Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Friday, February 16, 2024

Ruth's Brownies

Years ago I was sent two batches of Ruth's Brownies and I still tell people about them but for some reason, some of my posts went to drafts so I wanted to make sure I was able to repost about these awesome treats. 

Ruth's Brownies... The Perfect Gift


As you can see they come well packaged and make great gifts as is. 






I was able to try both chewy and classic cake-style brownies. I am more of a chewy brownie eater myself but to be honest almost any brownie is game for me. 



Look at all that beautiful chocolate goodness. Each Brownie is 2 in by 2-1/4 in by 1-1/2 in tall and 1 dz Brownies weigh in at 1-1/2 lbs

What I love about brownies is that you can eat them as is or dress them up with ice cream, frosting, jams, whipped cream, or cheesecake topping. No matter what way you like to enjoy them these will fit the bill.


I couldn't resist enjoying one for myself. 

If you aren't into brownies remember Ruth's Brownies also has cookies, biscotti, and gift basket options. There are even gluten-free styles to choose from. A great gift idea any time of the year.


Find out more about Ruth's Brownies on:

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Samsung 5.9 cu. ft. Capacity Samsung Freestanding Electric Range

This post was originally written on September 3, 2020, but for some reason, it never posted, since we use this every day I wanted to share about our experience with it. 


First of all, I have to say how excited we were to come across this range. Recently our old stove had the oven door shatter due to a mishap with a rolling chair so we had visited a few sites and stores looking at ranges to replace it.  No kidding we had it down to two stoves this very one and another by a different brand. 

We are used to glass cooktops so there was nothing really new here except for the 5th burner which keeps food warm (think gravy, veggies, dips, stews, etc). This fifth burner is great for family meals or for the Holidays.  We love the sleek design and the stainless steel accents, which we are totally new to.  

My favorite part is the hidden element. This is what makes the range so easy to keep clean. As a mom with children and grandchildren, we are always making meals, so clean up needs to be easy. The top wipes clean with little effort and upkeep, the inside is super easy as you don't have to clean around a heating element which makes cleaning tedious. 

I also love the controls, they are easy to use, and the light that lets others know that the cooktop is hot is awesome. All of our children and grandchildren know if that light is on the range is hot. A lifesaver for a family who likes to cook together. 



 







The oven is great and fits two small to medium pans on one shelf, my largest pan can only fit one per shelf, which is OK with me since this is the only way I have ever used it. I do wish that it had come with a third rack for utilizing the whole oven such as when baking cookies, pizza, etc. 

I only have two flaws that could be made better with future models and that is the vent under the controls on the range. Cleaning this area can be dangerous as it has sharp areas. I am used to a smooth surface that cleans just a bit easier than this. Maybe a grated area that can be cleaned without fear or laceration. The second is that the stove can not sit flush with the wall because of the plug. I am thinking of a recessed area so that there is room for the plug.


Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Freud’s Last Session Review

 


Recently I was able to view Freud's Last Session and found it quite interesting. It is a nice look at what both might have said to each other if they had actually met and debated over the existence of God. For me, I have strived to learn about God my whole life, and then I was introduced to Freud in College during psychology classes. It is interesting to see both of their debates, speeches, and writings going against each other in this movie. Of course, for me, it was also set in my favorite part of history as well. Take a look at the trailer below.



On the eve of the Second World War, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century, C.S. LEWIS and SIGMUND FREUD converge for their own personal battle over the existence of God. FREUD’S LAST SESSION interweaves the lives of Freud and Lewis, past, present, and through fantasy, bursting from the confines of Freud’s study on a dynamic journey. PG-13

 Tickets can be found at  Tickets.FreudsLastSessionFilm.com 


Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Friday, February 24, 2023

No more ear pain

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here


 Honestly, I hate in-the-ear headphones and have only been able to use over-the-ear headphones until my husband told me about bone-conduction headphones. I was intrigued and wanted to try them out. Luckily I was sent a pair of bone-conduction headphones by Wigfar to review and I am in love. 

I like over-the-ear headphones but they always leave my delicate ears in pain which I think is from the headphones pushing on my ears on top of where my glasses are. With these bone-conduction headphones, I don't deal with this. They run behind the back of my head so I can comfortably wear my hair up or down it doesn't matter. They are lightweight, pair up easily by Bluetooth and sit gently on the Tragus by your ear. I can also wear my glasses with them and haven't had any pain. That was the big seller for me. 

Now for a few reasons why I love these. A few of my girls are runners and I was constantly telling them to leave one headphone out of their ear so they could hear their surroundings while they were running so they would be more aware of nearby danger. With that being said depending on how loud you have the volume set others may hear what you are listening to but I find that I can have these set at a much lower volume because the sound is so clear. Again when my children have headphones on in the house, they often can not hear when someone is calling them so these are able to be used and you are still aware of everything around you. 

These would be great for exercise, relaxing, while cleaning your home, watching your favorite show, or even taking phone calls. 

If you are looking for noise-canceling headphones these are not for you. These are headphones where you can listen to your favorite music, podcasts, etc, and not have to worry about missing out on anything that is going on around you. Check them out below. 


Serving my drinks in style



This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here

Hear me out. I am sure you have seen some videos online of people taking their beverages and pouring them into carafes and putting them in their fridge then throwing away the container they came in. Even though I think that is wasteful I do have a use for carafes in our home. We often buy fresh, frozen, and ready-to-drink beverages. I use our carafes when we are mixing up our frozen drinks or making homemade lemonade. 

I really like this set I was sent to review. It is a pair of carafes with lids, and little signs and even has a chalkboard marker included to change out the labels as needed. Here you see it being used for our orange juice and fruit punch. My husband says it would also make a nice vase in a pinch. 

Easy to use and care for they make me feel like I am Serving my drinks in style and remind me of the orange juice container my mother had while I was growing up. Besides the lids, I like that the carafes are plain so you can put whichever beverage inside you decide. The labels are cute and let those who are serving themselves know what is inside. Also did I mention they look great in the fridge or at the table. Think lemonade on the porch in the summer. So cute. 

So if you use it like others on videos or just need it for things like we used them for you can find them here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8YP33D4 if you click on the photo below it takes you to my affiliate link which helps me out too. 




 

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Glocusent 16 LED Rechargeable Book Light review

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here





I was recently able to try out the Glocusent 16 LED Rechargeable Book Light which was sent to me for my honest opinion. Honestly, I love it. It is rechargeable, you can change the light setting with a click, and it will last 80+ hours although I can't vouch for the 80 hours yet as I haven't read that many non-digital books to know if it lasts that long yet. 

This is great for both children and adults. You won't bother your partner while reading, it is great for camping or even for the kids who love to read when they are supposed to be sleeping. I was one of those kids for sure. I love that it helps me read without having to ask someone to help turn the light on at night as I am currently battling colon cancer and this gives me some independence on my down days so that I can do something for myself without having to depend on other so much during the night. 

What I think would make this better is a timer that blinks the light when it will turn off for those parents who don't want their kids staying up all night, as a reminder, it's time for bed you can read more tomorrow. 

If you are interested check it out at Glocusent 16 LED Rechargeable Book Light

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Help for thin or thinning hair

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.


Just before I got my cancer diagnosis and everything moved so fast and got behind on everything including product reviews I was sent Maximilian Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner. I still have a long way to go but wanted to start to get back into doing my reviews especially the ones like this one that are so very late. Maximilian Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner which helps to infuse nutrients into every strand creates the appearance of thicker, fuller, and healthier looking hair came just at the right time. Oddly enough with my hair loss from Chemotherapy Shampoos like this are encouraged by others who have gone through Chemotherapy and the loss or thinning of hair till their hair grew in. 

I am at the stage where my hair is thin and I have a few bald spots. I am glad I was able to use this Shampoo and Conditioner so I knew what to expect. The scent is pleasant and not too strong which is perfect for me. This formula is thin. I really like a thicker formula so it doesn't run off my hand in the shower but by being careful I am still able to wash my hair with minimal help from my family. 

I look forward to continued use of this Shampoo and Conditioner as well as others like it for the next few years at least. If you are interested in checking it out for yourself I have a link below, or you can use this one Maximilian Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner.


Saturday, September 18, 2021

Not just any Pop it

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here





So the girls and I mean all of the girls in our family love these Pop Its, so when I saw it in a game form I knew we needed to have one so I placed it on my wishlist. Low and behold one of the companies wanted a review so who am I to turn them down when I knew this would give some cheer to two of my favorite girls. Luckily my granddaughter was over this weekend so they both were able to open this surprise together. They were really excited, just check out my video here.



Years ago we had a small circle pop it game, you know way before they became popular. Now we see them everywhere but there are only a few that caught my eye. This one is one of them. I am so glad they are enjoying the time together while playing a new game together.

Being only three years apart they still like a lot of the same things which makes gift-giving really easy. I like easy and I love making them smile.




If you are interested in this pop it game which included a set of dice check it out below.

Friday, September 3, 2021

Wet or Dry it does the job

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.


I am always on the lookout for a wet/dry mop that will work on our floors. This one from Reenliv is a good one. We really like how it came with three re-usable pads which can be washed and used over and over again. Another thing this wet/dry mop has that others don't have is a built in wringer which is great if you are using it fully saturated. Our other mop does not have this option but it does have a sprayer attached which is awesome that this one does not have. 

The only problem we really had with this is that the mop will not fit into a regular mop bucket. It is just too tall. You would need  one of those tall utility buckets like you see on construction sites to be able to use this right or maybe a tall wastebasket. Other then that it is a good item. I love how it rotates so that it takes up less room when being stored. 

In our home we use this mainly for just collecting dust from under the beds and furniture, but we always know that if our other mop breaks this can quickly take its place as both the wet/dry mop that it was meant to be. Check it out at Amazon.
 

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Eternal Spring

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here








My mother was a big collector of religious knick knacks, but once my father and her passed I wanted to decorate their gravesite with both religious and colorful items they loved in real life. With that being said I found these cute little birds from Gaidenly I thought would be a perfect addition to their grave site. They also make great decor for your home, garden, potted plants etc. 

I think it will give their gravesite a little touch of eternal Spring, and a pop of color in the middle of the cold days of winter. The next time I get to visit my parents I will drop them off, but until then they are hanging around here on our entertainment center with my very own small collection of knick knacks. 

They are well made resin pieces that measure about 2.8x2 inches each. I love how you can use them all at one time or split them up around your home for a little bit of surprise here and there. A great idea would be to buy these and when giving a gift of a plant to for say a housewarming party you could stick one inside the pot for a little extra pizzazz. 





You can find this four piece bird set at Amazon.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Getting Ready to Homeschool

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.






With everything that is going on in the world and our wake up call when the kids went remote that the school was not doing them justice. I won't go on about how far behind they are from other students or that they are were being asked to do work when they couldn't do the work leading up to that work, so they felt  defeated everyday because they just didn't understand how to do the work. Yes my oldest child graduated by the skin of her teeth but that is a whole other story for another time. 

Right now is where we are at. My now 13 year old daughter Dorothy has been asking to be homeschooled for a few years now and after what we have seen, we decided to take our cue from her seriously and take the plunge again. We have homeschooled before and enjoyed it. Looking back I wish we had homeschooled all six of our children right from the get go. With that being said he we beginning our journey into Homeschooling once more this coming fall. 


We ordered our learning curriculum which has arrived (our state has strict guidelines to follow) and now we are looking at school supplies that will work with our families needs. We know we didn't really need a lot so we are just filling in around what we already have available in our home. 

Since my daughter is entering 9th grade and with my health some of the days will be spent traveling or even at her sister's house we went with a system that would allow her to take her basic school needs with her where ever she might be learning on any particular day. 


One of the big items we provided for her was a computer for home use, a microscope which will be coming in soon, and this ZIPIT'N'GO Organizer which will hold all of her books she is working on. We went with a system that has smaller workbooks that can be changed out as the year progresses, so they fit perfectly into the acordain file system that is built into this binder. 

What I love most about this case is that once closed it zips up so nothing will be lost when in transit from place to place. There is a front pouch for holding pens, pencils, calculator, etc. A 3 ring spot for regular folders, dividers, paper, etc. A nice flap on the back where you can keep a flat pad of paper or store other projects. It has lots of different pockets built in to store pretty much everything you would need for a day of learning. 




There is also a detachable strap for the binder so you can carry it with you and have your hands free for
other tasks. You can also use the handle to carry it, or use the the tried and true in your the crook of your arm hold. Either way you are sure to be organized and ready for the day. What I love most is that it has a lifetime warranty which means they really stand behind their products. 

We have had many ZIPIT products over the years and we have yet to have one fail us, now it is our turn to try out this and put it the test. Make sure to check back with us at the end of the school year to see how it held up. Find the ZIPIT'N'GO Organizer at Walmart





Check out ZIPIT on

Website

Pinterest

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram


Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.




This Little Piggy goes to the Beach

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.


I am a big sucker for farm animals, but pigs are probably my favorite. So when I saw this cute pig beach pail I just had to get it for my grandchildren to play with. I didn't catch that the pig had a pour spout through his nose, that makes this so much more cute. I really like that this set can be used for water or tub play as well with all of the pour spouts build into the pieces. 

The chunky handles on the rake and shovel are really nice for small hands but also fit well into an adults hands so both parents and children can play together. I should mention that the pig pail is a bit flexible too which makes it safe with no jagged edges.  I love the going to the beach and this would be so fun to play with in the sand and easy to find your pail with it being a pig. 

Another use for this would be in the snow although I am not a big advocate for playing in the snow other then for building a snowman, but the choice is there for those who would enjoy it. This would make an awesom basket filler or just a gift all on its own. Check out this eight piece set at Amazon







 

Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Cutest Thing Ever




This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.







Do you ever just stumble upon Something that tickles you pink? Well I do and sometimes those things just need to bought. That is what I felt when this I found this cute bike accessory. It is just so stinking cute. I couldn't resist. I know my daughter loves it too. Even though it feels like it has been raining forever, she couldn't wait for the first sunny day to put it on her bike and show it off a bit. The rubber duck was easy to strap to her bike and the color we chose really pops with the color of her bike. Now she has a trusty friends to go along with her while biking around our neighborhood.




Now tell me this isn’t the cutest bike accessory ever. He squeaks and lights up. He can have his helmet up or down and even comes with an optional gun. Ok so they had me at rubber ducky. Sometimes I am just pulled in for the sale on sheer cuteness or originality, and I think this hits both. They have six different helmet covers to pick from so you can match it up with your bike colors. It also comes with adhesive so you can attach it to the dashboard in your vehicle. Who doesn't need a little sidekick to bring some joy to their lives? I think this is whimsical and affordable. Bring a little cuteness into someone's life. 











Great for gift giving, bringing someone cheer, or just as a fun gift to surprise someone with. Coming from a first person shooter game family we find this has cuteness overload.


Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Perfect for Playing in the Sand

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here


Summer is just around the corner and Sand box season has already begun. As a mom and grandmother I love sand and water toys, so finding this cute 7 piece seemed like the perfect gift for my grandchildren. Even though this toy will be for them to take home to enjoy I am feeling good about this item. It is made from flexible food grade polypropylene, is non toxic, and eco friendly. 

Over the 30 years of being a parent and child care giver I have seen many toys come and go in our home. Some had staying power and some were here just for a season, or gone in a very short time. We have many favorites that stood the test of time and we have even replaced once worn out because of how good they were. 

For sand toys for instance many times they start off all bright colored and end up fading to a muted color of their orginal self. This set has a sort of aged look to them that I really like. Of course I don't know for sure but I don't see these fading like other toys on the market, and I am excited to see how they fair over the years. 

If you are interested in them check them out below. 


Thursday, May 20, 2021

One Summer Activity I know the girls are going to love.

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.



With summer coming and our family not being comfortable with everything opening up yet as well as the news we will be having our granddaughter most of the summer, I needed to come up with some activities to keep the girls busy in between when they run out of ideas. This girl’s creator braiding bracelet kit is one of the many awesome items we picked out. My daughter gave it a whirl today so we can make sure we know how to use it when the time comes.



Her results were OK for the first time using it. We didn't finish it off with the cutting or glue due to the fact she wants to practice to get better at it. My daughter is 13 and really needed a lot of help with this at first but once I showed her two rounds she was able to do the rest on her own. Like I said she wants to practice a bit more to get the string tighter and neater for the finnished look. 

She did say that this will be a good item to use during the summer with my 10 year old granddaughter and I am sure a few of her friends. 




The kit does say it makes up to 12 bracelets. With that being said this one took took two strings which leaves just enough to make 10 bracelets if you only use one color per bracelet so keep that in mind and maybe pick up some extra elastics and string. I see these being made with embroidery floss, paracord rope, yarn, and other simular strings which we have on hand and can be picked up easily at your local craft store or on Amazon. 

We love that this came with a bag so everything can be stored inside and grabbed at a moments notice for some bracelet making fun. I personally see this being used for years to come as long as I can continue to provide the elastics and string. Sadly right now there were no refill kits but maybe in the future they will have those available. 



Here is a picture of everything you get in the kit. 

 


Check it out below. 

Saturday, May 8, 2021

National Geographic Kids is celebrating International Dinosaur Day

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here


INTERNATIONAL DINOSAUR DAY is MAY 18TH

National Geographic Kids is celebrating all month long with fun games, video shorts, facts, and even a dinosaur personality quiz. You can find them all here. They are even hosting a giveaway for one lucky winner on my site to win all 5 books below with a value of $80.00. Enter here



I have always loved National Geographic while growing up and National Geographic Kids brings all of the beautiful illustrations and information down to a child's mind set. Check out these beautiful books. I just know my grandsons are going to love the bright pictures, while learning about dinosaurs, and then playing with their own dinosaur toys to bring the action to life. These books are big on pictures, facts, and inspiring stories to make learning fun for your child. Below you will find the books and a write up from National Geographic on each one. 
 

(hardcover, ages 4-8, 128 pages, $14.95) - A #1 best seller on Amazon! The prehistoric world comes alive with dinosaurs small, big, giant, and gigantic, with stunning illustrations. Bursting with fun facts and age-appropriate information, each spread features a different dinosaur, along with simple text in big type that is perfect for little kids. Young dino fans will love the interactivity included in every chapter, and parents will appreciate tips to help carry readers' experience beyond the page.


(hardcover, ages 4-8, 32 pages, $16.99) - Ever wondered how to find a dinosaur? Paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson, host of Dinosaur Train on PBS Kids, tells kids how! How do paleontologists find dinosaur bones? How do they know what dinosaurs ate or looked like? And what is paleontology, anyway? Dr. Scott tackles all these questions and more while inspiring kids to go out and make the next big dino discovery!


(paperback, ages 8-12, 208 pages, $8.99) - 300 dino-mite facts to sink your teeth into! Perfectly sized for back seat boredom busting, this new addition to the wildly popular WBT series is taking on the jaws and claws that ruled the Mesozoic world.  Calling all dino dynamos!  Did you know that the T. rex had vision 13 times better than the average humans? Or that people collect fossilized dino poop? And get this: There's a dinosaur named after Hogwarts--Harry Potter's wizarding school! Get ready to meet dinosaurs with horns and feathers, razor-sharp claws and gigantic teeth. You'll encounter the places they lived, the bizarre art they inspired, and the amazing paleontologists who discovered them.


(hardcover, ages 7-10, 296 pages, $24.99) - Big, beautiful and gift-worthy! The new edition of the popular Nat Geo Kids Dinopedia includes all the latest species and is the most complete, up-to-date dinosaur reference available. Find favorites, like the fierce T-rex and the gentle Brontosaurus, plus audacious new finds, like the Anzu, Kosmoceratops, and Yi. Every dino profile is colorfully illustrated and features descriptions of when they roamed the Earth, how they lived, what they ate, and more. There are more than 600 dinos featured in all, including 10 profiles of recently discovered dinosaurs and new entries in the Dino Dictionary. Reports from paleontologists present the latest news and insights from the field.


(paperback, ages 8-12, 208 pages, $14.99) - Curious which creatures ruled when dinosaurs roamed the Earth? Get ready to meet the record-setters, including the biggest, smallest, smartest, weirdest, deadliest, most notorious, and most mysterious of all time. You'll find fantastic firsts, including the first dinosaur fossils found and the first dinos in space. And you'll meet other rad, remarkable creatures that lived before, after, and alongside them.  Did you know that the largest fish, the largest turtle, and the largest flying animal that ever existed lived during the time of the dinosaurs? Or that mammals – no bigger than a small dog when dinosaurs roamed – eventually evolved into massive land animals? See who wins in head-to-head species smackdowns and enjoy games that complement the records.

If you are interested in buying one or all of these books check them out here.





Find out more about National Geographic Kids on