Reviewing What Makes a Great Bowl Cozy

Over the years I've often had a Bowl Cozy in my kitchen. Some I've loved and some were so annoying that they simply weren't used. Bowl Cozies are similar to a hot pad and are used to help you safely handle your bowl of soup, chili, or other hot items. They are quilted pieces of fabric and feel as though they have at least three layers - similar to a hot pad or a quilt. Whether you've ladled your meal from the pot on the stove or are removing your re-heated leftovers from the microwave, you know that those bowls can become uncomfortably hot to the touch. Sometimes, dangerously too hot to handle.

As autumn erases the last chance of warm summer weather, I knew it wouldn't be much longer until I wouldn't be eating meals on deck. So I grabbed my new Bowl Cozy from LoudBrightandHappy, scooped up some steaming hot Impossibly Easy Beef Pot Pie and headed out to the deck.  I am so pleased with my new Bowl Cozy set that I decided to tell you about them.

While I use my Bowl Cozy for hot dishes, my friend has also used his favorite bowl cozy for his daily serving of ice cream. He loves ice cream but does not like to feel the cold bowl. So he keeps his hands warm with the bowl cozy. And I never thought to ask, but I wonder if the bowl cozy also slows the melting of the ice cream since the cozies add some insulation to the bowl. 

My new set of Bowl Cozies came from a shop on Etsy called LoudBrightandHappy. While you can find a Bowl Cozy at many places online, in brick-and-mortar stores, and at craft festivals there are many different versions and I'm just not happy with some of them.

I do not want a Bowl Cozy that is too flat. If it is, I might as well use a regular, square hot pad. I want my Bowl Cozy to hug the bowl.  I want my Bowl Cozy to wrap around my bowl - whether my bowl is a small bowl that comes with most tableware or one of my larger ceramic or polish pottery bowls (think larger spaghetti or salad bowl). However, I don't want my Bowl Cozy to be so large that it flops over into the bowl. And speaking of flopping, I want my Bowl Cozy to have some structure to it: I like when a Bowl Cozy is able to stand on it's own. You'll see that my new Bowl Cozy is made in such a way that the corners automatically tip out and away from my food. 

All of those boxes are checked with my new Bowl Cozies from LoudBrightandHappy Etsy store.

• well-made with evenly stitched/quilting lines
• a variety of beautiful colors and patterns to choose from
• large enough to cover my larger bowls
• Structured and solid; does not flop down into my bowl

And best of all, excellent customer service. I ordered hand-made Bowl Cozies that were already created. They arrived quickly and with a receipt that included the photo of the item I ordered. 

I couldn't be more thrilled with my new Bowl Cozies. If you've never heard of a Bowl Cozy, you may want to see what they are all about. If you already know and love them, I highly recommend the Bowl Cozy Selection at LoudBrightandHappy. 

photo taken from above - looking down into the "bowl"

If you prefer shopping on Amazon as opposed to Etsy, you can see some Bowl Cozies here. I have not purchased any from Amazon so you'll have to check the reviews there.

PS. With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays fast approaching, I want to add that a Bowl Cozy makes a GREAT gift. The variety of patterns can make a Bowl Cozy a more personal gift. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Life Tips From Grandparents to Teenage or Adult Grandchildren in a Fun Activity Book

This is More Than Just a Word Search Book

This isn't your typical word-find book; it's a cherished gift that I personally designed for grandparents to give to their grandchildren. 

It's a treasure trove of life's wisdom cleverly hidden in fun word search puzzles.

Why I Created This Grandparent Gift for Teenage and Adult Grandchildren

I personally made this special gift of wisdom for teenage and adult children as a way to share valuable life advice with our grandchildren. 

I know how challenging it can be to have meaningful conversations with our grandchildren, especially when families live far apart. 

My thought process was also that searching for these words of wisdom in an affordable, fun activity book would make it easier to absorb and retain.

📖 A Glimpse of Grandparent Wisdom Puzzle Topics: 

Here are ten shortened recaps of the 60 puzzle topics that offer valuable life lessons delivered from a grandparent's perspective:

1. Honesty Matters: Building trust and stronger relationships.
2. Authenticity: Understanding yourself and your values.
3. Challenge Yourself: Expanding your horizons.
4. Own Your Words: The power of choosing your words wisely.
5. Persistence Pays: Never give up on what's worth it.
6. Choose Your Battles: Avoiding unnecessary stress and conflict.
7. Happiness Comes From Within Finding joy within.
8. Live a Balanced Life: Staying centered in life.
9. How to Handle Life When It Becomes Difficult.
10. Generous Acts: Ways to be generous without money.
11. MORE, Much More....

📚 A Wealth of Word Search Puzzles: The book features 60 unique word search puzzles, encompassing 1440 meaningful words and phrases to discover. Each puzzle contains 24 associated phrases related to its title.

🧩 Unlock Clustered Wisdom: Solving these puzzles is more than just finding words; it's discovering insightful clusters of message phrases hidden within the puzzle. This allows your grandchildren to reflect on each phrase's meaning before finding it, leaving a lasting impression.

⏰ A Fun Challenge: Turn this gift into a timed game! Challenge your grandkids, family, or friends to complete puzzles as fast as they can. There is a place to write down the start and finish times on each puzzle. 

💌 From the Heart: The book starts with a heartfelt letter explaining why grandparents want their grandchildren to have this special gift.

📝 There is also a Place to Write Your Own Personal Message: There's a space for you to write your personal message to your grandchild, sharing your wisdom, love, and cherished memories. 

📚 Easy Reading & Good Clean Family Fun: Each puzzle has its own page for easy reading, and the answers are at the back of the book. All of the message words are family-friendly.

This personally created word search book is a treasure chest of experiences waiting to be unlocked. It connects generations and creates lasting memories.

Give your grandchild the gift of wisdom, love, and quality time with this enjoyable activity book, where they can gain valuable life advice from their grandparents. You'll love it!

It's Available on Amazon

More Activity Book Ideas by StumpedBooks

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Being Dead is No Excuse – A Cookbook Review

 

The official Southern ladies guide to hosting the perfect funeral. 

The Southern Cookbook to Die For

Being Dead is No Excuse is a cookbook compiled by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays filled with true Southern recipes for hosting an authentic Southern funeral.

Each chapter in the book includes those Southern-style recipes necessary if you plan to die tastefully (tongue-in-cheek pun here) any time soon. A definite 'must-have' cookbook throughout the Mississippi Delta where there is a strong sense of community, and being dead is no hindrance to belonging to it. 

At Southern funerals, everybody is obsessed with the notion that there won't be enough food and out-of-town guests will go away hungry (Sally Stephens is out of town, so who's going to bring stuffed eggs?). They don't want another death brought on by starvation!  At Delta funerals Campbell's cream-of-mushroom soup drenches fresh vegetables. If you wonder why this is so, you have to realize that it acts “As An Extender”. LOL.

The most humorous cookbook I have ever read, plus some fun recipes to try whether you are Southern or not. A Mississippi Delta funeral needs comfort foods, proper etiquette, and, of course, The Restorative Cocktail?  (What does one do when a family gets three sheets to the wind and eats the entire feast the night before a funeral?)

From the Southern-style Green-bean Casserole (like stuffed eggs and pimiento cheese, it's a standard at Delta Funerals – because we've been deprived of fat, salt, and sugar too long - think bacon drippings in the ingredients!) to Cheese Grits to Beef Tenderloin (or the alternative Pork Tenderloin), ham, and chicken, tons of Southern dishes make their way to the table. Don't forget the Homemade Vegetable Soup – a favorite comfort food served with corn bread. Or the Liketa Died Potatoes – a true Southern favorite (made with corn flakes, hash browns, cheddar cheese soup and sour cream). And, naturally, the funeral meal wouldn't be complete without Mary Mills Chocolate Sheet Cake. 

Summary

A girlfriend gifted me with this cookbook several years ago when I was living in the South, and just reading the chapters will have you laughing uproariously. And the recipes themselves are deliciously delightful. The perfect cookbook for a true Southern send-off! 

Being Dead is No Excuse Cookbook is available here on Amazon

*For more Cookbook Reviews, click here.

*Review of the cookbook Being Dead is No Excuse, written by Wednesday Elf

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Extreme Heat Resistant Gloves for Baking, Cooking or Grilling Reviewed

My son recently gave me a pair of extreme heat resistant gloves to use when I am baking or cooking in the oven.  I immediately loved them for the exact same reason I prefer gloves over mitts in outdoor wear.  I have the use of my fingers which means I can get a better grip on ovenware.

Plus, the gloves come far enough up my arm that they prevent burns to my wrists.  Previously, that was not a problem.  However, when we were forced to purchase a new oven a few years back, I quickly realized the racks inside the oven were set in slightly different places then they were in my old oven.  I found that out when I burned my wrist on the center rack, twice, because it sits a little higher.  Of course, I know that now, but it is nice to have the added protection provided by these new oven gloves. 

He gave me the blue gloves because my favorite color is blue. I also like the "flowing water" design on the gloves.  They are also available in orange or red, which resemble fire.

The gloves are one size which means the glove fingers are longer than my fingers, but that is okay.  It actually offers room for my long finger nails.

The construction of these gloves is impressive!  The black fabric is aramid fiber, which is better known as Kevlar, the trademarked name of the same fiber made by Dupont.  The blue design is made of silicone and the gloves have a cotton lining on the inside for comfort.

The makers do give the warning that the gloves are made for heat resistance, not flame or hot liquid.   

 

Extreme Heat Resistant Gloves for Cooks

 Extreme Heat Resistant BBQ Grill Gloves, Oven Mitts, Protection Up to 1472°F, Aramid Fiber, Non-Slip SiliconeCheck Price I would recommend these gloves to anyone who cooks.  I have used oven mitts my entire life, but I much prefer the freedom of dexterity offered by gloves.  I also like the non-slip silicone design that allows me to get a better grip on bakeware. 

• Extreme Heat Resistant up to 1472°F/800°C 
• Grill or Oven Use
  
• Non-slip, 2 Sided Silicone Coverage 
• Made of Aramid Fiber
• Cotton Liner
• Long Sleeve Length for Added Protection
  
• Loop for Hanging
  
• Washable:  Machine or Hand 
• Hang to Dry 

 

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Extreme Heat Resistant Gloves for Baking, Cooking or Grilling Reviewed by:

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The Beauty Doctor, Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard ~ A Book Review

The Beauty Doctor is a work of fiction set in the early 1900's when the medical field was in it's infancy.  Regulatory bodies were not yet in place and quackery abounded.

It was also a time of social upheaval as well.  Women were just starting to demand attention not only for their family ties, but also for their own inherent worth as individuals.  It was a time when the old and the new were very much at loggerheads with each other and social status was not the defining standard.

Many people  made fortunes selling snake oils that promised all kinds of magical results and often times these potions and lotions were causing some very serious problems. 

European trends on what constituted beauty abounded.  Hence some very unsavory characters who called themselves "Doctor",  managed to make themselves known to those who were wealthy and could afford their services.  Working on these women's weaknesses was what worked for them.  Subtle and sometimes not so subtle augmentation could make a woman feel beautiful and therefore much more attractive to her peer group.  

The Beauty Doctor is the story of a young woman (Abigail), whose father was a decent doctor, and in whose footsteps she had hoped to follow.  She routinely would aid her father when he made house calls and became quite efficient and proficient at many of the tasks she assisted with.  What she needed now was the proper education to continue in her quest to become a doctor in truth.  Alas, such was not to be the case, Abigail's father has died and her mother remarried.  The new step father was not adverse to make lewd advances to his beautiful new step-daughter.

Stunned by this turn of events in her life, she decides to leave home and ask a friend for sanctuary.  Arthur has taken her into his home.  Being part of  New York society at that time, it was only shortly after her arrival in the Hennessy Family that Arthur  knew he would have to propose so that the family could keep their heads held high in their social circle.  Again Abigail's life is taking a turn she did not wish for herself.  She wants to become a doctor and has to find a way to do just that.

At the party to introduce Abigail to the rest of New York society, Abigail finds herself seated next to Dr. Franklin Rome, who is accompanying another wealthy socialite  to this affair.  He has a way about him. ""Beauty is power," Dr. Rome told her. "And with enough power, one can achieve anything."  And here the plot thickens.  Abigail sees a possibility that might just get her out of this engagement and further her own desires.

What follows is a twisting and turning story of her introduction to what we know today as cosmetic surgery.

This book was a very interesting story and you could picture yourself watching these lives unfold.  What lengths some people would go through for their own sometimes perverse ideas of what human beauty should be and look like.  I'm sure you will find it interesting and thought provoking.  So many ideas being put forth by the new medical establishment and funded by those who have the money to do so.  

This book certainly makes you see what was possible in an unregulated profession such as medicine was and why it's a good thing that regulations are in place today. It's a history lesson that I won't forget anytime soon for sure.

For anyone who enjoys historical novels and the development of society as we know it today, this book will surely be a hit.  The Beauty Doctor scores more than 4 out of 5 stars on it's Amazon ratings.

I was given an advanced copy of the second edition by #booksirens.com in exchange for my honest review,

I would not hesitate to recommend this as a great book to read and/or enjoy with a book club.  It certainly makes you stop and think!

  

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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