BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//HGTV//NONSGML Help Around the Home//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130101T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130101T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130101 SUMMARY:Happy New Year! DESCRIPTION:Before taking the tree down, toss any damaged holiday ornaments, lights or ribbons that don't look newly store bought. Give away anything you haven't used this year. Don't store non-working strands of lights: Fix first, or discard. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/star-secrets-to-cleaning-and-organizing/pictures/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130102T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130102T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130102 SUMMARY:Pack Up Christmas DESCRIPTION:Take down, clean and store ornaments, decorations and exterior lights. Recycle or store tree. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/help-around-the-home-january/video/index.html?videoId=38166 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130103T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130103T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130103 SUMMARY:Get a Little Organized DESCRIPTION:Use small clear plastic food containers to organize extra fuses and replacement bulbs for Christmas lights, wire bulb hangers, pushpins and picture hangers. Aggregate these into one larger bin as your at-the-ready supply "cabinet." URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130104T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130104T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130104 SUMMARY:FUN FACT DESCRIPTION:Most homeowners tend to stay in their homes for about six years. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/organizing/9-ideas-for-welcoming-new-neighbors/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130105T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130105T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130105 SUMMARY:Check Faucets DESCRIPTION:Are the faucets in the kitchen and bathroom(s) closing securely? Replace washers as needed or call a plumber for bigger jobs. Small leaks can cause big trouble, and waste precious water. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/help-around-the-home-january/video/index.html?videoId=32749 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130106T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130106T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130106 SUMMARY:Year-End Accounting DESCRIPTION:Sort strategically, and create folders for the key categories of information that you will need like mortgage interest, real estate taxes, health-care costs, charitable donations and work expenses. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/chic-organized-home-office-for-under-100/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130107T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130107T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130107 SUMMARY:Test Your Seeds DESCRIPTION:Put 10 seeds from each leftover packet in a damp paper towel within a plastic bag to see how many seeds germinate. If fewer than 7 of 10 do, sow more thickly at planting time (or discard if below about 5 of 10). URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130108T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130108T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130108 SUMMARY:WEEKLY TASK DESCRIPTION:After the holidays, your kitchen will appreciate an extra-thorough cleanup. Working from the top down, wash walls with a grease-cutting solution. Then use dish soap and water on windows. Finally, mop the floor, clean appliances, wipe counters and cabinets and scour the sink. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/special-kitchen-cleaning-challenges/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130109T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130109T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130109 SUMMARY:De-Ice Sidewalks DESCRIPTION:Store bins of untreated kitty litter or traction grit (coarser than sand) at key points along paths, and in the car. Both products are safer than de-icing salt, which can damage flowerbeds and the lawn. Look for litter containing vermiculite or pumice. An added benefit: Staying on paths keeps you out of soggy soil. URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130110T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130110T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130110 SUMMARY:Tend to Small Fixes DESCRIPTION:Do a quick sweep of your house, making a list of any broken electrical plates, locks that need lubrication, sinks or tubs that need caulk — the nagging things that have piled up and feel overwhelming. Buy everything you need at the home improvement store and get all of these little jobs done in one concerted campaign. URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130111T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130111T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130111 SUMMARY:Freezer Hunt DESCRIPTION:Did you store leftover soup from a dinner party or berries you picked during the harvest season? Don't forget these goodies. Take a quick inventory of freezer contents and post the list on the freezer door. Then enjoy the unexpected treats! URL:http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/declutter-the-freezer/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130112T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130112T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130112 SUMMARY:QUOTABLE DESCRIPTION:"'Home' is any four walls that enclose the right person." — Helen Rowland URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130113T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130113T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130113 SUMMARY:Rotate Your Mattress DESCRIPTION:Flip, spin and vacuum. Your mattress will last longer and you'll sleep better, too. While you're at it: Is the pad still in good shape, or should you buy a new one during this month's white sales? URL:http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/shopping-for-a-mattress/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130114T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130114T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130114 SUMMARY:Christmas Blooms DESCRIPTION:When the Christmas Amaryllis has finished flowering, remove the spent blossom, place the pot in a bright spot and continue to water, treating it like a foliage houseplant. This is the first step toward reblooming your bulb next year. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/create-an-amaryllis-tree/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130115T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130115T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130115 SUMMARY:Trees and Shrubs DESCRIPTION:Check the base of trunks and the entire tree for rodent and storm damage, respectively. Pay attention throughout the winter — particularly during and after bad weather — and remove any hanging, dead or otherwise damaged branches. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/time-for-inspection/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130116T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130116T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130116 SUMMARY:Clean One Closet DESCRIPTION:Pick one that's manageable and decide to do it in one day. Throw away everything that's irreparably stained or torn (unless, cut up, it will make good cleaning rags); give away anything you haven't used in the last year. Just do it. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/10-steps-to-a-decluttered-closet/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130117T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130117T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130117 SUMMARY:FUN FACT DESCRIPTION:Nearly 63 percent of all U.S. households have a pet. URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130118T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130118T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130118 SUMMARY:Go Easy on Houseplants DESCRIPTION:Don't start feeding again until longer days of stronger light, and really watch the water. Overwatering is the most common cause of death for houseplants, especially in winter. Easy does it during these months. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/help-around-the-home-january/video/index.html?videoId=17903 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130119T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130119T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130119 SUMMARY:Energy Audit DESCRIPTION:Call the utility company and ask for an energy audit. Follow their recommendations to the letter to improve the efficiency of your home — and save big for the rest of the season. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/help-around-the-home-january/video/index.html?videoId=32771 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130120T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130120T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130120 SUMMARY:Wash Off Pests DESCRIPTION:Dry indoor heat invites houseplant pests. Don't hesitate to give your plants a shower each month, either using the sink sprayer or the actual shower. Placing pots on waterproof trays of pebbles and water can also raise humidity. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/plants-for-focal-points/pictures/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130121T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130121T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130121 SUMMARY:Moth Damage DESCRIPTION:Carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture provide favorite hiding places, too; vacuum frequently in and under all such textile surfaces. Set pheromone traps if you have seen any moths, to gauge renewed activity. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/organizing-the-clothes-closet/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130122T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130122T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130122 SUMMARY:WEEKLY TASK DESCRIPTION:Besides the weekly rounds of your home's primary surfaces, tackle knickknacks, lampshades and all framed things on the walls. Try it today: A damp microfiber cloth with loops or strips of microfiber cannot be beat. The material attracts dust like a magnet, plus it's machine washable for future use. URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130123T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130123T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130123 SUMMARY:Evaluate Your Yard DESCRIPTION:If it's looking bleak, take notes now. What can you do in the spring to create an outdoor space that looks good no matter what the season? Possibilities include adding colorful evergreens (which can be gold or blue, too!), fruiting shrubs and trees like hollies or crabapples and colorful-twig dogwoods and willows. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/designing-a-winter-garden/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130124T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130124T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130124 SUMMARY:Brighten Up DESCRIPTION:Plant a batch of delicate paperwhites in pebbles and a solution of 1 part alcohol (generic-brand gin or vodka) to 7 parts water for ongoing winter color and fragrance. The alcohol prompts sturdier stems that won't topple under the weight of the flowers. URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130125T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130125T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130125 SUMMARY:FUN FACT DESCRIPTION:Bamboo is structurally as strong as steel. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/help-around-the-home-january/video/index.html?videoId=23248 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130126T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130126T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130126 SUMMARY:Choosing Annuals DESCRIPTION:If you intend to start plants from seed this spring, get organized now. Start shopping for seeds; peruse new and heirloom catalogs to widen your plant palette. Have seed-starting mix on hand later this month. Are your trays and pots scrubbed, and your grow lights ready? URL:http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/winning-annuals/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130127T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130127T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130127 SUMMARY:QUOTABLE DESCRIPTION:"Human beings are the only creatures on the earth that allow their children to come back home." — Bill Cosby URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130128T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130128T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130128 SUMMARY:EASY IDEA DESCRIPTION:Those delicious seasonal deals on clementines and other colorful citrus can do double duty as a room-brightening centerpiece. Uncrate and pile into a decorative bowl or footed compote. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/color/our-10-favorite-orange-rooms-from-designers-portfolio/pictures/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130129T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130129T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130129 SUMMARY:Clean the Dryer Vent DESCRIPTION:Move your dryer away from the wall and vacuum behind it. Remove the tube that attaches to the machine and clear out the lint. Finally, use a shop vac to clean the outside vent, too. For maximum energy efficiency and to prevent a fire hazard, do this at least twice a year. URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130130T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130130T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130130 SUMMARY:For the Birds DESCRIPTION:Keep birdseed feeders full, especially during the worst weather periods. Match seed type to local birds' appetites. Sunflower is widely favored, while many mixes, though technically cheaper by the pound, contain ingredients many species don't eat. URL:http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/feeding-birds-in-winter-to-stop-or-not-to-stop/index.html TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20130131T000000Z@hgtv.com DTSTAMP:20130131T141649Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130131 SUMMARY:HGTV READER TIP DESCRIPTION:Contain the toys. "For Legos, we have two brightly colored small trash cans with lids in the play area. All the kids know where to get them for building and where to place them when done." — Audrey in Island Park, ID URL:javascript:; TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR