Easy Inexpensive Easter Centerpiece!

Okay, well you probably won't be able to grow fresh grass in time for Easter this year.  I apologize for not sharing this sooner!   File this away for your next Spring Dinner Party or Shower.  You can modify this idea to suit your occasion!

This is so simple and inexpensive and everyone will OOOH and AHHH at how precious this is!   Find a pretty glass piece or pieces depending on where you want to decorate.

For example, a Large Table would definitely command the Trifle (below)

 but you can use little glass pieces like these Nautilus Vases (below)

or something similar.     The small Nautilus Vases could be used WITH the large centerpiece with votives or with grass for smaller table arrangements or for a grouping across a mantle or on a table.  

So... fill the pieces with a soil, fertilizer, seed mixture that can be picked up at the grocery store... no need for another errand to the garden store.   Water frequently and in about a week you have grass.

For Easter, I just laid plastic eggs on top of the grass and tied a pretty satin ribbon around the Trifle.  EASY, INEXPENSIVE AND FRESH!   It lasts a long time too!    Young children especially love this because they can see the root system of the grass AND they can give the grass a haircut with scissors when the grass gets too long!    You can make a more "manicured" look in a few weeks!

Transition this piece to a more flowery centerpiece by inserting fresh flower blooms with those little water tubes you may have saved from those flowers you got years ago or just go get some at your local florist.  

You can even use these adorable Must-Have Mini Markers to announce "Happy Easter", or "Congratulations" or whatever the event commands!   So much fun!  

Here's the finished product!  Enjoy!

5 Ingredient Coconut Cake for EASTER! :) YUM!

For all my friends, customers and hosts who want to throw together an EASY coconut cake for this weekend... enjoy!

This is one of my family favorites!

Coconut –Sour Cream Cake

1(18.25 oz) package butter –recipe cake mix

1 (16 oz) Sour Cream ( I used fat free)

2 cups Sugar ( I used Splenda)

4 cups flaked coconut

1 ½ cups frozen whipped Topping ( I used fat free)

1.      Preheat oven according to cake mix package directions. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, using 2 (9 inch) round cake pans.  Let cool as directed.  Slice each cake layer horizontally in half, using a long serrated knife.

2.      While cake bakes, combine sour cream, sugar and coconut in a bowl; stir well.  Cover and chill 1 ½ hours. Reserve 1 cup sour cream mixture. Spread remaining sour cream mixture between cake layers.

3.      Fold whipped topping into reserved sour cream mixture.  Spread on top and sides of cake.  Place cake in an airtight container.  Cover and chill at least 8 hours. 

Compliments of:

Theda Blackwood

Regional Vice President – Willow House

877-876-6854

ThedaAtHOME@comcast.net

Slim Down Beautifully and Happily!

Don't these Colors just make you Happy?   

I love the Hyacinth collection and love it EVEN more right now!

I'm watching what I eat for my Spring Slim Down and these little ramekins are just 1 cup servings so when you are eating your yogurt, berries, banana chips or rice crackers, your 1 cup portions can be served in these happy little ramekins.    It makes me happier to eat my portions in these!   They are also good for limiting the indulgences like ice cream and creme brulee ( you can bake in these up to 450 degrees).   They are on SALE this WEEK for just $25.96!  Get them today!   You may want 2 sets!

These Hyacinth measuring cups are also perfect for your snacks and they LOOK Happy too!   You have a 1 cup, 1/2 cup and 1/3 cup to choose from and again... they are a great little snack bowl and you know that you are getting the right portions!  All these Hyacinth pieces also work great for kids snacks/dips and sauces too!

Finally...

The Mixing Bowls... just becuase they match the other pieces AND you can beatifully display your fruit in the large bowl on the counter,  serve and store salad and side dishes in the medium bowl and the small bowl is perfect for making your tuna salad, in or storing cut up berries in the fridge!

Eating Healthy has NEVER been so much fun eating out of THESE pieces!   THEY are all on SALE this week so GET them today!

Visit my Willow House Store

http://theda.willowhouse.com

Spring is Here!

It's time to plant the garden!   Well, it does depend on where you live and your weather conditions, but no matter where you live you are thinking Spring!!!  

I'm buying mulch, getting ready for my container garden!   I don't have time to maintain a big garden so get some big pots and containers and get ready to plant some herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and just a few things that you'll enjoy all summer!  

I love this Botanica Tiered Planter from Willow House for herbs on the deck... it doesn't take up a lot of room and it looks so pretty!  

Two of them also look FABULOUS to flank the entry of your home or entry to your back yard!    I just love this piece!

Check out my website at http://theda.willowhouse.com/ to purchase through my online store

Make it EASY!

I just found a GREAT use for my Willow House Shop and Go Totes!    I just returned from a beautiful trip to the beach for Spring Break... and naturally, my suitcase was filled with clothes and shoes for our trip to the Dominican Republic!   I needed a beach bag... something to hold the lotion, books and magazines so I stuffed a Shop and Go tote right into my luggage!

My husband even commented how GREAT this bag was!   It didn't allow sand to get into the bag... it was easy, small to pack, functioned beautifully and really just worked great!  I could have even used more than the one I brought.  One for dirty laundry, one for the sunscreen and one for damp bathing suits or souvineers!    

Here's another GREAT idea!     Get your gift cards and give a shop and go tote with each gift card you give!    Great Mother's Day gift.... Great Birthday Gift.... Great EVERYTHING gift!!!! 

You can shop online today at http://theda.willowhouse.com/ and treat yourself to a half price item up to $40 in value with your qualifying purchase of just $39.96!

Enjoy!