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Passing On Garden Center Savings

Nothing leaves a lasting impression like a first impression. So, what is someone’s first impression of your home?

Now that the weather is a little cooler it's the perfect time to spruce up your homes curb appeal. Thinking about planting, seeding, or any other landscaping this fall? Check out the deals at Broccolo Garden Center first. 

From seeds to trees and everything in between Broccolo Garden Center has all of the necessary goods and services to transform your yard into a beautiful oasis. If you are just getting started their knowledge and recommendations are second to none. Even an experienced gardener can pick up tips and get inspired by creative planting schemes.

Here are 4 more really good reasons to visit the garden center:

1. An amazing Barn Sale that includes 50% savings on planters, baskets, and loads of quality garden supplies. 

2. 25% off all shrubs and perennials. October is a perfect time to plant.

3. When you buy a tree, they'll plant it free!

4. They also offer Comprehensive Landscape Maintenance Service!

Take the first step and visit Broccolo Garden Center today. Tell them your friends at Faber sent you. Faber Homes does not have any affiliation with Broccolo Garden Center. We just want to share the savings with you!

Decal Details

We’re always looking for ways to bring unique interior design techniques into our homes. One of the most recent finds we’ve stumbled on via HGTV, is the use of decals. Here are a few application techniques we love.

Photo Cred: HGTV 

 

Cabinet Door Decoration

Remove the cabinet doors. If the glass panes are removable, take them out and lay them flat. Arrange the decals—these come in strips—on the front of the glass in a pattern you like, taping them down with painter’s tape. Apply the decals following the instructions on the packaging, removing the tape as you go. Cut away any excess around the glass edges with a crafts knife.

Fun Lampshades

Not all decals stick to fabric, so use a paper shade. Cut out the stars—these come on a sheet—and arrange them in a pattern, taping them down with masking tape. Apply each star following the instructions on the packaging, removing the tape as you go. Fold any excess over the top and bottom edges.

Storage, Cleaning and Decoration

Grab those dustpans, storage bins and plain vases. Find decals that coordinate with the spaces those items reside and stick them on! You’ll be surprised how such an inexpensive detail can liven up your living space.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Trim the decals—these come in strips—to fit the mirror’s four sides, and position them along the edges. For the corners, cut each strip at a 45-degree angle and line them up so the patterns fit together. Apply the decals following the instructions on the packaging.

Find decals on websites such as wallpops.com, Etsy, or empirecitygraphics.com, and inexpensive furniture at Akia, wayfair.com, overstock.com, or refurbish old furniture you’re not using anymore. Good luck, and share your final products with us on our Facebook page!

Using Essential Oils in Your Home

If you’re at all present on social media, you’ve likely come across at least one post about essential oils. Popular companies like DoTerra and Young Living provide therapeutic grade oils, which can be used in hundreds of ways. But of course, we’re most interested in the ways in which the oils can be used in your home. Here are some of our favorite uses, via Young Living and DoTerra:

Create an aromatic space for your loved ones while cleaning. Put 5 drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in a vacuum cleaner bag. Try Peppermint, Spearmint, Cassia, or Pine. Geranium can help with doggy odor.

Soak a dishcloth overnight in a bowl of water and add a few drops of Lemon to disinfect and kill germs. It is especially important after traveling or a cold to disinfect your space. Thyme and Eucalyptus are natural sanitizers.

 Photo Cred: naturalwellspring.com

Create an all-natural kitchen sink scrub by mixing ½ cup baking soda, ⅛ cup vinegar and 5 drops each of Bergamot and Lime. Put the mixture in the sink and scrub. Complete the process by washing the sink down with warm water.

Smelling something a little stinky? Place 1-3 drops of Four Thieves, Purification or Hope on a cotton ball and place on bottom of trash can or diaper pail. It cuts back on odors and kills germs.

To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit, fill a bowl with cool water and 2-6 drops of Lemon. Drop washed fruit into the water and stir. Your fruit will be luscious for days longer than usual.

For sticky messes, use 1-2 drops Lemon to remove gum, oil, glue, adhesive or crayon from most surfaces.

Clean the carpet with an all-natural carpet deodorizer. Add 5-10 drops of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint or Ylang Ylang to a box of baking soda. Mix well and sprinkle over carpets. Let the mixture sit for an hour or more and then vacuum.

To dispel of household cooking odors add a few drops of Clove, Cinnamon, or any citrus essential oil to a simmering pan of purified water.

When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot or Lemongrass to the final rinse water for a refreshing aroma.

To help keep squirrels, spiders or mice away place 3-6 drops of Peppermint on a cotton ball at the place they enter. Get rid of those pesky bugs without harmful chemicals.

To help keep flies away mix 25 drops of Peppermint or Lavender with 16 oz. purified water in large spray bottle. The mix can be used on counter tops, windows and doors. Be sure to shake well before each use.

Backyard Farms

You’ve probably started to notice the price of eggs has risen substantially. This is due to the Avian flu, and the worst outbreak of it in nearly 30 years. According to recent reports, about 50 million chickens and turkeys have died or have been humanely euthanized in 15 states as the virus has continued to spread.

Because of this outbreak, many families have begun turning to local farmers markets for their egg needs. If eggs are a main source of your family’s daily diet, you might consider purchasing from these local farmers, or even investing in your own chicken coop!

Photo Cred: backyardchickens.com 

 

Yes, your own chicken coop – we’re serious! Backyard farms have been growing in popularity, as many families now see the benefits of eating organic, non-GMO foods. Backyard chicken coops are becoming more popular, and they are allowed in most areas of Rochester. Check with your town on regulations and restrictions.

A little about backyard chickens:

·      They’re easy and inexpensive to maintain (compared to most in-home pets)

·      They manufacture the world’s best fertilizer

·      Fresh, delicious and nutritious eggs provided six days per week (hens take one rest day - can you blame them?)

·      Fun and friendly pets with a personality (truth!)

What you’ll need for the coop:

·      2-3 square feet per chicken and 4-5 square feet of running space per chicken outside the coop

·      Pine shavings and corn cob bedding

·      90-100 degrees for chicks, decreasing by 5 degrees each week after

·      Food, water, and treats like veggies, bread, and bugs

·      Playtime

Want to learn a little more? Check out backyardchickens.com!

Back to School

Ready or not – back to school season is upon us! In addition to those early morning alarms, your house will also soon welcome the paper piles, lunch prep and gym bags. It’s hard to keep up with it all, even if you’re blessed with a helpful child or teen (luck you!), and before you know it the holidays will be here. Yikes!

So how can you get the family organized? Here are some tips.

Create a homework or “launch pad” hub.

Let’s be honest. School time is messy time. It’s difficult to keep it all under wraps (and not give your children an excuse to not have their homework turned in!). Create a central location in your home where the family master calendar hangs, cubbies for lunch or milk money live, and workspaces for each child. This will help cut back on clutter and inevitable “Mom, I can’t find my…” battles in the morning.

Ease the family into the new schedule.

Don’t try to change bedtime routines in one night. It likely won’t work and will likely irritate your kids. During the last two weeks of summer, close in on earlier bedtimes 15 minutes at a time, and conduct pleasant wake-ups 15 minutes earlier each day. One of the most difficult things about doing this is that it often conflicts with meal times. It’s vital that children get an adequate dinner and breakfast, so move those meals around, and have snacks available during the day to help with the transition.

Gather your papers and plan those shopping trips.

Every child needs the basics: folders, tissues, pencils. But for the random needs, create a list and collect coupons. Stores like Target will have savings on certain items and you can double up by using store deals with manufacturer coupons. Asses which child needs what items of clothing and develop a wardrobe list (and be sure to discuss this list with said child to avoid in-store tantrums and morning disagreements). Get it all done in one day and then you won’t have to worry about it.

Also – speaking of paperwork, don’t forget about immunization records and proof of medical exams for your student athletes. Get those physicals done ahead of time and be ready for when the paperwork is needed.

Do a practice run.

The first day of school is not the time to find out how long it takes to walk to the bus stop, make lunches, and get everyone ready for the day. If your kids walk to school, help them find a safe route. If car-pooling, perhaps take a test drive during busy hours to ensure everyone gets to school on tie. And make sure your bus riders know their bus number and a few friends to follow to ensure the right kids make it to the right school. 

You Can’t Kill It: Flowers

We discussed perennials a couple weeks ago, but this week we’re focusing on annuals – for those of us who like to mix it up year after year.

Zinnia

You can find Zinnias in nearly any color (except blue), and in a variety of heights. They work well in pots, planters, or in the ground, and can be planted in direct sunlight.

Marigolds

They’re super tough to kill, and they’ll brighten up any garden, planter or pot all summer long – because they just keep blooming. Some varieties of marigolds will grow as tall as 5 feet, but most variations are more compact.

Begonias

These tough cookies are often found in hanging baskets or in garden beds. Begonias will grow in sun or shade, and with just a little water, they will continue to grow and bloom through summer.

Snapdragons

A childhood favorite for many, snapdragons will bring butterflies to your garden at little labor-cost to you. In healthy environments, Snapdragons will grow tall and lush, making them strong and able to stand up to harsh weather conditions in the spring and fall.

Photo Cred: enkivillage.com 

Cosmos

Don’t have the best soil in your garden? Never fear. Cosmos are here! Cosmos flowers grow from seeds and can tolerate drought once they are up and growing (so all you have to do is water them to that point).

So now you have a list of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that you cannot kill. Which ones will you plant this year?