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.

The topic of this post is peppermint oil and mice.  That may seem a bit random, but as how to tips go, I think its a pretty good topic.  A while ago, I wrote a post about how to get rid of mice.  Honestly, when it comes to having mice in the house, if I have to deal with it, I want them gone…Immediately, if not sooner.  I tend to go for the approach of getting rid of them for good.  I think some people might have actually been offended by the video in that post if they didn't watch it till the end.  Some people prefer kinder, gentler methods of rodent control, so today I thought I’d consider one of those options.  The thing that actually got me thinking about this was a friend who mentioned that he had heard something about peppermint oil and mice.  He couldn’t remember the whole story, so I started looking around.  I don't think peppermint will help much if you already have a mouse problem, but it could help prevent one.


It turns out that peppermint oil is seen by many as a viable option for repelling mice.  The idea is that mice and other rodents have extremely sensitive sniffers on them.  The ultra intense peppermint scent is supposed to be too much for them to bear.  You put out the peppermint oil and mice do their best to get away from it.  Simple.  The little vermin get one snootful of peppermint oil and they decide to move on to your neighbor’s house, where it smells like old beef and cheese or something similarly attractive to mice.

Peppermint 100% Pure Essential Oil

Peppermint Oil and Mice Procedures

The process for using peppermint oil to repel mice is pretty straightforward.  You have to get yourself some peppermint oil and mice.  You'll have to buy the peppermint oil, but the mice tend to show up on their own.  Everything I have read says that it must be the pure OIL, not peppermint extract.  You simply put some of this on cotton balls and then place the tasty smelling pieces of fluff where you think mice might be entering your home.  This might include any small openings around garage doors or pretty much any space where a mouse’s head could fit since it is pretty much accepted that if a mouse can fit its head someplace, it will be able to squeeze its entire body through without much effort.  If nothing else, this should motivate you to get started on some home improvement projects like sealing cracks around doors.

As a parent, what I like about the idea of using peppermint oil is the fact that it is relatively harmless.  It is non toxic and at worst it is going to make your garage smell nice.  Now this is all well and good, but I believe it is really only useful for keeping mice out.  If you already have the furry little visitors hiding inside your house I would imagine it would be pretty tough to herd them out the front door using smells that offend them.  I’m still a big fan of the more traditional methods of actually getting rid of mice, but assuming our home is mouse free when the weather starts to turn cold, I’ll probably put some minty fresh cotton balls around the garage.

If you are thinking of buying peppermint oil to try this in your own home, be aware that you can end up spending more than you would think if you don’t shop around.  I found some people selling large bottles for around forty bucks.  Really, I can’t imagine you would need nearly that much to start.  I found it on Amazon for under ten dollars.  You can see what is available by clicking HERE.

If you have had success with your own peppermint oil and mice experiment, please leave a comment below and I'll be happy to post it!

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

This past weekend, I had a bit of a freaky experience that made me think of a few decorative wall clocks from my youth.  It also got me thinking about some of the more contemporary wall clock offerings available today.

Considering Wall Clocks

One of my favorite weekend activities is hitting the local yard sales and estate sales.  I especially like checking out the estate sales because you can find tons of unusual things on any given weekend (usually at pretty good prices).  You have to  be willing to deal with the luck of the draw though.  You never really know what you'll find.  In the past, I've found some really great bedroom furniture, wall mirrors, a large sofa table... You name it.  My neighbor Phyllis heads out religiously every weekend, with her husband in tow, looking for decorative furniture that she can refurbish.  We often share our weekend shopping stories.  (More on this later)

Anyway, I stopped at one particular estate sale the other day, and felt like I stepped into a time machine.  Apparently the lady who passed away never updated anything after about 1975.  The neat thing was, it looked like she bought most of the stuff that was in my parents' house when I was growing up.  In particular, there were two large wall clocks that were exact matches for clocks I had learned to tell time with when I was growing up!  That's the freaky part.  One was a very large sunburst wall clock, that I remember having a really hard time reading, and the other was a basic square kitchen wall clock that had a silver background with different colored balls where all of the numbers should have been.  That one taught me to know where the numbers belong without seeing the actual numbers.  I bought them both.  I don't know if I'll ever put up that funky kitchen wall clock, but the sunburst one is going up in my game room for sure.

My Neighbor's Take on Wall Clocks

So this is where my neighbor, Phyllis, comes into the picture.  Apparently, she does think about wall clocks.  I told her my little tale and showed her my freshly purchased retro wall clocks.  She listened dutifully and admired them a bit.  Then she went on to tell me about how wonderful wall clocks are for decorating.  That is what I thought I'd share to make this more than just a post about my shopping adventures.

It seems that a lot of people like to use big wall clocks for more than just telling time.  They are becoming one of the more popular accessories around the house for sprucing up boring walls.  I can't argue with that, I suppose.  I was never a big fan of large, generic paintings created by people I don't know.  They are OK, but landscapes and bowls of fruit sort of bore me after a while.

Other popular options in time keeping devices include cuckoo clocks (I've always wanted one), neon wall clocks (had one in college, but broke it), and grandfather clocks.  I really do like grandfather clocks with a working pendulum.  I've never had one, but that is one oversized clock I'd love to add to the entryway of my house.  I can still remember the distinctive chime sounds that came from the antique grandfather clock in my Grandma's house when I was little.

This little foray into the world of timepieces has been a real walk down memory lane for me.  If you are looking for a way to add some interesting decorative elements to your boring walls, try thinking beyond those starving artist prints you've been using.  Along with the retro wall clocks I've been reminiscing about, there are also some very cool contemporary wall clocks available today.  If you are analog challenged, there are even digital wall clocks to help get you where you need to be on time.  So there you go.  I've now spent more time thinking about this subject than I have since I was little and learning how to tell time.  I think I've got it out of my system.  Now it's time for you to get yourself a couple of wall clocks for your own home!

Shown above are a few of the more interesting wall clocks I found selling on Amazon.

The Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler is a great kitchen addition. Click the image above to see more reviews and product details.

The Cuisinart Griddler has become a featured appliance on my kitchen countertop this year.  I came across it when I started searching for panini presses last year.  My kids fell in love with these sandwiches after a local restaurant started featuring them, and I figured I could make them at home for far less than the restaurant was charging.  The fact that the Cuisinart Griddler GR-4N acts as a griddle & panini press, just turned out to be a nifty bonus.

For years, Cuisinart has been known for making quality kitchen products.  They make outstanding cookware, and for that reason Cuisinart has become a name that is trusted and looked to when people want to purchase outstanding products for their own kitchen.  My first Cuisinart product was a food processor, and it lasted for years.  After seeing the quality provided by that handy kitchen product, Cuisinart became one of the first brand names I looked for when the time came to buy a blender, a stand mixer, and even a coffee maker.  I haven't been disappointed yet.  The Cuisinart Griddler continues the tradition of top quality products.

The Cuisinart Griddler as a Grill

My favorite way of cooking, personally, is on the grill.  There’s just something special about it, and I really enjoyed the whole experience.

Unfortunately, the weather where I live does not allow me to go out and cook on the grill for a good portion of the year.  I have found the Cuisinart Griddler to be a good tool for getting me through my days without access to the grill.  As you might guess, I like using the Cuisinart Griddler most as an indoor grill top.  That is only one of its many functions however.  This stainless steel countertop unit can also be used as a griddle (full or half) and as a very handy sandwich press.  It has helped to introduced me to the world of creating Panini sandwiches at home, and I may never eat a sandwich on the plain bread again.  This unit is very versatile, but it is not very big.  It measures only 11.5 x 13.5 x 7.1 inches.  For some people this might not be much of a consideration, but I have limited counter space, so I appreciate the fact that I do not have to clear everything out of the way to use this unit.  The fact that the Cuisinart Griddler has earned a regular spot on my rather small counter should speak for itself.  It gets put to use around here.

This may or may not matter to you, but this is a pretty nice looking addition to the countertop.  It has a hinged top and a very nifty Panini style handle.  Because of the way the machine is designed, the top will adjust to fit the thickness of whatever you are pressing.  If you like to see grill marks on your sandwich, you can use the grill plates included with the Cuisinart Griddler.  If you prefer not to see these marks, simply use the griddle plates instead.  Indicator lights at the bottom of the unit allow the user to know that the heat is at an appropriate level.  The unit also features two gauges that show temperature and a function selector.

Previously, I owned a Foreman grill.  I eventually stopped using it because I disliked cleaning it so much.  It worked well enough, but the hassle of cleaning that thing was enough to earn it a trip to the garage sale box after I used it less than ten times.  I'm happy to report that the Cuisinart Griddler poses no such cleaning issues.  The nonstick cleaning services can be removed and then washed.  This may or may not be a deal breaker for you, but I really like the convenience of this feature.  To make things even more convenient, the drip tray and plates can even be safely placed in the dishwasher.

Actually, because the Cuisinart Griddler GR-4N is so easy to use and easy to clean, I have felt motivated to experiment with cooking a variety of foods on it.  So far, in my experience, the only thing I don't think it would do well with, is cooking soup!  I used to cook in a restaurant back in the day, and the Griddler has motivated me to cook things that I have not felt like making in ages.  I have used it to make everything from steak to eggs.  It has really made cooking fun again for me.

I tend to cook by “feel”, but if you like more guidance, the adjustable temperature and easy to follow indicator lights will keep you on track.  The griddle tops out at the temperature of 400° F but it can be scaled down all the way to 200° F.  Health conscious cooks will probably be happy to see how much fat runs off of the food and collects in the drip tray when they use the Cuisinart Griddler.  This of course, is fat that will not be getting into your diet.  Note that some users have complained about the drip tray, so your mileage may vary.

So, to recap this little Cuisinart Griddler product review, I do like this unit.   It has easy to work with controls, it looks good, fits on my countertop and it will adjust itself to the thickness of whatever I am cooking.  There have been a couple of times that I wished that the temperature would go higher, but that is something that I can live with.

Overall, I would say that the Cuisinart GR-4N is a product well worth adding to your kitchen.  When I checked on Amazon, these were listed far below their suggested retail.  I would highly recommend checking the Amazon price even if you are thinking of buying it locally.  You can also read more customer reviews there.  If you have been looking for either a panini press or a griddle,  the Cuisinart Griddler can meet your needs and give you even more versatility than you expected!

Finding Cheap Carpet Cleaning Services

There are a variety of options available when it comes to carpet cleaning services.  At the low end, cost wise, is going off to a local home center or super market and renting do it yourself equipment.

Do it yourself carpet cleaning is surely the number one choice when it comes to cheap carpet cleaning.  However, it seems unlikely that anyone would argue that it produces results that can be compared seriously to shelling out for professional carpet cleaning.

If your carpets are relatively new or otherwise have managed to avoid serious traffic (or pets!) and your goal is merely to freshen them up, do it yourself carpet cleaning may be a good option for you.

Be aware, though, that carpet cleaning is hard work.  In addition to having to move the furniture (you are going to move the furniture, aren't you?!), you'll have to schlep the equipment home and back to the store, set it up, supply it with hot water any number of times, and vigorously work the wand to do the cleaning and dirt extraction.

If you decide to do it yourself, consider whether you are going to have issues with significant staining.  While all carpet stain removers that you can find at the store claim that they'll remove all the stains, the truth is that some stains on some carpet fabrics are beyond their reach.  Think ahead about whether you'll actually be able to remove a particular stain before committing to be responsible for the result.

Commercial carpet cleaning services not only have superior equipment to do the job, but they are knowledgeable about stains- they deal with them day in and day out.  They know what issues particular carpet fabrics present.  Most importantly, they have access to cleaning solutions that the government thinks that the average Joe is too much of a dumbkopf to use safely.  When it comes to serious carpet stain removal, you may want to consider consulting the pros for some carpet cleaning quotes.  You certainly don't want to mess up and accidentally set the stain permanently.

The biggest advantage to using a professional carpet cleaning service is that they have powerful equipment that just can't be matched by the do it yourselfer.  Many commercial carpet cleaners make a very substantial investment in truck or trailer mounted units that supply a constant flow of hot water to where the work is.

In addition, they have incredibly powerful pumps to deliver the cleaning solution and suck it back up.  While all cleaning agents will leave some residue on your carpet, a professional cleaning system will suck far more of it back for disposal than you could hope to with a rental unit.

If your focus is on getting cheap carpet cleaning, you can often hire a professional to do it for less than you might think.  One important clue- don't wait for the approach of the holiday season.  This is their busiest time of year and they'll be working overtime to meet the demand.

The Hoover MaxExtract gets tons of rave reviews. Click the image above to see some of them and to get product details from Amazon.com.

The Short Route to Cheap Carpet Cleaning

An idea that has worked out remarkably well for my family is sharing the cost of a decent carpet cleaner with relatives.  We split the purchase price of a Hoover MaxExtract Dual V Carpet Cleaner and have not had a single regret.  I was the one put in charge of research for the purchase and I read many carpet cleaner reviews.  The MaxExtract looked like one of the top models available without getting into commercial units.  It didn't take long to see that this machine stood out from many of the others with a comparable price.  It had excellent reviews and it looked powerful enough to handle what we would need it to do for us.  My wife and I split the purchase price with my wife's parents and her sister's family.  We all live within fifteen minutes of each other, so it is never really a problem getting the machine when we need it.  It cost us less than $75 for unlimited access to an excellent carpet cleaning machine.  Each of us bought our own cleaning chemicals.  That wasn't really planned, it just worked out that way, but the cost of those was pretty reasonable considering we have been using the machine and still have plenty of cleaner left.

Of course, if you decide to split the cost with family or friends, you're free to get whatever type of machine you like, but with the great performance this machine provides, I don't personally see any reason to pop for something more expensive.  Of course if you want a commercial machine, they are there for you, but I'm happy with this arrangement and I think the Hoover MaxExtract Carpet Cleaner is worthy of recommendation.  We've got two dogs and three kids and it's taking care of our carpeting just fine.  It also does a nice job on cleaning up the sofa in our living room using the hand attachment.  If you want cheap carpet cleaning, it is hard to beat paying what we did and being able to use the machine whenever we want it.  Considering how much even the best carpet cleaning prices were, I think we did very well on the deal.  We've already gotten our money's worth, without a doubt.

If you have an interest in a machine like this, I recommend checking out what is available on Amazon.  When I looked locally, I couldn't find this exact machine and to be honest, the prices I found locally did not really impress me too much.  Here are some images of the machine that you might want to check out.

If you end up getting this machine or some other one, please be sure to come back and leave a comment.  We used to hunt around for cheap carpet cleaning services, but now I'm pretty much sold on this approach.  If you read my post about the Shark Vac Then Steam, or the Troy Bilt Cultivator I bought, you probably already know that I really like helpful gadgets around the house.  Splitting the cost of these things  with close family is something I wish I'd started doing a long time ago!  It's a great way to make cheap carpet cleaning options even cheaper.

The Troy-Bilt Electric Garden Cultivator/Tiller does a great job for an electric model. Click the image above for more details and reviews.

Why I Bought a Garden Cultivator

I never thought I would end up owning an electric garden cultivator.  I've always been a bit of a gas powered machine snob.  I should start off by saying that although my gardening has fallen off in the past couple of years, I used to do quite a bit of it.  I also used to have a lawn care/landscaping business when I was going to college.  After I got out of that business, I sold off most of my commercial equipment and settled into just taking care of my own yard.  I quit buying equipment that was overkill for the most part, but I never lost my preference for gas powered tools.  In my opinion, electric garden cultivators were for people who couldn't handle the power of gas cultivators and tillers.  I admit it now... I was wrong.  Sometimes professional garden tools that cost four times as much are not really needed.

This spring I decided that I was going to resurrect my old backyard garden space that had grown over with grass during the past couple of summers.  My little boy is old enough to help out and enjoy it with me now, and I remember how much fun it was working in the garden with my two daughters when they were his age.  So anyway, the thing that was bothering me was the prospect of digging and turning all of that compacted clay soil by hand.  I enjoy working outside, but chopping up clay is simply not an enjoyable way to spend the weekend.  I’ve done it before and I was never really able to get the soil anything like “loose” using the shovel and chop method.  In past years I had borrowed a tiller from a neighbor, but his old machine finally bit the dust, so I was on my own.  The idea of buying a new garden cultivator was born.

I have toyed with the idea of buying a heavy duty tiller for a few years now.  Obviously it didn’t happen.  The idea of spending five or six hundred dollars for a piece of equipment that I might use three times a year at most, just seemed silly to me.  I did actually go so far as to rent one once, but after I got it home I found out that the rental place had the adjustment pin locked into place so that it could only till about three inches deep.  In other words, it was useless to me.  I took it back and got my money refunded for the day’s rental.

Back to this year…  I really wanted to get a garden going this season.  So I started reading a lot of reviews.  I looked up reviews for several garden cultivators and mini tillers.  I also poked around a bit checking out full size tillers that were much more expensive.  My wife was even on board with buying a gas powered machine that was selling for $399.  It was advertised in one of the Sunday paper inserts for Sears.   The reviews for it were not good though.  The thought of having a four hundred dollar paper weight sitting in the shed next year kept me looking at what people were recommending.  I finally followed a trail of four and five star ratings the the Troy-Bilt TB154.  Yes, it is an electric model, and that did give me pause.  As I said, I’m a big fan of gas powered machines.  The cost however was about a hundred dollars less than the gas model that seemed to have about the same size tines.  Also, as I mentioned the reviews were glowing.  Long story short, I bought the Troy-Bilt electric cultivator / tiller.  It is smaller than what I originally thought I would end up buying, but honestly, for what I need it to do, it is more than sufficient.

Now, when I bought this, the urge to break down and charge a gas powered machine would not stop nagging at me.  I recalled how much better my gas powered hedge trimmers, chain saw and string trimmers had always performed compared to electric models.  I kept remembering the reviews though.  I’m glad I did.  Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever in my life been impressed with an electric garden tool, but this one rocks!  As soon as I got it home, I wheeled it to the backyard and ran an extension cord to it.  As I expected, it did struggle a bit with unbroken ground covered in established grass, BUT, I spent about five minutes loosening the ground with a shovel and this machine went to town!  It broke down the clay soil into a very workable consistency with hardly any effort at all.  Seriously.

An Inexpensive and Efficient Garden Cultivator

So here is what I did and how long it took.  It was late afternoon and my wife wanted me to grill some food.  I got my handy dandy charcoal starter chimney out and fired it up.  It usually takes about half an hour to get the charcoal to the point of being ready.  While it was working, I spent about ten to fifteen minutes turning over the grass in one section of where the garden is going to be.  Understand, I was not chopping it up, just breaking it up a bit and flipping it so the machine could get a foothold.  The area I worked for this little test is about four feet wide by about twenty feet, so call it 80 square feet.

When I hit the area with the machine, it had no trouble at all tearing through it.  I got that whole section done with the machine just as the charcoals were getting done.  Elapsed time from start to finish was probably less than forty minutes.  Very nice.  I don’t even want to know how long that would have taken to get to the same condition working by hand.  I’m sure my back would be feeling it though.

After dinner, I came back and went after an area where some vines had become somewhat established.  The Troy-Bilt cut through them, but they did wind around the tines.  I was getting ready to spend some time trying to cut them out, when I realized that all I had to do was pull a pin on each side to remove the cutting tines along with the mess of vines.  Total time to remove four tines and replace them was under two minutes!  That earns another thumbs up from me.

Atlantic Giant Pumpkin

The little garden cultivator I bought only weighs about 35 pounds.  That is a plus for handling, but that does mean that you won’t be able to count on the weight of the machine to break new ground (but you knew that anyway).  I am truly impressed by not only the performance, but also the price.  I also want to mention that this garden cultivator / tiller starts just by pushing a button and squeezing the handle down.  There is a cutoff button that stops you from overloading your electrical box in the event you hit some major snag, but it resets just by pushing it.

This thing made getting the soil ready so easy that I decided to start another growing project with my son this season.  This week I’m getting another area ready and we are going to plant some giant pumpkin seeds.  I also did that with my daughters when they were little and ended up with a pumpkin that was about one hundred pounds.  That isn’t world record size, but it was still the biggest pumpkin on the block.  It would have been bigger if the vine hadn’t broken.  It should be fun.  If you have little kids, I recommend giving it a try.  I'll probably post about this little project soon.

Some final thoughts on the Troy-Bilt garden cultivator / tiller and similar machines…

• If you are looking to prepare an entire yard for seeding, this is not the machine for you.  You should look into something bigger and more powerful.  I've never tried to push any electric garden cultivators to their max, but they certainly aren't made for plowing up acres of land.  The larger Troy Bilt tillers got find reviews, but I didn't want to spend that much on garden equipment that would only receive light use.
• For an established garden, this machine is an excellent choice.  It makes light work of the chore of preparing the soil.  It just isn't made for sod busting.
• I still would not try anything cordless in the garden, unless it was running on gasoline.
• These garden cultivators do not guarantee weed free gardening.  My recommendation for easy weeding is to put down something like a layer of garden fabric after you have used your cultivator or tiller.  Then, stay on top of the weeding chores so that they never get a chance to establish themselves.
• I did consider a Mantis tiller because another of my neighbors owns one.  It was smaller than the garden cultivator I bought though, and cost about a hundred dollars more.
• Although the commercials make them look like a nice alternative to a powered garden cultivator, for me, smaller garden tools like the Garden Weasel just were not a real consideration.  The ground around here is just too tough for such a lightweight garden cultivator.  This would be a nice piece of garden equipment for working between the rows of an established garden though.  I'm all for weed free gardening, and it looks like a nifty little weeder if you've already got loose soil to work with in your garden.  (The same goes for the idea of a high wheel cultivator.)
• Honestly, I am very glad that I didn't spend the extra hundred dollars on the gas powered version.  I still have no interest in electric mowers or trimmers, but the Troy-Bilt TB154 electric garden cultivator truly impressed me with its performance.

Shark® 2-in-1 Vac Then Steam™ is a real time saver. Click the image above to read more reviews and to see product details.

So I found out that yet another Shark sweeper had joined the extended family. My in-laws already had a Shark Navigator upright vacuum, but the lure of steam cleaning home appliances was simply too much to resist. On our next visit I decided to ask if I could see a demonstration of the Vac Then Steam.  I normally don't have much interest in steam mops and cleaners, really, but I do like to check out the latest gadgets when they appear.

My Own Shark Vac Then Steam Commercial

I know this sounds goofy, but that's just how our family is around each other sometimes.  Believe it or not, I was given the honor of being allowed to dump pepper and sugar on the pristine tile floor in the kitchen.  That was pretty strange, and I half expected some fast talking infomercial guy to come busting out of the closet, but it still makes me laugh thinking about it.   The Shark Vac Then Steam made short work of the mess, and my mother-in-law looked pretty pleased. The demonstration of the new Shark vacuum wasn't done yet though.  Next, she pointed out some dirt near the door that her husband had tracked in earlier in the day. It was dried on to the tile and it was going to serve perfectly for her next demonstration. She made a very quick switch over to steam mode and let 'er rip. Sure enough, after just a few passes, the floor was sparkling. In the commercials they like to point out that the steaming hot tap water kills all kinds of nasty microscopic stuff. I can't confirm or deny that, but it looked good and there was no streaking left behind.  It was also dry almost instantly.  For people considering the Shark Steam Cleaner, I'd have to wonder why you wouldn't want the Shark Vac Then Steam that also includes the convenience of a vacuum.

Finding the Best Deals on the Shark Vac Then Steam

This all was good enough to convince me that the Shark Vac Then Steam would be a worthwhile addition for our home. We've got three kids and two dogs.  One of the dogs seems to have a life mission of making muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor. I figured that the money we'd save on Swiffer supplies in the long run might pay for the vacuum eventually. I was ready to just buy one locally, but I've gotten into the habit of checking for online deals over the past year or so. Most of the basic information was the same on the sites I checked, but I found that Amazon offered a little bit better deal than what I was finding anywhere else.   I found a couple of listings on Amazon when I looked, and it took me a minute to figure out why.  One deal offered a 30 foot cord instead of a 25 foot cord and it also included eight extra micro-fiber mop heads ($100 sold separately).  You can find that deal HERE.   I also like to deal with Amazon, because so far, every package I've received from them has arrived on time and containing the correct items.

So what about the product details?

The Shark Vac Then Steam is a member of the well know Shark vacuums family. They've gained sort of a cult following of faithful devotees. The major selling points/benefits of this model are that it will not only clean up the loose stuff on the the floor in vacuum mode, it can easily (flip a switch) be switched over to steamer mode. Using nothing but good old H2O, it uses steam to loosen stuck on messes from hard surfaces. I personally love this part because in the past we have flown through those throw away Swiffer pads trying to keep up with so many people tracking through our kitchen, entryway and the hardwood floors we have upstairs. For those concerned with weight (of the vacuum, not their own), the Shark Vac Then Steam is actually a very light and maneuverable unit. It weighs only 6.6 pounds.  The head on this vacuum is ten inches across, so it isn't really meant for getting into the tightest of spaces, but I still manage to move it around under the kitchen table.  The standard unit comes with a 25 foot cord, which is long enough for me, but some people might need an extension cord if the prospect of changing to a different outlet is too daunting.  This link will take you to the 30 foot cord listing details.  If you prefer the shorter cord and no extra pads, you can find that HERE at a lower price.

Wrapping Up

The Shark Vac Then Steam does what it is supposed to do very well. It sucks up little debris like sand, dirt and other similar spills with ease. It is not meant to pick up rocks or other, similarly sized floor debris, so if you routinely have gravel scattered across the kitchen floor, you'll be disappointed. Honestly, I usually pick those larger items up by hand anyway when I'm doing my initial pass through the room looking for small toys that have been left behind.

After vacuuming up the loose stuff, this Shark vacuum does a very nice job of using steam power to remove stuck on messes. I like this vacuum a lot because it seems to be made for the kind of cleaning we do around our house on a daily basis, and it makes short work of it. Some people have said that they were disappointed that the water tank needed filled after twenty minutes. I personally don't usually have to use the Shark Vac Then Steam for more than fifteen minutes, max, so it has never been a problem for me. If it did run out, I don't think that putting some more water in the tank would be anything I'd complain about, but that's just me.

Finally, although I haven't mentioned it yet, I do like the fact that the Shark Vac Then Steam gets the job done using nothing more than tap water. I'm not someone who rages against commercial cleaners or anything, but I do have two dogs who often feel the need to sniff and lick anything new they come across.  I've found that my floors dry very quickly after using the Shark Vac Then Steam, and there is nothing left over for the dogs to accidentally ingest.

The majority of the Shark Vac Then Steam reviews I found agreed with my assessment for the most part. This unit was easily assembled, is light weight, offers a reasonable price, and does what it is supposed to do. It looks like my mother-in-law picked a winner.  If you have an interest in vacuums & floor care, you can read more Shark reviews HERE.

In case you are interested, here are some of the other popular Shark vacuums that you can check out.

One of the options shown above will probably be perfect for your needs.  As I mentioned, my own preference is the Shark Vac Then Steam, mostly because I enjoy the whole 2 in 1 tool idea.

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.

A wide selection of bedroom themes can leave you confused when you are set on a decorating quest for your bedroom. Your choices range from the simple to the outrageous and you should be ecstatic because there are no strict templates to follow. You can go over-the-top and explore ideas that have not been tried by others yet. A simple object such as a printed wallpaper can trigger your imagination to wander into the possibilities of new and fresh color combinations, exciting patterns, as well as adventurous designs. Your personal preferences and taste should be manifested with the choices of interior design elements that you will apply in your bedroom decorating style.

Deciding on a perfect theme for your bedroom will be a breeze once you have exposed yourself to various designs that are available. A fairytale inspired bedroom or a gothic theme can work for a teenaged girl but a more subtle and not too literal version can be applied to an adult room. Velvety purple over drapery and white sheer, gauzelike curtain combination are an excellent window treatment for a medieval gothic bedroom with pointed arch shaped headboard for the bed and an exquisite canopy with lacy and frilly fabric.

If this image is too bold for you, then how about taking a 180-spin to the opposite direction by incorporating a Japanese Zen theme for your bedroom? All you need is a modern platform bed with glossy lacquered black finish, a native semi-circular ceiling fan, a free standing folding screen with a Japanese landscape design and you have a representation of an austere Japanese style bedroom.

This 5 piece cherry finish bedroom set is proof that you don't have to spend a lot to get a great look. Click the image above to find out just how inexpensive it really is on Amazon!!

Or, you might find this extreme elegance, and almost too basic simplicity very radical and you may want to choose a theme that is more in tune with your calm and positive disposition. Then you should consider using a country or a tropical theme. They do not have to embrace all of the elements needed to have a consistent design scheme. You can identify certain things that you like, such as distinct furniture pieces and accessories of those styles, and mix and match them with more contemporary design elements. A country bedroom will seem cozier and more restful with earth tone paints and a wall with horizontal striped combinations of alternating half round logs and flat surfaced. A tropical design motif for the bedroom can make use of a simple four poster bed with a very thin canvas fabric, white canopy and creamy white sheets and pillow cases. Greens such as potted plants or an accent wall of olive green with pierced carved screen appliqué will enhance that breezy and natural ambiance of the bedroom.

Researching Bedroom Themes

You do not need to spend a lot of time researching the theme of your bedroom, especially since the obvious and representational details are the ones that you will most likely use, but if you decide to have a more abstract adaptation of the bedroom themes, then you must delve deeper into their origins and characteristics and perhaps, you can devise ways to make these designs manifest in the most subtle yet creatively artistic of ways. You have to remember that these bedroom themes need not dominate the interior of your bedroom. They will need your personal involvement, especially with the finishing touches for your bedroom interior because you will be the one to occupy this space every day of your life. The bedroom themes you consider should reflect your ideas of what a perfect bedroom should be like for you.