The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand

I’ve finally found a watering wand that works well. The Relaxed Gardener runs circles around the other two wands I own. One wand has just a shower-head—once I got it home, I discovered what weak water flow it delivered. That wand was quickly delegated to the potting shed. I then bought another watering wand with a patterned head and an adjustable water flow nozzle. The nozzle was very hard to adjust, and like the first wand, its water flow was mediocre. It quickly joined the other wand in the potting shed.

I was hesitant to try another, but this wand works great, for a variety of reasons. First, it’s a one-hand operation. I can turn it on/off and control water flow just with my right hand. The lever that does all that operates smoothly and easily. When the lever is opened fully, this wand really puts forth water—the jet and full positions shoot water about 40 feet; the shower position sends water about ten feet. My gardening needs are varied, so it’s really handy having so many patterns, and all have excellent water flows that are easy to adjust. This wand meets every demand, from strong forceful spray to very gentle mist.

Mine came at a deep discount, but the current price seems reasonable, especially considering how well it works. The wand fits standard ¾” hose fitting connections, and can be used with water temps up to 100°F. I’ve included a photo of my three wands—the Relaxed Gardener is in the center. Don’t get a wand with just a one-patterned head or with levers that don’t operate smoothly. I’m definitely a more relaxed gardener using this wand instead.

You can find the product at Amazon here: The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand - 15 inch Hose Nozzle with 8 Adjustable Spray Patterns and One Touch Shutoff Valve - Multipurpose - Water Hanging Baskets, Plants, Flowers, Shrubs, Garden and Lawn 

BlossomFlower(TM)100% Cotton Extra-Absorbent Grid Pattern Cute Bear Cotton Bath Towels

BlossomFlower calls these bath towels, but they’re really comparable to hand towels. I’ve been experimenting with off-brands on Amazon, and was pleasantly surprised to receive such nice towels. Most of my bathroom hand towels measure somewhere between 23-25” long by 15-16” wide. These are a little longer and more narrow, measuring 30” long by 13 ½” wide.

I ordered pattern 3 because they come in a trio of assorted colors. They’re very subtle shades of pink, yellow and blue. Too often hand towels that come in packs offer just one color with little or no design. I have three bathrooms, and these towel colors match our bathroom schemes very well. Even better, the colored piping and pattern gives the towels simple elegance. I’m usually not a fan of any embellishment because it’s often scratchy feeling, but these aren’t. The entire towel is very soft.

Stitching is reinforced, and I have not had a problem with any sort of fraying. These towels look nice opened up fully or folded in half. Mine came at a deep discount, but the current price seems reasonable for a set of three long towels. I’ve included pictures showing the size compared to standard hand towels (BlossomFlower is on the left), a close up of the embellishment and pattern, and how attractive they look in various bathrooms.

You can find the product at Amazon here: BlossomFlower(TM)100% Cotton Extra-Absorbent Grid Pattern Cute Bear Cotton Bath Towels

GoLine LED Multi-Function Body Induction Night Light

This night light is a little quirky, but we find its versatility still makes it a worthwhile product. The first one we ordered didn’t work properly, so I contacted the seller, and a new one was delivered promptly. As a side-note, this light does come with a 100% product satisfaction guarantee, one year warranty. We found customer service to be very courteous and accommodating.

The light works in three ways: as a detachable flashlight, as a nightlight that turns on only when motion is detected or as a nightlight that stays lit permanently. There is a little side button that operates all three functions. Should there be a power outage or the unit is removed from an electrical socket, the front light turns red.

This is what we find quirky. First, it doesn’t fit into some of our electrical sockets very well because there is an extended plastic base surrounding the electrical prongs, and that gets in the way of a snug fit. It stays in a socket well enough to work, but the unit sometimes hangs precariously. The body can also slip out of the base too easily. The best solution for us has been to set it up where we want it and then leave it alone. We get up frequently during the night, so we use it as a motion-detector nightlight in an upstairs hallway. Still, it’s reassuring to know it can serve as a flashlight in emergency situations.

Those small problems don’t outweigh its usefulness. Too often our power has gone off, and we can’t find a flashlight. Now we know where one is at all times. Our light came at a discount, but the current price seems reasonable for such a versatile little light. I’ve included pictures of brightness as a nightlight, flashlight, and when no power (red). Other pictures show the plastic base surrounding the prongs, and how it might limit a snug outlet connection.

You can find the product at Amazon here: GoLine LED Multi-Function Body Induction Night Light, PIR Motion Activated, Light Sensor, Wireless Charging Detachable Emergency Flashlight for Home Office Hotel, AC Detection w/ Worklife 50000 Hrs. 

Watches For Men, Business Men's Black Steel Wrist Watches With Link Bracelet

This business men's black steel wrist watch with link bracelet is very attractive. I can’t find anything on the internet concerning where the watch and its parts are made. I received my watch at a discount, but the current price ($20) still seems reasonable for such an attractive watch that does its job well. The watch came in a plain box without accompanying information or instructions. Setting the time is easy and the watch keeps accurate time. The back of the watch itself is stainless steel and indicates the movement is made in Japan. The two year Amazon.com warranty information is included in the product description.

The link bracelet (watchband) is not adjustable. My husband’s wrist measures 7 ¾ inches and the watch with band measures 8 inches. We visited a jeweler to have a link removed for a proper fit but removing one link makes the band too tight on my husband’s wrist. The jeweler said the band is custom made and a link connector would have to be drilled out. It’s a process that takes about 15 minutes and costs about $6. Replacing the band with a leather band is not possible. There are no other adjustments possible with this watch.

So, while this watch is attractive, affordable and keeps good time, it remains a loose fit on my husband’s wrist and nothing can be done about it. I’ve included a photo showing where this watch sits on a 7 ¾” wrist.

You can find the product at Amazon here: Watches For Men, Business Men's Black Steel Wrist Watches With Link Bracelet 

The Relaxed Gardener 8 Pattern Hose Nozzle

After using The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand - 15 inch Hose Nozzle with 8 Adjustable Spray Patterns and One Touch Shutoff Valve - Multipurpose - Water Hanging Baskets, Plants, Flowers, Shrubs, Garden and Lawn, I wondered if the company also made a nozzle version. They do, and I like this pint-sized tool just as much. Both use easy thumb operation to control water pressure flow, and that’s a big reason why I like them.

The first thing to go on nozzles is usually the trigger-style handle. Because these operate differently, I’m hoping this won’t happen. Besides that, I just prefer using my thumb for water control. The levers on both work smoothly and easily. This nozzle has all the typical spray patterns, but I use the shower mode most often. Compared to other nozzles, this one seems to cover a smaller area but has stronger water flow in that pattern setting. It works very well with potted plants that have different water requirements. Opened fully, the shower setting gives them a good drenching, but the thumb lever can take it down to a trickle in a second.

Many garden nozzles now offer spray patterns in picture form. Most are easy to figure out, but some pictures have me stumped… until I actually try the setting and learn the hard way it’s not what I wanted. The Relaxed Gardener doesn’t play guessing games—I know which setting I’m using or looking for just by reading basic words, and they click into place perfectly. This nozzle connects easily with all ¾” hoses and doesn’t leak.

Mine came at a discount, but the current price for this nozzle seems reasonable. Included is a picture of the Relaxed Gardener nozzle centered between two type nozzles I won’t buy anymore—trigger-handled and picture-patterned ones.

You can find the product at Amazon here: The Relaxed Gardener 8 Pattern Hose Nozzle - Adjustable Garden Hand Sprayer with Thumb Flow Control - Best for Car Washing, Cleaning the Deck or Patio, Watering Garden Plants and Bathing Your Pets

Perky-Pet Red Hobnail Vintage Glass Hummingbird Feeder 8130-2

I’m not normally a fan of decorative hummingbird feeders. Too often they’re cheaply made or leak. That isn’t the case with Perky-Pet vintage feeders—here's what I like:

1. Looks—besides having old-fashioned appeal, the beautiful colored glass blends in and looks so nice among flowers. The red flower ports contrast nicely against the brushed metal to give the feeder an almost elegant look.
2. Easy Fill Capacity—it’s frustrating trying to fill up little bottle necks, even when measuring cups are used. The wide mouth on these bottles makes filling very easy.
3. Cleaning—I’ll take glass any day. It lasts longer and can even be sterilized. The base on all Perky-Pet vintage feeders comes as two separate pieces—a plastic bottom and metal top. They snap together to make a nice form-fitting base. I’ve used other brand decorative feeders with similar base styles that just lay atop each other, and they leave a gap big enough for leaking to occur. These are different in that there is a raised lip on the bottom piece and an extended edge on the top piece. They fit together well to form a snug fit and tight seal. Sometimes I see some moisture around the seam, but that’s a far cry from actual leaking.
4. Excellent Hanging System—no cheap S hooks or coated wire here. Instead, a non-removable heavy-duty hanging system is provided. It’s very functional, can’t get lost, and adds charm to the feeder.

This is the fourth Perky-Pet vintage style I’ve been using to attract hummingbirds. Personally, my favorites are the pink and red hobnail ones because they look nicest in a colorful garden. I have noticed some rust occurring around some flower ports after about one season. That said, rusting is minimal but will probably get worse with time. I’m hoping to get a few season's use out of each feeder.

As a photographer, I like that these feeders have no perches because it's easier to take more natural looking pictures of birds in flight. I’ve included a photo of the vintage feeder’s raised lip and extended edge (on the left) versus bases typically found on other brands (on the right). Also included is a close-up of rust formation on one of my vintage feeder's flower ports.

You can find the product at Amazon here: Perky-Pet Red Hobnail Vintage Glass Hummingbird Feeder 8130-2

Patpets Deluxe Waterproof Pet Seat Cover With Bonus Pet Car Seat Belt

We travel a lot, and the dog always goes with us. He lays on a bolster in the backseat, but sometimes it ends up on the floor in a mess due to his restlessness. This seat cover totally eliminates that problem—it’s three-sided and resembles a hammock. One section attaches around the front head rests, another lays flat on the seat, and the third section attaches around the back head rests. Now the bolster stays securely in place, shedding is confined to the cover, and the dog can’t snoop through the snacks we usually bring along and store behind the front seats.

I wish we had gotten one of these covers long ago. It’s durable, machine-washable and comes with a sturdy strap system. The cover also works well if we lay the back seats completely down. Ours came at a discount, but the price seems reasonable, especially considering what a great job it does keeping car interiors clean.

You can find the product at Amazon here: Patpets Deluxe Waterproof Pet Seat Cover With Bonus Pet Car Seat Belt for Cars and SUV -Nonslip, Quilted, Extra Side Flaps, Machine Washable Pet Hammock Car Seat Cover 

Ingenuity Trio 3-in-1 High Chair

We have lots of grand kids, so it only made sense to get a high chair that can accommodate a variety of ages or two kids at a time. I love everything about this Trio 3-in-1 high chair. Besides the easy transformation into three different type chairs (booster seat, toddler chair or regular high chair), there are lots of other great features. I can roll it anywhere, it’s easy to keep clean, and the tray/insert can go in the dishwasher. The back wheels can lock (see photo). The tray can be removed the traditional way (pulling two side tabs under the tray) or by using one hand and simply pushing in the big “Ingenuity” button located in front of the tray. I’ve gone through a lot of high chairs in my time—this one has the easiest tray removal system I’ve ever seen. Included is a photo of the underside of the tray showing the gray push tabs and the front Ingenuity button. The recline button (it has three positions) operates just as easily. The chair doesn’t fold up, but it doesn’t take up too much space either—I measure about 22” x 29” around the wheels.

The padding in the seat is comfortable and can be wiped clean or machine washed (cold wash, gentle cycle). The only thing I don’t especially like are the two plastic side doors that hide the booster chair’s safety straps. The doors seem flimsily made and don’t open very well (see photo), but that’s really a minor issue and doesn’t affect performance. The straps inside do a very good job safely and securely holding the booster chair onto a kitchen chair.

We’re pleased using Ingenuity baby products. They’re practical, attractive and work well in every way. Recommended ages for the high chair is 6 months to 3 years, the toddler smart chair is 1 year to 5 years and the booster seat is 6 months to 5 years.

You can find the product at Amazon here: Ingenuity Trio 3-in-1 High Chair