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Why We Love Warblers Warblers are popular target birds for many birders, and there are hundreds of warbler species throughout the world. These birds make up the Parulidae bird family in North and South America as well as several other bird families in other parts of the world, including Acrocephalidae, Cettiidae, and Sylviidae. No matter which family different warblers are part of, however, they often share characteristics that make them popular among birders, such as:...

Cleaning Uses Very alkaline in nature with a high pH, baking soda is one of the top eco-friendly cleaning ingredients and is used in several cleaning products, especially green cleaning ones. You can find it in laundry detergents, cleansers, mold control products, cleansers, carpet fresheners and cleaners, dishwashing soaps, automatic dishwasher detergents, air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, floor cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, and stain removers. It is known for its fantastic deodorizing, whitening, brightening, cleaning, and gentle scrubbing abilities....

Electrical Service Basics Most homes have a type of electrical service called single-phase, three-wire. The service comes from the utility via two ungrounded “hot” wires that carry 120 volts each, plus a single grounded “neutral” wire. The wires connect to the home’s service panel, and each hot wire provides 120-volt power to one of the two hot bus bars in the panel. The circuit breakers for the various household circuits (called branch circuits) snap into the panel and connect electrically to one or both of the hot bus bars....

A Palette of Blues Inspired by the Ocean When you think of the beach and water, blue is the classic color that comes to mind. There are many shades of blues that equate with the beach, from strong blues like navy to turquoise and watercolor-like blues that evoke images of tropical beaches to the deep, rich blues of a sultry summer sky. Here are a few tips when mixing multiple shades of blue in your home:...

Here are 15 fast-growing trees that might be the perfect fit for your landscape. USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Average, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Acidic, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Rich, acidic, moist USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Moist, acidic, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Average, medium to wet, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9 Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Average, medium to wet, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 1 to 6 Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained

When it comes to removing toxins from the air, the bigger the plant and its leaves, the better its ability to purify the environment. How many plants do you need to achieve fresh, healthy air? The answer lies in many factors, such as the types of furniture and carpet used and their ages, whether smoking occurs on the premises, and how well the dwelling is sealed. Start with one or two handsome specimens, and see where your quest for a healthy atmosphere takes you when you grow these air-purifying plants....

It’s also important that floors be relatively easy to keep clean so that you can cut down on long-term maintenance costs. The more use space gets, the more important these characteristics become. Critical Features Water Resistance: The bathroom is a moist, humid environment. If porous or permeable flooring is used in this space, eventually liquids can penetrate down into it, paving the way for the growth of mold and bacteria....

Many smaller homes may not have the option of a utility space or garage, in which case the main service panel may be located on any accessible outside wall. It may also be located outside but only if it’s a weatherproof panel type. The electrical system hardware belongs to a power utility company up to the meter base and meter. Beyond that point, the homeowner owns the wire and equipment....

Understanding Electrician Labor Costs Professional electricians usually charge between $141 to $419 depending on where you live and the skill level of the electrician who does your work. It can be difficult to book an electrician to perform a single small job since there is little profit margin in it. Where possible, it makes sense to have the electrician complete a number of tasks in the same service call, which will let you get the most out of the service call-out fee....

Here are some things to consider when planning an affordable home library. Choosing a Space How much space you dedicate to a home library will depend on how much free space you have in your home, as well as the relative value you place on quiet reading. Depending on your lifestyle, for example, you may see a well-equipped home library as being a better use of limited space than maintaining a formal dining room you never use....

Now consider a garden with a wonderful water feature, a weeping tree, or a dramatic ornament. The first thing you notice is this focal feature. Once your interested is concentrated there, you start to branch out and notice other plants and features in the garden. The garden is slowly discovered rather than swept through. You don’t have to have a focal point, but your garden will appear more intentional if you do....

Select a Tree for Your Home First things first, you’ll need to select a tree to trim, which means deciding whether you’d like to go the live or artificial route. HomeGoods style expert Jenny Reimold shares her thoughts on the real versus fake tree conundrum. “While real trees are beautiful, the maintenance and longevity can make them a bit impractical,” she says. “Artificial trees are easy to care for, typically pre-lit and the branches are much sturdier for decorating....

Some of these plans use lattice panels that you can buy and others show you how to build your own lattice. They’re both easy building projects that even the beginner can handle. In some of these plans, you’ll see that the words lattice and trellis are used interchangeably. A lattice is made up of wooden strips that cross each other, most commonly, in a square or diagonal pattern. A trellis is a wooden frame that’s used to support climbing plants....

In this article, you can learn about the main options you have available to you in vinyl bathroom flooring products. Vinyl floors most commonly come in these types. Vinyl Tile Floors (self-stick)Vinyl Tile Flooring (glue-down)Vinyl Plank Flooring (self-stick)Vinyl Sheet Flooring (loose lay or glue down) Resilient Vinyl Tile Flooring (Self-Stick) Characteristics Self-stick vinyl tile flooring is durable, affordable, and is a good choice for bathroom or kitchen flooring use. It comes in a vast array of styles such as geometric patterns and realistic wood, stone and ceramic looks....

That being said, feng shui is often remedial, so we’ll also review how to work with what you have. You might not be in a position where you have the flexibility to decide the location of your kitchen (few people are). This isn’t something to be worried about, because there are also methods to adjust a kitchen that is placed in a less than ideal location. The Commanding Position One of the simplest and most important things to do, no matter where the kitchen is located, is to put the stove in the commanding position....