A Little Bit Country Decorations

Hi all. Just wanted to let you know about a wonderful merchant that I have found.

Bulk nuts, old fashioned candy at great prices and really quick shipping. I was having trouble finding licorice jelly beans for Easter and I happened upon this great site. I ordered my beans and scottie dogs (see image above) on the 6th of April and received them this morning. Now that is service.

A great addition to your country home is always a bowl full of nuts or old fashioned candy. A warm homey way to greet your visitors.

Technorati Tags: candy, country style, nuts, old fashioned candy

Earth Friendly Spa Towels

You’ll love these towels! They are the softest, most absorbent towels I’ve ever seen.
Thick and luxuriously soft.
Made from a blend of cotton and bamboo. Did you know that bamboo is four times more absorbent than cotton, dries faster and has natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
These towels will make you feel like you have been whisked away to a fine day spa.

Grow Your Own Portabella Mushrooms
Have you ever wanted to grow your own mushrooms?
Portabella mushrooms are the filet mignon of fungi. Now you can feast on the freshest, most flavorful Portabellas ever by growing your own with this fun, foolproof kit. With a few minutes setup and daily misting, you can harvest fresh, hefty Portabellas up to 5″ across in just four weeks!
Have fun and make your friends ooh! and awe! with envy, grow your own mushrooms.

Technorati Tags: grow your own mushrooms, mushroom how to

Wassail is both a toast to someones health and a mouth watering drink. The word comes from old Norse ves heill be well, from ves (imperative singular of vera to be) + heill healthy

The best way to brew Wassail is with a pan nestled near, not in, the flames of a fireplace fire. If you don’t have a fireplace, brew it on the stove, over very low heat for about 30 - 40 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 pints of a nice brown ale
• 3 - 4 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• the zest from 1/2 a lemon
• 4 apples
• 11/2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1 cup of port
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cardomon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees for the baked apples.

While the oven is heating put 2 pints of the ale in a large sauce pan, with the cinnamon sticks, lemon zest and cloves. Bring this to a simmer over a low heat.
While the ale is simmering bake your apples. Take a strip of skin off of the middle of each a the four apples. Place them in a baking dish. Cover the apples with the remaining 1/4 pint of ale, a cup of brown sugar and the port. Place the covered baking dish in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.

While your apples are baking add all of the rest of the spices and sugar to the pot. Keep the simmer nice and gentle. when the apples have baked pour apples and the juices from the baking dish into the pot and continue to cook for another 30 minutes. To serve pour into a large bowl, traditionally wooden, and ladle into mugs. So warm and delicious.

NOTE:

Tradition has it that to toast Wassail you drink directly from the bowl sharing the brew with your family and friends.

Technorati Tags: Christmas drink, punch, wassail

The holidays are fast approaching. Say country kitchen and Thanksgiving pops to mind. What can be better for this holiday than an old favorite, Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole. Please feel free to mix it up by making it with broccoli and cheese.

Green Bean Casserole
From: Campbell’s Kitchen
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or 25% Less Sodium)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. soy sauce
Dash ground black pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cups French’s® French Fried Onions

Directions:

MIX soup, milk, soy, black pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in 1 1/2-qt. casserole.

BAKE at 350°F. for 25 min. or until hot.

STIR . Sprinkle with remaining onions. Bake 5 min.

TIP: Use 1 bag (16 to 20 oz.) frozen green beans, 2 pkg. (9 oz. each) frozen green beans, 2 cans (about 16 oz. each) green beans or about 1 1/2 lb. fresh green beans for this recipe.

For a change of pace, substitute 4 cups cooked broccoli flowerets for the green beans.

For a creative twist, stir in 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese with soup. Omit soy sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup additional Cheddar cheese when adding the remaining onions.

For a festive touch, stir in 1/4 cup chopped red pepper with soup.

For a heartier mushroom flavor, substitute Campbell’s® Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup for Cream of Mushroom Soup. Omit soy sauce. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped red pepper with green beans.
Campbell’s Kitchen.com

Campbell’s Turkey Casserole Dish

Technorati Tags: casserole, green bean casserole, reciepies

How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long — the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.

These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in — costing you higher heating bills.

Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.

But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home — the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.

Attic Stairs

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.

Whole House Fans and AC Returns

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.

Fireplaces

A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.

Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.

If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.

Mark D. Tyrol
http://www.batticdoor.com | info@batticdoor.com | 76.119.225.73

Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit http://www.batticdoor.com

From Preparing Your Fireplace For Your First Fire Of The Season, 2008/10/25 at 6:38 PM

Technorati Tags: energy conservation, reduce energy bills

Preparing Your Fireplace For Your First Fire Of The Season
By David W Miller

The fall months are here and its time to start burning. Before you light your first fire your might want to inspect your chimney. When you get the ladder out to clean the leaves out of the gutters take a good look at your chimney.

First open the damper inside your fireplace. If you notice debris falling down such as leaves, bird feathers or crumbled cement this is a warning sign. Inspect the damper making sure it is operating properly. Inspect the grate making sure it has not burned through in any spots. Take a look at the ash dump and make sure it is operating. Next look up inside the flue to make sure it is clear of obstructions you should be able to see light.

When you are on the roof take a look at the mortar joints between the bricks and take a look at the flashing around the chimney then repair if needed. Next remove the chimney cap and inspect the flue tiles especially if you noticed crumbling cement when you opened the damper.

It is always a good idea to sweep the chimney in the fall before you start to burn. Dirt and grime can leave a film inside your chimney during the summer months and it is wise to remove it before you burn your first fire. When smoke goes up your chimney it doesn’t go straight up but it curls as it rolls up the chimney. Sometimes the slightest amount of resistance can cause the smoke to roll back into the firebox. By removing any dirt from the flue tiles you will increase your draft and efficiency.

After you have inspected your chimney and swept it before you put the chimney cap back on make sure it is in good condition. There are many stiles of chimney caps and the most common use four thumb screws that tighten down on the flue tile. It is a good idea to use a little grease on the screw threads so the next time you remove it to inspect your chimney it will be easier to remove. When you put the cap back on the chimney make sure you do not over tighten the screws as you can crack the flue tiles.

Properly maintaining your fireplace will keep it safe. Why chance a house filled with smoke or possibly a chimney fire. Keeping your fireplace safe will allow you to enjoy a quiet evening in front of the fire.

Prepare Your Chimney

How To Clean A Chimney

Chimney Drafting Problems

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_W_Miller
http://EzineArticles.com/?Preparing-Your-Fireplace-For-Your-First-Fire-Of-The-Season&id=780377

Technorati Tags: chimney, chimney cap, clean a chimney, fireplace, sweep a chimney

Deck your porch and patio out for Autumn. 

Hang a wreath on the door to welcome your visitors.  A wreath is like the first welcoming smile.

Bundles of corn and wheat stalks make nice boarders for your doors.

Bunches of hardy mums.

A-lot of pumpkins in different sizes and colors.  Bunched around the door and running down the stairs.

Here is a new twist on the pumpkin.  Instead of carving it, hollow it out and fill it with cut flowers.  You can also pot your mums in the hollow pumpkin.

Fall Leaves Wreath and Garland

Technorati Tags: country decorations, decorating your poarch and patio, pumpkin

It is time to get your yard and garden ready for winter.  While you are cleaning things up start thinking about next year.  We thought you might enjoy this article from Gardeners Supply Company. 

Choose Bulbs to Create an Eight-Week Season of Bloom

By Kathy LaLiberte

Chionodoxa forbesii, also known as glory-of-the-snow, is one of the first bulbs to boom in spring.

If you’d like to celebrate spring with a vivid display of flowers, now’s the time to get busy. Invest two hours planting bulbs on a beautiful fall afternoon, and you can enjoy a succession of blooms next spring that starts in late March and extends right into May.

Planting spring bulbs couldn’t be easier. Dig a hole, stick the bulb in, and cover it up. Caring for these bulbs is easier yet. They don’t need a thing! Once planted, they’ll sleep all winter long, then emerge from the ground, form buds and start blooming.

The tricky part is selecting the right bulbs to ensure a long season of bloom. But even this is actually very easy. Here’s how to do it:

Let’s say you’re willing to spend $90 on bulbs to fill a 3 ft. x 6 ft. area near the front of your house. Let’s also assume that you don’t have any other bulbs or plants there – it’s a blank slate.

Start by taking a look at the list below. In each category, you’ll find the types of bulbs that bloom during that period. Choose at least one or two types of bulb from each of the four categories to ensure you’ll always have something in bloom. Though “early spring” might be late February in Virginia, and early April in Vermont, it doesn’t really matter. The bulbs will bloom in succession, starting whenever winter ends.

Information courtesy of :

Technorati Tags: country decorations, gardening, spring bulbs

I recently came across this video.  With the holidays fast approaching, I thought it would be good to share it with my friends.

Technorati Tags: country decorations, holiday decorations