Tips & Tricks

My childhood revolved around picking out, decorating and adoring our Christmas tree. There were live ones that drew all of us kids to the living room, aluminum ones with a color wheel, flocked snow-covered ones, and artificial ones. The best were the live. We’d race there and sit under the tree, savoring that clean, fresh pine smell that made us quiver with anticipation of what was to come. Pretty soon we had a pen and paper, drawing up our Christmas list. Over the years ther

A beautiful live Christmas tree has a quality that fills a room the moment it arrives. Its full, gorgeous presence, a standout in any setting. The needles are deep green with a slight sheen that catches the light, or like the silvery hue of the Fraser fir. The needles feel pliable, not brittle, and stay attached. The tree has a sturdy, straight trunk, giving it a strong, fresh appearance as if it was freshly cut. The fragrance is unbelievably aromatic and the very best thing

It’s that time of year; Thanksgiving’s just days away and I’ve settled into planning what we’re doing this year for our dinner. I know the house is decorated and just how the Thanksgiving table will look . It’s just past my birthday and I’m still dreaming about the delectable chocolate cake with mouthwatering buttercream, thinking we might have that again, but the kids all shut that down. Nada, Thanksgiving is for pies and gooey bars. We have deserts and appetizers out the k

Every year, we have a Fall Costume Contest & Pumpkin Carving Halloween Party.  Here, please come to ours with us. It's informal, fun and everybody gets creative about what they want to come dressed as and what their carved pumpkin at the end of the night should look like.  We ordered from The Original Mexican Café  in Galveston and made some dishes of our own. We often do this combo for parties, cook some and order food delivered to the house, that way it’s not overwhelming.

Getting your garden ready for fall planting needn’t be a headache or overwhelming. A few simple tips and techniques can help you start a tradition that will give you and your family years of healthy eating and untold joy in the future! Karen's vegetable garden 1. Start a tradition of gardening for Fall & Spring  planting to enjoy year round vegetables, fruits and herbs. Karen's goodies from her garden Keep it simple, mind you, we’re not experts, we’re just sharing what works

Three weeks before the Halloween party or event, send out invitations via mail or text or email: Let guests know if costumes are required Plan Food and Drinks Menus Choose & buy pumpkins that are medium-large. Too large of ones can be difficult to carve. If you wait too long, pumpkins get sold out!  Go together as a family to pick out pumpkins for your fall carving party and start a tradition.  The local pumpkin patch Several days before party , buy inexpensive Trophies with