Tag Archives: namibia

Fun Fall Crafts for Preschoolers: Homemade Trees

On a scale from one to ten this craft is a solid three in terms of difficulty. Meaning if you have a preschooler like I do, he or she will have very little difficulty making these homemade trees. If you have a crafty toddler he or she might need a bit more help from you, and if you have a school-age child she could probably complete this project on her own. Regardless of your child’s age this project yields a wonderfully festive piece of seasonal art that is sure to be warmly embraced by a grandparent. CONSTRUCTION PAPER LEAVES In … Continue reading →

Fall Planting “How To” on You Tube

If you are getting ready for your fall planting, you might want to check out You Tube. There are some great videos on there that can give you some how to help that is easy to see and understand. From choosing what to plant to how to prune and start your own plants, You Tube is a great resource. Here are some of my favorite fall planting “how to” videos. Horticultural Tip/Fall Planting If you need some tips about planting shrubs, this is a really useful video. It talks about everything from drainage to avoiding backfill soil on top of … Continue reading →

Witch Hazel

Despite the spooky name, this tree has nothing to do with witches! The name comes from an Old English word meaning “pliant” because the flexible branches made good bows for archers. Witch hazel is native to most of North America — the only place the tree is hard to come by is in the far west. It tends to grow in moist areas and prefers light woods and rocky streams. The tree prefers partial shade and sandy or peaty soil. Native Americans made a tea from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel tree. The tea was used to … Continue reading →

Homeowner’s Insurance Dilemma

If you’ve ever filed an insurance claim, you may have discovered that the process can tempt the patience of a saint sometimes. It can be that much more frustrating for us mere mortals. Someone I know recently had a tree fall onto his house. It was during very cold, wet weather (although I can’t imagine a good time for such a thing to occur). Of course, he called the insurance company right away, but unfortunately, the company wasn’t in nearly the hurry he was to fix his home. The adjuster also tried to cut as many corners as possible. The … Continue reading →

Let the Animals Decorate for Christmas

Want a whimsical Christmas decorating idea that comes straight from the wonderful world of Disney? Here is a cute idea that you’ll want to try over and over again. Have you seen the movie Enchanted, yet? With all of the previews, movie clips and interviews, I feel as though I have already seen the movie, even without actually going to the theater. One of the prevailing themes in the movie a play on the traditional Disney films with all of the helpful happy woodland creatures that are available to assist the Disney princesses. And then there are the holiday movies, … Continue reading →

Outdoor Christmas Trees

This Christmas, why not decorate trees and place them outdoors? It is a great way to have the spirit of the season extend beyond your living room. Choose one tree or several, and you are bound to add some Christmas curb appeal to your house that will have everyone wishing they were at your home for the holidays. Two more benefits to have outdoor trees: Easier cleanup when it comes to needles and it allows even those with allergies to experience the warmth of a fresh-cut or live tree. Here are some tips and ideas that are good to know … Continue reading →

Japanese Maple Trees

These beautiful trees offer brilliant color in the fall and come in lots of great shapes and sizes, making them a welcome addition to any landscape. Learn how you can incorporate these trees into your yard. In our old home, we had a very small yard, both front and back, a far cry from the two acres we have now, But one thing that we did have at that old place that I really miss is the Japanese maple tree that stood sentinel before our home, giving us plenty of beauty in the suburban neighborhood. One of the first trees … Continue reading →

Bette Midler’s Boo-Boo

The queen of green has some explaining to do. According to news reports, Bette Midler has been accused of chopping down more than 230 trees around one of her properties on the Hawaiian island of Kauai–without a permit. It may not sound like a big deal to you, but there are a couple of reasons why the news is making headlines in the Aloha State. First of all, cutting down native (and non-native) trees in picturesque Hawaii is a major offense. Currently, The state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources is recommending the actress pay $6,500 in fines for chopping … Continue reading →

Teens Hug Trees and The Web

How can we get kids to be more involved with saving the environment? Perhaps all we need to do is give them a computer and access to the Internet. At least that is what one recent study might suggest. Research firm JupiterReserarch just released their results of a study yesterday that shows a link between teenagers who are concerned with the environment, known as “green teens,” and Internet activity. The study tracked the common activities of teenagers, finding that the green teens, when compared tot he average teenager are more engaged in listening to music online, chat online, post a … Continue reading →

The Contents of A Homeowner Policy

A Homeowner policy is an expanded Standard Fire Insurance Form with built in endorsements and added coverage. Lenders usually require a Homeowner Insurance Binder or Certificate of Insurance, by the closing date, if the insurance isn’t in place then the sale of the house won’t close. Lenders won’t pay for property that’s not properly insured, and some lenders may require specific types and coverage amounts to be sure they don’t lose money if there is a disaster. Many states also require Homeowners have additional specific types of insurance, such as earthquake or flood insurance if the risk is greater. The … Continue reading →