Planning for your Home

While I am dreaming of my white kitchen (Yes I still cannot get over it!), the husband has been looking at the expansive house plans available at HousePlansandMore.com. We discovered the site when we were looking for a nice design for an additional project for the house of an aunt. She wants to have a gazebo installed in her lawn just in time for her daughter’s 18th debut party which will be held at their home.

The one I saw at the site was perfect and even made me think of a scene in the Disney movie called the Princess and the Frog:

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HousePlansandMore.com have been in the business for over 25 years so their experience and acquired expertise have been tried and tested (and vouched for) by several clients. They have in-house technical staff that can answer your questions design-wise and functionality wise and they have strong tie-ups with contractors and brokers when building your actual home is to took place (based on the house plan you decide from them). Also, it must be noted that their house floor plans are featured in over 30 home plan and project plan books and magazines! Their styles are varied and evolve and flow with the trends yet still maintaining good design and functionality. You can even consult them for special project like building additional decks for your home or if you would like cabin plans, they have them too!

Party Planning

It is no secret that I do not really cook. Entertaining for me at home involves pizza, pasta, soda and plastic paper plates from Yellow Cab Pizza all the time. Better spend money and enjoy than to cook and have your guests eat burnt food is what I always tell myself.

 

Setting up a party isn’t always easy, especially if you’re the host. To help with this, one good tip that you should probably keep in mind is the checklist, which consists of all of the things that need to be done and when you need to do them. Here are some points you might want to consider.

1. Think through your guest list. Determine the number of guests coming. Make sure people RSVP!
2. Once you’ve a guest list, believe by means of the timing. Make sure you make all the details clear.

3. Pick a theme. People are much more most likely to arrive out if there’s a call to action. Host an ugly sweater party, a potluck or a party for watching the season finale of the favorite show. It doesn’t actually matter what the theme is itself, but having one is likely to motivate your guests by giving them a thing to obtain excited about. Besides, half the fun of party planning really planning anything.

4. Get sufficient refreshments.

5. Take lots of pictures. And make sure you are in them!

After you are done with basics, you must focus on the highlight of the party – FOOD! There are two things that you should always have plenty of supply of: finger foods or appetizers and drinks or refreshments. We don’t control the flow or the length of the party at times and these two will make extended party times easier. Party Food Recipes can always be found online and I suggest you have a list of great appetizers on standby. It also makes a great serving food for guests during impromptu visits.

Some recipes to try:

  • Mexican Cheese Fondue
  • Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Chicken and Artichoke Pizza
  • 7 Layer Dip
  • Spicy Pecan Nibbles
  • Watermelon Champagne Punch
  • Jello Shots
  • Grilled Ahi Tuna Sandwiches
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    image Cream Cheese Wonton

    Ingredients:

    • 1 – 8 oz. package of cream cheese softened
    • 16 – Wonton Wrappers
    • Oil for Frying
    • 1 – Jar of Sweet and Sour sauce for dipping

     

    Preparation:

    1. Heat oil in a deep-fat fryer or pour into a deep skillet on high temperature. Vegetable oil or peanut oil works best.
    2. While oil is heating, lay out as many wrappers as you plan to use.
    3. Have a small bowl of water nearby to wet your fingers in.
    4. Put a small dab of cream cheese in one corner of each wrapper, about 1/2” from the edges. Use about 1 tsp.
    5. Using your fingers, wet the two edges nearest the cream cheese, then fold the other half down and seal the edges, making a triangle shape.
    6. Seal the edges tightly, but try to leave small gaps at the corners so the triangles will not expand so much that they burst.
    7. Drop several wontons into oil at a time. Turn over when the edges start to brown and cook for another minute or two.
    8. Set on paper towels to drain, then serve hot with sweet-and-sour sauce.

    McDonald’s – Stress Buster

     

    I had to treat my daughter out after she behaved so well when we were running errands (bank, grocery) the other day, never complaining. She just waited when I told her we will go to McDonald’s after we are done at the bank. She played at the playground and almost finished her fries and Coke. As for me, the McChicken Sandwich was enough.

    John Hardy Exemplifies on Giving Back to the Community

    ”’John Hardy is an Example of Giving Back”’

    Giving back to the community means doing your part to make the world you live in a better place. Many people do this through community service, helping or organizing a mobile meals delivery service or performing an act of kindness. Small, random acts of service are very common and make people feel more comfortable than other ways of selfless expression. Companies often join in helping with community efforts and reaching back to give more of their time and/or talent. Companies like John Hardy jewelery designers have done this by participating in events like Earth Day. It is in events like this where companies can contribute to a worthy cause and make a statement at the same time.

    ”’Making Various Contributions in Many Ways”’

    It is often an expectation from companies that they participate in community giving efforts and contribute to several causes. Most large corporations have the financial means and resources to offer services to the community. In the Earth Day 2009 event, John Hardy jewelers celebrated the occasion by presenting a bamboo plant to each employee. Each plant represented the amount of carbon emissions (over eight tons) that would be offset if the employee nurtured the plant for one year. The 365 days worth of nurturing to the bamboo plant was also equal to the amount of electricity usage that it took to operate their Bali jewelry workshop.

    ”’A Company’s Responsibility is Clear”’

    Companies that are sensitive to community responsibility and sustainability are very alert to what is going on around them and what needs to be done in the community or globally. Giving back in any way to the community is what many companies seek to make a part of their regular operations. It helps the recipients tremendously and benefits all those persons who are involved.