tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:18 +0000gift ideaskitchen appliancesfireplaceswarningingornamentsmachine knittingbooksDIYshoppingchilden's toyshome fuelsupdatesreducinghome safetyblogspot templateswinterizingclosetssustainabilitycraft roomcollectiblesgashumiditycanninginfestationvideogift from the kitchendraft controldishwashersglitchescrochetseasonalcamera repairsweatherlinensreal estate rentalChristmasinflationgraphicsrantscomputershome automationfree blogspot templatesincreasing incomecgenealogynatural air freshenerDIY. appliance repairsappliance repairsspecial daysdrainagerural livingchit chathousehold wasteholidaysfood costsinsect controlfood safetyinsurancecandlemakinggreeting cardspesticideshomeowner rebatespaintingthriftyweatherizingcookingmovinglandscapingmailpaper cuttingtechnologyyarnsenvironmental contaminantsintroductioneco-friendlyrenovationsvintageselling a housecross stitchdecoratingelectricitygiftswaterclutternatural gasclothingpresentsenergy conservationtoiletriesWhenextra incomefinishing touchesrodentsvacation homeshome repairsyardsartworktax creditsrecyclingcarpetstelemarketerspest controlfrugalityscrapbookinggardeningmoisture soluteionentertaininghealthhousehold tipsfood preservationtransportationhobbieshouseplantscontract workhomemakingfurnacelightingphotographsantiquesemergency preparednesschemicalskitchensstoragePhotoshoptroubleshootingmoving tiplaundrykitchen equipmenthomemade giftsfamilygovernment grantsdecorafghanindoor air qualityblogshomeowner grantsceramic tileenergy efficiencyinjuriesbeadworkambiencemoisture problemsfurnishingscleanersbeddingfurnitureplumbingflooringthrift shopstutorialsblogging how-toair conditioningvinegarflowersto do projectsbathroomscleaninghome maintenancehouse salehome organizationenvironmentaldeclutteringearth daydigital imaginggift in a jarfire hazardsdigital scrapbookingbusiness hall of shamereal estatepain reliefhouse problemsblog maintenancenatural remediesbatteriesinternetwindowshome heatingfurniture refinishinghome securityclip artsewingfrugal shoppingcabinetsmajor applianceselectricianstelephonepatiosfreezersneedleworkpet peevesinsulationvacationpatternsHVACgamescommunicationincentive programswaxmicetelevisioncraftspantryeconomicsallergieshomemade solutionsknittingpestsschool yearshouse cleaningdecorative accessoriesfloor carepower toolssolarcraft productutilitiesheatinghttp://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)Blogger486125© Garden Gnomenoreply@blogger.comnotag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-6285928521955444740Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +00002012-02-01T07:00:18.250-05:00home maintenanceThis is the second permanent residence we have owned that does not have a laundry sink.  Our vacation home doesn't have one either but I don't have any plans for painting there.  Let me tell you, not having a laundry sink is a major pain when you are painting.  I used my laundry sinks for everything but laundry.  They were more in line of a utility sink.  The mess stayed there without messing up http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/-W6Fujhm8N8/laundry-or-utility-sinks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EOm26xd_EdKkOBK7hDRvdMRSPxk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EOm26xd_EdKkOBK7hDRvdMRSPxk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EOm26xd_EdKkOBK7hDRvdMRSPxk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/EOm26xd_EdKkOBK7hDRvdMRSPxk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/02/laundry-or-utility-sinks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-977348528400450130Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +00002012-01-31T11:34:46.414-05:00pestspest controlUntil our last three houses, we did not have to deal with field mice getting into the house.  Oh good gosh, these little critters are horrid to deal with.  All of our food is protected in glass, metal or heavy plastic containers.  The problem is when the fields come off the mice come in and if there isn't an easy access they will gnaw one so you have to keep a constant vigilance.  All holes, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/KtwVsGOj1Q8/field-mice-problems.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_JchxQFeC__Bf3EF9-4EJfnWXvE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_JchxQFeC__Bf3EF9-4EJfnWXvE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_JchxQFeC__Bf3EF9-4EJfnWXvE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_JchxQFeC__Bf3EF9-4EJfnWXvE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/field-mice-problems.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-6640821233635836090Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +00002012-01-30T07:00:16.655-05:00DIYpaintingI tend to use acrylic laytex paint whenever possible.  While this paint is not as low odour as the newer eco-friendly paints with no VOCs, it has a lot lower odour than oil based enamel paints.  I have extensive experience with the acrylic laytex paints, limited experiences with enamel paints and no experience with the eco-friendly paints.  My winter project is painting every room in the house http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/aQ7-fOIBnJE/nixing-smell-of-paint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D10RUdBrse4dBVeANcxkwZbUU4s/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D10RUdBrse4dBVeANcxkwZbUU4s/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D10RUdBrse4dBVeANcxkwZbUU4s/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D10RUdBrse4dBVeANcxkwZbUU4s/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/nixing-smell-of-paint.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-6231098379352314212Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:25:00 +00002012-01-29T15:25:59.027-05:00DIYpaintingI have spent the last couple of weeks getting close and personal with paint.  My winter project is to paint the entire interior of our new home.  The main bathroom was first and is completed with the exception of the custom made trim for the tub recess.  Last Monday I started the kitchen that was originally supposed to be a pale taupe but thanks to my husband is now the same colour as our http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/PqbUaW6pkgc/problems-with-red-paint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZV9wpukAxUI7tuiYtaPGWFzOsUs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZV9wpukAxUI7tuiYtaPGWFzOsUs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZV9wpukAxUI7tuiYtaPGWFzOsUs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ZV9wpukAxUI7tuiYtaPGWFzOsUs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/problems-with-red-paint.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-7947052341804288549Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +00002012-01-15T19:00:04.288-05:00decoratingpaintingAs soon as we knew we were moving here, one of our friends suggested as they did, have a professional painter come in and paint everything neutral. Well, we actually like some of the colours so decided against this. However, I have always maintained that you should not immediately change paint colours upon moving into a new home. Get settled first then observe how the natural light affects thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/Gdy-hw5asJU/choosing-paint-colours.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HMfBeEWSUTlsCtvOpvA1I9Ugs70/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HMfBeEWSUTlsCtvOpvA1I9Ugs70/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HMfBeEWSUTlsCtvOpvA1I9Ugs70/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HMfBeEWSUTlsCtvOpvA1I9Ugs70/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/choosing-paint-colours.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-3705571758369603321Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +00002012-01-13T13:50:44.598-05:00decoratingpaintingOur new house was built in 1994.  It is a 5-bedroom executive house that we moved into in September of 2011.  We really liked the room colours with the exception of two when we did the walk-throughs but after five months of living here I think I have noticed every single painting flaw in the house.  The colours are almost but not quite co-ordinated and the previous owners tried to use a three http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/BOLRCNtCQ7o/let-painting-begin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7kAD1JNqQu2FN12Qj5ozYaYNjFs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7kAD1JNqQu2FN12Qj5ozYaYNjFs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7kAD1JNqQu2FN12Qj5ozYaYNjFs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7kAD1JNqQu2FN12Qj5ozYaYNjFs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/let-painting-begin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-6030193896285475608Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:51:00 +00002012-01-07T19:51:31.776-05:00house problemsYears ago when we bought our first house it was perfect.  Well, in actuality it was perfect for our needs at that time.  The reality is regardless of how much you spend on a house or how much you spend decorating or renovating it, no house is ever perfect.  This is our sixth owned permanent residence and we do own vacation property.  The vacation property is now just barely 5 years old while our http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/OVUEH0-9RCA/no-house-is-perfect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0WdmUatN0hyb9BznqNvShUaJAKk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0WdmUatN0hyb9BznqNvShUaJAKk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0WdmUatN0hyb9BznqNvShUaJAKk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0WdmUatN0hyb9BznqNvShUaJAKk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/no-house-is-perfect.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-2998287762152439821Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:32:00 +00002012-01-05T16:32:08.528-05:00micepest controlI did a bit of volunteer work at our local library today.  One of the ladies, a friend of ours had stopped at Canadian Tire for these rather nice blueplanet totes on wheels.  This is a Canadian made product using 75% recycled content and the totes themselves can be recycled if no longer needed.  They were on sale for $5.99 so I bought four of them.  You see when it comes to mice, I take a very http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/FnQ9CUYM8KY/couple-of-mouse-proofing-ideas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BMpKh_UjgVwUJSim2j77edtsvn0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BMpKh_UjgVwUJSim2j77edtsvn0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BMpKh_UjgVwUJSim2j77edtsvn0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BMpKh_UjgVwUJSim2j77edtsvn0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/couple-of-mouse-proofing-ideas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-477184672206004404Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:02:00 +00002012-01-04T17:02:26.506-05:00micepest controlI dealt with mice on numerous occasions in my childhood home.  Believe me I do not have fond memories of them at all!  I did not have to deal with them again until our kids were adults and we had moved into our fourth house.  The house was sandwiched between a farmer's field and the river.  As soon as the crops came off mice would find a way into the house.  Our fifth house was also sandwiched http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/1_xlZ4TeEQU/mouse-in-house.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CwqqRsCvAom9Pv7qxreWcBJJjN8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CwqqRsCvAom9Pv7qxreWcBJJjN8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CwqqRsCvAom9Pv7qxreWcBJJjN8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CwqqRsCvAom9Pv7qxreWcBJJjN8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/mouse-in-house.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-6591758336685853608Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +00002012-01-03T07:00:05.188-05:00craftsdecoratingI love decorative accents that can easily be co-ordinated with other accents yet the elements can be dismantled to be re-used in future projects.  With only two days to prep the house for Christmas this year, I did not have the time to get really fancy.  I needed a couple of simple accents that I could whip up without much time or effort. I needed a simple, holiday theme centerpiece for the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/tQI8KIVm7MY/easy-decorative-candle-centerpiece.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3M5VjhhXpQLP-Dl4FC0N8EzUsz4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3M5VjhhXpQLP-Dl4FC0N8EzUsz4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3M5VjhhXpQLP-Dl4FC0N8EzUsz4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3M5VjhhXpQLP-Dl4FC0N8EzUsz4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/easy-decorative-candle-centerpiece.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-1422793185827761555Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:20:00 +00002012-01-02T14:20:53.187-05:00craftsdecoratingcraft productQuite often when decorating especially for the holidays, that little extra something is needed.  While the stores are filled with a multitude of decorations to choose from, it is nicer to create a custom-made decoration or accent piece.  We arrived home from our vacation home on December 22nd, leaving only two days to get the house ready for Christmas.  I turned to my extensive craft supplies http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/UraeHWSAyNM/easy-and-inexpensive-decorator-accent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RhtXVI8Vl8ob1nXRXUJkOKMgyzg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RhtXVI8Vl8ob1nXRXUJkOKMgyzg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RhtXVI8Vl8ob1nXRXUJkOKMgyzg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RhtXVI8Vl8ob1nXRXUJkOKMgyzg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/easy-and-inexpensive-decorator-accent.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-5654741176907777636Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +00002011-12-29T16:48:43.367-05:00vacationSnowbird is a term used for those in the northern US states and Canadian provinces spending most of the winter in the southern US states.  While my husband and I own vacation property in the sunny south we are not the typical snowbird because we only go down three times a year for 2 to 5 weeks at a time.  It's not that we couldn't stay longer, we choose not to and my husband isn't ready to fully http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/UqCtfBo2grg/snowbirds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ji3GID7J30mlUsCkO8M8d3lGp0c/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ji3GID7J30mlUsCkO8M8d3lGp0c/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ji3GID7J30mlUsCkO8M8d3lGp0c/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Ji3GID7J30mlUsCkO8M8d3lGp0c/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowbirds.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-9102666603575562460Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:23:00 +00002011-12-28T17:23:39.123-05:00homemakingWe left on December 4th to spend a couple of days in Wisconsin before going to our vacation home in the sunny south.  It was a very much needed break and while we could have stayed longer, we arrived home on the 22nd because I wanted to be home for the holidays with the kids and grandkids.  We didn't do a lot of shopping in Florida as we were flying without checking a bag.  It's less expensive http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/MReqB9mX1LI/back-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HQf9Hp2vF3R4uTrvv7OKKx5TmgE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HQf9Hp2vF3R4uTrvv7OKKx5TmgE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HQf9Hp2vF3R4uTrvv7OKKx5TmgE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/HQf9Hp2vF3R4uTrvv7OKKx5TmgE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/back-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-7466072838093276237Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-12-14T07:00:18.103-05:00selling a houseWe recently sold our fifth house, bought a vacation home and moved into our sixth purchased house.  When it comes to buying and selling houses some home upgrades simply do not pay for themselves when trying to sell a house.  They may help sell the house faster but you won't recoup the costs.  The list of upgrades fitting into this category will depend on the location and the current real estate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/aDGaFn15JyY/some-home-upgrades-do-not-pay-when.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mgIrJsJpaa1FwG13wD_lVLJ2kMw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mgIrJsJpaa1FwG13wD_lVLJ2kMw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mgIrJsJpaa1FwG13wD_lVLJ2kMw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mgIrJsJpaa1FwG13wD_lVLJ2kMw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/some-home-upgrades-do-not-pay-when.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-2478011730757410657Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-12-13T07:00:10.338-05:00energy efficiencyenergy conservationwindowsWe live in beautiful Ontario, Canada and own vacation property in Florida.  Windows are an odd thing.  You need windows in your home and yet if you try selling your home you won't recoup the costs of replacement windows.  Buyers expect windows but most don't care about having energy efficient windows.  That little tid bit came directly from our real estate agent.  When I was growing up we had thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/Bt8cRc37tAM/windows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e8XkuK8eUiMi727i1nEuMWEzDcg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e8XkuK8eUiMi727i1nEuMWEzDcg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e8XkuK8eUiMi727i1nEuMWEzDcg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/e8XkuK8eUiMi727i1nEuMWEzDcg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/windows.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-7713582200686270993Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:28:00 +00002011-12-12T17:28:58.574-05:00insect controlpest controlWe first encountered centipedes in our last house.  It was a bi-level house with the main living area mainly below ground with the back opening to the water in what some would call a walk-out basement.  The centipedes were bad because the previous owner was a hoarder so there were ample hiding spots for them to breed.  When we moved in, the clutter was gone so we were left to deal with the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/gtAt6Hcv0dY/centipedes-at-new-house.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/G4EwbFYyyy2ZUsf5cWFhzZ864sI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/G4EwbFYyyy2ZUsf5cWFhzZ864sI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/G4EwbFYyyy2ZUsf5cWFhzZ864sI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/G4EwbFYyyy2ZUsf5cWFhzZ864sI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/centipedes-at-new-house.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-602095251101559505Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:35:00 +00002011-12-11T20:35:17.558-05:00laundryMy husband and I raised a larger family so I did one or two loads of laundry on a daily basis.  I seriously learned to hate bordering on detest doing laundry.  It was never ending!  Fast forward to my Whirlpool Duet HE front loading machines and doing laundry has been a treat.  I do one or two loads of laundry every seven to ten days.  It's not that I like doing laundry but those machines have http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/n7okf4-lg04/laundry-woes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hpvFkWx6jCPANyXYXrwYDU1BZ0k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hpvFkWx6jCPANyXYXrwYDU1BZ0k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hpvFkWx6jCPANyXYXrwYDU1BZ0k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hpvFkWx6jCPANyXYXrwYDU1BZ0k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/laundry-woes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-3005577261479545561Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:52:00 +00002011-12-02T15:52:33.303-05:00closetsstorageClosets present two problems: either there are never enough or they are over stuffed.  Our last house had amazing closet space with built-ins.  There was a tremendous amount of storage space tucked in areas that would otherwise be wasted space.  The previous owner was a hoarder, exactly like what you see on television so when they bought the house about twenty years before we bought it, she had http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/lA8NGrbilxE/issue-of-closets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JIoKICnagGeOY-RGusvAcU5vlUI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JIoKICnagGeOY-RGusvAcU5vlUI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JIoKICnagGeOY-RGusvAcU5vlUI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JIoKICnagGeOY-RGusvAcU5vlUI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/12/issue-of-closets.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-4282416686930175993Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-11-30T07:00:14.456-05:00energy efficiencyenergy conservationeco-friendlyThe cost of energy is consistently rising so energy efficiency is ever more important.  Air leaks in your home can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs and yet they are one of the easiest to remedy with low cost materials and DIY projects.  For example, a 4  x 300 ml package of 25 year durability interior/exterior acrylic caulk costs $8.97 at Home Hardware.  Simply using one of thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/antxjxhKQ-g/sources-of-air-leaks-in-house.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPlbrC9f2bauVocoeKDnnkNJC6Y/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPlbrC9f2bauVocoeKDnnkNJC6Y/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPlbrC9f2bauVocoeKDnnkNJC6Y/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/LPlbrC9f2bauVocoeKDnnkNJC6Y/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/sources-of-air-leaks-in-house.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-4087375983456641306Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +00002011-11-29T11:12:13.076-05:00heatingair conditioningWe have practiced energy conservation ever since we rented our first apartment as newlyweds.  Although utilities were included we paid extra each month to be able to have an air conditioner in the summer months.  Once we bought our first house, paying all of our own utilities including using AC and a pool in the summer months, energy conservation went into high gear.  As a young couple with a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/0ZuzGPp_1AQ/energy-conservation-plans-for-our-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/93g2gTOBFj0XvVd9hxn-pOGDiRY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/93g2gTOBFj0XvVd9hxn-pOGDiRY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/93g2gTOBFj0XvVd9hxn-pOGDiRY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/93g2gTOBFj0XvVd9hxn-pOGDiRY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/energy-conservation-plans-for-our-new.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-5200859167189072467Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:41:00 +00002011-11-28T11:41:34.025-05:00utilitiesThe September utility bills at our new house were rather discouraging.   It is a bit difficult to compare usage between the two houses as the billing periods are quite different.  They were usually 30 day bills at the old house for natural gas and hydro but quarterly for water.  The hydro and water are combined on one bill at the new house and natural gas remains the same.  Here's the breakdown http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/2WWQXdJQt5E/second-month-of-utility-bills-at-our.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d1vmkeNLMtsbQ6MTxuUtgzp2Ez8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d1vmkeNLMtsbQ6MTxuUtgzp2Ez8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d1vmkeNLMtsbQ6MTxuUtgzp2Ez8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/d1vmkeNLMtsbQ6MTxuUtgzp2Ez8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/second-month-of-utility-bills-at-our.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-5330625495414578524Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +00002011-11-22T16:00:21.341-05:00homemakingOur former house was on the market for eighteen months before it finally sold.  I used that time to declutter thus reducing what we had to move.  The reality is moving from any house to another is going to result in items that are no longer wanted or needed.  We started moving in on September 1, closed on September 15 and left for our vacation home on September 18.  Our goal during the time priorhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/4Cr4C9xqM7M/moving-towards-organized-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Ddkg650KvE3-O7a2kMTiB_nwAw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Ddkg650KvE3-O7a2kMTiB_nwAw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Ddkg650KvE3-O7a2kMTiB_nwAw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Ddkg650KvE3-O7a2kMTiB_nwAw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/moving-towards-organized-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-7558728151448345916Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:58:00 +00002011-11-21T19:58:07.817-05:00flooringHard surfaces are so much more health friendly, reducing the allergen level when properly cared for but there is a down side.  Thursday night I started reacting to something in the house.  The reaction became steadily worse over the weekend with two asthma flare-ups.  The problem with hard surfaces is the allergens are just there, free to become airborne unlike when they settle into carpeting http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/tG1HCH6VERM/downside-to-hard-surfaces.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5dcRx-56ugvcR45hBt-F5vtOlUg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5dcRx-56ugvcR45hBt-F5vtOlUg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5dcRx-56ugvcR45hBt-F5vtOlUg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5dcRx-56ugvcR45hBt-F5vtOlUg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/downside-to-hard-surfaces.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-7863757179556395015Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:00:00 +00002011-11-19T17:00:00.198-05:00indoor air qualityhome maintenanceAny allergist will tell you it is vital to eliminate dust in your home but the reality is, it is virtually impossible to remove all the dust in your home.  You can reasonably reduce it and control it but you can't eliminate it.  However, the fact remains that effective dust control results in a healthier indoor environment that reduces the need for respiratory medication.  It is a pro-active http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/wn6RHBN6ukQ/household-dust-control.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OqXIE5TCIKkrgRivXAt2AD0r7A4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OqXIE5TCIKkrgRivXAt2AD0r7A4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OqXIE5TCIKkrgRivXAt2AD0r7A4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OqXIE5TCIKkrgRivXAt2AD0r7A4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/household-dust-control.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027793728088628436.post-3656601757312262378Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +00002011-11-16T11:00:05.343-05:00floor carecleaning[Please note: I am not in any way compensated by Bissell.  The thoughts expressed here are my own based on my experience using Bissell products.] I have used a lot of floor maintenance machines since being a newlywed eons ago.  We bought a Bissell electric broom for our first apartment.  Even though I have had a used and rather old red Hoover cannister vacuum cleaner, a Filter Queen (at one timehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardenGnomeAtHome/~3/c7G9peHWLHQ/bissell-opticlean-cyclonic-bagless.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Garden Gnome)0 <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ypXwSs94mXAylHqMnqufKfh_xbU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ypXwSs94mXAylHqMnqufKfh_xbU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ypXwSs94mXAylHqMnqufKfh_xbU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ypXwSs94mXAylHqMnqufKfh_xbU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p>http://gardengnomeathome.blogspot.com/2011/11/bissell-opticlean-cyclonic-bagless.htmlen-us© Garden Gnomenonadult