At Home With Valerie

With the New Year almost upon us I want to take this opportunity to wish you the very best for the coming year. I'm looking forward to sleeping in late and kicking back in the easy chair after lunch to enjoy a football game. Of course I'll be sleeping in late because, just like you, I'll start off the New Year at exactly midnight on New Year's Eve by singing Auld Lang Syne. We'll all be singing it and most of us won't have a clue what the title actually means! So, just for fun, I looked up the song online to find out its history. I learned that Auld Lang Syne is a traditional Scottish song. The version we know today was written (in part at least) by Robert Burns in the 1700s. The title refers to “old long ago,” or the good old days, as we would say today. I don't want you to stumble around when it comes time to sing it, so I'm passing along to you the lyrics. Have a great New Year's Day and don't forget to break a resolution o

Christmas shopping for friends and family can be entertaining and rewarding, just don’t wait until the last minute. These days, there’s a million ways to plan ahead, buy awesome gifts in advance and—just maybe—you won’t feel like the holidays set you back six months financially. Savvy shoppers can download free apps from selected retailers, explore websites for announcements on sales, pick up a bouquet of gift cards while in line for groceries and shop online for  custom gifts . Hint: look for free shipping! Personalized gifts tend to mean more, and they give families a chance to use all those birthday photos, memorable candids or classic snapshots. Custom photo gifts trigger fond memories and remind you of a special person. Consider these custom gift ideas for the following types of people you may shop for this holiday season: For kids: If you’re toting an adorable baby or small toddler on your hips, buying presents for them is almost like shopping

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be making plans to visit out-of-town family and friends, which means leaving your home vacant—and open to the possibility of getting robbed. This—along with the still struggling economy—can make your home a target-rich environment for burglars. According to the FBI, nearly 400,000 burglaries occur in the U.S. during November and December each year, and the reasons are obvious: Those are the months that many of us are away on vacation or out buying gifts. “Burglars are opportunists looking for a score, and the holidays are a perfect time for it,” says Robert Siciliano, a security expert whose work with major businesses has earned him the title “the Lifesaver.” So how do you prevent yourself from being one of the 400,000? Read on to find out. Burglars Use Facebook, Too. We’ve all laughed at the stupidity of people posting their foibles on Facebook and Twitter, which raises the question: Why are yo

Nothing is more festive than indulging in your favorite seasonal desserts. Add these treats to your holiday celebration to satisfy your sweet tooth. Oreo Peppermint Bark *   10 mini candy canes, crushed (about 1/2 cup) *   12 Oreos, chopped (about 1 cup) *   1 cup milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet) *   1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Melt milk chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Pour onto cookie sheet and spread flat. Sprinkle with chopped Oreos. Chill for 10 minutes. Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Pour over Oreos and spread. Sprinkle with chopped candy canes. Chill until set. Break into pieces and serve! Eggnog Fudge *    2 cups sugar *    1/2 cup butter *    3/4 cup eggnog *    10.5 oz white chocolate bars, chopped into sm

People love the holiday season. To keep your holiday decorations enjoyable and safe, keep in mind these safety tips. Candles: Keep anything flammable away from a lit candle. Place the candles out of the reach of children or pets. Blow out the candles when you need to leave the room or go to bed. Christmas tree: Water the tree to keep it hydrated. Place the tree away from any heat sources. Make sure the tree is not blocking entryways or foot traffic. Hang fragile Christmas ornaments on higher tree branches away from the reach of children and pets. Turn off lights before going to bed. Electric lights: Lights will be labeled for either indoor or outdoor use. Throw out lights with worn or torn wires. Replace missing or cracked bulbs. Read labels to make sure you are following acceptable wattage levels and are not overloading the circuits. Outdoor decorations: Fully secure outdoor holiday decorations so they don’t get blown away or

Humidifiers are an efficient way to reduce your heating costs because humid air has a tendency to feel warmer. This will allow you to lower your thermostat in the winter, while still providing a more comfortable environment.

Bring the holiday warmth to your home this season with a safe and festive light display. 1. Consider hanging your lights early in the season to avoid cold, wet weather that may pose a safety hazard. 2. Measure and map out a general plan to determine how many strings of lights your home requires. 3. Choose a size and wattage that fits your needs. Mini-lights are less expensive and use less energy. Larger C7 or C9 lights are more durable and remain lit even if one bulb dies. 4. Select shorter strings of light to avoid losing a large portion of your display if one string malfunctions. 5. Test for any dead bulbs to ensure your lights work properly. 6. Plug your extension cords into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Be sure the total wattage of your lights doesn’t exceed the capacity of your outlet. 7. Install hooks and clips along surfaces on which you’ll thread your lights. 8. Mix up your light display to highlight multiple architectural

A dirty stove has to work harder and burns more fuel as a result. By maintaining your gas stove on a regular basis and reducing the amount of flame you use, you help to keep it running efficiently and with less fuel consumption. This in return will help you lower your energy bill.

To my American Friends, With Thanksgiving nearly here, Iʼm reminded of the tradition many families share in which each member around the table expresses something theyʼre deeply thankful for in their lives. (Truth be told, itʼs probably one we should practice every day.)  While I wonʼt be celebrating as I am Canadian and we already had our Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to share with you my gratitude for your support. The scholar W.T. Purkiser once said, “Itʼs not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, that is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”   It is all about our service to others. I am grateful for many of you who continue to read my blog, and hope I am able to serve you and your family for years to come. May your Thanksgiving Holiday be a special one.  With gratitude, Valerie McConville

Let your dishes air dry. If your dishwasher doesn’t have an automatic air-dry switch, turn it off after the final rinse and prop the door open slightly so the dishes will dry faster.

The kitchen is often a home’s main focal point and the room that entices potential buyers. Although many sellers choose to complete a basic remodel before listing, a little paint, cleaning and properly placed dining items can make it look like new. Here are eight things you can do to make your kitchen inviting to potential buyers without paying for a costly renovation. 1. Do a thorough cleaning. Wipe down and thoroughly clean the baseboards, ceilings fans, appliances, sink, back splash, and floors until they’re spotless. Get into every nook and cranny to remove all the grime that may linger after years of cooking and entertaining. 2. Remove personal items. Take down photos and family effects from the counter and refrigerator to help buyers imagine themselves using the kitchen. 3. Paint the walls. A fresh coat of paint in a muted or neutral color can revitalize the entire look and feel of a room for much less than the cost of a remodel. 4

   Match the size of pots to the correct sized element or burner when cooking. Using a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner wastes more than 40% of the heat. Pots and pans should have clean flat bottoms, straight sides, and tight fitting lids. Cook with the lid on whenever possible to keep heat in and cook foods faster.

Winter’s chill is in the air, but you’ve most likely already thought about winterizing your home and car much earlier. But have you considered your phone?   Smartphones—those little gems of technology that keep us connected to the rest of the world—are clearly an integral part of our daily lives and can be expensive to replace. To that end, protecting it from extreme weather and damage from winter activities should be of paramount importance. The following advice should give you some ideas about what you can do to keep your device in prime condition during the long winter months: •    Be aware of drastic temperature changes. Taking your phone from a very cold area to a warm one can cause condensation to form, making the device appear foggy. •    Anticipate sloppy conditions. Mother Nature is fickle, which means that winter can mean snow, slush, rain and ice. According to TNS Global, a market research firm, nearly 100 million smartphones in the U.S

As the cold winter months quickly approach, people won’t be the only ones huddling inside for warmth.  The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourages homeowners to take steps to prevent pests like cockroaches, rodents and nuisance wildlife from making your home their winter getaway. Winter invaders such as cockroaches, mice and rats present considerable health threats to family members.  Cockroaches carry bacteria and other kinds of human pathogens, contaminating food surfaces and potentially triggering asthma attacks in children, and with 24 percent of homeowners reporting mice infestations specifically in the winter, they are among the top pest issues of the season.  Most rodents only need a space the size of a quarter to enter a home, and once inside, they can cause considerable damage and pose serious health risks to people and structural damage to homes, as they are known for chewing through electrical wires and wallboard.   Nuisance w

Being a homeowner is one of the biggest milestones in your life. You feel excited and proud to take care of your new house and truly turn it into a home for you and your family.  To keep your house in the best shape possible, here are five bad homeowner habits to avoid. 1. Damaging doors. Slamming your doors can have a huge impact in the long run as it can slowly pull your doors out of alignment and potentially create gaps and cracks near your exterior doors, letting air seep in and boosting your utility bill.   2. Harmful humidity. Showers lasting over 10 to 12 minutes at high water temperatures can increase chances of mildew and mold growing in your bathroom. Over time, this can also cause the paint on your ceiling to bubble and peel from condensation.   3. Abusing appliances. Clean the lint tray in your dryer after every use, run the oven cleaning cycle at least once a month, and try to wipe down your stovetop and microwave down regularly to avoid grease a

A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors® revealed that 77 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home makes it easier for potential buyers to visual it as their own. That’s why staging is not to be overlooked!  Here are some top tips.   Dress up your yard. First impressions count, and the first one your home gives comes from the exterior. Mow the lawn, clean up shrubbery, rake any leaves, clean the walkway and driveway, plant in-season flowers, and pull up any unsightly weeds.   Reduce personal items. Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves making your house their home by removing personal photos and knick-knacks from shelves, walls, and counters. Instead replace them with clean, simple décor, such as abstract paintings, nature images, vases, plants, and more.   Organize your storage areas. Storage is a huge selling point. Tidy up and clear out the accessible closets and cupboards in the home and make sure to point them o

One of the most daunting parts of selling your home is deciding what to price it at. You don’t want to price too high and get little to no traction but you don’t want to price too low and undervalue your home. There are so many things to take into consideration, so we’ve outlined the top XXX things you should do before you list. Enlist the help of a local expert. Local agents have years of experience in the market you are selling in, plus have a lot of industry expertise to bring to the table. They will factor in the unique offerings of your home and neighborhood and your wants and needs for the sale of the home to help you properly price. Research homes for sale in your neighborhood. It’s always a good idea to do a little recon on homes for sale in your area. View current and past listings online to find homes that have similar features and were built around the same year as yours to get an idea of prices. Open house in your neighborhood

Is your home feeling a little cramped? If so, there are many relatively inexpensive ways to free up more space. Here are some ideas:   Convert traditional into nontraditional space. We’re all familiar with converting a spare bedroom into a homeoffice or kids’ playroom. You can also create space by finding other uses for pantries and walk-in closets.   Explore smart storage solutions. There are many products on the market that revolutionize how you store things. For example, there are closet organizers available that double storage capacity. Check out the options at your local home improvement store.   Get rid of unneeded furnishings.   Is there a chair no one ever uses? Is there a side table that takes up a lot of space, with nothing but a few knick-knacks on it? Consider selling these items to free up some space.   Think high.   Install storage shelves, hangers or baskets high up in the kitchen and laundry room. Use that storage for items you only acce

Winter has a certain amount of charm that comes with it — from sledding and outdoor ice skating to snowmen and brightly lit trees. But when icy weather hits, and your pipes are ill-prepared, it can mean a long (and costly) spring.   Here’s what happens: When temperatures drop, trapped water in pipes can freeze. Since water expands when it freezes, it can cause the pipes to rupture. When the pipes thaw, that’s when homeowners might come home to a flooded basement.   Instead of waiting before it’s too late, now is the time to insulate your pipes before the cold weather returns. Do it in the comfort of warm weather at your leisure so you’re not rushed when the cold weather arrives.   Insulate pipes This action step performs double duty, keeping hot water pipes warm and protecting cold water pipes from freezing, which can lead to immediate energy returns. Homeowners with existing insulation should check it before the cold weather comes to town. If

Is your tiny bathroom feeling tight? Maximize your space with these simple tricks: Clarify . Instead of a heavy, opaque shower curtain, choose a clear shower curtain or glass shower door. This will show off the full depth of the room. Brighten . Choose solid, light colors for towels, rugs and other linens to brighten up the space. Clean . Remove or hide away clutter, clearing off the sink and tucking away toiletries into a cabinet or basket. Glow . Let the light in by switching out dull fixtures and placing mirrors to strategically reflect the light.

A home isn’t just a home for humans. It’s a home for your pets as well. Consider these tips to make your home more comfortable for your furry little friends. Storage space : Store all your pet’s possessions, such as toys, food and leashes, in one place for easy access. Having this space will also help you keep the rest of the home free from pet clutter. Dog doors : Install a dog door at the bottom of your back door to give your dog the freedom to roam around and go to the bathroom. If you are uncertain about how to install a dog door, contact a contractor. Flooring : To clean up after your pet, consider buying a vacuum with attachments to pick up fur and a carpet cleaner to deep clean pet messes. Feeding station : Add a feeding station to sequester kibble and pet water. The feeding station will also help keep your pet’s food clean and dry. Disguising the litter box : Hide your cat’s litter box by transforming a small side table or c

Tires may not be the first thing you notice when you look at a car, but they may be the most important safety and performance element of any vehicle.  When you think about it, they are the only part of your car that connects you to the road. While brakes stop your wheels, it’s your tires that stop the car — and that’s why maintaining them is absolutely critical.  Luckily, one of the most important tire checks won’t cost you more than a penny! Once a month, or before heading on a long road trip, check your tires for wear and damage using “the penny test.” Just grab a penny and select a point on your tire where tread appears the lowest. Then, holding Lincoln’s body between your thumb and your forefinger, place Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves. If any part of Abe Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the legal and safe amount of tread. However, if all of Lincoln’s head is visible, it’s a sign that it is time to get new tires.

Even if your retirement seems far away, it’s never too early to think about retirement funds. For many people, retirement means selling their current home. Data from a recent survey show that more than half of the baby boomer generation plan to sell their current homes as part of their retirement.  If selling your home is on your retirement agenda, a little thought now about how to get the best price can make a big difference when it’s time to put it on the market. Here are some small steps that can pay off in a big way: •    Control the clutter. Start now by going through some of that old memorabilia, and choose what’s really important to keep and move. When you’re ready to show your house to prospective buyers, think “less clutter.” “Buyers shouldn’t be distracted from imagining themselves living in your space,” says Patsy O’Neill, a sales associate with Sotheby’s in Montclair, New Jersey. •    Keep remodeling sensible. Just because ce