Showing posts with label backyard getaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backyard getaway. Show all posts

May 30, 2012

Wasteless Wednesday~ Staycation Instead!

We all know how expensive it is to travel, especially with today's economy and high cost of fuel~ Some families just can't afford it! What's the popular alternative nowadays? A Staycation!

Here's some great ideas for your summer days, and best of all by staying close to home, you'll be supporting your local businesses, saving money and WASTING LESS!

1. Have a Spa Day in your home! This may not appeal to everyone in the family~ but you never know...Plan a party with a spa theme, or just put on the ritz for your visiting friends. BHG has some great tips for a spa themed "get-away"!


BHG.com


2. Host a Croquet Tournament! Traditionally, white is the popular attire, dress it up with some fancy decor and drinks, design a homemade, whimsical trophy or two and` Woohoo! You've got a fun day for all ages! Don't like croquet? How about volleyball, frisbee or badminton!

StaycationIdea.com

3. A Family Summer Book Club~ Choose a book each week or two, or even monthly for all of you to read separately or to each other. Then pick a night to have a themed dinner or snacks and talk about the book you've read! Liven it up with some trivia questions from the book written and asked by a rotating family member and give small prizes to the winner. But watch out, this idea could turn into a year round event! You could also use this idea for a Neighborhood Kids or Adults Book Club!



4. It's Movie Night! Rent a movie to watch indoors or out! You can make your own outdoor theatre with popcorn and everything~ and you can wear your PJ's if you want!



5. Which leads to the next idea: A Backyard Campout! Tents, campfire and, of course, S'MORES!



6. How about a Neighborhood Concert Under the Stars? If you don't know anyone who plays music, see about pitching in with a few neighbors to hire some musicians and put on a concert! Families can bring a dish or snack~ or each bring their own blanket or chairs and a picnic!



7. Not Music Lovers? Throw a Backyard or Neighborhood Carnival! Rent a bounce house, get some face paints and have someone artistic paint faces, make a dunk tank, have a pie throw and get someone to do some clowning around! You can even make balloon animals!

Whatever you like to do, there are ways to do it with friends or family and have a fantastic summer right in your home or neighborhood. Venturing out is easy too, we'll give you some great ideas for one tank trips next week! In the meantime, have fun getting ready for summer!

Have a great Wasteless Week!
;) Cat

June 11, 2011

Love 2 DIY on the Weekend: Summer Projects!

Is your backyard ready for summer? Long sunny days that lead into cool moonlit evenings require a place to enjoy them and with the price of gas, it might be best to do that at home. Create your own little paradise with a few DIY upcycling projects that just might inspire you to come up with some of your own!

Erik Anderson's Wine Bottle Tiki Torch Tutorial provides quick and easy steps to lighting up your patio, island style!




Or if you love the look of a string of lights, try this idea from Instructables.com to make Egg Carton Flower Lights...




Celebrating Flag Day? Having a Fourth of July Picnic? Here's an idea from Daily Danny to display your red, white and blue~ green style!





Love to birdwatch? Bring them to you by building eco-friendly birdhouses from upcycled materials~ scrap wood, large plastic bottles or birdbaths from old terra cotta pots and saucers you might have on hand. Wenona Napolitano offers her own ideas and links to others on Crafting a Green World.





How about a potting bench made from an old fireplace mantle and a table? The Upcycler created one for his backyard that has a charming rustic look with lots of character...




Celebrate the best part of summer by nurturing your home and your spirit~ Being able to say 'I made it myself' and then sit back and enjoy what you created, is food for the soul!