Installing the Timer for Outdoor Lights

Today we are going to talk about something that is not glamorous, but necessary to help bring about a more glamorous home during the holiday season.  We are going to discuss installing the timer for your outdoor lights.  Setting up the lights to turn themselves on and off automatically makes things SO easy and carefree.  You can just let them do their thing and go about your daily life without constantly fussing with turning the lights on and off.

The first step is to dig a hole near your exterior outlet, as you see I have done in the picture above.  I used a post-hole digger.  The ground was soft, so that helped make this an easy project.

Place your timer in the hole and determine if you need to add some filler to the bottom to help bring it up so the baseplate is flush with the ground.  I dug the hole a little deeper than necessary.  It is better to do this than to make it too shallow.  You have more flexibility to get the timer set at exactly the right height if you dig it a little too deep.  In the picture above, you can see the ground stake on the bottom of this timer, under the baseplate.  This ground stake comes with a plastic spike on the end which you would think would make securing it to the ground an easy project.  The idea is that you simply push it into the ground.  However, the reality is that rarely does that work.  I tried that the first couple of times I used this timer, but I had limited or no luck with it turing out like I expected.  It went into the ground only partially.  It was crooked.  I tried to straighten it but that did not work and lead to more frustration.  I decided to use the post hold digger and that has worked like a charm.  You may think the post hole digger system is more work than it's worth, but believe me, it is not. 

A bag of play sand is very helpful to have when installing your timer.  You can use this to fill in the hole to get the timers baseplate even with the ground.

Once you are satisfied with the height at which the timer is set, secure the bottom of the ground stake with plenty of play sand.

Fill in the hole with play sand, checking periodically that the timer is remaining in a straight and upright position.

Once you are done with the sand filler, you can cover the area up to the base plate with the dirt you extracted during the digging process.  You could even replace the leaves so that the area would not look like it had been disturbed.

This timer has many different settings.  You can set the light to come on at a specific time and to turn off at a pre-selected time from 2 hours up to 8 hours later.  You can turn them on and off manually.  Or you can set them to come on at dusk and go off at dawn.  A simple turn of the dial and you are all set.  It is not recommended that you leave this timer out all year.  Our system makes it very easy to remove this to a clean and dry space after the holiday season.  We will mark this hole once we remove it for easy installation again next year.  More on that after the season.

Installing the Timer for Outdoor Lights

Today we are going to talk about something that is not glamorous, but necessary to help bring about a more glamorous home during the holiday season.  We are going to discuss installing the timer for your outdoor lights.  Setting up the lights to turn themselves on and off automatically makes things SO easy and carefree.  You can just let them do their thing and go about your daily life without constantly fussing with turning the lights on and off.

The first step is to dig a hole near your exterior outlet, as you see I have done in the picture above.  I used a post-hole digger.  The ground was soft, so that helped make this an easy project.

Place your timer in the hole and determine if you need to add some filler to the bottom to help bring it up so the baseplate is flush with the ground.  I dug the hole a little deeper than necessary.  It is better to do this than to make it too shallow.  You have more flexibility to get the timer set at exactly the right height if you dig it a little too deep.  In the picture above, you can see the ground stake on the bottom of this timer, under the baseplate.  This ground stake comes with a plastic spike on the end which you would think would make securing it to the ground an easy project.  The idea is that you simply push it into the ground.  However, the reality is that rarely does that work.  I tried that the first couple of times I used this timer, but I had limited or no luck with it turing out like I expected.  It went into the ground only partially.  It was crooked.  I tried to straighten it but that did not work and lead to more frustration.  I decided to use the post hold digger and that has worked like a charm.  You may think the post hole digger system is more work than it's worth, but believe me, it is not. 

A bag of play sand is very helpful to have when installing your timer.  You can use this to fill in the hole to get the timers baseplate even with the ground.

Once you are satisfied with the height at which the timer is set, secure the bottom of the ground stake with plenty of play sand.

Fill in the hole with play sand, checking periodically that the timer is remaining in a straight and upright position.

Once you are done with the sand filler, you can cover the area up to the base plate with the dirt you extracted during the digging process.  You could even replace the leaves so that the area would not look like it had been disturbed.

This timer has many different settings.  You can set the light to come on at a specific time and to turn off at a pre-selected time from 2 hours up to 8 hours later.  You can turn them on and off manually.  Or you can set them to come on at dusk and go off at dawn.  A simple turn of the dial and you are all set.  It is not recommended that you leave this timer out all year.  Our system makes it very easy to remove this to a clean and dry space after the holiday season.  We will mark this hole once we remove it for easy installation again next year.  More on that after the season.

Outside Christmas Decoration at Crest Avenue

We spent some time decorating outside this weekend.  I decided to keep it simple, but elegant.



Simple elegance.  Maybe some red bows on the trees flanking the front door.


This is a very classic style of Christmas decorating.  You can never go wrong with this look.  You see in the foreground the palm tree that is safely tucked away and covered to protect against frost damage in the upcoming cold and frigid months.  These wreaths are illuminated with 100 tiny white lights on each.  You can barely see the cords.  I buried the tiny cords on the back of each wreath under the screen frame on each window.  Then I used green electrical cords manufactured for outside use and ran those to the timer which I secured in the ground.  (Come back tomorrow to find an easy way to mount your outdoor timer for the season.)  The wreaths came without an ornamentation.  I added the red bows which finish them off beautifully.  In each of the two bedroom windows along the east side of the house as you drive down Crest Avenue, I placed 3-bulb tiered lamps on timers.

You cannot fully appreciate the look in this picture, but it is beautiful if I do say so myself.

Tomorrow I will post about how to get your outdoor timer mounted firmly in the ground so that all of your outside lights come on and go off without any fuss.

Outside Christmas Decoration at Crest Avenue

We spent some time decorating outside this weekend.  I decided to keep it simple, but elegant.



Simple elegance.  Maybe some red bows on the trees flanking the front door.


This is a very classic style of Christmas decorating.  You can never go wrong with this look.  You see in the foreground the palm tree that is safely tucked away and covered to protect against frost damage in the upcoming cold and frigid months.  These wreaths are illuminated with 100 tiny white lights on each.  You can barely see the cords.  I buried the tiny cords on the back of each wreath under the screen frame on each window.  Then I used green electrical cords manufactured for outside use and ran those to the timer which I secured in the ground.  (Come back tomorrow to find an easy way to mount your outdoor timer for the season.)  The wreaths came without an ornamentation.  I added the red bows which finish them off beautifully.  In each of the two bedroom windows along the east side of the house as you drive down Crest Avenue, I placed 3-bulb tiered lamps on timers.

You cannot fully appreciate the look in this picture, but it is beautiful if I do say so myself.

Tomorrow I will post about how to get your outdoor timer mounted firmly in the ground so that all of your outside lights come on and go off without any fuss.

This is what Happens When You Charge $6 Per Gallon for Gas

What was the Exxon station at the Watergate Building in Washington.

That's right.  They were charging $6.00 per gallon for gas at this station.  Looks like that has all come to an end.  This station has been in existence for many, many years.  At least 20 years I know and probably double that time altogether.  Contrary to the Gordon Gekko character in the movie "Wall Street," greed is not good.

This is what Happens When You Charge $6 Per Gallon for Gas

What was the Exxon station at the Watergate Building in Washington.

That's right.  They were charging $6.00 per gallon for gas at this station.  Looks like that has all come to an end.  This station has been in existence for many, many years.  At least 20 years I know and probably double that time altogether.  Contrary to the Gordon Gekko character in the movie "Wall Street," greed is not good.

Hedgehogs, . . . Well, Sort Of

In my travels around town, I found these really cute Hedgehog Dryer Balls.

This were too cute not to pick up as a gift for someone special this Christmas season.  I will not spill the beans about who the lucky recipient will be because he or she is a regular reader.  Or at least I hope they are a regular reader!!!

The idea with these balls is that they roll around inside the dryer drum to help separate the clothes and to soften the fabric.  We've all had a time or two where we opened the dryer to find that the clothes have formed a big ball and have just spun around with little or not movement for the past hour while the electric meter has been spinning and spinning an spinning at a high rate of speed.  Of course, that usually comes from overfilling the dryer and I don't know if these little guys will help with that.  But they do help speed up drying time when the dryer is loaded with a capacity it can handle.  I have a pair that I have been using for quite a few years.  They are beginning to show some wear, so I may get myself a couple of the hedgehogs as a Christmas present to myself.  Whether you get the hedgehogs or some other variation, I can attest to the fact that dryer balls are advantageous.

Hedgehogs, . . . Well, Sort Of

In my travels around town, I found these really cute Hedgehog Dryer Balls.

This were too cute not to pick up as a gift for someone special this Christmas season.  I will not spill the beans about who the lucky recipient will be because he or she is a regular reader.  Or at least I hope they are a regular reader!!!

The idea with these balls is that they roll around inside the dryer drum to help separate the clothes and to soften the fabric.  We've all had a time or two where we opened the dryer to find that the clothes have formed a big ball and have just spun around with little or not movement for the past hour while the electric meter has been spinning and spinning an spinning at a high rate of speed.  Of course, that usually comes from overfilling the dryer and I don't know if these little guys will help with that.  But they do help speed up drying time when the dryer is loaded with a capacity it can handle.  I have a pair that I have been using for quite a few years.  They are beginning to show some wear, so I may get myself a couple of the hedgehogs as a Christmas present to myself.  Whether you get the hedgehogs or some other variation, I can attest to the fact that dryer balls are advantageous.

A Walk through the Neighborhood

On my walk to the office this morning I made a quick stop in Whole Foods.  I love the display they have set up at the front entrance to the store.

Lots of greenery.  I did not pick up anything from this assortment this morning, but I may wander back during my lunch break today and see if anything catches my eye.

A little further along my walk I came by this lovely townhouse and my attention was immediately drawn to the decoration on the lamp post.

Inspiration comes from everywhere and I was inspired by this.  I think we will be incorporating a similar look on the front lamp post at Crest Avenue.  Stay tuned for that.  A brisk morning here in the Greater Metropolitan DC area.  Kind of grey.  A perfect morning for a walk.

A Walk through the Neighborhood

On my walk to the office this morning I made a quick stop in Whole Foods.  I love the display they have set up at the front entrance to the store.

Lots of greenery.  I did not pick up anything from this assortment this morning, but I may wander back during my lunch break today and see if anything catches my eye.

A little further along my walk I came by this lovely townhouse and my attention was immediately drawn to the decoration on the lamp post.

Inspiration comes from everywhere and I was inspired by this.  I think we will be incorporating a similar look on the front lamp post at Crest Avenue.  Stay tuned for that.  A brisk morning here in the Greater Metropolitan DC area.  Kind of grey.  A perfect morning for a walk.

Santa Clothespins

This post really needs no commentary.

How could anyone resist?  Available at The Paper Source.  Or you can contact the company directly at www.onehundred80degrees.com.  Too cute to pass up and a steal at $3.95 for the package of six. 

Santa Clothespins

This post really needs no commentary.

How could anyone resist?  Available at The Paper Source.  Or you can contact the company directly at www.onehundred80degrees.com.  Too cute to pass up and a steal at $3.95 for the package of six. 

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

As promised, I posted the Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe under the Food & Recipes page this morning.  The "Page Tabs" can be found along the right side of the blog at the very top just under the header.

The recipe calls for placing pecan halves on each slice, which is certainly very delicious and an attractive way to decorate the top.  This time, I decided to sprinkle the top with cinnamon flavored graham cracker crumbs.  I placed two sheets of graham crackers (8 total crackers) in a Ziploc bag that was then sealed and used the back of a heavy soup spoon to crush them.  Beautiful presentation and so delicious!

Here is the recipe for those who are in a hurry to get this delectable delight on the table.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:

CRUST:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon sugar

4 tablespoons butter, melted

FILLING:

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

¾ cup sugar

1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin

1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

2 eggs

TOPPING:

2 cups sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

12 pecan halves (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Combine crust ingredients.  Press into bottom of a 9 inch springform pan; chill.

2.  For filling, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl until well blended.  Beat in pumpkin, spices and salt.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Pour into crust.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes.

3.  Meanwhile, for topping, combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla.  Spread over filling; return to the oven for 5 minutes.  Cool on rack; chill overnight.  Garnish each slice with a pecan halve.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

As promised, I posted the Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe under the Food & Recipes page this morning.  The "Page Tabs" can be found along the right side of the blog at the very top just under the header.

The recipe calls for placing pecan halves on each slice, which is certainly very delicious and an attractive way to decorate the top.  This time, I decided to sprinkle the top with cinnamon flavored graham cracker crumbs.  I placed two sheets of graham crackers (8 total crackers) in a Ziploc bag that was then sealed and used the back of a heavy soup spoon to crush them.  Beautiful presentation and so delicious!

Here is the recipe for those who are in a hurry to get this delectable delight on the table.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:

CRUST:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon sugar

4 tablespoons butter, melted

FILLING:

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

¾ cup sugar

1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin

1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

2 eggs

TOPPING:

2 cups sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

12 pecan halves (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Combine crust ingredients.  Press into bottom of a 9 inch springform pan; chill.

2.  For filling, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl until well blended.  Beat in pumpkin, spices and salt.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Pour into crust.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes.

3.  Meanwhile, for topping, combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla.  Spread over filling; return to the oven for 5 minutes.  Cool on rack; chill overnight.  Garnish each slice with a pecan halve.

Some More Christmas Decoration

I posted yesterday about baubles in a basket.  After looking at the picture I posted yesterday, I decided the basket was lacking.  It needed something.



A bauble basket that is in need of something.

 So I added three glittered pinecones.



Now this is a perfect bauble basket.

 After refining this look, I moved on to other areas that needed a little holiday cheer.  In this square glass container, I poured in some epsom salt to imitate snow.  I placed a bottle brush tree in the back and carolers in front.

A really cute idea that anybody can do.  This is probably one of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to decorate your house for Christmas.

Finally, I put up the wreath on the front door.

I decided to go with a much smaller, swag style wreath on the front door this year.  This is made with boughs of white pine, douglas fir and spruce.  It is held together at the top with wire.  The bow helps to hide the wire.  Like my friend Bev says, "I don't want to see how it works; I just want it to work."  The bow hides the mechanics of how the whole thing is put together.  I'm thinking this needs some holly berries.  I think I'll add some and take the picture again.  Pick up a spray bottle at Wal-Mart and spritz it lightly every couple of days.  That will help to keep it fresh.  Eventually, even with spritzing, it will start to shed.  But there is nothing like fresh greenery in and around the house for Christmas.

And there you have it.  Check back often for more decorating ideas.

Some More Christmas Decoration

I posted yesterday about baubles in a basket.  After looking at the picture I posted yesterday, I decided the basket was lacking.  It needed something.



A bauble basket that is in need of something.

 So I added three glittered pinecones.



Now this is a perfect bauble basket.

 After refining this look, I moved on to other areas that needed a little holiday cheer.  In this square glass container, I poured in some epsom salt to imitate snow.  I placed a bottle brush tree in the back and carolers in front.

A really cute idea that anybody can do.  This is probably one of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to decorate your house for Christmas.

Finally, I put up the wreath on the front door.

I decided to go with a much smaller, swag style wreath on the front door this year.  This is made with boughs of white pine, douglas fir and spruce.  It is held together at the top with wire.  The bow helps to hide the wire.  Like my friend Bev says, "I don't want to see how it works; I just want it to work."  The bow hides the mechanics of how the whole thing is put together.  I'm thinking this needs some holly berries.  I think I'll add some and take the picture again.  Pick up a spray bottle at Wal-Mart and spritz it lightly every couple of days.  That will help to keep it fresh.  Eventually, even with spritzing, it will start to shed.  But there is nothing like fresh greenery in and around the house for Christmas.

And there you have it.  Check back often for more decorating ideas.

A Basket of Baubles

Christmas decorating has begun at Crest Avenue.  We started in earnest this past weekend.  We will be sharing our decorations with you over the coming weeks.  The first thing we got done was to fill the silver basket on the front entry table.

Here, we have filled this beautiful centerpiece basket with a mixture of glass gold and silver ornaments.  These look spectacular here, but they are so beautiful you could place them in a rusty bucket and they would still add festive charm to the room.  I don't just "dump" a bunch of ornaments in the container.  It takes some time to maneuver them around to get them in just the right place that pleases your eye.  You will know when you have reached the look you want.

A Basket of Baubles

Christmas decorating has begun at Crest Avenue.  We started in earnest this past weekend.  We will be sharing our decorations with you over the coming weeks.  The first thing we got done was to fill the silver basket on the front entry table.

Here, we have filled this beautiful centerpiece basket with a mixture of glass gold and silver ornaments.  These look spectacular here, but they are so beautiful you could place them in a rusty bucket and they would still add festive charm to the room.  I don't just "dump" a bunch of ornaments in the container.  It takes some time to maneuver them around to get them in just the right place that pleases your eye.  You will know when you have reached the look you want.