February Is The Time Of Year When…
February Is The Time Of Year When…
This is the month that I focus on the house, and the first practical thing all of us need to concentrate on to make sense of where we live. Declutter and keep your home fresh and organized this month while you plan for warmer days ahead.
YOUR FEBRUARY HOME TO-DO LIST
I want you to LOVE your home – add these ideas to your to-do list this month to keep your space clean, organized, and beautiful!
1. Rotate your mattress. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life (and comfort).
2. Pack up a bag of old sheets and towels to donate. Homeless shelters and some churches will accept donations of bedding and towels in good condition, and animal shelters are often in need of towels.
3. Cook to stock up your freezer. Knowing that you have homemade soup, stew, chili or casseroles in the freezer makes facing weeknight dinners much less stressful.
4. Deep clean your garbage disposal. This will take 10 minutes and it’s something we often overlook but it's an important task for home maintenance.
5. Check bathrooms for moisture, mildew, and mold. It can be hard to give bathrooms enough ventilation when the house is closed up tight for winter. Unfortunately, that buildup of moisture can lead to mildew or even harmful mold. Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to the grout, the ceiling, and any other areas showing signs of excess moisture.
6. Indulge in weekly fresh flowers. Get in the Valentine’s Day mood and treat your home to a bouquet of fresh-cut blooms once a week to add a little cheer — spring may still be a ways off, but that doesn’t mean your dining table can’t look like a garden in bloom!
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
Mardi Gras is one of the most well-known celebrations in the U.S., drawing on a history that dates back to medieval Europe and pagan spring festivals and fertility rites. Whether you've visited New Orleans, another U.S. city, or even traveled abroad to partake in the festivities in Rio, Brazil or Venice, Italy; during carnival season or not, there's a lot to learn about the celebration! Below I have added some fun Mardi Gras history, fun facts, recipes and more!
The Official Greeting of Mardi Gras
You'll hear laissez les bon temps rouler (pronounced lay-say le bon tom roo-lay) over and over again at Mardi Gras celebrations. It means "let the good times roll" in Cajun French. We can get behind that idea!
Cajun Sausage-Potato Soup
Looking for an easy Mardi Gras soup idea? This six-ingredient soup features andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning, and it takes 30 minutes from start to finish.
Creative Uses for Leftover Valentine’s Chocolate
Strawberry Hearts
Cut strawberries lengthwise, placing them flat side-down, so that the two halves form the general shape of a heart. Melt some chocolate in the microwave then pour over the fruit. Refrigerate for an hour and serve.
Modified S’mores
The chocolate component of a s’more is traditionally a bar, but who says it has to be? Break the rules and use whatever pieces you have lying around, even if they have nuts or other added ingredients. You may end up creating your new favorite campfire tradition.
Lip Balm
Melt 3 tablespoons cocoa butter in the microwave, then add a piece of leftover chocolate and stir until melted. Combine with the contents of 1 vitamin E capsule and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. The resulting moisturizer is just as effective as the one you keep in your purse (and probably way tastier).
Still craving sweet treats? Click here for more ideas
