Holiday crafters prepare all year for the holiday season, hope COVID stays home

 Small craft sellers often make their profits in the last three months of the year, and simply can’t afford to wait until the last minute for holiday preparations. For this reason, as a small seller my holiday planning philosophy is ‘the earlier, the better.’

Colorful holiday kitchen towels with dog-themed embellishments, making a classic addition to your pet-inspired decor.

Poinsettia will bring spirit of holiday to kitchen kitchen towel.

Kitchen towels are a smart option for holiday gift giving. While looking for various options in kitchen towels, there are plenty of incredible materials to choose from for not only absorbency but also soft texture to the touch.

Kitchen towels in baskets with and without candles

Combination of tree ornaments and gift-card holders

Working on gift-card packaging.

MOTHER'S DAY in the TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

Mother’s Day is going to be a little different this year.
The holiday is usually celebrated with family outings to brunch or family get-together for dinner at home —and accompanied by plenty of in-person hugs and kisses. But as the coronavirus pandemic restricts where we can go, and makes social distancing a new norm, many of these traditions will have to be postponed to another year.

Since taking mom out for brunch or dinner is not likely to happen this Mother’s Day, consider purchasing a gift certificate from her favorite small business food store and help support local businesses near her.  

Perhaps you can support her hobbies or help her develop new ones...crafting, painting, cooking or reading - think about what she likes to do and go from there.

It's spring!  Could your mother use help laying down mulch? Or mowing the lawn?  Give her a gift certificate with your family yard and garden services.

Mother’s Day this year won’t look like it usually does, but the feelings can be just as strong. The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to readjust and rethink how we usually do things. Let's make this an opportunity for all of us to get creative.

Remember that mothers will appreciate every gesture of love.

Post-coronavirus reopening the country with masks and distancing (Riapertura post-coronavirus del paese con maschere e distanza)

At this time, experts warn against all nonessential travel anywhere in the world in an effort to flatten the curve.

If you must travel, consider the following risks you might face, depending on what type of travel you are planning:
Air travel: Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights. However, there may be a risk of getting COVID-19 if you are seated within 6 feet of someone who has the virus.  Yes, we are allowed to wear a face mask in flight and while waiting in line for security screening.

As Americans, we can still work together to salvage some summer's joys.

But post coronavirus could mean masks and 6 foot beach blanket rules.  Will it be possible to go to the beach in July?  I guess for this summer slightly special tanning, because you can imagine the mask effect on the tan.

Expect to see face mask fashion take off!

Important:  When reusing the mask, remember to wash it with soapy and hot water.

As the country slowly reopens, let's abide to social distancing rules and stay safe.

SHOULD MY GRANDCHILDREN WEAR A MASK?

There’s evidence that many kids are asymptomatic carriers who get mild symptoms of COVID-19 (or none at all) and can unwittingly spread the disease.
Kids’ masks don’t need to be different than adults’ masks. Material-wise, cotton is your best bet, and you can really make do with what you’ve got at home.

While we don’t yet have data on how many children are asymptomatic carriers of the virus, we do know that at least some are, and if that’s your child or grandchild, you don’t want them touching the bucatini. 

Bucatini with fresh cod

Bucatini with pancetta

DURING THIS PANDEMIC, IT’S A GOOD TIME TO TEACH TEENS SOME LIFE SKILLS

Today with all of our emphasis on academics and what it takes to get into college, essential life skills, such as how to do laundry, balance a checking account or cook a meal, have been overlooked. These essential skills, which used to be taught in home economics courses at school and by parents at home, have fallen off the radar.  

Teens these days are always on the go.  There's just never enough time to prepare for the real world.  This lack of adulting is paralyzing a generation. Forced at home by this coronavirus, presents an opportunity for all parents to teach their teens some life skills.  Yes, the time is now. 

Learning to cook can help your child learn to save money by eating at home.

Teens can learn some form of sewing that can get them on the path to eventually making their own complex projects and clothing.  

Patriotic masks to protect against coronavirus

Let's spread a little love any way we can.

Take advantage of this opportunity to teach your teen some valuable money management lessons, and you’ll do yourself and your child a favor.

• Managing credit and debit cards
• Bank Accounts – Teens should know how a bank account works 
• Budgeting - Teens should understand the differences between income, expenses, and savings, and the concept that expenses should not exceed income.
• Savings – Teens must understand the importance of savings. 
• 
  

Here is Kevin O'Leary explaining the magic of compound interest. 

https://youtu.be/XjTQW4efqQc

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, STAY HOME!

Looking Forward to Spring!

With spring around the corner, it’s time to start getting your house ready for a new season.  Spring is all about brightness, freshness and renewal.  Blacks, deep browns, and dark jewel tones are to be replaced with light and bright pastels. 

In the home, there's a multitude of ways to add a splash of color and a stamp of personal style, at the same time.  

No home is complete without fresh-cut flowers during spring. 

 Fill your home with vases full of energizing spring flowers, from daffodils and tulips.

Spring is a great time to declutter and bring in smart storage solutions, and effectively tidy up your entire home.

Live plants bring the beauty of the garden in any home.

If the hassle of real-life plants sounds too far of a reach, then botanical prints might just be the answer to your spring home decor. Place sets of botanical prints up along a wall  to add a natural decor element to your home. 

I’m always rotating my hand-crafted dish towels around....They add a nice pop of color to any kitchen and are functional as well!  You can’t go wrong with that. 

 

I hope I have inspired you to add a little spring to your home.  

My love for coffee

Are you crazy about coffee like I am? Do you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, firing up your coffee makers?  If the answer is yes, you, like me, surely own a number of items that speak to your love of all things java -  coffee pots, mugs, dish towels and ...the list is endless! 

  

Having coffee in my terrace

Espresso cups from the late 50's

    

I simply love the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, the taste but especially the smell of fresh whole beans. 

Moka espresso coffee pots in various sizes

Espresso coffee cups

Being Italian, I love espresso coffee with steamed milk in the morning.  My ritual in the morning goes something like this:  I brew espresso coffee in my Moka pot.

Moka espresso pot

While the coffee is brewing, I heat milk over low flame and remove it before it starts boiling. I blend the two together and run to my computer and read through some morning e-mails.

My morning coffee with home-made cookies

I also like to treat myself with a cup of coffee in the afternoon. 

...and of course, my drink of choice after dinner is a cup of espresso (no sugar) with a wafer, cookie or piece of chocolate.

         

                                  

 Now, that you know how much I love coffee, it should not surprise anyone that I create my own coffee themed kitchen towels. 

Finally, if you like coffee like I do, I suggest you find a bean, blend or flavor that piques your interest and start turning your coffee ritual into a highlight of your day.