Without a doubt the iconic American bird, the turkey, majorly influences all things Thanksgiving, right down to our tabletop décor. It’s a colorful history, nearly as old as the holiday itself. When Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving an official holiday back in 1863, English potters seized the opportunity to target the growing American market by producing turkey-themed dinner plates and platters. …
Excerpts from Houston Chronicle article: “Houston area ranks No. 1 for construction job growth” Houston is hiring construction workers at a fast clip, and there’s plenty of work to keep them busy. The Houston region led the nation for construction job growth over the last 12 months, adding 25,600 jobs through October, the Associated General Contractors of America said Thursday. …
When it comes to creating delicious meals in your own kitchen, you could do it with limited space, dark lighting and minimal tools. It might take you longer, but you can do it. If you are a foodie and you specialize in making dishes that are well received by family and friends, you don’t want to deal with a bad …
Nobody likes to spend hours cleaning house during the holidays – and sometimes there are few hours to spare. Yet some people seem to have a knack for keeping their homes looking spotless even when the time spent cleaning is minimal. Country Living Magazine polled home bloggers and other busy women to come up with nine little tricks that help …
Did you know certain window coverings can provide energy savings of up to 10 percent a month? Advancements in window treatments have led to increased energy efficiency in many models manufactured today. The most energy-efficient of these include: Cellular Shades – Cellular shades are often called honeycomb shades. The shade is made of individual cells that trap air inside them and significantly …
From learning thermostats to garage-opening apps, there’s no doubt smart home devices have brought convenience to our doorstep – but we’re willing to bet many aren’t nearly as practical as they seem. Below, we’ve rounded up some recent innovations that are more oddity than necessity. Could these be the smart home solutions we never knew we needed? You be the …
Builder confidence in the market for newly constructed single-family homes rose three points in October to a level of 64 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This month’s reading is a return to HMI levels seen at the end of the housing boom in late 2005.
A little maintenance goes a long way to keep your deck safe, performing well and looking great any time of year. Just like you need an annual checkup with your doctor to ensure you’re in good health, so does your deck. While you may think spring is the time to check your deck, another ideal time is now as we …
The home loan process can seem intimidating, especially for a first-time homebuyer. It is not a simple process, but it doesn’t have to be too complicated. There are many resources available to help you prepare for your home buying journey, and your mortgage lender can answer the questions you have throughout the process. “We’re finding that many of our customers …
