El Senor and the Beach

El Senor and the Beach

This puzzle was too adorable to pass up at Walmart this morning. I loved the first Re-Marks 100-piece dog puzzle I did of a handsome little Boston Terrier. Read about him here. El Senor did not disappoint either. The pieces fit tightly enough together that I could pick it up with just two fingers and hold it. Always a plus in my book. I also grabbed another Re-Marks puzzle with it this morning as well. An adorable dog having fun…

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PUZZLE REVIEW: Soda Caps

PUZZLE REVIEW: Soda Caps

Manufacturer:  Sure-lox? Name:  Soda Caps Series:  Part of a 6-pack of puzzles box Artist / Photographer:  Unknown Piece Count:  300 Piece Quality:  Good – laid flat when assembled New / Used: New Fit:  Good Assembly:  This was probably my second favorite in this big box of six puzzles I picked up from WalMart a few years ago.  Cinque Terre was my first favorite, but this one was a lot of fun to assemble too.  Like my friend and fellow puzzle…

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PUZZLE REVIEW: Superheroes Unite

PUZZLE REVIEW: Superheroes Unite

Manufacturer:  Unknown Name:  Superheroes Unite (my own title) Series:  None Artist / Photographer:  Unknown Piece Count:  24 Piece Quality:  Fantastic New / Used: New Fit:  Great Assembly: This is one of the best constructed foam children’s puzzles I’ve ever seen. The pieces are so thick and the way the image is printed and attached to the foam backing is great. Cole and I both love this puzzle and we always have a race to see who can finish first. The…

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PUZZLE REVIEW: Winter Village Stream

PUZZLE REVIEW: Winter Village Stream

Manufacturer:  White Mountain Puzzles Name:  Winter Village Stream Series:  6-in-1 boxed set Artist / Photographer:  Unknown Piece Count:  300 Piece Quality:  Very good New / Used: New Fit:  Excellent Assembly:  This was the first of a 6 in 1 holiday collector’s box of varying size puzzles by White Mountain Puzzles.  The quality was good, and the pieces had a nice thickness.  I believe this was another one I was able to stand up for a second without puzzle glue or…

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Olaf

Olaf

Another one of my son Cole’s favorite puzzles is this adorable 63 piece puzzle of Olaf dressed in a rather cute, wine colored “Christmas Tree Sweater”. I cannot count the number of times we have assembled this one together, and Cole has even done it several times all on his own. He and Derek both loved the movie Frozen, and also really liked seeing the recently released Frozen II. The quality of this one is really nice, and because I…

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Puzzling Conversations: Gus – Part Two

Puzzling Conversations: Gus – Part Two

Tonight we continue our conversation with Gus, a retired IT guy from New South Wales, Australia about what determines puzzle difficulty.  As many of you probably know, Gus is a pretty prolific writer, especially on the topic of puzzles.  So, in the not so distant future I will be sharing more of his thoughts on all things puzzling.  Hopefully you will find his commentary as insightful and entertaining as I have. PM:  How do you define puzzle difficulty, Gus? GUS: …

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Puzzle Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Puzzle Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

One of Derek’s holiday gifts this year was a puzzle. I will admit, I did have an ulterior motive for getting this for him – and I am sure you have no idea what that might be, right?! ? Basically, he loves the movie but has almost zero interest in doing puzzles and I have zero interest in the movie, but…well, you see where I am going with this. HEE HEE So when I saw this cute little 300 piece…

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Puzzling Conversations: Gus Wrethman

Puzzling Conversations: Gus Wrethman

I am starting 2020 off with something a little different – a series of posts garnered from “interviews” with fellow puzzle enthusiasts like myself.  I want to get different perspectives from people around the world on various aspects of puzzling – what got them into puzzling, what types of images they love and / or dislike most, what their biggest challenges are (if any) to getting puzzles in their respective countries, etc.  I think it will add a new dimension…

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2019 in Retrospect

2019 in Retrospect

As I sit here in my extremely empty office at work on the last day of 2019 with more time on my hands than work, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on 2019 and what I accomplished as a puzzler and as a blogger.  Here’s what I came up with: My single biggest accomplishment was FINALLY, after 8.5 years, finishing Educa’s 24,000 piece Life: The Great Challenge.  While I only put together the final 3,000 pieces of…

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