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Archive for the ‘Gift Ideas’ Category

Friday’s Fresh Five! (11/30/12)

Posted in About me, Art and Crafts, Creativity, Gardening, Gift Ideas, inspiration, Pets, Recycling, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Kishu Mandarins

Watching fierce winds whip the branches of a small Kishu Mandarin tree forced me to make a quick decision. With a trunk no wider than an inch and tiny branches heavy with fruit, I worried that the tree might break under stress. With a pair of pruners and a basket, I harvested all the fruit from the tree, being grateful for its abundant crop. Considering that this is its first year of bearing fruit and it’s container-grown, this little tree did itself proud.

#1 – Gratitude
“Gratitude provides for us even when we think we have nothing or no one. Because we do have many things and people in our lives. Gratitude just lifts the opaque veil from our eyes so we can see that more clearly.” This passage from the article 3 Ways to Cultivate Gratitude highlights the simple fact that even when we think we have nothing, there still must be something for which we can be grateful. In addition, it suggests maintaining a gratitude journal to help keep life in perspective.

#2 – Falling Leaves
The winds are also blowing down beautiful autumn leaves. When I take walks in my neighborhood, I carry an empty plastic bag in which I can transport home my newly found treasures, freshly picked off the ground. I’ve researched ways to preserve and display leaves. Here are some techniques and ideas I found that will let me enjoy the beauty of leaves for a long time to come:

Skeleton Leaves how to make skeleton leaves How to Preserve the Beauty of Fall Foliage how to preserve leaves

Fall Leaf Candle Holder fall leaf candle holder

Very Cute Leaf Animals
 animal leaf art

Easy Leaf Prints how to make leaf prints

#3 – Cork It!
wine cork wreath I can never resist sharing ways to reuse, re-purpose or upcycle things. Here are some Awesome DIY Ideas With Wine Corks. Included are a few holiday-themed projects. Check them out!

#4 – For the Love of a Dog

Fiona Apple and her dog Janet

Fiona Apple and her dog Janet

Singer-songwriter and pianist Fiona Apple wrote a touching four-page, handwritten letter to her South American fans explaining why she needed to postpone her tour there. This may be old news for some of you, but I thought it was worth posting for those who have not read it yet. Read a small excerpt below and then click here to read Fiona’s touching letter in its entirety. Animal lovers, be advised, have tissues in hand:

It’s 6pm on Friday,and I’m writing to a few thousand friends I have not met yet.
I am writing to ask them to change our plans and meet a little while later.
Here’s the thing.
I have a dog Janet, and she’s been ill for almost two years now, as a tumor has been idling in her chest, growing ever so slowly. She’s almost 14 years old now.I got her when she was 4 months old. I was 21 then ,an adult offi
cially – and she was my child.
She is a pitbull, and was found in Echo Park, with a rope around her neck, and bites all over her ears and face.
She was the one the dogfighters use to puff up the confidence of the contenders.
She’s almost 14 and I’ve never seen her start a fight ,or bite, or even growl, so I can understand why they chose her for that awful role. She’s a pacifist.
Janet has been the most consistent relationship of my adult life, and that is just a fact.
We’ve lived in numerous houses, and jumped a few make shift families, but it’s always really been the two of us . . . .
She slept in bed with me, her head on the pillow, and she accepted my hysterical, tearful face into her chest, with her paws around me, every time I was heartbroken, or spirit-broken, or just lost, and as years went by, she let me take the role of her child, as I fell asleep, with her chin resting above my head . . . .

#5 – Success
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
Maya Angelou

Have a lovely weekend!

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Friday’s Fresh Five! (11/16/12)

Posted in About me, Creativity, Entertainment, Gift Ideas, Helping Others, Holidays, In The Kitchen, inspiration, Photography, Recycling, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Bartlett Pears

Photos by Linnell Chang

“No two are alike,” I think to myself as I study a trio of Bartlett pears sitting on my kitchen counter. Their rosy-hued coloration, their skin texture, and even their stems are all a bit different. Wanting to capture their unique beauty, I get my camera out. Some 50 photographs or so later, I remind myself how thankful I am for the invention of the digital camera. To be able to shoot photo after photo, without concern for cost, helps this amateur photographer fulfill her desire to capture the beauty found in simple things. Looking at objects through the camera lens provides me with perspectives that I might not normally have. There’s an honesty in what the camera lens reveals as it frames the art existing in everyday objects.

#1 – A Few More Ideas
Colander as a planter Simple objects can be transformed into wonderful gifts. In these economically-depressed days, it is more important than ever to be creative. With the holidays right around the corner, here are a few more creative ways to reuse things. From Earth911 comes this article on 100+ Ways to Reuse Thrift Store Finds. Remember, it’s the thought behind the gift that matters.

#2 – Free Thanksgiving Printables
Decorate your your home and Thanksgiving table with homemade decorations and special touches. It’s easy with the help of FREE printables. Here are just a few that I found:

Cupcake holders and toppers at Fleece Fun
Thanksgiving free cupcake printables

“Thankful” dessert flags from Pizzazzerie
Thanksgiving Dessert Flags

Large and small place cards at Gwenny Penny
Thanksgiving place cards Small thanksgiving place cards

Turkey place card and treat boxes at Spoonful
Thanksgiving place card and treat boxes

#3 – Don’t Forget . . .
While thinking about all that you are thankful for, don’t forget to thank yourself. Everyone’s list of self-thanks is different, but here are a few examples: thank yourself for all of your accomplishments – whether great or small; for staying true to yourself no matter what; for having a kind heart; for taking care of your body; for nurturing your spirit; for staying positive in difficult situations, etc. Along that line, Pick The Brain: Grow Yourself  has a read-worthy article titled, “7 Steps to Positive Self Talk.”

#4 – Learn
Watching this video whet my appetite and made me think of the words from young Oliver Twist, “Please, sir, I want some more.” In this case, I’m not literally referencing food, but the hunger to learn and to do more. Watch it and see if you don’t have the urge to go out and learn something new!

#5 – No Two Alike
“There are something like eighteen billion cells in the brain alone. There are no two brains alike; there are no two hands alike; there are no two human beings alike. You can take your guidance and instruction from others, but you must find your own path.”
– Joseph Campbell

Make this weekend unlike all others!

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Chocolate-Pomegranate-Ginger Bark

Posted in About me, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Recipes, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 13, 2012| 2 Comments »

Chocolate-Pomegranate-Ginger Bark Candy

The intensity of bittersweet chocolate mixed with the spicy zip of candied ginger tantalizes my taste buds beyond delight, but the bursts of fresh, tart, pomegranate juice in my mouth sends them into pure ecstasy. This confection combines few ingredients to create a depth of flavors you’d not expect from such a simple recipe. Individually, each ingredient is potent enough to stand alone, but when combined, they deliver an incredible treat. Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate, zingibain-rich ginger, and antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice give impressive reasons to eat this candy. Too bad I had to force myself to sample so many pieces to write this review!

Chocolate-Pomegranate-Ginger Bark
Recipe from Oct/Nov issue of Fine Cooking Magazine

Ingredients:
10 oz. bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao), broken into 1-inch pieces
1 cup fresh pomegranate seeds (from 1 large pomegranate)
1½ Tbs. minced candied ginger
1/4 tsp. fine sea salt

Directions:
1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or waxed paper.

2. Put the chocolate in a wide, shallow, microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high until it just starts to melt, about 1 minute. Stir with a spatula until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, heating in additional 15-second increments if necessary.

3. Gently stir half of the pomegranate seeds, the ginger (break up any clumps with your fingers), and the salt into the chocolate.

4. Scrape the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet and spread it into an 8×10-inch rectangle.

5. Sprinkle the remaining pomegranate seeds evenly over the top, pressing them into the chocolate.

6. Refrigerate until fully set, about 30 minutes.

7. Break the bark into chunks with your hands (be careful not to crush the seeds), and serve. The bark will keep, refrigerated, for up to 5 days.

Serves 6

Linnell’s Notes:
1. Obviously, the better quality chocolate you use, the better tasting bark you’ll have.
2. To open up a pomegranate see the instructions in my “Linnell’s Notes” section of my post Brussels Sprouts Roasted on the Stalk. The pomegranates I had were huge, so I used more pomegranate seeds than called for. The next time I make this recipe (and I will be making this again), I will cut back on the amount of pomegranate seeds.
3. I minced a little bit of extra candied ginger to sprinkle on top of the bark.
4. You might be considering omitting the salt from this recipe, but don’t! I think the salt adds a good counterbalance to the other flavors.

Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

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Corn Relish

Posted in Gift Ideas, Recipes, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

My Auntie Ella or Auntie La-la, as some of her nieces called her when they were young, makes a corn relish that is a family favorite and a perfect summer side dish. Its sweet and tangy flavor compliments grilled meat, seafood, burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches – just about anything! My mom actually prefers the relish all by itself and by the spoonfuls! Want to dress up a plain green salad? Just mound some of this relish on fresh greens and your salad is instantly more attractive and flavorful!

Corn Relish
Recipe from my Auntie Ella

Ingredients:
1 15-ounce can Le Sueur peas, drained
2 11-ounce cans white shoepeg corn, drained
1 8-ounce can of cut green beans, drained
1 4-ounce jar of diced pimientos, drained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 green pepper, finely chopped
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
3/4 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:
1. In a large bowl add the drained peas, shoepeg corn, green beans, and pimientos.
2. Add the chopped onion, celery, and green pepper to the bowl.
3. In a small bowl mix together the sugar, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour into the bowl of vegetables and stir gently.
4. Put seasoned vegetable mixture into a glass jar or other acid-resistant container and refrigerate overnight.

Linnell’s Notes:
1. Look for cans of Green Giant shoepeg corn.
2. For more color, instead of using canned green beans, I blanch fresh green beans in boiling water, dump them in an ice water bath, drain them well, and cut them up.
3. Auntie Ella likes to add diced fresh tomatoes instead of using diced pimientos.
4. This relish tastes so much better when the flavors have had a chance to meld, so make sure to refrigerate it for a while before serving.
5. For a little bit of kick, I add one-half finely diced fresh jalapeño pepper. My family wouldn’t mind if I added the whole pepper, though!

ENJOY!

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Friday’s Fresh Five! (6/8/12)

Posted in About me, Art and Crafts, Creativity, Entertainment, Environment and Ecology, Gift Ideas, inspiration, Photography, Recycling, Style and fashion, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Friends. They make our world infinitely better. Like a favorite pair of jeans, they are comfortable and without pretense. They are the twin sails of support as we steer through rough seas. They blanket us with gentle security, like the warm fuzzy blankets of our childhood. They listen, but need no answers. They bring laughter to our hearts and add sparkle to our eyes. They embellish our souls. Friends need no rewards or thanks and without them we are not whole.

#1 – Size Is Relative
A friend sent me this link to a wondrous lesson on perspective, The Scale of the Universe 2. Whether this perspective is 100% accurate or not, is not as important as the contemplation of the big picture of life.

#2 – It’s In The Jar

Source: Good Housekeeping

Ask your friends to start saving jars for you! There are so many ways to re-purpose glass jars. Serving drinks and food in them are very popular trends, but there are also many ways jars can be used to decorate your home and garden. Check out these links for creative ways to use glass jars:

DIY 101 Ways to Upcycle Glass Jars and Bottles
50 Ways to Re-Purpose and Reuse Glass Jars
20 Brilliant Things To Make In A Jar
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Repeat – Mason Jars
10 great Ways to Use Empty Glass Jars and Bottles

#3 – Easy Shopping

Most of the time I’m dressed in old jeans, a tee-shirt, and depending on the time of the year, either a pair of flip flops or Uggs. When I need to dress up, I always look to my friends for advice. Knowing that I’m frantically struggling to pull together a mother-of-the-groom outfit, one of my friends shared this shopping link with me. ShopStyle is like a personal shopper shopping the grandest and largest store in the world for you. It’s been said, “ShopStyle combines fashion, social networking, and shopping, providing readers with the tools to interpret style trends so they can create, share, and shop personalized looks.” Prices for items run from “Not too bad” to “Oh my!”

#4 – Friendly Photos

This series of photos about The True Meaning of Friendship was too cute and poignant to pass up! Enjoy!

#5 – Four For Friends
“I think if I’ve learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don’t walk away, don’t be distracted, don’t be too busy or tired, don’t take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.”
Jon Katz

“How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ’em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ’em.”
Shel Silverstein

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
Anaïs Nin

“I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.”
Robert Brault

Have a great weekend!

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Friday’s Fresh Five! (6/1/12)

Posted in About me, Art and Crafts, Creativity, Entertainment, Gift Ideas, inspiration, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Words failed me when the dressmaker said, “You didn’t tell me you wanted to move your arms!” Had I been wrong to assume that a store designing mother-of-the groom dresses would know that dancing and hugging were an integral part of any wedding? Defensively, she went on to say that models and movie stars can’t move in their dresses either. Her ludicrous words still ring in my ears and with only two months to go until the wedding and no dress to wear, words fail me again.

#1 – Word Portraits
While a reading volunteer at an inner-city elementary school, artist Judy Gelles found that children’s real-life stories were more captivating than the stories she was helping them to read. After interviewing 4th graders from around the world, she created word portraits – the combination of an image of a child with their answers to specific questions. The accumulation of these word portraits yields an insightful social commentary aptly titled, “4th Grade.”

#2 – Pillow Talk
Surround yourself with your favorite words or sayings by stenciling them on pillows. Follow the easy steps for this DIY project. These pillows would also make great gifts – think graduation!

#3 – Word Ruffle
Word Ruffle is a game that that challenges your vocabulary and spelling. You are given a set of letters and must make as many words as possible. In order to qualify for the next level you must create increasingly longer words until you run out of time. For help, hit the “ruffle” button to rearrange the letters.

#4 – Watch the Words
Watch the movie. Find the words.


Were you able to find the different meanings and uses of words in this 3 minute video?

#5 – Meanings Behind Words

There’s always . . .
A little truth behind every “Just kidding.”
A little knowledge behind every “I don’t know.”
A little emotion behind every “I don’t care.”
A little pain behind every “It’s okay.”
A little fear behind every “Leave me alone.”
A little hope behind every “Goodbye.”
There’s always “something” behind every “nothing.”
Unknown

Enjoy your weekend!

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Origami Wedding Dress Card

Posted in About me, Art and Crafts, Creativity, Gift Ideas, Handcrafted Cards, Marriage, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 22, 2012| 3 Comments »

We do not remember days,
We remember moments.

Cesare Pavese

The courtship . . .
The ring . . .
The dress . . .

May you have many more unforgettable moments!

Looking for a special and unique card for a bridal shower or a wedding? Why not make your own? Using a paper doily and following the easy directions for an origami paper dress in a You Tube video, I created an origami wedding dress card for my future daughter-in-law’s bridal shower. I also fashioned an envelope for the card by using a large square doily. By using any paper with a small print, you can create cute dresses for use on other cards for different occasions, too!

Origami Wedding Dress Card with Doily Envelope
Supplies:
Glue that dries clear
Sticky adhesive dots
Glitter glue or self-adhesive small rhinestones
Foam pop-up dots, optional
Text-weight paper or card stock for printing card insert
Repositional glue, optional
Pretty paper or paper doilies

Small square doily for the dress

Large square doily for envelope

If you cannot find square doilies, you can always attempt to cut a round doily down to a square.

Card Instructions:
1. Watch the video to learn how to fold the dress:

2. On the back of the folded dress, glue down strategic areas to keep the dress together and let dry.

3. Add a little sparkle to the dress by using glitter glue or self-adhesive rhinestones. Let dry.

4. Using sticky dots, adhere dress carefully to the front of a piece of scored and folded card stock. Glue can be used here instead, but I find that sticky dots are more efficient because there is no drying time involved and they adhere well to metallic or pearlized paper.

5. If desired, apply pop-up dots underneath the dress in key areas to help the dress keep its three-dimensional form.

6. Either use the sentiment I used above or select your own. Print it up and trim it to fit the interior of the card. Adhere it to the inside of the card.

Envelope Instructions:
1. Using another card or piece of paper the same size as the wedding dress card, center it in the middle of the large doily and fold all four sides down around it like a diaper: fold bottom flap up first, fold in the two sides, and then fold the top flap down. It is important to use another card the same size or else your pretty paper dress card can be damaged during the process of folding and gluing the envelope.

2. Open up the flaps and carefully apply glue to the inside edges of the lower portions of the two side flaps. Press them down to adhere them to the bottom flap.

3. Apply repositional glue to the edges of the top flap. Reposistional glue is advised here, so that the envelope can be opened and closed repeatedly. If using a permanent-type glue, there is a chance the delicate doily will tear upon opening.

4. Remove the dummy card and insert the real card. Fold the top flap down and press to adhere.


Have fun designing dresses and making cards!

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Friday’s Fresh Five! (2/24/12)

Posted in About me, Art and Crafts, Creativity, Gift Ideas, Helping Others, In The Kitchen, inspiration, Recipes, Recycling, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2012| 1 Comment »

Chirping up a storm, the birds in my backyard are letting me know that their feeders are empty. I look out the window to the feeding station and see that the sunflower seeds have disappeared and all but one-inch of Nyjer seed remains in another feeder. It’s a quite a job to stay on top of filling three feeders, a suet cage, and a hummingbird feeder every couple of days. Not to mention, hauling and storing the bird seed, cleaning and filling a bird bath and making sure my husband puts only bird-safe algaecide in our fountain. It’s a lot of work, but the sweet songs of thanks I hear every time I step outside remind me of why I do it!

#1 – Repurposing Phone Booths
The other day, my husband and I were talking about things that are becoming obsolete and one of the items brought up for discussion were phone booths. Shortly after that discussion, I read about John Locke, a Columbia architecture graduate who wants to convert New York’s pay phones into sharing libraries. To date, he’s placed bookshelves and books in two phone booths with mixed results. Read about his interesting project and see additional photos here.

#2 – Got Lemons?
Wanting to save the remaining Meyer lemons in my yard from being half-eaten and left to rot by pesky squirrels, I decided to look for yet another way to save them for future use. In the past, my husband has made limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur, but unfortunately, there’s only so much limoncello we can drink! I’ve also tried juicing the lemons and freezing the juice, but it’s such a waste of flavorful rind. This year I’m preserving the lemons in a more traditional way – in jars with salt and lemon juice. Read the New York Times article on “Preserving Lemons the Traditional Way” if you’ve got lemons and want to learn the technique.

#3 – Paris vs. New York
The introduction reads “Macaroon vs. cupcake, Proust vs. Salinger, bobo vs. hipster, bordeaux vs. cosmo.” These are some of the comparisons that graphic designer Vahram Muratyan illustrated with his minimalist-style portraits and they are included in his book Paris versus New York: a Tally of Two Cities.

#4 – An Arm and a Leg
A recent email from my fitness club contained a link to the Limbs for Life Foundation. After checking out the site, I became more grateful for my healthy limbs and more aware of the difficulties amputees face. Depending on the specific type, a prosthetic limb can cost anywhere from $6000 to $65,000 and possibly even more. Due to wear and tear of the prosthetic or growth of the wearer, prostheses have to be continually replaced. Most insurance companies pay a very small fraction of the cost and usually on a once per person per lifetime basis. Many leg amputees, who cannot afford to pay their share, become wheelchair-bound. If you want to learn more about Limbs for Life click on the link above or watch the video below:

#5 – Going Somewhere?
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.”
— John Pierpoint

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

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Friday’s Fresh Five! (12/16/11)

Posted in Creativity, Gift Ideas, Helping Others, Holidays, inspiration, Recipes, Recycling, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 16, 2011| 4 Comments »

The holidays are right around the corner: Hanukkah begins on the 21st, Christmas, of course, is on the 25th, and Kwanzaa is on the 26th. There’s still so much to do, so many people to see and so many ways to help others. Check out the links on today’s Friday’s Fresh Five! – help and inspiration is just a click away!

#1 – Charities
Giving to others during this holiday season is a kind and generous action, but be sure to check out the charities before you donate. If you want to check the legitimacy of a charity, go to the Better Business Bureau’s charity page or go to the nonprofit American Institute of Philanthropy. Although it puts a damper on the spirit of giving, it’s wise to do your homework before you give.

#2 – Life Is a Gift
Feeling like you need to refocus or regain perspective on your life? Here’s a brief video that will give you a boost.

#3 – WHOLE FOODS to the Rescue!
WHOLE FOODS has a page on its website that is devoted to gifts from the kitchen. You’ll find recipes for Apple Almond Gingerbread, Hot Chocolate Buttons, Sweet and Smokey Popcorn and Nut Mix, Sweet Potato Apple Dog Treats, and a WHOLE lot more. Another nice touch is that WHOLE FOODS also provides a link to a printable gift tag for each recipe!

#4 – Oh, Christmas Tree
Is “creativity the mother of invention” or is “necessity the mother of invention”? I think either saying fits the bill in this story about a frugal town in Lithuania. City officials asked an artist to help them with their holiday decorating. Appreciating the shortage of city funds, the artist created a huge 13-meter tall Christmas tree constructed from some 40,000 recycled bottles and zip ties! Lit from inside at night, it is a beautiful sight to behold and a wonderful testament to the creative spirit.

#5 – My Wish for You
“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!”
– D.M. Dellinger

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Friday’s Fresh Five! (12/9/11)

Posted in About me, Art and Crafts, Creativity, Gift Ideas, Health, Helping Others, Holidays, inspiration, Travel, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Rush, rush, hurry, hurry. Got to get here, got to get there. Life can be frenetically-crazy at times, but every now and then, some little “thing” reminds us to slow down and enjoy life. Driving on the freeway the other day, I felt hurried and stressed. It didn’t help that a handful of crazies were out there with me and my husband. Darting to and fro, changing lanes, and speeding seemed to be the order of the day. Then a trio of hot air balloons calmly floated into view. Watching them slowly and gracefully maneuver across the sky, I thought to myself, “Look at how blue and clear the sky is today.” And as the balloons floated out of view, so did my stress.

#1 – Emotional Tools
My dad is always a little sad during this time of the year. He left his home and mother in China when he was just a little boy. Even though he loves this country and the life he’s made here, the holiday season, with its celebrations of family and home, invariably reopens a hole in his heart. Good or bad, the holidays bring to surface emotions for many people. If you need a little emotional boost, read 10 Instant Emotional Fitness Tools. These tips are not going to fill that hole in your heart, but it may put some pep back in your step.

#2 – What Are We Eating?
The holiday season brings with it many delights and indulgences. With that in mind, check out this graph from Visual Economics that depicts what the average American consumes in a year. Did you eat your 192.3 pounds of flour and cereals or your 110 pounds of red meat this year? This may make you reconsider having seconds on anything!

#3 – Creative Architecture
This topic may sound boring to some of you, but wait to cast judgment until you look at this series of images titled, 50 Most Strange and Unusual Buildings Around the World. Even though not all of the titles are correct, you’ll still appreciate the design and architecture of these uniquely-shaped buildings. After viewing them, I wanted to get out my passport and travel around the world!

#4 – DIY Decorating with Epsom Salt
Who would have thought that Epsom salt could be used for holiday decorating? Here are two cute ideas from The Inspired Room. Check out the site for photos of these projects.

1. For a fresh “snow” effect, fill mason jars with about one to two inches of Epsom salt and place votive candles in the center. For the prettiest effect, cluster several jars together or line them up along a railing or on a table.

2. To make “crystallized” candles, paint your candle with Mod Podge and roll them in Epsom salt. I can’t wait to try this DIY decorating tip!

#5 – Going Out, Going In
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
John Muir

Have a great weekend!

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