2010 April

Florida Bok Tower Gardens | A Destination Garden

April 26, 2010 By Kelly Leave a Comment

From the magic of Disney World to the glitz and glamour of Palm Beach to the wild nightlife in Miami, Florida has many things to offer both residents and visitors. As you travel from coast to coast you are sure to stumble upon a small town in central Florida by the name of Lake Wales and it is here you will find the amazing Bok Tower Gardens.

Originally developed by philanthropist Edward Bok as a way of thanking the American people for all the opportunities afforded him as a young immigrant from the Netherlands, Bok Tower Gardens has been named a National Historic Landmark and is a destination in itself. Anchored by the magnificent 205 ft Singing Tower which houses one of only 600 Carillons in the world, these gardens offer an opportunity for bird watching, a leisurely stroll through the gardens or just a moment or two to enjoy the serenity and peace found in nature.

As a destination garden, Bok Tower Gardens has something that will entertain and delight every member of the family.

• To introduce the kids to the joys of nature and gardening, let them stroll through the vine covered arbor and watch butterflies, birds and other wildlife at work and just enjoy the freedom to be. They will have so much fun they won’t even know they are learning something in the process!

• While Mom always enjoys the annual Mother’s Day brunch, why not bring her to the gardens and let her enjoy the blooming azaleas, magnolias and dogwoods while she spends a day with her family.

• Adults can grab a peaceful moment, observe the wildlife, enjoy the ever changing scenery and/or listen to a beautiful bell concert emanating from the tower. And, of course, there are always shopping opportunities.

Theme parks are fun and big cities can be exciting but the next time you are looking for a spot the whole family can enjoy, consider spending a day at Bok Tower Gardens. You will leave feeling refreshed and reenergized and your wallet will still be intact.

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Filed Under: Entertainment, Featured, Flowers & Garden, Outdoor Living Tagged With: bok tower, bok tower gardens, destination garden, gardens, Home Fashion, home fashion magazine

Mexican Taco Trucks make celebrating Cinco de Mayo easy

April 26, 2010 By Kelly Leave a Comment

Mobile food venues are popping up all over the country and one of the most popular is the Mexican taco truck. These trucks are the perfect spot to grab a quick snack or lunch while at work. But they are also a great source of authentic Mexican food for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

If you live anywhere in the southwestern part of the United States you are familiar with the hoopla that surrounds Cinco de Mayo. While this day is often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, it is actually the celebration of the defeat of the French during the Battle of the Puebla in 1862. (Mexico’s actual Independence Day is September 16th). Areas with a large Mexican-American population celebrate with parties that feature delicious Mexican food, plenty of margaritas and cervezas (beer) and lots of bright colors associated with Mexico. It is very easy to pull together a Cinco de Mayo fiesta of your own.

Authentic Mexican Food

Mexican cuisine can range from very simple enchiladas, tamales and tacos to the more sophisticated dishes featuring mole sauce, unique peppers and spices and expensive cuts of meat. For an easy and authentic buffet, ordering from one of the Mexican taco trucks that can be found around town will make feeding your guests very simple and affordable. It is a always a good idea to have both cheese and meat dishes as well as an assortment of hot sauces from the very mild to the very caliente for those brave enough to try it! And don’t forget the guacamole.

Setting the table

Use authentic serape and Mexican blankets as tablecloths and runners. If you do not have these available, any table coverings in bright colors of red, yellow, green, blue and fuchsia will work. Wind some chili pepper lights around the table to highlight the food area and add to the ambience.

Be creative! Hollow out a piñata and place a potted chili pepper plant in the center for an affordable centerpiece. Use small chili peppers as filler in your hurricanes and place the candle in the middle of them. Place potted cactus plants around the table to add to that desert feel. A sombrero placed upside down on the table is the perfect holder for a bowl of chips or salsa; the black hats with red ball fringe that Mexican caballeros (cowboys) wear can be used to elevate dishes on the table; colorful beads can be used as napkin rings or to identify one’s glass.

A Cinco de Mayo party is casual and fun so anything goes.

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Create a Keepsake with Photo Charms

April 24, 2010 By Kelly Leave a Comment

The art of gift giving during this past decade often consisted of buying an expensive gift with a famous name attached to it. We became obsessed with handbags that cost as much as a small car and watches that were as big as an alarm clock. Well, we all know that times have changed and many people are experiencing tough economic times. For this reason, handcrafted and personalized items are popular once again and photo charms are a versatile gift that can be used in many different ways.

• Grandparents will love to hang an ornament on the tree that features photos of the grandkids.

• A personalized tag placed around a wine bottle is a thoughtful gift any hostess would enjoy receiving. And the tag can be reused as an ornament or re-gifted later.

• Using photo charms as place cards at a dinner party is a unique way to identify seating and the guests can take them home as party favors.

• Draping these charms around a vase will make any gift of flowers even more special. You can choose to use photos or add a special message to the recipient such as “Get well” or “Happy Mother’s Day”, for example.

• Many brides attach a charm to their wedding bouquet and what could be more special than a photo charm featuring a personalized message from her parents or her groom. Photo jewelry also makes wonderful attendant’s gifts.

• Monograms add a sophisticated touch to any room or item. Using your computer, create a monogram and slide it into the photo charm. These can be hung from a holiday tree, attached to a handbag or used as personalized gift tags on wine bottles or a vase of flowers.

These photo charms are easy to use. You simply slide the photo or message into the opening and Voila! you have created a one of a kind gift. They are double-sided making it possible to add a message to one side and a photo to the other side; simply thread a ribbon or wire through the hoop and it is ready to use. Let your imagination be your guide and choose creative fonts for messages, scan and shrink to fit meaningful illustrations, or add a sepia background for an old-fashioned, vintage look.

Visit Pick Your Own Bouquet (www.pyob.com) for more product information.