Fire it Up. It's Time. Let's Talk

Fireplaces are a commitment, but worth it to some folks. Ah, the heat and those hypnotizing flames are relaxing. I know a family that gathers around their fire place like most families watch TV. And that's exactly what they do during the off season. They create a cozy area to watch TV, covering up the big dark hole in the wall.

I thought of a couple more ideas. I looked for more but couldn't find any other ways to make use of a fireplace. other than the traditional. If you could add a comment about your fire place usage, likes, dislikes. If you want. Thank you for that.

• Candles displayed and lit in place of the logs might be the less messy choice. They would light the room and produce more heat than you would think. 
• Decorate the area for each holiday throughout the year. Everybody would get a kick out of it.

A sweet aroma coming from the fireplace adds another reason to keep the flames burning. Besides it's cold outside. Making your own pine cone fire starters are easy enough.

1. Melt paraffin wax in a coffee can that is placed in a pan of water on top of the stove.
2. As your wax melts add drops of your favorite scented oil.
3. Tie a piece of string or candlewick to the top of a pine cone.
4. Dip pine cone into the scented paraffin wax.
5. Allow to completely harden and then dip again.
6. Repeat.
7. Place pine cone under logs and start your fire.

If you would rather just buy your fire starters, Etsy.com is the place to go on the Internet. They have a nice selection to choose from.

Fire it up. It's cold outside. 

Resources:

Tiptionary 2 by Mary Hunt. 

Find and Preserve 4 Leaf Clovers

Each leaf has a meaning, faith, hope, love and luck.

A shamrock has only three leaves, considered to be the "norm" and the most common found.

St. Patrick used a three leaf clover in his teachings to represent the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

HELPFUL HUNTING HINTS

They can be found. Believe it. They are out there hiding in the clover patches. Get your green on!

1. Where you find one, there will be more than likely others in that same area. 
2. When you first walk up on a clover patch, stay standing. Relax and slowly scan the clover patch with your eyes. Successful clover hunters swear by this technique. They say a four leaf or any pattern change will pop out. If you scan too fast you might miss a subtle change. So take your time. Not a problem once you reach ninja status.
3. Once your on the ground ready to pounce on the patch, take the time to repeat number 2 above.
4. Running your hand over the clover patch will allow extra leaves to surface.

Green, gold and gaining popularity, orange are the colors for the holiday.

Forest green is said to attract luck.

Green represents Catholics. Orange represents Protestants.

Don't be surprised when you get pinched for not wearing green on St Patrick's Day.

Mischievous leprechauns get the blame for the pinching tradition.

Wondering if it's possible to preserve your lucky find. Click here to find out.

Hey kitty how did you get in here? You have the wrong holiday. We will be seeing you later this year. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee................ 

DIY Christmas Ideas With BREAKING POO NEWS (you don't want to miss)

Luminaries

Take a medium-sized brown paper bag, put 2-3 inches of sand in it. and push a small candle into the sand in the center of the bag.  If you carefully fold down the top of the bag all around like a cuff, it will hold its shape better. The sand holds the candle in place and extinguishes it when it has burned down.  The bag protects the candle from the wind blowing it out and provides a warm golden light. Line your driveway with them or a walkway or both.   Use for parties and festive occasions, especially Christmas.  For a little flair, cut away some of the brown paper towards the top of the bag and the light will shine through.  They really are an astonishing sight to see all in a row lit up.

Breaking News! Special Report!  

Your regularly scheduled post will return after this special report.  Don't adjust your computer screen. Don't change the channel.  You are going to want to hear this. This day will go down in history.  And remember you heard it here first.

This just in!  A self-proclaimed "happy money saver." In her own words, "I'm trying to live the country dream in the city." Remarkable!  She has cracked the code.  And she is sharing it with you. You can enjoy the satisfying relief that comes from using this product for a whopping 96 % discount. That's right you heard me. Free diy recipe for "poo-pourri"  spray.  I need,  you need, everybody needs this product!  Read all about it by clicking the headline below.  You won't be sorry. What are you waiting for?  Go before it's gone! (I'm just kidding about that, it's not going anywhere.)  The happy money saver, aka Karrie wants us to join her on her journey so we all can live, "Happy lesser after."  Her words not mine.

Ingredients for DIY Fragrance pre-spray for the Bathroom

Now back to our regularly scheduled post...

It's up to you to decide where exactly you will use this idea for Christmas.  Give them as presents or sell them at a craft bazaar as tree ornaments.  They can be added to a wrapped present instead of a bow.  They can be hung on your rear view mirror in your car.  Attach to the end of a light pull or frame one with the poem. Put one or some in a decorated vase.  That should give you some inspiration on how to use this DIY Christmas idea.  I know you just can't stand it anymore.  Spit it out, you say.  What am I?

I'm an angel feather sent from God above.  

To serve as a reminder of his precious love.

I'm from your guardian angel assigned to you.  

I fell out in her struggles as she protected you.

Each time you stumble, each time you nearly fall.  

Thank God and his angels for answering your call.

Use your imagination to decorate.  Add some glitter and gold string.  Add some crystals.  A string of pretty beads attached at one end for hanging.  Craft stores sell white feathers and anything you might need to decorate.  Have fun with it.  I know I have.

Tune In To Hear Brand New Hot Tips!

Check out this great tip for travelers.
      Take the book cover from an ordinary book and slip it on your tour guide, map, dictionary or whatever other book your using that is a beacon sending out the signal that your are a tourist.   Great idea!

What are bobby pins good for? (other than your hair)
     They are great place holders for books.  Here that travelers?  And to fancy them up a bit, glue a jewelry charm or something like that on the end that will be sticking out.  Love it!

Did you know...
     A dash of bleach added to the water of fresh cut flowers will extend their life?  It's True!

 Double Duty:  
     A plastic travel container for soap can also be used to store all those business cards you have been collecting in your purse.  They are inexpensive and stack nicely on a shelf.  Could probably work for wallet size photos too.  And of course the contents will be kept dry.

The Holidays are coming:
     Use tree branches for a festive centerpiece by standing them in a vase and decorating them with a few Christmas ornaments.  Or how about in place of a bow when wrapping a present.  I wonder if Santa ever thought of this one?

This tip can be used year round for decorating...
     ...or organizing if you would like.  A cake stand holding several candles at different heights looks marvelous.  In the bathroom or bedroom use a cake stand to display your perfume bottles, lotions and such.
Putting a cake stand on a counter or table to hold your keys and mail works great too!

Speaking of candles...
     ...don't throw that old CD away.  Place it under a candle to protect furniture from wax drippings of course.  Sunny side up will reflect the light from the candles and look brilliant. 


There you go.  Seven tips I know you can't live without.  There's more to come so please...

Costumes, Decorations and Parties, OH MY!

    It will be here before you know it.  The stores are already getting their shelves stocked with candy. Parties are being planned.  You know how you hate waiting until the last minute to try and  throw something together.  

     Here are a few ideas to help with a stress free Halloween.  Whether your stumped on what to wear or how to decorate,  I've got a few suggestions.  And just think, getting started early means you can throw that party you have been dying to throw year after spooky year.  

    Decorations

An ice cream scoop works great for cleaning out the pumpkin's pulp.  A drywall knife will provide better control than a kitchen knife when carving your pumpkin.

Combine 2 parts lemon juice to 1 part water in a spray bottle.  Use this to spritz your carved pumpkin inside and outside for mold prevention.

Before putting a candle in your hollowed out pumpkin, sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon in it.  When the candle burns it will smell as if you were baking homemade pumpkin pie.

Have a pumpkin carving contest at your party.  Either carved ahead or during.

Use black light bulbs or even some green light bulbs in place of your regular ones to create a creepy Halloween atmosphere.  

Don't forget the spooky music!

Party Treats

Floating hands for the punch can be accomplished by filling rubber gloves with water, closing them tightly and then put them in the freezer the day before needed.  When they are frozen solid and you're ready to put them into the punch bowl, carefully peel off the gloves.

Floating eyeballs can be made by peeling red seedless grapes.

Bloody up popcorn by mixing red food coloring into melted butter and drizzle it on.  

Individual plastic cups filled with chocolate pudding and sprinkled with chocolate cookie or cake crumbs, looks like soil.  Now all that is left is to add a few gummy worms.

Costume Ideas

Castaway - Shred the bottoms of an old pair of khaki pants or shorts.  Wear them with a T-shirt that's ripped, torn, holey, stained, or whatever.  You get the picture don't you?  Men would not shave for a few days for this costume.  Women need to rat up hair and spray to hold.  And don't forget your little buddy.

Wilson

Junk Drawer - Wear a black sweat suit or a black leotard and tights.  Pin on the stuff found in a junk drawer like odd pieces of string, a used-up tape dispenser, coin wrappers, buttons, etc.

Wearing a black sweat suit or black attire of some kind and then adding the right stuff opens up ideas for all sorts of costumes.

Movie Theater Floor, Teachers Blackboard, Basement Floor, Gym Locker,etc... 

These guys have a few costume ideas...

Party Time Is Anytime

So you want to have a party, do you?
But no holidays are coming up soon.
What do you do?
Never fear!
Suggestions are here.

(Sorry!  Something about the word party makes me crazy, fun, weird.)

Have a "Slumber Party" for grown-ups only.  Serve pizza, bake cookies and stay up really late watching movies.  Your guests should arrive in PJ's, toting a sleeping bag of course.



How about a "Clothing Swap Party".     I've been wanting to do this one myself.  I've been to plenty of impromptu ones.  You know the ones where the only clothes gone through are the ones hanging in the closet of whom ever you are visiting.

Start your own Book Club.  You can find information on how to get started with your book club at this link. And I'm sure there are others out there.

Seems like there is always an award show of some kind via Hollywood.  A "Grammy Awards Party". Include a red carpet for your guests to walk on.  Print out categories ahead of time, and have everyone pick the winner.  You know what the trophy prize should look like.


Anyone can celebrate New Year's Eve, The Superbowl or St Patrick's Day.  Find an obscure holiday and go with it.  Planning the party will be lots of fun too.



This website  claims to be the official list of all holidays and observances for the United States.  Believe me they have done their homework.  You'll want to check it out because you are sure to find the theme to your next party there.


resource link for book club
resource link for list of holidays
resource for clothing swap party

Baking soda is amazing stuff.  Everybody should know by now how it kills odors.  It's a miracle worker in the cat's litter box.  Mix one small box with 2 to 3 inches of dry, samdy clay.  Organic!

You'll want to file these tips away for Christmas time.  Baking soda easily simulates snow.  Sprinkle on the tree for effect.  Cover the bottom of a pair of boots with baking soda and make Santa tracks appear anywhere you want. 

To test the acidity in your soil.  Add a pinch of baking soda to 1 tablespoon of your garden soil .  If it fizzes when doing this, the soil's PH level is probably less than 5.0.



 Homemade Pretreating Stain Remover
1/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/8 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon liquid hand soap
1 quart water

Mix and pour into a spray bottle, label appropriately. 
To use, appply solution to stain(s), and let it sit for a few minutes, then  wash as you normally would.

Holiday Party Clean-up Tricks

     Christmas tree sap residue on the carpet can be cleaned with a solution of equal parts glycerin (available at a drugstore stocked with the body lotions) and warm water.  Pour on the tacky spots and wait a few minutes for your glycerin to dissolve it.  Then pull up on the soiled fibers with a dry cloth.  Use a commercial carpet stain remover to take out any remaining sap residue.

     A dry cleaning sponge (chemically treated foam block) brushed over greasy fingerprints on wallpaper works like an eraser to soak up the grease.  Water is the wallpaper's worst enemy.  Absolutely NO WATER!  If you still see stains after trying this method.  Make and apply a  paste of cornstarch and a few drops water.  Let dry for a couple of hours, then vacuum.

     Coffee stains in the white coffee cups don't have to be permanent.  Pour 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (mild, natural bleach) in the cup, then add a little salt to create a paste.  Rub wtih a paper towel or cloth.  Rinse well.

     Erase black heel marks  on your wood floor by gently rubbing with a dryer sheet or a dry steel-wool soap pad.  Scratches can be filled with a crayon that matches the finish.  Finish by buffing with a cloth warmed in the dryer.  Mop with a strong black tea at room temperature.  The tannic acid in tea will shine the wood and lightly color in imperfections.

     Soap and water should remove washable markers from furniture.  But if your trying to remove Sharpies, rub the stains with a dollar bill.  That's right a dollar bill.  I don't have a clue why this works, but if it doesn't, pour a little lemon oil on the spots.  Buff gently with very fine steel wool.  Be sure to go with the grain.  If all else fails you'll need to sand and refinish the table.

     Cover white rings with a very thick layer of mayonnaise or petroleum jelly which will soak in and lift out discoloration.  Sprinkle a little bit of salt for abrasion and gently rub in a circular motion with a dry cloth.  Let sit overnight, then remove with cloth.  For darker marks use a little bit of turpentine and a very fine steel wool rubbing gently with the grain.  Then apply furniture polish.