Monday, April 27, 2009

Kitschy Kitchen


Want to have yourself a "kitschy kitchen"? Just do the following:
1. Think 60s and 70s...you know, avocado greens, lemon yellows. If you're really brave, paint your kitchen one of these bright colors and accentuate them with those funky colored appliances.
2. Get yourself some vintage accessories...cool canisters, a bright breadbox, some funky salt and pepper shakers and maybe even a, (gasp!!) fondue set!
3. Think themes! Sunflowers, geese, or some other fun theme that would make your kitchen really kitschy!
4. Don't forget the wonderful pot holders and oven mitts! They're decorative as well as useful.
5. Get yourself to a vintage shop, or antique shop, and find some really fun advertising signs. If those are too pricey, there are some shops that are now replicating some of the more popular signs for reasonable prices.
6. Kitchens used to be the 'heart of the home'...decorating your kitchen in a fun, kitschy style might be so inviting that it becomes the focal point of your home.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Grow A Rose Bush from a Cutting


You can start your own rosebush. Just cut off a stem with a bloom and five or six leaves.
First, plant the stem along with three of the leaves.
Leave the remaining leaves above ground and pinch off the bloom.
Now you'll need to water the freshly planted rosebush and put a glass canning jar or other clear receptacle over the stem.
Your rose bush will start growing in no time!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The collector in us..





With Mother's Day approaching, I got to thinking about some of the gifts I've received over the years and...how many times, most of my children, were 'at a loss' at what special gift they could bestow upon me.

So, inevitably..over time...I ended up becoming the 'proud owner' of several very special collections.

Among them...
vases
pottery
bells
snowglobes
hurricane lamps
egg beaters
papier mache figurines

That lead me to investigate other 'collections'...a few of which are...

autographs
bottle caps
coins
keychains
old toys
original artwork
jewelry
hats
buttons
bottles
magnets
coffee cups
old magazines
pennants
clocks
tin cans
old maps
figurines
matchbooks
postcards
dolls

The lists are virtually endless...I just thought it would be fun to post a few of them here. Maybe they'll spark the imagination...or at least, a gift idea for Mother's Day.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Your Small Kitchen


What do you do when you need more space in your small kitchen?


If you don't have sufficient space in your kitchen then even, utensils, cookbooks and other kitchen necessities can make a small kitchen look cluttered and even smaller than it really is. But when you only have a small area to work with, how can you make the most of limited space in your small kitchen?

A line of kitchen hooks put up close to the ceiling will add extra storage space for pots and pans, and add a charmingly unique and decorative touch to the kitchen.

Top shelf cupboard space can be utilized to it's maximum potential by storing everything that you don't often use there, to free up space that could be better utilized and open up your small kitchen.

Choose light colors to make spaces look larger. Try cream-colored cabinets, or beige walls, if you want a 'hint' of color. Lighter colors reflect light and create a brighter and 'larger looking' space.

Use free standing pantry units and stack from floor to ceiling.

Decide which small appliances you use and which you don't use that often. Do you ever really use the food processor, blender or cappuccino machine? Most people use only about half of the items they have stored somewhere in their kitchen. If you really need the counter space, you might want to find someplace else to store those small 'seldom used' appliances. You can always get them out when you want to use them.


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Your Own Tuscan Garden



Do you want to grow your own Tuscan Garden?


Tuscan styles have become very prevalent in kitchens and home decor for some time now.

And, due to the popularity of the style, Tuscan style Gardens can be found all over the place.


They aren't difficult to grow. Simply fill your garden space with Italian herbs, vine ripened tomatoes, delicious garden greens,

fragrant lavendar flowers and beautiful poppies.

Place rustic looking Grecian style urns as beautiful containers for

small space garden settings,

Italian pottery with hearty herbs,

a rustic stone path that leads to your small vegetable garden.

For added Tuscan flavor, include a wrought iron bench,

climbing roses climbing,

a couple statues and a water fountain

Sunday, April 5, 2009

AeroGarden

The "computerized" AeroGarden lets you know when to add water and nutrients. The micro-processor automatically adjusts nutrient delivery and water flow, and even turns grow lights on and off to simulate the sun.




The AeroGarden comes in only one size, 16" x 10 1/2" x 15 1/2". The AeroGarden system has been designed for maximum efficiency.
The entire system uses less energy than a single 60-watt light bulb. It uses full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulbs exclusively designed for the optimal amount and type of light needed for a robust, healthy plant growth.

A smart garden micro-processor automatically adjusts nutrient delivery, light cycles and water flow for specific plant types. Aeroponic optimizing chamber creates a near perfect rainforest growing environment.
Plant roots are suspended in air in 100% humidity, highly oxygenated growing chamber with nutrients and water. Plug n' Grow Bio-dome Seed System pods are enclosed in mini greenhouses for ultra fast germination often within 24 hours.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Mystic Symbols for the Home

Here are six mystic symbols for the home, and what they can do for you:


Circle: The circle is one of the most potent symbols. It represents eternity, completion, unity, the universe, wholeness, perfection and the Great Mystery.


Triangle: The triangle embodies the power of the pyramids. It relates to the combined power of body, mind and spirit, of mother, father and child, of past, present and future, of the Holy Trinity.


Square: The square symbolizes the four elements: air, water, fire and earth, and the four directions. It represents stability and strength, the four seasons. It represents the material world.


Cross: The symbol of the cross pre-dates Christianity and is perhaps the oldest talismanic symbol in the world. The cross symbolizes eternal life, resurrection and divine protection from evil. It also represents Jesus Christ.


Pentagram: The pentagram symbolizes the human body with each point representing one part of the body’s extremities—the head, hands and feet comprising each point of the star. It is used for protection.


Infinity: The symbol for infinity looks like the number eight laid on its side. This is a very powerful and cosmic symbol to use in your home.

Even though most of us don’t do any actual harvesting, we place many symbols of the harvest around our homes and tables when we decorate for Thanksgiving and other autumn holidays.

Those cornucopias, wheat sheaves, acorns, leaves, and other harvest icons have a mystic significance that goes back many centuries, helping us to connect with the ancient roots of this beautiful time of year.