Family Weekend Fun with board games
Are you running out of ideas on what to do during family time? There are many ways to have fun during weekends. At home, what my husband and I do to spend time with the kids is play games with them where everyone can participate.
Your kids’ attention is likely to get diverted to their handheld gaming consoles, or playing xbox, ps3, or simply watching the television. So, the first thing to do is to turn off the TV, put away the laptop and pull out a board game that the entire family can play. The kids may object at first but they will eventually change their moods soon as they realize how fun playing boardgames is. Family board games have provided hours of entertainment for generations and will continue to do so for many more generations to come. Simple, classic, and fun family activity.
During weekends, we usually reserve it for our family game night. We fix a light dinner, clean up and then we pull out the games. It is constantly a night loaded with a fun — without spending, except when we want to eat some tasty treats. Everyone in the family looks forward to our game night every weekend, which has become a part of our family tradition.
Whether you’re searching for a different family favorite game or activity, playing family board game is definitely one of the best family fun past times ever.
Category: Home, Living, and Family, Parenting, Marriage and Relationships
Tags: board games > family board game
Growing herbs in pots
Growing herbs in pots is just among a lot of other alternatives available to a natural herbaceous plant enthusiast. An interior herbaceous plant garden involves a lot of work but growing herbs in pots requires simple and easy care and generally involve less maintenance than herbaceous plant gardens grown outdoors. An ornamental hanging basket or window plant box may also be an attracting add-on to your interior surrounds. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects involved with growing potted herbs.
Potted plants, or every plant for that case, require 3 basic components to flourish – controlled sunlight, good soil, and an adequate water supply. New-sprung herbaceous plant gardens are no exclusion. Proper placement and regular care will see to it that your plants thrive and produce on a regular basis. The amount and variety of the herbaceous plant you produce will determine how they ought to be lighted.
Where would you place potted herbaceous plant to provide the most adept sunshine? Obtain a room with a window that fronts south or west. This direction yield the most favourable light. Some make use supplementary light source like fluorescent lamps that provide more consistent, even out lighting for plants in pots . These lights do work well in sequestered, temperature-controlled areas, if there’s interior place to arrange them up in good order.
In conditions of soil quality and chemistry, new herb gardens flourish in soil that Is not excessively fertile and has got enough drainage. This is attained by compounding sterilized potting soil with a mixture of perlite and coarse sand, in a 2:1 ratio. There should also be a base quantity of gravel in the bed of each pot to allow water to run out easily from the soil.
Adding up a small quantity of lime to potting soil likewise aids equilibrate the pH level for best growing conditions. A teaspoonful of lime in a 5-inch pot is a practiced rule of thumb.
How you water your herb plants also makes a difference in how good they thrive. Some individuals use a spray bottle to mist the leaves of herbs and keep the surface soil damp without drowning the soil with water. This helps prevent over-watering the plant or drenching the roots of the plant with excessive amount of water. Look At how water is distributed to herbs in outdoor gardens through rainfall.
Growing herbs in pots indoors also gives you the chance to move perennials outdoors in the summer, while holding the more delicate yearlies mostly inside. With but a few exceptions, as in the case of herbs like tarragon, chive, and mint, all of which can endure an early mild frost, most herbs should be brought indoors before the first frost in wintertime.
Some herbaceous plants do well in pots or containers than others, and the variety you choose to grow will determine the strategy you use to bring the best outcomes. Some of the more popular options for container herbs are things like pot marjoram, lemon balm, chamomile, sweet basil, oregano, and rosemary. Mint can be a little tricky, since it tends to dominate the soil and reproduces quickly. In these cases, a little extra maintenance may be necessary to isolate certain plants and keep your containers under control.
With appropriate pruning and regular maintenance, growing herbs in pots returns great results. Several trial and error is necessary to determine the best techniques, and most herbs do best when they are repotted and harvested on a regular basis. Herb gardening is a rewarding experience that provides fresh ingredients for your favorite meals and provides a long-lasting hobby for years to come.
Passport Renewal and Travel Plans
I plan to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs to have my passport renewed. It is already due for renewal. It’s just the right time because the new passports are already being released by the said department. The whole family is planning to travel abroad again for a vacation, but I guess we will have to wait for my other son’s exam to finish, and for my youngest daughter to finish all her projects and exams at school.
We want to get out of the country before my eldest daughter starts working. Now, that my husband is with us and is self-employed, we have more chance to go out, but it would still be different if we will get to have a getaway in a far place even just for a week or so. We’re planning to go to either Thailand or Macau, but the first option is Thailand, because a family friend is inviting us over. Their whole family is already there, and we would probably go to Singapore afterward before going back home.
I hope all our travel plans will be carried out, but for now, I hope that my two younger kids will do good in their exams so there will be more reasons to celebrate. My brother-in-law has been convincing me and my husband to visit them in the US too and even said they will buy us Las Vegas Show Tickets, so we can enjoy watching artists performing live in Vegas. That would be really amazing, but for now, I will have to wait until all is settled with the kids.
Coping With Boredom
What do you do when boredom strikes? I have my own ways of coping with boredom. When I have nothing to do, I think of happy timesand the blessings that God has showered me and my family. Often, I stay at home or inside the room and play or listen to sweet music. Music uplifts the soul. Every strum on the guitar strings, or running my fingers on the black and white piano keys, gives me that sense of freedom.
I don’t know, I don’t really get to have those super dull moments. When things and time seems to be going really slow, I savor every moment I experience them, because for me, it is more like an opportunity to relax and be stress free.
Sometimes, I work on the kids’ scrapbook, or spend time reading a good book. Sometimes I write on my diary, all the great things that happened to me and family. At the end of the day, I realize that God give us time to stop, think, then relax and meditate.
How To Maintain Your Oven Toasters and Toasters
Wise Mom Tips for the day is about “How To Maintain Your Oven Toasters and Toasters” and How to keep them looking and working like new.You just need to follow simple steps, to make sure that your toaster appliances are in good condition and to prevent them from getting worned out.
When it comes to your toasters and oven toasters, always remove the crumbs after each use. Do this after the toaster has cooled down. For stuck-on remnants, use dusting brush to loosen the crumbs and then shake them out. Wash rack with soap and water.
Occasionally wipe the tray with damp cloth. Keep an eye on the on the toaster’s cord and plug especially when the toaster is more than a few years old. Run it through an empty toast cycle three times. If the plug and cord are hot, it’s a sign that it is about time that you replace them.
Last but not the least, use oven toaster only to warm food, bake small items as potatoes, or cook frozen dinners. Don’t use it as a conventional oven.
Tropical Island Vacation
Aside from a fancy date with my husband after watching Las Vegas Shows, a Tropical Island Vacation would be the best getaway for a homemaker like me. I miss the great island where I spent a few years of my life at, and it would be great if I could go there even just for a short vacation. A few days, just to relax and be away from all the stress and worries, and get away from the city life.
My Aunt Lolita has been inviting us over, and I have been wanting to visit her place for such a long time. If not for so many hassles, me and my whole family could’ve spend a few days vacation at their place last summer. But I doubt it that there would be enough room for us, since her kids together with their wives and husbands as well as their kids went there for a vacation. I have other relatives both in my dad and mom’s side there, but I prefer her place because of the white sand beach and the cold spring nearby.
Just awhile ago, my daughter suggested that perhaps me and my husband should take some time off, and have a vacation right now. But I am still having second thoughts because of the constantly changing weather, and the typhoons coming. My husband has also been encouraging me to go on a trip to any tropical island vacation spot anywhere in the country. Maybe he also want to relax and take some time to enjoy the beach, since it’s been awhile since we went away for a vacation.
Tips On Making New Dishes From Leftovers
There are times when we cannot avoid having leftovers. When a member of the family fails to come home at mealtime or when the family decides to eat out during untimely occasions when food had been prepared at home, food may be left over for the next meal. To throw away the food is a waste. But what can you do with that?
You can do something with mashed or sieved vegetables. You can turn them into soups, croquettes, or fritters. Starchy vegetables such as legumes and cereals as well as paste foods like macaroni and noodles lend themselves to such dishes as loaves, dumplings, or roast. Some good amount of baked beans might be converted into a fragrant brown roast with tomato sauce or any favorite sauce for topping. Add cooked macaroni to chopped peanuts and you have a delicious stuffing for peppers or cabbage.
Leftover cakes might be combined and used as topping for fruit salad or base for pudding and may be mixed with dry cereal like granola. Two-day old fruit pie can be heated and then broken into pieces topped with a mixture of fruits and nuts and served with whole milk. If you have ice cream which is losing its form and looks? Whisk it lightly and add milk; you’ll have a nourishing, frothy “milk shake.”
Seasoning is important in making new dishes from leftovers. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the new herbs and seasonings. Recognize the value of garnishes. Accompaniments play their part in making leftovers attractive. If you do the right thing with leftover foods, you need not apologize for them.
Preparing Your Child To Eat Solid Food
When your child is prepared to eat solid food, it’s very exciting because you feel like your child progresses to a new stage. This is the point however that we start to have dilemma on what food is safe when it comes to feeding babies that often, most especially first time parents, get a little nervous. This is also the time when we start buying ready to eat baby food and also plan on cooking homemade baby food to save from buying expensive readily prepared food.
Actually, preparing baby food is very simple compared to preparing food for the entire family. There is no need to have ample of ingredients or any special cooking equipments. You often only need a blender, osterizer, or any food processor. You only need basic foods that will provide the baby with their basic recommended dietary allowance. And although the baby is ready to eat solid foods, breastfeeding should be continued.
Usually, pediatricians advice children had better reach 4 and 6 months prior to beginning to feed them with solids. Rice food grain and cereal are often chosen by parents as first solid food to feed their babies. although others prepare wheat cereal, rice cereal is cheaper and readily available. Most babies are also able to tolerate it. If it is your first time feeding your baby with solid food, always ask your baby doctor first.
It is always most effective to feed your baby with one new food at a time, this is best practiced to determine whether your child has an allergic reaction to certain foods. This way, it will make it easier to determine which exact food has caused the allergic reaction.
Category: Family and Kids Health, Parenting, Marriage and Relationships
Tags: Preparing Your Child To Eat Solid Food
Wise Mom Tips on Breastfeeding
The best food that can provide your baby is your own milk. It helps in strengthening their immune system and keep them away from diseases. No commercially processed baby food or milk can match the nutrition your breast milk can provide. More moms are opting to breastfeed their babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics advocates at least twelve months of breast feeding, but there are moms who often find this job hard, most especially when things starts to become a discomfort. A mom should be prepared to do breastfeeding, this means that even during pregnancy one can consult a lactation expert so you will have an idea on what to do.And if ever you are already breastfeeding your baby and is experiencing problems, better consult the doctor immediately to receive an advice.
If there’s one thing to keep in mind that is to nurse early and as often as your baby needs to be breastfed. Frequent breastfeeding in the early months serves a lot in making sure that your baby gets the necessary nutrition. Also learn proper positioning when breastfeeding to avoid discomfort for yourself and your baby. Get cozy by using pillows that you can place behind your back while leaning against a chair or wall, and also use pillows where you can place on your thighs to support your baby, it will also help lift up your baby so you do not need to lean over and hunch your shoulders. The best and most advised position is to keep baby facing you, with his tummy against your tummy.
Try to avoid introducing a pacifier during his early months or bottlefeed your baby early. Some babies are able to switch back and forth from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding easily, but there are some who find it hard to adjust therefore refuse either of the two when switching. It is also important for a mother to learn and be comfortable to bottle-feed in public because babies often get hungry and you will have to feed them wherever you may be and whatever you are doing, even if you are outside shopping for groceries, or traveling. Having a baby sling carrier and wearing a nursing bra will help a lot ion making breastfeeding in public easier.
Category: Family and Kids Health, Pregnancy and Motherhood
Tags: breastfeeding > importance of breastfeeding > Wise Mom Tips on Breastfeeding
Wise Mom Recipe for the day – Icecream Cake
Wise Mom Recipe for the day is one of the all time summer favorite treats, the icecream cake! Your kids will definitely love it, and it is so quick and easy to prepare even if you don’t have ample time. Preparation time usually takes about fifteen minutes and will be ready to eat in approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes. This recipe will make up to 14 servings.
You will need to have the following ingredients:
- 24 Oreo Cookies2 cups
- (1/2 of 1-L container) strawberry ice cream, softened
- 2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping, divided
- 2 cups (1/2 of 1-L container) chocolate ice cream, softened
- 2 Tbsp. chocolate fudge sauce
To prepare, line a 9-inch preferably round shaped pan) with a plastic wrap. Then place 14 whole cookies on the side of the round shaped pan. Crush cookies finely and then use the crushed cookie crumbs as crust. Set aside some of the cookie crumbs for alternate layer purposes. Spread the strawberry ice cream on top of the cookie crumbs crust then top with 1 cup of Cool Whip Whipped Topping and reserve the rest of the whip cream for final toppings after freezing. Top with the remaining cookie crumbs then use chocolate ice cream for the top layer.
You just need to freeze the cake for about 4 hours or overnight. To remove the icecream cake from the pan, simply lift the plastic wrap and carefully peel it off from the frozen cake. Let stand for about 10 minutes. fAnd for the final touches, top with remaining 1 cup whipped topping and drizzle with chocolate sauce. You may also top with fresh strawberries before serving.
Try this recipe at home, I’m sure your whole family will love and enjoy it!
Category: Healthy Cooking With Wise Mom
Tags: icecream cake > Recipe for the day > Wise Mom Recipe