Cold weather is on the way, and that means that water troughs, buckets, emergency water supplies or outdoor water bowls for pets and feral animals are all at risk of freezing. Keep your animals watered and protect containers and hoses from damage with a few simple strategies. For garden hoses, run a length of heat cable along your hose and secure it with high-temp tape for … [Read more...] about Prevent outside water sources from freezing
Home and Family
Halloween: Dressing up on the cheap
Have the price tags on Halloween costumes caused a scare? You're not alone. Halloween costumes can get quite pricey, especially given that the outfits will likely get worn only a few times. And many children will quickly outgrow their Halloween costumes, meaning you may have to shell out for a new costume every year. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to lower … [Read more...] about Halloween: Dressing up on the cheap
Gourds make fun holiday projects
Gourd vines are nature's container store.Their beautiful fruits have been used for countless centuries as dippers, bird houses, storage boxes, hats, vases, eating bowls, musical instruments, candle holders, salt shakers and anything else you can imagine.They also make an excellent base for holiday decorations. With a trip to a farmer's market (or a search online), you can … [Read more...] about Gourds make fun holiday projects
Back-to-school homework tips
Nobody's perfect, and that includes kids when it's time for homework. Procrastination can lead to after-dinner battles and evening scrambles to get assigned work done before bedtime. But homework doesn't have provoke anxiety every day -- try a few of these tips to make homework easier and less stressful for everyone. * Designate a space for homework, like a corner in a … [Read more...] about Back-to-school homework tips
Canning history: How canned food revolutionized society
You might not realize it, but the humble cans of soup gathering dust in your pantry helped revolutionize the world. And believe it or not, canned food actually started as a weapon of war. Canning was invented in 1809 by Nicolas Appert in response to a request by the French army to create a method for preserving foods for a long period of time. Large armies require lots of … [Read more...] about Canning history: How canned food revolutionized society