The Sounds Of Summer

Enjoying my favorite time of the day!

Anyone who has read my blog knows exactly what my favorite time of day is. For the new readers...Morning! It is so peaceful relaxing on the back deck. Here are a few other reasons why I enjoy it so much.

A great place for the morning cup of coffee!

Cool breezes and beautiful scenery.

Ohhhh the flowers!

Who wouldn't love waking up to this?

Sunshine, a cool breeze, and these beauties. What more could I ask for?

Coffee Chat: Scarves!! The one accessory that I won't be without.

To me, there are few things more comfy feeling than a scarf around my neck. Weird, I know. But during the cooler months when the house feels drafty and the wind outside is howling, you will often see me snuggling up in one of my favorites. Even in the house, though they are meant to be accessories, I enjoy the fact that my neck and upper back are covered and the cool air can't get to them. Being cold is not even remotely enjoyable for me. Call me a wimp, but it seems to take forever for me to get warm again after catching a chill. The last three days, though it hasn't been really cold but still breezy, they have come in handy. Recently I acquired a small collection from my daughter, when she moved, that I was more than happy to add to my own collection.

This beautiful green scarf is a gift from my oldest daughter for Mother's Day. Stunning!!

I have scarves for every season.

Hey look, it is me not catching a chill!

Love the vibrant colors!

Of course, there are other advantages to wearing a scarf other than warmth. They can cover or make up for a low cut blouse or shirt, a stain or flaw on a shirt, or a blemish on the skin of your neck. Also, a nice scarf can be worn over the hair to keep it in place during a windy day.We all know how that can go, don't we girls?  Yes, they are a beautiful accessory for color and style.  Scarves are the one accessory that I need in my wardrobe!

8 Tips To Keep Your Home Warm That Hardly Anyone Thinks Of

Here are 8 tips to conserve heat in your home.

1. Close your cupboards. Believe it or not, the cupboards underneath your sink may leak a lot of cold air. This is because they are not heated, usually up against outer walls, and may not be insulated very well. So keep them cupboards closed as much as possible.
2. Along with keeping your cupboards closed comes keeping unused areas in your home closed that don't have heating vents or have closed heating vents. Close your shower door. It is a space that does not need to be heated unless you are using it.
3. Open your curtains in the morning. Take advantage of the sun while it is up on those sunny days. Any amount of heat you can let in that is free is a good thing.
4. If you have an enclosed porch, don't forget to seal those windows as well. Lessening the amount of cold air that comes into the door when you open it saves a lot on your bills.
5. Plastic plugs for your outlets. Chances are that you have outlets in your home that you are not using. Plug them, especially true when your outlets are on walls that are on the outer frame of your home. Get the little plastic plug covers, they work great.
6. Finally, consider baking and when you are finished, turn off the oven but leave the door partially open. Let that heat out. (watch your little ones though). Also, consider using your Crock-Pot, it throws off quite a bit of heat and is on for a good portion of the day if you put it on low to cook a meal. It also takes up less electricity than your oven and furnace.
7. Put something at the bottom of your doors to stop drafts from coming in. Doors and windows are top cold air leak areas in your home. Even if it is just a rolled up rug or towel, after you close your doors tightly, overlap a rug on the bottom of the door. It can make a huge difference.
8. Use your deadbolts. A lot of times when you use the deadbolt locks on your outside doors, the door is pulled closer to the frame and seals better.

Try these tips out. I hope they save you some cash and keep you warmer in your home.