Home Improvement Investments

These days it seems that nearly everyone is concerned with saving energy, whether it’s over environmental concerns or more commonly, to save money.

One tip that’s usually offered is to unplug devices when they are not in use. This prevents “vampire energy” from leaking out when electronics are plugged in but not in use. The question is, how do you know which ones to unplug? With all of the different devices in the home these days, it could easily take a half hour to get it all done. Without me having to call in my local Brooklyn electrician how can I understand what appliance is wasting the most electricity?

Thankfully there is a little device called the Kill A Watt.

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Its always fun to switch up your table decor every once in awhile. For myself, Im getting sick of pulling out the same placemats every night, so itd be nice to invest in a few more designs, especially since its only two of us most of the time!

Are placemats something you have a collection of or just use the same ones for daily dinners?

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Hi All!  Happy New Year!  Its been a really busy time around hereYou know Christmas, New Years, Sadie turned 1.  I cant believe that happened.  

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The Red Oriental Console adds drama and class to any room. The decorative curved bottom adds an extra touch of sophistication while a decorative tree pattern adorns the front. The console opens with two doors to reveal storage space. This is the perfect piece to add to any entryway, hall, bedroom or living area. Fully Assembled. Our customers rave about this one. Shop for the Red Oriental Console Table by Powell

On Monday I posted about 5 Plants I Want in Every Garden.  In case you missed it the post was about plants that should I ever move I will plant again in the new garden.  As several of the commenters pointed out it’s hard to just pick five!  So today I’ll add four more to my list.  Neither this post, nor the last one list these plants in any order of preference.  Every plant has a purpose and each has its own unique attributes that make it worthwhile in my garden and while I have favorites, I don’t have a favorite!

So here are five more, maybe these posts will get you through until your mail order garden catalogs arrive!

Salvia   

Salvia is all over my garden.  The ‘Caradonna’s in front, ‘May Night’ by the mailbox, Salvia greggii in the back, Salvia coccinea in the self sowing areas, Salvia elegans (Pinapple sage) in the birdbath garden, and Black and Blue all over.  I added ‘Hit Lips’ this year along with a Salvia verticillata ‘Purple Rain’.  You can never have too much salvia!  And no I don’t have any Salvia divinorum.

Viburnum

The ‘Shasta’ viburnum in the picture is an awesome plant but I like all my viburnums.  I have quite a few arrowwood viburnums as they are easy to propagate in addition to a Viburnum burkwoodii.  I also have a few snowball viburnums that layered off another plant.
 

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

The leaf shape, flower panicles, and fall color all make the oak leaf hydrangea worthy of my garden.  It can also tolerate more sun than other hydrangeas do. 

Sedum

What drought tolerant garden would be complete without a sedum?  In the picture is a dragon’s blood sedum which unfortunately nearly died out last year. ‘Autumn Joy’, ‘B Read the full article…