WINTER NEWS

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Stress Prevention during the Holidays

Projects

Growing Indoor Sprouts

Shower Your Houseplants

Monthly Maintenance

Getting Ready For Guests



1-Stress Prevention during the Holidays

If you are looking for stress-free ideas to decorate your home, check out how-to
ideas for easy door decorations and gift-giving projects.

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN



2-Projects

Christmas comes but once a year, so spread the cheer all through the house.

DECK THE HALLS: Holiday Decorating


3-Growing Indoor Sprouts

The vegetable gardening season may be over in some parts of the country, but
you can still enjoy fresh produce by growing your own sprouts - indoors.
Here's how. Buy untreated seed of radish, mustard, mung bean, broccoli, and
other vegetables from health food stores or mail-order catalogs. Place a
tablespoon of seeds in the bottom of a clear glass jar and soak seeds
overnight. Cover the jar with a fine meshed screen or cheesecloth and place it
in a warm room with indirect light. Rinse the seed with cool water 2 to 3
times a day. In about 5 to 7 days you'll have edible sprouts for salads and
sandwiches.

4- Gardening tip for December from the National Gardening Association:

Shower With Your Houseplants

Large-leaved houseplants such as dracaena, rubber tree, and philodendrons really appreciate a monthly shower in winter. Place the plants in the tub and shower them with warm water. The shower removes dust from the leaves, which inhibits growth and washes away some insects such as aphids and white flies. Let the plants dry in the shower and then move them back to their original location.

Regional Garden Zone Maps



5- Maintenance Tasks for Your Home

Make a Homeowner's Journal

Use a file box to keep track of household information so it's easy to find and use. Include financial papers and bank accounts, car records, insurance policies and inventories, and school and medical records. To keep track of home improvements start a file of materials and product warranties and owner's manuals and a list of decorating details like the color of paint or wallpaper used in rooms.

Inspect Electrical Receptacles

Replace existing outlets in the bathroom, kitchen, and outdoors with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), which is a device that provides shock protection by cutting the power almost instantly when it detects a possible dangerous current imbalance. It has a small 'test' and 'reset' button in between the two receptacles. You need a screwdriver, wire cutters, long-nose pliers, and some electrical tape. Follow the installation instructions and remember to turn off the power at the main panel before you begin.

Save Energy with Lightbulbs

Begin buying energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs to replace incandescents and you'll save in the long run. While they're more expensive initially, they'll outlast a regular lightbulb and cost substantially less to use so you'll save money. You'll notice a decrease in your energy bills as you gradually make the transition.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Protect water pipes inside the house from freezing by insulating any that are exposed or susceptible to north winds. Use either insulating aluminum-backed foam or fiberglass pipe wrap, or flexible, closed-cell polyethylene foam insulation that is pre-slit to snap around the pipe.

Keep Sidewalk and Driveway Clear

Lay in a supply of sand, ashes, or ground salt for icy conditions.

Inspect Holiday Lights

Check tree and outdoor lights and extension cords to make sure they're

not frayed, and replace when needed.

MAINTENANCE TASKS


6-Getting Ready For Guests

For many of us, the thought of having guests can be a welcome or dreaded experience. While most of us want to see friends and relatives from time to time, a little planning can make the experience enjoyable for all.

Plan Ahead

Part of this planning should include mapping out your own schedule. Set aside time to be with guests and at the same time allow both of you time for your own activities. If you're working, save time for purely sociable activities so you don't feel guilty when you have to be away from your guests.

Everyday Things Aren't Ordinary For Guests

Doing routine things can often be entertaining for visitors. For example, I've found that taking a guest with me to do errands is a great way to show them the island and what it's like to live here. Most visitors are surprised to find that everyone isn't on vacation and enjoy seeing "behind the scenes" life of those who live here. Your guests will enjoy knowing what your day consists of and getting to know your town in this way.

The Guest Room

No matter how small, a guest room can be comfortable and pretty. Here's a check list:

1. If possible, the room should be devoid of any of your personal items in the closet and drawers.

2. A comfortable bed is extremely important. If the pillows are filled with feathers or down, be sure to have non-allergenic extras in the closet. It's nice to have plenty of pillows for sitting comfortably in bed to read, a comforter, and an extra blanket in the closet.

3. Keep the furnishings to a minimum. There should be a night table and reading lamps on each side of the bed, a small dresser and chair.

4. Accessories that make a difference include: a mirror (full length is practical on the back of the door), a clock, scatter rug on each side of the bed if the room isn't carpeted, an outlet for a phone (the phone itself may not be necessary, just the availability for a private call), a small television is optional, and a fan if needed.

Keeping Things Handy

A wicker trunk or blanket chest at the end of the bed is perfect for

holding all the bed linens and guests can put a suitcase on top.

Small Touches Mean A Lot

If it's summertime the following will make the room special: a linen

table cover on the dresser with a vase of fresh flowers, light and airy curtains with a shade for privacy, lace trimmed pillow cases, pretty pastel or pure white sheets freshly ironed, a basket of potpourri in the bathroom, a basket filled with small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and pretty soaps.

For Their Information

It's practical and considerate to leave reading material on the night table. It might include: the local newspaper, books about your area or books by a local author, a schedule of events, the information guide from the Chamber of Commerce, and a map of the area. If you know your guests' reading tastes you might take some books out of the library.

Extra Amenities

If your guests have special interests, check out local happenings before their arrival. For example, they're interested in art or crafts you might find a show in the area. If you're having small children, look into events that might interest them. Plan for rainy day activities and fill a basket with small toys to bring out when needed. If you have plans that don't include your guests you might provide them with theater tickets for the night you'll be away from them, or leave the menus from several restaurants you think they'd enjoy.

Outdoor Living

If it's summertime, the patio, yard or deck should be carefree and comfortable. Having guests is a good excuse to get your potted plants looking good. Set up a badminton or croquet set. A well outfitted picnic basket is another nice touch to keep on hand.

Mealtimes

Plan ahead meals so even you will feel like a guest. Make it easy for

guests to help themselves or, join in the cooking as an activity. Stock up on grocery items so you aren't running to the store at the last minute. Change the pace of everyday by using lovely table linens while your guests are here. Use fresh flowers wherever possible.

Making Guests Feel At Home

When my daughters were little, we went each year to visit my grandparents in Florida. What I remember best about those visits is that nothing seemed like a chore for them. Even when non-family members visited, my grandparents made them feel like part of the family, rather than an imposition. There may have been much preparation before we arrived, but while we were there everything seemed effortless. Planning your schedule, being flexible about it, letting guests help with whatever is being done, and feeling relaxed yourself will insure a good time by all.



*THE ABOVE ARTICLES COMPILED FROM VARIOUS ONLINE SOURCES.

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