Last articles from Home and Family category on Home and Family Top News

# How to Make a Nutcracker Prince Christmas Tree Decorations

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The story is about a young girl called Clara, who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Her uncle gives her a small nutcracker doll. He told her the tail of the doll and how he had once been a real boy, but the wicked mouse queen had transformed him into a Nutcracker - Prince of the dolls. During the night all Clara's dolls come to life and she finds herself in the middle of an adventure and a war between her toys and the Mouse King. Read the book or watch the film of the Nutcracker Prince, and see... (Read All)

1 St Birthday Party

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100

For this type of birthday you really just need to keep a few facts in mind. Since you are going to be having your baby at the party it is best to keep things simple. Planning on having a buffet style table of food is one of the best ways to keep your guest feeling relaxed as they can socialize and eat at the same time.

Keep the buffet food stuff to tasty but simple menus. You should plan on a variety of different sandwiches, hotdogs, pizza slices, burgers, fried chicken pieces, sal... (Read All)

10 Cooking Tips

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Have you been frustrated by cracks in the top of your cheesecakes? Would you like tips to make flaky biscuits? Or would you just like to know a bit more about sweet potatoes? Try these cooking tips from the Good Cooking Central website today for better results in your kitchen endeavours:

â¢ BISCUIT TIPS:

If you want biscuits that are crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, you roll the dough thinly and fold it over once before cutting out the biscuits. They w... (Read All)

10 Easy Ways to Say I Love you

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Everyone needs love. From the newborn baby who thrives on being cuddled by his parents to the geriatric in a nursing home who watches the door for a visit from a loved one, and all us in between. We need love. The need for love is instilled in us by our creator and no matter how we may try to deny it, the need is always there. We may try to deny it, we may try to avoid it, but it is always with us and it always will be. From birth to the grave, we need to give and receive love.

Read All)

10 Exciting Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Your bedroom is your sanctuary so you want it to be delightful and inviting. Here are 10 great ideas to inspire you to create the bedroom of your dreams.

1. Using Accents In Your Bedroom - The most delightful accent is to make generous use of decorative pillows. Pile your bed high with them using a variety of sizes and styles, colors and patterns. Layered pillows give a lush feel to any bedroom. Candles serve a dual purpose as an accent item. They can add a splash of color and th... (Read All)

10 House Cleaning Tips

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0100

One of the chores that every women (and some men)dreads the most is cleaning the house, we can all use little shortcuts to help make the chore a little faster and easier.

Some of the so called antique ideas are great, grandma really had some fast ways to get the job done.

With all of the modern cleaning supplies on the market we tend to over look some of these simple ways to get the job done. Grandma was real good at taking a cleaning agent and finding more than one use... (Read All)

10 Kids' Party Tips

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

10 Kids' Party Tips

by

Ian Lowe, a children's entertainer

It helps if people can find the party so number one is:
1. Attach a group of balloons to the entrance to let people know where the party is.
2. For childrenâs parties held at home, the number of guests should be dictated by your child's age. If it is a seventh birthday, then invite seven guests.
3. Send invitations two to three weeks before the party to allow time for guests to reply.Read All)

10 Quick And Inexpensive Ways To Brighten Your Home For Spring!

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Spring is a sign of renewal in many areas of our lives, and our homes are no different! There is something energizing and refreshing about bringing that bright, airy feeling of Spring into your home. Here are the 10 best ways to spruce up and revitalize your rooms, on a dime!

1.Add white! White with your present color scheme will both cool and brighten, adding the freshness that only white can! If your room colors tend toward the warm side, such as yellows, browns, or reds...then c... (Read All)

10 Things To Think About Before Installing Hardwood Flooring

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Hardwood floors can add beauty and warmth to any room in your home and can be a wise choice if you are remodeling or building an addition. Hardwood floors can last for decades so selecting the best hardwood floor for your particular needs is important. Here's some things to think about if you are considering installing hardwood floors in your home.

1. Type of hardwood flooring. Believe it or not, there are countless types of hardwood floors. The first thing to do is to choose among... (Read All)

10 Tips for a Perfect Birthday Speech

Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Birthday celebrations often call for a birthday speech. Itâs a moment when everyone around expects to hear a nice and well crafted speech. Often small mistakes ruin not only the speech but also the mood of the celebration.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are about to deliver your birthday speech.

1. Your birthday speech should be clear, upbeat, optimistic and easily understandable by everyone around.

2. Donât mention age of the... (Read All)

10 Tips For Decorating Kids Bedrooms

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0100

There comes a time when your child is no longer a baby that the nursery room decor simply won't do. Your child needs a place that he can call his own and which reflects his or her emerging personality.

Kids rooms should be fun as well as comforting and relaxing. When you set out to decorate your childs room, ask them what they like and incorporate some of their favorite themes and colors into the room. At the same time, it might be wise to keep an eye on the future and know that their... (Read All)

10 Tips for Great Kids' Party Games

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Party games are always popular at kids' birthday parties, but often parents think they are difficult to organize and are worried that the kids will not want to play.

Comparing the cost of a professional entertainer with the cost of a few good prizes, and a little bit of know-how, and you will quickly see how doing it yourself will save you money!

1 If you want the kids to play you must provide good prizes.
I buy good quality plush toys in the sales and I make sure t... (Read All)

10 Tips for Keeping Your Ceramic Tiles Looking Great

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0100

You enter the bathroom. You turn on the lights. You dream of having a nice, relaxing bath or a cold, invigorating shower. What you get instead is a strangled shriek and despair.

Yes, ceramic tiles sure brighten up any bathroom or kitchen with their artistic and wonderful designs. We all love that glossy finish and the pearl-like shine. But moldy and dirty ceramic tiles are a big turn off, especially to those who have a fetish about bathing in a spotlessly clean bathroom. ... (Read All)

10 tips to maximizing sale of your home

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100

If you are even thinking of selling your house the priority would be to get a higher price. To achieve this you must not think like a seller but like a buyer. This will enable you to optimize conditions such that the value of the house increases substantially. The corner stone is that visibility adds value. However it must be done subtly so that it does raise the appraised value or property tax bill.

Here are a few tips:... (Read All)

10 Ways to DE-Stress Before Organizing Your Home

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Every time that we think of all of the things that we have to do to get our homes looking the way we would 'like them' to look-we get stressed.

Every time that we think of the mess we have in our homes-we get stressed.

Every time that we can't find something that we are looking for-we get stressed.

Every time that we can't find a place to put something-we get stressed.

Every time we; never mind you get the idea by now.

It is no wonder th... (Read All)

10 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Retirement

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0100

As the days of your retirement approaches, the feeling of anxiety and anticipation will continue to build up. And when the day comes to pass, and when the dust starts to settle, you will be left alone in this new phase of your life. For many, there is no need to beat the rush hour traffic or long business meetings. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. The many years you have toiled day and night to make your retirement enjoyable. The worst part about retirement is the possibilit... (Read All)

10 ways to protect your self from bankruptcy caused by prolonged illness.

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100

Accidents and prolonged sickness can be a drain both emotionally as well as financially. Sometimes money crunch is caused by the inability to hold a job, or when the medical bills escalate and it becomes increasingly difficult to balance expenses.

Further, medical insurance may prove insufficient or will not cover long term medications. Life has become such that one needs to think about and plan for any eventuality. ... (Read All)

10 Ways to Save Money in Building a Deck

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

So, you have decided to finally build the deck of your dreams in the backyard. In the planning, designing and the construction of that very special deck there are a variety of ways to save money:

1. Design your deck so that you use standard dimensions of lumber (8, 10, 12 and 16 foot lengths) in your deck structure rather than odd sizes. Have the deck extend out from the house 12 feet rather than 11 or 13 feet. This will eliminate waste which can add up to wasted money.

... (Read All)

10 Ways to Save on Everyday Expenses

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100

We all have fixed expenses - mortgage / rent, insurance, taxes, utilities, - expenses that rarely change and are hard to miss because we write large monthly or quarterly checks. But, what about your other expenses? All your little trips to the store can sneak up on you, causing you to spend more than you planned. Variable expenses can take a surprising... (Read All)

10-year Old Girl Gives Birth

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100

It was recently reported by a reporter of the Associated Press, January 31, 2008, that a 10-year old girl gave birth in Cincinnati. As a mother this news turned my stomach and got me so mad, I just had to write a note to all you adults out there. The prosecutors in Cincinnati suspected the boyfriend of the young girl's mother to be the baby's father; a 40-year old who is now in jail on another charge. My goodness this mother did pick a good one eh!

The question today is: What is ha... (Read All)

11 Hans Christian Andersen Quotes to Celebrate Children's Book Week

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Children's Book Week will be here before you know it and I was thinking that some wonderful and whimsical Hans Christian Andersen quotes would be a great way to ring it in. After all, without the words of this wonderful author we wouldn't have the heartwarming and inspiring stories of The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes or The Little Mermaid (the original version, of course). So for all of you with children (and all of you with an inner child), here are 11 Hans Christian Andersen quo... (Read All)

12 Christmas Love Quotes to Celebrate the Holiday Season

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0100

I'm betting that right about now, everyone can use some Christmas love quotes. Why? Because if you get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas you might forget what the season is truly about. Here are 12 Christmas love quotes to help us remember that December isn't just about presents and tasty treats -- it's about the heart.

1. "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year." ~ Charles Dickens

2. "Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celeb... (Read All)

12 Easter Quotes to Celebrate a Miracle That Changed the World

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Easter will be here before you know it, making now the perfect time for some delightful Easter quotes. After all, miracles may happen every day but this miracle -- the miracle of Christ rising from the cross to free all mankind from our sins -- is one that we must never forget. With that in mind, let's reflect on just how wondrous this gift was with these 12 lovely Easter quotes.

1. "The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter wh... (Read All)

12 Friendship Quotes to Celebrate National Compliment Day

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100

January 28th is National Compliment Day and what better way to get ready than with some great friendship quotes? After all, our friends deserve all the kind words we can possibly bestow upon them, and we usually find ourselves remiss in the practice of complimenting those who deserve it most. Here are 12 quotes to nudge you in the right direction.

1. "I can live for two months on a good compliment." ~ Mark Twain

2. "There never was a woman who did not prefer an oblique ... (Read All)

12 One Minute House Cleaning Shortcuts

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Only have a minute for cleaning? No problem. This set of tips will give you some ideas for chores that take less than a minute.

1. Dust One Thing

It only takes a minute to choose one thing and dust it. You can either use a feather duster, a dust spray and a rag, or a dust wipe. Here are some things you can dust quickly:

TV screens
Shelves
Blinds
Ceiling fans
Air Vents

2. Change Vacuum Bag

It doesn't take much time at... (Read All)

12 Sad Love Quotes to Mourn a Broken Heart

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Sometimes when a heart is broken it's best to wallow in the sadness with a few sad love quotes, take a day to yourself and then let time help you get over it. If you've been hit hard and your heart is in need of mending, here are 12 sad love quotes to help you with the pity party period of mourning.

1. "Though it's been a while now, I can still feel so much pain. Like the knife that cuts you, the would heals. But the scar -- that scar remains." ~ Bret Michaels

2. "Some o... (Read All)

12 Small Deck Design Ideas

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

A small deck does not necessarily have to remain a small deck. There are a number of techniques to make that less than large area increase in size and become more comfortable. The key to small deck design is simplicity.

1. Create the illusion of one big area from 2 smaller spaces. If your deck is bordered by the backyard lawn then allow this outdoor living area to spill out into that open space and it will create the illusion of being larger.

2. Create colorful flower or... (Read All)

14 Love Quotes to Celebrate Love yourself Week

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100

I have to say, I'm very happy to see that Love Yourself Week is coming up and I'm ready to celebrate with some great love quotes. Why? Because it's easy to love others and write quotes about how that feels, but we seem to have a much harder time loving ourselves. So here are 14 great love quotes to remind us that we deserve our own love as much as the next person.

1. "Self-love seems so often unrequited." ~ Anthony Powell

2. "Plant your own garden and decorate your own s... (Read All)

14 Love Quotes to Celebrate the Season of Fall

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Fall really is a romantic time of year and it's a great time to sit back and enjoy a few love quotes. The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler... Grab a cup of hot apple cider, curl up next to the fire and enjoy these 14 love quotes with that special someone in your life.

1. The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love. ~ W. Somerset Maugham

2. A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul wh... (Read All)

15 Famous Love Quotes to Warm you Up for Fall

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

With cold weather right around the corner, I thought you might appreciate some famous love quotes to keep you warm in the months ahead. Here are 15 love quotes that are perfect for cuddling near a fire or reading over a cup of hot cocoa.

1. "Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." ~ St. Augustine

2. "Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let n... (Read All)