There are times of the year one has to simply stop and take care of business – in this case I am speaking about the effects of seasonal changes and the need for winterizing your home and landscape. Winter has been slow to start around sunny Southern California.  As the rainy season begins however, I am reminded about a rain gutter that has been in need of repair.  The nice copper gutter installed on our relatively new Craftsman style home with a disconnect between the gutter and the downspout… it is time to take care of business!

This seasonal challenge pales in comparison to the rest of the world that lives in snow climate areas.  I find it humbling, how hardy you all must be! I complain about a dripping noise from my rain gutter, yet for those of you facing actual snow each year, you are true weather soldiers! To prepare for the onslaught of heavy, wet, icy, and sometime dangerous conditions that can affect your home and landscape is akin to preparing for battle.

Here are a few interesting articles, the first from our very own blog on our main website,  Monarch Stone International; Tips For Hardscape Removal.  Also, the Boston Globe’s, “How to winterize your home: A procrastinator’s manual with 8 tips”, sounds like it was written for me. And finally an article from HOUZZ, “Get Ready for Winter the Chilled Out Way”If you haven’t heard of Houzz, it’s an online platform for home remodeling and design – from decorating a room to building a custom home.

Good luck to all of you who have already received their fair share of the pretty white stuff….I hope you are ready for more.  Each year I wish I were living in your part of the country at Christmas time.  Somehow palm trees and surf and sand don’t quite bring out that Bing Crosby feeling quite the same way.