Blog - Life in the DayngrZone

Website Completed – Notes from Miss Kim

{ January 22, 2021 } - Trish

I’m happy to share this website project I recently completed. My dear friend, Kim, allowed me to give her blog a fresh new look. Her blog, Notes from Miss Kim, is a faith-based blog you’re sure to love!

Notes From Miss Kim

Her blog was started as a way for her to share what The Lord has placed on her heart to share with people. It’s her hope that her blog will encourage her readers. Her goal is to encourage, equip, and walk alongside families as they raise disciples in their homes to go make disciples of all the nations!

Kim is the Family Ministry Director at our church, Cape Carteret Baptist Church and it’s been such a pleasure working on this project with her. I know that her blog is going to be such a wonderful resource to so many families both locally and afar.

I can’t wait for you to check it out and let me know what you think!

Want to see some of the other projects I’ve completed? Check out my portfolio.

7 Ways You Can Help Sea Turtles in Emerald Isle

{ October 20, 2020 } - Trish

We love sea turtles! Have you ever seen sea turtles hatch in Emerald Isle? If you love the turtles too, you’ve probably thought “How can I help sea turtles in Emerald Isle?”

May 1st thru October 31st is Sea Turtle Nesting and Hatching Season in Emerald Isle. The Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Protection Program, with about 80 volunteers, tries to locate and protect the nest sites and help hatchlings return to the surf. If you ever have the opportunity to participate, it will be an experience you won’t forget.

We had the pleasure of being present for a sea turtle excavation, to be exact, 39 baby loggerhead sea turtles excavated and carefully guided on their way into the deep, wide ocean.

The kids were thrilled. Each time a baby sea turtle passed them where they were standing, Bella would wave and say bye to it and Rex would name it and tell it that he would see it in 30 years. It was so heart-warming and adorable.

Did you know a female Loggerhead turtle may travel thousands of miles to build her nest on the same beach where she hatched as a baby?

7 Ways You Can Help Sea Turtles in Emerald Isle

Fill in holes: Fill in any holes that your children dig while they’re at the beach. Mama sea turtles can get stuck in them.
Pack it up at night: Be sure to pack up any tents, toys, and beach gear overnight.
Keep outside lights off: If you live on or near the beach, keep your outside lights off. They disturb nesting mama turtles and distract hatching babies by luring them toward the light and away from the moonlit ocean where they need to head.
Don’t litter and pick up trash: Pick up any and all trash you find, especially plastic bags which turtles can confuse for jellyfish, their food source.
No fireworks: Fireworks are illegal in North Carolina and the noise keeps the mama sea turtles from coming onshore to nest. They also disturb hatching, baby turtles.
Call the local police: If you see anyone disturbing a sea turtle nest, nesting turtles or hatchlings, call the police immediately. In Emerald Isle, they can be reached at (252) 354-2021. Check your local info if you’re outside the area.
No flashlights or flash photography: If you see a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings sea turtle please be very quiet and do not disturb them. You might even want to sit down and watch in amazement.

For more information, check out Emerald Isle’s General Sea Turtle PDF or contact the Turtle Protection Program Coordinators:

Jim Craig
354-4001
JCraig2@ec.rr.com

Pam Minnick

354-4288

PaMinn@aol.com

This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I get a small percentage to help keep this blog going.

5 Super Simple Tips to Make Your Brand More Enchanting

{ October 14, 2020 } - Trish

Let’s face it, in social media, everyone’s vying for your customers’ attention. So how do you make your brand stand out from the rest? The key is to be enchanting! Today, I’m sharing five tips you can implement to make your brand more enchanting.

5 Super Simple Tips to Make Your Brand More Enchanting

1. Cultivate a Little Personality

We’ve all seen it, brands dedicated to pushing content and not much more. Instead of solely pushing out your message, which makes a brand boring, pitchy, predictable, unapproachable, and absolutely uninspiring – aim to convey personality and authenticity with every interaction. If the people behind your brand are smiling, your community should feel it.

It’s social! You’re having a conversation, so don’t bore people. Your unique presence and personality will separate you from your competitors. What do you want people to remember most about your brand?

2. Respond Promptly

Today, no one wants to wait in a phone queue. Customers are turning to social because of its instant nature. Therefore, it’s not enough for your brand to engage. You’ve got to be quick about it. Gone are the days of getting back to your clients in 24 hours. We’re all impatient and our attention spans are getting shorter.

Therefore, you’ve got to make every effort to get back to customers and potential customers within the hour — even if that reply can only be, “We’re working on it and should have an answer shortly.” Never let your community feel ignored.

3. Engage and Be Inclusive

I’m a big believer in being inclusive vs. exclusive when it comes to brand communities. You should interact and engage with as many people as appropriate, treating them all as equals. Treat the new name reaching out to your brand as kindly and expeditiously as you would the well-known influencer. Remember how you felt the first time a big brand took you seriously. Make everybody feel valued and appreciated.

4. Set Expectations

Don’t leave your customers or your community guessing. Set expectations for things like who will be responding and when. No one wants to guess if their question is going to be answered now or tomorrow when you’re back in the office. Publish the hours you’re actively engaging on each of your channels and who will be responding. This gives your customers and your community clear information on when you’re online and they’ll be pleased to know that they can count on you to be there when they reach out.

5. Use Different Forms of Media

Did you know there are at least seven different learning styles? Text alone isn’t going to cut it for everyone. Think about your customers and their different learning styles and how you’ll incorporate these different styles into your social strategy to help make your brand more enchanting to a wider audience.

You can create videos on YouTube, conduct video chats on Zoom, Skype, and even FacetTime, host webinars and create podcasts so that everyone in your community can get to know your brand (and your team) in the way that feels the most comfortable to them. Added bonus, chatting with people face-to-face (even if it’s across the social web) connects you on a deeper level than just Tweeting or emailing.

Are you using any of these methods to wow and amaze your customers and community? What would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below or Tweet me @Dayngr.

Burgers and Cupcakes in NYC

{ October 3, 2020 } - Trish

I’m a sucker for a good burger and a delicious cupcake so when I found Burgers and Cupcakes in NYC I knew I had to try it out. You’ll want to, too!

If you’re ever in New York City’s Garment District, be sure to stop into Burgers And Cupcakes for a burger and of course, a cupcake or two. I found this spot while on business in NYC and colleague and I gave it a try. The burgers were out of this world. Just phenomenal. So good in fact, that I was so eager to dive in, I didn’t snap a picture! I know, I’m awful, But it looked so good and tasted even better.

The Burgers and Cupcakes Menu

They have a wide variety of burgers to choose from like their Turkey Burger, Veggie Burger, Grilled Salmon Palliard Burger, Lemon Grilled Chicken Breast Burger, Crispy Chicken Breast Burger, Portobello Mushroom Burger, and the traditional Beef Burger. They also offer a daily burger special, too. There are plenty of toppings to choose from and lots of options for sides, too. So good! My mouth is watering just thinking about this place. It’s become one of my favorite restaurants to go to whenever I’m in New York City.

Raspberry Fizz Drink

If their burger selection was impressive, even more impressive is their variety of cupcakes that ill surely satisfy your sweet tooth. They offer daily specials and also offer some cupcakes that are decorated to celebrate the seasonal. As you can see, we were there close to Halloween (hence the decorations on the cupcakes) so I picked up a four-pack to bring home to the kids. They’re going to love them – guaranteed.

While ordering my burger, I couldn’t resist trying one of their berry fizz drinks. It was so cool and refreshing. It reminded me of a spritzer. I’ve got a plan to try to recreate them at home with my own mason jars. I’ll keep you posted if that ever happens!

Over the years, I’ve gone back to Burgers and Cupcakes many times and even had the opportunity to bring the kids. They loved seeing it in person. You will, too.

Burgers and Cupcakes NYC

Burgers and Cupcakes is one place you won’t want to miss for a casual bite and a cupcake (or two!) to go!

Burgers and Cupcakes
458 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10018
(212) 643-1200

Fall Hiking in North Carolina

{ September 15, 2020 } - Trish

Fall Hiking in North Carolina

Have you ever thought about Fall hiking in North Carolina? Fall in North Carolina is a great time to hit the trail, hike, and commune with nature at one of the many local hiking areas along the Crystal Coast or across our beautiful state. The blush of the leaves, scampering wildlife, and cool, crisp breezes that keep the mosquitoes at bay make this the ideal season to get off the couch and head for the woods. Let’s face it, we could all use a bit more time in nature.

I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the board at The North Carolina Coastal Federation so I’m pleased to share that they organized the development of two of the most popular trails in the coastal region and that the Federation has trail maps available at the trail entrances for folks to use and learn more about these natural recreation areas. You can also get them online at: www.nccoast.org.

Hike Hoop Pole Creek

Hoop Pole Creek is a 31-acre maritime forest that serves as a refuge for fish, wildlife and plant communities in an enormous diversity of coastal habitats. The property was purchased in 1996 with a grant from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and is permanently protected by the federation. You can hike the low-impact, half-mile trail. It’s open to the public during daylight hours and is located off Highway 58 in Atlantic Beach next to the Atlantic Station Shopping Center.

Grab the Hoop Pole Creek fact sheet or the Hoop Pole Creek Trail map

Hike Patsy Pond

The Patsy Pond area is in the Croatan National Forest and is one of the most diverse natural areas in North Carolina. It is a place where plant species of a longleaf pine forest coexist with plant species of the state’s coastline and barrier islands. Two well-marked trails exist – a three-quarter-mile and a 1.75-mile trail. The trail entrance is on Highway 24 directly across from the federation offices in Ocean, about halfway between Morehead City and Swansboro. Trail use is open to the public during daylight hours.

Grab the Patsy Pond fact sheet and the Patsy Pond Trail map

For more information, visit:

North Carolina Coastal Federation
www.nccoast.org
(252) 393-8185

Do you have a favorite hiking trail in North Carolina? Let me know. I’m always looking for a new adventure and a new place to explore.

Classical Conversations Challenge II Begins Today!

{ August 21, 2020 } - Trish

This post may contain affiliate links

Sophomore year begins today for the Dayngrous Duo. Tenth grade. That means Challenge II begins today. I can’t believe it. It feels like time is flying by. I am so pleased with how much the kids have grown in wisdom over the last school year using Classical Conversations (CC).

Sophomores, 1st day of 10th grade!

School is going to be interesting this year with COVID-19 affecting everything. We have a small class of just 10 students (mine included) but we’ll see how that all plays out. I have to admit, I was hesitant to participate in an in-person community day but I’m keeping an open mind and taking it one day at a time.

To mark this momentous occasion I thought I’d share a little bit of what they’ll be learning as sophomores along with some of the books they’ll be using, as well as the novels they’ll be reading. This will be a very exciting and rigorous year.

Classical Conversations Challenge II Begins Today!

The overarching theme this year is Freedom allows opportunities for noble choices. As you may recall, Challenge I’s theme was Discipline is the cornerstone of Freedom. Each year builds toward the next. For example, Challenge III’s theme will be All choices bring consequences.

Sign on the door where we meet for community day

I love that the CC curriculum encourages my children to think deeply and critically while improving their reading, writing, and research skills – all while having open discussions and collaborating with each other in a community-style learning environment.

What will this year cover?

British Literature, Latin 2, traditional Logic, Algebra and Geometry, Western Cultural History, and Biology provide the academic core for Challenge II. They’ll be moving into a more rhetorical format than their previous Challenge I class as they advance in their language skills, research, writing, dialogue, and debate. Elocution or “style” in written and oral presentations will gain more importance as they learn and practice new types of rhetorical skills, including persuasive, impromptu, and debate presentations.

challenge 2, cc ch2, cc ch II, Classical conversations challenge 2

The purpose of education is to know God and to make Him known

Here’s what the guide says:

Flowing from the examination of freedom in Challenge I, the theme of Challenge II leads students to weigh the value and impact of choices executed by literary figures and heroes, historical leaders, artistic greats, and other persons of influence. Students contemplate the choices made by leaders in history: Where these choices wise or unwise? Students study the flow and development of ideas that have shaped Western thought and culture and how they’ve influences twenty-first-century thinking. Using the common topics as a model (definition, comparison, relationship, circumstance, and testimony) students practice the art of questioning in order to gain clarity and insight. This insight leads to deep and profound conversations that consider consequences.

They did so well last year in Challenge I that I am confident this year will build upon everything they learned last year and just take it to the next level. I was so impressed with how easily they fell into a groove as we switched to this new curriculum.

10th Grade – The Books

Here’s a quick peek at some of the books we’re diving into this year. I love, love, love reading, so I will be reading along with the kids again this year. We thoroughly enjoyed it last year because we could all discuss what we read and it was so much easier for me to help them when the time came to discuss and prep for their essays.

The kids each have their own copies of the Biology book, Logic and Logic Workbook, Words Aptly Spoken: British Literature, and Words Aptly Spoken: Socratic Dialogs (the latter two aren’t pictured because I forgot to grab them out of the drawer).

Stack one of this year’s Challenge 2 books

Second Year Latin

Latin 2 is going to focus primarily on translations rather than exercises, though there are still going to be some exercises and vocabulary words.

From their director:

For the most part your student is figuring out why Caesar is killing all those pesky Gauls and his top ten ways to conquer the world. This is where the integration is most beautiful! Because they have learned HOW to learn a language, Spanish or French will be an easy addition to their knowledge base later.

The Second Year Henle Latin book was very thick and the kids mentioned that last year they didn’t like how hard it was to work in the book since it didn’t lay flat. To fix this problem, I had their books split into two sections and spiral bound for their convenience. You can see first-year Latin in between, too. This is a must to hold on to because your children will refer back to it often.

Barnes and Noble Editions

Their director this year tipped me off to the Barnes and Noble (BN) educator discount, I was able to get a few of their books through BN. As you’ll see, some are the BN Classics which include a note from the author, an introduction, footnotes, endnotes, and more. You can learn more about BN Classics by clicking here. I highly recommend them for your students.

Others are part of the BN Collectible Editions which are gorgeous. I chose these over the CC Bookstore versions for a few reasons. They’re classics we’ll want to hold on to and the typeface is bigger than the Thrift Dover Editions. You might want to check them out for your Classical Conversations students, too. It’s really all about what you and your children prefer.

If you’re curious about what books I recommend your tenth grader read, check out my list “Books Every Tenth Grader Needs.”

CH2 Books, CH II Books, Classical Conversations Books

Barnes and Noble’s Collectible Editions and Barnes and Noble Classics

Challenge II Community Day

The kids meet one day a week, at a local church, to have conversations about the work they’ve completed and to prepare with their director for the week ahead. This year’s Challenge 2 class on our campus is 10 teens, including both Bella and Rex. Three girls and the rest are boys. Out of the entire class, only 3 of the boys were kids they didn’t know.

We’ve got a big room this year, perfect for social distancing, couches, tables, chairs, and we have a big screen TV for any of the media we may watch. There’s plenty of hand sanitizer for everyone. Plus, my kids have their masks and their own hand sanitizer. I also love that our director diffuses Thieves each time we meet.

I’ll be updating how things are going and including what the kids have accomplished as we progress through the year. I hope you’ll follow along. Wish us luck! It’s going to be a great year.

4 Helpful Tips for Bringing Out Your Inner Creative

{ August 1, 2020 } - Trish

Hey bloggers, let’s face it. We’ve all been there. Whether it’s writer’s block or lack of inspiration sometimes you need a little help bringing out your inner creative. If this sounds familiar, here are 4 helpful tips.

4 Helpful Tips For Bringing Out Your Inner Creative

1. Brainstorm

You can do it by yourself or you can do it with some creative friends. Make it a habit!

Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm and set time aside to do it! Grab your planner and schedule some time to sit and come up with ideas.
Give yourself permission to experiment. There’s no such thing as a bad idea. Remember, someone, somewhere pitched Sharknado.
Write every idea you have down. The more ideas you have, the more options you have.

2. Get Outside

Goethe once said, if nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken. I believe that.

Take a brain break. Step outside and get some fresh air – even if it’s just right outside your door, standing on the porch while the dogs howl.
Go for a leisurely walk. There’s something about nature that just soothes the soul and resets creativity.

If nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken. – Goethe

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3. Have a Few Creative Outlets

Seems like common sense stuff right? But how are you feeding your creativity? What creative outlets do you currently have?

Read a good book.
Watch a great movie.
Take a class (think photography, painting, drawing, music, etc).

4. Live Life

You’re probably going to find it easier to be creative if you’re going out and living life to the fullest. Or, fuller than you are right now. Say yes, to new experiences.

Travel whenever possible. Even if that means exploring the next town over.
Go to a cultural event. This opens you up to richer, life experiences.
Surround yourself with a diverse group of friends. Having friends from different cultures and friends who speak different languages really broadens your horizons and changes the way you see the world.

I hope you’ve found some value in the tips I’ve shared. These are some of what’s worked for me over the years and I’m sure if you try a few you’ll find yourself back in the swing of things in no time!

What are some of your favorite ways to get your creative juices flowing again? What would you add to this blog post? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Graduation Announcements Your Graduate Will Love

{ May 23, 2020 } - Trish

This is a sponsored post through Basic Invite

School is out and it’s officially graduation season and regardless of what’s going on in the world, you’ve got to celebrate your grad in style! I’m sharing some beautiful graduation announcements both you and your graduate will love!

If you know me, you know I am all about a great party and celebrating in style. In fact, we just recently celebrated my son’s 16th birthday with the cutest yard signs and a caravan of cars playing the Happy Birthday song as they drove around our cul-de-sac to share in our celebration in true social distancing style. We really don’t let anything stop us from celebrating the milestones in our lives. So, if celebrating your son or daughter’s recent accomplishments like graduating from high school or college is high on your priority list, I think these Basic Invite graduation announcements will be right up your alley.

Some of My Favorite Graduation Announcements

I’ll share a few of my favorites below, but you can customize their products to get exactly what you want. Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows you almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, your product is sure to be exactly the way you want it. Plus, there’s no guesswork involved. You can order a printed sample of your actual graduation invitations or announcements before you place your final order. Foolproof! You’ll be able to see the paper quality and how it will print, and make sure the card is perfect!

Those are some of my favorites, but there are hundreds to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that would be perfect for you and your grad. I just love all the options.

Double Bonus – Envelopes and Address Capturing Service, Too!

And if beautifully printed announcements and invitations weren’t enough, Basic Invite has over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. With so many options, you can make your envelope match your announcement or invitation. Bonus: All of the envelopes are peel and seal so they can be closed quickly and securely.

Another bonus, their address capturing service. If you’re a busy parent like me (and what parent isn’t?) Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows you to easily share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social network to request your friends and family’s addresses. Not to worry though, addresses are stored in your account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders. That’s sure to make your life easier, and we all want that!

Design Your Graduation Announcements and Get 15% Off

If you’d like to give Basic Invite a try for their graduation invitations, graduation announcements, or thank you cards, or the multitude of other printed products they have, they’re offering 15% off right now with coupon code: 15FF51

Enjoy! I can’t wait to see what you create.

If you’d like to check out Basic Invite on social media, to see what they’re sharing you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

P.S. I’m a rose gold fanatic, so I thought I’d let you know that they also have foil cards available in rose gold. But if you prefer something more traditional, they have good old gold and silver foil cards as well.

Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza Offers Tasty Pizza

{ March 4, 2020 } - Trish

Are you a pizza lover? Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza offers tasty pizza and more. One of the things we’ve missed about our hometown was the pizza. Delicious, mouth-watering, New York-style Pizza is something we’d grown accustomed to, but have always had a hard time finding when we’ve traveled. Now that we’re residents of the Crystal Coast, we’ve been hunting for really good pizza.

Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza Offers Tasty Pizza and More

We’d heard about Circle Pizza and Subs in Emerald Isle but had never stopped in so we thought we’d give it a try. Circle Pizza and Subs is a nice, casual dining restaurant where you can eat in or take out. We decided to eat-in and though we only wanted to grab a slice and head off on our next adventure, we weren’t too disappointed to learn that pizza by the slice wasn’t an option. Instead, we opted to grab a table and get a large, sausage pizza.

It looked so good that I didn’t have an opportunity to snap a photo before everyone started digging in. It really was delicious! Plenty of sausage, cheese, and just the right amount of sauce. Personally, I like a crispier crust and in all honesty, I didn’t explore the option to request that when I ordered so that’s my fault. Overall, it was a really, really good! So good, we only had two slices left, and took those home in a doggy bag. Yum!

Subs, Sandwiches, and More

I don’t know about your kids but my kids can be picky at times. The nice thing about Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza is that there are plenty of options. In fact, you can get traditional subs here (meatball, Philly cheese-steak, etc.) as well as other types of sandwiches (grilled cheese, burgers, BLTs, etc.) pasta, and more. Side orders include tasty french fries, onion rings, garlic bread and so much more. See the full menu.

They offer free delivery with a minimum order of $15. What’s not to love?

Check out Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza for Yourself –

Circle Pizza and Subs

7702 Emerald Drive

Emerald Isle, NC

Phone: (252) 354-8885

20 Ways Social Media Is Like Your Crazy Ex

{ February 24, 2020 } - Trish

You’ve read social media comparisons before but when it comes to strategy, have you ever stopped to think about how social networks are like your crazy ex?

Both had you enamored at first, and then you realized how much time and effort it was going to take to keep things going. Thrilling, exhilarating and sometimes a little scary, here are 20 ways social media is like your crazy ex.

20 Ways Social Media Is Like Your Crazy Ex

Neither should be left unattended
Both require plenty of attention
Ignoring them can be a really bad idea
You don’t want to mess with them when you’re drunk
You probably shouldn’t leave your kids alone with them
They can be totally addicting
They can feed your ego
They can build you up
They can tear you down
They can be fickle
They can give you a false sense of security
They can make you fall in love with them
They can drive you a little crazy
Both can be exciting
They’re accessible 24/7
You remember exactly what drew you to them in the first place
They can surprise you in unexpected ways
You should have a plan before you approach them
Both should be monitored
Much like your crazy ex, you shouldn’t rely on social media for all your needs

Though this post was meant to poke fun, social media for business is no joke. Like any relationship, the ones you have cultivated through social networks require nurturing in order to be successful and stand the test of time.

What made you fall in love with social media? Has your relationship with social media grown and gotten better over time, or are you frustrated and leaning toward a breakup? What would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this article, check out 25 Ways Social Media is Like a New Lover!

Notes From Miss Kim

Related posts:

7 Ways You Can Help Sea Turtles in Emerald Isle

Related posts:

5 Super Simple Tips to Make Your Brand More Enchanting

1. Cultivate a Little Personality

2. Respond Promptly

3. Engage and Be Inclusive

4. Set Expectations

5. Use Different Forms of Media

Related posts:

The Burgers and Cupcakes Menu

Burgers and Cupcakes NYC

Related posts:

Fall Hiking in North Carolina

Hike Hoop Pole Creek

Hike Patsy Pond

For more information, visit:

Related posts:

Classical Conversations Challenge II Begins Today!

What will this year cover?

Here’s what the guide says:

10th Grade – The Books

Second Year Latin

From their director:

Barnes and Noble Editions

Challenge II Community Day

Related posts:

4 Helpful Tips For Bringing Out Your Inner Creative

1. Brainstorm

2. Get Outside

3. Have a Few Creative Outlets

4. Live Life

Related posts:

Some of My Favorite Graduation Announcements

Double Bonus – Envelopes and Address Capturing Service, Too!

Design Your Graduation Announcements and Get 15% Off

Related posts:

Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza Offers Tasty Pizza and More

Subs, Sandwiches, and More

Check out Emerald Isle’s Circle Pizza for Yourself –

Related posts:

20 Ways Social Media Is Like Your Crazy Ex

Related posts: