It has been a stellar year for celestial events. One of the most thrilling took place in April, when we were directly in the path of a total solar eclipse. Fortunately, the skies were clear, and we got a breathtaking show when the Earth temporarily blocked the sun. I hope you were able to experience it.
Hardwood floors are coveted features in many homes. The National Wood Flooring Association says wood floors are the most environmentally friendly flooring options available. In the United States, the hardwood forests that provide flooring products are growing twice as fast as they are being harvested. Furthermore, wood floors can last for many generations and require fewer raw materials to produce than other flooring options. That means less waste may end up in landfills.
Home improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional.
Here is reprint of a previous column.
This was adapted from a Randall Reeder article, Retired OSU Extension Engineer at Ohio State University. Most farmers would like to leave their farm in better shape than when they started. The question is: What does that mean? You never hear a farmer brag about making their farm worse. What does it mean to make a farm better when you retire from farming?
There are many reasons homeowners consider adding a room to their current homes. Some outgrow an existing space, while others take up new hobbies or have different needs that were not apparent when purchasing the home. Indeed, a room addition can remedy a host of issues affecting a home.
We have been enjoying the last few weeks of beautiful weather. It cools off at nighttime making it great sleeping weather as well. I canned more V-8 last week, but the garden season is slowing down. I have red beets yet to can into pickled beets. Also, another round of tomatoes that I will can into tomato chunks. Hopefully I can make a big pot of vegetable soup to process into jars. That is always an easy meal when you are in a hurry and time is limited. I have lots of big bags of mixed vegetables left in the freezer from daughter Verena’s wedding so that will be a good way to use those up as well. Grandson Denzel, 3, spent the day with me Friday while Dustin, Loretta, Byron, 2, and Kylie, 8 months went to appointments. Denzel was so proud that he could be here alone. He sure was fun to have around. When Grandpa Joe came home he ran out to greet him chattering away. When Dustin and Loretta came back for him, Byron comes running to hug Denzel. So sweet and precious. Last week we were invited to the wedding of Alan and Brianna. We were unable to attend but we wish them many happy, healthy years together. May God bless them richly. Alan is a co-worker to Joe at the metal and truss shop. Yesterday our church had council meeting (rule church) at our neighbors. Little 4-week-old Brooklyn made her first appearance in church. She did very good and seemed to love the singing. She is 7 pounds now and little Sharlene (daughter Susan and Ervin) weighs 10 pounds. Tomorrow daughter Elizabeth is hosting a Pampered Chef Shower for daughter Verena. It will be held in Verena’s “house”. It will be fun to have the babies both there. Niece Emma will probably be there with her baby Micheal as well. Last week all my daughters spent a day at Verena’s to help her clean windows etc. for the upcoming shower. Sister Verena left on Saturday for Hamilton, Indiana to spend some time with sister Liz and Levi. They are moving into their new house since they had their final inspection okayed. I am eager to see where they live now. One of these days we might get around to go see where it is. It is only over an hour from here, but life is so busy it seems. After church services yesterday, Dustin, Loretta and children, Daniel, Lovina and baby Brooklyn, and Daniel Ray and Verena came here for popcorn. They ended up eating supper before heading for home. Kylie is crawling all over so we had to make sure she doesn’t find any popcorn that was dropped on the floor. I remember so well when my children would start crawling that the first thing I did in the mornings before turning them loose was sweep the floors and make sure everything was childproof. It is so funny how they can spot the smallest crumb or toy on the floor. Joe is driving our 2-year-old horse Jett every night he gets a chance. He seems to be getting more used to all the different things beside the road. Joe likes to drive him on different roads to get him used to other areas. One night a dog came running out, scaring Jett and he dived into the ditch. Fortunately, it wasn’t a deep ditch and Joe could drive him out of it and back on the road. On Saturday Joe drove him to daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s house for a longer ride. Cabbage is in abundance now, so I am sharing a delicious soup that calls for cabbage. For more pictures go to my Facebook page, Lovina’s Amish Kitchen.
August and September have been dry with higher-than-normal day time temperatures prevailing. Crops are drying down quick so harvest may be early. All that dry tinder may create fire hazards when harvest equipment starts rolling.
Monday of last week was a beautiful day. It had an early fall feel to it, just as it should, with cooler temperatures and bright blue skies. You know, the kind that provide the perfect backdrop to dramatic blooms like sunflowers.