No Stress Holiday

Country Living Table Settings

Check out these quick picks for a super-easy Easter feast.

A  spiral cut ham makes the main course a no brainer. Pair it up with grilled asaparagus, sweet potatoes and crescent rolls.

Simple white layer cake with pink frosting on a glass pedastal cake stand.

Serve sparkling cider or champagne with chambord.

If Spring is in the air, take the party outside. Decorate with glass plates, white linen table cloths and fresh flowers. Check out Country Living’s Spring Centerpieces and Table Settings.

If Valentine’s Day snuck up on you, don’t stress.

Send a Hallmark E-card. There is a small fee with this one but you can customize it with images. Nice touch! There are free ones too.

Hallmark Valentine's Day Card

For people like me, the best kind of home made gifts are the ones made by someone else in their home.

Vintage 'Posey' Pillow case dress and scarf

My beautiful daughter-in-law Shanlie makes a variety of old fashioned, unique gifts including:

• Customized Scrabble jewelry
• Felt food for little kiddy kitchens
• Nostalgic little girls dresses made from vintage pillow cases.
• Adorable headbands, hats, scarfs and gloves

Check her out online and have her make some sweet, old fashioned gifts for someone special on your list.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shanlie

Setting a beautiful holiday table is one of my favorite past times. Pier 1 Imports has some great ideas for taking your holiday table from harvest to holiday.

Great table setting ideas at Pier 1 Imports

 I use to hate tomatoes. Now, thanks to Mazarros, I crave tomato and mozzarella with fresh basil. Saturday afternoons at this great St. Petersburg landmark are quickly becoming a tradition for us. Another tradition is making a no stress version of this great italian appetizer.

 Mazzaro’s Italian Market in Saint Petersburg, Florida

Line a platter with alternating slices of ripe red roma tomatoes and fresh mozarella cheese.

Cut thin strips of fresh basil and add randomly over the tomatoes and cheese.

Drizzle thin line of balsalmic reduction or glaze.

The result is fabulous and so perfect for the holidays. Beautiful white, green and red. It also makes a great side dish with any meal.

How can you plan a holiday dinner for 12 after work without getting stressed out?

The night before:

• Set the table.
• Pick out the Christmas music.
• Restock all the tea lights and candles.
• Grocery shop and make a cooking timeline
• Run the dishwasher

Before work the morning of the dinner:

• Unload the dishwasher
• Wipe down the kitchen
• Make your bed
• Wear something to work that transitions easily into dinner

When you come home, pour a nice glass of wine, start the music and enjoy preparing dinner.

Check back tomorrow for simple, yet elegant appetizer and meal ideas.

Welcome guests during the holiday season with a mistletoe front door mat. This one from Pottery Barn ($29) can be used all through the winter season.

Give the front door and porch a good sweep and scrub if needed. If it is in really bad shape give it a fresh coat of paint. My favorite color door is red and Christmas is a great time to make this stunning change for just a few dollars.

Mistletoe Door Mat | Pottery Barn

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 Decorations – Holiday How-To – Photos – SouthernLiving.com

Just 41 days until Christmas. What can you do to savor every minute as you prepare for a less stress holiday season?

Play Christmas music and drink hot chocolate while you browse these favorites sites for inspiration:

• Southern Living
• Real Simple Christmas
• Better Homes and Gardens
• Rachel Ray – Christmas Central

Or if you prefer, grab a handful of your favorite magazines and settle down in front the fire for a night of dreamy planning.