It’s summer vacation and if your kids are anything like mine, they are asking for a snack every five seconds. Like literally…my two eat constantly.
All. Day. Long!
I am always looking for easy snacks to make for them. Since my boys (and most other boys I know) are obsessed with poop – and the poop emoji, I made some Poop Emoji Rice Krispie Treats recently and they were a big hit!
I almost hate to jinx things, but I am just going to say it. We’ve been having some killer weather here in Boston this summer. It’s been so hot here (the way I like it) and knock on wood, we’ve had very little rain. Last year I feel like it rained for 80% of the month of July, so this nice sunny weather we’ve been having is so nice. With all the gorgeous weather, I decided that I wanted to plan a Boston staycation for my family. Sometimes it’s so fun to play tourist in your own city! I headed over to TripAdvisor because I needed help narrowing down what we should do. There is a lot to do in Boston, but since my boys aren’t always enthusiastic about doing things as they used to be (darn tweens/teens), I had to be sure to choose adventures that would keep everyone happy and entertained.
Did you know that you can book activities and experiences directly through TripAdvisor? It’s super convenient to be able to look through all the things they offer to do in the city you’re traveling to, read reviews while you’re there AND book whatever catches your eye – all in one spot. You are going to TripAdvisor to look at the reviews anyways, so why not just book your experiences while you are there on their site. Trust me, it makes life so much easier! Continue reading »
If you live in the Boston area, chances are you’ve heard of the Boston Burger Company. The BBC is well known in the area for their over-the-top burgers, gourmet fries, craft beers and their Freak Frappes. Yes, that says Freak Frappes. They also have apps, sandwiches, and salads, but it is named the Boston BURGER Company, so I think it’s pretty much against the law not to order a burger if you go there to eat. Just sayin’. They serve burgers with names such as porkasaurus, the kitchen sink and the hot mess…I mean, how can you not try one?
Christian and I had the chance to stop in to the Boston Burger Company for dinner a few weeks ago and because we are both super smart, we started with dessert. I wanted a Freak Frappe in the worst way and I was afraid if I didn’t order my frappe first, I wouldn’t have room for it at the end of my meal. Continue reading »
We’re right smack dab in the middle of summer vacation and other than “I’m bored”, the only other thing my kids are programmed to say is “I’m hungry”. They have a meal, tell me they’re full and then they are hungry again 10 minutes later. This mysterious hunger only seems to happen when they are out on school breaks, too. Weird, huh? Anyways, since my boys are literally always hungry, I make them a lot (and I do mean a lot) of snacks when they are home. These Pepperoni Pizza Bombs are a favorite in my house.
There are so many can’t miss things to do in Martha’s Vineyard. This beautiful island location is in Massachusetts just south of Cape Cod and can only access Martha’s Vineyard by boat or air. It features Gothic cottages as well as several ferry ports, depending on which end of the island you venture to. Today I am sharing 25 things to do in Martha’s Vineyard to assist you in planning your vacation itinerary.
Whenever I host a cookout, I always make some Old Fashioned Potato Salad to serve to my guests. It’s just like the potato salad that my mom used to make. Potato salad is a summer staple around our house and often times I will double the batch so that I am guaranteed to have some leftover.
If you believe in ghosts, chances are you love exploring haunted places. What follows is a short list of the most haunted places in New England. The question is this. Are you brave enough to go exploring?
The Kennebunk Inn (Kennebunk, Maine)
Originally built as a private residence, the Kennebunk Inn opened as a tavern in 1928. It is said to be haunted by Silas Perkins as well as various other apparitions. Perkins, the inn’s former auditor and watchmen, loves to play pranks on guests and employees alike. Most especially in room number 17.
Snedeker Demon House (Southington, Connecticut)
This funeral home turned private residence is the home that inspired the book (and movie) “The Haunting in Connecticut.” It’s where Ed and Lorrain Warren, both paranormal investigators, assisted the Snedeker family of ridding their ghosts in 1986. Continue reading »
Every year on July 4th, my family hosts a big cookout. We’re proud Americans and we love to celebrate the birthday our country. I love making festive foods and desserts for my cookout, but sometimes I just want something quick and easy. Especially for when the kids start nagging asking about when the food is going to be ready. These Patriotic Vanilla Frozen Pudding Pops are probably the easiest dessert treat I’ve ever made. Of course you can make them with homemade pudding in small disposable cups, but I’m lazy, so I took the easy way out.
With warmer weather comes more time spent outdoors for yard work. Getting your garden and flower beds prepped and even tackling your lawn. If you are looking for some lawn care tips to get your grass looking amazing check out these tips below. We all want the greenest and nicest grass on the block!
Early Summer Feeding
In the early summer, I recommend getting a feed for your lawn. This will give it nutrients and really help it grow better through the summer evenly. By feeding your lawn with a fertilizer it can help your grass spread and thicken up, kill out weeds and more.
Then every 8 weeks you can do another summer feeding on your lawn to keep giving it nutrients. This is very helpful if you live in a really hot area. There are many brands out there you can find to buy.
Mowing
Depending on the type of grass you have will depend on how high to set your mower blades. I suggest looking up your grass type online and see what mower blade setting is recommended. If you are unsure set your blades to a little bit taller setting. Allowing your mower blades to be set a little higher will let the grass develop deeper and stronger roots. You will mow more often but you will have a nicer looking yard. Continue reading »
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love anything that’s personalized with my kids names on it. Anything. I have all sorts of things with the boy’s names on them already – baby blankets, Christmas ornaments, plaques and a ton more that I can’t even think of right now. I just love it when something is not only beautiful, but has special meaning to it, too.
One thing has always been missing, though. A really nice piece of “mom” jewelry. You know what I’m talking about, the kind with your kids names engraved in it. I’ve been looking for that perfect piece of “mom” jewelry for years, but never really found anything that I thought would hold up to the high standards I had in my mind. Until recently.
I came across a website called Centime and I immediately fell in love. Centime is a small company started by two moms who totally get it when it comes to “mom” jewelry. Like me, they didn’t want a generic piece of jewelry that you can get just about anywhere – they wanted high quality hand crafted jewelry, so they decided to start making it themselves. And that’s how Centime was born. Continue reading »
Nothing beats a day at the beach, the cool clear water, the sun shining down, hearing the waves roll in! Spending the day at a beach is the perfect way to enjoy a nice summer day. Below are some tips and tricks for a day at the beach, to make your life a little more simple.
Make your beach day trip unforgettable, and have fun creating those amazing memories that will last a lifetime!
Leave In Conditioner: The sun and salt water can cause a lot of damage to your hair, especially if you color it. To help prevent it, apply a leave in conditioner that has a UV protectant. Do this the morning of before you head to the beach.
Baby Oil on Legs: If you have freshly shaved, slather on baby oil on your legs. Fresh salt water can sting pretty good on fresh legs. I also suggest shaving with baby oil, use it like you would shaving cream.
Mesh Laundry Bag: Pack up all your items like kid toys, towels and such in the mesh laundry bag. Will help reduce trips to the car! Then at the end of the day when your items are all sandy, just toss back in the bag and sit in the back of your trunk. It will help reduce how much sand gets in your car, and some will shake out as you carry it to the car. Continue reading »
Nantucket houses 10,000 people permanently but is a known getaway for many tourists looking to enjoy vacation with the family. Located about 16 miles from Cape Cod, this Massachusetts location brings much joy to anyone who ventures to Nantucket. Today I am sharing 25 things to do in Nantucket so that you are inspired to travel this summer and enjoy all that Nantucket has to offer.
I don’t know about you, but half of my summer is already booked up with cookout invites. We have such a short summer here in New England and no one really even needs an excuse to have one. Since we always get invited to so many, I usually like to whip up something quick and easy to bring with me. I mean, who wants to turn the oven on in the summer? Right?
This Orange Fluff Pie is not only DELICIOUS, it is really easy to make and bring with you to all your summer cookouts! It is sure to impress your friends, too!
This giveaway has now ended. Congrats to #2, NDL.
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ArtsEmerson is honored that Born for This – A New Musical will take the stage this summer for a limited engagement, June 15 – July 15 at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St, Downtown Boston. With original music and lyrics by six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning icon BeBe Winans book by Charles Randolph-Wright, BeBe Winans, and Lisa D’Amour, and direction by Charles-Randolph Wright (Motown the Musical), Born For This celebrates the incredible true story of BeBe Winans – a young man who follows his heart and finds his destiny.
About Born for This – A New Musical
Detroit teenagers BeBe and CeCe Winans experience the ultimate in culture shock when they leave the comfort and safety of their family (the already-famous Winans musical dynasty) to join Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Praise The Lord TV Network in Pineville, North Carolina. Jim and Tammy become an unlikely surrogate family as the siblings rapidly become the hottest stars in televangelical America. Eventually crossing over to mainstream fame, BeBe must learn to reconcile the temptations of stardom and fortune with the things he ultimately values more. Continue reading »
We’re having some people over for a cookout on the 4th of July and when I have people over, I like to send my guests home with a little parting gift. I just think it’s fun to have little party favors, don’t you? This year I am making some Patriotic Lip Balm for my guests. The winters here in New England can be brutally cold and everyone can use some lip balm for their dry lips. But since I made them for the 4th of July, I wanted to make them festive – so I did. I was really happy with the way they came out and I know that my guests are going to love them.
Every state has its share of weird roadside attractions. Massachusetts is no different. When you’re in the mood for the unusual, consider the following options. You’ll be glad you did!
Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast (Fall River)
In August of 1892, Fall River residents Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered in their home. Their adult daughter Lizzie was accused of the crime but was acquitted after standing trial. The house remained empty for some time after Lizzie moved away. However, it eventually became a Bed and Breakfast catering to tourists looking for a spooky travel destination.
Today, the house has been restored to reflect its appearance around the time of the gruesome murders, along with crime scene photographs on the walls of each room to show how closely everything has been refurbished.
Guests who aren’t frightened away in the night are treated to breakfast in the morning, resembling the very meal the Borden’s ate on the day of their death. Continue reading »
The 4th of July is coming up quick and whether you are heading out for a cookout with family and friends, or staying home and having one with your family – you need a dessert. A lot of prep and planning usually goes into the food for the cookout, but sometimes desserts are an after thought (well, at least in my case). If you’re planning a cookout or attending one, these Patriotic Cocoa Krispie Bars are a quick and easy dessert solution. Everyone will love them. Guaranteed.
This hook-shaped peninsula located in the state of Massachusetts has been a popular summer destination for many generations. From lighthouses to seafood shacks and the quaint villages, every family member will surely enjoy a vacation to Cape Cod. Located near Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, many travelers enjoy all three locations while in vacationing in this area. Today I’m going to share 25 things to do on Cape Cod so that you can plan your itinerary before heading out to the open sea to visit this beautiful peninsula.
Dad has received a lot of gifts for Father’s Day over the years but one of the most memorable gifts he will likely ever receive is his own personal supply of TP! My Father’s Day Poop Emoji labels are going to make a lasting impression no matter what he calls this emoji. Be it poop, that other word, or a smiling swirl of ice cream (yes, I actually know someone who thought it was chocolate ice cream) – he’s never going to forget how much this year’s Father’s Day gift made him laugh! Guaranteed!
This contest is now over. Congrats to #4 – Nicole
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After three successful years on tour boasting numerous sold out engagements, this new adaptation of the worldwide smash-hit film, currently celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage will continue to dazzle in more than 50 markets in North America, including Boston, at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre from June 13 – 17, 2018.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this timeless love story features the hit songs “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the heart-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.” London’s Sunday Express says “This crowd-pleasing stage adaptation hits the jackpot!” Continue reading »
