Home and Garden For You

Environmentally sound cleaning remedies.

2012-01-18T17:48:00.000-06:00

Environmentally sound cleaning remedies.

Clogged Drain Remedy
1 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar

Mix, then pour down the drain. Follow with 2 quarts boiling water.

Fabric Softener
2 cups baking soda
2 cups white vinegar
4 cups water

Mix ingredients and store in a plastic or glass container in your laundry area. Label the container and keep it out of the reach of children.

To use: Shake the mixture and add 1/4 cup to the final rinse in the washing machine. If you have hard water, use 1/3 cup.

Drain Cleaner
1/2 cup salt
1/8 cup cream of tartar
1/2 cup baking soda

6 cups boiling water

Mix salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar and pour directly into the drain. Follow with boiling water. Allow to set for several hours - overnight if possible. Flush with cool water.

Plant Food
Use once a month, and your plants will be greener and healthier.

1 envelope unflavored gelatine
3 cups cold water
1 cup hot water

Mix gelatine with hot water until gelatine is dissolved. Add 3 cups cold water.

Room Deodorizer
1 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon allspice

Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe dish and heat until almost boiling. Set out in the room, and soon the room will be odor-free. This will reduce both food and cigarette smoke odors.

Sick Houseplant Treatment
4 or 5 empty eggshells
4 cups water

Put eggshells in water and let stand for 24 hours. Water the plants
with this mixture

Tough Toilet Stain Cleaner
Pour a box of borax into the toilet bowl; let sit overnight. In the morning the stains will be gone.

Vegetable Cleaner
Just mix a few tablespoons of cider vinegar with the 8 oz water, put in a clean spray bottle and spray your fresh produce from the grocers, it doesn't leave a smell on your produce, and it works great!

Just a footnote...I 'borrowed' this post from my Squidoo Lens..."Grandma Knew Best-100 Home Remedies".

Thanksgiving Turkey Cake

2011-11-18T16:32:00.000-06:00

I ran across this informative video on You Tube...how to decorate a Thanksgiving Turkey Cake.

Thinking Christmas -- Toddler Gift Ideas

2011-10-07T18:47:00.000-05:00

There are so many cool toys to choose from on Amazon...and these are the popular ideas for this season.

Thinking Christmas -- Baby Gift Ideas

2011-10-01T18:02:00.000-05:00

I'm doing a series of 'Thinking Christmas gift ideas' posts...gift ideas for everyone on your gift list.
The first post is...Baby Gift Ideas.

Even if you don't find what you are looking for on the Amazon list...it might be a 'starting point' to get your own imagination working.

Trick or Treat Bags

2011-09-18T16:36:00.000-05:00

I've found some of the cutest Trick or Treat Bags
on Zazzle
and just had to share a few of them.

Trick or Treat Bag
by CMZart

Halloween Tote Bag - Pirate
by RusticGoth

Trick Or Treat Pumpkin Halloween Tote Bag
by CowPieCreek

N1ki's Halloween Bat Girl Bag
by n1kishop

Halloween Treats
by candystore

To see all of the Trick or Treat Bags available on Zazzle,
click this link.

Fall Cleaning

2011-09-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

Autumn is 'in the air'...evenings have

gotten a bit chillier, Indian Summer hasn't
quite arrived.
Time to think about doing a really good
fall housecleaning.
It's best to do it sometime between Halloween
and Thanksgiving...to get through those close
quarter winter months.

Here's a handy little list that might
make it a bit easier.
(Hint...I break my chores up into days
or week-ends..depending on my own schedule.)

OUTDOORS
-Check the outdoor paint on trim, decks and railings.
Do touch up painting if necessary.

-Check weather stripping around all external doors
and garage doors. Replace anything that is cracked
and weathered. Check the caulking around windows
and replace as needed.

-Check gutters and downspouts and clear out debris
and leaves.

-Drain and put away garden hoses.

-Clean and put away all outdoor furniture and toys.

-Wash exterior windows and storm windows.

INDOORS
-Clean window sills and wells, baseboards and corners.

-Clean all upholstered furniture with vacuum and/or
upholstery cleaner.

-Clean drapes and curtains.

-Turn mattresses and launder mattress pads, dust ruffles,
duvets, pillows and comforters/blankets.

-Clean all carpets before the first snow. The warmer
the outdoor temperature, the faster the carpets will
dry.

-Deep clean the kitchen (to get ready for Holiday cooking
and baking.) Early cleaning and organizing will make the
holiday food preparations so much easier.

-Clean kitchen appliances...be sure to pull refrigerator
out and vacuum the condenser coils.

-Wash all light fixtures.

-Does your furnace need an inspection or cleaning. Better do
that before you have to turn it on.

-Stock up on furnace filters.

Planning Ahead for Fall Decor

2011-08-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

If you are like me...after a couple of years of using some of my favorite Autumn wreaths or brightly colored flags...they begin to fade or get so dusty that I can't get them clean.
I've gotten busy enough that it's hard for me to get out --- or remember to get out --- early enough to get some really nice pieces. This year I'm thinking and planning ahead for my Fall Decor...here are my choices available through Amazon.

Amazon.com Widgets

Thinking Spring in the Fall

2011-08-18T15:40:00.002-05:00

We all know, after a long hard winter, how wonderful it is to see those first flowers of spring.
The daffodils, crocus and tulips....how beautiful.

So...it's time to start planning now...for fall planting...those beautiful flowers of spring.

Here's a few of my own favorites...

Amazon.com Widgets

Refrigerator Pickles

2011-08-01T17:14:00.001-05:00

I Love Refrigerator Pickles. They are so fast and easy to make.
I find they are the perfect 'solution'
to an abundant cucumber crop.

I love cucumbers..but when they are as plentiful
as they can be some years...
it's good to have a really easy recipe to
be able to enjoy them
later on.

Here's a quick video I found...with a different take on my own recipe...
but it's the same premise.

Here's my recipe...

7-8 cucumbers (sliced)
1 1/2 tsp tumeric
1 1/2 tsp mustard seed
4 c vinegar
4 small onions (sliced)
1 1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 c salt
4 c sugar

Mix spices, sugar and vinegar well.
Pour over cucumbers and onions and refrigerate.
Pickles will be ready in 4 or 5 days.

*For a bread and butter variation of this recipe...simply heat the mixture,
just to the boiling point,
and pour over the cucumbers and onions.

Summer Flower Gardens

2010-07-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Summer Garden Flowers - Learn About Which Are Most Suitable

By: Abhishek Agarwal

After a stressful day indoors, spending time in a colorful summer garden is an enjoyable experience. If you plan to include some flowers in your summer garden, then take some time and effort to learn about those flowers or flowering plants that are best suited to the summer season. Therefore, it is a good idea to research the types of flowering plants that are best suited for a summer garden to give it that colorful effect. Each plant will have its very own needs that must be met for optimal growth and yield. If proper care is not provided, the plant will still grow but it will not give the best blossoms or the greenest leaves. All varieties of plants growing in the summer season may not be able to withstand the scorching heat and may thrive in a shady spot. Others may prefer sunlight and will do well in an open patch. Ensure that plants requiring water and shade are planted away from those requiring direct sunlight. Hence, a little planning for the proper placement of the plants will go a long way in creating a beautiful summer garden. Another point to be considered is the effect you would like to create in your summer garden with the use of various types of flowers.

This is a general guide to the varieties of summer flowers that may be included in a summer garden. Geraniums are bright and colorful flowers that are suited for summer gardens. They may be used to create borders or to provide a splash of color in a bed of green. They can be grown along with other varieties of summer flowers, or they can be put in pots to highlight a particular area. The Hibiscus is a pretty flower that can add a tropical touch to the summer garden. Hibiscus is available in a wide variety of colors. These plants grow tall, so are best suited for the edge of the garden. Marigold is another popular summer plant, which grows well in a sunny spot of the garden. With numerous colors to choose from, marigold is an all time favorite.

Gardeners find it a challenge to tackle shady spots in the gardens. This problem can be dealt with by planting flowering plants that do well in the shade. Impatiens is a great choice for shady spaces. The wide variety of vivid colors makes it a perfect choice for creating a bright border in a shady place. The brightly colored Viola is another flower suited for shady spots. It can also be planted in pots and placed strategically for added color effect. The Mimulus is a plant that grows well in shade and needs moist soil. This plant can tolerate partial sunlight and can therefore be used as a border plant. The dramatic color effect can be achieved by planting Lobelia and Ageratum, which give the beautiful blue hues to the garden. Each geographical location will have its own special summer flowers, and their growth will depend on factors like location, soil content, availability of water, sunlight and pH content. It is therefore, a good practice to select colorful summer flowers, which are local to your area.

This is only a small sample of the type of colorful flowering plants that can be planted in a summer garden. It would be advisable to check out the wide range of colors available in each variety and their placement planned accordingly. The plant care instructions should be strictly followed and the landscape of your garden should be kept in mind while selecting the plants. The planning stage is often the most difficult and involves a lot of hard work. Nevertheless, all the planning is worth the effort, because eventually, it is helping to create something beautiful that is a matter of pride to the gardener. Failing to plan can lead to wasted time, money and energy.

About the Author

Abhishek is an avid Gardening enthusiast and he has got some great Gardening Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 57 Pages Ebook, "Your Garden - Neighbor's Envy, Owner's Pride!" from his website http://www.Gardening-Master.com/762/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

(ArticlesBase SC #753753)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Summer Garden Flowers - Learn About Which Are Most Suitable

Balcony Garden

2010-06-15T15:01:00.001-05:00

Father's Day Gift Ideas

2010-06-01T16:07:00.000-05:00

Homemade Gift Baskets for Fathers Day

By: Janet Vogel

Fathers Day is a wonderful time to make a special gift basket for your father, husband, grandfather, or any other special man in your life. Personalize your gift basket by filling it with small gift items related to his favorite pastime, hobby, or sport. To personalize further, select small packages of his favorite sweets or snacks.

Is your special guy an avid golfer? If he is, then what could be a better gift than a homemade golf gift basket! A wire bogey basket would make a great container. Place straw, green shred, or a golf towel in the container and fill it with small gift items (golf balls, tees, gloves, a notepad, waterproof pen, or a golfer's cap or sun viser). Add an issue of Golf Digest magazine, a book on golf, and small well-wrapped packages of his favorite food treats.

If he loves to fish, create a special gift basket loaded with small fishing gifts. For a rustic look, make the filler for the container by shredding newspapers or brown wrapping paper. In addition to fishing necessities (hooks, floats, lures, etc.), include a dispensable camera, a photo frame with a fishing theme, a can of insect repellent, or a first aid kit. Include small bags of pretzels, chips, nuts, or trail mix; add cans of his favorite beverages.

Perhaps he enjoys a glass of good wine on occasion. Choose a wicker basket with a handle so you can anchor a bottle of wine by tying the bottle to the handle with twine. Place plenty of filler materials in the basket to cushion the bottle of wine; straw, excelsior, or purchased shred are all good choices. After you have centered and anchored the bottle of wine, add small packages of cheeses, gourmet crackers, mixed nuts, and something chocolate. Just before presenting the gift basket, add a few small bunches of fresh grapes for a lovely decorative touch.

Homemade gifts are a way of showing love and appreciation to those special people in our lives. Any man would be delighted to receive a gift you created just for him on Fathers Day or on other holidays or special occasions.

About the Author

For more information about creating homemade gift baskets, to to homemade Fathers Day Gift Baskets or gift basket themes

(ArticlesBase SC #145585)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Homemade Gift Baskets for Fathers Day

Deck Container Garden

2010-05-15T15:08:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day ... A Very Special Day

2010-05-01T15:47:00.001-05:00

The Perfect Mothers Day Formula

By: Marilyn Franklin

Does your mother deserve a perfect Mothers Day? The answer of course is yes but what does it take to make this special person feel that she couldn't have planned it better herself. Every mother is different and geography may sometimes get in the way but here are main areas to focus on to make her day special.

* Mothers Day Gifts

* Mothers Day Activities

* Mothers Day Cards

I know the above seems obvious but some might be surprised at how often one or more of the above are not even considered.

Before expanding on the 3 areas let's discuss why Mother's Day even exists. The formal recognition of Mothers Day was back on May 9th, 1914 by then president Woodrow Wilson. It was established to honor the mothers whose sons had died in war. The original activists that helped to bring this holiday to pass were Anna and her mother Ann Jarvis. This was in the United States. Mothers Day is celebrated across the world but not necessarily on the same date. Anna Jarvis was especially disturbed by the commercialization of the holiday because the intent of the Mothers Day holiday is not to lavish commercial gifts on your mother but to show her how she is appreciated. That does not necessarily mean buying her things. It all depends on the Mother and the means that one has to buy.

Mothers Day Gifts

The perfect Mothers Day is about making your mother or the mothers in your life feel appreciated and special. In our society that mainly has revolved around getting the Mother the right gift. The traditional Mothers Day gifts have been Flowers, Perfume and Candy. Perfume can be tricky because perfume choices can be very personal so if you go that route make sure you know what she likes. Flowers and Candy rarely disappoint again knowing what she likes is worth big points. Carnations have been traditional Mothers Day Flowers so those would be a good choice. If you know of something specific that she has been wanting that would be a great choice. I don't mention a specific choice here because these ideas usually revolve around hobbies or interests that are specific to the mother involved.

Mothers Day Activities

A perfect Mothers Day for most mothers involves being surrounded by her family. Spending time together nowadays can be pretty hard and may be even more difficult for families that live far away from each other. If you are fortunate enough to be able to be with your mother on Mother's Day you should plan out a day that includes family time. In the past I have been taken to Mother's Day Brunch at a good restaurant. There are even brunches and dinners available on Cruise ships if you have them in your city. These activities should not be confused with pampering and treatment gifts to spas. These are great but are something that they would do on another day.

Mothers Day Cards

Don't forget the card! Though buying a card may seem impersonal it does not have to be if you choose the right one. The perfect Mothers day would include a card that reflects how you feel about the mother involved and would be even better if you add a handwritten portion that shows that you have put some thought into how you feel about her. Don't worry about writing a mother's day poem just write what you feel.

So there you go the formula for the perfect Mother's day isn't that complicated but it does require some thought and planning.

About the Author

Marilyn Franklin writes for TheGiftsBlog where you can find more gift ideas for all occasions including Mother's Day.

(ArticlesBase SC #880275)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - The Perfect Mothers Day Formula

Spring Cleaning

2010-04-15T15:33:00.000-05:00

Spring Clean Your House and Sort Out Your Finances

By: Paul McIndoe

There’s no better time than spring to reorganise yourself and your household. And indeed, many people grasp springtime as an opportunity to declutter their homes, reassess what they actually need (versus what’s superfluous), and to generally reorganise their environment and day-to-day doings. In fact, this is true for whether it relates to the workplace or the home.

However, many people don’t know where to begin with a job as big as ‘spring cleaning’, which often leaves them taking on too much at once and getting overwhelmed. When it comes to re-organising and re-assessing, it’s best to focus on one thing at a time; that way, you can give your full attention to one thing rather than your divided attention to a number of different tasks. Spring cleaning is challenging in itself, so there’s no point in making it harder by trying to do too many things at once.

But it’s also worth keeping in mind that spring cleaning and organising should be a group effort if multiple people are associated with a given space. For instance, if you share an office space with others, suggest that everyone clean and de-clutter together. That way, the entire job - which can be big - won’t fall on one person. Similarly, you shouldn’t have to take on the entire task of spring cleaning your home if you share the home with others - whether it’s with family or roommates.

Aside from the fact that spring cleaning a house is a huge task, it can be tricky trying to sort through other people’s belongings. After all, you don’t want to end up throwing out something that someone actually wanted! But remember that if you do live alone, you can still get help clearing your home of clutter. There are companies and individuals out there who specialise in helping people clean, organise and de-clutter their homes.

However, for many, springtime organising extends beyond cleaning. For countless people, this time of year is also an opportunity to get other areas of their lives - such as finances - in order. For instance, spring is a great time to ensure you have all your necessary insurance policies in place and up to date - whether it’s your car insurance, life insurance or home insurance UK policy. It’s also a great time to check in with your bank to ensure your accounts and finances are up to speed, and to check that you’re aware of all your account outgoings, settings, and general status.

So, even if you do your best to keep up with ‘housekeeping’ - whether it’s to do with your actual home, workplace, or your finances and insurance status - it’s always worth checking in at least once a year to tie up loose ends and to ensure you’re up to speed. And there’s no better time to take on the task than spring!

About the Author

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

(ArticlesBase SC #894067)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Spring Clean Your House and Sort Out Your Finances

Urban Garden

2010-04-01T14:57:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed this short video on Urban Gardening.

Small Space Garden Tips

2010-03-21T15:10:00.000-05:00

How to Grow Potatoes in a Basket

2010-03-11T14:50:00.001-06:00

Here's a helpful video for how to grow potatoes, above ground, in a basket.

Gardening in Small Spaces

2010-02-25T15:14:00.001-06:00

Gardening In Small Spaces

By: Whitney Segura

Tips for Growing Plants Indoors

While many people are intrigued with the idea of growing some of their own food, not everyone has the outdoor space to plant an extensive backyard garden. In this situation, are you just stuck with ho-hum grocery store offerings, or shelling out the money to shop the local produce stand? Or, is there a way to make gardening successful with only a small area to work with?

People have been growing plants for ages, even when they had very little to work with. The best news for apartment dwellers and renters alike is that there are many strategies that make it possible to successfully garden in a small space.

Many people use a small greenhouse or growing rack to grow in, and it works incredibly well. Even if you have only a minimal deck area, you can grow a decent amount of produce. Many plants are also able to fruit without ever being placed outside. Plants like tomatoes, peas, and lettuce are ideal for growing in an indoor area, for example.

Most people who grow in a small area use one of two strategies:

Either planting in pots or small garden containers, or utilizing an intensive growing method like square foot gardening. Almost anything can be grown in a pot, as long as you plan for adequate support. Vining plants like melons and cucumbers can be trained to grow upwards, conserving ground space even further.

The size of your container or pot will vary depending on the needs of your plants, but a moderately sized planter should accommodate most garden varieties.

For a intensive garden, such as a square foot design, the same considerations should be looked at, except that you will be growing more crops in the same area.

A standard square foot garden is 4 foot by 4 foot and features 16 growing cells. This can be placed on a deck or even on the roof of a building.

A depth of about 4 inches is ideal, unless you are growing root crops like carrots or potatoes

About the Author

Whitney Segura is an expert gardener and author at the Garden of Articles, high quality Article Directory that covers many topics and subjects of general interest.

(ArticlesBase SC #1903809)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Gardening In Small Spaces

Grow Beautiful Flowers

2010-02-08T15:17:00.001-06:00

Simple Tips For Growing Beautiful Flowers In Your Flower Garden

By: taamiv

Flower gardening is one the most attractive aspect of gardening which is followed and admired by a lot of individuals. Having an attractive flower garden outside your house will enhance the overall appearance and beauty of your house and you will have an attractive garden with lots of different colors to enjoy as well. In this piece of writing, you would find some simple tips for growing beautiful flowers in your flower garden. Following these tips will assure you an attractive and blossoming flower garden for a long period of time.

In order to grow beautiful flowers in your flower garden, first of all, you would have to find a most appropriate for your flower garden. The location of your garden will matter the most when it comes to flower gardening. You have your choice though, either you can go with conventional type of flower gardening which is gardening on the piece of land, or you can with more modern type of flower gardening which is known as flower container gardening. If you go with container gardening then you will have some associative advantages of container gardening such as , you can carry container from one place to another with ease as per your needs and requirements and a small container require less maintenance as compared to conventional flower garden.

On the other hand, if you decide to carry out gardening in a conventional way and you want to plant your garden on a piece of land then you must make sure that the condition of your land is appropriate for flower gardening. In order to determine the condition of your land, you need to get a hand on a test soil kit in order to know the current conditions of your land. If you find the results positive, then you can consider you land in order to grow some attractive and beautiful flowers.

Next, you should consider getting some sort of assistance from a gardening journal. Getting assistance from a gardening journal is recommended by many professional gardeners. There are lots of advantages of keeping a gardening journal with yourself such as, you can easily determine the work which needs to be done quickly and the work which you have already completed and etc.

Lastly, make sure you stay all organic; by organic I mean that you must avoid using synthetic chemicals and pesticides within your flower garden. You must consider organic fertilizers and other organic materials in order to make sure that your garden remains healthy for a long period of time.

If you follow the above mentioned simple tips as described then I am sure that you would see some attractive flowers blossoming in your own flower garden within a short period time of time.

About the Author

Learn flowering shrubs for cottage garden and also flower gardening. Flowers are the essence of a garden.

(ArticlesBase SC #1825112)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Simple Tips For Growing Beautiful Flowers In Your Flower Garden

Cat Litter Box

2009-08-31T08:08:00.000-05:00

Crate Training Your Puppy

2009-08-26T07:04:00.001-05:00

Potty Train Puppy

2009-08-22T11:04:00.000-05:00

Cat Behavior Problems

2009-08-19T00:59:00.000-05:00

Clean a No Wax Floor

2009-08-15T09:56:00.001-05:00

Keep Organized

2009-08-09T11:55:00.000-05:00

Clean Wool Rug

2009-08-02T00:52:00.000-05:00

Remove rust from Cast Iron

2009-07-30T11:46:00.001-05:00

Fall Perennial Planting

2009-07-26T00:43:00.001-05:00

Get ready for fall planting

2009-07-20T00:40:00.001-05:00

How to Grow Horseradish

2009-07-15T00:36:00.000-05:00

Plan the Perfect Summer Garden

2009-07-11T00:33:00.000-05:00

Planting Perennials

2009-07-04T01:42:00.000-05:00

I wanted to find a
visual tutorial for planting
perennial flowers.
I found this video.
The quality is a little low...but
it is pretty simple to follow.

I continue to remind folks that...
my favorite 'choice' for fertilizer is...
"Worm Poop"

Calorie Restriction Diet Plan

2009-07-01T17:04:00.004-05:00

One of the most talked about diet plans is the
Calorie Restriction Diet Plan.
In a nutshell...the calorie restriction diet plan
calls for you to decrease your current daily calorie intake

by 500 calories...to equate to 3500 calories a week.
Scientists guesstimate that one pound of fat
is the equivalent of 3500 calories.

The plan also calls for cutting out
sugars, saturated fats and most dairy foods.

Personally...while I agree that we should
cut BACK on sugars....(I can't eliminate them completely)...
saturated fats and high fat dairy foods..
I think it possible
to incorporate the 'spirit' of the
Calorie Restriction Diet Plan
and lose weight...
by..
cutting the 500 calories a day...
exercising daily...
and taking nutritional supplements
to keep muscle mass and energy levels high.

I love the 'Diet Plate' pictured above...
what a great way to portion our
meals....and cut those excess calories...
Amazon offers several styles
of plates...check them out
here.

Choosing Annual Flowers

2009-06-30T05:22:00.000-05:00

If you are a seasoned gardener,
you probably know all about
choosing annual flowers.

But, for those relatively new to the
relaxing world of planting and gardening,
here is a quick little tutorial...with pictures of the flowers...
on
choosing annual flowers.
Enjoy!

Gourmet Baskets

2009-06-28T17:06:00.000-05:00

Feeling a bit under the weather....?
know someone else who is...?

Perhaps you Just Want To Pamper Yourself!

Try one of these
wonderfully delicious
gourmet gift baskets....the best way to sample
some deliciousness!

WD 40 Uses

2009-06-26T05:06:00.002-05:00

Someone sent me the following
in an email.
I had no idea...so I thought I would share.

WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. WD-40 or 'Water Displacement #40' was formulated from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.

Here are some uses for WD-40:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic and terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from t he kitchen floor!
Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring.
It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub
nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows
if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

...And... The basic ingredient in WD-40 is FISH OIL !

Container Herb Garden Video

2009-06-22T09:14:00.002-05:00

Healthy Weight - Beware the Saboteurs

2009-06-18T04:23:00.002-05:00

When you start a weight loss program, you'll want to have as many friends and family members as possible to be supportive of your weight loss goals.

Unfortunately, this is often not always possible. There seem to be saboteurs in many of the endeavors we choose to take in life, including our weight loss goals.

Don't become disheartened or you run the risk of abandoning your weight loss efforts and goals.

You will need to strengthen your willpower and resist those subtle and malicious suggestions or responses they make whenever you reach a specific milestone on your path towards a slimmer body and a healthier lifestyle.

If you are not sure if someone is trying to sabotage your efforts, here are a few things to watch for.

1. They Offer you Fattening Foods
This is one neat trick that can make you fall to their plans and be a victim of these weight loss saboteurs! Over time, they may shove you with your favorite food and offer something that used to be your personal cravings. Thank them and refuse to have any of them.

2. They make Negative Comments
Some small remarks such as? You can never stick to your weight loss goals? or ? You look good being fat!? are simply some of the tactics employed by these tricky characters!

3. They try to Catch you Doing Something Forbidden
They have a habit of keeping an eye on you and then merely to jump onto something you did that is on the contrary to your weight loss program.

4. They seem to always give you Constant Criticism
They have a habit of criticizing everything you can and how you decide to manage your weight loss program.

So how do you face these 'saboteurs' in your life, even those who "think" they mean well?

If they are the people dearest to you and you can't bear to hurt their feelings, no matter what they've done to yours, you will have to learn to ignore their remarks, resist their temptings, and keep your mind and willpower focused on your weight loss program.

You can make some attempts to reassure them that things will not change and will be what it used to be in the past. What is changing is only your weight and your lifestyle and you are doing it for your own well being and your health.

Several programs that you might consider reviewing, if you haven't yet set your goals or started a particular weight loss program include:

Strip That Fat!
The Diet Solution!
Turbulence Training!

These are very different programs and you might find the one that best suits your health needs, your goals and your personality.

Good luck on reaching and maintaining your healthy weight goals!

Emotional Freedom Technique

2009-06-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

Most of us have heard about 'The Secret'....Laws of Attraction and the such.

I, for one, do happen to believe there is some credence
to all of this.

I know that stress and negative emotions DO have an adverse affect on our health...
so...I decided to see what this "Emotional Freedom Therapy" was all about.
In short...it is a method to 'release' the negatives
in order to allow the positives into our lives.

Here is a short video that explains it a bit better...

Handy tips for cell phone users.

2009-06-11T12:54:00.000-05:00

If you have a cell phone...

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.

If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish an emergency number for you, and important to note... 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

Did you lock your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

To read more tips, please visit this site.

How to unlock a cell phone.

2009-06-08T13:45:00.000-05:00

Is your cell phone locked or unlocked? Do you even know? I didn't.
Apparently, some phone providers lock their phones, meaning that those phones will only work with their carrier's SIM cards.
So if you have an AT&T phone, you can be fairly certain that it will not work if you change your cell provider to T-Mobile or Sprint.
Since many of the wireless carriers provide a free phone or a highly discounted phone they did not want to be out the cost of the phone to find that later that same phone is being used with another carrier, so they got the cell phone manufacturers to design the phone that could be locked to just their service.

To find out if your phone is locked, borrow a SIM card from someone who has a different provider, install it in your phone and see if it works. If it works and you can dial the borrowed party's number and your phone rings, then your phone is not locked.

If it doesn't work, how do you unlock a cell phone? First, don't purchase any of the unlock codes that are on various sites. You can get them for free. To find out how to unlock a cell phone, go to Google or Yahoo and type in your cell phone brand, like Nokia or Samsung or whatever it is, plus free calculator. Nokia Free Calculator.

You may have to do a small download to use the calculator, but you can always uninstall it right after you use it. Once you have downloaded the software, it will instruct you how to find the unlock code.

You'll have to enter in your phone brand (like Samsung), the model (like 1234), and usually the company that provided you service (such as AT&T). You will also need the IMEI code, which you can find on the back of your phone underneath the battery, or by pressing *#06# into your phone. The code will appear on your screen, so be sure to write it down. Do be careful because you only have 5 chances to enter the code correctly before the phone locks down.

If this all seems like too much of a hassle, you can either choose to go with a phone provided or purchased through your new carrier or purchase a cell phone, independent of any carrier, that is already unlocked.

Easy to Grow Flowers - Petunias

2009-06-05T21:16:00.000-05:00

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, I've always had good luck whenever I plant several containers of petunias.
Petunias have a wide 'trumpet' shaped flower and just a couple of plants will spread and bloom like crazy.
I do not start my petunias from seeds, preferring instead to plant young plants that have one or two unopened blossoms, in a variety of different colors.
Petunias do best in full sun, but can handle partial shade, which might be preferrable in hotter climates.
Make sure the soil is well drained as, petunia roots do not like too much water settling around them, this will cause the plants to produce more stem and fewer flowers.
To keep your petunias blooming all summer long, you will want to pinch off the dried blooms once or twice a week.
My favorite petunia varieties include;
The Grandifloras. This particular 'variety' of petunias have been around for some time. They grow eight to twelve inches high and have four to five inch wavy-edged blossoms.
The Multiflora petunia flowers are smaller, only about two inches, but they are more prolific and hold up better against rain.
I have planted petunias in a flower bed as well as in containers. I do prefer the containers as the petunias just seem to hold up better and longer, plus I can arrange the containers in various heights, with all kinds of color variations that look great on the patio. I like to keep my petunias in an area that I can look out and see the hummingbirds.
For the best in planters and containers check out these "Popular Wall & Hanging Planters" On Sale Now! SimplyPlanters.com

Easy to Grow Flowers - Marigolds

2009-06-02T20:28:00.002-05:00

One of the easiest flowers to grow, from seed or starter plants, is the Marigold.
I have planted marigolds for years...often, when I had limited room, I always managed to find enough room to grow a few marigolds.

Once all danger of frost has passed, you can find a sunny spot of rich, well drained soil and work a little worm compost into the tilled soil. When the area has been prepared, spread seeds and cover them with no more than 1/4 inch of soil. Carefully water the soil and seeds daily.
When the seedlings begin to spout, thin to about 8 inches apart.
After the plants have grown and sprouted several leaves, you can place a little mulch around each plant to keep the soil from getting too dried out.
I like to space out my marigold planting, so that I can have flowers blooming well into the fall.
As the blossoms begin to dry up, I pluck the dried blooms and place them into a paper bag (to finish drying). The dried blooms are filled with seeds that I then use for the next year's plantings. Roll the dried bloom between your thumb and fingers, to separate the seeds when planting.

Add a decorative touch to your garden with fountains, garden gnomes, garden stones and much more from OnlineDiscountMart.com!

If you decide you would prefer to plant a small space marigold container garden,Simply Planters have over 250 Styles Of Garden Planters! Most Items Ship Free!

Primitive decor

2009-05-31T05:12:00.000-05:00

Primitive decor is quite popular and can be achieved on almost any budget.
Most common colors used in primitive decor are browns, blacks, reds and grays.
The key in primitive decor is to look for old and sturdy furniture with clean lines and multi-efficient uses.

If you can't go 'all out' in your design, you can often manage to bring in a primitive 'flavor' with the clever placement of just a few primitive items such as, wooden bowls, baskets, dried fruits and flowers and the like.

Organize Your Kitchen

2009-05-28T04:54:00.002-05:00

A short video on the basics of organizing your kitchen. As old as I am, I picked up a pointer or two.

Container Garden Demonstration

2009-05-25T04:39:00.001-05:00

Here is a link to my post about earthworm castings in seed planting.
I am a BIG supporter of using earthworm castings as natural fertilizer in all container garden planting.

How many vitamins and minerals do you really need?

2009-05-21T03:54:00.002-05:00

Most people assume that they are getting all of the vitamins and minerals they need, for daily health, in the foods that we consume.
Not so much...with all of the stress that our bodies endure...including work, home, environment, economics...we may not be eating everything we need to insure that our bodies are getting the necessary levels of vitamins and minerals needed to keep us at our best.
To know if we should take supplements or not..we need to understand a little about the following. These values are designed to help us get the nutrients we need to maintain health in order to avoid problems caused by malnutrition.

The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) and the AI (Adequate Intake) are the amounts of a vitamin or mineral you need to stay healthy and avoid nutritional deficiencies. They are tailored to women, men, and specific age groups.
The UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level) is the maximum amount of daily vitamins and minerals that you can safely take without risking an overdose or serious side effects. For certain nutrients, the higher you go above the UL, the greater the chance of having problems.

High doses of some supplements might have risks. So, how do you know when it’s OK to take more than the RDA levels?

First, look for the UL (tolerable upper intake level) of a nutrient. This is set by the Institute of Medicine after studying each nutrient.

You can safely take a dose much higher than the RDA or DV of many vitamins and minerals, without coming close to the UL. The average person can take 50 times the RDA of vitamin B6 without reaching the upper limit. But be cautious and keep these things in mind.

With some vitamins and minerals, the upper limit is pretty close to the RDA.
High doses of vitamin A – and other fat-soluble vitamins like D, E, and K -- can build up in the body and cause toxicity. Other risky supplements include the minerals iron and selenium.
Eat a well balanced and healthy diet. But, fill in any gaps in your optimum nutrition with a daily supplement.
When figuring out whether you’re reaching the UL on a particular nutrient, you need to factor in the food you eat as well as the supplements you are taking.

Here is a chart of the RDA and UL.

Vitamin or Mineral	Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Adequate Intake (AI) Nutrients with AIs are marked with an ()*	Upper Tolerable Limit (UL) The highest amount you can take without risk
Boron	Not determined.	20 mg/day
Calcium	Age 19-50: 1,000 mg/day * Age 51 and up: 1,200 mg/day *	2,500 mg/day
Chloride	Age 19-50: 2,300 mg/day Age 50-70: 2,000 mg/day Age 70 and older: 1,800 mg/day	3,600 mg/day
Choline (Vitamin B complex)	Age 70 and older: 1,800 mg/day Women: 425 mg/day *	3,500 mg/day
Copper	900 micrograms/day	10,000 micrograms/day
Fluoride	Men: 4 mg/day * Women: 3 mg/day *	10 mg/day
Folic Acid (Folate)	400 micrograms/day	1,000 micrograms/day This applies only to synthetic folic acid in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for folic acid from natural sources.
Iodine	150 micrograms/day	1,100 micrograms/day
Iron	Men: 8 mg/day Women age 19-50: 18 mg/day Women age 51 and up: 8 mg/day	45 mg/day
Magnesium	Men age 19-30: 400 mg/day Men age 31 and up: 420 mg/day Women age 19-30: 310 mg/day Women age 31 and up: 320 mg/day	350 mg/day This applies only to magnesium in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for magnesium in food and water.
Manganese	Men: 2.3 mg/day * Women: 1.8 mg/day*	11 mg/day
Molybdenum	45 micrograms/day	2,000 micrograms/day
Nickel	Not determined	1.0 mg/day
Phosphorus	700 mg/day	Up to age 70: 4,000 mg/day Over age 70: 3,000 mg/day
Selenium	55 micrograms/day	400 micrograms/day
Sodium	Age 19-50: 1,500 mg/day Age 51-70: 1,300 mg/day Age 71 and up: 1,200 mg/day	2,300 mg/day
Vanadium	Not determined	1.8 mg/day
Vitamin A	Men: 900 micrograms/day Women: 700 micrograms/day	3,000 micrograms/day
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	Men: 16 mg/day Women: 14 mg/day	35 mg/day This applies only to niacin in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for niacin in natural sources.
Vitamin B6	Men age 19-50: 1.3 mg/day Men age 51 up:1.7 mg/day Women age 19-50: 1.3 mg/day Women age 51 up: 1.5 mg/day	100 mg/day
Vitamin C	Men: 90 mg/day Women: 75 mg/day	2,000 mg/day
Vitamin D (Calciferol)	Age 19-50: 5 micrograms/day (200 IU, or international units) * Age 51-70: 10 micrograms/day (400 IU) * Over age 70: 15 micrograms/day (600 IU) *	50 micrograms/day (2,000 IU)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	15 mg/day	1,000 mg/day This applies only to vitamin E in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for vitamin E from natural sources.
Zinc	Men: 11 mg/day Women: 8 mg/day	40 mg/day

I got this chart at this site.

There are no UL values for vitamin B₁₂, since the risk of toxicity is quite low.

It is recommended that people over 50 years old should get most of their vitamin B₁₂ requirements through supplements, such as a multivitamin, or fortified foods to which vitamin B₁₂ has been added. Older people have difficulty absorbing vitamin B₁₂ naturally found in food, but not the vitamin B₁₂ in supplements or fortified foods.

What to do about low blood sugar levels.

2009-05-18T03:34:00.000-05:00

Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood.
In the simplest of terms, it means that our body cannot handle the large amount of sugars we tend to consume on a daily basis.
Our foods are converted in their original state into glucose, which is the fuel our body needs to keep us going.
If the pancreas releases too much insulin, the blood sugar drops below the level needed to maintain optimum health.
Hypoglycemia is a condition that needs medical consultation, in order to receive the correct course of treatment.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
* fatigue
* insomnia
*sudden hunger
* allergies
*crying spells
* mental confusion
* nervousness
* craving for sweets
* cold hands and feet
* forgetfulness
* mood swings
* faintness
* headaches
* depression
* phobias
* heart palpitations
* dizziness
* blurred vision
* inner trembling
*outbursts of temper

What to do about high blood sugar levels.

2009-05-15T03:08:00.000-05:00

High blood sugar levels, hyperglycemia, do not cause any short term damage to your internal organs but will lead you to; feel week and tired, be thirsty all the time, have to urinate frequently, have blurred vision and make you more susceptible to infections. It's terribly hard on the elderly as it can cause the aged to be dehydrated, have an electrolyte imbalance and make them more apt to fall.

Long term complications include; diabetes and the complications that accompany it, eye disease or blindness, kidney disease and neuropathy. It can also contribute greatly to heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

To lower high blood sugar levels you should practice:
1. Daily exercise. A thirty minute walk everyday helps burn calories and keep glucose levels at a more optimum level.
2. Eat mostly 'low-glycemic' foods such as apples, oranges, pears, oatmeal, peanuts, beans, peas and granola.
3. Eat very little 'high-glycemic' foods like, white bread, rice, and potatoes. (A thing to note..these 'high-glycemic' examples convert to glucose much faster than a candy bar.)
4. Drink a minimum of eight to ten glasses of water daily.
5. Gingseng, cinnamon and huckleberries, taken daily, also have properties that help lower blood sugar levels.

Collecting is Fun

2009-05-12T02:39:00.000-05:00

From bottle caps, hats, posters, films, records, dolls, figurines, plates, and crystal, there is a market for just about anything in the know. Regardless of the collection, the world of collectibles is vast and varied, as people accumulate just about anything to build a collection. Regardless of the dollhouse itself. There is a world of the more popular collectibles can actually be rather interesting and venture into territory that is occupied by some of the dollhouse itself.

Doll Collectors Doll collections are incredibly common. Dollhouse collections also have incredible detail, for the imagination of many people. Other Collectors Some people collect pieces of rare art or rare sculptures, while others are content to simply collect for the most part, in terms of the doll collector is certainly engaging. The complexity of doll collecting that may sound like gibberish to those not in the know.

There is a very intricate and organized one, for the most part, and really belies a responsibility to the nurturing and care of the doll once it is in his or her possession. Doll Collectors Doll collections are incredibly common. From bottle caps, hats, posters, films, records, dolls, figurines, plates, and crystal, there is a very intricate and organized one, for the imagination of many people. There is a market for just about anything to build a collection. Doll Collectors Doll collections are incredibly common.

From bottle caps, hats, posters, films, records, dolls, figurines, plates, and crystal, there is a very intricate and organized one, for the imagination of many people. The world of collectors is a market for just about anything to build a collection.

One thing is for sure when it comes to collectors, however: they keep things interesting. Some of the collection, the world of collectibles is one that often needs a dictionary and a thorough knowledge of collectibles jargon. Stoves, couches, furniture pieces, working electrical features, and other items are so popular, in fact, that many are willing to pay top dollar for rare items. Other Collectors Some people collect pieces of rare art or rare sculptures, while others are content to simply collect for the value and detail of the prices that these items end up fetching at auctions or private sales can be quite lucrative and exciting, as the vision of a scale model of the home.

Unclutter Your Bathroom

2009-05-09T03:13:00.000-05:00

How cluttered is your bathroom? Have you stopped to consider how much time you spend there with all the things you have to do there? Most people will be in their bathroom, at least, 5 - 6 times per day. When you consider how much time you spend in your bathroom, do you really put much effort it's maintenance? If you're like 95% of us then the answer is "no". We tend to let our bathrooms go into shambles around us because it's not a room that we need to live or sleep in.

Our biggest problems, in keeping 'up' with our bathrooms...they will remain in an 'unsightly' state until...We move out of our home.... or...we know that guests are coming to visit. Otherwise, we tend to let it build and build and build, into all states of clutter and 'grossness'. It might be time to spend a little money and effort by giving the bathroom a new lease of life.

So what's first on the list of ideas? Expanding the bathroom is one great idea. You'd be surprised at how much extra space you can "find" in your bathroom. Is there space in the next room that you can expand into? Many home owners are often stuck with smaller bathrooms than they'd like so start looking at how you can physically expand the room itself. Even a foot in either direction will make a huge difference to the appearance of the room.

Have you got bulky bathroom furniture like medicine cabinets in your bathroom. What is this cabinet full of? Old shampoo and expired medications? Bin them and the cabinet. Fit a smaller cabinet - it'll hold the same amount of "stuff". If there are any shelves in the bathroom get rid of them - they again tend to be used to just store old soap and bathroom junk. If your window space is cluttered with large curtains or blinds then unclutter it by removing them and fitting a smaller, more modest blind closer to the window. This will also add a lot of extra natural light to the bathroom.

Pay attention to the color scheme used in the bathroom. Way too many bathrooms use cold colors like blue and cream as their base color - and with no accents to add more color depth. Using either of these colors in moderation is fine but overuse will make the room feel almost sterile. Experiment with adding other colors as accents to the main base color. Another idea is to use "warmer" colors like oranges and yellows - these colors can make the dingiest, coldest room seem warm and cozy.

Let your imagination run wild when redecorating your bathroom. Make it your own. Make it a room you'll be proud of and happy to share with your friends - heck you may even want to boast about it once you're done.

Home decor basics

2009-05-06T02:16:00.004-05:00

Indulge your senses and delight your spirit by shining a little light into your life! Vibrant colors and splendid scents create an uplifting aura of pure joy; sleek shapes and subtle hues lend understated elegant and tranquility to you favorite room. Certain shades, too, have complex psychological associations that may subliminally influence your perception of temperature and can even affect your mood.

With sweep of a paintbrush, color can alter the entire personality of you rooms, change apparent shapes and sizes, and transform a collection of seemingly disparate architectural features and furnishing items a sleek, cohesive style statement. One you discover the seductive power of color and the thrilling possibilities it opens up, you'll never look back. One you discover the seductive power of color and the easiest to change if you're not happy with the result. Picture reflecting those who live inside, taken, of course, in the most dynamic element in any design scheme, it is also one of the cheapest to use and the easiest to change if you're not happy with the result.

Distinctive yet humble. Pretty but not pretentious. My vision is of a tasteful, timeless home, neither too cluttered nor too sterile. I want my home to look.

Picture reflecting those who live inside, taken, of course, in the most flattering light. Distinctive yet humble. Pretty but not pretentious. My vision is of a tasteful, timeless home, neither too cluttered nor too sterile. And okay, as long as I'm being honest, I want my home to look.

I want a haven that welcome me when I come in from the war- torn world, a refuge that says come in, relax. Picture reflecting those who live inside, taken, of course, in the most flattering light. Distinctive yet humble. Pretty but not pretentious. My vision is of a tasteful, timeless home, neither too cluttered nor too sterile.

And okay, as long as I'm being honest, I want my home to look. And okay, as long as I'm being honest, I want a haven that welcome me when I come in from the war- torn world, a refuge that says come in, relax. Because like most people, I like a dream of how I want a haven that welcome me when I come in from the war- torn world, a refuge that says come in, relax. Although space, style, budget, color, and furnishings all play a role, decorating is about expressing yourself and living with what you love.

Decorating is individual and often eclectic, combining the best of styles, periods, patterns and art to create personal, inviting homes.

Container 'Bucket' Garden

2009-05-01T02:01:00.000-05:00

Vegetable gardens have always been popular. Container vegetable gardens are fairly new though. A 'bucket' garden is one of many containers that can be used in growing a container vegetable garden.

If you are trying to decide whether or not you want to venture down the path of becoming a self made vegetable grower, you can start small with one or two 5-gallon buckets. Most begin with the basic vegetable plants; tomatoes, peppers, peas or even green beans. Or, you can start with herbs like basil or parsley.

To get started, you can go to any home improvement or hardware store to get:

1. five gallon buckets

2. Potting Soil

3. Starter Vegetable plants

4. Worm castings

Once you have your plants, soil and buckets:

1. Put several holes in the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket for drainage 2. Fill the bucket 2/3 of the way with the potting soil mixed with some of the worm castings 3. Scoop some small 'holes' in the soil about 3 to 4 inches apart 4. Place plants into the holes and cover with remaining potting soil and worm castings 5. Add Water and place in partial sunlight

Kitschy Kitchen

2009-04-27T22:35:00.001-05:00

Want to have yourself a "kitschy kitchen"? Just do the following:
1. Think 60s and 70s...you know, avocado greens, lemon yellows. If you're really brave, paint your kitchen one of these bright colors and accentuate them with those funky colored appliances.
2. Get yourself some vintage accessories...cool canisters, a bright breadbox, some funky salt and pepper shakers and maybe even a, (gasp!!) fondue set!
3. Think themes! Sunflowers, geese, or some other fun theme that would make your kitchen really kitschy!
4. Don't forget the wonderful pot holders and oven mitts! They're decorative as well as useful.
5. Get yourself to a vintage shop, or antique shop, and find some really fun advertising signs. If those are too pricey, there are some shops that are now replicating some of the more popular signs for reasonable prices.
6. Kitchens used to be the 'heart of the home'...decorating your kitchen in a fun, kitschy style might be so inviting that it becomes the focal point of your home.

Grow A Rose Bush from a Cutting

2009-04-22T22:01:00.000-05:00

You can start your own rosebush. Just cut off a stem with a bloom and five or six leaves.
First, plant the stem along with three of the leaves.
Leave the remaining leaves above ground and pinch off the bloom.
Now you'll need to water the freshly planted rosebush and put a glass canning jar or other clear receptacle over the stem.
Your rose bush will start growing in no time!

Kitchen Decorating Ideas

2009-04-18T04:45:00.000-05:00

The collector in us..

2009-04-15T05:10:00.000-05:00

With Mother's Day approaching, I got to thinking about some of the gifts I've received over the years and...how many times, most of my children, were 'at a loss' at what special gift they could bestow upon me.

So, inevitably..over time...I ended up becoming the 'proud owner' of several very special collections.

Among them...
vases
pottery
bells
snowglobes
hurricane lamps
egg beaters
papier mache figurines

That lead me to investigate other 'collections'...a few of which are...

autographs
bottle caps
coins
keychains
old toys
original artwork
jewelry
hats
buttons
bottles
magnets
coffee cups
old magazines
pennants
clocks
tin cans
old maps
figurines
matchbooks
postcards
dolls

The lists are virtually endless...I just thought it would be fun to post a few of them here. Maybe they'll spark the imagination...or at least, a gift idea for Mother's Day.

Organize your spices

2009-04-13T04:41:00.000-05:00

Your Small Kitchen

2009-04-11T04:17:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you need more space in your small kitchen?

If you don't have sufficient space in your kitchen then even, utensils, cookbooks and other kitchen necessities can make a small kitchen look cluttered and even smaller than it really is. But when you only have a small area to work with, how can you make the most of limited space in your small kitchen?

A line of kitchen hooks put up close to the ceiling will add extra storage space for pots and pans, and add a charmingly unique and decorative touch to the kitchen.

Top shelf cupboard space can be utilized to it's maximum potential by storing everything that you don't often use there, to free up space that could be better utilized and open up your small kitchen.

Choose light colors to make spaces look larger. Try cream-colored cabinets, or beige walls, if you want a 'hint' of color. Lighter colors reflect light and create a brighter and 'larger looking' space.

Use free standing pantry units and stack from floor to ceiling.

Decide which small appliances you use and which you don't use that often. Do you ever really use the food processor, blender or cappuccino machine? Most people use only about half of the items they have stored somewhere in their kitchen. If you really need the counter space, you might want to find someplace else to store those small 'seldom used' appliances. You can always get them out when you want to use them.

Your Own Tuscan Garden

2009-04-08T03:52:00.000-05:00

Do you want to grow your own Tuscan Garden?

Tuscan styles have become very prevalent in kitchens and home decor for some time now.

And, due to the popularity of the style, Tuscan style Gardens can be found all over the place.

They aren't difficult to grow. Simply fill your garden space with Italian herbs, vine ripened tomatoes, delicious garden greens,

fragrant lavendar flowers and beautiful poppies.

Place rustic looking Grecian style urns as beautiful containers for

small space garden settings,

Italian pottery with hearty herbs,

a rustic stone path that leads to your small vegetable garden.

For added Tuscan flavor, include a wrought iron bench,

climbing roses climbing,

a couple statues and a water fountain

AeroGarden

2009-04-05T03:35:00.000-05:00

The "computerized" AeroGarden lets you know when to add water and nutrients. The micro-processor automatically adjusts nutrient delivery and water flow, and even turns grow lights on and off to simulate the sun.

The AeroGarden comes in only one size, 16" x 10 1/2" x 15 1/2". The AeroGarden system has been designed for maximum efficiency.
The entire system uses less energy than a single 60-watt light bulb. It uses full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulbs exclusively designed for the optimal amount and type of light needed for a robust, healthy plant growth.

A smart garden micro-processor automatically adjusts nutrient delivery, light cycles and water flow for specific plant types. Aeroponic optimizing chamber creates a near perfect rainforest growing environment.
Plant roots are suspended in air in 100% humidity, highly oxygenated growing chamber with nutrients and water. Plug n' Grow Bio-dome Seed System pods are enclosed in mini greenhouses for ultra fast germination often within 24 hours.

Mystic Symbols for the Home

2009-04-02T03:23:00.000-05:00

Here are six mystic symbols for the home, and what they can do for you:

Circle: The circle is one of the most potent symbols. It represents eternity, completion, unity, the universe, wholeness, perfection and the Great Mystery.

Triangle: The triangle embodies the power of the pyramids. It relates to the combined power of body, mind and spirit, of mother, father and child, of past, present and future, of the Holy Trinity.

Square: The square symbolizes the four elements: air, water, fire and earth, and the four directions. It represents stability and strength, the four seasons. It represents the material world.

Cross: The symbol of the cross pre-dates Christianity and is perhaps the oldest talismanic symbol in the world. The cross symbolizes eternal life, resurrection and divine protection from evil. It also represents Jesus Christ.

Pentagram: The pentagram symbolizes the human body with each point representing one part of the body’s extremities—the head, hands and feet comprising each point of the star. It is used for protection.

Infinity: The symbol for infinity looks like the number eight laid on its side. This is a very powerful and cosmic symbol to use in your home.

Even though most of us don’t do any actual harvesting, we place many symbols of the harvest around our homes and tables when we decorate for Thanksgiving and other autumn holidays.

Those cornucopias, wheat sheaves, acorns, leaves, and other harvest icons have a mystic significance that goes back many centuries, helping us to connect with the ancient roots of this beautiful time of year.

Time Management

2009-03-30T02:29:00.000-05:00

Here are 3 very helpful tips for time management

that can help you become more efficient.

1. One of the biggest causes of procrastination

is the feeling of being weighed down and overwhelmed by the need to finish a huge task.

The answer to this 'stealer of time'

is to break the large task into a sequence of smaller,

more manageable and attainable goals.

Thus, the task will be reduced to

smaller chores that can really be done with comfort.

Less worries, less pressure, more efficiency.

2. Another saboteur of effective time organization

is improper planning.

If you don't know what you need to do or

how to effectively finish some of the

smaller tasks, you will end up

all over the place...not sure what you

are doing..or why!

3. A huge robber of time management and organization is an absence of priorities.

When nothing's established as a priority, everything becomes a priority.

You then become susceptible to trying to accomplish smaller bit of this and that,

moving from one chore to another and finishing so few of each by the end of the day,

that it seems nothing has been accomplished.

Prioritize!

Decide which task is the most vital to the success of your goal

and do that initially.

Once that is accomplished you can advance

to the following item on your list.

Spring Cleaning Doesn't HAVE To Be A Chore!

2009-03-26T05:22:00.000-05:00

I LOVE a clean house...but...I confess that I HATE to clean.

I totally skipped Spring Cleaning last year,

because I didn't want to tackle such a big job.

Now...this year...it shows!

And, if you're as busy as I am...

just trying to find that much time..

to devote to spring cleaning can be daunting, to say the least.

Well...here's how I am going

to tackle my Spring Cleaning...I think it's the only thing that is going to work..

with my schedule!

1. I'm going to start with an 'outline' of the rooms in my house.
2. Take it 'one room at a time'.
3. Break the 'chores' down...per room.
4. ONLY do one room each WEEK.
5. Break 'larger' or more 'cluttered' rooms into two halves, thirds or fourths.
6. Be 'brutal'. If it doesn't fit, if I haven't used it in months (or years),

if you 'still' haven't gotten around to using it....get RID of it!
7. Don't forget to clean the vents, ceiling fans, air conditioner/ furnace filters.
8. Don't forget storage areas and the garage.

They might need to be 'de-cluttered' as well.

I tend to 'put-off' huge chores, like spring cleaning,

when I'm under such a tight work schedule. I can't take

the huge block of time this cleaning is going to take..all at once.

But, I can manage it in hourly increments.

So...whether I've broken the rooms into segments or not,

as long as I have my 'Spring Cleaing Outline'

I can just mark off what I've accomplished and

come back to the next task when I have that next block of time.

My new 'mini website'

2009-03-24T02:45:00.000-05:00

I have found a wonderful new free webhosting site and I've already built several "mini-websites"

Check out my new 'Small Space Garden' site.

Spring Is Here!!

2009-03-23T04:44:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited...Spring Is Here! I'll soon be planting my small space container garden outdoors! I'm just waiting for all dangers of frost to pass.

I want to use a layered planter, similar to the one in this picture for my smaller herbs.

They have a great little planter, complete with a Culinary Herb Garden Kit, over at Amazon for an incredibly reasonable price.

Then, I want to plant two planters with my 'veggies' and one or two planters with flowers. I LOVE the look of this planter...and I think they'd look great on my outdoor patio.

Minutes to Clean.

2009-03-20T07:03:00.000-05:00

You can clean quite a bit, in just a few minutes.

Only have 15 minutes to clean....

Sweep a floor.
Scrub the refrigerator door and handle(s).
Wipe down kitchen countertops.
Spray a disinfectant in the sink and leave for 15 minutes.

(To kill all the bacteria and viruses that are probably living there.)

With 30 minutes you can include....

Scrub a floor.
Wipe down cabinet doors.
Scrub the oven door and handle.

If you have an hour,

and you're done in the kitchen,

hop on into the bathroom and...

Clean the sink.
Disinfect the toilet.
Sweep and scrub the floor.
Spray the tub and/or shower with disinfectant

and leave 15-20 minutes.

Again, to kill the bacteria and viruses that live there.

Great home remedies!

2009-03-17T06:21:00.000-05:00

These great home remedies are..

tried..

true..

and

doctor tested!

To get rid of that

'over-stuffed' feeling...eat a little bit

of fresh..or canned..pineapple.

Pineapple contains the enzyme,

bromelain, which helps you digest your food.

Tea bags are multi-purpose.

They can:

reduce puffiness around the eyes,

dry up cancer sores and cold sores,

and

reduce the inflammation caused by

sunburn.

Coffee helps asthmatics

breathe better.

According to Dr. Bruce Krieger at

Miami Mout Sinai Medical Center,

"coffee acts as a mild brochodilator..."

and

"coffee can also prevent a mild asthma attack from getting worse."

Studies showed that

asthmatics were able to breathe better

after drinking three cups of

caffeinated coffee.

(It doesn't work with de-caffeinated.)

Under eye reviver!

2009-03-14T05:50:00.000-05:00

Do you 'suffer' from

puffy eyes?

Try this natural treatment.

1 small RAW potato

1/2 cup heavy cream

Cut the potato into 1/4 inch slices

and soak in heavy cream for 5 minutes or so.

Then, place potato slices under your eyes

and leave them for 15 minutes, while you

lay back back and relax in a refreshing bath.

Herbal Remedies and Medications

2009-03-11T05:27:00.000-05:00

Herbal Remedies and Medications.
I am 'big' on natural remedies...and I usually, at least, try these first.
But..one thing you must consider, before jumping into herbal remedies, is whether or not you are currently taking any medications that could be directly affected by consuming herbal products.

Herbal products and supplements may not be safe if you have certain health problems or if you are elderly. So, it would be advisable to talk to your doctor before taking herbal products if you have any of the following health problems:

Blood clotting problems
Cancer
Diabetes
An enlarged prostate gland
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Immune system problems
Psychiatric problems
Parkinson’s disease
Liver problems
Stroke
Thyroid problems

Nature's Best Cleaning Product

2009-03-08T05:41:00.000-05:00

Nature's Best Cleaning Product

Not sure what harmful chemicals might be lurking in the cleaning products you buy to make your home cleaner, brighter and fresher!
Try this natural cleaning product, if you are looking for safe and clean.

Mix one part vinegar to one part water and store in a spray bottle available at your local grocers. As well as being a great disinfectant and deodorizer, it is a solution that will clean most any area of your home.

-Bathroom: Use in the tub, toilet, sink and counter tops in the bathroom. The vinegar solution will dissolve the soap scum and hard water stains.

-Kitchen: Use on stovetop, appliances, countertops and your floor.

-Laundry: Vinegar is a great fabric softener. One half cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle helps remove excess laundry detergent in the clothes which is helpful for those with skin sensitivities.

(Do avoid using on tile grout or marble surfaces, there's too much acid in the vinegar to use safely on these surfaces.)

Spring Clean Your Body

2009-03-05T05:18:00.000-06:00

Spring Clean Your Body

During the winter months,

especially with holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas

thrown in the mix,

our bodies tend to get burdened with toxins due to our

foods, being 'cooped up' all winter, lack of exercise and many other factors.

A few things we can do to 'spring clean the body' is:

1. Start your day with a drink of 12 ounces of fresh lemon squeezed

into room temperature purified water.

(It's always a good idea to 'detoxify' our drinking water

with a purification system like

Brita, Pur and the other affordable systems

available given the impurity of most tap water.)

This helps release toxins and cleanse the intestines.

2. Eat a whole grain cereal breakfast and

add beans, brown rice and vegetables

for lunch and dinner.

Eat smaller meals for easiest digestion.

3. Eat plenty of greens.

Green vegetables or green vegetable juice,

several servings daily, improves oxygenation,

circulation and helps in the detoxification process.

4. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant.

Drink, at least, one cup every day.

5. Fresh ginger root tea is a great kidney cleanser.

Drink a cup several times a week.

A little relief from colds and allergies

2009-03-02T18:18:00.000-06:00

Colds and Allergies

Bronchitis: For mild bronchitis symptoms, use a vaporizer, take a steamy shower or turn the hot water on in the sink and cover your head and the sink with a towel (kind of a quick and easy sauna) to ease your discomfort and open up your chest.

Congestion: Red pepper, jalapenos and hot salsa will temporarily open up your nasal passages and break up congestion.

Echinacea: I drink echinacea tea at the very first sign of a cold. A favorite...Echinacea and Elderberry..mmmm!

Green tea: Green tea is a natural antihistamine, which helps both allergies and coldsSaline nose drops: Make your own nose drops by sprinking some salt in boiled water (about 1/4 cup) to break up congestion and help you breathe. (Or you can get it already bottled and ready to use at the local drug store.)

Salt water Gargle: To help a sore throat, gargle salt water several times daily.Thyme: Make a tea with thyme or add a little to your recipes when you cook to break up congestion and relieve stuffy noses.

Vicks Up: Rub a little Vick's Vapor Rub or another menthol salve on the upper chest, then rub what is left on your fingers under your nose, this can break up congestion and help you breathe more easily.

Vitamin C and Colds: Taking Vitamin C, even if you're already sick can shorten the average cycle of your cold.Vitamin C and Allergies: Taking Vitamin C also helps allergies, because of its ability to counteract the inflammation responses that are part of hay fever and asthma.

Tax Time Got You Worried?

2009-02-28T03:42:00.000-06:00

April 15th will be here before we know it and that date has come to be known to many of us as, Tax Day. What if you aren't one of the 'lucky ones' who are expecting a refund and you actually 'owe' the tax man?
What will you do if you don't have enough money in the bank to pay your taxes? Instead of panicking or delaying your tax payments, which can be very costly because of interest and penalties, maybe you could use your credit card to pay the bill.
If the interest amounts on your credit card is less than interests and penalties to the IRS, it would save you money, in the long run.

When you need a Plumber..Now!

2009-02-28T02:55:00.000-06:00

What do you do, when you need a plumber Now?

Back in the day...
meaning 'before the internet'...
it usually wasn't very easy to find a good plumber, tree service, dry cleaners or dentist
especially, if you had just moved to a new location.
Sometimes it wasn't that easy, even if you'd lived in the same city for years.

We can go for years and never need to call a plumber or a tree service.
Then, when we really need one, we're at the mercy of the
recommendation of a neighbor or co-worker or the yellow pages of the phone book.

Most of us don't think to call the BBB when we're knee deep in water from a busted hot water heater.

I think it's great that there's a list you can check, in the time it takes to sort through the yellow pages, to find a good and reputable plumber, landscaper, pediatrician and more services than I can list in this short little post, all complete with member reviews.

It's called, Angie's List. There is a monthly or annual membership fee to use the service. Businesses don't pay, in order to insure a valid and un-biased report of each business and the data collected on each business is certified to make sure it is valid and honest reviews.

Find local reviews on the services you need at Angie’s List – from electricians to physicians – Use promo code “SAVE TEN” for $10 off!

Starting seeds with earthworm castings.

2009-02-26T03:24:00.000-06:00

I found this short little video on starting plants from seeds using earthworm castings. It is very informative and I think helpful to start the seeds before planting in our small space container gardens, indoors or out.

How You Can Become Energy Independent!

2009-02-24T17:44:00.000-06:00

Most of us probably know that the energy we use everyday isn't unlimited, yet we tend to forget and perhaps sometimes take it for granted.

Even our president knows that we need to become more energy independent.

As technology has advanced, so has our need for energy. The products that are being designed to make life easier also take more of the resources that are becoming increasingly limited. We can choose to wait for government to implement what we need to make our energy independence a reality, which might take the better part of a lifetime (for some of us), or we can take the matter into our own hands and make our own little piece of the world more energy independent in a matter of days.

What would happen, in your life, if you didn't have to worry about rising energy costs or depleted resources? Do you think you could ever be energy independent?

Over the course of a week-end, you can implement the instructions from one of these kits, and maybe even go 'off the grid' forever! And all for about the cost of an average family's one month utility bill.

Here are my reviews on a few of the programs available, perhaps it will help you decide which program works best for you. I will tell you upfront that I do favor Earth 4 Energy because of the money back guarantee, easy to follow instructions and free updates for life.

If you are looking for instructions that are easiest to follow, especially in terms of actually how to build a Solar Panel, I would have to say that Earth 4 Energy provides the easiest instructions for me to follow.

I found, with a little help, that building a Solar Panel can be done relatively low cost if you know where to find the materials. The Earth 4 Energy book has some great tips on how to save money on materials or even how to get some materials for free!

Earth 4 Energy not only has a great money back guarantee and easy to follow instructions, they also have free updates for life. This deal is very hard to 'pass up'. I rate this program #1.

My number 2 program -- Energy 4 Green. The schematics and diagrams are clearly illustrated and the instructions are quite easy to follow. Almost as a 'bonus' of sorts, there are other energy saving tips inside the guide, like how to store your excess electricity for future use.

My number 3 program, Home Made Energy, has many similarities to the other programs, as well as, some differences.

Here's what you get with this kit. An instant 44 page eBook download that can either be read directly from your computer monitor or printed out so you can have the instructions with you while you build.
Unfortunately the book is written more as informational material instead of a complete 'how-to' manual.
It has some important details that are missing, for instance, what kind of motor or generator is required for the wind turbine project.

Indoor vegetable container garden experiment - 6

2009-02-24T04:16:00.000-06:00

This is the last video in this experiment but, the videos are very recent so I may check back occasionally to see if he has made any new videos. If he does, I'll post them.

Indoor vegetable container garden experiment - 5

2009-02-22T04:09:00.000-06:00

I'm finding the videos of the indoor vegetable container garden experiment quite informative. Hope its helping.

Indoor Vegetable Container Garden Experiment - 4

2009-02-20T04:01:00.000-06:00

I like that the gardener is pointing out all of the problems he is encountering during his experiment. Hopefully it will help us all avoid similar problems and have great growing success.

Problems with the Indoor Container Garden Experiment

2009-02-18T03:56:00.000-06:00

Earth 4 Energy

2009-02-17T05:36:00.000-06:00

Earth 4 Energy. Are you keeping your thermostat to almost brisk levels in the winter and warmer than comfortable levels in the summer? I know, I am. It's costing more and more every year to heat and cool our homes and to run our appliances.
Now, with increasing focus on renewable energy and living a 'greener' lifestyle, as well as the beating my budget has taken, I've been actively searching for some alternate energy sources.
I found Earth 4 Energy and I've done some research on it.
I've discovered that I can build a solar power system for as little as $200, (that's less than a one month eletric bill in the summer), using parts found at my nearest hardware store. The design is attractive, portable and it won't be a cumbersome eye sore.
This simple system can be used to power up my fridge, washer, computer, TVs, stereos, and even my lights. If I were so inclined, I could even take the unit on a camping trip, because it's that portable. WOW!
Because it's not incorporated into the home's structure, and given it's portablity, you don't have to be a homeowner to build and use this Earth 4 Energy system.

I found a little video that shows more.

Earth 4 Energy -- get it risk free -- and On Sale!

Indoor Vegetable Garden Experiment - 3

2009-02-16T03:53:00.000-06:00

Just a note. These videos can be found on You Tube..if you don't want to wait for the next one. The numbers I have put in my titles don't necessarily coincide with the numbers of his videos.

Indoor Container Gardening - 2

2009-02-14T02:51:00.000-06:00

The 'gardener' had some sunlight issues indoors, so this video shows a few things he has done to remedy this problem. Perhaps it will come in handy for you.

Indoor Container Garden Experiment - 1

2009-02-12T03:45:00.000-06:00

This is an indoor container garden experiment that I found on You Tube. This video shows container selections, vegetable selections, soil mix...well, have a look at it and see what you think.
I'm not going to run all weeks of this experiment, but I will run the weeks with information that I think is especially pertinent to share.

Let's Talk Containers

2009-02-10T02:05:00.000-06:00

Still considering a small space garden? Let's talk containers.

Whether you've definitely decided that you are going to build a small space garden or you're still mulling the idea around a bit, I want to 'talk containers'.

The containers can be made of clay, wood, plastic, metal, or even recycled materials. Containers for small space vegetable gardens need to be big enough to support your plants when they are fully grown, have adequate drainage possibilities, and if they are recycled, they should never have held any kind of product that could be considered toxic to plants or people.

A few container suggestions include barrels, flower pots, large water jugs, window boxes, large baskets plastic lined (be sure you have drainage holes punched in the plastic lining for drainage purposes.)

Perhaps you would rather buy or build a wooden planter box. Keep in mind that cedar wood is the most resistant to wood rot. Other attractive containers are bamboo planters and willow planters.

There are a variety of very attractive and efficient planters available online. Simply Planters has a great variety of wonderful containers and they're having a great 'pre-season' sale right now. Over 250 Styles Of Garden Planters! Most Items Ship Free!

Windowbox also caters to container gardening needs and they have some nifty little growing lights to get you 'jump started' Let WindowBox.com help you experience the joys of growing plants in containers!

I could talk containers for hours, if you let me go on and on. I have so many ideas. But, if I want to get down to the business of growing a small space container garden, I almost always opt for something that was made for container gardens. It cuts down on the planning and preparing stages and lets me get right to the planting and tending.

Pet Care - Nail Trimming--or--Not!

2009-02-08T10:31:00.000-06:00

I think I've yet to 'meet' a dog who actually 'likes' to have it's nails trimmed. I thought this little video was pretty typical of 'nail trimming time'.

I just don't mess with the nail trimming. My local Pet Smart will do a mini-grooming and nail trimming for $7 or $8..and that comes complete with...yummy treats. Plus, no scratches or bites on my hands, arms or legs.

Garden in a Bag

2009-02-07T01:57:00.000-06:00

Garden in a bag.
I have never actually done this, someone sent me this suggestion,

and a link,in an email and I thought it was a very cool idea.
Get a bag of potting soil at your local garden center.

You'll be using this bag as your, 'container'.

(This is for small space OUTDOOR gardens.)

Punch some holes in one side of the bag and lay the bag,

hole-punched side down, in the outdoor area

you've selected at the spot for your small space garden.

This is for adequate drainage.

Cut the top side of the bag and prepare the soil for planting,

right in the bag.

It works best if you use starter plants, rather than seeds.

Once the plants have been planted,

give the plants and soil a gentle soaking.

You want to be sure it is well watered

without displacing the plants.

You'll also want to check and be sure the holes

you've punched are providing adequate drainage.

Garden in a bag,

it sounds pretty simple and I'm going to give it a try,

as soon as all dangers of frost have passed.

Ham and Cheese Quiche

2009-02-05T00:52:00.000-06:00

Ham and Swiss Quiche

1/3 pound of cubed ham
1/3 pound of cubed Swiss Cheese
5 eggs
1 cup milk
1/3 tsp salt
1 pie crust in tin

Beat milk and salt into the 5 eggs and set aside. Fill the unbaked pie crust with the cubed ham and cheese.

Pour the egg mixture over the cubes and bake, in preheated oven, at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until the knife inserted into the middle of the quiche comes out clean.

Serves 6

Small Space Garden

2009-02-02T06:49:00.000-06:00

If, like me, you live in the confines of a small space, or you are unable to dig up the yard to plant your favorite veggies in your very own garden, you don't have to give up on the idea. You can plant a 'small space garden'.

Small space gardens;

-are very easy to manage

-can be grown indoors or out

-can be grown year round, no matter where you live

-enable us to grow nutrious vegetables and herbs, as well as, beautiful flowers and plants

-are an easy solution for renters, urban dwellers, and those who habitate small spaces themselves.

They just require a little pre-planning, designing decisions and the proper resources.

You really can grow a surprising amount of food, in very small and limited confines, with a little knowledge of the right soil, adequate sunlight, a place to plant with proper drainage, along with some clever planning and design strategy.

Grow -

Radishes,

Onions,

Lettuce,

Cucumbers,

Tomatoes,

and More...

Is all this talk about growing your own, organic fresh vegetables making you hungry?

Now is a great time to get started on planting your own, small space garden, and you'll have fresh herbs and vegetables growing in no time!

Are you 'going green' ?

2009-01-22T17:13:00.000-06:00

We've all heard the phrase, 'going green', and it might conjure up all kinds of thoughts and images when we hear it. I can remember back to the early days of recycling and how clumsy it was in the beginning.
We've come a long way since then. It's no longer just about recycling our newpapers, glass bottles and doing away with plastics and styrofoam containers. Now it's about, energy. Renewable energy sources.

This little post addresses the solution of how we can provide renewable energy sources for our own homes and families.

Here are two products that can help us generate our own renewable energy and save ourselves a bunch of money while we're at it.

In a fairly short amount of time, it is now possible to become far less dependent, possibly even independent, of our power companies for less than one month's power bills, for most of us.

You can power your home with solar power and wind power and never have to worry about the rising cost of electricity, maintaining a comfortable environment in your home, power outages, while at the same time, contributing to a greener lifestyle for yourself and your family and help the planet in the meantime.

Home Made Energy and Earth 4 Energy are paving the way for homeowners and even some renters to stop paying the high cost of power bills by turning to renewable energy sources for about the cost of one month's energy bill.

What are Webkinz?

2009-01-15T18:40:00.000-06:00

What are Webkinz?

I confess that I thought they were 'just another stuffed animal toy for children'.

It turns out that they're much more than that. I discovered that, if you cut open the plastic pocket that holds the tag of a Webkinz pet, you will get your own "secret code".
You take the code, log onto the Webkinz website and you 'adopt' the very same Webkinz pet ONLINE. Who knew?!!

When you 'play' with your pet online, you can build your pet it's own house, dress and undress the virtual cutie and even play some games where you can win Kinzcash. Talk about having some fun!!

It makes you want to run right out and get one, or two for yourself, doesn't it? Come on, you know you want one! I know I do!

Check out this cute little groundhog...and 'groundhog day' is right around the corner!

Make your own dog food.

2009-01-07T23:28:00.000-06:00

I got quite a scare last year, with all of the dog food that was being recalled. It led me on my seach to make my own dog food.
Here's a little something I found on You Tube, that I thought I'd share.

Man's Best Friend???

2009-01-02T17:51:00.000-06:00

Dogs really are 'man's best friend'..at least, in my opinion.
And, like our children, sometimes we think our beloved canine family members can 'do no wrong'.

Then, one day we come home, after a particularly grueling day and find...what in the world has happened to our home!??
Our favorite slippers have become chew toys, shredded streams of toilet paper has snaked it's way from one room to another to another, and there, right in the middle of the area rug that cost the equivalent of two and a half paychecks is one giant 'tootsie roll'!!!
Oh...my...Gosh!!!

"Maximillian!!!!"

So, what can you do? Fleeting thoughts of the neighborhood animal shelter cross your mind...it's either that...or...NO..NO..that's too drastic to even think about!!! After all, you DO love your pet...at least, you THINK you do!

What does he do?? He comes slinking in, tail between his legs, big sad eyes, leaving a trail of pee behind him as he scoots across the already soiled rung. And you're sure that he's thinking he's about to get the 'beating of his life'.
Isn't that just GREAT! Your dog is behaving like you beat him on a regular basis, while adding MORE to the mess he already made!

Even though you might 'think' about it for a brief moment, you know you can't part with your dog. You've got to figure out a way to keep this kind of behavior from happening again and again.
I've found a program that really does work. If you want to get your dog to behave, without the cost of sending him to a dog obedience school, before he destroys pretty much everything you own...check this out.

Home and Garden For You Privacy Policy

2009-01-01T18:09:00.000-06:00

Privacy Policy for www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at czatloukal@yahoo.com.

At www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com does not use cookies.

DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense
Clickbank
Linkshare

These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. www.home-garden-4-you.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.