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Intro: It wasn't until my 20s that I discovered my love for hiking and climbing. I have been told there are 2 types of fun. Type I you get from experiences such as a roller coaster. Its fun for a moment but it isn't memorable. This type of fun is typically forgot about shortly after the experience. Type II fun is often referred to as the type of fun you have after completing something challenging or even miserable at the time of activity, BUT the memory is unforgettable and afterwards the person looks back at that challenging experience and says, "That was fun- even EPIC!." Below I have put together a list of my favorites:) Angels Landing, Zion National Park (O, S, D) Why I love it: Exposure factor; summit view is amazing! The Narrows, Zion National Park (K, D) Why I love it: Refreshing; most unique hike I've done. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru (P, S) Why I love it: Historical trail; beauty every step of the way. Old Rag Circuit, Shenandoah National Park (P, O) Why I love it: The traverse to the summit is so much fun! Mount Rainier, Washington (T, S,R, P) Why I love it: Crevasse Crossing; sunrise on top of the mountain. Mount Washington-Lions Head Trail, New Hampshire (R, S) Why I love it: Most unpredictable weather/mountain conditions Mount Katahdin, Maine (S, O) Why I love it: Hiking across the knives edge to the summit is literally like walking through the clouds. Mount Whitney, California (S, O, P) Why I love it: Highest contiguous US mountain. Quandary Peak, Colorado (S, O) Why I love it: Great beginner 14er/mountain trek. Hyayna Picchu, Peru (P, T) Why I love it: Overlook Machu Picchu; I got engaged here. :) Key- S: Strenuous; K: Kid-friendly; O: Older kids+; R: Be aware of +risks; P: Permit needed (Please Note: All hikes have some level of risk involved.) Here is to more type II fun exploring this beautiful world.

Winter birthday parties can be touch, especially on a budget. After some brainstorming Lucy and I decided on a Spa Birthday party for her 9th birthday. I think the selling point may have been the chocolate fountain, but she was also really excited about the idea of facials and foot treatments. The party started with all of the girls decorating their own eye sleep mask and ate pizza. https://amzn.to/3HwTkEV Next the girls put together plates of food with chocolate from the chocolate fountain. https://amzn.to/3S80unG After they filled their bellies with chocolate, we went into the living room to do facials and foot treatments. Each girl was given a face mask, bucket of warm water and Epson salt https://amzn.to/3HyIQ7I, as well as cucumbers for her eyes. In the background I had relaxing spa music playing. It was hard for the girls to not laugh and giggle at each other. The quiet game was attempted more than once and at least two girls decided to eat their cucumber instead of placing them on their eyes. After facials the girls painted and took turns painting each other's nails. They also sang "Happy Birthday" and wanted to see what gifts Lucy received. It was so cute to see how excited they were to give Lucy they gift they brought while also seeing what other gifts were given. As a thank you for coming each girl was sent home with a goodie bag that contained a candy Chapstick https://amzn.to/3HyIQ7I, candy and a makeup headband https://amzn.to/3vZwxPf (my teenage daughters were super jealous of the headbands). Overall the party was a HUGE success. It was easy enough to throw together and the girls all had a great time. Best part the party cost less than $100

Background: Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a school-based therapist followed by a school social worker where I gained knowledge and experience implementing positive behavior systems. I am a licensed clinical social worker and hold my home and school visitor certification, but more importantly I am a mom. And as all of us moms know we learn and grown just as much as our kids. At home, raising babies to early elementary school kids, I have found it difficult to stick to traditional behavioral charts…Instead, consistently I have found what works for my family is a Pom-pom jar. How it works: siblings work together to fill up a jar with Pom-poms for being respectful, kind, responsible. They don’t lose any Pom-poms for negative behavior. Examples of when I give Pom-poms… -siblings solving a problem appropriately. (McKinley, can you please give me that toy back I was playing with it.) -playing nicely with each other -helping someone -clean up after themselves without being told -getting ready for school without prompts -showing respect to adults. (Hazel, I really appreciate that you listened the first time I asked you to put on your shoes. I’m adding a Pom- pom.) It’s amazing, how another child who is having a hard time following the same direction will hear this and then decide to quickly get their shoes on.) Why I love it: -encourages siblings to work together (more teamwork, less comparison) -easy -forgiving-if you forget to do it one day, or are not home one day, you can just pick up where you left off. -can add extra incentives (Running late, I can say, I’ll add a pom-pom if you girls can get buckled all by yourself.-it’s like magic!) -makes a more peaceful home environment: I notice my frustration/yelling drastically goes down when I am consistently using pom-poms. How often should I be giving Pom-Poms? This varies on age and behaviors wanting to be addressed. I would definitely recommend having their first jar filled within a few days the first time so they can see it and buy in. Now that I’ve been doing this a few years for my house it might take us 2-3 weeks to fill a jar because I find they can wait longer for a big award and I’m seeing less behaviors I need to target. Reward ideas: -special date with parent (ex. Play a board game together) -stay up late -sleepover with cousin -family game/movie night -Pick a prize from dollar tree (OR have your own little prize bin) ***Just a reminder that EVERY family and EVERY child is different in how we interact, develop, and what we need...what works for my family may not work for yours. The toddler years are challenging, hang in there. Ps. Kind of like a new exercise program, for a behavior system to work you need to give it time: implementing it each day for 4-6weeks.

I love goals, but most importantly I love realistic goals that become reality. I have found planning and making the goal measurable to be the best way to achieve a goal. 2024, one of my goals is to make 1 thing a week that I normally would buy from a store. One thing I changed to make this more doable for me is leaving my kitchenaid mixer out. I know this might sound small but it's the small things that make the difference. This week I choose to make homemade bagels. Honestly, it was so easy and delicious ! See recipe below. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-bagels/ After I was finished , I couldn't help but think how much I've thought about making things like this but then decide not to because I didn't think I had the time, but honestly it didn't take a lot of my time. Another tip I have found helpful. Is making baking/meal prep on the same day. (I get why women use to have a "baking day". You can multitask getting a lot made and the you only have 1 day of dishes/messy kitchen. Some things I'm thinking about doing: bread, bake goods, beeswax wraps, laundry detergent, and fruit leather. Would love to hear what's your favorite thing to make from scratch instead of buy at the store or any advice you have. Here is to making dreams into goals, into plans, into reality for 2024!

Growing up we spent a lot of time at Nanny's house. She lived about five minutes down the road from our house and she LOVED to see us. Nanny welcomed us in for just several minutes or overnight. No matter the length of time we had to visit she was glad to see us. Without fail within minutes of entering her home we would be in the kitchen getting a glass of iced tea and several cookies. Back then no one else made tea like Nanny's it was one of a kind. It was special. So much love and time was spent to assure that anytime someone stopped in they could have a glass (or two of tea). As Nanny's age increased and her health started to fail, my sisters and I watched and studied carefully how she made some of our favorite things including tea. We measured and remeasured with the unique measuring tools she used. Nanny passed away several years ago but today we have her recipes, and we love making them and remembering her legacy. Nanny's Sweet Tea 3 Family sz Luzianne tea bags 4 Boston Mint tea bags 5 1/2 T Lemonade mix 1 cup sugar 1 gal water Fill large pot with 1 gal of water. Add tea bags to water and heat. Pull off heat just before boiling. Remove Tea bags. Add lemonade mix and sugar. Stir. Cool and refrigerate. ENJOY!

Sourdough bread, with its rustic crust and tangy flavor, has gained immense popularity among home bakers in recent years. While it may seem intimidating at first, creating your own sourdough bread is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of crafting the perfect loaf of sourdough bread from scratch. Sourdough Bread Ingredients Starter: Begin by creating or obtaining a sourdough starter. You can make your own by mixing equal parts flour and water and allowing it to ferment for several days. Alternatively, you can acquire a starter from a friend or purchase one from a reputable source. Flour: High-quality flour is crucial for a successful sourdough loaf. Many bakers, including myself, prefer a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a well-rounded flavor and texture. Water: Use filtered or dechlorinated water to avoid any unwanted chemicals that might affect the fermentation process. Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the bread and helps regulate the fermentation process. What Equipment Will You Need to Make Sourdough Bread Mixing Bowls: Choose bowls that are large enough for mixing and allow room for the dough to rise. Dutch Oven: A Dutch oven is ideal for achieving a crisp crust and moist interior. If you don't have one, a baking stone or cast-iron skillet can be used. I purchased my dutch oven from Pampered Chef, but this dutch oven has great reviews on Amazon. Banneton or Proofing Basket: Use a banneton or a proofing basket to shape the dough and support its structure during the final rise. If you are looking for a proofing basket and razer, you can consider this Proofing Set, by Kook, which includes 2 Rattan 9 Inch Banneton Baskets, 2 Basket Covers, Metal Scraper, Plastic Scraper, Scoring Lame, 5 Blades and Case, Baking Kit, and Dough Bowls. This also makes a great Christmas gift. Razor or Lame: A sharp razor or lame is essential for scoring the bread, allowing it to expand properly in the oven. If you want to get fancy with your bread, I would recommend purchasing a scoring knife. For example, the RICCLE Bread Lame Slashing Tool, Dough Scoring Knife which has 15 Razor Blades. Food Scale. I love this food scale from Amazon. The Process: Feeding and Maintaining the Starter: Regularly feed your starter to keep it active and healthy. Use equal parts flour and water, and discard half of the starter before each feeding. Autolyse: Mix flour and water in a bowl and let it rest for 30 minutes. This allows the flour to fully hydrate, improving the dough's structure and texture. Mixing and Kneading: Incorporate the starter and salt into the autolyzed dough. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process develops gluten, which gives the bread its structure. Bulk Fermentation: Allow the dough to rise at room temperature, folding it every 30 minutes for the first few hours. The bulk fermentation time can vary but generally lasts 4-12 hours, depending on the room temperature and desired flavor. Shaping: Gently shape the dough into a round or oval shape and place it in a floured banneton for the final rise. Final Rise: Allow the shaped dough to rise in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 2-4 hours. Scoring and Baking: Preheat the oven and the Dutch oven. Score the dough with a razor or lame to control the expansion during baking. Bake with the lid on for the first part of the baking time to create steam, then remove the lid for a golden crust. Cooling: Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before slicing. This allows the interior to set properly. Congratulations! You've successfully embarked on the journey of making your own sourdough bread. Experiment with different flours, hydration levels, and fermentation times to find the perfect combination that suits your taste. With practice and patience, you'll be able to enjoy delicious, homemade sourdough bread whenever you desire. Happy baking!

Welcome to the future of cleaning! As we step into 2024, keeping our living spaces clean and organized has never been easier, thanks to innovative cleaning products and clever hacks that make tidying up a breeze. In this blog post, we'll explore the top 10 cleaning products and hacks that will transform your cleaning routine and leave your home sparkling. Homemade Cleaning Spray Are you looking to save money and have a more natural cleaning product? Directions: fill spray bottles with half water and half distilled white vinegar. Optional- add essential oil. I use lemongrass. You can also add Onguard essential oil during cold season. Products: Distilled white vinegar($3.74), Glass bottles ($14.99), and Essential oils ($19.99) Robot Vacuum Cleaner Say goodbye to traditional vacuuming and welcome the era of autonomous cleaning with a robot vacuum cleaner. These smart devices effortlessly navigate through your home, sucking up dust and debris while you relax. Set schedules, control them with your smartphone, and enjoy pristine floors without lifting a finger. Erin's Favorite: I selected Shark AV753 ION Robot Vacuum from Amazon when making my choice and love it! Especially, if you have hard wood floors, you understand how hard it is to keep your floor clean. With this vacuum, you can schedule on your phone when the vacuum should clean your house. For dogs who shed, you may want to look at one with a self-emptying feature such as Shark RV1001AE IQ Robot Self-Empty XL, Robot Vacuum. Ditch your sponges! Sponges can harbor bacteria and mold, posing potential health risks. Switch instead to one of these cleaning products. Melissa's Favorite: Scrub Daddy Color Sponge (BPA Free & Made with Polymer Foam) I haven't used a regular sponge in my kitchen for years after finding these guys! I love how they are firm in cold water and soft in warm water. Completely odor resistant and the cute little face is actually functional! You hold his eyes to get to the bottom of cups and his mouth cleans both sides of your utensils! I also love how I can throw it in the dishwasher once a week! I usually can make one last about one month! You will not regret buying these! Erin's Favorite: Resistant to bacteria and easy to clean, silicone scrubbers are a game-changer for dishwashing and surface cleaning. Their flexible design ensures that no nook or cranny goes untouched. My favorite is the Peach Silicone Scrubber on Amazon | $11.95. Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray This Dawn Power wash is life changing in your everyday cleaning routine! With just a spritz and a quick rinse it's my super hero in the kitchen! I use it everyday for my dishes , countertops and my favorite, the laundry! Spray it on any stain and let it sit for a few minutes before throwing it in the washing machine and tada! You won't regret it! Baking Soda and Vinegar Magic Sometimes, the best cleaning solutions are found in your kitchen. Create a powerful cleaning paste by mixing baking soda and vinegar. This natural combination effectively tackles grime, stains, and odors, making it a versatile and eco-friendly cleaning hack. Swedish Dishcloths Not only do these Swedish dishcloths come in a variety of fun designs, but they can save the environment and your wallet ;). They are easy to clean and are reusable. My favorite is the Eulnars 8 Pack Swedish Dishcloths for Kitchen. Not Your Mom's Mop Bucket Save space and stay organized with collapsible cleaning buckets. These handy tools expand when in use and collapse for easy storage. With compartments for different cleaning supplies, you'll have everything you need within arm's reach. I love my O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket Floor Cleaning System for numerous reasons, including: You always have clean water with their mop system. They do make a less expensive one without this option, but it's definitely worth it to go with this product instead. Genuine O-Cedar mop heads remove over 99% of bacteria using only water. They don't need bleach or detergent. Bleach can harm microfiber, but O-Cedar Floor Cleaning PACS won't. PACS help to remove grease and dirt from hard floors, to give you an even deeper clean. O-Cedar mop heads can be easily removed, washed, and reused, saving precious time and money! Keep an O-Cedar refill handy for the next mess. Safe to use on finished hardwood, wood, laminate, tile, vinyl and more, Essential Oil Diffusers Finish your cleaning session on a refreshing note by using essential oil diffusers. Infuse your home with invigorating scents like lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus, creating a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere after all your hard work. If you are new to essential oils, you can get a USDA essential oil starter box, which includes 10 bottles. If you need a diffuser, I like my modern diffuser, which the kids like because it changes color. OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Dish Brush This little guy is the perfect two in one. Works hard in the kitchen and the bathroom. While yes it makes for an excellent scrub brush for your dishes, it is a real powerhouse in the shower! That's right your shower! Fill the dispenser with half dawn dish soap, and half white vinegar. You now have the ultimate tool to get that tub and shower clean! I use it every day (okay, more like every other day) in the shower when I am done. Just a quick scrub over the walls and shelves. Rinse off with your handheld shower sprayer and you're done! Weiman Cooktop and Stove Top Cleaner Kit I love this product for cleaning my glass stove. Glass Cook Top Cleaner and Polish 10 oz. Scrubbing Pad. . Embrace the cleaning revolution of 2024 with these cutting-edge products and hacks. From robotic assistance to eco-friendly solutions, maintaining a pristine living space has never been more efficient and enjoyable. Upgrade your cleaning routine today and experience the joy of a spotless home.