Archive for March, 2010

Honour the True Meaning of Easter

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

With the wide variety of secular Easter activities commonly available today, such as egg hunts and the anticipation of a visit from the Easter bunny, it is easy to forget the true meaning of this sacred holiday. Rather than being totally swept away by the commercial hustle and bustle of Easter this year, slow down and take time to reflect.

Easter is a Christian religious holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To honour the true meaning of Easter this year, plan to attend one or more special services at your own church or a neighbouring place of worship. Take the whole family, even those members who may not attend regularly.

As an alternative to attending traditional services, commemorate Easter by visiting one of the beautiful historic chapels and churches that abound in England and the rest of the UK. Options to consider include:

Roche Chapel, Cornwall – Built during the 15th century into the rock on a granite outcrop near the village of Roche, the chapel remnants on this beautiful site often invoke an eerie feeling.

Lindisfarne Priory – Founded in AD 635 on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, the Priory is rich in history and has been a place of pilgrimage for 1,300 years. (more…)

Spring Inspired Home Decor

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

The desire for cheery brightness in the home often accompanies the coming of spring. Looking around outside, it is easy to see seasonal changes everywhere. Although the weather may still be unsettled, the promise of warm sunny days fills us with anticipation. Use the beauty of spring as inspiration to dispense with the dreariness of winter and change your home’s decor to match this glorious season!

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Adorn Your Home with a Handmade Spring Door Wreath

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

With the changing seasons, it’s time to add the beauty and colour of spring to our homes. Whether you live in a house in the country or a flat in town, make a decorative spring door wreath to greet guests and lift the spirits of all passers by.

Take a leisurely walk and gather pussy willow or other branches. If gathering plant materials locally is not an option, purchase the desired items from a florist.

[photo by: Hot Meteor]

Making a beautiful and festive door wreath is easy and requires just a few materials. Follow these steps and start enjoying your wreath today! (more…)

Water Treatment Systems – Types and Uses

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Many types of treatment systems are available to address a variety of water issues. Some treatments deal with hard water only while others actually purify contaminated water to make it safe for human consumption. Following are some common water treatment methods and the problems that they correct.

Water_Treatment[photo by: darkpatator]

Water Conditioners – Addresses hard water only. Prevents lime scale without adversely affecting the drinkability of the water. Improves the efficiency of soaps. Improves heating efficiency and extends the life of appliances that use water. Water conditioning systems, such as ScaleWatcher, are inexpensive to own and operate. (more…)

Spring Wild Flowers

Friday, March 19th, 2010

There is nothing more welcome and refreshing after a long and dreary winter than the lovely flowers of spring. Planted and tended with care in the garden or sown wild by Mother Nature in a meadow, spring flowers are a beautiful sight to behold.

While primrose is often the first flower to appear each spring, it is quickly overshadowed by the luscious fragrance of violets. Enjoy the early violets while you may; those that appear later, while every bit as lovely, are much less aromatic.

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Do It Yourself: Sewing Spree!

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Imagine this: you are preparing for an important party, you want to look fabulous and original. You open the closet, sift through everything you have stored there and come up with nothing that you would like to wear – everything was either seen already or unfit for the occasion, your mood, your partner’s outfit or whatever else. The only way out of the situation is a quick jaunt to the mall in search of something new that you will probably wear only this one time. A new addition to the pile of clothes that is overflowing from your closet every time you open it. But it can’t be helped, right? It might come in handy someday.

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Child Safety in the Garden

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Garden safety is of particular importance whenever children are present as there are many common garden items that may pose a danger to children. Review your garden for the following issues and address any that are found.

Water Features

Children are attracted to water. Regardless of size or depth, a water feature may pose a drowning or injury risk to a child. Use sturdy decorative fencing to secure ponds or pools, strategically place fountains to limit access, and never leave a child unattended.

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Gardener’s Calendar for March

Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Tomato

Image via Wikipedia

March is when things start getting busy in the garden. The hard, cold days of winter are gone and the weather is warming. It’s time to put the plans and dreams of February into action.

You Shall Reap What You Sow

An abundance of fresh produce is the gardener’s reward and now is the time to begin planting some of the early crops. Start garden favourites, like tomatoes, peppers and tubers on a sunny windowsill or in the greenhouse. Early vegetables may be sown under cloches, which will warm the soil to allow germination and protect tender seedlings from cold night-time temperatures.

Examine existing fruit trees to ensure that grease bands are in place and in good condition. Work manure into the ground around all trees and evaluate where grafting may be desired. Put container grown fruit trees, canes and bushes into the ground and mulch well. Tend to the strawberry patch and prune raspberries, if needed. (more…)

Create a Pet Friendly Garden

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Whether or not you have pets of your own, it is important to have a pet friendly garden. Consider the tragedy if a guest, neighbour or passer by should have a beloved pet fall ill or be injured due to something growing or left unattended in the garden. As pets are unable to know which plants are hazardous or that chemicals may be deadly, it is up to people to protect them from the consequences of natural curiosity.

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How to Create a Tabletop Water Fountain

Friday, March 5th, 2010

The sound of running water is soothing for both mind and spirit. Imagine relaxing next to a babbling brook as it gently cascades across pebbles and drops into small pools. Enjoy this experience at home with a simple tabletop fountain.

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