| How to Celebrate May Day Posted: 30 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT May Day is celebrated in many different countries on May 1st, and it signifies the transition from spring to summer. It's a time that neighborhoods and friends can come together to enjoy the warm spring air and fresh flowers. Do some fun May Day activities, like making flower crowns, dancing around a Maypole, or taking a nature hike. Make May Day baskets to gift to your friends and neighbors, or host your own May Day party, complete with hand-delivered invitations, fresh food and drinks, and fun activities. EditExploring Fun May Day Activities - Decorate a Maypole with ribbons to enjoy dancing around it with friends. This is a fun way to add a little magic to your May Day gathering. Once you have a pole in the ground, tie 6 to 10 strands of ribbon that are each long around the top of the pole. When you're ready to dance, put on some music, have everyone grab the end of a ribbon and face the same direction, and dance circles around the pole.[1]
- Use either a long, straight branch that is about tall or a similarly sized pole. Either hammer it into the ground or use a Christmas tree stand to hold the pole in place.
- For little kids, you could also use something like an empty wrapping paper roll to make a mini-Maypole.
- There are lots of fun ways to braid the ribbons around the Maypole, from the simple plait, the double plait, to the grand chain. You can find instructions online for the steps to these more intricate dances.
- Braid a flower crown to make a whimsical decoration for your head. A big part of May Day is celebrating spring turning to summer and the emergence of new blooms. Pick a handful of flowers from your garden and braid them together to make an adornment for your hair.[2]
- If you don't have a garden, ask a neighbor if you could pick some of their flowers, or stop by a community garden. Make sure to not pick more than you need, though.
- Bake a cake with fresh ingredients if you enjoy baking. Remember, May Day is all about spring turning to summer and celebrating all things fresh and alive. Make an angel food cake and top it with diced strawberries, or try making a classic vanilla cake and pair it with blueberries.[3]
- Plant some spring flowers to celebrate new growth. May 1st is a great time to go outdoors and get your hands in the soil. Plant some new flowers along your walkway, or cultivate a small flower garden that you'll get to enjoy year after year.[4]
- Plant perennials for flowers that will return each season. Plant annuals for flowers that you can enjoy just for a single season.
- Take a long nature walk to enjoy the fresh air. Look up the local nature paths in your community, or find a scenic route along a river or the ocean. Spend an hour or two out in the warm spring air, checking out the flora and fauna that is starting to creep up.[5]
- This is a great activity to do with kids, too. You could even make a nature scavenger hunt where they have to find different things, like moss-covered rocks, acorns, leaves, different kinds of flowers, or animals.
- Have a picnic with veggies and seasonal fruits for a delicious snack. If you're celebrating with friends, spend a pleasant afternoon at a local park chatting, eating, and enjoying the holiday. Pack watermelon, cantaloupe, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. Enjoy cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, celery, radishes, and other vegetables along with some tasty dips, like hummus and spinach dip.[6]
- Don't forget to bring along a blanket, something to drink, and sunscreen!
- Burn a bonfire in the evening to celebrate warm weather. The beginning of May signifies the end of dreary spring weather and the start of warmer days. Ending your May Day with a bonfire is a wonderful way to spend some more time outside, celebrating with friends and neighbors.[7]
- Check to make sure you're following the proper safety precautions and that you're allowed to burn a bonfire. Some city ordinances require you to notify them of a planned bonfire several days ahead of time.
EditMaking a May Day Basket - Make homemade treats to put into the baskets for a special touch. Small items like cookies or popcorn balls are nice additions to your May Day basket; plus, you can make 1 big batch and use just 2 or 3 treats per basket. This way you can make a lot of baskets to give away, or you can have leftover treats for yourself. You could also put in some fresh fruit, like oranges, clementines, or freshly picked strawberries.[8]
- If you do include fresh fruit, make sure the items are still in good shape and won't go bad by the time you deliver the baskets.
- Create small flower bouquets for a simple, yet beautiful, addition. If you have a garden or access to fresh flowers, trim off a few stalks and tie the stems together with twine to make a simple, fresh bouquet. If you don't have access to fresh flowers, you could always buy a big bouquet from a florist or from the grocery store, split the bouquet apart, and assemble smaller bunches to use in your baskets.[9]
- Never take flowers from someone else's yard if you don't have their permission.
- Bouquets don't have to be big to be beautiful. Three or four single flowers put together can be just as attractive as a full bouquet.
- Write a short note to put in the basket referencing May Day. If your friends or neighbors don't celebrate May Day, they may get confused when a random spring basket appears at their home. Remedy this by writing out a note on card stock to put into each basket.
- Have your note read something like, "Happy May Day!" or "A basket of treats to help you celebrate May Day!"
- Arrange the basket to prepare it for delivery. The great thing about May Day baskets is that they can be really small and still be nice and meaningful to those who receive them. Find small baskets at the local dollar store, craft store, or even at a used goods store. Place the flowers in the basket so they are sticking out and visible, add the homemade goodies, and prop the handwritten note in the basket so that it is standing up.[10]
- You can get as complex as you want to with your baskets. Keep them simple, or decorate them with ribbon, add more treats, like chocolates or wine, make them bigger, or do whatever else calls to your imagination. There is no right or wrong way!
- Deliver the basket to a neighbor to give them a May Day treat. Traditionally, May Day baskets are left on doorsteps or outside of people's homes, the doorbell is rung, and the giver of the basket runs away. If you're worried that someone else might come by and steal the basket, then deliver it in person and make sure the intended recipient gets it.[11]
- However you end up delivering the basket is okay—it can be fun to surprise people and leave them guessing who gifted it to them, but it also can be fun to talk with someone and wish them a happy May Day in person.
EditHosting a May Day Party - Make invitations, attach flowers to them, and hand-deliver them. Lilacs, tulips, forsythia, or small succulents are inexpensive options and will make cute invitations. Use card stock to write the party details (time, location, date), then attach it to the flowers with some twine.[12]
- Depending on how often you see your guests, you may need to plan ahead and start handing out invitations a few weeks ahead of time to make sure you have enough time to see everybody.
- If you can't hand-deliver the invitations, that is okay! You could always make invitations on floral-themed paper and mail them out to everyone instead. Or, to keep things really simple, just send a text to everyone to let them know the details. It can be as detailed or a simple as you'd like.
- Host your friends outdoors if the weather is nice. You can use your own yard if that is accessible to you, or you could plan to have the party at a local park. Have a tablecloth or blanket to put the food on, and ask friends to bring blankets or chairs to sit on.[13]
- If you have to be indoors, brighten the space with fresh flowers. Clear away all the clutter you can, open the blinds to let in any natural sunlight, and enjoy spending time with your friends.
- Make overnight sticky buns for a sweet and crunchy treat. Use your slow cooker to let the buns bake overnight, and then host a morning May Day brunch with the buns, coffee, tea, and fresh fruit. Or, if your gathering is later in the day, they'll make a nice afternoon treat, too.[14]
- Of course, if you don't want to bake your own sticky buns, you could stop at a bakery to pick some up, too.
- Prepare easy snacks, like cheese and crackers and veggies and dips. Make snacks that will be easy to carry outside and that travel well, especially if you're planning on having a picnic. Cut up several different kinds of cheese, like cheddar, brie, and gouda, and pair them with crackers. Cut up fresh vegetables and serve them with homemade dips.[15]
- Fresh fruit, muffins, bread, olives, and pickles also make great May Day snacks.
- Serve fresh beverages like orange juice or mimosas. Use a hand press or an electric juicer to juice 2 to 4 oranges for each cup of juice you'd like to make. Serve the juice in cute glasses with decorative straws for an extra festive touch. For mimosas, fill a glass 1/4 to 1/2 way full of champagne. Top off the rest of the glass with fresh juice. Add some blueberries or diced strawberries to the glass for a fun garnish.[16]
- If you have other fruits and an electric juicer, don't hesitate to mix and match different flavors. Strawberry, banana, pineapple, and other fruits mix with orange juice to make delicious fruity beverages.
- You could also create a mimosa bar. Provide different kinds of juices, several bottles of champagne, and lots of fresh fruit so people can mix their own favorite drink.
- Plan a few festive activities for your guests to enjoy. Decorate a Maypole, braid flower crowns, paint, make May Day baskets, go shopping for flowers and then plant them, or think up something else that you think everyone would like to do. Even if you just spend time together outdoors and play games, that is a great way to celebrate the holiday.
- If you're feeling lost and want some input, ask your friends what kinds of activities they'd be interested in. They probably have some great ideas!
- Remember, May Day is a time to enjoy the outdoors and to take a break from the normal workday routine. Do whatever sounds best to you!
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| How to Grow Onions in Water Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT Growing onions in water is a great way to reuse kitchen scraps, not to mention a fun activity that helps kids learn about vegetables. This method offers a front-row seat to plant growth, as you can watch the roots extend into the water and observe the sprout growing out of the onion top. The assembly of this project is super simple; all you need are some onions, a clear glass, and some fresh water. While onions can grow this way for a few weeks on your windowsill, you'll want to eventually replant the bulbs in soil in order for the vegetable to grow to maturity. EditGrowing Bulb Onions in Water - Fill a clear glass or jar with water. Pour tap or filtered water into your clear jar until it is almost entirely filled with water.[1]
- Be sure to use a glass or jar that has a smaller circumference than the onion so that the onion doesn't fall into the water.
- Poke four toothpicks, equally spaced, around the circumference of an onion. In order for the onion to sit above the water without falling in, you will need to make sure the vegetable is supported. Make sure the toothpicks are placed just slightly below the middle of the onion.[2]
- Preferably you'll want to use an onion that has already sprouted. An onion that has already begun the growth process will have an easier time growing in water.
- If you want to forgo the toothpick method, you can fill a clear glass jar nearly to the top with small rocks or pebbles. Then, place the onion on top of the pebbles, and fill the jar with water ensuring that just the roots and base of the onion are covered with liquid.[3]
- Set the onion, roots down, on top of the glass with the toothpicks resting on the rim. The roots and base of the onion should be immersed in water. This way, the roots will be able to drink up water so the onion can grow, while the rest of the onion will be surrounded by air to avoid rotting.[4]
- Take time to make sure the toothpicks are properly supporting the onion so it doesn't fall into the water. At this point, you may need to push the toothpicks in further to be sure the onion doesn't get wet.
- Place the glass and onion onto a windowsill that gets plenty of sunlight. Onions need a lot of sunlight to grow. You also want to make sure you don't forget about the onion, so find a nice sunny windowsill in a busy part of your home.[5] Now, all that's left is to wait and watch your onion to grow. Over a week, you will see the roots elongate into the water, and a green sprout will rise from the top.
- Regularly change the water before it gets murky or smelly to prevent rotting. To do this, gently lift out the onion, replace the water, and place the onion back onto the top of the jar.
- Cut the entire green sprout from the top of the onion to use as an edible garnish. A beautiful green sprout will begin to emerge from the top of the onion within a few days. The entire sprout is edible and has a deliciously sharp and herbal taste. Take scissors and cut the green sprout from the top of the onion, then cut it into thin strips. Add the cut pieces to soup or salad as a tasty garnish.[6]
- Plant the onion in soil when you notice a flower stem emerging from the top. Growing an onion in water is a really fun way to watch the early steps of vegetable growth. However, the onion cannot grow this way forever. After a few weeks, a flower stem will emerge. At this point, you can either plant the entire onion in soil, or just discard the onion.[7] After the onion has started to flower, it can no longer grow in water and must be potted in soil.
EditReviving Green Onion Scraps in Water - Slice whole green onions where the white stalk meets the green leaf. Perhaps you already have a pile of cut green onions that you were going to throw away. If so, great! Just use those. If not, grab a fresh bunch of green onions (also known as scallions or spring onions) and carefully use a knife or scissors to make the proper cut.[8]
- At this point, you should have a piece of white bulb around the size of an adult's pinky finger. It's okay if there is a bit of green left as well.
- Use the discarded green onion bits as an ingredient. Green onions make an excellent garnish on top of dishes like ramen noodles or tacos. Slice it thinly and sprinkle over your meal to brighten up the dish wish color and flavor.
- Place the green onion scraps root down into a clear glass. Find a glass or jar that is relatively narrow, so that the green onion scraps will be supported and held up vertically.[9] These will be growing on your windowsill for a while, so you may want to use a decorative glass or a vase that will look nice in your kitchen.
- You can use a rubber band to tie the bunch together to provide additional support.
- One of the best parts about growing kitchen scraps is being able to watch them grow, so be sure to use a clear vessel so you can watch the magic happen.
- Add enough water to cover the roots of the green onion stalks. You want the roots to be completely immersed in water, but pouring water a little higher up will make sure the green onions don't use up all the water before you have time to refill it.[10]
- You can use tap or filtered water for your green onions, just make sure it is clean, fresh water.
- Place the glass filled with green onions on a sunny windowsill. Now, all you need for your green onions to grow is sunlight and time.[11]
- Placing the green onions on a windowsill in your kitchen (or somewhere you walk past often) will give them enough light to grow while making sure you don't forget about them.
- Replace the water every 3 to 5 days. The onions will drink up the water you've provided them, so keep a watchful eye on the water level so that they don't dry out.[12] After a few days, remaining water can get murky or develop a bad smell. If that happens, dump it out and refill your glass with clean water.
- Remove the green onions when they have tripled in size. Within a few days, you will notice that green stalks are sprouting out of the white bulbs. Once they grow to about long, remove the stalks from the water.[13]
- Cut the green sprigs off the stalk or plant the entire bulb in soil. The green onions will only grow so tall. Once the green stalk is or more, you can either cut off the green stalk and use the green onion as an ingredient, or you can plant the entire thing in soil (roots, white bulb, and green stalk) and continue to watch it grow.[14]
- If you cut the green part off the stalk at this point, you can place the bulb back in clean water, and it will regrow. Although this will work once or twice, within a few cycles the plant will stop growing.[15]
- Use fresh onions and avoid onions that have mold or that have started to rot. Since the onions are submerged in water, any mold or rot will continue to spread throughout the rest of the bulb.
EditThings You'll Need EditGrowing Bulb Onions - An onion (sprouted are best)
- Toothpicks or small rocks
- A clear glass or jar
- Clean water
EditReviving Green Onions - A bunch of green onions
- A narrow glass cup
- Clean water
- A knife or scissors
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| How to Choose a Swimsuit Posted: 29 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Choosing a swimsuit can be an overwhelming task! There are so many options and new style trends every year. However, the best suit for you is whatever you find appealing and comfortable. Make sure to consider quality, fit, color, and style as you choose your new swimsuit. EditChoosing a Flattering Style - Choose a one-piece if you want full coverage. A traditional one-piece swimsuit will cover your entire torso, so this is the most modest option. One-piece swimsuits are also often better for exercise, so you might go with this option if you plan to swim laps or do water aerobics.
- You can find more daring one-piece styles if desired, such as a swimsuit with a deep v-neck, low-back, 1 strap, no straps, or side cutouts.[1]
- Go with a high back one-piece to hide back fat and a low-back one-piece to show off your back.
- Try a swim-dress if you also want coverage for your hips and thighs.[2]
- Select a bikini if you are comfortable baring your midsection. Bikinis are the most daring type of swimsuit because they only cover your breasts and private area. This means that your entire midriff and back will be visible. If you are comfortable showing off your body, then this is a great option for you.
- You can purchase a bikini as a set, or get a coordinating top and bottom to wear together, such as a string bikini top with a bikini skirt bottom, a high-waisted bottom with a strapless top, or a full coverage top with a low-rider boyshort.[3]
- Keep in mind that you may need a different sized bottom and top, which is another reason why it may be better to buy them separately.[4]
- Opt for a tankini if you want a more modest two-piece. You can find tankinis that provide full coverage of your waist, or that show part of your midsection. Select a tankini that shows an amount of skin you are comfortable showing. This is also a great option if you are pregnant since you can get a loose-fitting top to drape over your belly.[5]
- For example, if you want full coverage, then get a tankini top that overlaps the bottom.
- If you want to show part of your hips and waist, then get a tankini that falls just above your belly button.
- Look for details on top to enhance a small chest. Ruffles, bold colors and prints, and padding can all help to accentuate your chest. If your chest is on the small side and you want to make it seem bigger, then opt for a swimsuit with extra elements to enhance and draw attention to your chest.[6]
- Get a supportive top if you are full-chested. Whether you are opting for a bikini, tankini, or 1 piece, you will want to have good support if you have a full chest. Check the straps and cups on any suit you consider to see if they are well-constructed and sturdy. Go with a halter, racerback, or something with thick straps.[7]
- Avoid string bikinis, strapless suits, and less supportive swimsuits if you have a full chest.
- Wear dark colors to minimize and light colors to accent a body part. Light colors draw attention while dark colors are less noticeable. Choose light colors for the part of your body you want to stand out or highlight, and dark colors for the part you want to minimize.[8]
- For example, you could pair a black bottom with a bright red top to minimize your backside and accent your bust.
- Or, pair a white bottom with a navy blue top to minimize your bust and accent your bottom.
- Choose full-coverage bottom to distract from your hips. These types of bottoms provide full coverage for your hips, which can help to make them seem smaller and hide imperfections. Go with one of these types of bottoms if your hips are a concern for you.[9]
- For example, you could opt for a bikini, tankini, or one-piece with a sash-bottom, swim-skirt, or boycut bottom.
EditPicking a High-Quality Suit - Opt for a suit that fits you well above all else. Try on any type of swimsuit that appeals to you, but don't get a swimsuit that does not fit you well. The swimsuit should be snug, but not uncomfortably tight on your body.[10] You can also go with something that provides more or less coverage depending on what feels best to you.[11]
- For example, if you feel more comfortable in a string bikini than a one-piece, then that is what you should look for. However, if you don't like showing this much skin, choose something that provides more coverage, such as a one-piece or tankini.
- If the swimsuit is baggy or you find it difficult to breathe, then you might want to go with another option.
- Move around in the swimsuit to ensure that it moves with you. Walk around, squat, do some jumping jacks, and bend over. Try a variety of movements to make sure that the swimsuit will not come off, bunch up, or expose you as you move in it.[12]
- For example, if the swimsuit bunches up along your backside when you walk, then it might not be a good choice.
- Check the thickness of the swimsuit to see if it's durable. Feel the material of the swimsuit. If it feels flimsy or cheap, then it will probably not last very long. Opt for swimsuits made from materials that feel durable and thick.[13]
- Even if the swimsuit is lined well and you cannot see through it, thinner materials will not hold up over time.
- Look at yourself from behind to make sure your bottom does not sag. The way your backside looks in the swimsuit can also give you a hint about its quality. Check to see if the back of the swimsuit is taut and flattering. If the bottom of the suit looks baggy or saggy, it may not be a high-quality suit.[14]
EditSelecting a Color and Style That Works for You - Compare the color of the suit to your skin tone. Swimsuits come in a wide range of solids colors and prints, so you can express your style with the color you choose. Find a color or print that appeals to you and that will complement your skin tone.[15]
- For example, you might opt for a red and white polka dot swimsuit for a vintage look, a swimsuit with pink roses on it for something feminine and romantic, or a dark brown swimsuit that complements your skin tone.
- Look for swimsuits with built-in hardware. It can be fun to pair a necklace or pair of earrings with your swimsuit. However, you run the risk of losing jewelry while at the beach or pool. Instead, try getting a swimsuit with built-in hardware. This gives the appearance of jewelry without the risk of losing it.[16]
- For example, you might opt for a black one-piece swimsuit with silver accents along the neckline or a bright blue string bikini with rainbow-colored beads on the ends of the ties.
- Pick a chic coverup to wear over your swimsuit. Choose a coverup that matches or complements your swimsuit and wear it on your way to and from the pool or beach. This will make it easy for you to slip it off to go for a swim, and back on again to go about your day.[17]
- For example, you could opt for a lavender-colored coverup to wear over a plum one-piece suit, or pair a zebra print coverup with a white bikini.
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