A while back I was contacted by a magazine for my opinion on what the "hot" color was going to be for this spring. The truth is, the "hot color" for Spring 2011 is HOT COLOR. You can select any color, as long as it is bold and bright. Do not make any major furniture purchases out of these colors because they will overpower the room and date the decor rather quickly. Instead, find ways to breath new life into your  home this spring with fun and colorful accents.   

Kitchens are a great place to add some bright accessories. If it's a bright color you absolutely love, you can invest in a colorful blender or mixer, but for a more temporary color fix, try incorporating some brightly colored dish towels, placemats, or dishes into your kitchen decor. This is particularly effective for renters, since  it enables you to add your personality to an otherwise bland space.

In the living room I will always advise you to get a solid, neutral-colored sofa, and accent it with colorful pillows. It is an affordable way to customize your room seasonally.  

Also add colorful touches by selecting a couple of new accessories. Finials are great accents for the mantle, coffee table, or end tables.  

Bedrooms need to be calm and restful, so I wouldn't recommend painting the entire room a bright color. But painting the wall behind your bed is a good option for two reasons: 1) it sets off the bed to make a beautiful focal point, and 2) it is behind you when you are in bed, so the brightness will not be as distracting as it would be if your were surrounded by it.  

Please don't let the base of white bedding scare you. Every bed in my house has white bedding, even though I have three dogs! I don't worry since solid white can be bleached and washed without worrying about fading a pattern.  White bedding gives you the flexibility to easily change your accent colors using pillows, throws, and accessories for different looks throughout the year. 

If your nest is looking worn, perhaps a new comforter with a graphic bird design might be just the right addition to make your bedroom design soar. 

You don't always have to look up to see the birds. Select a beautiful bird-design rug to keep your feet cozy and warm.

The one thing I hope you have noticed in all of these designs is their simplicity. The patterns are clean, and there is a minimalist feel to the designs.   

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, the Color of the Month for March is always Green. Green is one of my favorite colors to decorate with because there is an infinite supply of different shades of green. Don't obsess about making all of your green shades match. I believe that God is the most amazing artist, and one look into nature during spring will show you that  mixing together many shades of green ends up with spectacular results. This garden illustrates my point exactly. 

Color trends come from a wide range of social, economic, and world events. The green and turquoise combo seen all over the Vancouver Olympics has trickled down into home decor. Be sure to temper two bright colors like this with the generous use of white.

Do you prefer your green a little more traditional and "Family Friendly?" This living room has been one of my favorites for years. Even though the walls are white (and you know how much I hate white walls!) the room feels simultaneously elegant and comfortable. And that is a great way for a room to feel!

The following room has eleven different shades of green, but instead of feeling busy, it makes you feel like you are on a relaxing getaway twelve months of the year.

So whether you are seeking energy or serenity, green could be just the color you've been looking for! 

Now that the weather has begun to warm up, so many people are out working in their yards on the weekends. There is a stereotype of suburban folk competing  for the honor of the best lawn of neighborhood. If you plan on being a "Lawn Ranger" this year, think about greening up your lawn care routine. Herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides can do more damage than the problems they were designed to eliminate. Your lawn can be both organic and the pride of the neighborhood, too.

Follow these Five Steps in Organic Lawn Care from LawnCare.net.

1. Soil - Green lawn care begins by having your soil analyzed to find out what nutrients are present or lacking. Once this is determined, you can begin adjustments to make it healthier. Organic lawn care improvements include:  

• Using compost.
• Having your yard aerated.
• Applying organic weed killers such as mulch made from bark, leaves or newspaper and routine cultivating and weeding or even spraying them with vinegar that is at least 5% acetic acid.
• Never cutting more than 1/3 of the grass blade and leaving the cut grass to decompose.
• Saturating your lawn with compost tea at least 3x a year.
• Overseeding when appropriate.

2. Seeds - A key factor in green lawn care is using the best grass for the area in which you live. Cold regions best support grasses like fescues, bluestem or ryegrass; warm regions thrive on zoysia, centipede, carpet grass and Bahia. Should you live in a neutral zone, bluestem or Buffalo grass is recommended.

3. Water - No matter what type of grass you choose, and as obvious as it may be, watering is an important part of organic lawn care as it aids with the photosynthesis and growth process. However, this does not mean you should water your yard daily; rather, you should water infrequently but thoroughly. There are 3 signs to indicate watering needs:

• The leaf blades are folded in half lengthwise.
• Footprints are still visible when you walk across the lawn.
• Grass appears blue-gray.

It is important to note that green lawn care such as fertilizing and applying compost will help to retain moisture and encourage grass growth as well.

4. Tools - Maintain your lush lawn by using these items - a flexible rake, for leaves,  a  metal rake for shaping and leveling the ground, and hand tools like trowels, pruners and yard scissors for your tasks. Other labor saving devices you can utilize are a wheelbarrow and an energy efficient lawn mower. I have used an electric mower for years and love it.

5. Cutting - Maintaining a well cut lawn employs these green lawn care steps:

• Making sure that your mower blade is sharp and at the proper height.
• Mowing in the early evening.
• Cutting in a line then overlapping by 2 inches on the next pass.
• Pushing, not pulling your mower.
• Mulching.
• Never cutting more that 1/3 of the grass height.
• Paying attention.
• Taking care of your mower.

Organic lawn care benefits everyone. By making some basic changes, you will soon have a yard that is envied by all who see it.

Sauteed Chicken Breast with Artichokes and Red Peppers

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the olive oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Saute in skillet until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and bake just until firm to the touch, about 10 minutes.

While chicken bakes, add the onion, garlic, and thyme to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until brown. Add the artichokes and peppers and cook until brown as well. Add the white wine and stir with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until syrupy, then add the broth and bring the mixture to a full boil. Simmer until the sauce thickens, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in the butter and add the parsley. Pour the sauce over the chicken, and serve.