cleaning, DIY, Maintenance, setting up home

Schlepping Sloshing Water Buckets is for Chumps!
How to Connect Your Dehumidifier to a Drain

07/10/2014

Schlepping Sloshing Water Buckets is for Chumps! Connect Your Dehumidifier to a Drain | This American House

In some ways, the flooding basement was a blessing in disguise. Not only did it force us to clean up what was quickly becoming a cluttered mess, we were also inspired to buy a dehumidifier to help dry out the basement. I had no idea our basement was so damp until I found myself emptying the water bucket multiple times per day. Hooray for a dry basement! But boo for schlepping a sloshing water bucket to the basement bathroom multiple times per day. Schlepping is for chumps!

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Uncategorized

Turning Dead Vines into a New Wreath

07/08/2014

20140708-102051-37251989.jpgMy transformation into a little old lady is almost complete. I just made a wreath from dried vines I cut from the carriage house this spring. Next stop: Shady Pines.


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history, small town life

Small Business Spotlight: Turkey River Mall in Elkader, Iowa

07/07/2014

Turkey River Mall in Elkader, Iowa | This American House

We found Turkey River Mall pretty quickly after we moved into our house. I don’t remember how we found it – whether it was recommended by a local or whether we just stumped upon it – but it’s where we picked up our $10 bedside table, our $29 dining room table, and many, many more things to furnish the house. Each time we’ve gone into the mall, I’ve marveled at the ingenious use of this former hotel. After months of shopping at Turkey River Mall, I finally sat down with the owner, Becky Dietzler, to get a little history on the building and the business.

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small town life

Iowa: A Place Where the Honor System is Still Honored

07/06/2014

A Place Where the Honor System is Still Honored | This American House

Perhaps I’ve spent too long in the city, where things that aren’t bolted down will be quickly carried away. Even bolting things down may not guarantee they won’t be stolen. There was that time two years ago when the catalytic converter was stolen right off our car as it was parked outside of our apartment building. Yep, that’s the stuff that will make a  man very, very jaded.

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holiday

Happy 4th of July from This American House

07/04/2014

4th of July at This American HouseHere’s hoping your 4th of July weekend is full of parades, pies and projects!


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