I love summer vacation and planning a road trip adventure, but sometimes traveling with young children can be exhausting. It can be tough to keep them entertained. One way to make your summer road trip easier, and get your kids off their handheld video games, is to play an audiobook the entire family can enjoy. Random House Audio and Listening Library have put together an amazing website called tryaudiobooks.com that offers suggestions for audiobook material based on the activity you’ll be ... Continue Reading
Make Your Summer Road Trip a Breeze With Audio Books! #tryaudiobooks
May 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
An audio book is the perfect way to get your kids reading and keep them entertained.
Best Memorial Day Recipe – BLT Club Pasta Salad
May 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A Memorial Day side-dish that can even be a main course!
Memorial Day is coming up soon. Are you hosting a party or heading out to a family event? Memorial Day is a time for cookouts and barbecues with friends. To some, Memorial Day is all about the meat on the grill. For me, when I hear Memorial Day, I think of pasta salads. My best Memorial Day recipe is my BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato) Club Pasta Salad. This is a quick and easy recipe that will let you spend your Memorial Day relaxing with friends instead of slaving away in the ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Easy Chicken Quesadillas for Cinco de Mayo
May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A delicious way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. If you are looking for a fun and easy dish to get your family in the mood for Cinco de Mayo, definitely try these Easy Chicken Quesadillas. This recipe can be made in 30 minutes flat - perfect for the busy family. It's kid friendly, filling, and definitely delicious. A quesadilla is a savory Mexican turnover that is generally ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Summer Treat With a Twist – French Deviled Eggs
April 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A delicious spin on traditional deviled eggs.
At our rural Vermont home we raise ducks and chickens. When spring and summer hits, the birds start laying eggs again. We always end up having way too many eggs on hand, so when we're invited to cookouts or holiday events, I almost always choose to bring deviled eggs@ The traditional deviled egg recipe that I use calls for mayonnaise and yellow mustard. But I also like this French Deviled Egg recipe. It's a little bit different, using a combination of creme fraiche and Dijon mustard. ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Roasted Eggplant with Pasta and Feta Cheese: Delicious!
April 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A delicious and refreshing eggplant recipe.
Eggplant is one of those vegetables that no one in my family likes but me. That doesn't mean that I have to do without enjoying one of my favorite vegetables though. Every now and then, I treat myself to a delicious lunch using a recipe that includes eggplant. This time, I have combined eggplant with both pasta and feta cheese - two other favorites of mine. If you are watching your carbs for health reasons, you can use a bit less pasta and a bit more vegetables in your serving. I also ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Back to School: The Great Return
August 10, 2012 By 1 Comment
Here are some tips and tricks to getting back into the school routine … before summer is even over.
It’s getting close. Stores are beginning to herald its arrival with sale signs. The sun is starting to set earlier, and your pool passes are about to expire. Whether your family dreads or welcomes it, school is on its way, and there’s no stopping it. Here are some tips and tricks that help my family get back in the swing of things (with fewer gray hairs for me)! Rehearse the Routine As far as routine goes, my husband and I don’t let the kids stay up much later in the summer than ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Staycation Ideas: Best U.S. Beaches
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The top six local beaches for a fabulous summer staycation.
With the rising cost of gas and vacation time that seems to dwindle each year, more and more families are choosing to stay close to home during their summer break. When people think of beach vacations, they usually imagine some far-off tropical resort that usually requires a passport and vaccinations to even get to. There is a better alternative. We happen to live in a country that has many great beaches right in our own backyard, it’s just a matter of choosing the one that’s right for ... Continue Reading
Keep Your Teen Busy This Summer
August 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Ideas to keep your teen busy and active this summer.
Summer vacation is an exciting time for teens. There’s no homework, they have more time to spend with friends, they can sleep in and the weather allows them easy access to outdoor fun. Of course, that can get old after a while and soon, you might find your child is actually a little bit bored. One way to make sure the summer is more than just two months of watching your teen sit on the couch is to come up with a plan for keeping them busy. Not only does this have entertainment value ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post How to Save Money on Lodging During Your Family’s Summer Vacation
July 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Find ways to save money on your vacation lodging this summer.
Summer is finally here and, with it, our thoughts turn to taking family vacations. However, vacations can get pretty costly: transportation, food and activities quickly eat away at our well-planned budgets. Even if the family vacation spot is not far away, there is still the issue of finding affordable lodging. Luckily, I have found three ways in which I can cut my family’s lodging expenses by 50% or even more. Vacation Rentals This takes a bit of preplanning but, if you can coordinate your ... Continue Reading
Preventing Dehydration, Heat Stroke, and Sunburn This Summer
July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Summer is the most risky season of year for three highly overlooked afflictions: dehydration, heat stroke, and sunburn.
It's a well-known fact that summer is the most risky season of year for three highly overlooked afflictions: dehydration, heat stroke, and sunburn. These conditions, especially the first two, are extremely dangerous and lead to thousands of hospitalizations every year. Moms beware — do not underestimate the dangers of July and August heat. Your kids will likely be out all day, running, swimming, and enjoying the great outdoors. This leaves them exposed to the sun for long hours, making it ... Continue Reading
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