Buffets, the easiest answer

Buffets can be both large and small, but it is really amazing how much you can get into a small space if you use levels. Levels are the key to an eye appealing display, as well as a space-saving solution. It’s amazing how much you can slip under these pieces to create space, as well as the interest you need. I have two styles of level changes, one that can open to a quite large display and comes with or without plates, and the other on the more compact side.

Use baskets instead of plates if pastries and breads are on the line-up. Adding various colored plates can also create your theme.These are both from Belaverra, and offer a creative, elegantly casual look.

Spring into Cookies

Yes, you can buy them. Yes, they are a pain to make, especially on the third roll, but best of all--THEY are appreciated!!!! Gifts from the heart are the best! The beauty of these cutters is you get to decide--chicken before the egg, or egg first. Then there's the basket-decorate and fill it with flowers, or a group of gangly animals. The coolest is the no-fail sugar cookie recipe, that's good to the last crumb. Thank-you's will abound, and you truly will have that warm, fuzzy feeling that you made someting "Good". Paint them, frost them, or dust them in colored sugar-just make cookies

Bring back an old favorite

Had the opportunity to make an old family recipe just the other day. I had forgotten how good this basic congealed salad tasted, but more than anything it was a stunner on the buffet table. I used a silicone star mold, but that was only the beginning. I took a little mini vase and stuck it down into the inverted tube hole, filled it with fresh lilacs and a few sprigs of long violet leaves for contrast, sprinkled violet heads randomly on the salad. Wow! It was easy, tasty, and very much a do-ahead dish. The Silicone Star is the "star" for this Winner.

Emerging Edibles

Love it, curse it, or sort of embrace it. Give this little guy "kudos" for something!

Believe it or not, you can eat it, it can bring great luck, and it's actually a natural pesticide. Now don't scoff at me, as I love a beautiful lawn as much as you do. As pesky as their reputation, Dandelions can be beneficial to a garden ecosystem, as well as to human health. Dandelions attract beneficial ladybugs(those good luck bugs) and provide early spring pollen for their food. More ladybugs means fewer aphids, a favorite food of the ladybugs. Even the Dandelions long roots aerate the soil and enable the plant to accumulate minerals, which are added to the soil when the plant dies.
Not only are dandelions good for your soil, they are good for your health. A serving of uncooked dandelion leaves contains 280 percent of an adult's daily requirement of beta carotene as well as more than half the requirement of vitamin C. Dandelions are also rich in vitamin A.
Dandelions are also used as herbal remedies. The white sap from the stem and root is used as a topical remedy for warts. The whole plant is used as a diuretic and liver stimulant. Believe it or not, I fed my horse dandelion roots to help her laminitis.

So before you toss them, throw the leaves in a salad, or lightly braise them. They are here for a purpose. Embrace them, don't totally curse them.

Five for you

Five for you
We are so excited about Spring - we're sending you FIVE begin your gathering of goodies. See all of our new arrivals. Simply type the coupon code five on the checkout page to receive five off any purchase. Hurry the offer expires 3-24-10

DesIdeesreno.com

The Beauty of Bamboo

Bamboo is the plant that keeps giving and giving. It seems to have an insatiable desire to live, regardless of its challenges, and unlike many of our resources, it thrives on being utilized.
Through a high tech production process bamboo produces a natural and ecofriendly fiber without any chemical additives.

By it's very nature it is disease resistant, needing no pesticide treatment. This very characteristic yields an anti-bacterial, bacteriostatic property that translates into antibacterial, odor free fabrics perfect for allergy free linens. Bamboo also has an unusual ability to breathe and ventilate, as it is filled with a cross-section of various micro-gaps and micro-holes, allowing excellent moisture absorption and ventilation. The end result is a fiber that is extremely cool and comfortable even during the extreme heat of summer.

Fabrics are typically made of pure bamboo yielding a superior strength, durable, fast drying Green Fabric. You will find the hand of these fibers comparable to 700gr sheets, and will love the vivid, clear colors.

Support the environment, support your health, and support your inner being with peace and relaxation. http://desideesreno.com/bashbyhosoin.html

The Organic Towel Story

What is organic cotton?
Organic cotton is raw cotton that is produced totally free of synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Beneficial organisms such as parasites and natural enemies are used for insect management in place of agricultural pesticides. Organic cotton is a clean, sustainable alternative to conventional cotton.
Why organic cotton?
The use of organic cotton in our products eliminates your exposure to toxic chemical residues. Organic cotton yarns are less processed, ensuring the highest level of natural softness, comfort and durability. When you pamper your skin with the sensual caress of our eco-friendly organically grown cotton products, you are enhancing your health and wellbeing while contributing to the protection and sustainability of our environment.
What about dyes?
All dyes used in Gazel products are environmentally responsible "low impact" dyes and are fully compliant with the organic certification criteria. These dyes use much less water and energy than conventional dyes, and are free of heavy metal or harmful chemical substances.
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Attention all bakers

We all have a love hate relationship with our KitchenAid mixer. How many times have you been showered in flour, and said bad words??? Well, can't solve that problem for you, but I can help you get to the bottom of the bowl. This little gem really works, and think of the calories you'll save when you can't lick the bowl.

BeaterBlade beats, scrapes and folds ingredients for KitchenAid mixers, making BeaterBlade one of the most efficient tools in today's kitchen. It virtually eliminates hand-scraping the bowl, and say to globs of batter build-up on the blades. Your favorite recipes are blended to perfection, and I must add "to the last drop". Clean-up is a breeze as no batter creeps up the paddle.BeaterBlade cuts mixing time by up to 50% and minimizes batter build-up on the beater and blade. Made in the USA. Oh, and BeaterBlade is also a Spatula!Mixers. There are 2 types of KitchenAid Stand Mixers and we have the answer for you.http://desideesreno.com/beater-blader-for-kitchenaid.html

The Go-to answer

The go-to flower arranger is now unbelievably half of the price I used to sell it for in the store. Not only is it beautiful, but it is my life saver. I always say "if you have to apologize for something, you haven't done your best". Well, with this little gem you are totally covered. At holiday, a few sprigs of ivy from the winter yard bailed me out, feathers saved me once, and of course the flowers send you over the top. Give this a look, and call me if you have any questions.