1.  Paint a room.  Seriously, there’s no better, faster way to change the look.  Just do it. Try one of these trendy in-home colors for 2013.

2.  Rearrange your furniture.  If it’s just been sitting in the same place since 1982 it may be time to rethink placement. Use Jerome’s Room Planner to find the best fit.

3. Plant/Tend Your Garden.  (looks like we’ll have decent weather this weekend – YEAH!)

4.  Throw a Dinner Party for your neighbors.   They’ll be shocked you asked and you may even find out you like them. What a great bonus that would be.

5. Turn off the ringer on your phones and resist the urge to check email.  Give your brain a rest.  Research shows you’ll be much better off for the break.

6.  Create an outdoor oasis in anticipation of the upcoming spring, summer, and fall.  Do it now so you can squeeze every drop of goodness out of our best weather months. La Playa 5pc Counter-height patio dinette $999.99 (buy online)

7. Get Organized.  A holiday weekend gives you the hardest thing to come by in life – more time.  Use it to catch up on paying bills, filing paperwork, and cleaning your closet.  Next Tuesday when you feel calm and put together you’ll be glad you did.

8. Daydream.  Spend some relaxed time thinking about what you want your house to look like.  Look at magazines (Jerome’s has their own magazine filled with design ideas using furniture available right here in San Diego. It’s a great place to start perusing – click here to read now), browse websites – have you checked out houzz.com yet?  It’s a great website to get inspiration, save wish lists, etc. It’s growing like wildfire – check it out and you’ll be hooked.  Check out the Jerome’s page here. 

Well – They actually have a very unique program where organizations like the Boy Scouts, youth groups, etc can spend a night on board and see what it’s like to be a sailor sleeping on an aircraft carrier.   The Midway needed  custom replacement mattresses.  Just so you know, an aircraft carrier mattress is only 28″ wide and 4″ deep.  Thank your lucky stars for your 84″ wide king bed when you go to sleep tonight.

Jerome’s is honored to be part of this important slice of history and would like to salute all those who served our country.

We hope you all sleep beautifully tonight.

In spite of the somber occasion, the flag plays a motivating role at noon.

Here’s how it works, at day break, the flag is raised to the top of the staff, then lowered down to half staff position.  This signifinies the country is in mourning for those lost serving their country.  But at noon the flag is raised to full staff for the rest of the day.  The raising of the flag at noon symbolizes how the rest of the country “raises their memory” and the resolve to not let their sacrifice be in vain.  We “rise up together” and continue to fight for good in the world.

It’s a beautiful tribute. Thank you to all our military families who have given the ultimate sacrifice.  

Esther Sanfilippo Navarra was born in Little Italy, and her parents came from Sicily.  She made a heck of a Cioppino.  Here’s the recipe in case you’d like to cook it for you family on the upcoming holiday.

3 large cans tomato sauce

1 small can of tomato paste

1 head of garlic – chopped

1 large bell pepper, small dice

1 carrot – small dice

2 stalks of celery – small dice

Parsley

1 lb mushroom, chopped

2 cans whole clams & juice

1 bottle Marsala wine

1 1/2 quarts fish stock

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbs sugar

Saute onions and garlic.  Add vegetables.  Saute at low heat.  Add pepper and salt.  Add tomato paste and tomato sauce.  Add sugar and fish stock.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 2 hours.  Add clams and wine.  Place shellfish in big pot.  Pour sauce over to cover.  Simmer until all seafod is cooked.

This recipe is thanks to the book – Olives on the Table by Bethany C Atherton with Esther Sanfilippo Navarra.

2.  Ride a bike.  It feels good.

3.  Eat outside.  Meals eaten outside just taste better.

4.  Blow some bubbles.  It’s amazingly relaxing.

5.  Watch a movie.  Pick a classic and introduce it to your kids.  Something like Big or the Goonies.

6.  Candles.  They soothe the soul.

7.  Meditate.  Life gets crazy.  Kick back in some Jerome’s furniture chill.

8.  Snuggle by a fire

9.  Go for a walk.  It’s both healthy and relaxing.

10.  Invite friends and family over.  (but only the ones that will help you with the dishes!)  Being surrounded by loved ones is what this season is all about. Click here for 17 Tips for Outdoor Entertaining  

17 Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

1. Keep it Simple and when we say that we mean food, drinks, and the décor. Outside is pretty good décor to start with don’t try and compete with it, enhance it.

2. If you forego the tablecloth, it can’t drive you crazy every time the wind blows.

3. Don’t get too fussy with the dishes. Bamboo biodegradable plates/cups/utinsels can ease the burden on both you and the environment. If you opt for real remember eclectic is in. Everything doesn’t have to match, many times it looks much better if things don’t.

4. Remember trash cans and recycling bins. Help guests help you save the world, one bottle at a time.

2 Seat Swing with Cupholders only $229.99 (buy online)

5. If your soiree is during the day, be sure and have sunscreen on hand for those guests who may not have come prepared. Make sure there are both shady and sunny areas for people to congregate.

6. Tired of burgers and dogs? Try pizza on the grill. See Jerry’s recipe here.

7. The right lighting can transform any space into a party Hang paper lanterns, chandaliers, or twinkly lights and you’ll have a festive scene in no time. Use dark colored extension cords or try out some solar options. (and low wattage bulbs where you get a chance)

8. Everyone looks better in candlelight. The battery operated kind take away any worries.

9. If your guests will be eating and drinking (and that’s kind of what entertaining is about) then people will need places to put things. Make sure you arrange for seating for a good portion of your guests. Take the time to arrange outdoor furniture into intimate groupings.

the whole set for only $1149.99 (buy online)

10. Games like cornhole, horse shoes, flashlight tag for the kids after it gets dark are all great low key outdoor activities.

11. Self serve is the name of the game when it comes to beverages. Stock a beverage cart and let guests help themselves. Signature cocktails are always a nice touch. Stock buckets and coolers with drinks. Don’t forget the opener!

12. Don’t forget places like your garage and front porch. Both of these areas are covered for that rare rainy day in Southern California and can be a lifesaver when plans need to change at the “drop” of a hat.

13. Hang curtains or drape fabrics to create warmth, intimacy, or an unexpected pizazz to an outdoor area.

14. Assuming the weather is cooperating, go ahead and haul your inside furniture outdoors for the evening. A couple of upholstered chairs in the grass bring a graciousness to your backyard.

15. When people say, what can I bring? TELL THEM SOMETHING. You don’t have to carry the full load alone. Let someone else bake dessert.

16. Make it easy on yourself. Serve food buffet style and depending on your layout don’t be afraid to leave the food inside while the party is happening outside. It will stay cooler that way, and there’s less opportunity for pesky bugs to show up uninvited.

17. Music – every party has to have it. A plethora of wireless speaker options now make it easy to bring music to the outdoors. Use your tunes to set the mood. Maybe start out with a smooth jazz feel and end the evening with some dance tunes. Your party won’t have the same type of energy throughout – match the music to the mood you’re trying to set. You may be amazed at the results.

Workshops, readings and seminars were the order of the day, and a good time was had by all.

If this makes you itch to read something – try our very own Jerome’s Home magazine.  It’s our ode to the written word for those looking to make their house a home. Click here for automatic download. 

9. Stop the Snoring.  If you’re feeling less than romantic because the other half of your bed snores like a freight train it’s possible this bed can solve the problem. Sleeping at a slight incline is proven to lessen or stop many chronic life long snoring problems.

8.  Stop Back Pain.  Adjustable Base Bed Frames allow you to give your partner’s spine a rest.  The zero gravity position takes the pressure off and allows relief from pain while resting and sleeping.

7. Be on the Cutting Edge.  The adjustable base bed is the hottest thing to revolutionize sleep since humans stopped sleeping on the ground.

6.  There’s massage.  Some adjustable beds even come with a massage feature – how about that little slice of heaven every night before drifting off?

5. You’ll hang out in bed more.  Relax, watch movies, read, all with comfort.  Being beside your mate in bed more brings closeness not always found on opposite ends of a sofa.

4.  Live longer.  If you like them, you want to keep them around as long as possible.  A great night sleep can ward off circulation and respiratory problems as well as keep stress at bay.

3.  When you give your partner a bed, it’s like giving yourself a present on the down low.

2.  You can get one last minute.  At Jerome’s if you order by 6pm you’ll have it in your home, set up and ready to go that night.

1.  Hubba Hubba. Enough said.

Shop adjustable mattress bases online now

Don’t like how it looks?  Hose it down, and try again.

ALWAYS measure – the space and the furniture you’re looking to purchase.  Not measuring is one of the biggest mistakes novice home decorators make.  Furniture can look deceivingly small in a large furniture showroom.

Come into any Jerome’s Furniture with the dimensions of your space, and one of our in-store designers will be glad to help you create the perfect outdoor area for enjoying our wonderful Southern California days and nights.  

Grilled Pizza by Jerry

Bored with the same old cookout you’ve been having your whole life? Burgers and dogs seem a bit tired? How about pizza?

Using the grill to cook pizza is a Navarra family tradition. Jerry says, “it’s fast, easy, and becomes a family affair with everyone throwing on favorite toppings.”

Here’s how you do it:

Spray your grill with cooking spray. (Before you light it!)

Light the grill and turn heat to med/high.

Place pizza crust on a floured cookie sheet with no sides. (Jerry swears by Giusto’s Pizza Dough)

Carefully slide pizza crust directly onto the grill from cookie sheet.

Let crust cook about 3 minutes. Leave the grill top open so you can monitor it and grill to your liking. Then return crust to the floured cookie sheet grilled side of the crust facing up.

Now’s the time to add your toppings. Start by brushing the grilled side of the crust with some olive oil. Then spread your tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings.

Return the pizza to the grill.

Cook until the cheese has melted, make sure to watch the underside of the pizza to avoid burning.

Enjoy, while sitting at an outdoor dining set from Jerome’s Furniture.