Hannah Blake

Stay Cool and Save Money With a DIY Awning [INSTRUCTIONS]

Awnings are one of the easiest and most efficient ways to cool off your house during the summer without paying an exorbitant amount of energy for air conditioning. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you can experience a 77 percent reduction of solar heat gain by simply putting an awning over every window that faces the west. South-facing windows should also be protected by an awning, and this can eliminate 65 percent of your home’s solar heat gain. Even if you can only afford to put one awning in place, the shade that it provides will help […]

How to Create Your Own Hanging Plant Garden [Step-by-Step]

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Ready-made hanging plants are products that come with the necessary pot and hanger, along with the plant itself. These are perfect for hanging from any hooks you have available on the exterior or interior of your house, but what if you have limited space or want a more uniform appearance? There are numerous DIY hanging plant garden ideas that can help you get the most out of plants that are either pre-potted or transplanted into attractive containers. To assist you with the process, we have compiled instructions for two simplistic and inexpensive options. Image by Suzette – www.suzette.nu, via Flickr

5 Ways to Remedy the Itch of Poison Ivy and its Evil Cousins

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The itchy rash that is left behind as evidence of exposure to poison ivy, sumac or oak is an extremely unpleasant experience. Scratching the itchy spots can cause them to rupture, and this will help the rash spread to other areas of your body. Therefore, you need to take immediate action to remedy the situation. What follows are 5 ways to remedy the itch of poison ivy and its evil cousins, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac.

How to Easily Identify Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac and Poison Oak [PICS]

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Whether you plan to spend a lot of time in the woods this summer or simply plan to enjoy the outdoors on your own property, it’s very possible that you will encounter some vegetation that will bring your good times to a screeching halt — i.e. poison ivy, sumac or oak. In order to keep yourself from dealing with the intense itching that is associated with each of these plants, it is vital to learn how to identify them so that you can steer clear of their leaves. Some people are lucky enough not to be allergic to these plants… but you […]

The Easiest Way to Remove a Tick [VIDEO]

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It’s summertime, and this means that you are most likely going to spend a lot more time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, this will leave you exposed to the possibility of getting bitten by ticks and chiggers. Not only will a bite cause you discomfort but it could also make you sick. Ticks: Removing These Dangerous Pests There are several tick-borne diseases in the U.S., including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia. Lyme disease is a medical condition that impacts the muscle and joints. Other symptoms include fatigue, fevers, headaches and a stiff neck. If the condition goes […]

5 of the Best Backpacks for Braving the Great Outdoors

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Whether you are an avid hiker, are planning a backpacking trip through a foreign country or simply want to be prepared for any emergency situation, it is a wise idea to have a quality backpack on hand at all times. Backpacks are often designed differently from bugout bags, but they can be just as worthwhile for anything that life throws your way. There are hundreds of good options available. To make it easier to select the right one for your lifestyle, we have gathered a list of five of the most notable recent offerings from top backpack manufacturers. Flickr user […]

5 No-Sweat Ways to Survive the Heat This Summer

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As the summer season cranks up the heat outdoors, many Americans are starting to crank up the air conditioning to its highest settings to cool offer. While we look forward to fun activities such as 4th of July celebrations and parties by the pool, many of us fret over the oppressive heat and higher power bills. That being said, there are several ways you can “beat the heat” this summer that don’t require racking up a huge A/C bill. And these methods go beyond simple money-savings. They could help you cope with the heat in emergency situations where you may not have access to air-conditioning or […]

Florida Man Captures Unbelievable Photo of ‘Raccoon Riding an Alligator’

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A man captured a rare image while out walking in the middle of a national forest in central Florida this week: an image of a raccoon riding an alligator. The man, Richard Jones, seemed to be at the right place at the right time to snap a photo of what appears to be one of the strangest test drive situations ever. He told reporters that he took the unusual snapshot while walking with his family in the Ocala National Forest. Jones told television station WFTV that he “snapped a lucky picture right when the gator slipped into the water and […]

How to Purify Drinking Water with Pool Shock

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Water is one of the most critical human needs, but it can easily become contaminated. Once contaminated, it’s critical that you purify the water well in advance of consuming it. The average person can only last three days without access to fresh water, and this is the main reason that preppers and survivalists are urged to store as much of this life-sustaining liquid as possible. However, even if you take the proper precautions, you might still find yourself needing to purify dirty water in order to survive. The good news is that pool shock can help you accomplish this.

The Survivalist’s Guide to Making Your Own Butter

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It’s an absolute must to enjoy some delicious homemade butter at least once in your lifetime, and if you’ve been lucky enough to try it, you know that the experience of spreading it on your favorite baked goods and eating it is sheer bliss. Just thinking about the taste of it spread on top of a muffin takes you back to a time when life was simpler, and someone knowledgeable about the process in your family probably prepared this type of butter for you during some point of your life — most likely during your childhood. That person was usually […]