Hints & Tips
Preparing Your Home for Storm Season
Queensland is known for it's wild weather and summer is the time for storms in South-East Queensland. As a child I loved watching the brilliant blue lightning that always accompanied these storms flash across our paddock, illuminating the gum trees in our front yard. However, if you've ever had a large branch or tree fall down in your yard it can be quite a frightening experience.
These severe storm can come unexpectedly, at any time and can cause a lot of damage to properties, homes and even result in injury or loss of life. With January right around the corner, and memories of the floods that ravished much of Brisbane and Toowoomba in the summer of 2010-2011 still fresh in our minds, now is the time to get your home prepared before the storm season comes in full force.
Home maintenance before storm season
There are a few simple things that you can do around your home to minimize the potential impact of storms this summer.
Read more: Some Quick Tips to Protect your Home Against Storms this Summer
4 Aussie Recipes that You'll Love!
1. Pavlova
Just about everyone loves a pavlova at Christmas. It's a real hit! Here's a simple recipe from Taste.com.au to get you started.
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14966/pavlova - Image Source: Wikipedia
5 Ways to Fireproof Your House
Are you wondering how you can protect your home against the bushfire season?
We have 5 Handy Tips on how you can fire proof your home against fires this summer.
Protect Your Home from Fires this Bush Fire Season
It’s that time of the year again, summer, in sweltering, hot Queensland. Recent bushfires in
Christmas is a great time to make something special for your family or friends.
We asked our staff to share some of their favourite Christmas recipes.
Shelley says that her family love these Ginger Macadamia Nut Balls and they are always popular at Christmas time.
Christmas Ginger Macadamia Nut Balls
Ingredients
- 250 grams gingernut biscuits, crushed
- 125 grams roasted macadamia nuts, chopped
- 3/4 cup condensed milk
- 60 grams butter
- 1 1/2 cups coconut
- 1 tablespoon golden syrup
Directions
- Combine biscuits and nuts in bowl.
- Add the condensed milk, butter and golden syrup to a saucepan and stir over a low heat until combined.
- Stir into biscuit mixture.
- Form into balls and then roll in coconut.
- Refrigerate.
Photo Credit: http://fellowfellow.com/recipe-ginger-balls/
In Summer, Australians (especially Queenslanders) will spend more time entertaining on their decks than anywhere else in their house. Whether you have a pool deck, outdoor kitchens, extravagant patios or large decks, they become the entertaining hubbub of the house. Although deck living can be casual, fun and easy going, wood and composite decks still need regular maintenance and care to keep them looking great and functional.
Even treated wood will deteriorate over time, and the impact of water, humidity and sun exposure can have your awesome wooden oasis looking dirty and dingy after one season. Cottage Carpentry gives us 5 tips on how we can look after our decks and give it the tender loving care it deserves
Quick Fact: Did You Know?
We know that our decks take a lot of punishment from water, sunlight, traffic from kids and pets, and those pretty plants that often lack proper air flow but sit prettily on our deck. All of these factors put pressure on our decks and we start to see small signs of wear and tear.
Here's our tips ...
