Sunday’s Best Linkup – #173

May 5, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 13 Comments

Welcome to Week 173 of Sunday’s Best. This is the last week of our Happy Mother’s Day theme. So, we’re looking for all things relating to Mother’s Day. Recipes, crafts, games, tablescapes, gift ideas and more. So, blow the dust off those old recipes, crafts, and any other posts that will help us celebrate Mother’s Day.

Additionally, 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 share those on our linkup too. They’re are great for inspiration. We will be starting our Happy Memorial Day theme next week, so get your posts ready.

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 party too.

So, each week your hosts will select their favorite post. The posts will be featured the following week. Also, an image from your post will be used on our linkup the following week along with a link back to your blog. As a result, 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 Pinterest Board too!

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

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best Linkup will be promoted on Twitter. The Post With the Most Clicks will be selected. Additionally, a post for our Monthly Themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Brittany at A Mama Tale Kim 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 on the right sidebar before you leave.

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

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. Please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

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!

Rhonda selected Communion Bible Cookies from Janine Huldie

Kim selected Nail Designs from Embellishments

Brittany selected Strawberry Banana Breakfast Oats from Busy Being Jennifer

The Post with the Most Clicks

Crockpot Meatballs and Gravy from Marilyn’s Treats

Our Favorite Theme Post(s) – Happy Mother’s Day

Top 10 Mother’s Day Printables for Kids from Joy With Purpose

and

Mother’s Day Garden Gift Basket from My Pinterventures

Last, congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you participating on Sunday’s Best Linkup. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. Finally, your hosts would like to invite all of you back to link up your post(s) again. We could select your post next week! Finally, 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.

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hops, linky party, social media

How to Get Rid of Harmful Indoor Garden Pests

May 4, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

harmful inddor garden pests

Gardening is a very popular hobby among many people today. It seems to be an easy task for most people thanks to the acceleration of advanced technology. However, gardeners face many challenges. Harmful pests are often at the top of the list. There is no doubt that harmful pests can destroy the garden in a short time. They may include aphids, cabbage maggot, caterpillars, cutworms, fleas etc. If you have plants indoors, harmful indoor garden pest can be a problem there too.

To eliminate harmful pests, there are two treatment methods you can choose from: chemical products and natural repellents. Both can help you remove harmful indoor garden pests. Nonetheless, while industrial products give you very fast results, natural repellents require more consistent application and a little more patience. Check out our tips on how to get rid of harmful indoor garden pests below:

Chemical Products

Nowadays, there are hundreds of items in the market for you to choose from. Fleas are a common issue for many gardeners. There are many chemical based products available to eliminate them. However, you need to bear in mind that these chemicals are potentially harmful for your pets and your own health. There are specific products for indoor and outdoor gardens, so be sure to choose the correct one. To find a safe and effective flea killer for your house, it’s a good idea to ask your vet or else read the online product reviews. Be careful to strictly follow the instructions given with the product.

Homemade Repellents

harmful indoor garden pests

Homemade repellents are ones you can make yourself with simple, readily available household ingredients. They do tend to be slower to work than chemical methods, but many people prefer them because they are eco-friendly and safer for their health. Ingredients used are usually acidic, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Spices are also used as pests often do not like these either. For instance, pepper, garlic and salt.

Method With Vinegar

Fill one bottle with white vinegar (50%) and water (50%) to kill weeds and grass poking out of the cracks in your concrete. Vinegar can also help kill ants. DO NOT spray vinegar directly on the plants as the high acidity concentration could kill them.

Method With Hot Pepper

harmful indoor garden pests

Boil together a mixture of 1 tablespoon of pepper and ½ gallon of water for about 15 minutes and let it cool. Strain through cheesecloth and add 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Put into a spray bottle and spray the plants every 5 days.

Other Methods

A mixture of garlic, canola oil and hot pepper is an effective insecticide that works on soft-bodied pests such as aphids, but won’t harm your plants. To make it, mix several cloves of crushed garlic, ¼ cup canola oil, 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce and ½ teaspoon liquid soap in 1 gallon of water, mix well. Put into spray bottle and shake well before using.

Another insect repellant that you can easily create is made with onions, cloves garlic and pepper. You just need to take the following steps: Puree 4 onions, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper and one quart of water. Set aside and dilute 2 tablespoons soap flakes in 2 gallons of water. Add the onion mixture from your blender; shake or stir well.

Your efforts will be wasted if you don’t take any preventative measures. An untidy indoor garden is always at higher risk of pest infestation than a well-cared for one. Follow these simple tips to keep your indoor garden looking beautiful and free of pests.

Control Measures

Keep the garden free of weeds, especially in the early spring when the pests are looking for food. Weeds can become their shelters to escape from our notice. Remove any dead or dying foliage, as this also provides shelter for harmful indoor garden pests.

Use barriers to cover young plants, which are so vulnerable, to prevent them from being harmed.

Delay planting at the end of the season, especially after a mild winter. Pests at the beginning of the season will cause the most damage and their numbers will skyrocket if winter weather is not cold enough to kill them.

Fertilize and water your garden regularly, to promote good, strong, new growth. The healthier your plants are, the better they will be able to stand up to insect damage.

Use yellow sticky traps, available at plant stores, to trap fleas in the garden.

At the end of the harvest season, clear the garden of all debris and rake up the grass in the garden so that pests do not have shelter. Bear in mind that the cleaner and neater your garden is, the fewer pests it will shelter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several ways to get rid of harmful indoor garden pests including eco-friendly repellents and chemical pesticides. Chemicals are useful when you have a large-scale problem on your hands, and need to take emergency measures. However, for long-term prevention and treatment, we’d recommend more natural products, to safeguard the health of your family, pets, and the environment. We hope that you found our harmful indoor garden pests tips helpful.

Author Bio: Richard Clayton

I’m an owner of a small gardening shop. I love gardening, especially lawn care. I can spend all of my free time taking care of my lawn and discussing lawn care experiences with my friends. Especially those who have the same hobby as me. My site, www.mygreenerylife.com is my playground, where I discuss everything about lawn care techniques.

Filed Under: Nature-Gardening Tagged With: garden pests, indoor garden tips, natural gardening

How to Get the Most Out of Professional House Cleaning Services

May 3, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 1 Comment

When employing a professional cleaning service to help make your home sparkly clean, it’s only natural to want to get the most out of it. After all, you paid a good amount of cash to get rid of dirt and dust.

As the homeowner, you need to know that you’re getting nothing less than what you pay for. A cleaner’s quality of work must reflect good results. When you hire professional house cleaning services, make sure that your home gets the thorough and effective cleaning.

1. Choose the right cleaning service

Picking the right cleaner for the job plays a huge role in making sure that you get your money’s worth. When searching for professional house cleaning services, ask the following questions:

Do you have a bond and insurance?
Are your cleaners trained well?
Who manages your cleaners?
Do you provide your own cleaning products?
Do you have a system for quality control?
What services does your company cover?
What cleaning equipment and products do you use?

2. Create a to-do list

Walk around your house and look for areas that need cleaning. Write down cleaning tasks and arrange them according to priority. Most house-cleaners work in a specific time frame. So, it will be helpful to let them know what they can do around the house in the amount of time that they have.

3. Request that any issues be reported to you immediately

To reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs, you can let your cleaning service assist you. Ask your cleaner to report potentially serious problems in your home to you as soon as possible to prevent minor issues from turning into a disaster. This can help prevent any unsafe conditions from causing harm to you and your family.

4. Have a cleaning schedule

If you want to maintain a clean home at all times, having a strict cleaning schedule will make it possible. Determine how often an area in your home needs cleaning. Doing so will help you lower your costs, especially on areas that only need cleaning on a weekly or monthly basis rather than daily.

5. Clear a path

To help housekeepers focus on the areas that need deep cleaning, clear a path so they can maximize their cleaning time. Remove clutter such as books, clothes and shoes that can slow down the work. This allows the cleaners to concentrate on difficult areas where their work can have a bigger impact.

6. Rotate rooms

If your cleaning service comes often, chances are, not every room of your home will need a deep cleaning every time. As a result, ask your cleaner to rotate working on sections of your house. This can help reduce the areas that require cleaning and eventually reducing your cost.

7. Calm down and relax

Now that you’ve decided to hire a cleaning service, you can focus on more important things to do. Don’t waste your free time micromanaging each facet of the cleaning process. They’re professionals, so relax and let them do what they do best.

8. Avoid expensive add-ons

It’s great to have clean windows, but deep cleaning them is only necessary at least once or twice every year. The same goes for your fridge and oven. So avoid expensive cleaning add-ons when you hire professional house cleaning services by cleaning these areas on your own.

9. Give feedback

Did you love your cleaners’ work? If so, be sure to let them know. They will take note of your positive feedback and make sure that you get the same cleaning treatment the next time.

If your cleaners happen to miss something, tell them about that as well. They will remember to include it in future cleanings so they successfully meet all your cleaning needs.

Hiring a cleaning service shouldn’t be difficult and stressful. The main reason you hire them is to help you, and not to create further stress.

Communication is key to getting the most out of your professional house cleaning services. Know what you want and don’t want, and make sure to relay this clearly to the cleaners to get good results.

AUTHOR BIO

Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.

Filed Under: Cleaning Tips, Life-Thoughts Tagged With: cleaning tips, home maintenance, house cleaning tips

Ladybug Rain Jacket, Boots and Umbrella Review

May 2, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 9 Comments

I purchased this adorable Skip Zoo Hop ladybug rain jacket and a pair of ladybug rain boots for my granddaughter. They’re a perfect ensemble to wear on rainy days. She absolutely loves it. I had purchased the frog rain jacket, boots and umbrella for her brother years ago, so she had to have one too. She choose the ladybug. So, who doesn’t love these adorable little bugs? I love finding these little ladies around my garden in the summer. We love them so much, my granddaughter’s first birthday party had a ladybug theme.

So, one of the things that I wanted to include in my ladybug rain jacket review is the pink and red combination on the jacket. I love how the red makes the pink pop. Pink is my granddaughter’s favorite color. The rain jacket is perfect for running errands, sports events (her brothers football games), or standing at the bus stop on school mornings. The red snaps make the jacket easy to open and close. The hood acts as a visor. It has 3-D ears with a smiley face. Most importantly, it keeps your child dry. The water repellant jacket causes water to simply rolls off the visor instead of on their face.

Another feature that I wanted to include in my ladybug rain jacket review is the pockets on the jacket. My granddaughter always finds something to put in her pockets. One of them is embellished with a ladybug. It creates a fun jacket with an added touch of whimsy. The sleeves are adjustable too. However, the jacket runs big. This wasn’t an issue for me, that just means she’ll get lots of wear out of it. She’ll outgrow the boots before the jacket for sure. The jacket comes in three sizes: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. I ordered the size 5-6. Note: Unfortunately the rain jacket is out of stock on Amazon. However, you can have them alert you when it’s in stock or order from another store.

I also ordered the Western Chief Girls Waterproof Ladybug Rain Boots to match the ladybug rain jacket. These boot are a quality item. Western Chief starting making foot wear during the Alaska Gold Rush. Their footwear ranges from character rain boots for kids to work boots for men and gardening boots for women. Not only are they quality items, the price is reasonable too.

Furthermore, I like the ladybug design on the boots and the side handles. They are perfect for helping kids get these adorable boots on. Rain, mud or just wanting to wear these boots with jeans or leggings is acceptable. My granddaughter reaches for her ladybug rain boots on rainy school days. She packs another pair of shoes to change into in her backpack once she arrives at school.

We can’t leave out the matching Skip Zoo Hop ladybug umbrella. My granddaughter made it clear, she didn’t want any other umbrella. She had to have this one, so this is the one she received. I highly recommend both any or all of these items. They are quality and adorable. Your daughter will love them too.

Filed Under: Product Reviews Tagged With: kid's boot reviews, kid's clothing ideas, kid's rain gear

17 Kid’s Spring Crafts

May 1, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Spring has arrived finally. Most kids will want to get outside and enjoy the warm weather and fresh air. However, spring brings rainy days. All is not lost, rainy days are perfect for doing crafts with the kids. We have rounded-up 17 kid’s spring crafts to occupy them on rainy days this spring. Our round up contains crafts for all ages:

Hand Print Book Marks – This one of my favorite crafts. The handprints will make perfect mementos for Mother’s Day. Also, they’re perfect for holding their place in books on their summer reading list.

Butterfly Snack Bag – Next, I think these snack bags are so cute. I’ve made these for my grandchildren and one of my nieces. Pretzels and cheese are a favorite and apple slices and grapes make great snacks too. I actually purchased colored clothes pin, chenille pipe cleaners and wiggly eyes from the dollar store.

Sheep Craft – This adorable sheep is perfect a rainy day. White card stock and cotton balls are the stars. Add a little bow and a face and she’s good to go.

Paper Bag Butterfly – Save a few lunch bags for this craft. In addition to the lunch bags, you will need heart shaped doilies from the Dollar Store and Do A Dot Markers.

Plastic Fork Tulips – Additionally, these fork tulips are so cute and one of my favorite kid’s crafts. They would make a great Mother’s Day gift too. White plastic forks from the dollar store, paint, green construction paper and your creativity is all you need.

DIY Easter Button Egg – This DIY button egg is so cute. Let the kids pick out the craft buttons in their favorite colors and than start gluing. The blogger provides an egg template. Note: This craft calls for a hot glue gun, so it is not recommended for small children unless you will be using craft glue.

Tissue Paper Butterfly – This tissue paper butterfly is budget friendly and easy to make. Purchase supplies from your local Dollar Tree.

Handprint Bouquet – This handprint craft is so cute. Also, this is a great Mother’s Day or birthday gift for grandma, Auntie, a God Mother or a just I love you gift. I love the pastel colors used in the crafts

Mason Jar Picture Frame – Mason Jars aren’t just for canning foods. They’re perfect for drinks and crafts. This picture vase is a great gift idea for Mother’s day or a birthday gift. Furthermore, why not paint it red for a Christmas gift. Use your imagination for the color of the jar. Also, I’ve seen the frames at the Dollar Store.

Tulip Potato Prints – So, who knew that potatoes could be used to make beautiful art. Potatoes were used to make this adorable tulip bouquet. I’ll be trying this one with my granddaughter for sure. We’ll be making bouquets for all the ladies in the family.

Plastic Bottle Planters – What a great way to recycle plastic bottles. It’s also a great way to introduce children to growing plants or flowers. It could lead them to wanting to plant vegetables and herbs. Petunias, parsley, marigolds are few suggestions for the planter.

Toilet Paper Roll Bunnies – Save a few of your toilet paper rolls for this craft. Add in white paint, construction paper, a black marker and buttons. Your on your way to making these cute little bunnies.

Cupcake Liner Birds – Cupcake liners are the stars in craft project. Pick up a pack at your local dollar store.

Pom Pom Chicks – These puffy little pompoms make cute little baby chicks. They would be great on a card, and with a little help a perfect craft for toddlers.

Paper Plate Whale – This paper plate whale is one of my favorite kid’s spring crafts. It’s a nice break from the flower bouquets and handprints. So, sit your so or grandson down and put him to work. I’m already picturing it on grandma’s refrigerator.

Kid’s Egg Carton Art – Cardboard egg cartons make great kid’s spring crafts like these beautiful flower bouquets. Save a few and help your kids make these flower bouquet for grandma or an aunt. Some paint, chenille pipe cleaners, buttons, and a ribbon can be purchased from the Dollar Tree.

Egg Carton Flowers – Here’s another egg carton craft. Again, egg cartons are great for gardening and crafts. Save your cardboard egg cartons to make these cute egg carton flowers. They will make a perfect Mother’s Day or any day gift.

Finally, we hope that you like a few of our kid’s spring crafts, and you will spend time on a rainy day making them.

Filed Under: Crafts, Spring

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #172

April 28, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 8 Comments

Welcome to Week 172 of Sunday’s Best. We’re continuing our Happy Mother’s Day theme. So, we’re looking for all things relating to Mother’s Day. Recipes, crafts, games, tablescapes, gift ideas and more. So, blow the dust off those old recipes, crafts, and any other posts that will help us celebrate Mother’s Day.

Additionally, 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 share those on our linkup too. They’re are great for inspiration. We will be starting our Mother’s Day theme soon, so get your posts ready.

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 party too.

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

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Brittany at A Mama Tale Kim 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 on the right sidebar before you leave.

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

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. Please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Rhonda selected Coconut Shrimp with Tropical Sauce from Mrs. Kringles Kitchen

shrimp recipes

Kim selected 45 Things Under $20 for a Mother’s Day Gift Basket from Savings Sarah

Brittany selected Cinnamon Streusel Banana Muffin from Sparkle Living

The Post with the Most Clicks

Kitchenware As Repurposed Planters from Fresh Vintage by Lisa

Our Favorite Theme Post(s) – Happy Mother’s Day

5 Reasons to Eat at Home on Mother’s Day from Paradise Praise

and

Gift Ideas for Mom from Life in a House

An InLinkz Link-up

Filed Under: Sunday's Best Linkup Tagged With: blog hop, linky party, social media

Unique Interior Design Features For Your Home

April 25, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Any parent knows keeping the interior of your home spic and span is difficult. It’s almost impossible when you have little ones running around. However, that hasn’t stopped the population from adding uniquedoing home improvements. The nation spent $152 billion last year remodeling their living areas. More and more families are installing fun and unique features to provide entertainment. Furthermore, they’re looking for a calming ambience and much needed storage space. So, whether you’re looking to update your property on a budget or go all out, there’s a family friendly feature that’s perfect for you.

Indoor water features

Indoor water features for the home are a great way of creating a tranquil and peaceful environment. It’s a perfect way for tired kids and tantrum throwing toddlers to relax and calm down. Another option is to install a indoor water table for your offspring to play in. Water games and activities are particularly beneficial for a child’s development and can improve their gross motor skills. Additionally, it helps with hand and eye coordination. It’s also an effective way for youngsters to get creative and have fun.

Unique bookcase and storage

Lack of storage is a problem in many households. Children usually have toys, games, books and knick knacks which all need a home. Installing clever storage options are the perfect solution. Chairs and seating areas can be cleverly designed to incorporate storage within them. Storage can installed in the arms and underneath the cushion. Alternatively, the area beneath your staircase could be converted into a bookshelf. Everyone can quickly and easily access a book when they wish. Unique interior design features can be created for individual homes.

Fun & games

Your home is where you and your family spend time together. So, why not make it as fun and family friendly. A useful feature to also add is a chalkboard wall. Grown ups will find it useful to keep shopping lists and memos. The little ones will love creating their own designs with chalk. If you have room, an indoor slide and or swings are another option. The swing and slide will keep the kids busy during bad weather.

It’s important to get the interior design of your home right. Unique interior design features like water fountains, clever bookcases, and storage units are great for families. Additionally, fun indoor items like slides are an excellent way to bring the whole family together as well.

Filed Under: Decor, Life-Thoughts, Parenting Tips Tagged With: budget decorating, home decor, interior design tips

Common Camping Injuries and How to Avoid Them

April 24, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Camping is a great activity and offers you the perfect getaway from a hectic routine. Camping makes a splendid family adventure and offers a fun-filled activity. Whether it is over the weekend or for a longer period, add a camping trip to your travel tips. Living outdoors with basic amenities, cooking your own food, and sleeping in tents is more adventurous than you could ask for. Not to mention the campfires and staring into the night sky with marvelous views that would take away all your stress and worries. Today, I’m going to share tips on common camping injuries.

common camping injuries

While camping is a great activity and gives you a break from your routine life, it also exposes you to certain threats and dangers. Therefore, it is necessary to exercise reasonable precaution while you are camping to avoid discomfort and to maximize your enjoyment. If you are camping with your family, you are not only responsible for your safety but also for your family. Kids would play around and can often expose themselves to dangers, which is why you need to ensure their safety.

You always need to carry first aid kits that can come in handy under dire circumstances, but understanding the risks and dangers you are exposed to would help in taking necessary precautions. Some of the most common camping injuries and ways to avoid them are:

Burns

If you are not an experienced camper, you are bound to get burned a few times before you actually learn to start a campfire. Campfires certainly do not operate as your conventional stove, which has a gas controller. Therefore, you cannot control the flow of the flames and need to be cautious. Avoid placing the campfire too close to the tents or to other flammable stuff. When you sit around the fire, always sit in the opposite direction of the wind. Strong winds can direct the heat right towards you which can cause skin burns, choking, watery eyes, and discomfort. Second, when you start a campfire, do not add a lot of firewood immediately; let the fire settle in and add extra wood gradually to control the flame.

Cuts and bruises

The most common injury on camping trips is cuts and bruises, if you are camping in a mountainous region with uneven grounds. When you are traveling with heavy backpacks, you might lose your footwork easily on uneven grounds that can cause bruises and cuts. While you go on a camping trip, always wear adventure gear and long boots to give your feed added protection and stability on slippery surfaces.

You also need to be careful while setting up the tent, handling sharp objects, and collecting firewood, as they carry the risks of being cut. Keep bandages and ointments for emergency and disinfectants to apply on wounds. For serious cuts, seek immediate medical help

Sprains and Fractures

Add slips and falls to the list of common camping injuries. Slips and falls are likely when you are camping in uneven terrains or slippery surfaces. If you are camping in such regions or during rainy seasons, you can easily slip and sprain your leg. In worse scenarios, slip and fall can result in severe injuries, which would incapacitate you during the trip. Camping activities are supposed to be enjoyable and if you hurt your leg or sprain your ankle, it would be difficult to move around.

You always need to keep analgesics and wearable supporters for such situations. Moreover, you need to be extra careful in slippery areas. If you slip and injure yourself, do not put pressure on the affected area and seek immediate medical help. Often, what might seem like a sprain can turn into a severe fracture, which can only be confirmed by an x-ray. Therefore, always seek medical help immediately after you incur an injury.

Now that most physicians have incorporated telemedicine into their practice, you can contact them using your smartphone or laptop.

Bug Bites

Bug bites are on the list of common camping injuries. While camping is fun and adventurous, it can expose you to various bugs and insects that dwell in the wilderness. Bug bites such as mosquito bites can lead to complex health problems and would waste your trip. You need to be careful while you sleep as bugs often approach during nighttime. Keep bug repellant sprays with you and anti-bug body lotions; apply as and when required, especially during the night when bugs are highly active. Bug bites can cause you quite discomfort; mostly commonly itchiness. Certain bug bites are poisonous and require immediate attention to lower the risks of severe health conditions. If you are bitten by a bug and feel irritation, contact the closest doctor immediately.

Skin Ailments

Your body can have various reactions to the atmosphere and weather conditions. If you have a sensitive skin, you are likely to face some sort of allergy and skin problems. Unfortunately, they can ruin your trip and turn it into an unpleasant venture. If you understand your allergies and understand your skin ailments, keep necessary medications, skin ointments to mitigate the risks of skin rashes and irritation.

These simple tips can help your discomfort during your overnight camping adventure and would allow you to make the most out of your trip. Always carry generic, over-the-counter medicines and painkillers for quick relief from the above conditions. Other critical injuries involve snake bites that are poisonous and can be lethal. In case of snake bites, never try to suck out the poison nor cover the wound. Relax and seek immediate medical help as snake bites can only be treated by an antidote.

We hope that you will use our list of common camping injuries to prepare and hopefully avoid them on your next camping trip.

About the author: James Smith is a survivalist, who loves to write about survival skills and techniques. You can follow him at @JamesSmith1609

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety, Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: camping tips, family activities, first aid

5 Amazing Outdoor Activities in the Alps for Families

April 23, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

The Alps is famous for its skiing holidays. However, there are so many more options for activities to enjoy in both spring and summer. You can take advantage of stunning mountains, rushing rivers, tranquil lakes and rolling meadows. It sounds like a nature lovers paradise, and that is probably right. It is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors and offers an amazing scenic setting for a fantastic family holiday.

Family activity holidays in the Alps is a great way to spend your summer break outdoors and enjoying nature. There are plenty of things to do to suit families members of all ages. Activities include mountain biking, summer skiing and even relaxing in the sun at the resort. Read on to discover more outdoor activities in the Alps for families:

Mountain biking

During the summer months the Alps transforms into a playground for many different types of outdoor activities. Mountain biking is one of the most popular during the summer. Morzine and Les Gets are resorts which are excellent for families to try mountain biking. There are guided rides or find your own way through the trails which vary in difficulty. Whether you are a complete beginner or an expert rider, there is an adventurous route for you and your family . The lift systems can be used by kids from the ages of 5 and up. The lift systems makes it easy for everyone to get to a new starting point for your mountain bike rides. Furthermore, a bike hire is often included free as part of your package if you book with a tour operator. Most resorts will provide you with a trail guide. So, you can plan your route depending on length and difficulty. Be sure to add mountain biking to your list of outdoor activities in the Alps for families.

Quad biking

For a different and an even more exhilarating biking experience try quad biking. Book an organized tour with a professional guide so you can see the spectacular scenery in a completely different way. Kids love the thought of riding their very own quad and it can be a fun family activity. Ride across beautiful pastures and through wooded trails. The Alpine mountains act as a backdrop. In family resorts you’ll find both adult quads and children’s mini quads. So, the whole family can take part whatever their age. Also, safety equipment and instructions are given and you’ll be with your guide at all times. So, all you have to do is listen and have fun! One of the best places for Quad biking is La Plange. However you can try this activity anywhere in the French Alps.

Canoeing and Kayaking

With all of the beautiful lakes and rivers in the Alps, you cans see why water sports are popular. Lakes are a great starting point for both canoeing and kayaking. Tignes Lake is an excellent place for these water sports. Lakes tend to be much better for beginners and young children too. The water is calmer and more placid. There’s also Lac Montriond which is easily accessible if you are staying in the resorts of Morzine or Les Gets. These locations also offer paddle boarding or take a boat out to explore the wider lake. Both canoeing and kayaking are definitely experiences the family will enjoy and remember. So, add these outdoor activities in the Alps to your list of things to do.

Walking and Hiking

Nature and spectacular views can really be appreciated by taking a hike in the Alps. There are different ways to get to the trails. You can walk from your own accommodation or take a lift to a higher starting point. Furthermore, you can hike on your own or book a guided hike or tour. If you have a guide they can navigate the area making it easier for you and your family. Guides can also show you local places of interest. If you decide to take to the trails by yourself, make sure you follow well marked routes and plan your journey. Take water and other necessities with you. Most importantly, tell someone where you are going in case you get lost.

Summer Skiing

Yes, you can still get some ski time on the slopes in the Alps during summer! It may not be the same as skiing in the winter, but you still get out on the slopes. You can ski on a glacier in the summer. The altitude is cold enough to keep the ice and snow in place. However, skiing is only safe during the morning before the sun starts to melt the snow. Tignes has fantastic year round skiing with glacier skiing available during summer. And, it is a popular resort to visit for those wanting to ski during this time of year.

Between June and the beginning of August, glacier slopes are open from 7.30 am to 1 pm. So, you can enjoy a full morning of skiing before stopping off for a well deserved lunch. Many visitors like the concept of skiing in the morning and sunbathing in the afternoon. What a perfect summer holiday combination.

What will you do on your Alpine summer vacation?

Well, there’s your 5 outdoor activities in the Alps for families. But, there’s so much more you can do here during your stay. You have almost an unlimited amount of activities to choose from and there are things to do to suit every ability and interest. The main thing is there’s plenty to do for active families and everyone will be kept happy. What will you do on your next summer holiday in the Alps?

Filed Under: Travel, Vacation Destinations Tagged With: family travel tips, travel destinations, traveling with kids

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #171

April 21, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 10 Comments

Welcome to Week 171 of Sunday’s Best. We’re continuing our Happy Mother’s Day theme. So, we’re looking for all things relating to Mother’s Day. Recipes, crafts, games, tablescapes, gift ideas and more. So, blow the dust off those old recipes, crafts, and any other posts that will help us celebrate Mother’s Day.

Additionally, 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 share those on our linkup too. They’re are great for inspiration. We will be starting our Mother’s Day theme soon, so get your posts ready.

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 party too.

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

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Brittany at A Mama Tale Kim at Life in a House of Testosterone

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Rhonda selected DIY Raised Garden Bed from a Sofa Table from Refresh Living