Still stuck battling the record low temperatures? Consider this…
The U.S has been hitting record low temperatures this season! It’s definitely been a cold winter! While these cold days are awful, they are also expensive!
Here is a tip to keep your house warm for a lot cheaper using homemade paper logs!
What you’ll need:
2 gallon buckets Drill Shredded spa recyclable paper/grass clippings/ twigs Piece of wood, circumference equalling the bucketWatch the video to find out how to make the paper logs
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Merry Christmas
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The Night Before Christmas
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Happy Thanksgiving To You & Your Family!!
From the Wholesome Homes family, we want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving With Flowers, Pumpkins, and Love.
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Haunted Real Estate
Are you a fan of haunted houses, ghost tours, or towns around the USA with paranormal activity? Wholesome Homes has put together a list of seven Haunted Real Estates in areas of Wholesome Homes offices: Michigan; Austin, TX; or Memphis, TN.
1. Haunted Real Estate:
Blackwell House
Memphis, TN
The Blackwell House is a Victorian home located on Sycamore View Road in Bartlett. Legend has it that the wife of the original owner, Nicholas Blackwell, died just two nights after moving into the house. According to the story, subsequent residents have not been able to stay in the home for any length of time because the home is now haunted by the ghosts of both Blackwells — two spirits who are frequently roaming through the house, wearing their Sunday best.
Source of information and write-up: http://memphis.about.com/od/halloween/p/ghosts.html
2. Haunted Real Estate Dining:
The Spaghetti Warehouse
117 W. 4th St. Austin, TX
When you’re ready for a good, filling meal, Austin’s Spaghetti Warehouse is the place to eat… and encounter ghosts.
Ask your waiter about the latest ghost sightings at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Most of the staff seem to have first-person stories to share.
In addition to quirky poltergeist activity, ask about the ghost who appears as a man — or just legs —around the restaurant’s vault.
After dinner, stroll up the street to the upscale gay men’s bar, Oilcan Harry’s. There, look for one of Austin’s most colorful ghosts, the late madam Blanche Dumont. She’ll be among the dancers.
Source of information: http://www.austinghosttours.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:the-spaghetti-warehouse-houston-texas&catid=10:texas&Itemid=17
3. Haunted Real Estate
Henderson Castle
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Over a century old and supposedly host to a legion of ghosts, Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle is now a bed and breakfast that caters to the living… and the dead. The ghosts of the home’s original owners Frank and Mary Henderson, as well as those of a Spanish-American War veteran, a little girl, and a dog interact regularly with paranormal teams and guests alike. The apparently amiable spirits have favorite forms of communication, speaking through unplugged radios, tapping unsuspecting visitors on the shoulder, and sometimes appearing in full form, wearing period clothing.
More info at: http://www.hendersoncastle.com/
4. Haunted Real Estate
Woodruff- Fontaine House
Memphis, TN
There is one room in this historic home that is purported to be haunted. Molly Woodruff Henning is said to inhabit The Rose Room, though she occasionally wanders throughout the rest of the house. A seemingly friendly spirit, Molly reportedly once instructed museum staff on the correct placement of the furniture in her former bedroom.
More info at: http://www.johnnorrisbrown.com/paranormal-tn/woodruff-fontaine/index.htm
5. Haunted Real Estate
Hunt-Phelan House
Memphis, TN
Marking the Lauderdale Street end of the infamous section of Beale Street where Blues music first developed, the Hunt-Phelan House has just as infamous a history. Built in 1832 by George Wyatt, during the Civil War the house was used a headquarters for Confederate General Leonidas Polk while planning the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi and a few months later after the fall of Memphis, the house was headquarters for Union General Ulysses S. Grant while he planned the Vicksburg Campaign. The house then served as a Freedmen’s Bureau and was finally returned to the family by President Andrew Johnson in 1865. More recently, the house has been opened as The Inn at Hunt-Phelan featuring four-star accommodations and restaurants.
As with a house this old and historically important, it does have some legends. Among them is the legend of servant, Nathan Wilson. In 1873, during the height of a yellow fever epidemic, the Hunt family fled Memphis and entrusted a chest of gold to their faithful servant. He was later found dead in his room but the mud on his boots indicating he may have buried the gold before he died. Stories have emerged that his spirit is still seen and will guide people to his treasure.
More info at: http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/tn/hunt_phelan_house.htm
6. Haunted Real Estate
Felt Mansion
Saugatuck, Michigan
Felt Mansion, located on the Mitten’s west coast between Holland and Saugatuck, has worn several masks since its construction in 1928. The mansion was originally a gift to inventor Dorr Felt’s beloved wife Agnes, who died shortly after the Felt family moved in. After they left the home, it was transformed into a seminary, and then a police and drug enforcement agency office. It is presently being restored to its former glory. Homes with such rich history rarely remain quiet: many believe that the spirit of Agnes Felt wanders the house she was never able to enjoy in life. A shadowy figure waltzes around the ballroom frightening the mansion’s tourists, while heavy doors open and close of their own accord. There are even accounts of Agnes reprimanding guests whom she has deemed to be too offensive or crude in her presence.
More info at: http://www.feltmansion.org/
7. Haunted Real Estates
Mackinac Island
Michigan, USA
Thought to be the most haunted place in the Awesome Mitten, Mackinac Island has tours devoted to its most ghost-ridden locales. From the Grand Hotel (built upon the first military post’s cemetery) to Fort Mackinac (explored by SyFy Channel’s Ghost Hunters) to Mission Point (haunted by the ghost of young man who shot himself after a heartbreak), Mackinac Island is a paranormal investigator’s dream destination. The occasionally bloody history and relative isolation of the island lends to its spooky atmosphere of this time of year.
More info at: http://www.hauntsofmackinac.com/
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How to Clean Your Dishwasher
Why Clean a Dishwasher?
Because the door attracts fingerprints every time you load it with dirty dishes, and the interior (especially the corners and crevices) accumulates residue comprising food particles, grease, and soap scum. Not only do these deposits look bad, they eventually begin to give off an odor because of bacteria that thrives in warm, moist, and dark places. A monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new.
Clean the Door
Open the dishwasher door so you can get at its top and sides. Dip a small toothbrush in hot, soapy water, and scrub around the door. Make sure you dig into the grooves of the rubber seal and any other crevices, including the hinges. This step might require gentle scrubbing with abrasive cleanser. Wipe up the resulting grime with a household sponge dipped in hot soapy water. Wipe away any cleaning solution left behind with a clean, wet sponge.
Clean the Tub
Before you start cleaning the tub, use a handful of paper towels to grab any debris from the base of the dishwasher. You’ll find most of the debris around the drain.
Once the debris is removed, set a dishwasher-safe cup of plain white vinegar on the top rack. (The dishwasher should be otherwise empty.) Run a full cycle, choosing the hottest water possible to disinfect the unit while it’s being cleaned. When the cycle is done, wipe out the inside of the dishwasher with paper towels or a clean, dry cloth.
Clean the Accessories
Your last step is cleaning the accessories. Take out the racks. Wipe off any stuck-on food particles or other debris. Scrub the spray arm with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove clogs.
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Sources:
“How to Clean a Dishwasher.” Better Homes & Gardens. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2014.
How to Keep Cool This Summer
The summer time comes quick after spring and quickly raises your home energy costs to keep it cool. There are multiple ways to keep yourself and the children cool in the summer and some ways help you save money also. Check out these facts to keep cool, have fun and save energy this summer.
Keep popsicles and ice cream stocked in the deep freezer for the children. You could even get creative and make cool cups or snow cones, set some chairs up outside in a nicely shaded area then enjoy.
Put a pool in the backyard if you do not already have one installed. Pick up a pool from the nearest supermarket take it home and follow the instructions on the box. When purchasing a swimming pool be sure to check for all of the equipment you need for easy access, keeping the pool clean and covers that may not already be included. With a large swimming pool you just have to fill her up one time and keep it covered when not in use. Don’t forget floats, a beach ball and some new summer swim wear.
Keep drinks in the freezer to keep hydrated when you step outside. This will keep your drink cold while you’re outside in the heat. Then for the children you can freeze some Capri Suns and cut the top off with scissors, then use a spoon to eat it like a sno cone. I enjoyed doing this as a kid.
Caulk your doors and windows. Running a bead of caulking around interior and exterior doors and windows will create a seal to minimizing air flow, keeping cool air in and hot air out. Buy high quality caulk, and it will be many years before you need to remove and replace it.
Reverse your ceiling fans. If you have an electric ceiling fan, you should run it clockwise in the winter to force the hotter air downward, and then counter-clockwise in the summer to pull hot air up toward the ceiling. Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch that lets you make this change.
Avoid cooking with the stove/oven. Gas and electric stoves throw off a lot of heat when in use. During hot summer months, cook using more a heat-efficient countertop convention oven, toaster oven or microwave. Better yet, fire up the grill and cook outdoors! Bring home some food that you can throw on the pit outside instead of cooking inside. This way you can cook with propane, wood or coal.
You can also check out this DIY video on how to create a homemade air conditioner. Hope this helps.
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Sources:
“10 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool in Summer Without Air Conditioning.” 10 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool in Summer Without Air Conditioning. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 June 2014.
How to Improve Family Time at Home
Are you having trouble getting your family at home on the same page that you’re on? Sometimes it could just be a lack of communication going on inside the house or maybe the family has interfering schedules. it’s very important that everyone in the house is in sync with one another. If you haven’t incorporated different ways to acknowledge the issues at hand, here are a few tips.
1) A Family Meeting
Family meetings are one of the best sources of communication for the family. This time allows everyone to say what they have on their mind. The important thing about communicating during family time is to not to allow anyone to talk over one another, everyone must hear each other out before making any comments or questions. It is also important to always tell the truth, but be careful of what you say and how you say it.
2) A Family Calendar
To know about the things or events that are going on underneath one roof it is a great idea to post a calendar somewhere visible on the refrigerator or on the wall. This way no one will be unaware of anything and there will be no one to blame for being misinformed. For example, if Jimmy is coming home late Friday night or Sarah’s staying at a sleepover for the weekend, as long as it’s marked down on the calendar the parents will not have to be concerned of their whereabouts. The important thing about the calendar is making sure that you still mention in person what you put on the calendar; because someone may forget to check it.
3)Family Movie/Game Night
Have a movie night with the family to spend some quality time together. Pull out an old board game, like monopoly! Nowadays, family time isn’t how it used to be. Most teenagers or young children are cooped up in their rooms on phones, tablets, video games, etc. Make them bring the video game in the family room; ask them to teach you how to play. Just interact with one another, without the phones and other electronics involved.
Please watch the video below for additional information
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Source:
“How to Improve Family Relationships in 2014 by Parenting Expert and Contributor Dr. G.” YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 01 June 2014.
Patriotic Decorations for the Home
As the Fourth of July approaches, you may want to create a patriotic atmosphere in your home. From centerpieces to homemade flags, there are a variety of decorations you can add to your house.
Table Décor
If you are inviting guests over to celebrate the holiday, you want to ensure that your dinner table leaves a great impression on your visitors. To start, you can choose red, white, and blue plates and utensils. Using these colors for your tablecloths can also be very useful.
Centerpieces
For your dining or living room tables, you can think about adding a centerpiece to bring out a patriotic feel. These centerpieces can range from bouquets to star and ribbon embellishments.
Wall Décor
Aside from table décor and centerpieces, wall décor is an unique way to prepare your house for the holiday. To do so, you can string Fourth of July garlands and banners around your home.
Room Décor
There are several ways you can prepare your rooms for the Fourth of July. Whereas red, white, and blue pillows and throws are good ideas, you can also consider patriotic picture frames and rugs.
Wreaths
Living in an apartment or house, your doors may seem bare. However, wreaths are a wonderful solution and can add to the patriotic feel. Attaching die-cut stars or using the American flag colors, you can design a wreath that will remind you of the holiday.
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Sources:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Fourth-of-July/24-4th-of-July-Decorating-Ideas http://lilluna.com/fourth-of-july-decor-ideas/
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