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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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5 Garden Resolutions That Are Easy To Keep

Improve Your World With These Garden Resolutions

We can all do a little more to improve the world. Why not start in your own garden with these very easy garden resolutions. Every little bit helps!

Start Composting

Composting is easy, reduces waste, and gives you back great soil to put back in the garden. Why send garden and food waste to a landfill, which would waste fuel, emit pollution, and take up valuable space, when you can keep it cleanly tucked away in a corner of your property and re-use it for good. Composting is easy.

Use Native Plants

There are so many benefits to using native plants. Chief among them is that they are very tough and resilient. They also look good, have less pest problems and are easy to care for. This all makes sense because native plants are adapted to the local environment. Besides all else, native plants provide food and shelter to wildlife. Check out our blog Native Plants For Maryland Gardens for a list of some species you may want to try.

Plant A Pollinator Garden

Want to see more butterflies and birds, not to mention giving them and other pollinators a much needed helping hand? Then plant a pollinator garden. The bottom line is that we need more pollinators in order to produce the food we eat. Planting pollinator plants helps increase this activity. Plus, pollinator plants are beautiful. Some varieties to consider include coneflowers, salvias and sunflowers.

Grow Your Own Vegetables

Now here is something that is both good for the environment and great for your health. Who doesn't love fresh vegetables and fruits? Not only is the fresh food good for you, being out in fresh air and working with soil is good for your health and soul. One other huge benefit, it is a great activity and learning experience for children.

Recycle and Upcycle

We love to recycle, and upcycle! Anything we can keep out of the landfill is a plus. Plastics, cans, bottles, paper, food waste, tires, pallets and on and on and on. Upcycling not only keeps items out of the landfill, it gives them another use. Items that can be donated for someone else to use gives them a new life and can benefit others.

Remember, Allentuck Landscaping Co. is always here to help you design, install, construct and maintain you lawn and landscape. Give us a call!

Allentuck Landscaping Co. is Your Residential Landscape Company

Phone: 301-5-515-1900 Email: [email protected]

At Allentuck Landscaping Company, our mission is to create beautiful environments for people to enjoy. We see landscaping as a way to improve people's lives.

The Allentuck Landscaping Company team has been delighting homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia for over 28 years with our turnkey approach to landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Most companies try to serve many types of customers at the same time; homeowners, shopping centers, office buildings and the list goes on. At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we focus on one customer, you, the homeowner. We have a singular focus on bringing you the best landscape practices, the best customer service, and the best value for your home.

Services Provide – Master Landscape Plans, Complete Maintenance Programs, Plantings, Patios, Walkways, Retaining Walls, Water Features, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Kitchens, Trellises & Pergolas, Irrigation Systems, Drainage Solutions, Grading & Sodding. Fire Pits & Fire Places, Spring Clean Ups, Decks, Fences Areas Served – Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, North Potomac, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Boyds, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana, Frederick and Washington DC.

The post 5 Garden Resolutions That Are Easy To Keep appeared first on Allentuck Landscapes.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Beautiful Bathroom Remodel

Katelyn Jones of A Touch of Pink takes on a bathroom remodel starring the Delta UPstile Wall System. Read below to see the full transformation from the demo to the final finished space.

Beautiful Bathroom Remodel

Our family moved into our house not even 6 months ago which had a standard track-house bathroom with basic materials. With a new baby on the way, I wanted to add my own personal touch to the kid's bathroom. After 4 weekends of working and non-stop visits to our favorite place in orange, my husband and I converted our standard track-home bathroom into a custom modern masterpiece using the Delta UPstile shower system and products. I will show you step-by-step how we completed this!

Products Used

Delta UPstile: 32 in. x 60 in. x 60 in. 3-Piece Direct-to-Stud Alcove Tub Surround with Customizable Design in White

Shower Door: Delta Simplicity 60 in. x 58-1/8 in. Semi-Frameless Sliding Bathtub Door in Bronze with Clear Glass

Shower Inlay Tile: Jeffrey Court Whisper Valley 11 in. x 12.687 in. x 6 mm Porcelain Mosaic Tile

Shower Handle: Delta Victorian Lever Handle for Tub and Shower, Champagne Bronze

Shower Valve: MultiChoice Universal Tub and Shower Valve Body Rough-In Kit

Toilet: Delta Luxford 2-Piece 1.28 GPF Single Flush Round Front Toilet in White

Tub: Delta Classic 400 60 in. Right-Hand Drain Oval Alcove Non-Whirlpool Bathtub in High Gloss White

Vanity: Home Decorators Collection- Aberdeen 36 in. W x 22 in. D Single Bath Vanity in Dove Grey with Carrara Marble Top with White Basin

Vanity Mirror: Artistic Weavers Koud 40 in. x 29.75 in. MDF Framed Mirror

Floor Tile: MSI Carrara White Hexagon 12 in. x 12 in. x 10mm Polished Marble Mesh-Mounted Mosaic Floor and Wall Tile (10 sq. ft. / case)

Wall Tile: Jeffrey Court Carrara 3 in. x 6 in. Honed Marble Wall Tile (8-Pack)

Step 1: Demo Day

Obviously this part is the most fun! Who doesn't like making a mess and tearing up a space?! We used a number of tools to remove everything from the bathroom.

We first started with the removal of the vanity, sink, toilet and other fixtures. We were then able to remove the shower. For this, we had to remove the drywall around the edges, take out the screws that secured the shower to the studs, then used a reciprocating saw to do the heavy lifting. Our shower was 1 piece so we first cut off the shower walls at the base where they met the tub. For the tub, it was tightly fit in the alcove and needed to be cut into multiple pieces for removal.

Step 2: Tub Installation

The first part of installing the Delta UPstile Wall System is placing the tub, which is the base of the wall system. It is important that the existing plumbing connections are in the correct spot before placing the tub. Once the tub is placed, you can hook up the drain and overflow connections and pre-drill the holes in the flanges. You will want to make sure the tub is level before securing it into the alcove wall studs.

Step 3: Shower Wall Installation

Starting with the large middle wall, place the walls on the tub and dry fit them into place. This will make the actual installation of the walls much easier and prevent mistakes. For the wall with the spout and mixer valve, measure the plumbing connections, cut 2 holes with a hole saw and place the provided retardant pad on the inner side of the wall. I also had to replace the existing valve with the MultiChoice Universal Tub and Shower Valve which was compatible with my shower products.

Step 4: Install Bracing for Shower Walls

The Delta UPstile Wall System is secured by an upper flange and additional screws placed in a groove along the tile section. You may need to install additional 2”x4” posts around the alcove frame before securing the supports. Using 1” x 3” pieces of pine wood, install supports around the shower. I equally spaced them by placing the first support on top of the tub flange then separating the following 2 supports by 12” and finally placing the top support 46” from the bottom brace.

Step 5: Securing the Walls

Starting with the middle wall, evenly place the provided double-sided tape along the supports and apply the suggested adhesive (DAP 3.0). The double-sided tape helps the wall remain firmly pressed against the wall as it dries.

After placing the wall, insert panhead screws in the pre-drilled holes that were completed during the dry-fitting stage. Both in the upper flange along with the screw groove within the tile area.

Once the walls were installed, I used my remaining 1”x3” supports to firmly push against the walls and letting it sit for 24 hours so the adhesive could cure.

Step 6: Install Custom Shower Inlay Tile

My favorite part of the Delta UPstile Wall System is the custom wall tile section. I decided to use the Jeffrey Court Carrara 3 in. x 6 in. Honed Marble Wall Tile which matched well with the rest of the bathroom. Before cutting the tile with my wet saw, I laid it out across the floor and marked lines on the tile with a pencil. This makes it easy for the tile pattern to remain cohesive throughout the shower. For the installation of the tile, you will need to use the same caulk (I used the DAP 3.0) instead of a typical thinset and place tile spacers at the bottom of the tile to prevent sliding. Let the installed tile sit for at least 24 hours before grouting.

Step 7: Install the Grout

Before grouting, I placed painters tape and plastic around the tile inlay which prevented mess and allowed for a smooth and straight grout line. Any particular grout can be used for the tile and shower system. Using a rubber bottom float I pressed the grout in between the tile spaces and cleaned it off with a large yellow sponge. After grouting all of the tile, I pulled off the painters tape and did any necessary cleanup with the sponge and let grout cure for 24 hours.

Step 8: Final Caulking

To finish up the Delta UPstile Wall System I caulked all of the seams on the shower to keep it water tight. Using painters tape as a guide will be your best friend, making the lines perfectly straight.

Step 9: Installing Shower Fixtures

We chose the Delta Victorian Shower Fixtures in the Champagne Bronze color which included the shower head, valve handle set and spout. Since the existing overflow cap did not match the other shower fixture products, we decided to spray paint the overflow cap, which came out very well.

Other Products Installed:

Shower Glass Door Install

The installation directions for the glass shower doors are very easy to follow. I would suggest to have a miter saw box or a the correct blade on your miter saw to cut the glass door frames.

New Light Fixture

Before installing the backsplash, we installed a new light fixture to go above the vanity. We went with the Filament Design 3-Light Warm Brass Bath Light. We used the existing wiring from the ceiling can light and redirect them to the new location above the vanity. That way we did not have to install a new switch.

Carrera Marble Backsplash + Hexagon Floor Tile

We installed the backsplash without spacers giving the wall a fresh smooth look. To seal the spaces in between tiles, we used an unsanded grout. For the floor tile, we used the Carrara Marble Hexagon tile. This color and tile brings an additional pop to our smaller bathroom.

Vanity

Before installing the sink faucet, make sure the plumbing connections will fit. We had to make a small cutout on the shelf to fit the plumbing. Also, the front door pulls of the vanity came with chrome finish. For the door pulls to match the rest of the bathroom decor, we spray painted them black.

Vanity Faucet

The instructions given with the product make for an easy install. Make sure to have the correct materials and tools for the plumbing when installing. Also, you will need to caulk with silicone on the inner-lining of the sink before using.

Toilet Installation

The instructions that came with the toilet were easy to follow. One thing to consider when installing the wax ring. Given the new floor tile, the bottom toilet flange was not flush with the floor which required us to use two (2) wax rings. You will know if an addition wax ring is needed when placing the toilet if it simply lays flat without any pressure. You should have to apply moderate pressure to place the toilet, which makes for a tight seal.

We also decided to upgrade the water connection hose for the toilet. Our plumber highly recommended this since the prior ones installed did not include additional safety features and could easily burst.

Shiplap

Installing shiplap in the bathroom added a lot of extra time to the project but was definitely worth it. we installed a small basic trim around the shower and filled the rest of the walls with shiplap. I used Behr Acrylic Paint which is water resistant and appropriate for the moisture in the bathroom.

Vanity mirror

To install this mirror, we first installed a heavy duty metal wire on the back of the frame. We then used a wall screw anchor kit which came with the appropriate drill bit for the wall tiles. We also applied double-sided tape towards the bottom of the frame to keep the mirror from moving around.

The post Beautiful Bathroom Remodel appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Navigating The Preschool Admissions Process: Getting In And $1,000 Application Fees

When my wife was pregnant in late 2016, a friend told me, “You need to apply to preschool within the first three months after he's born.“

He had one kid in private elementary school and two kids in private middle school. He is also a centimillionaire.

“Absurd!” I responded.

“Hey, it's up to you buddy. Getting into preschool in San Francisco is harder than getting into Princeton. Don't let your lack of preparedness hurt your son's chances for a bright future.“

Damn it. Guilt sets in.

“Well since you put it that way. I guess I'll get on it. Want to give us a recommendation when he goes in 2019 or 2020?“

“Of course I will,” my friend replied as we resumed our tennis match.

This post is an introduction into how daunting it is for families living in big cities to get their kids into preschool. It should also give some sense as to why there's so much anxiety among parents and children early on.

As someone who has questioned the necessity of paying for private grade school tuition, yet who also wants the best for his son, this post serves as a type of mental penance for going through this process. I've spent the last seven years trying to escape the grind, but somehow, I'm always getting pulled back in.

I also hope this post brings joy to families who live in lower cost areas of the country who don't have to worry about hyper competition due to a lack of supply. Living in a big city has its perks, but helping your child get a quality education is not one of them. It's only until kindergarten where all families are eligible for a free public education.

The Beginning Of The Preschool Grind

When it comes to getting your child into a top preschool in a big city, it's all about who you know, rather than your child's abilities. After all, your little one isn't going to cure malaria at two or three years old.

The demand is so high simply because there aren't enough schools. I heard through a board member at one preschool that 100 kids applied for the four spots available to non-sibling children. Siblings get automatic acceptance.

Since our boy is our first child, we have to blaze our own trail, Financial Samurai style, in order for him to get in anywhere. But we enjoy the challenge, partly because we like the excitement that uncertainty brings.

Given the average acceptance rate for the top-rated preschools is around 5%, the logical conclusion is to apply to 20 in order to get into one.

We didn't go that far, but we did apply to eight preschools in San Francisco and one preschool in Honolulu. Three of the applications are for 2019 when he's first eligible to attend at 2.5 years old. The remaining five applications are for 2020, when most preschools allow children to enroll.

Each application fee cost us between $80 – $150, or $1,000 total.

Since all preschools cost more or less the same in tuition (~$1,500 – $2,600 a month depending on how many days a week), we figured we might as well apply to the top-rated ones. Surely you would do the same.

If our son gets rejected by all nine, then we will home school him since we have maximum flexibility. That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all actually.

Why Our Chance Of Getting In Is Slim

I don't remember the last time I felt like an idiot. Actually, maybe it was last summer when I didn't sell my House Sale Fund portfolio when it was up 13%. Yeah, that was dumb to not take profits when it surpassed my 10% blue sky target.

But with this preschool stuff, I feel lost because I realize the odds are extremely stacked against my family and there's really not much I can do to improve these odds. And to spend $1,000 on preschool applications alone leaves me with a funny feeling – like I'm a sucker.

Here are some of the reasons why I believe we've got little chance of getting our boy into a top-rated preschool. These reasons should help you appreciate what you have and question the choice of living an unconventional lifestyle.

1) We have a small network. As two stay at home parents who've been away from the traditional workforce for years, my wife and I don't have a large network of parents who have kids at XYZ preschool who can vouch for us. As a result, we are at a large disadvantage simply because not enough of the community knows who we are.

One can easily imagine a colleague or a manager on the board of a preschool who provides a fellow colleague an in. Many large corporations have tie-ups with preschools as a benefit to their employees. That's just the way the world works. We take care of people who we know and like. Being away from networking activities for seven years is likely going to hurt us.

2) We have low-level jobs. On our application, I say I'm an assistant high school tennis coach (not even the head coach) and a stay at home dad. My wife says says she's a freelance writer and a stay at home mom. We don't ever say we run Financial Samurai due to our desire for privacy.

I think being a stay at home parent is an extremely important job, but we can't compete with parents who are executives at a hot startup or partners in venture capital, private equity, or investment banking. I swear all the parents who attended the open houses we went to worked in these fields.

Society does not appreciate creatives as much as they appreciate high powered money making occupations. If society did, it wouldn't push our artists, writers, poets, and teachers out of the city.

From the school's perspective, they want parents who can be ambassadors of the school in their large networks and also be financial backers down the road. If you work in private equity, you will naturally have lots of rich friends who will have children and donate big bucks down the road.

If you're an assistant high school tennis coach who makes $1,200 a month like I do, your circle of friends probably isn't going to be as desirable to the school.

And yes, I spent one month's of coaching salary on preschool application fees.

3) We lead unconventional lifestyles with no recognition. It's funny. I dislike fame. But you better believe that if I was famous in a good way, my son would have a huge leg up getting into schools. Do you really think any college would reject Malia Obama even if she had terrible grades and test scores? Of course not. Alas, we are nobodies.

The only thing we do is help people achieve financial freedom sooner in order to live their best lives possible. Helping people achieve financial security is nice, especially since we do so for free, but a school would rather have parents working conventional jobs at well-known companies. It's part of the cachet, even if the employer is known to feature fake news and manipulate your private data.

The only reason I'd ever give up my privacy or lead a more conventional lifestyle is if I could help my son. And I'm not sure preschool is worth the price.

We really cherish being able to spend as much time as possible with our son as stay at home parents. But we recognize we will be viewed as misfits given less than 1% of households have two stay at home parents.

4) We do not come from a wealthy legacy family. I know many people in San Francisco who live in multi-million dollar mansions, but who have occupations that cannot afford such luxurious lifestyles. What's going on is that multi-generational family money has allowed them to live a life of leisure.

For example, one family founded a newspaper and sold it for $660 million in the mid-1990s. Surely the $660 million has grown to over $1 billion today. By setting up multi-million dollar endowments at several schools (preschool, middle school, high school, college), their heirs get guaranteed entrance to these schools forever. Are the heirs bad people? Of course not. They're just like everybody else, except with tremendous advantages.

We know that kids of legacy donors have a 70%+ acceptance rate at Harvard versus

5) We are not part of the majority. Schools without racial bias would generally reflect the overall racial makeup of the city e.g. a preschool should have a similar demographic makeup as San Francisco: 48% White, 33% Asian, 6% Black, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 0.5% Native American, 6.6% Other, and 4.7% Bi-racial or Multi-racial.

Unfortunately, based on the data we've read and what we've observed after visiting several preschools, about 75% of the student population is White versus 48% for the entire San Francisco population. A ~27% difference is statistically significant, which means something is up.

Perhaps the huge discrepancy is because of legacy and family connections, which has carried on for generations. After all, these preschools are private, and it's natural to take care of their own.

Although I belong to a private tennis club where the racial demographic is quite skewed like at many private preschools, I'm not sure we want our son growing up in such a homogenous environment. As a kid growing up overseas attending international schools, I found it wonderful to be immersed in so many different cultures.

When I entered the real world, it was much easier to assimilate and grow.

See: How The Rich Get Richer: Competing In A Rigged Game

Just Got To Keep Trying

Whatever you do, know the odds are stacked against you. You can either give up, or you can keep on going. I've always chosen the latter. As a parent now, I've got no other choice but to stay on the ball.

Of course I will always have fear of rejection. I fear the continuous rejection I've experienced will continue on with my son. And unless we move to Asia or Honolulu, it stings knowing that my son will one day be discriminated against and rejected like his old man was growing up.

But on the bright side, the difficulties I went through growing up helped make me who I am today. And frankly, I feel pretty darn good about my situation. It's healthy to sometimes get told you're not good enough so you develop a chip on your shoulder to prove your detractors wrong.

A part of me hopes we get rejected by the early start preschools we applied to for 2019 so that we can go on a great adventure and travel the world again.

How amazing would it be to relocate to Honolulu this summer and enjoy the islands until the fall of 2020 when he's eligible for a larger number of preschools at 3.5 years old? There's always a bright side in everything.

If you're a parent in a big city applying to a top preschool, let me leave you with some following thoughts:

* Get on the ball and apply early since you will eventually have to apply. Make sure you meet every deadline and send follow up letters to show your continued interest. Schools want to hear about the progress of your little one. The latest you can usually apply is the fall before your kid is planning on attending.

* It's worth building relationships with parents who have kids attending your target preschools or board members of your target preschools. Worst case, you'll make some friends or know you don't want to be part of their community.

* Attend all recommended “get to know you and the school” events. These include lunches, dinners, fundraisers, etc.

* Create a picture collage and tell your story. Don't just upload one picture in the application, make a collage of pictures that show progression over time. Preschools want to have a good community of parents they can rely on to be good ambassadors and available volunteers.

* Attending an “elite preschool” might worsen your chances of getting into a good grade school program. Therefore, look to diversify. It's not the end all be all if you don't get into the top-rated preschool.

* So long as the preschool has a good reputation, has a good teacher:student ratio, and has involved parents, it should be good enough. Don't underestimate the value of proximity either.

* Consider parent co-op preschools, public preschool if you qualify, or for-profit education systems like Gymboree that accept everyone.

Apologies if this post has raised the anxiety level of some parents who might not have thought about the preschool application process in such detail. I just like to write out my thoughts because I'm thorough.

At the end of the day, we're only applying to preschool, so don't sweat it! I just thought it'd be fun to chronicle this journey.

The most important things we can provide our children are love, time, and attention. Besides, the internet has democratized learning and opportunity.

Here's to the excitement of the great unknown!

How To Stop Worrying About Your Child's Future In This Brutally Competitive World

Why Households Need To Earn $300,000 A Year To Live In A Middle Class Lifestyle Today

Is Private Grade School K-8 Worth It?

What If You Go To Harvard And End Up A Nobody?

Readers, have any of you gone through a similarly rigorous process of applying to preschool for your children because there was too much demand and not enough schools? Do you think schools should refund the application fee, or at least part of it, if your kid is not accepted? Why don't preschools want more racial and socioeconomic diversity? Do you think highlighting Financial Samurai would be helpful since we don't have full-time jobs?

The post Navigating The Preschool Admissions Process: Getting In And $1,000 Application Fees appeared first on Financial Samurai.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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15 Minute Meal Prep: Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentils

I'm baaaaack! with more meal prep!

This time it's got shredded chicken, lentils, and a dangerous amount of kicky green flavor: jalapenos, green onions, cilantro, limes. The top is begging for a little cotija cheese crumble – and by a little I mean a REAL GOOD CHUNK – and the little extra lime juice shower just before eating is not negotiable. Serve it up with brown rice (look at you, healthy!) and it is a protein powerhouse lunch.

As with all 15 Minute Meal Prep recipes in this series, things are very straightforward and simple.

Chicken

Lentils

Salsa verde

Cilantro

Lime

Jalapeno

Garlic

…and so on and so forth.

The only real thing you need to do to prep this recipe is chop the veggies, and then pop it all into the slow cooker or Instant Pot and let the magic happen.

It makes for happy leftovers (which is kind of the whole idea with meal prep, right?) and if you get sick of eating it with rice (or cauli rice for our low-carbers), it can be repurposed in a variety of ways.

Think: tacos, quesadillas, nachos, soups, burritos, and on and on.

That's it. That's all there is to it. Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentils for the happy desk lunch win!

15 Minute Meal Prep is the gift that keeps on giving.

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} .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul { list-style-type: none; margin: 0; } .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li { display: inline-block; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 40px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li.author, .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li.total-time { display: none; } @media only screen and (max-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon { height: 14px; margin-top: 5px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li { font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px; } } @media only screen and (min-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon { height: 18px; margin-top: 9px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li { font-size: 16px; line-height: 40px; } } .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .tasty-recipes-label { font-style: italic; color: #b39aa7; margin-right: 2px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon { vertical-align: top; margin-right: 2px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content { padding-top: 20px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons { margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons:after { content: ' '; display: block; clear: both; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-button-wrap { width: 50%; display: inline-block; float: left; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons a { text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; display: block; color: #fff; background-color: #6d3c5c; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; letter-spacing: 1px; padding-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: none; border: none; border-radius: 0; height: inherit; text-decoration: none; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons a:hover { background-color: #979599; text-decoration: none; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons img { vertical-align: top; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons img.svg-print { height: 20px; margin-top: 1px; margin-right: 5px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-buttons img.svg-pinterest { height: 18px; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; } @media only screen and (min-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-button-wrap:first-child { padding-right: 10px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-button-wrap:last-child { padding-left: 10px; } } @media only screen and (max-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-button-wrap { width: 100%; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-button-wrap:nth-child(2) { padding-top: 15px; } } .tasty-recipes-entry-content h3 { text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.1em; color: #979599; font-family: 'Bitter', serif; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content hr { border-color: #eae9eb; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-description, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions { padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul { list-style-type: none; margin-left: 40px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul li { margin-bottom: 10px; list-style-type: none; position: relative; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul li:before { background-color: #6d3c5c; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; -moz-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; height: 8px; width: 8px; display: block; content: ' '; left: -20px; top: 0.5rem; position: absolute; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol { counter-reset: li; margin-left: 40px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol li { list-style-type: none; position: relative; margin-bottom: 15px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol li:before { content: counter(li); counter-increment: li; position: absolute; background-color: #6d3c5c; -webkit-border-radius: 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px; border-radius: 8px; 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padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative; -webkit-clip-path: polygon(20px 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%, 0 20px); clip-path: polygon(20px 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%, 0 20px); } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li { margin-bottom: 10px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li:last-child, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol { padding-left: 10px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol { counter-reset: ordered-list; } @media only screen and (min-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li { padding-left: 40px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p:before, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li:before, .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li:before { content: 'i'; display: block; background-color: #6d3c5c; -webkit-border-radius: 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px; border-radius: 8px; height: 16px; width: 16px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; color: #fff; position: absolute; left: 14px; top: 23px; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li:before { counter-increment: ordered-list; content: counter(ordered-list); } } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details { background-color: #eeedef; padding-bottom: 20px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details ul { list-style-type: none; margin: 0; text-align: center; color: #979599; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details ul li { display: inline-block; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 40px; } @media only screen and (min-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details ul li { font-size: 14px; line-height: 40px; } } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details .tasty-recipes-label { font-style: italic; } .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-other-details .tasty-recipes-label img { width: 16px; margin-bottom: -3px; } .tasty-recipes-nutrifox { text-align: center; } .tasty-recipes-nutrifox iframe { width: 100%; display: block; margin-bottom: 0; } @media only screen and (min-width: 520px) { .tasty-recipes-nutrifox iframe { margin-bottom: 25px; margin-top: 25px; } .tasty-recipes-nutrifox { margin-right: 20px; margin-left: 20px; } } .tasty-recipes-plug { margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; line-height: 30px; text-align: center; flex-wrap: wrap; } .tasty-recipes-plug img { vertical-align: middle; margin-left: 5px; height: 30px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-footer { background-color: #6d3c5c; padding-top: 25px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 40px; padding-right: 40px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-footer img { height: 65px; width: 75px; } .tasty-recipes-entry-footer h3 { color: #b299a7; 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Cilantro Lime Chicken Lentil and Rice Bowls

Author: Lindsay

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

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Description

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentil Bowls! The BEST easy protein powerhouse meal prep. Just 15 mins of prep and totally hands-off cooking!

Ingredients

2 cups dried lentils

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

3 cups salsa verde

3 cups chicken broth

1/2 small onion, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

3 cloves garlic

2 jalapeños, diced (ribs and seeds removed)

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Instructions

Add everything to the Instant Pot.

Cook on high pressure for 20 mins. Quick release the steam. Stir it all up and add more salsa verde as desired.

Serve with rice and a squeeze of lime!

Notes

Note: Expect about 10-15 mins for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before the cook time starts.

Slow Cooker: Cook for 8 hours on low. The chicken probably only needs 4 hours so add it halfway if you want to be really on top of it and keep your chicken from drying out.

Category: Meal Prep

Method: Instant Pot

Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

2835.1 g1061.5 mg3 g38 g26.4 g43.2 mg

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Note: nutrition label does not include brown rice or cotija cheese.

The post 15 Minute Meal Prep: Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentils appeared first on Pinch of Yum.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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CFD 507 – The Problem With Healthcare And How To Fix It

Dave Chase is the author of The CEO's Guide to Restoring the American Dream and co-founder of Health Rosetta. He...

The post CFD 507 – The Problem With Healthcare And How To Fix It appeared first on Cashflow Diary.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Upcoming Makery Workshops

As the holidays slowly melts into late winter, I am really excited about the new Makery workshops we are offering! We started off in early January with some creative, new year experiences! We had a a vision board workshop, and a paint your word workshop (my word of the year this year is INTENTION.) so you could start the year off inspired. Now that we are moving further along, we are really concentrate on exploring creativity, and learning new skills!

Here are some of the workshops we are going to be offering in January:

I am excited to be teaching this GIANT yarn wall hanging workshop! It was so much fun to make. It's a very satisfyingly fun and messy time. We are going to explore not only yarn knotting, and tassel-making, but also dip-dying yarn. I love a good dip-dyed project!

I won't be wearing that cute denim jumpsuit from Target in the above picture for the Macrame-ish workshop. We are going to get MESSY, so you'll see me in my messy paint clothes. This is a longer class, so we will have some snacks provided too.

You know me, if I can get some paint on myself, I will!

Here's a fun video about the Makery Macrame-ish Workshop! I have the registration page link below if you want to check out the times and availability.

We also are going to be offering a furniture painting workshop. If you can carry it in, you can paint it, and all materials are included!

We also have a super-cute ruler painting workshop.

And, remember that pine forest, winter painting I just did? I am going to be teaching a class on painting it! It will be a smaller 11 x 14 version on canvas board.

We'll also go over shading, shadows, highlighting, and how to create a washed-moody backdrop with blues and grays. We'll use a flat canvas board so you can frame your artwork when it's done.

You can check out the rest of our January Makery workshops here. Our February schedule will be going up soon, and we have some fun workshop weekends coming up this year too! The retail portion of our store is also starting to get all kinds of fun new products in too. It's nice for everything to have a nice refresh in the new year!

The post Upcoming Makery Workshops appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs With Teriyaki Sauce

These crowd-pleasing Sweet and Tangy Meatballs cook up in no time with a homemade sticky teriyaki sauce. They make a sensational appetizer for a party or dinner idea when served over rice and broccoli.

We love appetizers and dips around here, and we're especially fond of our Homemade Pizza Rolls, White Chili Bean Queso Dip, and of course Pub-Style Beer Cheese Dip.

Be sure to sign up for my email… to get new recipes and ideas in your inbox!

Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest!

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs

Time to get the party started!!

Let's face it, parties of all shapes and sizes can often be filled with the same old appetizers over and over again. While I will never ever turn down a buffalo chicken dip or some chips and guac, sometimes I want a little variety in my appetizer life.

That's why now whenever I have a party to host or attend my go to is always these sweet and tangy Asian meatballs with teriyaki sauce! They are the perfect appetizer to wow the socks off of anyone who tries them, and they are a sure-fire crowd pleaser.

The perfectly spiced teriyaki meatballs, mixed with a thick and flavorful sauce accompanied by just the right amount of sweet to tangy ratio make this an appetizer that dreams are made of. You won't believe your eyes as you watch them fly off the platter. You might want to save yourself now and just plan on making a double batch. (more…)

The post Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs With Teriyaki Sauce appeared first on TidyMom®.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Last Minute Budget Changes for 2019

The last thing any property manager wants to hear is that something they need isn't in the budget. There are several components that go into your yearly costs, and it can be easy to let some things fall between the cracks if you're not careful.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance?

Small business owners have several ways to protect their financial position from loss, some of which are better understood than others. Insurance coverage, often in the form of liability insurance, and surety bonds are two of the most common types of protection small businesses may implement. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences that make them stand apart from one another. This brief guide provides insight into how surety bonds work, how that differs from insurance coverage, and when either is needed to safeguard a business and its customers.

The Ins and Outs of Surety Bonds

Being bonded and insured is not the same thing. Surety bonds – the first part of that phrase – provide protection to the customers and clients of businesses owners, licensed contractors, and other professionals. Bonds are provided by surety agencies as a way to reduce financial losses or damages incurred by the bondholder's customer should the contract agreed upon not be completed. In some cases, surety bonds are required as part of the licensing process. However, regardless of the type of surety bond in place, each agreement works similarly for the surety agency, the bondholder, and the customer.

When a contractor or business acquires a surety bond, there are three parties involved in the transaction. First, the surety agency that provides the bond evaluates the business owner or contractor to determine if a bond can be put in place. If so, the individual requesting the bond receives a certificate of bonding after paying for the coverage. The third party is the job owner, or the customer, that requires a bond to be in play for a new project to begin. For instance, a construction contractor may have the job site owner as the third party, as that individual or company is at risk if the contractor does not perform as agreed.

When a claim is made against the bond because work is not done in-line with regulations or is not completed per the original agreement, the surety agency pays legitimate claims on behalf of the bondholder. In this sense, a surety bond is like insurance. However, the bondholder is then required to repay the claim amount back to the surety agency.

Breaking Down Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for a business or an individual contractor differs from surety bonds in several ways. First, business insurance is offered by an insurance company or agency, not a surety agency, and it is not always a requirement for licensing as a professional. Insurance coverage works to protect the business owner or contractor from financial losses. These losses may be the result of damage to the business or inventory, employee theft or other theft, fire, flood, or liability issues that arise with a customer or worker. There are only two parties involved in insurance: the insured and the insurer.

When a claim is made against an insurance policy, the insurance company pays out a benefit up to the limits of the policy for damages incurred, directly to the business or the contractor. This helps protect the individual or entity from financial ruin for circumstances beyond their control. There is no obligation to repay insurance benefits received, which differs from surety bonds for contractors.

Other Notable Differences

In addition to the organizations that offer surety bonds and insurance, and the fundamental ways each type of instrument works, there are other subtle differences between surety bonds and insurance coverage. First, surety bond pricing is based on the financial history and claims track record of the business or contractor. Because surety bond claims are paid by the surety agency and then repaid by the bondholder, individuals with surety bonds are extended a form of credit when getting a new bond. For this reason, surety agencies look closely at the financials of the individual and the business, including credit history and score. The cost of a surety bond is calculated as a percentage of the total bond amount put in place.

Insurance, on the other hand, is priced based on other risk factors. For instance, if a business owner has faced liability issues in the past where an insurance claim was paid, the cost of new insurance coverage may be high. However, most insurance companies do not review credit history or score when determining if a new policy can be issued. They focus more on the risks of the business, based on the type of insurance policy the individual is trying to secure. The cost of insurance is a monthly or annual premium that is paid based on these factors, not a percentage of the insurance policy taken out.

Both surety bonds and insurance coverage are valuable protection strategies for businesses and contractors. However, there are differences bondholders and insured individuals should be aware of before selecting the type of coverage necessary. Understanding these differences is beneficial in protecting your business, your customers, or both.

Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.

The post What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance? appeared first on The Blogging Painters.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Top Home and DIY Bloggers Best Posts

If you're looking for more home and DIY inspiration, please take a minute to check out my DIY and Home blogger friends' top posts from 2018! This is the very best the web has to offer and you're sure to find some amazing ideas!

TIDBITS | Miss Mustard Seed | Farmhouse on Boone | Maison De Pax | A Burst of Beautiful

Simply Designing | Bless'er House | Taryn Whiteaker Designs | Designthusiasm | Unskinny Boppy

Live Laugh Rowe | Kendra John Designs | House by Hoff | So Much Better With Age | Life On Virginia Street

ZDesign At Home | Town and Country Living | Shabbyfufu | Happy Happy Nester | Stacy Risenmay

Cherished bliss | Clean and Scentsible | anderson + grant | The Happy Housie | Summer Adams

Decor Gold Designs | Maison de Cinq | Seeking Lavender Lane

The post Top 10 Posts of 2018 appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Getting the Fake Tree Down before July

No one wants to be the family "celebrating" year round with the tree on display. If there are any grown ups in the house it's time to put the tree away when xmas is over. Get the kids to do it if you can. Here is an easy step by step guide:

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Had enough? Get school bags organized with this easy IKEA hack

School's in. And to make life easier, make a convenient catch-all space for school bag storage, keys, hangers for coats and hats. This even has little pigeonholes for lunch boxes and books.

IKEA items used:

IKEA KALLAX 3 x 4

Other materials and tools:

Coat hooks

Measuring tape

Drill

IKEA KALLAX hacked into school bag station

While building the KALLAX cube, measure halfway between the first cube (on all 5 vertical boards)

Use a drill to create holes for dowel bits.

Continue building and move the bottom cube shelf to the newly created holes to create small cubes and storage.

Screw in the coat hooks and your school bag storage is done.

~ by Cina Follow me @growingtogetherfdc

The post Had enough? Get school bags organized with this easy IKEA hack appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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Resetting Your Home After the Holidays

When the gifts have been opened, the tree has been taken down and Christmas has passed, I start to crave simplicity and fresh inspiration in my home. There's a moment every year after the decorations have been packed away where the house feels a little bare, but I like to look at this as my opportunity to approach our home with fresh eyes.

For me, the tools for this reset begin with the senses-sounds, smells, colors and textures. I love to put a good playlist on shuffle, burn a new candle and start looking for the places in my home where I can clear clutter, incorporate new colors and add life.

In the spirit of keeping things fresh, I'm also sharing two fun candle alternatives that my team came up with: a citrus simmer pot and a natural linen spray.

A simmer pot is essentially a stovetop potpourri. I love the ease of throwing these ingredients into a pot of water and letting it fill our house with clean scents all day long.

Citrus Simmer Pot Recipe

+ 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary + 1 tbsp dried lavender + 2-3 lemon slices (or opt for using the peels alone) + A few drops lavender essential oil + A few drops rose essential oil

On the stovetop, bring a few cups of water to a simmer. Gently place the rosemary, lavender and lemon slices into the water. Add in drops of lavender and rose essential oil until fragrant. Turn the heat to low, and allow pot to simmer for a few hours. Make sure to check on the simmer pot about every 30 minutes and add more water to the mixture as needed.

Recipe Note: Do not leave pot on the stovetop unattended, and while it looks pretty enough to drink, resist the urge. This brew is for smelling, not sipping.

A linen spray like this one is nice to keep on hand. I love using it to refresh the linens in the spare bedroom when we're expecting a guest, so the whole room smells fresh when they arrive. I also like to give the folded towels and throw blankets in my linen closet a quick spritz if they've been sitting for long periods of time. This natural linen spray has a light scent, and is completely customizable based on the essential oils you use to prepare it.

Linen Spray Recipes

Note: We recommend using amber colored glass spray bottles, which helps protect the aromatic and therapeutic properties of your essential oils. Additionally, we used these specific bottle sizes, but feel free to adjust our recipes to the bottle size you prefer or already have at home.

12 oz. Lemon Lavender Linen Spray

+ 12 oz. amber glass spray bottle + 10 drops of lemon essential oil + 10 drops of lavender essential oil + 2 Tbsp witch hazel (You could also use a pinch of Epsom salt or sea salt in place of the witch hazel if you prefer) + Filtered or distilled Water

4 oz. Rose Linen Spray

+ 4 oz. amber glass spray bottle + 7 drops of rose essential oil + 1 tsp of witch hazel (You could also use a pinch of Epsom salt or sea salt in place of the witch hazel if you prefer) + Filtered or distilled water

Instructions:

Begin by adding drops of essential oil directly into your bottle. Add witch hazel or salt (this step helps to emulsify the essential oils since oil and water don't mix). Next, fill the rest of your bottle with room temperature filtered or distilled water.

Put the cap on the spray bottle and give it a good shake before use. Spray on bed sheets, pillows, towels, curtains, throws, furniture pieces (as you see fit based on your furniture's specific care instructions), or pet beds.

A reset doesn't mean you have to make any significant purchases. Instead, opt to embrace change in really simple ways. For example, adding freshly cut stems to a vase in your entryway, burning a fresh scented candle, incorporating a basket for your throw blankets in the living room, or using throw pillows to bring color to your sofa or bed. A little goes a long way! Maybe for you, embracing change looks more like tackling a space you've been avoiding in your home, like your hall closet, junk drawer, or pantry.

Whatever this process looks like for you, don't overwhelm yourself by thinking of this as a complete overhaul of your home. Rather, look at this as your opportunity to slow down, reset and embrace the clean slate of a new season. I hope that whatever this fresh start looks like for you, that you will approach it with pause, purpose and intention. Happy January!

Click on the photo to listen to my playlist “At Home” on Magnolia's Spotify!

The post Resetting Your Home After the Holidays appeared first on Magnolia.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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How to Save Money at the Grocery Store

We've all experienced this moment: You're checking out at the grocery store, the cashier tells you your total and you think to yourself, “How the heck did I spend so much money?”

It's easy for grocery store spending to get away from us. Stores are now jam-packed with irresistible foods in creatively-designed packaging and brightly-colored signs advertising impossible-to-pass-up deals. The average grocery shopper is up against a ton of pressure to get them to buy, buy, buy, when many Americans' budgets are begging them to save, save, save.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to cut down on grocery spending. You just have to know what you're doing. Here are our tips.

Go in With a Plan

A well-thought-out grocery list is your first line of defense against overspending. You don't want to walk through those automatic doors without one.

Without a grocery list, you don't know exactly what you need (and what you don't). This can easily lead to impulse buys or throwing things in your cart on the off chance you're running low on a particular item.

To be sure you're only spending what is necessary on groceries, take some time before your trip to the store to figure out what you need. Ever gone to the store and stocked up on pasta, only to come home and find out you already have a small stockpile of it in the back of your pantry? Check your pantry and refrigerator beforehand so you know what you've already got.

Equally as important as having a plan is sticking to it. Retailers have come up with all sorts of psychological tricks to get you to spend more than you intended. Don't fall for it and commit to only buying the items on your list. And remember: Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry.

Plan Your Menu

Take some time before you go shopping to detail each and every meal you plan on eating for that week. Write down what ingredients you'll need and add them to your grocery list.

While at first this may seem like a daunting task, the money you save will make it worth your while. Plus, it doesn't have to be super complicated. Just because you're planning your meals doesn't mean you have to suddenly become a fabulously creative chef. It's OK if most of your planned lunches are a simple ham and cheese sandwich and dinner is a bowl of cereal. The important thing is that you aren't buying more food than you'll eat. (Although health-wise, it may be wise to diversify your diet a bit, but hey, one area of self-improvement at a time.)

Cut Food Waste

Saving money is also about making the most of the money you spend. If you aren't using the stuff you buy, you're wasting money, regardless of whether you got a good deal on it or not.

If you find yourself unable to go through the full package of any perishables you buy before hitting the product's expiration date, make a note to start buying smaller package sizes or freeze what you know you won't get through. If you're pouring a lot of partially-full gallons of milk down the drain, start buying half-gallons. If you can never get through a whole loaf of bread before it starts growing green spots, buy a half-loaf or keep a week's supply in the pantry and stick the rest in the freezer.

Buy in Bulk (Sometimes!)

A common piece of advice you'll hear is to buy certain items in bulk to save money. But does it really save you all that much money? Which items should you buy in bulk?

When you see a bulk item at a low per-unit price, you might think that you can't pass up on such a deal. But if you end up unable to use the whole thing before it expires, tossing it because it takes up too much space or just getting sick of it, you're erasing any potential savings.

If you're really committed to buying in bulk, you'll also need to consider the cost of a warehouse store membership, such as Sam's Club or Costco, to have access to a wide variety of bulk products. Figure out if the money you save would be enough to justify the cost of membership.

So, when does it make sense to buy in bulk? If you have a large household, buying most of your regularly-used items in bulk probably makes more sense, both in terms of how much money you spend and how often you need to restock these items.

If you have a smaller household, there are still times when it can make sense to buy a few things in bulk, but you probably shouldn't be stuffing your kitchen full of jumbo jars of condiments and 10-pound bags of rice.

If you want to buy in bulk, non-food household staples are usually a safe bet: things like laundry detergent, dish soap, trash bags or toilet paper. Just be sure to keep an eye on the price and compare costs of different sizes to make sure you're actually getting a good deal. And don't buy anything in bulk that you aren't absolutely going to use every last bit of. If you like switching shampoo brands every month or so, don't buy a giant bottle of it, no matter how well-priced it is.

Buy Generic

We all have our various brand loyalties, and sometimes the off-brand swaps just aren't as good as their more well-known contemporaries. However, if you want to save some money, be open to trying the generic versions of some of your most-purchased items and see if you notice a difference.

If you decide you can't bear to part with your favorite brand name cereal, that's OK. But running this experiment for the grocery items you spend the most money on can end up saving you some cash if you find a few things you can easily swap out. Often, you may find that the generic versions are just as good as the brand name, or are even exactly the same. For example, if you're buying an over-the-counter medication, compare the generic to the brand name. As long as both packages list the same active ingredient, they'll both be equally as effective at curing your headache. Buy the generic and save yourself a few bucks.

Go Online

You won't always save money by grocery shopping online, especially when you factor in any convenience fees and shipping costs. However, online shopping can make it easy to find the best deals on certain items while avoiding impulse buys.

The internet makes comparison shopping ridiculously convenient. Whereas at a brick and mortar store, you're less likely to abandon your cart to see if you can find a better deal on brussels sprouts elsewhere. Online, you can check out competing prices with just a few clicks, making it more likely that you're able to get the best deals on most of the items in your cart.

Take a look at the various services and memberships available and compare the benefits and costs. Even if you don't switch to grocery shopping online exclusively, those who get free shipping with online retailers such as Amazon might be able to find good deals on bulk items like paper towels and garbage bags that make the occasional online order well worth it.

Are you a thrifty grocery shopper? Share your best tips with us in the comments!

The post How to Save Money at the Grocery Store appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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House Tour: The Elm House

welcome mat // buffalo check rug // kilim pillow (similar) // white tassel pillow

faux monstera plant // black basket // modern house numbers

Last week we launched the new Juniper Print Shop!! We are so excited about all of the changes, including the addition of paper prints!! This has been in the works for a long time, and we knew we wanted to get some great video content to help introduce the new site and product to everyone. We had recently taken a tour of the Elm House, a new Airbnb (you can see the listing here) in the heart of downtown Gilbert designed by our friends over at Bigelow Built, and thought this would be the perfect location to showcase some of our new prints!

BOTANICAL II print // HUDDLE print // KNOTS I print // WOMEN print

entry table (similar) // basket with lid // faux tree // vintage runner (similar)

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We tried out multiple looks in the entry, each showing a different way you can incorporate our prints into your space! We decided to keep the neutral gallery wall up for the owners.

BOTANICAL II print // HUDDLE print // KNOTS I print // WOMEN print

entry table (similar) // basket with lid // faux tree // vintage runner (similar)

SPRIG I print // SPRIG III print

hanging wall frames // runner

JUNE print // runner // bread board // sink faucet // knife set

I absolutely love the kitchen design and color! The cabinets are from Bigelow Built and the color is Hale Navy.

runner // bar stools

dishwasher // runner // sink faucet

Do you remember the rug we used in the Gentry living room?? We found the exact same one in a runner and its so, so beautiful!!

yellow dansk pot // salt cellar // butter keeper // blue wood bowl // round bread board

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There is so much attention to detail in this kitchen. I especially love how the wood shelf line continues over the range hood! Genius!

brass pulls

GOSLING ISLAND print // MIDNIGHT STRIPE lumbar

white and concrete lamps // brass tray

In the guest bedroom we hung our GOSLING ISLAND print by Sarah Maderia Day in 40×55″ which we think it the perfect size for putting over a Queen (shown here) or King bed.

Ikea Tutorial:

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You can see custom wood touches all throughout the house, like these floating nightstands.

black knobs // black pulls

The homeowners incorporated some super fun tile into the space, and I love the way it turned out! A rental property is a such a great space to incorporate some bold choices.

BIG SUR print // AMBER STRIPE lumbar

black metal bed frame // ceramic lamp base // lamp shade

ceramic lamp base // brass nesting jewelry boxes

BIG SUR print // AMBER STRIPE lumbar

black metal bed frame // ceramic lamp base // lamp shade

patio set

A big thanks to Bigelow Built for allowing us to shoot in their gorgeous new Airbnb!

The post House Tour: The Elm House appeared first on Little Green Notebook.

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robbiejpennebaker1954-blog · 6 years ago

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A Day in Normandy :: Seaside Villages & Cocktails in a Palace!

Ahhhh, France. Just when you think it can't possibly get any better or suprise you more, you head north and discover the rolling hills, seaside villages, and history of Normandy.

Our final stop on our British Isles cruise was – surprise! – actually not in Britain at all. While some of our group made their way to Paris for the day, a few of us decided that we may not be seeing this northern shore again anytime soon, and to take advantage of the opportunity to explore and experience a new part of one of our favorite countries.

We took an early morning bus from the ship, which docked in Le Havre, to the seaside village of Honfleur. Located where the Seine meets the English Channel, the old harbor looks like a movie set, it's so damn charming.

We had a late breakfast of giant crepes before a quick walk through the town. Known as a home to many artists – including Monet – during the rise of Impressionism, the town is still referred to as a bit bohemian, and has such a laid-back feel to it. The buildings are far from meticulous, and I liked that they embraced their harbor roots and age here.

One of my favorite things about Normandy is the facades of the countryside homes and village buildings…

Whether painted on or actually built out of wood, I had always assumed this type of facade to be more Bavarian than French. Turns out I needed a little history lesson to discover that northern France is infamous for this style!

The market in Honfleur was a highlight, with so many goodies that I wanted to take home! Mostly bottles and bottles of French cidres, which I love.

The market ended into one of the town's larger, busier squares with several restaurants and cafes to enjoy, with the sea just a few steps away. From Honfleur the plan was to go to Deauville, which is much more of a resort town and I would have liked to explore and see the contrast between the two places. Sadly, we couldn't find a taxi that would take us there because it was during the annual film festival (sounds much like Canne, no?), and traffic would have been horrible.

With our plans for the rest of the day thwarted, we decided to see if we could sneak into one of the later excursions through Princess, and we scrambled back to the ship just in time to catch a bus to the Benedictine Palace!

Sidenote: on the way to the palace, we took the scenic route along the water, and my goodness was it stunning! If you can take some time to explore the coastline, especially around Etretat, you won't regret it!

The draw of the palace was not necessarily the palace itself, but actually Benedictine, the liqueur. In 1510, the Benedictine monk Don Bernardo Vincelli created the recipe for this French liqueur, which calls for 27 plants and spices. Today, it is still made here, in the palace, and only a handful of people know the actual recipe, as it is still kept in great secrecy.

While we received a full tour of the palace and the distillery, it was Joe we really came for. He came from Deauville (ironically!), where he is a bartender, to teach us how to make two cocktail recipes – one of which I'm going to share with you today!

The Monk's Sour // serves one

1.7 oz Benedictine Liqueur

25 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 bar spoons of honey

1 dash orange bitters

15 ml egg white

grated nutmeg for garnish

Any drink that I can make that uses only one type of alcohol is a win to me! Not only is it easier, but cheaper too. No need to stock the bar with three different liqueurs that you'll use once a year.

To make, add all the ingredients into a shaker, then add ice. Shake extra hard, and for longer than usual, to get the egg whites to whip up. Strain into a glass and garnish with nutmeg.

I loved the taste of this! It's light but with so much flavor, thanks to the Benedictine. And definitely a perfect winter cocktail! And now, you can feel as fancy as we did, sipping cocktails in a grand palace.

The post A Day in Normandy :: Seaside Villages & Cocktails in a Palace! appeared first on coco kelley.

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