Here We Are...with Luci

Someone's Been Eating The Flowers!

If you garden, you know that this season has been a struggle due to excessive heat, rain, combined with recurring dry spells. Creating and maintaining the beautiful blooms you envisioned in early spring has probably been a challenge. Here is an early tip for next year, don't plant petunias at eye-level. Who's eye-level you ask? That of the white tailed persuasion... Wascally wabbits!!

Rabbits LOVE Petunias! In the past, I have only used Petunias as an accent flower in containers and it wasn't an issue. This spring, I decided to forego my usual Impatiens for big, beautiful purple Wave Petunias. The plan was to make an inviting pathway to my front door. It worked; I receive plenty of furry visitors every day!

At first, I couldn't figure out why the once full and vibrant clusters of flowers where getting sparser by the day. Then early one morning, as I passed the front door window, I got my answer... And I can't stop smiling over it, so I had to share it with you.

Click the picture below to watch one very cute Petunia Culprit enjoying breakfast. :)

NOTE: The Wave Petunia site doesn't say to use in containers only, but almost every picture does depict petunias in containers. I also searched the site for "rabbit" and "deer" but found no warning or recommendations regarding animals snacking on these flowers... So Here We Are hopes this tip helps you when planning and planting your garden in the future.

BTW, you may recognize the music accompanying the bunny enjoying her tasty treats. It's a snippet of the theme music from the HWA Radio Show, performed by musician, Peter Daniel Russo, who's CD inspired Piano Music: Writing Your Own Concerto.

Walking The NY High Line Is a Fine Time

If you are looking for something to do the next time your are in NYC, then the NY High Line might be a fun, FREE, outdoor choice. Check out the pictures in this Here We Are photo album for sights, info, and tips.

Tips to help you enjoy your day:

Wear: sunscreen, a hat, good walking shoes. While there are a few shady respites, you are very exposed to the sun throughout the journey.

Bring: a camera - there are lots of photo opportunities along the way.

"Heads Up" = Look Down: There are funky curbs along the outer portions in parts of the path. I saw a lot of people tripping or getting their ankles caught. Check out the picture in the photo album of one of these, note how they are raised above the grade (drainage perhaps?).

Breathe!: Yes, the gardens scents are fresh and green. You might even catch a cool breeze off the Hudson River.

Brochures: If you can't find one, check the railings... The streets and locales are marked along the route.

Time: I walked at a leisurely stroll and it took about an hour and a half down and back.

Eats: There are food vendors on the path; the ice pops are a refreshing treat. If you need to get out of the sun, or want to sit for a spell, go down the 16th street stairs or elevator and enter the Chelsea Market on 10th Avenue. You won't be disappointed! There is something for every one in your group. I can vouch for Eleni's chocolate chip cookies, the roast beef sandwiches from Dickson's Farmstand, and the Ninth Street Espresso... Maybe not the healthiest of lunches, but definitely delicious!

Sights: If you are a die-hard gardener, then you might be a bit disappointed at the common types of flowers on display, but the overall experience is lovely.

This is a wonderful way to see New York city in a new way. Taking a walk on the High Line is truly a fine time!

Shoo Fly Shoo! Keeping Flies at Bay the Natural Way

Shades of Chartreuse - Freshly Green Tips

Along with the summer breeze, iced tea, and outdoor picnics, comes an unwelcome guest, the dreaded housefly. If you run an anti-chemical, pesticide-free home, you might want to try this easy, natural solution of hanging water filled bags to deflect the approaching fly. Yes, it's very simple. It only requires a zip-lock bag filled with water... okay, maybe a ribbon to pretty it up!

I've used this very technical "bag of water" method, and I'm with the believers that it works. The important thing is to put the bags around the areas you want to prevent the flies from venturing toward. Think "perimeter defense" - hang them on all four corners of a deck; on the trees that surround a patio; on the railing of a balcony; or on the backs of chairs. TIP: Some people suggest adding pennies or twisted aluminum foil to heighten the effect, but that is up to you. I've used plain old H20 with success.

So what's the secret? According to an article on HowStuffWorks, "...the most popular reasoning that pops up among entomologists and patent-filing entrepreneurs is simple light refraction... A housefly bases its sense of direction on the direction sunlight comes from. Some entomologists believe that when these complex, sensitive eyes experience refracted light, the insect becomes confused and flies away."

The research suggests that this won't work with other types of insects. Precautions still have to be taken for those party crashers, like ants, mosquitoes, and wasps.

While there is controversy over whether or not it works for the flies, what's the harm in trying your own experiment? It's a natural way to keep the flies at bay. If you do, let us know. Happy BBQing!

10 Easy Tips To Organize Your Closet (Without Trying Anything On!)

At one time or another, when looking into our clothes closet, we've all exclaimed, "I have nothing to wear!"  While this may be true for specific occasions like a royal wedding at Westminster Abbey, mostly the issue arises because we forget what we own or can't see through the clutter that is also know as our wardrobe. More likely than not, a little organization can go a long way to recognizing that you do in fact, have plenty to wear.

Unlike the wardrobe help in Closet Cleaning... Clearing The Way To A Wearable Wardrobe, this is an exercise in organization NOT discovery. Today, we are focusing on putting items together in a neat, logical, and simple system. The right equipment is important, so you may need to pick up new hangers, shelf separators, wall hooks, and perhaps, a shoe rack for this project.

Use the following 10 easy tips to organize your closet. Don't worry about trying anything on, just crank up some music and get started. Remember to take a photograph before you begin so you can compare the difference when you are done!

1. If you have skinny hangers, use them. They will add space you didn't realize you had in your closet. BONUS: They really do help eliminate "hanger" marks and keep clothing from sliding onto the floor.

2. Whatever the configuration of your closet, take note of the area you always use. This is where you will keep the items you most frequently wear.

3. Do the same as in #2 for the other areas of your closet. Be sure to look at the upper, eye-level, and floor areas. Note the sections that are difficult to reach or that you hardly employ.

4. Good news! We are "chunking" this organization process down. You don't have to remove everything at one time to begin sorting - you only need to remove clothing in the area you will refill first. Put out a sheet on the floor of your room or use your bed to hold clothing as you make space and work through each area of your closet.

5. You will be organizing by categories of clothing, i.e., skirts, dresses, blouses, pants, suits. The idea is to pull ALL the items from a category out of your closet at one time and then separate those items by color. If you have multiple colors in a category, further organize them from light to dark. NOTE: Start with the category you select in Step #6.

6. Pick the category that you least wear. For me, it's skirts. Put them on Clip Hangers according to color, then hang them in the area you least visit (decided in Step #3).

7. Using the principle in #6, select the next category (and so on); remember to separate into colors and rehang working your way out toward the area you always use. With each type of clothing, try to further specify each item within its category: solid vs. print, long vs. short sleeve, cocktail vs. daytime dress, etc.

8. Not everything you own can be hung - as you come upon hanging items that are better kept folded - start piles of similar items on your sheet or bed, sorted by color. These piles will now be pre-sorted for your shelves or drawers. If you have shelves in your closet, don't leave these piles for another day... Address them in the same fashion as your hanging items.

9. Organize shoes by style, then color within that style. Using the floor, or a shoe rack, put all the pumps together; line-up the black pumps next to each other, then move on to the other color pumps. Same idea goes for flats, sandals, sport shoes, etc. If you like to keep your shoes in their original boxes, photograph each shoe and tape it to the front of the box, then line the boxes up in the same manner. Boots are also lined up by style and color. Next time you look for the perfect pair of shoes to match an outfit, you will see all your options at once.

10. Accessories, like scarves, belts, hats, and purses, can be organized in similar way as the clothing categories. Be creative in displaying these items so you can see what you own at a glance. Try hooks, peg boards, or baskets. BONUS: You can now use the room you created in Step #8 on your shelves for your hats and purses.

It's Flower Power Time! Take The "Planting" Poll

It's finally time to decide what you'll plant in your garden this season. Take the Here We Are "Planting" poll. We want to know how you see your garden shaping up this year.

You can select as many of the answers as you'd like... There are no right or wrong plants to pick, just an opportunity to share how you'll bring Flower Power into your garden, your home, your containers, and your life! Enjoy!

 

10 Easy Ways To Use Salt In The Kitchen

Shades of Chartreuse - Freshly Green Tips

Good old-fashioned, household table salt, AKA sodium chloride, is the most abundant, inexhaustible, non-metallic mineral in the world. There are thousands of beneficial uses for salt in all of its forms. It's natural, cheap, and doesn't go bad.

If you are trying to go green, substituting salt for chemical cleansers is a simple and money saving option. NOTE: the suggestions below use regular table salt.

So grab the salt shaker to shake your way to a greener, cleaner kitchen using these 10 easy ways to use salt in your kitchen...

1. If food bubbles over onto your oven bottom, cover it in salt and allow it to bake. Once it has cooled completely, the remaining salty crust will be easy to scrape off.

2. Sprinkle salt onto dried egg residue in the pan when you finish cooking for easier washing.

3. Add salt and baking soda to a wet sponge and use the solution to clean the inside of your refrigerator.

4. Red wine on your favorite tablecloth? Immediately blot the spill, then cover the area with salt letting it dry, shake out, and wash in cold water.

5. Shake salt into a greasy pan and wipe out with a paper-towel before washing.

6. Toss salt on a grease fire to extinguish the flames (never use water on a grease fire).

7. Pour a salt and vinegar mix down a stinky sink drain/disposal and flush with hot water to remove odors.

8. Clean stains on copper pots by putting salt on the area, then scrub with a vinegar dipped cloth.

9. Make a salt paste (with water) to clean a stainless steel sink bottom and sides.

10. Gently rub salt on lipstick rimmed glasses or cups before you wash to loosen the lipstick stain.

Bathroom Renovation: Welcome To The Jungle

As some of you know, one of my many hats is that of a decor consultant. I'd like to share with you the first bathroom renovation which started my tile obsession! What can I say? Some girls go crazy shopping for shoes, I love to help people shop for granite and marble...

This bathroom morphed from a cold, dated gray and white box into an inviting, current atmosphere hinting at old world charm. To achieve this natural look, we selected a creamy Jerusalem limestone for the floor and the tub surround (12 x 12 inch on the floor, 6 x 6 in. in the tub). To add interest and movement, the tub area tile was set horizontally on the lower half, then diagonally on the upper part.

The "stripes" in the tub - applied to separate the change in tile direction - were achieved with 1 x 1 inch black mosaic marble tile; accented with quads (4 1 x 1's) of the mosaics. A handful of 2 x 2 inch Italian glass accent tile were randomly arranged on the floor to lend depth, color, and continuity with the black marble and the black vanity (not visible in final pictures, but see tile samples in picture on right).

The mushroom wall color reflected the deepest shades in the limestone. It was easy to add texture by using a carved wooden picture frame, natural window treatment (see reflection in mirror) and a basket-weave tissue box. The burgundy soap dispenser and pot pourri dish, along with a set of towels in a floor basket (not pictured) picked up a red undertone in the antiqued black vanity paint; this also gave a nice pop of unexpected color and warmth to the room.

To soften the hard angles of this bathroom, we used an oval shaped mirror which also mimics the sink shape. The final touch of the "jungle" shower curtain and towels, i.e. leopard print, pulled all the neutral colors together while adding whimsy and personality. The shape of the leopard print is similar to the abstract shapes in the Italian glass tile.

If you have a bathroom that needs updating but don't know where to begin, then check out this quick slide-show for ideas and inspiration... Anything is possible! Sorry for the one blurry picture, but you can clearly see the before and after transformation.

Sparkling Stemware: How To Care For Your Crystal

Whether you are setting the table with traditional glassware, family crystal, wine glasses, water goblets, or brandy snifters, they usually all have one thing in common, a delicate stem (hence the name "stemware"). With each use, be it a formal affair or a casual dinner, the heavy wear and tear on your stemware takes place after the guests are gone and it's time to clean up the kitchen. The scattered array of stemware may be wearing lipstick stains, some are still cradling that rich bordeaux - poured but not enjoyed - and a few are already standing in the sink among the discarded cutlery and serving utensils.

Follow these DOs and DON'Ts on how to care for your crystal... Time spent now to take proper care of your stemware will keep them sparkling like new, adding years to their service and your enjoyment. NOTE: Don't be put off by what looks like a long list, it's a very simple and efficient process broken out for you in detail!

********************************************************

DO clear out every item in the sink before you begin

DO pour out all liquids ASAP, some red wines can leave a stain

DON'T try to clean them over a sink full of dishes, if one breaks you'll have sharp glass that may be hard to find

DO line the bottom of the sink with a sink mat (a silicone baking mat is a good substitute)

DON'T skip lining the sink, you can always use a few dishtowels to cushion the bottom

DO use warm - not hot - water

DO allow chilled or heated stemware to come to room temperature before washing

DON'T use the dishwasher - while it may be tempting, the high heat and shifting from the water spray can break them; plus, it's a more efficient use of the DW to clean everything else

DO wear rubber gloves

DO use a lint free washcloth to scrub the glassware (you may need more than one)

DON'T use an abrasive, scouring pad - they can scratch the crystal and any metal trim

DO use a small amount of mild detergent

DO add a bit of white vinegar to the washcloth - if needed - to aid in stain removal

DO hold the bowl area of the stemware cupped in your palm, locked between your first and second fingers; this secures the glass as you wash and rinse thoroughly

DON'T hold the glass by the stem, this is an easy way for it to slip out of your hand OR break off from the bowl area due to pressure and twisting

DO set up a safe area to drain the wet glasses upright on a smooth towel

DO wash a group, e.g., half a dozen or so, stop, dry, and put away; then begin the washing process again for the next group

DO use a lint free dishtowel to immediately dry each glass using the same "cupped in your palm while washing" technique, this helps avoid water spots

DO store them upright only in a closed cabinet

DON'T store them on the rims, the drinking edge of the crystal is more likely to weaken and chip AND if the base is heavy, they can topple over and break

Salute! Nostrovia! Cheers! À la vie! Drink up!

 

 

 

POLL: Where & What Will You "Declutter" This Fall?

Take the new Here We Are Decluttering Poll and tell us which of the following areas of your house you'd like to tackle this Fall. There are no right or wrong answers, just an opportunity to share (and dream of organized spaces). According to the laws of Feng Shui, when you declutter an area of your house, you clear an area in your life.

Select one answer (or two) that MOST requires your attention.

Open House Tips: Top Twelve Free To-Do's Before A Showing

While the housing market shows some signs of life but is still sluggish, you need every advantage when listing your home for sale. With such tight competition, it is especially important to make a good first impression upon a potential buyer. Selling and buying a home is costly for all involved. Here are twelve helpful, FREE, and simple ways to spruce up for your open house before you open the door for a showing.

These open house tips are not the usual "paint, paper, renovation" suggestions which cost money. This approach works for houses that are in decent shape to show. All that is required is elbow grease. A few tasks can be completed in a matter of minutes, others will take some time and planning; but they are must do's whether or not you open your wallet for bigger improvements. BONUS: You burn calories, your house is clean, and it is ready to be shown anytime after the open house occurs.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression...

At Least One Month Prior to the Open House Date:

1. Take a Survey: the garage, basement, yard, closets, storage areas. Decide and tag what can be disposed of, donated, recycled. Then dispose, donate, and recycle those items immediately. BONUS: These are not things you will have to move. 

2. Summer vs. Winter Clutter Clearing:If you are showing in the summer, take out all the winter items and remove them and vice versa. This process takes planning, patience, and a friend kind enough to let you temporarily use their basement (otherwise you'll have to pay for a storage space). Let a potential buyer envision their car in the garage, not your snow blower. The same goes for closets, including the linen and coat closets. Box up the "out of season" clothing, or stuff you won't use, label it and get it off site. BONUS 1: Half your stuff is already packed when you finally move. BONUS 2: Your closets look bigger. 

3. Organize: Regarding steps #1 and #2, now organize those cleared areas. Let people see that there is plenty of room for their sweaters to be neatly stacked on a shelf in the closet, or tools on a pegboard in the garage. They'll be able to imagine their own typical items instead of seeing clutter.

4. Start Cleaning the Entire House: A house that is shown dirty will not impress anyone. If the owners don't care about the house, why should a potential buyer? Start with the bigger "one" time tasks like window cleaning, sweeping out the garage, carpet steaming, buffing chandelier crystals, etc. NOTE: There is a big difference between clutter free and clean - don't stop at step #3 - you'll be glad you went the extra mile once everything is shiny and smelling fresh.

5. Stop Shopping: Other than food and necessities, don't buy anything that has to be put into the closets, garage, basement, or takes up space in the living areas. NOTE: If you do buy something, then commit yourself to removing an item of the same size and type. 

At Least Two Weeks Prior to the Open House Date:

6. Personal Items: Box up the family photos and bric-a-brac. Decide if the figurine on your mantel is a "decor" item or displayed for "sentimental" reasons but doesn't lend anything to the overall visual. If it is sentimental, pack it away. People want to imagine themselves "living" in the house; natural curiosity is for buyers to look at the photos and tchotchkes which interferes with their looking at the house.

7. The First Room: This is a biggie...What is the first room people see? The foyer? Living room? Front porch? Whatever the answer, look at it from the eyes of a buyer (ask a friend to help with this one, too). What can be rearranged for better flow, spacing, and logical use? By logical use, think: an umbrella stand should be by the door, not in the corner of the dining room because it matches the wallpaper; Duke's dog bed in the living room (because he likes to look at the window) has to be moved elsewhere; your barely alive house plants on the front porch look sad and sickly to a stranger, time to toss them or give them to a greener thumb. NOTE: Be honest with what you see, don't let living patterns get in the way of good presentation. Once you discover these issues, adjust accordingly.

During the Week of the Open House:

8. Take the "Sniff" Test: Every house has a "scent" and some are not very pleasant. (a) Plan to refrain from cooking items that could add to household odors like onions, hard-boiled eggs, grilled fish, fried chicken, roasted garlic, etc. (b) Take care of pet scent issues. (c) Freshen your home by airing out the house with open windows, spritzing natural room sprays (stay away from the commercial grade room sprays filled with chemicals, they only "mask" odors - no matter what the ads say), burning a natural essential oil candle a bit each night, putting white vinegar down the disposal and running it with cold water. (d) Do the laundry, fold and put away. Be sure to make this work area as inviting as possible; no wet towels sitting in the machine or dry loads in the dryer.

9. Kitchen Detail: Organize the inside of your cabinets and pantry, clean the refrigerator, the oven, the dishwasher, the beverage cooler. Think of anything that can be "opened" by a buyer and address it. People will open these items, especially if they are interested; let them be excited by the space and good appearance of their future kitchen.

10. The Front Door: Sweep the steps, clean (and empty) the mailbox, wash any windows, shake out the welcome mat, etc. Make this area spotless. This is the first time potential buyers are walking up to the house and through the front door. Let this area work to further invite those who like the home's curb appeal.

The Weekend of the Open House:

11. Bright Ideas Before: (a) Replace any light bulbs that are burned out or flickering. (b) Clean the bathrooms and kitchen again. (c) Adjust the heat or air conditioner to keep the house sufficiently warm or cool while the door is being opened and closed for a block of time. (d) Spritz your room spray around. (e) Store personal papers and jewelry in a locked box (take it off site if possible); most people are honest, but better safe than sorry.

12. The Day of: (a) Bag up each and every garbage and take it out. (b) Make the beds. (c) Turn answering machines and phone ringers off. (d) Burn your candle that morning. (e) Open the windows if it's a nice day. (f) Fluff the pillows. (g) Turn on every light (it makes the rooms feel bigger). (h) Go out for a late lunch and enjoy.

These are basic, common sense to-do's but you'd be surprised how many home owners don't address most of them. Take advantage of other people's lack of detail and do these free to-do's before your open house. A little effort and planning goes a long way to making the best first impression possible without spending any money!

Do you have tips or to-do's for an open house? Share them here.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Pleasure for an hour, a bottle of wine; pleasure for a year, marriage; pleasure for a lifetime, a garden. ~ Chinese Proverb

It's official, Spring is here! The sun is shining, the March rain has stopped, and even if you are not having optimal weather, it's time to plan, dream, and ponder this year's garden. How does your garden grow? In pots? Window boxes? Along pathways? Will you plant vegetables, herbs, fruits, or flowers? 

Do you start with bulbs, potted plants, roots, or begin at the beginning with seeds? At a recent writer's conference, author M. Kate Quinn, gave away seed packets to introduce the first book in her "Perennials" series, Summer Iris (available in July).

This lovely and thoughtful gesture made me stop and take notice. Seed packets, with their pretty pictures and simple packaging, always catch my eye. I am intrigued by the possibility and strength hidden inside each tiny seed.

While it might be too soon to plant, the root of the fun is what grows in your imagination before you pick up a shovel. Even if you have had bad luck in the past, start anew this season with a few herb plants. They are inexpensive, easy, and tasty. Try basil and mint; but be sure to plant the mint in a separate area or in its own container, it likes to spread. Put these no fuss kitchen helpers in a sunny spot (indoors or out) and water regularly.

No matter the selection, gardening is not only a fun and healthy hobby - fresh air and mild exercise - it is a chance for meditation and quiet time with nature. Plan today, dig tomorrow, and enjoy how your garden grows!

What will you plant this season? Share your gardening ideas, selection, tips, successes and failures with us.

Bulb Planting Tips and Tulips For Two

To celebrate the 1st birthday of Here We Are, we are surprising randomly selected email subscribers with gifts each week this October!

This week, as the leaves change color, we honor our gardening entries by saying goodbye to Smith & Hawken, but hello to expanding your world by Planting The Seeds of Friendship. Two lucky HWA readers will each receive a bag of tulip bulbs to brighten their gardens. Congrats and check out the following tips for easy bulb planting.

Quick Bulb Tips for Tip Top Flowers:

1. October is the month to plant the following bulbs: Alliums, Chionodoxa, Crocus, Dutch Iris, Eranthis, Fritillaria, Muscari, Snowdrops, and Tulips. 

2. Look for the pointed end; then plant that end facing up toward the sky.

3. Pick a sunny spot for best results with most bulbs.

4. Dig a hole 2 1/2 times deeper than the size of the bulb.

5. It's best to fertilize in spring and fall over the area where the bulbs are planted. Be careful if you add the fertilizer when planting because you risk burning the bulbs if they come into contact with the fertilizer.

6. Water the area, making sure there is proper drainage.

7. Cover the area with mothballs to keep the squirrels away, then mulch for the winter. You can also use cayenne pepper to repel critters, but to work it has to be continually applied after each rainfall.

8. Mark the area or sketch out a quick drawing to remember where they are planted. This is handy so you don't uproot the bulbs when adding new plants to your garden in the spring.

Does anyone else have a quick and easy tip to maximize bulb growth? Share it in our comments section. We love to hear from you -- tell us about your garden.

 

Chandelier Lighting: Bright Light, Right Light

How To Measure For A Chandelier

With the holiday closing in once again, perhaps you are thinking about your dining room decor. Does that old chandelier look wrong? Is it too small? Too large? Does Uncle Pete hit his head every time he stands up? It might be time to replace it with one that is the proper size. BONUS: When a chandelier is properly sized, it usually results in providing the right amount of light for the space.

Here are the quick and easy ways to pre-measure before you buy a new chandelier for your dining room. TIP: Always use the maximum wattage recommended by the manufacturer, then use a dimmer switch to simply adjust the brightness according to the occasion.

Option A:

Sparkle 1: Measure the Width + Length of the room in feet (for example, 11 ft. wide plus 14 ft long = 25 ft)

Sparkle 2: Take this measurement and change it into inches (there is no math to do, i.e., 25 ft becomes 25 inches) Voila! This is the correct width of the chandelier for the space. 

Tip for Option A: You can also use this method when not hanging a light over a table, but you must consider the ceiling height for head clearance. It would be embarrassing if cousin Patty's ponytail got caught on the hanging crystals and worse if a guest gets knocked out! If you are tight on height and want to use a chandelier, consider a semi-flush mounting instead of hanging from a chain -- this can save inches.

Option B:

Sparkle 1: Measure the width of the table

Sparkle 2: Subtract 6 inches from each side or a total of 12 inches (for example, a 48 inch table minus 12 inches = 36 inches) Voila! The perfect size for your dining room table.

Sparkle 3: Measure UP from the table to hang the 36 inch wide chandelier so that the arms of the bottom level of lights hang 30 - 33 inches above the table; do not use the center bottom drop/crystal or it will be hung too high. Note: The picture above depicts a typical chandelier shape with the candlestick arms as the bottom level, and the obvious lowest hanging center crystal. Sitting down as if at the table helps to judge the exact hanging height within the 3 inch allowance; remember to consider where the applied crystals (if any) will hang. Also, think about your centerpieces, candlesticks, etc., before deciding.

Good luck and happy chandelier hunting. Hope these tips help your holiday table sparkle bright light with the right light!

Emergency Plan: The Must Do PP List - From Panicked To Prepared

PP = Preparedness Plan

The ongoing fires in California sparked this list. While our thoughts and prayers are with those who are in harm's way, it is a good time to think about what each of us would do in that stressful situation. An emergency plan that is put into place BEFORE an emergency occurs will turn potential panic into a preparedness plan in the short time you might have to act.

While every minute counts, it is possible to pack the most essential items even if you have less than an hour to leave your home in the path of destruction. Use the categories and tips below to collect important items that will help you prepare today for an easier tomorrow.

Personal "Papers":

• Insurance information - household and health
• Passports, Social Security Cards, Birth certificates
• Rolodex, Computer disks, Thumb drives
• Cell phones with chargers
• A recent statement from each household bill
• Check books, credit cards, cash from house
• Laptop with charger
• Pens and paper
• Pictures: Household contents; Family photos

Personal Items:

• Prescription Medication, Body braces or supports
• Eye Glasses, Contact Lenses, Sunglasses
• Pillows, blankets, towels
• A change of clothes and an extra pair of practical shoes for each member of the family
• Bottled water, juice boxes, snack bars
• Baby food/formula, diapers, bottles
• A battery operated radio; flashlights; extra batteries
• A prepacked personal product travel bag for each person

Pets & People & Personnel:

• This one is obvious IF they are home with you when you have to leave
• If you must leave while loved ones are not at home, it is wise to have a "call plan" in place and a preselected "meet up" location.
• Dry pet food
• Employees, employers, co-workers information - contact info besides the office or work location number or email

Tips to Using This List:

• Much of the Personal Papers list can be collected and organized now. Store it in a strong box that you can grab and go. Keep a written list of its contents outside the box so you know what needs to be added, if anything.
• Other Personal Paper items, like check books or cash, should be stored in one location in the house.
• Electronic chargers can be pre-labeled on the plug area for easy identification.
• As for pictures, put photos or disks with photos of the house and its contents in the strong box. Family pictures that are not displayed can be stored away now; grab displayed ones and throw into an empty box (don't worry about breaking the frames, they can be replaced).
• Keep a few shopping bags folded up in the linen closet to fill with pillows, towels, blankets.
• Clothing has to be limited, think ahead of time of what you might grab for each person, you probably won't have room for more than one or two suitcases for the whole family. 
• Each person in the house should have assigned "item collection" duties. This will save time and help with thoroughness in an emergency. If some of this list is assembled ahead of time, one person should be able to collect it all, pack the car, and leave in under an hour.

Be it fire, flood, hurricane, or political unrest, use this list to prepare now at your leisure...the old adage still holds true, "It is better to be safe than sorry."

If you have additional ideas, tips, or items to add, please do so in the comments section. Every bit helps. Remember, the most important thing to get out safely is YOU!

Staycation: HOME SWEET HOME

Ten Tips For A Successful "Staycation"

 - by Marie-Christine Lochot, NCTMB (republished with permission)

This year with the slowdown of the economy more people are staying home during their vacation. There are advantages to staying home besides saving money: no stressful traveling, no jet lag, no need to pack, and also a chance to discover what is in your backyard and to enjoy your home.

1. Take care of your household chores before your staycation starts.
2. Do not schedule a home/garden project.
3. Rest, try to just "be."
4. Shut off the Blackberry, stay off the email.
5. Have a day without a plan, be spontaneous.
6. Don't set your alarm clock, sleep as long as you need.
7. Take day trips. If you need ideas, go to Roadside America.
8. Enjoy your town: restaurants, museums, parks, and shops.
9. Schedule a massage.
10. Have a potluck dinner with friends you never have time to see - celebrate, have fun.

Bon Voyage!

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What is your plan this summer? Are you too busy to plan an "away" vacation? Do you have a fun staycation tip? Share your ideas and experiences with us!

Smith & Hawken: The Garden Party Is Over

Shopping Alert

Smith & Hawken, the iconic garden supply store is closing its doors after 30 years of furnishing gardeners with outstanding products and customer service.

If you are a gardener, the brick and mortar stores were a mecca of seasonal delights. Whether you were shopping for bulbs, outdoor furniture, or well made tools, stepping inside was always a respite from the elements. If you only dream about a prolific English Garden because all your plants turn brown, Smith & Hawken provided ideas and simple window sill solutions to help bring the outside indoors. In this thorny retail climate, it is surely a store that will be missed when the economy re-blooms.

Currently, the discounts are 20% off most items, 30% off furniture. They are exhausting their inventory through the stores only. Already, the catalog and website branches are no longer accepting orders. A little birdie told me the discounts should go to 40% off everything by late August or possibly earlier depending on sales. Now is the time to get to a store near you, there are 56 locations around the US. The store I recently visited was loaded with merchandise, so the selection was still very good. BONUS: Check the back of the store for their clearance items, some of the merchandise is 50%+ off the original prices.

Gardening is one of those activities that unite people in the simplest of ways but carries a deep respect for Mother Nature and those who tend to her. In the spring, I suggested sharing seeds to "Plant the Seeds of Friendship." It is fun to share, learn, and trade. In growing nature, you grow, too. Flowery? Maybe. But ask any gardener, novice or pro, and they will agree.

Recently, I passed a house with a sign in the driveway propped up by a bunch of full grown plants that read, "Free." I turned the car around and was delighted to meet Bob, an avid gardener whose home garden is stunning. His garden is so plentiful, it needed reshaping; plus, it is a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. After a brief chat about our love of gardening, I drove away with a trunk full of green goodies. The picture above is one of the Echinacea plants from Bob's garden transplanted into mine. Thank you, Bob!

Have you made a friend through gardening? Has gardening taught you something about life? (Mine is "patience.") Tell us, so we can grow with you.

Five Easy Ways To Green Your Bathroom

Shades of Chartreuse - Freshly Green Tips

Thinking about going green around the house? Not sure where to begin? The bathroom is the perfect place to start this process. It is small enough to make some big changes in a practical, affordable way.

Here are five easy, cost effective ways to green your bathroom today:

#1. Replace your regular toilet tissue with recycled bathroom tissue. When you are shopping, also look for recycled facial tissue. Since you have to buy these items regularly, this is a fast and eco-friendly fix.  

#2. Throw out the aerosol air fresheners. Many contain harmful chemicals that end up in your lungs and on your skin. Instead, find space to bring in plants that will clean the air for you. Well established plants that stay in the bathroom will be on duty 24/7. Note: If you have pets, be sure to read about the plant before buying (just in case your furry friend decides to snack on a few leaves).

#3. Whether you are taking a long hot bath or ridding the bathroom of odors, a candle can be helpful. Just be sure it is as green a candle as possible. Bathrooms are confined spaces and you are breathing in whatever you are burning; from now on, only buy natural organic wax candles with non-metal wicks. Not sure where to find one at a reasonable price? Check out Blue Moon Candles and make it your new source for candles that glow greener. Bonus: The intense fragrances are fabulous - read more about these candles and a Here We Are reader's terrific experience which she shared in our comments section!

#4. Set your dishwasher for the early morning before everyone is awake. Try to coordinate the end of the wash cycle with the start of the first shower. This may take a few tries, but it will save you $$ in energy bills because the water is already hot...no need to run the shower for minutes heating the water. 

If you have to run the water, then collect it in a handled bowl. What? Bail water? It only takes a little bit of effort, but when you see how much clean water you collect to re-purpose, it will become a habit. Your houseplants and garden will thank you. Tip: I use bowls similar to these from Williams-Sonoma that are non-breakable with a lip and a handle. I pour the water into my watering can while I am in the bathroom so there is no spillage around the house.

#5. Accessorize green from today forward. When shopping for towels, there are many green options to explore from bamboo to organic cotton. Replace paper cups with non-breakable ones that can be washed in the dishwasher (look for BPA-free products). Also, look for bamboo bathroom items like tissue box covers, wastepaper baskets, soap dispensers, etc. Bonus: Bamboo is an abundant, renewable resource; items made from it are long lasting and anti-microbial.

No matter the brand or source, this is a better way to spend your money - the more eco-friendly products sold, the more that will come to market.

It's easy to go green in your bathroom using these five tips. Do you have any tips to add? Share them in our comments section - every little bit of knowledge helps!

Planting The Seeds of Friendship

Friendship makes prosperity more shining and lessens adversity by dividing and sharing it.  ~ Cicero, Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC)

Is your garden a flower pot, window boxes, or vast rolling hills? This is truly one instance when size does not matter. Big, small, contained, or wild...the pleasure you receive when that first flower blooms is worth the wait.

Those of you who garden know the feeling that emerges as the petals of color brighten your landscape. This spring, I plant the suggestion of a seed exchange with your friends. Even those who claim to have a less than a green thumb can benefit from this experiment. It is a wonderful chance to share and grow your friendship along with a beautiful garden.

It is also a fun way to try to grow different flowers that you might otherwise not plant. BONUS: It's free AND when the flowers bloom in your garden, it's like your friend is there with you.

Last year, Judith's Zinneas graced a rock garden I can see from my office window. Currently, purple Tulips are still standing tall from a box of bulbs I shared with Amorette. This year, I have a bag of Black Eyed Susans to share with any takers. The search for my lost bag of Bee Balm seeds (plants that grew from the seeds of Laura's garden) continues -- it seems a gardening troll is playing a trick on me! They are for Juli whenever they turn up.

Now is the time to bag them up to trade or give...it is an easy way to sow the seeds of flowers and friendship.

What will you be planting and with whom will you share your seeds this spring? Tell us about your garden and which types of seeds are your favorites!

Used Holiday Cards… Repurposing Paper for a Positive Purpose

Shades of Chartreuse - Freshly Green Tips

To-Do List: Store wreaths, wrap candlesticks, disconnect twinkling lights, and recycle 2008 holiday cards. WAIT!!!! Don’t just recycle them...REPURPOSE your holiday cards to help abused and abandoned children. I recently discovered a worthy cause that could greatly benefit from these dated well wishes. It will take you very little effort, time, and money; I promise.

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, “rescues abused, abandoned and neglected children of all races and faiths from the vicious cycle of child abuse.” I encourage you to read about their mission, and the children of all ages who might otherwise be living on the street or in deplorable conditions.

St. Jude’s is currently accepting all types of used greeting cards. The program is open this season until February 28, 2009. Just send the whole card. They recycle the cards by using the front and adding a new back of recycled paper. The “new” cards are then sold to raise revenue in support of their programs.

So if you still have those holiday cards in the recycling bin, stuck to a bulletin board or cluttering up the mantle…grab them, put them in a mailer envelope and the next time you are at the Post Office, send them to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005.

Pictured is my stack of cards awaiting my next trip to the Post Office. I hope you will send yours, too. You will be doing a good thing by sharing your well wishes with children who could really use them. Thank you!

You Can Dare To Wash Cashmere... In The Washing Machine

Tis' the season to wear chunky woolens and soft cashmere sweaters. The label says "Dry clean only," but you want to save time and money...and maybe even wear your favorite sweater again tomorrow. Next time it needs cleaning, instead of dropping it off, scheduling a pick-up, and missing your comfy sweater, wash it in the machine. Fear not! Your sweater should not shrink like the one in this picture! 

After much brow knitting and web-surfing for information, I decided to wash a 2-ply cashmere sweater with a silk collar in the washing machine. In the past, this sweater has endured repeated pressings and toxic chemicals, so I thought I'd chance it. Yes, there are those who will only hand wash, but the dripping water, soaked towels, and drying time involved puts a wet blanket on this activity.

Let's unravel how to try the not-so-scientific sweater experiment:

1. Button, zip, snap, or tie any parts that need connecting. Then turn the sweater inside out. NOTE: Do NOT turn inside out IF the sweater has appliques, like beads, sequins, rhinestones, rosettes, etc.

2. Put it in a white, well-worn, clean cotton pillowcase (no worries about dyes and it is porous).

3. Use a new, white cotton shoe-lace to tie the pillowcase closed -- wrap it around a few times and make a secure bow. [I used the white braided string off of a Lord & Taylor shopping bag!]

4. Throw in a few similar colored, lightweight hand towels to "cushion" the sweater in the machine. [Bonus: save time and energy doing other laundry that goes into the dryer.]

5. Only using the "Delicate/Hand Wash" cycle, set water to Cold/Cold or Cool/Cool temperature.

6. Don't use softener. [Not sure why, but this is what most of the research advised.]

7. Conventional Woolite or a cashmere soap aren't necessary...I used Avalon Organics Lavender Shampoo. Add about 2 Tablespoons to a small load; this was plenty to make a nice natural lather. [I also read that baby shampoo can be used.]

8. Remove from the machine as soon as the cycle is finished, take the sweater out of the pillowcase, block and let air dry flat. [I used the top of a small laundry rack, draping the arms over the sides and supporting the collar on one of the rungs.]

9. After a few hours, turn the sweater right-side out. Re-block if necessary and leave to continue air-drying. I checked it once more, gave it a quick shake and put it back until it was dry.

10. The sweater kept its size and shape. The shampoo made it soft and lavender scented!

Still unsure? Try this experiment with a cashmere sweater you can spare to lose. Let us know if it turns out well or knot...Good luck and keep warm!