Author: Rebecca C.

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

Tips for the Perfect Easter Celebration

The Easter holiday is almost here. Are you considering hosting an Easter dinner with family or friends? Take a deep breath and do it. Life is short, celebrate every moment without hesitation. Gathering friends and family around the dinner table is all you need for a joyous occasion.

Tips for a Perfect Easter Holiday

Depending on your individual tastes, an Easter dinner can be formal or casual. Preplanning will help you Easter day celebration go smooth. Consider the following tips to assist you as you plan the perfect Easter celebration.

1. Guest List

Creating a guest list is necessary to help you plan. Due to the short time frame, you may need to make some phone calls or use the Internet to help. If your guests are on Facebook, consider making a private event page to help you plan. The creation of an event allows you to invite your guests, correspond about the meal and other activities.

2. Menu

After confirming the number of guests, planning the menu should be your next step. Menu planning can be extremely elaborate or simple

  • Cater: Local restaurants generally offer catering service for the holidays. Catering allows you to leave all the cooking and baking up to the restaurant. If you decide to cater, call as soon as possible to ensure availability.
  • Cook Yourself: Cooking and baking a large meal is a lot of work. But the personal satisfaction of a job well done is the best reward. Take the time to plan the meal, shop ahead of time to ensure you have all the ingredients, and enjoy the process.
  • Pot Luck Style: Easing some of the cooking demands, ask your friends or family members to bring a dish to pass. A variety of dishes can actually add to the holiday fun.
  • Desserts: If you do not have time for a full course meal, consider a dessert bar. Invite friends and family over later in the evening after they have met their family commitments.

3. Decorations

Decorating your table or home always adds to the holiday cheer. The decorations do not need to be elaborate. Making decorations is a perfect family time experience. Using construction paper, consider making placemats, name cards, or a centerpiece.

If you are doing decorations, your imagination is the limit. Pinterest and other crafting sites show all sorts of Easter decorating ideas. Due to time constraints, purchase decorations or Spring flowers for your centerpiece.

4. Kid Stuff

How many children are going to be at your event? Do you have a plan to keep them busy while you make last minute preparations? Keeping children busy with holiday-related activities, allows you to concentrate on cooking without worry. Children love to create and take items home. Setting up a children’s area or planning outdoor activities is the perfect solution.

  • Host an Easter egg hunt.
  • Easter coloring books and crayons
  • Dye Easter eggs
  • Set up a crafting table with Easter themed supplies
  • Make small Easter baskets to hand out as take-home gifts

Hosting an Easter dinner does not need to be stressful. Planning and asking for help from friends and family will help you have a joyous occasion.

March: Craft Month

Did you know March is Craft Month? Crafting projects come in different shapes, sizes, and styles. Basically, crafts are the simple process of making items with your own two hands. Requiring only your imagination to begin, crafting activities is a hobby for all ages to enjoy.

Benefits of Crafts for Children

As adults, you make crafts with a specific outcome in mind. Perhaps you are following a pattern or trying to mimic a creation from the Pinterest site, your crafting process is a unique journey. Keep in mind, for children the process may not produce a specific outcome or recognizable piece. And that is okay. Allow your children the chance to create a one of a kind project. Introducing various crafting materials for your children to use actually has numerous benefits.

  • Improves eye/hand coordination
  • Increases fine motor skills
  • Expands communication skills
  • Boosts self-esteem
  • Expands the imagination
  • Increases valuable family time

Two Easy Ways to Introduce Crafts to Your Children

Introducing crafting activities to your children or even yourself is simple. Materials and time are your two key components for craft projects.

1. Craft Box

Creating a craft box or basket is a wonderful way to store materials. Crafting materials do not need to be expensive. Check out your local dollar store, hobby shop, and recycle some materials around the house. If you are uncertain about how to start your craft box, many stores offer buckets or jars of materials ready to go.

Materials may include:

  • Glue
  • Glitter, sequins, beads
  • Paint
  • Paint brushes, sponges and other instruments for paint applications
  • Crayons, markers, pencils
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Yarn
  • Pompons
  • Construction paper or drawing paper
  • Child scissors
  • Paper punch
  • Paper towel tubes
  • Rocks
  • Googly eyes
  • Dried beans, macaroni, or other kinds of pasta
  • Modeling clay

2. Making Time

After you get all your materials in place, next is making time for your crafts.

  • Raining or snowy days are great for craft days.
  • Host a craft night for the entire family to enjoy.
  • Invite friends over for a crafting party.
  • Create holiday crafts to decorate your home (St. Patrick’s Day, Spring, and Easter is just around the corner).

Having fun is the most important part of crafting. Enjoy the process of making something new. Ask your child to share the details of the final crating product. Often a story about a craft is a great memory making moment.

Happy Crafting!

National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Did you know February 26 is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day? The pandemic, social distancing, school, work, daily routines, and other commitments can easily fill your schedule.  Try taking time out to celebrate unofficial holidays. Celebrating National Tell a Fairy Tale Day is a great way to try something new and simply have fun. Fairy tales have a long-standing place in history.

Think back; what was your favorite fairy tale from childhood? Some family favorites may include:

Do you remember the excitement of learning the story? Now there’s an entire day dedicated to the love of a fairy tale.

How to Celebrate National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Traditionally, a fairy tale is a mythical or fantasy-based short story. The characters may include a prince, a princess, fairies, gnomes, or talking animals. The setting usually contains a castle or magical forest. The limitation of the storyline is only your own imagination. So, embrace the day by celebrating fairy tales.

1. Go to Your Local Library

If open, visit your library on Tell a Fairy Tale Day. The trip provides you and your loved ones with the opportunity to find the perfect story. Consider finding a new fairy tale to read. Or check out an old favorite to enjoy once again.

2.Read to Your Children

 Read your favorite tale to your children. Children love to hear new stories.  Spending quality time with your children is also a rewarding experience. Ask open-ended questions about the tale to ensure understanding. The process will actually help your children’s communication skills.

3. Go to the Bookstore

 Purchasing a new book of fairy tales is a great way to find a new story. Bookstores often carry stories from different cultures or countries.

4. Write Your Own Fairy Tale

Pick up your pen and write your own tale. If you have children, encourage them to write a fairy tale. The creative process enhances critical thinking, social, and communication skills. Ask younger children to verbally express their fairy tales. Writing down their thoughts in a notebook may turn into a lasting memory.

5. Arts and Craft Time 

After reading or sharing a story, use the fairy tale storyline as the basis of your art and crafts project.

  • Draw pictures with chalk, colored pencils, crayons, or markers
  • Paint a picture
  • Make a collage with magazine cutouts or other material.
  • Create a storyboard or storybook of your fairy tale.
  • Decorate a plastic container to use later to plant magic beans. The decorated pot will easily complement the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. 

6. Create a Puppet Show

Creating a puppet show can be a creative and rewarding process. A large box may be part of the stage or backdrop for your fairy tale. Make hand puppets or finger puppets to act out a fairy tale. If your children are hosting the show, record the event.

7. Bake or Cook a Special Treat

Decorate cookies to match your fairy tale. Or cook a special meal to incorporate a theme from your favorite fairy tale. For example, adding peas to your meal can be part of the Princess and the Pea fairy tale.

8. Host a Family Fun Movie Night

Disney movies are a wonderful resource for fairy tales. Make popcorn or other special snack and enjoy your movie night.

Regardless of the way you celebrate, take time to enjoy National Tell a Fairy Tale Day. Life is short; make memories. Use your imagination, enjoy the day.

 

Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

National Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

Today, January 31, 2018, is National Inspire Your Heart with Art Day. So you must ask yourself, what is art? Expressing your inner imagination through an application, art comes in many forms. The possibilities are endless. Even though a day is set aside for finding your inspiration for creating art, incorporating art into your life should be a year-round practice.

Celebrating National Inspire your Heart with Art Day

Like people, art is different for everybody. Finding your inspiration is part of the journey of creating art. Taking photos, drawing, painting, baking and presenting, decorating cakes, performing, sculpturing, the arts are about inspiring your own heart to grow and create.

Get Your Children Involved

Children love to create. Spending time creating art with your child can easily turn into a precious memory. Using different materials help you encourage your child’s imagination.

  • Colored pencils
  • Non-toxic, washable markers’
  • Paints
  • Chalks
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Items for gluing including pieces of old material, pipe cleaners, glitter, pasta noodles, etc.
  • Clay with sculpting tools

The art inspiration materials are endless. Do not be afraid to experiment with different forms. For example, air dry clay is great for saving masterpieces. Or consider using a homemade recipe for sculpturing materials. The different textures help with inspiration. Younger children will be able to engage in fine motor skills.

Go to Your Local Art Gallery

Galleries display a variety of art mediums. Viewing other people’s work can be inspirational for creating your own art. Often galleries will host lectures, workshops or programs for basic techniques for adults who want to learn. Other galleries have themed events for children to start exploring the art world. Trying something new may not turn out as you planned. But the process is an unforgettable learning experience.

Take a Class

Many local community colleges have classes or weekend seminars for non-majors. Going to a class allows you to engage in art with direction for proven techniques. Learning the basics in a beginner’s class is a great way to explore art. At the same time, you will be able to meet others who share your desire to learn about art.

Go to a Performance

Ballet or other performance art allows you to view in a different manner. Performance art has four elements:

  • Time
  • Space
  • Performer’s body
  • An ongoing relationship with the performer and the audience

The various types of performances may surprise you. Visiting a live performance is always best. But do not hesitate to look performance art up online or on YouTube. The results can be extremely inspiring.

Art comes in many forms. Finding a genre for inspiration may take exploration beyond today. Trying something new for yourself or your children may leave you with a sense of inspiration and fulfillment.

Genealogy Series: Identifying Old Photographs

Did you recently find a box of old family photos? When working on your family tree, photographs offer a vital piece of information. A photograph can show you a glimpse into your family’s history.  Identifying the people or location may require a lot a research and a little luck.

Best Ways to Identify Old Photographs

When dealing with old family photographs, start with organization. Store your valuable pictures in photo boxes, photo albums or other protectable containers. If you decide to use albums, consider the 3 ring binder types. The photo binders allow you to protect photos and insert notepaper with details of your photo. Keeping all your information in one location will help in your future genealogy research.

1. Go with What You Know

If you are lucky, some of the photographs may have names written on the back. Or you will be able to identify your family members simply on sight. When using the 3 ring binder method, you can make notes of the known family members. Numbering the photos and logging the information on to your computer is another great option for keeping track.  

2. Ask Family Members

Older family members are a key resource. Spending the afternoon with your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles may provide you with valuable information on your photos. At the same time, you may learn more personal stories about the people in the photograph.

3. Analyze the Photograph

Your actual photograph may hold numerous clues to help you identify the person in the photo.

·        The Photographer: Many older photographs were printed with the photographer’s name and the place of business stamped on the front. Researching the photographer and the location enables you to narrow down your search.

·        Clothing Style: Check your potential family member’s appearance. The type of clothing, hairstyle, jewelry, dolls, or other items may hold valuable clues. Learning about different fashion trends will help you in narrowing down the year and location of the photograph.

·        Background: Along with appearance, noticing the background of the photograph is another way to find clues. Helping you narrow down the year, studio photos may have props or furniture that can be dated.  Analyzing the background of outdoor photographs or candid photos may allow you to identify a building, a home, landscape, or other information.

4. Type of Photograph

Daguerreotype to the digital era, the landscape of photography is ever changing. The type of photograph may help you identify or narrow down the year. Early photographs are specific to the time period. For example, a daguerreotype was first introduced in 1839 to the general public. The tintype was popular after 1860. Knowing the different eras of photography will help you narrow down the year.

5. Online Databases

Using online databases or social platforms can help you narrow your search, gain insight and meet new people who are interested in exploring family history. Many groups on social websites focus on specific locations. Generally, the members are friendly, knowledgeable resources who are more than happy to help you learn about your photo or answer questions about research. Regardless of the type, keep a record of your resources. Some information may not be as reliable or accurate. But later, you may come across another valuable resource to back up your assumptions.

 

Learning about your family history is a fun way to spend your leisure time. Photographs are a valuable clue.  Identifying the photographs may take research and persistence. But the reward is unmeasurable.

2018: The Year to Make Memories

Do you want to start a new tradition for yourself, your family, or your furbabies? Consider creating a memory box. Living in a digital age, small moments often get lost in the technological universe. Keeping a record of memorable days does not require attending large social affairs or ultimate road trips. Even though, both would be an excellent addition. Taking time to record simple, daily events may be the most memorable moments of the year.

The Memory Box

The memory box can be an old shoe box, a popcorn tin from the holidays, or a plastic basket from your local dollar store. You just need to create a space to store your memories. Get creative, decorate the box. If you have young children, consider making the box an afternoon project.

Feel free to create a unique, one of kind memory box for you or your family to enjoy.

What to Put in the Memory Box?

Keep in mind, there is not a specific guideline on what to put in your memory box. Creating a tangible storage space away from your digital devices is one reason for creating a memory box. Having fun is another reason.

1. Every Day Moments

Every day should be a celebration. Your child takes his or her first steps. Your son finally mastered Algebra. Your daughter got the lead in the school play. Or you received recognition for a project at work. Small moments go by quickly. Use index cards, notecards or scraps of paper to write about the daily event. Encourage children to participate. Even if they just draw small pictures, the notecard can be part of the box.

2. Ask Questions

Asking questions is another way to encourage your children to participate. At the same times, you are opening lines of communication. Questions to ask may include:

  • What was your favorite part of school today?
  • What do you want to do when you grow up?
  • What did you eat at lunch?
  • Did anything funny happen in school or practice?

Just keep an open mind, when you find out your son laughed and milk came out of his nose. And, he instantly became a lunchtime sensation.

3. Postcards

 Going on day trips, field trips, family vacations or even a trip to your local grocery store, you will see postcards for sale. Postcards are an inexpensive resource for making memories. Picking up a few postcards or allowing your child select a favorite, allows you to record your visit with a picture. Ask your child to tell you the favorite part of the trip. Jotting down a couple lines on the back of postcard provides an instant keepsake.

4. Other Memorabilia

When you begin adding items to your memory box, you will soon learn in the world of technological devices, a paper trail still exists.

  • Movie tickets stubs
  • Concert tickets
  • Program brochures
  • Schedule of events guides
  • Menus
  • Fortune cookie inserts

The list is endless. By keeping the small items, you can jot notes in the margins. Or add a notecard later describing the experience.

What Next?

What do you do when the year comes to a close? Open the box, review your memories, place them in a scrapbook, or create time capsules to view down the road. The small effort you make to today to add little notes will leave a larger impact later when you read the memories.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Christmas on a Budget

The holiday season can leave your wallet or pocketbook feeling empty. For many individuals on a tight budget, the joyous holidays can quickly turn into stress-filled days. Stay in the holiday spirit by participating free or low-cost activities.

  1. Attend Christmas Parades

Numerous communities have Christmas parades. The electric light parades show off vehicles with hundreds of Christmas lights and music. The parades mark the beginning of the holiday season for the local community. Most parades end with the appearance of the big man himself, Santa Claus.

  1. Go to Community Events

Along with parades, many communities host Christmas events. Often the city official will provide Santa Clause a key to the city. Or the local commerce hosts a tree lighting ceremony. Check with:

  • Museums
  • Art Council
  • Community Centers
  • Libraries
  • Parks

Many host Christmas tree decorating contests, breakfast with Santa and other low-cost events.

  1. Go to Church Events

Regardless of your religious beliefs or affiliations, attending a multitude of church events may put you in the holiday spirit.

Depending on the church, the events may include:

  • Cookie Walk
  • Community Sing-a-long
  • Caroling
  • Midnight Services
  • Live Nativity Scenes
  • Christmas Programs
  1. School Events

Many schools and colleges host special Christmas concerts and plays. Many are open to the public. Other programs may require the purchase of admission. Allowing you to enjoy a night of holiday entertainment, the low-cost ticket is worth the price.

  1. Volunteer

Christmas brings many needs to the community. Taking time out of your busy schedule to volunteer may actually put you in the holiday spirit.

Volunteer ideas include:

  • Toy Collection Sites
  • Soup Kitchens
  • Nursing Homes
  • Local Chamber of Commence

At this time of the year, many churches or other charitable organizations create and distribute gift baskets to people in need. The organizations generally need help making the baskets up and delivery.

  1. Host a Movie Night

Host a Christmas movie night or one a week. Check out listings on your local television stations or watch a DVD. Consider making a special treat popcorn, pizza, cookies or hot chocolate can make the night more memorable. Movie nights can include just family, friends or a combination. During the holiday season, more the merrier often helps in acquiring the Christmas spirit.

  1. Make Homemade Decorations

Making homemade decorations is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Paper chains, salt dough ornaments, and other inexpensive materials are wonderful to add crafty decorations to your home.

  1. Search for Christmas Light Displays

Driving around looking at Christmas displays can create a magical evening. Some homeowners go all out for their displays, thousands of lights, Nativity scenes, Santa Claus on the roof and so much more.

Small moments to celebrate the holiday season may result in the best Christmas memories.

National Novel Writing Month: Inspiring Writing

Did you know November is National Novel Writing Month? Do you want to encourage your children, teen or yourself to be a better writer? The best way to learn to write is simply to start writing. Every person has a story to tell. Encouragement to start your love affair with writing is within yourself.

Tips to Release your or your Child’s Inner Writer

1. Write 

Make time to write. The statement may seem simple. But reality can make finding writing time extremely difficult. Work, school and other commitments mean full schedules to take up your time to enjoy a creative outlet. Consider devoting at least 20 minutes a day to your writing. For your children, set up a time before the bedtime routine. The quiet reflective time can help your child or yourself relax after a long day.

2. Your Own Space 

For many inspiring writers, a dedicated writing space is necessary. A well-supplied desk can be an outlet for hours of writing. Other inspiriting writers can do their craft anywhere.

3. Writing Tools 

  • Journals: Journals are a great way to encourage writing in your children and yourself. Older children especially teens may find journal writing a great way to express emotions. Even younger children can tell stories for you to write down. Looking back on past entries, the best part of journal writing is the memories.
  • Notebooks: Spiral notebooks are an inexpensive resource. Encourage story writing even short entries may be a start to larger creative endeavors.
  • Pens and Pencils: Using different writing instruments can be a valuable part of the creative process. Often, writing longhand is inspirational to your creative process.
  • Gel Pens and Markers: Another creative instrument is colored gel pens and markers.
  • Storage Space: Create a storage area for your writing. A cabinet, bookshelf, or a storage bin are perfect ways to keep your writing or children’s writing in one place.

4. Outside Influences 

Exposing your children or yourself to new experiences creates inspiration. Depending on your personal interests and the age of your children, find appropriate local community events. Use the experience to write in journals or create short stories.

  • Poetry Night: Exposure to other people’s musings may inspire you to write.
  • Author Readings: Attending author oriented events allows you to connect with others in the field.
  • Open Mic: Poetry, readings, songs and other creative endeavors are generally part of an open mic night.
  • Library Events: Check with your local library for events. Many host story hours, reading clubs, children and teen events. Getting a library card
  • Field Trips: Schedule times to try something new. Go to a museum, art gallery, or other events outside of your regular routine.
  • Community Events: Networking in the community allows you to meet new people. Observing others in different social settings may result in the perfect character for your writing.

5. Write Others

Practicing writing does not have to be formal. Writing others the old fashion way or snail mail allows you to concentrate on the words. You can outline stories of your day. If you do not know who to write, consider:

  • Pen pals
  • Grandparents/Older Relatives
  • Nursing Home

6. Conferences, Seminars, and Writing Organizations

Formal education allows you to expand your skill set.

Writing is a great creative endeavor. Children can learn to test their imagination by storytelling. Teens can use writing as a tool to express emotions. Creativity inspired outlets have long-lasting benefits. From school to work, using your imagination may inspire unique ways to approach a problem or project. And, who knows maybe your writing will result in a published novel.

National Indian Pudding Day

Today, November 13, 2017,* is National Indian Pudding Day. Is your reaction the same as mine? What exactly is Indian Pudding? Or perhaps, you have heard of the old fashion recipe.  For myself, when I first read this, I had no clue what to expect from the recipe or even how to create the dessert.

So, like most things, I had to start with some research. The recipe is actually well known in the New England area. The history of the tasty dish goes back to the early 17th century. The dessert was mainly served during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Prior to making the new dessert, I searched for different recipes. For the people who know me well, they are fully aware I am not the best baker. I basically do not have the patience to bake. For the most part, I do know how to bake and cook. But my skills are not top notch in the kitchen department. We all weaknesses. Admittedly, I do enjoy canning and making homemade jam.

After reading the recipe, I knew I was in over my head. I never even heard of the term “temper the egg” before reading the instructions. So, I did what I normally do when I cannot understand a recipe: I called my mother. Of course, she came over to help me. (By the way tempering an egg means slowly adding the hot liquid to the egg mixture to bring the two different temperatures together).

Most of the recipes called for cornmeal, molasses, sugar, milk, and spices. So, my mom and I picked the one, we thought would be the simplest to try for the first time. The recipe was an older one, but the sugar amount was reduced. I did not want or need a lot of sugar in my dish.

The main ingredients for Indian Pudding plus flour and sugar.

The ingredients start by cooking on the stove top.

The mixture coming together.

The next step requires baking. As the Indian Pudding begins to bake, the wonderful smell filled the house.

Baking in the oven.

The final product was finished. I will admit the look of the pudding was not what I had expected.

The finished product straight out of the oven.

 

The wonderful smell matched the deliciousness of the Indian Pudding. The recipe suggests topping with vanilla ice cream or heavy whipped cream. Well, I used the store bought-brand but the final product was still “yummy” good. I am glad I was able to try something new. As an extra bonus, my mom was able to help share this blogging experience.

*Note: This blog was originally written on November 13, 2015, for my other site.

 

Creating Your Own Pet Rock

Are you old enough to remember the Pet Rock craze? Well, I am. When I was in grade school, I remember a classmate owning a Pet Rock. During Show and Tell, she explained all the different things the Pet Rock could do. For example, she fully believed the rock felt heavier during sleeping hours. Of course, I was skeptical. But my overactive imagination could relate the rock as a living creature.

Today, September 3, 2017, is Pet Rock Day. Originated in 1975 by Gary Dahl, the Pet Rock fad was an instant hit. Smooth stones were put in a pet carrier for the home for the Pet Rock. In fact, you still can buy Pet Rocks today at www.PetRock.com.

Celebrating Pet Rock Day

Today, you can either purchase a Pet Rock or craft one. Actually crafting the rock into different creatures may be a fun activity for the entire family.

Supplies You May Need:

  • Rocks (Gather some out your drive or purchase a bag at your local dollar store)
  • Paint
  • Googly eyes
  • features
  • Glue
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pom-poms
  • Glitter, if you are brave

The only limit to the type of craft supplies needed is your imagination.

Have fun creating your own type of rock creature. In fact, consider creating an entire rock family.

References:

Pet Rock. (2017). Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_Rock

Pet Rock. (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.petrock.com/