Just Fun

Memorial Day weekend typically kicks off the start of summer, and it's filled with lots of time spent outdoors and even special Memorial Day activities like cookouts featuring the best Memorial Day recipes. But while you're enjoying a summer barbecue or even visiting a lake on your day off, it's important to pay tribute to those who earned our freedom. These patriotic quotes will help get you in the mood and keep in mind the real meaning and history of Memorial Day: to honor all the men and women who have died while serving our country. Trying to get yourself in the right mindset for the day? Add some patriotic country songs to your playlist and check out these super patriotic quotes. Barack Obama "In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it." John F. Kennedy "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the ...

Every March 17 the whole world turns green to celebrate Ireland's beloved patron saint, Patrick. But just how much do you really know about St Patrick's Day? St. Patrick's Day is traditionally a religious holiday in Ireland. The celebratory nature of the day was created by Irish immigrants to the United States as a way to retain their Irishness and ease the transition into American society. St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. Who Was St. Patrick? Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believe...

I use an indoor artificial palm tree as my Christmas tree. It is about 6 feet in height with a brown base, brown trunk and green "palms" coming off of the top. I decorate it with beach themed ornaments and it fits in with my theme. I travel quite a bit so I try to pick up a beach themed souvenir ornament from each city I visit. This way not only am I bringing back a little something to remember my trip by, I can decorate my Christmas tree in a beach theme as well. If you don't travel much to collect ornaments from different cities you can make them for really cheap. I have bought clear balls, poured beach sand and small shells in them and hung them on my tree. You can purchase starfish and sand dollars at your local craft store or online, drill a hole through them and stick raffia through the hole and hang them on your tree. I recently purchased starfish garland from a local beach shop. I could have made it but it was so cheap it would have cost the same to make it. It ...

Some people love to decorate their yard elaborately for Halloween. For others, the season for total lawn decorating comes with the Christmas season. Of course, outdoor Christmas lights are a natural choice for any Christmas theme. However, if you're looking to do something different, like the Nutcracker theme, it can be more complicated. A few things to consider are: o Staying away from traditional Christmas decorations o Using theater props o Having imagination and creativity Outdoor Christmas Lights For Theater Props The basic scene that most people try to recreate is the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." This immediately draws certain ideas to mind. In particular, the picture in people's minds is of sparkling white. Of course, it is a natural choice to use white outdoor Christmas lights to recreate a sparkling white and frosty backdrop for your nutcracker decorations. Using Your Imagination and Creativity Of course, the Nutcracker is a ballet. With that in mind, yo...

When it comes time to decorate your front yard, many people are looking for a subdued yet festive scene. After all, it is important to be welcoming and celebrate the holiday season. This is true even if you're not very religious. After all, in places where there are large Hispanic populations, it is not uncommon for non-Hispanics to display Cinco De Mayo decorations on the outside of their home during the Cinco De Mayo season. A common idea for people who do not want to focus on cartoon characters is using outdoor Christmas lights . The lights create a winter land theme without being garish. In addition to the Christmas season, winter is celebrated by celebrating snow. Simulating snow or snowflakes is always an appropriate way to decorate the yard during the Christmas season. Outdoor Christmas lights are a natural choice for these kinds of holiday festivity. Choosing the Right Outdoor Christmas Lights In general, to create a winter land theme, the idea is to simulate sparkling snow...

Of course, we all think about decorating trees for Christmas. But what about the bushes? After all, it is common to have more bushes around your house than trees. Thankfully, many companies are thinking about the exact same thing. Companies are realizing more and more that people want to decorate and cover as much of the unsightly weather effects as possible. Typically, a main reason to decorate in the winter is due to the brown vegetation. After all vegetation dies and turns brown, it is often covered by patchy bits of snow. That is followed by times where there is mud everywhere. Outdoor Christmas lights take care of many of the unsightly problems related to the wintertime blues. Types of Outdoor Christmas Lights for Bushes In addition to a wide variety of colors, there are also different types of lights that you may find more appropriate than others. Of course, there are the type of lights that look like the kind you hang on that Christmas tree inside your home. Some people find th...

As the holiday season approaches, people become fascinated with the lights and decorations of the season. Homes and businesses alike are often decorated with many different types of Christmas lights. During the 17th century people placed candles on their trees at Christmas time. In the 1800's electric lights became popular and now there many different types on the market. Christmas lights can be purchased in a variety of colors. A classic color for Christmas is white. However, today there are lights available in colors such as blue, red, green, yellow, pink, and green. These lights come in a large range of sizes as well. There are quite a few different bulb styles available too. In addition, there are also types of lights that can be set to glow continuously or can be set to blink for a twinkling light effect. Christmas lights can be purchased to be used indoors or outdoors. A few of the types of outdoor lights available are regular strands of lights, icicle lights, and rope light...

Undoubtedly, Christmas does not feel the same without a rich green fir tree complete with twinkling lights amidst yuletide songs and family and friends. Of course, the real essence of the season is goodwill to all men; but surely the anticipation of good things to come is greatly helped by the festive atmosphere all homes endeavor to create. Here are helpful tips that show you the correct way to put lights on a Christmas tree so you can enjoy a safe and merry holiday. If setting up Christmas trees is a family tradition you've always kept, then you probably have some lights stashed away in your basement or attic. Check to see their working condition. Busted bulbs you can replace but do so with caution; frayed wires you should never cover with tape. As much as possible, replace old and messed up lights with new ones- it is an investment well worth it. The general rule of thumb in Christmas tree lights is to use 100 bulbs for every one foot of tree. That means for the average 7 ½ foo...

Even without a calendar I always know when Christmas is near. You can smell it in the air. People are cheerier, shops are brighter and homes are warmer. So companies try to make money out of it, will you let that dampen your Christmas spirit? Really, it's the season for merrymaking and where better to start than in your own home. One of the best ways to usher in the season is by putting up-what else, a Christmas tree in your home. It is a well-worn and best loved tradition between family members. There are many times though that we all could do with a refresher course on basic things like putting up of holiday lights the best way possible. It has often been a matter of contention between alpha males and overly cautious women so here is a complete guide on how to put lights on a Christmas tree. First of all, you need to get yourself a sturdy and handsome fir tree. If you have a synthetic one stashed up in the basement-- that will do. However, for a cozier feel, you can visit a Chri...