Home How-to Tips

Home How-to Tips-Outdoor Rooms

2011-05-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Big or small, inexpensive or extravagant, your outdoor living space is an investment toward creating your own personal sanctuary. But it doesn't have to be overly complicated: just include fire, water and earth, says landscape designer Michael Glassman. Here, he describes several ways in which you can use these elements to create a cozy open-air refuge.

Fire
“In a recent national survey, the No. 1 one request for an outdoor room is the outdoor kitchen," says Glassman. "The idea of dining under the stars is wonderful. Have you ever noticed how food just tastes better when you eat outside?"

Although outdoor kitchens can involve pricey, extensive projects, the idea is to extend your home's living space into the backyard. So if a built-in gas grill with all the accoutrements isn't in the budget, a charcoal grill will cook your meals up nicely. Whether you're serving a few or a family feast, you can find a variety of stylish outdoor dining tables and chairs to suit your needs.

On a cool, crisp evening, cozy up to a heat source — like an outdoor heater, chiminea or fire bowl — with a cup of tea and a good book. Or enjoy the ambiance and smell of a wood-burning fire in a custom-built or pre-fabricated fireplace.

Water
The sound of a gurgling fountain is a soothing addition to your backyard oasis. Keep it simple with a tabletop fountain or get more elaborate with a professionally installed bubbling stream at the patio's edge.

Overhead structures like a gazebo or screened porch provide comfort and protection from rain, giving you more opportunities to spend time outdoors.

A palapa, or thatched roof structure, also provides protection when it's rainy, hot, bright and sunny. Call your local building or planning department to find out if you need a permit for a structure like this (in most communities you don't need one). Electrical outlets for a fan, heater or other device usually require some type of authorization.

Earth
Earthen elements, such as plants, rock, and other natural materials, provide year-round interest. Some elements, like stone paving and rock walls, anchor the space, while others, such as trees, shrubs and flowers, are fleeting and change throughout the seasons.

Incorporate earth tones into your accessories to connect them with nearby plantings, mulched beds and stonework. For example, outdoor carpets provide the indoor look outside. They're made from a weather-resistant fabric that's durable and won't mildew. They're easy to clean, and they dry quickly.

Outdoor furniture can also enhance the earth element by incorporating pieces made with different grains and colors of wood. When selecting furniture for your outdoor room, aim for comfort. Then consider the size; don't over- or under-scale your furniture for the size of the space. Finally, consider durability. Select items of good quality that won't easily fall apart in the elements.

Earning Blogging Money

2011-05-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

Full Time Passive Income Is Within Your Reach

Earning blogging money is a lot easier than you might think. The most important thing you should realize is that you need a solid plan of action if you are going to have any hope of earning a good income from your blogs.

It's not enough to just put a blog up and hope that the money will start to roll in!

So, how do you go about finding a plan of action so you earn as much money as possible from your blogs?

The first thing you need to do is find a mentor or model from someone who is already a successful niche blogger.

In fact, the best source we've found is called "The Niche Blogger!" This is a complete program that was put together to help new people get their own start in blogging.

This will cut down on your learning time and help to ensure that you don't make mistakes that will prevent you from making money.

When you join The Niche Blogger, you are going to have to dedicate yourself to it.

One of the problems with trying to earn money blogging is that there are many different methods out there. Do yourself a favor and don't fall prey to this.

If you choose a good model from the very beginning it will be easy to dedicate yourself to it because you know you will be able to succeed.

You should also realize that even though you can start earning very quickly, you won't become rich overnight.

Blogging money will most likely start trickling in and then build upon itself over time. Before you know it, you can be earning a great part or full-time income from your blogs!

One of the best things about blogging is that once you have your blog set up it is relatively passive income.

You may need to tweak things and add posts along the way, but for the most part they will be your 24 hours a day, seven days a week "salespeople."

Earning money from blogs can literally change your life for the better. In fact, you might find that you can quit your day job and become a full-time blogger!

All you need to do is make sure you find follow The Niche Blogger instructions, and that you dedicate yourself to it until you are successful.

The chances are very good that you look back on the moment you decided to become a blogger a year from now and know that it was one of the best decisions you have ever made.

Blogging money is truly the way to go for passive income!

Home How-to Tips "Spring" with some Speed Cleaning

2011-05-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

Spring is just around the corner (for some, it's already here) and it's time to jump into some fast cleaning habits. One that I found caught my eye when I was browsing around the World Wide Web and one that you can do everyday. It's something from RealSimple.com, one of the few website that I frequent for information and some helpful hints.
Every Day Kitchen Duties:
• Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
• Wipe down the stove top (one minute).
• Wipe down the counters (one minute).
• Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (two minutes).

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Spring into "Spring" with some Speed Cleaning - Tallahassee Home DIY | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/home-diy-in-tallahassee/spring-into-spring-with-some-speed-cleaning#ixzz1MRF50Tdc

Home How-to Tips-Holiday Decorating

2010-12-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

When you think of decorating for the holiday's, don't get stuck in the same old holiday colors and themes. You can decorate for the Christmas holiday's in colors other than green and red even though they are the traditional colors. Blue and gold or red and gold, it really doesn't matter as long as you like the colors and they compliment the rest of your home. Also, decorating with live plants will bring a lot of bling to your living room and the rest of your home. Here are some tips when planning your decorating adventure.

1. Don't go crazy with holiday cards, placing them all over your house. Display the in one area with a wire card display hanger.
2. Make sure you have a theme when decorating your home, whether it be whimsical or something as simple at fruit in a bowl. The small accents make the biggest impact.
3. Now let's not forget about the front door. A beautiful wreath or even just a big bow will make a big impact as guests enter your home.
4. Don't go overboard with decorating the outside of your home. String some lights along the top rail of your porch or along the columns.
5. And the magic of threes. It doesn't matter what it is, candles, bowls or pillows. Odd numbers bring focus and balance to the room.

Home How-to Tips-Bathroom Cleaning Problems Solved

2010-11-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

by Reader's Digest Magazine, on Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:10am PDT

1. "My shower curtain is crawling with mildew"
Wash it with a bleach solution. Shower curtains can be tricky to clean because they are big and cumbersome. Getting rid of mildew, especially during damp weather, can be especially challenging. Here’s a solution that’s quick, easy, and low-cost: Pour 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of warm water and 1⁄2 cup of household bleachinto a plastic bucket. With plastic gloves on, soak a sponge in this cleaning solution, give it a squeeze to avoid drips, and wipe. The mildew will vanish. Rinse using the showerhead.

2. "I’m ready to toss this filthy shower curtain liner"
Toss it in the washer. Don’t throw away your liner just because of mildew and dirt buildup. Extend its life by cleaning it in your washing machine. Set the machine on the gentle cycle with warmwater and 1 cup of regular laundry detergent or 1⁄2 cup of vinegar. Afterward, whirl it in your drier, set on Low Heat or Fluff, for about 20 minutes. Your liner will come out clean and wrinkle-free. Rehang it immediately.

3. "My brass fixtures look dull"
Polish them with baking soda and lemon juice. Don’t rush out to buy an expensive brass cleaner. Save time and money by making a paste with equal amounts of baking soda and lemon juice. Dip an old toothbrush in the mix and lightly scrub the fixtures. Let the solution dry a few minutes and then buff the fixtures with a clean cloth. They’ll look brand new.

4. "The nooks and crannies in my bathroom are hard to clean"
Use an old toothbrush. An old toothbrush is the perfect time-saving bathroom-cleaning tool. For example, you can use it to clean the tracks of your bathtub’s sliding glass doors. Simply spray bathroom cleaner on a paper towel and wrap the towel around the bristle end of the toothbrush. Then scoot the brush along the tracks to dislodge dirt. Or put the little bristles to work on the grime that collects around the rim of a bathroom sink. Once the bristles have loosened the dirt, just mop it up with a damp sponge.

5. "I hate those mineral deposits on my bathroom faucet"
Remove them with white vinegar. No one likes crusty white deposits on a faucet. Try this easy solution: Before you go to bed one night, head to your kitchen for a bottle of white vinegar and three paper towels. Saturate the towels in the white vinegar and wrap them around the faucet like a cocoon. In the morning, remove thetowels. Fill the basin with warm water, plus a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub the faucet toremove the final bits of mineral deposit.

6. "I have scum buildup on shower doors."
Use furniture oil to prevent buildup. Cleaning soap scum off a shower door is a tough, time-consuming job. Try using lemon oil furniture polish as a barrier against the scummy buildup. The next time you clean the door, follow up by wiping it with furniture oil on a soft rag. Let the oil sit for two minutes and then polish off the excess with a dry cloth. The furniture polish will leave a slight film of oil that will act as a buffer against future soap scum. Using a shower squeegee (available at discount stores and supermarkets) after every shower will also discourage the buildup.

7. "My glass shower doors are filmy"
Clean them with vinegar, baking soda, and salt. Stubborn mineral buildup on glass shower doors is no competition for a few common household ingredients—white vinegar, baking soda, and salt. Spray vinegar on the door and let it sit for a few minutes. Next, create a paste with equal amounts of baking soda and salt. Use adamp sponge to rub this paste over the door; then rinse well.

8. "My bathroom grout is grungy with mildew"
Spray it with vinegar. Mildew on grout is no match for that miracle household cleaning dynamo called vinegar. Just pour somewhite vinegar into a container, dip in an old toothbrush, and scrub away at the mildew. Or pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, squirt it on the mildew, and let it sit for ten minutes. Rinse with water and apply the old toothbrush if necessary. Bleach is effective in removing mildew from tile grout. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of household chloride bleach and water. Spray the grout, let it sit a few minutes, and then wipe with a clean white cotton cloth.

9. "Those nonslip bathtub stickers won’t peel off"Loosen them with laundry presoak. You know the ones: They’re shaped like flowers and fish and are stuck on with industrial-strength adhesive. Instead of ruining the smooth surface of your tub trying to scrape them off, follow these simple steps for removing them: Carefully lift corners on each sticker using your fingernail or a plastic scraper. (Metal will scratch most tubs.) Spray the stickers with a good dose of laundry pretreatment product, such as Shout or Spray ’n Wash. Let the stickers soak in the spray for a few hours. This should loosen the stickers and allow you to

Home How-to Tips-Fall Gardens

2010-09-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

If you love the taste of Collard greens, Mustard greens or Turnip greens then a fall garden is for you. September or October is the best months to plant these types of vegetables. Our climate in North Florida is mild enough though the fall to grow a really good crop. Actually, when the first frost hits your patch of Collard greens, then you will have a great crop. The first frost that hits some how make Collard greens better, not sure why it happens.
You can either plant your greens in a row or scatter them is a large plot. I have used both methods this years to see which method would be easier for me to harvest. So far, my Mustard greens have been the most bountiful, producing a vast amount of leaves.
Stay tuned for my next post when I will give you recipes on how to cook this fall treasure.

Home How-to Tips-Hummingbird Nectur

2010-09-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

If you have Hummingbirds that come back every year, and maybe thinking about making your own nectar for these tiny little birds? It is very easy to make and your flock of Hummingbirds will love it.

Hummingbird Nectar

4 cups of water
1 cup of sugar

Heat in a pot until sugar has dissolved completely. Let cool before pouring in the feeders. If you have a bunch of feeders to fill, you can double or triple this recipe and if you are in a hurry, add 2 cups of water to one cup in a pot, heat to dissolve sugar then add 2 cups of cold water to the mixture.

Home How-to Tips-Fall Weather Proofing Part 1

2009-11-02T16:30:00.001-08:00

Fall Weather Proofing Part 1

Posted using ShareThis

Home How-to Tips-Wood Floor Moldings & Trim, Steps with Wood Floors,Wood Stairs, Stair Treads and Stair Parts

2009-10-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wood Floor Moldings & Trim, Steps with Wood Floors,Wood Stairs, Stair Treads and Stair Parts

How to Use Whitening Gel for the Teeth

2009-09-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

Brush and floss teeth as normally would. Try on the whitening trays before using the first time without any whitening gel to check for for fit. The bleaching trays should beclean and dry before applying the whitening gel.
Place very tiny drops of tooth whitening gel half way to the center front part leaving the edges free of gel.
Place the whitening tray in the mouth over the teeth, making sure the tray is firmly against the teeth. Wipe any excess gel that oozes over the edge of the tray and onto your gums with a tissue.
You can wear the trays for 30 minutes to 1 hour the first time and increase the wearing time if there is no sensetivity. Remove the tray,then rinse your teeth. Brush any remaining gel away. Clean and dry whitening trays after each use.

Home How-to Tips-How to Repaint a Interior Door

2009-07-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Whether you are painting a new interior door or repainting an existing interior door, the process is the same.

Things You’ll Need:

* sand paper
* primer (if new door or changing colors of an existing door)
* Semi gloss interior latex paint
* good paint brush

Step1
New interior doors need to be sanded first before any paint product is applied. As with any paint job the most important step is your prep work for achieve the desired results and it is very easy to achieve a professional look with the better quality paint brush, which will cost about $12 to $14 dollars.
Step2
Now that you have sanded the door to be painted, use a primer paint. This is necessary if you are changing the color of the door and for new interior doors. Primer can be applied with a cheaper paint brush. Let the primer coat dry, the using your sand paper, smooth the surface, running your hand along the door as you go, feeling for any imperfections.
Step3
Now you are ready for the top coats, using your better quality paint brush, this is where you will be glad for spending the extra money on the better brush. Starting at the top of the door and working your way to the bottom of the door is the best way to paint, you will eliminate any drips and runs on the door. If you do get runs, brush them out as soon as possible.

Home How-to Tips-How to Choose A Wall Mural

2009-07-08T19:04:00.001-07:00

Wall murals are probably the oldest form of art recorded in human history. Cave drawings where the first art work that was displayed in a living space. Cave men used them to tell stories or their adventures and maybe how someone in their family group died. Wall murals have progressed through time as Egypt used the to honor their king or also tell stories. Wall murals have been used to mark periods of time through out the centuries. Today we use them much like the cave men did millions of years ago.

* creative imagination

Step1
Choose the wall where you want your mural to live. Take into to consideration your present decor and room theme.
Step2
Now that you have choose the wall and the room,it's time to choose the type of mural you want on the wall. Wallpaper mural or painted mural. True to life mural are much like wall paper, they have to be hung the same way. A painted theme take about the same amount of time but is much more personal.
Step3
Your next choice is to decide if you want to do this your self or hire a professional. If you love to draw to have a knack for wall paper, go for it. Other wise call in a pro.

Home How-to Tips-How to Paint Over Vinyl Siding

2009-07-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

We all know that the reason we put vinyl siding on our homes is so that we never have to paint the exterior again. What happen when you decide you don't like the color of the vinyl anymore?

Things You’ll Need:

* pressure washer
* ladder
* paint

Step1
Pressure wash the exterior to remove any debris and any mold and mildew the has built up. This should be done at least once a year if your home has trees close to it. Shade and moisture will produce mold and mildew on any type of siding.
Step2
Preparation: This is the most important step to any paint job, whether you are a do it yourself or a professional. Tape off windows and shutters (unless you want to scrap paint off your windows)
Step3
Use a primer paint in the same color as the one that you choose. (A bonding prime is the best)
Using a paint sprayer is the best way to apply paint to vinyl siding. It will produce a smoother finish with out brush marks and will look as if it came from the factory in the color you chose. If you are not a experienced painter, I would not advise using a paint sprayer.

Home How-to Tips-How to Paint a Wall Mural

2009-07-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

Part two to How to choose a Wall Mural. Now that you have decided to paint your mural and

chosen the theme, now you have to decide on whether you paint it or if you will hire a

pro. My suggestion is if you are handy with a pencil and can draw an outline, then you

can paint it yourself and the felling of accomplishment will be overwhelming. I am going

to show you how in three easy steps. Depending on where you are painting your mural will

determine the kind of paint you will want to use. Outdoor mural: Exterior paint in

eggshell.
Baths: Interior latex paint in semigloss or eggshell
Living, dining or bedroom: interior latex in eggshell.

Things You’ll Need:

* Over head projectoe
* transparency
* fine point marker (black)
* your print
* pencil
* paint

Step1
Trace you print using transparency film. Don't try to trace every detail just the major

outlines.
Step2
Protect your flooring with tarps and begin to pencil you transparency drawing on the wall

with the overhead projector.
Step3
Once you have penciled your mural on the intended wall, painting begins. Start at the top

and work your way down the wall to avoid dripping paint on areas you have already

painted.

Home How-to Tips-How to Create Brick Steps Designs

2009-07-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

Designing a brick step can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. The sky is you limit when designing a Brick Step. Take into consideration the design of your home and how much you have in your budget for this project, then you can go for it. Making your entry way the focus of your home.

Things You'll Need:

* Bricks
* Mortar

Step 1

You may need brick step to create a walkway through your yard. This design would be perfect for that purpose.

Step 2

Or a simple Brick step design for the front door, with a circular bottom step design. This one is perfect for a smaller cottage home.

Step 3

If you want to get a little more elaborate with your brick step design, this one is perfect for an elagant walkway to your front door.

Step 4

This one is simple in design and is the perfect entryway brick steps. Remember if you want to keep it simple, follow your plans and you will stay within your budget with designing your brick steps.

Home How-to Tips-How to Install Ceiling Molding in your Home

2009-07-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Installing ceiling molding in a room will not only add dimension to the ceiling but will also add to the overall value of your home. You can be as ornate or as simple as you want.

Things You'll Need:

* Tape measure
* Miter saw
* Finish nails
* Caulking and Spackle
* Any flat edge molding

Step 1

To create the circular ceiling molding, kits are available at any home improvement centers and are easy to install, because all the cutting measuring has already been done for you.

Step 2

For a more simpler installations of ceiling molding, use of straight molding and the mitering the corners is the preferred method. Use your imagination for this step. Any pattern that you desire is acceptable.

Step 3

The easiest installation is using 1 inch molding around the perimeter of the room, coming out from the edge where the wall and the ceiling meet, about 6 inches, then starting your ceiling molding at that point. Working around the room.

Step 4

Once you have the ceiling molding installed with finish nail, caulking is not necessary, but setting the finish nails and then spackle the nails holes will create a smoother finish after you have painted the ceiling molding with a latex semi-gloss paint.

Home How-to Tips-How to Care for Your New Marble Flooring

2009-07-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves the look of marble floors and maintenance of your marble floor is easy with the right to know how and supplies. Keeping them looking new and looking there best, cleaning is as simple as in the pantry.

Step1
Marble floors can be damp-mopped with either plain water, all-purpose detergent in hot water, or a mixture of 1 cup of fabric softener and
1/2 gallon of water or, better still, is 2 liters of warm water, 1 cup vinegar.
Step2
The wax-polishing liquid is the fastest, and creates a shiny surface of marble. But sometimes forget, you need to strip wax accumulation and re-wax. After using stripper, according to the manufacturer's instructions, rinse the floor thoroughly, then wax.
Step3
Either the application has marble floors can be scratched and will lead to a boring time. Marble floors should be closed if they are newly installed or closed after has been corrected.

Home How-to Tips-How to Instantly Change your Yard with an Outdoor Pond

2009-07-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

Adding an outdoor pond to your yard and property,can add to your property values. You and your family will have hours of enjoyment from your outdoor pond. Adding to your outdoor pond, things such as fish and or plants will make your outdoor pond even more enjoyable.

Things You’ll Need:

* pond liner
* plants and fish (optional)
* pond pump

Step1
To install your Outdoor Pond a location that has adequate shade for your pond. If you are placing fish in the pond you will need to place the pond in an area of your yard that gets shade most of the day.
Step2
Digging up the ground for your Pond after you location is chosen, it's time to get the shovels and a few friends to help with this step. Depending on the size, you may need heavy equipment to dig the hole.
Step3
Pond liners. This involves choosing the type of liner for your pond. There are two kinds of liner, preformed and self forming. After all this choice have been made, you will need a pond pump to keep the water in the pond continuously moving. This helps with algae build up. Add your rocks, water, plants

Home How-to Tips-How to Apply Polyurethane to a Wood Surface

2009-07-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

Applying Polyurethane takes time and pateince. Polyurethane might be hard, like fiberglass, squishy like upholstery foam, protective like varnish, bouncy like rubber wheels, or sticky like glue. Since its invention in the 40s, polyurethane has been used in everything from baby toys to airplane wings, and continues to be adapted for contemporary technology. Polyurethane is a substance categorized as a polymer based on its chemical structure. Depending on your particular application, usually being applied with a paint brush over an existing coat of paint or on unfinished wood for a more natural finish

* Depending on the size of your project: 1 quart can
* Paint Thinner for clean-up
* Oil based paint brush
* Or all paints Paint Brush
* Sand paper

Step 1
Lightly sand the surface that you want to apply the Polyurethane to. This will create a "toothe" effect for the Polyurethane to adhere to.

Step 2
Open your can of Polyurethane, remember not to shake to can, (will produce bubbles, if your Polyurethane can gets shaken, allow to settle for 24 hours). Apply the Polyurethane with a paint brush, using long, even strokes along the grain of the wood, or if the surface is already painted use long even strokes in one direction.

Step 3

Allow to dry for the recommended amount of time that is listed on the directs of the product that you are using. Usually 8 to 10 hours, after which you will need to lightly sand the surface again.
Step 4

Apply a second coat of Polyurethane and allow to dry before touching or using. Usual drying time varies depending of the temperature and climate of where you are at when applying the Polyurethane

*
You will need mineral spirits to clean your brush with.
*
Wear protective gloves while applying.
*
Wear a mask while applying.