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House Finch and Purple Finch Identification Characteristics When watching these brown and red finches, studying details of their appearance and behavior can help birders determine which bird is which. Body Shape: House finches are typically more slender than purple finches, which often look stocky with a larger head and thicker neck in proportion to their body size. Body shape can be distorted by a bird’s posture and movement, however, so it is important to observe birds in a casual, relaxed perch pose to accurately determine shape....

If your basement has occasional water problems, a sump pump can help remedy the problem and is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. But keep in mind that installing a sump pump will not address the source of your water problem; that is, it won’t stop water from coming in. And if your basement is seriously flooded on a regular basis, a sump pump may not be the best solution....

What we love most about working at The Spruce—which has a mammoth library of all things home and food spanning over a decade—is how inquisitive our readers are. They ask us lots of questions (“Why is my washing machine leaking?” or “How can I quickly ripen avocados?”) and in our search for answers, we often come up with so many more questions. We’re led to new, interesting ideas, or updated takes on classic projects, and that is what we get excited to share with everyone....

Mirrors and Feng Shui Mirrors are often used in feng shui to accentuate an area or to amplify the impact of a certain part of the home. Depending on the intention behind the placement of a mirror, they can expand, shrink, soften, or double the items that they are reflecting. Mirrors are also connected to the water element, one of the five elements we work with in feng shui, which has to do with wisdom and new opportunities....

Although they are relatively easy to grow outdoors under the right conditions, keeping an ixora plant happy and blooming inside can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener. In either location, the plant will grow slowly, so patience is key if you’re hoping for an oversized shrub. Ideally, ixora are greenhouse or conservatory plants, where their flowers will bloom abundantly. Still, if you maintain the conditions below, you have a good chance of having a happy ixora shrub with at least a few flowers....

But there are low-cost options to consider when planning a new or replacement driveway. One of the best ways to save money is to use loose materials such as gravel, stone, or tar-and-chip (macadam) for your driveway surface. Gravel vs. Loose Stone vs. Tar-and-Chip There are three types of driveway surfaces that use loose-fill materials rather than solid concrete or pavers. The distinction between gravel and loose stone is not entirely firm, with different sources and contractors using the terms in slightly ways....

Acquaintances It never fails. Your child meets a new playmate on the playground and they’re instantly invited to this new pal’s birthday party. Spend very little on gifts for your child’s acquaintances. Look for simple toys that are $5 or less. One option is to give homemade gifts you can make with your children; an assortment of multicolored slime or scented playdough is sure to be a hit with younger kids....

Give yourself at least eight weeks before you move to book a mover. However, if you’re moving to another country or across the country, you should always give yourself and the movers more time. So for international, national, or across state moves, start calling eight weeks before and no later than four weeks before you move. If possible, book 12 weeks in advance, especially if you’re planning a move during the peak season such as summer....

The same theory applies to your laundry and washing machine. The problems that you encounter in your laundry efforts can’t always be blamed on the washer. Most of the time it’s you. So here’s a list of laundry problems, their possible causes, and what you can do to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again. Dingy Clothes Using the Wrong Detergent Dingy clothes are caused by using the wrong detergent....

In 2014, Mattel acquired MEGA, a Montreal-based brand long known for its blocks. The Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag is a set of large, chunky building components aimed at young toddlers embarking on their first construction projects. We tested the blocks for a couple of weeks with our 18-month-old son who found them to be easy to use and relatively entertaining. Design: Big blocks for big fun After some playtime with our 18-month-old, we discovered that the blocks, which range in width from 1....

Moss rose plants are a popular choice for growing in container gardens, along the front edge of garden bed borders, as edging along paved walkways, on top of stone walls, and in rock gardens. In addition, the trailing habit of moss rose works well in hanging baskets. Moreover, moss rose doesn’t typically spread fast outside of its bounds as a ground cover, so it’s ideal for small gardens. These plants will flourish in poor, dry soils where many other plants might struggle—in fact, soil that’s too wet can actually kill them....

Editing Your Mulch Calculation You can edit your mulch calculation at any point. Editing square footage measurements: Update the width and/or length fields you would like to change, and press “calculate” again. To add extra spaces and their measurements, press the plus sign next to “+Add Another Space.” To remove spaces, press the trash can icon.Starting over: To get a new estimate, select the shape of your project, and enter the new measurements....

So what do you need to know about Berkus’s products? The Beautyrest by Nate Berkus Mattresses are priced starting at $2,199 and are available in varying levels of firmness from plush to extra firm. (The style conscious should note that the mattresses also feature a chic herringbone inspired print!) The pillows in this line are composed of white duck down and feathers and are available in king and queen sizes....

It’s no easy task to keep your laundry clean and bright, but Nellie’s All-Natural Oxygen Brightener is one option that promises to make things a bit easier. Brighteners are designed to keep whites at their whitest; some whiteners also provide a cleaning boost to regular detergents. Nellie’s does both and also claims to fight odors and stains. We put it to the test on both colors and whites—keep reading to see how it held up and whether you should make a place for it in your laundry room....

Type-A people are often labeled as the ‘perfectionists’ or the ones with the magazine-worthy spaces and color-coded drawers. On the other hand, Type-B people are often seen as the ‘anything goes’ type of organizers—more focused on getting the mess out of the way than having everything look nice. While both types have their positives and negatives, if you resonate with the Type-B mindset (or are connected to someone who fits this category perfectly), here are seven organization tips to help lean into their natural tendencies (without shame!...