Plan a picnic on April 23! Go to the beach, visit a museum, zoo, or local park.  Pack delicious snacks, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches mix it up, veggies, fruits, nuts, chocolate or other likeable snacks.
Prepare your picnic - Go to the local market and purchase sour dough bread for sandwiches.  Select an assortment of meats, jams or spreads.  Visit the health section if someone in your family has food allergies.  Select whole grain crackers, low-fat cheese, sliced pickles, olives, and sparkling drinks, water, juice, or other beverages. 

Store each snack in separate containers. Picnics are for selecting your favorite foods and having healthy snacks outside, more enjoyable and encourages togetherness.

Include variety, schedule it and invite friends. Picnics are good for your health.  Climb to the top of a hill, spread out a blanket, open a picnic basket and enjoy! Sit by a lake, or picnic in a boat on the lake.  It's time to get out the flip-flops, shorts, and picnic baskets for an adventure you will love. 

It is estimated that 64% of American's are working from home, due to circumstances from COVID-19. Before the pandemic, children and young adults were more likely to go to work with their parent's by commuting to the work location.  Here are some tips on how to setup working from home with your younger children today. 

Plan - plan your day
Boundaries - Establish boundaries, let children know, that because you work at home there are times for work and play. Plan activities that are short and interactive with younger children.  Plan a time out for them to go outside for a walk, share exercise routines with children and how you plan the day.  Include them on planning a day at the office by updating calendars.  Use bright colored markers and sticky notes that they can use to ad to the calendar schedule. 

How can you make working from home a special place to bring your kids to work today?

Find a quiet place in the office, include a small table and chairs for the younger children to color at, read books, play games or write.  Keep expectations to a minimum.  When the younger child is in the office, work activities that are less distracting. For example, send an email correspondence, write a blog, send letters of appreciation to staff, and co-workers.  Bring a small pet to the office, let your child interact with them while you are working.

Schedule an at work experience with your teenage children.  Let them observe your work schedule, discuss calendar dates that are important, schedule time to observe the career that is age appropriate.  Meet and greet fellow co-workers and staff.  Schedule lunch with young adults, discuss interests, and webinar engagement. 
Bring in an expert to discuss career opportunities with young adults. Schedule a mock meeting with other teenagers who came to work with their parents.  Pick a topic and encourage them to write on it for the day. Correspond through email, send out forms, file documents, run errands, complete a worksheet about going to work with parents, take a survey, share the experience on social media.  Be excited about the experience! Children are exceptional and parents are excellent role-models for their future.  Schedule time for engagement on a regular basis, so they see your strengths and are encouraged by opportunity in the workforce. 

Spring is one of the perfect times to enjoy the vibrant blossoms of color in trees.  In Nebraska the top 5 fastest growing trees include: The Pink Weeping Cherry Tree, Pink Dogwood, Jane Magnolia, Magnolia butterflies tree, Red Dogwood, Eastern Redbud. 

There are different types of considerations for trees and locations.  For example Evergreen trees are used for privacy, Fruit trees are beneficial for enjoying fresh fruit, it increases property value, and could help save money on your energy bills because they provide shade during the warmer months. Trees help the environment by expelling fresh oxygen into the air. A fruit tree may increase the value of your property by providing fruit, a beautiful display, and flowers during the spring months. 

Spending more time at home, means noticing all of the practical things that could use a fresh overhaul.  Replacing a chair or recliner would be an essential update for your living room area, or choose a modern cover, Area rugs, coffee tables, end tables, and throw pillows are all practical items that could be updated.  Painting an end table or coffee table and adding a few throw pillows could add a new look without breaking the budget. 
- Replacing curtains for more energy efficient ones could save money during the colder and warmer months.  Painting the living -room depending on what brand of paint will run about $40/gallon.  Consider washing your walls, and spot painting blemishes or chips to freshen the room. 
- Technology updates include tv, stereo, speakers, computers, entertainment centers, and cd's. Entertainment centers can change the look of the room with a new coat of paint and hardware. 
- Display "simple is less" organization keeps the room clean and clutter free.  A welcome presentation for your family and guests will be a welcome comfort. 

​Removing snow and ice is everyone’s responsibility.www.missouririverinsurance.com
If you think about the risks, taking care of ice and snow is a no-brainer.
 
Winter in South Dakota can seem quite unpredictable. One day its sunshine and warm, the next day we are getting several inches of snow. Do not let the occasional spring day fool you, we are still in the middle of the winter months. When you consider that insurance claims from winter storm related damages can run into thousands of dollars, knowing how to properly deal with snow and ice around the home is simply smart.
 
One of the first things we tell homeowners or renters is to keep snow away from your foundation. Moisture from the snow melting can seep in. Remember, concrete is very porous. So, when you are shoveling sidewalks, driveways, and walkways push the snow away from the perimeter of your home. Another important thing to remember is to keep any fire hydrants, gas meters, dryer vents, and heat exhaust vents clear of snow. This ensures that no fumes are being exerted back into your home, causing serious health issues and ensures easy access for anybody servicing the meters/hydrants.
 
Any amount of snow on the right roof could cause it to collapse. The interesting thing is you want snow on your roof. If the snow does not melt you know your attic insulation is doing its job. However, if there is too much snow and ice the roof could collapse. Flat roofs are especially vulnerable. Some individuals utilize roof shovels, which are designed to reach the roof from the ground, so you are not climbing on the roof and risking a fall. But shoveling your roof from the ground also has its risks: 1. You could damage your shingles, and 2. The snow could com down on top of you. If you need snow or an ice dam removed from your roof, we recommend calling a professional contractor who regularly deals with these issues.
 
Many people are concerned about injuries happening on their property. The most common winter related injuries are slips and falls. It is your responsibility to make sure all walkways and sidewalks are properly taken care of. This includes shoveling and laying down ice melt/sand to prevent any ice/snow build up.
 
If you think about the risks, taking care of ice and snow is no-brainer. Save yourself the trouble and prevent any potential injuries or damages the winter months may bring to your doorstep.
 

It is that time of year when you just want to snuggle up in your home with something warm and comfortable for fall.  When you need to go run errands choose a brightly colored scarf, the perfect accessory that goes with any outfit.  Dress it up with a new pair of jeans, boots, and leather jacket. 

Dressing for colder weather doesn't have to be difficult.  Update your wardrobe with accessories and a couple of new pieces of clothing.  Jewelry is the perfect accent with any update in silver, gold, bronze or rose tone.  Comfortable clothing is stylish.  Match the buttons on your blazer with your jewelry.  Jackets with hoods are popular and crossbody bags.  What ever your style make it simple, comfortable, and affordable.  

You can be ready for your meetings online with a updated blouse, blazer and necklace.  Essential wardrobe pieces that you can wear when you attend meetings, or have lunch with your girlfriends. 

Pumpkin Terms
·         Skin: The outside, colored part of the pumpkin.
·         Flesh: The stuff inside, used for cooking.
·        Easy Carving: Is the pumpkin fairly easy to carve with a knife or pumpkin-carving kit? 
·         Shape: Pumpkins are not just round. They can be squat, tall, long, uneven, etc.
·         Texture: Glide your fingers across the pumpkin's skin. Is it bumpy, slightly rough, or smooth as a baby's bottom? That is the pumpkin's texture.
·         Ribbing: If you were drawing a pumpkin, the ribbing would be those vertical stripes you create to indicate that it is a pumpkin and not some other round object. Deep ribbing is noted.
·         Size: Straightforward—big, small, miniature, medium. Sometimes indicated in weight.
·         Keeps well: Describes a pumpkin's "shelf life" or if it tends to last a few months (uncarved) or quickly wither off the vine.