Spring Homemaking Tips

DECORATION FOR SEA-THEMED ROOM...

Fill decorative see-through glass containers (such as a small fish bowl) about a quarter of the way full with beach sand. Add seashells, feathers, driftwood, starfish or other beach findings and you have a quick, easy decoration for a sea-themed room.

AN EASY WAY TO CLEAN MINI BLINDS...

I just did this recently and it worked really well. On a sunny day, lay the blinds in the grass and spray with a hose. Fill a bucket with soapy water and use this and a soft brush to wash the blinds clean. Rinse and do other side. Let dry right in the lawn.

LAVENDER TEA BREAD

Take advantage of your blooming lavender and make a tasty quick bread.

• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers, finely chopped, or 3 Tbsp. fresh
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 6 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs

Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Heat milk with lavender almost to a boil, then let steep until cool. Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in bowl. Cream butter, gradually add sugar, then eggs, one at a time, beating until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with lavender milk, in 3 different batches. Mix until batter is just blended, do not over-beat. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool in pan 5 min., then remove to a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, ice with a powdered sugar glaze made with 3 Tbsp. milk and enough powdered sugar to make a thick but still runny paste if desired. Garnish with sprigs of fresh lavender around cake, or sprinkle additional finely chopped lavender on glaze before it hardens.