Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed

I enjoy cooking for my family.  Like most of us, I prefer recipes that are fast and easy.  Fortunately, I am surrounded by people who appreciate my effort, my recipes and seem to sincerely like the meals placed before them. 

I readily admit that I play in the kitchen.  I play with recipes by changing the ingredients to suit my families tastes.  I play with cupcakes, cookies, desserts, etc, because I enjoy decorating the food.  I mess around with it until I get the desired effect.  

I also enjoy the company of other family members in the kitchen. So much so, that I consider us playing in the kitchen. Since I began writing articles online, I have been periodically sharing highlights of our kitchen adventures so you and your family can be encouraged to "play" in the kitchen. In this article, I will provide links to the different easy recipes and fun articles that I have published. 

I consider that my Recipe for Making Memories in the Kitchen. So, without further ado, let the games begin!   

 

My Own Personal Roast Recipe

This recipe is the result of trial and error.  I just kept playing with different ideas until I found a tasty, tender way to cook a roast in the oven. 

It has become a family favorite and I have allowed it to be published in several charity cookbooks over the last 40 years, but it is still my own original recipe.  Although I was very young when I developed this recipe, I still cook my roast the same way today.

Published on Cooking for the Holidays

 

Having Fun in the Kitchen

I started cooking when I was a child and still living at home with my parents. My sister and I both helped in the kitchen and it was not unusual for us to have real, honest to goodness food fights with the leftovers. We frequently made mashed potato balls and hurled them through the air at each other or any unsuspecting individual who entered the kitchen. We flung spaghetti noodles against the wall and said we were testing it to see if it was done. By dinnertime, there would be 10 or 12 noodles hanging from the wall on spaghetti night.

While I still enjoy throwing pasta noodles against the wall, I have found that test does not work with pasta shells. No matter how many pasta shells I have thrown against the wall, none have ever stuck. Perhaps someday one will stick. I'll just have to keep testing them.

This easy pasta recipe is also shared on Cooking for the Holidays and, if you click it, the link will take you to that website. 

Easy Pasta Recipe - A Family Favorite for Dinner or Side Dish

 

More Easy Dinner Recipes featured on CookingForTheHolidays.com

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Easy Salmon Loaf Patties Recipe How to Bake Potatoes Chicken Enchiladas Recipe How to Bake a Turkey Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Instant Pot Recipe Homemade Barbeque Recipe for the Best BBQ Sandwiches

 

Click Here for More Dinner Recipes

 

Playing with Ingredients

Working in the kitchen with my sister was fun. We occasionally experimented with the food. Sometimes we would put a little extra pepper in one of our brothers' bowls of stew or add a little something extra to spice up their lives and the dinner table. Oddly enough, the boys consumed whatever we fed them and much to our distress, rarely noticed a difference. I only remember one brother gagging on hot barbecue sauce and believe it or not, we were not responsible.

Of course, there are the recipes from my mother and grandmother that I have never played with, never changed and never shared except on websites I own. My motto for this group of recipes is "you can't improve on perfection, so why try!" 

Directions for making the pizza pictured on right, can be found at Halloween Haven

 

Playing with Your Food Recipes 

These are some of my favorite recipes. They are really step by step instructions on decorating, so I call it playing with my food. Sometimes making these special treats can be messy, but they are always fun as you create your own original work of food art. 

Don't just make these treats alone to serve to your family. Grab your child, your husband, your sister, your mother or even your father and make these treats with your family!  

To see some of my favorite fun food articles, simply click the source link below each photo. That will take you directly to the recipe and tutorials for creating your own fun food.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 How to Decorate Panda Cupcakes How to Decorate a Snake Cake How to Make Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes 4th of July Party Flag Cake Recipe How to Decorate Snowman Cupcakes How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Train Cake How to Make a Cupcake Pumpkin Cake

 

Teaching an Old Dog, New Tricks

I am happy to say that I married a man who enjoys messing around in the kitchen too! The Breakfast Buddy featured below is his delicious creation and when I wanted to learn how to grill, I asked him to teach me. He has always made the most incredible steaks! In the article below, I share his secrets as I take you step by step through my own "grilling" education.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Breakfast "Buddy" Sandwich How to Grill the Perfect Steaks Cooking Hamburgers on an Indoor Grill

 

Special Treat and Finger Food Recipes

My family loves fruit and chocolate so it only seems natural for me to dip fruit in chocolate. Once I started dipping fruit, it was impossible to stop! I think I dipped every type of fruit we had in the house, then ran to the grocery store for more. Of course, then I wrote an article about each one.

Here is my collection of dipped fruit recipes. Be very careful though. Chocolate dipped fruit can be very addictive!

Photo Linked to Recipe

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 Chocolate Covered Fruit DIY Recipes

Taking Care of the Cook 

Over the years, I have learned many things about cooking, about family and about fun. The most important thing I have learned, is that the three things go together. Have fun cooking with your family. 

I watched my grandmother and my mother work in the kitchen during every holiday for decades. Too often, they missed out on the fun simply because the party was happening in another room. 

I believe in bringing the party to the kitchen, enlisting help and taking care of the cook. Perhaps, I see it more clearly because now I am the cook, but I love to share ideas with others about how to have more fun with your family, instead of working alone in the kitchen. Believe me, you can create your own load of memories in the kitchen by simply letting others help in the kitchen. 

 

A Lot of Good Food and A Load of Memories 

I think it is because of my experiences and our experiments in the kitchen when I was a child, that I approach the kitchen with humor now. I still cook the old standards passed down from my great grandmother, grandmother and mother, but I enjoy creating new treats for my family too and it is even better when I get "help." 

Over the years, a lot of good food and a load of memories have been made in our kitchen! 

 

Easy Dessert Recipes 

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Easy Strawberry Trifle Easy Blackberry Cobbler

 

Candy Recipe 

I am not going to tell you this recipe is extremely easy. It seems easy to me because I have been making it for 40+ years, but making candy takes a bit of practice to perfect. 

While I try to walk viewers through the process with photos, I know this is something that is simply learned by trial and error because the outcome when making candy depends so much on the climate of the day, as well as the altitude of a region. 

Here is my mother's Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe. I could never improve on this recipe.  It really is delicious! 

Photo Linked to Recipe

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 Peanut Butter Fudge

 

Easy Beverage Recipes

Take time to relax!  While the food is in the oven, or after all of the work is done,  sit back with your loved ones and enjoy a cup of tea, hot chocolate or perhaps a cool glass of lemonade.  These are the moments you will want to capture and hold for as long as you can.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Spice Tea Recipe Homemade Lemonade Recipe Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

 Chocolate Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe

 

For a Complete List of All of my Published Recipes
 Click Here to Visit the House of Sylvestermouse Recipes

Check Out More Recipe Reviews at
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Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed Written by:

 

 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2011 on a different site that no longer exists.
Unless otherwise noted with the individual photo, all Photos are mine and should not be used without written permission.
© Sylvestermouse 

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Piano Learning and Tips for Setup

I am actually relearning piano, and I'll share with you some background and tips for piano choice and setup.

Many years ago, I considered myself a beginner to beginner intermediate piano player. However, my piano became damaged, and there went my piano playing days.

Over 15 years later, I decided I wanted to play again and told my husband what I wanted for Christmas. I wanted an electric keyboard by Yamaha.

My very first piano was an upright piano that I saw at a garage sale. It was just up the street from me, and it was only $100. I hired some of my co-workers to pick it up and bring it to my house. Where they sat it is where it stayed for the length of time that I owned it. It was too heavy for even my husband and I to push together to have it straightened up with the wall. But that really didn't matter. I played it anyway. But the other thing about the upright piano, was that it required regular tuning. It was something that had to be done around quarterly. Perhaps it was its age, and also it was due to temperature changes with the seasons.

The electric piano that I got after that first piano, was a Clavinova by Yamaha. I really liked it. It had weighted keys, and pretty much played like a regular piano, and it didn't require any tuning. I bought this one from a music store, it was pre-internet days. It was built into its own stand and looked like a real piano. I probably had it around ten years or so. However, I had an elderly cat at the time that had peed on it. It affected the inner parts of the piano, and the repairman couldn't make the keys that were affected, make their normal piano sound again. I went piano-less for approximately 15 years.

Based on my previous experience, I knew I wanted an electric piano again. I was also impressed with Yamaha, and did some searches on that to see what was available. We decided on a Yamaha P143. This time, I wanted just the keyboard instead of having it built into the stand. I could have gotten this model with a stand that was specifically made for it. But I had noticed that there were stands that were adjustable and also piano benches that were adjustable too. I went the adjustable route, and am glad that I did.

As my husband and I got it set up, I remembered in my Book One piano book, about the proper way to set at the piano. The person's legs should be at a right angle from the bench, with their feet being flat on the floor. So we made adjustments to the bench first so that I could sit properly. From there, I positioned my arms as if I were playing, to determine the height of where the piano should sit on the adjustable stand. Voila, I had a piano and bench that were both at the right height for me. That is a God-send. My back is a lot more comfortable from what I remember it being from my earlier piano experiences.

Since it had been so long since my previous piano, I had gotten rid of my piano books. I wanted something without a lot of sharps and or flats, and chose a beginner level with Disney songs. I was plugging along, but soon realized that I needed a refresher, especially for the bass clef staff. It's not too late for me to relearn playing piano. : )

The same company that I had a lot of my teaching books from when I first learned piano, was still around. This time, they combined different lesson types into one book. In book one, they include both theory and solo. It has you start off playing using numbers to identify your fingers, and to play strings of notes and short songs using a number method. As you get practice with that, it then moves on to identifying the notes on the scales. I'm over half way through this first book and have ordered the second book. My skills and my confidence are both improving.

If you are thinking about getting a piano, I recommend first deciding on what is important to you, and also the amount of space that you have for a piano. The digital piano, for the most part, takes up less space. You can get keyboards with less keys even, or get a full size keyboard. If you are getting a digital piano, I also recommend getting a stand and a bench that can be adjusted. (Unless the standard height is already a perfect for you.) Digital pianos are also more portable, should you be in a band something, and need to transport it.

Some people still prefer the overall feel and sound of a regular (non-digital) piano. If you are leaning this way, I do recommend that you try out different models, both for the sound, and also for the comfort level. There are probably options out there that I may not be aware of; just check it out and see what works best for you.

The model that I got has ten different sounds that you can choose from, from basic piano, to grand piano, harpsichord, strings, and more. It's kind of nice to pick a different sound to play, especially if you want to practice the same song over repeatedly. : ) It also has a sustain pedal. You can see the Yamaha P143 digital keyboard and check the price on Amazon.

I chose the adjustable piano stand and bench by Liquid Stands, which is also on Amazon: Adjustable stand and bench combo. It took a bit of figuring it out on how to put these items together, but we got it done. Liquid Stands also included a number that one could call should they need help.

The beginner book that I got as a refresher is Alfred's Basic Piano Library, All in One Course. You can check out this beginner level piano book on Amazon. The pictures are for kids, but it still works.

There are also other Yamaha models to choose from on Amazon. All the best to you in finding the type of piano that works best for you and the tunes and lessons too.

Cheryl Paton

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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Reviewing AEAC Smart Watch for Women

This is the display I use on my watch

My lovely husband got me the AEAC Smart Watch for Christmas and I love it. I really wanted a watch with a pedometer so that I could easily track my steps, but this one does so much more.

This watch looks like an expensive brand, but if you have an Amazon Prime account it's very affordable.

When you get the watch you will first have to download the app on your phone and then it's time to get acquainted with your watch.

For full disclosure: this watch does a lot of things that I have not used as I didn't want to give it a lot of permissions - I have allowed it to send my SMS messages to my watch, but no other notifications & I didn't allow calls to come through.

You can choose to have it display in 12 or 24 hour time and there's a selection of different displays you can choose from.

I wear it night and day and it needs to be recharged about every 6 days. 

The main reason I got it was for tracking my steps which it does really well, you can set targets for yourself, but be warned it will vibrate your wrist when you hit them - this gave me a fright the first time it happened!

One feature which I didn't think I would need was the find phone one, one week of wearing the watch and I did misplace my phone (very unusual for me) so I pressed the button on my watch and it caused my phone to ring. This only works if you do not have your phone on silent.

A feature I have found very interesting is the sleep feature. Some nights I might go to bed late so have less sleep, but feel more refreshed than other nights when I do get my 8 hours which is really frustrating. This watch explains why as it records how much light, deep and REM sleep you have as well as how much time you're awake. It's interesting (to me anyway) that on the mornings I don't feel refreshed on waking I haven't had much REM sleep. 

As a side note doing the 7-day fresh start actually improved my sleep quite a bit, something I wouldn't have taken notice of if it wasn't for the watch.

The watch also registers your heart rate, stress levels, oxygen levels all of which are very handy things to keep track of. It also has a formula it applies to give you a body energy score which is scarily accurate, although I'm not a 100% certain I understand how it does this one.

There is also an alarm feature on the watch which has been really handy when I've had to do something during the day - I can get on with other things knowing that it doesn't matter if I lose track of the time as my watch has me covered. 

There are so many other features that I have only scratched the surface of this watch, but I really recommend it. I definitely won't be spending the money on a brand name smart watch with the results I am having with this one.

 

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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Reviewing Arbonne's 7-Day Fresh Start

Arbonne's 7-Day Fresh Start was developed as a way to support people who wanted to try intermittent fasting. 

I was very intrigued about trying two of the three products in the set - the Morning Matcha and the Golden Renewal Protein, but I really didn't think intermittent fasting would work for me & my lifestyle.

I decided to give it a go whilst I was on a break from both of my jobs. This meant starting my journey on December 31st 2025. 

Read on for my personal experience and my takeaways or go straight to the product and read up about it on the site - 7-Day Fresh Start.

Below is what a sample day on the 7-day fresh start should look like in Australia (in other markets there is a different probiotic supplement, but you take it at the same time as the bioticsticks).

Sample Day (Australia) on 7-Day Fresh Start

I decided that 10am -6pm as my eating window (which was the recommended one) wouldn't work the best for us so I used 11am - 7pm instead. 

I had all of my goodies ready to go, the 7-Day Fresh Start contains 3 products - Morning Matcha sachets, Golden Renewal Protein sachets and a probiotic supplement. The probiotic supplement available is different depending on the market, here in Australia we get the Biotic Sticks which I absolutely love. In the US they have OmniGut Daily Probiotic which isn't available for Australia and New Zealand.

Day One started with my Morning Matcha which I decided to made with boiling water because I have only tried a hot matcha  before. When I made this it smelt very strong and grassy. I was extremely nervous about tasting it as I've only had matcha as a matcha latte with either coconut, almond or oat milk previously. My nerves were totally unjustified as the matcha tasted great! 

I was starting to feel a little 'hangry' about half an hour before I was due to break my fast so I was over the moon when my alarm went off and I could enjoy the Golden Renewal Protein shake. I merely mixed the sachet with water and served it over some ice cubes - not a fan!

The shake gave me Chai vibes with the flavours, I enjoy a warm Chai for a cozy feeling so I'm wondering if it was simply because it was cold that I didn't like it. I do know that my taste buds thought it seemed a little harsh - lucky I was hungry!

The shake also didn't fill me up very much so I was very happy to get stuck into my lunch an hour and a half later. Lunch was a delicious leftover Christmas ham with a couple of different salads.

Another healthy meal for dinner which was supposed to be followed by my probiotic, but I forgot so took it just before bed instead.

Luckily, you can enjoy tea (no milk) while in your fasting window so I was able to enjoy my chamomile tea before bed.

Day 2 - I decided to enjoy an iced Matcha instead of a warm one - I didn't really enjoy it cold, I'm not sure if it's the taste or I have just been programmed over the years to have a hot drink in the mornings.

Mid-morning I had a Clean Tox tea which I enjoyed. I should note that you can have 1-2 Matcha's in the morning, I just enjoy my Clean Tox and it was allowed during fasting so that was my personal choice.

When it was time to enjoy my golden protein renewal shake I decided to add a few things to it as recommended by a friend.

I added the powder to water, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 tsp almond butter and some ice cubes. I blitzed it all up and I enjoyed it which was good. It was also more filling, which was a bonus.

On Day 3, my husband brought me in a cup of Arbonne's Clean Tox tea in the morning as he forgot I was having matcha in the morning. I enjoyed it and then had my matcha about 10am, by 10.30 I had a pit so I was very happy when 11 o'clock came around.

This time I made my shake with:

• almond milk
• Golden Renewal Protein powder
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 tsp almond butter
• 3 ice cubes

I blitzed this all up and decided that this was the best way to have the shake. It's the way I proceeded to have it for the remaining days.

On Day 4 I woke up and although I was up early and hadn't had as long in bed as the previous couple of nights I was feeling really energized. After checking my smart watch I saw that I had a really good deep sleep and REM sleep. I'm not sure if it was related to the 7-Day Fresh Start or not, but I was scoring in the 90s for my sleep quality from night 3 through until the end of the 7 days (I'm usually in the 80s as I don't always clock enough REM sleep).

We were out for the day so I had a matcha in the morning and made a travel mug of Clean Tox tea to take - usually we will go through a drive-thru for coffee on this trip was and as that was a no-no on the plan, I was hoping that this would keep me from missing my coffee. We also blended up the Golden Renewal protein shake and popped it in a cooler box in the car.

The clean tox tea really did the trick and I didn't even miss my coffee stop! I drank my protein shake in the car with the most amazing views as we were up in a mountain range looking out for miles.

When I woke up on Day 5 I noticed that I was feeling really slim - I hadn't realized that I'd been bloated before starting this program, but I was certainly noticing how un-bloated I was from Day 5 onwards.

My Results from the 7-Day Fresh Start

I lost 700g which wasn't a lot compared to what some people have lost, but I had eaten out a couple of times and didn't really worry about eating as well as I could have so I was impressed. I was sleeping better and, as I said previously, it removed some of my bloating. I also had more energy.

My Takeaways from the 7-Day Fresh Start

I don't think that intermittent fasting is for me (I work a couple of jobs and one of them starts quite early so I think I need to eat breakfast beforehand), but I can see why people rave about it.

What I have been doing and will continue to do is stop eating by 7pm every night

Want to try it for yourself? grab your 7-day fresh start set right here!

A note: the Morning Matcha box contains 30 serves of the matcha (which also contains MCT oil), so even if you had two a day instead of the 1 I had you would have servings left. 

I am enjoying them even though I've finished this program. I also think are even nicer with some almond milk as a latte and it's because of this product's popularity that you can now purchase it on it's own. Check out my shopfront and just search matcha.

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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Palmiers Puff Pastry Review

The Palmier pastry trend was difficult to miss this year if you have baking in your internet feed! Whether on Tik Tok, Youtube or Instagram it was a plethora of content creators making the two ingredient (maybe 3) Palmier pastry.

Admittedly, my neighborhood was incredibly fortunate to have an authentic French bakery so we have been spoiled! However, as a fan of puff pastry I had to give the Two ingredient version a try.

Two Ingredient

I decided to try the simplest recipe with frozen puff pastry and sugar. Parchment paper was also necessary. 

Defrost puff pastry.

Place a piece of parchment paper on counter.

Generously sprinkle sugar on a sheet of parchment paper.

Lay puff pastry dough on sugar. Press into sugar.

Sprinkle top of puff pastry with sugar.

Fold each side of puff pastry (short side) toward the middle. 

A log will form.

Cut log into pieces of pastry about 1 inch thick. 

Lay on parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

A natural heart shape will appear or if needed, assist the pieces by shaping in a heart with a quick maneuver.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, begin checking pastry at 10 minutes.

Cool.

So Many Recipes

There are quite a few variations of the Internet Palmier recipe. Each contains puff pastry and sugar, but the variations include making a sweet version, a savory version, cinnamon version, brush with butter version, flip midway through baking version and different baking times and temps. 

All are easy! Search two ingredient Palmier recipe and the various versions will appear. The roll puff pastry that is refrigerated will be slightly different than the frozen version regarding the ease of assembling and baking temp/time. Many Youtube videos are available to demonstrate rolling the pastry into heart shapes.

Palmiers date back to 19th century France as a way to use puff pastry leftovers. 

Recommendation

I believe this recipe has potential for a quick sweet or savory treat, if you are a puff pastry fan! Add cinnamon for a quick cinnamon flaky treat.  If you have ever had the pleasure of tasting authentic French palmiers then the Internet version is almost adequate! Both versions look flaky, enticing and very similar. However, besides the visual, the comparison of each pastry is in different lanes and difficult to make a direct comparison.

 

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My Mommy - The Love I Couldn't See - The Story Behind the Lyrics

 

A Quiet Saturday Morning Inspiration

It was a quiet Saturday morning, January 10th, 2026. I was taking time to have coffee, lounging, and reviewing some of the notes I’d collected for lyrics I planned to write someday. I don’t write lyrics unless my heart is fully in the topic, or unless I give myself a specific assignment. My self-discipline alone can get me through a project, but inspiration always needs to be ready.

On this particular morning, I came across a song I’d started months ago. I had left it unfinished because I couldn’t find the right way to express it. The story I wanted to tell — the profound love between an unborn baby and a mother — felt just out of reach. But today, for reasons I still don’t fully understand, the words finally came to me. What I had been struggling to say flowed naturally, and the story revealed itself fully.

A Song From the Unborn Baby’s Perspective

The unique thing about this piece is its perspective. The ultimate point of the lyric is that it’s the baby singing to the mother. But when you first start reading or listening, if you weren’t aware of it, it might feel as if the mother is singing to her unborn child. The words are written carefully to work both ways — they express love, connection, and awe in a way that feels universal.

By the end, it becomes clear that it’s the baby speaking in song. That twist — the revelation of the perspective — is what makes the piece so special to me. It captures that quiet, intimate moment between mother and child, a love that exists before words, before the first cry, before the baby even takes its first breath.

Why I Wrote It

Even though I’m a grandmother now, I’ve watched the love my children feel for their own babies, and it’s the same overwhelming, indescribable feeling my husband and I have talked about for decades. Nothing compares. This song gave me a chance to explore that love in a way I hadn’t before — through the eyes of the baby, imagining what it might feel to be so connected to the mother, even before birth.

A Song That Works Both Ways

What I love most about this song is how it can be interpreted in two ways. You can read it or listen to it and feel the mother’s love, and only realize at the very end that it’s the unborn baby singing. That duality mirrors life itself — the way we love and are loved, sometimes without fully knowing it. It’s a small reflection of that unspoken, extraordinary bond between mother and child.

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50 Years of My Poems and Lyrics are on Amazon, Where Available.

SUBSCRIBE to DragedaPoemsLyrics on YouTube

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Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Hug 'n Giggle Baby

With the Brilliant Basics Hug 'n Giggle Baby, Fisher-Price created an ideally sized doll for your baby or toddler’s enjoyment. This soft plush doll is a bit different than most dolls because she is electronic and will giggle and coo when you squeeze her tummy but she can still be machine washed. I think that makes her a particularly great choice for your little girl.  

She is perfect for toddlers because she is huggable, because of her giggling and cooing and because of her interesting facial details. Her sounds are quiet, which definitely is appropriate for a younger child at play and at nap time.  She is, as one parent said, not too big nor too small and she holds her shape. Initially, your daughter will enjoy the sounds, then she will learn to hug and kiss the doll and then she will learn the parts of the body. By then Hug 'n Giggle Baby will be a treasured toy.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Age Recommendation: Children 6 months to 3 years old

Length: 10 inches 

Batteries: Requires two AAA batteries. 

Model Number: V6939

UPC: 027084994070

Release Date: 2010

Current Status: Retired

Instruction Manual: Available on Mattel's website here.

WHERE TO BUY BABY HUG 'N GIGGLE 

Since Hug 'n Giggle Baby is not made anymore, you will have to turn to secondary resellers to find her. As I check today, I see both new and used dolls available. Find your Hug 'n Giggle Baby Doll by clicking here, to eBay.  Since the doll is no longer being made, you will have to pay a bit more if you want and can find a new one but there are some perfectly good used ones available, too. Just make sure that the seller says the doll has been tested and is working!

See you

at the toy store!

MORE FISHER-PRICE TOYS:

Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn with Friends Musical Table Review.

Fisher-Price Discovery Cottage Reviewed.

Retired Fisher-Price Toys in my eBay Store.

Fisher-Price Christmas Sing-a-Ma-Jigs Reviewed

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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Chocolate Covered Apples Recipe and Review

Chocolate Covered Apples are Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat! 

I enjoy making fruit trays for parties and holidays.  Several years ago, I decided to add chocolate covered fruit to the tray as another option for guests.  Because the apples are easy to hold, they are the perfect finger food at a party.

Chocolate Covered Apples are more aptly described as Chocolate Dipped Apples since the entire apple slice is not covered with chocolate. Regardless of which name you prefer, they are still quite delicious and easy to make. They are so easy to make that in just a few minutes, you can be enjoying your own Chocolate Covered Apple Slice. The only remaining decision is whether you are willing to share your treat. 

If you love apples and you love chocolate, you are certain to enjoy Chocolate Covered Apples. 

Below, I share step by step instructions with photos for Chocolate Covered or Dipped Apples.

 

Supplies & Ingredients 

• Apples 
• Chocolate for Melting ~ I prefer Saco Dolci Frutta featured below 
• Wax Paper

Easy Directions 

Step 1: Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper ~ The cookie sheet will make it easier to move your Chocolate Covered Apples. 

Step 2: Wash and Dry Your Apples 

Step 3: Melt Your Chocolate ~ If you use Saco Dolci Frutta, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in their package container. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 2 minutes on medium and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted. Other chocolates will need to be melted in a double boiler or a microwavable dish. 

Step 4: Cut Your Apple into Slices 

 

Slicing and Coring an Apple Made Easy

Step 5: Dip the Apple Slices into the chocolate 

Step 6: Set on wax paper to cool 

Step 7: When you have dipped all of your Apple slices in chocolate, serve or eat. Best if not refrigerated 

 

Step by Step Photos

 

 

 Dalla Piazza Apple Slicer/CorerCheck Price Dolci Frutta Variety Pack with Hard Chocolate Shell & White Chocolate ShellCheck Price

 

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Chocolate Covered Apples Recipe and Review Written by:

ALL PHOTOS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF SYLVESTERMOUSE 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2010 on a different website that no longer exists. 

© 2010 Cynthia Sylvestermouse 

 

 

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Review of Short Story by Lisa Wingate

 

There are times when life is particularly hectic or perhaps when I've just read a long book and I'm in the mood for something lighter that a short story is just what is needed.  That happened to me at the end of 2025, and I found this short story by Lisa Wingate that just hit the spot.  I had read books by this author before and knew I liked her writing style, so I downloaded this book to my kindle and enjoyed a nice break from my holiday preparations.

Story Synopsis

In this moving short story, Olympic silver medalist Kalista Brooks returns to her hometown to be with her father when his heart condition worsens.  He was a beloved coach to many and always holds a special place in Kalista's heart.

As the visit, her father has one request.  He really would love to return to their old farmhouse in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  He would love to relive that area in all four seasons.  Since time is to short to be there a year, Kalista works on a way to relive all four seasons in a months' time.

As the narrative continues, they relive their shared experiences such as spring blossoms, homemade jam in the summer, a special autumn festival and a very special winter evening.

Along the way Kalista learns some valuable lessons and takes another look at what is really important in her life.

This short story looks at the enduring love between a father and daughter and the valuable bonds that family relations hold.

I found this a very touching and delightful read.

Book on Amazon

Here is a link to the short story on Amazon,  The Last Father-Daughter Dance

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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Fantastic, Fabulous, Booties ~ A Product Review

 Hopefully your Christmas was wonderful and Santa brought you all kinds of wonderful gifts!  We all know you have been good!

Now if that gift happens to be a most wanted puppy, even more wonderful.  What a lovely way to share some love with a new family member!

With sharing the love, you will also want to share some really important healthy ways to look after your new best friend.

If you live in the north, as many of us do, winter is part of Christmas and with that there is snow as well.  But if you live in the South, there is hot pavement and  mud puddles!

So this product is for all of you, northerners and southerners as well.  All dogs and puppies deserve fabulous booties!

Most dogs love playing in the snow and it's wonderful to see them running through all that white stuff, digging their noses in and  yes, even turning some of that white stuff a little yellow.  

So far everything is great in the north, but, then comes the salt that is poured all over the sidewalks and streets!  Yes, most humans love salted sidewalks and roadways, but our pooch friends are not so overjoyed.  Why?  Well, let's just say that the salt gets on their paws and between their toes.  The salt water dries out their paws and if not removed from their little feet, it will become a source of pain for them.

So what can you do?  

Get that little new friend used to putting on his booties just like you do before heading out into the snow!

Snow boots or doggie boots/paw protectors, are great for many reasons!  In the winter it keeps their paws dry and salt free!  In the spring and summer, it keeps their feet dry in rainy weather.  Summertime heatwaves won't cook their feet on the hot pavement either.  Muddy puddles and muddy feet are a thing of the past.  

Doggie Boots/Paw Protectors, come in several sizes for all types of dogs.  Most good brands have non-slip soles so that your dog will be able to find his traction on any surface.  Velcro closures will ensure a good fit and help to keep those booties on their feet until they are home again.  

I have linked a page for you here and you can see that most of the booties are quite easy to put on and take off.  There are even more advanced "Suspender booties" for those dogs who manage to get out of almost everything.  

Once you dog is trained to wear these booties, they will want to wear them.  Their paws will not suffer any ill effects of being in the salted areas and the comfort will be worth the time it takes to train your dog.  

Now if you have gotten your dog as a puppy, it will  just become part of his training as you get to know each other.  Older dogs might take a little longer.  But you will be happy that part of your daily walk does not include washing your dog's feet afterwards.  With the booties, they just come off, like your shoes do.

Fido will need a special place on the boot mat for his new winter shoes. Paw protectors/booties are great gifts for the new family member and for you as well.

May you enjoy the new year with your newest family member and have lots of fun in the snow!

  

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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