There’s an old adage that the best defense is a good offense, and that certainly applies to getting your Northern Virginia home ready for holiday guests. Here are some tips from This Old House to help you head off potential problems, and to squeak out a clutch save should any trouble sneak through.
Don’t get tackled by a slippery sidewalk. Keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice to make sure your guests make it to your front door. Remember, though, to shovel correctly so as not to hurt yourself in the process. Save your back by bending at the knees, keeping your back straight, tightening your stomach muscles, and lifting each shovelful with your legs.
Your oven gets sacked before you’ve finished cooking the meal. Finish cooking it on the grill. If your grill isn't large enough, consider pre-slicing the main event, whether it’s turkey or a roast, and cook it that way. You can even bake some desserts on the grill too. Just lower the flame or wait for the coals to die down, use an oven thermometer, and keep an eye on the temperature with the lid closed. Small stuff can even go into the toaster oven or the microwave.
Your drains don’t make it to half time. Holiday guests mean that the kitchen sink is in constant use, followed closely by a steep increase in the number of flushes in the bathroom. The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for plumbers, but you can stay ahead of the game with some pre-game warm ups. Before you begin cooking the big stuff, get your kitchen drain in shape with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. You can even keep this up once a week throughout the year; it's much easier on your pipes than chemical drain cleaners.
Someone fumbles a glass of red wine. Speed is the answer here. Begin with blotting – not rubbing – and then get some cold water onto it to keep the wine from setting. Follow immediately with a healthy sprinkle of salt. If you need more muscle, steep the stain in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water.
Holidays are a wonderful time to catch up with friends and family, and there’s nothing better than welcoming them into your own home. All of us here at The Sullivan Group are ready to help you find the perfect place in Northern Virginia that you can call home. Call our office today at 703-222-3300 or contact me directly by email or by phone at 703-268-6380.
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