Father’s Day Gift Ideas

On the Origins of Sports: The Early History and Original Rules of Everybody’s Favorite Games, by Gary Belsky and Neil Fine

 Sports buffs will prize this illustrated, in-depth look at competitive games, including the little-known history of some sports, the evolution of the baseball glove, and iconic trophies.

To buy: $20, amazon.com.

Smart Jump Rope

For the Dad who has a gadget for just about everything, there’s a new way to makehis exercise routine high tech, too. This LED rope not only counts jumps, but it also syncs with an app to give calorie readings. Available in a variety of colors and sizes.

To buy: $90, tangramfactory.com.

Closca Fuga Foldable Helmet

High-end headgear for the dad who bikes to and from work. Sleek, sturdy, and space saving, this helmet is made of three mobile rings that fold flat for easy storage. A removable brim helps keep the sun out of his eyes, too.

To buy: $140, momastore.org.

Flaviar Spirits Tasting Box

If Dad keeps his bar fully stocked, he’ll love getting this Speakeasy Club subscription box. Each quarter, he’ll receive three curated spirits and free shipping on full-sized bottles. The best part? The selections are so unique that you probably won’t find them in your local liquor store. If he likes one, he can give it a permanent spot on his shelf.

To buy: $60 for a three-month subscription or $100,  flaviar.com.

1:12 Scale Miniature Cinder Blocks

Real cinder-block replicas make a fun little desk toy for the guy who daydreams of swapping his suit for a hard hat (one day!). When in need, the tiny wooden pallet doubles as a rugged coaster.

To buy: $20 for 24 (including the pallet),minimaterials.com.

Speedometer Cufflinks

Whether he’s always racing to meetings or has an affinity for sports cars, these sleek cufflinks add a fun—but still dapper—edge to formalwear. Made out of durable stainless steel, he’ll be clocking high on the fashion scale for years to come.

To buy: $95, cufflinks.com.

Fitbit ‘Blaze’ Leather Accessory Band

He works hard to hit those 10,000 steps a day. Gift something to make his activity tracker look a little more special (and more appropriate for the office or special occasions). This leather band looks like a watch, but holds the Fitbit “Blaze.” Available in three colors.

To buy: $100 for the leather band (Fitbit not included), nordstrom.com.

7 Unusual Buildings that It’s Good to be Seen

There are some some architect that want or already made our world more interesting places by creating some unusual buildings. So today we narrowed down a list of 12 of those buildings. Take a look, and tell us what you think of it.

Unusual Building by Dennis Oppenheim

Graciosa – Azores, Portugal

Habitat 67, Montreal

La Maison Rose, Montmartre

Solar city tower, Rio de Janeiro

Treehouse, Norfolk, England

Villa Vals, Switzerland

The best Ways to save on your energy bill

1. Install a programmable thermostat (and use it!)

Our house has an old school thermostat- so the first thing we change out will be that! Dan really wants one like this (it has an app!) or you could go for the crazy expensive Nest. Whatever you buy, remember to program it to save you money- heating or cooling less when you are not generally home or are sleeping.

2. Replace air filters

Dan has allergies, so this is on the short list as well- not only does it save money it makes the air you breathe clean- nothing better than that.

3. LED or CFL lightbulbs

Although it is tempting to go for the nice & cheap lightbulbs- these babies will save you lots of money over time. According to one source, changing to CFL bulbs can take the lighting portion of your energy bill from $264 / year to $66 / year. If you switch to LED, the cost goes to $26 / year. Woah (remember this is for an average light user- whatever that means). 

4. Energy Star Appliances

Lucky for us, the only appliance that we need to buy is a washer & dryer. But my lovely husband washes clothing what seems like constantly, so it is definitely on the list! You may have to pay more upfront for Energy Star appliances but you will save big in the long run. Side note- any one have a washer / dryer recommendation? Or know of one not to get?

5. Caulk & Insulate

This may seem silly, but a lot of houses dont have enough insulation or properly caulked windows. Make sure to check all of your seems and add insulation where you can. It will help you be cool in the summer & cozy in the winter.

Do you have any awesome ways to save energy? Are you a LED or CFL fan? Any washer & dryer recommendations? Leave um in the comments!

Clean the Chimney from the Top Down

1

Set up the ladder and climb to the roof. Assuming you've ascertained that your roof is safe to stand on, and that you're comfortable doing so, set up your ladder right next to the house. Fill a satchel with the chimney brush and extensions, sling it over your shoulder, and climb the ladder.

• If you feel any trepidation at the thought of climbing a ladder or standing on your roof, clean your chimney from the bottom instead, using the method outlined below.
• If you're unsure about the quality of your roof, or if your roof is slanted and you're not sure you'll be able to keep your balance, use the other method.

2

Assemble the brush and one section of pipe. Attach the first piece of pipe to the brush. Insert the brush into the chimney. Using up and down motions, begin to scrub the flue clean. Add another section of pipe to enable you to extend the brush further down the chimney. Continue in this fashion until you've cleaned the length of the flue.

           

• If you are using the rope and weight method, attach the weighted rope to the brush. Hold the end of the rope and lower the brush into the chimney. Lift it up and down in a scrubbing motion along the entire length of the flue.

3

Dissemble the brush and extensions, or detach the rope. Place the supplies in your satchel and climb back down the ladder.

4

Clean the bottom of the chimney. Use the small wire brush to clean the bottom of the flue that you may have missed with the brush

    

Great Mother’s Day Gifts

OMG Mom Tea Towel

It’s her day, so go ahead and give Mom a little ego boost by validating all that wise advice she’s given you over the years. This graphic tea towel is black and white, so it will match her kitchen, no matter the color scheme.

To buy: $8, papersource.com.

Paloma Tray

The easiest way to make her Mother’s Day breakfast in bed extra-special? Serve those eggs and pancakes on the real present—an artful wooden tray. This pretty piece features a colorful hand-painted design she’ll be proud to show off at her next cocktail party.

To buy: $68, wolfum.com.

Petit Prince Pocket Ruled Notebook

Whether it houses her to-do list or notes from all those meetings, this hard cover notebook will provide a sweet and subtle nod to one of an all-time classic, The Little Prince. The book, which is filled with high-quality paper, lays flat for easy note taking but also secures shut with a bright green elastic band.

To buy: $20, moleskine.com.

Hanging Tillansia Grow Kit

Help the woman who loves to garden bring some of that pretty greenery indoors. This giftable kit comes with everything she needs—a hanging terrarium, mossy accents, decorative rocks, a coupon for a free air plant, and care instructions—to create and care for her own hanging garden.

To buy: $34, shopterrain.com.

20 Ways to Draw a Tulip and 44 Other Fabulous Flowers

If you think Mom is ready to take the adult coloring book trend to the next level, gift this instructional sketchbook. The tome features more than 900 drawings, complete with clear instructions for drawing all of her favorite flowers—tulips, daffodils, dahlias, and more.

To buy: $20, amazon.com.

Earth-In Canteen

Her office may provide plastic cups, but this ceramic version will look so much prettier atop her desk. Plus, the sleek vessel serves as a reminder to drink plenty of water every day. The bottle, available in three colors, is also a suitable holder for oil, vinegar, wine, or even flowers.
To buy: $30, thegrommet.com.

Copper French Press

For the woman who never starts her day without a freshly brewed cup of joe, give an accessory that will make her mornings more special (and feel more bearable). Worried about her storage space? This gorgeous copper press—also available in stainless steel—is attractive enough to find a permanent home on her countertop.
To buy: $50, crateandbarrel.com.

3-D Heart Art

This handcrafted, framed shadowbox will constantly remind Mom that her home is where your heart is. Recessed behind glass, the red hearts will be printed with the song lyrics of your choice, while the white ones (add up to three) can be customized with a poem, song lyrics, or a personal message.

To buy: $80, etsy.com.

Prepare to Clean the Chimney

1.Determine whether the chimney needs to be cleaned.
Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year, and more often if you use your fireplace frequently.
Take a flashlight and peer inside the chimney flute. Use a pencil or plastic knife to scrape off a bit of the creosote that has accumulated on the side of the chimney. If it's 1/8-inch thick or thicker, it's time for a cleaning.
If you only clean your chimney once a year, do it in the fall, before the burning season begins. Otherwise, you risk sparking a chimney fire the first time you light up your fireplace in the winter.

2.Check the chimney for animals.

If it has been awhile since the last time you used your chimney, check for critters before you begin cleaning. Birds, squirrels and raccoons like to nest there, especially in the cooler months. Shine a flashlight up the chimney from the fireplace, and if you find an animal, take steps to have it removed.

3.Measure your chimney flue.

To clean your chimney, you'll have to use properly-sized tools. Measure the sides of your chimney from the bottom, through the fireplace. You could also climb up a ladder and measure it from the top.
Determine the size and shape of the flue. It will be either square or round, 6" or 8."
Determine the height of the chimney. If you're guessing, it's better to overestimate, so you have more than enough extra rope or piping to make sure the chimney brush can reach the entire length of the chimney.

4.Buy chimney cleaning supplies.

Go to the hardware store and buy the following items in preparation for cleaning the chimney:
A chimney brush, either wire or plastic. Use your chimney's measurements to buy the right size.
Chimney brush extension pipes, to help you clean the whole length of the chimney. Alternatively, you could buy a weighted rope designed to be used with the chimney brush, or a rope pulley system.
A smaller stiff wire brush.
A plastic tarp or drop cloth for use inside your house.
A ladder tall enough to reach your roof, if you plan to clean your chimney from the top down.
A broom and dustpan.
A dust mask and goggles.

5.Dress in appropriate clothing.

Wear old clothes that you don't mind getting messy with soot. Cover your hair with a bandanna. You may want to wear work gloves to protect your hands. Use a dust mask and goggles to prevent soot from getting in your mouth and eyes

6.Prepare your house for the cleaning.

Drape the drop cloth or tarp around your fireplace, extending it out into your living room several feet. Use sheets or tarps to cover furniture with light fabric. Roll back your expensive rugs.

7.Remove the damper from the chimney flue.

Locate the damper handle inside your chimney, and use the small wire brush to clean it off. Detach it from the chimney and set it aside on the drop cloth, so it won't obstruct the chimney brush as you proceed with cleaning the chimney.

Easy Gardens for Small Spaces

An Herb Garden

What to plant: A gallon-size rosemary plant and a quart-size sage plant form the foundation of this 4½-by-3-foot herb garden. Oregano, thyme, parsley, and basil add visual contrast. 

Other options: Anything goes, depending on your palate. Consider a themed garden, such as one planted with lemon thyme, lemon basil, lemongrass, and lemon balm.

How to maintain: Herbs are relatively self-sufficient, so water about once a week―more often during dry spells and less during rainy periods. Make sure to direct the water gently toward the base of the plants, which prevents runoff and allows the moisture to percolate down to the roots.

A Salad Garden

What to plant: Here, a Better Bush tomato and a Spacemaster cucumber share a four-foot-square plot with three kinds of bell peppers (yellow, orange, and red), four varieties of red and green lettuce, and a thriving nasturtium.

Other options: If your best planting spot gets only four hours or so of direct sun, forget the tomatoes and try leafy vegetables, like spinach, lettuce, and Swiss chard. Root vegetables, such as beets, carrots, and radishes, also require less light.

How to maintain: Till in plenty of organic compost at planting time for maximum output. Be aware that as plants put out more foliage and start to bear fruit, they require more water.

A Cutting Garden

What to plant: Tall, showy dahlias and gloriosa daisies (such as those pictured in this eight-foot-square plot) make lovely arrangements. Dwarf cosmos and salvia round out the mix.

Other options: Planting combinations are almost endless. Consider a scheme from one color family, like pinks or purples. Reliable, productive, long-lasting bloomers include snapdragons, China asters, lisianthus, mallow, and larkspur.

How to maintain: After planting, put down a two-inch layer of bark mulch to suppress weeds and slow evaporation of moisture from the soil. Any blossoms that aren’t cut for bouquets should be deadheaded (snipped off) when they fade.

How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Chimney?

Why Should I get my Chimney Cleaned?
The job of the chimney sweep is to remove soot, blockages and built-up creosote from your chimney liner, firebox, smoke chamber and damper. This cleaning will help create a safer operation of your system during the heating system. It take only a small accumulation of creosote glazing to create the potential for a chimney fire. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. The rate of accumulation can be higher if you practice poor burning practices or have a burning appliance or stove that is not working well. Different types of wood create different amounts of creosote when burned. Pine causes a rapid build-up of creosote and should be avoided as a regular source of wood. Creosote can also reduce the draw of the fireplace and reduce efficiency.

 When Do I Need A Chimney Inspection?                                                                              If you haven’t had your chimney inspected in a year or more, if you are having any performance issues with your chimney, fireplace or heating system or if you have recently purchased the home you should schedule an inspection. Don’t wait – waiting almost always results in additional repairs, and unfortunately sometimes in property loss. Every year in the US homeowners lose over 200 million dollars as a result of continuing to use unsafe systems.

Another important time to get your venting systems inspected is when you have upgraded or changed heating systems or added a stove or insert. An inspection will make sure that your chimney, lining and venting systems are adequate and in working order to handle the new changes. 

If you have not used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built nests that could clog your flue or chimney chamber. Winter freeze cycles and moisture combine to take an annual toll on masonry and liner materials too. Over several years the deterioration will eventually require attention. Normal wear and tear that is left unchecked will affect the performance of your system. The longer the defects go without being addressed, the more expensive the repairs are likely to be. Bottom line is – staying on top of your systems is not only the smartest and safest choice, it ends up being the most cost-effective too.

How Often Should I get my Chimney Cleaned?                                                                    This depends a lot on how much you use your fireplace or stove. The National Fire Protection Association says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” So, even if you don’t use your chimney a whole lot – birds, squirrels, raccoons and other critters may have been using your chimney making it unsafe to use without clearing out the accumulated debris from nesting activity.

The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) says that fireplaces should be cleaned when 1/8″ of sooty buildup is evident inside the chimney and flue system. If any glaze is appearing in the flue, cleaning should be done even if there is less than 1/8″ of build up. Any time an appreciable accumulation of soot and creosote occurs it can be enough to fuel a chimney fire that may damage the chimney and even spread to the roof and home. Furnace flue systems also require cleaning, so don’t neglect regular cleaning of those venting systems.

Some heavy use fireplaces produce an incredible amount of soot and creosote during a cleaning. Recently we removed nearly 2 full 5 gallon buckets of material from one chimney! Removing this material is critical to continued safe use of the fireplace and reduced risk of chimney fires that start when this highly combustible material builds up to unsafe levels.

What is the Best Time to Clean my Chimney?                                                              Ideally, before the start of the burning season during the summer or early fall is a great time to get your chimney inspection and / or chimney cleaning. Before you think about building a fire or starting up your furnace because the weather has changed, is the time to call your chimney sweep. Maybe you forgot the early cleaning before starting to use the fireplace, stove or furnace? Don’t wait until next year, we can do your chimney cleaning or inspection any time of year. Call the office now at 678-401-4473.

Maintaining your Air Conditioner

An air conditioner's filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases

AIR CONDITIONER FILTERS

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly. With normal airflow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil's heat-absorbing capacity

Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your air conditioning system's filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

AIR CONDITIONER COILS

The air conditioner's evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filter prevents the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. This dirt reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. To avoid this problem, check your evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary.

You should minimize dirt and debris near the condenser unit. Your dryer vents, falling leaves, and lawn mower are all potential sources of dirt and debris. Cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris, and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) allow for adequate airflow around the condenser.

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL

When your air conditioner needs more than regular maintenance, hire a professional service technician. A well-trained technician will find and fix problems in your air conditioning system.