Tiffany Merritt

The Perfect Grilled Lobster at Home

May 29, 2020 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I love today’s guest post topic! What a fun way to make one of the MANY at home meals we are all enduring really special and fun!

Looking for a healthy meal that tastes amazing? Or perhaps you are bored with your usual dinner? Lobster is a great way to get the family together and treat them to a delicious, restaurant-style dish at home. Grilled lobster is a healthy and delicious way to get the family excited about eating together at home.

You don’t need to dine out at expensive restaurants, you can enjoy this premium crayfish at home. Due to the rise of companies like LobsterAnywhere where you can buy lobster online, you can cook and enjoy them from the comfort of your own home. It’s not as hard as you may think, especially when you choose premium frozen lobster.

The great thing about cooking lobster yourself is that you get to choose exactly how to cook it and what to pair with it!

Fresh or Frozen Lobster?

You may squirm at the idea of boiling live lobsters and we get it – it’s not for the faint-hearted. Lobster lovers often choose to grill their meat instead. It takes the same prep time as the conventional method and makes a really tasty meal due to the added flavor from the grill.

Frozen lobster is much easier to work with and a lot less stressful. Cooking live lobsters can be intimidating – not everyone can handle live fish.

So, how do you go about making grilled lobster?

We are going to talk you through how to create a perfectly grilled lobster from the comfort of your own home.

Grilling lobster results in smoky succulent flavors, plus whatever marinade, or butter you decide to use. Combine that with the other cooking on the grill, such as your veg, sides, and starters. This results in the most delicious grilled lobster BBQ meal to enjoy with friends and family at home.

First of all, start with the basics. You should only buy high-quality lobster. It makes the world of difference when grilling at home. You don’t want to skimp on price. And whilst grilling, always make sure to check the heat is at the right level because a well-done lobster ruins the taste and possibly your mood if you’re a lobster lover!

Here is our personal favorite recipe for a family of 4;

4 Maine Lobsters
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons of fresh thyme (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons of Wholegrain mustard (you can also use Dijon mustard).
2 Cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
2 large freshly squeezed lemons
Sharp scissors
Sharp knife

Grilled Lobster isn’t as complicated as it may seem. For a perfectly grilled lobster, simply follow these steps.

Split the lobsters in half – this makes it much easier to grill and eat
Use sharp kitchen scissors to cut through the shell, from the top of each tail up to the body
Place a knife into the cut, and then use the scissors to cut through the lobster meat all the way through
This should be done in one swoop, cutting the tails in half as well but do not cut through the bottom shell.
Make sure to cut the lobster in half lengthwise. This allows the meat to cook directly on the grill, allowing the top to receive all the great BBQ flavor
Mix all the other ingredients. Place on a low heat on the hob and boil until melted and place to the side
Pull back the sides of the shell to expose the meat
Discard the dark stomach (located behind the eyes) and the soft green tomalley, which is the soft green mass in the body (this is the lobster’s digestive gland- the liver).
Rub the ingredients on the meat and add any other seasoning you like (make sure not to overseason – lobster meat has enough taste which you don’t want to overpower)
Heat the grill to medium-high and place the lobster meat front down for 5-6 minutes, then turn it over, cook for another 3-4 minutes until done

And bon appetit! Now you have perfectly grilled lobsters. Serve with extra butter sauce and side dishes or vegetables of your choice.

We love grilled asparagus, spinach, and any type of greens to complete your perfectly grilled lobster home-cooked BBQ.

We recommend that you grill larger lobsters, around 1 pound or heavier. This is because smaller lobsters will cook too quickly on the grill, and you will likely be left with it over-cooked and miss out on the soft tender meat and sweetness lobster is renowned for!

As you can see, it is pretty easy to make grilled lobsters in the comfort of your own home. Why not try our recipe and let us know if you added anything else? We would love to hear more creative cooking ideas from you!

6 Must-Have Items to Keep Your Dog Busy For Hours

May 10, 2020 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Today’s guest post is dedicated to all the dog moms out there! I hope it gives you some fun new ideas for your four-legged loves!

Have a smart dog? If so, then you know that keeping them occupied is a constant battle. It doesn’t have to be, however, if you’re careful to pick the right toys and accessories for them to play with around the house. Even better? You can build some of them yourself! If you’re still looking then read on and we’ll show you some great items to keep the mutt busy!

1. Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pet occupied. They come in a variety of different configurations but the purpose is the same: make your dog think their way to a treat.

These toys are alluring to canines since the scent of the treats or food in them get out. The dog smells them and then has to solve the puzzle.

Easy enough, and with some thought you can even make your own. A treat and a hidden pocket on their favorite plushy is one of the best methods, but people have gotten extremely creative with the whole affair over time. If you can think it up, chances are your dog will give it a go.

2. Dog Pools

Is your dog a water breed? Retrievers, Poodles, and many other dogs love to get in the water. As summer rolls in it might be time to think about a dog pool.

While it’s not something you should let most animals have free access too, they’re a safe method for a dog to burn off energy. For certain breeds, it even handles an instinctual need to get in there and splash around.

They’re easy to find. You can buy a cheap one, use a plastic kiddy pool, or even make your own. Thankfully, it’s sure to be used as long as you maintain it. Dogs aren’t nearly as likely to get bored with an above-ground pool as we are.

3. Scavenger Hunts with Treats

Try hiding a variety of treats around the home. The places should be well-hidden but still accessible by your dog for the best results.

You can make this much more alluring to your dog by dragging the treats to create trails to the treats, allowing them to use their superior sense of smell to find them.

Best of all? You don’t even have to be there to keep your dog occupied for hours. Many people have found this a great way to keep intelligent dogs like Collies distracted while they’re away. It’s an easy fix for separation anxiety if you can keep the game going.

4. Your Television

Studies show that dogs actually watch TV, and can even recognize animals on the screen. It’s not always the best option, and your dog may tire of it within a few days, but it’s an easy way to just let your dog veg on the couch.

Stations with a lot of animals are better received but each dog is different. See what they like, change the channel on different days, and you’ve got another tool for occupying your dog’s attention.

5. The Digging Box

You can make a frame for your yard and fill it with sand or soil. Add in some toys and treats and you’ll have a great way to keep your dog occupied for hours at a time.

It’s a simple process, even if you barely know tools you can cobble something together after reading a few articles and watching a couple of YouTube videos.

They’re the gift that keeps on giving as well. It’s not something your dog will tire of easily and resetting the digging box is easy. Just level all of the sand or soil again and rebury toys and treats to give your dog another great round of fun.

6. A Simple Job

The reason that most animals become rather destructive while you’re gone is simple: they’ve got nothing better to do. You’ll note that most of the dog breeds which are associated with destruction when not occupied are highly intelligent. Border Collies, for instance, are among the worst offenders.

If you’ve got the knack for training then you can teach your dog to do simple things around the house. Let them load laundry baskets, for instance, or put away all of their toys. Essentially: make them a part of your day.

It depends on your dog’s intelligence and your aptitude as a trainer but you’d be surprised at how much you can get your dog to do. As a bonus, they’re also helping out around the house!

Keeping Dogs Active

Like us, our dogs need to be mentally occupied during the day to avoid problems. Since they can’t just scroll through Facebook or read a novel it’s up to us to find them things to do while they’re home alone. The above are just a start, why not see what you and your dog can do?

How to Save Money Every Time You Shop

May 5, 2020 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Please enjoy today’s guest post. I definitely feel the need these days to save as much money as I reasonably can! Perhaps you feel the same way!

Shopping can be a lot of fun, particularly when you’re searching for something exciting, like a vacation or a new house. However, every time you buy something, you also need to deal with the stress of knowing that you’ve taken a chunk out of your bank balance. That’s a chunk that could have gone into your savings account, or emergency fund.

So, how do you deal with this fact? For most of us, refusing to spend money on anything non-essential ever again won’t be realistic. Instead, we it’s easier to think of ways that you can reduce your spending each time you shop, so you can feel more comfortable about your financial habits.

Here are some top tips that could save you a fortune, whatever you buy.

Spread the Costs of Big Purchases

Sometimes, you’ll find it’s much easier to spread the cost of a big purchase out over an extended period of time, than try to buy everything at once. As worrying as it can be to borrow some money for your new car or kitchen extension, it’s often a lot less stressful than pulling all the cash out of your emergency savings in one go.

Spreading the cost of big purchases over time can also help you to build a better credit rating. This ensures that if you ever need to borrow money in the future, you should be able to get a better deal on your loan. Consider the long-term benefits of borrowing the cash you need the next time you have a big ticket item to buy.

Know What You Need “New”

There are some items in life that we can’t buy second-hand. Things like underwear, food, and even baby supplies are only really trustworthy when you get them vacuum-packed or sealed from the store. However, there are a lot of other items that you can access without spending a fortune on a “new” label. For instance, if you’re keen to get your hands on a new smartphone, it might make sense to hold off for a few weeks.

It doesn’t take long for people to decide that they’re bored of their phone or can’t afford to keep it. When that happens, second-hand versions of gadgets appear in stores and online, available for a fraction of the “new” cost.

Embrace Generic Brands

There’s a reason why the world’s biggest companies spend a fortune on advertising. They hope that you’re going to fall in love with their brands and refuse to buy anything else. In some cases, we even convince ourselves that certain brands of food or toiletries taste or work better than their generic counterparts. The truth, on the other hand is that most essential items are made with the same ingredients.

If you’re nervous about switching to a generic brand, consider switching just one item on your shopping list each week or month. That way, you can open your mind to the possibility of trying new things. If you really hate the brand you switch to, you can always switch back.

Sell Your Old Stuff

How much old junk do you have sitting in your cupboards or taking up space around the house? It’s easy to convince yourself that you shouldn’t throw items away after you paid good, honest money for them. However, the truth is that if these products are just taking up space, they’re better off out of your house.

Selling your old items has two big benefits. First, it allows you to clear some space around your home, so it’s not as hard to keep everything looking neat. Secondly, selling old objects gives you an extra dose of cash that you can put into your emergency fund or savings. You can even use the money you earn on old products to fund new ones.

Compare Your Options

Finally, if you’re trying to save money whenever you shop, stop going for the first price you see for the item or service that you want. More often than not, if you’re willing to look around, you’ll be able to find a better deal elsewhere online.

You can save money on a huge variety of things just by comparison shopping. Try it the next time you need to renew your car insurance or upgrade your broadband. Staying loyal to the same old brands and businesses doesn’t always give you the financial bonus that you would expect. Be willing to play the field a little.

Guide: Easter Basket Stuffers for Your Toddler

March 12, 2020 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

I hope you find today’s guest post helpful as you seek out the perfect Easter basket contents for the toddler in your life!

Your toddler is finally old enough to start comprehending what the holidays are about. It’s such an exciting time not only for them but for parents too. As parents, it’s a chance to relive our childhood all over again by seeing it through our little one’s eyes—carrying the same traditions as our parents once shared with us. One of those traditions is waking up to Easter baskets on Easter Sunday. Of course, egg-shaped candy was and still is a must, but if you’re needing other ideas, here’s a guide to putting your toddler’s Easter basket together this year.

A personalized basket

Premade baskets are convenient but a personalized basket is much more fun. Whether you have a boy or girl, getting their name embroidered on the basket lining, along with a tutu for your girl or rabbit ears for your little boy will bring them so much joy when they see it for the first time. Unlike plastic premade baskets, personalized baskets are more durable, allowing for multiple use throughout the year or years to come. So even when your toddler is done getting all of their goodies on Easter morning, you can still use it to store little trinkets in their room.

Wooden toys

At your toddler’s age, they’re not quite ready for Barbies and action figures, however, wooden toys are ideal for this age because they aren’t sharp and they don’t contain little pieces they can choke on. At this stage, toddlers should be learning basic concepts like colors, numbers, and letters. Adding multi-colored stackers, a puzzle, or a few farm animals will be fun and educational toys for them to play with throughout the year.

Mouse ears

Is your little girl a fan of Disney? A pair or mouse ears in her favorite movie theme will be better than regular bunny ears. These ears will also come in handy the next time you score a pair of Disney On Ice tickets or for an upcoming trip to Disneyland. She can bring her own ears to represent her favorite Disney character, and at the same time, mom and dad can save on those expensive souvenir ears at the park.

Coloring book and washable crayons

Most likely, your little one doesn’t understand the concept of staying inside the lines when it comes to coloring books. A toddler coloring book is the best way to teach them about colors and how to color. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you’re buying the washable crayons so that if they decide to color a whole mural on your wall you can keep calm knowing it washes off.

Personalized Easter socks

There’s no such thing as too many socks when it comes to kids. Either because a pair’s match got lost in the washer or dryer, your kids are wearing their socks out too fast, or they’ve outgrown them quicker than it took you to buy them. A pair of Easter socks can be the accessory to complete their Easter Sunday look while replacing that one pair that’s on its last days.

The toddler phase is such a perfect age because your little one gets so excited and so easily entertained by the smallest things. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on them to make them happy. Little trinkets like bubbles, wind-up toys, and jars of playdough can all be found for a minimal price, and you can pack their baskets with tons to last them all spring. These tend to be the more popular items so make sure that you plan ahead and shop before the good stuff is all taken from the shelves.

Exploring How to Restore Facial Skin Health

January 31, 2020 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Please enjoy today’s guest post. It’s a topic I think about more and more now that I’m almost 40!

There is no denying how your face looks is important. People may say looks are not everything, but judgment based on looks occurs every day. Whether you are interviewing for a job, going on a date, or just spending time with friends, you do not need the worry of not looking your best. That is why, keeping wrinkles, scars, sun spots and other facial damage away may be a top priority for you. Here is what you need to know about restoring your facial skin health and preventing future damage.

Why Your Face May Show Signs of Damage

Consider what your face goes through all the time and it is easy to see some reasons it may start to look damaged. Weather, diet, exercise and smoking status are just some things that may affect it. Application of improper or chemical-filled health and beauty products and exposure to airborne materials also top the list of influencing factors. Therefore, the best way to limit facial skin damage is to avoid as many of those factors as possible.

Of course, you cannot avoid everything that affects your skin health. A prime example is the hormonal changes that naturally happen with the passage of time. They are inevitable. That is why, no matter how vigilant you are, you may eventually need some sort of corrective procedure, such as a cosmetic JetPeel treatment. Professional cosmetic assistance may be the only way to reclaim the look you want and rid yourself of the wrinkles or other damage you hate to see when you look in the mirror.

Exfoliating the Skin for Better Health

The word “exfoliation” is a big term in the skincare world, but it is not thrown around arbitrarily. Exfoliation is actually a big part of maintaining skin health. It is a process of removing what does not need to be there. In most cases, what does not need to be there are skin cells that have died but not fully fallen off yet. Sometimes they can block up your pores, causing acne or other issues. Foreign materials like dirt, grease and makeup residue also need to be exfoliated away. That is why most restorative facial procedures in clinics focus on exfoliation.

Maximizing Internal Cellular Collagen Production and Efficiency

Another aspect of facial skin restoration is maximizing the efficiency and production of collagen within your body. Some skincare treatments infuse your skin with collagen. Others try to make your body create and distribute more of its own naturally. In either case, the purpose is to get the collagen to give your skin back some of its elasticity, allowing it to bounce back into place. That reduces lax skin that causes wrinkling.

Treating Mild, Moderate, and Severe Facial Skin Concerns

One of the best things about clinical treatments for your skin, whether on your face or not, is they come in many styles and strengths. You can easily treat mild facial blemishes or wrinkles in any one of several ways. Multiple moderate skin treatments are also available. In fact, procedures like chemical peels have mild, moderate and deep versions. You can select the one you need. However, the important thing is not to limit yourself by waiting too long. Once your skin reaches a certain point, your treatment options may be greatly reduced. In some cases, surgery may be the only solution.

Take the Time to Get to Know Your Skin and Your Clinic

It may sound like signing up for a facial skin treatment quickly is essential at the first sign of trouble, but do not be too quick to set up an appointment. You have to find a clinic you feel comfortable with, first. It is also imperative that you fully understand they types of skin damage you have and the causes. Only then can you explore treatment options with a trusted clinician.

Planning Your Next Winter Getaway

December 21, 2019 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

With just 4 days until Christmas, this magic maker is crying out for a chance to rest and recoup! Are you feeling the need for a vacation, but tend to think of them as best saved for summer? I hope this guest post will help inspire you to consider a winter getaway! I can certainly vouch for the national park recommendation below!

Planning Your Next Winter Getaway

Planning your next winter getaway can be a little daunting. It requires thought, planning, consideration, and money. But breaking up the winter blues with a fun trip is always a fun thing to do, so it’s worth it! Here are some things to consider for your next wintery trip.

How to Fund Your Trip
After spending all that money on holiday gifts and goodies, it can seem overwhelming to then turn around and pay for a trip. With a little planning, it’s totally possible! You can use a Visa Platinum to book everything because it gives you points for each dollar you spend on travel!

One thing that helps is planning far enough in advance. Then you can split up the payment and cost. For example, if you’re flying, book your tickets a couple months before you plan to go. Then book your hotels and excursions the following month. That way, the cost isn’t concentrated into one paycheck and is instead spread out over a few. And you can fully enjoy spending on what you want once you get on your trip! Another idea is to set up a separate savings account specifically for traveling. Each paycheck, divert a small portion so that it adds up in time for that much-needed vacay!

Picking Where to Go
This is the most fun and exciting part of traveling–picking where to go! How do you do it? Start by deciding what kind of trip you are looking to experience and ask the other people who are going with you. You can break out your trip options into four different categories. Some can be combined, but these are the ones that seem most common.

1. Nature Trip
First is a nature trip to the great outdoors. The national parks are a great option to visit for a winter getaway. Most are less busy because of the cooler weather, but they’re still beautiful at that time. Zion National Park lodging is a great place to stay to see some of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. Take a Zion jeep tour to see even more of the red rocks while being in the warmth of the jeep. Rates are also typically lower than during high travel times, so this is a great option if you don’t want to spend a lot.

2. Beach Trip
Second, is somewhere warm and relaxing. If you live somewhere chilly, nothing sounds more appealing than sunshine and the beach during winter. Many beach resorts are all-inclusive and are worth spending on upfront because they save you money on food and excursions in the long run. Do some research and find the right one for you!

3. Cruise Trip
Third, is a cruise. Sailing on a cruise also typically includes warm and relaxing destinations, but it doesn’t have to be. All lodging and food, and even excursions can be taken care of when you book!

4. Embrace a Winter Trip
Last, is to embrace the winter! Book a stay at a cozy cabin or celebrate the holidays in a small town to have that Hallmark Christmas experience.

Going on a trip is one of the most fulfilling experiences you can have with your loved ones. Take some time to plan where to go, how to finance it, and ask around about what to do once you get there. And best of all, enjoy your travels!

Guest Post: How to Establish a Successful Financial Plan

December 7, 2019 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This time of year I always seem to feel a bit frustrated at how my financial goals for the year didn’t quite come to fruition. Perhaps all that holiday spending doesn’t help matters! If you feel similarly, I hope today’s guest post will give you some inspiration for changes to make for a more prosperous 2020!

How to Establish a Successful Financial Plan

Careful planning is often the key to a good financial strategy. Unfortunately, a lot of people today use their money without thinking much about it. We buy the things that we want and need as we go through the month, then panic as the weeks go on and we realize that we’re going to struggle to make it through until our next payday.

Fortunately, if you’re ready to make a change for 2020, then setting up a strategy for financial success could be a lot easier than it seems. With the right financial plan, you can stop making decisions based on current impulses and fear and start thinking about what you want to accomplish with your money in the long-term.

Budget Properly

Budgeting might not be everyone’s favorite thing, but it’s key to building your financial freedom. A working budget for each month will help you to see how every dollar you earn has a purpose, so you can avoid over-spending in any specific area. Budgets will put you back in control of your cash, so you can measure whether you’re actually reaching your goals or not.

Although a budget can seem like a lot of work at first, it’s actually easier to set up than you might think. All you really need to do is start by figuring out how much money you have going into and coming out of your bank account each month. From there, you can sort your cash into segments, including discretionary and mandatory spending.

Be Strategic with Debt

A solid financial plan is likely to include some kind of strategy for how you’re going to handle debt. After all, most of us can’t get through life without taking out some kind of loan eventually. For some people, this loan will be focused on their education and academic achievements. For other people, the most important loans they take out will be associated with their car and home.

While taking out a loan isn’t necessarily a bad thing, provided that you know you can pay back what you borrow, it’s important to have a plan for how you’re going to choose the right lending strategy. Figure out when borrowing from your credit card is a good idea, and when you need to look for more specialist lenders to help you.

Build an Emergency Fund

As soon as you start finding any extra cash for your savings, they should go into an emergency fund. Ultimately, an emergency fund is what you can rely on to keep you protected when the unexpected happens in your life. In an ideal world, we’d all have plenty of funds to keep us going if we should lose our job or have an emergency to handle. However, the truth is that we’re rarely prepared for everything that life has to throw at us.

Build an emergency fund that consists of around six months’ worth of the expenses that you’re going to need to keep living your everyday lifestyle. If possible, keep this fund in a separate bank account, so you’re not tempted to use it.

Invest in your Future

Being prepared with a solid financial plan isn’t just about saving as much cash as possible, you’ll also need to think about how you can build your savings over time too. Investing in assets and strategies that can build your wealth is a great way to put your money to work for you. Remember, you don’t necessarily need a lot of cash to start investing these days. You can get started with some low-price stocks, buy snowflake shares, and put more cash into your investments as you go.

If you’re brand-new to investing, you could even consider using one of the new apps or tools that allow you to round-up the cost of your expenses and put the extra money left into your investment budget. For instance, you might spend $12.00 and spend $3 on investing.

Adapt as You Go

Finally, remember that your budget needs to be strict, but it’s not necessarily set in stone. As your life and priorities continue to change, you’ll need to adapt your spending accordingly. Sit down with your budget at the end of each month and think about what you’re going to need to spend in the month ahead. If aspects of your incoming and outgoing money have changed, then add those factors to your budget and see where you end up. You might need to spend less or more in certain areas than usual to stick to your current goals.

Don’t Miss This Dinner Show On Your Next Trip to the Smokies

October 3, 2019 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

If you’ve got a trip to the Smoky Mountains in your future, you’re in good company. Did you know it’s the most visited national park in America? In addition to the incredible beauty of this mountain range, one of the things that makes venturing to this area so appealing to so many is that there are countless options for entertainment just outside the national park, itself.

In fact, there are so many fun things to do in the area that it can be downright confusing to know what to pick! I hope to be able to help you out with some evening food and fun plans with this post. My family was recently hosted by one particular dinner show and we all absolutely LOVED it, so I wanted to do a quick write up to help others who were trying to choose from the wide variety of shows out there. Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud is a terrific one to pick!

This dinner show combines really funny, really impressive, and really eye-catching entertainment along with an all-you-can-eat dinner served right to your table. At the time of this writing the ticket price is $56.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids. There are discount bundles available if you plan to be in town for several days and want to attend some other shows in the area that are on a select list.

Where we live (Chattanooga), $57 would get us, at best, a ticket to a nosebleed seat for a live theatrical performance. Dinner would most definitely NOT be included. But at Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, we were treated to great seats (spoiler alert: EVERYONE gets great seats at this show, as they have the auditorium set up to maximize great views). We also filled up on a creamy soup, fried chicken, bbq pork, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls and pudding for dessert. We ate a really big breakfast at our hotel that morning and then skipped over lunch so we’d show up to the dinner show quite hungry to “get our fill.” We were most welcome to ask for seconds of anything brought to our table, but we couldn’t even finish what was brought out in the first round, despite our best efforts! So all this is to say, I think the value of these tickets is impressive.

Now let’s talk a little about the show, itself. The story of the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s is one of American legend, and it’s all about a longstanding feud between two families. In this show you’ll see vain attempts at keeping the peace by a sweet, yet naive new sheriff in town. The Hatfield and McCoy families go many, many rounds, fighting with their fists, but also their dancing feet, their musical instruments, and even their diving board skills in the swimmin’ hole. Just when one family seems to have the upper hand, in comes the other with a jab and a kick. The stage transforms several times throughout the evening and the skill of the performers is second to none in town (and I should know, as we are BIG fans of dinner shows and have seen several in the area!).

I don’t want to give away too much about what happens in the show, as part of the fun is the element of surprise, but I will show one particularly exciting moment: watch out for the sheriff getting his pants caught on fire, and the mayor of the town handling it in stride, even going so far as to roast a marshmallow while he had the chance!

You will be happy with your choice if you choose the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud the next time you head to the Pigeon Forge area. It’s a solid value for really fun evening that will make your entire family ooh and ahh and laugh so hard! Don’t skip out on this show, friends (but do skip out on lunch before you go!).

For the Moms with Littles: Some Reflections of Stuff Parents (Truly) Need

March 5, 2019 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Food Lion. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was told that I would blink and my babies would be babies no more. But in the midst of the chaos of raising little ones, I found that the days were SO VERY LONG, so it seemed like a rather untrue statement. I was also told, “Cherish every moment!” as I was covered in spit up, dealing with a diaper blowout, while my toddler threw a tantrum all at the same time. I remember thinking that it was such terrible advice (and to a degree, I still think it is, but that’s a topic for another post).

And yet, I’ve been so quiet on the blog for these past few months, and one of the reasons why is because time has been slipping out of my hands at lightning speed, and my babies are, in fact, babies no more. They are now 6 and 9, in what I believe to be “the golden years” of their childhoods. Being present with them in the day-to-day of it all is less about keeping them alive and fed (though the requests for snacks are still nonstop!) and more about nurturing their curiosities and discovering just how magical this world is together.

I can’t say that I’m cherishing every moment, but I’m now able to cherish more than I could before. Sisters, you will get to this place one day, I promise. And while there will be different types of parenting challenges that await you as they grow, at least for a little while, it really does get easier.

Yesterday I was shopping at Food Lion for some practical gifts to bring to my little sister when I travel to visit her this weekend. She is a second time mom of an 8-month-old little girl, and I wanted to gift her with some baby products to use now, and to stash away for a little ways down the road. It has been quite a few years since I’ve been browsing for diapers and wipes, and the process made me think of a few of the things I’ve learned since I was purchasing these items. Perhaps if I share them with you they will help you learn the lessons a little bit faster than I did.

1. Quality is Not Found in a Label

I am all for doing your research on the products you think will benefit your child the best. But don’t assume that because something has a higher price tag or is from a brand that runs national commercials that the product, itself, is surely superior. I’m bringing my sister products from the Always My Baby line, a private brand label found exclusively at Food Lion. For More Information about Food Lion’s Private Brand labels click here. This line of products is very high quality, and is offered at a wallet-friendly price point, which means you don’t have to sacrifice dollars to get something that will work well for you and your baby.

2. You Really Do Need to Sleep!

Sleep deprivation is one of the absolute toughest things about having a baby, friends. I was reminded of this painful truth recently when my youngest started having nightmares and waking us up a few times in the middle of the night. It was downright debilitating after a few nights of this (the issue is resolved…also a topic for another post!). Do anything you can to help your little one have the best odds of getting a full night’s rest, including looking for great overnight diapers. Always My Baby has up to 12 hours of leakage protection which is just what you want your child to be in when it’s time for bed. Don’t let a wet diaper be the reason for sleep disruption!

3. Independence Will Come, If You Help Them Prepare

Before you know it, your little one is going to be wanting to do anything and everything by him/herself. At least a few times a day, take the extra time to let them try. I know that is easier said than done, especially when you know it’s going to take so much longer and possibly result in a mess, but by giving your child the autonomy to do something on their own, you are giving your future self a gift, I assure you. My kids really and truly don’t need my help anymore when they go to the bathroom (your day is coming, I promise!!!). If they are showing signs of readiness, get them in some great training pants, like the Always My Baby line, and let them practice being a big girl or boy. Before you know it, they will get the hang of it and one huge parenting hurdle will be crossed!

Just as they say that the years are short (which I can confirm on this side of things), it’s just as true that the days for you are long. And that’s perfectly ok. It really will pass, and it really will get easier. And in the mean time, you can save yourself time and save your family money by getting great quality baby products, always priced lower than national brands, at your nearest Food Lion. Always My Baby is the line to look for, formally called Home 360 Baby. Should anything not work for you, Food Lion offers a double your money back guarantee (click here to learn more).

Good luck, out there, moms of littles. Even on the toughest days, you are doing great! I’m cheering you on from a few years down the road!