Price Chopper and Market 32 can help with your Easter celebration – from planning that Easter brunch or dinner to creating a unique basket your children will love! This first article will inspire you to decorate a table that’s sure to get you & your guests in the spirit of spring! While there is something to be said for tradition, it can get a wee bit monotonous, but a tweak here or there preserves it while allowing some creativity. One way is by simply changing your tablescape. Envision your table as a blank canvas and use it to set the stage for your holiday meal i.e. mix and match dishes, vary patterns but stick to the coordinating colors, etc. Make a dramatic statement or keep it simple! Create a tablescape with pastels and seasonal décor. A small Easter egg tree with hollowed out eggs or edible ornaments makes a great centerpiece while eggcups can be used as mini vases or placard holders. Small chocolate bunnies or eggs can be used decoratively as well, and then enjoyed as a special take-home treat. A spring-inspired tablescape is another option that lends simple beauty.  A vase filled with fresh flowers brings a bit of the outdoors in. Lilies, daffodils, and my personal favorite tulips, are all wonderful harbingers of spring. — Author: Maureen Rowan Murphy, Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles       Although winter has been reluctant to loosen its grip, spring is finally in the air, and it’s time to get our homes ready to greet it. Spring cleaning was a time-honored tradition when I was growing up. I remember my mother throwing open the windows to “air out the house” and let the fresh smell of spring in. She would then go about cleaning the house from top to bottom. Spring cleaning is still a great way to freshen up and de-clutter. It’s also the perfect time to update your living space, and give it a fresh, new look for the season. Not sure where to start? Start off by ensuring you and your family are safe. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors if you didn’t do it last month when the time changed, and replace batteries if necessary. Next, spring into action with easy cleaning and no or minimal cost decorating tips that will allow you to enjoy your home and the warm weather that is on the way.

• Wash walls and baseboards (start from the top and work your way down), windows, screens, and bedding. Wash, dry clean or vacuum curtains/window treatments as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Steam clean carpets or send area rugs out.
• Clean out the pantry by checking best if used by (or before) dates on non-perishable foods like spices, canned goods, grains and pastas, etc., and toss anything past its prime. Throw away any bulging, leaking or rusted cans, as these are an indication of spoilage and present a food safety hazard! Repeat the process in your refrigerator with perishable foods and throw away food that is past its use-by or best if used by date. Once everything is sorted through, group like items together.
• Declutter and organize closets and drawers. Make a pile of clothes and other accessories and donate items in good condition and discard the rest. Don’t hold onto things you haven’t worn in the last year thinking you might again. Trust me, you won’t.
• Celebrate spring by bringing the outdoors in with some fresh greenery and/or flowers into your living space.
• Brighten up any room with a fresh coat of paint or even just by adding a pop of color.
• Transform a room’s look and feel by rearranging furniture or simply update with new decorative pillows in cotton and linen fabrics.
• Go seasonal with your bedding! Trade out the heavier comforters and blankets for lighter weight fabrics and softer colors.
• Bring the smell of freshness indoors with a citrus or floral-scented candle.

Now that your home sparkles and shines, take a deep breath and enjoy! — Author: Maureen Rowan Murphy, Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles Written By: Mark Larose from Garden State Growers “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”……Charles Dickens Quoting such a famous author may seem an odd way to begin a blog on gardening, but as the weather is finally changing, I do believe that we are ready for the Best Of Times for Spring 2014. By now your clean up should be complete and if you haven’t put out your garden gnomes, and birdbaths, make some time this weekend. Your soil should be prepped as detailed in my earlier blogs, and planting should be done according to the zone you live in and what you want to see growing this season. The month of May is upon us and the words for the season are color, color, color! First, let me suggest looking around for color planters and pots that can accentuate your garden or balcony. There are a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. Now, what to put into them? Since it’s been colder, later in the season, I’m going with some Siberian Blue Grass, Clematis, and Purple Sensation, which is one of the Spring blooming ornamental onions. Snapdragons and Iris are a good tag along also. Including some vegetables or even strawberries can make your garden productive and beautiful at the same time. Remember that it’s your garden. There are no rules for your design, as it’s only limited to your own creativity. Also, lavender is very poplar this year and will add some wonderful scents to your garden on those warm days filled with gentle breezes. Ahhhhh……. Speaking of popular plants, have you considered, dare I say, critter prevention? Deer, rabbits and chipmunks are only a few of the potential problems. If you are a first season gardener, find out which of these potentially destructive animals live in your neighborhood and be proactive. Fences and repellents can help, but choosing plants and flowers that are less tasty is also an option. Doing your homework now can help with future enjoyment of your garden, and less frustrations. Lastly, have you chosen your ground cover? So many people seem to overlook the beauty and need for these hardy plants. Myrtle, ivy and pachysandra are great choices. I’ve seen a few gardens where some folks even used saxifraga as a filler plant, in place of some ground cover. Think outside of the box! Remember that gardening is a wonderful family tradition for many. If you have children, consider including them in this seasons planting. Remember to take pictures of your garden for Facebook and show it off to your friends. Either way, have fun. Happy Gardening!