If you have a garden, it is probably one of the most prized parts of your home. However, even if it is, there are many people out there who do not generally enjoy gardening, or who wish it would be a lot simpler and easier. If you are one of those people, there’s good news, which is that there are plenty of strategies you can employ, and methods you can use, in order to make gardening a lot simpler – while still keeping your garden beautiful and enjoyable. Let’s take a look at how you might be able to do that.

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Design It Well

First of all, if you want to make caring for your garden easier and simpler, one important thing to think about is whether it is designed well. With good design, what you are hoping for is that it is going to be simple and make a lot of sense, and that it will work in the way you need it to work. If you can focus on your garden in this manner, from the design element upwards, everything else you hope to achieve is going to be that much easier, so it really is worth taking a look at things in this way. Someone like this landscaping contractor Richmond can help you to do the bulk of the heavy work such as earthmoving and path laying. Once you have the basic shape of the garden laid out, you can add more decorative features yourself.

Another thing you might start worrying about once everything is in place, is weeds in your garden. They can cause huge damage to your plants and need to be dealt with regularly. Many people might have questions like – will lime kill weeds in my yard? Lime has many beneficial properties that might help with your gardening and plants. You can explore other home remedies as well.

Replace The Lawn

In most gardens, the aspect that generally needs the most care and attention is the lawn. So, if you can do something about replacing the lawn with something easier, you are probably going to find it is a lot simpler to look after the garden in general. You have a number of options here. Firstly, you could get rid of it completely, and replace it with something like gravel or stones that are not going to require any care at all. If you choose to do that, you might want to look at the available stone options at Paving Shopper or any similar eCommerce store. They could be a great option for people looking for enhancing their garden but without welcoming any maintenance costs.

However, if you do not want to get rid of the greens completely, and are looking for another alternative, you can use fake grass. That way you can enjoy the same look, that too with very little care. Once it wears out, you can remove it and again get a different layer of grass laid, such as a corsica mint lawn giving a different look and feel again. It’s all up to you!

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No-Dig Gardening

One method that is becoming more and more popular in recent years is known as no-dig gardening. With this method of gardening, you are able to grow whatever plants you want without having to dig a single hole. That makes things so much easier for those who might not have the resources to buy lots of gardening tools, or if you just don’t have the time or effort for normal gardening methods. With no-dig gardening, you simply lay plastic down to stop the weeds coming through, propagate some plants, and then start planting. You might be amazed at what this can do for your garden, and how easy it is to follow.

All of these ideas are going to help you make your gardening so much easier, so make sure that you are considering them. As long as you try these out, you should be able to approach gardening in a much simpler manner and enjoy the process so much more for it.

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Throwing a party and looking for some creative, fun and easy appetizers to serve to your guests? Why not try some of the exciting appetizer ideas?

Smoked salmon and cream cheese

This popular appetizer never gets old. You can serve the salmon and cream cheese on crackers or you can form them into wheels.

Honey garlic crockpot meatballs

These mouthwatering meatballs are cooked in a sauce made from honey, garlic, ketchup, soy sauce and brown sugar. You can serve these with cocktail sticks – or mini forks if you want to be fancy.

Cranberry brie bites

Cranberry brie bites are the ideal holiday appetizer. Whip up some shortcrust pastry dough using butter, flour, salt and water and then separate this into small bitesize puffs. Then add a cube of brie and a dollop of cranberry to each puff (either inside or on top of the pastry). Bake for 20 minutes and voila!

Champagne jello shots

These boozy jello shots are a great grown-up appetizer for a special occasion – whether it be a birthday or Xmas. You can make them using gelatin, lemon juice, water, and whatever sparkling wine you have to hand. You could even think of mixing them up with the Cheapest Baileys to make it taste even better. Serve them in small plastic cups or as cubes with cocktail sticks.

Bacon wrapped chestnuts

Another great seasonal appetizer – bacon wrapped chestnuts are delicious and very easy to make. Simply wrap up water chestnuts in bacon, skewer onto a toothpick and bake for an hour. For extra caramelised flavoring, add some brown sugar and ketchup.

Deviled egg

This popular traditional appetizer consists of half a boiled egg stuffed with mustard and mayo. Of course, you don’t have to go with the traditional stuffing – there are plenty of other stuffing options that could help to give this appetiser a unique twist. A few tasty examples of stuffing ideas include cheese with pickle, garlic shrimp, bacon with jalapeno or horseradish and beet.

Hanky pankies

Your guests are certain to love this hanky panky appetizer. Also sometimes known as ‘Polish mistakes’, these naughtily-named appetizers consist of sausage, hamburger meat, cheese and whatever other ingredients you can throw into the mix. They’re best served on small squares of toast or bread.

Olive cocktail penguins

These penguin-shaped appetizers are certain to be a talking point. All you need is black olives, cream cheese and a carrot. By assembling these into a penguin shape, you can then create a fun appetizer that everyone will love. Check out these olive cocktail penguins to get a better idea of what the result looks like.

Deconstructed guacamole skewers

These are another simple and tasty appetizer worth trying. Take some avocado, tomato and feta cheese and cut it into small chunks. Skewer these chunks onto a toothpick and soak in herbs. You can also add chicken or chillies to these skewers to jazz them up.

Spinach artichoke zucchini bites

These vegan-friendly appetizers are very addictive. Blend artichokes, spinach and a touch of garlic in a bowl into a paste. Cut up slices of zucchini and spread the artichoke-spinach paste onto each slice. Bake in the oven until it is browned – and there you have it!

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If you have ever been around the entrepreneurial scene, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a lot of emphasis placed on things like boosting productivity, maximizing efficiency, and coming up with ways to streamline features of your professional life.

 However, you can also understand why the entrepreneurial aspect has placed so much importance on productivity. To make it clear, let us take an example of a production unit where you would need different machines and equipment to run the various parts of the system more efficiently. Like bulk bag fillers to get your product bagged, a conveyor belt system to make the movement of those bags streamlined and maybe even a code scanner to take automatic inventory of the bags ready for dispatch. With so much of the work done by technology, there is an increased productivity which reduced work hours. However, for a human, this would have been a much longer and tedious process.

You must however bear in mind that you don’t necessarily need to adopt too much of a “business-minded” perspective with regards to your personal life in general. There are definitely certain benefits to figuring out ways to streamline aspects of your everyday life nonetheless, whether that means researching topics such as how often to water a cactus and then buying one that requires less frequent care, or whether it means simplifying your goals and routines.

Here are just a few reasons why it can help to streamline some aspects of your everyday life.

• Because time and attention are precious and finite resources

First things first: although we generally like to imagine that we have a more or less endless supply of time, and that we will always have enough energy and attention at hand to spend doing all the different things we want to do, the reality is unfortunately different.

Time and attention are precious and finite resources. Whenever you spend a couple of hours a day doing one thing, something else has to be either pushed into a smaller available portion of your total daily time, or it has to be abandoned.

Streamlining features of your everyday life can make you more “efficient,” which, in turn, can mean that you have more time and attention to spare for other things.

• Because the more you spend your willpower on everyday chores, the less you will have for big tasks

In the field of psychology, there is a general consensus that willpower behaves in some ways like a muscle – and that the more we expend our willpower over the course of the day, the less we have available for other “willpower challenges” that come up.

Kelly McGonigal makes this argument in her book, “The Willpower Instinct,” for example.

One side effect of this phenomenon is that if it’s difficult and tedious for you to summon up the willpower to deal with the various chores and obligations you are confronted by every day, you’ll be more likely to give in to certain temptations, and less likely to be able to invest much willpower in things like hobby projects.

Streamlining your life can help to reduce the amount of willpower you need to expend on everyday things.

• Because the modern world is full of complexity, and it’s necessary to simplify sometimes

In many ways, life today is better than was in the past. Very few people complain about modern medicine, for example.

At the same time, though, it’s also true that life today is increasingly full of complexity in a way in which it never was before.

There is evidence that when we have too many choices to make, and too many tasks to switch between, we can quickly end up being burned out and end up giving in to inaction.

Streamlining aspects of your everyday life is akin to simplifying – and in a world of growing complexity, it is often necessary to simplify.

Driving. Riding. Cruising. We all know how easy it can be to jump in the car on a cold winter’s morning instead of walking. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that driving is always more dangerous in the winter. Accidents are much more likely, and you could have a serious injury. If you’ve been involved in a motor accident that wasn’t your fault, you might wish to find a personal injury lawyer for more information on your situation. You don’t want an accident to ruin your festive period, so it’s always best to know what to do if you do find yourself in an unfortunate circumstance.

While driving often isn’t avoidable, it’s important to be aware of the increased dangers during the winter months. Here’s why driving will be more dangerous this winter.

Ice and snow

Lots of northern and eastern states see freezing conditions in winter. This brings ice and snow, making the roads dangerous and slippery. Black ice can be particularly troublesome, as it’s impossible to see. So, it’s important to drive with extra caution in freezing temperatures. Many people invest in snow tires and keep shovels in their vehicle, just in case they have to get out and clear their path.

Increased traffic

There’s always more traffic in winter. Why? A number of reasons. Firstly, it’s colder out, so people are less inclined to walk. The holiday season also brings increased traffic as people are driving home to their families. Generally, people are out and about more in December as they’re celebrating festivities. All of these factors can mean that the roads are busier, and therefore more dangerous. You might find yourself snarled in traffic and feeling frustrated. However, it’s important to drive with extra caution and not be tempted to cut lines. This is when driving gets dangerous and car accidents happen. It is possible that you are taking extra caution while driving in such conditions. However, you cannot always expect others to be responsible on the roads. Accidents are unpredictable and result in grave medical and financial troubles. Get in touch with a car accident attorney from somewhere like the Echavarria Law Firm, if something unfortunate happens to you.

Sparkly distractions

The holiday season often means that there are lots of fun and festive decorations strung around. People will decorate their houses and compete with one another to have the most impressive display. It’s all great fun, but it adds additional dangers when driving. You might be tempted to look out the window and admire the sparkles. This is never a good idea. Always keep both eyes on the road. If you fancy checking out the lights, park up and go for a stroll.

Dark mornings and evenings

Winter can be a depressing season because of the limited amount of daylight. You drive to work in darkness and drive home in darkness, too. While it’s not particularly cheery, it can also make driving more dangerous as it’s harder to see. Make sure to use your lights and focus on the road. Beam lights can be useful in darker months, but always turn them off when another driver is approaching. You don’t want to hurt their eyes and limit their visibility.

Budgeting for a problem in the house is vital; as is your insurance; however, it’s also vital to be aware of the types of problems you may encounter. Not all houses meet the needs of their occupants perfectly… And that’s normal! Fashions change, families, change, people age. Although there is usually no solution as easy as repainting the walls to functional problems in a house, there are still often ways to improve the condition. If it becomes more and more frustrating and challenging for the people who live there daily, to the point that they come to feel completely overwhelmed and caught off guard!

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A kitchen that is too small

Just a few decades ago, kitchens were much smaller – and generally relatively less functional – than today! It wasn’t a room we wanted to spend time in, let alone get together; moreover, the food that was prepared there was not (with some exceptions) so elaborate. It is, therefore, a prevalent source of irritation for those who move into an older house: the kitchen is not large enough or open enough to entertain and spend time in! Nowadays, cooking is a hobby. We like to entertain or even want the whole family to be near during the preparation of meals. Maximize vertical space and set up a series of organizational solutions: shelves, hooks and baskets that save space. Getting rid of all unnecessary items is also an efficient solution.

The house has a pest problem.

Thankfully pests and damages can be quickly sorted; usually! Any infestation can be exterminated by a professional. Keep a list of Local Exterminators to ensure you have the number to hand. If the problem is rotting door frames or damp, then that should also be taken care of to improve the quality of your living whilst in the house.

Accessibility

Living in a house that is not entirely accessible is a daily struggle for many people, whether they are disabled, ageing or convalescing. When you are in good health, you suspect not the magnitude of the problems associated with the presence of stairs, corridors too narrow to fit a wheelchair. Smaller rooms may not seem very functional, but you can make them so. Relocate the person with special needs by changing their room (for example, near a large bathroom, on the same level as the entrance). Add grab bars in the bathroom. Make it safe and secure just in case your living situation changes.

An unfinished basement

A basement is a great place to store things, but often it isn’t a reality to do so. It is often the least visited place in a house and for a good reason: what could be more depressing than an unfinished basement? But yet, it is a real gold mine: free, accessible and adaptable space! Investing a little time and money to improve an unfinished basement is always a winning strategy. You can get it remodeled by professionals of a basement remodeling boulder firm, for instance, if that is where you live, to achieve a finished look so that the basement can integrate seamlessly with the rest of your home. Also, with a proper design, there would be ample space for your storage needs.

Use at least the basement as storage space, for example by installing shelves and shelves as well as a series of transparent bins. So the basement can at least be used to declutter the living rooms.

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Now that December is here, we are finally starting the countdown to Christmas with our families. It is important though now to start doing some of those all important maintenance tasks at home to keep it looking bright, clean, and festive during the season.

It is easy to forget home maintenance around Christmas however today we are going to take a look at some of the tasks you should complete consistently to ensure your home stays clean and tidy, and pest free over the festive season.

Wiping your window sills

It is incredibly important in winter not to forget to wipe your windows each morning to rid them of condensation. Condensation alone might not seem like a problem; however, as it builds up and creates a cold and damp environment it can attract mold spores which will grow and multiply. Be sure that you wipe your windows every day to keep them dry and keep mold away. If you do not have enough time on your plate to do the cleaning, then you may want to look up commercial window cleaning services in your vicinity. They can restore your windows back to their original condition.

That said, if you fail to clean occasionally, then the mold might cause people to suffer from sneezing, inflammatory reactions, allergies, congestion, and breathing problems, or more. Therefore, if you have even the slightest suspicion about the growth of mold in your home, you might need to look for “mold removal near me” and find a service provider who can take care of the mold problem. But, as said, if you wipe and get rid of condensation and moisture, the growth of molds or other fungi can be avoided.

Eradicating pests

Pests sadly don’t take a break for Christmas, and it is important for you to take precautions to prevent them taking over your home this Christmas. Consider contacting pest control services for bigger issues, and in your everyday life be sure to clean the house often, avoid food left out, and take the bins out. The last thing you want around Christmas is to have to deal with a pest infestation. You might also look for trusted termite treatment companies in your vicinity and make your home hygienic and safe.

Cleaning the carpet

It is so important before the festive season comes along to deep clean your carpets. Cleaning the carpets is likely something you don’t do often, but now and again a good deep clean is needed to maintain a hygienic home. Be sure to clean your carpet often and make it smell fresh for when you have guests over during the festive period.

Soaking your showerhead

One of the important cleaning jobs you should do once a week throughout the year is cleaning the showerhead. Over time, your showerhead will attract mould and mildew and this will cause the spouts to clog up and affect water pressure. To avoid this issue on a cold winter’s night, soak your showerhead in a mixture of bleach and water overnight. This will help kill anything living in your showerhead, and the next day you can simply pour the water away and run the shower for a few minutes to rinse it out. This cleaning hack is essential all year long so make sure to do this in winter!

Fixing broken seals

As time goes on, the sealant around your windows and doors will slowly start to crumble. This is a natural part of wear and tear and it is important for you to replace cracked or broken sealant as it deteriorates. Replacing the sealant around windows and doors is important not only for the strength of your windows but it will also stop heat escaping or cold air getting into the house in winter.

Be sure to try these maintenance jobs during winter to keep your home in tip top condition even when Christmas arrives.

With the festive season slowly getting into full swing, the cost of your family Christmas is likely to be on the up. Splashing out to show your loved ones a little thought and appreciation always appears to be a must, but this can mean that you end up struggling through the new year thanks to the financial difficulties you experience as a result. Luckily it’s more than possible to plan a cost effective Christmas, and you needn’t feel as though you’re missing out on any of the festive essentials despite your smaller budget! So, if you would like to know more about how you can plan the best purse friendly festivities for your family and friends, then read on to uncover some amazing money saving options that you can explore today.

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Shop The Sale 

One of the best ways to save money on your usual Christmas essentials is by shopping when sales and offers are at their peak. Just before the festive season begins, many stores have discounts for ‘Black Friday’ – this is a great opportunity to find some real bargains, as many items can be as little as half of their original price! If you’re willing to prepare quite far in advance, the best sales to shop are those which commence from Boxing Day. Boxing Day and the remainder of December is often discount heaven, as most stores want to get rid of their stock to make way for the new year lines. You can source some amazing Christmas themed items for just a few pennies, including things like wrapping paper, crackers cheese decorations, greeting cards and more! Stock up when the price is right and keep these items in a safe storage area to pull out whenever the festive season comes knocking. 

Experiment With DIY 

An innovative way to cut down the cost of your family Christmas is through the use of DIY. DIY (do-it-yourself) is a method which involves lots of creativity and flare, along with just a small amount of funds to make it all happen. You can use the DIY method for a number of different festive essentials, from your most Christmas favourite food such as fruitcakes and roast potatoes, to decorations, cards and gifts too! You can make these dried orange slices to hang proud on your Christmas tree, and even knit your own festive jumper to get into the spirit. Unfortunately it’s common for prices to rise as soon as December rolls around, even for must-haves like food. Recognising these high prices and choosing to seek a more reasonable alternative can save you a whole load of money whilst still providing you with everything you had originally hoped. 

Planning a purse friendly festive season has never been so simple when you are able to utilise the brilliant tips and tricks that have been carefully described above. Christmas is often alarmingly costly, but these ideas can aid you in reducing your overall spend without missing out on any of your usual fun.