Safe Fun in the Sun

With skin cancer on the rise, it’s hard not to worry about getting too much sun. Here are some pointers to have fun in the sun while protecting your skin.

*Take to the shade as often as possible. (This is especially true for children.) From 10am to 4pm the sun’s rays are the strongest.

  *Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, you need to slather on sunscreen. (This is especially true for children.) An SPF of 15 or higher is recommended. Look for one that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients block both UVA and UVB rays.

*Sun damage continues to occur throughout life, although recent information suggests less than 50% of sun damage happens before a person is 18. So important for children to wear sunscreen!

*Apply lotion at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun. Reapply every 2 hours.

*To protect your head and face wear a hat. With a 4 inch brim, it will protect your ears, face and neck.

*Protect your lips! Very few people think of putting sun protection there. Use a lip balm with an SPF of 15. (An SPF of 50 is only marginally more protective than an SPF of 15; an SPF of 30 has only 2% more protection than an SPF of 15, and a 40 has only 1% more than a 30.) Reapply often. If you wear gloss or lipstick put it on over the lip balm.

*Any tan is a scar, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. UVA rays found in indoor tanning lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells. Self-tanners are the safest way to obtain tanned skin.

*Scientists are suggesting that drinking 3 cups of green tea daily and adding turmeric in your cooking may provide some protection from skin cancer.

*Check your skin once a month for changes or new growths. (It is recommended that for adequate Vit. D levels we need 10-15 minutes of sunshine on our arms and legs without sunscreen-- two or three times a week)

Here in MN we've only had about 15 days of sunshine since March! We are SO ready to be able to slather on sunscreen and get outside to play!!

Wordless Wednesday

This Columbine reminds me of my daughter who lives in CO. They both bring me joy.

Ideas on How to Photograph Families and Siblings

 

If you carry around a big camera and lens people start to think that you know what you're doing. I've had three friends/family ask me to photograph them. I'm by NO means a professional photographer. So I look to blogs, online classes,Facebook and anywhere else that I can find advice and inspiration.

I was truly happy to see that the Harvard Homemaker had a post on 125+ ways to shoot families and siblings. She has beautiful examples by professional photographers but I think anyone with a camera could shoot similar photos. (or at least use the ideas as a start) I made a list of the poses I'd like to try.

I'm excited to get my grandkids over and practice on them. Usually they will cooperate--sometimes a little bribe will make all the difference. ☺ I could practice on Jerry too but he isn't as apt to run, jump or blow bubbles for me!

Go check out this post and then let us know (or share a pic)which ideas you used. I'm hoping to have some examples to post here too.

Wordless Wednesday

        Memorial Day weekend the weather couldn't make up it's mind. Shorts and flip flops weather or jeans and sweatshirts.

What's on Your Summer Bucket List

Here in MN it doesn't seem like summer should be here. I think every day during the month of May it hasn't gotten above 65 and it's been overcast or rainy. This week's forecast isn't any better. But I know by looking at the calendar that school will soon be over and summer will officially begin!

Have you started a Summer Bucket List?  For some inspiration check these out:

                                                                       Love the chalkboard idea by Emily at I Create...with love.

A fun free printable idea from Stacy at 7 on a Shoestring

 

                        
          Another great printable from Uncommon Designs Online--love the idea of putting it on a Dollar Store plastic bucket.

 

This might just be my favorite...an Acts of Kindness Bucket List from Inspired by Family Mag.

Now that I have these cute ideas I need to actually put together my Summer Bucket List. A couple of things right off the top of my head...trips to the DQ, bike rides on the Lake Wobegon Trail and campfires/s'mores.  It's a good start.

What's top on your Summer Bucket List?

"C" is for Cookie

I'm going to date myself but my kids used to love singing that (and the line that came after it..."and that's good enough for me")after watching Sesame Street. But really, who doesn't like a cookie? One of the most talented cookie baker/decorators is the owner of Babcakes Bakery.

I fell in love with her cookies and her generosity when she baked cookies and sent them to my elderly parents. I had to order some "baby" cookies to send to my son and daughter-in-law after the birth of their first little one. They actually saved a couple for Jerry and me when we came to visit a couple weeks later. The cookies were still so delicious!

I follow her blog and enjoy seeing pictures of all her creations. Recently I read one of her posts about sending cookies to our troops in Afghanistan--Operation Cookie Takeover. Being the generous gal she is, Babcakes baked and decorated cookies to send over.

If you're ever in need of an unique gift her cookies would be the perfect thing! Here are just a few of her works of art. (almost too cute to eat!)

Wordless Wednesday

Eating my next door neighbor's grass.