Unique Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Father’s Day is coming soon, are you ready? Maybe it’s just me, but Father’s Day is hard! I never know what to get my dad or father-in-law. This year I’ve done a little research and found some great ideas that they both will surely enjoy. Hopefully one of these ideas will be perfect for your dad as well!
Lawn Games. If your dad likes be outside or camp, these would be fun. Check out Amazon and grab a fun lawn game. The one I got for my dad this year is the Kubb Set. It’s fun for the whole family. You could also do bat mitten, spike ball, ladder ball and more.
Ticket to a Sporting Event. My father-in-law is all into sports. This is something that he would absolutely love. Check out the different teams that are playing and buy some tickets to the game. It would be fun to bring the whole family along as well. I mean grandkids and sports, what else do you need? 😉
Make your own Service Coupons. This is a great idea for the kids to give their dad or grandpa. Have them make coupons for a free service like: washing the car, cleaning out the garage, vacuuming a car, mowing the lawn or making him breakfast.
Date Night at a New Place. This is something that my dad and my husband would love to get. Think of what they love to do and plan a night out just for them. If they love sports then go to the batting cages, or Top Golf, find when a local team is playing and sit outside and watch a game. If food is their thing then make reservations at a new restaurant.
Give a Fun Toy. Boys will be boys, right? Why not get a fun toy for them to play? I’m thinking a remote control car or drone would be fun. You could also get a RC helicopter or water boat. Anything RC would be a blast.
Dress them in Style. This weekend is a great time to grab some clothes for great prices. Be specific and notice an item that they need. Whether is be new shoes or a sporting jacket. If it’s something you know they need and want, they will be more excited. If it’s another graphic tee, they may not be.
How to Make Mini Fruit Tarts (Easy Recipe)
Fruit tarts…yum. A few months ago, I decided to figure out how to make these little beauties at home. They look amazing and they taste so good. However, I don’t have a ton of time or patience to make everything from scratch. So, I found a super easy way to make the crust and then make a from-scratch filling which is so yummy. Now it’s one of our family favorites and they are seriously SO easy to make.
Easy Mini Fruit Tarts
- 1 Package Pillsbury Sugar Cookies (24 pack) Get the ones shown here. They are already cute and perfect size.
- 1 (8 oz) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powder sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Choose your toppings: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, mandarin oranges, strawberries or kiwi.
Directions:
- Spray 24 count mini muffin pan and pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
- Drop one pre-cut sugar cookie in each muffin spot. SO easy!
- Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Be sure to rotate halfway through.
- Remove from oven and immediately press centers of cookies down. I use the closed side of a small measuring cup. Let cool for a few minutes and then remove from pan and cool completely.
- In a bowl combine cream cheese, whipping cream, powder sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest. Whip with electric mixer until smooth.
- Put mixture in a pipe or baggie and cut off end. Then squeeze into each cookie shell.
- Top with fruit and then each immediately or chill.
5 Tips For a Successful Flower Garden
Every year around Mother’s Day I plant my flower garden and vegetable garden. Being outside and planting my flowers helps rejuvenate my soul. I love the beauty these flowers bring to my yard, they make me so happy! I’ve learned over the years from neighbors and friends what combinations to use in my flower beds and ultimately how to keep them alive. Which is the goal, right? Here are a few tips that will hopefully help you out this year on a successful flower garden.
- Determine your flower bed design. You will want to design your shape and size of your flower gardens first. See how big each is and how many flowers and bushes will fit in each area.
- Buy flowers and bushes with a variety of colors and heights. Finding a variety of colors will help your yard look beautiful. Add in some bigger bushes to give more depth. You will want to put smaller flowers on the borders and then put some taller ones in the back.
- Placement is key. Now that you have your sizes and design drawn up. You also have your flowers and bushes planned out. You need to know where to place each flower or bush. The easiest thing to do is look at each tag on the flower and read the directions. I know, total old school, right? But there is really no short cut. You want to see how much sun each plant needs, how deep to plant them and how far apart. Making sure they are in the right spot will help them survive. You don’t want a full sun flower in the shade or vice versa.
- Add in soil or mulch. I try to add in new soil each year. This not only makes it look nice, it will help your flowers thrive. If you like the look of mulch then add in some new mulch each year. This will also help lessen the weeds.
- Keep watered. This sounds easy right? But if your flowers aren’t in an area that the sprinklers hit, then you need to be ahead of the game and keep your flowers watered. I have a lot of areas that are full sun, so keeping them watered is key.
5 Inexpensive Mother’s Day DIY Gift Ideas
Mother’s Day is coming up soon on May 13th! Are you getting ready? I love finding gifts that are sentimental yet won’t break the bank. These DIY gift ideas are perfect. Some of them your kids could even help make for their grandma. Start them now and be ready!
- Make your own flower pot. This is one of my moms favorite things for Mother’s Day. It is a perfect way to add some color to her front porch. If you need a tutorial on how to make your own flower pot, check out this post I did last year.
- Marbled Clay Ring Dish. Guys, I’m not a crafty person, but I think I could totally do this. My mom would love it for her earrings. Check out how to do it here.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries. YUM! This is something I’ve wanted to try out and my mom would definitely love. It’s sometime you don’t normally get and would definitely make her feel special. You could even write “mom” on the strawberries. Check out this “How to” for help.
- Salt Dough Flower Magnets. This is a good one for the kids to help make for grandma. They are totally inexpensive and so so cute. You can find the tutorial here.
- Homemade Lemon Soap. Yes! I love the smell of fresh lemon. This would be super cute to add a summer towel to it. You can find the tutorial here.
Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
It’s spring and I love eating light and healthier food options. I love recipes that don’t require a lot of prep and can easily be eaten in a variety of ways. This chicken salad is just that. You can make it into a sandwich, put it in a pita, add it to a green salad mix or just eat it plain with crackers. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (Add more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3 Cups or 10 ounce (1 can) Chicken Breast Shredded into bite size pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill (optional if you like the taste of dill)
- Add in any of the following that you would like:
- 3/4 cup celery diced
- dried cranberries
- chopped pecans
- chopped grapes
- chopped granny smith apples
Mix everything together and do a quick taste test. Sometimes I need to add more yogurt or mayo to make it moist. Add more onion powder and mustard to your liking. Then refrigerate for an hour prior to serving. Enjoy!
5 Tips on Making Your Spring Family Pictures Perfect
Spring time is a popular time for family pictures. Flowers are in full bloom and the sun is shining. However, it could get tricky to figure out what everyone in your family should wear. Especially if you’re spending money to get your family pictures taken, you want to make sure you’re ready! Here are 5 tips to help your spring family pictures turn out perfect.
- Find a pastel color pattern you like. This is the first step. Once you find the colors you are going for, look in your closets first. See what everyone has on hand that would work for the color scheme you chose. It’s often said, choose what you like to wear first and then choose everyone’s clothes around you. If you’re happy with what you wear then it will go a lot smoother.
- Layer. If you have a lot of kids find ways to mix and match outfits. Add in jackets, sweaters, cardigans. This adds some dimension and styles with not a lot of effort.
- Pull out small details of color. One fun thing to do for spring pictures is to choose a few colors you love and then have accessories or clothing with just small amounts of that color to help coordinate everyone. For example, you could have a necklace that matches the color of your daughters dress or skirt. You could also have a son wear cute colored shoes that match the color of your husband. Just small details like the shoes and necklace will help tie in the color without making it super matchy matchy.
- Use Natural Landscapes in Full Bloom. Spring is such a great time for pictures because there are flowers and blossoms everywhere. Find a location that has these natural flowers and trees in bloom. You might even see your neighbors yard has a great backdrop. You could also look up tulip festivals and use those places that make it easy for pictures.
- Be Prepared for Picture Day. If your family is like mine, I have kids that don’t like to sit still. It’s hard for them to smile for an hour straight. I’ve found that if I’m prepared with small snacks- non sticky items, then they are more likely to cooperate. You can also bring small toys for when they are waiting for their turn for pictures. I would also bring baby wipes, because you just never know what might happen!
Exploring St. George, Utah: 5 Attractions You Need to Visit
St. George, Utah is a very popular destination in the spring and fall. It has perfect weather and some fun attractions that are perfect for a variety of ages. Here are 5 attractions you won’t want to miss while you are there:
- Pioneer Park. This is seriously a favorite for our whole family. This isn’t the typical park. It’s a rock climbing adventure in open space. While there be sure to clip to the top and see the beautiful view down below. Make sure there is parental supervision while climbing. There are steep ledges, so you’ll want to climb together as a family. My little 3 year old even loved climbing around the red rocks. You can find the location here.
- The Thunder Junction All Abilities park. This is such a fun park with a lot to offer. Be sure to wear your swimsuits so you can take advantage of their splash pad area. There is also a fun train you can ride for $1.00 per person. You see more information and times on this page.
- Sand Hallow State Park. This state park has both sand and water. What more could you want? Bring your sand toys or small boats and enjoy this park with the family. If you are visiting during the summer months, this is a refreshing place to visit and cool off. You can find more information here.
- The Shoppes at Zion (outlet mall). If you are a shopper, then this is a definite must. Shop with over 30 premium shops and restaurants. I’ve found so many great deals while shopping at these outlets. Location you can find here.
- Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. If you want more of an outdoor, camping or hiking adventure, be sure to check out this area. There are camping areas that are absolutely beautiful. You can also do a day hike. We have been to Sand Cove and it was so fun. Bring your sand pails and play in the sand or go on little hikes around the natural beauty. More information can be found here.
Exploring St. George, Utah: 5 Attractions You Need to Visit
St. George, Utah is a very popular destination in the spring and fall. It has perfect weather and some fun attractions that are perfect for a variety of ages. Here are 5 attractions you won’t want to miss while you are there:
- Pioneer Park. This is seriously a favorite for our whole family. This isn’t the typical park. It’s a rock climbing adventure in open space. While there be sure to clip to the top and see the beautiful view down below. Make sure there is parental supervision while climbing. There are steep ledges, so you’ll want to climb together as a family. My little 3 year old even loved climbing around the red rocks. You can find the location here.
- The Thunder Junction All Abilities park. This is such a fun park with a lot to offer. Be sure to wear your swimsuits so you can take advantage of their splash pad area. There is also a fun train you can ride for $1.00 per person. You see more information and times on this page.
- Sand Hallow State Park. This state park has both sand and water. What more could you want? Bring your sand toys or small boats and enjoy this park with the family. If you are visiting during the summer months, this is a refreshing place to visit and cool off. You can find more information here.
- The Shoppes at Zion (outlet mall). If you are a shopper, then this is a definite must. Shop with over 30 premium shops and restaurants. I’ve found so many great deals while shopping at these outlets. Location you can find here.
- Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. If you want more of an outdoor, camping or hiking adventure, be sure to check out this area. There are camping areas that are absolutely beautiful. You can also do a day hike. We have been to Sand Cove and it was so fun. Bring your sand pails and play in the sand or go on little hikes around the natural beauty. More information can be found here.
Exploring St. George, Utah: 5 Attractions You Need to Visit
St. George, Utah is a very popular destination in the spring and fall. It has perfect weather and some fun attractions that are perfect for a variety of ages. Here are 5 attractions you won’t want to miss while you are there:
- Pioneer Park. This is seriously a favorite for our whole family. This isn’t the typical park. It’s a rock climbing adventure in open space. While there be sure to clip to the top and see the beautiful view down below. Make sure there is parental supervision while climbing. There are steep ledges, so you’ll want to climb together as a family. My little 3 year old even loved climbing around the red rocks. You can find the location here.
- The Thunder Junction All Abilities park. This is such a fun park with a lot to offer. Be sure to wear your swimsuits so you can take advantage of their splash pad area. There is also a fun train you can ride for $1.00 per person. You see more information and times on this page.
- Sand Hallow State Park. This state park has both sand and water. What more could you want? Bring your sand toys or small boats and enjoy this park with the family. If you are visiting during the summer months, this is a refreshing place to visit and cool off. You can find more information here.
- The Shoppes at Zion (outlet mall). If you are a shopper, then this is a definite must. Shop with over 30 premium shops and restaurants. I’ve found so many great deals while shopping at these outlets. Location you can find here.
- Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. If you want more of an outdoor, camping or hiking adventure, be sure to check out this area. There are camping areas that are absolutely beautiful. You can also do a day hike. We have been to Sand Cove and it was so fun. Bring your sand pails and play in the sand or go on little hikes around the natural beauty. More information can be found here.
6 Fun Spring Break Activities on a Budget
Spring break is coming soon for most of us. It’s a week (or two) when kids are out and ready to play and take a break from homework and regular routines. As a mom, I really enjoy having my kids home. However, I like to be prepared. This year we are staying home so I’ve been planning some activities to do with the kids to keep them occupied. Being prepared also helps me so I don’t go super crazy over the week long break. Here are just a few activities that I’ve been thinking of doing. They don’t cost much and are super easy to prepare.
- Service Project. I like to have the kids think about others for a little bit while on break. Think of ways you can help your school, community, church, neighbors or family. This time of year it’s easy to find yard work. A lot of people are clearing out dead branches and leaves. Find somewhere to go and help clean up. You can also call ahead and find a local food shelter or food pantry that may need help with stocking and organizing food. With kids being out of school they are available during the days so there are usually more times available. I love watching my kids serve and they end up loving it too.
- City Activities. Check your local city and see what is going on the week of spring break. For us, they have a few days where they offer a program for kids to come play different sports at a park close by. This does cost a small fee, but it’s definitely worth the amount to get them outside, playing and socializing.
- Park Days. What is spring break without a day at the park. Take your wagon and walk to a new park you may not have been to before. Call up a few friends and neighbors and meet at a park. If the weather isn’t cooperating with you, check your local mall and see if they have an indoor play area.
- Learn Something New. This may take a little bit of planning on your part but it’s definitely worth it. Ask each of your children for one thing they would like to learn to do this week. It could be cook a new meal or dessert, sew a skirt, skateboard, drive a car (gasp!) or learn a new game like chess or checkers. Whatever it is, plan the day that you will teach them and then stick to it.
- Plan a Day Trip. You don’t have to go far to find a new place to visit. Get onto Google Maps and find a location near you that you have never been to before. Pack a lunch and head out. It could be a new museum you’ve never been to, or a relative you don’t visit often. This will get you out of the house and away from your daily routines which is simply refreshing.
- Visit a New Place. This could be as easy as Chuck E. Cheese’s or a new library in the city. It could be a public pool in a different city or a children’s museum that you’ve never been to. Whatever it is, plan a day where you can go explore somewhere new. It could be the same time you do your day trip or a different day if you want to spread them out. Whatever it is, explore and have fun.
How to Save Money on All Things Easter
Easter is next week. Are you ready? There are some great way to save money on all of your Easter purchases from your Easter dinner to Easter baskets, to clothes and shoes. If you haven’t finished your shopping there are still some great ways to save money. Hope these help you get ready!
Food & Candy
Check your local ads for prices on Eggs and Ham. Those are the big purchases for Easter. Be sure to check out the different stores in your area. You can do a quick search online and compare prices that way as well. If you’re in Utah, be sure to check Smith’s and their prices. They are hard to beat!
Target has some great Cartwheel coupons that you can use this weekend. There are a TON of Cartwheel coupons on candy like 25% off Dove Easter Chocolates, or 10% off Cadbury & Reese’s Eggs. You can also save 5% on Simply Balanced Organic Eggs.
Amazon has some great prices on candy as well. Plus, if you have prime you can get these shipped right to your door which is super nice.
Clothing, Shoes & Swim Suits
Easter is the time to get new Easter outfits and dresses. It’s also a time to get those swim suits for spring break. Be sure to check out Gymboree, The Children’s Place, Target. You shouldn’t be paying for than $12 on a swim suit. These places will also give FREE shipping. Never pay for shipping. That’s one way to save a lot of money.
Easter Decorations
Michael’s is having their lowest price of the season sale. That means you can take 50% off Easter decoration. Also, you can check out Shopko where they are taking up to 70% off.
Toys, Movies and Games
Target- Get a $5.00 Target Gift Card when you spend $25 or more on Easter baskets, eggs, decor, decorating kits and more. Also check out their BOGO 50% off Toys and Board Games.
Amazon- You always can do a search on Amazon and score some great prices on toys, movies and games.
**Be sure to check this Easter Category often and save on all things Easter!
Super Easy Easter Kid Crafts Using Paper Plates
Easter is coming up in a few weeks. Now is the time to have some fun with your kiddos and make some decorations or crafts! I have found so many cute crafts using paper plates that I wanted to share. I mean, who doesn’t have paper plates lying around? Right? These are super easy and don’t take a lot of crafty equipment. Enjoy!
Aren’t these adorable? You can make these cute DIY Paper Plate Chicken Easter Basket Craft from this site here. Then have an Easter egg hunt and fill your basket!
I haven’t seen this type of craft before, but my kids would love it! You can find all the instructions here. This would keep them busy for awhile!
If you need a more simple activity, here is a fun one! Make a cute bunny. Instructions are here.
Wow! These are impressive. They all are made with paper plates once again. Head to this site to see all instructions. This is a great way for kids to use their creativity in creating their own masterpiece.
Here is a simple one for your kiddos. This would be a fun one that doesn’t take a lot of preparation and materials. You can find all of the instructions here.
Enjoy your few weeks until Easter with these fun ideas.
Fun & Easy St. Patty’s Day Breakfast Ideas
St. Patrick’s day is coming on Saturday, March 17th. Since this year it lands on a Saturday, I thought it would be fun to do a festive breakfast with the whole family. There are so many fun ideas but I wanted to just share a few. Here are 5 different breakfast ideas that I’m sure your family will enjoy!
- St. Patrick’s Day Lucky Pancakes (pictured above). These look super yummy and pretty easy too. You can get the instructions from the site here.
- Rainbow Donuts. Okay, who doesn’t love donuts?? They are one of my weaknesses. Let the kids decorate their own donut -which can both be a craft and breakfast. WIN WIN. You can get the instructions from the site here.
3. Leprechaun Pancakes. If you want to add some fruits into your breakfast, I’m loving this idea. Kids can make their own and eat it after. Instructions from the site here.
4. Shamrock Style Irish Sausage Rolls. This is something my husband would love. It is a little more than just pancakes or donuts. It has meat! You can find the instructions from the site here.
5. Fried Eggs in Green Pepper rings. If you are trying to eat healthy, this would be a nice breakfast as well. Festive and healthy all in one. Thanks to this site for the idea.
You could even combine a few of these idea. Have a sausage shamrock as well as a fried egg in the green pepper! Enjoy a fun St. Patty’s day this year starting with a yummy breakfast.
Sweet Pork Burrito Recipe (Cafe Rio Copycat)
Don’t you love a good burrito? If you’ve been to Cafe Rio, you may have tried their yummy Sweet Pork Burrito. It’s one of my favorites. A while ago, my good friend made us a copycat version of these and it was absolutely wonderful. I almost like it better than the real thing! It’s super simple and it’s even good the next day for leftovers. Enjoy!
Sweet Pork Burritos
Ingredients:
Chuck Roast
2 Cans tomato sauce
1 Can Mexican tomato sauce
2 Big garlic cloves
1 Cup brown sugar
Rice (cooked)
Cilantro
Black Beans
Tortillas
Enchilada Sauce (green)
Cheese
Directions:
1. Cook roast 8-10 hrs on low or until done in a crockpot with a little water.
2. Drain and shred meat and put back in crockpot
3. Add 2 cans tomato sauce, 1 can mexican tomato sauce, 2 big garlic cloves, 1 cup brown sugar
4. Cook on high for 30 minutes
5. Put meat in tortilla with black beans, rice, cilantro
5. If you want your burrito smothered then put enchilada sauce over tortillas with cheese on top. Then you can broil until your burrito is nice and crispy on top.
Learning to Ski: Tips & Tricks for the Young & Old (Money Saving Tips Too!)
Recently we’ve begun the adventure of learning and re-learning to ski. When I was young it came so naturally. Yet, as I’m getting older re-learning something takes time and patience. Our kids are learning to ski for the first time and they absolutely love it. They glide down the hill so easily as I had done at their age. Now you see my husband and I re-learning these tricks and taking our time to go down the mountain. As we’ve all been learning to ski, here are a few tips and tricks we’ve found out along the way. Hopefully they will help you out too.
Sign up for a Ski School. This is definitely the best way to learn. Learning from a professional will get you started on the right track from the beginning. Our kids have been in ski schools and they learn so fast. Plus, they have people there to help with safety. They are safely guided and taught before they are sent out on their own. To begin with, find a small resort and look for after school ski schools. Those ones are typically cheaper than weekend ski schools. Typically, you can save money by registering more than one kid at a time. If you don’t have more than one kid, then ask a neighbor or friend if they want to sign up as well. Then split the cost!
Watch YouTube Videos. This might sound funny, but it really helped out my husband. He was a beginner and had never been skiing. He started watching How to Ski YouTube videos and then implemented those tips into his skiing. It helped so much! Start at the very beginning episode- -even how to put on skis and go from there. It will make you more confident and ready to attack the slopes.
Choose a Beginner Ski Resort. When we were looking for a good ski school we looked for a resort that had plenty of beginner hills. When you are starting out you don’t want to go to the biggest resort. Start small and work your way up. Usually when you find a smaller resort with smaller hills you won’t be paying as much either. That’s a great way to start out.
Be comfortable. I mean this for both clothing and ski equipment. It’s SO important to get the right boots and skis. Ask your ski shop if they could fit your boots for you. It will make all of the difference when you are out on the slopes. Having the right fit makes it easier to ski. You don’t want to be fighting bad skis or boots that are too big. Also, be sure you are dressed appropriately. Besides a warm coat, gloves, ski pants and a helmet, we also found we needed a ski mask and balaclavas. This will help with the cold wind that could make it miserable. Dressing appropriately will help you have a great time skiing.
Practice makes perfect. Now I’m not suggesting you will be a perfect skier. But just like any other sport, you must practice in order to get better. Skiing is the same. It will take multiple times or even another season of skiing to get better and better. We love going with neighbors and friends too. This helps you get out and practice more often.