Saturday, April 30, 2011

HELOISE: ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS FOR HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Growing up, our big day to clean the house was Saturday mornings.  My mom would give each of us a job (myself, my sister and my two brothers).  She would play upbeat music and, away we would go: vacuuming, dusting and cleaning the bathrooms.  For this reason, Saturday tends to get me in my "cleaning house" mode.  I have been a fan of HELOISE for many years.  On everything from stain removal to methods of cleaning, I truly hope you will glean ideas from her.



BELOW:  She lists cleaning solutions for her most frequently asked questions. (Picture Credit and Article:  HELOISE)


Stains
Perspiration
Prevention is better than curative. Let antiperspirant or deodorant dry completely before putting on your garment. Pre-treat the underarm area of the garment with liquid laundry detergent, so the buildup can be washed away. If the stain is old, treat the area with white or apple cider vinegar to help dissolve the perspiration. Wash in hot water at least every third or fourth time to get rid of the buildup.
Lipstick
Generally, lipstick can be removed from washable clothing with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Use two hand towels; put one down and place the lipstick stain face down on it. Dab the back of the stain with the other towel, which has been dipped into the alcohol. Repeat until stain is gone. If there’s any residue, use a pre-spotter or stain remover before laundering and let air dry to be sure the stain is gone. Lipsticks today have newer formulas, such as long-lasting or those with a lot of gloss. Several treatments may be needed to remove these stains.

Blood
For clothes that you launder, soaking the bloodstained garment in cold water for about 30 minutes will usually remove it. However, if stains are visible, mix a bit of water with unseasoned meat tenderizer (which breaks down the protein in the blood) and apply to the area. If the garment can’t be laundered at home, take it to the dry cleaner right away and identify the stain. Let the professionals save the clothing.
Crayon on Walls
If your artistic child has shown his talent on painted walls or wallpaper, here’s how to get it off: Dry cleaning solvent, available at drug or shoe stores. Pour a bit on a terry cloth towel to safely remove crayon from almost any (except antique wallpaper) surface.
Mystery
Suddenly you notice a stain, but it really isn’t a mystery because it probably was there when the garment was put away or actually laundered, but did not come out totally. These stains frequently are from a light-colored liquid, such as a clear soft drink or white wine that contains sugar. If you’ve tried all of the normal spot-and-stain removers without success, give this a try: If the garment is white or light colored, use three-percent hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab to dab at the stain. Allow it to set for several hours because it acts as a milder, slower bleaching agent. 


Cleaning
Tubs
Use cheap hair shampoo and a scrub brush. (If you don’t like bending over, use a long-handled brush.) Commercial cleaners do an excellent job and so will vinegar, but do not use it on marble.

Toilets
Newer-model toilets with a shiny finish are easy to maintain by scrubbing with the toilet brush several times a week (for a minute) rather than only once a week. This will prevent a hard-water buildup. For regular cleaning, use a disinfecting cleaner, and don’t forget to clean under the seat, the lid and around the base.
Shower Curtains
Put plastic shower curtain and liners into the washing machine to eliminate grime. Toss in a bath towel or two for scrubbing action, along with the usual amount of detergent. Then place in the dryer for a couple of minutes or hang to dry. Here’s hint from my mother: To stop mildew buildup, use pinking shears to cut off the bottom seam of a liner or a non-decorative plastic curtain, so the water drips off.
Sterling Silver 
Sterling silver and stainless steel can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. If you put them in the dishwasher, don’t place the utensils in the same basket with stainless steel because this could damage the sterling. If you put sterling or silver-plate (no hollow-handled knives) in the dishwasher, stop the machine before the drying cycle and take them out to hand dry. For regular care, a good quality silver cream or polish will have excellent results.



FLAIR TIP:  *Take the time to study up on the subject of cleaning and keeping house.  Your research will inspire you.  Adopt house keeping as one of your hobbies and, something that you take pride in, and ENJOY.  The idea of it as a 'hobby' will infuse a NEW passion for your daily chores.  Keep me posted on any house cleaning tips that you can share.

Friday, April 29, 2011

WEEKEND RECIPES IDEAS

I have been EXCITED to share these recipes with you all!  I prepared these in the past couple of weeks and, OH MY!  VERY good!  Are you planning a luncheon for Mother's Day?  These would be DELICIOUS on your menu!  


You will most certainly want to file these away!  .....I PROMISE!  






BARBECUED SHRIMP


2 pounds shrimp, unpeeled
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, crushed *( I substituted with the minced garlic you find in the produce section) 
1 heaping tablespoon Italian seasoning


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Arrange shrimp in a shallow casserole.  Combine all remaining ingredients.  Pour over shrimp.  Bake for 30 minutes or until done.  Serve in soup bowls. Dip toasted French bread in sauce.  Serves 4 to 6.  


Recipe Source: THE STAR OF TEXAS COOKBOOK: The Junior League of Houston


Available at:  AMAZON
*FLAIR TIP:  This would be DIVINE prepared for a SUPPER CLUB or an elegant special occasion meal.  SO GOOD!  


Picture Credit:  FOOD NETWORK

MARINATED BEEF TENDERLOIN

4 cloves garlic, crushed ( I substituted with the chopped garlic found in the produce section of grocery)
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup red wine
1 t. dried whole thyme
1 bay leaf

Mix marinade in a large shallow dish.  Marinade the tenderloin over night, turning occasionally.  Before baking, drain off marinade.  Place tenderloin in baking pan with no cover.  Bake at 425 for one hour, until meat thermometer reads 150 degrees.  * For more rare results, bake for 50 minutes. 

* Recipe Credit:  My own recipe collection

Thursday, April 28, 2011

AN UNEXPECTED MOMENT AT HOME

Do you ever those unexpected events at home that can have a tendency to rattle you?  I was having one of those mornings yesterday, not a whole lot of FLAIR involved!  The sink was piled with dishes, as we had a stopped up sink (the plumber was on his way over) and, then, I mistakenly pulled a drawer out too far and, the contents spilled all over my kitchen floor.  I took a picture in order to illustrate my point.  What a mess! 


In that moment, I thought, "UGH", what else could go wrong today?  Then, I started thinking about something my Mom used to always say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  I started thinking about contentment and, what the condition of my heart is.  An attitude of contentment changes our perspective, as life's little "road bumps" come along.  In these moments, we have a CHOICE, we can choose how to respond.  This happened early in my day yesterday and, I had to decide if I was going to allow this MESS to ruin my day.  As I started to clean it up, I realized that I had been needing to clean this drawer out any way!  I decided to be THANKFUL for this opportunity to clean it out, right then.  I carefully organized the pens, the paper clips, the stamps.....all of it.  Once I was finished, I actually started being thankful that the drawer fell out all over the kitchen floor!  
Picture Credit:  AZfoothills.com

A thought to ponder:  what is the status of your heart today?  Are you allowing your circumstances to overwhelm you or, are you counting your blessings?  Taking time to give thanks, truly helps the feeling of being overwhelmed to LEAVE!  An attitude of contentment brings PEACE to our hearts!  Are you content in your job? In your home?  In your financial situation?  With your children?  With your singleness?  In your marriage?  With the size of your home? With your weight?  There are many more, but, I implore you today to GIVE THANKS in your day today, no matter what all is going on in your world.  Choose to be happy and then, LAUGH, when the unexpected things happen in your day! 
Picture Credit:  anti-aging treatments.com
Yesterday, once I got the drawer all put back together, the plumber came and fixed our sink.  What a relief!  I was determined to get the kitchen all tidy and the house straightened and, make it a GREAT day!  Since my ATTITUDE was set on the POSITIVE.....when the power went out yesterday afternoon for over 3 hours (from a bad thunder storm)- I was literally able to just laugh!  


Psalm 51:10 says: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 


A clean heart + a right spirit.  This is my prayer for myself and for you today.  Ask God to stir your heart today and, give you contentment for your journey.  I call this truly living with FLAIR! 







Tuesday, April 26, 2011

HOUSEKEEPING WITH FLAIR

Picture Credit:  MY HOME IDEAS
AHHHH....the DAILY task of keeping house.  Are you up for this task each day?  Do you dread the "dailiness" of it....making beds, loading/unloading the dishwasher, the seemingly unending piles of laundry....will it EVER end??  I want to ENCOURAGE you as you read this.....you CAN maintain a positive and upbeat attitude about the chore of keeping house.  I truly believe it is a form of ART!  


I recently read this great article in THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS.   Very insightful! 

Old-fashioned housekeeping tips from Dallas-Fort Worth grandmothers








Younger generations seem to have missed out on some of the lessons that their grandmothers knew so well. Those everyday, practical skills - sewing a missing button on a cuff, roasting a chicken, getting a garden to grow - can help stretch today's household budgets as well.
Author Erin Bried got tired of not knowing these skills, so she went straight to the experts: grandmothers. She cataloged household tips and practical advice from 10 grandmothers across the U.S. in How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew (Ballantine Books, $15).
We wondered what lessons North Texas grandmothers had to share. Here are their tips for making a house a home, and a home that can stick to a budget.
Lila Brooks, 81, of South Dallas
Get a routine and stick to it: In Brooks' home, Saturday was cleaning day - the bed linens were changed; the laundry was washed, ironed and ready to go for the next week; the floors were scrubbed; windows were washed; and all the work was done before the family went out to have fun. They didn't have to worry about heavy-duty chores for another week.
Get familiar with your sewing kit: Save your clothes and extend their lives by knowing how to patch jeans, sew on buttons and repair busted zippers.
Forget about dilly-dallying: Get up and get busy. "Get your house straightened right away. Start off by making your bed first thing," Brooks says.
Expect the unexpected: Brooks is always ready for whoever might drop by, something she learned from her own grandmother. The house is kept tidy so when guests pop in, there's no need to scurry around, straightening the house.
Frances Beckwith, 92, of Fort Worth
Above all else, have some respect: Whether it's for people or for things, treat things properly.
Love your linens: "It's a shame that today people don't use linens the way they used to." Dress a table before having company to a dinner or party, Beckwith says. Retire place mats and cloths when years of use and laundering start to show.
Quality counts: Save to buy the nicest pieces of furniture you can afford, then care for them. Keep furniture dusted and protected from sharp-edged decorations.
Good day, sunshine: Hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline, "so they'll smell sweet like the sunshine."
Use the good stuff: If you've got china, use it when entertaining. Paper is almost never OK in Beckwith's book.
Bea Kassees, 79, of East Dallas
Don't be afraid to accept help: Kassees' mother-in-law lived with her when her children where young. "She loved to cook, and I loved to let her cook." Kassees appreciated the help as well as the skills she learned from her husband's mother. To this day, her mother-in-law's Middle Eastern recipes are the ones her grandchildren request most often.
Ground hamburger is your friend: Kassees says to help her grocery dollar go further, she came up with "10,000 ways of cooking hamburger."
Utilize the oil of the gods: Kassees used olive oil to help ward off everything from stomach trouble to complexion issues. She's been known to apply it directly to super dry skin to provide relief.
Be a teacher: Parents need to get their children started with chores early. Teach them skills as you're doing the tasks. Let kids help make the beds, wash the dishes, put away the laundry. There's no need to wait until they're a certain age; teach them bit by bit. Before you know it, they'll be better than their teacher.
Norma Field, 86, of North Dallas
Eat leftovers: Don't let foods go to waste. If your husband doesn't like them, train him to by serving them until he eats them.
Simple is best: Keep clutter and knickknacks to a minimum; there's less to clean around that way.
Jump into new challenges: When she got married at 29, Field had never cooked a meal in her life. That didn't stop her from learning.
Don't try to do it all yourself: Field's husband helped around the house. They split the household chores - he cleaned the bathrooms, she did the cooking - and took a team approach to housekeeping and child-rearing.
A fresh start: Always start the day by making your bed, and never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.
How to Sew a Button
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HERE ARE SEVERAL OF MY CURRENT FAVORITE HOUSE CLEANING PRODUCTS.  THESE ITEMS TRULY HELP TO KEEP MY HOME IN ORDER.  *MOST IMPORTANT, THESE PRODUCTS CUT GERMS AND, WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE HOME, I GREATLY VALUE THIS! 


Picture from:  My Home Ideas.  THIS is the BEST (hands down!) stain fighter that there is!  Get some TODAY!
DRUGSTORE.COM.  I store a bottle of this WONDERFUL cleaner in each bathroom.  I use it OFTEN!  Cuts germs and, smells DIVINE.  I pour approx. 1 1/2 cups directly in to the toilet and, allow it to sit and CLEAN on its own for 10 minutes. Next, I don rubber gloves, grab a sponge and wipe out the toilet , then flush.  
An organic and highly effective fabric softener.  DRUGSTORE.COM

I CANNOT live without this AMAZING product in our home!  I buy this in BULK at www.costco.com.  My dear Mom-In-Law has been teaching pre-schoolers for over 20 years and, she INSISTS that this product is the reason the flu rate in her school is VERY low!!!  BUY some today and spray your toilets on a DAILY basis! 
My secret to getting "excited" about cleaning house?  First thing, I light a yummy smelling candle.  Works like a charm to get me going!  This wonderful candle by FEBREZE is called "GREEN TEA CITRUS".  Available at DRUGSTORE.COM
ARE THESE RUBBER GLOVES CUTE , OR WHAT??  DON THESE GLOVES AND, CLEAN AWAY!  Available from APRON QUEEN on ETSY.  Only $12.95 each and, wouldn't these make an ADORABLE gift?? 
LOOK at this darling apron!  To order:  APRON QUEEN  on ETSY.  $22.95.  CUTE!!!
FLAIR CLEANING TIPS FOR A TIDY HOUSE: EVERY DAY
  • MAKE THE BEDS FIRST THING EVERY DAY.  A MADE-UP BED MAKES THE ROOM AUTOMATICALLY LOOK 75% MORE STRAIGHT. 
  • DO LAUNDRY EVERY SINGLE DAY, IF NOT SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY- ALLOWING THE LAUNDRY TO STACK UP IS VERY OVERWHELMING.  WASH EACH DAY AND, THE PILE WILL NOT SEEM AS DAUNTING.
  • DISINFECT TOILETS EVERY SINGLE DAY.  THIS HABIT WILL CUT DOWN ON GERMS AND, YOU WILL FEEL A LITTLE MORE TIDY WITH A SPARKLING TOILET BOWL EACH DAY.  * FLAIR TIP: STORE A BOTTLE OF CLOROX CLEAN-UP IN EACH BATHROOM AND, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GRAB, SPRAY AND CLEAN....QUICK AND EASY!
  • ADOPT THE ATTITUDE THAT KEEPING HOUSE IS VERY MUCH A DAILY TASK.  CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY AS YOU CLEAN UP AND, TREAT YOURSELF TO A CUP OF COFFEE OR HOT TEA AFTER YOUR ARE FINISHED.
  • SORT THE MAIL RIGHT WHEN YOU TAKE IT OUT OF THE MAIL BOX. THROW OUT JUNK MAIL, RESPOND TO AN INVITATION AND FILE THE BILLS.  PRACTICE THIS EVERY DAY AND, I PROMISE, YOU WILL NOT HAVE A STACK OF MAIL 'LOOKING' YOU IN THE FACE.
  • EMPTY TRASH CANS EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I EMPTY TRASH CANS IN THE BATH ROOM AND UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK ON A DAILY BASIS.  LOOKING AT AN EMPTY TRASH CAN MAKES ME SMILE!  
  • LOAD THE DISH WASHER EACH NIGHT BEFORE YOU GET IN BED AND, PUSH 'START'.  THERE IS NOTHING LIKE WAKING UP TO CLEAN DISHES.
  • PREPARE THE COFFEE MAKER THE NIGHT BEFORE.  LOAD THE FILTER, THE COFFEE AND, SET OUT THE CUPS.  FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PRESS "START" AND, YOUR CUP OF HOT COFFEE IS MINUTES AWAY!  
YOUR TIDY HOUSE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!  CLEAN YOUR HOUSE WITH FLAIR, EACH AND EVERY DAY.  YOU WILL TRULY FEEL SATISFIED AND, YOU WILL DEVELOP GOOD HABITS TO KEEPING AN ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL HOUSE. 

Monday, April 25, 2011

FLAIR GOES SHOPPING- IKEA IN COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA

WOW!  What a FUN shopping trip, filled with MUCH to look at and, TREMENDOUS IDEAS for ALL things HOME and HOME DECOR!!!!  IKEA!  I spent over 3 hours there and.....even had lunch at their in house restaurant.  I dined on meatballs with cranberry dressing and fresh steamed vegetables...only $3.99!  I picked up some FUN accents for my new daughter, Blair's, nursery---will post soon!  


*RUN....do not walk....to an IKEA store as soon as you are able!  GREAT and INSPIRING ideas for your home......TONS of F.L.A.I.R!!!  The BEST part?  Great prices and HOT and up-to-date items for your home!  


A GREAT bedroom design!  LOVE this light fixture!  An awesome  'POP' in a room!  
LOOK at this SCRUMPTIOUS lunch -----only $3.99!!!!  TRULY tasted DELISH! 
AWESOME dining room design!  Look at the three light fixtures, hung all at the same height- over the table.  VERY chic and this design has HUGE FLAIR!!! 
AMAZING kitchen design!  I stopped and stared at this kitchen display for over  10 minutes.  GORGEOUS! Classic and fresh/crisp design.  CLEAN lines, classic and
modern- all at the same time! 
A nice family room design.  WHITE framed pictures and accent pieces are VERY
"of-the-moment".  STUDY the white accents ....these items truly MAKE a space! 
A very cute children's play area.  FUN and BRIGHT colors!  Doesn't this make you smile??  
Light fixtures hung in the IKEA dining area.  I LOVE the look of all of these  FABULOUS light fixtures!  Very dramatic and FUN!  I ate my lunch and, totally ENJOYED the decor!  BEAUTIFUL! 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

FLAIR IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Hello from GORGEOUS LONG BEACH  California!  I am here visiting and, for a VERY exciting reason!  We are adopting a new baby!  She was born on Saturday, April 16th and, she is PRECIOUS!  Long Beach is a beautiful city!  You should try to GET OUT HERE for a vacation, as soon as possible!  

Picture Credit:  city-data.com 
LONG BEACH MEMORIAL .  This is where our sweet baby girl was born.
Picture Credit:  Hospital web page 
A GORGEOUS AREA!  Picture Credit: pbielma.freeshell.org
WHITE SAND BEACHES!
Picture Credit:  threebestbeaches.com

Saturday, April 16, 2011

RECIPES FROM THE OAK GROVE HOME & GARDEN CLUB- MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

I have been a member of my neighborhood Garden Club since 2008.  The Club was founded in 1957. The Objective of the club is to stimulate interest in the care and planning of our homes and gardens and promote friendship among neighbors.


A Garden Club is a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors!  Check to see if you have one in your neighborhood and, get involved.  No worries, we do not actually dig in the dirt together.  We meet monthly at a neighbor's home and, listen to a different lecture from a person in the community.  We have heard from the likes of:  the director of our local MEMPHIS FARMER'S MARKET  , a local organic chicken farmer, a lady who is very well known for her embroidery (our very own Barbara Jackson) and, the owner of the FABULOUS cupcake bakery- MUDDY'S.  


My favorite part?  After the lecture, the assigned hostesses for the month, serve an AMAZING lunch!  


Here are three TO-DIE-FOR recipes that have been served recently.  I promise, you will FOR SURE want to make them RIGHT AWAY!  EXCELLENT!  * YES!  It is true:  some of the most amazing cooks are located in the deep south! 
Photo Credit:  All Recipes.
Thank you Carolyn Skaggs for sharing the first two listed recipes with me! 


POPPY SEED CHICKEN

6 chicken breasts, boiled in seasoned water
1 cup sour cream (for creamier I double)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (for creamier I  double)
1/4 cup broth from boiled chicken (can be doubled)
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 stack ritz crackers (crushed and mixed with 4 tablespoons butter)
1/2 cup poppy seeds

Boil breasts with bones in and skin on in water heavily seasoned with celery salt and pepper.  Mix sour cream, soup, broth, garlic salt and pepper.  (The spices make or break this recipe--Taste before baking-it should be flavorful even before you bake it.)

Debone and skin chicken and cut into pieces.  Add to sauce and place in casserole.  Top with buttered cracker crumbs and poppy seeds.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes uncovered until hot and bubbly.   Serve over rice.  (I use brown, wild or white rice and enjoy any of these.)


Photo Credit:  MY RECIPES  
ALMOND TEA

4 cups tea brewed
1 cup sugar
1 (6 oz can frozen lemon aide)
3 1/4 cups water
1/2 to 1 tsp. almond extract
Makes 1/2 gallon
(if needed just add more water to make 1/2 gallon)

ASPARAGUS SANDWICHES


1 loaf white bread
1 8 ounce package cream cheese (room temperature)
1-2 cans of asparagus
1/2 stick melted butter


Cut the crust off of the bread.  Spread cream cheese on each slice.  Drain asparagus. Roll one piece of asparagus in each slice of bread, jelly roll style. Brush with melted butter. Bake until golden brown- 350 degrees. 


* A truly AMAZING appetizer or, prepare for a luncheon.
  Thank you Lydia for sharing! 


Are you interested in joining or starting a local Garden Club?  Check out THE GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA web page and, learn all you can.  Happy gardening!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

A GREAT RECIPE for EASTER BRUNCH

My Mother is a FANTASTIC cook!  Over the years we (my siblings and I) have said she should have opened a restaurant, YEARS ago!  Her recipes are always a treasure.  This one is no different.  DIVINE!  You could serve this for an Easter Brunch.  ENJOY! 

Picture By: TASTE OF HOME Magazine
From: Marcie Holt- 2010

Eggs Benedict Casserole-

16 Eggs- (hard boiled, peeled, and sliced with an egg slicer)
1 stick butter
1 C. flour
4 C. milk
10 oz. Velveeta
2 C. grated Cheddar
10 oz. Sour Cream
2 lbs. bulk sausage ( fried lightly, crumbled, drained)
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tsp. dry mustard
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
12 English muffins ( lightly buttered, sliced, and toasted)

Preheat oven- 325.  Spray a 3 qt. 9X13 glass baking dish with oil spray, ( I have used a deeper casserole). Layer sliced eggs on the bottom.  In a large saucepan, melt butter, salt and pepper, and stir until melted.  Slowly add flour and stir until combined and butter absorbed.  Add milk and stir ( I like a whisk) continually until lumps are gone and mixture begins to thicken.  Add cubed Velveeta, Cheddar, Sour Cr., and spices.  When mixed, pour evenly over sliced eggs.  Top with cooked sausage.  Cover with aluminum foil.  

Bake 25-30 min.  Remove foil and continue baking about 10 min until sausage is brown and eggs are bubbly.
Serve over toasted muffins.  Garnish with paprika, a slice of fruit, or a sprig of mint or parsley.

NOTE: This is a large recipe, easily feeds 12-14.  Great for a crowd, easy to cut in half for a smaller group or family.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

EASTER ON MY MIND- TABLE CENTERPIECES WITH FLAIR!

The AMAZING Easter Holiday is ON.MY.MIND!  I truly hope that this post will get you INSPIRED for this BLESSED and SACRED holiday!  

  • What is your menu for Easter Sunday? 
  • What to do for the centerpiece?  
  • Table linens and dishes?  China or pottery? 
  • Will you invite family over or close friends OR..BOTH? 
  • An egg hunt for the children?  
  • Do you have a plan?  Whether your answer is "YES" or.... "NO".....GO AHEAD and GET STARTED in order to organize the MOST SPECIAL Easter Sunday Brunch......I am already SO excited...my heart is racing!!!!! 



Check out these FANTASTIC centerpiece ideas!  Begin NOW...selecting a color scheme for the holiday table, picking a menu for Easter Sunday and, making out your guest list---who will you invite to celebrate this BLESSED holiday
EPICURIOUS .  A great looking table!  Very simple and elegant!  All white pottery with
French tulips in the center.....GORGEOUS!!!
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.  This is ADORABLE and SO QUICK!  Take a moment to study the picture....a plain simple votive candle with a ribbon detail attached; a Gerber daisy in a sweet little green glass container.....SO EASY!  A GREAT IMPACT!  VERY CUTE!!!! 
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
From, MARTHA STEWART - SO GORGEOUS!!!
FROM, MARTHA STEWART ---GREAT IDEAS!!!
From GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
From FAMILY CIRCLE.  PEONIES floating in a pretty white bowl......SO pretty and SIMPLE!!!
 The result?  STUNNING!!!!  

Get started TODAY with planning out your Easter centerpiece and, thinking through your Easter lunch menu.  I have some GREAT recipes for Easter lunch to share with you.....STAY TUNED!!!!!  EASTER WITH FLAIR...I LOVE IT!!!!   The BEST part??  Our God is ALIVE and HE IS RISEN!!!