Rv Parks In Yuma Az

Nestled in the Gila Valley of southwestern Arizona, Yuma is a desert town on the California state line and Mexican border. The region sports numerous hiking trails and scenic drives that allow visitors to explore the Colorado River, as well as the desert foothills and volcanic canyons. Thanks to mild winters, Yuma is a popular place for family vacations and retirees who will find RV parks for short-term and extended stays.

Cocopah Bend RV Resort and Golf Resort

Situated on the shores of the Colorado River, Cocopah Bend RV and Golf Resort is a 300-acre RV park with 449 full hookup sites located adjacent to the park's golf course, and 356 full hookup sites near the resort. Along with an 18-hole golf course, the gated RV park offers a variety of recreation activities, including more than six miles of hiking or bike trails, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, a 2.5-acre grassy lawn for soccer, Frisbee and other games, and an on-site archery range. Pets are welcome.

Cocopah Bend RV Resort and Golf Resort

6800 Strand Avenue

Yuma, AZ 85364

928-343-9300

cocopahrv.com

Mesa Verde RV Resort

Located in downtown Yuma near the Cocopah and Paradise casinos, Mesa Verde RV Resort is a senior park for guests ages 55 years and older. The resort offers 314 full hookup sites and manufactured housing options for extended stays. It features several recreational amenities, including two outdoor swimming pools and spas, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits and exercise classes, such as water aerobics and line dancing. Guests can also enjoy cable TV and Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and a recreation hall. Nearby, guests will find golf at Yuma Municipal and Arroyo Dunes Golf Courses, Yuma International Airport and local shopping centers.

Mesa Verde RV Resort

3649 S. 4th Ave.

Yuma, AZ 85365

928-726-5814

mesaverderesort.com

Shangri-La RV Resort

Shangri-La RV Resort, located near the California state line, features 302 full hookup sites and a number of amenities, including free cable TV and Wi-Fi, a concrete patio and shade trees on every site. The resort features an outdoor swimming pool and spa, fitness center and recreation facility with volleyball courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard, as well as a laundry room. It also offers planned activities, including arts and crafts classes, potluck dinners and other social events. The Shangri-La RV park is located near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and is two hours from Joshua Tree State Park. Pets are welcome.

Shangri-La RV Resort

10498 N Frontage Rd

Yuma, AZ 85365

928-342-9123

shangrilarv.com

Tags: full hookup, full hookup sites, hookup sites, Cocopah Bend, Golf Resort, Mesa Verde, Mesa Verde Resort

Southwest Design Ideas Kitchens

A kitchen needs to reflect the user's personality. In that respect, there are many designs to choose from. A southwestern kitchen design is very popular, but people interpret a southwestern kitchen in different ways. An Indian or Aztec theme is preferable to some while others will want more of a country style. Does this Spark an idea?

Chili Peppers

Southwestern style accents often include chili peppers. Chili peppers are used for decoration on things such as oven mitts, potholders, trivets, salt and pepper shakers, and place mats. Chair cushions can be in complementary colors of red or green. Curtains for a chili pepper theme will be in varying shades of red and/or green with small images of chili peppers spread throughout the curtain.

For countertops, install ceramic tiles in a solid color with a chili pepper tile placed randomly throughout the countertop. Display kitchen towels with a southwestern theme throughout the kitchen to complete the look.

Indian Theme

An Indian theme is an excellent choice for a southwestern style. Colorful braided rugs on the floor along with different-sized baskets and Indian figurines placed on shelving throughout the room are options. Pictures of Indians, campgrounds or desert landscapes hung from the walls are often found in a southwestern kitchen. The use of clay pots sitting on the countertop are an excellent touch to hold large utensils.

Continuing the Indian theme with leather-covered bar stools and towels with geometric Aztec designs are added options. Southwest-style curtains and a dream catcher in the window create a southwestern look as well.

Dinnerware

Dinnerware in contrasting colors used in the theme add another element to the southwestern design. Purchase countertop appliances in contrasting colors as well.

Glassware choices can be colored or clear. Small whiskey or highball glasses lend a more southwestern look to the kitchen.

Stemware is also available with a southwestern theme. A cactus or Aztec design on the silverware adds a nice touch.

Neutral Colors

Neutral tones of brown, beige, black, green and red are the most common in southwestern themes. As long as the accent pieces and overall design of a southwest kitchen is a design that the user considers southwestern, the possibilities are great. There is not a defined look for a southwestern style kitchen.

Tags: southwestern kitchen, with southwestern theme, chili pepper, contrasting colors, kitchen design, southwestern look

Repair Behringer B300 Powered Speakers

Being handy with a soldering iron can help you fix some common speaker problems.

The Behringer B300 is an active two-way loudspeaker system with two-band equalization, a built-in microphone preamplifier and a total of 300 watts of power, designed mostly for rehearsal halls and small, club-type venues. Although serious repairs on B300 speakers should be left to a qualified technician, there are some things that consumers with basic electronics knowledge can do to fix common problems associated with speakers of this type to keep them working well. Doing small repairs can also save you quite a bit of money if you're a musician on a budget. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Unplug the power cable from the wall or surge protector and inspect it for frayed edges, burned contacts and general signs of wear. A damaged power cable is often responsible for intermittent power failure, no power at all or a weak audio signal.

2. Test the contacts of the power cable with a multimeter for continuity. You can find a basic multimeter at most hardware stores, electronics supply shops and through many different online retailers. All multimeters have different operating instructions. Read the instructions that came with yours if you are unsure of test a power cable.

3. Replace the cable with a working cable if you find frayed edges or any signs of damage. If the cable does not test properly, discard it immediately. It could cause damage to internal components if you continue to use it.

4. Test the contacts on the back of the speaker with your multimeter. Again, this is a specific task, and you need to know check the readings on your particular multimeter.

5. Unscrew the plug connection on the back of the speaker. Unsolder the cabling connected to the plug, making a note of what cables were connected where.

6. Replace the plug connection with one of the same type. Various connectors can be purchased or ordered through an electronics supply store in person or online. If you are unsure of the type of connector, take the item with you.

7. Solder the new power cable in place. Plug the speaker in and test it to make sure you have fixed the problem. Note any fluctuations in power or odd clicking-type sounds. This may be the sign of a more serious internal power problem. Seek help from a qualified technician.

Tags: power cable, back speaker, Behringer B300, cable with, electronics supply

Southwestern Decorating Styles

The southwestern style is popular throughout the U.S.

Even though southwestern d cor is evocative of the southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, you can find it throughout the U.S. If you are interested in southwestern art, the Wild West period or Native American d cor, the southwestern style may suit your decorating needs, even if you don't live in the Southwestern United States. With the appropriate wall d cor, furniture and accessories, you can transform your room or home into a Southwestern retreat. Does this Spark an idea?

Painting and Flooring

With wall paint and a change of flooring, you can give a room or home a virtual makeover in the southwestern style. Painting is also a relatively inexpensive way to create a new look. Choose paint colors in earthy, neutral tones such as taupe, warm yellow and orange shades, bold orange-tinted reds and bright, grassy green colors, such as sage. Natural stone floors, terra cotta tile and dark hardwood work best with southwestern d cor.

Wall Decor

Wall decor can have a dramatic impact on the overall look of a room. Copies of paintings by famous southwestern painters such as Georgia O'Keefe or E. Irving Couse can add a southwestern flavor to your walls. You can also hang Native American crafts and artwork, brightly-colored tiles, Spanish-style crosses and antlers. You can create a built-in shelf for your wall with a rough piece of timber and display brightly colored clay pottery, potted cacti and bead work.

Accessories

When decorating in the southwestern style, look for accessories that recall the desert, cowboys, Native Americans and other Southwestern themes. Some ideas include Native American blankets, animal hides and furs, cactus plants, Native American pottery and woven wool rugs. You can find southwestern accent pieces in flea markets and in stores, especially in the Southwest, as well as on online stores and auction sites.

Ranch Furniture Designs

Southwestern-style furniture comprises natural materials or rugged fabrics, such as cracked leather, canvas, stone, logs, suede and wool, especially in Native American patterns. Weathered wooden pieces can give a room a rustic feel. You can also paint furniture in bright colors such as bold reds, greens, yellows and blues or paint Mexican or Native American style designs.

Tags: Native American, southwestern style, colors such, give room, room home

Movie Camera Shot Techniques

Arri Movie Camera

A shot describes a particular camera angle or picture framing order by the director. A shot is a visual way to present the subject of a movie in a specific way, most often to achieve a specific effect. Think of a shot palette as a director's paint colors. Learning what types of shots there are and use them is one of the basic elements of a filmmaker's career. Here are some of the most widely used camera shot techniques.

Wide

There are three major types of wide shots. The extreme wide shot encompasses a lot of the setting and often doesn't even show the subject. These shots are often called establishing shots in the movie world. A medium wide shot might include the eventual subject of the film, but still takes in a lot of setting. The wide shot, often called a long shot, puts focus primarily on the subject of the film.

Close

Close-up shots vary from mid-shot to extreme close-up. The extreme close-up pushes all the way in on the subject and is often used to put focus squarely on the subject and nothing else. This technique is often seen when a character is doing dialogue. If you look close during an extreme close-up shot, you can often see everything behind the subject is slightly blurred. This is used in conjunction with the extreme close-up to keep even more focus on the subject.

POV

A POV (point of view) shot is used to show the point of view of a character. This is often used when the identity of someone entering a scene is unknown, or when it's important that movie viewers see a scene from someone's perspective.

Panning

Panning is a moving shot, usually used to establish setting or to move in and settle on a subject. Panning can move up or down (tilting), left or right, and can be done slowly or quickly to produce a desired effect.

Cutaway

A cutaway shot is one that is focused on a main subject until it cuts away to something else. Typically the cutaway shot is brief, putting the focus on another element as a set up to something that is about to happen in the film. The cutaway can be used to build tension as well.

Tags: extreme close-up, wide shot, cutaway shot, Movie Camera, often called

The Best Buys On Teak Patio Furniture

The Best Buys on Teak Patio Furniture

The best buys on teak patio furniture aren't only about cost. You'll want to buy your teak furniture from a reputable dealer that provides properly constructed furniture, good customer service, a return policy and a competitive price. With the right buying choice, your teak patio furniture, with its weather- and insect-resistant qualities, should last years. Does this Spark an idea?

Thos. Baker

Thos. Baker specializes in teak outdoor furniture, and all items can be purchased online. They use wood with a minimum amount of live knots, and no dead knots or sap lines. The furniture is manufactured with mortise-and-tenon joints rather than screws or nails, providing a more durable construction. Their goal is to offer good-quality teak patio furniture at reasonable prices.

Five collections are available, including the classic-style Bainbridge, the mission-style Craftsman, the mid-century deep-seat styling of Veranda, the contemporary Montecito, and the traditional look of Jimbaran.

Thos. Baker has a wide range of prices and pieces of furniture to choose from. For example, the roomy Craftsman club chair and dining armchair are good values. All the collections offer a variety of tables, chairs, ottomans, and sofas, and many include cushions. The Montecito collection includes folding chairs and loungers. And the Jimbaran collection has tables with a unique, bent-wood leg design. Dining sets that seat up to six people are also available.

The company has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Within that period, they will accept returns in the original packaging and refund your money minus shipping and handling.

Thos. Baker LLC

175 Parfitt Way SW #N160

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(877) 855-1900

thosbaker.com

Teak Closeouts

Teak Closeouts offers excellent pricing on a variety of teak furniture. They import all their items from teak manufacturers across Indonesia. Their products are advertised to be of mid-range construction quality, but they guarantee that any furniture labeled teak is indeed genuine, and that each item is rated for quality. The company's Web site is full of educational material about teak, including the wood's strength, durability and other qualities and the different grades available.

Teak Closeouts offers some unique pieces not found at other companies, such as a "peanut/banana" bench set. The backs of the benches are curved in a semicircle, and the seat edges have an organic peanut-shaped line. Although the company offers a large variety, many of the pieces are sold in limited quantities, and there's no guarantee they won't be return items.

Any item purchased at Teak Closeouts is fully refundable.

Teak Closeouts

(859) 255-4700

teakcloseouts.com

Patio Furniture USA

Patio Furniture USA is an online store that prides itself on excellent customer service. They offer a "best price guarantee" that promises to match or beat any price for an exact brand and model. When comparing prices, you must include shipping and taxes. Items that are on clearance or from private sales, clubs and auctions are excluded from this offer.

Patio Furniture USA offers a variety of teak patio furniture, all reasonably priced, from a simple round outdoor occasional table to a full dining set with a 72-inch table, two 2-foot benches and two 5-foot benches. They also sell a variety of umbrellas and cushions.

All orders ship for free, and the company offers a 30-day return guarantee, subject to restocking and shipping fees.

Hayneedle, Inc.

12720 I Street Ste 200

Omaha, NE 68137

(888) 880-4884

patiofurnitureusa.com

Tags: Teak Closeouts, Thos Baker, Patio Furniture, teak patio furniture, Best Buys, Best Buys Teak, Buys Teak

Motorcycle Events In The Catskills

A little solitude awaits you in the Catskills--if that's what you're looking for.

The scenic roads and fall foliage of the Catskill Mountains make them a great place to take a motorcycle ride, whether it's in a group or alone. When you want to do a little more socializing, there are a number of Catskills motorcycle events to keep you busy. Keep in mind though, that most motorcycle events in the area take place during the warmer months.

Catskill Mountain Thunder

This is probably the premiere motorcycle event in the Catskills, with three days of fun and music in September. As of 2010, the event had been going strong for 13 years. Take your pick between hotel accommodations, or RV or tent camping, all located in a mountain resort. Take part in nightly concerts and motorcycle racing, tour the vendor market, watch the fireworks shows, participate in a group ride, or attend one of the workshop --it's all there at Mountain Thunder.

Catskill Mountain Thunder

Attention: Blackthorne Resort

Sunside Road

East Durham, NY 12423

518-634-2541

catskillmountainthunder.com

Mid-Hudson Chapter rides

The Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club puts on several annual events in the Catskills, including the Juliette Lia Memorial Ride and the Catskill 300. The events typically take riders on a day's ride through the Catskills, and include a dinner the night before, lunch on the day of the event, as well as door prizes and other goodies. The Mid-Hudson Chapter also plans other smaller rides and events to various places throughout the year.

Mid-Hudson Chapter

Southern Cruisers Riding Club

midhudsonchapter.com

Rhinebeck Show & Swap Meet

Located in the foothills of the Catskills in the town of Rhinebeck, the Rhinebeck National Antique Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet is a treat for the motorcycle collector. According to the Catskill Mountain Foundation, the June show is one of the largest antique motorcycle shows in the United States. It features antique parts and intact motorcycles on sale and display, as well as antique machinery and aviation memorabilia.

Rhinebeck National Antique Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet

Dutchess County Fairgrounds

6550 Spring Brook Ave

Rhinebeck, NY 12572-3714

518-622-8519

rhinebecknationalmeet.com

Color in the Catskills

This ride is a three-day event sponsored by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and its host location, Hunter Mountain. The October event features music every day, trail rides, group rides, motorcycle vendors and food booths. Lodging and camping are available at Hunter Mountain. You do not need to own a BMW motorcycle to take part in the event. Buy tickets directly from Hunter Mountain.

Hunter Mountain

PO Box 295

Hunter, NY 12442

Huntermtn.com

Tags: Hunter Mountain, Mid-Hudson Chapter, Catskill Mountain, Mountain Thunder, Show Swap, Show Swap Meet

Southwestern Home Interior Design Ideas

A Southwestern home showcases Native American decor, like the Kokopelli figure.

Southwestern interior design pleases a guest or homeowner with the spirit of the land and a sense of color. The Southwest generally includes California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. However the heart of the Southwest and southwest design lies in homes set in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. Does this Spark an idea?

Native American Decorations

Dream catchers add history and a bit of whimsical color and texture to an interior.

Keep the Native American spirit of resourcefulness, creativity and connection with nature alive in the home. Sort through antique decorations to find ones that will provide a sense of place and homage to Native Americans. For example, select or make your own dream catcher. These artistic and spiritual talismans use feathers, beads and yarn netting to catch and hold your dreams. Consider adding a differently colored and designed dream catcher to each bedroom.

For decorating seating areas, choose handwoven rugs, blankets, throws and pillows. Southwestern weavings---a tradition of the Pueblo and Navajo people---include gray, black and bright or pastel colors in an assortment of jagged or wave-like weaves. Look for weaves that incorporate braiding and beads for authenticity. Highlight the room with American Indian handmade pottery on tables and stands.

Vaulted Celings & Archways

Repeat archways indoors and outdoors to create a vaulted walkway.

Southwest homes often showcase soaring archways opening into large spaces. White vaulted ceilings and entryways invite a guest or homeowner into a space that feels more like a wide field than a tightly closed home. If your home has a pool in the back or a garden, seek designers expert in creating archways that lead to outdoor spaces. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors offer ideal lighting for the home as well as a full-time scenic backdrop. Consider white or stonework columns in the home to support the arches.

Color Palette

Borrow color ideas from sunrises and sunsets.

Select a Southwestern color palette by watching a desert sunrise or sunset. Consider auburn, blood-red, cactus green, deep purples, blacks, neutral sand hues, dusty oranges, butter yellow and turquoise. Choose these colors for rugs, paintings, furniture, decorations or wall paint colors. Combine these colors in zig-zag patterns or use as strong earth-tone choices.

Nature

An indoor wooden ladder marks the home interior as rustic and fanciful.

A Southwestern home makes a person feel they are still outdoors even when they have walked inside. Accent the home with indoor-outdoor features like a gnarled wooden banister, an indoor cactus garden, interior adobe red bricks or an indoor wooden ladder to set the home's earthy tone.

Tags: Native American, Arizona Mexico, dream catcher, guest homeowner, indoor wooden, indoor wooden ladder, these colors

Transfer Patterns To Wood

Pattern transfer is an early step in creating carved patterns and designs.

Transferring patterns onto wood is a skill frequently used by decorative painters, wood carvers and craft hobbyists. There are several fast, easy and inexpensive ways to transfer patterns onto wood. Try several methods, then choose your favorite to use again on your next project.

Instructions

Retracing the Back of the Pattern

1. Place the pattern face down on the table. Retrace the lines on the back of the pattern using a chalk pencil.

2. Turn the pattern over so the chalk side is down. Position the pattern on the wood.

3. Retrace the lines of the pattern using the stylus with very little pressure to avoid creating grooves in the surface of the wood. Remove the pattern.

Rubbing the Back of the Pattern

4. Place the pattern face down on the table. Hold the chalk or pencil horizontally; rub it on the back of the pattern.

5. Wipe off any excess graphite dust or chalk gently. Position the pattern with the graphite or chalk side down on the wood.

6. Retrace the pattern lines with the stylus using light pressure. Remove the pattern.

Using Transfer Paper

7. Place a piece of artist's transfer paper with the treated side down between the pattern and the wood.

8. Trace the lines of the pattern using a stylus by applying light pressure.

9. Remove the pattern and the transfer paper.

Tags: Remove pattern, side down, Back Pattern Place, chalk pencil, chalk side

"Resident Evil The Darkside Chronicles" Cheats For Wii

"Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles" is a 2010 light-gun shooter, which traditionally means players control the game by aiming a gun-shaped controller at the screen rather than operating a standard controller. For "The Darkside Chronicles," the Wii controller acts like a gun, with the player pointing it wherever they want to shoot. Various cheats unlock a range of items in the game.

Trophies

Kill 100 zombies to earn the Zombie Shooter trophy, 200 zombies for the Zombie Hunter trophy and 500 zombies for the Zombie Killer award. Shoot your enemies in the head 50 times for the Head shooter trophy. One hundred head shots earns the Head Hunter award, and the executioner trophy is awarded for 500 head shots. Use 50 herbs to acquire Bomber trophy and 50 herbs to get the Vegetarian award. Complete the entire game in less than five hours for the Speedster trophy.

Operation Javier Options

Chapter 5 of Operation Javier has two possible endings. Complete the chapter in 10 minutes for the happy ending. Take longer to clear the level, and the sad ending plays. Finishing chapter 7 of Operation Javier in less than 10 minutes also unlocks the Krauser Bonus Scenarios. Complete this level on normal difficulty to unlock Tofu mode, which essentially replaces the game's zombies with human-sized cuboids of tofu to shoot. Beating the final boss of this chapter quickly enough will save your friend and unlock chapters 6 and 7.

Costumes

Receive an "S" rank for your overall performance in Game of Oblivion while playing on normal difficulty and unlock a western costume for both Steve and Claire. On the same difficulty setting, earn an "S" rank for the final level of Game of Oblivion for Chris' mafia outfit. Unlock a biker outfit for Leon and Claire by getting an "S" rating for Memories of a Lost City on normal difficulty. Leon's agent and R.P.D costumes become available after completing chapter 7 of Operation Javier on hard difficulty.

Other Tips

Play through the entire game on the hard difficulty setting to unlock a powerful weapon called the Linear Launcher. If you're looking for a challenge, beating the game on the hard difficulty also earns Very Hard Mode. But if you would prefer to reduce the difficulty, die and use 10 continues to return to life on the easy setting for Very Easy Mode.

Tags: Operation Javier, Darkside Chronicles, hard difficulty, normal difficulty, chapter Operation, difficulty setting, difficulty unlock

Motels In Wray Colorado

Wray is located in Yuma County, Colorado.

Wray is located in Yuma County, Colorado, and lies approximately 170 miles east of Denver. There are a variety of motels in Wray and the surrounding areas that place guests within close proximity to all of the visitor attractions, such as the Wray Museum, which exhibits the history of Wray and Yuma County, as well as bison antiques and Paleo Indian artifacts.

Sandhiller Motel and Restaurant

The Sandhiller Motel and Restaurant offers guests comfortable and budget accommodation in the heart of Wray, Colorado. The motel operates an on-site restaurant that serves a variety of American dishes. The motel features basic accommodations with each room featuring comfortable beds, private bathrooms and daily maid service. Guests may request smoking rooms if needed.

Sandhiller Motel and Restaurant

411 West North Railroad Street

Wray, CO 80758

970-332-4134

Butte Motel

The Butte Motel provides children with free accommodations and gives discounts to senior citizens. The motel features comfortable bedrooms with amenities, such as telephones, air-conditioning and cable television. A fax machine is also available at the front desk for business travelers. The motel is situated in the heart of Wray, and local restaurants offer a variety of American fare. Demi's Diner, 4th and Main Downtown Grill and Bob's Pizza Plus are some of the local and guest favorites.

Butte Motel

330 East 3rd Street

Wray, CO 80758

970-332-4828

Travelers Inn Motel

The Travelers Inn Motel is located near a variety of restaurants, including the Canyon Coffee and Café, the Creekside Tavern and La Familia Restaurant. For guests who want to explore the history of Wray and view exhibits of Bison and Indian artifacts, the Wray Museum is located within minutes from the motel. The motel offers comfortable accommodations in each room, including microwaves, refrigerators and cable television service.

Travelers Inn Motel

240 East 3rd Street

Wray, CO 80758

970-332-4848

Nelson Inn

The Nelson Inn is located in Yuma, approximately 25 miles from Wray. The motel offers clean, spacious rooms and comfortable amenities that include high-speed wireless Internet access, an exercise room and a hot tub. Each room is equipped with satellite television service and private bathrooms. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the motel's fireplace, and 24-hour complimentary tea and coffee service that is located near the lobby.

Nelson Inn

815 East 8th Avenue

Yuma, CO 80759

970-848-2774

nelsoninn.com

Tags: Butte Motel, located Yuma, Motel Restaurant, Sandhiller Motel, Sandhiller Motel Restaurant

Kill Big Black Ants

Follow carpenter ants to find their nests.

The big black ants crawling around your home and yard are most likely carpenter ants. These foraging ants can reach between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in size. Carpenter ants are a common household pest. They can be difficult to control if you do not use the right methods. You can kill individuals with traps and insecticides to reduce the population. But unless you target the nest, you cannot control them completely. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Follow the ants. Don't kill the carpenter ants you see flying or crawling around. Instead, follow them back to their nest. Carpenter ants are most active just after sundown, so this is the best time to spot them. If you're having trouble finding them, lay out some honey or sugar water as bait.

2. Treat any carpenter ant nests that you find in your home. If you follow one or more big black ants into a crack in your wall, carpenter ants may be nesting inside. Tap the wall. If carpenter ants are present, they will rustle and make the sound of crinkling plastic. Drill several 1/8-inch holes over an area that spreads 3 to 6 feet out from the entry point (where you noticed the ants go in) on all sides. Then pump boric acid powder (available at most home and garden centers) into the walls to kill the ants.

3. Destroy carpenter ants that you find outdoors and in other non-essential structures. Carpenter ants nest in rotten trees and other areas with moist (preferably decaying) wood. Expose the entire nest by breaking through the surface of the wood. Then immediately spray the ants and their nest with a contact ant insecticide.

Tags: carpenter ants, black ants, crawling around, that find, their nest, wall carpenter, wall carpenter ants

Motels In The Yuma Arizona Foothills

The foothills of Yuma, Ariz., are a tranquil vacation spot.

The desert town of Yuma, Ariz., and the surrounding area are growing in population. The picturesque setting of the foothills and the constant warm, dry weather is a draw for RV owners, retirees and vacationers. Yuma is home to two state parks and the foothills provide opportunity to enjoy many recreational activities like camping, hiking and hunting.

Microtel Inn

The Microtel Inn and Suites in Yuma is newly remodeled and offers more amenities than ever. The Inn is situated inside the Pioneer Shopping Center, providing its guests with access to nearby restaurants, bars and stores. Close by are the Imperial Sand Dunes and the Colorado River where guests can swim, fish or go tubing. Microtel offers a range of room sizes and suites. The Inn has a pool and Jacuzzi, a gym, high-speed Internet and complimentary breakfast.

Microtel Inn & Suites

11274 S. Fortuna Road

Suite H

Yuma, AZ 85367

928-345-1777

microtelinn.com

Comfort Inn & Suites

The Yuma Comfort Inn & Suites is located close to the Marine Corp military facility and the Yuma Proving Grounds. Guests also can enjoy activities at Martinez Lake, or a day hiking in the foothills. The 79-room hotel provides pillow-top mattresses in each bed, an outdoor pool, high-speed Internet and free hot breakfast. For family stays, connecting rooms may be requested.

Comfort Inn & Suites

10553 S. Fortuna Road

Yuma, AZ 85367

928-305-9000

comfortinn.com

Yuma Cabana

The Yuma Cabana is a motel with 63 rooms, located in downtown Yuma. Guests can walk to the many shops, restaurants and sites that historic downtown Yuma has to offer. The motel has a saltwater outdoor pool and rooms that range from singles to suites, some available with a full kitchen. Yuma Cabana strives to be green by recycling and providing shampoo and soap in dispensers to cut down on plastic bottles. Free breakfast and free Internet are provided.

Yuma Cabana

2151 S. 4th Ave.

Yuma, AZ 85364

928-783-8311

yumacabana.com

La Fuente Inn

La Fuente Inn Yuma dubs itself an "oasis in the desert." The 96-room motel features a large outdoor pool surrounded by greenery, cabanas and barbecue grills. La Fuente is close to golf and tennis courses, lake water activities and the Quechan Indian Museum. Rooms and suites are available, all of which include coffeemakers, television, high-speed Internet and microwaves. The motel provides a breakfast buffet each morning and complimentary cocktails each evening from 5 to 7 p.m.

La Fuente Inn

1513 E. 16th St.

Yuma, AZ 85365

928-329-1814

lafuenteinn.com

Tags: Yuma Cabana, Comfort Suites, high-speed Internet, outdoor pool, downtown Yuma

Motels In Fremont Nebraska

Fremont is located in east Nebraska in Dodge County approximately 33 miles northwest of Omaha. As of the 2008 census estimate, the population of Fremont was approximately 27,000 people. Area attractions include the Louis E. May Historical Museum, the Milliken Park and the Nebraska Railroad Museum. Budget minded travelers will find several motel-style accommodations located in Fremont.

Sleep Inn

The Sleep Inn is located in Fremont just off U.S. Highway 30, less than two miles from the May Museum and approximately three miles from the Fremont State Lakes. The motel features truck and bus parking, free coffee in the lobby, a daily complimentary continental breakfast, business center, coin-operated guest laundry room, indoor heated swimming pool, hot tub and 24-hour front desk. Guestrooms offer satellite television, direct-dial telephone with free local calling,a refrigerator, work desk and high-speed Internet access. As of September 2010, guestrooms start at $89 per night.

Sleep Inn

120 W. Cathy Street

Fremont, NE 68025

402-721-8400

sleepinn.com

Holiday Inn Express Fremont

The Holiday Inn Express Fremont is located in the heart of Fremont, less than one mile from the Fremont Dinner Train and approximately three miles from the Louis E. May Historical Museum. The motel features meeting space for up to 40 people, a daily complimentary continental breakfast, business center, indoor heated swimming pool with water slides, fitness room, free parking and 24-hour front desk. Guestrooms offer satellite television, a work desk, dual-line speakerphone with voice mail and free local calling, hairdryer, coffeemaker, microwave, refrigerator and high-speed Internet access. As of September 2010, guestrooms start at $94 per night.

Holiday Inn Express Fremont

2415 North Lincoln Ave.

Fremont, NE 68025

402-753-3850

hiexpress.com

Country Hearth Inn Fremont Hotel

The Country Hearth Inn Fremont Hotel is located less than five miles from the Hormel Park and approximately one mile from the Midland Lutheran College. The motel features a daily complimentary continental breakfast, 24-hour front desk, free parking, business center, and a BBQ and picnic area. Guestrooms offer satellite television, a coffeemaker, hairdryer, work desk with lamp, small sitting area, direct-dial telephone with voice mail and high-speed Internet access. As of September 2010, guestrooms start at $44 per night.

Country Hearth Inn Fremont Hotel

1250 E. 23rd Street

Fremont, NE 68025

402-727-4445

countryhearthfremont.com

Tags: miles from, 2010 guestrooms, 2010 guestrooms start, 24-hour front, 24-hour front desk, access September, access September 2010

Things To Build For Babies

If you're creative or handy, you'll love building something for the new addition to your family. Young babies don't play games or enjoy a lot of activities other than sleeping and eating, but there are still plenty of things they need that you can make.

Baby Furniture and Gear

Look in any baby store, and you'll see just how much furniture and gear babies can use. Much of it is expensive, especially for something that will only be used for a few months or years. Many types of baby gear, however, you can build yourself.

If you have carpentry skills, you can make a beautiful crib or cradle. Woodworker's Workshop has free plans for cribs and cradles. If you make a crib, make sure that the slats of the crib are close enough together that the baby's head can't get stuck between them, and make sure that the bottom of your crib is the right size for a mattress to fit snugly inside it.

High chairs are another piece of gear that your baby will need. Free Woodworking Plans has plans for high chairs and cribs available for purchase. If you build a high chair for a young baby, make sure you include a strap to hold the baby safely in the chair.

Another important piece of furniture for every baby is a changing table. Changing tables are very simple to make, and you can also make one that will convert into a dresser when the baby is older.

Storage Furniture

Your baby will also need places to store books, toys and clothes. At first you might be able to put these things in a few bins or boxes, but as your baby gets more things, you'll soon want a more organized storage space. Some parents like to use combined changing table/dressers, but if you build a stand-alone dresser for your baby, you'll have plenty of room for all her clothes, and she'll be able to use the dresser throughout her childhood. Popular Mechanics has a plan for building a five-drawer hardwood dresser.

Your baby will also have lots of toys. There are many different storage spaces you can build for organizing toys. You can build a toy chest and simply put all your baby's toys together. Or, if you want to separate toys by type, you could build cube shelves and put bins or baskets on them to hold different types of toys. Woodworker's Workshop has links to plans for many different types of toy storage boxes.

You'll also soon be collecting books for your baby. Your baby might not enjoy being read to at first, but soon he'll have favorite books that he wants to hear read over and over. If you build a special bookshelf just for your baby's books, you can design it so all the shelves are close to the ground. This will help avoid any danger from the bookshelf tipping over, and it will make it easy for your baby to get the books himself when he becomes a toddler.

Toys

Although newborns aren't usually very interested in toys, it will be no time at all before your baby can't get enough toys. By making your own toys, you can bypass any concerns about lead paint or toxic ingredients in your baby's toys. Simple wooden toys are beautiful, easy to make and last for generations. Make Baby Stuff has instructions for making several types of wooden toys, including birds, puzzles and blocks. The same site also has plans for sewing cloth toys such as dolls and teddy bears. Making toys can be time-consuming, but it's a fun project, and the result is a toy that not only your children but also your grandchildren can enjoy.

Tags: your baby, baby will, make sure, baby books, baby toys, baby will also, changing table

Mission Style Interior Design For Living Rooms

Mission-style lamp

The classic look of mission-style living room interiors includes clean lines, translucent color and warm woods that match. Mission-style interior design emerged during the arts and crafts period in the late 1800s, becoming popular during early the 1900s. Defined by the distinctive patterns in the stained glass windows and lamps, and the linear aspects of the furnishings, you can create a charming living room using mission-style interior design. Does this Spark an idea?

Mission-Style Seating

Mission-style furniture is elegantly simple and was originally made from quarter-sawn oak so the stripes of the wood grain would be prominent in the design. Many of today's reproductions also are made from oak and follow the lines and geometrical style of the early craftsman designs. Darkly stained oak frames are distinctly mission style with their straight-line shapes and rows of vertical dowels as a primary design element. Thick, comfortable cushions made from rich leathers or solid color fabrics do not detract from the simplicity of the furniture, but seem to blend with the lines of the piece. Mission-style seating for your living room will include a matching set of one sofa and to over-sized arm chairs. You also could place a rocker and an ottoman for additional seating.

Mission-Style Tables

Classic mission-style coffee tables are made from dark oak with a two-tiered rectangular design. The tiers are joined together on the sides with vertical dowels that are inherent in many mission-style pieces. Small occasional tables, some with built-in magazine racks, match the coffee table. The same straight-line construction found in mission-style seating also is prevalent in the table designs. Place side tables on either end of the sofa with a coffee table in front. Extend your living room design with arm chairs next to each side table, or place them opposite the sofa with a small table in between. You can create a vignette with a rocker and a magazine rack table next to the fireplace or beneath a window.

Mission-Style Lighting and Accessories

Stained-glass lighting, windows and accessories add color and texture to your mission-style living room. Stained-glass lampshades carry the linear pattern from the furniture with four trapezoid panels sitting atop a simple metal base. Stained-glass windows with stripes of color in an inverted V-pattern are focal points in any mission-style living room. You can add other mission-style accessories such as a fire screen designed to mimic a mission window or a wood bin made from oak or metal. Less is more in your mission-style interior design; keep the accessories to a minimum.

Tags: living room, made from, mission-style living, mission-style living room, coffee table

Set Up A Sales Plan

Setting up a sales plan is a pre-requisite for a new or established business with a five-year sales plan to manage a successful sales force. Identifying objectives, developing new prospects, reviewing previous annual sales and establishing a new sales forecast are also important for assigning sales representatives to territories or developing new products and assigning new sales teams.

Instructions

1. Consider new sales-planning objectives by a sales promotion based on the target market, encouraging new consumers to switch to your brand or for retailers to carry your new product and build new brand loyalty.

2. Review your previous sales performance to estimate what your new sales-planning objective will be based on sales dollars spent on your business, promotions, reward customers and business leads.

3. Estimate whether your sales projections will be high enough to yield your company's satisfactory projected income. Consider keeping products that continue to have a life-cycle in sales reporting and discontinue products that decrease in repeated purchases.

4. Prepare a marketing plan to establish the sales team size and financial projections. Then, establish sales team quotas by region and/or territory. Keep in mind that if the sales team doesn't meet its quotas, it will fail in meeting your sales plan objective.

5. Prepare an annual marketing plan form for your sales team to outline its individual program for developing new customers and keeping the existing customers. This reporting will also include expenses, new business and lost business.

Tags: sales team, your sales, assigning sales, establish sales, establish sales team, marketing plan, products that

Plant & Grow A Fig Tree

Figs can be grown in warm climates.

The edible fig (Ficus carica) is originally from the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, but was introduced into Florida in 1575. Figs are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 and above with minimum temperatures of 10 degrees F. Fig trees can grow up to 30 feet high, but are often stunted in colder areas. There are a number of different cultivars suitable for different conditions. Plant your fig tree during the winter before it breaks dormancy or at the end of the summer to give it a chance to grow roots before the winter. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Figs growing on the tree

Clear a site with well-drained soil that does not become water logged in the winter. Choose a spot that is sheltered from the wind and receives as much sunshine as possible. Early morning sunshine is essential as it burns off dew and prevents disease.

2. Dig a hole deeper and wider than is needed to contain your fig's root system with a shovel. Set at a depth 3 or 4 inches lower than it was growing in its container.

3. Water your newly planted fig tree with 10 gallons of water three times per week for the first year. After this apply 1 inch of water per week if your tree does not receive water from rainfall. Apply up to 50 gallons of water to established trees during long periods of drought that last several weeks.

4. Prune your fig tree by cutting back the strongest branches by a third with loppers. Pruning can be done after frost but before your tree starts to shoot, or after the fruit ripens in the summer.

5. Fertilize fig trees lightly using balanced fertilizer. Apply 1/2 lb. to your tree once growth begins in the spring.

Tags: your tree, gallons water

Visit San Francisco California

Visit San Francisco, California

San Francisco consistently tops lists of favorite places to visit. It is unique in its combination of dramatic scenery, romantic atmosphere and haughty Northern California culture. Mark Twain was quoted as saying, "the coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." Stores make a fortune selling jackets to tourists unaware that the cool breezes off the Pacific can chill them to the bone. This is just one of the ways San Francisco surprises the unsuspecting. Follow these steps to visit San Francisco.

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself for an expensive stay. San Francisco is one of the costliest cities in the world. Everything costs more, from lodging to food to transportation. That being said, there is no other place like it on Earth.

2. Take mass transit or walk whenever possible. Nearly 800,000 people are crowded into the tip of a peninsula with hills jutting into the sky. Navigating the "City by the Bay" on foot is an adventure well worth the effort. Besides, it will cost you a fortune to park your car ,assuming you can even find a place to put it. The one exception is if you own a hybrid vehicle. There are several parking lots around San Francisco that offer deep discounts or even free parking to hybrid vehicles. Some Northern Californians really are that committed to saving the environment.

3. Take BART, or Bay Area Rapid Transit. The San Francisco subway system is quick, convenient and clean. You can ride BART from San Francisco International Airport into the city and other regions of the Bay Area. Important stops are Powell Street at the end of the cable car line and Embarcadero near the ferry terminal. Both are a short walk from Union Square, the main shopping area of San Francisco.

4. Jump on a cable car. It is the single most important thing for most tourists to do when visiting San Francisco. There are three cable car lines. From Powell Street near the BART station you can catch Powell-Mason line over Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf. This is where you can catch a ferry to Alcatraz. You can also get on the Powell-Hyde line that goes over Nob Hill and Russian Hill to Aquatic Park near Ghiradelli Square. There you can get a hot fudge sunday at the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. The California Street line runs perpendicular to the other two from the Financial District through Chinatown to Van Ness Avenue. Buy a ticket from a machine before boarding. You can jump off a cable car at a stop along the line but that isn't a good idea. It is hard to get back on a full cable car and most of the tourist sights are at the ends of the lines. Just enjoy the ride from end to end.

5. Eat like the locals do. San Francisco is renowned for its food. If you like sourdough bread, you will be in paradise. Boudin Bakery has a bread factory that lets you watch sourdough bread being made and sample it fresh out of the oven. Eating fresh clam chowder out of a sourdough bread bowl is a tradition in San Francisco. Seafood of every variety is available in this port city. The docks are seething with fish and crab vendors selling directly from ocean to diner. If you like Chinese food, there is no place outside of China with more authentic dishes. Wander through the streets of Chinatown and gaze into restaurant windows as you contemplate the aromas wafting from inside. Sit down for some Dim Sum and sample a variety of delights from carts pushed around the restaurant. Don't worry if you can't communicate with the staff. Just point and eat.

6. Drive your car only to places you can't get to on mass transit. A drive across the Golden Gate Bridge is a "must-do" experience. Be sure it isn't foggy when you do it or you won't see the bridge at all. Head over to Sausalido and walk around the affluent hideaway. Driving down Lombard Street is another "must-do" adventure. It is billed as the "crookedest street in the world." Also be sure to drive up to Coit Tower for a breathtaking view of San Francisco and out to the Cliff House to see the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Tags: sourdough bread, Francisco California, line that, mass transit, over Hill, Powell Street

Places Of Interest In Catskill New York For Kids

Fun ideas for children in the Catskills.

With 6,000 square miles of natural wilderness and parkland, the Catskill Mountains were considered "America's First Wilderness." Just 100 miles of New York City, the Catskills are also a popular destination for families. From national parks and mountain resorts to water parks and paint ball, there are plenty of activities for children in the Catskills of New York.

Balliwick Ranch and Discovery Zoo

Located in Catskill, New York, the Balliwick Ranch and Discovery Zoo offers kids opportunities for horseback riding, animal watching and paintball. Yes, this entertainment venue also features a 5-acre forest paintball playing course complete with bunkers and a structure. If your children prefer riding adventures, the ranch offers a variety of horse trail rides, from beginner to expert. You can book a short ride, a 1-hour ride all the way to an 8-hour trip to the top of the mountain with panoramic views of the Hudson Valley as a payoff. The Discovery Zoo is a good place to explore both exotic and farm animals. There are petting and feeding areas for your children to interact with the animals as well as a playground and bouncer.

Bailiwick Ranch & Discovery Zoo

118 Castle Road

Catskill, NY 12414

518-678-5665

www.bailiwickranch.com

Windham Mountain Adventure Park

This ski and snowboarding resort offers a family-friendly atmosphere and opportunities for the whole family to experience a mountain adventure. Located in the Northern Catskills, just a two-hour drive from metro New York, Long Island and New Jersey, Windham Mountain Adventure Park offers the Catskills' highest vertical experience with enough fun to keep your children entertained too. The resort offers spacious rooms, eateries, game room for kids, an in-house movie theater and a fitness area. There are also tubing and skating opportunities as well as a children's learning center. At the center, you can drop off your children while you ski or you can have them take lessons as well for children ages 4 through 12.

Windham Mountain Adventure Park

South St.

Windham, NY 12496

518-734-4300

www.windhammountain.com

Zoom Flume Waterpark

If you are looking for a summer getaway to the Catskills, you'll want to make time to visit the Zoom Flume Waterpark, the Catskills' largest water park. Located in East Durham, NY, this water park features giant water slides, some as long as 300 feet. You can also challenge the "10,000 gallon-a-minute rapids" while rafting down a 600-foot chute. For the adventurers in your group, check out the Thrilling Black Vortex, which twists and turns in total darkness, or plunge down the Mighty Anaconda and Thrill Hill. There is also a giant lagoon activity pool, lazy river and many more attractions for the entire family to enjoy. Young visitors can have fun in the Pelican Pond with miniature versions of the water slides.

Zoom Flume Waterpark

91 Shady Glen Road

East Durham, NY 12423

518-239-4559

http://www.zoomflume.com

Tags: your children, Adventure Park, Flume Waterpark, Mountain Adventure Park, Ranch Discovery, Windham Mountain

Money Earning Games

Money comes in many shapes and sizes.

Earning money and managing spending is an important lesson for anybody, young or old, to learn. However, many people still struggle to make ends meet and end up in debt. Luckily, there are online money making games available that can help teach your kids good spending habits and teach them the importance of hard work.

'Lemonade Stand'

"Lemonade Stand," a free online game available at ClassBrain.com gives kids a chance to see how good they are at running their own business. Kids are given money, a lemonade stand and 30 days to make as much money as possible. The game starts out in a room with a T.V. and a window. Use these to decide what kind of weather you will get for the day. Making lemonade on rainy days will be a waste of time and money as few people will be out buying lemonade. Your assets screen lets you know how much money you have, and the cost per glass option gives you a chance to change how much it costs to make one glass of lemonade. You can also make advertising signs for a quarter and decide you’re asking price. Balance the cost of making the lemonade with the price people are willing to pay. You can then decide how many glasses of lemonade you want made.

'Mad Money'

"Mad Money," a free online game available at the PBS Kids website, is focused on teaching kids about the importance of balancing their spending and their earnings. Players choose a pricey item they want to buy by the end of the game. Players are given $5 to start and a shopping list. They must purchase everything on the shopping list as well as their expensive item. Players can make money by buying low and selling high. Every item purchased gives the child a chance to buy a lower cost item. Then the player can hold this lower cost item in order to wait for its price to go up. Once the price has gone up, she can sell it for a profit and buy more items. Players must make enough money to buy their items in a fast-paced 30 days of action.

'The Lardener'

"The Lardener," a free online game available at the Free Online Games website, is a light-hearted game that may not be appropriate for younger children, due to some questionable content. However, teenagers will enjoy it greatly. You control a very fat guy who spent too long lounging around and gaining weight. You are low on money and must lose weight to get your life back on track. Players must earn money by playing games on the computer and answering phone calls. The phone calls will be people looking to hire you briefly, wanting to give away money or even wanting to take money from you. Players must buy everything from the online store on the computer, including a new TV and an exercise machine. Use the exercise machine to lose weight and keep earning money and decorating your apartment. Once you’ve bought everything, saved $1,000 and trimmed all the way down, you win the game. Balance your stamina to avoid overworking.

Tags: free online, free online game, game available, online game, online game available

Techniques Used In Tv Lighting

Each television production requires its own style of lighting to be in sync with the story.

Television shows have a great range of variety. Whether it be a sit-com, drama, newscast, or even an infomercial they all share a common trait-the need for a specific style of lighting. There are many different lighting techniques used in the world of television production that can have a direct impact on the way an audience perceives what they are watching on their television screen.

3-Point Lighting

This is the most common lighting setup in television. Three-point lighting is comprised of a back light, a key light, and a fill light. The main source of light is the key light. This light is typically positioned to the front right or left of the subject and helps define the shape of the subject. The key light is always pointed toward the subject. The back light is similar to the key light but is placed behind the subject to bring light to area behind the subject. The fill light is positioned to the front left or right of the subject. Whichever is opposite to the key light. This light is typically a flood-light and provides a wide span of lighting that can diffuse the back light from giving the subject a haloing effect.

Cameo Lighting

This lighting technique is achieved by using all directional spotlights, which surround the subject from a number of angles. This technique is typically used in dramatic shows with studio sets where there is a dark backdrop that can absorb a great deal of the light. This is to draw attention to the subject or character.

This technique was developed during the time of black and white television, which often makes it a difficult technique to achieve for scenes being filmed outside of the studio.

Silhouette Lighting

In this situation the subject is lit with spotlights only from behind. This brings attention to the surroundings of the character, while keeping the character and area in front of them cloaked in shadows.

Gels and Colored Lighting

Certain scenes call for an abnormal or unnatural color light scheme. To achieve a certain color without having the natural circumstances, specially crafted gels can be attached over any of the lights with wooden clothespins. For instance, if a director is trying to achieve the look of a sunset, they would ideally use an orange or red gel.

Hard Light Vs. Soft Light

Hard lighting is achieved by distributing light to a subject from a source such as a focused spotlight in a studio or under a clear day sky for natural light. This allows the subject to be shown in great detail with very defined characteristics.

Soft lighting lighting used to distribute light evenly across an area or on a subject. Photographers often use this when working with models. This lighting is often achieved by using the reflected light from pointing a spot light at a reflective umbrella or smooth white surface.

Tags: light This, back light, achieved using, behind subject, fill light, light from, light light

Kill Black Ants

You don't have to live with annoying pests.

Your home is your sanctuary and castle, and when it is invaded, you want to take every step you can to protect it. Bugs are an unavoidable annoyance, but they can be controlled or eliminated with a few simple steps. If ants are a problem in your home, you should know that they swarm in colonies specific to their type. Black ants, also known as sugar ants, are common kitchen visitors. They are about 1/8-inch long with shiny, black bodies. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Wipe down the sink and areas of the counter that comes into contact with food particles. Pour bleach down the drain to erase food smells. Remove garbage bags filled with food leftovers (try to use bags with baking soda).

2. Pour white vinegar on a sponge or kitchen towel, then wipe it over the counters, sink and drain. Ants find the scent of white vinegar repulsive. What's more, white vinegar will actually break down the scents left in the air by the food, which ants know to follow. If you have seen ants elsewhere in the house (floors, corners, etc.), repeat the process, but avoid rugs or woven materials which may be stained by the vinegar.

3. Sprinkle Borax in the corners of the kitchen or any other areas where you have seen ants. Borax, which contains corn syrup, is tempting to the ants for its sugary smell and taste, but it is also poisonous to them. Because it is slow-acting, the ants will consume the Borax, return to their colony and dispense it to other ants, killing more of them.

Tags: white vinegar, have seen, have seen ants, seen ants, with food

Spanish Decorating Ideas

Spanish décor is warm and vibrant.

From terra cotta pots to boldly colored tiles, Spanish-style decorating is vibrant and draws influences from Tuscan style to a Mediterranean approach. With so many ways to add it into your home decor, it's up to you to decide how much to decorate and what areas to concentrate on. From floor to ceiling, Spanish-style décor is warm and inviting and a great addition to any living space. Does this Spark an idea?

Color Choices

First, consider what kind of influences you want to project in your space. Spanish decorating encompasses cool coastal colors as well as warm country tones. These colors are representative of the landscape, so consider what geographical area you plan to decorate with. Spanish countryside décor uses tones in terra cotta browns, rustic oranges and Moroccan hues such as deep blue and fiery red. Furniture in worn leather is an excellent compliment to warm textured walls, as are distressed wood furniture and patina metals. For coastal influence consider deep ocean blues, jeweled teal green and bright white, which can easily carry over into fabric and accessories.

Wall Décor

With trading common between France, Italy and Spain, the styles have blended over time and each culture has benefited from the styles of the other. Wall art is a big part of this decorative style, and the mix of cultures creates a blend of textures that offers a well-balanced and compelling look. For wall décor, use framing that contrasts with the warm wall color, such as espresso-colored frames with a distressed texture. Artworks with landscapes of grape vines, rows of lavender and country homes are always appealing. Architecture is an important part of this culture, and artwork reflecting architectural styles of Spain respects the culture and personalizes the space. Artwork that plays up the fruits and vegetables of this climate offer old world charm and casual comfort, so textured paintings or art prints with grape clusters, wine and bowls of fruit are classic and timeless looks.

Outdoor Living Space

Spanish décor isn't complete without outdoor living space. Whether the yard is a small urban space or a larger plot, decorating is easy with a few key features. A small café table in distressed metal surrounded by terra cotta pots filled with Mediterranean plants such as lavender and yarrow will add color all year, require little maintenance and give warm earth colors to your patio. An outdoor fireplace is perfect complement, and with the addition of colorful Spanish tiles in bright hues of blue, orange and yellow, this can easily be a focal point of the patio and a centerpiece for outdoor entertaining or intimate gatherings. Complete this space with potted cooking herbs and flowering plants for bursts of color throughout the seasons.

Tags: terra cotta, consider what, cotta pots, part this, terra cotta pots

Mixed Martial Arts Schools In Denver Colorado

The UFC has brought mixed martial arts into the limelight.

Mixed martial arts has been around for quite some time. It is a mixture of various kinds of martial arts such as karate, jiu jitsu, kung fu and the like. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has brought mixed martial arts into the limelight and has changed the art so that it incorporates wrestling, boxing, kickboxing and other forms of fighting as well. Many cities, such as Denver, Colorado, have various academies where you can learn mixed martial arts.

Scientific Martial Arts & Fitness

The Scientific Martial Arts & Fitness school is in the Westminster area of Denver, Colorado. This particular center teaches timaput, tactical self-defense, freestyle grappling and kickboxing. Timaput is a mix of kickboxing, collegiate wrestling, western boxing, Wun Hop Kuen Do kung fu, and Okinawa Te karate that was invented by Jordan Gutierrez, one of the instructors at Scientific Martial Arts. This martial arts school has instruction for both adults and children, with classes taught by experienced mixed martial artists such as Alastair McNiven, who also holds a Ph.D. in physiology; the school's instructors are known for having academic credentials in related disciplines.

Scientific Martial Arts & Fitness

12021 North Pecos Street

Denver, CO 80234

303-451-5131

scientific-martialarts.com

Grappler's Edge Academy

Grappler's Edge Academy first opened its doors in 1995, has since won submission wrestling and jiu jitsu championships 14 times, and has competed and won in a number of world-wide competitions. Grappler's Edge has programs that teach grappling, boxing, wrestling, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Instructors at this academy include Chad Kroupensky, an ex-United States Marine who is the boxing coach, and Tom Yoshid, who coaches kickboxing and has black belts in both judo and karate.

Grappler's Edge Academy

5305 East Colfax Avenue

Denver, CO 80220

303-433-3343

grapplers-edge.com

Inner Strength Fitness

Inner Strength Fitness is a mixed martial arts school and studio in the Goldsmith neighborhood of Denver. This fitness center features a 10,000 square-foot gym and training center. Classes at Inner Strength include mixed martial arts and training both for sport-specific purposes and weight loss/fitness, as well as yoga. The mixed martial arts training includes kickboxing, muay Thai, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and fight fit classes. Mixed martial arts training is held in Inner Strength's Ring of Fire, which is a UFC-certified facility.

Inner Strength Fitness

2115 South Birch Street

Denver, CO 80222

303-756-7300

goisf.com

Tags: Inner Strength, mixed martial arts, Grappler Edge, martial arts, mixed martial

Minister To The Homeless

"

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverb:31:9).

Everyone is affected in some way or another by homelessness. There are things that Christians can do to meet the biblical mandate for the followers of Jesus Christ to do as Psalm 41:1 says, "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble." The homeless need to experience the hands of Christ which can only be felt through believers of Jesus Christ. All it takes is time, treasury and talent.

Instructions

1. Provide the homeless person with pre-packaged meals and foods that are not perishable. Food such as fruit, vienna sausages, and crackers all help sustain the person until the next full meal. Provide the homeless with a hot meal through serving in a soup kitchen or street carts.

2. Build a relationship with persons that are homeless. They must have a level of trust for you before you can really minister to the deep needs of the person. Learn their names and any special characteristics of them that stand out to build a working relationship.

3. Minster to homeless persons by praying with them and providing them with Gospel literature. If the person cannot read, then share the pamphlet or literature with the person by reading the information to the homeless person. Provide shelters and temporary lodging for the persons in need of assistance.

4. Give homeless persons the essentials for common hygiene such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hats, gloves, socks, underwear and a change of clothes. These items provide the person with items that help them to try to maintain their dignity.

Tags: homeless person, homeless persons, Jesus Christ, person with, Provide homeless

Tell Chestnut Lumber

Tell Chestnut Lumber

Solid American chestnut lumber from recently harvested trees hasn't been available since the chestnut blight devastated the species in the first half of the 20th century. Imported wood from Europe and Asia closely resembles American chestnut in tone. Chestnut closely matches both red and white oak in grain pattern and color, but it has distinguishing characteristics that are identifiable even in reclaimed lumber.

Instructions

Chestnut Lumber

1. Look for sapwood. The outer ring of sapwood of the American chestnut tree shows a distinctive yellow color. White oak and red oak--the two American species most like chestnut--show sapwood of cream or white color. Sapwood often shows even in finished pieces, and always at the edges of boards.

2. Use a knife or chisel to dig down to the true color of old beams or planks. Reclaimed lumber may have steeped for years in an environment that stained the wood darker than natural. Chestnut's resistance to decay made it a favorite for railroad ties, barn floors and even bridges. Cut through the stained layer to judge the real color of the wood, which should be lighter and more amber than red oak.

3. Look for closed pores. White oak's pores fill when sapwood ages and becomes heartwood, while red oak and chestnut pores remain open.

4. Check the face of planks for distinctive quarter-sawn rays. These iridescent grain patterns distinctive to oaks show best when logs are cut perpendicular to the center. However, even when plain-sawn, some surfaces will show ray figures. Chestnut's coarse grain pattern most closely resembles red oak, but it shows no rays.

5. Identify beams by sawing off a short piece of end grain. Again, check for distinctive vertical rays (darker lines crossing the annual rings). Red oak and white oak have visible, widely spaced rays. Chestnut rays are closely spaced and not visible to the eye.

Tags: American chestnut, Chestnut Lumber, closely resembles, grain pattern, Tell Chestnut

Unlock All Levels On "Gta San Andreas"

When you open your map in "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," you'll notice three separate islands: Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas. Los Santos is the island on which the game begins, while the other two islands are surrounded by barriers until you can unlock them. The middle of the game begins on San Fierro island, while the last part of the game starts on Las Venturas. You can unlock both islands by completing certain missions in the game.

Instructions

1. Complete the beginning missions until the mission "Green Sabre" becomes available from "Sweet." Accept the "Green Sabre" quest. Complete the mission. You will awake on the "San Fierro" island once you complete the mission and the cut-scene ends.

2. Accept the quest "Deconstruction" from "Kendl" on San Fierro Island. Complete the quest and you will unlock the quest line from "Triad."

3. Complete eight missions from Triad and you will unlock the "Yay Ka-Boom-Boom" mission. Finish the mission to unlock Las Venturas Island.

Tags: from Triad, game begins, Green Sabre, will unlock

Mission Style Interior Decor

If you are tired of high-tech and sleek modern designs, the mission style of decorating may be just what you're looking for. The term "mission style" is often used interchangeably with the phrase "Arts and Crafts." This type of decorating is classic, durable and appealing to people who appreciate basic but beautiful interiors that are functional and inviting. Does this Spark an idea?

History

The mission style of decorating originally got its inspiration from the Spanish missions and the wood furniture that was used in these buildings. Gustav Stickley, who operated a chair factory, led the "mission style" movement in the United States. He was an advocate of hand-craftsmanship and good solid design. Mission decor became popular around the turn of the twentieth century. Famous architects who incorporated aspects of this style into their own work include Frank Loyd Wright and Charles and Henry Greene, who used this style when building bungalows in California during the early twentieth century.

Why The Resurgence in Popularity?

There are always going to be trends and fads in clothing, cars, hairstyles, furniture, lifestyles and interior design. Some trends become iconic, such as the mission design, although it did fade in popularity, while other fads are temporary and never to be resurrected because they weren't good to begin with. The mission style is substantial and durable and appeals to the recent attitude that people need to get back to their roots and become more self-reliant while appreciating that which is meaningful and substantive. American society now appreciates hand-crafted items, as well as those who create them. It's a departure from the high-tech life that most people live, which is probably why the classic and timeless appeal of mission decor strikes a chord with many. The furniture is functional as well as beautiful and the wood gets better and more beautiful over time. The home interiors based on this style were meant to be used and lived in and not just looked at. When you walk into a mission style home you can easily imagine a large family sitting around a table, talking, eating, playing a game of cards or enjoying their time together in the beautiful, rich space that is their living quarters.

Features of Mission Decor

Mission style furniture and mission style home interiors, emphasizes wood, mostly native American oak that has been stained. The wood was never painted, always stained.The handiwork of the carpenters was highlighted by staining the joints in a piece a darker color than the body so that the expert carpentry would be noted. Mission style decor is straight to the point. There are no fussy designs and very little decoration. Mission artisans also incorporated beaten copper candle-holders, hand-turned earthenware and stained glass chandeliers into the overall design. The coverings used on furniture was canvas or leather. The mission look is powerful yet inviting because of the clean design and the beautiful wood in overhead beams, interior structural posts and in the rest of the mission style decor. The most notable piece of mission design is the Stickley chair. This style of decorating was at its peak between 1880 and 1915. After World War II, its popularity faded but in recent years people have once again begun to appreciate mission style and are outfitting their homes in this look.

Getting the Look

Wood is the main component in mission style decorating, with oak being used traditionally, although natural cherry is a good choice. Texture is provided by the wood grain. Cherry is a reddish color whereas brown has a golden brown hue. The woods darken with age but that's good. The finish should be waxed or oiled. There is a focus on cabinet pulls and door knobs that have been hand-crafted and are either bronze or wrought iron. Furniture joints are hand-crafted or pegged and metal hardware is used, according to Melissa Galt of Melissa Galt, Inc. In mission decor, structural supports are exposed. Stair rails, flooring and molding are featured. Everything is done in wood, primarily oak.

Appropriate Accents and Accessories

Because there is a preponderance of dark wood in mission style, remember to incorporate lots of light into decorating theme. You might consider some reproduction lighting sources that look as if they came from the mission era. Table and floor lamps work well with this style. Lamps that cast light on the ceiling would also provide light and be effective aesthetically. Ceramic tile and metal were frequently incorporated into the mission design when it first appeared. These items continue to be nice complements to the mission style and can be used in your accessories. Your window treatments should be kept simple, such as a Roman shade. Wrought iron decorative rods would work well in the mission setting. Mission style homes features a lot of windows. Rich, solid colors, rather than flashy designs, can be used effectively on mission furniture.

Tags: mission style, style decorating, mission design, mission style decorating, this style, beautiful wood, home interiors

Place Living Room Furniture

Place Living Room Furniture

Living room design is one of the easiest to master. Most of the furniture elements in the room will revolve around a focal point and will invite people to gather and stay awhile. Seating for many will play the starring role, while everything else will be secondary. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Draw a layout of the room that includes all doors, windows, outlets and radiators or air vents that cannot be covered.

2. Cut out miniatures of all of your furniture items and label with their measurements and names.

3. Find or create a focal point in the room around which all the other furniture will revolve. This could be a large piece of artwork, a fireplace, a mantle, a big-screen television or a large picture window with a fabulous view. Draw your focal point on the layout where it exists in the room. If it is moveable (like a painting) consider where else in the room it might be better off.

4. Move your miniature furniture pieces around the room layout and experiment with different ways to place the furniture in your living room design. Start with seating: Place sofas and chairs at right angles to each other so the seating forms a rectangle or square in front of the focal point. You'll want the seating items to face each other, not the focal point, to facilitate socializing in this spot.

5. Find a coffee table, two large ottomans or a trunk to place in the center of the seating arrangement to act as place to put drinks, or to use as a display surface for books and other collections.

6. Use the spaces in the corners between the seating (they should be square) to place useful end tables. If you have an extra chair that fits this seating group, you can widen the arrangement and place the chair diagonally into the corner and skip the table. A great floor lamp will fit in any of the corners left by the seating group.

7. Find empty walls or corners and put leftover pieces of your furniture collection where they fit. A long, slim credenza belongs along a wall or under a large mirror or piece of artwork. Some may look elegant as a sofa table behind a sofa if the credenza is low enough. Interesting floor vases and one-of-kind chairs and chests can find a home in an unused corner or by the front entryway.

Tags: focal point, arrangement place, each other, Living Room, Living Room Furniture, piece artwork, Place Living

Mission Style Dining Table Plan

Mission-style furniture is most often identified by its clean, straight lines. You won't find any curved legs or fancy etchings on a mission table. However, some mission-style furniture has a unique trademark. Rows of wooden bars are sometimes found in these designs. With mission tables, these bars are sometimes found in the frame of the table. If you decide to make a mission-style table, the same rules apply as for making any kind of table.

Style

First, choose a wood that best fits the mission style. This can be an oak or a cherry wood. The goal is to choose a wood with an interesting wood pattern. Then choose your design. Since mission furniture traditionally has straight lines, your table legs will be square all the way around. You can either have a completely straight table leg from top to bottom or you can give it a bit of a taper. Avoid having a large angle to your tapered legs.

Cutting

Your first step in the actual cutting and assembly will be the tabletop. Determine the length of the tabletop. To get the mission influence, the table top should be a square or rectangle. Stay away from circular designs.

Map out the dimensions of your table top and cut out the wood with a band saw. Make sure that your lengths are accurate.

You can design the frame of the table a few different ways. If you want to keep the design simple, just choose the table leg you want to use. Take your four table legs and connect them to the table top with dowels. You can also add a border around the table and create a tenon and mortise. The mortise is a rectangular groove in the border below the table top. You will create four of these mortises to accommodate the tenons on the top of your table legs. A tenon, or wooden block, will connect the table leg to the mortise.

Mission look

The table legs are a great way to give your table a true mission style look. Consider installing a row of wood columns between the legs on the left and right sides of the table. To do this, install a runner between the legs on these two sides. The runner will connect to the table legs by a tenon and mortise system.

Once the runner is in, you can decide how many of these wood columns you want. Create mortise grooves in the top of the runner and the bottom of the tabletop. Cut out the wood columns so that they are all the same length and dimension. Each column should have a wooden projection on each end. Fill each mortise with a wood glue and slide the columns into place. You can use a wood clamp between the runner and the table top to secure the pieces together.

Tags: table legs, your table, wood columns, bars sometimes, bars sometimes found, between legs

Make A Bench Out Of Wood

The design of the classic five-board bench goes back to Colonial times but it's a simple and sturdy way to build a bench from just two different widths of boards. Make it with cut nails and paint it with old-fashioned milk paint to create a reproduction antique or saw it from rough-sawn lumber and leave it unfinished for a simple primitive-looking bench. If you'll be leaving it outside in the weather, choose a durable wood like cedar or finish it with exterior latex or oil-based paint and set the legs on pavement or bricks to keep them from the damp dirt.

Instructions

1. Fold a piece of typing paper in half so it's 5 3/4 inches wide. Make a pencil mark 5 inches up the folded side and another mark on the bottom edge 3 inches away from the fold. Beginning at the bottom mark, draw a curved line that starts out vertical, then gradually curves toward the fold and meets the fold at the other mark. Cut along the line, discard the V-shaped inside piece and unfold the paper.

2. Lay the paper on one of the 16-inch boards so the paper's 11 1/2-inch width is centered on the 12-inch width of the board and the bottom of the two "legs" line up with the bottom of the board. Trace the cut edge with a pencil. Saw along the line with a coping saw and discard the upside-down-V-shaped piece of wood. This creates the bottom of one bench leg.

3. Measure down from the other end of the same board exactly the thickness of the board and draw a line across it with a carpenter's square. Draw four vertical lines from the end of the board down to the previous mark. Space them 2 inches in from each end and 4 3/4 inches in from each end.

4. Saw along the lines to cut out three rectangles, leaving two tenons on the end of the board. The tenons are square tabs that fit in square holes, called mortises, in the board that will form the seat. Use a handsaw and a coping saw to make the cuts. Mark and saw the other 16-inch board the same way.

5. Draw a line across the 48-inch-by-12-inch board, 7 inches in from each end. Hold one of the 16-inch boards perpendicular against the 48-inch board, the outside edge against one of the lines and the tenons touching the 48-inch board. Trace closely around the tenons with a pencil to mark two mortises that need to be cut out.

6. Drill several holes inside the mortise marks with a 1/2-inch or 1-inch bit to remove as much of the wood as possible, then finish paring the sides of the mortises square with a chisel and mallet. Trim inside the lines and test the fit of the tenons as you get close to the finished size so the tenons will fit snugly.

7. Mark and cut out the mortises the same way along the line near the other end of the 48-inch board.

8. Measure 3 inches along the end and 4 inches down the side from the corner of one of the 5-inch-by-48-inch boards. Draw a line between the two marks and saw on the line to remove a triangular piece of wood. Do the same at the other end of the board. Mark and saw the other 5-inch-by-48-inch board the same way.

9. Spread a thin layer of carpenter's glue on the tenons and the top edges of the leg boards. Lay the board with mortises on edge and insert the tenon boards into it. Check that the leg boards are at right angles to the top board, using a carpenter's square. This forms the seat and legs of the bench, though it's lying on its side at this point. Lay one of the 5-inch-by-48-inch boards so it rests on the edge of the top board and the upper part of the legs, so it will reinforce the attachment of the legs to the seat on the front of the bench. Nail the 5-inch-by-48-inch board in place by driving six 8-penny cut nails through it into the edge of the bench's seat and two nails through it into the edge of each leg.

10. Turn the bench so the other side is up and nail the other 5-inch-by-48-inch board in place the same way, to reinforce the legs and seat on the back side as well. Let the glue dry.

11. Paint or stain the bench however you want.

Tags: 48-inch board, 5-inch-by-48-inch board, along line, from each, inches from, inches from each

Mission Style Exterior Colors

Natural colors make Mission-style architecture harmonize with nature.

Mission style became popular in the early part of the 20th century in the warmer climates of the southwest, the California coast and Florida. It drew its characteristics from the Franciscan Spanish missions that dotted the regions. The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads adopted the style for their train stations. The 1893 Chicago World's Fair, which encouraged historical interpretations, boosted its growing popularity in the region. As part of the Arts and Crafts movement, Mission style valued simple lines, natural materials and fine craftsmanship with many built-ins. Clay tile floors offered cooling relief from summer heat. Smooth stucco walls and low pitched or flat tile roofs, half-round windows, doorways and arches, occasional towers and roof parapets are architectural features that became fashionable across the country, from West to East, and remain well liked. Does this Spark an idea?

Walls

Medium-toned smooth stucco walls are colored in medium terra-cotta pink.

Classic Mission-style smooth stucco wall colors are various natural warm-toned tints, ranging from deep terra-cotta red, to medium coral, to pale orange sherbet to vanilla cream white. Occasionally, stone-colored grays and true white appear. Textured treatments of the stucco emerge in later modifications of the classic style.

Trim

Azure blue window panes accent a pale pink stucco wall.

Mission-style trim colors are frequently a lighter tint of a dark wall color or a deeper tone of a light wall color. These colors accent window arches and window recesses. Sometimes contrasting colors are introduced, especially on windowpanes, in tones like azure blue, sage green or stone gray.

Roofs

Tile roofs add rich color and finely crafted detail to the Mission style.

Mission-style exterior roofs are composed of ceramic tiles nearly always glazed in a terra-cotta red, or some tint of that color. These color tones are consistent with Mission style's preference for simple colors drawn from natural materials, in this case, red earth. The intricacies of the applied tiles also reflect Mission-style respect for fine craftsmanship.

Wood, Tile and Iron Accents

A heavy arched wooden door in a pale pink stucco wall demonstrates a classic Mission-style color palette.

Exposed rafters, and heavy wood doors add the darkest tones to the Mission-style palette. Brick accents and tile mosaic accents in the walls bejewel the understated simplicity of the style. Ceramic tile floors sometimes add color accents, but may also be neutrally toned. Ornate ironwork accents on balconies and windows in pure black or deep tones of green or gray add decorative interest on some buildings.

Tags: stucco wall, color These, fine craftsmanship, Mission style, Mission style, natural materials, pale pink

Mission Style Home Decorating

Mission Style Home Decorating

Mission style, also considered an extension of the Arts and Crafts movement, originated in the early 20th century in the U.S. The interior design scheme centered around mission-style furniture. The name of the style may refer to the functional role or "mission" of furniture pieces, which is exemplified in well-crafted, wooden and simple furnishings. The rest of the room was decorated to complement the furniture's style. Themes of elegant ease and connection with nature were incorporated. If you are thinking of converting your home to a mission-style scheme, decorate one room at a time to get a glimpse of the panache and determine if it is a compatible fit. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Look for hardwood furniture, particularly made of white or red oak, for your mission-style room or home. Furniture should showcase the grain of the wood and feature straight lines rather than curves and ornate engravings. For example, if you are finding furniture for a living room, look for couches, chairs, shelves, cabinets, coffee tables and side tables made of wood. Furniture may be upholstered with leather, thatch or natural fabrics or have metal latches and hinges, as long as the wood material is not completely hidden. Search antique shops or vintage furniture stores. If budget is not an issue, hire a local artisan who specializes in mission style to construct your furniture.

2. Paint or cover walls with a solid color or simple design. Tan, light brown, beige or pale yellow reflect an earthy color scheme. Use a wallpaper border, if you wish, that reflects a natural theme. For example, William Morris-style floral wallpapers are reflective of the mission style.

3. Remove carpet from your floors to reveal the room's natural hardwoods. Place one rug on the floor with a simple pattern that matches the room's walls.

4. Add simple embellishments to your room such as clear jug or vase, a couple of nature-themed paintings, solid-colored ceramics and metal or stain-glassed lampshades. Place antique books on the shelves and include one or two nature-themed paintings on the wall. Fill wicker baskets with dried flowers and grasses and place them in the room. Do not clutter the room, however -- less is indeed more.

Tags: Home Decorating, Mission Style Home, nature-themed paintings, Style Home, Style Home Decorating

Mission Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

A Mission kitchen design is clean and classic.

The Mission-style kitchen is a study in simplicity and rich materials. Mission style combines Arts and Crafts elements with American Southwest and Spanish mission influences. The shapes are pared down and angular, and the fixtures are unadorned. But decorative touches show up in accessories and in the way the materials are worked. Does this Spark an idea?

Wood

Mission style takes American native woods like red oak and maple and burnishes them to a rich finish. Wood paneling is a major feature of the design, and that means kitchen cabinets---and even appliances---are faced in paneled wood. Windows are framed in unpainted wood, and matching wood may be used for uncarved crown moldings and baseboards. Kitchen floors are often gleaming hardwood with area rugs woven in ethnic, geometric patterns.

Stone

Stone is a favorite material and is an alternative for kitchen flooring. A Mission-style kitchen floor might be gray slate or bluestone pavers. Counters can be assembled of large stone tiles mortared in the same color, or slabs of granite or even monochromatic marble. A white marble countertop with pale gray veining could be reflected in the polished steel finish of a refrigerator or oven door.

Windows

Windows are left bare to let in the light. If curtains are used, they should be plain, unlined cotton canvas curtains or unbleached linen shades. A window's shape might be emphasized with a real frame that treats the window and its view like a painting. All wood trim should be uncarved and unpainted. Windows are typically double-hung, but the top half might be divided into equal thirds by wood mullions. If a window has a special mullion treatment, a wood door with a glass panel will copy the window design.

Tile

Tile adds color and pattern to Mission style. A backsplash behind a stovetop could be a rich jade with touches of cream, brown and sienna in symmetrically spaced tiles. Mexican painted tile, as an inset in a kitchen island top, acts as a hot plate. Ceramic floor tile, if it is used instead of wood, would be classic terra cotta, but a narrow border of painted tile might be used to frame the floor. A few colorful Mexican pottery pieces may be displayed in glass-front, wood-paneled kitchen cabinets or on a mostly cleared counter.

Lighting

Lighting comes from the unobstructed windows, white or frosted pendant lamps and Tiffany-style lamps with Mission patterns. Tiffany lamps typically have angled, not round, shades; wrought-iron wall sconces can be used if the Spanish mission influence is strong in the kitchen's design. White lampshades or pendants should be glass, not fabric or paper, with pendants suspended on plain rods or chain links.

Colors

Colors are spare but not boring. White paint is the most popular backdrop to the extensive paneling and wood hues. But light yellow, pale maize, rose or a pastel jade green are also compatible with Mission kitchens. Keep accessories to earth tones and ochres, deep blues, terra cottas and strong foliage greens.

Tags: Mission style, kitchen design, Mission-style kitchen, painted tile, Spanish mission