Posts tagged: winter
Let the Holiday Posts Begin!
By ChrisjobFriends, it is November 2nd, Halloween is over, and it's time to begin the wintertide holiday festivities.
Half of you reading this will say, "Duh, Chris, my tree's/menorah's been up for weeks, and my shopping was done months ago, and Bing's on the old hi-fi right now!" And the other half will say, "Are you kidding me?! Just because the corporations say its time to start selling doesn't mean it's December already...Quit being a slave to commerci » READ MORE
Three Hot Drink Recipes to Warm Your Toes (and Cloud Your Brain...)
By ChrisjobIt's still cold outside... So, this weekend, embrace the fact that your stuck inside with these recipes for a few hot cocktails that'll cure your winter blues...
- Hot Toddy: Steamy Tea, Bourbon, and Lemon
- Hot Buttery Rum: Rum, Butter, and Spices...it's like a cookie that'll give you a hangover
- Hot Cocoa and Schnapps: A Peppermint Patty worth the calories..
Curbly Video Quick Tip: Keep Your Shovel De-Iced for Easy Snow Removal.
By Chrisjob
Brrrr... We're certainly in the dead center of winter, and for those of us north of the Mason-Dixon line (and for many of you below it), that means lots and lots of shoveling to keep sidewalks, porches, and driveways clean. But, as any 12-year-old kid can tell you, after the first few minutes, snow and ice start to build up on the shovel's surface, and it becomes heavy and more difficult to use.
Ice House
By DIY Maven
Where I live, it's cold outside. Really cold. Like -18 (-27.8C) ambient temperature cold. Seeing an image like this reminds me things could be worse. Much worse. Back in ‘05 the wind blew sea spray, which froze on contact, leaving this house in Plymouth, MA, cocooned in ice. Source. Image by Bill Peaslee via Weather Underground.
Ice Hotels... Cool
By lilybeeHave a peek at the pretty that is the ICEHOTEL in Sweden. Different every year, it's built from ice taken from the nearby river and from snice (Snow. Ice. SNICE!) sprayed on huge metal forms. Once the basic shape is in place a BUNCH of different designers, artists and clever folks are shipped in from around the world to make each room unique. And, you know, mind-blowingly beautiful.
Here are a few of the highlights of this winter's Hotel.
Milky Way the exterior light/art installation. The lighting this year has been designed » READ MORE
Virtual Fireplace, in Blu-ray
By DIY Maven
Several years ago, a local television station started airing the ‘Yule Log.’ Basically, it’s a loop of burning logs in a fire accompanied with Christmas tunes. It has become a tradition in many households, even ones with fireplaces like mine, to tune into 'the log’. As a matter of fact, it’s ratings often top the charts. If you don’t have a ‘Yule Log’ station, here’s the perfect answer: HDScape’s Fireplace, which is a crackl » READ MORE
Winter Rx: Grillin' Out
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Around my house, nothing lifts our spirits more than a tasty, healthy meal cooked out on a smokin' hot grill. We've adopted an untraditional tradition of grilling out on Christmas Eve. Whether it's burgers and brats, or a pork tenderloin, we feel like we've broken the rules a little bit.... » READ MORE
Celebrating the Solstice
By lilybee
The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, this year it's on the 21st of December. It's kind of a boon to those of
us who don't really do religious holidays at this time of year, as
folks have been eating, making wreaths and burning stuff (all my
favourite things!) to mark the solstice for pretty much ever... even
longer than Festivus has been celebrated.
You can, of course, observe Solstice simply by thinking quietly to yourself
'In your eye, rubbish darkness, bring on the longer days and the way more awesome part of the year'
If you were hoping for something a little more formal you could try:
- Building a wreath, gather your folks and a heap o' greenery (and maybe » READ MORE
Have Yourself A Nordic Little Christmas
By lilybeeOh Scandinavia. Why you got to be so awesome?
Nordic folks know a thing or two about winter, what with 20 hours of darkness and months of temperatures that will kill you. They manage to say yahboo to the most rubbish of seasons with the best Christmas/winter decorations ever. And now, so can you... in two price ranges!
Ikea Light chain with three lights, $8.99
Scandinavian design star light, $61.17 (ex. tax), » READ MORE
Snowmen Bush Covers
By DIY Maven
Winterburn, according to chicagobotanic.org, 'is a cultural condition that affects plants that do not lose their leaves over the winter. Leaves turn yellow and then brown in response to specific weather conditions. Leaves do not actually burn but rather dry up.' Those 'specific weather conditions' include mild winter temperatures, sunshine and winds.Winterburn prevention includes watering evergreens up until the ground freezes and wrapping the » READ MORE
Choose The Right Humidifier
By lilybeeStupid winter. It dries your eyeballs into prunes and makes your skin
feel like the lady-suit from The Silence of The Lambs (...it rubs the
lotion on it's skin). The combo of moisture-sucking cold outside and
moisture-sucking heat inside is just rubbish, 'specially for somebody
from a damp little island.
Humidifiers are the way forward. Here's how to choose a good one:
- Warm or cold mist? It's a personal preference thing. Warm are generally » READ MORE
12 Steps to Cozy Up Your Pad
By DIY MavenIt's cold outside, but that doesn't mean it has to be cold inside! If your pad is feeling less than cozy these days, you might want to employ a few of these quick and cuddly fixes.
1. Toss a throw blanket, especially the nubby kind, over the sofa and pile a couple folded ones on the floor so they're in easy reach.
2. Accent with black–but use it sparingly.
3. Add pillows galore, especially textured ones.
4. If you have a fireplace, rearrange your » READ MORE
Winter Decor
By JHRivers I wrote a post earlier this week on ways to liven up your decor this winter the cheap & easy way. You can view this short article by going to the link below: http://simplysweethome.blogspot.com/2008/01/liven-up-your-decor-this-winter-cheap.html
The Top Ten Winter Houseplants.
By ChrisjobJust because it's all frozen outside doesn't mean your green thumb gets to lie dormant all season. Instead, move your green friends inside. Here's ten hearty varieties to get you started.
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Aloe (Aloe spp.).
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.).
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Calla Lily (Zantedeschia spp.)
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Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.).
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Clivia (Clivia spp.).
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Corn Plant (Dracaena spp.).
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Jewel Orchid (Ludisia spp.).
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Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.).
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Moth Orchid (Phalaenop » READ MORE
Better Options to De-Ice Your Driveway and Sidewalks.
By ChrisjobThis article claims to offer a bunch of environmentally-sound methods of de-icing sidewalks. However, most of their tips are directed more at removing ice from your window (though they are good tips for doing so).
Luckily, the folks in the comments section offer great green ideas that seem much more fun than shoveling at six a.m.
- Pure urea fertilizer
- Fire place ash
- Baking soda on steps and walkways
- Just add sand for traction
- Ground leaves from the comp » READ MORE
How to build a cheap outside pet shelter for cold weather.
By wizoddWell, winter is here (Northern Wisconsin) -10 last night
I have cats that are allowed In & Out, but don't have a cat door, I have a deck sheltered on 3 sides and the top, which keeps them out of some of the weather, but my eldest likes to go on extended "business trips." And I can't stand next to the door all night--and I won't.
So, I build cat shelters. Over the years I've built many of them of different materials (what I have or can scrouge u » READ MORE
How To Remove Soot and Smoke Stains From Your Fireplace.
By ChrisjobThe winter time is the right time for nestling besides the glow from your fireplace. Unfortunately, the escape of smoke can often leave deposits on the stones or bricks on your hearth, To clean them, simply dissolve Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) into a bucket of water, following the directions on the package, then scrub it down with a firm-bristled brush. Repeat as necessary, then rinse.
How to Prep Your Car for Winter Driving.
By ChrisjobIt's cold, people, and the last few days have dropped snow all over the nation. Yet, life doesn't stop, and unfortunately, most of us don't own snowmobiles or a giant red sleigh with eight tiny reindeer. Help your trusty ole automobile do its best.
- Inspect your antifreeze.
- Have your charging system checked for free at any Advance Auto Parts store.
- Change your oil and oil filter.
- Visually inspect all lights.
- Check tire tread condition.
- Replace wiper » READ MORE
How To Attract Birds in the Winter.
By ChrisjobThe always useful Organic Gardening magazine offers some tips to keep backyard birds visible and present at your home during the cold months.
