The threat of frost is not quite over, our Turtle Mats are still adorning our windscreens, tufty-side down to keep them ice free (thanks for the tip Susan), but there is definitely more of a spring in our step.

The Turtle Mat garden, although quietly coming to life, is seeing some impressive bird activity already. Amongst our usual winter visitors – finches, robins and blue tits, we have spotted yellow hammers and a great spotted woodpecker, so twitching here is almost a full time job!

We’ll try to keep you up-to-date on our visitors in future posts, with a few snaps if they’ll stay put long enough.

We missed the opportunity to plant bulbs in autumn so the garden isn’t as colourful as it could be – we’re reliant on several different coloured Cornus for a bit of zing.

We’re thinking daffies for next year so if any of you have any favourite varieties you could recommend – please let us know by commenting on this post. (more…)

Image by TimmyGUNZ via Flickr

In most homes, the kitchen is the busiest room in the house, a hub of activity centered on meal planning, cooking, eating, and cleaning up. And in today’s busy world, it’s essential to be able to maintain the kitchen quickly and easily, so that you can get to all the other things on your to-do list.

Here are some ideas (more…)

Image by mtsofan via Flickr

People who are nearing the end of remodeling their bathrooms might begin thinking about small details that are important in such space. More specifically, they might begin thinking about what type of bathroom mats to buy. They might have a friend who will ask them: “Why are you thinking so hard about this? Aren’t all bathroom mats the same?” Although this is a common belief, the fact is that all bathroom mats are not created equally. Some are far superior and longer lasting than others.  (more…)

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Whether after flower blossoms, fruit and vegetables, herbs, or a combination of these, the spoils of a summer garden are well worth their labor. Invest some time sketching to scale what the garden should look like in full bloom.

Colors of flowers and leaves, height of mature plants, sun needs of plants, and the shape of the garden being planned should all be considered. Now that there is a goal in mind, it would be time to remove debris, pull out grass and weeds by their roots, but leaves may stay, as partially decomposed leaves are good fertilizer to till into the soil. (more…)

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Having a new baby in the home means a lot of work. One of the most important aspects is to make sure your home is as baby-proofed as possible. This starts right from the crib, but is especially important when the baby starts to crawl and walk. There are many tips that you can follow that will help keep your home baby-proofed. (more…)

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Bathrooms have come a long way in terms of décor and style. Gone are the days when a bathroom cabinet was little more than a square box with a small cabinet used for storage, a predictable white sink and a small amount of counter space. Today’s bathroom décor offers variety, elegance and style.

Perhaps the most popular trend in bathroom options is the above-counter sink. Sometimes referred to as vessel sinks, these bowls sit atop or are only slightly recessed in the vanity. They provide a more contemporary look to your bathroom. Sinks can now be found in a multitude of materials, such as brass, glass and of course, ceramic. They’re beautiful alternatives to the traditional white recessed sinks. (more…)

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Making your home environmentally friendly can be a truly motivating process. Not only you will be helping to save the planet from pollution, but you’ll be also making savings for your budget by using less energy.

You might want to start by something extremely simple. Make it a house rule that everybody turns out all lights anytime they leave a room. You can also do something as simple as getting up earlier everyday – this will prevent using the artificial light and also save money and energy. (more…)

Image by Jeff the Trojan via Flickr

Refinishing hardwood floors in a home can be a dusty and tedious job, but the results are well worth it. And if you’re going to do it yourself, there some things that you should know before you start the process.

Proper equipment to be used during the process is very important for safety and of course, stunning results. Renting a sander for a couple of days from the local home improvement store should be the first step. Make sure to also invest in some good sturdy gloves and a dust mask for your face because as stated before, this type of home improvement can get dirty and dusty. (more…)

Have you ever wondered how you can help the environment and change the world? Now there is a chance to make a major step forward in the world history. With a small effort you can change the marine environment and become a parent of a small turtle. MCS is giving you such possibility!

What MCS is and what does it do? MCS is the Marine Conservation Society in the UK. This charity is dedicated to caring for seas, shores and wildlife. Since it’s foundation in 1977 MCS has worked successfully to highlight issues of concern and threats to marine wildlife and the wider marine environment. By using education and community involvement MCS raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and promotes individual, industry and government action to protect the marine environment.
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