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December 1st, 2014 at 10:00 am

Kitchen knife care

Save your holiday meals before they even start with these handy tips.

With all the cost and time that go into the perfect holiday meal, from selecting the turkey or ham to preparing the vegetables and setting the table, there is one small aspect of the celebration that usually goes overlooked until it is far too late.

That small aspect? The sharpness and cutting quality of your knives! Too many people have discovered to their great chagrin that their cutlery simply won’t cut it. Butchered carvings and clumsy chopping will destroy the atmosphere of a holiday gathering, but you will be armed and ready by following these handy tips:

  1. First things first: Make sure you have the right knife for the job you need. Slicing a turkey, chopping onions, and cutting bread require different-sized knives and edges. Carving knives are usually medium-sized, with broad, sharp edges to make cutting through dense muscles smooth and easy. Bread knives are long and thin, with a specially serrated blade that allows you to cut the bread without too much pressure that crushes and ruins it. Vegetable knives can appear similar to carving knives, but they often feature a rounded blade to facilitate smooth chopping. (more…)

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November 24th, 2014 at 12:00 pm

California gardening

Want a beautiful garden without an outrageous water bill? This list of drought resistant plants is sure to spruce up your yard area, help you conserve water and save money.

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November 17th, 2014 at 10:00 am

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Southern Californians know planning a garden that can withstand drought conditions isn’t easy. To get the most out of your garden, don’t wait until spring to start planting. Grab your shovel and start digging this month. Typically, November yields 10 percent of our annual rainfall. Our soil temperatures are still warm, which makes it an ideal time to get out there and plant!

Start your drought-tolerant garden by testing your irrigation system. Make sure all lines are clear and everything is working efficiently before you do your planting. Having your system in place will help you plan your garden.
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November 10th, 2014 at 11:00 am

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With the holiday travel season rapidly approaching, it might be wise to take a few moments to consider some of the most common ways to keep your home safe while you visit relatives and friends across the country or around the world. Statistically speaking, you’re at a higher risk of a break-in while you’re away for an extended period, but there are five simple things you can do to help ensure that your fall and winter holidays stay merry and bright:

  1. Arrange to stop your newspaper delivery. Nothing gives a bigger signal to criminals than a pile of papers on your front door.
  2. Have a neighbor or friend collect your mail for you while you’re gone. If that’s not feasible, contact the post office to halt delivery until you return.
  3. Notify the police that you will be out of town. Many municipalities have the ability to dispatch community patrols or officers who can take extra time to make sure your home stays safe. Also, if there are any incidents in your neighborhood or at your property, they can plan their response accordingly.
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October 14th, 2014 at 10:00 am

Nothing quite says luxury like shimmering, shining metallic interiors and textures. Not only do metallics stand out by nature, but they also have a tendency to provide a stunning design contrast. Classic metallics never go out of style and can give any room a modern touch.

Metallics

  • Nickel
  • Chrome
  • Stainless Steel
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Silver
  • Gold

Uses
Experiment with metallics in your home as an accent. Try painting a stairway handrail silver or using a metallic paint on your washroom cabinet finishes. Make a bolder statement by using a metallic paint on your walls. Consider stripes or using a stencil with both a flat and a metallic paint. Another trend to try is the metallic ceiling.

Photo from Architectural Digest

Photo from Architectural Digest

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