One of my favorite areas to decorate for Halloween is our front porch. It’s the perfect spot to share your Halloween decorations with visitors and neighbors! These painted glass lanterns are one of my favorite projects to pull out of storage every year. They are just so delightful!
1. Spray the glass containers inside and outside.
2. Once dry, paint on the design or face that you would like.
3. Place a rechargeable or solar powered tea light inside.
4. Watch the delight on the faces of your neighbors as they walk by.
We love Halloween around here! It’s our favorite holiday.
I’m thinking of wrapping up work early so I can make my famous pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They are super famous to us—a fall favorite!
When Eben was little (ya’ll, he’s 23 and off to graduate school!), Mr. Sweet Greens used to read us spooky stories in the dark. I hope Eben comes home this weekend to watch a horror movie with us!
We like to fill our October with fun fall traditions at our house. Now that we live in the mountains of North Carolina full time, I get to soak up ALL of the Halloween and fall fun!
Inviting friends and family over for a leisurely BBQ with good company and even better food is one of life’s simple pleasures but it isn’t always the greenest option. Don’t panic, though – you don’t have to give up your precious BBQs – there are so many things you can fo to make your next cookout a lot more green…
Buy food from the farmer’s market
Cut down on food miles by purchasing your BBQ meats, veggies, etc., from a local producer. Farmer’s markets are the ideal place to find locally produced food and you will probably find that it tastes even better than the stuff you buy at the store too, which means not only will your BBQ be greener, but you’ll be able to blow your guests away with the quality of your cooking too. What’s not to love?
More meat-free options
You may all be meat-eaters, but why not throw a few more veggie recipes on the BBQ than you normally would? Meat tends to have a much higher carbon footprint than delicious veggie options like grilled corn and cauliflower steaks, so even if you replace a small amount of meat on the BBQ with fruit and veg, you will be lowering your footprint, and you know what – ith the right marinade they’re just as delicious.
Switch straws
Chances are you’ll be making up a pitcher or two of your favorite cocktail, but instead of serving it with plastic straws like you normally would, why not go straw-free or if you can’t manage that, use biodegradable straws instead. Straws are greatest for sipping a delightful drink, but if they’re plastic, they’ll still be around polluting the environment long after you’re gone. By making a simple switch, you can still enjoy your drinks, but in a far greener way.
Set up a recycling station
If you’re BBQs and to result in a lot of trash, one thing you could do is set up a recycling station that you can encourage your guests to use. This can be as simple as setting up an area with cardboard or plastic boxes each labeled with the type of trash they’ll take – paper, plastic cans, etc.. Then, you won’t end up with a trashcan full of perfectly recyclable stuff, nor will you have to sift through said trashcan to separate it all out yourself.
Use a wood-burning stove
If you already have a grill, there’s no sense in going out and buying a new one – that would just be wasteful – but if you’re in the market for one, consider going for a wood-burner instead of a grill that uses gas. That way you can use reclaimed or sustainable wood to cook your food, which is a little greener than fuel that has to be extracted from the earth.
Use fuel sparingly
Using only just enough fuel to cook your food is a great way to make your BBQ a little greener without compromising on the taste of your food. Even turning off the gas hen yo0u aren’t in the process of grilling will make a huge difference and if you do this, cover the grill when cooking and watch fuel consumption, you’ll use less and produce less pollution.
As summer ends, I’m determined to squeeze in ONE more picnic! When we lived in Florida, my family spent most of our weekends picnics at the beach. My most precious memories include Eben and a picnic blanket – the perfect setting for mother-son chatting.
Now, he’s a grown man (23! WHAT?), I make sure that when we do spend time together, I’m in the moment (and yes, we still chat like never before!)
Here are some eco-friendly picnic goodies to inspire you to get outside for one more summer picnic:
1. A Cozy Picnic Blanket: I love a good picnic blanket, and now that we are empty nesters, I’m determined to have more romantic picnics (just the husband and me!). I love these picnic blankets. How do I choose which one?
2. A Hydration Station: The essential item to pack on a picnic is water—it’s crucial to stay hydrated on hot summer days (even these end-of-summer ones!). These are our favorite glass carafes; we always use them for multiple flavors of tea in the fridge!
3. A Good Read: Snuggle up with my boys is my favorite (we do scary movie nights when Eben visits from grad school), and next, snuggling up with a good book! This one seems up my alley; I love a good charcuterie board!
4. A Picnic in a Basket: Of course, I will need something to pack all the goodies in. This eco-friendly picnic basket is on my list! I have wanted a formal picnic basket forever!
Do you have a thing for picnics, too? What is your picnic must-have?
Summer adventures and eco-friendly outings are coming to an end, and this is a great opportunity to involve children in caring about the environment. Here are tengreen end-of-summer activities you can enjoy with your children—from beach and museum visits to seeing your backyard in a whole new light; kids will relish making these summer memories while learning more about Mother Nature.
1. Local Farms: Visiting a local farm is a great way to show your children how food is grown and harvested. They can see which fruits and veggies grow in your area, and they may also interact with and learn more about farm animals. Some farms offer classes that allow kids to milk a cow, collect eggs from hens, feed the goats and sheep, and ride a horse. You could also visit a fruit farm, such as a strawberry patch, and spend the day picking your berries.
2. Nature and Science Museums: Many local nature and science museums feature exhibits that allow children to see, touch, and interact with fascinating subjects. You can also check out an IMAX movie with a nature theme to give kids a grandiose view and insight into the environment.
3. Butterfly Pavilion: Visit a butterfly pavilion and experience free-flying butterflies, birds, subtropical and tropical flowers, plants, and trees.
4. Zoo: Your zoo may offer a junior zookeeper program where your child can learn about caring for the animals while learning about their natural habitats and any threats they face.
5. Nature Preserves: My family lived in Southern Florida for five years and loved our time at the local nature and animal preserves. You can take guided tours to learn about the animals that live there, and many offer classes.
6. Library: Your local library is stocked with environmental information that your children will love. Check out issues of Ranger Rick and National Geographic Kids.
7. Botanical Gardens: Visit your local Botanical Gardens and learn about native plants, trees, and flowers. Many offer classes and have ample space for an outdoor picnic. While you are there, look closely for bugs and birds.
8. Hike and Swim: Explore a natural trail in your area. Let the kids explore nooks and crannies and climb on rocks. Please pack a lunch and enjoy it next to a watering hole where the kids can swim.
9. Hit the Beach: Slather some sunblock on your kids and top them off with a great summer hat, then enjoy the waves, build sandcastles, or bury each other in the sand. The beach is undoubtedly one of nature’s best forms of entertainment. Take kids on a Heal the Bay mission to clean up trash on their treasured beach.
10. Your Backyard: Walk around your neighborhood or local park. Prepare a nature scavenger hunt for the kids. Write down several items on a piece of paper. Give each child a bucket to collect the items found on the list, such as a leaf, rock, flower, feather, etc. This is tons of fun and gets them looking for items they may have overlooked.
What are your green outing plans for this summer? Let us know in the comments section!
