Draw Logs With A Fire

Drawing fire requires you to look at the basic shapes in the fire.

Fire is one of man's greatest discoveries. Today, you can still make fire by putting a spark to kindling, but you can also create fire by putting pencil to paper. In fact, in many artistic genres like fantasy, the visual motif of fire figures in largely --- not only from the mouths of dragons, but also in simpler formats like fire on logs. Fortunately, the skills involved to master drawing fire are simple to learn.

Instructions

1. Gather some pictures of fire. Get quite a few, because you want to have a number of different photos to draw from. Some good places to start looking are magazines that specialize in stories about the natural world. Also look in books about the subject. Finally, because learning to draw is a process, and often it's simpler to learn to draw from looking at a drawing instead of a photo, be sure to include some illustrations that include fire as well.

2. Study the images. Notice how fire and logs are shaped. As you study the images, you may notice that certain basic shapes begin to emerge if you look long enough. For example, fire basically looks like a drop of water, meaning that it's heavier and rounder on the bottom and then it tapers up into a point. Logs, on the other hand, tend to be cylinders. The embers of the fire usually take the shape of diamonds or triangles. Naturally, each has some variations that make it unique like embers that shoot up or branches that stick out, but looking for the shapes will help you train your eye.

3. Use your tracing paper to map out the basic shapes of the fire in your reference photos. You'll lose the tracing paper eventually, but for right now, it will provide the framework to allow yourself to see and draw these shapes.

4. Make practice sketches and practice often. Look at lots of different photos of fire on logs, trees on fire and even fire in other instances like a fire-breathing dragon. Start drawing them using the basic shapes.

5. Expand on your sketches by noticing the lines around your objects in your reference photos. Really notice how the lines deviate from the basic teardrop on the fire or the basic cylinder on the log. Without getting rid of your basic shapes, add detail lines to the fire and logs. One of the true keys to drawing is to draw what you see; recreate the lines as you see them in the reference photos. The more you can create this detail --- the angles of the lines and the way they intersect with each other --- the closer your drawing will look to your reference photo.

6. Get rid of the extra lines by erasing them. As you draw your detail lines onto your basic shapes, you'll notice that you'll have a few extra lines. Get rid of those and leave only the ones that your drawing needs.

Tags: basic shapes, fire logs, reference photos, your reference, basic shapes fire, detail lines, different photos

Homemade Decoration Ideas For A Birthday

Add a personal touch to a birthday party with homemade decorations.

When you plan a birthday party for a friend or family member, you want to make the celebration as personal as possible. One way to personalize the party is to make the decorations yourself. Many decorations aren't all that hard to do, and they can satisfy your creative bent. Does this Spark an idea?

Memories Collage

Pictures of the guest of honor can be used in many ways. Make color copies of the pictures and then group them together in a theme, such as past birthdays, sports activities or school years. Consider doing more than one grouping. For each collection, cut out the pictures and then make a collage on poster board. Put a title on each collage so everyone understands the theme.

Drink Coasters

Have a picture of the guest of honor color copied on sheets of card stock. Then cut the card stock in a circle 3 inches in diameter with the guest of honor's face is in the middle. The circles can be used as drink coasters for all of the guests. You could also punch holes in the top of the circles, tie string in the holes and then hang the circles around the house as decorations.

Banner

Use a white sheet to create a birthday banner. Get a white bed sheet, some craft paint and enough cardboard to lay under the sheet as you paint. Paint the words "Happy Birthday" and then the guest of honor's name on the banner. Place the banner on the cardboard to protect the surface underneath from any bleeding paint. Use the guest of honor's favorite colors or the colors of his favorite sports team. On the night of the party, have guests sign the banner.

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Tags: guest honor, birthday party, card stock, pictures then, white sheet

Attend A Bar Mitzvah

So you've been invited to a bar mitzvah. If this is your first, you may not know what the celebration is all about, let alone what to wear, what gift to bring and what kind of festivities take place. The good news is that you can look forward to one great party--and with a little bit of preparation you'll blend in with the whole meshpucha (Yiddish for family). Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1. Understand what a bar mitzvah is. A bar mitzvah celebrates a Jewish boy's rite of passage into adulthood and usually takes place when he's around 13 years old. It begins with a formal ceremony and usually takes place in a synagogue during Saturday morning services. The bar mitzvah boy reads from the Torah, leads the congregation in prayer and usually talks about a community service project he conducted as part of his preparation.

2. Get ready for lots of fun after the ceremony. Sometimes the reception can take place immediately afterwards. Other times it can be a nighttime party or a luncheon the following day. It's usually fairly similar to a wedding with catered food, floral arrangements, favors and a disc jockey or band.

3. Dress in a suit or dress for the ceremony. Women need to make sure their arms are covered if the ceremony is held in a conservative synagogue. For the party, suits are also appropriate unless the invitation says black tie--which is very unusual. Women can wear cocktail dresses for evening affairs and suits or more casual skirt outfits and dresses for luncheons.

4. Bring a gift similar slightly lower in scale to what you'd give at a wedding. A cash savings bond is always a great idea, or you can give books, camping equipment, an iPod, a watch or anything else you think would appeal to a 13 year old boy. The Hebrew representation of the word "life" is the same as the number 18, so people often give cash or checks in multiples of $18, such as $36 or $180.

5. Expect a kosher menu if the reception is at a synagogue. This means no dairy and meat products served at the same time--fish and dairy may be served together, but not fish and meat or poultry.

6. Enjoy a party filled with dancing, games and often a candle lighting ceremony, where the bar mitzvah boy asks the people closest to him to light the 13 candles on his cake.

Tags: take place, takes place, usually takes, usually takes place

Deeppit Bbq

Deep-pit barbecues allow you to cook large pieces of meat slowly and inexpensively. Dig a large hole in the ground to build a fire. Once you successfully build the fire, you can then prepare the large meat for the pit. Pork, lamb and beef are often cooked in barbecue pits, but you can prepare almost any type of meat. Successfully barbecuing the meat does require some trial and error, but the results will be worth it when you impress your friends and family members with a meal of slow-cooked, juicy barbecue. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Dig a pit large enough to cook the food. The barbecue pit will need to be 2 feet wider and longer than what you plan to cook. If you want to barbecue a whole pig that has a measurement of 4 by 2 feet, then you will need to dig a hole that is 6 by 4 feet. Pile the soil off to the side to use later.

2. Line the barbecue pit with bricks or large stones to help hold the heat inside. Water the grass around the pit to prevent sparks from flying up when you add more wood or coals to the fire pit.

3. Fill the pit 2-1/2 feet deep with coals or wooden logs. It can take up to two hours until you have the depth of coals that you need, and you may need to add more coals and wood to the pit to get the necessary depth for the coals. Light the coals or wood to start the fire. Allow the logs to burn down into embers, which may take between four to six hours. Smooth the embers with a shovel.

4. Prepare the food for the barbecue pit. Season the meat if you desire. Place the cut of meat in a clean and dry grocery bag. Fold the grocery bag around the food to keep it tightly secured. Wrap the grocery bag with two sheets of wet newspaper to prevent the bag from catching on fire.

5. Add 2-½ feet of aspen or other green branches on top of the embers. Lower the meat into the pit carefully so it sits on the branches. Cover the pit with a large sheet of metal to help cut off the air so the meat does not burn. Cover the metal with a large tarp and place the soil on top to prevent any smoke from escaping. Place an old blanket on top of the soil to maintain the heat. The coals will continue to burn and cook the meat, and covering the pit will help to maintain a constant temperature.

6. Cook the meat until it reaches the desired doneness. Large pieces of meat can take up to 12 hours to cook. You can also cook the meat overnight and enjoy it the next day.

Tags: build fire, coals wood, cook meat, depth coals, food barbecue, meat does, pieces meat

Design A Retirement Celebration Program

Design a Retirement Celebration Program

Retirement celebrations are designed to celebrate the time a person has put into a career with a particular company. At the same time, they should also mark the beginning of a new era in life for the retiree. When planning a retirement celebration party, the aim will be to make the program as memorable as possible within budget parameters and time constraints. Anyone can plan an event to honor a colleague or family member; it just takes organized planning.

Instructions

1. Create a list of to-dos for the party. This should include food/catering, a location, invitations, games, retiree research and entertainment. You can find templates online to help keep you on track.

2. Determine your budget. If this is a private celebration you are putting on for a friend or family member, you will need to assess what you can afford to spend. If you are planning an organization event, determine what the company will provide and how much you can collect from coworkers. You may even ask coworkers to pay to attend the event.

3. Select a venue. You will want to know how many people the venue can accommodate, if catering can be provided, as well as what type of entertainment it can support.

4. Hire the caterer, entertainment and flower/decoration vendors. The more time you have to prepare, the better deal you can negotiate with vendors. Hire someone to videotape the event and/or take photographs.

5. Design the cover of the program for the party. This should have a picture of the retiree with the date of retirement as well as the date of the party. Include the location of the celebration on the cover.

6. Compile a list of quotes that coworkers, family and friends say about the retiree. Keep this positive and fun. This can be arranged on the inside cover of the program.

7. Write out the celebration schedule of events on the inside back cover. This should include the time the party starts, when the toasts and roasts will occur and when any games, dancing or other activities are happening.

8. On the back cover of the program, include a poem or saying that encourages the retiree to enjoy his new life. A group picture of the retiree's fellow coworkers or family and friends on the back cover would add a personal touch and is a great keepsake for the retiree.

9. Determine the number of copies needed, allow for extra copies for the retiree, and have the program printed.

Tags: back cover, cover program, This should, Celebration Program, coworkers family, coworkers family friends, Design Retirement

Make A Glass Container With Sand Rocks And Tea Light Candles

Use tea light candles for a beautiful centerpiece

Create a beach themed table centerpiece using a glass container, tea light candles, sand, and decorative rocks. Because of the small, short shape of tea lights, the ideal container for this project would be something like a glass tray. The container should be long to accommodate the decorations but not much taller than the tea lights. Having sides higher than the flame of the candles helps keep them safe from wind when used outdoors. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Use candle adhesive to affix the tea lights to the bottom of the container. This prevents the candles from slipping around if the centerpiece is moved.

2. Gently pour sand into the container. Avoid pouring the sand into the candles. Use your hand to pack the sand in closer to the edges of the tea lights.

3. Strategically place decorative rocks around the candles. Avoid placing rocks where they will block the view of the flame when the candles are lit.

4. Place the completed glass centerpiece on a table and light the candles. Do not leave the centerpiece unattended while candles are lit.

Tags: light candles, decorative rocks, sand into

Airbrush Gumpaste Flowers

Gum paste flowers look like actual flowers but are completely edible.

Gumpaste flowers can become a centerpiece to any sugar-filled dessert. They look like authentic flowers, but they tend to shimmer and look moist because of the sugar content. Many bakers and pastry chefs air brush their gumpaste flowers to color coordinate the rest of the cake or the event, such as a wedding reception, birthday party or baby shower. Using an airbrush, you can bring a shimmering color to your beautiful creation-if you air brush the flowers correctly. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Mix two containers of pearl dust and luster dust with 2 ounces of vodka or tequila, then shake the mixture.

2. Pour the solution into the airbrush cup. Tighten the cup into the airbrush gun, and aim the gun 6 inches away from the gumpaste flowers.

3. Press the trigger to spray the flowers. Spray the flowers evenly for about 25 to 30 seconds to maximize the color of the flowers.

4. Let the paint on the gumpaste flowers air dry. Pour some water into a teakettle, turn it on then put on some yellow gloves. Use the steam from the kettle and hold each gumpaste flower over the teakettle’s steam. Do this until the flower is slightly wet. Place the gumpaste flower in a freezer until you are ready to place it on your cake or pastry.

Tags: gumpaste flower, gumpaste flowers, into airbrush, look like

Make A Rug Out Of Plastic Bags

When plastic bags start to reproduce under your kitchen sink, the burning question is, "What can I do with these stupid things?" Obviously, you can use them for cleaning up after your dog or even for carrying groceries home from the store again. But one more creative use for these ubiquitous signs of our commercial society is to recycle them as a rug for your floor.

Instructions

Prepare

1. Make your loom. This plastic bag rug is woven and you'll begin by making a loom out of cardboard. To make this project VERY environmentally friendly, use a piece of recycled cardboard as well.

2. Cut the cardboard to size. It must be three inches larger than the size of plastic bag rug you want to make.

3. Use a yardstick or ruler to draw a line one and a half inches inside the top and bottom edges of the cardboard. Then make a mark every one and a half inches along each of the lines.

4. Use your scissors to cut a "V" at each mark along the top and bottom of the cardboard.

5. Cut the large garbage bag into six inch wide strips and tie them all together, making one long piece.

6. Wrap the long garbage-bag strip, or the ribbon, around the cardboard using the "V" to hold it in place. Tie the ends together in the back of the cardboard.

Weave

7. Cut the plastic shopping bags open along the sides and flatten them.

8. Tie three bags together. Vary the colors to make a more interesting rug.

9. Tie one end of the grocery bags to the top corner of the loom; to the garbage bag strip or ribbon, not the cardboard.

10. Weave the shopping bags over and under and over and under the garbage bag or ribbon strips. Alternate each row and add more bags as you work. Continue weaving your rug until the cardboard is completely filled.

11. Tie the last plastic shopping bag to the last strip in the bottom corner when the cardboard is full.

12. Cut the garbage bag strips or ribbon at the top and bottom of the loom. Be sure to cut them two at a time and tie them together to avoid having your new plastic bag rug unravel.

Tags: cardboard Weave, half inches, over under, plastic shopping, shopping bags, strip ribbon, them together

Hawaiian Shot Glass Gifts

Reminiscent of the islands themselves, a Hawaiian shot glass conjures memories of sunshine, warm tropical breezes and flowers. These gifts are as individual as the islands; they contain scenes ranging from a Hawaiian maiden doing the hula to a day at the beach riding the waves. Visitors who bring one back can pass along the allure of Hawaii to another.

Hawaiian Girl

A traditional Hawaiian shot glass theme displays a hula girl wearing a grass skirt, a lei around her neck, a flower in her hair while her arms are outstretched, telling the hula story through her dance. Another selection includes a young Hawaiian girl draped in a long muumuu, flowers around her neck and in her hair, strumming a ukulele.

Another possibility is the Hibiscus Hula Girl shot glass. This hand-blown shot glass features a girl with long, flowing brown locks and a red Hibiscus behind her ear wearing the traditional grass skirt. Among other options are a hand-blown glass featuring a wahine with long dark hair sporting a star in her hair while doing a hula or the Pineapple Girl shot glass on which the girl holds a pineapple in her right hand with a plumeria lei.

Flowers and Animals

Hawaii is known for its exotic flowers. A pale green shot glass covered with the Hawaiian plumeria exists as does one with a blue background and green palm trees and plumeria. Another option is a hand-blown shot glass with an etched red hibiscus. The hibiscus also comes in navy or silver tones or in a combination of black and gold hibiscus.

Another Hawaiian theme consists of images of marine life. Such shot glasses depict swimming dolphin or turtles. These glasses may have multiple dolphins or a combination of dolphins, fish and turtles. A fun shot glass choice features the Kauai Chicken, sporting his green Hawaiian shirt and lei.

Typically Hawaiian

Available beach scenes include a hand-blown shot glass of Dano's Surfboards lined up around the glass or a shot glass of a Woodies wagon featuring the beach, palm trees, a 1950 surf wagon and the endless blue sea. Scenes of the beach with a canoe on the sand, sprawling palm trees and a rolling shoreline abound. Buyers can carry the theme forward and pick the Hawaiian hang loose sign shot glass with the thumb and pinkie extended while the other three fingers are closed. The tiki god shot glass features four Hawaiian gods. Another shooter glass features the image of lava and red-hot flames spewing from a volcano.

Tags: shot glass, glass features, hand-blown shot, hand-blown shot glass, palm trees, shot glass

Enjoy Maui With The Kids

There is so much to do on Maui that it would be difficult not to take a kid-friendly vacation. Almost all activities are appropriate for families or can be adapted to fit kids of all ages.

Instructions

1. See "Enjoy a Vacation in Maui," under Related eHows, for general information about the island and a summary of recreational activities appropriate for both children and adults.

2. Inquire about children's programs. Many of the main resorts offer supervised programs for kids that will allow you to do your own thing, knowing the kids are in good hands.

3. Bike down the Haleakala volcano. Several companies offer bike excursions down the 37-mile trail, which is all downhill, and some provide hotel pickup and return. This is a thrilling adventure for the whole family.

4. Get acquainted with whales. At the Whale Center of the Pacific in Ka'anapali you'll find the Whalers Village Museum, which is a tribute to whaling in Hawaii. At the nearby Hale Kohola Museum, you can see a baby humpback whale skeleton and even touch blubber.

5. Visit the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu. If your kids have never seen a growing pineapple or a field of sugar cane, this is a great educational excursion. Take a 40-minute tram tour and then stop in at the market for some made-in-Maui products. Admission is free.

6. Explore caves. The Ka'eleku Caverns in Hana offer guided hikes into the largest underground lava tubes in the world! Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Hard hats, gloves, flashlights, water and snacks are included.

7. Look for lessons. Kids will enjoy surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and other types of lessons that will help make their vacation complete. Once they learn, you shoot the video, and they'll have some great shots to show their friends.

Tags: activities appropriate, that will

Hawaii Wedding Resorts With Allinclusive Packages

Experience the beauty of Hawaii on your wedding trip.

Couples from all over the world take to the beaches and cities of Hawaii each year to either get married or enjoy their honeymoons. Romance can be found in lush tropical jungles, beaches and in gardens located throughout the state. If you are planning on getting married, there are a number of resorts in Hawaii that offer all-inclusive packages to make your trip easy and more relaxing.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa offers access to miles of white sand beaches for fans of snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving and other water sports. Golfers will enjoy the resort's championship golf course. Each room and suite at the resort is outfitted in classic Hawaiian decor and offers amenities such as private balconies, with long views, Wi-Fi Internet access, flat-panel televisions with cable programming, luxurious robes, mini bar and bathrooms with spa tubs. Property amenities include a European spa, swimming pool, concierge service, on-site restaurants and valet services. Areas on the property can be reserved for weddings and private parties. All-inclusive wedding packages include a wedding coordinator, choice of event and reception venues on the property, catering and special room rates.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

1571 Poipu Road

Koloa, HI 96756

808-742-1234

kauai.hyatt.com

Four Seasons Resort

Each suite at Maui's Four Seasons Resort offers long panoramic views of the sea, large bath with spa tubs and walk-in showers, flat-panel television monitors with DVD players, balconies, in-room safes and Wi-Fi Internet access. Guests can choose to dine at indoor and outdoor restaurants and enjoy drinks at a number of full-service bars that offer colorful tropical cocktails and premium wine lists. Property amenities include a full-service day spa, championship golf course, tennis courts, fitness room with cardio equipment, business center and a swimming pool. Wailea Beach is just a walk away for guests that want to experience activities such as snorkeling and body boarding. Areas at the resort can be booked for weddings and other private events. All-inclusive wedding packages at the Four Seasons Resort include a wedding planner, venue choices for the ceremony and reception, transportation, catering, photography location planning, flowers, cakes and linens. The hotel can also help you arrange for you to receive your wedding license.

Four Seasons Resort

3900 Wailea Alanui, Wailea

Maui, HI 96753

808-874-8000

fourseasons.com

Kona Village Resort

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kona Village Resort offer several all-inclusive packages and available areas for weddings and receptions. Altogether, the resort spans more than 80 acres and features romantic gardens, lagoons, white sand beaches and countless palm trees. Each accommodation includes a kitchen, living area with entertainment center, spacious bedrooms, Wi-Fi Internet access and private porches. Meals can be taken at one of the resort's premium restaurants and are included in the package price. Alcoholic beverages are priced separately. The resort also features a swimming pool, spa, fitness center, bars, lounge areas and gifts shops. The Kona Village wedding package includes the services of a wedding planner, wedding officiate, choice of ceremony and reception locations, cake, catering, music, flowers including traditional leis for the bride and groom, photography, transportation and legal documentation.

Kona Village Resort

Kohala Coast

Kailua Kona, HI 96745

800-367-5290

konavillage.com

Tags: Four Seasons, Four Seasons Resort, Kona Village, Seasons Resort, Grand Hyatt

Get Millions A Week In Runescape

Maybe you can never be a real-life billionaire like Bill Gates or Mark Cuban. But if you're a RuneScape expert, you can make millions of RuneScape gold pieces per week. And you'll only have to play for couple of hours per day to do it.

Instructions

1. Choose one skill to develop in the game and work to build it up. It can be runecrafting, woodcutting, wmithing, fishing or another skill, but focusing on one will save you time.

2. Know the highest level of items you can create at your skill. This includes the highest level of ores you can mine and weapons/armor you can smith to the biggest fish you can catch.

3. Produce the most valuable items in your craft, either making them yourself or finding them, and then sell them in bulk. If you can produce enough combination items like runes and dragon helmets, you'll collect millions from players who want them.

4. Merchant your items if you can. Buy them at normal or lesser value, and then sell them at a higher cost, usually through forums. RuneScape won't allow trading items at over/under 3,000 gold of their worth, so this doesn't work like it used to.

Tags: highest level, sell them, then sell, then sell them

Make An Invitation With A Photo

A photo invitation is popular for good reason. When people on a guest list receive an invitation created with an engaging photo, they are often interested in and eager to attend the event. If you are planning an event and it is time to send out the invitations, use a photo editing program to quickly and easily make your invitations using a digital photo.

Instructions

1. Open the photo editing program and create a foundational layer that is 4 by 6 inches.

2. Select a background color and fill in the foundational layer with this color.

3. Open your digital photograph and crop and resize it to approximately 4 by 4 inches. Paste the photo as a new layer over the foundation layer and move it to be aligned with the left or right side of the foundation layer.

4. Choose a font and font color for the text of the invitation. If the background color is light, choose a dark color; if the background color is dark, choose a light color. Experiment with the size of the font until it is large enough to be read easily.

5. Enter the text for the invitation. Include the occasion of the event; the date, time, and location; and the name(s) of the host(s). Position the text so it is located to the side of the picture.

6. Merge all layers and save the invitation by naming it and placing it onto your computer hard drive.

7. Print out the needed invitations with a color printer attached to your computer or transfer the file to a flash drive and take it to a printer for printing.

Tags: background color, editing program, foundation layer, foundational layer, photo editing

Make A Pineapple Palm Tree For A Serving Tray

Pineapple palm tree centerpiece

A pineapple palm tree will serve as an attractive centerpiece for your serving tray at your next party or get together. For any party that has a tropical theme or you need some Hawaiian flair, this arrangement will receive a lot of attention. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1. Take your knife and cut the top and the bottom off each pineapple, leaving a flat surface on each end. Discard the ends.

2. Cut the cores of the pineapples out of the skin, leaving 1 inch of pineapple pulp intact. Be careful not to mash the pineapple, especially if you will be using the meat for decorative purposes. Set the pineapple meat aside.

3. Drive the first skewer half way into the top of a pineapple, proceed with two more skewers placing them 1 inch apart for a total of three. Take the next pineapple and place it on top of the skewer and drive it down until the pineapples are directly on top of each other. Repeat with the last pineapple.

4. Place the hollowed out pineapples on the center of the serving tray.

5. Cube the pineapple meat into small pieces and set them aside.

6. Insert the plant into the top of the highest pineapple and make sure the foliage is evenly distributed around the top of the pineapple.

7. Support the pineapple palm tree on the serving tray by adding food to the serving tray. Keep more solid foods up against the pineapple tree and the lighter foods around the edges. Add the leftover cubed pineapple to the serving tray.

Tags: serving tray, palm tree, pineapple meat

Arrange Luau Food For A Buffet

Pineapples give your party a tropical feel.

Luau food surrounded by a garden of greens, vegetables and fruits whets the appetite. Be lavish with the garnishes to recreate the tropical rainforest look of Hawaii. Cover the tables with bamboo curtains cut to fit. This gives an exotic look to the table. Lay palm fronds or banana leaves on the bamboo. The platters will be laid over the fronds and leaves. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Cover all the serving platters with a variety of leafy greens, one type of green to a platter. Use kale, red chard, spinach, butter lettuce and romaine lettuce. Also cut the leafy tops off of beets for deep, rich, red veining on dark green leaves.

2. Cut the tops off red and green cabbages and hollow out the insides to make a serving bowl out of the cabbage. If the bottom wobbles, take a thin slice off to steady it. Use hollowed-out red, purple, orange and green sweet peppers for smaller bowls for sauces and dips. Again take a thin slice off the bottom if necessary. Cut large fruits such as pineapples and melons in half to hold food.

3. Fill the larger vegetable bowls with salads and place them on a leaf-covered platter. Surround the vegetable bowls with clear bowls also filled with salads. Tuck more leaves in between the clear bowls.

4. Put a pepper bowl in the middle of a smaller green-covered platter and surround with cut up vegetables for dipping. Use green and yellow vegetables around a yellow pepper bowl. Place red vegetables around a red pepper bowl. Or use the red and orange pepper bowls to hold flavored yogurts for dipping fruits.

5. Create a pineapple palm tree by slicing off the tops and bottoms of real pineapples and attaching them with skewers for the trunk of the palm tree. Attach to a wood serving board by hammering a 6-inch nail up through the bottom and pushing the pineapple down on top of it. Add an artificial fern on the top of the second pineapple to look like leaves of a palm tree. Fill around the base of the palm tree with grilled and glazed chicken wings.

6. Put a smoked pork roast or roasted piglet, which is a favorite at luaus, on a large serving platter covered with greens. Surround the piglet or roast with fresh tropical whole fruits such as mangos, kiwis, star fruit and baby bananas. Fill several of the red, yellow and orange pepper bowls with dipping sauces such as teriyaki, sweet-and-sour sauce, and wasabi mustard. The pepper bowls don't hold much, so use more than one for each kind of sauce.

7. Add tropical flowers in and among the food. Orchids are edible as are hibiscus, nasturtiums, which look rather tropical, and squash blossoms, which look like day lilies. Day lilies are also edible but they won't stay open in the evening.

8. Arrange the table so food can be accessed from both sides. Put the entr e in the middle of the table and salads and side dishes on either side. Set up a separate dessert table and drink table to avoid congestion.

Tags: palm tree, bowls with, pepper bowl, pepper bowls, bowls hold, clear bowls, fruits such

Find Cheap Hotels In Paris

Visit the Eiffel Tower while staying in a cheap Paris hotel.

Many hotels in Paris are not cheap, especially if you want to stay in a central location in the city. However, budget hotels do exist in Paris -- mostly on the perimeter of the city -- and you can track them down and make reservations online.

Instructions

1. Visit the EuroCheapo website. Click on "Budget Hotels" in the top navigation and click on "Paris Hotels when the drop-down menu appears. Additionally, you can choose hotels by neighborhood within the city on the Paris hotels page.

2. Find cheap accommodations at Paris-Reservations.com. You can search for availability by check-in date or click on a link to the different districts within Paris to find a cheap hotel in a specific location.

3. Go to the France Hotel Guide website for budget hotels in Paris. Scroll down the home page and click on "Paris Hotels." Scroll down on the next page and click on "Budget Paris Hotels" under the title "Paris Hotels - Categories:" to find cheap accommodations.

Tags: Paris Hotels, budget hotels, cheap accommodations, click Paris, click Paris Hotels, hotels Paris, page click

Enjoy Military Resorts In The Us And Europe

Edelweiss Resort in Germany

The U.S. military has low-cost, well-appointed resorts in Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, Germany and Korea. The resorts have spas, health clubs, restaurants and are ideally situated in a variety of popular locations. The resorts are intended to provide family-oriented rest and recreation opportunities to service members, their families and other authorized people.

Instructions

1. Check the eligibility requirements for the resort of your choice to see if you qualify. Most resorts are available to active-duty and retired service members along with other civilian and foreign military personnel based on where they are stationed. Family members are also eligible, and an eligible party can sponsor rooms for non-eligible people based on the resort's requirements.

2. Go to the resort's website and make a reservation. You will have to provide the reason for your travel and other information to prove your eligibility.

3. Call the resort to make group reservations or to make any special accommodations, such as exceeding a room's occupancy limit.

4. Present your military ID or Department of Defense paperwork when you check in to prove your eligibility. If you are sponsoring non-military guests, you will have to check in with them.

Tags: prove your, prove your eligibility, requirements resort, service members, will have, your eligibility

Have A Backyard Clambake

There's nothing quite like seaweed steamed clams.

Step back in time with a good, old-fashioned New England clam bake. Clam bakes are deeply steeped in New England history, a tradition adopted by the Pilgrims from local American Indians. There is no right or wrong way to have a clam bake. However, you can make your clam bake New England-authentic by trying time-tested regional recipes and New England-style decorations. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Dig a pit in the yard that is 2 feet long, 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

2. Line the walls and floor of the pit with medium-sized well-rinsed stones.

3. Build a fire that covers the bottom of the pit with wood, coals or a combination of both. Allow the fire to burn out until it is reduced to embers.

4. Wrap the food in personal sized cheesecloth bags affixed with garbage ties. Traditional New England clam bake food items include Ipswich clams (or any type of steaming clam), sliced onions, small red potatoes, small white potatoes, small lobsters, mussels, sausage, fish (they can go in whole or filleted,) crabs, corn and potatoes. Leave the lobsters, corn and potatoes out of the bag for more even steaming. A backyard pit of this size will hold roughly 100 pounds of food.

5. Remove any coals or burning embers with a pair of metal tongs. The heat you need is retained in the stones.

6. Place half a bushel of wet seaweed over the bottom of the pit.

7. Place the cheesecloth bags over the seaweed, followed by the corn, potatoes and the lobsters.

8. Cover the food with wet cloths.

9. Cover the cloth with one half bushel of seaweed.

10. Cover the mouth of the clam bake pit with a canvas tarp. Weigh the edge of the tarp down with large rock. Leave one corner of the canvas tarp rock free to give the clam bake pit a ventilation hole.

11. Leave the tarp in place for one hour or longer. The clam bake is done when the potatoes are cooked through.

12. Serve your clam bake goodies with plenty of melted butter.

Tags: clam bake, corn potatoes, your clam bake, bushel seaweed, canvas tarp, cheesecloth bags, England clam

Homemade Island Party Decorations

An island party has to make the guests feel like they are at the beach, near the grove of coconut palms, where there are tropical fruits and flowers dripping from the trees. Using a few simple decorations, you can evoke the mood of an island. Then, add foods and beverages that match the mood and your guests will be sure to have a good time. Does this Spark an idea?

Island Table Decorations

Make the buffet table the focal point of your island party. Start with a long blue table skirt. Pin or tape cut out tropical fish onto the skirt. Cover the table with a fish net and use bright children's pails and shovels to serve chips, fruit and long stalks of celery to dip. Glue fabric eyes, a straw hat, and big lips and ears on a coconut to make an island monkey for a centerpiece.

Frozen Drink Decorations

Make enough frozen pina colada drinks for each guest. Serve them in large stemware. Spear fresh chunks of pineapples between maraschino cherries with bamboo skewers. Attach a silk hibiscus blossom to the top of each skewer with a piece of green floral tape. Place a skewer of fruit in each drink for a festive treat.

Flower Favors

Buy more silk tropical flowers from a craft store and a box of ballpoint pens. Buy pens that are straight like a pencil. You will also need green floral tape. Separate the blossoms from the stems. Wrap the floral tape around the base of each flower and continue winding tape around the shaft of each pen. Tie a colorful bow around each pen. Poke the pens into a piece of Styrofoam in a vase to make another decoration for your island party. When each guest leaves, invite them to take a flower pen as a favor.

Tags: floral tape, your island party, Decorations Make, each guest, green floral, green floral tape

Hotels In Kailua Hawaii

Kailua is on the eastern side of Oahu, Hawaii.

Kailua is on the east -- or "Windward" as it is locally known -- side of the Hawaiian island, Oahu, 30 miles outside of Waikiki. The Kailua area features two beaches, Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach, and both offer opportunities for swimming, windsurfing, and kayaking to the nearby Mokalua Islands. In contrast to Waikiki, Kailua is a small, quiet town and accommodations are limited to guest houses and bed and breakfasts. However, visitors will find that Kailua's lodgings offer all expected amenities along with friendly, personal service.

Paradise Palms Bed and Breakfast

Paradise Palms Bed and Breakfast is just a 10-minute walk to the beach and is a good option for budget travelers. Two guest rooms are available, both in a garden setting, decorated with Hawaiian art and featuring private lanais (patios). Lonely Planet commends the beds, which have 800-thread-count linens, but advises that the rooms are small. Paradise Palms impose a three- to seven-night minimum stay, depending upon the season. Both rooms have fully-equipped kitchenettes with fridges stocked with breakfast items. If you prefer not to do your own cooking, however, there are several restaurants within a short walking distance, including the Hawaiian-style L&L Drive-In and family-friendly Pinky's Pupu Bar and Grill.

Paradise Palms Bed and Breakfast

804 Mokapu Road

Kailua, HI 96734

808-254-4234

paradisepalmshawaii.com

Sheffield House Bed and Breakfast

Sheffield House is just a short stroll from Kailua Beach and offers two units, both with private entrances and decorated with Mexican tile floors and wicker furniture. Frommer's recommends this B&B as the best choice for families as, unlike many of the nearby lodgings, it accepts children. Sheffield House's owners can provide suggestions on children's activities, along with items such as portable baby beds. Parents, meanwhile, might enjoy Olomana Golf Course, which is only three miles away. Both rooms have kitchens and a complimentary breakfast is provided on the first morning. Sheffield house usually imposes a four-night minimum but shorter stays can be arranged, depending upon availability. Cinnamon's Restaurant, named by the Honolulu Advertiser as "one of Hawaii's best restaurants," is just a five minute walk away.

Sheffield House Bed and Breakfast

131 Kuulei Road

Kailua, HI 96734

808-262-0721

hawaiisheffieldhouse.com‎

Papaya Paradise Bed and Breakfast

Papaya Paradise is half a mile west of Lanikai Beach and offers two guest rooms with tropical rattan and wicker furnishings. Lonely Planet recommends this B&B for older travelers due to its quiet setting. Guests of Papaya Paradise can enjoy views of Mount Olomana from the back yard, along with a 20- by 40-foot swimming pool, small library and comfortable chairs. A self-serve breakfast is included in rates and guests have use of a microwave and refrigerator. Nearby dining options include Buzz's Original Steakhouse, a five-minute walk away.

Papaya Paradise Bed and Breakfast

395 Auwinala Road

Kailua, HI 96734

808-261-0316

kailuaoahuhawaii.com‎

Tags: Papaya Paradise, Paradise Palms, along with, Kailua 96734, Palms Breakfast, Paradise Palms Breakfast

Create Welcome Baskets For House Guests

Welcome guests into your home with beautiful gift baskets.

Hosting guests in your home is an ideal time to show your thoughtfulness and generosity with a welcome basket. Whether your guests will be staying for a weekend, several weeks or longer, a basket helps your guests feel instantly right at home and creates an inviting atmosphere. Welcome baskets can be functional, offering an array of basic personal items, or filled with fanciful treats and small gifts. There's a welcome basket to match every mood.

Instructions

1. Colorful woven baskets add charm to your welcome gift.

Locate a basket. Look for a basket or container that suits the overall occasion. For instance, use a green and red basket during the holiday season or white baskets for wedding guests. Try creative solutions, such as decorative boxes or tins. For several house guests, purchase one especially large basket or use a small individual basket for each guest.

2. Write a list of possible gift items. Based on your guest's personality and the length and purpose of the visit, brainstorm a list of possible gifts and necessities. Contact your guest and ask if there are any particular items she needs or wants. When brainstorming, include both basic items and a few thoughtful surprises.

3. Travel-size toiletries are appropriate for guests only staying a short time.

Purchase the items for the welcome basket. When shopping for toiletry items and snacks, look for travel-size items. Smaller items are more convenient and easier to arrange in a gift basket. If you're preparing several baskets for a group of house guests, buy bulk items whenever possible.

4. Arrange and decorate the gift basket. After you've arranged the items inside the basket, add any desired decorative accents, such as ribbons and bows on the handle. If you're writing out any special instructions for your house guests, write them in a greeting card and tuck the card inside the basket.

5. Display the basket. Leave the welcome basket in a prominent spot in your guest's room, such as on the bed, dresser, window sill or nightstand. If the guests are staying in a guest house, arrange the basket in the foyer or living room.

Tags: welcome basket, house guests, your guest, gift basket, inside basket, list possible