BRIGHTEN AND LIGHTEN YOUR HOME FOR SPRING

It's here, Spring is in the air and it's time to get down to the business of lightening and brightening up your home. I love to decorate our home according to the change in seasons. I never really paid much attention to the fact that I was a seasonal decorator until a few years back. I was being interviewed on a radio program when 'Jodi' asked me, "You're one of those women that has her home decorated for Fall, don't you?" .....and I didn't answer her. She SAID, "Come on, I know you've got pumpkins in your house." And I did, in fact I had WAY more than a few pumpkins and I was uncomfortable revealing this decorating-dependency I had going on. Well my friends, it has taken some time, but since then I've learned to embrace my inner decorator and I'm okay with people knowing that when Winter is on the decline, it's time to take notice and I AM going to decorate for Spring.

Most everyone loves Spring and since the season brings with it a warm ambiance I find more reasons than not to give our home a suitable seasonal look. Spring is associated with new life and growth. Nature is in its full glory during this time of year and most decorators and homeowners alike take advantage of fresh bright colors, beautiful Spring flowers, colorful decorative pieces and accent materials to make their homes stylish for Spring. So when the sun is shinning bright and warm sunlight filters through your windows stop being stuck in Winter mode....it's time to lighten and brighten your home for Spring.

You too can also bring Spring inside your home with some creative ideas and inexpensive accessories. Decorate with the feel of fresh air!

1. First and foremost....SPRING CLEAN!

If you haven't yet cleaned away Winter to usher in Spring, here is a comprehensive list of Spring cleaning to-do's. Choose what is right for your home and family. Nothing says "fresh start" like a clean house.

2. Lighten Up!

Do you have Scarlett O'Hara velvet drapes or a heavy corduroy sofa? Spring is the time to change them out for lighter looking alternatives. Remove the drapes and replace them with airy sheers. Slipcover the sofa or chairs with paler tones or florals.

3. Rethink the Rugs

Wonderfully cozy area rugs look just right in winter. But when the temperature rises it may be time to roll them up and replace them for Spring with sisal or cotton rugs in light, cool colors. Spring and Summer are also good times to have heavy rugs cleaned or repaired.

4. A Room with A View

If your furniture is centered in front of a fireplace, think about ways to rearrange the look for summer. Change the focal point away from the mantel to a view of a garden, placing the conversation grouping to take advantage of the garden scene just outside your window.

5. Create an Inviting Porch

Spring and Summer living often moves out to the porch. Introduce a few garden chairs, accessories, and floral fabrics onto your porch. You’ll get that wonderful outdoor feeling and you may not want to go back inside your home. That's when you can think....sleeping porch!

6. Store the Silks

Remove dusty silk flower arrangements from your rooms. Thoroughly clean and store them away for a few months. Instead, bring in fresh green plants and flowering pots. These lively touches can breathe life into Winter-weary spaces.

7. Re-Accessorize

Time to rework your accessories and makeover your shelves. Clean winter dust off the shelves and begin to replace objects with an eye toward keeping the look light. Bring out your floral china or white ironstone, set up a collection of pitchers or glass, and include plants and picture frames as well.

8. Think Sheer

Sheer curtains, sheer tablecloths, sheer bed skirts, and pillows – all of these say “Spring” louder than almost any other element. Look for plain, embroidered, or printed sheer designs that complement your interiors.

9. De-Clutter Now
People tend to nest in the winter and pull out blankets, knickknacks, and anything cozy. Put all of this away and go for a minimal look. Any spot that is overcrowded or unorganized can drain your energies. A visit to a home store can yield products to contain clutter wherever it exists and put it away.

10. Clean out the Fireplace

Now is the perfect time to sweep away the ashes of winter fires and start fresh. Fill your firebox with a large fern, an arrangement of candles or an attractive display of beautiful birch logs. Or, cover the box with an attractive folding screen decoupaged with summer florals.

These are just a few ideas to lighten and brighten your home's décor for the warm months ahead. They need not cost a lot or be time consuming to be effective. Remember, three things for Spring/Summer decorating: have fun with accessorizing, use bright colors, and declutter! Just as you lighten up your Fall and Winter wardrobe for your Spring and Summer, why would you do any less for your home?

Let in that breath of fresh air that we have been waiting for....

....you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

Provolone, Spinach and Shitake Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast with Shaved Fennel and Arugula Greens

Plating and food presentation play a huge role in how we experience food. When a plate of food is put in front of you the first thing you do is look at it. That's just natural. At this point, the calculating has already begun, you are deciding if  it's going to be a scrumptious eating adventure or a blah eating experience. Most often, your predictions are correct. This recipe has the potential to be arguably one of the best meals you will ever put betwixt your pearly whites. It's got it all..... color, different textures, shape and proportion. I already know it's divine, now it's your turn to decide. If you can't tell from this dazzling photo, then spend an afternoon cooking this most fabulous of meals. You won't be surprised at the results, your mouth will back up what your eyes have already told you!

Provolone, Spinach and Shitake Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast with Shaved Fennel and Arugula Greens

SERVES 4

Stuffed Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoon olive oil, plus a drizzle for the grill pan, divided use
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon salt, plus a pinch, divided use
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus a pinch, divided use
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 3 ½ ounce package shitake mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 4 slices of Provolone cheese
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
• ¼ cup sundried tomatoes packed in olive oil
• 4 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped, divided use
• 8 toothpicks
• 1 lemon, sliced into 4 circles for garnish
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

WHAT TO DO

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and line a baking sheet with foil.
• On a large plate or platter, marinate the chicken breast by adding 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the lemon zest and juice, the Italian seasoning, the ¼ teaspoon of the salt, the ¼ teaspoon of the black pepper, the garlic powder and the paprika; allow to marinate for about 20 minutes while the mushrooms are sautéed, and the salad ingredients are prepped.
• In a medium sized pan set over medium-high heat, add the 2 remaining tablespoons of the olive oil, and once hot, add the sliced shitake mushrooms; once the mushrooms begin to soften, add the pinch of salt and the pinch of black pepper, plus the 2 cloves of pressed garlic to the pan, and sauté quickly for about 1-2 minutes, until slightly golden; remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside until ready to use for the filling. (*At this time, you can now prepare the Salad ingredients and the Dressing found below, and hold those in the fridge until ready to serve.)
• After marinating the chicken breasts, heat a grill pan on medium-high heat; once very hot, add the drizzle of olive oil, and add the marinated chicken breasts to the grill pan; cook the chicken breasts for only 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown on the outside; you DO NOT want to cook the chicken all the way through, only to grill the outside, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
• Remove the chicken from the grill pan, and once cool enough to handle, make a large slit into the thickest part of the breast to create a deep pocket; be careful not to slice all the way through the breast cutting it in half, but just enough to make a large pocket to stuff; next, begin to stuff each breast with a slice of the Provolone cheese, a few leaves of the baby spinach, a spoon of the sundried tomatoes, a spoon of the sautéed shitake mushrooms and a pinch of the chopped parsley; secure each breast by using 2 toothpicks to hold the breast closed, and place each stuffed breast onto the foil lined baking sheet and into the oven to bake for about 8-10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted; remove from oven, and remove the toothpicks; keep warm until ready to serve.

Shaved Fennel and Arugula Greens with Lemon-Parmesan Dressing

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (7 ounce) bag wild Arugula greens
• 1 small bulb fennel, quartered, cored and sliced very thinly
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• 1 garlic clove, pressed through garlic press
• ¼ cup olive oil

WHAT TO DO

• In a medium bowl, add the Arugula and the sliced Fennel, and toss together; hold in the fridge while you make the dressing.
• In a small bow, add the lemon juice through the garlic, and lightly whisk to combine; next, slowly begin drizzling in the olive oil, whisking all the while until the dressing is well emulsified; set aside until ready to dress the greens.
• Once ready to serve the salad with the Stuffed Chicken, drizzle the dressing over the Arugula greens and Fennel, and toss well to coat; serve with the Stuffed Chicken.

TO SERVE

Place one Stuffed Chicken Breast onto each plate, along with a generous portion of the Fennel and Arugula Greens on the side; add a lemon slice, a sprinkle of the pine nuts and a sprinkle of the chopped parsley on top of each chicken breast, for garnish.

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

Petanque, Badminton, Croquet - OH MY! Spring & Summer Lawn Games

I don't know about you all but I had a wonderful childhood. Jam packed full of fond memories. My days were happy ones...pretty much growing up inside a 'bubble'. My sister and I were friends with the girls in our neighborhood and we played outdoors mainly, except on those rare rainy days when we pulled out our favorite board games to occupy our time. One of our favorite outdoor pastimes was to play games of croquet. My friends and I unearthed a croquet set my parents had stashed away in our garage.

Which is slightly odd, I don't think I ever saw my parents or their friends play this century old lawn game. Even so we found it way back in the garage and as kids will do, we drug it out to play. Having no idea what we were doing, we made up rules as we went along. So croquet, what is it? Croquet is a lawn game, played both as a recreational pastime and as a competitive sport. It involves hitting plastic or wooden balls with a mallet through hoops often called 'wickets', especially in the US, embedded into the grass playing court. 

And yes, technically that is croquet. For me though, croquet was simpler. It was sunny Spring days, freshly mowed lawns, the crack of the mallet on those pretty wooden balls and sweet young girlfriends who enjoyed laughter and being silly MORE than winning the game. What a wonderful tradition my parents shared with us just by keeping that old rickety croquet set in the garage......and what I wouldn't give to have that very same set in my garage for my children to create their own memories. 

With that in mind......

If you're looking for a new and unique idea for your next party....embrace the outdoors and invite your friends and neighbors over for an evening full of good food and lawn games. This party is sure to create a little  friendly competition!

Set up activities on your lawn like croquet, pétanque and badminton.  Separate the areas with decorations, such as different colored paper lanterns hanging above in the trees,  or decorative signs announcing the game.  Since your guests will be occupied with competition, set up two separate stations – one of festive drinks, one of delicious easy pick-ups. For the drinks, offer iced tea and a frozen lemonade with blackberry puree served in glass drink dispensers and old fashioned sodas.  For the pick-ups, arrange a buffet of appetizers that are easy to grab in between plays. These stations are perfect for encouraging your guests to self-serve. 

For the hostess who is always looking for a new take on an old classic – this party just may be for you!  Let the games begin!

Petanque

Badminton

Croquet

These wonderful lawn games are relatively easy for the novice to learn and inexpensive to purchase. You can find them at any sporting goods store like Academy. If you have never had the joy of playing these classic lawn games, make an evening of it with your friends....

....you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

SPRING BLOOMS: DIY DISH GARDENS

CONFESSION.....I AM NOT A HUGE FAN OF CUT FLOWERS. A dozen red roses. Vases of pink carnations. Beautiful and fragrant, but to quickly they die. Early in our marriage I informed Mr.P that if he felt the need to buy me flowers to please make them potted. I do believe I just heard audible gasps from women all across America. But think about it, a flowering dish garden can give you years of enjoyment, if taken care of properly, and a much better use of money. And if I haven't mentioned it.....I am conservative when it comes to spending money. My husband would say....CHEAP!

So if you are you ready for the sight of beautiful spring flowers, then you'll love making an easy and gorgeous basket of potted flowering plants. Just follow these simple instructions and how-to photos.

GETTING STARTED:

When planning your mini-landscape, consider the environment. Indoor or tropical plants don’t mind sitting in wet soil and can survive with artificial sunlight. Get creative with color, shape and texture by choosing plants and a container that represent your personal style.

Materials needed 

• Container that doesn’t drain, such as a metal bowl or a basket lined with plastic
• Charcoal
• Quality potting soil
• Sheet Moss, Green or Spanish
• Pots of flowering plants or greenery such as ivy
• Watering can

Step 1 - If using a basket, insert plastic liner into the bottom of the basket, trimming edges to fit. If using a metal container, line with heavy duty plastic to avoid rust. Begin by filling the bottom of the container with charcoal, a few inches will do.  

Step 2 - Next, pour potting soil on top of charcoal. A few inches of enriched potting soil is sufficient. Do not press down the soil.

Step 3 - Now it’s time to place plants into the container. First, decide how you want to arrange your plants. I sit my plants, pots and all, in my basket to find the best possible arrangement, positioning them accordingly. A mix of high, medium, and low plant heights is pleasing to the eye, but several pots of one variety of flowering plant can also be closely spaced to create an even mass of flowers. Once decided, remove the plants from their foil, floral paper cover or pots. Make sure you loosen the root balls before planting. No overcrowding, you want them to have plenty of room to grow.

Step 4 - Fill the spaces between your plants with additional potting soil. Once plants are settled, water with a watering can. First, water around the outside edge of the container, keeping the can’s nozzle close to the soil. Then, carefully water around the plants in the middle. Try to avoid getting water on leaves and petals.

Step 5 - Next, slightly dampen moss. Pull handfuls of moss apart and use pieces to hide and cover visible soil. Cover lightly, you don't want to suffocate the soil. 

Step 6 - After the initial watering, the garden will only need to be tended to occasionally. Before watering again, touch the soil. If the top is damp, the garden does not need to be watered. Be sure to read the care and light instructions that come with each plant. Replace any plants that perish with a new pot or green plant such as ivy.

AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION & INSPIRATION:

Making an easy and gorgeous basket of blooms will unexpectedly bring an early Spring to your home. Let your creative side loose....

....you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

This is my own little dish garden I made a few years back. 
I keep it in my kitchen window with a favored rooster.

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

Step-by-Step photos provided by Lynn Wilson

COLLEGE DECORATING: Dorm Room Basics 101

I don't have to be a psychic to know thousands of mothers of college students from all across America  spent a small fortune in Bed, Bath, and Beyond,  before their child headed off to college. You began by throwing countless items into your cart, then packed up your child and all their goods and headed to the college of their choice. It was moving day. Before long you found your college student's new room’s wardrobe dumped onto the floor of their dorm room. It was not until after you and your young co-ed began unpacking  that you finally figured out what you had actually purchased. Realizing that a leopard print rug does not quite go with a lime green and turquoise throw blanket, or a three-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower and fuchsia bean bag chair. As you stand there with your student in awe of what you have done, it slowly begins to sink in.....you did not need to buy out the inventory of the dorm room section of the BB&B. In order to make this lunchbox sized dorm room feel like home, all you needed were a few personal touches from home! I HOPE YOU KEPT THE RECEIPT MY DEARS!

1. The first thing to consider before you even begin decorating  a dorm room is: what are the colors that make you happy?  You need to be surrounded by an environment that will be conducive to you working at your full potential....after all, you are at college to learn! And in order to do this, you need to be happy! It really doesn't matter what color theme you choose, whether it be soft pastels, neutral beige, brown and grays, or vibrant neons. After you decide what color palette will make you smile every morning, even when you are waking up for an 8 a.m. class, go with it!

2. The first item I suggest you find in your palette is your comforter. Your bed is one of the largest pieces of furniture in your room and therefore one of the focal points that your eyes will naturally be drawn to. Make sure that you LOVE your bedspread!  Colored comforters work well because they open up your room and add a little life to your shared shoe box.

3. Make sure to spice up those white cinder block walls! In addition to posters, try getting some colored scrapbook paper that works with your color scheme, and organize the pieces in a funky pattern on the wall. Grab a glue stick, print some pictures of family, friends from home, and college buddies and make an interesting collage on scrapbook paper. Hang them on your wall for instant colorful art. Surrounding yourself with photos of the ones you love will make you feel more at home. Try ZAZZLE.COM....they have everything pretty to cover drab dorm room walls.

4. Okay, I know organizing sounds more like homework than it does a night out on the town, but it is important and can be a bit fun...if you're OCD!  Find some colored hangers, bins or storage cubes to organize your school supplies, they're cute and can store your books as well as double as a step stool in your color palette. These organizing accessories will help you keep the surfaces of your furniture as empty as possible, which is a huge asset to every well put together room.  Decorating experts recommend that any work surface be covered only 20% with items, especially a desk where you will be studying, you need no distractions here. Keep in mind that anything that you have to have in your room for organization can still be decorative and make your room more appealing and inviting!

5. Although 'tchotchkes' may seem like their only purpose is to take up space, they are truly necessary to calling your dorm room home away from home!  Decorative items…are not specifically necessary for a dorm room's functionality, but they do provide elements that personalize the space and create an expression of who lives in it.  Bring that stuffed animal that you got when you were 10, your slinky, and your cute frog cookie jar, and make your room wonderfully, happily, you!   

.....and if you are lucky enough to have the space.....

Soooo....Before you head to the store, look around at your personal inventory of favorite things. Decide what will fit the theme of your dorm room and more importantly make your first experience away from home a bit easier.....and all without stepping foot into a store. Your checking account and parents will thank you!

ENJOY!

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

RONDA

Dedicated to Ms.E, who will be heading off to college this Fall

......Mr.P & I will miss her.