Many homeowners aspire to make their homes appear as beautiful and welcoming as possible. Exterior renovations may be high on homeowners’ to-do lists, and landscaping is oftentimes a key component of those projects. When planning gardens, homeowners may benefit by considering more than just flowers and shrubs while giving thought to other elements that can
Conserving natural resources is often so simple that people make some adjustments without affecting their daily lives at all. But sometimes it’s not so easy to conserve. Summer is one time of year when conservation efforts tend to require more sacrifice than normal. Even the most devoted conservationist may find it difficult to conserve water
Homeowners interested in installing pools in their backyards need not worry about the potential impact of such decisions on surrounding landscapes. According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, there are 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in the United States. Although the average monthly temperatures in Canada are lower than those
Piercings remain popular style statements. Piercings continue to evolve, as do the locations on the face and body where they can be found. Therefore, how people care for them naturally has changed as well. Body jewelry can be beautiful and make a statement, but piercings require aftercare and a certain level of responsibility. Those preparing
While the sun, pool days and warmer temperatures are often a welcome change come summer, they can be brutal on your hair. It’s important to give your locks some extra love this season. “The sun, sweat and chlorine can fade color fast. Make sure you have the right products to protect your hair,” said Heather
If your next big excursion is on hold until you can make arrangements for your four-legged friend, a solution may be closer than you think. Pet-friendly accommodations can be easier to find than ever, making it possible to simply take your pet along for the ride. According to a survey by travel website Orbitz, almost
A few years ago, I wrote about my strategies for coping with first-time motherhood. I recently had my second child, another girl, and some of those same strategies still come into play. However, I also have a 2-year-old toddler to parent in addition to life with a newborn, so it’s VERY different the second time
Mom always said that you were a wild child. Feral, she said. Uncivilized. The kind of kid for whom a layer of dirt was a second skin, the kid who hated anything resembling soap. As in the new novel, “The Wild Inside” by Jamey Bradbury, you reveled in your animal side. Tracy Sue Petrikoff’s mother
Whether used to energize summer fun or provide electricity in the aftermath of a storm, there are multiple ways portable generators can be a solution for seasonal power needs. Portable generators can provide reliable backup power for outdoor recreational activities, as well as protection for you and your family from sudden power outages during severe
Summer may be a break from formal education, but keeping kids excited about learning can be an easy way to keep them active and engaged instead of zoned out on screen time. The National Summer Learning Association estimates that kids can lose up to two months of learning during the summer but involving kids in
We have a half-dead tree in our yard. Make that FIVE half-dead trees. A pine, an ash, and three fruit-bearing ones, although they haven’t produced much of anything in a very long while. Hence, the time has come to take them down, which by almost anyone’s standards makes perfect sense. It’ll be safer since the
On a bike ride through East End Park a few Sundays ago, there was a softbound book that had most of its pages ripped out. They were blown and scattered about the park grounds like a tree shedding leaves. I thought maybe a youngster, on his last day of school, “celebrated” the occasion by massacring
