Summer's Unexpected Outdoor CandelabraWritten by Susan Penney
For picnic tables, decks, porches, patios, and sidewalks, decorators are using an unusual source of candle lighting. Fireplace candelabra—those candle holders intended for fireplaces—have moved outside for summer!Fireplace candelabra were originally designed to hold candles in your fireplace when you want glow of flickering flames but not heat or hassle of wood or gas fires. But fireplace candelabra, more sturdily constructed than most candelabra, can be right at home in an outdoor setting, too. The sturdy construction of fireplace candelabra makes them less delicate than traditional candelabra. Their solidness is just what is needed to look appropriate and function well in less formal entertainment settings of outdoors. Another appeal of fireplace candelabra for outdoor use is that they come in a variety of metals. Most are a traditional black iron, and those have advantage of “disappearing” in dusk of evening so their candles seem to float in darkness. Some fireplace candelabra have a sophisticated, brushed steel finish that, mirror-like, reflects candles’ flames. A few have a copper finish. With these fireplace candelabra, candle light is beautifully reflected in warm, mellow glow of copper.
| | Memorial Day, 3 Ways To Honor American SoldiersWritten by Ronnie Kimball
The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated as Memorial Day. Now, during that weekend, beer and picnic supply sales skyrocket. Travelers drive our nation's highways en masse. And don't forget Indy 500.And while it's important to have fun and celebrate Memorial Day weekend in your own way, it's also important to remember why that day exists. It was set aside to salute U.S. troops and pay tribute to awesome sacrifices these brave men and women have made, and are still making, for our freedoms. In case you've wondered how you could honor those sacrifices, here are 3 inexpensive ways: 1) Donate frequent flyer miles to help our wounded soldiers and their families. You can do this through an organization called Operation First Response. OFR looks after wounded troops from Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to combat support hospitals in Iraq. They also accept donations, like clothes, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, razors, etc... You can help out this great organization by simply going to their site and seeing what you can do. http://www.operationfirstresponse.org/ 2) Observe National Moment of Remembrance. The Moment occurs on Memorial Day, 3 PM, local time, for only 1 minute. Participation is easy and completely voluntary. The White House Commission on Remembrance urges Americans to observe in their own way. Ring a bell. Say a prayer. Salute flag.
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