How To Find And Repair Most Swimming Pool Leaks

It's not uncommon for pool owners to notice that water seems to be leaking out of their pool after opening it for the year. But where is the leak coming from? Let's take a look and see how to find and repair swimming pool leaks.

First of all, you have to make sure that it really is a leak in the first place. What do you think is a leak, may be something else. There are actually three main causes of water loss from swimming pools and they are:

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1. Swimming pool plumbing leaks

2. Swimming pool shell leaks

3. Normal evaporation or excessive splash

So before you go any further let's rule out number three in the list above. It's important to do this, because actually the sun can evaporate quite a bit of water from a pool on a daily basis without your realizing it, and swimmers can splash a lot of water out of a pool too..

To find out for sure if the water loss is due to evaporation or not, take a fairly large container and fill it with water and place it on the first step of your pool. Then remove enough water from the container so that the water level in the pool and in the container is exactly the same. Now leave the container there for a couple of days to see what happens with no one using the pool in the meantime. If after a couple of days the water level in the pool has gone down, and the water level in the container has gone down the same amount, then you know that the water loss you are experiencing is most likely just evaporation due to the sun.On the other hand, if the water in the pool has gone down farther than the water in the container, then most likely there is indeed a leak in your pool somewhere.

To find a pool leak, the first place to inspect is around your filter and pump. Do you notice any water spots or damp areas there? If so, try to trace back where the water is coming from. Very often, it will be a connection on one of the pipes in this particular area.You may need to turn on the pump for a while and observe it to see if any leaks develop while everything is running. If the leak begins to show, and you feel comfortable with repairing the pool plumbing, then this is a job that you may wish to do yourself. However, for most people it will be a job that is best left to a pool professional.

If no obvious leaks can be found in the plumbing, then perhaps the leak is in the shell of the pool itself. And in this case, it's almost always advisable to leave any of this type of work up to a well-qualified professional.

As you can see, finding and repairing swimming pool leaks is usually just a matter of eliminating possible causes until you find the real problem. Once the problem is found, your final decision is whether to fix it yourself or pay someone to do it instead.

How To Find And Repair Most Swimming Pool Leaks

HCG Weight Loss Diet Meal Plan

HCG Diet Overview

During the first two days of taking HCG drops, you should be eating very high calorie foods that contain high fat and sugar contents. There is no limit to the number of calories or the types of foods that are eaten. Sweets, cookies, ice cream, deep fried foods, etc are all acceptable foods. It is important that you "load" properly, this is a very critical part of the diet. Do not begin loading if you have not started taking the HCG Drops. It is common for people to gain 3-5 pounds in the first two days. Don't worry, you will lose it all in the follow 48 hours. People that chose not to "load" properly have found that the rest of the unwanted weight does not drop as easily as those people who took the time to "load".

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So, start your diet with a party and eat as much as you can!

Sample Diet (after loading) Drink lots of water each day (at least 2 liters)

Breakfast: Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or Stevia may be used. Stevia is a much healthier choice.

Lunch:

100 grams of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be removed from the bird. Boneless and skinless. One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beetgreens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage. One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast (Wasa Bread is also acceptable). An apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries (6-9 depending on their size) or one-half grapefruit.

Dinner:

The same four choices as lunch (above.)No oil, butter or dressing.

Hint: Our clients have found that saving your fruit and/or melba toast for a snack between lunch and dinner has helped them to not feel as hungry as well as keep their metabolism burning more steadily throughout the day.

5 Sample Recipes

When you order a 21 or 40 day kit, the Diet Manual contains another 17 hCG Diet Recipes for main dishes, drinks, marinades and desserts in the manual when you order the 21 or 40 day kits.

Green Onion Soup

Green onions (allowed amount) 2 c vegetable broth 1-2 t liquid aminos 1 t parsley 1 t zsweet 1/2 t paprika 1/2 t salt 1/2 t dill 1/2 t thyme 1/8 t cayenne or red pepper flakes 1/8 t celery seed

Briefly steam the green onions until tender. Preheat saucepan over MED heat. Chop steamed green onions. In a saucepan, saute the green onions in a bit of vegetable broth for a couple of minutes, then add the parsley, zsweet, paprika, salt, dill, thyme, celery seed, and cayenne. Saute 1-2 mins more. Add remaining vegetable broth, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20-30 mins.

Lemon Pepper Fish

100g whitefish juice of half lemon 1-3 cloves minced garlic 1/2 t black pepper 1/4 t salt 1/4 t cumin powder 1/8 t turmeric

Place fish in small bowl. Add garlic, black pepper, salt, cumin, and turmeric. Ensure to coat both sides. Cover & marinate at least 1 hour in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 400. Place the fish in a non-stick baking dish, & cover with the marinade. Bake 10-20 minutes depending on thickness, until fish easily flakes. Squeeze with lemon juice. Serve.

Crockpot Swiss Steak

100g steak 1 T shake 'n bake 1 T liquid aminos 3-4 cloves minced garlic 1 stalk celery - sliced 1 onion - sliced 1 tomato - diced 1/2-1 c beef broth

Preheat pan over MED-HI heat. Sprinkle steak with liquid aminos. Dip steak in shake 'n bake, coating both sides. Add steak to pan and brown on both sides. Transfer steak to crockpot. Cover with garlic, celery, onions, and diced tomato. Top with beef broth. Don't stir! Cover and cook on low until reaches desired doneness. When done, serve immediately, and cover with juices from crockpot.

NOTE: This dish includes 3 vegetables which are meant only for flavor. When finished cooking, you can discard veggies, or choose to eat just one of them (as we aren't allowed to mix veggies on phase 2 per Dr S).

Asparagus Frittata

3 egg whites 1 whole egg Asparagus (allowed amount) 1-2 cloves minced garlic 1 T dehydrated minced onion 1 T water 1 t parsley Salt/pepper (to taste) Tabasco (optional)

Preheat pan over MED heat. Snap woody ends off asparagus and discard. Snap each asparagus spear into 2-3 pieces. Add to pan with garlic & heat through until tender. Preheat oven to 400. In bowl, mix eggs & water. Add asparagus, minced onion, parsley, salt/pepper. Pour egg mixture into non-stick baking dish (or dish lined with parchment paper). Place in oven and cook 10-15 mins until done. Top with tabasco (optional) and serve immediately.

Orange Ginger Chicken

100g chicken - cut into chunks Black pepper orange - cut in 1/4s 2-3 cloves minced garlic 1 T fresh ginger root (about 1/2"-1" long piece, peeled & minced) 1/2 t basil Juice of half lemon

Preheat pan over MED heat. Sprinkle chicken with pepper. Add chicken to pan and stir fry until brown on all sides, about 5-10 mins. Add garlic and cook for 1 min. Squeeze juice of orange quarters over chicken. Peel & separate orange into sections. Add orange sections, ginger, lemon juice, and basil. Stir well. Cover and simmer for about 20-30 mins.

NOTE: This includes your meat and fruit portion for this meal.

Recommended Shopping List for Grocery Store

Meats

Shrimp, White Fish (Talapia, Halibut, Orange Ruffy, etc). Turkey, chicken breast. Lean Ground Beef, Steak or Roast

Vegetables

Asparagus Cucumbers Onions Celery Beet Greens Lettuce Green Onions Spinach or Swiss Chard Tomatoes Radishes

Fruit

Lemons Strawberries Apples Oranges Grapefruits

Spices

Mrs Dash Bragg Liquid Amino (Like Soy Sauce) Garlic Cloves Stevia- Both powder as well as liquid and flavors Kosher Salt or Sea Salt Other spices (be careful of ingredients, no sugars)

Other Items

Herbal Tea Green Tea Coffee Water container with ounces for tracking Apple Cider Vinegar No Fat Cottage Cheese Eggs Fresh Salsa (no sugars or preservatives) Melba Toast, Grissini Bread or Wasa Bread Multi-Vitamin (make sure that there are no oils). Miracle Noodles can be found online.

There is a great deal more detail and specifics in the manuscript itself, which you'll get a free copy of when you order the 21 or 40 day kit. It is suggested that this summary be used as a quick reference only. As with any diet program, if you experience complications or if you have any health risks or concerns, consult your Doctor immediately before beginning this or any other diet program.

HCG Weight Loss Diet Meal Plan

How to Build a Basketball Court In Your Own Yard

Some people dream of becoming a doctor, a pilot, or a teacher while others dream of becoming a professional basketball player. If you are entertaining high hopes for yourself or your son in entering a professional league, you need to start practicing as early as possible and all the important basketball training in this world always start at the backyard.

There are two ways for you to build your own basketball court: you can do it from scratch or simply purchase a DIY basketball court kit.

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Starting from Scratch

Skills - You need to have intermediate carpentry skills to successfully build your own basketball court from scratch. Firstly, you have to make sure that the ground you'll be building your basketball court on has a smooth even surface to prevent accidents and decrease the risk of injury. Secondly, you'll need to build your own basketball ring. Thirdly, you'll need to paint your own court lines.

Costs - It's possible that you'll enjoy lower costs when it comes to building your own basketball court from scratch. Most DIY basketball court kits include flooring, which would just be an unnecessary expense if you already have an appropriate floor surface for your basketball court. You can also choose your own materials for your basketball stand and ring and even painting materials and ensure that you'll pay less for them.

Production Time - Of course, building your own basketball court from scratch will take a longer time than it would with a DIY kit. This is because instead of simply having to assemble things only as is such the case with a DIY kit, it's entirely a different procedure when you're determined to build one from scratch.

Firstly, you'll have to take appropriate measurements. Secondly, you'll have to go shopping for the necessary materials and tools before you can finally get on to the building part.

Material Sources - You may have a difficult time procuring the required materials for your project especially if you're looking for things that are only sold wholesale in the market.

Using a DIY Basketball Court Kit
Model - Make sure that you're purchasing the correct DIY basketball court kit. Most DIY basketball court kits differ according to court dimensions and whether or not it adheres to NBA or collegiate standards or the likes. Check also if the kit is for half or full court models.

Skills - Basic or moderate building skills are all that's necessary to get your basketball court assembled. You will need however to read instructions carefully and thoroughly because the assembly process leaves no room for errors. Skipping a step can spell danger for you in the long run as it compromises the safety of your basketball court.

Cost - Expect to spend a small amount of money on a DIY basketball kit, although this is certainly money well spent because DIY kits include absolutely everything you need to make your basketball court entirely professional and fit for the NBA!

Tips on Installing Poles for Your Basketball Court
Whether you're building your own basketball court from scratch or using a DIY kit, you'll basically undergo the same process in properly installing your pole.

Firstly, you need to dig an appropriately sized hole for the foundation of your basketball pole. At least one foot and three inches of your basketball pole must be set underneath to ensure its stability. Once you've secured the pole's position, cover the hole with concrete. Make sure it's completely filled and doesn't have any air pockets. Afterwards, fill the pole with concrete as well. When that's done, check if the pole is plumb positioned accurately.

Important Measurements for Basketball Court Building
The NBA and NCAA are both using the same court dimensions: ninety-four feet in length and fifty feet in width. High school basketball courts use the same width but a shorter length at eighty-four feet. Junior high basketball courts are seventy-four feet in length and forty-two feet in width.

Regardless of whether you're using an NBA, NCAA, or Junior High basketball court, you should concentrate more on honing your son's skills in basic basketball skills like dribbling and shooting if you want him fully prepared for a professional basketball career. But most important of all is to ensure that you and your son have fun playing. Shoot for your dreams!

How to Build a Basketball Court In Your Own Yard

Poetic Devices in Poetry

Poetry has emotion, imagery, significance, beauty, dignity, rhythm, sometimes rhyme, a different arrangement which can include inversion, and concreteness in its images.

One way to attain the qualities so essential to making words poetic is through the use of poetry devices. We won't begin to cover all the known poetic devices or terms. Rather we'll discuss and use some of the more commonly known and used ones.

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Below are the more commonly used poetic devices and terms. Hopefully, with the examples given, everyone can better understand some of the ways to make poetry, well, more poetic. The examples used are my own poetry and are copyrighted in my name.

Poetry devices (a major sampling):

alliteration: the repetition of a beginning sound.

Rain reigns roughly through the day.

Raging anger from the sky

Partners prattle of tormented tears

From clouds wondering why

Lightning tears their souls apart.

In the first two lines, the r sound is repeated. In the third line p starts two adjoining words.

allusion: a casual reference to someone or something in history or literature that creates a mental picture.

A Common Woman

No Helen of Troy she,

Taking the world by war,

But a woman in plain paper wrapped

With a heart of love untapped,

She waits, yearning for her destiny

Whether it be a he on a charger white

Or one riding behind a garbage truck.

Perhaps instead a room of students

Lurks in the shadows of her life

Needing her interest to be shown.

Yet other concerns may call

No, no Helen of Troy she,

But a woman set the world to tame

Wherever she may be.

Helen of Troy brings to mind a woman so beautiful that two countries went to war over her.

analogy: the comparison of two things by explaining one to show how it is similar to the other.

Day's Journey

The day dawns as a journey.

First one leaves the station on a train,

Rushing past other places

Without a pause or stop,

Watching faces blur through the window,

No time to say goodbye.

On and on the train does speed

Until the line's end one sees,

Another sunset down

Without any lasting memories.

The whole poem creates analogy, the comparison of a day and a train journey.

caesura: the pausing or stopping within a line of poetry caused by needed punctuation.

Living, breathing apathy

Saps energy, will, interest,

Leaving no desire to win.

All that's left are ashes,

Cinders of what might have been.

The punctuation within the lines (in this case, all commas) are the caesura, not the punctuation at the ends of the lines.

enjambement: the continuation of thought from one line of poetry to the next without punctuation needed at the end of the previous line(s).

Looking through the eyes

Of wonder, of delight,

Children view their world

With trust, with hope

That only life will change.

Enjambement is found at the end of lines 1, 3, and 4 because punctuation was not needed in those places.

hyperbole: extreme exaggeration for effect.

Giants standing tall as mountains

Towering over midgets

Bring eyes above the common ground

To heights no longer small.

Arms of tree trunks wrap

In comfort gentle, softness

Unthought of due to size,

Yet welcomed in their strength.

Giants aren't really tall as mountains, nor are arms tree trunks, but the use of the exaggeration helps create the image wanted.

metaphor: the comparison of two unlike things by saying one is the other.

Sunshine, hope aglow,

Streams from heaven's store

Bringing smiles of warming grace

Which lighten heavy loads.

Clouds are ships in full sail

Racing across the sky-blue sea.

Wind fills the cotton canvas

Pushing them further away from me.

In the first stanza, sunshine is compared to hope while in the second, clouds are compared to ships.

metonymy: the substitution of a word for one with which it is closely associated.

Scandals peep from every window,

Hide behind each hedge,

Waiting to pounce on the unwary,

As the White House cringes in dismay.

White House is used in place of the President or the government, and readers understand what is meant without exactly who is being directly addressed.

onomatopoeia: the sound a thing makes

Roaring with the pain

Caused by flashing lightning strikes,

Thunders yells, "Booooom! Craaaashhhh! Yeow!"

Then mumbles, rumbling on its way.

Grrrr, the lion's cry echoes

Through the jungle's den

Causing creatures small

To scurry to their holes.

Roaring, rumbling, cry are not examples of onomatopoeia, but are verb forms. Boooom, craaaashhh, yeow, and grrrrr are examples of onomatapoeia.

oxymoron: the use of contradictory terms (together) for effect.

Freezing heat of hate

Surrounds the heart

Stalling, killing kindness,

Bringing destruction to the start.

Freezing and heat are contradictory, opposites, yet the two together create a mental image.

personification: the giving of human traits to non-human things incapable of having those traits.

Anger frowns and snarls,

Sending bolts of fire from darkest night

That bring no brilliance,

Rather only added blackness of sight.

Frowning and snarling are human traits that anger cannot experience; however using them as traits for anger creates the imagery needed.

simile: the comparison of two unlike things by saying one is like or as the other.

Sunshine, like hope aglow,

Streams from heaven's sky

Bringing smiles of warming grace

On breeze whispers like a sigh.

Clouds are like ships in full sail

Racing across the sky-blue sea.

Wind fills the cotton canvas

Pushing them further away from me.

These two stanzas of poetry and those for metaphor are nearly identical. Both metaphor and simile are comparisons of unlike things, but metaphor states one thing is the other while simile says one is like the other, or as the other.

symbol: something which represents something else besides itself.

The dove, with olive branch in beak,

Glides over all the land

Searching for a place to light.

Storms of war linger on every hand,

Everywhere the hawk does fight.

The dove is a symbol of peace, and the hawk is a symbol of war. Using them in poetry gives an image without having to explain in detail.

Other terms:

elegy: a poem of lament (extreme sorrow, such as caused by death)

free verse: a poem without either a rhyme or a rhythm scheme, although rhyme may be used, just without a pattern.

blank verse: un-rhymed lines of iambic pentameter (ten syllables with all even numbered syllables accented)

imagery: the use of words to create a mental picture

mood: the emotional effect of a poem or a story

Understanding and using these devices and terms can help improve and strengthen poetry. Imagery is essential for vivid poetry, and devices help develop imagery.

Poetic Devices in Poetry

The Art of Flirting at the Gym

You're at the end of your third set on the chest press machine, and as you push out that last rep, you notice that the guy across the room with the nicely cut abs and biceps is looking at you in the mirror while he does his bicep curls. He's hot, for sure, but is he flirting or just another narcissistic muscle head showing off? You move to the next machine and glance over at bicep guy. Yep. he's definitely checking you out, and he's the type you go for. Your next move is...

Well, what would you do? Let's face it, the gym is a hotbed of flirtation and sexual/dating possibilities. Depending on which you're after, the way you initiate or respond to a flirt at the gym can either make it happen, or make it just go away. Put your best game forward, and step up. Don't let the opportunity pass you by. You want to get it right, if you're going to get it....

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So, let's break down the basics. Cover these bases and you'll be off to a good start!

Try to look and smell nice

Looking nice just means taking a bit of care with your gym attire. Wearing your old ratty T shirt with the holes in it and those stretched out sweatpants that you love is not going to cut it. Step it up and invest in a few, simple yet stylish pieces that have you looking neat, clean and attractive. Nobody wants to be approached by the sweaty, dirty looking guy at the gym.

By the same token, dress appealingly, but don't overdo it. You never want to look like you're trying too hard. Ladies, keep it sexy without looking like you just climbed down off a stripper pole, or are on your way to a hot party. Leave a little something to the imagination. The best flirt artists know that as rule #1!

And as for smelling, nice, it's not that impossible. Just be sure to freshen up a bit if you get a little too sweaty. Carrying or keeping a bottle of lightly scented body spray is a good idea. You can spritz some on mid workout when you go to the bathroom. It will help you feel more confident to know you're not smelly if you want to try to talk to someone.

Be approachable!

Some of us, when we're working out get this fierce, warrior, gym face on that could scare away even the wildest animal! Soften it up a bit and smile a little! A smile opens the door and gets people to let their guard down. Now you don't look so scary to try to talk to! Your warrior's mask could be keeping you from getting some quality flirt time from someone who thinks you're a hottie, but they're scared to even look your way, you're so fierce when your game face is on.

Don't be afraid to make the first move

If you see someone that elevates heart rate, stay relaxed. Pick the right moment, position yourself, and initiate some small talk. Be casual, friendly, and don't drop lines...just be natural. Not sure what to say? Then just ask a simple question.. Something like "how long have you been working out?" is a great conversation starter at the gym. Or "How do you like that machine/exercise? Is it really working for you?". And you can always ask someone to show you how to use a machine or how to do an exercise you see them doing. Ladies, that one is a no brainer for you. Guys love to be helpful, and guys, that same trick can work for you too. After all, you're both there for the same purpose; getting fit. There's no more normal a conversation you can have in this environment. There are a million and one seemingly innocent questions you can ask someone at the gym. This one's easy. Jump on it!

Be friendly...just not TOO friendly

Be friendly without being annoying. If you've started a conversation with someone, and they're not really responding, abort mission. A flirt is never fun if it's not being reciprocated. Cut your losses and move on. But when you do have one on the line, and they're into it, be sure to keep your banter light and friendly without going too in depth about the details of your personal life. The best flirters are great at showing interest in the other person, instead of going on and on about themselves. There's a subtle art to that. Learn it!

Give a compliment. They do work!

And what better place to do it? Here, in this environment where people are actively doing their best to improve their appearance, everyone wants to know that their hard work is paying off. I find that complimenting a guy on one of his best body parts kicks the door wide open for me. "Wow! You've got some nice triceps!" or "Whooo. Nice abs! You must work your abs a lot!". I have said that to many a guy..and it's worked. Might sound a bit cheesy, but you know what? I also mean those things when I say them. Like, I wouldn't say it to a guy that didn't fit the description! And even the toughest looking guy (or girl) appreciates a good compliment every now and then.

Look at what your person of interest has going for them, and compliment them on it. Now, to be honest, I usually use this as a "hit and run" approach. I compliment, smile, and then just walk away. I don't linger, trying to open a conversation, unless it just happens naturally. But that little compliment gives me an opening that I can use now any time I see this person at the gym. The next time, I smile, they smile and we exchange hellos. From that point, anything is possible. I no longer have to think on how to get this person's attention...been there, done that. You don't always have to get it all in one sitting. Sometimes you gotta just lay the track. Then eventually, you can get that train to run and stop right at your station!

Look for signs that they're single

Now, before you turn it on, look for signs that they're single. And if you can't tell, you can find ways to find out during a conversation. Like, "does your wife/husband work out here too?" That's a great question, because it not only gets you some pertinent information, but it also let's the person know (if they just happen to be a little clueless) that you're kind of interested. Two birds with one stone!

You don't want to waste your good flirting skills on someone you can't even have in the first place!

Check for wedding rings, and ring marks on the wedding ring finger (some people take their rings off to work out). You don't want to make an ass of yourself trying to horn in on someone else's territory.

In a nutshell, you have to be willing to just throw caution to the wind and go for it. You have to figure out what works for you, what you can pull off given your personality type, and just work it! If coy flirtation is more your speed, be coy. Have a sparkling personality? Get close to that person, find your opening, and sparkle on! The gym is the perfect flirting environment because you have time to assess your target, and make your approach, and unlike a quick sighting of some hottie on the train, bus or sidewalk, not only do you have more time, but you're already starting out on common ground. Use that to your advantage!

With a little practice and a whole lotta confidence, you'll be able to flirt at the gym with ease in no time. So, come on, let's do it! Flex, smile, and go get 'em, tiger!

The Art of Flirting at the Gym

Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes

The current crisis in our pet food supply has many of us looking for homemade dog food recipes for our beloved pets. I have been cooking for our dog for many years and find that he likes mostly the same foods that we do. Each animal has his own preferences, just like we do. For instance, our Oscar will not eat tomatoes, but Bonnie loves them. Use these recipes as a starting place for homemade dog food recipes. Then, as you discover your pets preferences you can customize them more. One caution: you should not serve onion or chocolate to dogs as they contain substances that can be toxic to dogs.

Some veterinarians prefer raw meat for our pets. I prefer to cook the meat because of concerns over E Coli and other bacterial contamination. If you wish to use raw meat, do not use ground meat. The grinding process increases the possibility of contamination by providing more surface area for the bacteria to grow.

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Canine Meat and Grain Menu

2 cups cooked brown rice
2/3 cup Lean beef
2 teaspoons lard -- or veggie oil
1/2 cup vegetables -- no onion*

Mix all together. You can serve the beef raw if you use chunks of beef. Do not serve ground beef raw, the grinding process increases the chances of bacterial contamination. Use any vegetables you like. You will find over time that your dog will leave any vegetables he does not like. Mix the above. Serve slightly warm, but not hot.

Chow Chow Chicken

You must remove the meat from the bones in this recipe. Chicken bones can easily splinter and cause choking problems in dogs.

2 chicken thighs -- or white meat
1 stalk celery -- sliced thick
3 carrot -- peeled and halved
2 small potatoes -- peeled and cubed
2 cups rice -- uncooked

Place chicken pieces in large pot. Cover with cold water (5 -6 cups). Add carrots, celery, and potatoes to water. Add salt to taste if you want. Cover and simmer on low heat about 2 hours until the chicken becomes tender. Add the rice, cover and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove soup from heat. Pull the chicken meat off the bone ( it will practically fall off), discard bones. Return shredded pieces to pot. Stir well. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

Meaty Dog Biscuits

Use beef, chicken or lamb strained baby food for these biscuits.

2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 to 10 tablespoons water
2 jars baby food meat, strained

Mix all ingredients together and knead for 3 min. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a dog bone shaped cookie cutter, and place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 min.

Makes approximately 2 dozen doggie biscuits

Bacon Bites for Dogs

6 slices cooked bacon -- crumbled
4 eggs -- well beaten
1/8 cup bacon grease
1 cup water
1/2 cup powdered milk -- non-fat
2 cup graham flour
2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup cornmeal

Mix ingredients with a strong spoon; drop heaping tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 oven for 15 minutes. Turn off oven and leave cookies on baking sheet in the oven overnight to dry out.

Ace's Favorite Cheesy Dog Biscuits

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 pound margarine -- corn oil
1 clove garlic -- crushed
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup Milk -- or as needed

Grate the cheese into a bowl and let stand until it reaches room temperature. Cream the cheese with the softened margarine, garlic, salt and flour. Add enough milk to form into a ball.

Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll onto floured board. Cut into shapes and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until slightly brown, and firm.

Makes 2 to 3 dozen, depending on size.

I hope that these free dog food recipes will inspire you to cook safe and healthy food for your pet.

Free Homemade Dog Food Recipes

How to Cook Pork Loins, the Best Part of the Pig

Pork loins refer to cuts of meat from above the pig's rib cage, along both sides of the backbone, and running from the shoulders to the hind legs. This is the tenderest part of the pig, and also the leanest.

When you buy pork loins from the butcher, you will probably need to specify the cut more specifically. "Pork loin" really refers to a wholesale cut; the retail pork loin cuts that a shopper will encounter include pork roasts, pork chops, back ribs, pork rack, pork tenderloin and pork steak, among others.

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It's a matter of subjectivity, but in my opinion, the best tasting pork loin cut is a roast that is cut from the rib end of the pig. It tends to be more marbled than cuts from other locations, and usually juicier and more flavorful.

The main thing to guard against when cooking pork loins is overcooking them. Because they're relatively lean to begin with, overcooking can dry them out. On the other hand, pork of any kind should always be cooked thoroughly for safety's sake. There's a fine balance between too much and too little cooking when you're dealing with pork!

Fortunately, most of the pork loin recipes that you'll come across have taken this dilemma into consideration. Usually, if you follow the recipes closely as to cooking time, you will be fine.

Pork loins lend themselves to cooking in so many ways that I can't begin to cover them all in one article. If you've never cooked pork loin before, here's a basic recipe to get your started on discovering one of the world's great meat cuts. This is for cooking a pork loin roast, which does require a fairly long cooking time--2 hours.

Aside from the time required, it's an easy recipe. Don't let its simplicity fool you; follow the directions carefully and your taste buds will be well pleased.

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper (or more or less, according to taste)

2 pounds boneless pork loin roast

1/3 cup olive oil

2/3 cup cabernet sauvignon or other red wine

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.

2. Mince garlic into a small bowl. Add rosemary, salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly with a fork or a miniature whisk.

3. Use a fork or knife to pierce the pork loin roast in a number of places. Rub the garlic mixture over the meat , being sure to press some of the mixture into the piercings. Brush olive oil over the meat.

4. Place pork loin roast onto a baking dish. Cook for 2 hours, turning at least once during that time. Baste frequently with pan drippings. With about 10 minutes of cooking time left, pour half of the wine over the meat.

5. After the meat is cooked, remove it onto a serving platter.

6. Pour the remaining wine into the baking pan and stir it in with the pan drippings, then pour this liquid over the meat.

How to Cook Pork Loins, the Best Part of the Pig

Traditional Christmas Craft - Orange Pomanders

Orange pomanders fill the house with a delicious scent, are satisfying to make and very pretty to look at. If you are looking for a quick and easy craft, with supermarket ingredients, try method 1 below. For a more traditional, longer lasting pomander, try method 2.

Method 1 - short-term pomanders

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Choose a number of thin-skinned oranges. Using a large darning needle, prick a design on the oranges. A large-spaced random design works well, as does a double row of holes around the middle of an orange. Push a clove into each hole. Arrange in a bowl or glass vase and enjoy the gorgeous scent.

Idea: "Write" a letter in cloves on each orange and use to spell a Christmas word (perhaps Merry, Christmas, Yule, or Noel). Arrange the oranges on your mantlepiece, or down the center of your table, for an original and sweet-smelling display.

Method 2 - long lasting traditional pomanders

You will need:

A medium-sized thin-skinned orange

1/2 cup whole cloves

1/2 cup orris root powder

2 tablespoons cinnamon powder

1 tablespoon ground allspice

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

Roll the orange in your hands to warm it: this makes it easier to push the cloves into it. Using a large darning needle, poke holes into the orange about 1/8 inch apart, and then push a clove into each hole. A traditional pomander covers the entire orange with cloves closely, but it is easiest to work on a small area at a time.

Mix all the powders together, and roll your clove-studded orange in it, filling the spaces between the cloves as much as possible. Store carefully in a small cardboard box lined with tissue paper, and tip the extra powder on top. Keep in a warm (but not hot) dry place, such an airing cupboard, for 3 to 4 weeks. Shake off excess powder and tie a pretty ribbon around the pomander, with a bow and a loop for hanging. Any excess powder can be saved and used again.

Traditional Christmas Craft - Orange Pomanders

Installing a Brick Or Paver Walkway

The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway or patio complements a home in a way that is unmatched. It adds a level of quality and elegance to a home entrance that can not be achieved with either concrete or asphalt. Brick and Pavers also come in many different colors and shapes allowing for unique color schemes and patterns to be achieved. In addition, installing a Brick or Paver walkway does not necessarily require a pro. With some basic knowledge and a relatively simple walkway plan, a homeowner is capable of undertaking such a project.

The key to installing a Brick or Paver Walkway is to first properly prepare the area where the bricks/pavers are to be installed. The area should be dug out at least a foot down, removing all topsoil and clay soil. In addition, string lines should be strung on each side of the walkway. The string lines indicate the finished height of the walkway.

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Once the area has been dug down, 3/4" gravel stone should be laid in and tamped down tightly. Then 2" of sand, or stone dust should be spread over the gravel. Again the sand/stone dust should be tamped down. Stone dust is preferred. The height between the tamped down sand and the stringline should equal the thickness of the brick or paver.

Now that you have a stable base, place a 1" pipe or ledger board the length of the walkway on either side of the walkway. Then using a flatedge, e.g. a 2"x4" board, slide it over the two lengths of the pipe/ledger board. In doing this you will create a level surface area to lay the bricks/pavers.

Now place on the level sand/stone dust strips of plastic brick borders. Install a run on both sides of the prepared area. These strips will act as your walkway border and help to maintain the integrity and shape of the walkway. You can get these plastic strip borders at most home improvement stores. The strips should be anchored down with 12" galvinized nails. You should sink these nails into the ground and through the strips every foot.

Once this is done, you can then begin to lay the bricks/pavers. There are many patterns you can lay. I particularly like the Herring Bone pattern. The key to laying the bricks/pavers is to ensure that they interlock with each other. Always stagger adjacent rows of bricks by 1/2 of a brick to interlock them. This will again help maintain the integrity of the walkway.

Inevitably bricks/pavers will need to be cut or split when building the walkway. Unless you want to buy or rent an expensive wetsaw, I would suggest purchasing a simple brick/paver splitter. It is basically a chisel with a wide end that is the width of the bricks/pavers. To actually cut/split the brick/paver, lay it in a bed of sand and place the chisel at a 75 degree angle over the spot where you want to break the brick. Then using a hammer strike the butt end of the chisel firmly. You may need to do this a couple of times. You may also want to flip the brick/paver over and strike the other side of the brick using the hammer and chisel. Within one or two strikes the brick/paver should break cleanly. If your walkway has curves you will need to buy/rent a wetsaw.

After installing the bricks, build up the outside edges with additional sand, and then shovel in the topsoil and pack down firmly.

Finally, spread stone dust over the new walkway and sweep into the cracks. Repeat this process a couple of times to ensure the cracks are fully filled. This will complete the interlocking of the bricks and help to eliminate any weed growth. Just add grass seed to the outside edges and you should have a beautiful entrance to your home within a couple of weeks.

Installing a Brick Or Paver Walkway

How to Kill Wasps the Easy Way - Eliminate Wasps in No Time and Be Free of Them

There are two kinds of wasps, one that can give you a lot of trouble and one that won't be bothering you much, and is in fact quite beneficial to your garden. The solitary type don't make any nests and will take care of annoying pests in your garden. The social wasps, on the other hand, is the one you want to watch out for. If you have those kind of wasps, it can cause you some headache, but don't worry, we will see some easy ways on how to kill wasps.

As with any pests, precautions and anticipation is a good way to make sure you won't have a wasp infestation. Wasps all die during cold weather, except for the queen, that goes into hibernation. Once she wakes up, she will look for a nest. This happens at the beginning of spring. If you see a big wasp looking around your house or garage, take no chance and kill it, it is probably a queen looking to make a nest in or around your house. Other useful things you can do is fill up any cracks or holes around your house or in the garden, since it is a favorite nesting place for wasps. Also by sealing garbage, not having any sweet things around your house you decreases the chances of having wasp problems. If you got a wasp nest problem and want to know how to kill wasps, then read on to know how to eliminate wasps.

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The best way to eliminate wasps from an underground nest is with kerosene or diesel fuel. The reason is that the toxic fumes will kill them very quickly. The trick is to know of all the holes that the wasps use for their nest. When you know where they are, you have to work during the night or early morning, when most of them are sleeping in the nest. You need to pour the kerosene or diesel fuel and cover the holes as fast as possible, having a partner is ideal. If the holes are all sealed, the toxic vapors will get rid of the entire nest very fast.

For outside nests, such as a paper wasp nest, it's not difficult either. You will need to work at night also. How to kill wasps without being in danger you might ask. Simple you just need to be well dressed with a few layers to prevent stings. You should also move slowly and get your wasp killing agent ready. Raid is very useful for getting rid of wasps. You should spray the entrance enough that the wasps will get in contact with the chemicals when they go out. If the nest is elevated, use a projectile spray instead, it should reach the nest, since it can spray up to 20 feet. This should take car of your wasp problems.

How to Kill Wasps the Easy Way - Eliminate Wasps in No Time and Be Free of Them

Why You Need to Invest In Above Ground Swimming Pool Heater

Do you have a swimming pool in your house? Now that you have spent quite of lot of money buying an above ground swimming pool, you and your family and friends would definitely love to spend a substantial amount of time in it. But this is not always possible owing to a number of reasons. The most common determining factor is the constantly changing temperature of the water in your swimming pool. Swimming is real fun be it in the bright sunshine or even in the rain or mist. It hardly matters what the weather is like outside. What really matters is whether the water is warm enough or not. Now in order to maintain the temperature of the water in the swimming pool, you need to get an external heater meant to be installed with an above ground swimming pool.

The heater has a component called the thermostat. What happens is that when you set the thermostat at a temperature of about 22 to 25 degree Celsius, the temperature of the water remains constant for a long time thus ensuring that you can enjoy more time inside the pool. If you reside in that part of the country where the climate is relatively warmer, you may just consider raising the water temperature by 2 to 3 degrees and that is enough for you and your companions to swim comfortably.

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If the surface-area of your pool is big, then the water will lose a large amount of heat very soon. So you might need to cover your pool with an insulated cover to retain the warmth of the water. This will ensure that you do not have to heat the water too often and in the process you will be able to save some money in your electric bill also. Nowadays, swimming pool heaters come in a variety of sizes. You will need a heater which will suffice for your needs. There are gas powered heaters which run on liquid petroleum gas (LPG), while some other models may run on electricity. Gas powered heaters may seem like a little expensive to run because of the amount of gas you have to buy for the purpose. However, remember that the heater will also warm up the water pretty quickly, after which you can turn off the heater, or at least lower the thermostat, thus saving precious fuel.

If you need to purchase an above ground swimming pool heater, then you should try running a search on the Internet. You are sure to find a number of reputable online stores that way, which can provide high quality items priced well within your budget.

Why You Need to Invest In Above Ground Swimming Pool Heater

Sedum groundcover

Sedums come in an assortment of leaf textures, colors and heights.  Then they'll throw in a bonus of colorful and decorative blooms just to make sure you fall in love with them.

Handsome succulent leaves on creeping stems make this a good ground cover for a sunny slope; it also grows well in a trough or on top of a wall.Many will spread to form attractive mats.

We plant sedum groundcovers along walkways or paths, on small embankments and they look especially nice around the rocks and boulders of the garden pond or rock garden.Domed clusters of star-shaped flowers vary in color from red to pink to white, and bloom in summer.