CasaSugar

How-To: Keep a Neat and Clean Winter Entry

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:15:48 -0800

Just because your Winter routine involves boots, mittens, and lots of ice and snow doesn't mean that the front room of your home has to look cluttered and dirty. Check out my tips for keeping it clean and tidy.
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Have You Ever Chopped Firewood?

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

When I was growing up, we used a woodstove for supplemental heat. It provided a cozy spot to gather after dinner, and certainly warmed up the main rooms of the house. However, all of that wood heating meant that I had to chop and stack a lot of logs, too.

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Guess What This Does?

CasaSugar — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:30:00 -0800

This tool is a snow rake, and has a very long handle. Can you guess which part of your home it rakes snow from?

How-To: Fix a Leaky Door

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:19 -0800

Do you have an exterior door that's less than efficient? Short of replacing it, there are some tricks for fixing, at least temporarily, a leaky door.

Curious about how you can get through the Winter with a slightly lower heating bill? Then check out my tips when you read more.

A draft blocker, placed at the bottom of your door, will help to cut drafts. Whenever you're home, place the draft blocker on the inside bottom of the door.
Use foam tape, where the door meets the frame, to line the door and make the seal tighter if there are significant leaks.
If your door has glass windows, you can use heavy-duty plastic to insulate the glass.
How's the bottom door sweep? Give it a close inspection, and if needed, replace the door sweep.

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Garden Therapy: Winter Tips

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:15:49 -0800

Since snow and ice don't make for a successful garden, most of us have to resort to satisfying our green thumb through nurturing indoor plants and kitchen window herb gardens in the Winter. To make the most of your Winter plants, try these indoor gardening tips.

Indoor plants will turn to follow the light, so you should rotate an indoor plant to encourage proper growth. Otherwise, your plant will likely lean to one side.
Concerned that your plant isn't getting enough light this Winter? If your plant has small leaves, thinner stems than usual, and its color is lighter than it has been in the Summer months, it is likely light-deficient. Try moving it closer to a window.
Another option is to supplement natural sunlight with artificial lighting, such as with a table lamp.

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Open House: Frustrated Flowers

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:00:44 -0800

In the UK, these beautiful pink blossoms adorn the Houses of Parliament, but don't expect these delicate blooms to last very long. England is facing the coldest Winter in 13 years, which means that many flowers that have started to bloom will be killed by the cold.

Are there any frustrated or confused flowers near your home? Have blooms come out too soon, only to be destroyed by a snowstorm? Or are plants not blooming or leafing due to a lack of rain? Tell me about it in the comments.

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Who Shovels at Your Home?

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:15:53 -0800

If you live in a snowy climate, chances are that you'll spend a good amount of time each week shoveling your front walk, which is actually a good form of exercise. Most cities also require that residents keep the sidewalks in front of their property free of snow and ice. Do you shovel at your home?

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Do You Use Decks or Porches in the Winter?

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:15:19 -0800

Just because it's not 70 degrees and sunny doesn't mean that there isn't a use for your deck this Winter. They can be a great solution for party overflow at a ski chalet, and provide a good place to take a moment to reflect and sip hot coffee on a mild Winter afternoon. Do you use yours in the off-season?

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Casa Quickie: Salt Stains on Carpet

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:00:20 -0800

If you live in a snowy climate, chances are that family and visitors may be tracking salt into your home on the bottoms of their boots. Of course, the first line of defense is to ask everyone to take their shoes off in your entry. But what if your entry rug, or other carpeted space in your home, gets stained with the salt?

Just use a bit of distilled white vinegar and a scrub brush. Scrub gently, making sure to use a moderate (though not overly generous - you don't want a ton of splashing) amount of vinegar. Rub it in and then blot it with a dish towel. This also works well for carpeting in cars! Source

Casa Quickie: Three Helpful Uses For Salt in the Winter

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0800

As many of you know, sprinkling rock salt on your walkways and driveways in the Winter will prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, making it easy to shovel away. Make sure to do so lightly, as salt can cause damage to your grass and other plants. Keep a tightly sealed bucket with a scoop for the salt outdoors near your walkway for easy access when the weather gets bitter. To hear two other helpful uses for salt, read more.

By dipping a sponge in saltwater and rubbing it across the interior of your car or home windows, you can keep your windows free of frost when the weather gets nippy. Just make sure to rub it dry once you've sponged down the windows.

When it's blizzard weather, a bit of salt will also prevent snow and ice from piling up on your windshield. Just fill a small cloth bag (or even a tied dishcloth) with rock salt, dip it in a little water, and wiping it across your windshield. Keep one handy in your glovebox in case bad weather arrives quickly. Then, drive on safely.
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