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We were surprised by a snowstorm yesterday afternoon, and it made me start thinking about the importance of insulation batts in home design.  Our home is older and imperfectly insulated, which is terrible when it comes to heating and cooling -- right now, you can actually feel the cold air when you walk through the front hall.

Did you know that you can also buy thermal and acoustic batts?  I love the idea of acoustic ones -- especially when we get around to putting on our 2nd story addition.  I don't want to hear the kids clomping around up there when I am trying to sleep downstairs!

While we're not so fortunate in the USA, Australia is currently offering an insulation rebate from Government.  That's a great way to help protect the earth by reducing waste and improving conservation of both heat and cold air in winter and summer, and it's also a great stimulus package for Australian contractors -- right now, they're having trouble keeping up with the demand for insulation!

jess @ 10:11 | comments(14) | Permanent link

That sounds silly, right?  But it's true -- I am a happy homemaker when my home is full of fun, easy-to-use gadgets that making cooking simpler or more pleasant.  I have garlic choppers, lemon zesters, and other gadgets big and small.

However, I don't have an oilless turkey fryer, and I'm thinking I may need to invest in one of these before Thanksgiving!!  I have heard terrific things about fried turkeys, but I'm put off by the idea of having to purchase and then cook in tremendous amounts of oil.  For one thing, it's unhealthy, and for another, it's expensive.  What's more, it's messy!  I'm already a messy cook, so anything that keeps my kitchen a little more reasonable when I'm cooking is good by me.

Before I buy my turkey fryer, I'm going to let a friend check it out.  He's an excellent cook and also a fellow kitchen gadget lover.  As long as he gives it a thumbs up, I'm sold!

jess @ 11:05 | comments(3) | Permanent link

. . . is snuggling up with my partner and family to watch one of our favorite television shows.  That's why I've put so much effort into decorating my living room, and why I continue looking for ways to cozy it up even more.  We spend a lot of time in there as a family.

In fact, now that winter is coming and we aren't going to be outdoors as often, we are considering making the leap from cable to Direct TV.  This way, we'll have a bigger variety of stations from which to choose movies, shows, and stuff for the kids to enjoy. 

All of our friends have given DirectTV great reviews.  They love always being able to find movies to watch, and claim that they're saving money since they aren't always running to the video store to rent entertainment. 

I am probably going to be buying my partner a new flat screen television for the holidays, so that might just be the perfect time to sign up for Directv.  Then we can really make the most of his present!

jess @ 10:35 | comments(2) | Permanent link