Operation Occupy Children for the Fourth!!!

It's no secret. Kids get bored easily even when playing out by the pool or the beach. Here's a fun crafts corner idea to keep them busy for a while. It's not too difficult and heck even we can have fun with them!!

What you'll need:

•   Household sponge

•   White printer or copier paper

•   Blue and red craft paint

•   Gold paint pen

•   Ruler

•   Pencil

•   Thumbtack

•   Pony bead

•   Scissors

•   Wooden dowel

How to make it:

1.Using A template as a guide, cut the white paper to a 7" square.

2.Cut a star shape out of a household sponge.

3.Squeeze blue paint onto a palette or paper plate. Dip sponge into paint, dab off excess, and press onto paper. Repeat design in several places. Clean out the sponge and repeat with red paint.

4.Use a gold paint pen to draw dots and curly lines on the paper to decorate it further. Let dry then turn over and decorate the other side.

5.Use a ruler and a pencil to lightly mark the paper according to the template. Cut diagonal lines toward the center, using the template as a guide.

6.Use the pencil to poke holes in the paper where indicated on the template.

7.Insert the thumbtack into the wooden dowel to create a hole. Remove

thumbtack.

8.Fold one of the corners (with a hole) toward the center of the paper. Insert the thumbtack through the hole. Bring the next corner up and under the first one, inserting the thumbtack. Repeat for all four then push the thumbtack through the center hole.

9.Holding the tack and the paper together with one hand, turn over and slide the pony bead onto the thumbtack, then insert the thumbtack into the dowel. This will add space between the paper pinwheel and the dowel.

Tips:

1.You can use a new pencil with an eraser instead of the dowel.

2.To shorten the dry time, only paint one side of the paper. When you begin folding, have the unpainted side facing up at you so that when folding over the corners, the designs will become visible.

Do not use card stock or poster board. That type of paper is too heavy and your pinwheel will not turn.

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Sensible Scents Around Food for your Fourth

I know what you're thinking. Who the heck wants to be bugged by all of these bugs this season. If you're from down south where it was unseasonably warm this Winter and quite wet this Spring, that means one thing. MOSQUITOES!!!!!

I can't stand them. I am always looking for ways to keep them away from us while still allowing for an enjoyable outing for the Fourth. I was recently in Yankee Candle and came across the  Bug Free Candles. These things are great!

One of the biggest problems  I have with citronella on tables or even around anywhere is that it smells so bad and without even trying can taint the smell of your food. These candles I have found do not have ANY scent at all and work exactly like Citronella!!!!! BONUS.

Here is what I am doing this season. Take 3 vessels and fill with water. Add blue food coloring to one, add red to another and leave the 3rd clear. This creates your red white and blue theme. Float the candles in them and you're all set.

(This shot taken from a recent NBC appearance I did)

It's an easy and chic way to keep the bugs away from the party!

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Red, White and Blue Potato Salad

Ok, this is taking color coordination a little far. However, given that you can get all three colors at your nearest market, why not right?!!

2 pounds small new potatoes, cut into 3/4 inch chunks, red, white, yellow, and/or blu

3/4 cup light sour cream

1/4 cup light mayonnaise

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, optional

6 scallions, thinly sliced

4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

salt and pepper, to taste

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer potatoes until they are just fork tender, about 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayo, and blue cheese (if using) together until smooth.

When potatoes are cooked, drain and toss them gently with the sour cream mixture until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper, cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to one day.

Before serving, carefully fold in the scallions and top with the crumbled bacon. Serve immediately.

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Spice up your Fourth with this Fab Cocktail

As we continue offering you daily doses of lifestyle living leading up to your Fourth of July Celebration, it is time to offer the first of several cocktail options.  This one takes its lead from the latest rage and that's adding a little heat into your drink. 

• 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin  slice of  serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/4 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

It's simple: Here's how you make it!!!

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

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Killer Crab Dip

Growing up down south, you find crab dip everywhere. Some chilled, some warm and most of it just so so. I have had this recipe that I have been making for years now. This however will mark the first time I will share it. It's nothing out of this world special about any of the ingredients. However, after the flavors marry, it is truly fabulous.

1 pound lump crab meat
1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
1 table spoon lemon juice
1 whole block shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of Dukes Mayo
2 tablespoons hot sauce of your choice
1 tablespoon of horse radish
salt and pepper to taste

Now that's it. Mix all in a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour and serve with crackers. If you're feeling frisky, you can add a block of cream cheese with chives in it and it takes it to an entirely new level!!

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Farm Fresh for your Fourth

Getting set for the big Fourth of July celebration? 

 In the couple of weeks leading up to the big day, 

I will give you all kinds of delicious goodness and crafty table scape ideas as well.

Every Fourth of July I always think of the grill! 

I thought it would be interesting to look at grilling something

 I have never done before. 

I have ventured into the world of the Avocado. 

Here is a fun recipe that I thought I would share with you. 

• 4  avocadoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Corn Salsa

• 8 ounces gold & white corn, strained
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
• 8 ounces black beans, strained
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped fine
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced
• salt & pepper
• corn chips, to serve with

Directions:

1. 1
   Heat grill to medium-high heat. Remove pits from avocados and brush first with lemon juice, then extra virgin olive oil.
2. 2
   Place avocados skin side down on grill for 2 minutes, turn and grill for 2 more minutes.
3. 3
   With a spatula, carefully remove avocados from grill and spoon salsa into seed pits.
   
   
   
   

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It's All in the Family with the Normellino's. . . but is it NORMAL?

Splitting my time with offices in Charleston and New York has always been something I have enjoyed.  like many things, when you get busy, you rarely have time to venture out and explore. Such is my life in NYC. I work and live in midtown and besides heading into the village or Tribecca, SOHO, Chelsea (all of which are not far apart on the island of Manhattan, I never really get to head into some of the culturally rich areas like Queens.

It's something I have always heard about, the BEST Italian recipes, the loudest people and that stereo typical New Yorker we have all come to know and see on TV.

I had the chance to meet the Normellino family today. As expected the accents, the hair, and of course the food were all prevalent.  However, I got to dig into their lives today for 2 hours.

Imagine a real life fish out of water story with a Kansas student having to move in with these people? Imagine that learning curve. I didn't have to imagine. That's what the show was.

Judy and Thomas Burke Heath have written this comedy.  Stereotypes abound and lead to some really funny interaction. I will tell you the true star of the show is without a doubt a young CofC student by the name of Bronson Taylor.  Taylor plays the lead role Hadley. His character development, his natural reaction to his fellow actors, and his overall personality shines throughout the entire show. It's rare to see someone as young as he possess such strengths on stage.

I have to be quite honest, I ever since working in NYC am used to seeing 100% professional actors and leaving the community theater scene behind. I had quite a wake up call. This entire ensemble cast was spot on and led each other through the 2 hour piece with wit, grace and fabulous one liners.

Sadly this was the last performance (sold out) for their run. However, you can certainly keep up with them on Facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/PerfectlyNormelPeople.

Congrats to their entire team for allowing the southern folks of Charleston into the world of Queens NY.

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No Sorrow at all! It's Just Pure Joy!

It was a standard steamy Thursday in Charleston. I headed to the College of Charleston Cistern to check out what I was actually, to be honest kind of not very interested in reviewing, Joy Kills Sorrow. Boy, was I wrong!!

With the crazy popularity of  the independent bands that infuse folk, blues, and pop being so huge right now, I figured it would be more same of the same. It was so much more than that!

They played blue grass instruments but made them sound so rich and different. Also what did a band from Boston possibly know about Blue Grass?

They have a fabulous female that they have thrown in the mix. They group actually take their name from a radio station WJKS.

They released their debut album in 2007 and have never looked back. if cover music is what you were looking for, you were looking in the wrong place. However, you never missed it!  Their rich depth took us on a steamy sultry ride that we will never forget.  Storytellers is what I feel best describes the group.

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