Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Kitchen Organizers That Make Mealtime a Cinch


Preparing meals is often a hurried task, with time pressing in before and after. When it�s difficult to find spices or other food items, containers or utensils, meal prep times can become frustrating events. But there are plenty of kitchen organizers available to make mealtime a cinch instead of a trial.


Keep spices convenient to the food preparation area by storing them in the Spice Stack. The three tiers of this organizer hold up to twenty-seven full size spice bottles, or up to fifty-four half-size bottles. A drawer pulls out of each tier and flips down on hinges so you can see what you have. The drawers are color-coded so you can organize your spices even better, and the whole unit fits inside a standard sized kitchen cabinet.Organizers aren�t limited to cabinets or the pantry. The refrigerator can use a little help too, in order to help you quickly find what you need when it�s time to prepare dinner. The Fridge Roll Out Caddy keeps foods readily accessible. Each wheeled bin rolls smoothly on your refrigerator�s glass shelves, allowing you to pull a refrigerator�s depth worth of items out for a quick look. Made of rugged plastic, these caddies are also dishwasher safe.Another organizer that allows you to see and access food stuffs quickly at meal prep time is the Adjustable Door Rack. Hanging on the inside of the pantry door, this 67 inch high frame features seven wire baskets, each 5 1/2 inches deep. They can hold canned goods, cereal boxes or other food items�whatever you need to get to quickly. And that means that meal prep time will go faster.These days, it�s easy, inexpensive and fun to get the kitchen organized. And an organized kitchen means an organized cook. With the right accessories, you�ll never feel like a harried cook again�no matter how little time you have to prepare that next meal.When it�s time to prepare a meal, you need to get to your cooking and baking ware faster, too. The Free Standing Bakeware Holder sits inside any cabinet and allows you to organize bakeware, serving trays or platters. Made of rust resistant coated steel, this holder is durable as well as handy.Set up the Stackable Roll Down Water Bottle Rack inside your refrigerator to free up valuable space. You can store water bottles or soda bottles on the gravity-fed racks so that the next bottle is always within sight and reach. Stack a couple of these racks and you�ll find that you still have plenty of shelf space on top of the upper rack. Smaller items like tubs of butter or cream cheese will fit there perfectly, leaving other areas of your refrigerator clear for taller items.Kitchen pantries are great places to store a lot of canned goods and other food items. But it can often be a chore to dig through what�s in there in order to find what you need. So why not keep your most commonly needed items closer to hand? The Slim Slide Out Pantry fits between the refrigerator and the kitchen counter. Casters give it an effortless glide so you can pull it out and quickly see and grab the exact item that you need.If you have very limited space for your spice collection, consider the Spice Clip Set. This allows you to hang your spice bottles inside a cabinet door or on the wall near your meal prep area. The three tiers hold four bottles each, so you�ll have up to twelve bottles of spices within easy reach when you�re rushing to prepare a meal.Who hasn�t wished occasionally that she could whirl refrigerated items out of the way to see what�s behind them? Place the Fridge Lazy Susan in your refrigerator and you�ll find yourself accessing commonly used items faster than ever before. You�ll no longer have to dig for that bottle of ketchup or jar of pickles. And not having to dig around means you�ll be more efficient when it comes time to set out condiments for lunch. And this special organizer will stay in place because of the suction cups on its legs.You can fit more canned goods in a cabinet when you use the Three Tier Can Rack Shelf. These racks feature three angled shelves that allow cans to roll down�the next can is always in the front. The vinyl-coated wire racks hold up to sixty cans, so you�ll quickly see how much room you can save with these space-savers. You�ll also be thrilled at how quickly you can access what you need because you can see it and reach it easily.

These days, it�s easy, inexpensive and fun to get the kitchen organized. And an organized kitchen means an organized cook. With the right accessories, you�ll never feel like a harried cook again�no matter how little time you have to prepare that next meal.




Perfectly Matched Decorative Cabinet Knobs and Pulls Enhance Popular Moen Bath Suites


Moen products are known for the attention to detail. And now, homeowners can add yet another striking design statement -- as well as functionality -- in the bath with perfectly matched decorative cabinet knobs and pulls.


Contact: Tammy Howard Marketing Communications Manager Creative Specialties International (800) 321-8809, Ext. 2346 tammy.howard@moen.com Kristi Stolarski or Alissa Kiktavy Falls Communications (216) 696-0229 kstolarski@fallscommunications.com or akiktavy@fallscommunications.comImage Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1639512For more information about decorative cabinet knobs and pulls from Moen, visit moen.com or call 1-800-BUY-MOEN (1-800-289-6636).Each collection features a knob and a three-inch drawer pull Designed to match seven popular Moen ® suites in both style and finish: 90ยบ™ -- Chrome and Brushed Nickel Bamboo ® -- Brushed Nickel Icon™ -- Chome and Brushed Nickel Iso™ -- Chrome and Brushed Nickel (coordinates with the Level™ collection) Kingsley™ -- Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze Rothbury™ -- Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze Waterhill ® -- Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze Limited Lifetime WarrantyCustomers have come to rely on Moen, the #1 faucet brand in North America, to deliver dependable products and service. Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO) ( www.fortunebrands.com ), a leading consumer brands company.Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Contact: Tammy Howard Marketing Communications Manager Creative Specialties International (800) 321-8809, Ext. 2346 tammy.howard@moen.com Kristi Stolarski or Alissa Kiktavy Falls Communications (216) 696-0229 kstolarski@fallscommunications.com or akiktavy@fallscommunications.com




Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Spruce Up Your Home Without Busting Your Budget


Do-it-yourself tips for summer remodeling projects


One of the simplest ways to add pizzazz to the kitchen is to install new cabinet hardware, says home improvement expert Don Vandervort of www.hometips.com. "At your local hardware store you'll find a wide array of drawer pull designs - from painted ceramic or metal knobs, to whimsical designs shaped like knives and forks. Simply unscrew your existing cupboard hardware, replace with the new, and presto, you've completed a quick an inexpensive update for your home."Expand space with drawer organizers.Brighten it up."One problem with using a flat paint on interior walls is that it doesn't take kindly to scrubbing," he says. "If you scrub it with a damp cloth, you'll remove the dirt or smudge, but the exposed pigment particles can ruin the finish. To avoid this, choose a high performance paint (not flat), that can stand up to a good washing."A beautifully designed faucet can change the look of your sink area and the way you feel about your drinking water. Simple faucet design lines can make a clean and modern addition to the kitchen or bathroom sink, while some faucet models can even improve the taste of the water coming from the tap. "Not everyone likes the taste of their tap water," says Vandervort. "For those who choose the filtration route, an attractive, yet practical solution is the ClearTap Water Filtering Kitchen or Lavatory Faucet, made by American Standard. It removes contaminants, retains fluoride, and produces clean, good tasting water with the turn of a faucet handle."Pour on the charm: upgrade the faucet.Jazz up cabinets with snappy new drawer pulls.(ARA) - Ah, summer. Between neighborhood softball games and trips to the community pool, it's the biggest time of the year for moving and home remodeling.Make a tiny bathroom look larger.Kids climbing the walls? Try scrubbable paint.Gain a foothold on more attractive flooring.For an easy and inexpensive way to brighten up a kitchen, install under-the-counter lighting. A small purchase at the hardware store is all it takes to completely change the way the light hits the surfaces of a room. You can also save energy dollars by choosing the right lighting. "Switch from incandescent light bulbs to highly efficient compact fluorescents, and you'll use about one-quarter to one-third less energy to produce the same amount of light," Vandervort says. Another tip: move natural light further into rooms by bouncing it off the ceiling. A window located close to the ceiling works for this, as do louvers or operable blinds that can help direct light.Flooring makes a huge difference in the appearance of a kitchen or bath. "Oftentimes vinyl flooring is dated and worn," Vandervort says. "But the good news is that you can go ahead and lie new vinyl or laminated wood material right over the old flooring. Many of the items available today give the look of ceramic tile or natural wood at a lower cost."For more easy and inexpensive tips on sprucing up your home this summer, visit www.americanstandard-us.com or www.hometips.com.Even a bathroom the size of a phone booth can look larger with a little ingenuity, according to www.americanstandard-us.com. Try using lighter, cooler colors: they feel airy and trick the eye. Wallpaper with a smaller pattern also helps expand the space. Try some on the ceiling, or emphasize horizontal lines with a coordinating border. Or try installing bath tile that contains a subtle pattern and then repeat it onto the floor. If your bath is really petite, try using a trim pedestal lavatory or wall hung fixtures - both free up valuable floor space. Also, remember to go heavy on the lighting and choose reflective surfaces, such as a shiny marble vanity.Ketchup, food, scuff marks, mud all these things can just be wiped clean with some of the new high-performance paint finishes available today. "Interior paints have a scrubbability rating, established through standardized testing," Vandervort says. "Though this rating may not be posted on the can, a paint retailer should have information on the rating."Is a small-sized kitchen or bath cramping your style? Try adding drawer organizers to increase your storage space. These days, you can find a nice range of inexpensive racks and slide-in baskets at discount and hardware stores. Whether you store cleaning utensils, Grandma's vintage pie pans, or your favorite bath salts you can create new nooks and crannies for all of your stuff, and get the clutter off the counter.

For more easy and inexpensive tips on sprucing up your home this summer, visit www.americanstandard-us.com or www.hometips.com.




Saturday, August 20, 2011

Discover the Ideal LG Fridge Freezer Style for You


LG is a company that many people trust to manufacture superior electronics, and their line of fridge freezers is frequently no exception to this rule. Fortunately, there is something for everyone when it comes to these products, which you will likely note as you look for the best LG fridge freezer for you. Consider some of the types available before you purchase one.


If you prefer an updated kind, consider the French door fridge, which features the freezer on the bottom and two doors on top for the refrigerated section. This kind of LG fridge freezer often has tons of space, particularly for the refrigerated part, as well as a drawer on the bottom that pulls out easily. Of course, this kind comes with all the great features that most appliances come with, and then some, such as extra drawers and large shelves to keep food fresh and organized.Clearly, nearly anyone can attain a good LG fridge freezer for them, no matter their preferences when it comes to appearance or function. Just consider your price range, the number of doors you need, and the style you like most. Then it is time to start browsing for the perfect LG fridge freezer for your home.For those who seek ultra modern appliances, LG makes a fridge that possesses four doors instead of two or three. This is in the style of the typical French door fridge freezer, but features two drawers on the bottom instead of one. Both bottom drawers are dedicated to the freezer, allowing you to be extra organized. This also lets you keep the items you do not need frequently in the bottom drawer, and those that you use a lot in the top one.

Clearly, nearly anyone can attain a good LG fridge freezer for them, no matter their preferences when it comes to appearance or function. Just consider your price range, the number of doors you need, and the style you like most. Then it is time to start browsing for the perfect LG fridge freezer for your home.




Author: Heather Mills


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Furniture hardware


Doug Mockett & Co.


www.mockett.comCIRCLE 106Skinulis, Richard and Peter Christopher.

CIRCLE 106




Architectural inspiration; styles, details & sources


Architectural inspiration; styles, details & sources.


Doug Mockett & Co. offers a new 304-page catalog containing its line of furniture hardware, components and accessories. The full-color publication is divided into product sections such as technology-into-furniture integration, wire and cable management, drawer pulls, knobs and door handles, supports, furniture togs and casters, specialty hardware and accessories, and kitchen, bath and closet. A part number index and price list are also included. The company says that the free catalog features many new ideas, concepts and products, as well as many old stand-bys.For anyone who is planning to build or remodel a home or those who just dream of it, this is the book to have at hand. Author Kinulis and photographer Christopher cover every aspect of home design outside of the basic architecture, including exterior cladding and roofs. Chapters are arranged by function: doors and windows, flooring, walls, ceilings, light and heat, followed by sections on kitchens and bathrooms and the elegant little touches of hinges, doorknobs and drawer pulls. The photographs are beautiful and clear. The book includes a list of architects and designers as well as sources for the materials. While not everyone can afford a Chihuly chandelier, we can all revel in these wonderful examples of home design, using them as a guide for projects and daydreams. Oversize: 10x11.5"528 pagesSo, if you and your family end up spending the most amount of time in your kitchen, then it should probably be one of the rooms in your home that is the most beautiful. One easy and simple way of making your kitchen space into an elegant dream is by purchasing some fabulous kitchen cabinet hardware for it. Extremely beautiful, these wonderful accent pieces will give your kitchen a completed look that is sure to please.NA2840Boston Mills PressWhen it comes to kitchen cabinet hardware, there are different types that you can purchase depending upon what you want to replace in your kitchen area. You might need new knobs and hinges for your cabinets, pulls for your drawers, and maybe even a slide or track for inside your drawers. Probably the best thing to do though is to get ones that match because having a miss-matched look in your kitchen is pretty tacky. To find exactly what you are looking for, a fast and easy way is to hit the Internet for some comparison shopping.Hardcover

([c]2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)




Kitchen Cabinet Hardware � A Great Way To Spruce Up The Look Of Any Kitchen


The kitchen, it is the one room in the home that you and your family end up spending the most time in. Then, why is it that people tend to neglect it when it comes to decorating and making it look beautiful? If you are spending the most amount of time in there, then it should be equally gorgeous, if not more, than the rest of your home. One way to get your kitchen space on the right track is by purchasing some new kitchen cabinet hardware to give it a stellar, completed look.


(800) 523-12692007

So, if you and your family end up spending the most amount of time in your kitchen, then it should probably be one of the rooms in your home that is the most beautiful. One easy and simple way of making your kitchen space into an elegant dream is by purchasing some fabulous kitchen cabinet hardware for it. Extremely beautiful, these wonderful accent pieces will give your kitchen a completed look that is sure to please.




Author: Jesse Akre


PRODUCTS


Widebelt sander


336.854.1211An NC through-feeding boring machine, the Bre. Ma. Vektor from Biesse America, is able to sequentially drill, mill and route panels of varying dimensions (X/Y/Z) without manual intervention. It can route and drill on all six sides of a panel and insert hardware on five, suiting it to processing a variety of components such as case goods, doors and windows. The Vektor line can be equipped with 10-position revolver units, independent spindle units and insertion units.www.biesseamerica.com704.357.3131www.stilesmachinery.comChemcraft div Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.That includes not just intricate designs with deep undercuts or wonderfully complex geometric shapes, but also fairly large sculptures and other pieces of artwork.704.827.1345www.biesseamerica.comDelmac Machinery GroupGrizzly Industrial Inc.www. akzonobel. com800.334.8556Sliding table sawswww.outwater.com704.587.3400Laguna Toolswww.delmac.comwww.fogco.comOutwater Plastics Industries Inc.Stocked in nearly 50 patterns and sizes - 24 by 72 inches, 36 by 48 inches and 48 by 72 inches Outwater's woven wire grilles also are available in custom sizes and finishes. Stock finishes are Antique Copper, Statuary Bronze, Antique Brass, Antique Silver, Antique Pewter, Satin Nickel and Bright Brass.Bamboo cabinet componentswww.grizzly.comwww.accuride.comwww.scmgroup-usa.comClimate control systemModel 3832 Touch Release and 3832 Heavy-Duty Touch Release drawer slides from Accuride hold drawers or rollout shelves in a closed position until activated by touch. Pushing on the drawer front propels it open about 2 inches, eliminating the need for drawer pulls and allowing for simple, clean drawer fronts.Martin Woodworking Machines Corp.Blum Inc. offers a waste/recycle bin set for its Servo-Drive drawer opening system. A light touch of the drawer front allows the drawer to open. The waste/recycle bin set comes with all the components needed for a new installation or retrofit. The product can be used with Tandem or Tandembox drawer runner systems.Woven wire grilles"We can create things you could never do with a mold casting or machine process," said general manager Bob Wood.704.357.3131336.854.1211770.813.8818360.647.0801949.474.1200The IDM Genesis KS sizing and squaring edgebander from Delmac is designed for companies with multishift operations. It is equipped for high-speed sizing and edging of panels with PVC in coils or strips. Working units are designed for rapid setup and quick changeover.Laguna Tools is offering a new widebelt sander with time-saving features such as digital readout of panel thickness, NC controlled thickness and an automatic wood gauge sensor. The tool can be configured as a thickness sander for dimensioning or a finish sander by changing the belts and grit setting.For some people, having the same cabinet knobs as a million other people just won't do. What if you want something unique -- say, a certain species of trout for the bathroom in your fishing cottage or a favorite flower, vegetable or utensil for your kitchen?www.holzher.comThe Weeke Vantage 34M from Stiles Shop Solutions is a CNC router featuring Beckhoff CNC control technology, Weeke's S/C Tech construction technology and high speed/high acceleration drive and motor package. The Vantage 34M is fitted with a 5 ? 10 work area, an HSK-63 main spindle, seven independent vertical drill spindles and an automatic tool length measuring system.Panel saw616.698.8456770.813.8818608.781.6355800.521.5458Stiles Machinery Inc.Touch-release slideswww.lagunatools.com562.903.0200www.martin-usa.comAkzoNobel Wood Coatings North America offers the Ora Verde line of urethanes in five finishes. The line includes Verde Chiaro - ultra clear poly- urethane, Verde Bianco - pig- mented, high-solid primers and topcoats and Verde Tinto - water-based stains.The Morbidelli Unix KTB panel saw from SCM Group-USA can be used as a stand-alone machine or an inline machining center. The Unix uses clamps to position the panel loads two panels at a time. The machine is designed for small batch sizes, closets and cabinet components.Delmac Machinery Group201.498.8750www.delmac.com704.525.3963The BiesseSand Regal 500 Series widebelt sanders from Biesse America are available with up to five independent working units, cross-belt unit with sectional platen, super-finishing unit with a chevron belt, knife planer/sander versions and mobile or fixed-table designs.www.stilesshop.comwww.holzher.comBut unusual knobs, handles or drawer pulls are an even better way to infuse a room with personality and style.The Contriga edgebander from Holz-Her can glue and machine at feed speeds up to 30 meters per minute and in edge thicknesses up to 30mm. Its slit nozzle technology offers a maximum level of precision for glue application.Grizzly offers the G9980 51-inch, widebelt sander, which is pre-wired for a 220V three-phase power source and can be converted for 440V. The sanding motor is 30 hp, the conveyor motor is 2 hp and the table elevation motor is 14 hp. The machine also features digital readout table positioning and powered table elevation controls.Biesse AmericaWalzCraft Industries Inc.

www.fogco.com




PRODUCTS


Touch-release slides


480.507.6478PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTEHolz-Her Inc.The Sigma Impact 107P panel saw from SCM Group-USA has a loading platform and was designed for woodworking shops looking for flexibility in material handling.Stiles Shop SolutionsA 21/2-inch stone crab knob in a standard finish costs $100, and a 3.98-inch starfish knob imbedded in a delicate lattice of coral will set you back $167 a piece. A 10-by-51/2-inch doorknocker in the shape of a turtle costs $778.Fogco SystemsWalzCraft offers Caramelized and Blond flat-grain Bamboo custom cabinet components that use non-urea formaldehyde glue to bond the multiple layers of Bamboo. Bamboo drawer boxes, moldings and veneers also are available.www.walzcraft.comWidebelt sanderMartin Woodworking offers the T74 with a compound machine frame for optimum vibration dampening. It features full, cast iron machine tables and a durable, wear-free sliding table system. All T74 models come with an overhead touch screen monitor, threeto five- axis control and CAN-bus technology.Model 3832 Touch Release and 3832 Heavy-Duty Touch Release drawer slides from Accuride hold drawers or rollout shelves in a closed position until activated by touch. Pushing on the drawer front propels it open about 2 inches, eliminating the need for drawer pulls and allowing for simple, clean drawer fronts.Stiles Machinery Inc. carries the Weeke Vantech series of routers, available in three sizes, with Windows-based WoodWop software as a standard feature. Other features include the Quik-Pod system, a dual-drive gantry and pneumatic positioning pins.Accuridewww.blum.comThrough-feed boring machineWaste/recycle bin setwww.scmgroup-usa.comThe IDM Genesis KS sizing and squaring edgebander from Delmac is designed for companies with multishift operations. It is equipped for high-speed sizing and edging of panels with PVC in coils or strips. Working units are designed for rapid setup and quick changeover.Urethane finishesEdgebanderEdgebander704.587.3400SCM Group USA Inc.Like a sheet of baklava, the design is laid down, one minuscule layer at a time, in stainless-steel powder that is held in place by a laser-activated binder. Each layer is just 1/4,000 of an inch.Holz-Herlnc.Panel saw562.903.0200CNC routerThe Bench Horse from Blum Tool is an 18-inch by 48-inch portable workbench. It features a torsion box-constructed top made from Baltic birch plywood with pipe clamps used as vises. The legs feature tubular steel with rotatable fittings for easy foldup.SCM Group USA Inc.The Contriga edgebander from HoIzHer can glue and machine at feed speeds up to 30 meters per minute and in edge thicknesses up to 30mm. Its slit nozzle technology offers a maximum level of precision for glue application.

www.scmgroup-usa.com




Knobs can infuse a room with style


By Gretchen McKay


Portable workbenchwww.blumtool.com616.698.7500Undermounted lighting and fancy molding are great ways to dress up a boring cabinet door.Fogco carries its ceiling-hung Revolution climate control system, which broadcasts a focused air stream mixed with fog in a full-circle around the unit, according to the company. The system aims to help wood products keep their ideal equilibrium moisture content for better quality control and less waste in manufacturing, finish and storage.MetalTec Innovations, a division of Irwin, Pa.-based ProMetal/Ex One Co., has just the ticket. Using a printing process, artists there are able to take any computer-aided design plan and -- in a marriage of art and math -- turn it into a solid, three-dimensional product.Accuridewww.accuride.comBlum Tool Co.

A 21/2-inch stone crab knob in a standard finish costs $100, and a 3.98-inch starfish knob imbedded in a delicate lattice of coral will set you back $167 a piece. A 10-by-51/2-inch doorknocker in the shape of a turtle costs $778.




Author: Gretchen McKay


Drawer slide


Accuride Intl


3 tablespoons minced cashewsThe same blanching water can be used two or three times. Keep it at the required level. Change the water if it becomes cloudy.Zucchini Tuna Salad: Coarsely shred 2 unpeeled medium-sized zucchini and 2 medium-size carrots. Mix with a 6-ounce can of tuna that has been drained. In a separate bowl, mix together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon chopped sweet pickle, 1 teaspoon celery seed and 1 tablespoon pickle juice. Toss dressing with zucchini mixture.

CIRCLE 157




Doug Mockett Initiative Aimed at Cancer Cure


Manhattan Beach, CA - Doug Mockett & Company, the Manhattan Beach, CA-based manufacturer of architectural hardware, is offering a limited edition Pink Sombrero grommet/wire manager as a fund raiser, with proceeds from sales of the product going toward cancer research.


"This is strictly an effort to aid in the fight against women's cancer," said the company, a leading supplier of drawer pulls, knobs, door handles, speciality hardware and kitchen/bath accessories.Accuride offers Action-Assist, a unique slide that the company says helps users open and close drawers with ease. The user starts the opening and closing action and the slide does the rest. When the drawer is opened, at about the mid-point of travel the assisting forces balance, resulting in a neutral zone where the drawer remains in a steady position. Once the drawer is further extended to about two-thirds of its travel, the slide finishes the opening process. Conversely, as the drawer is pushed inward past the neutral zone, the Action-Assist kicks in and pulls the drawer closed. It does not require electricity to operate and there are no wires or transformers, Accuride says. Other than minor drawer box changes, installation is very similar to a standard, side-mount 3832 full-extension slide, the company adds.

Additional information is available by contacting the company, at (800) 523-1269.




Zucchini can be sneaky


"Any time is zucchini time," says the booklet of 460 zucchini recipes I keep in my desk drawer. I pulled it out after seeing a photo of a co-worker's 5-pound specimen.


To blanch in boiling water:The company, which announced the initiative last month, said that it is not charging anything to manufacture the item, and designer Andrea Ruggiero has waived his royalty.(562) 903-0200In another bowl, mix together yogurt, mayonnaise, salt, cashews, sesame seeds and orange peel. Add zucchini mixture, and toss lightly.Additional information is available by contacting the company, at (800) 523-1269.1/2 cup sliced water chestnutsOf course, you won't want to put all your zucchini in the freezer right away, so here's a recipe from the above-mentioned "Zucchini Time" recipe book that's cool and crunchy.The blanching time for zucchini is 3 minutes for 1/4-inch slices and 6 minutes for 1/2-inch slices.- Bring water to rolling boil. Immerse wire basket, blanching basket or mesh bag containing vegetable.accuride.com1/2 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons sesame seeds- Cover the kettle, and boil at top heat the required length of time (this varies by vegetable and size of pieces). Begin counting time as soon as the water returns to a boil.CIRCLE 1571/2 teaspoon grated orange peelYou'll need a large kettle -- at least 2 gallons -- a colander, basket or net bag for dipping the vegetables into the water, large pans for cooling and ice cubes for the cooling water.Zucchini should be picked when it's about 6 inches long, according to K-State Research and Extension, which gives us our tips today for freezing zucchini.1 cup yogurt1 large apple, dicedCombine zucchini, apple, celery and water chestnuts.- Use 1 gallon water for each pound of vegetable except for leafy greens, which need 2 gallons per pound.Zucchini Salad Dressing: Grind, grate or chop raw zucchini. Add mayonnaise to taste. Season with pressed garlic or herbs. Use as dressing on lettuce and tomato salad.3 cups zucchini, thinly slicedSource: Sunset magazineHoliday Day Salad1/2 cup mayonnaiseLike all vegetables, zucchini should be blanched before freezing, and here's how Extension says to do it:- Drain the vegetables thoroughly. Extra water will form too many ice crystals.Send recipe requests and recipes to be shared to Recipe Exchange, Topeka Capital-Journal, 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, 66607, or e- mail lisa.sandmeyer@cjonline.com.He wasn't trying to win a contest or anything, he just forgot to check the vines for a few days.1/2 cup diced celery

Send recipe requests and recipes to be shared to Recipe Exchange, Topeka Capital-Journal, 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, 66607, or e- mail lisa.sandmeyer@cjonline.com.




Ultimate beauty set


FROM tomorrow, for one week only, the Boots No7 Ultimate Collection, a set of skin care and cosmetic products, will be available for pounds 40 - saving a third (usual price pounds 60).


A pull out drawer contains - 12 No7 Stay Perfect eyeshadows, two Sheer Temptation and four Moisture Drench lipsticks, two Natural Blush cheek colours, an Extreme Length mascara and a make-up brush set.

A pull out drawer contains - 12 No7 Stay Perfect eyeshadows, two Sheer Temptation and four Moisture Drench lipsticks, two Natural Blush cheek colours, an Extreme Length mascara and a make-up brush set.




Box clever with advent calendar your children can use again and


I LOVE the re-usable advent calendars you see in the shops with pull-out boxes, but most of them are of trees or trains. I'd like one with a Nativity scene for my grandchildren. Where can I find one?


ZENA SAYS: John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com, 0845 604 9049) has a wooden Nativity Advent Calendar for pounds 15 with 24 drawers that you can fill with your own treats. The Bethlehem Advent Stable from Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk, 01539 488100), now reduced to pounds 39.99, has 24 drawers all containing characters from the Nativity scene that your children will love to play with. Letterbox (www.letterbox.co.uk, 0844 557 5263) has a soft padded fabric Nativity Advent Calendar for pounds 34.99 with 24 velcro-backed characters such as the holy family, wise men, shepherds, animals, stars and trees.

ZENA SAYS: John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com, 0845 604 9049) has a wooden Nativity Advent Calendar for pounds 15 with 24 drawers that you can fill with your own treats. The Bethlehem Advent Stable from Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk, 01539 488100), now reduced to pounds 39.99, has 24 drawers all containing characters from the Nativity scene that your children will love to play with. Letterbox (www.letterbox.co.uk, 0844 557 5263) has a soft padded fabric Nativity Advent Calendar for pounds 34.99 with 24 velcro-backed characters such as the holy family, wise men, shepherds, animals, stars and trees.




Author: Zena Alli


A spoon for thought - The FlyLady on MormonTimes.com


Last Friday we got up to our first snowfall of the season. Snow always puts me in a cooking mood. Since I might be needed to shovel later I decided that a nice bowl of oats would be a great start to my day. I grab our box of Quaker oatmeal and read the directions. It had been a while since I had made any. I measured out the last of that box, noticed that I had a fresh box in the pantry. That means I need to put oats on our grocery list. I hate to run out of things. It is so nice to have a backup. That really isn't what I wanted to talk to you about. It was when I reached into our utensil drawer and pulled out a spoon that got me to thinking about things.


Read the full column on MormonTimes.com.




Gunman sought in robbery at mall


WEST VALLEY CITY -- Police are searching for a man who robbed a cell phone store near Valley Fair Mall Saturday night.


L'Or�al Paris HIP High Intensity Pigments Metallic Shadow Duo in Platinum ($8, drugstores)May bell Ine Line Stilletto Precision Liquid Liner ($8.49, drugstores)DuWop Venom Gloss in Tulip ($18, Sephora)

-- Lana Groves




All-out all-star


CoverGirl ShineBlast Lipgloss in Gleam ($7.49,


It's time for an all-star makeup intervention. Rock a competition look that's pretty-not scary!-with these fun products that enhance your look, not cover your eyes brow-to-lash with a thick coat of glitter. Yuck! Lucky for you, there are more ways than ever to wear your team colors without looking like you've been playing in the arts and crafts drawer.The Body Shop Define & Sparkle Uner /Mascara In Black ($18, The Body Shop)-- Lana GrovesFOR TIPS ON HOW TO PULL OFFA COLORFUL COMPETITION LOOK, VISIT AMERICAN CHEERLEADER.COMRimmel London Eyeful Eye G listener in Stand Out ($6.90, drugstores)tacking the tile creates a very interesting modern vibe. Stay away from the common square tile in any size.The man -- described as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s about 5- feet-6 with some facial hair on his chin -- walked into the cell phone store, Diamond Wireless at 3567 S. Constitution Way (2700 West), and said he wanted to make a payment on his cell phone, West Valley City police said.Pixi Energy Blush in PlekMe-Up Pink ($21, Target)Draw the bath and enjoy the modern luxuries of your new space.1. Cabinetry - When it comes time to selecting the design of your cabinetry lean toward clean, crisp and streamlined furniture. - To create a lighter and sleek bathroom environment consider cantilevered cabinetry secured to the wall creating a minimal look to the vanity piece. Create some drama with strip lighting added to the bottom side of the cabinet - which will cast a warm glow to the floor below. - Provide additional built in wall-to-wall storage elsewhere in the bathroom to compensate for the reduced storage in the vanity area. - Deep dark rich woods evoke a sense of warmth to the clean lines of contemporary design.Yves Rocher Loose Pearls Intense Illuminating Effect Eye Shadow ($9, yvesrocher.com)4. Luxurious Shower - Create a steam shower with multiple rain heads, and body sprays. If your budget allows, add chromatherapy and aromatherapy to your master bath wish list as well. These fittings represent the epitome of modern luxury design. Don't forget a built in bench and access panel to hide the steam system. - Design a full seamless glass enclosure from floor to ceiling and finish the interior with complimentary mosaics or stone tile to set it apart from the rest of the space. This glass enclosure creates a more visually open space within the overall space.

Hard Candy Eye Candy Shadow and Liner in High Beam ($5, Wal-Mart)




5 Modern Bathroom Design Ideas


Would you say your overall design style sleek and chic? Do you enjoy the true architecture of a space with its linear simplicity rather that an overly adorned and accessorized space? If you'd like to translate your modern vision into your Master Bath here are a few design ideas to help get you started.


CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast in Tempest Blue $7.49, jgstores)The man, who police said was wearing a black coat and a Los Angeles Lakers hat, fled across 2700 West. Police ask that anyone with information call 801-840-4026.Web ExtraNP Set Eye Paletten Amsterdam ($20, Taget)When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled out a gun and demanded all the cash in the till, said West Valley City Police Sgt. Trudy Cropper.5. Accessories - Remember to keep clutter and display to a minimum. - Accessorize with towels in a bright color for punch or stainless steel and woods. Keep everything to a minimum and clutter free. - Select chrome, nickel or silver toned drawer/door pulls, towel bars, towel hooks and paper holders for sparkle. - Frame vanity mirrors in woods or silver tones - in similar finishes to the other accessories adorning your modern bath.

Draw the bath and enjoy the modern luxuries of your new space.




Author: Lori Gilder


Double Sink Vanity Designs for Men and Women


If you are married or live with your significant other and even remotely considering a bathroom redesign or overhaul, do your partner a favor and opt for a double sink vanity in your bathroom. You have no idea how big of a deal this is until you have one. While there are many choices in vanities and designs, if you have the space, this is by far the best thing you can do in a shared bathroom.


When he spotted a copy of the book he wrote with his brother in 2002, "Hidden Treasures: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture," in the West Hartford collector's bookshelf, he offered to sign it.He pulled out some small drawers to see what kind of wood had been used inside the piece. It was hard yellow pine, a wood that he said pretty much had been cut down in New England by about the 1730s. He figured the piece was from Philadelphia, possibly from 1770 to 1790.You may wish to include items like headbands and booties as well.The next item: a similar kerosene lamp.

Once you�ve put all the pieces together, you need to decide how they are going to be installed. Do you have the knowledge and confidence to do the installation yourself or do you need to pay someone to do it for you. I always recommend if you can afford someone else to do it, go that route. This way if something gets broken or damaged during the installation process it should be taken care of and repaired by them. If you break it yourself, it�s your own tough luck. Of course this adds a significant expense to the overall cost of your project and if you have some knowledge of basic plumbing, cabinetry, and the other steps involved, you should be just fine. The end goal of course is the beautiful double vanity that you will have when the project is complete.




Author: Osmundo Bernabe


Shadow boxes: Preserve mementos in treasured displays


Scouting badges, pins and emblems represent hundreds of hours of dedication in pursing excellence in different areas. The awards, so hard won, are often put away in shoe boxes, dresser drawers or even lost.


Recently, Leigh Keno also has been looking for objects for his newest venture -- the inaugural auction of Keno Auctions, to be held at the Marriott in Stamford, Conn., on May 1 and 2."Collect the most important items. You'll have too much, then edit the collection down. Think about the size and depth and buy your shadow box accordingly," Zacher said. "Pictures or names are important. Grandchildren may not know who the person is later so you should document what this shadow box is about and be sure to include dates."He said that he hopes the auction will attract younger collectors, people in their early 40s or late 30s. "From young collectors, great collectors grow."Zacher suggests including documentation in the back of the shadow box identifying each item and its significance. She tells of an instance in which a customer brought in a very simple-looking spoon to be framed. "It didn't look at all special, but she (the customer) told about the grandfather handforging it." The spoon suddenly gained significance because of the story.Another early auction memory: The auctioneer just couldn't get the bidding going on an old kerosene lamp. He started at $20 -- no bidders, so he dropped the price to $10. Still nothing. Exasperated at the lack of interest, the auctioneer suddenly threw the lamp against a wall; it smashed into pieces.Keno, whose antiques business is based in Manhattan, launched his auction company a few months ago, and ever since, he said, he has been making visits through New England, Pennsylvania and the Eastern Seaboard, lining up pieces for his first event.After watching Zacher so ably and quickly assemble the shadow box, I decided that in some circumstances, because of the piece's intricacy and importance, it might be worth paying a professional for his or her expertise."As long as you have the depth, you can shadow-box it."It was the seventh time in about a half-hour that Leigh Keno had hit the floor in the antiques-filled house in West Hartford, Conn.By the time they were 9 or 10, they also were digging for things around the house -- for old bullets and other finds. Once they discovered a swirl marble. "We were convinced it was something from outer space," Keno recalled. They also collected bumblebees.Keno also said he is making a point to have some items in the auction that probably will to sell in the $100 to $200 range. Others could go up to $300,000 or $400,000, although, he added, "I'd rather not guess the top."Shadow boxes can preserve these memories for the Scout and his family. They provide a barrier to the elements as well as providing a beautiful piece of art to display and enjoy. With the 100th anniversary of Scouting this month, it might be a good time to pull out the Scouting mementos and create a display that will be treasured for years to come.The lean, wiry antiques expert and dealer -- well-known with his twin brother, Leslie Keno, for their appearances on 14 seasons of "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS -- visited West Hartford and Bloomfield recently. He said he typically visits eight to 10 homes a month; sometimes he is contacted by collectors who have something to sell, sometimes by family members who want to liquidate an estate. And occasionally, as at this home in West Hartford, it was simply a chance to meet someone with an exceptional collection.Keno, 52, grew up on a farm near Mohawk, N.Y., and he and Leslie starting going to auctions with their parents, who were antiques dealers, as early as he can remember -- "probably when we were in the womb."If you can't find a purchased shadow box that will accommodate your items, she suggests purchasing a frame at a second-hand store like Deseret Industries and building a box behind the frame to accommodate your items."If it falls off of the wall and the glass breaks, it may damage irreplaceable items."To have a shadow box professionally assembled, "the cost depends on the size and the intricacy of the piece," she said. "It can be as low as $50 to several hundred, but the cost to assemble it is actually minimal. The cost is usually in the frame and glass."The memory of buying the ax at auction, "whether it was $20 or $30, that experience of bidding on it" is still so vivid, Keno said. "It's funny that it was wrought iron, and I collect wrought iron today. It's funny -- we love all the things we grew up doing."When you�ve gotten to the part of actually selecting the bits and pieces of your vanity keep in mind that you will need the cabinet, the countertop, the basins, the fixtures, and hardware (drawer pulls and knobs). I always recommend mixing and matching according to your taste, especially if you can afford to do so rather than sticking with the pre made sets that many stores offer.Another advantage of having no reserve, he said, is that it attracts more people."The great thing about an auction is you never know how high it could go. ... When it does start low, you see hands in the air or phones ringing -- it gives you confidence that you're not just bidding against the reserve. You're bidding against real people who like the same painting or object that you like. Those are actual people, willing to spend money. You're not just bidding against an idea.""Being a dealer," Keno added, "buying and selling at auction and working at auction houses, you're able to see the whole range of things. You see the mediocre; you see the fakes. You see the better examples, and occasionally you see the best and the masterpiece."Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services."That's a great survivor," he said.When assembling Scouting memorabilia, try to determine the order in which the pins should be displayed. They should be in sequence or order of significance.Arrange your items, edit them and begin to secure them to the backing board in layers, back to front. Zacher uses a gun that secures fabrics to the board by means of a small plastic tab, much like clothing stores use to secure price tags. She says do-it- yourselfers can use a needle with monofilament or fishing line and actually sew the item down to the backing board. This is a time- consuming endeavor, but it will not damage the fabric like glue can, and it will allow you to change the display at a later time, should you need to as your decor changes. She often changes the color of a mat board on something like doilies or hand-worked fabric pieces. If they were glued to the backing, it might damage the piece to try to change it."All the hands shot up," Keno recalled, adding, "I will refrain from that."He said his first vivid memory of an auction was at a country auction in a barn, when their mother let the boys bid on an 18th- century broad ax, the kind that would have been used to cut beams."The best thing is finding things, going on visits. I'm in heaven when I'm looking at objects.""We once framed a missionary's worn-out shoes," she said. The shadow box also included the missionary's scriptures and items he had collected during his mission to make a unique and personal art piece.As the double sink design for vanities becomes more common, there are more and more suppliers of these special vanity tops cropping up all around. Finding them is the easy part, deciding which one is the best for you might be a little more difficult. Decide on the overall look you want for your vanity then choose the one that fits best with the overall design. Don�t rush your decision because once you�ve decided what you want, things will move rather quickly.

e-mail: vparsons@desnews.com




Author: Valerie Parsons Deseret News


Expert Leigh Keno takes antiques show on road


HARTFORD, Conn. -- Leigh Keno was sprawled on the floor of the upstairs landing, twisting his body to get a good look at the bottom of a walnut lowboy and shining a small, hand-held yellow flashlight for a clearer view of its underside.


"That creates a feeling and belief that is good -- that it could sell for anything."You will also want to protect your items with UV protective glass. A good backing for the shadow box is a must. Use a suede board or an acid-free mat board. Some people use a velvet-covered board, but whatever you choose, make certain that it won't fade and that it is acid-free."You'll also want to fold your items and make sure that the bulk won't be too great for the depth of the shadow box." She showed how the scouting shirt can be folded around the backing board to become the background of the total display.Enter Jana Zacher. She is the quietly competent frame shop manager for Ben Franklin Crafts in Kaysville and has been framing for more than nine years. I asked for her expertise and advice. She gave me a wealth of information about shadow boxes in general and specific tips for shadow boxes pertaining to scouting.Organic items such as a bridal bouquet have usually already been dried. You can spray the item with a UV protective spray to preserve it further."You're a true treasure hunter," Keno wrote, in part. "You have ... a wonderful collection. I am truly honored to be here."Zacher also likes to secure metals (like an engraved plaque or badge) with E6000 glue or silicone. Both of these can be cut off later if needed."There are so many treasures here -- a treasure around every corner.""Every day is like a big treasure hunt for me. ... You never know what's going to be through that next door or the next set of steps that maybe go up to the attic," he said. "You never know what's going to be just beyond that."Having the double sink options allows both of you to use the space at the same time when in a hurry or simply gives you an opportunity to discuss your plans for the day as you are preparing for the day ahead. You also have added storage for those items that tend to clutter up valuable counter space below as well as more space to spread these items out along the vanity as well. I highly recommend keeping as much as possible out of sight however as this is not visually distracting.For a less formal arrangement, steel T-pins or pearl-top pins can be used to pin an item into place allowing the pin to show. But care should be taken, Zacher reminded me, in making certain that the pins are rustproof.Zacher says that when preserving material, it is important to be certain the items are as clean and neatly pressed as possible. Likewise with bridal gowns, sports jerseys or military uniforms.But I found, upon gathering everything, that I wasn't certain how to go about displaying them in the safest and most pleasing way.Special items can be kept longer as reminders of a wonderful era. "Not too long ago, I framed an icing flower from a wedding cake!" Zacher said. She has also framed crocheted baby booties, toys, ballet slippers, record album covers, military items, guns, tools, old veterinary and dental implements, two guitars and even a long warrior spear. Everything looks more important and special when it is arranged in an artful way and framed.The search for "something great" is "innate, almost, that's in all of us," Keno said. "It starts when we were little, finding seashells at the beach. ... That's an innate thing -- to collect and love objects. You can get so much joy and pleasure out of them."She further recommends the use of acid-free glue dots when securing Scouting pins. The glue dots, by themselves, may not hold up to extreme hot and cold, so she removes the back of the pin (those which have the pinch-type round backings) and punches the push-pin through the glue dot to hold it securely. The fabric should not be damaged by the glue dot, should you decide to change the arrangement at a later time.Keno said his "mantra is low estimates." And he plans to have as few "reserve," or minimum, prices as possible.GAVEL IN HANDTo secure heavier items, use wire to wrap around the item in an inconspicuous place and then secure the wire through the board. You will have to create a small pilot hole through your material and the backing board in order to push the wire through.Most important of all, Zacher says, is to be certain that the wire you use to hang your shadow box is strong enough to hold the weight of your items and attached to your shadow box securely.At the first West Hartford home he visited, he said, he was "like a kid in a candy shop." When he saw a small William and Mary spice cabinet with its original legs -- "an extremely important" piece dated 1737 -- Keno joked that we'd better call the paramedics.Keno plans to conduct the auction in Stamford himself. He said he has conducted auctions in the past -- briefly when he was at Christie's and, early in his career, for Doyle Galleries in New York. He plans to auction off 65 to 70 lots an hour. He already has about 580 lots for the auction, "give or take," and hopes to have about 800 for the two-day event."I have used multi-paned wooden windows to display pictures of children growing up," she said. They make wonderful shadow boxes for pictures of your children from infancy to young adult with included mementos.Zacher also explained that you want to preserve the unique quality of a piece. She tells of putting a shadow box together for a family whose mother had physical handicaps that made it nearly impossible for her to sew her Scout's badges onto his bandelo.My friend, Todd, has Scouting memorabilia leading up to his Eagle award. As a "crafty-type" person, I have assembled several shadow boxes for myself and others. Most of them were fairly small, simple and held only a few items. I figured it would be an easy task to assemble a shadow box displaying Todd's items.e-mail: vparsons@desnews.comYou will want to consider your budget for the project before making any major decisions about specific vanity tops, cabinets, or other hardware. A bathroom design can be second in expense to a kitchen design, but it will also have a significant impact on the overall value of your home so it is a worthy investment, particularly if you are going to enjoy your time in your home even more as a result of the remodel. In order to make sure you have enough money to complete your project, establish a realistic budget (by this I mean compare prices and know what�s available) with a little wiggle room for unexpected emergencies that may crop up and stick with it."It's a primal thing. Collecting is not just gathering; ... it's amassing and organizing.""Baby blessing gowns are one of my favorite things to shadow- box. They're just so sweet and pretty. You don't want to have a small stain of spit-up or drool yellowing your material for forever.""She had done the very best she could, and you could see how difficult it was for her." Some badges had to be stapled on, rather than stitched. The awkward stitches and staples were not replaced in the finished shadow box; rather, it was a point of pride for them to show. It was one of the things that added charm and uniqueness. They told a wonderful story of a determined Scouting family.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.




Author: Nancy Schoeffler The Hartford Courant


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Find the Perfect LG Fridge Freezer Style for You


LG is a company that many people trust to make superior electronics, and their line of fridge freezers is typically no exception to this rule. Fortunately, there is something for everyone when it comes to these appliances, which you will likely note as you look for the perfect LG fridge freezer for you. Consider some of the types available before you buy one.


Allmilmo USA: CIRCLE #391. Focus on flowers to create a country cottage themeKeystone Wood Specialties: CIRCLE #42

Clearly, nearly anyone can find a great LG fridge freezer for them, no matter their preferences when it comes to style or function. Just determine your price range, the amount of doors you want, and the style you enjoy most. Then it is time to start shopping for the perfect LG fridge freezer for your kitchen.




Author: Heather Mills