Keeping your drains flowing (link)

There are some useful suggestions here. Since we have a septic system, we're very careful, and even if something is marketed as flushable, don't do it!

Link: HouseMaster eNewsletter - KEEP YOUR DRAINS CLEAR

Tropical Storm Fiona

TS Fiona is heading west following in Earl's track, but it doesn't look yet as if it'll become a hurricane.

Update (8-31): It's still not very strong because of Earl and should follow Earl's path, though one spaghetti model has it going west.

Update (9-1): Fiona is still following Earl, but three spaghetti models show it going west.

Update (9-2): Only one model shows it going west now.

Hurricane Earl

Earl is now a hurricane (cat 1) and is expected to be a category 4. It's heading WNW and should miss Florida but possibly brush the east coast.

Update (8-31): Earl is a category 4 now...

It's moving NW and should be making a northerly turn soon; it has the potential to become a category 5, and one spaghetti model has it moving closer to the east coast. Storm watches are up now.

Update (9-1): Earl dropped to a cat 3, but is back up to a 4. Watches and warnings are up along the east coast.

Update (9-2): Earl seems to moving away from the coast and weakening; it should become a cat 2 and then a 1 before long.

Update (9-3): Earl is now a category 1 and is heading for Long Island and points north.

Update (9-4): Earl is now a tropical storm and has passed New York and is dumping rain in New England.

And is now heading NNE to Newfoundland.

Color choice basics (link)

Learn more about using color, including neutrals (not just beige) and monochromatic design; check out the color wheel; and learn about the do's and don't's of using color on this HGTV webpage: 7 Color Mistakes to Avoid : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

Tropical Storm Earl

TS Earl is moving west and is expected to become a category 1 hurricane and will probably turn north also.

Here's the view from the National Hurricane Center showing Danielle, Earl, and another wave coming off the African coast: Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

(Thanks for the link, Lloyd)

Update (8-26): TS Earl is expected to become a category 3 hurricane, and it might keep going west.

Hurricane Danielle

Danielle is a cat 1 hurricane now and is expected to become a category 2. There may be another system close behind it, which would be Earl; the next two names will be Fiona and Gaston. You can check out this year's list--and more--here: Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names

Update (8-25): Danielle is still expected to become a category 2 and to turn north away from the coast.

Update (8-26): Danielle is now a category 2 and is expected to become a cat 3; it should still be heading north.

Update (8-27): Danielle is a cat 3 now.

Update (8-29): Danielle is now a category 1 and weakening; it's heading NNE and staying well away from the U. S.

Home size changes (link)

The McMansion era is over – or at least on hold.

"The average size of new homes has been trending down since 2007. And so have Americans' views on the size of their dream home, according to a new survey released by Trulia, a real estate website. ...

"In the mild 1990-91 recession, the median size of new single-family homes declined ..., according to Census Bureau data (.pdf). Then in 1992, it began a 16-year climb to record highs. ..."

For more background, go to: McMansion era over, at least for now - CSMonitor.com

Tropical Storm Danielle

TS Danielle is heading NW and is expected to become a category 1 hurricane Tuesday or Wednesday and possibly a category 2 later. Link: Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

(Thanks, Lloyd)

Living room decorating and design ideas (link)

Slipcovers can add fresh flavor to your living room. As a matter of fact, I had a lot of fun today browsing futon covers. Lots of choices and patterns, including school/sports themes. You can also rearrange furniture and accessories by moving them in from other rooms--or the patio. (I have a concrete garden bench at the end of my bed.) Arranging books by the cover colors is striking, but I'd never be able to find my books! They're alphabetized by authors on some shelves and by categories on others, and some had to be shelved by size...

Link: Living Room Design: Make the Most of What You Have : Rooms : Home & Garden Television

Architecture of the imagination

Granny Weatherwax and Eskarina arrive at the Unseen University:

"The big doors swung back, revealing a wide courtyard surrounded by lawns. Behind them was a great rambling building or buildings: it was hard to tell, because it didn't look so much as if it had been designed as that a lot of buttresses, arches, towers, bridges, domes, cupolas and so forth had huddled together for warmth.

'Is that it?' said Esk. 'It looks sort of--melted.'

'Yes, that's it,' said Treatle. "... Of course, it's a lot bigger inside than out, like an iceberg or so I'm given to understand. ...'"

From Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Design Star

The Design Star finale is this Sunday night--it's down to two finalists--and we'll see who wins. There were some good contestants and decorating ideas--and some silly mistakes... Here's a link for some background: HGTV Design Star - Season 5: Episode 9 : Design Star : Home & Garden Television

Btw, Antonio Ballatore, last season's winner, seems much more polished now; I was impressed.

Off the Grid (book review link)

While looking for something else, I came across this online review of Off the Grid in The Christian Science Monitor: Off the Grid - CSMonitor.com

I'm always interested in off the grid stories; there've been some good articles in one of the log home magazines, but I can't remember the name.

Roof pitch (link)

Here's an interesting HGTVPro.com blog (The Punchlist) post on the steepness of roofs. I do know that a neighbor has a steep roof and some roofers refused to work on it, but they probably didn't have the equipment (platforms, etc.) to do it. Link: Quick Survey: How Steep is Too Steep? The Punchlist

Themed home theatres (link)

Getting a home theatre isn't in the near future for me, but here are some fun ideas for anyone who's thinking about installing one. Of course, the Star Trek theme is one of my favorites, but the batcave is so cool! The art gallery and NBA fan theatres are interesting. For more ideas, go to: 10 Unique Home Theater Themes : Slideshow : HGTVPro.com

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

Tropical Storm Colin

Colin is a tropcial storm again and may strengthen into a hurricane. It's heading north, and all the spaghetti models show it staying off the east coast.

Design styles (link)

Check out these design styles, which include Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, Asian, Country, English Country, Contemporary, and French. Browse these styles and more at: Design Styles Defined : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

Tropical Storm Colin

Tropical Depression #4 is now TS Colin, and it's heading towards the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Link: Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

(Thanks, Lloyd)

Update (8-4): Colin is now a tropical depression, though it may re-strengthen; it's heading WNW.

More home and garden ideas

In the September issue of Country Living are accessories such as lamp shades, pillows, platters, and wall art made more interesting when covered with exotic maps. And there's a collection of horse-themed collectibles. The Real Estate Sampler focuses on stone houses around the country. And there's an interesting piece about the restoration of an abandoned house. And an article on fashion with old-fashioned flair. Plus an article on a woman with a fetish for white; even the impressive stone fireplace was covered with white paint. (I'm always amazed when these people have children (two boys) and pets (a dog). Recipes include a pear and chicken hero sandwich, along with recipes using tomatoes; the mini BLT looked challenging. My favorite recipe was for Salted Golden Caramel Bars (practically anything with caramel is a favorite). The most outstanding idea in this issue was at the end--a photo paying homage to independent bookstores and reading.