Travel
Flamingo Gardens Fort Lauderdale FL
Bird Watching Up Close and Personal at the Flamingo Gardens Botanical Gardens and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary Anyone that has ever been attracted to bird watching and communing with nature needs to add the Flamingo Gardens in Fort Lauderdale Florida to their list of travel destinations. The gardens are in part a small zoo or sanctuary for animals that can’t live in the wild, while giving visitors a peek into the magic of the Everglades. With interesting local wildlife and the {Read More}
Tentrr, A New Way to Camp
Are you camping-curious, but not sure you want to deal with all the tent and sleeping bag related hassle? Have a hesitant spouse? Or perhaps you love camping, as we do, but are ready to try something new and different with your friends and family this fall. We recently headed out with Tentrr, a new company that gives you the camping experience you are after, from the most basic and remote locations to the “glamping” end of things as you {Read More}
Visit Barbados. Like, Right now.
I’ve been obsessed with Barbados since I was a kid, when I read the Newbery Medal winning book “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare. For anyone who somehow managed to escape their summer reading, the book is about a fictional 17th Century young woman who, orphaned, must leave her home in Barbados and travel to New England. Now in Puritan Connecticut, she often reminisces about her home and her childhood growing up in beautiful Barbados. Yes, as {Read More}
Coconut Bay Resort, St. Lucia
No matter what kind of vacation you are looking for- family trip, a romantic couples retreat, girlfriends getaway- you can find what you are looking for on the diverse island of St. Lucia. Coconut Bay is located near the airport (in fact, just five minutes away), so you won’t have a long trek to your room once you arrive. That’s never a welcome surprise, is it? Once there, you are greeted by friendly staff with cool towels and cold drinks {Read More}
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Looking for an all-season resort you can enjoy with the family? Look no further then the beautiful Waterville Valley Resort, set in the always stunning White Mountains of New Hampshire. We are lovers of NH, it’s not hard to find a reason to get us to head up for a visit. If you have ever set foot in the small but stunning state, you likely are as well. Outdoors Enthusiasts will be hard pressed to be kept away, no matter {Read More}
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in Riviera Maya, Mecico
It’s that time of year that feels like winter will never end. First, Winter. Then, “False Spring”, wild cold snap, at least one more blizzard that will lead to “second False Spring”, and then maybe we can finally start to melt. I’m thinking about a shortcut to getting warm. Mexico is calling. It’s just a short plane ride away, and it’s beautiful beaches, resorts, and diverse entertainment are just the thing to help wipe away the winter blues. Not to {Read More}
Reviews & Giveaways
Bedtime Made Easier Thanks To Snuggle Monsters, Sleepylights, & Emoji-Notes #GiftGuide
Do your kids give you trouble when it comes to bedtime? So many parents dread bedtime, as it is fights, tears, and kids not wanting anything to do with going to sleep. Sometimes, they are afraid of the dark, of monsters under the bed, or other childhood fears related to bedtime, and it can be a trying time for both parents and children. To make bedtime a bit more palatable, we have a few suggestions you might want to try. {Read More}
Sega Genesis Mini #HolidayGiftGuide #VideoGames
The holidays are always a time of nostalgia which is why you’re in luck! SEGA is bringing us back to the 90s with their brand new Genesis Mini. Featuring 42 games, this console is bursting with tons of classic titles. Gamers will be able to enjoy their favorite past times including, Sonic The Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin and Mega Man®: The Wily Wars! The newly improved Genesis Mini is 55% the size of the original model, making it easy to play {Read More}
Aquabeads For Creative Holiday Gifting #HolidayGiftGuide
Aquabeads arts and crafts products are new and improved as they allow for a quicker drying time to create even more incredible designs in less time. The new sets feature an innovative Flip Tray and Bead Receiver to set art work aside for faster drying while continuing to create additional masterpieces. This is a great gift for kids of all ages- my son is 12 and he still enjoys playing with Aquabeads. The pieces are small, so supervise small {Read More}
FOCO Series Two of WWE Bobblehead Series #GiftGuide
FOCO is excited to introduce Series Two of their WWE collectable bobbleheads highlighting some of the biggest personalities in WWE. These are really fun and would be perfect for the WWE Super-Fan on your list. This series of officially licensed bobbleheads features WWE superstars Seth Rollins, “The Man” Becky Lynch, Brock Lesnar with his advocate Paul Heyman, Jeff Hardy, and WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin, with more Superstars to be added soon. Each Superstar is depicted in an action pose in his or {Read More}
Bleacher Creatures Introduces 7 New WWE Plush Figures #GiftGuide
Bleacher Creatures Toys, a division of Uncanny Brands, is proud to announce Series 8, 7 new, officially-licensed WWE plush figures, available now and in time to get for the fans on your holiday shopping list. My John is a huge fan, and he really like the Bleacher Creatures he has currently (his favorite being Sasha Banks)- these are sure to be a hit with him. I’ve wondered when we go to the live events, why they don’t sell them at {Read More}
Spreading Holiday Cheer with Calico Critters #GiftGuide
Do your kids love Calico Critters as much as mine do? They are the perfect toys for kids, and since they use animals instead of traditional dolls, both boys and girls can enjoy them without getting the side eye from those judgmental or less progressive members of the family. (Not that boys should ever be ashamed of playing with dolls- I just love that there is another option for kids, as well as for the boys who want to nurture, {Read More}
Recipes
CRAZY CANDY CANE CAKE
Ready to make a cake that will have your friends and family racing back for more? Totally Instagram ready, the Crazy Candy Cane Cake from the HOLIDAY JUBILEE retro cookbook will have everyone smiling. And eating. GET THIS 3 boxes white cake mix, mixed according to box instructions 1 large bottle red food … [Read More...]
Butternut Squash and Kale Soup
This soup makes the perfect vegetable side dish—it's packed with nutritious vegetables and healthy carbohydrates from the butternut squash and other veggies! Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Serves: 4 Serving Size: 1 cup Ingredients: 1 large sweet onion, cut into wedges 4 cups cubed butternut squash (about 3/4-inch … [Read More...]
RUMI’S JHAL GOSHT (BEEF OR LAMB CURRY)
Ingredients 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, coarsely chopped Curry spices (see below) 1 1/2 pounds lamb or beef stew meat 1 cup yogurt 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (stems and leaves) CURRY INGREDIENTS 1 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (depending on heat … [Read More...]
Crisp Apple Donuts (with fewer calories and less sugar)
Ingredients For The Donuts: 1 cup Crisp Apple Sparkling ICE 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature) ½ cup Splenda Sugar Blend 2 eggs ¼ cup whole milk 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 3 ¾ cup all purpose flour For The Cinnamon Sugar: 1½ cups Splenda Sugar … [Read More...]
Parenting
10 Worst States for Lead Poisoning in Children – Are Your Children in Danger?
For most people, lead poisoning is something we hear about in the news and then forget about the next day. But in a recent study, more than 350,000 children in the US were afflicted with lead poisoning in just one year alone--many without their parents knowing until it's far too late. What level of exposure are your children facing and … [Read More...]
5 Things Foster Parents Should Know About Navigating The Court System
The important role foster parents have in a child’s life expands significantly when they go to court. To make decisions in a child’s best interest, judges need good information, and foster parents ideally can provide that. Thus, foster parents having a complete understanding of how to participate in court goes a long way toward … [Read More...]
Technology
Luigi’s Mansion 3 by Nintendo #GiftGuide
Looking for a fun game to get for the kids this holiday season? Nintendo has just come out with the 3rd in a their series, Luigi's Mansion 3, just in time for this gift giving season. Luigi just wanted to get away, a little vacation- but that just never seems to work out for him, does it? My son's review of Luigi's … [Read More...]
Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher @BOSCHHOMEUS #ad @BestBuy
Are you looking for a new dishwasher? The new Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher at Best Buy is a great option for anyone who is looking for an upgrade to their dishwasher or for the highest quality. It's not cheap, but it sounds like it will do the job better then your average dishwasher. About the Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher at Best Buy The … [Read More...]
Altec Lansing Baby Boom XL Portable Bluetooth Speaker @alteclansing #myalteclansing @BestBuy #ad
Looking for the perfect speaker to take along with you on your next trip? Let me introduce to you your new favorite take-along, the Altec Lansing Baby Boom Xl Portable Speaker. The longest name ever for a tiny speaker. Don't let the name fool you, it has a BIG sound packed into such a little handful of a thing. We brought this along … [Read More...]
Cosmic Cubs Learning Apps For Kids
Summer is a great time to relax and enjoy time together with friends and family, but you don't want to let your mind turn to mush during that time. According to the Northwest Evaluation Association's research, "summer learning loss was observed in math and reading across third to eighth grade, with students losing a greater proportion of … [Read More...]
Lifestyle
“Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz” at Paper Mill Playhouse
We just saw the new play,"Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz", at Paper Mill Playhouse. Continuing until October 27, this world premiere focuses on the early life of Francis Gumm, who became Judy Garland. Best known for her breakout performance as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz", her life and family are brought to life in a … [Read More...]
Waxing Nostalgic
Another goodbye. You've all seen my many posts about this car by now, she's been a staple on this blog and for me for the longest time. She brought all my kids home. To this house. All the dogs, too. Drove more road trips then I can count, many featured here on this site and beyond. A whole lot of friends have spent time in that little … [Read More...]
