Search Results for: blog make your home more welcoming this season

What Feelings Does Your Home Bring?

What feelings do people experience when they walk into your home? Does it feel cold and stiff, as if they have walked into a museum and they can’t touch a thing? Or does it feel warm and welcoming? I don’t think we give much thought to the feelings evoked in others when they step through the door of our home. But it’s something you might want to consider, especially with the holidays just around the corner. Colors can speak a lot about you. Bold, vibrant colors or patterns may be your thing but keep in mind that for others, it … Continue reading →

Welcoming Houseguests

Summertime is the season of houseguests. I think everyone has at least one every year. My mom will be coming to visit for my sisters wedding so I’m getting ready for her company. In addition to cleaning the house I need to get the room she will sleep in ready. There are some basic things you can do to make your houseguests stay a little nicer. Bathroom Lots of clean towels, easily accessible Extra rolls of toilet paper in a convenient place Toiletries- usually when staying at someone else’s home you don’t bring shampoo and toothpaste so make sure they … Continue reading →

Planning for a New Arrival

One of the challenges of being a home – based professional parent is deciding what to do when you become a parent, either for the first time or when you expand your family. Having a newborn in the house is an adjustment and while you may not be able to completely stop working for a period of time when you have a new baby, it is important to plan how much of what kinds of work you will and won’t be doing during those first few months. It is also important to think about whether you will look for help, … Continue reading →

Top Summer Health Risks

While those of us with kids all breath a sigh of relief when we get past the winter and cold and flu season, it is important to know that summer comes with its own set of health risks. Here is what you need to know to stay healthy this summer. West Nile Virus West Nile Virus causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, joint pain and headaches. It is contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and if you get it, you’ll come down with symptoms within two to fifteen days. Not everyone who is exposed will get sick. If you … Continue reading →

How to Prevent a Home Invasion

The words “home invasion” are very scary. The thought of someONE forcing their way into your house while you are home to commit robbery or violent crimes can put you into a panic. Not only does a home invasion violate our personal private space, but it could be potentially dangerous to ourselves and our families. Unfortunately, home invasion crimes seem to be on the rise. There are no accurate statistics, since a home invasion will usually be reported as a robbery or residentially burglary. But there are more instances of this crime being reported in the media. So how can … Continue reading →

Should You Buy the Extended Warranty?

Recently when we had to replace a major appliance that went kaput, we shopped around and got the best deal for our needs. As soon as we made a decision, the sales clerk asked the question that we knew he would. Did we want the extended warranty? Whether it is a major appliance or a bit of electronics that you are buying, chances are pretty good that you will be asked whether or not you should purchase an extended warranty. There is a good reason you are offered one. Most of the time, that is where sales people and stores … Continue reading →

What Type of Firewood Can I Burn?

There is nothing cozier at this time of year than sitting before a warm fire. Beside the atmosphere, wood can provide heat as well that keeps you a little less reliant on other fuel during the winter. A wood fire can provide main heat, backup heat or zone heating in your home. But as anyone who has ever been a novice to using wood as a heat source knows, not all wood is great for burning. Why is all wood not equal? You may know that wood needs to season or dry out before it can be burned. The dryer … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Family Fun Indoors and Out

For some people Thanksgiving is one of the few chances they get to visit with out-of-town relatives. If you are reuniting with your favorite cousin, a nomadic uncle or just welcoming home your college-coed son this Thanksgiving, consider doing more than just sitting around the house gorging on goodies. The long holiday weekend is the official kick-off to a number of seasonal activities, including ice-skating. Several outdoor rinks open to the public on Thanksgiving. In San Diego, where November temperatures often top 60 degrees, the outdoor Ice Arena is already open for business. If you prefer snow to ice, then … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: May 12 – 18

Welcome to the wonderful world of home and garden and our weekly review: Do you love Laundry? I know, the question sounds a little weird. But, there are days when I actually love doing laundry. When circumstances are overwhelming, there is something comforting about regular chores. Completing them can offer a sense of normalcy, constancy, stability, instead of what sometimes feels like drudgery. Doing the everyday tasks that make a house a home and help make a family feel cared for can be a good form of therapy… More Reasons to Move Are you contemplating making a move to a … Continue reading →

Personalizing Your Outdoor Living Space

Do you have an outdoor porch or patio space that you love to enjoy in the spring, summer and fall? What does it look like? This outdoor space often functions as another room of your home, but is it rather plain and generic? Why not personalize it with your own sense of style and make it a welcoming and comfortable space? Here are some ideas. One of the great assets of our current home, is the large screened porch in the back. On that porch, we can enjoy fragrant spring breezes, cool off in the summer and enjoy fall’s bounty … Continue reading →