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6 tips to get your home ready for spring By Brian McKechnie Before you break out the patio furniture and start planting your gardens, you might want to follow these six tips to get your home ready for a headache-free season. 1. Check your gutters and downspouts Whether you did this in the fall after all the leaves fell or not, there’s a good chance your gutters and downspouts need some care after the buildup of ice and snow. Do a perimeter check from the ground to make sure nothing has come loose or detached from the house. Get out the ladder and check for any clogs and make sure water is making its way out of the downspouts (and away from your foundation). You should also do a visual check of your chimney and the shingles on your roof during this process to see if there is any damage. If you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder, check with contractors in your area, as many offer services to do this for you. 2. Fix cracks Cracks that may have occurred in your foundation, walkways, and patio during the winter months are a welcome sign for water to get in your house and cause damage. Fill these as soon as you can and avoid paying for repairs after the spring rain. Also make sure your patio and walkways are sloping away from your house so water does not pool near your foundation. 3. Caulk, repair windows Just like cracks, gaps between your windows can let water (and critters) inside. Scrape off any old caulking and replace. Also check any wood trim or sills for signs of decay and repair or replace as needed. As a bonus this will also help keep drafts out and your energy bills down. 4. Move wood, junk away from your house That stack of firewood you had up against the house all winter needs to be moved. It’s damp and will be the perfect breeding ground for a variety of insects. Same goes for any junk you left out all winter that could have water accumulate when all the ice and snow melts. Have bugs breed now and you’ll be bothered by them until next winter. 5. Inspect your air conditioning unit, outdoor faucets, lights Having your air conditioning unit inspected by a certified professional before turning it on for the season is not only a good safety measure, but could also help prolong the life of the unit. It’s also wise to make sure your outdoor faucets, receptacles, and lighting and not damaged. If you have a gas barbeque you did not use over the frigid months you should have that inspected as well. 6. Don’t forget the inside While you’re eager to get outside, spring is also the perfect time to replace or clean your furnace filter, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, check your dryer vent for lint buildup, and have your fireplace cleaned. Courtesy of: Globalnews.ca

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Start Your Own Easy Kitchen Garden By Melodie Metje You can start a garden at any time in spring, summer or fall. It is easy to have a small kitchen garden right outside your door. You may be wondering how to get started and here are the 6 simple steps to follow. Step 1 I think the best way is to make a list of what you like to eat, then see which of your favorites are best to start in your garden in which season. There is no time like the present to get moving on your gardening dreams. For an overview of plants by season, see Planning for a four-season garden. If you want to start with the easiest plants to grow, do what I did and start a kitchen herb garden. Herbs thrive under neglect. Start a kitchen herb garden! The biggest mistake beginners make is starting too big. For your first garden, herbs and 5-7 of your favorite veggies are plenty to get your feet wet. For more details on narrowing down what to grow, see How do you decide what to grow? Step 2 Now that you have your list, take a look at your garden, patio, deck, porch, front yard to see how much space you have that gets 6 hours of sun a day. There are so many dwarf varieties of every kind of vegetable to grow in pots or small spaces that you should not be put off thinking you don’t have enough space! Plus growing compact varieties significantly lessens the work by using less space that you have to care for. A real win-win. Step 3 Buy your supplies for your garden bed or pot. Pots are easy-just buy some organic potting soil and the decorative pot. Most potting soils come with fertilizer already mixed in. You do not want to use garden soil as it is too dense for pots. Make sure you buy the right size pot for the vegetable you are growing. For the size of pot needed by veggie type, check out this blog Decorative container gardening for edibles. If you are going to plant in your garden bed, your mulched flower bed is a great choice to add veggies, too! If planting in your flower bed or garden, the best thing to do is a soil test (you can buy a kit or take it to your local co-op extension office). If this just seems too much trouble, buy an organic balanced fertilizer and compost. Pull back your existing mulch, apply a 2-inch thick layer of compost, top with the fertilizer (following the label’s directions) and you are ready to plant. Step 4 Buy your plants. I prefer to buy plants that are raised without chemicals so I look for an organic nursery to see if they have what I want. Your local farmers market usually has plants for sell, too, in the spring and early summer. My next stop is my local nursery or big box hardware store. Choose the plants that are green and look sturdy. If they already have blooms, be sure to remove them. You want all the energy of your plants going into good roots initially. Step 5 Plant! Water each plant well before planting. The best time to plant is before a rain or cloudy days. Gives the plants a little time to get their roots jump started. For potted veggie or herbs, fill the pot with organic potting soil, water to get the potting soil settled, plant the veggie, and water again. You can top with mulch to keep lengthen the time between waterings. I also plant flowers in my pots to add color and attract beneficial insects. I like to put a handful of worm castings into each hole with the new plant. Worm castings have lots of beneficial microbes in them that helps the plants absorb nutrients from the soil. Step 6 Monitor and water. Keep an eye on your plants. They may look sad the first week if it is really hot when they first go into the ground. Consistent water is the key for success. Like a lawn or flowers, the best time to water is in the mornings. When you water your flowers, water your veggies and herbs. Remember, the biggest cause of plant death is overwatering. If the soil is moist a couple of inches down, your plants are fine. I usually don't start watering in our Zone 6/7 garden until sometime in later June. You may need to start watering pots sooner. One watch out on watering, many summer crops are susceptible to leaf fungus, like cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and tomatoes. Be sure to water at the base of the plant and not the leaves. Courtesy of: motherearthnews.com

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10 Things You Didn't Know Your Microwave Can Do By Donna Boyle Schwartz Your microwave is amazing for many reasons: It speeds up cooking, it reheats your favorite leftovers—and let’s not forget about all that instant popcorn! But this magnificent machine can be used for much more than making a quick dinner. Read on to learn about the surprising capabilities your microwave has to offer. 1. Easy Squeeze - When you have a recipe—or a cocktail—that calls for fresh-squeezed lemon, lime, or orange juice, give the fruit a quick blast in the microwave. Using the high setting for 20 to 30 seconds will soften the cell walls of the fruit, allowing you to extract significantly more juice than squeezing or reaming alone. 2. Freshen Up - If your kitchen sponges are getting a bit nasty and smelly, don’t chuck them in the trash—clean and deodorize them in the microwave. Soak the sponges in water with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, then heat on high for about one minute. After they cool, remove the sponges from the microwave—they'll be as good as new! 3. Fast Flavor - Never let fresh herbs go to waste again with this quick tip for drying them in the microwave. Make sure all the water has been removed by patting them dry first—otherwise they’ll cook! Pick the leaves off the herbs, then sandwich them between two paper towels on top of a microwave-safe plate. Heat for about a minute. If they haven’t fully dried, continue to heat the herbs in 20-second bursts as necessary. 4. Peel and Stick - Have you ever wasted a stamp because you made an error when addressing the envelope? This trick can help remedy that annoying, costly mistake. Pat a few drops of water on the stamp, then place the envelope in the microwave for 20 seconds on low power. The heat should loosen the adhesive, allowing you to peel the stamp off the envelope with ease. 5. Clean Cuts - The microwave provides a chemical-free solution for disinfecting plastic cutting boards used to prepare meat or fish. Wash the board well, rub it with the cut side of a lemon, and heat on high for one minute to kill the bacteria and get your cutting board fresh and clean. 6. Combine and Conquer - Attempting to shower with slivers of leftover soap is one of life’s little struggles. Combine the smaller pieces into one bar by nuking them in the microwave. Use a knife to chop the soap into smaller bits, and then put them in a microwave-safe container along with a few tablespoons of water. Heat for about 30 seconds, or until the soap has melted, and stir to combine. If you want to add a shape to your soap, pour the mixture into muffin tins or a mold, and let stand. The soap will harden, and voilà—a brand-new bar! 7. Soft and Sweet - Use the microwave to soften a solid lump of brown sugar. Keep the sugar in its plastic packaging, or place it in a zip-top plastic bag. Add a few drops of water, then heat on medium power for 10 to 20 seconds, repeating as needed. No plastic bag? No problem! You can also place the lump of hard sugar in a microwave-safe bowl with a damp paper towel on top. Heat on high at 15-second intervals until the sugar is soft and loose. 8. Wax On, Wax Off - The decorative jar is often the main reason we purchase a candle, but removing the wax so the jar can be reused sometimes feels like an impossible task. Instead of chipping away at the wax to no avail, turn to the microwave for the solution. First, use a knife to remove as many of the large wax chunks from the jar as you possibly can. Then, checking first to make sure that the jar is microwave-safe, put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds. This will melt the wax so you can just use a paper towel to wipe it clean. 9. Dry-Dye - Dyeing fabric can be a tricky process, but the microwave can help. Mix your dye and warm water in a microwave-safe container, making sure you measure enough water to completely submerge the item you're dyeing. Soak your article of clothing in either vinegar or water—it depends on the type of dye you are using—then wring it out, and place it in the container. Cover the container with plastic wrap, and put it in the microwave for up to a minute. Keep a careful watch throughout this process—microwaves function at different powers, and you don’t want your plastic wrap to melt! When the process is finished, follow the directions that came with the dye to properly wash and dry your item. 10. Sweet Heat - Over time, honey can get grainy or crystallize into a hard, sugary mass. To liquefy the honey, remove the lid and place the honey jar in the microwave; if the container can't go in the microwave, transfer the honey to a microwave-safe dish. Heat on medium power for 30 seconds, and stir. Repeat at 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the honey is soft and fluid again. Courtesy of: Bobvila.com

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Introducing “Shedquarters”: The Hot New Trend Home-Based Business Owners Are Drooling Over By Lighter Side Staff Space-efficient work spaces are becoming all the rage these days. They’re great for maintaining privacy and uninterrupted workflow, and they can also be cozy and stylish as well. Here are some examples of a growing trend of miniature studios (for offices and living structures), that are small enough to fit in someone’s back yard. We’re fond of calling them, shedquarters. Whether you need your own getaway space, an office, an art studio, or a full on extra home, there’s something for everyone out there! Kanga Room: Based out of Austin, Texas, Kanga Room has backyard studios in three styles: modern, country cottage, and bungalow. The basic package is an 8×8-foot shed that starts around $5,900 and you can add on a bathroom, kitchenette, and front porch for additional cost. Courtesy of: Lighter Side

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How To: Remove Soap Scum—Once and For All Use one of these methods to get rid of that gross, filmy layer coating your tub, shower, and tile, then try out our tips for eliminating it forever! By Jennifer Noonan If you bathe your body at all, you’ll inevitably encounter soap scum. It’s a sad irony of housekeeping that a substance that gets you clean every day can make your shower or tub so grungy. While that stubborn, scaly buildup forms when the fatty acids, talc, and other ingredients in bar soap react with the minerals in hard water, soap scum also contains body oil, dirt, bits of dead skin, and bacteria. Gross. Making the situation even less appealing, if soap scum is left to harden, it’s incredibly difficult to remove from your tub or shower. But fear not! There are many successful methods for removing soap scum. Read on to find the approach that’s right for you. CLEAR UP THE CLOUDINESS Store-Bought Cleaners Some popular commercial cleaning products, such as Dow Scrubbing Bubbles, have cracked the code on soap scum. If these appeal to you, the process is straightforward: Spray your tub and shower walls with the product, and give it a few minutes to cut through the greasy grime of the soap scum. Then, rinse and wipe down the surfaces with a sponge, scrub brush, or cloth. Follow up with a clean towel to get everything dry—remember, moisture attracts yucky buildup. Homemade Cleaners If DIY cleaners are more to your liking, here are a couple of recipes you can try. • Baking soda and vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda into a small bowl and add enough white vinegar to make a paste. Once the mixture stops fizzing, use a sponge to apply it to your shower and tub, then let it set for about 15 minutes. Wipe the surfaces down with a non-scratch sponge, rinse thoroughly with water, and then dry. • Vinegar and dish detergent. Combine equal amounts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle, then add one tablespoon of dish detergent. Spray the solution on the soap scum, and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. When you return, scrub it with a soft-bristle scrub brush, and rinse with hot water. Dry thoroughly. Elbow Grease If you have a porcelain tub, you can use a wet pumice stone to remove soap scum—so long as you work carefully. Improper technique or a dry stone can scratch glass doors or tile. To give it a try, wet both the pumice stone and the surface you’re working on. Then, very gently rub the wet stone over the soap scum. As the soap scum transfers to the pumice stone, use a stiff-bristle brush to clean it off, then go at it again. Alternatively, on a surface with very bad soap scum, you can try scraping it off with a razor. But avoid using any abrasive technique on a fiberglass or acrylic tub or shower PREVENT A REPEAT OCCURRENCE As in most activities, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These top tips can help you manage buildup by preventing soap scum from forming in the first place. 1. Use liquid soap instead of bar soap. It’s the talc and fatty acids in bar soap that cause soap scum, so if you switch to liquid soap or shower gel, you should see a significant decrease in filmy residue. 2. Keep your shower and tub dry. Squeegee and/or towel dry your shower and tub after every use. You’ll be wiping away a good portion of the soap scum-creating particles left behind after you bathe, so you won’t experience the same level of buildup. 3. Soften your water. Soap scum thrives on hard water, so one way of thwarting it is to install a water softener, which will remove those minerals in your water that react with soap to make soap scum. If you’re not up for purchasing a water softener, consider adding Epsom salts to your bathwater to help soften it and keep soap scum under control. As a bonus, the Epsom salts will also soothe your sore muscles. 4. Use a daily shower cleaning product, or invest in an automatic cleaner. We live in a beautiful world where automatic shower cleaners exist. If you use one, you’ll notice a big reduction in soap scum, and you’ll be relieved of the arduous chore of removing it. Courtesy of: bobvila.com

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How To: Clean Oven Window Glass The inside of your oven may be spic and span, but for a clean kitchen and the benefit of your hardworking appliance, don't ignore the oven window. Grease-splattered though it may be, you can restore the glass to spotless condition. Here's how. You know the story: After cooking a big meal—especially after doing so several times a week, for months—splattered grease and unidentifiable bits of stuck-on food inevitably end up clouding the glass of your oven window. There’s no harm in allowing gunk to accumulate there for a while, but sooner or later you need to clean the oven glass, not only for appearances’ sake, but also to uphold the performance and longevity of your appliance. The catch? It’s rarely easy to clean oven glass, especially if a lot of time has passed since you last made the effort. In fact, getting the glass truly spotless may be the toughest part of cleaning your oven. It can be more difficult than cleaning the oven interior, especially if you’re fortunate enough to own a model with a self-cleaning mode (which, sadly, does little to clean the glass). Even cleaning the oven racks can be much less of a chore, as there are methods of getting the job done that require relatively little exertion. In comparison with these other tasks, cleaning the oven glass is labor intensive, but it’s uncomplicated work, and you probably already own everything you need for the job. MATERIALS AND TOOLS - Baking soda - Water - Glass bowl - Microfiber cloth - Handheld vacuum (optional) - Razor blade (optional) Courtesy of: bobvila.com

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Why We Have Lion’s Head Door Knockers - by James Madeiros Door knockers (or doorknockers, if you prefer) have been around since the invention of the door, more or less, but they’ve undergone some unique transformations over the centuries – to the point where even a lion’s head isn't out of the question. But, how did that happen? Door Knocker Origins, Generally Door knockers don’t have an origin, per se, because they’re eons old and no one would have thought to document the very first one, so all we have to go by are cues from literature and the archeological evidence of their existence throughout history. While we can’t retrace history back to the first door knocker, what we do know is that some of the first examples appeared in ancient Greece – although they had a more sinister purpose. Back then, doors were answered by slaves and their masters would chain them to the outside of the door on a ring so they couldn’t run away … It’s ghastly to consider, but fortunately for every single person in the world, ever, having a human being chained to the door eventually fell out of fashion. But, the rings remained and the first door knockers were born. Lion’s Head Door Knocker Origins, Specifically It didn’t take long for people to start embellishing their door knockers with all manner of designs, many of which were influenced by mythology, religious teachings and nature. Ancient China inspired dragon’s head door knockers, for example, while the Western church influenced the use of gargoyles and other beasts on worshippers’ doors. These examples serve to illustrate just one of many differences in meaning and symbolism in the door knocker's evolving history. Dragon’s heads offered a projection of strength and protection; gargoyles represented the malignant spirits barred from entry, harnessed to serve both as a call and a warning to others who may trespass. So, how did lion heads become popular? Lions have been a fixture in human history since the beginning of recorded time and have come to represent many things. The common theory is that they symbolized then, at the dawn of the door knocker, what they continue to symbolize now: strength, pride, protection and supremacy. They are the kings of the jungle, but even so a lion door knocker serves the master within, which implies those who dwell behind those doors are mightier still. Courtesy of : atgstores.com

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5 Unexpected Things to Put in Your Freezer—And Why 1. Power Play Freezing can help prolong the life of NiMH and NiCd batteries, which start to deteriorate if left on the shelf. According to industry studies, storing NiMH batteries in the freezer can boost their effective lifespan by 90 percent; NiCd batteries will retain their charge longer too. Keeping common alkaline batteries cool will prolong their shelf life by anywhere from 5 to 20 percent. For best results, store batteries in a sealed zip-lock bag. 2. Long-Lasting Light When you get a new candle, or if you're hoping to extend the life of your current favorite, stash it in the freezer for a few days before lighting. The cool temps will harden the wax and prevent it from burning down too quickly. While this trick works for all types of candles, it's particularly helpful for fast-burning, ultrathin tapers. 3. Cool Cubes Don’t let leftover wine go to waste! Make your own wine cubes for cooking or mixing instead. Simply pour any excess into a plastic ice-cube tray, and when a recipe calls for wine, pop in a frozen cube or two. You can use the same approach with broth, fruit juices, tomato sauce, and even coffee. Try this versatile trick with herbs, too, so you'll always be able to add a punch of fresh flavor to soups or stews: Chop up herbs, place them in ice-cube trays, cover with water, and freeze. When you're ready, simply slide some cubes onto your skillet to melt the ice, then retrieve the herbs to fill your dishes with deliciousness 4. Denim Defender If you want to keep your jeans looking spiffy and well fitting, ditch the washer and dryer and turn to your freezer instead. Place a pair of jeans in a heavy-duty sealable bag, and stash them in the freezer for a week. The prolonged exposure to cold will kill bacteria, remove odors, and keep your denim crisp and looking like new. As a bonus, the freezer won’t shrink your jeans the way the dryer will! 5. Vintage Reviver If you were lucky enough to find the perfect wooden bowl or accessory at the local flea market, you might want to put it in the freezer before adding it to your prized collection. Many antique wooden items are infested with woodworm, a voracious pest that lays eggs in and chews through wood, leaving a surface riddled with holes. Make sure that your natural finds will be pest-free by placing them on ice for a few weeks to kill any woodworms and their eggs. Courtesy of: bobvila.com

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Creative New Ways to Use Old Bottles Is your recycling bin overflowing with old wine, beer, and soda bottles? Glass bottles fill local dumps and monster landfill sites all over the world. While households can cut down on unnecessary waste by reusing glass bottles for food and liquid storage, many of us simply have more old bottles than we know what to do with. If that's the case at your home, it’s time to get creative! Hanging Lights How simple and pretty is this? A sculptural row of hanging lights is the perfect accent for a kitchen island or breakfast bar. Select recycled beer or wine bottles of similar color, size, and shape, put a small light inside each one, and suspend them from the ceiling. This distinctive look would be a great addition to a cottage or beach home. Outdoor Light How do you like this smart use for an old bottle? Clamp an empty wine bottle to a fence or wall near your outdoor deck or patio. Outfit the bottle with a fuel-based light or even a candle for a playful outdoor light that will cast a pleasant glow on warm summer nights. Stained-Glass Panels Incredibly, this stained-glass panel is made from upcycled wine bottle bottoms. To design your own custom panel, choose an assortment of bottle sizes, patterns, and colors, then cut off the bottom of each bottle. Arrange the bottoms in a pleasing pattern, then hang your creation on the wall as art or in a window to catch the sun. Yarn-Wrapped Bottle Vases If you or someone you know knits or crochets, you'll have easy access to plenty of ends of yarn to wrap around your old glass bottles. Starting at the bottom, wrap the yarn snugly around the bottle and glue it in place so no glass shows. Either leave the vase as is or paint it. Choose twine for a more rustic look. Wine Bottle Hurricane Lamps How's this for a simple yet charming candle assortment? Just slice the bottom off three wine bottles of different shapes and sizes, and pop each one over a tea light. Group them together on a mantel or tabletop for a flexible, easy-to-make centerpiece. Patio Bottle Wall Just like stained glass, this multicolored wall of bottles takes on a magical appearance with the changing light of day. Though the project does require drilling a hole in the bottom of the bottles, it's easy enough for even a novice DIYer. Wine Bottle Shelves A few wine bottles, some scrap wood, a drill, varnish, and elbow grease are all you'll need to construct this new shelving unit from old bottles. Choose your bottles carefully to ensure the neck will support the wood. Switch up the effect by filling the bottles with tiny shells or pebbles. Courtesy of : Bobvila.com