Wise Owl Writes...

Who doesn’t love a toy panda?

Pandemonium

By Gail Aldwin

http://www.victoriapress.com

available December 2020

An ideal Christmas or Birthday present, this beautifully illustrated book is aimed at children between the ages of 2 – 7 years.

The adorable purple Panda will warm hearts as each page captures a scene even without the words. An adult reader can point out other elements to the growing child – where is Peta, what else is in the picture, who else is in the picture, what are they doing, what colour is Peta the Panda? Conversations the story evokes can be interesting and encourage the child’s imagination to build more into the story. It will be one they remember when they are older.

Early readers will enjoy the bold lettered short sentences. There are new words to learn the meaning of – Pandemonium and haberdashery – explanations again encouraging conversations between the child and reader. Also an opportunity to tell young readers about breaking big words down into syllables to make reading and spelling easier – the cover is a good ‘showing’ example.

As the book progresses Peta’s purple is disguised to make her look like the other Panda’s but her peers mock her which makes her unhappy. Lessons on how to deal with unhelpful comments from friends at school could take place from this page and how Mama Panda rescues Peta by undoing the disguise, freeing her and encouraging Peta to be herself. Conversation about love could be had here and how being accepted as we are makes us happy.

I love the messages –

It’s ok to be different
It’s ok to have fun
It encourages and affirms
Love and acceptance help us be true to ourselves

It is also sweet and cute. It will appeal to lively children and make quiet children laugh at Peta’s antics. Ideal for girls or boys, schools, parents, grandparents, childminders, nursery nurses, etc etc.

Five star rating. Well done Author Gail Aldwin and Illustrator Fiona Zechmeister.

You can follow the author on Twitter @gailaldwin or Facebook: Gail Aldwin, Writer

Links to purchase :

https://www.victorinapress.com/product/pan-de-mo-nium

https://www.waterstones.com/book/pandemonium/gail-aldwin/fiona-zechmeister/97819993696675

Other reviews: https://goodreads.com/book/show/55315976-pandemonium?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Kr0G915CUU&rank=3

She-Shed

10 years ago I purchased a log cabin to have in the garden and to work from home. 4 years ago I retired and 2 years ago I gave the interior a make-over.

During this period of Lockdown due to Covid19 pandemic, all holidays are cancelled and messages of ‘stay home, stay safe’ rings in our ears. How grateful I am for my Cabin. A little hidey-hole only a few steps away from the house.

It would seem that there has been a trend in sales of campervans, caravans, tents etc in anticipation for Lockdown rules being relaxed for holidays in the UK. These garden get-aways require no planning or permissions, no booking of a site, no packing, no travelling and enables all the delights of self-isolation with space to think away from household chores and repeats on television.

How much would your holiday abroad have cost, or even a UK holiday? Well this treasure has paid for itself this year alone and saved me renting an office for its first 5 years. I live in a town house but when I enter my Cabin (woe betide anyone who calls it a Shed!) I could be anywhere. I breathe in the wood and gaze out the windows to see the seasons. I watch birds close up, see the flowers, shrubs and vegetables grow and enjoy some relaxation and solitude for a couple of hours or all day.

I had electrics put in and can enjoy a cuppa or music; charge my phone or laptop; use a fan or heater depending on the weather outside. I read, I write, I sing and dance. I record readings for my church service whilst the building is closed; I zoom or facetime friends or groups I am missing etc etc.

These cabins have so many uses for anyone: a sewing room, craft space, gym, office, bar, music room, an art space … the list is endless. Do look up http://www.dunsterhouse.co.uk and read other customer testimonials of which there are nearly 4,000 five star reviews! I cannot fault the service I have received and the absolute astounding quality of the Cabin. Be quick, sales are rocketing and the Corner Cabin is currently out of stock, they are selling so fast. Here’s a few more photos of the inside of my special place:

Yours Magazine

During Lockdown whilst Covid19 virus spreads far and wide, reading has been a great escape from the awful news. Not getting out to the shops has not been a problem as my ‘to be read’ pile of books has been a comfort.

But the joy of having a subscription has meant my fortnightly favourite magazine has come through the letterbox regularly. At 11 am, with my cup of coffee and a few biscuits, I have been able to read a page or two each day.

I love this magazine. I first came across it when my friend’s mother gave me a few copies. She was in her 80’s and I thought it was an old lady’s magazine. But to my surprise I found it interesting. And hubby likes a browse too! The crossword is the first page I go to. Then I work my way from front to back. Yes the magazine may be aimed at the over 50’s, but there is a good mixture of nostalgia and up-to-date features.

Meeting Place is where readers letters are, with a section of the ‘Fashions we wore’ from the 1950’s onwards. There are ‘tips’ and small talk (regarding grandchildren’s sayings etc). Celebreties have a two page interview or a one page ‘My Lessons from Life’. TV stars and programme information are informative; gardening tips; animal pictures and information; real life and fiction stories; best buys and good health and wellbeing articles; fashion; internet safe use and money matters; recipes and craft suggestions; places to visit, special offers and prizes to win. This magazine has it all.

There is a Yours community too where readers can connect, even holiday together (not this year perhaps!). Here some links: https://www.yours.co.uk

Twitter: @yoursmagazine

Facebook: facebook.com/Yoursmagazine

You can subscribe at the moment for just £1 an issue with free delivery. Go on, brighten up you days. You wont be disappointed.

Ingenious invention

Whilst cat sitting I had the job of making sure Kitty was not going hungry between my visits. Kitty’s mummy left this Cat Mate timer feeder.

Set the timer for dry food/treats or wet food. Cover keeps it fresh and at the set time lid pops open.

Trays are easy to remove and fully washable. Easy peasy.

Ask at your local pet store or search on-line. I recommend this item for any pet owner.

Flash, bang, wallop…

What a picture, what a picture, what a photograph!

You may recognise these words from a film called ‘Half a Sixpence’ sang by Tommy Steele. ‘Stick it in the family album’ were more words from the song.

It’s a long time since snaps were sent off for printing, returning with the negatives and either placed in an album or stored in a box. Today our mobile phones carry all our treasured memories at a touch of the screen. I wonder if, like me, you spend ages scrolling through the photos on your phone trying to find that one special moment that you want to show a friend – the time you saw snowdrops, a visit to a relative, that special birthday cake, a trip to the sea etc? Occasionally I delete some of views, multiple similair photos and ones received by WhatsApp. but often worry about not having prints to pass on as a link to the past for the next generations. Icloud is just not the same!

So when I was introduced to a website and their wonderful personalised gifts I decided it was time to ‘stick it in the album’/get my photos printed and arranged into pages of wonderful memories. Here’s the keepsake I chose for my project. The pages are pockets for several or one big photograph and the album will sit neatly in a book shelf.

Perhaps you have a family member who will be celebrating a special birthday or you have a new born to buy for; or you need something different as a gift for the man in your life; or a wedding or anniversary present is needed? Look no further. ‘Happiness is a gift’ have personalised presents for every occasion.

Using the website http://www.happinessisagift.co.uk is easy. Browse away and find something special – there are magical and fun gifts for children, keepsake boxes, jewellery, clocks, bags, home accessories and even personalised chocolate bars. Choosing, ordering your own inscription and being able to pay securely on-line is a simple process and delivery is prompt. You won’t be disappointed. Happy shoppping.

Extra Cooking…

Christmas is coming and your regular oven will probably be used to full capacity. To lessen the stress I have an extra work top cooker.

It is useful for warming plates, grilling, roasting, baking etc. If you are cooking for one or two – say jacket potatoes – this is an ideal little cooker to save electricity by heating up a large regular oven.

It is light in weight, versatile and easy to use. The timer ‘pings’ to let you know when your dish is cooked and so much easier than the larger oven to clean – no bending down required!

Scotts of Stow have a variety of colours and other mini ovens with added hotplates for pans. Do take a look on http://scottsofstow.co.uk

I line the bottom with foil for those drips and spillages.

Excellent value for money. Recommended purchase.

If you have a product you would like me to review please contact me on here or Twitter @tweetsue13.

When a fire is not burning…

My home does not have a chimney neither is it connected to a supply of gas. So this will answer the question above.

You may have noticed the wire in the picture leading to a plug or the grill beneath the flames that houses a fan heater.

Yes, the fire is electric but it really foxes our visitors when they see the ‘flames’ and try to guess how it works/how it looks so realistic.

Telling them that filtered water is involved puzzles them further and most insist I explain, especially when I open the glass doors and put my hand over the ‘flames’.

There are no flames. It is an illusion. A psychological trick. It’s steam rising and glowing lights. There is a water trough under the removable ‘logs’ and when heated by a transposer forms a cloud of steam.

I absolutely love this ingenious piece of furniture in my lounge. Winter nights are transformed to cosy nights in by the fire. No finding wood or coal to burn, no dust from the embers, no cleaning out the ashes. Just a click of a remote control and hey presto an instant glow of warmth.

Thank you Dimplex for this lovely electrical masterpiece. Friends, readers of blogs, owners of houses, flats, bungalows etc where there is no facility for a real fire this invention is, in my opinion, the next best thing.

Available from some garden centres, B & Q, John Lewis and fireplace shops. Check it out.

Spider catcher…

It’s the season for those eight legged creatures to get indoors. They zoom across the carpet when you are watching tv, they appear from nowhere in your bath or shower tray, they hang in a corner of the ceiling in your bedroom. Ahhhhh.

I don’t like them but thankfully I have overcome my fear with this wonderful gadget. Now I can catch them without harm and deposit them outside. Something a few years ago I would never dream to be able to do.

A twitter pal alerted me to this purchase from Amazon. She even did a demo video for me and others, using a plastic spider that comes with the equipment so you can try it out before a real event.

You just squeeze the handle to open the catcher. At arms length place the fibres over the spider, let go of the squeeze and you have him trapped. Carry outside or to an open window, squeeze the handle. Let him go. Job done. Well done.

If you have a product you would like me to review please contact me for details via Twitter @tweetsue13.

If you have questions about this product or others on this blog do not hesitate to ask in the comments. Thank you for reading.

Eco friendly

In an effort to do my bit to save the planet, my bathroom products now look very different. No more scrunchy (plastic) soaper – I have bought lots of white flannels, rolled them up and placed in a handy basket. Easy to use, wash and re-use.

Shampoo is now a block rather than liquid in a plastic bottle and gets my hair squeaky clean. I refill the conditioner bottle at my local plastic free store and use bars of natural soaps instead of hand wash in a plastic bottle.

I do not clog the toilet up with wipes, a cleaning cloth with a bit of Dettol does the job and should I need a personal wet wipe I use a bit of water on toilet paper or a nice warm flannel.

A plug guard also helps keep the shower and bath pipe clear so no need for chemical un-blocker liquids when all those stray hairs form together out of sight.

If you have any Eco bathroom tips, do leave a comment here or Tweet me @tweetsue13.

Up North?

Alnwick Gardens, Northumberland, are a must-see. Such a lovely attraction with plenty of places to have a coffee, lunch, meal, snack.

Ideal venue for families, couples, groups and individuals. The less-abled have paths to follow that don’t include steps; children will be delighted by the GIANT hiding in the grounds and the swings in the orchard. Unfortunately if you are a dog owner you will have to leave your pooch with friends or in your holiday home whilst you visit although assistance dogs are allowed in.

A few hours will get you around the gardens, waterfalls, maze etc. But an all day visit will cover the restaurant, shop, Tree house cafe and golf course.

Toilet facilities are exceptional.

I highly recommend this venue which, if you are a castle enthusiast, can be combined with Alnwick castle. Parking and ticket purchase office are easily found.

Want a blog review of your business/visiting place? Do contact me for details via Twitter @tweetsue13.