Helpful Household Hints: Easily clean your microwave, cut down on tarnish on your silver and more!

Helpful Hints: 
We are all looking for time or money saving tips these days. I thought it might be nice to add a few tips here for my readers. 

Cut down on tarnish on your good silver:

When preparing to set a pretty table, no one likes to find tarnish on their silver! Polishing silver for that special event is the last thing most of us want to do before setting a lovely table. Cut down on tarnish build up simply by storing a piece of chalk in the case with your silver. It helps cut down on moisture and in turn, tarnish. In actuality, you may go years without having to polish your silver.

Quickly and easily clean your microwave and refrigerator:

 I have always been obsessed with having a clean refrigerator and microwave. Just something I can't seem to help. I always cover food before heating but I can't say the same for my family. Sometimes children (or even my husband) "forget" to cover food while heating and it splatters all over the microwave. If you are like my kids, or if you have been a bit lax in cleaning your microwave, read on. I have a couple great tips for you.

Lemon and citrus is a great smell in the kitchen. Many people equate that smell with clean. I know I do. All you need for keeping your microwave clean is a lemon and some water. UNLESS YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY TO LEMONS, cut your lemon in half or squeeze the fresh juice into an UNCOVERED microwave safe bowl or container and mix with roughly 300ml (1 1/4 cups) of water. Place container in the microwave and heat (on high) to boiling. (Usually about 5 minutes) Let it sit in the microwave for about 10 minutes and then wipe clean. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave.

(BE CAREFUL! REMEMBER THIS IS BOILING WATER. WEAR OVEN MITS TO REMOVE HOT LIQUID.) Using a soft cloth, wipe the microwave out with amazing ease! You will likely want to remove the inner turn table for cleaning under it before you wipe the microwave.

Why Does this work?

The moisture from the heated water accumulates on the walls of the microwave and loosens food particles making it easy to wipe off. The lemon smell cuts the food odors in your microwave leaving it smelling nice and clean.

But you say you don't have any lemons?

Don't have lemons? Just put a bit of lemon juice in a bowl of water, heat and wipe as above.
Ok, I will admit, I don't always have sliced lemons to work with but when I do, I love using them to clean my microwave. Using the lemon juice in water is something I do daily to quickly wipe my microwave. It is so easy to keep a microwave nice and clean and really only takes a moment. After cleaning, I place a clean paper towel on the turntable to catch any spills that might find their way into my clean microwave. When spills occur, removing the paper towel is quick and easy. Keeping your microwave clean is so easy and takes only moments. While you are cleaning, take a moment to wipe the outside of the microwave with your regular kitchen cleaner. Viola'! Your microwave is sparkling clean.

**If I don't have any lemon juice, I have found that plain, white vinegar works as well. The smell is a bit strong at first but fades quickly.

**BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET EITHER LEMON OR VINEGAR IN YOUR EYE. IT WON'T FEEL GOOD!

Still in the mood for cleaning?

Use any left over lemon or vinegar water to wipe down your refrigerator to keep it gleaming too!

**My sister has a fancy microwave with a venting system so this tip doesn't work for her. She can heat the lemon or vinegar water "till the cows come home" and no moisture builds up on her microwave. Instead of heating water, she slices a lemon and dips it in salt to scrub the interior of her microwave out. Then, she wipes out the salt residue with a warm cloth. (Want to know a secret? I am glad the moisture does work in my microwave, but I do love her fancy microwave.)

How to store lemon zest

Do you run out of lemon zest when cooking? When cooking with lemons, grate the peeling to get zest. Put the grated zest into a freezer bag and store in your freezer. You will always have lemon zest on hand for those recipes that call for zest!

 

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Does Sunscreen Expire? What should I know about sunscreen?

With summer already upon us, many of us (to include myself) find ourselves asking questions about our Sunscreen. I think it goes something like this: we head to the bathroom to dig out the bottle of sunscreen that we haven't really used much of since last summer. After moving things around a bit, we spot the bottle we purchased sometime last summer after using up the one we found stashed in the cabinet at this time last year. We turn the bottle over looking to see if there is anything printed on the bottle regarding expiration date. Is it still good? How can I tell? What are the "rules" about sunscreen expiration. Use it or trash it? That is the question!

Next, I did what most of us do when we have no idea about such things. I headed to the web to see if I could find any reputable information. I found it alright! Enough, in fact, that it left my head swimming with data. Who knew there could be so much information published about sunscreen and yet....here I go adding to the pile. There are a few important things I learned that I thought were important enough to share with others.
It is my hope that sharing what I learned with you will help you avoid a sunburn while enjoying summer.

1. Does Sunscreen expire?

Answer: YES! Sunscreens are designed to remain at original strength for up to three years. This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one year to the next. (Hooray, I can use the bottle I have left from last year!)

Tip: Some sunscreens have a printed expiration date on the bottle. (The expiration date is the date that indicates when a product is no longer effective.)
Make a habit of looking for the expiration date on any new bottle of sunscreen that you purchase. If no expiration date can be found, write the date purchased on the outside of the bottle for reference later.
(Remember, if you store remaining lotion until next year, you will likely be asking yourself this same question again.)

2. When should I discard sunscreen?

Answer: Discard sunscreen that is more than 3 years old, has been exposed to high temperatures or has obvious changes in color or consistency.


Let's be honest, if we are applying sunscreen as often as we should be, there probably shouldn't be any sunscreen that ever gets stored until the next summer. A bottle of sunscreen shouldn't last from one year to the next. We should be using it often, and not just in summer. Sunscreen should be used generously and frequently.

3. How much sunscreen should be applied at a time, generally speaking?

Answer: Generally, a liberal application is 1 ounce (30 milliliters) — the amount in a shot glass — to cover all exposed parts of the body. If you have a 4-ounce (118-milliliter) bottle, you'll use about one-fourth of it during one application.

To maximize protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply sunscreen generously 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply about every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating. Be sure to rub the sunscreen in well.

4. How often should I reapply sunscreen?
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours—sooner if you swim or exercise because water, sweat, and clothing can remove it from the skin. Don’t skimp! You should use at least an ounce with every application, so in a full day at the beach you’d go through half of an eight ounce bottle.


5. What does SPF mean? Does a higher SPF mean better sun protection?

 SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and refers to the theoretical amount of time you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned.
For example, an SPF of 15 would allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without protection. So, if your skin starts to redden in 20 minutes without sun block, applying a product with SPF15 increases that time by a factor of 15, meaning you could stay in the sun for 300 minutes. In addition, a higher SPF blocks out more rays—a product with an SPF of 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays; SPF 30 filters out about 97%.

***Important things to remember about sunscreen:

*Remember to apply sunscreen initially 30 minutes before going outside and then frequently there after!

 *Remember, you still need sunscreen on cloudy days!

*Remember to apply sunscreen while participating in sports activities.

*Sunscreen can be easily washed off by exposure to water or sweat, which can leave parts of your skin vulnerable to UV rays.  Applying your sun protection unevenly or not reapplying sunscreen often enough can also reduce its effectiveness. Finally, certain medications—such as antibiotics or products with retinol—can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight.

*Remember to apply sunscreen in during winter exposure.

*Special sunscreen products can be purchased for use on face and lips!

*Be extra careful in the sun if you have fair skin or if there is a history of skin cancer in your family. (This may mean that you could be at higher risk for skin cancer than others.)

**Certain medications can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight on your body.
(Medications like antibiotics or products with retinol might put you at risk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medications you take cause sun sensitivity.)

**SPF only applies to UVB rays.  There is no SPF equivalent for UVA.
You can look for additional ingredients in your sunscreen to protect you from UVA—such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—but there’s no standard measurement for how long these ingredients will keep you protected. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB. Look for products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they protect against the full spectrum of UVA rays.

Good Ideas:

*Sun protective clothing
You might also consider purchasing special sun-protective clothing. A relatively new rating for sun protective textiles is UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor. UPF blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
I was surprised to find all the readily available styles available in this line of clothing.

*Wear a hat to help protect your face from burn

*Try using laundry detergent with sun guard included.
Special laundry detergents such as Rit Sun guard (sunguardsunprotection.com) can increase the UPF of most clothing for about 20 washings. Keep in mind that no matter what you’re wearing, all fabrics block less UV light when they’re stretched or wet.

*What should I consider when choosing regular clothing from my closet if I don't have any UPF clothing?
Choose your clothes wisely before you go out in the sun. Dark clothing can block nearly all UV radiation and tightly woven fabrics are more protective than looser weaves. If you’re wondering how well your clothing will protect you, just hold it up to the sun. If you can see light passing through it, UV rays can get through, too.

*My last tip is to keep an eye on your skin: Look for new moles or changes in old moles and report any concerns to your health care provider.
Visit your dermatologist for a head to toe skin examination at least annually, even if you don't see any suspicious areas. If you see skin changes or suspicious areas, I encourage you to visit your health care provider immediately.

Have fun in the sun but be safe!

 

In the market for a snowsuit?

 

Both last year and this year, I have sold Rothschild premium snowsuits at a discounted price. This year, I sold them locally and also to some ski shops. I sold so many, in fact, that I had to restock and still ran out of most requested sizes. I am offering the last one in my store at a bargain. This set retails for $108 and you can get it now for a "Buy It Now" in my eBay store for $59.99
I do not intend to restock this year so this will be the last one I offer until I begin to sell for next season. The set in my store is brand new, with tags...in sealed bag. It is sized at girls 10/12 or medium. This set is adorable on.  It has many desired features. Great for skiing, winter play and gift giving too! Perfect for the ski bunny or last minute ski trip! Looks great in pictures. Even if you are looking for next year, this set would be a great value to put back. Buy it today for immediate shipment with cleared payment or make me an offer. You can click HERE to go to my store.You can see more details and pictures in my previous post. (Please note, all sizes have been sold except this last one in a girls 10/12) Even though this is not winter, I will leave this suit in my store for the time being. This would be an excellent time to buy ahead of time for winter.
Thanks for visiting my blog today.  

SALE! Girl's Rothschild Snowsuit 3 piece set, perfect for winter and skiing!

Listed today are BRAND NEW

Girls Rothschild 3 piece snowsuits.

(Jacket, pants and matching headband)

Perfect for winter and for skiing
*Don't wait! these sets are selling quickly!

GIRLS 3piece ROTHSCHILD SNOWSUIT

Sizes: 4, 6/8, 10/12, 14/16

Snow / SKI outfit

over $108 Retail value... NEW

On Sale at 40% off!

You can get this set right now in my eBay shop

GREAT SAVINGS!

*Perfect for Gift Giving

 

NWT Girl's 3-piece Snowsuit by Rothschild, a well known company that is fully committed to high quality products, technical innovation, updated styling in kids outerwear and their comfortable, excellent fit. These snowsuits offered here today are among Rothschild's best sets and offer many updated  & desired features that are sought after in a top quality snowsuits. These adorable snowsuits would be suitable for gift giving. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your Princess, or if you are looking for the perfect suit for outdoor snow play, skiing or just keeping warm, you've found the perfect suit. You can't go wrong with this item. Snap one up today...while they last!

These pretty snowsuits are:
BRAND NEW WITH TAGS!!!

Maker: Rothschild 3 Piece Snow Suit
First Quality: Retails for over $108
Size: Girls 4, 6/8, 10/12, 14/16 
 Color: Mint green with lavender and white trim
3 piece set includes:
(1) Winter Parka / Jacket, (1) pair ski / snow pants, (1) matching fleece headband.

This adorable set has so many wonderful features making it a real find.

The color of the set offered is a soft mint green trimmed with lavender and white.

The pictures below highlight only a few of the outstanding featured of this suit.

The set features a matching fleece headband too! So pretty!

If you are in the market for a snow suit in this size, you can find these suits in my eBay store or you can message me directly to get one. I am selling these sets locally too, so message me to get one while they last. This would make a great Christmas gift.

You can click HERE to go directly to my listing or you can go to the right hand column of this blog and click the eBay store listing.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Gatlinburg Rental for Christmas season and also 2014! Rent from us!

Hello Everyone, I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas season. Several people have made inquiries regarding rental opportunities in one of our Gatlinburg properties. We do have several beautiful properties that are still available. It would be a wonderful place to spend the upcoming holidays or to just have a bit of a get away....or dare I say.....get some shopping done. :-)

We absolutely love going to the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area during the Christmas season. It is so beautiful. For those of you who enjoy dinner shows, you will surely be pleased. Many of the shows have unique Christmas themed presentations. We have visited several of them and haven't seen one that we did not thoroughly enjoy. I invite you to visit one of my vacation blogs to get an idea what our units look like. 

http://www.letsgogatlinburg.blogspot.com/

http://www.letsgosmokymountains.blogspot.com/

These are only a few pictures. You can find more photos of our various types of units on our blogs as mentioned above. 

If you are interested in a vacation over the holidays or anytime in the 2014 upcoming year, please contact us. We have several units. We can rent anywhere from several of 5 connecting condos or can rent only one. Let us know what you need and we will see what we have available. Oh! I almost forgot! All of our luxurious units are located on a secure resort with amenities galore. Even better, each unit comes with tickets for your stay to the amazing indoor water park, Wild Bear Falls. Contact me for details! You will glad you did. 

We look forward to hearing from you regarding your vacation either now or in 2014. (If you want to visit another location, please ask me about that. We have units available at other destinations too) 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. 

Kassie 

Rent our Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Villas at a luxury resort Dec 16 - 23, 2012

 

Are you looking for a last minute vacation spot in the Smoky Mountains? Because our plans have changed, we are unexpectedly offering our luxury villa (with log cabin like architecture) vacation property for rent. This resort is completely booked so this is a great opportunity for the person seeking a last minute rental in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area. *Includes water park tickets to WILD BEAR FALLS indoor water park.

Take A Christmas Holiday in the Smoky Mountains...
We have for rent..3 Grande and Deluxe cabin style villas.
Rent one villa....two.....or all 3!

Check in is this coming December 16 - 23, 2012.

Check in is this coming December 16 - 23, 2012.

email: graygirl.61@comcast.net

Architecture reminiscent of the countries great log lodges.

We own luxury villas @ Westgate Smoky Mtn Resort and Spa
(click here to see a video)

http://youtu.be/iHRs_JN3R8c


(We own ten Smoky Mountain rental villas with cabin like architecture, so if you are not interested in renting for this time, please contact me for availability for other times of year.) *Pet Friendly...see terms below

We have 3 beautiful grand and deluxe villas for rent at a luxury resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Sadly, our vacation plans were altered and we will not be able to use all of our villas so we are looking to rent them. These villas are adjoining so if rented together, sleep 12. (Can rent villas separately, but would prefer to rent them together. Each unit slightly different but all beautiful. All villas we own are either grande or deluxe king bed units.) Our villas are located in a beautiful security resort, so no one can get on the resort compound without being checked in through guard station.

A rustic mountain retreat nestled in the heart of the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa sits on 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park East of the Rockies and the most-visited national park in the United States. In addition, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa provides convenient access to both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions such as Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Dollywood theme park.
.

Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is an *Interval International Premier Resort*

The villas are spacious, mountain top, and beautifully appointed. Each villa can accommodate 4 guests comfortably. Available for the specified week, if combined is one Grande Suite / Villa and 2 Deluxe Suites /Villa's. When combined together, the 3 units have one jetted tub and 2 balconies. The villas will be located on the resort in either the 3000 or 4000 buildings which, due to their magnificent location high on the ridge, are considered to be equivalent to Smoky Mountain "penthouse" villas of the property. The panoramic view from that vantage point is nothing short of spectacular! These buildings are also coveted because they are the only 3 of their kind in Gatlinburg and because of Gatlinburg law, no others like them can be built by anyone. They offer elevators which aide in handicap accessibility. The elevator also makes these finely appointed villas more desirable since there are no stairs to lug your suitcases up and down. Checking in and out is a snap! Guests can enjoy the extensive on-site water park, Wild Bear Falls. As a rental guest of an owner, normal fees are waived. This is a huge savings!
* Each of the units are slightly different but all beautifully appointed.

Each villa has a living room, bathroom & washer/dryer, kitchen and bedroom.

Most villas have balconies.

Spectacular view

The abundance of on site amenities at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa include the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park, award-winning Westgate Smokehouse Grill, Mason Jar Lounge, two heated outdoor pools (seasonal), two hot tubs, 24-hour fitness center and 24-hour Smoky Mountain Marketplace.

The villas, if rented for 12 would include 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 living rooms, 3 kitchens, 3 washer & dryer's, fireplaces and balcony's and grand unit with jacuzzi, whirlpool tub. Televisions in each bedroom and living room. Linens provided. The view is spectacular! The villas come with tickets to Wild Bear Falls, one of the largest indoor water parks in the nation. These tickets are included in rental price. (This is a huge savings!!!)

Wild Bear Falls...indoor water park

Exercise Facility

Game Room

Mason jar lounge.

Restaurant

There is also a full service SPA on property!

Escape to the new Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial.

(these are but a few photos from the resort)

There is an on property shuttle that comes by your villa every 20 minutes that will take you anywhere on the resort compound you might like to go, free of charge. The resort has all sorts of family activities to participate in. You can even phone ahead and your concierge will stock your kitchen and have it waiting for you. (for a nominal fee)

Wonderful, relaxing Christmas vacation at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Spa. It includes all of the below listed:

• Wild Bear Falls Water Park
• Westgate Smokehouse Grill
• Room Service Available 6 PM-10 PM Daily
• Mason Jar Lounge
• Roaring Fork Snack Bar
• Smoky Mountains Ice Cream Shop
• Serenity Spa by Westgate
• Two Heated Outdoor Pools (seasonal)
• Two Hot Tubs
• Fitness Center
• Playground
• Trolley Service to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge

• Bear Foot Game Room
• BBQ Grills
• 24-Hour Smoky Mountain Marketplace
• Concierge Service
• Attraction Tickets Desk
• DVD Rentals
• Conference Room/Meeting Space/Banquet Facilities
• Catering Services
• Business Center
• High-Speed Wireless Internet Access
• ATM
• 24-Hour Front Desk & Security
• Pet Friendly*

.
The villas are pet friendly for an additional fee payable to the resort at check in. (See pet policy below)

The resort is centrally located between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg just across from the Sugarland visitors center. If you want to park your car and take shuttle to either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, you could easily do so.

Check-in Time: After 4:00 p.m.

Check-out Time: Before 10:00 a.m.

These condos at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa are in our name. In order to put the condo in your name for the week, I will need your full name and contact information must be provided in order to complete booking. Once all fees have been paid, you will be given access information to get onto the resort compound.

RESORT POLICIES:

**PLEASE NOTE!...A valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport is required at check-in. Your major credit card will be pre-authorized for a security deposit for any incidental charges (varies per hotel). If you do not have a major credit card, some properties will accept a cash deposit. Special requests such as a roll away or cribs are subject to availability and additional fees. Depending on the hotel policy, extra person charges and fees for hotel amenities, including parking fees may apply.

Pet Policies: A $75 nonrefundable deposit is required at check-in. If there is no damage upon check-out, the deposit will be returned. A separate $80 nonrefundable cleaning fee is required at check-in. Two pets (cat or dog) allowed under 60 lbs. There are breed limitations. Guests with service animals will not be charged any of the above fees.

These deluxe villas are beautiful and are available for rental this coming December 16 - 23, 2012.

If you are interested, please contact me at graygirl.61@comcast.net or using the contact button below. Spend the Christmas holiday in Gatlinburg.

Thanks for visiting my blog today,
Kassie