Sometimes, our New Year’s resolutions have to have the support and participation from all the family members. This new year, work together in improving.
Tis the season to come together, to make amends, to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and New Year’s. Let the holidays be the perfect opportunity for you to create new traditions and make successful resolutions with your family. You don’t want to be left behind come the end of the year. So, join the festivities and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Please join the city of Baltimore on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, from 9 pm–12:30 am for a spectacular fireworks event. To celebrate the countdown to the year 2020, Baltimore will host live music, food venues like Bubba Gump’s overlooking Inner Harbour, New Year’s Eve parties with live DJ’s, and so much more. There’s no limit to what this night will hold for you and your family so celebrate in style!
What better way to capture a child’s magical experience with Santa than for them to spend lunch and cruise with the jolly ol’ man along the Inner Harbour. Make your reservations by Saturday, December 14, 2019, 11:30 am- 1:30 pm. This once in a lifetime experience is sure to make your children the envy of the neighborhood and you the parent of the year. More importantly, it is a time to make memories and share in the love that is Christmas.
Located at 201 E Pratt Street, Baltimore, the Inner Harbor Ice Rink welcomes you and your family to celebrate this Christmas and New Year’s season with a new tradition while overlooking the Inner Harbour. Join the rink on December 7th as they skate with Santa! Come by the rink on New Year’s Eve and skate to the bright lights as the fireworks boom over the water. If you’re looking for a place to warm up after a boisterous workout with your family, head upstairs to Tír na nÓg Irish Bar & Grill. Whatever your plans may be while staying in Baltimore, let the historic Inner Harbor Ice Rink be #1 on your stop!
On December 7th and 14th at 8:15 am, hop aboard the B&O’s Magical Holiday Express 2019 for a special breakfast buffet with Santa Claus. After breakfast, share in the family experience as you ride on the historic carousel and take pictures with Santa. Peruse the train museum and explore the history of a great generation. When the time is right, climb onto the Mile One Express for a train ride with Santa!
Welcome to the European-style Winterfest shopping experience for all ages. West Annapolis offers you artists and crafters, gourmet food, spirits and wines, seasonal gifts and décor, native shops of products only found in Maryland, handmade jewelry, toys, clothing, sweets and treats, and so much more. Annapolis will host the Winterfest and Christmas Market on Sat Dec 07, 2019 from 12 pm to 8 pm at Giddings Ave, Annapolis.
For all you chocolate lovers, welcome to the 5th annual Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival! On Sunday, December 8th from 12 pm to 5 pm, downtown Annapolis will host an abundance of family-friendly events while indulging your sweet tooth. The festival will feature not only chocolate but local artisans and crafters selling their wares. Guests will enjoy live music and entertainment while scouting the 40+ chocolate vendors. Wrap up this special event with smores with the kiddies at the firepit before you make your way to the West Street Holiday Light Canopy lighting.
On December 31st, from 3 pm to 5 pm, the city of Annapolis will host a collection of family-friendly events including bounce houses, crafts, food trucks, face painting, and more. At 5:30 pm the fireworks begin! After the fireworks, enjoy a nice dinner in one of many restaurants downtown. At 8 pm continue the festivities with free live entertainment and dancing for all ages at Susan Campbell Park. Embrace your family around midnight for the countdown to 2020 and another round of fireworks. This is surely a night to remember!
Celebrate with a spectacular event along the Annapolis Harbor. Like the twinkling lights on Christmas trees, more than 30 boats will float along the Annapolis waterfront and Spa Creek in grand holiday gesture as they sparkle brightly against the water. Come early on Saturday, December 14, 2019, and join in the unforgettable family festivities from 6 pm to 8 pm. Make your Annapolis Christmas 2019 your most magical time of the holiday season.
Whether sipping cocoa with Santa while cruising along the river or binging on chocolate with your family. Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland offer a wealth of festivities for all ages. Make 2019 the year you make a difference in your family’s life. Let the time you spend together be a joyous one and may you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
You can please people some of the time, but you can’t please people all of the time…or so they say. Thanksgiving is a time of year filled with grateful memories that wrap you in warmth and delicious aromas that awaken the senses. However, for some individuals who abstain from the traditional season ingredients there’s hope for our vegan and vegetarian guests to feel welcomed this holiday season.
When hosting guests who embrace an animal-free lifestyle, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to prepare a holiday feast with a variety of festive foods. Moreover, many of the ingredients you would use might already be found in your home, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, potatoes, pasta, and greens. So how do we turn these wonderful ingredients into delectable delights for the whole family? With a few alternative recipes and a heart full of Thanksgiving cheer.
Turkey, the all-American tradition for Thanksgiving. Perhaps the most difficult dish at the table to replace with a vegan or vegetarian option but it’s doable with this delicious vegetarian thanksgiving main dish awaiting your guests:
When approaching side dishes take a look at your menu and see what vegan and vegetarian dishes may already be in your plan. You may be pleasantly surprised. Not only will you satisfy the vegan in your life but satisfy everyone else while lessening their waist band. If you’re itching for a creative challenge to brighten the festive mood and surprise your guests, then try this delicious morsel:
Ingredients:
5 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
4 bananas, unpeeled
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup honey Kosher salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork, put them in a roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes. Toss the bananas into the pan and continue roasting for 10 to 15 minutes, until both the bananas and potatoes are very soft. Remove the pan from the oven but don’t turn the oven off.
When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Peel the bananas and add them to the bowl along with 1 stick of butter, and the honey. Season with salt and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until everything’s well combined and the mixture is fluffy. Spoon into an oven-proof serving bowl and smooth the top.
In a separate mixing bowl, use your fingers to rub together the remaining stick of butter, brown sugar, flour, and pecans until the mixture is the consistency of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the sweet potatoes and return to the oven. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the crumbs are golden. Serve hot.
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a spread of sweet delicious treats to enjoy while watching the big game or gathering with family and reminiscing about the good old days. There are many alternatives to desserts you could make for your guests. To keep with tradition and satisfy the palate of your vegan and vegetarian guests, try this inspiring idea:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 tablespoon vegan granulated sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar Fine salt
1/2 cup unrefined virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil (packed)
4 to 6 tablespoons ice water
Filling:
One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree
8 ounces silken tofu
2/3 cup vegan granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Fine salt
Directions:
For the crust: Put the flour, sugar, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor, and pulse to combine. Add the coconut oil in small spoonfuls, and pulse until the largest pieces are pea-sized. Add 4 tablespoons ice water, and pulse until evenly combined. Squeeze a handful of dough together; it should just hold its shape. If the mixture is too powdery, pulse in an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water. Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap, pat into a 1/2-inch-thick disc and chill for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
To make rolling easier, let the dough soften up a bit-it should be slightly soft when pressed-at room temperature (this may take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the temperature of your kitchen). Roll the disc into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface or between two pieces of floured parchment paper. If the dough gets too warm, refrigerate it to firm it up. Ease the crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Fold the overhanging dough under itself, and crimp the edge as desired. Chill for 30 minutes.
Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line the chilled pie crust with a large coffee filter or foil, and fill with pie weights. Bake until the edges are lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the coffee filter or foil and weights, and continue baking until the crust is lightly golden all over, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer to a rack, and let cool completely.
For the filling: Process the pumpkin puree, tofu, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour the filling into the parbaked pie shell, and bake until firm and set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack. Chill for at least 2 hours up to overnight. Slice and serve.
As the evening draws to an end and the fire crackles softly in the hearth, you and your guests embrace the gratitude of a joyous day. To round out your day, gift your guests with a sensual holiday beverage that will lift their souls and warm their hearts as they journey towards a new year. Let the following recipe be your inspiration:
Ingredients:
4 cups apple cider
1 apple, (cut into slices)
1 orange, (cut into slices)
3 cinnamon sticks
2 slices fresh ginger
1 teaspoon whole allspice
Directions:
Add all the ingredients into a large pot. Bring to a simmer, and cover. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve. Without compromising too much, Thanksgiving dinner is not only a success for your family but for all your guests. By simply modifying a few ingredients you not only accommodate the diet of your dear friends with gourmet vegetarian thanksgiving recipes like these, but you also introduce a different way to eat that benefits everyone. While you may not be able to please everyone, you will surely make your mark on Thanksgiving. And don’t forget to have your home cleaned by professionals before you even start on the dinner preparations!
When resolving family conflicts, communication and patience are key for a peaceful resolution. Follow these 5 tips and prevent disputes from ruining the family atmosphere.
There really is no better state than Maryland for National Parks enthusiasts. From wildlife reserves to National Historic Sites, the parks here are untouched, pure, and breathtaking each in its own way. We wish everyone had the time to visit all of those 28 parks at least once, but we know that leisure time is sparse and responsibilities back at home are plenty (although you can take some time away from chores!), so we bring you the 5 parks in Maryland for family reunions and solo adventures.
1. South Mountains State Park
Let’s begin our list with one of the most impressive parks in all of Maryland. The South Mountains State Park is a majestic stretch of land that houses 3,000-foot elevations, an 80-foot waterfall connecting to many mountain streams, and over 40 miles of equestrian, hiking, and biking trails that will take you from one lush, breathtaking view to the next. This is also one of the parks on this list that offers a true backcountry experience, with 24 backpacking campsites at seven different locations. For a more traditional camping trip, there is also trailer parking and many drive-to campsites.
2. Seneca Creek State Park
This beautiful national park in Montgomery County is a fantastic destination for many different reasons, one of which is the stunning view from the 14 miles of scenic road along Seneca Creek, which you can follow all the way into the Potomac River. You can also catch many great views at the Clopper Day-Use Areas, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake and the surrounding forests. Activities for the whole family include picnics, boat rentals, hiking trails, playgrounds, and even a self-guided path so you can learn about the area’s history. Are you into horseback riding and riding your bike? There are over 50 miles of trails just for that!
3. Assateague State Park
Located in Worcester County, this park is unique in that it’s entirely located on the northern end of Assateague Island, which has Sinepuxent Bay and the Atlantic ocean to the left and right, respectively. The park campground has an astounding 350 sites for you and your family to enjoy, and the views of the bay really are something to behold at least once in your lifetime. Rackliffe House, a restored 18th-century coastal plantation building, overlooks the bay and houses the Coastal Maryland Heritage Center. Some of the wildlife you can find in the park are deer, several species of waterfowl, and even feral horses, the latter of which is an amazing sight.
4. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
This region was established as a sanctuary for migratory birds in 1933 as a place for them to stop along the Atlantic Flyway, which is one of the most important routes that they follow in the northern hemisphere. You can think of it as a roadside inn for traveling birds that are between their home and their vacation rentals. In any case, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is home to an amazing list of animals, from mammals as little as the Gray Squirrel and as large as the white-tailed deer, along with all sorts of amphibians, reptiles, and birds of all sizes. Much of the refuge is wetlands but it offers many opportunities for visitors of all ages to enjoy the scenery, such as the visitor center, hiking and biking trails, and the Wildlife Drive.
5. Catoctin Mountain
This is one of the best national parks in Maryland for adventure lovers and thrillseekers because of all the activities it offers With over 25 miles of hiking trails, along with fishing opportunities, equestrian trails, rock climbing, and a long list of wonderful views all around the park. On top of that, you can take the Orienteering class offered by a Park Ranger where you can learn how to navigate in the wilderness using a map and a compass. Of course, you can also find camping sites and lodging if you wish to stay for a while, which is really the only way to take it all in for nature lovers. The photo-ops are excellent all around the park, so you better travel there with a friend with a good eye for photography!
Each of these parks is special in its own way, and while most of them offer similar things, such as hiking trails and wildlife, the experiences and sights are all unique. Make some time to check them out with the whole family soon!
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