LEAF PLACE SETTING - NAME TAG

 

One Very Simple Craft for all your name tag needs.  Great for place settings, as shown, or hang from stem to label food dishes.

Check out the leaf template and instructions from the Country Living November issue. Country Living Leaf Template

 

 

Directions:

Place template on foam block and insert pushpins along curves of leaf. Cut a 25-inch piece of 16-gauge wire ($9; amazon.com). Starting at the stem, bend wire, using the template as a guide.  (Loop wire at the back of the pins where the shape dips and around the front where it curves out.) Wrap excess wire around base to finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE EASY WAY TO CREATE A STYLISH PARTY DRINK STATION

https://www.potterybarn.com/tips-and-ideas/creating-the-perfect-drink-station-for-your-party/

Drink stations can be a festive, fun addition to any type of party, and they give your guests the freedom to select their own drinks and get refills whenever they want.  Use these drink station ideas from Pottery Barn to make the perfect basic beverage setup for your next event.  Feel free to fill in with special decorations and other elements that are just right for the party you have in mind.

EASY DIY HOLIDAY DRINK STATION SODA BAR TABLESCAPE

https://busycreatingmemories.com/holiday-drink-station-soda-bar/

All you need is:

A place to set up the holiday drink station

Tablecloth (optional)

About 2-4 beverage choices.

Holiday Straws

Glasses

Ice

Flavor Syrups

Fruit Puree

Cream

Decorations (optional)

 

 

Thanksgiving is about being Thankful for Good Food, Good Friends and Family.

We  hope the following tips and ideas will help you plan and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

 

 

Basic Tips for All Hosting the Meal

Purchase non perishables items way ahead of time.

Have the meal in the evening instead of midday, if you need more prep time.

Prepare as much food ahead of time as possible.                                 

Set the table early.

Create a drink station.

Additional Tips if you Enjoy Hosting but Like to Keep Cooking Simpler

If you can, cut down on the number of traditional items offered.

Buy rolls, cranberry sauce, pies and use packaged stuffing mix and prepared gravy.

 

If you Enjoy Hosting and Some Cooking, Take it Even a Step Further

Make it a Pot Luck or invite a small core group for the meal and include everyone for dessert.

 

Enjoy Gathering with Friends and Family but Not So Much the Cooking

Purchase Pre-made Thanksgiving Meals.

Go Out to Eat.

Vermont Thanksgiving Dinner Packages

Local Restaurants, this list was put together in 2018 so please call to confirm they will be open

Click HERE for information on some places to buy Thanksgiving dinner and have delivered.

 

 

With Halloween candy hanging around and Thanksgiving and the Holidays just around the corner, we want to share this article on Pet Safety.

 

Don’t Eat That! 60+ Toxic Foods and Non-Food Items That Pets Shouldn’t Ingest

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Jackie Shelton on topdogvitamins.com               

https://topdogvitamins.com/toxic-foods-and-items-pets-shouldnt-eat/                 

Table of Contents

Why Some Foods Are Harmful to Pets But Not Humans

* Human Digestion vs Animal Digestion

* Evolution of Our Diet

 

Toxic Non-Food Items

* Plants and Flowers

* Non-Edible Dangers

 

Toxic Food Items

* Alcohol

* Apple Seeds

* Avocado

* Candy and Chewing Gum

* Cat Food

* Chocolate

* Coconut and Coconut Oil

* Coffee, Tea and Other Caffeinated Beverages

* Cooked Bones

* Corn on the Cob

* Dried Beans

* Fat Trimmings

* Garlic, Onions, and Chives

* Grapes and Raisins

* Green Tomatoes

* Hops

* Human Vitamins & Supplements

* Liver

* Macadamia Nuts

* Milk and Dairy Products

* Moldy or Spoiled Food

* Nutmeg

* Pits from an Apricot, Peach, Plum, etc.

* Rhubarb and Tomato Leaves

* Salt

* Sugar

* Tobacco

* Walnuts

* Xylitol

* Yeast

 

Prevention

* Removing or Limiting Access to Toxic Items

* Holidays

* Teaching Kids

* If Something Toxic is Ingested

* Protect Your Pet Today

We'd like to thank Jackie for sharing her blog with us and allowing us to post it here!

Daylight Savings

 

This year we go back to Standard Time on Sunday 11/3, when the majority of the USA will be “falling back” as they change the clocks. One benefit of the time change is that it reminds you to take care of some other important home tasks that should be done at least twice a year. So while you are setting your clocks back, use this time as an opportunity   

to take care of these important tasks in your home.

10 Things To Do When You Set Your Clocks Backward

· Replace the batteries in your Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector   Making sure to replace and test these devices twice a year can be the difference between life and death. Make sure to help any elderly loved ones in your life as well. If they can’t do it on their own, some fire departments have programs that will assist.

· Reverse the direction on your ceiling fan In the Spring fan blades should rotate counter clockwise to help cool down the rooms. In the Fall, switch the direction to clockwise which helps pull down the warm air that gets trapped near the ceiling. This helps save cost on heating and cooling.

· Flip and rotate your mattress to help promote even wear and tear  

Unless you have a no flip mattress. Then just rotate it.

· Schedule a furnace inspection.  This should be done twice a year to make sure your 

furnace is running as efficiently as possible.

· Replace the filters in your heater and air conditioner  This should actually be done several times a year to ensure they run as efficiently as possible.

· If you have a fireplace, scheduled a chimney sweep in the Fall and in the Spring take some time to clean up the fireplace and brush down the walls.

· Clean Out Dryer Lint Trap, Trap Housing and Vent Duct When lint builds up, it 

restricts airflow and can lead to overheating, which can ignite the lint itself. 

· Go through you medicine cabinet and first aid kit and discard any expired or discolored products. Dispose of any prescription medication that is expired or no longer needed.  

You can search on FDA.gov for how to safely dispose of medications.

· Go through your pantry and dispose of any expired or stale/opened foods.

· Rotate Your Wardrobe

 

Costume

• Use face paint whenever possible. However, if you, or your child, are planning to wear a mask for your spooky night out, make sure that the holes for the eyes are large enough to clearly see both straight ahead and  peripherally. You may have to cut the eye openings larger to allow more visibility. If any skin starts to show through the enlarged holes, you can always use some black face paint to cover the exposed areas of the skin. 
• Prepare your child's costume for strong visibility at night by choosing a costume that can be made with bright     materials.  If the theme of the costume does not allow for bright  colors, add reflective tape to your child's costume or treat bag.
• Make sure the costume is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Monster Route

• Know the trick or treat route your kids take, especially if you are not going with them.
• Younger children should have adult supervision.  Older children  should go in groups and have them check in       regularly, by phone or by stopping back at home, to make sure they do not deviate from the  preplanned trick or treat route so you will always know where they are and will be.
• Remind children to use sidewalks or paths, if available, and to cross at street corners. Never to dart out into the street or cross from between parked cars.

Candy from Strangers

• The only time of year you allow your kids to take candy from strangers, you can never be too careful. Make sure your kids understand not to eat any candy or treats until they have been properly examined by you. This allows you to check for any possible tampering with the candy wrappers; and at the same time, you get a chance at the first pick of candy!

Drive Extra Safely

•   Slow down and look extra carefully as excited children may move in unpredictable ways.
•  Turn head lights on early.

Pet Safety

•   Don’t feed pets candy and keep glow sticks & jewelry away from your pet.
•   Never leave a costume wearing pet unsupervised .
•   If taking your pet on your spooky night out, make sure they are wearing something for strong visibility at night also

Show your Halloween spirit

and still get them out the door on time with this quick dinner.

 

Jack 'O Lantern Quesadillas by RIAN HANDLER

YIELDS:4    PREP TIME: 5 MINS    TOTAL TIME: 20 MINS

 

INGREDIENTS

Cooking spray, for pan

2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken

Juice of 1/2 lime

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

8 medium flour tortillas

3/4 c. shredded Cheddar

3/4 c. Shredded Monterey Jack

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Hot sauce, for serving

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425°

Grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, add chicken and toss with lime juice,

chili powder, and garlic powder.

Assemble quesadillas:

Using a paring knife, cut a Jack-o-Lantern pattern into 4 flour tortillas.

Sprinkle chicken and cheese onto remaining 4 tortillas, and top with Jack-o-Lanterns.

Place quesadillas onto baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake until cheese is melty and tortillas are golden, 15 minutes.

Serve with hot sauce.

 

DIY Costume Ideas

If you want to keep Halloween simple, check out these 3 Simple Costumes for your young adult/adult, young child or pet.

Egg Carton Black Cat

Minions

Pet Costumes

Please share your costume photos with us on your Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/TheMarcelinoTeam/