Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Bread Slicing Made Easy ~ A Product Review

bread slicing guide

Alright everyone, just in case you didn't notice, it is now October and the seasons are a changing!  It means that the daylight hours are getting shorter and our habits are changing as well.  

When it's cooler in the morning, there is something magical about nice warm bread with your morning cup of tea or coffee.

When the seasons change we just change right along with them.  Baking seems to be the one thing that my other half just enjoys so much more in the cooler months.  I guess I can't blame him. Who would want to be in a hot kitchen when it's 80 or more outside?

So now that the temperature is dropping, the oven doesn't seem like the enemy any more.

So quite often I am awakened to the smell of fresh baking bread and like a zombie, I find my way into the kitchen to see what is going on.  The oven door is open and a fresh loaf of bread is cooling on the rack.  I think I have died and gone to heaven.

Now here is the problem, both of us have issues with slicing bread nicely.  When you want a sandwich, you want some bread and some filling.  We tend to get lots of bread and a little filling.  There is no consistency to how thick or thin the slices are.  

Well leave it up to him to find a solution.  Did you know that there are bread slicing guides that can make slicing bread easier?  Well there are and they are a great solution to our problem.  With this bread slicing guide, you can have uniform thin slices or you can still have thick ones too ( if that's your choice ).

Your fingers are never too close to the blade and the crumbs just drop within the slicer so that the mess on the table or counter is minimized.  And you get bread crumbs too!  It is a win-win situation.


https://amzn.to/48Hnwf2

It has lots of slots in it so that whatever type of bread you are trying to slice, your slicing guide is adjustable to fit the loaf or baguette or bagel that you choose to cut! It is adjustable to suit whatever size loaf you put in it.  

Some of the features of this slicer is:

  • dishwasher safe
  • durable, made of high quality plastic
  • non slip base
  • easy to assemble 


https://amzn.to/48Hnwf2

So far this little helper has been a life saver for us. Now we can have our bread in nice uniform slices without any stress or guessing.  Every time we have used it, it has proven itself a winner.

You can get yours here on Amazon or you can choose another style that will suit your needs. Just know that once you have one of these, you won't go back to eyeballing how thick or thin your bread slices will be!




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.”


Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Reviewing Six Key Gardening Tasks To Do In Autumn

 Golden Seedheads Autumn scene


Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. I love the still warm yet mellow sunshine, the quieter days and slowing down of nature, the still long days but earlier nights, the sound of the rain and the slight crispness in the air. 

It all marks a transition time in the garden, there are still gorgeous vibrant autumn flowers and lots of green leaves and activity, yet we are very much leaving summer behind with every passing day. There are more seedheads and rosehips and berries in our gardens. In this time there are some key jobs we need to do now in the garden to clear, prepare and organise to get ready for winter and the spring to come. 

Blue and yellow autumn flowers


1. Tidying Up The Garden(with caveats.)

I usually start my autumn tasks with taking stock of what I have and what did well and what did badly. I also clear out some of the old plant material and do some cutting back. In this clearing phase I am very mindful of nature and that we do need to leave lots of cover for insects and small creatures so they can live and survive the autumn and winter. So I tend to curate the tidying up and only do what is absolutely necessary. 

I do clear out all the annuals from pots. They have grown, boomed, faded and set seed and completed their cycle. The plant itself can be discarded or put on the compost heap. I tend to tip out any loose compost onto the garden soil. Then I clean out all the pots.

With the Perennial flowers I prune them back for tidiness where needed, but leave as many seedheads and stalks for wildlife to feed on and hide in during the winter months. These can always be tidied up in the spring for a neater look.

Do be careful what you prune though, many plants and shrubs should not be pruned right now as any new growth or exposed branches may be susceptible to frost. Spring flowering shrubs should not be pruned now or you will be cutting off all the flowers.  If in doubt leave them now. 

 If I had a greenhouse I would now bring in tender plants, but instead I start getting out my fleece to cover these plants for the winter. 

All my evergreens are pruned now so that they will maintain their shape throughout winter and as they are the backbone of the garden in winter its important they look nice. 

It won't be very long before leaves start turning all their beautiful colours and then falling to the ground. I tend to leave these leaves in the borders where the worms will do their thing and take them in to the soil and above soil leaves will provide shelter for tiny insects. 

However I do clear leaves from the paths where they could become soggy in the rain and slippery underfoot. I also clear them from any gravel and the garden lawn as they are not good for the grass where they can cause fungal disease and in gravel they just look messy as they decompose. 

Flowers like forget me nots are way past their best now. Do not just cut them down though. They can be lifted and divided then replanted in new places around the garden to make a bigger better display next year. Lift the whole clump, divide it gently with your hands being careful to gather enough of the root system and replant about a foot apart in new locations.

Pale Blue Forget me not flowers



2. Caring for Lawns and Grass

Spring and Autumn are key times for lawn care and renovation. In many ways now Autumn is a better time.

Our spring was so dry  that although i sowed new grass seed with the lack of rain it made watering a time consuming chore and then we had four heatwaves which scorched the grass and turned a large part of it brown. As we had a hosepipe ban we could not water it, but I knew that most grass recovers once it gets some rain.

So now in Autumn there is a chance to nurture the grass again and give it a better chance to recover.  I start with scarifying the soil, so raking it with a lawn rake, which gets rid of all the dead thatch.

Then I use a fork in the soil every few inches to aerate the soil. After that a lawn feed is a good idea and it sets the lawn up for a good season.

To read more about overseeding a lawn please read Reviewing Overseeding A Lawn With Grass Seed.

Autumn is also the time for a final cut of the lawn. We hardly mowed our lawn this year due to the hot sunny weather and heatwaves. However now it has had some rain and grown and greened up we can give it a light trim before winter. I prefer to use a manual lawnmower and review the drawbacks and benefits here


3. Planting Plans

Autumn/Fall is a good time to review our planting in the garden and I usually increase my stock and plant beautiful spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths during September and October. If you grow vegetables it is time to sow over wintering onions and garlic which are a good crop and useful in the kitchen. Tulips should be planted a little later during October and November. 

I love doing this as although we rapidly approach winter, it is an act of joy that soon after Spring will arrive.

We have enough established shrubs and roses now. However, if you are wanting to plant any shrubs, hedges, trees or roses, it is more economical to buy bare root varieties now and plant in Autumn so that they can establish well before the winter and then they will settle and start to grow well in the springtime.

It is also a good time to move established shrubs that need moving to a better place to give them time t establish and then grow on in Spring. Even if it is rainy do always settle them in with a good drink of water and if there are dry spells you may need to keep watering yourself for a while. Always water deeply to make sure it reaches the roots.


4. Mulching Borders

For borders it is a good idea to lay down a good mulch now to protect plants and nurture the soil. Mulch can be organic like bark or compost or inorganic like pebbles or slate compost to name a few options.

Just ensure you mulch a couple of inches deep and keep a few inches of space around the base of any shrub and trees stems or trunks. More Information On Reviewing The Benefits Of Garden Mulch 


5.Pruning Shrubs, Hedges And Roses

At this time of year I prune my tea and shrub roses, this is not the big prune but rather just a light cutting back so that they do not get caught up in the wind and suffer root rock as they sway. Therefore prune about a third off the top with secateurs or loppers. However if you like the rose hips you will need to leave them or prune very lightly

White roses

For climbers I do prune off any long whippy stems I don't want in September. This is mainly to prevent them from flying around in the wind and becoming a hazard. A little later on I will be tying in the stems I want and recreating the framework for beautiful roses next year.

For pruners nearly every gardener has their favourites and it is very personal. You need to balance grip, weight, cutting power, ease of use and comfort overall. For me I like the Fiskars and the Wolf ranges.

Hedges that could not be cut before due to birds nesting are now perfectly fine to prune back and Autumn is a good time to do it so it stays tidy all winter. 

 Fiskars Pruning Shears for Gardening, Multipurpose 8" Garden Shears with Sheath and SoftGrip HandleCheck Price

 


6. Taking Care Of Wildlife In The Garden

Looking after or caretaking wildlife to me is a crucial part of gardening. Here in UK we are losing so much natural habitat that nature is increasingly reliant on our gardens to survive.

While August is a very quiet time in our garden for birds, come September and October they start coming back into the garden. It is a great idea to have a birdbath as water is more important than most of us realise.

Birds, insects and small mammals become more reliant on our gardens for food sources. This can be food we put out in bird feeders to the berries and seeds and roots in our gardens. In UK Hedgehogs require shelters such as log piles, leaf litter or bespoke hedgehog houses to live in during the colder months.

Insects and spiders need wild areas to shelter in and hunt from. So hollow stems of flowers, seed heads, leaf litter on soil it all helps them to live. So it hugely benefits these creatures to not be too tidy in our gardens. 

For More ideas Reviewing How To Help Wildlife In our Gardens


 BACKYARD EXPRESSIONS PATIO · HOME · GARDEN 912449-WB Outdoor Garden Bird Bath- Bronze- Weather Resistant Polyresin-30 InchCheck Price

 


Garden Tools We Need In Autumn


Some people have said to me that gardening ends in September, but for me there is such a lot to do in order to help wildlife, keep the garden looking good and healthy and safe for us.

Autumn/Fall is a lovely time to be outside, nice and cool, with often some mellow sunshine and lots of wildlife to watch and plants to find in our gardens to fascinate us.


Read More Gardening Reviews on ReviewThisGardening.com

Read Diary Of A Wild Country Garden Blog

Read More Product Reviews on ReviewThisProducts.com


Reviewing Six Key Gardening Tasks To Do In Autumn By Raintree Annie




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.”


Monday, September 29, 2025

One Click Butter Cutter Review

 On a recent trip to our son's house, Fran brought home a new kitchen gadget. She pulled it out of a bag and said Your son got this for you. Sometimes our son finds the craziest gadgets. 

One Click Butter Cutter

My first thoughts were, is this a new handy kitchen gadget or a gimmick? Well, I couldn't wait to try it out. The instructions are easy: just pull the top off, shake out the pusher, slide in a stick of butter, replace the pusher and the top, and squeeze the trigger for a perfect pat of butter. 

I popped some bread in the toaster, pulled the trigger, and to my amazement, it really worked. The pats of butter are the perfect size for spreading on toast, melting over veggies, or topping a baked potato.

The cutter is lightweight and compact, making it easy to store in the fridge. Cleanup is fairly simple, just rinse it under warm water or place it in the dishwasher.

The One-Click Butter Cutter isn't a must-have gadget, but it is certainly a fun and handy addition to the kitchen.

For less than $20, it makes a clever little gift or conversation starter at the breakfast table. Is it essential? Probably not. But it does make buttering toast a bit more fun.

Butter Cutter,One-Click Butter Cutter Convenience,Butter Dispenser with Stainless Steel Blade and Storage Case, Butter for Making Bread, Cakes, Cookies (1PC)Butter Cutter,One-Click Butter Cutter Convenience,Butter Dispenser with Stainless Steel Blade and Storage Case, Butter for Making Bread, Cakes, Cookies (1PC)Buy Now

 




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.”


Sunday, September 28, 2025

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story

 

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night

The Spell Gone Wrong

Hazel, Griselda, and Moondrop weren't your average witches. For one thing, their brooms had more duct tape than straw, and their black cat had defected to the neighbor's porch two Halloweens ago.

But this year, the sisters had big plans.

"We're taking over the town!" Hazel declared, waving her wand like she was conducting an orchestra. "Every man, woman, and child will croak as frogs by midnight!"

Unfortunately, Hazel had a small problem: she never read instructions all the way through. So, when she mispronounced the spell, instead of turning the townsfolk into frogs… she turned herself into one. With a pop and a puff, there sat Hazel, slimy and green, blinking her bulgy eyes.

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story

Griselda laughed so hard she fell into the cauldron. 

But before she could crawl out, poof! she too was a frog. Then Moondrop, in her attempt to "fix it immediately," only managed to hop right into the same trap.

Three frog-witches croaked in chorus under the moonlight, glaring at each other from the pumpkin patch, so much for world domination.

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - A Chaotic Short Story The Three Useless Witches

From Frogs to Goats - Total Incompetence!

As frogs, the sisters had limited spell-casting power, but Griselda—always the bossy one—was determined to fix their slimy situation. She hopped onto a toadstool, puffed up her throat, and croaked out a forgotten rhyme she half-remembered from Witch School:

"Eye of newt, tail of bat,
Get us out of this, and fast at that!"

The air shimmered, the ground shook, and then—BOOM! Gone were the frogs. Success? Well… not exactly.

Instead of returning to their witchy selves, they were now goats. Yes, goats. With witch hats perched between their horns and long, crooked noses somehow still attached, they stood bleating on the side of a windswept mountain.

Hazel tried to bleat with authority: "We're… still… powerful!" But the only thing that came out was "Maaaahhh!"

The goats slipped and slid on the rocks, their robes caught on branches, and one of them even started nibbling on her own spellbook. Scary? Not so much. Spectacularly ridiculous? Absolutely.

The Witchy Boo-Boos of Halloween Night - The Witches Spells Went All Wrong


Bikini Witches in Bali - It All Went South!

By now, Moondrop was done. "We are never going to make it to town at this rate," she bleated, stomping a hoof.

Determined, she concentrated harder than ever before, her goat-eyes glowing green. "This time, no mistakes!"

The mountain swirled. The goats spun like tops. A burst of fireworks filled the sky. And then—swoosh!—the sisters found themselves lying on soft sand with the sun beating down.

WHAT!

They were back in their witchy bodies! But there was one small catch: instead of flowing black gowns, they were now squeezed into neon bikinis!

Hazel's funky swimsuit sagged in all the wrong places, Griselda's hat flopped over her sunglasses, and Moondrop's green skin was already turning a suspicious shade of sunburn.

Each held a martini glass that didn't even have a paper umbrella, staring in disbelief at the turquoise waves rolling in.

Hazel finally slumped back in her lounge chair. “Maybe… just maybe… Halloween isn't our thing."

Griselda raised her glass. "To ghosts. Let them handle the haunting! We suck."

The three witches clinked their witchy potions together in defeat. 

And so, on that Halloween night, while the rest of the world celebrated spooks and scares, three witches in bikinis sat in Bali, drinking martinis, and admitting once and for all—they were better at beach vacations than at being scary.

The Witches went to Bali and left the haunting up to ghosts




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.”


Saturday, September 27, 2025

Walter’s Purple Heart - Book Review

Serious, sad, lighthearted and told with humor.


Each chapter is titled by a name, flipping between Michael, Walter, Mary Ann and Andrew


Image of a Purple Heart Medal


Synopsis of Walter’s Purple Heart


Michael Steeb is an aimless 21-year-old pot farmer in Central California in the 1980s. He has no real plans or interests...until the day he connects with memories of a life that seems to belong to someone else. That "spirit" is Walter, a young American soldier killed in World War II.


Forty years ago….


Seeking answers on the Ouija board, he later comes to understand that Walter is an earlier incarnation of himself.


Michael eventually realizes that he has been given a mystery to solve. He is being asked to lead Walter's family to closure and peace and deliver the real truth behind Walter's Purple Heart. Somehow, he needs to achieve the forgiveness absent for so many years so Walter can move on, and leave his anger behind.


To accomplish this task given to him, Michael sets out to find Walter's best friend, Andrew, and Mary Ann, the fiancée Walter left behind. Mary Ann recognizes Walter in Michael immediately. But Andrew thinks Michael is nothing but a con man and doesn't believe a word he says. Michael, encouraged by the spirit of Walter, continues to try and accomplish the goal Walter has set for him. 


Summary 


A large part of the story is narrated by Walter ~ from beyond the grave.  Walter's Purple Heart is a fast-paced war drama and a deeply felt romance, with a unique twist on the prospect of multiple lives. 


A romantic story about a dead World War II soldier who transcends the barriers of time to touch the lives of the people he loved in his life.  Catherine Ryan Hyde at her best in this fascinating metaphysical fiction story.  


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*Book Review of Walter’s Purple Heart is written by Wednesday Elf








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.”


Friday, September 26, 2025

Delectable Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Blueberry Muffins Recipe
In my opinion, there is not anything better than a homemade blueberry muffin with a cup of fresh black coffee for breakfast in the morning. 

This blueberry muffin recipe is very easy, plus the ingredients are common staples in a kitchen, except the blueberries.  Anything homemade takes time, but these muffins can be made in less than an hour.

Whether you are entertaining guests, or simply your own family, these muffins are always a welcome treat.  

While they are fabulous right out of the oven (once cooled for a few minutes, of course), they can also be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for a few days.  If you plan to serve them within a day or so, they can be left out at room temperature.  However, beyond that, they should be refrigerated.  

We have never had to refrigerate our muffins.  They tend to "disappear" the first day.

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375° 
  2. Grease non-stick muffin tins with Crisco shortening
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. 
  4. Beat in one egg at a time (adding a total of 2 eggs)
  5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt
  6. Gradually mix flour mixture into butter mixture alternating with milk & beating well after each addition.  
  7. Fold in Blueberries with a spatula (do not use the mixer & beaters here)
  8. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins, approximately 2/3 full 
  9. Sprinkle tops with sugar
  10. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
  11. As soon as the muffins are out of the oven, use a small silicone pastry brush to brush muffins with melted butter, then put them back in the oven for 2 minutes 
  12. Let Cool for 5 minutes, remove from muffin tins & serve



 

Check Out More Recipe Reviews at
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Delectable Blueberry Muffin Recipe Reviewed Written by:
House of Sylvestermouse





© 2025 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
 



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.”


Thursday, September 25, 2025

Magnetic Clasps and Closures

Clasps for Necklaces and Bracelets

 Do you have trouble fastening your necklaces and bracelets?  I know I often struggle trying to put on my jewelry and this has become increasingly difficult as the years go by.  I recently received a new bracelet, and it came with a magnetic clasp.  It is so easy to attach that I find myself reaching for this bracelet all the time.  

My New Bracelet

My new bracelet is seen in the photo at the top of this article.  My sister took my Mom's silverware and had them made into various jewelry pieces for Mom's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  I chose the bracelet, and it is now one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Each time I wear the bracelet, I remember when I was young and before ever holiday meal, Mom would get out her good silver and it would be my job to polish it. It is attractive and so easy to put on and off with the magnetic clasp.

Adding Magnetic Clasps to Existing Jewelry

Magnetic clasps are a wonderful feature for anyone who has trouble using their hands, whether it be from arthritis, limited use of hands and/or fingers, a manicure, or like me just the effects of growing older.   These clasps are so easy to use.  You just need to lay out your necklace or bracelet to the right and left with the magnetic clasp in the middle.  You can then put the item around your neck or wrist and bring the two ends of the new clasps together and the magnets will attract to each and just like that in seconds you have on your jewelry.  I love having the frustration of trying to hook my jewelry together removed.  Now I'm able to wear items that have been left in my jewelry box because they were too hard to connect!


Amazon Magnetic Clasps

Here is a link to the clasps I purchased on Amazon.  Necklace Magnetic Clasps   As you look on Amazon you will find they have a wide variety of different packages of magnetic clasps and closures for you to choose from.  They come in different sizes and shapes to fit your needs.  Here are some of the features of the style I chose.
  • Lightweight-.03oz
  • Length .7 inch...this adds a bit of length to my jewelry item, but not too much.
  • Made of strong silver, sturdy and solid
  • Retains colors after long time use
  • Allergy free-won't turn your skin green

I hope this solution to fastening your jewelry works for you or someone you know who has trouble with putting on their jewelry.





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.”


Monday, September 22, 2025

2025 Hallmark Christmas Movies Reviewed

Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas begins Friday, October 17th with a new Hallmark episode of the Mistletoe Murders. A Royal Montana Christmas new holiday movie premieres October 18th. This year Hallmark again brings over 30 new Christmas and holiday movies on the Hallmark channels including the Hallmark Mystery channel.

 
Hallmark Christmas movies



A few of the eagerly awaited anticipated 2025 Hallmark Christmas movies are:

Three Wisest Men

Yes a third installment of the very popular movies with Andrew Walker, Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell. The best Hallmark Christmas movies continue! The first movie was Three Wise Men And A Baby, then Three Wiser Men And A Boy and the third premiering in November is Three Wisest men.  Reunited this trio takes on parenting with family challenges, family home selling  and all the chemistry we love with this cast. Margaret Colin also returns to the lovable chaos!

Holiday Touchdown A Bill's Love Story

Last year was Holiday Touchdown A Chief's Story which was Hallmark's number one movie. 
This year NFL returns with Holiday Touchdown: A Bill's Love Story premiering in November.                Last year had a very attractive cast with  Tyler Hynes, Hunter King and Ed Begley Jr.,Donna Kelce, Jenna Bush Hagar for the Chief's. 

This year's love story is using the home and stadium of the Bill's as a backdrop with participation b some of the Bill's organization. Buffalo Bills fans will be appreciative of any cameo's which may pop up!

Baked With Love


A holiday cooking contest show. Tamera Mowry will host this reality family oriented competition which premieres at the end of October.

Finding Mr. Christmas - Season 2

Season 2 begins the end of October. Jonathan Bennett hosts. Hallmark has entered the holiday reality area with competing actors for a starring Hallmark lead...  

A Christmas Quest

It is not Hallmark Christmas without Lacey Chabert. This year Lacey stars with Kristoffer Polaha in this holiday story featuring mystery, adventure, Iceland and treasure of the Yule Lads, premieres December 1. Filmed in Iceland.. enjoy!

A few favorites from seasons gone by to look for in the 2024 Season.

A Christmas Quest

Lacey Chabert stars with Kristoffer Polaha in this Iceland based holiday story featuring mystery, adventure. Always love a Lacey Chabert movie!

A Merry Scottish Christmas 2023

The number one movie of 2023 at Hallmark1 Party of Five fans showed up for this movie and the movie/reunion did not disappoint. Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf play siblings on a family trip to Scotland during the holidays. Family reunions and family mysteries are in the air. Filmed in Ireland and Scotland and the Duns Castle Estate is featured in a movie full of gorgeous landscapes and castles.

Never Been Chris'd 2023

The A team Hallmark actor Tyler Hynes leads reunion as hometown friends reunite for Christmas Hallmark love triangle, the Hallmark way. As always  Hynes brings humor, wit and a few winks to this holiday movie.

Three Wise Men And A Baby And Three Wiser Men And A Boy

These two Hallmark movies (soon to be joined by a third) is the trifecta of quality holiday movies at Hallmark. All movies have the Hallmark A Team of  Andrew Walker, Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell, Margaret Colin. The chemistry is above reproach which helps bring these two movies into the must look for to rewatch category every Christmas. 

Christmas Under Wraps and Sequel A Cozy Christmas Inn

Jodie Sweetin (Full House) and David O'Donnell star in the sequel of old loves reuniting. Candace Cameron Bure starred in the first. Garland Alaska takes the center stage with new and old loves. Both movies are charming and also on the rewatch list when Hallmark Christmas movies begin. 

Haul Out The Holly And Haul Out The Holly: Lit Up  Sequel 2022

Both movies feature are delightfully comic, slapstick, lovable characters and a sense of humor is required as a viewer. This is vintage Hallmark and we love it with Lacey Chabert  and Wes Brown. The characters with the battle their inner Grinches with the annual HOA competition for decorating to win the prize! The chemistry of the cast guides this romcom for a feel good double header of Hallmark Christmas.

More Hallmark Christmas Movies Reviews

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2022 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2021 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

You, Me & The Christmas Trees by The Savvy Age

A New Year's Resolution by Cynthia 

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2020 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Finding Father Christmas by Cynthia

Christmas Tree Lane by The Savvy Age

Broadcasting Christmas by Cynthia

Top Ten Hallmark Christmas Movies by The Savvy Age

Debbie Macomber's Mr. Miracle Hallmark Movie Review by Cynthia


Where To Find Hallmark Christmas Movies?


 Sling offers Hallmark as an add on in their Lifestyle category. 

Hallmark + is the rebranded  Hallmark Movies Now with a monthly fee. A seven day free trial is available.  Find information on pricing and the free trial here.

The cable streaming services frequently change their offerings, tiers, plans!



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.”


Sunday, September 21, 2025

Try These Delicious Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets That Dissolve in Water! So Good!

 
Try These Delicious Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets That Dissolve in Water! So Good!

What Are Redoxon Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets and Why I Take Them

Each Redoxon tablet has 1,000 mg of vitamin C, which is the equivalent of eating 10 oranges. I’m definitely not eating 10 oranges a day, so this is a simple way to give my immune system a boost. Especially with fall and winter colds going around, I feel better knowing I’m adding that extra protection. Sometimes I take it every day, sometimes every other day, but either way I feel like I’m covered.

Why I Like Effervescent Tablets

I don’t mind swallowing vitamins, but I know many people dislike taking them. That’s why this form works so well. 

Simply drop the tablet in a glass of water, let it dissolve, and then drink. For me, it’s easy and actually enjoyable—it feels more like a drink than a vitamin.

The Taste is Amazing!

What hooked me most was the taste. It’s very orangey, refreshing, and bright. I usually dissolve mine in a regular cup of water (about 250 ml). I like the stronger, punchier flavor that way. 

Some people in my family prefer to add it to a water bottle, which dilutes it more. Both ways work, but I love the bold orange flavor in just a cup.

The Fizz Factor

I also love the effervescence. I’m a big fan of carbonated water, and while I don’t know if this technically counts as carbonation, it definitely has a fizz to it. That fizz gives it an extra kick, making it even more enjoyable to drink.

Making It More Interesting

Every once in a while, I’ll play around with it. I’ll throw in some ice cubes or even add a squirt of lemon juice. It turns into a little drink I look forward to, instead of just “taking my vitamins.”

Other Effervescent Vitamin Choices Available

Redoxon also makes other effervescent vitamins, like multivitamins, so you can browse through different choices. For now, I’m sticking with just the vitamin C, since I already take other supplements. But if you’re curious, there are lots of options. Out of the brands I’ve tried, Redoxon—R-E-D-O-X-O-N—is definitely my favorite.

How I First Tried Redoxon Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets

I actually discovered Redoxon when we were overseas visiting family. They had some on hand, and I thought I might be catching a cold. I tried one tablet, and I was instantly impressed with both the taste and the fizz. 

When we arrived back in Canada, I ordered two bottles from Amazon right away. Each one has 15 tablets, so with two, I have 30, which is plenty.

Final Thoughts

For me, Redoxon isn’t just about vitamin C. It’s about enjoying something tasty and fizzy while also doing something good for my health. 

If you like orange flavor and want an easy way to get a considerable boost of vitamin C, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

Disclaimer

I’m not a doctor, and this post is just me sharing my own experience with Redoxon. Everyone’s health needs are different, so be sure to talk with your doctor before adding or changing vitamins in your routine.

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Saturday, September 20, 2025

Review of National Fried Rice Day


A delicious food holiday celebrated on September 20th each year.


Image of a dish of fried rice


National Fried Rice Day Origins


In 2018, the renowned Japanese restaurant chain Benihana partnered with the National Day Calendar to create the National Fried Rice Day holiday. This flavorful holiday was founded to spotlight the culinary importance of high-quality rice and encourage people to enjoy their favorite versions of fried rice. 


I have seen many versions of recipes for fried rice. It is a popular and tasty way to use up leftovers, especially turkey, chicken and pork. Most of these recipes appear to include peas & carrots, but my preferred version instead includes onions and/or scallions and mushrooms. The scrambled eggs are one of my favorite ingredients. Therefore, I usually add an extra egg for LOTS of egg in every bite. I’ve often made fried rice with leftover roast turkey or rotisserie chicken, but my most favorite is Shrimp Fried Rice. 


Personal Fried Rice Story


A dish of fried riceAs a newlywed, I was not a very good cook, as you can see by some of my earliest cooking disasters in my story ‘Potholder Soup’. Actually, if truth be told, I couldn’t cook at all. 

It took a long time, but I finally learned to cook. Luckily, my hubby was a good cook, so he didn't starve while I learned. (LOL) 

During those first couple of years, my parents used to come visit about twice a year (especially after their very first grandchild was born). Each visit, my dad (the cook in our family during my growing up years) would give me a cooking lesson of one of my favorite childhood dishes. One trip, the lesson was how to prepare ‘fried rice’ since we had leftover turkey from a roast turkey meal. 


First, you have to understand that my dad had a fantastic sense of humor, so you never knew what he was going to come up with. On this particular evening, as we began to gather the ingredients for our fried rice dish, dad announced that the time it takes for food preparation of any recipe can be measured by beer! It is either a 1-beer, 2-beer, or 3-beer job. I  like beer, just like my dad, but my limit is usually one; maybe sometimes two. We enjoyed cooking the meal together, completed the recipe, and the family enjoyed a delicious fried rice meal. 


Now it’s about five years later. My parents were coming for a visit, and I wanted to make something comforting yet practical—chicken fried rice. It’s one of those dishes that can be made ahead of time and still taste great no matter when they arrive. 


At dinnertime, I served the chicken fried rice. As we were eating, my mom asked “how much soy sauce did you use in this dish of fried rice?”


Me: “Soy Sauce?” “Soy Sauce?”


Do you believe that my original cooking lesson of fried rice became a 3-beer job? And that the soy sauce was the last ingredient to be added? Well ~ I admit I have absolutely no memory of the soy sauce ingredient! For five years I made meals of fried rice - with NO soy sauce. Hubby used to add it to his portion, but never once asked me why I didn’t use it in the recipe. I think he thought I didn’t like soy sauce, so never mentioned it. 


Needless to say, I now know ALL the ingredients for my fried rice recipes. :)


So, for National Fried Rice Day, or any day you are in the mood for fried rice, pick your favorite recipe (or look online for a new one), and enjoy this tasty Asian dish. Don’t forget the soy sauce! 


Related Links:


*Fried Rice Recipes Online

*ReviewThis Reviews: Recipes


*National Fried Rice Day review written by Wednesday Elf



Helpful Kitchen Aids for Cooking Fried Rice

 




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