Now that the warm summer months are behind us, it’s time to prepare for winter. Regardless of whether you expect to see sub-zero temperatures this season or you live in one of the warmer climates, preparing your home for colder weather can save you money and hassle this winter. So before you dig out your favorite fall sweaters, boots and jackets, take a weekend and prepare your home for the cold weather to come.

Save Energy 

Autumn is a great time to seal drafts in your home which can suck energy out. Check around doors and windows and replace worn weather stripping and caulking. This is an easy and inexpensive project, but can save money when it comes to your energy bill. If you use your fireplace for warmth during winter, this is the right time to have the chimney cleaned and checked for safety. Arrange a furnace tune up and replaced the filter.  Be sure to vacuum the cold air return vents using the hand-held unit of your vacuum, to make sure you are warming your home efficiently and to rid your home of excess dust and pet dander.

Outdoor Tasks 

Before the chill turns to freezing, head to the yard to winterize the exterior of your home. Check gutters for clogged leaves and other debris.  Even if you have gutter guards or something of the like, leave can still gather and need to be blown or swept off. Examine your roof and siding for any repairs which could create leaks or drafts in the cold. You will also want to drain water from outdoor faucets and garden hoses.  Garden hoses need to wound and stored inside for the winter months to prevent break down of the hose. Make sure the sprinkler system is off and reinforce any exposed pipes which could burst with the cold. If you have a sprinkler system, you should call an appropriate company to winterize your system to prevent pipes freezing during the winter.
Once you've completed this checklist, you can enjoy the smell of pumpkin spice and the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, and be confident your home is ready for winter because you've taken the steps to prepare. You'll be saving energy and the hassle of unexpected repairs by getting some routine maintenance done before the cold months come.

1 C wild rice
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/2 tsp dried thyme
6 C water
1 ounce dried chanterelle mushrooms
3 Tbs butter
2 Tbs olive oil
12 ounces Crimini (baby portobello) mushrooms, stems removed and caps roughly chopped
1 shallot, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbs tomato paste
2 Tbs flour
4 C chicken or vegetable broth
1 C dry white wine
3 Tbs chopped parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
½ cup heavy cream
1 Tbs soy sauce

Do you think this girlie likes pasta? The answer is yes!  In our home, we all love pasta.  For this mama, pasta is my easy, go to dinner.  It's my "I've worked a long day and just want to get something on the table that is tasty and good for them" dinner.  This recipe, like many of mine was created from what I had in the fridge and/or pantry.  It is easy and it is delicious!

Orecchiette with Peas, Parmesan & Proscuitto

Ingredients


Cook orecchiette in large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta water.
 Drizzle olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat and add garlic saute until fragrant.  Don't brown the garlic it gets bitter.  Stir in peas, prosciutto, wine, crushed red pepper and lemon juice. Simmer for a couple of minutes. Add pasta, parsley,cheese and toss to coat, adding enough pasta water to moisten. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.  Serve right away with extra cheese to be grated at will.  Serves 6.