You might be wondering what cactus soil is and how it differs from a regular potting mix. You might even be considering whether cactus soil is really necessary to grow happy, healthy cacti indoors. Here’s the lowdown on why cactus soil rocks (pun intended!) and why you should be using it for all of your cacti. What is Cactus Soil? Cactus soil, or cactus mix as it is sometimes referred to, is a blend of mainly inorganic materials such as sand, gravel, pumice, and/or perlite that is ideal for growing cacti and succulents thanks to its superior drainage....

The stems are bright green and tinted with red on young camphor trees. At maturity the trunk takes on an oak-like appearance. Insignificant flowers appear in spring followed by black drupes. Leaves produce a camphor scent when bruised. The sprawling form and attractive bark, combined with its lingering black drupes and glossy evergreen leaves, make this tree an excellent choice for winter interest in the landscape. The drupes provide food for birds and other wildlife especially when other natural food sources are spent....

Getting a great night’s sleep is one of life’s best pleasures—just ask anyone sleeping on an old, uncomfortable mattress. The search for a quality mattress can be a hassle, though. Testing mattresses in a showroom for just a few minutes with a salesperson looking on can hardly give you an idea of how well you will sleep on it—not to mention the trouble of transporting it back to your home....

Here is one of the easiest ways to determine if you reside in a Mediterranean climate: Grab the nearest globe, locate the Mediterranean region with your finger (that would be the area with the Mediterranean Sea, Italy, Greece, Albania, Morocco, Spain, and more). Then, keeping your finger in the same spot, slowly spin the globe so that it stays at about 30 to 40 degrees latitude north and south of the equator, on the western side of continents....

Most local codes follow the NEC, but there can be variances. The local code always takes precedence over the NEC when there are differences, so be sure to check with your local building department for the specific code requirements for your situation. Much of the NEC involves requirements for general electrical installation that apply to all situations, but there are also specific requirements for individual rooms. Bathrooms Because of the presence of water, bathrooms have very carefully defined requirements....

Here are all the official and unofficial special days to celebrate in December. December Daily Holidays and Observances December 1: Rosa Parks Day, World AIDS Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, National Pie DayDecember 2: Special Education Day, National Mutt DayDecember 3: Make a Gift Day, National Roof Over Your Head Day, Let’s Hug Day, National Apple Pie Day, Coats & Toys for Kids Day* (first Saturday)December 4: Santa’s List Day, National Cookie Day, Wildlife Conservation DayDecember 5: Repeal Day, International Volunteer Day, National Communicate With Your Kids DayDecember 6: Mitten Tree Day, National Microwave Oven Day, National Gazpacho Day, Walt Disney Day* (first Monday)December 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Letter Writing Day, International Civil Aviation Day, National Cotton Candy DayDecember 8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, National Brownie Day, National Christmas Tree DayDecember 9: Christmas Card Day, National Pastry DayDecember 10: Human Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day, Dewey Decimal System Day, National Lager DayDecember 11: Unicef Day for Change, National App DayDecember 12: National Poinsettia Day, Gingerbread House Day, National Ding-a-Ling Day, World Choral Day* (second Sunday)December 13: National Violin Day, Ice Cream Day, National Cocoa DayDecember 14: Roast Chestnuts Day, National Energy Conservation DayDecember 15: Bill of Rights Day, National Cupcake Day, International Tea DayDecember 16: Boston Tea Party Day, National Chocolate Covered Anything DayDecember 17: Wright Brothers’ First Flight Anniversary, National Maple Syrup Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day* (third Friday), National Wreaths Across America Day* (third Saturday)December 18: Bake Cookies Day, National Twin Day, First Night of Hanukkah* (varies, sometimes in November)December 19: Look for an Evergreen Day, National Oatmeal Muffin Day, Holly DayDecember 20: Go Caroling Day, Games Day, National Sangria DayDecember 21: First Day of Winter/Winter Solstice* (date varies), Crossword Puzzle Day, Look on the Bright Side Day, National Flashlight Day, Hambug Day, Forefathers’ Day, Don’t Make Your Bed Day, National Short Story Day* (first day of Winter)December 22: National Date Nut Bread Day, Forefathers’ DayDecember 23: Festivus, National Roots Day, National Pfeffernüsse DayDecember 24: Christmas Eve, National Egg Nog DayDecember 25: Christmas Day, National Pumpkin Pie DayDecember 26: National Whiners Day, Boxing Day, National Candy Cane DayDecember 27: National Fruitcake Day, Make Cut-Out Snowflakes DayDecember 28: National Card Playing Day, National Chocolate Candy DayDecember 29: Tick Tock Day, International Cello Day, Still Need To Do DayDecember 30: Bacon Day, National Resolution Planning DayDecember 31: New Year’s Eve, Make Up Your Mind Day, National Champagne Day...

Indications You Need a Heavy up If your home was built within the last 20 to 30 years, it is unlikely that you will need a heavy up. Two-hundred amp service likely will be found in your home. Yet older homes’ electrical systems may not have the ability to match today’s needs. Some items may not even have existed when your home was built: televisions, dishwashers, large HVAC systems, computers, and hot tubs....

If your household water usage is higher than normal, look for less obvious faucet leaks that may be wasting water. There are three common locations for faucet leaks. Leaks From the Spout This is where faucet leaks are the most obvious and visible. The faucet will start dripping or running even when the handles are shut off. You may notice that the faucet handle has to be turned a little tighter each time you turn the faucet off....

Bring Out Trays or a Bar Cart Summer may be winding down, but in many cases, it is still hot, hot, hot outside, so don’t forget to keep your guests nice and hydrated. And that’s where trays come in. “Outdoor trays are not only stylish, but they make it easy to carry beverages from the counter to guests while adding a touch of character to your outdoor space,” notes Jessica Harris, manager of production design at Living Spaces....

To make sure your event happens smoothly (and stylishly), we called on three entertaining pros to share their favorite holiday hosting products. From special dinnerware to tablescape decor, these items will become new staples in your arsenal of hosting accessories. Check out their picks, ahead. Her pick from Make and Stow is crafted from American Black Walnut and features a huge base (nearly two feet long, to be exact) to ensure plenty of room for all your treats....

For most, vacuuming isn’t high on a list of fun things to do, but having an efficient tool can make the chore a whole lot more tolerable. If you hate lugging a heavy upright vacuum around your house, why not pick up a lightweight stick vacuum that’s versatile and easy to maneuver? Eureka’s Blaze 3-in-1 Swivel Lightweight Stick Vacuum weighs less than 4 pounds and can function as a stick, hand, or stair vacuum....

Your local community centers, health organizations, and schools may have events in coordination with some of these special days and observances. Notable February Holidays February Daily Holidays and Observances February 1: National Freedom Day, National Dark Chocolate Day, National Serpent Day, National Baked Alaska Day, National Get Up Day February 2: Groundhog Day, National Hedgehog Day, National Tater Tot Day, National Ukulele Day February 3: Four Chaplains Day, National Missing Persons Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Golden Retriever Day February 4: USO Day, World Cancer Day, National Homemade Soup Day February 5: National Weatherperson’s Day, World Nutella Day February 6: National Lame Duck Day, Pay a Compliment Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day February 7: National Send a Card to a Friend Day, Rose Day, National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, National Bubble Gum Day* (first Friday), National Wear Red Day* (first Friday), Give Kids a Smile Day* (first Friday) February 8: Take Your Child to the Library Day* (first Saturday), National Kite Flying Day February 9, National Pizza Day, World Marriage Day* (second Sunday), Opera Day, Read in the Bathtub Day February 10: National Umbrella Day, National Clean Out Your Computer Day* (second Monday) February 11: National Inventors’ Day, National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, National Make a Friend Day, Get Out Your Guitar Day, International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 12: Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, International Darwin Day February 13: World Radio Day, Galentine’s Day, National Tortellini Day February 14: Valentine’s Day, National [Organ] Donor Day February 15: National Gumdrop Day, Susan B....

The color brown is also connected to the earth element, so a brown wood desk can be especially supportive. Glass desktops are stylish, but working on a transparent surface can mean that ideas and opportunities can fall through and get lost. You also want a desk chair with a high back, because it provides more support and stability. This translates to feeling more supported in your work and career. You can place these behind your desk chair for support....

You could just put up a bat house and hope for the best, but there are several things you can do to better attract them. Basically, you’ll want to recreate the feeling of a cave. The inside of the bat box should be warm and dark and have an unfinished interior so they have a surface that they can hang onto when they’re inside. If you already have bats, giving them a home of their own will discourage them from nesting in other areas of your house....

Living in Cleveland, Ohio, comes with many perks and a few pitfalls—probably the worst of them being lack of sunlight. Winters get drearier here than most places in the country, which means plant lovers like myself have our work cut out for us when it comes to keeping those house plants alive. My sunbathers, like my half-dozen aloe plants, occupy most of the direct-sun windows. But they’re not the only plants that need sun—and sadly, I don’t have enough window space for all of them to share....

Recognizing Granite It can sometimes be hard to distinguish granite from other natural stones, or from the increasingly realistic types of synthetic engineered stone. Granite is an igneous rock, meaning that it originates from volcanic magma that emerges from the earth to cool and harden. This makes it categorically different than marble, which is a metamorphic rock that forms when layers of sedimentary rock are subjected to millions of years of pressure and heat....

While we might be used to walking into the grocer’s and choosing red or green grapes, in reality, there are many more varieties. Each one has its own specialized use – some are better as juice or wine, others are for jelly, and still others are for eating fresh. Take the time to choose varieties that suit your preference for grapes once they are harvested, as well as for optimal growing conditions after you plant them....