At Home 7

THE ALBANY HERALD • WWW.ALBANYHERALD.COM • SATURDAY, JULY 30, 2011

BRITS & GRITS

2 THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011

Article by Lara Lyn Carter

The first day of school is just around the corner. Here are some recipe ideas from The Bread House. Your child will love these recipes for their school day meals. They will have the most envied lunchbox in the class!

Apple Cinnamon Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

2 TBS of your favorite creamy or crunchy peanut butter 1 TBS of grape, raspberry, or blackberry preserves 2 slices of The Bread House’s Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread

The Bread House & Granary Snack Packs Our new Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are sure to satisfy children and adults alike. With wholesome products such as agave sweetener, freshly milled whole wheat and raspberry preserves they are a filling, convenient and nutritious snack.

Our new cinnabar tastes exactly like a cinnabon, but with a fraction of the calories. With brown rice crisps, agave syrups, and pecans this all natural convenient snack is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Granola and Yogurt 1 serving of your favorite yogurt sprinkled with The Bread House granola is the perfect afternoon snack to finish out the rest of your school or work day

Impress your friends and family with Apple Cinnamon and Cinnamon Swirl Bread French toast for Sunday Brunch!

Toast Cinnamon Swirl slices in a sauté pan with a small amount of butter or non-stick spray. Drizzle with your favorite toppings; powdered sugar, maple syrup, freshly whipped cream, chopped pecans, or chopped fresh strawberries.

Jalapeno Turkey Sandwich 1 serving your favorite turkey deli meat 1 slice cheddar or American cheese 1 slice tomato Lettuce Mayonnaise, mustard or red pepper hummus 2 slices of The Bread House’s Jalapeno Cheddar Bread; guaranteed to make any sandwich gourmet!!

Rosemary Parmesan Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup 1 slice of mozzarella, Havarti, or Provolone cheese (pick your favorite any cheese will be delicious!)

Your favorite tomato soup in a to go container. Just heat dip and enjoy!!

Rosemary Parmesan bread also makes excellent garlic cheese toast to go along with lasagna or spaghetti night!

Brush Rosemary Parmesan with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder or finely chopped fresh garlic and garnish with dried or fresh basil.

THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011 • www.albanyherald.com 3

Jeff Cox Discusses: Home Inspections What is a Home Inspection?

A Home Inspection is the opinion of the inspector of the present condition of a specific property given in a detailed report. It is based on the visual inspection of the readily accessible features of the property. A detailed report is then made, along with a checklist of needed repairs.

The Inspection is not a guarantee, warranty, or an insurance policy.

Why have a Home Inspection made?

The FHA is now recommending that all homes be inspected by a qualified, licensed inspector before purchasing.

It helps prevent any surprises that may show up after the purchase.

Peace of mind for the buyer and the loan institution.

The report is a bargaining tool to help the buyer negotiate repairs that need to be made prior to closing.

List of Services Pre-sale inspection or listing inspection: This is an inspection for the seller which will help them to be prepared to put their property on the market. As a seller "disclosure" makes you responsible for the selling points made about your property to a buyer, both directly or indirectly. Failure to tell the whole truth about your home's true condition could make you, the seller, liable in a legal situation.

Pre-purchase inspection: This is an inspection for the buyer which will help them make a better decision on their

purchase. FHA strongly recommends that all homes be inspected by a qualified, licensed inspector to help prevent any surprises after you make your purchase. It also helps in negotiating needed repairs before closing.

Partial inspection: This inspection might cover a single system or portion of a given property for a specific purpose. This could be an appliance or system capability, structural or foundation report, needed to determine if repairs are necessary before your loan can be approved.

Punch list inspection: This would be a list of "finishing touches" a builder or remodeler must complete before a contract could be closed.

Relocation inspection: This is an evaluation of structural condition, property and grounds, plumbing and mechanical systems of a specific property.

This report makes the move for a Professional from one location to another a little easier.

Progress inspection: This inspection is usually made several times during the construction or remodeling of a home, condo or apartment. It is made to verify that work has progressed as planned and is being done in a satisfactory manner. This inspection is usually ordered by banks or other lending institutions and could be ordered by the individual investor.

Insurance inspection: When home or property damage occurs due to weather, fire or any natural disaster, this inspection will help the insurance company to gather needed information.

Closing inspection: This would be a last minute inspection before a scheduled closing. It could be just one particular system or areas in the house in question that needed to be answered before the lender could finalize the loan.

Video taping properties: This service would be an asset to banks or realtors who have prospective clients that are not from the area. The property would be taped and any major repairs would be highlighted. This would not be a full inspection.

Please Call us if we can help in any way.

Thank you for your business.

4 THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011 • www.albanyherald.com

Decorating with Style ■ Article and Photos by JENNIFER KING | jennifer.king@albanyherald.com

I

n 1983, Mitch Mercer’s mother began PJ’s as a fabric store to supply Albany and surrounding areas with beautiful fabrics that were otherwise hard to find. After Mitch graduated with a degree in art, he joined in on the family business. Today, PJ’s offers a vast array of patterns and colors when it comes to fabrics. The business has also expanded to offer a variety of rugs, custom furniture, and design consultation. Whether you are looking for fabrics for new throw pillows or a fabric to cover a piece of furniture, there is sure to be something for everyone! Mitch showed examples of many of the current, most popular fabrics and patterns, which include everything from geometric patterns featuring bright blue or turquoise to a twist on a traditional toile. Not only can you still find a traditional black and white French toile, but you can also get a toile with Asian scenery in colors ranging from coral or pink to blue or black. If the fabric you are choosing is for throw pil-

See Style, page 5

To the left is an Asian inspired toile in a beautiful shade of pink. To the right is a non-traditional floral print with bright blues and greens.

Geometric patterns in bright colors are a popular choice currently.

There are a variety of colors and patterns from which to choose.

DELTA

The Showplace

2150 Gillionville Rd. Albany, GA. 31707

(229) 888-8088

PJ’s has a wide selection of fringes that can be added to pillows for an extra bit of detail and interest.

THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011 • www.albanyherald.com 5

lows, PJ’s offers a large selection of fringes that can be added for an extra accent.

Continued from page 4 You can also add a new look to your home by laying down a new area rug. PJ’s offers quite the variety of rugs for both indoors and outdoors. There are many patterns from which to choose. Some, like the Karastan rugs, are machine made and feature intricate patterns. Other rugs with just as much detail are hand knotted. The hand knotted rugs are generally imported from Asia and the Middle East. The outdoor rugs have features such as a natural grass appearance or Sunbrella fabric, which is more resistant To the left you see a Karastan rug. To the to fading caused by sun exposure. right is a hand knotted rug.

These rugs are great for creating a cohesive outdoor room or seating area.

Mitch’s advice for homeowners looking for a way to freshen up their decor is to change your paint color, rearrange your furniture layout, add splashes of color and pattern with new accent pillows, or change out your drapes.

You can contact Mitch at PJ’s at (229) 439-7265 or visit the store at 511 This bed has been dressed up with a variety of colors West Broad Avenue in Albany.

To the left is a more natural looking grass-style

Style

and patterns from PJ’s fabric collection.

rug. To the right is another a fun outdoor rug.

6 THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011 • www.albanyherald.com

Impressionistic Artist in Albany: Mitch Mercer Mitch Mercer not only provides his artistic expertise to customers at PJ’s when it comes to home decorating, but he also creates beautiful artwork.

Leaning toward an impressionistic style, his paintings are brightly colored and hugely interesting. Mitch’s subjects range from family pets to truly unique figure paintings.

If you are interested in learning more about Mitch’s art you can visit his facebook page by searching Mitch Mercer Art. You can also give him a call at PJ’s at (229) 439-7265, if you are interested in buying his art or having a piece commissioned.

THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011 • www.albanyherald.com 7

How to refresh home decor and be a budget-savvy trendsetter (ARA) - Many people use just one word to describe lavish, luxurious homes filled with the latest interior design trends: unattainable.

These dream homes that appear on television programs and grace the pages of magazines are seen as projects that can only be executed by affluent homeowners who chase trends and change decor with every season. But, according to television design star Lisa LaPorta, with a practical approach, it's easy to stay at the forefront of hot home design trends on any budget.

"Designer homes should be sources of inspiration and motivation," LaPorta says. "When you're researching home renovation and style, you should absolutely look to the most stylish and opulent examples. Then, once you know what you want, execute those ideas on a budget that works for you." According to LaPorta, the best way to keep your home up to date with current trends is to change elements that have high impact, and are cost-effective.

"It might seem obvious, but painting can truly transform a home from being 20 years outdated, to one on the cusp of modern decor," she says. "Keep abreast of the design trends, but don't forget to include your own personality."

LaPorta advises homeowners to be introspective and look to their own personal sense of style to identify paint colors. Your wardrobe says a lot about you and can help guide color selection for your home, she states. Be confident in your choices and run with them. But, she cautions people to never choose a final color while at the paint or hardware store.

"Too often I see people choose colors on the spot at a paint store, only to go home and realize it looks completely different on the wall," LaPorta says. "There's a reason you're allowed to take color chips home with you. You need to test them!"

She goes on to say that many people think color selection is the most important part of painting. Once they know what colors they want to use, it's as simple as grabbing a paint brush and covering the wall, right? Wrong. In reality, choosing an inferior brush can have an enormous negative impact on the final result. LaPorta recommends using high-quality painting tools such as Purdy brushes and rollers for a flawless finish.

The appearance of a finished painting project is very much dependent on the quality of the applicators used. "When you're painting, the brush really does matter. A Purdy brush holds more paint, provides smooth, even coverage and vastly reduces brush marks on the wall."

Once you have the perfect, trendy colors on the walls, it's time to accessorize. LaPorta notes that many people have a tendency to overpopulate their rooms with too much furniture. Not only does this clutter the space, but it's quite costly, as well. Instead, she recommends putting larger furniture pieces in a rotation to cut down on clutter.

"Design is cyclical," LaPorta points out. "Eventually, the couch you bought in the '70s will be popular again. But, that doesn't mean it should be on display until that happens. Focus on a few pieces of large furniture and then chase the trends by purchasing smaller, less costly items such as throw pillows, rugs or inexpensive art and paintings. Then, as trends change and evolve, rotate the larger pieces into your decor. You'll save money, but still feel like your home is on-trend.

A fresh coat of paint and some new accessories can create dramatic change, but LaPorta also points out that simply changing the layout of a room can also make a big difference.

"Homeowners sometimes forget that rearranging furniture can completely change the appeal and feel of a space," she says. "Step outside of the boundaries of your normal decorating style and see how you feel. Instead of having the television as the focal point of a living room, make the coffee table or fireplace the center. The best part is, it's free. And if you don't like how it looks, you can always change it back."

These few simple design tips can help transform your home into a chic, trendy space that's the envy of the neighborhood, all at a price tag you can afford.

8 THE ALBANY HERALD • AT HOME • Saturday, July 30, 2011 • www.albanyherald.com

Making Lunchtime Fun ■ Article by JENNIFER KING | jennifer.king@albanyherald.com With school starting just around the corner, many moms start to contemplate what to make for their children's lunch. Having the same old sandwich day after day can become quite boring for kids, and many lunchbox options just aren't that healthy. A fun way to keep lunch interesting and healthy is to use the Japanese-style bento boxes. These are simply divided containers in which to put a variety of healthy and interesting food options. The traditional bento box is a divide container made of a hard material such as wood or plastic. Typically the divider trays are stacked and then wrapped in fabric for portability. While you can go the traditional direction if you like, it is even easier just to use plastic containers of different sizes or a container with dividers.

The idea behind bento boxes is to provide an interesting, colorful and healthy lunch that your child will want to eat. Using small cookie cutters to cut cheese, vegetables or sandwiches into different shapes is one way to make a lunch interesting. Another adorable and edible idea is to make octopuses out of hotdogs.

You can do this the night before by cutting a hotdog in half, cutting the cut end vertically into eight segments and then boiling them. The 'tentacles' will curl up and come to look much like an octopus. How fun! The ideas for these creative lunches are endless, but here are a few examples of complete meals: Cookie cutter shaped sandwich Baby carrots Ranch dip Fresh cherries Bottled water Cooked rice topped with grilled chicken Sliced cucumber Strawberries Greek yogurt Fruit juice Octopus hotdogs Cookie cutter shaped cheese slices Sugar snap peas Apple slices Bottled water The important thing to remember when making a bento box lunch is to keep the meal balanced. There are many places you can go online to get ideas and to order bento box containers. One such site is www.laptoplunches.com. This site provides an American version of the bento box idea, and they sell handy containers for making such lunches. There are also hundreds of menu ideas available there!

Enjoy being creative and providing a new surprise in your child's lunch daily!