Dear Just Be: I don't have much time, so need a quick and easy centerpiece idea for Thanksgiving.

A quick centerpiece idea is to take pumpkins, big and small, orange and white, and arrange them across the center of the table. To add more color and height, add a vase of flowers to the mix. Peach spray roses, miniature carnations in burgundy and/or daisy pompoms in butterscotch color make a great arrangement.

Keep in mind that you do need room on the table for the food, so don't go overboard with the centerpiece. The adage, "Less is more" is appropriate in so many ways during the holidays.

Visit Better Homes and Gardens for more centerpiece ideas.

Dear Just Be: Help! I need an easy-to-make appetizer for Thanksgiving. Do you have any ideas?

The holidays are quickly approaching and the invitations are already starting to flood in. We don't always have time to make something from scratch, but prefer not to bring a store-bought dish, so what can we do? Here is a quick and easy (and delicious!) appetizer recipe that wins crowds over and is perfect for office pot-lucks, neighborhood festivities and gatherings with family members. With only 3 ingredients, this meatball dish is a snap to make!

Ingredients:
1 - 16 oz can of jellied cranberry sauce
1 - 12 oz bottle of chili sauce
1 - 2lb bag frozen, pre-cooked cocktail size meatballs

Optional ingredients for additional spice: 1 tsp of cumin and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.

Place meatballs in a crock-pot or slow cooker. Pour cranberry and chili sauce over meatballs. Stir to combine ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Makes about 30 appetizer servings.

Serve and enjoy!

PS Don't forget either a large spoon and/or toothpicks to serve the meatballs.

Dear Just Be - I'm selling a home, what can I do to entice prospective buyers?

Recent reports show that existing home sales are at their highest levels in over 2 years. Here are 3 quick tips on how to prepare your home for sale and you won't break the bank!

1. Bring in the light- Add lighting to dark rooms, this can make your home feel warm and inviting.
2. Create Space - Remove clutter and over-sized furniture to make your home feel more spacious.
3. Replace Flooring - Tear out old carpet and replace it with today's newer hardwoods and laminates to give it an updated feel.

More information on selling or buying homes.

Welcome

My name is Brenda, and I am one of the founders of "Just Be Personal Assistants." After years of listening to friends, colleagues & family members mention how difficult it is to manage work, family, fun and the never ending "to-do" list, I decided it was time to combine my 15 years of business experience and my desire to help others in a new venture. I feel that in our busy society, where people are constantly on the go, there is not enough time to "just be." That's where we come in. Our mission at Just Be is to make your life easier, less frantic and more enjoyable.

On future postings, we will provide you with great tips for managing your home, staying healthy, making the most of your time and more. We are here to help you, so feel free to post your questions on how to juggle life's little details.

We look forward to helping you, and hearing from you!
Brenda Parker

P.S. Check out the services we provide in the Denver, CO metro area at http://www.justbeassistants.com/.