I don’t get bored easily, but if I do I just sit in our living room or  porch while looking around like the blue skies, birds and the  flowers we have planted. Sometimes I read the pocketbooks from my mother’s collection, I read them all over again I can’t remember anymore how many times  I have read them.  Staying in the outdoor portion of the house is very relaxing, smelling the fresh air and seeing the beauty of nature.

[Photo courtesy of Pexels/pixabay.com]

We are using portable plastic chairs if we want to stay in our porch, there’s one old buggy table their that my cousin’s uses when they have drinking session under the tree in front of house, I have thought of doing little improvement on our porch I guess it would be nice adding outdoor furniture like wooden chair swing. It could be more relaxing and comfortable to have this swing and could be a perfect place as well to bring visitors and friends who come over for a coffee.

What is a modern home? For many people it’s the decor, for others it’s the location and to some, it’s the technology. A modern home can mean a couple of things, but it’s usually a combination of all of these. Whether it’s contemporary furniture and experimental decor or a smart home that can read your temperature and adjust the thermostat automatically, there are hundreds of technological and artistic advances that have turned the home into more than just a home.

[Photo courtesy of Life of Pix/pexels.com]

The Smart Home

A home is considered smart when it can adjust all of its functions to suit the owner automatically or via a control system. For example, a fridge can be considered “smart” if it has a display on the front that can show what’s inside, monitor temperatures and even order groceries. It’s not a dream or science fiction either. There are smart fridges that people can buy right now which come with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos to take some of the most annoying tasks of managing a fridge out of the way and either automates them or makes them easy to manage.

In addition to smart fridges, there are also smart entertainment devices that can be linked together to create a seamless entertainment experience. For example, you could be watching a film on your smart television but the kids might want to play on their games console which is hooked up to the living room TV. In this case, you can simply head to your study or bedroom and turn on the TV and connect to the same network and services to resume watching your film while the kids play their games. Blogs like Smart Future are great resources to find out the latest and greatest technology advances that people are adding to their homes.

[Photo courtesy of Unsplash/pexels.com]

The Contemporary Home

A contemporary home should consist of just one thing: ultra-modern design. Most contemporary homes aren’t created by mixing and matching Ikea furniture, but instead, they’re created by hand with custom-built pieces of furniture that mold to the contours of the house to create specially designed rooms that ooze style and function. Contemporary homes are all about minimalism, style and practicality. Think big designs such as living rooms that are illuminated with powerful but concealed ceiling and wall lights. Open-plan houses are popular in contemporary housing as well.

For example, one piece of contemporary furniture that’s on its way to becoming a modern staple is the wireless charging bed stand. It’s a simple concept: a piece of furniture that also acts like a modern wireless charging dock. The idea is that it should look sleek, fit with the decor, and have functionality built into the desk. When you’re ready to go to bed and you need to charge your phone, there’s no need for cables that are dangling from the bedside table or anything; you simply pop your phone on top of the bed stand and it will start charging. These devices are incredibly creative and can be expensive to make, but with more technological advances they will start to become more commonplace and as a result, cheaper to build.

You may think that the winter season is never going to end, but there are only a few months to get ready for the summer, and this is without mentioning any bikini figure! You need to think about getting your house ready for the hot season, and this isn’t something that you can delay too much. It is important to start planning right now with this list of summer essentials for your to go through.

Make Sure You Have All You Need To Keep The House Fresh

It might seem odd to think about keeping cool when the weather is still cold outside, but now is the right time to check the state of your air conditioner system, fans, and your swimming pool. If you don’t have any air con, it is time to consider an A/C installation to prepare for summer. As you still have a handful of months left before the hot months arrive, it is good to get in touch with expert engineers to service your pool and keep your cooling systems up to date before the summer rush begins.

Look After Your Garden Now To Find Freshness In Summer

You’re sitting inside, looking through the window to see only cold, gray rain. Taking care of your garden might well be the last thing you want to do with your time. But it is essential to maintain your trees and plants throughout the cold months to help them be strong and healthy for when you will need their shadow and their freshness. While you don’t need to spend every week kneeling outside in the wet grass and the mud, a monthly list of maintenance tasks should include:

[Photo courtesy of jensullivan113/pixabay.com]

• Mowing the lawn,
• Trimming the trees so that they can grow strong and high in summer,
• Pruning flowers and fruit trees to ensure a beautiful and vibrant garden,
• And protecting your precious plants from the frost and the rain.

Prepare For A Change Of Interior Décor

[Photo courtesy of pexels.com]

Winter is naturally characterized by a change of décor inside your house: A warm blanket lies on the sofa to keep you warm in the evening; a series of tall mugs is piled up in the sink for a hot cup of tea; and every room has received a touch of warmth with scented candles and fluffy cushions. Everything is there to provide a cozy sensation. But soon the time for bbq parties and summer drinks will come: You need to rethink your décor to bring back a sense of sunny freshness inside your home. There are many options to do so on a budget: You can choose to hide all reminders of the winter months away, such as blankets, heating units, and candles, or you can decide to bring touches of bright colors inside the house with picture frames, funky cushions, and decorative plant pots. Just remember to check every room to make note of the wintery elements to store away during summer. And why not already plan your first bbq party of the warm season? Maybe you could celebrate the arrival of spring around a grilled burger with friends, so if you start now, you could prepare your DIY décor.        

What three words would you use to describe winter?

A safe bet is that one of them would be “cold.” It’s simple, and it’s accurate. The others will depend on where you live. Some people will say “wet”; others will say “snowy.” Many will say “beautiful” – because, as lovely as everything looks in summer, bathed in light, winter has its beauty too. Everything showered in a little tinkle of frost, or covered in snow? It doesn’t get much prettier than that, does it?

[Photo courtesy of thomasstaub/pixabay.com]

So if we’ve got cold, and beautiful, what’s the third word? How about “terrifying”? Let’s be honest; snow is pretty. If you’re wrapped up warm, it can be fun to play in. However, when you try to do anything more practical, it can be hazardous. Winter, in general, is a season where you have to be safety-conscious.

Snow: Stunning When It Falls, Stubborn When It Stays

When you’re a kid, your first snowfall is one of the most magical experiences imaginable. The blanket of white outside is otherworldly at first. When you play out in it, you don’t even mind that it’s cold. Your parents do, though. And when you’re the parent, you start to think about that. What will happen if the driveway freezes, or you’re snowed in (http://lifehacker.com/all-the-best-things-to-do-when-you-re-snowed-in-1754156328)?

A look at what’s on offer at snowshifts.com should lift at least some of this concern. You can blow the snow off your driveway and at least get the car to the road. Once it’s in a safe spot, there’s more to play in!

Ice, Ice, Baby…

[Photo courtesy of Fotocitizen/pixabay.com]

Even if you’re confident on snow, ice presents its own challenges. Forget any idea of looking graceful when you walk on a frozen patch – it’s not happening. It’s all about function and safety. One fall can cause serious injury. Heck, it’s not even that pretty unless it forms somewhere out of walking range.

If you haven’t already, invest in a bag of rock salt. Scatter this over any icy patches people might have to walk on. It will melt some of the ice and give a bit of grip to the surface. It can, quite literally, be a lifesaver.

Come In From The Cold

As you grow up, you become less interested in investigating everything new about winter weather. You develop a keen interest in getting in out of it and warming up. Your kids may be harder to convince in this new interest, as the snow is still a novelty.

You may need to be the bad guy occasionally and persuade your kids to come in to warm up, even if only for a while. Every half-hour is reasonable. Some older children can be trusted to judge when they are in need of a warm-up. But for toddlers and older infants, you’ll need to make the rules. You can always have hot cocoa waiting for them as an incentive.

[Photo courtesy of AndreaB1009/pixabay.com]

So that’s winter – cold, beautiful and dangerous all at once. As long as you take the necessary precautions, it’s a season where most of the memories made will be ones to treasure. And don’t miss the chance to make snow angels!

Moving companies are created to minimize time waster and worries during travel. Trying to do the moving alone can result to mishap and damages. Long distance moving can be taxing for it needs painstaking effort to pack, wrap and load your things so they will not break apart. If you want your travel to be less stressful, you have to hire the Ottawa movers to ease the burden from start until you get to your destination. You might think that moving your things using their services could be expensive but they are actually cost saving.

Getting the services of professional movers like ottawa movers can give you the peace of mind as you entrust your belongings in safe hands while you and your family are enjoying sightseeing. The moving company will entirely solve your financial woes as they collect their fees reasonably. While adjusting your new life in this side of Canada, you can feel the homey ambiance once your things are delivered intact.

Compare yourself doing the packing and unloading with that of the moving company in Gatineau, you will realize the big difference if you do it by yourself. The movers are composed of professional and experienced workers who are trained how to pack fragile and breakable objects such as dinnerware, glassware, frames, and wall decors.

Electronic gadgets and home appliances are made of sensitive parts that a single mistake during loading and unloading can harm their functionality, but with the help of a trusted firm moving company in gatineau, it will surely save your time in wrapping and packing your belongings and less effort, save on gas and insurance cost.

The moving company has long experience in this business and their familiarity with the terrain assuring you that no accidents can happen during the trip. Driving your van in unfamiliar road can be dangerous for you and your family. With a moving company to carry your belongings, you can opt to travel by plane so you can still have time to familiarize the neighborhood and the environs.

The short answer, of course, is yes. We have room for eating in, cooking in, sleeping in and washing in. So why not have one just for relaxing in? It makes sense, doesn’t it? But creating this type of room can be a challenge, especially if you have never done anything like it before. Luckily we have created a guide to help you, so read on for some inspiration to for the most relaxing of rooms.

Light

First thing’s first, once you have chosen a room to make into a relaxing space you need to assess the light situation. Some rooms are flooded with natural light. But it may be that you think low light is relaxing. So you will need to address this by installing some thick blackout curtains and a dimmable lamp.

[Photo courtesy of stevepb/pixabay.com]

Other rooms may be dark and pokey. But if you find space and light relaxing this could be problematic. Then you will need to paint the walls white to create the illusion of space. Also, it is vital to keep pieces of furniture to a minimum to give that illusion of having more room.

You can also use different shades and tones of light to encourage a relaxing atmosphere. This is easy to do with smart bulbs. As they can be controlled remotely, so you can change the color easily without having the hassle of replacing the bulb.

So whatever you do in your room, just remember to adjust the rooms lighting levels to one that you will find relaxing.

Seating

A relaxing room needs to have comfortable seating in it, that fosters a relaxed attitude in both mind and body. Happily, there are quite a few different options you can get that fulfill this role.

Firstly why not consider something like the Shiatsu Chairs that are available now? These are not only supportive and comfortable, but they have a massage function that will relax your body as well.

Or, you could go for some non-traditional floor seating with supports. These can make lounging around comfortable and good for you posture as well! You could even go avant-garde, and invest in nest set up, which is a pod filled with cushions and is just perfect for naps and chillout sessions.

Scents

Once you have established somewhere comfortable to sit, you need to think about how your senses play into getting into a relaxed state. One of our strongest senses is small so you can use that to aid your relaxation.

Why not try at atmostizer with lavender or chamomile scents to help you relax even quicker? Or you can go for some incense or a candle or two.

[Photo courtesy of Pexels/pixabay.com]

Sounds

Sound is another strong sense that can assist in the relaxation process. As most of us a have a smartphone these days, it very easy to use these in your relaxation room to play relaxing sounds for meditation.

All you really need for this is a docking station with a speaker. Then you can time your meditations and play relaxing classical music. Or you can even do a guided Yoga Nidra session  or body scan. Perfect for relaxation.

Winter can be tough for all of us it’s cold, dark and the last thing you want to be is outside when you can see icicles hanging from the trees. However, animals and birds aren’t so lucky so it’s important we do all we can to help them through the colder months. Food is often scarce for many animals in winter so why not help hedgehogs by leaving out some tinned meat? Make sure there’s a small bowl of fresh water visitors can drink from and that visiting birds to your garden are rewarded. By following a couple of the ideas listed not only will you be assisting animals at a difficult time, but be able to enjoy the variety of wildlife snuffling around your garden.

Beautiful Bird Table

Pop a lovely, wooden bird table in the centre of your garden and scatter breadcrumbs, seeds, peanuts, cheese, and fruit you’ll be able to find grocery online as well as buying mealworms from your garden store. Birds often find it hard to get enough food at this time of year as berries, insects, seeds and worms have either died or are covered by a thick layer of snow. Once the word has gotten out that there’s food your bird table will be filled with hungry feathery visitors. However, bear in mind these are all wild animals and will get lazy quickly if they receive regular handouts, which makes them unwilling to source their own food so it’s important to limit how much is given.

[Flickr Image Courtesy of Tony Hisgett]

Help Squirrels Go Nuts

Despite what many people think these fluffy tailed creatures don’t actually hibernate instead they collect a store of nuts to munch on in their cozy, dry drey’s, or nests all winter. The gathering starts in early autumn and only ends when they’ve found enough to eat so you can help them out by leaving nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds as well as sliced apple, carrot and even spinach or beans. A regular small handful of these foods will see squirrels safely through till spring.

Break The Ice

Many animals don’t possess the strength to make a hole in water that’s frozen over so when people think they’ll be alright often wildlife struggle to find enough to drink. Check your water bowl, or dish regularly as it could have frozen overnight and make sure to refill it regularly as you don’t know how many animals are using this precious water source to survive. If you have a pond you also need to make a hole as overtime toxic gas can build up and harm any fish or frogs living in the water. Don’t use a sharp item as you may injure any fish swimming near by instead take a pan of boiling water and pour it on the surface and the ice will then melt.

Let Your Garden Grow

Now isn’t the time to be doing any weeding, burning or leaf clearing in the winter months simply let your garden rest and grow wild. Don’t worry when spring comes you’ll be able to clean up but for now compost heaps, piles of leaves and even overgrown brambles can become the perfect winter retreat for many a creature.

A clean home is a pleasure and helps to promote personal well-being. Maintaining a clean house also boosts design inspiration for interior living space. Whether you live in small apartment, or a large house – keeping your space clean is essential to maintaining an environment where you can feel happy and at peace. Below are some tips to help you clean more effectively at home.

1. Cleaning Supplies

When basic cleaning supplies are available, it becomes easier to keep your home clean. You need not go overboard with cleaning supplies. However, be sure to include dish-washing detergent, cleanser, vinegar, mops and scrub brushes. In most cases, these go a long way in achieving a spotlessly clean interior.

2. Create a Schedule

Develop a schedule that allows you to clean your home regularly. This helps to prevent a pile-up of chores. Spread out cleaning chores, with different tasks assigned to different days. It helps to make the cleaning less of a dreaded obligation compared to cramming all tasks into one or 2 days. By sticking to your cleaning schedule, you’ll find that cleaning becomes much easier and less time-consuming.

[Photo courtesy of cocoparisienne/pixabay.com]

3. Clean Regularly

Whatever the size of your home, certain parts require cleaning on a regular basis – every 2 days or at least weekly. This includes the kitchen, bathroom, living room and yard. It is best to develop a schedule for regular cleaning of these areas. This should also include cleaning the appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. Weekly cleaning of appliances such as the fridge and oven helps to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria. Weekly bathroom cleaning is vital in preventing the development of mold and mildew. Other areas such as the study room, garage and back yard may not require to be cleaned as often. A bi-weekly or monthly cleaning may work for you.

4. Delegate Tasks

Involving household members in cleaning chores is an excellent idea. By delegating specific tasks to everyone, it becomes easier to keep the home clean. Young children can learn how to put away things to create a neater environment. They can also wipe surfaces of chairs, tables and counters. Older children can take responsibility for cleaning their own rooms, do the laundry, wash the dishes, vacuum and empty the garbage. Other tasks such as cleaning floors, washing the bathroom, mowing the lawn and cleaning the yard can be done by adults.

5. De-clutter

Most homes easily get cluttered due to items being left all over the place. It is best to make household members aware that each person has a role to play in home organization.  If you have small kids, obtain large boxes for them where they can place their toys and items. Teach kids how to store their items in boxes once they’re done with playing. Older children and adults must also be involved in keeping personal effects and household items in their respective storage places. Even after items have been stored accordingly, there’s always a chance that you could be storing more stuff than you need at home. Set aside one day every month or so to de-clutter your home. You could organize a garage sale to dispose of stuff you don’t need, donate to charitable causes, while some stuff may find its way into the garbage.

Sources:

• House Cleaning London. (2011) HouseCleaning.org
• House Cleaning Tips. Retrieved February 13, 2012. Professor’s House.

Gardens are not just about flowers and growing food. They can be a great way to learn about wildlife; something particularly important if you have a family. And they are a great way to help maintain species of birds and animals.

[Photo courtesy of DroolingDogs/pixabay.com]

Regardless of your outdoor space, there are simple steps you can take to encourage birds and animals to visit or set up home in your garden.

1. Create A Pond

Creating a pond is the quickest and simplest way to introduce wildlife. Once your pond has been built, you can fill it with your choice of fish. There are many different varieties to choose from, depending on the areas you live in and the space available, etc. Butterfly koi are a popular choice as they are known for their beauty and stunning colors.

Ponds will attract other wildlife such as frogs and insects. It is important to monitor and clean your pond regularly to ensure it is a safe environment for fish and other animals. The plants and grasses surrounding your pond will also attract visitors.

[Photo courtesy of Oldiefan/pixabay.com]

2. Garden Design

When designing and maintaining your garden, think carefully about the animals you wish to encourage. Birds like trees and bushes for nesting. If you have the available space, try creating zones. Some birds may prefer not to come close to the house, and so a quiet space towards the back of the garden may be preferable.

[Photo courtesy of Couleur/pixabay.com]

3. Frogs

Frogs like ponds, as mentioned, but they also like piles of leaves. When raking your garden next fall, leave a few piles of leaves in a dark area to encourage frogs. Ensure you leave some space in walls or fences for them to enter.

4. Birds

To encourage birds into your garden, put up a bird table and several feeders. A bird bath is also important. Vary the seeds and food that you provide to attract different species. To ensure they keep coming back, feed birds daily, particularly in the winter months when food will be scarce. It’s always pleasant to watch a garden full of birds, and you’re helping them at the same time. Try setting up some nesting boxes to see if any of the birds set up residence.

5. Insects

Insect hotels provide a safe environment for insects to hibernate in the winter months. They are made up of several compartments or suites to allow insects to choose a warm place to stay. Encouraging insects into your garden is good for them and the environment. Some like dry environments and others prefer the damp. So try to establish insect homes in several areas.

[Photo courtesy of NickRivers/pixabay.com]

6. Bees

Bees are vital pollinators for our gardens but, unfortunately, their numbers are declining. Insect hotels make a safe place for solitary bees. Introduce some bee-friendly plants to your garden. Bees like flowers such as white clover, bluebells, alliums, and buddleia, etc.

Encouraging wildlife into your garden is a win-win situation. You’re providing a home and food for them to help them thrive. And you get to observe them in their natural habitat. Many will contribute to the garden by pollination, turning over soil, etc. So, it’s good for you, and it’s good for them.

You may think now that winter season is here, you can sit back and leave you garden alone. Unfortunately – that’s not the case. There are still a few things you have to do if you want your garden to survive this winter.

Lawn

Although it may be cold and icy, and you have perhaps even seen mini icicles on the lawn, this isn’t an excuse not to cut the grass. True – it’s not growing as it would in the spring and summer time. But there is still slight movement, and if you want to keep your garden looking fabulous, you need to keep looking after it.

[Photo courtesy of walkersalmanac/pixabay.com]

There are many ways you day decide on cutting your grass. But as it is the winter, a machine is best because it is the quickest and most efficient way. There can in all sorts of brands, sizes, and power, so get your own model that works right for you.

Watering

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean we no longer have to water our plants. There may not be any bright, colourful flowers, but that is not to say that there is no life. Things are still growing, and they are going to get thirsty. So give some water! Do in during the day when the sun is up so they have no risk of freezing over.

[Photo courtesy of Antranias/pixabay.com]

Plant A Hedge

Hedges are a great alternative to fences as they effectively filter strong, damaging winds. A mixed variety of native plants provide the perfect habitat for birds, insects and small mammals such as hedgehogs, as well as giving year round interest from flowers, seeds, berries and colourful tones of foliage.

Eradicate Weeds

Weeds have been having a wonderful time during this mild winter, quickly germinating and getting ready to cause all the havoc again in spring. Hoe through the roots of annual weeds and dig out the roots of the more stubborn ones to stop them in their tracks. This will save a whole lot of time and effort in spring time.

Early Potatoe Chitting

Begin the process of chitting early potatoes at the end of the month. The best way to do this is to stand the tubers in a recycled egg box with the end that has the most buds uppermost, and place in a bright, cool, frost-free area.

After a couple of weeks, shoots will begin to sprout, get these to about three or four per tuber to get the most productive crop.

Prune Wisteria

As beautiful as this plant may be, wisteria can be a bit of a nightmare and needs pruning in summer and winter to keep it manageable.

If you don’t bother to do this, wisteria naturally produces a very messy mass of foliage and barely any flowers. So prune the whippy growths back to five or six buds in late August, and prune further in January or February to two or three buds. Don’t worry if you missed the summer prune, it’s simple enough to spot the elongated stems.