At Home Living 121016

Saturday, December 10, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

recycling materials

Backyard building Topekans salvage barn wood for potting shed page 6 n Jamie Kidd on holiday greenery, page 2 n Ivan Weichert on building codes, page 3 n Guarding against the flu bug, page 5 n Create memories with crafted ornaments, page 8

home.cjonline.com rex wolf/special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

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Holly, ivy bring a bit of outdoors inside during holidays Historically, evergreen plants have been the logical decorating medium at Christmas time.

Anything that still had its leaves in the dead of winter was a welcome sight above the mantel or hanging on the door. Red berries brightened the candle-lit rooms. Evergreens were — and still are — used to represent everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.

We have become so sophisticated with artificial wreaths and swags that we’re missing out on the “green” aspect of using nature’s greens. Many of the plants in our yards could use a good pruning.

Why not do it now and use the greens to create an old-fashioned Christmas in your own home.

If you don’t have any greens in your yard, local Christmas tree lots often will have greens for sale.

Look for ivy, holly, mistletoe, boxwood bushes, rosemary, yews, evergreen trees and shrubs.

Holly

I recently ran across some interesting information about the holiday use of holly.

The use spans many cultures and many centuries. Holly was a symbol of foresight to the ancient

JAMIE KIDD

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The Kansas Garden Show will be Feb. 10-12 at the Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive. The theme is “Storybook/Nursery Rhyme Gardens.”

If you are an educational or nonprofit organization — not commercial — with subject matter related to horticulture or the environment and would like a booth at the show, contact Jamie Kidd at (785) 232-0062, Ext. 104.

is a longtime favorite for fine-textured wreaths and garlands. Boxwood has an aroma that is loved or hated. Be sure of your reaction before using it indoors.

jamiehan@ksu.edu

Greeks. The ancient Romans sent boughs of holly to friends symbolizing good will during their Saturnalia celebration, which took place in December.

The ancient Chinese used holly to decorate during their new year festivals, occurring in February. To Christians, the spiky leaves and red berries symbolized the crown of thorns and blood of Christ. The Welsh believed if holly was brought in before Christmas Eve, quarrels would occur.

Some Germans and English believed the choice of male or female holly in the house would indicate the rule of the household for the next year. (Now, there’s a thought.)

Female holly has red berries.

Many Indians in North America and South America used holly in religious practices. They brewed a tea from holly leaves, and those who couldn’t keep the drink down couldn’t attempt dangerous missions.

Yews metro creative connection

Fresh sprigs of holly can help bring a bit of nature into your home during the holiday season.

Mistletoe

Perhaps some of you already have experienced a sweet holiday smooch or two under the Christmas mistletoe, enjoying this fairly old kissing ritual, but many of us haven’t heard that with each kiss a berry is removed from the plant.

The kissing ends when the berries (which, by the way, are poisonous) are gone.

Considering mistletoe is a parasitic shrub, kissing under it seems a bit less romantic.

Mistletoe, though, is a natural component of a healthy forest ecosystem. Rob Bennetts, a U.S. Geological Survey research

scientist, says some animals couldn’t survive without mistletoe, including some birds, butterflies and insects.

Mistletoe will be a little harder to find and it usually grows high in trees. It would be best to buy this one.

Ivy

This vigorous vine is readily available in many yards. Ivy makes an excellent green for holiday arrangements. The cut ends must be kept in water, or the ivy will quickly wilt.

Boxwood

This small-leafed shrub

Yews are evergreen shrubs with flat needles.

They are great in arrangements and displaying on mantels. Be aware: All parts of the yew are poisonous, except for the fleshy red berry. But, the seeds in the berries are poisonous, so keep small children away from yew bushes.

Yews have long been a part of Christmas traditions in Britain and have even served as Christmas trees.

Keeping greenery fresh

Here are some tips to keep your greenery green: n Use clean, sharp cutters to cut branches and immediately put cut ends into water until ready to use. n Immerse greenery in water overnight before arranging. This allows the cutting to absorb the maxi-

mum amount of moisture. n Allow the foliage to dry and then spray it with an antitranspirant, such as Wilt-Pruf, to help seal in moisture. Note: Don’t use antitranspirants on juniper berries, cedar or blue spruce. The product can damage the wax coating that gives the plants their distinctive color. n Plan to replace greenery and fruits throughout the holiday season if they become less than fresh.

Decorating safely

n Dried evergreens can become flammable when in contact with a heat source, such as a candle flame or space heater. Make sure any wreaths, roping and garlands you bring indoors are as fresh as possible. n Keep greenery away from heater vents or sunny windows. n Keep poisonous plants and berries out of reach of children or pets.

Merry Christmas!

Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

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Inadequate county building Heated seats, touchless flushing codes could endanger residents among options for smart toilets

By Liz Montano

Special to The Capital-Journal

When you purchase a new home, you expect it to be built properly. There’s the reasonable expectation that “new” means problem-free.

And, if there is an issue, you expect Weichert the builder to fix it.

However, Ivan Weichert, president and CEO of the Topeka Home Builders Association, is adamant a lack of building codes and inspections outside the Topeka city limits in Shawnee County could lead to a host of problems that could

TOPEKA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Address: 1505 S.W. Fairlawn Road Information about membership or upcoming events: Visit www.thba. com; email thba@thba.com; or call (785) 273-1260. compromise a family’s finances and, more importantly, their safety.

Q: When you say the county has insufficient codes, what does that specifically mean?

Weichert: It means there aren’t any requirements for building a home. Any unlicensed builder can come in and do an inadequate job of putting a home together, because there are no inspections required to make sure it’s done right. I guess there is one exception to that. They do look at sep-

tic tanks. Otherwise, the county just wants to know where the home is being built.

Q: This is in comparison to the city of Topeka, which has fairly strict building codes, right?

Weichert: Yes, the city of Topeka has very strict building codes. The same codes we’re asking the county to adopt.

Q: This has been a source of contention for what, three CODES continues on 4

Q: Dear Ed: My husband and I are looking to change our present toilet.

Since this is not an emergency, we have been doing some research, and the term “intelligent toilet” keeps popping up. I know they are electric, but what exactly is an intelligent toilet, and what do they do that is so different from standard toilets?

— Katy, Rhode Island A: Intelligent toilets are often called “smart toilets.” Just like smartphones, they offer a full line of electronic features not found in standard models.

Now, it’s up to you to decide if the extra amenities are worth the price upgrade and extra install

kohler

Smart toilets offer a full line of electronic features not found in standard models. costs, because most of them require electrical power.

But, on the flip side, many smart toilets also include bidet-style washing features, and that

basically gives you two plumbing fixtures in one.

On top of sanitary washing features, intelligent toilets can include remote control operation, warm air dryers, heated seating and even nightlights to assist you in the bathroom.

Another new feature is touchless flushing. So smart toilets not only lend you a hand, but they also can offer you hands-free options.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” host of TV and Internet shows and a LEED green associate.

Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

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Codes: Home takes about 3 to 4 years for problems to surface Continued from 3 decades?

Weichert: Something like that. It‘s been a long time.

Q: Why do you think there’s been reticence on the part of the county to adopt similar building codes?

Weichert: I can’t think of a really good reason why.

The argument’s been made it will drive up prices. But, the flip side of the coin is the cost of not having the codes.

Q: Such as?

Weichert: It generally takes about three or

four years after a home is built for problems to surface. Then, any number of things can go wrong, which can cost the homeowner a lot of money. But, of an even bigger concern; inferior electrical work can cause a fire and jeopardize the lives of the people living in the home.

Q: And the lack of codes really means any unlicensed builder can put together a house?

Weichert: That’s what it means.

Q: So, no checks and balances or reassurances the

‘‘

Not having adequate county building codes could be dangerous for the homeowner.”

Ivan Weichert

president, CEO of the Topeka Home Builders Association

builder knows what they are doing?

Weichert: None. I think most people just assume the home’s been inspected.

You’d be surprised at how many people call our office to request an inspection report for a home located in the county. There are no reports, because there were no inspections.

And here’s the thing, if a

builder isn’t licensed, they may not be insured.

So, there’s no recourse for the homeowners when any problem starts to manifest.

I do want to make it clear, though, that doesn’t mean all homes built in the county are the work of unlicensed builders. The builders are often the same people who build homes in

the city of Topeka. They are licensed and know what they’re doing.

Q: There’s another push underway by the THBA to get stricter codes in the county, correct?

Weichert: Yes. We’ve made the attempt a couple of times before, but we’d get so far and the Shawnee County Commission would ultimately say, “No, not interested.” We probably won’t hear anything this time until after the first of the year.

Q: There was a public meeting on the topic recent-

ly. What kind of feedback did you get?

Weichert: It was a good turnout. About 40 people attended. Many contractors in support, many citizens — some in support, some not wanting any government in their lives at all.

Q: What’s the next step?

Weichert: To have a work session with county commissioners, then get scheduled for a commission agenda item.

Liz Montano is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at (785) 230-3907 or newsbizliz@gmail. com.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, December 10, 2016 | 5

Disinfect doorknobs, wash bedding to prevent colds, flu

By Stephanie Figy Angie’s List

In the midst of cold and flu season, you’re often greeted with sniffles and sneezes everywhere you go. Washing your hands and stocking up on orange juice are great starting points, but there’s more you can do at home to decrease your chances of falling ill.

Take these steps to keep yourself and your family in good health. n Disinfect hot spots. Think about what you touch every day and spray those spots with disinfectant. This includes doorknobs and faucet handles.

Carefully wipe remote con-

trols and light switches with a disinfectant wipe. n Sanitize cleaning products. Ideally, cleaning your home helps to kill germs, but this isn’t the case if you’re using dirty supplies. Opt for disposable mop pads, or for a greener solution, sanitize mop heads at very high temperatures before reusing them.

Wash your dishtowels regularly. University of Florida researchers found that microwaving a wet sponge for 2 minutes kills or inactivates 99 percent of living pathogens in the sponge. n Wash bedding. Wash your pillowcases and sheets in hot water once a week, and use

your hottest dryer setting. Be sure to wash your hands after dealing with soiled linens.

Wash any blankets and furniture covers as well. n Clean your home office. If your desk is covered in a film of dust and last year’s tax files, it’s time to purge and disinfect. Don’t forget to clean your computer keyboard and any mobile devices, which are the perfect hosts for household germs. n Humidify the home. Humidifiers help alleviate dry nasal passages for easier breathing. However, they can breed bacteria. Clean humidifiers regularly or consider natural humidifying techniques.

steve mitchell

One of the things you can do to stop the spread of cold and flu germs is to sanitize sinks and faucets.

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recycled materials

Couple constructs garden shed from old barn wood Structure pays homage to French-Canadian great-grandfather

By Jan Biles

jan.biles@cjonline.com

Last February, when temperatures were freezing cold, Topeka residents Philip and Jeanne Wurtz were dreaming of a potting/ garden shed they wanted to build in their backyard.

They envisioned a small space where they could tend to their flowers and other plants, store their gardening tools and enjoy being outdoors.

And, they had a notion where they could get some of the materials for its construction.

The Wurtzes had learned an old dairy barn at the former Jesuit college/seminary in St. Marys was being renovated. Philip’s great-grand-

Philip Wurtz looks over the potting/garden shed he and his wife, Jeanne, built in their backyard using recycled materials from a 1913 dairy barn in St. Marys. father, French-Canadian Edward “PePe” Roberts, was the lead craftsman in charge of building the T-shaped, two-story barn in 1913.

“In 1913, it was considered the largest and finest barn in Kansas,” Philip said.

The couple drove to the old barn, where they found workmen placing a metal roof on the once-shingled structure. Jeanne, a registered nurse with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and lead designer of the backyard project, was interested in seeing if they could salvage a barn door for the potting/

garden shed.

The couple ended up rescuing a sliding barn door, which still had its original paint, as well as original wooden shingles, hay loft panels, more barn doors and other materials.

Construction of the potting/garden shed — named Maison Jardin PePe, or PePe’s Garden House — began in June. The Wurtzes transplanted about 300 jonquil and tulip bulbs in order to dig the structure’s foundation.

“We had a builder (BerSHED continues on 7

BARN HISTORY

photographs by rex wolf/special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Jeanne and Philip Wurtz, of Topeka, named the potting/garden shed they built in their backyard Maison Jardin PePe, which in French means “PePe’s Garden House,” to honor Philip’s great-grandfather, Edward Roberts, the lead craftsman in charge of building a 1913 barn in St. Marys. The Wurtzes salvaged materials from the barn to build the shed.

An Aug. 21, 1913, article in the St. Marys Star describes the old barn in St. Marys from which Topekans Philip and Jeanne Wurtz obtained some of the materials to build their potting/garden shed.

“The barn is in the shape of a T, with the body 108x42 feet, the cross section being 104x36 feet. The walls are of hollow concrete, 12 feet high. The air spaces in the walls keep them dry and hold out the weather changes. A driveway through the center separates stalls for 104 cows. These face the center, standing on a cork brick floor, which is 2 ½ inches thick. The cows are fed and watered in a concrete trough.

“Above the stalls is a loft which will hold 300 tons of alfalfa hay. Adjoining the barn off the north entrance are two silos made of glazed Italian tiling. These stand 16x29 feet, and cost $450 each.

The whole barn cost about $16,000 and is built on an eminence in the center of the pasture where the water drains away in all directions.”

The potting shed features an electric fireplace, new cedar crossbeams and a sliding barn door salvaged from a 1913 dairy barn in St. Marys.

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The original wooden door from the old barn — with its original painted finish — serves as entrance into the potting/garden shed.

A bell mounted on a wooden post outside the shed is adorned with a lavender heart.

photographs by rex wolf/special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

New cedar beams were used as crossbeams and as support in other areas of the potting shed. A ceiling fan, with a hurricane lantern-like globe, provides light and air circulation.

The Wurtzes salvaged the original wooden shingles from the old dairy barn in St. Marys and used them to cover the roof of their potting/garden shed.

Shed: Sliding barn door provides main entrance for potting, gardening Continued from 6 nie DeCesaris) blend these original materials with new rustic, cedar materials. … We have incorporated many flowers, etc., to create a flower garden to enhance this shed as a tribute to my French-Canadian greatgrandfather,” said Philip, who maintains a part-time

private counseling practice after teaching 40 years at Emporia State University, where he oversaw the mental health counseling master’s program.

A wooden arbor, decorated with string lights, and a brick pathway lead visitors from the Wurtzes’ home to the 10-by-12-foot potting/ garden shed in the back-

yard. Philip did the brickwork for the path, as well as the brick floor of the shed’s 5-by-10-foot porch.

The sliding barn door provides the main entryway into the potting/garden shed and, when opened, reveals an area with an open ceiling featuring cedar cross beams and windows overhead. Two 4-by-8-foot pan-

els of industrial plexiglass form portions of the east and west walls of the shed.

Additional plexiglass panels are installed over the sliding barn door.

Philip and his brother, Tim Wurtz, a retired Capital City School principal, installed the shed’s floor, which is made of layers of gravel and sand covered

with slate tiles obtained from Habitat for Humanity’s Restore.

The roof is covered with the original shingles from the old barn. Other highlights include a ceiling fan with a hurricane lanternlike globe, wire shelving, an electric fireplace, and a table made from a barn door with sawhorses for legs and

European/French antique picnic chairs. Lavender and irises have been planted around the exterior of the structure.

“It’s still in progress,” Philip said in late November, “but most of it was done by the end of October.”

Contact niche editor Jan Biles at (785) 295-1292.

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Crafting ornaments for tomorrow’s keepsakes

By Jennifer Forker The Associated Press

Making your own ornaments and decorations for the holidays has its own rewards — the need to create is strong in many of us — but it feels particularly good to dig out your art supplies at this time of year.

As Bob Richter puts it in his new book, “A Very Vintage Christmas” (Rowman & Littlefield): “At the heart of it, this is what Christmas means to me — passing along warmth, memories, tradition, stories and so much more.”

Richter keeps his childhood memories alive by decorating with vintage ornaments, some of which he received as a small child from relatives. Each delicate piece evokes a memory.

“As my grandmother grew older, she took pleasure in letting me decorate her tree, and I have many happy memories of doing it,” Richter reminisces in his book. “Now one of my favorite and most treasured ornaments is her favorite Santa Claus. Each year when I hang him on my tree, I think of her and smile.”

Our children’s handmade ornaments — perhaps incorporating a tiny handprint, a school photo or the year of its making — evoke similar sentiments every holiday season.

“Especially in this culture of time-pressed, technology-obsessed and often distracted people, I think it’s more important than ever to pass along the things that really connect us,” says Richter. “And Christmas does that.”

From the December/ January pages of Woman’s Day magazine come a few ornaments that evoke holidays past.

We’ve amended them with another from the magazine’s website that evokes

a vintage feel. These crafts require just the simplest of materials, such as toothpicks, yarn and wooden clothespins.

Especially when little glue-sticky fingers are at work, these crafts could become next year’s treasures.

Clothespin snowflake

“This is a good sturdy ornament that can be packed away and stand the test of time,” says Woman’s Day lifestyle director Taryn Mohrman.

You need: eight clothespins, craft glue, white acrylic paint, a paintbrush, a foam paintbrush, white glitter, red string and scissors.

Start by carefully sliding the metal clips off of the eight clothespins and discard. Reattach two wooden clothespin pieces by gluing the flat sides together.

Repeat for the remaining wood pieces. Arrange these reattached wood pieces in the shape of a snowflake and glue together at the base; let dry completely.

Apply white paint to the edges and one side of the snowflake. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle on white glitter.

Once dry, flip the snowflake over and apply paint and glitter to the other side.

Finally, slip a length of red string through one of the openings in the snowflake and tie the ends into a bow; use it to hang the ornament.

Sparkling starburst

This ornament “is about the metallic, the glitter and the shine,” says Mohrman.

Carefully push whole and halved toothpicks into a 1 1/2-inch foam ball, and then apply one or two coats of silver spray paint. While the ornament’s still wet, dust fine silver glitter over

it. Use a dab of hot glue to attach a string for hanging.

Scented tree

“These ornaments make great gift toppers,” said Mohrman.

Bend a 3 1/2-inch piece of naturally coiled wrapped wire, available at crafts stores, in half to form a loop, and then gently push each end into the hollow part of a cinnamon stick to form the trunk. Use hot glue to attach cut sprigs of fresh rosemary for branches and small gems for ornaments.

Knit bauble

“The ball ornament is the most recognizable ornament at Christmastime,” says Mohrman.

“You can use one that’s a little chipped — with a bit of yarn, you can turn it into something that evokes soft and cozy, and adds warmth to your tree.”

Remove the metal top from a plain ball ornament. Hold two colors of yarn together and hot-glue them inside the opening of the ornament. Once dry, wrap both strands around the ornament to cover it completely; use hot glue to secure as you go.

Then apply red acrylic paint to the balls of two rock candy sticks, and trim the ends into points using scissors. Once dry, thread these “knitting needles” through the yarn on the ornament and replace the metal top.

Old favorites

Richter suggests stringing popcorn and cranberry chains — three popcorns for each cranberry — and tying hole-punched vintage holiday cards to tree branches with red ribbon.

Find boxes of old cards at flea markets for a few dollars, he says.

erika lepresto/woman’s day via ap

Holiday ornaments can be crafted using simple items around the house, such as toothpicks, yarn and cinnamon sticks.

Tip of the week: Germ-free gadgets

Your cellphone probably harbors more germs than your toilet seat — and you probably never clean it. Run an alcohol wipe over the surface of your often-handled electronics, including your TV remote and computer keyboard, to sanitize them. It’s especially important to keep gadgets free of illness-causing germs during the cold and flu season. www.goodhousekeeping.com

Service Directory

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KANSAS CHILDREN’S SERVICE LEAGUE’S

Red Stocking Breakfast Saturday, Dec. 10 7:30-10:30 a.m.

CARLOS O’KELLY’S Kids 10 & under eat free!

$18 at the door

$15 in advance

Purchase tickets at bit.do/RSBtix or call (785) 274-3100.

HELP US PREVENT CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT in Shawnee County

Topeka

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