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DECEMBER 2016 HOMES PLUS 7 Fo r m o re i n fo r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t B e t h Wa l s h a t 414 . 3 3 3 . 5 8 5 3 o r v i s i t w w w. Fox L a k e Vi l l a g e . c o m 2 5 2 3 6 2 0 0 3 Speculative Homes Under Construction Now 52 New Lots Available in 2016! Hurry! $5,000 Construction Discount for Lots Reserved Prior to 12/31/16 • 23-acre water feature • Fully improved homesites with city sewer and city water • Homesites from $86,900 and speculative home/lot packages from $406,900 • Waterfront homesites available Enjoy the best of all worlds in this community as you discover the beauty of nature, as well as the conveniences that the City of Waukesha provides. The Easton Ranch $449,900 Exceptional design prevails in this new 3BR/2BA ranch home to be ready on 2/1/17. Open concept great room/kitchen with painted cabinetry and huge island. Fully exposed basement with 9' poured walls and large windows. MLS#1497959 (StatePoint) — We all love our holiday traditions, and that includes the way we deck the halls — from special ornaments to favorite festive wreaths. However, you may be looking for ways to revamp the tried- and-true look, especially when entertain- ing friends and family. Here are some unique ideas for adding a twist to your usual holiday decorating rou- tine. Mix and match Add dynamism and vitality to your home by infusing older, vintage elements that you've had and enjoyed for years with more modern pieces that speak to you today. You can also breathe new life into these items by using them differently this year — for example, moving your favorite garland from the bannister to the mantel, or hang- ing a wreath on a wall instead of a door. Think scent When many people plan their holiday decorations, they start with visuals. Why not try mixing it up by focusing on fra- grance first? Scent is closely associated with memory, so adding holiday fragrances to your home allows you to both build new memories for future seasons and reflect on happy times in the past. For inspiration, draw on the vibrant spirit and brisk weath- er that the holidays bring. Use candles to add a finishing touch to a holiday gathering. They also make for a great host or hostess gift. Check out the new holiday fragrance lineup from Yankee Candle, which offers both classic favorites, as well as new mod- ern takes on traditional themes. Fra- grances include "All is Bright," a blend of citrus on warm musk, "Alpine Martini," a tart concoction spiked with mountain berries and fresh snipped pine, and "Christmas Thyme," a lemongrass and thyme scent that's mingled with sandal- wood and musk. For holiday inspiration, visit www.YankeeCandle.com. Get cozy Incorporate wintry throw pillows, quilts and blankets into living areas. Fabrics like table runners and tapestries can also add warmth around the house. Crank up the fireplace. Be sure that all your efforts work to combat the brisk season with a touch of coziness. Beautiful tablescapes When hosting guests, don't just set the table, create an impressive and unforget- table tablescape. One sleek and modern way to do so is to add candles, tumblers, vases, ornamental table toppers, fresh greens and seasonal flowers. Tumbler candles, such as those from Yankee Candle, come in various sizes and designs, so you can stagger the heights for eye-catching appeal. Consider using their Pure Radiance candles that feature a crackling LumiWick, creating a soothing sound that evokes a fireside. This season, add fragrance, beauty, and brightness to your home with unique twists on traditional holiday themes. How to add a twist to your holiday décor Submitted photo Candles can add to the holiday mood and complement your décor. (StatePoint) — The holiday season is a great opportunity to give those with green thumbs the tools they need to support their hobby. Here are a few thoughtful gift ideas to make the holidays brighter for the garden- ers you love. Handy items Every gardener needs top-notch tools to make regular tasks more comfortable and convenient. For example, pruning is no fun with shears that are rusted or hard to han- dle. To upgrade your gift recipient's gar- dening tool box, look for a rust-resistant stainless steel blade and a no-slip rubber grip. For safety, the shears should be able to lock into place when not in use. Gifts that keep on giving When there's a chill in the air, consider focusing your attention on gardening gifts that can be used indoors. One unique gift for a gardener of any level is an indoor garden kit, such as those from the Miracle- Gro AeroGarden line of gardens. Hydroponic gardens like the AeroGar- den grow fresh herbs, vegetables and flow- ers in water, not soil. And they actually grow five times faster than soil gardens. Automated LED lights and reminders to add water make growing fun for seasoned gardeners and easy for even those with no gardening experience. Well-suited for a kitchen countertop, this is a safe, healthy and easy way to grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round. To learn more visit AeroGarden.com. Enjoy the results Half the fun of gardening is reaping the benefits of one's labor. Help gardeners turn their harvest into something deli- cious. An herb chopper makes a great stocking stuffer. To speed up herb prepara- tion and help gardeners avoid bruising the leaves they worked so hard to grow, look for one with multiple rounded blades. Another great gift for herb and vegetable gardeners is a salad dressing maker that has pre-marked settings for oil, vinegar and herbs, which can take the guess work out of meal preparation during busy week nights. With a few creative ideas, it's easy to make a gardener smile this holiday season. Fun and practical gifts for gardeners of all levels

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