15 Fabulous Fountains for the Garden

Add an elegant touch to your garden this summer with a fountain. These options are classy, functional and best of all, affordable!

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Water Pump Cascading Fountain
This fountain stands at 32 inches and creates a relaxing atmosphere. Water pours from a vintage style pump to fill the aged buckets with gently cascading water. It makes for a lovely sight and sound in any garden.

3 Tier Garden Fountain
This 45 inch fountain has a nice aged appearance and would look at home in the most elegant garden. It is made of fiberglass and requires no plumbing at all, as the water recirculates.

Tuscan Garden Fountain
This fountain stands 54 inches high and looks like it came straight from a Tuscan garden. It will add lot of elegance and charm to your garden, no matter where you live.

Stacked Stone Tiered Bowls with LED Light
These stacked stone bowls offer a modern look to your garden. I love the added bonus of an LED light to add even more charm after the sunsets.

Rustic Jugs Fountain
Three rustic jugs make the perfect vessel for cascading water. This low maintenance fountain would look fantastic in a country garden!

Modern Sphere Fountain 
With a curve and  sphere, this modern fountain is elegant, artsy and ideal for adding a special touch to your outdoor oasis.

Faux Marble Bowl and Pillar Fountain
This fountain has a very classy appearance with a faux marble look. This fountain features LED lighting to add another wow factor once the sun goes down.

Rippled Slate Fountain
This fountain is visually stunning with a spotlight and copper accents. It will add a sophisticated feel to your garden along with peaceful sounds of falling water.

Wishing Well Fountain
This cute fountain adds a touch of charm with its wishing well design. At under $100 it is perfect for small gardens or as an accent to the beauty of your outdoor space.

Curved Cascading Fountain
With a super quiet pump, this curved beauty is nothing short of garden art. No one would ever believe it retails for under $150!

Two Tiered Zen Fountain and Bird Bath
This fountain brings a lot of zen to any outdoor space. It is peaceful and will attract birds for even more natural beauty in your garden.

Peeing Boy Fountain Statue
These fountains are classics, with an antique finish, no one would ever suspect this fountain didn't come from a historic estate.

Cherub Fountain
With an LED light, this timeless cherub style fountain adds a sweet touch to you garden. Low maintenance and under $100 make this a great choice for any garden.

Farmhouse Watering Can Fountain
This watering can style fountain is chic and stylish. With a metal tub and multiple watering cans, this fountain looks great in any farmhouse garden!

Virginia Rock Fountain
With lovely rocks and cascading pools, this elegant fountain adds an element of relaxation to any garden area!

Rustic Water Barrel Fountain

This fountain features 2 barrels for soothing water to cascade into. With a rustic look, this would be an ideal fountain for a farmhouse or a cabin, but would look charming in any garden!

Imperial Lion Fountain

This fountain is regal and charming and adds a touch of classic sophistication to any outdoor living area. Standing tall and proud like any lion should, this fountain will capture the attention of anyone to view it.

Bomb Pop Cocktails

All the flavors you loved as a child in bomb pops take a grown up turn to create a cocktail that is perfect for your holiday festivities, or anytime of the year!

I might not be sipping on boozy drinks very often, but I do love to play bartender for friends and neighbors.  Last weekend one of my favorite neighbors caught me outside taking photos and he asked me to make his lovely wife a drink, something cheerful that would take the edge off. She had a rough day. I knew right away what I wanted to serve. I dashed inside and gathered my supplies. This drink came out so beautifully that I made a few and headed over with my little drink tray and visited with them. 

This drink looks like it might be complicated to make, but trust me. Layering this bomb pop cocktail is effortless!

Ingredients:

Strawberry syrup (torani makes a nice one that is easy to find)

Vodka

Sprite

Ice

Blue Curacao

Directions:

Fill a glass with ice.

Add 1 ounce of strawberry syrup.

Add 1 ounce of vodka.

Add 6 ounces of sprite.

Add 1 ounce of blue curacao.

Garnish with a strawberry if desired.

Enjoy!

You can easily make this a mocktail for the kids and friends who don't indulge by omitting the alcohol and replacing the curacao with blue gatorade or Hawaiian Punch.

You can find more cocktail recipes here

Reader favorites include:

Goodnight Kiss

Keeping Your Kids Safe On The Internet

The internet is a powerful tool now that pretty much everyone uses. With a multitude of internet providers available, like Viasat internet, it's now easier than ever to get connected and get online. It’s now something younger generations grow up with, and it can be easy to forget that there are always dangers to using the internet in regards to your children. Here’s how you can keep your kids safe on the internet.

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Talk To Them About The Dangers

There are many dangers on the internet, but if you just tell your children that the internet is
dangerous and give no other information than that, it will likely pique their curiosity to find what
these dangers are. Ultimately, that’s something you don’t want else they’re going to put you and
your household in danger. So talk through the different dangers that are on the internet. Tell
them to be wise about what websites they go on as some may cause viruses to infect the
computer. Encourage them not to speak to any strangers on the internet, no matter what. Stress
the importance of not giving out any personal information, particularly where you live, your
name and age. You don’t want to petrify them into having nightmares, but you need to find the
right balance to ensure they’ve taken note of your warnings.

Know Their Passwords

For younger children, it’s good to know their passwords for anything they use. This way, if you
ever need to keep an eye on what they’re doing, you’ve got access to any accounts and sites that
they use. Failing that, you can always check the browsing history of what they’ve been looking
at and control this feature so that only you can delete what you browse.

Be Wise With Electronic Devices

There are so many electronic devices that have access to the internet, and sometimes we can
forget they exist when we give them to our children. Devices like Kindles and iPads all have
access to the web, and it’s easy enough for them to jump on. Children are very bright, and they’ll
likely figure out how to use devices faster than you can. Going forward, be wise with your
electronic devices and at what age you decide to give them to your children. Mobile phones are
ideally given to children when they are teenagers as they are likely to be going out more with
friends and therefore it’s good for them to contact you, so you know where they are. A lot of
mobile devices also have GPS tracking so that you can subtly keep track of where they are if
ever they ring you in a panic and have gotten lost.

Set Parental Controls

Parental controls for the internet are something everyone should be using, particularly for young
children going on the internet. Family Orbit is the best parental control app that allows you to
monitor your children’s activity on the internet and to block certain sites that might be harmful
to them at that age. The app helps block these sites from your phone, and it can help you lock
or unlock your child’s device if you’ve banned them from using their mobile device. They may
not like you for it, but as a parent, it’s looking out for their interests and safety.

Keep Computers Visible

Any computers at home should be kept visible and that means that they should be out in open
areas of the home, like the office or living room. Avoid getting laptops or desktop PCs in your
children’s rooms until they’ve reached a certain age where they can buy it for themselves. By
that point, they’re likely to be at an age where they understand the dangers of the internet
anyway and are using it for work or for socially connecting with friends.

Assign Rules And Stick To Them

Finally, ensure you assign rules for using the internet and be strict with them. Set a time limit on
how much internet they can use on a daily basis. Keep electronic devices from the dinner table
if you tend to eat together as a family and ensure that these devices are removed from the
bedroom at night if they’re young. These rules will help them understand that the internet is a
luxury and something that should be used wisely.

Keeping your kids safe on the internet is going to allow them to go forward with safety in mind
whenever they use the web. Remember to be clear about the dangers of the internet and don’t
avoid any sensitive topics. Keep computers visible and assign rules that they need to abide by.

Grass Imprinted Concrete Garden Art

Easy Grass Imprinted Concrete Coasters are functional art. These are so easy to make; give them as a gift or use them at home for an eye catching accessory. You could also use these as garden art if you like.

This is such an easy project. When I got my first bag of concrete I wanted to start small. I wanted to use items I found around the house instead of purchasing supplies.

The first place I looked was our recycling bin, and BOOM! There was a lid, that was just the right size for making a coaster. Inspiration hit, and I was ready to create.

Supplies:

1/2 cup of portland cement
1/4 cup of water
A plastic lid, like from a chip canister
Some grass
Cooking Spray

Instructions:

Spray a plastic lid with non stick cooking spray.

Mix cement.

Pour cement into the lid, this mixture makes enough for 2, or 3 depending upon the size of the lid you use.

Add a few blades of grass.
Tap out air bubbles by tapping the sides.
Allow to dry in the sun for an afternoon.

Pop the cement out when dry. This should be pretty easy to do.

You can peel the grass out easily, or use an old toothbrush if needed to get any remaining grass out.

Paint the grass imprints.

These are great for outdoor use, if you have a really lovely table, you might wish to add 3 or 4 foam or felt pads to the bottom to protect the table, but these have not damaged my glass topped table.

Find more DIY Projects here

18 Treats for the 4th of July

The 4th of July is here, but have no fear! I have you covered for all treats Red, White and Blue! I rounded up 18 fun recipes that I thought you would love!  From kid made to downright Patriotic, this list of treats are perfect for your 4th of July party!

Patriotic Pudding Pops from We Made That
Red, White and Blue Patriotic Pops from Oh My! Creative
Red, White and Blue Layered Jello from Coffee Cups and Crayons
Patriotic Jello from We Made That
Patriotic Popcorn from Life with Moore Babies
Patriotic Dipped Pretzels from Mama Miss
Patriotic S'mores  from Club Chica Circle
4th of July Drink from We Made That
4th of July Layered Kids Drink from Artsy Mama
Berry Sparkler from Bitz n Giggles
Exploding Cookie Bars from Life with Moore Babies
Red, White and Blue Marshmallow Decorating from Stella 123
4th of July Fruit Kabobs from School Time Snippets
4th of July Homemade Gummi Candy from Mama Miss
4th of July Sugar Cookie Bars from Kids Activities Blog
Red, White and Blue Cake from Just Enza
Patriotic Mini Cheesecakes from KleinWorth & Co
Summer Velvet Parfaits from Bitz n Giggles


Which of these patriotic treats will you be making for Independence Day? Do you have a favorite festive recipe to add to this list? Tell me about it in a comment!

This easy patriotic parfait is perfect for a last minute dessert!

veggie garden sensory bin

This veggie garden sensory bin comes together so easily to give little ones a chance to play and get excited about their vegetables while working on fine motor skills.

We have a weekly routine in the summer; every Tuesday and Saturday we head to the farmers market. We buy all of the fresh food we will eat that week, plus a little extra to freeze. I love how the offerings change throughout the season. The kids love the sights, the smells and the baked goods. While they might spend most of their visit to the market pleading for cookies, they always jump in the line for our favorite farmer. Who gets to hold the basket and who gets to pick the produce? We always work it out.

Last week while we were in line for our peppers, onions and radishes, the kids were bickering about the basket and the picking job and inspiration hit. I knew right away that I was going to recreate a garden scene for their enjoyment. If they argued about who got to play first, I will never tell.

Supplies:

• Plastic box with clip lid
• One pound of dried black beans
• ½ cup of whole coffee beans
• Leaves from artificial flowers
• Assorted play food; tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, strawberries etc
• Plastic serving tongs
• Sandbox tools

Directions:

Layer the dry black beans in the box.

Add coffee beans to the mix for a fragrant experience.

Nestle the leaves into the beans (I simply removed the leaves from a few stems of
artificial flowers).

Place the fruits and vegetables in the beans and on the leaves.

Add plastic serving tongs and plastic shovels.

Invite your child to harvest the veggies, to explore the beans and to work on fine motor skills
by picking the veggies and beans up with the tools.

This was so much fun for the kids. Even too cool, 9 year old Rolf got involved and explored this veggie garden sensory bin.

This was fun to smell and touch and it gave Harp a chance to work on her fine motor skills.

When you are all finished playing, you can snap the lid on the bin and store it for playtime in the future.

You can find all of my sensory content here.
Birthday Cake Sensory Bin

The Perfect Dish for Summer Sauteed Corn and Squash

Sauteed corn and squash makes for the perfect addition to any summer meal. It is delicious enough to make a meal on its own! Made with fresh and simple ingredients, this dish comes together in a matter of moments and is going to get rave reviews from anyone that samples it!

Summer is here you guys! I have never been so happy to hit the farmers market! After a long winter with access to a sad selection of fresh veggies, to see food grown with care and pride inspired my stomach and my menu planning.

I made the easiest dish for dinner last Sunday. It was a lazy summer day. The kids had been playing outside most of the day and I turned to my farmers market finds to create dinner. This recipe is so easy you guys it makes only 3 ingredients and the prep time is minimal, so you can spend more time making summer memories.

Chefs notes:

Use real butter. Butter is something that should not be sacrificed in any kitchen. I firmly believe that using butter to cook is healthier than turning to some scientifically created food like substance. Butter- just do it guys. 

At the last moment, I tossed roughly chopped fresh parsley into the veggie mix to add a splash of green and a little extra flavor. This is optional

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Ingredients

1 yellow squash

2 ears of corn on the cob

2 tablespoons of real butter

parsley to taste (optional)

Directions

Shuck your ears of corn 

Cut the corn from the cob

Chop the squash into chunks

Heat a skillet at a a medium heat setting

Add butter

Add corn and squash

Add parsley if desired

Sautee for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. When your squash is tender you can remove from the heat and serve.

I served this along with garlic roasted asparagus for a delicious dinner that was extremely delicious and healthy. It offered a colorful plate packed with summer veggies! This is one of the many ways we love to enjoy summer squash.

 I would love to hear how you enjoy summer squash!

This dinner was so economical. It is one of the many examples of the reality that you can eat wholesome and healthy foods even on the tightest of budgets.  I always hear people claim that it costs too much to eat healthy. Recipes like this dispel that myth. While I didn't add meat to the meal- you could easily do so if you desired.

You might also like this Easy Berry Parfait Recipe for a quick and scrumptious dessert!

How to Dye Oatmeal without Water for Sensory Play

Dyed oats are perfect for sensory bins! You won't believe how easy it is to dye them without any water!

I have made a ton of sensory bins for my kids over the years. We have explored rice, beans, sand and even straws as fillers. I knew I wanted to try something different, and inspiration was as close as my pantry. I pulled out some oatmeal and got busy experimenting.

First, I tried soaking the oats in dyed water. That was a fail. They clumped together and formed a soggy mess. I couldn't dry them out. 

Next, I thought about how we dyed rice, and decided to try that method on oats. The results were perfect. The oats didn't clump together and they are so soft!

To dye oats you will need:

• One cup of oats 
• Food coloring of your choice
• Hand sanitizer
• One Ziploc bag

Directions:

• Pour the oats into the bag.
• Add 7 to 10 drops of food coloring.
• Add a generous dollop of hand sanitizer to the bag.
• Seal the bag and shake until all of the oats are coated.
• Pour the oats on a paper towel or paper plate to dry.

Dyed oats are perfect for sensory play. Stay tuned for bins that use dyed oats.

You can find all of my sensory content here

Flower Garden Sensory Bin

Birthday Cake Sensory Bin

7 Luscious Lemonade Recipes

Summer is near, so the time to stock up on lemonade fixings is now! I have 7 Luscious Lemonade Recipes to inspire your summertime sipping!

Pin this to your drink board for later!

There is nothing like a glass of lemonade on a hot day. I found 7 awesome recipes that I can't wait to try. I think you are going to love these too. From the traditional twist of a strawberry version that promises to be easy to an unforgettable Lavender punch that tickles the taste buds in style.  I can't wait to hear which of these recipes you want to try first!

Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade
Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Sparkling Pineapple Lemonade
Lavender Lemonade Punch
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Blueberry Lemonade Punch

Making homemade lemonade is super easy to do! I have a few tips to help you make the best ever lemonade at home!

1. 5 or 6 lemons will yield 1 cup of juice.
2. Select lemons that are bright yellow and firm.
3. Washing lemons after purchase will keep them fresher longer.
4. Room temperature lemons will yield more juice than a cold lemon.
5. Simple syrup is much easier for making lemonade than dissolving sugar.

Have you ever made a special lemonade recipe? I would love to hear about it to inspire my summer sipping!

We have a cute lemonade craft for kids that goes perfectly with homemade lemonade!

You might want to check out these homemade soda ideas.

 Don't miss these infused water recipes!

5 Tips On How To Buy Your First Car

Buying your first car can be a thoroughly overwhelming experience. And if auto financing is involved
you may as well multiply the anxiety by infinity.

This post has been sponsored.

However, according to a recent study by Autotrader's Car Buyer of the Future, vehicle financing comes
in near the top list of stressors for car buyers. But the good news is first time car buyers who craft an
auto financing strategy beforehand are less stressed than those who wing it.

Here are five tips on buying your first car.

1. Prepare a Budget

You can count on the car dealer trying to convince you to finance something well beyond your budget.
They do this by emphasizing 'low monthly payments' - while minimizing the total sticker price.

Hence, it's crucial to have a clear budget in mind before leaving home. And more important than
having a spending plan is sticking to it!

2. Know Your Auto Financing Options

Consumers that don't do their homework get stressed out at the dealership. Don't let that be you. Check
your credit to determine your credit and vehicle financing options.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to familiarize yourself with some of the more common credit-related terms,
as well. If your beacon score is 680 or higher, you may want to consider getting pre-approved through a
bank or credit union. If it's mid 600s or below, the dealer's financing may be ideal.

Whatever the case, first-time buyers would do well to avoid auto leasing. Don't let the salesperson talk
you into a lease. While leasing offers lower monthly payments, mileage penalties plus wear and tear
charges can make leasing contracts more costly in the long run.

3. Choose a Short Vehicle Loan Term

Nowadays, car dealers offer several creative financing options. A great example is lowering your
monthly payments by extending the number of car loan payments. So, while in the past borrowers
typically financed their cars for five years, today many consumers are financing vehicles for up to
eight years!  

Unlike real estate, most cars depreciate with time. So, if you get a seven-year loan term, you'll either
sell it for next to nothing or dispose of it before you're done paying for it. That’s why most consumer
finance experts recommend avoiding long car loan terms.

4. Buy Used and Negotiate

Buying a previously owned but well maintained used car can lower the overall cost of ownership by up
to 40%. On the other hand, the moment you drive that new vehicle off the lot, it loses 11% in value.

So why not let the depreciation work in your favor by buying a used vehicle? Most used vehicles
below five years are still in excellent condition and offer nearly the same amenities you'd find in a
brand new car. Plus, you can use even slight vehicle wear to negotiate deeper savings.

5. Find a Co-Signer

Banks like co-signers because they agree to pay the debt if you default on your loan. If you can find
someone willing to co-sign with you, your chances of finding affordable financing goes up
exponentially. Most co-signers have excellent credit and can help you get a low-interest car loan
approved with ease.

A Prepared First Time Car Buyer is a Happy Buyer

Knowing what to expect from the car buying process helps reduce the stress of buying a car.
Likewise, implementing the five tips we’ve just covered positions you to win even more. So, do yourself
a favor and put these car buying strategies to work now - you’ll thank yourself later.