Hiking With Dogs, Having fun n the Outdoors with your Canine Companion!

Living an active outdoor life is something I want my children to enjoy forever. The benefits of spending time in nature have been well studied and include surprising health benefits such as improved short term memory and lower levels of inflammation. Hiking and camping are one of the easiest ways for my family to immerse ourselves in nature! If spending time outside is so healthy for humans then it stands to reason that hiking with dogs is beneficial for them as well. Hiking with Dogs, Exploring Nature with your Canine! This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one ofRead More →

The benefits of planting trees

When we first moved into our home the yard was completely barren of trees. We didn’t think too much about it at the time – we were far more interested in the size of the yard and the neighborhood in general! We moved in during the winter and honestly, spent very little time in our yard for those first few months. It wasn’t until spring rolled around and we wanted to get out an enjoy the changing seasons that we noticed the glaring lack of shade in our yard! Providing shade is probably one of the biggest benefits of planting trees in your yard butRead More →

Traveling on Keto

Summer is a time for fun but if you’re still adjusting to a new lifestyle it can bring a few challenges too! I have to say that compared to many diets I have tried in the past, Keto is by far the easiest for me to stick with both inside and outside of my home. Traveling on Keto was stressful the first few times but now I don’t even think about it. Keto is filled with so many options when it comes to eating out that it’s likely you’ll be able to find something suitable no matter where you go! That said I know itRead More →

Life is full of surprises, some of them are amazing and some of them are challenging. Becoming a Grandma is firmly in my amazing category but there are definitely a few things I’ve learned in the last few months that highlight the differences between being a parent and being a grandparent. I fully expect this journey to be a roller coaster of epic proportions! Here are just a few things I’ve learned so far! 5 Things I’ve Learned Since becoming a Grandma Baby’s are a LOT of Work You would think since I still have young kids of my own that I would have rememberedRead More →

A personalized phone case from GoCustomized

If you ask five people to name an item they can’t live without, there’s a good chance that most of them will name their phone. Even if they don’t it’s likely pretty high up on the list. As much as we might hate to admit it, our mobile phones are an important part of modern life and having a custom phone case is a small addition I really enjoy. I’m not ashamed to admit that I love my phone. My phone tracks my runs, takes the pictures for this blog, keeps me in touch with family & friends and allows me to save time andRead More →

bringing home a new puppy, German Shepherd Puppy

Adding a new puppy to your family is an exciting prospect! However, it’s not without its challenges! This is especially true if you already have pets at home. Bringing home a new puppy can be stressful on older pets, made more challenging if you have young children or time constraints and is not without its frustrations even at the best of times. How many times can you clean up accidents in the house before you get tired of it all? That said I didn’t even blink when my husband stated a desire for his own future running and hiking buddy. I remember the challenges weRead More →

reasons you might struggle financially

Many people make New Year financial resolutions and even set specific goals for the year ahead. But by May or June, most of us can’t even remember what our resolutions were or we have simply veered off track. With the year approximately half gone, are you halfway to reaching your annual financial goals? Following are a few tips for running a simple mid-year financial check-up. The good news is, whether you made New Year financial resolutions or not, you still have half a year left to reach your financial goals. Mid-Year Financial Check Up This is a guest post created by Benedetti, Gucer & Associates.Read More →

Kids books and reading

My oldest daughter loves reading! Her taste in books tends to vary but they all seem to involve animals to some degree. The desire to read might have been born from a desire to play video games but it’s quickly shifted into a love of the stories themselves. The current favorite kids books are Warrior Cats and Wings of Fire but I’m pretty positive that this series will quickly climb the list to join them. When I was offered the chance to review Tigeropolis I asked if the author would be willing to answer some questions from my daughter as well. I thought this wouldRead More →

There are moments in our lives that deserve to be captured with nothing less than a fantastic celebration. Spending these moments with friends and family is definitely the best way to celebrate. Sending out invitation cards for graduation and other family events is the first step in planning a great celebration. These cards can often set the tone for the entire event and as such have always been seen as an important part of graduation parties, first birthdays and wedding planning. Tips for Picking A Great Invitation Long gone are the days where we are limited by the choices we have in our local stores.Read More →

preparing for summer break fun

When you’re a kid summer is a time of fun and relaxation. No school and no worries! It kind of goes in the opposite direction once you become a parent! Of course, it’s fun to have our children home with us more often but it can also bring its own challenges. Especially for parents who work and families who follow a strict budget. Preparing for summer break ahead of time can mean the difference between a fun-filled summer or a couple of months of stress. Not quite sure how you’re going to manage this summer? Then these tips are for you! Preparing for Summer Break,Read More →