Family * Travel * Food

3 Beginner Tips To Help You Master the Art of Horse Riding

Are you hoping to pick up horse riding as a hobby? Whether you’ve dabbled in horse riding in the past and have recently decided to get serious about it or whether you’re a total newcomer to the sport, there are several important tips that can help you learn the ropes of this unique hobby quickly. Take a look at these three tips that can help beginners quickly master the art of horse riding. 

1. Prepare With All the Necessary Accessories and Safety Gear

Before getting on a horse, it’s important to make sure you’re properly prepared with all the necessary horse jump accessories and other safety gear essentials you may require. This gear can help keep you and the horse safe in the event of an accident and is an absolute must for both beginners and those riding at a more advanced level. If you’re just now shopping for your safety gear and other basics, make sure to pick up:

  • Helmets
  • Knee pads and elbow pads
  • Sturdy riding boots
  • Riding gloves
  • A safety vest
  • Riding pants

2. Practice Getting On and Off Your Horse

Although it may sound simple, beginners may need a little practice mounting and dismounting a horse. Spend a little time just practicing this one skill before moving on to others. To successfully get on your horse, you should:

  • Start from the left side of your horse
  • Hold the reins loosely in your left hand
  • Start by putting your left foot in the stirrup and step up
  • Swing your other leg over the horse and take your seat carefully

3. Take Lessons and Practice Essential Horse Riding Skills

Lastly, you may want to consider starting off your riding days with some professional lessons to help you master the basic skills you need to know. Having a strong foundation can help set you up for quick progress. You can opt for individual or group lessons for beginners that can help you learn more about:

  • Trotting and walking
  • Trail riding
  • Standing quietly
  • Mounting and dismounting
  • Slow reversal
  • Side-passing

Learning to ride horses as a hobby can help you stay in shape, bond with these majestic animals and enjoy a time-honored tradition. If you’re a beginner, these top tips can help you master the basics of horse riding in no time. Make sure you have all the safety gear you need, practice mounting and dismounting and consider taking lessons to move from beginner to pro at a steady pace.

SHARE:

Essential Basic Tack For Your Horse

You've got the horse, you've got your horse-riding duds, but now you need to get your horse dressed, too! There's a lot to think about when buying tack, or horse riding gear, for your horse and many pieces to consider. We'll help break it down the basics so you can be confident in each piece you pick out. 


Getting Back on Track 

The first piece of equipment most people think of when it comes to horseback is the saddle. Saddles are generally leather and can be pricey, but shopping at discount horse suppliers can help you find a good deal. There are a number of styles from western to endurance to dressage, but a general purpose saddle will suit most recreational riders. Always check with a professional to fit your horse.

Underneath the saddle will sit your saddle pads. Saddle pads come in all sorts of options and are really your chance to try out some fashionable horse tack. They come in all sorts of colors and fabrics, though quilted cotton is quite popular as it is breathable and helps wick away moisture.

In addition to these items, you'll need a girth and stirrups. Girths wrap around your horse's belly and come in several materials such as string, nylon, synthetic, or leather. Whatever you choose, make sure its comfortably suits your horse and saddle. Stirrups hold up your feet and consist of a leather strap and an iron foothold. You should always begin with correctly-sized safety stirrups, which will have an elastic at the side. 


Get Your Head in the Game

When it comes to horse's headgear, we're not referring to braces and expanders; we're referring to bridles, reins, and bits. The bridle, buckled straps encircling the horse's head, are attached the the bit, a (generally) metal piece that sits in the horse's mouth, and the reins, all of which are used to control the horse.

For your bridle and bit, you'll want to make sure the style you choose suits your horses head size and shape. Narrower straps for smaller, more delicate horses and wider straps for larger animals. If you event, make sure to check that what you purchase will fit within the restrictions and guidelines of what is appropriate wear. Additionally, you may need a stronger bit for more strident purposes such as jumping or hacking. Reins come in a variety of materials and rubber or lined rubber can be a very good option for a good grip. 

These basics of horse's tack will get you started on outfitting your horse properly, and soon both you and your horse will be dressed to the nines and ready to run. 

SHARE:

Top 3 Reasons To Consider Getting Insurance for Your New Horse

If you’re the proud owner of a new horse, you may have been looking around for the best horse insurance you can get your new animal. While owning a horse is a dream come true for many people and is likely an exciting time, it also comes with risks and responsibilities. It might seem intimidating to consider the risks that come with having a horse, but thankfully, a little preparation ahead of time is all it takes to put yourself and your horse in the best possible position to stay safe no matter what lies ahead. If you’re on the fence about whether you need insurance for your new friend, consider these important reasons insurance could help protect you and your horse.
image credit

1. Your Horse Could Have an Accident

If you’re planning on using your horse in equestrian sports, or even if you’re just keeping it for hobby riding, it’s important to keep in mind that accidents are always a possibility. While it might not be pleasant to think about, consider what you’ll do if your horse gets injured unexpectedly.
image credit
Without insurance, veterinarian bills could quickly burn a hole in your pocket or, in worst-case scenarios, even prevent your horse from accessing the quality care they need. If you have good insurance in place ahead of time, on the other hand, you won’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident. You can focus on getting your horse help right away.

2. Your Horse Could Pass Away

In a similar vein, if your horse should die before its time, you may be left with countless expenses but no horse to ride in competitions, for example. Certain insurance policies can help provide you another horse in these cases. If your horse has to be put down for medical reasons and you can get proof from your veterinarian that the horse could not be saved, you may be able to get compensation from your insurance company that you could then invest into your next horse.

3. You Can Protect Yourself From Lawsuits

Finally, if you happen to get sued because of alleged damages caused by your horse, having the right insurance policy can help protect you from certain liabilities. Without insurance, you may have a tougher time when legal issues arise.

Owning a horse can be a dream come true, but also entails potential risks that have to be taken into account. If you’re thinking about getting horse insurance, keep these key facts in mind and you’re sure to make the right decision for you and your new animal.
SHARE:

A Producer's Pre-production Jobs

Photo by Chris Murray on Unsplash
While producing a movie may seem fun and exciting, it is a not job where you show up on set and start ordering others around. Several things need to be done and put in place before you can start producing. Here are three jobs that need to be done before you begin filming.

Scheduling

It is important to outline the time frame for making your movie. You need to determine how long it will take to make and how long you will need your actors, buildings, and managers. Once you have made a schedule for your filming time, you are one step closer to producing. Plans may not always go exactly how you like, so be sure to include some extra days for any make-up work, incomplete scenes, or incohesive actor’s work.

Approvals

When producing a movie, you are not the only one involved. There are permits to acquire for where you shoot and what you shoot. Insurance also must be included in your actor’s and worker's contracts for the liabilities that could occur. Always be mindful of what is happening on set as well. Heather Parry is a prime example of how everything can seem to go right onscreen, but behind the scenes, proper protocols and approvals were never developed. This can cause serious problems long after your production is over

Locations

Knowing where you will film your movie is important before beginning. Decide on the country, state, and town you wish to shoot your movie in. Once you find the place, you still need to find the buildings and towns you want to be in. Some budgets allow for building their entire sets, while others will cause you to search for the perfect setting already out there.

The pre-production process includes several jobs for you to do. Starting your production with these tasks already accomplished will help things go quickly and smoothly while filming.  

 photo 7636c3fb-e8d9-4b07-af6b-f1ca33a15bfe_zps9lbkp4mn.png
SHARE:

Riding a Motorcycle for the First Time

Motorcycles are loved by many people for the experience and freedom on the highway this vehicle provides. A grade-A motorcycle can push this experience to the next level. Many people are opting for motorcycles these days because they're not only better at providing mobility across busy cities, they are actually more fun!

However, anyone who has never ridden a bike in their life, riding a motorcycle is something that needs to be done carefully to avoid injury. You should keep in mind that motorcycle can be an extremely dangerous vehicle if not handled properly.

We have developed this small guide to help first-time motorcycle riders. After you follow all these precautions, you and your friends can finally head out for self-guided bike tours.
Make sure to follow expert guidelines, always!

No matter what kind of vehicle you are about to ride for the first time, general knowledge must be acquired beforehand. When it comes to motorcycles, it is very important that you acquire a license, take classes, and be of legal age.



Just like any other vehicle, it is impossible to learn how to ride motorcycles without help. You'll need the help of a seasoned motorcyclist to teach you how to ride one. You can do this if you opt out of professional training. But it is still recommended that you go through professional training before riding a bike.

Once you have learned the basics of riding a motorcycle, you should go for a license. Do not attempt to take out your bike without a license because it is against the law.


Make sure you ride safely
When riding a motorcycle, your utmost concern should be the safety of riding one. Motorcycles are a risky vehicle which can lead to serious injuries or even death if an accident occurs.

It is very important that you buy proper gear for motorcycle riding and wear a helmet at all times. Riding gloves, jackets, and pants that protect you against scratches are also very important.

Have some sort of insurance
Your life is very important to make sure you have some sort of health insurance that covers accidents. Even if you do not have one, you still have the option of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you win compensation for an accident especially if you are riding for the first time. 

Adjust your mirrors
One of the most important things new bike riders forget to work with is adjusting their rear view mirrors. Many bikers turn their head to look what's coming from behind.
This practice is not recommended and is dangerous. Always make sure that your rear view mirrors are set according to your vision level and that you can clearly and easily see whose coming from behind.

Always make sure to follow the appropriate steps when riding the motorcycle for the first time. If you carefully follow these guidelines, you can significantly lower any potential problems from occurring.

 photo 7636c3fb-e8d9-4b07-af6b-f1ca33a15bfe_zps9lbkp4mn.png
SHARE:

Drawing Inspiration From Proper Pens and Fanciful Technique

The way you draw can be as fun and individual as you are. The styles used in creating a pen sketch are as limitless as your own imagination. But, if you’re looking for inspiration there are several techniques that can be achieved with a little study and the proper pen.

With a frenzy of cross hatches, random lines, ink washes, or stippling and the proper pen, you can make anything come to life against bright white paper. So grab your pen and paper and have fun exploring the world of pen sketching. You never know what you may end up creating.

Here are some of the most popular techniques to send you on your way to a ink drawing that is full of depth and contrast, whether you’re drawing the detailed wings of a butterfly or the soft feathers of a magical bird in flight.

image credit

Stippling

This one takes a little patience and a lot of dots. Stippling is achieved by making an infinite amount of dots along your drawing to add value and depth. The heavier the value, the more dots you’ll need to place closely to each other. To achieve a lighter value apply less dots to the page with more space between each dot.

Hatching

Instead of dots, this technique is all about parallel lines. Draw lines in the same direction to achieve the proper affect. Like stippling, lines placed closely together will create heavier value. Lines that are placed with more distance in between create lighter value.

Cross Hatching

Cross Hatching is similar to hatching except that lines are allowed to cross each other. Create more hatches for greater value and less hatches for lighter value. Hatches can be accomplished with tight straight lines, or with loosely defined hatches.

Random Lines

You can get crazy with your drawing by becoming completely random in the way your lines flow to add value. As long as you stay true to the principle of more in areas that need heavy value, and less and further apart in areas with lighter value, you’ll achieve the desired effect.

Ink Wash

Ink wash is similar to watercolor techniques, but with ink instead of paint. The value is determined by the amount of water you add to the ink. The ink is applied to the surface by a brush, just like in watercolor.

Pre-Drawing

Especially helpful for those new to ink-drawing, sketching out your idea in pencil first will allow you to go over only the lines you want to keep in pen. Once the ink is dry, you can erase your pencil lines and enjoy your final product — graphite free.

Loose Pen Hold

If you’re looking to make your drawings a little more whimsical, try loosening the hold on your pen, or holding it closer to the end. You should notice a more fluid nature in your lines that adds movement to your overall sketch.

Smudging

To make areas within the drawing softer, try smudging fresh ink with a little water on your fingertip. You may be able to create the softness and shadowing you’re looking for while creating a fun and unique effect to your sketch.

Using Dried Out Pens

Don’t get frustrated anymore when the lids get left off the markers. You can use pens and markers that are almost dried out to create beautiful, soft effects on your picture.

Changing Up The Pen

Different pens and markers can be used in a variety of ways to create a fun, creative drawing. Choose the finest tip pens for the most detail. Try using washable markers for heavier value regions. And, add punches of color in just the right spot with colored gel or ink pens.

There are no rules in creating satisfying ink sketches. They can be as detailed or abstract as you want them to be. Follow recommended techniques or explore for yourself. Just remember to have fun while doing so.

 photo 7636c3fb-e8d9-4b07-af6b-f1ca33a15bfe_zps9lbkp4mn.png
SHARE:

How Quickly Does A Tulip Poplar Grow Yearly?

Lately, we have been in a planting frenzy over at the Ismail home. We had all of our old, overgrown trees removed about two years ago. It was both a smart and dumb move at the same time. You see, we didn't think ahead about the fact that we would have zero shade in the hot summer months. Since having the trees removed, we have replanted new ones. We did a ton of research beforehand to ensure we got what would work for our zone and hopefully grow quickly enough to enjoy the shade before we become senior citizens.

One of the dozens of trees we decided on was the Tulip Poplar. We purchased two of them, one locally and the other from on online nursery located in our state. This tulip tree pictured below was planted late last summer and started off between 2-3 feet in height. So far since the spring completely sprung, it is now at 5 feet tall and climbing! There is still a lot of time left in the growing season so we are hoping for another few feet. This tree and the other one we bought seem to be growing overnight. I have read reviews where some people said they saw 8-10 feet of growth each year.


As you can see, the leaves are huge and they grow in dense clusters. When I was researching this tree, some people said the leaves get as large as full-size dinner plates. This is a good sign that in time, it will provide tremendous amounts of shade here in the 'Famously Hot' city of Columbia.


Something we learned along the way is to be super careful when watering your tulip poplar. You can't over-water, because it will completely drown out the roots and kill the tree. Ask me how I know this *ahem*. We only give it water once a week if it has not rained and the temperatures are over 90°. Also, we put down some fertilizer pre-spring and will probably do it again later on in the summer. The birds seem to be enjoying the trees and love to retreat from the heat among the dense foliage. Next up will be a couple bird baths to place next to each of our poplars. 

I'll be sharing more about our gardening adventures and some lawn care tips in upcoming posts. In the meantime, I'd love to know what you have planted this year. Do you have any wishlist plants or trees you would like to get in the future? Please share in the comments. Have a great weekend! 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links
SHARE:

Mark Your Calendar! Mini Hess Toy Trucks Return June 1 Exclusively Online


If you are a Hess Toy Truck collector, you have to mark June 1st on your calendar. Hess Corporation has announced that the Miniature Hess Toy Truck series will return as a limited-production, three-vehicle set – forming the 2017 Mini Collection. Each vehicle included in the set will be a fully detailed, small-scale version of one of the popular holiday Hess Toy Trucks, equipped with working lights and a detachable display base.

The designs included in the 2017 Mini Collection will be revealed when it goes on sale June 1 at 10 a.m. EST. The three-vehicle set will be sold exclusively at www.hesstoytruck.com for $26.99 with free standard shipping and 9 Energizer® batteries included.

To stay up to date with the Hess Toy Truck, sign up for alerts at www.hesstoytruck.com and follow Hess Toy Truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
SHARE:

Adagio Teas For The Most Discriminating Tea Lover

I want to tell you all a little something about my husband, Dwayne. He is the rough and rugged type who isn't afraid to work hard and get a little dirty. He also loves books, music and business. In recent years, he has become rather passionate about something we wouldn't have expected. He LOVES tea. He loves it to the point where he buys books on tea, researches them online, and drinks lots and lots of the good stuff every day. 

It isn't unusual for us to go out to a restaurant and he asks the server if they have hot tea. He believes in drinking hot tea after each meal to aid in digestion. Needless to say, he drinks quite a bit of hot tea. We were so lucky to get to try out Adagio Teas recently. They offer a wide variety of teas for every taste. Having Dwayne peruse the site was like sending a kid to a candy store. He was in heaven! 

It took him over an hour to place his order because he was overly excited about what to get. He took the smart route and ordered a variety of sample sizes which makes up to 10 cups of tea. This gave him the option of trying smaller batches so he could narrow down what his favorites are to order in a larger size next time. We actually recommend for anyone to do that as well. There's no need in buying a full size of a particular tea that you might not care for. 


We picked out a variety including chai, rooibos, green and Pu-ehr. He was very curious about the rooibios and honeybush, so he tried those first. He chose this small black tea pot and coordinating cups to steep the tea and make his actual tea drinking experience feel more authentic. I told you you loves his hot tea! 


One of his favorite tea tips is to add a small amount of local honey in the bottom of the tea pot before adding the hot water and tea. This way, the honey gets distributed into the tea so you don't have to add any after steeping. With some tea varieties, he doesn't bother with any sweetener at all. We actually reserve the tea leaves when he does not add sweetener after brewing, to add to his worm compost bin. 


The packaging is air tight and when you cut it open, you are hit with the distinct tea fragrance. I have to say, this isn't your ordinary supermarket tea. Those simply can not compare! Each packet of tea comes with brewing instructions on the package. You can adjust the amount according to your personal taste. So far with the ones he has tried, the suggested quantity and brewing times have been spot on. He has even experimented with mixing two types together to make a unique blend.

The taste of Adagio Teas is very robust and very true to what it supposed to taste like - pure and natural. You can tell that their tea comes from excellent crops by the quality you receive.


A few things that I really love about Adagio Teas is the amount of information they have listed with each variety of tea or tea accessory on their website. You can find out where they are sourced and read the reviews of verified buyers. This makes it very helpful when you need a little help selecting just the right tea. They sell most of their tea in loose, bulk packaging, but do offer tea bags/pyramids for those who prefer the convenience. My husband actually has a one cup tea ball so he can have his loose tea while at work. Again, we highly recommend starting off with some sample sizes to find which teas you like best. 


So far it looks like the green chai, decaf chai, rooibos, honeybush, and spearmint are the faves. You have to check out the Adagio Teas website because they carry practically every type of tea you would want. You can even design your own tea blends and containers. They have a lot of gift options, tea collections and brewing accessories. If you are a real tea lover looking for superior tea, you have to give Adagio Teas a try. Once you create your account and start making purchases, you can earn points toward gift certificates to use on the site. There's a dashboard where you can keep track of your orders, points, wishlists and more. They also have a tea of the month club and very affordable flat rate shipping of only $3.75 (you can qualify for FREE shipping on orders over $49).

Learn more about Adagio Teas on their website and stay connected on Facebook & Twitter for product updates and promotions.

Disclosure: I received a gift code to spend on products for review purposes and all opinions are my own as always. 
SHARE:

The Best Hummingbird Feeder You Can Buy

This post contains affiliate links

If you know me personally or follow me on social media, you know my love for hummingbirds. We keep multiple feeders around our yard and love watching those tiny beauties stop by for a sip of sweet nectar. Although this is a very enjoyable hobby, there is an ugly side to it. Earlier this week, one of my feeders was hit by a swarm of bees (probably 200+) and they cleared every drop of nectar. I suspect the fact that the feeder was dripping was attracting them even more. I keep a feeder on a window hook that is attached by suction cups. The problem with the feeder I had on there was that it faded and dripped too much. Also, with the South Carolina heat, mold would start to grow so fast and cleaning the feeder became an unwanted chore. I shopped around at local stores and searched online for something small, lightweight, and drip/leak proof.

I decided to take the chance with the Hummzinger Humm Blossom Hummingbird Feeder. Isn't it so pretty?


I like that it holds only up to 4 ounces of nectar which means I can mix it up fresh daily. I also purchased these cute little brushes to clean the feeding ports. They are the perfect size and can be used for other small cleaning jobs.


My favorite thing about this feeder is that you can see the entire hummingbird while it feeds. How could anyone not enjoy looking at this all day? Look at those precious feet!


This hummingbird feeder is hands-down the best one I have ever owned and I will be purchasing two more to replace my other ones. Oddly enough, they come in purple too. I read the reviews and people say that the hummers are attracted and still feed regularly. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go with any color aside from the traditional red. I hope to be able to capture some photos of multiple birds feeding at once. It's the sweetest sight! Are you a Crazy Bird Lady like me?
SHARE:
Blogger Template Created For Mom Files All Rights Reserved