Infographic: 15 ways to winterize your home

This would have been a good thing to post a few months back I guess…

http://visual.ly/track.php?q=http://visual.ly/15-ways-winterize-your-home&slug=15-ways-winterize-your-home From Visually.

 

What You (Might Not) Want To Know about Mice & Rats: An infographic

Well now that winter is fading (not that it was much of one), it is time to think about turning the water back on and heading to the schoolhouse.

However that also means we will have to clean up from our furry squatters. This infographic I discovered shares a little bit of why I take such care in cleaning up after the mice. Blech.

http://visual.ly/track.php?q=http://visual.ly/what-you-might-not-want-know-about-mice-rats&slug=what-you-might-not-want-know-about-mice-rats

From Visually.

What You (Might Not) Want To Know about Mice & Rats
– See more at: http://visual.ly/what-you-might-not-want-know-about-mice-rats#sthash.VATv8X6w.dpuf

A tale of two toilets

i have always wanted two bathrooms here at the schoolhouse but this isn’t quite what I had in mind.

  

Our kind friend has provided us with a new toilet (well new to us) and installed it. As soon as the water is up and running we will be able to be a little less rustic than we have been the past few months. And for now this old beaut will remind us of what a cold winter it truly was.

Time to spring winter

Is it safe to come out yet? Is winter finally over and spring on its way?

Winter is leaving. At least I hope it is.

I generally don’t like to complain about the weather. Partially because Canadians shouldn’t complain about the cold but also working from home means I can avoid most of it. This winter though, has been nothing but a cold, crappy disaster from start to finish when it comes to the schoolhouse. Mice infestations, frozen toilets, no heat and a near propane explosion have tested the limits of patience in our household.

So here’s to spring and with it some vacation time to do some serious clean up.

Shovelling tips: An infographic

Well it looks like we are finally getting some serious snow!

Here is a bit of info to watch for when you shovel your walks and driveways this winter! The stats are from the US but you get the idea. Stay safe!

Admitting to defeat

I believe I must admit that this year the mice are winning.

Upon arriving at the schoolhouse last night we discovered the mouse traps and poison I had laid out has been largely ignored. Except of course the box of extra poison I bought which seems to be covered in mouse poop.

This may be a losing battle…

Keeping the cold out

So are we all ready for this?

Buckhorn backyard winter 2013

I know I am not. We are headed up this weekend to do a bit more winterizing. Hopefully we can keep the outside where it belongs and the house in good shape in case this happens again.

I found this list of helpful tips which may be of use.

How to protect your cottage during the winter months

Well truthfully we don’t drain the lines like some folk do as we come up throughout the winter. And we keep a bit of heat on so that’s my main concern. But we keep a clear path to the door and to the propane tank and as long as we can get in and check in regularly all should be well.

Bump in the night

After being away for just a couple of weeks it seems that the mice decided to make their way back into the house. Standard practice around here.

Another day of cleaning out the drawers and wishing the vacuum with the pokey thing was here instead of at the condo.

Sigh. Ah well. It look like they are also taking the bait so here is hoping that is our last visit for now.

8 tips for a green home – an infographic

Here are some interesting tips I found for preserving our water system.

Given that this past weekend we had to take in the water pump for repairs and went without I do not take the wet stuff for granted!

Explore more visuals like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

Prepping my pots

Spring is finally here in full swing.

The temperatures are still a bit cool but it was enough to pull out all of my pots for this year’s balcony garden.

And let this be known that this is the last photo I will ever take of that awful old barbecue. It has now moved on to new pastures. Well the dump anyway.

After all the talk of vertical gardens and vegetables,  I am going to do things a bit more simply this year. All flowers, a few herbs and one pepper plant.