How to keep warm this winter!

The winter weather is finally here.  It's time for you to clean out the fireplace, warm up some cocoa, and prepare to pay enormous electric bills for the next few months... However, it is possible to keep warm without losing money.

Take a look at some of our tips on how to keep warm.  The money you save on the electric bill will be a welcomed help for the upcoming Christmas season!

1. Keep doors shut.
Keeping doors shut throughout the house will prevent cold air from moving into the rest of the house, and it will also help trap the heat you've already generated into separate rooms.

2. Rotate your ceiling fans.
Heat rises.  With that being said, changing the rotation of your ceiling fan can help drive the warm air back down to keep you warm.

3. Change your sheets.
Change out your summer sheets for a flannel sheet set.  Add in a down comforter and extra blankets, and you will be able to stay plenty cozy throughout the night.

4. Keep your floor covered.
Not only will an area rug keep your toes warm from a cold floor, but it actually helps insulate the floor in general.  By keeping your floor covered, you will prevent at least 10% of heat loss due to inadequate insulation.

5. Re-arrange your furniture. 
Windows can become very cold in the winter months, so make sure your furniture has you sitting well away from the window.  In addition to avoiding the window, you will want to avoid placing your large furniture in front of radiators, so the piece of furniture doesn't absorb all the heat.

5 Pumpkin Carving Ideas

It's October!  Which means it's time to start pulling out the Fall decorations.  The most iconic Fall decor would be pumpkins, and there are always new ways to carve or decorate your pumpkin.  Here are a few ideas to get you headed in the right direction to have a fabulous Fall.

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1. Silhouette
By using a stencil taped to your pumpkin, you can create the most commonly used pumpkin carving method.  Once the stencil is placed on your pumpkin, use a nail or ice pick to poke small holes along the lines of your design.  Once finished, you can use a knife to cut in between the holes.

2. Etched
If you want to take the more artsy route in pumpkin carving, etching is a great option!  This technique allows your pumpkin to last longer and is also less messy than the traditional method of silhouette carving.

3. Hairy 
Hair can be a unique addition to your carved pumpkin.  There are several different choices to use for hair, such as: noodles, yarn, pipe cleaners, a mop, or even plants.

4. Cookie Cutter 
This idea is a quick and easy way to add beautiful pumpkins to your Fall decor.  You will want to have durable cookie cutters and a rubber mallet.  You put the cookie cutter onto your pumpkin, and use the mallet to push it through.  Repeat the process until you get your desired look.

5. Pumpkin Cooler
Host the best Halloween party in the history of Halloween party with a pumpkin cooler.  Remove the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the inside.  Line the inside with ice and fill with assorted beverages.  So simple! 

The many faces of wallpaper

When decorating, it can be difficult to match colors throughout the room.  You will see people walking around the stores with their color scheme swatch from the paint store trying to match decorative bowls or pictures with the chosen colors.  It would be so much easier if you could just pick out a bowl or another object in the room, and turn it into what you needed.

Here is a tip, now you can! The answer: wallpaper.

It may sound far fetched, but hear me out.  While you have a solid paint color on the wall, you want decorations to tie into that color.  Instead of tirelessly searching store after store for separate items, pick out one print of wallpaper that speaks to you and your color choice.  The rest is magic!

• Cover bowls
• Create artwork
• Decorate drawers
• Line serving trays
• Cover a window shade
• Cover a lamp shade
• Wrap a wastebasket

These are just a few ideas, the possibilities are endless.  Pick out your ideal wallpaper print and start having fun!

Healthy Foundation, Healthy Home

Keep Your Foundation Healthy

A home's foundation can make or break a home... literally. HomeOwners should always be knowledgeable of the problems they can prevent their foundation from encountering.  Listed below is a few tips to help HomeOwners maintain a healthy foundation.

1. Consider Installing a Moisture Barrier - Effective moisture barriers are at least 5 feet deep, and should be installed if the grade around your foundation cannot be corrected. 
2. Monitor Drainage - Gutters and downspouts are a critical factor in the health of your foundation. The drainage system should direct the caught water away from your home and prevent heavy moisture on your foundation. 
3. Watch for Puddling Water - If you develop puddles of water near your foundation, immediate repairs must be handled.  The solutions to this problem vary, but it is best to contact a foundation professional to take the best and most effective action necessary. 
4. Fix Minor Cracks - It's normal for concrete slabs to develop hairline cracks overtime; however, even though they are hairline cracks, it's best to fix them immediately.  You can repair these cracks with an epoxy glue or other forms of concrete crack repair materials.
5. Ensure Proper Grading - A foundation rule is that the slope should always be about 3 to 5 percent within 10-feet of the foundation, and the slope should always be sloping away from your foundation.
6. Maintain Consistent Moisture Levels - Moisture levels are critical for a foundation and should be kept at a consistent amount.  A good rule of thumb is to water your lawn enough to keep your plants and landscaping healthy.  This will help avoid problems caused by the shrinking soil in dry periods.
7. Install Erosion Control System - Erosion control can be installed in several different forms, i.e. grass, concrete, rocks, landscape timbers, liners, etc. The point of erosion control systems reinforce the stability of any slopes.

Front Yard Beauty

Your front yard is the first thing people notice about your home, so make sure you have it exactly the way you want it!  Here are a few simple tips you can do to give off an amazing first impression, while keeping to a budget.

1. Lighted Pathways:
 - The solar lights you can line your walkway with will add wonders to your yard, even after dark!

2. Add Plants:
 - By adding plants on your front porch, you create a more inviting feel.  Choose different plants and different sized containers to help keep the design interesting.

3. Healthy Grass:
 - Make sure to spray your lawn to keep weeds and unwanted plants from growing.

4. Color Accents:
 - Color is a good way to spruce up your front yard.  You can add a simple dash of color to small items such as shutters, pillows on porch furniture, plant containers, bird feeders, etc.

Plants for Fall

Fall is around the corner, which means you need to adjust your garden accordingly.  Since the temperatures will be dropping, you will need stronger, more dependable plants.  So here is a list of some of the most "Fall Worthy" plants:

1. October Glory
 - September is a great time to plant a red maple, known as an October Glory.  These trees grow 50 to 60 feet tall, and can be found at most garden centers.

2. Plentifall Pansies
 - These pansies can survive below- zero temperatures with little damage, so they should bloom from fall through spring.  They are trailing pansies and spread 18 inches.

3. Iceland Poppies
 - Available at garden centers, these poppies are bright, beautiful, and legal.  Start them in the fall and by next spring, you will have beautiful poppies.

4. Pitcher Plants
 - Native to the South, these pitcher plants combine colorful flowers with striking, tube-like pitchers that trap and digest insects.  All they need is sun and acid, moist soil.

5. Moss
 - If grass won't grow in a damp, shady area, moss will!  Moss stays green year round and doesn't need much looking after.

Prepare for Fall

It's Labor Day, which means the first day of Fall is 22 days away!  You may want to start thinking of ways to prepare your home for the quickly approaching season.

Here are some tips:
   1. Clean out gutters and downspouts.
   2. Make sure all gaps and cracks around windows and doors are sealed with weatherstripping and caulk.
   3. Check your roof for any issues. i.e. damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.
   4. Repair any cracks or damages to sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
   5. Winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
   6. Dirty filters need to be replaced or clean.
   7. Make sure your heating system is in quality shape.
   8. Have your fireplace swept for soot or creosote build-up.
   9. While you are in the inspecting mode, make sure you test smoke and CO monitors, fire extinguishers, and review fire escape plans.

For information on how to prepare your lawn and garden for Fall, check out this HGTV article: http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-prepare-your-garden-for-fall/index.html