Spring Colors

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Spring Colors To Decorate With All Year Long

DIY Or Professional?

Redfin

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DIY

• Interior paint jobs: A room can get a makeover just by changing the color of the walls. Make sure you prep the room: Lay drop cloths on the floor and use painter's tape to tape around baseboards and crown molding. 
• Replace broken tiles: If you have a tile break in the kitchen, bathroom, etc you can hire someone to replace it, however, if you have extra tiles around you can do it yourself. 
• Power washing your home's exterior: The siding on your home can get dirty and start to look worn and dingy after being exposed to the elements. You can easily power wash the exterior of your home by either purchasing a power washer or renting one at your local home improvement store.

Hire A Professional

• Removing trees: Hiring a local tree service to take down a tree on your property is best. Although it may seem like a good idea to take out a tree on your own, it's not a simple process. The branches need to be culled and the stump should be removed as well. Also, the tree can harm you or someone else and can also unintentionally come down on homes, power lines, etc.
• Roof repair: Getting up on a roof is dangerous and there can be many different roof issues present that a homeowner may not know how to deal with such as ice dams, insect damage, or leaks. It's best to leave roof issues for a professional.
• Siding installation: Siding is crucial as it is the first line of defense for your home against the elements and pests. While it's not a bad idea to research which siding to invest in, it's best to leave the installation portion of the project up to the pros.

Easter Bunny Bait

Plainfield Patch

 Freedigitalphotos.net 

Are you looking for a fun and kid-friendly Easter activity? Here's a tasty recipe for bunny bait that kids will both enjoy helping with and eating:

Ingredients:

• 1 bag popped microwave popcorn
• 11 ounce bag of white chocolate chips
• 1 bag of Easter M&M's (any variety)
• Pretzel sticks (broken into 1/2 inch pieces)
• Sprinkles
• Food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Spread the popcorn and pretzels pieces out on a jelly roll pan or parchment paper
2. Melt the chocolate chips according to the package directions (You may need to add a small amount of milk to get the chocolate to pouring consistency)
3. Add food coloring to the melted chocolate if desired
4. Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn and pretzel pieces. Add sprinkles but don't stir.
5. After the chocolate hardens, break the mix into small pieces and then add in the M&M's and stir together.
6. Enjoy!

Think Spring-5 Garden Tools To Save You Time

msn

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1. Hori-Hori Knife: Originally from Japan and used for digging Bonsai trees, this knife features a sharp, straight blade and is great for everything from weeding to planting. 
2. Ho-Mi: This tool from South Korea features a curved, sharp blade with three different options for the blade and handle. The Ho-Mi can be used for different tasks such as weeding and loosening the soil around plants.
3. Compost and Mulch Fork: This tool has 10 tines that are close together, making it perfect for flipping and turning both compost and mulch. It can also be used for moving leaves, stones, wood chips, etc.
4. Woodman's Pal: Do you need to clear an area of your yard for a garden? The Woodman's Pal, originating from the Army, is the perfect tool to do just that. Similar to both an ax and a machete, the Woodman's Pal has a long cutting blade with a hooked blade on the end. It can be used to cut through overgrown vegetation, trees, etc.
5. Lee Valley Power Rake: Needing to rake soil or have a big mulching job ahead of you? The Lee Valley Power Rake features 25 curved tines and a 5 foot handle, making yard work much easier on both you and your back.

Happy Friday

Real Estate Ad Terms And Lingo

realtor.com

Freerangestock.com

4B/2B: 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms

Assum.fin.: assumable financing

Closing costs: The entire package of expenses paid by the buyer and the seller when the real estate deal closes. These costs include the brokerage commission, mortgage-related fees, escrow or attorney's settlement charges, transfer taxes, recording fees, title insurance, etc. Closing costs are usually paid through escrow.

CMA: Comparative market analysis. A CMA is a report that shows prices of homes that are comparable to a subject home and that were recently sold, are currently on the market or were on the market, but not sold within the listing period.

Contingency: A provision of an agreement that keeps the agreement from being fully legally binding until a certain condition is met.

Dk: deck

Expansion pot'l: Expansion potential means that there is extra space on the lot or the possibility of adding a room or an upper level, subject to local zoning restrictions.

Fab pentrm: Fabulous pentroom, a room on top, but under the roof, that has great views.

FDR: Formal dining room

Fixture: Anything of value that is permanently attached to or a part of real property. Examples include light fixtures, window coverings, landscape, etc.

Frplc, fplc, FP: Fireplace

Gar: Garage

Grmet kit: Gourmet kitchen

HDW, HWF, Hdwd: Hardwood floors

Hi cells: High ceilings

In-law potential: Potential for a separate apartment, subject to local zoning restrictions.

Listing: An agreement between a Real Estate broker and a homeowner that allows the broker to market and arrange for the sale of the owner's home. Listing is also used to refer to the home for sale itself.

Lo dues: Low homeowner association's dues.

Lock box: Locked key-holding device placed on a home for sale so real estate professionals can gain access to the home after obtaining permission from the listing agent.

Lsd pkg: Leased parking area; may come with an additional cost.

MLS: Muliple listing service. This is a site which collects, compiles, and distributes information about homes listed for sale by its members, who are real estate brokers. Membership is not open to the general public, although selected MLS data may be sold to real estate sites.

nr bst schls: Near the best schools

pot'l: Potential

pvt: Private

Pwdr rm: Half bathroom or powder room

REALTOR: A real estate broker or sales associate who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Not all real estate agents are realtors.

Title insurance: An insurance policy that protects a lender's or owner's interest in real property from assorted types of unexpected or fraudulent claims of ownership. Usually the buyer pays for the lender's title insurance policy.

upr: Upper floor

vw, vu, vws, vus: View

Spring Cleaning Hacks

Herald News-Home Life

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Posted By: Dawn Dause

• Go with the 80/20 rule: The 80/20 philosophy suggests that people really only use 20% of the things they own. When deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, think about what items you would replace right away  if they were ever lost or stolen; this will help you determine what your 20% to keep should be.
• Donate and schedule a pickup: Part of going through your belongings should involve donating some of your items, but often times people don't ever get these items out of their homes. Go online and schedule a pickup so that you ensure this gets done.
• Use vinegar: Vinegar is an amazing natural cleaning agent that has many uses. One use for vinegar is to tie a bag of vinegar around your showerhead and let it sit over night. This clears away gunk from the head and will also improve water pressure too. 
• Coffee filters and Coke clean too: You can use coffee filters to clean dust off of TV screens and Coke can be used to clean toilets. Pour Coke in the bowl, let it sit for an hour, and then flush.
• Consider doing a digital purge: Clear away any files on your computer or phone that you don't need such as duplicate pictures and then empty the recycle bin. 
• Update your passwords: Make your accounts more secure by updating your passwords with new ones that include both uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers. Have a lot of passwords to remember and keep track of? Consider using an encrypted database to store them for you.

'Hugs For Hounds' Canine Easter Egg Hunt

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Posted By: Dawn Dause

The 7th annual 'Hugs For Hounds' Easter egg hunt for dogs begins Saturday, April 4th at 11 am at the Hammel Woods Dog Park in Shorewood. This unique and fun event is sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and Shorewood HUGS which is a local non-profit group that fulfills wishes and also supports other charities. Bring your favorite dogs and a basket to collect Easter eggs hidden around the park. The eggs will be filled with dog treats as well as special prizes. The cost for the event is $5 per dog which goes to support the care, handling, and training of the Forest Preserve District's K9 officer, Jullo. Donations can also be made by calling (815) 722-8193.
Participants can register on the day of the event beginning at 10:30 am although pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, visit ReconnectWithNature.org and download the registration form; mailing instructions are included on the form. All dogs must be leashed, accompanied by their owner at all times, and current on their vaccinations. A dog park permit is not required to attend the event but 2015 permits will be for sale.

Carpet Or Hardwood For Bedrooms?

homeguides.sfgate.com

Freedigitalphotos.net

Freedigitalphotos.net

Hardwood pros

• Beauty/style
• Increases saleability of home
• Long lasting and can be refinished many times
• Easier than carpet to clean for a home with pets
• Hardwood doesn't hang on to dust or allergens so it's a better option for families with asthma or allergies
• Hardwood does not give off potentially harmful chemicals the way that new carpeting can 

Hardwood cons

• Hardwood can be loud when walked on 
• Wood floors can creak, disturbing anyone sleeping
• Hardwood scratches easily and even just getting in and out of bed everyday can damage the floor

Carpet pros

• Adds warmth to a room, both visually and physically
• Comfortable to walk on
• Can be less expensive than hardwood
• Helps reduce noise
• Can replace carpet and completely change the look of a room

Carpet cons

• May be less expensive than hardwood initially, but can end up costing more since it wears down and needs to be replaced
• Stains easily
• Traps dust and dirt and can make it difficult to clean
• Holds on to dander, fleas, and fur from pets
• Fumes, dust mites, and allergens can become stuck in the carpet fibers

Open House

100 Bravery Court in Shorewood

OPEN HOUSE this Sunday, March 22nd from 1-3!!
JUST REDUCED to $344,900!!

Happy Friday

Top 10 Outdoor Design Trends

Country Living

 Freedigitalphotos.net 

1. Outdoor lighting-both for walkways and pathways as well as over a seating area such as a patio or deck
2. Seating and dining areas
3. Native plants
4. Landscaped gardens
5. Outdoor recreation elements such as pools
6. Installed seating on front or back porches, patios, decks, etc.
7. Vegetable and fruit gardens
8. Grills
9. Outdoor kitchens
10. Firepits

What would your ideal outdoor space include?

5 Ways To Improve Spring Curb Appeal

Redfin

Freedigitalphotos.net

1. Keep it clean: Make sure to mow your lawn regularly and take care of any weeds in your yard. If the siding of your home is dirty, use a power washer to clean it and clean your windows inside and out as well.
2. Update your numbers: Replace your address numbers with new ones that are easy to see; there are several designs, colors, and materials to choose from as well so make it your own!
3. Add accents: Try painting the shutters and front door a nice accent color that blends well with your home.
4. Fencing: Putting in a front yard fence can add to the curb appeal of your home and add interest as well. Front yard fences are usually short so that the front yard can still be seen and there are many options to choose from such as the traditional white picket fence or a short brick fence with a gate.
5. Decorate your porch: Put out a welcome mat, use hanging baskets filled with flowers, put out some chairs and a small table and make your porch a welcoming and comfortable place to relax.

Making Your Spring Cleaning Last Longer

House Logic

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1. Cut down on dust: Keeping the humidity in your home to between 40% and 50% will decrease the static that builds up in your home which will in turn decrease the amount of dust that is produced.
2. Glass shower doors: Soap scum build up can be reduced by applying a rain-repellant product made for car windshields. This will cause water, oil, and debris to roll off the glass instead of sitting there causing soap scum. You can find the rain repellant at any auto store or where basic auto supplies are sold. 
3. Seal stone countertops: If you have stone counters, including marble or granite, you need to seal them in order to keep stains from settling in them. Your contractor probably sealed the surface when it was installed but it is a good idea to re-seal them twice a year. In order to see if you need to re-seal, pour a small amount of water on your counter. If the water doesn't bead up or stay beaded for 2-3 minutes, it's time to seal once again.
4. Furniture and carpets: Spray your carpets and furniture with a protective spray such as Scotchgard. This product will cause any liquids spilled to bead up instead of be absorbed. Once you deep clean or steam clean your carpets and furniture, it's a good idea to use a protective spray to prolong your cleaning.

Spring Activities For Kids

momstown.ca

Freedigitalphotos.net

• Go for a walk and play I-Spy spring edition
• Go on a scavenger hunt-create a list of spring items with your child and go on a hunt for them 
• Collect 26 cool rocks and write an uppercase letter on one side and the lowercase letter on the other side
• Make homemade bubbles and try them outside
• Plant flowers with your child and use this activity as an opportunity to learn about soil, seeds and how they grow
• Make some instruments and have an outdoor parade
• Plan/make a special spring dinner-let your kids help with the planning, grocery shopping, and cooking
• Spring clean together and set aside some toys to donate
• Get some crafts supplies from the dollar store and get crafting
• Learn a song about spring and draw a picture to go along with it
• Clean the car together
• Bird watch
• Teach your child a new sport
• Head to a children's museum
• Have a picnic

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Staying In For St. Patrick's Day?

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Planning on skipping the St. Patrick's Day festivities but still want to celebrate at home? Try making your own corned beef and cabbage! Think you don't like cabbage? This recipe for sauteed cabbage has bacon in it........go ahead and give it a try!

Corned Beef (allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

• 3 pound corned beef brisket with spice packet
• 10 small red potatoes
• 5 carrots, peeled and cut into 3 inch pieces

Directions:

1. Place the corned beef in a large pot or dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer the beef for about 50 minutes per pound or until it's tender.
2. Add whole potatoes and carrots and cook until the veggies are tender. Remove the meat and let it rest for 15 minutes. 
3. Slice the meat across the grain and serve with the veggies. Add as much broth as you'd like to your plate.
4. Enjoy!

Sauteed Cabbage and Bacon (Huffington Post)

Ingredients:

•  2.5 pound cabbage
• 6 slices of bacon, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. Quarter the cabbage, then core it and cut it into large pieces.
2. Cook the bacon in a heavy, cold 12 inch skillet over medium heat until it begins to sizzle, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is browned, about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in the cabbage and the remaining ingredients and cook covered, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage softens, about 8 minutes. Season to taste and transfer to a serving dish.

Happy Friday!

5 Ways To Welcome Spring!

style at home

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1. Fill your home with fresh flowers: Whether it's bouquets of flowers or potted plants, bringing a touch of nature into your home signals that spring is finally here!
2. Paint: Give the furniture, walls, and front door a new coat of paint. Try a vibrant spring hue, stick with your old stand by, or choose a neutral tone. New paint gives an instant face lift to any space and helps to freshen up your home just in time for warmer weather.
3. Barbecue: Kick off grilling season by hosting your family and friends for a bbq party! Dust off the grill, clean the internal racks, make sure there is plenty of propane and get cooking.
4. Let some air in: One of the many benefits of warmer temperatures is being able to open windows and doors. Let some fresh air in and take in the scents of spring.
5. Give your garden some attention: To prep your garden for the beautiful season ahead, put down a layer of compost, trim back shrubs, and plant some spring flowers such as tulips. 

8 Spring Projects To Save You Money

aol

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1. Clean refrigerator and air conditioner coils: Since your fridge and air conditioner both work by exchanging heat through a network of coils, once these coils become dusty and dirty the system needs to work longer and harder to function. Cleaning these coils improves the efficiency of these machines and will save you money. To clean the coils in the fridge, just use a vacuum hose to clean the coils in the back of the unit. For the air conditioner, ensure that power is off to the unit first and then take apart the casing and clean with canned air or a stiff brush.
2. Set up routine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance: Even though it does cost you to have someone come out and look at your units, it's far less costly than having to do major repairs later. You can even check Groupon and other sites for deals on local HVAC companies.
3. Inspect the roof: Check the roof for ice, hail, or water damage and do any necessary repairs; many of these are simply DIY projects. This will save you money down the road and will hopefully prevent any future water damage.
4. Clean the gutters: Although cleaning the gutters is a dreaded chore for most people, it is necessary in order to prepare for a rainy spring. When gutters are clogged, water doesn't pass through like it should and this means more water ends up near the foundation of your home which can mean serious water damage in the future.
5. Clean the dryer vent: Even though you may clean out the lint trap in between loads, lint still builds up in the vent of your dryer. It is necessary to unhook the vent from the back of your dryer and vacuum out all of that trapped lint. You should also remove the vent cover from the exterior of your home and vacuum that out as well.
6. Inspect washing machine hoses: With time hoses can crack and cause leaks that are not found right away which can cause mold issues and other problems. Check to make sure the hoses are in good condition and if they are cracked or showing signs of wear, replacing them is a simple fix!
7. Caulk doors and windows: Although you may have caulked right before we went into the deep freeze, that caulk may have cracked already. Re-caulk where needed in order to keep the hot air out.
8. Plant trees: Are you thinking about doing some landscaping this spring? Why not plant a couple of trees to help reduce sun exposure to your home or cold winds during the winter? If your home gets a lot of sun during the day, plant a couple of fast growing trees on the west, east, or northwest side of your home. This will help to block out some of that sun and hopefully cut down on your cooling bill. If you deal with harsh cold winds whipping into your home during the winter, consider planting some evergreens on the windiest side of your home.

Alden Estates Ranked Among The Best Rehabilitation Centers

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Alden Estates, a short-term rehabilitation center located in Shorewood, has been ranked one of the best rehabilitation facilities of 2014 by U.S. News. Alden Estates was given a 5 star rating based on health inspections, nurse staffing, and quality of care. This is a very prestigious honor given; Alden Estates stands out above almost every other nursing facility in the country. Alden Estates specializes in transitional care, short-term rehabilitation, and post-acute services. The facility is located at 710 W. Black Road in Shorewood. Congratulations, Alden Estates!

6 Tips To Make Laundry Day Way Easier

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Laundry day made simpler!

Is That Odor Coming From Your Fireplace?

The Herald-News Home life

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Spring may not be the time of year when you think about your fireplace, but this is the perfect time to think about getting it cleaned. After a fireplace gets used, creosote builds up in the chimney. Once the weather warms up, the creosote in your chimney can start to smell and that odor can invade your home. Along with the warmer weather and humidity, moisture can team up with the creosote, causing the flue liner to break down. Once the flue liner is damaged, this can mean expensive repairs. Contact a chimney sweeper and they will be able to clean out your chimney and fireplace, getting it all set for next fall, when you once again want to cozy up by the fire.

March Home Maintenance

www.realestate.msn.com

     

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March is a great time to assess your home and make any necessary repairs. Making your home ready for spring and summer is important and can be done with just a few steps:

• Improve curb appeal: Wash your front door and front porch/steps. Repaint/stain your front door if needed and repaint your porch steps and railing with durable deck paint.
• Inspect the roof: Check your roof for any debris that has accumulated and examine the metal seals around chimneys, skylights, etc. for rust or holes.
• Make sure there is no water under your home: Your home should be dry underneath even during wet weather so if you do find water, check for any leaks. You may need to hire a professional to assist you in locating the leaks and repairing them.
• Clean the garbage disposal: Pour one cup of vinegar into an ice cube try and fill it up the rest of the way with water. Pop the tray into the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, put a couple of them down into the garbage disposal and then turn it on. The vinegar cubes will loosen grease and other debris and will clean the disposal.
• Get rid of bathroom and kitchen odors: Check these rooms for any cracks in caulk or grout and repair those areas. Check your appliances for plumbing leaks; look around sinks, bathtubs, toilets, washers, dryers, etc. for moisture.
• Save water: Now is a good time to invest in low cost ways to cut down on water usage in your home. Many older toilets hold way more water than necessary for flushing, so displacing some of that water in the tank will reduce your water use. For a simple DIY fix, take a half-gallon plastic milk jug, fill it with water and add small stones to the bottom. Place the jug into the tank, being careful to avoid any working parts. 
• Aerators: In order to save water while using your kitchen and bath faucets, you can install an Aerator which mixes air into the water. This allows the water pressure to still be good while saving water at the same time. Aerators can be screwed right onto the faucet tip and are very inexpensive, costing only around $2-$3 at your local hardware store.

Happy Friday!

Yelp's Top 10 Irish Spots In Will County

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Gearing up for the upcoming March 17th holiday? Here are some suggestions for great local spots!

• O'Charley's Irish Pub, 117 N. Center Street, Joliet, 4.5 stars
• Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, 4 stars
• McBride's on 52, 2727 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, 3.5 stars
• McBride's Pub and Grille, 7162 Canton Farm, Plainfield, 3.5 stars
• Tom Kelly's Chophouse and Pub, 495 DeGroate Road, New Lenox, 3.5 stars
• Jameson's Pub, 2755 Black Road, Joliet, 3.5 stars
• Katie O'Connor's Pint House and Eatery, 13717 Route 30, Plainfield, 3.5 stars
• The Irish Pig, 280 E. Haven Ave, New Lenox, 3.5 stars
• Paddy's, 362 Theodore Street, Crest Hill, 3.5 stars
• Fox's Restaurant and Pub, 14206 Route 30, Plainfield, 3 stars