Archives for July 2016

6 Second Honeymoon Destinations

Just the mention of the word ‘Honeymoon’ and one thinks of romance. First, a honeymoon is such a beautiful experience. So, why have it just one! Don’t stop at your first honeymoon, take a second, third or fourth.  Every couple deserves a honeymoon.  And one that doesn’t break the bank. Furthermore, it’s nice to get away from the normal routine of every day life.  Especially, when you can spend some time alone with your partner. Many couples struggle to find alone time.  Especially, as kids come into your life and responsibilities multiply. Because alone time strengthens and cements the relationship, a honeymoon should be important to every couple.    Today, we’re going share honeymoon destinations.  We hope you enjoy these travel tips.

 

 

 

 

travel, caribbean destinations, honeymoon

 

 

Furthermore, taking a second honeymoon can be accomplished economically. The trick is to plan in advance.  Also, choose a destination that offers the excitement you are looking for.  Most importantly, choose one within your set budget. Here’s our pick of Top 6 Honeymoon Destinations That Are Exotic Yet Inexpensive:

SIKKIM

Sikkim, is a popular honeymoon destination in India. It is a place that offers a beautiful experience for travelers. The rich culture and natural beauty adds a magical and an exotic experience to the trip. Couples can enjoy the peace and serenity.  Additionally, they can delve into the history and mouth watering local cuisine. Also, they can spend a few days just soaking up the multiple facets of Sikkim.

 THAILAND

Next, Thailand is a beautiful beach honeymoon destination. It should come as no surprise that it’s always buzzing. Thailand has it all. If your idea of the perfect holiday is lying on the beach, shopping or just plain relaxing, you can find in Thailand. It’s budget friendly.  It also offers a multiple choice of accommodations and entertainment. 

Did you know that Thailand offers destinations with pristine waters and natural beauty? You can choose between being secluded by surrounding yourself with water or staying in the city. These pros make it an amazing honeymoon destination. You can try your hand at water sports and adventures and/or gorge on delectable seafood and local cuisine.

 KERALA

Kerala in India is well known for its backwater and massage experience. Combine the two and you have the perfect honeymoon destination! Furthermore, imagine soaking up the sun while nestled in a houseboat. Or sipping on sweet and pure coconut water. A professional masseuse will help you unwind by soothing stressed joints and limbs.  Isn’t the thought is divine!  You can also indulge in some guilty food pleasures.  Furthermore, you can marvel at the natural beauty.  If you’re feeling adventurous, visit some of the beautiful temples.

 BUDAPEST

Next, Budapest is a European delight! It is small, but oh-so-beautiful! The chain bridge across the river, the ruins, the castle and shops are filled with energy. Together they offer an experience that will leave you asking for more! Also, the thermal spas are a popular getaway for the locals and a must for every traveler in Budapest. You can choose from a variety of hotels, B&B’s, and motels. It’s a beautiful mix of peace and energy!

 PORTO

Last, if you are looking for a Europe holiday, Porto city in Portugal is the perfect place. It’s full of culture and a marvelous experience for  travelers. Next, the rich history, warm people, and great food adds to the experience. Lets not leave out the serene natural beauty Also, you can revel in the flourishing vineyards and exotic wine flavors. So, expect to be floored by the richness of culture and activity.  Yet, you can also spend time relaxing and just be lazy!

Finally, you have our picks for the 6 Second Honeymoon Destinations. So, start planning an adventure full of love, romance and rejuvenation! 

I hope that you found our honeymoon destinations beneficial. You may also like Second Honeymoon Travel Tips.

About the Author: Tejaswi Bhagavatula

An avid biker, published author and a regular blogger who has written for sites like Huffington Post, Life Hack, Better India, Times Network and more.

 

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #80

Sunday's Best Linkup Theme Celebrate Summer

Welcome to Week 80 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. It is really hard to believe that we are rushing full-blast into mid-summer already! The seasons seem to pass so quickly as the years go by. We are continuing our Let’s Celebrate Summer theme this week. We are looking for all of those fun summer recipes and BBQ tips, backyard makeovers and DIY projects, gardening ideas, cocktails to cool off after a hot day, brunch and picnic ideas – anything you would like to share to help inspire us this summer!

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard hot dog roasts, and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and link those too. They’re great for inspiration.

Don’t have posts that fit into the theme, link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, makeovers, cocktails, and your posts on family and life. Your linkups and giveaways are welcome here too. Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends they will want to join the festivities too.

Each week your hosts will select their favorite post and it will be featured the following week. An image from your post will be used on our linkup post the following week with a link back to your blog. Be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best Featured Blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts pinned to Rhonda’s Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board and Kim M. pins the weekly featured bloggers to her Sunday’s Best Linkup Pinterest Board too!

The Reader’s Choice post(s) will be determined by the post(s) with the most clicks. We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the Reader’s Choice and Host selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday’s Best host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Sunday’s Best Hosts Are:

mother 2 mother sunday's best co-hosts

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother ~•~ Kim U. at Pinterested Parent ~•~ Kim M. at Life in a House of Testosterone
 

Here are the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin or subscribe/join her blog in the right sidebar area before you leave.

The Pinterested Parent: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin before you leave.

Life In A House of Testosterone: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Instagram before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. If you are selected as a Featured Blogger please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Sundays Best Linkup Sundays Best Featured Blogger

Your readers may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. We appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now, let’s party!

Sunday’s Best Featured Posts Are:

Kim U. selected Raspberry Mascarpone Hazelnut Chocolate Brownie Bites from Grandma Honey’s House

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Post - Raspberry Mascarpone Hazelnut Chocolate Brownie Bites - Grandma Honey's House2

Rhonda selected 5 Easy & Useful Mason Jar Ideas from Keeping It Real

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Post - 5 Easy & Useful Mason Jar Ideas - Keeping It Real

Kim M. selected Just Peachy A Delicious Summer Cocktail from Across the Blvd

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Post - Just Peachy A Delicious Summer Cocktail - Across the Blvd

The Post with the Most Clicks

Old Window Upcycle and Budget Friendly Living Room Update from Live from Julie’s House

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Post - Old Window Upcycle - Live from Julie's House

The “Let’s Celebrate Summer” Favorite Theme Posts

Cook Out Foods Kids Love to Eat from Grandma Honey’s House

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Theme Post - Cook Out Foods Kids Love to Eat - Grandma Honey's House

5 Ways to Have a Stress-Free Summer from Healthy Helper

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Theme Post - 5 Ways to Have a Stress Free Summer - Healthy Helper

Virginia Beach: Perfect Family Friendly Vacation Destination from Life in a House of Testosterone

Week 80 Sunday's Best Featured Theme Post - Virginia Beach Perfect Family Friendly Vacation Destination - Life in a House of Testosterone

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. Rhonda, Kim and I would like to invite all of you back to link up your post(s) again … you could be selected next week! While you’re here, take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love and be sure to connect with others on social media!

6 Tips on Character Building for Children

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on character building for children. First, children aren’t born with good character and it isn’t hereditary.  Helping to develop your children’s character is essential.  A person’s character is the essence of who they are.  As a result, children must learn that their character will surface in all areas of their life. As a result, parents should teach character by example. 

 

 

character building for children

 

 

Character Building for Children:

 

Be Trustworthy – Teaching children to be honest is a must. Being honest is an important character trait.  Next, being trustworthy helps to build a good reputation, which is important in life.  Stealing, deceiving, cheating or being unreliable are big elements toward becoming untrustworthy.

Be Fair Teaching children that they must play by the rules is another important character trait.  Their are rules/laws for going to school, driving, and swimming on beaches and in pools. They must be followed; otherwise, there will be consequences.  Additionally, children must also learn to not take advantage of a situation or another person.  It is not right to do so.

Be Responsible – Teach your children the importance of honoring their word.  If they say they’re going to do something they must live up to it.  Teach children to think before they act.  Also, self-control is imperative to good character and they must strive to be an example to others.

Be Caring – Displaying kindness toward other is a big part of developing character. Children should help others  and be forgiving when others upset or hurt them. Because the world is unfair at times, we must forgive and move forward.

Be a Good Person – Most importantly, children should learn that obeying the law is essential.  Get your child involved in community service and doing volunteer work. You may like the post Why You Should Teach Your Children To Volunteer.

 

Furthermore, teaching your children good manners is every parent’s responsibility.  It seems that children today are rude and disrespectful.  Saying thank you, please or excuse me seems to be a thing of the past.  Why do they interrupt their elders or not hold doors for people entering or exiting a store or building?  Manners are a part of daily life, however, it seems to not be important today.

Finally, helping to develop your child’s character must start at an early age.   So, I hope my character building for kids tip inspire you.  Many traits make up a person’s character.  Raise children to be good people.  However, they are not expected to be perfect.  Strive to lead by example. Loving unconditionally should be something parents do every day.  Telling them that you love them unconditionally is just as important. Most importantly, kids will remember the conversations and examples they were shown during their character development.

Inspirational Quote – Live

inspiration quotes, funny quotes, motivational quotes

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #79

 

linky party, blog hop, social networking

Welcome to Week 79 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. This week our theme is Let’s Celebrate Summer.  We’re looking for BBQ and other summer recipes, backyard makeovers and DIY, gardening ideas, cocktails, brunch and picnic ideas and anything else you would like share to inspire us this summer. 

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, blogging tips, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard parties, makeovers and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and link those too. They’re great for inspiration.
Just link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, makeovers, cocktails, and your posts on family and life. Your linkups and giveaways are welcome here too. Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends they will want to join the festivities too.

Each week your hosts will select their favorite post and it will be featured the following week. An image from your post will be used on my blog the following week with a link back to your blog. Be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best featured blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts Pinned to the Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board.

The Reader’s Choice post(s) will be determined by the post(s) with the most clicks. We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the reader’s and hosts selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday’s Best host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Hosts Are:

Rhonda – Mother 2 Mother Kim U. – Pinterested Parent Kim M. – Life In A House of Testosterone

 

Here’s the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please subscribe to my blog on the right, like my
Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin or before you leave.

The Pinterested Parent: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin before you leave.

Life In A House of Testosterone: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Instagram before you leave.

 

Mother 2 Mother Blog

Sundays Best Featured Blogger

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. If you are selected as a Featured Blogger please let your readers and followers know. They may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. I appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now lets party!

 

The Sunday’s Best Posts are:
I selected Hot Dog Race Car  from Our Whimsical Days 
fun kids foods, summer recipes
and

Kim U. selected Succulent Mug Planter From My Pinterventures 

succulents, mug planters, gardening

and

Kim M. selected Basil Berry Diaquiri  from Home Cooking Memories 

cocktail hours, cocktail recipes

The Post With The Most Clicks:

chicken recipes, chicken salad recipes, light recipes

 

and

The Favorite Theme Post

All Things Red, White and Blue

 

Fireworks Chocolate Pretzels from Oh My Creative 

patriotic desserts, 4th of July food ideas

 

and

Star Spangled Rustic Tray from The Scrape Shoppe Blog

patriotic DIY, patriotic trays, patriotic decorating ideas  

and

4th of July 4th Pretzels from The Real Thing With The Coake Family 

patriotic recipes, 4th of July recipes

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and I appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. I would like to invite all of you back to linkup your post(s) again, it could be selected next week. While you’re here take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love. Be sure to connect on social media.

 

 


Make Your Home’s Exterior Perfect for Summer

 

home improvement ideas, curb appeal, exterior home improvement

 

For the most part, summer is the time when guests come over to the house for barbecues and holiday events. You want the exterior of the home looking as immaculate as possible. Not only does it fill you with a sense of pride, but it can also make visitors feel more welcome. Some things can even be beneficial to protect the property at the same time. Here are a few of the things I do to get the house ready for the hottest months of the year.

Caring for the Roof and Gutters

Keeping debris off your roof and gutters helps protect your property as well as deliver a nice appearance. This could be especially important for those launching fireworks nearby during special occasions. All it takes is the smallest spark to ruin an otherwise pleasant gathering. It’s not uncommon for the contents within a gutter to ignite due to an aerial firework. Keeping the roof and gutters clean is a relatively easy process.  If you’re not sure how to proceed, it may be wise to contact a professional to assist. Here are a few practical reasons why you would want to care for the roof and gutters this summer:

  • Protects the roof during summer storms
  • Helps keep water away from the foundation
  • Gives the home a fresh appearance from the road
  • Prepares the home for the fall and winter months

Exquisite Exterior Walls

A lot of homes just need a simple scrub down to enhance the appearance. Using a simple towel and a bucket of soapy water, you can spend some time washing dirt and grime off the exterior walls. You may want to refrain from using a pressure hose, though. Too much pressure could result in cracking or breaking parts of your siding. In some cases, a fresh coat of paint could make all the difference for exterior walls. Not only will this give your house a fresh new look, but it can also protect the siding from UV damage. This is important because exposure to sunlight will eventually break down the materials in siding over time.

Patio Projects

Sprucing up the patio will offer an elegant appearance. In essence, the patio is like any other room in the house. It needs the same kind of care and attention if you want to keep it looking nice and functional. After all, you might be spending a great deal of time in this area and you want to be comfortable. Here are a few things I do to enhance this area of the home:

  • Re-stain or re-apply waterproofing to the wood to give it an amazing appeal
  • Add a coat of paint to the trim to enhance the aesthetics
  • Re-arrange the furniture to offer a unique experience for yourself
  • Clean the grill with a brush and non-toxic solvents to give it a like-new finish

Driveway Adjustments

The driveway is one of those areas that a lot of people forget about. However, it’s also one of the most apparent visuals when arriving at the property. If there are cracks or holes, patching these up could greatly enhance the visage of the homestead. Most cement mixtures are inexpensive and can be picked up at your local hardware store. Simply add the right amount of water and you’ve created filler for the driveway. In more extreme cases, it may not be a bad idea to call in a professional. Using the wrong kind of concrete could be detrimental to fixing the driveway. Once the material sets, it will be that much harder to go back and fix a mistake.

Accentuating the Yard

The yard is one of the most obvious areas for creating the perfect visual during the summer. It’s one of those exterior areas that catches the eyes of everyone, and it will greatly impact curb appeal. The biggest investment you might have for enhancing the lawn is time. Easy modifications include:

  • Mowing the grass and keeping edges trimmed
  • Planting flowers in gardens or in pots near the doorways
  • Installing a rock garden with a tree coming out of the center
  • Installing solar-charged lighting along pathways
  • Adding accent lighting to areas of interest such as the garden or object on the property
  • Installing a small water fountain or waterfall to give the property more of a “living” feel

While many of these can be done on your own, some of the more advanced projects may require help. For example, you may need extensive electrical experience if you want to add elegant accent lighting. These are only a handful of things you can do yourself to make the home’s exterior as perfect as possible. Not only will these modifications turn a few heads in the neighborhood, they can also allow you to feel good about your property. Enhance your summer by giving yourself and guests a superb location to relax. Most of these additions take little effort and don’t require a large investment of money.

Jeff E. Brown Photo

 

About the Author: Jeff E. Brown is a freelance writer and a self-taught handy man with a knack for lifehacking and DIY projects. Based out of his home office where his two dogs keep him company while he types, Jeff loves writing about home improvement topics, teaching others all the tips and tricks he has learned since he moved out of an apartment and into a house. When he’s not writing, he loves organizing barbecue parties in his garden. You can contact Jeff via his landing page.