It seems that no matter your occupation, the livin’ really is easier in the summer. Longer days and a less-hectic pace are something to be taken advantage of and enjoyed. Besides the humidity and gnats, the only downside to summer is that when you are out of your routine, things can quickly get out of [...]
When the daffodils peek out, it’s time to turn grey winter thoughts toward spring. On that first warm day, don’t waste daylight hours scrambling for the bike helmets, only to discover the tires went flat over the winter. Where is that bike pump, anyway? Oh no! It’s probably in…(queue scary music)…The Garage…or…The Basement. Organizing these [...]
“It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it,” writes Eileen Elias Freeman in “The Angels’ Little Instruction Book.” But even the best-intentioned heart can let the moment pass before finding time to go shopping, or worse, rushing out to buy something (anything!) and ending up [...]
Concrete is the workhorse of our exterior spaces—durable, solid, and reliable for patios, driveways, walkways and more. But its plain appearance can detract from the overall beauty of our homes. If you’ve always wanted to complement your house with a brick driveway or cobblestone walkway, but were afraid these home improvements could be cost-prohibitive, you [...]
More than just a box beneath a window for planting flowers, window boxes actually encompass all garden containers that are horizontal. Incorporating this shape in an area where round pots reign can really make a statement. Deciding where and how you plan to use these containers will help you determine which type to select. Window [...]
Setting up a yard or garage sale is hard work, but if it’s done right it can pay off twofold: you can have a clutter-free house and make some fast cash. Susan Barringer of Lynchburg knows how to do it right. That’s because she’s been going to yard sales every weekend since she was a child. [...]
The season is upon us again and the familiar shakes, fever and sweaty palms are back. Yes. It’s tax time. But this year doesn’t need to seem so bleak. While many companies are still sitting in the red, you can go for the black by going green. But you’ve a short time to get it [...]
If you’re like me, the mere thought of cultivating indoor plants creates the image of brown leaves and drooping blooms. Whether your challenge is that you have little time for maintenance or simply a less-than-green thumb, maintaining indoor plants can seem a daunting task. However with just a little knowledge and effort, anyone can turn [...]
At this time of year, most of us are ready to be outside and enjoy the spaces we’ve worked so hard to clean, plant, groom and furnish. While we have many spots of beauty in our yards, there are a few unsightly components—think utility meters, cables, air conditioning units, trash cans and the like—that many [...]
This spring, before you jump into your usual mulch routine, consider how a new approach might enhance your yard. For gardens small to large, mulch adds a finishing touch, and protects your plants to boot. So, with delightfully warmer, sunny days ahead, consider the many mulching options available to improve any landscape. Mulch comes in a variety of [...]
