My House Smells Like Vacation

This month my family headed to Florida's Universal Studios and stayed at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando. 

Not only was the hotel gorgeous and we will be booking again for our next trip in a few months but the smell was unlike anything I have ever smelled. On my second day I ran into the gift shop to see if I could buy the scent. They must have a candle, oil or something I thought. NOPE but the woman at the counter told me the scent is Bright Sunshine and where to buy it. She said everyone asks SOOOO as soon as I got home I ordered some wax melts for my Christmas stocking and the whole family is obsessed. It is honestly amazing. It smells like I'm at the hotel every time I smell it. It does something to my body and instantly puts me in vacation mode. 

To Order your own check out

Shop Holiday Deals Now!

They have many scents to choose from as well as scent machines that will make the entire house smell like "your" favorite scent. We are buying one for ourselves on our next paycheck.

 

Holiday Table Scraps to Avoid for Pets

 

The holidays mean lots of leftover food, and while it may be tempting to enlist your pet to help finish it off – many of the festive foods we so much enjoy are, in fact, hazardous to pets. Dr. Jo Myers, practicing DVM on Vetster, shares these top foods to avoid:

 

Fat trimmings and bones

 

Eating too much of anything rich, fatty, or unusual — cooked or raw — can cause intestinal issues and stomach upset. Dogs are at especially high risk for a life-threatening bout of pancreatitis when they overindulge in a fatty meal. As for bones? They aren’t toxic, but they do present some hazards. Dogs and cats can nibble large, sharp, or oblong pieces of a bone that can get lodged in their esophagus or elsewhere along the digestive tract. These indigestible chunks can cause intestinal blockages which are fatal without treatment.

 

Raw or uncooked meat

 

Raw or uncooked meat can be bad for pets, just like it is for people. Raw meat can carry food-borne illnesses such as salmonella and E. coli. So make sure you wash your hands after stuffing that turkey. A pet that’s consumed raw-meat residue can disrupt a dinner in a hurry.

 

Onions, garlic, leeks, scallions

 

Pets shouldn’t eat onions, leeks, scallions, or garlic. These vegetables damage red blood cells, and eating enough of them can lead to hemolytic anemia. The effects of this condition are not always immediately evident, and can include lethargy, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, pale gums, and jaundice. Keep concentrated sources of onions and garlic out of reach from your feline friends.

 

Chocolate and other sources of caffeine

 

Chocolate contains the methylxanthines theobromine and caffeine, both of which are potentially toxic to pets when consumed in significantly large amounts. Chocolate toxicosis symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, and seizures. 

 

Milk, cheese, and other dairy products

 

Adult dogs and cats, like most mammals, are lactose intolerant.  Once weaned, the consumption of a large amount of dairy products can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. So you’ll have to share your eggnog with someone else.

 

Alcohol 

 

While we’re on the topic of eggnog, pets need to steer clear of holiday cocktails as well. Alcohol affects pets the same way as it does humans, but keep in mind dogs and cats don't weigh as much. Dogs and cats that have been exposed to alcohol may act like they’re drunk, and higher doses lead to alcohol poisoning. Symptoms include: vomiting, trouble walking, disorientation, lethargy, loss of vision, seizures, slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases sudden death. 

 

Bread dough with yeast

 

Uncooked dough with yeast continues to ferment even after it’s been swallowed, and this produces alcohol. Large amounts of dough can produce dangerous amounts of alcohol as well as enough gas to cause potentially life-threatening intestinal distension. It’s best to keep pets away from the kitchen while those dinner rolls are rising.

 

What to do when your dog or cat eats something they shouldn’t

 

The severity of symptoms often depends on the amount of the hazardous food your dog or cat has eaten. But if your pet has ingested any of the above foods or is showing signs of distress, call your vet right away. It’s always better to seek help sooner rather than later, and there’s no safe or effective way to induce vomiting for cats at home, so professional help is critical.

 

You can also schedule an online appointment through Vetster to determine if an emergency vet visit is necessary. Licensed veterinarians are available 24/7 and can observe your pet’s behavior in their natural environment to better discuss treatment options as well as safe human-food alternatives.

A Concise Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Kitchen

 

A new year is a fresh start and the chance to become an improved version of yourself.

One way many people across the United Kingdom like to express their plans and take action to be more in control of their life and more organized is to conduct a thorough spring clean of their kitchen.

So, whether you are just about ready to start and are looking for some last-minute tips or else you are looking for some inspiration, either way, continue reading to discover a concise guide to spring cleaning your kitchen. 

 

Always Clean from the Top Downwards

 

The most basic but incredibly effective thing to know when spring cleaning any room, but especially the kitchen, is to start from the top and work downwards.

This stops any surface or area of the kitchen you have cleaned previously from getting covered with dust and debris from the top of the shelving units and cupboards. As the kitchen is a food preparation area, you prevent contamination on the work surfaces that you believe to be clean when they are not. 

 

Change It Up

 

One thing you can do to make spring cleaning a more enjoyable experience is to look into changing the design or even the basic layout of the space, and if your budget allows for it, you could even consider treating yourself to a new statement piece of furniture.

Reputable and impressively skilled designers at ligne roset chelsea supply a wide range of unique and eye-catching furniture, and there is literally every style and colour to choose from. The incentive of a new feature for your kitchen will motivate you even further to spring clean!

 

Don’t Forget the Appliances

 

Even though in an ideal world, kitchen appliances such as the microwave and oven would be entirely self-cleaning, the truth is that both pieces of equipment and also others, such as your coffee machine and toaster, should be regularly and thoroughly cleaned. 

When it comes to cleaning your oven, this simple guide should help:

1. Remove everything inside

2. Spread newspaper on the floor underneath 

3. Mix water and baking soda to a paste and spread in the oven (wear rubber gloves)

4. Add extra paste to areas with a build-up of gunk

5. Leave for approximately twelve hours

6. Use a damp rag to remove the paste 

7. Spray vinegar on any build-up of paste 

8. Wipe clean and leave to dry 

 

Organize Your Freezer & Fridge

 

After you have brought everything out of your kitchen cupboards, thrown away what is not needed, and wiped clean the shelves before putting everything back, you then need to turn your attention to the fridge and the freezer. 

Any leftover food should henceforth be labelled with a date, the shelves on the inside door should contain non-dairy drinks and condiments, and make sure you wipe the shelves down with a food-friendly cleaning agent. 

In order to reduce waste food, you should also use the drawer at the bottom of the fridge for what it is intended for, which is only fresh fruit and vegetables. 

 

Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash

Teaching Almost 4 Year Olds

When I started in daycare I was a floater the first few days and eventually settled into the 2 year old potty training room as an assistant to a new teacher. She was younger than me and our way of teaching very different but I was there to assist so that was what I did. As the potty training room, we had many challenges as with every age. After she left to have her own family, I asked for a break from toddlers and hoped to move to the 3s but found myself assigned to PreK.  While my class is not quite PreK I was excited as these are my kids from the last room. I know them and I know their families. It was a perfect way to start my “new” classroom on the other side of the building. 

I thought 2 was great. I loved holding them, caring for them, loving them, but this is a whole new ballgame. Teaching this group has been my favorite thing since I started working here 6+years ago. Seeing them grow, mature, LEARN, I mean really retain information has been a beautiful thing and I will not ever forget moments I’ve experienced with them. Yes there are challenges but when you see the lightbulb flash, notice critical thinking skills, hear yourself coming out of their mouths, all challenges have been worth it for this!

When I introduced writing to them in October and my class thought tracing their name was “too hard” to hearing one say literally 3 weeks later “it’s not hard for me anymore, Ms. Maria” a moment that still makes me tear up, I wish I had gone to school for teaching. Another tear up moment was when one of my kids noticed that the P in Jeep was like the P in his name. Omgosh nothing better.

There is nothing like knowing you are making a difference in their lives and while they may not remember  you in the long haul, you shaped their educational foundation. 

As we close 2022 I hope that somehow, someway I become an even better teacher to my next group, I hope these kids who all love books read to them (OMGOSH I love that they can sit for more than one tiny book and ask for sometimes 5 during the day) become avid book readers or who knows even writers one day. 

What a blessing it has been to teach these almost 4 year olds I wish I could do my own kids all over again but since I can’t helping my daytime kids is one of the best things I have ever done.

4 Tips for Cooking Delicious & Authentic Indian Cuisine

 

One of the most culturally significant types of food and one which is adored by people of all walks of life the world over, is that of Indian cuisine. 

So, whether you consider yourself to be the next Gordon Ramsey and want to showcase your cooking to friends and family or simply wand a change, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to discover four top tips for cooking delicious and authentic Indian cuisine. 

 

1. Only Add Spices at the Halfway Point 

Obviously, one reason why Indian food is most people’s favorite cuisine is due to the wide array of spices, especially in the powdered form, in every single dish. 

When cooking a traditional curry, for example, resist the temptation to add the spices too soon and instead let them release their naturally aromatic components quicker when the meal is hot. Powdered spice such as cumin, chili, coriander powder and turmeric all work best once the meal has been cooking for a while. 

 

2. Expand Your Mind

 

Not just with cooking, but with a myriad of creative pursuits and activities, even the best cookbook written by the leading expert in that particular field of cuisine will still only give you the basics, with true culinary expression coming from your own experimentation. 

One of the best possible things you could do if you really want to improve your skills at creating delicious and authentic Indian dishes is to treat yourself to a meal at the legendary urban-tandoor.com, and enjoy all the dishes on offer, teaching your tastebuds the subtle art of cooking Indian food. 

 

3. Heat is to Your Personal Taste

 

Sometimes, when you go round a friend or family member’s house for dinner, you are treated to a delicious curry which you cannot actually taste properly due to the intense, eye-watering heat. 

Any Indian chef would be happy to confirm to you that there are literally no rules when it comes to how much fresh chili and chili powder you add to the dish and that it entirely depends on personal taste alone. Look at the types of chilis most often used in traditional Indian cooking, you would not go wrong with one or more of the following:

• Kanthari Chili

• Dhani

• Bhut Jolokia

• Ramnad Gundu

• Jwala Chili

• Kashmiri Chili

• Byadagi Chili

• Guntur Chili

 

4. Use Water Sparingly

 

Finally, the biggest and most universal mistake people all across the country make when attempting to create traditional, authentic Indian food is that they always seem to immediately add a substantial volume of water to the dish as soon as either the vegetables or meat have been added.

When cooking an Indian feast, it is entirely counterproductive to spend so much time reducing the meal and therefore increasing the flavor combinations, just to saturate it with too much water. Indian food is unique in that its beauty essentially centers around slow-cooking and as such, you should sprinkle water as and when it is required, rather than drowning the meal. 

 

 

Image by valeria_aksakova on Freepik

Four Top Tips to Stay Looking Younger for Longer

 

Aging is an inevitable part of growing older and unfortunately, is out of our control. While it’s a completely natural process, it can certainly have a knock-on effect on confidence levels due to the changes we experience throughout our bodies. Always remember that aging is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience, therefore, it’s about learning to accept these changes and finding ways to stay looking younger for longer.

If you’re worried about early aging, it’s time to act now to ensure you’re taking the right steps to long-term youth. Here are four simple steps you can follow that can knock a decade off your age:

 

1. Stay out of the sun

 

One of the most common causes of aging is long-term sun exposure. Perhaps not surprisingly, the harmful UV Rays emitted from the sun are responsible for almost nine out of tencases of premature aging. This is because the UV radiation breaks down the skin’s elasticity, causing wrinkles, dullness, sagging, and age spots. With this in mind, aim to keep out of the sun as much as possible, particularly during the summer months. Be sure to apply a high-factor sun lotion to protect your skin from UV rays and sunburn, as well as skin cancers such as melanoma. 

 

2. Pay attention to your brows

 

Brows can instantly change the appearance of a face. When unshaped or bushy, it can add years to your age. Neatly shaped brows on the other hand, can soften your features and give you a much more youthful glow. It would be worth visiting a hair removal Oxford salon where professional beauty therapists are trained to thread your eyebrows to a shape that suits your facial features.

 

3. Cleanse and moisturize

 

Protecting your skin starts with daily cleansing and moisturizing when you wake up and before you go to bed. Regular hand soap has a drying effect on the skin, so instead, use facial products that are designed to gently cleanse your skin of irritants and dirt and add moisture, without leaving a greasy residue. Be aware that not all moisturizers on the market provide equivalent active ingredients. You should be using clinical grade products which absorb into the skin better and contain an array of essential nutrients that keep your skin supple and healthy. 

 

4. Quit smoking 

 

It’s no secret that smoking is the cause of several chronic health risks such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease, but did you know that it also affects your skin?

The harmful chemicals within tobacco contribute to poor circulation which restricts blood flow to the face, limiting oxygen and essential nutrients. Additionally, smoking impacts collagen production, which is the protein that helps keep your skin elasticated and soft. As a result, you’re more likely to notice wrinkles appearing at a younger age, particularly around your mouth due to the repetitive action of pursing the lips.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, so you may wish to book an appointment with your doctor to discover various methods to help you kick the habit once and for all.

4 Reasons You Should Make Changes to Your Home

Changes to your home can feel daunting, especially if you are worried about the cost and the work that may well have to go into the adjustments and advancements to create the outcome you are hoping for.

 

Due to this reason, it can be hard to bite the bullet, but there is usually a good reason to go ahead anyway.

 

This piece is going to take a look at four reasons that you should make changes to your home and how it can benefit you both in the short and long term.

 

Let's get into it.

 

 

1) Financial Value

 

One of the main reasons people choose to make changes and upgrades to their home is to increase the property's financial value. Whether you are looking to sell now or you are thinking ahead, increasing the financial value of your propertyis usually a smart investment. Even if selling is not part of the plan, and you want to pass your property down, those who are on the receiving end will be able to enjoy that increase in value as an asset. 

 

 

2) Comfort

 

If you have a chance to live in comfort – do it! Life is too short to struggle up and down the stairs instead of using a stair lift or to brace yourself for the freezing floor in the bathroom on a winter morning. Making changes that are going to make your life easier will never be a waste and can help you enjoy your home much more than if you kept things the same. It is usually the little things that make such a big difference to our day, so feel confident in making the changes you know are going to improve your day-to-day comfort.

 

Head over to powerpointelectrics.co.uk for some excellent advice on increasing the comfort in your home, such as improved lighting to an upgraded heating system. Small changes like these can make a big difference. 

 

 

3) Change of Circumstances 

 

Changes are usually made as a response to something, and this is no different when it comes to home renovation. Perhaps you have reached your limit with your inefficient boiler or have transformed a room into a use that needs much more light. Maybe you have started a family, and need a little (or a lot) more extra room in your home. There are many reasons you might need to make changes to your home, and it is up to you what you think will benefit you the most with your new set of circumstances.

 

 

4) Style

 

If you are someone that loves to keep up with the interior design trends, then you are probably never too far from a change anyway! Alternatively, if you have had the same design or style in your home for over a decade, you might decide it is time to freshen it up and make it a little more modern or a little more "you."

 

Making changes to your home is an excellent idea when you consider the above benefits. 

Photo by La Miko from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-hands-holding-a-white-mug-3616681/

 

 

Christmas Episodes Of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet On A DVD

I never watched Ozzie and Harriet but knew of them.  I knew it was a real family and that Ricky Nelson was a singer. It was so nice to watch. I loved the very family friendly episodes and wholesomeness of this real-life family during a very different time. They seemed like the all American family. I loved how everyone seemed so "dressed up" even though they were home. I loved the tinsel on the tree, the whole family dynamic. Really fun to watch how different the world is right now and how family was everything. 

Christmas Movie Weekend Started With Sappy Holiday

FilmRise Presents Christmas Titles from Nicely Entertainment – SAPPY HOLIDAY and THE SNOWBALL EFFECT

 On Demand Starting November 25th 

I adore Christmas movies. Usually I watch before the family wakes or like this weekend when the kids are busy with their own friends and not looking to watch TV with me. The sappier the movie, the better and Sappy Holiday is sappy. It’s about a woman names Joy who gets stranded at a struggling Maple Syrup farm.  Before this she was sure she knew what she wanted until life gave her a little derailment in the form of an icy road.  

Sappy Holiday doesn’t change the recipe for a good holiday movie. Lonely person (working too hard) meets another family who seem to have it all (massive farm house) only to find that everyone has their own struggle. Figures out everyone else’s life while still unsure of their own, leaves for that “before” life only to find out that they miss the new life they found. 

I loved it! The characters are likable, no one hurts anyone to get what they want or need and in the end, ugly cry. Yeah! I did. It was a second but it happened. Judge me! I’m fine with that.

After dinner, The Snow Ball Effect unless my daughter wants to watch something else. I will take time with her over my movies.

 \

Hit the slopes in Winter Games 2023 For PC and Game Systems + My Son's Thoughts

Experience ten different winter sports disciplines in the ultimate winter holiday for up to four players.

 

My son the gamer told me that he thinks playing alone was boring but he could see how playing with up to 4 friends would be exciting especially if you are a die hard gamer. He loves playing against others and spends most of his day doing so.

He felt that the controls were easy to follow, the game has great graphics and he also thought it was fun learning about some sports he didn't even know were a thing. He is now excited to watch the next winter Olympics with us. 

See his explanation in the video above. I wish I could play but honestly, I am the worst about trying to navigate games that require hand and eye coordination. 

My son thinks it should absolutely be included in my Holiday Gift Guide so I have included it.

Be Prepared For The Cold And Flu Season This Year

I work in childcare which means I am often around little sick people who will cough and sneeze without covering their mouth. It goes with the job. Whether it is a cold, flu, strep, RSV, Pink Eye, Covid, it has been in my classroom and often times, I have no idea. Colds and allergies still exist so I cannot assume that every child in my care has something contagious, but I do everything I can to make sure that whatever is in my classroom doesn't affect me. This means I wash my hands about 100 times a day, wear a mask, wear gloves, don't touch my face, shower as soon as I get home and take off my work clothes. I also try to get 6-7 hours of sleep, take vitamins, drink immunity tea, stock up on cold meds and take my temp when I feel like I am coming down with something. 

As we all know whenever we go out we can potentially bring something home to our family this is why I was so excited to check out the MOBI Smart products.

 

 

 

You MUST see Slumberland On Netflix November 18 - A Review #Slumberland #JasonMomoa

THE 411:

Just finished watching Slumberland starring Jason Momoa, Chris O'Dowd and Kyle Chandler.  Which is based on the comic strip, Little Nemo in Slumberland, by Winsor McCay 

I am a huge fan of Jason Momoa and was excited to see him in this family friendly movie.  

Nemo and her dad live in a lighthouse. They have a wonderful relationship spending all their time together. At bedtime she is entertained as he tells her bedtime stories about his and "Flip's" adventures in Slumberland. One night dad heads out to help rescue a boat and is lost at sea.  Nemo's life changes drastically as she is sent to live with her Dad's brother Philip. What can a girl mourning the loss of her daddy and her hermit, estranged uncle have in common? Absolutely nothing! 

Nemo's dreams/nightmares are suddenly her happy place when she meets Flip who is an energetic, often seemingly deranged friend of her dads. Their adventures get off to a bumpy start as Flip is looking for a map to Slumberland that was Nemo's Dad's and makes a promise to Nemo that she will be able to see her father again.  While he cannot fulfil his promise, they eventually find themselves on some fun journeys.

Nemo and Flip need each other to heal and so does Nemo and her uncle. Together the duos rescue each other in the most entertaining way.

I was thoroughly entertained and loved everything about this movie. My daughter and I laughed often and enjoyed the flow of the movie and honestly cannot wait to watch it again and hear what everyone else thinks about it. 

Jason Momoa as Flip is truly the best. A cross between Beetlejuice and The Cowardly Lion is how my daughter explains him. This is his calling. He did a great job of being funny, obnoxious and adorable. Jason and Marlow's scenes together were wonderfully fun!

In a nutshell; great cinematography, great sets, great cast, loved the visuals. The butterfly scenes must have taken forever to create.  Oh and before I forget; the PIG OMG...adorable. I couldn't get over how stinking cute it was. 

Celebrating 25 Years With My Man #Marriage #anniversary #datenight

My husband and I have been together a long time. We met 31 years ago on 440 in Jersey City. My friend noticed him for me as I had just broken up with a dude and loved long hair guys. She followed him to Bayonne, pushed me out of the car and said "talk to him before he thinks it was me chasing him."  I thought he was okay but not what I was looking for at the moment but got out and talked about his bumper sticker. WSOU Pirate Radio! "Where did you get that sticker?"

He had a guitar case on his back and I was immediately more into him. We exchanged numbers because I knew a lot of band folks and he was looking for a singer.

Here we are 25 years later and 2 kids. We never go out alone, but I had a gift certificate and he mentioned "are we going out to eat for our anniversary?" he even called it a "date night!" gasp!

We made reservations and thank God we did because it was packed. Dinner was expensive but delicious. I drove there and back which makes me super happy! I hate when someone else drives. 

He had a Blue Moon and I enjoyed a house sangria which was amazing. I have never been a drinker usually opting for water but drank the whole thing.  I got a charcuterie board and we both got the short ribs.  I had a chocolate tarte with homemade maple ice cream. He was full as he ate lunch and I was like heck no! Dinner!

We enjoyed the place and the company was funny. Hopefully we spend many more dinners together. It has not always been easy but we have always managed to find a way.

Dollar Tree Bubbling Skull #Dollartree #preschoolactivity #halloween

My class loved the bubbling skull we did for Halloween. All the products were from Dollar Tree except the food coloring and baking soda which we had already.

I put a drop of food coloring then each child put two spoons of baking soda into the skull then a syringe of vinegar which was really good for their fine motor skills. I will definitely be doing this again! They loved it and asked for to do it again.