Fall Colored Sugar Cookie Idea

gfdfgSo this is done so much easier than you would actually think. The picture above is done with a sugar cookie recipe – so use your favorite or you can even use store bought in a pinch. Allow dough to go to room temperature so it is easy to work with. As shown above the dough was divided into four equal parts (green, burgundy, orange, yellow). Use food coloring (paste or powder – do not use liquid it will change the recipe too much) and color each separated chunk of dough with a different color. Take chunks of dough off of each separated color and put on parchment paper covered counter with flour. Push down and put different colored chunk next to it until you get a nice array of colors. Use rolling pin and make cookies the thickness you desire. push cookie cutters down and make cookie shapes. Squeeze remaining dough together and roll out. The more you roll the more the colors will me mottled but thos can be a sweet treat just for you.

Sliced Baked Potato

1098261_383817188411438_1267599817_nThis looks so good – I had this in a folder for awhile and found it when i was thinking about what “new” I could make for dinner. They came out so good – we sprinkled them with cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream and added chives and bacon bits. The toppings made their way inbetween the slices and it was really good and so simple. If watching caloried use low fat/fat free sour cream and cheese and skip the bacon bits.

Home Repairs and Renovations By Guest Writer Cindy Davis

You may think your new home is perfect, but no matter how many times you’ve viewed the property, there are going to be a myriad of things that you didn’t notice were wrong when you first saw it.  It could be that your new house has minor issues, like a broken burglar alarm or locks that need replacing. These are fairly simple issues to solve, but what happens if your house needs major work to the electrics or plumbing? It’s important to be prepared for the worst when moving to a new property, and so here is a list of hints and tips to keep your head above water should your pipes burst.

Home Repairs and Renovations21)      Insurance

You should always make sure you prioritise getting your home well-insured. You’ll probably (or at least hopefully) already have your contents and home insurance all in place, but make sure you’re going to be covered for those little emergencies – like having your boiler break down! Make a list of all the things in your home you want to insure. The extra time and cost to do this is worth saving the hassle, stress and money of later losing your gas or hot water!

 

2)      Check with the landlord.

If you’re renting your property and you notice things going wrong, whether it be dodgy electrics or drainage issues, make sure you run any problems you notice by your landlord. Renting the property means it’s not your responsibility to fix these issues, especially since you’ve just moved in! You’ll want to make a list of any damages and show this to your landlord – this will also prove useful when claiming your deposit back!Home Repairs and Renovations

 

3)      Repairing yourself.

Some minor issues with your home might be solvable with just a bit of your time and your toolkit. If you decide you want to make some home repairs and renovations yourself, then make sure you know what you’re doing! Remember that odd jobs around the house can appear to be simple, but you could end up making the problem worse for yourself, as well as more expensive! If you aren’t sure then you’re best off hiring a professional, especially when it comes to sizeable or potentially dangerous repairs.

 

4)      Hiring help.

If you do decide that you’re going to need to hire repairmen to fix your problems, then it’s important to do your research. Hiring a plumber or electrician isn’t just about getting the best price – try to get some information about their previous work, the approximate time the job will take and how invasive the repairs are going to be. If you’re wary of finding your repairman online then try your local newspaper or phonebook so as to avoid scams and potential hassle. The best and safest way to hire someone to come into your home to make renovations or repairs is to choose a person based on the recommendation of friends or family. Ask around to find someone who you know has previously done reliable work to give yourself peace of mind if you’re hesitant to allow strangers into your home. Friendly estate agents and even neighbours might be able to help you find a repairman you can trust, so don’t be hesitant to ask for some advice!

 

Bio: This article has been created by Cindy Davis on behalf of: http://www.0800housecleaning.co.uk/house-cleaning-services/SE16_bermondsey.html

Halloween Sugar Cookie Mummies ~ Easy

545870_10100141348623202_2044196699_nSo Easy!!! Make your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe (or use premade) roll and cut out (with a knife)  cookies that are shaped like your thumb. Round the ends and bake. Make an icing recipe and drizzle back a nd fourth across the cookies – it does not need to be neat and perfect which makes it great to allow your children to help. You can use a sandwich zip lock bag and cut a tiny piece from the corner to pipe icing. The eyes can be made by mixing the same recipe for the icing and add a few drops of food coloring or you could place two chocolate chips top side pushed into cookie before you bake them. Easy and looks great when you have several on a plate for a Halloween party or favors for a party.

Cleaning of Blinds and Curtains: Vacuuming and Machine Washing By Guest Writer Cindy Davis

The curtains and the blinds in the home tend to accumulate a lot of dust. That is why they should be cleaned regularly, because dust gathered on them can quickly spread into the home atmosphere and pollute the air. Especially in areas where the air is known to be rather dry and dusty, regular cleaning of the curtains and blinds should be done not only to enable the home to become cleaner, but also to take care of the householders’ health. Vacuuming can be carried out on the curtains and the blinds, and some curtains can be machine washed, which is indicated on their labels.

Cleaning of Blinds and Curtains2

Curtains can be easily vacuumed by using the lowest suction setting. The strength of the air suction should not be high to avoid damage to the curtain fabric, especially with gentle fabric curtains. The upholstery attachment should be used to do the vacuuming. The direction of vacuuming should be from the top of the curtains to the bottom. If necessary, vacuuming can be repeated to be certain that all the dust has been eliminated.

Blinds are the other major culprit for the dust that spreads into the home ambiance. Before they are vacuumed to get rid of the accumulated dust, they should be closed in order to achieve a flat surface, easy to vacuum. Then the dust brush attachment should be applied to do the dusting. Like with the curtains, the vacuuming of the blinds should be from the top to the bottom. Afterwards the blinds should be turned the opposite way, and the other side should be vacuumed from the top to the bottom, taking great care not to hurry in order to enable the vacuum cleaner to suck in as much dust as possible.

The frequency of cleaning the curtains and the blinds in a home depends on the extent of dust present in the environment, and the dustier the environment, the more frequently the curtains and the blinds should be vacuumed. In general, it is recommended to vacuum the curtains and the blinds once a month, as a regular measure against the accumulation of dust.Cleaning of Blinds and Curtains

The curtains can also be washed to remove the dirt and dust, but then all the hardware should be removed from them, before they are inserted in the washing machine. The curtain label should be checked before the washing starts, to be certain that the fabric will not be damaged in any way by improper treatment. Spot testing in a corner of the curtain, applying water mixed with some detergent, can help to find out whether the washing will damage it. In general, most curtains that can be cleaned by washing have to be washed with cold water to which just a small amount of detergent is added.

The curtains and the blinds are not only the finishing touches to the home environment. They are also among the spots of the home which accumulate the most dust. Regular cleaning by dusting or washing is essential not only to keep them clean, but also to preserve their initial attractiveness. The more attractive they are the more your home speaks of regular cleaning which maintains your home in good and healthy condition. Living in that kind of environment is a pure pleasure.

Bio: Cindy Davis is dedicated writer with great flair for home improvement and home remodeling projects. She is currently focused mainly on the household cleaning and organizing field and therefore her present article treats exactly this them. Find some good tips for your home here: http://www.cleanershouse.co.uk/carpet-cleaning/SE17-carpet-cleaners-walworth.html