IHOP National Pancake Day Free Short Stack March 12, 2019

IHOP Free Pancake Day is March 12, 2019 this year, and we are going to partake! Here's a post from when we did Free Pancake Day in 2016.

March 12, 2018 was a very sad day in my household (a miscarriage and my husband being hit by a car on his bicycle). This year we choose to be thankful for what we do have (5 healthy kids and a husband who is alive and well) and HAPPILY EAT PANCAKES!

"On IHOP Free Pancake Day, visit any IHOP restaurant and get a FREE short stack of our Original Buttermilk Pancakes. Then donate to help children battling critical illnesses. Each stack served on IHOP Free Pancake Day helps us flip it forward for kids in need. Doing good never tasted so good."

Click here for more details on IHOP Free Pancake Day 2019 and to see stories of kids you'll be helping out, and also check out their menu to plan your entire meal! We love to order bacon and OJ with our short stacks (coffee for Mommy!).

Driveway You Crazy

When it comes to neglected aspects of our homes, many of us consider spaces like our bathrooms or garages. Some of us even consider our front gardens or our home exteriors. But, few of us think about our driveways. That’s scandalous when you consider that this is a significant area for neglect in the majority of households.

While most of us stipulate the need for on-site parking when we’re buying a property, we don’t spare much thought for it once we’ve moved. It should come as no surprise, then, that many of us find that our driveways soon...well, drive us crazy.

It may be that the space doesn’t suit your needs, or perhaps it’s the eyesore of your exteriors. Whatever the problem, you should tackle this as soon as it comes to your attention. Your driveway is, after all, as much a part of your house as anything. Given that it’s out front, you could say that it has a significant impact on passing impression.

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Don’t let your driveway drag your house down, then. Instead, consider the following improvements.

Make more room

One car is rarely enough for a growing family. The chances are that you own at least two vehicles, not even considering when guests come around. Before you know, your driveway can become a vehicle-style Tetris. As well as making your life difficult, this is sure to create an eyesore. And, it has an easy enough solution. Expanding our driveways is often easier than we think. It may be that getting rid of that unnecessary garage is your best bet. Or, perhaps you want to extend your driveway into your front lawn a little. Aside from making your life a lot easier, moves like these can actually add value to your home. So, what are you waiting for?

Improve that surface

Many of us also neglect to maintain our driveways the way we would other areas of our homes. This both looks bad and does damage to our tires over time. If you keep landing with flats, for example, it’s a sure sign that your driveway needs a little improvement. With luck, this could mean merely grouting bricks or deweeding the surface. In extreme cases, a complete concrete resurfacing could be the best thing for it. As well as providing a sleek finish, this could save you money on car repairs in the long-run. It may seem like a hassle, then, but it’s a hassle worth taking.

Make things pretty

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Elsewhere in the house, we focus on making everything look the part. For the most part, though, we leave our driveways blank and bland. It’s no wonder we often find them uninspiring. Of course, you can’t do much on your driveway itself without posing potential driving hazards. But, nothing is stopping you putting flower displays around those edges. Even opting for brick designs on your driveway itself could improve that aesthetic. Either option would make sure your driveway gave a first impression you could finally feel proud of.

Designing a Nursery That Grows With Your Child

Image by ErikaWittlieb on Pixabay

One of the most enjoyable ways to prepare for a new baby is to set up the nursery. There are so many sweet options when it comes to the look of this special space, but those styles can quickly become outdated as your baby grows into a young child. Here are some ways you can create a room to love that also lasts for many years to come.

Choose a Special Keepsake

Search specialty gift shops, like Hallmark Online, to find a unique figurine, box or book for your nursery. To make it even more meaningful, write a short message to your new baby on the bottom. Once your child is older, this keepsake can easily be incorporated into the room’s updated décor by being placed on a dresser or shelf.  It can also serve as a memento to be cherished well into adulthood.

Pick Neutral Colors

Use paint colors, bedding and window treatments that can work well with many styles and themes. Personalize and add color by accessorizing with wall art, throw pillows and lamps. As your child grows and develops their own personality and interests, you won’t have to start from scratch to add in the things they love.

Purchase a Convertible Crib

New furniture is a pricey investment, but it can be worth the money if it’s made to be used for more than just a year or two. Find a piece that transitions from crib to toddler bed to a regular bed in order to save yourself from three separate purchases. Remember to pick a finish that’s easy to touch up. With teeth marks, scratches and coloring mishaps, kids can be rough on the furniture in their personal space.

As you’re nesting for your new baby, make design choices that you can enjoy for years, not just months. The longer the room is relevant, the more memories you can make there.

Creating a More Comfortable Home for the Entire Family

A house is more than four walls and a roof. It’s a place in which you and your family should feel safe and happy. If this isn’t the case then it’s probably time to make some changes to that humble abode of yours. Whether the problem is that your household has become old and worn-out or that it’s never really had the necessary personality to connect with you and your family, no house is beyond saving. Here’s how to create a more comfortable home for the entire family.

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Create a cleaner home for the family.

The first step to creating a more comfortable home for the entire family is to create a cleaner home for the entire family. This is something you should do for both the physical and mental wellbeing of you and your loved ones. It’ll keep you all healthier, of course, but it’ll also make you and your family feel better. Nobody finds it pleasant to live in an unclean environment. It’s not just about the aesthetic of your household. An unclean home can invite insects and other unwelcome visitors in your abode. You might want to look into natural pest control if you’re having trouble in that regard. This will clear out your home to make it a family-friendly environment again. Of course, keeping your household clean in the future will help too.

Make it more spacious.

A comfortable home needs to be spacious, so you should think of ways to really open up the available space in your household. Decluttering is a good place to start. Improving the layout of each room can help in terms of traffic flow too. You might even want to add an extra room to your property. Not only will this increase its value in the event that you consider selling your home in the future but it’ll also make your home feel more spacious. You could build a conservatory or some other form of extension, but a conversion project is a much more time-effective and cost-effective way to achieve the same end result. You’ll probably find that your attic or garage could be converted into a guest bedroom or even a games room for the family if you clear out these spaces properly. That’s why decluttering is such a smart idea.

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Add some creative personal touches.

Another way to create a more comfortable home for the entire family is to add some creative personal touches to your household. As mentioned in the introduction, houses can often feel uncomfortable when they lack any personality. Even if your home looks stylish, it might feel stale and lifeless if it doesn’t reflection the preferences of you and your family members. Little details can make a big difference in this sense. You could hang up some artwork that reflects your creative tastes; perhaps you and your family could even create some handmade artwork to hang on the walls. And you can add some creative personal touches to the outside of your property too. You could take the DIY approach to sprucing up your mailbox base or the mailbox itself so that a bit of your family’s personality is visible before you’ve even stepped inside the house.

Celebrating a Life Rather than Mourning a Death

               
When a friend or family member dies, you’re sure to feel sadness knowing they will no longer be physically present in your life. However, if that person was someone you shared many happy times with, they would probably prefer that you honor them with a celebration of their life and the good times you shared with them rather than mourn. The are many ways to celebrate the life and memories of someone special.

A Unique Celebration

If a traditional funeral is contradictory to the lifestyle your loved one lived, you might want to discuss alternative options such as those available at funeral home riverside il. Green funerals are becoming increasingly popular, especially among people who lived an eco-friendly lifestyle. Honor your loved one with a funeral that is compatible with their way of living.

Celebrate with an Everlasting Gift

Planting a tree in a location that holds special significance relating to the one who passed away is a great way to honor their life. Invite friends and family to the planting ceremony. Send everyone home with a seedling or small plant that they can plant at home as a tangible way to honor the deceased.

Plan a Release

Plan a celebration and ask the invited guests to bring something that the person you’re honoring gave them or something that reminds them of that person. Ask for photos to display on a table. Give everyone a chance to tell their story related to the good times they shared with the person being honored. At the end of the event, have some type of release. You can toss bird seed or wildflower seeds or blow bubbles and watch them soar toward heaven.

Honor the life of your loved one by hosting an event that looks like they planned it. Serve their favorite food, have their favorite music playing and show a video highlighting their unique personality and the exuberance they had for living. Keep the atmosphere lively, yet respectful. End the event with everyone sharing a happy memory.