When she was only 14, Jeanne Paddison’s father was working on a construction site. The lot next door was being cleared and as a tree came down, the men realized that a nest of baby raccoons had just lost their home. Years ago, there weren’t licensed rehabbers to take the animals and out of compassion, the men divided the homeless bandits to bring to their own homes for care. Jeanne’s father brought a baby raccoon, soon to be named Mandy, for her to save. A lifelong passion was born as she successfully rehabilitated and returned Mandy to the wild, this sparked a life long mission...
The key to creating a successful spring garden that lasts into the summer is to plan for it early. Visualize how your garden looked last year, and how you used it. Did some plants not thrive in that space? Were garden items difficult to get around? Perhaps some foliage was trampled because the area lacked a footpath, or the landscape was crying out for a water feature.
The seasonal decorations are all packed away. All is dreary – or, maybe not. The cold, gray days of winter are ripe for neighborhood get-togethers, indoors and out.
If you have recently transformed from an apartment renter to a homeowner, congratulations! You are now able to reap the rewards of homeownership such as tax savings and the ability to do what you want with your property. The very small downside is that now you are responsible for home maintenance. You are the landlord. It is true, though, that a well-maintained garden and home exterior not only add to the beauty and value of your home but will also increase the enjoyment of your property.
Landscaping for a new home is a challenge. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to be creative and design your outdoor space to suit you and your lifestyle. Whether you plan to do all the work yourself or hire a professional, you must draw up a landscape design. Start with asking yourself questions about what you like, how you live, how much are you willing to spend and whether a high- or low-maintenance landscape is right for you.
Interior decorating with natural elements has always been in style. People find peace and tranquility in nature whether indoors or outdoors. Bringing natural light into the home with window placement, window treatments and skylights are just a few ways to bring nature inside.
