Transporting Perishables
When you commute between homes, have specific diet needs or feed children you find yourself bringing food back and forth and trying to maximize each trip to the market. When I plan for a weekend of entertaining, I love to cook things that make good leftovers and are easy to reinvent in the next dinner. I also plan my menus out in advance so that I can shop locally for any items that the town market won’t have and transport it on my way out of town.
The perfect accessories are coolers and containers. These are few of my favorites.
LLbean- the classic canvas tote, good for dry foods and walking the farmers market.
Flee a company I discovered when living in Boson, water resistant and super cute fabrics
Coleman, the Standard cooler made by a company that knows the outdoors
Crate & Barrel, sort of cheesy, but insulated and practical so you can’t argue with that.
Gladware Family Pack- Head to your BJs or Costco and pick up the Family Variety Pack….they are the best and don’t throw away the box it is so nice to grab the whole thing from the cabinet when it is cleanup time after a big meal.
Happy Eating!
I Hate Caterpillars
I was in Amelia Island, FL for Easter and having a nice glass of wine before we went inside to dine at a wonderful restaurant called Plae. I noticed that the tables nearest the tree were vacant. I thought perfect…until I began to look around and the caterpillars were climbing all over the railings and stumbled onto the table and chairs. We decided we were going to tough it out for the outdoor enjoyment, but it was so hard to focus that I eventually gave up and went inside for a wonderful meal, so don’t not go! It reminded me of what is to come and so when I got home I armed myself for a caterpillar free 2009.
I realized my hatred of caterpillars in the spring of 2008. It got so bad, in my mind of course, that I almost sold my house over it. After living in cities for 9 years I forgot the dominance of Mother Nature in the country. In 2008 I learned the hard way, I was too late too fight the good fight, but this year will be different.
I was in Pennsylvania this weekend and I visited the same spots I saw the nests in 2008 and they had already began “tenting”. Although I might be 1 month ahead of the game, I am going to do my best to prevent the infestation.
My choice weapon is, Tanglefoot, it a chemical free pest management product. I pair this with Safer Brand, Caterpillar Killer spray for the leaves of any young low bearing trees or shrubs. And finally once the caterpillars become moths, I put out traps. I will be interested in seeing the difference my efforts make in 2009 and will keep you posted.
Tent Caterpillars and Gypsy Moths severely damage tree growth and leaf production. Notify your town if the problem is persistent because the more complaints the more likely they are to regionally spray and address the problem. For more details, NY State Dept. of Environment.
Project of the Month
If you have ever dabbled in jewelry making or reaped the benefits of someone else’s hobby then you can participate in this fun mix and match project. I have gathered up all my outdated necklaces, my chokers, those with tarnished toggles and odd color combinations and ripped them all apart.
After last Friday’s blog I started to recognize some trends for this spring and I laid out some color combinations with the necklaces that were simply collecting dust in my jewelry box.
Color Combinations
Light Green & Pale Pink
Red & Yellow
White & Aqua
Brown, Tan, White
Green, Clear, Gold
Sea Green
Pale Orange
Yellow
Pink & Aqua
Green Mossy Hues
Purple & Orange
Black & Gold
White
I can’t wait to complete the combinations & recycle my old necklaces.
What to do with old Christmas Cards?
1. Use as next years Christmas tags, Just cut out what would make a pretty tag, punch a hole in the top with a paper-punch, and use a ribbon to attach to the gift.
2. Children’s Memory Game, Cut out matching size squares from construction paper and your Christmas cards and glue two together with a glue stick.
3. Cut out shapes i.e. stars, circles, etc and string them for ornaments for 2010.
4. Use them for Place Cards at your next dinner party.
5. Turn it into a post card and send a note to a friend.
6. Christmas Ornaments, use cookie cutters to draw shapes and cut out with shears or craft scissors. Punch a hole and string with a ribbon.
7. Bookmark, laminate and punch a whole and string with yarn.
Any Clean Freaks Out There?
Whether you are cleaning up after a dinner party or just general day to day stuff; the kitchen sink is the enemy. There is research to support that the average kitchen sponge contains approximately 50 Million bacteria, don’t believe me read on.
If you already knew it is true, what do you do? These facts don’t get you out of cleaning and you don’t get to stuff the earth using paper towels for every job.
Searching high & low we have found some products that meet function, purpose and design.
For a Little Abrasion
The Dolls Sir La Table
Plastis IkeaI buy 10 at a time. The suction keep the scrubber in the sink, but off the basin floor.
Dispensing Brushes
Good Grips Container Store
Casacolor Scrubby Sponges Better Homes and Gardens Store 100% natural cellulose& treated with Ultra-Fresh, an EPA registered anti-microbial and are biodegradable HOW GREEN OF YOU!
Twist Loofa Sponge Twist AND GREEN!
All Clad Anyone
Jetz-Scrubz Scrubber Sponge Gracious Home (Won’t scratch chrome, copper, stainless steel, anodized surfaces, non-stick cookware, glass, crystal, porcelain, china, ceramics and so on)
Their Containers:
Suction Sponge Holders Target
Oxo Sunction Basket Amazon
Frog Sponge Holder Etsy & KitchenKapers Or if you prefer a monkey, KitchenWorks
Bring the Outside In
Reclaimed tree trunks make great occasional tables, plant stands and stools. Cluster a few and you have got an artful variation to the standard coffee table. Having a party, swing them towards the walls and use them for additional seating or place two at the end of your bed for the perfect bench. Many stores are carrying a wide array of options and here are a few of my finds.
Bamileke Table: Jayson Home & Garden 
Argentinean cypress trees trunks: Pottery Barn
Timber Block Stool: Viva Terra
Root of Earth Stool: Viva Terra
Resin Tree Stump: West Elm
Reclaimed Burma Wood Nesting Tables: Company Store
Twisted Table Uncommon Goods
Star Point Table Horchow
Hardwood Side Table Brocade Home
Peroba and Harvested Mahogany Environment Furniture
