Some great tips for the changing season

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of North American Property Services for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The change of season is one of the things my Sweetie dreads. I can’t blame her because she comes from the country with only 2 seasons and sometimes they don’t even feel the change at all. Now living here in Maine for more than 6 years, she somehow already adjusted to the different weather and the change of season. And being a bit ODC, she came up with different strategies how to cope with the change especially in the organizing and cleaning department.

Though I don’t really like the idea of cleaning (shhh) I do know something that can help her transition smoothly through the winter season in terms of cleaning and getting our home germ-free through the winter. And that is through the North American Property Services, one of the top janitorial service companies in the United States.

Here are some of the Winter Weather Cleaning Tips from North American Property Services:
1. Be extra careful about hand washing with soap so you do not spread germs from room to room.
2. Routinely disinfect high touch areas such as door handles, TV remotes, and keyboards for all devices, such as tablets and laptops. Don’t forget all of your phones, including the landline and cell phones.
3. Dust carries germs and grime, so wiping down with disinfecting solutions will not only make your house cleaner, but it will remove germs that can cause the common cold and flues. Look for places that dust settles, such as fan blades, window ledges, and walls to wipe away germs. Don’t forget to clean your light bulbs, which has the added benefit of brightening the house on these short winter days. Another thing to clean is the dust balls under furniture and in the corners of floors.
4. Dust more often, as your heating system circulates dust, dirt and germs.
5. Keep mops handy to dry-mop floors regularly, especially around high-traffic areas of the house.
6. On warmer days, clean interior windows, another germ collector in your house.
7. Deep clean your carpets every year to eliminate grime and germs. A good time of year to do this is after the holidays so any spills from your holiday celebrations will be washed away.
8. Scrub the grout in your bathroom with a powerful disinfectant to remove germs that spread between family members.
9. Take your shoes off at the door. Think about all the places you walk and the germs that hitch hike into your home. Taking your shoes off will greatly reduce indoor pollutants.
10. The best winter floor care program is to continue to clean and maintain floor surfaces with extra mopping and scrubbing around the entryways.

Well, I may not be doing the real cleaning but I bet my Sweetie will be just as happy to get her someone to help her. So if you are looking for some helping hands to go through the changing season with ease… check out North American Property Services and find out more how you can get the help you need. You can also check their Social Media Information through Twitter @NAPS_Inc https://twitter.com/NAPS_Inc and like them in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/North…
There you go. Winter may not be that bad after all.

Old Car

This is an old picture of my Sweetie posing next to a vintage car during the Acton Fair 5 years ago.

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A Fall Game

I love football and when my Sweetie came here I introduced her to football. Now she is a big fan of the Patriots. But she has not watched real football game until a couple of weeks ago. This is the first football that my Sweetie watched. Though it's not the professional one, she said she did enjoyed it.

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Your Million-Dollar Home for Less

Home design is like creating your own piece of art -- whatever comes out of it becomes a representation of who you are as a person; an embodiment of your likes, taste, and personal preferences. So as much as it takes a great deal of effort, time, and energy, deciding on a design or theme for home can turn out to be an ordeal especially if one lacks knowledge on the matter.

One of the most common goals homeowners set in home design is to achieve a classy, elegant look. And contrary to what many might think, it actually does not require a million dollars or more to design your home in such a way that it looks expensive. The key is buying the right light fixtures and simply putting them all in the right places.

Lighting is a major element in design; bad lighting can ruin wonderful design concepts and can also bring out the best even in mediocre ones. And in the attempt to create a luxurious, million-dollar home, lighting can be your number one ally. Here are some tips on how you can light your home to envy-worthy, head-turning, and jaw-dropping opulence:

1. Let as much natural light into the indoors.
Have you noticed how Hollywood has depicted homes of the rich and famous to be -- always light, sleek, and vibrant? If you have big windows, allow generous amount of sunlight into your home by putting on sheer, cotton curtains in light or pastel colors. This will give your interiors a soft, clean, and classy finish.

2. Invest on quality indoor and outdoor lighting.
While it's true that you don't have to be a millionaire to be able to live in a luxurious-looking home, some investments may still have to be necessary. Quality lighting does come at a hefty price, but it's always worth it. These fixtures are energy-efficient, safe, and most of all, long-lasting. If you'd like to take a look at some luxury lights - click here.

3. Learn the art of layered lighting.
Many times, installing just one light fixture in each of the rooms may not be enough because there are instances in which the effect you would like to achieve requires layered lighting. For instance, the home study or office may seem like it would do with just one directional light and nothing else, but actually, work spaces require more than just task lighting that will give direct illumination on your keyboard, notes, or books; they also need ambient lighting to keep stress levels lower and reduce the risk of migraine that often results from too much glare from the computer monitor. In this case, your ambient lights can even double as a decorative fixture and give your home office a classy, upscale feel.

4. The perfect chandelier is always worth it.
Going for a single, head-turning focal point is usually more effective than dressing up every nook and cranny of the house; overdoing the ornamentation can even turn out to be tacky and tasteless. In this case, a gorgeous pendant light or chandelier of the right size and the appropriate design will be enough to do the trick.

About the Guest Writer:

Cedric Loiselle is a highly talented writer who enjoys imparting useful information about home improvement to his readers. For lighting options, he highly recommends interior-deluxe.com.

My Little Hunter

I found this photo taken by my Sweetie a couple of years ago when me and my boy tried to go hunting together.

It didn't work for us. LOL But it was fun to see him in that outfit.

Class for Class: Decor Themes that Suit the Sophistication of Teak Furniture

Teak furniture, because of the durability and rarity of the wood from which they're made, are among the most expensive high-end pieces in a furniture store. In fact, if you own or want to buy a piece of teak furniture -- whether it be a sofa, a dining set, or an Adirondack chair -- chances are that you have a superb taste for style and a considerable amount of money to spend.

Having achieved such a level of sophistication and prosperity, you should make sure to set your teak furniture in an appropriately polished decor setting. Here are some options to consider:


THE VICTORIAN STYLE
Victorian art, developed in the 18th and 19th centuries, has a particular aristocratic, decorated and luxurious feel. Fittingly, the Victorian style of interior design is elaborate, characterized by ornamentation and orderliness. In contrast, its color palette consists of deep and saturated tones -- dark reds and gold playing a starring role, with bright shades being almost entirely left out. Decorations, on the other hand, are eye-catching, with patterns of birds and flowers being very common.

Teak furniture can suit the Victorian style because teak can be made to look like antique pieces of sofa, tables and even beds, which are commonly used for Victorian interiors. Teak is already characteristically dense, so finishing it with a dark varnish will make it blend in perfectly with the Victorian style's deep and pervading colors, allowing the space's decorations to pop out in true Victorian style.

THE MINIMALIST STYLE
The minimalist style is often called the antithesis of the Victorian's because minimalism in design makes use only of functional furniture and decorations. Its appearance is thus very clean, featuring lots of free space and with no room for clutter. Predictably, the colors minimalism uses are usually simple and muted, with white being the background for the few black, brown, or beige pieces in the room.

Surprisingly, even if teak furniture can be made to suit the Victorian style, it can likewise fit a space designed with minimalism in mind. Instead of the premium wooden furniture serving as part of the backdrop, which it does in Victorian style rooms, teak furniture becomes the highlight of minimalist style spaces. Therefore, if you'd like your high-end teaks to be the focal point of a room's design, minimalism is the right style direction.

THE SCANDINAVIAN STYLE
The Scandinavian style is undoubtedly a favorite not just for home owners but for interior designers alike. This style is characterized by simplicity, elegance and functionality which is why a lot of modern homes are looking after this design. Scandinavian homes have a pure, pared back style that focuses on clean lines, flawless craftsmanship and warm functionality.
Moreover, this design can be applied to almost any space – big or small and can fit to any budget. The interior design ideas are also endless. The color palette for Scandinavian designs is usually of white, soft white, soft dove grey color and relaxing tones of nature. White walls can make your space looks brighter and bigger. It also leaves you open to add in more of your favorite colors. Floors in all rooms apart from the bathroom are generally made of wood, timber flooring being the most favored option.
Read this article from Freshhome to get more tips in creating a Scandinavian interior.


THE ROMANTIC STYLE
The romantic style of interior decorating is especially comfortable and soothing. It makes use of vivid colors with reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows providing a welcoming atmosphere. And because the eyes are already drawn to such a rich color palette, walls are usually kept plain, without a lot of patterns or decorations.

Teak furniture can do just as well in romantic-styled spaces if these magnificent wooden pieces are appropriately fitted with colorful and cozy accessories. A teak dining set, for example, can have chairs cushioned with bright-colored padding, while the table can be lined with eye-catching tablecloth. Thus, while the wood of teak pieces are usually simple and heavy-looking, the frills that are partnered with them can make teak pieces a perfect fit when designing with the romantic style.


THE ITALIAN STYLE
The easiest way to describe the Italian style of interior design is that it looks expensive. Its contemporary feel is very trendy and fashionable, but always with a luxurious aura. Colors, meanwhile, are used mainly as highlights, with pieces of furniture often being partnered with leather and velvet to give the items an expensive feel.

What's fortunate about using teal furniture in an Italian-styled space is that teal pieces are already expensive-looking. All a designer will have to consider, therefore, is that a teal piece's accessories are appropriately luxurious as well. A teal-framed couch, for instance, can be fitted with beige leather and topped bright red throw pillows, bringing the Italian style to the forefront.

THE ELECTIC STYLE
Johan Joachim Winckelmann is said to be the first person to ever bring the word “eclectic” into the world. The philosophy behind this style is to put together different pieces and combine different elements from different time period and origins within one single project. This interior design style thus, is best for people who could not choose any particular design for their home. In eclectic style, it is more of matching things without making the final output look either messy or boring.
As such, this design requires lot of thoughts, efforts and creativity to be able to mix together lots of elements into a piece of art that can be understood not only by designers but to every people who will see it. This style is now becoming a hit as people crave for more personalized ideas to represent who they really are. Donatella Versace, Grammy award winner Shawn Colvin and Lauren Santo Domigo are but just a few of the celebrities who grasp eclecticism on their very own homes.

About the Guest Writer:
Cheryl Lim works at Scanteak - a renowned brand that sells beautifully designed and lasting teak furniture in Singapore and around the world.  At Scanteak, we pride ourselves on 39 years of crafting Teak, a prized tropical hardwood, into furniture of timeless, classic designs. Our Scandinavian ideology maintains that furniture should complement our lifestyles, so that we’ll always have time for the things that truly matter – friends, family, and feeling at home.

For the big thirst

There is nothing that can quench a big thirst than this big soda. LOL

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My Boy took a Nature Walk

My boy playing in the field during one of our camping and gold panning activities some summer ago.

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Tips To Help You With Roofing On Your Home

You want to discover more details about placing a fresh roof on your house. There happen to be several inventions made in roofing over time, and given the length of time they last, it could happen to be quite a while because you have navigated your way by means of this field. Read on to locate out some useful tips concerning the roofing process.

Check out your own roof thoroughly at the very least one time annually. The most typical time of year to get a roof to have problems with harm is during winter months and spring months. Therefore, make certain to scrutinize your roof during or after these annoying months.

You need to ensure that you simply employ an excellent contractor to take good care of of one's roofing job. Searching online for reviews can enable you to really find the correct fit to your roofing job. Web reviews are usually more blunt and genuine, given that they're anonymous.

If you really need to walk in your roof, it's important that you simply take action at a period when it's not overly cold or hot. Extreme weather will make shingles really fragile, so walking to them during this period may create lots of damage. Morning could be the greatest time all through summer months, and day is best within winter months.

When replacing your roof, constantly make use of an acclaimed contractor. Ensure that you find somebody with experience plus a great standing in your region. As you may discover that the less experienced roofer can also be more affordable, remember which you get what you really truly pay for. Get a professional, along with your brand-new roof will survive!

New Roof Installation in Virginia Beach, VA
For those who possess a leaky roof, ensure your gutters are clear. When there isn't any method for water to drain, then the gutters can amass rain and effect leaks within the roofing. Install ridge and soffit vents in order to prevent any dry rot from developing in your roof.
Ensure that you are secured in the correct way anytime you are doing work in your roof. It really is crucial, and you will lose balance whenever you have not climbed onto a roof frequently; thousands are damage or lose their life from falling annually.

You ought to have particular expectations of one's roofer. For instance, any shingles that fall to the earth must be picked up and hauled off your premises. In addition, the roofer should pick up the bulk of the nails that fall down as well, even though it's likely that a couple of might be missed. In general, your lawn must be clean and picked up following the work is finished.

Always research a roofing business before you enable them all to do any work in your roof. You need to call up the BBB or visit their site to see whether there are any complaints. Do some searching online and also find out if anybody has left an evaluation concerning the business too. Should you not do that, you may wind up getting with a business that does awful work.

Now which you have found out more about roofing, you ought to feel better prepared and comfortable with moving forward. It's time for you to place a fresh roof on such dwelling, and you are now prepared to complete that. Keep that which you have read here in your mind while you make your choices and observe the newest roof go up.


About the Guest Author:
Reitzel Roofing & Home Improvement has 16 years of experience in the roofing industry. As a Virginia Beach roofing contractor, we go above and beyond in our services to set ourselves apart from other roofing companies. Our quality materials and excellence of work help us build lasting relationships with our clients.

Oh Summer

How I ended my summer is just how it started.

 IN the garden.

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Popsicle, anyone?

My Sweetie took a picture of our roof one winter of 2007, the first time she experience ice storm in her entire life.

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Oh, Deer!

Some deer and chickens grazing together in the Philippines taken by my Sweetie during her summer vacation last year.

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First Camping for Summer

I know, summer is almost over and we didn't go up Byron this year like we used to for the past 5 years. I was caught up in something around here doing some work and renovations here and there.

All camped-out.

Anyway, last weekend I finally brought my Sweetie camping but not in Byron. We just camped out at my friend's property in Newfield. My son B went with us but he got bored so I had to bring him to his Grammy's before supper.

Dinner on a hotplate.

It' was not really what we expect of camping but the fact the we can get out of the house and just hanged out with another friend and lazed around just drinking some beer and target shooting was relaxing enough.

My Sweetie practicing some target shooting. She did good for a first-timer.

Today... I'm back to work.

The Dirt Road

I miss this road. This is the road where I drove off to go down the river. This is the road where my Sweetie went for a run when I am down the river. And this is the road where my son picked wild berries.

Every summer, My Sweetie and I and something with my son would be up and down this road. Summer will be over soon and we have not been here yet.

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My Blue Cake

My girls [My Sweetie and 2 daughters] threw me a birthday party last June. Well, my birthday month is actually May but they gave me the birthday party on June because we were all too busy with out work.

Anyway, my daughters did a good job with my blue fondant [they said it was fondant, though I really don't have any idea what fondant is] cake. As always, it was yummy and I love it.


Just want to share this for Thursday Challenge.

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Porch

Summer is almost over but here in Maine, we would do everything to prolong summer the best way we can. It may not be possible to do it literally but we can do it by doing what we love best until the snow finally falls on the ground.

One of the activities we love doing during summer is grilling. We love our cookouts. If we can have cookouts all-year-round we would do it. And there is no better way to have cookouts but at your porch.

Here are some photos of one of the porches that I've done.

If you want one like this...

Siding aside

Siding is one of my best works in carpentry. It is my favorite part of any construction project I am working on. Well, it's a no brainer. It's the easiest part of the whole building construction.

Here is one of the projects I am working on.

See the transformation?

It's finished!

Well, not really. I still have to put some trimmings here and there.

However, if you are thinking of new sidings for your home, don't hesitate to

Rain

Weather in Maine is always crazy. When the Meteorologist tells you that it will be a nice sunny day... bring an umbrella with you because it means it might rain. LOL

My Sweetie and her friends went for a hike a couple of weeks ago in New Hampshire. It rained and she took a nice photo of this cascading water on a rocky hills or was it a falls?

Just want to share this for Thursday Challenge.

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