Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Store tea in a dry, dark spot for optimum freshness
Question: How long does tea stay fresh before it goes bad? Should I refrigerate tea? Asime
Answer: Although tea will gradually lose flavour over time, if properly stored away from air, light and moisture it will not go bad and has a very long shelf life. Refrigerating tea is not recommended because the cool environment will add moisture to tea bags and if stored in the fridge, the tea bags are more likely to pick up flavours from other foods.
Question: I’m getting too old to weed but I still want to maintain a nice yard. What are some popular ground cover choices that will do a bang up job to choke out weeds? Chevrelle
Answer: Here are a few popular ground cover and shrub choices because they require little irrigation and choke out weeds: wild lilac, gooseberry, yarrow, golden creeping Jenny, creeping thyme, California wild rose, sage and bush monkeyflower.
Question: How can I get rid of weeds between my paving stones without using expensive sprays? Mary
Answer: Make your own weed killer by combining four cups pickling vinegar, half cup salt and two tablespoons dish soap. Spray on unwanted plants in driveway cracks. Be careful not to spray adjacent plants. Leftover boiled potato water also makes an excellent weed killer for patios, driveways and paths.
Question: The back window on my brand new car has tree sap all over it. What is the easiest technique for washing my car window without taking it to a car wash? Sal
Answer: A car professional shared this tip with me years ago (use with caution). Purchase a razor blade scraper and car spray wax. Spray the wax onto the window and push the tree sap off with the flat blade. Works quickly and very easily.
Question: I was on a date with a guy and we both ordered spaghetti. When the meal came, I began eating right away. I lifted the noodles with my fork and shoved them into my mouth. My date became so disgusted, he left the restaurant and I haven’t heard from him since. What is the correct way to eat spaghetti? Trina
Answer: Proper manners dictate that a person holds the fork with the tines vertical onto the plate, guide the noodles towards the rim of the bowl and wind the spaghetti noodles around the tines of the fork. In North America it is also acceptable to use a tablespoon to steady the noodles onto the fork. However, if spaghetti is served in a deep bowl a spoon should not be used. There will be a few noodles struggling to get onto your fork but will be hanging on for dear life. It is acceptable to suck them into your mouth as tactfully as possible, unless the noodles are too long in which case it is recommended you re-twirl the pasta. Now let’s talk about proper etiquette for walking out on someone while dining in a restaurant…
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. need a presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca
Renovation & Design
Natural solutions to repel pesky spiders
Question: Wondering if you might have a solution for spider webs covering my screens? No matter what I try, I can’t seem to get rid of them. Thanks, E.
Answer: Spider webs are beautiful to look at, but not always created in places that we would like. The biggest fact to note is that webs are for catching food, as long as you have spiders and a food source you will have webs. One option is to purchase a web duster brush with an expandable handle, making it easy to run up and down screens to remove webs daily.
There is a product called Cob Web Eliminator (you can order it online). This product is said to be safe around food, 100 per cent natural and prevents spiders from forming webs by "leaving a residue that continues to damper a web’s adhesive properties.
Spiders do not like the smell of citrus or peppermint, and using strong essential oils helps to reduce the attraction.
Some people scatter chestnuts around the perimeter of their home; while the smell helps to repel spiders, rotting chestnuts invites other pests to your home.
Spider repellent: in a spray bottle, combine five drops of lavender essential oil or tea tree oil and 1 oz. neem oil. Fill with water; spray around doors and screens.
Household tips of the week:
Speed up the process of filling a muffin pan with empty cupcake liners. Wet your fingers to grip the paper to quicken the process.
— Cadence
Save unopened sauce packets included in frozen meals such as Pot Stickers. Store the packets in the freezer to use on small injuries as an ice pack.
— Rekha
So many people comment that I make delicious pizza. Here is my secret: when I make homemade pizza I always brush olive oil onto the crust and bake the pizza on a hot stone pan in my oven.
— Louie
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a Presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca