Decorating For The Fourth Of July: Show Your Patriot Pride!
Decorating for the Fourth of July is really a great and easy way to show your patriotic pride, and with our nation’s colors of red, white, and blue going so well together, it also couldn’t be easier. Whether it’s decoration ideas for a Fourth of July party, or even if you are just looking to give your home a more patriotic look all year round, here are a few great ideas for infusing the traditional, or the contemporary American look, into your home! Denim Blue Really, what could be more American than blue jeans? Denim is a great fabric for decorating for the holiday or all year round, as it is an inexpensive and durable fabric. You can create pillow covers using denim with a vintage American flag sewn on, or can also create placemats with a similar theme. You could even make napkins using a softer grade of the fabric. Set The Table If you are hosting a Fourth of July party, setting a table for the day can be really simple. Finding red, white, and blue tablecloths, napkins, and tableware is easy at this time of year; just keep in mind that it is not a good idea to use the flag itself as a tablecloth or placemats. Instead you could use a red tablecloth with blue and white placemats. For a centerpiece, a combination of red and white carnations with little American flags placed in the arrangement will finish the table off. White plates would look great on this table, but you may also want to find a set specifically for the day. Decorate Outdoors! Independence Day is a great excuse to get outdoors and celebrate with friends and family. You can decorate your yard for the day by not only thinking red, white, and blue, but also Americana. Touches like porch swings and hammocks bring us back to a simpler time. Flowers are a great way to show your pride, and potted arrangements of red, white, and blue flowers will look great on any patio. You can also hang a flag in both your front and back yards, and find various outdoor decor items that have an American theme. These are just a few of the countless ways you can bring your American pride into your home for the Fourth of July, and keeping the theme going all year can really lend a cozy feel to your home and yard.
Planning A Fun Fourth Of July Block Party
Independence Day is a great opportunity to get your neighborhood together to celebrate our great nation, and what could be more American than the block party! It is a great and inexpensive way to get to know your neighbors and add a more traditional community feel to your street. Here’s what you need to get the planning started! Talk To Your Neighbors Party planning is fun, but it is always easier when you have help, and since it’s a neighborhood event you’ll need to get everyone involved. Approach a few of your neighbors to ask for help and to get a good idea of what day would be best to host the event. People often travel during the long weekend, so perhaps hosting the event on a weeknight may bring out more of the community. Plan The Event! Block parties can range from a barbeque in one neighbor’s yard to a full street-wide party. If you have enough interested people and are thinking of blocking off your street to host the event, then you’ll have to contact your local city hall to get permission. This way you can be sure that no cars will disturb your set-up or cause a danger to children. You’ll also want to consider whether alcohol will be served and how best to approach this. In general it is usually best to have everyone bring their own drinks to an event such as this. Once the details are sorted out create a flyer to pass out to all your neighbors. What’s On The Menu? It wouldn’t be a block party or the Fourth of July without food, and in keeping with the theme you should plan all-American fare such as hamburgers and hotdogs. This will make your menu easy to prepare and inexpensive as well. To cut down costs you may want to consider a potluck event. This is also a great way to get to know your neighbors and try some new recipes. If you do go with a potluck block party be sure you have a sign-up system to ensure there are no duplicates and that all the necessary courses are covered. A Fourth of July Block Party is a great way to show your American pride in your community and a fun way to spend some time with your friends and neighbors. You may even want to end the night with a fireworks display to truly get into the spirit of this important day. You may even decide to make the party an annual event!
Father’s Day Gift Giving Ideas He’ll Love
Every June, we celebrate our love for dad with Father’s Day and, although we don’t always know exactly what gift to give that could possibly express our gratitude, it is possible to get him something that he will love. Boys & Their Toys Doesn’t every dad love his remote control, his comfortable chair or a trusty weather scanner? If you really want to make dad smile on Father’s Day, consider giving him a gift that will make life a little easier. Whether it’s a universal remote control or an armchair attachment that allows him to keep all of his favorite magazines, a cold drink and the remote within arm’s reach, your dad will love you for it. Membership Must-Haves Forget the common membership clubs; what dad really wants is a membership to something that he loves. If he’s a golfer at heart, consider buying him a membership to the nearest golf club/course. If he loves to fish, why not think about getting him a lifetime fishing license that will never expire? You get the idea! Revved Up On Racing If your dad is a big fan of racing, you can treat him to his very own ride around the racetrack with any one of the driving schools that offer training and/or ride-along programs. One of the more well-known companies to offer this service is the Richard Petty Driving Experience. If dad prefers to watch the action from afar, that’s okay too. A great gift idea for the race fan is an authentic piece of race-used memorabilia. In addition to being produced on trading cards from popular manufacturers, race-used memorabilia is also available for purchase from the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame & Museum. Something Timeless Everyone needs to know what time it is and, yes, this includes dad. Every man would appreciate having a watch that is made to last, which is why one of the most popular gifts for Father’s Day is a watch. One of the many timeless designs is that of the gold watch face with a genuine leather band. Because most men prefer brown or black leather watch bands, these are the most commonly found styles in the marketplace. A yellow gold face with a solid white dial will create a rich and timeless look that every dad will love. Now that you know some of the ways to give dad a gift that he will love this Father’s Day, remember that the one gift he will cherish most in this world is time with you! After all, it’s because of you that he is a dad. Make sure to spend time with your dad and always let him know how much you appreciate him.
Planning The Perfect Memorial Day Barbeque
While the focus is often on the Fourth of July when it comes to backyard celebrations, Memorial Day is often a popular choice as well. In many parts of the country, the weather is finally becoming warm enough to truly enjoy the outdoors as the summer season kicks off. Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather friends and family together for the perfect backyard barbeque. What’s On The Menu? With all the other activities that are planned for the Fourth of July, the menu is often simple. Since Memorial Day is usually more low-key, consider going the extra mile when it comes to the food you choose to serve. Barbecued ribs are a finger licking good favorite that everyone will appreciate. They can be a little expensive, though, so they might only be a good choice for a small gathering. Another fun choice is to slow-smoke a pork shoulder or other piece of meat. It takes a long time, but that true smoky barbeque flavor simply can’t be beat! A homemade coleslaw or pasta salad is always a classic choice for a side dish, but you can also consider taking it up a notch with some homemade baked beans. Made in the slow cooker, they are an easy choice to prepare ahead of time. Fun And Games Set up some fun games for people of all ages to add to the fun. Classics like a three-legged race, a water balloon toss, or a cake walk are always popular choices. You can also consider getting a piñata filled with small toys and candies for the young children. A treasure hunt around the neighborhood is another great way for everyone to have a good time, and works especially well if your neighbors are joining your barbeque. Create a list of things to find and send out teams on the hunt! When everyone comes back, have prizes for the teams who have been successful! Memorial Day is a great way to start off the barbeque season and have friends and family over for a great time. Take advantage of your long weekend and plan a great barbeque everyone will be talking about.
Memorial Day Picnic Menu Ideas!
Memorial Day is usually spent watching the latest blockbuster film, but it is also a great time of year to get outside and celebrate the nice weather. Depending on where you live you may be able to plan a traditional picnic with blanket and basket, or maybe just bring the idea of summer inside, but either way planning a Memorial Day picnic is a great way for you to spend the first long weekend of the season with family and friends. Here are some great and fun menu ideas for your holiday picnic as well as some tips for giving it a Memorial Day theme! Food And Drink! When planning any menu it is always important to balance taste and nutrition. It is also important to a have a theme and, since this is a Memorial Day picnic, choosing menu items that are simple to prepare and eat outdoors, as well as All-American, is your best bet. Things like burgers and hotdogs are great for backyard picnics. Fried chicken is another great main course idea, but if you want something more portable a hero sandwich is an easy choice. To complete your meal, items like potato salad, garden salads, and coleslaw are inexpensive and easy to prepare sides, but if you are looking to get more creative then consider a nice pasta salad or a seven-layer dip. Lastly, don’t forget dessert! Staples like apple pie, brownies, or cookies are all great and easy choices. For drinks you’ll want to provide several choices and some non-alcoholic beverages to make all your guests happy. Lemonade and other fruit-based drinks will make the kids happy and are also great mixers. Decoration Ideas The easiest way to decorate for your Memorial Day picnic is to use red, white, and blue. Set your picnic table with a blue tablecloth or blanket and add red and white napkins, plates, and cutlery. You can also continue this theme by adding an arrangement of red, white, and blue carnations or other flowers, and add a few small flags to give it that finished look. Memorial Day is a great time of year to host a party for family and friends, and these ideas can help you get your summer season started with a fun and inexpensive picnic.
A Mother’s Day Menu Your Kids Can Prepare
Mother’s Day is the perfect time for your children to show their love and appreciation for everything Mom does by preparing her a simple but delicious meal she will really appreciate. Kids of any age can help out on Mother’s Day morning to make a meal that will make Mom feel special. For Young Chefs If your children are under five, you will want to keep things as simple as possible. Start with a bowl of hot oatmeal-instant is easiest for little ones. They can help pour out the oatmeal and add the water, and you can handle heating it. Then let them use dried cranberries or raisins to create a heart shape on the surface of the oatmeal, adding a special touch. A simple fruit salad is another easy breakfast item young kids can handle. You do the cutting of the fruit, but let your child mix it together and top it with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla flavored yogurt. A Little More Advanced For older children, French Toast is a delicious and easy special breakfast for Mom. Use thick cut pieces of bread and let your kids help mix up a simple batter of eggs, milk, and brown sugar. They’ll have fun dipping the bread into the mixture and soaking the bread thoroughly. For kids under ten, you should still handle the cooking part. When the French Toast is cooked, cut a heart shape out of paper and set it over each piece on Mom’s plate, then let your kids sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. When you remove the paper, a pretty design will be left behind. Sliced strawberries make a lovely finishing touch. A Special Drink Any child can make Mom a special drink to enjoy on Mother’s Day with her meal. Strawberry lemonade is a delicious and easy-to-make-treat. Use store bought lemonade and add sliced strawberries. If you crush a few of the strawberries, you will add more of the strawberry juice and flavor to the drink. For extra pizzazz, add a splash of soda water or lemon-lime soda. Any Mom will appreciate the effort and love put into a simple but special Mother’s Day breakfast, and your kids will love the feeling of being big enough to help out in the kitchen and do something special for Mom.
Ways To Thrill Mom On Mother’s Day
A mother is someone who looks after you, takes care of you when you are sick and is always there to show you just how much she loves you. Every May, we celebrate our love for mom with Mother’s Day and, although we don’t always know just what to get that could possibly express our gratitude, it is possible to surprise your mom with something special. All That Sparkles Every woman loves to shine and jewelry is always a favorite. Instead of just browsing the jewelry counter and picking out the first thing that catches your eye, look for that special item that says something about her personality. Does she like to shop? Perhaps a charm bracelet featuring a shopping theme would be ideal. If you want to let mom know that you are with her always, consider giving her a heart locket and placing a photo of you and mom inside. You can also engrave certain types of jewelry for a truly personalized gift. Just Relax Every mom wants to relax. Afterall, she spent many years working hard to make sure that you had everything that you needed, so isn’t it time that she kicks back and relaxes on her special day? You can thrill your mom on Mother’s Day with a vacation that includes a spa weekend, a short cruise or other favorite pastime that she would enjoy. May I Take Your Order? If you are looking for the perfect way to surprise mom, try cooking her favorite dinner and serving it up with her favorite dessert. Best of all, make sure that you let her know everything is taken care of, including the clean up. After all, this is Mother’s Day and it wouldn’t be complete without a little pampering. Time Is Precious If you really want to make your mom happy on Mother’s Day, spend some quality time with her. It’s always nice to give a gift, but nothing can take the place of spending time with those who you love. Go shopping, watch a movie or just go out to dinner together. Whatever you do, make time for your mom.
Mother’s Day Brunch: Decoration And Menu Ideas
Mother’s Day only comes around once a year, and since mom is there for us every day of the year, the least we can do is create a one-of-a-kind day to show her our thanks. Since Mother’s Day is on a Sunday, brunch is a great and simple idea that can really show your mom how much you care. Here are a few simple ideas to create a beautiful and memorable Mother’s Day for your mom. Set The Table Mother’s Day is a great time to celebrate the coming warm weather, and using the colors of spring to create a nice table setting is easy and inexpensive. Try an arrangement of pink or yellow tulips or carnations as a centerpiece, as well as your best plates and cutlery, and a nicely pressed tablecloth to set the table. You can also add some special touches such a single rose to mark your mom’s place. Music And Drinks Including some really nice drinks and music can turn an average brunch gathering into a special event. Keep the music soft but upbeat, such as jazz, and don’t forget to add your mom’s favorites to the playlist. Also creating a signature drink in honor of your mom will really show that you have put some thought into the day. A mimosa is always a great brunch choice, or iced blueberry tea for those who don’t drink. Menu A brunch menu can either be simple or really creative, and this is the area where you can really shine. For earlier brunches, the traditional eggs or French toast are always popular choices. For brunches a little later in the day, you can create a more refined feel by making a simple quiche and salad or some finger sandwiches. Don’t forget to have a dessert planned as well. Something light, such as strawberry tarts, is a great idea. Whatever you decide to serve, or however you decorate, throwing a Mother’s Day brunch for your mom will surely make her feel special and is an easy and inexpensive way to show her you care.
WAYS TO SAVE WATER INSIDE YOUR HOME
Never pour water down the drain-simply find another use for it! This could be watering a plant, cleaning something, or soaking a dirty dish. Operate household appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers only when they are at full capacity. If possible, set the load amount for the amount you are actually washing. Drink tap water? Keep full pitchers in the refrigerator rather than running the tap every time you feel thirsty. Make sure your water pipes are insulated-you’ll get hot water faster! Repair leaking faucets, sticking toilet flush handles, toilet leaks, and other water-wasters promptly. Did you know that if a faucet drips at a rate of one drip per second, 2,700 gallons of water per year would be wasted? Never leave water running while you’re shaving, brushing teeth, and taking care of other personal grooming. Always take shorter showers and don’t overfill the bathtub. Use less water when cooking by carefully steaming vegetables rather than filling an entire pot with water. When waiting for hot water to heat up, use the cool water for other purposes. Don’t overwater your lawn or garden.
WAYS TO GO GREEN IN THE KITCHEN
Start a garden. Whether you opt for a full-out vegetable garden or a small window of fresh herbs, the taste of freshness will be unmistakable! Shop locally! Visit local farmers markets or choose locally produced produce whenever possible. Bring your own bags when you visit the grocery store. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Save time and energy by cooking a double portion and setting half aside in the freezer for a quick meal at a later date. Get energized and leave the appliances alone. Whenever possible, mix and beat ingredients by hand, cook multiple items at the same time, and avoid washing dishes unnecessarily. Use energy-efficient appliances such as the slow cooker or toaster oven, which can use up to 30% less energy. Be aware of energy wasters such as excessive pre-heating or simmering. Ditch the wraps (such as saran wrap or foil) and make the switch to reusable containers for lunches and leftovers. Put a lid on it! Did you know that cooking with lids could save up to three times the energy? Keep all that steam inside the pot for a more energy-efficient (and faster!) meal. Go fresh-say goodbye to excessively packaged foods, which are often produced using processes that are harmful to the environment. Cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients is not only healthier, it’s often less expensive and better for the environment. Decide what you are looking for before you open the fridge, and never keep the door open longer than absolutely necessary.
