Henry's Chocolate

I love chocolate! Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate-you name it I love it.

I have so many wonderful chocolate memories: a big solid chocolate Easter Bunny, chocolate ice cream on my birthday, going to the candy store and loading up on all sorts of chocolate goodies, Valentine chocolate and so forth-it’s a veritable chocolate wonderland.

I recall years ago when my wife and I were living in the Fort Worth/Dallas metropolitan area we were out shopping at a local mall. There was a smell-a wonderful aroma. 

We walked around a corner in the mall and it was like something out of a dream! There it was a chocolate shop! So many goodies! We both gained a couple of pounds that day.

I’d like to do something a little different this review. In previous reviews I’ve gone into detail and step-by-step on how I go about assembling Rolife kits.

In this review I’d like to talk about why I like Rolife kits and what attracted them to me. I’ll get into Henry’s Chocolate kit a little later on.

I like organization and planning. I appreciate logic, quality work and high standards when it comes to professionalism.

When I first spotted Rolife kits in a local Michael’s store I was immediately struck by their incredible detail. I was blown away by how realistic everything looked in even such a small scale. Having come from a graphic design background I am very familiar with product design, print production and promotion.

Looking at the open and assembled Rolife kits on display I could not help but be impressed by the printing and design of such simple things as packaging and accessories in the small room reproductions. Signs, packaging, wall and floor textures and colors were spot-on and the overall ‘feel’ of individual settings was perfect.

Nostalgic kitchens felt old, bookstores exuded shaded niches and warm earth tones and shops felt well-lite and open. Everything seemed to fit with whatever setting was recreated.

Miniature 3D printed accessories were perfect right down to every little detail. Furniture, lighting, wall decorations, windows, and doors-everything worked.

When it came to the packaging the Rolife kit boxes provide full-color photos of the enclosed kits, on the back of each box are full specs as it pertains to age assembly ranges, what the kits pieces are made of, safety instructions, assembling instructions and much more.

Once opened everything in boxes are either sealed in plastic or in plastic bags. Parts are numbered and the numbers coincide with the numbers in the step-by-step Instructions. 

 

Everything is so organized, thought out and executed. Is it any wonder why I like Rolife kits so much? See the photo below of Henry’s Chocolate’s kit contents:

Rolife’s Henry’s Chocolate is a small cozy corner shop jam- packed with so much chocolate that your taste buds will burst just by looking at it and you can almost smell the chocolate aroma.

Candies and confections of all sorts spill over and fill the front and back shelves and small tables.

The shop’s walls are painted in soft yellow and white enhanced by rough cut stoneware and accented by the wood overhead open ceiling, the checkerboard floor and decorated shelves, the floor borders, the framed artwork, the candy boxes filled wall shelves, the fall floral, the signs, the candy containers, the boxes, trays and loose displays, a decorative urn, an antique cash register and baskets, boxes and other paraphernalia.

Chocolate, chocolate everywhere! All the chocolate goodies look so real you can almost taste them. Miniatures of plastic, paper and wood are perfect in their details including package text and images, shop decor and all the lit nooks and crannies filled with chocolate goodies.

When it comes to assembling any kit I take my time, check my Instructions, make sure all the parts are included, go over the lighting instructions (batteries are not included) and assemble my tools. I’ve included a photo of the tools I use. Tweezers and a Phillips screwdriver are included in the kit.

Henry’s Chocolate kit (like all of Rolife’s kits) has all of its components separated by type.

Henry’s Chocolate box contents include a Material List, Instructions with fully illustrated pages in color providing step-by-step assembly instructions, an Icon Illustration pamphlet, Product Safety instructions, sticker sheets, folded paper sheets, an electric light and wiring and a tools bag, two 3D accessories bags, a shrink-wrapped package with small wood part flats and large shrink-wrapped large wood parts flat. 

All the parts have numbers that coincide with the numbers in the Instructions. Be sure to put the kit together page-by-page and do not remove more parts than what you need for each phase.

Rolife kits are a great way to increase your eye-to-hand coordination, develop cognitive and assembly skills, follow instructions, think three-dimentionally and if assembled by two or more people a great way to work as a team and cooperate and develop social skills. Family and friends will love it.

To see what other Rolife kits are available click here. For photos and a video of Henry’s Chocolate click here and to see what Rolife’s parent company Robotime click here. So many kits!

Psalms 55:22Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Wehrmacht Auxiliary Forces

Say what nasty things you want about the Nazi during World War II and it’s probably true. They were a force of evil, hell bent on world domination and set about trying to achieve that goal using any means at their disposal.

But, even skeptics have to admit they had some pretty cool uniforms, weapons and accessories which attributes to the fact such articles are highly sought after by World War II collectors.

The Wehrmacht Auxiliary Forces uniforms and duties were different from their armed forces equivalents.

Uniform colors, insignia, the placement of insignia, type of equipment varied from the fighting forces.

As the war progressed and things weren't looking good for the Nazi’s the auxiliary and fighting forces uniforms, etc. began to have more in common.

Whether by design or necessity or both they soon became almost unrecognizable in their differences.

In authors N. Thomas and C. Caballero Jurado’s and illustrator S. McCouaig’s book Wehrmacht Auxiliary Forces (part of the Men-At-Arms series from Osprey Publishing) those similarities and differences are examined.

Also included is the breakdown of the the war effort itself, how things changed and morphed as the war progressed.

This is a very thorough, comprehensive, fact-filled and impressive piece examining the history of the Nazi military force.

Archival photos, color illustrations, charts and highly-detailed text make for a fascinating read.

Psalms 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Monsters On Main Street

Halloween will be here soon and all the ghosts, ghoulies and monsters will be out and about. In Lemax’s Monsters On Main Street it’s open season and the monsters have taken over main street and it’s a howling good time!

Lemax’s Monsters On Main Street pulls out all the stops in a spectacular way with so much ghoulish details in boggles the mind.

Two main buildings make up the street-one red brick and one primarily brown brick. Both feature dark gray slate roofs with iron posts stringing along both.

A third recessed brick building has its own skeleton skull decorated double step entrance way and heavy wooden door with gold hinges and second Petrified Pub entryway.

Above the entryway is a small balcony with a gray cast iron railing, a small window with a slime covered arm extending out of it and a Arms Hotel sign on its brick wall. On the gray shingle roof is small window, a vulture, a cast iron broken rail running along its peak. Cast iron broken railings also run along the other roof peaks.

The red building has two front bay windows accented by a red light, side windows flush with the walls and surrounded by light gray slate and lit by a extended vertical light.

A fire escape ladder descends from the left red light to the second story that has several six-pane windows and also a spooky skeleton and lights.

Another iron fire escape ladder descends to the ground floor extended shop roof.

The second floor also has several six-pane windows and a deformed hunchback is seen coming down the stairs.

The shop awning has a large sign stating: Dr. Frank’s Laboratory Supplies in white on dark green. Frankenstein stands outside the shop’s window. Inside the shop you can see various concoctions and books

There is also a left side light blue awning with a vertical sign. Under the wood enclosed awning is a mummy selling goodies in the Mummy Wraps cafe.

Next to the cafe is a stack of pumpkins and a tree that has wound itself up the side of the building to the Psychic Reading sign on the second story. A large black spider on its web clings to the bricks.

A glassed-in gazebo is also out front with a skeleton in a coffin inside along with bats and a cat. The gazebo is decorated with a circular green roof with a gold peak accent. A small coffin with skeleton, a stack of skulls and pumpkins sit out front.

The brown brick building’s top floor has roof windows, a three window extended gable with black cat, ghost and spider silhouettes against green backgrounds. Gold roof corner accents line the gray stone trim.

The second floor extends from the main building with two ornate six-pane windows with curtains and purple lights. A cow skull decoration is between the windows.

Below the windows is a large green and white accented sign that reads Drac’s Cabinet Of Oddities perched on the slated slate roof.

The bottom floor has a granite trimmed wooden door with two steps with Dracula with a cane on the top step. A granite trimmed window is to his right as well as a Ghouley News newsstand hosted by a ghoulie. Look for more skulls and pumpkins.

A small Ghouley News newsstand under a yellow and red canopy sits next to Drac’s. There is a large pumpkin and green foliage and a large vine decorates the right side of the building. Twin black balconies are on the right side one of which holds a skeleton. On the curved roof sits a bat clinging to a tree branch.

Take a good look at the the buildings and you can spot another bat. a werewolf on the roof, dilapidated and crumbling chimneys, several window signs, purple curtained windows and a street sign.

Turn on the switch and everything lights up including windows, signs, shops, spotlights and overhead and entryway lights.

It really looks cool at night.

If you’re into getting creeped out this is the set-up for you. Just look at all the ghoulie goodies. Such detail, color and astounding sculpt work all packaged in a clear front panel, flip-lid box decorated with color photos.

For more photos and a video of Monsters On Main Street click here.

Lemax does it again!

Psalms 121:1-8(A Song of degrees.) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Jules, Penny & The Rooster

Have you ever met a kid that refuses to give up?

Meet Jules McShultz who is determined to have a dog. Positive that she will get a dog after her family moves to suburbs she is unperturbed that her parents still wouldn’t give her one so she enters an essay contest. First prize is a purebred Collie by the name Penny.

She wins and Penny and Jules become fast friends and do everything together including spending the summer together exploring the woods close to her home. 

It is exciting, but not half as exciting as discovering what awaits them on the other side of an old stone wall.

On the other side of the wall they met a Rooster who seems particularly fond of them. The trio venture further pass the wall and meet a very unusual group of ‘people’.

Jules tells her family all about them. No one believes them except her tea-leaf reading and eccentric Aunt Gertrude.

As the days pass Jules, her dog and Rooster, along with Aunt Gertrude, meet other unusual people and creatures and none are anything like they are portrayed in legend. In fact, they are all nice-even the witch.

Jules starts out with a dog and ends up with whole new group of friends.

Jules, Penny & The Rooster, written by Daniel Pinkwater and published by Tachyon Publications, is a wonderful tale full of magical creatures, enchanting locales and quirky lovable friends.

It’s a great story for kids that is filled with magic, mystery, mirth and memories.

2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Book-Cafe Box

As I’ve mentioned a number of times in other product reviews my favorite stores of all time are bookstores. New books, used books, a combined cafe/bookstore-if it’s got books I’m there.

I come by it honestly. My mother was a big book reader and she passed on her book fever to me.

There’s something special about perusing the shelves and picking up a book, flipping through its pages, taking in the musty smell mixed with ink and paper and quickly glancing through text, photos and art.

Lumibricks has taken the best of a bookstore and a small cafe and combined them into one colorful, lit and cluttered Book-Cafe Box that snaps together easily, has all sorts of goodies and lots to look at.

The Book-Cafe Box sits on a cream-colored tile floor. Two walls of brown wood paneling encloses the Book-Cafe Box. On one wall is a coffee machine with three cups of varying colors, throw-away cups, two product/cost menu signs above the wall niche it all sits on and several framed pieces of art on the wall besides it.  A cash register and counter sit in front.  Use the cashier figure with its swivel head, torso and movable arms and legs to stand behind the counter. 

In the corner niche is a comfortable light green overstuffed chair complete with a small glass-top table on which sits a coffee cup.

A small potted sits on the floor and close to the front corner of the Book-Cafe is a small black table with two black chairs upon one of which sits a brown cat.  On the table is a bowl and cup.

The far wall has multiple shelves where sit a number of books, a light over the windows that are framed by columns, open books and in front of the shelves is a long wooden table with two small stools. The table holds a glass and a treat.

Look at all the pastry goodies, cash register, clear display case and so many books!

Included with the kit is a small Phillips-head screwdriver and a clever device for taking bricks apart-just in case you make a mistake.

I’ve included a photo of the various tools I use when assembling model kits or similar kits.

The Book-Cafe Box comes shipped in a heavy cardboard box which is sealed. The kit box itself is also made of heavy gauge cardboard and features a full-color photo the Book/Cafe Box on its cover. and specs for ages 16 years and older, 436 pieces and a caution for kids about small parts and the batteries (AA not included).

I’m getting up in years and my eyesight and coordination are not what they used to be. The screwdriver came in handy and I also used tweezers and a strong light and magnifying glass.

I really enjoyed assembling this kit. It was a lot of fun. Color-coding the parts and keeping the instructions simple page-by-page added to the enjoyment. I had no problem following the instructions. Even the lighting was is easy to set up and it looks great at night when the lamp and the overhead window light strip are on.

Following the instructions I opened only the bags necessary for each phase of the build. Bags are numbered or lettered and although several bag contents may be need to complete a phase I found it best to keep each bag’s contents separate from other bags.

I took my time on the build. It took about three hours start to finish.

The small pieces were easy to identify and put together and fit together snugly. I especially like the little Cafe, the cat and the saleswoman. The figures’ heads rotate and the cashier’s body can be posed. She even swivels at her hips.

Check out the details and how colorful the Book-Cafe is. I have it displayed on my bookshelf in my man cave.

A few extra parts come with the kit. Most are used if you want to add the Book-Cafe Box to other kits. Some extra small parts are also included in case you need them. 

If you like to see what other kits Lumiblocks has to offer click here. For more photo and information about the Book-Cafe Box click here and for a video click here.

Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The Seeds Of Salvation

U.S.S. Enterprise’s Number One and Nurse Chapel are bored and wants some excitement as do other members of the crew.

They crave excitement. Soon they discover that getting what your desire coming true is not necessarily a good thing.

When Nurse Chapel decides to visit a dear friend on a frozen planet she arrives at her friend’s science research facility and no one is there.

Concerned she reports the incident and she, along with other members of the away team, track down a signal coming from under the ice.

When they arrive at an underwater complex Chapel finds her friend along with other members of the research facility. They’re alive but ‘not’ themselves.

Soon the away team meets the planet’s inhabitants and find themselves in a rather precarious situation. How do they respond and what is the secret behind the underwater civilization?

Things are far more than they first appear. It’s best to be bored.

The Seeds Of Salvation starring the members of the Enterprise from Strange New Worlds comes from the multi-talented creative team of Robbie Thompson, Travis Mercer, Serg Acuna and JP Jordan and published by IDW Publishing.

It’s an exciting tale that deserves to be a live-action episode from the TV series. The art captures the likenesses of the Enterprise crew, the writing is fast-paced, perfectly portrays the individual personalities of each crew member and is beautifully colored with high print quality all wrapped in a square-bound graphic novel. Look for cover recreations from the original mini-series.

Proverbs 30:5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Over the past couple of months my wife has struggled with some serious health issues. Without going into specifics it has been a long and difficult process. It has curtailed her daily routine and her physical and mental endurance has been tested.

It’s not been easy, draining and a little scary. We are not sure if it is a genetic condition or if it will escalate and cause even more problems in the future.

We’re both in our 70s and we realize that it is inevitable that certain health issues are sure to occur. Nevertheless for a woman who is physically active, mentally sharp and alert and has a real heart for others (especially for family) it has been a rough road.

That being said as hard as it has been it has drawn us closer together, sparked within us the urge to help others and brought us closer to God.

In author Jonathan Gibson’s book: Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing, published by Crossway, a liturgy for daily worship with the Psalms, is a welcome daily reminder and source of comfort.

The hardbound book with gold decoration and a sturdy slipcase reminds me of how blessed we are, how much we owe God, his kindness, forgiveness, provision, patience and unconditional love.

Although I am a Baptist by choice I appreciate the commonality with the book written by a Minister of the Tenth Presbyterian Church.

It proves that God is not interested in or impressed by denominations only the heart of his people. There may be slight differences between denominations but if the core of their worship is the same we truly are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

 

 

Shredder Volume One

He is the ultimate nemesis of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and he’s out for revenge. He’s Shredder and he’s back, alone, furious and possibly insane.

But, revenge will have to wait, he has other problems on his hands. One of his former Food Clan flunkies has formed their own gang and Shredder must deal with them if he ever hopes to regain his power.

This is Shredder like you’ve never seen him before: alone, without his armor, challenged and changed.

Once a killing machine Shredder has become more reflective on his life and choices. He begins to see things from a different point of view. Although still determined to rule he begins to examine his own motivation, choices and life.

Challenged he must try to gather his forces, face down new adversaries and confront his past.

I always pictured Shredder as pretty much a one-dimensional character. After reading Shredder Volume One by Dan Watters, Michelle Bandini and Sid Kotian and released by IDW Publishing, I have a whole new respect for the character.

This trade paperback reveals his inner demons, weaknesses and surprisingly-his humanity. Even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are surprised by his return. Is he now more deadly than ever?

Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Kiki's Magic Emporium

Magic-is it real? Maybe, maybe not. Either way it’s a fascinating subject.

Magic elixirs, potions, spells, ancient tomes, strange creatures, white and black magic, locations that exude strange and special magical emanations, dark, steeped in shadows rooms and niches and other mystical items and locations are strangely compelling.

Who wouldn’t want to do amazing feats by uttering a phrase or reading a few words? If life was only that simple.

Mankind has always been fascinated by the supernatural-the strange, the occult and the possibility of possessing powers that are powerful but controllable.

Where does all the magic items come from? Where can they be obtained? Are there locations where someone could purchase potions and the like? Where are they and how do we find them?

In Rolife’s Kiki’s Magic Emporium you’ll find everything you need to practice magic-at least in miniature

The little cubby hole is decorated with several bookshelves, cabinets, display counters, shelves, wall drawers, signs, an overhead light, a skylight, cream colored walls and a wooden plank floor with brick steps.

Potions, elixirs, manuscripts, books, magic enriched items, a peaked wizard’s hat, herbs, enchantments, a wooden chair, a glass front cabinet filled with magic compounds, an archaic symbol rug, a side window, wall plaques and signs, a feather quill pen and ink bottle, charms and other magic brick-a-brac fill the room. There’s even a globe shaped lantern on the floor and a large six-pointed star hanging from the ceiling.

For such a small shop it is really cluttered just as you would expect with a Magic Emporium. Who needs empty shelves?

This kit had a lot of small 3D pieces-some of which like to roll. More than once I had a few roll off my kit assembly table. Good thing the wooden floor is light in color. It made it easy to find and retrieve the parts.

This particular kit required a lot of tweezers use as there are so many small parts, stickers and items. My big hands makes it difficult to pick-up tiny pieces.

Assembling the floor and wall, doors, windows were easy. Furniture was a little challenging but I persevered and managed not to break anything. All the pieces fit snugly together courtesy of tabs.

I always like to have a few extra tools around as the photo shows. Tweezers and a Phillips-head screwdriver are included in the kit. Be sure to work in a well-lit area and follow the instructions page-by-page and never taken out more parts than necessary.

Look for 3D object bags, flats, stickers, folded paper containers, wiring and a light (no batteries included) and plenty of other cool stuff.

Rolife’s Kiki's Magic Emporium box has some cool photos and information on it including age suggest, materials used and important instructions to adults about assisting kids with the build. Kiki's Magic Emporium has a Level two and one half star rating.

Put a little magic into your life and buy Kiki's Magic Emporium.

For a little more magical miniature merriment be sure to check out Rolife’s site, move on over to the Kiki's Magic Emporium page and check out the photos and video and for even more enchanted fun don’t forget to visit Robotime.

Psalms 34:4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Buzz Me In

For over a decade the recording studio Record Plant Studios produced some of most legendary albums of all time featuring a huge pool of talent.

In Martin Porter’s and David Goggin’s oversize hardbound book Buzz Me In Inside The Record Plant Studios, published by Thames & Hudson, the incredible musical history of the studio is revealed.

Take a moment to look at the back of book’s dust cover to set the list of the musical artists that used the studio-incredible.

Filled with archival photos of inside and outside the studio, the book examines the talent the studio helped used over the years to create their Rock & Roll masterpieces.

If you are a lover of Rock & Roll this it is the book to own. More than a gallery of photos the book examines the meat and bones of producing and recording music using the most sophisticated equipment at the time. It’s real page-turner that uncovers the studio secrets most music lovers have never known before.

I absolutely love the photos, the intimate and revealing text and the history of one the greatest music studios that ever existed.

Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Great American Cowboy Stories

Like any young boy growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States I was a big cowboy fan-especially TV shows about cowboys.

Granted TV could not really capture the life of a cowboy totally realistically the shows did manage to bring the romanticism associated with cowboys to a huge audience.

Working the range, corralling horses and cattle, surviving primitive conditions and making a living in the Old West was not an easy task.

The work days were long, dusty, dirty, lacking the simplest of conveniences and fraught with danger. Rustlers, Indians, swindlers and loneliness confronted cowboys.

Lyons Press Classics’ Great American Cowboy Stories, edited by Michael McCoy, both fictional and true tales of cowboys are included.

Eighteen stories tell of cowpokes, cattle drives, caballeros of all genders and races as chronicled by such literary luminaries as Zane Grey, Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Nye, Frank Benton and several more.

So partner, saddle up, check your chaps, spurs, saddle bag and supplies and get ready to head out to the plains and mountains and face off against storms, renegades and the untamed wilderness.

Head ‘em up! Move ‘em out!

Psalms 34:4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles Anniversary Special

At first a deadly adversary of Sonic, Knuckles would eventually prove to be a strong and courageous ally to Sonic and his friends.

He’s tough, fast and strong (and very stubborn).

Knuckles The Echidna is the Guardian of the Master Emerald. He’s headstrong, independent and a little bit full of himself. He’s the last of his kind-until he meets a young, somewhat timid, cautious would-be Guardian.

Reluctantly he becomes her mentor which turns out to be a bit of a challenge. Eventually the two hit it off. Along the way Knuckles confronts his past, reevaluates what it means to be a Guardian and that being a Mentor is more about fists and fighting-it’s what type of person you are.

The Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles Anniversary Special story is written by Ian Flynn with art by Aaron Hammerstrom and published by https://idwpublishing.com/IDW Publishing.

Included with the Knuckles story is the an unusual tale about Dr. Eggman’s birthday. After reading the story one cannot help but wonder if Dr. Eggman is as tough and cold as he appears.   Art is provided by Thomas Rothlisberger with words by Gale Galligan.

The art on both stories captures the characters perfectly and the stories are true to each.

It’s a thin, hardback graphic novel that packs quite a punch.

Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams

I consider the band Iron Maiden a combination Rock and Roll, Heavy Metal, Horror Opera, Stygian and steeped in darkness kind of band.

Just slightly over 50 years ago the band started and already had a partially formed vision as to what the band, its music and it message would be.

It has stayed pretty much true to its origin and to its fans spanning the decades. You’ll see 70 year olds swaying to the band’s music right next to teenagers. That’s quite an achievement.

In the Thames & Hudson’s new oversize and thick hardbound book: Iron Maiden: Infinitive Dream The Official History, with a foreword by band member Steve Harris, delves into the impressive history of the band.

Filled with archival photos from concerts, behind-the-scenes, recording sessions and more the book also contains song lists, lyrics, personal accounts, key moments in the band’s history, triumphs, downfalls and everything associated with a band that has lasted over 50 years.

I never listened to Iron Maiden that much growing up but I did know some people who were big fans.

Looking over the book I can see how the band predated Grunge, Punk and even some Heavy Metal bands. Iron Maiden opened the door to a diverse repertoire.

It’s stage shows were unique, often disturbing, never boring and full of energy. The band's mascot Eddy the psychopathic, monster killer and horror icon has became a well-known symbol of the band.

Eddy has changed over the years taking on various personas yet always retaining his horror/blood lust identity.

The book is fascinating look into the working of a band, its longevity and place in popular music.

2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Petrified Forest Tree House

There was a forest not far from where I lived in Milford, Michigan when I was a kid. It was dark, foreboding and scary.

Imagine that deep in that woods there is a tree house. But, not just any tree house-a tree house frequented by ghosts and other Halloween denizens of the night.

Lemax taps into that fear with its deluxe kit: Petrified Forest Tree House. My daughter (who is a big Halloween fan) saw this set-up and immediately claimed it as her own. Her family loves Halloween and the tree house will make a fine addition on that spooky night.

Before I get into the kit itself I’d like to talk about the packaging. The tree house comes in a long vertical box decorated with color photos on all side. Inside the box is the main body of the tree house protected by two form-fitted cardboard section and held together with Velcro. The other box contains several small boxes holding the various accessorizes separate from the tree house.

They include a full moon on a long black pole (that lights up when the power is turned on), a pumpkin scarecrow, a skeleton in a rocking chair and holding a guitar, a cow skull sits at its feet, a Keep Out sign with pumpkins and a crow, Twin tree trunks both with green lit up eyes and pumpkins perched on stone bases, a grinning pumpkin patch, a large tree with orange foliage and a bare tree with no leaves.

All are highly detailed, colorful and a little bit creepy. Such an awesome and spooky set-up! the entire tree house lights up when the poser is turned on. It’s really creepy in the dark.

The base of the tree house sits on a brown dirt platform with green grass with various snakes, skulls, rocks and critters around the base of the tree.

The tree is huge, so huge that it has a set of stone steps, with rails and ladders all the way up to the tree house perched at its summit.

Large gnarly roots seems to twist and turn almost like its sentient. A single pole light is on the left just above a tire swing.. Skulls are embedded in the tree.

The lower level of the house has an open wooden door with a skeleton peeking out and the boarded up window cracks has green eyes peering out of it. A ghoul in overalls climbs the steps to the next level. His head is just about even with the grass roof of the lower level. The roof is made of green grass with a cow skull on the front.

The upper most level of the house has a large brown wooden slat door with a small balcony where a black clad, grinning skull reaper stands with his sickle. A green and purple light highlights the upper level. A single window is just below the eve of the gray shingle roof. A Keep Out sign with a skull and crossbones warns visitors away.

The patched roof with its brick chimney also has a separate metal chimney with cap and a scraggly pine tree at its peak. Another side light is on the upper left. Behind the tree house is a large deep tree.

The roof has patches with wood boards. The small building enclosure has barricaded windows, moss trimming and just below it a rickety balcony with a red and brown railing. Part of the tree’s foliage integrated itself into the tree house.

On the opposite side of the tree house are steps coming down the second story that abruptly end several feet off the ground. At the top of the stairs is a barricaded door with a skeleton peering between the wooden slats. The roof has several metal chimneys, the top of the tree pops through the roof and the tree’s limbs and tendrils wrap the tree house.

Look for hidden skeletons, a rope swing with a tire decorated with spikes, red railing and plenty of Keep Out! signs.

Once assembled all the interconnecting parts light up. It’s easy to assemble, is beautifully deigned, sculpted and colored and is a real showcase for the artisans at Lemax.

Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.