Here We Are...with Luci

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 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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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 suggested.]

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 also be used.]

8. Remove from the machine as soon as it finishes, 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!

Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths...The Best Way to Get Your Shine On For The Holidays

Are you pulling out flatware, platters or candlesticks for your holiday entertaining only to find them tarnished and dull?  The last thing anyone wants to do is polish silver before cleaning the house, shopping, throwing a party, or cooking a multi-course dinner.  Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths gives you back your shine without using up too much time.

Last year as the holidays approached, I found myself staring at the many bottles and jars of silver polish offered at a local housewares store.  Each one promised to make your flatware shine and sparkle but when I tested the scent using the sneak-a-sniff-in-the-store test, my head started spinning.  It was bad enough that I had to polish sixty-plus pieces of my mother's wedding set but the chemical stench was enough to knock me out.  So, on my way I went with an empty hand basket. I must confess that even though I wanted to use the flatware, I was secretly relieved to avoid dealing with the timing consuming chore of polishing silver.

This spring, I saw an ad in the New York Times Magazine from the Cape Cod Polish Company.  The testimonial, by a woman who looks like my Aunt Connie sold me, it touted, "...a civilized way to polish my silver."  Since the flatware was tarnishing with each passing day it went unused, I ordered a can. (You can order them directly through the website, or through other vendors, including Amazon.com.) To my surprise, the polishing cloths work and the bonus is that they smell like vanilla...really!

There are twelve cloths in a set and I only used two to do the entire job, so they are very effective. The tin comes complete with plastic gloves and a buffing cloth.  Depending on the amount of tarnish, the product works fast.  You see the results as soon as you use the buffing cloth to remove the polish.  I washed all the pieces afterward and buffed them again with a clean cotton dishcloth to a beautiful shine.

Cape Cod Polishing Cloths and a little elbow grease makes a winning combination to save you time, energy, and a headache.  So enjoy entertaining this holiday season knowing you found an easier, faster, and more pleasant way to get your shine on!

“WOOD FOR GOOD” Is Good For Wood: A Better Way To Clean Green

I did not plan to do a product review for my first official entry on Here We Are.  But as we all know, sometimes we get a nice surprise that we want to share and this is one of those times.

Recently, I bought a new kitchen table with a beautiful dark wood top.  On the day it was delivered, I decided to clean it with my usual wood cleaner to make it even shinier.  Well…I tried to fix something that wasn’t broken and surprise, I took off most of the finish leaving the tabletop dull and uneven!  So, since the summertime, I have tried several of the more recognizable commercial products in hopes of restoring the shine and evenness to the wood.  None of those products did much of anything except stink up my kitchen, give me a headache, and leave a lot of waxy and/or oily residue behind…until this past weekend.

I am happy to report my discovery of Method's wood cleaner, WOOD FOR GOOD. While it did not completely even out the finish, it did help to make it more uniform and left behind a beautiful shine without any residue.  The smell is called “Almond” and while it is very pleasant, I am not sure I would necessarily have identified it as such.  The real bonus is the natural and identifiable ingredient list, and from what I can tell, it’s phthalate free.

When I stumbled upon the wood cleaner at the store, on the shelf next to it sat a box containing a reusable microfiber cleaning cloth.  I am always suspicious when a company recommends buying an additional item to  enhance or help boost the results of the main product, but in this case, I agree.  The cleansing cloth made for a better result than when I tested the wood surface cleaner using just a paper towel.  You can definitely use a paper towel, but the loops in the microfiber seem to distribute the product better and it is environmentally friendly because you can wash it and reuse it over and over.  After rinsing it in the sink, I threw it into the wash, then the dryer; it came out a little lighter in color but worked just fine.

It is no wonder they named it WOOD FOR GOOD! This product does its job, is gentle on the environment, smells great and costs less than $10 for both the cleanser and the microfiber cloth combined…Not only is it good for wood, it is definitely a better way to clean and be green.