The holiday had its beginnings three years earlier when local observances took place throughout the country to honor the dead of the Civil War. General Garfield presided over the first national celebration at Arlington National Cemetery, in which the graves of over 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers were decorated by over 5,000 participants. More communities and cities began to recognize Memorial Day, towards the end of the 19th century and by the time World War I was over, it had become a nationally observed occasion for the dead of all wars.

Today, around 5,000 people attend the celebrations at Arlington National Cemetery every May, in which the graves of each dead soldier is decorated with a small American flag. In addition, a wreath is placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Vice President.

The last Monday in May was declared to be a national holiday by Congress, in 1971. Although, the dead from all wars are remembered, a separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead is observed by several of the southern states; Texas celebrates on January 19, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and Florida on April 26, May 10 in South Carolina and Tennessee and Louisiana remember their Confederate dead on June 3rd.

Take a look at these slideshows highlighting the fun new looks for Spring.

• Better Homes and Gardens
• HGTV (videos too!)
• Martha Stewart
• Southern Living
• Oprah Winfrey

In 1907 Anna Jarvis, a woman from Philadelphia, started a campaign to establish what would be a national Mother’s Day. Jarvis asked her mother’s church in Grafton to celebrate the day on the second anniversary of her own mother’s death. This would be the second Sunday of May. This day was, by the next year, celebrated also in Philadelphia.

Anna Jarvis and her supporters started writing to businessmen, politicians and ministers for the establishment of a national Mother’s Day. By 1910, the governor of West Virginia stated that the second Sunday in May was Mother’s Day, and every state would celebrate it. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson officially announced that Mother’s Day would be a national holiday. From then on it was made official, and has been celebrated not only in the United States, but all over the world as well.

Mothers Day eventually became so commercialized that many, including its founder, Anna Jarvis, considered it a “Hallmark holiday“, purpose of the holiday is to sell Hallmark-style products.  In the United States, Mother’s Day remains one of the biggest days for sales of flowers, greeting cards, and other mementos.  It is also the one of the biggest holidays for long-distance calls.  Moreover, churchgoing is also popular, yielding the highest church attendance after Christmas Eve and Easter.

Over the years, carnations have been used to celebrate Mother’s Day.  Commonly, white ones are for remembrance of  deceased mothers  and colored creations, arranged in a spring-styled bouquet.

The recipe is similar to Braised Fish Filets with Tomato Sauce. It is excellent when served over pasta. Add a side salad and you have a home cooked meal that seems special but requires little time to prepare.

Simply drop scallops in flour and brown quickly on each side using high heat.

When the scallops are browned, remove them from the pan and add some garlic and onions along with a bit of white wine. Finally add a can of tomatoes. If you prefer, take my approach and add pre-made tomato sauce. Even sauce from a jar would probably work, but adding canned crushed tomatoes is probably just as easy. Once the sauce is hot, turn the heat down a bit and return the scallops to the pan until they are just done.  Be careful you do not overcook them. Garnish using fresh basil if available. Otherwise, choose a scallion or parsley for garnish. Spoon the scallops along with some sauce over the pasta in a bowl for a classy meal that can be prepared in practically no time.

So for this year,  I will be looking for a meal that is quick to prepare yet offers a memorable dinner.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are often called honeycomb shades as they are made with two pieces of fabric designed in a unique honeycomb shaped cell pattern. These shades work by trapping a layer of air inside the cells that works to insulate rooms. In the summer, the light is filtered so that solar energy does not overheat the space. During the winter, the shades can prevent heat from escaping out the windows, and eliminate cold airflow from coming in. They work extremely well when mounted inside a window frame, and so they are an appealing option for skylights and box frame windows. Furthermore, because cellular shades can be made in a wide array of fabrics, they can be customized to match the design and decor of any room. They work extremely well when mounted inside a window frame, and so they are an appealing option for skylights and box frame windows.

Solar Shades

These types of shades are made from a revolutionary solar mesh fabric, and are often called solar screens. Solar shades work by blocking solar heat and energy as well as harmful UV rays. They can dramatically cool down a space in the summer time, resulting in huge savings on air conditioning bills. During the winter they also work to reduce the frigid wind chill factor on windows, thus saving valuable money on extra heating costs. The screens come in a variety of colors, and as they are see-through, they allow for maximum visibility along with huge energy savings.

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are the most common type of energy efficient blinds. Their strong wooden or vinyl structure, and slatted design allow for a free flow of air in warm weather, or shade if the incoming sunlight gets too hot. They can also be closed in the winter to prevent heat loss. As they can be ordered in a variety of colors and materials, they are not only stylish, but also incredibly versatile.

With these energy efficient blinds and shades, heating and cooling costs can be reduced, and users can rest assured that they are doing their part for the environment.

In addition to the blackout shades constructed with fabric, there are also styles available with the added ability to be energy efficient. Energy saving blackout shades are created with cells rather than with flat pieces of fabric. The cell shape is what provides both the light blocking and energy saving ability. These shades can be used in any room of the house, including bedrooms.

One of the many benefits is the custom look that these window treatments offer. They are installed inside the window frame, for a clean and crisp look that is always neat. Some people prefer to install them halfway up the window, while allowing light to filter through the top half. Others prefer to cover the entire length of the window. Either way, the slats can be opened to let in more light, with the simple operation of a single wood bar that attaches to them. They can also be closed all the way, to keep light out.

One of the benefits of using these popular and attractive plantation blinds is the ability to control the amount of light coming into the room. Another is that they can help make the home more energy efficient. They will help keep heat indoors in the winter and will help it stay cool in the summer. Of course, privacy is another benefit. Plantation blinds do a much better job of offering privacy than vertical blinds, shades and many fabric draperies.

Installation of these window treatments is pretty straightforward. The frames are installed inside the window frame. Many homeowners can tackle the job themselves, with a few basic tools. When measuring for length and width, simply use the inside edges of the window frame.

People with standard size windows can often find products to fit. However, even standard size windows may need a custom fit, due to settling of the home, that may occur over time. It is always best to take measurements, even with standard size windows. Products can then be ordered to the exact size needed.

There are a few ways to go about having these window treatments installed. One can take measurements, then order the correct sizes from an online store that sells custom fit window treatments. The other option is to take the measurements to a local home improvement center, where the correct sizes will be ordered for you.

One of the benefits of visiting the home improvement center, is that the homeowner can see what each of the color varieties looks like first hand. This may make choosing the right color a little easier. For others, a basic white or wood finish is easy enough to choose, so ordering online makes more sense. Many companies offer free delivery for a minimum purchase amount. If shutters for the entire home are ordered, this will usually qualify for free delivery.

Another benefit of selecting this type of window covering is that it does not move easily when the wind blows and cannot be pulled down by pets or small children. Often this is a challenge in homes with draperies. Children may pull draperies when trying to look outside. Pets may get caught in them trying to get into the window sill. Either way, shutters eliminate this worry and always look perfect.

Many colors options are available for plantation blinds. They come in a variety of soft, neutral, earth tone and wood grain finishes. White is one of the most common color choices in the home, especially for the living room, dining room or bedroom. It goes with many color schemes and always looks clean.

Those who prefer wood tones will find a variety of finishes, from a light oak to a dark cherry. Wood finishes can be matched to home office furniture, woodwork and other furnishings in the room. They look great in homes with more traditional decor.

However, plantation blinds also look great in homes with more modern decor. In such instances, light colors or earth tones usually work best, though wood tones may also work, depending on furniture and fixtures. While these blinds may cost slightly more than others, they offer a more permanent look that appears seamless, inside many window frames. They are one of the most attractive window treatment options on the market today and can eliminate the need for cumbersome draperies or the cheap look of some types of shades.

Hard-boiled eggs are an Easter tradition, but this year you could try some of these great decorating tips. Try wrapping your eggs with small scrap pieces of lace before dipping; this will leave a sophisticated and delicate pattern on your eggs. You can also use stickers, stencils, and fabrics to create unique decorations. Covering the eggs in gold leaf with a matching basket is perfect for a more upscale situation.

2: String the Egg Along

Another easy and versatile Easter decoration is a string of blown out eggshells, in an array of beautiful colors. Make the blown out eggs by carefully poking holes in each end of the egg with a small nail, then gently blow out the yolk. Next, decorate and string the eggs together with ribbons. Running garland though the center of the table, around the place settings and centerpieces also adds a festive touch.

3: A Floral Fiesta

In time for the Easter holiday, the majority of climates already have an assortment of lovely spring flowers in bloom. The southern climates usually have tulips and daffodils in early spring, while the northern states normally have Lilies, Irises and Grape Hyacinths to add beautiful explosions of color to their arrangements. By saving the bulbs and planting them in your garden, you can enjoy them time and again.

4: Know Your Place

Decorative place settings are a creative and festive way to delight your guest at Easter brunch. Using personalized place cards, such as vellum tags with their names embossed can double as napkin rings; or creating monogrammed eggs can serve as attractive placeholders. For a memorable take-home favor, you can cut a paper bag in half and fill it with beautiful tulips. Chocolate bunnies are always a favorite at the kid’s table, and even for those who are kids at heart, sitting at the adult table.

5: A Tabletop Tree

An attractive focal point for the celebration is an Easter Egg Tree. Find a limb with a number of branches lying on the ground. Next, find a vase and fill it with eggs or plastic grass and position the branches. Then, decorate it with eggs, you can use blown out eggs, real eggs or the plastic assortment in various colors. For a showpiece that will add color and enchantment, add a small number of paper birds to your centerpiece. For a more compact version, use a candleholder with space for 5 to 6 candles; a small amount of sticky wax will hold the eggs upright on the candlestick platforms.

6: Au-Natural

Having Easter brunch outside is a great way to summon family and friends to the table. In this relaxed setting, uncolored eggs can be just as much of a decoration. Mix up the white and brown varieties and display them in bowls and/or baskets on a bed of cabbage or lettuce. You can add a dash of color to the egg theme by using a blue linen tablecloth and a robin’s egg. When brunch is over, it’s a fine time for an old-fashioned Easter egg relay race.