November-December 2023

November/December 2023

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Porcelain

Countertops and Extra-large Slabs

Wonderful Design Elements

(BPT) - Today’s homeowners want to use materials in their homes that fit their busy lifestyles. Porcelain countertops and extralarge slabs meet this need perfectly as they are beautiful, durable, very low-maintenance and affordable. Porcelain slabs can be used on many surfaces, including countertops, floors, walls, fireplaces, vanities, backsplashes, shower walls, tub surrounds and even exterior flooring and cladding. They bring the stunning on-trend colors and patterns of marble, slate and other natural stones, as well as modern

Stops Bacteria

In today’s “germ-aware” world, you’ll want a surface that is durable and easily cleanable. Porcelain slabs are up to the task. Not only are they easy to clean, but they’re also resistant to the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. Regular, basic cleaning with water and mild soap is all you need. Also, if you use professional cleaning services, you can rest at ease knowing your porcelain will not be damaged.

The “Super Shower” has also become a must for many homeowners. This luxurious shower features various amenities like rain showers, multiple showerheads and digital water temperature controls. Here again, porcelain slabs offer a seamless design that flows across several surfaces (floors to walls to countertops), creating luxury and elegance.

concrete looks, to a space while still standing up to real-life activity.

Daltile, America’s leading porcelain tile and countertop provider, knows how porcelain slabs can transform a home from fine to fab. Check out its reasons you should consider using porcelain slabs in your next home design venture.

Are you ready to update your home with quality porcelain tile? Visit Daltile to find countertops and a variety of porcelain slabs to turn your home into your dream space.

Luxury at an Attainable Price

Porcelain slabs are a great solution for designs that require a high-end look on a budget. They easily bring the scale and style of natural stone slabs to projects where real stone, like marble, might be cost- or installation-prohibitive. Thanks to modern technology, the industry’s top manufacturers can create realistic designs that make it hard to tell the difference between porcelain slabs and the natural materials they emulate.

One of the hottest trends in interior design is using seamless, continuous design to create style and luxury. This design trend is easy to achieve with extra-large porcelain slabs. They add powerful design impact whether you use it for a single installation, a floor-to-wall-to-countertop continuum or even book-matched for a stunning feature wall.

Ideal for a Master Bathroom Oasis

Perfect for KitchenIslands

A kitchen island is a useful and eye-catching feature in any kitchen. Porcelain slabs create beautiful kitchen islands with minimal or no seams. A porcelain slab island can also withstand the wear and tear of busy family life and frequent entertaining. For example, Daltile’s Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces line is heat resistant, so you can set hot pans and pots on its surface. It’s also water- and stain-resistant, so your porcelain kitchen island will look good for years to come.

Master bathrooms act as an oasis in a chaotic, kid-friendly home or as an escape from today’s stressful, fast-paced world. That’s why many new home constructions and renovations focus on turning master bedrooms into personal retreats. Opt for porcelain slabs to create a seamless design with wrap-around luxury in your bedroom.

Fitting for Exterior Spaces

Porcelain slabs aren’t limited to interior designs. They’re also an excellent material for outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining, including outdoor bars, kitchens and beautiful sitting areas. With porcelain, you can enjoy the same high level of sophisticated indoor design style but in the great outdoors.

Nashville Fine Rugs

Fine Antique & Contemporary Rugs

The endless quest for immortality guides the preservation of heritage and culture through great works of art.

From simple beginnings to the most sophisticated blending of art and architecture throughout time, the experience of fine surroundings has been for people of all nations and all societies the most satisfying and personal of life’s rewards. In the ongoing triumph of the arts, Nashville Fine Rugs feels especially privileged to be a part of such a tradition; purveying to a discerning clientele works of great beauty: the hand-knotted carpets of the world.

With a parent company located inside Iran, and an established reputation in Europe, the owners came to the South to offer this important market the finest collection of the rarest and most exceptional pieces available. And of equal importance, to provide all services, including appraisal, design coherence, search and brokerage, cleaning and restoration that go with a comprehensive approach to marketing.

They feel equally indebted to the noble artisans whose craft they serve to their clients, without whom they would have enjoyed no success or satisfaction in their efforts. Service to both is their best assurance of future achievements.

And they are dedicated to that with insight, vigor and a willingness to always go one step further in the pursuit of quality

and client satisfaction.

Nashville Fine Rugs has been working hard to satisfy its customers. In addition to providing an extensive and varied inventory of antique rugs and new fine rugs, the gallery also offers a range of other rug services.

These services include rug restoration, antique carpet repair, oriental rug cleaning (Professional Oriental Rug Cleaning in the old-fashioned way (plain soap and water), will enhance rugs, bring out the color, and extend the life expectancy of clients’ rugs. Depending on the amount of traffic, the rug needs to be cleaned by experts every two to five years). Other services included rug rental services and antique rug appraisals. In addition, they also buy old antique rugs. The secret to success resides in meeting the needs of customers.

“We at Nashville Fine Rugs strive constantly to keep this in mind. We look forward to you stopping by our store soon and also check out our spectacular holiday sale!”

Nashville Fine Rugs is conveniently located directly across from the Bluebird Cafe.

The Design Process of Oriental Rugs

The construction of a hand-knotted carpet, although relatively simple in concept, consists of many phases, the actual weaving of the work being the last phase. Initially, the master artisan, with design traditions as strong cultural heritage, conceives his patterns, colors and relationships almost in the final form.

Interpretations of classic motifs are then balanced against personal innovations.

The design process often dictates the material use, whether wool, cotton or silk, just as materials and dyes often control the extent of design variation.

The next step, and the first one where quality becomes a master of technology rather than design, is the processing of these materials.

Experience in the selection of wool is essential. Quality varies depending upon the season, geographic location and age of the animal, as well as from which area of the coat the fleece was taken. Once the wool has been selected, the cleansing of

the material takes place. This is very important since excessive oils or lanolin, will adversely affect the dying process. Similarly, if too much lanolin is removed, the yarn becomes brittle and will not perform over time, as these heirlooms should.

Spinning and carding the wool to create a stable tensile product of workable material is also a key step.

Finally, dying the wool or other fibers creates the key expressive element color. Traditionally, natural dyes have been used and many generations of experience have taught the artisan which works best for the subtle effects they achieve. Modern technology, however, has produced synthetic dyes that give different effects, such as brighter colors and different hues, which must be sensitively brought into the design.

Once the material exists in its final form, construction begins.

Each process used in making a beautiful rug are best left in the hands of an expert whose family and cultural traditions have taught him the proper steps to take and on the execution of which he must insist.

Nashville Fine Rugs

4105 Hillsboro Pike, in Green Hills

For additional information, call (615) 297-1177

What’s Inside Your Walls?

Smart Home Technology Predicts Electrical Fires

(BPT) - Do you know what’s lurking inside the walls of your home? Much of your home’s wiring is located within the walls, and as long as it’s working well, you probably don’t think about it. Yet faulty wiring and electrical issues can be dangerous and occur in both new and older homes, which may leave you, your family and your property vulnerable to fires.

Enter a first-of-its-kind technology from Whisker Labs to add to your smart home - free for eligible State Farm® customers.

Electrical Fire Risks

Electrical failures or malfunctions were a leading cause of electrical home fires, according to a National Fire Protection Association report. These fires caused on average 430 deaths, 1,070 injuries and an estimated $1.5 billion in direct property damage per year, according to data from 2015-2019, the most recent analysis available. Arcing was the cause of 63% of home fires involving an electrical failure or malfunction.

Assessing Hidden Risks

Smart home technology has transformed daily life for many Americans. Video doorbells, smart speakers, intuitive appliances and more - there are many options that keep life comfortable and convenient. Now, a smart plug-in sensor can help predict and prevent electrical fires in the home to help keep you safe.

The Ting plug-in sensor by Whisker Labs monitors your entire home for electrical arcing - including bad wiring, damaged appliances or devices, and faulty light fixtures. It also monitors for dangerous power originating from your electric utility service. Ting alerts users of any risks through an app that is downloaded on a smartphone.

The main precursors to electrical fires, micro-arcs and sparks, happen in faulty wires, loose connections and faulty appliances or devices. These signs usually develop over weeks and months, so Ting is designed to provide you with advanced warnings to help address these hazards prior to the hazard starting an electrical fire.

Want Ting and Monitoring for Free?

State Farm is offering Ting and three years of service at no cost to eligible customers to help prevent fires before they occur. To be eligible you must have an active State Farm non-tenant homeowners policy, a smartphone and home Wi-Fi. Learn more at statefarm.com.

In addition to the sensor and monitoring, if Ting identifies a fire hazard, Whisker Labs provides up to $1,000 toward the labor repair costs to remediate the electrical fire hazard. This makes it that much easier to take action and help protect your family and property from electrical fire hazards.

You may not have superhuman power to see through walls, but you can help protect your family from hidden dangers when you have timely information from advanced smart home technology. Act today to help protect what matters most.

**The State Farm Ting program is currently unavailable in AK, DE, NC, SD and WY.

Birdfeeder Battleground Winning the War Against Squirrels

(Joan Casanova) For bird lovers, the sight of a bushy tail hanging off the side of a feeder means one thing: war. Love them or loathe them, most birders agree they don’t want squirrels in birdfeeders where they can devour seed meant for birds.

Squirrels have to eat, too, and no one wants to harm the persistent critters. However, that doesn’t mean you have to put up with squirrels scarfing down seed set out for birds, damaging feeders and bumping up your blood pressure. It’s possible to discourage squirrels - and even outsmart them - with the right seed mix and some nature-friendly squirrel-control tactics.

Because squirrels love birdseed as much as birds do, both groups routinely battle for rights to the birdfeeder. It’s not an equal fight - most squirrels are bigger than the average bird, so chances are they’re going to devour the seed.

Squirrels are one of the biggest problems for people who feed birds. They can eat large amounts of seed, destroy birdfeeders and chase birds away. When squirrels claim your feeder as their territory, it’s hard to get rid of them.

While they can be relentless in their perpetual pursuit of birdseed and don’t like to share, you don’t want to hurt them, just set them on the straight and narrow. One of the most effective tactics to keep squirrels out of birdfeeders is taste aversion - serving seed that birds find delicious, but squirrels consider downright distasteful. Simply put, if the seed you serve tastes terrible to squirrels, they’ll seek sustenance elsewhere.

Put pesky squirrels on notice your birdfeeders are meant to be bird-exclusive by stocking them with products infused with fiery hot habanero chili peppers, like Cole’s “Hot Meats” that appeals to birds with top-quality sunflower meats and spicy taste but turns squirrels away with hot chili-pepper oil. Or offer “Blazing Hot Blend,” which combines the same habanero chili oil formula with preferred seeds to attract a maximum variety of songbirds.

Birds find the spicy taste delectable but squirrels detest it.

Studies show mammals, including squirrels, have receptors on the tongue and mouth that react to chili peppers by sending heat signals to the brain. Although there’s no actual harm, the sensation makes it seem like the mouth is on fire. Birds lack receptors that make chewing chili peppers such an eyewatering experience for mammals and they love the spicy flavor.

Another easy option is Cole’s “Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce,” a nutritional birdseed “hot sauce” that contains all-natural, 100% food grade ingredients with a hot and spicy flavor. It’s a safe, effective and humane way to feed birds and thwart squirrels. Remember, your feathered friends can’t taste the heat, but squirrels sure can. Add this chili pepper formula to any birdseed to reduce squirrel visits at the birdfeeder.

If you have a soft spot for those fluffy-tailed felons as amusing additions to your backyard, try diversion feeding, an effective tactic to lure squirrels away from the birdfeeder by providing them with their own food source. Set up a squirrel feeding station away from birdfeeders and make it easy for squirrels to access their own platform feeder filled with favored temptations. This can satisfy squirrels and allow for a “birds only” oasis at the birdfeeder.

Try “Critter Munchies,” a blend of whole yellow corn, striped sunflower, peanuts in the shell, black oil sunflower and raw peanuts.

If you’re among the bird lovers who have tried countless devices and gimmicks over the years to thwart seed-stealing squirrels, using taste aversion and diversion feeding tactics can help you win the age-old war at your backyard birdfeeders. For more information, visit coleswildbird.com.

Preserve Your Family’s Recipes and History

Culinary historian and bestselling author Sarah Lohman believes in the importance of recipes handed down from generations. “Recipes rely on memory and feeling, instructions from an elder or a handwritten note. The history of your family’s food is a way to access and preserve your ancestors’ stories,” she said.

In fact, Americans take great pride in their family recipes. New research commissioned by Bob Evans in honor of the 75th anniversary of its founder’s signature sausage recipe found that two in three believe their family recipes are worthy of bestselling cookbooks. The research also found that family recipes bring a strong sense of connection for people, evoking feelings of joy (48%), love (46%), nostalgia (35%) and satisfaction (24%).

It’s a good idea to learn about your history and the recipes that tie it all together. Here are five ways to ensure your family recipes (and stories) are preserved for future generations.

Learn About Your History

By learning about your heritage, you’ll gain insight into the recipes handed down within your family. You may even learn about your family’s immigration story and how they adapted recipes with the available ingredients in their new home.

“A great example of the link between history and food is sausage-making,” said Lohman. “There are various sausage-making traditions from around the world that were carried across land and water by migrants to the United States and recreated here.”

Sometimes these family recipes are even shared with the world. For example, Bob Evans sausage is made with premium cuts of pork and a signature seasoning recipe created by Bob Evans himself. To get inspiration for your own family recipes, visit www.bobevansgrocery.com.

Organize Recipe Gatherings

Hosting a family gathering is a great way to bond with relatives while preserving your family’s recipes. Encourage everyone to bring their favorite recipes and share their cooking techniques. You could even pick a dish to serve or to cook together once the recipes are documented.

Make sure to have recipe cards, a cookbook journal or some method of documenting the recipes digitally or online together. It’s also a good idea to write down the history and significance of each dish. Don’t forget to label recipes with the names of family members who contributed to them and the date the recipes were added.

(BPT) - Smell and flavor are powerful memory triggers. Just smelling a homecooked meal, especially one based on a family recipe, can conjure up fond memories. When you enjoy family recipes, you’re honoring your family’s history and culture.

Create Recipe Keepsakes

Once you’ve collected all the existing recipes, create a family cookbook. Consider adding photos, stories and anecdotes to each page. If using recipe cards, make sure to laminate them using sheet protectors to guard against spills and stains. Or consider digitizing the cookbook. You can easily find templates online, and once you’re happy with the design and layout, you can use an online service to print and bind copies. Recipes can also be printed on items like cutting boards and casserole dishes to gift to family members and hand down as cherished keepsakes.

Record a Video Demonstration

Technology has made it easier than ever to preserve recipes and cooking techniques. Choose a few recipes and record yourself demonstrating how to prepare and cook all the ingredients.

Not only is a recording a great way to pass down your heritage and culture to future generations, but it also helps preserve cooking techniques and nuances that may not be conveyed through written words alone. Make sure to save your recordings to a secure digital archive for future family members to access.

Create Your Own Recipes

If you’re a home chef, chances are you’ve adapted or created your own recipes. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

If you dig into your heritage, you may find dishes that haven’t

been passed down but that sound delicious. Try cooking them and make changes to suit your tastes.

Preserving family recipes isn’t just about food. Documenting and passing on your family’s history and traditions is a meaningful project for the whole family. Using these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to preserving your family’s heritage and memories.

6 Ways to Weatherize Your Home

A changing of the seasons may mean adjustments to your routine and updates to your home decor, but it also brings maintenance and upgrade opportunities for homeowners. As temperatures shift and seasonal weather rolls in, weatherizing can help you conserve energy, save money and improve comfort all while protecting the exterior (and interior) of your home from the elements.

This checklist from the door experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors and door systems, can help you keep the outdoors out.

Have Heating and Cooling Systems Inspected

Turn to the professionals to have your furnace and air conditioning inspected before temperatures change. They can make sure the system is working properly so you can have heat or cool air when you need it while conducting safety checks to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide leaks and other hazards. Plus, having your system inspected before any extreme weather means necessary repairs can be completed before you’re relying on it for comfort.

Trim Trees

Your trees and shrubs might provide a beautiful aesthetic in spring and summer, but winter weather can turn them into hazards for your home. Heavy winds and snow and ice buildup can cause branches to break off and damage roofs, windows and more. Some experts recommend waiting until leaves fall to prune; be sure to research the types of trees on your property and understand the best maintenance methods to keep them healthy without putting your home at risk.

Clear Gutters

While it’s a bit of a dirty job, clearing gutters of debris and buildup like leaves and twigs keeps the system running as it should. Gutters can’t properly drain when they’re blocked, which means water isn’t being diverted properly. This leads to water spilling over and can cause problems ranging from mold or mildew to larger issues like foundation damage.

Replace Your Front Door

Living in a comfortable, energy-efficient home starts with keeping out rain, wind, cold and heat. For a protected and weather-proof home, consider replacing your front door with a premium alternative like the Masonite Performance Door System, designed to keep the outside out and the inside in. Available with a variety of exterior fiberglass doors in a multitude of styles, colors and finishes, including multiple glass options, the system’s industryleading 4-Point Performance Seal provides superior energy efficiency, performance and comfort. Plus, the system is backed by a 10-year limited full replacement warranty and available at home improvement retailers nationwide. Additional benefits include:

• A square edge door fits perfectly into its frame for a solid, energy efficient seal.

• A self-adjusting sill maintains its seal, adapting to imperfect or changing conditions.

• Adaptive weatherstripping made of high-end, low-wick memory foam snaps back into shape when bent or twisted, stopping air and water in its tracks.

• Enhanced corner pads stop upward water pressure and form a tight seal between sill, door panel and frame.

Secure Outdoor Furniture

It may cause a bit of sadness putting patio furniture away for the season, but it’s an important step in protecting both the furniture itself and your home from high winds that can pick up during colder months or increased moisture during the rainy season. Some pieces may need stored away while others can simply be covered, but make sure to clean and carefully dry to avoid mold and mildew growth beforehand. Take advantage of the opportunity to thoroughly clean grease and grime off grill grates, repair damaged furniture items and clear the entire area of dirt and debris so everything’s ready to be dusted off and enjoyed in the spring.

Hire a Roof Inspector

The roof is a critical component in keeping your home structurally sound. A professional can examine your roof for damage and assess anything that may need fixed or replaced ahead of winter weather or rain. This examination includes shingles, soffit, fascia, chimneys, gutters and more along with a check for signs of interior damage like water stains, mold, holes or wood rot.

Find more ways to weatherize your home and keep the outdoors out by visiting Masonite.com/Masonite-PerformanceDoor-System.

Why Use A CRS Realtor?

Today, home buying and selling is faster, more complex, and more competitive in every way. Our goal is to make the process a little easier for you. The first step is to choose one of the CRS Realtors on these two pages.

Experience

To earn the Certified Specialist (CRS) Designation, every realtor must have significant experience and volume of real estate transactions.

Jerrelynn Davis, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 210-9541

jerrijo@comcast.net

Suzanne Elmer, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 496-3728

suzanne@suzanneelmer.com

Technology Expertise:

The training available to CRS realtors includes a strong focus on technology and its applications in the real estate business.

Richard Bryan, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 321-9531

www.RichardFBryan.com

A Focus on Home Buying and Selling:

To help make the home buying and selling process more rewarding, every CRS realtor must have a proven track record in the business, as well as advanced education in related area like finance, technology and marketing.

RIchard Courtney, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 300-8189

Richard@RichardCourtney.com

Christopher Simonsen, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 473-6998

chris@christophersimonsen.com

Steven Myers, Broker, CRS

Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 330-0555

SteveMyersHomes.com

Dianne Rucker, CRS ReMax Choice Properties (615) 596-3508

Dianne.Rucker@gmail.com

Charlotte Ann Edwards Broker®, ABR, CRS, ePro, GRI Parks Realty - Green Hills (615) 477-4078

CAEdwards@realtracs.com

Ethics

Every CRS realtor is required to maintain membership in the National Association of Realtors and to abide by its strict code of ethics.

Tommy Patterson, CRS Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 351-1737

tommypatterson@realtracs.com

Donnel Milam, CRS

Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC (615) 400-4211

Donnel@TheMilamGroup.com

Safe and Beautiful...

(BPT) - According to a recent Mr. Electric survey, one in 12 U.S. homeowners surveyed do not have outdoor lighting for their house. As the days get shorter here in the northern hemisphere, adding or upgrading outdoor lighting can help homeowners live their best outdoor life 24/7/365 with perfect visibility and comfort.

However, outdoor lighting also presents a few hazards, some of which could utterly ruin your al fresco free time. To keep things safe and beautiful, here are five simple tips you can follow this fall.

Leverage your lighting for security and visibility

Well-planned outdoor lighting accomplishes two things. First, it safely and comfortably extends your usable living space. Second, it deters intruders from prowling your property. To pull off this double duty, pay special attention to ensuring all pathways, social spaces and entrances are illuminated.

Also, instead of motion-activated lighting, consider an alwayson approach. This can be a better deterrent before a ne’er-do-well enters your yard. And thanks to LED bulbs, leaving a few outdoor lights on doesn’t have to cost a lot or create a lot of heat.

Ensure everything is outdoor-rated

Only use bulbs, fixtures, cords and outlets specifically rated for outdoor use. Fortunately, with the near-infinite range of outdoor lighting styles on the market, you’ll never have to sacrifice on aesthetics. Choosing correctly rated equipment lets you enhance the appeal of your property, highlighting architectural features and landscaping focal points, without risking failure, fire or other calamities.

Only use GFCI outlets

GFCI or GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter outlet. These outlets will shut off power almost instantly if any plugged-

Outdoor Lighting

in devices contact water. GFCI outlets have only been required in homes since 1971, according to the National Fire Protection Association. So, if your home was built before then, calling in an electrician is a wise decision. Mr. Electric, a Neighborly company, is a great place to find a locally owned, independent and certified expert.

Avoid risky placement

Unless specifically designed for it, outdoor lights shouldn’t be directly on grass. Prone to being either wet or tinder dry, adding electricity to grass just isn’t a smart move. Also, if your wiring will be buried, make sure it isn’t under anything highly flammable, such as mulch or woodchips. An experienced electrician can help you find safe and attractive solutions, such as installing directly on concrete or in gravel beds.

Respect the maximum wattage

Screwing a 100-watt bulb into a fixture with a 75-watt maximum will, at best, waste your money on bulb replacements. You’re also likely to cause permanent damage to the fixture itself. To steer clear of these issues, always choose a bulb where the wattage is equal to or less than the fixture’s maximum.

This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice brightness. With LED bulbs, you can get the same or greater illumination as incandescent bulbs with just a fraction of the wattage.

When in doubt, call a professional

Anytime you’re unsure about your outdoor lighting safety is a good time to get in touch with an expert, like your local Mr. Electric location. With the combination of their experience and your vision for easy outdoor living, the future can’t help but look bright.

Visit mrelectric.com/lighting-services for more information.

Max Out Your Chill:

4 types of ice to elevate your holiday cocktails

(BPT) - The winter holidays are fast approaching. If you enjoy hosting friends and family for dinners or the occasional happy hour especially during the holiday season, one way to impress your guests is to plan and prepare various drinks for each occasion.

While you likely prioritize getting the best spirits, mixers and glasses, it’s essential not to overlook the significance of ice. Different ice shapes serve distinct purposes, and incorporating the right ones into your beverages will wow your guests and let you flex your skills as a home barkeep. Check out the four main types of ice and how to use them when crafting holiday drinks.

1. Cubed

Classic and versatile, cubed ice is your all-purpose companion. Whether you’re crafting a classic Long Island iced tea or a refreshing gin and tonic, cubed ice will swiftly chill your spirits. It’s also perfect for serving iced teas, rum and cola or mojitos in a highball glass.

2. Crushed

Recognizable by its pebble-like texture, crushed ice brings a unique element to your drinks. The pebble-like ice melts faster than your typical cubed ice. While not all cocktails benefit from dilution, certain creations like the Mint Julep thrive on it, according to Vine Pair. Crushed ice’s ability to thin out syrup and juices is its secret weapon, especially for dessert options like a homemade take on shaved ice.

3. Mini Cubed

A generous supply of mini-cubed ice is the perfect answer for filling water bottles or delivering a quick chill. Like crushed ice, mini-cubed ice is fantastic at quickly cooling drinks, making iced coffee or chilling soda and water.

If your plans involve blended drinks or frozen cocktails, minicubed ice is the way to go. The small cubes blend smoothly, so every drink you make has a consistent texture.

4. Round

Round ice (also known as sphere or ball ice) isn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It melts slowly, gradually chilling your drink without diluting it. For those who enjoy sipping on whiskey, bourbon or craft cocktails, opt for round ice in a lowball glass. It’s also helpful to keep any cocktail or non-alcoholic drink chilled during long parties.

You can get round ice trays to make them at home, but if you have an LG refrigerator, some make slow-melt LG Craft Ice™, so you can have round ice on demand.

All the Ice You Need at Home

While your fridge may make cubed and crushed ice, you’ll likely have to buy specialty trays to make others, like mini-cubed and round shapes. Even for cubed and crushed ice, your fridge may not make enough to serve drinks to your guests all night.

You can effortlessly enjoy all these four ice options at your convenience with the LG Smart Mirror InstaView® CounterDepth MAX French Door Refrigerator. This large-capacity fridge makes these four types of ice to suit any holiday get-together or occasion, including LG’s exclusive slow-melting, round Craft Ice™.

In addition to its spacious interior, the refrigerator offers a sleek, counter-depth design that blends seamlessly with surrounding cabinets and also features LG’s latest Mirror InstaView® window. With just two quick knocks on the glass panel, you can illuminate the contents inside your refrigerator.

A Full Menu of Festive Holiday Flavor

Cooking up a successful holiday gathering calls for everyone’s favorite recipes. From the centerpiece main dish to fresh salads and appetizers, roasted sides and baked sweets, you can take seasonal get-togethers up a notch by mixing traditional classics with newfound favorites.

Consider this full-fledged menu of flavor to give guests a memorable holiday experience from beginning to end and find more festive recipe ideas at Culinary.net.

Fresh Flavors for Holiday Festivities

With the festive season arriving, bring together family and friends for a delicious feast you can feel good about serving.

One standout recipe is this Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad that pairs fresh, leafy kale with roasted sweet potatoes and tender Cornish game hens for a truly elegant meal.

Elevate your cooking during the holidays with inspiration from Fresh Express and its more than 100 varieties of fresh, healthy

and convenient ready-to-eat salads like the Sweet Kale Chopped Kit. It’s a perfect blend of a nutrient-dense salad mix of leafy kale, green cabbage, shredded broccoli and Brussels sprouts, as well as crunchy pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, topped with a tasty poppyseed dressing.

Visit FreshExpress.com to discover more fresh, easy and healthy recipes for the holiday season.

Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Servings: 4

1 package (6 ounces) stovetop stuffing

2 cups chopped apples, divided

4 Cornish game hens (20 ounces each)

1/2 cup butter

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 package (10.9 ounces) Fresh Express Sweet Kale Chopped Kit

Heat oven to 350 F.

Prepare stuffing according to package directions. Add 1 cup apples and fluff stuffing with fork; cool 15 minutes.

Remove anything inside hens, rinse cavity with cold water and pat dry.

In small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder and pepper; mix well. Remove from heat.

Fill cavity of each hen with apple stuffing.

Place hens in 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Tie legs together and tuck wings under. Baste with butter mixture.

Bake 50-60 minutes, or until thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 165 F and stuffing temperature reads 165 F. Baste with butter mixture every 15-20 minutes.

In bowl, toss sweet potatoes with remaining Italian seasoning and olive oil. Arrange in single layer on sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt, to taste.

Bake with hens 25 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and cool. Tent hens with foil and let rest 10 minutes.

Place greens from salad kit in large bowl. Add remaining apples and sweet potatoes; mix well. Toss with salad dressing. Add toppings; toss to combine.

Serve Cornish game hens with sweet potato kale salad.

A Festive, Everyday Side Dish

While the busy holiday season can be loads of fun, you still need to get dinner on the table between parties. When you find yourself in a pinch this holiday season, squeezed for time and searching for a quick solution for dinner, turn to an easy side dish that can appease everyone. Potatoes are a nearly unanimous favorite.

Make putting dinner on the table a breeze with a solution

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

like little potatoes from The Little Potato Company, which can help bring holiday happiness to mealtime. Ready in as little as 5 minutes, they come pre-washed and require no peeling or cutting, making them the perfect time-saving solution for the holiday season.

Visit littlepotatoes.com for more information and holiday inspiration.

Perfect Roasted Little Potatoes

1 1/2 pounds The Little Potato Company Little Potatoes

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 F.

In large bowl, toss little potatoes with oil, salt and pepper until coated.

Spread potatoes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet lined

with parchment paper. Bake 30 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Tip: For extra holiday flavor, add paprika, garlic and fresh herbs.

Get Creative with Delicious, Decorative Cookies

A decadent holiday meal isn’t complete without a sweet dessert to cap off the evening. When in doubt, go with a traditional treat that’s perfect for sharing: cookies.

These Ornament Cookies can be shaped any way you like

to celebrate the holidays. The royal icing adorning these festive favorites is made with powdered sugar and meringue powder; just use food coloring to add a personal touch.

Find holiday recipes, baking tips and more at dominosugar.com.

Ornament Cookies

Prep time: 25 minutes

plus 1 hour to decorate

Cook time: 20 minutes

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Cookies:

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup Domino Golden Sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Royal Icing:

4 cups Domino Powdered Sugar

3 tablespoons meringue powder

1/3 cup, plus 2-3 tablespoons, warm water, divided desired food coloring

To prepare cookies: In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; beat until well combined. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add flour and salt; beat until just combined.

Dump mixture onto lightly floured surface and divide in half. Shape each half into disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Working on lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-inch thick. Cut cookies using ornament-shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies on prepared pans and bake 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature.

To make royal icing: In large mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water. Beat on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat 8-10 minutes, adding 2-3 tablespoons warm water, as necessary. Icing should be stiff enough to hold peak when tested.

Color royal icing with food coloring and decorate cookies.

What’s Important To You When It Comes To Doing Laundry?

New Survey Reveals What Consumers Want

(BPT) - Did you know nearly half of American consumers (46%) are in the market for a new washer/dryer within the next 12 months? That’s according to a new survey by LG that looked at habits, priorities - and problems - people face around getting the laundry done.

If you’re thinking about replacing your appliances, you may find that what you’re looking for in a new model has changed. Features that matter most to consumers have shifted, revealing concern for water and energy efficiency, plus an increased interest in technology that can save time and help ensure your laundry gets done well, the first time.

Conservation Is Top of Mind

Water and energy efficiency ranked as top consumer priorities when it comes to finding their next washer and dryer. In fact, 56% said water and energy efficiency was the most important to them, surpassing factors such as cycle setting varieties (47%), convenience features (44%) and design aesthetics (37%). Survey respondents even expressed a willingness to pay more upfront for appliances that offer better efficiency, recognizing the potential long-term savings on water and energy bills, on top of benefiting the environment.

Water and energy efficiency was also the top reason current LG owners said they’d recommend LG washers and dryers to a friend or family member. For instance, LG’s 4.5 cubic feet Capacity Smart Front Load Energy Star Washer with TurboWash® 360° and AI DD® Built-In Intelligence stands as an example for water

and energy efficiency. Its generous capacity means doing more laundry in fewer loads, saving time and water. With 5 powerful jets to spray clothes from multiple angles you also get a more thorough clean in under 30 minutes, using less water. The AI DD® Built-In Intelligence feature automatically adjusts water levels based on load size, while Cold Wash technology penetrates deep into fabrics for cold water savings - with warm water performance.

As for dryers, the LG 7.4 cubic feet Smart Front Load Electric Dryer with AI Sensor Dry & TurboSteam™ Technology provides built-in sensors and AI technology to detect fabric texture, load size and moisture levels to automatically adjust drying time for more advanced fabric care and energy savings.

Smart Features Help Prevent Laundry Mishaps

If you’ve ever added too much (or too little) detergent, changed the color of clothes by choosing the wrong temperature or accidentally shrunk something doing laundry, you’re not alone. The survey shows more than 2 out of 5 adults admitted to shrinking items in the laundry, with the same number showing they’ve used too much detergent - and 38% reported ruining the color of an item due to a laundry mishap.

Only 60% expressed confidence with determining the right amount of liquid laundry detergent (with 40% less than very confident), and even less felt confident about being able to determine correct laundry cycles. In the survey, 4 in 10 reported detergent-related mishaps, which can result in issues like soap residue in clothes or machines.

For anyone who has experienced these kinds of mishaps, the

latest technology can help prevent common laundry disasters. For example, LG’s auto-dispense feature helps you determine the correct amount of detergent needed for each load, ensuring precise usage and cost savings.

Furthermore, LG’s built-in intelligence technology removes the guesswork. AI technology selects optimal wash motions and settings, and the washer can even auto-select a compatible drying cycle to ensure your clothes are washed and dried correctly, reducing the chance of laundry disasters like ruining colors or shrinkage.

A Brand Consumers Trust

According to the survey, LG is the most attractive brand to consumers in the market for a new washer/dryer, with 64% saying they would “definitely” or “very likely” purchase an LG when ready to buy. Convenience features valued by consumers include smart features that LG’s ThinQ® app provides, like being able to start and monitor cycles remotely, and being able to anticipate maintenance needs for their appliances.

The LG ThinQ® app helps you manage your appliances and more to make every day a little easier - and keep your home running smarter. It provides proactive smart alerts, sent directly to your smartphone to help you understand and address your appliance maintenance needs, averting potential problems and keeping your LG appliances running their best for years to come.

Learn more about LG washers and dryers to meet your family’s laundry needs at LG.com/us/laundry.

Expert Tips: Light Up Your Home for the Holidays

(BPT) - If you’ve always wanted your house to stand out during the holidays, now’s your chance. Recent holiday lighting improvements, including enhanced versatility and ease of use, make it easier than ever to turn your home into a winter wonderland your family will never forget, inside and out.

To help you transform your home this year, here are tips to help ensure you’ll get the effect you want, bringing cheer to your family and everyone in your neighborhood.

Make a Plan

Whatever you’re imagining for your lighting design, you’ll want to plan ahead first, so you know what kind of lighting to get and how much you’ll need. This is especially important when planning exterior and interior lighting that covers a large area. To create your design plan, take a good look at your house from a distance, like from across the street. Take a picture of your home and then decide which features you want to highlight. Do you have a distinctive front door, windows or columns you want to use as the visual focus? Measure areas you want to outline with lights so you’ll know how much to purchase.

Consider the Range of Possibilities

Today’s lighting offers increased capabilities to personalize, even when you’re just decorating your indoor tree. For example, Govee - a leader in smart home lighting - recently introduced its new Christmas String Lights that let you create customized lighting effects with over 100 lighting presets. Their lights feature water drop-shaped lamp beads which create a stronger halo effect of light and ultimately a fuller, brighter light. With Uni-IC Control, each individual LED bead can be independently controlled to offer greater freedom for creative, unique lighting effects and interactive gaming modes. Even better, a built-in microphone allows for ultimate connectivity and light synchronization, so you don’t need to buy extra accessories to sync up lights with your favorite holiday music.

Take Advantage of Smart Connectivity Features

Managing your entire lighting system is simpler than ever, thanks to today’s smart features. When you choose Govee, you can easily integrate all your holiday lights with the rest of your smart home system to enable voice-activated convenience and control via connectivity to Alexa and Google Home, as well as through the Govee Home app using both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Choose Lighting That’s Versatile and Easy To Use

For exterior lighting, seek options offering maximum flexibility and ease of

use. Govee’s Christmas String Lights are IP65 waterproof and operable at temps as low as -4°F, making them suitable to add a festive vibe to patios, trees, gardens or fences. Or choose Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro - designed for added security and to elevate festive celebrations from Halloween to New Year’s Eve so holiday decorating is easier than ever. Choose from 75 different scene modes with countless color options and implement reactive music mode for any holiday celebration. They’re cuttable, spliceable and reconnectable, as well as being extendable up to 200 feet. They can be installed using two simple options, Screw Clips and VHB adhesive tape, which are compatible with a variety of materials and surfaces including wood, fiber, cement, metal and vinyl.

Add Brightness and Security to Outdoor Spaces

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro can do more than bring holiday cheer. Their versatility means they can be used not just for special occasions, but also for everyday safety and security. The balanced, accurate spectrum of cool and warm white lighting they provide is ideal for ambient lighting and security purposes. Their seamless integration with other

smart devices also makes it easy to pair with security cameras or outdoor sensors, creating one-touch synchronization between indoor and outdoor devices. They can be used for up to 50,000 hours, enhancing safety by illuminating areas covered by security cameras and providing a robust deterrent against potential intruders during the busy holiday seasonand year-round.

Ready to illuminate your home for the holiday season? Find Govee’s Christmas String Lights and Permanent Outdoor Lights on Amazon or at Govee.com.

to your Kitchen and Bath Design Add Personality

(BPT) - When you walk from room to room within your home, do you see yourself within the design? For many people, the answer is no. They tend to select interior design based on trends or what other people suggest, which makes the space feel less authentic.

Your home should feel unique to you and be a place you love today and years from now. It’s important to consider your personal preferences and style so that you can create a home that is uniquely yours, and the best places to focus this energy are the kitchen and bathrooms.

“Kitchens and bathrooms often feature white colors and clean lines, but there’s no rule that says that’s the only option,” said Alex Yacavone, Kohler Design Studio manager who specializes in color, material and finish. “It’s an exciting time for interior design because more people are getting away from basic neutrals and adding their personality in new, unexpected ways.”

She stressed that kitchens and bathrooms are the best places within the home to transform interior design with your personality in mind. Bathrooms are some of the most frequently visited spaces in the house and kitchens are the center of it all. Investing in the design of these spaces is worthwhile because it will be regularly used and enjoyed.

Ideas To Get Started

Yacavone suggests thinking about your goals. How do you plan to interact with the space? What would make this interaction more useful and enjoyable? What elements have you noticed and noted in magazines, stores or other homes? The answers to these questions will give you direction.

One of the best ways to add personality to a space is through elements of different color, material and finish. This allows you to tell a story in the design and make the space one of a kind. Think of different hues or textures that speak to you and how they reflect your personal style or the energy you want to evoke. Yacavone shares some examples:

Titanium:

Conveys strength and style. Moodier and deeper in tone than polished nickel or chrome, it complements dark spaces as well as bright clean backdrops.

Matte Black:

Feels rich and modern. For instance, this striking hue becomes a defining bathroom element in the honed black color Numi 2.0 rectangle toilet.

French Gold:

Warm and refined, French gold is a finish that can be layered into many different aesthetics, standing the test of time in bathrooms and kitchens.

Heritage Colors:

Fun and eye-catching, explore pops of color found in Kohler’s heritage collection. For example, a kitchen sink in the vivid teal hue Spring Green or a clawfoot bathtub in the warm pink tone of Peachblow.

Florals:

Classic and comfortable, consider featuring florals in unexpected ways including the bold floral photography sink designs in the Dutchmaster collection.

Soft Neutrals:

Organic and welcoming, the new color Truffle is a warm neutral that is an ideal foundational color. Reflective of Mother Nature, Truffle complements warm finishes well, including French gold.

For more ideas and inspiration about finish, color and material, visit Kohler.com.

Striking Balance

When adding personality to the kitchen and bath, it’s important to find balance in design. A good way to make sure personal design doesn’t go overboard is to determine a focal point.

“Select a focal point in the room and build out from there,” suggested Yacavone. “Maybe it’s colored cabinets or a pattern on the sink. This becomes your touchstone that you can go back to if it feels like you’re losing focus or adding too many competing elements.”

Go Ahead, Get Personal

Your home is where you should feel you belong. Adding personality to kitchen and bathroom spaces allows you to create a home that is uniquely yours. Explore how your individual style can redefine your interior design choices.

What Kind of Gardener Are You?

Explore these 4 trends to find out

(BPT) - As cooler temperatures emerge, it’s time to embrace the vibrant colors and bountiful rewards of fall gardening. What better time to dig into your gardening personality than the start of a new season?

While gardeners are connected by their shared love of nature, everyone has their own gardening personality. Whether it’s preferring indoor or outdoor gardening, tending to flowers or vegetables or even specific color palettes, every gardener is unique. That’s why Ball Horticultural Company offers a plethora of plants to fit each gardening persona.

Knowing what kind of gardener you are can help determine

what plants to grow in your garden this fall. Read on to unlock your gardening persona and learn which fall trends can help you achieve success this season.

The Edibles Expert

If you love to grow and harvest your own food, then you may be a veggie gardener! This fall, take your containers to the next level by mixing leafy vegetables with edible fall flowers.

Consider mixing your lettuce and kale plants with brightly colored Cool Wave® Pansies, all three of which thrive in the cool temperatures. You can even reap the benefits of this combination

by creating a lettuce and kale salad topped with a colorful pansy garnish. This Instagram-worthy dish is perfect for fall entertaining.

Don’t let the cold weather put a stop to your passion. Take gardening indoors by growing Kitchen Minis® Quick Snack Cucumbers on a sunny windowsill or counter. These delicious, easy-to-grow cucumbers are cocktail-sized, so you can enjoy their crisp, fresh taste straight from the vine or easily incorporate them into your fall recipes.

The Moonlight Gardener

Do you enjoy spending cool evenings outdoors with friends and family on your patio, balcony or around the firepit? Maybe you even enjoy gardening at night under the stars. Moonlight gardeners make the most of crisp autumn evenings outside. If you identify as a moonlight gardener, this fall, opt for plants that draw the eye, even in the dark.

Look for silver foliage plants like Centaurea Silver Swirl. The plant’s stunning silver-white leaves will brighten any outdoor space and it’s durable enough to last well past the season. You can also consider planting Begonia Dragon Wing® White and enjoy the look of its angel-wing leaves and large blooms all through fall until the first frost.

The Eco-Enjoyer

While all gardeners invest in and depend on the environment, the eco-gardener is passionate about growing

flowers that benefit flora and fauna alike.

Help wildlife and foraging pollinators by planting Echinacea Double Scoop™ Deluxe Watermelon, which will provide songbirds a meal of spent seed heads. Additionally, bees and other pollinators can continue their work well into the fall if they have access to plants like Rudbeckia Goldblitz, which shows its true colors in late summer and fall. As beautiful as they are beneficial, these nectar-rich flowers will be attractive to pollinators and passersby alike.

The Plant Gifting Go-Getter

From a gorgeous fresh flower bouquet to a cheery potted plant, this gardening personality expresses their love by sharing the power of plants!

Plant gifters often opt for captivating colors to brighten up their outdoor spaces. Xochi Marigold not only adds vibrance and whimsy to fall gardens, but their late-October blooms also make a beautiful fresh-cut bouquet, or fun flower crown, with just a quick visit to your backyard or patio. The charming two-toned petals of Pink Kisses Dianthus will provide a cheerful energy to all your house guests this fall.

Which gardener are you? Whether you’re one or a combination of these gardeners, there are many plants you can enjoy and share with your loved ones this fall. To find the right plants for your garden, visit the experts at BallHort.com.

Prepare for a Cold, Stormy Winter

Weather fluctuations are the norm these days, and cold winter weather is on the horizon.

This winter, don’t get caught out in the cold when it comes to heating costs. There are things you can do now to help save money by reducing your energy consumption. Consider these tips from the experts at Carrier to help you reduce usage and home heating costs this season.

One of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill is turning the heat down to the lowest setting you are comfortable with. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning the temperature down an additional 10-15 F while you are sleeping or away can help save about 10% a year on energy costs.

Installing a programmable thermostat can make turning down the heat automatic. Depending on the model, you can set different temperatures for when you are home, away or asleep. Better yet, a WiFi-connected smart thermostat can make automatic adjustments and is controllable remotely using a smartphone.

Keep up with regular maintenance of your home heating system so it runs efficiently. Change your filter as recommended by the manufacturer and have a professional conduct an inspection and tune-up before the weather gets cold and appointments become harder to get. A dirty or clogged furnace filter can cause your furnace to work harder than needed and waste energy in the process. According to the experts at Carrier, regular, routine maintenance and cleaning can help your furnace run more efficiently and potentially extend its life.

The average life of a furnace is 15-20 years, so be prepared when it comes time to replace. Oftentimes, people wait to buy a new furnace until their current system breaks down and have to resort to buying what’s in stock. Planning ahead lets you shop for a system that’s right for your home and preferences. Right now may be a good time to consider replacing your aging furnace with available manufacturer promotions, energy company incentives and tax credits associated with the Inflation Reduction Act.

If you replace your furnace, consider switching to a high

efficiency model. They offer a higher level of comfort and energy cost savings. Many homeowners are opting for higher efficiency heat pumps, units that handle both heating and cooling. They are powered by electricity and a growing choice for consumers who want to use less fossil fuels. For example, Carrier’s award-winning Infinity line is among the most energy efficient on the market and operates down to -15 F.

Check for drafts around doors, windows and other openings. Seal with caulk or weatherstripping. Also ensure your home is insulated properly. Some utility companies offer to check your home’s insulation for free. Having less cold air to heat can yield considerable cost savings.

Being prepared for cold weather can help save money in the long run. Find more tips at Carrier.com/Residential.