Amish Furniture Is Built To Last

Most stores selling Amish furniture will tell you that you should expect the furniture to last for several generations. This isn’t just idle sales talk, but rather a natural consequence of the high quality hardwoods used in the construction of the furniture. Also, the Amish craftsmen who make the furniture have learned skills passed down through generations of dedicated carpenters, so the handmade results are generally superior to machine-made furniture.

Green And Sustainable Furniture

Because the Amish do not use electricity to make their furniture, there is less of an impact on the environment. The hardwoods used in the crafting of the furniture are all grown locally to the craftsmen and are sustainable resources, carefully tended to ensure that there will continue to be enough wood to sustain the carpenter’s production.

Simple, Elegant Furniture

The simple elegance of the many styles of Amish furniture is both beautiful and practical. Their simplicity makes it easier to match them to many decorative styles, while their long-lasting functionality provides years of use for the entire family.

Furniture That Supports A Community

The Amish have long been a community that has taken care of itself with minimal assistance from outsiders. The high quality craftsmanship of its furniture is highly sought after by outsiders who are willing to pay a fair price for the items produced by the Amish. This helps the Amish to buy the things that they can’t produce locally, such as medicines and farm equipment. By making more than they need of certain items, the Amish can earn money to keep their families and communities thriving.

Amish Furniture Can Be Built To Order

Many Amish craftsmen deal with outsiders who represent them by selling their furniture online or in stores, since the Amish don’t typically use computers or telephones. If you want a piece of custom made furniture, you can speak with the representative of the carpenters and tell them what you want. They can then pass on your request to the Amish craftsmen, or tell you how to meet with them, to discuss your furniture needs. This allows customers to get exactly what they want in regards to furniture design.

The history and quality of Amish furniture is what appeals to most buyers, but the beauty is also a major factor in convincing customers to buy Amish made furniture. See for yourself at places like Truly Amish how versatile and well-made Amish furniture really is.

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Vacuuming

Regularly vacuuming your shag rug is the best way to keep it looking like new. The key is finding the right kind of vacuum. You should use a vacuum that has a removable beater bar, sometimes called a power bar.  Beater bars are attached to the floor tool of the vacuum.  The bar is covered with bristles and spins to loosen and pull dirt and debris out of the carpet fibers.  Beater bars are great for regular carpet, but when it comes to shag rugs, they can damage the fibers. This will prematurely age your rug, leaving it looking worn out.

Shag rugs look their best when they are vacuumed at least once a week with the vacuum set on the highest setting.  If the rug is being used in a high traffic area, vacuuming more frequently is recommended. You need a vacuum that has the maximum suctioning power to reach deep down into the carpet.

It’s not widely known that you can vacuum the underside of shag rugs. You can suction out deeply ground-in dirt this way. This should be done as often as you vacuum your rug if possible. Keeping dirt and debris from being ground into the carpet fibers will keep your rug looking clean.

Cleaning

There are many over-the-counter carpet cleaners that can be used for spot cleaning.  Shag rugs can also be steam cleaned with a rented steam cleaner if you don’t own one of your own.  If you are looking to make your own carpet cleaning solution, you can mix equal parts hot water and white vinegar. Regardless of the cleaning solution you use, don’t use a foaming cleanser. These cleansers can be extremely hard to completely rinse out of your rug.

You can spot clean or deep clean your rug as needed or at least twice yearly. Professional cleanings should be scheduled once every five years, sooner if your rug sees excessive wear and tear.

There are dry shampooing products available that can help deodorize and loosen dirt. The dry shampoo is sprinkled into the carpet and sits for about an hour.  You can work the dry shampoo further into the carpet fibers by running your vacuum with beater bar in place over the carpet fibers.  Don’t turn the vacuum on, just run it over the rug. After the shampoo has set for the correct amount of time, remove the beater bar of your vacuum and suction the shampoo out.

Caring for a shag rug is much like any other carpet.  Most over the counter cleaners are safe to use and vacuuming on a regular basis will keep your rug looking fresh and clean.  Spot cleaning and steam cleaning are safe to do as needed.  Professional cleanings will completely restore your rug to it’s full, luxurious and comfortable look.

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Carnations

The carnation is one of the most used flowers in floral arrangements. Many people who venture into the world of designing their own landscape automatically consider incorporating this flower into the design because of its beauty and commonality. But it is also one of the most poisonous to your pets. It will not cause death but it can produce these symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Dermatitis

Chrysanthemum

Both cats and dogs love the smell of the chrysanthemum, so they may wish to nibble on it while playing in your yard. Because it is a popular choice in landscapes, you may not realize that this flower causes the following symptoms your pet may be experiencing:

• Vomiting
• Dermatitis
• Excessive drooling
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Loss of Coordination

Begonia

As beautiful as you might think they are, begonias pose a serious threat to your pets. The tubers (the underground part of the stem) is said to be the most dangerous. Consider removing these plants and get your pet medical attention if they are demonstrating these symptoms:

• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Irritation of the tongue, lips and other parts of the mouth

Amaryllis

If you are like most people, when you begin your landscaping plans you might be considering the popular Amaryllis. This ornamental flower is commonly found in backyards and gardens around the country, but if you have pets that like to dig, you may want to reconsider. If your pets begin chewing on the bulbs of these flowers, they could suffer these symptoms:

• Digestive irritation
• Loss of appetite
• Gas
• Excessive drooling

Rhododendron

Seriously reconsider using the rhododendron in your landscape if you have household pets. This common flower can produce many symptoms if eaten by your pet. Some of the following symptoms may go away within a day or two:

• Loss of appetite
• Gas
• Depression
• Leg paralysis
• Weak heart rate
• Loss of coordination

If more than a day or two has passed and your pet is still experiencing these symptoms, take them to the veterinarian right away.

Before you choose flowers for your landscape, check with your veterinarian or a landscaper from a service like Grizzly Mountain Landscaping to see if what you are choosing may harm your cat or dog. Often pets who spend time outdoors demonstrate symptoms that you may not realize are coming from something as simple as the flowers you enjoy.

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What Makes Teakwood Durable?

Teak trees are part of the birch tree family and are usually grown in plantations in India, Thailand, and Indonesia. Teak trees have natural oils that protect the wood from the elements such as weather, extreme temperatures, and insect infestations. Rainy climates may pose an issue for the wood, so wood may be treated or protected in these instances. Even after trees are harvested for furniture, housing, and boating use, the oils protect the wood from deep scratches and breakage.

Furniture Uses

Teakwood is often used for outdoor patio furniture and decorative tables because of its sturdiness and rich golden hue. Authentic teak furniture can last for decades, much longer than wicker and other wood-based furniture, making it a smart long-term choice. However, given its expense, many also view teak wood furniture as a status symbol. It may be worth the expense if you want furniture built to last.

Protecting the Wood

Teak is one of the few woods that does not need to be protected with wood stains or polyurethane to preserve its natural beauty. Over time, though, if exposed to the sun and extreme temperatures, the golden color will fade to a silvery grey, which some teak furniture owners may not. Some may want to preserve the golden color throughout the life of the furniture.

There are teak sealers available on the market. These sealers have UV protection and fungicidal compounds that will help prevent patina and ward off mold and mildew if you live in a rainy environment. The sealer can be applied to teak furniture of any age as long as the wood is clean and dry.

Unlike polyurethane and wood stains, teak sealers allow the wood to breathe since the wood’s oils are not trapped. Since the oils are not trapped inside the wood, the sealer will not peel or bubble like it would with other protective measures.

Prior to applying the sealer, allow the furniture to dry in the sun for a week. The drying process opens the wood grain so it will absorb sealant better. Once dried, apply the sealer with a clean rag and rub it in well. Once applied, the wood will be protected. Sealant will need to be reapplied yearly.

Fixing Cosmetic Damage

While the oils protect the wood from deep gouges, like other wood, teakwood can scratch. However, cosmetic damage is easy to repair.

Prior to fixing scratches, clean the teakwood with a diluted dish detergent or specialized teak cleaner to remove debris. Make sure the wood is completely dry for 24–48 hours. Damp wood will not respond well to the fixes you will apply since the grain will not be open.

Dab a small amount of wood glue on your pinkie finger and lightly dab it into the scratches. Make sure the glue does not spill out of the scratches; you just want enough glue to make sure it goes inside them. Allow the glue to dry.

Use a fine grain sandpaper and lightly sand with the direction of the grain. Going against the grain will make more scratches, while going with the grain will smooth out scratches and bring out the color of the wood. Once the wood’s honey color comes out, you can stop sanding.

After sanding, apply teak oil, available at furniture and hardware stores, to the wood so it maintains its shape and color.

Enjoy Your Furniture

Teak furniture is strong and durable and doesn’t need much maintenance. Protecting the furniture from the elements and minor cosmetic damage will help the wood last longer so you can enjoy it for decades to come.

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Annuals Are Rapid Growers

Annual flowers live for one growing season. They grow, bloom, and produce seed during their short life cycle. However, with proper care, many annuals continue to bloom until a fall frost. 

• Most annual plants need moist soil to thrive, which means 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week.
• Annuals benefit from frequent feedings because they grow quickly. You can use a slow-release fertilizer at planting and again mid-season.
• Annual flowers continue blooming if you deadhead, which is simply removing spent flowers before a seed head develops.

Annuals are usually less expensive than perennials, making them a cheap way to add color to your landscape. There are other good uses for annuals.

• Colorful cover up: Because annuals grow quickly, trailing varieties can rapidly cover an eyesore, such as an old stump. 
• Cut flowers: Many annuals make excellent cut flowers, and because they continue to bloom, you’ll have plenty for indoor arrangements and outdoor color.
• Adding Color: Annual seeds are inexpensive, so you can fill an entire flower bed with color on a budget and switch it up the next year. 

Perennials Are Particular

Perennials live for several years but bloom at a particular time of the year. Some bloom for 2 to 4 weeks, while others may bloom for longer periods or more than once per season. The care perennials need depends on the variety and growth habits; however, they all require some basic care.

• Most perennials need an inch of water per week; however, if you plant drought-tolerant varieties of moisture-loving plants, you’ll need to adjust to the plant’s needs.
• Perennials require feeding in spring, just as they emerge from the soil, and again about a month later. You can use an all purpose granular fertilizer with a concentration of 5-10-5; use one pound for every 25 square feet of garden.

Choose perennials that are well-adapted to your area to reduce the maintenance requirements. Perennials have a variety of uses in the landscape. You can plant them in masses, mix up combinations of colors and textures, and create certain garden styles. 

• Cottage style: Use an informal mix of perennials planted in close proximity to create an old-fashioned garden. A mix of hollyhocks, irises, phlox, and roses can give a garden a cottage style appearance.
• Shade garden: Many perennials thrive in the shade. Ferns and hostas make good shade garden flowers.
• Prairie style: Using native tall grasses and tall flowers, like black-eyed Susan, gives a landscape a tall-grass, prairie-like appearance. 

Biennials Are Slower to Bloom

Biennials take two years to complete their life cycle. They grow into a leafy plant the first year, go dormant in winter, and bloom the following season. They require care similar to perennial plants, but needs can vary by plant. 

• Biennials need moist soil.
• Most biennial plants need at least six hours of sunlight daily.
• Biennials require a period of cold weather to go through dormancy and bloom the next season. 

You can use biennials by mixing them in with perennials beds, but keep in mind they won’t bloom the first year. Some common biennials include dusty miller, sweet william, foxglove, and Canterbury bells. 

Do you want quick color, or do you want to create a long-lasting flowerbed? Depending on your outdoor project, you’ll need to decide which plants are best. If you need help creating a certain type of flowerbed, consider contacting a local landscaping company, like Lyons Landscaping, for assistance. 

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You can make a Lego table with just about any type of table you can find. A desk, end table, coffee table, or anything else with a flat surface will work. Even a short dresser will do the trick. A dresser also has drawers you can keep the Legos in, so that solves a storage problem as well.

Materials:

The materials you need will ultimately depend on which piece of furniture you choose and the condition it’s in. However, we are going to base this DIY off a square end table.

• Wooden end table
• Sandpaper
• Paint or wood stain
• Lego set
• Basket
• Rubber cement (or other strong glue)

Directions:

1. Start by inspecting your end table. If the wood grain looks beautiful and isn’t too flawed, it can be stained. However, more heavily damaged wood should be painted. If you are unsure, you can decide after sanding it. Of course, if you picked up a brand new table, this step is unnecessary.

2. Once you finish sanding and staining/painting, you can turn it into a Lego table easily. Cover the table with Lego base plates. For a fun look, you can buy base plates in many different colors. Secure the base plates with rubber cement or the glue of your choice.

3. If your table does not have large drawers, get a decorative basket to store the Legos in. You can set it under the table or in a cubby if the table has one.

Choosing Legos

If your child is very young, you may want to use a Lego Duplo set. The blocks are a little larger. This makes them a little easier to put together, and the larger pieces are less of a choking hazard. For older children, regular Legos will give them more age appropriate play.

Lego tables are fun for boys and girls. They can give your child(ren) a special place to play with their Legos and use their imagination. Anything from a coffee table to an old crib can be turned into a Lego table or something else your kids would love.

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As an affordable, safe, easy, and fun alternative for backyard fun, here is why installing a splash pad should be at the top of your summer to do list: 

Easy Install

Installation for a concrete splash pad takes only days, including pipe installation and excavation for the underground water tank, which stores and treats the splash pad water. Inground pools generally take between two and four weeks to install, racking up extra costs if digging is difficult in your yard. By the time your pool is done, summer will be nearly over. A splash pad not only fits into any space, large or small, but it will be ready almost as soon as you decide you want it!

The Cost of Fun

On average, a residential splash pad will cost around one-fourth of a similarly sized swimming pool. A concrete splash pad will regenerate and sanitize the water used, which saves on your water bill. The cost of chemicals, power, and maintenance, too, is one-fourth that of an inground pool. All of these factors mean more fun for your family for a lot less money. 

Better Safety

A splash pad will, at any time, retain less than one inch of water on the ground. This means that there is no risk of drowning for children, which is something that a swimming pool could never claim. A 2013 study released by the Canadian Red Cross organization proved that most child drownings occur in backyard pools, with those between ages 1-4 at the highest risk. Keeping your family, neighbors, and guests safe will be a breeze with your backyard splash pad. 

Versatility 

The final perk of having your very own splash pad is that, because the water tank is underground, the water stays warmer, longer. This means that anytime it is warm outside, you can enjoy your watery wonderland. Additionally, a splash pad is a great addition to an existing swimming pool — who wouldn’t want the backyard to feel like a personal waterpark?

Make lasting memories while keeping cool this summer by installing a splash pad in your own backyard. For more information, talk to companies like Ful-Flo Industries Ltd.

The post Sink Or Swim: Why A Splash Pad Is Right For Your Backyard appeared first on Safe and Environmentally Friendly Lawn Care | action-lawncare.com.

Home Lock Out Services

If you have ever lost the keys to your house, and do not have a hidden key, then you probably know the feeling of what it is like to be locked outside of your own home. It is definitely not fun, and will happen at the most inopportune time.

Instead of breaking a window to try to get in, a locksmith can get you in your home in a less destructive way. If they cannot pick the lock, then the lock will need to be broken, and they can fix the lock for you as well.

Just make sure you are ready to supply proper ID so that you can prove the home they are opening is yours

Auto Services

Similar to your home, a locksmith can get you into your car without a key. If you happened to lock your keys inside your car by accident, then a locksmith can get the door open without damaging your car.

They can also make duplicates of keys for your car. Sometimes these keys are a bit tricky to make, and typical hardware stores do not have the tools to do it themselves. A locksmith will be able to duplicate specialized keys, such as ones that have microchips in them, and can even program them to your car.

Rekeying Services

If you own a small business and recently had an employee leave your company, it is a smart idea to change the locks to your building. While you could go out and buy new deadbolts to replace all your locks, it is much easier and cheaper to have a locksmith change the locks for you.

Rekeying is not just handy for businesses, but for your home too. If you have a different key for each door of your home, it can be nice to simplify everything down to a single key.

Broken Keys

If a key happens to break off inside a lock, the lock is not ruined forever. A locksmith can help you extract a broken key from the lock, and even make you a brand new key. This can come in handy for things such as bike locks, which have no alternate way to open the lock if the key is broken inside it.

By knowing a good locksmith before an emergency happens, you will have someone you can trust to help you out when you do not have the time to do research. For more information, talk to companies like Edmonton Lock & Safe Inc.

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Measure Your Yard

Before you can even purchase the sprinkler system, you need to know the length and width of your yard. This measurement will help you choose sprinkler heads that are the right size. This allows for even coverage so you can avoid dry spots in your lawn.

Know the Sprinkler’s Radius

After you measure your lawn, look into the different sprinkler sizes. Most companies will list the radius for the sprinkler, which will give you the distance the water will travel over your lawn. For example, if it has a radius of 15 feet then the water will reach 15 feet from the sprinkler head.

You can also find products that have an adjustable radius, which means you can change the distance that the water will travel. However, you cannot reduce the distance by more than 50 percent because it affects the performance of the sprinkler head. When you reduce the radius it can cause a buildup of pressure in the irrigation system, which could lead to broken or burst waterlines.

Space Them Appropriately

Before you install your new watering system, it is important to consider the distance between each sprinkler head. If you space them too far apart, you will end up with dry spots in your lawn. You also want to remember that most sprinklers have a 360-degree radius, so you do not want to place them too close to your driveway, walkway or home.

The best method for spacing out your sprinklers is to make sure that the spray from one will hit all of the sprinklers around it. This is known as head-to-head space, since you are trying to get the water from one sprinkler to hit the other ones. Using this method will give you even coverage, so that each area has the correct amount of water.

When you want to install a new irrigation system to water your lawn and gardens, it is important to place them in the correct spots. Taking some time and making a plan will help you pick the right system for watering your yard throughout the year. Contact a group like Spring Showers for more information.

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Independent Living Homes

These homes are similar to apartments or condominiums. There may be one or more buildings in the complex, but they are all senior living buildings, so they may have an age requirement such as 55 years and up.

While some apartments may be furnished, this option is the one most likely to allow residents to fully furnish their own apartment and to bring as much of their own furniture as they would like.

Residents have their own kitchens and provide for their own meals. Some facilities may have a nice dining room with meal options such as daily lunch.

Units usually include items like smoke alarms and basic window treatments. Residents are expected to provide their own dishware, cookware, linens, furniture, and furnishings.

This type of retirement home operates much like a traditional apartment building.

Assisted Living

Assisted living units are for residents who are able to care for themselves, but who may need a little additional assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). They may need assistance with bathing, dressing, or very light meal preparation. However, for the most part, the residents have a great deal of independence and autonomy.

If anything, residents can at least get a daily safety check from a staff member, which can provide peace of mind for residents and their loved ones.

Nursing Homes

These homes provide 24-hour care for people who are there on a long-term basis. For some residents, they may be permanent housing. One disadvantage is that, unlike independent and assisted living units, it isn’t always possible for couples to room together at first.

Some people are sent to live at a nursing home while they recover from an illness such as a stroke, an injury, or from surgery. These temporary long-term residents may need full-time care help with bathing, dressing, medications, and various forms of physical and/or occupational therapy.

Combination Facilities

By researching what is available in your area, you may find some facilities that offer all of the above living options all on one campus. This can make it much easier on residents and their families when the time comes for a resident to require more assistance with daily living activities. It’s much less complicated both logistically and for paperwork records to move a resident from an assisted living wing or building over to a nursing unit.

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