Western Theme Party Ideas

Howdy! Here are a few ideas for rowdy, rootin-tootin western theme party.

Welcome each guest with a bandana and sheriff's badge.Glue a thin piece of rope around the edges of your invitations to create a lasso-type look. A nice touch is to personalize the guests name in cowboy lingo, such as Packin' Pete and Pistol Penny. It's fun for the guest and they tend to get a kick out of it.Activities* Game of horseshoes
* Roping & lasso competitions
* "Pan for gold" in a sandbox (gold spray-painted rocks)DecorationsThis popular theme party can be prepared in less than a day, or in only a few hours for those high energy hosts!A western theme party wouldn't be complete without the standard cowboy hats, vests, and bandanas. A star badge, lasso, and large belt buckles are great accessories.Have a wild western theme party!MusicRootin' tootin' country music can be played in the background for square dancing or line dancing.Food & DrinkWestern theme parties are one of the most popular theme parties- sure to go over well with all your guests.Costumes/AttireThink rustic and hearty! Here are some great ideas:* Old lanterns, jugs, and bales of hay
* Kerosene lamps
* Washtubs
* Inflatable cactus
* Saloon sign made out of paper bag or wood-burned
* Red gingham tablecloths
* Luminaries or fiesta lightsServe snacks in miniature cowboy hats and serve hearty western cuisine.

Have a wild western theme party!

Author: Dee Schrock

Complete Party Equipment Rentals To Satisfy Your Party Needs!

Planning for any big event or any other special occasion can become overwhelming, especially if you do it without any proper layout. If you find any of the best complete party equipment rentals, then it can give you a handy checklist to help coordinate all the exciting details that will make your event spectacular.

For those of us in this situation, I came across some advice in a genuine 1950s women's magazine that my grandmother had hoarded. In paraphrase, this advice was that as long as you have clean clothes on your body and bed, and clean food utensils (crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, etc), you can let the rest slide.Table rentals:When you provide the above details to the party equipment rentals, they can easily make you recommendations that meet your party requirements and also save your money.You will find various kinds of tables at party equipment rentals. Choose the tables that match with your party theme. For example, round tables fit best within the party tent. Set the tables appropriately to coincide with the theme or mood of the party. You can also rent table linens to make the tables look elegant.� Ensure that your event location is clean.� Event location that you have to work with9. Lower your standards - kids are messy, so don't expect to have a perfectly clean home until they have left it.� Make your guest list and decide on the approximate amount of people to be invited.2. Have a designated clean laundry drop-off point and let everyone in the household collect their own laundry as and when they need it if you haven't managed to put it away. My mother used to do this when I was a teenager. I got so fed up with hunting for underpants every morning that I took complete responsibility for my own laundry (cunning old Mum).Chairs are important items that you need to consider. Party equipment rentals offer you various styles of chairs to choose. You can choose the one that go within your budget and the one that matches with your party theme. You can also rent chair covers to make the chairs look elegant.Yes, the men in our lives do help more than they used to. But this sort of arrangement only began with the Baby Boom generation (or even the Buster generation), and you can't really shake off the roles of centuries in less than 50 years. Women still end up with the bulk of the responsibility, even though our men no longer believe that soap suds and vacuum cleaners do not do horrible things to testosterone levels or virility.� Figure out your budget.7. My son's kindergarten teacher said that giving small children household tasks and responsibility builds their self-esteem, as it helps them feel like they can contribute and make a difference. My kids, for some reason, seem to like cleaning glass, dusting the piano (cool noises) and cleaning the bathroom (water fights, throwing wet flannels and getting into the bath fully clothed). 8. Designate at least one room as a "no toy" room and keep this as an adult haven.6. If expecting visitors, only clean the rooms your visitors will go into and ignore the rest. They're not going to be going under your bed!� Plan your event date and time.Sometimes little things can make a big impression, particularly when it comes to chinaware for your events. Ask whether your caterer offers china rentals. If they offer chinaware, then it costs less, than renting china separately. Still search online for party equipment rentals that offer chinaware.And you have to learn how to cheat. Time is precious, and you don't want to waste all your spare time for house cleaning. Do some, but don't go overboard. I have read that some scientists are convinced that having hyper-hygienic homes is behind the upsurge in food allergies in children - children's immune systems don't get enough germs to work on from their environments so they start working on other substances such as peanuts. A bit of dirt won't kill you (dust, however, is harmful for asthmatics, so vacuuming is essential).� Silverware instead of flatware� What kind of event you want to host, whether it is casual backyard barbeque or a formal sit down fair� Cookware� Inflatables� Decide your party theme and then think about suitable table centrepieces.� Make a list of items that you need from party equipment rentals, such as: tables, chairs, glasses, plates, silverware, tablecloths, serving bowls, spoons and forks.Chinaware rentals:� Dance floor or stage4. If you have a washing line, sort clothes ready for putting away as you hang them out (e.g. all towels together, all of Sally's clothes together, etc.). This takes no longer than hanging out laundry the regular way.� Concession equipmentThere are various kinds of party tents from which you can choose the one that satisfy your outdoor party needs. Marquee is the most popular choice for party organizers. Also, don�t prefer the one that will cover the entire party location. Prefer tents that provide some sort of coverage. If you cover sun, starts or nature, then what is the meaning of organizing the party outdoors? Search for various alternatives that cover the overhead. Make sure that tent installation is done before starting the party. If you organize the outdoor party during winter, then you need to hire heaters also.

� Silverware instead of flatware

Author: Nancy Shevell

Timesavers For Busy Mothers

When I look at the stereotype of the 1950s housewife, I think that she (a) is damn lucky not having to juggle running a house AND look after small children AND hold down a job, (b) has impossibly high standards of cleanliness. It seems absolutely ironic that the women's movement allowed women to do more things than housework, but modern living still seems to demand that our houses are just as spotless and germ-free than any 1950s home. Yes, I know that many professional women employ professional domestic cleaners. But some of us take jobs just to be able to meet the mortgage payments and can't afford a cleaner on top of that. Or else we are professional cleaners! You might think that a pro cleaner should have a spotless home, but the truth is that if you spend eight or so hours a day cleaning other people's houses, the last thing you want to do when you get home is do more cleaning... for no pay.

� Visual or audio equipment1. Tablecloths are simple to pick up and throw in the laundry - much easier than trying to wipe stuck-on cereal off tabletops. Have a selection of tablecloths and rotate them, so you don't put pressure on yourself to get the one and only tablecloth washed, dried and back on in a hurry.Glassware:If you want to spend little more on your party, then you can also consider renting:� Your expected needs10. Keep meals simple. Eggs, pre-washed potatoes, raw veggies and tinned fish are all healthy and easy to prepare.Here's some timesaving tips that have worked for me and other women I know.Before going to consider party equipment rentals, you need to do the things that make a good impression:5. Have drop-off caddies or baskets in all main traffic areas for dumping those odds and ends that always get left on floors, bench tops, sofas and tables. Guilty parties.Search online to find various party equipment rentals that satisfy your party needs. Once you decide which party equipment rentals you want to go with, then decide about which kind of equipment you need for your party.Renting glassware is particularly essential if you are going to include bar setup in your event. These are excellent items for tableware. Rentals stores have various kinds of glassware made of different kinds of glass based on the cost and your needs.Party tents:

10. Keep meals simple. Eggs, pre-washed potatoes, raw veggies and tinned fish are all healthy and easy to prepare.

Author: Nick Vassilev

Blokes Guide To Doing The Laundry

Contrary to popular belief by many guys (or at least, that's what seems to be popular belief if the guys in my family are anything to go by), laundry is not done by little fairies. The entity that has to make sure that your dirty clothes (and things like towels, sheets and tablecloths) are taken from the bedroom (and the bathroom floor, the back doorstep and out of your sports bag) to the laundry, into the machine, onto the line then back again is you. We won't even go there when it comes to ironing.

Get Christmas OutThe first thing to do is to round up the dirty little suckers and get them ready for the laundry. Ideally, you have a basket, bag or box for collecting dirty washing rather than the method practiced by most guys of my acquaintance: dropping it on the floor. But we'll ignore that part of it. What you have to do now is sort things out. While it's tempting to just throw everything into a normal wash all together, sorting will avoid disasters like your red rugby shirt turning your white work shirts pink or your flannelette sheets leaving fluff all over your black polar fleece.ColorOf course, you'll want to take advantage of the wonderful colors and textures of autumn in your decorating scheme and table settings.

Try to get in the washing on the same day as you put it out, although it's not the end of the world if things sit on a drying rack for a day or so - or even on an outdoor washing line. If it gets caught in the rain, don't panic - just think of this as an extra rinse cycle. But if you want to wear them and don't fancy hopping out to the line in the nick looking for a clean pair of underpants, get them in and put them away a.s.a.p.

Author: Nick Vassilev

Fall for Outdoor Entertaining This Autumn

Aaaah, autumn! It's the perfect time to entertain outdoors -- most of the bugs are gone, the sun isn't scorching even though it's warm enough to enjoy an afternoon or evening al fresco, and there's a bounty of good things to serve for an outdoor meal.

A great way to make a room or home look beautiful for the holiday is through the use of candles. Often, you may have some extra from Christmas to use. Get candle holders or use rings of silk flowers and greenery. Look for the right scent for the candles too if you would like. Make sure they are pink, white or red.FoodsLightingThe method you'll use to chase the chill from the night will vary depending on your climate and your outdoor space. If you have a yard (and community by-laws allow), a campfire is a wonderful informal party setting. In smaller gardens, consider self-contained fire pits or a chimenea.For a more formal affair, you can install a propane-powered heater. These units are available in a range of heating powers and prices. Or, drape attractive throws or quilts on each chair for your guests to wrap around their shoulders to ward off the night air.Before you bung the clothes in, check the pockets for things like loose change and tissues - and you might find that missing phone number while you're at it. Load the things in the washing machine and put in the right amount of powder. Program the machine to wash according to the water level, the temperature and any special instructions, such as soaking or delicate wash (that's the one you use for the satiny boxers - and remember to wash woollen things in cold on a wool cycle). Cold washes are cheaper to do and work OK, but you need the right sort of powder. Most powders are OK in cold these days, except for biological (enzyme) washing powder.The earlier sunset will afford you an ideal opportunity to bathe your outdoor space in evening lights. Use soft light, but use plenty of it. Try dozens of votive candles in jars and glasses to protect the flame from the wind, hurricane lamps, or kerosene lanterns set on low. Create cozy seating areas and equip each with a glowing light source.Need to decorate a bulletin board? Fill it with flowers and hearts in the color scheme mentioned. Make sure to put a fun border around it and possibly put hearts of all shapes and sizes throughout it. Include some pictures of family members of the students in a class for a great look. You can also ad a fun saying or slogan to it. Make it something quirky like �Be My Valentine� or make it religious such as �God Is Love.� In the background do something unique. For the backing, go with a tablecloth in the color scheme, a pink piece of paper or otherwise interesting forms.HeatingBecause the days are shorter in the autumn, outdoor entertaining in the fall calls for special attention to lighting and temperature.Whether you hold a harvest hoedown or a stylish sit-down dinner party for eight, fall for outside entertaining this autumn!Try to get in the washing on the same day as you put it out, although it's not the end of the world if things sit on a drying rack for a day or so - or even on an outdoor washing line. If it gets caught in the rain, don't panic - just think of this as an extra rinse cycle. But if you want to wear them and don't fancy hopping out to the line in the nick looking for a clean pair of underpants, get them in and put them away a.s.a.p.

Whether you hold a harvest hoedown or a stylish sit-down dinner party for eight, fall for outside entertaining this autumn!

Author: Debbie Rodgers

Use Valentine Decorations To Make Your House A Romantic Home

One of the best parts about Valentine�s Day is all of the decorations that you can line the house with. There are many ways in which you can decorate for this holiday. Of course, the colors of the day include reds, pinks, white and other similar tones. You can even make a wide selection of these from the kid�s construction box. Here are some ideas to help get you started.

The Bulletin BoardCandlesIf you're hosting a fancy sit-down outdoor dinner, use the subtler textures of hydrangea blossoms and colored leaves on a linen tablecloth. Try bringing your indoor dining table outdoors for the evening-it will add unexpected elegance to your setting. Paint gold lettering on small gourds to use as place cards. Grace your table with late-blooming roses in crystal vases.Autumn's colors are deep and rich -- russet, crimson, burnt orange, gold, dark green, and the color of hay. Use these hues repeatedly in tablecloths and settings, flowers, centerpieces, and even the food. Scoop out pumpkins and other squash and fit them with containers of water to make vases. Mass potted mums in vivid colors. Use orange Chinese lanterns, bright rosehips, stems of red or orange berries, or chilies. Wrap vibrant maple or sumac leaves around votive candleholders or napkin rings. Sunflower heads can be strewn on the tabletop, or left on the flower stalks in a container.Sort things into several piles. Really, really grubby stuff (rugby gear, work overalls, things covered in mud) can go in their own pile. They'll need a heavy-duty wash and possibly a bit of soaking, too. Then you'll need two piles of normal gear - light coloured stuff like white shirts, grey singlets and pale fawn trousers in one pile; dark stuff like blacks, navy blue, greens, reds and so forth. Lastly, you'll need a pile of things needing TLC - this includes satin boxers, woollen jerseys and silk shirts. Each pile need to go into the washing machine as a separate load, but the good news is you can procrastinate and wait until you've got a full load of one type - it saves power and washing powder. You may also like to have a separate pile for polar fleece so they don't pick up fluff from cotton things.Did you just put away everything for Christmas? Think about using such things as pearl garlands, beautifully placed on a tabletop or the candle and floral displays too. In the center of the tablecloths, add a gathering of pillar candles, surround them with lace trim, pearls and rose petals. Perhaps you can even decorate them with glitter or other sparking elements. Use a red and pink potpourri to make the smell of the home wonderful.Once the machine has done its thing, hang the clothes out or dry them in the machine. If you leave them in the machine for more than a day (overnight is OK), they'll start to smell of tofu or old cheese. Line drying on a rack or outside on a line makes less wrinkles, so you can get away without ironing things much. If you're using pegs, try to put the pegs on a part of the clothes that won't show the marks, and try not to let the bit you're pegging get too folded over, as this will make the things hard to dry. Hang towels from the corner, but you can fold sheets over. It's a good idea to hang socks up in pairs so you don't mismatch them - and you can see if you've got odd socks straight away.The textures of fall are earthy and rustic. Especially play these up if your gathering is informal -- a corn roast, a bonfire, a jeans and sweater evening. Use burlap or rough cotton to cover your buffet table, and dish towels as napkins. Weigh down your tablecloth with apples or pears hung on rough twine. Or use rattan placemats and wicker baskets. Terracotta pot saucers make great paper plate holders.

All of these things can make an ordinary Valentine�s Day much more enjoyable. You�ll find wonderful ways to decorate for this holiday just by looking around your home. If you want, make some homemade decorations with the kids and enjoy the time together too.

Author: Nicola Kennedy

Disney Cars Party Favors Themes For Your Kid

Disney Cars is a very popular movie created by Disney. This movie is enjoyed by little boys who have a passion for cars or races. It might not come as a surprise for you if you little guy wants you to organize a Disney Cars party favors theme for his birthday. This theme is easy to plan if you have the necessary items and a little bit of creative skills.

But wait ... Pan Bagnat is, to all intents and purposes, a salad squashed into a loaf of bread. Now, before you all run for the hills saying I've cracked, let me assure you, folks. It's fantastic. All the fun of a big salad in a handy slice - juicy, tasty and portable.Color and flavor: everything, from invitations, tablecloths, flowers, centerpieces, cakes, cookies, scones, jam and the tea itself is one color and flavor. Possible colors and flavors can include apricot, lemon, lavender, rose, peaches, strawberries, orange, pumpkins and blueberries.Finish with the lid of the loaf on top and press down firmly.Thinking of what to do for the decors? You can have giant posters or wall decals of Disney Cars hung or stuck on the walls, you can even go in for Disney Cars rugs that are available in many of the stores at affordable prices to be put on the floors. Streamers in red, black and white colors can be hung at the entrance. Tablecloths, plates cups and napkins can be ordered having the Disney Cars theme.Kids as their nature is are quite mischievous and moody. They might easily get bored while waiting for their friends to arrive. In order to avoid any sort of inconvenience, you can purchase a number of coloring books and a box of crayons and ask the kids to draw and color them. You might even show them the Disney Cars movie to keep them busy.First of all you need to get started with the birthday invitations. You can either purchase Disney Cars themed invitations from the internet or create your own ones. These cards are easy to make provided you have the necessary creative skills and time. Cut out pictures of Lightning McQueen, Luigi, Doc and Ramone and paste them along with the photo of your child. You can complete the invitations by adding wordings inviting the kids to the party, specifying the date, time and venue.

Your little kid and his friends will thoroughly enjoy this birthday bash and remember it throughout his life. There are a lot of blogs and articles that give out tips and advice on how to make the Disney Car party favors theme a success with minimum effort. This is one of the best gifts that you can give your little boy and make him a star amongst his friends.

Author: Serrana Milligan

How To Throw A Tea Party

Tea parties are a great way to gather a few close friends for a timeless tradition. Begin by sending out invitations 3 weeks in advance. Purchase tablecloths and other decorations to match your theme.

Your little kid and his friends will thoroughly enjoy this birthday bash and remember it throughout his life. There are a lot of blogs and articles that give out tips and advice on how to make the Disney Car party favors theme a success with minimum effort. This is one of the best gifts that you can give your little boy and make him a star amongst his friends.You might want to consider ordering the food and beverages based on your Disney Car party favors theme. Cakes can be in the form of McQueen, Ramone and many other characters of this popular movie. If you have the time, you can even bake a 3D race car. Sandwiches and burgers can be cut in the form of cars and decorated with carrots or cucumbers. Sodas or fruit juices can be added to the beverages list.Prepare the peppers by rubbing them in olive oil and roasting in the hot oven, turning once or twice, until the skins are blackened.Garden and hat: host the party outside in your garden, and ask your guests to wear a tea hat! It�s also okay to serve sorbet and lemonade outdoors.Finely slice the aubergine and courgette and fry in a little olive oil until golden, or char well on a griddle pan. Reserve.Wrap well in triple layers of clingfilm, then weigh down with something suitably heavy and chill in the fridge for several hours or overnight.This allows the escaping steam to loosen the charred skins and you won't have to spend hours teasing the tough, inedible skin from the sweet, tender flesh.Slice the loaf lengthways, just above the halfway mark.After the party, you can send your guests off with party favors. Some favorites include a teacup and saucer set, or a teaspoon with loose tea leaves in an organza drawstring bag.

Whichever theme you decide on, and whether formal or casual, gather your friends for some piping-hot tea, sweet finger foods and plenty of wonderful memories!

Author: Concrete Abstract

Who sat on my sandwich?

Byline: Stephen JACKSON

A Disney Car party favor box can contain the T- shirts painted by the kids, candies, chocolates, Disney Cars stickers, whistles and toy cars. If you are not sure on what to give away as party favors, you can purchase readymade party favor bags from any of the Disney stores at affordable prices.Chop the parsley finely, hand-shred the basil and mix the two herbs into the tuna bowl too. Mix well and check for seasoning.Remove a few handfuls of the innards of the loaf (you can make great fresh breadcrumbs with this - perfect for a treacle tart!) Brush the inside of the loaf with the garlic oil, allowing it to soak into the bread.Quickly tip them into a bowl and cover immediately with clingfilm.S* SANDWICH HEAVEN: Stephen Jackson looks across the Channel for inspiration and finds it in Pan Bagnat, a salad squashed into a loaf of breadIt's always uncomfortable, too, trying to prop yourself up on your elbows as you tackle a French fancy. AS nd the tidying up! Oh my. But if you can do it properly with a table and chairs and a bit of planning, the taking of a meal in the great outdoors is pretty much unbeatable. And picnic food is unquestionably brilliant. From the aforementioned scotch eggs to tender chicken drumsticks, from Gala pies to slices of cold pizza (you must try this if you've not done so already) and on to bowls of strawberries, banana sandwiches and chocolate brownies, picnics area feast for the eye and the palate. Going to a little trouble, like making an elderflower cordial (which you should be doing right now as we're in full season) or fresh lemonade, is rarely more worth it than for a family meal in the great outdoors. This week, I'm offering up something you may not have seen before, but I guarantee it'll be a firm favourite the first time you try it.To serve, slice the loaf carefully and share out. Best eaten al fresco, preferably with a nice chilled Provence ros.Now make the sandwich. Layer the gem lettuce, roasted pepper, tomatoes, tuna mixture, aubergine and courgette, pressing down well as you go.Reserve the pepper 'fillets' until the assembly stage.Further out in the dark, inky depths lurk the tuna, fast and muscular, their flesh meaty and firm. On land, the vine tomatoes ripen to perfection, brimming with flavour, the basil grows like weeds and salads grow tasty in the rich soil.Remove from the heat.WHEN I started writing this piece, several weeks ago, it was a beautiful sunny day, light breeze, scudding clouds in a deep blue sky. I think we all remember that day, because it seems that was our summer, more or less. Now it's all thunderstorms and downpours. Seems all-too familiar. And just in time for the school holidays! Still, we mustn't let it get to us and in the spirit of ignoring the weather in the hope that it'll improve, today we're in picnic mode.Designate a tea table and place the tea sets, which include cups, saucers and teaspoons on one end of the table. Place the teapot, sugar, lemon, milk and hot water (to dilute the tea if desired) by the tea sets. Your guests may either serve themselves or you may choose to serve the tea yourself. Either way, if sugar and lemon are to be added to tea, add the sugar before the lemon because the acidity of the lemon will prevent the sugar from dissolving. It�s best to prepare the tea in a teapot as it will taste better as loose leaves, not in tea bags.For our picnic recipe, we look over the Channel to France. Today, we're making the delicious Pan Bagnat. In the original Occitan it translates as 'wet bread', which you might imagine is of more interest to ducks.Time to dust off the hamper, pop the gingham tablecloth in the washer and get the road atlas out. I'm not su Rch a big fan of the traditional picnic, I must say. Stamping on ants and trying to stop your scotch eggs from rolling down the inevitable incline while simultaneously attempting to keep an ice-bucket upright isn't really my idea of fun.Whichever theme you decide on, and whether formal or casual, gather your friends for some piping-hot tea, sweet finger foods and plenty of wonderful memories!You can make big loaf-sized ones, as I'm doing here, or little individual versions using ciabatta rolls or similar.The olive oil flows like water and every village makes use of the local boulanger - crusty, crunchy, yeasty breads made every day. So what better place than here to invent the Salade Nioise and its portable cousin, the Pan Bagnat? I can't think of many better dishes that encapsulate the summertime and take very little time to put together. Just remember that you'll need to let the sandwiches squash overnight, so plan ahead. Aprons on!Heat the olive oil and gently fry the minced garlic for a few minutes, making sure it doesn't catch.When they have cooled a little, cut in half, gently remove all the pips and membranes, then slowly scrape away the skins with a sharp knife or agile fingers.Cakes and cookies: have your guests bring their favorite cakes or cookies and place them on platters and cake stands.Dice the boiled eggs and mix into the tuna. Finely slice the onion and add to the bowl.Pan Bagnat originates in the place where its ingredients thrive, Provence. And this is as it should be, for here is where the silvery anchovy shoals shimmer in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.Stephen Jackson's Pan Bagnat You will need: 1 round or oval crusty loaf (I used an 800g crusty bloomer), 75ml extra-virgin olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 white onion very finely sliced, 3 red peppers, 2 tins of good quality tuna (ethical, line-caught, please), 8 large white anchovies, 1 tbsp large capers, rinsed well, 1 tbsp pitted and chopped black olives, 3 large ripe sliced tomatoes, 1 small aubergine, 1 courgette, 3 fresh, free-range eggs, 2 little gem lettuce hearts with the leaves separated, a few large leaves fresh basil, a handful of flatleaf parsley, salt and pepper and extra Virgin Olive Oil Method: Heat the oven as high as it will go. Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil and gently simmer the eggs for 7 minutes, then plunge them into cold water. When cool, peel and reserve.In the middle of the table, place cookies, cakes, muffins and scones on platters and cake stands. You may also include small sandwiches, such as egg, cucumber and cream cheese, tuna or chicken sandwiches. To serve, layer the filling between two slices of bread and cut them into fourths.Themes for tea parties are endless! Below are some ideas:After a fun filled snack, kids would definitely love to vent out their energies by taking part in some fun filled activities. Some of the most popular games that can be played are Doc Hudson Says, Car race relay, T-Shirt painting competition etc. These games will enhance their creative skills.CAPTION(S):

* SANDWICH HEAVEN: Stephen Jackson looks across the Channel for inspiration and finds it in Pan Bagnat, a salad squashed into a loaf of bread

5 Window Treatment Ideas To Improve Your Home

Coming up with interesting window treatment ideas that bring out the best in your windows as they bring in the sunshine, is a challenge to anyone with a yen to decorate. There are tons of non-traditional options and tips to make the most of what you have, and give your windows that million dollar look on a mostly discount budget.

All right, so it looked like I�d have to forget the tablecloth, too. Maybe I�d be better off attending to the big things right now, anyway, like vacuuming.Mom died in 1985, and all these years later, I realize that Dad was right � I AM always going to miss her.�I miss my mother.�Ensure you are clear about the changes you wish to make and decide the project's budget before you start. If there is an aspect of your restaurant that you really wish to change than make it your priority. For example, if you want to replace the old wooden seats with a stylish set of leather dining chairs, then do so.

Your window treatment ideas are limited only by your imagination, and the time you have to spend decorating. Some of the most interesting and attractive looks are born from using leftovers, cast-offs and your own ingenuity.

Author: Sarah Peters

Things To Consider When Redecorating Your Restaurant

If you are looking to transform the feel of your restaurant there are lots of great colours schemes and themes to choose from. The ambiance created by a restaurant's decor can help customers feel at home in your establishment, making them more likely to return.

But I�ve also figured out what else he was trying to tell me on that April day so long ago � that missing my mother keeps her alive in my heart.Mom had been stricken with polio in 1942 when she was 26 and paralyzed in both legs. At the time, the doctors had told her she would never have more children. I was born 16 years later.Little touches can add a lot to plain curtains. If you have a set of long, lined drapes and would like to liven them up, place small hooks or other mountings above where the rod is held, and top your curtains with silk flower garlands, or just silk greenery. There's no more fuss to cleaning these, than there is to washing a swag or valance. Just put a little soft dish soap in a tub of water, swish the silk garland around, rinse and hang to dry.�I know you do,� he said. �So do I.�

No matter what type or restaurant you have it is crucial to keep in mind the type of atmosphere you want your customer to feel, because the more comfortable they feel, the more likely they are to return.

Author: Jamie Gilbert

And You Always Will

I opened the dishtowel drawer for about the sixth time, hoping the towels had somehow magically appeared.

After the funeral was over and my father�s relatives had gone home, I found the dishtowels. Mom had put them in her dresser drawer. And with several washings, the stain finally came out of the tablecloth. Dad had been able to fix the vacuum cleaner too.Except. . .why did it sound so funny? And why wasn�t it picking up those bits of paper on the living room carpeting?What next?�And you know what?� Dad continued. �You always WILL miss your mother. In fact, it won�t ever go away completely. Not even when you�re as old as me.�Okay, so maybe I wasn't going to find them. Then again, the guests wouldn�t arrive until tomorrow. Plenty of time to worry about dishtowels later.And right then and there, I started to cry. Now what was I going to do? Would a wire hanger work? Thirty minutes later, however, the vacuum cleaner was still plugged.�What�s wrong?� he asked, noticing that I had been crying.On second thought, maybe I ought to forget about the towels all together. My father�s niece and her husband didn�t seem like the kind of people who would leave in a huff because their host hadn�t put out new dishtowels.Window treatment ideas aren't always about curtains. The once popular wooden window blinds are making a comeback with people who prefer the warm, natural tones of wood to go with a wide variety of d�cors. Antique folding window covers can be had for a song at garage and auction sales, then refinished, and if you are artistic at all, decorated with tole paintings.Just at that moment, my father came into the house.�Oh, Daddy � I can�t find the new dishtowels. The tablecloth has a big stain. The vacuum cleaner is plugged. And�"Small changes such as placing embroidered cushions on chairs or changing the colour and textiles used for tablecloths, can change your restaurants feel thus enhancing a customer�s dining experience.Where was Dad? I knew he�d gone outside and was probably puttering around in his garden, seeing as it was the middle of April, but why wasn�t he in here when I needed him? After being a farmer for 50 years, he could fix absolutely anything.The brand new towels still weren�t there, of course.But with this in mind, make sure the changes you decide to make are achievable for your given timescale and budget. If you cannot afford to completely redecorate, giving the dining area a quick face lift will also do the job. A coat of paint, new wallpaper and some original artwork can help give an old looking room a new lease of life.Perhaps I�d better see if I could lay my hands on Mom�s best tablecloth. A tablecloth had always been one of the things my mother insisted upon when we had company.I stopped and swallowed hard.The right decor in a restaurant can help transport the customer to a place away from reality, where they can relax and enjoy their meal. This is even more likely if the decor chosen is in accordance with the type of food being served. A restaurant's new design needs to be attractive to customers both old and new, if your restaurant caters for young children, it probably isn't wise to have white silk tablecloths.Oh yes, that�s right. We�d all been here for Christmas, and one of the kids had accidentally knocked over a glass of soda pop. The sight of her grandchild sobbing with remorse had been more important than the tablecloth, and Mom had said she was sure the pop would come out when she washed it.As Dad gazed at me, I noticed how much he seemed to have aged in the last few weeks. And his face was covered with silvery stubble. It was a rare morning when my father didn�t shave, but then, the past couple of days had been far from ordinary.I pulled out the attachments hose and flipped the switch again. Ah-ha. That�s why. No suction. The hose was plugged.Dad was 70. I was 26. I never knew Dad's mother. She had died before I was born.Your window treatment ideas are limited only by your imagination, and the time you have to spend decorating. Some of the most interesting and attractive looks are born from using leftovers, cast-offs and your own ingenuity.How about recycling old items? If you inherited lace tablecloths that are no longer fresh and white, you can still get a lot of mileage and an interesting antique window treatment, by using a sewing machine to turn the tablecloths into window curtain panels. You might even have some old lace curtains on hand, that need to be brightened, but the bleaches have failed you.Although it had been years since I called him �Daddy,� it just sort of slipped out, and along with it came more tears.Satisfied that I was finally going to make some progress, I got out the vacuum cleaner.I went to the drawer where Mom kept her tablecloths, and sure enough, there it was.I knew they had to be around somewhere because I had given them to her for Christmas only a few months ago. Not that the towels were so terribly important. It�s just that when you�re expecting guests, you�d kind of like everything to look nice.But when I pulled out the hand-embroidered tablecloth, the one that it had taken her months to complete, I gasped in dismay. Right in the middle was a big stain. Now how in the world did Mom�s best tablecloth end up with a stain?�What did Mom DO with them?� I wondered aloud.**********************You see, only three weeks earlier, my mother had been diagnosed with advanced gallbladder cancer. Mom died Saturday night, and this was Monday. My father�s niece and her husband were driving 275 miles to attend the funeral, and they would be staying at the house.And in that instant, the whole world seemed to stop while Dad drew a deep breath and let it out slowly.No matter what type or restaurant you have it is crucial to keep in mind the type of atmosphere you want your customer to feel, because the more comfortable they feel, the more likely they are to return.Well, of COURSE the hose was plugged. I couldn�t find the new dishtowels. Mom�s best tablecloth had a big stain. Why wouldn't the vacuum cleaner hose be plugged?

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Author: LeAnn R. Ralph