Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros with a blog about forgotten spots that need organizing.

Everyone has a few spots where clutter just seems to accumulate no matter what you do. These locations become a part of your home that we stop noticing after a while. We never get around to organizing these things because they have become part of the landscape. Here are some ideas to tackle those forgotten spots that need organizing.

Jewelry

Most people take good care of their gold jewelry, but also have an assortment of costume jewelry pieces that maybe don’t get the care they need. Necklaces get tangled, earrings are missing backs and some pieces may be in need of repair.

First, go through everything and figure out what you can let go...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about cleaning dryer vents.

We all clean out our lint traps after using our dryers. Unfortunately, that simply does not do enough over the long haul to keep us and our loved ones safe from potential threats. Even if we clear our lint trap after each use, lint eventually starts to build up within our dryer vents. When these buildups are ignored, major complications can arise as a result.

The Risk of Clogged Dryer Vents

Every year, around 2900 dryer fires are reported in the United States. The leading cause of these fires? You guessed it — failure to keep the vents clean and free of lint buildups...

2020 Sales

Here are my 2020 home sales...

At the end of a stressful and unusual year, very few things sound better than cuddling up in your favorite spot. Grab one of these great reads and wrap yourself in a cozy blanket with a cup of tea. Get ready to be educated and entertained.

Reading is a wonderful way to unwind. It also gives you a brief escape from your day. Reading books boosts creativity in your brain. Another benefit is that reading helps grow your vocabulary and helps your own writing abilities. If that’s not enough to persuade you, spending quality time with a good book will help your memory, no matter what your age.

If you’re looking for a few more books to read this year, check out the informative titles below. These great reads will help you reach your 2021 goals, get inspired, become better organized and s...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros with a blog about what to do with all of your books.

Books can be an organizing nightmare. Some people have many bookshelves full of them. They are are big dust collectors that many times remain unread and unappreciated.

Categorize and purge

Do you still have old encyclopedia sets? Other reference books? Do you have novels sitting on your shelves that you either read or didn’t read?

Put your books into the following categories: Keep, donate, recycle.

Carefully consider what you want to keep. Do you have some favorites you read over and over? You probably want to keep those. For example, I have a friend who has two copies of his entire Tolkien collection...

If you’ve been holding out for a on...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about fireplace season and care.

Our Best Advice for the Fireplace Season

With the weather getting colder and winter right on the horizon, it’s safe to say that fireplace season is here. We know you want to enjoy your first fire. However, there are some steps you should take to make sure your chimney is 100% safe and ready for use.

Have a Professional Sweep Your Chimney

Having your chimney thoroughly cleaned by a professional is the best way to guarantee the safety of you and your home. Maintenance is key when it comes to future costly inconveniences or even more serious threats like house fires. That’s why The National Fire Protection Association recommends at least one chimney cleaning per year...

Happy Thanksgiving! My 2020 Pie Party was a drive-through event.

Every pie party is a little different from the last, but this year the pandemic has changed how we do everything. However, I still wanted to thank my clients for their support and business over the years.

Pandemic aside, the drive-through pie party was a success. I planned to have a tent outside, but the weather would not cooperate. St. Ursula’s Church was kind enough to let me use their vestibule because it was so windy.

Unlike other years, many people chose to stay at home...

Sending a handwritten, personal note is one of the easiest ways to make a person’s day! But when it comes to figuring out what to write in that perfect personal note — well, that’s a bit more difficult for most of us.

When you want your message to be personal and heartfelt, but you can’t seem to get the right words to flow from your pen, take a quick look at the information below. I’ve provided a few sample messages and explained the formula that makes these notes so effective.

Get some useful ideas on what to say and how to say it. In addition, you’ll see some tips for making the note even more beautiful. Your relationships will love reading what you have to say! 

You can write a year-end gratitude letter, holiday well-wishes or just a note to say hello...

Thanks to the University of Maryland / Maryland Grows this informative article about your garden.

• Prune dormant shade trees that need to be pruned. Begin by removing all dead, diseased branches, and making any necessary cosmetic cuts. Do not cut branches flush with the trunk. Leave the branch collar (swollen area on the trunk of a tree or a larger branch) but do not leave a stub. 

Incorrect pruning and over mulching

• Topping (photo above) is the not the correct pruning technique to help control the size of a tree. Crown reduction, pruning entire branches at their point of origin, is recommended if a tree must be reduced in size. 

Spotted lanternfly eggs. Photo: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

• Be on the lookout for spotted lantern...