It is the time of year that couples start tying the knot in droves, and that means that it’s time to start thinking about the best wedding gifts to give the happy couples you know and love.  Why not make the wedding gift memorable and useful?  A creative wedding gift doesn’t have to be hard to come up with if you use a bit of common sense.

When a young couple is getting married, it is usually the biggest, most important day that either of them has ever experienced.  This is something that is important to remember as the big day nears and you start considering what might make for a great wedding gift.  Many times, guests at the big even opt to simply go with a card containing money.  Certainly such a gift will always get put to use, but for occasions when the couple is more than just a casual acquaintance to you, sometimes more creative wedding gifts are a better idea.

Let’s face it, most people go through a period in their lives when it seems that almost everyone they know is getting married.  I remember one summer in particular when my wife and I joked that we felt like professional wedding guests!  Once you have reached the point of having attended three or more weddings during the same year, it is easy to become a bit jaded and even frustrated at the prospect of having to come up with more ideas for wedding gifts.  Looking for the best wedding gifts available can sometimes take a backseat to figuring out what you can afford as you scan the gift registry.   It is important though to remember how important the day is to the couple getting married, even if you are growing tired of weddings in general.  I say that now, but to be honest, when my wife and I did our tour of the marrying age bracket, I was probably one of the hardest ones to get dressed and out the door to the event.  I usually ended up having a good time, but let’s just say I understand the feeling of wanting a break from weddings.

All Clad Ovenware 12 Inch x 15 Inch Shallow Baker

Most of the time, a couple will provide a registry that lists specific items they have chosen as preferred gifts.  This has become so common that many larger retailers now have pages on their websites devoted to only bridal registries and wedding gift ideas.  These can be helpful at times, but if you are not one of the first ones to buy from the registry, it can provide more frustration than anything else.  Additionally, if the couple has expensive tastes, it can leave you in a rather uncomfortable position.  I myself have a cousin who, together with his fiancé, created a registry list that would have done a royal couple justice.  At the time, my wife and I were just starting out ourselves.  The only thing left on the list that was even within our budget was an $80 cookie sheet and individual “dinner glasses” that carried a price tag of $50 each.  We ended up feeling supremely stupid as we finally pitched in with my sister for one place setting of their preferred pattern of dinnerware.  Just the one setting was around two hundred bucks!  My cousin and his wife had twin girls about a year later.  I wonder how much use those place settings are getting nowadays.

Screwpull Revolutionary New Lever Pull, Satin with Crystal Foil Cutter

Anyway, now I’m a bit older and if I was going to make up a list of things I’d like to get for a wedding, it would probably be considered non-traditional to say the least.  I’m sure that some people will disagree, but seriously, considering all  that a young couple has to adjust to, how often are they going to use a hundred dollar corkscrew?  (OK, maybe they will use THAT.)  When you read a lot of lists of creative wedding gift ideas, people always seem to assume that “today’s couples” are coming into the relationship and marriage with all of the “stuff” that they need.  Um, yeah.  That may be true for some situations where a lawyer and a doctor are getting married, but the majority of the people I’ve seen getting married didn’t have everything they needed.  Maybe I just need to hang around with a better class of friends or something.  Although I appreciated all of the wonderful personalized gifts when my wife and I got married, I have to admit that we didn't use many of them.  We might be the exception though.  So anyway, here are some ideas I came up with that I think a couple might actually put to use.  You may consider this a list of creative wedding gifts, but I think they are more like practical, yet interesting gift ideas.

Money as a Wedding Gift

I know that sometimes you don’t want to hand over cash, but to be honest, depending on the situation, that may be what the couple needs most.  If it makes you feel better,  how about a small collection of Gift Cards that can be used as they see fit.  Chances are, after they have unwrapped all of the things that the bride’s mom told her to put on the registry, they’ll still need some things for their new home.

Landry's Multibranded Gift Card

Wedding Gift Baskets

I know that there are a lot of really cheesy gift baskets out there.  There are also a lot of very well put together ones though.  There is also the option of creating your own basket.  These could be put together to fit almost any theme that you think fits the new couple’s interests.  A really great basket would probably include tickets for some event that both partners enjoy.  Depending on your friends, this could range from a Monster Truck Rally to an opera.  You’ll have to make the call.  Definitely include some sort of meal in the package and any other related small items that you can think of.  This kind of gift will be for after the couple has had a month or two to settle into a routine.  When they look at each other and say, “Yep, there you are again.  What do you want to do?, they’ll have something ready and waiting besides household chores.  Of course, newlyweds are pretty good at entertaining each other, so this might really be a good gift for after they have one or two little ones filling up their time.

Home Entertainment Gifts

Now it is true that some people, especially guys it seems, love to build up their home entertainment systems.  They can spit out statistics about every conceivable type and model of television and sound system that’s out there today.  Some probably spent 80% of their pre-marriage paychecks on building up such an amazing system.  These folks don’t need this gift.  If your friends are coming from more modest means however, a nice home theater set up can be had for less than you might imagine, and it will certainly be put to a lot more use than a monogrammed ice bucket ever would be.  How much you spend is up to you.  You could go whole hog and dump thousands on an idea like this, or you could go for a smaller set-up or some nice components for much less.  If you want something that they will use, home entertainment items rank right up there with food and water in most homes.

Fun Kitchen Gadgets Are Some of the Best Wedding Gifts

It’s true that the couples that cook together can have a lot of fun.  If you’ve ever seen Down Home with the Neely’s  on Food Network, that is sort of the extreme version.  It’s a nice way to spend time together creating something that both people can enjoy.   With that said, there are some very handy little appliances out there.  The couple will probably have registered for a mixer, and unless you show up early, someone will have probably purchased it already.  How about getting a cool add-on like an ice-cream maker attachment that goes with the mixer?  Or, possibly an ice cream maker that also makes healthier snacks like sorbets?  If you haven’t ever tried using one of these, give it a shot.  It isn’t really cost efficient compared to what you can buy in the grocery store, but they make some really tasty stuff and they are fun to use.

There a many other great wedding gift ideas out there.  I could spend all day listing the things that come to my mind, and I'm sure with some imagination, most of the people reading this post could too.  That is sort of the idea behind this post.  Use your imagination and, if you are already married, think of what you would have liked to have received and had on hand a month or two after the ceremony.  What did you think the best wedding gifts would be, and what actually turned out to be the best wedding gifts after a couple of months?  I hope that this post gave you some good leads, but please leave comments with your ideas or comments about the best wedding gifts you received when you got married.

Some Extra Tips for Choosing the Best Wedding Gifts

Here are a few more creative wedding gift ideas to inspire you.  I hope you find something you like:

• Do you have an artistic streak?  How about creating something truly personal and special like a wall portrait of the happy couple?  A person with a talent like this could also come in very handy during the wedding planning phase.  Consider offering your help as part of your wedding gift.
• Remember, if you are the one getting married, that the best man probably just spent weeks or months being stressed out about performing his duties.  Remember him with a nice best man gift.  It is good form in general to make sure that you are taking care of your wedding party as part of your overall wedding planning.
• If wrapping presents is not your strong suit, you may want to spend a couple of dollars to get your wedding gift wrapped properly.  If you aren’t sure about this, think of how your present will look as it is set on a table full of perfectly wrapped packages.
• Let's face it, sometimes the best wedding gifts can be a bit expensive.  Think about pitching in with family or friends of the couple to buy or create something truly memorable.
• As an extra treat, if you are very close to the couple, consider making them a special meal when they return home from their honeymoon.  It will certainly be very appreciated and it will stand out in their minds as one of the more unique wedding gifts they received.  If you are a good cook, it might even rank among the best wedding gifts!
• If you find that everything on the wedding registry that you can afford has already been bought up, look for something appropriate and in your price range.  No one should expect you to take on a new debt when searching for the best wedding gifts, and you should feel proud giving the couple a gift that they will enjoy.  Sometimes the best wedding gifts are not even on the bridal registry, and if you are the creative type, you can sometimes come up with great wedding gifts the couple never even thought of when they were brainstorming wedding registry ideas.

We all have goals, or at least I think we ought to.  I’m sure you’ve got plenty of goals for yourself.  They probably don’t include reading my life story, so I’ll keep this as short as I can.  For years, one of my goals has been to start a website and grow it into something worthwhile.  I’ve finally gotten around to it, and you are looking at it.  If I am doing what I planned, then YOU will find something useful and/or entertaining here.  I want The Home Adventure to be more than a blog.  Its focus is home, life, and hopefully some useful tips.  If you don’t have a site of your own and have something useful that you’d like to share, drop me a line with the contact form and we’ll talk (or at least email).  As long as it’s original, I might include it here.  Otherwise, you can always feel free to share a constructive comment.

You won’t find this to be the fanciest site on the Internet.  I don’t have the inclination to keep pace with all of the people who are experts in all things technical related to making websites.  You’ll find posts on simple home improvement ideas, organizing your home, favorite home products, and maybe some stuff about family, and who knows what else will come to mind.  I recently helped a neighbor who was doing battle with mice in her house.  I never would have thought about mice as a topic to write about until that day, but now I have a post all about getting rid of mice!

If you have any good ideas you’d like to share, or topics you’d like to see answered, well, I do love researching stuff.  My family has made fun of me in the past because I love to read books filled with “useless knowledge” and the only TV shows I’ll usually watch are on Discovery and The History Channel (although I do have a weakness for Modern Family).  So, feel free to send your ideas along too.

If you like to buy things, I hope you’ll like the reviews I’ve included.  When I find something that I like, it only seems fair to share what I’ve learned.  I’ve got a relative who researches everything he purchases every which way before he’ll buy.  I respect him for that, but that’s not me.  I like to check new things out for myself, and writing reviews gives me a reason to go out and get new stuff to try.  I’ll let you and him read about what I’ve learned if you’re interested.

If you have read this far, I commend you on your patience.  I hope you will find something that you were looking for, or something that you ended up enjoying by accident.  Please feel free to look around and please be sure to check out the Home Blog.

Mike

In an effort to make the most out of each square foot of their home, more  and more consumers are turning towards the use of counter height dining sets to maximize their floor space.  This stands to reason as homeowners are choosing to renovate their homes to increase their resale value.  Without a doubt, one of the most popular rooms to upgrade is the kitchen.

While creating an eat-in dining space these taller tables and chairs take up far less space thus leaving more room for other kitchen extras like wine racks or laptop stations. A homeowner is able to fit higher end features into their kitchen because the space is not being dominated by a regular size table and chair set.

A bay window is a perfect spot for counter height stools surrounding a tall bistro table. While this option might only seat one or two people, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a quick morning cup of coffee or the daily newspaper. Counter height dining tables can range from the small circular kind to a larger square. These taller options create the opportunity to take advantage of what might otherwise be an unused space and turn it into an asset instead of a possible kitchen design flaw. If your family gathers together for every meal of the day a smaller set like this might not be your best option, but for a quick bite to eat when a family member is on the go they are a great alternative.

Black and Oak with Bench

Another popular option in kitchen renovations is to incorporate taller bar stools underneath an overhanging kitchen counter. Rather than having this as unused space, the addition of extra seating shows potential homeowners just how much seating can actually be incorporated into the room. They offer the perfect spot for the children to sit and chat with their parents while meals are being prepared. Instead of being tucked away in a bedroom, they are out with their parents enjoying family conversation and bonding over homework. For couples that want to enjoy a romantic breakfast together they offer a better alternative than trying to connect in front of the television set.

As more and more families become increasingly active in their everyday lives the traditional full size kitchen table and chairs seating option has lost its charm. The trend is definitely towards options that provide basic seating capabilities but leave more room for other decorative high-end accessories that the family will enjoy.  Counter height dining sets fit this need perfectly.

So, what kinds of options are waiting for you once you have decided that you want to purchase a counter height dining set?  Well, there are a LOT, but for now, we're only going to focus on some of the best rated and best looking sets that we have come across.

Coaster Dining Table and Stools

If you are looking for a set that is a good match for living in limited space, this is a beautiful and sturdy dining set at an exceptionally good price. This five piece set includes four chairs and a counter height table that measures 40 inches square by 36 inches high.  It isn't a table that you would invite the extended family over to use for Thanksgiving dinner, but for casual meals or hanging out with family, it's perfect.

5 piece Cappuccino Finish

Another relatively small counter height table that is even more popular than the one above, is this five piece set that includes a bench as well as chairs.  The table is a rectangular shape and measures 47 1/4" x 20".  Its height is 35".  Both the chairs and the bench have cushioned seats for comfort and the whole set blends well with a more modern looking dining room.  The beauty and elegance of this set is remarkable considering the modest price tag.

9pc Marble Top Counter Height Dining Table & 8 Stools Set

Of course, many people need or want more than just a small table to sit around with a friend or two.  These counter height dining sets also are available in larger sets as well.  One of the most popular larger sets is this nine piece marble top set that comes in a finish that is primarily brown and medium brown.  Marble and wood make for a beautifully classy combination.  Of course the table is larger to accommodate so many available seats.  It measures 54 inches square.  Since this is a counter height table, it stands 36 inches tall.

Check Locally for Counter Height Dining Sets

There are many other beautiful counter height dining sets available for sale.  You may want to keep your eyes open for local sales in stores.  Furniture sales happen all of the time, but the availability of these taller sets may be limited depending on where you live.  There are many good deals available online, but people often assume that the shipping cost would crush them.  If this is the case with you, be sure to check out the deals offered on specific sites.  I know for a fact that Amazon often offers  ways to get free shipping, but you have to check on each item you are interested in, because deals can vary from item to item. You can see many more counter height dining sets by clicking HERE.

I never even considered the idea of wrapping paper storage for most of my life.  Honestly, I'd never even heard of a gift wrap storage container.  On the odd occasion that I would need gift wrap, I'd consult my own personal wrapping paper organizers (my wife and daughters). What finally got me thinking about the topic was when our current systems started to break down on us.

You see, we somehow got into the habit of using the empty space under the bed as a convenient place to keep those long unwieldy Christmas wrapping paper rolls that only got pressed into service once per year. For no reason in particular, it seems that our gift wrapping paper for birthdays and other non-Christmas occasions is almost always the kind that comes folded in packs.

Actually, there is a reason for the large collection of gift wrapping paper covered in Christmas designs. My wife loves to hit the after Christmas clearances when the cheap wrapping paper is at its cheapest. Anyway, suffice to say that we usually have multiple rolls stored away out of sight. The idea for purchasing and designating a wrapping paper storage container came during the wee hours of the night after someone had been doing some wrapping. A couple of the rolls had not been pushed all the way under the bed and, you guessed it, I wiped out as I was going into the first turn at the bottom of the bed. No major injuries occurred, but it’s no fun falling down in the dark when all you wanted to do was get a drink of water.

A Wrapping Paper Storage Solution

Now we have actually purchased a couple of different wrapping paper storage devices to hold all of the post holiday paper purchases. One is a long fabric bag that zippers shut. It has pockets built in for holding wrapping essentials like tape and scissors as well as plenty of space for the rolls themselves. We also got a long plastic paper storage bin built just for this purpose. Both work well and were pretty inexpensive. You can sometimes find these in stores, but it gets harder once the holidays are past because retailers want to use every bit of available space for getting hot selling items in front of shoppers.

I’m including links to a couple of the more popular wrapping paper storage devices available on Amazon. They do a good job of keeping the paper from being ruined from too much handling and they also keep those awkward rolls out of everyone’s way. I do recommend keeping tape and scissors with the stored paper. It makes it much easier and convenient when the next gift wrapping occasion comes up. You can check some of them out right here.  I've found that if you have kids, it is worth it to simply go ahead and invest in some extra scissors and tape.  The kids need them a lot for school projects or random creative expressions that involve cutting things up and then sticking them back together.

This Rubbermaid Wrapping Paper Storage Organizer is a very popular choice. Learn more about it by clicking on the image above.

The 40 inch Rubbermaid wrapping paper organizer that is shown here is a very popular choice and it gets great reviews. It has a low profile, so it can fit under the bed, but it is also sturdy enough to stand upright in a closet. That's great if you want to eliminate the possibility of finding it with your toes when you are getting into bed at night. I actually like this better than the plastic bin option for wrapping paper storage because of its ability to stand up and because there are no worries about a lid popping off and spilling the contents all over the floor.  Yes, I've been there and done that.

Now, since you are here, and you are looking for ways to store wrapping paper, I thought I'd also include a helpful little video about the actual wrapping of presents. I'm sure that some people out there received step by step instructions on how to wrap a gift when they were younger, but I wasn't one of them. I sort of figured it out on my own after wasting copious amounts of gift wrap and delivering many presents that looked like they were wrapped by a monkey with two broken thumbs. I hope that if you face a similar challenge, the video below will help. This is just for wrapping a basic box. Start with baby steps.:)
How To Wrap a Gift Video

Some final thoughts and tips on wrapping paper storage and home storage in general:

• When it comes to holiday storage and holiday organization in general, I was always sort of lax.  I finally forced myself to buy some plastic bins and other assorted organizers and spent a weekend getting things organized.  I highly recommend doing this.  It is a pain in the neck to do at first, but it makes things SO much easier the next time you need to find something.
• My wife also bought a craft storage rack recently that we use to keep all of our commonly used arts and crafts items together.  It was another good investment.  There is no longer a twenty minute search for essential craft items involved when a homework project calls for glue, scissors, yarn, and colored pencils.
• Consider buying holiday cards in bulk right after the holidays have ended and prices are dirt cheap.  Use these "generic" style cards for those acquaintances who are still on your holiday mailing list, but who don't require cards with a special message.  Get yourself a cheap greeting card storage device to keep them safe until next year, or put them into one of your other holiday organizers so that they are one of the first things you see next year when you start unpacking.
• Finally, when you are buying an organizer to help with wrapping paper storage, buy something that will meet your needs, not necessarily the cheapest thing available.

So, you want to know how to get rid of mice in your house? Well, it is little comfort to hear that the best strategy is to not let mice in your house to begin with, so I’ll save those tips until the end. If you are not used to dealing with these nasty little critters, seeing mice in the house for the first time can really freak you out.  Figuring out how to get rid of mice becomes a top priority in a hurry.  I remember the first time I saw one up close and personal. I was five or six years old and our house was next to woods. My older sister and I were watching TV in the game room when we saw a gray streak go sprinting across the floor. My sister about lost her mind right there. I didn’t know what it was until I heard her screaming MOUSE!


Anyway, if you’ve got mice in the house, you’ll want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. They are quite attracted to each other if you know what I mean. I’ve read that if you don't take steps quickly to get rid of mice, they can have up to twelve or thirteen litters over the course of a year. That means that they can quickly become more than a nuisance.  You can find yourself living in the middle of a full blown mouse control problem. Mice can spread some very nasty diseases, and they can get into just about anything. You want them gone. If you have been looking for a reason to get a cat, you're all set.

Here (directly below) is a small array showing some of the most popular products available today designed specifically for getting rid of mice.  These examples are available on Amazon for pretty good prices.  Clicking on any of them will show you details about each one.

How to Get Rid of Mice: Mouse Traps That Work

At this point some of you might be curling up in your chair feeling something like my sister did when she saw our little visitor. Now you have to decide on a course of action. You could go straight to calling a mouse exterminator, but that can be expensive. Depending on your situation, you might want to try taking care of things on your own first.  Whatever you decide to do, you need to take action quickly.

Spring Loaded Mouse Traps

Probably the most common solution that people go with, when it comes to mouse extermination, is a spring loaded mouse trap. Victor mouse traps are probably the ones most Americans are familiar with.  The Victor "V" is well known with experienced mouse hunters.  These mouse traps are efficient and cheap.  In my opinion, these are the best way to catch a mouse.  If you want to give these a shot, place them near where the mice hang out. If you know of a hole where they are living, place the mouse trap near it. If you just know a general area where you have seen mice, place it along the area where they run.  For these mouse traps to do any good, you will have to find the best mouse trap bait for the mouse in your house.  I have found that marshmallows with peanut butter smeared on top of them make a pretty good mouse trap bait.  It stays in place and does a good job of getting the attention of hungry mice.  You may want to secure the mouse bait in place by tying it down with a piece of dental floss (not mint flavored).  I’ve also heard of some people adding a drop of vanilla extract to the mouse bait just to make it a bit more irresistible to the mice. From what I’ve seen, baiting a mouse trap with cheese works a lot better in cartoons than it does in real life. You want something sticky that smells good to them. If you have other pets, make sure that their access to the trap area is blocked.  This tip about protecting other pets also applies to using poison pellets, mouse glue traps, and any other pest control products that could potentially harm them.  Mouse poison and dogs should be nowhere near each other.  Your pets may also go after baited mouse traps, so be sure to take precautions.

How to Set a Mouse Trap

One of the most daunting parts of the whole "how to catch a mouse" problem is how to set a mouse trap.  I'll bet that there are people who avoid these snap traps just because they don't want to whack themselves.  Fortunately, I was able to find a very handy video showing the right way to set a trap (along with what NOT to do).  Take a look.  A picture (or video) is worth a thousand words!

How to Get Rid of Mice with an Electronic Mouse trap

We’ve all heard the challenge of building a better mousetrap, and people keep on trying. There are electronic mouse traps that use battery power to deliver a lethal jolt.  You might also hear these referred to as electric mouse traps, but they do not plug in to a wall socket.  These are a good option for people who prefer to avoid the possible gore of a traditional trap. Once the mouse is dead, you just dump it out and dispose of it properly. There are also various no touch traps that work something like a traditional trap. I have found that the electronic traps are hard to find in my area, but I did find them on Amazon.  These run on standard batteries, but they build up a charge that is strong enough to take down these rodents.  Some people have managed to give themselves a zap while setting these, so be careful.  The Victor Electronic Mouse Trap
is shown here because when I think of mouse traps, I always think of that big "V".

Looking for a Humane Mouse Trap?

There are some people who don't want mice in the house, but who cannot bear the thought of causing suffering in another living creature.  For these people, there are humane mouse traps.  Now, the definition of humane can vary a bit here.  If you search for them, you will not always find live mouse traps.  Some people see anything that is not a spring loaded trap as humane, while others want a trap that will capture the mice in a living state so that they can be relocated to some nearby woods and live out their lives as country mice.  I'll assume for now that we are talking about live capture traps.  There are quite a few available.  You can see several of them right HERE.  My problem with trapping mice is that these traps are going to leave you stuck with a trapped animal that is not going to show you the proper appreciation for sparing its life.  I get the noble cause.  Honestly, I even carry spiders outside sometimes, but I personally am not interested in an accidental mouse bite as I try to do the right thing.  I switch into a different mode when I'm dealing with pest problems.

Probably the most popular and affordable humane traps around are Mice Cubes (cute name).  Mice cubes work on a pretty basic principal.  The door only opens one way.  When the mouse goes in, gravity closes the door behind it and then it is stuck.  At that point, you can drive it to your favorite wooded area and introduce it to its new home.  At the time of this writing, you can pick up a 12 pack of these for just over 20 bucks.  Smaller packs cost less.  Not a bad deal at all if you want to get your mouse problems handled as quickly as possible.

Glue Mouse Traps

I should also acknowledge that there are glue mouse traps available.  Seriously, the idea of these glue traps for mice gives me the heeby jeebies.  These allow you to capture a living mouse by getting it stuck to a board covered with glue.  Do you want to guess what kind of mood this critter will be when you find it?  Really, some people like these traps, but pretty much anything that goes by can get stuck to them, and like I said, you've got to deal with an angry rodent that is basically out in the open.  Surprisingly, I never saw this mentioned in other how to articles about mouse trapping or rat trapping.  I can't say that I recommend this method, but if you have a reason that you prefer them, please feel free to leave a comment explaining why.

Mouse Poison

Finally there is the mouse poison option. I’ve never actually tried any of these for two reasons. I have had dogs around for most of my life, and I don’t want the mice dying and rotting somewhere that I can’t find them. I may be paranoid, but I don’t like to leave poison out where kids or pets can get to it. Your situation may vary.  I happen to know that if I accidentally leave any type of bait stations out in the open,  at least one of my dogs will probably get curious enough to do itself some harm.

The Homemade Mouse Trap

OK.  You know that there are people who just have to try things on their own.  Honestly, my research on homemade mouse traps seems to indicate that most of them are a lot more trouble than they are worth.  Some were based on making the mouse drown, which I do see as rather cruel and unusual, or trapping them in something like a garbage can.  Considering how inexpensive traps actually are, these might make for a nice science fair project, but they hardly seem worth the time and effort involved.

What is the best mouse trap?

I suppose choosing the best mouse trap is something that depends a lot on your ethical position on killing mice.  If you are against it, go for one of the live release traps.  If you are only interested in how to kill mice efficiently, I personally lean toward the spring loaded traps or electronic traps.  I'd have to say that if I face the problem any time soon, I'll probably give the electronic traps a shot just because they don't really cost that much and I always feel like I'm going to snap myself when I set the spring traps.

No matter how you decide to go after the mice, don’t handle them without protecting yourself with heavy gloves. They really can carry some bad stuff. When I’ve caught them in the past, I drop them into double plastic bags, wrap them up and put them in the outside garbage. I have also heard that vacuums shouldn’t be used to clean up their droppings. Apparently they can release some of the bad stuff from the droppings into the air and you don’t want to breath it in. Spray it with a disinfectant spray containing bleach and then clean it up with disposable rags or paper towels. Have I made it clear that you don’t want to handle any of this stuff more than you have to?

How to Keep Mice Out of Your House

As for how to keep mice out of your house once you have done your Terminator thing, removing clutter is a good way to start. Trash and piles of wood are common things that attract mice. Keep them away from your house as much as possible. If you do keep wood for a fireplace, get it off of the ground where it would make an inviting home for Stuart Little’s bad seed cousins.

In addition, look for points around your house where mice might be gaining access and seal them. They can fit through incredibly tiny holes, so get yourself some caulking or other appropriate sealant and get busy.   They can chew through most of the materials used in building a house with the exception of metal, so if you can block entryways with something metallic, it is all the better.  Also, clean up anything that might be an attractive food source for these pests. Dog and cat food are notorious attractants. I remember when my brother found a nest of mice living under the hood of his 1979 Cougar RX7. He said that there was bunch of dog kibble stored in there along with the mice. I have also had mice raiding the dog food in past years, but they never got quite so creative with their accommodations.

Mice in the Walls

Not to spook you, but have you ever heard a mysterious scratching noise in the middle of the night, when the house was quiet?  Well, it could be mice in your walls.  Of course, it could also be squirrels or bats too, but that's another post.  Solutions for getting rid of mice in walls can be a bit more challenging.  They could be trapped, or they could just be using the area as part of their normal run.  If you can locate where they entered, setting a trap is probably your best bet.  Once they are gone, just be sure to seal things up tight so that no more visitors come calling.  If they are not willing to cooperate and get into the mouse trap for you, you do have some other options.  If you can find a place (in the attic maybe) where you can access the space between the walls, you could sprinkle some mouse poison in there for them.  The problem with that of course is that they might also die between the walls.  Some mouse poisons have a drying effect on the mouse's body, but you may still have to put up with some stink for several days.  Some people swear by doing the same thing with moth balls because the seem to repel mice.  I recently heard about using peppermint oil to repel mice.  I'd probably give that a try first, just because I the smell of moth balls might drive me out of the house before the mice left.  Some people are looking for ways to get rid of mice naturally.  Well, besides a cat, I guess one of these methods would be your best bet.  I cannot vouch for it yet, but I will be putting some peppermint oil soaked cotton balls around possible points of entry when the weather starts to turn cold.


EDIT: I came across this video and just had to share it. The still shot looks gruesome, I know, but if you've never seen this before, you've got to check it out!  Watch til the end.  It isn't what you think.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have found something that will help you as you deal with the problem of how to get rid of mice in your home as quickly and efficiently as possible.

When I do own a larger property, I think that I will certainly be installing driveway gates at the grand entrance.  Not so much to keep people out, but because I think having gates at the entrance of a long driveway looks so great.  Of course the added security would certainly be a bonus that I would be happy to get in the package!

Installing driveway gate is honestly nothing I would ever attempt on my own.  It is a project best taken on by professional installers who have extensive knowledge in the requirements for each individual installation, as well as experience to know what pitfalls to watch out for on a property.

I began reading about driveway gates just out of curiosity.  I also contacted some local installers (there were not many in my area) to ask questions about what types of things must be considered when taking on what appears to be a rather intimidating home project.  The first thing that struck me was the number of questions involved regarding the specific type of gate being considered.  There are different types of gates designed for different purposes.  

Most gates certainly have both an ornamental value and a security level to be taken into consideration.  If you are looking to secure your property, the project may take on an entirely different cosmetic appearance as well as a different final cost.  This final cost is not just because the driveway gate materials are more involved and expensive, in order for your property to be secure, you must also remember that the entirety of your estate must be secure, not just the gate.  A gate does little good if it is strictly ornamental and someone can simply walk to the end of a row of bushes to access your property!

Metal driveway gates are a popular selection and are what is often seen when you see photos or video of palatial estates being guarded from intruders.  Wooden driveway gates are also available however and depending on your needs you may want to check out that they offer for your particular property and needs.

If your property is anything but flat and away from the street, you may have to do some consulting with an installer regarding how the driveway gates will actually open and close.  Homeowners sometimes forget that gates that swing open and shut can require a significant amount of room for their normal movement.  Opening out into the street and disrupting the flow of traffic is not a reasonable or acceptable option.  Swinging gates will also now work well without customizing the installation if they are expected to guard a driveway that presents a hill directly in the way of the gates normal path.  In instances like this, sliding driveway gates might be a preferable option.  You can expect costs to vary for the project depending on what options you have chosen for your property.

The actual installations can get quite involved and can require rather extensive amounts of planning, excavation and overall execution.  Because it is imperative that the entire operation remains stable for the lifetime of the gate, all parts of the project must be firmly secured into place.  This may require steps as drastic as putting in concrete bases under ground where none previously existed.  If the gates are to run on electricity, the source of the electricity must also be taken into account as well as possible manual over-ride options for times when the power may be out for one reason or another.

Driveway gates are a handsome way to increase the security of your home and to beautify the landscape.  Installing these gates is not a project for beginners or the faint of heart though.  If you do not have experience with such a project or have connections with someone who has done such installations before, it might be wise to consult a professional before proceeding.

When it comes to buying curtains and  considering different curtain styles, one of the most economical window treatments you will find are eyelet curtains.  There are many different styles available both online and at local retail shops.  I like to look online at sites like Amazon for eyelet curtains simply because they are such a simple product, that Amazon seems to be able to offer really good deals on them.  Here are a few of their more popular draperies and curtains...

When most people think of curtains and draperies, the tendency is to associate draperies with heavier fabrics and being of floor length. They also, in most people's minds, tend to be hung from drapery hooks and pulled back and forth by means of a drapery rod, with sliding eyelets on the rod for the drapery hooks. Their construction tends to be complex, particularly regarding the mounting system.

Curtains, on the other hand, in most minds, are typically of a lighter construction, although lined curtains are also quite popular today. They are less formal, and generally cover only the opening over which they are mounted. They may be mounted as described above for draperies, but eyelet curtains are extremely popular.

The term "eyelet" refers to an opening near the top of the curtain which is usually encircled by stitching or some type of grommet made of a hard material such as plastic or metal.  (Eyelet curtains are also sometimes referred to as grommet curtains.)   The eyelets may be small and intended to accept a hook or ring which in turn is suspended from a rod. In other cases, the eyelet itself may be of a larger diameter and allow for the passage of the rod right through the fabric.  I like using the curtains without rings and simple curtain fabrics in my bathroom and kitchen area.  I find that some simple white eyelet curtains in both of these rooms work very well.  They are very simple to hang up, and more and more I have found myself preferring curtain styles without rings or hard to work with layers.  It isn't so much that I don't want to bother with them, but some nice cheap curtains work just fine for me and I don't have to worry too much about  them getting damaged because eyelet curtains really don't cost all that much.

Why are Eyelet Curtains So Popular?

In any case, the eyelet curtains are designed to be of such a width that the mounting of the curtain to the rod allows for a natural, graceful pleating of the curtain material. A shower curtain is a common example of an eyelet curtain.

One aspect of the popularity of eyelet curtains is the fact that they lend themselves to being homemade. They are of rather simple construction and are not too intimidating for even beginning sewers. Curtain tape is available as a means of reinforcing the eyelets. It is a strip of sturdy material sewn at the top of the curtain on the back side which is resistant to tearing or other damage, and allows even sheer fabrics to be used as curtains.

Naturally, homemade curtains allow for the greatest range of variety in seeking a particular look. Ready made curtains bought straight off the shelf are most convenient, but one is limited to the offerings of any particular dealer or the number of dealers one is willing to visit. Of course, with the popularity of the internet, it's possible to buy curtains online in a huge assortment of styles, colors and sizes.

Another option when one wants to buy curtains is made to measure curtains. In this case the buyer provides careful measurements of the opening or area desired to be covered. He or she will also select the fabric to be used. If one is dealing locally, it's possible to examine the material before assembly begins so there are no surprises later.

This is generally the most expensive option, but is almost sure to yield a happy result. In fact, when buying locally, the customer may simply have the provider come out and measure the designated openings and bring along samples of fabric or use material supplied by the buyer. In that case, it's rare for there to be a disappointment when you choose eyelet curtains for your home.

I for one have always learned a lot better by watching and then doing than from reading instructions.  I just don't have a lot of patience for reading poorly written manuals written in size 2 font.  This video doesn't have the best audio I've ever heard, but if you have a doorknob or fist sized hole in your drywall, it is a must watch.

If you don't have any extra small pieces of drywall sitting around your house, ask a neighbor.  Building materials are often hard to throw away.  This is because people don't like to put things they paid good money for into the garbage and also because most places won't take building materials away in the weekly trash pick-up.  I for one still have a piece of drywall sitting in my laundry room from a long ago project.  It has served as a blockade for a new puppy, a background for some photos I was taking for eBay and even as large cutting board when I was using an Exacto knife.  I guess I've gotten my money's worth out of it even if it never made it to the actual wall.

The article I was reading included plenty of country home decor pictures.  Country home decor has a sort of cottage feel about it.  Lots of hardwood floors and a very rustic feel to the whole thing.  I started thinking about what my cottage home will look like.  After studying a bit, I think I’ve developed a pretty good image.  You may use it for your own designs at will!

My country home will be a log cabin design but with plenty of stone included in the plans.  I don’t know why, but the image of the old guy on the front of Led Zeppelin’s Zoso Album pops into my mind when I type that.  That isn’t quite what I mean.  When I was back in college, one of my best friends invited me to spend a weekend fishing at his grandparent’s house, which was located way the heck out in the country.  I think it was Potter County, Pennsylvania.  When you walked out the front door and across the yard, there was an old dirt road, then a small hillside, and then the river.  I think it was the Allegheny.  The place was beautiful and I can still remember what it looked like when you faced that ancient house from the river.  It was the definition of rustic.  It looked weathered, but it had a strength and charm about it that could not be denied.  I think that sort of defines country home decor for me.

When you approached the house, it felt welcoming.  The screened in porch was made from wood and had been painted a light gray.  On this porch sat antique wicker furniture and a couple of rocking chairs that I think had been purchased from some Amish craftsmen across the state.  When you rocked in those chairs, the floor squeaked, but it was like music when it blended with the sounds of crickets, birds, frogs and the other local wildlife.

Inside, the furnishings were pretty plain, but the decor certainly was not.  All around the kitchen there were images of farm animals.  I can remember roosters, cows and ducks being stenciled along the top edges of the wall and even on some of the shelves.  There were a couple of cookie jars (with cookies in them).  One was an apple but I cannot remember what the other one was now.  It might have been a strawberry.  There were blue gingham curtains on the windows.  I think they really completed the country kitchen decor for me.  I also remember that the kitchen smelled like cinnamon.  I could easily imagine some great apple or pumpkin pies coming out of the old oven they had.  Even the old stove looked rustic.  It wasn’t made of iron or anything.  It actually looked like the one I’ve seen on older episodes of Rachael Ray’s cooking shows, except it was white and I think Rachael’s was sort of a light yellow color.

I don’t know if all of the country home decoration was entirely on purpose or not.  It seems to me that part of the charm of the whole “country cottage” decor is that it is so simple and unpretentious.  My friend’s Grandma actually made the cross stitched wall hangings and there really was a “Home Sweet Home” needlepoint hanging above the doorway.

If you are going to go for this type of country decor in your own home, I think you could use some of the things I just described as a start.  Basically, it is a simple theme.  In my opinion, it is one of the easiest overall decors to grasp.  It is essentially very simple and I think that is part of why people are so attracted to it today.  In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of people are running around like they have just consumed three pots of very strong coffee.  All of the wonderful technology that has become available has just given people more “stuff” to keep track of and handle.  Thanks to all of the “smart” innovations, you can barely escape the sound of ringtones and I think it is starting to get to people.

If you’ve got some antiques, they go great with this decor.  You do not want to have a bunch of shiny laminated surfaces.  Think more neutral or muted colors and finishes.  That doesn’t mean boring by any means.  Just not very flashy.

One of my hobbies is hitting estate sales and auctions from time to time.  I have seen some amazing old wooden tables that would fit perfectly into a country decor dining room being sold off for rock bottom prices.  The reason is usually because the sellers want to get things out that very day and if you are not prepared to haul away such a large piece of furniture, you are out of luck.  When I say cheap, I mean seriously cheap.  At one recent auction I saw an antique oak table sell for around twenty dollars and I heard a few people commenting that they would have bought it if they had a truck.  Make a note to yourself to visit these events and bring a truck!


You are probably getting the gist of how to decorate with a country style by now.  Use quilts, maybe get yourself a couple of old hook rugs.  Look for vintage hardware for your cabinets.  Use your imagination and think country!