If St. Patrick’s Day inspires feelings of hearth and home rather than leprechauns and green beer, you can celebrate tradition with warm, filling meals that harken back to Irish heritage. Soups and stews are certain to conjure up some nostalgia while soft, delicious cake is a perfect way to honor tradition regardless of your ancestry. This Irish Sláinte Stew offers a warm welcome to guests with your own way of toasting to the holiday – Sláinte is “cheers” in Gaelic. This hearty meal is perfect for a crowd with traditional stew meat slow-cooked in a Dutch oven with beef broth,…
Browsing: Seasonal
Spring is coming even though it may not feel like it yet in Long Island. Now is the time to get out your tools and get to growing seedlings indoors for the spring planting. Get your garden tools, seed collections, and green thumb ready. Follow these steps and get your garden abuzz by the time spring graces us with her presence. Where to Have the Garden? Choose an area or create boxes in order to grow. The area needs to be level, get at least six hours of sunlight per day, be near a water source, as well as drain…
4 DIY projects with a touch of Irish flair Pairing Shepherd’s pie and potato soup with green pints and Irish delights are surefire signs of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Food and drink may be the stars of the show, but a little festive ambiance can transport guests from your dining room table to the streets of Dublin. A few seasonal touches are all it takes to complement a menu of corned beef and cabbage. Consider these DIY decorations for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day party. Set a St. Paddy’s Mood – Show off your holiday spirit for all to see…
If you’re feeling pressure to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day date, it may be time to veer away from tradition. While flowers, chocolates and dinner for two is a classic, thinking outside the box can make for just as romantic of an experience. Consider these simple date ideas to reduce stress and make your day extra special. Take a Dance Class Learning something new together can be a great way to bond with your significant other. Research dance studios in your area and book a lesson for a night out. Many studios offer new or first-time discounts and typically have…
Cool winter days may have you tempted to burrow under a blanket and wait out the weather, but there are plenty of entertaining and affordable ways to enjoy quality family time together despite chilly temperatures. Kids who are cooped up indoors during the winter often get restless, but you can make the most of that boredom by gathering everyone and discovering new ways to create memories together. Get Your Game On Forget about screen play and instead show the younger generation how much fun it can be to take on family rivals with classic board games or work in teams…
In the midst of winter, you are likely looking for the best ways to prevent your skin from drying and cracking under the harsh conditions. National Winter Skin Relief Day, on January 8, is a great time to discover the available options for keeping your skin healthy and moist throughout the winter. Founded by a major skin care company, National Winter Skin Relief Day is a means to gain awareness for the added attention necessary for your skin during the harsh winter season. In recognition of this day here are 8 tips on keeping your skin healthy and hydrated throughout…
A Christmas tree is the centerpiece of your home during the holiday season. There are several different tree options and there are many factors that go into picking and maintaining a tree. Here are some helpful fresh Christmas tree care tips to make your Christmas tree last throughout the holidays. Measure Measure the distance between the floor and ceiling and subtract the height of the stand and the tree topper from your total. Consider the size of the room and how much space your tree will take up. Check the Needles and Freshness There are several ways to tell if…
Decorating for the holidays should be a fun, pleasant experience. So, you don’t have to start tearing down the Thanksgiving decorations the moment the last piece of turkey is eaten at dinner. Instead, start to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas in a gradual way. When you transition your holiday décor, take your time and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Here are few simple things that you can do to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas décor. Give Your Candles a New Look Candles are a familiar part of a home’s décor during both Thanksgiving and Christmas time. If you have brown, tan or…
A changing of the seasons may mean adjustments to your routine and updates to your home decor, but it also brings maintenance and upgrade opportunities for homeowners. As temperatures shift and seasonal weather rolls in, weatherizing can help you conserve energy, save money and improve comfort all while protecting the exterior (and interior) of your home from the elements. (Family Features) This checklist from the door experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors and door systems, can help you keep the outdoors out. Have Heating and Cooling Systems Inspected Turn to the professionals to have your…
November 25th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday. American Express helps promote small business shopping around the country, making it a nationwide movement. Businesses around the country sign up to be part of the Shop Small Movement. Supports the Local Community Small Business Saturday encourages people to support local businesses in the community. This helps to drive sales at mom-and-pop stores that might normally struggle to compete with big chain department stores. Did you know that if you shop locally, the tax revenue benefits the entire community? This helps circulate the money spent back into the community, benefitting…