At Home With Valerie

(Family Features) Award-winning renovation projects aren’t just a way to identify top-notch contractors, they’re a chance for homeowners to gather ideas and learn from other home improvement success stories. One such source of inspiration is the National Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award Winners who are honored each year by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. A panel of industry experts anonymously selected winners based on the functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation and degree of difficulty of their projects. Find inspiration in these 2020 residential project winners, and see the complete list at nari.org . Residential Exterior Under $50,000 The clients wanted to move the side entrance of this home to its original location in the front. City approval was contingent on returning specific historic architectural details, including replacing the brick columns with historically accurate wood columns and installing doors and windows more in line wit...

🥕 What’s in your garden? If more time at home has inspired you to grow your own, these veggies are considered the easiest for beginner gardeners. #backyardgarden #victorygarden #quarantinegardening #backyardgardening #covidgarden #greenthumb #growyourownfood

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Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! It's not always the easiest job, but it's the most rewarding!

5 IDEAS FOR A VIRTUAL FAMILY ADVENTURE (Family Features) A dream vacation is the perfect antidote to stress and the monotony of daily life. When a getaway isn't in the cards, you can still escape and explore new places virtually. A virtual trip can be a great way to explore destinations you might consider for a future vacation, or it may be a chance to see remarkable sights around the world that you wouldn't get to experience otherwise. Virtual travel can also engage kids in learning when you pair the experience with lessons on culture, geography or even a homemade take on local culinary treats. Add authenticity to the experience with special touches that mimic the ambiance. If you're visiting the beach, kick up the heat and turn on a fan for some breeze. Light a coconut-scented candle and enjoy a bowl of ice cream while you take in the sights. Get your virtual adventures underway with these selections from the travel experts at Vrbo: Look around the Louvre i...