What no one ever told me on Pinterest
First
of all, I love Pinterest, it's amazing. Pinterest has so many different ideas
for me on a daily basis, from outfits to dinners. However, sometimes Pinterest
makes things look a lot easier than they actually are. Learn from my naive
mistakes. Here are some of the hard truths that no one wants to talk about.
Chalkboard art...
You can't use regular
dry chalk on your cute chalkboard. Regular chalk will wipe away even with a
slight breeze, and won't show up brightly. You will spend time going over and over
your chalk lines to make them brighter, and not even realize that your new
marks begin to erase your previous marks. You will need liquid chalk markers!
Liquid chalk will make it cleaner and brighter. You can find liquid chalk
markers at your local craft store.
Mason Jars.... are
expensive.
If
I could put 3,000 mason jars around my house I would! I think they are so
beautiful and Pinterest has so many fun crafts you can do with them. However,
the going rate per pack is, at least, $14 in stores. So if you think they would
make a great wedding favor, be sure to check the prices before you fall in love
with a cute mason jar craft idea. Also, it looks easy to tie bows around them
and fill them with chocolate powders. It's not, it takes a lot of time. So be
ready to invest yourself
Sharpie Mugs.....
You
can't use your regular Sharpies for your ceramic mug art. So don't go and grab
whatever you find from your desk. You need a special oil-based paint Sharpie
marker. Otherwise, your cute baked design will be gone in 1-2 washes in the
sink or dishwasher. You can find oil-based paint Sharpies at your local craft
store.
Exact ingredients in
recipes...
Don't just say
"Brown sugar" that doesn't help anyone. In a recipe, we need all
measurements to be clear and labeled. A miscalculated measurement could change
the entire flavor or chemistry of a dessert. So be sure to read through the
recipe entirely before beginning, and use your best judgment to either solve
the problem yourself or find a new recipe.
So
my friends go now and make all of your Pinterest dreams come true. However
don't be like me, know that all things that look easy usually aren't. In the
end, the most important thing is to have fun while making your DIY pin-craft.
Because really isn't that what it's all about?
A power outage, especially a prolonged outage in cold weather, has a funny way of helping shape the way you see the world. Snazzy tools that allow you to live on your terms, at the push of a button; DVR, wifi thermostat, and internet connection to the world - are all useless without electricity. Before picking up a new flat screen or the latest home automation gadget – consider a generator system.
Finding a home generator system begins by developing a basic understanding of your needs. In other words, how much power is required to make the home comfortable during an outage? Well pumps and electric heat systems, for example require more wattage to run.
Before calling a licensed electrician, decide what you can live without during an outage. If the house is warm, fridge is cold and a few lights are on – a smaller system could be the answer. Automated generator systems are available that power the entire home and allow for the ultimate in comfort during an outage.
With a basic understanding on power needs vs power wants, you are better equipped to hire a contractor and select the proper generator for your home.
Our generator selection guide will help as you research what generator is right for you. Common appliances along with average wattages are provided as a guide. Your power needs will vary, so use this guide to understand the process and be better informed when adding a standby power system to your home.
Like the sun rises every morning, Thursday morning will arrive just as it promises every year. Thanksgiving morning and the question always is... are you ready? Mom and Dad are there, crazy uncle Joey, and the kids. Like a well-forecasted storm, they will come charging up those front steps with eager eyes and empty bellies. Just as the predictable Thanksgiving storm approaches so does the promise of snow. Winter is just around the corner, and knowing that you must be sure that your Snow Blower is properly buttered, stuffed, browned, and ready to go.
Engine oil is the gravy to any snow blower recipe. Engine oil is a crucial ingredient to your snow blower, without engine oil your snow blower will be too dry and will break, leaving you snowed in. You can't have Thanksgiving without gravy....or stuffing for that matter which brings us to our next ingredient, shear pins. Shear pins are the stuffing, make sure that they are all intact or your blower simply won't throw snow. Snow Blower belts are the cranberry sauce. It is always good to have a couple extra belts on hand in case of emergency. Just as any Thanksgiving without extra cranberry sauce simply isn't a well planned Holiday dinner.
What is a Thanksgiving meal without a Thanksgiving dessert? There is no smell like Grandmother's famous apple pie being sliced and served around the table. Just as the warm pie fills your belly, your snow blower hand warmers spread the warmth from your fingertips to your arms. Hand warmers are Grandmother's pies, you can't imagine going a single year without them.
The Snow Blower itself, of course, is the most important item of them all, the turkey. However no matter how delicious a turkey is, it wouldn't work without all the other dishes next to it. So take care of your snow blower this season and make sure it's ready to go before the first snow fall.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe Winter
Sincerely,
your friends at ProParts Direct!
Every lawn-pro knows that transitioning seasons can be an intense project. Our step by step infographic makes shutting down summer operations and preparing for a cold winter an easy weekend project. We tackle everything from lawn to chimney cleaning so you can rest easy this winter!
Our list is broken into three sections – projects to get started on this weekend, things to complete soon, and lastly, items that only need a phone call to schedule. Your home may not require all the steps in the list, but hopefully it provides a helpful guide to getting your fall maintenance started.
