A couple months ago I checked out the NexGen grass seed lab and the Pennington Seed factory in Oregon and received some valuable information on lawn care as well as a hands-on look at their 1 Step Complete combo mulch seed fertilizer product. I couldn't wait to get home to give it try.
Well the results are in and our lawn is looking better than ever.
Lawn Problem
We put down new sod but due to neglect and dog urine it started to get spotty.
Solution
The 1 Step Complete seems like the perfect product to fix our lawn. We needed coverage in problem areas as well as a way to help thicken the existing lawn. Our back lawn is small and we want to make the most of it.
I spread the 1 Step Complete according to the instructions and watered it twice daily. In two weeks I started seeing grass. I'm going to let it really thicken before cutting by waiting at least another two months. I know it's sensitive right now and the roots are developing.
I'm impressed with how much nicer our yard looks with a full green lawn and we can't wait for our first summer picnic outside.
I've been an iPhone user from the beginning but I've never been a fan of cases or covers. I just like the feel of a naked iPhone and the way it slides easily into my pocket. I take great care in how I handle my iPhone but with the newest version the iPhone 4S I decided it was too large of an investment to not protect it. The glass backing also seems more fragile to me so I needed a low profile case that offered great protection without the bulk.
Enter Otterbox with the Defender iPhone 4S case. The iPhone 4S Defender Series is made of a high-impact polycarbonate shell, durable silicone and a built-in screen protector, which makes it one of the most rugged iPhone cases around. Scratches, dust and drops are no longer an issue.
Typically I would go with a simple black case but their Real Tree Camo case looked interesting. You can find almost anything in camo but this is the first iPhone case I had seen in camo. It's also not just any camo but Real Tree which is the most popular hunting camo pattern. I'm not a hunter but my iPhone now stands out with it's hunter orange and camo pattern. I've never had a phone that is a conversation starter and this one certainly is.
For a guy who doesn't like cases I've been using this one for almost 6 months now and I'm never going back.
To check out the Defender or other Otterbox cases visit their website.
Our thirst for coffee knows no bounds. We've accumulated all types of coffee makers from Bodum vacuum, French Press, Aero Press, Bosch Tassimo, and Keurig Platinum K-Cup.
They all offer distinct pros and cons but lately we've been using our Keurig on a daily basis. The variety of coffee and tea is huge and it is just so darn convenient.
Our friends at Keurig sent over their newest unit, the Keurig Vue System. It's a single-serve coffee maker and works very similar to the K-Cup system but the packs are totally different and not compatible.
The Keurig Vue System is much more versatile and offers more coffee sizes, temperature adjustment, iced coffee, coffee strength control and it now does cappuccino! The Cafe system is what really sets the Vue system apart.
The Vue packs are slightly more expensive right now and the selection is sparse but as it becomes more popular we foresee just as many coffee and tea options. The packs are also recyclable and made from #5 polypropylene.
We taste tested the Vue cappuccino vs. the Tassimo which has been our favorite single serve cappuccino and it was an even match. The Keurig Vue had a slightly sweeter taste but was as strong as any Keurig coffee we've ever had.
We aren't quite ready to give up our K-Cups but the Vue system looks like a worthy upgrade.
After testing the impressive STIHL cordless leaf blower we had high hopes for the STIHL MSA 160 cordless chainsaw and it didn't disappoint.
STIHL has been manufacturing chainsaws for more than 80 years so they have the engineering dialed in. They've now got the powerplant in the 36V 4.5amp battery platform with more than enough power for any homeowner. It's brushless motor is low-wear and has great power from top to bottom.
Here's a quick video of the chainsaw in action.
We were reluctant to take out any trees in our yard and the branches we had were all too small but we traveled to our ranch and helped clear some mesquite which it did with aplomb. The safety guard works extremely well and you forget you are using a battery powered saw until you realize you don't smell like exhaust.
Nothing can replace the brute power of gas but this cordless unit will meet the needs of a lot of people.
