As the year come to a close, I’d like to wish you and yours all the best for a Happy and Prosperous 2016.  

In Scotland New Year is called Hogmanay. It is a great festive time, seeped in many customs and traditions. Hogmanay is a bigger celebration than Christmas, especially for adults. This may stem from the ban on Christmas that existed for 400 years.

Nobody knows for sure where the word “Hogmanay” came from. Opinions differ as to whether it originated from the Gaelic oge maidne (“New Morning”), Anglo-Saxon Haleg Monath (“Holy Month”), or Norman French word hoguinané, which was derived from the Old French anguillanneuf (“gift at New Year) This is my favorite as it goes well with the Scottish tradition of First Footing.

Here are some of the Hogmanay traditions:

I can remember my mum furiously cleaning the house for New Year’s Eve to welcome the New Year. It is considered ill luck to welcome in the New Year in an unclean house so the house was made especially pretty on New Year’s Eve.

Another old Scottish tradition at midnight the man of the house would open the back door to let out the old year, then open the front door to let the New Year in. People would also open the windows to let the old year out. Some Households would make as much noise as possible to scare off the evil spirits and would read the ashes of the last fire of the year to see their luck (like tea leaves) for the New Year. Scottish people are superstitious and dramatic.

All over Scotland, the tradition is to hold Hogmanay parties or Ceilidhs (pronounced “Kailey”), involving singing, dancing, the eating of steak pie or stew, storytelling and consumption of copious amounts of alcohol, which usually extend into the daylight hours of January 1 and maybe the 2nd and 3rd. The first stroke of the Chimes at the New Year is known as the Bells. At midnight people link arms and sing Auld Lang Syne.

After the bells, people go out visiting friends and family. This is called first footing. Some people carry a gift or a bottle of whiskey. Traditionally people would carry a lump of Coal to give as a gift to the friends and family signalling prosperity for them in the New Year. A toast of Lang May Yer Lum Reek (may your fireplace always have smoke- Live long and prosper) or a Guid New Year to ane an a and mony may ye see (A good new year to one and all and many may you see).

The last time I spent New Year in Scotland we went to a Dance at the Ex Service Mans Club and then the entire family made their way down to Rick’s Gran and Granddad’s house to first foot them. His Gran was happily waiting for us all with a good few bottles and a big pot of Stovies. That was the beginning of a week-long New Year’s Party as we first footed every family home.

My Uncle Bobby and Aunt Jean were the New Year’s Day hosts. Each New Year’s Day we would visit them and enjoy another party with a Steak Pie Dinner, Neeps (Turnip) and Tatties (Potatoes). There would be another sing song and dance as the celebrations continued.

 

Auld Lang Syne – Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne* ?

CHORUS:

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
and gie’s a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Lang my yer lum reek!

All the best for a Healthy Happy and Prosperous New Year, Enjoy it, when it comes.

If you think about cutting back on your expenses when you are shopping, consider online coupons which can help you save a considerable amount of money.

When I heard free coupons, I thought of the good old days when we used to cut them out of the newspapers or magazines and take them to the stores to cut back a few bucks. But in the recent times, free coupons usually refers to the Internet coupon codes that are to be used while shopping at online stores. Online coupons work the same way as the traditional paper ones. The coupons offered by websites are codes that help you get discounts on many items such as groceries, clothes, shoes, gadgets, jewelry and many other products. Some of these codes are numeric or alphabetic whereas others are alphanumeric.

You can purchase many items online and get good discounts with the help of these coupons. All you have to do is search for a website that offers free coupons to get discounts on a varied range of items. When you find such website, you can get all the great discounts offered by numerous online stores. Many of the discounts expire unexpectedly, so you should ensure that you are entering a coupon code that is valid at the time. You can find coupons at these websites along with the relevant information such as the actual discount available on products, the store where it can be redeemed and the date it expires.

Most of the websites directly link you to the website of the store when you click on the coupon. When you visit the online store through these websites, you automatically get a discount on the product you wish to purchase. You can click on as many coupons you like and check out the product on the website. The other kind of coupons are printable coupons that you can get printed from the computer and redeem the discount at an actual store, not the virtual one. You can take the coupon print to the store and save a considerable amount of money on each purchase.

Many online stores also give away free coupons as part of their brand marketing campaign. They want more and more people to visit their stores. Discount coupons, free coupons, freebies and giveaways are the incentives used by manufacturers to attract consumers towards their products. This way they get consumers to try out their products and beat the competition with their counterparts. Some companies give discounts on services as well.

In order to mark their presence over the Internet, all the major companies use many tactics to attract new costumers as well as hold on to the existing ones. The online printable coupons and free coupons are the easiest way to achieve this. The discounts offered by the companies draw people towards the free coupons that let them purchase many products at low prices. If you really want to benefit from the great discounts that are offered by many online stores, you should visit these websites regularly to get free coupons and save some bucks on each purchase.

by: Gagan Singh

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_15910.shtml

(NC) Beginning a career and moving out on your own are two big steps toward financial independence. But becoming financially independent requires a plan. In Canada, November is Financial Literacy Month-the perfect time for young adults to review their short- and long-term financial goals and make a plan to put them into action.

Whether you’re saving to buy a TV for your new apartment, to make a down payment on your first home, or to pay down student debt, a good plan will help you reach your goals. Make them a reality by listing them and assigning a timeline to each. Once you’ve established your goals, incorporate them into your monthly budget.

While a new job may mean a higher income, moving out on your own brings many new expenses. How do you know that you’re ready financially? With the added financial commitments, how will you work toward your financial goals? How will you prepare for life’s costly surprises?

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has resources, available at itpaytoknow.gc.ca, to help young adults plan to achieve their life goals. The Moving out on Your Own life eventhelps work out the costs associated with moving out and living on your own as a tenant or homeowner, and provides useful information on how to make a household budget. The Starting your First Job life eventhelps individuals manage their money wisely as they enter the workforce.

A realistic budget is only one aspect of securing your financial independence. An unforeseen event could become a budget breaker, which is why FCAC recommends building an emergency fund that covers three to six months of expenses.

It may require a new approach to your finances, but financial independence is attainable.www.newscanada.com

(BPT) – “The bathroom sink drain is clogged!”

Those words strike fear and loathing into a homeowner’s heart. Nothing can ruin a pleasant day faster than the thought of shutting down a crucial room in your home until the plumber arrives. But it’s a fact of home-owning life: At some point, the drains in your home will become clogged. The question is, will you be caught by surprise, or be prepared and possibly avoid the problem altogether?

A little preventive maintenance now can go a long way when it comes to drain-related problems. Plan ahead, and you’ll avoid the all-too-common clogged drain frustrations: an out-of-order bathroom, waiting for the plumber, a bathroom floor covered in water, etc. Believe it or not, all these nightmares can be prevented with a little planning.

What’s the key to preventing a clogged drain? Choosing the best preventative products that allow you to live your life while minimizing those pesky drain issues for you. Choose wisely, and these products will save you from frustration, save you money and save you valuable time. Choose wisely, create a bathroom with a difference, and enjoy a carefree, clog-free life.

Here are few easy ways to avoid clogged drains:

For the kitchen disposal, you can run hot or cold water through the drain. Cold water run liberally through the sink will loosen stuck items, while hot water will help get rid of food residue. Instead of pouring hot grease down the kitchen drain, pour it into another container and then throw it away. Don’t forget to clean the drain pieces regularly to keep them in good working order. If long hair or pet hair is a problem, consider strainers over every drain in the house.

While many companies offer drain-clearing products, we recently came across one with a completely different approach to addressing the issue. PF Waterworks focuses on eliminating the problem with a line of clog-prevention products that reduce the build-up of clogs and the need for drain cleaning products, thereby reducing frustration and saving time and money for the homeowners. For more information, visit http://www.pfwaterworks.com.

PF Waterworks will be introducing a new product: the FlushSAVER Dual Flush Converter reduces water usage by 30 percent or more, even in already low-flow toilets. A unique patented design converts single-flush toilets to dual-flush with easy installation, no tank removal and no tools required. The FlushSAVER could save up to 15,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four.

You can free yourself from the frustration of clogged drain hassles, expensive plumber visits and schedule-shattering plumbing issues by choosing and installing safe, effective products designed to keep money in your pocket, minimize household downtime and make your life much, much easier.

You might not be aware that your home may pose some hidden risks for you and your family. But you don’t need a fat budget to give your home a safer and healthier boost. After all, there is nothing more important than keeping your family safe.

Hazards may be lurking in your home, and for $100 or less, you can make the home improvement precautions needed to protect your family from common household dangers. Danny Lipford, home improvement expert and host of the nationally syndicated show “Today’s Homeowner,” recommends these budget-friendly DIY projects for a safer and healthier home:

* Mount smoke detectors: There should be a smoke detector on each floor and in or near every bedroom in the home. Installing them is as simple as mounting them 4 inches from the wall on the ceiling. Smoke rises, so opt to place the detector at the highest point of the ceiling if you have an angled ceiling.

Estimated cost: $30

* Install a water filter: If you’re concerned about lead, VOCs, microbial cysts and pharmaceuticals in your tap water, or even if you just don’t like the taste or smell of it, install a DIY water filtration system such as the High Performance Drinking Water System that comes with a dedicated faucet and will provide your family with cleaner, better tasting water.

Estimated cost: $100

* Secure heavy furniture and appliances: Children are susceptible to bookshelves, televisions or other furniture falling over and causing harm. Use furniture brackets or straps to secure dressers, the stove, audio equipment and more to the wall to ensure passersby are safe from falling and tipping items.

Estimated cost: $10 or more, depending on number needed

* Install carbon monoxide alarms: Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas, is a result of improperly vented or defective home systems such as heaters, furnaces and fireplaces. Carbon monoxide does not rise to the ceiling like smoke, so the alarms can be mounted anywhere, such as plugged into wall outlets or affixed to walls and powered by batteries.

Estimated cost: $50

* Install a bathroom vent fan: Poor ventilation in the bathroom can lead to a buildup of excess moisture, which is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Install a bathroom vent fan to push the moist air outside the home to avoid creating unhealthy conditions in the room, as well as fogged-up windows, steamy mirrors, and eventually ruined walls and ceilings.

Estimated cost: $100

For more information and other tips, visit FiltreteWater.com.

 

From the moment the first cave dweller marked the wall of his home with a bit of charcoal, art has been a home decor must that has stood the test of time. Whether it’s the vibrant colors of a van Gogh, the almost-mystical perfection of a da Vinci or the dreamily diffused light of a Monet, great art speaks to the soul.

The works of master artists have inspired home decor for centuries, and technological advances have made it easier than ever to incorporate their genius into your own home. It’s no longer necessary to visit the Louvre in Paris to view the Mona Lisa or to travel to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to savor van Gogh’s Starry Night.

You can easily incorporate great artwork into your home decor.

Reproductions are the most obvious – and accessible – way to enjoy great masterpieces in your home. Fortunately, you have a variety of options when looking for a quality reproduction. From simple paper prints purchased at your local home decor store to actual paintings digitally reproduced with the aid of a computer program, you can find reproductions for virtually every price point.

You can use your reproduction to enhance your home decor in a number of ways. A small print tucked into a discrete spot on the wall can add a pleasant, surprising pop of color in a room. Or, a larger reproduction can be a focal point for a room’s decor, and even provide color inspiration for the rest of the room, from walls to upholstery and accessories.

Another versatile option that can be bold and striking is a wall mural. When you think of inspiring murals, does Michelangelo’s famous work from the Sistine Chapel come to mind? With easy-to-install wallpaper murals, you can recreate the world’s most-recognizable ceiling in your own home.

A mural can fit into the decor in virtually every room of your home. Imagine the whimsical delight of Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave of Kanagawa as an accent in your master bath. Or, van Gogh’s Cafe Terrace at Night can impart a distinctive Old World flavor to the decor in your breakfast nook. You can even incorporate a masterpiece mural in your outdoor design. Website MuralsYourWay.com offers wallpaper murals in SmartStick, a peel-and-stick material that can be used indoors or out and adheres to most smooth wall surfaces (including glass) and is easily removable and repositionable. No paste is needed and you can use the mural over and over again.

Your foray into great art doesn’t have to be limited to paintings, however. While reproductions of renowned sculptures are easy to come by, and an obvious choice, you can also find a variety of accessories and even furniture that draw their inspiration from famous works of art.

Looking for something thought-provoking and edgy for your home decor? Consider items – from wall clocks to furniture – inspired by the work of Salvador Dali. Is modern and abstract more to your taste? Fabrics that draw on the colors and design of Picasso’s works may fit your vision.

Great art speaks to the soul, and whatever genre you prefer – impressionist, Renaissance, modern or abstract – you can find a place for it in your home. Thanks to modern technology, it’s easier than ever to enjoy great art and incorporate it into your decor.

 

From the moment the first cave dweller marked the wall of his home with a bit of charcoal, art has been a home decor must that has stood the test of time. Whether it’s the vibrant colors of a van Gogh, the almost-mystical perfection of a da Vinci or the dreamily diffused light of a Monet, great art speaks to the soul.

The works of master artists have inspired home decor for centuries, and technological advances have made it easier than ever to incorporate their genius into your own home. It’s no longer necessary to visit the Louvre in Paris to view the Mona Lisa or to travel to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to savor van Gogh’s Starry Night.

You can easily incorporate great artwork into your home decor.

Reproductions are the most obvious – and accessible – way to enjoy great masterpieces in your home. Fortunately, you have a variety of options when looking for a quality reproduction. From simple paper prints purchased at your local home decor store to actual paintings digitally reproduced with the aid of a computer program, you can find reproductions for virtually every price point.

You can use your reproduction to enhance your home decor in a number of ways. A small print tucked into a discrete spot on the wall can add a pleasant, surprising pop of color in a room. Or, a larger reproduction can be a focal point for a room’s decor, and even provide color inspiration for the rest of the room, from walls to upholstery and accessories.

Another versatile option that can be bold and striking is a wall mural. When you think of inspiring murals, does Michelangelo’s famous work from the Sistine Chapel come to mind? With easy-to-install wallpaper murals, you can recreate the world’s most-recognizable ceiling in your own home.

A mural can fit into the decor in virtually every room of your home. Imagine the whimsical delight of Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave of Kanagawa as an accent in your master bath. Or, van Gogh’s Cafe Terrace at Night can impart a distinctive Old World flavor to the decor in your breakfast nook. You can even incorporate a masterpiece mural in your outdoor design. Website MuralsYourWay.com offers wallpaper murals in SmartStick, a peel-and-stick material that can be used indoors or out and adheres to most smooth wall surfaces (including glass) and is easily removable and repositionable. No paste is needed and you can use the mural over and over again.

Your foray into great art doesn’t have to be limited to paintings, however. While reproductions of renowned sculptures are easy to come by, and an obvious choice, you can also find a variety of accessories and even furniture that draw their inspiration from famous works of art.

Looking for something thought-provoking and edgy for your home decor? Consider items – from wall clocks to furniture – inspired by the work of Salvador Dali. Is modern and abstract more to your taste? Fabrics that draw on the colors and design of Picasso’s works may fit your vision.

Great art speaks to the soul, and whatever genre you prefer – impressionist, Renaissance, modern or abstract – you can find a place for it in your home. Thanks to modern technology, it’s easier than ever to enjoy great art and incorporate it into your decor.

Your home is your paradise and if you are planning to renovate your home, go for the changes that are not only eye-catching but also comfortable for you and your family. If you are going to change the flooring in your home, here are some tips for flooring the different parts of your house.

Bedroom flooring:

There are plenty options when it comes to flooring in your bedroom. Being the most private and personalized part of your home, your bedroom is the place which grabs a big part of your budget whenever you are remodeling. You can use carpet, tile, hardwood, bamboo, cork or laminate. Play with different materials in different rooms. You can opt for striped light and dark shades in your boy’s room so that if your son is going to create mess, which is unavoidable, the flooring can withstand the burden. Also the flooring can bear heavy traffic of the folks coming in the bedroom. For more powerful scratch and water resistant flooring you can choose laminate.

Living room flooring:

It is the most used area and withstands most of the traffic coming in and out of the house. It is highly recommended that the flooring should be strong enough that it can endure all such amendments done with your furniture or to the increasing and decreasing ratio of visitors. For this purpose you can opt for hardwood flooring. Being classy and sophisticated in look it is the perfect choice for your living room whenever you are remodeling your home.

Kitchen flooring:

Design the floor of your kitchen in such a way that it not only looks pretty but also gives a practical impression. You can choose from vinyl, tile, natural stone, wood, cork or laminate. A floor covering that is water resistant and durable such as tile is a best choice to protect against potential water damage. Make sure when you choose your floor to order a little extra of the product in the event that you drop something like a pot on your floor. If the flooring material is damaged, you will be sure to have enough to repair the floor because often floor manufacturers have high turnover of their products to insure a continual buying cycle. Most flooring contractors add 5-10% additional square footage of the flooring product to their purchase order to insure they have enough for the project and to provide the client with a little extra flooring for future use.

Kitchens are a reflection of personal style. Just as you add new pieces to your wardrobe when the seasons change, kitchen updates keep spaces fresh and current. The following three tips, inspired by fall/winter interior design trends from design duo Blazys Gerard, offer splurge versus save ideas to bring a unique flair to your kitchen and entertaining space.

1. Go glam

Splurge: Streamline your layout to evoke a sleek and sophisticated vibe. Integrating built-in appliances, such as a Jenn-Air(®) 30″ single wall oven in Floating White Glass, adds polish and maximizes under-counter space. For entertainers, an open-concept living space with an over-sized island creates a central hub at parties. The addition of an under-counter beverage center is always a hit with guests and wine lovers alike. For texture and elegant contrast, select a high-gloss stone countertop and dark-stained floors.

Save: Back splashes are a blank canvas and offer the opportunity to create a big impact. Whether you embellish the space with mosaic tile, glass, or even stylish marble, a show stopping backsplash creates a feature wall that is as beautiful as it is functional. Another option is to install a statement light fixture, whether architectural or ornate, to shine new light onto the space.

2: Turn up the heat

Splurge: Take inspiration from a modern gastropub and incorporate a fireplace into your kitchen. While this is a significant design commitment, a fireplace is a modern addition to the kitchen and unites living spaces, particularly in open concept homes. Richly stained cabinets exude further warmth and provide a restaurant-at-home feel. Keep the lines of the cabinets and countertops slick and you’ll have a contemporary, eclectic space.

Save: If you live in a condo where the addition of a fireplace isn’t an option, bring in warmth through accessories. Cookbooks, cozy throw pillows, and banquette seating will soften the space and create a relaxed atmosphere. A vintage settee in place of two chairs at the table is another way to add a touch of luxury and comfort.

3. Add rustic charm

Splurge: Create a chic space with rustic touches: butcher-block countertops, a reclaimed wood dining table, and wide wood plank floors. Clean cabinetry with built-in stainless steel appliances provide the ultimate base and maintain the focus on your overall design.

Save: Adore the look of a built-in fridge but not ready to splurge? Jenn-Air(®) offers cabinet depth refrigerators that appear built-in and are mounted flush with the cabinets; custom overlay panels can even be added to further blend with surrounding cabinetry. Bring in additional rustic elements through thoughtful accessories: a reclaimed wood plank is a beautiful table runner, especially when stained to compliment your kitchen, and a vintage milk jug doubles as a statement vase.

As a final tip (and the quickest and most simple of all), stop by your local farmer’s market or flower shop-fresh blooms add visual interest and bring instant life to any space.

So whether you choose to do a major renovation or some quick revitalizing, keep these design trends in mind as you update your kitchen this fall to bring new energy, warmth, and style to your home.

(NC)-Canadians are always looking for ways to save money, but are not always willing to sacrifice comfort. With a couple of simple adjustments, it’s possible to save on monthly household expenses without compromising on quality and comfort. Here are some ways to put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket in a matter of months.

• Canadians are paying an average of $40 a month for home phone service. If you are already paying for high-speed Internet, you can use your existing connection and use a voice over IP phone system for free local and long distance calls within Canada. On the sleek Ooma Telo device for example, you get advanced features like caller-ID, call-waiting and voicemail as part of the basic service package, which means extra savings. By making the switch to VoIP, you can easily save over $600 in two years.

• Household energy and water bills consistently eat away at your monthly budget. Consider the time of day you are doing laundry or running the dishwasher, and take advantage of off-peak rates. Did you know it’s more expensive to do a load of laundry during the day than it is at night? You can also save water by taking a shower instead of a bath, and turning the tap off while brushing your teeth. This may seem like common-sense advice, but the financial benefits are anything but basic.

• Television cable can often be one of the highest bills every month. Luckily, there are simple ways to cut back on this monthly expense, without completely eliminating this source of entertainment. Consider opting for a PVR instead of purchasing a time-shifting package. This gives you more flexibility while reducing duplicate channels. You can also watch online, some networks stream their shows shortly after their regular television broadcast. And don’t be afraid to shop around or negotiate a new deal – a simple telephone call could mean big savings. can save you big.

More information is available online at http://ca.ooma.ca