ourblogcabin.com

Admit it, you’ve dreamt of your very own dream home. A home with everything you can imagine from a spa-style master bath to a kitchen fit for a world-class chef. Of course, dreaming isn’t reality if you are building a home. Corners have to be cut to stay within your current financial situation. But, there is usually one or two things homeowners refuse to go without. Maybe it’s a large backyard? Or how about a media room? Chances are, there’s a feature you would prefer to keep on your wish list. We’d love to hear what that is!

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This year has been one that has made family and friends think before they spend. So, how does someone go into the holiday season not worrying about overspending? Many people gravitate toward gifts with more meaning, something from the heart with a little thought put into it rather than emptying their wallet on the latest gadget or game. While some people are creative enough to make their own gifts, others are not so versatile. So, share some of your favorite ideas with everyone here and hopefully you’ll make the holiday season less expensive and thoughtful for everyone. Happy Holidays!

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April showers have come and gone. The May flowers have bloomed and are beginning to wilt. Now, it’s time to continue your green thumb into the summer months by planting more flowers and home grown vegetables you can enjoy right from your backyard. The taste of the first homegrown tomato is just within sight and daydreaming of your favorite recipes to incorporate them into fill your head. But, wait! You head to the garden to reap the rewards of your hard work and you immediately see half-eaten tomatoes! Some are still even green right on the vine! And, your Gerber daisies that were facing towards the sun in the front yard yesterday, are now a small stub of green coming out of the ground! How can you watch your garden every second of the day? Impossible! And, you’ve tried many of the products out there, but they never seem to work. If you have a secret way to keep all those pests at bay throughout the summer, please share. Even the most seasoned gardener often meets their match when it comes to critters and insects. Share your garden successes right here!

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With the economic downturn, many families have been forced to spend more time at home doing things together. Although many industries are struggling, some are not. Some of these industries currently prospering include the do-it-yourself project and craft business as well as video game purchases. What sort of activities do you and your family find yourselves doing lately? Are you planning crafts projects together? Movie nights in? Camping in the backyard? Or video game time? Gone are the days of eating out several nights a week, running all over town to one school event after another (if possible) and going to the mall and buying things for the fun of it that aren’t truly necessities. People are becoming more cautious of their spending, but that doesn’t mean all the fun has to end! Share some of the ways you spend time with your family that requires less money, but still an abundance of laughs and fun. Sometimes it’s still the simplest activities that children remember and enjoy the most!

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It’s just about the time when cabin fever starts setting in. Then, there’s that one day when the outside temperature reaches something closer to Spring than the usual Winter days you’ve been experiencing. Then, if only for a moment, the windows fly open and chilly, yet refreshing breezes fill your home and rid it from the stagnant stuffy winter air inhabiting your living spaces. But, it’s just about that time when we take a look around and decide it’s Spring Cleaning time! That fresh air is always a great reminder, that Spring is just a moment away and soon we’ll want a clean, fresh home ready to shine on all those warmer, sunny days. What sort of cleaning rituals are a must for you as Springtime rolls around each year? Do you have any tips for Spring Cleaning that you have discovered by chance? Or, is there something “tried and true” that your family has passed down through the years? Many people swear by cleaning your windows with newspaper to avoid streaking. These are the kind of tips we’d love for you to share as we gear up for Spring and get our homes ready for warmer weather!

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With the winter cold settling in to most of the country now, this is typically the harshest months of the year for weather. Or, perhaps you live in an area where the temperatures go up one day and down the next making heating your home and keeping it comfortable temperature impossible! As homeowners, we are always looking for ways to keep the drafts from chilling the insides of our homes in the winter. We all could use a break from that dry, winter heat that keeps pumping out from the furnaces at this time of the year. We’d love to hear some of your favorite tips for saving on heating costs during these cold months. Or, if you have other ideas for keeping your home comfortable, please share your insight on creating a warm, yet comfortable environment within your home without breaking the bank!

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“The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.” You’ve clung to the roof while hanging the outdoor lights. The Christmas tree has been cut and decorated, and the presents have been bought and wrapped. Another holiday season has come around again. Whether the holiday you’re celebrating is Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukah or another, this is a special time of year for all. And, usually the most important part of this special season is the traditions that get celebrated and enjoyed from year to year. Yes, presents will be exchanged as usual, but as we’ve seen over this past year, times are tough for many. But, this isn’t something to be discouraged about. Even though the Christmas tree may not have as many presents tucked under it this year, usually it’s the traditions, not the gifts that people remember from year to year. Making memories with family and friends is what the holidays are all about. And, this year will especially help us to remember that. So, what is your favorite holiday tradition? Sure, presents are great, but it’s when my family all hold hands in a long chain and sings “Jingle Bells” while running through the house from room to room that makes me laugh harder than I have all year. No, I can’t tell you what I got for Christmas when I was 11 years old, but I can tell you “Jingle bells” was sung and laughter and fun was had by all that year. Sharing these special memories reminds us why the holidays are so special. Share your favorite holiday tradition and perhaps you will give an new idea to a reader and your special tradition may soon enter the home of another family this holiday season.

A Blessed and Happy Holiday to all!

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Soon we will be singing, “Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la …”, as we trim our trees, get tangled in strands of lights and light our Menorahs. This is the time of the year when we dust off the boxes stowed away in our attics and basements and once again bring out the decorations that make the holidays so special and memorable from year to year. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing that ornament their child made in preschool twenty years later hanging on the Christmas tree once again? As a homeowner, year after year, you hang the lights on the roof and try not to fall off the ladder. You also wrestle with the light strand that appears to work perfectly until you tangle it into the Christmas tree only to discover it’s no longer works. Whatever the occasion or holiday, homeowners try to find ways to get all the decorating done quickly and efficiently while enjoying themselves while doing so. Do you have any holiday decorating tips you’d like to share? What’s your favorite decoration? Do you have a special way you get the family involved in the festivities so it doesn’t seem like a chore? Share your special tips and learn from others below on how to make the season festive and merry without the hassle.

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Just when you think the worst of the economy and the downturn in the housing market are behind us, the banks begin to fall and the government is finalizing a rescue plan for the nation’s economy despite disagreements that blocked the deal in the beginning of the negotiations. It’s suddenly turning into a very scary time for the average hardworking American who often lives paycheck to paycheck just to get by. One thing is for sure, as bad as it seems right now, Americans are tough and resilient and always find ways to bounce back and rise to the occasion. So, with that being said, it is important to learn from others and see how we can trudge forward through this financially uncertain time. As the economy has declined, how have you and your family found ways to handle these tough times? Do you have any money saving tips? Have you made adjustments in how you save for retirement? Have you been foreclosed? I hope some of the comments, tips and ideas below will offer wisdom of how we move forward from here and gain confidence and financial security once again.

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No matter where you turn these days, the world is “going green”. It’s amazing how quickly this trend has spread. Thankfully, this trend is actually something to be excited about. Who knew saving the environment and using the earth’s resources in a more responsible way could be so fulfilling? When I think back to a year ago, the green movement was in the news, but it seems in recent months to have really taken off. Here, at ourblogcabin.com, we wanted to take your wisdom and share it with all of our visitors. Sometimes “going green” sounds intimidating, but in actuality, if all of us take a few small steps we can really make an impact on saving the earth. I hope by reading these ideas, you can incorporate a few more ways to be “green” into your everyday lifestyle. It’s really easier than you would think as you will read below.

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