Decorating for the holidays should be a fun, pleasant experience. So, you don’t have to start tearing down the Thanksgiving decorations the moment the last piece of turkey is eaten at dinner. Instead, start to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas in a gradual way. When you transition your holiday décor, take your time and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Here are few simple things that you can do to transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas décor. Give Your Candles a New Look Candles are a familiar part of a home’s décor during both Thanksgiving and Christmas time. If you have brown, tan or…
Browsing: Seasonal
A changing of the seasons may mean adjustments to your routine and updates to your home decor, but it also brings maintenance and upgrade opportunities for homeowners. As temperatures shift and seasonal weather rolls in, weatherizing can help you conserve energy, save money and improve comfort all while protecting the exterior (and interior) of your home from the elements. (Family Features) This checklist from the door experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors and door systems, can help you keep the outdoors out. Have Heating and Cooling Systems Inspected Turn to the professionals to have your…
November 25th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday. American Express helps promote small business shopping around the country, making it a nationwide movement. Businesses around the country sign up to be part of the Shop Small Movement. Supports the Local Community Small Business Saturday encourages people to support local businesses in the community. This helps to drive sales at mom-and-pop stores that might normally struggle to compete with big chain department stores. Did you know that if you shop locally, the tax revenue benefits the entire community? This helps circulate the money spent back into the community, benefitting…
Hosting a major holiday event is no small effort. It requires close attention to detail from planning, cooking and cleaning to entertaining guests on the big day. Fortunately, just like any good recipe, approaching your hosting duties one step at a time can allow you to create a magnificent final product. This Thanksgiving, the experts at Finish are helping hosts everywhere get organized, from the initial planning all the way through clean up, with the Ultimate Thanksgiving Timer. Created in partnership with Gaby Dalkin of “What’s Gaby Cooking,” it’s a personalized hosting timeline designed to help hosts stay on track…
The cooler winds of autumn are on their way. Now’s the time to get your yard ready for the colder weather ahead. Here’s a yard cleanup checklist for getting and keeping you yard ready for fall. Clean Out Plant Beds Pests love to hide in weeds and leaves caught up in flower beds. Start pulling weeds and raking leaves out of the bed. It will make the beds look better and make pests go find somewhere else to hide. Clear and Till the Vegetable Garden If you have a vegetable garden, fall is the time to get it ready for…
If you have ever experienced the frustration of removing your outdoor furniture from storage and finding it rusting or covered in mold and mildew, you know how disappointing this can be. Fortunately, you can make sure that this does not happen next season by following a few simple steps to protect your furniture through the winter months. 1. Give it a Good Cleaning This first step is, perhaps, one of the most important steps in getting your outdoor furniture ready for winter storage. Storing furniture with dirt, debris, or food stuck in the crevices can lead to the development of…
Summer is the time to get outside and remember the importance of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed as a family. Encouraging children at an early age to participate in outdoor exploration can help foster lifelong skills. For example, research published in the “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” found associations between nature exposure and improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health, physical activity and sleep. What’s more, kids who play and take part in outdoor adventures learn skills like problem solving, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians. However, for many families with little ones,…
Long Island boasts a variety of local farms offering fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as Pick-Your-Own fields. These farms are perfect for family outings and provide an excellent way to enjoy fresh produce straight from the source. Remember to wear comfortable footwear, hats, and sunscreen for a safe and enjoyable experience. Pick-Your-Own hours may differ from regular farm hours, so it’s advisable to check the farm’s website or call ahead for detailed information. Windy Acres Farm Address: 3810 Middle Country Rd., Calverton, NY Contact: (631) 727-4554 Seasonal Offerings: Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Peaches, Apples, Pumpkins Hours: Daily 9am-5pm Website:windyacresfarmstand.com…
10 Tips to Make Your Air Conditioner More Energy Efficient and Sustainable Updating your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to cool your home in a smart and sustainable way involves several steps that not only improve energy efficiency but also reduce environmental impact. Consider these tips from the heating and cooling experts at Carrier to help make your cooling system more eco-friendly: 1. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient HVAC System. If your HVAC system is outdated, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. Look for systems with an Energy Star or high SEER2 (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating,…
During the spring, your primary landscaping goal is to make your lawn healthy for summer. When summer rolls around, it’s time to keep your lawn looking good, despite the higher temperatures and less rainfall. With the right strategies, you can keep your lawn green and beautiful during the hot summer months for your family get-togethers, parties, and barbecues. Below, we’ll look at some of our favorite tips for summer lawn care to help you keep your grass looking great throughout the season. Water Deeply, Not More Frequently When the temperatures rise, it can be tempting to over-water your lawn. We…

