Photo credit: www.WeddingMountain.com

In about a couple of weeks, I’ll be gussying up in a new dress, strappy sandals and big ol’ hat, then heading to the first of several weddings inked in on my social calendar.  Apparently, many of you will be doing the same.  According to a new survey by www.5Facts.com, the five most popular months for weddings in America are upon us with June ranked first, followed by July, September, August and May.

As any serial wedding go’er knows, just showing up looking presentable won’t score you an extra big slice of cake.  But a great gift just might!  So now’s the time to get focused–and focused fast–on a gift that will be remembered for more than its big shiny bow.

After years of agonizing about finding the perfect gift, I’ve zeroed in on a strategy that works well every time.  Set a reasonable budget and look for a gift that both bride and groom will enjoy (remember, little bridezillas–it’s not all about you!). Makes perfect sense, especially these days when budgets are a tad tighter and couples tend to be older when marrying (29 for brides and 31 for grooms, per www.TheKnot.com).

If a wedding gift’s on your shopping list, you’ll hit the mark with these fab furnishings.  They’ll appeal to both members of the happy couple and ring up at under $30 (which will appeal to you!):

Merging two households into one that balances feminine with masculine design sensibilities can be a challenge.  Inspired by metal gears and bicycle chains, the Sprockets wall photo plaque ($29) delivers a touch of industrial chic for him that she’ll love, too, because it’s not too edgy.

Bathrooms can be tricky places for newlyweds adjusting to sharing space so help peace reign with the Prestige over-the-door wall hook set ($29) that keep towels and robes where they should be–off the vanity and floor.

Country Kitchen chalkboards are so affordably priced ($10), it makes sense to buy three so the couple can create “yours, mine and ours” honey-do lists.

They’ll both appreciate the Richmond wall cross ($19) that’ll be a stylish reminder of what will help them in their married life for years to come–faith.

Since the debut of our Summer Bonus catalog, we’ve been inundated with emails and phone calls asking for a live demonstration on how to make our flowerpot wreath.  As I’ve told everyone within earshot, this pretty bit of door decor is really simple to make and now….this video will prove it! 

Click on this link to see how quickly and easily you can make a flowerpot wreath, plus, how to give yours a patriotic tweak for Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and the 4th of July:

Every front door needs a wreath to welcome guests in style.  So grab your zip ties and flowerpots and gussy up your door now!

Photo credit: www.Glamour.com

On the hunt for an affordable, yet, chic way to pamper Mom (or yourself) this Mother’s Day?  Devote an afternoon or evening solely (pun intended) to the fashioning of feet!  Summer’s just around the corner so now’s the time to get sandal-ready with these 6 steps to the perfect home pedicure from the always-stylish editors of Glamour magazine: 

1-Take a milk bath. Not as silly as it sounds! The lactic acid in milk helps smooth calluses. Fill a large bowl or tub with equal parts milk and warm water. Add a few drops of lavender oil and soak feet for five to ten minutes.

2-Care for cuticles. Rub a drop of cuticle oil into each toenail bed and push back any thickened skin with an orange wood stick. Use a coarse-grain emery board and file nails straight across (to prevent ingrown nails), then slightly round the edges.

3-Soften soles. Refill bowl with clean water. Thoroughly exfoliate both feet with a coarse foot scrub and rinse them clean. Remove calluses on heels, balls of feet and toes with a foot file or pumice stone.

4-Moisturize! After rinsing off the scrub, coat feet and lower legs in a moisturizing foot mask. Let  ingredients sink in for five to ten minutes, then rinse feet and legs.

5-Prep nails. Pat feet dry, then massage in a hydrating foot cream. Wipe lotion off nails with a non-acetone polish remover pad before slipping on a pair of foam toe separators. Swipe base coat from bottom to top of each toenail.

6-Paint away. Apply three strips of polish, one up the center, then one on either side. After about two minutes, paint on a second coat and follow with a topcoat after another two minutes. Let toes dry for at least an hour.

Photo credit: www.Essie.com

Remember–Tangerine Tango is this year’s “It” color so go for an orange-hued polish like these and, in a flash, you’ll be strutting your stuff like a catwalk model!

And to set a mood for total relaxation in your in-home spa, dim the lights a bit and light a lovely scented candle.

These Scents of Home candles (Favorite Escapes–Jeff’s Retreat, Heather’s Garden and Penny’s Island Paradise shown here) will transport Mom far, far away with their delightful scents.  And, they’re priced right for tucking into a gift bag, along with several colorful nail polishes, so you can pamper Mom for months to come!

Photo credit: Tuyet Van Julie, www.Flickr.com

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are 153 million households in our country with either a cat or dog; and in 64% of them, the people living there believe pets are like potato chips–you can’t have just one.  Clearly, we are crazy for pets…and I am no exception. 

As many of you know, my house went to the dogs a long time ago, thanks to three charming corgis: Murphy, Jackson and Harry.

What you may not know is that late last Fall, 12 year-old Jackson went to herding heaven to join the Murph, leaving only me for Harry to herd. As grief subsided and Harry’s boredom grew (he could only nip at my heels for so long), I knew it was time to begin the search for a pup.  As any corgi owner here in the States can attest, finding a good breeder takes time–and it did. But find one we did and we recently brought home the newest addition to our home, “Amber’s HRH King George VI”–who we call Bertie.

Bertie at 11 weeks

Although this is my the fourth time around the puppy block, as soon as I heard the litter’d been born, I began acting more like a distracted puppy peering out the window (“Ooh, shiny things!”) than a seasoned pro when it came to prioritizing the puppy prep checklist:

•Color coordinate new pet beds (solid sage green for office, ruby red paisley for master bedroom, leopard print for living room)

•More, more, more toys!

•Find tartan plaid collar handed down and worn by all my pups before this one

•Gussy up existing travel crate, elevated food station and bowls

•Enroll Harry in obedience class to teach him better manners and how to share (the jury’s still out on the results)

It was only when my ever-sensible mother said, “And where have you stored the puppy gates?” that I stopped in my tracks, then refocused on the most important task of all–puppy pet-proofing my home.

As a long-time dog owner, there wasn’t a lot do because I’ve always been pretty vigilant.  However, a refresher course in pet safety really helped.

Photo credit. www.PetWeek.org

This is National Pet Week (designed to promote responsible pet ownership among other things) so it seems perfect timing for all of us pet owners to review this checklist from the American Humane Association so we can keep our dogs and cats safe, healthy and happy.

Kitchens/bathrooms

•Use childproof latches to keep little paws from prying open cabinets

•Place medications, cleaners, chemicals, and laundry supplies on high shelves

•Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet

•Check for and block any small spaces, nooks, or holes inside cabinets or behind washer/dryer units

•Make sure your kitten hasn’t jumped into the dryer before you turn it on

•Keep foods out of reach (even if the food isn’t harmful, the wrapper could be)

•Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent drowning or drinking of harmful cleaning chemicals

Living/family room

•Place dangling wires from lamps, VCRs, televisions, stereos, and telephones out of reach

•Put away children’s toys and games

•Put away knick-knacks until your kitten has the coordination not to knock them over

•Check all those places where your vacuum cleaner doesn’t fit, but your puppy or kitten does, for dangerous items, like string

•Move common house plants that may be poisonous out of reach.

•Don’t forget hanging plants that can be jumped onto from nearby surfaces

•Make sure all heating/air vents have covers Put away all sewing and craft notions, especially thread

Garage

•Move all chemicals to high shelves or behind secure doors

•Clean all antifreeze from the floor and driveway, as one taste can be lethal to animals

•Bang on your car hood to ensure that your kitten (or any neighborhood cat) has not hidden in the engine for warmth

•Keep all sharp objects and tools out of reach

Bedrooms

•Keep laundry and shoes behind closed doors (drawstrings and buttons can cause major problems if swallowed)

•Keep any medications, lotions, or cosmetics off accessible surfaces (like the bedside table) •Move electrical and phone wires out of reach of chewing

•Be careful that you don’t close your kitten in closets or dresser drawers

And look out for paws, noses, and tails when you shut doors behind you or scoot chairs!

Heather and her family enjoy a summer day with their daughters trusty red wagon in tow!

If the four seasons were up for a vote, hands-down, Summer would win at my house. Shawn, Pfifer, Finley and I are all about making the most of warm, sunny weather.   We love to cook out, picnic in the park, splash about in the pool and hang out in the yard.

While our outdoor time is decidedly casual (bare feet abound!), I still try to make it special whether that means styling up the picnic table with a cool denim runner, bandana napkins and bright red stoneware (a nice change from paper plates) or treating everyone to a tasty beverage like Crunchy Punch.

This recipe’s perfect for Summertime–it’s simple to fix and serves up icy cold.  It also uses readily available ingredients and modifies easily with the change of just an ingredient or two.

CRUNCHY PUNCH

Ingredients

3 small packages flavored gelatin, any flavor

9 cups boiling water

4 cups sugar

4 cups boiling water

16 ounces lemon juice

2-46 ounce containers of pineapple juice

2 liters of 7UP® or ginger ale

Directions

Dissolve gelatin in nine cups of boiling water.

Dissolve sugar in 4 cups of boiling water.

Mix together all ingredients except for 7UP® (or gingerale).

Pour mixture into four ½-gallon containers (I use milk jugs), then seal.

Freeze for 36 hours.

Several hours prior to serving, remove containers from freezer and place in refrigerator to partially thaw.

When ready to serve, add 7UP® (or gingerale).

Punch should be icy and crunchy.

Tips:

•Chill a Celebrating Home stoneware bean pot or serving pitcher for 20 minutes in the freezer prior to serving, then add punch. Because our stoneware is designed with insulative qualities, the punch will stay colder longer if served in it instead of a conventional punch bowl or pitcher.

•This is a good recipe to make with your kids.  Let them add everything but the boiling water (you do that!).  Watch them giggle as the gelatin adds color and the 7Up® makes the punch fizz.

•Remember to add a colorful, bendable straw to each glass; then watch everyone smile and sip like a kid!

As many of you know, I love zip ties!  These handy little helpers have saved the day more times than I can count and are one of the most versatile tools in a decorator’s bag of tricks.  This flower pot wreath shows why.  No glue gun, floral tape or ball of string required.  Just a few supplies and quick-fix zip ties.  So, don your DIY hat and grab a hand full of zip ties.  It’s time to transform your door for Summer!

 Supplies

30-inch grapevine wreath

2 Celebrating Home Garden Foliage wreath/garland

2 Celebrating Home Daisy Fresh swags 

8 4-inch terra-cotta flower pots

White acrylic paint

Water

Sponge

Zip ties

Directions:

Create whitewash by squeezing paint into a small container, then adding water to thin it.

Dip sponge into whitewash and lightly wipe onto the outside and inside of the pot.  Let dry.

Use zip ties to adhere Garden Foliage wreath/garland to grapevine wreath (remember to overlap the garland ends!).  Hide zip ties by fluffing garland over it.

Attach each flower pot to wreath by feeding a zip tie through the pot’s bottom drainage hole up inside the pot to its top, then through wreath branches.  Secure zip ties to wreath base.

Snap Daisy Fresh swags into four equal sections, then space around wreath perimeter and weave around pots.  Secure to wreath base with zip ties.

Photo credit: Shalen Gillis

I love Cinco de Mayo for its festive bright colors, celebratory spirit and…food.  It reminds me a bit of the Fourth of July but the fire works are reserved for the backyard grill or firepit! This salute to Mexican heritage and pride is celebrated throughout the U.S. as well as regionally in Mexico and is the perfect reason to host your very own fiesta!  Here’s an easy (and tasty) way to flavor up your menu in the spirit of the day.

Roasted Chicken Enchiladas

Serves 12

Ingredients:

1 roasted chicken, pulled and shredded

3 small yellow squash-cut in half, then into 1/8′ half moon slices

2 medium size zucchini-cut the same as the squash

1 red bell pepper, seeded and julienned

1 medium yellow onion large, diced

Small bunch of cilantro, chopped

1 package Celebrating Home chicken enchilada soup mix #05088
2

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1/4 cup chopped green chiles

10-ounce can Rotel® tomatoes

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup monterrey jack cheese

12 flour tortillas

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine squash, zucchini, pepper and onion.  Place on prepared baking sheet and roast in oven until vegetable edges start to turn golden brown (about 7 minutes).

Combine chicken and vegetables; then add 1 tablespoon cilantro, 2 tablespoons chicken enchilada soup mix and 1/4 cup chopped chiles.  Mix until chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.

Place 1/3 cup chicken mixture in middle of each tortilla. Fold each tortilla to form a snug roll.

Pour Rotel® into prepared 9 x 13-inch casserole dish (or two 8 x 8-inch baking dishes), then layer filled tortillas on top of it.

Mix cheeses and sprinkle over tortillas, then bake in oven for 5 minutes or until cheese starts to brown.

Tip:

To save time, pre-assemble tortillas up to two days in advance, then bake covered and without cheese for 20 minutes. On party day, just top tortillas with cheese, then broil 3-5 minutes before serving.

Photo credit: Digitalart, www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The clock’s ticking to track down the perfect gift for Mom and, as any of us who’ve been doing this for more years than we care to divulge (like you, I am an ageless child!), zeroing in on something really special can be tricky.  True, it’s the thought that counts but….as any mom will attest (mine included), you get point for style and creativity, too.

So if you’d like to honor mom in a way she’ll remember long past her annual holiday, here are three creative spins on the classics sure to make her smile (and reduce your chances from getting cut out of the will!).

•Flowers Made Better

Fresh flowers are dramatic but long after they’ve faded into the sunset, these framed Jeweled Hydrangeas will still be a-bloom and adding unexpected sparkly charm to her favorite room.

•Whisk Her Away!

Create the sense of a vacation with scent. The Pure Palm Sandy Beach candle fills the air with a tropical fusion of jasmine, rose and lily of the valley so realistic Mom might don her shades and  wiggle her toes in imaginary sand.

•Give Her a Taste of the Good Life…Again and Again

Breakfast in bed only counts if the food is good! Try this quick-fix recipe that even the kids can lend a hand with.  Not only is this a tasty meal-in-one that the whole family can enjoy, it’s designed to be readied for baking the night before in a bean pot (Somerset Song shown here) which then becomes part of the gift.

French Toast & Sausage

Making breakfast is a snap with this recipe because most of the prep is done the night before.

Ingredients:

10 slices bread (stale or fresh, cubed)

5 eggs

1/3 cup milk

Cinnamon and nutmeg

Pancake syrup

Sausage links

Directions:

The evening before serving, place enough bread in bean pot to fill halfway.

In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, dash of cinnamon and nutmeg together.

Pour mixture over bread.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, squeeze pancake syrup over top of mixture making an “S” shape in both directions.

Cover with foil and twist to make handles on each end of bean pot.

Place sausage links on foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

•Recipe from Celebrating Home’s “Meals, Moments & Memories Entrees” cookbook.

Photo credit: Shalen Gillis

Who doesn’t like breakfast in bed? But face it, there are just a few days during the year when sleeping in feels guilt-free when you’re a parent.   So Mom–now’s your time to “suggest” to dear ol’ Dad (ok, print and pin this blog to his shirt!) that he and the kids whip up this gourmet lounge-about breakfast in honor of you. 

Stuffed French Toast and Eggs Fiore have fancy-schmanzy names, yet, are so easy to make that even the most novice of cooks (like dad and kids) can whip them up in less than 30 minutes.  The ingredients are readily available and prep time is simplified by using Celebrating Home food mixes.

Photo credit: Shalen Gillis

Stuffed French Toast

This recipe is so simple, you can practically do it in your sleep (and sometimes I have!). Best of all, the toaste can be stuffed a couple of days ahead of time which lets you sleep in just a bit longer–a plus for any breakfast entree.

Yields four servings

Stuffing ingredients:

4 tablespoons marscapone cheese
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon Celebrating Home Tropical Pineapple pie ball/dip mix (#05097)
2 strawberries, diced
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-1/2inch slices (use a serrated bread knife to saw, not smash bread), then halved to create “hinged” pockets

Directions:

Mix cheese, honey, dip mix and strawberries, then fill bread pockets with mixture (note–filled pockets may be stored up to two days in the refrigerator if wrapped tightly in cellophane).

French toast egg batter ingredients:

1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Whisk all ingredients together and dip stuffed bread on each side to coat. Spray skillet with non-stick spray or coat with melted butter (to keep bread from sticking).

Place dipped bread pockets in skillet and cook on medium heat until golden brown.

Serve with maple syrup and fresh quartered strawberries.

Eggs Fiore

This dish is sure to impress and get Mom’s special day off to a memorable start. It’s inspired by a family dish that uses homemade buttery crepes, capers and fresh herbs, only this version is easier and quicker!

Yields four servings

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Celebrating Home’s Spinach Artichoke mix (#05056)
3 tablespoons ricotta cheese
1 small egg (for the filling)
4 small eggs, individually cracked with each egg placed in a small bowl
1 can crescent roll dough
2 tablespoons heavy cream Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Four small individual baking cups (or 4-sectioned large muffin pan)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Spray baking cups (or muffin pan) with non-stick baking spray.

Line each baking cup with one square (two triangles) of crescent roll dough; make sure there are no gaps.

Combine first three ingredients, then place one tablespoon of filling in bottom of each baking cup. Pour cracked egg on top of filling, then drizzle with heavy cream.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the whites of the eggs have set (if the egg yolk is hard-boiled, you’ve cooked them too long!).

Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Use a pairing knife to make removal from muffin pan (or baking cups) easy.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Prep & Presentation Tips:

•Stuff French toast the night before–it will take 10 minutes max.

•Group ingredients for each recipe (some in fridge, some on the counter) and do likewise with baking supplies so there’s no searching for stuff during prep.

•Assemble Mom’s bed tray the night before with a pretty plate, flatware, napkin (a cloth one, is possible), juice/milk)glass, coffee cup, syrup dispenser (not the plastic container it comes in–pour some syrup in a little glass pitcher), bud vase with fresh flowers and a card/gift.

Photo credit: Arvind Balaraman, www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nothing says “I love you” quite like a homemade gift.  Just ask my mom whose walk down memory lane is filled with more paste-encrusted cards and popsickle stick creations than you can shake a stick at. Over the years, I’ve encouraged (ok, begged) her to give the lot a toss but cling to them she does.  That says to me–DIY gifts fashioned by kids still rule.  So as Mother’s Day nears, here are two terrific projects (from those clever craft editors at Better Homes & Gardens) worth pointing your kids toward.

•Clothespin Easel

Photo credit: www.BHG.com

How cute is this?  An ideal project for young kids, this clothespin easel stands above the rest!

What You Need:

Oversize wooden clothespins

Stickers

Colored markers

Assorted craft embellishments like small flowers, butterflies and faux gems

Craft glue

Directions:

Embellish each side of clothespin, then clip mini artwork or photos to pin.

•Pretty Posy Pins

Photo credit: www.BHG.com

These sweet corsages are throwbacks to more simple times, yet, hit on today’s trend of wardrobe accessorizing with decorative brooches. This is a perfect project for older kids.

What You Need:

Bunches of tiny fabric flowers

Fabric leaves on wire stems

Utility scissors; ruler

Green florist’s tape

2-inch piece of 1/4-inch-wide balsa wood

1-1/2-inch-long pin back

Thick white crafts glue

Directions:

1. Separate flower bunches. Choose a few favorite flowers to make the corsage. Arrange two or three leaves with the flowers. Trim the flower and leaf stems to measure approximately 2 inches long. Wrap the stems with florist’s tape. After wrapping the bottom of the stems, wrap back up to the top. Trim the tape.

2. Wrap the tiny piece of balsa wood with florist’s tape.

3. Using florist’s tape, wrap the wood piece to the flower bunch.

4. Glue the back of the pin to the back side of the wrapped stems and balsa wood. Let glue dry.

FYI–If you’re a scout leader, 4H instructor or Sunday School teacher, these projects are easily managed with groups of kids, too!