If someone is dropping by for dinner on short notice, or if you just hate spending a ton of time in the kitchen, these green bean bundles look like they take more time than they really do. Simply take fresh green beans you have steamed in the microwave (about 4-5 minutes) until they become semi-soft, wrap them in pre-cooked bacon, and pin with a toothpick. Place the bean bundles on a cooking sheet. Pour a stripe of Catalina or Russian dressing down the green bean bundle, and cook in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes until they reach the desired tenderness. Viola! (Credit to my Aunt Mary Jane)
Once upon a time...ok, today, I took my child to Walt Disney World. In our travels through Epcot, we noticed they were having a Lawn and Garden show with amazing topiary. Unless you happen to have Edward Scissorhands on your lawn crew, these results might be a bit difficult to accomplish with your own shrubbery. The good news is that while I wandered around Epcot, in awe of the amazing "plant sculptures", I found a fun little lawn area full of crafts for ordinary people. I fought the crowds to snap pictures of the ideas and directions, along with all of the other craft divas who were surely also posting them to Pinterest. So, at the risk of being redundant, here are a few Epcot lawn crafts: This had to be one of my favorite ideas in this area. If you happen to have old lawnchair frames and some worn hose (but not so worn it won't support you), this is a clever way to aquire unique lawn furniture. Surely you can play with the pattern/weaving of the hose for a variety of creative looks. If it is hot enough, you could use a soaker hose and attach it to a faucet. I'm not sure I'm serious about that last idea, but if you try it... please let me know. You will need: One lawn chair frame A 50 foot hose Screws If you have an extra birdbath or can find one, this is a creative way to have a succulent garden without taking up too much lawn space. You will need: A birdbath Lightweight potting soil Various succulent plants A drill Mulch, landscape fabric, or some sort of base for soil Be sure to water these plants regularly, but only when your soil is dry. If you have some extra pots around the yard and want a home made birdbath, this would be a fun project for children or adults. You will need: Two different sized clay pots A large saucer A heavy duty glue A nut and matching bolt to match the hole size in your pots Paint and decorations of your choice Sealant If you get lonely in your yard, have a major surplus in clay pots, or just delight in freaking your neighbors out, here is a multi-step friend you can create. You will need: Pots - depending on the size of your lawn character Rope Glue Decorations to complete your lawn character Even if you miss the Epcot Lawn and Garden show, you are now armed with enough ideas to go out and create a unique yard full of personality! Do it for "The Mouse"! It is no secret that I love Ikea. Typically, I love places where I can find unique items at a reasonable price. I believe that should be Ikea's mantra, if it isn't already. How can you not get just a little excited by a chandelier under $40 or a mod side table under $30? If you can practice that kind of self discipline, you have more self control than I am able to dream of having. The Pop Art and mirrors for next to nothing ($10 for the art and under $5 for the mirrors) had my Warhol wheels in motion. While I am trying to find inspiration for the new place, I am almost afraid to go back to Ikea. The endless stream of affordable yet While wandering through Ikea, which we know is an all day adventure, the art of Anna Efverlund caught my eye. Her art has such color and interesting topics, which is sure to make it a topic of conversation. At the very least, people will notice these prints on your wall. While some people might not fall in love with the idea of everyday work on their wall, I think it gives her art an edgy look. You can find her art either in the Ikea store or online. Whether on a budget or determined to go green, thrifty (and I mean that literally) finds of any kind are welcome. Lately Ebay seems to have begun to outpriced itself, with used items selling close to retail prices. If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt in shopping, but not so much that you want to actually physically roam around all day perusing thrift stores, Goodwill has a new option for you. Now, instead of running from Goodwill to Goodwill during business hours, some business savvy soul has brought you all Goodwill finds online! The site features an Ebay-like auction with endless items from Goodwill stores across the country. Whether you need an antique Fender guitar or eclectic house decor, this is the place to search. Goodwill's site, http://www.shopgoodwill.com/, is highly organized and easily maneuverable. In just briefly perusing this site, I found vintage German military jacket, an antique sewing box full of thread spools, Japanese masks, and an oil filter. It seems like a win-win, as you can find just about anything (except furniture and large appliances) on here, and you help others as you save! |
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