We’re On The Home Stretch

I probably got that wrong . . . Not into horse racing . . .

It does seem to apply to Christmas shoppers.

I have been delighted by the number of sales I’ve made by having one or more of the links clicked . . . Thank you very kindly. I believe many more of you have done the majority of your shopping online. I know I did and everything is wrapped and tucked away.

There is something about being caught up in the Christmas rush madness . . . but I think I’ll stay away from the malls an

d downtown shopping areas. I’ll even refrain from driving by. I would avoid it all, but I do have to do some grocery shopping. I am prepared for the long check-out lines.

I’ll also be filling my car with gas . . . I don’t plan on traveling, but I do want to be able to take a quick trip to the store for any items I discover I forgot.

Yes, indeed this is a busy time of year . . . I’m looking forward to relaxing when it is all said and done.

I’ll work on some crafts and also play some games or put together some jigsaw puzzles. Just a way to kick back and relax. I could watch some DVDs and also read a book. Goodness, there is so very much that I could do . . . after all is said and done.

I’m curious about solo board games.

Dungeon Raiders Board Game by Passport Game Studios, Zombie 15′: Left Alone Solo Campaign Board Game by IELLO, Friday Board Game by Rio Grande Games, Ravingspire: Assault on the Tower of Madness. A Deck-Building, Rotating Dungeon Board Game for 1 to 6 players. Sylvion Board Game by Z-Man Games, and Q-Bitz Solo: Magenta Edition by MindWare.

Do any of these catch your attention? They all have promise, but I was looking for something that would be fun . . . and light . . . maybe even silly.

Mohawkz — Dinosaur Edition — Family Game with 8 Bouncing Mohawk Balls and 2 Target Ramps — Educational Fun for Kids and Adults (8 years and up) by Rooster Fin.

I think this may be exactly what I’m wanting.

  • It is educational in that it is a fast-paced skill game that helps improve motor skills and hand-eye-coordination.
  • It’s suitable for all ages — kids, teens, college students, parents, grandparents, etc.
  • It’s fun!!!
  • Great for family game night, parties vacations, makes a great gift and to play solo when you just want to relax for a moment or two.
  • Excellent re-playability . . . no game is alike . . .

The object of the game is to bounce the balls, one at a time, towards the target. The best bounce wins.

RoosterFin games are created by teachers. They are simple to learn and great for the whole family. Joe, the owner, has a gift in understanding how math applies to games. He has created award-winning games and is devoting his full attention to making great games.

Here’s a video:

Hummmmm, I may want something a bit more challenging . . . I’ll need to give some of the other games a closer look.

Sylvion looks promising. It is a strategy game that can be played solo.

I’m excited about this game although I hate fires . . . but rebuilding the forest has some great promise . . . Yes, let’s continue watching:

Oh my goodness!!! I’m thinking the Mohawkz has some promise, but I’m getting into this strategy of wiping out the fires.

Well, I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time. I do hope these videos were informative and gave you an idea of what Mohawkz and Sylvion are all about. These two solo games can also be played with others which makes it a great choice when buying games for your family game night.

Decisions, decisions, decisions . . .

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Have You Looked At The Calendar Lately?

Wow!! Where has the time gone?

Christmas is upon us with the New Year coming up fast.

Amazing how I can look back to this summer and yearning for fall. Then, it finally came and Whoosh! we’re into winter.

I belong to an internet marketing group where someone asked if we were taking Christmas Day off or working. Well, I know it is for celebrating with family, but I also know that working online I can celebrate and also work. That’s the beauty of the internet.

I got thinking about the New Year and spring . . . I’m really getting excited about spring . . . but I’m enjoying the weather we’re having now and the anticipation of Christmas, too.

It’s all exciting!

It’s all good . . . every season and everyday. There is always something fun and exciting to discover or finally decide to purchase.

I haven’t been much into rubber stamping or making cards, but I’m finding that I’m warming up to the idea.

I’m a fan of Tim Holtz and, of course, love my Sizzix Big Shot. The combining of the two in this set of stamps and die cuts has really gotten me excited.

Sizzix Framelits Dies Mini by Tim Holtz Bird Crazy and Things, Stampers Anonymous Mini Bird Crazy & Things Tim Holtz Cling Stamps,
Sizzix Framelits Mini Crazy Cats and Dogs Die Set, and not shown is the Tim Holtz Cling Stamps Mini Cats & Dogs by Stampers Anonymous.

I decided to go with the mini set because of the Village Dwellings I’m making and they go better with other stamp sets.

They work well for cards and mini albums and so very many other fun projects you may have throughout the year. There is always something exciting you can do with birds, cats and dogs. And, by all means feel free to get the regular sets of these as well.

Sizzix Franelits 18 Piece Bird Crazy Die Set, Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Bird Crazy Stamp Set, Sizzix Crazy Things Framelits Dies by Tim Holtz, Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamp Set Crazy Things, Sizzix Framelits Dies by Tim Holtz Crazy Cats, Stampers Anonymous Crazy Cats Tim Holtz Cling Stamps.

What about the dogs? Sizzix Franelits Crazy Dogs Die Set and Tim Holtz Cling Stamps Crazy Dogs by Stampers Anonymous.

Most people buy both the regular sets and the mini sets to go with their various projects.

I was going to say, if you hurry, you may be able to get these before Christmas, but you know something, I think it would be much more exciting to get them after Christmas . . . even if it is a gift for a special crafter in your family. You know why, because you’ll have something to look forward to receiving and so will your special crafter.

It’s all a matter of perspective, actually. You want ’em for Christmas . . . click the links!!!! Otherwise relax and don’t get all uptight about when it will arrive — it will arrive when it arrives!!

I do thank you for stopping by!

Sharon

Hope All Is Going Well For You

Remember when you were a child how you’d always be asked, “How was school today?”

I suppose it was one of those opened ended questions adults use for you to “spill the beans.”

Sometimes it did work. We told how Billy got in trouble for eating the paste or how Margaret fell down in the cafeteria with her tray of food spilling all over her and everyone near her. And, sometimes, we just shrugged and said, “Fine.”

Well, I had this neighbor who would ask, “Did anything funny happen at school today?”

That was a different spin on the usual question and it surprised me.

For one, what I thought might be funny may not be funny to an adult and there may be a lesson to be learned from that.

On the other hand, it gave me something to think about and to look for . . . Margaret’s fall was funny — we had chili beans for lunch that day and it was a major mess all over her and all over the floor and some of it splashed on others near her. And, before it was cleaned up a couple of other kids slipped in the chili bean mess on the floor, fell and added to it.

Then, although Margaret tried her best to clean herself up, after lunch the classroom smelled like chili beans.

It was an embarrassing situation for Margaret, but she wasn’t hurt . . . may have ruined her dress, but it was kind of funny . . . especially when others slipped in the chili bean mess on the floor . . . And, yes, it was funny that complete innocent by-standers got splattered with Margaret’s lunch.

It was funny for me to watch the expression on the faces of the kids who got splashed and those who slipped and made wide arm movements to keep from falling . . . but in the process dumped their tray of food down the front of them or the person next to them . . . 

I’m sure you, too, can see the humor . . . it is always funnier when you’re observing from a safe distance.

As it turned out, my neighbor gave me something new to focus upon . . . finding humor everyday.

What’s really great is when we can laugh at ourselves.

Putting up tree decorations is usually an experience that can be humorous. I remember getting the ladder and working for about an hour getting the lights up on the house . . . only to discover that I had the plug end on the wrong side . . . Thus I put up the string of light backwards . . . We didn’t have lights that year . . . I was completed disgusted with myself . . . but I can laugh about it. And I’m sure the neighbors enjoyed it!

I have this huge oak tree in front of my house. The leaves have these sharp points on the end . . . I went out to get the mail in my bare feet and I can only imagine the “show” I put on as I tried to walk getting stuck with those sharp leaves.

It is good to laugh. At yourself and to see the humor in everyday activities of others. Yes, they may not appreciate being laughed out, but you can hold it in until later . . . 

Remember how you’d be walking in line and someone would step on the back of your shoe giving you a “flat tire.” You were stuck taking a step with the shoe that was on your foot and then sliding the shoe with the “flat tire” with the other foot. It made a funny sound of step-slide-step-slid. And what would make it better is if someone else ahead of you had the same experience . . . sometimes your steps weren’t in unison and it made a funny sound . . .

And, have you noticed, when you see something funny and you’re about to burst out in laughter . . . but you’re in the wrong setting . . . maybe church or a library . . . or someone’s home . . . or formal gathering . . . And, trying to hold in your laughter is almost painful . . .

Those were the good ol’ days . . . and they can be part of your everyday life. Just lighten up and see the humor around you. There is plenty! You just have to look for it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game Review

Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game — The Family Game of Infinite Storytelling — 5 Ways to Play

I love story telling!

This game has won awards!! 5 Time Award Winner including Prestigious Dr Toy Award 2016 and Winner of the 2016 Scholastic Parent & Child Gold Star Toy Award.

Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game includes:

  • 24 Story Cards
  • 50 Game Pieces and a Story Bag

There are 5 ways to play:

  • Basic Game: One player reaches into the story bag and picks out 8 story pieces, one at a time. This player begins telling a Tall Tale using one of the pieces and continues on until all of the pieces are included in the story. Allow your imagination to go wild as you’re adding new elements to your story. There’s no scoring, just story telling.
  • World Tales: Follows the Basic Game directions. After selecting the 8 story pieces, draw one story place card and use that card as an environment for your Tall Tale. As you tell your story, place your story pieces on the story place card as they’re used.
  • Taller Tales: Choose a number 9 to 50. One player selects one piece from the bag to use in their story. Once that piece is used, that same player draws another piece which must be the next piece they use in their story. The story continues until the number of pieces chosen to use is completed. Story place cards may be added for more variations.
  • Group Tales: Each player draws two or more story pieces, thus dividing up the 50 pieces among the players. The first player chooses one piece they’ve drawn and begins the story using one piece in the tale and passes the story to the second player who continues the tale using one of his/her pieces. The story continues to pass from player to player until all have used up all of their pieces. Story place cards may be added for more of a challenge.
  • Marathon Tales: It’s like Taller Tales, but the number chosen is always 50 pieces. It can be one story teller or can be like Group Tales where the story travels from player to player. Story place cards may be added.

And, since this is your game and your players you can make up your own rules! Once you learn the Basic Game you can make variations — depending upon the age group.

This game is great for 4-year-olds and up.

You can even add more pieces to your story bag: little plastic toys or trinkets. This will make the story more personal to you.

This is a wonderful game allowing children to use their imaginations.

You may also enjoy:

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Board And Card Games For Christmas Is A Family Affair

I used to love it when the whole family would get together and play board and card games when I was a kid.

Here are a few I’d like to review today:

They make excellent stocking stuffers, too.

These are great throughout the year so you can begin a family game night. I’m sure the whole family will look forward to this . . . and friends may want to join in, too. It’s a great way to spend an evening.

All right, let’s begin with Lattice Board Game (Standard Edition) by Adacio. It’s a strategy board game designed for 2 to 4 players ages 6 years and up. The rules are simple, takes about 3 minutes to explain and 20 minutes to play. The manufacture states it takes “a lifetime to master.” That’s positive because along with it you’ll see that many skills are developed: cognitive skills, spacial recognition, planning, strategy and interpersonal skills.

It reminds me a bit of dominoes, a bit of scrabble (but you’re not making words) and qwirkle. You’re matching tiles by color or image. There are some special stones that will be explained in this short video.

So, the game consists of: 84 tiles, a 14 inch board, 4 tile racks, 32 acrylic stones, a box and instructions. Everything you need — except the players.

It’s a good solid game for fun with the family and friends. It is a light game with more appeal to adults because of the strategy angle and wonderful for young children because of the matching of color or image and the development of basic skills mentioned above. The game has merit and definite re-play-ability. No game will be exactly the same. It’s an excellent family game for all ages.

Next we have JINK Family Edition Board Game by Game Development Group. JINX is a fast paced action game of luck and fun for all players. The object of the game is to line up 3 of your game pieces in a row after rolling the dice and placing your game pieces on the board. If, however, you land on your own piece, you get Jinxed and have to start all over again.

JINK is designed for 2 to 6 players ages 10 years to adult. The game includes: game pawns, dice, a large game board and instruction sheet.

I wasn’t all that thrilled with it. Although it was fast paced, I found myself wanting to get the game over with and move to another one. There really wasn’t that much challenge to it. It basically fell flat in my humble opinion.

Moving on we have a card game Wild West Round Up by Arizona Game Company. It’s a fun twist on the ever popular “Spoons” card game.

This is a family friendly card game for 3 to 8 players ages 7 years and up. The game consists of 59 Wild West themed playing cards and rules. The illustrations are fun. The game is fast-paced. Players quickly pass cards around the table until a matching set is found and someone yells “STAMPEDE!” Players race to roundup cattle cards before the last cow gets away. The one with the most cows at the end of the game is the winner. Each game averages between 7 to 14 minutes.

Kids love the game! And the furniture doesn’t get beat up as with Spoons. I think it’s a great game for family night. You could buy some little cows to use instead of the cow cards — they do seem to get a bit beat up when they are grabbed.

And last, but not least we have Hoagie, A Goofy Kitchen Adventure by Gangrene Games. It boasts of being one of the most addicting family games for kids and adults.

I like to watch the game in action to understand the game a bit better. Let’s watch:

So, as you saw, a simple game of building a sandwich just got complicated by other players messing it up. I love the card illustrations and simple rules. I can see this card game being extremely popular on family game nights.

You have fresh ingredients from which players build a hoagie masterpiece. You also have the Oogies, a gang of ingredient spoiling critters. While players are creating their hoagie, other players are putting Oogies in their opponents sandwiches.

The game was designed for 2 to 5 players ages 4 to adult. This is one of those games adults enjoy as much as their children. Hoagie is a definite winner in my humble opinion. This one is definitely going to be in several stockings, because once I bring it out to play on Christmas Eve, I’m going to be asked over and over and over again if they could take it home with them . . . Well, I won’t be losing my game . . . I’ve got that all worked out.

You have a wonderful list of family games to have for family game night or a rainy day. Or just because you want to play a fun game.

Hoagie is my absolute favorite of the ones listed. I think it’s the artwork and the concept of making a sandwich and spoiling ingredients for the other players, but what goes around comes around . . . Those Oogies!! It is a fun game with quite a bit of strategy thrown in. It also reminds me a bit of UNO which is another quite popular family game.

Just click one of the links above to be taken to where you can get more information and make a purchase. These games make great gifts for all occasions.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this was helpful.

Sharon