When I set out to write this article, I wasn't sure if there was enough we could do in home decorating to tantalize our taste buds. I was wrong! I think too many times we think of home decorating as arranging furniture or wall groupings, but there is so much more to it. Did you know that we have 10,000 taste buds in our mouths but we cannot fully "taste" flavors without using at least one of our other senses, the most important one being our sense of smell.

If you were to LOOK at a delectable piece of chocolate cake smothered in rich, chocolate frosting, would your TASTE BUDS react? Of course! Would you be able to SMELL the sweet scent of chocolate without beginning to TASTE it as well? Our senses of sight, smell, hearing, and touch all play a key role in how we react to different flavors. So how do we decorate our homes to tantalize our taste buds?

Wash fresh fruits so they shine and place them in a glass bowl or wicker basket on your table. Are your suddenly hungry for a crunchy apple or sweet peach? Too many times we allow ourselves to get into the rut that says we only bring out the good dishes when quests eat with us. Aren't our families just as important as guests? Why not treat them to a sit-down meal at a table that has been decorated with a basket of scented flowers and candlelight. Place homemade rolls or breadsticks in pretty bread baskets. Prepare a lettuce salad and color it with orange carrots, sharp green peppers, and bright yellow cheese. It's not just lettuce anymore! Use glass glasses instead of your everyday set and garnish your beverages with a sprig of mint or a lemon slice. Decorate your table with a bowl of fresh fruits piled high.

Isn't tonight's supper more tasty already? It isn't just the food, it's what you do with it that makes it so tasty. Remember, women are the thermostats of the home environment. Set the tone for your evening meal tonight!

Vicki Nace is publisher of Welcome Home!, a FREE newsletter dedicated to providing you with decorating ideas to help you create a haven for your family, and owner of Floral Seasons, a wonderful  source of silk floral decorating accessories for your home or office.

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