Good Things by David

If you have ever felt the need to spruce up a set of chairs or give them a new look, why not try a little bit of paint?  Our tastes in decor and color will probably alter throughout our lives, and at some point, we may find ourselves wanting to change the look of our furniture without having to spend a lot of money.  That's where a few handy tips, some tools from the hardware store, and good-quality paint come in handy.   I know I'm not alone in paying visits to local antique shops, antique fairs and flea markets, and falling in love with pieces of furniture that would be perfect if they were just a different color.  You don't have to walk away from a good purchase simply because it's the wrong color.   My dear friend, Jeffrey, is forever enhancing his home with collectibles from flea markets and tag sales.  However, certain items aren't always up to Jeffrey's tastes when he brings them home.  He is the type of person who won't hesitate to...

Over the years I have come to discover that decorating cookies with the right tools makes all the difference.  It doesn't take much to create beautifully-iced sugar cookies, but with a few must-have tools and equipment, the possibilities are endless.  I don't consider myself a professional when it comes to making these types of cookies, but having made thousands of them in the last decade, I think I can say that I am very familiar with the process. Many of the tools that I have selected can be found at a well-supplied cake decorating store, and through various online sources.  In fact, if you have a favorite source for these handy tools, by all means stick with them.  Nothing here is hard to get, and everything, with the exception of the heavy-duty cake decorating turntable, is quite affordable. Essential Cookie Decorating Tools List Baking Sheets (half-sheets) Cake Decorating Turntable   Cookie Spatula Small Offset Spatula 16" or 18" Disposable Pa...

A very smooth Chianti Classico is what you'll get with Pratale's 2014 blend. Made in the Italian region of Tuscany, Chianti Classico wines are composed primarily from Sangiovese grapes.  Other varietals such as Mammalo, Colorino and Canaiolo, get added according to winemaking traditions. The term 'classico' is used in certain landscape-specific regions in Italy, setting them apart from standard Italian wines.  In Chianti, the Classico labels will include the black cockerel symbol to designate it as DOCG ( Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita ).  This DOCG designation is the highest classification that an Italian wine can get, ensuring that the product meets Italy's strictest guidelines.  These include: permitted grape varieties, ripeness, winemaking procedures and limits on yield.  What's more, bottles will have a numbered, government-issued seal around the neck to prevent counterfeiting.  What I like about the Pratale Chianti Cla...