Improve Your Lawn With The Use Of Mulch

By Thomas Fryd

If you want to make a good impression on your friends and neighbors, then your lawn and garden may need some attention. The right landscaping materials and plants can enhance and beautify your home and increase its overall appeal.

You can turn your simple barren, bland yard into a work of art at a relatively affordable price, by doing it yourself.

Recently, in the past few years there have been many companies that have introduced a wide variety of bagged rocks and mulches. The newest line from Vigoro offers the landscaping artist over 26 varieties of products. They vary in size, color and shapes, so your possibilities are limitless.

Beautiful and decorative landscaping rock and mulch are a great way to improve your yard. Try using mulch to accent your garden, flower beds, driveway and walkway. Mulch also provides added benefits, other than being attractive they improve your soil and plants. Mulch is good at controlling and slowing erosion, maintaining proper moisture levels, and it controls weed population and soil insulation.

Here are just a few helpful tips when choosing and adding mulch to your yard or landscape:

1.) Choose a mulch that lasts a long time and is heavy, this prevents it from being easily washed away from heavy rains.

2.) Choose a mulch with looser structure to allow better soil aeration

3.) Make sure to apply mulch at the proper time, during late spring it will help preserve water and reduce ground temperature

4.) When applying mulch make sure it is 1-2 inches deep. A finer, more fluffy mulch should be applied 3-4 inches deep.

5.) Ensure mulch is applied evenly by raking through it with your hands

6.) Water the mulch after applying

7.) Make sure to move mulch a few inches away from plants and tree bottoms

To prevent grass growth and keep your plants in a healthy state, there is a mulch made by Vigoro called "Mulch with Weed Stop". This mulch is the first ever to contain a pre-emergent herbicidal agent. It controls weeds for up to 4 months, while allowing your annuals and spring bulbs, shrubbery and trees to continue growing and thriving for an ever-beautiful landscaping or garden. It is the only mulch that contains natural forest products and is certified by the Mulch and Soil Council.

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There is more to learn on landscaping grass. Click on the link to visit http://www.plant-care.com/1527-grass-landscaping.html.

The Coffee Cake Magic

By Carl Esonhouse

Historians says that coffee cake was not discovered by the pastry chef long era a ago but it evolve around that, firstly the tasty cake of honey was made by French which in sense encouraged fruit cakes , then later it was made in sweet yeast rolls made by Danish cakes which have coffee in it. Later on the cakes were manufactured in mass and become very common in the world, now it's available in ant corner of the world.

America brought recipes

The concept of a coffee cake it was in earlier years was only simple overwhelming several sweet kind of cake just like having a cup of coffee; it started in Europe around the seventeenth century. historians says that before in Europe they were famous for having bread in the morning but when the coffee was introduce there the scene was changed, and they made very good combination of coffee with the bread. Historians also says that in German as well as Dutch they introduce various type of recipes and made different combustions with the coffee after that it was launch in America the coffee cake.

Mostly people believe that before the coffee cake were tasted much like bread than a cake. They were made of some sugar, yeast, flour, nuts, sweet spices, some eggs and dried fruits. In recent times in America the cake was made more delicious than before by adding yogurt, cheese, and variety of creams and a mixture of sugared fruits.

Holland and German communities

The Holland and the German community were well-known in New Jersey, New York and Delaware for their coffee cakes in the past days. Their way of making cake is similar to today's time, they is no difference in the recipes. Scandinavians were very good in coffee making and they wanted little bit of sweets with the coffee and that is how the world's famous and tasty cakes were introduced. The Scandinavians become very proud of their creation of tasty cakes and than made more range of pastries and cake and gave to people who came from Central Europe to America.

In the records of the America, the writer says that in the year 1879 coffee cake turn out to be very famous in America. Historians have done research by seeing the old cookery books of previous time and found that cake recipes for making coffee cake were publish in all the books of cooking and each every one in America started making coffee cake later in the eighteen hundreds. There is lot of variety of cakes and the most of the famous varieties are streusel variation, crumb cake and the streusel version. So You have got lots of Information About Coffee Cake.

About the Author:

Carl Esonhouse continually creates news on themes dealing with coffee and cappachino machines. His articles on home cappuccino machines are found on his site .

Outdoor Post Lighting: Why It's A Great Idea

By Febbe Wallace

When it comes to outdoor lighting, there are simply many styles and designs to choose from. Outdoor post lighting is just one of them. What benefits can you get from this kind of lighting and what sets it apart from other kinds of lighting?

Benefits

Creating the Right Atmosphere - Just like any other style of outdoor lighting, outdoor post lighting fixtures are not just mere lighting fixtures. They are also great decorative elements even when not in use. Your preferred kind of outdoor post lighting can easily complement your home theme and provide an inviting ambiance when you want to spend some night time outdoors. More than anything else though, outdoor post lighting fixtures are also best for security reasons. Aside from serving as thematic decorations, your lamp posts can clearly illuminate pathways, walkways, driveways, pools, gardens and patios. This can help prevent either accidents or intrusions.

Downlighting

Downlight - What sets outdoor post lighting apart from other styles of lighting is its ability to downlight. This simply means that post lights can provide illumination from above. This is the reason why street lights are often really large variations of outdoor post lighting fixtures. They can provide clear illumination in areas that they are placed in. Outdoor post lighting for homes is perfect for night time fun and dining because you can easily see everything that is going on especially if you are preparing food and drinks.

Sizes

Fixtures for outdoor post lighting come in different sizes. Traditional post lighting really had one size in the past. Old post lights towered way over human users and objects in gardens and paths. These days though, you can get decorative post lights that are a little shorter or even shorter than average human adults.

It is suggested though that if you have more than just aesthetics in mind, then you should opt for full length posts that are a little taller than you are. This will ensure that its downlight function is not impeded and you can therefore easily see what you need to do.

Designs

Outdoor post lighting comes in a variety of designs. For homes, accented or decorative post lighting are the best. You can pick a simple box type lamp, a European globe type lamp or an antique looking glass blown lamp to complement an elegant and classy home. Outdoor post lighting fixtures also come in various themes. You can pick a Western or Oriental theme or even a futuristic theme. Of course, there are also unusual designs such as lighting with intricately detailed or curved posts.

Energy and Electrical Sources - A lot of outdoor post lighting fixtures are powered by electricity. These days though, you can also choose to buy solar powered lamp posts. These lamps can collect power from the sun during the day and use up the energy at night. These products are good to use if you want to save on both financial and energy resources.

Low Voltage

You can use low voltage for your outdoor lighting. This won't just help you cut your expenses, it can also show some respect for your neighbors. If you want flexibility, you can install a dimmer.

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Know recent outdoor lighting idea. See recent outdoor post lighting products.

Car Sales Training: Sell Like You are The Customer

By Mak Nawab

One effective method of selling a car is understanding how the customer and salesperson relationship works. You have bought plenty of items for yourself over the years and one auto salesperson technique that you can use to sell is by taking a walk in the customer's shoes. By putting yourself in your customer's position, you can easily understand how an auto salesperson that pays attention to their customers needs can make a successful sale every time they engage a new client.

Once you considered this, think about how you as the car salesperson treat your customers and then ask yourself, 'Am I selling them this car based on their perspective as a customer?' If you answer no to that question, then you may want to reevaluate your current sales strategy. Putting your feet in your customer's shoes - and we don't mean literally - will go a long way to understanding how to approach and work with your customers to get them into the vehicle they want and close the sale.

Four steps of selling like you're the customer

Most sales transactions happen in four common steps. Once you recognize and familiarize yourself with these steps, then selling to the customer as if you were the customer becomes easier. Let's look at them.

Step 1: The relationship between the salesperson and the customer must be established.
This is not optional. You must build up a rapport with your customer before you can sell them a vehicle. If the relationship is a strong one with trust developed through conversation, then you will sell them the car that they need and want and not one that will not meet their needs.

Step 2: Decide whether or not there is even a remote possibility of getting a sale.
Help the customer understand how the process works from start to finish and listen to what they are telling you about what they are looking for. If you weren't listened to by a salesperson, you'd walk away. Listening is key to closing the deal.

Step 3: Determine if this is a good opportunity.
When you put yourself into the customer's shoes and look at the sales agreement and commitment you need to determine if this is a good buying opportunity. Price is a major factor in whether or not the customer will ultimately buy from you so engaging them in conversation about how they are feeling about the sale is a good way to easing any worried they may have and allow you to show them how this purchase will beneficial to them at that point in time.

Step 4: Finally, allow the customer time to decide on their course of action.
If you push too hard right away, you'll lose the sale. Let them make the decision and listen to any concerns they have when they decide to give you're their final answer.

About the Author:

Atten: Car salespeople. Mak has many more tips and strategies. Receive his free 5 part mini e-course on automotive sales training. It's a must read car sales training course to help you sell more vehicle in the car business.

Frequently asked Questions about Automobiles

By Daryl Marples

Automobiles, don't we just love and worship them? Well, some people don't do either one, but most of us do. As pollution concerns are being tackled, by both stricter legislation and improved technology, we can feel a lot less guilty about our four wheeled friends. They come in all shapes and sizes, more or less, and can be so shiny and new that we just can't resist them.

Of course even when they're not new, the possibilities are there to improve them and make them our own. Some people even talk to their cars and spend hours looking after them. Sometimes we curse them but usually we bless them, and the global road building programs set down for their ever more increased use, is seemingly never going to be stalled.

Of course automobiles can cause us problems, but that's not their fault! That's just other people being complicated as usual. So, the automobile continues to rule, and like it or not, as a society we just can't do without them.

How can I get more mileage out of my automobile? There are many tips to help in this regard, and here are some now: Drive properly! Aggressive driving like speeding with rapid acceleration and late braking just wastes gasoline like crazy. As well as attracting traffic cops, this sort of behavior on the highway can use up to a third more gas than usual. Use cruise control for maintaining a steady speed instead. And overdrive gears help as well by slowing the speed of the engine without affecting the speed of the car. Know where your going Buy a GPS for your Car . If you are driving around in circles you will waist gas. Use a quality engine oil, though more expensive in themselves, a decent oil can give a boost of somewhere around a tenth to your miles per gallon; so the cost will soon be to your benefit by savings made at the fuel pumps.

Keep to the speed limit, this may sound boring but good mileage and speed doesn't mix. Somewhere around a quarter to a fifth of fuel is saved when you don't stray much above 60mph. Use air conditioning rather than open windows to cool down when driving, as open windows act to resist airflow around the car. But don't have it turned on all the time, as then it can use up power from the engine unnecessarily.

Don't keep any excess weight in your automobile. Check your tires are inflated properly. Learn your locality, there may be roads to use as shortcuts which others are not aware of (even longer routes can work this way if you have a clear road to drive on, as it will avoid engine idling or `stop and go' traffic, both of which are not good for gasoline and mileage).

What does engine oil actually do? Many things, and each one of them is of importance. Engine oil will lubricate, to guard against general wear and abrasion; it prevents corrosion; cools things down; gains better performance and prevents blocks from forming.

Do I need auto insurance before I buy a car? If you are buying your first car then yes. If you already own an automobile then (presuming you have it insured) most policies will cover the new car for thirty days so long as you have collision and comprehensive, but inform your insurer about your change of vehicle without delay.

What makes up the price of my insurance? Various factors are used to equate you with the 'right' premium. The type of car you will be driving, how expensive it is, and how often you drive for a start. That ties up with crime and traffic stats for your home area; as well as the average local costs for things like auto repair, parts, labor and medical care. Also added to the brew is inflation, and the success or failure that the relevant company and the industry in general, have had recently in dealing with fraudulent claims by other drivers.

How can I improve the shine on my paint job? A lovely glossy look and feel is what most of us want for our automobiles, to make us proud, but unfortunately time takes its toll. To help, always use a high quality polish with mild abrasives, and always follow the instructions carefully! It's amazing how many people ignore these and then complain later. If the paint is really dull, and has no shine at all, then a chemical cleaner should be applied to remove the surface `dead layer' of paint (where it has oxidized). The simplest tip though, is just one of timing. Wax your car straight away after washing or cleaning, this will make the most of the protection offered by the wax for the newly exposed top layer of paint, by slowing the evaporation rate of the paint oils and therefore, maintaining a shine.

What are those 5-star ratings from the government all about?
You're talking about NCAP, which is an abbreviation for: New Car Assessment Program. This is run by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) which is a division of the United States Department of Transportation. These rating are all about vehicle safety, and now include measures of frontal and side-on crashes, as well as rollovers. The stars, from 1 to 5 with 5 obviously being the best award, are given as protection ratings and calculated by what percentage of likelihood it is that serious injury will occur to the occupants.

What is reformulated gasoline? Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is fuel that has been altered to burn 'cleaner' and therefore reduce smog and toxic pollution in the air. During the seventies, the Federal Government introduced the Clean Air Act to force states to do something about pollution, and now somewhere around a third of gasoline sold in the United States is RFG. RFG has to be 2% by weight made up of oxygen, and different alcohols and ethers are used as fuel additives to achieve this, so the term 'oxygenated gasoline' is also used.

Can you explain those CARB emission ratings? Though strict (and soon to be stricter) federal emission standards exist, many folks in the United States may have heard about California standards more often. The CARB (California Air Resources Board) began with what is known as federal Tier 1 and came up with standards based on the percentage of toxic exhaust emissions that are reduced by an automobile as compared to the basic permissible amount: TLEV (Traditional Low Emissions Vehicle) = 50% less of hydrocarbons. LEV (Low Emissions Vehicle) = 70% less hydrocarbons and 50% less nitrous oxide. ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) = 85% less hydrocarbons, 50% less nitrous oxide and also 50% less carbon monoxide fumes emitted. SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) = 96% less hydrocarbons, 95% less nitrous oxide and 70% less carbon monoxide in the exhaust. ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) = a full and total 100% less emissions in hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide. These are electric powered vehicles.

What is a hybrid? A hybrid automobile utilizes both an internal combustion engine and electric power, to provide increased energy efficiency. These two drive sources can either do their work individually, when they are known as parallel; or they can work concurrently, referred to as series.

What is the most popular color for an automobile? Silver often tops this list, usually followed by white in second and black in third.

In Summary Automobiles will probably be around as long as the human race, in the future they may be hydrogen or solar powered, and may even hover or fly, but essentially they will provide us with the same mobility and independence as they do now, and be loved just as much for it.

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We've just scratched the surface looking at the topic of GPS for your car. You're only a click away - http://www.bchighway.com/myvehicle.

Peace Lily A Low Light House Plant

By Thomas Fryd

Unless you have a great number of windows, many areas of your home are probably considered low light areas. Generally this is defined as being eight feet or more away from a large window, with no direct light. Many areas of the typical home do not reeive enough natural light. However, you can still grow beautiful houseplants in these areas! There are many plants which will acclimate to low light conditions. They do not require high levels of care, although you should spray them with water occasionally to wash accumulated dust off their leaves. Here are some of the best low-light plants for your home:

Cast Iron Plant, or Aspidistra elatior, is a foliage plant with long, dark green glossy leaves. It has a reputation for growing under even the worst light conditions, and is not particular about temperature or water conditions, either. Watch for mealybugs, mites, and scales, which are known for attacking this plant. You should divide and repot this plant in the spring, when its roots have outgrown the pot.

Zebra Haworthia, another choice for low-light planting, is a succulent plant with white spotted leaves. These thick leaves form rosettes and tube-like flowers that hang on long stalks. It is a small plant, making it an ideal choice for container gardens or small spaces. It should be watered thoroughly, and night temperatures should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be repotted when it has outgrown the existing pot, in a well-drained porous soil mixture.

Chinese evergreen is another good low-light houseplant. They can even be grown in water, with no soil. There are many varieties with interesting color patterns, which can add variety to your plant selection. The temperature should not fall below 60 Fahrenheit at night. When the plant becomes root-bound, you should repot it.

Snake plant, or Sansevieria trifasciata, is an African plant with thick leaves banded with yellow or dark green. Older plants sometimes grow spikes of yellow or white flowers in greater light conditions. The soil should be sandy with some peat moss, and the plant should be fertilized every 3 to 4 months. You should water this plant thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch.

Split leaf Philodendron is a climbing plant with large leathery leaves. It requires support, such as a pole or lattice, but can easily be cut back to keep it within the space you have. Soil should be kept damp, and this plant prefers humid conditions and temperatures above 60 degrees.

Peace Lily is a plant which comes in many varieties available at garden centers or nurseries. The size of this plant varies greatly, meaning there is likely one to fit your needs. In higher light conditions, it will produce long-lasting, creamy white flowers. Soil should be slightly moist at all times, and temperatures should not drop below 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pothos, or Devil's Ivy, is a popular hanging foliage plants, and it can also be trained to grow upright on poles. You should keep the temperature warm, and the soil slightly moist at all times.

English Ivy comes in many varieties and grows well in low light conditions. Varieties come with different leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. Ivy can tolerate temperatures as low as 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Screw Pine, or Pandanus veitchii, is a shrub with white-striped, swordlike leaves. This plant prefers humidity, as well as temperatures above 60 degrees. You should allow soil to dry out between waterings, and repot only when rootbound. The plant propagates through suckers that grow out from the base of the plant.

Grape Ivy usually comes in hanging basket or table plant forms. This vine has small, glossy green pointed leaflets and tendrils. Guides on care of Grape Ivy say that this peace lily cultivar enjoys high humidity, and new growth is usually covered with a strange white felt-like substance, which will disappear as the new growth reaches maturity.

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To keep you better informed there is lots more on the topic of care of peace lily. Drop by today at http://www.plant-care.com/peace-lily-spathiphyllum.html.

Awesome Ideas to using Gift Cards

By John Smith

What can be more disheartening than opening a gift and finding it to be something you will NEVER use? That has happened to us all at some time or another. You have several options. You can smile and pretend to like it, knowing that later you will either discard it, throw it in a closet never to be seen again, or give it to someone else and hope it never gets back to the person who gave it to you in the first place. You can tell the person that you don't like it and want to exchange it for something else, but then you risk hurting the feelings of someone you dearly love. This is where the idea of giving gift cards comes in. Imagine being able to give your loved ones whatever they want. With a gift card, that becomes possible.

With the incredibly high cost of gasoline, gas gift cards make an excellent gift idea. Everyone can use them (assuming of course, that they can drive!) and they are very convenient to directly at the pump. This is an especially great idea for teenagers, because often if you simply give them a Visa or MasterCard gift card, they may wastefully spend it on unnecessary items. A gas gift card will ensure that it will be used for needed transportation. These gift cards can also be reloaded and used over and over again. There is a phone number on the back of the card. When you first get the gift card, write that number down. If the card is ever lost or stolen, you can call that number and get a replacement. Don't you wish that you could replace lost or stolen cash that easily?

Weddings are an ideal time to give a gift card. How many of you received three toasters and four dozen glasses for your wedding? Giving a gift card will ensure that the couple will get something they truly need and want. If you need a creative idea for giving a wedding gift card, try buying a wedding gift cardholder. You certainly will not be the only one bringing gift cards as a present. With a gift cardholder, they can keep all the cards together in one place. Some resemble birdcages or decorative boxes with a slit in the top. You can find them anywhere that wedding supplies are sold. Try to go with a style and color that matches the bride's theme. If you aren't sure, go with white, it is always a classic. This even works as a gift for an engagement party as well.

If you own your own business, gift cards are a great way to bring more exposure to your business. They are easy to buy and can be preloaded at set amounts, or you can have the customer choose the amount they wish to set. If the card never gets used, it is pure profit for your company.

Don't think that gift cards are just the easy way out. They show the recipient that you took the time and thought to select a particular store or restaurant that you know they love. But they also allow the gift recipient to choose something that would truly enjoy. Who wouldn't prefer that over something they will never use?

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Bathroom vanity is the key to your restroom

By Superior Home Decor

When redecorating your bathroom, many people do not consider the bathroom vanity being the most crucial piece. However, when designing your bathroom the mirror is used as the centerpiece. The reason behind it all is because people like to check their appearance in the mirror before moving on with their daily lives. It becomes a habit for most. When designing your bathroom make sure to include a mirror because people expect it.

The bathroom has the highest amount of traffic in the house which means that your bathroom is always being evaluated when it is used by a guest. So by making sure that your bathroom design includes a bathroom vanity and a sleek mirror. If the vanity does not match the rest of the bathroom's theme it is going to make an impression that you have a poor sense of taste or just threw something together.

When designing your bathroom you need to understand that the bathroom vanity is the most valuable piece because it is the only item of size that you have control over. The shower, toilet and sink are considered your bathroom furniture. When designing your bathroom layout, these pieces of furniture are not replaced as often as the mirror or vanity. Due to the layout of the piping, the sink, toilet and shower can not be rearranged as easily.

Thus, the only item you have sole control over to show your own personal taste in design in the bathroom is your bathroom vanity mirror. Thus, it is very important that you pick a mirror that is going to carry the theme you want portrayed in the rest of the bathroom. You may think this sounds ridiculous, but it is true.

For instances, numerous people like to decorate their restrooms with a cozy type of theme which includes floor rugs and toilet covers. The popular tones used in a bathroom as usually some type of earth tone which coordinates with wood very well. So to bring your whole bathroom theme together, purchase a wooden trimmed bathroom vanity. To personalize your natural theme you can add some richer colors which may include greens, reds, or blues. Or if you are not up to that much color on your bathroom walls, paint them ivory and use the richer colors for accents throughout your bathroom theme.

You could even consider adding wood towel racks or other wood accents to your bathroom. You can set the accents on wood or glass shelves next to the mirror above the bathroom vanity. These accents will help add a warm touch to your overall bathroom design.

You also might consider using wooden towel holders throughout your bathroom so that the entire bathroom has one cohesive theme, tied together of course by your bathroom vanity, which is now the centerpiece to your restroom. Choosing a bathroom vanity that does not match with the rest of your restroom is going to be distractive and harsh to the eyes of your guests, therefore ruining any theme you may have been trying to develop.

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This Article is brought to you by the team at Quality Bathroom Vanities. For more information about Bathroom Vanity Furniture Contact them at 1-866-44-Decor. Click here to Article Submission