Explore the Flavors of the Land Down Under

As the kids get a little older, they are more adventurous. They can handle road trips like semi-professionals. Both love to watch travel videos and learn about new areas. More than once they have hinted that they want to take a big trip in the near future.

Australia is on our travel bucket list.The wildlife, the bush, and the coastal views make it an obvious choice for a destination,but what really appeals to my adventurous kids is the food!

Australian cuisine is more than just sausages and meaty pies. A wide assortment of fruits and vegetables are grown in the land down under, making it a total foodies destination.

Did you know that granny smith apples were first grown in Australia? But that isn't all. You can find well known fruits like plums in the land down under, but also bush fruit like quandong, which is a native peach and muntries,which are a native cranberries.

Exploring native versions of fruit we already know makes it a exciting culinary adventure for the entire family, but we want more than fruit. We want to try all of the native foods!

Australia has many unique meats that we wouldn't be able to try as easily. Emu, kangaroo and crocodile meat are available for consumption, while they are not common, you can expect to find kangaroo in sausages. Lamb is a popular meat in the land down under, as are many varieties of seafood. By all accounts, Australia is a land of culinary delights.

Traveling with the kids to Australia would be an unforgettable adventure. There are so many things to see, do and taste that it could be easy to exhaust the family while immersing them in the culture. As a seasoned traveler, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep everyone happy.

First, I always recommend finding a private tour guide. This gives you a chance to gather info, check out hotspots and avoid crowds and lines. The price of private destination tours is often more affordable than taking a tour with a group of strangers, and it gives you a chance to talk one on one with your guide to learn all of the history and mystery of the area.

My second tip is have dinner prepared for you, instead of heading out to a restaurant. Having the chef come to you is the best way to learn about what you are eating, and see the meal being prepared right in front of your eyes. While having dinner in on an international trip might seem like an additional expense, it is one that is well worth it. Being able to relax and stay in for an evening gives the family a chance to recharge their batteries for further adventures. Your personal chef will entertain your with delicious food, rich stories and leave you hungry for more. Lucky for you, the chef is likely to share recipes with you so you can bring the flavor of Australia to your friends at a later date.

If you have traveled to Australia, I would love to hear about your culinary adventures in the land down under in a comment.

7 Helpful Hacks That Speed Up Cleaning Your Car

Whose car remains in pristine condition day in and out with the kids and pets? Cleaning your car is probably not something you enjoy regularly doing. While you can’t and shouldn’t skip car maintenance, viable shortcuts make this task less tedious and time-consuming.

Go over these hacks, some of which take a break from the traditional methods but still provide the same results: a clean, fresh-smelling car. Applying these tricks may save you from deep-cleaning your vehicle or at least give you a good head start if it comes to that.

Depreciation Is Real

Your brand-new car depreciates the moment it leaves the premises of the dealership. There are other factors involved in depreciation that can vary by car model. One way to combat this car-value killer is to keep your car well-maintained, according to the AAA.

And the preliminaries to your cleaning project include giving your car a good bath using the appropriate soap to protect its finish. Once you are done with the exterior, work on the inside of the car with the dashboard, vents, and pockets as the starting point. Then vacuum all that’s collected on the carpet.

Additional tricks are here.

Keep Your Seats Covered and Clean

Car seats are a magnet to dust, oil, sweat, grime, dirt, human hair, animal fur, and dirty feet. Seat covers are thus created to be the first line of defense from these invaders. To clean these seat covers, vacuum, spray the appropriate conditioner or cleaner to the fabric, wipe, and dry. Find a NYC Cleaning Service that can handle your car care as well as your home.

Clear Your Glass Surfaces

What’s a quick way to clean your windshield, windows, and mirrors and lose the streaks? Scrub these glass surfaces with a magic eraser or a similar product made of melamine foam and the cleaner of your choice. This process applies to the glass’s interior and exterior. You can also use a sealant on your windshield to keep water from seeping through the gaps.

Spray, Don’t Scratch, Bug Residues

Bug stains, splatters, and residues are not a sight to see on your car’s body. Don’t scratch the surface, or you’ll damage your car paint. Instead, get your can of canola oil or other types of cooking spray, and apply it to the affected area. Then wipe the area with a microfiber cloth. To finish it off, wash the area with soap and water.

A Trash Can Does It

Always have a trash can with a recycled or old plastic bag. You can dispose of the garbage easily and immediately. Keep your portable garbage bin small so you can empty it as soon as it fills. Don’t wait for clutter to invade your car space and make it harder for you to clean your car next time.

Wet Wipes Are Handy

Wet wipes are your ally from spills, sticky hands from Cheetos, drips from grease and pizza sauce, or dirty surfaces. These wipes are only for those little accidents or quick cleanups. Food can stain your carpet, so you need to act fast and come up with long-term solutions.

Invest in Heavy-Duty Mats

Food stains, as mentioned earlier, are your carpet’s foes alongside mud, sand, water, and snow. You can routinely remove your mats and clean them. Better yet, buy floor mat liners that are custom-fitted so they don’t move around and can contain those messes from getting through your car floor. WeatherTech nonslip floor mats, for example, have rubber surfaces that are easy to clean with a hose or a soak in the tub.

Freshen Up the Air

Car fresheners can serve a dual purpose: to neutralize the smell and to calm your mind and body. Take your pick from various aromatherapy pouches, sprays, and fresheners that you can make at home. You can also buy them directly from sellers of essential oil and natural plant dehumidifiers. These tricks combine painless, quick, DIY, and tried-and-tested commercial products.

What’s the best car cleaning hack you’ve discovered? Come clean in the comments section.

Ladybug Craft

Paper, glue and a few fun craft eyes come together to create a cute ladybug craft your older kids will LOVE to make!

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I made these with Rolf, who is 8. We quickly discovered that a hot glue gun is a necessity for creating these!  

Otherwise, the supplies are quite common, making these perfect for a quick afternoon craft, or a way to make something worth bugging out over on a day that is maybe rainy, or too hot to get out and play! 

Supplies

• 1 sheet of construction paper, red
• 1 sheet of construction paper, black
• 2 craft eyes
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Black marker

Directions

• Cut a circle in the size of your choice from the red paper.  With the leftover paper, cut 4 strips that are about 1" longer than the circle you just made. This will be your body.
• Fold all of the ends of red strips over, then begin gluing them on the red circle. Glue the "tabs" you just created by folding ends. As you can see, I started with one strip going across the circle, then I continued until the strips had formed a shell.
• Cut an oval-ish shape from the black paper, glue this under the shell you just made to form the head.
• Add 2 craft eyes to the head.
• With a marker, carefully add black dots.
• Allow to dry, and you have a fun 3D Ladybug!

You might also love this other fun 3D Ladybug that we made a while ago!

If you are looking for even more buggy fun, we made ladybug valentine cards . Don't forget about our B is for Butterfly craft and coloring page too!

These Are The 3 Best Beaches In Florida

If good weather is top of your list of priorities when you’re planning your next trip, Florida is one of the
best places to go. After all, it is called the sunshine state. This beautiful state is probably best known
for the theme parks in Orlando but people also head there for the great beaches. You could always fly
out to somewhere like the Caribbean to find a beautiful beach but there’s no need to spend that much
when you’ve got plenty of amazing beaches in Florida. If you’re planning a trip out there soon, these
are some of the best beaches to visit.

Image From Pixabay

Miami

Miami is one of the most iconic beach destinations on the planet and tourists flood the place all year
round. It’s a favourite destination for party-goers who want to visit the many clubs and bars in the area.
But if you’re not looking for a party experience, you shouldn’t write off Miami just yet because it’s got so
much more to offer. There are some great yacht Miami rental companies who will hire you a boat so
you can take to the waters and relax in the sun. It’s the best way to experience this beautiful coastline.
There is also a great food scene in Miami with plenty of seafood restaurants serving delicious local
seafood as well as great food stalls offering cheap eats. If you want to avoid the party areas, steer
clear of South Beach and head for some of the smaller beaches.

Grayton Beach

If Miami Beach is a bit too loud for you and you want a peaceful beach getaway, Grayton Beach is ideal.
It doesn’t attract anywhere near as many tourists and it’s mainly filled with locals. If you’re looking for
an all natural beach that hasn’t been spoiled by tourism, this mile long strip of shoreline is the best place
to go. You’ll have plenty of beach space to yourself and if you’re a nature lover, there are lots of great
hiking trails that are good for bird watching. The food options aren’t anywhere near as extensive as
they are in Miami but you can still grab a burger and some seafood, just be aware that it’s cash only.

St. Andrews Beach

Grayton Beach is fine for a quiet, relaxing getaway, but there isn’t much to do there for kids. If you’re
taking a family trip, you’d be better suited to St. Andrews beach. There is a small tidal basin where
the waters are calm, which is ideal for swimming with the kids. There are also 50 artificial reefs where
you can go diving and there are plenty of places to rent paddleboards and kayaks to take out on the
water. It’s not as quiet and peaceful as some of the other beaches but it has plenty of things to keep
everybody entertained. Do keep in mind that it’s a popular spring break destination so it’s best to avoid
it between March and April.

These are just 3 of the amazing beaches that Florida has to offer, but if you look around, you’ll be able
to find somewhere that suits your needs.

How Should Men Take Care of Themselves While Aging

No one will be surprised when I say that men and women are very different from each other. Their style of living, how they manage their finances, how they tackle their professional problems, and how they handle their fights and relationships; everything is just very different. It is quite true that men are indeed from Mars and women from Venus. Though they are poles apart, they face the same set of problems. Career difficulties, managing the relationships, health problems, etc. are a few examples of what they face in life.

Another common problem that they face, is dealing with the problem of aging. Aging is an unavoidable part of life. But the way men and women handle this phase is quite different from each other. Where women are more open about their feelings, men tend to hide it, even from their loved ones. This nature comes from a long led belief that men are supposed to be stronger than women- physically as well as emotionally. This has led to men keeping their deepest secrets and sorrows to themselves, making them prone to the diseases related to stress and tension, especially heart diseases. This can be one of the reasons why the life expectancy of men is quite low than that of women.

Another aspect related to the so-called tough men aging is how they do not accept the fact that they can become physically weak and dependable on anyone. They generally do not ask for help which increases their problems and delays their treatment.

What men really need to know and accept is that aging gracefully does not only mean not getting offended by the change in their looks and appearance. It also means accepting the change your body is going through, which requires mental strength. Letting down your ego and asking support from your loved ones will not make you look small or weak; this is life and aging is natural.

But before that time comes where you have to be dependent on anyone, you can prepare yourself and your body to face these changes graciously. You can take these steps to take care of yourself and improve yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically:

Physically:

Focus on being fit:

Being fit is the first rule to have a healthy future. Being fit does not mean having a perfect weight on your weighing scale or having six-pack abs; it means leading such a lifestyle which is healthy and adds positivity to your life. This includes eating healthy food, having an appropriate sleeping schedule, and balancing a proper exercise routine.

Pay attention to your looks:

Being conscious about looks and appearance, in a healthy manner, can be really good for your morale and confidence. Paying attention to your face and body will help you feel younger and good about yourself. You should always dress properly in order to increase your confidence. You should also take care of your skin through various skin protecting creams and supplements,

which are designed not just for women, but for men’s skin as well.

Get your tests done regularly:

After you cross a certain age, it is important that you monitor your health regularly. Even if you do not have any major problem like diabetes or cholesterol, you should get yourself tested annually or after every six months, just to be sure. That includes your oral health. You should consult dentist in farmington for emergency dental care, as complications could be varied and severe

Emotionally:

Share your emotions:

It is important to open up about your emotional baggage in front of someone. If you feel too embarrassed or shy in front of your loved ones, you can consult a therapist. But it is important to talk about your feelings and emotions to let go of all the hurt and guilt about the past.

Make a journal:

More than talking about your feelings to people, it is important that you are true to your own self. Keeping a journal, in which you can pin down your feelings, will help you to have clarity of thought. This eventually helps you to make a wise and correct decision in your life. Writing about your emotions helps you to realize what you truly want in life, without the influence of what other people want from you; be it your wife, children, or your boss.

Learn the art of being empathetic:

Understanding the situation of other people is a sign of a very positive and wise person. It not only improves you as a human being but also helps you to understand the perspective of your loved ones and help you build better relationships with them. Being empathetic is such a quality which helps a person understands that everyone has their own set of problems to deal with and their own way of handling those problems.

Mentally:

Face your problems:

Ignoring or running away might seem like the best solution for the time being, but it makes you a coward. Facing your problems and dealing with them is what makes you strong mentally. You should learn to face your problems step by step. Even if you suffer pain or face humiliation, facing these obstacles makes your mind stronger by teaching you a lesson for the future.

Challenge yourself:

Challenging yourself is the best way to boost up your mental abilities and improve your style of living. You should challenge yourself to overcome the fears you have, to cross the boundaries you have set up from the beginning, to try new things in life, and to take just one more step when you feel like there is no hope ahead or for when you are exhausted.

Practice gratitude:

Designing your mind in such a way that it digs out positive things even in the most negative situations is one of the best ways to strengthen your mind. You should learn the art of gratitude by being grateful for everything in life. It brings abundance into your life and wires your thinking in such a way that you find happiness everywhere you go, which is the ultimate goal of everyone’s life.

Letter C Preschool Worksheets

Letter Recognition worksheets are a great way for preschoolers to practice their abc,just as crossword puzzles and Scrabble are great for older kids building their vocabularies.

As my youngest is eager to learn and excited for kindergarten in the fall I started making her these letter worksheets. I wanted to share them all with you as a free resource. Print as many as you like;  you can use them in a classroom setting, share with a friend, or just print one to use with your little one at home.

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You can have your little learner circle with a crayon or marker, or use a bingo marker for a little extra fun.  

Keep checking back as I have so many of these fun alphabet worksheets to share with you. Below you can find more resources for preschoolers.

Print the Letter C Worksheet

Find more preschool resources here

Letter A Coloring Page

Letter A Recognition Worksheet

Apple Dot a Dot Printable

Letter B Coloring Page

Letter B  Recognition Worksheet

Letter C Coloring Page

Cherry Berry Pie

Blackberry Cherry Pie is sweet and tart and incredibly crave-able. My recipe includes these fantastic little dough balls for a delicious addition to this lovely pie!

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I picked up some little boxes of blackberries over the weekend. I had this vision of baking an out of season pie to change up the flavor pace in my kitchen. Then, as I was indulging in a spot of champagne over the weekend, those lovely berries crossed my mind. How decadent would it be to float plump blackberries in some beautiful bubbly? Let me tell you, it was dreamy... but it also left me short on berries for my pie.

I was still craving a blackberry pie, with dough balls, but I do not kid anyone with a mini pie. A good pie is a pie that you can share! A mini pie is not share-able!

I surveyed my kitchen and found 2 cans of cherry pie filling. I thought it over. I like cherries and berries. I like pie. Yep, this was destined to be. Luscious, fresh blackberries sprinkled with sugar and blended with cherry pie filling. 

Ingredients:

2 cans of cherry pie filling

2 boxes of blackberries

2 pie crusts

1/3 cup of sugar

Directions:

Combine your clean blackberries and sugar. Stir and allow to sit for a moment.

Place one pie crust in a pie pan, form small balls of dough with the other and drop these in the pie crust.

Combine your cherry pie filling and sugared berries, stir.

Pour the fruity mixture into the pie crust, over the dough balls. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

This easy pie can be made with pre-made or homemade pie crust. You could leave the dough balls out, but that is the BEST part of the pie in my opinion!

You will also want to check out this blueberry pie recipe or the always popular pie crust cookie recipe.

Letter B Worksheet for Preschoolers

Print this free letter B worksheet for preschoolers or pin it or later.

My daughter is starting kindergarten this fall, so we are working hard on our letters and numbers!

I have been making letter recognition worksheets for Harper to practice her letter finding skills.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase I will earn a small advertising fee at no additional expense to you.

You can have your child circle the letters with a crayon or marker, or if you have a bingo marker, that is fun too! You can print as many of these as you need. Share them with a friend, or keep a few on hand for future reference.

Below you will find more preschool resources. Keep checking back as I will be sharing worksheets for the entire alphabet over the coming weeks.

Print the Letter B Worksheet

Find more preschool resources here

Letter A Coloring Page

Letter A Recognition Worksheet

Apple Dot a Dot Printable

Letter B Coloring Page

Saint Patrick's Day Coloring Pages

On March 17th everyone is Irish! Don't leave the kids out of the fun of the festivities. Grab these free coloring pages for a chance to bring the luck of the Irish to their day!

Last week my kids pointed out that we barely have any St. Patrick's day decorations at our house. I didn't see much in the way of offerings at the local shops asides from cute novelty hats. I decided we should decorate a few coloring pages to hang, and add a handmade flair to what we have.

You can print both of these pages for free! Print as many as you like, these are ideal for kids of all ages. You might also want to pin these for later or share them with a friend.

Print St. Patrick's Day Coloring Pages

We also made these easy shamrock puppets. These are so simple yet fun for dramatic play!

You can find all of my coloring pages here

15 Spring Books for Preschoolers

Spring is near and we are letting it inspire our reading list! Harper and I have selected 15 books that we know you are going to want to check out too! These are great for a rainy spring day, a bedtime story, or anytime!

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Let It Rain
In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb
Time for Spring
What Can You See In Spring?
It's Spring!
Animals in Spring
Olaf's Wait for Spring
I Can Grow a Flower
The Little Gardener
The Thing About Spring
Springtime Babies
Spring is Here: A Story About Seeds
Clifford's Spring Clean Up
The Tiny Seed
It's Spring: A National Geographic Book

We have already read Animals in Spring and Time for Spring, both were really cute. Harp loved all of the animals! We are anxious to start working in our flower beds and see if the tulips we planted last year come to bloom.


If you have a suggestion for preschool spring books I want to hear about it!

We have a few fun crafts that are perfect for spring.

Easy Raindrop Crafts