If citrus fruits are warmed in the microwave or warm oven for a few minutes, they will yield more juice.
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Just when you thought your Kitchen was clean...here's something you might have overlooked....the knife block. For a quick clean get a 12-inch pipe cleaner and work gently to insert it into each slot; swirl it around there to collect dust and grime.
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Got a screw loose? Put a drop or two of clear nail polish into the hole before you finish tightening the screw, and you will never have to worry about it popping loose again!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Cleaning the fireplace can be a messy job, particularly when you are cleaning out the ashes from the grate. Make that chore less of a mess by using a plant mister to dampen the ashed before you sweep them out...and it will keep them from flying all over your room!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Save time dusting by using an old pair of cotton or wool gloves instead of carting around a dust rag and polish. Just run your hands over the furniture and the dust will collect on the gloves. When they get dirty, just pop them in the wash. Dusting this way also makes it easier to get into those little dust-collection crevices!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Ever been baking away only to discover that you are one egg short for the cake you are already mixing up? You can substitute a couple of tablespoons of real mayonnaise and you will be the only one who'll know!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Save hours of work and painful cuts while cleaning your venetian blinds...hang them in the shower, turn on the water, and let the shower do all the work - you can even let them drip dry!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Cleaning your outdoor grill is about as much fun as cleaning you oven. An easy tip is to place the grill in a large plastic garbage can and cover it generously with industrial strength detergent. Fill the can with water and soak overnight. Almost all of the baked on dirt will hose right off when you rinse it the next day!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Clean your smudged and dirty keyboard with a little nail polish remover and an old toothbrush...the perfect cleaning duo to keep those keys tapping!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
A little secret to get that less expensive brand of popcorn to pop...keep the kernels cold in your refrigerator until just before you are ready to throw them into the hot oil...you will eliminate almost all the unpopped kernels!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Non-slip kid...to prevent loss of a child from a high chair, simply apply textured appliques (the kind used in bathtubs will work) to the chair back and seat.
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Fido loves the water, but do your drains get clogged with all that hair? No worries...take a piece of steel wool and place it over the drain. It will catch the hair before if reaches the drain, and you can simply throw it away when the bath is done!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Make that expensive flower arrangement last longer - keep it in the refrigerator at night...no one will notice they are gone, and the flowers will live nearly twice as long!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
When you make a bunch of ice cubes for a party, do they stick together into one huge cube? Next time, just dump the cubes into a brown paper bag before sticking them in the freezer, and you're guaranteed not to get stuck with an 'iceberg'!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Use a piece of spaghetti to light candles, and save yourself from getting burned!
M/D HANDY HELPFUL HOUSEHOLD HINT
Wondering how to clean all those nooks and crannies in your wicker pieces? Try spraying your favorite dusting spray or furniture polish onto an inexpensive paintbrush....it will easily get those hard-to-reach dust specks.
CELEBRATE SUMMER: FOURTH OF JULY IDEAS
Fourth of July is just around the corner....here are some fun food and decor ideas to help make your party memorable!!
Watermelon and Blueberries...Flag
Using a square bowl and rectangular platter make a flag formation of Watermelon, Feta, and a side of Blueberries. The creamy, salty cheese is the perfect partner to the sweet, juicy melon.
Red, White, and Blue Spaghetti
In the mood for a change from the usual barbeque fare...how about some Patriotic Pasta?!
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon Americolor Red-Red Food Coloring
- 1 teaspoon Americolor Navy Blue Food Coloring
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Rinse ⅔ of the spaghetti in water, then separate the spaghetti in half into two gallon size zip closure bag.
- Place the red coloring in to one, the blue into the other and mix each with two tablespoon water, blend gently until the colors are absorbed.
- You can rinse the excess color off the pasta before mixing them together.
- For the remaining ⅓ of the pasta, add the olive oil to it, so the other colors don't rub onto the natural color of the spaghetti.
- Mix the spaghetti noodles together just before serving, if you mix them ahead of time the colors may transfer to the other noodles.
Star Trifle
Super simple dessert...cut stars from a pound cake, arrange in a trifle bowl with strawberries, blueberries, and dollops of fresh whipped cream.
Bake Sale 'Pie' Cupcakes
Berry pie cupcakes are as easy as...pie! The blueberry and cherry filling is blue or red candies, and the frosting is tinted to look like a lattice crust.
Ingredients
- 24 vanilla cupcakes, baked in silver foil liners
- 2 can(s) (16 ounces each) vanilla frosting
- Yellow food coloring
- 1 teaspoon(s) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup(s) each red and blue candy (M&M's, Jelly Belly)
Directions
- Tint the vanilla frosting with 3 or 4 drops of the yellow food coloring and the cocoa powder to make a light brown for the piecrust. Spread some of the frosting on top of a cupcake, leaving 1/4 inch of the cupcake edge exposed. For the filling, arrange about 25 like-colored candies close together on top of the cupcake. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes and like-colored candies.
- Spoon the remaining light brown frosting into a ziplock bag, press out the excess air, and seal. Snip a small (1/8-inch) corner from the bag. For the lattice crust, pipe 4 or 5 lines across the top of a cupcake, about 1/2 inch apart. Pipe 4 or 5 more lines, on the diagonal. Pipe a beaded edge around the top of the cupcake. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes and frosting.
- Arrange the cupcakes on a wire rack and make several bake-sale tags to put with the cupcakes.
Table Decor Ideas
Visit your local party supply store and check out some inexpensive themed items to add to settings you already have to make your tablescape sparkle...combining layers, textures, and patterns adds a sense of elegance that will have your guests remembering this holiday for years to come....
Have a safe and Happy Holiday!!
SUMMER BEGINS....
In 2014 the solstice begins on June 21st at 6:51AM EST, heralding in the summer season. This is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year.
Summer is a time to take extra care to protect ourselves from the sun by wearing sunscreen every day – re-applying regularly during outdoor activities, and keeping well hydrated with water and refreshing summer beverages. Many people take this time of year to vacation to fabulous destinations, and nature is in full bloom to make these visits even more spectacular.
If you are ‘stay-cationing’, be sure your backyard is ready for the flurry of activity that is likely to occur. Modern technological advancements in sun-resistant products offer plentiful options to create durable, outdoor living spaces that will be enjoyed by friends and family for years to come. Check out our blogs for the latest tips and trends for your outdoor space.
STEPS TO MAKING THE PERFECT CUP OF TEA
To celebrate Victoria Day, Canada’s honor of the birthday of Queen Victoria, why not spend a moment with the perfect cup of tea? Here’s how:
TO MAKE IN A TEAPOT
1. Boil fresh water in an electric kettle or pot.
2. Run hot water into your teapot and empty to insure the tea will remain hot longer.
3. Add loose tea – preferably a good British variety that can be found in specialty tea stores or online. British teas are made with black tea leaves, such as the classic Earl Grey. You will need one teaspoon per cup of water, plus one extra ‘for the pot’. Add measured loose tea leaves into an infuser and place into the teapot.
4. Add the water as soon as it boils and let the tea steep with the lid on the pot for 3 to 5 minutes.
TO MAKE IN A MUG
1. Boil fresh water in an electric kettle or pot.
2. Fill an infuser with your tea, or put a high quality tea bag into the mug.
3. Add the freshly boiled water - steep for 3-5 minutes.
4. For a truly British experience, add some milk…and for classic taste use full sterilized milk.
The British certainly wouldn’t miss an opportunity for tea time, in fact, since 1945 all British tanks have come equipped with tea making facilities. There must be something to the old adage ‘There’s nothing a cup of tea can’t solve’!