Category: Seasons

10 Fall Equinox Activities for Kids

The Autumn Equinox is almost here. Do you want to do something special with your kids to welcome the fall season? If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following fall equinox activities that kids might enjoy.

Photo by Charles Parker on Pexels.com
  1. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of fall-themed items for kids to find outdoors. Remember to only collect items in allowed areas. Use small brown paper lunch sacks or recyclable bags to collect your nature items including acorns, pinecones, and brightly colored leaves.
  2. Leaf Art: Collect colorful fall leaves and use them to create crafts. (If you did the nature scavenger hunt first, use your findings for leaf art). Ideas for leaf art include rubbings, collages, or pressing the leaves for decorations.
  3. Apple Picking Your Local Orchard: Visit an apple orchard or cider mill for a fun day of picking apples. Most orchards or cider mills host a variety of family-friendly activities during the autumn season. Later use your apples to bake homemade treats.
  4. Pumpkin Decorating: Visit a pumpkin patch to find the perfect one to decorate. Use paints, markers, and other craft supplies to decorate pumpkins.
  5. Fall-Themed Baking: Spend an afternoon in the kitchen. Bake seasonal treats for the whole family to enjoy. Pumpkin muffins, apple pies, or cinnamon-spiced cookies are great choices.
  6. Read: Visit your local library or bookstore to find fall-themed books. Read your fall-themed books aloud. Many books contain stories about changing leaves, harvest, or animals preparing for winter.
  7. Go for a Nature Walk: Take a leisurely walk at your local park or nature preserve to observe the changes in the environment during the fall season. For extra fun, pack a picnic. Enjoy a meal in the outdoors.
  8. Autumn Crafts: Create autumn-themed crafts. Pinterest is an excellent resource for finding kid-friendly crafts such as paper plate scarecrows, pinecone animals, or paper pumpkins.
  9. Star Gazing: Get outdoors and look up at the stars. If needed, drive away from the city lights to find the best area for star gazing. Pack a thermos full of hot cocoa. And enjoy an evening under the stars.
  10. Bonfire: Host a bonfire night. Sit outdoors and enjoy the warmth of a cozy bonfire on a cool autumn evening.

Remember to adjust the autumn-themed activities based on the age of your child. Try to do activities that interest your kids. Have fun and enjoy celebrating the fall equinox as a family event.

Self-Care Ideas for September 2023

September is here! Are you ready to head into autumn? The next few months usually bring busier schedules with school schedules, work, and the upcoming holidays. Starting a self-care routine is essential for your overall health and well-being. If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following self-care ideas for September.

Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com
  1. Commit or recommitment to a self-care routine.
  2. Set goals for the month and the rest of 2023.
  3. Create a vision board.
  4. Detox from social media.
  5. Get enough sleep.
  6. Cook your favorite meal or dessert.
  7. Get crafty.
  8. Make a fruit smoothie.
  9. Read inspirational quotes or sayings.
  10. Write in a journal.
  11. Volunteer or do Random Acts of Kindness
  12. Call an old friend.
  13. Dress up for no reason.
  14. Take a long bubble bath or hot shower.
  15. Watch your favorite movie.
  16. Try something new. Get out of your comfort zone.
  17. Try a new restaurant or café.
  18. Read all afternoon.
  19. Buy yourself something. (Yes, purchasing a new outfit at the local thrift store counts.)
  20. Watch TED Talk or other inspirational videos.
  21. Declutter.
  22. Do a in-home spa day.
  23. First day of Autumn. Create a fall bucket list.
  24. Go for a nature walk.
  25. Burn your favorite scented candle.
  26. Try a new workout routine.
  27. Plan your next vacation or your dream vacation.
  28. Create a new playlist.
  29. Watch the sunrise.
  30. If needed, reach out to a health professional for guidance.

Have a fantastic month!

24 Quotes for September 2023

September is almost here. Are you ready for a new month? If are searching for inspirational words to add to your social media posts, check out the following quotes for September.

Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels.com
  1. “By all these lovely tokens, September days are here. With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.” – Helen Hunt Jackson
  2. “Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.” –  J.K. Rowling
  3. “I used to love September, but now it just rhymes with remember.” ― Dominic Riccitello
  4. “Let’s strive to be better in September!” ― Charmaine J. Forde
  5. “Making your Christmas cake in September is perfect, as too fresh a cake crumbles when cut.” – Mary Berry
  6. “September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn.” – Rowland E. Robinson
  7. “Happily we bask in this warm September sun, Which illuminates all creatures…”- Henry David Thoreau
  8. “All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.” –  Virginia Woolf
  9. “Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul… but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.” – Peggy Toney Horton
  10. “Autumn is the antidote to stifling summer.” – Terri Guillemets
  11. “There is a time in late September when the leaves are still green, and the days are still warm, but somehow you know that it is all about to end, as if summer was holding its breath, and when it let it out again, it would be autumn.” -Sharyn McCrumb
  12. “We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer’s wreckage. We will welcome summer’s ghost.” – Henry Rollins
  13. “Outside the leaves on the trees constricted slightly; they were the deep done green of the beginning of autumn. It was a Sunday in September.” – Ali Smith
  14. “But when fall comes, kicking summer out on its treacherous ass as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September, it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed.” – Stephen King
  15. September was a thirty-days long goodbye to summer, to the season that left everybody both happy and weary of the warm, humid weather and the exhausting but thrilling adventures.” – Lea Malot
  16. “I love September especially when we’re in it.” – Willie Stargell
  17. “Let’s all be nice to September.” – Nitya Prakash
  18. “September showed up right on schedule and lasted a whole month.” –  Jenny Wingfield
  19. “Wine is the divine juice of September.” -Voltaire
  20. September tries its best to have us forget summer.” – Bernard Williams
  21. “I guess I’m just feeling all September-ish…All the trees change color, the days get very clear—with little smoke on the horizon from burning leaves. Pumpkins begin to come out.” – George Selden
  22. “September is dressing herself in showy dahlias and splendid marigolds and starry zinnias.” – Olive Wendell Holmes
  23. “The windows are open, admitting the September breeze: a month that smells like notepaper and pencil shavings, autumn leaves, and car oil. A moth that smells like progress, like moving on.” – Lauren Oliver
  24. “September is the other January.” Gretchen Rubin

Have a great September!

Drawing Prompts for September

September is almost here. Are you ready to get creative? Notebooks, pens, markers, pencils, and other materials are on sale right now for back-to-school supplies. The basics are all you need to start drawing. If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following drawing prompts for September.

Photo by Diego Pontes on Pexels.com
  1. September Self-Portrait
  2. On a Shelf
  3. Alternate Reality
  4. Landscape
  5. Nature
  6. Home
  7. Weather
  8. Favorite Place
  9. Hobby
  10. Favorite Colors
  11. Remember 9-11
  12. Clouds
  13. Curvy Lines
  14. Patterns
  15. Shapes
  16. Historic
  17. Bold Colors
  18. Keys
  19. Food & Beverage
  20. Inspirational
  21. Colorful Leaves
  22. Trees
  23. Happy First Day of Autumn!
  24. Mushroom
  25. Pinecones & Acorns
  26. Travel
  27. Fantasy World
  28. Family & Friends
  29. Magic
  30. Artist’s Choice

Have a great September! Happy Drawing!

Photo Prompts for September

Who is ready for September? Cooler weather is a fantastic time to get outdoors and explore the world around you. Don’t forget to take your camera. Documenting your month through photos is a beautiful way to make memories. If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following photo prompts for September.

Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels.com
  1. September Selfie
  2. Reflection
  3. Movement
  4. Happy Labor Day!
  5. On a Shelf
  6. Favorite Color
  7. Inspirational
  8. Clouds
  9. Signs
  10. Shadows
  11. Remember 9-11
  12. Sun Flare
  13. Sunrise or Sunset
  14. Black and White
  15. Excitement
  16. Patterns
  17. Balance
  18. Landscape
  19. Laughter
  20. Weather
  21. Vintage
  22. Leaves & Trees
  23. First Day of Autumn
  24. Acorns & Pinecones
  25. Nature
  26. ‘Home
  27. Food or Beverage
  28. Insects
  29. Travel
  30. Photographer’s Choice

Have a fantastic September!

Hashtags for August 2023

August is just around the corner. Are you ready for a new month? Do you plan to use hashtags to draw attention to your personal or business social media posts? If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following hashtags for August.

Photo by Boris Pavlikovsky on Pexels.com
  1. #August
  2. #August2023
  3. #August1st
  4. #GoodbyeJuly
  5. #HelloAugust
  6. #GoodbyeJulyHelloAugust
  7. #AugustSunrise
  8. #AugustSunset
  9. #1stAugustSunrise
  10. #1stAugustSunset
  11. #AugustAdventure
  12. #AugustRoadtrip
  13. #AugustTrip
  14. #AugustTravel
  15. #Travel
  16. #AugustCamping
  17. #AugustBonfire
  18. #AugustDestination
  19. #Nature
  20. #AugustPhotography
  21. #Photography
  22. #AugustVacay
  23. #Vacay
  24. #AugustVacation
  25. #Fun
  26. #Family
  27. #Friends
  28. #Love
  29. #AugustDate
  30. #AugustNightOut
  31. #AugustSquad
  32. #1stHikeofAugust
  33. #AugustHike
  34. #AugutSelfie
  35. #AugustMood
  36. #AugustVibes
  37. #AugustStyle
  38. #AugustFashion
  39. #AugustNails
  40. #AugustGoals
  41. #AugustWedding
  42. #AugustLove
  43. #AugustBirthday
  44. #BirthdayMonth
  45. #AugustBaby
  46. #AugustPhotoChallenge
  47. #AugustPhoto
  48. #BacktoSchool
  49. #EndofSummer
  50. #LastAugustSunrise
  51. #LastAugustSunset
  52. #AugustMemories
  53. #GoodbyeAugust

Have a fantastic August!

10 Low-Cost Summer Date Ideas

Are you planning a date night with your significant other but you are living on a tight budget right now? Summer is the perfect time to enjoy romantic dates without breaking the bank. If you are searching for low-cost summer date ideas, check out the following for inspiration.

Photo by Flo Maderebner on Pexels.com

1. Go on a Picnic

Pack a delicious homemade meal or grab takeout from your favorite restaurant. Then, head to your local, state, or federal park. Bring along a cozy blanket.  Enjoy the beautiful weather, the sounds of nature, and each other’s company.

2. Outdoor Movie Night

Set up a movie night in your backyard. Bring a projector, a white sheet or portable screen, and some comfy seating. Prepare your favorite movie night snacks like popcorn or nachos. Don’t forget the cold drinks. Relax and enjoy a cozy evening under the stars. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, move your movie night indoors.

3. A Day at the Beach

Spend an afternoon or entire day at the beach with your partner. Soak up the warm, summer sun, and play in the cool water. Take a romantic walk along the shore. Don’t forget to pack everything you need for the day. Bring a beach towel and sunscreen. Also, pack a picnic lunch to enjoy by the water.

4. Go for a Hike or Nature Walk

Explore the great outdoors together by going on a hike or nature walk. Find a local trail or park with beautiful scenery and enjoy the fresh air. Do your research before going on a new trail. Bring a picnic lunch with you. Enjoy an entire day outdoors.

5. Go to Your Local Farmers’ Market  

Visit a local farmers’ market. Take your time. Stroll hand in hand while exploring the fresh produce and unique products. Pick up the necessary ingredients for a homemade summer meal. Prepare your dinner together.

6. Outdoor Concerts or Community Events

Many cities and towns host free or low-cost outdoor concerts like the Music in the Park series. Other areas host a variety of food or festivals. Many of these events are free to the public during the summer months. Check out the local listings on community pages or social-media groups. Enjoy some live music or cultural performances together.

7. Bike Ride

Go for a bike ride or two together. Explore your community or find local trails for new adventures. In some areas, you can rent bicycles if you don’t have your own. Riding a bike is a great way to enjoy the summer weather while getting some exercise.

8. Go Star Gazing

Find a quiet spot away from all city lights, spread out a blanket, and spend a romantic evening under the stars. Do not forget to pack a snack and beverages. If needed, download a stargazing app to help identify constellations.

9. Just Drive

Yes, gas is a cost. But sometimes, the best date is just going on a day trip. Create a romantic playlist, pack a picnic, and head out on the road. Talk, discover new areas, and just enjoy your time together. Local, state, and federal parks are great budget-friendly destinations.

10. Volunteer

Spend a day volunteering for a local charity, pet rescue, homeless shelter, or other community projects. Volunteering is a meaningful way to bond while giving back to a worthy cause. But be warned, volunteering to walk dogs often leads to a new furry pet.

Remember, the most critical aspect of any date is the quality time not the amount of money you spend. Focus on creating a memorable experience and enjoying each other’s company over everything else.

48 Inspirational Quotes for the 4th of July

Independence Day is almost here. Are you searching for the perfect quotes to add to your Fourth of July creations or social media posts? Quotes are a great way to capture your thoughts and feelings about the holiday. If you need help finding the right one, check out the following inspirational quotes for the 4th of July.

Photo by Tairon Fernandez on Pexels.com
  1. “Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
  2. “America is a tune. It must be sung together.”- Gerald Stanley Lee
  3. “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” – Erma Bombeck
  4. “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”  – William Faulkner
  5. “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like me, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” – Thomas Paine
  6. “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”— President Harry S. Truman
  7. “People in power are trying to convince us that the villain in our American story is each other. But that is not our story. That is not who we are. That’s not our America. Our United States of America is not about us versus them. It’s about we the people!” – Camila Alves
  8. “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis
  9. “America is another name for opportunity.”— Ralph Waldo Emerson
  10. “The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.” – Michelle Obama
  11. “It will be celebrated with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” – John Adams
  12. “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.” – John Dickinson
  13. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln
  14. Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” – Benjamin Franklin
  15. “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”  – Abraham Lincoln
  16. “We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. – Robert J. McCracken
  17. “America. It is the only place where miracles not only happen but where they happen all the time.” – Thomas Wolfe
  18. “I am an American, free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.” – Theodore Roosevelt
  19. “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” – Ronald Reagan
  20. “We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless.” – Lech Walesa
  21. “I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true.” – Wendell L. Wilkie
  22. “Give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry
  23. “The United States is the only country with a known birthday.” – James G. Blaine
  24. “America is known as a country that welcomes people to its shores. All kinds of people.”  – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  25. “All we use or know — this our fathers bought for us long ago.” –  Rudyard Kipling
  26. “The red and white and starry blue is freedom’s shield and hope.” – John Philip Sousa
  27. “My favorite thing about the United States? Lots of Americans, one America.” – Val Saintsburt
  28. “It’s Fourth of July weekend, or, as I call it, Exploding Christmas.” -Stephen Colbert
  29. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
  30. “In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” — Barack Obama
  31. “So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snow capped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
  32. “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” -Gloria Steinem
  33. “I love my freedom. I love my America.” – Jessi Lane Adams
  34. “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.” –  Herbert Hoover
  35. “All people are born alike. Except Republicans and Democrats.” — Groucho Marx
  36. “Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.” — Calvin Coolidge
  37. “Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.”— Sinclair Lewis
  38. “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.” —Mark Twain
  39. “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.”— Bill Clinton
  40. ¨God Bless America, my home, sweet home.¨— Irving Berlin
  41. “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” — Alexis de Tocqueville
  42. “Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation.” — Hillary Clinton
  43. “I always have the most fun on the Fourth of July. You don’t have to exchange any gifts. You just go to the beach and watch fireworks.” — James Lafferty
  44. “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
  45. “Happy 4th of July! Drink until you see stars… and stripes!” — Unknown
  46. “True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what`s right.” – Bringham Young
  47. “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” — Ronald Reagan
  48. ¨One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore!¨— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have a great 4th of July!

31 Photo Prompts for July 2023

July is here! Are you ready to get outdoors and take more photos? If you are searching for inspiration, check out the following photo prompts for July.

Photo by Filippo Bergamaschi on Pexels.com
  1. Selfie for July
  2. Historic
  3. Celebrations
  4. Independence Day! Fireworks!
  5. Road Trip
  6. Friendship
  7. Family
  8. Mirrored
  9. Silhouette
  10. Dusk
  11. Creative
  12. Backward
  13. Water
  14. Cloud
  15. Sunset or Sunrise
  16. Trees
  17. Flowers
  18. 3 of a Kind
  19. Different
  20. Textures
  21. Pathway
  22. Secret
  23. Through a Window
  24. Time
  25. Colors
  26. Hands
  27. Fantasy Enhanced
  28. Natural
  29. Food
  30. Flowers
  31. Photographer’s Choice

Have a fantastic month!

6 Tips for Staying Healthy Over the 4th of July Weekend

Are you ready for the long weekend of BBQs, celebrations, and other patriotic-themed activities? Staying healthy during the 4th of July weekend is essential to ensure you and your loved ones enjoy all the festivities. If you are searching for tips on staying healthy over the 4th of July weekend, check out the following.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

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

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the weekend. If you are outdoors or participating in physical activities, stay vigilant about your water intake. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking too much causes dehydration.  

2. Make Healthy Food Choices

BBQs, bonfires, parties, and other gatherings often serve a wide range of food. Enjoy the delicious food options available. But do not overindulge. Try to make healthier choices over the long holiday weekend. Include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals. When possible, opt for grilled or baked foods instead of fried options.

It’s okay to indulge in your favorite 4th of July treats but try to practice moderation. Do not fill your plate with sugary desserts, or high-calorie snacks. Practice mindful eating habits over the weekend.

3. Stay Active

Engage in physical activities during the long weekend. If you are spending time with family and friends, set up times for outdoor activities. Staying active will help burn calories.

4. Use Sunscreen

When spending time outdoors, protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

  • Seek shade during peak sun hours.
  • Apply sunscreen with a high SPF. If swimming, use waterproof sunscreen.
  • Wear a hat with a brim.
  •  Use UV protection sunglasses.
  • Wear lightweight, protective clothing.

5. Follow Fireworks Safety Rules

If you plan to use fireworks, follow all safety guidelines strictly to ensure no one gets hurt during your celebrations.

  • Handle fireworks responsibly.
  • Keep a safe distance from others. When using sparklers, watch children closely.
  • Designate an adult in to be charge of fireworks.
  • Attend public firework displays conducted by professionals.
  • Be aware of dry conditions. Have water available to use in an emergency.

6. Rest and Relax

Do not forget to take some time to relax and recharge. Get enough sleep during the weekend to rejuvenate your body and mind. If needed, take a nap to be rested for late-night fireworks shows.

Remember, finding balance is the key between enjoying the festivities and taking care of your own health. Have a safe and healthy 4th of July weekend!