Top 10 Ways to Make Your Home a Vacation Destination
August 11, 2018 by
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Last week, Joan and I were happy to host a four-day visit from our good friend Vicki, from Carson City. In preparation, we spruced-up the guest room -- a new day bed, fresh linens, and removed excess from the room.
And, yes, we took another four-day staycation! This one a bit different from the one we took in July!
Our first evening, we hung out here at our home with only a quick outing for a bite to eat at our local New Mecca restaurant. Why not enjoy our river view -- the sites and sounds of boats and yachts sailing by, jet skis, tug boats, and the beauty of the large ships?
Nothing like sharing the area we live in and love, seeing it afresh through Vicki's appreciative eyes.
The next morning, we breakfasted out at one of our favorites, Chows in Lafayette. After all, who wants to cook on vacation, right?
We stopped by a little store nearby, Amphora Nueva, which has premium extra virgin olive oils --fused and infused olive oils. Plus, aged balsamic vinegar in many flavors. Along with other specialty oils and gourmet products. We taste tested a number of combinations and came away with basil infused olive oil paired with peach balsamic. Delicious!
Driving back from Lafayette, we explored Reliez Valley Road with its country views and livestock. Along the way, we stopped by the Buddha Gate Monastery, the John Muir house historic site, and the Martinez Regional shore line. We needed a pit-stop by that time -- thank you porta-potties!
Who knew we had so many tourist destinations?
The following day our meal out was in Benicia at the First St. Café. The Café serves the most delicious portobello mushroom sandwich, marinated overnight to perfection.
We walked off our meal along the water front next to the Carquinez straight. From there such great sites: Vallejo, Martinez, and Crockett across the water; gulls, heron, crows, California condors; and all the sail boats moored at the Benicia harbor.
Our last day together, we explored Pittsburg -- the river view, boat harbor, the harbor walking paths and nearby community parks. We spotted two turtles in the water, soaking up the morning sunshine.
All-in-all a very satisfying staycation.
Fortunately, we had prepared our home in advance so that we could relax and enjoy it.
How about you? Are you considering a stay-at-home vacation (staycation)? If so, maybe our Top 10 will make your home a great destination!
And, in case you noticed any of those top 10 are not in your area of expertise or desire to do around your home, consider asking for our help with our with our August special -- Make Your Home a Vacation Destination.
Beware of these top 10 hazards!
July 26, 2018 by
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This weekend all was quiet in our river front home. That is, until there were several, long loud blasts from the ships horn. A "sea going" bulk carrier ship warning a small boat to get out of its way. The small boat was dangerously close to the forward path of the ship.
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Tiny boat, Get Out of the Way!
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More loud blasts were heard when the small boat drove too close to the ship's propellers. A truly hazardous thing to do, to get too close to the powerful engines of a 28,000 ton ship!
And, what an appropriate name -- "Global Echo,"since you could hear her horn for miles.
It boggles the mind how a small boat could miss seeing a huge ship coming right at them. It certainly speaks to how some people do not knowhow to captain a small boat. Especially the dangers of getting too close to a large ship!
Okay, so I realize you may not have a big ship as a hazard in your home. However, what other hazards do you need to address to make your home safe? After all, you are the captain of your "ship" (aka your home) and it's up to you to ensure you and your family have a safe journey.
Which brings me to our topic this time ... Beware of These Top 10 Hazards. We've compiled some that we commonly see in our "Top 10 Hazards List".
And, in case you noticed any of those hazards around your home, consider asking for our help with our Avoid Safety Hazards July Special.
What safety hazards do you need to watch out for?
July 15, 2018 by
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Last week, Joan and I took a long overdue stay-cation. Along with plenty of rest, relaxation, good books, and movies, we also managed to enjoy some local favorites. We had breakfast at Chow's Lafayette, breakfast at First Street Cafe in Benicia, breakfast with friends at Heavenly Bistro in Walnut Creek, and coffee with pastries at Steeltown Coffee in our hometown.
One of our cherished favorites is Chow's with their big, open windows, cozy fire place, and great seating, no matter where you sit! My "go-to" meal there is the salmon dill cabbage hash and my wife loves the poached eggs served on gluten free toast with arugula and avocado. Simply delicious! We like to go early, as they first open, to insure a cozy, quiet meal together.
In Benicia, after our yummy breakfast, we enjoyed a nice waterfront walk, just a couple blocks from the restaurant. And, let's not forget our elder dog, Lexi, by our side in her rolling cart (she's disabled but still wants to go!). This visit, because of the upcoming evenings 4th of July parade, the streets were lined up and down with empty chairs and blankets used to reserve "viewing spaces" for the evening parade -- a Benicia favorite and real small-town flavor.
Added to all our eating out experiences -- we do love a good breakfast -- was a leisurely drive to the mountain summit through Mt. Diablo State Park. The landscape en route was peacefully pleasant and the summit view at 4,000 ft. was breathtaking. You could see for miles in all directions.
As we drove up the mountain from the South gate to the summit, we did notice how dry the park landscape and surrounding hillsides were -- the years of drought have taken their toll on California. It is a concern, the hazards of the dryness with a frightening early fire season.
Which brings me to our topic this time ... What safety hazards do you need to watch out for? We've compiled some that we commonly see in our "Top 10 Hazards List".
And, in case you noticed any of those hazards around your home, consider asking for our help with our Avoid Safety Hazards July Special.
Top 10 Ways to Honor Your Mother — This Mother’s Day Month
May 12, 2018 by
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My wife, Joan, has shown me "How to be a great Mother." During our 37 years of marriage she has always been a loving guide for our daughter Lisa. I am proud to say Lisa has carried that forward and is now sharing that love with her son, Everest.
Lisa, and her husband Danny, gave Everest a Happy 10th Birthday party with his friends and family. During the whole event Lisa made sure Everest and his friends were cared for, having fun and being safe. That is some feat with that many 10-year old's!
It is so wonderful to witness how love is passed down through the generations.
How are you honoring your Mother this year? What is it that she passed down to you that you wish to say thank you -- to show her your appreciation?
Maybe one of the Top 10 Ways to Honor Your Mother in this month's feature might be just the answer.
And, in case you really do need some help with one of those, check out our Happy Mother's Day May Special.
Was your home builder a hero or a jokester?
April 26, 2018 by
Filed under Blog
Sometimes, it is not clear whether home builders intended to be jokesters or "heroes" of your safety. Let's use, GFCI outlets, as an example. You know, those outlets that are meant to prevent electrocution and installed within 36 inches of water, like bathroom sinks.
The problem is that GFCI outlets trip super fast. One minute you're blow drying your hair and the next, all the lights go out. There you stand with wet hair, in the dark. Really helpful when it does its job and trips so you don't get zapped or shocked -- yes, a heroic job. Thank you.
But, here's the jokester part -- the GFCI reset button can be in what seems like the farthest place from where it got tripped, like in the garage, or in the dark recesses of a closet. The intention, of course, is to protect all the bathrooms in your house. However, seeking out where that reset button is, can be quite entertaining! Or not!
I once searched at a client's home for an hour to find the GFCI reset button which turned out to be in the garage, behind their refrigerator!
Ironically, in our home, the down stairs bathroom GFCI protects the two upstairs sinks. What jokester thought that up?
Speaking of jokesters, have you noticed how your home likes to play jokes on you? No, really! It does. As a handyman and electrician, I've seen many pranks our homes play on us! (And, yes, those listed below are the ones we've actually dealt with!)
See"The Top 10 Ways Your Home Fools You" for a few of our favorites.
And, in case you really do need some help, check out our April Special.
