There is nothing more relaxing than a home that is peaceful, beautiful, with the right ambiance. Well, most people’s aim to make their home functional, yet elegant, and their own special place.

After a stressful day at work, you need to be able to relax in your own home, and that’s difficult to do if your living space is in disarray and messy.  It’s difficult to relax when chaos surrounds you.

Most of us strive toward creating a relaxing environment for ourselves and families. After all-There’s no place like home, is there?

Many people have a flair for decorating their home. They have a great eye for color and design.  They have specific requirements when it comes to choosing furniture and accents for their home, whether it be eclectic, traditional, or ultra modern. They find ways to make their home reflect their own personalities. They usually have no problem in making their home appealing and relaxing.

For others trying to visualize what is possible is a real challenge. No matter how together and organized we are in other areas of our life, we have no ideas of what should go with what. We all have different likes and dislikes when it comes to décor and furniture that’s what makes things interesting. It would be pretty boring if we all cloned our homes to some magazines ideal.

Regardless of your style the one thing that is sure to help create a relaxing atmosphere is a water feature. The sight and sound of running water is most relaxing and helps hide unwanted background noises like passing traffic.

The idea of adding some form of water feature to our home is becoming more and more popular. You may decide to choose something small and inexpensive for your table or desk or maybe you want something more elaborate like a water wall.

There are many kinds of fountain that you can choose from, tabletop fountains, desk fountains, water walls, patio fountains, and many more. They are also available in a variety of different sizes, designs, and colors, you can choose from.

A nice idea is to have a garden fountain that can be viewed from you window or patio door. This way you have the best of both worlds.
I have an outdoor water fountain. I find this really restful and a nice feature for my garden. It’s really beautiful and it truly enhances the overall beauty of my home. It is also relaxing because every morning when I wake up I hear the sound of water splashing and often sit out there for my morning coffee.  Also it requires no plumbing. It has an internal pump that enables the water to re-circulate.

Some people are put off from having a fountain because they think it needs a lot of set up.

If your preference is to put the fountain inside your home there are a huge selection to choose from either table-top fountains, floor models, or wall mounted fountains.
You can select from variety of designs like contemporary, and Zen water features. You have to decide what design will be perfect for your home.

Remember that however you choose to decorate your home; it is a matter of expression because your entire home will reflect your personality.

If you are ready to start searching for a water Feature for your home check out the huge selection at Every Fountain…then sit back, relax and enjoy it.

By Vanessa Tabor

Debe Lange

While our children were home, we concerned ourselves with cooking nutritious meals for them on a regular basis.  We knew their growth, stamina, and concentration depended on it.  Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and meats were all a part of teaching them to eat healthy when they became adults.

So what happened to all of that good training and advice once they moved on?  I’m not talking about them not following through on the good eating habits they learned.  I’m talking about us!

We stop cooking!

When there’s only us, and maybe our spouse around to eat, we get lazy and stop cooking all those good foods that we already know we need to stay healthy.  If there was ever a time in our lives that we needed good nutrition, it’s now when our bodies are aging.We need the calcium at a time when osteoporosis is increasing and joints are less mobile.  Our skin is drying out, our hair is losing its sheen or falling out altogether, and our teeth … well that goes without saying.  Add all the residuals left from injuries, diseases, and bad habits we’ve acquired along the path of life and its no wonder we’re achy and stiff in the morning.  Healthy food isn’t an option.  It’s a necessity.

Learn to cook for one or two

Instead of grabbing that left over donut that’s been left drying out on your countertop, how about munching on some baby carrots, celery sticks, or nutmeats?  Then when mealtime comes, you won’t be left with that bloated and heavy feeling.  You’ll actually be able to enjoy eating a tastefully cooked meal.

Speaking of that cooked meal

you don’t need to cook a four course meal every day.  There are lots of ways to get around having to use every pot and pan in your kitchen as you once did.  Then too, who wants to eat a delicious meal only to have to spend the next half hour or more cleaning up?

Here are a few things you can do to get the nutrition you need

Without the cost of eating high caloric and expensive meals ‘out’, yet still not have to deal with the hassle of cooking and cleaning every day.

Cook once a week.

Then when you do, cook multiple meals and bake multiple things at the same time.

Think big!

Cook for six, eight, or even ten people.  Then freeze individual portions in smaller containers to be reheated throughout the week.

Make more of the same thing.

In other words, if you’re already peeling potatoes for soup, peel more to make potato salad, too.  If you’re adding boiled eggs to that potato salad, boil a few extra and make deviled eggs at the same time.  Why make the same mess again the next day?

Buy in bulk.

Not only will you save money, you’ll also have the things you need, when you need them.  That way you can avoid making unexpected trips to the store for items you run out of when cooking.

Most all meats are cheaper when purchased in larger amounts.

So, repackage meat, like ground beef for example.  Buy 10 or 15 pounds at one time and repackage it into smaller portions for freezing.  Make individual patties and separate them with freezer paper.  By freezing them, you’ll love the fingertip convenience and only cooking what you’ll eat.

Make it easy on yourself

Use pots, pans, and cooking utensils that are dishwasher safe or don’t need to be scrubbed, and use the microwave more often.  Less mess and easier cleanup means a better attitude toward cooking in the first place.

Now, what did you say you were having for dinner?

Debe Lange

By Debe Lange

If you’re like many of the rest of us over fifty, we’ve gathered a lot of “stuff” over the years. Let’s be honest for most of us the only times we have a really good clear out of things we no longer use or need is when we move. Even then many of us just pack and go to leave things sit in boxes until the next time. We have our own stuff and often things belonging to other family members that have left their belongings behind.

Sometimes we have friends or family that move house and don’t have room to take everything with them. Being a nice person you offer to let them store things in your garage or basement until they get settled. Except, they forget about it and so do you, until you try to find something and have to move all this stuff. Then too, you have your own boxes, closets, and garage full of those half-completed projects that you’ve never quite gotten back to; those tools that you haven’t used since 1983; the not quite empty cans of paint or stain left over from the remodeling you did three summers before last that you didn’t want to waste; and the skeins of yarn, scraps of fabric, and all those clothes that your diet never quite brought you back to. It’s time!  Face the facts.  You aren’t ever going to use that paint, that is, if it’s not dried up by now.  You know.  All those skeins of yarn you have left from the afghan you made for your grandbaby that is now twelve … Give them to someone who can use them.  You’re not going to wear those clothes either, even if they are still in style.  Give them to someone who needs them and will fit into them.

You see, it isn’t the “things” that are the problem.  It’s us.  We hang onto things for two reasons:  We convince ourselves we’ll need them later, or we attach memories to them.  As we grow older, we sometimes look back instead of forward and hang onto more of the past than we should.  Often those days were happier and simpler so of course we enjoy remembering.  We should.  What we shouldn’t do is think that if we get rid of the “things” from our past, those wonderful memories will fade.  They won’t.  They’ll be cherished.

Naturally there are things you want to pass onto your own children, or even grandchildren, but why keep them until you’re gone?  Why not give them now so you can share the memories that go with them?  Wouldn’t you rather see the appreciation on their face today rather than waiting for tomorrow and leaving them wondering why you saved that memento for them in the first place?

When you de-clutter your home, or your desk you are also de-cluttering your mind. You’re actually making room for more living in the future.

In order to really feel free we need to make amends with those who we’ve had friction with.  We need to forgive past wrongs, stop holding grudges, and clear the air.  If the apology needs to come from you, then do it.  Yes, it is humbling, but the rewards of clearing a burdened heart and mind are so worth it.  It takes a person with character to take the first step, especially when our nemesis isn’t willing.

Once that step is taken and an apology is given, regardless of the offense or the willingness of the other person to accept the apology, your heart and mind will be free of that heavy weight.  You can hold your head up knowing you’ve done the right thing and be able to honestly enjoy all the other aspects of your life with vigor and excitement once again.

Debe Lange

Soothing and relaxing

Attractive table fountain

The sound of trickling water is a very soothing one for most people. A water fountain is a great way to add an element of relaxation, and a part of the natural world into a home, garden, office or other commercial space. Water fountains come in a huge variety of styles and sizes to suit any decor.””

A great gift idea

Water fountains are also great gift for the person that has everything. They can come in either traditional or more modern styles and have a wide variety of finishes, colors and sizes. They are also works of art in their own right.

Fountains for home or office

Fountains can also have a practical use for homes or offices that have a lot of distracting noises. The sound of the trickling water can drown out other ambient sounds to help you relax, relieve stress, or focus your mind on the task at hand.Some of the different places that you can place a water fountain include tabletops, gardens, desks, bedrooms, offices and other commercial areas. They are a great way to enhance a mood and improve the overall ambiance of the area. Water fountains also help to humidify a room, so they have practical as well as aesthetic purposes.

A gift for special occasions

They make excellent wedding gifts or gifts for any special occasion, for the person who already has everything. When choosing a Fountain for yourself, or as a gift, there are many whimsical styles

available, such as sea creatures, frogs, fairies, rectangles, waves or pyramids – and just about any size or style to suit any room. Outdoor fountains work especially well with styles that include animals and other natural elements. You can find a natural looking finish that will blend in seamlessly with your garden or lawn.

Types of materials used

Some of the materials that are used in making water fountains include marble, glass, acrylic, stainless steel, stone, slate and copper. Fountains will generally come with all of the items you need to keep it properly functioning. In addition, many fountains come with accessories such as underwater lights, pedestals, pumps etc. If you choose one that doesn’t have everything that you want already included, Every Fountain carry accessories. For optimal indoor fountain use you should use distilled water.

A wide variety to choose from

A wide variety of fountains can be found at Amazon with prices to suit any pocket. These include the outdoor 3 Tier Pineapple Acorn fountain Birdbath by Jed mart, which made of ivory alabastrite that looks like natural stone.  Then there is the impressive Dolphin and Waves outdoor fountain.  The Indoor/ Outdoor Curvature Floor Water Fountain by Kenroy Home has real curve appeal, it’s made from a resin material which makes it lightweight, it has soft halogen lighting and adjustable flow control.  You won’t be disappointed by the large selection of indoor and outdoor fountains. If you want to get more luxurious water fountains, they are certainly available.  There are a number of  gorgeous and striking pieces.  In addition, you can find the Hunter Kenroy 19″ Flagstaff Tabletop indoor water fountain with genuine copper frame and natural slate panels. 
One of my favorites is the Smart Solar Magic Mist Tabletop Fountain. made of metal and glass. It is a white frosted bowl with black metal stand and also includes a remote.

Popular for any space

Water fountains are very popular home decor, office, or garden elements. They have proven healing benefits from their relaxing sights and sounds, and their decorative flair can really spruce up an area. They are works of art in and of themselves and can enhance the ambience of any room. Whether an indoor fountain or an outdoor fountain, a waterwall or tabletop fountain, there will be a size and style to suit you. You can visit Amazon to browse the many styles available. Breathe new life into one of your rooms by adding a beautiful water fountain.

Check out the excellent selection of fountains at great prices

Water fountains from Amazon

Jason Black

Fall season is considered as the best season for harvest. This is also an ideal time to arrange your flower beds and to clean up in preparation for winter.

Preparing your Garden for Fall

Of course depending on where you are living in the world and your climate this will dictate how much protection your plants and shrubs will need, and how much work is required in preparation for the coming winter months.  I lived in the interior of BC for a while and it can get really cold during the winter. This leads to many lost plants if they are not adequately protected.

Even if you do live in a colder climate often the fall can still be really pleasant; making it a good time to get those outdoor projects done; rather than waiting for the really cold weather when it is not as enjoyable and you would rather be indoors.

Before the frost comes it’s time to check around your garden and plan what you need to do to prevent the frost from damaging your most vulnerable plants.  Even though the days may still be relatively warm the night cool off and we can start to experience some frost. If you are feeding your garden with fertilizers, the best time to do this is from spring to mid August. However, if you have weak plants and want to give them an extra boost before winter then low nitrogen fertilizer can be used during the fall. Cut back on water as soon as the temperature drops down. This will prevent your plants from getting new growth, plants are very sensitive during the winter months and the season may harm them.  During fall, over watering of plants is not needed because it will give the root system stress that can lead to rotting.

Fall is also a great time to move or transplant plants. Prepare the location where you want to transfer the plant in advance so that by the time you are ready to move it, the plants can just be transferred immediately.

If you are planning to plant some bulbs in your garden, bare-root shrubs and trees, make a final list of the plants that you want to purchase and plant during the fall season, this is also a great time for planting them as it will be easier for you to propagate plants at this time.

If you plan your garden properly and plant at the right time you can enjoy a colourful garden for most of the year.  Fall can give you some of the best flowers and colours.  Your garden can provide you with bountiful flowers and a colourful environment, so if you want to experience a great garden during fall season, plant your ideal plants in your garden by spring time. By the fall season, it will give you rewarding and satisfying result.

Remember, small plants can be damaged by even by light frost.  The more established and larger plants can be damaged and even die if there is a severe frost

Prepare frost cloth, sack cloth, or old blankets anything that can be used to keep your plants protected during winter, do not use plastic.  These things will be used to totally cover your plants.  You can use rocks and stakes to secure the lower portion to keep it stable, the idea is to not leave any open space for the warmth to escape.  If you do use blankets then you should pull them back in the mornings if the weather permits.  It’s a good idea to buy enough material for all your plants to prepare your garden in adequate time. When the time is right you can prepare for the frost by setting everything up and keep things in that position till the weather warms up.

Another thing to keep in mind in preparing your garden for fall is to be ready to do your pruning, I’m sure before fall is over may want to prune your shrubs.
Beside your plants, shrubs and trees, pruning and leaf collection and general clean up you need to remember anything related to water. If you have a garden fountain or water garden of any type see if you need to do anything to prepare it for winter. Your sprinkler system should be turned off and blown out.

Especially in extremely cold areas protect outside water pipes to save burst pipes during the freezing weather. You really want to prevent any unnecessary problems in your garden and around your home by preparing in advance.

Provide your garden as much protection as you can, it will pay off with each and every season. Give your plants the care they need in order to grow healthy and quality blooms. Preparing your garden for fall is not a difficult task as long as you allow the time and make the effort, and then reap the benefits in the spring. Happy Gardening!

If you’ve been used to cooking for a family, it can take a while to make the adjustment of cooking for just one or two people again. On the plus side you can cook meals that you really like as well as preparing meals in advance.

So many grocery stores cater to families with those humongous family packs of chicken, pork chops and other products. We all like to try to save money wherever possible, and for many it’s a necessity, especially if you are retired on a pension or on a fixed or low income.  However, you end up paying more by buying smaller amounts.

Ways to save money

Some ways to still save money is to either, split the family packs with a friend, cook in bulk and separate into freezer bags or containers then freeze these meals.  Otherwise, you can simply freeze what you don’t need and defrost as needed. I don’t know about you but I hate waste. I always keep my bread in the freezer, I just take out what I need, that way it’s always fresh and only takes minutes at the most to be ready to eat. The other advantage is; if you’re making a sandwich and like to add butter to your bread, the butter spreads so much easier if the bread is still a little frozen.

Some useful tips for cooking for two:

• At the beginning of the week try setting a 7 day menu. That way when you go shopping you’ll know exactly what you need to buy. This may also allow you to purchase the larger packs at lower prices and cut down on your shopping trips.  Another advantage is that you will have more variety in your meals plus save time.

• Check out some of your cook books, go on line or check magazines for new ideas.  I’m sure there are recipes that you haven’t tried yet. Sometimes we stick to the same old things year after year which can become very boring.

• Be more adventurous, Experiment with food combinations that you may never have tried before. Sometimes the results can be surprising as well as delicious.

• Buy fruits and vegetables in season.  If you’re up for it preserve or freeze them for the times when these products are unavailable or more expensive.

• Most recipes are for 4 so either halve the ingredients or follow the instructions as is and when cooked divide into two, freeze half and have another meal ready to have later in the week.

• By being well prepared you can ensure healthy eating. When you are in charge of the shopping and the cooking there is no excuse not to make good choices.

• Make your surroundings pleasant.  Even if it’s not a special occasion, just adding a little posy of flowers to the breakfast table can make an ordinary breakfast just that little more pleasant. Later in the day you can also add candles to the table for dinner. It can even help keep the romance alive if you are in a relationship.

• Be creative. If you have a partner, share the chores of making a nice dinner together.

• Do you have a good Barbeque?   Use it, even if it’s not barbeque season. It will take the monotony of doing the same thing every day.

• If you live alone still make an effort to create a nice environment for yourself, and prepare good meals for yourself. Sometimes it’s easy to just grab anything when you live alone.  Consider this, if you are not going to treat yourself well, why should anyone else? You’re worth it!

If you’re not familiar with Feng Shui you can be forgiven for thinking it sounds like some form of oriental cuisine.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that began around 3000 years ago. It is based on the chi, the energy that surrounds all of life. It is based on the Yin-Yang theory and uses the laws of the elements of nature. Many believe that Feng Shui can improve your life, by creating good fortune, more harmony, good health, wealth, fun and happiness.

Those that follow Feng Shui make many decisions based on the Feng Shui principle.  Some will make their real estate purchases based on Feng Shui. Even more will use these principals for other things, especially when related to the layout of their homes and office spaces. To keep the Chi flowing the selection and placement of items is important.  It is said that by using colour, light and placing furniture, ornaments and other items in the desired locations that this will increase the vibration of the home or office.

Your living space can certainly affect your moods, so use cheery colours, allow as much natural light as possible into your space.  Accessorize your home with colourful cushions, pictures, ornaments, and coloured throws, items that you really like. Also add healthy plants to your living space.A water fountain can be a very nice feature. You can choose an outdoor or indoor free standing fountain, or one of the wall mounted waterfalls for space saving. Another option of including the water element in your living space is an aquarium. Remember, whatever you choose it has to be something that you love.

Opening windows often will allow the good air and energy in and lets the bad energy escape.

Get rid of clutter. Don’t keep things around you that hold bad memories, anything that you don’t really enjoy looking at, or feel good about, get rid of.
Keep things simple, bright and fun. The idea is to create good vibrant energy.  Create a beautiful space for yourself.

Also keep things as pure as possible, including your drinking water, use natural cleaning supplies, and personal cleansing products etc.
In good Feng Shui the placement of doors, windows, and stairs among other things are very important. Unless you are able to build your home to good Feng Shui specifications the chances are the layout of your living space will not be perfect. However, there are still many things that you can do to enhance your personal space.

The key is to do what you can to follow good Feng Shui principles whether it is in your living space, office, or even when looking for love.

By Debe Lange

You don’t need to have a green thumb to grow plants.  Most of us began our households with a philodendron or ivy simply because they were given to us by our mothers or older friends.  They already knew that plants in the home have benefits and wanted us to experience some of them.

Yet, as was the case with most of us, when we were younger we knew almost nothing about plants or the care they required.  We’d either turn their roots to mush because of over watering, or we’d forget about them sitting on the window sill in the hot sun and bake them.  Needless to say, we determined from those experiences that we just didn’t have a green thumb and avoided anything green for years later.  Finally, over time, we became adventurous and decided to try again. Whether you know anything about plants or not, learning about them and growing them is easier than ever.  With the internet and the availability of books, discovering the joy of growing plants is heartwarming.

You don’t need a large garden space, or even a small yard.  Vegetables and herbs can be grown in pots indoors and supply you with fresh food all year ‘round.  Tomatoes can be grown in hanging baskets and when you choose the small cherry tomatoes, they also serve a dual purpose by bringing some bright color into a very neutral room.
Besides the beauty of plants another great way to bring nature into your home is to add a water feature. You can add one to your indoor or outdoor area. If you are limited for space consider a table or desk fountain for indoors, or a water fountain for your deck or patio.
Grow rosemary, thyme, or parsley.  The leaves make interesting decorative plants.  Even chives have beautiful purple flower heads so you can have the best of both worlds.  Not only will you have the freshest herbs to add to your dishes, you won’t need to spend the extra few dollars to buy the dry, lesser quality at the store.

Who doesn’t like fresh strawberries?  Add a hanging strawberry plant to your kitchen corner and enjoy the color and the taste.  They’re easy to grow and don’t take up a lot of space either.

If you’re looking for an inviting feel to your decorating, use a floor plant.  However, don’t begin with an exotic, tropical tree unless you live in a tropical climate.  Start easy with a plant that needs minimal care like an Indian Rubber tree, an Umbrella tree, or a Diffenbachia.  They only require moderate light and can live indoors in any climate as long as they’re kept away from drafts.

Hoyas are the easiest hanging basket plants to grow.  They thrive in a sunny window but can tolerate only partial sunlight throughout the day.  Hoyas have unique waxy-type leaves with interesting clusters of pale pink to cream colored star-shaped flowers with a fragrance that will permeate an entire apartment a few times each year.  Then too, when a mature plant is allowed to grow, it can reach from ceiling to floor giving the impression you know exactly what you’re doing when it comes to plants.

If you need color to brighten a room, there are easily grown violets and impatiens.  They don’t require lots of sunlight but their intense colors will “pop”.  They come in hot pink, various shades of violet, yellow, red, and impatiens can even flower in fuchsia or orange.

Make the most of your indoor and outdoor space by adding plants and water features.  You’ll be surprised what a difference they can make to your home.  The plants are inviting, fragrant, colorful, useful, and some are even edible. The relaxing sound of your water fountain will cover some of the less welcome sounds from outside as well as being a lovely feature in your home.  So don’t be shy.  Find out, “how does your garden grow”?

Debe Lange

Barbequing has been a very popular way to cook and entertain friends and family for many years. It’s been especially popular in North America and Australia.  Many love to BBQ year round, but once the warmer weather comes you can often smell the outdoor cooking around the neighbourhoods.

Over the past few years it has been interesting to see that barbequing has gained so much popularity in other places such as the UK. Many Brits are embracing backyard barbequing. With more of us travelling to other countries these days and experiencing and enjoying many of the traditions of other cultures, it’s not surprising that we would want to take some of their ideas back home with us.My brother has become a Barbequing Brit. He just loves to BBQ whenever he has the opportunity. From my experience during my visits, it appears that the same general BBQ rules apply there as it does here in North America.   It tends to be the man of the house that takes charge when it comes to the barbeque utensils.
As long as there isn’t too much clean up to do afterwards, like most spouses, my sister-in-law is delighted to have it that way. She’s an excellent cook, but likes to do her cooking in the kitchen.  At least when my brother does the outdoor cooking, it’s a great opportunity for her to take a break from cooking and have a meal prepared for her.
So what makes a great BBQ?  Of course the company, food, and entertainment will make or break a BBQ.  it’s also better when you have a good Barbeque. The enjoyment of the BBQ is one thing, but no-one wants to be responsible for anyone getting sick later.

Here are Some Tips to a Safe aBarbeque:
1. Avoid cross contamination of the food by keeping the raw meat totally separate from all the other products.
2. When shopping be sure that you refrigerate your perishable foods as soon as you get home. Don’t keep them out for more than 2 hours.  If you are doing a big shop leave picking up the cold foods until last thing.
3. If you are pre-buying foods for your BBQ and won’t be cooking them for another 2 or 3 days or so you will need to, put already frozen food into the freezer right away, also fresh poultry and ground beef should also go into the freezer until ready to use. Remember to thaw before cooking.
4. If you are not barbequing at home and taking your food to a lake, beach or park you will need coolers packed with ice. We find it’s useful to have a cooler for your drinks and one for food. Find a shady spot to keep the coolers out of the sun as much as possible.  Remember to keep your veggies, salads, and fruit in separate bags or containers.
5. Make sure that you thoroughly clean your utensils, do not use the same utensils for cooked and raw meats, the same rule applies to plates do not use the same plate for cooked and raw meats.
6. Properly thaw your meats before cooking and make sure they are cooked properly. Use a thermometer. Keep in mind that often meat is uneven and will cook quicker in one part to another. Check the thickest part of the meat to make sure it is properly cooked. When it is cooked keep it hot by keeping it on the side of the grill, you can wrap it in some foil until you are ready to eat.
7. Don’t keep any left over’s, throw them out.  Don’t take chances!
Add some nice refreshing drinks, good conversation and a little background music or a few games like Bocce Ball, or volley ball and you have a perfect Barbeque. If you are Barbequing at home add some outdoor lights they make so much difference to the overall ambiance.

Wishing you Happy, Safe Barbequing.