by Matt Gallo
When the gray, cold days of winter are finally gone, it's time to give your home a thorough spring cleaning. Although most homeowners tackle the inside of their house, few remember that the outside needs a freshen-up as well! Wash away the grime of winter with window washing, gutter cleaning & pressure washing. You'll be amazed at how bright and clean your home looks.
Window Washing
After the rain, snow, and ice of winter, it's no wonder your windows are dingy and spotted! Eliminate the dirty film of winter and let the cheerful light of spring pour through...it's time to call the window washers...Window washing should include cleaning all windows inside and out as well as any storm windows or screens. Many window washers also offer interior glass washing services for chandeliers, mirrors, lamps, and ceiling fans...
Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning is a maintenance task most homeowners dread, and subsequently neglect...but for gutters to effectively channel rainwater away from your house and foundation, they need to be unclogged and flowing freely... Perhaps the best way to get your gutters clean is to hire a professional gutter cleaning service...They'll remove leaves, twigs, and any built-up debris; flush out your gutters; and ensure that downspouts are working properly. Many gutter contractors can even repair gutters that have been damaged over the winter! Once your gutters are clean and repaired...they'll protect your home from excess rainwater.
Pressure Washing
Winter wreaks havoc on the appearance of your home: storms splash mud on your siding; excessive moisture encourages algae growth on your brick; salt can stain your driveway... Perfect for removing a whole variety of eyesores from mud to dirt, mildew, and mold, power washing can get the exterior of your home looking great again. For optimal results...hire a professional power washing contractor. They'll be able to get practically any part of your home's exterior sparkling clean again without making amateur mistakes like damaging mortar or gouging wood. Contact a power washing contractor to freshen:
Siding / Brick / Stone
Patios / Decks / Roofs
Sidewalks / Driveways / Concrete
...Window washing, gutter cleaning & pressure washing are 3 relatively inexpensive projects that can really help your home look great!...
Matt Gallo is a home improvement specialist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius...
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Gallo
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Looking for a springtime hobby?
Vegetable Gardening
Vegetable gardening involves the production of produce on either a large scale or small. This is becoming a very popular backyard hobby in many areas where soil and weather cooperate for growing.
Types of vegetable gardening
Vegetable gardening can take on a number of different grow styles. For the home-based gardener, these are the most typical forms:
Basic backyard growing – For people with enough land to stake out a sizeable plot, this type of vegetable gardening will resemble larger-scale productions. A garden might involve multiple crops and rows of plantings.
Container – This type of vegetable gardening is popular among apartment dwellers that cannot grow crops in the ground. It involves the use of special buckets or containers that can be moved in and out of the sun.
Organic – In this type of vegetable gardening, no chemicals or pesticides are used.
Getting started with vegetable gardening
Exact advice for vegetable gardening hinges on the geographical region, season and crops involved. To increase the chances for success with vegetable gardening make sure to:
Select the right time to plant – Make sure to look at a localized growers’ guide for advice on when to plant certain crops.
Properly prepare the earth – Both plot and container-based crops will require proper preparation. Make sure soil is rich in the nutrients needed by a specific plant and also remove all weeds and other obstructions. Aerating the soil is also important.
source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/vegetable-gardening , accessed April 19, 2009 9:15p.m.
Happy Gardening
Vegetable gardening involves the production of produce on either a large scale or small. This is becoming a very popular backyard hobby in many areas where soil and weather cooperate for growing.
Types of vegetable gardening
Vegetable gardening can take on a number of different grow styles. For the home-based gardener, these are the most typical forms:
Basic backyard growing – For people with enough land to stake out a sizeable plot, this type of vegetable gardening will resemble larger-scale productions. A garden might involve multiple crops and rows of plantings.
Container – This type of vegetable gardening is popular among apartment dwellers that cannot grow crops in the ground. It involves the use of special buckets or containers that can be moved in and out of the sun.
Organic – In this type of vegetable gardening, no chemicals or pesticides are used.
Getting started with vegetable gardening
Exact advice for vegetable gardening hinges on the geographical region, season and crops involved. To increase the chances for success with vegetable gardening make sure to:
Select the right time to plant – Make sure to look at a localized growers’ guide for advice on when to plant certain crops.
Properly prepare the earth – Both plot and container-based crops will require proper preparation. Make sure soil is rich in the nutrients needed by a specific plant and also remove all weeds and other obstructions. Aerating the soil is also important.
source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/vegetable-gardening , accessed April 19, 2009 9:15p.m.
Happy Gardening
Grilled Flank Steak Crostini
Grilled Flank Steak Crostini with Mustard Greens
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello
Cook Time
15 min
Level
Easy
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 flank steak
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3 cloves)
12 cups greens, such as mustard, chard or spinach, washed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Hot sauce, optional
1 baguette, sliced on the bias into long thin slices
Directions
Bring the flank steak to room temperature.
Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat a stovetop grill pan.
Season both sides of the steak with salt and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on 1 side of the meat and lightly rub it in.
Sprinkle half of the oregano on top and place the steak on the grill, herb side up.
Grill on 1 side for about 5 minutes or until the juices of the meat come to the surface of the steak. Turn the steak once and continue cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until done to your taste. Let rest for a few minutes.
Meanwhile: In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until hot. Add the garlic and saute about 1 minute, or until light brown. Add the greens and toss occasionally.
After about 3 minutes, the greens will have cooked down. Season with a large pinch of salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. Cook another 3 minutes. Splash greens with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and hot sauce, to taste, if using. Transfer the greens to a plate.
For the crostini: Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on the grill or grill pan and cook until crispy, about 1 minute on each side.
Cut the flank steak across the grain in 1/4-inch slices. Place a slice of steak on top of each crostini, top each with the greens and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and hot sauce, as desired. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/grilled-flank-steak-crostini-with-mustard-greens-recipe/index.html foodnetwork.com, April 19, 2009 8:51p.m.
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello
Cook Time
15 min
Level
Easy
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 flank steak
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 3 cloves)
12 cups greens, such as mustard, chard or spinach, washed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Hot sauce, optional
1 baguette, sliced on the bias into long thin slices
Directions
Bring the flank steak to room temperature.
Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat a stovetop grill pan.
Season both sides of the steak with salt and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on 1 side of the meat and lightly rub it in.
Sprinkle half of the oregano on top and place the steak on the grill, herb side up.
Grill on 1 side for about 5 minutes or until the juices of the meat come to the surface of the steak. Turn the steak once and continue cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until done to your taste. Let rest for a few minutes.
Meanwhile: In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until hot. Add the garlic and saute about 1 minute, or until light brown. Add the greens and toss occasionally.
After about 3 minutes, the greens will have cooked down. Season with a large pinch of salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper. Cook another 3 minutes. Splash greens with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar and hot sauce, to taste, if using. Transfer the greens to a plate.
For the crostini: Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on the grill or grill pan and cook until crispy, about 1 minute on each side.
Cut the flank steak across the grain in 1/4-inch slices. Place a slice of steak on top of each crostini, top each with the greens and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and hot sauce, as desired. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/grilled-flank-steak-crostini-with-mustard-greens-recipe/index.html foodnetwork.com, April 19, 2009 8:51p.m.
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