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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

HOME MAINTENANCE CALENDAR

HOME MAINTENENCE CALENDAR

JANUARY

- Heating system Inspect.
- Clean Filters

FEBRUARY

- Garage door Adjust and lubricate.
- Heating sys Inspect.
- Filters Clean.
- Floor drains Fill with water to prevent odors.
- Breakers Inspect and check for proper operation.
- Vacuum sys Inspect filtration system and empty bag.

MARCH

- Ext. vents Inspect and lubricate.
- Heating sys Inspect.
- Filters Clean.
- Sump pump Inspect and clean.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Windows & Door Inspect and clean.

APRIL

- Caulking Inspect and re-caulk if necessary.
- Landscaping Spring preparation.
- Gutters Clean and inspect.
- Roofing Inspect roofing and joints.
- Ext. faucets Re-open water flow.
- Lawnmower Perform spring tune-up
- Lawn furniture General inspection. Verify kids corner.
- Heating system Inspect.
- Air conditioning Inspect and clean.
- Filters Clean.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Outlets Verify functioning of electrical outlets.
- Basement Inspect for cracks and leaks.
- Tile joints Check joints and sealant
- Fire safety Inspect and test.

MAY

- Sheds Inspect.
- Fencing Inspect general state.
- Ext. siding General inspection
- Sidewalks Inspect for cracks and movement
- Windows Install window screens.
- Windows Wash windowpanes.
- Dehumidifier Dehumidifier startup.
- Filters Clean.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Floor drains Fill with water.
- Attic Inspect and provide proper ventilation.
- Structural Inspect structural components
- Central Vacuum Inspect filtration system and empty bag.

JUNE

- Foundation Check exterior foundation walls.
- Balconies Check level and proper maintenance.
- Ventilator Seasonal shutdown.
- Filters Clean.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Basement Provide proper ventilation.
- Carpeting Seasonal cleaning.

JULY

- Filters Clean.
- Water heater Check safety valve and drain tank.
- Septic tank Check level of tank.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Basement Provide proper ventilation.
- Refrigerator Defrost.
- Washer Check water faucets and filters.
- Dryer Clean filter and exhaust vent.

AUGUST
- Filters Clean.
- Heating oil Negotiate supply contract.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Floor drains Fill with water to avoid odors.
- Breakers Verify proper functioning.
- Windows doors Inspect and clean.
- Basement Provide proper ventilation.
- Vacuum System Inspect filtration system and empty bag.

SEPTEMBER

- Garage door Adjust and lubricate.
- Ext. sliding General inspection.
- Air conditioning Winter shutdown.
- Ventilator Seasonal startup. General Inspection.
- Filters Clean.
- Sump pump Inspect and clean.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Fireplace Complete inspection and cleaning.
- Weather strips Check fit and repair.

OCTOBER

- Caulking Inspect and re-caulk if necessary.
- Landscaping Prepare for winter.
- Gutters Clean and inspect.
- Roofing Inspect roofing and joints.
- Lawn furniture Winterize.
- Snow removal Negotiate contract.
- Windows Remove screens and brush clean.
- Windows Wash window panes.
- Heating sys Inspection and cleaning.
- Filters Clean.
- Heat vents Clean.
- Heating wood Purchase. Do not store in basement.
- Plumbing Complete inspection.
- Drain wells Clean.
- Tile joints Apply silicone sealant.
- Fire safety Inspect and test.

NOVEMBER

- Ext. vents Inspect and lubricate.
- Ext. faucets Turn off water flow to faucets.
- Heating sys Inspect.
- Dehumidifier Dehumidifier seasonal shutoff.
- Humidifier Inspect and clean.
- Filters Clean.
- Floor drains Fill with water to avoid odors.
- Attic Inspect and provide proper ventilation.
- Vacuum system Inspect filtration system and empty bag.

DECEMBER

- Heating sys Inspect.
- Filters Clean.
- Water heater Check safety valve.
- Carpeting Seasonal cleaning.
- Kitchen Clean and adjust cupboard doors.


From beans to zucchini, it's harvest time.....


Serve beans in oil and vinegar dressing, use zucchini in baked goods

By Helen Chesnut, Victoria Times Colonist


So abruptly the season changed. I'm swimming in the ocean under hot sunshine on Monday and donning sweaters while assessing the firewood supply the next day.

At the same time last week, familiar markers popped out of the ground to signal the transition from summer. The first colchicums began to bloom. Like crocuses on steroids, their outsized flowers greet the shift in weather with cheerful aplomb.

Fall has now officially begun. For me, the season has always felt like a fresh start as I eagerly anticipate the Great Outdoor Cleaning Project.

But first, because of the late growing season this year, harvesting remains an almost full-time occupation. The prune plums, usually picked late August and early September, have been slow to ripen.

Late summer apples require processing, and from speaking with and hearing from other gardeners, many of us are awash in beans.

I've been more than pleased with the heritage Lazy Housewife pole beans, tender and buttery, and Emerite, a French filet pole bean, has delivered its usual fine harvest.

The bush beans have provided more good, colourful eating.

Velour is a tasty purple filet bean, Thibodeau du Compte Beauce is a lovely purple-streaked green bean. Capitano is a broad, flat, Romano bean in bright yellow, and Alicante, a longtime favourite gourmet French bean, continues bearing slim, delicately flavoured pods.

Combining the lightly steamed, cut beans with red peppers and onion in a honey-sweetened oil and vinegar dressing is a fast and easy way to use beans.

Leftovers in the fridge are handy, too.

Then there's the issue of dealing with ever so slightly overgrown zucchini.

To save freezer space, I've been grating some to lightly steam, cool, package and freeze.

I've grated more to use in two recipes I recently found in an old cook book. One is a herb cornbread, another a wonderfully moist chocolate cake.

To make the chocolate cake, first melt four ounces unsweetened chocolate and 1/2 cup oil in a small saucepan over hot water.

Cream 1/2 cup room-temperature butter, add 1 1/4 cups sugar, three eggs, and one tablespoon vanilla. Beat well and add the melted chocolate and oil.

Mix together two cups all-purpose, unbleached flour with 1/3 cup cocoa, two teaspoons each baking soda and baking powder, and one teaspoon salt.

Stir into the batter along with 1/3 cup buttermilk (or sour cream). Add three cups coarsely grated zucchini and 1/2 cup chopped nuts.

Bake in oiled bundt pan for 40 minutes at 350 F, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Ice with cream cheese frosting or, my personal, easy favourite, whipped cream, plain or with a little chocolate sauce added.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist