When's the last time you threw all your cares away and just had fun for your anniversary? It's probably been a while, especially if you have kids. But parental responsibilities or not, it's hard to find time away from our busy lives and actually plan something unique and exciting.A basic movie and dinner night is nice, but what you need is something different! Step away from the boring and step into adventure. Here are 5 special anniversary date ideas that a dinner and movie night can't compare to.
1. Revisit the Spot Where You First Met or Had Your First Date
Nothing says romance more than revisiting the place where all of those mushy feelings first came about. Although, if you first met somewhere like a school or job, you might not be able to have a date night at that specific location. So think back to your first date or any other memorable moment you two shared with one another and revisit it.It's always nice to bring back old memories and good times shared. It's also a great way to feel young again and feel all those butterflies again. Make it a night and bring a romantic picnic or plan it out to relive the night exactly how you did the first time.
2. Get on the Road: Take A Road Trip to Anywhere
Sometimes the best anniversary ideas are the ones where you can just get out of town. It's never a bad idea to forget about reality every once in a while and just focus on yourself and your significant other. So hop in the car and drive!A road trip doesn't always require a carefully thought out plan of action. It's super spontaneous to just jump in the car and see where the road takes you. You'll have a lot of fun.As long as you and your spouse are both okay with not having a set plan, go for it! If you do need things more planned out, no worries. Road trips are fun when planned out as well.
3. Plan a Night at the Comedy Club
Who doesn't love a good laugh? If you two aren't the best at telling jokes, then check out a local comedy club for laughs all around. Comedy clubs lighten up the atmosphere and ensure that everyone has a great night.It's definitely one of the funniest things to do on your anniversary.
4. Schedule a Day for an Escape Room
For extreme excitement, adventure lovers will really enjoy scheduling a day at an Escape Room attraction. Escaping the room requires lots of teamwork and communication. So it's time to put all those years of getting to know one another to use and work together to solve the mystery!It's a good bonding experience and one of the most fun couple anniversary ideas out there!
5. Buy Tickets to a Local Sports Game
If you and your spouse share a love for the same sport, then consider buying tickets to a local sporting event. There's plenty of local sports leagues that you can enjoy watching together. Don't feel restricted to expensive football games only. Although, those are fun too! And for couples feeling athletic, consider planning a night to play a sport with one another. You can go kayaking, play tennis, and others.
Exciting Anniversary Date Ideas You Never Thought Of
Anniversary date ideas don't have to stop at a dinner and a movie. There are so many options out there for you. And taking the time to find your inner teenager again with your spouse is refreshing and often times needed. So the next time you need some romantic ideas for anniversaries with a bit of a spin on them, keep these 5 in mind. And for when you just feel like getting out of the house and exploring, check out these 10 tips for exploring your own city.
*contributed post*
Happy Friday friends! Today I am so excited to share my book, movie, and TV review of the month with y'all! Before I start though- if you have any suggestions for me for April please let me know! I am constantly looking for suggestions so if you have any favorites - please pass them on! (Also- if you missed February's Review and are looking for some ideas yourself you can find it HERE!)
So there a few books (and one I sadly can't recommend), movies, and a thought about TV... here we go: *smiles*
Books
{one}Moving Mountains
*sad sigh* I wanted to love this book. I really did and went into it all excited. I don't think I have really shared this here or with a lot of people who even know me well but Wild at Heart written by John Eldredge is one of my favorite books. I honestly wish that I could get it into the hands of every man that I know because I think that there is a very dangerous mis-conception that guys who believe in God and are Christians should just be "nice guys". This is simply not the case. Was Jesus "nice"? Yes. But He was way more than that and I truly believe that God designed men to heroes, warriors, to live lives of adventures and risks and to be "dangerous" in the best sense of the word. When John wrote this more than a decade ago I wanted to shout "YES" as loud as I could because that is what Jesus was all about. We as Christians have done the greatest disservice to men by trying to say the opposite. John states, "It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death.". Amen. Amen. Amen.
In addition to this I have mentioned more than once Captivating (co-authored with his wife) (the "girl version" of Wild at Heart (maybe?)) is simply brilliant. Honestly if you are a woman read it. (If you are curious and want to know more about the book Captivating I wrote about it HERE.)
So... when I saw that John had written a new book in 2017 that I hadn't read, Moving Mountains, I was excited to read it. Besides the books above I have enjoyed some of his other books (including Waking the Dead) but... I just couldn't really get into this one and on many philosophical notes I disagreed with him completely. So I can't recommend this book but would love to know your thoughts. Anyone else read this?
{two} Crime and Punishment
So a year ago I mentioned that I had gotten about 1/2 way through Crime and Punishment. I shared this last year, but my goal was to branch out and try reading some classic authors and books that I haven't read before. If I am honest I find with classic books that I tend to read and re-read the same books and authors again and again (hello all of my favorite Alexander Dumas books *smiles*) I realized that I had never finished this and made it my goal for it to happen this month...
I will be honest... it's rough. It's a bit depressing, a bit dark... but I would recommend it because the story makes you really think about a lot of things. At the same time it I feel challenged by it and definitely recommend it. If you are looking to branch out and read something new in the classic section this one is one to read. You can find it HERE.
{three & four }Eat Right for Your Blood Type / Blood Type A Book
Years ago I read these books when I first started to feel my health decline. I was teaching at the time and the wife of a co-worker of mine recommended this book. (I have Type A but there are books for each of the blood types.) So I decided that I would read them again and did. Honestly, I didn't find them particularly helpful simply because I realized that I was already eating basically this way. I don't find that I necessarily followed this eating pattern from years ago, but those of you who know me know that I am extremely strict about what I eat due to my health and so I didn't find this as helpful as it may be to others. If you haven't read it or you are looking into making healthy changes in your lifestyle than I would recommend it as something to add to your library. You can find Eat Right for Your Blood Type by clicking HERE and Blood Type A Book by clicking HERE.
Movies
I watched this movie at the beginning of the month and honestly I still don't know what to write about it. I think that I went into with some different expectations maybe? I mean there are definitely funny parts, some parts that will just bring you to tears, and then there are some parts that seemed... a bit random maybe?
As a bit of background I should say that I have always wanted to foster/adopt and before I got sick was starting the process to become a foster parent. I think the route to foster care is different for every family - so I think that realistically that was portrayed really well - especially in the group meetings. I laughed a lot because I think that I met "each of these people" in my beginning classes. It is hilarious in general but if you have been through the process you will find it even more funny. I also really loved that they showed the "not so fun side" of things when talking about fostering and the challenges that are unique in doing this...
I think that I would have loved to have seen some more character development as far as the connection between these kids and the foster parents... it seemed a little "off" which was more centered around the couple itself in that they maybe weren't sure why they had gone in to fostering and then at one point were thinking about "returning the kids"... and then all of a sudden they didn't want to lose them... I don't know some of it just seemed "off". Also- I was turned off by the amount of language that really wasn't necessary - it just seemed to be added in for "drama" sake... I hate to say it because I wanted to love it but I can't say I recommend it. Anyone else disappointed by this one?
*happy happy childhood sigh*
Earlier this month we re-watched the original Mary Poppins and then when this released this past week we watched Mary Poppins Returns. Y'all, if you haven't seen it... go see it. It is sweet, will remind you to have an imagination, make you smile, and bring all the nostalgic feelings back. If you have read the books I would say that some ideas were taken from some of the later books and implemented but it is it's own story all on it's own. A few of my favorite things...
(1) Dick Van Dyke. Need I say more? And seeing him still dance? Inspirational and wonderful all at the same time. I just love him.
(2)The soundtrack... the way that some of the old music is woven throughout the movie in a seamless way paying tribute to the original Mary Poppins while introducing new music was nothing short of brilliant. Y'all know my love of music and I was blown away by the creative imagination and the time that this must have taken. Absolutely brilliant.
(3) Lin-Manuel Miranda...So incredibly talented and he does a fantastic job.
(4) Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins... she is just lovely. So something that a lot of people don't know about me is that one of my favorite movies is The Young Victoria but for some reason I never mention it. hahaha! I have no idea why I don't talk about it more because I just think it is one of the sweetest movies of all time. The love story y'all... so so precious. Emily Blunt plays Victoria and seriously you forget that this is the same person as Mary Poppins - that is just how talented she is.
It is hard to believe that this amazing woman has been gone for four years. When Kara died four years ago I wept because although we had never met, her words and her encouragement to find goodness in the midst of suffering and hard were a beacon of light in the darkness for me on my health journey.
Over the last four years I have continued to re-read her posts at Mundane Faithfulness, re-read her books (The Hardest Peace, And it Was Beautiful, Just Show Up (which was co-authored with Jill whom y'all have met here on the blog), and Big Love) on numerous occasions and even had the humbling opportunity to share my heart on Mundane Faithfulness over the years.
I have kept up with updates about this documentary and knew it was coming and so when it was released this month I knew I wanted to watch it. I admit though that emotionally I knew it would be difficult and hard to see and so I purposefully set aside some time where I could watch it knowing this. I walked away from it the same way that I have walked away from every interaction with Kara years ago... inspired...encouraged...in awe...and stunned silent at her realness in the midst of tragedy and suffering and the way that she pulled back the curtain into what real life was like in those last months.
I didn't feel that there was anything "new" necessarily as far as being different then the books, the blog, and her speaking (if you had kept up with all of that), but there was a tenderness and grace that can only come with "seeing" that it put all of those things into a greater depth for me. She, her family, and her friends graciously drew back the curtain on life during that time... giving each of us a great gift.
I think I could go on and on and on about this documentary but I want to say two things... (1) If you are in the midst of suffering there is a beautiful hope that is found in this documentary and could be of great encouragement... and (2) to her family, her friends, her loved ones... thank you for giving us one more chance to be inspired by "your Kara"....in doing so you have beautifully continued her legacy but more than that you have sacrificed private moments for all of us to tell her story.
TV
Life has been so busy that I haven't really been watching TV so I am going to save those reviews for next month y'all! There have been some things that I have been watching and am finishing up from the last few months that I can't wait to discuss more next month!
If you are curious about other book reading lists I have done in the past you can find those posts below:
What about you- what have you been watching and reading that you would recommend?
Happy Friday friends! Thank you so much for reading today! I hope that you have a wonderful day and weekend!
Birthdays are supposed to be a time to celebrate your loved one's life. But when you don't have the right gift ideas for him, you may not be looking forward to it as much as you could be.
Finding the right gift is all about demonstrating how well you know someone and how much attention you pay to what they like. But when the person you love already has everything they want, how do you know what to get them? Read on for some of our best suggestions for the man in your life.
1. A Robotic Lawn Mower
If your loved one played with a remote control car growing up, then they would love having their very own robotic lawn mower.
Today's models can be pre-programmed to run daily keeping the lawn perfectly manicured without giving off any emissions. They also can be controlled by the remote just like your favorite childhood toys.
2. Funny Reads
There is nothing better than reading absurd stories or funny jokes while you're on the john. So why not pick up some light reads for the man in your life?
Look for books that have short individual stories that can be read in the time it takes to go to the bathroom. Quote books and poetry are also nice options since you can read as much as you want in one sitting.
3. An Absurd Amount of Batteries
If the person you're shopping for really has everything, then there is something they are always running out of - batteries. Why not make a joke about the whole thing and just purchase them a pallet of double A's?
Everyone there can have a good laugh at how you knew they didn't want for anything but more power.
4. Butler Service for a Day
Depending on who you're offering a gift to, why not consider giving them butler service for a day?
You can do things like cook for the person, straighten up their things, do their laundry, and chauffeur them around. It's a great way to spend quality time with the person you love and engage in acts of service.
5. A Subscription to a Craft Beer Club
A lot of men enjoy drinking craft beers because they're tasty and locally made. Why not indulge your loved one's interest by getting them a subscription to a craft beer club?
One option is to set them up with regular deliveries of craft beers from around the country or around the world. That way they can sample all kinds of different beers. Just make sure you find out what styles of beer they like first so you can make the best selection.
Alternatively, you can sign them up for a brewery tour where they can learn about how beer is made and then set themselves up with the beers they like the best as part of a subscription package.
6. Dinner Made by a Private Chef
Hiring a private chef to come to your house is a luxury most people don't give themselves. Why not hire a great chef in your area to come to your loved one's house and either give them cooking lessons or just make them a nice meal.
You could choose a chef that cooks local and sustainable food or hire a chef who specializes in barbecue if that seems more up your loved one's alley.
Or if you live in a marijuana-friendly state, you could hire a chef that specializes in cannabis-infused dishes. The only limit is your imagination and the limits of the imaginations of the chefs that live in your area.
7. Their First Flight Lesson
Scheduling a flight lesson for someone is a great way to open the door for them to have an experience they have always longed for, but may have never provided for themselves.
Who knows, you could introduce them to something that will become a new hobby of theirs. Be the reason someone gives their dream a try.
8. A Skydiving Experience
A lot of people want to go skydiving at least one time in their life. So why not purchase a daytime adventure for your loved one?
If they're keen on the experience, but you're not sure you feel comfortable providing the opportunity for someone to jump out of a plane, why not consider an indoor skydiving option? There are a lot of places where you can put on a jumpsuit and feel like you're flying without putting yourself in a risky situation.
9. A Trip to the Racetrack
If your man is a speed demon, why not send him for a trip to the racetrack? A lot of guys enjoy the feeling of pushing the pedal to the metal and seeing how hard they can push their limits.
Make sure you look into what kind of cars they like beforehand so that you can select a track that offers that option as part of the experience.
10. A Challenge Coin
You don't have to venture to the biggest malls on the planet for a gift. There are a lot of great options that you can find and have shipped to your loved one like challenge coins.
A challenge coin is a great way to mark a special occasion. You can come up with your own design inspired by the man in your life. Read more here about challenge coins.
Beyond Gift Ideas for Him: More Great Advice for Women
Another good idea is buying an oil, for example, CBD oil, which both of you can use. Shopping for the man in your life isn't always easy. But remember it's the thought that counts when choosing between gift ideas for him. Choose something that shows the other person that you know them well and that you care about supporting their interest and hobbies.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Parts
Most people use DIY as a healthy approach to escape from the pressure and worries of everyday life. If that special man in your life is someone who taps into creativity, then it is time to visit Appliance Parts Pros and get him some appliance parts and accessories, like the Whirlpool dishwasher parts that will brighten up his day.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Parts
Most people use DIY as a healthy approach to escape from the pressure and worries of everyday life. If that special man in your life is someone who taps into creativity, then it is time to visit Appliance Parts Pros and get him some appliance parts and accessories, like the Whirlpool dishwasher parts that will brighten up his day.
Check out my other blog posts for more great advice today.
*contributed post*
Happy Wednesday friends! Like I mentioned on Saturday, over this next week I am so excited to share with y'all the spring collection from the shop! Today I am excited to share about this adorable Mother Goose Junk Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!)
This beautiful Mother Goose Junk Journal is a Spring Lovers Dream. I love the soft colors of the paper and knew it would make a special Junk Journal for this spring season.
This beautiful vintage Mother Goose Junk Journal is a sweet spring Lovers dream. With approximately 150+ pages of quality and beautiful scrapbook paper, vintage children book pages, ribbon (both vintage and bespoke modern pieces from around the world) and pretty surprises, this Junk Journal will create a treasured keepsake for a lifetime and can be used throughout this beautiful spring season and year.
With this Mother Goose Junk Journal you can easily add in pictures and quick notes so that you can remember the special days forever. This Junk Journal would create a treasured keepsake for a lifetime! No matter how you would use this junk journal it would be precious. *smiles*
Oh and did I mention the size?!? At approximately 4x6 it is the perfect mini junk journal!
If you are interested in this Mother Goose Junk Journal you can find it HERE! Or, if you are interested in looking at the spring collection in the shop you can find the entire collection HERE! You can find one of me talking about the junk journal on the shops instagram page by clicking HERE! A video of this junk journal will soon be available on my Youtube page which you can find HERE!
Happy Wednesday friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far!
There's no denying that living green benefits the planet in countless ways. It encourages less waste, reduces pollution and helps to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. With the plethora of environmental benefits, it's simple to forget the many other benefits that arise from living green. In addition to benefiting our planet, living green is incredibly beneficial to individual practicing that lifestyle. Establishing a green lifestyle often leads to saving money, improved health and minimizing environmental guilt. If you're interested in living a more green lifestyle, you're going to want to read this. We're uncovering seven additional benefits of living green and how this can lead to a more fulfilling daily life.
1. Saving Money
First and foremost, a green lifestyle is incredibly wallet-friendly! On top of knowing that you're helping to save the planet, you can also rest assured this lifestyle change will benefit your bank account. For many, this comes in terms of switching to more environmentally friendly energy sources. This could be anything from opting for LED lights to installing solar panels. Both of these products have proven to be significantly more inexpensive to maintain than their standard competition. Other means of saving money with a more green lifestyle include growing your own produce, minimizing driving and using less energy.
2. It's Better For Our Health
When we consider that going green is good for the planet, it's no surprise that going green is also good for our individual health.In terms of our homes, going green means surrounding ourselves with food and products that are free from harmful chemicals. In consuming fewer chemicals, our body is able to remain strong and minimize our chances of developing a disease. When it comes to diet, many eco-conscious individuals choose to opt for a meat-free diet. This is due to the fact that meat related products can be incredibly harmful to the environment and significantly depletes our resources. For example, it takes 2400 liters of water to produce a typical beef hamburger. In minimizing our meat intake, we are more likely to nourish our bodies with plant-based foods as well as fruits and vegetables. Even transitioning your household products to all natural, environmentally friends products are sure to benefit your everyday health. No longer will you be surrounded and breathing in chemicals that are harmful to your health and the outside world. Not sure where to start? Try this online store to get started and learn more about all natural cleaning products!
3. It Minimizes our Environmental Guilt
There's no denying the guilt that results from knowing we are contributing to harming our planet. While it may seem impossible to change the bigger picture, it is possible to change our daily habits. And, in changing our daily habits, we know in our hearts that we are doing our part to help protect our earth. The truth is, adjusting to a greener daily life is simple. The reward that stems from these changes is incredibly beneficial to our mental health in addition to the planet itself. Simply knowing that we are doing our part to help the environment is good for our mental health.
4. It Motivates New Hobbies
One of the most exciting benefits of going green involves all of the new hobbies that tend to result from such a lifestyle change. For many, going green may quickly transition from a lifestyle change to a passion. With this passion, an array of new, environmentally-friendly hobbies are born. This may include anything from gardening and biking to attending eco-friendly discussions and meeting like minded people. In most circumstances, these new hobbies are incredibly healthy and rewarding. They're also typically cost-effective and beneficial to our mental health as well as our physical health.
5. It Supports a More Active Lifestyle
In choosing a green lifestyle, we naturally begin to lead a more active lifestyle. For example, many environmentalists will choose to opt for a ride-share, cycle or walking as their primary mode of transportation. This is because the emissions from driving a car contribute significantly to global warming. In fact, the transportation industry is responsible for approximately 13 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. When we consider just how many cars are on the road at any given time, it's easy to see how this has become such a serious issue. By choosing to walk or cycle, we are decreasing our impact on the environment and increasing our fitness. As an added bonus, this time spent outside and being active will naturally help to lift our mood!
6. It Encourages Socializing
Today, there's an incredibly large circle of individuals that are passionate about the environment. Together, many of these individuals form groups or councils that are centered upon their environmental dedication. This is a great opportunity to get to know fellow environmentalists in your area and bond over your passion for the environment.
7. It Ignites a Passion
There's no denying that transitioning to a green lifestyle can ignite a serious passion in our souls. After all, it simply feels good to know that we are making an effort to change the world and better the environment. As a result, many people will choose to take their passion for the environment further and contribute to the bigger picture. This is where volunteer trips, missions and campaigns are often born and bred. This may also encourage career changes and encourage others to adopt a similar lifestyle and passion.
Living Green: How to Create a Fulfilling Life
Are you ready to commit to reducing your carbon footprint? If so, the planet would like to extend it's most sincere thanks! But, the planet isn't the one that will benefit from your commitment to living green. As it turns out, living a green lifestyle is actually incredibly beneficial to our daily life. Even small, pro-environment changes can have a profound impact on our overall health, our wallets and even our mental health.By committing to a green lifestyle, we are working together to save the planet and better our daily life. If you're in search of more lifestyle articles, be sure to visit my blog!
*contributed post*
2. It's Better For Our Health
When we consider that going green is good for the planet, it's no surprise that going green is also good for our individual health.In terms of our homes, going green means surrounding ourselves with food and products that are free from harmful chemicals. In consuming fewer chemicals, our body is able to remain strong and minimize our chances of developing a disease. When it comes to diet, many eco-conscious individuals choose to opt for a meat-free diet. This is due to the fact that meat related products can be incredibly harmful to the environment and significantly depletes our resources. For example, it takes 2400 liters of water to produce a typical beef hamburger. In minimizing our meat intake, we are more likely to nourish our bodies with plant-based foods as well as fruits and vegetables. Even transitioning your household products to all natural, environmentally friends products are sure to benefit your everyday health. No longer will you be surrounded and breathing in chemicals that are harmful to your health and the outside world. Not sure where to start? Try this online store to get started and learn more about all natural cleaning products!
3. It Minimizes our Environmental Guilt
There's no denying the guilt that results from knowing we are contributing to harming our planet. While it may seem impossible to change the bigger picture, it is possible to change our daily habits. And, in changing our daily habits, we know in our hearts that we are doing our part to help protect our earth. The truth is, adjusting to a greener daily life is simple. The reward that stems from these changes is incredibly beneficial to our mental health in addition to the planet itself. Simply knowing that we are doing our part to help the environment is good for our mental health.
4. It Motivates New Hobbies
One of the most exciting benefits of going green involves all of the new hobbies that tend to result from such a lifestyle change. For many, going green may quickly transition from a lifestyle change to a passion. With this passion, an array of new, environmentally-friendly hobbies are born. This may include anything from gardening and biking to attending eco-friendly discussions and meeting like minded people. In most circumstances, these new hobbies are incredibly healthy and rewarding. They're also typically cost-effective and beneficial to our mental health as well as our physical health.
5. It Supports a More Active Lifestyle
In choosing a green lifestyle, we naturally begin to lead a more active lifestyle. For example, many environmentalists will choose to opt for a ride-share, cycle or walking as their primary mode of transportation. This is because the emissions from driving a car contribute significantly to global warming. In fact, the transportation industry is responsible for approximately 13 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. When we consider just how many cars are on the road at any given time, it's easy to see how this has become such a serious issue. By choosing to walk or cycle, we are decreasing our impact on the environment and increasing our fitness. As an added bonus, this time spent outside and being active will naturally help to lift our mood!
6. It Encourages Socializing
Today, there's an incredibly large circle of individuals that are passionate about the environment. Together, many of these individuals form groups or councils that are centered upon their environmental dedication. This is a great opportunity to get to know fellow environmentalists in your area and bond over your passion for the environment.
7. It Ignites a Passion
There's no denying that transitioning to a green lifestyle can ignite a serious passion in our souls. After all, it simply feels good to know that we are making an effort to change the world and better the environment. As a result, many people will choose to take their passion for the environment further and contribute to the bigger picture. This is where volunteer trips, missions and campaigns are often born and bred. This may also encourage career changes and encourage others to adopt a similar lifestyle and passion.
Living Green: How to Create a Fulfilling Life
Are you ready to commit to reducing your carbon footprint? If so, the planet would like to extend it's most sincere thanks! But, the planet isn't the one that will benefit from your commitment to living green. As it turns out, living a green lifestyle is actually incredibly beneficial to our daily life. Even small, pro-environment changes can have a profound impact on our overall health, our wallets and even our mental health.By committing to a green lifestyle, we are working together to save the planet and better our daily life. If you're in search of more lifestyle articles, be sure to visit my blog!
*contributed post*
If you would like to make the most out of your long haul trip, you might want to start planning ahead months before you travel. In case you have already picked Australia as your destination, you should first decide how to explore this large and often underrated country. From wildlife tours to culinary and cultural experiences, there are several ways you can connect with the continent. Here are a few tips.
Camping
There is something absolutely unique about the skies in Australia. If you would like to experience vast space, freedom, and tranquility, you might book a camping trip to get the best of both worlds; staying close to nature and spending some quality time with your loved ones in a relaxing atmosphere. You can have a look at the selection of Summerstar Caravan Parks in Western Australia to find out about the best locations and the activities available in the area before you choose your destination.
Self Driving
To enjoy complete freedom, you could also try self driving tours, so you can see the wildlife, geological wonders, such as the Uluru and feel a special connection with the culture and the traditions of the country, There will be long distances to cover between different locations, so your best bet is to hire a car and have the freedom to stop whenever you wish.
Surf Resorts
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| Image via Max Pixel |
Australia, of course, is also a paradise for water spots. You can book a beach hotel and get a course on surfing, diving, or sailing. No matter what level of adrenaline you are seeking from your trip, Australia will certainly have the right option for you. Surfing in Australia is almost like a national sport, and you will certainly pick up a tip or two from locals who love spending every minute they have to spare on the beach.
Rock Climbing
If there is one activity that will appeal to all adrenaline junkies in Australia, and give you a challenge for your vacation, it is rock climbing. There are plenty of amazing rocks to climb in Australia, and you will find great instructors and training programs that will help you master the skill and stay safe hundreds of feet above the ground.
Wildlife Resorts
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| Image via Wikimedia Commons |
In case you have not seen Australia’s wildlife in their natural habitat yet, this might be your time to visit one of the wildlife resorts. You might not know, but Australia has plenty of world class ecotourism resorts and lodges, such as Kangaroo Island, or Tasmania. Pick a beach location to explore the shore and find out more about the Great Barrier Reef, or stay close to the wilderness. Explore the natural wonders of this great country in style.
Planning a vacation to Australia can be challenging, as there are simply too many things to see. From the emus to the kangaroos, the stunning beaches, and the unique rock formations, you will have to choose your activities carefully. If you are a nature lover, you might even experience Ecotourism Australian style.
*contributed post*
Always in Bloom: 7 Gardening Books Everyone Should Read Before Getting Their Hands Dirty
March 26, 2019
The gardening industry is worth over $30 billion! And it's still growing. This is hardly surprising when you think of the benefits of gardening. It's good for the environment, and it's good for your mental health. It can even save you money!
You might be thinking about starting gardening, or you might be a seasoned pro. Either way, there's always more to learn about the garden that you're working in. And gardening books are a great place to learn from. But with so many books out there, how are you meant to pick the right one for you?
You're in the right place. These are the top seven books that anyone who gardens should have! Read on to find out more.
1. One of the Best Gardening Books of All Time: The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd
The Well-Tempered Garden is a staple book for any gardener or for anyone about to start gardening. When it comes to understanding your garden, this is one of the best garden books of all time. And don't confuse the author with the star of Back to the Future! Christopher Lloyd was a British gardener and created the amazing gardens in Great Dixiter.
He worked extensively with the Royal Horticultural Society on the Floral Committee. As well as his own gardening, he promoted the importance of gardening to others. And in 1979 the RHS awarded him their greatest trophy: the Victoria Medal of Honor. His work also gained him an OBE in 2000. Lloyd uses his years of gardening experience to focus on the intricate details of the garden. These lay the foundation for good gardening. For example, he'll give you tips on how to get your lawn in perfect condition and keep it that way. And he uses his column-writing experience to keep the writing entertaining throughout. Lloyd admitted he wasn't a designer, he was a gardener. So if you're looking for tips on how to design your garden, you might want to look elsewhere. But this gardening book will help you understand how your garden works. So you can only benefit from reading it. Treat it like your gardening encyclopedia, and you can't go far wrong!
2. A Great Guide for Beginners: RHS Step-by-Step Veg Patch by Lucy Halsall
This is another book that the Royal Horticultural Society supports. This charity dedicates its time to inspiring and encouraging great gardening. So their advice is always worth listening to. This guide to starting a vegetable patch is perfect for transforming a small space. It even shows you how to create a vegetable patch on your patio. Halsall focuses on growing 60 vegetables and 15 fruit crops. She also goes on to look at what grows best in certain locations. This means you can tailor your vegetable patch to yourself.
Home-grown produce is becoming extremely popular. It works as a hobby and as an investment. One woman found that she saves at least $75 a month from growing her own vegetables. And in an eco-conscious climate, the benefits of growing your own food are two-fold. If this is something you're interested in starting, then Halsall's book is a great place to begin.
3. If You're Looking for Variety: How to Grow Stuff by Alice Vincent
Like Halsall's book, How to Grow Stuff is perfect for beginners who want to grow their own produce. Vincent taught herself, and this perspective is helpful if you're starting out. She transformed her balcony in New York into a flourishing garden. This even had its own vegetable patch, which featured fresh herbs like basil. But Vincent goes a step further than Halsall's book. She looks at growing your own flowers as well as vegetables. She believes finding the balance of these two things creates a thriving garden. And this is something you can enjoy all year round.
4. The Award-Winner: Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway
Like The Well-Tempered Garden, Hemenway's book focuses on creating harmony within your garden. He feels a big part of this is choosing plants what will work together within the space you have. After all, a garden is an ecosystem, so everything within it has a role to play. This even includes encouraging particular insects within your garden. The classic gardening book features beautiful maps of which plants work best together. This is great if you're trying to figure out the best growing patterns for plants. So Hemenway manages to fuse practical advice with design tips. This means that this book is helpful both for beginners and experienced gardeners. But you don't just have to take our word for it! In 2011, Gaia's Garden won the Nautilus Gold Medal Award. It has also been in the Washington Post's top ten gardening books.
5. All About Urban Gardening: Home Ground: Sanctuary in the City by Dan Pearson
This gardening book provides specific useful advice for growing a garden in the city. And gardens in cities can provide a plethora of benefits for those who use them. They support storm water collection and reduce the urban heat island effect. They also contribute cleaner air in their areas. And they protect natural eco-systems that might otherwise not survive.
We can reap the benefits of these spaces too. A garden creates a community because they provide a communal space for activities. And this is mentally beneficial for everyone involved. But creating a garden in the city isn't easy to achieve. Designer Pearson shares his experience of doing just this in South London. He transformed an unused, overgrown site into an urban oasis. And this book contains the trials and tribulations of this process. It's a must-read for anyone about to embark on a similar venture or looking to try something new!
6. Creating Something from Scratch: We Made a Garden by Margery Fish
Here is another story about building a garden out of nothing, but in quite a different setting to Pearson! In 1937, she and her husband bought a run-down cottage in the English countryside. Together they overhauled the overgrown mess to create their own country garden. But this task wasn't without its challenges! In We Made a Garden, Fish outlines the ups and downs of this experience. Unlike other books about gardening, this provides an insight into sharing your garden. She shares tales of battling over different gardening goals. This also has the advantage of being a slim read. So if you're short on time this could be the book for you!
7. A Love Letter to Gardening: Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nicols
This unique tale is more of an ode to gardening than a practical guide. But its engaging voice will inspire you. So it's a great book to turn to when you're feeling ready to throw in the towel (or trowel!)
Beverley Nicols was a newcomer to gardening when he bought his countryside cottage. And so began his hilarious account of trying to wrangle the garden while living in a new home. This is a book for anyone who wants to ignite, or reignite, a love for the process of gardening. Nicols worked as an author and playwright before writing this book. So the story is hilarious and engaging, which makes for easy reading.
The Bottom Line
If you're looking for something specific, you won't struggle to find a gardening book on it! But whatever you read, make sure these seven gardening books are on the list. For more great lifestyle tips, check out our blog!
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