April brings the promise of summer and spring rain, washing away the final traces of winter and breathing new life into your home. The produce selection at the grocery store promises a wider selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, umbrellas drip by our doorways, leaving us fully recovered from the effects of the winter holidays and looking forward to spring celebrations.
April is National Volunteer Month, and nowhere is time more valuable, than when you share it with those who need it most. There are a number of charities who need manpower to realize their goals, but there are also more personal tributes where your time will enhance the lives of others, for example visiting a convalescent home and sharing a pot of tea with someone who would otherwise spend their days longing for company.
Get your hands dirty April 11th – 15th for National Gardening Week, followed by Arbor Day on April 29th. April is the perfect month to be outside, tending to your garden and planting roots for generations to enjoy for years to come. And when you are done, treat yourself to a manicure…it is a win-win situation.
Invite your friends over for a game of scrabble on April 13th for National Scrabble Day. Nothing fancy, just friends, food, drinks and plenty of healthy competition (and if you need a bit of help with those pesky letters, come prepared by clicking on the Scrabble Word Helper below).
Roll up your sleeves and welcome the spring entertaining season with a family Easter Celebration. Egg decorating, chocolate making, cake baking, stocking the family bar and dusting off your spring table decorations will go a long way towards putting a hop in your step.
Bring your work/life worlds together on April 28th by taking your children to work. Not only is a it a great opportunity to show your children what you get up to outside your home, it will open their horizons to what life is like beyond the classroom. Recommended for children aged 8 to 18, this is the 19th year this program has been running, and this year they are focusing on the power and possibilities associated with a positive work/life balance.
Spring has officially sprung, and that means spring-cleaning fever is in the air. If your house is feeling hung over from winter, follow this 4 week program for deep cleaning your home, read more here.
April is also the Global Child Nutrition Month, with the bounty of fresh produce available this month, it will be easy to find healthy snacks for everyone to enjoy. April is bursting with fresh Citrus, Banana’s, Rhubarb, Rocket, Cucumbers, Garlic, Asparagus, Sea Trout and Crab.
Replace the sugary deserts this month with a healthy alternative like BBQ Banana’s, they make a great evening treat that is not only healthy, but will have them asking for seconds.
Ingredients: Ripe banana, Brown Sugar, and optional vanilla ice cream.
Directions: Pierce banana with long skewer and place on the BBQ for 10 minutes, turn after 5 to give equal cooking time to each side. Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to cool. Slice the banana open and top with a spoonful of brown sugar…if you are feeling rather grand, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Recommended Reading
Party Menu for the perfect game night
Scrabble Word Helper (shhhh)
