Not only will it light up the way when you come home or are going to and from your vehicle in the driveway, but it can also be made to create an ambiance that makes the nightlife more fun, more peaceful and even more festive for Holiday seasons.

Aren’t these amazing? These would love marvelous outside of my daughter’s new home – maybe around their pool…

What I absolutely love is the wide variety of solar lighting now available from places like Outdora to not only save money on electricity, but to live in a more green way.

Some of them work on rechargeable batteries and on solar light to recharge the lights that shine. How pretty would these Chinese-style laterns be on a balmy summer evening as decorative lighting?

There’s no cords, they’re collapsible, portable and require no maintenance. I love these features. It makes decorating outside so much easier, quicker and much more fun!

Now, these are electric, but aren’t they so pretty? They would be a really classy and elegant touch for spicing up your yard with decorative lighting for the Holidays.

I just think these are so very stylish. Also, the electric cord is hidden beneath one of the legs. They can withstand wind and extreme temperatures. I might have to splurge and get some of these…I’m loving them.

Some unique outdoor lighting I saw there too were these gorgeous chameleon smart globes that cycle through different, vibrant colors that work through solar charging, so they cost nothing to operate.

These would be great to stake into the garden, place on a table or in a globe holder or float in a pond or fountain. I’m certain my yougest daughter, Kimberly, would love these as they’re installing a large fountain in the front of their new home…These would be beautiful floating in it…Wow…

What is your favorite here? Let me know by leaving a comment below…

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I hope you enjoyed this Home Decorating post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Subscribing to Ingrid Turner Today is the best idea you’ve had all day.

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I love trimming the tree with gorgeous, Victorian-style ornaments in all pink, of course.

I put candle lights in every window and get out my Nativity Sets.

A few years back, my son-in-law and daughter picked out one of the most beautiful nativities I’ve seen and I proudly display it on my sideboard in the diningroom for Christmas.

I have two lighted reindeers that move for outide, but what I would really love now is a Nativity Scene for my front lawn.

Jesus is the reason for the season and every chance I get I display angels, baby Jesus and crosses at Christmas.

What a beautiful sentiment to be able to share with your neighborhood and passers by a beautiful recreation of what happened that night in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago that changed the world forever.

I always find it so tranquil, peaceful and comforting in knowing God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit are there for you.

A nativity scene always makes the Holidays more special, meaningful and festive, to me anyway.

It makes me want to play hymns on the piano or bake cookies or listen to a beautiful choir on my CD player sing.

The Nativity reminds me of my childhood when my father would read us the scriptures out of the Bible on Christmas Eve that depicted this glorious event, complete with angels, a stable, 3 wise men, and the Christmas star.  It fills my heart with joy and thankfulness.

I was looking around for a great place to purchase a Nativity set and found Outdora.com. They have illuminated sets that I just loved, and they have free shipping! The photo just above is the one I have my eye on, but in the 6 piece version.

It gives a warm, tinted glow and is 6 pieces – Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the 3 wise men.

You can also purchase separate pieces like a sheep, ox, shepherd or angel by itself to add on.

I like to plan ahead of time and organize everything in my head before I start decorating because I like things to be “different” every year in many ways, but there are those traditional staples you absolutely must have when it comes to Christmas and a nativity is one of them.

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I hope you enjoyed this Holiday Decorating info on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Check out my daughter’s website, CookingWithKimberly.com to get prepared with Christmas Recipes.

Technorati Tags: Nativity scenes, Nativity sets, Christmas, Christmastime, Christmas decor, Christmas decorating, Jesus, lawn ornaments

My husband was notorious for bringing company home without letting me know, or more often, he would give me a couple of hours notice.

Of course, when he would call to tell me about our unexpected guests, they would already be in his company and I wouldn’t want to embarrass him or them, by freaking out on the phone. But, sometimes there were a few choice words. However, in the end, all was forgiven and we usually had a wonderful time.

Easy for you, you say. Where to begin? What to do?

Usually, this would be on a day when the children were especially creative at the kitchen table, when it was on the one day when I didn’t make the beds or the children and I had taken a “mental health day”, leaving all chores undone and spending the day in our pj’s watching movies together.

The first thing is not to panic. Immediately, everyone has to take care of their own hygiene and get dressed and make their own beds.

1. All garbages need to be emptied.

2. Remove clutter from all clutter in visible areas.

3. Dust all flat surfaces including counter tops.

4. Wipe all mirrors & obvious picture frames.

5. Take a quick shower yourself and get dressed now – make bed/s.

* Since you will be doing a quick clean up of the house, you won’t be working up a sweat, so you should be able to get dressed now, while you are already in the bedroom.

6. All dirty dishes go into the dishwasher. Clean all sinks and wipe counter tops, quick wipe stove & fridge.

7. Do a quick vacuum of visible carpets or mop hardwood or tile floors.

8. Light decorative candles in bathroom, kitchen & living room.

9. Style your hair and do your makeup.

It only takes a few minutes to prepare some veggies-anything you have on hand (sliced celery, carrots, green peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli).

If you don’t happen to have any prepared dip on hand, mix together sour cream seasoned with garlic powder, parsley, dill, any other herbs you have available (fresh or dried) & top with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or paprika. Serve with some good quality crackers or biscuits.

If you have enough time you can prepare some little quick snack items. I have a few stand bys that are quick and easy, to rescue me in a pinch. Just use your imagination!

I recommend keeping frozen puff pastry and small sausages, in your freezer, as I do. It is a few minute job to roll out the pastry and place the little sausages into the roll – then slice about 1/2 inch thick, place on a cookie sheet and put into a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. These are absolutely delicious!

Alternately, it’s a good idea to keep such items as olives, smoked oysters, artichokes and smoked pimento peppers in your pantry. These items can be served as is, or they can be substituted for the sausages and rolled up in puff pastry, baked as above, and serve hot.

The doorbell rings, you and your children look wonderful, you house is clean and smells great, everyone thinks you are a fabulous hostess, and your husband wonders what all the fuss was about, and… all is forgiven!

*** I just thought of a snack that is probably in your pantry now and my children and grandchildren just love it. It is so simple and takes about 5 minutes to prepare.

Quick & Easy Fried Pitas – You can bookmark it from my daughter’s cooking website by clicking on the link.

I always have a few packages of Greek style pitas on hand. Using a pastry brush, apply a little olive oil to each side of the pitas, sprinkle with garlic salt and dried Italian seasoning.

Fry the prepared pitas till nicely browned on each side.

Lift on to cutting board and slice each pita into 6 wedges.

Serve with large stuffed and Greek olives and generous chunks of feta cheese.

This is so very tasty and I haven’t entertained anyone who didn’t like it. These pitas are delicious with wine, lemonade or beer alike. Try them. You’ll like them!

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Tomorrow will be a day to discuss something completely different… see you then…

Actually, I became quite accustomed to unexpected company and I learned over time to make sure I had cabbage rolls, meat on a stick, pierogies, and a ham (ready to be cooked) or a chicken (ready to roast) for precisely the occasions where these visits also included dinner.

As you have probably guessed, my ethnicity is European and my German mother and my mother-in-law (who was Ukrainian) always seemed to be able to present the most fabulous dinners with very little effort — they had a secret…

Always prepare ahead. It is so easy to prepare extra food, freeze it and never be at a loss to be able to serve a banquet if necessary.

It is also a great idea when you just don’t feel like cooking, to have these kinds of things available.

Try it!!!

Ingrid Turner

P.S. If this happens to you on a regular basis, then you might want to check out this book for some really great recipes and “unconventional” wisdom:

Real Life Entertaining Real Life Entertaining $17.32

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