Creating a Relaxing Summer Solstice Environment in Your Home

Do you give so much that your reserve fuel for self is low? Do you feel constantly anxious over things you should be doing? Does the idea of doing nothing frighten you? If you've answered yes, to even one of these questions, you seriously need to find inner peace. Call it what you will--shalom, pace, pax--it's crucial to mental health. And summer is the perfect time to set about creating serenity for yourself. And here's how. Benedictine monasteries and most Holy Orders follow what is known as 'The Liturgy of the Hours'. Traditionally, prayers and scripture focus on eight periods in the monastic rule or Rule of St. Benedict. They are named for the kinds of prayer offered as well as the hour of the day. Here area ways to create a peaceful, relaxing environment.  Summer Solstice and Relaxation

Frugal Father's Day Party Kids Can Do Themselves

Advertisers would have us believe that in order to show a loved one a good time a lot of money must be spent. Holidays that revolve around family members, like Mother's Day and Father's Day, are especially prone to guilt-based giving. This idea of commercialized family celebrations goes against the purpose of the holiday. Most parents don't want their children to overspend. Here are ways kids can create a festive, meaningful Father's Day party without spending an arm and a leg. Frugal Father's Day

 

Host a Cheap Open House, Reception or Graduation Party

Are you hosting a graduation open house for high school, college or kindergarten? Maybe you're doing a first communion reception? These parties can become very costly especially for parents of graduates. You want a nice party. I'm saying be stingy. But there are ways to cut costs on food, rentals, decorations, cake, gifts and more.  Do's and Dont's for Hosting a Cheap, Open House Graduation Party

Blue Flowers for Landscaping, Decorating, Weddings, Outdoor Parties

I love decorating with flowers, especially live plants over cut flowers. One of the most popular decorating colors is blue, but trying to find flowers in that color is tricky. With advances in growing of flowers, we have access to more artificially tinted blue flowers. But if you're a naturalista like me, you want genuine, naturally colored flowers. Here's a guide to blue blossoms and flowers in shades of blue. Use this for landscaping, home interior decorating, wedding floral arrangements and more. Best Blue Flowers for Weddings and Spring Gardening

Free Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Printables, Latino-Inspired Party Decorations, Mexican Crafts

Cinco de Mayo--"fifth of May" in Spanish--celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Pueblo. My Latino friends tell me Cinco de Mayo isn't as big in Mexico as in the U.S. And what do we Americans do with holidays? Party! Or in this case, fiesta. Here's are kid-friendly Cinco de Mayo games, crafts, lesson plans, cultural activities and food! When I was homeschooling, we decorated the house for different festivities and holidays. Here free printable Mexican crafts, Latino inspired art and Cinco de Mayo fiesta decorations! I tried to weed out the schmaltz and share the more artsy-cultural images.  Cinco de Mayo Fiesta With Latino-Inspired Games, Crafts, Food

Free Printable Vintage Easter Greeting Cards, Retro Nostalgic Clipart

I've been writing about printable crafts since I started freelancing. People love free stuff and printable things just tickle us silly. Early on, I discovered a site with printable vintage greeting cards and clipart-- Vintage Holiday Crafts. I found this little bunny clipart there. Isn't he darling? You can print nostalgic images for any holiday, but as we're in the Easter mode, I'll share the link to that page (I don't get paid anything for sending you there). Just be sure to abide by their site use rules when you print.   Free Printable Vintage Easter Greeting Cards, Retro Nostalgic Clipart

Save Green, Live Green, Spring Cleaning and Safety Checks

Living green has several components: cutting costs, making eco-friendly choices and improving quality of life. You can hit all three with these spring cleaning tips. Freshen your home, save money and possibly save lives with safety check-up/clean-ups. All it costs is a little elbow grease.  Save Green, Live Green, Spring Cleaning and Safety Checks