Home Ownership

Holiday Decorating and Pet Safety

Glittering Christmas decorations look festive to you. To your dog or cat, they look like a playground. Your pet can get hurt in a romp with the Christmas tree or holiday decorations. But it’s possible to keep the season bright for both you and your fur babies. Here are some ideas for maintaining pet safety during the holidays....

Tips for Holiday Pet Safety

Artificial Christmas trees are safer for pets and cheaper in the long run than buying a cut tree each year. In addition to being a fire hazard, real trees may attract your pet’s attention with their scent. Your pet can get sick from chewing on evergreen needles, and your cat may consider a real tree’s trunk a scratching post or thrilling climb. An artificial tree promotes pet safety by alleviating these problems.
Make sure your tree’s stand is stable to keep your animals from tipping it over. If necessary, weigh it down at the base with small sandbags. Tethering your tree to a nearby wall can also promote pet safety.
Select a moderately sized tree. The taller the tree, the more likely it is that your curious cat may knock it over. Avoid small tabletop trees that your dog may consider a chew toy.
To ensure pet safety, use short extension cords for lights and create barriers to keep pets from accessing cords. If you have a cut tree, cover the water at its base so pets won’t drink it.
Shiny decorations attract pets, but broken glass ornaments can lead to serious injury. Cloth, wood, plastic or paper ornaments will be less tantalizing to feline and canine eyes and contribute to pet safety. If you must have shiny ornaments, place them up high, out of reach. The same goes for collectible ornaments.
To dissuade your pets from chewing on your tree, mist the lower branches and decorations with bitter apple spray. A citrus spray will work as well. If your pet approaches your Christmas decorations, squirt her with water from a spray bottle. She’ll soon get the message.
For pet safety, avoid food decorations such as candy canes or popcorn strings. Some are poisonous to pets or can cause choking.
Place candles high out of reach. Since cats can jump and climb, consider flameless candles.
For pet safety, steer clear of holiday season plants that are poisonous: poinsettia, mistletoe and holly with berries.

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

Winterizing Your Vegetable Garden for a Bountiful Spring

A chill is in the air, the leaves are falling, and the scent of pumpkin spice is in the air. It’s time to finish your last vegetable harvest and winterize your garden for the frosty months ahead. Fall maintenance lessens the amount of work you’ll have to do come spring and will make your garden more productive....

Final harvest

Before the first freeze, comb through your garden and harvest the last tomatoes, zucchini and other vegetables. If some aren’t entirely ready to eat, store them in a paper bag on the kitchen counter to finish ripening....

Weed

Winterizing your garden requires removing and tossing weeds and grass that may have infiltrated during the summer. It’s best to trash or burn these invaders rather than add them to compost, where they can end up infesting your garden again next spring....

Clear, compost, and mulch

Cut and clear old plants from the garden rather than letting them stay and rot during the cold winter. If they are healthy, cut them up and put them into your compost, or mulch them into the rows of the garden. Do not compost or mulch any plants that are diseased or moldy....

Add mulch made from fallen leaves to planting beds as you are winterizing your garden. Cutting them up with the mower first will help them break down more easily. Add a layer of bagged mulch for a final insulating layer to retain moisture in the soil....

Leave perennial plants that will return next spring. Research which need pruning, such as asparagus and blackberries, and which should be left for another season, such as blueberries....

One last task for winterizing your garden is to test your soil’s pH and mineral content. If the soil is acidic, add lime to balance it in time for spring planting. You can also add mineral-rich natural fertilizer to enrich the garden soil....

Plant winter crop and spring bulbs...

Early fall is the time to plant winter crops such as kale, beets and carrots. Plant garlic and other bulbs for a spring crop. Cover crops when a winter freeze or snow is in the forecast....

Related – Mulch is a Gardener’s Best Friend...

Home Improvements, Ownership,

December To-Do List: Holiday Helpful Hints

December is a busy month — with holiday decorating, food prep and celebrations taking over the schedule. So go ahead and give yourself the gift of a lighter load of chores around the house. Here’s a suggested to-do list that will get you ready for family festivities and the potential for harsh winter weather but won’t dampen the joy of the season....

While setting up holiday decor, take a moment to inventory what you’ve stored from past years. Declutter and donate those items that never seem to make it out of the boxes. Dispose of anything that is in poor condition. Consider replacing old light strands with energy-efficient LEDs. Finally, make a detailed list of anything you need to purchase. Bonus tip: Once your decorations are in place, snap a few pictures so next year’s installation is quick and easy.
If overnight guests or a night of entertainment is on your agenda, do a thorough cleaning of the guest room and common areas that holiday guests will use, including the kitchen, family room and bathrooms.
In preparation for potential winter illnesses, check your medicine cabinet. Take out-of-date items to a medicine drop-off station. These are typically sponsored by local police stations and national drugstore chains. Make a shopping list of medicines that need to be replaced.
Schedule a date with a chimney sweep. Cleaning the chimney is an essential fire-prevention measure for both gas and wood fireplaces. Also, consider installing a chimney cap to prevent birds and squirrels from entering the chimney.
Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets to prevent them from freezing and bursting. Drain hoses and store them for next spring.
Check your snow shovels, ice scrapers, and other snow-removal tools. Replace or repair as necessary. Be sure to have a bag of de-icing rock salt on hand because stores will run out when a storm hits. Go ahead and inventory your winter gear as well, making sure everyone in the family has gloves, boots and winter coats that are in good condition and fit properly.
Give yourself permission to snuggle under a cozy blanket with a warm beverage and enjoy the season.

Indoor Living, Ownership,

Brighten Winter Doldrums in Your Home

That first crisp fall day is exciting. We pull out sweaters, watch football and excitedly anticipate the holidays. Before long, though, it’s dark when you leave for work and dark when you drive home, and the weather is cold and depressing. It’s a good time to make your home a cheery, cozy haven that drives out those winter doldrums. Here are some ideas....

Learn from the Scandinavians

The Scandinavian countries have learned to make the most of those snowy, cold months. Their concept of hygge, pronounced “hooga,” brings comforting aromas, textures and tastes to their homes. Provide your own hygge by burning scented candles, piling the sofa with cozy blankets and serving warm beverages....

Lighten up

Since winter days are the shortest of the year, dispel the January gloom with added illumination around the house....

Swap incandescent light bulbs for LED bulbs with a K rating of 3,500 to 6,500 on the package. The illumination in your house will be whiter and brighter than with old-school bulbs. As an added bonus, you’ll use a tenth of the electricity.
Keep a string or two of white holiday lights on display throughout the winter. Drape them across the fireplace mantle or wind them through the branches of a potted indoor tree. String lights cast an enchanting soft glow on cold winter nights.
Wash your windows, inside and out. Remove the screens until spring. Then keep your shades open by day to admit as much natural light as possible.
Paint the walls of your main living area with light, off-white semi-gloss paint that gently reflects light. Cover dark upholstery with white or pale slipcovers.

Brighten up the winter doldrums

Bring color and freshness to your decor wherever you can....

Accessorize your home with brightly colored wall art and accent pillows. Consider replacing heavy drapes with lighter blinds or Roman shades.
Add some cheerful green plants to bring a touch of spring to your home. A bright bouquet of fresh flowers will lift everyone’s spirits.
Bring in gold touches to warm your home’s more formal spaces.
Hang mirrors to reflect window light and brighten your rooms.

Related – Cozy Up to the Hygge Lifestyle...

Home Technology, Ownership,

Celebrate a Happy and Sustainable Holiday Season

Christmas and other winter holidays bring excitement and good cheer, but they also create waste: lots of it. It’s estimated that more than 1 million extra tons of trash go to landfills each Christmas. And many celebrations increase the country’s carbon footprint. If you’re concerned about the environment, take a look at our guide to sustainable holidays....

Gifts for a sustainable holiday

Gifts are a good place to begin if you want more sustainable holidays. Here are some tips for going greener with gifts....

Where possible, avoid giving material gifts. Your friends and loved ones will be thrilled with experiences, so give tickets to a concert, take your nephew to the zoo or treat your cousins to a nice dinner out. Charitable donations in honor of friends and family are another no-waste gift idea.
If you want to give physical gifts, choose presents made of recyclable materials and avoid plastics. Try to give essentials that cut down on waste, like travel coffee mugs, stainless steel straws, reusable food storage and energy-efficient gadgets.
Try to give fewer gifts, and ensure they are quality items that will last.
Don’t forget homemade gifts like food or a hand-knit scarf. If you’re a skilled woodworker or seamstress, let your talents shine.
Support the sustainability of your local economy by buying gifts locally. And combine several trips into one or take mass transit when you shop.

Gift wrap

Rethink wrapping paper for more sustainable holidays. Where possible, wrap gifts in paper you already have, such as maps, brown paper bags or newspaper comics. Adorn these packages with natural materials, such as sprigs cut from a live Christmas tree. Or make the gift wrap part of the gift by wrapping items in scarves or tea towels. If you use traditional wrapping paper, make sure it’s made from recycled materials. Avoid foil paper or gift wrap with glitter, as neither is recyclable....

Sustainable Christmas trees

Three-quarters of American households put up Christmas trees, and 80 percent of those are artificial. Unfortunately, real trees are more environmentally sustainable. They provide environmental benefits while they are growing, and after you’re done with them, they can be recycled into mulch or used to prevent beach erosion. If you have an artificial tree that will someday end up in a landfill, plan on using it for 10 to 20 years to lessen its environmental impact....

By switching to LED Christmas lights, you can lower your holiday energy usage by as much as 90 percent. These lights last much longer than traditional ones, often in the trash after a year or so of use when bulbs go out. Put your lights on a timer so that they won’t use energy all night long if you forget to turn them off....

When it comes to ornaments, avoid plastics. Look for ornaments made from sustainable materials like wood, or make decorations with cranberries, popcorn or citrus slices you dry in the oven. If you like a glitzier look, look for vintage glass ornaments....

Meals

The holidays mean celebrations around the dining table. You can make your holiday dinners more sustainable by avoiding disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Rent plates and other tableware if you don’t have enough on hand. Also, avoid single-serving drinks like cans of soda or water in bottles. Cut down on waste by serving beverages from pitchers....

Cards and invitations

You can have more sustainable holidays by switching to virtual cards and invitations. You’ll create less trash and save the cost of stamps....

Related – Easy Solutions to Christmas Storage...

Holiday Posts,

Caring for Poinsettias

Nothing says Christmas like brilliant red poinsettias. Also available in other colors, these tropical plants can spread cheer throughout the holidays and beyond if you care for them properly. Here’s how to keep these festive plants merry and bright....

Buying poinsettias...

To keep poinsettias blooming into the new year, be sure to choose healthy plants. The yellow buds in the center of the bracts — the brightly colored leaves — should be tightly closed, and the foliage should be green and unwithered. Poinsettias can pick up pests in commercial greenhouses, so check for bugs. ...

Because these plants are tropical, insulate them against temperatures below 50 degrees when carrying them to your car, and take them straight home after buying....

Caring for poinsettias...

The keys to keeping poinsettias healthy throughout the holidays are keeping the plants in an appropriate area and watering them properly....

Poinsettias need at least six hours a day of indirect sunlight from a window on the southern, eastern or western side of your home. They thrive in daytime temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees. At night, make sure the temperature where you keep your poinsettias doesn’t drop below around 60. Keep the plants away from cold drafts....

Water poinsettias whenever the surface of their soil feels dry, but don’t drown them. It’s better to water a little every few days than a lot infrequently. Good drainage is also important. Don’t leave water standing in the pot’s saucer. Poinsettia pots often come wrapped in foil. Remove this to promote good drainage. Repotting your plants with gravel in the bottom of the pot will also help keep roots dry. Poinsettias don’t like a dry house, so run a humidifier or mist them with water if needed....

If leaves are turning yellow or dropping you are either watering too much or too little. Placing the plants too near a draft or cold window or keeping their room too warm or dry can also cause leaf drop....

Keeping your poinsettias growing...

If you care for them properly, your poinsettias should last two to three months. It’s also possible to keep the plants growing to rebloom next year. The process of regrowing poinsettias is labor intensive, however, and the resulting plants will not be as showy as those grown in a professional greenhouse....

If you want to try your hand at keeping your poinsettias growing for the following winter, take the following steps....

In the spring, perhaps April, let the plant begin to dry out. When all the leaves and bracts — the brightly colored leaves — have fallen, move the plant to a dry, dark place.
In mid-May, repot the plant in a slightly larger container and cut the stems to four to six inches. Relocate the plant to a warm spot with good light, and water until the soil is moist but not soggy. If you live in a subtropical climate, you can plant poinsettias outside in June. Fertilize every two to four weeks.
Pinch back the stems in July and August to promote fuller growth.
To have blooms by Christmas, begin keeping the plant in darkness around October 1 from late afternoon until morning. Poinsettias must have total darkness at least 14 hours a day for at least six weeks to rebloom. To accomplish this, place the plant in a closet that gets no light or cover it with a cardboard box. During this period, make sure the poinsettia gets at least six hours of sunlight during the day.

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

How to Transform Barren Yards with Winter Plants

In most climates, after fall’s riotous hues fade, landscapes become dreary and devoid of color. Whether you live in a snowy or moderate climate, here are some tips for transforming your barren yard with winter plants....

Problems winter plants can solve for you

Problem: Your grass is hibernating, and your yard looks brown and drab....

Solution: You can’t do much for dormant grass. However, placing winter plants in containers around the yard will draw the eye to something else. Use around the base of trees, in gardens, next to walkways, and on patios or porches....

Problem: Overwintered spring and summer plants make your garden look bleak and lifeless....

Solution: Using winter plants that have blooms or colored foliage will give your landscaping variety. Evergreens, conifers, and even berry bushes add color to your garden during colder months. Bonus: Berry-producing bushes typically attract birds....

Problem: Outdoor seating areas look drab and lonely during the winter months....

Solution: Add a fire pit, then place planters next to the seating area. Use some of the trees and flowers described below in brightly colored pots....

Winter plants worthy of consideration

In contemplating which winter plants to purchase, look for colorful or textured bark, interesting branch patterns, or evergreen foliage. Here are some suggestions....

The bark of the red osier dogwood varies in shades from red to burgundy. It also produces white blooms and fruit in springtime. Extremely resilient, it can grow to a height of six feet to 10 feet. In a large container, surround the base of this tree with potted winter flowers. Or plant it in the ground.
The compact American cranberry bush viburnum grows red berries that birds love. In the spring, you’ll see its white flowers first and then red fruit. During the fall, the leaves turn from red to purple, making this a plant that gives all year. It can reach heights of four or five feet with a width of three to four feet.
Spring or winter heath Scotch yields flowers in white, pink, red, or lavender. This carpet of evergreen leaves works amazingly as ground cover during cold months, especially on sloped landscapes.
Flowers that bloom in winter include hellebore, phlox, winter jasmine, snowdrops, and Algerian iris. Most of these flower through the fall and winter, then hibernate during spring and summer.

Keep them pruned and looking tidy, but most require little to no maintenance. Planting a few varieties of these will keep your landscape looking bright, colorful, and alive even during the coldest seasons....

Investment, Money,

Make Extra Money Renting Your Property for Events and Parties

Airbnb made it easy for you to earn income by hosting travelers as overnight guests, but did you know there’s another way to generate cash by renting your property for events? More families are turning to this money-making idea, allowing their spaces to be used for celebrations ranging from backyard weddings to photo shoots and catered dinner parties. If your home has the right features, it could become a small event venue and a profitable side hustle. Before you jump in, here’s what you should know about legal requirements, insurance, and pricing your property as an event space....

Renting your property for events: beauty plus functionality

You may have a spacious backyard with a luscious lawn, a shady arbor, overhead string lights, a firepit, and a built-in outdoor kitchen. You enjoy it as a family, but if the size and accommodations make it a great small venue for events, you may have a moneymaker....

Other settings with appeal:...

An idyllic garden with a waterfall is perfect for photo shoots, commercials, and small weddings.
Large outdoor patios with tables are terrific for hosting catered dinner parties.
If you have acreage, you can host larger events with plenty of parking for guests.
If the property is rural, you could offer it for overnight camping.

Considerations before renting your property

Before putting the word out about your availability, here are important considerations:...

Check local zoning ordinances on event size, the number of cars permitted to park, and any required permits for hosting an event by crowd size.
Causing a traffic jam of parked cars in your neighborhood will be very unpopular and may violate ordinances and HOA rules.
Noise ordinances may limit the hours during which you can host events with loud music and a chatty crowd.
Safety is paramount. If you have a pool, always hire a lifeguard to be on duty. Study your property for any hazards.
Garbage—lots of it—may overwhelm your residential garbage cart and leave you with extra charges, not to mention your neighbors’ ire.
Your homeowners’ insurance probably won’t cover accidents happening when you are receiving payment to use your home. Consult your insurance agent for enhanced coverage.
If alcohol will be served, check whether special permitting is required. State laws are strict regarding alcohol sales.
Will smoking be allowed?
Money received from this venture will be taxable as income and may also be subject to local taxation.

How to price your property as a small event venue

What is the right price to charge for hosting an event? Research known venues nearby that are professionally owned and operated. You can price your space below what those locations charge because you are doing this part-time and are not a professional....

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

What Are Burn Bans? Protecting Homes and Land from Wildfire Risk

Parts of the US, particularly in southern and western states, have experienced prolonged droughts over the past few years, prompting local governments to issue burn bans to prevent wildfires. Beyond the devastation to agriculture, one danger is evident from news reports of wildfires sweeping hundreds of acres and torching homes. What is a burn ban, and what must you know if one is issued in your area?...

Causes of wildfires

The National Park Service estimates that human actions cause 85% of wildfires:...

Neglecting campfires
Burning trash and debris
Discarding cigarettes
Operating equipment improperly
Committing arson

Naturally caused fires sometimes occur after lightning strikes, even when no rain is falling, igniting dry grass and brush....

Burn bans protect areas from wildfires.

Most state governments work with local and national weather services to monitor drought conditions. Counties issue bans meant to mitigate the start of human-caused wildfires. ...

Burn bans, when properly obeyed and enforced, can drastically reduce the wildfire threat....

Here’s what a burn ban typically entails:...

The use of open flames, such as for burning trash, debris, or brush piles, is forbidden.
Some spark-inducing activities may be allowed with precautions.
Care must be taken when mowing. A spark from the blade hitting rocks could start a fire.
Gas grills are okay to use.
Even when a ban gets lifted, you may be required to obtain a permit to incinerate trash or debris piles.

Violations of burn bans can result in misdemeanor penalties. However, should a wildfire result from a breach, fines can be much more severe, including liability for damage to structures and property....

Related – Save Your Home from Wildfires...

Building a Home, Buying,

Climate Change: How Does It Affect Your Home?

The construction, financing, insuring, and maintenance of all buildings have undergone gradual updates over the last several years due to inexorable climate change. For homeowners, once optional features are now standard in new construction. Retrofitting homes with climate-adaptive features is becoming the norm. Here’s how climate change is affecting homeownership and what you can expect in the future....

The steady ratcheting up of climate extremes

Weather patterns over the last decade are erasing doubts about the reality of climate change. Hurricanes are becoming more intense, wreaking devastation in the southeastern United States. So-called “Tornado Alley,” which once covered the Midwest, has shifted east into states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, where the number and intensity of tornadoes have increased. The southwestern states are enduring a long-term drought, which brings the risk of massive wildfires....

These environmental conditions are forcing changes in the design and construction of all types of buildings. As homeowners, we must adapt to protect our investments. ...

The impact of climate change on homeownership

Here are the most noticeable upgrades that climate change is imposing on home construction and remodeling:

The construction of new homes is incorporating features directly related to climate change. Insulation, thermal sheathing, and seam sealing behind the outer facade material are more robust, helping prevent outside temperatures from increasing HVAC costs.
Retrofitting homes with more climate-control features, both inside and out, is on the rise.
Local or state codes may require certain structural safeguards, such as “hurricane straps,” to protect the roofs of houses along the Gulf Coast.
HVAC systems are more efficient than ever, seeking to insulate homeowners from utility rate increases. Heat pumps process air cost-efficiently. Smart-home thermostats ensure the most efficient operation of HVAC equipment.
Building materials are made from nontoxic and environmentally friendly materials.
Solar panels, though still expensive, help homeowners save on utility costs.
Lighting has advanced from incandescent to fluorescent to LED bulbs, reducing electricity use to pennies on the dollar.

Here are the lending and insurance financial effects of climate change:

Banks and other lenders are applying ESG principles to their lending practices. Environmental, social, and governance standards are used to rate vendors and affect lending guidelines. Lending terms are shaped to encourage “green” building practices. Lenders do climate risk assessments in disaster-prone areas to shape lending policies.
Houses in high-risk areas, such as the Gulf Coast hurricane zones and California wildfire zones, face a double whammy: higher insurance rates and lower home values as demand for properties in those areas wanes.
Some insurers have withdrawn from the hardest-hit states. The limited number of insurers means increased rates.

Industry experts advise home shoppers not only to crunch the numbers on the purchase price, but also to assess how environmentally resilient the home’s building materials are and whether it needs retrofitting if it is an existing home. Be sure to obtain detailed quotes from mortgage lenders and insurance companies before committing to purchase, and ensure the numbers fit your budget....

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