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Moon Over Buffalo

June 28, 2010 By Jill Leave a Comment

My daughter Talia was recently in a play at her high school (ok, she is always in a play at her high school). The acting bug has bitten her which is fine with me; I was in drama in high school also and I loved it. A lot of work goes into each production. The drama teacher cannot do it alone. Parents help with many things – sewing costumes, publicity, and ticket sales. The task I take on is the dress-rehearsal dinners. On dress rehearsal nights (typically the last three rehearsals before … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Tagged With: favors, kids, party

A Bloom from the Bride and Groom

June 24, 2010 By Lacy Leave a Comment

I came across this  idea at a restaurant for Mother’s Day brunch a few years back and I just loved it. A man walked around with single flowers to give to all of the mothers while they ate their meal and it was so special. There is just something so heartwarming about receiving a single flower for you to enjoy smelling or to put in your hair or to pin on your blouse. I couldn’t help but think what a great idea this would be for a wedding or bridal shower! Not only is it something your guests … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Decorations, Featured, Gifts & Favors, Wedding

Freeze up some savings

June 24, 2010 By Lacy Leave a Comment

Upright freezers are generally more expensive than chest freezers and are 10-25% less energy efficient.  Defrost your freezer whenever ice buildup is more than 1/4" thick. … [read more...]

Filed Under: Energy Tips Tagged With: energy tip

Writing Thank You Notes

June 17, 2010 By Jill Leave a Comment

I grew up in a family where writing thank you notes was something that was expected. A verbal thank you was okay for some things, but I had the kind of grandma where thank you notes weren't just for weddings gifts, but for birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, or just a dinner party. Of course, this was the same grandma who stabbed her son (my father) in the elbow at dinner for having his elbows on the table! Manners were important to her and she did her best to pass that on to her grandchildren. As … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Occasions Tagged With: address labels, cards, thank you

Hey, Who Turned off the Lights?

June 17, 2010 By Lacy Leave a Comment

Use dimmers, motion sensors, or occupancy sensors to automatically turn on or off lighting as needed and prevent energy waste.  Occupancy sensors are great for dark hallways and rooms with hard to reach light switches.  They can be purchased for about $20 at The Home Depot. … [read more...]

Filed Under: Energy Tips Tagged With: energy tip

Wash, Dry, Save

June 10, 2010 By Lacy Leave a Comment

Wash only full loads in a dishwasher and use the shortest cycle that will get your dishes clean.  If operating instructions allow, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, open the door and let the dishes dry naturally. … [read more...]

Filed Under: Energy Tips Tagged With: energy tip

Berry Dessert Sauce

June 9, 2010 By Jeanne 1 Comment

This elegant sauce is bursting with berry flavor. In our family, we use a blend of raspberries and marionberries from our garden. Our neighbors use the wild blackberries that are everywhere in the Pacific Northwest. You can put up the juice in pretty Weck bottles like I did, and for a very festive presentation, wrap the bottle tops in brown paper and tie with hang tags. Sauce directions: In a large saucepan heat 6 pints of berries, fresh or frozen, and 2 cups water. Heat until berries burst. … [read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Condiments & Flavorings, Featured, Food & Drink, Occasions Tagged With: DIY, food, homemade, Occasions, recipe

Blue Lagoon Signature Drink

June 7, 2010 By Jeanne 5 Comments

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” - it all happens with this one sweet little favor gift. A new bottle, a blue drink, a borrowed recipe, and a ribbon that your mother (or grandmother) has been keeping in her sewing kit for all these years, for “just the right project”. So, what is a Blue Lagoon? This is how it came onto this blog. I wanted a signature drink to use as summertime wedding favors; something the guests could take home with them. There were … [read more...]

Filed Under: Bachelor/Bachelorette, Blog, Bridal Shower, Cocktails & Mixers, Featured, Food & Drink, Gifts & Favors, Wedding Tagged With: favors, Occasions, party, recipe, weddings

Clean on the Cheap

June 3, 2010 By Lacy Leave a Comment

Add energy-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators.  They reduce the amount of water released from a tap by up to 50 percent, with almost no noticeable difference in pressure. … [read more...]

Filed Under: Energy Tips Tagged With: energy tip