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The joy of collecting cookie jars has expanded to people of all ages. Because of the wide variety of jars that exist, there are styles to accommodate any person’s tastes. Many online retailers hope to accommodate shoppers with their large selection of cookie jars collectibles.

From character cookie jars with Elvis Presley to Winnie the Pooh and Betty Boop, a large range of collectible cookie jars are on the market for any collector. Holiday inspired cookie jars exist as well with Santa styles and candy cane designs. This wide representation of various cookie jars defines the large variety of cookie jars in the market.

Character cookie jars

Character cookie jars have been created for every type of buyers. Whether it’s for a child with Blues Clues, Cat in the Hat or the Grinch (Dr. Seuss related), Disney characters or Harry Potters, a character cookie jar can be found for any young one in your life. Or perhaps you are looking for old time character cookie jars with characters such as Betty Boop, The Flintstones, Garfield, Looney Tunes or the Pink Panther.

Memorabilia cookie jars

The constant demand for collector’s vintage Coke memorabilia makes collecting more exciting for cookie jars collectors. Coca Cola cookie jars are created with different styles and personal preferences in mind. The result is a large selection of various types to satisfy the need of every cookie jar collector.

Animal cookie jars

Animal cookie jars have been created for every animal lover. Whether it’s a pig, rooster, pug dog, cat or bear, animal cookie jars exist with your favorite animal. Many animal cookie jars include popular characters in pop culture. Garfield the Cat and Snoopy the dog, either animal character jars is sure to fit the needs of an animal lover in your life.

Cookie Jars Etc attempts to offer a large range of character, animal, themed and memorabilia cookie jars to fit the needs of every aged collector. From vintage Coca-Cola styles to Warner-Bros-related character cookie jars, the smile on your face when you find exactly what you’re looking for on Cookie Jars Etc is our greatest reward.

[tags]cookie,jar,jars,collecting,collectible,collectors,elvise,coca cola,memorabilia,betty boop,kitchen[/tags]

When gardening, sooner or later you will hear about garden rooms and decide you would like to try creating one or two or more. But just what does it mean to have a garden room? How do you create garden rooms?

Basically, a garden room is simply taking the yard around your home and splitting it up into areas that we call rooms. These rooms usually have something that distinguishes them from other areas of your gardening.

You may find that these garden rooms almost make themselves. Perhaps your yard has an open sunny area out back where the children play but over in a corner or around on the side, it is very shaded. Each of these areas would want different flowers and plants and should be treated differently. Hey, you already have two garden rooms.

The sunny area where the kids already play would be perfect for a children’s play area. With an open expanse of lawn, maybe a play gym and surrounded by flowerbeds filled with brightly colored sun-loving plants that brighten the area even further, it would certainly attract the children.

That shaded area nestled around the corner would be perfect to create an adult hideaway with various shade-loving plants. Add a water feature for soothing sounds and very comfortable chairs and you have the perfect spot to relax in. Add in any accessories that increases that feeling of relaxation for you and you will have a garden room your neighbors will envy.

How do we create these gardening areas? You simply divide the area from the rest of your yard by various means. These means can be trellises, different types of plantings, putting in hardscape features, etc.

You may find that your yard lends itself to logical divisions into garden rooms by the breaks that naturally appear. A side area in the shade, a low wet spot in some mottled shade and the sunny expanse of yard (much like discussed above) can logically be considered three different rooms.

If you have a home on a long narrow lot, you might want to try dividing that up by the means of different plantings of shrubs and trees or hardscape such as a fence or wall with a doorway. Perhaps plant the back area with trees to eventually create a woodland type setting. Use different types of trees to provide you with a different show as the seasons pass. Put in a rock garden or water garden closer to the house.

You could even create one around your patio and pick a special theme such as Mexican or French country. Use the proper furniture and accessories to bring this theme to life. Then add in flowers in appropriate colors for your theme in containers to accent this themed garden room.

How you create garden rooms and what they consist of is only limited by your imagination. Feel free to experiment. Create a rose garden room or a butterfly garden room. Maybe create a room that consists of only white flowers or one with only scented plants. And don’t forget the accessories that allow you to sit and enjoy the gardens you have created.

Copyright 2006, Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Looking for more articles on Garden Rooms? Discover all kinds of information about Flower Gardens at our site, http://flowergardenlovers.com/. Read about shade, water, wildflower, rose, and butterfly gardens, gardening tips, and more.

[tags]garden room, garden rooms, garden, gardening[/tags]

Problems with transplanting:

Once a homeowner decides to add a new tree or shrub to their landscape there are several factors to consider when doing this. Three of the most important factors are selection of the plant, where they will plant, and the actual process of planting the new addition. Trees and shrubs not planted correctly will show signs of slow growth, poor colour, decline and or may grow too large for the location you have chosen.

Selection:

Many times a homeowner will be tempted to use a lower priced tree or shrub. Often these plants will have an underdeveloped root structure that is unable to support the plant. The root structure may be overgrown from being in a container too long. It may have broken branches or damaged bark. Ensure the plant is suited for the hardiness zone you live in. Check with a local nursery if you are unsure of which zone you live in. If you choose a tree or shrub that will outgrow the location you have chosen, move it to another location. Try to imagine what the plant will look like in 15-20 years, this will aid in your selection of location. By doing this you will cut down on the need for excessive pruning in later years. Generally trees and shrubs of poorer quality will be slow to establish themselves, they will exhibit signs of reduced vigor, die-back, and poor growth.

Choosing your site:

Characteristics of a location will also contribute to transplant problems. Almost all trees and shrubs need a well-drained soil that is moist. Many areas within an urban environment are poorly drained. The soil pH level may be unsuitable for the tree or shrub you have selected. Most trees and shrubs also require a specific sun and shade schedule. A poorly chosen site will affect a tree or shrub in many ways. Poor growth, and or poor colour will occur. Generally speaking trees and shrubs in poor locations will also not respond favourably to a good fertilizer program or good cultural practices.

How to plant:

By planting incorrectly you dramatically increase the chance of your new tree or shrub failing. Several things that can go wrong are as follows. Many times the homeowner will plant too deep or too shallow. By planting too deep you have a good chance of suffocating the roots. This is caused by oxygen deprivation. Planting too shallow can cause exposure of the root structure. This will cause drying out of the root system and kill the plant. Watering improperly is another problem encountered by the homeowner.

By watering too much you run the risk of root decay or you have the potential to drown the roots. By watering too little the plant becomes stressed and could eventually die. Leaving wire, string, rope, or burlap on the plant can encourage girdling which can eventually kill the plant in later years. Improper staking can cause the plant to be blown over in severe weather. If you leave the staking material on too long you once again run the risk of girdling.

Solving the problem:

When you are planting your new tree or shrub ensure you correct as many of these problems as possible. Do not purchase plants with poorly developed root structures. Ensure the plant is compatible with the zone in which you live. Solve any drainage and pH problems before you transplant your new addition. Remove all burlap, wire, string, or rope that has the potential to cause girdling in later years. Make sure you plant at the proper depth. Generally you do this so the top roots are just covered by soil. Water deeply and infrequently. This will encourage your new plant to develop deep roots that will aid in stability in the years to come. Water slowly as this will enable more moisture to be taken in by the plant. Watering quickly causes run-off and is just wasting your time and money. Stake your plant if it is in an exposed area to wind.

Remember to remove the stakes and wire in the second year to prevent girdling. Use a good fertilization program throughout the life of your new additions. Water and prune correctly. By alleviating these problems you will ensure the good health and appearance of your new trees or shrubs.

Paul is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the province of Alberta, Canada. He has over 15 years experience in the lawn care industry.

For more lawn care information, please visit http://www.fairyring.ca/

[tags]landscape,landscaping,gardening,gardening tips,planting season,planting,planting tip[/tags]

The origin of the futon mattress is very interesting. The Japanese have a rich heritage and culture, and it is most common for them to sleep on a futon mattress laid on the floor, although many Japanese today sleep in beds. The western lifestyle calls the small couch that turns into a bed futon, but it is much different than the traditional Japanese futon. The futon mattress in Japan is made up of three traditional components, kakebuton (comforters), shikibuton (under futon), and the pillow, which is called the makura. Wrapped in shikifu (sheets), the shikibuton is stuffed with cotton batting. They use different types of futons depending on the season, with heavier ones in the winter and light ones in the summer.

The light futon mattress is made from down feathers and is very comfortable, but also the most expensive. The kakebuton cover goes over the kakebuton, more commonly named futon cover in North America. A traditional Japanese pillow is filled with buckwheat chaff and red beans and is called the makura. They store their bed during the day in a closet called the oshiire, that is divided into two shelves and usually has sliding doors. Because Japanese homes are small, they usually keep the futon mattress on the upper shelf in the oshiire closet as the room is usually used for dual purposes. The Japanese are masters at living in small spaces. When the futon is stored during the day, the room can be used as a guest room or workroom.

They air their futon cover and futon often and usually place them in the direct sun to keep them dry and fresh. If left on the floor too long or in the closet too long, it could be ruined. A product that is commonly used in Japan to dry futons is referred to as a futon kansouki. It is placed between the Kakebuton and the shikibuton while it is spread out on the floor. When the futon mattress is aired regularly it helps you sleep well. The Japanese also claim that sleeping on the floor is better for the back than sleeping on a soft bed. In Japan, people who have back problems, most commonly sleep on the floor.

By Terry Price- The sealy mattress can offer you a tradition of cutting-edge technology, along with a heritage of providing people like you with a great night’s sleep! http://www.mattressbedsfutons.com/sealy-mattress.html or how about something from Serta, another leader in mattress products! http://www.mattressbedsfutons.com/serta-mattress.html

[tags]futon mattress, futon cover[/tags]

Could you help me? My home is heated by (gasp) hot water heated by electric boiler. Where could I get a lead on a gas boiler that is not going to bust the bank. Can one be bought used? We already have gas service for our hot water heater and clothes dryer. We look forward to getting a gas range… but the most economic thing is to get that boiler changed. Is there a market for used electric boilers? Any advice or opinion will be appreciated. Thanks.

There are some options… (prices are only “ball park” and are dependant on the size of your house)

1. You could purchase a gas boiler and have it installed for $3500(+), or

2. There is a new type of gas water heater, which has a heat exchanger built-in, to provide heating water. These start at about $2800 and of course, this option might only be practical if your existing water heater is older, or rented - otherwise you’d have a used water heater to dispose of, as well as your electric boiler, or

3. You could rent either of the above for a lesser amount, the difference being recouped within your rental agreement.

4. If your electric unit is in good shape, it might be suitable for someone in a rural location, where there’s no gas service available - but overall, they’re not a popular item these days.

5. There’s a slim chance that you might find a used gas boiler, but not the water heater combo-unit, as they are brand new on the market. Unfortunately, your electric unit cannot be retrofitted to gas.

6. Heating suppliers can give you more specific information on product lines and installed prices.

Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights reserved.

Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.

“The Home Reference Book”
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won’t find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It’s the first tool you should have around the house!

[tags]home improvement,home renovation,home inspection,gas boiler,electric boiler,HVAC,boilers[/tags]

Few of us have any trouble imagining a spot to place a premium Adirondack chair on the outside of our home. Common to patios and other traditional outdoor gathering areas, the quality and comfort of quality Adirondack chairs is world renown. While originally created to enjoy outdoor mountainous views, the same comfort provided by premium Adirondack chairs for the exterior of your home can also be enjoyed year round when you decorate the interior of your house with them as well.

Perfect for the living room on stormy nights, or when the weather is too cold to enjoy the outdoors properly, Adirondack furniture can be placed aside floor-to-ceiling windows or a sliding glass door for the same spectacular view and relaxation. Children’s rooms are also brightened with a colorful child-sized Adirondack that will be sure to add some sophistication and refinement to the d

Remember when you were a little girl or boy and you did a school project with pen pals? Do you ever wish you could undertake that hobby again?

About a month ago I was re-introduced to this craft. However, instead of your everyday pen pal relationships where one writes another a letter I found an underground world that is both fascinating and creative–A world of art and collectors.

It is a world filled with its own language - filled with others just like myself who are addicted to snail-mail. I joined a pen pal group and was surrounded by code - FBs, Slams, Crams, Decos, FSS, NSW, NPW, etc I started researching what all this code meant and started a wee web site of definitions.

Decos or Decorated Friendship Books are by far my newfound obsession. I really find that my artistic juices flow through swapping these with other moms across the world. I have been involved with swapping these for less than 2 months and have already received mail from Sweden, Germany, Spain, Estonia, and Russia. It is really exciting to find new pen pals from different cultures and to see how they decorate the book.

Friendship books are little booklets of paper no more than 4 pages thick that are swapped among pen pals. When you receive one, you sign it with your name and address and note whether you are seeking new pen pals or swappers. A FSS or Friendship Sheet is the same as a Friendship book but done on 1 sheet of paper. A Cram is a small piece of paper that is used as a friendship sheet however you gather as many pen pals on your small piece of paper before sending it back to its owner.

All the above are used as a means to gather more friends and/or to get to know your friends better. A Slam, unlike a friendship book, is a booklet filled with questions you’d like to know about your pen pals. These are not the hate-filled books of high school.

Sara Duggan is a mom of 2 boys and married to her soulmate of 11 years. She enjoys crocheting and writing in her spare time. For more information on Penpaling visit http://mommie-care.com/Friendshipbooks

[tags]penpal,decos,crams,friendship books, writing, letters, friends, relationships, creative,decorate[/tags]

Do you need to save some time in the kitchen, but are not quite ready to tackle a lot of freezer cooking just yet? Here are some shortcuts that work for my family, and might just fit with your family, too.

Most of the meals my family eats start with the basics, like chicken and beef. A lot of grocery stores lower the per-pound price on meat when you buy in larger quantities. I buy 5 pounds of beef and 3 pounds of chicken at a time. All 5 pounds of beef get thrown in a pot and cooked while I’m cooking dinner that evening. The chicken also gets diced up and cooked. I then divide the beef into sandwich bags, 2 cups each. The chicken gets divided into approximately 1

A beautiful hardwood floor is an asset to almost any home, and more and more homeowners are using hardwood floors to bring warmth and style to their home. But once you have a beautiful wood floor installed, what can you do to make sure that it stays looking gorgeous for years to come?

The very first thing you should know about hardwood floors is that water is one of its worst enemies. So if any spills take place, be sure to clean them up as soon as you possibly can. In fact, it may be a good idea not only to wipe out the spill, but also use a wet/dry vacuum to make sure that you get all of the moisture out of the floor.

That also means that when you are cleaning your floor with a mop, it’s best to use a very dry damp mop that will not leave any excess water on the floor that can seep into the seams and cause problems.

To avoid the moisture problem, most often it’s best to either sweep your wood floors or vacuum them instead. Sweeping should always be done with a very soft bristle broom, and whenever you vacuum be sure that it is set properly for use on would floors. Do not try to use the same setting for your carpet on your wood floors too.

Much damage can also be inflicted on a wood floor from moving objects across the floor. From time to time we all move furniture around, but on a wood floor you have to think very carefully before making the move. You never want to drag furniture across the floor, as this is an excellent way to badly damage and mar your floor. If you have to move furniture in the room where your wood floor is located, be sure to take the furniture up off the floor when moving, or use special furniture pads that will allow you to glide the furniture across the floor without leaving a mark.

Keeping dirt, sand, and grit off your floor will be very important. So the proper use of carpeting can really help extend the life of a wood floor. Using a floor mat at each entrance will help catch dirt and grit as a person walks into the room instead of depositing it on the hardwood floor. In addition, using area rugs and runners can be another very effective first line of defense against harmful abrasive materials that can wear down the beauty and shine of even the best wood floor. And be sure to keep your rugs and runners well vacuumed.

If at all possible, try to keep family and visitors from wearing shoes, or especially high heels on hardwood floors, as these can easily do damage and cause dents.

Finally, a good practice is to install furniture pads underneath the legs of any chairs or tables that are placed on your wood floor. They are usually readily available at most home improvement stores or hardware stores and are very inexpensive. That they can go a long way toward protecting your wood floors from unnecessary damage.

None of these suggestions are hard to follow, or will cost very much to implement. But if you put them in practice on a regular basis, you can expect to see your wood floors continue to look bright, shiny, and beautiful for many years to come.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find the best laminate flooring and cheap laminate flooring by visiting our Home Improvement website.

[tags]home improvement, home repair, flooring, ceramic tile, wood floor, remodeling[/tags]

Home Decorating and even holiday decorating are more a testament to our continuing affluence than anything. Back in

years gone by, our homes were considered places to stay and live, not as an extension of our own personalities. Back

then, homes were also built all as custom homes, that is, the age of the tract housing boom had not yet taken root. Therefore, even if the older homes were not as lavishly decorated, they still maintained a level of distinction due to the custom building of that era.

Moving into the late 20th century, WW-2 had just ended and dropped a lot of young men and women back into the country with new found abilities to afford their own homes via the GI bill. This huge demand caused the housing booms that resulted all cross the country. The good thing was that these homes were inexpensive but the negative was that the tract home was born. thousands of cookie cutter sameness soon dotted the land almost everywhere people were interested in living. This in turn drove the need for some type of distinction to make the new homes somehow different and a statement of their new owners. The age of home decorating had finally come to the working class.

A home is cozier and more comfortable than any other place. We build our homes with the utmost care and sincerity. After all, it is a place where we spend most of our lives. Home decorating means a lot to the owner. It also demands hard work and devotion, as it is not an easy task. Decorating includes both the interior as well as exterior aspects.

Initially, home decorating started off simply as changing the paint or wallpaper but has led to a boom in furnishings, artwork, collectibles and even flooring materials. Just the range of available flooring options is incredible. You can choose from marble, granite tiles, bricks, slates, concrete, or steel. To add more color, suitable carpets can be spread. Rugs can be used to complement them. So before, basic flooring was acceptable, in our quest for making our home truly ours, we have needed to remodel, rebuild, rework and otherwise redesign almost everything in our homes.

Walls, pillars, and other standouts can be decorated using artifacts, paintings or wall hangings. Modern art is becoming a common choice. And it’s not just the living room, but every part of the home now gets the star treatment. This includes, new rooms for babies, teens, young adults, toddlers and children.

In the end, what we really want is to open the door after a hard days work and say….Home at Last!

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects that affect families today. For more nformation on decorating your home visit http://www.decorating.homedecoratingideas.org

[tags]home decorating,decorating the home,bedroom decorating,baby room,home decorating living room,home de[/tags]