Half a Green Thumb

I love to work in my yard, plant things and watch them grow. Currently, I would say that I maybe have half of the green thumb that my Mom possesses but I do know some of her tricks.

1. Start with good soil. If you aren't having success, have your soil tested. The Missouri Botanical Garden will do this for you.
2. Choose plants for your light conditions (sun, shade, part sun or part shade)
   
3. Don't over plant. Space your plants appropriately so there is room for them to grow.
4. Water regularly.
   
5. Fertilize (Miracle Grow) twice a week.

I hope, with time and patience, I can create outdoor wonderlands that look like this:

Your Secret's Safe with Me

Dad: Uh huh.

Dad: She said she really didn't like that apple, blueberry cereal puff concoction her mom made for dinner and the grass really felt icky on her feet and that grandfather needs to do something about that like get new grass or something but it was really funny when brother kept stacking those cups up and she kept knocking them down, good times, good times.

Dad: No, I didn't tell them what you really said.
Bailey: Good because I'm going to keep playing up this whole baby thing for awhile. These people make really hilarious faces trying to entertain me.

(Thanks to my friend Rachel at His, Mine and Ours for her awesome blogspiration. The format of this post is all hers. )

Five Minute Party Prep (ok, maybe ten)

I love to entertain and have a tendency to overdo it. I like to, it's just what I do.

Lately, I have been pressed for time between starting my Arbonne business (http://angieslayton.myarbonne.com), summer schedules and everything else but I still want to entertain. In light of this, I have developed a party prep routine that allows me to get party ready in under ten minutes. I also say "that would be great," when people ask if they can bring something. "Whatever looks good to you," is what I say when they ask me what I need.

Quick Clean (Three Minutes)
Grab the Windex, Bathroom Cleaner (I like Scrubbing Bubbles) and a roll of paper towels and head to the only bathroom guests will use. If you are a "green cleaner" replace paper towels with cleaning cloths of choice.

1. Windex the mirror
2. Wet the paper towel used to clean the mirror and wipe down the sink and potty
3. While everything is still wet, spray the Scrubbing Bubbles over all surfaces
4. While that sits for a few minutes, replace the hand towels and fix the shower curtain so it hides the tub/shower (remember this is the Quick Clean - no one will be showering or looking in your shower)
5. Wipe down the surfaces with a clean paper towel
6. Put the cleaning products away
7. Wipe down the counter in the kitchen

Quick Food (Five Minutes)
Have on hand grapes, crackers, cheese (I like the sandwich sliced variety) and summer sausage of your preference. Get out a cutting board, knife, kitchen scissors and if using the sandwich sliced cheese, the pizza cutter and three plates.

1. Wash your grapes and set on paper towels to dry
2. Put crackers on a plate, any plate will do - dinner plate, or a couple of small plates
3. If using sandwich sliced cheese, place four pieces on the cutting board each one covering half of the previously placed piece
4. Roll the pizza cutter up the middle, this will yield eight, long and skinny pieces of cheese
5. Roll the pizza cutter horizontally to cut each piece of cheese in half - not cutting the piece underneath (you now have 16 cracker cut pieces of cheese, already staggered to layer on a plate)
6. Place the cheese on a plate and continue with the cutting process until you have as many pieces as you need
7. Slice the summer sausage and place on the plate with the cheese
   
8. Grab the grapes and kitchen scissors and cut the bunch into tiny bunches with 4-6 grapes on each (guests can grab a few grapes without fighting the entire bunch)
9. Put out some small plates and napkins for guests
   

Straighten Up (Two Minutes)
Take a quick look around and

1. Fluff couch pillows
2. Straighten rugs
3. Stack up any piles of paper or magazines
4. Toss shoes or bags or any miscellaneous items into a bedroom or closet
5. Put on some lip gloss and smile! Your guests are here! Enjoy your visit!