Palouse Living, Nov.-Dec., 2014

Palouse Living Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

Holiday menu planning

for first-time hosts

November-December 2014 Moscow-Pullman Daily News

| November-December 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Palouse Living

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PALOUSE LIVING

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November-December 2014 | 3

The garage: winter storage tips Metro Connections

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f you like to work in the garage year round, you may be dreaming of more than a white Christmas.

Are visions of shelving, tool chests and storage bins dancing through your head? A well-organized garage may just bring you all of the holiday joy you need this year.

A transformation from cluttered to functional is actually not that difficult.

You can start by mapping out your garage’s floor plan on a piece of grid paper. To the side of the drawing, list all the items you would like to see better organized, such as your rakes, tools or sports equipment, and then get to work in plotting out their new space.

Tools & Toys Depending on your location, certain tools and recreational equipment are only useful during specific times of the year. For tools that do not see a lot of action during the winter months, this may be the perfect time to start a tool rotation system.

Put your off-season tools into storage bins and stack them on a

large shelving unit. Keep them in an easy-to-reach location since they will probably make for a heavy bin.

As for recreational equipment such as surfboards, kayaks or bikes, it’s time to find a spacious, convenient location to store them for the winter.

Your local hardware store sells all of the sturdy hooks and brackets you need to hang this bulky equipment from your garage wall or ceiling.

Winter Clothing Much like your tools, your wardrobe needs likely change with the seasons, as well. A useful tip for storing summer and springtime clothing is to keep each family member’s garments separate in bins, labeled by name.

This will help you not only save closet space throughout the year but will also save you the time of trying to find all of your warm-weather gear when the season turns. Stack your air-tight storage totes in a dry location away from direct sunlight.

This will keep them in great condition throughout the winter.

Palouse Living Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

Holiday menu planning

for first-time hosts

November-December 2014 Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Enjoy Palouse Living IN PRINT: Palouse Living is published monthly, with 12,500 copies distributed in the Daily News, Lewiston Tribune and at key drop spots and advertisers across the Palouse.

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9+ ACRES OF PICTURE PERFECT COUNTRY LIVING!

Latah Latah County County Residential Residential Sales Sales Through Through Oct. Oct. 27, 27, 2014 2014 Latah Latah County County Residential Residential Sales Through Sales Through Oct. 27, Oct. 2014 27, 2014 Latah County Residential Sales Through Oct. 27, 2014 ah County Residential Sales Through Oct. 27, 2014 Latah County Residential Sales Through Oct. 27, 2014 tah County Residential Sales Through Oct. 27, 2014 Latah County Residential Sales Through Oct. 27, 2014 1/1/2013 to 1/1/2014 to 1/1/2013 1/1/2013 to to to to Through 1/1/2014 1/1/2014 to2014 to to to 1/1/2013 to to 1/1/2014 1/1/2014 to 1/1/2013 1/1/2014 to 1/1/2013 toto1/1/2013 to 1/1/2013 1/1/2014 1/1/2013 1/1/2014 to1/1/2014 Latah County Residential Sales Oct. 27, 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 10/27/2013 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 10/27/2014 10/27/2014 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 10/27/2013 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 10/27/2013 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 10/27/2014

1/1/2013 to

1/1/2014 to

No. of No. of No. ofof No. of No. of No. of No. of of No. ofNo. No. of Avg. Price No. No. of Price No. of No. of No. No. of ofAvg. No. No. of of 10/27/2013 10/27/2014 Avg. Price Avg. Price Avg. Price Avg. Price City Avg. Price Avg. Price City Avg. Price Avg. Price ity Avg. Price Avg. Price Avg. Price Avg. Price City Avg. Avg. Price Price Avg. Avg. Price Price City CityCityCity Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales Sales City

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No.520 of

$205,447

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$209,838

Avg. Price City Avg. Price MOSCOW MOSCOW 520 520 $205,447 $205,447 256 256 $209,838 $209,838 OSCOW 520 $205,447 256 $209,838 W 520 256 MOSCOW 520 $205,447 256 $209,838 OW 520 $205,447 256 $209,838 SCOW MOSCOW 520 520 $205,447 $205,447 256 256$209,838 $209,838 $209,838 Sales Sales TROY 40$205,447 $186,580 19 $196,519 TROY TROY 40 40 $186,580 $186,580 19 19 $196,519 $196,519 ROY $186,580 19 $196,519 404040 40 191919 TROY 40$186,580 $186,580 19 $196,519 $186,580 $196,519 Y TROY 40 $186,580 19$196,519 $196,519 $196,519 POTLATCH 49$186,580 $172,332 29 $172,658 MOSCOW 520 $205,447 256 $209,838 POTLATCH POTLATCH 49 49 $172,332 $172,332 29 29 $172,658 $172,658 OTLATCH $172,332 29 $172,658 CHTROY 494949 49 292929 POTLATCH 49$172,332 $172,332 29 $172,658 ATCH $172,332 $172,658 GENESEE 22$172,332 $174,773 1019 $174,020 LATCH POTLATCH 49 $172,332 29$172,658 $172,658 $172,658 7752 Parvin Rd, Pullman .................$549,000 40 $186,580 $196,519 Views of Kamiak Butte, wooded hillsides & fertile Palouse farmland from the DEARY 20 $184,564 8 $252,563 GENESEE GENESEE 22 22 $174,773 $174,773 10 10 $174,020 $174,020 ENESEE $174,773 10 $174,020 EE 222222 22 10101029 GENESEE 22$174,773 $174,773 10$174,020 $174,020 SEE $174,773 $174,020 GENESEE ESEE 22 $174,773 10$174,020 $174,020 POTLATCH 49$174,773 $172,332 $172,658 pastoral setting of this 3,200+ sq ft home on 9.5+/- acres. Comfortable, familyBOVILL 6$184,564 $121,000 $134,500 DEARY DEARY 20 20 $184,564 $184,564 8$252,563 $252,563 EARY $184,564 $252,563 202020 20 8 8 821088 8$252,563 DEARY 20$184,564 $184,564 8$252,563 $252,563 Y $184,564 $252,563 GENESEE 22 $174,773 $174,020 oriented 4BR/3BA one-story home w/ finished bsmt built in 1981. Family room RY DEARY 20 $184,564 $252,563 VIOLA 10 $256,250 1 $259,000 & kitchen expansion in 1996. 30’x50’ barn/shop with two 12’ lean-to’s, corrals & DEARY 20 $184,564 8 $252,563 BOVILL BOVILL 6 6 $121,000 $121,000 2 2 $134,500 $134,500 OVILL 6 $121,000 2 $134,500 6 $121,000 2 $134,500 BOVILL 6 $121,000 2 $134,500 L 6 $121,000 2 $134,500 BOVILL ILL 6 6 $121,000 $121,000 2 2 $134,500 $134,500 KENDRICK 6 $558,467 2 $200,000 yr-round supply of water make this ideal livestock property. Or use the shop for RV/ BOVILL 6 $121,000 2 $134,500 boat$259,000 storage & work space. Hot tub, shaded back patio, lots of lawn and landscaping VIOLA VIOLA 10 10 $256,250 $256,250 1 1 $259,000 IOLA 10 $256,250 1 $259,000 10 $256,250 1 $259,000 VIOLA 10 $256,250 1 $259,000 10 $256,250 1 $259,000 LA VIOLA 10 103 $256,250 $256,250 1 1 $259,000 $259,000 JULIAETTA $120,333 — — featuring a waterfall and small fish pond. Conveniently located just a little over VIOLA 10 $256,250 1 $259,000 KENDRICK 6$558,467 $558,467 2$200,000 $200,000 ENDRICK $558,467 $200,000 CK 6 6 6 6662$558,467 2 2 22 22 2$200,000 KENDRICK 6$558,467 $558,467 2$200,000 $200,000 RICK $558,467 $200,000 DRICK KENDRICK $558,467 $200,000 10 miles to either Pullman or Colfax, this is a prime example of what makes rural ELKKENDRICK RIVER $51,250 $51,250 KENDRICK 6 $558,467 2 $200,000 Whitman County a special place to live. Contact C.D. Butch Booker for more JULIAETTA JULIAETTA 3 3 $120,333 $120,333 ULIAETTA 3 $120,333 TTA 3 $120,333 JULIAETTA 3 $120,333 ETTA 3 $120,333 — — — — — — — — — — — — AETTA JULIAETTA 3 3 $120,333 $120,333 HELMER 2 $142,250 — — — — —— JULIAETTA 3 $120,333 — — information. MLS #9939725 ELK RIVER ELK RIVER 22 $51,250 2$202,446 $51,250 $51,250 2$51,250 $51,250 $51,250 LK RIVER $51,250 ER 22 2 2 2 2329 ELK RIVER 2 $51,250 $51,250 2 $51,250 $51,250 IVER $51,250 $51,250 ELK RIVER RIVER $51,250 2 22 2 $51,250 $51,250 Totals 680 $204,409 ELK RIVER 2 $51,250 2 $51,250 HELMER HELMER 22$142,250 2$142,250 $142,250 ELMER $142,250 R 2 2 2 2the HELMER 2$142,250 $142,250 ER $142,250 —— Service —— — — — —— — Listing —— — — — — MER HELMER $142,250 *Information was obtained from Latah County Board of Realtors Multiple HELMER

2

$142,250

—

—

Totals Totals 680 680 680 $202,446 $202,446 329 329 $204,409 $204,409 Totals $202,446 329 $204,409 otals 329 Totals 680 $202,446 329 $204,409 Totals 680 $202,446 329 $204,409 Totals Totals 680680 680 $202,446 $202,446 329 329$204,409 $204,409 $204,409 Totals 680$202,446 $202,446 329 $204,409

*Information *Information was obtained was from obtained the Latah from County the Latah Board ofRealtors Realtors Board of Multiple Realtors Listing Multiple Service Listing Service *Information was obtained from the Latah County Board ofof Multiple Listing Service ormation was obtained from the Latah County Board ofCounty Realtors Multiple Listing Service *Information was obtained from the Latah Board ofMultiple Realtors Multiple Listing Service nformation was obtained from the Latah County Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service *Information *Information was obtained was obtained from the from Latah the Latah County County Board Board ofCounty Realtors of Realtors Multiple Listing Listing Service Service *Information was obtained from the Latah County Board Realtors Multiple Listing Service

More information online at kincaidrealestate.com Email kincaidre@colfax.com or call 509-397-4434 Kincaid Real Estate, 809 N Main, Colfax, WA 99111

Palouse Living

| November-December 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Eggnog is served Metro Connections

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he holiday season is rife with tradition, from Christmas trees to lighting displays to visits with Santa Claus at the local mall. Families reunite come the holiday season to exchange gifts, enjoy meals together and do a little catching up along the way.

But the holiday season also is synonymous with parties. Whether it’s to enjoy an office holiday party, a gathering with family and friends or a more intimate gathering at home, such celebrations are a big part of the holiday season and a main reason why this is such a festive and beloved time of year.

As this is a season of celebrating, it’s good to remember that no holiday party is truly complete until eggnog has been served. Enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season, eggnog is as much a staple of holiday celebrations as stockings hung

by the chimney with care. This year, impress your holiday guests with the following recipe for “Excellent Eggnog” from A.J. Rathbun’s “Good Spirits” (Harvard Common Press).

Excellent Eggnog Serves 8 Ingredients: 8 large eggs, preferably organic 21/4 cups superfine sugar 8 ounces brandy 8 ounces rum 4 ounces bourbon 1 quart milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish Directions: 1. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, setting the whites aside

for a moment.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency.

3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well.

4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters).

5. Fold the egg whites into the yolksugar-alcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least 3 hours).

6. Stir to recombine as needed.

Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg.

Palouse Living

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November-December 2014 |

Fast & free ways to cut energy use this winter ConsumerEnergyCenter.org

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utting back unnecessary energy use is an easy way to keep your hard earned money in your pocket. Here are some suggestions you can do at home, at absolutely no cost to you.

Let the sunshine in. Open drapes and let the sun heat your home for free (get them closed again at sundown so they help insulate).

Rearrange your rooms. Move your furniture around so you are sitting near interior walls - exterior walls and older windows are likely to be drafty.

Keep it shut. Traditional fireplaces are an energy loser - it’s best not to use them because they pull heated air out of the house and up the chimney.

When not in use, make sure the damper is closed. Before closing the damper, make sure that you don’t have any smoldering embers. If you decide not to use a fireplace, then block off the chimney with a piece of rigid insulation from the hardware

store that fits snugly into the space.

Eliminate wasted energy. Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don’t truly need it - this seemingly convenient way to keep extra drinks cold adds 10-25 percent to your electric bill. Turn off kitchen and bathventilating fans after they’ve done their job. Shorten showers. Simply reducing that lingering time by a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of hot water per month for a family of four. Showers account for 2/3 of your water heating costs. Cutting your showers in half will reduce your water heating costs by 33 percent.

Use appliances efficiently. Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer. Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer’s energy use by 75 percent. Be sure to clean your clothes dryer’s lint trap after each use.

Jason Brown Realtor® (208) 669-1690

Bill Morscheck Broker (509) 332-9088

brokerjbrown@gmail.com

billm@moscow.com

Debbie Lawrence Realtor® (208) 301-0108

Patti Green-Kent Realtor® (509) 595-3740

realtor@turbonet.com

patti@greenkent.com

Darl Roberts Realtor® (509) 334-0562

Debi Shirey Realtor® (509) 432-5190

darllroberts@gmail.com

debishirey@outlook.com

Licensed in ID & WA

Licensed in ID

Licensed in ID & WA

Licensed in ID

Use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting on your dryer if you have one.

Put your computer and monitor to sleep. Most computers come with the power management features turned off. On computers using Windows, open your power management software and set it so your computer goes to sleep if you’re away from your machine for 5 to 15 minutes. Those who use Macintosh computers look for the setting in your Control Panels called “Energy Saver” and set it accordingly. When you’re done using your computer, turn it off (see next tip). Do not leave it in sleep mode overnight as it is still drawing a small amount of power.

Plug “leaking energy” in electronics. Many new TVs, chargers, computer peripherals and other electronics use electricity even when they are switched “off.” Although these “standby losses” are only a

few watts each, they add up to more than 50 watts in a typical home that is consumed all the time. If possible, unplug electronic devices and chargers that have a block-shaped transformer on the plug when they are not in use. For computer scanners, printers and other devices that are plugged into a power strip, simply switch off the power strip after shutting down your computer.

Thinking of Buying or Selling in Whitman or Latah County?

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Patti has over 16 years of experience representing buyers and sellers on a variety of property types, locations, and price ranges. She works for you because “You Deserve Personalized Professional Real Estate Services”

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4 bdrm, 2 bath, 2 acres, $225,000

patti@greenkent.com Call/text (509) 595-3740

3 bdrm, 2 bath, Manicured lot, 405 S. Grand Ave., Pullman large shop JUST LISTED $250,000 (509) 334-0562

Go to www.greenkent.com for more details or to search other listings!

110 E 2nd St., Moscow (208) 882-0800

Palouse Living

| November-December 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Holiday menu planning for first-time hosts Metro Connections

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ovice holiday hosts often have a lot on their plates. Whether hosting family or friends or a combination of both, first-time hosts typically want to impress their guests while ensuring they get enough to eat and have an enjoyable evening. Since dinner is such a big part of holiday gatherings, hosts often place extra emphasis on what to serve, and that can be tricky when this is the first time they are hosting.

When planning the menu for your holiday soiree, consider the following tips.

• Get a head count. Though other factors will influence what to serve, the size of your guest list may ultimately dictate what to serve. For example, a small gathering of four to five people will likely rule out turkey, as even a small turkey will prove too much effort and produce too much extra food.

On the same note, a small dish like lasagna might not be doable for a

larger crowd, as it will force you to prepare multiple entrees, which means more time in the kitchen juggling the various cooking duties and less time with your guests. Once you have confirmed just how many guests you will be hosting, you can then choose a main course that suits the size of your guest list.

• Decide which type of party you want to host. The type of party you want to host also will influence what you serve. A formal gathering should include an appetizer, a main course and a dessert, including both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. A less formal gathering gives hosts more leeway. For example, whereas a formal gathering may include soup as an appetizer, hosting a less formal gathering allows hosts to put out some snacks or bread for guests to whet their appetites before everyone sits down for the meal. The more formal the gathering, the more

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formal the menu. Hosts of less formal gatherings may even want to host a holiday pot luck buffet, inviting guests to bring a favorite dish or side dish while the hosts take care of the main course.

• Ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions. Upon being invited to a holiday dinner, some invitees may let hosts know if they have any food allergies or medical conditions that restrict which foods they can eat. Solicit such information from all of your guests, and do your best to cater to each of your guests’ needs.

Some guests might be on a glutenfree diet while others may need to limit their sodium intake. You might not be able to meet everyone’s demands.

Let guests know if they should bring an appropriate snack if you cannot provide one for them.

• Include traditional holiday fare.

People have grown to expect certain things from holiday meals, be it sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, brisket for Chanukah or holiday cookies or even

eggnog at Christmas parties. When planning the menu, be sure to include at least one of these traditional items, even asking guests for suggestions.

Such fare will give the party a genuine holiday feel, and guests will appreciate seeing some items on your dinner table they have enjoyed at their own holiday celebrations over the years.

• Don’t overdo it. First-time hosts want to ensure everyone gets enough to eat, so it’s easy to overdo things and prepare too much food. This can be expensive, and guests may feel obligated to overeat so hosts don’t have to discard any of the food they worked so hard to prepare. Though it might once have been a holiday tradition to overeat, many men and women now prefer moderation, and hosts should keep that in mind when preparing their holiday meals.

Hosting a holiday dinner for the first time can be nerve-wracking. But there are a variety of steps first-timers can take when preparing their menus to come off looking like old pros.

Palouse Living

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November-December 2014 |

s!

Ask us about the lots in any of these subdivisions!

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Camden Court AT SOUTHGATE

Palouse Living

| November-December 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Green cleaning for all By: Judy Sobeloff

W

hen Sandye Crooks began using vinegar to clean her bathroom last year, her husband complained that it smelled “like a salad in there.” To solve the problem, Crooks added lemon juice, another salad dressing ingredient with disinfecting properties, but one which her husband could handle having in the bathroom.

Nowadays, Crooks, who began working as Education and Outreach Coordinator for Moscow Recycling last year, teaches her popular green

cleaning class through Moscow Parks and Recreation quarterly.

So what is green cleaning and why should one do it? Glad you asked! Or, as Crooks recalls her boss at Moscow Recycling saying: “No offense, but your class is so popular. Why?” Green cleaning is the use of simple non-toxic ingredients for cleaning rather than more typicallyused, enticingly-packaged, and often potentially hazardous ones. Take a look at the warnings on commercial cleaning products. If your cleanser

Green Cleaning Class

Did you know that many commercial household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to you, your family, pets and the environment? Moscow Recycling invites you to learn how to make your own natural household cleaners. In this class you will also create and take home your own Green Cleaning Kit. All supplies are provided.

Fee is $10 residents; $12.00 non-residents.

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 7 pm to 9 pm. Must be 18 years or older. For registration contact Moscow Parks & Rec at (208) 883-7084.

says something to the effect of “Precautionary Statement: Hazardous to people and domestic animals,” as did a couple of items in my bathroom, you might want to take that warning at face value and switch to something gentler.

For $10, participants in Crooks’s class learn green cleaning recipes and strategies, as well as receive a little goodie bag of green cleaning materials and make their own concoctions to take home. In the class in which I participated in October, we were given samples of dishwashing/ laundry soap (a mix of borax and washing soda), a natural sponge, a fragrance-free dryer sheet, and a finegrade drywall screen (which Crooks says is good for scrubbing stubborn rings caused by hard water). We made all-purpose spray cleaners from lemon juice and vinegar, as well as natural air fresheners with a blend of essential oils and water.

The green cleaning ingredients Crooks brought to class included some old standbys (white vinegar, peroxide, rubbing alcohol, canola oil, borax, natural sponges) as well as items with which I was unfamiliar (castile soap, zote, washing soda).

Green cleaning is “not new,” Crooks explains, but rather “it’s coming back. All of these products are old. They’ve been around since the turn of the last century.”

For one’s maiden voyage to the grocery store in search of these products, Crooks advises: “Look for boring.” She says “old school” green cleaning items are packaged in a less flashy way and are usually placed on lower shelves, away from eye level.

Crooks began using green cleaning products herself because she has asthma and allergies. Along with the obvious good-for-the-earthand-its-inhabitants benefits of using non-hazardous products, Crooks also appreciates that green-cleaning products can be made “for pennies,” much more cheaply than store-bought alternatives.

While we’ve used products sold at the Moscow Food Co-op (Seventh Generation, Biokleen, Bon Ami) with good success at my house, parents

like me may have an ulterior motive in making our own: getting our kids on-board. I recently met a mom named Marie, whose two sons have done housework and cooking on their own initiative for years. How did this come about? It started with ... (wait for it) green cleaning. Yes, Marie explained, because her sons made cleaning products themselves and were interested in the chemistry of this, they found both cleaning fun, and apparently still do.

The good news, according to Amanda Camin, a green cleaning enthusiast in the class, is that “it’s never too late to start.” Her ten-yearold and 11-1/2-year-old have been cleaning their own bathroom with a vinegar and water spray and paper towels for the last two years. Camin said now if her three-year-old “sees something that needs to be wiped up, she’ll take a napkin and wipe it up.”

At press time (a few days after the class), I find I’ve been eagerly spraying surfaces with the cleaner I made in the class—far more enthusiastically than I ever did with any store-bought product—simply because of my excitement in having made the spray myself. I’m eager to go buy some big containers of white vinegar and lemon juice and have my kids make their own spray too.

More information about green cleaning is available on the Moscow Recycling website, moscowrecycling. com (click on “links”). Sandye Crooks says she’s happy to answer questions ((208) 882-0590), and people are welcome to pick up brochures and handouts from Moscow Recycling at 401 N. Jackson Street. Crooks’s next green cleaning class will be offered through Moscow Parks and Recreation on April 22 from 7-9 p.m.

All Purpose Cleaner (three options courtesy of Sandye Crooks and Moscow Recycling) 1. Water, 1/2 cup vinegar, 3 Tablespoons lemon juice, 5 drops grapefruit seed extract (or lemon or lime essential oils) 2. Water, 1/2 teaspoon castile soap, 5 drops grapefruit seed extract 3. Water, 1 teaspoon castile soap, 1 teaspoon borax

Palouse Living

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November-December 2014 |

Preparing for a beautiful spring Metro Connections Prepare your trees Just because your trees have packed it in for the winter doesn’t mean you should ignore them.

The colder months, in fact, provide the perfect time and temperature for some critical maintenance. Pruning during dormancy is the most common practice for tree owners, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Why Winter?

Winter pruning can result in a dynamic blossom of new growth by spring. Wait until the coldest part of the winter has passed. This will set up your tree for maximum springtime health.

Trees and shrubs that flower in the middle or latter parts of summer should be pruned in the winter, as well.

This will enhance flowering and lead to a beautiful springtime display.

Young Trees Proper trimming of your young trees can have a major impact on

shape, strength and even life span.

It also can lead to less expense and maintenance throughout the years as your tree grows, considering you will not have to buy any replacement trees or expensive supplemental treatments.

A tree that is well cared for in its initial stages of life will have a better chance of surviving extreme conditions like wind, ice and drought.

Pruning helps strengthen the branches, readying it for these harsh circumstances.

While leaving as much as possible of the entire leaf surface for food manufacturing purposes, tree owners should trim broken or swollen branches, as well as ones competing with the “leader” branch.

Precautions The fall is a good time to leave your pruning tools hanging in the garage.

This is because decay fungi spread their spores heavily in the fall.

Prepare Your Perennials

After you have enjoyed the blooms and colors of your perennial flower garden, it is time to prepare it for next year.

Simple steps taken in the early winter within cold-winter regions can lead to an even better garden next spring. There is specific care you can give both your bulbs and bed to optimize their health during the dormant winter months.

Gardeners in warm-winter areas that don’t face the onslaught of frost and snow need only to clean and maintain their beds throughout the winter.

Replacing diseased or worn-out plants before the blooming season is also critical to your garden’s overall health.

The Bulbs

Ready your pruners after the first frost has struck, because it is time to cut back the foliage at the onset of it yellowing and dying. Cut back your stems and avoid watering your plants. This will help them naturally harden off in preparation for winter. In dry-winter areas, it is still

recommended to water your perennials once per month to maintain their vitality.

The National Gardening Association recommends special care for your more tender perennial bulbs, such as dahlias and gladiolus. Carefully dig them up without causing damage to the bulb and store them indoors for the winter.

The Ground

Fall is a good time to feed perennials, according to the National Gardening Association, by working in a four- to six-inch-thick layer of compost around the beds. This compost mixture – which you can produce yourself throughout the year by saving certain food scraps and dead vegetation – slowly breaks down to release valuable nutrients to the plants and improve the soil structure.

After the ground freezes, your garden bed needs an extra layer of protection.

Remove your old mulch and replace it with hay or floating row covers. The protective covering will hold snow and provide insulation for the bed.

Did you know?

Metro Connections

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uch like their many of their human counterparts, pets do not always relish winter.

Animals can experience arthritis pain or fatigue when the cold sets in.

Shorter periods of daylight also may make them less active and likely to sleep for longer periods of time. In an effort to stay warm, some pets get creative. Cats can unintentionally put themselves in danger just to chase a chill away.

The American Animal Hospital Association says cats will curl up against almost anything, including car engines, to stay warm. Cats caught in moving engine parts can be seriously hurt or killed. Before you turn your engine on, check beneath the car or make a lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on the hood.

Also, if you have exposed radiators in a home or apartment, construct a cover to prevent cats and dogs from climbing on the exposed coils. The hot

water pumping through radiators can cause burns.

Cats and dogs also may get too close to fireplaces, so use a protective screen to keep them away from hot embers. Pets also can knock over portable heaters in an attempt to get warm. Look for models that automatically shut off if they fall over to reduce your risk of fire.

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Palouse Living

10 | November-December 2014 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News

How to build a disaster-resilient house Metro Connections

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xtreme weather events in every season now are thrashing, burning, flooding, and flattening many homes into rubble, and such storms are making many homeowners wonder what would happen to their homes if they were in the path of such destructive winds.

The frequency of severe storms is giving us one more reason to build with the strongest materials and the smartest technology available.

Concrete walls, instead of wood, are a good start, but as it turns out, they are also far more energy efficient, healthier for residents, cost effective, and ecofriendly. “If you ask for the house to be built with insulated concrete forms, known as ICFs, it will immediately withstand winds of up to 402 kilometers per hour,� says Todd Blyth at Nudura, a leading name in building technology. “An ICF home is also top-rated for its insulation.�

Specifically, the walls are constructed with preassembled, interlocking units (similar to Lego), so they’re easily transported to any building site. Each form consists of two panels of thick foam (expanded polystyrene) connected with a Nudura patented web system. Guided by the architectural design and beauty aspects you request, the ICFs are stacked, steel reinforced, and filled with concrete until the entire building envelope is complete.

The material required for your walls is a decision to be made early in the process. If you opt for concrete, says Blyth, here’s what you’ll get: • In addition to hurricane and tornado impact resistance, the fire protection rate is as long as four hours. • Premium insulation will vastly reduce air infiltration (compared to wood walls), giving you an efficiency rating as high as R-50 due to the

thermal mass of the concrete (compared to an average R20 in wood structures). That equates to reducing household energy bills by up to 70 percent. And if optional inserts are added to the ICF forms, this efficiency is improved even more. • Walls with a solid concrete core deliver even temperatures throughout the house by preventing thermal bridging. Outside cold easily travels through wood-framed walls, creating uncomfortable chilly spots. • Concrete will give you an effective sound barrier. ICF walls will dampen sound vibrations from outside noise, delivering remarkable peace and quiet inside. • The system is eco-responsible: concrete reduces the need for trees; the process uses recycled materials; the construction creates less waste than traditional methods; and the occupants use fewer fossil fuels for a much smaller carbon footprint.

• A stronger, safer, greener home - and one that is more durable, cost efficient, and requires less maintenance and repair - will steadily increase in resale value.

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hat is the forecast for your location this winter? Freezing rain? Record cold? A few feet of snow?

Some types of roofing systems, both commercial and residential, are susceptible to damage from the thermal shock and below-freezing temperatures that accompany winter.

While you may be resigned to spending most of December through February indoors, winter weather does not plan on taking a break. And whatever time you have left to ready your roof for the elements can be put to good use.

Preparation is Key Call a roofing expert to inspect your roof. A contractor will be able to quickly identify any structural deformities or possible pain points across your entire roof. No roof lasts forever, but you will get the longest life out of yours by scheduling regular inspections and routine maintenance

throughout the year. It is best to correct the smaller issues with your roof now before they snowball into leaks that can damage both the exterior and interior of your home.

The Elements In areas that receive harsh winter weather, heavy snows present a clear danger to roofs. While fresh snow can add up to 20 pounds of weight per cubic foot, if the snow partially thaws and refreezes, the weight can increase to as much as 60 pounds per cubic foot, according to University of North Dakota research.

Signs that heavy snows have exceeded your roof’s safe load include loud popping noises and cracked wooden supports.

Besides the potential damage to your roofing materials and structure, you also risk sliding off your roof, falling off a ladder or physical overexertion if you choose to remove the snow yourself.

Palouse Living

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | November-December 2014 | 11

Clear the clutter and sell your house

By Diana Lundin, Latah Realty Blog

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ou don’t have to be a minimalist Here are some particular areas when it comes to your decor but you should pay attention to as you if you want to sell your home, declutter. your chances improve greatly if you • Keep furniture to a minimum in get rid of the clutter. While curb appeal your living areas so that your rooms speaks volumes, once potential look bigger. buyers enter your house, you want • Clear out shoes, coats, umbrellas them to be able to picture themselves and other outdoor items from your in it. And they can’t do that if your stuff foyer or mudroom. is spilling out all over the place. Clutter is confusion to prospective buyers and • Move out big pieces of that puts you at a disadvantage right equipment, such as guitars, amps, away. drum sets, or exercise equipment.

If you’re living in a cluttered • Take down your personal photos home, you may not be able to and store them for yourself. Let the see disarray. You see sentimental buyer imagine putting pictures of tchotchkes, memories of your beloved their own family on the walls, tables grandparents, or knick-knacks from and shelves. a great vacation; the buyer, on the • Get rid of old newspapers, books other hand, sees chaos. They can’t and magazines, recycling if you can. separate the house from the clutter and in a market where there are more • Organize your wires in homes than buyers, you need every computers, printers, televisions advantage you can get. and other electronic equipment Even if your house is clean, having so that it doesn’t look sloppy and stuff crammed in every nook and overwhelming. cranny is visually unappealing.

• Take away those boxes of tissue, What to do? medicines, magazines and other Well, you don’t need to hire a items you might have on your stager, at least not initially, but you nightstand and keep just lamps, should consider renting a storage clocks and maybe a book or two on space and clear everything out. them.

Make the house neutral. Make it possible for buyers to mentally move • Edit your bookshelves so that their own belongings in. you have a neat, orderly space with As with any type of decluttering books and perhaps a few decorative project, make piles of things you’re items, like a vase, globe or other art going to save, things you’re going to object. donate, and things you’re going to • Remove everything from your throw away. Be ruthless. There’s a lot kitchen countertops, keeping of money at stake, after all, especially only essentials like a toaster. Add if you need to sell your house fast. decorating items sparingly (bowls Call a local charity to pick up your of unblemished fruit look nice). items or drop them off yourself. If you And clear off all those magnetized can absolutely, without a doubt have coupons and your child’s artwork a garage sale or sell items online, you from the refrigerator. can do that as well but it might be best • Arrange the shelves in your pantry if you can just say good-bye to what nicely. Have everything point in the you don’t need any more and give to same direction so that it looks neat a charitable organization. Yard sales, and organized. eBay and Craigslist take time and organization that you might not have • Get rid of sickly plants and only during the selling process. keep a few healthy looking ones on Keep what you’re going to save display. and store it. You’re not getting rid of it, • Make sure your beds are made you’re just getting it out of sight. and all extraneous items, like And throw things away. Really. It’s clothes, toys or shoes, are off the time. floor.

• Clear out the bathrooms and spruce them up with some fresh soaps, towels or maybe flowers.

Hide your razors, toothbrushes and

shampoos out of sight in a cabinet while your house is being shown.

• Clean out your closets so they aren’t packed to the rafters.

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