Reviews by Friends of ria

CyndiA says "Not Momma biscuits, but Grands southern biscuits style are good." about Grands Biscuits Southern Style

CyndiA — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:20:34 GMT

I make biscuits and may be behind the times, but I am OK with Grands Southern Style biscuits. They are not the same as the ones I roll and cut, but they are good. They are also quick, so I can handle farming out the bread to Pillsbury.

The Grands line are the big, fluffy biscuits in the tubes. If you've only had the low end canned biscuits, there's a difference. The Grands really are better, unless you want to make bread-on-a stick camping. Then, you want the cheap kind - small and not so much fat in there. Those work better over a fire. The Grands have too much fat in there and tend to burn over a fire.

Grands cook up big and fluffy in the oven, but the texture is not like home rolled biscuits. You just can't duplicate that. This is close enough, and my boys love the Southern Grands. It's much easier on me, so I'm not going to argue. They do prefer I make them, but some days do not work out for cooking up scratch biscuits.

I do not use Grands biscuits when I make biscuits and gravy. That...

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CyndiA says "Alfred Dunner textured sweaters electrify me in a bad way. " about Alfred Dunner Textured Sweaters

CyndiA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:42:55 GMT

Generally I associate Alfred Dunner products with older women. That's not to be rude, but I just know the Alfred Dunner line comes in sets and that I usually see them on women neatly dressed and matched. Since the quality is good, and the Alred Dunner line is easy care, I do pick up separates from time to time.

Last fall I got a beige and black textured sweater. It's just like the photo but not that (hum) plum or some such color. I didn't want to make a statement like grape. I just wanted a couple of easy-care neutral sweaters to go with Carolina Fit slacks which I love and perhaps with a jacket on cooler days.

I've had some other Alfred Dunner separates before and found them to be good buys. The neutral sweaters seemed a safe and good bet. There are days when I roll out of bed and matching an outfit is quite a challenge. A beige and black textured sweater would be easy and go with a lot of things in my closet.

The Alfred Dunner sweaters turned out not to be a good plan. It may be my body,...

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Buggheart says "Pretty good but not my favorite." about CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara

Buggheart — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:35:14 GMT

Even though I have a favorite mascara I am also a cosmetics junkie so I'm always buying and trying new products to see what I can find. When I heard all kinds of great things about Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara I had to try it for myself. Having used it now for about 2 months I've decided that it's better than average, but I don't like it as much as Rimmel's Lash Maxx.

Lash Blast's tube is a big fat orange thing that is a little too thick for my liking. I find that it's hard to hold onto and control. The brush head is orange plastic and covered in tons of tiny spikes. It seems to work OK as far as applying the mascara to my lashes but the fat size of the brush makes it difficult for me to apply. I prefer something smaller and easier to control. Lash Blast builds volume if I apply two or more coats but it doesn't really lengthen my lashes at all. Also if I curl my lashes prior to applying this mascara the curl immediately straightens out after application which is really annoying....

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Jolie says "Meet my Granddaughter Lexi, an American Girl Bitty Baby " about American Girl Bitty Baby

Jolie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:41:35 GMT

My daughter asked Santa for a baby doll for Xmas. That was all that she wanted and nothing more. When she got her American Girl bitty baby she was an instant mommy and I was an instant Grandma to baby LEXI (yes, that is what my daugher named her American Girl bitty baby.)

The bitty baby is blond and blue eyed, just like my daughter, and made of sturdy construction. She is also small enough to carry around easily.

Since bitty baby came into our family, bitty baby has been to the movie theater, out to dinner, Xmas dinner, her Great-grandma's house and more. She is a full member of the family now and is with my daughter 24 x 7.

I, (I mean Santa), had originally picked out a baby from Target for $30. But, I have to admit, for $10 more, the American Girl bitty baby was so much nicer. She is actually normal looking with a cute little face and a button nose. Some of the babies look a little demented. But, the American Girl biddy baby is actually pretty cute!!!

Now, if I can just avoid buying the......

Jolie says "I am not a huge Brad Pitt fan, but he was good and "hot"" about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Jolie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:19:25 GMT

Yah, what Mike said! That was a thorough review!!

I liked Benjamin Button and I even cried during the movie a few times. The acting was good, the story line well developed, and it was such a touching love story.

I did think that the movie was a little slow going for the first hour, but when Brad Pitt turned into a man and he was courting his "love", it captured more of my attention. Hehehehhe. Again, I am not a huge Brad fan, but his acting was good, he looked good, and the storyline was touching.

I would consider seeing Benjamin Button in the theater but dont read too much-- it is a little over-hyped in my opinion.

For whatever it's worth, I thought Angelina did just as good of a job in Changeling. They are quite the duo.

My rating: a solid B
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Buggheart says "If we lose this remote, we've got a big problem." about Jumbo - Universal Remote

Buggheart — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:07:29 GMT

During the month of December I ended up with two of these Jumbo Universal Remote control devices. The remote for our main TV wore out so my husband ran out to Walgreen's for a replacement and brought home a Jumbo. Then my brother got me one for Christmas. Both instances were hilarious to me as I had thought about getting one for my husband but decided against it thinking he'd hate it. And I had seriously considerered getting one for my brother for Christmas.

Anyway, we now have 2 of these Jumbo remotes and I like them. They are huge! Seriously! The one that is beside me as I write this review is about five inches wide, twelve inches tall and maybe three quarters inch thick. It's not the kind of remote that one can hold in one hand and flip channels with ease. It is large, has large buttons, and needs two hands to use. But it works well, was super easy to program for use with our TV, and we never lose it. The only issue I have with it is when my kitten walks over it...

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Buggheart says "I'd rather cook rice on the stove but it makes my husband happy." about Black & Decker 3-cup Rice Cooker Model RC3203

Buggheart — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:35:30 GMT

For some reason my husband has been wanting a rice cooker for a really long time. I don't see the point as I can make perfect rice on the stovetop in 20 minutes but since the whole family knows of his desire for a rice cooker, my brother got him one as a gift.

Since we're just 2 people my brother bought the Black & Decker 3-cup model RC3203. We've used it several times already and it actually works really well. We had a rice cooker many years ago but the rice stuck to the pot terribly even when using butter or oil during cooking so I didn't expect much from this model. This new model has a non-stick pot though so sticking has not been an issue and it is very easy to clean.

I still cook my rice in a pot but my husband loves his little rice cooker and continues to use it. He likes the set it and forget it aspect in that he just adds the rice, salt, and water and walks away. When he hears a small popping sound from the kitchen he knows the cooker has turned itself off and the...

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Buggheart says "I almost had to sandblast my eyeshadow off. That's a good thing." about Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer

Buggheart — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:18:44 GMT

A few weeks ago I was wandering around Sephora with my mom who was shopping for some specific items. I didn't need a darn thing but couldn't resist the temptation to buy something. For a while now I've been looking into ways to get my eye makeup to stay put from morning til night without much luck so I looked around the store for an eyelid primer product and settled on Bare Escentuals' Prime Time Eyelid Primer.

I have had lots of bad luck with cosmetics so I was apprehensive at first to spend $16 on a tiny tube of primer not knowing if it would be a good product or not. But knowing that Sephora has an excellent return policy I tried it anyway.

The primer comes out of a small hole in the top of the tube. I think you can rub the tube right onto your eyelids but I prefer to dispense a very small amount onto my middle finger and apply it gently to both eyelids. I let it set and dry while blowing my hair dry and by the time I'm done with that I'm ready to apply my eye makeup. My...

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CyndiA says "Online IQ quiz or IQ test scam - cell phone phish - beware." about IQ Test of IQ Quiz Online Scam

CyndiA — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:21:10 GMT

My kid had a $9.99 charge on his cell phone for one call (and he's on 500 minutes and only used 147 minutes) for 11-11-2008. Hum. That did not make sense, so I called Sprint. They are good to work with.

Evil Cell Phone Download Scam

Turns out this call was not a call. It was a download. I know (and my son knows) that online downloads cost extra. He does not buy iTunes or anything online without letting me know. So, this is strange.

Glad for the IQ Scam Tip

I talk to the Sprint lady first trying to figure out what kind of cell phone call runs $9.99 for one call. I'm thinking, "Well, maybe there was an emergency, and 911 costs close ten bucks." She tells me that it's an online download. So. OK. The kid downloaded . . . something. It was not an emergency. What did he download?

In addition, the Sprint lady tips me off that it is not just the one call. It is a monthly charge that will be $9.99 every month if my son does not cancel. She tells me that she got hit with the same thing, and she works...

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CyndiA says "Connie and Carla - did not see the freight train coming. " about Connie and Carla

CyndiA — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:35:33 GMT

We watched the DVD Connie and Carla for the holidays, and I must say it was one strange flick. I do watch some offbeat movies, but this one was odder than most.

The story (which is not really noted on the cover) is that Connie and Carla are on the run (kind of like Thelma and Louise). They take off to California to hide from the bad guys (who will kill them if they find them). The girls had been nightclub singers, and they find a way to follow that passion in Los Angeles by pretending to be guys dressing as women. In other words, they are females passing as drag queens (I hope that's not rude - not meant to be).

Connie and Carla are warmly embraced and actually put the cross dressing club back on the map. Frankly, I'm not sure that's a good thing. Maybe guys who dress as women would feel bad the women who pretend to be guys dressed as women are more popular. Maybe I think too much (especially when watching a movie billed as a comedy).

The movie does show cross dressing men as regular people...

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CyndiA says "Fun but not great art with Travel Magna Doodle. " about Ohio Art Magna Doodle - Travel

CyndiA — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:10:21 GMT

If you've travled with kids in a car, you know that can be stressful. My boys are teenagers, and they still don't travel that well. My sister has three girls ages 7 and under. I thought some car games or travel games might be a good idea.

I saw the Travel Magna Doodle down at the Super K-Mart. My boys liked the regular sized Magna Doodle when they were kids, so I thought the travel size might be fun for my 4-year-old niece who enjoys art including body art like stickers all over her and me.

Magna Doodle is kind of like the Etch-a-Sketch, but it's easier to use. It has an attached pen thing. You draw and it's like a magnet that pulls the particles up to the surface as you sketch. When you want to start over or erase the drawing, you just pull the level, and it's gone.

The whole concept is simple, so this toy is easy for little kids. I'd say it's fine from around 18 months (with help) up to maybe five.

The full size Magna Doodle (or the old ones anyway) were more accurate as far as the lines....

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CyndiA says "Quick, easy appetizers - Trader Joe's Mushroom Turnovers. " about Trader Joe's Mushroom Turnovers

CyndiA — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:42:48 GMT

Trader Joe's was giving out little samples of their Trader Joe's Mushroom Turnovers. I tried one out and decided to buy a box to have on hand for the holidays.

Sure enough. The Trader Joe's appetizers came in handy. The guys all wanted to watch a video. I had some cold snacks, but I thought it would be nice to have something hot too. I just put these yummy turnovers on a baking sheet and heated them for around 10 minutes.

TJ Mushroom Turnovers are small snacks. Each one is about 2 bites, though I guess guys might eat them with one bite. They're about the size of hotel soaps but a little thicker (unless you stay in really nice hotels).

These bite-sized snacks are filled with mushrooms, of course, and some onions. I really couldn't tell they had onions - just a little flavor but no real bites of onion. The mushrooms are sauteed, or they say that on the box. I'd say so, since they are not slimy. They aren't dry either. Just right. I'm kind of picky on mushrooms and don't care much for the...

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Buggheart says "I used to love this stuff!!! I wonder what happened." about Aveda Rosemary Mint conditioner

Buggheart — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:14:36 GMT

For years I have been singing the praises of Aveda's Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner. It smells terrific and always made my hair look and feel terrific as well.

So when I got an offer for double Aveda Pure Privileges points I went to the mall to get a bottle of the Rosemary Mint Conditioner to go along with the half bottle of LUSH Washday Greens shampoo I have left. It's also fresh and minty so I wanted a nice minty conditioner to go along with it and the first one I thought of was Aveda.

Rosemary Mint Conditioner comes in a few different sizes. I was going to get the smaller bottle but the sales associate tempted me with the large one which is something like 32 ounces for $26. The nice thing about the large size is that it comes with a pump so I don't have to try to handle that large bottle with wet hands.

The first thing that tipped me off to the fact that something is different is that it doesn't feel slippery when it's on my hair in the shower. Now I've used tons of...

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CyndiA says "A new or old twist on charcoal - Cowboy Charcoal. " about Primo Grills & Smokers Cowboy Charcoal PR608

CyndiA — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:43:19 GMT

Some of the good old boys told me that I HAD to try Cowboy charcoal. They were rather shocked that I use Kingsford and other brands of compressed charcoal brigettes. That's easy to explain. I live in a small town. I get what I can get at the IGA grocery or drive pretty far or order online.

The Lowe's on the other side of town (half hour drive) did carry Cowboy charcoal, so I snagged a bag when I was there picking out some stuff to fix up the circa 1950s bathroom that is crumbling.

The difference is that Cowboy is natural charred wood rather than compressed wood and who-knows-what. If you've seen burned trees or wood, then you have the general idea. You get chunks or charred wood rather than chunks of compressed wood stuff.

Generally I start my charcoal with a chimney starter. That works like a charm. But, it does not work so well with Cowboy charcoal. These natural charcoal wood chunks are various sizes ranging from about the size of my fist down to dime sized. The chimney starter bottom...

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CyndiA says "Strike-A-Fire - for those who are fire starting challenged. " about Diamond Strike-A-Fire

CyndiA — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:54:13 GMT

If you have problems getting a fire started and going, then Strike-A-Fire is very handy. You can use it to get charcoal going in your grill or in your home fireplace or outdoor fireplace.

Strike-A-Fire looks like the old time chalk board erasers. Of course, younger people not be familiar with those. I've added a photo.

There are eight sections in a brick. Just pull off one when you need to start a fire.

The end of the stick (for lack of a better word) is red tipped. Just light that. It's kind of like a match tip.

The Strike-A-Fire burns slowly but hot for around 12 minutes. That's plenty of time to get charcoal going. I've not tried it with wood in the fireplace, but I may do that. I'm pretty good at starting fires. The biggest challenge is charcoal. I don't like to use lighter fluid. It can make the food taste "off." Generally I use a chimney starter. Those work like a charm. On the road, a chimney starter is pretty bulky though, so I like the size on the Strike-A-Fire.

I won't use...

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Jolie says "Redmoon Theater offers a magical theatrical experience!" about Redmoon Theater- Winter Pageant Redux

Jolie — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:10:17 GMT

I took my kids this past weekend to the Redmoon Theater to see their Winter Pageant. Honestly, I dont even know how to describe this 50 minute show other than magical- simply magical.

The Winter Pageant at the Redmoon is a visual wonder- celebrating the 4 seasons of Chicago with limited language and extravagant sets and visuals. There is use of lights, bubbles, darkness, movement, and more. Think a hybrid of blue man group and circ de solei and a broadway set.

I didnt know how my kids would react to the play but they were soooo taken by the show. The actors and actresses start 15 minutes early and engage the kids from moment one. The 50 minute show continues to engage them every step of the way. And, at the end, they even bring out cookies and parts of the set to look at closely.

If you can fit in a visit to the Redmoon Theater before the 21st of December, I would strongly encourage you to go. The Winter Pagent is amazing for both kids and adults and for only $10-$15 per ticket- it is a must......