There's a lot of talk about relationships in February. Since most successful relationships are give-and-take, let's take a moment to think about how much your kitchen has given you this winter. With holiday parties and family gatherings complete, show your favorite spot in the house a little TLC this month with Your February Kitchen To-Do List. 1. Deep Clean Your Refrigerator Empty the contents of your fridge onto the counter. Do this all at once or shelf by shelf.Remove all parts and shelving you can, including drawers.Wash the shelving with warm, soapy water and a sponge. You may also use white vinegar and baking soda, which acts as a deodorizer.Wipe down the inside of the fridge with your sponge using warm, soapy water and dry with a clean towel.Lift and clean the glass on … [Read more...] about Your February Kitchen To-Do List
Tips to Tackle a Last-Minute Game Day Party
If you're reading those group texts correctly, it looks like the Game Day Party is headed to your place on Sunday. This means extra seating, fun food, drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. Read our Tips to Tackle a Last-Minute Game Day Party, and we're sure the only fumbles you'll see are in the game. "Extra Points" for the Little Things Small gestures are a big hit: Pre-fill individual disposable cups with smaller snacks such as pretzels and nuts your friends can grab as they wish.Print your own football-themed labels for drink cups to help your guests keep track of their liquid fuel of choice.Use AstroTurf as a table runner to give your snack table a "wow" factor. AstroTurf is available from places like The Home Depot and other home improvement … [Read more...] about Tips to Tackle a Last-Minute Game Day Party
Appliance Maintenance Resolutions for the New Year!
It’s tough enough to keep the New Year’s Resolutions we make for ourselves, let alone our appliances. However, a little maintenance can go a long way to saving you money this year. To help get you motivated, here's our list of 5 Appliance Maintenance Resolutions for the New Year! Heating System Filters should be cleaned once a month and replaced every three months. Make sure the furnace is turned off. Remove the access panel and slide out the screen. Clean dirt buildup and dry filter before replacing it. The Home Depot offers great tips on changing your air filters regularly. Oven Keep it as clean as possible. As grease and spills build-up, the oven has to work harder to do its job, especially heating elements, which uses more energy consumption. Dishwasher Clean … [Read more...] about Appliance Maintenance Resolutions for the New Year!
Celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
January 10, we celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. Maybe this is the first you've heard of this, but no worries. We've got some great tips to get you involved in this important day. National Cut Your Energy Costs Day encourages us to find ways to reduce energy costs and save on our energy bills. There are always plenty of significant things you can do around your home to cut your energy costs. Let's get your family thinking about the small ones first. Baby Steps to Cut Your Energy Costs Take shorter showersLower the water temp of your water heaterRun the dishwasher only when it's fullUse energy-efficient light bulbsUnplug unused appliancesCarpool whenever possible or use public transportationTurn down the thermostat - or as your mom always said - put on a sweater!Just … [Read more...] about Celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
The Inside Scoop on New Year’s Eve
We know it's all about the party on New Year's Eve. But do you know how many years we've been celebrating this day? It turns out - a while. This New Year's Eve, should you find yourself hunkered in the corner of a kitchen trying to spark up a little convo with a stranger you'd like to kiss at midnight, we've got a tip. Let them know you're more than just a pretty face. You're dialed into the roots of the celebration. You've got the Inside Scoop on New Year's Eve. How Long Have We Celebrated NYE? The earliest known New Year celebration was in Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. In case anyone poses the follow-up question, Mesopotamia was a region covering the area now, mostly known as Iraq and Kuwait. Has NYE Always Been Celebrated on December 31? No, it has not — the … [Read more...] about The Inside Scoop on New Year’s Eve