Lazy Days Of Summer

by | Jul 22, 2022

This Summer Season Has Been Busy And Much Too Warm . . .

Actually, it was downright HOT! Usually I don’t mind it with air conditioning . . . but when it goes out, life can be quite uncomfortable and miserable.

I did buy a new heating and air conditioning unit — my other one was old and pretty much beyond repair. I had 10 days of waiting for the new unit to be installed . . .

Fifteen day after the new unit was installed . . . it went out . . . Something that should last 15 to 20 years stopped working after only 15 days. Obviously, this was unacceptable . . .

The company did make it right . . . but I suffered through too many hours of sweating which wasn’t my idea of enjoying my major investment . . . or the relaxing, lazy days of summer . . .

The Purpose Of This Post Was Not To Bore You With The Chaos In My Life . . .

I was more concerned about the concept of summer — my least favorite season mainly because of the weather. I’m not into the hot sticky weather. I’m more comfortable with temperatures in the 70 + degrees . . . And usually about this time I’m yearning for fall/autumn my absolute favorite season.

But summer does have its perks — many people go on vacation or read good books or watch movies . . . just relax and enjoy the fair weather. There are bar-b-ques and outdoor dining — I like sitting on my patio and even on my front porch with a nice cup of coffee or a cold glass of iced tea. 

Sitting Under A Tree Or On A Tree Swing Is Relaxing

Is it possible that we never outgrow a swing — a tree swing or one we remember from our childhood at home or school or a playground or park?

I think a swing is nice — you can just sit or move slowly or get into it and reach for the sky . . . We make it work by pumping our legs . . . and maybe with a little push by a friend . . . A swing and summer seem to go together in my mind . . .

A tree swing is very appealing to me because you get the shade of the tree overhead . . . With a slight breeze, you can hear the rustling of the leaves — makes me think of fall . . . It is relaxing and very calming . . . You can allow your imagination to bring all kinds of wonderful images to mind . . . Remember . . . your precious memories . . . stories you’ve read or heard . . . being creative and making up a story of your own or poetry — remembering a poem or writing one while you’re relaxed and swaying to a rhythm of your own . . . 

I’m thinking of ice cream — a yummy ice cream cone . . . Making something cooling and refreshing.

Check out some of the items below this post and make yourself a refreshing treat. Something you and your family will enjoy this summer season . . . and for years to come.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Healthy Homemade Vegan And Gluten-Free Maple Granola Recipe

by | Mar 13, 2022

I Love Granola With Those Yummy Clusters

You choose all the delicious ingredients. I’ll make some suggestions and you decide what is best for you and your family. I hope you love the idea that this granola is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, but feel free to use a flavoring of your choice. This is a quick and easy recipe that takes about 10 minutes of preparation before you pop it in the oven.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Organic Rolled  Oats

  • 1 1/2/ cups Raw Nuts (almond, cashew, pecan, pistachio, hazelnut, macadamia)

  • 1 cup Seeds of your choice You may also want to add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of additional seeds of your choice (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, flax seeds)

  • Optional: 1 cup coconut flakes and 1 cup dried fruit (cranberry, pear, apricot, pineapple, cherry, apple, raisin)

  • 1/3 cup Maple Syrup

  • 1/3 cup Coconut Oil or Olive Oil

  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla

  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt 

  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamon or nutmeg

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)

Let’s Make Granola:

  1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

  2. Pour in the wet ingredients and stir to combine.

  3. Spread out on a parchment-lined sheet pan or two.

  4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes at 325 F, stirring halfway through, patting down and rotating the pan. (This patting down process with a spatula halfway through baking allows those wonderful clusters to form.)

  5. Let cool before storing.

  6. Store in an airtight container or jar. It will last up to 6 weeks.

How Are You Planning On Serving Your Granola?

You may enjoy your granola with fresh berries and yogurt.

Perhaps pour almond milk over the top.

Eat it like trailmix or a snack.

Get creative and have fun!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

 

The 5 Things You Need To Know About The COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle

by | Mar 5, 2022

COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle

With an electric kettle it sets a whole new image in my mind when I hear or use the phrase “put the kettle on.”

I have to be honest with you — I never thought a kettle would be electric . . . I must be from the dark ages or have spent too much time hiding under a rock.

What Are The Five Things You Need To Know About The COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle?

I’ll Show You In Pictures

I Do Have Two More Very Important Things You Should Know About This Gooseneck Kettle

With All That Being Said And Shown — I Should Probably Change The Title Of This Post . . .

But what would be the fun of that!! It’s better to over-deliver . . . And . . . I must admit I’m one of those annoying people who asks, “How long is this going to take?” and also “How do you clean the thing?” Perhaps not what you would want to know . . . And if it is — Now you know!!!

If there’s other technical or mechanical stuff you want to know, you can click any of the images above and be taken to the correct place where your questions will be answered. 

 While doing my research in a previous post, I saw a Gooseneck Kettle and thought how wonderful that thing is . . . It made me think of olden times — I must have been reincarnated and get images of a long-gone era . . . There are just some things that interest and intrigue me . . . the gooseneck spout is one. Plus I like the name . . . the way it rolls off the tongue. I can’t wait to have guests over to use it and have someone ask about it — I’ll be ready!!! “It’s a gooseneck spout!!”

Yes, Yes . . . I know . . . I need to get a life . . . I do, however, enjoy the one I’m living . . . I am easily amused and am having fun with my websites . . . And finding products to review. I am enjoying the simple things and not allowing the outside stresses get in the way. We do what we can and we take things as they come . . . with some enjoyment in finding an electric gooseneck kettle!!

Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment if you care to — I’m interested in your thoughts about this kettle . . . would you prefer a stove top one . . . maybe the gooseneck isn’t your cup of tea . . . Whatever your thoughts, I’d be interested in hearing from you.

Until next time!

Sharon

Making Changes — Improvements

by | Mar 2, 2022

Yesterday I Did A Major Facelift To This Website

I love this website. It has been part of me since 2014, but I had it hosted elsewhere before moving it — and losing the content. My point is that I’ve had this website or domain name for a number of years — It has gone through changes . . . as have I . . . some good, others not so much . . . no regrets — it’s all part of the journey. Where we end up hopefully is worth it.

I’m not necessarily a “joiner” . . . yet for the past 8 years I’ve been involved with an internet marketing group. I’ve been a Premium Member of that group for all that time. Last year or so they did a major upgrade and offered a Premium Plus Membership at twice plus the cost . . . I passed. At the time I didn’t feel the added services would benefit me. Then there was this 36 hour March Madness Sale cutting the price down to what I was paying for the Premium Membership. Of course this internet community was talking about how this was a “no-brainer” opportunity. I didn’t act right then. I slept on it. I woke up at 4 AM went to the website and upgraded to Premium Plus.

Why am I sharing this? It’s about timing. I was revamping this website. I needed a change . . . I had even thought of building a new website — even letting this one go . . . I was thinking of how this one has become just like another website I have. My other websites were created from this one more or less . . . I love Halloween, ghost stories, the paranormal . . . all that creepy stuff . . . but also paper crafts and whatever else interests me at the moment . . . But I digress . . .

How Serious Does One Have To Be To Be Taken Seriously?

Read More

You didn’t see that coming did you? Neither did I, actually.

I spent a lot of time yesterday seeing what my theme company had available for me to use in order to revamp this website.

It gave me inspiration . . .

Also some doubts about the direction I was going . . . or if I could make this work. Tough stuff!!

It was basically a wake up call telling me to stop messing around and get serious. Yes, I’m a senior citizen . . . all the more reason for me to have my act together and stop playing around. I can enjoy what I’m doing, but I do need to get serious about it.

That was the reason for the upgrade . . . And my reason for sharing this here. There are times we have to get out of our comfort zone. Try new things. Learn new things. Discover new things. There are plenty of opportunities available to us . . . if we would only acknowledge them . . .

Recognizing opportunities and acknowledging them . . . knowing our limitations and doing something about it. Life is fluid . . . ever changing whether we’re ready for it or not. And changes that may not be something we want . . . so it’s important to get out in front and turn the tide in the direction that works best for us. I suppose it’s about being pro-active rather than re-active.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment to let me know what you think of this post and the revamping of this website.

Until next time!

Sharon

Back To The Rafters Review

by | Feb 28, 2022

It’s Truly Unfortunate How A Wonderful Series Can Come Back With All The Fan Fair And Be Awful . . . With A Few Exceptions

I was feeling guilty by not warming up to Ruby — the youngest of the Rafter children . . . Then I read the reviews on Amazon . . . Here’s one I think is worth discussing here . . .

3.0 out of 5 stars Will There be a Season 2?

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2021

I saw a talk show in December 2019 that had most of the cast of “Packed to the Rafters”. They were discussing Amazon bringing a continuation series to Amazon streaming. Well, I was there for that! Filming was, of course, delayed due to COVID. “Back to the Rafters” is finally here and I binge watched all 6 episodes. The entire original cast were there, with the exception of Jessica Marais. She was replaced by Georgina Haig, whom I found a lot better. She’s a lot more mature and softer. Not as brittle.

No one has really changed, except Ted afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Michael Caton, you rule! Julie still thinks she knows all and can fix everything. Just want to shake her. Dave, I like Dave. He is correct. You can’t live your life for your kids. Before you had ’em, you had a life. Of course, J & D got married at like 18 when she got pregnant. So, they didn’t have much a of life before kids. Ben is still the non listener. All about him and what he wants. Takes after Julie, I think. He can get to be a pain. Nathan, the woe is me boy. Nothing works out for Nathan. He likes to run, but maybe he has found an anchor afterall. Now for Ruby. Super irritating. Now that kid needs a huge time out. If a second season is in the works, less of Ruby. Can’t stand her. Carbo hasn’t changed. Nothing new there. Retta, I’d like to see more of her, not just in one episode. Edward is cute and not irritating. Cassie, why? She and Ben just do not gel. I think that a different actress would have been better. Tessa, loved her and the earth mother vibe she gives off. Donna, she’s changed a bit and I like it. She likes to have a little fun now. Paddo was a nice addition. A gentle spirit and good that Dave has someone to relate with. I watched all of the original series last year between TubiTV and Hulu. I enjoyed the first couple of seasons more than the later ones, except for Jessica Marias. She just grated on me. I liked the fact that the first couple of seasons didn’t have more than a couple of dramas going on in each episode. Then, the dramas increased within each episode. Those full grown kids just being stupid, wasteful, nonchalant, inconsiderate and just plain idiots was hard to watch sometimes. But, I continued watching to see how things turned out for some of the characters. This continuation isn’t bad and I’m glad that they have moved part of the story to another place, but lose Ruby, the bratty kid, tone Julie’s efforts to run everyone’s life, make Ben address his it’s all about me issues, make Nathan be ok with who he is, make Rachel a warrior (she half way there) and Dave, he is the only one with some common sense in the sea of Rafter’s. He can stay the way he is.

I’m Not 100% In Agreement With This Review — But . . .

Of course we all have our opinions. We click with some characters more than others . . . I like Ben . . . Nathan, not so much . . . Ruby . . . makes Nathan look all right . . . I was warming up to Rachel . . . I’m still upset that Mel died . . . oops!! spoiler . . . And I’m not too fond of Ted . . . too bad the writers had to give him  Alzheimers, but that is life . . . Not something any of us want to experience.

I enjoyed the first few seasons of Packed To The Rafters . . . some of the latter ones were not as good . . . in my opinion. It could be a generation gap thing on my part — or I’m a bit of a snob . . . working class people aren’t criminals . . . yet Dave’s biological father had that element . . . and the family embraced it — giving second chances and all that . . . they are “family” . . . And what happened to Dave’s biological mother after we got Nathan’s kidney . . . traveling . . . in the later seasons she wasn’t mentioned. It makes me wonder if the Rafter’s (Dave, Julie and Ruby) left to get away from the riff-raff . . . Hopefully, if there is a second season, the Jennings clan won’t be visiting.

This “woke” thing . . . why does every new series have to be PC and “woke” . . . There have been lots of reviews about other series on Amazon that viewers didn’t like because this “woke” crap has filtered into the story . . . We want to be entertained — to escape the problems of the world and our own lives . . . We don’t appreciate being told how to think and what to believe. We don’t like pushy salesmen . . . so why would be accept an ideology that is contrary to logic and common sense!!! Give people credit for having some brain cells.

Too Bad I Didn’t Find Pictures With The Other New Cast Members

I like Tessa and Paddo. The country setting was what Ben had wanted at one time . . . I don’t know about Ruby . . . if she’ll settle down  — maybe it’s the “woke” brainwashing of public schools . . . at least in the USA . . . but we do spread our filth at times . . . Australia has seemed to have gone hog wild with the lock downs . . . Just an observation in oppression — so very “woke” of them!!

I should get off this topic . . . hopefully there will be a second season with more common sense and family harmony . . . We can have our daily life problems . . . but we don’t need to bring nonsense into the mix.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment — I’ve been receiving a bunch of spam lately. Don’t appreciate it, but it gives me something to delete. 

Sharon

Have You Watched Packed To The Rafters?

by | Feb 28, 2022

Packed To The Rafters

It’s a great title for a series about a family . . . kids leaving the nest . . . and returning . . .

It’s unfortunate that there has to be spoilers in reviews . . . That’s just how it sometimes has to be . . . So . . . that’s your warning.

I enjoyed this series. I even took a look at Back To The Rafters — I did want more . . . I’m not too sure about that . . . I haven’t warmed up to the youngest of the four Rafter children — Ruby . . . I’m keeping an open mind . . . I do wonder if there will be a second season of Back To The Rafters . . . Time will tell . . .

My Posts Seem To Be A Jumble Without Much Organized Thought

Yet, I see TwoCansOnAString.com much like a kitchen junk drawer . . . We need it!!

I suppose with blogging we do what feels good at the moment . . . How it comes together isn’t the issue — It’s that the content is there!!!

Wow! A Trailer Of Back To The Rafters

Be sure to sign-up for Amazon Prime if you don’t already have it!!!

I should have a link for you to click either in the footer or the sidebar . . . I don’t want to be pushy . . . But why aren’t you a Prime Member? Give yourself the gift of Prime!!!

 

An Interesting Cast Of Characters — The Family, The Neighbors . . . Friends . . . Co-Workers . . .

This is truly a heartwarming series . . . I cried . . . I also found myself becoming uncomfortable . . . Perhaps some things hit close to home or it shed light on my not being as opened minded as I’d like to be.

We all have opinions. We view things differently . . . We may accept the choices others make — perhaps we don’t like it or would make those choices in our lives . . . In my case, I may not truly understand . . . This could be the reason I watch such Prime Video series — to gain a better understanding of life — choices one can make . . . and see how things progress.

Life is full of lessons . . . some we learn . . . some we ignore . . . some we are not even aware . . .

I’m sure I’ve missed the boat on a lot of what life has to offer . . . I try to have an open mind . . . We do have our own priorities, thoughts, beliefs and opinions . . . I do wonder why we warm up to some and others we don’t — or even want to ignore and hope will just go away . . .

This is a series worth watching. Perhaps you’ll become reflective as I have . . .

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon