Water bath canning for beginners is growing in popularity. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people have discovered (or rediscovered) backyard gardening. The result is more gardeners growing more fruits and vegetables. With a bounty of new homegrown produce, these new gardeners now want to know how to preserve their harvests. Preserving fresh fruits and vegetables is commonly known as “canning.” Most people do their canning in glass jars, such as the canning jars from companies such as Ball and Mason. The most familiar type of canning is what is known as a water bath canning. Water bath canning for beginners starts with cooking the fruits or vegetables according to USDA directions. The put the cooked produce in canning jars and process it in a water bath. It sounds a bit complicated, but it really isn’t at all. When I was growing up, the produce from the garden was harvested. Then my mother and grandmother spent days cutting up the fruits and vegetables. Next, the … [Read more...] about Water Bath Canning for Beginners
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How to Make Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular and useful plants grown in the garden. Many gardeners ask me how to make lavender essential oil, which can be used in so many ways. But there are so many wonderful uses for homegrown lavender. In this story, I will give you my recipe for how to make lavender essential oil. I will also give you nine more easy ways to use fresh homegrown lavender. These range from culinary uses, medicinal remedies, and a wide variety of household uses. Start Here: How to Make Lavender Essential Oil It’s quite easy to make lavender essential oil. For my homemade version, I do this: First, harvest the fresh lavender from the garden. Cut and dry enough lavender to make at least 1 ounce of dried lavender. (To dry, hang the cut flowers upside down in a dry, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks.) When the flowers have dried, put the dried lavender flowers in a clean glass jar. Next, infuse the flowers. Pour coconut oil over the dried lavender in the glass jar … [Read more...] about How to Make Lavender Essential Oil
Tips for Visiting Open Houses
Attending open houses is essential when you are looking to buy a home. Going to open houses can be intimidating. But visiting homes for sale is an extremely important part of deciding what house is right for you. Open houses offer great opportunities to see what home features you like. Here are the tips for visiting open houses. Have a Plan for the Open House Our tips for visiting open houses begins with a plan. When you are house hunting, be sure to time-block your open house visits. If you find one open house you’re interested in, check for any other events happening in the same area, so you can view multiple homes in one day. For example, if you are searching for Memphis houses for sale , a quick Google search for open houses will give you quite a few in the area. Follow the Open House Rules If an open house is scheduled from 12 to 4 p.m., don’t show up at 11:30 a.m. and barge right in. Also, don’t arrive at 3:59 p.m. and expect to be welcomed for a … [Read more...] about Tips for Visiting Open Houses
A Guide to the Best Smart Thermostats
The best smart thermostats make your life easier and more comfortable. Plus, you will save money and energy. It’s as simple as that. After all, you want your house to be cool on a sweltering summer day. You also want to be warm and cozy when the winter winds blow. The last thing you want to do is crawl out from under the covers to turn up the heat. Or, be forced to walk across a hot house to turn up the air conditioner. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a smart thermostat so you could adjust your home’s temperatures from your smart phone? That’s now an option—thanks to programmable smart thermostats. Here are some of the basic things to know before buying a smart thermostat. Keep reading for our guide to the best smart thermostats that includes reviews of the best Wi-Fi thermostats to buy now. What Is a Smart Thermostat? A smart thermostat connects to Wi-Fi and automatically adjusts the heating and cooling temperatures inside your house for optimal performance. You can … [Read more...] about A Guide to the Best Smart Thermostats
Make a Perfect Dried Flower Wreath from Your Old Bouquets
Making a dried flower wreath is an attractive way to repurpose old floral bouquets into something new and functional. Whether you use your wedding bouquet, an arrangement from another important occasion or cut flowers from your garden, your old flowers and this simple DIY project will unleash your creativity. Plus, we guarantee you will have fun! Here are some helpful tips so that you can make a perfect dried flower wreath from your old bouquets. Choose Your Dried Flower Wreath Florals Start by looking at your bouquet and determining which flowers and greenery are best for your project. You may decide that a few flowers have started to fall apart over time, and they aren't right for your display. If that's the case, work with what you have and choose the best-looking pieces for your wreath. Consider adding greenery or grasses to your arrangement to give the flowers a fuller, more inviting look. Pampas grass and dried flax are two popular options for dried flower … [Read more...] about Make a Perfect Dried Flower Wreath from Your Old Bouquets
