzzles into a fun competition among friends and family. Challenge each other to see who can conquer a puzzle the fastest.

There's a place to mark your start and finish times on each puzzle and even a place to write your name.

 These word-find puzzles with a twist are all about fostering a friendly rivalry and celebrating your victories together.

Challenge Yourself and Go, Solo

You don't have to compete with others for the fastest time; go ahead and race against the clock to see if you can beat your own time every time you do a puzzle.

Whether you're looking to improve your speed or simply enjoy the journey at your own pace, this feature adds a touch of personalization to the word search experience.

The Answers Are Included

Some word search books don't include the answers; however, all the Stumped Activity Books include the solutions at the back of each book.

Designed for Those With a Sense of Humor

I get crazy joy coming up with funny clustered phrases for these word search puzzles; that's why nearly all the word search books I've created are geared around humor. 

Coming up with funny sayings is a blast! Or at least I think it is.

Here's an example of one of the puzzles inside of the "Funny Word Search for Adults" - The title of this puzzle is "What Exhausted Angels Say - getalife, ineedhelp, stopsinning, iquit, callmelater ... and more:" (I have too much fun creating these!)

What's Included in the StumpedBooks Word Search Collection

Every book I've created includes the following:

• 1440 Words to Find
• 60 Different Word Search Topics Centered Around the Title Topic of the Book
• A Place to Write Down Your Name, Start Time, and Finish Time on Each Puzzle
• Single Words and Multiple Clustered Phrases

Wait, There's More! - Get Free Printable Word Search Puzzles

On the StumpedBooks Website, there's a place on the main menu titled "Solve" where you can access individual word search puzzles that you can print for free. This free section is a work in progress; more puzzles are added daily. 

At StumpedBooks, you can also try to solve riddles for free. Oh, and all the riddles are originally written; there are no old, rehashed riddles on the website or in any of the personally written riddle books.

Although I've written seven unique riddle books, if you prefer, you can opt for solving riddles directly on the website at no cost to you. 

Here's the link where you can go to solve riddles. There are a lot of riddles at StumpedBooks to keep you distracted for quite a while!

My Most Recent Word Search Book With a Twist

I've just completed a Funny Garden Word Search Book, but hey, if gardening isn't your thing, you can check out all the other word search books here.

Stumped Books is a Labor of Love

I absolutely love creating activity books, journals, and poetry. My passion belongs to the wide array of life's emotions we all feel from time to time. 

Some of my creations are for fun, some for humor, and others are geared more toward the serious side of life.

That's what makes me happy; tackling all of life's emotions and not being put in a box where I have to do one thing all the time. 

All the Stumped Books are good clean fun; although they're geared toward older teens and adults, they're designed with the entire family in mind.

You Can Find The Stumped Books Collection on Amazon

If you're so inclined, you can check out all of the thirty-something books I've created to date via my Amazon Author Page or here on my website, StumpedBooks.com.

Thank you very much if you visit my site or acquire one of the activity books. I hope you get as much fun and joy with the books as I have had writing them.

Happy Summer 2023!

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Britt-Marie Was Here – A Book Review

 By Fredrik Backman, the bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell you She's Sorry.

Synopsis

Britt-Marie is an older lady who has spent her life taking care of everyone else before herself. She cannot tolerate a mess and finds herself constantly cleaning and straightening. She also makes lists about everything. But now her life has become a mess and she doesn't know what to do about it.

She has just left her husband for being unfaithful and needs to find a job. The only one available to someone with no real experience in the working world is a temporary one in a forgotten little town called Borg. The job entails looking after a crumbling recreation center in a town where the main business has folded and nearly every other business has closed down. The only people who still enjoy the recreation center is the group of children who make up the very untalented soccer team. 

Britt-Marie is a very organized person who knows exactly how others should live their lives and she isn't shy about sharing her opinions. For instance, there is a proper way to sort a cutlery drawer and dinner must be at 6 pm exactly every night.  And, of course, there are  certain cleaning products, such as baking soda, which must always be used. 

But hidden inside this socially awkward and fussy busybody is a woman who has more imagination, bigger dreams, and a warmer heart than anyone around her realizes.

As Britt-Marie is drawn into the daily doings of Borg and the misfits who populate the town, along with helping the children with the soccer team, she discovers more about herself than she ever realized and perhaps a place where she truly belongs. 

Summary

As has been true of every one of Fredrik Backman's books, this is a heartwarming story told with the author's special way with words. I have been fascinated with Backman's storytelling with every one of his books I've read. I highly recommend this story of a woman who rediscovers herself and of a small town who has an unforgettable group of citizens who will never forget that “Britt-Marie Was Here”. 

Find this Book on Amazon

Related Links:

• A Man Called Ove reviewed by Treasures by Brenda
• My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry reviewed by Wednesday Elf
• Anxious People reviewed by Wednesday Elf
• For More Book Reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com 

*Britt-Marie Was Here reviewed by Wednesday Elf

A Fredrik Backman novel

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The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango (2023) - Hallmark Mystery Movie

Hallmark movies offer light entertainment and a temporary escape from the world of responsibilities and difficulties.  

Hallmark mysteries are cozy mystery movies that provide a who-done-it story without gory or graphic images. Our emotions and senses are rarely dragged through the wringer.  They are not epic sagas that will haunt us for days, but sometimes that is exactly what is needed.  Most often, we are able to step away at the end of a Hallmark movie feeling unburdened and happier.  They can provide a much needed break and balance to our everyday lives.

I recently watched "The Dancing Detective" starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp.  It was an unusual Hallmark movie because I couldn't figure out who the killer was before the end.  Hallmark movies have frequently been referred to as cookie-cutter movies.  I would not use that term to describe this Hallmark mystery movie.  

A good mystery with a touch of romance, humor and excellent dancing made this movie a wonderful reprieve from reality.

 

The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango 

When an American business owner dies unexpectedly in Malta, his brother, Senator Aston, requests that an American undercover detective be sent to Malta to investigate.  It is imperative that they go immediately since Aston's ballroom dance company is currently hosting their annual employee dance competition where all of the suspects are present. 

Even though Detective Constance Bailey is an excellent detective that solves crimes, she doesn't work well with partners and she doesn't dance.  In Malta, she will be required to collaborate with Sergeant Ana Spiteri from Interpol, alongside her new partner: dance partner that is.  Fortunately for Bailey, Sebastian Moore is a dance instructor and former actor, which will be helpful since he will also be playing the part of her husband.  Bailey, aka Sally, is supposedly a newly hired married employee who was invited by Mark Aston to bring her husband, Stuart Miller, to Malta and join the employee dance competition.

It is fun to watch this duo work together, dance together, and solve the murder together.

---

With the promise that this will be a new Hallmark Mystery series, I look forward to the next episode!

I watched this new Hallmark Mystery Movie on Frndly TV.  It is not yet available on DVD or Amazon, but you can see it on any service that includes the Hallmark channel.

There is currently a placeholder link for the movie on Amazon so you can add it to your watchlist now and watch it when it does become available.

 The Dancing Detective: A Deadly TangoCheck Availability

 

Check Out More Movie Reviews at
ReviewThisMovies.com

The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango (2023) - Hallmark Mystery Movie by:

 

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Reviewing Which Green Drink You Should Have

As long-time followers will know I've been taking a green drink daily for a number of years yet. For a long time I took a drink I called the Green Ogre Drink (which I reviewed here), the last couple of years I've switched to the Green Gut Glow Drink (which I reviewed here).

Today I'm going to look at both drinks (and the variations on them) and see which one would best suit you.

The Green Ogre Drink

This drink initially contained Greens, Mind Health & Fizz as it was formulated before the Skin Elixir was available and also before the Gut Health was available in Australia (where I live). Once the Skin Elixir was available I did add that to my Green Ogre Drink as well.

I didn't add the Gut Health supplement to the drink for one reason - you need to drink the Gut Health within 20 minutes. I think this is an important supplement so I chose to take it as a shot in water first thing in the morning (word of caution it's not the best-tasting supplement BUT once you've taken it for a few days you do get used to it).

I loved mixing up my Green Ogre Drink and taking it to work to drink once I got there. In the past, I've either picked up a coffee on the way to work or I would pop out to grab one once I got to work - I choose to stop doing that and instead have a drink that was really helping me.

When it came to the Mind Health supplement I found it really helped my concentration levels and allowed me to focus really well at the start of the day.  The supplement contains ingredients that support mental clarity, focus and memory so it was really good.

Once I started adding the Skin Elixir I also received all the benefits of taking a collagen supplement. The supplement doesn't actually contain collagen as all Arbonne products are vegan and there is no such thing as vegan collagen, however, it contains the ingredients your body needs to produce its own collagen.

The Green Gut Glow Drink

This drink contains the Greens, Gut Health and Skin Elixir. There are lots of people around the world who were taking this drink before I switched. I'm not sure why, but I started forgetting to take my Gut Health supplement so I decided to make the switch to the Green Gut Glow drink.

I would take this first thing in the morning and found it really great, however, after a few days I realized that my energy levels just weren't where I needed them to be to start the day and I was grabbing a coffee when I got into work. Don't get me wrong, I do love a coffee, but I'm also aware that too much coffee doesn't do me a lot of good with keeping my hormones balanced.

I started adding a fizz stick to my Green Gut Glow and I found that this was the perfect drink for me to start every day with (except if I'm meeting friends for coffee in which case I leave the fizz stick out - it contains caffeine). 

I have on occasion added Mind Health to the Green Gut Glow Drink and it has been great, but I don't find I need to be taking this all the time, I just take it at times when I have a heavy workload as I personally find that when I get overwhelmed I cannot focus as easily and start to procrastinate - Mind Health really helps me at these times.

How To Decide What Greens Drink YOU Need

You need to look at why you are taking a green drink first. All of the supplements that I've mentioned can be taken by themselves or mixed together to formulate the perfect daily supplement to enhance your life.

Whichever greens drink you think you need you will be starting off with the BeWell SuperFood Greens powder (otherwise it wouldn't be a 'greens' drink!), this is a whole food smart nutritional choice containing a balanced blend of 36 fruits and vegetables that contains fibre, phytonutrients and antioxidants.

If you're going to be drinking your drink as soon as you make it (or at least within 20 mins) then I would suggest adding the Gut Health supplement. More and more is being discovered about gut health all the time and its impact on so much of your health that I believe taking a supplement like this is important for the majority of people. Arbonne's Gut Health supplement contains both pre and pro-biotics as well as digestive enzymes.

Now let's break down what benefits you're looking for in a drink.

If you're just looking for a boost of energy or simply to get your mojo back and you aren't having any hormonal problems, no problems with focus and concentration or any other illnesses that you may be dealing with then I would suggest -

Add a fizz stick to the greens and gut health. Fizz sticks are designed to give you a natural energy boost. They contain Ginseng, Coenzyme Q10, Chromium and B vitamins along with naturally-derived caffeine from Guarana and Green Tea.

If you're having problems concentrating or are experiencing brain fog then I would look at taking greens, gut health and mind health with or without a fizz. As well as giving you a boost of energy fizz can help support your alertness and cognitive function. Mind Health really is the king when it comes to supporting cognitive performance, however.

Mind Health's key ingredients are sunflower seed-derived Phosphatidylserine, a key building block for brain cells and Vitamin B12 which contributes to normal neurological function. I definitely found that this helped me when I had a lot of work that needed my concentration at a time when I had a little of the menopausal brain fog happening!

If you want to improve your skin hair and nails - I recommend taking the greens, gut health and adding the Skin Elixir supplement. Arbonne's Skin Elixir supplement helps your body to produce its own collagen which is great for your skin. The supplement also includes other ingredients such as biotin to support and maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.

Fun fact my hairdresser noticed that my hair is getting thicker (not that it was thin to start with) since I added Skin Elixir to my greens drink and I'm in my 50s when I would be expecting it to start thinning!

If you're still not sure what combination would suit you then reach out to me in our Healthy Tips Facebook Group or on Instagram and I'd be happy to give you a personal recommendation.

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June 14, An Auspicious Day on the Holiday Calendar ~ A Holiday Review

People love to know what kind of "Holidays" or "Special Events Days", are out there because there are just so many!  If you want to be in the KNOW, sign up for Days of the Year, you will find out that there are holidays and days of remembrance for just about everything and anything!

Today June 14th is Flag Day and I must admit that it comes just at the right time.  In a couple of weeks the two  largest countries on the North American continent will be celebrating holidays where their own country's flag plays an important role.  But don't let that stop you from showing your Flag pride today!  Show us where you are now and where you have come from!  There are flags for every country available, just remember if you are flying more than one flag, your new home's flag is on top!  For Americans it's the stars and stripes and for Canadians it's that lovely maple leaf!

Now if you live in either Canada or the USA, you will know that Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on July 4th are 2 very important holidays and both our countries celebrate them with lots of festivities, pride and the waving of our flags.

Most important for us all is the displaying and flying of our flags, signalling our pride in our homeland!

It is a good two weeks before these great holidays and a wonderful  time for us to look at our flags and make sure that they are in proper condition for the trooping of the colors.

There is nothing sadder than seeing a flag that is torn, ragged or tattered from use being flown on such an important holiday.  So might I suggest that today is a good day, no, it's a great day to take down your flag temporarily and check it over for wear and tear. 

If your flag is in any other shape than perfect, it's time to get a new flag!

Being Patriotic means more than just flying a flag.  It means that you will not fly a flag that is tattered and torn or worn out.  Doing that,  (for me anyways) is a sign of disrespect for the country that I love.

A beautiful pristine flag is what I will be flying so that everyone will know that I love my country and am proud to fly it's flag.  A perfect flag that sets a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.  

 While this particular flag is not the least expensive one, it is made in the USA and it has the highest customer satisfaction rating. That says a lot to me, but you make up your own mind. Just make sure that you have a beautiful flag to fly high!

For Canadians who might be reading this review, you are NOT left out!  July 1st is coming quickly and that beautiful red and white flag needs to be as spotless and fresh looking as any flag can be.  So now there is no excuse for you to be flying a flag that would rather not be seen.

Be wonderful, be patriotic and be proud! We do live in two of the greatest countries in the world and we have every reason to be proud! Happy Flag Day and I know now that you will be ready for the next two big holidays as well!

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If Only They Could Talk By James Herriot - A Book Review

 

If Only They Could Talk, was Alf Wight's first book published in 1970 under the author name of James Herriot. It was also his first book that I read, and as a young child, I was completely and utterly enthralled. My copy is now very old and looks a little time-worn. This book has been with me on trains, and holidays and moved with me to every home I have lived in and I still love it. 

Surprisingly, knowing now just how popular his books and the series that followed, James Herriot was turned down by publishing houses when he first presented his book. I imagine given his subsequent success and place in many people's hearts, that the publishers who turned him down bitterly regretted their decision! I am very glad that Alf White did not take rejection to heart and persevered to get his first book published. 

Alf Wight could not publish under his own name as that would have been seen as advertising, which was professionally frowned upon by the veterinary profession. He chose the pen name James Herriot from the name of the Scottish goalkeeper Jim Herriot, who Alf would have known about.  

Surgery In Thirsk Where James Herriot (Author) Alf Wight (Vet) Practiced. 

If Only They Could Talk is a warm hearted book recounting his early experiences as a young veterinary surgeon in Thirsk, a small rural town in North Yorkshire, UK during the 1930's. I have written about Thirsk in my article Reviewing Our Visit To James Herriot Country Thirsk North Yorkshire UK, should you wish to know more about the town and the surgery where he practiced. 

His first book is full of witty observations, humourous moments and heart warming stories about the animals he treated and their owners. He depicts with honesty the difficulties, challenges, passion and wonders of a young vet starting out in the 1930's.   

His writing style is very easy, engaging and descriptive, bringing the animals and people to life so you feel like you are living his experiences right along with him. I just love the stories and tales he so wonderfully brings through the page.

His growing love of his adoptive county of North Yorkshire shows in his writing as he skillfully transports us via his words to the gorgeous stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales countryside. 

Whether he is helping a sheep in difficulty give birth in a cold field on an early Spring evening, performing small animal surgery, or diagnosing a beloved dog's illness, his love of the work and his passion to do his best for both animal and owner and his commitment to veterinary practice shines through. You really feel the dedication he has to his patients and the joy and sadness, frustration and amusement the work brings. 

Reading it again now makes you realise how much the world has changed and how much we have lost and gained. How community was so important and how they lived with significantly less technology than we do now. It was often frustrating that vets did not have the medicines they needed yet they were inventive and persistent to do their utmost to relieve suffering and cure, working hard and valuing each other.

He clearly has a wonderful sense of humour and the book is filled with hilarious anecdotes of his experiences with the animals and their owners which will make you laugh. I love the way he depicts the many wonderful often larger than life characters both human and animal he came across in his work. Truly one of the joys and gifts of all his writing.   

If Only They Could Talk, is a touching, funny and uplifting book. I loved it as a child and as a teenager, often reading deep into the night, way longer than I should have on a school night. I loved it even more as an adult, picking up more on the nuances of life as a vet and the challenges, joy and frustration it would bring. It can be read on many levels, appealing to animal lovers, depicting life as a young vet, and for anyone seeking an escape into the 1930's Yorkshire countryside along with a young vet making his way in the world. 

Whatever age and stage of life I have been when I read the book it has made me laugh and cry every time. There were times I quietly smiled and times I felt it pull at my heart. The book appreciates the special bonds we can develop with animals and recognises those deep enduring feelings. It brings to life the struggles of farming life, making a living in harsh conditions and of being a pet owner with the deep bonds and emotions that prevail.

It depicts clearly and without pretension or hubris what it was like for a country vet in the 1930s in North Yorkshire including the joys and sorrows, the successes and failures and slowly becoming a part of the landscape he worked within.

 

Overall If Only They Could Talk available at Amazon, is a beautiful book, a timeless classic I have enjoyed reading and rereading for decades and I would highly recommend it. As his first book as a published author, I think he writes very well, easy enough for older children to read, yet there are I think deeper levels to recognise as an adult. If you have enjoyed the TV series then do read the book which has the scope and time to go into more detail. 

Reviewing Our Visit To James Herriot Country Thirsk North Yorkshire UK

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Grampa's Weeder Review

Weeds! Weeds! Go away! The bane of flower beds, vegetable gardens, container gardens, pathways and walkways are the weeds that multiple overnight. One day a sprout of a weed turns into a monster with tough and tangly roots with no signs of abating. Grampa's Weeder to the rescue for easy and efficient weed removal.

After a very prolific spring weeding season it was apparent that the family had a distinct lack of interest in the labor involved with weed removal. It wasn't the labor or lack of interest but the labor as in who wants to constantly do toe to hand to foot battle with weeds and weeding utensils.

Grampa's Weeder is a tool that promises to be "Easy & Simple Weeding Tool That Saves Your Back & Knees With Grampa's 45" Stand Up Bamboo Long Handle. Remove Weeds Without Bending, Pulling, Or Kneeling." True? I was definitely swayed by the 4.5 / 5 stars of over 39,000 ratings prior to purchase.

Yes! True! This old school tool makes weeding so quick and easy. By simply stepping on the foot lever the claws dig into the soil and find the roots. 

How Does the Weeder Work?

Very simple. Position the claw in the middle of the weed so the claw will be grabbing the weed and the roots. If the weed is very large with strong roots (ie a very mature dandelion), you may want to use two attempts. This tool works best on size medium and up weeds, but I did try the tool on smaller weeds too and was successful.

Press into ground by stepping on the foot lever.

Then lean the tool forward or to the side to loosen the roots.

Simple! It really is.

Pros

• Easy to Use
• Four Claw Design to seek roots
• Old school weeder design with the added foot lever
• Remove weeds by standing
• Foot lever very easy to use
• The roots stay in the claw until manually released which ensures proper disposal
• Solid construction

Cons

I didn't find any, only a note. The overall weight of the tool is not light; I'd consider it midweight in that if you desire to flip the tool upside down to remove the weed/weed roots from the claw which is totally optional.

I highly recommend this tool. While price is subjective, at this price point, I would expect the tool to deliver as promised or the tool would be returned. Happy to report Grampa's Weeder is a keeper. 

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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Check Out Pantone's Color of the Year 2023 - Magenta

Hey there, fellow color enthusiasts! Today let's dive into Pantone's captivating color of the year —Magenta. What a great color! Magenta is basically the colors red and purple mixed together.

Have you ever encountered a color with a certain spark, an irresistible allure? Magenta is one of those colors. 

The History of Magenta

Magenta has a fascinating history that traces back to the ancient Persians, who used a fuchsia dye from the mallow plant to dye their clothes. Isn't it incredible how colors carry stories from the past? It's like a piece of cultural heritage infused into our modern lives. 

The Qualities of Magenta

For me, magenta embodies a captivating mix of qualities. 

It's like the love child of red and purple, blending the fiery passion of red with the spiritual depth of purple. Imagine Love being a touch of artistic flair and warmth with a hint of enchantment. That's magenta for you. 

Magenta is like a burst of creative energy but with warmth and calmness mixed in. It is a soothing color, especially in home decor. Below there's a link to various magenta-colored items for the home; be sure to check it out.

Magenta Plays Nice With Other Colors

Now, let's talk about the magic when magenta meets other colors. I've discovered some delightful combinations that have stolen my heart. Picture magenta and teal together. 

The coolness of teal complements the warmth of magenta, creating a visually striking partnership. 

When magenta joins forces with lime green, it's like a burst of vibrant energy. The freshness of lime green adds an invigorating touch to magenta's intensity. It's like sipping a zesty, colorful cocktail for the eyes.

But if you're into a more classic and sophisticated vibe, magenta can hold its own with black and white. It becomes the focal point, the center of attention. The contrast between magenta's vibrancy and the timeless elegance of black and white creates a captivating visual dynamic. 

Check out How Nicely Magenta Goes With Teal!

To wrap it up, magenta holds a special place in my heart. It's a color that invites me to embrace my creativity, express myself boldly, especially in home decor, and relax in its calming nature. 

Go ahead and explore the magic of magenta for yourself. Let it infuse your life with its vivacity and charm. Paint, wear, and decorate with it—whatever speaks to your soul. And remember, the world of colors is vast and beautiful, waiting to be explored one hue at a time.

Magenta Home Decor Product Ideas

Magenta actually comes in many shades; you can check out the various Magenta items for the home here - bedding, lamps, rugs, and more.

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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