Amy Suardi recently started growing some of her familys food. On many days, she can be found with her children in the front yard of her home in Tenleytown, tending their edible garden. Later, the family might make pizzas (using herbs theyve grown), tidy up the house (with cleaning supplies theyve made), watch a DVD (TV programs are not permitted) or play games the children invented.

While Suardi, 42, has fashioned a lifestyle for her family that is reminiscent of a slower, less stressful era, she is also decidedly 21st century: She blogs about her life, and gets paid for it.

(Katherine Frey/THE WASHINGTON POST) - Mark, left, and Luke help their mother tend the edible garden in the front yard, which grows tomatoes, kale, basil, blueberries and arugula.

(Katherine Frey/THE WASHINGTON POST) - Luke, left, and Mark play in the sunroom as their sister Sofia does her homework at the dining room table.

I dont make a lot of money, but the trade-off is that I can be home with the kids, she says. I can also make dinner every night and take care of the house.

For Suardi, thrifty living is at the heart of the life she craves. On her blog, Frugal Mama, she shares her experiences, offering insight on creating a high-quality life on a small budget.

Her expertise, she says, is based on learning to live on a shoestring since college, first as a single young woman in New York, then as the wife of a doctor in training.

My philosophy, she says, is about finding the fun in saving and keeping life simple so we have time for whats important.

With her husband, Enrico, now working full time after recently completing his medical training, and with Suardi earning money by writing, the couple has more income than ever before. However, they are also both in their mid-40s, have four children (ages 10, 8, 4 and 1), almost no money in retirement and a 100-year-old house that needs work.

For Suardi to remain an at-home working mother while they bulk up their retirement savings, the family cuts corners wherever possible: The children attend public schools and co-ops and wear secondhand clothing. The adults drive used cars and use pay-as-you-go cellphones. They clean their own home, shop at thrift stores, dont have cable, walk instead of drive when they can and eat most of their meals at home.

More here:
Frugal Mama Amy Suardi discusses her budget- and splurge-friendly lifestyle

Tuesday, May 1

John Minniti was issued a permit to replace rotted wood at 83 Washington St. Mystic Builders of Woburn is contracting the work for $5,256.

Ken Moeller was issued a permit to strip and reroof at 9-11 Dunham St. R.P. Farina Roofing of Watertown is contracting the work for $7,400.

Laura Dike and Vaughn Miller were issued a permit to remodel the second floor bathroom at 123 Mt. Vernon St. Byggmeister Associates of Newton is contracting the work for $61,267.

Kevin and Joan Slavin were issued a permit to remodel the kitchen at 83 Mystic Valley Parkway. Dale Hadley Remodeling of North Reading is contracting the work for $29,110.

Wednesday, May 2

Moira Ounjian was issued a permit to strip and reroof at 10 Chesterfield Road. Burke Property Services of Lowell is contracting the work for $3,800.

Robert Russo was issued a permit for electrical work and kitchen and bathroom renovations at 23 Canterbury Road. The owner is contracting the work for $75,000.

Thursday, May 3

Lucille Murray was issued a permit to remodel the kitchen, including the installation of new cabinets, at 60 Squire Road. Seaver Construction of Woburn is contracting the work for $38,000.

The rest is here:
Who's building what in Winchester -- May 1 to May 11

Advice

Mock-up design of what Roger's kitchen should look like when completed.

The dogs return to a new kitchen

World-Herald reporter Roger Buddenberg and his wife are embarking on a major home remodeling project. He'll blog about the ups and downs, delays and accomplishments at omaha.com/living

* * *

The Hounds

May 23

We aren't actually remodeling the dogs, of course. Although if that were possible ...

I bring them up because at first they were an obstacle to the project. (Note to self: "Obstacle" would be a good dog name.) Boarding two Lab-sized mutts for weeks and weeks would have been prohibitively costly. Instead, family friends (who have a dog of their own) came to the rescue. They have dog-sat.

The mutts return to our house for weekend furloughs, during which the poor creatures wonder, "What has happened to the place?" and, more important, "Where has the best dog-nap couch gone?" and "What time is supper?"

Go here to read the rest:
The dogs return to a new kitchen

Pet food drive

KINGSTON Kingston Animal Hospital is hosting an ongoing pet food drive for the local food pantry. Donations are needed for both cat and dog foods. Canned and dry foods will be accepted, but not perishable items. Donations can be dropped off during hospital hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at Kingston Animal Hospital, 192 Main St., Kingston.

Cub Scout Pack 49 Summer of Fun

KINGSTON The Boy Scouts of America teaches young people to be good citizens and trains them to become leaders.

Your son will want to join for the fun and friendship. Youll want to join for the character development and values taught throughout the program.

Cub Scout Pack 49 invites boys currently in kindergarten through fourth grade to join the fun.

Join now and take part in the Summer of Fun pack program. Pack 49 offers more than a dozen summer activities for the whole family to enjoy. See what makes Pack 49 unique.

Registration for the 2012-2013 scout year and summer programs is on-going. Contact Colleen North at 781-585-2626 orcubscoutpack49@comcast.net for additional information.

View original post here:
News, briefly

Suzanne Thompson/Special to The Commercial Appeal

The Byrd House, at the corner of York Avenue and Rozelle Street in Central Gardens, has been home to four generations of Elizabeth Byrd's family.

Emily Adams Keplinger/The Commercial Appeal

The charming history of The Byrd House is available for passersby to see, spelled out in modified Old English letters on a metal sign commissioned by Elizabeth Bonita Byrd for her family's "nest."

Nestled, or nesting, as the owner might say, in the Central Gardens Historic District, Elizabeth Bonita Byrd's home at the corner of York Avenue and Rozelle Street has a rich family history that spans four generations.

It's something that Byrd is proud of, and she has erected a historic marker-like sign in the corner of her yard, which lists the names of the generations of the Byrd family who have owned the home throughout the years.

Recently, Byrd dubbed the quaint cottage-style home "The Byrd House."

On the interior she has had to make many renovations, such as installing central heating

and air conditioning, but other than adding a white picket fence around the exterior of the house, it remains true to its original architecture.

"I love the house. I have done things as I could to maintain the character of the house," she said.

Excerpt from:
Byrds of a feather

Business owners James and John Cain hit the historical jackpot as they were renovating an old bank to make way for a brew house in Yardley.

The Cains are leasing the 120-year-old Yardley National Bank building and turning it into the Vault Brewing Co. to open later this year. Throughout the decades, the building has functioned as a variety of banks, the last a Bank of America.

Inside an attic area above one of two vaults, the Cains found thousands of papers belonging to the original bank including the banks articles of association, certificate of organization and oath of directors, all dated Oct. 25, 1889, and other documents up to 1903.

The Yardley Historical Association doesnt have a lot of information about Yardley National Bank, so the find is a real treasure, particularly the papers concerning the formation of the bank and the ornate YNB logo, Susan Taylor, a member of the association, said this week.

Taylor believes the bank opened its doors in 1890, but doesnt know when it closed.

A few weeks ago, James Cain, 24, was scoping out the building for space to install an additional air handler, when he popped open a sealed compartment on the wall. And there they were, dusty and scattered. Some were tied with dated paper bands against the wall, but many more were loose and scattered.

It seems as someone just chucked them in there, James said.

The stacks of papers looked like bills at first, he said. After realizing that they werent bills, he continued to look for other valuables such as bond and stock certificates.

Like anyones initial reaction would have been, I thought, What did I strike? James said.

The find includes documents such as deposit slips, letters from the Treasury Department, a balance sheet of all account holders, checks, a handwritten business letter dealing with corn feed, and even a resignation letter from bank director Jesse E. Harper, who seemed to become a clerk instead.

Link:
Business owners discover a vault to history

Business owners James and John Cain hit the historical jackpot as they were renovating an old bank to make way for a brew house in Yardley.

The Cains are leasing the 120-year-old Yardley National Bank building and turning it into the Vault Brewing Co. to open later this year. Throughout the decades, the building has functioned as a variety of banks, the last a Bank of America.

Inside an attic area above one of two vaults, the Cains found thousands of papers belonging to the original bank including the banks articles of association, certificate of organization and oath of directors, all dated Oct. 25, 1889, and other documents up to 1903.

The Yardley Historical Association doesnt have a lot of information about Yardley National Bank, so the find is a real treasure, particularly the papers concerning the formation of the bank and the ornate YNB logo, Susan Taylor, a member of the association, said this week.

Taylor believes the bank opened its doors in 1890, but doesnt know when it closed.

A few weeks ago, James Cain, 24, was scoping out the building for space to install an additional air handler, when he popped open a sealed compartment on the wall. And there they were, dusty and scattered. Some were tied with dated paper bands against the wall, but many more were loose and scattered.

It seems as someone just chucked them in there, James said.

The stacks of papers looked like bills at first, he said. After realizing that they werent bills, he continued to look for other valuables such as bond and stock certificates.

Like anyones initial reaction would have been, I thought, What did I strike? James said.

The find includes documents such as deposit slips, letters from the Treasury Department, a balance sheet of all account holders, checks, a handwritten business letter dealing with corn feed, and even a resignation letter from bank director Jesse E. Harper, who seemed to become a clerk instead.

Visit link:
Brewers discover bank history

I inherited this from my stepmother. I think she called it "Piano Baby." It is 7&rfrac12; inches long and the workmanship is special. It is in perfect condition. The markings are enclosed. Purpose and value? -- Barbara Messner, Solon

"Piano babies" were designed as decorative porcelain figures meant to perch on the flat top of an upright piano. Introduced in the 1880s, the poses and sizes varied from 4 inches to 12 inches long. Your example was made by Heubach Bros. of Germany, and the marks indicate a manufacture date around 1910. Heubach was also known for producing fine-quality bisque porcelain doll heads. They are considered to be the best maker of piano babies.

Estimate: $175-$275 in good condition.

My aunt gave me this sofa 30 years ago. She told me that it came from the Hollenden House hotel in downtown Cleveland. Her husband was doing some remodeling work there in the 1940s and brought it home because they were throwing it out! I believe it to be from the 1930s, and it has a metal plate with the name "Jamestown Lounge Company." Can you enlighten me further? -- Eleanor Hammond, Wadsworth

In the early 1900s more than 100 furniture makers were situated in Jamestown, New York, thus it was called as "the Furniture Capital of the World." Its location in the heavily forested western part of the state, plus proximity to a river and sawmills, was the reason.

The Jamestown Lounge Co. was founded in 1888 and is best known today for the line called "Feudal Oak." Loosely based on English designs of the 16th and 17th centuries, the solid oak furniture was ornately carved and hand waxed to a thick and lustrous finish. The company had a contract division and produced items they advertised as "constructed to stand the abuse of public use." Feudal oak is collectible today, and your uncle was wise to rescue it.

Estimate: $600-$900.

This gun was my father-in-law's, and I have no information about it other than the markings on it. -- Albert Brockway, Mentor

The Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. was incorporated in 1888. Founded under a different name in 1871, the company was in business in 1986. They produced shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers. Your Young America Double Action revolver was introduced in 1884 and made until 1941. Based on the marks you describe I believe that you have the second model, made between 1905 and 1941. Barrel sizes came in 2-inch, 4-inch and 6-inch lengths. The nickel finish appears to be a bit rubbed, which diminishes the value.

Estimate: $65-$125.

Follow this link:
Porcelain baby; sofa; old gun; French tea set: Attic Finds

Doors to the 20th Annual Contractors Association of Kauai Home Show open at 2:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday and again from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue.

Its been 20 years since Hurricane Iniki swept through this island, and a lot of things have happened in the construction industry, said a spokesperson for the association. Our population is also aging, and this year the theme will be on how to take care of kupuna through add-ons and rehabilitating homes.

The Hunt Companies Inc. and the County of Kauai are cooperating sponsors of the annual home show, which was started following Hurricane Iniki to offer home owners who suffered hurricane damage a convenient place to shop for services and products needed to repair home and house damage wrought by the hurricane.

A lot of people were not here when the hurricane came through, the spokesperson said. On top of that, if a child was born in the hurricane year, hes now coming of age where home buying becomes an important topic.

The Hunt Companies will be sponsoring the consumer seminars, with the Friday seminars being streamed live on HawaiiStream.com starting at 5:30 p.m. when Landscape Architect Craig Duff will offer tips on Making Your Yard More Accessible and Easier to Maintain.

Sgt. Rod Green of the Kauai Police Department, recently promoted to community services, will be joined by Kauai Fire Department Inspector Curtis Langstaff with tips and advice on Keeping our Kupuna Safe starting at 6:30 p.m.

Janet Beck of Pacific Source will provide Bath and Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for Aging in Place starting at 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays schedule of seminars start at 10 a.m., when Milan Rupert of Kauai Nursery and Landscaping will host a seminar on Maximizing Your Yard Space for Sustainable Fruit Production, followed by Becks encore presentation at 11 a.m.

A lot of the vendors and exhibitors for the 2012 show have green products and ideas, the spokesperson said.

Kauai Lumber, with its HPM line of custom metal roofing and Certainteeds Apollor Solar Roofing system, which has solar panels inlaid in the roofing system, are part of the new exhibitors and products for this years show.

Read the original here:
Contractors Association of Kaua‘i celebrates 20 years

Advice Published Tuesday April 17, 2012

Drywall dust in my oatmeal

World-Herald reporter Roger Buddenberg and his wife are embarking on a major home remodeling project. He'll blog about the ups and downs, delays and accomplishments at omaha.com/living

* * *

---------------------------------------------

The Dust

April 17

Drywall dust is on my mind. And my shoes, the seat of my pants, my morning oatmeal, pretty much everywhere.

It's classic good news, bad news. Good news because it means walls are going up, which is a cheering sight after weeks of staring at naked wires and pipes. Those planes of white make you feel like you're stepping back toward civilization. It's like passing a milestone: The fun stuff cabinets and countertops and other things you see on the cover of kitchen magazines are not far off.

On the other hand ... the dust. It gets everywhere. The installers have tried to keep it at bay have walled off the rest of the house with plastic, cleared away the scraps and so forth. But the dust very fine, very abrasive still sifts its way around the house, hitchhikes on our shoes, sneaks through the ducts. When this phase is over, there'll be a housecleaning.

Continued here:
Drywall dust in my oatmeal