As the holidays approach, we are reminded of the past – of endearing traditions passed down from one generation to the next. Stockings hung from a fireplace, the faint glow of Christmas tree lights lighting up the living room, the presents beneath a promise of things to come. Looking back on these traditions, we can’t help but be bombarded with a lifetime of memories – time spent with family, friends, and loved ones. If you look a little deeper into those memories, past the people in them, you might notice that they tend to occur in certain places within your home. In fact, I would say the majority of them occur in one place in particular: your kitchen. From that vital space, many memories can be made. The warm smell of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. The chatter of daughters, mothers, and grandmothers passing down recipes and stories. The delighted laughter of children stealing a bite of dessert before rushing into the backyard to watch cousins and brothers enjoy a game of football in the crisp, winter air. But what if you did not have a kitchen or dining room large enough to host your family and friends for the holidays? Maybe this is your starter home and your kitchen is not quite up to par or perhaps your family has grown over the years and you now find yourself shoving for space in your ill planned dinette. Remodeling Tips for the Holidays As always, remodels come in all shapes and sizes. From simple, budget-friendly touch ups and DIY projects to full-blown renovations requiring a remodeling consultant and months of work. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you decide how to get the most out of your holiday makeover. Conduct a walk-thru of your home, envisioning it as your family might. Put yourself in their shoes – what things might make their visit more comfortable? Get a head count of how many visitors you anticipate having in your home. Do you see this number expanding in the next few years? Are any family members expecting children? Are you? Do you have any disabled or elderly friends or relatives? If so, how accessible is your house? Are the doorways to your restroom and kitchen wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs? Do you have railings in your shower or room for a seat in the bath area? Make note of your appliances. Do they function properly? How old are they? Will you be able to cook a dinner for 6 guests? 10? 20? Do you have enough living space? If people will be staying with you, where will everyone sleep? Are there enough places to sit? Nothing is worse than going to a party and playing musical chairs! See the full article with more great tips here: http://hammercontractors.com/making-holiday-memories-by-remaking-your-kitchen/ or visit Hammer Contractors at http://hammercontractors.com/ Wishing you a happy and blessed holiday season!

Perennials like irises and mums and one flowering shrub that is open and airy a rosebush or flowering quince. Nothing you need to trim back from window. Maybe just large annuals like zinnias and sun flowers and a window box of flowers and herbs. A mini kitchen garden of tomatoes and basil. Depends how much sun it gets and your climate zone.

whereas for me, it was the collapse of the sunshine skyway out of st pete fl. another the crash of the plane in the potomac upon takeoff from alexandria va. my baby and i were going to be on that plane. those have created life time horrors, the bridge even more than the plane. no, i am not talking of the disease relationship to vampirism. i am talking about what actual vampirism. Sounds insane to me. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2015/03/26/real-life-vampires-exist/ the funny thing to me is that they steal so much from Anne rice, yet do not seem to get it? And no, i have not read mr. chalker's books. But will try to get if i can. I do believe young people have always been into such things the scarier the better. It is in the last 20-25 years that i have noted a larger break from reality? Back to happier thoughts! I am going to all the thrift stores to try to get good books for my new grandbaby. I have lots to buy and don't know how much time. So even though he is too young he is getting a wide assortment. also zoo animals from germany. right now they will hang them from a mobile or place on a high shelf.

Thanks Laura. It should be lush, the planting beds are HUGE. The biggest ones have stepping stones winding through, to secret hiding places as well as for maintenance.