THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Fall Home Improvement
OCTOBER 7, 2010
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Two
Fall Home Improvement
Bauers Honored With Annual Landscaping Award
O
nce a year, the Cheshire Garden Club presents its Annual Landscaping Award to a homeowner whose property exemplifies excellence in four-season landscaping, good choice of plant material, and continuous maintenance throughout the year. The annual award, which was established in 1966, was presented this year to Dr. Peter and Nancy Bauer, of 1278 Wolf Hill Road. Since the creation of their garden in 1962, it has been featured on garden tours and been awarded the Club’s Beauty Spot of the Month in 1971 and again in 2003. From mid-March to late October, several areas in their front yard as well as their back yard provide eye-catching displays of flowering ornamental shrubs and trees as well as
spring and summer bulbs, perennials, annuals, vines, and container plants. These include several beds of unique varieties of tulips and daffodils, rhododendrons and azaleas, clematis, irises, lilies, dahlias, mandevillas, hostas, and a special area near their terrace in the backyard of fragrant hybrid tea roses. Autumn joy sedums and chrysanthemums provide lovely fall color. Water baths and a diverse group of bird feeders are spaced throughout this beautifully landscaped yard, which includes a multitude of different evergreens for winter interest and attracts birds all year long. During the summer months, hummingbirds and butterflies will find plenty of food among nectar-bearing perennials and annuals.
Courtesy of Cheshire Garden Club
Presenting the engraved traveling silver bowl to Dr. Peter Bauer is President Annette Polito, while Civics Committee member Dorothy Trond (at right) presents the engraved marble plaque to Nancy Bauer. Joining the award presentation is Committee member Patricia Pfurr (at left). The Bauers will be able to display the Beauty Spot of the Year sign in their yard for the entire next year.
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wood floors to shine is often a matter of cleaning rather than refinishing. Different kinds of stains require different procedures; here is a guide for some of the most common problems. In order to keep your floors in order, you need some materials. Steel wool pads of the finest grade will let you scour the floor. You will also need a supply of mineral spirits and a petroleum distillate, along with a floor sealer, solvent-based floor wax and simple household vinegar. If you have dark spots on the floor, rub the area with your steel wool pad and mineral spirits. Take a wet rag, dip it into household vinegar, apply it to the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes. This will lighten the stain. If the stain persists, you can apply a mix of half water and half bleach. This will take care of most household stains. Bleach will do to your floors exactly what it does to your clothes, so be careful not to let it run onto other parts of your floor and clean it off quickly when you are done. You can use a lower concentration if you are worried about creating other stains. Watermarks are a whole different story. These are usually a stain in the finish that doesn’t carry all the way down to the wood. Start the application See WOOD, page 18
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Three
Fall Home Improvement
Forcing Can Induce Blooms From Flowering Bulbs by Richard E. Lau Horticulture Chair Cheshire Garden Club
F
orcing bulbs means inducing bulbs to bloom when one wants them to bloom rather than when they normally would. Most temperate climate bulbs become dormant in summer with no shoot growth and little root growth. Root growth begins as the soil cools in the fall and continues until the soil becomes very cold or freezes. This process provides the plant with stored energy to begin shoot growth as soon as the soil begins to warm in the spring. Flowering follows soon after. Foliage continues photosynthesis after flowering until late summer when it dies back. The bulb becomes dormant and the cycle repeats itself. Forcing interferes with this cycle by altering the cooling period. The length of this minimum cooling period varies depending on the species. A few species require no cooling period. Iris reticulata, Iris danfordiae, Hippeastrum species and Narcissus tazetta are examples. Most other species require 12 to 16 weeks. Temperatures of 35 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit are necessary. Refrigerators set to 40 degrees are useful for cooling plants for forcing at home. Although some plants can be cooled without being planted, most do better if planted up prior to cooling. If space is scarce, bulbs may be stored in breathable mesh bags during the cooling period and planted when the first shoots appear. Planted bulbs must be kept moist
throughout the cooling period. They dry rapidly in the refrigerator so need to be checked frequently. Covering the pots with dark perforated plastic or paper will protect them from light. Do not allow ripening fruit in the same refrigerator as it releases toxic ethylene gas which will case the bulbs to decay. Planting Shallow pots, wider than deep, of nearly any material are suitable for planting bulbs to be forced. Containers should have room for roots to grow below the bulbs. Three or four inches are more than adequate. Terracotta or ceramic pots may be better than plastic ones for taller tulips or daffodils to prevent tipping when these heavy plants bloom. Pots should have drainage holes to release any excess water from the planting mix. Pebbles, broken crockery, screening or even a coffee filter will keep soil in the pot while allowing water to drain. Nutrients are not necessary in the potting mixture if you intend to discard the bulbs after blooming. A mixture of 60 percent peat, 20 percent vermiculite and 20 percent perlite does nicely. One can also buy commercially prepared forcing mixes from local nurseries. Soilless potting mixes are readily available, easy to use and free of disease organisms. The mix should drain well as standing water will kill or damage the bulbs. Dampen the mix before you begin planting. Most authorities recommend placing bulbs 1/2 to 1 inch apart without touching. Don’t
worry about their touching if you will discard them when they have finished flowering. Tulips are usually placed with the flat edge of the bulb towards the edge of the container. The first large leaf comes from that edge. These leaves make a nice appearance around the container and frame the tulip flowers. Water all pots thoroughly after potting. Don’t forget to label the container with the date and species planted. It isn’t a bad idea to add the date you anticipate removing the container from its cool storage either. Some bulbs such as Hyacinth See BULBS, page 12
Flowering Bulbs to Consider for Forcing Common and easy Crocus (Crocus species) Daffodils (Narcissus species) Grape Hyacinth (Muscari species) Hyacinths (Hyacinthus species) Difficult Lilies (Lilium species) Allium (Allium species) Scilla (Scilla species) Camas (Camassia species) Snowdrops (Galanthus species) Tulips (Tulipa species) Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria Majalis) Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum species) Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) Amaryllis (Hippeastrum species)
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Four
Fall Home Improvement
Go With The Flow Of A Well-Designed Kitchen
M
ore people entertain at home now than ever before. This often involves lavish meals and great preparation beforehand. One thing that can make all of this entertaining and food prep easier is a welldesigned kitchen. If you are thinking about a major kitchen remodel, you have the opportunity to radically redesign the flow in your kitchen. Along with thinking about colors and materials, a keen eye on the food flow in your kitchen can make your preparation much easier in the long run, whether you’re prepping for a graduation party of 50 or
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events. Once you’ve safely stowed all of your comestibles, it’s time to prepare them. Preparation areas should be adjacent to your refrigerator and pantry so you can easily move back and forth, gathering items you might have forgotten. This might mean a special prep sink, Good kitchen design considers stations set up to handle everything from gropreferably with a cery sorting to food preparation to final plating. garbage disposal for organic wastes. With prepa- a lot of heat. When the stove is er. Now dishes are ready to be ration areas right next to stor- with the range, this can create sent to the dining room or enage areas, you can move food an uncomfortable cooking en- joyed in front of the television. back into the storage areas for vironment. Styles and prefer- Your final step is going to be later use or move directly to the ences vary, but a gas range will cleanup. In most homes, these cooking areas. You will want to allow you to better control the are the areas that are most malkeep all of your prep utensils heat when cooking. Keep your leable, as there won’t be any with your prep areas in sepa- pots, pans and cooking utensils cooking going on at the time. rate drawers within easy reach. within easy reach of your range Materials and colors are imMany people these days pre- so you can move quickly. portant in any remodel. Howfer to have their ovens separate Once the food is cooked, ever, the kitchen is one of the from their cooktop. This has a you are ready to move to a plat- most used areas in any home, distinct advantage because, ing area. Many people prefer a so you will also want to give when you have something small island in the kitchen as a a great deal of thought to the cooking in the oven, it gives off way to bring everything togeth- overall functionality of it.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Five
Fall Home Improvement
Call On Mother Nature To Help Save On Energy Costs
A
few home improvements can be concentrated outdoors this season. While homeowners are cleaning up the property or inspecting their home’s exterior, they may want to consider adding some trees and shrubbery that can save them money down the line. Most individuals are tightening their belts and watching spending these days. High numbers of layoffs and increasing unemployment numbers are indicative of troubled times. But, while income has decreased, the cost of living certainly has not. Energy costs still remain high, and many homeowners are looking for ways to cut spending any way they can around the home. There is something relatively easy homeowners can do to reduce the financial burden of energy costs — get planting. Choosing the right types of trees and shrubs can offset heating and cooling costs all year long. Just think how a towering shade tree dramatically cools an area when the sun is high in the sky and can be a welcome
solace on a hot day. A hedge of thick evergreen bushes may serve as a windblock when the weather is blustery. Incorporating these elements into a landscape can be a natural and inexpensive way to cut costs. Before planting, homeowners should first answer a few questions. • What direction does my house face? • What areas of the house have the most windows? • What climate do I live in? Are four seasons experienced? • What is my planting “zone”? • Are there any rules and regulations regarding planting shrubbery or trees around my home? Answering these questions can help homeowners decide on what plants will be right for their home needs. For example, individuals who live in primarily hot climates should understand that nearly 75 percent of all solar heat gain in a building comes through windows. Therefore, shading the southand west-facing windows of the home with trees can dramatically reduce reliance on
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cooling systems. Keeping an air conditioner unit shaded can also improve its efficiency. Homeowners who experience the highs and lows of all seasons will want to consider deciduous trees. These are trees that lose their leaves in cold weather. Deciduous trees will block the sun during the sumDave Budd Budd -- 05-10:Box 05-10:Box ad ad 4/29/2010 4/29/2010 10:31 10:31 AM AM Page Page 1 1 Dave mer, but then let the light in the Dave Budd - 05-10:Box ad 4/29/2010 10:31 AM Page 1 Budd -- 05-10:Box ad 4/29/2010 10:31 AM Page 1 winter to warm up the interior. Dave Dave Dave Budd Budd - 05-10:Box 05-10:Box ad ad 4/29/2010 4/29/2010 10:31 10:31 AM AM Page Page 1 1 If a home is routinely under attack by blustery winds, thick shrubs planted for windbreaking are ideal. These include firs and junipers, and other everDesign Installation Fabrication greens. They should be planted perpendicular to the winds for maximum blockage. Shrubs planted on the north or northeast side of the lot may protect Kitchens & Baths Mantels the home from storms that tend to roll Frank in from Webb’s these directions. Bath Centers Entertainment Centers Built-Ins Do notBetter plant evergreens where American Standard Version Bath 1 “Mint” sunlight is desired, Waterbury, otherwise CT O O ff ff ii cc ee :: 22 00 33 .. 22 55 00 .. 77 88 77 44 SS hh oo pp :: 22 00 33 .. 99 11 00 .. 11 66 33 44 Showrooms: f fRESIDENTIAL i c e : 2 0 3 . 2 5 0 . 7 8 7 4& COMMERCIAL Shop: 203.910.1634 the thermostat may Cheshire need to Herald be -O Publication: OHome f f i cImprovement e : 2 0 3 . 2 5 0 . 7 8 7 4 SS hh oo pp :: 22 00 33 .. 99 11 00 .. 11 66 33 44 x 7 Black & White O f f i c e : 2 0 3 . 2 5 0 . 7 8 7 4 turnedSize: up to5.875 compensate. Davidhbudd@aol.com Lic. Created: 10/4/10 Lic. HIC. HIC. 0626446 0626446 Paying a little attention to Jim McCoy | 508-478-5322 | mccoygroup@comcast.net Lic. HIC. 0626446 Mother Nature can bring a little Lic. HIC. 0626446 Lic. Lic. HIC. HIC. 0626446 0626446 relief with heating and cooling.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Six
Fall Home Improvement
Paint Or Siding: Considering A Home’s Exterior
T
ypical of many homeowners upon buying a new home is the idea that many things must now change. Rare is the homeowner who doesn’t immediately begin transforming the new home in his or her own image. One of the projects many new homeowners are quick to consider — if not undertake — concerns the home’s exterior. This typically comes down
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to siding versus painting a home. Those wondering which way to go should take the following things into consideration. • Change: Those homeowners who are fond of change, such as those who routinely move around the furniture in a room, are likely better off painting instead of siding a home. That’s because paint is far more flexible, and homeowners who enjoy change can change the color and trim of their home as often as they’d like so long as they can afford to do so. Siding is far more permanent. • Money: The cost of sid-
ing versus painting is perhaps the foremost thing to consider for homeowners when making a decision. Siding initially costs much more than painting. However, manufacturers often guarantee siding for as long as 50 years. So homeowners who know they will be sticking with a particular color for their home might want to go with siding, as the cost will not be as much when looked at as a long-term investment. • Durability: Along those same lines, the durability of siding is often far more than that of paint. Those who live in areas where Mother Nature can
be especially harsh might prefer siding over painting. Siding isn’t immune to weather, but it tends to fare better through typical weather patterns than does paint. • Clean-up: Both siding and painting need to be maintained. However, maintaining a paint job on a home is more tricky than maintaining siding. Siding can often be thoroughly cleaned by power washing, whereas power washing a painted home can cause the paint to chip or crack. Siding does, however, tend to show dirt and grime more than a home that has been painted.
Fall Leaves Make Fun And Frolic
A
utumn has arrived. Celebrate the cool, crisp, colorful days of fall with your children and grandchildren. Throw a harvest party, complete with a variety of fall games for the young ones:. Apple Bobbing Race. Throw some apples into a barrel of water and give players 10 minutes to bob for apples. The play-
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Seven
Fall Home Improvement
Protect Your Deck Through The Winter Months
Y
our deck has probably given you hours of enjoyment this spring and summer. But family gatherings and summer barbeques can take their toll on any deck. So, before the chill in the air turns to harsh winter weather, clean, restore, and protect your deck to prepare for the long winter months ahead. Here are a few easy deck maintenance tips to help keep your outdoor living space looking great for years! Clean and Restore. Start by cleaning your deck thoroughly to remove any grayed surface fibers, ground-in dirt, barbeque stains and stains from mold, mildew, moss, and algae. For pressure-treated wood, use an environmentally friendly, acid- and chlorine-free, oxygen-powered powder concentrate cleaner. It is tough on
stains yet safe to use near plant life and shrubs. For cedar, redwood, mahogany and other exotic hardwood decks — or if you’re not sure of the wood type — consider a cleaner that’s formulated to clean all types of wood. These cleaners restore wood to its natural beauty without bleaching or yellowing. In as little as just ten minutes they loosen and lift dirt, stains, and discoloration. And they are easy to use — just mix with water, spray on, brush in, and rinse off with a garden hose. If your stained or painted deck has seen better days, consider stripping any faded or deteriorating finish with stain and finish remover to remove both oil and latex solid, semitransparent or transparent, toner-type stains and prepare your deck for new water repellent
sealers or stains. Protect Your Deck. After cleaning, it’s important to apply a water repellent finish to your deck before winter’s onslaught. Formulated to stop rain, sleet, snow and ice from penetrating wood surfaces, Water repellent
coatings minimize water damage such as splitting or warping. Look for products that offer a guarantee against water damage, and provide long lasting protection, so you won’t have to reapply a new coat year after year. Virtually all brands are
available in a variety of colors and opacity levels — from totally clear to sheer, transparent natural wood tones to semitransparent shades — so you can protect your deck while achieving virtually any look you desire.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Eight
Fall Home Improvement
Keep Those Critters Outside Where They Belong
W
ildlife, such as mice, squirrels, bats, chipmunks, and birds may see your home as a quiet, safe, and dry retreat anytime during the year. However, when the cooler weather arrives, and animals are looking for burrows and nests to weather out the chill, your home may be especially attractive. An autumn project to undertake should involve keeping unwanted wildlife out of the house. A house can present a number of entry points for animals. An animal nesting in your home can be unsanitary and potentially dangerous — especially if you startle the creature or if they block the release of smoke or exhaust from the house. Examining potential entrances and closing them up is key to keeping animals out. Keep in mind that mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime. Chimney: A professionally installed chimney cap or a mesh hardware cloth can keep animals out of the chimney — a common entry place. Animals can transmit diseases
through their droppings and block the release of smoke in a chimney, which are two potential hazards. A securely fitting cap or mesh covering can keep animals outdoors. Do not use window-screening material as it will clog with soot and other debris causing a fire hazard. Attic exhaust fan opening: Many attics are equipped with an exhaust fan to vent hot air from under the roof. Animals can scurry through the opening of the exhaust pipe and into the attic itself. Attics are very attractive to animals because they tend to be warm and infrequently visited — a perfect place for a nest. Again, using a wire mesh hardware cloth securely fastened over the venting can keep animals out. Roof and soffits: Over time weather and water can soften wood and create places where animals can gnaw or dig through. Routinely inspect the roof and wood areas of the home to check for weak areas that may need repair. Pay close attention to areas where gables or dormers meet the roof line. Drainage pipes: Homeown-
ers with a sump pump or other drainage system may have pipes extending from a basement to the outdoors. Burrowing animals may find the exposed end of the pipe and enter the home through the drain. Wire mesh coverings secured to the end of the pipe will allow water to drain out, but not let an animal in. Window wells: Basement window wells offer areas where animals can spend time unnoticed gnawing away at loose trim or caulking to sneak past. A plastic covering or commercial grate can usually do the trick of securing the window well area. Fences and decking: Animals can dig under fences and take up roost in the yard, or they may live under decks. While not exactly inside of the home, they’re certainly sharing close proximity with homeowners and can be a nuisance. Dig a trench at least 10 to 12 inches deep and place wire mesh inside. Attach the mesh to the bottom of the fence or deck. This may help keep some burrowing animals out.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Nine
Fall Home Improvement
Pick-Your-Own Apples Are A Seasonal Treat
Y
ou love apples, and there is no better time to get them than the fall. You almost always drive to a nearby orchard and pick up a bag of fresh apples. While you could go out into the orchard and pick your own, you’ve never had the time or inclination to do so until now. This year, you are joining the ranks of the hundreds of people who prefer u-pick produce and picking your own apples. There is a right way and a wrong way to pick apples. You should never shake the apples off the tree. They will drop to the ground and bruise. You should pick apples individually, looking for ones that are even colored, somewhat smooth and firm, and free of infirmities. This will ensure they are ripe and will last a while. When you have found an apple you want to pick, place your palm on the bottom of it and twist it gen-
tly with your fingers until it releases from the branch. There should be nothing more on the apple than the stem. If there is more, you have twisted the apple a little too hard. Place the apple gently into your bag. Don’t just toss it in haphazardly. It could bruise. There is also a right way to store your apples. You should clean them first, using soap and water and a vegetable brush to get into the crevices. This will remove all pesticide residue. You should rinse your apples, dry them, and store them in the refrigerator in the produce drawer, preferably at 32 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolness will help maintain their crispness. If you don’t have room in your refrigerator, you may store your apples in a cardboard box in a cool, dry place. Just make sure the box has holes in the sides and is not located near any strongsmelling foods. The odors could permeate the ap-
ples and cause them to rot. Mist your apples with water a couple times a week to keep them fresh. Whether you choose to store your apples in the refrigerator or someplace else, make sure you keep them away from other fruit. Apples emit a gas that can accelerate the ripening of many types of fruit, including bananas, kiwis and peaches. In fact, if you have some fruit that you need to ripen quickly for a recipe, you may want to place it in a bag with a few apples. It should be ripe within a couple of days. If stored properly, your apples will last for some time. Early season apples will stay good for two to four weeks, while late season apples will stay good for two to four months. Picking apples requires care. Do the job right, and you will have a crisper full of apples that will last for a while.
Savor Orchard-Fresh Bounty In Delightful Dishes
I
magine one — or all — of these apple delights on a cool fall day. What a treat!
Oatmeal Apple Cookies 1/2 c. shortening 3/4 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 c. all-purpose flour 1 t. baking powder 1 t. ground cinnamon 1/2 t. ground nutmeg 1/2 t. salt 1 c. rolled oats 1 c. apple, peeled and diced 1 c. walnuts, chopped
1/2 c. maple-flavored pancake syrup 1 t. ground cinnamon Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ham on both sides in butter. Lay sliced apples on ham. Pour syrup over apples. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until apples are cooked through. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately.
Lemon Apple Chicken 1 3-lb. whole chicken Salt and black pepper to taste 1 apple, peeled, cored and quartered 1 stalk celery with leaves, chopped 1 onion, chopped 1/2 t. dried rosemary, crushed 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 c. hot water Rub salt and pepper into skin
Landscaping Connecticut
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs until well blended. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Blend into sugar mixture and fold in oats, apples and walnuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Please call for corrections at 203-317-2308 - after 5 pm call Apple Spice Ham Steaks 203-317-2282 Ad#:STANLEY EMOND #3 1-1/2 T. butter Pub:S&R Date:11/14/09 1 2-lb. ham steak Day:SAT Size:1X3 1 red apple, cored thinly Cust:RJ/FRAN Lastand Edited sliced By:DWILLIAMS on 11/14/08 Salesperson: Tag 110:03 greenAM. apple, cored and thinly Line: Color Info: sliced STANLEY EMOND #3 - Composite
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of chicken. Tuck apple and celery inside cavity and place in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with onion, rosemary and lemon juice and zest. Add hot water. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Switch to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, basting several times. Cinnamon Rice with Apples 3/4 c. white rice, uncooked 1-1/2 c. apple juice 1 apple, cored and chopped
1/3 c. raisins 1/2 t. ground cinnamon 1/4 t. salt 1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped In a medium saucepan, combine rice, apple juice, apples and raisins. Season with cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook, for about 17 minutes. Mix in fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Ten
Fall Home Improvement
Time To Winterize Gardens
A
Allen Paul/Cheshire Herald
Tinges of autumn color are beginning to appear on Cheshire’s many tree-lined streets.
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due and oil down the metal parts. Place them in dry, airy spaces so they will not rust over the long winter. It is worth your time to periodically check your tools over the course of the winter to make sure they will be useable come spring. Usually, you can do all of your winter preparation in a single day or over a single weekend, and this work, while not particularly exciting, will help ensure a good harvest from your garden for the next year. The whole point of this work is to keep the plants hard-frozen all winter. The real damage comes from alternate cycles of thawing and freezing that destroys cell structures. It will only take you a little time to ensure a good harvest. If you follow this program from year to year, you should have a robust garden to enjoy.
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work. Remove all the weeds and any fallen leaves from the garden. These can carry insects and diseases. If you have trees in your garden, this is a good time to get rid of any unwanted or rotten branches. Most experts recommend a layer of mulch over the entire garden, to a depth of five or six inches, to keep the soil warm and prevent rapid temperature fluctuations. Some believe it’s a good idea to turn this mulch at least once during the course of the winter to aerate the soil. Some also recommend that vegetable gardens be covered with a tarp or plastic to prevent heavy snowfalls from damaging vegetables, keep the soil warmer underneath and prevent most weeds, insects and slugs from getting into the garden. Your final step is to take care of your tools. Clean off all resi-
CHESHIRE
BATHTUBS & WALL TILE
s the fall season arrives, many home gardeners will breathe a sigh of relief as they are liberated from the responsibilities of maintaining a growing garden. Really, this relief should be held over for winter. In the fall, there are many things to do to prepare your garden for both the winter and the spring to come. Whether you have acres or only a few square feet, make sure you winterize your garden. How do you know when to prep the garden? An experienced gardener might be able to go by feel, but there are some rules. When a frost is forecast in your area or you have several cold nights in a row—usually below 45 degrees—then it’s time to get to work. This is a great time to decide which of your plants you are going to have in next year’s garden. What did well this year? What didn’t? What do you need to make space for in the coming year? Are there plants that should be moved or grouped together for better gardening? Once you’ve made your plan, it’s time to get into the cleanup
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Eleven
Fall Home Improvement
Neighborhoods Display Autumn Decor Photos by Allen Paul/Cheshire Herald
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Twelve
Fall Home Improvement
Bulbs To Blooms: Some Tips For Forcing
A Corner Of Color
continued from page 3
An old wooden wagon festooned with bright chrysanthemums and pumpkins, on the corner of Schoolhouse Road and Highland Avenue, invites those driving by to visit the Country Store at Hilzinger Farms. Allen Paul/Cheshire Herald
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Notice that smaller or earlier flowering bulbs need less cooling time than larger, later flowering bulbs. Tulips need the longest cooling time. Other sources recommend somewhat longer times for many species. All species can be held longer than these minimum times if one wishes later bloom. A few species need no cooling period, for example, Paperwhite narcissus, Amaryllis and Iris reticulata.
or Amaryllis are often planted singly. Other species look nice in small clumps of three to seven. You can plant more than one layer of bulbs in one pot. And, they need not be of the same kind. Different species do flower at different times from planting, so, if you want them to flower at the same time, you need to pay attention to that. Tulips or daffodils of different Coming Out colors go well together. Short Once the plants have depink alliums with snowdrops or white crocuses or anemone veloped roots and shoots they blanda with white or ivory tu- can be brought into the light lips might make attractive com- to bloom. White shoots will quickly become green, and debinations. When planting, add enough velop chlorophyll for photosynsoil to cover the first layer so thesis, when placed in bright that the tips of the bulbs show. light. Keep the plants in a cool Place the second layer of bulbs place, below 65 degrees Fahrso they are not directly on top enheit, in the house. The plants of the bottom layer then fill will be more compact if grown the pot with planting mix. If in bright light. Cooler temperayou use different species, plant tures help the flowers last lonthe smaller bulbs in the upper ger. If you wish to move the plants layer. Leave about 1/2 inch of space below the rim for ease of outdoors after flowering, begin watering or for placing decora- to feed them weekly after the tive mulch, if you wish. Mar- first shoots appear with diluted bles or pebbles may make the bulb fertilizer. Cut the flower and stem after they flower, but container more attractive. Minimum cooling times leave the foliage. Some forced bulbs may flow(from WhiteFlowerFarm. com): er in the garden the next year Anemone blanda, Crocus, Leucojum aestivum, Muscari – 8 to or within two years. Many will 10 weeks; Chionodoxa, Galan- never flower. Smaller species, Please call for corrections at 203-317-2308 - after 5 pm call thus, Dwarf Iris, Miniature203-317-2282 Nar- such as crocus, are more likely to resume flowering than tulips. cissus, Scilla – 10 Pub:RJ to 12 weeks; Ad#:1175197 Date:09/26/10 Day:SUN Size:2X5 Cust:BOUCHARD Last Edited By:DWILLIAMS on for Forcing is very stressful Daffodils, Hyacinthus FUEL – 12 to 9/23/10 3:52 PM. Line:HOME most are discarded af14 weeks; Tulipa – 14Salesperson:402 to 16 bulbs soTag IMPROVEMENT Color Info:FULL ter blooming. weeks. 1175197 - Composite
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Thirteen
Fall Home Improvement
Y Fall Favorite Makes A Festive Table
ou love the fruits of fall, especially pumpkins. Nothing pleases you more than strolling through a pumpkin patch filled with every size imaginable. You always buy more pumpkins than you need and end up giving them away. You can’t turn every pumpkin you buy into a jacko-lantern. Your porch would be too full for trick-or-treaters to get to the door. Why not take some of your smaller pumpkins this year and turn them into décor for your dinner table. You can make a variety of dinner table decorations from small to medium-sized pumpkins. Don’t have a centerpiece?
No problem. Fill a tiered cake plate or a hurricane globe with raffia and small and mediumsized pumpkins. Love flowers? Take a medium-sized pumpkin, hollow it out, insert a piece of florist’s foam and add some silk or dried flowers. Do the same with smaller pumpkins, except use smaller flowers and insert small white cards attached to long toothpicks, and presto — you have instant place cards. Write in each guest’s name on the cards with a gold pen. You can also create candleholders out of pumpkins. All you need to do is select some small pumpkins, hollow them
Try Pumpkin Pie With A Twist
Y
ou love pumpkin pie, and so does everyone in your family. They’re clamoring for the traditional Thanksgiving dessert, and you aim to please. Shake things up a bit and serve a couple of pumpkin pies with a twist alongside the traditional favorite. Here are some recipes to consider.
pie crusts and cover edges with foil to prevent burning. Bake for 25 minutes and remove foil. Continue to bake until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes more. Cool and serve.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat eggs, pumpkin and halfand-half until smooth. Stir in sugar, flour, lemon zest, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and
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cover edges with foil to prevent burning. Bake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, TAY prepare OMEpecan HIS UMMER ITH OUR AMILY! caramel topping by combining Oct. 9-10, Oct.family 16-17 Oct. 23-24 SUPERIOR STONE can help you reconnect with your this&summer with browna sugar, pecans and butbeautiful new patio, outdoor kitchen area, tranquil sitting areas, pool decking Come enjoy the fun Pony Rides • CARNIVAL RIDES and more. ter. Carefully spoon over top of Apple Cider Donuts • Hay Bales Hay Rides • Petting Zoo pie. Continue baking until vacation, For the price of apie typical you• Mums can create your &own Pumpkins • Corn Stalks morevacation spot and topping is golden and of bubbly, have many years enjoyment in your own back yard for the same price. Apple Cider • Fresh Produce • Ice Cream and a knife inserted in the cen500 So. Meriden Rd. ter comes out clean, about 20 500 So. Meriden Rd. Harvest House Cheshire of Cheshire minutes more. Cool and serve. OPEN (203) 272-8243 Cheshire CT LLC See PIE, page 16 (203) 272-8243 Open DAILY Daily 9-5 OPEN 9-5
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk eggs, pumpkin, milk, brown sugar, brandy, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg until smooth. Pour into
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Caramel-Pecan Pumpkin Pie 2 eggs 1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree 1/2 c. half-and-half 3/4 c. sugar 1 T. all-purpose flour 1 t. lemon zest 1/2 t. vanilla 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. cinnamon 1/4 t. nutmeg 1/8 t. allspice 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar 1 c. pecans, chopped 3 T. butter
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out, fill the interiors with florist foam or melted wax, stick in a candle and greenery, and voila, you have beautiful candleholders. Just make sure you watch the candles carefully when lit and never leave them unattended. Looking for some lovely fall favors that you can use to decorate your table and give to your guests later? Hollow out some small pumpkins and fill them with dried corn or miniature gourds. You can create any number of decorations for your dinner table using pumpkins. These are just a few ideas. You’re sure to think of many more.
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Fourteen
Fall Home Improvement
Weatherize To Prevent Heat Loss And Save Energy
S
ummertime is over — time to start worrying about where the air is getting into and out of your home. If you live in a new home that is absolutely air tight, great! You don’t have anything to worry about. Unfortunately, that is not the case for most people. An inspection of windows and doors and some simple steps to close up leaks can save you a lot of money over the course of the long winter to come. Windows account for a big portion of the heat lost from your home — as much as 40 percent. With heating costs on the rise, this can mean a lot of money in the pockets of the energy companies. To prevent this, the first thing you’ll want to do is locate the leaks. On the first windy, cold day, turn on all of your exhaust fans, the furnace and the dryer to change the air pressure inside
the house. Outside air will be drawn in to even the pressure, and you can use this to find leaks. Use a stick of incense or a simple piece of yarn and trail
it around the edges of windows. This should show you where air is coming in. Once you have located the leak, mark it with a piece of chalk or other easily removed marker and get out your weath-
er stripping. As a general rule, weather stripping should be applied any place where surfaces move or slide together. Figuring out what type of weather stripping you need can be a little tricky. It depends on the materials in use and the types of windows. For example, you will want tubular strips for double-hung or vertically sliding windows. If you are not sure about the kind of weather stripping you need, consult an expert at your local home store or hardware store. While weather stripping is for the moving parts, caulking should be used on the non-moving parts of windows and doors. Again, you’ll want to have the right kind of caulk for the job. Draw a bead of caulk where the frame of the window meets the wall. Don’t forget to caulk where the frame meets the sash as well, but only where the windows aren’t sliding.
Some prefer the plastic sheeting method. This can work to save energy, but it is the most expensive and time-consuming option, and it has to be repeated every year. It is a good shortterm solution, but other tools do work better. Once you have applied your
weather stripping, caulking or plastic sheeting, it is time to check out your work by repeating the process of searching for leaks. Weather stripping is very malleable, so you can usually take it out, refigure it and then re-apply it to make sure that your house is tight as a drum.
Winterize For The Long Term
W
hen winter rolls around, everyone begins to look for quick fixes to save money on the upcoming heating bills. That is great, and an important step in the right direction, but there are a lot more substantial projects that can be undertaken to really make a difference in the overall equation. Doors, windows and appliances should all be made as energy efficient as possible, and there’s no substitute for more insulation. These often take more of an upfront in-
vestment, but they will pay substantial dividends in the long run. When you are looking for new windows, look for the Energy Star. The Department of Energy estimates that homeowners with these windows can save between $100 and $400 per year on heating and cooling costs. New windows can cost up to $10,000 for wood and only slightly less for vinyl replacements, but homeowners can recoup most of that when the home is sold. The See EFFICIENCY, page 18
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Fifteen
Fall Home Improvement
Check Fireplaces To Keep Things Cozy And Safe
W
ith the winter season approaching and the days getting shorter, it’s time to start thinking about cozying up to a warm winter fire in the fireplace. There’s nothing that says fall more than a crackling fire, a hot drink, and sitting around with the family. Fireplaces are a great place for community, but they can also be dangerous. Taking some steps now can ensure your fires will stay in the fireplace all year, keeping you safe and warm. Fireplaces should be inspected regularly. From year to year, damage can occur to the structure, and small birds and rodents can build homes in the chimney. Creosote, an oily chemical, can build up on the inside of the chimney and lead to chimney fires. You really
need an expert inspection every year. If recommended, the fireplace should be cleaned. There are some very simple things to do to make sure you are safe when using the fireplace. The dampers should always be opened before starting a wood fire, and the flue should stay open, even if the fire is only smoldering. Bonfires can be a really great experience, but you don’t want to have one in your home, so be sure you are not using too much fuel. The purpose of a wood-burning fire at home is for heat, light, and even entertainment. It’s not the time to go out and satisfy your primal desire to burn down the neighborhood. This means not using lighter fluid to start a fire and using long matches to start your
kindling. Fire can be fun to play with, especially for kids, but only wood should be burned in the fireplace. Paper, plastics and other materials can escape while burning and ignite rugs or nearby furniture. For this reason, a screen should always be used. There should always be someone around when the fire is burning, and it should never be left unattended or left to “burn down” at the end of the night. Keep a pail of water close by to douse the fire if necessary. These days, there are a lot of other materials that might be burned in the fireplace. Artificial logs are not the same as wood, and the directions for these should be read carefully. Never burn charcoal in your
fireplace. It can be an attractive idea to use the self-lighting charcoal as a fire starter, but this puts the entire family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Lastly, trash belongs in the trash bin, not in the fireplace. Fireplace safety is extremely important. Every member of
your family should know how to start, stop, and manage a fireplace fire, be it a traditional wood-burning one or a gas or pellet stove. With a little common sense and some knowhow, you can safely cozy up to your winter fire with your family.
Home Safety Means Being Prepared
E
very home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector that are maintained in good working order. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that results from
faulty combustion. Batteries should be kept fresh, with testing occurring at least twice a year. A fire extinguisher should be kept near the kitchen and maintained at a proper working pressure. Teach children how to dial
911 in case of an emergency. If you are hurt or unable to speak, they may be the ones that end up saving your life. It is also important, particularly with small children, that they understand what constitutes an emergency See SAFETY, page 17
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Sixteen
Fall Home Improvement
Mold And Mildew: Pie Recipes For Pumpkin Lovers There’s A Difference continued from page 13
B
ecause mold and mildew commonly grow in the same types of environments — warm, damp areas — they are often mistaken for one another. In actuality, mold and mildew are different types of fungi despite sharing many similar characteristics, including spreading out from spores. Mildew is found more often in showers, fabrics, and paper, while mold is more often found in foods. Mold can range in color from black to red to green, while mildew is typically white or gray. Although both mold and mildew can be problematic for individuals with allergies or asthma, it’s typically mold that causes people to be most weary. That’s because some molds have toxins called mycotoxins to which some people may be severely allergic. Inhalation of certain molds can also cause respiratory problems. Mildew can generally be cleaned off of hard surfaces with a mildew cleaner or a bleach-and-water solution. If mold is very prevalent in a home, it may be best to call in a professional to determine the best course of removal to prevent spores from spreading and causing health problems.
Walnut Pumpkin Pie 2 c. pumpkin puree 1 14-oz.-can sweetened condensed milk 1 egg 1-1/4 t. cinnamon 1/2 t. each ginger & nutmeg 1/2 t. salt 1 9-inch graham cracker crust 1/4 c. packed brown sugar 2 T. all-purpose flour 2 T. butter 3/4 c. walnuts, chopped
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine pumpkin, condensed milk, egg, 3/4 t. cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 350 degrees. Combine brown sugar, flour, and
remaining 1/2 t. cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Sprinkle mixture evenly over pie. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean. Cool and garnish as desired.
Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl, mixing well. Add eggs and heavy cream. Beat until smooth. Stir in mincemeat and pour into pie crust. Bake for 35 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool slightly; serve warm.
Mincemeat Pumpkin Chiffon Pie 1 c. solid pack pumpkin puree 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 3/4 t. cinnamon 3/4 t. nutmeg 1/2 t. salt 3 eggs 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream 1 c. prepared mincemeat pie filling 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie 50 vanilla wafers 1/2 c. walnuts 1/4 c. butter, melted 2 T. maple syrup 1 qt. vanilla ice cream, softened 1 c. canned pumpkin puree 2 t. pumpkin pie spice 3/4 c. heavy cream 2 T. sugar 4 T. shortening 2/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
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Chop vanilla wafers and walnuts into fine crumbs. Transfer to 9-inch pie pan. Mix in butter and maple syrup. Using a fork, press firmly onto bottom and sides of pie pan to create crust. Freeze for 10 minutes. Blend vanilla ice cream, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Spoon into crust and smooth with a spatula. Chill 1 hour in freezer, or until firm. Before serving, beat heavy cream and sugar in a small bowl on high speed until peaks form. Spoon into a pastry bag with a star tip and pipe around edge of pie. Melt shortening and chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plastic bowl and chill in freezer 30 minutes, or until firm. Scrape chocolate with a vegetable peeler to form small curls. Decorate pie with curls and serve.
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Seventeen
Fall Home Improvement
Get Out The Ladder For Gutter Cleaning Season
E
very fall, homeowners should get out their ladders and clean their gutters after the last leaves have fallen. If you have large trees on your property or in your neighborhood, you’ll see the importance of clean gutters. If you don’t have many trees near your home, you won’t have much to worry about. Cleaning gutters can be a daunting challenge for new homeowners, but with a few simple precautions and a little knowledge, it can be very easy. It is certainly an important element in sustaining the health of your home. Get out your ladder (or borrow one from a neighbor) and scoop out the loose debris. Use your hands or a narrow gar-
den trowel. Keep a bucket on hand to dispose of the material and prevent having to clean it up once you are back on the ground. Start at the outlet and move your way down the pipe.
If the material is dried and encrusted or completely soggy, it will be more difficult than if slightly damp. This makes timing a challenge, but it will save you work in the long run. Once you have gotten the majority of the material out by hand, it’s time for the highpressure hose. It’s easiest to use a high-pressure nozzle that has an easy on-off switch, but if you don’t have one, you can use any spray nozzle, or just your fingers. This can be the messiest part of the job, so you’ll want to avoid spraying mud and gunk all over your home (or your neighbor’s) and you will want everyone below you to know that you are going to work so they can get out of the way.
Safety Is Key In Homes With Kids continued from page 15 so they will not be prank calling the police. Using a landline will tell the 911 operator where they are calling from, so they are preferable to cell phones which could be anywhere. Fire drills should be a regular part of your safety and prevention efforts. Every child should know two ways to get out of every room in the house, just in case one is blocked by fire. Fireproof ladders can be safely tucked away under beds or in closets for easy access and quick use. Every element of the fire escape plan should be covered when you drill. Children should be taught to stay low and cover their mouths with a cloth as a way to prevent
smoke inhalation. One of the best ways to stay safe at home is for everyone to be trained in first aid. Many civic groups and even cities will provide family training in things like CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and even how to treat cuts and burns. This can be a fun way to increase the safety of your entire household. It’s very important to never leave a child unattended in the kitchen while you are cooking something on the stove or even heating something in the microwave. Curious children can get into trouble. You will also want to keep the handles of your pots and pans turned so they will not get bumped by pets or small children walking by.
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Keeping children safe at home really takes a concerted effort. You’ll have to think about all of the ways that they might get hurt and then take steps to try to prevent those accidents from happening. If they do happen, you’ll want to be prepared with knowledge of first aid.
Once you have the gutters taken care of, it’s time to take care of the drainpipes. You might be able to flush out the drainpipes with your hose, but if things are very clogged up, then you’ll want to get out a plumber’s auger and work your way down until water flows clean and even through the pipe. If you have a lot of tall trees and this process takes a long time, you might consider investing in a leaf guard. There are many viable products on the market right now. This kind of work can be dangerous, and it is really best done with two or more people.
That prevents a lot of climbing up and down the ladder and ensures everyone is safe. If you are doing the work yourself, you might team up with a neighbor or friend and work together. If your gutters haven’t been cleaned for several years, this can be very disgusting work, as leaves will have rotted into massive clumps. Many recommend wearing gloves and old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Really, it’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it in order to extend the life of the home and save money in the long run.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Eighteen
Fall Home Improvement
Efficiency Is Key To Energy Savings continued from page 14 energy savings between installation and sale will put most homeowners in the black. New appliances are much more efficient than older appliances. If your furnace is 15 years old or older, it is time to replace it. Water heaters will generally last 10 to 15 years. If you are replacing a water heater, think about a tankless one, which is much more energy efficient. You can save significantly on the amount it takes to heat your home by replacing these two antiquated items. Replacing them with top-of-the-line appliances can save you as much as 20 percent on your overall heating bills. Appliances are the biggest energy hogs in the home, so you can drop your overall energy profile and save money by upgrading everything from your refrigerator to your microwave.
Insulation is another key element. It will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Check your insulation and see what kind of R value you have, which is just a measure of how much energy it will let through. The government recommends at least an R-38, which is usually about 12–15 inches of insulation. The easiest place to add insulation is in your attic. If you can see space in the attic where the insulation doesn’t meet up to the top of the floor joists, you definitely need more. Adding insulation is a job that most homeowners can handle on their own or with just a little help from friends or family. Older homes in particular can benefit from additional insulation. If you are thinking over the very long term, you can add some trees. Deciduous trees can provide shade in the summer while letting the sun shine in the winter.
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They are best along the south- and westfacing sides of a home. You can also plant evergreen trees or shrubs to block out wind. While it does have a much higher initial price tag, these kinds of investments will pay off in the long run-on your energy bill and on the resale value of your home.
again with steel wool and apply a paste wax. This will get the finish imperfections out without hurting the wood. A much tougher problem is grease and oil stains. First, get as much of the material up as possible with clean towels. Use dry cleaning fluid to draw the stains out. You will need to check for progress in the area every few minutes. Mold and mildew on your
floors can be taken care of with a bleach-soaked rag. You can use ice cubes in a plastic bag to get sticky wax or chewing gum off the floor. Simply scrape it off when it has frozen. Wood floors get dirty. There are some simple steps you can take using general household cleaners to brighten up your wood floors and really make them shine. If you have nice, new wood floors, keep them clean so you’ll never have to tackle the tough stains.
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Nineteen
Fall Home Improvement
Preserve Fall Foliage For Colorful Decorations
A
utumn is your favorite season, and each year as the leaves fall, you enjoy taking long walks around your neighborhood and admiring the foliage. Sometimes you pick up a few leaves a n d bring them h o m e to use in the centerpiece for your dining room table. They never last, of course. You arrange them around some candles on a tray, and when they start to crumble after a few days, you throw them into the compost pile. Too bad there wasn’t a way you could keep the leaves longer. Well, guess what — there
is. You can preserve your leaves in a few simple steps. When preserving leaves, you want to use ones that are in good condition, fairly dry, and relatively flat. This will make them easier to work w i t h a n d d r y . Moist, curled leaves with spots and blemishes do not make good candidates for preserving. Once you have collected several good leaves, you may preserve them. For this, you will need some waxed paper, an iron and an ironing board, and two clean towels. To preserve your leaves, follow these step-by-step instruc-
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tions: 1. Place your leaves between two sheets of waxed paper and transfer to the ironing board on top of a towel. 2. Cover leaves with the remaining towel. 3. Heat up the iron on the highest setting. 4. Slowly iron the top towel, being careful not to press too hard. 5. Raise the corner of the
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last for several months, making them great for use in fall arrangements, wreaths, centerpieces, and decorations. You can even use them to spruce up everyday items like lampshades and pillows. This is just one easy method for preserving leaves. There are others, including using silica gel and glycerin. Do your homework and find the best method for you.
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towel to see if the paper has begun to seal. If it hasn’t, continue ironing the towel. If it has, remove the towel and hold down the iron on the paper until the wax melts, about five to 10 seconds. 6. Remove the paper from the ironing board and let it cool. 7. Cut out the leaves, leaving a small margin of wax around them. Your preserved leaves will
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THE CHESHIRE HERALD, OCTOBER 7, 2010
Twenty
Fall Home Improvement