We love getting together with friends during the holidays. When entertaining at home, people always seem to gravitate to the kitchen. Everyone knows the food gets prepared in the kitchen so they end up there. Maybe it’s time to start planning your parties around the kitchen?

If you’re planning a few parties, you might also want to spruce up your kitchen decor. Why not put your time and money into small kitchen updates you can enjoy all year and decorate with food? Once you decide to design your party around the kitchen, you can pick foods that are colorful like cupcakes with red frosting, a red fruit punch, etc. With red plates, napkins and a few red bows tied around your lights or cabinet hardware, your kitchen is ready to entertain.  READ MORE

December is a busy month for almost everyone. We’ve got our regular commitments to work and family, and then we’re planning and preparing for all the year end activities. It might be tempting to take shortcuts when there isn’t enough time or maybe you’re a bit tired.

Please remember to always put safety, your personal safety as well as your family and guests, first as any type of calamity will put a damper on your holiday spirit. We’re offering you a list of simple reminders about the things or situations that can cause problems. A quick review is all you need, nothing else to add to your already busy schedule. READ MORE

After you decide where your fence will go, and the fence style you like, it’s time to review material options. As you compare fence costs, you need to include not just materials but also installation and ongoing maintenance costs. Many homeowners pick a wood fence because it’s cheaper but when you look at costs over 10 to 20 years, the cost of maintaining a wood fence might exceed the cost of vinyl.

Here we’ll share relative fence costs from chain link fencing to ornamental wrought iron and walls constructed of stone or brick. Living walls are an option depending on how you plan to use your fence and in some areas, adobe fencing is used. READ MORE