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Friday, December 12, 2025

Best Gifts for Puppies Reviewed

We recently brought home a puppy and immediately started buying puppy appropriate gifts for the little fellow.

One might think immediately of puppy food and a dog bed when you first get a puppy. Of course, we did bring home a puppy bed and food. However, we immediately realized he needed teething toys. We started with one that we knew would be a wonderful toy since our adult dogs have always loved them. But, let me tell you, one is not enough! He currently has 8 teething toys that he has in various locations. The one he prefers apparently depends on his mood.

For training, we also needed Milk-Bone biscuits, Mini Pure Bits (liver) and Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Crisps. Our vet recommended the rice crisps years ago because of their lower calories. A lot of treats are required for training!

A fleece blanket also makes a great gift! My mother purchased our little puppy a Christmas fleece blanket that he received immediately. He loves that blanket! Most often, he lays on it on our leather couch, but he can drag it down to the floor when desired to make a impromptu bed.

We already had a ramp, which the puppy will use as an adult to "walk" himself up into the back our our SUV. It is extremely important to start that training early by placing the ramp against a couch and letting them naturally climb it to get onto a couch. We discovered the hard way that an adult dog may be afraid to climb a ramp regardless of offered treats.

A doorway gate may not "feel" like a great gift idea. However, I assure you, not only are you protecting your furniture and home decor, you are protecting the puppy from cords or falling items after he runs into an end table. I'm sure you get the idea. We can't watch them constantly, therefore, they should not run free through an entire home heedless of potential dangers. Puppies are full of energy and running is exactly what they prefer to walking.

Believe it or not, I would also suggest Johnson's Baby Shampoo for a puppy's gift. Again, that was also recommended by our vet for a puppy.

A few weeks home and these are the "gifts" for puppy that we have found essential. With Christmas upon us, it seemed like the best time to recommend gifts for puppies (or dogs) if they happen to be on your gift list too.

All of the above mentioned gifts are featured below and linked to either a previous review or to a store for purchase.

Puppy Chew Toys Make Great Gifts

As I said, these toys will most likely become what you want to get first and continue to add to the collection over time. You realize quickly that your furniture, bedding, beloved stuffed animals, and even your skin need to be protected from puppy chewing and teething. The best way to prevent damage is to offer a chew toy that is made for that purpose.

35 years ago, our first puppy turned our kitchen chair legs into gnawing posts. While it is funny to recall now when my husband refers to the puppy "toothpicks", it was definitely not funny when it happened.

Of course, you still must train yourself to say "no" since puppies, like any baby, will continue to test your patience and tolerance. Having a desirable option is in everyone's best interest.

With human babies in mind, I bought a few teething toys that can go in the freezer to make a cold chew toy for our puppy.

We have always been familiar with the Kong products and know from experience that they are fabulous. However, my cousin brought Watson (our puppy) a Outward Hound bone. He loves that bone! Therefore, I would highly recommend it too.

Previously Reviewed ~ Kong Wubba for PuppiesClick to Read the Review Outward Hound by Dogwood Jack Durable Dog Chew Toy, Bacon Scent, LargeCheck Price Petstages Cool Teething Stick for Dogs - for Teething Puppies - Freezable for Added ReliefCheck Price KONG Puppy Goodie Bone - Stuffable Toy for Small Puppy - Natural Rubber Chew for Puppies - Toy for TeethingCheck Price

Treats for Puppies

We all like special treats for the holidays. Puppies may not recognize special days of the year, but we do and we like gifting our baby dogs with special treats for special occasions. Milk-Bone brand recognizes our desire for special treats and they make fun shaped dog biscuits just for the holidays. Plus, a Christmas fleece blanket always makes a puppy happy and we appreciate the added Christmas "decor" in our home.

Our adult dogs have always appreciate their annual fleece blankets from their granny. We use them year round in the cars, on hardwood floors, or wherever that little bit of comfort for our puppy babies is needed. After all, we don't mind a touch of Christmas spirit throughout the year.

Previously Reviewed ~ Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dogs and PuppiesClick to Read the Review PureBites Beef Liver for Dogs, 8.8oz / 250g - Value SizeCheck Price Christmas Blanket Holiday Fleece Throw Blanket for Couch/SofaCheck Price Quaker Rice Crisps, Apple Cinnamon, 3.52 Ounce, Pack of 6 (Packaging May Vary)Check Price

More Gifts for Puppies

I mentioned the necessities like the gate, the ramp and the shampoo for puppies. For Puppy parents who do not have these items, they would be greatly appreciated. The parents, themselves, may not recognize their importance until they start using them, but time will prove out how much they are truly needed.

Previously Reviewed ~ Indoor Dog GatesRead the Review Comfort Expression Orthopedic Dog Bed for Extra Large Dogs 45x35 Inch, Waterproof Egg Crate FoamCheck Price HerCcreta wigge Dog Ramp for Car 63Check Price Johnson's Head-to-Toe Gentle Tear-Free Baby & Newborn Wash & Shampoo, Sulfate-, Paraben- Phthalate- & Dye-Free, HypoallergenicCheck Price

Pet Related Reviews

Best Gifts for Puppies written by:

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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Thursday, December 11, 2025

A Very Merry Murder Mystery-Review

Christmas Cozy Mystery

I really enjoy cozy mysteries, so as the Christmas season was approaching, I found several Christmas themed cozy mysteries that I downloaded to my Kindle. I found one set of books that contained three different cozy mysteries all about a woman named Meridith and called Merry. In these mysteries you are introduced to Merry and her interesting cast of friends who live in a small town.

Santa Slaughter

The first book in A Very Merry Murder Mystery series is set during a Christmas festival in a small town. Meridith "Merry" is in between jobs and is working as an elf in the Santa hut. Her friend Maggie has a booth by the Santa hut that sells hot chocolate. On the first day of the festival Merry is working to set up the candy canes and her helpers are getting the children in line to see Santa. The first two children enter the hut and start talking to Santa when he gets called away for a minute. When Merry goes to take the photos she discovers that Santa is not there, the children show her how he went out the back door of the hut. When Merry goes out to check on him she finds him on the ground and the mystery begins.

First Date Disaster

In the second book, Merry's life his getting on a good track. She now has a job running the cafe/coffee shop in her small town. She also has a love interest in the town veterinarian. When the book opens, they have yet to go on a date but that soon changes and things are looking up until they run into a dead body on their first date. Merry feels invested in solving the murder especially when a friend of hers becomes a suspect. Rob, her date, is supportive and helpful but what a start to a relationship! Will this work out? Will the murder be solved? You will need to read the book to discover these answers.

The Body in the Bookstore

The third book in the series takes place when one of Merry's favorite authors, Aloysius Hunt comes to town to talk about his newest book at a local bookstore. Merry's Aunt Cassie is also a big fan of the Mr. Hunt, so she comes to town to attend the event with Merry. Before the event they are serving people in the cafe when a group of big fans of the Aloysius Hunt come in for some snacks and drinks before the big event. They follow Mr. Hunt wherever he is speaking and they are very excited about his newest book.

All is going well until they are at the bookstore, and a tragic accident occurs. When it turns into a murder, it looks like they have another mystery to solve.

The Books on Amazon

The first three books in this series, along with the other six, can be purchased on Amazon in paperback or for Kindle. Here is a link to the books A Very Merry Murder Mystery

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Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Christmas Delights for Young and Old ~ A Product Review

Christmas is that one time of the year when sights and sounds seem to be everywhere! Some of them evoke strong memories in young and old alike.

There is nothing like the smells of Christmas baking, gingerbread houses, sugar cookies decorated to tingle the senses and a host of other "seasonal decorations" that just make you smile all over.

One of these little decorations had my "tech-savvy" grandchildren mesmerized for quite a while and each year, they look for that decoration and enjoy it's slow and steady movement. All without the need of any tech or batteries!

Each Christmas when I bring out this decoration, I can't help but smile and recount those little faces watching this windmill turning on it's axis and listening to Christmas carols in the background.

My little windmill came to me from a trip I took to Iceland, but I'm so happy to see a very similar one here that you can purchase to add to your Christmas collection. There is just one caveat that must be noted! This is not a decoration that can or should be played with. It does involve a candle and fire, so little hands must stay away and parents need to monitor their children around this decoration. The smile on the little faces is worth the extra effort to keep it in a safe place.

These windmills and similar ones make a lovely tabletop decoration that will last for years. Enjoyment comes from watching the movements of the hanging ornaments. I have found a spot for mine that doesn't even require that the candle be lit! Just the air currents in the home keep my little snowflakes spinning!

On a cold winter night, with Christmas music playing in the background, these little dancing snowflakes make a nice cozy spot to contemplate the Christmas message and find a little peace in a rather rushed and frenzied time of year.

For your pleasure and also for your choices of designs, I have included a link for all of the windmills available. Some have stars, others have reindeers or nativity scenes. Some have chimes and others not. Each one is beautiful and your tastes may be somewhat different than mine so with that in mind please take a look for yourself and find the one that "speaks" to you! Just click the link where it says WINDMILL CHRISTMAS !

I'm wishing all of you some quiet, contemplative time to enjoy all the sights, the sounds and the meaning of Christmas to you!

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Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Reviewing Warm Fleece Bedding Perfect For Winter and Gifting

Fleece Bedding Stack in grey and soft pink

Why We Love Fleece Bedding in Winter.

We have just started to use our winter fleece bedding. Most of the spring and summer we use our bamboo bedding exclusively but when it suddenly turns cold in autumn and winter we need something warmer and cosier.

We love getting into a warm, cosy looking and feeling bed. There is no sheet shock or coldness at all and it feels so comforting. I always sleep so well in our fleece bedding. Sometimes its all fleece with both a fleece bottom sheet and quilt cover, other times we have the fleece bottom sheet and bamboo quilt cover, depending on the weather and how we feel. I always feel so incredibly warm, cosy and comforted in fleece.

The Fleece Warmth Factor

Fleece bedding is lovely and warm and keeps us cosy with just the winter quilt. We find we rarely need any additional blankets on the top. As we are trying to save on heating bills which are now very expensive, it really helps to have a lovely warm bed. It really came in to its own when the temperature suddenly dropped last week and we were cocooned in warmth and slept really well. One of the best aspects is that when you first get into bed there is no cold sheet shock. It is warm and cosy from the very start. Personally I don't find i overheat in fleece bedding as we usually only use it in winter and am glad of the gentle warmth.

Fleecy Softness

I am very sensitive to textures and fabrics and allergic to many chemicals. So i have to go for materials that are soft to the touch. Fleece bedding is lovely for me as it feels gentle and soft against the skin. So if you have sensitive skin it might be something to consider. I always wash bedding before using in order to make sure anything they have used in the process is washed out with my sensitive washing powder.

Colour and Pattern

Fleece bedding is available in many different colours. I’ve seen everything from gentle whites, soft neutral greys, pretty pinks and florals to fun festive tartans and muted greens and blues. We recently bought two sets one a very gentle muted pink and one a dark warm grey.

Easy Care Fleece Bedding

I always check the label or instructions before buying, but the fleece bedding sets we use go straight in the washing machine at 30 degrees, which makes life easier. It is generally tumble dry or line dry and no ironing! Either way I find it generally dries quite quickly. I love that there is no need for ironing and often labels say no iron which is great as one less task to do. In my experience it doesn't have an issue with wrinkling or creasing and looks great on the bed. This is ideal when busy, if you dislike ironing like me or find it difficult. It is brilliant to just wash, dry and back on the bed!

Here Is A Small Selection Of Fleece Bedding

Bare Home Super Soft Fleece BeddingCheck Price Love Cabin Micro Fleece BeddingCheck Price Bare Home BeddingCheck Price

Gifting Fleece Bedding

I would always be super happy with any fleece bedding as a gift. I also love giving it as a gift. The only thing you really need to know is the persons size of bed. I have bought fleece bedding for family members in the past and it has always been well received. We often had it on the spare bed when our family came to stay and they loved it, which was a good indication they would appreciate it as a gift. I usually buy safer colours for gifts so white or cream or other calm neutrals like light grey or taupe. Otherwise if its for your own household or you know a person or couple are open to different colours, there is usually a great variety to choose from including brights, florals, patterns and themes. It strikes a great balance between being very practical and useful but also quite luxury, so perfect for gifting!

In the colder, harsher months I love to create bedroom sanctuaries with warm cosy fleece bedding, safe flameless candles or fairly lights and lovely pillows, quilts and cushions. It is a real cosy treat for yourself or a loved one. The only problem you might have is if you are like me getting out of bed in the winter mornings!

Monday, December 8, 2025

Favorite Gadget Reviewed: Electric Pruning Shear

This years' favorite gadget purchase is a tie! It was a close race between a few contenders, but the Kebtek Cordless Pruning Shear lands in the top two gadgets purchased this year.

Which begs the question as to what product did the Electric Pruning Shear tie with ? The Cordless Leaf Blower which is another household favorite with the split vote of which product wins best purchase of the year.

Power

I found the shears very powerful. Powerful enough to cut through medium size tree branches with ease. The small size of the shears hide the amount of power generated.

Operation

One safety feature is the shears do not cut continuously without pushing the button to engage. So if a branch needs four cuts that would be four times the button must be pushed; mentioning for those with tender hands.

Charging

One of the best features of the Kebtek Pruning Shear is the inclusion of two batteries and the very smartly designed charging unit. The convenience of having two batteries charged and ready to go really makes this unit a stand out. Competitors charge additional for a second battery. The batteries are 2ah rechargeable lithium.

Storage Case

A hard sided plastic storage case comes with shears for easy storage. The case has a handle for carrying and is slim so can quickly be stored in narrow spaces.

Gift Idea

This is definitely on the list for the gift a homeowner didn't know they needed! But will love the gift and appreciate your kindness to make their gardening and DIY lawn maintenance so much easier and maybe more enjoyable too!

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Sunday, December 7, 2025

Tripping Into Carl Jung: A Journey of Anger and Tears I Didn't Expect

How I Found Carl Jung (Or How He Found Me)

Lately, I've been tripping over Carl Jung videos—or more accurately, the algorithms on my social media seem determined to hand them to me.

At first, I would scroll past quickly, recognizing the name but not feeling any real connection to it. Then one day, something made me pause. I watched one short, then another, and before I knew it, I was engulfed in the powerful narrative-style video presentations. Snippets of his writings, reflections, and interpretations—layered with voiceovers that somehow went straight to the center of me.

It felt less like stumbling onto something new and more like something familiar tapping me softly on the shoulder. Something I was meant to hear now, at this time in my life.

Who Was Carl Jung?

I'll be honest: I had to go look up his credentials. We all know the name, but I didn't know the years he lived or the full weight of who he was.

Carl Jung (1875–1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of analytical psychology. His work reached far beyond traditional psychology, exploring dreams, symbols, mythology, spirituality, and the unconscious.

He gave us concepts like archetypes, the shadow self, synchronicity, and one of his most profound ideas: the journey of individuation. Once I started reading more about him, everything I'd been watching began to connect in a way that felt eerily personal.

Individuation: The Message That Stopped Me Cold

Of all the Jung videos I've watched, the one that stopped me cold was about individuation.

Jung described it as the lifelong process of becoming your true self—the self you were meant to be before life, expectations, obligations, or other people guided you off course.

The video explained individuation as a kind of "going home," not to any physical place, but returning to the inner self you were originally designed to grow into. And that struck me deeply.

At 65, I can feel myself moving in that direction—not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet, profound way. I wish I could remember every word from the video, because the message landed with such force. What stays with me is the recognition that I am finally circling back to who I was meant to be all along. It's a combination of bravery, but not really bravery, and anger.

I found this eBook on Amazon about Carl Jung's "Individuation." - Note, I haven't read it; I included it for anyone interested.

The Pull Away, and the Pull Back

What unsettled me most was how clearly Jung's message mirrored my own life.

From childhood onward, it was so easy to be pulled off course—into other people's ideas of who I was, what I should do, who I should become.

I remember being seen as delicate, even though I knew I was anything but. I wasn't upset by the misunderstanding; I was puzzled by it. I knew that wasn't me, even if I didn't yet know how to show who I truly was. Flash forward to today, my best friend often reminds me how strong I am. She sees me.

And Jung's explanation—that our original direction can be interrupted or reshaped by the world—made me see how far I had drifted without even realizing it.

Yet here I am, decades later, feeling a powerful pull back toward the girl I was at five—the girl who instinctively knew who she was!

I'm Trying Not to Be Angry - This is Personal, But I Have to Say I'm Dealing With That Feeling Right Now

I'm trying not to be angry, because I'm not an angry person. I don't believe in living in an angry space.

Truly, I don't carry anger or fear around with me. I feel it when it happens, and let it go, as I will with this anger. Psalm 23 repeats in my mind constantly, and it saves me.

But these Jung videos stirred something that surprised me. Not anger toward anyone—not my parents, not the world—but something closer to grief mixed with frustration.

Anger at myself. And yet, how can I be angry at a five-year-old child who simply loved, and wanted, and felt the need to play the piano?

At five years old, the piano felt natural to me. My teacher made sure to let my mother know that I had a gift. But when we moved away to another province, my parents were focused on building a life.

When my mother said we couldn't afford a piano—and I couldn't take lessons without one—I felt THEIR stress immediately. We had previously lived with my mother's parents, who had a piano.

So even though the piano awakened my soul, I didn't insist. I didn't plead. It wasn't in my nature to burden anyone. And so the piano-playing version of me slipped quietly out of existence.

But the writing version of me never left.

From eight years old onward, the poems, lyrics, and lines that arrived in the middle of chores, or in quiet moments, just kept coming. From humor to world events to parents to made-up lyrics, it was all penned to paper.

They're collected in my book We Will Have Morning Smiles—fifty years of my world in words. And now, as I put those words to music—finally allowing them to breathe in the way I now know they were meant to—I can't help but think that if piano had stayed in my life, I might have been doing this decades sooner.

Here's how I'm dealing with lost time: I've created a Time-Traveling version of me (lol, that creative side just won't leave) - You can check out the two "Back to the Future" shorts I've created so far. They're on this playlist from YouTube:

******************

The next curveball came after high school.

In high school, I was accepted into three universities for psychology, a field I had long wanted to pursue. But again, I was talked out of it. Steered elsewhere. Redirected. It only lasted a year before life pulled me into yet another path that wasn't mine.

So yes, I do feel angry at myself for letting others steer me: friends, family, men, expectations, interpretations. I'm legitmately p*ssed.

And yet, through Jung's lens, I now understand that this reckoning is part of the return journey. Part of going home to myself.

I don't want to leave this earth, when it's finally my time, without becoming my truest, most whole self. That self is the one who writes. The one whose words are her spirit and her soul.

The one who puts those words to music, spoken voice, or anything else that lets them live. I want to leave that behind. Every last piece of who I really am.

I need to return home, to me. And most of all, forgive everything, everyone, especially myself.

If you'd like to listen to my words, put to music, here's a playlist of what I've completed so far of the hundreds of lyrics and poems I've written over nearly 57 years. Every song includes information about when the words were written and the story behind them. "Measures" is my most recent, written at 64. I'm sharing work from 1968 (I was 8 then) til today, and tomorrow's words that are yet to come.

In closing, I'm reminding myself that it is THIS life that I lived, not the one I thought I should have, that inspired these poems and lyrics. And, my children are the best reason I took this path.

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Saturday, December 6, 2025

Fisher-Price Zoo Talkers Little People Animal Sounds Zoo Reviewed

DISCOVER THE ZOO TALKERS ANIMAL SOUNDS ZOO

Your young child would love going to this zoo! It was yet another quality children's toy playset made by Mattel and Fisher-Price, designed to encourage lots of imaginative play and learning. With this set, your little one learned to recognize animals through sight and sound. He or she also learned to recognize the animal habitats, which included grasslands, north and south poles, jungle and water.

HOW DID IT WORK?

The set is electronic and recognized wild animals when your child placed a toy animal figure on a peg and pressed it down. It then named the animal and, with a second press, provided the associated animal noise. The set came with a lion, gorilla, polar bear and a zookeeper named Jack. Of course, the set would not have been complete without Fisher-Price's usual assortment of fun music and phrases.

ADDITIONAL PIECES

Additional pieces that could be collected for this set included animals that were sold individually, like an alligator, hippopotamus, camel, leopard, elephant, ostrich, seal, dolphin or gorilla. Additionally, three of the animals came with a book and finally, there were two vehicles. The first, a safari truck or jeep, which came with a zookeeper named Eddy (who had a frog on his shoulder) as well as a lion cub, a giraffe and a food or animal feed bin. The second, a train with a Ferris-wheel car, came with a a zookeeper named Michael, a white tiger and a koala bear. These additional animals greatly enriched the set and the vehicular toys added an entirely new level of play value.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE ZOO:

Recommended for Children Aged 1 1/2 to 5 years old
Bilingual English and French
Requires 3 AA Batteries
Original Box Measured 25" (W) x 16" (H) x 5" (D)
Release Date 2011
Retired 2014
Model W1710
UPC Code 746775033514

BUY YOUR ZOO TALKERS PLAYSET & REPLACEMENT PIECES:

As mentioned above, this set was released in 2011 and discontinued in 2014. This means that it is difficult to find a complete set. However, you can still find it on eBay where resellers do the work to find the discontinued items that you are looking for. Sometimes you might find a new and therefore complete set; other times, you can find a gently used and nearly complete set. You will also find some of the additional animals and the vehicles. Once again, you will find them in new and in used condition. Click here to see which of the Fisher-Price Zoo Talkers items are available on eBay today.

See you at

the toy store!

Brenda

Treasures By Brenda

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.

Find the instruction booklet for your zoo from Mattel by clicking right here.

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Friday, December 5, 2025

Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dogs and Puppies Reviewed

I recently discovered Milk-Bone Holiday Treats for puppies! I was so excited to find these adorable treats for our new puppy. He deserves something special for the holidays, just like everyone else.

The Milk-Bone holiday treats come in a collectible, reusable tin. The treats themselves are shaped like stockings, Christmas trees and dog bones with "engraved" hearts. They are also colored in green, red and the bones are the traditional brown. Perfect for a special gift for a special dog or puppy.

Our puppy is 15 weeks old and he received his Christmas Milk-Bone treats in the specialty tin, the day after Thanksgiving. He loves them and we love the size. They are small enough for even a puppy to enjoy.

I'm not sure if I will save the tin just for Christmas use, or if I will refill it with regular puppy Milk-Bones when it is empty. I do know I will reuse the decorative tin for doggy treats.

The tin is available for a limited time only. I hope that means the Milk-Bone brand will continue to have an annual tin. What fun they would be to give each year for Christmas to all of our puppy friends.

The Milk-Bone Holiday Treats

The shaped Milk-Bones in this tin are suitable for all ages, from puppy to senior. I wasn't sure if the shapes would matter to the pups or simply entertainment for us, but I have noticed that our baby dog seeks out the red stockings. Will that continue? I don't know, but it makes for a fun doggy game to see which one of the 3 shapes he will choose first.

Puppy is a Bit of a Blur as He Zooms in
for the Red Stocking Treat

24 ounce Reusable Tin filled with Milk-Bone Treats

Stockings Shaped Treats in red, green & brown
Shaped Christmas Tree in green, red & brown
Brown Doggy Bones with "Engraved" Hearts
Available for Limited Time
Helps Clean Teeth
Freshens Breath
12 Vitamins and Minerals

Another fun game for the humans in a puppies life would be to guess the count of treats in the holiday tin. We did count ours just for fun and discovered there are/were 148 treats in our puppy's 24 ounce tin.

You Might Not Want to Turn Your Back on a Puppy with an Open Tin of Milk-Bone Treats!

Milk-Bone Limited Edition Holiday Dog Treats, Small Biscuits, 24 Ounce Reusable Tin

Pet Related Reviews

Milk-Bone Holiday Treats for Dogs and Puppies Review written by:

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Thursday, December 4, 2025

Thank you Stickers, Variety

Welcome to Thank you Stickers, Variety. Here you will find options for Thank you stickers for a variety of occasions. You can choose from floral, holiday themed, plain and simple designs, and more.

Thank you stickers are a great way to show extra appreciation for a gift, a job well done, for attendance at a wedding, performance, etc., and or for making a purchase from one's shoppe, and so much more.

I know that I like receiving appreciation and giving it as well. How about you?

Without further ado, here is a sample of one of the designs.

This two ferns design features two wispy ferns serving as the border, for the Thank you message. The text can be personalized if you like, as they can on many of these Thank you stickers.

Two Green Ferns Greenery Thank you Stickers
by CherylsArt

The stickers come in a choice of two sizes; 1-1/2 inch and 3 inch. You can buy them by the sheet and or by the roll. You can choose from glossy white and or the matte finish on both sheets and roll options. If purchasing by the sheet, you can also select from various shapes: star, oval, heart, rectangle, and triangle.

If purchasing by the roll, you can also choose from various finishes, including satin white and silver gloss. The ones with the extra finishes options are also tear resistant and may be water resistant. You can read more about these options here: Stickers-on-roll-review.

Any of the sticker designs can be ordered by the sheet and or roll options. I have found that when I clicked on a shape option other than square or circle, that the only way to purchase those stickers were by sheet only. Again, the sheet option only comes in the glossy or matte paper finish.

Here is a link to the collection of the various sticker designs. The Thank you is already there, and should be easily customized if you choose. Some can be used for a variety of occasions, such as birthday, wedding, for teachers, and more.

Custom Thank you Stickers
by CherylsArt

If you don't find a design that you're looking for, come back to this page and share your design request in a comment below. If I am around to do it, I will respond to your comment within 24 hours. I can do general colors, but no color matching. Do allow a couple of weeks for the design to be made, and also allow for the shipping time from Zazzle; so it will be best to have three to four weeks from the date of your request and when you need it.

Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

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Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Spice Tea Recipe Shared and Reviewed

My Award Winning Spice Tea Recipe

We could all use a moment of relaxation with a cup of spice tea, especially during the busiest time of the year.

The holidays are often hectic and tiring, but in the end they are always filled with wonderful memories. Each year my family gathers together for the festivities. Since my siblings and their families live in different states of the US, there is a lot of travel involved, a lot of planning and a lot of cooking. My mother leads the pack and tries very hard to coordinate everyone and everything. Sometimes just finding a bed for everyone can be challenging. I am the only one of my parents' children who still lives in our hometown so I am frequently honored with guests.

With so many people around and so much going on for days, my sister and I seek out moments to slip away from the crowd and sip tea, giggle and share the latest gossip. A pillow fight is definitely not out of the question. Occasionally our mother, my daughter or a sister-in-law will join us, but this little meeting always begins with me, my sister and a cup of tea.

It is with this cherished time together in mind, that I wish to share our Spice Tea Recipe with you. I hope you find a few moments to slip away with a loved one and share a cup of tea.

Award Winning Spice Tea Recipe

Prep Time	Ready In	Yields
10 min	10 min	Approx. 50 ~ Depends on tea strength per cup

Ingredients

2 - 27 oz. Jars of Orange Drink (like Tang)
12 oz. Lemonade dry mix (like Countrytime)
1 cup Instant Tea
2 cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Cloves
2 teaspoon Cinnamon

Instructions

Simply mix everything together. Add 2 teaspoons of tea mix to 1 cup of hot water for one lovely cup of hot tea.

Just remember, if you are using a mug, it will require approx. 3 teaspoons of tea to make a tantalizing cup of tea.

Store in an air-tight container

An Easy Gift

Simply fill a canning jar, an empty jelly jar or any small container with Spice Tea. If you are using a canning jar, cut a square of material with pinking shears and cover the top of the jar.

You may also want to include a recipe card with the recipe for the recipient. I know I always appreciate a new recipe.

Voila! A delicious and easy gift!

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Pretty Canning Jars

Select a pretty jar for your Spice Tea gift. I actually really like this Bormioli Rocco Fido Latch Canning Jar, not only because it is attractive, but because it has a tight seal to seal in freshness so the spice tea will last longer.

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Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

After several days of company, we are all usually exhausted and in need of a long winters nap. I always like to send treats home with my guests and packing some of the remaining tea is just the right thing. When they get back home and have that moment to unwind, then they can fix a cup of Spice Tea and allow the fragrance of the tea to return them to the memory of our time together.

The jar pictured on the right, is the container that held the original gift of Spice Tea given to me by my sister 35+ years ago. The tea is long since gone, but the refillable container and the memory remains.

Each year I refill this little jar and hide it as my personal reserve!

Contest Award

I entered this recipe in the Squidoo Website Thanksgiving Cookoff (for Charity). It was one of the contest winners, therefore the charity I support, National Wildlife Federation's Alaska Regional Center, received $1000.

I hope you enjoy -- and if you do, don't be shy, spread the word!

Acknowledgement Letter from $1000 recipient, National Wildlife Federation Alaska

Sylvestermouse, many, many thanks from the small staff of the National Wildlife Federation Alaska office for earning us a $1,000 Squidoo donation. This is amazing! You have helped support our work in youth leadership cultivation, sustainable tourism, climate change policy, getting families outdoors, and protecting wildlife and habitat in the great State of Alaska!
Also, BIG THANKS to Squidoo for making it all possible
...
Signed, Heather McGee, on behalf of our staff of 5 plus 1 AmeriCo