26 Basic Life Skills: Survival Skills for All Ages, a book series

A major component of being well prepared for whatever life may bring is building a repertoire of skills and a bank of knowledge. If youre on a journey to enrich your own life and become better prepared, check out this new book series by Liz Long, a long-time contributor to The Survival Mom blog.

26 Basic Life Skillsis the first book in a new series (Survival Skills for All Ages) that covers important skills to survive and thrive in life. Some, such as trusting your instincts, are really the same in every day life as well as in an emergency. Others, like doing laundry, can change drastically in an emergency. A few, such as staying warm when your heating system goes out, can be an emergency in and of themselves.

Beginning with 26 Basic Life Skills and then continuing through the additional books in the series, each skill is covered first from the point of view of every day life, then from how it might be different in an emergency. Even something like having your heating system go out can either be the result of your furnace being broken or a complete power outage, leaving you with no on-grid way to stay warm and no way to use any other electrical device or appliance.

The 26 chapters are divided into 5 parts, or categories.Every chapter ends with an activity to help practice that skill, a fivequestion True/False quiz, and a series of resources to deepen your knowledge. These resources include online articles, books, related Scouting badges (BSA and GSUSA), and videos that provide more detailed information and fun activities to reinforce the topic.

To give you an idea of what youll find in this new book, heres a sneak peek:

Part1: Basic Survival Life Skills

These life skills are so basic, almost no one talks about them. Trust your instincts. Know who to trust. Be aware of your surroundings (situational awareness).Practice problem solving and plan ahead. Dress for the weather. Stay physically fit.

Situational awareness and staying fit are both discussed a lot in prepping, but not necessarily in practical terms for regular people. Situational awareness is about more than recognizing someone trying to steal your purse or break into your compound. Its about being aware of what is going on around you, in general, and noticing things that are out of the ordinary.

Rather than just talking about the need to move and be healthy, thefocus on physical fitness from a survival stand point is on activities that can help you get fit and be better prepared for emergencies at the same time. Activities like hiking, biking, and backpacking are all fun, enhance fitness, and are good for emergency preparedness.

Other basics discussed in this chapter are learning to trust your instincts and knowing who to trust. What I was impressed with was how thoroughly each skill is covered, with examples from Lizs own experiences and family life.

Once you cover these basics, its time to move on to what most consider the basics: Food and water.

Part 2: Food and Water

As much as we all want to believe we never have to worry about safe drinking water, the news periodically proves that is not true.

• Flint, Michigan Improperly treated water.


• Charleston, West Virginia Long-term chemical dumping.


• Colorado, Utah Dump of toxic water from a gold mine.


• New Jersey / New York Hurricane Sandy.


• Florida Hurricanes caninterrupt regular utilities.


• California Earthquakes can interrupt regular utilities.

Learn about important fundamental skills in these chapters. Does your family know how to determine if water is (or can be made) potable? Do you know uses for non-potable water? What about skills needed to grow food and then preserve it for future use?

Now that you have food and water, do your kids know how to make it into a meal?

Part 3: Cooking and Cleaning

The first step in making a meal isntcleaning or cutting up the food.Its meal planning deciding what to have, preferably in advance. This task doesnt sound like much fun until you realize that whoever plans the meals knows that they will like (or at least not hate) whats for dinner!

The next concern is food safety. Food must be kept at a safe temperature and handled with care. An oft-forgotten part of food safety becomes very important in an emergency situation: Recognizing and disposing of spoiled food. Of course, hygiene and sanitation are part of this as well.

Once you have the meal planned and understand basic sanitation and food safety, its time to actually prepare the food. Do your kids know something as simple as how to measure food without making a mess? Do they know the difference between chopping, dicing, and mincing? Can they use basic hand tools such as a whisk or an egg beater, or kitchen appliances such as a slow cooker or food processor? I have used a whisk for decades, but I still learned something new while writing this book froma video that demonstrates how using a side-to-side motion is more efficient than a circular one. For the many people who rely on electric appliances, this is a good refresher on basic hand tools in the kitchen.

The life skillsin this section can not only be useful in everyday, non-emergency life, but should be used in everyday life. Kids may not be planning meals for the whole family but there is no reason they cant plan their own lunches. Even kindergardners can choose from a list of choices to build their own menu and look at the school menu to decide what days they really want to buy lunch.

Anyone who messes up on basic sanitation or disposing of spoiled food may end up sick. How do you handle that?

Part 4: Health and First Aid

In this section, chapters 17-20 detail basic and not-so-basic skills that help insure safety and good health.

Calling 911 seems so basic that including instructions for it must be a joke, but consider this: What do you tell (and not tell)the operator when they pick up? Do your kids know what to say? Many cell phones automatically call 911 for the area closest to the billing address. What do you do if you are traveling?

Do your kids (and your spouse) know about family medical issues? Can they rattle off a list of who is allergic to what and how they respond (rash, anaphylaxis, etc.)?Dothey know where to find this informationin case of emergency?Do they know where to find critical medical items including epi-pens andinsulin?

Many home remedies, and a lot of basic first aid,are so simple even preschoolers can handle them. Aloe vera for a burn, cayenne pepper for a heart attack, Epsom salts for sore muscles: These are jus a few of the many easy, provenhome remedies everyone should know.

A discussion of common first aid classes rounds out Part 4.

Part 5: Miscellaneous Survival Skills

Like most of the life skills in this book, these are skills most of us need in daily life. Sewing, swimming, safe knife use, and surviving without any heat in the house are clear examples of this.

Sewing can be as simple as re-attaching a button or fixing a tear, or as complex as a beaded, multi-tiered custom wedding gown, but it all starts from a few basic skills. There is no need for fancy, expensive machinery. Remember, the complex gowns of the late 1800s were all created with, at most, a very basic machine.

Safe knife use may not seem like an important skill in daily life if whittling and outdoor use are the only things that come to mind. When you consider how much we use knives in the kitchen, it doesnt take long to see how important it is in daily life.

Other skills covered in this final chapter are how to build survival packs and how to safely and appropriately react to the sound of gunfire a skill that is sadly needed in todays world.

These 26 basic life skills arent complicated or exotic, but they are important in everyday life and emergencies. I recommend26 Basic Life Skills: Survival Skills as a manual that can guide you and your family toward better preparedness. Its well researched and provides lists of additional resources for deeper learning. Add this one to your family library of survival books!

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Heartnut Tree Information Growing And Harvesting Heartnuts

By Liz Baessler The heartnut tree (Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis) is a little known relative of the Japanese walnut which is beginning to catch on in the colder climates of North America. Able to grow in areas as cold as USDA zone 4b, its a great alternative where many other nut trees wont survive the winter. But what are heartnuts? Keep reading to learn about heartnut uses and heartnut tree information. Heartnut Tree Information Heartnut trees can grow to 50 feet tall (15 m.) with a spread of 65-100 feet (20-30 m.). They are hardy to cold and most pests. They get their name from their prolific production of a nut that looks, both inside and out, like a heart. The nuts taste similar to walnuts and are extremely hard to crack open. Growing heartnuts in well-drained soil will produce the best results, but they will grow in loamier soils.

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Starting Over After Disaster . . . Again

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

3.23/5 (26) Editors Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Paul Bunyan. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. My wife and I had never thought about living in []

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Tips On Starting Dahlia Seeds: Do Dahlia Seeds Turn Into Tubers

By Bonnie L. Grant Dahlias are true summertime standouts in the landscape. The sheer array of size, color and form make these wonderful tubers a garden favorite both easy to grow and multiplying over time. Dahlias are most commonly started from tubers, but you can collect seed and increase your favorite flowers over time. You will need a little patience though, as dahlia flower seeds take several seasons to produce blooms, but the effort is fun and can yield some surprising results from these naturally hybridizing plants. Dahlia Seeds vs. Bulbs Dahlia tubers are common in nurseries and seed catalogs. They are the fastest and most reliable way to grow big, boisterous blooms. Growing the flowers using dahlia seed vs. bulbs may take a little more time but is a great way to extend your crop of the dazzlers. Knowing how to plant dahlia seeds isn't hard, but there are

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Would a Long-Term Blackout Mean Nuclear Meltdown?

According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, there are 61 active commercial nuclear plants spread across the United States. A question on the minds of many is, what would happen to those plants if the nation experienced a widespread, long-term blackout? Would there be a nuclear meltdown? Let me start by saying that there is a quite a bit of misinformation on the web about this subject, so my advice is to be careful about what you choose to believe.

Many of you may know that I have a background in science and engineering (Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering), so I believed that if I could talk with a knowledgeable person working in the nuclear power industry, I could get to the bottom of this question. To find answers, I consulted Jim Hopson, the Manager of Public Relations at the Tennessee Valley Authority. As readers may point out, it was in Mr. Hopson's interest to assure me that nuclear plants are safe, but to be fair, I found him to be forthright about the industry's safeguards and vulnerabilities.

How nuclear plants operate

Probably the best place to start is with a basic discussion of how a nuclear power plant operates. There are two types of reactors in the U.S., boiling water reactors (BWRs) and pressurized water reactors (PWRs). For purposes of our discussion, the differences in their operation aren't terribly important. Nuclear reactors use an atomic process called fission to generate heat. The heat is then used to create steam that turns large turbines to generate electricity. The steam is later condensed and returned in a closed-loop process within the reactor system.

The nuclear reaction itself is beyond the scope of this brief write up (and my expertise), but the gist is that an energetic neutron is absorbed by a uranium-235 nucleus, briefly turning it into a uranium-236 nucleus. The uranium-236 then splits into lighter elements, releasing a large amount of energy. The physical system inside the reactor consists of tens of thousands of nuclear fuel rods placed into a water bath. The rods are essentially long metal tubes filled with ceramic nuclear pellets that are bundled together into larger assemblies.

Trivia bit: A nuclear fuel pellet is about the size of a pencil eraser but equivalent in energy to one ton of coal.

Preventing a nuclear meltdown

The risks of nuclear power are many, but two stand above the rest. The first is that the fuel assemblies in the reactor might overheat. That would only occur if the fission process became uncontrolled or if the cooling system failed.

Should overheating occur, the fuel rods' zirconium cladding and nuclear materials could both melt, resulting in a nuclear sludge akin to molten lava. That slag would be so hot that it might melt through the bottom of the reinforced reactor. Eventually, it would cool enough to harden, but not before it had spewed nuclear contaminants into the air. Melting zirconium also releases hydrogen, which could lead to an explosion that might actually expel the nuclear material into the surrounding area--think Fukushima.

The good news is that nuclear fission can be stopped in under one second through the insertion of control rods. Those control rods are automatically inserted near the fuel rods either by a hydraulic system or through the use of an electromagnetic dead man switch that activates when power is removed. That means that when the electrical grid goes down or an emergency shutdown is initiated, fission would automatically stop one second later.

That's a good thing, but it doesn't make the reactor inherently safe. Even without fission, the fuel rod assemblies remain incredibly hot, perhaps a thousand degrees C. If they were not actively cooled, pressure and temperatures would build in the reactor until something breaks--not good. After three days of active cooling, however, the reactor would be thermally cool enough to open, should it be deemed necessary to remove the fuel rod assemblies.

The second major risk has to do with cooling of the spent fuel rod assemblies. Nuclear fuel rod assemblies have a usable life on the order of 54-72 months (depending on reactor type). Every 18-24 months, the reactor is brought down and serviced. While it is down, the fuel rod assemblies are removed, and 1/3 of them are replaced with fresh assemblies. Think of this like rotating cans of food in your emergency pantry.

In the U.S., fuel rods are not refurbished like in other countries. Instead, they are carefully stored in giant pools of water laced with boric acid--imagine a swimming pool at your local YMCA that is 75-feet deep. Those spent fuel rod assemblies are still incredibly radioactive, and they continue to generate heat. Water in the pool must therefore be circulated to keep them cool.

How long must the fuel rods be cooled? According to Mr. Hopson, the answer is 5-7 years. After that, the rods are cool enough to be removed and stored in reinforced concrete casks. Even then, the rods continue to be radioactive, but their heat output can be passively managed.

Emergency systems

Nuclear plants obviously require electricity to operate their cooling pumps, not to mention their control systems. That power is normally tapped off of the electricity that the reactor generates. If the plant is offline, the power is provided by the electrical grid. But what happens when the grid itself goes down? The short answer is that large on-site diesel generators automatically activate to provide electricity. And if those should fail, portable diesel generators, which are also on-site, can be connected. Recent standardization has also ensured that generators can be swapped between plants without the need to retrofit connectors.

There are also a couple of additional emergency systems that can be used specifically to cool the reactor. These include the turbine-driven-auxiliary-feedwater pump, which uses steam generated by the reactor to power a cooling turbine. The pump requires an operator, but it runs completely without electricity. This system, however, is meant only for emergency cooling of the reactor during those critical first few days when the fuel rod assemblies are being brought down in temperature, not for long-term cooling.

And finally, in the worst case, most plants have a method of bringing in river or ocean water to flood the reactor. This typically damages the cooling system, but again, it helps to cool and cover the reactor core should all else fail. Unlike in other countries, permission from the federal government is not required to flood the reactor.

Worst-case power-loss scenario

With backup systems to the backup systems, it would seem that there's nothing to worry about, right? Under all but the direst of circumstances, I think that assessment is correct. However, one could imagine a scenario in which the grid was lost and the diesel generators ran out of fuel.

Speaking of fuel, how much is actually stored onsite? It depends on the plant, but at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, for example, there is enough fuel to run the emergency diesel generators for at least 42 days. I say at least because it would depend on exactly what was being powered.

Once the reactor was cooled down, a much smaller system, known as the Residual Heat Removal System, would be all that was required to keep the fuel assemblies cool, both in the reactor and the spent fuel rods pool. The generators and onsite fuel supply could power that smaller cooling system for significantly longer than if they were powering the larger reactor cooling system. Even if we assumed a worst case of 42 days, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which that would not be enough time to bring in additional fuel either by land, water, or air. Nonetheless, let's push the question a little further. What would happen in the unlikely event that the diesel fuel was exhausted?

Even with the reactor having been successfully cooled, the biggest risk would continue to be overheating of the fuel rod assemblies, both in the reactor and the spent fuel rods pool. Without circulation, the heat from the fuel rod assemblies could boil the surrounding water, resulting in steam. In turn, the water levels would drop, ultimately exposing the fuel rods to air. Once exposed to air, their temperatures would rise but not to the levels that would melt the zirconium cladding.

Thankfully, that means that meltdown would not occur. The steam might well carry radioactive contaminants into the air, but there would be no release of hydrogen and, thus, no subsequent explosions. The situation would certainly be dangerous to surrounding communities, but it wouldn't be the nuclear Armageddon that many people worry about.

The bottom line

The bottom line is that in the event of a long-duration blackout, several things would need to occur for a nuclear meltdown.

First, fission would need to be halted by the insertion of control rods, a process that takes less than one second. Next, the reactor would need to be cooled for at least three days using the large diesel engines to provide electrical power. After that, the fuel rods would be cool enough that the reactor could be opened, and the plant's Residual Heat Removal System could be used to provide cooling. That smaller system would need operate for 5-7 years to ensure that the fuel rod assemblies, both in the reactor and in the spent fuel rods pool, didn't overheat. Only then could the fuel rod assemblies be moved to concrete casks for dry storage and final dispositioning.

During those 5-7 years, electricity in one form or another would be required. If it was not maintained, radioactive contamination could be released into the air, but the temperatures of the fuel rods would not be high enough to cause a complete meltdown or the dangerous release of hydrogen.

The point of this article wasn't to convince anyone that nuclear power generation is safe or that a nuclear meltdown could never happen. I would argue that history has already proven that it comes with some very serious risks. Rather, it was to discuss the impact of a long-duration blackout. Specifically, it focused on the safeguards that are currently in place, and more importantly, discussed the magnitude of the catastrophe that might result if we allowed those safeguards to fail.

Guest post by Arthur T. Bradley, Ph.D., author of the Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family, 3rd Edition, Prepper's Instruction Manual: 50 Steps to Prepare for any Disaster, Disaster Preparedness for EMP Attacks and Solar Storms (Expanded Edition), and the Frontier Justice (The Survivalist Book 1), website: http://disasterpreparer.com

Haven Conference 2016 Ticket Sales!

It's hard to believe that 5 years ago, the idea of a blogging conference for the DIY/home decor crowd was hatched and now this will be our 5th year of bringing Haven to the blog world. It's been my privilege to be a part of this wonderful blogging conference from the beginning brainstorming sessions.

The Haven team and I have been working hard to bring together another amazing Haven Conference this year. Every year, we have to brainstorm and try to come up with new and fresh ideas that will elevate Haven and draw people back to it year after year. It's not always easy to raise that bar, but we believe we've done it this year!

The post Haven Conference 2016 Ticket Sales! appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

What the Tech: Ebook Giveaway!

Back in 2007, when I started blogging, we all had to learn some technical things along the way. It was all brand new to me and I stumbled through it, learning as I went. Fast forward to today, 2016, and needless to say, everything has changed since then. I never did learn a lot about html. Only enough to make me dangerous, but I never really had the time or interest in delving into all things technical in blogging. If something breaks on my blog, then I hire a technical person with the know-how to fix it. I certainly don't rely on my skills. And I really don't want to learn all of that. I'd rather concentrate on the more fun and creative aspects of blogging.

The post What the Tech: Ebook Giveaway! appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Back to Basics: Are You Prepared to Defend Your Family?

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

4.18/5 (11) In the continuation of my Back to Basics series that has stretched out a little longer than anticipated, I want to address another of the most common subjects preppers ask about when they are just getting started prepping and that is around defending yourself or others. What are the things we as preppers [...]

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making sourdough starter, with sarah owens

WHAT IS SOURDOUGH STARTER made of? I'm interested in growing all manner of things, so one photo in a new [read more...]

The post making sourdough starter, with sarah owens appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Trumpet Vine Root Damage: How Deep Are Trumpet Vine Roots

By Liz Baessler Trumpet vines are beautiful, sprawling plants that can spectacularly light up a wall or a fence. They're also, unfortunately, very fast spreading and, in some places, considered invasive. This is, in part, due to the extensive trumpet vine root system. Keep reading to learn about trumpet vine root damage and how to go about removing trumpet vine roots. How Deep are Trumpet Vine Roots? Trumpet vines can reproduce by seed, but they rarely need to. This is because their roots are able to grow new shoots very easily. The trumpet vine root system grows deep and away from the vine. It will then surface far from the original and begin a new vine. To make matters worse, a section of vine that comes into contact with the soil will put down new roots which then, in turn, spread to who knows where. Even if your trumpet vine

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7 Tips For Finding & Using a Tax Professional

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Block Advisors. All opinions are 100% my own.

Given the choice between death and taxes, as a long-time small business owner, I'm not sure which is worse. Both are inevitable, both invoke dread, and both are a bit easier to handle with prior planning and thought.

As I've written on this blog and in my book, Survival Mom, having multiple streams of income is vital to a family's financial stability these days. That extra money is also important when it comes to being prepared for a job loss, medical emergency, and disasters of any kind. Offering piano lessons, tutoring, writing e-books, selling products on eBay or at a farmer's market, and yes, writing a blog, can all bring in additional income, but with that income comes the requirement of record-keeping, paying taxes and filing tax reports.

It's not always easy to find the best tax adviser, someone who stays up to date with the latest regulations, laws, and sometimes, loopholes. It may take asking friends, relatives, or other business owners for references or checking out the services offered by Block Advisors. From my own experience, when you find a tax professional that is knowledgeable, approachable, and available, by all means, hang on to them! They will be worth their weight in, well, lower taxes and possibly even refunds!

How to find the best tax adviser

Over the years, I've discovered that my business is most successful when I do what I do best and leave the rest to professionals. When I launched my first home-based business more than 20 years ago, I knew I would need a tax professional to help guide me through the labyrinth of tax laws, reports, due dates, and tax payments. At a personal level, it was bewildering to make sure we took advantage of every possible deduction, paying what we owed, but not a penny more!

If you are just starting out with a business, or you want a good tax adviser for your own personal taxes, then learn from my experiences, and mistakes.

1. Do not hire a relative to do your taxes, even if they are a professional!

Your mileage may vary, but I discovered that I wasn't at all comfortable with a relative knowing all about our personal finances. In my case, the relative was up to date with all IRS laws and definitely knew how to do her job, but there was always this nagging feeling that she was dropping bits of confidential information into the ear of her mom, and then that would be shared with another relative and then another.

When it comes to running my business, I look for the best professionals who are not relatives!

2. Hire someone with a track record and a permanent business address!

During tax season, anyone with a calculator can post an ad in the local paper or on Craigslist and offer their services as your new tax adviser! Untrained and without knowledge of the latest information from the IRS, they could end up costing you an enormous amount of money due to errors, missed deadlines, and possibly an audit. The IRS has been known to track down these types of tax preparers, simply by identifying returns with multiple errors!

Block Advisors is one company whose tax professionals go through annual, rigorous training to make sure every return is done correctly, the first time. As a small business owner, I know what it's like to receive a thick envelope from the IRS with a list of errors made on a return or report, and it's not a lot of fun to track down old receipts or other forms of evidence in order to avoid penalties.

3. Look for a tax professional who works year-round.

If you own even a very small business, you will no doubt have questions throughout the year about such things as medical expenses, the part-time jobs your kids pick up, and what receipts must be kept and for how long. When I helped a group of homeschoolers set up a co-op last fall, I was shocked by how many tax regulations we had to follow, and I had plenty of questions.

When you choose someone, or a company, to handle your tax returns, be sure they will be available to answer your questions throughout the year. With more than 280 offices around the country, by Block Advisors is available year-round, both for actual tax preparation as well as advice and even help with small business tasks, such as payroll and bookkeeping.

4. Choose someone who is a good listener and wants to get to know you.

Your income, expenses, circumstances, and family are unique in the world. A tax adviser should be willing to spend time getting to know you, your financial obligations, and your sources of income. With my blog business, not every tax expert out there is familiar with the various tax rules and laws that govern the specifics of what I do. Your tax adviser should be detail oriented, should ask lots of questions, and show a desire to work with you year-round and customize their services to your needs.

5. Flexibility is important

When our kids were in their baby and toddler stages, it meant a lot to me if our tax professional could come to our home or if they had flexible office hours. My husband had a crazy work schedule with his own business and sometimes, I just wanted to gather together all our receipts and dump them off for our tax person to organize!

Look for a company or a tax pro who is willing to work with your schedule. Do keep in mind that during the final few weeks leading up to April 15, the tax filing deadline, their lives will be completely insane!

6. When it comes to tax prep, cheaper isn't better.

Go ahead and pinch pennies by buying store-brand toilet paper and stocking up in the dollar store, but with tax preparation, cheaper is not better. I pay a little extra for certain things just so I'll have peace of mind. Our tax adviser has been a God-send, although probably not the cheapest one in town. I'll never forget the year that we owed quite a bit in taxes and she called us to go over, once again, all our expenses and deductions. That one phone call alone saved us plenty of money to keep in our pockets, rather than paying to Uncle Sam.

When hiring a tax pro, be sure to clarify exactly what you're paying for and what services you will be receiving. Just as it's no fun to get a "Surprise!" from Uncle Sam, you don't want one from your tax adviser, either!

7. Hire a tax professional who knowsthe IRS.

IRS tax auditors are among the most despised professions in the country. If you're ever audited or if an IRS agent shows up at your door, you'll want a tax professional who will be there for you, someone who has worked with the IRS, understands their system, and yet, is on your side. At that moment, you'll be grateful that you hired the best and most knowledgeable professional around.

A hallmark of Block Advisors is their commitment to be there for you if the IRS ever does reach out and touch you with questions, requests for documentation, etc. Whoever you hire, ask what type of support you'll receive if your return is flagged for an audit and what happens if your return contains errors.

Life is never stress-free and right around tax time, stress levels peak! If you've wondered if you really are getting the biggest refund possible, if you're not sure whether or not you can deduct certain expenses, and, especially, if you have any type of business, large or small, I recommend finding a tax professional who is well trained. In the last several years, the IRS has hired thousands of new agents and will be enforcing fines related to the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. This may be the year that hiring a tax pro becomes a necessity, not a luxury.

Disclaimer: Block Advisors asked me to review their services and write this article, related to tax preparation. I was compensated for the time spent researching and writing this piece. As a small business owner, I believe in hiring a tax professional to avoid errors and over-paying taxes.

Feature Friday: Redhead Can Decorate

Back today with another Feature Friday and today is blogger, Julie with Redhead Can Decorate. Julie an her family live on a lake in Michigan in a beautiful Cape Cod style home. Julie has done a lot of renovations and updates to her home and I think you'll enjoy seeing this real life home on the lake.

The post Feature Friday: Redhead Can Decorate appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Vote for Your Favorite - Prepper Writing Contest Round Two

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

5/5 (7) This is the day! The entries for our second Prepper Writing Contest are in and after analyzing the data, and some debate, I have culled down the many excellent entries to a list of six articles that I believe represent the best of the best. Selecting only six from all of the submissions [...]

The post Vote for Your Favorite - Prepper Writing Contest Round Two appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Are Railroad Ties Safe For Gardening: Using Railroad Ties For Garden Beds

By Bonnie L. Grant Railroad ties are common in older landscapes, but are old railroad ties safe for gardening? Railroad ties are treated wood, steeped in a toxic stew of chemicals, chief of which is creosote. You can find old railroad ties for sale even at garden centers, which makes the question confusing. The EPA has denounced these repurposed barriers as toxic and not recommended for the garden. Let's explore why and what alternatives for railroad ties for landscaping are safer and just as effective. Should I Use Railroad Ties in My Garden? If you have just purchased a property and want to build some raised garden beds, railroad ties seem like an inexpensive easy option. However, you might ask yourself, "should I use railroad ties in my garden?" True, you have probably seen them in friend's landscapes and neighborhoods are rife with the wood. Unfortunately, what we traditionally have

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Boxwood Bush Diseases: Learn About Diseases Affecting Boxwoods

By Liz Baessler Boxwood is a very popular evergreen shrub for decorative edges around gardens and homes. It's at risk for a number of diseases, though. Keep reading to learn more about diseases affecting boxwoods and how to go about treating boxwood diseases. Identifying Diseases in Boxwood Decline - Decline is the name given to one of the more mysterious diseases affecting boxwoods. It causes their leaves to turn yellow and drop, their branches to die randomly, and their wood and root crowns to form sunken cankers. Decrease the likelihood of decline by cutting back dead branches and removing dead leaves to encourage air circulation. Don't overwater during the summer, but provide enough water before the frost to give the plant the strength to survive the winter without damage. If decline occurs, don't plant new boxwoods in the same spot. Root rot - Root rot causes the leaves to lighten

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Browsing at Scott Antiques

I've shared several times about shopping at Scott Antiques over the years of blogging, but we were down there last weekend, browsing and looking around at all the fun and unique things offered at this once a month market in Atlanta. I've been going for years and 2 of my favorite pieces of furniture came from here. I'm not looking for anything in particular at the moment, but it's still fun to look.

The post Browsing at Scott Antiques appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Companion Plants For Cosmos - Learn About Cosmos Companion Plants

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener, www.summitspringsgardenwriting.com What grows well with cosmos, and why do cosmos need companions? Companion planting serves a number of valuable purposes in the garden. For example, the buddy system, most often used for veggies, makes good use of space, reduces pests and weeds, and allows neighboring plants to share nutrients. Companion planting may also reduce erosion and provide protection from cold and heat. However, companion planting is also beneficial for cosmos and other ornamentals. So, just what are good companion plants for cosmos? Companion Planting with Cosmos Cosmos doesn't attract many pests - except aphids. Sometimes cosmos are put to work in the garden by drawing aphids away from other plants, a method known as decoy planting. For example, plant cosmos away from your prized roses. The cosmos plants take the brunt of the aphid attack while the roses benefit. Negate the

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Getting the Most from Food and Water During a Disaster

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

4.04/5 (26) Editor's Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from RubyMae. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. I recently read an article about what a woman learned from [...]

The post Getting the Most from Food and Water During a Disaster appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Fashion over 50: Valentines Fashion

I had a wonderful Valentines weekend and hope you all enjoyed it and celebrated too, if that is something you look forward to. This has been the first year I've really celebrated Valentines in a fun and big way in years and yes, I enjoyed it very much. It does make a difference when you have someone special to celebrate with!

The post Fashion over 50: Valentines Fashion appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

7 Ways to Re-Purpose Old T-Shirts

The t-shirt is probably one of the most ubiquitous articles of clothing in American society. People like them because they are comfortable, easily customizable in terms of graphic design and color, and inexpensive to manufacture. Ninety percent of my husband's wardrobe consists of t-shirts given to him by his old employer. As such, they tend to accumulate, as I discovered a few years ago when we were moving house. Why did we have so many? How many t-shirts does one human being need, for crying out loud?

T-shirts do wear out, but more often than not, we just get tired of wearing them. But what if a given shirt represents a cherished family event, or a favorite vacation, or some other treasured memory? You wouldn't want to throw it away or give it away, but if if it's no longer the right size, you can't exactly wear it any more. The only recourse is to stash all these old articles of clothing in a box in the attic for some unspecified future date, mouldering and forgotten.

I invite you to consider another option: re-purpose the fabric to make a whole host of useful items. Scads and scads of ideas are at our fingertips, thanks to the Internet. It would be impossible to make a truly exhaustive list, but here are some of my favorites:

Quilts

T-shirt quilts made by the author.

I can't think of many situations where an extra quilt would be a bad thing. (Consider, for example, reasons to stockpile blankets.) I've made several, both for myself and for my kids, and they love them. Quilts made from t-shirt fabric are warm, cozy, and have a really nice weight to them that makes you want to snuggle under the covers with a good book.

It takes me about 7-10 shirts (depending on the size) to make a twin-size quilt. If you're using smaller blocks, like what is shown in the picture, you won't be limited to full-sized t-shirts; any knit fabric will do. I have been known to use old baby onesies for these. I like to use t-shirt sheets sourced from second-hand stores for the backing. The t-shirt quilts that I have made are hand-tied, but it's also possible to use traditional quilting methods as well. For more ideas on t-shirt quilts, check out this tutorial.

If you like the idea but don't have the time or know-how to make your own quilt, you could outsource the job to a company like this one.

Other Clothing from T-Shirts

The possibilities for this category alone are truly endless. (I'm serious - check out this wedding dress someone made out of Hanes shirts!)

Baby shirts

In 2004 I bought a commemorative shirt as a gift for a family member while I was touring a foreign country. Unfortunately, it didn't fit him. Or anyone else, for that matter, until I cut down the fancy foreign tee shirt to fit my son, who was one year old at the time. It turned out so well, I made several more, mostly out of those free shirts my husband got from work. These were a huge hit with his co-workers. I happened to have a pattern for a child's tee, but if you don't have one lying around the house, you can check out this tutorial, which includes a pdf for a pattern. As another option, you could trace a shirt that you already have on hand.

Yoga pants

Mine are made from a size XL t-shirt of my husband's. The elastic waistline is such that I was able to comfortably wear it as pajamas whether I was pregnant or not.

A little girl's nightgown or kid's nightshirt

I did this for my daughter, and it was a hit.

What if I don't have a serger?

This is a question I hear a lot when I tell people about all the crazy things I've sewn from old t-shirts. Sergers are great for making really nice, professional-looking, finished seams, but owning a serger is not a prerequisite for sewing with knits. I, myself, do not own one and have had zero problems putting together anything I wanted to make. Some helpful tips for sewing with knits can be found here and here.

If sewing of any kind is not really for you, consider some t-shirt projects that do not require - at all - the use of a sewing machine.

FREE: Download The Survival Mom's mini-guide to handicrafts: sewing, knitting, crochet, and quilting with many, many more ideas and links to projects!

Re-Purpose Old T-Shirts into Rag Rugs

Perhaps not perfectly oval (it was the author's first try) but perfectly functional. Made from t shirts and blue jeans.

Ok, I admit it - this option is not really a good way to memorialize a treasured article of clothing. I mean, it's a rug. It's going to get stepped on and if you're lucky, your kids will only ever spill chocolate milk on it. I include it anyway because a) it's something you can do with scraps of fabric (any kind - doesn't have to be from t-shirts!) and b) rugs made from t-shirt fabric feel really nice on your bare feet.

The traditional method of rag-rug making involves braiding strips of fabric for about a mile or so, and then sewing them up in a spiral. I've tried this several times and it never works out well for me; the edges curl up and I end up with a braided fabric bowl.

I prefer this no-sew version, which involves braiding the next row into the previous one as you work in the round. This method also has the added benefit of allowing you to see in real time the exact size of your finished product. I've made two rugs in the last year and a half and they are holding up quite well. When they get dirty, I can toss them in the wash and they come out fine.

Shag rugs are another possibility, whether you are thinking of making a hooked rug out of a burlap sack, or this other version that uses a sewing machine.

Tote Bags

If it's good enough for Martha Stewart, it's probably ok for you, too. Alternately, see this tutorial here. This project is simple enough for a child to do, and would make a good group activity.

Tarn

I'm not talking about a small mountain lake (thank you, Internet dictionary). I'm referring to

yarn made from t-shirts. This can then be used to knit or crochet items of your choice. Dishcloths are a popular option. Check out this pinterest board for additional inspiration.

Have any of you explored the many things that can be done with old t-shirts? We've love to hear about it in the comments!

Grand Turk

I've still got lots to share from the cruise, so I'll be getting all those posts together and sharing them one at a time in the next few weeks. I'm so glad so many of you are interested in travel posts, because it sure is fun to me. I do love to travel and see new places.

The first stop we had on our Carnival Cruise to the Southern Caribbean was Grand Turk. Part of the Turks and Caicos islands, I had heard about this island for years. It's so exciting to sail up to land on these cruises and see the port for the first time. We had booked an excursion for snorkeling on Grand Turk, so that's what we did.

The post Grand Turk appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Lessons Learned: One Year After Moving to Our Bug out Location

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

4.29/5 (35) Editor's Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Stu Stone. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. Some background. I'm a retired US Army Counterintelligence Agent/Officer. In [...]

The post Lessons Learned: One Year After Moving to Our Bug out Location appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Gorse Bush Facts - Tips On Gorse Control In Landscapes

By Teo Spengler What is a gorse bush? Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is an evergreen shrub with green leaves shaped like conifer needles and brilliant yellow flowers. Flowering gorse shrubs are important in nature since they provide shelter and food for many insects and birds. However, gorse is a tough, tenacious shrub that spreads quickly and can become invasive. Read on for more gorse bush facts and information on gorse control. What is a Gorse Bush? If you ever tumble into a gorse bush, you will never forget it. What is a gorse bush? Gorse is a spiny, evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean. Gorse was brought into the United States as an ornamental in the 19th Century. Gorse Bush Facts Gorse bush facts suggest that the shrub is a legume, a member of the pea family. Flowering gorse shrubs can grow tall and wide. Specimens grow to 15 feet in

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The Biggest Thing Lacking in Prepping...

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

4/5 (31) Editor's Note: This post is another entry in the Prepper Writing Contest from Herb Mayr. If you have information for Preppers that you would like to share and possibly win a $300 Amazon Gift Card to purchase your own prepping supplies, enter today. Let me preface this brief writing by saying that I [...]

The post The Biggest Thing Lacking in Prepping... appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Target Spot On Tomato Fruit - Tips On Treating Target Spot On Tomatoes

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener, www.summitspringsgardenwriting.com Also known as early blight, target spot of tomato is a fungal disease that attacks a diverse assortment of plants, including papaya, peppers, snap beans, potatoes, cantaloupe and squash, as well as passion flower and certain ornamentals. Target spot on tomato fruit is difficult to control because the spores, which survive on plant refuse in the soil, are carried over from season to season. Read on to learn how to treat target spot on tomatoes. Recognizing Target Spot of Tomato Target spot on tomato fruit is difficult to recognize in the early stages, as the disease resembles several other fungal diseases of tomatoes. However, as diseased tomatoes ripen and turn from green to red, the fruit displays circular spots with concentric, target-like rings and a velvety black, fungal lesion in the center. The "targets" become pitted and larger as the

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Perfect, Portable Heat: The Honeywell Infrared Heater -- GIVEAWAY!

I'm in love with this heater and so is every other member of my family. Honeywell's MyEnergySmart Infrared Heater arrived at my doorstep, perfectly timed with a cold spell that hit our part of Texas in January. Our older house, built in 1972, doesn't have the greatest duct system, and it seems that our family room is always chilly.

It's been many years since I used a portable heater and naturally, safety was my first concern. Is this infrared heater safe on carpet? Do I need to worry about our pets wandering too close to the heat source? Does the exterior of the heater become too hot to touch?

The answers, as I discovered from the instructional manual and safety information, were:

• Yes, it's safe on carpet.


• There is no blast of hot air emitting from the unit, and it's perfectly safe around pets.


• No, the heater does not become hot.

My husband remarked, "I like this heater because it doesn't dry out the air. It just gives off gentle, warm air that is comfortable and never overheats the room."

My son said, "I love this heater, and I'm keeping it for myself!"

Our winter energy bills aren't especially high, but our house does have a few cold pockets here and there, and this infrared heater is just perfect for those areas. However, the unit is actually designed for larger rooms than our small family room (150 square feet or so).

A few other features I appreciate are:

• The EnergySmart technology actually regulates energy consumption.


• Regular use could cut down on our power bills.


• There's a LED panel that indicates power usage, the room's temperature, and the desired temperature.


• There are 3 different pre-set heat settings, and you can set your own custom temperatures.


• Copper and stainless steel reflectors are used to enhance heating.


• The unit is on wheels for easy transportation.


• A remote control can be used to change settings from a distance. This is perfect for anyone with mobility issues.


• The small unit would be perfect for dorm rooms and chilly bedrooms.

Win one for yourself!

I'm excited that Honeywell is providing a new Infrared Heater to one lucky winner, right here on my blog! I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

Important details

• Giveaway begins on Tuesday, February 16 and ends at midnight on Tuesday, February 23.


• Open to U.S. residents only.*


• Winner will be selected at random and notified within 48 hours of contest's end. Winner will have 72 hours in which to reply to our email, after which a new winner will be randomly selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Wonder why some giveaways are for U.S. residents only? It's not because of stingy sponsors but because of international laws and regulations. For example, Canada, a country I love, has different legal definitions for giveaways and contests than does the U.S. Winners in other countries may have to pay import charges. I wish it were different for my international readers, but ignoring these laws could cause big problems for some sponsors.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a Honeywell Infrared Heater to evaluate for this review and giveaway.