bookreeader

Thanks to @Tryazon and @RitualsCosmetics , I was treated to three wonderful products that turn any shower into a spa treatment! I have tried products from the Ritual of Sakura and Ritual of Ayurveda collections, and I have loved their quality and fragrances, so I was anxious and excited to be able to try this new line. I was sent three full-sized products, a foaming shower gel, body scrub and body cream. I was first impressed by the presentation: each is elegantly packaged, the scrub and cream in heavy, impressive glass containers, and they are full containers, not small samples in a large jar. I was not surprised that Ritual of Karma products are very high-quality, with a lovely, relaxing fragrance, which the website describes as "...positive vibes of summer all year round, with luxury fragrant products designed to instantly enhance your mood." I love the way that the foaming bath gel puffs up into a mound of lather from just a little bit, so the canister will last a long ...

Thanks again to the kind folks at Tryazon  , my family and a couple of friends were able to try out a compact, affordable veggie slicer from Vasta . I have been trying to limit the gluten in my diet, and daughter must be gluten-free, so we have wanted to try veggie noodles and gluten-free alternatives to wraps. This device looked like it would solve a lot of our problems, and open up a whole cookbook of new recipes! We envisioned veggie lasagna noodles, cucumber wraps, zucchini noodles.....a quick search of the internet turned up a plethora of tasty salad and dinner options! The Vasta 2-in-1 Sheet Slicer The Tryazon program is quite easy: I applied to host a Vastabilities Party, they sent me two Vasta 2-in-1 Slicers and a guide. My responsibility was to host a party with at least 5 guests, to demonstrate and let the guests try the slicer, then to post pictures and reviews online in the week to follow. Since my family was gathering for a socially-distanced dinner that week, it ...

This was an unusual Tryazon Party , to be sure!!  Because of the restrictions imposed as a result of COVID19, we could not have a large, indoor party, as we would have done in the past.  Instead, we improvised, and managed to share the delicious Chocolat Frey with at least 10 adults (and perhaps 4 children!). We began our share by taking  one of each type of chocolate and some coupons to my son's house a couple hundred miles away, where we met my other son and his girlfriend. After a quick lunch, we all sampled the candy, and shared our opinions. They were happy to learn that Chocolat Frey is available at Wegman's, their favorite store! Of course, they were happy to keep the leftovers and the coupons for future purchases. My girlfriends and I enjoyed a picnic on our patio, with proper social distancing, and lots of finger foods. The chocolates paired well with strawberries, hard cheeses and rose wine.  In order to share with more people, I made lit...

We have now been living in "isolation" for eleventyfour days, and the new reality is becoming normalcy. Somehow, going into week 5 is easier, and more difficult than the first. Yes, schools, restaurants, theaters and businesses are closed, and I hope that those who are out of work due to the closings are managing, and that we will be so happy when the "Pause" ends that we will be eating out, supporting museums and theaters, shopping and spending in celebration. Let's start those wish lists now, and start making plans to reconnect with all of the people we are missing! W hile we cannot gather together, nor even meet face to face with many of our loved ones, we have the luxury of the Internet to keep us informed, entertained and in touch. I cannot imagine a time when the world was in crisis, and news took days, weeks, months to reach people. Can you imagine being in quarantine in "the old days", not knowing what is going on in the world, or the neigh...

As of today we have spent more than two weeks in our homes. It has been weeks since schools were closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, businesses were shuttered and people were told not to congregate, not to attend Mass or gather in groups of more than 10. Amazing people have jumped into action, making sure that students have meals, elders are secure, and we have plenty of museums, books and games online to keep us from going stir-crazy.   Oddly enough, this forced isolation seems to be having a positive effect on some people: I see more neighbors out walking than ever before, always keeping a safe six-foot distance, but waving and smiling despite the crisis. Spring cleaning seems to be the activity of choice, as homebound adults see this as a chance to catch up on housework, and take some control over germs that might be invading.  People are using up their stored-up food and supplies in favor of going into germy and often ill-stocked stores.  Companies are offering ...

It has been a week since we have been asked to stay home, restrict travel, and shelter I place.  Schools, libraries and many businesses are closed, even doctors are restricting visits with patients in the hopes of slowing the advance of the Corona virus. And I was born for this! Since I retired, I treasure the days on which I can stay home, all day, and not have to put on real shoes. Don’t get me wrong: I love subbing, and teaching classes at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library (the best public library around!), I look forward to visits with friends, and even enjoy shopping from time to time.  But, given the choice, I would stay home. I am a child of parents of the Great Depression, so I can stretch a pantry of food for weeeeeks.  I can do without, and make things to substitute for what we cannot buy. So the shortages at stores do not scare me.  Heck- I would be able to avoid stores for a month and live off the stuff I’ve stockpiled when it was on sale, just...