Author: Rebecca C.

I am just a person who loves to photograph and write about the world around me.

Ice Cream Soda Day

Today, June 20, 2017, is Ice Cream Soda Day. Celebrating small unofficial holidays is a chance to enjoy every single day with a special twist. Let’s face it, the start of summer is always a fun and exciting time. Unfortunately, after being out of school for as little as a week, you may already hear those words, “I’m bored.” Taking advantage of the various unofficial holidays helps in chasing away the summer boredom and creates lasting memories.

Ice cream floats is a wholesome party idea. Consider hosting an impromptu ice cream soda party with friends and family. Or simply make ice cream sodas as a special treat for a warm evening. Regardless of the reason, enjoy the day.

Ice Cream Soda Ideas

The beauty of ice cream sodas is the endless mixtures. Providing a variety of flavors is a perfect way to host a successful ice cream soda party. Using cans of soda is ideal for eliminating wastes and saving money. Picking up different flavors enables your guests to mix with no limits. Larger bottles are great for bigger parties.

Consider these combinations to help create the perfect ice cream soda party.

  • Root Beer Float: Vanilla ice cream and root beer
  • Orange Dream: Vanilla ice cream and orange soda
  • Cherry Vanilla Fun: Cherry ice cream and crème soda
  • Chocolate Vanilla: Chocolate ice cream and crème soda

Along with ice cream, you may want to offer sherbet as an option to replace the ice cream. Some people may not be able to eat ice cream. Finding alternatives allows everyone to have fun.

In addition to ice cream and soda, offer toppings for extra fun.

  • Sprinkles
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Whip cream topping
  • Cherries

Adding toppings is half of the fun in building the perfect ice cream soda. Have fun creating.

World Environment Day: 10 Ways to Help Preserve the Environment

Today, June 5, 2017, is World Environment Day. From politics to worldwide news, climate change and environmental issues are hot topics right now. Taking steps to save the planet Earth sounds like an overwhelming, hopeless task. Pushing for leaders to make informative changes is an integral part of a long lasting solution. Encouraging people to implement small changes in daily living will also provide a large impact for caring for the environment.

Simple Ways to Help Preserve the Environment

Everyone knows change takes time. Practice implementing informative choices requires practice and discipline.

  1. Recycle

Locate your local recycling facility to learn about recycling everyday items. In some area, recyclable products may be set out to the curbside for weekly pickup. Under most circumstances, the following items may be part of your local recycling program.

  • Glass
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Plastic
  • Tin cans
  • Cardboard

Other areas may host collection sites for used batteries, car oil, electronics, and printer cartridges. Reuse items, if possible. Glass containers perfect for storing other materials.

  1. Skip the Water Bottles

Consider investing in travel mugs or reusable water containers. Prefilling the containers prior to leaving home is also an easy way to save money.

  1. Use Matches or Refillable Lighters

Using matches or refillable lighters help keep throw away lighters from filling up local landfills.

  1. Implement Energy Saving Techniques
  • Switch Your Light Bulbs: Over the past few years, the decrease in the price of energy saving light bulbs allows home and business owners to use at a fraction of the cost.
  • Turn Off Appliances: Computers, appliances, radios, and other forms of electrical equipment still draw power even in sleep mode. Turning off unused household items will save energy and money.
  • Turn Off Lights: When leaving a room, turn off the light as you go. The simple concept is a great way to save energy.
  • Replace Old Appliances: Investing in energy efficient appliances help reduce the amount of electricity in use on a daily basis.
  • Use a Clothes Line or Dryer Rack: Hanging out clothes to dry provides a fresh scent and saves energy.
  • Conserve Water: Skip the bath for a shower or turn the water off while brushing your teeth are both energy saving techniques.
  1. Use Reusable Bags

Invest in reusable bags. Consider placing a couple of the bags in your vehicle for easy access. When you shop, forego the plastic bags and use your own.

During annual holidays or birthdays, reusable bags or small fabric totes are perfect for gifts. The receiver of the gift will be able to use the bag in the future.

  1. Go to the Farmer’s Market & Buy Local

Buying from farmer’s markets or other local establishments allow you to save money on transportation. Allowing you to simply take your selection and leave, most of the fresh vegetables come without any form of wrapping materials.

  1. Grow a Garden and More

Small gardens or container gardening may yield large amounts of fresh vegetables. If you have a large outdoor space, a quality garden may provide you with a winter’s worth of vegetables.

  • Create a compost pile with leftover coffee grinds, grass clippings, food and other natural items. The compost will be a welcome addition to your garden.
  • Set up bee hives to harvest honey
  • Use garden boxes to simplify your garden and reduce weeds
  1. Plant Fruit Trees

Along with a garden, plant fruit trees. Along with yielding fresh fruit, the spring time flower buds provide a perfect opportunity to feed the bees.

  1. Skip the Pesticides

Pesticides to control bugs or weeds have a harmful effect on the environment. Consider implementing natural or organic options to help reduce the environmental impact.

  1. Invest in Home Improvements

If you are a homeowner, consider investing in energy saving options.

  • Add extra insulation
  • Replace outdated windows
  • Put on a new roof or siding to help decrease drafts
  • Schedule regular maintenance on your furnace or air conditioning unit to ensure a high-level performance at minimal energy usage.
  • Use an energy efficient thermostat to manage the temperature in your home
  • Use heavy curtains to help keep heat from escaping
  • Consider investing in high-quality solar panels to reduce your energy usage.

Every small effort may help contribute to a larger movement. Do not be afraid to contact your local chamber or town council on recycling issues. Working together is the first step in preserving the environment.

 

 

 

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Celebrate the End of the School Year

Time marches by quickly. Embrace the daily triumphs. Ending a school year is a milestone in your child’s life. Not to mention, you deserve recognition for last minute school snacks, homework help, field trips, and on some days simply getting your child to school on time. As the last day of school arrives, take the time to celebrate. The celebration can be a simple family dinner to a large party with your child’s friends.

End of the School Year Party Ideas

If you are uncertain how to celebrate, ask your child for input. Often your child’s idea may be something you would have never thought about as a fun way to celebrate. Or you can consider any of the following:

  • Special family dinner
  • Family game night
  • Trip to the local bookstore to purchase books for summer reading
  • Backyard BBQ
  • Pool party (if the weather permits)
  • Backyard beach party
  • Comic book, princess or other theme parties
  • End of the school year theme party
  • Trip to the local ice cream shop
  • Dinner out at your child’s favorite restaurant
  • Pizza party
  • Video game night
  • Arts and crafts party
  • Outdoor games party
  • Trip to the park, zoo or other local attraction
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Movie night
  • Picnic in the park or your own backyard

Knowing your child’s likes and dislikes, the possibilities are endless. A simple ice cream pie to celebrate the end of the school year may easily become a lasting memory.

 

 

Drawing Day: A Chance for Inspiration

Today, May 16, 2017, is Drawing Day. I personally love to draw and sketch. I admit I am completely horrible. But, there’s just something relaxing about drawing. In fact, I have been using drawing to form character inspirations for my writing. The entire process is just another way to enhance my creativity.

As a child, I remember spending rainy days indoors. Enhancing my imagination, my mom would come up with fun creative projects to pass the time. Drawing flowers, rocks, and landscapes were always on my agenda. I fully believe, the art inspired activities helped my creativity.

In today’s technological world, I believe inspiring imagination is vital. Learning creative thinking skills has advantages in every profession. Encouraging your children with art supplies may actually provide benefits to cognitive development. The best part with the various dollar or discount stores, you can create an art supply box at a minimal price.

  • Sketchbooks
  • Drawing pads
  • Construction paper
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Glitter, if you are brave
  • Watercolors
  • Paint
  • Poster boards

You never know how far simple art inspirations will take you in life.

Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts

Today, May 14, 2017, is Mother’s Day. Did you forget? Do not worry, there’s still time to find the perfect last minute gift to make your mom happy.

  1. Social Media Prints

Throughout the year, you post numerous photos to your social media page. Photos of you, your children and loves ones fill up your page almost on a daily basis. For Mother’s Day simply print some of the photos for your mom. Now, you simply can rearrange the photos in a collage, enlarge one or two, and place the photos in a frame. The quick and easy gift is a great way to share memories with your mom.

  1. Online Certificates

Let’s face it, when it comes to last minute gifts, the Internet is a valuable resource. You can purchase and print gift certificates instantly.

  • Concert tickets
  • Theater tickets to upcoming performances
  • Movie tickets
  • Favorite restaurant
  • Favorite shopping site

The last minute gift certificates are a perfect solution for making mom happy.

  1. Homemade Coupons

Last minute efforts for a thoughtful gift are homemade coupons. This is a great activity for young children to help. Making up special coupons for mom allows your children to participate in the gift giving exchange. You can either print the coupon or create one by hand with a notecard. Add a little design or extra flare to show you put thought into the gift. Depending on your mom’s preference, the coupons can range from all sorts of activities.

  • Dinner out at her favorite restaurant
  • Movie night
  • Extra help with household chores
  • Home cook meal

Limiting only to your imagination, the choices are endless.

You know your mom. Grabbing a bouquet of flowers and card on your way to visit is another great last minute gift.  Sometimes just a ten-minute phone call on Mother’s Day to let her know how you feel is the perfect gift.

Apple Pie Day

Today, May 13, 2017, is Apple Pie Day. Sounds like the perfect type of unofficial holiday for me. Actually, apple pie is one my father’s favorite desserts, coming in second only to pumpkin pie. Years ago, I use to work in a bakery. From traditional the traditional apple pie to the extra sweet caramel apple pie, the variety of apple pies were always a hit.

The history of apple pie may surprise you. Apple pies actually date back to the time of Chaucer in the 14th century. The pie had unique ingredients including, good apples, spices, figs, raisins and pears, cofryn as a crust type layer with saffron to add coloring to the mixture.

Today’s apple pies are completely different with Dutch Apple, Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake, Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie, and more. Personally, I like the traditional apple pie especially when the piece of pie is still warm. Add vanilla ice cream as a topping, I am completely satisfied.

Regardless of the type, the main ingredient remains the same: good apples. Depending on the availability, I usually use Granny Smith or Honey Crisp.  But I know other people prefer to use Empires.

So tell me what type of apple pie do you prefer?

 

Happy Apple Pie Day!

Until next time….peace

 

Reference:

Apple Pie. (2017). Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_pie

Introduction

I am creating this blog, Rebecca’s Country Notes to feature different crafts, recipes, stories and other content from living in the rural area. I already have another blog dedicated to my pursuits in photography and writing, Rebecca’s Writing and Photography. Even though the two intertwine at times, I just wanted to keep the two genres separate.

Until next time…peace