WELCOME 2012! New Year……new dreams

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Resolutions, diets, organization, goals — literally, a time to throw out old attitudes and bring new ideas and dreams. It’s a powerful time of year when we feel like we can accomplish anything…the truth is, we can — moving forward with a good attitude.

Now that we’re a couple of weeks into 2012, though, things tend start to want to shift back into the same ol’, same ol’– you can feel it — you start to lose that mojo. It’s no surprise; after all, we are, by nature, creatures of habit.

Hang in there and make a commitment to keep that “accomplish anything” attitude going throughout the year.

We are here to help you accomplish any of your goals if we can be of service in them. Many of them don’t have to be expensive and you can make big transformations on a very, very small budget. Don’t hesitate to call if we can help you in any way.

Here’s to the hopefulness that comes with a new year and the goals and dreams that are envisioned in it! Rich blessings to all in 2012!!

Amazing Things Will Happen by Mary Kate McDevitt eclectic artwork

Have you experienced the Chocolate & Sea Salt craze?! (if not, you need to) Add this easy recipe to your Christmas cookie baking…

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… and you’ll get rave reviews!!!

Chocolate Truffle Cookies with Sea Salt

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips, for melting into the cookie dough
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips, for mixing into the prepared cookie dough
  • 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt, or as needed

Directions

  1. In a heatproof bowl over a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Turn off the stove and let chocolate sit over warm water.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt and mix to combine. In another bowl, mix together sugar and eggs, combine thoroughly with a whisk and slowly add the warm chocolate mixture. Stir to combine. Add vanilla extract and mix. Stir in flour mixture. Cool for a few minutes (if batter is warm, chocolate chips will melt). Stir in chocolate chips. Chill for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop rounded tablespoons of batter and place on baking tray. Sprinkle each cookie lightly with a pinch of sea salt. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 7-8 minutes until the outside looks slightly cracked. Be very careful not to over bake cookies because they will continue to bake as they cool once removed from the oven. Cookies should be soft and gooey in the center.
Yield: 2 dozen cookies | Calories: 102 | Total Fat: 6.4g
Recipe attributed to www.allrecipes.com (a favorite source of the Gilsrud family)
Kitchen-tested and  5-Star Rated :)

Fun gift ideas for Christmas…or anytime

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Had fun researching this post…so many neat things out there, and some creative gifts for not too much money. For those of you still looking for those hard-to-find people, maybe something here will work. Or?…maybe you’ll just find something you’d like for yourself.

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Everyone appreciates a meaningful photo of a loved one…what a great gift for anyone!

ColorSplash Style Prints modern artwork

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…for the aspiring chef. A way to let them know you’re thinking of them all year round!

Gadget of the Month Club contemporary kitchen tools

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Other than a trip to the Caribbean, there’s nothing better than the smell of dirt and the sight of new sprouting life to bring a smile during the cold winter months.

Smith & Hawken® 3-Pot Herb Greenhouse contemporary greenhouses

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Do you have someone from out of town? This is creative way to send your next message.

Personalize a Postcard Pillow by Olive Handmade eclectic pillows

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And, finally…LL Bean has a puzzle of your hometown. A great family activity where you can point out areas that are familiar in name as you put the puzzle together. Love this one.

Hometown Puzzle eclectic kids toys

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We’re hoping you’re holiday plans are coming together nicely with little stress and anxiety. If there’s anything we can do to help you with any issues you may be having with your home or can assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re most happy to help you.

Happy shopping, wrapping, cooking, hugging, and loving.

A time for counting blessings

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We just lost a dear and old friend today — and a loss of such magnitude can’t help but put life into perspective and help us to reflect on what really matters. There is no better time than this season of Thanksgiving to take stock of our many blessings and to make sure friends and family know how much they mean to us.

As we all begin the countless preparations for the 24th…make sure to count the blessings, too…and allow yourself to truly indulge in the spirit of Thanksgiving — the food and the company.

 

Looking for something different that can add fun and function to your home?

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CHALKBOARD PAINT!  …and it ain’t just your grandma’s plain blackboard anymore…get the paint in up to 30 different colors from Hudson Paints! …or if you’re really adventurous, you can mix your own. Who knew? Look at the fun you can create:

 

Washington Park Residence 08 traditional entry
dedeme68 eclectic landscape
headboard eclectic bedroom
Office eclectic home office
Chalkboard eclectic kitchen

Not to snow on your pumpkin patch…but, winter’s coming.

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What a beautiful fall we’re having! The season is a favorite.

With such a short season, it’s a must to step back and take in the breathtaking color and textures — but it’s also just as important to step into preparing for the impending winter.  Here are some areas that you should consider addressing while the weather is still mild.

  • - Check valleys, flashing and shingles on your roof to ensure water cannot enter your home.
  • - Clean out gutters, running water through them to dislodge and clean out debris.
  • - Disconnect and drain your outside hoses and shut off the water to your outdoor spigots.
  • - Check the foundation of your home to address any potential entry points for pests and rodents.  Seal any cracks and small holes, and replace any sill plates that show deterioration or rot.
  • - Call an HVAC professional to check out your furnace to make sure that your system is in good working condition — better now than when the temperature drops and you realize you don’t have heat. You’ll also want to stock up on filters. Check those monthly, and replace as needed to keep your furnace working efficiently.
  • - Fireplaces should also be inspected for cracks or other hazardous conditions.  You’ll be able to relax in front of the fire on a cold evening knowing that it’s safe.
  • - Purchase or cut firewood and store it in a dry place, preferably not against your house (a woodpile is a great home for critters) but somewhere with convenient access.
  • - Do you have drafty windows or a room that feels cold in the winter? We use DAP Seal ‘n Peel caulk as an easy fix to a drafty room. This product can really help keep the house warmer, and it’s easy to peel off in the spring.  Fair warning, though, that upon application the odor can be a bit much. Once it dries, you won’t even know it’s there. Great stuff.
  • - Check weathers tripping on your exterior doors and replace if cracked or missing.
  • - Replace cracked or broken windows, and install storm windows if you have them.

The color and falling leaves will soon give way to the contrasted beauty of monochrome winter.  Take care of these things while the temperature is still comfortable, and enjoy a relaxing and warm season at home.

Are you in the market for a new home?

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If so, there may not be a better time than right now to start getting serious about looking: the prices of homes are as low as they’ve been in years, and mortgage rates are at an historic low. And if that isn’t enough reason, there’s additional incentive — the 203K loan.  The 203K is a special loan available through HUD that allows buyers to qualify for money (up to $35K or more) to update/repair a home in need, and roll it into their mortgage.  You may qualify for a loan amount worth the value of the home after the updates and repairs are made. Find out more information on the 203K here.