THE ESSENTIAL TABLE LAMP author elaine edwards

The Table Lamp: Why It's Essential

While table lamps are valued first and foremost for its function, having a table lamp that definitely doesn't jive with the predominant aesthetics in the house can be quite a nightmare. In the article Table Lamps Are One Of The Most Important Things In The Room décor ; "Because of its nature, it is usually the item to make the first impact on any guest. The first glance might not linger for more than a few seconds, but the impression that it makes on the beholder lasts longer. A nice table lamp can change the entire aura of a room."

Achieving the right ambiance with your own lamp ought to have some considerations as author Des Smalls shares.

Every room has a different requirement, and the right table lamp helps you create the right environment. A room intended to be peaceful might attain the effect through a specially chosen table lamp. Or, you might have a game room where you want your guests to admire your memorabilia. As a result you would want the lights to be such that they shine especially on those items. A perfect table lamp would easily achieve the desired effect for you.

Armed with all these knowledge you might be ready to head out the door and go shopping for that new lamp but hold still for a moment as these pre-purchase tips from Smalls might come in handy.

The range of contemporary table lamps is absolutely mind-boggling. They come in all forms and vary from tall to short, from a softer glow to harsher light. Because the range is big, there is a great amount of malleability in your choice. The choice would, obviously depend on many factors including the place the lamp would be used, the nature of the user, the mood you would like to create etc.

- Take into account the intended user of the lamp. Think about whether it is only you, or whether it would be needed by other people as well. Moreover, you have to make sure that the lamp does the work you have bought it for. Of course merely looking good isn't enough, functionality also matter. So, you might want a stronger light for your reading lamp and a softer lamp for that cozy environment you want to create in your living room. Similarly, an inconspicuous lamp with lots of light might be the perfect choice for your working place.

- Think about the place the lamp would grace. A large room with bare walls is unsuitable for a tiny lamp. If you want a small lamp, a top of a bookshelf is probably what you are looking for.

indie business

Dear Friends,

MBrann & Co has recently joined two groups that promote independent business. We feel strongly that small independent business is the backbone of our community (in fact of our society). So please check these groups, to see what makes us tick. We are part of Indiebound.org, a national website that supports independent retailers and celebrates what makes them unique. It is trying to reach out, raise awareness and take pride in our community. We are also a charter member of Cape Cod Community Club. This club addresses consumer needs and provides community support by offering savings on products and services to Cape Cod consumers while benefiting local charities. please consider these two origanizations and keep us in mind. thanks, M

YUMMY RECIPE

Want to look like you've slaved over the stove for hours , but, really have only opened a jar and added some stuff? We love the "lowcountry produce" line that we brought in last spring. We've had it long enough to try mant items many ways. It's well priced and yummy! So here's a recipe for an ULTIMATE GUMBO . We've made it as written, but, have also just heated and added leftover shrimp,lobster, chicken-whatever- with linguica and chorizo left from a clam boil ( we're on cape cod) . It tasts great , is easy, and different. The recipe is below, come in or order from mbrann.com , and let me know what you think. M

GUMBO

This is a tasty and easy recipe using our 'Lowcountry Gumbo'!

32 oz jar of 'Lowcountry Produce Gumbo'
1/2 pound of cooked & diced Andouille sausage
1/2 pound of peeled & deveined raw shrimp
1 pound lump crabmeat (not jumbo lump)
1 box of your favorite rice

First - Cook your rice (according to directions on box) and let it sit, covered
Second - Pour jar of 'Lowcountry Gumbo' into a large pot and bring to a simmer.
Third - Add the cooked sausage and raw shrimp.
Fourth - Stir very gently for about two minutes.
Fifth - Add the crabmeat and gently stir only long enough to mix with Gumbo.
Sixth - Cover pot and continue to cook for another minute and a half.

Serve over rice & enjoy!!

Variation: Substitute 1/2 pound of scallops or any firm white fish (such as halibut or grouper) for the Andouille sausage. If using fish, please dice the fish into 1 inch cubes before adding to the Gumbo. Cook as explained above.

Variation: Combine 1 pound of cooked & diced Andouille sausage (or your favorite sausage) with 1 pound of raw, diced, boneless chicken breast. Please dice the chicken into 1 inch cubes. Add to simmering Gumbo and cook for 6 minutes.

honey tips

Honey Storage Tips Copyright © 2008 Ruth Tan While one of the greatest facts on honey storage is that it doesn't spoil even with no preservatives and additives, liquid honey is susceptible to physical and chemical changes during storage; it tends to darken and lose some of its aroma and flavor. Over time, liquid honey also tends to naturally crystallise and become lumpy. Crystallisation is easily reversible and does not affect the taste and quality of the honey at all, although it changes its appearance. Hence, for commercial reasons, a certain shelf life is often stated on the honey bottles in the shop. I often read from honey storage tips that honey can be kept at room temperature and should not be stored in too cold nor too hot place. The problem here is it can be confusing because room temperature varies from country to country! For instance, where I live, room temperature sometimes could be as high as 35°C but I do not refrigerate any of my honey as cold temperatures would speed up the process of granulation. Also, the rate of crystallisation varies for the different types of honey. Tupelo honey and Acacia honey, for instance, tend to stay liquid and is able to resist crystallization better than other types of honey, whereas Lavender honey rushes to crystallise. Honey that has been heated to 130 or 140 degrees will remain liquid for a few months. I would advise honey to be stored at a temperature of 21°C to 27°C or 70°F to 80°F in a dry cupboard, make sure that the cap is on tight since honey tends to absorb moisture from the environment, which can lower its quality. Also store honey away from direct sunlight as it could affect its properties. And this is the reason why some honey come in dark containers. However, these dark containers do not allow consumers to judge the color, viscosity, clarity, and crytallisation of the honey. Also, glass packaging is preferred by some people because glass is neutral and doesn't react to honey and alter its quality. It's easy to restore granulated honey to its natural state, for instance you could put grainy honey on hot toast, the granules will melt as you eat. You can also place a granulated jar over hot water (about 50-60°C), as soon as the granules are dissolved, remove the honey from the heat and let it cool as quickly as possible. Remember, never boil honey!

green article

having used green principles for over 15 years, we thought you might find the article below interesting. M

more green tips

EasyPublish™ Author: Virginia Ginsburg Eight Easy Green Gifts Copyright © 2008 Virginia Ginsburg Giving green gifts is increasingly popular, as it provides an opportunity for your gift to stand out from the crowd and make a positive impact on the Earth. When giving a green gift, you have to consider several elements, including the gift itself, its source, its packaging, and the company providing it. These elements all make an impact on the Earth, and thus deserve careful consideration. First of all, the gift itself must be considered. Ideally, its contents should be organic, or at least have a minimum impact on the Earth. For example, paper products should be recycled; cloth products should be made of organic fibers like cotton, bamboo or hemp. Wooden products should be made of fast-growing woods or recycled hard woods. Second, the packaging of the product should be minimal to reduce waste. Seek zero packaging when possible. Next best is recycled paper packaging. The least desirable packaging is plastic, which takes significant energy to produce and is difficult to recycle. If the only option is plastic packaging, seek minimal amounts of plastic. Third, the source of the gift is important based on both human rights considerations and transportation costs. It's no secret that most U.S. companies manufacture their products outside of the U.S. This is sometimes the only option when it comes to economy, but you can be a conscious consumer by researching the country of origin to determine how likely it is that they frequently are cited for human rights violations. The fuel costs involved in shipping products from foreign countries vary, but can make a significant impact on the product's overall cost to the environment. Finally, consider the company itself. It may surprise you to discover that some companies that sell green products are actually not green at all. They may in fact be terrible companies. Other companies that use less sustainable products may in fact be greener overall when you consider product sourcing and packaging. The best thing to do is to think beyond the label on a product and do a little bit of research. Consider the concepts above and apply them to all of your green purchases for more conscious consumption. Eight Easy Options For Green Gift Giving 1. Gift Certificates - require almost no transportation resources or packaging, and ensure the recipient will get exactly what he or she wants. Choose local, environmentally-conscious companies from which to secure the certificates. 2. Organic Products - are often sourced from environmentally-conscious companies that minimize their impact on the world. Consider clothing, accessories and beauty items. 3. Charity Donation - requires no transportation resources or packaging, and directly make a positive impact on the world. Check out organizations that benefit global resource initiatives, focusing on something meaningful to the recipient like water or air quality, or wildlife protection. 4. Local Home-Made Products - buying locally-made products supports the local economy and minimizes transportation impact. Look for hand-made gift items like bags, decorative boxes and children's toys. 5. Massage - a hands-on gift requires almost no waste, and the only products required are a little bit of massage oil. 6. Eco Spa Day - while many spas use treatments that are tested on animals and contain ingredients that don't meet the green standard, eco spas specialize in treating guests to luxury without negatively impacting the Earth. 7. Home-Made Food - if you like to cook, select the best organic and locally-grown products available and prepare a home-made meal that you can either share or drop off. Don't live nearby? Bake organic cookies and send them in the mail. 8. Groceries for a Week - do their shopping for a week at the local farmer's market or a responsible grocery store. Don't forget to include a list of what you purchased and some recipes for using the food!