January 2012

Storing Those Holiday Decorations

Storing Christmas Trees: Although you can store your artificial Christmas tree in the box that it came in (I applaud anyone that can accomplish this task), it is not the ideal solution to preserve your tree. The cardboard deteriorates fairly quickly and that can cause damages, not to mention it will not prevent insect or rodent infestation. It is best to purchase a Christmas tree bag (usually made of a tarp like material, with handles and a zipper), or a Christmas tree box (usually made of plastic). You can even just use a couple of regular trash bags - pull one up over the bottom and put one down over the top and wrap some extra ribbon around them in the middle!

Storing Christmas Ornaments: First put away any ornaments that have their own box. Get out all the boxes that you have saved for storing ornaments (shoe boxes are great). Gather some shredded paper, tissue paper, or old newspaper. Sort the ornaments by size, weight & fragility. You can store sturdy wood or plastic ornaments nestled with tissue paper, newspaper, or even old towels, with layers going from heavy to light. Fragile ornaments should be individually wrapped and put into separate, marked boxes. If an ornament is particularly fragile, or dear, it should be wrapped in tissue paper, put into it's own individual box (or plastic cups work), then put inside the larger box with the other fragile ornaments.

Storing Christmas Lights: First cut a square out of sturdy cardboard (about 1 1/2 to 2ft square for each strand of lights), then cut a small slit into one corner of the piece of cardboard. Cut a second slit into the corner located diagonally across from the first slit. Insert one end of the strand of Christmas lights into the first slit and secure that end by taping it to the cardboard. Now wrap the strand of lights around the cardboard until you reach the end. Insert the end of the strand into the second slit, and secure that end with tape. It is also a good idea to mark each piece of cardboard with details regarding the strand of lights (color, blinking, indoor, outdoor, etc.). You can store the wrapped light in plastic bags, or storage boxes.

Storing Christmas Wreaths: There are many different wreath storage bags and boxes that you can purchase. They are usually perfectly shaped to help prevent damage to your wreaths. You can however wrap your wreath in a heavy duty plastic bag, add a hook, and hang in a storage room to preserve it.

Storing Christmas Blankets/Towels/Linens: It is best to store your Christmas linens in a suitcase to prevent moisture damage. You can store your Christmas blankets, towels, rugs, etc. on any unused shelf in a closet or drawer. You can also insert scented dryer sheets to keep out the moths and keep them smelling fresh.

Super Super Bowl Party Ideas!

Fans of American football know that Super Bowl Sunday is not just any other Sunday, it is our favorite holiday. The game is not just something you watch, it's something you experience. Are you hosting a Super Bowl party at your house? Whether you've done this for years or it's your first time planning, here are some tips to host a winning Super Bowl Party for your family and friends. We have a couple ideas for games, decorations, and easy dip recipes.

Super Bowl Decorating Ideas:
Make or purchase banners, posters, and pennants for the walls. Making pennants can make for a fun and easy project for the kids to complete. Simply cut triangles out of paper or felt from both teams colors.

Make little jerseys as wall decorations. Simply cut out shirt shapes using felt or paper. Glue numbers onto the jerseys and attach them to string. Hang them around the room. Use clothes pins to attach the jerseys to the string, like a clothes line.

Put snacks in football shaped bowls or in bowls in the shape of a helmet. You could purchase actual team helmets & place bowls of chips or other snacks, into the helmets, and securely place on a table.

Make a table into a football field, by taking a plastic green tablecloth and paint white ten yard lines on it. Add goal posts (made from the cardboard wrapping paper rolls) at either end of the table. Sprinkle football confetti over the top of the table.

Make football shaped ice cubes for the drinks.

Purchase or make a football shaped pinata.

Super Bowl Game Idea:
Touchdown Cash Super Bowl Game: As each person arrives at the party they put a dollar in a cup. The cup gets passed to one person in the party at the beginning of every play (some variations have that person adding another dollar). The person holding the cup when a touchdown comes gets to keep the money. If you plan to do this several times, you can decrease the amount contributed to fifty cents a pass.
,br/> After the first touchdown, the winner gets to determine what will win the next pool of cash (such as the first touchback, or field goal). This adds a lot of extra spice to the game... so get ready to hear a bit of rowdiness and yelling!

Super Bowl Dip Recipes:
Layered Mexican Bean Dip
Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
1 package taco seasoning
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 medium onion, finely chopped
jalapeno pepper, sliced
shredded lettuce
1 large ripe tomato , chopped into small chunks
shredded cheese (cheddar, or taco blend)
1 can black olives, sliced

Directions:
Mix taco seasoning with beans and spread in a 13x9 inch glass dish.
Layer sour cream, onion, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese& olives in that order.
Serve with tortilla chips or scooper size Fritos.

Chili Sour Cream Dip
Ingredients:
1 (32 ounce) can sour cream
2 (7 ounce) can of diced green chilies, drained
1/2 cup snipped, fresh cilantro
1/2cup jarred salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons mild, or hot chili powder
2 teaspoons finely shredded lime peel
1 teaspoon salt
bottled hot sauce to taste

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine sour cream, chilies, cilantro, salsa, garlic, chili powder, lime peel, salt and hot pepper sauce.
Cover and chill overnight
Serve with fresh vegetables, cut for dipping

Cleaning Hard Surface Floors

Are you confused about how you should be cleaning your hard surface floors? Some cleaning solutions will work wonders on your floors, others could ruin them. Here are some cleaning tips for different types of flooring. With all types, you will need to sweep the entire area with a dust mop, prior to mopping.

Laminate Floors: Laminate floors are often difficult to maintain because after you've cleaned them, you're left with ugly streaks. Vinegar can tackle almost all dirt and grime that ends up on the floor. Mix 1/4 cup vinegar into a 30 to 32oz spray bottle with warm water. Glass Cleaner, yes, glass cleaner, undiluted, out of the bottle can indeed help you clean your laminate floors too. Lightly mist a section of floor to be cleaned with either solution and then use a a mop with a microfiber pad to get up the solution. To remove scuffs, you can try a Magic Eraser, or rubbing alcohol.

Linoleum or Vinyl Floors: Linoleum and vinyl floors generally require only warm water for cleaning. Most detergents won't rinse clean and leave behind a sticky residue. If you find your floor requires a cleanser, use Ivory Liquid dish soap. Add 7 or 8 drops in a large bucket of warm to hot water. Using a medium scrub brush, lightly scrub the floor in circular motion. Once the floor has been scrubbed, go over the floor with a mop and warm water only, to shine. To remove scuff marks, rub a small amount of WD40 on a soft rag to the problem spots, then clean as above.

Ceramic Tile Floors: Ceramic floors usually have a high gloss glaze, that can be easy to streak and haze. It is best to use just warm water when cleaning ceramic tiles. If possible use a steam mop. If there are messes or spills that are not coming up with water alone, spray a soft cloth with glass cleaner and wipe up the spots. Remove scuffs with a Magic Eraser, or pencil eraser.

Hardwood Floors: Remember that water is an enemy to hardwood floors, so never soak them. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the floor, then use a microfiber mop to get up the mist, or if you are using a sponge mop, or regular mop, make sure to get most of the wetness out of the mop before placing on the floor. Use 4 caps full of Pine-sol to 30-32oz of warm water in a spray bottle to get your wood floor clean and streak free, without making too slippery. Remove scuffs with a Magic Eraser, or pencil eraser.

Marble Floors: Marble floors can be hard to maintain. For this reason, you may want to purchase a marble cleaner, especially for your floor. If none is available, you may only want to clean your marble floors with cool, purified water (adding a few drops of ph neutral dish soap, if the floor is in need of some deeper cleaning). It is best to do the floor on your hands and knees, washing and drying small sections as you go. Remove scuffs with crushed, plain white Chalk (rub lightly on the scuff with soft cloth)

Granite Floors: Granite floors, like Marble floors, are harder to maintain. You may want to look into a granite cleaner, made for floors. If that is not available to you, add 3 to 4 drops of ph neutral dish soap to a 30 - 32oz spray bottle of warm water. Make sure to hand dry the granite, as allowing it to air dry may cause streaking. Remove scuffs with crushed, plain white Chalk (rub lightly on the scuff with soft cloth)