Spring break > Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

by: Mark J. Donovan

As I sit on a plane in route from Chicago to Boston this evening, I realize I have been staring out into the dark abyss contemplating the arrival of spring. Spring is a time of anticipation and renewed life. A time when the snow finally abates and the Robins return to rebuild their nests. And a time when Tulips and Daffodils emerge from the ground and bloom, if ever so briefly. It is also a time for the voracious Black Fly that we northern dwellers know only too well. For me, however, it is a time to shift into a higher gear; there are outdoor projects that have accumulated over the winter months and there is traditional spring tasks that every homeowner is compelled to do.

There are two main questions I debate as I compile my spring ?To-Do? list: What to do and when to do it?

As always with a non-vinyl sided house, there is painting. Over the years, I have come to the conclusion it is best to paint a portion of the house each year; one year the clapboards, another year the trim, and maybe in the third year the shutters. I am sure the professional painter would beg to differ with my advice, but hey, not all of us can justify the professional painter every 3-5 years, nor can we dedicate an entire week or two of our spring painting the whole house. I have found it best to do the spring painting as soon as the whether gets above 50 degrees. Any sooner, it is too cold for the paint. Any later, and one has to contend with the other flying insect, the hornet.

Another important job, but not so large in effort, is preparing the lawn for the spring rains. First there is the raking. Then there is the application of the first stage of the four-stage fertilizer process, you know, the one that halts the Crab grass in July and August. Usually every other year there is the additional task of spreading the pest control to prevent grubs and moles. Based on product recommendations and when I actually have time, I do these tasks in mid May.

For those of us with bountiful winter snowfalls, many of us have the unique task of fixing or replacing our mailboxes for hopefully the last time, or at least for the next 12 months. This is particularly an aggravating task as we spend much of the time doing it, cussing under our breath the snow plow operator that we know had pleasure wiping out our mailbox.

Then there is the garden. I am not sure why I still bother. Maybe it is due to a memory of my youth, when I spent two summers working on a farm. It may also be some innate desire to see something grow from nothing, that I had a part in. I think it is the latter, but regardless, every April I go out and till, fertilizer and lime the soil, while I sacrifice my body to the Black flies. By May I begin to plant the Peas, Carrots and Onions. By June I plant the Tomatoes, Peppers and Squash. And by July, I am at war with the local Wood Chuck.

Finally, there is the changing of the machine guards; storing the snow blower away and preparing the lawn mower, or in my case lawn mowers. I have the sit-down one for the main course, and a push one for the dessert. As my father-in-law always insists, sharpen the blades before the start of the cutting season and then a couple of more times throughout the summer. Well, being non-retired, I am satisfied sharpening them once before the cutting season begins and I have yet to see any ill side effects.

I see the lights of Boston approaching in the distance. My flight is almost over; however my spring list is nearly complete. I am sure I have missed a few items, but my wife will surely remind me. I look forward to the warmth of spring, but as I look down at my list, I think, I?ll just sit back and savor the final weeks of winter.

About The Author

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Choose The Hybrid Tea Rose For A Touch Of Classic Elegance

Choose The Hybrid Tea Rose For A Touch Of Classic Elegance

by: Ron King

The Hybrid Tea Rose is a modern rose, the offspring of 2 old timers getting together: the Hybrid Perpetual and the Tea Rose. These magnificent modern flowers grow on long stems and bloom throughout the year. Although this rose gives off only a faint scent, it makes up for this shortcoming with its many petals and tall stature. The Hybrid Tea Rose has been referred to as "your basic rose on a stick." These are the most popular roses to give or receive on special occasions.

A Thorny Issue

Many gardeners avoid the Hybrid Tea Rose because they're turned off by the idea of thorns. Well, good news -- there are several thornless varieties! When shopping, look for roses with tags that read "smooth" on the label.
You can find these roses in every color of the rainbow, except blue.

You Look Marrrrvelous

A Hybrid Tea Rose will look fabulous in any garden....

Choose The Hybrid Tea Rose For A Touch Of Classic Elegance

Spring break > Choose The Hybrid Tea Rose For A Touch Of Classic Elegance

Bet You Didn?t Know . . . All Waters Are Not Created Equal

by: K.C. Craichy

Water fortifies our systems and our cells. Without it, we couldn't survive. And it has been linked to many health benefits, from removing toxins from the system to improving brain function. Those 8 to 12 glasses of water a day are certainly critical . . . but if the water we drink isn't "clean," we're not doing our bodies much good.

Contaminants, from chlorine to aluminum, in our tap water supply have caused many consumers to abandon their taps for bottled water. But bottled waters have their own hazards. The acidic pH in many plastic bottled waters causes the plastic to leach into the water, particularly if the bottles have been sitting in a warehouse for a long time.

It's important to drink waters that have a pH of 7.0 and higher, and preferably housed in glass bottles or safer plastics such as PET or PETE. Here are some excellent spring and artesian...

Bet You Didn?t Know . . . All Waters Are Not Created Equal

Spring break > Bet You Didn?t Know . . . All Waters Are Not Created Equal

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

by: D Ruplinger

Purchasing a mattress is the most important furniture purchase you?ll make because you spend more time on a mattress than on any other piece of furniture you own, unless you have a tendency to fall asleep every night in a recliner like my husband does.

The seven items below are things you should be aware of and to consider before you purchase a mattress since that mattress will be a huge factor in the quality of sleep you receive each evening.

1) Decide on a budget. The prices of mattresses vary a great deal. If price is your number one consideration you can find an inexpensive mattress and box spring set for a few hundred dollars. But I recommend buying the best mattress and box spring you can afford. When you buy a mattress you get what you pay for. My first two mattress purchases were based on price and I never really got a good night?s sleep. I saved and bought a...

7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

Spring break > 7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress

46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

by: Dr. Robert Huizenga

Some of these signs of a cheating spouse are "tongue in cheek" while others are tell tale signs that commonly appear with a cheating husband or cheating wife. There is no copyright. Feel free to forward to those who might be interested. But please don't change anything.

Signs of a Cheating Spouse:

1) You find birth-control pills in her medicine cabinet, and you've had a vasectomy.

2) Mutual friends start acting strangely toward you. (They either know about the cheating or have been told stories about what a horrible wife or girlfriend you are.)

3) Your cheating husband or wife stops confiding in you and seeking advice from you.

4) Sets up a new e-mail account and doesn't tell you about it.

5) He leaves the house in the morning smelling like Irish Spring and returns in the evening smelling like Safeguard.

6) She joins the gym and begins a rigorous...

46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

Spring break > 46 Clues Your Partner is Having an Affair

Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

by: Anita Johnston

Spring is in my opinion the most wonderful time of year for the gardener. You can shake of that winter weariness and get ready for a new gardening season.

The most difficult part of spring gardening is trying to manage your impatience. Don?t start digging around too early. The soil must be dry enough to have it fall apart when you pick it up. When it still sticks together like glue that?s definitely not the case.

Early spring is the best time of year to change (parts of) your garden design. You can transplant existing shrubs and perennial plants before they begin to leaf out. This also is the time to prune your trees and shrubs. Cut back the remaining dead foliage from last season and remove dead, damaged or diseased branches of trees and shrubs.

And then flowers! That?s really what spring is about isn?t it! There are many that are suitable for cool spring...

Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

Spring break > Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

by: Anita Johnston

Spring is in my opinion the most wonderful time of year for the gardener. You can shake of that winter weariness and get ready for a new gardening season.

And then flowers! That?s really what spring is about isn?t it! There are many that are suitable for cool spring...

Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

Spring break > Spring Is Around The Corner - How is your Garden?

7 Tips For Buying Cheap Laptop

by: Charles Wee

Laptops are gaining in popularity these days. Almost everyone is carrying one now either for work or entertainment. Laptops with the latest technology are introduced to the market everyday and these new laptops come with a huge price tag. However, that does not mean you cannot get a good and cheap laptop. I have put together a guide that may help you out in your hunt for a cheap and good laptop.

Buy cheap laptop...

Spring break 7 Tips For Buying Cheap Laptop Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

Spring break > 7 Tips For Buying Cheap Laptop

Spring break

How to Choose Your Diamond Wedding Ring

by: Richard Keir

A favorite activity of everyone getting married is the incredible fun of going through a wedding ring selection process. But there are so many things to consider - and sometimes it can turn into a nightmare.

I've got to be honest here, everybody secretly wants a monster stone in the most beautiful setting possible. Do most women get it? No, not really. A perfect, flawless 3K diamond (or bigger) isn't...

Spring break Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

Spring break > How to Choose Your Diamond Wedding Ring

Buying Digital Camera Batteries

by: Steve Gargin

A digital camera battery is probably the most important digital camera accessory. Some digital cameras can consume power at an alarming rate, providing no more than a few hours of continuous shooting time before the battery is drained. Other cameras are renowned for the long life of their digital camera battery which allows users to snap away with barely a thought to power consumption. It is important to know how...

Spring break

Spring break > Buying Digital Camera Batteries

New Baby Guide

by: Dakota Caudilla

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You?re having a new baby! Now, on to the serious stuff. You?re going to get yourself prepared for your new baby, mentally, physically and you will need to adjust your house and car for the new baby too!

Mentally preparing for the new baby

Remember this, women adjust to having a new baby faster than men; so, don?t expect husbands to start being all fatherly after the pregnancy is announced....

Spring break

Spring break > New Baby Guide

Spring break