About House & Home: Get Ready for Outdoor Living

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Just because it's still cool where I live doesn't mean that people are staying indoors. Nope. Not at all. In fact, our neighbor, Dave, was barbecuing last night despite the torrential rains and periodic spurts of hail, asking when we planned on getting our back deck ready for our annual neighborhood deck party. He has a point. Around here summer can arrive without any warning...and so can our neighbors. Which means having everything in place, including a functional outdoor space. Outdoor Furniture for the Perfect Summer Getaway Having the perfect outdoor space requires furniture that is both welcoming and practical. Check out this great selection that will reflect your needs whether you're looking for something that is stylish, comfortable or versatile. See More About:  patio furniture  outdoor living  Outdoor Kitchens Outdoor kitchens are becoming the next big thing. I've been wondering if our outdoor space could accommodate more than a grill and some deck chairs. According to this article, creating an outdoor kitchen would not only increase our popularity with the neighbors but also add value to our property - a win-win for everyone. See More About:  buying a home  home pricing  finding real estate agents Wood Deck Cleaning & Refinishing Yes. I know. Before we can think of creating that perfect outdoor space we have to clean and refinish the back deck. Thankfully, this guide takes us through the process, step by step. See More About:  cleaning wood decks  types of deck cleaners  deck cleaner application Make Outdoor Citronella Bucket Candles Mosquitoes aren't a problem yet, at least not where we live. But someday soon, when I'm least expecting it and probably when we're hosting the first outdoor party of the season, they'll arrive as our unwanted guests. These citronella candles are the perfect solution, adding beauty and brawn to our outdoor living space. See More About:  candle making supplies  candle making safety  natural mosquito control House & Home Ads Living Room Designs Outdoor Furniture Living Interiors Outdoor Patio Outdoor Speaker Featured Articles Homemade Bird Cage Cleaner Free Scrapbook Patterns 12 Flowering Plants for Indoors Depression Glass Pattern Guide DIY Appliance Repair Projects How to Hide a TV   More from About.com Backyard Chickens 101 Dabble in the self-sufficient, eco-friendly life with these essential chicken-raising tips. More> 24 Amazing Container Gardens These gorgeous and creative gardens prove it doesn't take a lot of space to create something special. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Celebrate Green Living

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor While most of us use blue bins, run the dishwasher only when it's full, and turn off the lights when we're not in a room, there are other ways we can all be a little greener. So in honor of Earth Day on Friday, here are some great suggestions for celebrating this planet we call home. 8 Great Earth Day Activities for Kids Kids seem to be more connected to the earth than we adults are. The older we get, the more we tend to forget its fragility, its beauty and how it sustains us. This year, celebrate Earth Day with your kids and remember what it is that connects us all. See More About:  green kids  recycling  green holidays Plant a Seedling I saw a group of boys today, each of whom were carrying a very small sapling. I overheard one boy say that his tree would be planted outside his bedroom window. When his friend asked him why, he said that by the time he was old enough to sneak out at night, the tree would be big enough to support him. Whatever your reason, celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree. See More About:  planting trees  propagation  8 Green Do It Yourself Projects These do-it-yourself projects are the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day, while at the same time making sure that your home and your life are a whole lot greener. Green Kitchen Cleaners Kitchens tend to require the toughest cleaners and tough cleaners are often tough on the earth. But this video shows you how to clean the tough stuff without any of the rough stuff. Find out how. House & Home Ads Living Room Designs Living Interiors Senior Living Homes House Floor Plans Green House Featured Articles How to Buy Green Furniture History of the Easter Bunny Appliance Buying Tips Where to Buy Seeds Make Your Apartment Feel Bigger Knitting With Beads   More from About.com Backyard Chickens 101 Dabble in the self-sufficient, eco-friendly life with these essential chicken-raising tips. More> 24 Amazing Container Gardens These gorgeous and creative gardens prove it doesn't take a lot of space to create something special. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Host An Easter Egg Hunt

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Easter is in less than two weeks. I still need to put out the lawn decorations, color some eggs and figure out what I'm serving the family for brunch. Fortunately, the Home and Garden Guides have everything I need (and more) for the perfect Easter celebration. Whew! An Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch Easter egg hunts bring back such fond memories of childhood, like the time my dog decided that he'd pitch in to help me find the hidden eggs only to discover that eggs aren't that easy to carry. See More About:  easter  easter egg hunt  easter brunch Outdoor Easter Decorations I never used to decorate the front lawn for Easter. But ever since our neighbor, Dave, decided that he could out-Easter anybody on the street, we've come up with some innovative ways to say "Happy Easter" thanks to this great picture gallery. Look-out Dave! See More About:  easter bunny  outdoor holiday decorations  easter decorations Easter Egg Coloring, Decorating, Crafts, and Games So if your dog decides that he's going to help out and collect all the Easter eggs, you might want to make sure you color a few dozen and have extra fun games and crafts on hand to keep little ones entertained. See More About:  easter  food crafts  Protect Pets From Easter and Springtime Hazards I should let you know that the Easter eggs my dog destroyed...er...found, were dyed naturally just in case he decided to swallow any shells or pieces. But Easter eggs aren't the only potential hazards, there's a whole list you should know about to keep your pet safe this spring. See More About:  foods poisonous for pets  veterinary toxicology  easter hazards House & Home Ads House Plans House Designs Floor Plans Building Plans Calendar of Events Featured Articles Sew a Bunny Pillow How to Remove Easter Egg Stains Indoor Bug Prevention Without Insecticides Ho to Avoid BPA How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets What's a Knork?   More from About.com Discover the Disney Dream Disney's newest cruise ship has something for every family member, from the Aqua Duck watercoaster to adults-only lounges. More> Cruise the Celebrity Eclipse The Eclipse features luxurious interiors, a spa, and the "iLounge" where guests can check email and create their own photo books. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Give a Fresh-Look to Your Home's Exterior

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Now that the temperatures are on the rise, the days are lengthening and we're spending more hours outside, it's time to pay attention to your home's exterior. No matter what you'd like to makeover - whether it's last summer's peeling paint-job or the back deck that's longing for some attention - we have what you need to do just that. Simple Ways to Landscape Your Yard This is the exclusive, how-to guide for creating the perfect front and back yard. From creating a welcoming walkway to using flowers to boost your design power, everything you need is right here. See More About:  landscaping ideas  problem areas  front-yard design Feng Shui Your Home's Exterior If your home is looking a little weathered and you're not sure how to create a fresh, new look, then check out this guide. Not only will it provide you with great design ideas for your home, but it will be a true source of inspiration. See More About:  feng shui house  feng shui tips  feng shui decorating Great Deck Design Ideas Our back deck needs help. I wasn't sure what to do with it until I came across this gallery of great deck ideas. I love the modular tiles that would work perfectly. Or maybe we should build steps down to the garden that could be used for additional seating. Or maybe... Oh, so many ideas to choose from! See More About:  deck ideas  deck shapes  deck styles Most Common House Paint Problems & How to Fix Them I've written before about my house painting woes - of how I just never got the color right. But now we have a whole new problem, with the paint peeling like the house is trying to shed its hideous color. Since I'm not quite ready to repaint, I turned to this great article on how to repair the problem. See More About:  house paint problems  blistering paint  House & Home Ads Interior Decorating Interior Designs Exterior House Paint Living Interiors Interior Designing Featured Articles How to Care for a Kitten How to Unclog a Drain How to Make a Scrap Quilt 3D Home Theater Guide Spring Lawn Care Tips Great American Mansions   More from About.com Discover the Disney Dream Disney's newest cruise ship has something for every family member, from the Aqua Duck watercoaster to adults-only lounges. More> Cruise the Celebrity Eclipse The Eclipse features luxurious interiors, a spa, and the "iLounge" where guests can check email and create their own photo books. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement