Fun Games from Analog Game Studios

 When I'm game shopping, I look for a few things: 1.) games that scale well to 2 players so that my hubby and I can play together, 2.) games that play up to 5 players so that my entire family can play together, 3.) games that little girls will enjoy, and 3.) games that my kids can play independently so that they don't need adult help to enjoy playing.  Analog Game Studios had games that fit all of those criteria!  So let's check them out!

The Grand Museum of Art

 I'm constantly searching for great gameschooling game (games that have educational value).  I'm a firm believer that ALL games contain some educational value - whether its the math in scoring or simply the learning to take turns - but I love a great themed educational game!  And art history themed games can be difficult to find. So I was thrilled to find The Grand Museum of Art game, by Today Is Art Day!  

The Grand Museum of Art is a beautiful board game for 2-4 players ages 12+.  It takes approximately 1 hour to play and you'll learn a lot about art!

Great Polyomino Games by Stronghold Games

 I'm gonna date myself a bit, but I'm a child of the 80's/early 90's. Because of that, there are certain things that bring me right back to my childhood: Rainbow Bright, Cabbage Patch Dolls, He-Man and She-Ra... and Tetris! I loved Tetris!  I played it so much I practically saw falling blocks in my sleep!  Haha!  So when I first discovered polyomino tile-laying games, they scratched a special childhood itch.  Thankfully, the folks at Stronghold Games have published a trio of fantastic polyomino games and I'm right here for it!  So let's check them out!

Red Rising Game: Collectors Edition

I was so excited when I saw that Stonemaier Games was releasing a Red Rising game! For 2 reasons: 1.) the Stonemaier games that I own are exceptional quality and tons of fun, and 2.) the cover art just got me! (I mean, look at this gorgeous cover!!!!)

Honey Buzz Board Game Review

May 20th is World Bee Day!  Yippee!  Do you know what that means?  A great GAMESCHOOLING opportunity!  What should we play?  Well, Honey Buzz, by Elf Creek Games, of course!  This is a BEAUTIFUL, fun, strategic game about bee accountants!  That's right!  I said bee accountants!  Haha!  In Honey Buzz, each player is one of Her Majesty the Queen Bee's accountants. Manage your portion of the hive and worker bees, store nectar, make honey, and sell your honey at the bear market. Whoever makes the most money wins the game!

Here's what I like:

Cosmic Colonies Board Game Review

 Last night my husband, 10 year old, and I all played Cosmic Colonies, by Floodgate Games for the first time.  I'll admit, we had this one for a while before we played it.  It sat on the shelf and I'd walk past and say, "I need to play test this one." But the number of components and the recommended age on the box (13+ years) had me worried that it would be overly complicated.  And its hard to get the fam - particularly hubby - to play a complicated game.  After a long day he just doesn't want to burn his brain learning something super heavy.  But Cosmic Colonies is the PERFECT EXAMPLE of a misjudged game!  I wish I'd pulled it out much sooner!  It was a joy to play and not overly complicated at all!  But it was lots of fun!

CrowD Games Review

 The wonderful folks at CrowD Games  very kindly sent me a few of their games to review.  I'll be honest.  I'd not heard of these games before, so I had absolutely ZERO preconceived notions about how they would play or what they'd be like.  But I was impressed!  So I'd love to share them with you!

No Thank You, Evil Game Review

 I'd like to start this particular review by saying that I have ZERO experience with RPGs (Roll PLayer Games) - unless you consider watching the guys on the Big Bang Theory play Dungeons and Dragons.  Haha!  For that reason, this particular game was a little intimidating to me.  But it looked like so much fun that I had to give it a try.  Thankfully, the creators of No Thank You, Evil did such a FABULOUS JOB on the instructions, that it was easy to dive in!

Pesto Ranch Pasta Salad

I'm a sucker for pasta.  Seriously.  I have a serious pasta addiction,  Hot. Cold.  Doesn't matter.  Marinara sauce. Italian dressing. Ranch dressing.  Doesn't matter.  Have I mentioned I LOVE pasta!?! That led me to today.  We're having some baked chicken tenders and roasted asparagus for dinner and I was looking for another side dish.  I had some broccoli and grape tomatoes - which both go GREAT in pasta salad - so I decided a pasta salad would be a great dish to serve!  But I've been in a "creative mood" lately, so I decided to experiment.  A jar of pesto in my fridge was calling my name, so I whipped up this Pesto Ranch Pasta Salad!  And it was pretty doggone good - if I do say so myself!

Easter Baskets Stuffed with Games! (The best small games to fit in your kids' Easter baskets)

 Easter is April 4, y'all!  Can you believe its almost time for Easter?!?  I can't! That also means its been a year of pandemic panic, quarantines, mask wearing, hand sanitizing frustration.  People are locked in their houses more than ever.  And it can be frustrating!  But it can also provide opportunities for great family togetherness.  So if you're looking for something fun to add to your child's Easter basket, how about a fun family game?  I've compiled a list of some fabulous suggestions (in no particular order).