Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Orange Color Scheme for Bathroom

Orange is a color that represents the autumn season but that does not mean that you cannot decorate your bathroom for other seasons. I personally like an orange color scheme because these colors represent warmth and it is a wonderful contrast to my cream-painted walls.

You can decorate your home with patterns that are not traditional leaves, such as flowers, stripes, or abstracts. Here is an orange design that I created for the bathroom. The artwork consists of an orange leaf pattern that was mirrored to give it an abstract look.






The orange pattern bath accessories will look fabulous when coordinated with solid warm colors like towels in brown, beige, and orange. Accent your walls with decorative switch covers or wall art. Add a wicker or bamboo clothes hamper in a brown or tan color.


It is best to have solid color wall creams, beige, light orange, and tan would be complementary to the autumn colors in the shower curtain. When you shop look for paint that is mildew-resistant and has zero VOC. ( Paint can release a low level of toxic emissions into the air. The source of these toxins is a variety of volatile organic compounds known as VOC / Vocs are toxic solvents that get released into the air when you are painting.) I like Home Depot paint the Behr Semi-Gloss low VOC paint in the color Cream Puff.  

Monday, October 9, 2017

Zazzle Has Sweet Treats For All Occasions


Now that fall is here and a chill in the air my family and friends seem to eat more baked goods, brownies, cakes, and cookies. My friend's kids are getting excited about going trick or treating and normally I will buy Hersey kisses but last year I bought my friend's children special chocolate covered Halloween designed chocolate covered Oreo cookies.  The cookies arrived individually wrapped so it was easy to hand them out to the trick or teeters. 

My friends told me that the Oreos were wonderful and asked me where I bought them. I told them I designed the frosting top at zazzle.com.  Here is the cookie that I gave to my friend's kids that were trick or treating on Halloween.

Spooky Halloween Cat Oreo Cookie


Zazzle has a variety of delectable sweet treats; candies, cookies, and brownies that you can buy as shown with a print on demand unique design or you can customize these treats with your own photograph and words. Thus making a special dessert for your gathering and a sweet gift for your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Have you bought the cookies, cakes, and candies from zazzle.com?

Zazzle.com also carries delicious sugar cookies that come in four or a dozen. These cookies are really tasty. You can taste the butter, sugar and a hint of lemon. This cookie is mouthwatering good. I have given the sugar cookies as gifts to neighbors and have arranged them in gift baskets for adults and children. Everyone loves sugar cookies, brownies, cake pops, and chocolate candies.





Friday, May 26, 2017

Halloween Graveyard Wall Decal Review

Decorating your home for Halloween is easy when you hang a decal on your wall. While shopping online today at Walmart.com I found a spooky Halloween decal that would look fantastic in my office or in my family room. 

 I liked that it was large and that it would take up most of the wall. Then all I would need to do is add a few decorations on my table, throw pillows for chairs, and a pumpkin or two.  Before ordering the Halloween wall decoration I did read the customer's reviews and learned that the bats were individually cut from cardboard and that the tree and graveyard of the decal were one piece of lightweight vinyl.  

All of the reviewers said that they had to tape the decals to the wall and I thought I would use two-sided gorilla tape so that the pieces would stay on the wall.

As you can see the room set that I created the decal looks great. If you are seeking easy Halloween decorations for your home then I would recommend this decal.


Here are a few Halloween products that I created at my Zazzle.com store 

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Make your own Branch Centerpiece



Decorating your home with branches is a great way to add interest to your décor. You can shop for branches online at walmart.com or you can make your own by using branches from your trees.

Using your own branches is a frugal and fun way to create unique decorations. I have created branch decorations for under $10.00, of course, it does take the time to complete but if you enjoy doing crafts then you will love making branch centerpieces.

The best time to gather branches in late summer or after the trees or shrubs have been pruned. If you have no branches then look for them at a park.  Look for a branch that is 18 to 24 inches in length, it should have a straight center branch then side branches.

Clean the branch with warm soapy Dawn antibacterial dish soap to remove excess dirt. Let the branch air dry. When the branches are dry you would then treat them with a pesticide to kill any insects. Allow the branches to dry.

Spray paint the branches the color of your choice. I like the colors gold, silver or white, but you can choose the color that you like. Use a spray paint like the brand name Krylon or Rust-Oleum.  It is best to spray the branches lightly otherwise it can be messy. You can always reapply the paint with second spraying.

When branches are dry, secure them so they are standing upright. Buy from the craft store a Styrofoam block and a hot glue gun. Push the branches into the center of the Styrofoam block and use a glue gun to keep the branches in place. Gluing around the top of Styrofoam and the base of the branch is good.

When branches are secure you would then put the Styrofoam block into the display box or vase. If using a vase to display your branches then choose one that is not clear, a pattern or color vase, pot or urn is best.

Decorating Ideas

Decorate your branches with glitter by spraying the tip of the branches with glue then dust the branches in the glitter.


You can also decorate your branches with Halloween lights or garland. For autumn drape a swag of autumn leaves or small lightweight autumn season ornaments.

Here is another way to decorate, learn how to use the leaves from your trees.  


Monday, April 24, 2017

FUN Autumn Activities for Teenagers

Autumn is the last season before the bitterly cold weather so our family always spends quality time outdoors doing activities with our teenagers. Most people think that teens do not enjoy traditional activities but if you start them out doing the same things every year they do look forward to the activities, especially if they can bring along their friend.

Here are a few autumn activities that my family enjoys
    On a sunny afternoon, we make plans to go to a pumpkin patch. Pick out pumpkins for decoration and for carving into a Jack O’ Lantern. Our teenage kids always like picking the biggest pumpkin that they can find. Half the fun is getting it back to the car.

    I will watch for the advertisement for the fall bazaars in my hometown then check out the activities, looking for the traditional autumn activities like pumpkin carving, drinking apple cider, going for a hayride, or enjoying roasting marshmallows on an open fire for s’more chocolate treats. Teenagers love participating in the carving contests, they will eat smores and listen to live music. City festivals are always fun for families with teenagers.

    Know that teenagers have different interests so my husband will plan an ATV outing. He will choose a trail where the trees are in full autumn color. Sometimes he brings along a picnic lunch, other times just snacks and drinks for the kids. Everyone loves this outing especially if the day is warm and sunny.

    What activities do you do with your family during the autumn season?

Monday, April 10, 2017

Caramel Chocolate Pie Recipe




Chocolate pie is one of my favorite desserts, especially during the fall and winter months. my family craves comfort foods and this caramel chocolate pie is satisfying.

When you serve this pie to your family and friends they will scrape the side of the plate with their fork and when they finish they will feel comforted. It is very chocolaty and the nuts make it taste delicious.



Here is the chocolate pie recipe


You will need the following ingredients

  • Store bought ready-made chocolate cookie crumb crust
  • 30 vanilla caramels
  • ½ cup caramel ice cream
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 2 cups chopped unsalted peanuts or pecans
  • ¾ cup semisweet chocolate morsels ( I like Ghirardelli)
  • ¼ whipping cream


Optional: vanilla ice cream for topping

  1. Turn on the stove to low heat and melt caramels with the caramel ice cream in a saucepan. Keep stirring, then add ¼ cup whipping cream, stir to blend all ingredients.
  2. Remove saucepan from the heat
  3. Add nuts to pie filling and stir
  4. Add pie filling to the 9-inch pie plate
  5. Spread the filling over the crust
  6. Let the pie set until it is cool, then cover with saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  7. Make the topping for this pie by melting the semisweet chocolate morsels in a saucepan over low heat. When chocolate is melted stir in the remaining whipped cream.
  8. Top the caramel chocolate pie with the melted chocolate. Drizzle the chocolate over the pie. Recover the pie and chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
  9. Cut and serve with vanilla Ice cream
Here is a video that will show you how to melt chocolate in a double boiler.


Thursday, March 30, 2017

Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Casserole

A hearty casserole with nutritious ingredients is a great way to fuel your family with energy.  Plus this casserole tastes great on a cool autumn day.


When it comes to preparing dinner for my family I like to make casseroles because they will provide my family with a balanced meal and the preparation is in on pan, less mess, easy cleanup. Tonight I am making a chicken casserole that is hearty, filling and tastes great.


Ingredients needed for casserole
  • 3 eight ounce chicken breast filets (pre-cooked)
  • ½ pound egg noodles (pre-cooked)
  • Sea salt, fresh cracked pepper
  • 12-ounce jar of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 9 ounce frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and excess liquid removed.
  • 2 garlic cloves diced
  • 1 cup fresh Italian cheese, I use Kraft natural cheese, five cheese blend; mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, Asiago and Romano
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise ( I use Kraft olive oil Mayonnaise)
  • ¼ cup low-fat sour cream
  • ½ cup low-fat milk

*** you can substitute chicken with turkey.



Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 then lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish
  2. Dice the chicken breast and put in small mixing bowl
  3. Add the chopped artichoke hearts, spinach, and egg-noodle to the chicken, then mix all ingredients.
  4. Next add the garlic, parsley and ½ cup of the Italian cheeses, salt, and pepper and mix into the chicken and vegetables.
  5. Using a whisk mix mayonnaise, sour cream and milk together in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Then add cream sauce to the pasta, chicken, and vegetables and blend all ingredients.
  6. Add the casserole ingredients to the baking dish. Smooth out the top so that the surface is flat. Garnish the casserole remaining Italian cheese.
  7. Put in the oven and bake for 18 minutes.
  8. Remove and let the casserole rest before cutting. I serve this casserole with a side salad and dinner rolls.
Here is another chicken casserole recipe that you may like.


Sunday, March 26, 2017

Best Garage Sales are in Autumn

Autumn is the perfect season to go antiquing or hit the area garage sales. I know in my city we tend to shop for bargains in the spring and the autumn because summer is too hot. Normally I do not go to garage sales in the spring but autumn is a must on my to-do list. This is the time of year when you can bargain shop for autumn and Christmas decorations.


People tend to do a fall cleaning of their house and stored items and want to earn some extra cash for the holidays. I found some home décor products including a stained glass lamp at an autumn garage sale and there was nothing wrong with it. 

Here is a photo of my best buy at an autumn garage sale.

It is best to know what you are shopping for and to check out the newspaper on Wednesday and look for garage sales that offer a list of products that they are selling. Then make a list of the garage sales that you want to check out.


The night before the garage sale I will do a drive-by. If they are setting I will park get out and ask if I can take a quick look. Many times if you find something that you love you can buy it ahead of time. Otherwise, plan to go to the garage sale at the crack of dawn. In my experience, everyone has the same idea so if you want something special then it is best to get to the sale early.


Things that I look for at garage sales; vintage china, leaded glass ceiling light covers, sterling silver flatware, vintage table lamps, table linens, trivets, crystal or cut glass perfume bottles, hat boxes, vintage dolls, art deco jewelry, bag and gloves and holiday decorations and ornaments. My husband shops for vintage cameras, 1970s Peter Max posters and autumn season posters or prints, antique door knobs or knockers and antique train sets.



Going to garage sales in autumn is something my husband and I enjoy, we think of it as entertainment because it is a fun thing to do. Plus when we find something of value and it is a good price we are ecstatic.