by Sharon | Oct 31, 2016
Yes, Halloween has finally arrived!!!
Soon there will be happy costumed children ringing your doorbell anticipating some great candy treats.
It’s a fun night for kids . . . I remember how I enjoyed it . . . running from house to house . . . ringing doorbells and shouting “Trick-or-Treat!!”
Our childhood memories are great . . . and those we shared with our children . . . and grandchildren . . . New memories can be made every day . . .
We are truly blessed with holidays and different celebrations . . . as long as we don’t allow the outside world to get under our skin. The news always seems to be doom and gloom . . . but it doesn’t have to get you down . . .
There’s this board game by that name . . .
I’m sure I’ve reviewed it, but there’s a newer edition and lots of other additions to it that I thought I’d share with you. It’s not necessarily a Halloween game, it works for all seasons . . . It’s just a way of putting gloom and doom in perspective . . . to have fun with it.
This game isn’t for everyone, but it’s always fun when I bring it out for family game night.
In this game you will meet an eccentric family of misfits and assume the control of their fate. The goal of the game is both sad and simple — you want your characters to suffer the greatest tragedies possible before they die. But you will be cheering your opponents’ characters with happy occasions.
Does it seem to be a game you, your friends and family would enjoy?
Like I said, it’s not for everyone . . . it’s designer is Keith Baker. This second edition has improved the packaging, rules have been fixed, there are timing icons, reminder cards and so much more. It is compatible with the first edition game and supplements.
Gloom is recommended for ages 13 and older. The game involves 2 to 5 players. It takes about an hour to play. I do like the game . . .
You may like these supplementary Gloom expansions to bring more . . . mishaps to your game night . . . pleasure . . .
Well, there you go! The wonderful world of Gloom.
Believe it or not, there are Gloom fans!! It has its own appeal . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 29, 2016
Is it possible for a healthy smoothie to taste like your favorite candy?
Smoothies are popular . . . healthy . . . and sometimes not all that delicious . . .
The whole idea of having a healthy smoothie is to drink it . . . so it has to taste good . . . otherwise it’s healthy without fun. And we all like to have something to look forward to . . . not hold your nose and gulp something down . . . because it’s good for you.
Well, Tyler Cordell, the author of Crazy Candy Smoothie Cookbook: Healthy and Heavenly Smoothies That Taste Just Like Your Favorite Candy puts the fun into smoothies!!
This recipe book has 30 delicious smoothie recipes that taste just like candy . . . Laffy Taffy is one example — Banana or Strawberry . . . and I’m sure you can also ad lib a bit with your smoothie and have both in one drink to tickle your taste buds into a happy taste sensation that is healthy.
For chocolate lovers . . . there’s a Snickers Shake . . . and other chocolate flavored smoothies.
I love the title of this recipe book and the cover picture grabbed my attention.
I immediately thought of healthy treats for the kids . . . and one reviewer of this book mentioned how these smoothies are a substitute for her candy addiction. That’s a good thing, right?
Click the image to the right and you’ll be able to take a look inside this book.
It’s worth checking out!
I was watching some movie the other day and one scene was about a juice bar and how people ordered their drinks . . . some from the menu and others were their own combination . . . kind of like people do with their coffees . . . This got me thinking of looking for crazy recipes for smoothies . . . and I’ll need to figure out the coffees, too. No one likes having a boring drink . . . or food for that matter.
Here are some other crazy cookbooks you may find interesting:
Click any of the images above to be taken on a healthy adventure into good tasting and maybe a bit crazy food and drink recipes. It’s all about enjoying your food and drinks . . . sharing them with friends and family . . .
I’m sure you’ll find something to brighten up your life a bit . . . and find it healthy and nutritional, too.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 16, 2016
I’m a big fan of Tim Holtz and Sizzix’s Big Shot.
Tim Holtz was the inspiration behind the electric version Vagabond. It looks like a suitcase and you can add travel labels to it. This is an excellent die cutting machine for those who do a lot of die cutting and those with issues with their hands . . . or are just tired of hand cranking the dies through the Big Shot.
One or the other of these machines is necessary to use the Sizzix Bigz Village Dwelling Die by Tim Holtz.
This die is essential in making a village . . . Tim has created other dies that are add-ons to this die . . . The Village Manor, Village Winter, Village Bell Tower, Village Bungalow and the Surf Shack. I think I covered all of them . . . There’s also a Brownstone that I believe is a stand-alone die . . . And there are also dies with different roofs, shutters and windows that you can add to make your dwellings a bit different.
And you can always add embellishments of your own using paper or other materials along with craft store items. It’s amazing how different roof materials and siding can change the whole look of the dwelling. I prefer to make these decisions while the dwelling is still in pieces. That way I don’t need to try to figure out measurements and cutting things at weird angles.
Some people are amazing with paint and paint these up to make them all different with brickwork or rock work or woodwork . . . I’ve known people who cut up paper and layer it to get the correct texture on their dwelling.
This is cute and with the other dies for variations, you’ll be creating a whole village in no time at all!
I found inspiration from the Surf Shack . . . I thought this would be a fun craft for kids who spend a lot of time at the beach . . . surfing and just enjoying the water . . . I’m sure you could make a whole seaside town with restaurants and shops . . . Allow your imagination to flow freely and you’ll be making up whole sections of your village from various places you’ve vacationed or lived . . . or would love to visit.
I’m wondering about something for Halloween . . . Thanksgiving . . . Christmas . . . Easter . . . I think anything is possible once you get the basic house structure and you can create variations upon variations. I like to see what others create and I try to improve on their idea . . . I believe Tim Holtz designed the dwelling house to have fun and see what would develop . . . Then he came up with more dies to add to it . . . Like the Surf Shack, Village Winter, Bell Tower for a church and school house . . . The Village Manor — which would make an excellent Haunted House . . . and the Village Bungalow . . . That one would be delightful for spring or Easter with flowers and bunnies . . . But, it could also work for other seasons, too . . .
Just take a moment to look at the different houses all made from The Village Dwelling and you’ll soon find other houses you can make by combining elements from the other dies.
The important thing is to get the basics down first . . . Then you can design some extra-ordinary dwellings from your own imagination.
Here are some links you may find helpful:
With these along with the images in the post, you’ll have everything you need, except paper, to build villages for every season of the year.
And, if this is your first purchase of a Sizzix Big Shot or Vagabond, it’s a good idea to get the extended cutting plates and a crease pad and other suggestions that go with the machine and with the dies you’re purchasing. You don’t want to wait for your next order to arrive before being able to use your dies.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 6, 2016
I was wondering what Halloween books are available for kids.
I remember a few good ones . . . but it’s always good to expand your Halloween book library.
Speaking of libraries . . . I believe I remember one about a boy who was locked in a library and all sorts of strange things happened. It didn’t have anything to do with books . . . but there was some sort of haunting going on . . . I just can’t remember the name of it . . . or what happened to the boy . . .
I was looking around on Amazon and found a few titles that caught my attention:
This should be an excellent place to begin.
Scary, Scary Halloween is for ages 4 years and up. It’s a fun story about these eyes that see ghosts, goblins, witches, etc. passing by . . . You guessed it, the ghosts, etc. are children passing by in costume . . . and the eyes . . . none other than cats who want the children to go away so they can have their Halloween night fun.
We’re Off To Find The Witch’s House is a great adventure story for ages 3 to 7 years. It’s a wonderful read-aloud book that will be read over and over and over again. Four friends dressed in Halloween costumes set out to the witch’s house. They encounter other costumed characters along the way . . . But when they reach their destination . . . They see the witch and hear a loud screech . . . Never fear, the witch invites them inside for Halloween Party. This book is full of rhyming rhythmic text with call-and-response sections. It’s a good read that holds children’s attention.
Halloween Night is recommended for children from 4 to 8 years of age. It has the familiar rhyme of Night Before Christmas. “‘Twas Halloween night, and all through the house/Every creature was stirring, including the mouse.” There’s a grand mansion where all kinds of critters and creatures are preparing a Halloween buffet for the trick-or-treaters . . . but when they peer inside “But what they saw on that shadowy night/Made each little trickster shiver with fright!” It’s a fun read children love.
At The Old Haunted House is home to an assortment of creatures from “a warty green witch and her wee witchy one” to goblins, vampires, bats, black cats, werewolves, spiders, and more. Each page begins with At The Old Haunted House and the number of creatures increase with each turn of the page. Children 3 to 7 years will enjoy this book . . . and the great Halloween celebration the creatures prepare.
Halloween Hustle is a great story about a skeleton that dances and stumbles and falls apart on his way to Ghost’s Halloween Party . . . but never fear, his friends help put him back together . . . and at the party he’s in tip top shape for the dance contest. It’s a fun read for ages 3 to 7 years.
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree is the adventure of three bears who explore a spooky old tree . . . It’s a fun Berenstain Bears book for ages 4 to 8 years.
There should be a title or two that may interest you and your children . . . I’m kind of excited about the Halloween Hustle . . . and then there’s Halloween Night . . . and so many more titles I didn’t add here . . .
Just click one of the links above and you can have a great time discovering all kinds of Halloween books.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 3, 2016
I don’t do many product reviews here, but it’s October and I’m feeling like getting into the DVDs.
There are always the classics . . . I like to keep my collection family friendly . . . and I’m in my second childhood.
This double feature set of Halloweentown and Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge is a great adventure for Marnie and her family. They delve into a world of ghosts, ghouls, witches, warlocks, werewolves, evil curses and so very much more.
This Disney classic gives a wholesome message regarding the power of family, cooperation and perseverance.
Halloweentown/Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge Double Feature is for ages 5 years and older. It is a must have for your family Halloween viewing. And don’t forget Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown.
Next up is Twitches with Tia and Tamera Mowry.
This is truly an enchanting story. Two ordinary girls who discover they are powerful witches from another dimension separated at birth. This was a Disney Channel Original Movie, so it is suitable for the whole family.
I’m not usually into scifi, but this gives just the right blend . . . it is a bit quirky, but it is made for children ages 7 years and older. Parental Guidance is suggested.
Don’t forget to check out Twitches Too.
Then there’s another classic that comes to mind this time of year . . . You may not need a hint, but I’ll give you not one, but three — Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.
Yes, indeed, it is none other than Hocus Pocus!!
These three outlandish witches return from 17th-century Salem, actually by accident from some unsuspecting pranksters, but since the trio of witches are back they’re determined to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth. The foes in this are three kids and a talking cat.
This is fun and crazy Halloween entertainment recommended for ages 7 years and up. It’s also from Disney, which means family friendly.
Now, where do I want to take you next . . . I was thinking of continuing with the “sister” theme . . . Does any Halloween movie come to mind?
Are you thinking?
How about Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman!!
And we can’t forget the doting aunts played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest.
This is witchcraft at its best . . . This story involves two sisters who live with their aunts and are all believed to be witches. Yet, the Owen women have been cursed . . . This is a movie worth seeing and watching each and every Halloween . . . It’s great to show at your Halloween party!!!
I do like this one!!
I have a few more I’ll link to below . . .
I know I forgot many of your favorites and mine, too, but this is enough for now.
And you can always explore on your own. You may prefer something more frightening . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 3, 2016
For many J. K. Rowling fans, it was a sad day after the release of the last Harry Potter book . . .
Then there was a high point with the release of the movie . . . Another with the release of the DVD .
. .
There were other books published, but none as popular and beloved as the Harry Potter saga. Then miraculously came Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, Special Rehearsal Edition Script.
Of course it was an Amazon #1 Best Seller with all the pre-orders placed in anticipation of the release date of July 31, 2016.
Now there’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to find Them: The Original Screenplay to be released November 18, 2016. Yes, it’s available for pre-order now at Amazon — of course, being a #1 Best Seller.
Yes, there is a film coming out of the same title in November the day before the book release. There is no mention of when the DVD will be available for pre-order . . . I’m sure many are anticipating that.
J. K. Rowling has written a novel for adult readers, The Casual Vacancy. She writes crime novels under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. But, they don’t seem to fill the void many fans feel. There are mixed reviews regarding the script format of The Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Sure we’ll buy them, but we want a novel to emerge ourselves into the printed words and imagination of the master story teller, J. K. Rowling.
It is that time of year when many of us are re-reading the Harry Potter books . . . and watching the DVDs . . . We have to once more delve into the wizardly world . . . It’s like visiting an old friend. And that’s exactly what J. K. Rowling has brought to her many fans . . . old friends, Hogwarts . . . with a brief look to the future with anticipation of more to come . . . I hope we won’t be disappointed.
Here are some links you may find helpful . . . I’ll try not to get carried away:
I’m looking forward to November!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
