Shopbrazos January 2012

JANUARY 2012

Interior design tips for giving your kitchen a brand new look Three delicious Valentine’s Day dessert recipes Insulating your home with Rockcrete saves energy & money

WHAT’S INSIDE

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

SHOP BRAZOS .COM

Juliet Cockrell (979) 731-4665

Internet Sales Director

Internet Marketing Consultant

jenny.downing@theeagle.com

juliet.cockrell@theeagle.com Billy Mau Editorial

billy.mau@theeagle.com Eric Aguirre Layout & Design eric.aguirre@eveningpostinteractive.com ON THE WEB www.shopbrazos.com facebook.com/shopbrazos twitter.com/shopbrazos youtube.com/shopbrazos foursquare.com/shopbrazos gplus.to/shopbrazos shopbrazos.com/deals Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the management of the publication. ©2011 GATEHOUSE MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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If you’re DIY-challenged, keep in mind that a coat of paint and a change of accessories can make a huge difference to any room.

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If you don’t exercise them or give them toys, they might chew your curtains.

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Jenny Downing (979) 731-4660

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Chocolate has great sensual appeal and has long been associated with the euphoric feeling of being in love.

ElEctric Bills HigH? Foam InsulatIon Can Help! • Approx.

Savings 30 - 50% In Existing Homes &HOHVWH

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Rock-Crete Foam Insulators Helps Lower Power Bills.

Rock-Crete is going on 8 years in this exciting and wonderful business. We actually make a difference in the way people live. We make their houses more comfortable, and their electricity bills more affordable. We save them from 30%-70% on their utility bills depending on whether the house is existing or in the building process.

At Rock-Crete Foam Insulators, we talk about air-conditioning as much as we talk about insulation. The two are married, and if you do not understand this, then you should not be spraying foam. The first rule should be, “Do no Harm!� When we get on the scene, we are usually the only experienced people that have showed up that can intelligently discuss the needs of air conditioning and heat in a new or existing house with foam. On existing homes we seal the attic and drop your utility bills from approximately 30-50 percent and sometimes even more. We have some competitors that apparently don’t like to work in hot attics, and discourage people from contracting for this kind of work. When they do it, they don’t even do it right and you spend your money for a “pricey radiant barrier.� At Rock-Crete, we brought spray foam to the area. Not only that, but some of our first jobs 8 years ago were existing homes in which we created a sealed attic. For years we were the only ones doing that. Now, some have come along trying to get some of that business in a down economy. They do not like it, and often do not do it right. We stand behind our product. In a 100 degree day, your attic temperatures should be between 77 and 85 degrees, but only if it is done right. Your humidity usually goes down also.

Retrofit example: 1. Leaverage, 1500 sq foot added 1000 sq foot; foamed roof of both and walls of add on. Bills dropped from 400 to less than 200.00. That is on a 2500 sq foot older home!

2. Claraday home, large home with hot 2 story. Took our advice on air conditioners and foam, and reduced a $1,200.00 bill down over 65% and now have a comfortable home, including the upstairs.

3. McWhorter Home, before $500.00 after, $225.00.

4. Baggs home and office and Winkler home and office, both report it was unbearable before, and comfortable now with savings over 30%.

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

)2$0+20H 2IÂżFHSavings

• Approx.

70% In New Homes *UHJ

New homes: 1.Mason home, 2635 sq feet, 2 story, with only a 3.5 ton unit, highest bills $125.00, average on AC with a separate meter on unit is $42.22 monthly?

2.Lincecum home. 2700 sq foot metal home with high ceilings and attached 1500 sq foot shop. Summer time bills never over $110.00.

3.Shultz 1200 sq foot home, electric bills on all electric from $46.00 to $69.00.

4.Rude home, approx. 4000 sq feet with bills form $150.00-$200.00 Rock-Crete Foam Insulators knows foam, and knows air conditioning. You need to know Rock-Crete. As you can see, our customers are very happy with the job performed. You only get a chance to do it right one time.

Don’t let an inexperienced company into your home that sprays a little foam here and there and calls it done. At Rock-Crete, we spray the proper amount at the proper places and we care about the performance of your house.

You are only as good as your last job. We want your referrals. We are one of the largest, and have the best prices on a job done right! Tax rebates are currently up to $500.00.

Also the only way to effectively cool a metal building or a 2 story house

www.rock-cretefoam.com

1-888-FOAM-HOMe Celeste 979-220-6578

Greg

Bobby

979-229-3493 936-349-2137

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NEW LOOKS

Get a new look

Simple decorating and design ideas

By Avery Mann | SPECIAL TO THE EAGLe

ou don’t have to be able to paint a trompe l’oeil frieze or completely remodel your home to give it a fresh new look. If you’re DIY-challenged, keep in mind that a coat of paint and a change of accessories can make a huge difference to any room.

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In the living room 4

In newer homes where open-plan spaces have replaced separate living and dining rooms, dens and offices, it can be a challenge to create a homogeneous look to a room that serves multiple purposes. A stylish living room is less about your choice of furniture and accessories than it is about having a clean and clutter-free look. Create activity zones and cozy corners with screens, wall dividers and bookcases, and store things close to where they are used to make switching from one activity to another quick and simple.

Remember, a large decorative box with a lid hides a multitude of sins. Choose what stays on permanent display in the living room to reflect your personality.

In the bedroom

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One quick way to get a new look in the bedroom is to rearrange the furniture. Swap and change dressers and bedside cabinets between rooms for a matched look in each room or for a more eclectic effect. The quickest update will come from a new bed set, a throw and a few fancy cushions with matching drapes. Develop the theme and keep things organized with a few stackable decorative storage boxes.

In the bathroom

Another room where the furniture is fixed, the bathroom will also benefit from reducing the clutter and hiding everything away you don’t want on show.

A thorough cleanup, removing lime scale and mold from around taps, and a good tile grout cleaner can make a world of difference in this space. Use a laundry hamper that doubles as a seat, if there is room, to create instant comfort. Change dingy plastic toilet seats for classic wood ones to bring warmth into the room. Update accessories such as toilet paper holders and toothbrush racks, and replace or dye towels to trendy colors, and you have an instantly stylish bathroom.

In the kitchen

Update a fitted kitchen with new doors and drawer fronts and replace outdated appliances for a complete overhaul. On a smaller budget, make changes with new light fittings, smaller appliances, such as a kettle and a toaster, trendy window dressings, and a new vase for flowers or a striking fruit bowl. It’s harder to achieve a complete new look in a room where the furniture is fixed, so it’s important to keep work surfaces clean and clear of clutter so that what you have on show is more effective.

NEW LOOKS

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Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

Under the knife A kitchen face-lift that really cooks

By Candice Olson | SPECIAL TO THE EaGLe

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nterior designers and plastic surgeons have one thing in common: They both do a lot of face-lifts. Recently, a house belonging to clients Ilya and Pina went under my “knife.” They have a large family, and they all live in an old farmhouse where they enjoy cooking and holding family celebrations.

But the kitchen was ill-suited to the tasks at hand. The room that should have been the soul of the household was absolutely soulless.

The kitchen was very large with a nice wood floor, but its redeeming qualities ended there. From the dim lighting to the dated appliances, this kitchen needed help.

To help keep costs down, I decided to give the space a face-lift instead of a total gut. I knew this would be no simple nip-and-tuck, but, rather, a full-fledged operation.

A kitchen face-lift typically involves refreshing a lot of the old and injecting some of the new. In this instance, I wanted to preserve some of the farmhouse flavor, but update it with an urban, industrial vibe.

Kitchen face-lifts are all about making the most of what you have, so I decided to keep the flooring and most of the cabinetry. But all of the wainscoting and backsplash had to come off, as well as the countertops and

some of the cabinetry.

When it comes to kitchen face-lifts, paint can be your BFF. I painted the kitchen a bright paper-white, except for one accent wall that I painted butter-yellow. I mixed in some new cabinetry with the old and painted the upper cabinets white and the lower cabinets black, and to all of them I added gorgeous clear Lucite rail-pulls.

Now it was time to bring in the new appliances — a fridge/freezer combo, dishwasher, stove and a range hood — all in stainless steel that instantly modernized the look. I did the counters in soft gray laminate and married them to a Carrara marble hexagon backsplash tile. I also installed a large single-bowl, stainless-steel sink that offers a twist on the traditional farmhouse sink.

In the middle of it all, I installed a long, custom peninsula in reclaimed pine. I cladded the front in barnboard, which spoke to the character of this farmhouse. The peninsula houses additional storage and a dishwasher, and I provided seating for three with charcoal stools upholstered in yellowand-gray floral fabric, inspired by vintage tea towels.

But the real “wow” factor in this room has to be the authentic tin ceiling I installed, comprised of square tiles. I then added recessed lighting and hung the coolest light fixtures — three pendant lights that are actually old Mason jars, tinted in a subtle blue.

By using lots of paint and fabric, in addition to high-impact finishes like reclaimed wood, tin and repurposed lights, I was able to give Ilya and Pina’s tired old space the ultimate face-lift kitchen.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV’s “Candice Tells All.” For more ideas, information and show times visit http:// www.hgtv.com/candice-tells-all/show/index. html.

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SAVE WATER

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

Small fix, big savings Save water with newer faucets, aerators

By Ed Del Grande SPECIAL TO THE EAGLe Dear Ed: I enjoy your passion for saving water and I’m ready to start upgrading my plumbing fixtures to be more efficient so I can lower my water bill. Can you give me some guidelines to get started? Please keep in mind that right now I’m on a fixed budget.

— Brenda, New Jersey A: I have the perfect project for you to consider.

First, here are some watersaving basics. You can save thousands of gallons of water a year in these three areas — with efficient toilets, showers and faucets.

My first two suggestions are to replace any toilets and showerheads made before 1990. You can noticeably reduce water con-

sumption by upgrading to a new high-efficiency toilet or waterconserving showerhead.

While these projects are well worth investing in, material and labor costs may hold you back for now. So, to get you on the fast track to water conservation, I recommend starting with your faucets.

Standard faucets can use about 2.2 gallons per minute. New highefficiency faucets can use 1.5 gallons per minute and can deliver significant water savings over standard faucets.

Here’s even more good news: As long as your present faucets are in good shape, in most cases you won’t have to change them. At the very end of the faucet spout is a small, inexpensive control called an aerator.

Aerators screw into the spout and control the water flow. If you can unscrew the present aerator and take it down to your local plumbing supply house, its representatives can set you up with a new “low-flow, high efficiency aerator” to match your present faucet. Once you install a new water-saving aerator on your older faucet, you’ll have a water-saving faucet.

Bottom line: This is one project that can really conserve your water -- and your wallet.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande hosts TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro. com. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.

Always consult local contractors and codes.

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PET BEHAVIOR

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Tips for dealing with a destructive dog or cat By sherry phIllIps | SPECIAL TO THE EAGLE

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wo dog beds, three cushions, one comforter, dozens of rolls of toilet paper, a paperback book and a pair of prescription swim goggles: Bella the boxer has quite a resume when it comes to chewing.

“She started with toilet paper, and we thought it was relatively harmless,” says Bella’s owner, Ellen Galvin, 44, of Portland, Ore. “We were less amused when we found the sofa cushions destroyed.”

To protect your house from your dog, trainer Gary Cassera of Balanced Dogs in Marlton, N.J., offers two options.

“You can use a crate or baby gate to contain your dog to a certain room or area of your home,” he says. “Or you can make sure your dog gets enough exercise.”

If you choose to use a crate, the general rule for young dogs is to crate them no more than one hour per each month of age.

“This has to do with their ability to control their bladder and bowels,” Cassera says. “For older dogs, the most important factor is that they have already released physical and mental energy that would cause them to naturally want to sleep.”

Cassera says dogs need daily physical activity.

“Take them out and walk, bike or Rollerblade,” he says. “Or play search games inside the house. Get their energy level from 100 percent to about 20 percent before you leave them alone.”

When it comes to cats, destruction

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stop bad behavior

“If you don’t exercise them or give them toys, they might chew your curtains.”

— GARY CASSERA, TRAINER

usually involves scratching.

“It’s natural for cats to scratch,” says veterinarian Colin Chaves of Fort Bragg, Calif. “Get them a good scratching post.”

Cats also need exercise, which Chaves says often is overlooked. Cats exercise by playing or chasing treats.

“When animals sleep 12 hours at night, they can be bored during the day,” Cassera says. “They don’t have email or Facebook. They have what we provide.

If you don’t exercise them or give them toys, they might chew your curtains.”

Galvin is seeing to it that curtains don’t make Bella’s list of destroyed household items.

“We knew her behavior was our fault; she wasn’t ready to be left home alone,” she says. “Now we crate her, take her with us on dog-friendly outings, or check her into dog day care.”

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SAINT ROCK-CRETE MICHAEL’S FOAM INSULATORS

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

Ahead of the curve

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Foam insulation helps homeowners save money & stay ahead of new building codes

By Billy Mau The Eagle

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his winter may not have been a cold one, but it’s hard to forget how hot last summer was and it’s not hard to imagine how rough the next one could be. Checkbooks all over the Brazos Valley felt the sting of high utility costs associated with keeping houses cool while the temperatures were routinely topping the 100-degree mark outside.

Greg Pruitt at Rock-Crete Foam Insulators wants people to know it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you are looking at a new home, an existing home, a metal building, workshop, or even a mobile home, Rock-Crete Foam Insulators can slash your heating and cooling utilities by as much as 30-70 percent.

Rock-Crete uses Foamsulate 50 Series foams from Premium Spray Products. These foams form a solid barrier of insulation, effectively stopping un-

wanted airflow in and out of the home. Stopping that airflow is key not only to proper insulation, but is becoming a big part of new building codes in many locations. Minimizing air exchanges between the inside of the house and the environment is a priority. Not only does air coming in through walls and ceilings carry pollutants, but it places a larger

load on the air conditioning and heating systems as it has to be run through the system to regulate temperature.

“The 2012 building code in College Station is calling for a much tighter home,” Pruitt said. “A typical home with fiberglass insulation is going to average six to eight air exchanges per hour under a standard pressure test. With

cellulose insulation, you can get that down to about three air exchanges per hour, but with foam you’re looking at 0.2 to 0.3 if it’s done right.”

Pruitt has been doing foam insulation for eight years now, and his team installs the product the right way, all the way down to the caulking that not all of his competitors do. He is so confident in his work that

OP ZOS OM

ROCK-CRETE SAINT FOAM INSULATORS MICHAEL’S

lower bills and make the home more comfortable. A foam insulated attic should stay between 77 and 85 degrees even on a 100-degree day. Not only does that make the home more comfortable, but also it’s great for items being stored in the attic. If you have some money earning 1 percent in a Money Market or Bank savings account, wouldn’t it make sense to use that money to put money back in your pocket month after month?

Pruitt has even started using foam on mobile homes. Anyone who has lived in a mobile home knows they are notoriously bad on utility costs. Pruitt has developed a process for foaming the roof of a mobile home that has had very positive results.

He’s also completely remodeling a rental mobile home and plans to go into the walls and give it the full foam treatment.

Rock-Crete has proven that foam insulation is great for non-home applications as well.

Anyone operating a business out of a metal building can benefit from foam. Metal buildings are a popular choice for workshops, but aren’t so great when it comes to energy efficiency. Rock-Crete can foam the interior of the ceiling and walls, completely insulating the structure. One client who had a metal building said it was like an Igloo Cooler after the foam was installed.

“Foam insulation is great for just about anything,” Pruitt said. “We’re getting some diesel tanks put in out here so that we can gas up our equipment right here at the shop. Condensation inside of those tanks can become a big problem under the right temperatures, so we’re going to foam the outside of the tanks. That’s going to eliminate that problem before it starts.”

For more information on Rock-Crete’s services and how they can help you, call 1-888-FOAM-HOMe or visit www.rock-cretefoam.com.

Also, make sure to look for them on Facebook and at this year’s Home Expo at the Brazos County Expo Center.

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with one program he offers, he’s willing to guarantee the heating and cooling utility costs for two years on new homes built with Rock-Crete Foam Insulation.

New construction homes see huge benefits from foam insulation for those willing to look at the big picture. Pruitt said, “Some people only see that foam costs more than fiberglass or cellulose insulation when comparing price tags.” While that may be the case, there is more to look at. A home that is top-to-bottom foam insulated requires only half – if not less– as much HVAC capacity. With the reduction of other building cost factored in along with the lower utility bills, many homeowners will in the first year get the nominal difference in foam returned to them. The savings over a lifetime can be $40,000-$100,000, It just depends on when you start.

“Consider on a 3,000 squarefoot home, you’re looking at $4,000 on fiberglass insulation and we might charge $8,000 for foam on the same house,” Pruitt said. “So you start off looking at a $4,000 difference.

But you were going to use two air conditioners at about seven tons of air with fiberglass.

We’re probably going be able to get you down to four tons of air and just one air conditioner.

That’s going to save you $4,000 or $5,000 right there by not having to buy that second air conditioner.

“When you look at the costs of foam insulation as part of the building process as a whole, it’s not that much more at all.

Then you go into that first year of living in that house and the difference in utility costs is going to finish paying for it.

You have to be smart enough to look at the big picture and smart enough to ask your builder about it.”

For those who have existing homes, foam is a good bet as well. Rock-Crete can come in and spray the rafters in the attic and even the underside of homes on pier support foundations to help dramatically

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Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

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SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE

A drizzle of chocolate syrup and a few more cherries make the finished Valentine Frangipane even more festive. FOODSTYLING AND PHOTOS BY MARGARET MAPLES / SPECIAL TO THE EAGLE

Sweet, sweet love

Flavors merge in a Valentine’s treat

By Margaret Maples | SPECIAL TO THE EAGLe

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We have the perfect finale for a Valentine’s Day dinner. The potential for naughtiness may be high, but this dessert is very nice: Valentine Frangipane.

This is a delightful combination of almond cream, Maraschino cherries and chocolate. We chose these ingredients because they’re natural enhancements for this romantic occasion.

Chocolate has great sensual appeal and has long been associated with the euphoric feeling of being in love. Each little tart rests on a heart-shaped crust made of a chocolate version of pate sucree, the sweet dough that’s used in tart crusts.

(If you don’t have a heart-shaped tart pan, a mini-muffin tin makes a fine stand-in.)

For a little more chocolate oomph, we added swirls of chocolate syrup. Then more cherries seemed like a good idea.

You’ll be able to decide these things for yourself. Or maybe just leave the whipped cream, chocolate syrup and cherries within reach.

These mini tarts are ready to bake, with a cherry and a layer of almond cream visible in each well of the tart pan. Chocolate pate sucree forms the base crust for each one.

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE

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Almond Cream • 8 ounces almond paste • 1 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature • 1 egg

Beat together the almond paste and sugar until smooth (check for small lumps of almond paste). Add the butter and beat smooth. Add the egg, mixing until combined.

Stir in the flour, mixing until it’s absorbed. Cover and refrigerate until half an hour before you plan Valentine Frangipane to bake the mini tarts.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • Chocolate Pate Sucree Fahrenheit.

• 2 1/3 cups pastry flour • 7/8 cup (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature Shape balls of chocolate pate • 1/2 teaspoon salt sucree slightly less than 1 inch in • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa diameter and place one in each (regular or dark works well) • 1 egg well of a heart-shaped mini tart pan or mini-muffin pan. Use your This chocolate crust can be used with In a separate bowl, sift together the clean fingers or one of the tart other fillings, such as custard or fruit. pastry flour, salt and cocoa. Add to pan inserts to flatten the dough And if you’re in the mood for a larger the butter mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. in place. The dough should be confection, roll the dough between Beat until combined.

1/8- to ¼-inch thick. sheets of waxed paper and fit it into a Turn out the dough onto a sheet of Place almond cream in a piping bigger tart pan. plastic wrap. Shape the dough into a bag fitted with a medium star Beat together the butter and sugar log, wrap it airtight and refrigerate until tip or in a refrigerator bag with a until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla. half an hour before you plan to bake. corner snipped off. Pipe almond cream onto each base of pate

• 1/2 cup + 1 teaspoon pastry flour • Maraschino cherries • Whipped cream • Chocolate syrup

sucree, spreading until it’s ¼- to 3/8-inch deep. Press a cherry into the almond cream of each little tart.

Bake tarts for 15 to 17 minutes, until almond cream is lightly golden and gently puffed up around the cherries. Do not overbake, as this makes the mini tarts too chewy.

Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool slightly. Remove them from the pan, set them on a rack and let them come to room temperature.

Drizzle a dessert plate lightly with chocolate syrup. Arrange two mini tarts atop the syrup.

Using a piping bag or a refrigerator bag with a corner snipped off, draw a circle of chocolate syrup on each tart. Pipe a cap of whipping cream onto each tart and finish with another cherry.

Makes 4 to 5 dozen mini tarts.

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Cooled and removed from their pan, the tarts are ready for a little chocolate syrup, a cap of whipped cream and a second Maraschino cherry.

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WINDOW TREATMENT

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

Improve your room’s view 10 window-treatment trends for 2012

By Chelsey Bowen SPECIAL TO THE EAGLe

Jewel tones Window Metallics “Metallic 1tones, 5 treatments in jewel surfaces are back in which range from vogue,” says Gilder. “Silver,

deep reds to subtle blues, are sophisticated and create the atmosphere of luxury in any space.

Let the light in One trend that’s always in style is using window treatments that allow a lot of natural light into a space.

Many fabric houses are making sheers in all colors, not just white or cream.

They’re also using great linen blends with more contemporary patterns.

Trim it up Personalize window treatments with decorative embellishments.

Designer Jennifer Duneier uses trim to create customdesigned treatments with store-bought pieces.

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bronze and gold metallic fabrics layered with sheers are making a grand appearance in living rooms and bedrooms.”

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Layer shades “Another trend is to layer shades,” says Jennifer Duneier. “A blackout shade might be installed right next to the window with a sheer shade in front of it.’

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Geometric patterns Instead of sticking with solid fabrics, look for ones in creative patterns.

sunrise events & errands

Stainless steel Not 8 just a favorite for appliances anymore, stain-

less steel is making its way throughout the home. To Natural elements incorporate this trend into Organic materials are your window treatments, bringing nature indoors. “It’s Gilder suggests threadall about nature-inspired and ing stainless steel and eco-friendly materials and other metallic curtain rods designs,” says designer Lori through simple eyelets at Gilder. the top of panels to create a simple unadorned look.

“It’s no longer a trend, but Neutrals Gilder notes more of a philosophy in the that “charcoal and slate evolution of design. Bamare the new neutrals and boo, matchstick blinds and blend beautifully with the natural woven shades layered with simple sheer linen metallic trends.” panels create an elegant yet Cheery yellow earthy sophistication in any Brighten up a room space.” with cheerful draperies.

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PLAN YOUR GARDEN

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Plan ahead with seed catalogs

By Maureen Gilmer Special to The Eagle

pays to plan ahead. This was painfully evident last year when I discovered retailers pricing 1-gallon potted organic tomatoes at more than $7 apiece in June. The small-budget gardener in me knew that same plant could be grown from seed for pennies. But retailers know that many of us fail to plan ahead, and the result is we are forced to pay more.

To realize the economy of growing your own food, and to gain access to a gazillion modern and heirloom varieties of common vegetables, you need to plan well. That’s what seed catalogs are for. Sure, they help you buy seed, but taking time to peruse the pages reminds us of what we failed to plant last year or why what we did plant failed. A good catalog will be filled with helpful hints for selecting the variety so you’re successful and return next year for another season of seeds.

It is a time-honored tradition of gardeners everywhere to spend cold winter days perusing catalogs. I require hot tea, sticky notes, yellow highlighters and a tablet for notes and sketches.

As a horticultural journalist, I get most of my seed catalogs via the Direct Gardening Association (www.

DirectGardeningAssociation.com).

Their website is a great resource because it features a list of catalogs for home food growers.

It’s easy to use the list because there’s a live link for every catalog

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and beside it is a phone number for those who don’t use the Internet.

Simply call and request they send you a lovely, full-color catalog that you can study for weeks this winter as you mentally organize next year’s garden.

Many of these catalogs are general, such as Johnny’s Selected Seeds, which is a favorite of organic market farmers because they sell in bulk, not just regular seed packets. They offer one of the most detailed and diverse catalogs with a good deal of information on growing each variety to help small farmers find greater success with their crops.

Burpee is more focused on the novice or first-time gardener, with fewer varieties that are more widely adaptable. Sometimes fewer choices make it easier to wade through the options.

This is the perfect jumping-off point for those just getting started with growing their own food. Follow these tips to help you get what you need for your region, your level of expertise and the method you use to

grow food.

• Select just one general seed catalog to start your first garden.

• Don’t order out of multiple catalogs unless you’re an experienced gardener.

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Seeds&savings

• Be sure to read the entire description of the variety, because pole and bush beans look identical in pictures.

• It’s easier to purchase seed online with a click rather than writing out all the varieties by hand.

Never forget that a well-planned garden is based on the research you do now, which will pay off with all the $7 tomato plants you can manage for just pennies apiece.

Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer.

Join her online at www.MoPlants.com or email her at mgilmer@gmail.com.

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KIDS’ ROOMS

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

Clean your room! ­ rules for 5 kids’ rooms Kids’ bedrooms breed clutter. Use these “room rules” to keep it under control: 1. Do not allow food in bedrooms.

2. Place all dirty clothes in a basket or hamper daily.

3. Do not leave potentially dangerous items, such as balls, plastic building pieces and roller skates, on the floor.

4. Put away toys no longer being played with before getting out something new.

5. Straighten up the room before going to bed.

Eight tips to curb children’s clutter

By Sherry Phillips | SPECIAL TO THE EAGLE

N

o matter their age, kids create clutter. But by establishing guidelines, you can keep the chaos under control and teach children valuable lessons about taking good care of their belongings. Try these ideas to reduce kids’ clutter in your home:

Avoid toy boxes and trunks. Small items sift to the bottom, and you have to empty the contents and make a mess to find them. Instead, buy assorted sizes of clear plastic bins for categorizing and storing each child’s belongings.

Store frequently used items, such as socks, play clothes, art supplies and favorite toys, in designated, easy-access bins, shelves and drawers that are labeled with details of the contents. (Use picture labels for pre-readers.) This way, when it’s time to tidy up, it’s easy for kids to stow their items and deposit dirty clothes.

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Keep a small laundry basket, to collect dirty clothes, in each child’s closet.

Hang a see-through shoe organizer low on a closet door, and label the pockets so kids know where to stash small items such as hair accessories, game pieces and guitar picks that easily get lost.

Put a bin, crate or basket near the exit door to collect sports gear. After games

or practice, have kids deposit kneepads, cleats, batting gloves and other equipment in the container. That way, they’ll always know where to find the items.

Hang pegs or hooks at child level for jackets, backpacks and hats.

Buy a filing box and help your child set up files for schoolwork, pictures, awards and certificates, personal mail, articles for future reports and hobby brochures.

Create clutter-free zones in your home.

Belongings left in these designated areas can go to “clutter jail” — and there’s a fee to get them out. Or, create a “swine fine” jar. If kids don’t pick up their belongings, call out “swine fine!” and require them to deposit a designated amount of money in the jar. These two strategies work best when mom and dad are accountable, too.

Let kids collect the fine when you leave items out.

For more information, visit familymanager.com.

DAILY SPECIALS

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Stay connected with specials across the Brazos Valley

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 2297 Earl Rudder Frwy.

College Station Monday, All Day $5 Westerner sandwiches

Los Molcajetes Mexican Food 725 E. Villa Maria Rd., Ste. 100 Bryan Tuesday, All Day Kids eat free with purchase of an adult meal

Yesterday’s Bar & Grill 4421 S. Texas Ave. Bryan Thursday, All Day $1.50 drafts

Casa Rodriguez 300 N. Bryan Ave. Bryan Wednesday, 5 - 9 pm All enchilada dinners for $5.99

Buffalo Wild Wings 903 University Dr. College Station Weekdays, 11 am - 3 pm Lunch specials starting at $7.29

KIDS EAT FREE Tony Roma’s 980 N. Earl Rudder Frwy.

Bryan Tuesday, All Day Up to two free kids meals per adult meal purchased

O’bannon’s Tap House 103 Boyett St. College Station Wednesday, 8 pm - 2 am Half off all pints

Chicken Oil Co. 3600 College Ave. Bryan Wednesday, 5 - 9 pm Kids eat free from kids menu with purchase of adult meal

Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

FOOD

DRINKS

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 1712 Southwest Pkwy., Ste. 100 College Station Monday - Thursday, 4 - 7 pm $3 schooner margaritas

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Thursday, January 19, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle

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