Engagement Party Ideas

Following tradition it is the bride's parents who organise and host the engagement party. And it falls to the brides father (or sometimes the fiance) to give the toast formally announcing the engagement. However, the grooms father may also have an opportunity to toast the couple.

The event can take any form that you choose. A lunch, a buffet, a dinner party or even a special trip, it doesn't matter as long as you're comfortable with the arrangements.

Invitations can be made face to face or written according to the level of formality of the event. As a point of etiquette, only invite people to your engagement if you intend to invite them to your wedding.

Sometimes the party is organised so that the announcement is a surprise to most of the guests, in which case, the invitations would have to be more general in nature.

If you don't want a traditional engagement party, there's an unlimited number of ways to celebrate. You engagement celebrations can be as simple or as elaborate as your imagination and financial position allow. Here are some ideas;

Indoors

If you would like to mark the occasion with a formal celebration, why not opt for an intimate dinner party. Invite your closest friends and family to enjoy this highly personal way of announcing your big news. This option is tailor made if you want to announce your engagement with a formal toast.

Alternatively, if you want to celebrate at home in more informal surroundings, hold an "open house" party. Decide what day you want to hold your party and then invite your friends and family to "drop in". This might be the best option if you know a lot of people as the invite can be loosely based on an afternoon through into the evening. After all, that's the nature of an open house - Anyone who knows you can drop in and wish you well.

Finally, if your personality is more exuberant, a fancy dress party can be a fun and novel way to celebrate.

Outdoors

If your get engaged during the summer, there are plenty of opportunities to take your celebrations outside. What about a barbeque, or a beach party? Or even a barbeque on the beach. Alternatively, if you have a swimming pool or know someone who does, you could hold a pool party.

Out On The Town

For many people, celebrations = champagne. So a champagne engagement party fits the bill perfectly. And there are so many types of vintage available, there should be one to suit your budget.

On a similar theme, you might choose to organise a cocktail party. And as a centrepiece to this elegant and glamorous party, why not concoct a special cocktail named after you and your partner.

Finally, you might want to consider a themed party. If you're going out on the town, most options revolve around the type of food on offer at your chosen venue. Anyone for chinese, indian, mexican, italian, french etc?

If you need help planning your wedding, Ellie Thomson can provide you with everything you need to know about all the wedding essentials.

Preventing Fire Damage Outdoors

As you inspect your home, trying to fire proof it, you must keep in mind that your outdoors area is also a part of your home. Do not forget to inspect your patio, back yard, roof and garden when trying to minimize fire hazards as these places are as important as the indoors sections of your home.

Wood Stored in the Backyard

Storing wood in your backyard requires that you follow the basic fire prevention rules to minimize the chance that wood will catch fire that may lead to a larger scale disaster. If you make sure to maintain your wood safely, you can reduce the occurrence, size, and intensity of a fire. As a first line of defense, create a 30 feet safety clearance around stored wood. A green lawn is a good safety parameter, as long as clean of fire catching debris.

Plant Safe

As there are some plants that ate more fire resistant than others, it is smart to plant these plants in the safety zone. Even with this kind of plants you must remove dry leaves, dead limbs, twigs and debris to prevent them from fueling a small fire into a more intense fire. Thin out trees and keep a fifteen feet space between crowns. This will help reducing the chance of fire spreading. If you own high trees or cannot perform this job yourself, hire a professional to do that for you. In addition, remove limbs and dead branches from 6 to 10 feet of the ground to prevent fire from spreading from the ground to the trees.

Roofing

In the past, roofs were built of hazardous, flammable materials and many home losses were a direct result of the roof catching fire. Nowadays, there are new trends that promote fire safety. Consider using non-combustible roofing materials. When building or replacing the roof. Non-combustible materials include class A shingles, metal, or terra cotta. If you don’t have plans to rebuild your roof any time soon, you can still treat it with fire retardant processes and reduce roof flammability.

Barbeque Grills

Barbeque frills require maintenance. Clean your grill and keep it free of dirt and debris build ups. You will find it easier to clean the grill after every use and remove dust and cobwebs before they build up. Check your hose and confirm it is in good condition and cracks free. Never use damaged propane tanks.

For more information visit http://restorationsos.com Free guides are available

Jonathan Meyer is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS™, a leading restoration services provider for water and mold damages. To learn more about water damage, visit http://www.restorationsos.com or call 1-877-SOS-2407.

Cooking with a Wood Fired Barbecue

Long before the advent of charcoal briquettes and propane people were cooking their meals over wood fueled fires. From the days of cave-men to less than one hundred years ago wood was the fuel of choice when it came to cooking. In this modern age we are constantly looking for a faster, cleaner and easier way to do everything, including preparing our meals. This has led to the development of bigger accessory laden gas fueled grills lining the isles of home improvement stores and showing up in our backyards.

But for the barbeque purists out there nothing tastes quite the same as preparing their favorite barbeque dish over a wood fired grill.

Why is this? What could possibly work better then the latest and greatest in barbecue technology?

Depending on the type of wood used the “Grill-Master” (that guy who hovers over the grill creating barbecue master pieces) can create flavors in the meat, poultry or fish that just cannot be had over a more modern gas fueled grill. This flavor can further be adjusted just by the amount of wood used, how hot the fire is, and how much smoke the meat is allowed to marinate in.

There are several types of wood fired barbeques on the market today. They are sometimes referred to as smoker grills.

The offset firebox is the one most of us are used to seeing. These come in all sizes, from small family sized units to large trailer born monsters capable of feeding several hundred people. The distinguishing characteristic of the offset firebox is, well the offset firebox. Set off to the side and slightly below the main cooking chamber is the firebox. This separates the food from direct heat and allows for a nice slow cooking temperature.

The bullet style smoker is not actually a smoker but more of what is called a cold smoker or water smoker. They use a pan of water between the heat source and the meat, thereby blocking any direct heat that would cause any overcooking. In a sense they are not really considered a barbecue because of the way they work.

The main chamber cooker is the third type of wood fired barbeque. These are barrel shaped and allow the fire to be built off to one side with the meat offset from the wood allowing for an indirect cooking method. You do need to be careful with how large of a fire gets built because there is no physical separation between the heat source and the meat. The fire need to be kept small and tended in a timely manner throughout the cooking process.

Of course all this is a moot point if you do not select the right type of wood. For a wood fired barbecue nothing works better than a fruit bearing hardwood such as oak, hickory, pecan, maple apple and of course from Texas mesquite. Do not use softwoods or the wood from evergreens or conifers. Aside from burning at a lower temperature they are loaded with sap which will leave a bad taste on anything you cook.

Cooking meat over a wood fire has been something humans have been doing for thousands of years. With the newer and more modern wood barbecue smokers on the market today it is possible for just about anyone to enjoy real wood fired barbecue.

Andrew Bicknell is a barbeque aficionado with a website about barbequing. For more tips and trick about wood fired barbecues visit his web site Backyard Barbeque.

Cook Up Some Delicious Articles - Barbeque Style

Many article writers tend to fall into self-made traps. One of these traps is following a logical progression of work from start to finish before starting new work.

After the category choice, authors decide on a title, THEN move on to the KEYWORDS, then to the ABSTRACT, then the BODY and then the AUTHOR BIO.

Very rigid.

Believe it or not, by moving outside of this 'writer restriction', you can enjoy a new-found freedom with your article writing. Because, believe it or not, your mind works on different things at different times, even when you're not aware of it. Which is really cool.

Think of it like a barbeque where you're the chef and everyone is over...and they're hungry. (They're always hungry, aren't they?) Of course you've got people coming and going, so you find yourself putting more burgers on, then flipping them, then moving them to a different part of the grill, then throwing on more. Then putting new ones on and flipping and moving those.

(See where I'm headed...)

But, get this, as you're throwing new ones on, you're still thinking about the first ones you put on. Even though they're not what you're thinking about AT THAT EXACT SECOND, somewhere inside your head you know that you'll have to turn them. So you're mentally prepared to RETURN TO THEM. You're actually orchestrating a meal in several, if not many, stages while you're standing there wearing that "Stand Back, This Could ALL Explode At Any Second!" apron on.

You're working on different levels...and you're probably NOT AWARE OF IT.

The suggestion I have then is to take the restrictions off and start up five or six articles. When you feel in the mood to do more on the ABSTRACT of article #2, do it, if you feel more apt to work on the BODY of #4, because you're in the the mood at that time, by all means do it.

This way you follow your own lead and follow your creative mood when it hits you. Because trust me, it does not happen for all article writers the same way...

Following the barbeque trick is tough at first because we're programmed to do things from start to finish. But if you want the best tasting articles, flip them when they're ready and just keep the party going all the time.

To learn exactly how you can use your writing talents to earn a substantial living through article marketing, and to learn specifically how to break into advertising and become a copywriter, visit Kevin Browne's new site www.become-a-copywriter.com

Use Creative Journaling to Connect with Your Life

Many writers, poets, artists, and scientists use the process of journaling to record thoughts and to work out creative problems on paper; but serious journaling doesn't have to be limited to those in the business of creativity. More than a simple diary of main events, a journal is a great place to record menus for dinner parties, or the construction of a quilt; to commemorate a simple, quiet walk in the woods with private thoughts and perhaps drawings of the plant and animal life encountered on the walk; to record a major renovation or redecorating project, complete with before, during, and after photos.

Consider a journal a place to record the experiences of your life in detail; don't just note that you had a family barbeque in your backyard, for instance, but list the people who attended; include photos; list the menu, and if the barbeque was a pot luck, the contributions and who brought them. Write down any interesting family news revealed during the party. If someone gave you a favorite recipe, copy it into your journal.

If you're planning to decorate your living room, plan the project out in your journal, include before and after photos, and add fabric swatches. Make a list of the stores where you got your new furnishings, materials, and supplies; you may want that information at a later date.

Don't neglect your inner life. Write about your own feelings, about both outer events and private musings. Write about the friends and family members who inhabit your life, and the meaning they hold to you. Don't forget ephemera; did you come across a poem that struck you? Copy it into your journal. Are you attracted to a particular song on the radio? Note the name of the song and the performer, and write a little about how it makes you feel.

All these little details of your days, all your thoughts, plans, creative endeavors, and dreams, add up to a rich, full life. More than just information to be accessed for a practical purpose, these details can serve to remind you, during hectic times or when you are discouraged or worn down by circumstances, just how creative, energetic, and complex you really are.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog, http://beyondagendas.blogspot.com

Cook Up Some Delicious Articles - Barbeque Style

Many article writers tend to fall into self-made traps. One of these traps is following a logical progression of work from start to finish before starting new work.

After the category choice, authors decide on a title, THEN move on to the KEYWORDS, then to the ABSTRACT, then the BODY and then the AUTHOR BIO.

Very rigid.

Believe it or not, by moving outside of this 'writer restriction', you can enjoy a new-found freedom with your article writing. Because, believe it or not, your mind works on different things at different times, even when you're not aware of it. Which is really cool.

Think of it like a barbeque where you're the chef and everyone is over...and they're hungry. (They're always hungry, aren't they?) Of course you've got people coming and going, so you find yourself putting more burgers on, then flipping them, then moving them to a different part of the grill, then throwing on more. Then putting new ones on and flipping and moving those.

(See where I'm headed...)

But, get this, as you're throwing new ones on, you're still thinking about the first ones you put on. Even though they're not what you're thinking about AT THAT EXACT SECOND, somewhere inside your head you know that you'll have to turn them. So you're mentally prepared to RETURN TO THEM. You're actually orchestrating a meal in several, if not many, stages while you're standing there wearing that "Stand Back, This Could ALL Explode At Any Second!" apron on.

You're working on different levels...and you're probably NOT AWARE OF IT.

The suggestion I have then is to take the restrictions off and start up five or six articles. When you feel in the mood to do more on the ABSTRACT of article #2, do it, if you feel more apt to work on the BODY of #4, because you're in the the mood at that time, by all means do it.

This way you follow your own lead and follow your creative mood when it hits you. Because trust me, it does not happen for all article writers the same way...

Following the barbeque trick is tough at first because we're programmed to do things from start to finish. But if you want the best tasting articles, flip them when they're ready and just keep the party going all the time.

To learn exactly how you can use your writing talents to earn a substantial living through article marketing, and to learn specifically how to break into advertising and become a copywriter, visit Kevin Browne's new site www.become-a-copywriter.com

Biodegradable Utensils Make for Great Composting

Summer's just around the corner and you know what that means - barbeques, family gatherings, picnics, beach parties, and even more barbeques! This is the time of year that all your good dishware and silverware stay in their cupboards and drawers and you utilize nothing but disposable plates and cutlery. But did you ever consider how much waste that adds up at all the landfills? So many plastic utensils end up piling up landfills and aren't being recycled, because who would even think to recycle that? A better alternative that does the job and is good for the environment that's now catching on in the market is biodegradable cutlery.

Made from corn starch and other biodegradable "plastic" fillers, eco-friendly utensils are on the rise in popularity. Contrary to belief, they will not fall apart on you if you use them in hot items like soups, and they will not break if you use them in cold foods or desserts like ice cream. Biodegradable utensils work like their normal plastic counterparts; the only difference is that they won't pile up in landfills and can even be used in your compost bins.

For the avid gardener who likes to compost, these eco-friendly utensils can be highly beneficial to your garden. After you're done using these utensils, toss them into your compost bin or heap instead of the trash can. In most cases, the packaging that the utensils come in is also biodegradable, which means you can add that into your compost bin, too.

Since they're made out of corn starch and other eco-friendly materials, these biodegradable utensils will not harm your compost heap, adding to your nutrient-rich compost. Do keep in mind that if you plan to toss these utensils into your compost bin that it can take anywhere from six to 18 months for them to fully decompose.

So the next time you're planning your big summer barbeque or food outing, consider using the eco-friendly alternative versus the regular plastic ware. Not only would you be reducing waste at landfills and giving back to the earth's soil, you'll feel good knowing that you're doing your part to protect the earth while enjoying the barbeque.

For a wide selection in chipper shredders and lawn sweepers, be sure to stop by Composters.com.