Surprise Him With a Bouquet of Jerky!

He got you flowers last year for Valentine’s Day, and the year before that, and pretty much every year you can remember. But when was the last time you got him a bouquet of flowers? Never? Good, instead, get him a bouquet of jerky!

The Manly Man Co. is delivering tasty beef jerky bouquets again this year for that special someone in your life. The idea for the Manly Man Company® came to Greg Murray after a simple conversation with his wife Jacquie, for whom he had recently bought a bouquet of flowers: Why isn’t there a gift for men that’s equivalent to flowers? Yes, you can buy men flowers, but the practice isn’t what you might call commonplace. The couple speculated that a bouquet of beef jerky might be the perfect stand-in. Soon after his wife surprised Greg with the very first iteration of what is now called “Man Bouquets”— sticks and sheets of jerky carved into the shape of flowers and roses that are presented inside a pint glass or beer mug “vase”.

The Manly Man Company boasts an ever-growing line of unique, custom and curated gifts that include:

So why not check out one of these great options for this romantic holiday? You can only imagine the look on his face when that box arrives at his office. It may even end up being a tasty snack for him!

Manly Man Company ships these awesome beef jerky bouquets in a nice sturdy packaging and there is absolutely no delay in shipping! You can be sure his bouquet will arrive on time!

You may remember the tasty bouquet I got on Father’s Day. Well, I have been craving more ever since. So sweetie, if you’re reading this… Now’s the time to place your order!

Head on over to ManlyManCo.com and check out their options yourself. You will see all sorts of flavors of delicious jerky just waiting to be devoured. You can take this dad’s word that a mouth watering bouquet would be the perfect choice this Valentine’s Day.

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This post is sponsored by ManlyManCo.com

Take a Step in the Right Direction with Proper Flooring

Even if you step all over them, your house’s floor is a big part of what makes it a home. The type of flooring you choose for your house can make it appear warm, elegant, or down for business. Weigh your options for your floors because the flooring can last for more than your lifetime.

Wood

Most homes have wooden flooring – and not just because of tradition. While more modern materials are available for floors, wood is still the most popular choice because of aesthetics, practicality, convenience, warmth, and nostalgia. Wooden floors make a house feel more like home. They have a warmer and more intimate feel than stone or ceramics. Houses with wooden flooring also demand higher property values than those without, as demand for alternative flooring options are rare.

Traditional hardwood is the most in-demand, but engineered wood is also growing in popularity. Engineered wood retains the appearance and strength of hardwood. It is made of several layers of wood and is less prone to warping or swelling. Engineered wood can cost half the cost of solid wood,and installation can be less expensive. Engineered maple wood flooring is particularly popular.

However, you can also opt for hickory, oak, beech, or ash. Working with wood allows you to easily add layers of insulation underneath or repair particular sections in case of damage. Engineered wood can last up to 30 years,and installation (for the entire house) typically requires a mere 1-4 days.

Stone or Ceramic Tiles

Houses with modern designs will typically have stone or ceramic flooring. Stone tiles exude the appearance of fast-paced living and efficiency and provide a more hygienic environment. Kitchens of professional cooks and bakers will most likely have stone or ceramic floors. Stone tiles are waterproof and fireproof and are less likely to be damaged compared to traditional wooden flooring. Stone or ceramic tiles are often used to assert professionalism and hygiene, albeit sacrificing the warmth associated with a home.

Of course, most homes will use stone or ceramic tiles in particular areas – most notably the kitchens and bathrooms – while using wood for the rest of the house. Tiles come in various shapes and sizes. They can be of almost any color you want and can appear as any stone. You can even opt for stone tiles with the appearance of wood. However, a single step will instantly reveal the deception. Stone and ceramic tile flooring are easy to clean and need very little maintenance. Your usual cleaning regimen should be enough to keep your floors clean, and tile grouts can last 10-12 years before requiring replacement.

Polished Concrete

The smooth and shiny appearance of polished concrete is usually more popular in offices and malls. However, it is also used in more affluent homes. Polished concrete, or even gypsum concrete flooring can appear professional or majestic, depending on how it is applied. The seamless floors create an aura of etherealness as well as a clear mark of opulence. Concrete is also a green building material and most environmentalists advocate its use. Like stone or ceramic tiles, polished concrete is waterproof and fireproof.

It requires very little maintenance and has none of the grout lines of tiles. Concrete floors are all but impervious to damage. But even if you manage to damage it (with a falling hammer or some similar kind of accident), it can still be repaired quite easily. Polished concrete works best with modern stone houses or houses that want to emphasize lighting.

Vinyl

Vinyl comes in tiles and sheets and is the most affordable flooring option. Of course, vinyl needs an existing flat surface to adhere to, limiting its use downstairs (since the flooring upstairs will likely be constructed with wood). Vinyl is easy to clean and durable, particularly ones with 8mm thickness. It can be made to appear as almost anything (wood, stone, or complex designs), and you can even opt for tiles that require grouting to increase its semblance to stone tiles.

Vinyl is easy to apply and remove, requiring a day or two for professionals or maybe more if you do it independently. Unfortunately, vinyl floors can make your house’s property value drop, as most buyers consider it to be drab and cheap.

Choosing the right flooring for your home is not a decision you can make lightly. Consider your options (whether wood, stone, or ceramic tiles, polished concrete, or vinyl) and go for the right materials that fit your vision of how you want your home to be.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

How to Plan The Perfect Family Night In

Family nights are one of the best ways to help you curb the lockdown boredom. But anyone who has kids understands that getting everyone together to enjoy a Friday night together is easier said than done. This is why you need to know how to plan a family night that will go down in history as the best ever, so here are four ways to do that. 

Take It In Turns to Choose 

No one likes or wants to be the family night dictator that chooses what everybody does every week. This is a straightforward way to make your family dread the coming Friday before it has even begun. Instead, you can let everyone take it in turns to choose what they want to do. They might decide to watch a movie, play video games, or get everyone around the dinner table for a board game night. Some kids might even prefer baking to anything else, which gives you something for dessert once you’ve finished tour pizza. 

Offer Some Variety 

Variety is the spice of life, and this is no more crucial than when you’re stuck inside with nothing to do. If your kids aren’t old enough to make decisions (or you flat-out don’t trust them to pick something sensible), you can create an illusion of choice by offering a variety of things to do. For older kids, you might want to introduce them to tabletop RPGs, and if so, you should try SkullSplitter Dice to make them even more interested in the game. You never know, this could be the beginning of an exciting Dungeons & Dragons campaign for the whole family. 

Don’t Force It 

Sometimes, everyone might feel too exhausted to do things, or they might have other stuff to do such as schoolwork or ready-made plans with their friends. If so, you mustn’t force everyone into the family night no matter how much you want to do it. No one will be in the mood and this can make them wary of other nights in the future. So, if people don’t seem into it, don’t be afraid to take a week off. 

Tidy Up Together 

Ordering pizza, baking cakes, and munching on snacks all night is all well and good, but it isn’t any fun for the person who needs to clean and tidy up after everyone. As everyone has been involved in the family night, you should make sure that everyone pulls their weight and cleans up after themselves. Assign jobs to each other such as wiping down the surfaces or vacuuming crumbs from the sofa or floor before going to bed. Not only is this fair, but it also means you can wake up to a clean, tidy house tomorrow morning. 

Family Fun 

These family nights are a fantastic way to create memories and bond with each other. It gives the kids a chance to feel like they’re more adult, staying up later than usual, and it allows the parents to treat their kids like buddies, rather than children. Not every night will be a hit, of course, but with proper planning, you can expect it to be a success more often than not. 

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

Children’s Books – I am a Fox

It has been a while since I have posted any books that I have illustrated. I got to say that I have definitely been busy creating some amazing illustrations based on some awesome stories!

This is one of the newest children’s books I have illustrated. I am a fox by Loren Ouellette. It is a cute little short story about the day in the life of a little fox. Check it out on Amazon and Kindle today!