Seasonal & Holidays
Dear Dads: Gifts we (really) want for Mother’s Day.
Hey Dads, wondering what to get Mom for her big day (which is Sunday, May 13!)? Shelve the “I-think-she-mentioned-wanting-a-new-saucepan” idea and get a clue from our no-fail gift ideas below. You can thank us later. Clean Out Her Car. Ok, …
Earth Day crafts for kids. Time to recycle!
Looking for something fun and eco-friendly to do with the kids this week? Try out these super cute Earth Day crafts for kids. Milk Carton Bird FeederRecycle a milk carton and make new feathered friends with this creative nature Earth Day …
It’s not easy being green. Doable ideas for Earth Day resolutions.
I don’t know about you, but my commitment to being green tends to ebb and flow—erring more on the side of “ebbing” than “flowing”. Don’t get me wrong, at home I’m a recycling nut. But I’m also the first one …
Post-Holiday Tips. Making Easter 2013 a cinch.
I have a Holiday Closet at home. In it, you can find anything from plastic Halloween spiders to heart shaped melamine plates for Valentine’s Day. I’m often teased for holding onto this stuff, but hey, when Fourth of July rolls …
Save our teeth! Ideas for a cavity-free Easter basket.
Time to getting hopping on that shopping! Easter baskets filled with candy and sugary sweets are on their way out, so check out our suggestions for The Bunny’s non-cavity inducing treats. What can I put in my kids’ Easter basket? …
How to hard boil the *perfect* egg.
Are you ready to color your Easter eggs? It’s always a good idea to use hard boiled eggs unless you’re ready to clean up a very messy Easter basket! But boiling eggs isn’t as easy as it seems. Sometimes the …
Candy Rationing 101. How to successfully limit without (much) grief.
Worried about how to keep your kids from eating their body weight in candy on Easter? See our tips for stretching out the holiday treats and keeping that sugar rush (and crash) at bay. The Big GuyHow to deal with …
Rainbow Cake in a jar. Clever little leprechauns.
Here’s a fun, decorative treat for your little leprechauns this St. Patrick’s Day. Give them away to friends or keep them yourselves! Rainbow Cake in a Jar What’ you’ll need: 1 box white cake mix made according to package instructions …
Go for the gold. Leprechaun Trap craft ideas. Gotcha!
I was anxious to post a great “how-to” article for making Leprechaun Traps (because, apparently, now even the St. Patty’s Day mascot brings goodies for the kids, whaaaaa?), and I quickly realized after all the Googling I did, Leprechaun Traps …
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Taste The Rainbow.
Calling all leprechauns! On the hunt for a colorful St. Patrick’s Day treat? Look no further than these rainbow-licious cupcakes that are guaranteed to be better than any plain ol’ pot of gold. And although the picture and directions to …
Meet your new grocery store. Local farmer CSA’s are now accepting orders!
Everybody loves a Farmers’ Market because nothing tastes better than when it’s “right out of the garden”. But if you’re like me, I always forget to go! If only there was a way I could get that head of lettuce …
‘Stained Glass Hearts’. Easy and pretty Valentine’s Day kids’ crafts.
Young and old alike will enjoy making this pretty stained glass-style window ornament for Valentine’s Day. These translucent hanging hearts are easy to make from waxed paper and crayons. In return, sunbeams will color your room with cheer! Here’s what …
Valentine’s photo gift idea. Pictures say 1,000 words.
Need a Valentine’s Day gift idea for the one you love? Photos are quick, easy and inexpensive—not to mention they make gifts that last a lifetime and remind us of special times and special people! Whether the photo includes just …
Cute keepsakes. Adorable Valentine’s Day gifts from the kids.
Are you looking for some sweet homemade Valentine’s Day gift ideas from the kids? Below are a few creative keepsakes that anyone would love (think: mom, dad, grandparents, teachers, friends, guy at the deli counter). XOXO Handy ValentineThis one’s a …
St. Patrick’s Day Desserts! It IS easy being green.
If you’re not ready to color tonight’s dinner green, save the emerald edibles for dessert! Here are a few ideas for some lucky post-mealtime treats. Green Popcorn: Prepare a bag of buttered microwave popcorn (the butter will pick up the …
Seacoast Winter Farmers’ Markets—Find one near you!
Just because summer is all but a distant memory doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the crops and foodstuffs provided by local farmers and markets. Check out this listing below to find a farmers’ market near you. Fresh is best! …
Holiday houseguests? An easy and stress-free “How-To” prep for your merry visitors.
Ding dong! The guests have arrived! Being a great host is a big job, but it doesn’t mean you have to expend a super human effort to make your guests feel comfortable. Check out our tips for creating a cozy …
Yo, Rudolph, over here! Reindeer food recipe for Christmas Eve fun.
Children instinctively love animals and want to make sure they are treated well, and reindeer are no exception! The following “recipe” will ensure that, along with cookies for Santa, your family will also have a little something tasty to leave …
Caramel Apple Cider Crock Pot Recipe. Yah, that just happened.
Just like they make at Starbucks, only you’re saving yourself $3.50. Score. IngredientsServes 4 4 cups apple cider3 tablespoons caramel syrup (the ice cream topping)1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon ground cloves4 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream DirectionsUse a 2-quart slow cooker. …
Cute craft and holiday tradition: Wildlife Breakfast!
The holidays are ripe with traditions because they make this time of year so special! Check out this adorable Christmas Eve tradition sent to us by a loyal SKC fan, Jen from Hampton, that she does with her kids and …
6 Easy tips on cleaning (and keeping clean) your house for holiday guests.
Is your house becoming the local Motel 6 for the holidays? Sounds like it’s time to bust out the cleaning supplies. Here are some simple tips on keeping up appearances without turning yourself into a Merry Maid for the next …
Done with gifts by 7am? Tips on making Christmas morning last longer.
When you have kids, Christmas day (or better said, morning), can be over before the newspaper hits your doorstep. As a child, I can remember sitting amongst a mountain of discarded wrapping paper and foil bows with every single present …
Teacher gift ideas for the holidays. Well deserved!
If anyone’s ever popped in unexpectedly at school to see one teacher handling a room of 12+ little ones, you know how hard they work! The holidays are our opportunity to tell those special people who care, teach, love and …
Easy Gingerbread House that’s guaranteed not to collapse. Great for kids of any age, too!
Many of us have attempted gingerbread houses from fancy kits, only to witness the roof and sides collapse like a deck of cards. No more. Making your own gingerbread houses has never been easier with this low cost, low effort …
Awesome holiday cookie recipes. Share with friends or eat them all yourself.
Whether you are baking for a cookie swap or yourself, these recipes are sure to please. For the exception of the first recipe, all cookie recipes are created to be lighter on calories and fat. Healthy cookies, yessss. Happy holidays! …
Planning a holiday roadtrip? Keep the peace in the car with these travel tips.
Traveling for the holidays? Time to pack up the family, presents and packages into the car for one helluva ride! Take a deep breath and don’t panic…you will make it, and everyone will still have their heads and limbs firmly …
The Christmas Dove. It’s like a ride through the holidays. Only FREE!
The Christmas Dove is a retail holiday store, but it might as well be a winter wonderland ride at Disneyland, only with free admission! Take your time exploring the many different themed rooms of holiday décor, ornaments, lights, interactive train …
Beyond the turkey sandwich. New recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers!
After you’ve had your fill of turkey sandwiches, there are still plenty of options for all those Thanksgiving leftovers! Extra crudite makes for excellent salad fixins’. Leftover stuffed mushrooms could be whipped into a saucy accompaniment for steak! The possibilities …
Black Friday shopping tips: Get the bargains and keep your sanity.
We’ve all heard about the crazy deals shoppers can score on Black Friday, but all the hype can be intimidating! Here are some tips to help you get the bargains and make it home in one piece. 1. Check Out …
Inexpensive holiday gift ideas for friends and family. Check and check.
We all have friends and neighbors who we’d love to shower with holiday pressies, but buying gifts for everyone in our lives can be expensive! Here are some ideas for homemade gifts of the best variety—FOOD! These gifts are low-cost, …
Our favorite Thanksgiving recipes: New twists on old favorites
Thanksgiving is around the corner and everyone is beginning to salivate like Pavlov’s Dogs because they know they’re about to dig into that one special, favorite dish that waits an entire year be served again. The following three recipes are …
Super fun kids’ Thanksgiving crafts to keep them busy on Turkey Day.
Need some time to baste the turkey and set the table without the kids running about the kitchen? Check out these super cute Thanksgiving crafts that will keep younger ones occupied and still having something to play with after the …
Thanksgiving family traditions: Creating your own Turkey Day routines.
It’s easy for Thanksgiving Day to turn into just another meal that buries you in planning, preparing, cooking, cleaning and an experiment in how much food you can eat before causing internal organ damage. Holidays should be fun and the …
Avoiding the “Are we there yet?”. Beautiful fall foliage drives right in your backyard.
You don’t have to drive three hours up to the mountains to get a glimpse of the gorgeous fall foliage—there’s plenty to marvel at right in our own backyard! Check out these local drives and tours through our seacoast communities …
Make-Your-Own Scarecrow Halloween Decor! It’s Brainless.
No “brain” required for this super simple scarecrow Halloween craft! Get ready for the fall holidays with this adorable pot sticker that’s great for all ages. Best of all, you’ll likely have all of the ingredients already kicking around the …
Five awesome Halloween family traditions. It’s just like being a kid again.
I love traditions. That being said, I practice very few, but I love the idea of traditions. Since my kids have recently exited the toddler stage and are developing an appreciation for repeat activities, we’ve started some really cool ones …
Apple picking isn’t just about apples. Tricks to make the experience last.
Apple picking season is here! Time to crack open your wallet and dump it out all over the farm counter. Ok, I’m a little jaded because I just spent $18 on a peck of apples that took my son and …
Tips For Stress-Free Back To School Shopping. Ya, That Just Happened.
Truth? I haven’t even begun my back to school shopping yet. I’m putting it off to the last minute, similarly to how I handle Christmas shopping because the task seems equally as daunting. Either that, or maybe it’s because summer …
Peach picking season is here! Tips on where to go & what to do with them.
I somehow manage to miss peach picking season every year. I theorize it’s because prime harvest time is right after blueberry season and right before apple picking season, and well, that’s just a lot of time picking. But never fear, …
Feeling hot, hot, hot! Why grilling is the way to go.
If you’re like me, one of the things I really look forward to in the summer is eating outside and grilling. Less mess, tasty flavors, it just feels more relaxed. Sometimes we fail to give the grill the respect it …
Stress-Free Camping. No Longer An Oxymoron.
Remember camping as a kid? What was the best part? Swimming? S’mores? Flashlights and sleeping bags? Kids love the simplicity—it’s the parents that make it complicated! Somewhere along the line, we tried to equate camping to our five-star resort getaways …
Pool Safety is no joke. Learn how to keep your kids safe.
It’s hot (yay!) and everyone is seeking out the closest watering hole or pool. Break out the beach chairs, grab a magazine and relax by the water…what could go wrong? It is horrific to even consider the possibility, but kids …
Are We There Yet? Kids’ Travel Activities For That Summertime Car Trip.
Does your summer have Road Trip written all over it? Time to pack up the family and all your earthly belongings into the family truckster for one helluva ride! Take a deep breath and don’t panic…you will make it, and …
Summer Vacation: How To Handle The Extra Kid Time!
Whether you have kids of your own, you’re a nanny, have significantly younger siblings, or for one reason or another are going to be around kids a ton these next couple of months… let’s face it… summer vacation can be …
Father’s Day Gift Idea. It’s A Tasty One.
Looking for a fun Father’s Day present that the whole family can enjoy? One of SKC’s favorite gifts (yes, we’ve joined and it’s totally fun and tasty!) is the “The BBQ Sauce of the Month Club”—it’s the perfect gift for …
Last Minute Father’s Day Ideas. Because We’re Last-Minute Type Of People.
Father’s Day gifts, aaaaargh. Aren’t guys just the most difficult to buy for? And Father’s Day to boot…it’s gotta be something “special” from the kids, but also something that he’ll enjoy and actually use. Here are a couple of ideas …
Happy Mother’s Day. Tippin’ Our Hats To The Girls That Make The World Go Round.
If the laws were set up correctly, us mothers would be legally required on this day to be getting a relaxing spa massage and taking breaks to enjoy zero-calorie scones and mimosas while receiving phone calls from our loving spouses …
More February Vacation Activities…Does the Fun Ever End?
School’s out! Check out our picks for fun diversions over February (or really March) vacation! Animal Autographs at Great Bay Discovery Center89 Depot Road, Greenland NH (603) 778-0015Tuesday, March 1; Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 39:45am-2:00pm For ages 7-11Cost: $12 for …
Homemade Valentine’s Day Treats. Eat Your Heart Out!
What says Valentine’s Day better than cookie ice cream sandwiches? Actually, I don’t think the two have anything to do with each other, but I’ll use any ol’ excuse to make cookie ice cream sandwiches. If you’re in the market …
We Freaking Love the Dollar Tree. Look What We Found!
If you have a question, the Dollar Tree is the answer. I know this post won’t agree with everyone, but as the primary budget keeper in my household, those dollar stores offer deals that are just too good to pass …
