Thursday, December 27, 2018

Travel Tips


Ways to save money while traveling:

□ Bring fluids in a thermos
□ Stay hydrated with water, not coffee or colas,
□ Bring snacks, use cooler if appropriate
□ Eat mini snack meals
□ Don't eat large meals until ready to stop 
         for the night
□ Get hot snacks in deli of grocery store chain
□ Trade off drivers when traveling in a car
□ Plan a circular route--do not backtrack
□ Have maps/GPS or both
□ Know when attractions are open 
         and plan accordingly
□ Stop and stretch, walk around,
         keeps the blood flowing to your feet and brain
□ Pack light
□ Plan coordinated colors in washable clothing
          (many hotels have laundry areas)
□ Wear layers
□ Wear comfortable shoes
□ On a plane, everything should fit into carry-on
          that is well marked and unique
□ All meds, in prescription bottles
          and ICE information in fanny pack or purse
□ Medic alert on wrist or neck chain
□ Have phone for emergency
□ Have an extra credit card or cash
□ Plan a budget and stick to it
□ Avoid gift shops
□ Take pictures and collect memories not things
□ First aid kit
□ Blanket/Pillow

Monday, December 24, 2018

Quick and Easy Solutions

Facebook wants me to be constantly posting, however more is not necessarily better.

Therefore in an effort to shout out to you more often, Here's a place for those of you who would like to post some of your easy solutions.

I'll start with

If you can't remember whose towels are whose when they are all the same color, then
using plain, regular clothes pins and a fine tip marker you can identify towels easily.
I use His name, My name, two that say floor so that when I hang the towels to dry, I know which one that I can use again. Think I need to add one for hair. Will do, done!

I have an exercise bar between the studs on a door facing to hang drying clothing that are on a hanger. I purchased one of those circle multi-hangers and the hook is too small to use on the bar. Added a ring and viola the hook can use that ring  to hang from the bar.

Needed a large drainer for commercial sized pots. Bought a new boot tray, custom fit with perforated shelf liner and viola, works for catering pans, large cooking pots, and cake pans that will not fit in regular dish drainers.

Used an elastic waist band circle to hold trash can liners in place on my large kitchen trash can.

Used a highly visible glasses case to hold usb flash drives at the computer.

Use a address file system for passwords.

Use a wire drainer to separate pot lids and baking pans in your bottom kitchen cabinets.

Place a post it pad next to the phone on which to write phone numbers when they are left during messages. Add one or two pens or pencils next to them.

Use stacking letter trays to store small baking pans.

Make double amounts of basic food bases. Freeze half for later.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

My Christmas Buffet Plan


At Christmas, I plan for an informal buffet.

Informal, because in a thousand square foot house, that’s the only type I can plan for with a possible guest list of 50 attending…most of whom don’t rsvp.  But then again this meal is for family and any friends that they want to bring.  I do a 3-zone setup: main meal, desserts, and beverages hot/cold.  Three tables with seating are set up, two in library, and one in living room.  All other room seating has side tables placed between two seats.  Coasters are placed where necessary for furniture protection.  Place mats, tablecloths, chargers placed where needed.

Main Menu is pretty much set by now.

Meatloaf
Green beans and corn
Sweet peas and carrots
Yams
Lima beans
Cream potatoes
Pound cake
Ice cream
Fudge
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade, water
Additional side dishes and desserts as volunteered by guests, varies
      Slaw, deviled eggs, potato salad, banana pudding, cobbler, cookies, 
      chicken & noodles, ham, etc.
Due to the variety of soft drinks available,
      our events are a “bring your own beverage”
      if you want something different

Informal Buffet Planning

When planning for a home party, the hosting party planner must plan well.  Decide what type of party foods will be served.  Finger foods, bbq, sandwiches, dessert, ice cream, family/friends pot luck, soup, buffet, adult, child friendly, etc.

□ Select a time, date, place
□ Determine Guests/Number invited
□ Invitations, phone, email
□ Determine Menu type
□ Work in contributions or requests
    □ Consider special diets or needs
    □ Remember contrasts in color and texture
    □ Safe serve foods [under 41◦F, over 141◦F]
□ Tables/Seating
□ Seating/Side tables
□ Main menu plates/bowls
□ Dessert plates/bowls
□ Cups & Coasters
□ Glasses & Coasters
□ Utensils
□ Buffet table arrangements/decorations
□ Coasters/table cloths/placemats
□ Determine traffic flow for buffet
□ Serving Dishes and Utensils
□ Coordinator
□ Setup helpers
□ Cleanup helpers

Buffet Layout
    
    Main food table layout
      □ Plates
      □ Food Zones
         □ Cold foods
         □ Room temp foods
         □ Hot Foods

      □ Napkins
      □ Utensils

    Dessert Table
       □ Bowls/plates
       □ Cold desserts
       □ Hot desserts
       □ Room temp desserts

       □ Napkins
       □ Utensils

    BeverageTable

       Cold Beverages
         □ Glasses
         □ Ice
         □ Scoop
         □ Ice chest

         □ Tea
           □ Sweet
           □ Unsweetened
         □ Lemonade
         □ Water
         □ Bring Your Own Beverage Space

       Hot Beverages
         □ Cups
         □ Stir sticks/spoons

       Types of hot beverage
          □ Coffees
          □ Teas
          □ Chocolate
          □ Ciders
          □ Others

       Toppings, additives
          □ Creamer
          □ Sugar
          □ Substitute sugar
          □ Substitute creamer
          □ Marshmallows
          □ Grated chocolate
          □ Chocolate curls
          □ Cinnamon

       □ Napkins

Extras available for use during and after party
          □ Roll of paper towels in each room
          □ Trash can liners
          □ Freezer containers
          □ Plastic wrap
          □ Take home containers
          □ Extra toilet paper and paper towels in bathroom
          □ Pump hand soaps
          □ Sanitizer at sinks
          □ Backup cups, plates, bowls, utensils, etc


Thursday, December 6, 2018

Stair Safety

Stair Safety

Hubby and I went riding on the motorcycle yesterday.  As a passenger, I noticed something disturbing at some of the homes we passed.  There were a number of homes with unsafe steps or stairs leading into the homes.  Here is a checklist about entry stairs that you might want to consider.

□ Top and bottom area of stairs clear of hazards
□ No hazards or clutter on stairs
□ Surface of steps are anti-slip
□ Handrails on both sides of stairs
□ Back of stairs have solid risers
□ Stairs are in good repair
□ Edges of stairs can be clearly seen
□ Outdoor lighting in stair area

In addition to the above listed items, a user must be mindful and be careful especially when it is raining, snowing, or there are icy conditions.

A user must also have an arm ready to use a rail in case of a slip or fall while using the stairs.

Finally yet importantly, one must keep one’s mind on the task of either climbing or going down the stairs.

Falls on stairs can be life changing, resulting in permanent disabilities.

So, are the stairs in your home safe?  If not, it is time to make some changes before you, your loved ones, or visitors get hurt.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Holiday Tips

Is your home holiday ready?

Friends and family will be visiting this holiday season.

Some of your visitors may use canes, walkers, or wheel chairs. Is your home ready?

□ House number easily visible
□ 2 car wide drive entrance easily visible
    and marked by reflectors
□ Parking area in good repair
□ Walkway in good repair
□ Outside area well lit from parking to door entrance
□ Rails on both sides of entrance steps or ramp
□ Landing zone at outside entrance to home
□ Doorbell or knocker in working order
□ Landing zone at inside entrance to home
□ Area rugs secured or removed
    to remove tripping hazard
□ Designated area for coats
□ Designated area for incoming gifts
□ Designated area for incoming party foods,
   including fridge or freezer room
□ Open areas around seating for canes/walkers
    or space for wheelchair
□ Table seating available or side tables
    for additional food placement
□ Side chairs with arms to make seating  
   more accessible
□ Open space on both sides of doors
    guests may be using
□ Well lit rooms
□ Grab bars in bathroom
□ Movable toilet paper stand or holder
□ Open spaces around bathroom sink area
□ Disposable hand towels
□ Pump hand soap and sanitizer
□ Covered trash can in bathroom
□ Gift wrapping station
□ Saran wrap and take home plates
□ Note pad and pen
□ Decorations
□ Food
□ Beverages
□ Party ware
□ Backup toilet paper and paper towels
□ Backup cleaning supplies
□ Seasonal or event decorations
□ Music