New Mother's Day Traditions: Having Fun During COVID-19

 

New Mother's Day Traditions: Having Fun During COVID-19

Mom deserves a lot of extra love during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, right?  The answer is: yes, absolutely.  So, here are some ideas for showing them how much we love and appreciate them.

1) Breakfast/Brunch - Gather the household to make mom her favorite breakfast.  Here are some quick, easy, and delicious ideas: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/5-ingredient-easy-breakfast-ideas/.  Even better, let mom sleep in and start the day with brunch.  Easy brunch recipes at: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/g4201/best-brunch-recipes/.  Keep the kids occupied letting them help cook, set the table (like a restaurant), make menus, dress up, and practice their serving skills.  

2) Picnic - If it's going to be a nice day, pack something good for lunch.  Enjoy the weather and a beautiful park.  Bring games, hike, and other activities.

3) Photo Session - This can be a great tradition, especially if you have young kids.  And it's simple.  Have mom take a photo with her kids.  If possible, take it in the same location and pose each year to capture the changes as the years go by.

4) Online Games - Gather friends and family to play games. Some good ones are: SongPop, Heads Up Houseparty, Ticket To Ride, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart Tour, Coin Master, Harry Potter: Hogwarts mystery, Exploding Kittens, Words With Friends, Werewolf, Jackbox, Scrabble, Clue, Marvel Strike Force, Fortnite, Golf Battle, Quiz Up, Scattergories, Fishdom, and so many more!!!

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5) Gather Around the Video Chat - Use Zoom, Skype, Facetime, or other video chat service to talk with mom and/or grandma. Start a "room" where people can join you for the day. Let them come and go as they please.

6) Make Her Favorite Foods - Mom doesn't want to cook dinner on her special day.  So, make her favorite meal for her.  

7) Learn Together - Plan ahead and ask your mother to teach you something; her choice.  It can be knitting, family history, hang gliding, anything.  Or find something everyone can learn together.  It's a great way to bond.

8) Spa Day - Set aside time for mom to have the bathroom to herself.  Clean it and light a few candles.  Make sure you have all the soaps, shampoos, and skin care products she loves.  And move the speaker in there so she can drown out the noises coming from the living room.

9) Wine and Cocktails - Spoil her all day if you want.  Mimosas in the morning.  Rosé in the afternoon.  And something stronger at night.  

10) Hiking - Enjoy nature with mom.  There are trails for young, old, and all skill levels.  Find them at: https://www.alltrails.com

11) Quiet Time - Every minute of every day she thinks about you and your well-being.  Give her a break.  Let mom have the house while you bring the kids to the park to play, hike, picnic, etc.

12) Gratitude Challenge - Show mom your gratitude:
a) Find a time to acknowledge your gratitude and tell her.  It can be simple and mundane. As long as it's honest.

b) Make a list of things you appreciate. If you're doing this with your kids, make a gratitude board.
c) Think of a time she was kind to you and share its meaning with her.
d) Think of a difficult time and it's positive outcomes.

AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!

More Having Fun During Coronavirus

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

UNVACCINATED

Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)

2) No indoor activities
3) No sharing bathrooms
4) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
5) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
6) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
7) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

8) Limit attendance to a few people. 

9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

VACCINATED (2 weeks after final dose)
Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:

1) Wear a mask and practice social distancing in public (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)

2) Indoor activities safe with a few vaccinated people.  No indoor activities with unvaccinated people

3) No sharing bathrooms

4) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.

5) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.

6) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.

7) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

8) Limit attendance to a few people. 

9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Sunrise Over Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Sunrise Over Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland #424

gouache paint on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202104028

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/560340679/sunrise-over-reykjanes-peninsula-iceland

Darkness suddenly erupts into a fiery sky.  The vast and barren landscape illuminated as the sun begins to rise.  Red pierces the black and overwhelms the moon and stars.  The yellow sun burns through and quickly reveals the daytime sky.  There's a reason Iceland is enshrined in folklore and myth.

  

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Night Watch

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Night Watch

acrylic painting on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202104027

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/213226104/night-watch-original-acrylic-painting-8

An owl hoots in the dim moonlight of the forest.  A slight breeze carries the sweet scent of trees in full bloom through the darkness.  The nocturnal birch guards the woods while it slumbers.  Watching each leaf tumble and every mouse burrow.  It remains still in the face of danger and will always see what is happening.

This painting would look best in a small-to-medium space that is dark red, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey, beige, or wood. 

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Twilight Woods

acrylic paint on canvas 

22" x 28" (55.9 cm x 71.1 cm) 

25" x 31" frame (63.5 cm x 78.7 cm frame

© copyright Mike Kraus
To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/238976054/twilight-woods-original-acrylic-painting

This painting was featured at:

BRIGHTSCAPES

Canandaigua National Bank and Trust

210 Alexander Street

Rochester, NY 14607

I follow the winding path not knowing where I'll end up.  The trees rustle in the breeze stirring up the aromas of the forest.  A freshness one always has to remind themselves of in civilization.  The light refracts in strange ways at this time.  It's when the surreal becomes the real.  

This painting would look best in a space that is deep red, orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, white, black, grey, beige, or wood.

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Finding New Music: Having Fun During COVID-19

Finding New Music: Having Fun During COVID-19

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is a great time to find new things to love; like music.   

1) The Lazy, Easy Way - Spotify, Pandora, Bandcamp have ways to "discover" new music based on music you already like.  And they'll largely play songs within the genre you already know and love.  I encourage you to start a new playlist with songs and bands you're unfamiliar with.  

SUGGESTIONS:

2) All-Time Greatest Hits - https://top40weekly.com/top-100-songs-of-all-time/

3) Classical - https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/latest/change-your-life/

4) Rock and Roll - https://ultimateclassicrock.com/top-100-classic-rock-songs/

5) R&B - https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/g33896452/best-rnb-songs/

6) Pop - https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-pop-songs

7) Latin - https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/6760654/best-latin-songs-of-all-time

8) Hip Hop - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-hip-hop-songs-of-all-time-105784/ltrimm-cars-with-the-boom-106252/

9) Folk - https://www.folkalley.com/lists/100-most-essential-folk-songs

10) Easy Listening - https://entertainment.expertscolumn.com/200-greatest-easy-listening-rock-songs

11) Country - https://www.countryliving.com/life/g4292/classic-country-songs/

12) Caribbean -https://www.grass-fields.com/blogs/news/the-greatest-caribbean-music-hits-bands-and-artist

13) Blues - https://mygreatmusicdebate.com/my-top-100-blues-songs-of-all-time/

14) Avant Garde - https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Voidman/500-experimental-and-avant-garde-albums-everyone-should-check-out/

15) Asian - https://www.teenvogue.com/story/asian-musicians

16) African - https://musictodiefor.wordpress.com/50-favourite-african-songs/

17) There's So Much More - This is nowhere near an exhaustive list.  And each genre has multiple subgenres.  And each of those subgenres has their own "100 Greatest All-Time Best" lists.  Here's a guide: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_styles

18) Mix, Match, and Assemble - Try to be eclectic.  Select a few songs from each genre and then let the streaming service discover for you.  If you like one song, listen to the whole album.  If you like a new group, discover who influenced them and listen to them.  

AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!

More Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

UNVACCINATED

Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)

2) No indoor activities
3) No sharing bathrooms
4) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
5) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
6) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
7) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

8) Limit attendance to a few people. 

9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

VACCINATED (2 weeks after final dose)
Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:

1) Wear a mask and practice social distancing in public (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)

2) Indoor activities safe with a few vaccinated people.  No indoor activities with unvaccinated people

3) No sharing bathrooms

4) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.

5) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.

6) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.

7) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

8) Limit attendance to a few people. 

9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Twilight Woods

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Twilight Woods #420

gouache paint on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202104021

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/250926462/twilight-woods-420-artist-trading-cards

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Skaneateles Lake

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Skaneateles Lake

acrylic painting on canvas board

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
202104026

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/740875679/skaneateles-lake-original-acrylic

Pacing along Skaneateles Lake's shore, the water barely makes a noise in the crisp breeze.  We find a comfortable spot to relax, snack on trail mix, and enjoy a Riesling grown and bottled a few minutes away from this spot.  Our conversation drifts in and out of seriousness.  We scan the opposite shores, near and far, trying to absorb nature's relaxation.  The perfect place to social distance.  

This painting would look best in a medium-to-large space that is dark red, orange, yellow, green, dark blue, dark purple, black, white, grey, beige, or wood. 

Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus