Before there was Coca-Cola, there were shrubs. Not the kind that grow in your garden, but a sweet-and-sour drinking vinegar that’s irresistible, especially in hot weather. Infused with fruit, herbs, and spices, shrubs not only slake your thirst but also provide an inventive way to preserve seasonal bounty. And just like baking sourdough and fermenting…
Pucker Up, Bottoms Up: How to Turn Any Fruit Into a Shrub for the Most Refreshing DIY Drinks
Add a Unique Curved Area to a Deck
Dear James: It seems like everyone has the standard rectangular deck. I would like to build a unique one with a circular section surrounded by gardens. How can I do this? — Joshua W. Dear Joshua: Adding a deck yourself, especially a unique one with a curved side, can increase the value of your house…
Home Depot Raises Full-Year Forecasts as Demand Stays Firm
Home Depot Inc. raised its annual profit and sales forecasts on Tuesday, easing concerns that demand for home-improvement tools and building materials would take a hit amid surging inflation. The company’s shares rose as much as 5 percent to $310.78 as Home Depot’s first-quarter comparable sales increased, driven by higher sales of plumbing, building materials,…
Add a New, Modern Doorbell Ringer
Dear James: My doorbell hardly rings anymore, and I probably need a new one. It looks like a fairly simple project to replace it. What are the basic steps to do this? — Cindy D. Dear Cindy: A doorbell ringer can lose its intensity from aging materials and dust buildup inside it. Modern homes also…
The Basic Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
Homeownership gives us a great sense of pride, joy, satisfaction—and stress. The right tools will help lower your blood pressure. And best of all, they’ll do it without breaking the bank. Consider that the average cost of an electrician is $40 to $100 per hour plus a $75 call-out fee, while a plumber will cost…
Seal Hidden Window Air Leaks With Caulk
Dear James: I recently installed new weatherstripping on my old wood windows. On windy days, the curtains still move. How can I find and stop the other air leakage? — Rita T. Dear Rita: Now that you have already installed the new weatherstripping, try to remember if you saw any discolored spots when you pulled…
7 Little Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without Renovating
While we all might have visions of our dream kitchen dancing in our head or multiple images pinned to a Pinterest board, doing a full-scale renovation might not be in the budget at the moment. But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do. Here are a few easy ways to update your kitchen…
Tuckpoint a Chimney
Loose crumbling mortar between the brick joints of a chimney indicates its exposure to weather extremes have taken its toll so it’s a good idea to inspect it once a year. Tuckpointing is the process of repairing mortar brick joints and it’s an important preventive maintenance project. If mortar is left unchecked and continues to…
Install a Door Closer
It’s not easy to open a screen door if your hands are carrying a package or child. You may not notice the opening and closing mechanism of your storm door until you open the door with your hands full. You might manage to wedge the door open with a little hip action while struggling to…
Once You Use This DIY Glass and Mirror Cleaner, You Will Never Look Back
I love simple DIY household cleaners, not only because they’re so much cheaper than their commercial cousins but because they work better. I’m certain that over the years I’ve tried hundreds of recipes and formulas. Let’s just say that some work well; others, not so much. Recently, I’ve been researching and testing the wonders of…
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