Fisher Price Kitchen and Table #GiftGuide

With every generation there are improvements to tried and true toys like dolls, horses, GI Joe’s even Ninja Turtles and Transformers. Some work out great and some don’t. The newest kitchen play set from Fisher Price is one of the ones that work great. The play set is called the Servin’ Surprises Kitchen &Table. This play set includes a table with convertible stove top, removable oven and magic serving trays, more about these in a bit, four slices of pizza with toppings and pizza cutter, four cookies with baking sheet, and cutlery for two.

This kitchen [Read more…]

The Benefits of Learning Karate for Kids

Karate, the ancient Japanese martial art deriving its name from the phrase “empty hand” is a popular form of exercise, a highly respected sport, and often the basis of many self-defense courses. Getting children involved in this kind of activity can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Consider these benefits of learning Karate for children and get your kids involved sooner rather than later.

  1. Good Exercise
    There are many aspects to the study of Karate or any other martial art, but like all others, Karate is first and foremost a physical activity. People all over the world, particularly in America, are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles that lead to obesity and a number of health problems. Giving your children regular exercise will keep them active and discourage the tendency for laziness. One of the many rewards of martial arts study is a happier, healthier, longer life resulting from good exercise.
  2. Healthy [Read more…]

Ultimate Dino Digs – Triceratops #NationalGeographic #GiftGuide

Ready for some fun non-electricity driven excitement? How about we throw in some dinosaurs and paleontology too.

National Geographic has a new kit for you. It is the Ultimate Dino Digs Triceratops Excavation Kit. This kit includes eleven dinosaur bones hidden in a dinosaur dig rock, a pair of excavation glasses, mallet, chisel, brush, and a Dinopedia collector card.

This Dig rock is made of a dirt-type substance which crumbles easily when hit with the mallet or chisel. The substance is quite messy though so either cover your table with newspaper or do this outside. We choose to do this outside. There was quite alot of dust and [Read more…]

Top 5 Tips for Planning a Green Home Addition

Building a home addition can be a great project if you want to really make your home into your dream home. There’s almost no limit to what you can build, and if you want to promote your green consciousness in your new construction, there are many things you can do. Consider these 5 tips for planning a green home addition.

  1. Invest in Solar Energy
    Solar energy is becoming more and more popular as a viable option for powering homes, and for good reason. After the initial investment in solar panel setup and infrastructure, you can power your home for free for years to come, Best of all, you can get power with zero emissions from energy companies that use coal, gas, or nuclear power to send electricity to your home and tons of waste into the surrounding environment. Consider installing solar panels on your home addition as an energy resource.
  2. Build a Greenhouse
    Really, nothing [Read more…]

Our “Repaired” Wires- as of Today

Hey, at least the power is back on, finally. How dangerous, though- why not just fix it right? Sigh. I know- it could [Read more…]

I’m Back! #HurricaneSandy

Thank you for being patient with me- we are back. Still some insurance and things to deal with, but heat and power are back on, and we were not as bad off as many. My heart and prayers go to all those affected. Seeing beloved places and spaces destroyed, as well as so many homes…it’s just amazing [Read more…]

Enter to #w!n in the unique is more than cool @UncommonGoods Guest #g!veaway

Ever make plans to spend some quality time with yourself doing something absolutely nothing but you just can’t seem to get to it?
My “me time” had been the whole summer in the making. I know that I’ve complained shared about the little slab of concrete that we call our patio…..all the houses in our association have one, except most of them have built decks or sunrooms over the top of their slabs.
Not us. Mr. UnFun (MUF) “doesn’t see a need.” There is no budging him, believe me I’ve tried.
I would love to put in a deck, a screen room, an awning, or anything just to make it a more useable space. It would be so nice to sit outside and sip a glass of wine, look at the moon, read a book, or just spend a few minutes of quite after the kids have gone to bed. I’ve dressed it up a bit with the usual clutter your slab of concrete culprits ………….a fountain, and a canopy swing. I was actually starting to enjoy relaxing outdoors when I had to abandon my little “get away on the slab” project in trade for the spinal fusion.
Now that I ‘m feeling better, I’ve forever wanted to sit in front of the fire pit sipping a glass of petite sirah and enjoy a few quite moments alone. After 8 weeks of MUF’s coddling and doctor restrictions of no lifting, bending, twisting, driving, or much of anything – I was soooo [Read more…]

Holiday Guide: #W!n 27 favorites from @TheSwissColony! Guest #G!veaway

When I was a kid my favorite part about the holidays were big meat and cheese care packages and baked goods. … My family is sparsely spread these days so if I want baked goods or meat trays I have to get them together myself. With so much to do and so many people with a plate handed in my direction, giving everyone their Christmas goodies has become an impossible task.
Of the last batch of breakfast muffins I baked…. I didn’t even get pan crumbs.
So when I heard about Swiss Colony& their front door delivery of baked goods, meat, and cheeses, I was all in!

Because The Swiss Colony has a nice selection of cheese, meats, and nuts and snacks; all the things that remind me of holidays at grandma.

I really like that The Swiss Colony has a variety of treats but I am especially attracted to the meat and cheese arrangements. Having grown [Read more…]