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The November issue of Michiana House and Home always stands out a bit to me because it was the first issue I worked on when I became editor.
Hopefully all of you have been enjoying this Indian summer, whether it be cheering on a kid in fall sports or getting a jump start on yard perp for the winter.
At my house, some of the annuals have already ended up in the compost pile and now I am just dealing with leaves, lots and lots of leaves. My property has about 10-12
there are gutter guards in place to protect your home from water damage.
Along with gutter guards we also took a look at what the home needs for winter prep, such as servicing the furnace now rather than when a blizzard hits, and making sure your home is properly insulated. Not only will this keep everyone warmer, but also keep those utility bills lower.
We continue taking a look back as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. This time it’s bathrooms. A lot has changed from 2004. Today steam showers and free standing tubs are in as well as fixtures with texture.
er’s in Dayton during a recent visit. He took the leftovers into the office where his co-workers loved it. His boss actually thought I purchased it somewhere. Joel kindly let her know I come by my baking chops honestly.
So I hope you make the cake and enjoy this month’s edition.
And keep an eye out for Lauren Zeugner, Editor Email: Lzeugner@ the-papers.
Is your home ready?
By Dani Messick House and Home Feature Writer
By now, most of us in Northern Indiana have turned on the furnace and are attempting to cozy up in our warm homes for the colder weather. But if you haven’t taken the time to prepare, you may be in for some unpleasantly cool encounters this winter.
If your furnace hasn’t received an annual inspection yet, better now than never. Clogged filters and debris build-up can cause your furnace parts to wear out faster, leading to breakdowns during the most inconvenient cold snaps.
In addition, a poorly running furnace can increase your heating bills or, worse yet, produce carbon monoxide.
But there can be many causes of a cold home.
Reed Martin, owner of Airtime Insulation of Goshen, said as an insulation tech, his first line of defense when someone contacts him about poor insulation in a house is to check the attic for adequate insulation.
“Heat rises, so you burn up all your heat if it’s going through your ceiling,” he explained.
First, he checks the amount of insulation, and if the attic floor is air-sealed. Then he checks the eves to ensure they’re blocked off property to avoid wind-wash.
“Older homes, I see it all the time, the air shoots weren’t installed correctly, so when you go in there the insulation is piled toward the center of the house so it washed it all off your side walls,” he said.
Martin estimated that for a 1,500-squarefoot home, installing NuWool cellulose through Airtime Insulation could cost under $2,000 depending on certain variables.
“On the average ranch home, for $2,000 or less you could have it fixed,” he said. It’s not near as cheap for insulation problems on other portions of the home. If attic insulation isn’t a problem, it may be poor insulation in the sidewalls.
“There again, older homes, a lot of times I find that they put fiberglass in it, they put
cellulose in it, but the cellulose settled, the fiberglass settled down or broke down because everything has a life span,” Martin said. “If it’s installed correctly, it should never settle.”
For that same 1,500-square-foot home, side wall insulation repair is more costly, ranging from around $2,500 to $3,500 with variables.
“Most likely there is some insulation there. There’s very few times I’ve been into houses and they have no insulation,” he said. “It’s just not enough… When you get into older homes, in the 70s, 80s, when some of those houses were built, energy was cheap, so they didn’t put much insulation in there. I find it all the time that you go into an attic and there’s only 6-7 inches in there.”
The problem isn’t exclusive to older homes either. In newer homes improperly installed insulation can create problems, too. If your home is drafty, with cold spots, or frost on the walls, you likely have poor insulation somewhere in the home.
“Once you have your insulation addressed by a professional, there should be no reason year after year to prep your house for winter,” Martin said.
But if there is, it’s time to check for drafty windows. It’s a much more costly concern. Temporarily bandaid this problem by weatherstripping, caulking, plastic window film, reglazing windows, draft stoppers, and thermal curtains, but keep in mind that it’s still an issue that should be resolved. Windows can cost $1,000 to $2,000 per window depending on the size, your whole house costing tens of thousands of dollars to replace windows. It’s important to talk to contractors to learn about the various options before diving into this repair. n
CHECK YOUR HEATING SYSTEM
It is essential to have your heating system professionally inspected before the winter season. You should also replace your furnace lter regularly to keep the air clean and owing smoothly.
INSULATE YOUR HOME
Proper insulation can help keep your home warm and reduce energy costs. Insulate your attic, walls and basement to prevent heat loss. Use weather stripping around doors and windows to prevent drafts.
PREVENT FROZEN PIPES
Insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as garage or attic to prevent damage from frozen pipes. You should keep your home a constant temperature, even when you’re away.
INSTALL CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. You should install these on every level of your home and near your family’s sleeping areas.
CLEAR SNOW AND ICE FROM WALKWAYS
Snow and ice can create hazardous conditions on walkways and driveways. Promptly clearing snow and ice can help prevent accidents.
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES
Winter storms can cause power outages that last for days. Have an emergency kit ready with ashlights, batteries, blankets and non-perishable food items.
Making visitors FEEL AT HOME during the holidays
By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer
It’s the holidays – where are the guests going to sleep? Guest rooms as they used to be – a room dedicated just for company, with traditional bedroom furniture and rarely used at other times, are not as common these days as they once were. It’s more the norm to have a multi-purpose room with, say, a futon, so the space could double as a TV room. For those who still sew, you might consider setting up a sewing room that could be slept in when the need arose. Ours has a daybed that also has a trundle underneath it, so it’s extremely handy when called upon.
So what exactly goes into setting up a guest room so family and friends feel comfortable? Well, pretty much whatever you’d like, or whatever you think a guest would like. And it can be as plush as a bathroom of its own, or a mini-fridge and microwave, maybe a coffee maker, or as simple as a comfortable bed and pillows, plenty of blankets when the weather cools down and a quiet location. Extra hangers in the closet, a box of tissues–just think of the things you’d like to have in a room and run with it. If the room is big enough, you might put a comfortable chair in one of the corners, perfect for reading or other quiet moments.
The large Miller family is all about their business – Neighbors Mercantile of Nappanee – a sweet general store reminiscent of bygone days, and they have all kinds of wonderful merchandise and great suggestions on how to use it in your guest room. ”While we don’t offer formal design services, we love helping guests find simple ways to refresh their spaces. Our approach is to work with what you already have, encouraging you to repurpose existing products and rooms while adding small, thoughtful touches,” said Debra Miller, manager.
“For instance, in a guest room, you could introduce a seasonal decor piece or place fresh flowers in the bathroom to make the space feel more inviting. A seasonal guest towel or a new pillow can also bring a welcoming vibe without requiring major changes. Pillows, in particular, are an easy way to update a room, adding color or texture without needing to change your entire scheme. Even a cozy throw or a textured pillow can bring warmth and a fresh feel to your space. We sell a lot of throws, pillows, and small pre-potted faux plants and flowers, as they are a way to add color to a space and make it feel fresh at the same time.
“The most important part of any room (and the same principle we use for both Neighbors and Main Street Roasters) is to make sure our guests feel at home. The most important part is the way we make them feel by creating a relaxed, welcoming, and hospitable environment. We love any mixture of relaxed furniture, background music, comfortable spaces, and always good food and coffee readily available.”
Cozy pillows and throws?
Good food and coffee? I’m in – who’s with me? n
photos: shutterstock.com
around michiana
YEAR ROUND | MIDDLEBURY TRAIL TALES
Bring the family outdoors to read a children’s book while walking a short path at Riverbend Park; book pages are placed in special kiosks along the path. New books are installed monthly. Event partners are the Middlebury Public Library and Middlebury Parks Department.
NOV. 1-31 | SOUTH BEND SOUTH BEND FARMERS MARKET
Indoor market featuring homegrown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry and more
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
A host of local musicians and bands gather to pick, play and sing bluegrass, country and gospel in an informal jam session. Meets the first Thursday of the month. 6:30-9 p.m.
Doc Able Pavilion, 116 W. Waterford St. Downtown Wakarusa, 1 block west of stop light.
Free Admission, free will offering (574) 862-2200 wakarusabluegrassjam.com
By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer
What was popular in 2004?
One word comes to mind: wet rooms. What is a wet room, you may ask? (I did.) Just what it sounds like – it’s a completely waterproofed room, especially good with children or adults with mobility issues – and that kind of accessibility can be life changing for many. Because of that, they’re still in style and in demand today.
Pedestal vessel sinks were popular 20 years ago but not so much today, because they took up more room and splashing was more of an issue than you might of liked. At the time, though, their dramatic appearance was stunning and surprising. Also recommended were windows that were added to make a smaller bathroom feel more open. This look is still very much a thing,
All this year, our 20th anniversary of publication, we’ve followed trends from 20 years ago and then up-date them. This time it’s all about the bathroom; and of course we had them long before 20 years ago, but what’s the trend now?
whether they’re placed over the toilet or between double sinks.
What’s popular now?
Melissa Myers, American Society of Interior Designers of Kitchens Etc., Inc. in Elkhart, offered her expertise. “We are seeing wood tones making a comeback. Quarter sawn white oak and light stained maple cabinets are popular for vanities (as well as kitchen vanities.) Floating vanities or furniture-type pieces are becoming more popular, instead of traditional cabinets.”
Myers weighed in on other forms of color, as well. Gone are the days of pure white, or pastels (right down to the toilet paper: anyone remember when you could buy it in colors or flower patterns?) “Neutral green is a popular painted fin-
ish, such as Sherwin Williams’ Evergreen Fog.” Gone too are plain fixtures, “Matte Black and Champagne Bronze are trendy finishes for fixtures,” Myers explained.
What are customers most wanting? Do younger customers want different kinds of things than the seniors do? (My 80-something parents want a walk-in tub more than anything, and it’s unfortunate that their bathroom is so small.) Freestanding bathtubs are a thing now, and so are separate sinks and steam showers. A good description of today’s bathrooms, if you like that style? Think spa! Myers would agree when she said “tile is still the most popular material for bathroom floors and shower walls. And we’re seeing an increase in custom-
ers wanting quartz slabs for their shower walls.”
Barring unexpected problems and issues, how long does it take (approximately) to construct a bathroom, and how long to remodel it? You need to know before you begin just what you’ll be dealing with because it’s a serious commitment of time on your calendar!” Myers answered, “A full bath remodel, from start to finish, is six weeks.”
Or maybe you’d be interested in a smart bathroom? Did you know you could get a smart toilet? Seat warmers, automatic flushing? Or touchless faucets with temperature indicators so you’ll know when the water is exactly the temperature you want?
This is not your grandma’s bathroom! n
shutterstock.com
photos: kitchensetcinc.com
How to Prep Perennials Now for beautiful spring blooms
In a recent Backyard Smart video, the lawn and garden experts at Exmark give the lowdown on prepping perennials for cold weather so you can enjoy beautiful blooms come spring. Here’s what to know:
The Benefits of Dividing Perennials: When plants become overcrowded, they compete for essential resources like water, air and nutrients, which can hinder their growth. Dividing perennials helps distribute plants across your yard, maintaining a healthy size, preventing overcrowding, and reducing the risk of disease.
When to Divide Perennial Plants: Generally, fall’s the best time to divide perennial plants that bloom in spring and summer. (Conversely, spring’s the best time to divide fall-blooming plants.) But if you’re planning on dividing in fall, don’t wait too long! Get outside about four to six weeks before the ground freezes, or else your plants will be in for a rough winter. Careful! Not every perennial needs to be divided every year. Most need it every three to five years, and some don’t need it at all. Do your research before you begin.
How to Divide Perennials: Make the necessary preparations to ensure your perennials properly take to their new homes. First, thoroughly water your plants a day or two beforehand and cut them back so you can clearly see what you’re dealing with. Then, head out on a cloudy, dry day and get to work.
Dig up plants around the roots and gently lift them out of the ground, knocking away loose dirt and debris. For best results, dig outside the outermost part of plants that water drips from. You can either gently pull apart the roots with your hands, cut into them with a knife or spade, or use two gardening forks to wedge plants in half. Various perennials have different roots systems, so read up on the best method for the species.
You can typically get four to six new sections from a single plant.
Just make sure each division has three to five shoots and a substantial, healthy root system. Afterwards, you’re free to plant your new divisions, rearrange existing beds, or share new plants with family or friends!
Water and Cut Back: Even if you’re not dividing your perennials, it’s good to get one last thorough watering in before the first freeze. Leading up to that point, gradually wean perennials from regular watering to monthly watering throughout fall.
The general rule of thumb is to cut perennials back once they start to fade. However, there are exceptions. Some perennials should be left alone. Make sure you know what’s in your garden before beginning.
Feeding and Mulching: Once plants are situated, it’s time to layer up. Clear off old mulch so that the soil is exposed, and remove any weeds or grass peeking through. Then, spread on a 1-2-inch thick compost layer, followed by an equally thick mulch layer. The compost will gradually break down and release nutrients, promoting better root growth, better soil pH and hardier plants come spring. The mulch provides insulation while protecting soil from erosion and compaction.
Be on the Lookout: Cold weather doesn’t necessarily mean pests take a break from making a meal of plants. Many—such as slugs— will chow down on anything your garden has to offer, so stay attentive! Before mulching, lay down slug bait to send them packing.
To view the video, visit Exmark’s Backyard Life, a multimedia destination that provides tips on everything from gardening to outdoor hosting at backyard.exmark.com.
“Perennials make every garden pop, providing beautiful blooms year after year. Spend some time this fall making your springtime even brighter,” says Jamie Briggs, director of marketing at Exmark. n
(StatePoint)
It’s a common misconception that once fall rolls around, perennials simply go dormant and don’t require maintenance until spring. But, fall is actually the perfect time to show perennials love.
One Home Renovation Project with Huge Potential Returns
renovations to an existing ADU. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to pay the expenses upfront. There are loans designed to help you pay for improvements to your home. For example, Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation is a financing solution that can provide you with funding to add an ADU on your property. Speak with your lender about the financing options available to you and which may best suit your needs.
To learn more about home equity and renovating your home, visit My Home by Freddie Mac.
Whether you’re looking for a way to increase your property value or create a living space for a loved one, adding an ADU can be a rewarding investment. While navigating zoning laws, renovation budgets and landlord responsibilities may seem daunting, there are many resources available to guide you through the process. n centaurconstructionaz.com
(StatePoint) Adding an accessory dwelling unit to your property can increase the value of your home, become a source of rental income, or help you expand your living space for your adult children or parents.
If you don’t know what an ADU is, you’re in good company. A 2023 Freddie Mac survey found that 71% of respondents were unfamiliar with the concept. ADUs are often known as inlaw apartments, granny flats, carriage houses or secondary suites. According to Freddie Mac, here’s why investing in adding an ADU may be worth it:
The basics: An ADU is a smaller, independent residential structure built on the same lot as a single-family home. To qualify as an ADU, the additional living area needs to include a kitchen, bathroom and separate entrance. Common examples include a dwelling over a detached or attached garage, a suite above the main floor of the home, a basement apartment, or a detached structure such as a guesthouse or backyard cottage.
The benefits: Building an ADU on your property may contribute to the supply of affordable housing in your area, but it also has a wealth of benefits for you, the homeowner. It can boost the value of your home by as much as 35%, and become a potential source of extra
income if you rent your ADU to a tenant. An ADU can also make for a great home office, guest house or work shop, or be a good solution if your adult children are returning to live with you, or you are the caretaker to aging or disabled relatives.
Eligibility: Before add ing an ADU to your home, you will need to learn about the zoning codes that apply to your property. Ordinances and policies vary by location and change frequently. Make sure you understand any federal, state or local laws involved with rent ing your ADU. Discussing this with an attorney is one option. To find your zoning code, check your local government’s web site or reach out to your local zoning or building code office.
Financing: You should create a construction budget and consider how you will pay for a new ADU or
Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake
By Sue Moran; The View From Great Island
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
Preheat oven to 325. Spray a 9 X 5 loaf pan and line with a sheet of parchment paper so you can more easily lift the bread out after baking. (This is optional).
Put the cider in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to a 1/2 cup.
Pour the cider into a small bowl and set aside to cool slightly. Then stir in the sour cream and vanilla
Melt the butter in the same saucepan. Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile beat the eggs and brown sugar until smooth and frothy.
Drizzle the melted butter into the egg
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg (more to taste)
TOPPING
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
mixture, while the machine is running on low. If doing by hand, keep whisking while you add the butter to get everything incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternately with the cider/sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Let the pan cool on the rack for 10 minutes, then remove the cake from the pan using the parchment paper sling. Let cool for 5 more minutes.
For the sugar coating, mix the sugar with the cinnamon. Brush the outside of the cake with melted butter and coat thickly with the cinnamon sugar. Do the top and each side, one at a time. For the sides, cup the sugar in your hand and quickly press it up against the cake. Do this a few times until you get the surface well covered.
Do not slice the cake until ready to enjoy. Store at room temperature loosely covered with foil. n
Gutter guards are a need, not a want
When you climb onto a ladder to clean the leaves out of your gutters, you are being a gutter guard - but there are products that will help you do this and keep you much safer in the long run.
“The longer that gutter cover products are on the market, the more people are open to it or see it as a necessity,” said Harry Trotter, owner of Gutters & Guards of Millersburg. ”They see the value in it… the idea is to keep you off your roof.”
Trotter said gutter guards are especially popular with older populations as their health declines and they’re no longer safe climbing on ladders to clean gutters out.
“The price point is sometimes used - if you don’t have the money to do it, you won’t justify doing it, even though a trip to the ER and a couple weeks off work will take care of that investment if you know what I mean,” Trotter joked.
Trotter estimates that covers can cost around $4 - $16 per foot. It’s an estimated 75% to 150% increase on the cost of new gutters. Trotter said it’s an investment but one that’s worth the cost for the protection it provides.
“Some companies market ‘Never have to clean your gutters again,’ well I don’t necessarily agree with that with any gutter cover. There’s not a gutter cover out there that will work perfectly in every scenario, every situation,” he said.
While no gutter guard can offer
By Dani Messick House and Home Feature Writer
You might not know it, but you need gutter guards. Gutter guards prevent debris like leaves and pine needles from getting into the gutters and traveling with the water to the downspouts causing gutters to fail.
100% protection against debris, the right type of guard will significantly decrease necessary maintenance on home gutter systems. In addition, the roof surface and shape, materials used, and landscaping of the property can create a strain when deciding what type of gutter guard to install. Most gutter guards are an aftermarket product, but some are molded onto new gutters.
An affordable aftermarket starting option is screen-based gutter guards. Some are aluminum, some are powdered steel, and the size of the holes in the screens vary wildly as well.
“I don’t really promote screen guards because to me if somebody’s spending money, you may as well spend a tad bit more and put something on that’s going to be more effective,” he said. Screen-based gutter guards, Trotter said, aren’t nearly as effective for keeping pine needles and Samaras (the winged “helicopter” usually from maple tree seed pods with the conjoined wings, also known as whirligigs or twisters)
out of gutters.
“Trees are the reason for gutter covers,” Trotter said.
For Trotter, a drop-in cover is a better starting point.
“The idea is to elevate the debris and allow the airflow to dry out the debris and then blow it off,” he explained. “Those are very effective for homesteads with one or two trees in various areas around the yard where it allows the water to keep flowing in your gutter. Even if you have a concentrated area or two where debris might pile up, water can still flow around that debris and find its way into the gutter.”
Like the screen-based option, the size and also shape vary on drop-in covers. However Trotter said, drop-in covers don’t provide great protection against pine needles.
A single-steel micromesh type prevents that problem but has its own issues as well such as potentially allowing fine dust or pollen to build up in the mesh.
Trotter’s top-of-the-line gutter guard option is a round cover gut-
ter helmet.
“It basically sits on top of the gutter and it’s got a rounded edge to the front and there’s a gap where the water will follow the curve and enter into the gutter below when finally gravity catches up to it,” Trotter said. “The water molecules cling to the surface using surface tension and they use that principle to wrap the water around the front of the cover and then down into the inside of the gutter cover and the leading nose of the cover is actually out past the gutter.”
The result is debris like leaves and pine needles simply sliding off the edge of the helmet while the water slips under and into the gutter below. Still, despite being the most expensive option it’s not the best option for every situation.
“If you’ve got a steel roof, that makes it harder for the water to use that surface tension, especially if you’ve got speed (from a steeper roof),” Trotter explained. “It’ll be more prone to ramping off of it.”
In addition, mossy mold can build up on the edge where the water curves around, blocking the flow entirely, and spraying the growth off is necessary. Trotter said he prefers to evaluate properties and recommend the best gutter guard on a case-by-case basis.
“My goal is just to make sure they don’t have to get up on a ladder,” Trotter said. “Any cover is going to be better than if you’ve got an open-top gutter.” n
Did You Know?
By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer
Turkeys were revered in ancient Mexican cultures around 300 BC.
Contrary to popular belief, turkey was not eaten at the first Thanksgiving meal, which was actually a three-day harvest meal. The menu actually included venison, duck, goose, oysters, lobster, eel and fish.
Although he did not lobby for the turkey to be the national bird, Benjamin Franklin believed that it was more “respectable” than the Bald Eagle, which was known for stealing from other birds. He also believed the turkey was a bird of courage and a true native of America.
Sarah Joseph Hale (author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) convinced President Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 after writing letters to the White House administration for 17 years.
Wild turkeys were on the brink of extinction in the early 1900s when they hit a record low of 30,000.
There are four towns in the US named “Turkey.” They are located in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.
The first official presidential turkey pardon occurred in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush.
A turkey’s excrement is one way to determine its gender. The male waste is shaped like the letter “J” while a female’s waste is more spiral shaped.
The snood, or the fleshy appendage that extends over a turkey’s beak, is used to attract a suitable mate. According to the Journal of Avian Biology, females prefer males with elongated snoods. The snood length can also be used to determine who will win in a competition between two males.
Although both males and females gobble, they also make a variety of other noises including purrs, yelps and “kee-kees.”
A wild turkey’s gobble can be heard up to one mile away.
Approximately 88 percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
... and now you know!
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to talk turkey! There’s plenty to know about these exceptional birds who sleep in trees, see better than humans and can change their color depending on their mood!
Wild turkeys do not see well at night, so they roost in trees from dusk until dawn in order to protect themselves from predators.
A wild turkey can reach 18 mph on foot and over 50 mph in the air. (Most domesticated birds do not fly.)
Turkeys have great hearing despite not having external ears, their eyesight during the day is better than a human with a range of 270 degrees. (A human only has 180 degree sight.)
You can tell a turkey’s emotion based on the color of its head, which shifts from red to blue to white depending on how excited or calm they are. The more intense the color, the more intense their emotion.
Turkey’s swallow small stones to aid their digestion. They also have two stomachs.
