Tip: Traveling Sandbox Toys

With the plethora of collapsible kitchen items and travel accessories, you can make a flat pack sand toys kit for that family trip to the beach

1-2 collapsible bowls
1 collapsible colander
2-3 plastic cookie cutters
2 collapsible travel cups
1 set collapsible measuring scoops
1 small plastic shovel (optional)

And you are good to go!

Wednesday's Words....On dogs

"A tired dog is a happy dog." —Zak George (Dog Trainer)

Tuesday's Tip: Plants

Water plants when the soil up to 1" deep feels dry, so as not to over water them and possibly kill the plants

Tuesday's Tip: Instant greenhouse

To protect plants and keep them moist while you are away on vacation, place them in clear plastic garbage bags and seal the tip with a bag clip; this creates a greenhouse effect allowing in light which creates a moisture environment inside the bag.

(P.S. I have tried this on many occasions and it works great. In fact I lost some plants last winter, because I didn't do it and they did not get enough water because the plant sitter came only once during the week.)

Tuesday's Tip: Better Plants

As I was walking down the street recently, a woman chatted with me in the drizzle and said she puts crushed egg shells in her plants as to help them grow and stay nourished.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Traditional Brussel Sprout Slaw

Approximately 1 lb. brussel sprouts
2 Tbsp. Mayonaise
1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. Honey
Pinch of salt

Wash sprouts and cut off ends. Slice into strips and break up in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Allow to sit for at least 1 hour before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

Tuesday's Tip: Extend the life of cut flowers

I was told these would work to extend the life of cut flowers in a vase....
1. A penny
2. An Aspirin
3. A pinch of white sugar

(or maybe these are just old wives' tales)

Wednesday's words...on to do lists

"You don't need a special device to make a to-do list. You don't even need a notebook. I feel somewhat ridiculous say this, but you'd be surprised how many people say they can't get organized until they take a workshop or hire an organizer or get the proper notebook. The back of an envelope will do. And the best thing about it? WHen you're done you can get rid of it."
—from My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper by Gabrielle Reece

Gabrielle Reece Biography

Wednesday's words: For the first day of the year

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” —Brad Paisley

Brad Paisely Birography

Tuesday's Tip: Watering Plants

Watering plants at night allows them to soak up as much water as possible without the sun light evaporating the water or drying out the plants.

Friday: You might need to switch on the fly

I was standing in the grocery store (the third one) and did not see the chocolate wafers needed for an ice box cake which had been requested by my friend for her BBQ, so I immediately scanned the shelves for the ingredients to the only other icebox cake I know how to make and found them and in the process learned that when one thing doesn't fly, move on to something else right away.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Awesome summer salad

Asparagus and Bean Salad

1 lb. Asparagus
1 can (15 oz.) Cannellini beans

Dressing:
1/2 C. Olive Oil
Juice of one lemon
1 Tbsp. lemon zest
3 Tbsp. Dried Tarragon

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Break off the ends of the Asparagus and wash them. Add them to the pot with the heat off for 1.5 minutes. Immediately drain the Asparagus and place in a bowl with ice water. While the Asparagus is cooling, drain and rinse the can of beans and place in a salad bowl. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Add the Asparagus to the beans and toss in the dressing. Makes 4-6 servings.

What I learned from having a new fence installed-- Quiet Time

At this very moment work is being done our house (new front fence, backyard lights and basement drain) and I am realizing that as a house needs to be reviewed and updated every so often, so do we as humans and that is what quiet reflection time is for, so today amid the sounds of drills and hammers, I plan to take some quiet time (and hope to do so every day this week) and you should too.

Tuesday's Tip: Spring is here..Have a Taco Party

How to Host a Taco Party....

A family of three distinct personalities and one plan for the back deck....

Last night my family had Chinese take-out for dinner with each family member getting their own dish to highlight that we all have distinct personalities and at dinner I introduced a plan for the back deck that worked with all personalities and my family was a go (to quote an old favorite TV show, the A-team, "I love it when a plan comes together.")

To elaborate—one planner, one who does well under pressure and one with an organizing gene and the plan: to order a new picnic table and benches in 48 hours from internet research and the organizer gets to set it all up and have a budget to buy cushions (she is only 8 years old).

Not the usual Monday

Tea with one friend, lunch with another, the gym in between and the solution to our backyard dilemma-- just replace the table and benches now and the rest when we someday redo the backyard (removing the PIA above ground pool).