Ahhh summer

Though it's not technically summer yet, the weather here for the past few days says otherwise. Yesterday and the day before reached 90 degrees! I'm lucky enough to steal a few moments during the day to appreciate the little things in life, like stopping at Sandy Beach in Cohasset to take a few pictures. When life gets crazy over the next few months, I'll look at the pictures and they will, for sure, make me smile. Enjoy!

Teaching Kids to Give Back

During April vacation, I asked my niece, Meg, if she wanted to do some volunteer work with me. Her answer was a resounding "yes!" We made a plan to go to Cradles to Crayons in Quincy and volunteer for a couple of hours together. On our way there, we stopped at the local food pantry and dropped off a donation. When she was talking to her mom when we were finished, I was happy to hear her say, "it was so much fun. I can't wait to do it again.". Sometimes teenagers can surprise you, I guess.

Snack Time

I have the pleasure of babysitting my sister's three children three days a week. When they get home from school, they are usually starving. I'm not sure why this is, but it is. I like to put out a healthy snack when they get home. It's my way of trying to keep them away from the snack cabinet. I find that I, too, enjoy a healthy snack in the afternoon.

When I give them veggies, I serve it with ranch dip. They love it!

As a special treat I sometimes make them an english muffin with Nutella and a banana slice.

Another favorite is crackers, cheese and pepperoni. I recently made them "ants on a log" for the first time and my 4 year old nephew gobbled it up.

So, next time you get the "hungry horrors" try some of of the yummy snacks. Enjoy!

Free Stuff on Tax Day

With tomorrow being April 15, we all deserve something for free. Here are a few things that are free or discounted tomorrow:

Free HydroMassage (there's one near you)

Click here for more info

Starbucks:

Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S:

The seafood restaurant is offering $10.40 dinner and drink specials in the bar on Thursday -- a nod to the 1040 tax form. Bar guests who come in April 15 also receive a $10.40 gift certificate for a later visit. And professional tax preparers, who may have to work right until the midnight deadline Thursday, get their freebie Friday: dessert on the house plus a $10.40 certificate if they show a business card

P.F. CHANG'S:

Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.

The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market is now open in the Hingham shipyard. This store is great for many reasons, as you will see below. One of the things that I really like about the store is that they have people who help you out to the car with your groceries. They don't just help the little old ladies, they help everyone. I wondered why they would do this and then I realized why. There are virtually no carts in the parking lot. All of the shopping carts stay inside the store where they stay nice and dry. They also aren't denting peoples cars. The customer service is outstanding and the staff are all very nice and helpful. They had some wonderful samples on hand today, including ribs, that they were grilling outside. I know it seems strange to get excited over a grocery, but it's the little things in life that make us happy.

They have an extensive wine department.

I think I was drooling while looking at all of the cakes!

The meat department had lots to offer.

They have coffee beans by the barrel.

MGH Child Life Services

Most of you know that my niece, Meghan, has spent quite a bit of time at Mass General Hospital for Children. The staff there is wonderful, especially the Child Life Services staff and volunteers. They have a great playroom on the pediatric floor that she stays on. It's filled with games, crafts, computers, a television and DVD's that you can take back to your room to watch.

My sister, Kelly, and I are always on the lookout for a good bargain. We found some great games on sale recently. We've also been collecting crayons, coloring books and other items for the playroom for a while now. I went to the hospital today to drop them off. They were very grateful.

Ellison 18. The pediatric floor where Meg stays.

The elevators.

The playroom.

Below are some of the items that we donated.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Although the rain boots pictured below are cute, I hate to have to wear them three days in a row. It's been raining here NONSTOP! People who don't have a flooded basement know ten people who do. It's been crazy. It makes me want to stay home with a good book. There is some hope though. The forecast for tomorrow calls for sunshine and 50 degree weather. It can't get here fast enough. I hope wherever you are, you're staying safe and dry.