Saturday, April 28, 2012

Love Knows No Bounds Autism Speaks Charity Anthology


April is Autism awareness month.

Today (April 28) a new fiction anthology is being released by Entangled Publishing- Love Knows No Bounds and 100% net profits from the sales go to Autism Speaks 











Remember Me:

Unable to bear the thought of losing his mortal wife, Caden Wolfe steals the Elixir of Life and offers her eternity. But the theft is discovered, his wife is slain, and Caden is stripped of his angel’s wings and cast down into the Abyss.

Having drunk of the Elixir of Life, Phoebe Little’s soul is tied to the earth in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. Unaware that she has lived countless lives, Phoebe is haunted by the loss of a love she has no memory of.

Caden has spent a thousand years searching for his wife. Now he has found her, and only Phoebe’s love can redeem them both. But Phoebe fell in love with an angel, and Caden is now a demon of the Abyss. Can she see past what he has become, remember the love they once shared, and have a second chance at forever?

And a little excerpt from Remember Me to whet your appetites:

Cade kissed her mouth, her cheek, her eyes…small biting kisses, as though he wanted to devour her.

“Eleni…”

He whispered the name through the kisses. Phoebe went instantly still as the word broke through the fog of desire engulfing her, dousing her in a deluge of icy cold. Her hands moved to his shoulders, and she pushed him away. For a moment, his grip tightened, then he loosened his hold lowered her so she stood on her own feet again. Pulling free of him, she took a shaky step forward, then another. She came up against the desk and put out a hand to the cool steel to steady herself, trying to clear her brain of the haze of lust and desire.
Eleni.

The name from her dream. And now, as her brain slowly began to function again, she remembered where she had heard it before. Cade had spoken it in the compound in Afghanistan, just before the world had exploded.

She glanced at him. He was watching her, his expression wary, though his dark eyes still glowed with residual desire. Regret nudged at her mind, but she forced it down. She needed to understand what was happening here. “Who’s Eleni?”

He didn’t answer the question. Instead, he crossed the room and poured them both a whisky, placing the glasses on the coffee table before sinking onto the sofa.

“Sit down,” he said.

She gritted her teeth. “I don’t want to sit down. I want to know who Eleni is.”

“Sit down, and I’ll tell you.” When she didn’t move he continued, a faint thread of impatience lacing his voice. “Sit down, Phoebe. I won’t touch you again…unless you want me to.”



Tweet Blurb: 

When one time ultra-shy girl, Faye Albert, decides to live a little, she inadvertently binds her soul to Satan by following the Dark Prince on Twitter. 

Now she needs to break the contract or face eternal damnation. With time running out and her desperation growing, Faye enlists the help of Christopher White, a gorgeous photographer from work and her secret crush. 

To sweeten the deal Satan’s minion tempts her every step, offering her things she’s only dreamed of. 

Will Faye be able to say no to a lifetime of earthly treasures and possibly lose the only man she’s ever loved or will her leap of faith finally deliver exactly what her heart has yearned for?









Bittersweet Blurb: 

Anna Kirkpatrick isn't looking for love. Being a single mom to Bowan, her eight-year-old autistic son, takes up all of her time...leaving no room for romance. Willing to do anything to help her son come out of his shell, Anna agrees to take Bowan to cooking classes with a world class chef. 

Motorcycle-riding pastry chef Leo Mancini isn't exactly searching for "the one", either. After losing every penny he had, his business, and his girlfriend, he's moved to northern Idaho to sulk, restart his career, and pay his sister back for a loan that no amount of money could ever really suffice. 

When Anna and Leo discover that Bowan's fondness for the kitchen extends beyond his peculiar cookbook collection, Leo quickly becomes the one person who can break through his barriers. 

But will Leo and Anna's attraction lead to more than just a weekly cooking lesson?

Simply Green: Easy Things You Can Do to Be Green and Save Money

The biggest thing right now is being green, everybody’s doing it from celebrities to your neighbor on the corner. You may be wondering though, what can you really do to live a greener life that doesn’t cost a fortune or have you munching on granola.

Trying to wade through all the green information floating around out there can be difficult. Everyone’s popping up with green tag lines and green products, but is throwing out all your old stuff and buying new eco-friendly products going to solve anything? No, it just leads more stuff in the landfill which defeats the purpose of going green.

Here are simple ways you can go green without going broke or changing your lifestyle very much. These simple things can even save you money.

Fix all leaky faucets and pipes. This will save water and save energy therefore reducing your water and energy bills.

Install low flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and toilets that use less water. The initial investment is minimal and in less than a year you’ll recoup that money through savings on your water and energy bills.

Unplug any appliances and other electronics when not in use. Even though something may be off, as long as it is plugged in it is still drawing power.

Invest in rechargeable batteries. They do not cost a great deal more than regular batteries but they last over ten times longer.

Change out regular incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s). These bulbs last 6-10 times longer than a regular bulb and use much less energy. CFL’s come in dimmable versions now, too. So if you have a light with a dimmer switch there are CFL’s available for that.

Use solar powered lights for outdoor lighting.

Reduce the length of your shower and shower with warm not hot water. You can start out hot then gradually ease the temperature down as you go too.

Wash clothing in cold water instead of hot.

Wear clothing more than once before washing it. No, I’m not talking about underwear and socks- outerwear like jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. do not have to go into the hamper right after wearing them unless they are heavily soiled, wear them a couple more times before washing them.

Put lids on pots and pans when you are cooking. I know, sounds so simple and it is. The food will heat up faster, more evenly and on lower heat, plus it will stay warmer longer. You’ll save energy all around.

Take reusable bags to the grocery store and on other shopping trips. This is another very simple thing. Keep all those plastic bags out of landfills by using durable canvas totes or other reusable bags. Keep an extra stash in your car so you always have some with you.

Reduce the number of miles you drive. Think about walking or riding a bike more, carpooling, or even talk to your boss about telecommuting. This will reduce the need for expensive gasoline and reduce the amount of transportation pollution being released into the air. Plus if you walk or ride your bike more, you’ll get in shape and be a healthier person.

When buying products look for items that are recycled, recyclable, sustainable and organic. Also look for durable products made from recycled or reclaimed materials. Organic isn’t just for food either. Organic fabrics, body products and more are now available.

Purchase recycled or tree-free paper.

Refill and recycle your ink cartridges to save money and keep them out of landfills.

Recycle whenever possible. Some products you can even get money for recycling, like certain metals.

Download songs, movies, television shows and more instead of buying CDs and DVDs.

If you really want to be green you could try your hand at making your own recycled paper, it could be a lot of fun.

Shop locally. Buy locally grown fresh fruits and veggies. If they are organic, even better.

Have a green thumb? Grow your own organic goodies. Many veggies can be grown in containers if you don’t have a lot of space.

Going green doesn’t have to mean big changes in your lifestyle but even the simplest things can have a big impact on the world we live in. So do your part and be simply green. Who knows you may enjoy it and want to do more.

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Tantalizing Tomato: History and Facts

The tomato is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, sugar and acidity. It goes so well with so many things. The tomato could possibly be one of the most versatile foods. So many tasty meals are made with tomatoes.

I couldn’t imagine life without spaghetti sauce, pizza, or chili. French fries wouldn’t be the same without ketchup and a grilled cheese would not be complete without a bowl of tomato soup.

A BLT wouldn’t even exist without the all important slice of tomato.

Too many delicious dinners wouldn’t be the same without the tomato. Especially delectable dishes from the Mediterranean area, could you imagine French, Greek or Italian food without the touch of the tomato?

Today the tomato grows all over the world, yet it is only native to areas of Mexico and South America. The Spanish explorer, Cortez, discovered the tomato growing in the gardens of the Aztecs in the early 1500’s and brought seeds back to Europe with him, yet the tomato still took over 100 years to become a food source.

Southern Italians were the first to embrace the golden globes (early tomatoes were yellow not red) and incorporate them into their cuisine. By 1758 the tomato was mentioned in “The Art of Cookery” by Hannah Glass in England.

The tomato is thought to have arrived in the American colonies around 1770 but it was believed to be poisonous. The “poison apple” was avoided because it was grouped in the same botanical family as Nightshade, a highly poisonous plant. At one time the tomato was also called the “love apple”, as it was believed to have aphrodisiacal powers, but the actual term “love apple” probably occurred because the word tomato stems from the French pomme d’amour and the Italian pomi d’amore which both meant apple of love.

Though it was the term “poison apple” that kept people from enjoying this fantastic fruit (yes, it is actually a fruit, part of the berry family), Europeans and Americans continued to avoid it throughout the 18th century.

Thomas Jefferson was an avid grower of tomatoes and helped push the tomato into American culture and food, along with Colonel Johnson of Salem, New Jersey who decided to eat an entire basket of tomatoes in front of the courthouse to prove they were not poisonous. In 1893 the Supreme Court ruled the tomato to be a vegetable so it would be subject to import taxes. Today the US is the biggest cultivator of tomatoes in the world and tomatoes are the third highest produced crop in the US.

The tantalizing tomato is one of the most widely used foods. It is used in every form; fresh, roasted, cooked, smoked, sun dried, turned into sauces, juice, soup, ketchup and used widely in seasonings. Not only is the tomato versatile it is also extremely healthy.

It is low in fat, has minimal carbohydrates, plus it is full of nutrients and antioxidants. It is a major source of Lycopene which research studies have shown to protect against and help prevent prostate and other types of cancers. It also improves circulation. The cooking process makes the lycopene readily available and is found in products like canned tomatoes and sauces. Plus you need to eat it with a little fat so the body can absorb the lycopene. So eating a combination of tomato sauce and olive oil can be extremely good for you.

Tomatoes are relatively easy to grow and there are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes out there to choose from. They can all be classified into four basic categories; standard slicing tomatoes these are most common to find, small grape and cherry tomatoes usually used for salads, Roma or plum tomatoes used for sauces, and the specialty or heirloom tomatoes.

Most of today’s tomatoes are bred to be hardier; they are still very fragile and delicate fruits/vegetables. They need to be handled carefully because they are easy to bruise. To store tomatoes you should keep them out of direct sunlight and never put them in the refrigerator. The cold destroys flavor molecules. If possible it is best to store them in a cool or room temperature area. Keep them away from onions and bananas. They will absorb the taste of the onion and bananas emit a gas that will cause the tomatoes to ripen too quickly.

The tantalizing tomato can be used to create hundreds and possibly thousands of dishes, being one of the most versatile foods available.

What will you eat today?

Thursday, April 26, 2012

DIY Wine and Vineyard Themed Wedding Ideas


Looking for great DIY ideas for a vineyard or wine themed wedding? Check out these great craft ideas from around the web.

Cork place card holders are a popular and simple DIY craft for wine theme weddings. Find details at The Bubbly Bride and a tutorial at Wedding Bee.
candelabra wine bottlesThese wine bottle candelabras are beautiful and would make fabulous centerpieces. You can find them at CountryPorch.com
wine bottle centerpiece
Here’s a way to use a wine bottle as a unique table number and centerpiece display.
wine theme wedding card boxThis bride went all out with her wine wedding. This big wine barrel served as her card box.
You can find several other great DIY wine bottle ideas on Your Perfect Day and the wedding bee bridal boards.

How to Grow Great Tomatoes

Nothing beats the taste of a vine ripened tomato, except the taste of a vine ripened tomato harvested from your own garden. Growing great tomatoes is relatively easy and a small garden can produce a lot of tomatoes.

The tomato originates from South America and Mexico. The Spanish explorer Cortez took the seeds to Europe after discovering the tomato being grown in Mexico in Aztec gardens. Italians were the first to eat the golden apple (early tomatoes were yellow not red) in the 1500’s but it still took more than 100 years for Italians to fully accept tomatoes and integrate them into their food. Can you imagine Italian cuisine without tomatoes?

The tomato is classified as a vegetable thanks to a Supreme Court ruling in 1893 that subjected vegetables to import taxes, however technically a tomato is a fruit and part of the berry family. This vegetable/fruit is actually a perennial if left to continuously grow in a warm climate, however most areas do not stay warm enough so it is treated as an annual that has to be replanted every year.

There are basically 4 categories of tomatoes: the slicing tomatoes which are the standard globe, round and Beefsteaks; small salad tomatoes like the grape and cherry varieties; the Roma or plum which is mainly used for sauces; and specialty or heirloom tomatoes.

Tomatoes are also available in a variety of colors; reds, oranges, yellows and more varied colors like purples and striped varieties (these are the heirloom tomatoes; you would need to special order the seeds). If you are planning to incorporate the tomatoes into your landscaping you can create visual interest by planting several different colors and sizes of tomatoes.

The heat loving tomato is very sensitive to cold so it should not be planted outside until all threat of frost has passed. The tomato plant can die if temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil temperatures should be around 65 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer for the tomato to thrive.

You can start tomato seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the threat of frost has passed. Peat pots and pellets make starting seedlings very simple. By starting your own seedlings you may have more choices in the type of tomatoes to grow since local nurseries and outdoor centers for major stores usually only carry a small selection of tomatoes while there are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from. If you just want the basics or you don’t have the time or space to start seedlings early, buying plants from the local nursery to transplant will do quite fine.

Choose the best plants for transplanting. They should be 6-8 inches tall and look healthy and sturdy. Though a slightly wilted plant can usually be revived, it is best not to take the chance. Never buy tomato plants that are already producing fruit unless it is in a large and sturdy pot that you can leave it in. A plant already bearing fruit should not be transplanted.

Purchase plants when the weather is right for planting. Tomatoes can be grown in many ways; in pots or large containers, in greenhouses, staked, trellised, caged, or allowed to vine out. They can be planted in wet or dry soil though they prefer rich soil full of organic matter with a pH around 6.5. If you plan to use lime in the soil, make sure to use a high magnesium lime.

When all threat of frost has passed and you are ready to transplant your tomatoes, water them 1-2 hours before planting. Dig a hole with a small trowel or your hands; it does not have to be very deep. The plant should sit 1-2 inches deeper in the soil than it was in the pot. You may have to pinch off bottom leaves when planting.

If the area you are planting the tomatoes in is a wet, boggy area, plant the tomato plants on a mound 4-6 inches higher than the ground. If the planting area is dry, plant each tomato plant in a depression - or plant them, then make an indented ring around the base of the plant to collect rain water. Disturb the roots as little as possible when moving the tomato plants from the container into the ground. If they are in peat pots, tear the pot to let the roots escape. Firmly pack the soil around the plant roots and water immediately after planting.

An average of 3 square feet per plant is needed depending on how you grow them. Staked plants take up less space and are easier to work around but you have to stake them, tie them and prune off side shoots that grow.

Staked plants should be planted 2 feet apart in a row with 3 feet between rows. If you let the plants vine naturally and grow along the ground they need more space to sprawl out. I prefer to use cone shaped cages that allow the plants to grow naturally up and around the cage. The cages keep them up off the ground while still allowing natural growth. Tomatoes are also great for trellising; you could plant them along fences, arbors, arches or decorative trellises.

Wait 4 - 6 weeks before mulching to make sure the ground has warmed up all the way. Then black landscaping plastic can effectively be used to keep the ground moist and deter weeds from growing in your tomato garden. Not only will the landscaping plastic keep weeds at bay it can also help prevent blossom end rot and it will keep the tomatoes clean and out of the dirt.

Great companion plants for tomatoes are cabbage, celery, carrots, cucumbers, onions and peppers. Herbal companions include borage, mint and pot marigold. Avoid planting tomatoes near corn, dill or potatoes which can attract pests and diseases to your plants.

Tomatoes need a lot of water but avoid over doing it. Too much water can drown them while too little water can cause weak roots and shallow root growth. Water early in the day at the base of the plants; do not get the leaves wet. If plants yellow or become pale green they may need more nitrogen. Tomato plants can quickly deplete mineral stores in the soil and will need fertilizing, especially if they are in pots and containers (I like to use Miracle Grow for vegetables). Do not use nitrogen until flowering has started then you can side dress with an ounce or so of a 5-10-10 solution in a ring around the plant base, do not get it on the leaves, it can burn the plant.

Tomatoes do not need to be pruned unless you are training them to grow on stakes or trellises. Then you will want to pinch off side shoots.

You will see that growing great tomatoes can be quite easy and very rewarding. After the original planting, tomatoes need little maintenance except regular watering and weeding. So you can sit back, watch your tomatoes flower, grow and bear fruit. Then you can reap tasty rewards when it comes time to harvest your very own, home grown, vine ripened tomatoes.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Flowers I Made for My Mom's Wedding


take a look at some of the flower bouquets and arrangements I made for my mom's wedding
which was last year

The maid of honor bouquet


Boutonnieres for the guys

The bridal bouquet- these photos came out blurry




The unity candle arrangement which will also serve double duty
as the centerpiece for the bridal table




Sunday, April 22, 2012

Eco Invitations from Twisted Limb


Looking for gorgeous invitations that are eco-friendly as well as stylish?

Look no further than Twisted Limb Paperworks in Bloomington, Indiana.

The carbon- neutral studio creates handmade 100% recycled paper from used office paper, grocery bags, and recycled water. To give the paper an extra special natural touch they add flowers, wildflower seeds, and even grass clippings from their lawn.The result is gorgeously textured natural paper that gets transformed into beautiful wedding invitations, business papers, greeting cards, announcements, thank you notes, place cards, menus and favors.


They offer a wide variety of color options to coordinate with any wedding color palette they also have a nice selection of invitation styles- you can even decide whether to receive the invitations pre-assembled or save a few dollars and purchased DIY kits.

Twisted Limb offers circle invitations, panel invitations, bookmark styles, fold over styles, sidebar invitations and many other styles- all in your choice of colors.

My mother recently married again and we opted to be as green as possible.

We received beautiful eco-invitations from Twisted Limb in the 5x7 Fold over style.

I fell in love with the delightful texture of the paper and the simple elegance of the invitations. The main part of the invitation was made with handmade paper- we received lavender and sagebrush colors.

The handmade papers are folded over on the top and the printed part of the invitation is made with eco-friendly vellum. The folded over border is finished with a zigzag stitch that offers visual appeal.

Searching for Eco Vintage Wedding Gowns

Totally vintageous - search for an eco chic wedding gown

By Wenona Napolitano, author of 'The Everything Green Wedding Book'
Are you considering a green wedding but don't think you're going to find a "green" gown that fits your style? Hemp not your thing? Organic cotton or bamboo doesn't fit the bill either? Maybe you think that eco-friendly gowns don't fit into your image of wearing high fashion.
Don't worry you can still go green and wear high fashion... by wearing a beautiful bridal gown from another era.
Are you a gal that loves the styles from eras long gone? The glamour of vintage fashion, gowns from the golden age of Hollywood. Well, did you know that vintage gowns are a very green option?
Why, you may ask?
They are so vintageously green because no new resources are needed to create them. The greenest choices are the ones that require no energy or new resources to create- a vintage gown fits that definition perfectly.

A touch of history

Vintage gowns have become very popular in recent years, not just because of the massive movement towards going green but a renewed interest in the beauty and style of the past has emerged. Many celebrities have donned vintage gowns for red carpet events and for their own weddings.
Just imagine all the styles and elegant fashions you can choose from. The quiet elegance or flapper styles of the 20s, the understated beauty of the 30s, the glamour of the 50s, and the psychedelic fun of the 60s and 70s. Maybe you wish to go back even farther in time to romantic Edwardian or Victorian fashions.

Do your homework

To research vintage fashions and styles of wedding gowns two fabulous books are Vintage Wedding- Simple Ideas for Creating a Romantic Vintage Wedding by Daniela Turudich andAccessorizing the Bride-Vintage Wedding Finery through the Decades by Norma Shephard.
These books will help you see what kinds of dresses were popular during different decades. That way when you start looking for a vintage bridal gown you'll have a better idea of what to search for.
So where can you find vintage gowns? You never know you may find a gem at a local thrift store, consignment shop, or antique store. You might even be lucky enough to have a vintage clothing retailer in your town.

Online vintage

If not, there's always eBay and a host of online retailers that specialize in vintage gowns. Two well known online retailers are VintageWedding.com and VintageVixen.com. If you are in the UK check out VintageDress.co.uk.

How to find that vintage gown

Be careful when shopping for vintage gowns, especially if you purchase from an online retailer.
  • First of all make sure the gown is not a reproduction but an actual vintage gown. Several popular stores offer vintage "style" dresses. They are not real vintage gowns. That means they are not green. New materials and resources were used to create them.
  • Also be sure that you get a gown that is wearable. Some real vintage gowns are so old and fragile they cannot be worn, at least not without a lot of expensive and time consuming restoration which only a very qualified seamstress could accomplish
  • Ask for full disclosure of the gowns condition. Any stains, rips, or tears? Do the zippers, buttons, snaps, etc all work properly? Is anything missing? Is the elastic in good condition?
  • Ask for plenty of good quality photos so you can examine the gown you are considering.
  • Another big issue with vintage gowns is sizing. Sizes have changed over the years. You'll want to ask for measurements of any gowns you are considering. Get accurate measurements of yourself and an item of clothing that fits you well and compare them.
  • Ask the retailer about refund policies and get insurance on anything shipped to you.
  • The last thing to consider when purchasing a vintage wedding dress is undergarments. You'll want to know what kinds of undergarments were worn with that specific style of dress. Some styles may require a corset or a hoop skirt.
One of the greatest things about going vintage is you can centre your whole wedding theme around the era of your gown. Think flapper 20s, 50s retro, 80s glam, or the restrained elegance of Victorian times.
You'll see that going totally vintageous can be a lot of fun in addition to being so very trendy and green.
The Everything Green Wedding Book

About the author

Wenona Napolitano is the author of 'The Everything Green Wedding Book'

Disposable Dinner & Cake Plates Plates from Bambuhome







The buffet table at my mother's wedding featuring-
If you can see the flat bowls on each side of the big salad bowl those awesome small bowls are from Verterra- they are made from leaves




For my mother's wedding one of styles of dinner plates we used were Bamboo Vennerware from BambuHome- they are "the original single-use bamboo collection of plates, sereeware and utensils."

All Occasion Veneerware® is the one and only single-use product made from 100% bamboo and Certified Organic.

All Occasion Veneerware® is ideal for meals at home, picnics, catered events, weddings, birthdays, conferences or almost any occasion. All Occasion Veneerware® is our answer to the paper plate.


About BambuHome Veneerware

Certified Organic
FDA approved food-safe - No bleaches or dyes
After disposal, biodegrades in 4-6 months
Not recommended for the microwave
Intended for single use

We also used bambuhome's small bamboo VeneerWare plates for the cake plates and their gorgeous kiwi colored trays held eating utensils and napkins