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Making A Basket For The Dog

Your dog is probably more like a family member than a pet. Celebrate the events in your dog’s life, such as a birthday or a new littler of puppies, with a basket that you can create at home. Dog gift baskets can be made with a variety of items that make your dog comfortable or that give your furry friend something to play with while they are inside or outdoors.

Start with the base of the basket. An idea would be to use a dog bed to hold all of the items that you’re going to use. You could also put everything in a wicker basket, especially if you’re giving it to someone else as a present. One option is a top dog basket that includes a little bit of everything for the animal. You can include food, treats, bones, clothing and toys. It can be a little more personalized for the animal, including items such as a blanket with the name of the dog or a special toy that the animal likes.

If you or someone you know has a new puppy, then making a basket would be a fun idea to welcome the animal to the home. Add toys that are the proper size for the puppy to chew on, such as a Kong toy that won’t be as destructible as a stuffed animal. You can also include a blanket, a few treats, food to get started on and even a gift card for the new owner to take the puppy for basic immunizations. Coordinate the colors of the items in the basket for the gender of the puppy.

A birthday or holiday basket is fun to make for dogs. Choose items that you know the dog will enjoy, such as a favorite bone or a favorite cookie. You could even make small cupcakes or cookies with a birthday message as long as you use ingredients that are safe for the dog. A picture frame can be included so that you can start a collection of pictures over the years of the dog for yourself or someone else.

October 12, 2016

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How To Prepare For A Winter Hike

Hiking might seem like one of those activities you should only do in the summer, but if you have the right gear and supplies, you can hike all winter long too. Winter hikes are quite different from summer hikes. You’ll see different animals racing through the woods, face different obstacles as you walk and need different gear too. While you can spend a few hours or more enjoying the great outdoors on a cold winter day, you want to make sure that you prepare for that hike and that you bring the right supplies.

Map Out Your Route

Before heading out on your trip, sit down with a map of all the trails in the area to plan your route. Make a copy of that route that you leave behind with others. This ensures that someone knows where you are and that they can contact help if needed. As you plan your route, make sure that you map out some type of backup plan. You never know when a trail might be inaccessible because of ice or when heavy snow might make your favorite trail too dangerous to follow.

Pack the Right Supplies

Even if you only want to spend an hour outside, pack as if you planned a longer trip. Winter snow, ice and other hazards can impede your progress and leave you stuck in the woods for longer than you would like. Always have a GPS unit in your bag that can help you find alternative paths and routes through the woods. You should also bring along waterproof matches in case you need to start a fire, a small first aid kit and some basic food. Smart hikers always carry at least two bottles of water, dehydrated hiking food and candy or energy bars.

Wear the Right Gear

No matter how much you love winter, you might not feel the same way after hiking through several feet of snow. Wearing the right clothing and wearing multiple layers can help you stay warm and dry. Try layering a pair of polar fleece leggings underneath your regular pants and wearing a tank top, lightweight shirt and sweatshirt under your hiking jacket. You can also wear several pairs of socks with plastic sandwich bags inside your boots. Preparing the right way, including wearing the right clothing and packing the right gear, can help you stay safe on a winter hike.

September 9, 2016

5 Golf Accessories Found At Yard Sales

Many people would like to put a serious effort into playing golf but don’t have the money to buy the gear. Luckily, it’s quite easy to find everything you need just by hitting a few yard sales over the weekends. In fact, you may be able to get everything you need for a fraction of the cost if you’re not too picky about buying used items. Here are some of the golfing treasures that have been found at yard sales.

Club Bags

Although you might not find a mint condition Callaway golf bag at a yard sale, you might be amazed by how often a good bag is available. Unfortunately, these are also one of the hottest items depending on the neighborhood. It may be best if you start early when looking up yard sales in your area to get a good bag.

Clubs

You want to be careful when choosing used clubs. Take a look at the shaft and the head. Make sure there are no cracks and breaks in the unit. The last thing you want to do is shatter the club when hitting a ball of the tee for the first time.

Balls

Balls are another item you want to pay close attention to. Like the clubs, you don’t want balls that have cuts or cracks. This can greatly alter how the ball performs especially when traveling through the air. A deep cut can add air resistance or even cause a slice or draw.

Cleats and Shoes

It’s pretty difficult to ruin cleats or golf shoes. These items can make a profound difference in your game, though. Check the teeth on the bottom of the shoe to make sure they are stable. If they look chewed up, check to see if they are removable. If they are, it may be worth the investment to buy the shoes since you can repair the teeth quite easily with a cheap kit.

Golf Carts

Although golf carts are not usually available at every yard sale, you might be shocked by how often they are listed. Even a used unit can be worth the expense since you can also get club car golf cart parts to make repairs. This could save you quite a bit of money in rentals if you use your own cart to play a round.

Too many people look down at buying used goods. In reality, most equipment you can find around the neighborhood may serve you well for several years. Take a weekend or two and look around at different yard sales. You may find that diamond in the rough the could be worth far more than what you’re paying.