Mom's love homemade gifts on their special day and we have a few easy craft ideas to share with you that you can do before the special day arrives:
To create a "Love Note Flip Book," you'll need:
* Colored 3- by 5-inch index cards
* Hole punch
* Scissors
* Card stock
* Small metal binder rings
To assemble:
1. Fill a number of colored 3- by 5-inch index cards with poems, drawings, and heartfelt messages. Use a hole punch to make 2 holes at the top of each card, making sure the holes in all the cards line up.
2. To prepare a stand, cut a piece of colorful card stock into a 5- by 10-inch rectangle, then fold the rectangle in half widthwise. Punch 2 holes just below the fold, using one of your punched index cards as a guide. Fold each end of the card stock 2 inches in from the edge, then use scissors to cut a 1-inch slit in the center of each flap.
3. Stack together all of the cards, placing the folded card stock at the bottom of the pile, then bind together all of the pieces using 2 small metal binder rings (available at office supply stores). To set up the flip-book, just interlock the slits in the flaps of the card stock to create a triangular display stand.
You can also use this same project idea and create a "Coupon book" for Mom, with coupons redeemable for items such as cleaning the house, washing her car, making a meal, etc.
How about celebrating Mother's Day with a special "Garden" cake?
for this fun dessert, you will need:
* Pound cake or other loaf-shaped cake
* Chocolate frosting
* Ladyfingers
* Chocolate wafer cookies
* Sugar
* Gumdrops
* Green toothpicks
* Kitchen scissors
* Coconut
* Green food coloring
Instructions:
1. Ice the top and the sides of the pound cake with chocolate frosting.
2. Trim the top of each ladyfinger into a point resembling a picket fence.
3. Gently press the pickets against the frosted sides of the loaf cake.
4. Seal a handful of chocolate wafer cookies in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
5. Sprinkle the crumb "soil" on top of the loaf cake.
6. Sprinkle sugar onto a waxed-paper-covered surface and, using a rolling pin, flatten gumdrops to a 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Use kitchen scissors to cut notches in the tops of the flattened gumdrops to create tulip shapes.
8. Insert a toothpick stem into the base of each blossom.
9. Make a pair of leaves for each tulip by trimming flattened green gumdrops into teardrop shapes.
10. Spear the base of each leaf with the toothpick stem and push it halfway up the stem.
11. Plant the tulips in the cake.
12. Sprinkle coconut tinted with green food coloring around the garden to resemble grass.
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day!
P.S. Did you know? Anna Jarvis created "Mother's Day" in 1907 and it became a national holiday in 1914, in honor of her mother.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Dear Just Be: I am new to the area. Can you suggest any cutlural events to take in?
You asked your question at just the right time!
Many Denverites are enjoying the arts of Denver at "First Friday Art Walk" held between 6-9pm in the multi-block Art District on Santa Fe Drive. Visit various galleries, restaurants and other small fun businesses in the area. View the work of international, national and local artists in over 60 participating galleries. First Friday Art Walk is held every first Friday of the month, all year round. Free guided shuttle coaches pick you up at the light rail station at 10th Avenue and Osage Street and ferry you around the Art District on First Fridays between 5:30 and 9:30PM.
Another cultural fun event is: First Friday History Tour held at 5:30pm.
The history of one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods is showcased in this 1-hour walking tour. Walking with a guide, learn about three different eras in the timeline of Santa Fe: 1887, 1927 and today. There is a $5 fee for this tour and we suggest you call 720-234-7929 to learn more.
Enjoy getting to know one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods!
Many Denverites are enjoying the arts of Denver at "First Friday Art Walk" held between 6-9pm in the multi-block Art District on Santa Fe Drive. Visit various galleries, restaurants and other small fun businesses in the area. View the work of international, national and local artists in over 60 participating galleries. First Friday Art Walk is held every first Friday of the month, all year round. Free guided shuttle coaches pick you up at the light rail station at 10th Avenue and Osage Street and ferry you around the Art District on First Fridays between 5:30 and 9:30PM.
Another cultural fun event is: First Friday History Tour held at 5:30pm.
The history of one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods is showcased in this 1-hour walking tour. Walking with a guide, learn about three different eras in the timeline of Santa Fe: 1887, 1927 and today. There is a $5 fee for this tour and we suggest you call 720-234-7929 to learn more.
Enjoy getting to know one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Dear Just Be: I want to plant a garden this year. Any tips?
The first tip for planting a garden is plant in this month, May. But let me go back, the first tip in planting a garden is to plan your garden. Write down the plants you would like to have at your finger tips and then research if those plants can be grown in your climate. When it comes to figuring out how many of one plant you want to have, keep in mind that having more of one kind is not always a good thing. Plants can become prolific producers, so if there are two of you in the household you probably don’t need four tomato plants. You will be up to your ears in tomatoes and there is only so much you can or will want to make with them.
The next tip is to prepare your soil. Serious gardeners will go so far as having their soil tested to make sure it has the correct pH for plants to thrive. You might decide to do that down the road when you have become an expert gardener, but at first you should be fine with mixing up your soil with three to four inches of organic compost. Adding compost will change the texture of the soil a little and that is what you want. In Colorado we have heavy clay and alkaline soil and compost helps to hold air and water in the soil. The best way to mix your soil is with a rototiller. Rototillers can be rented from most local home improvement stores. As you are mixing up the soil take out any rocks and sticks that you find. Rocks and sticks do not add to your garden, but impede the growth of the plants. When using the rototiller, you can also add in some well-rotted manure and mix this deep into the soil. When purchasing or selecting the manure be aware of its age. If the manure hasn’t been well aged (a year or so) the E.coli bacteria could be present in the manure. Tender leafy spinach and lettuce are known for harboring the bacteria. When you are done tilling the soil, let it dry out. Then come in and add an irrigation drip system. A drip system is a huge help in the hot summer months, as well as all growing season.
The next tip is figuring out where to plant your plants. When doing this consider the size of the plant as it matures, if it requires shade or sun and if it is a sprawling plant. In years to follow it is recommended you change the placement of where you plant to help with the soil and to not perpetuate any diseases or bugs.
The final tip in planting a garden is be patient. At first it will take a while for your plants to come up and flourish, but when they do be prepared to work in your garden multiple times a week. Working your garden will entail pulling weeds, watering, tilling the soil – not very deeply, and the best part… picking fruits and vegetables that ready to harvest. Growing a garden is hard work, but one of the most relaxing and rewarding projects out there.
The next tip is to prepare your soil. Serious gardeners will go so far as having their soil tested to make sure it has the correct pH for plants to thrive. You might decide to do that down the road when you have become an expert gardener, but at first you should be fine with mixing up your soil with three to four inches of organic compost. Adding compost will change the texture of the soil a little and that is what you want. In Colorado we have heavy clay and alkaline soil and compost helps to hold air and water in the soil. The best way to mix your soil is with a rototiller. Rototillers can be rented from most local home improvement stores. As you are mixing up the soil take out any rocks and sticks that you find. Rocks and sticks do not add to your garden, but impede the growth of the plants. When using the rototiller, you can also add in some well-rotted manure and mix this deep into the soil. When purchasing or selecting the manure be aware of its age. If the manure hasn’t been well aged (a year or so) the E.coli bacteria could be present in the manure. Tender leafy spinach and lettuce are known for harboring the bacteria. When you are done tilling the soil, let it dry out. Then come in and add an irrigation drip system. A drip system is a huge help in the hot summer months, as well as all growing season.
The next tip is figuring out where to plant your plants. When doing this consider the size of the plant as it matures, if it requires shade or sun and if it is a sprawling plant. In years to follow it is recommended you change the placement of where you plant to help with the soil and to not perpetuate any diseases or bugs.
The final tip in planting a garden is be patient. At first it will take a while for your plants to come up and flourish, but when they do be prepared to work in your garden multiple times a week. Working your garden will entail pulling weeds, watering, tilling the soil – not very deeply, and the best part… picking fruits and vegetables that ready to harvest. Growing a garden is hard work, but one of the most relaxing and rewarding projects out there.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Dear Just Be: I'm not very good at decorating for parties, but graduation, Memorial Day and more are coming up. Help!
With many upcoming special events, such as Graduation and Memorial Day (not to mention the annual birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers) - parties are in full swing!
Don't let the stress of organizing and decorating for a party get to you though-it can be kept simple. The main idea behind decorating is to create a comfortable atmosphere for guests and emphasize the reason for the party.
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when decorating for your next party:
* First, keep in mind the space you will be using...more space typically means more decorations to keep the "theme" in sight and so it doesn't look too sparse. Less room, means less decorations, as you don't want the decorations to overwhelm the party and guests.
* Think about the mood of the event- funky and fun for kids, or festive but elegant for adults?
* Think of the decorations as accent pieces. Make sure that your decoration does not look overdone. Even minimal decoration if done in a strategic way is quite helpful in giving that 'extra' zing to your party.
* Create a budget and keep to it. Again, decorations are accent pieces to help draw out the mood of the party- so you need not spend a small fortune on them. Besides, what are your plans for the decorations after the party? (Will they only be used once?)
* Try to avoid using too much extra furniture. Have seating available, but also make sure there is enough space for guests to move, mingle, dance, etc.
* Lighting can also be helpful when decorating- it can create atmosphere and ambiance, it can highlight the food or the decorations.
* Plan ahead- go shopping well before hand to find the right decorations and the amount of decorations you want to use. (Should the decorations be weather resistant? Will they be used inside or outside?)
* Give yourself ample time to decorate on the day of the event. Unwrapping the decorations, sorting them out, determining where they will be hung & placed and actually putting them up takes time and patience to be done well. Be sure to have tape, tacks, a small step ladder, and a extra set of eyes and hands to help out.
Have a great party!
Don't let the stress of organizing and decorating for a party get to you though-it can be kept simple. The main idea behind decorating is to create a comfortable atmosphere for guests and emphasize the reason for the party.
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when decorating for your next party:
* First, keep in mind the space you will be using...more space typically means more decorations to keep the "theme" in sight and so it doesn't look too sparse. Less room, means less decorations, as you don't want the decorations to overwhelm the party and guests.
* Think about the mood of the event- funky and fun for kids, or festive but elegant for adults?
* Think of the decorations as accent pieces. Make sure that your decoration does not look overdone. Even minimal decoration if done in a strategic way is quite helpful in giving that 'extra' zing to your party.
* Create a budget and keep to it. Again, decorations are accent pieces to help draw out the mood of the party- so you need not spend a small fortune on them. Besides, what are your plans for the decorations after the party? (Will they only be used once?)
* Try to avoid using too much extra furniture. Have seating available, but also make sure there is enough space for guests to move, mingle, dance, etc.
* Lighting can also be helpful when decorating- it can create atmosphere and ambiance, it can highlight the food or the decorations.
* Plan ahead- go shopping well before hand to find the right decorations and the amount of decorations you want to use. (Should the decorations be weather resistant? Will they be used inside or outside?)
* Give yourself ample time to decorate on the day of the event. Unwrapping the decorations, sorting them out, determining where they will be hung & placed and actually putting them up takes time and patience to be done well. Be sure to have tape, tacks, a small step ladder, and a extra set of eyes and hands to help out.
Have a great party!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Dear Just Be: I have hopped on the social media band wagon, but don’t know how to begin.
When you first open an account on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., it can be overwhelming to learn how to maneuver throughout the sites and learn what the sites can do for you. Once you have learned how the sites operate the next steps, and most important steps, are learning the etiquette of using the sites and more specifically what to say on the sites.
I think it is a little scary that anything you post is out there for the entire world to read. Keep in mind when posting content, whether that is your thoughts, comments, quotes, links, or pictures, these posts don’t go away - even if you hit remove or delete. They are forever floating out in cyberspace. You just need the right person to find them and pull them in, and things you posted years ago can come back to haunt you. Think about that too when you are posting a comment on someone else’s Facebook or Twitter account. This leads to the point of being considerate of what you say.
Keep in mind that the intention behind a comment or posting may not come through in the manner in which you intend. For example, you post a joke on your best friend’s Facebook wall, but the joke doesn’t come off so clearly to others which lead them to have the wrong impression about you and your best friend. The power of words only makes up 7% of our total communication image. Tone, inflection and body language make up the remaining 93% of how people interpret what we say. Simply put, think before you post. The unfortunate thing about Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn is that the way many people use them there becomes a mixing of worlds- family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances are all reading the same thing. In person I am sure you say or mention things to your friends that you wouldn’t want your colleagues or family to hear you say. This is probably not as much of an issue with LinkedIn because it is more geared towards professional connections, but still, always thinks before you post.
Thinking before you post is especially important when it comes to life changing moments: pregnancies, marriages, divorces, jobs, etc (this is the etiquette part of using social media). If your friend Jane told you at coffee that she is pregnant but hasn’t posted anything about this on her Facebook or Twitter page then YOU SHOULD NOT post or comment on this news on her Facebook or Twitter page. It would only be acceptable to do so when Jane makes a comment or posts a picture about this life changing moment herself. And Jane might not post anything about this happy occasion because she may not want all 250 people connected to her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn to know about it. The other thing to consider is she is telling people the news at her own pace, so don’t ruin the surprise for her. Also, DON’T announce big life changing moments on any of these social media tools before telling people in person. Granted it saves you time by being able to say it once and wait for others to comment, but it really is impersonal and you are sure to offend someone if not a couple someone’s for not taking the time to share your big news with them one on one. Remember, not everyone participates in social media. Also be considerate when tagging people in pictures. A picture of an occasion might be an occasion where someone doesn’t want others to know they were at. Ask people if it is ok that you tag their name to a picture before doing so.
Furthermore, don’t use these tools as your diary. You might have had a horrible breakup, divorce or employer, but don’t air your dirty laundry. People who could or can read this may be a legal representative, your employer or future employer. What’s more, people will at first find this unfortunate, but the longer you post comments on the situation it just comes off as depressing which can lead to people disconnecting from you online and in person.
You may not think so, but what you post and how often you post say a lot about you. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., are a way of branding yourself. Think about all the companies and celebrities that are using these tools to market. Bottom line, you need to think about what you post. Consider how the post will reflect upon you as well as others. If you are unsure on the appropriateness of what you are about to post, then don’t post. This may seem like I am taking the enjoyment out of using social media, but thinking before you post will take you a long way, and in a good way.
I think it is a little scary that anything you post is out there for the entire world to read. Keep in mind when posting content, whether that is your thoughts, comments, quotes, links, or pictures, these posts don’t go away - even if you hit remove or delete. They are forever floating out in cyberspace. You just need the right person to find them and pull them in, and things you posted years ago can come back to haunt you. Think about that too when you are posting a comment on someone else’s Facebook or Twitter account. This leads to the point of being considerate of what you say.
Keep in mind that the intention behind a comment or posting may not come through in the manner in which you intend. For example, you post a joke on your best friend’s Facebook wall, but the joke doesn’t come off so clearly to others which lead them to have the wrong impression about you and your best friend. The power of words only makes up 7% of our total communication image. Tone, inflection and body language make up the remaining 93% of how people interpret what we say. Simply put, think before you post. The unfortunate thing about Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn is that the way many people use them there becomes a mixing of worlds- family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances are all reading the same thing. In person I am sure you say or mention things to your friends that you wouldn’t want your colleagues or family to hear you say. This is probably not as much of an issue with LinkedIn because it is more geared towards professional connections, but still, always thinks before you post.
Thinking before you post is especially important when it comes to life changing moments: pregnancies, marriages, divorces, jobs, etc (this is the etiquette part of using social media). If your friend Jane told you at coffee that she is pregnant but hasn’t posted anything about this on her Facebook or Twitter page then YOU SHOULD NOT post or comment on this news on her Facebook or Twitter page. It would only be acceptable to do so when Jane makes a comment or posts a picture about this life changing moment herself. And Jane might not post anything about this happy occasion because she may not want all 250 people connected to her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn to know about it. The other thing to consider is she is telling people the news at her own pace, so don’t ruin the surprise for her. Also, DON’T announce big life changing moments on any of these social media tools before telling people in person. Granted it saves you time by being able to say it once and wait for others to comment, but it really is impersonal and you are sure to offend someone if not a couple someone’s for not taking the time to share your big news with them one on one. Remember, not everyone participates in social media. Also be considerate when tagging people in pictures. A picture of an occasion might be an occasion where someone doesn’t want others to know they were at. Ask people if it is ok that you tag their name to a picture before doing so.
Furthermore, don’t use these tools as your diary. You might have had a horrible breakup, divorce or employer, but don’t air your dirty laundry. People who could or can read this may be a legal representative, your employer or future employer. What’s more, people will at first find this unfortunate, but the longer you post comments on the situation it just comes off as depressing which can lead to people disconnecting from you online and in person.
You may not think so, but what you post and how often you post say a lot about you. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., are a way of branding yourself. Think about all the companies and celebrities that are using these tools to market. Bottom line, you need to think about what you post. Consider how the post will reflect upon you as well as others. If you are unsure on the appropriateness of what you are about to post, then don’t post. This may seem like I am taking the enjoyment out of using social media, but thinking before you post will take you a long way, and in a good way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)