Staycation Ideas for the Family!

What is a Staycation?

Staycation is a term (since 2005) for a vacation that takes place at home or within the local area.

Pros
You can save $$$ (food, gas, lodging).
No check-out time! (Owning the 'inn' allows for sleeping in without adding to a bill.)
Spend quality time experiencing new things together that are in your own "backyard".

Cons
The planning is all yours. If you prefer to leave the organization to someone else, have another family member take the reins on the planning.
Eating at home requires some clean-up (splurge and go with paper!)
You could end up doing nothing (which might be a Pro for some!) 

10 Garden Harvest Recipes...Fresh is Best!

Round-up of recipes using fresh from the garden veggies!

   Every spring, I am filled with anticipation once the garden is in because we will be harvesting again, soon. We have a big garden planted with several varieties of tomatoes, bush and pole beans, squash, peppers, cauliflower, and broccoli. As soon as the crops start rolling in, I will share photos.
  One of my favorite things is to take fresh produce and try new recipes! I think it would be hard to fail on any recipe using fresh-from-the-garden vegetables...the vibrant flavors of homegrown produce enhances everything. 
  With this in mind, I have gathered some past garden harvest recipes to share with you!  
  Enjoy!

Rock 'N Share #45

Welcome to Rock 'N Share Wednesday #45!

 

The Rock 'N Share party basics:  

Basically there are NO BASICS...except keep it FAMILY FRIENDLY! It is a party so just have FUN! Share whatever you want...new projects, old projects, Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, Party links, etc. 

Here are the featured projects from last week's party!   Thank you to everyone that shared their creativity and talents! If you were featured this week feel free to grab a Rock 'N Share feature button. You can see ALL of the features at the Rock 'N Share Pinterest Gallery!

Homemade Mustache Oreos for Father’s Day from Twigg Studios

Painting & Creating a small 3-Tiered planter w/Solar Light from One More Time Events

Eggy Mac Salad - A Salad Recipe Perfect for Summer from Kathe with an E
My Black and White Painted Kitchen Cabinets from Sunset Coast 
Save Time Doing Laundry, My Version  from Family, Home & Life

I try to visit every party post each week, but sadly, I am not always successful as this takes quite a bit of time!  In case I missed you, I just want to say Thank You all for your participation each week and for the sweet comments!

Gourd Art - Hot Air Balloon Wind Chime

I mentioned on an earlier post that we harvested gourds from our garden some years ago and they've been drying out waiting to be used. They're so dry now all there was to prep them for use was to shake out the seeds, which is a good thing - no messy scooping needed! Anyway, I've been inspired this year to finally make something of them all. My first creation, a Gourd Birdhouse: How-To, was the subject of that earlier post; now, I've made a Hot Air Balloon Wind Chime.

I turned this gourd all around looking for inspiration and, when I turned it stem side down, it reminded me of a Hot Air Balloon. I decided a hand- drawn, paisley-inspired design for the balloon portion would provide the right mood. I used one of my favorite media - pine cone petals - for the basket! The strings attaching the chimes are hidden by the balloon basket. This whimsical floating musical creation is gracing the front porch, now, and let's me know when a breeze is coming up to carry it away on a fantastic adventure.


How I made the Hot Air Balloon Wind Chime

Rock 'N Share #44

Welcome to Rock 'N Share Wednesday #44!
 
The Rock 'N Share party basics:  

• Please place a party button on your post OR add a text link back to -The Shady Porch
• Link to a specific post - NOT your Home page, Etsy/business pages, or Linky parties! 
• Please share something that you have not linked up before.
• Pin, Tweet, Google+, FB Share or Stumble the project before yours!
• Mingle...it is a party! Comment on other projects.

By linking your project, you are giving me permission to feature your posts here or on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and/or Google+.   

 I reserve the right to remove links that are in violation of these requests!      

Here are the featured projects from last week's party! Thanks to everyone that joined the party! If you were featured this week feel free to grab a Rock 'N Share feature button.

You can see ALL of the features at the Rock 'N Share Pinterest Gallery!

ECHO – Alternative Gardening Methods from Live Ready Now!

Easy Favor Envelope from Crafty Journal

Southern Strawberry-Coconut Punch Bowl Cake from The Kitchen Is My Playground

Backyard Garden Tour 2013 from Around The House

Dresser bench...  from Full Circle Creations

JOIN THE PARTY HERE

Frozen Strawberry Cream Dessert

This is a frozen, fruity treat perfect for those hot days of summer! It's a light, fluffy cream loaded with strawberries and topped with a flavorful blueberry sauce. It takes some advance planning since it needs to freeze for a couple of hours before serving, but it's well worth it! 

Frozen Strawberry Cream Dessert

Strawberry Cream Ingredients
3/4 cup of sugar (we use a sugar substitute, like Splenda)
2 - 8oz. bars of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of sour cream (we use Fat Free)
3 cups of strawberries ( I used thawed frozen strawberries, but fresh strawberries can be used also.)