Why You Should Start A New Hobby In Time For The Summer



Hobbies are something that everyone needs to have in their life. They give you purpose and keep you entertained for as long as you need, as well as being a healthy distraction to just pass the time. And what better time to pick something new up now before the Summer is upon us?



It's been a long Winter, and whether or not you want to admit it, we have all been in a state of hibernation that has left us all feeling rather blue - but that's enough! It's time for a pick-me-up that will put you back on track and get you ready for the delicious sun that awaits. It's fine to feel a lack of motivation at times - it's completely normal, but you can only allow it to go on for so long until you decide enough is enough, and you want to be passionate about something again. This post may contain affiliate links.

Capture the beauty.
Photography is a stunning visual way of capturing all of the wonderful things around you, like the magical sunsets that paint the sky all different colours of the rainbow, and the wildlife that surrounds you when you take a walk through the park. This is why you should pick up a camera and get snapping. You don't need to have an expensive high-end camera to do that with either, just go with something easy to start out with and take it from there. The warmer things start to become, the more your environment will begin to flourish, so enjoy the transition that is to come. 


Ride the adventure.
Cycling is not only great for your body, getting it ready for the Summer attire, but it's also a wonderful way to encourage you to get outdoors and explore. There is so much to see around you that you may have always overlooked because you've never had the need to go down that path, or through those trees, but you'd be amazed to find what beauty awaits you. You don't have to venture off alone either, you can buddy up with a friend and make a whole day out of exploring, with a pit stop for some lunch and a refreshing beverage to wash it down with, as well as a giggle or two.


Start DIY'ing

I watch way too much HGTV and am always adding to my home improvements wish list. Summer is the perfect time to learn the basics of DIY at home. Making renovations to the home can prevent wildlife infestations. Being proactive about critter control in warmer months makes the home comfier than ever. Not to mention the pride you would feel from DIY'ing those projects around the house.

So stop thinking about what is to come, and instead choose something exciting to pass your time and discover a newfound thrill that you’ve always had waiting inside of yourself.

Create the sound.
Who doesn't envision spending their evenings sitting around a fire, roasting smores with a ukulele, playing some of their favourite tunes off musicianauthority? It's the ideal dream while being in the company of the ones you love most. So the sooner you start to learn a new instrument, the sooner you can make this happen. Just think, you will be able to create your very own music and share stories from the songs you've written. This is a very powerful tool that can touch so many people on a deeper level, and that's what makes it such a special thing.


Presidents Day Patritoc Art Project

This easy art project is a fun way to engage preschoolers, toddlers and kindergarteners in a patriotic craft for President's Day, Fourth of July or Veteran's Day!



We had a lot of left over heart cut outs from our Valentine's Day crafts and I wanted to use them up, but I also wanted to make a patriotic craft with the kids for President's Day. This heart flag is what we came up with.

This craft is so easy and lovely. My 5 year old made this one, and she did a really great job with it too!
The older your kids are, the more detailed their projects will be. If you are making this with kids a little older than Rolfie and Harp, you could have them cut the correct number of hearts to use in place of stars.



The supplies for this craft are super basic and you probably have just about everything you will need on hand. We used Kwik Stix in blue to paint the blue square, but you could use markers, crayons or just a small section of blue paper.

Supplies

2 sheets of copy paper or white construction paper
2 sheets of red construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Blue paint, markers of crayons



Directions

Create a small blue square on one sheet of copy paper.
Cut 2 sheets worth of red hearts, then glue lines of red hearts on the paper.
Cut small white hearts from the extra sheet of white paper and glue them on in the blue square you made earlier.

Find all of our kids crafts here



Strawberry Shortcake Floats



All of the flavors of a Strawberry Shortcake, but in a decadently cool float form! There is nothing like an ice cream float on a hot summer day!

You will want to pin this recipe to your dessert board for future reference!



Summer is the perfect season to make ice cream floats. This one is perfect for a dessert or a decadent way to cool off on a summer day.

I love strawberry shortcake on a summer day! But, sometimes I want something cooler than cake. A float is a perfect solution to cure my cravings.

These floats look and taste gourmet, but they are so easy to make! The most basic of ingredients come together to create a treat that is going to become a most requested drink in your house!

This was so good. I had to have a second float! My guilt subsided when my husband asked for another one but in a bigger glass.  This is an easy way to impress a guest or a delicious addition to any day of the week!



If you love floats, you won't want to miss this delicious strawberry cheesecake float or this blackberry cheesecake float.

Click through for the recipe.

15+ Mardi Gras Books for Kids

Moment of truth, I know pretty much nothing about Mardi Gras. When my inquisitive 8 year old wanted all of the details, I had to admit, we need to Google this pal. Well, now both kids want to learn everything they possibly can and recreate the festivities at home. I thought the best thing I could do would be to get a variety of books on the subject. I found 15 Mardi Gras books for kids and these are such fun options that you might want to get a few titles to check out.



I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program, if you make a purchase I will earn a commission. These titles may also be available at your local library.




The King Cake Baby

Dinosaur Mardi Gras

Mimi's First Mardi Gras

The Night Before Mardi Gras

The Great Festival of Mardi Gras

Gaston Goes to Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras ABC's

The Little Purple Mardi Gras Beads

Mardi Gras: Book of Festivals

The Mardi Gras Chase

Mardi Gras in New Orleans: An Alphabet Book

Mimi and Jean Claude's Mardi Gras

Timothy Hubble and the King Cake Party

If you have any ideas for Mardi Gras for kids I would love to hear about them!

You can find all of my spring craft ideas here

Homemade Rice Pudding

This rice pudding recipe comes together in about 35 minutes and will impress your family in ways that the pre packaged variety of this classic dessert could only dream of!


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If you like rice or pudding, you are going to love this recipe for homemade rice pudding! It comes together easily and creates a deliciously economical dessert that your family will love!

I usually purchase Rice Pudding in a container and feel content with it, but a few days ago, I was inspired to try my hand at making it myself. The process was simple and the results were marvelous!

Cooks Tips

  • I used long grain rice. If you have another variety, feel free to use it and adjust the cook time.
  • You can use raisins or craisins in this recipe if you like. 
  • I like to top my rice pudding with cinnamon, brown sugar makes a sweet addition too!
  • This dessert serves deliciously both warm and cold!
  • If you like it cold, store in a sealed container for up to 3 days, if it lasts that long!




Ingredients:
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups milk, divided
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; stir rice into boiling water. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.

In a clean saucepan, combine cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 to 18 minutes.

Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and beaten egg; cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

Top with cinnamon or raisins if desired. Serve warm or cold, per preference.




More Yummy Rice Pudding Recipes

Pumpkin Pie Rice Pudding {Tastes of Lizzy T}
Hawaiian Rice Pudding {Shaken Together}
Mexican Chocolate Rice Pudding {This Silly Girl's Life}