tipsandsolutions

Round 'em up and move 'em out!

Camping can be a great family activity. It’s an opportunity to get away from it all, spend some one-on-one time with your kids, and teach them about the great outdoors. But beware! Camping comes with some unique challenges (besides figuring out how to set up that new tent). How are you going to keep the kids entertained if you can’t just turn on the TV, pop in a movie, or send them next door to play? Here are some ideas to keep everyone fairly content and reasonably comfortable in your temporary “home away from home” setting.

Camp Reservations

• Choose a campground nearby in order to keep travel time to a minimum and that offers opportunities for activities your kids will enjoy, like hiking, swimming, fishing, or canoeing.
• Make reservations to assure that you get a site that fits your needs.Most online campground websites have a map of the campground so you can choose a site that's near the restrooms and shaded.
• If you'll be camping at a beach or sandy area, it would be wise to choose a campground with shower facilities--no one will get a good night's rest in a sandy sleeping bag!

Special Camp Supplies for Kids

• A Lifetime sports table is perfect for food preparation and craft projects
• A baby carrier, a stroller, and a playpen are basic equipment when camping with an infant
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants will reduce the amount of dirt and mosquitoes that come in contact with your child's skin.
• A large, plastic totebox makes a great bathtub for infants and small children
• Toys like balls, a badminton set, or a kite (if you're camping in a suitable area) are traditional favorites for outdoor recreation. You should also bring "rainy day" activities like coloring books and card games.

Camp Activities for Kids

• Make A Natural Car Air Freshener- Cut out a cardboard shape the size of the average car air freshener. Punch a hole in the top to loop a piece of yarn or string through to hang it. Cover one side with tacky glue and press on fragrant plants and flowers.
• Make a Leaf Tee - This is fun and easy craft for older kids that makes a clever camp t-shirt! It involves bleach so be sure to use provide adult supervision, and use a Lifetime Table, as they are bleach resistant.
• Grab some binoculars and go bird watching.
• Give the kids a disposable camera to "document" the family outing. When you develop the film, ask to put it straight to CD so you can look through the photos and print only the ones you want.
• Go hiking. After breakfast is an ideal time to go on a hike to get everybody's blood pumping.
• Watch the sun rise. Though it can be hard to get them out of bed early, nothing beats hiking to the nearest hill or lake and watching the sun spill it's light over the land. Bring a camera for some fun silhoutte or "holding the sun" photos.

Camp Snacks

• Walking Tacos - A fun, filling portable snack. Everyone will need their own bag of corn chips. Just cook up some ground beef and add taco seasonings. Mix some hamburger into each bag of chips and add grated cheddar cheese, black olives, and diced tomatoes and onions. All you need to provide is the spoons!
• Banana Boats - So easy!So filling! Just peel a banana and slice it lengthwise, being careful not to slice completely through your "boat". Spread peanut butter down the middle of the "boat" and top with chocolate chips.

Let’s Go Camping!

Aaah… fresh air, beautiful scenery, peace & quiet. Getting back to nature is a wonderful way to relax with family and friends. Whether you’re tenting it or RVing, heading for the woods, or heading for the beach, camping makes for good times and great memories. Regardless of how well you’ve planned a camping trip, one thing is for certain. Things never go as planned! But some thoughtful foresight & careful packing will make everything run more smoothly. The first rule of camping is to be flexible and go with the flow.

First, Make Camp Reservations

Make reservations at a campground of your choice. Nothing’s more disappointing than traveling many miles to get to a campground only to find there’s no vacancy, or being forced to settle for a less than desirable site. You can make reservations online or by phone. So which campground should you choose? Campground websites are an easy way to compare which amenities are available at different campgrounds.

• Do you want a site that's close to the restrooms?
• Are you satisfied with just toilet facilities? Or do you insist on a shower?
• Are water spigots good enough, or do you need hook ups for your RV?
• Do you want a shaded site, or a sunny one? (Most campground websites will also indicate which sites are shaded and which are not).
• What activities are available? Hiking? Swimming? Fishing? Boating?
• Do you want to have cell phone access? (Some campgrounds do, some don't)
• Are dogs allowed if you should want to bring yours?
• *If you make your reservations on line, print out your receipt and take it with you.

Second, Make Lists

Third, Pack

To cut your packing time in half, pack up all of your camping equipment and non-refrigerated foods the day before departure.You'll want to include:

• A large Lifetime table for food preparation or as a wash-up station for pots and pans, faces and hands.
• A Camp Stove (propane)
• Sufficient bedding (remember, it gets cold at night even in the summer if you’re at a high altitude)
• Gather the refrigerated items you’ll be taking and bag them together in plastic bags in the refrigerator so they’ll be ready to just grab and go the next day.

Time to Go!

On the day of departure, all that should be left to pack is the refrigerated items. Fill ice chests half full with ice and pack the refrigerated items in them. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water. Give yourself enough travel time so that you will not arrive at your destination too late and have to make camp in the dark!

Tips

• Use containers with snap tight lids to keep out water from the melting ice, curious wildlife, and insects.
• Keep your ice chests in the shade or set them in a shallow creek if your site has one.
• Once you've set up camp,relax.Camping is an adventure, not a military execution.Time for spontaneous fun and quiet meditation.

Celebrate Earth Day by Making Your Own Recycled, Reusable Shopping Bag

You’re seeing them at stores and supermarkets everywhere today as environmentally consciencious folks are trying to do their share to save the planet “one bag at a time.” Take that idea one step further and recycle tank tops into reusable shopping bags! These recycled, reusable shopping bags are a simple, efficient way for everyone to do their part towards reducing the waste in our landfills.

With these tank top shopping bags, 99% of the sewing has already been done for you! Of course, if you're using commercially made tank tops, you can choose from a variety of designs sporting your favorite brand name, vacation spot, etc. The selection is endless! When you use these recycled, reusable, tank top shopping bags, you are making a public statement that you care about our planet and are willing to do your part to clean up the environment.

Checklist

Set up a workspace area. All it takes is a few minutes and a few supplies.For best results, use a sewing machine for a tighter stitch,but the tank top tote bag can be handsewn if necessary.

• Lifetime 4ft.utility table
• Lifetime folding chair
• Tank Top
• scissors
• sewing machine, or needle and thread

Steps

1. Cut off the bottom of the tank top so that the length from the top of the shirt to the bottom of the shirt is 17 1/2 inches.
2. Turn inside out, at the bottom of the shirt,fold sides in 3 inches and sew 1/2 inch seam across the bottom.
3. Turn right side out and you're ready to go shopping!

Free Download

Start some fun Easter traditions with a whimsical Easter Egg tree and a yummy Easter brunch.

Your friends and family will be delighted at the sight of this charming Easter Egg Tree.You can decorate a small, living tree in your own yard or just use a small dead branch, about 2ft. tall, for a table centerpiece.

Checklist

• Lifetime Table
• Lifetime folding chairs
• If you’re using a single branch, you’ll need an appropriate -sized container to put it in, filled with pebbles (plain or decorative) to support the branch in an upright position.
• Several empty, colored plastic eggs preferably with the small hole in the top, but not necessary. If you’re going to use the plastic eggs without holes, you’ll need see-through tape to attach the ribbons.
• Decorative ribbon to tie each egg to the tree branches
• String
• For Potted Branch Only--White acrylic paint and small sponge to apply paint to the tree branches (Do not apply paint to a living tree)

Steps

1. Set up workspace using portable, stain-resistant Lifetime table and chairs
2. If you’re using a potted branch, apply white acrylic paint to the entire branch using a small sponge brush or sponge. Let paint dry, then insert branch into pot of pebbles in an upright position.
3. For each plastic egg, cut a 23in. length of ribbon.
4. If you’re using plastic eggs with holes in the top, loop a 3 inch piece of string through the hole in the egg leaving both ends free on the inside of the egg shell. Pull the ribbon through the loop of string on top of the egg until the string is in the middle of the piece of ribbon. From the inside of the shell, pull the ends of the string down tight to hold the ribbon securely to the top of the egg, tying a couple of knots to keep it secured. Tie each end of the ribbon around the tree branch in a bow so that the egg hangs down from the branch. Do this to each egg until the branches are full of hanging Easter Eggs.
5. If you’re using plastic eggs without a hole in the top, tape the middle of the ribbon to the tip of the plastic egg and tie each end of the ribbon around the tree branch in a bow so that the egg hangs down from the branch. Do this to each egg until the branches are full of hanging Easter Eggs.
6. If you’re using a potted branch, you may choose to decorate your container as well.

Easter Brunch

You’ve dyed them all. You’ve hid them all. What else can you do with all those hardboiled Easter eggs? Devil ‘em! Deviled eggs are a special treat for a special day. Take those eggs from fun to fancy in just a few simple steps.

Deviled Eggs Ingredients

It's April Fool's Day, So What's for Dinner?

Top off a fun-filled day of practical jokes with an April Fool's Dinner that will baffle your family. Their eyes are sure to deceive them when you present this yummy frosted mash potato layer "cake" and chocolate ice cream "taco salad" with an irresistible gelatin fruit punch that will prove a little difficult to sip through a straw! This April Fool's Day, prepare a memorable menu your family will never forget.For even more foolish fun, set up your April Fool's Banquet in an unusual setting. Try a different room in the house, or perhaps your driveway. 

 Checklist

• Lifetime table
• Lifetime folding chairs: enough for each guest

Meatloaf Layer Cake

Since it's April Fool's Day, serve up this "dessert" first! Yields 8 to 10 servings.

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 can (5.5 oz.) spicy tomato juice
• 1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 2 lbs. ground beef

Mashed Potato Frosting

• 4 2/3 c.water
• 1 c. plus 2 Tb. milk
• 7 Tb. butter or margarine, cubed
• 1 3/4 tsp. salt
• 4 2/3 c. mashed potato flakes

Steps

1. Combine all meatload ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well. Pat into two ungreased 9in. square pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes until done; drain. Let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Bring the milk, butter, water and salt to a boil in saucepan, . Pour in potato flakes, stir, and remove from the heat. Invert one meat loaf onto platter; invert other meat loaf onto separate plate. Spread 1 1/2 c. mashed potatoes over first loaf on the platter. Slowly slide second meatloaf layer onto the first "frosted" meatloaf layer.
3. "Frost" the meatloaf cake by spreading 3 1/2 c. mashed potatoes over the top and the sides. For a really fancy cake with an even more convincing effect, use a pastry bag and various frosting tips for an attractive border around the top and bottom edges of your meatloaf cake. If you don't have a pastry bag,simply use a resealable plastic bag and cut one bottom corner off to squeeze ingredients through.

Chocolate Ice Cream Taco Salad



Hay Caramba! This is a Taco Salad they'll never forget! Yield: 6 servings

• 1 c. ground pecans
• 1 pint chocolate ice cream
• 1 3/4 tsp.water,(will be divided)
• 6 drops green food coloring
• 1 3/4 c. flaked coconut,(will be divided)
• 4 drops yellow food coloring
• 6 taco salad bowls, or waffle ice cream bowls (whichever you prefer)
• 6 Tb. whipped topping
• Black rope licorice (smooth,not twisted) cut into 1/4in. slices for "olives"
• Maraschino cherries for "cherry tomatoes"

Steps

1. Spread pecans on a plate. Drop scoops of ice cream onto the pecans and roll to coat. Place ice cream balls onto a baking sheetand place in the freezer.
2. In a big sealable plastic bag, mix 1 1/2 tsp. water and the green food coloring. Then add 1 1/2 c. flaked coconut. Seal plastic bag and shake well to distribute coloring.
3. In a little sealable plastic bag,mix the yellow food coloring and the remaining water; add the remaining coconut. Seal plastic bag and shake well.
4. Place ice cream balls into bowl shells. Top with green coconut "lettuce." Add a dollop of whipped topping "sour cream" and sprinkle with the yellow coconut "cheddar cheese". For the final touch, sprinkle licorice "olives" and maraschino "tomatoes" on top.
5. Serve Immediately

April Fool's Berry Punch



It looks like punch. It smells like punch. But on April Fool's Day, you just can't be too sure! Plan ahead...needs to chill.Yield: 6 servings

• 2 pkgs. (3 oz. each) cherry gelatin
• 2 c. sliced fresh strawberries and blueberries
• 6 straws
• Note: Any berry flavored gelatin and fresh fruit combination will taste great!

Steps

1. Follow directions on gelatin package. Refrigerate until partially set, 2 - 3 hours.
2. Fold in strawberries and pour mixture into six tall glasses.
3. For a convincing effect, insert a drinking straw into each glass.
4. Then replace glasses in the refrigerator until gelatin completely sets.