MC Home and Garden

Gas Insert Fireplace

We moved into a house with a large wood fireplace. It has a beautiful brick hearth and wood mantel. The first year we lived here we made it a point to build fires often. We soon found out during the winter months that we lost more heat than we gained due to the amount of heat that went up through the chimney. We had considered putting in a gas insert fireplace, but the previous owner had left us firewood so we continued to build fires now and then. Eventually I placed candles in the fireplace and would light them when guests came. There was so much mess with carrying in wood and carrying out ashes that our beautiful fireplace turned into a chore. This season we looked more seriously at a gas insert fireplace. We initially thought that with the price of gas this would not be a good time to convert from wood; however we found that the gas insert fireplace was very efficient. We also found that the price of wood was also rising so when the choice came between buying wood or a gas insert fireplace, we went with the gas.

We looked at several models and were pleased with how real the logs and flames look. We had the company come out and measure the inside of the fireplace and found that gas insert fireplace came in a wide variety of sizes and styles. We found that the efficient heating meant that our furnace was running less often and the room that we spend the most time in was always warm and cheerful. We are now enjoying the fireplace so much more. With the gas insert fireplace we can enjoy a fire with the flip of a switch. No longer do we have to handle all the wood. We found with burning wood we wood handle each log about 6 or 7 times. First you take it out of the woods and put it in the back of the truck. Then you take it off the back of the truck and place it on the wood pile. Then you put it in the wheelbarrow to haul it to the house. Then you have to carry it through the house to the living room and place in the log holder and then finally when it was time to build a fire you carried it to the fireplace. After it burned to ashes you had to scoop out the ashes and carry that back outside. The smell and look of a wood fire is very nice, however it is very labor intensive and messy so you end up not building fires that often. There is also the mold that comes into the house with the wood.

Now with our gas insert fireplace we enjoy the warmth and look of the fire when ever we want to. On chilly days we can simply switch on the gas insert fireplace rather than having the furnace on. We are finding that it is not costing us additional heating cost to run the gas insert fireplace.

Posted by Mark at 9:08 AM | Comments (0)

Frying Pans

Every cook has their favorite equipment. For some it’s their collection of knives, while others can’t live without their blender. For an everyday cook who feeds a hungry family, quite often their favorite item is their frying pan.

Almost everyone is extremely conscious about what they are eating. With an increase in cancer and heart disease rates it’s vitally important to choose foods that are low in saturated fats. Mistakenly many people think that if you cook in a frying pan you have to add oil which in turn will create long term health problems. In fact, some people shy away from using the frying pan completely for this very reason.

That doesn’t have to be the case. It can actually be one of the healthiest ways to cook many things, including fish, beef and chicken. The key to low fat cooking in a frying pan is to use one that has a coating on it. Teflon is applied to the frying pan during the manufacturing process. Not only is it completely safe it also serves as a non-stick surface. This means that you can cook anything without it sticking to the surface of the pan.

Cleaning it is just as simple as using it to cook. Anything that is left in the pan can be wiped away with a damp cloth. The outer surface of the frying pan should be cleaned with a mild detergent. It’s really important not to use any type of abrasive on the cooking surface of the pan as that can lead to damage of the Teflon. Some types of frying pans are dishwasher safe and you should read the label carefully when you first purchase it.

If you are a vegetarian you are probably interested in cooking dishes that contain vegetables and perhaps tofu. These also cook up nicely in a frying pan. Without the extra added fat during the cooking process, your dish will be very healthy and will taste so fresh. That’s one of the complaints about vegetables that are cooked in heavy oil, such as zucchini sticks or French fries. The taste becomes so compromised that it’s difficult to recognize it. If you instead throw some small pieces of potato in your frying pan with a mixture of fresh, seasonal herbs, you have a treat that’s much tastier than a deep fried dish could ever be.

Don’t give up on the idea of cooking without fat. Your food will be tasty if you just add the right seasoning and use a good quality Teflon coated frying pan.

Posted by Mark at 9:08 AM | Comments (0)

Doorbell Sounds and Tones

If you’re looking for a ring ding for your front door, you’ll have plenty of options on different sound effects. No longer do you have to settle for a simple bell tone of ding, but there are great doorbell sounds that include chimes and a lot more. Know the different types, and the whimsical or elegant tones you can purchase, so you’ll be happy to answer your front door.

Most people don’t realize it but the sound of the doorbell’s tone can affect your mood. If you’re unhappy with the boring or screeching sound of yours, you can change it. Some people say their sounds from the front door sound like nails being dragged across a chalkboard. If that’s you, you should know that today’s technology provides you with options. While you’re at it, why not get a little creative, and purchase one with a little musical flare of doorbell sounds.

The various models include those that are wired with door chimes, and just plain ole sounds, like a ding dong. Of course if you really want to go fancy, you can buy one that uses infrared technology, or just go low tech and stick with a wired one. Both types have the options of chimes or bells. Some doorbell sounds run on batteries and are plug in to the wall. Quality sound systems will have a low battery indicator button. Other types of doorbells have to be hardwired into your electrical circuits.

Many can be electronically or manually set for volume control. When setting your doorbell sounds, make sure that all in the house can hear that decibel level. It’s also a great idea if you’re buying for someone else as a gift, to take them along too. People have different hearing levels, and you don’t want to purchase one that won’t work for them. Also, make sure that doorbell sounds can be seen by a light indicating ringing or chiming is on the unit you purchase.

Before you purchase a new unit for your door, check out what types of special sounds that you might like. Doorbell sounds come in more than a ding or chime; you can get some that celebrate just about any occasion. Holiday sounds with the 12 Days of Christmas song is nice. If you’re a sports fan use the song Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Don’t think your choice of sounds end there with your doorbell sounds. You can get the happy birthday song or even Dixie if you want to.

They truly are as unique as you are. No matter what type of sound that you want, you can find it to fit your lifestyle and personality. You want to enjoy answering your door, and most of all the people that will knock on your front door will know a little more about your style, and might just enjoy the doorbell sounds too.

Posted by Mark at 8:54 AM | Comments (0)

Cookies by Design

It is spring time and that seems to mean party time. Along with parties comes gift giving. In the next two months we have several different parties to go to. To begin the month is mother’s day and that means two different celebrations, my mother and my husband’s mother. As they get older it is so difficult to buy for them because they have everything that they need. I was trying to come up with a new idea when one of my friends mentioned that she was going to order a bouquet for her mother from cookies by design. I asked he what that was and she could not belief that I had not heard of them before. Cookies by design have a variety of cookie bouquets and other goodies that they deliver anywhere for a wide variety of occasions.

I looked up cookies by design and found that they had a beautiful spring bouquet with tulips and daisies and other flower shaped cookies that were decorated in beautiful spring colors. I was in a hurry so I quickly ordered two bouquets for mother’s day and let cookies by design take care of the rest. Our mother’s loved their bouquets. During the mother’s day celebration my sister-in-law handed me an invitation to her son’s graduation party, that was going to be held in 3 weeks. I asked her if she needed help with the party. She said that she needed an idea for decorations that would be different than all his friends. I suggested contacting cookies by design. We slipped into the office area and got on the computer. Cookies by design had several bouquets with graduation themes. My nephew has been involved in various sports through his high school years and so we thought that we could use the concept of cookies by design to create different shaped cookies with sport themes.

My niece is going to have her first baby so we are planning a baby shower for her. Again cookies by design to the rescue! They have adorable bouquets perfect for baby showers. I have not even mentioned how great the cookies from cookies by design taste. At first you do not want to eat them because they are so beautiful, but once you have tasted the cookies you are ready to tear the bouquet apart. Cookies by design provides a great alternative to traditional center pieces and all of their gifts are a welcomed addition to any occasion. And the best part is that you can eat them when the party is over.

Posted by Mark at 8:51 AM | Comments (0)

Composite Deck Material

Composite deck material can be a very good deal for people who are looking to build a deck in their back yard, but don’t have a lot of time or money to spend.

Most people agree that a deck is the perfect summertime accoutrement for your home. It can be a gathering place, a place for barbeques, a place to hang out a chat with friends and family. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, money, or space for a deck, using composite deck material can make having a deck a possibility for you.

First of all, composite deck material is cheaper than regular wood that is used to construct a deck. Composite deck material is typically made out of wood chips with other fibers and materials added to make the composite piece solid and durable. Because it is basically made from scraps of other pieces, it is much cheaper than planks of solid wood.

This is not to say that it is any less durable that solid wood planks. Indeed, composite deck material is just as sturdy as wood planks and may be less susceptible to rot and other weather damage.

Another good point concerning composite deck material is that there is usually much less work that goes into making a deck out of this material as opposed to wood planks. For one thing, you can buy this material pre-sized, so you don’t have to worry about cutting or matching corners.

Furthermore, with composite deck material, you don’t have to worry about staining the wood. You can buy composite deck material that is pre-stained and ready to use. All you have to do is assemble and use.

You don’t have to worry about the fumes or the kids or your pets or other animals getting hurt by the stain and weather protective coating. You also don’t have to worry about how you are going to store any leftover stain safely.

Finally, there is the space issue. With composite deck material, you can buy materials to make any size of a deck without a lot of wasted material or money.

When you build a deck with wood planks, you may end up with lots of wasted material, which is even more money out of your pocket. With composite deck material, you can buy only as much as you will need, no matter what the size of your deck is. Furthermore, because everything is pre-sized, you don’t need a lot of space in your yard or garage for cutting and measuring.

Composite deck material is an appealing choice for your new deck, both in appearance and budget. Once it’s built you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.

Posted by Mark at 8:49 AM | Comments (0)

Color Schemes

There is something so deliciously wonderful about color and color schemes—whether for a room in a house, a website page or pages, an outfit or a wardrobe, or involved in a piece of art or craft. There is a divine joy in observing, planning, and working with color schemes as they fit aesthetically, as they send a message, or as they speak to a trend, a tradition, or a theme. Before I get too groovy or gushing, allow me to go into some examples, and hopeful some helpful ideas or suggestions (as just blathering does you little good, right?).

Every spring, I think back on the most innovative of color schemes to come out for clothing: in the seventies, someone started the trend of neon: pink and green for spring tunics and shifts and even skirts and pants. The two solids together created a popping, if not psychedelic, display that if you wore them, you will always be catapulted back to that spring whenever you see those colors together now.

The careful and complex color schemes of a needlepoint pattern are something to be acknowledged, too. Hundreds of shades of threads (or yarns) exist, and the artful designer makes use of the color palette by integrating several shades and hues of each color, so that the needlepointer can create fluid lines, fine detail, sharp angles, shadows, and degrees of (colored) light that make for a photographic reproduction.

Color schemes for interior decorating are just as complex and demanding of careful attention and a bit of study. Everything from where the sun hits to how big the space is and looks (two different phenomena) to placement variables are factored into color schemes and color decisions. There are, because of the auspices of internet communication and facilities, some awesome tools for pre-planning color schemes. You can set color #1, then the generator will figure in the appropriate range, hue, etc. of the complimentary and accent colors. The true color wheel is also available at a number of sites, as is information on the psychology of color and the impacts/effects of certain color combinations.

The above color tools are most helpful in another design area: website design. As with color schemes for interior design office, home, and other projects, color schemes for websites are just as important (or maybe more important…as you sell online but you may not need to sell your living room or your bath). There is much psychology involved in the way users receive the color information, so much so that when designers plan, they take into consideration such demographics as age, ethnicity, educational level, financial status, and other specifics that will help them sell the site—through presentation, layout, font, navigational buttons, and, of course, color schemes.

Posted by Mark at 8:48 AM | Comments (0)

Cleaning Services

My husband and I recently finished a redecorating project in our living room. This mainly involved painting the walls, as well as changing some accessories to give the room a face lift. When we were done I noticed the woodwork looked like it needed treatment. I was out of time and energy to tackle that project so I decided to hire the job done. I talked to my neighbor and she suggested calling some cleaning services to get a quote on getting the job done. She gave me the telephone number of two cleaning services that she had heard good things about from others.

I called the cleaning services and explained that I needed the wood work cleaned and conditioned. Each service stated that they would send out a person that lived close to me that could give me an estimate on the job. The estimate was free of charge and there was no obligation. I made appointments with both cleaning services. When the representative from the first company arrived she listened to what I wanted and looked at the size of the room and the amount of the wood work. She then gave me a quote for the project and the time frame of when she would be able to complete the project. She left her telephone number so that I could call her if I decided to hire her. The representative from the second of the two cleaning services came and looked at what I wanted done. She also looked at the wood mantel of the fireplace and suggested that this be done as well. She stated that for a minimal charge she would also wash the windows inside and out. I was impressed that she took the initiative to point out additional things that needed cleaning to give the room a completed, clean look. The quote she gave me was very reasonable. She also brought along the names of three households that she had done work at so I could call for references. She said I should contact her company if I decided to use her cleaning services.

I called the numbers that she had provided for references and heard glowing reports about the quality of the services this second woman provides. Two of the households report that they have had her come back to their homes for different projects.

I called the second of the two cleaning services and hired the job done. I told them on the phone that I was impressed with how their staff had taken the initiative to point out things that needed to be done in the room as well as providing references. I then contacted the other company and let them know that I would not be using them. I suggested to them that they have their cleaners provide references when they come to bid a job.

We have been very pleased with the cleaning services. We will be using this company again for additional projects and for our fall cleaning. Quality and professionalism are things to keep in minds when you are hiring people to come into your home to clean.

Posted by Mark at 8:45 AM | Comments (0)

Burglar Alarm System

Crime rates are rising in almost every city. For many homeowners this means that they are seriously considering the use of a burglar alarm system for their home. A system that will keep their home secure when they are at work or on vacation and it will also keep them and their family safe during the night.

Many companies now offer an affordable burglar alarm system package for homeowners. The package generally includes the alarm system itself, installation and monitoring. The monitoring is normally set at a monthly cost and in some cases with the purchase of a year or longer plan the alarm system price will be discounted.

When you are in the market for a burglar alarm system you’ll want to do a little research. It’s simply not enough to put a system in and place a sticker on your window notifying those that pass by that you’re protected. You need to understand all of the aspects of the burglar alarm system and exactly how it works.

The most basic burglar alarm system works to protect the main entryways to your home. There are sensors placed near the doors and windows and once the alarm system has been armed, if one of those points of entry is disturbed the alarm will sound. The alarm may also sound at a monitoring facility maintained by the alarm company.

This is generally a sufficient type of burglar alarm system for most families. Once the alarm has been triggered the noise will scare off any intruder.

If the alarm is sounded by accident because a family member forgot to enter the code to disarm the alarm you’ll have to call a number supplied by the alarm company so that they don’t send the authorities.

For this reason it’s very important that every family member be aware of the code for the burglar alarm system as well how to arm and disarm it. Most companies that supply alarm systems recommend having a regular scheduled drill for all members of the household. The reason for this is to make certain that everyone is still familiar with the operation of the burglar alarm system. If someone in the family isn’t responsible for its operation on a regular basis, they can soon forget the code and how to work the burglar alarm system.

It’s also wise to change the security code from time to time. Sometimes younger members of the family might inadvertently show the code to a friend while they are disarming or arming it. It’s just better security to regularly change the code and ensure that everyone understands how important it is to keep it to hidden.

Posted by Mark at 8:37 AM | Comments (0)

Bird Bath

Nothing is more welcoming to our feathered friends than a bird bath. A nice arrangement filled with fresh, clean water is a literal oasis for our neighborhood birds that grace us with their visits each day. The kind act of creating a bird bath for our flying creatures will be repaid by visits that are sure to delight and entertain. Simply watching the bird enjoy the oasis is pleasurable in itself.

Many people choose to create an attractive arrangement for people, too. A beautiful bird bath can be the perfect garden accessory. The item has an aesthetic appeal while service a very useful purpose. The right type and style of design will enhance your outdoor garden area and make your setting complete for all to enjoy; feathers or no feathers.

Bird watchers are also rewarded for taking the time to create an oasis for the feathered creatures. A bird bath is perfect for anyone who wants to watch birds from a close proximity. Some watchers claim that you can attract an eclectic array of species by using one of these devices. Actually, more types of avian creatures are attracted to water than they are to seeds.

Feeders are wonderful, but they simply do not attract as many species because they simply appeal to seed-eaters like blue jays and sparrows. Occasionally a finch will peak through or you may catch a glimpse of a bright red cardinal but you are most likely to find the same avian species hovering around the feeders.

Some birds prefer insects and fruits. Birds like catbirds, wrens and waxwings offer a little variety to your garden but they won’t be found next to the seed feeder. They can be spotted in a nice bird bath, though. The beauty of the bathing area is that is attracts nearly every species. Not all birds eat seeds but all birds drink water.

Now that you know that you need a bird bath to make your garden or yard complete, you simply need to keep a few things in mind while shopping. Make sure that the item has a rough bottom so the feathered visitors don’t lose their footing in the water. Keep the bird bath shallow. Professionals recommend keeping it no deeper than three inches.

Last, consider adding a fountain element to invite the birds to the water oasis. Avian enthusiasts have found that the sound of trickling water attracts more birds than stagnant water.

Posted by Mark at 1:34 PM | Comments (0)

Big Screen TV Entertainment Centers

If there's one thing we humans love, it's entertainment. Whether it's films, television, or music, we simply can't get enough. In the old days, our parents had to rely on movie theaters to provide them with that, ever so necessary escapism. That fantasy world that allows you to live vicariously through a hero or leading lady. Well, those days are behind us. Our unlimited technology has provided us with a plethora of entertainment devices to fill our homes. From computers to stereo systems, to big screen TV entertainment centers, the list drags on forever. With the endless advancements made to our home entertainment, everyone is always looking for that new and better television.

The big screen TV entertainment centers available today give new meaning to the words, home theater. While we used to depend on the movie theaters for that grand crescendo of picture and sound, we don't any longer. Stores such as Best Buy and Circuit City offer a spectrum of big screen TV entertainment centers that will arouse anyone's taste buds. We crave the power of that movie theater in our own homes. Now we don't even have to worry about space. Flat panel televisions are available in a wide range of prices, and can be mounted on your living room wall, therefore avoiding clutter. You can find small flat screen, DVD combo sets that sit perfectly in your bedroom. The options make it ideal.

When I first moved into my own home, my wife and I were in search of the perfect big screen TV entertainment center. We searched all of the electronic superstores. After getting all of the up-close and personal info, we then turned to the Internet for options. The World-Wide-Web has big screen TV entertainment centers galore. If you're beginning your search for a big screen TV entertainment center, this is the first place to look. While I'm glad we did some browsing in stores, I much preferred the Internet prices and deals.

Finding those ideal big screen TV entertainment centers for your home can be tricky. However, the Internet offers many reviews from previous customers. This is a key source in finding out how things truly perform. That 50 inch flat screen might not work as well as you hoped. Check out some feedback online, and get a good understanding of what prices are reasonable and who's trying to rip you off. That big screen TV entertainment center purchase can cost you some bucks, so spend them wisely.

Posted by Mark at 1:32 PM | Comments (0)