CasaSugar

Would You Take a Farm Vacation?

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:12 -0700

If you're looking to get away from it all, Feather Down Farm Days offers family getaways on beautiful US working farms, and its sister sites offer the same opportunities in Europe. So far, there are only three farms on the US list, including two in New York and one in Illinois, but I have a feeling that number will rise in the near future. I love the idea of getting away from civilization and spending a few days in the great outdoors, living in one of these cool tents, gardening, and gathering eggs. What about you?

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Casa Verde: Keep Your Energy Bills Low When on Holiday

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

If you're planning on vacationing this August, you know that you don't need to use as much energy at home while you're away as you would normally. But, I thought I'd give you a few reminders about how to cut back your energy use while you're off hitting the beach.

Most people like to leave some lights on to be safe, so you appear to be home even when you're not. If you live in a city or neighborhood where that's necessary, just put a couple of your lights (facing the street) on timers to go on at night so your house doesn't appear vacant, but isn't hogging energy all day long.
Aside from your refrigerator and freezer, you can turn off and unplug all of your major and smaller appliances. But, if you'll be gone for an extended period, consider emptying your fridge and freezer all together and unplugging them as well.

There's more where these came from, so read more.

You won't be needing hot water, so you can turn your electric water heater off, too, or if you have a gas water heater, turn it to the pilot setting.
If you live in a moderate climate, you can turn your air conditioner off as well, but otherwise, set it at 85 degrees.
If you're lucky enough to have a pool, turn off your pool heater as well — Wow, they're pricey! — and reduce the amount of times that your pump filter operates. But, then again, if you can take a dip in your backyard, why take a vacation?

Home Away From Home: A Wigwam Holiday

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:00:38 -0700

Want a cheap vacation? Well, if you're a Brit, you can take your family on a wigwam holiday. Apparently, in-country vacations are increasingly popular on that side of the pond, due to the economic recession. Wigwam vacations, such as the Strathfillan Wigwams in Tyndrum, Scotland, shown here, are a great low-key, low-expense destination for frugal vacationers.

On this side of the Atlantic I know that many of my friends and family are economizing their holidays by vacationing in-state or staying with family or friends. And yes, many of them are camping, though I can't say that any of the campsite photos I've perused from their vacations are anywhere as adorable as the Strathfillian Wigwams.

To find out more about this holiday destination, and to tell me about your low-cost vacation plans, read more.

The wigwams are constructed from Sitka spruce or Norway spruce logs, which are homegrown in Scottish forests. Small logs or poles are bent into a curved shape to form its unique (and may I add adorable) whalebone" frame.

You can choose a wigwam holiday from one of 30 seaside, farmland, and woodland sites in beautiful settings across Scotland, northern England, and the Welsh Border Counties. All of the 30 wigwam holiday sites are rural, with many based at farms or camping parks. You won't be roughing it too much, since most sites include a central shower and bathroom facility as well as a cookhouse. The wigwams are fully insulated, and available for use year-round, and feature wooden floors and painted walls.

Are you tempted to embark on a wigwam holiday? Or have you been on one (or something similar) in the past? Tell me all about your experience!

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Have You Been to a Beach House This Summer?

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:00:17 -0700

Few things are as relaxing as a lazy weekend by the beach. Have you had the pleasure this Summer?

How-To: Save Money on a Vacation House This Summer

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:00:20 -0700

While most of us have been tightening our belts when it comes to Summer vacations, there are still ways to fit in a getaway before Labor Day arrives. Even if it's just an overnight trip, you'll still reap the benefits of getting away from it all, falling asleep to the sound of crickets or waves, and lounging on the beach for a day. Think it's out of reach? See my tips for saving money on a vacation house when you read more.

Get a little help from your friends. If you've got a crew of friends or family who you wouldn't mind spending a weekend with, turn your romantic getaway for two into an all-out friends frenzy. Look for a large house through Vacation Rentals by Owner and then split the cost with your friends. The final price tag can be surprisingly small when it's split among several parties.
Try Home Exchange. Do you own your home? Then register it with Home Exchange. Essentially, the service allows you to trade your home with that of another party. For instance, if you lived in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, you could trade your hip home with that of someone living beachside in Capitola. No money required! It's simply a home switch-a-roo.
Be flexible. Do you have a flexible work schedule, or do you work on weekends? You're much more likely to get a cheaper rate on a cottage or bed and breakfast if you travel mid-week. Make sure to ask about mid-week specials when calling to inquire about a particular vacation cottage.
Try roughing it. If all else fails, why not try camping? Many of our country's state and national campgrounds are located on gorgeous beaches or lakes - perfect spots for beating the heat on a hot July day. If you can't stand the thought of a tent, you could borrow a friend's pop-up camper or charming vintage trailer, and park it at an RV-approved camping site.

Anyone else have other ideas for cheap vacation homes? Share them in the comments!

Have You Ever Tried a Farm Stay?

CasaSugar — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:30:00 -0800

On a recent trip to Hawaii, I stayed at North Country Farm, which provides vacation guest cottages for travelers. Not only was the stay incredibly relaxing, but I also benefited from the farmer's knowledge of great sights, restaurants, and beaches to check out. I was also able to pick vegetables, fruit, and herbs to cook with while staying there. Quite a perk!

How-To: Prepare Your House For Vacation

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:44 -0800

After you've done your shopping and packing, if you're leaving town for the holidays, there are a few things you should check off your list to keep your digs in tip-top shape. If you'll be gone for a couple weeks or more, I suggest following all of my steps. If it's a short trip, you may choose to omit some.

To start, you'll want to purge your refrigerator and pantry of any perishables. You'll likely have household staples (sugar, flour, etc.) that you won't want to toss; store those in tightly sealed containers, like Le Parfait Storage Jars.
If you're going to be gone for a few weeks, once you've emptied your refrigerator/freezer, unplug it and open the doors to defrost. Leave a box of Fridge-N-Freezer to absorb any odors that may be lingering.
Round up all of your trash bags and take them out to your garbage bin. Make sure you bring your garbage bin to the curb so the garbage crew can access your trash.
Scan your yard, patio, or deck for any outdoor items and furnishings you might have left there and bring them indoors.

To read the rest of my vacation preparation list, read more.

Water your plants, or hire someone to come by and water them while you're gone. And don't forget to feed your pets and hire a caretaker for them if they're not coming with!
Ask a trustworthy neighbor or friend to check on your house while you're gone.
Suspend your mail service, or ask a trustworthy friend or neighbor to pick up your mail daily.
Turn the thermostat down to about 55 degrees.
Turn off the water.
Put a few lights in the front of the house on timers so that they go on at night, and turn the rest off.
Close your windows, blinds, and curtains to prevent sun damage and to keep your house private.
Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and wipe down your counters.
Wash and dry your bed sheets. Fold them, and put them in your linen closet. Make your bed when you return from vacation to prevent your linens from getting dusty while you're gone.
Make sure to do any other laundry.
Shovel snow and ice off of any walkways at your home, if there is any.
If you're leaving a car at home, remove valuables and bring them indoors. Lock your car doors, and leave it in the garage, if you have one.
Obviously, lock all of your doors (including the garage). But, leave your interior doors open to keep closets and small rooms from getting stuffy.
Do a run down to make sure you haven't forgotten anything (passport!) and take a walk through your house.
Set your alarm system. Bon voyage!

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Midday Muse: A Foolproof Summer Decorating Ritual

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I recently came across a quote from designer Jeffrey Bilhuber in House Beautiful that made me want to throw all of my Summer style and endless Summer tips to the wind. When asked if he lived by any Summer decorating rituals, he said:

No. I've rented a cottage on Nantucket and can't wait to get there. 'Have peppermill, will travel,' that's my Summer motto. Really, that's all I need. So here's my advice: Rent someone else's house. Just get away from it all.

I love it. I mean . . . Summer should be carefree and full of ease. Maybe we shouldn't be worrying about introducing bright colors and lightweight textiles into our homes, and just escape it all instead. That's easier said than done though, right?
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Home Away From Home: A Sand Hotel in Weymouth

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:30:52 -0700

The world's first sand hotel was recently constructed on Weymouth Beach in Weymouth, England. This gritty hotel features twin and double bedrooms, but don't count on reservations - rooms are strictly booked on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book a stay for a mere 10 pounds a night, and cash is the only accepted method of payment. The hotel was built with about 1,000 tons of sand over a period of eight days, with volunteers putting in 14-hour days to get the job done.

Would you stay in this open-air "hotel" if you were in Weymouth?
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Do You Have a Full House This Month?

CasaSugar — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:30:06 -0700

Between vacations, business trips, and wedding season, July is a busy time for many people. As much fun as it is to hop from the beach to the mountains to the weekend house and back, it can be tiring. So tell me, do you have a full house this month? Is your house crammed with guests or empty because everyone is traveling? Source