There are some pretty nice perks connected to writing a newspaper column.

Among them: People give me stuff.

Mainly, I get books from publishers hoping for free publicity: interior design, house construction, fix-it guides and gardening books galore. Some are so specific o ne small manual was on planting perennial bulbs (not choosing bulbs, mind you, just planting them) that I cant imagine anyone reviewing them for a general readership.

I have received so many books over the years that they have to be awfully special for me to keep them. Theres only so much room in the house, and I have yet to receive a bookcase in the mail. Apparently, furniture companies dont need publicity.

The rejects I pass along, usually to freshly minted homeowners whom I figure could put to use guides for plumbing repairs or basement remodeling.

And its not just books.

Over the years, Ive opened boxes filled with cleaning wipes, plastic cooking bags, live plants, a miniature washboard (??), toilet seats (one with a self-closing mechanism), a lawn sprinkler disguised as an ugly tropical bird and the sorts of tool kits that people who dont need tools keep in their kitchen junk drawers or on closet shelves.

I pass those along, too.

But my favorite perk is a road trip.

Every couple of years I get an invitation to visit the workshop of someone whos as toolish as I am.

Read the original:
HouseWorks: HouseWorks goes on a field trip

Basement Remodeling in Medina Ohio | 330-576-3895
If you are looking for Basement Remodeling in Medina, Ohio you have found the right company. Holland Remodeling Building, LLC is a full service constructio...

By: Remodeling Building

Read more:
Basement Remodeling in Medina Ohio | 330-576-3895 - Video

Basement Remodeling Canton Ohio | 330-576-3895
If you are looking for Basement Remodeling in Canton, Ohio you have found the right company. Holland Remodeling Building, LLC is a full service constructio...

By: Remodeling Building

Link:
Basement Remodeling Canton Ohio | 330-576-3895 - Video

Basement Remodeling Bath Ohio | 330-576-3895
If you are looking for Basement Remodeling in Bath, Ohio you have found the right company. Holland Remodeling Building, LLC is a full service construction ...

By: Remodeling Building

Continued here:
Basement Remodeling Bath Ohio | 330-576-3895 - Video

There are some pretty nice perks connected to writing a newspaper column.

Among them: People give me stuff.

Mainly, I get books from publishers hoping for free publicity: interior design, house construction, fix-it guides and gardening books galore. Some are so specific -- one small manual was on planting perennial bulbs (not choosing bulbs, mind you, just planting them) -- that I can't imagine anyone reviewing them for a general readership.

I have received so many books over the years that they have to be awfully special for me to keep them. There's only so much room in the house, and I have yet to receive a bookcase in the mail. Apparently, furniture companies don't need publicity.

The rejects I pass along, usually to freshly-minted homeowners who I figure could put to use guides for plumbing repairs or basement remodeling.

And it's not just books.

Over the years, I've opened boxes filled with cleaning wipes, plastic cooking bags, live plants, a miniature washboard (??), toilet seats (one with a self-closing mechanism), a lawn sprinkler disguised as an ugly tropical bird and the sorts of tool kits that people who don't need tools keep in their kitchen junk drawers or on closet shelves.

I pass those along, too.

But my favorite perk is a road trip.

Every couple of years I get an invitation to visit the workshop of someone who's as toolish as I am.

Read more:
Houseworks: Pack up your tools, we're going on a field trip

There are some pretty nice perks connected to writing a newspaper column.

Among them: People give me stuff.

Mainly, I get books from publishers hoping for free publicity: interior design, house construction, fix-it guides and gardening books galore. Some are so specific one small manual was on planting perennial bulbs (not choosing bulbs, mind you, just planting them) that I cant imagine anyone reviewing them for a general readership.

I have received so many books over the years that they have to be awfully special for me to keep them. Theres only so much room in the house, and I have yet to receive a bookcase in the mail. Apparently, furniture companies dont need publicity.

The rejects I pass along, usually to freshly minted homeowners who I figure could put to use guides for plumbing repairs or basement remodeling.

And its not just books.

Over the years, Ive opened boxes filled with cleaning wipes, plastic cooking bags, live plants, a miniature washboard, toilet seats (one with a self-closing mechanism), a lawn sprinkler disguised as an ugly tropical bird and the sorts of tool kits that people who dont need tools keep in their kitchen junk drawers or on closet shelves.

I pass those along, too.

But my favorite perk is a road trip.

Every couple of years, I get an invitation to visit the workshop of someone whos as toolish as I am.

Excerpt from:
HouseWorks goes on a field trip

Provided by Networx.com

Winter is a difficult season for birds who stick around in northern climes. They need extra stamina to keep themselves warm, just at the time of year when their usual foods are in short supply. Feeding the birds in winter is a kindness not only to our feathered friends, but also to yourself. The sight of a hungry flock helping themselves at your outdoor bird feeder is a special snowy weather pleasure. Just be sure that you place feeders in a spot which is sheltered from the worst of the wind, and that you make healthy food choices. Here are some inspiring winter bird-feeding ideas from Hometalk members.

1. Make Suet to Enrich the Birds' Diet (Winter Only)

Birds need extra fat and protein in the wintertime. Fatty treats like oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet are a tasty way to provide these nutrients. (Change the menu in favor of lighter fare when the spring thaw comes along.) Better Hens and Gardens invented her own homemade suet recipe for feeding birds in winter. We think of it as avian energy bars.

2. Craft a Seed Wreath from Repurposed Garden Trimmings

If you love animals, chances are you're also fond of gardening and repurposing. Combine these three passions by recycling fall seed heads from your flower bed to make a nutritious bird-feeding wreath. PS: Flower seeds are some of birds' favorite native foods. Home-ology twines her leftover seed heads into grape vine wreaths, for a bird food source that is both pretty and practical.

3. Hang up a Covered Bird Feeder

Use a bird feeder equipped with a roof, to shelter your guests from all but the harshest weather that Mother Nature has in store. Fill it up regularly and remember to remove any seeds that get moldy from wintry damp. These bird feeding tips are offered by New House New Home, who lives in Canada and knows a thing or two about frosty winter climate.

4. Teach Your Children

Try a do-it-yourself bird-feeding project designed to teach your children that being kind to animals is an important value, and a lot of fun, besides. Dagmar's House showed youngsters how to make these easy DIY seed caddies as a 4H Club project ... out of pinecones!

Continued here:
Feeding birds in winter

basement Remodeling and Home improvement
When it comes to Home Improvement and remodeling / home repair, no job is too big or small for our licensed and insured GC contractor. From home additions to...

By: General Construction

View original post here:
basement Remodeling and Home improvement - Video

Basement Remodeling Wall and floor done by General Contractor

By: General Construction

See the article here:
Basement Remodeling Wall and floor done by General Contractor - Video

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

"Whistler's most iconic property," as the realtor describes it, boasts a 480-year-old Red Cedar tree, as well as an indoor pool, an outdoor spa, a wine cellar and a media room. Four bedrooms and seven baths in this 5,005-square-foot house.

The realtor describes this as a "Colorado style mountain home," and that immediately makes us think of the haunted hotel in The Shining... "Here's Johnny!" Okay, that might not be the best sales pitch for this pretty impressive property that features not one but two cinemas, an indoor pool and sauna, two spas and a garage for six cars. Whew.

The realtor describes this as a "Colorado style mountain home," and that immediately makes us think of the haunted hotel in The Shining... "Here's Johnny!" Okay, that might not be the best sales pitch for this pretty impressive property that features not one but two cinemas, an indoor pool and sauna, two spas and a garage for six cars. Whew.

See the article here:
BuzzBuzzHome: Canadian Spending On Home Renovations Outpaces Spending On New Builds