Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Here’s how to make your garden a safer place for your pets.

Research Pet-Safe Plants

Harmful, toxic plants can cause drooling and heart or kidney failure. Check with your local veterinarian or garden store for a list of poisonous plants.

Fence Off Vegetables

Edible plants, like garlic, chives and onions, can be harmful to animals. Consider a hanging planter to keep your fur babies away from danger.

Avoid Cocoa Bean Mulch

Cocoa bean mulch is dangerous for animals to ingest, and many will be attracted to its sweet smell. Look for an all natural, pet-safe option at your local garden store.

Keep Pets Away From Fertilizers

When you fertilize your yard, keep your pet inside and follow precise watering and care instructions. When it is time to let them out, make sure the treated area is safe.

Avoid Rodent Poison

Find natural remedies for dealing with rodents and steer clear of any poisonous bates.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Do you dream of a light, airy living space? Do you want to feel like you’re living inside of a cloud? Below are five tips for a lighter living space, now.

Paint it white.Well this is an obvious one. From walls to wood paneling and hardwood floors, two coats of white paint will turn your living space into a year-round winter wonderland. Done and done!

Minimize.Do you really need all twenty of those awkward family photos on that side table? De-cluttering surfaces will lighten space with smooth lines. Cut clutter by adding hidden storage systems (like an ottoman with stow space), and minimize furniture to a handful of necessary pieces.

Add mirrors.Mirrors have long-since been a go-to trick for opening up a space. In addition to wall mirrors, consider adding mirrored back splashes or mirrored trays. Not into mirrors? Sparkle can do the trick, too. Glass-top tables and crystal candle holders, anyone?

Lighten the linens.Breezy, airy curtains and snow-white throws will make your space seem plush and comfortable, like snuggling with a sheep.

Shades of gray. To avoid looking as if you doused your house in bleach, consider adding soft, light shades of gray or blue to your color scheme.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few beloved lawn games the whole family can enjoy!

Bocce Ball

Though commonly played on the lawn, bocce is traditionally played on a court that can give an elegant look to any yard.

Croquet

A manicured lawn set up with croquet wickets might look formal, but in reality, its a laid-back game for the whole family.

Shuffleboard

Having surged in popularity in recent years, homeowners who have the space are putting shuffleboard courts in their backyards.

Badminton

A great activity for the family to enjoy together, badminton is easy to put away when not in use.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Between work, family and fun, cleaning your home can feel like a drag"but most of us can’t afford to hire a cleaning crew, and so the task of weekly tidying and disinfecting is unavoidable. To help, below are three daily habits to a cleaner home.

Set a timer. Every night after dinner, set a timer for 15 minutes and have your family clean around the house: arm someone with disinfectant to wipe down the bathroom, set another loose on the living room picking up clutter, and hand out a trash bag to tackle any expired goods in the fridge. If you make this a daily task, cleaning your home will always feel a bit more manageable.

Do one room a day. If the timer method isn’t your thing (or if your family is a small one), pick a room or area each day to address: living room on Monday, bathroom on Tuesday, laundry on Wednesday, and so on. Depending on the size of your room, many can be handled in 20-30 minutes or less.

Multitask. Pair cleaning with something you enjoy doing, like listening to a podcast, phoning a friend, or watching your favorite show. Fold the laundry while you catch up on television, or wipe down the counters and surfaces while you gab with your sister or old roommate.

I hope you found this helpful. Contact me for more home and real estate insights and info.

Published with permission from RISMedia.