Homes Plus
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HOMES PLUS DECEMBER 2015 4 gardeners, is our primary goal. It also imparted a sense of serenity I can't explain. Nature seemed to be embracing the snow as it fell, receiving it like a warm blanket on a cold night. There was an overwhelming peace that seemed to fill the air. When we returned home, there was still no snow. But now, I was eagerly awaiting the first snowfall. I knew it was only a matter of time. When we did receive our first snowfall I sat back and watched my gardens transform right in front of my eyes. I now realize I couldn't live without the winter landscape. So next time it snows, look outside at your landscape. If it doesn't excite you, look at adding some plants that will make it come alive. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is a horticulturalist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia.) 246915004 "Quality Conscious, Customer Focused ... Every Job, Every Day" 7945 Harwood Ave. Wauwatosa,WI 53213 office@milestoneplumbinginc.com www.milestoneplumbinginc.com Office: 414.988.4565 MP#998631 247504002 247106001 247504004 15 BRIGHTER CONCEPTS BrighterConceptsLtd.com 414-332-8865 steve@brighterconceptsltd.com 247587001 For All of Your Home Needs For All of Your Home Needs Nature: At rest (StatePoint) — Rather than worry about the hassle of hosting this holiday season, prepare for visitors and entertaining with these tips and tricks. Get a fresh start Trying to prepare everything at the last minute when guests are knocking at your door creates unwanted stress. Instead, clean and prep the house a few days in advance. Quickly turn chores to checks on your to-do list. For example, use a dab of glue to fix the pesky towel rod in the powder room that keeps coming loose, or to repair broken han- dles on drawers and cabinets. While you're making home improvements here and there, get organized for holiday guests by relocating your own coats from the hall closets, leaving room for your visitors' winter gear. If your guests are bringing appetizers or cocktails, clean out the fridge in advance to have ample storage space. Don't buy it, DIY it Tired of hanging the same wreath on your door year after year? Create a new, modern focal point that can be used for multiple occasions. Spray paint a wooden wreath form and mini clothespins silver and gold. Once dry, adhere the clothespins to the wreath form in varying layers. Use an adhe- sive that dries instantly and won't leave you with messy glue gun strands, which will give you time to decorate the rest of your home, rather than cleaning up your crafting space. By flipping a few of the clothespins around on the outside, you can attach pic- tures of friends and family or holiday cards to create an eye-catching display. Make a game plan Seemingly daunting tasks can be fun if you're strategic and give yourself time to do them right. When it comes to shopping for your main course, avoid weekend crowds. The day of your event, set the table in the morning so that unforeseen events or last- minute stops won't throw you off course. Deck the dinner table Rather than spending time and money shopping for expensive decor for each upcoming party, create your own one-of-a- kind centerpieces and place settings. Add flair to your tablescape by affixing decora- tive gems or outdoor sprigs onto napkin rings and handwritten name cards. A glue pen designed for delicate tasks, such as Krazy Glue's Precision Control Pen, is easy to hold and dries instantly. Holiday entertaining without the hassle Continued from Page 3