Dan Buck's

Dan Buckcompliments of

573-546-5546 · 573-315-8730

P.O. Box 436Ironton, MO 63650

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Throw open the windows and let in the fresh air, it's time for spring to get clean! Get out your

cleaning supplies and your put on your game face because it's time for clutter to take a hike

and your neglected, soap scum coated bathtub to gleam. It's all about clean starts this

spring.

This month in Welcome Home magazine start your spring cleaning off right with Spring

Cleaning 101. Need to replace your aging vacuum, but confused by all the options out there?

We have your go to guide! Is clutter taking over you life? Take back your sanity and your

home with roadmap to a mess free home. So get your mop and bucket ready and come read

along with us!

Please enjoy this issue of the magazine!

Have an amazing April, and as always, Welcome Home!

compliments of

Dan Buck

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573-546-5546 · 573-315-8730

P.O. Box 436Ironton, MO 63650

Table of Contents

Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not

intended to solicit other brokers’ listings. If you are currently working

with another broker, please disregard this information.

The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any part icular purpose l ies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.

Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor

All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu or bing.com unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for

Random Fact information and aid.

Welcome Home!

4 Recipe And Design A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.

5 Spring Cleaning 101 Scrub brushes for all!

6 Curb Appeal What is it and how do I get it?

8 In The Kitchen Homey Goodness: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

9 Health and Wellness. Stevia, a sweeter way to be.

10 Vacuum Cleaner Comparison How to find the best vacuum for your needs.

12 Jumpstart The Spring Garden Gardening Tips for April

14 Products To Love! Hot trends, technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more!

15 DYI Project - April A cute enough for a real chick - Chalkboard Eggs

16 Declutter Your Life Take back control of your things and emotions.

Strawberry-Orange Trifle

Recipe and Design

Preparation:1. Toss together first 4 ingredients, and let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, beat whipping cream and lemon curd at low speed with an electric mixer until blended. Gradually increase mixer speed, beating until medium peaks form.

3. Layer one-third each of fruit mixture and curd mixture in a large bowl. Top with half of crushed cookies. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining one-third fruit mixture and curd mixture. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. Garnish, if desired.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Keebler Sandies Simply Shortbread cookies.

Southern Living, March 2008

Ingredients:• 1 qt. strawberries, halved • 4 oranges, sectioned and halved • 2 tablespoons orange liqueur or orange juice • 3 tablespoons sugar • 1 1/2 cups whipping cream • 1 (11.3-oz.) jar lemon curd • 1 1/2 sleeves shortbread cookies, crushed • Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

Instructions: 1. To make, start by gluing together two yellow

pom-poms for the chick. 2. Add a face using felt and fabric paint. 3. Insert the chick into a pre-stretched balloon;

blow up to desired size. 4. Knot the balloon and spray with cooking spray. 5. Coat string with white glue; wrap colored string

around balloon, adding crisscrossing strands as you go (make sure gaps are no larger than the chick).

6. Let string dry; pop balloon and remove it.

• Various Colors of String• Yellow Pom Poms • Orange Felt • Black Fabric Paint • White Glue • Balloons • Cooking Spray • Scissors

Easter Chick Display

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com

What You Need:

April is here! And you know what that means, time to enjoy spring. However, amidst all the fun you and your family have, it is also the time of the year where you need to do your annual spring cleaning! Though you often clean your house many times a year, spring cleaning is the time when you really get into the corners and clean out all cobwebs. Here are some tips on how to make this year's spring cleaning a success!

Tip 1: Have A Strategy

Get a pen and paper handy and start to walk around your house so you can list down what needs to be done. First, are there any problem areas that need to be fixed? Does any furniture need to be replaced? Do you need to buy any cleaning materials? Once you have the to-do list final, decide who will do which. For instance, if you want to clean your carpet, it is best you hire a carpet cleaner and so on and so forth.

Tip 2: Gather All Cleaning Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need and make sure you have enough. It is difficult to run out of cleaning materials in the middle of your cleaning. Be as thrifty as possible but be smart in choosing your cleaning products as well. Not because it's expensive means it's the best and not because it's cheap means you should buy it. There are specific cleaning substances you need for your carpet, floor, tiles, wood and the like.

Tip 3: De-clutter your Kitchen

Start with your fridge. It probably has a lot of food you've had for a long time. Throw out everything you won't be eating anymore. Take out everything and defrost so you can thoroughly clean it. Empty your cupboards and see if you need to repaint or fix anything. Sweep and mop under big appliances such as your refrigerator or oven.

Tip 4: Bedrooms Should Be As Good As New

Remember when you first moved in? That is how your bedroom should look like by the end of the day. Not one single dust should be found in any corner. Clear out everything. If you can take out all the furniture out of the room then go ahead and do so. Clean from top to bottom and eradicate dust mites. Check if you need to buy new mattresses, too.

Tip 5: Bathrooms Should Be Squeaky Clean

One of the most challenging phases you will go through is cleaning your bathroom. Tiles, shower heads, toilets are just disgusting at times and you will need a strong acid based cleaner to help you out. To make sure the bathroom is really clean, you will need to take out everything and then brush every corner and make sure the bathroom is germ free.

Spring cleaning is indeed a challenge but it should not be such a big hassle so as long as everything is organized. In fact, this should be a very fulfilling experience once you're done!

Spring Cleaning 101

Written by Aron Smith, Courtesy of Articlesbase.com

Curb Appeal

Need to add value to your home or just want to make it more appealing? Tired of the peeling paint and bedraggled landscaping? You need some curb appeal.

Written by Keith Smallwood. Courtesy of Isnare.com

A great way to add value to your home is to boost its curb appeal. Even if you aren’t planning on selling, an exterior makeover is a valuable investment in your home. There is a huge spectrum of ideas that can amp up the look of your home’s exterior, no matter if your budget is $1000 or $10,000. When considering the portions of your home that you want to upgrade, take a step back from your home and analyze everything from the landscaping to the trim, walkways and even hardware. Decide what is in need of the most help and work your way from there. Here are some ideas for upgrading your home’s exterior.

One of the first things to consider for your home’s exterior is all of the aesthetic details of your actual home – the shutters, the trim, the door and hardware. A simple repair and paint job can work wonders and give your home a completely new look. Give all the trim on your home a paint job in a complementary color to your home’s exterior. A bright color, like white can really make the details pop. Don’t forget your shutters when painting either. If the shutters are in bad shape, they can easily be replaced. However, they are very easy to paint if they just need some updating. Paint them the same color as your trim for a uniform look but make sure you use paint that is made for the outdoors so your hard work will stand up to the elements. Your front door is another place where you can really make a statement. Either replace the door or give it a paint job in a bright, cheery color that says “welcome!” Updating all of the hardware on and around your door can really make a big difference as well. Replace the kick plate, doorknob and door knocker for an inexpensive upgrade. Don’t forget a house number either! New numbers somewhere on the exterior of your home is an important detail.

After addressing the details of your home’s construction, it is time to focus on the landscaping. Is your walkway in need of an upgrade? How about your flower beds and bushes – are they overgrown and in need of attention? If you have a simple concrete walkway a great way to make an impact is to put in a stone or brick walkway. This can be a weekend project for those hardcore do-it-yourselfers out there, or you can have it installed for you. A new walkway makes a huge impact on the way your home looks from the street. When it comes to the landscaping, symmetry is always a good thing. Symmetry is pleasing to the eye and gives your home a nice, cohesive look. Clean out all the beds freeing them of weeds and other debris and trim up the bushes. Even replace the bushes (if it’s springtime!) for a completely brand new look. For an even bigger impact, edge all of your beds with stone or brick for a truly finished look and be sure to freshen up the mulch. An inexpensive, easy way to get some great landscaping is with a container garden. Purchase some pre-potted plants and some pretty pots, stagger them down your front steps and around the front of your home for instant impact.

Finally, when looking at your home’s exterior, make sure there are no major cosmetic repairs to address. Look at your gutters and make sure they are intact, clean and providing proper drainage. If you have siding on your home, make sure it is all securely attached to the house and maybe even give it a fresh paint job. Also, be sure there is no rotting wood anywhere on your home as this could lead to water leaks and further damage to your home’s construction. Also, consider some exterior lighting beyond the front porch light. Line the walkway with some solar lights for added security and to give your home a regal glow. Whether you spend a weekend or a month updating the exterior of your home it is an investment well worth the time that will pay off every time you walk up to your front door.

Courtesy of thecleverhousewife.com

In The Kitchen

Chicken Cordon Bleu Cassarole

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 2 qt casserole dish.2. Cover the bottom of baking dish with shredded chicken. Top

chicken with torn or cut ham pieces, and lay Swiss cheese over the top of everything.

3. In a medium sauce pot, melt 4 Tbs of Country Crock over medium heat. When butter is melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Continue stirring for about 30 seconds, to cook out the flour taste.

4. Slowly pour milk into the roux and whisk, cooking over medium heat. Stir while cooking, until the sauce thickens.

5. When sauce thickens, stir in the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, Bridgeport Seasoning and pepper. Bring sauce back to a boil and remove from heat.

6. Pour sauce evenly over the casserole.

For the topping:

Mix stuffing or breadcrumbs, and parsley, into the 6 Tbs of melted Country Crock. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the casserole and bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

Ingredients

• Layers• 1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded or

chopped• 1/2 lb deli honey ham, thinly sliced• 1/4 lb Swiss cheese, thinly sliced• Sauce• 4 Tbs Country Crock Original Spread• 4 Tbs flour• 3-1/4 cups milk• 2 Tbs lemon juice• 1 Tbs Dijon mustard• 1 tsp Salt• 1/2 tsp Bridgeport Seasoning (combo of

paprika, romano, onion and rosemary)• 1/4 tsp pepper• Topping:• 6 Tbs Country Crock Original Spread,

melted• 1 1/2 cups Country Stuffing

(breadcrumbs will work)• 1 tsp parsley

Health & Wellness

WalkingRunning, jogging, weight lifting, calisthenics. These are all good for keeping in shape but walking is still the most simple, and effective, of all exercises to lose weight and stay in shape and maintain good health. Approximately 67 million Americans of all ages walk for exercise regularly.

Walking can be done with friends or alone. And it can be performed outside or inside. Walking helps the metabolic system to control weight, regulate blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. A brisk walk burns up to 100 calories per mile. Walking is an aerobic exercise meaning that it uses oxygen. A brisk walk increases oxygen intake to the blood, strengthens the heart, improves circulation and lowers blood pressure.

For people with poor circulation in the arms and legs, walking can help to increase the size and improve the efficiency of the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the cells. Walking slows development of all forms of arthritis, degenerative joint disease, stops loss of bone mass in osteoporosis, and tones the muscles. Walking helps recovery from back pain. For women walking reduces premenstrual and pain during periods. Regular walking also relieves and prevents constipation. Psychologically, walking generates an overall feeling of well-being because it produces endorphins, a natural tranquilizer. This aids in relief of depression, anxiety, and stress.

To get the most benefit from walking, 30 minutes of walking must be done at a brisk pace without stopping. Gradually increase time to 40 to 60 minutes for each session. Always stretch muscles and warm up before walking. Wear walking or running shoes that fit snugly but not too tight, support the arch and lift the heel slightly. Replace your walking shoes every 6 months or 600 miles, whichever comes first. In hot, cold and inclement weather consider getting a treadmill for walking indoors. Courtesy of Isnare.com

When making a vacuum cleaner comparison, it is first important to discover which type of vacuum cleaner you need for you home. Vacuum cleaners come in many different varieties and comparisons can only be made between those that are alike. You cannot compare the power of a canister vacuum cleaner and a stick vacuum cleaner, but different people may have different needs for both of these instruments.

Two of the most common vacuum cleaner types are canister vacuum cleaners and upright vacuum cleaners. Canister vacuums have a large canister on wheels that is attached to an instrument you use to run along the carpeting to vacuum. Canister vacuum cleaners also have attachments that can be used to clean wood floors, upholstery and draperies. Canister vacuum cleaners are usually very powerful and offer exceptional vacuuming abilities. Some canister vacuums come with bags and some have a container that can easily be removed to dispose of collected debris and dirt removed from carpeting. Canister bags come in several different varieties and even include hypo-allergenic bags. If anyone in your family has allergies, a high powered vacuum cleaner is recommended to remove dust mites from carpeting as well as from furniture.

Upright vacuum cleaners are easy to use. You can get your carpet cleaned in record time by using an upright vacuum cleaner that stores away easily. Some upright vacuum cleaners even fold up, to make storage even more convenient. Upright vacuum cleaners are powerful, offer deep cleaning and have a variety of attachments to clean in between nooks and crannies as well as to clean upholstery and draperies. Some upright vacuum cleaners even have an attachment that can be used to clean wooden floors. Upright vacuum cleaners are convenient because you can generally push them around with ease and not have the burden of dragging a canister along with you. One trick in using an upright vacuum cleaner is to attach an extension cord to the vacuum cord to make it unnecessary to have to move the cord when you vacuum different rooms.

For floor cleaning or quick jobs, you may choose a stick vacuum cleaner. Sometimes, these are called ‘electric brooms’ as they do the same job as a broom but much quicker. Stick vacuum cleaners are an ideal way to clean kitchen and bathroom floors. What is really nice about them is that they don’t have bristles that will scratch surfaces, so they are ideal to use on wooden floors. You can get your floors cleaned very quickly by using a stick vacuum cleaner. In addition, these vacuum cleaners are great when you have a dry spill or spot that just needs a quick touch-up. Many people have a stick vacuum cleaner in addition to their regular vacuum cleaner.

In order to make a proper vacuum cleaner comparison, you need to compare two machines that offer the same power, convenience and are equal in size. To make a good comparison, you must first decide which vacuum cleaner will work for you and then seek out different brands. Most vacuum cleaner companies make a variety of vacuum cleaners. Your specific needs will determine which type of vacuum cleaner you need and that you wish to make comparisons.

Written by Mark Clifton, courtesy of Isnare.com.

Find the right vacuum for your cleaning situation.

Vacuum Cleaner Comparison

Gardening Tips For April

Snowdrops stand guard over tiny daffodil buds. Daylight is lingering a bit longer. The snow is receding and the robins are returning. The big thaw has begun. There's no denying the signs. Spring is right

around the corner.

Jumpstart The Spring Garden

If you're like me, you can't wait to get your hands into the soil. While you're holding out for higher temperatures, there's plenty you can do today to jumpstart the spring gardening season.

Sow Seeds Indoors Take a trip to your local nursery or home store and buy seeds to start indoors. In March I like to start annual flowers for my pots and containers. Currently, I have Coleus, Zinnias, Impatiens, Petunias and Marigolds germinating. Follow the seed packet instructions and you'll get excellent results. Some plants will take longer than others to bloom or bear fruit, so plan accordingly. This is also a great time for starting culinary herbs and vegetables. If you're looking for something new this year, try moonflower vine or cathedral bells to climb your fence or trellis. Both can be started from seed. If you have children, get them involved. Many children have a natural affinity for gardening. It's a great quality to encourage and nurture in them.

Dust Off The Birdhouses I put my birdhouses out in early March. Small birds like chickadees will be actively searching for appropriate homes to raise their families. Mine were up for less than 24 hours before the home tours began.

Give Your Garden Tools A Checkup Take your pruning shears and other cutting tools to your local hardware store for cleaning, oiling and a good sharpening. On a warm day you may want to assess your lawnmower. Take it in for servicing or a tune up now-while you can. Many lawnmower repair centers are swamped shortly after the season starts. It's one tool you don't want to be without.

Get Inspired Order your garden catalogs. Purchase your favorite garden magazines. Here in the northeast, there's nothing like winter time to remind me how valuable my summer garden space is. Create a wish list of new plants, design features and outdoor furniture. With a little planning, you won't be overwhelmed when May rolls around.

Seek Out Indoor Gardening Events In March there are countless indoor garden, flower and landscaping expos. If you can't find anything in your local area, a day or weekend trip to a flower show might be just what you need. Look for a botanical garden or arboretum with indoor facilities. In my area we have Longwood Gardens. It has year round indoor gardens and the displays are fantastic.

Clean Out Your Beds As soon as the snow has melted and the weather permits, you can clean out your beds. It's a good time to rake and clear your planting areas of dead branches, leaves and debris. I like to mulch as soon as possible in the spring, while there's still plenty of space between the emerging bedding plants.

Learn A Landscape Design Software Program There are so many inexpensive landscaping software programs available today, many of them under $50.00US. During the winter months you'll have plenty of time to learn how to operate the system. Create and sample new designs before digging. Take advantage of the overhead and 360 degree views. Many of the programs now offer a 3D walk through feature. It simulates the experience of walking through an actual garden. You can also advance the garden timeline into the future to see what it will look like when the plants and trees mature. It's a wonderful creative tool to beat the winter blues!

Call Your Landscaper Now If you're planning to use a professional landscaper this year, make sure to schedule your work as far in advance as possible. When the ground is soft enough for digging, landscapers will be working overtime to keep up with the volume.

Book Your Garden Tours Now Scour the internet for local and regional garden tours. Find out when tickets go on sale and plan ahead. I've often read announcement lists in the newspaper after I've already made other plans. There's nothing like visiting other people's gardens for encouragement and inspiration. I hope these suggestions get you motivated to take action. The sooner you get started on your garden plans-the more time you'll have to enjoy the rest of the season. Happy Gardening!

Written by John Conti. Courtesy of Isnare.com.

Products To Love In April

In Rodale’s Basic Organic Gardening by Deborah L. Martin, general garden-building skills (from "Do I need to dig?" to "Where do I dig?") and specific techniques (from "How do I plant a seed?" to "How much should I water?") are presented in growing-season order—from garden planning and planting to growing and harvesting. Many other need-to-know topics like soil, compost, seeds, pest control, and weeds are explained in simple language to ensure success, even on a small scale, on the first try. A flower, vegetable, and herb finder highlights easycare plants with good track records. Plus, there are no-dig garden methods, simple garden layouts, and tips and hints inspired by the most popular page views on OrganicGardening.com. Please click here for more information.

Make your Easter decor extra special by writing a message or drawing a fun pattern on these Chalkboard Easter Eggs using your own chalk! Non-fill able, plastic egg; single piece. Please click here for more information.

DC65 is the most powerful upright vacuum on a ball, with the strongest suction of any other vacuum. It uses Radial Root Cyclone technology and a reconfigured brush bar to remove more dirt and dust from the home. It achieves this through the combination of Radial Root Cyclone technology and a self adjusting cleaner head which seals in suction across carpets and hard floors. The latest Ball technology allows easy steering into difficult places. Please click here for more information.

DYI Project - April

Courtesy of oleanderandpalm.com

Supplies -

Eggs:• Black Chalkboard Paint• Paint Brushes• Chalk

Nests:• Old Book or

Newspaper• White Glue• Water• A bowl covered in

plastic wrap

For Eggs:1. Take the plastic egg

apart and paint the two halves with the chalkboard paint.

2. Let dry completely. 3. Decorate with chalk

as desired.

For Nests:1. Take the desired

pages from a old book or newspaper and run them through a paper shredder or cut them into uniform strips with scissors

2. Make a mixture of 1 part water to 1 part Elmers glue.

3. Dip the paper in the glue mix then lay across the back of the bowl.

4. Let dry completely over night.

5. Remove the bowl and then peel off plastic wrap.

Chalkboard Eggs

Declutter Your Life

De-cluttering your physical space can have an amazingly uplifting effect on your mood. Feng Shui experts claim that buildings and furniture store the memories of events in the form of energy, and that by de-cluttering you can clear the energy of historic traumatic events. Whether or not you put any store in that kind of theory, nobody who has ever de-cluttered a space could deny the positive benefits of increasing the physical space in their environment.

However, physical de-cluttering can also have a cathartic effect on people emotionally. When we let go of things we’ve been hoarding for a long time, we often let go of emotional memories we’ve been hanging onto along with them (albeit unconsciously), and so by clearing physical clutter you can clear space in your head and in your heart as well as your home.

Clutter though is not only physical. We can also have mental and emotional clutter blocking the flow of energy in our lives, and clearing this out is guaranteed to help improve our emotional wellbeing. Examples include undone/unfinished tasks; people/activities that drain you of energy; remaining angry at people; busyness - filling up your schedule with activities you feel duty-bound to do, and leaving no time to nourish your soul and refresh your body.

Some tips for clearing your physical clutter:

• Look at your home and identify the areas that need decluttering. Break it down into small tasks that can be tackled over a period of time, rather than one big project to be done in a day. Start small with everyday areas like the kitchen table and build momentum towards the areas you avoid because the idea of tackling them is just overwhelming.

• Go through your stuff and for each item ask yourself Do I love it? Do I need it? Do I use it? If you can answer yes to any of them, it stays. If it’s no to all, then it goes.

• Divide everything into four piles: Keep, Recycle, Donate and Dump. As soon as you’re done, remove the items that aren’t staying straight away and deliver them to their new destination.

• Once your big clear out is done, avoid a new build up by clearing out little and often.

Tips for clearing your Mental/Emotional Clutter:

• Make a list of anything you’ve been procrastinating over, and ask yourself why you have been putting it off. What can you tackle and what can you let go of? When you’re clear on what you definitely has to be done, make a plan and get to it.

• Stop worrying. There is nothing constructive about worrying – it won’t help you avoid the outcome you’re worrying about and it’ll destroy your ability to enjoy the present. When a worrying thought arises, quash it straight away and sing along with me “Everything’s gonna be alright, everything’s gonna be alright…” Focus your energy on what you’d like to happen instead.

• Follow through on promises and commitments. When you’ve said you’ll do something but you keep putting it on the long finger, it drains you of energy. If you can’t or don’t want to see them through, then be upfront about it and withdraw your promise.

• Let go of anger and forgive. When somebody hurts you badly, it’s a normal response to feel anger, and to not want to forgive. But anger is bad for your health, both physical and emotional, so it’s actually in your interests to let it go and forgive the other person. Forgiving them doesn’t mean you have to welcome them back into your life with open arms, it just means letting go of the memory of what they’ve done to you and the feelings that go with it. Maybe the other person doesn’t deserve forgiveness, but don’t you deserve to move on and leave the pain behind?

• Say no to people and activities that drag you down. Instead, surround yourself with people who uplift you and do things that make you feel great! As with your physical clear out, don’t make this a once-off project or an irregular purge. Develop clutter free habits in every aspect of your life, and you will enjoy an easier flow through life on a continuous basis.

Written by Hilda Carroll, Courtesy of Isnare.com

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The Nice piece of property backs up to Johnson Shut-Ins camp ground State Park. Would be a

Great place to build a small cabin or Convenience store, Endless possibilities!

Dan Buck573-546-5546 573-315-8730buck-realty.comdanbuck68@hotmail.com