If you have a living Christmas tree this holiday season that’s cool because it’s a green choice. However, if it’s your first living tree you may be wondering how to plant it once the holiday is over.
Below is a video and some tips that can help.
Other tips…

If you are still considering a living tree for this year or next, make sure to choose a healthy tree if you want a healthy later planting. This means when you buy a tree it should have a healthy and full not droopy look to it, also any living Christmas tree you buy should …read more

While most identity theft takes place when you’re shopping at the store or opening phishing emails, there are other ways that identity thieves use to collect the information they need. Protecting your identity should start at home.

People who swipe mail from mailboxes to help them in their quest to steal a specific person’s identity aren’t just a Lifetime movie phenomenon. I know of at least one person who had her identity assumed by a person who lived nearby. The person went as far as checking her mailbox every day before she got home and swiping anything that could …read more

Pasta is by far one of my favorite dishes because of it’s versatility and heartiness. Many people avoid pasta because of the carb and calorie intake but what they don’t realize is that several pasta dishes can be healthy and great for the waste line.
Of course everything in moderation. With that said the Holidays are a time when we over indulge, eat way too much, drink ’til our hearts content, and make resolutions we hope we can keep. I have a great recipe idea for your Turkey leftovers which is fairly low on the calorie scale.
Tuxedo Pasta w/ Turkey

Prep/Total Time …read more

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching, and you know that means food, gifts, faith, and great times spent with family. Unfortunately, it also can mean some added stress. To help combat this, here are a few strategies to deal with the more “annoying” moments and people you may have to deal with.

Don’t React
As difficult as it is, try not to react to people that try and bait you into an argument. Sometimes the holidays brings out the worst in people, and they can’t help but to purposefully be contradictory. The more you ignore their jibes, the …read more

Instead of eggnog in your mug this holiday season, make these delicious Eggnog Truffles. These rich truffles are easy to make, using white baking chocolate, cream cheese and spices from McCormick.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Refrigerate: 5 hours
Ingredients:

1 pound white baking chocolate, divided
4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon McCormick Imitation Rum Extract
McCormick Ground Nutmeg (for sprinkling)

Directions:

Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate as directed on package. Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, nutmeg and extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended and smooth. Add melted chocolate; beat until well …read more

I just heard about this attack of the killer tomatoes issue and it’s really interesting. Some new research has emerged that has found garden variety vegetables (literally) like tomatoes and potatoes are just as capable of killing insects as the Venus fly trap.

According to the Telegraph, botanists recently discovered for the first time that some plants are carnivorous predators who can kill insects in order to “self-fertilize.”
The new research shows that plants such as some species of petunia, ornamental tobacco plants, some varieties of potatoes and tomatoes, and shepherd’s purse can capture and kill small insects via the sticky hairs …read more

I have a quick and easy pattern for a set of gingerbread place mats for your kitchen or dining room table. The kids love them and they really make the room look festive. Since the gingerbread man material is a light tan, you can use any pattern of fabric for the placemat and napkin.
Here is what you will need to get started:

¾ yards of Christmas print
½ yard of polyester fleece
½ yard of solid fabric (for the napkins)
¼ yard of light brown or tan print or solid (for the gingerbread bodies, I used solid to make a contrast)
½ – 5/8 …read more

If you’re not handy or patient with a paint brush, there’s another option: spraying your paint. If you haven’t checked out the options in years, you may be surprised by what’s available. I’ve highlighted several projects below from Valspar Spray. Follow the links for step-by-step instructions for remaking your home without buying new accessories. Also, visit the Color Buzz blog for lots more inspiration on ways to use spray, including recycled gift wrap!
If you have a white appliance that sticks out in your kitchen, then give it a new hue. Read the step-by-step fridge painting guide for spraying your appliance …read more

You set up your Christmas tree a few days ago. Doesn’t it look nice? All those pretty lights and sparkling decorations just transformed the room and everyone is suddenly obsessed with what you’re putting under the tree. Now, all you have to do is…Was that a tinkling crash? Oh, no! Well, looks like the first thing you need to do is put the glass ornaments higher up on the tree so your curious toddler and playful pup can’t knock them down! Here are a few other things you should consider:

Keep any falling needles off the floor. Babies, kittens and …read more

For those friends of yours that are eco-conscious, it might be a challenge sometimes to get them a gift they can appreciate while also appealing to their “green” way of life. If that’s the case, the following gifts should give them something to smile about. Each is made from a recycled material. Check out these fabulous gifts.

Pop Art Mirror
This gorgeous mirror was designed by Mitch and Susie Levin. The frame is made from recycled soda cans if you can believe it! Each can is cut by hand and then nailed to a wooden frame. …read more