Sparkling Watermelon Refresher

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLQ28JN3C4T4FJH48-U_eU1odBHk94JtK7PbtAhoK2-BC-34MVAd4jZCN03E2PtWsQrXo8j2Hwg4x5Imkrh9eMMEy6UybYlCyMPbpUXNtwYAfnvXjD1ruC5Z_mHU8dn81aGNkaEBS88I/s1600/punch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLQ28JN3C4T4FJH48-U_eU1odBHk94JtK7PbtAhoK2-BC-34MVAd4jZCN03E2PtWsQrXo8j2Hwg4x5Imkrh9eMMEy6UybYlCyMPbpUXNtwYAfnvXjD1ruC5Z_mHU8dn81aGNkaEBS88I/s1600/punch.jpg" /></a></div><br />This past Tuesday, PC Garden hosted an intimate garden party at my house which was a great deal of fun for me because I didn't have to do <i>anything. (</i>Hosting parties is a lot of work, but for the first time ever - I wasn't stressing because their amazing team just handled every single detail and I have to tell you - it was <i>glorious</i>!) Anyhow,  I`ll talk more about that later, but before the weekend I have to tell you about the punch that they made that was AMAZING. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/ohDxq1QsuQ/" target="_blank">I showed it on Instagram </a>and some were asking about the way to make it, so I googled the recipe and<a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/en_CA/recipes/recipeslisting/sparkling-watermelon-refresher-.html?utm_source=a_pc_eng_v2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SummerIR&utm_term=na&utm_content=en_html_week21blockBcta" target="_blank"> found it here </a>for you to have! Enjoy!<br /><br /><b>Ingredients</b><br />• 4 cups (1 L) <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/en_CA/products/productlisting/pc-watermelon-lemon-sparkling-soda.html" target="_blank">PC Sparkling Watermelon Lemon Soda</a><br />• 1 can (355 mL) PC Ginger Ale <br />• 1 cup (250 mL) PC Old-Fashioned Lemonade with Pulp <br />• Half lemon, sliced in thin rounds <br />• 4 large mint sprigs <br />• 4 cups (1 L) ice cubes <br /><br /><b>Directions</b><br />In large glass pitcher, stir together watermelon soda, ginger ale and lemonade. Add lemon slices, mint sprigs and ice cubes. Stir well and serve.<br /><br />Source of the recipe: <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/en_CA/recipes/recipeslisting/sparkling-watermelon-refresher-.html?utm_source=a_pc_eng_v2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SummerIR&utm_term=na&utm_content=en_html_week21blockBcta" target="_blank">President`s Choice Sparkling Watermelon Refresher Recipe </a>

Sparkling Watermelon Refresher

This past Tuesday, PC Garden hosted an intimate garden party at my house which was a great deal of fun for me because I didn't have to d...

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Get The Look for Less: Fancy Schmancy Napkin Rings

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020148_zpsd20fe73b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020148_zpsd20fe73b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Napkin rings you make yourself for pennies that look like the $8 kind you see in department and decor stores? Yep!<br /><br />In fact, they are so easy to make, you can have your children do it.<br /><br />I made a set of these napkin rings that are big and chunky -- perfect for <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/03/heres-how-to-set-table-in-your-staged.html" target="_blank">staging a tabletop </a>when your home is for sale. When home staging, the idea is to go big with what goes into a place setting. Big plates. Big glasses. Big bowls. Big ole napkins.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What You Need</span></b><br /><br />To make six napkin rings, gather these things.<br /><br />Six 5-ounce cans, the squat kind<br />Aluminum foil, 3 feet off a 12-inch wide roll<br />Black craft paint<br />Small paint brush<br />Clean cotton rag<br />Clear glossy spray paint<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">How to Do</span></b><br /><br />I use the cans from evaporated milk, or canned mushrooms, or green chilis. Make sure all the ones you choose are the same  -- same food, same brand -- so they all match exactly.<br /><br />It's important that you go around both top and bottom edges a few times with a can opener. Make sure there are no sharp burrs. After this point, the project is kid-friendly.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020158_zps7f51f4cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020158_zps7f51f4cf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Remove the label and both ends of the can, and wash it well.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020161_zpsbebdd9d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020161_zpsbebdd9d3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Using scissors, cut the 3-foot piece of foil into three 1-foot lengths. Then cut each in half.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020162_zps694e2ba0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020162_zps694e2ba0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Place a prepared can at the center of one edge of a piece of foil, and roll it so it's covered. </span></i> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020163_zps971d5844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020163_zps971d5844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Where the foil overlaps, run a small line of white glue, and press to hold the edge flat. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020165_zpscb035580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020165_zpscb035580.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tuck the edges inside the can and flatten them with fingers. Finger press the top and bottom edges. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020113_zps1be1f731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020113_zps1be1f731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Paint the outside of the can with black craft paint. Be sure to get into all the wrinkles. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020116_zpsfa3d2759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020116_zpsfa3d2759.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Before the paint dries completely, rub off most of it with your rag. Let it dry for an hour. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020126_zps5c541caf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020126_zps5c541caf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Once you spray on a few light coats of clear gloss, it will look like old metal. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020172_zpsd285aedf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020172_zpsd285aedf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">You can decorate your napkin rings with beads. This one wasn't antiqued with black paint. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020185_zpse473e9cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020185_zpse473e9cf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I painted this version with red and brown craft paints to look like old leather. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020179_zps82baa250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020179_zps82baa250.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">An even easier version: just cover the can with a strip of scrapbook paper.  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020175_zps7c0ca900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/P1020175_zps7c0ca900.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Another easy treatment is to wrap the can with a some decorative duct tape. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Although I designed these napkin tings for place settings in a staged home, they're sturdy enough to hold up to ordinary use. I hope you have fun inventing your own style napkin rings from upcycled tin cans.<br /><br />Is your home ready for market? Is it staged to sell? My <a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebooks.html" target="_blank">eBook</a>, <i>DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar,</i> simplifies your work. Whether it's cleaning, decluttering, arranging furniture, or accessorizing rooms, I give you the insider tips and techniques that professional stagers reply on to sell homes. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/Fall_Link_Party_Sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/Fall_Link_Party_Sarah.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />

Get The Look for Less: Fancy Schmancy Napkin Rings

Napkin rings you make yourself for pennies that look like the $8 kind you see in department and decor stores? Yep! In fact, they are so easy...

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Cookies that Welcome People to Your Home

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">* * * EXCITING NEWS* * *</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">In just a few days, I'll be unveiling my latest eBook: </span><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">"No-Sew Curtains and Draperies."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Enter the giveaway to win a FREE COPY</b>. </span><span style="color: #0c343d;">Just leave your email as a comment on today's post!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2423.jpg" width="400" /></a>Christmas cookies are one of the most endearing and enduring symbols of the holidays. Every year I bake dozens to give as gifts and to enjoy with family and friends.<br /><br />Cookies rival candy as an indulgent snack, but they are more healthful. They are less formal than cake, and more satisfying in a homey way. <br /><br />Cookies are also a guaranteed way to make friends. There is something magical about a cookie. At this time of year, they can pop up anywhere.<br /><br />They're passed around at offices, warehouses, factories, schools and club meetings. They decorate mantels, trees, and packages.<br /><br />Cookies are a symbol of good cheer, hospitality, festivity, and heritage. Every culture has its traditional cookies -- <i>amaretti, madeleine, kringla, pizelle, biscotti.</i> There are crescents, wafers, squares, bars, spirals, tartlets, and drops. I hear that even Santa has his favorites!<br /><br />So, for home tours and open houses, cookies are a natural. Here is my absolute favorite cookie recipe. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sesame Wafers</b></span><br /><br />These crisp and flavorful cookies keep well, travel well, and are not complicated to make. I have been baking these slightly unusual cookies every Christmas season for over 20 years. <br />  <br />1 cup sesame seeds<br />1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />2 cups sugar<br />2 eggs<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />3 ½ cups all-purpose flour<br />4 teaspoons baking powder<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 teaspoon salt<br /><br />Have ready a small bowl for the toasted sesame seeds.  Heat a saucepan over medium heat, add seeds, and toast them for about 5 minutes, stirring briskly and constantly.  Immediately transfer to bowl.  The seeds should have popped, but not be smoking.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_2426.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This year my 4-year old grandson helped <br />make cookies, wearing the the cowboy apron <br />I made for him. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Beat butter with sugar until smooth and creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla, and combine well.  <br /><br />In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add to butter mixture, and mix well.  Stir in sesame seeds.  <br /><br />Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or as long as a few days.  Dough may also be wrapped in airtight bag and stored in freezer for a few months.  <br /><br />Shape dough into 1/2-inch balls.  Place on lightly buttered baking sheets.  Flatten to 1/8-inch thickness with a floured, flat-bottom glass.  <br /><br />Bake in a 325-degree oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Transfer to wire racks to cool.  Makes 6 dozen cookies.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>                                                                                 

Cookies that Welcome People to Your Home

* * * EXCITING NEWS* * * In just a few days, I'll be unveiling my latest eBook:  "No-Sew Curtains and Draperies." Enter the gi...

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Chocolate and Learning from Experience

Last week I celebrated my 69th birthday. I realize that to most of you, 69 sounds, like, so <i>old.</i> It only sounds that way. I practice mind over matter. I don't mind getting old, so it doesn't matter. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7798-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/IMG_7798-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>My birthday cake got a sprig of chocolate mint from my garden. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Cooking is something I enjoy doing every day. So every year for my birthday I bake my own cake. Sure, it would be easier and maybe even more festive, to simply <i>buy</i> a cake. Or more gracious to let someone buy one for me. But, what if I don't like it? I'd have to wait another year to do it my way.<br /><br />It's all about me.<br /><br />I wanted a chocolate cake this year. I love chocolate. I envisioned a fluffy cake and dense chocolate ice cream, so I decided to combine them into an ice cream cake. This recipe is a quick way to whip up a homemade cake that's special enough to seem celebratory. It's just a layer of sponge cake wrapped around a layer of ice cream. I used the jelly roll cake recipe in my go-to cookbook, <i>Joy of Cooking</i>. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chocolate Ice Cream Roll </b></span><br /><b>Ingredients:  </b><br />4 eggs<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />1 teaspoon vanilla<br />3/4 cup cake flour<br />3/4 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br /><br /><b>How to:</b><br />Oil a jelly roll pan (a 10.5 x 15.5-inch baking sheet with a 1-inch lip all around). Line the bottom with an overhanging strip of parchment or aluminum foil to make it easy to remove the cake after baking. Oil the parchment or foil. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.    <br /><br />Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks, then gradually add the sugar to the yolks, and beat until creamy. Add vanilla. Sift the flour with baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture. Whip the egg whites until stiff, and fold them into the cake batter. Pour batter onto prepared jelly roll pan, spread it to the edges, and bake for about 12 minutes.<br /><br />As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, invert it onto a clean, cloth towel that has been dusted with confectioners sugar. Peel the parchment or foil away and trim away any brittle edges.While it is still warm, roll the cake in the towel, and allow it to cool for about 2 hours.<br /><br /><b>For the filling:</b><br />When you start to bake the cake, remove 1 pint of chocolate ice cream from the freezer and place it the coldest part of your refrigerator, usually way in the back. As the cake cools, the ice cream will be softening to a spreadable consistency.<br /><br />Unroll the completely cooled cake, place it on a layer of wax paper, and spread the inside of the cake with most of the ice cream, Roll it up and cover the top with the remaining ice cream. Working quickly to prevent melting, wrap the wax paper around your cake, and place it in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Slice crosswise to serve, garnished with chocolate syrup if desired.  <br /><br />The ice cream I used was Haagen-Dazs chocolate. I was disappointed because it wasn't chocolatey enough. Now I realize that I probably should have bought some wild and crazy, nutty, chunky, fudgey flavor.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lesson Learned</b></span><br />Live and learn. Next year I'll get something more over the top, like Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey or Chocolate Heath Bar.  <br /><br />That's the thing about getting older. You learn by making mistakes.<br /><br />I've been rehabbing, repairing, and redecorating houses for many years. What I blog about and write ebooks about I've learned from experience. As we say in North Carolina, I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday.<br /><br />You can learn from my mistakes. Not just the chocolate lesson, but the staging lessons. I've written a lot about how to stage your own home for the real estate market. Learn more about my <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1936263913"></a><a href="http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/p/ebook_02.html">home staging eBook here</a> including how to get your copy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special" border="0" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/signmakergirl/smallsnsstars.jpg" /></a></center>

Chocolate and Learning from Experience

Last week I celebrated my 69th birthday. I realize that to most of you, 69 sounds, like, so old. It only sounds that way. I practice mind o...

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What Do Chips and Salsa Have to Do with Home Staging?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/doover2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/doover2-1.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Recently a recipe</b></span> of mine was featured on Foodie-isms.com, where the tag line is "Obsessively Interested in All Things Culinary."<br /><br />Stephanie, the brains behind the Foodie-ism site, writes inspiring and informative posts about cooking, nutrition and travel. She's always looking for good recipes from people who love to cook, and love to eat. Count me in.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of salsa, especially ones with more flavors than just tomato and spices. Please visit <a href="http://foodie-isms.com/?p=2816">Foodie-isms</a> and see what the foodies are cooking and eating. You'll find an intriguing collection of  temptingly delish recipes contributed by cooks and chefs. If you're a foodie yourself (no credentials required), consider sending Stephanie one of your own.<br /><br />My recipe includes directions for making your own homemade tortilla chips. Why make what you can easily buy, you may ask. Because once you eat your oven-baked, ultra crispy chips, you won't be happy with what comes out of a cellophane bag. You'll be spoiled good.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sweet and Smokey Salsa</b></span> <br /><br />1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained well<br />3 tablespoons minced onion<br />3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro<br />1 tablespoon lime juice<br />1 teaspoon sugar<br />1/4 of a canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped<br />½ teaspoon granulated garlic<br />salt to taste (optional)<br /><br />Process all ingredients except salt in food processor. Add salt to taste and process again. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oven Baked Tortilla Chips </b></span><br /><br />Why would anyone bother making homemade chips? Well, just taste these. They are shatteringly crisp, fresh-tasting, and low in both salt and oil. It’s worth the work and the wait.<br /><br />2 tablespoons vegetable oil<br />5 corn tortillas <br /><br />Drizzle oil over baking sheet or jelly roll pan. Stack tortillas neatly, slice stack in half across the top, then slice each half into three wedges, to yield 6 triangle chips from each tortilla. Arrange the wedges in a single layer on the baking sheet, rubbing both sides of each wedge in oil, using the wedges to push the oil around the baking sheet. Bake in a 250 degree oven for 1 hour. They should be very crisp, but not browned.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>But what do </b></span>chips and salsa have to do with my on-going blog topic, staging your home for the real estate market? Not much. Honestly...I'm just trying to prove that I'm not a one-trick pony. I could invent a connection, like...once your home sells you should have a little celebration and serve this snack with those margaritas.<br /><br />Or I could point out that Stephanie's motto is, “ That tastes good….but how can I make it taste even better?” That attitude is akin to the attitude an effective DIY home stager takes. "That looks good...but how can I make it look even better."<br /><br />I could also say that making things yourself rather than buying off the shelf is gratifying. DIY projects can also be more specific to your needs. If you need less salt, you can have it your way, and if you want more lamps or chairs than a hired home staging service recommends, you can do it your way. That's why I encourage people to DIY home stage, even though it doesn't make me friends in the professional home stagers community.<br /><br />Bon app<span id="taw" style="margin-right: 0pt; visibility: visible;"><b>é</b></span>tit!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/WAW_BUTTON.png" /></a></center> <br /><br /><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/"><img alt="southern hospitality" height="125" src="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/themes/thesis_17/custom/images/shbutton.png" width="125" /></a>

What Do Chips and Salsa Have to Do with Home Staging?

Recently a recipe of mine was featured on Foodie-isms.com, where the tag line is "Obsessively Interested in All Things Culinary."...

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I Hope Santa Likes Biscotti

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_5063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/2painters/homestaging/IMG_5063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's sending out my best holiday greetings to family, friends and blog followers. Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoy your holiday season, and have all your wishes come true in 2011!  </i></div>

I Hope Santa Likes Biscotti

Here's sending out my best holiday greetings to family, friends and blog followers. Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoy your holiday s...

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