No Stress Holiday

Super easy Easter feast

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:33:37 +0000

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.

Valentine’s Day E-Cards

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:59:24 +0000

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

Home made gifts made simple

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:15:33 +0000

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

Thanksgiving table setting ideas

admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:14:08 +0000

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

Share your ideas and pictures.

No stress appetizers

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:53:37 +0000

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.

No stress holiday entertaining

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:02:14 +0000

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.

Jazz up the front door

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:03:22 +0000

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

Countdown to Christmas

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:52:39 +0000

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:

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