Chillin’ Inside

The refrigerator’s condenser coils can become coated with dust, which will cause the fridge to work harder to do its job effectively. Taking a few minutes to clean your refrigerator with a vacuum cleaner hose or brush. Cleaning the coils will help save electricity (and money!) later.
Get Outdoors

Don’t let the air conditioner (AC) get put out-of-sight and out-of-mind. The AC unit needs good airflow to work efficiently, so clear out any leaves and debris from around the unit and make sure vegetation is trimmed back a couple feet. While you’re thinking about the AC, take a couple more minutes to replace the furnace air filter!  And of course, make sure to check the lawn equipment. Cleaning equipment and ensuring cutting blades are sharp will make yard work easier.

• Go on a scavenger hunt (try using the app – scavenger hunt with friends)
• Take a long stroll
• Have a picnic
• Play on a swing set
• Attend an outdoor movie
• Sit outside during a rain storm
• After the storm, take off your shoes and jump in the puddles
• Climb a tree
• Read a book outside
• Go hiking
• Go camping
• Play a game of tag in the backyard
• Throw a Frisbee
• Go fishing
• Plant a garden
• Take an afternoon to go bike riding
• Fly a kite
• Find a field of flowers and take a picture in it (Being from Texas, I highly recommend bluebonnets.)
• Run through the sprinklers
• Spring cleaning
• Visit your local Zoo
• Plant some flowers
• Attend an outdoor concert
• Host a barbecue
• Go to a local farmers market
• Spend a day at your local river/lake/beach
• Run and skip
• Jump rope with friends/kids – double-dutch style
• Build a bird feeder or bird bath
• Eat dinner outside watching the sunset
• Take a moment to appreciate all the beauty and wonder this life has to offer

• Refresh the kitchen to some extent. Whether it’s new everything or a fresh coat of paint and updated appliances is the best investment.
• To update a bathroom, install large showers. Custom glass shower enclosures open up a space and modernize the look and feel.
• A new deck and landscaping can drastically increase the curb appeal of a home.
• Replacing or repairing siding can instantly rejuvenate the look of an older home.
• New windows offer energy efficiency and safety. Costs depend on the number of windows you’re replacing, of course, and the type.

For those selling a house, be sure to stage the home for potential buyers by eliminating clutter, hiding family photos and emphasizing the kitchen’s finest features in addition to the above upgrades.

• Change or clean your filters in the cooling system to be sure your AC is running at peak efficiency.
•  Check to see if any windows need weather stripping to keep hot air out.
• Clean and check on the condensing coils on your fridge to keep it running smoothly and save money.
• Consider planting a shade tree next to your outside AC unit. The shade from the tree will help the unit run more efficiently and add character to the yard.
• Inspect dryer vents and make sure they aren’t clogged. Clogged vents can blow warm air back into the laundry room, and eventually raise the temperature throughout the whole house.

Close the curtains and blinds in the heat of the day to block out sunlight.

Citrus peels, including oranges, lemons and limes, can help deodorize your garbage disposal. Excess waste put down your disposal can cause an unforgiving odor.

To avoid a stench that can linger, try this simple tip to deodorize your garbage disposal:

- Place ice cubes in the disposal
- Add orange, lemon or lime peels
- Run the disposal with cold water for 15 to 30 seconds
- Turn the disposal off
- Continue to run the cold water for 15 seconds

This eliminates stubborn odors without harsh chemicals, leaving your sink smelling fresh and clean!

There are six product categories on EnergyStar.gov that list which energy efficient products are eligible for your home. The website also directs homeowners on how they can apply for a specific 2013 home energy tax credit, identifies what type of homes qualify and shows what type of rebate can be expected for eligible product. Additionally, when you work with a local contractor, make sure you save receipts and the manufacturer’s certifications statement, if applicable, for your records.

Energy efficient products will save you money long-term, but why not jump in on those savings a little early? Start planning today!

Gardenias
This shrub doesn’t grow everywhere, but if you’re in the Southeast, plant it near the deck or beneath a window so you can relish its wonderful scent. 

Zinnias
If you live in warmer climates, plant these annuals under a light covering of soil.  Short growing season? Try planting them in pots instead, then in a few weeks, plant the pot into the garden.

Heather
Choose your variety of Heathers according to the needs of your garden ambiance. A lower, spreading-type variety is great for ground cover while an upright type would work best as a border.

Asiatic Lilies
These lilies may look exotic, but their maintenance is low key. Asiatic lilies are surprisingly easy to grow and can tolerate many soils.  Just remember to plant in a sunny spot and provide enough drainage.

1.    The blade on your lawnmower should be sharpened every eight to 10 uses and set to a height that will cut no lower than the top third of the grass blades, which is typically two to three inches depending on the variety of grass.

2.    Water your lawn slowly and deeply, not often and quickly. Keep your watering schedule set in the early morning, about once a week.

3.    Before watering, check your lawn to test the soil dampness. Take a screwdriver and press it into your lawn. If it goes in easily, your soil is probably still moist. If it is difficult to push through, it is time to water.

4.    Thatch, the layer of dead plant material that accumulates just above the soil, can become thick and prevent water and nutrients from permeating the soil below. The lawn must be dethatched. If you are unsure of how to properly dethatch, call a landscape specialist.

5.    Develop a pest management program to ensure proper lawn maintenance.

You have all your rugs, plants, mirrors and trimmings placed in the most perfect spots to make your rental feel like home, but there’s this one window that overlooks a dump, the side of your neighbor’s house, an unattractive yard or a bland concrete jungle…. how the heck do you dress that up?

We’re here to help!

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1. Plants! Place a window box just below the outside of your windows and instead of peering into an unsightly corner, you’ll be overlooking a vast field of tulips and daisies! …. maybe not vast, but it will be much prettier and I promise, it will still put a smile on your face.

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2. Dress it up! Drapes will make a world of difference. Instead of looking at a bare hole in the wall not only framing, but leading your eyes to a dreary vision, you’ll notice a beautifully homed piece of glass. We have a whole article to help you select the proper drapes for your home!

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3. Change the glass! You can tint it, stain it, or install a new window – something to hinder thru-sight. These are tasks easily handled by most glass shops!

What are some of the ways you have dealt with an ugly view? (Moving isn’t an answer, that’s cheating!)

I am probably signed up for every rewards program there is …. “Sign up for a preferred customer card and you’ll get points!” …. “You’ll get discounts!” ….. “Buy nine and your tenth is free!”

I am a sucker. The result is an incredible amount of random cards that cause my wallet to bulge in such a way the clip is rendered useless. My suggested solution, a loose leaf metal ring and a hole punch. Go crazy and get cards!