You are here: Home / Archives for Seasonal

Quick and Easy Marinades for That Upcoming Barbecue

July 21, 2016 by

Every barbecue enthusiast knows that the marinade is key when it comes to adding flavor to your meats, but there are a whole lot more options than just the usual barbecue sauce to choose from. From sweet to tangy to spicy, these grill-ready marinades can take foods from bland to mouthwatering in just a few minutes flat. And best of all? They don’t have to sit in the refrigerator all night, so they’re perfect for the last-minute home chef!

Greek Marinade [greek.food.com]
Olive oil and lemon juice impart a bright, zesty flavor to foods like chicken and fish, while a bounty of fresh herbs and spices will make you feel like you hopped a plane to the shores of Greece. Pour this perfect marinade over your meats and pop them into the fridge for an hour before grilling.

Maple Grilled Salmon Glaze [myrecipes.com]
Take salmon to the next level with this sweet and smoky glaze that you can brush on the fish — or even on a juicy pork chop — right as it’s cooking. Garnish with orange slices to bring out even more sweet, citrus-y flavor.

Barbecue Sauce [marthastewart.com]
Although there are limitless options for marinades, sometimes you’re just in the mood for a good old-fashioned barbecue sauce. This simple, straightforward recipe takes just 30 minutes to make, and it can be used on everything from ribs to chicken at your next cookout.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Let the Sunshine In: DIY Spring Home Decor Projects

May 19, 2016 by

After your spring cleaning is complete, you may start to feel like your home could use a bit of a decorating revamp, as well. No matter your budget, you can easily give your home a springtime makeover with DIY home decor projects. Here are just a few of the best spring-themed decorating projects for every room in your home.

Colorful Egg Window Dressing [familycircle.com]
Set to work crafting colorful paper eggs that will dress up those newly cleaned windows. This simple tutorial only requires multicolored construction paper and some scissors to complete, and it’s easy enough that even the kids can help out.

Heart-Shaped Sachets [countryliving.com]
Freshen up your drawers and closets with these adorable DIY sachets. Simply take some scrap fabric in a pattern that you like, cut out two heart shapes, and sew them together around the edges. Fill them with potpourri just before you sew them closed, then seal them shut and enjoy the scent.

Daffodil Flower Care [marthastewart.com]
One of the best ways to spruce up your home for the springtime is by adding fresh flowers wherever you can. Freshly cut daffodils are the picture of spring, but they can often be difficult to care for. This tutorial will show you how to properly cut daffodils and arrange them in a vase in a way that even a florist would admire.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Keep Up With Your Favorite Football Teams With These Websites

November 19, 2015 by

Football is one of the most popular sports in the country, and for many people it’s a Sunday afternoon staple. If you want maximum football coverage even when there’s not a game on, these entertaining websites are great resources.

NFL
It might seem obvious, but the NFL’s official website is home to some of the most detailed football coverage available online. You’ll find news headlines from both college football and around the NFL, plus transactions, playoff coverage, and injury reports to keep you more informed than all of your football fanatic friends. The NFL website also features crystal clear video footage, league schedules, stats, and scores for every team from the Broncos to the Bills.

ESPN
The reliable television sports network also offers its extensive football coverage online, with in-depth analyses and articles that you won’t find anywhere else. ESPN offers weekly projections, rankings, and scoring leaders from all of the most popular teams as well as fantasy football resources that will help to make you the top team in your league.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Put a Spring in Your Step With These Springtime Decorating Tips

April 16, 2015 by

After spending an entire weekend checking off items on your spring cleaning checklist, you’re likely ready to add a few fun, spring-themed touches to your freshly cleaned home. It doesn’t take a big budget to decorate your home for the changing season, however; all it takes is some creativity and these adorable decorating tips.

  • Use natural items wherever possible. Go outside and gather blooming branches, pebbles, and other organic objects to use in your DIY decor. Arrange them in a clear bowl on the center of the table, or corral them in a wicker basket for a chic, natural look.
  • Switch out your throw pillows. Add a burst of citrus-inspired color to your living area just in time for spring by replacing your usual throw pillows with bright, cheerful alternatives.
  • Add a bit of green. Nothing says springtime like live plants in the home, so make a stop at your local nursery to pick up a few for your home. Ferns are an especially good idea because they make a big impact and are easy to care for.
  • Change your doormat. If your current doormat looks a bit worse for the wear from all of those heavy winter boots, switch it out for something fun and colorful or even a mat with a cheeky greeting.

Easy Spring Decorating Ideas [Midwest Living]
Inspired Spring Décor [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Decorating Ideas for Spring [Style at Home]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

These Summertime Desserts Make the Season Even Sweeter

July 24, 2014 by

From barbecued burgers to fresh corn on the cob, summer's savory recipes steal the spotlight all season long. But those with a penchant for sweets know that the best part of the meal happens off the grill. We're talking about summertime desserts, of course, and this trio of mouthwatering recipes can keep a sweet tooth satisfied all the way through September:

Strawberry Shortcake [AllRecipes]
The quintessential summertime dessert, strawberry shortcake is a tried-and-true crowd pleaser. You'll need to fire up the oven to bake the two cake layers for this recipe, but that's the extent of the cooking process. After the cakes have cooled, they're used to create a tantalizing tower of sugar-coated strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

Cucumber, Meyer Lemon and Lavender Granita [Cooking Channel]
This frozen dessert couldn't be much easier to make, requiring only a blender, saucepan—and a sweet tooth! However, the complex flavors involved make the granita taste quite involved. If you've never tried lavender in a dessert before, this is a delicious place to start.

Peach Crisp [Real Simple]
Who doesn't love peach crisp? The classic recipe is one of the best ways to use up a surplus of the summertime stone fruit. Slices of fresh peaches are buried beneath a crispy oat crust, then the whole thing is popped in the oven for 45 minutes. Eat it for breakfast, or serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream—just like Mom used to make!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

These Flavorful Fruit Salads Are Anything But Boring

June 19, 2014 by

It’s always a disappointment when you order fruit salad at a restaurant and you’re met with a few soggy grapes, frozen strawberries and a couple of pieces of cantaloupe. If you’re tired of boring fruit salads and want to create some creative versions of your own, you’ve come to the right place. These three flavorful fruit salads are both healthy and festive!

Lavender-Scented Summer Fruit Salad
The only thing that says summer more than plump, juicy fruits is the smell of fresh lavender. This salad incorporates both of those deliciously fragrant aspects, combining juicy peaches, nectarines, plums, and berries with a variety of sweet and savory herbs and spices.

Avocado Fruit Salad
Avocado is a very versatile food, and it easily adapts to whichever dish you put it in. In this unique fruit salad, avocado adds a creamy texture to a medley of orange and grapefruit slices, tropical fruits, and even a garnish of crunchy pistachio and cool, flavorful mint leaves.

Watermelon Basket
If you have a summer gathering coming up and you want to provide a truly creative dish, this Watermelon Basket is the perfect choice. It involves carving a whole watermelon into the shape of basket (handle and all) and filling it with fresh, juicy fruits for your guests to serve to themselves.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Pin It on Pinterest