Posts in category 'Seasonal'

The warmer weather is finally here and we have some ideas to help with spring gardening and planting. As a home owner, it's important to know that the outside can be just as important as the inside.

First step is protecting those hands. It is best to wear some type of gardening glove but when a task requires getting in there with your hands one secret is to sink your fingernails into a bar of soap. This will basically prevent dirt from collecting underneath the nails and then once complete take a brush and you can wash your nails clean.

What about your pots? Any of those made of clay and have salt buildup from the winter? An easy way to remove the deposits of salt is to combine equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle.  Spray and scrub and allow pots to dry before planting anything. Clay pots can also provide good protections for young plants from frosts and freezes. Another good use for clay pots are using them for hose guides. Simp...

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After this wicked winter weather we have experienced it is important to inspect your home for any damages that could occur due to extreme cold or precipitation. There are two key areas to look at, including the roof and basement to make sure no further damage occurs.

First thing to look for are long icicles, which could be a sign of ice damming on the roof. Ice dams are ridges that form and prevent any melting snow from draining off and can cause major roof damage. The first thing to do is remove all snow from the roof. A roof rake is one of the best tools to use for this and carefully pull the snow down to the roof line as not to damage the shingles. Chip away at any ice damming so melting snow can flow. If you aren't comfortable, call a professional roofing contractor to remove it for you – but make sure you get an estimate first. Also make sure to check the attic for proper insulation and ventilation as if it is too warm this can contribute to causing the damming.  Don...

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Holiday time can mean lots of travel.  With lots of parties and family and friends to visit, chances are your home will be left quite a bit. To make the holiday travel schedule less stressful, here are some good rules to follow that will ensure your home is safe while you are out and about. And this means much more than simply locking those doors!

Appliances should be turned off and unplugged.
If a trip will be a long a one, turning off and unplugging them is a good idea and will take your mind off of how safe things are. If unplugging the fridge, make sure it is empty and clean. By unplugging these, the risk of electric fires is reduced and you can save money on the bill at the end of month. An extra precaution such as this can go a long way.

Leave the mail at the post office.
A shorter trip could call for simply having a friend or neighbor pick up the mail and newspaper while away. This can ensure any important pieces...

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Hosting a holiday party at your home can be a fun experience but can also be very stressful. Here is a checklist of tasks that can make it organized and beautiful!

A Few Weeks Before:

• Make an invite list. Remember that for a typical party, the attendance rate is 70 to 80 percent of those invited. Plan accordingly based on the space you have in your home.
• Pick a theme. This way you can focus on decorations, menu and music to help bring the theme together.
• Send invites. This can be done in a variety of ways. Traditional print invites or handwritten ones are always good but even phone and email invites are acceptable. Social media is another avenue as well, and Facebook is great for creating events, updating information and tracking the guest list.
• Plan the menu. Put together the menu and decide if it can be prepared at your home or if a caterer is necessary. Will it be a quick assemble or all day cooking event? What about...

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Spring is the time of rebirth...and there's nothing better than bringing your home back to life through easy, inexpensive concepts. Why else do you think they call it spring cleaning? It doesn't matter if you are applying a fresh coat of paint, cleaning out the garage or picking a new candle scent – you will be amazed at the difference it can make and here are some quick and easy ideas.

Windows. Yes, we all clean the windows. But ALL of them? Think about those windows upstairs or in that back room that not one goes into. Take an hour and wipe all of those down. Let the sun shine in and show off that beautiful spring sunshine. Even the darkest and quietest of rooms can benefit from a little sunshine.

Fixtures. One of the easiest ways to give a new look to a room is to change a fixture. Evaluate your light fixtures. Do they fit the décor? Are they old? Is the current light too bright or too soft? Not only can you change the focal point or personality of a room throu...

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