Get your seedlings off to a good start with their very own little greenhouse! This fun and simple project is perfect for the kids to help out with.  All you need is a clean, empty plastic bottle and some scissors.  Cut off the top 1/4 of the bottle, turn it upside down, and place it over your seedlings on your windowsill.  This will maximize sunlight absorption will keep your seedlings nice and cozy!

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Plants such as squash, tomatoes, asparagus, and pumpkins have deep root systems, which may make them more difficult to water in a dry climate. To remedy this, simply place a sink pot (an empty plastic nursery pot with holes) in the ground in your garden and plant your deep-rooted plants around it. When watering the plants, pour water into the sink pot, which will bypass the drier soil and reach the roots more quickly.  Voila! 

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Here’s some of the most interesting news in technology over the past week:

1. Instagram has finally given into the demands of its users.  The app now supports both portrait and landscape photos in addition to the traditional square proportions.  The app also features a layout tool, which automatically turns multiple selected photos into a single collage, eliminating the need for third-party collage making apps.

2. Facebook officially announced that its Messenger app will now offer a personal assistant for users, simply called “M”.  What sets M apart from other electronic assistants, such as Siri and Cortana?  Well, M is actually run by a team of people who are constantly working to help the program learn how to answer questions and retrieve information.  Unlike most mobile assistants, M learns more and more as it is used more and more.  M can actually complete tasks for you, such as buying things online, make reservations, deliver gifts, and just about anything else!

3. Apple announced that it will hold an event on September 9 in San Francisco.  We can only assume that this event’s sole purpose will be the unveiling of the new iPhone!  So, what should we expect from the 9th generation of the device?  If trends continue has they have been, here’s what we can sum up:

• It will most probably be called the iPhone 6S and will come in a “plus” version.
• Since the device is already quite large, the new iPhone will have the same screen size as the current version, but it may be slightly thicker.
• Apple’s blog says that the new phone will be available to purchase in a new color, rose gold, in addition to white, black, and slate gray.
• Typically, new iPhones go on sale about a week or so after they’re unveiled.  Last year, the iPhone 6 went on sale 10 days after its announcement. So, the predicted date for the new iPhone is September 18th.
• In addition to a faster processor and better camera, a new feature that will be included in the new iPhone, called Force Touch, will be able to sense the pressure being applied to the screen; it can differentiate between a light tap and a deep press.  This allows for new types of commands on the device.  We’ll see what this new feature will bring us.

4. OMG!  NASA has just launched a mission dedicated to studying the loss of ice around Greenland, the world’s largest island.  The mission, titled Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG), was so named because a) it’s literally an acronym for the mission title, and b) its principle investigator, Josh Willis, wanted a name that would both stand out and refer to the importance of Greenland’s problem.  Did you know that there are actually very complex rules regarding the naming of NASA missions?  In fact, acronyms are actually supposed to be avoided unless they’re descriptive and easy to pronounce.  In addition, NASA has gotten names from contests and essay entries from grade school students.  Examples of these are the names of The Space Shuttle Endeavor and the Mars Curiosity rover.

Thanks for reading This Week in Tech!  Have a great week (:

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

“It’s never too late to start over. If you weren’t happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don’t stay stuck. Do better.”

These are some wise words spoken to me by one of my very good friends in a time of need.  They truly resonated with me, for until that point I honestly believed starting over was equivalent to giving up.  I’ve since learned that redefining your goals is so much better than giving up on them.

It is okay to start fresh!  It can actually be extremely conducive to do things a bit different, or to try something new. You can do whatever you’re comfortable with, as long as you do better than you did before.

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying your Labor Day holiday.

Happy Monday!

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

 

I love to cook for my family.  What I don’t like is all the clean up that is required afterwards!  That’s why this type of recipe is my absolute favorite: Creamy, cheesy pasta that takes minutes to cook and only requires one pot!  But if you don’t mind having a few extra dishes, this entree would be great with a side of fresh green salad and hot, buttery bread sticks. Pair it with a Pinot Noir.

 

Creamy Tortellini and Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 lb package of Turkey Kielbasa
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 20 oz. package of refrigerated Tortellini
• 28 oz can of whole tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• Pinch of salt & pepper
• 2 Tbsp cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded jack and cheddar cheeses

Instructions

1. Cook the onion in a little olive oil until soft. Add sliced turkey sausage and cook until browned. Add chicken broth, tortellini, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until pasta is cooked to al dente. Remove from heat and add cheeses, reserving a handful for topping. Cover and let stand for five to ten minutes. Garnish with green onions, if desired. Serve hot.

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News