Tag Archives: quality time

Jul17

Treat Day Ideas

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Treat Day Ideas

Hello!!! Johnny and I take our roles as the “fun aunt and uncle” extremely seriously. We simply adore our nieces and nephew and consider it our job to spoil them as we don’t want children of our own. Being an aunt and uncle is awesome because we get to unleash our inner child for a few hours and then give the kiddos back to their parents! A shining example of this is “Treat Day”, which is when we pick up our oldest niece, grab some lunch, and go on a fun adventure. In fact, we just had one this past weekend at Urban Air (An indoor trampoline park). Treat Days are a fantastic way to get quality time with our littles and here are some ideas for places to go that your kiddos or nieces and nephews will love:

Trampoline Parks:

Our niece wanted to go to Urban Air for her outing with us this weekend and as it was Treat Day, we happily obliged. I haven’t been to a trampoline park since I was a teenager and it was just as much fun for Johnny and I as it was to our niece. We had an absolute blast exploring all of the different attractions that Urban Air had to offer. There was a gigantic ball pit, trampolines to bounce on, games, playgrounds and so much more. It was honestly exhausting lol but one thousand percent worth it. And, as a bonus, there is a one thousand percent chance your little will be ready for a nap afterwards – we sure were!

Museums:

There are several really cool museums in my neck of the woods as I’m sure is pretty similar for my dear readers. One of the best for kiddos in the 330 is the Akron Children’s Museum. It is an educational setting, but all of the exhibits are so entertaining and hands on that it feels more like play time than learning. This museum features stations for dress up, music, architecture, water, archaeology, engineering, and that’s just naming a few. I have easily spent an entire afternoon there with my nieces before! Museums or libraries are the tops if you still want to have an exciting day out and the weather isn’t cooperating. Your local libraries will also more than likely have free classes, programs, and events for kids too.

Zoo:

Who doesn’t love a trip to the zoo? I am actually eagerly awaiting this coming weekend for an evening at the Cleveland Zoo with my whole family for an Asian Lantern Festival! The zoo (Or aquarium on a rainy day!) is such an interactive location and has something for everyone. Every exhibit is an opportunity for your littles to learn and appreciate something new, but it will feel like an adventure. Be sure to check the events guide for your zoo visit as many of them offer times to feed the animals, attend talks given by zookeepers, and see shows. It also goes without saying that Dippin’ Dots are a complete must! 😀

Out & About:

The very first Treat Day we had with our niece was going to get Mexican food for lunch, shopping at Target so she could pick out a new toy, and going to the park. It is one of my favorite memories and just goes to show that Treat Days can be as big or as low key as you want to make it. Regardless of what you do, your little will feel special from that bonding time. Johnny and I still talk about the OG Treat Day often because our niece said SO many funny things that we like to quote. The day also ended on the most adorable note because the last thing little lady wanted to do was have her uncle set up her new Blue’s Clues playhouse for her. ❤

Back to school will be here before we know it. Make the most of sweet summertime with your kiddos by penciling in a Treat Day or two!

Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle growing up? What is your favorite museum in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun6

Manis With Mom

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Manis With Mom

Hello!! There are three places that I find shelter from the storm: Elysian Nails, the Shear Shop, and TJMaxx. They are my happy places and I recommend my two favorite salons to literally everyone in my local area – including my mom! After a delightful outing at Elysian Nails for pedicures for my mom’s birthday, she told me she had a hankering for a manicure a few weeks later. That could be very easily arranged and I set her up with my go to girl for a gel mani as a belated Mother’s Day gift. It was a wonderful time and had me even more eager for my fill appointment a few days later!

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I used to frequent a couple nail salons before falling in love with Elysian Nails. Don’t get me wrong, every tech I have been to at other salons are very good. There’s just something about Elysian that hits different, though. The salon is gorgeous and feels so high end, the prices are phenomenal, and I have never had a bad appointment there. That is why I recommend it so highly – because I know everyone who goes is going to have the ultimate pampering experience. My mom definitely did and we were both so impressed with the results.

I have never had an actual manicure at Elysian because of my beloved acrylics. Of course, I had some idea of the process, but it was so much more than both my mom and I expected. My tech is an absolute expert at shaping nails, real or fake. By the time she was done trimming my mom’s cuticles and nails, they were unrecognizable from when she started. They had way more length and looked stronger and healthier too. After snipping and clipping, a lovely light rose gel polish was applied. But wait, there was more! Once the polish was set, a hand massage and hot towel was next to wrap up the appointment. It was the perfect touch to complete the pampering and I loved being able to spoil my mom!

My mom’s nails turned out spectacular and I could tell she enjoyed every minute of her appointment. I can’t wait to go back to the salon together for more mother/daughter pampering in our happy place!

What did you do for Mother’s Day? Do you prefer regular or gel polish? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May15

Mother’s Day Weekend (The Best!)

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Mother’s Day Weekend (The Best!)

Howdy!! I don’t know about all of you, but I had an absolutely joyous (albeit exhausting) Mother’s Day Weekend. My brother, his wife, and my precious niece and nephew flew in from Georgia and it was the first time we have all been together since Christmas. While my brother was in town, my parents and Johnny and I were also giving a hand to my sister and brother-in-law by watching our other two darling nieces so they could enjoy a much deserved weekend trip. Needless to say, we had a very full house but it was nowhere near as full as my heart!

Over the weekend, we got to spend so much quality time with my family and it was very special. I loved being able to play, play, play with my nieces and nephew, our big dinner out on Friday for Mexican food, and a slumber party with Val Gal afterwards. Then, Johnny and I returned back to chez parents on Saturday for some extra time with everyone before my brother and his family went home. Johnny and I were completely tuckered out by the time we returned to our apartment and spent all day Sunday not moving lol.

Although Johnny and I are very firm on not having children, this weekend honestly felt like a Mother’s Day celebration for me too. My husband and I take the role of fun aunt and uncle extremely seriously and we love our nieces and nephew as if they were our own kids. Being together with all of them was, truly, the greatest gift in the world. I mean, I know I was living my best life all weekend so I can’t even imagine how incredibly happy my mom felt! ❤

As a bunny mom, I was expecting nothing for Mother’s Day and that was so perfectly fine. I was already feeling all of the Christmas Day vibes and it doesn’t get better than that. However, Johnny made sure I got a little something from our sweet Melvin and Penelope. Check it out:

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Before we went to our family dinner on Friday, Johnny was bent down at the bunny hutch saying goodbye. When he stood up, he told me he found something for me in the cage and handed me the most adorable card from my bunny children and himself. Like I said, I wanted and expected nothing and I was tickled by this surprise. As always, I have the best husband ever and it felt so good to know that he and the bunnies both appreciate the highest level of care that I give them. It was a very happy Mother’s Day Weekend, indeed. 🙂

Being with my whole family over the weekend was like a cure all and I treasured every minute of it. I can’t wait for the next time we are altogether again!

How did you celebrate Mother’s Day? Do you get together with your whole family often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May17

May Flowers

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May Flowers

Hello! This past week when I got to my parents’ house after work, I found my dad in the backyard preparing his raised planters for spring flowers. It was a gorgeous day outside and it was going to rain that night, making for the perfect conditions to plant. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bask in the sunshine and spend some quality time with my dad and even though I was dog tired, I offered my assistance which he happily accepted. We spent a glorious hour or so together creating beauty and I am so pleased with our handiwork. Check it out:

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Ever since I can remember, my dad has been an avid gardener and all spring, summer, and fall long you can catch him outside tending to the yard. During the warm months, we enjoy the bounty of his vegetable garden and the bouquets he makes weekly for my mom. Not only does he have two green thumbs, but he is also a very gifted flower arranger and his bouquets are stunning. Last year, his veggie garden went into overdrive with hauls so big we simply didn’t know what to do with everything. So, he decided flowers were the way to go this summer since all of our lives are crazy at this current juncture.

When I was younger, I loved to help in the garden and as I grew up, I tried to help as much as I could with planting and upkeep. It had been a while since I gardened and I forgot how much fun it was! Seriously, all of it was a blast from donning ridiculous gardening gloves, handling the delicate flowers, and cleaning up the dirt that got on us with the garden hose. And, of course, doing it all side by side with my dad. For the past few months, the time we have spent together is almost always driving to the Cleveland Clinic, so it was SO awesome to be able to do something with him for the joy of it.

Our garden day was the first time I had spent a considerable amount of time outside in so long. It only recently got nice out in Ohio and the previous weather had been absolute garbage. Being outside, soaking up the sun, and making something grow was just what I needed. Once we returned inside, I wanted to go back out again to plant more and I found myself thinking that I would like more house plants when I got to my apartment. I might just have a green thumb yet!

My dad has now started to plan his garden projects with my help in mind and I am more than up for the task. In fact, we will be planting flower seeds later this week. I can’t wait! 🙂

What is your favorite outdoor activity? What do you and your parents do to spend quality time together? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar20

Watercolor Flowers

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Watercolor Flowers

Hello! My mom, sister, and I learned the joys of watercolor painting after taking a class together last July. It was so much fun and it inspired my mom and I to take it up as a hobby. I even treated all of us to an at home class last month as an early birthday gift for my mom! During our at home class, our wonderful teacher conducted a painting session on roses and I am so proud of my mom for her dedication to practicing watercolor in her downtime. This past week, I was finally able to paint with her during a visit and decided to see what I could remember of painting roses. I also tried my hand at pansies! Check it out:

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I like to fancy myself as a creative person in terms of writing, fashion, and figure skating. However, I have never considered myself an artistic person until trying watercolor painting; I can barely draw a stick figure! Quitting my day job for a career in painting is not in my future, but I feel proud of myself whenever I paint anything and it doesn’t turn out awful. At the end of the day, I am trying something new and enjoying myself and that’s the most important thing.

A month had gone by since learning how to paint roses and while I definitely need a refresher, I felt pretty good about the two I made on the first page. The red one is my favorite! In fact, I was having so much fun painting with my mom that I wanted to try something completely new: Pansies. Pansies are one of my favorite flowers and they always remind me of my grandma, who would tend to beautiful window boxes filled with them. The variety of colors and delicate petals speak to me and I know that spring has officially sprung when I start to see them at stores!

To start, I tried to paint a pansy from memory and that didn’t go too hot. A reference picture was a must and I found some great drawings of pansies that were most helpful for my next attempts. Although none of the paintings I tried on the second page look perfectly pansy, I could kind of see it. I also felt like I got a decent grasp on what must be done to improve for next time and that’s good enough for me! I am especially pleased with the one in the top right as well as the flower directly below it. While I love taking watercolor classes, it was an extra feather in my cap to try something brand new all by myself!

I can’t wait to paint again with my mom and am looking forward to giving pansies another go. Practice makes perfect, amiright?!

What is your favorite medium of art to work with? In what ways are you creative or artistic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

Feb16

At Home Watercolor Painting Class

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At Home Watercolor Painting Class

Hey!! Way back in July of last year, I took a watercolor painting class with my mom and sister and it was so much fun. It was a blast to spend time together learning something new and we had a great teacher – the amazing Ana of Falcon Grove Studio. After a long and highly stressful handful of months, I decided that we could all use a treat. So, I had Ana come to the family home to teach a watercolor masterclass to my mom, Kristen, Val Gal, and me. We passed a wonderful afternoon getting back in touch with our creative sides as Ana guided us through some Valentine’s Day projects. Take a look at mine:

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For our class, we worked on painting roses which used a lot of techniques that were new to us. It has been a long while since I painted watercolor because the shit had hit the fan and I was definitely rusty, as you can see. BUT it was still really fun and it was cool to have the class from the kitchen table! Ana is such a knowledgeable, patient, and kind teacher and it was special to have her do a class just for us. Our roses might not have turned out the best, but everything was coming up roses all afternoon as we painted.

After finally painting watercolor again, my mom and I remembered why we enjoyed it so much in the first place. We are both looking forward to retrying our hand at the roses this week when I bring my supplies over during an afternoon off. I think it’s safe to say that we have a lot of room for improvement and it’s nice to feel motivated to give watercolor another go now that things have settled down a bit. Ana gave us the know how for watercolor roses and my goal is to make a painting of a bouquet after more practice. 😀

I am so happy that all of my best girls were able to participate in the watercolor class and it was the perfect Galentine’s Day/prebirthday celebration for my mom get together. Hopefully I will have a lot more watercolor paintings to share with all of you soon!

Have you ever taken an art class before? What makes a good teacher? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb7

Chocolate Making Fun

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Chocolate Making Fun

Hello!! Last Thursday, I spent what felt like my first free-ish afternoon in forever making homemade chocolate with my mother-in-law. It was SO much fun! Johnny’s mom is amazing at making chocolate and used to have her own small candy business with a friend. We made Christmas chocolates together a few years ago and had plans to do the same this past holiday season. Unfortunately, both of Johnny’s parents came down with a nasty bout of the flu so we opted for Valentine’s Day candy, instead. Take a look at some of my chocolate creations:

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When I got to my in-laws after a short shift, Johnny’s mom had all of our supplies ready to go. The chocolate wafers were melting, paintbrushes of every size were procured, and a crazy amount of V-Day molds were in place to make confectionery magic. It had been a while since I tried my hand at making chocolate and, I admit, I was a bit nervous that I had lost my touch. However, I forgot just how easy making chocolate actually is and quickly picked up where we left off the last time.

To start, I decided to make some lollipops while my MIL made salted caramel hearts filled with caramel that I can’t freaking wait to try!! I began with the smaller molds that had the “Love” and heart details. I painted in the small parts of the mold with a tiny brush and colored chocolate, then let it harden in the fridge for a minute or two. Afterwards, all that was left was to add the stick, fill the remainder of the mold with melted chocolate, and stick it back in the fridge. And voila! Once it hardens, you have a handmade chocolate sucker. 😀

I had so much fun with the lollies that I wanted to make more and did the big hearts with roses next. Then, Johnny’s mom suggested that I make the chocolate boxes so we could fill them with little chocolate hearts. While I painted the lids, my MIL made tons of itty bitty hearts to make what I think of as a chocolate treasure chest. I am so excited to give my niece one for a Valentine’s Day surprise!

Although I had free time that afternoon, I was still on a bit of a time crunch and we concluded our time together by making pretzel rods. This was pretty tedious because the molds were quite intricate and required a lot of painting. I just know they are going to turn out adorable, though, with painted on white, light pink, hot pink, and red hearts. I love everything about making chocolate but I can live without waiting until seeing the end result lol.

I had such a blast with my mother-in-law and we already have our sights set on an Easter candy making session. I am even bringing my niece, Val Gal, to join in and I am so looking forward to it! ❤

Have you ever made chocolate before? What is your favorite kind of candy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug15

Homemade Salsa Recipe

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Homemade Salsa Recipe

Hello! My dad’s magnificent garden has been providing an endless supply of tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers, and herbs. I tried to ease the burden of putting a dent in his harvest by making some spaghetti sauce. It turned out a bit lackluster but at least I used eight tomatoes with it lol! This past week, my dad and I made salsa together and came up with our own recipe. It turned out great! Check it out:

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Our Recipe:

  • 22 small to medium tomatoes
  • 1/2 of a red onion, finely chopped
  • 3/4 of a green pepper, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves pressed garlic
  • 2 cubanelle peppers, finely chopped
  • Very small pieces of serrano pepper – *Warning* they are very hot
  • Juice from 1 lime
  • Several sprigs of cilantro
  • Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

I had an absolute blast making this salsa with my dad! I couldn’t tell you the last time we collaborated in the kitchen and it was so much fun to make salsa magic together. The day before we made our concoction, my dad scoured different recipes but we decided to just wing it and see what happens. We delegated different tasks to each other, taste tested along the way, and ended up being really happy with what we came up with.

Salsa is a cool thing to make because you can adjust it as you go to your liking. Whether you want more heat, extra onions, or super garlicky is your prerogative. My dad and I agreed on something more mild after tasting the extreme heat of the serrano peppers from his garden. This was an excellent call because not only was my mouth on fire but my hands burned until the evening just from chopping them. Not to mention the suffering I experienced when I had to take my contacts out. Ouch!!

Minus the serrano incident, I couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon with my dad. We definitely plan on making our salsa again and I hope that all of you enjoy the recipe too!

Do you like to follow recipes or wing it? What do you have growing in your garden? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug13

Ways To Help Out A Loved One In Need

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Ways To Help Out A Loved One In Need

Hello!! This past week has been an awful, stressful time for yours truly. And, let’s be honest, these past couple of years have been an awful, stressful time for everyone. COVID, losing your job, and inflation are enough to make anyone go crazy! In times like these, we all could use a helping hand and these are some of the things that I have been implementing in my own family over the past week and change:

Cook A Meal:

When a crisis arises, one of the last things that people think about is having a home cooked meal. There’s nothing wrong with takeout or fast food but nothing hits quite as much as a meal made with love! Someone struggling could really use a good meal so why not bring one over? You could provide all of the fixings for a spaghetti dinner, tacos, or any of their favorite dishes. A meal that has plenty of leftovers is also one that will be much appreciated.

Clean Up:

Another thing that falls by the wayside during difficult times is housework. We all know that a cluttered and unclean environment can make things even more stressful and it is so easy for all of the household chores to start piling up. You don’t have to give a Merry Maids level clean but doing the dishes, taking out the trash, or the dreaded cleaning of the bathrooms will give the person you’re helping one less thing to think about.

Pet Care:

Pets definitely know when something is up because it effects them too. Something as simple as taking the dog for a long walk, playing with the cats, or cleaning cages can be a huge help. You can also keep an eye on their supply of food and replenish it as needed so they will never go without.

Spend Some Time:

Someone going through a lot will surely benefit from just having you as company. You could lend your ear, be a shoulder to cry on, or simply be around and not talk at all. Things like watching a funny show, doing a puzzle, or playing a game can provide some much needed relief when their focus is shifted to something else for a bit.

From big gestures to small, all of it will be so very appreciated. Please keep my family in your thoughts. ❤

How do you provide a helping hand? What helps you to feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun30

3 Best Dog Gift Ideas You May Have Not Considered

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3 Best Dog Gift Ideas You May Have Not Considered

A dog is a man’s best friend; its loyalty and intelligence when interacting with humans are pretty advanced. Caring for a dog is one of the most straightforward yet complex tasks every owner has to go through. You need to identify how you can train your dog to respond to your commands and requests to ease your worries.

It takes time to mesh your personalities together and trust each other in the do-owner relationship. However, once you are in sync with each other, there are many activities which you can enjoy with your dog. Notably, these pet relationships usually have many health benefits to the owner. The mental, physical, and emotional health significantly improves due to the dog and the owner’s numerous activities.

If you are thinking of gifting your dog, here are three ideas to consider:

Personalized Collars:

Even though collars are usually the first thought on every dog owner’s mind, you can personalize and make them unique for your pet. Look into the design and print or emboss your favorite memory with your dog; it can be a picture or a place that you both enjoy. Most people usually prefer having their dog’s name for identification and their signature style. However, you can diversify and have numerous symbolic writings or drawings to make it more memorable.

Some people have also taken a step further by getting waterproof shock collars which are electronic but can still function properly while underwater. These collars also come in handy while training the dogs or, at worst, restraining the dog in extreme situations. It is a good gift as it provides identification, connection, and enhances communication with you.

Dog Sofa:

Getting a dog sofa or a dog bed is a brilliant idea. Many types of dog beds and sofas enhance the comfort of the dog while resting or relaxing. Some bed designs can heat the mattress to provide more warmth for the dog during cold days or nights. It is a thoughtful gift as you will ease the dog’s worries during these periods. You can also purchase a matching blanket for the sofa or the bed.

If you are thinking of gifting your dog with a new bed this holiday season, then look no further than Bobby Bed. They have lots of wonderful orthopedic options for your older pups as well as calming beds to sooth restless puppies to sleep. We all deserve a good night’s sleep (and a nap or two during the day) and your doggos are no exception!

A Trip to Their Favorite Park/Place:

Dogs always yearn to connect with their owners through spending time and doing their favorite activities. Doing what makes your dog happy can be a simple but expensive gift you will give your dog – the gift of time. It will be a special moment with your dog. It will mean a lot to them because of the understanding and connection that you have with each other. You can also include activities like playing games while giving them their favorite treats.

Gifting your dog can seem like a waste of time for all who cannot understand and perceive your connection with your pet. However, you have to gift according to your love and understanding of the dog. Be keen on the dog’s likes and preferences, and you will hit the jackpot with these three ideas.

Featured Image By: Pexels