Avocado 101

An avocado is a fruit and not a vegetable! It is actually a member of the berry family.

In the past, the avocado had a well-entrenched reputation for inducing sexual prowess, and wasn’t purchased or consumed by any person wishing to protect their image from slanderous assault. In other words, there were a lot of “closet” consumers. Thanks to the AvoGrowers, a sponsored public relations campaign to dispelled the ill-founded reputation, and hence avocados are now popular.

Avocados got their name from the Spanish explorers, as they couldn’t pronounce the Aztec word for the fruit, known as ahuacatl, “testicle,” because of its shape. The Spanish called the aguacate, leading to the guacamole we know and love today.

Avocados must reach full maturity before they are picked, however, they do not soften on the tree. The tree can actually be used as a storage unit by keeping the fruit on the tree for many months after maturing, but obviously most of us don’t have an avocado tree.

This is all very interesting, but given the high price of Avocados, I think we need a little more insight into how to buy the, how to store them, and easy ways to use them. I have discovered some great answers.

Go ahead buy the whole bag of rock hard avocados. Let them set out on your counter top just until they are feeling slightly soft and starting to darken(pay close attention until you get the hang of it). Put them in your refrigerator drawer- you have fresh creamy avocados for the next week to ten days.

The pit is the perfect preservative for avocados. Just throw it in your guacamole, or your left overs container-you will be amazed.

If you want uniform slices in a jiffy try the avocado tool.
Check out Seeding, Peeling , and Cutting avocados for more hints

The Perfect Table

Sometimes it can get a little confusing deciding on a tablecloth sizes. This information may help. These are the standard European(above chart) and American tablecloths sizes for square, rectangular, oval, and round tables.
SQUARE52″x52″ cloth will fit tables that are 28″x28″ to 40″x40″. These tables will seat 4.
RECTANGLE
52″x70″ cloth will fit tables that are 28″x46″ to 40″x58″. These tables will seat 4-6 people.
60″x84″ cloth will fit tables 36″x60″ to 48″x72″. These tables will seat 6-8 people.
60″x104″ cloth will fit tables 36″x80″ to 48″x92″. These tables will seat 8-10 people.
60″x120″ cloth will fit tables that are 36″x96″ to 48″x108″. These tables will seat 10-12 people.
A 60″x144″ cloth will fit tables that are 36″x124″ to 48″x126″. These tables will seat 14-16 people.
OVAL
60″x84″ cloth will fit tables that are 36″x60″ to 48″x72″. These tables will seat 6-8 people.
60″x104″ cloth will fit tables 40″ X 78″ to 50″ X 88″. These tables will seat 8-10 people.
ROUND
60″ cloth will fit tables 36″ diameter to 48″ diameter. These tables will seat 4 people.
70″ cloth will fit tables 48″ diameter to 58″ diameter. These tables will seat 4-6 people.
90″ cloth will fit tables 66″ diameter to 78″ diameter. These tables will seat 4-6 people.

For Those Who Care . . .The tablecloth drop is the length of the tablecloth that hangs off the sides. According to Home Comforts The Art and Science of Keeping House, breakfast or lunch cloths should hang over 6 to 8 inches. The dinner cloth 8 to 12 inches, and for more formal dinners, 12 to 18 inches. This, however, is probably more than you want to know.

The most important thought is that if your drop is too long, you risk your guest helping themselves to your entire table setting. You would be surprised at how many guests get tangled in tablecloths when they try to leave the table. I like 12 inches, or close to it for a tablecloth drop.

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL Let’s say, for example, that you have a table that measures 76 X 40 with two 12 inch leaves. It is unlikely that you would put just one leaf in as the 12 inches is not enough for one person, so you need two sizes of tablecloths. A tablecloth for a 76 X 40 should be about 100 X 64. A common width for tablecloths is 60 – 70 inches, so this won’t be hard to find. The tablecloths come in many different lengths. Now for the table with the two leaves included, It will be 124 x 64 or close to it. The possibilities are endless, and at this the point you step in with mixing and matching runners, or place mats. Just have enough napkins for the biggest stretch, and let your imagination run wild. This alternative always gives the selection to set multiple tables when your group has expanded, too.
***One other little tidbit-rectangles don’t really fit oval tables. Many standard cloths are not offered in ovals(particularly European styles), if no borders are involved, a little straight sewing makes them easy to alter.

Facelift without a permit

No permits necessary
If you think about it, the right bath towels and rugs can give your bathroom a whole new look, no general contractor required. Many towels are available in an array of fresh, modern colors that can become a focal point of your décor, and with new colors being introduced all the time, you can refresh your bath as often as you'd like. Want to create a spa-like space? Whites and Naturals do the trick-Try plush Abyss Super Pile or Annur towels in simple, minimal white or natural. You will love the serenity you have created with the finishing touch of an accent rug.

Looking to add drama, color your world with patterns and pizazz. Abyss towels bring a bloom of colors to give life to your passions. Of course the Habidecor rugs bring design, durability, and uniqueness to another level. Color can bring your bath to another level-try it you'll like it.

There are blends, weights, fibers, and of course quality that should always be at the top of your list. You will only experience the joy of your investment if the product stays the same wash after wash. Do your part with fine linen care , and your quality towels and rugs will please you wash after wash.

Think about what you want from a towel, and know the fibers of their being.

Most towels today are made from cotton or cotton blends, but the type of cotton fiber used has a huge impact on the towel's durability, feel and color-fastness. Here's a quick rundown of some common fibers and what they bring to the towel bar:

Bamboo

Made from Bamboo grass, Bamboo fiber has a velvety soft texture and a lustrous appearance that dyes well. Usually blended with cotton, bamboo towels are naturally anti-bacterial and mildew-resistant. Because the bamboo plant is highly sustainable, fast-growing and doesn't require pesticides, this fiber is also an environmentally friendly choice.

Eqyptian Cotton

The "king" of cottons. Favored in luxury markets, Egyptian cotton is grown in Egypt's warm climate and prized for its extra-long, fibrous threads. This density produces a highly absorbent cotton that is strong yet breathable. Exceptionally durable, Egyptian cotton towels can last for years with proper care.

MicroCotton®

A trademark for a high-quality, long-staple cotton fiber developed in India. Its soft and plush fibers create a fluffy towel with a suede-like texture and excellent absorbency.

Organic Cotton

Certified organic cotton is grown under highly controlled conditions without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and specially harvested to ensure sustainability and little environmental impact. Eco-friendly dyes are often used in conjunction with organic cotton to create a truly environmentally friendly towel.

Pima (or trademarked Supima) Cotton

Often grown in the warm, dry climate of the southwestern United States, Pima cotton is made from the same plant as Egyptian cotton. Known for producing rich, extra-long staple fibers prized for their strength and absorbency, Pima is considered to be a superior blends of cotton.

On the subject of Rugs and Mats

Size is of the utmost concern. Make sure you have clearance for doors(remember you can always plane your doors a bit to accommodate your rugs). From there, be creative, try a runner in front of two sinks instead of two small rugs. Don't let your bath become an array of rug islands.

Be practical, if your rugs tend to get really wet, try a tub mat that's easily draped to dry. If your rugs get a lot of soil, try reversible rugs, as they will keep a fresher look between washes. Lastly, non stick backing is great, but it never lasts as long as the rug itself, so don't be disappointed-it just doesn't last.

So go ahead-make that change, and watch your spirits soar!

Pepper, the perfect grind

Pepper, Pepper, Pepper
Along with salt, pepper is on nearly every table. Historically significant, pepperis the most common spice in use. Nutritionally beneficial and medicinally positive, pepper offers a unique flavor and a variety of uses. It is the third most common ingredient behind water and salt. There are a variety of peppercorns
commonly used.
This master spice is versatile in all forms. It offers up a vibrant flavor suitable for any dish. Historically, it has led an illustrious and full life giving fortune and paying ransoms. Pepper is used daily by most people and offers health benefits along with adding its unique flavor. Reach for that pepper shaker or grinder and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer!

F.B Fogg

F.B. Fogg stands the test of time By Amanda Degard This isn’t your grandfather’s clock shop. Handmade, unique, one-of-a-kind clocks counting the minutes to a new home await shoppers at Muncie’s F.B. Fogg. Ann Johnson, who takes the artist name of F.B. Fogg, started playing with materials in her home and making homemade paper more than 35 years ago, according to Steve Slavin, owner of F.B. Fogg. Soon Johnson developed a formula that she could use to make sculptures. Steve Slavin says, “For a wedding she made a cow for someone, and that in turn brought along seven more orders for cows. She thought that if a cow is nice, a pig is going to be even better, and if a pig is nice a dog would be even better, and it started to become something much more.” Johnson opened a studio in Muncie and named it after her artist name, F.B. Fogg. The studio houses hundreds of handmade paper clocks, art pieces, jewelry and articles of clothing. President Jo Ann Gora says, “It is a must-see place in Muncie.” Staci Slavin, co-owner of F.B. Fogg, says that she and her husband bought the business in April 2008 after a previous business inquiry that Steve Slavin was assisting Johnson with fell through. “I remember going into Steve’s office and thinking, you know, he had shown me the paperwork and everything and was talking to me about it, and I thought is there any reason why we’re not doing this,” Staci Slavin says. Johnson initially contacted Steve Slavin because of his background in the financial field. Johnson was Steve Slavin’s middle and high school art teacher. Steve Slavin always enjoyed art, but described himself as a part-time artist before taking over F.B. Fogg. The store is a mix of business and pleasure for Steve Slavin. He explores his creative side with the clocks, but also runs the business. “We make a menagerie of whimsical, handmade paper items or sculptures,” Steve Slavin says. All of the clocks are handmade in the Muncie studio. The paper used, which is created in the studio, is made out of cotton rag and abaca, a plant that belongs to the banana family. Each color used in the creation of a clock is an individual sheet of the paper, 10 inches in diameter, infused with all-natural dyes and dyed the specific color needed. Leftover pieces are reused to make black paper. The most popular requests are the dog clocks. The clocks can be special ordered and made to look just like a picture, or can be made from the American Kennel Club standard for the dog. Gora says she visits the shop about once a month and likes the jewelry. She also has a handmade shih tzu clock. “It is a very creative environment where you never know what you’re going to find but everything is high quality and unique,” Gora says. “There is something for everyone,” Staci Slavin says, “There is something for [college students] from just neat prints on the wall to neat necklaces to unique handbags.” Staci Slavin travels to art shows and does the buying for the business. When she traveled to shows this summer she always kept the college-aged shopper in mind. Steve Slavin explains that the business can be seen in two different aspects: The studio and shop in Muncie is one aspect, while wholesale is the other. F.B. Fogg sells “to hundreds and hundreds of galleries all over the world, 13 foreign countries at one time,” Steve Slavin says. F.B. Fogg recently launched in Japan and is new in Sweden and Germany. All of the items are made in the Muncie studio and shipped to different locations. Gora says, “I have found some of the unique products that F.B. Fogg sells in stores all over the country.” Staci Slavin describes F.B. Fogg products as “being zany, fun, one-of-a-kind pieces of art.” Whether it is fun jewelry, a funky wall piece or a unique clock, F.B. Fogg is one of Muncie’s hidden treasures.