Category: Family

Crafts, Decorating, Fall, Family, Fun, Holidays, Home

DIY Natural Fall Decorations with Acorns and Pines🍁

by houseresortLeave a Comment on DIY Natural Fall Decorations with Acorns and Pines🍁

This mess free DIY fall center piece is easy, fun and inquires a walk outdoors among the pine and oak trees.

If you ever look for an excuse to enjoy the early fall, take a leisurely walk to collect your supplies to create a very beautiful useful natural center piece. It would be a great reason to spend time outside with your family and get everyone’s creative suggestions to put together several centerpieces for any room in your home.

Supplies: sharpie, metallic paint, brushes, acorn, pine cones, cinnamon broom, essential oils ( citrus, sandalwood, vanilla..)

Collect acorns
Pine cones
sharpie
Metallic paint (gold or silver)

Please watch my video for step by step instructions, and ideas for each center piece.🍁

Metallic sharpie: https://amzn.to/3m6xz1O.

Deco art gold: https://amzn.to/2ITGJR2

Deco art silver: https://amzn.to/3oe3peT

Mercury candleholder :https://amzn.to/2Tcdf2L

We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Family, Food, Health

Roasted butternut squash packed with vitamins

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Roasted butternut squash packed with vitamins
Yummy oven roasted
butternut squash

I am going to start by telling you the shocking truth that Butternut squash is not a vegetable. This orange beauty is a fruit and is packed with vitamins and minerals, and is low in calories.

So however you would like to prepare the squash, mashed to be used in casseroles, breads, muffins, and pies, roasted, or sautéed, you will enjoy the mild sweet nutty flavor, and all the wonderful nutrients.

How to prepare the butternut squash : preheat oven 400°

1- Wash, peel, and remove the seeds .

2- Cut in chunks.

3- In a large bowl add 2 Tsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of salt and pepper. 2 cloves of garlic minced.

3- Add squash chunks to the bowl and mix well.

4- Spread in a tray and roast for 20-30 minutes. Before removing sprinkle with 1 Tsp of brown sugar. 1 Tsp of cinnamon.

With a fork test to make sure they are ready. For a step by step video go to : https://youtu.be/FrW1qTqvkyk

We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Brown sugar https://amzn.to/3nz0mhf

Cinnamon https://amzn.to/3lBuB50

Vegetable roasting tray https://amzn.to/3iPhqfg

Beverage, Beverage flavors, Family, Health

Hot drinks for a bad cold

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Hot drinks for a bad cold
Hot drinks for a bad cold

Remember these ingredients add them to a cup of hot water or cider as soon as you feel symptoms of a cold.

Lemon juice

orange juice

turmeric

ginger

honey

Apple cider

Turmeric  milk recipe 😦 one of our favorite drinks)

1 cup milk (cow, almond, coconut, rice, hemp, soy are all fine as long as they have some fat)

1 tsp Turmeric

1 Tbsp raw wild honey

½ tsp Cinnamon

black pepper, a pinch

1. Heat up your milk in the microwave or on the stove.

2. Add turmeric and whisk to combine.

3. Stir in honey and cinnamon and mix well.

4. Add a pinch of black pepper and stir.

CE247C0A-DF50-4145-ABD8-140CF0C8777E
Turmeric with milk

 We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Turmeric powder https://amzn.to/2S6OOmw

Ginger powder https://amzn.to/2EAGoki

 

 

Family, garden, Home, Trees

Gardening in a shade garden🕶

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Gardening in a shade garden🕶

The first time I realized my new house had a very shady garden I immediately thought a colorless back yard. And no chance of a vegetable garden.

Beautiful mature Camellia plants lined the yard, and a few azaleas bloomed in between. One Japanese maple tree that had grown out of its corner, was overwhelmed by a white dogwood tree, and shaded by a large mulberry tree branches.

When spring came, I started making a list of plants that were colorful, plants with many shades of green, and a list with combination of perennials and annuals.

My list for annuals: Begonias, impatiens, monkey flower, snapdragon, pansy, coral bells, lily of the valley.

My list for perennials: foxgloves, hydrangeas, hostas, ferns, primroses, encore azaleas.

I am sure you agree when I say, a Gardner needs to be patient and thick skinned. No matter how much planning is done you are still in the mercy of nature and drastic changes in weather. Gardening is always a work in progress, and the joy of seeing a perennial popping it’s head out of the soil in early spring is absolutely priceless.

Begonia
Hosta

Azalea

For more pictures please go to:

We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Encyclopedia of plantshttps://amzn.to/2YYl0wt

Women’s gardening gloves https://amzn.to/31Ru4VK

Tools https://amzn.to/3jBAi20

Family, Food, Health, Home, Kitchen, Organizing, Snacks

Pantry Must Haves🥫

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Pantry Must Haves🥫

We usually think of our pantry as the place we store what we need for cooking on daily bases. I have come to realize these days, that my pantry should have everything I need to make meals for not just weeks but maybe months.

Believe me I don’t own a large pantry, so no room for a large varieties of food, but I have learned how to make meals that share the same basic ingredients. And with few more from the freezer, voila I have put together a nice meal.

To create a nice meal has always been important to me. I grew up in a household that eating healthy, and eating delicious meals took an entire day to prepare. Chopping vegetables, marinating the meat, making sauces, all were an important component of creating a delicious food, and setting a beautiful table.

So to keep stress out of my life I have grouped my basic pantry items in 4 categories:

1- cooking

2- baking

3- snacking

4- breakfast

Always store Salt, peppers, spices, cooking oils in large quantities since they are used in daily cooking. Canned sauces, and tomatoes, canned vegetables, soups, tuna, pickles, olives, and pastas are another must haves, with long expiration dates that are easy to buy for storing.

Take advantage of end of season sales for baking, canned vegetables, and pastas. And remember you can store most ingredients like butter, cooked pastas, cooked rice, and breads, for few weeks in your freezer.

For an entire list on “ Pantry Must Haves” please visit:

We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Progresso soup https://amzn.to/34Xv3pt

Spices https://amzn.to/3bwooE1

Hunts tomatoes https://amzn.to/3hSWynG

Barilla pasta https://amzn.to/32P1NOL

Family, Health, Home
by houseresortLeave a Comment on
Lavender by your pillow

How to get a restful sleep

To get a restful sleep we need to follow a ritual of eating the right food and creating a right atmosphere to fall sleep. It is achievable, and is easy to follow a healthy routine to get sleep and stay sleep without using any over the counter help.

What we eat, how we unwind, and where we sleep effects how fast we fall sleep and stay sleep.

Two hours before you tuck yourself under the covers snack on food that will help your brain to produce hormones that will relax your thoughts and calm your nervous system. A healthy balance of hormones are the key to a good night’s sleep. Serotonin and melatonin need to work in harmony to keep the body balanced.

How Serotonin and melatonin work in our body:

Serotonin is the energizing happy hormone that increases positivity and relaxation. It helps us get out of bed and look forward to our day.

Melatonin is produced after the dark. When the environment around us is turned to night time. Making it extremely important to start our sleep ritual by turning the lights low and keeping our bedroom windows covered with curtains, blocking any light from entering the room.

😴 Enjoy snacking on food that can help: (2hours before bed )

Bananas

Peanut butter on wheat

Cottage cheese

Oatmeal

Almonds

Dark chocolate

Warm milk

😴 Create a relaxing surroundings:

Using natural essentials oil:

Rose, vanilla, sandalwood, Jasmine scents can relax our thoughts, helping us feel sleepy.

Reading & Avoiding electronics :

Enjoying a good book can relax our mind.

Blocking natural light:

Helps the increase of melatonin levels, telling our body it is night time, time to relax.

To keep our body and mind healthy we need to sleep. Our body needs at least 7-8 hours of sleep for a healthy strong immune system and a bright mind.

For a detailed list on meals and ways of relaxing please use the link below for “ How to asleep better” video.

Family, Home

Quiet time with our Family

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Quiet time with our Family

I used to remember specifically assigning a week night for dinner with my family. Searching for the day that no one missed dinner because of a late meeting, softball practice, or travel plans. We sat around the dinner table and enjoyed nice meal as a family.

Well I know I won’t shock anyone by writing, that since the pandemic, we have been having dinners together as a family for over four months now. We cook, set the table, eat, cleanup, and spread around the house relaxing before we go to bed.

We now enjoy a routine that felt as if it was forced on all of us. Not having the freedom of mind to be some where else, our home more than ever has become a safe place that we see and hear each other, doing things that keep us entertained and comfortable.

We are watching movies from 1930s and search google to learn more about the actors we just watched. Our conversations vary from what we have read, or heard from friends, reminiscing about past summer vacations, and future plans for traveling. History pops up more than ever! Our political history, changes our grandparents lived through, and our hope and conversations for changes that our future would benefit from.

Our home has changed to accommodate all of our needs. Where we read, watch tv, listen to podcasts. We have found and created spaces to relax, and not be distracted by others. This was an important realization. To have our own quiet spaces to go to, and come back together when we want to. Hoping we are learning from our new normal, and keeping each other happy.

For more on creating quiet spaces at home, Please visit :

Go to our YouTube channel , to see how to create comfortable spaces for your kids.

https://youtu.be/xf36iuyEggo

Family, Girls, Make up

Summer Nail Colors

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Summer Nail Colors

Warm weather is here, and we are showing a lot more skin & toes. You can’t possibly wear sandals with plain bare toes during summer, so begin with a beautiful pastel nail polish.

I love painting my own nails. It gives me a chance to relax and pamper myself. First I start by clipping, filing, and buffing my nails; then I moisturize my skin and the best part choose my color.

If you have noticed the make up counters these days, you have seen how much companies have expanded their nail products, and colors as the seasons change.

I have fallen into the trap of what is in season will also look good on me, but have also quickly realized that I often gone back to what I like and feel pretty and comfortable in. I like to think that I create my own trends 🤣

I picked a few beautiful pastel nail polishes for this summer with the help of my daughter. We chose the brand “essie” known for their fresh colors with their cute names such as “vanity fairies”, and “blue -la-la”. Their creative, fresh take on nail polish have helped them to become a very popular brand among all ages.

We bought four fun colors and recorded painting them on, just to show you the cool colors for this summer.

Check out the video👍 I hope you find the time to relax, put some color on your nails & enjoy the summer 🌞⛱

Affiliate link – We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

essie nail polish

Vanity Fairest https://amzn.to/2Z6kCfD

Baguette me not https://amzn.to/2O3vYuL

Mint candy apple https://amzn.to/31VtFlI

Family, Food, Hair, Health, Snacks

Summer Salad with Watermelon

by houseresortLeave a Comment on Summer Salad with Watermelon

Best way to eat fruits & vegetables sometimes is to make a nice salad. I have found it to be easier to add flavor and excitement to our food and get our kids to eat more fresh and healthy food.

One summer fruit that I love to serve is watermelon. With 1200 varieties, it is sweet, juicy, full of nutrients, and easy to serve.

Thirst quenching watermelon has many benefits, with 92% water, drinking its juice is an important way to keep our body hydrated.

Low in calories only 46 calories per cup, it is a great recovery beverage after a workout, and packed with vitamins, that help with :

1- Lowering blood pressure

2- high in antioxidants – prevents cell damage

3- helps in preventing cancer

4- helps with inflammation

5- helps with muscle soreness

6- helps with healthy hair & skin

One of my favorite salads in summer is watermelon feta cheese salad. Served with mint, glaze balsamic vinegar, olive oil, is cool and refreshing and everyone’s favorite.

Watch the video on how I made this easy salad. Try it & enjoy it 👍😋🍉