So many people celebrated the Christmas season this year by “going green” and putting up a real tree in their home. In the great room of our two-story home we put up a beautiful evergreen tree. Now that the holidays are over it is time to remove the decorations and take down the tree. Many of us are not familiar on where to begin so following are some great tips to easily recycle and reuse your tree.

Easy clean up – Before you start to remove your tree remember that it was nice and fresh when you placed it in your home but it has dried out considerably. Take the time to spread out an old sheet around the base of the tree so when you remove ornaments and lights you catch the needles so they don’t end up on your living room floor.

Compost it! – If you have a compost bin or pile that is great. The tree is too large to place the whole thing on the pile so in order to feed it to your pile you will need to reduce it into smaller pieces. You can do this by hand or by using a shredder. Even cut up into small shavings it will take up tot year to disintegrate entirely.

Mulch a Tree – Many people don’t have compost piles but no need to worry. Most towns sponsor programs that will mulch your tree for you and then the shavings are used in local parks and neighborhoods. Some towns expect you to drop it off but some will actually come and pick it up from your home or business. Look on the web to find out what is available in your area.

Home for the Animals – If you just can’t part with your special family tree consider a wonderful way to help out the local birds, rabbits and squirrels. Your tree will give them a nice warm place for shelter. Place your tree in the backyard and place popcorn and bread in the limbs and needles so as well as shelter for wildlife during the harsh winter months you are also providing some easy meals for them when the ground is frozen.

Decorate with your Tree – The wonderful pine branches and pinecones are a lasting reminder of the holiday season. Clip off a few limbs and add them to existing flower arrangements or take the branches and pine cones and place them in a large vase and then cover them with water – add some cranberries for a festive arrangement that will last until spring. The needles can be used in pine-scented potpourri and placed throughout the home. This way you are partially recycling your tree so the only thing that remains is a few limbs and the trunk.

Heating Fuel – If you have a wood-burning fireplace or an outside fire pit chop up your tree and use it as firewood. Smaller pieces can be used as kindling. Some trees burn better than others so make sure you properly dry your tree out first to get the best result. Pines and evergreens catch on fire very easily and then as the resin from the wood boils you get that wonderful popping and crackling sound.

So with the holidays coming to an end and clean up soon beginning try to consider the best way to dispose of your tree that can help the environment. There are many opportunities to do the right thing so lead by example and recycle and reuse.

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If you live in the Midwest as I do – fall is upon us and winter is quickly approaching. It’s that time of year when my family transitions from outdoor living to indoor living. In order to make this happen, there are things that need to be taken care of outside first. Things need to get cleaned up and put away properly. The days are already getting shorter so it’s best to pick a weekend so it can be done in a day.

The first thing to do is cut the grass one last time so the entire yard is a nice even level. Make sure the trimmings and leaves are raked off the yard so that over the winter the grass doesn’t die. The last thing you want are big brown patches in the spring. Take the time to feed the lawn with fertilizer so that it will be nice and green come spring. If you live in the warmer states and you plan on seeding wait until spring.

When it comes to the patio and deck area we usually hose down all the furniture and let it dry. Once it is dry we cover the larger chairs and tables with furniture covers and then move the smaller pieces that we don’t have covers for into the storage area in the basement. It is important to remember to bring in pots and planters. They contain water and will freeze and crack over the winter. If there are plants still in them take the time to clean them out so you don’t have to mess with dried leaves and stems falling all over when you are ready to plant again. Add some fertilizer and mix it with the soil so that it is ready to go.

Make sure you winterize any and all of your outdoor items that use with water. If you are a pool owner make sure you close and cover it properly. If you don’t know how, contact a professional pool service. If you have a sprinkler system, outdoor faucet, or fountain, take the time to have someone winterize these items for you or if you are a “handy man” – do it yourself to save time and money. Just make sure the water supply is turned off and the hoses are drained. If not, they could freeze and burst and cause a messy flood when warm weather arrives.

If you don’t have gutter guards take the time to remove leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. Take the time to seal up holes with caulk or epoxy.

Just as people like to get inside where it is warm so do pesky little critters like mice and insects. Take a stroll around the outside of your home and clean up debris that has settled around the foundation that could be a nice warm place for these critters. To ensure that they can’t get into your home fill cracks and holes with caulk.

Also take the time to look at your driveway. The colder months are hard on this surface with thawing and freezing so if repairs are needed do so before winter arrives.

Last but not least, get the garage ready. If may be filled with equipment and toys from the summer but it is time to get organized and put them away properly. Put up shelving and hooks and get things off the floor. Use the garage what it is intended for, the vehicles. You will be relieved when that first snow falls that you don’t have to scrape off your vehicle but can walk from your nice warm home into your snow-free car. Get the snow blower, shovel and ice melt ready to go so that when winter comes you are prepared.

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If you take the time to clean up your outside before the first frost you will ensure things are in great shape. You can sit back and enjoy the holidays without worrying about the exterior of your home. When the first new blade of grass pops through this coming spring your home will be ready to go!

Looking for more great cleaning and home-related topics? Visit www.houseplansandmore.com and discover hundreds of great articles.

Our family loves the outdoors, especially hiking and swimming. We are in the process of looking for a country home with acreage and a pool so we can enjoy both. So many home plans on the market today have swimming pools in the backyard. Since we’ve never owned a pool I thought it would be a good idea to do a little research to see what is involved in pool ownership. There is a lot of information available online, from neighbors that currently own pools and from retailers that sell pools and pool products.

The most important thing that I found out from all my research is that pool safety is a must. It is something that needs be taken seriously to avoid accidents that could be deadly. In the Sunbelt states drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages from one to four and in the rest of the US it is the number two cause of death. These statistics from the National Center for Injury Prevention definitely drive home the importance of safety first.

When children are involved, adult supervision is a given or even better with a large group of people designate “water watchers”. These are people that scan the pool area and can react quickly if someone is in trouble or are doing things that could lead to injury, such as diving in the shallow end or running on the pool deck.

Items that can be purchased for pool safety are numerous. One of the most important item is isolation fencing that is at least 4 feet high. This needs to surround the pool area and have an entrance gate with proper locks placed high on the fence. The best choice is a magnetic type lock with key code. This will prevent you from being locked out of your own pool area. A padlock or key lock does offer complete security as long as you remember where you left the key. If not, it may keep you out! Once inside the pool area there are motor-powered pool safety covers that can be placed over the water when no one is using it. There are pool alarms that can be located underwater and will sound when anything has fallen into the pool. If you install this type of alarm make sure you put the receiver where it can easily be heard both indoors and out. It is also important to install alarms and child locks on doors and windows that have direct access to the pool.

Some common sense things that need to be remembered are to keep rescue devices near the pool and easy accessible, have a cell or cordless phone near the pool for emergencies and also if young children are in the pool you are not distracted and have to leave them unsupervised to answer it, place chemicals in a storage area that children cannot reach, store all pool toys in a cabinet or tub so they don’t lure children into the area and into an unattended situation. Last, but not least, have your family, friends, caregivers and anyone that plans to use the pool enroll in a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) class. This is a class that invaluable to saving lives, whether you have a pool or not. I checked with my local Health Department and they said if you get enough people together they will conduct the class on site.

Now that I have completed my research I feel that I am ready for pool ownership and the responsibilities that come with it. When searching for our new country home I will definitely take the time to make sure the pool area is safe or can be made safe without too much extra expense out of pocket.

The key to rotating seasonal décor is acknowledging the significance of layers. Just as people layer clothing to enjoy whatever Mother Nature springs on us next, so homes require layers of décor to be functional. The layer that requires attention first is that of color. Cooler temperatures call for warmer tones in the home that add comfort and coziness to any sized space- think of deep scarlet and plum, golds and oranges. Warmer temps are great for showing off light and airy touches, perfectly accented by soothing blues, greens, and vibrant sun colors.For easy and dramatic switches from one situation to another, it’s best to start off with a neutral palette. Note that neutral does not mean “white” or “boring.” Neutral can be any shade of a color you want to work with in both settings. Example: green paint can be warmed up with darker greens and deep reds, while warm temps may call for splashes of white and yellow to brighten up the space. The accents will make an impact, so long as the foundation is fairly flexible.Once the colors have been determined, it’s time to decide how to apply that color. The simplest way to approach this is by painting the walls the “neutral” color and using throws, pillows, rugs, and other accessories to pack a punch. These little bits and pieces add so much to décor without breaking the budget. Look for fabrics reflective of the season to add comfort and texture to the color dimensions. Faux fur, chenille, and velvet are all warm and inviting as cold weather settles in. Cottons and gauzy fabrics are perfectly cool when warm weather threatens to overwhelm.In addition to the basic décor materials, look at changing out books, pictures, and centerpieces. Rotating personal collections depending on the season allows homeowners to display many more treasures without having a cluttered and awkward living space. You should also consider what scents to indulge in depending on the time of year. Spicy candles are delicious in the cooler months, but may be too warm and heavy when the weather turns.The last layer to make a significant impact is that of lighting. Whatever colors and fabrics you may have chosen, nothing can be properly admired without the right ambience. Some seasons’ earlier sunsets mean a lack of natural light. This calls for candles, fireplaces, and more general lighting in living spaces. When the long days of summer return, window shades are thrown open and extra lamps are rarely needed. Play with home lighting to see what may best suit your home.For any season, keep in mind natural touches. Some of the most beautiful décor outside can be replicated within the home, adding something special to the space. After all, few homeowners need any more plastic spread throughout the home. Remember that touches big and small can help transition your luxury style home design from one season to another. Just be certain the space reflects your family and lifestyle and it truly cannot go wrong, no matter the time of year.