Friday, July 3, 2009 at 08:13 AM

July 4th Staycation

Mal and I were supposed to spend the July 4th weekend in New Hampshire with my sister and fiance and some of their friends, but we decided not to go. With flying out West last week and flying down South next weekend, we thought we’d be better off enjoying a “staycation” instead. Plus, after all of the fun we had in Seattle and Victoria, I am still recovering! Basically, I need a vacation from vacation! So, a “staycation” was the perfect option for this long weekend.

Staycation Tips

From ACB.com & CNN.com

  • Schedule start and end dates. Just as you would with a vacation, schedule a beginning and ending for your staycation to make it feel like an official vacation. Otherwise, it runs the risk of feeling like just another string of nights in front of the tube.
  • Pack that time with activities. Plan a daily activity, and make sure something takes you out of the house — for fun — every day.
  • Declare a “choratorium.” That means no chores! Don’t make the bed, vacuum, clean out the closets, pull weeds — nothing. You’re on vacation!
  • Take staycation photos or videos, just as you would if you went away from home for your vacation.
  • Enjoy your “staycation” by becoming a tourist inside or near your own home. Consult guidebooks and check out websites like Chowhound.com to find the best local eateries.
  • Stay in a nearby hotel. Tell them you’re a local, and they may give you a discount so that you’ll recommend them to visiting friends or relatives
  • Join your local museum to get on lists to identify when the best cultural opportunities are happening

More great tips!

Breakfast

I started-off my staycation on the right foot with a hearty bowl of banana-peanut butter oats.

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In the mix:

  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 3/4 cup vanilla hemp milk
  • 1 banana
  • 2 spoonfuls of peanut butter

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We’re out of iced coffee, so I drank black tea with breakfast this morning.

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Mal and I are looking at houses with our realtor ALL afternoon today. We have a list of about 8 or 9 homes that we plan to see.

Spending that day looking at houses might seem rather “un-staycation-like,” but we really enjoy checking out houses. It’s sort of like we are on House Hunters! ;-)

I’m off to enjoy my staycation! Enjoy the holiday weekend, blog friends!

Posted by: Tina 26 comments

Posted in: Uncategorized

26 Comments on “July 4th Staycation”

  1. #1 Melissa Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 am

    I actually prefer “staycations” on long weekends. It can be stressful going away for just a few days and having to go right back to work without any real down time. I hope you (and my fellow readers!) have a lovely weekend and a Happy 4th Of July!

  2. #2 Emily (Healthy Fit Mama) Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Have fun househunting! Hopefully you’ll see something you like. :-)

  3. #3 Christie @ Quit Your Diet Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:39 am

    I love stay-cations though I usually use it as an opportunity to catch up on chores and food prep :D

    Enjoy yours! Can’t wait to see all of the fun things you get into!

  4. #4 Sam @ Small Changes Add Up Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 am

    I love the idea of a staycation. You get all the benefits of a vacation, without the high costs or travel stress. If I’ve got any holiday left at the end of the year, I’m definitely going to schedule one in.
    What else have you got planned?

  5. #5 Julie Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:47 am

    I’m on a “staycation” for 10 glorious days! I’m excited to be staying around here with nothing to do but relax. My big plans are to take the commuter rail in town next week with my sis to see Food, Inc. and to try Ufood grill. Exciting!

    Haha! My aunt and I went to an open house last month for shits and giggles and I pretended to be on House Hunters…”I love the dark floors!” “Oooh granite counter tops, love them”. Good luck today, I hope you find your new home among the lot!!

  6. #6 Cait (Cait's Plate) Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:50 am

    wow that totally just made me regret not having oatmeal for breakfast! my plans turned into a “staycation” too! love the tips :)

  7. #7 Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 am

    Good luck with house hunting :-) Can’t go wrong with peanut butter oats!

  8. #8 Mara @ What's for Dinner? Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 am

    Enjjoy your staycation! I’ve had many of them, and they’re fun, especially sleeping in your own bed!

  9. #9 leslie Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

    i’m having a staycation too. :) although i should take more of those tips into account – i started off my day with laundry haha.

  10. #10 Christina Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:38 am

    I love house hunters. Good luck with your own house hunt and have a great staycation!

  11. #11 Shannon (The Daily Balance) Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 am

    I love staycations!!!

    Happy house hunting ;)

  12. #12 Sues Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am

    Have fun house hunting and relaxing!!

  13. #13 FitFoodie Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 am

    I’m doing a staycation too! haha They can be just as fun as a real vacation :)

    Your oats look delicious!

  14. #14 Meghan@traveleatlove Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 am

    We are doing a staycation too. I love doing day trips, and we really started getting into visiting new beaches and vineyards last summer.Being able to sleep in a bit and not having to rush off for a flight or a drive is pretty nice too :)

  15. #15 Christy Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 am

    We are also doing a staycation since I got laid off a few months ago. But we have lots of bbq’s and swimming time planned with friends and family so it should be fun! Good luck with house hunting! We love that show, especially the International version. I am fascinated with how other people live in different countries.

  16. #16 Becca Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Good luck on the house-hunting! Hope you find yourselves a winner!

  17. #17 MarathonVal Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 am

    So is your staycation just for the weekend, or are you extending it into next week too? Have fun!

  18. #18 Pearl Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am

    have a great staycation!

  19. #19 Allison Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am

    Good luck house hunting! I love all that HGTV, so feel free to share your adventures ;)

  20. #20 Priyanka Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 am

    I love the concept of Staycation! Love the oats!

  21. #21 K Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 11:31 am

    I love House Hunters so looking at all these houses sounds like fun :)

  22. #22 Rose Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 am

    We’re doing a staycation too. Woo!

  23. #23 Pam Striker Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Tina,

    Your oats look really amazing today! Enjoy house hunting!
    Hope you two find one soon!

    Pam
    http://www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com

  24. #24 Lynn (The Actors Diet) Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    We’re staycating too….happy house hunting!

  25. #25 Beth @ CrossBorderCravings Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    mmm, figs in a smoothie sounds delish!!
    glad the suns finally out for your “Staycation” :O)

  26. #26 Sarena Reply to this comment
    on Jul 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    We never do staycations right. Thank you for the tips…we need to work on it. The oats look so good. That is my favorite combination!

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