Travel
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}
Rhode Island Bound
When planning your trip to Rhode Island you might not be thinking of horseback riding on the beach, but you should be. C and L Stables located in Goddard Memorial State Park and offer access to 18 miles of trails or beach rides along the East Greenwich Bay. Riders of all levels are welcome and the stables has even been awarded the North American Horseman Association “SAFETY AWARD” ten years in a row. If history is more your style visit the Cloud Hill {Read More}
Reviews & Giveaways
Best Items for Active Parents
We love camping, and this is a great time of year to head out to your favorite campsite (or find a new one to explore). What to pack, besides your tent and sleeping bags? We have a few suggestions for the Best Items for Active Parents. One of the most important things to bring with you is lighting. You don’t want to wonder what you are about to run into on a middle of the night bathroom run. Recently, VSSL Outdoor {Read More}
Camping Trip Coming Up?
We love camping, and this is a great time of year to head out to your favorite campsite (or find a new one to explore). What to pack, besides your tent and sleeping bags? We have a few suggestions. One of the most important things to bring with you is lighting. You don’t want to wonder what you are about to run into on a middle of the night bathroom run. Recently, VSSL Outdoor Utility Tools and Mountain Khakis came together {Read More}
Tech Your Kids Will Really Fall For
Now that school is (finally!) back in session, you might be looking for fun ways to keep the kids stimulated and learning but still having fun while at home. We like board games and hiking as much as anybody, but sometimes a little hands-on building and creating goes a long way towards getting your child(ren) interested in something new, or perhaps just learning a little more about their favorite activities and what makes them “go”. If your kids like {Read More}
Make Lunchtime More Fun with Lunch Pets™ (and a #Giveaway )
Lunchtime is always an adventure with the all-new Lunch Pets™! These huggable, plush pals are the perfect snacking companions for a child on-the-go. From school to dance practice and everything in between, Lunch Pets are sure to keep your child smiling and their lunch at the desired temperature. We recently took ours on a road trip to a theme park, and it did it’s job. My son didn’t whine (too much) about carrying it, and when he got annoying about {Read More}
Ever Tried CDB Oil? What’s Stopping You?
If you are like me, you are willing to try just about anything to stop your chronic pain. Yet for some reason, so many people I talk to are worried about or wholly against trying CBD oils to try to get some relief. Why, I wonder? Maybe they think it’s illegal. Maybe they don’t know what it is. Well, I’d like to give you some insight into my experiences with a particular brand, Infinite CBD. It’s not the only brand {Read More}
Avoid The Summer Slide- Fun Ways to Stimulate Your Brain
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 their school year gains each year as they grow older – anywhere from 20 to 50 percent.” How do you keep your child from losing their learning {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
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...]
Top 4 Reasons Your Teen May Be under Stress
Youth is a free pass to have fun and enjoy. But alongside this “folly” are physical, social, mental, and emotional changes that every teenager goes through to cross the bridge to adulthood. Indeed, transition and turmoil characterize adolescence. And your teenage son or daughter may have trouble coping with how things are. … [Read More...]
Technology
Main Mobile Trends That Play A Big Role In-App Innovation
Mobile tech innovation continues at a break-neck pace. This situation is unlikely to change anytime soon. While an impressive array of potentially life-changing mobile technologies have been unveiled so far, this article will detail those that could play a big role in our future world. Read on, pay with phone credit and tap into some … [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
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...]
Be Prepared – it starts with a go bag
Saying: "It won't happen to us" is a poor disaster response plan. And thinking: "It can't happen here" is categorically wrong. There are all sorts of "its" out there, and they can and do happen, here, there, everywhere. And when it happens, there might be only minutes in which to get out the door and go. Emergencies don't wait for us to … [Read More...]
