Tomorrow, April 22, 2020 marks 50 years of Earth day. Every year, my family and I celebrate this special day by planting trees, visiting Centennial Park to celebrate Earth Day with other Nashville area Earth Lovers, picking up trash from roadsides, supporting local nurseries and more. However, as with so many other events normally held this time of year, things will be different this year thanks to our need to stay home. That doesn't mean we can't all come together digitally to celebrate 50 years!



#EarthDay2020 Digtial Celebration


We are in the midst of a true spring fever here at our house. All the flowers have buds, the leaves on our trees are that lovely new leaf green color and the sun is shining so brightly today that I’ve had to take two breaks just to step outside and soak it in. Living just south of Nashville, TN. has it’s perks and lots of green space is one of them, that’s why my family and I will be helping locally on Earth Day this year by attending the Nashville Earth Day event held at Centennial Park. 


Centennial Park Nashville, TN.
Source

This is the sunken garden at Centennial Park with the Parthenon in the background. We love bringing our daughters to this park and have a lot of fun family memories here. It's the perfect place to hold our local Earth day event!



I’m thankful for the ability to walk outside and enjoy fresh air. To get lost in bird watching because our front yard is teaming with birds in our mature Maple and Pin Oak trees. We’ve planted trees in past years to celebrate Earth Day because they are so important to our planet! 


Our land has lots of trees and green space


Sadly, there are some areas of Nashville that don’t have enough green space due to our steady growth. Neighborhoods seem to pop up overnight and we are losing one of our best and most natural resources- trees


That’s why I was excited to learn about a Music City initiative to preserve our trees called If Trees Could Sing. This cause has the backing of the country music industry with Reba McEntire and Amy Grant leading the way.


If trees could sing Nashville TN project


I’ll be looking for this booth when we’re at Centennial Park on Saturday the 23rd celebrating earth day, Nashville styleYou can  learn more about this  project here if you aren’t in the Nashville area.



 Fun Ways we help while attending our local Earth Day Event:

  • We listen to local bands
  • We shop local businesses and farmers
  • We listen to and participate in educational booths so we can become better stewards of our resources
  • We recycle all containers used in their proper containers
  • We donate to local foundations
  • We smile and applaud and laugh and talk to strangers and pet puppies and try samples which adds to Nashville’s friendly vibe

It’s a fun filled day for the whole family, including dogs so if you live locally, come on out and join us!  And yes, attending really is helping because without attendees sponsorship to parks and rec centers would go away! You can learn more about Centennial Park and the Earth Day Event HERE



A view from my morning garden walk Nashville, TN.



If you love being outdoors like we do, whether that's digging in your flowerbeds like me, planting a garden full of veggies, or just bird watching, then you are ready to celebrate earth day locally! If you’d like to learn more about Earth Day events in your community, just head on over to EarthDay.org and look under events. You’ll find a wealth of information and ways to plug in and help our earth stay green!



Please share in comments: Do you celebrate earth day and if yes, how?

Happy Earth Day

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, April 22, 2014

It’s a rainy morning here in middle Tennessee, but I for one don’t mind the rain. April showers do bring May flowers and there’s just something so fresh and serene about an April morning after a little rain.


I’m sitting at my desk, looking out my the window and I can see our trees filled with birds and squirrels, the edge of our pond with our resident musk rat and all the green, green grass and I am thankful for this piece of land we call our home.  


Here's a sunny day picture from my front walk.


sunshine,land,pond,homeplace,Tennessee
Our Tennessee Home.



In honor of Earth day we decided to plant peach trees this year. It was a good family day, with all of us pitching in to pick the right trees. 



planting, Peach, Tree
Our Elberta Peach Tree.

Marking off the area we wanted to plant them and assisting my husband in whatever way we could while he dug the holes. 


Tree, planting, hole, digging, husband
My Husband makes digging holes look easy.



peach, tree, semi, dwarf
Our Elberta Semi-Dwarf Peach tree is doing better than the regular one.


We also attended Nashville’s Earth Day Festival this past Saturday. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect weather day and the festival was very well attended. We walked around all the vendors gathering information on recycling, protecting our parks and streams and talked with local gardeners at the Farmers’ market.  There was good music and food and lots of happy families and dogs. If you are looking for a wholesome, family fun day that is budget friendly, attend an Earth Day Event this weekend. 

On the 26th, we are going to take the girls to our local library where they are having an Earth Day Celebration as well. We may even bring home a new Dogwood tree to plant since they are free.


Celebrating Earth Day is as simple as getting outside and being a part of nature. Go for a walk, plant a tree or flowers, visit a local park or farmer’s market, start recycling, pick up trash, and get involved in your community by volunteering to beautify a green space, school or help out at your church. Check your local newspaper or your cities website to find out about Earth Day events in your area. Or go to the Earth Day Network for valuable resources.


Please share with me in comments: Do you celebrate Earth Day? What will you be doing to celebrate this year?

My husband, kids and I were outside walking around our land and planning our spring and summer goals on a recent sunny day. We were down by our pond listening to the birds, while the kids were watching toads jump in the water. I was standing under the fronds of our Weeping Willow Tree and I thought how very lucky we were to own this land, this home place where nature and green abound.  


Weeping Willow, Tree, pond, land, earth day, green

It struck me as it often does in spring, how beautiful our land is. How fresh the air, how star studded our night skies are here in this little rural hamlet. How beautiful the green grass is that my kids get to run on whenever they want. In that moment, living a rural lifestyle seemed idyllic. All thoughts of  the extra work it takes were lost.

And while I was smiling at my good fortune, a whisper of sadness for all those who don’t enjoy these things pulled me back to the present. What can I do to help preserve this for our kids and their kids? What can I do to make the air sweeter and the grass greener for all families?


The answer to these questions was just a click away. I went to EarthDay.org and read about the progress made over the year and as I do every year, I chose our Take Action movement.

earth day, 2015, join, help, save, conserve
Source


Last year, we chose to plant trees and recycle even more than we usually do. That’s saying a lot since we recycle everything and don’t even have trash pick- up service here. My husband handles all our trash and recyclables each week by taking them to our community Convenience Center. It’s a dirty, smelly job, but he knew that was part of the cost of owning land. He thought and still does think it's worth it.



This year we chose to Reduce our Energy Consumption.


Earth Day, green, sustainable, energy, reduce, turn off,
Source

Since we don’t live in an urban area, our electricity is a bit higher in price per kilowatt because it takes more lines and power poles to get it to us. We have been warned for months that our electric bills will go up dramatically this summer, so our reasons for wanting to reduce our energy consumption is both economic and environmental. 

By going to the EarthDay.org’s Take Action Page I found we were not alone in our desire to save money and the environment. This was the 3rd listed movement! 

Here are some facts from EarthDay.org regarding using less energy:

The Issue
Did you know that nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US are generated from the energy we use to power our homes and cars? That adds up to a big environmental impact and a hefty toll on our wallets at the end of the year - close to half a trillion dollars!
What we can do:
The good news is that we can all take small actions to manage our collective energy appetite. This Earth Day, we have teamed up with WattzOn to provide their leading energy management tools to our community free of charge. Take action by creating an Earth Day Energy Center account and start saving energy and money - typical monthly savings are as high as 20% through simple habit changes and small projects!

It took me seconds to take the pledge and get started. 



Our first task will be as they suggested, cleaning our dryer vent. When the weather warms up, we will be putting up an outside clothes line! I’m excited about this because that’s how my Mom and Grand Mom dried their laundry and I can remember running through the fluttering sheets on a warm summer’s day. The feeling and the scent of those perfectly clean smelling sheets stays with me to this day!
Join Us April 22nd!
Whether you want to reduce your energy consumption, help restore the forests, or support environmental education there is one simple thing you can do today to help make our world a better, cleaner, greener more sustainable world for ourselves and for our kids-
Go to EarthDay.Org and read. 
That’s it. I feel confident that you will be inspired and the cause you feel most strongly about will find you.
And please remember no matter where you live, urban landscape or rural hills, take time to step outside and take in the beauty of the day. 
If you don’t like what you see- help be the change!

Please share in comments- What will you do to help on Earth Day this year? Do you support Earth Day every year?

Earth Day 2017 Reduce Our Footprint

in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Saturday, April 22, 2017

Happy Earth Day readers! It’s a grey, semi-rainy day here in middle Tennessee, but that won’t stop us from doing a few things in our own piece of good earth. I’m weeding my front flower beds in between rain drops while enjoying my Primroses and thinking about how best my family can reduce our footprint for our Earth Day cause this year. 


Primroses


Boxed Water is Better on Earth Day and Beyond

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Earth Day is celebrated on Saturday April 22, 2023 and to me it’s a holiday, like many others. Even though this environmental movement has only been around since 1970, it has gained worldwide popularity with good reason. We only have one earth! I was honored when Boxed Water asked if I’d like to collaborate with them for an Earth Day giveaway. 


Boxed Water is Better!


Tasty glass of Boxed Lemon Water


Hello, and happy 2024! I might be overstating the obvious here, since my last blog post was on December 22,2023, but I have relished having time off to fully enjoy the holidays and my people. I’m coming back to work today feeling rested and ready to take on this new year full of possibilities. Before I dive into this year, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at my top ten blog posts of 2023 and share what’s in store for 2024.




Top Ten Blog Posts of 2023  on My WAHM Plan 



Top Ten Blog Posts of 2023  on My WAHM Plan

Happy Earth day! Over the years, I’ve written several blog posts to share how my family honors our earth by showcasing what we are planting or events we’ll be attending. There are many resources available on the EarthDay.org site and I hope you’ll visit and find a way to plug in and help where you are. This year, I’m focusing on shining a light of food resources and farms that are doing their part to help stop food scarcity. One such company is Nature’s Path Organic Foods, so I made Sunrise vanilla yogurt bowls to celebrate Earth day and to share a little more about Nature’s Path and their recent annual Gardens for Good Program. 



Nature’s Path Sunrise Vanilla Yogurt Bowls


Wordless Wednesday- Happy Earth Day

in , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, April 22, 2015

I wrote about our Earth Day movement here, so to honor our beautiful Earth, I thought it only fitting I share a few photos of the beauty in my yard. I hope you enjoy them and will join us in our efforts to make our world a better place.



Iris, blooms, purple, spring, earth day, #garden
Purple Bearded Iris




flowers, planting, bugs, buds, #earthday
Bug on Peony Bud




Lilac, flower, shrub, gardening
Purple Lilac Buds




apple, tree, earthday, gardening,
Apple Tree Blossoms


Please share in comments: What's blooming in your yard this Earth Day?

 Are you excited to celebrate the upcoming Labor Day holiday? My family and I sure are! It’s a time of rest, relaxation, and great food! Today, I want to share three tasty foods I’ve recently tried and liked so much, that I thought you might want to add to your Labor Day gathering too.



Tasty Foods for your Labor Day Gathering!



Tasty Foods for your Labor Day Gathering


Over the past few years, I've been working on transitioning my home to natural and environmentally friendly products. I love a clean and tidy home, and while I’m doing well with my cleaning products, there is one thing I've struggled with though, my continued use of paper products. Folks, not going to lie, I use a lot of paper towels and napkins! That's why I'm happy to partner with Grove Collabortive today to share a new eco-friendly product line with you. 


Introducing:  Seedling By Grove Collaborative


#ad Seedling paper products a re tree free #grovepartner

Hello and happy new year! I’m coming back from a fantastic holiday break feeling refreshed, renewed, and optimistic for this new year and all the good things it will bring. As work at home Mom who creates content for a living, it can be a challenge to find an actual pause in writing when the next holiday, event, or celebration is always right around the corner. It was the middle of December, and I was already fielding emails for Valentine’s Day. That’s when I decided I simply must allow myself to take time off. I figured out how to practice self-care in just 15 minutes a day and it did wonders for me, and I think it will help you too.


Give yourself 15 Minutes a day!



Sun thru the trees on snow day walk

The moon has called to us from above for ages. Not only is it a celestial marvel to look at it, is necessary to us mere mortals here on earth. I've looked up into the night sky to find constellations and admire the moon since I was a kid and I've passed my love of the night sky onto my daughters. We have a telescope and try using it as often as possible. If you'd like to help your kids say I see the moon in a whole new and exciting way, check out this great STEM learning box offer from Groovy Labs. 


The links in this blog post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on these links, I will receive a small commission from Groovy Lab in a Box.


Moon Dance STEM learning box


Parents- are you looking for the perfect STEM activity for kids 8 and older?  Why not try a Groovy Lab in a Box


What is Groovy Lab in a Box?


Groovy Lab in a Box is a monthly STEM kit that encourages critical thinking, problem solving and fun! Groovy Lab in a Box incorporates STEM investigations and an Engineering Design Challenge - all designed around the Next Generation Science Standards. Each box has a retro-themed lab notebook and access to the Beyond...in a Box, a special web portal for additional groovy STEM fun!

In fact, Popular Mechanics magazine included Groovy Lab in a Box in its 100% Wholesome Holiday Gift Guide - a compilation of some of the best toys that promote scientific inquiry and engineering.



Take the Engineering Design Challenge!


Moon Dance STEM Box design challenge


Fellow STEMists who want to become optical engineers can be on their way to doing research and investigations through the engineering design process found in monthly-themed Groovy Lab in a Box. Explore Earth’s moon, gravity, mass vs. weight, moon phases, tides, light, telescopes and much, much, more. Check out "Moon Dance" for more groovy fun for STEMists! .  


Parents can take advantage of Groovy Lab in a Box's sale and check it out for yourself! You can get 50% off “Moon Dance” Single Box! Just use code FULLMOON at checkout HERE. Hurry and be sure to give your STEM Friends a groovy heads up while supplies last. Deal ends on EARTH DAY & FULL MOON - April 22nd!  US residents only.


 Please share in comments: Do you have a budding astronomer in your family? What moon phase is their favorite to see?

Happy Friday dear readers and if you are a Mom- happy Mother’s Day to you! I hope you enjoy your special day and will have a no-cleaning Sunday! If you are a busy Mom like me, you may be half way through your spring cleaning and despair that you have so much more to do. Never fear- Linda is here!

Welcome to my Weekly Chore Prompt:




While talking with a friend over lunch recently, she remarked that she wished she had a guide to help her keep on top of both the big and the little chores she should do every week; beyond making the bed, or sweeping the floor. That gave me the wonderful idea to share a weekly chore with you here. These won’t be anything fancy, no need to print -just a quick post sharing what area of my home I’m focusing on that week. Hopefully we can get and keep our home sparkly clean and clutter free together!



baking,soda, cleaning, tips

Adventure Treks Summer Camp Contest

in , , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, April 22, 2013

 It's Earth Day and I have an amazing contest that showcases two things I love: Mother Nature and Children! While this is not a compensated post, I do get a free t-shirt for sharing this contest as part of the USFG Bloggers team.  




Here is your chance to Win a Summer Camp Experience at Adventure Treks! 


Courtesy: Adventure Treks

Scale snow-capped peaks you’ve only seen in postcards. Shoot towering rapids with your new best friends. Walk wildflower-laced trails by day and wonder at a twinkling sky by night. Cook crazy concoctions around a campfire and laugh more than you ever thought possible!  


About the Camp:

Adventure Treks is all about making memories, fostering lifelong friendships and creating more confident and capable young men and women. We are a small and personal company and getting to know you is our biggest priority. But Adventure Treks isn't just about outdoor fun; it's about YOU! We want you to discover your best self, and we believe that the great outdoors is just the way to do it! 



summer camp
Courtesy: Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks is more than a summer adventure camp.  Our two, three and four week outdoor adventure programs for teenagers ages 12 - 18, help great kids build skills for future success. 
While our students are having the time of their lives rafting, climbing, hiking, and biking in some of the greatest scenery on the planet, something else is happening. They are growing in numerous ways: self- confidence, social achievement, teamwork, leadership and new outdoor skills, to name just a few. Get Quick Facts About Adventure Treks Here!


About The Contest: 

Win a Trip Valued from $2,995-$3,795.  You can choose a Trip Destination!

How To Enter:

New Student Eligibility: 
Contestants must be between the ages of 12 and 16 and eager for outdoor adventure, challenge, and being part of a close community of friends.

Enter Your Video or Essay:
Videos can be no longer than 60 seconds. Essays should be no more than one page in length. 

Click here for the official contest entry: Adventure Treks Essay Contest Announcement!

Good Luck!

Have you sent your kids to summer camp in the past? Think you are ready to book with Adventure Treks instead of entering the contest?
Then here is a coupon for you to save and receive a free t-shirt! When booking your trip, please mention you heard about Adventure Trek on MY WAHM Plan!


Disclosure: I received no compensation to share this contest. As part of the USFG Bloggers team, I will receive a free t-shirt for sharing this with my readers. If a reader chooses to book a trip and all criteria is met including listing my name as their referrer, I may receive a small portion of the booking amount.

Happy Earth day! Temperatures are starting to rise, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and bugs are buzzing. Yep, it's that time of year to arm ourselves with tools and tips to keep mosquito's and other bugs at bay. Thanks to today's sponsor, Orkin, you and your family can learn ways to keep mosquito's away; plus win a cool Summer Scientist bug catching kit! I'll receive a kit as a thank you for hosting this giveaway, however all opinions and love of catching fireflies are my own.





Orkin Summer Scientist bug catching kit



Are you ready for mosquito season?  Not only are they a nuisance, they also pose potentially serious health risks.  Fortunately, the experts at Orkin study the science of mosquitoes and other pests closely in order to better tailor plans that help keep them out of your home this spring and summer.



Check out their Buzzer Beater app to learn how prepared you are for mosquito season and see if your city is on the biter list! Sadly, Nashville, TN. is #7. Click the sign below to download the city list. 





I'm learning more about these pests and how to avoid and protect my family. For instance, do you you think you think mosquito's prefer biting adults over children? Watch this video to find out.








Win it:




Orkin Summer Scientist bug catching kit



The Orkin Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kits are fun for the whole family! Each pack includes:
2 Bug Catcher Craft Kits: These awesome DIY bug catcher kits will let your family’s personality shine through while also learning about nature and the world around us. The kits include a variety of foam ladybugs, dragonflies and more!
2 Bug Nets: Explore the great outdoors with these fun mesh insect nets. They can be used to collect and study butterflies, ladybugs, caterpillars and many other backyard creatures.
2 See-Through Bug Jars: Reveal the wonders of your backyard with these clear bug jars. Each transparent plastic box has a magnifying lid for better insect viewing. Young explorers love discovering worms, butterflies, ants and insects. These containers allow them to make homes for their new discoveries.
2 Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters: Scratch faces, designs and more on these Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters! A perfect kids' activity for critter lovers, simply scratch away the black coating to reveal vibrant rainbow colors. Includes butterflies, frogs, turtles and more.
Glow-in-the-Dark Creepy Crawlers: Turn off the lights and let them glow! These vinyl glow-in-the-dark bugs are lots of fun for all ages.


This is a pretty cool kit, sure to add hours of fun for your family! Want to learn more cool bug facts? Be sure to follow Orkin on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!



Ready to win? Entering is easy using the Rafflecopter form below.

Terms:

No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter from below.  My WAHM Plan is not responsible for prize fulfillment. I will mail a coupon to each winner. Winners will be notified by email used on entry form and have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  This giveaway is not associated with nor endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, or any other social channel.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




This is a special post just for my Southern area readers- I am partnering with Ringling 
Bros. to help get two local families to the Greatest Show on Earth next week in Nashville, TN.!

Disclosure: Thanks to Ringling Bros. my family and I will be attending the circus free of charge. Ringling is also generously hosting the giveaway below so that other Nashville area families can enjoy the circus.  No monetary compensation was received.

I can’t think of a more enjoyable time than sharing a day full of laughs and excitement with my family at the circus- but not just any circus, we’re talking about The Greatest show on earth; full of acrobats, clowns and of course the animals! 

We can’t decide what we are most excited to see, especially after watching this behind the scenes video of Built to Amaze!


About Built to Amaze:
MyWAHMPlan.com
Courtesy: Ringling.com
“Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents Built To Amaze! , the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth. Surprise and wonder delights audiences with over the top feats of strength, agility and courage. As the momentum builds so does the anticipation, anything can happen when Ringling Bros. Presents Built To Amaze! Circus performers from across the globe create the perfect blend of athleticism and bravery, where power meets fearlessness and amazement has no bounds.  Magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance!”
I smile and get excited just reading that- because there really is something magical about going to the circus and watching the delight on my children’s faces. Actually, I bet we will be surrounded by smiles from young and old alike. Going to this family fun event just brings out the fun, happy kid in all of us.
Check out this behind the scenes look at Built to Amaze animal trainers Alex & Irina! 
You can learn more about the circus at Ringling.com  where you find a cool Fun Zone with games and quizzes sure to please your kids. And be sure to check out their special offers that include Baby’s First Circus and more.
If you’d like to find out show times and tickets, please visit Ticket Master or Bridgestone Arena
The Giveaway:
2 lucky readers will win a family 4 pack of tickets to the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN. On Jan. 24- 26.  
Ringling Bros. set aside ticket vouchers for the winners at Will Call.   Winners will need to redeem them for actual tickets, which allow you to choose the date and time for their preferred show.  
Please note: Winners MUST respond to my winner announcement email with contact information within 48 hours to guarantee their tickets. Otherwise another winner will be chosen.
Entering is easy using the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway open to U.S. residents 18+. No purchase necessary to win. My WAHM Plan not responsible for prize fulfillment. See full terms and conditions on Rafflecopter form.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be a good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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