Compromise is an agreement whereby both parties get what neither of them wanted.

Author Unknown

May Events 2013

May 1 – May Day

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 12 – Mother’s Day

May 18 – Armed Forces Day

May 27 – Memorial Day

May 21--Victoria Day

Mother’s Day Brunch Recipe:
Crepes

Ingredients: 

2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 cup milk 
6 tablespoons butter, melted 
3 eggs 
4 tablespoons granulated sugar 
1/4 teaspoon salt 

Directions: 

To prepare the batter, blend flour, butter, sugar, eggs and salt until the mixture is smooth. Add milk 1/3 cup at a time, until the batter is a liquid consistency.

To prepare crepes -Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Add ¼ cup of batter to the pan and swirl until the bottom of the pan is covered with batter. Cook the crepe until it is golden underneath. 
Gently flip the crepe over into the pan. 

Cook for another minute and remove.  Fill or top with your favorite filling.

Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo, the fifth of May, commemorates the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Pubela on May 5, 1862.  This is not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day.  That is held annually on September 6^th.

Cinco de Mayo is largely celebrated with food, drinks and music.  Indulge in Mexican cuisine and drink.  Locate your favorite place to celebrate this year.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is an annual holiday that is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.  This year it is on May 12^th.  It is to recognize all mothers and motherhood. It is a time to show appreciation for your mother.  Popular gift ideas include: flowers, perfume, books, massages, plants, chocolate, fruit treats, and gift cards.

Determine Your Style

As much as we like to say it doesn’t matter, looks do matter. Clothes and accessories make an impression about who we are. It is very important for each of us to come into our own style. If you are comfortable in your look, then you will feel more confident in who you are. 

First impressions can only happen once. You want to portray who you are with your looks. The look you had in your teen years won’t help convey how you look in your 30’s.  You can readjust your look to better reflect who you are today.  It is essential to update your clothes and overall look that fits your current style.  Here are a few ideas to accomplish your style:

You should have several interchangeable pieces in your wardrobe that identify your style.  This will make it easier for you to put together different outfits for different occasions. Knowing what color works best for you, helps to reflect your style as well.  You will want to incorporate what colors works best with your skin tone and what makes you feel great.  Note what colors make your eyes brighter and skin glow more.  Watch out for colors that make you look tired or washed out.

Accessories have a way of adding diversity to your wardrobe.  You can wear the same outfit with different accessories and, in doing so you can make a whole new look for yourself.  Accessories can also keep your outfits looking fresh.

When you figure out your style, your colors and what accessories works best for you, then you need to go shopping.  Start by knowing what you are looking for before you go.  While your style might be one way, you might have specialty accessories or shoes that will enhance your style a little.  For example if you are a tee shirt and jeans person, adding a fun purse, a piece of jewelry or shoes can bring a whole new meaning to your outfit.  Know what you are looking for before shopping will make the shopping experience must easier!

Money Saving Tips

There are many ways you can help yourself to save money.  Consider trying a few of the following tips.

1. Write a list before going shopping and stick to the list.
2. Buy non perishable items in bulk, such as toilet paper, paper towels, or laundry detergents.  Don’t buy bulk on items you don’t use. 
3.  Using coupon can help in every day savings. There are many websites and apps that are great resources to get coupons
4.  Pack a lunch. It can save you so much money per year. 
5. Reduce your thermostat in your home.  Recommended winter setting is 68 degrees.  The recommended summer setting is 78 degrees
6. Turn off lights, television and other appliances when not needed or not in use.
7. While brushing your teeth, turn off the water.
8. Use cold water to wash your laundry.

All that I am or ever hope to be,
I owe to my angel Mother.
                                            ~Abraham Lincoln
___________________________________________
"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."

Tips To Organize Your Closet

Getting organized is never easy. Most of us do not have enough space on our closets.  You need to get creative. Here are a few tips to getting started:

1. Clear everything out. Figure out which clothes you wear, and those you don’t. Use the Golden Rule of “if you haven’t worn it in a year, toss it.”
2. If it doesn’t fit, get rid of it.  If you lose a few pounds treat yourself to something new and modern rather than holding on to your “skinny clothes.”
3. Buy the best hangers for your clothes to hang properly. Organize your clothes by category, i.e. short sleeve shirts, dress shirts, casual shirts, and dresses. In addition, organize the clothes by color.
4. For sweaters, fold them. Hangers will ruin them. Again, sort by category or color.
5. Storing shoes can be difficult. You can use boxes, shelves or cubbies to sort your shoes. Keep the shoes you wear all the time accessible.  Store seasonal shoes in boxes on the top shelve of your closet.
6. For accessories, there are all kinds of racks and holders you can buy to store your accessories: tie racks, belt racks, or jewelry trays.
7. Use a pocket filled shoe holder to store  small items, such as, lingerie or leggings.
8. Purses are better if stored upright on a shelf.  To retain its shape, put paper in them.
9. Keep items you use frequently, at eye level.
10. For those items you rarely use, put up high or low in your closet.