Showing posts with label Wednesday Elf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wednesday Elf. Show all posts

Saturday, March 16, 2024

A Green and Gold Gift Review for St. Patrick's Day

 

Shamrock on a 4-leaf clover background with the words Happy St. Patrick's Day

Ireland, The Emerald Isle, is known for its lovely green countryside; one of the reasons that green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day.


Since the Saint Patrick's Day holiday occurs right about the official start of spring, people are ready to see some green after a long cold winter.


Gold is another color associated with this holiday, as it represents wealth, luck and prosperity. (Remember the Irish legend about finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?). 


Let's review a few green and gold gifts for the holiday of Saint Patrick's Day.


Green and Gold Gifts


The Shamrock (the symbol of Ireland) and the expression “Luck of the Irish” are both associated with St. Patrick's Day. 


Green Sweatshirt with embroidered Lucky and a shamrock
Lucky Sweatshirt on Etsy

This embroidered 
Lucky sweatshirt by Franky B Studios on Etsy, with the word 'Lucky' and a 'shamrock' would make a perfect gift for your Irish friends. 


Handmade in green baby's first teddy bear
St. Patrick's Day Teddy Bear

Firsts for baby are always fun. This My First St. Patrick's Day Teddy Bear in green plush, personalized with baby's name, would make a darling gift for your own baby or that of a relative or friend. 


Created by The Gift Chicks (Harley Hayes and Pam McDanial) for their Etsy Store. They also create many other personalized bears for birthdays, anniversaries and many holidays. 


Handmade Leprechaun soap
Leprechaun Soap on Etsy


We've all heard the Leprechaun legend from Irish folklore about this solitary fairy who ~ legend tells us ~ will reveal the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But ~ only if you catch him. :) 


Have your own Leprechaun in this gold Leprechaun Soap, handmade by Sarah for her Etsy Store BubblesandBaubles


Gold Four Leaf Clover Pendant

Wear a symbol of luck and good fortune with this Real Solid 10k Gold Four Leaf Clover Pendant. A lovely gold lucky charm for the lady in your life. A St. Patrick's Day Gift handmade by Michael of California for his Golden Fire Jewelry shop on Etsy.


Summary


So, for St. Patrick's Day, or any gift occasion, think Green or Gold for a delightful gift.


For more Gift Reviews, Click on 

ReviewThisGifts.com



Saint Patrick's Day
March 17



*Green and Gold Gift Guide 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, February 17, 2024

Reviewing National Drink Wine Day

 National Drink Wine Day is held on February 18 each year. No one knows who chose this day to specifically drink wine, but it is nice to know that there is a special day of the year set aside to enjoy it (assuming you are over 21, of course). 


A bottle and a glass of wine


The origin of Drink Wine Day is unknown, but  it was probably created by either a winemaker or a wine connoisseur.


Benefits of Drinking Wine


A selection of wines
Photo Credit: Pixabay

Drinking wine has benefits beyond the fact that it tastes good.


Wine in moderation has health benefits for your heart and in lowering the risk of certain kinds of cancers, diabetes and liver disease. 


Other benefits include enhancing the flavors of spices, fruits and sauces when paired with the right meal. 


A glass of wine helps us relax and learning about wines keeps our minds sharp.


How to Celebrate National Drink Wine Day


  • Have a memorable evening by sharing wine with friends or that someone special.


  • Attend a wine-tasting event and try out different kinds of wine.


Grapes in a vineyard at a winery
Photo Credit: Pixabay

Go on a winery tour. Two wineries reviewed here on this Review This Reviews! site include:


Related Holidays


A wine bottle and a glass of wine

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Happily, there is more than one day of the year set aside to enjoy wine. They include:


Open That Bottle Night –  Dorothy Gaither and John Becher created this day to encourage people to reconnect with each other over a good bottle of wine or champagne. It is held on the last Saturday in February each year. 


National Wine and Cheese Day -  A day to celebrate pairing wine and cheese, providing an opportunity to sample some of our favorites. This holiday is held on July 25th. 


Drink Local Wine Week - The second full week in October brings us this annual event that hopefully encourages bloggers and wine columnists to write about their local wines. 


International Merlot Day – On November 7th we can celebrate one of the world's most popular red wines. It is also a day to encourage those who have never tried Merlot to give it a try. 


Wine Tourism Day – This day, held on the second Saturday in November, features wineries and wine-related events all over the world. 


Summery


If you enjoy drinking wine, pop the cork on your favorite bottle of wine and celebrate National Drink Wine Day this February 18th.


A Wine Chuckle


“I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food" :)

~ W.C. Fields


For More Wine-Related Reviews

Check out Review This Reviews: Wine 


For More Holiday Reviews

Check out Review This Reviews: Holidays



*Holiday Review of National Drink Wine Day 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, February 10, 2024

Valentine Reads For The Very Young

Reviewing Love-Filled Reads for Little Ones


Children's books

The perfect way to introduce small children to holidays is through books. Children love to be read to and board books work great for the babies and toddlers age group.


Let's look at a couple Valentine-themed board books for the youngest children.


Lovey Things by Dr. Seuss


Lovey Things is a sturdy board book about  things Things love.  Little ones will learn about sharing and caring, smiling and hugging, and blowing kisses from those two favorites - Thing One and Thing Two - from Dr. Seuss's 'Cat in the Hat' stories.  A very sweet rhyming way for little ones to learn about the loving ways of Valentine's Day and be introduced to the magic of Dr. Seuss.


Recommended for ages 1 – 4 years, Lovely Things is highly recommended by parents and grandparents. It is an Amazon Best Seller currently listed at #43 in the Top 100, and is #1 in both Poetry for Early Learning and Stories in Verse. It is also #7 in children's Valentine's Day books.


Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar


Fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the wonderful world of Eric Carle will love this sweet book.  A Valentine's Day gift that gives all the reasons why that someone special makes the world a better and brighter place. 


"You are the cherry on my cake; you make the sun shine brighter; you make my heart flutter."


Filled with a range of images from the World of Eric Carle, and featuring the Very Hungry Caterpillar, this board book is for reading ages 1 – 3 and ranks #4 in Children's Valentine's Day Books. 


Summary


So, to introduce your youngest children to the Valentine's Day holiday in a fun way, let them meet Thing One & Thing Two through Dr. Seuss and The Very Hungry Caterpillar with Eric Carle. 


Happy Valentine's Day Reading!
February 14


For more Valentine-Related Reviews on, Click on Review This: Valentine


For more Holiday Reviews, Click On:

ReviewThisReviews: Holidays


*Valentine Reads for Young Ones review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, February 3, 2024

Review of National Pizza Day


February 9 is National Pizza Day.


An image of a stack of pizza boxes


A Brief History of Pizza


The word “Pizza” is from the old Italian word meaning “A Point”. This popular dish began in Italy, but pizza's original American home is New York City. 


Fun Facts About Pizza


A supreme pizza
Pizza is an American standard. The most popular pizza toppings are pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms, with Pepperoni Pizza topping the list of favorites. 


A poll showed that people eat pizza on the average of three times a  month.  The most often times are Friday nights and Movie nights. 


The days most popular for ordering pizza are:


  • Super Bowl Sunday
  • Halloween
  • Thanksgiving Eve
  • New Year's Eve and New Year's Day


Pizza Days


Having a pizza party

Other days throughout the year celebrate various kinds of pizzas.


  • February 9 – National Pizza Day
  • May 17 – National Pizza Party Day
  • September 5 – National Cheese Pizza Day ('Hold the Toppings')
  • September 20 – National Pepperoni Pizza Day
  • November 12 – National Pizza with the works, except anchovies Day


AND - October is known as National Pizza MONTH


Pizza Places


Cheese Pizza
The top rated pizza fast-food places find Domino's Pizza in first place, followed in order by Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Little Caesars. 

Many pizza fans insist that their regional type is the best. Whether it's thin or thick crust, deep dish, kinds of cheeses, or sauce, or toppings, certain regions insist it is the only way to eat pizza! These include Buffalo, California, Chicago, Detroit, Greek, New York and St. Louis styles. For a complete list of these regional favorites, check out the Wikipedia article here on Pizza in the United States.


More About Pizza


Pepperoni Pizza

Many of the writers on Review This Reviews have written reviews about pizza recipes, and the products and supplies, such as pizza pans, which aid in creating your favorite pizza.  Click HERE for a list of reviews related to PIZZA




Summary


Pepperoni Pizza in a box
So, enjoy your favorite pizza on National Pizza Day this February 9th, or on any of the other Pizza Days throughout the year. Actually, probably no one needs a special day to eat pizza; any day will do! 


Happy Pizza Day! 


*Review of National Pizza Day is written by Wednesday Elf


+All images in this review are from Pixabay






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, January 27, 2024

A Review of Hawaiian Kona Coffee

 Hawaiian Kona Coffee ~ the best coffee I ever tasted!


Kona Coffee Coffee Plantation in Hawaii


History of Kona Coffee


Coffee Plantation in Hawaii
Coffee Plantation
Pixabay Image

Coffee was not an original crop in Hawaii.  It was brought to the islands in 1828 from Brazil and planted in the Hilo area. Later, some of those coffee tree seedlings were planted on the westward volcanic slopes of the Kona region of the Big Island of Hawaii. Thus, the name Kona Coffee.


The coffee grown in Kona, Hawaii ~ today considered it's own variety called Kona Typica ~ is probably the most expensive coffee you can buy. And it is well worth it. The taste is outstanding and has become my absolute favorite. The climate in Hawaii's Kona region combined with the mineral-rich volcanic soils of Mauna Loa's steep slopes, gives exceptional conditions for growing some of the world's best coffee.


I was first introduced to Kona Coffee on a visit the Hubs & I made to Hawaii in 1989. We went to visit former California neighbors who had moved to Oahu. During our 10-day visit, we daily went to a nearby coffee house and it was there I had my first (of many, many hundreds since) cup of Kona Coffee. 


Personal Coffee Story


Coffee Cup and coffee beans
Image Source: Pixabay

When I was leaving for collage, I told my dad (a big coffee drinker) I planned to learn to drink coffee once I got to school. To me, it was a very 'grown-up' thing to do.  Dad told me I should learn to drink it black because there would be times in life when cream and/or sugar might not be handy. (I believe his thinking went back to his remembered years of World War II when things such as sugar were severely rationed). Nonetheless, his advice made sense to me.


My first dinner in the freshman dorm I ordered coffee, black. It was terrible! The next night I tried it with sugar (nope), then with cream, then with cream & sugar. I didn't like coffee in any form! But, I persevered, realizing that coffee is an acquired taste. 


Today, coffee is a absolute necessity to me first thing in the morning!  And I always drink it black. :) 


Summary



Since 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee is so expensive (due to labor costs, limited supply, high demand and transportation costs), it is a treat obtained only occasionally. (Unless, of course, if you live in Hawaii). But the exceptional taste and quality are too good to pass up. Therefore, I have discovered a tasty compromise of the 10% Kona Coffee Blend for my daily intake of cups of Kona coffee. 


My latest 'treat' was given to me this past Christmas by my kids – probably the most expensive 100% Kona Coffee of all – the Royal Kona Coffee for Royalty. It is a private reserve medium roast whose unique flavor and aroma caused it to become the favorite coffee of the Hawaiian Royals. (This non-Royal grandma is enjoying it very much!). 



Bag of Kona coffee with coffee pot
Image by Wednesday Elf
Other brands of 100% Kona Coffee are less expensive and 10% Kona Blend coffee is very affordable. 


So, if you are a coffee connoisseur (or just enjoy a good cup of coffee), try either the 100% Kona Coffee or the 10% Kona Blend Coffee for a delicious cup of coffee! 





Quick Links:



*Kona Coffee Review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, January 13, 2024

National Bagel Day Review

 

For Bagel lovers (of which I am one), having a special day to celebrate the tasty bagel is delightful.


National Bagel Day is celebrated yearly on January 15. 


A collection of bagels


History of Bagels


Bagels have a long history extending back nearly 500 years to the Jewish families of Poland in the 1600s. They were brought to America by the large Polish-Jewish immigration in the 1800s and thrived in New York City where many of the immigrants settled. 


Bagel with lox, cream cheese,  capers, tomatoes and red onions
The 'bagel brunch' we still enjoy today began in the early 1900s. It's nearly the same as it was then, consisting of the popular lox, cream cheese, capers, tomatoes and red onions. Other flavors and toppings have evolved over time. It began as a plain bread roll made from yeasted wheat dough that is shaped by hand into a ring, briefly boiled in water, then baked, resulting in a dense, chewy, doughy interior with a browned exterior. Today the basic plain bagel also comes in a variety of flavors, including poppy seed, sesame seed, cinnamon raisin, bagels with berries, and the Everything Bagel. 

 

A Bagel

A Few Fun Bagel Facts


  • The first bagel began in the 1300s as a Polish obwarzanek, which was a thin, boiled, then baked ring of dough.
  • In 1610, The first written records about bagels was traced to Krakow, Poland, stating that bagels should be gifted to women soon after childbirth. (A new baby, a new bagel). 
  • By the early 1900s, bagels became wildly popular in the Jewish-immigrant communities of New York City. 
  • By the 1950s, Bagels became an American Staple. Today Bagels are sold in supermarkets everywhere and surpass the donut as an essential breakfast item. 


Summary


The original bagel today is still most popular acquired fresh from a bakery the day you wish to eat them.  But it is also handy to buy store-bought packages to have available anytime a bagel is desired.


Since bagels have their own special day, be sure to have some bagels on hand for January 15th to celebrate the official 'Bagel Day'. 




For more Holiday Reviews, check out ReviewThisHolidays.com


For more Food Reviews on ReviewThisReviews, 

Click Here


*Bagel Day Holiday Review 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) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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