DREAMY SUMMER PICNICS

When our family was younger, one of our favorite things to do on Saturdays in the Summertime was to go on picnics! I loved spending the afternoon with yummy snacks, a good book, and a bottle of lemonade - relaxing while the kids played and Mr.P snoozed. We still do quite a bit of picnicking when we travel. Not only is it economical but enjoyable to sit back, rest and people watch. Now that the days are warmer, maybe Mr.P and I will pack up some food, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors with a picnic.  When it comes to picnics, most of us like to create a unique yet effortless experience. Here are a few ideas that have been inspiring me for the future.  

How dreamy is this? 
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The food at this picnic looks ah-mazing.

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I always love movie nights.

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Can we talk about this table?

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The perfect rooftop evening in the city.

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This picnic basket would be perfect for a surprise date!

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Oh, Paris. I love you best of all.

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On the beach with the girls.

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Out on the dock.

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Here are some easy picnic tips to keep in mind:

1. The picnic basket is obviously an essential item. Feel free to get creative and use different kinds of containers. I prefer baskets with open tops and large handles that can be piled with lots of goodies and easy to carry; making a lovely showpiece.

2. Keep it easy by picking a theme. Choose simple things like fruit, cheese, wine, sandwiches. It’s nice to have bread, sparkling water, and finger foods - like berries, grapes, and nuts for snacking. If you have more time, get a bit more creative. Store a variety of olives in vintage Ball jars, make a fun dessert in a jar, and mix some lemonade.

3. Add flowers for a nice and unexpected touch. A splash of color to your basket arrangement will make your picnic extra special. Decorate the flowers in a Ball jar. If you can’t bring glass there are some cute plastic options out there too.

4. Pack a fun blanket! Whether you go for a classic Pendleton or an old quilt, it really adds to the outdoorsy ambiance.

5. Bring a game. Savor the time outdoors, whether your are spending alone time with your sweetheart or a group of friends, pack a deck of cards or other favorite game. 
6. Take along a camera or a Polaroid to capture the special moments!
7. Sit back, relax and ENJOY!

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Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

The days are finally getting longer and Spring is officially here with Summer on it's way! While the prospect of warmer weather has us all a bit giddy, we can’t forget the unwelcome intruders that tag along with the sunny summer weather. Yes, we are talking about mosquitoes, and everybody knows that they can be a huge nuisance. However, using chemical products to keep them away is not on the top of everyone’s wish list. Read on for some ideas of plants that repel mosquitoes – naturally!

Citronella

Chances are, you’ve heard of this one before- it’s one of the most common ingredients in most mosquito repellents. Strange enough though, many people don’t even know that citronella is actually a plant! Citronella is a beautiful perennial clumping grass that emits a strong aroma. That aroma masks other scents, and keeps mosquitoes from being attracted to things located around it. The citronella plant has a much stronger aroma than other mosquito repellents that contain citronella, so it is a great choice. Citronella is very easy to grow, and can get to be a very tall 5 or 6 feet high! You can grow citronella in pots and place it around a porch or patio, or you can plant it directly in a yard or garden bed. 

Lemon Balm

Another great choice for a mosquito repelling plant is lemon balm. A member of the mint family, the plant also known as horsemint and beebalm is a very easy plant for beginning gardeners to grow- even if you don’t have a green thumb! Lemon Balm is a very hardy plant, it resists drought, and it grows well even in shade. It is a very fast growing and sometimes aggressive plant, so you might want to contain it to a pot, where you can move it to wherever you like to ensure that it doesn’t take over your garden! An added bonus? You can dry the leaves and use them to make a delicious herbal tea!

Catnip

Your feline friends will be happy to know that catnip is a great mosquito deterrent! In fact, in a 2010 study, researchers found that catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET, the ingredient commonly found in bug repellents. It is a very easy plant to grow, and if you have cats in the house, they will surely be happy to have it around. However, be careful not to plant catnip in with other flowers, veggies, or herbs if you have cats around your garden. They will surely roll around in the catnip and smash everything nearby!

Marigolds

A bright, hardy annual plant, marigolds are a great choice for repelling mosquitoes. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, an ingredient found in many insect repellents, and they have a unique aroma which bugs find repulsive. The flowers themselves are beautiful and can make a great border or addition to any flower bed! Try placing them around borders of your home, and mosquitoes might not want to cross over!

Basil

Calling all cooks! Want a double whammy when it comes to mosquito protection? Plant some basil! Not only will you have a quick and easy mosquito repellent, you will also have a delicious fresh herb on hand to add to all of your favorite recipes! There are many different varieties of basil around, so feel free to experiment and find the ones that you like best. Many expert gardeners recommend trying lemon basil or cinnamon basil to deter insects.

Lavender

You probably know that lavender is a gorgeous purple flowering plant with a soothing, calming scent. But, did you know that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? Grow it indoors near a sunny window, or outside in your garden or flower bed to keep the bugs away. While you’re at it, make a delicious herbal tea, or use lavender to fill your home with a wonderful calming aroma.

Peppermint

Most bugs despise the smell and taste of peppermint, so planting it around your home is a great way to keep them from dropping by uninvited! Plus, if you do happen to get bitten, peppermint leaves rubbed directly onto the skin make a great itch relief treatment! Added bonus for the wonderful minty smell that makes a delicious addition to food and beverages!

Garlic

Unfortunately for all of us who love Italian food, studies have shown that EATING garlic does not repel mosquitoes. (Unless, however, you were to eat a HUGE amount!) However, having garlic around DOES! Make sure to add some garlic to your flower bed or vegetable garden for added protection!

Pennyroyal

The adorable pennyroyal flower is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes! Make sure to plant some around your flowerbeds! Pennyroyal plants also make great groundcovers, and they attract a plethora of beautiful butterflies. Some people even use pennyroyal to flavor certain fish dishes. As you can see, this plant has plenty of benefits!

Rosemary

Rosemary is a beautiful flowering plant that is often used to flavor lamb or fish dishes, but did you know that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? It’s perfect to add to your herb garden or flowerbed to keep bugs away, and it even attracts butterflies! Plus you can simply snip a few springs off every time you need to add extra flavor to your lamb or steak!

Geranium

This beautiful flowering plant is a great choice for mosquito repellent. When planted in a hanging container, the colorful blooms will cascade over the side of the pot, providing a beautiful visual piece as well as a very useful bug repellent! As you can see, there are many different plants out there that can help to keep bugs away! Next time you reach for the chemical bug spray, take a minute and think again, and choose something more natural!

I found this post on a friend's Facebook. It was written as a teaser for the book, Everyday Roots.  It's a book with natural remedies, natural beauty recipes and DIY household products if you're interested. I have not read the book and I am NOT promoting it in any way. I'm just putting it out there, I thought this was a great post to help everyone enjoy their summer pest free!

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Every Room Needs Something Old

Whenever I look at beautiful spaces, the one thing that always pops out at me is the presence of something old.  No matter how shiny, new, or modern some of the furnishings may be, the thing that gives a room character is the presence of something from a different era.

We have a fantastic salvage yard here in Dallas where I like to go exploring for unique windows, doors, and hardware.  Though we’re not doing any major remodeling these days, I keep my eyes open for something as simple as a vintage window pane.  How very interesting it looks propped up in this simple vignette!

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There’s an antique fair that happens in a neighboring city twice a year where the street is shut down to traffic, and vendors come from miles around to sell their wares.  Some of my favorite booths include the ones that specialize in rare prints, collections of colorful imagery from out-of-print periodicals and maps.

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Architectural salvage can be used artistically in many ways, you’re only limited by your imagination.  Below, a time worn mantel becomes a focal point in a bedroom space as it plays the role of headboard. 

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A bin from an old general store is reinvented as a shoe storage rack and brings more character to an entry or mudroom than a mass produced version would provide. 

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On a smaller scale, look for containers originally intended for other purposes such as this chicken feeder which now stores oils, vinegars, salt and pepper and herbs on a kitchen counter.

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Old and mismatched mercury glass containers are often available at antique stores and flea markets and make perfect cachepots for low maintenance succulents.

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Bring nostalgia to a desktop by tucking old photos inside containers to remind you of favorite people and memories.

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I find it’s often the things discarded by others which can be reinvented to suit your needs such as this series of benches painted in fun colors and transformed into unique bookshelves. You never know what prizes a bit of 'dumpster diving' will bring.

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What’s your favorite “something old” on display in your home?

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Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Herb Butter Sauce

My youngest child is nuts for salmon. Well all of the P's love salmon, but E could eat salmon every single day and never get tired of it. She will eat it in all it's many forms from raw salmon to salmon croquettes. But grilled salmon with a bit of this lemon-herb  butter sauce is her favorite, with a big salad on the side. If we happen to have ciabatta rolls in the pantry, she likes them slightly toasted with a handful of arugula salad topping the bottom half of the roll, topped next with a piece of grilled salmon along with this divine sauce, covered with the toasted top half of the ciabatta roll. Salmon. She loves it. Maybe that explains in part her desire to be in or near the water......

If your family happens to love grilling out during the warm Summer months, give this great Salmon recipe a try! ENJOY!

GRILLED SALMON 
WITH LEMON AND HERB BUTTER SAUCE

Salmon has earned it's reputation as a health-supportive food because of it's unusual omega-3 fatty acid content. It is very common for 4 ounces of cooked salmon to contain at least 2 grams of omega-3 fats—more than the average U.S. adult gets from all food over the course of several days. Salmon is a super food to serve your family!

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• Salt and pepper

Sauce

• 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 glass dry white wine
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind
• 1 tbsp chopped chives
• 1 tbsp chopped Italian Parsley
• Salt and white pepper
• Parsley and lemon slices for garnish, optional

WHAT TO DO





To make the sauce, melt butter in a pan and gently cook the onion until soft. Add wine, lemon juice rind, chives and parsley; simmer for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Keep sauce warm while salmon is cooking.

Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper, dot with butter and grill until cooked through. Serve with the buttery sauce and garnish with lemon slices and parsley.




TIPS: The sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen in ice cubes. Pull out what you need, thaw in microwave and if the sauce separates once reheated, beat vigorously until smooth. You can substitute chicken broth for the white wine.



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Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Seniors

Finding the right Mother's Day gift can be challenging, especially when you're buying for a Mother that is a senior citizen - whose interests and activities differ greatly from yours. Whether your mother is still in the workforce or is enjoying a retirement lifestyle, there are plenty of great gift options for you to consider. Whether you purchase an item or come up with the perfect gift of your time and talents, considering her preferences and needs are the key to finding the perfect gift.

Gifts of Time

Your mother might find that having an opportunity to spend a bit more time with you more valuable than anything you could purchase. These gift ideas don't cost you anything but time, and they provide you with ways to help your Mother while also spending time with her.

Scanning and Preserving Photos 

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Chances are mom has albums or drawers full of photographs she's collected over the years. If she also has a computer, scanning them in and showing her how to view the digital images is a great gift idea. Assuming that you own a scanner, this won't cost you any money and will provide you with an opportunity to spend several memorable hours bonding with her over family memories.

Social Media Tutoring 

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Help your Mom set up a Facebook profile and teaching her how to use it can also be a thoughtful (and free!) gift idea. This will provide her with an outlet to get - and stay - connected with loved ones and old friends. She'll even be able to put some of the photos you scanned for her to good use! Be sure, though, that the lessons you provide also include information on Internet safety and privacy.

Honey Do List

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There are likely some regular chores that your Mother would rather not have to do any more. Devote a certain amount of time each month to doing whatever tasks she'd like to delegate to you. Let her pick what you do each time - deep cleaning, yard work, house organizing, car detailing, errand running, moving furniture around, changing light bulbs or cleaning out the attic. Whatever she needs done - this is a great idea.

Three Homemade Gifts

Homemade gifts can be more meaningful than items purchased in the store. Consider one of these simple and inexpensive ideas when you want to ensure that your Mom feels extra-special on Mother's Day.

Memory Jar 

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Create a memory jar. You'll need a nice jar, several small pieces of paper and time to reflect. On each piece of paper, write down a different memory of a wonderful time that you have shared with your Mother. Fold the pieces of paper and place them in the jar so she can enjoy them over time.

Photo Bouquet 

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Instead of giving a bouquet of flowers that will last only a few days, consider creating a bouquet of meaningful photographs. Cut flower shapes from construction paper and glue some of her favorite photo cut-outs in the center of each flower. Have color copies made of original photos if you're using images of childhood memories, or simply take and print new digital images.

Freezer Meals 

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If your mother is starting to think about downsizing her home or simplifying her surroundings, she might prefer not to receive trinkets as a gift. However, not all homemade gifts take up space on the shelves. Instead of making something for her to display, consider putting together a collection of freezer casseroles or other freezer-friendly meals for her. This really is the ideal gift for someone who has everything. This will help her save time and money, as well as provide nutritious meals for the days she doesn't have dinner plans or time to cook.

Three Gifts To Purchase
There are also plenty of great options you can buy that Moms who are seniors are sure to appreciate greatly. Just be sure that you're considering what the recipient would really enjoy instead of your own preferences when shopping.

Meal Delivery Service 

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If you like the idea of providing meals as a Mother's Day gift but you don't like to cook or don't live close enough to drop off an array of casseroles, consider investing in a meal delivery service for your mother. There are a number of options with nationwide delivery. Examples include: SendAMeal.com has a Meal-of-the-Month club that you can purchase for three months (around $220), six months (around $430) or twelve months (around $770). DineWise.com offers options especially designed for the dietary needs of seniors. A seven-day package of 14 meals costs around $160. Individual meals ranging from $10 to $15 each are available, as well as gift certificates. Fantastic idea!

Earphones 

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Even if your mom has jumped on the technology bandwagon with a smartphone, tablet or iPod, she might not like modern earbuds. A lot of people find them annoying, especially those who grew up using listening devices that fit over their ears rather than nestling inside them. While it's harder to find earphones than earbuds these days, it is still possible to do so - and chances are your mother will strongly prefer them to earbuds.The Urban Ears Plattan model is a good choice. It has received positive reviews on a number of sites, including TechNoodling. They are lightweight, comfortable and very simple to use. They cost around $60 and come in 12 fashionable colors.

Cooling Pillow 

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Hot flashes and night sweats often go hand-in-hand with peri-menopause and menopause, so cooling pillows can be great gift ideas for senior moms. There are options in all price ranges, starting at less than $15 for a Chillow. Listed as one of the top 12 ways to cool hot flashes by More magazine, Chillow is an add-on to a traditional pillow. Simply fill it with water and, if desired, cool it in the refrigerator or freezer, then place it on your pillow (above or below the pillowcase). If you have a larger budget, you my want to consider buying her a memory foam pillow with built-in cooling technology. They are really comfortable with good cooling qualities. The Sensorpedic pillow retails from $60 to $80 for jumbo or king size respectively, while the Comfort Revolution pillow comes in standard size and costs about $40.

There are, of course, many more gift ideas for you to select among. Fashion items, a spa weekend trip together, take a hobby class with her, mani/pedi, or organize all of her recipes - so many things to choose from and more. If you're shopping for an older senior, the suggestions in Gift Ideas for the Elderly may be good items for you to consider. What matters most is that mom knows you love her and that you took the time to really think about her needs when choosing a gift. She will appreciate you for the time you spent thinking of her.

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Full English Pan Fried Breakfast

Jared, our oldest, was 10 years old on our first trip to the United Kingdom. He enjoys discovering new lands with interesting history and cultures. The trip highlights for him were Stonehenge - of course, the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace, Warwick Castle and the big English breakfasts - specifically the cooked tomatoes that found their way onto our plates all over England. When we returned home from Europe, Jared requested cooked tomatoes many mornings for breakfast. After seeing Jamie Oliver cook his 'Midnight Pan Fried Breakfast', I knew I had found a quick answer to Jared's breakfast request. While he was in high school and woke up daily at 5:30 am for band, this English breakfast was on the menu at least 2 or 3 times a week. I always wanted him to start his day with a good breakfast, knowing lunch was 7 hours away. This truly has become a favored 'treat' in our household, whether it's dinnertime or 5:30 in the morning, it's good all of the time! Enjoy!

Full English Pan Fried Breakfast
Gather as much of each ingredient as you'd like per person and just go for it! A genuine full 
English breakfast - one of Jared's favorite things to eat, and that puts a huge smile on my Mother's heart!

INGREDIENTS

• Mushrooms
• Bacon
• Tomatoes
• Sausage
• Eggs
• salt and pepper

WHAT TO DO

• First of all get the biggest pan available, preferably non-stick, and preheat it on the highest heat while you gather your ingredients. Obviously, it's a matter of using what you've got, but ideally I like to have mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, sausages and eggs.
• By the time you have got these together, the pan will be hot so add sausages and pat them out flat so they cook quickly.
• On the other side, put a tablespoon or so of oil, if you're not using a non-stick pan, and place a pile of mushrooms over it which can be sliced or whole. Shake the pan about a bit to coat the mushrooms, with either the oil or the fat from the sausages, and season with some salt and pepper.
• Push to one side and then lay some slices of bacon and halved tomatoes, cut side down in the pan. Cook for a couple of minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and tomatoes are soft and the sides start to split.
• Shake the pan a little and turn the bacon over. Now is the time to put a round of toast in the toaster.
• At this stage you should respect the rustic and authentic look and shuffle everything about so that it's all mixed together and add however many eggs you want at different spots in the pan. The whites of the eggs will dribble in and around the sausage, bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms.
• You could turn the heat down a little at this point. Cook for another 1 or 2 minutes until the yolks are slightly soft or to your liking, season eggs.
• In a non-stick pan, I've always found the removal of this dish to the plate extremely easy. It will slide onto your plate with no trouble at all. Doesn't that sound appetizing? Anytime of day, honestly, it really is a gem.

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