Start in the room with the most chaos, this is always the most used room in the house, usually the kitchen/family room. Don't feel like you have to make a whole seasonal transformation of the home, remember, you are trying to simplify.

Time to put away all clutter, take down and store any unnecessary window coverings, rugs, and throws. Pack away busy collections until next fall, and replace with simple, larger and lighter colored objects.

Consider inexpensive wall hangings to offer color and texture to replace your groupings of framed artwork such as quilts or rugs.

Add dash of brighter color through the room with a few simple throw pillows in a shade that are a bump up from your normal color scheme. For instance, if your usual color scheme is blue and white, use a periwinkle or French blue on the pillows, or if you have a lot of subdued greens in the room, try going to a fresh and bright apple green.

Materials:

• 17- by 5 1/2-inch piece of white paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Red and blue markers
• Pushpin
• Plastic drinking straws
• Paper fastener
• Tape

Directions:

1. In the upper left-hand corner of the paper, measure and mark a rectangle that's 8 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches high. Draw rows of stars within the rectangle and then color around them with blue marker.

2. Divide the rest of the paper into stripes and color every other one red. Now fold the paper accordion style.

Deciding on just a few candles is rarely easy. With so much to choose from now (possibly even thousands of scents), it's next to impossible to choose just one. This is part one of a number of articles to follow on choosing candle scents for your home.

With 4th of July and several weeks of celebration, it seems only natural to choose an American type candle, or even a "summer" scent. Here are some suggestions for scents that "fit" the month of July:

American Style Containers:
Many candles companies are now offering candles with red, white, and blue layers. Others offer American flag design containers and votive holders.

Apple Pie Scent:
This has become quite popular, and for a good reason. It's absolutely yummy, and smells good enough to eat! Nothing says American quite like Apple Pie.

Blueberry Muffin:
Another very "American-like" scent. This scent smells just like blueberry muffins right out of the oven.

Watermelon Scent:
Looking for something a little more sweet? Try this summer favorite. Watermelons are a picnic favorite, and a fun summer treat.

Cinderella Scent:
If you prefer floral scents, here's a nice one for mid-summer. This unique scent is a romantic aroma of amber, musk, vanilla, with base tones of fresh cut violets and lily of the valley. Available at many candle stores online.

Dandelion Pear:
Another unique summer scent. This aroma begins with the slightly bitter aroma of dandelion, and wildflowers; perfectly mellowed out with tart fresh pear, green tea leaves, and cool aloe vera.

Honeysuckle:
Still looking for something a bit more floral? Try this simple favorite. While more of a spring-time scent, this one is also nice for mid-summer.

Kara Kelso is the co-owner of the mother-daughter candle company, Prairie Soy Candles. Grab your FREE report on "Truth About Triple Scented Candles" by subscribing to her newsletter at: www.soy-wax-candles.com

When getting things set up for the fourth you certainly shouldn't forget to get some good 4th of July party games together. The structure of games will help keep the party going during lulls and will help keep everyone involved.

One good game is the 'Marble Game.' This is a good game for little kids. Have everyone stand in a circle and hand out a white or blue marble to each person, with the exception of one red marble that you will hand out. Next start playing some music and have the participants hand their marbles to the person to their left, so as one person hands off a marble to the left they will receive a marble from the right. They keep doing this until you stop playing the music. At this time those who have blue marbles get to pick a treat out of a bag you walk around with and the person stuck with the red marble is banished to the center of the circle for three rounds. While in the center of the circle they have to dance to the music as its played. This can get very funny as the participants start coming up with their own wild dance moves. At the end of three rounds they get to return to the circle. This game can go on indefinitely or until everyone has gotten at least one treat out of the bag.

Another good party game for the fourth is the 'Balloon Toss' game. This game can really be adapted for any them party by just changing colors of the balloons. In this game you fill up red, white and blue balloons with water and divide the guests into teams of two. Then have them toss their water balloons back and forth. The team that can keep the water balloons going the longest without the balloon popping are the winners.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for 4th of July party supplies and fun 4th of July party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including 4th of July Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.