5 Decorating Tips for a Cozy Décor After the Holidays

The holidays are over and you're slowly getting your house back to normal. But that doesn't mean you have to pack away the cozy, comfortable feeling all those holiday decorations add to your home.

With some simple decorations or re-arranged furniture, you can keep the cozy feeling for the rest of the winter season. Here are 5 simple tips that can help.

1. Coziness is in the details

Every family has traditions and memories that are unique, so celebrate those differences with subtle reminders around your house. Just remember not to go overboard. A little here, a little there can go a long way to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. But too much will look cluttered and chaotic. Try decorating your home with some of the following:

Family photos. Groupings of family photos should be first on your list. Find shelf space or side tables that could use a personal touch, and then add a few family photos. The frames don't have to match, but they should coordinate…and they should have the same design as the mood you're trying to create. If it's coziness you seek, try adding rich wood frames and classic designs to your décor.

Heirlooms and antiques. You'd be surprised what an antique camera can add to a display of family photos. Or how an antique vase can set the tone for an entire room. These items are inexpensive to purchase at an antique store, but if you have a family heirloom with a story it's even better.

Personal or seasonal touches. Remember, your family and your community are unique and should be celebrated. So, for example, if your family took a unique vacation to a sandy beach last year, you can fill a decorative jar with the sand and surround it with a photo or two. Or, you can simply bring natural elements-such as pinecones or autumn leaves-inside and place them in a large bowl or dish with photos or candles.

Warm the senses. Don't forget to fill the air with a fresh fragrance that fits the mood you're creating. Often, those fresh scents are the first things that visitors notice. So consider lighting scented candles, purchasing plug-in air fresheners with seasonal scents, or just baking homemade cookies before company arrives.

2. Setting the scene

This time of year, you're probably re-arranging some of your rooms after taking down the Christmas tree or packing away holiday decorations and candles. Before you settle back into your old layout though, take a few minutes to think about how your furniture can add to the coziness of your house.

Start with the seating. For instance, can you place the sofa and a few armchairs so they're facing each other-making it natural and comfortable for people to sit and visit? If you have a fireplace, this is the perfect time of year to make that the focal point of the room (you can always arrange your seating around the television once the winter season is over). Area rugs and throw pillows can help tie the furniture together and create a cohesive, warm feeling.

Also look for cozy corners where you can place two chairs and a small game table for checkers or cards. For even smaller spaces, consider placing a single chair, a lamp, and a stack of books or magazines for an inviting retreat.

3. A soft, warm glow

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to set the mood in a room is to adjust your lighting. Remember, those bright overhead lights are often harsh on the eyes and don't help create the warm atmosphere you're seeking. Try adding a few floor lamps, small table lamps, and even wall sconces for softer, more indirect lighting. Also, use lower wattage bulbs in your lights for a more relaxed environment.

During the day, make sure you're taking full advantage of the natural light that enters your house. For example, don't place larger, dark-colored objects too close to your windows; even if they don't block the light, they'll make the window feel smaller and will overpower the natural light that's trying to enter.

Finally, don't forget that the best light source is sometimes a candle. You can set a single candle on a table or create a grouping on a mantle, in a fireplace, or on a wall sconce. You can even place them in front of a mirror to heighten the impact. But don't feel like you have to overdo it…even small votive candles can make a big difference.

Of course, if you have young children or are concerned about a fire hazard in a certain location, you can opt for the warm glow of a fake candle. There are a number of sizes and options available today. Most are inexpensive and look quite real.

4. The fabric of our lives

Adding color and texture to your living space is another way to establish a mood. For example, consider using tablecloths not only on your dining room table but also on end tables in the living room. Chair covers can also warm a room. Finally, don't overlook the power of simply draping warm-colored throw blankets over a chair or loveseat. Not only will this add to the coziness of your room, but it also makes the space feel more inviting to friends and family.

5. A reading retreat

Now that the craziness of the holidays is over, it's the perfect time to relax and catch up on your reading. To help make that goal a reality, remember to design a space that's conducive to it. This may be as simple as setting out a small stack of books you've been meaning to read. Or you can actually get creative with your space and establish a reading area. You don't need much space to do this - just a chair and a lamp. To help add to the coziness, look for a small table to hold your books. You can even tip a small antique crate on its side to use as a bookshelf…that way you have function and the right mood-setting style that fits with the rest of your cozy décor.

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Cup of Coffee Pork Roast

Recipe For January!

It's a cup of joe -- as in java -- that brings this poignant pork roast to life. To say it's brewing in goodness would be an understatement.

Main Ingredient

Pork

Cooking Method

Sautée Bake

Difficulty

Easy

Course/Dish

Meat

Makes

6-8 servings

1 Cup of Coffee Pork Roast

Created by The MDM Team, Sunday, 17 February 2008

It's a cup of joe -- as in java -- that brings this poignant pork roast to life. To say it's brewing in goodness would be an understatement.

Ingredients

3 lb. pork roast, trimmed of fat


1 tbsp. vegetable oil


1/4 cup soy sauce


1 cup coffee


2 bay leaves


1 clove garlic, minced


1/2 tsp. oregano


2 onions, sliced


Additional coffee and soy sauce as needed

Methods/steps

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.


2. Heat oil in large skillet over high heat, and then sear meat on both sides. In a large roasting pan, combine one onion and remaining ingredients. Transfer browned meat to roasting pan and top with second onion.


3. Cover and bake 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Baste every hour with juices. If liquid begins to boil away, add more coffee or soy sauce as needed. Use pan juices to make gravy. Use no salt.

Additional Tips

Ready in 4 hours

For more information about Food - Visit http://www.robertjrussell.com - you won't find any recipes on this site - but I think you might like it!

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How do you Motivate Yourself ?

A long time ago, my exercise routine consisted of walking daily. I felt that my body was ready to kick it up a notch. The gym was suggested to me. I wasn't crazy about it initially, but decided to give a try. I realized after a couple of visits that I actually liked it.




I knew that one of my initial challenges would be to commit going to the gym regularly. How would I go about doing this? I knew that I wanted to motivate myself … or perhaps coach myself. So I defined goals and incentives (e.g. rewards) for achieving those goals. For instance, one reward was that for each week I would go the gym, I would purchase songs from iTunes. Listening to the new songs on my iPod, while exercising, not only felt great, but also motivated me to continue my exercise commitment.




What are some ways that you motivate yourself? I would be interested to get your feedback, thanks.

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Government health insurance option appears doomed

WASHINGTON - Senior House Democrats have largely abandoned hopes of including a government-run insurance option in the final compromise health care bill taking shape, according to several officials, and are pushing for other measures to rein in private insurers.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other senior Democrats told President Barack Obama in recent meetings they want the legislation to strip the insurance industry of a long-standing exemption from federal antitrust laws, officials said. That provision is in the House-passed measure, but was omitted from the bill that the Senate passed on Christmas Eve.

They also want the final measure to include a House-passed proposal for a nationwide insurance exchange, to be regulated by the federal government, where consumers could shop for private coverage. The Senate bill calls for a state-based system of exchanges.

Additionally, House Democrats want to require insurers to spend a minimum amount of premium income on benefits, thereby limiting what is available for salaries, bonuses, advertising and other items. The House bill sets the floor at 85 percent; the Senate-passed measure lowers it to 80 percent for policies sold to small groups and individuals.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are private.

The maneuvering comes as the White House and majority Democrats intensify efforts to agree on a final measure, possibly before Obama delivers his State of the Union address late this month or early in February.Government intervention into the insurance market is one of the most contentious issues to be settled. Others include the fate of a Senate-passed tax on high-cost insurance plans, bitterly opposed by some labor unions; the extent to which abortions could be covered by insurance to be sold in the new exchanges; and the amount of money available to help lower-income families purchase coverage.

Liberals long have pressed to include a government-run insurance option in the legislation, arguing it would create competition for private companies and place a brake on costs.

House Democrats included it in their legislation. In the Senate, it drew opposition from Democratic moderates whose votes are essential to the bill's fate. Even attempts to include an expansion of Medicare for uninsured individuals as young as age 55 - widely viewed as a face-saving proposal for liberals - had to be jettisoned.

Given the opposition in the Senate, Pelosi, D-Calif., signaled late last year she did not view a public option as a requirement for a final compromise. Asked in an interview Dec. 16 whether she could support legislation without it, she said, "It depends what else is in the bill."

More recently, she listed her goals for a House-Senate compromise without mentioning the provision she long has backed.

"We are optimistic that there is much that we have in common in both of our bills and that we will resolve or reconcile this legislation in a way that is a triple A rating: affordability for the middle class, accountability for the insurance companies, and accessibility to many more people in our country to quality, affordable health care," she said.

While Obama favors a government option, he has said repeatedly it is only a small part of his overall effort to remake the health care system, and is not essential.

Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have expressed optimism about chances for a swift agreement, but there appears to be relatively little maneuvering room. That is particularly true in the Senate, where 60 votes will be needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, and any change carries the risk of alienating a Democrat whose vote is crucial.

The bill's future is further complicated by a scheduled Jan. 19 election in Massachusetts. Some polls show Democrat Martha Coakley in a closer-than-expected race against Republican Scott Brown and an independent contender. The winner will replace Sen. Paul Kirk, who became the 60th member of the Democratic caucus when he was named to his seat as successor to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.A Republican upset would deprive Democrats of their 60th vote.

Some House Democrats say the proposed government insurance option remains alive, although they speak publicly of its possible demise as long as insurance companies aren't let off the hook.

California Rep. Xavier Becerra, who's on the leadership team, said House members would only be willing to abandon the public plan if they were certain the final bill achieves the goals they want, as Pelosi described.

"We're willing to give up what's good for America as long as we get something good back," he said.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, also a member of the leadership, agreed.

"I think the House is very much of a view that before they'd consider dropping the public option" they have to be assured of a bill that achieves the goals they wanted the public option to meet.

But officials said little if any time has been spent in White House meetings on the issue, and there was scant discussion of it during a conference call for members of the Democratic rank and file earlier this week.

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent David Espo, Ap Special Correspondent

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Start your own Social Network

Many people ask me how I get so much business....and it is a very simple answer but you may not believe it but I have my own Social Network.

Some people use Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace etc - I use the Robert J Russell Social Network

If you would like to join the Robert J Russell Social Network - simply click on this link:

http://robertjrussellsocialnetwork.ning.com/profiles/members/

Come Join us today !!

Robert J Russell - 972-679-9029

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Obama backs high-end health plan tax

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama signaled to House Democratic leaders Wednesday that they'll have to drop their opposition to taxing high-end health insurance plans to pay for health coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.

In a meeting at the White House, Obama expressed his preference for the insurance tax contained in the Senate's health overhaul bill, but largely opposed by House Democrats and organized labor, Democratic aides said. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.

House Democrats want to raise income taxes on high-income individuals instead and are reluctant to abandon that approach, while recognizing that they will likely have to bend on that and other issues so that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., can maintain his fragile 60-vote majority support for the bill.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and four committee chairmen met with the president Wednesday as they scrambled to resolve differences between sweeping bills passed by the House and Senate. The aim is to finalize legislation revamping the nation's health care system in time for Obama's State of the Union address early next month.

Despite the dispute over the payment approach, Pelosi, D-Calif., emerged from the meeting expressing optimism.

"We've had a very intense couple of days," Pelosi said. "After our leadership meeting this morning, our staff engaged with the Senate and the administration staff to review the legislation, suggest legislative language. I think we're very close to reconciliation."

Congressional staff members stayed at the White House into the evening to continue work, and a conference call of the full House Democratic caucus was scheduled for Thursday. Obama is taking a more direct role than ever, convening Oval Office meetings Tuesday and Wednesday of House Democratic leaders.

The House and Senate bills are alike in many ways. Both impose first-time requirements for almost all Americans to purchase health insurance, providing subsidies for lower- and middle-income people to help them do so, though the subsidies in the House bill are more generous. Both establish new marketplaces called exchanges where people can go to shop for and compare healthinsurance plans. Both would ban unpopular insurance company practices including denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions.

Differences include whom to tax, how many people to cover, how to restrict taxpayer funding for abortion and whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to buy coverage in the new markets with their own money. The House bill covers about 36 million uninsured Americans over 10 years, costing more than $1 trillion, while the cheaper Senate bill covers about 31 million.

House Democrats are steeling themselves to abandon establishment of a new government insurance plan opposed by moderates in the Senate, but in return hope to get the Senate to rescind insurers' antitrust exemption, make subsidies more affordable and agree to establishment of national rather than state health insurance exchanges, among other things. Obama has signaled his support for the House position on the subsidies and other areas, aides said.

The difference in how the bills are paid for is emerging as among the toughest disputes.

The House wants to increase income taxes on individuals making more than $500,000 and couples over $1 million, which would raise $460 billion over 10 years to pay for the bill. The Senate wants to tax insurance companies on plans valued at over $8,500 for individuals and $23,000 for couples, raising $150 billion. Most analysts say the insurance tax would be passed on to consumers, and organized labor is strongly opposed, as are House Democrats, some of whom contend that the tax would violate Obama's campaign pledge not to tax the middle class.

"We did in our house bill something that protects middle class Americans from having to pay more for health insurance," Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., a member of the House leadership, said Wednesday. "So far we want to stay to that principle."

House members "have been very clear on that issue and working with the president to stick to what he said when he was campaigning for president, we're trying to make sure this does not affect middle class Americans," Becerra said.

Obama has defended the tax as a way to drive down health costs.

"I'm on record as saying that taxing Cadillac plans that don't make people healthier but just take more money out of their pockets because they're paying more for insurance than they need to, that's actually a good idea, and that helps bend the cost curve," the president said in an interview with National Public Radio just before Christmas. "That helps to reduce the cost of health care over the long term. I think that's a smart thing to do."

In the end the House likely will have to accept the insurance plan tax at some level - say starting with plans valued at $25,000 or more, with carve-outs for certain union professions - but it might not happen without a fight.

A provision in the Senate bill to increase the Medicare payroll tax on high-earners could provide some middle ground, although that measure would raise only $87 billion over a decade.

By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Write

(This version CORRECTS that Obama's State of the Union address to be early next month.)

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Avoid Home Damage from Frozen Pipes

Texas Department of Insurance

AUSTIN - Texas weather can change quickly, especially in the winter. A fast-moving cold front can cause temperatures to drop below freezing within hours. Outdoor pipes, pipes in unheated areas, and pipes that run along uninsulated exterior walls can burst if the water in them freezes and expands. This can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture by taking a few simple measures to protect your home.

Before the Freeze

·Protect faucets, outdoor pipes, and exposed pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspaper, trash bags, or plastic foam.

·Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is on tight.

·Cover any vents around your home's foundation.

·Drain and store water hoses indoors.

·Protect outdoor electrical pumps.

·Drain swimming pool circulation systems or keep the pump motor running. (Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could damage it.)

·Drain water sprinkler supply lines.

·Open the cabinets under sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the water pipes.

·Set your thermostat at a minimum temperature of 55 degrees, especially when you're gone for the day or away for an extended period.

·Let indoor faucets drip; it isn't necessary to run a stream of water.

·Make sure you know where your home's shut-off valve is and how to turn it on and off.

·If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. Make sure you turn the faucets off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.

·If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility company for instructions on protecting your water heater.

If Your Pipes Freeze

·If a pipe bursts and floods your home, turn the water off at the shut-off valve. Call a plumber for help if you can't find the broken pipe or if it's inaccessible. Don't turn the water back on until the pipe has been repaired.

·If the pipe hasn't burst, thaw it out with an electric heating pad, hair dryer, portable space heater, or towel soaked with hot water. Apply heat by slowly moving the heat source toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot because cracking ice can shatter a pipe. Turn the faucet on and let it run until the pipe is thawed and water pressure returns to normal.

·Don't use a blowtorch or other open-flame device. They are fire risks and carbon monoxide exposure risks.

If You Have a Loss

·Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Follow up as soon as possible with a written claim to protect your rights under Texas ' prompt-payment law.

·Review your coverage. Most homeowners and renters policies pay for property repair. In addition, most policies pay for debris removal and for additional living expenses if you have to move temporarily because of damage to your home. If you can't find your policy, ask your agent or company for a copy.

·Home owner's policies may require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. Your policy covers the cost of these repairs. Keep all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making repairs. Don't make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage.

·Most home owner's policies do not cover loss caused by freezing pipes while your house is unoccupied unless you used reasonable care to maintain heat in the building; shut off the water supply; and drain water from plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems.

* Visit http://www.robertjrussell.com for any Real Estate related questions

* Visit http://www.InsurancePricedRight.com for any Insurance related questions.

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