Even if you can't get away for a vacation this summer—whether it's because you lack the time or just because things are so expensive—you can still have a lot of fun in your own backyard! Sometimes, when my family and I can't coordinate our schedules for a long family getaway, we plan a staycation filled with lots of fun activities in our backyard! And with summer still a few weeks away, there is plenty to get your backyard ready! Roast Hot Dogs & S'Mores Around a Fire Pit Adding a fire pit to a backyard can provide lots of opportunities to enjoy your backyard. My family and I love Continue reading...
Spring Happenings—and Giveaway!
If you read my blog, you know that I have an adorable little Shih Tzu named Mochi! He is my buddy! I just got him a haircut, and he is looking super dapper! I love how clean he is now! The groomer even brushed his teeth! But anyone who has a dog knows they can be messy! For instance, when he goes on walks, he loves when we go to this one wooded area with a stream and gets into everything! Sometimes I have to brush dirt and leaves off him, which can get my hands quite messy. So I'm glad I have NOWATA—I bring a tube of it on our walks. My kids are about to graduate from college next month, Continue reading...
Powering Through Spring Cleaning—Plus ACTIVE Products Discount Promo Code
Spring is the time of year to get your home extra clean, but I’ll be honest, cleaning has never been my favorite chore—no matter what the season! Thankfully, I’ve found a few products that make my job easier, without all the hassle. Enzymatic Stain Cleaner My house is filled with carpeting (sadly, I've been pining for easier to clean wood floors for years), which means as a dog owner, it can make keeping my home clean super difficult! For one, there is carpeting by the back door where I take my pup outside every night; so that area is always getting messy and stained—as you can see Continue reading...
Gift Ideas For Your Little Pooch
It can be difficult to find the perfect gift for your pet that shows how much you love them and how much they mean to you. Pets are members of our families, and it's important to find items that suit their personality, pamper them, and provide them with the best care. (I know that when getting gifts for my Shih Tzu, Mochi, I want to get him the toys he loves the most and items that will help me properly care for him.) So I put this guide together to help you find the perfect gift for your best friend. Whether you want to find the perfect PJs for your pup, take them on an adventure, or Continue reading...
Day Trip to Cattus Island County Park
Just over a week ago my family visited Cattus Island Park, a beautiful place in Toms River, NJ. We also visited the same park with our pup last summer, too. The park is so pretty that I wanted to visit it again! The 530-acre natural area is on both the Silver and Barnegat bays, and features several sandy beaches with amazing views. The park offers: Flat, easy trailsA boardwalk that winds through marshlandBay viewsBird-watching opportunitiesSandy bay beachesA second-story marshland and bird-watching deckAn environmental centerButterfly GardenBird-viewing area with bird feedersPicnicking Continue reading...
My Favorite Things Lately
I received free product in exchange for my review. Happy Monday, everyone! Today I am sharing a few of my favorite things. I have been very busy these days and haven't been able to blog much, so I thought I could share a bit about what I have been up to. Cozy Throw Blanket - Great Amazon Buy My kids and I love to sit underneath soft throw blankets when we watch TV in our family room. Sometimes our pup steals one of ours when he's looking for a soft place to sleep. So luckily I got a new plush throw from Amazon (for about $28) for our sofa so there will be enough blankets for Continue reading...
Outdoor Patio Dog Enclosure (Amazon Find)
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Today I'm sharing a project my husband and I completed this weekend—or, I should say, HE completed! (Here's a BIG shout out of THANKS to my hubby!) I started a new work-from-home job in September, and have been wanting to create an outdoor office of sorts on my patio. The only problem I had is that our yard isn't fenced, and I have a 4-year-old Shih Tzu who wants to be with me basically 24/7. Which is good until he sees a squirrel and wants to go tearing after it! Thus, the need for the fence! I looked into all sorts of fencing options, Continue reading...
Visiting Annapolis with My Teens & the Family Dog
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. These links don't cost you anything, but may earn a commission that helps fund this blog. Thanks! My family and I recently stayed 3 nights in Annapolis in a modern and comfortable Airbnb. We spent two days touring this beautiful Maryland waterfront capital city. We found this vacation locale to be perfect for visiting with the whole family. My husband, teens and family dog, Mochi, all loved our Annapolis family vacation. If You Plan to Visit Annapolis Annapolis is situated on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It offers beautiful waterfront Continue reading...
How to Keep Your Dog Calm for the Holidays
Thanks to The Anxious Pet for sponsoring this post. This post contains affiliate links. While you might find the holidays to be joyful and happy, your family's dog might not. All those visitors, the change in routine and those bright lights and packages might spook him a little. All these changes to your pup's routine might make the holidays an anxious time for your pooch. But there are ways to soothe your pet's anxiety this Christmas and holiday season. How to Keep Your Pet Calm Luckily, there are several things you can do to keep your pup happy and calm this holiday Continue reading...
#QuarantineLife (Week 8) Plus, Celebrating 25 Years!
It's been 8 weeks since my family and I have been at home quarantined together. We've been hanging in there and finding ways to keep busy. My husband and daughters do homework and schoolwork from the kitchen table every day, and I work on my projects for the blog. We have been finding ways to have fun at home in quarantine when our work is done! My Latest Read Over the weekend I read the latest book by Amy Roloff, "A Little Me"Amy Roloff and her family are on the reality TV show, "Little People, Big World" on TLC. My daughters and I are big fans of the show! Amy, her ex-husband Matt, Continue reading...