![]() |
Missing- a perfect vacation-a perfect nightmare |
Synopsis
About the Author
- No Way Home
- Escaping Home
- Finding Home
- Run
- Passport to Terror
![]() |
Missing- a perfect vacation-a perfect nightmare |
“Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.” That is the refrain from the classic children’s story, Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág.
There is something comforting about the aroma of freshly-baked bread in the kitchen. Now imagine the same scent, but with melted cheddar cheese and fresh herbs.
We love freshly-baked bread in the fall, and I like to try different ingredients. I found a recipe for this cheddar cheese bread and decided to make some additions to it with the herbs.
![]() |
Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread Reviewed |
My son recently gave to me a handmade, beautiful and thoughtful gift. He had purchased a handmade wood crochet hook with a metal tip. Exactly the type of crochet hook I have grown to love. This crochet hook was made by A Couple 2 Tree and my son found them at a booth during the Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2025.
The crochet hook my son chose for me is a combination wood and epoxy handle with a commercial made metal tip. The wood is light colored. The epoxy appeared only white to me initially. But I quickly discovered that it has a very subtle glimmer. A glimmer that reminds me of the Aurora Borealis or the Milky Way. All of you who know me, know that I do not gravitate toward big bling or neon bright colors. But I love a subtle sparkle, like the sheen of a peacock's chest feathers and dragon fly wings.
With this thicker epoxy and wooden handle, it is easier for me to use for longer periods of time. This would make a great gift for folks with grip difficulties such as arthritis. The epoxy and wood are smooth and silky, but not slippery. I am currently using this hook for a project and find it to be very comfortable.
In addition to wood-handled crochet hooks, A Couple 2 Tree also offers other great gift items:
The combinations of wood, metal, epoxy, and fractal burning make unique, one-of-a-kind items that are unique gifts.
This small business, according to social media and website information, has been a small, part time hobby/passion for years and has just begun to turn toward full time. I celebrate that leap of faith and following a passion. A Couple 2 Tree appears to have offered the majority of their items during fairs and festivals. They do have a website and an Instagram page. If you don't see a large selection, or the item you would like, on the website I encourage you to leave a message. When I had left a message, I received a response that same day (despite it being during the time they were at the Renaissance Faire)
There is only one thing that I might (or might not) like added to my next A couple 2 Tree crochet hook. Because of the handmade handle, the spot where the metal crochet hook size is usually displayed is covered. Perhaps, if the size of the hook (for example, a US hook size is "G") could somehow be stamped into the flat end of the handle, it would be useful and wouldn't mar the beautiful aesthetics of the rest of the handle. But perhaps, it would mar the appearance of the handle. Or make a roughness that would snag my yarn. I am not familiar with epoxy so I'm not sure if the size could be place there discreetly or not. However, unlike very experienced crocheters I cannot determine the size of the hook by sight alone. I have to hold it up to other crochet hooks for comparison in order to remember which size this is.
Fortunately, my son reported that he spoke with the helpful folks with A Couple 2 Tree, who helped determine which sizes of yarn I most often use (worsted) and the size hook that I most use.
For more information:
Check out the A Couple 2 Tree website for https://amzn.to/47wsiepmore information.
I am very hopeful that you will support this small business owner with his wood shop business. However, I realize that some folks prefer using Amazon. In that case, there are many Wood Crochet Hooks to choose from.
If you’re planning a retro-themed party, celebrating a birthday for someone who grew up in the 1970s—or even the late 1960s—I’ve got a little something that can add some fun and laughter to the mix.
I created a special 1970s Riddles playlist on YouTube, and it’s the perfect, uncomplicated game to keep your guests entertained while maintaining a light, family-friendly, and just a touch nostalgic vibe.
The playlist is made up of 14 short-form Riddle videos (soon to be 15), each one inspired by the 1970s. What’s great about these Riddles is that they’re super quick—you won’t get bogged down with long explanations.
And to keep it fun, the answers aren’t shown on the Riddle itself; instead, I post them in the first comment. This way, everyone can guess first, then pause or peek at the answer when they’re ready.
It’s simple, interactive, and perfect for sparking a little friendly competition at your party.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a retro birthday bash, a casual family get-together, or even a holiday party over Christmas or New Year’s, these Riddles are a playful way to bring a little 1970s flair into the room.
Seniors and older adults especially seem to enjoy the nostalgic references, but honestly, anyone can have fun trying to solve them.
It’s one of those games that doesn’t require any preparation, props, or complicated rules—just laughter and a willingness to play along.
Watching is easy.
You can go directly to the playlist on YouTube from your TV if it has the YouTube app.
Or, if you’re like me and want to control it from your phone, you can screen it to your TV—so you can pause, rewind, or skip around as needed.
Either way, it’s a smooth, low-effort way to add a little interactive fun to your party setup.
And because these Riddles are short, you can sprinkle them in between songs, serve snacks, or even use them as a light-hearted icebreaker.
Each Riddle takes just seconds to watch and guess, but it’s enough to get people chatting, laughing, and reminiscing about the good old days.
Why I Made This Playlist
As the creator of these Riddles, I wanted something that would combine my love for clever wordplay with a bit of nostalgia.
The 1970s had such a vibrant, unique culture—music, fashion, movies, and trends that still bring a smile today.
I thought, why not create a playlist that’s more than just music —a little game that taps into that decade and lets people connect over memories, laughs, and fun challenges?
Ready to Play?
If you’re curious or want to bring some retro fun to your next party, check out the 1970s Riddles playlist on YouTube. With 14 (soon to be 15) short videos, each with answers conveniently in the comments, it’s a ready-to-go party game that works for families, friends, and guests of any age.
It’s a light, playful way to get people talking, laughing, and maybe even singing along to some memories from the era. And even if your party isn’t specifically retro-themed, the Riddles are still a fun little brain teaser for anyone who enjoys a clever twist on nostalgia.
So grab your snacks, cue up the playlist, and get ready for some 1970s Riddle fun—you might just discover that retro game nights aren’t just for kids anymore!
Hosting a Halloween Party? Here's my Halloween Riddle Book on Amazon, Where Available - Featuring original riddles! Ideal for party gifts & prizes!
A new baseball season is about to begin. To Decoy, a Dutch Kooikerhondje breed known as a duck decoy dog, the baseball stadium has everything a dog loves ~ hot dogs, the biggest back yard ever, and thousands of human friends. Decoy knows he is going to have the best day ever! He’s been chosen to throw out the first pitch on this baseball Opening Day and make his ‘dog dad’ (famous baseball star Shohei Ohtani) proud.
Oh No! Decoy forgot and left his lucky baseball at home. How is he going to throw out the first pitch without it? Can he run back home, get his ball and get back to the stadium in time?
The well-known Japanese baseball star, Shohei Ohtani, along with his dog, Decoy, support animal rescue organizations. They hope to use the profits of their debut story to help dogs find their forever homes. Shohei and Decoy are working to help real-life animals in need.
You can pre-order “Decoy Saves Opening Day” here on Amazon.
Note: Decoy actually DID throw out the first pitch. As the first dog to ever do so, Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch to Ohtani on their shared Bobblehead night on 8/28/2024. This is no doubt the cutest pitch you will ever see. Decoy definitely steals the show! Watch the YouTube Video below:
*Book Review of "Decoy Saves Opening Day" is written by Wednesday Elf
Whether you are planning a Halloween party, or simply want to send a special treat in your child's school lunchbox or backpack, Halloween straws and pencils make fun surprises.
When my children were in school, I always sought out fun and unique surprises to include in their lunchboxes. Halloween straws were an absolute must and a fun way to celebrate Halloween all month long. I normally sent disposable straws to school so they didn't need to keep up with them, but we also had specialty washable & reusable straws at home for after school. I still have Halloween straws in my kitchen drawer and pull them out to use just for fun. Our favorites were always the pumpkins or bats, but I know my family would love the little ghosts or black cats too.
In addition to straws in their lunchboxes, I loved giving them Halloween pencils to use during the month of October. Of course, I always made sure to purchase #2 pencils in accordance with classroom requirements. It has been many years since they were in elementary school, but I still have a few orange pencils in the school supply drawer in our home. Now they are mementos, but in years past, they were a fun and unique surprise during school days.
Here are a few examples of fun Halloween #2 pencils for school and disposable straws, or reusable straws, for a child's lunchbox or after school.
Halloween Themed 16 Pencils with 16 Giant Eraser Toppers in Assorted DesignsCheck Price MEAXUR 24pcs Halloween Party Favor Castle Bat Pumpkin Ghost Cat Witch Spider Pattern Reusable Straight StrawsCheck Price HANSGO Halloween Paper Straws, 180PCS Paper Drinking StrawsCheck Price
Okay, okay, I have more than one favorite item in the kitchen, but for purposes of this review I'm sticking my neck out and picking my go-to item.
Now, just to be certain, coffee makers are not included here because that is my all time favorite kitchen gadget all year around. Without my "rocket fuel" also known as coffee, this person would not be able to function. Maybe that's because of my Brazilian roots, who knows for sure?
So back to the most favorite kitchen gadget for 2025 and beyond! I'll fill you in on all the reasons why this great item made the top of my list.
The WINNER in my books has got to be the INSTAPOT!
Did you guess this or is it a surprise? There could have been many different items here, but this one tops my list. The reasons are simple.
This particular Instapot can easily make dinner for one, two or more people. Or you can make enough for two days, especially when the weather is super warm. If you have a small family you could get the 3 quart size and if you have a larger family there is even an 8 quart sized Instapot. We have a 6 quart sized one and find that it is perfect even though there are only two of us in the household. It also seems that this is the favorite size as it is an Amazon Choice product.
So here are some of the features according to the Product Description.
Cleaning the Instapot is easy too, the face of the pot just needs a wipe down after use with warm soapy water. Rinse and it's done!
So there you have it folks. All my reasons why this has become my favorite Kitchen Gadget for 2025 and beyond!
Of course my Coffee Maker will remain in top spot for beverages, but the Instapot is #1 for everything else!
First let's look at the colors we'll be seeing more of this year:
Bold Monochrome is set to be big for people looking to make a dramatic themed tree - black and white is the main palette, but you could also do a red and white tree. This look also looks good if you combine another trend for 2025 - oversized ornaments - using a few on your tree will help create even more drama.
Mixed Metallics are also big - metallics have been on trend for a few years now, but in 2025 it's all about mixing them - gold, silver, copper and bronze (even adding in champagne - not a metallic, but a great color to add to them). Add a mix of shiny, matte and glitter finishes to add dimension to your tree. This is a very luxe tree theme.
Pastels & Playful Candy Colors are also back in 2025 for a whimsical Christmas tree. Think blush pink, lavender, mint and pale blue. Balance these ornaments out with white Christmas ornaments. You can add candy ornaments for a playful tree.
To see the full range of colors for 2025 check out The Christmas Ornament Color Trends Guide.
Layered Textures - in 2025 it's all about textures so think velvet ornaments, feathers, beaded ornaments and sequins. Layering lots of textures on the tree will add depth and richness which can result in a very glamorous looking tree.
Make sure you alternate textures so no two similar ornaments sit next to each other, adding sprays and feathers as well as your ornaments will really help to bring this tree together beautifully. This works very well with colors like emerald green and burgundy.
Transparent Glass Ornaments - glass ornaments filed with glitter, snow or tiny trinkets are very trendy in 2025 and are perfect for an elegant or minimalist Christmas tree. Buy your own fillable ornaments and add small trinkets that are personal to you or small models of something pertaining to a hobby or a place you've traveled to. This also makes the tree more personal to you and leans into another trend for 2025.
These ornaments are great as they reflect light around the tree so you can combine them with fairy lights and silver ornaments to help add an ethereal glow.
Handmade Touches are huge in Christmas ornaments this year as sustainability continues to influence Christmas decoration. If you're no good at making ornaments yourself you can find rustic wooden stars and felt animals to purchase and still stay on trend when you hang them on the tree!
These handmade or natural ornaments are perfect for a rustic or farmhouse themed tree. You can even get the kids involved and make paper chains or paper snowflakes to adorn your tree.
Check out the full list of 2025's Top Ornament Trends for Christmas.
Here's a couple of sets that can help you shop the trends:
![]() |
Pastel Christmas Ornament Set from Amazon |
The set above hits one of the color trends of 2025 - pastels as well as also hitting the layered textures trend as well. A perfect set to add to your tree in order to update your look.
![]() |
Black & White Ornament Set from Amazon |
The set above is all you need for the bold monotone themed tree - it even includes a tree topper.
I hope you've enjoyed looking at the top Christmas ornament trends for 2025, let me know if you'll be following any of these trends or not.
Most Recent Reviews on Review This Reviews
The Review This Reviews Contributors
Sylvestermouse
Dawn Rae B
MbgPhoto
Brite-Ideas
Wednesday Elf
Olivia Morris
Treasures by Brenda
The Savvy Age
Margaret Schindel
Raintree Annie
Lou16
Sam Monaco
Tracey Boyer
Cheryl Paton
Renaissance Woman
BarbRad
Bev Owens
BuckHawk
Decorating for Events
Heather426
Coletta Teske
MissMerFaery
Mickie_G
Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor
We may be apart, but
You Are Not Forgotten
“As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and or Etsy (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from purchases.” Disclosure Statement