Happy New Year!

We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday!

Ways to Relax Around the Holidays

Do you want a way to rewind and de-stress?  "Mindfulness" is the new way to do that.  Here are some great tips on how to embrace this philosophy in your home.


Mindfulness is being embraced everywhere these days, from the Kindergarten classroom to the company retreat. What is mindfulness, exactly? Susan Smalley, Ph.D., and Diana Winston, co-authors of Fully Present, say that mindfulness is "an accepting and kind attitude toward yourself and your present moment experience." One that will change your relationship to life.

Sounds enticing, huh? Here are a few tips on how to integrate the practice of mindfulness into your home.

1. Set an intention when you wake up. Before you get out of bed, take a few deep breaths and a minute to give thanks for the day. What do you want to accomplish today beyond your to-do list? What do you want to appreciate, acknowledge, and communicate in your life?

2. Make your bed. Making your bed is a productivity-enhancing and mood-boosting habit that can promote the adoption of other healthy habits. Take three minutes (yep, I timed it) and start your day off right.

3. Do your laundry. Karen Maezen Miller, a Zen Buddhist priest and author of Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life, says, "A full hamper reminds us that running away from the things we would rather avoid makes our lives feel like an endless chore. Face it. Taking responsibility for your own well-being is the first step in transformation."

4. Practice mindful eating. Eat when you are hungry, not when you are tired, sad, anxious or bored. Take a minute to appreciate your food: Where did it come from? How did it make its way to you? What people might have been involved in getting the food to your plate? How will this food nourish you? (Studies show that when we practice mindful eating, we take in only what is necessary.)

5. Turn off the TV, the computer and any other stimulating devices at least two hours before bed every evening. Our brains need time to build melatonin, which is critical for deep rest. Personally, I find that this technology curfew is one of the best House Rules I have.

6. Slow down; Literally. When we race around at a frenetic pace, our minds operate at the same speed. And who can sleep at night when your head is spinning like a Nutcracker ballerina after too many Red Bulls? When you slow down your physical actions, even just the smallest bit, your shoulders relax, your jaw un-clenches, and your mind can be a bit more at ease.

7. Pause to think about your consumption. Give gratitude to all of the people behind each purchase: The person who delivered your Amazon package, the person who packed it and shipped it, the person who assembled your new book, the person who wrote it, edited it, the list goes on and on. Think also about how your consumption affects the greater world. Do you really need to order another pair of shoes from Zappos? Think of everything that this purchase means; it's not just a new pair of shoes. It's a pair of shoes that requires a box, packaging materials, time and energy to ship, time and energy to store and maintain, time and energy to pass it along once it is no longer serving you. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give yourself is deciding NOT to purchase something.

8. Take a ten minute "mind re-set" break in the middle of the day. We live in a world that is turned on at full-speed, full-blast, full time. The body craves balance and one great way to achieve it is by doing nothing for ten minutes a day. Mindfulness is sometimes called the "seat belt of mental health." The body cultivates what we practice and practice changes the breath. By practicing becoming relaxed and aware, we can actually become more so in our daily life.

Fasten your seat belts, because the holidays are here. This holiday season, consider taking a few minutes each day to cultivate a home that is more mindful, a mind that is more peaceful, and an attitude that keeps you happier at home.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Make Your Own Wreath

Do you need a great holiday gift that is from the heart?  You can make your loved ones their own personalized Christmas Wreath.  Here is a great step by step guide to creating a great homemade gift for your friends and family.

Supplies:• An assortment of evergreen clippings (ask for scraps at a tree lot or use clippings from the bottom of your own tree)
• Staple gun
• Garden clippers
• Wire
• Round or octagonal wood frame
• Berry branches, pinecones, ribbon, ornaments or other decorations

Prep Work:
You can purchase basic round frames or build your own. To create your own, miter wood slats to form on octagon. The wood frame is relatively light, yet sturdy enough to hold staples and be reused each year. At the end of the season, simply remove the staples and save the frame for next year.

Cut evergreen branches that are 8"-18" in length. Depending on the size and fullness you're looking for, gather larger or smaller pieces.

Making Your Wreath:
Use the staple gun to attach each branch to the wood frame. For some of the thicker branches, staple from an offshoot instead of the main branch. One staple per branch is usually sufficient.
Overlap the branches as you add them and take a step back to look at your progress every few staples. The wreath will look a little wild and full at first, but that's okay, you will trim it later. As you near the starting point you'll have to slide the branches beneath those you already stapled in order to create a full circle of greenery all the way around.

Manicuring Your Wreath:
For the trimming it's best to hang your wreath first. Wrap a thick piece of wire around the frame and form a loop at the top.
Trim around the edges. Don't trim a perfect edge, but rather trim within an inch or two of the adjacent branch. You want the wreath to appear circular, yet natural. Trim the center so that you can see a hole, but not so much that you reveal the frame. Step back every so often to check your work and adjust.

Decorating Your Wreath:
Use found objects to keep costs down and create a natural looking wreath. Borrow ornaments from your tree or get creative with gift wrapping supplies.


For more information see Apartment Therapy.

How To Get The Tree from Magazines?

Have you decorated the Christmas Tree yet?  Here are some great tips on how make that tree look like it is from a catalog.  Start early and make sure to get all the materials you need to have the tree of your dreams in your home.


1. To create more visual impact, hang larger, bolder ornaments closer to the trunk, and lighter, more simple ornaments closer to the edge.

Bigger ornaments can stand out against the bushiness of a tree's interior, and branches are stronger at the base, so this rule just makes plain good sense to follow. Use Glitter Spiked Burst Ornaments to punctuate the interior branches of your tree. Also consider tucking a few larger ornaments, like Paper Mache Animal Ornaments in spots where branches are sparse to fill up space and give your tree a fuller look.

2. Hang smaller ornaments near the top, and larger ones closer to the bottom.

Remember learning in art history class how the Greeks curved the columns of the Parthenon to make them appear straighter and taller when viewed from the ground? You can used the same forced-perspective technique on your tree! Placing smaller ornaments above eye level will subtly make your tree seem taller. It's also smarter as the smaller, more tender branches near the top are often not strong enough to carry the weight of large ornaments. Of course, the one exception to this rule is your tree-topper. The Capiz Star Tree Topper will seem even brighter and bolder when surrounded by smaller, more delicate ornaments at the top of your tree.

3. Mix up shapes and textures.

Variety is key to a perfectly decorated tree.Though it makes sense to stick with an overall theme when selecting ornaments, try to branch out in terms of texture and type. Knits are a great way to add a new, cozy texture to your collection. Try some Knit Animal Ornaments, or Knit Mitten Ornaments for cute shapes and comfy textures. If your tree has a more modern look, consider trimming with Knit Ball Garlands which add a new texture and shape in a clean, simple manner.

4. Use white lights to show off bright ornaments.

White lights, especially super-brights LEDs, provide the cleanest light for showing off glittering ornaments. When decorating your tree consider the placement of shiny ornaments in relation to strings of light. Shatterproof Blue/Green Ornaments, for example, will shine especially bright when reflecting nearby lights.

5. Estimate 150 lights per vertical foot of tree.

150 lights per foot of tree will provide a very luminous glow. Enough to illuminate ornaments as well as provide a soft light for the room.

Of course, none of these tips are very helpful if you don't have a tree to begin with! Artificial trees have come a long way since the days of bright pink metallic "trees". (Though if you're going for a retro Kitschmas, you could still get away with that one). Target has a wide selection, and we're a fan of the 7.5-ft Pre-lit Balsam Fir from Philips. It comes with a stand and is lit with 500 clear mini-bulbs so it's easy to set up. You can also choose an artificial tree by variety, like this Virginia Fir. Whichever tree you choose this year, follow the tips above for great results!

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

DIY Christmas Decorations

Apartment Therapy has some great suggestions for do it yourself holiday decorations.  Everyone from felt snow balls to a fur wreath with instructions on how to add these pieces to your house.   Do you have any homemade decoration tips that you use at your apartment?

After buying presents, food for the holiday meal, and a tree, there isn't always much left over for extras. This year we're trying to save money in my household - and have some fun - by making a lot of our own ornaments and decorations, but still want a modern look. Here are fifteen DIY ornaments that fit the bill:

1. Winter Wonderland Ornament: Craftberry Bush
2. Felt Ball Garland: My Sparkle
3. DIY 'Confetti System' Ornaments: A Lovely Lark
4. Felt Snow Ball Ornaments: The Purl Bee
5. Pom Pom Ornaments: Design Love Fest
6. Patterned Paint Marker Ornaments: Aesthetic Outburst
7. Faux Bois Vases: Centsational Girl
8. Felt Ogee Ornament: Betz White
9. Twine Snowflake: Fellow Fellow
10. Brass Tack Baubles: Fellow Fellow
11. Doily Star Tree-Topper: Martha Stewart
12. Accordion Paper Trees: Julep
13. Geometric Straw Ornament: Elsie Marley
14. Fur Wreath: Nesting Place
15. Flapper Trees: The House that Lars Built

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

Be Prepared On Your Thanksgiving Road Trip

You just have to make it through this week of work, and then you get to go home for Thanksgiving.  No matter how long your drive is, you need to make sure you are prepared for holiday travel.  Keep reading to find out how to prepare for your road trip.

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker) inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and will not be a hazard if you stop short.

4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")

5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)

6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets, either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate. Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you never know.

7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired pit stop locations.

8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or others on the road.

9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility, allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)

11. Keep control. There could be a variety of scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.

For more information see Consumer Reports.

Election Day 2012

Today is election day!  Did you get out and vote?  Here are some election day fun facts that you can read while you are waiting in line at the polls.

The finish line is almost here. Americans have weighed a plethora of questions in choosing their presidential candidate.

But amid the quadrennial explosion of political ads, bumper stickers and debates, some questions still baffle: Why is the Republican mascot an elephant? Why are Democrats linked to the color blue? And what happens if the candidates tie?

Below, a voter's guide to such perpetually confounding riddles:

Q. Why are presidential elections always in November, and always on Tuesdays?

It all comes down to weather, harvests and worship.

Back when voters traveled to the polls by horse, Tuesday was an ideal day because it allows people to worship on Sunday, ride to their county seat on Monday and vote on Tuesday - all before market day, Wednesday.

And the month of November fit nicely between harvest time and brutal winter weather -- which can be especially bad when you're trudging along by horse and buggy.

But since many voters now travel by horsepower instead of live horses, some people -- like the group Why Tuesday? -- are pushing to move election day to a weekend day to increase the country's historically dismal voter turnout. According to the group, 15 states do not allow early voting, and 27% of non-voters said the main reason why they didn't vote was because they were too busy or couldn't get time off to vote.

Q. Why do Republicans have an elephant and Democrats have a donkey?

Back in 1874, cartoonist Thomas Nast used an elephant to depict the Republican vote in his drawing "The Third-Term Panic." The cartoon was published in Harper's Weekly after the owner of the New York Herald reportedly criticized the notion of Republican President Ulysses S. Grant running for a third term. (Grant didn't end up running in the next election).

In the drawing, an "ass" -- depicting the New York Herald -- scares away other animals in a forest as the elephant -- or the Republican vote -- looks like it's about to stumble into a pit.

But that cartoon isn't where where the Democratic donkey came from. In 1828, Democrat Andrew Jackson's critics called him a "jackass" because of his populist views and his slogan, "Let the people rule." Jackson decided to run with it -- even using images of a donkey in his campaign ads. Later, Nast also used a donkey to depict the Democratic party.

Q. Why are Democratic states "blue," and why are Republican states "red"?

There's nothing magical about this color scheme. Essentially, the media made it up.

Sure, there are logical reasons to use red and blue -- both are colors in the American flag, and they look sharp on infographics because they're pretty much on opposite ends of the color spectrum.

But the seemingly arbitrary color assignments have actually flip-flopped over the years. In 1980, states won by Republican Ronald Reagan were colored blue; Democrat Jimmy Carter's states were colored red.

Even as late as 1996, major media outlets were divided on how to color-code the parties. But in 2000, when Americans were subjected to weeks of news about recounts, pregnant chads and electoral infographics, everyone seemed to get on the same page and shaded Republican-leaning states red and Democratic-leaning states blue.

Q. What happens if candidates tie in electoral votes?

It's possible that Barack Obama and Mitt Romney snag the exact same number of electoral votes. In that case, the 12th Amendment says the House of Representatives gets to pick the president. And since analysts expect Republicans to maintain control of the House, Romney would likely win the presidency.

In the same scenario, the Senate would get to choose the vice president. And because Democrats are expected to keep control of that chamber, senators could select incumbent Vice President Joe Biden to form a split administration.

Q. Why do presidents have to wait all the way until January 20 to assume office?

It used to be a lot longer. Until 1937, presidents didn't get sworn in until March 4 because it took so long to count and report ballots, and because of the winner's logistical issues in moving to the capital.

But then better technology kicked in, and the 20th Amendment moved presidential inaugurations to noon on January 20 -- allowing presidents to start taking care of business sooner.

For more information see KDBC.

Glenwood Vista

Fall Recipes

Brown Eyed Baker has ten great pumpkin recipes to get you ready for fall.  Pumpkin is what everyone craves this fall, and here are ten ways to put it into your dinner plans at home.  


Here they are, in alphabetical order:
1. Pumpkin Bread:

2. Pumpkin Cheesecake:

3. Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip & Pecan Granola Bars:

4. Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins with Pecan Streusel:

5. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting:

6. Pumpkin Fudge:

7. Pumpkin Pie:

8. Pumpkin Pie Bars:

9. Pumpkin Scones with Spiced Glaze:

10. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple-Cream Cheese Filling:

DIY Fall Decorations

Fall is a great season to craft and decorate your house.  Here are five great do it yourself craft ideas to make your apartment ready for the fall and winter seasons.  Try them out this weekend to decorate for your Halloween party.

While it's hard to deny the appeal of this season — the swirls of colorful leaves drifting down to the ground, crisp air outside and cozy fires inside, warm, spicy baking smells and the return of my beloved Pumpkin Spice latte — I am and always will be a beach kid from the golden coast and as such, you will always have to drag me kicking and screaming away from my beloved summer.
In an effort to embrace the season at hand I've rounded up five great fall DIY projects. There, I'm feeling cozier already.




1. Acorn Wreath from Martha Stewart

2. Flaming Foliage Candles from Martha Stewart

3. Burlap Pumpkins from Thistlewood Farms

4. Wax Paper and Crayon Leaves from V and Co.

5. Maple Leaf Wreath from Chez Larsson via Apartment Therapy 

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Halloween on a Budget

Are you having a Halloween Party for your friends this year?  If you do not have a lot of money to decorate, you can still have a spooky apartment for the party.  Here are six cheap do it yourself Halloween decorating ideas.

This Halloween, get creative and use supplies found in your home for green-friendly Halloween decor.

 Planning ahead for Halloween will allow you to budget, as well as reduce the environmental impact of the festivities. Rather than purchasing every Halloween décor piece from the store, consider making your own by reusing supplies found right in your home. To go green this Halloween, read on for our suggestions of taking old things in your house and turning them into new, spooky decorations.

Mason Jar Pumpkin
If you have canning jar lids laying around, this project will give them a new purpose. Gather together lids of the same size. String the lids together, tying the string tightly. Evenly spread the lids around. Next, stick cinnamon sticks in the center. To create leaves, cut some out of burlap. This goes perfectly as a centerpiece on your dining room table or coffee table. It can also be placed on a shelf on top of books.

Head in a Jar
If you’re looking for creepier decorations, this one is perfect for you. Use a wide mouth jar for this project. You’ll also need a great picture that goes in the jar. It needs to be a flattened image of a head. Run a quick search on a search engine, and you should find some great examples. Print this image on thick and slick paper, making sure it will fit into the jar. Roll the picture and place it in the jar, making sure it fills up about ¾ of the circumference of the jar. Fill the jar with colored water. This can be placed in the fridge to creep out the midnight snackers. On Halloween night, drop a few glow sticks in the jar for added ambiance.

Tin Can Luminaries
To upcycle old soup cans, use them for luminaries. If you have several cans, create a design in the cans, from ghosts to spelling out “BOO.” To start the project, fill the cans up with water and stick them in the freezer. This allows you to hammer a design into the cans without denting the cans. Use a nail and hammer to create the design. Once the ice melts, dump the water and place tea lights into each can.

Mummy Cereal Boxes
Old bed sheets in your linen closet that don’t fit any beds in your home are perfect for this DIY Halloween craft. Cut the fabric into thin sheets. Then, take empty cereal or cracker boxes and cover with the white sheets. Once the box is covered, tuck the end in. Optional: attach googly eyes.

Halloween Garland
Take old cardboard paper towel rolls and paint them pumpkin orange. Then, slice them into thin strips and create pumpkin shapes. Use twine to string the pumpkins together and hang on your wall.

Bat Mobile  Head out to your backyard and pick up one or two sticks from the yard. You’ll also need clear thread, or fishing line. For the bats, you use thin cardboard, such as cereal or cracker boxes. Cut several bats from the cardboard, and hang the bats to a branch. Hang in various lengths.

For more information see Apartment Guide.

Book It! Reaches 28th year

Do you remember Book It from when you were a kid?  Pizza Hut's Book It program has reached it's 28th year.  14 million readers learn about literacy in order to get a free Personal Pan Pizza.  It is a national program that launched in 1985.  Did you participate in book it?

Pizza Hut is beginning the 28th year of the BOOK IT! Reading Program, which reaches more than 14 million young readers with a message about literacy and an incentive of a free Personal Pan Pizza.

It’s a national reading program launched in 1985, and enrollment has reached 680,000 classrooms and more than 14 million students in 38,000 schools across the country.

BOOK IT! announced in May that it joined with author Jeff Kinney and his book series, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” for the 2012-13 school year. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is integrated into all BOOK IT! classroom materials, teacher printables and web creatives at bookitprogram.com.

“Year after year, the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program continues to reach new kids with a positive message about how rewarding reading can be,” said Shelley Morehead, BOOK IT! program administrator. “Through our ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ partnership and our 28 years of advancing literacy, we’re fortunate to have such tremendous support from schools around the country who want to make it great.”

The program’s “Read Your Heart Out” quest involves five steps for young readers: rally readers, track reading minutes, take on the Principal’s Challenge, read to help kids who are hungry and share a love of reading. Resources are available for each step of the quest at http://www.bookitprogram.com/readyourheartout.

In BOOK IT!, teachers and librarians set monthly goals and present students with a reading award certificate when goals are met. Students take the certificates to a Pizza Hut restaurant, where they are congratulated by a team member and given a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza. There is no purchase necessary and the pizza can be taken to go. To learn more, visit PizzaHut.com. 

For more information see Henry Daily Herald.

Bridgefest in the Pines

 Next Saturday in Stockbridge make sure to attend our annual Bridgefest in the Pines.  There will be entertainment, arts and crafts, and even a children's area.  There is something for everyone, and the event is free!




It looks like the weather will be BEAUTIFUL for this Saturday's event!
 
We hope you can join us for the 2nd Bridgefest in Stockbridge! Look at what is in store this year...

• Over 50 Art & Unique Craft Booths
• Festival Food
• Awesome Entertainment Stage from SPEER ENTERTAINMENT.  8 bands with shows starting at 10am!
• Interactive Children's Area
• Cheese making demostrations from sponsor- BARLEY & VINE
• The TREEMAN and other performers!
• AND MORE!

Saturday, October 6th
 
9:00am-5:00pm
 
Clark Community Park- Stockbridge, GA (111 Davis Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281)
Free admission
 
Free parking- Park along Burke Street or at City Hall and ride the free shuttle bus to the festival entrance.
 
*Handicapped Parking will be at the Clark Park Pavilion D parking lot.  You must have a valid permit.  

For more information see Bridgefest.

Easy Silly Putty Recipe for Kids

Playdough, silly putty, and sludge are three favorite words of many children.  However, buying these products in the store over and over again can be expensive.  Here is a simple easy recipe to make silly putty in your home.  The kids can even make it with some supervision.

For one small batch:
1/2 bottle of glue (or 1/4 cup)
a little less than 1/4 cup of water + 1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon borax
Food Coloring

Borax is so easy to find! And it’s cheap. Just look in the laundry section of the store. One box is enough to make about a million batches of Silly Sludge.

To make Silly Sludge, first start by measuring and pouring the glue into a glass bowl. It doesn’t have to be glass, but it will be easier to clean if it is.



Then add a little less than 1/4 cup of water and stir it until it’s mixed up pretty well. The amount of water doesn’t need to be exact at all!



Add in a tiny bit of food coloring. Like even one drop if you can.  If you add too much, you may get some on your hands when you play with it. Mix it up until the color is combined.



Set that bowl aside. Now measure out 1/4 cup of hot water and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of Borax. Mix it around until the Borax dissolves. It may not all dissolve, but mostly is okay. The hot water really helps.



Now comes the fun (and educational) part! Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture and stir.



Almost immediately, the Borax causes the glue to make a polymer chain (which means, it makes the glue’s molecules stick together). It’s pretty cool!



If all of the water doesn’t absorb into the Silly Sludge, it’s no big deal!  Move the Silly Sludge out of the bowl and play with it! The more you play with it, the better it gets. You can store it in a small zip lock bag.

For more information see Love and Laundry. 

Coloring for College

 College is expensive now, and in 18 years it will even cost more.  That is why by starting now you may be able to save some money.  Path 2 College is having a coloring contest for a college scholarship.  This is a great way to let your child have fun, and maybe win some money for their future at the same time.

 Parents looking for ways to save for their children’s future higher education needs have a chance this month to win some cash for that purpose.

Georgia’s college savings program, Path2College 529 Plan, is holding a statewide coloring sweepstakes for children in pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade.

Plan Director Mitch Seabaugh said students should color “Hootie the Wise Old Owl” and complete the sentence, “When I graduate, I’m going to be a _,” for a chance to win money to put toward college.

Seabaugh said the contest is open throughout September, which is also national College Savings Month. Coloring sheets and official rules can be found at www.Path2College529.com. Entries must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian, postmarked by Sept. 30 and received by Oct. 5.

The winner will be drawn at random in mid-October and will receive $1,529 as a college savings contribution, said Seabaugh. The winner’s school also will receive $1,000.

The Path2College 529 Plan offers college savings accounts to Georgia families which are federal and state income tax-free. The program is managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc. which is part of the New York City-based TIAA-CREF financial services organization.

For more information see the Henry Daily Herald.

Legacy Build

Do you know about the Legacy Build?  This is a week long even to help rebuild and renovate houses for those in need.  The build ends this Friday, and it is the largest build they have had.  They still need volunteers and donations, so keep reading to see how you can help.

Henry County Fuller Center for Housing Inc. is embarking on its largest renovation project yet.

The McDonough-based nonprofit is the official host of the Fourth Annual Millard Fuller Legacy Build, Sept. 9-14.

The Legacy Build is a week-long cause in which volunteers worldwide help rebuild and renovate houses for those in need. It is named in memory of Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing Inc. Henry County Fuller Center is a local covenant partner of the Americus-based Christian charity.

Shane Persaud is president of the Henry County Fuller Center. He said the nonprofit will be working on at least four major renovation projects using local and out-of-town volunteers.

Henry and other Fuller Center covenant partners around the world have set a collective goal to build or rehabilitate 100 homes during the week. Persaud said the event is an all-volunteer effort reliant on donated time, money and supplies.

Organizers plan to kick-off Legacy Build with a dinner at 5 p.m. Sunday at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 397 Racetrack Road in McDonough.

Construction days are Sept. 10-14, culminating with closing ceremonies and a dinner at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Wesley Chapel.

Persaud said the organization is still accepting volunteers and donations.

To learn more about the local partnership or to register for the Legacy Build, visit the Henry County Fuller Center for Housing Inc. web site at www.hcfullercenter.org, call 678-551-0800, or e-mail info@hcfullercenter.org. For more about the Legacy Build, visit www.fullercenter.org. 

For  more information see the Henry Daily Herald.

Petty visits the McDonough Walmart

The King of Racing was at the Walmart in McDonough Friday before the AdvoCare 500 race on Sunday.  The meet and greet attracted all ages that were fans of his race team for years.  Petty is celebrating his 20th year of retirement after his last race, where his car caught fire.  Petty escaped injury that day and was able to salute his fans in his final laps on the track.

Four-year-old Lawrence Cooley was a little shy at first in the presence of greatness, but the King quickly put him at ease as he signed autographs in the shadow of his former palace, Atlanta Motor Speedway.

King Richard Petty greeted race fans at the Wal-mart SuperCenter in McDonough Friday leading up to the speedway's grand ball with a full weekend of racing capped off by the AdvoCare 500, Sunday.

Petty is celebrating his 20th year of retirement from the sport that made his name a household word.

The NASCAR legend dominated the racing circuit throughout the better part of three decades, ending his career at Atlanta Motor Speedway, November 15, 1992 at the AMS Hooter's 500. 

Petty's popularity has not waned and fans stood in line for chance to meet their racing hero.

Randy Ricther was among the many fans who was able to have memorabilia signed by Petty Friday afternoon.

"I have been a fan for life," he said. 

 Now Ricther is sharing his love for racing and admiration for Petty with his 4-year-old daughter Rachel who was greeted by the smiling NASCAR icon as he took time to pose with each fan and talked to the children as they filed past.

The event, made possible by Goody's Powder and Petty's Garage, brought back memories of the driver's final salute to fans at nearby AMS in Hampton. 

In his final race, back in 1992, Petty was involved in an accident and his car caught fire.

However, he escaped any injury and his crew was able to get the No. 24 back on the track so he could finish his final run.

Petty made his grand exit from the track by taking 10 laps, waving and saluting his loyal fan base.

Race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway begins with the Jeff Foxworthy Grit Chips 200, Friday and the NRA American Warrior 300 Saturday, finishing Sunday with the Sprint Cup Series race.

For more information see the Henry Daily Herald.

Essential Tools for Your Apartment

You never know when you are going to have to fix a screw on a table or measure a wall for a piece of art work.  There are some essential tools that everyone needs in their apartment.  These tools can help you with everyday projects and emergencies.

When it comes time to move, a good toolkit is a must have. Whether you're taking measurements, hanging artwork, or assembling furniture, there are a few items you'll want to have on hand.
After I graduated college my dad put together a basic toolbox for me, which at the time I didn't think I'd have much use for. Little did I know how useful it would become as I bounced around from one apartment to the next. I've found that one of the most convenient aspects of a toolbox is having everything in one location, so that come time to take on a project I know exactly where to find (or at least look for) what I need. While there are many ways to beef up your toolbox, these 10 items are a great place to start:


• Tape Measure
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Level
• Box Cutter
• Stud Finder
• Pliers
• Cutting Pliers
• Saw
• Flashlight
Renting in the city, where space is limited, makes a compact and useful toolkit quite advantageous. One of the more highly used items I've added is an assortment of nails, screws, hooks and small accessories. Often these pieces are left over from purchasing in bulk and not needed again for some time. Throw the extras in your toolbox, so you're not repurchasing every time you move or need to hang something on the wall.
 
For more information see Apartment Therapy.

New Family Resource Center in Mcdonough

A Family Resource Center has opened in Mcdonough with Henry County Schools.  The center has school materials on a variety of subjects and volunteers to help with academic and social issues for children and families in the area.  They are now open by appointment, but will soon be open on a daily schedule once they have a group of parent volunteers to staff the center.

The Henry County School System has now opened the doors to its Family Resource Center in Mcdonough.

According to Henry County Schools, the center provides tools and materials for parents to help students thrive outside the classroom. The tools cover a wide array of school subjects and social issues.

"We are organizing a group of dedicated parent volunteers to assist visitors when they stop by the center for materials and support," Center Coordinator Anna Arnold said. "Right now, we are open by appointment."

The center is adjacent to the Henry County Schools' Administrative Offices.

"The purpose of the Family Resource Center is to help families implement strategies and programs that promote and enhance the academic achievement of our children and strengthen partnerships among parents, teachers, administrators, other school personnel, and the community," said Arnold.

She said the Family Resource Center is aimed to promote academic achievement for students. 

For more information please see McDonough 11

Stockbridge, Georgia Beautiful Images

The beautiful Stockbridge City Hall

 Panola Mountain State Park- Stockbridge, Georgia

Stockbridge golf is part of the Eagle's Landing Country Club.  The natural beauty of the landscape adds to the appeal of the golf course.

Beautiful Sunset in Stockbridge, Georgia

Sounds of Summer Concert

The Henley Varner Band is a music group from McDonough, Georgia with almost a century of combined music experience.  The band will play every genre of music at their concerts, insuring that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.  The concert will be held August 18th, 2012 at 630pm.  The lawn will open at 6pm for people to set up their areas to watch the show.

The concert is free for everyone.  Parking will be available free of charge at City Hall. Finally,  attendees are encouraged to bring picnics or refreshments to the show. 

How does one begin to describe a band that encompasses every format of music in their repertoire? It starts with one word ,Class. The Henley Varner Band is a multi-talented musical group based in McDonough, GA. A variety of styles such as Pop, R&B, Jazz, Neo Soul & Oldies. This Six piece band with over 80 years of combined experience will give you an evening of entertainment you won't forget.



For more information please go to the Stockbridge website.

Kitchen Organizational Tips

Constantly running around in the summer can leave your house and kitchen a little messy.  It can be very frustrating to be cooking a family dinner, and not know where a certain ingredient is.  This is one of the many reasons that is important to keep a neat and organized kitchen.  Here are several tips to keep your kitchen in the best condition to make your summer cooking easier.

Whether you've just moved into a new space, are settling into a summer rental, or are just frustrated with your kitchen, here are some ideas to help you arrange your kitchen for maximum cooking and cleaning efficiency that will making mucking about in the space a lot more fun.

Start with what you have: You may love them, you may hate them, but unless you've got the money for a full scale renovation, your sink, stove and refrigerator aren't going anywhere. Their position will dictate where everything else goes. Cleaning them up (Magic sponges, Barkeeper's Friend, Mrs. Meyer's All Purpose Spray, Bon Ami and those curly stainless steel sponges sometimes called Kurly Kate's, are my weapons of choice), inside and out, can go a long way towards making them presentable.

Create stations: Taking a cue from restaurant kitchens, mentally assign stations for all of the tasks that you do in your kitchen: cleaning, storage, prepping, cooking, putting food away. I bake a lot, so I also have a baking station.

Organize items according to task: The point is to organize the kitchen so that there's as little unnecessary movement as possible. If, after you've washed the cutlery from tonight's dinner at the sink, putting it away means walking across the kitchen to do so, chances are it will never get put away, no matter how pretty the cutlery drawer organizer is.

Move things around so that what you need is in arm's reach: Cutlery and dishes should be near the sink; spices and cooking implements, whether rubber spatula or skillet, should be near the stove; put knives and chopping boards near your prep area; store sugar, flour, rolling pins, cookie sheets and standing mixer near your baking area.

Out of reach: Put things you rarely use — the turkey platter you pull out at Thanksgiving, the holiday-themed cookie cutters — higher up or lower down. Having to get on a ladder, or even bend your knees, means you'll use something less frequently.

If necessary, buy two of everything: I use cinnamon for cooking and for baking, so I've got one canister near the stove and one in my baking area. While I'm not suggesting you buy two food prep machines, consider doubling up on little items like spices and spatulas.

Merchandise your storage: Yes, I confess, my kitchen is always ready for its close up. I like my kitchen organized, I also like it pretty. Arranging items by size and color as well as by how often you use them can go a long way towards making your time in this room pleasant.

Pretty but also useful: If the canister that you use to store flour is hard to open, it's not useful. Before you buy something, try it out in the store and consider how you'll use it. Does it feel substantial in your hand but also light enough that it's easy to use? Can you open a container with one hand? I've removed rubber sealant rings from many a flour container in order to make them easier to open.

Stick with the place you've given for things: With everything in my kitchen assigned a spot, it's easy to see what I have and what's missing. With a quick glance into my refrigerator, I can tell that I'm out of butter or milk or low on veggies. Since I always keep these things in the same place, a glance at my kitchen cupboards tells me I'm out of glasses and I'd better get washing!

For more information and other apartment tips go to Apartment Therapy.

Kids Get to Try Their Hand at Fishing

Maurice Sporting Goods sponsored a day of fishing for kids along the Cubihatcha Reservoir.  The kids got to learn fishing from volunteers from the store and local police and fire departments.  It was a great day for Maurice Sporting Goods to give back to the community as part of their "Maurice Cares Day."

Eleven-year-old Jordan Thomas was so excited to see a fish on the end of her line.

“Oh look, I got one!” she screamed.

Thomas, fishing for the first time, was competing with a few of the other young fishermen.

McKenzie Bates, 7, boasted about his good fortune. “I caught my first fish! Every time, I thought I had a fish it got away from me, but not this time,” he beamed.

Thomas and Bates were among 135 children treated by Maurice Sporting Goods, to a day of fishing along the banks of the Cubihatcha reservoir. They took part in the fifth annual “Maurice Cares Day,” held Tuesday.

“The company chose to close down all of its stores to give back to the community,” said William Cramer, Distribution Center Manager of the Maurice Sporting Goods Distribution Center in McDonough. “We are the world’s largest distributor of outdoor equipment. We have stores throughout the United States and in Canada.”

The youngsters were from several local summer camps, and other organizations including the Henry County Special Olympic Team, Stockbridge Tae Kwon Do Academy, Bright Star Learning Center and Living Word Christian Academy in Morrow.

Cramer said the company selected the fishing event for “Maurice Cares Day,” because 70 percent of the sporting goods sold by the company is fishing gear.

Seventy-five Maurice Sporting Goods associates, along with its management team, served as fishing guides for the children. Representatives of the Henry County Water Authority, police, fire, and rescue units, also served as volunteers.

“Fishing is so interesting, when you throw out your line, you think to yourself, ‘I did this all by myself, and my mama is not here to hold my hand, I am actually fishing,’ ” said Aleia Brown, 12, of 

 Living Word Christian Academy, in Morrow. Brown never caught a fish, but she enjoyed the experience just the same. She was shown how to cast her rod by Henry County Fire Department Capt. Ronald Reagan.

“It’s great to see them out here laughing, and trying to fish,” said Reagan.

Members of the National Wild Turkey Federation brought their BB Gun range. The “Southern Woods & Waters” television show filmed portions of the event. Mrs. Georgia Spirit, Priscilla McCammon, was among the estimated 300 people at the event. They all feasted on grilled hot dogs prepared by the Primo’s Grill.

For more information go to the Henry Daily Herald.

Beat the Heat!

This summer has been a particularly hot one. Here are some tips for staying cool and frosty! And if you have some refreshing ideas, share them with us!

1. Take a dip in our pool!

2. Keep your curtains and blinds closed.

3. Keep windows and doors shut while the AC is on.

4. Spritz yourself with a water bottle and let the evaporation cool you.

5. Use appliances sparingly to keep them from generating heat, especially the computer!

Read more cool tips here: http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/23-ways-to-beat-heat-10000001630362/page7.html

Father's Day is this Weekend!

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 17th.   What was the best advice you ever received from your Father?  Share it with us!  We’d love to hear it.

Or just enjoy some of these pithy quotes about our favorite dads:

"A new father quickly learns that his child invariably comes to the bathroom at precisely the times when he's in there, as if he needed company. The only way for this father to be certain of bathroom privacy is to shave at the gas station." -- Bill Cosby
"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." -- Enid Bagnold
"A father is a guy who has snapshots in his wallet where his money used to be." – Unknown
"My father always told me, 'Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.' " -- Jim Fox
"A father is a banker provided by nature." -- French Proverb
"My father said, 'Politics asks the question: Is it expedient? Vanity asks: Is it popular? But conscience asks: Is it right?'" -- Dexter Scott King
"When I was a kid, I said to my father one afternoon, 'Daddy, will you take me to the zoo?' He answered, 'If the zoo wants you, let them come and get you.'" -- Jerry Lewis
"Small boy's definition of Father's Day: It's just like Mother's Day only you don't spend so much." – Unknown
"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." -- Charles Wadsworth

Check out more quotations here: http://www.chiff.com/a/fathers-day-quotes.htm

June is National Safety Month

Did you know that June is National Safety Month? Check out this home safety fact sheet provided by the National Safety Council. Keep your home a safety sanctuary! 

Learn more here: http://www.nsc.org/

Free Up Your Fridge!

Being prepared is better than a life time of hassle.  Ten dollars worth of supplies and your refrigerator will be protected against spills and grime for a lifetime.  Take these easy tips and make your refrigerator cleaner and more organized.  Start cleaning and organizing now so you can fit all your fruits and vegetables in your fridge for your summer picnics:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right? So $10 of prevention should save you forever. This inexpensive solution to spills and grime inside your hardest-to-clean kitchen appliance — the refrigerator — is guaranteed to save you from a lifetime of scrubbing. 
Not only is cleaning refrigerator shelves on your hands and knees a pain, but it's a money-waster and unsafe, too. Cleaning your fridge with the door open can waste tons of energy and puts the food safety of your fridge contents at risk.

To avoid it — forever — just take a crisp Hamilton down to the grocery store and grab a roll of super-sticky press and seal plastic wrap, like The Virtous Wife recently did on her blog:

Press and seal wrap is different from most regular cling wrap because it's super-sticky on one side (Glad makes one variety, but you might be able to find a generic version at your local store). This makes it great for sticking down to refrigerator shleves like you would with a drawer liner in your dresser.

So the next time you find a spill or leak in your fridge, just clear the shelf and lift off the layer of plastic wrap. Voila! Clean fridge all over again in an instant. Just remember to re-stick another layer of press and seal wrap before you put everything back in its place."

For more cleaning tips check out Apartment Therapy. (Link http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-10-way-to-keep-your-fridge-clean-forever-171720)