Around your house 11/14/07

HOME

Q. The storm door on my home is falling apart and letting in cold drafts. I was doing measurements so I could replace it and found out that the doorframe is not a perfect rectangle, but has different lengths on each side -- like a trapezoid. How can I put in a door that will fit right in this shape?

A. Although you could purchase a custom-made storm door that would easily the fit the frame's current unusual shape, it might be better to invest the time in making a repair that would allow you to install a standard rectangular storm door. All you have to do is adjust the door frame. Simply remove the trim moldings from both inside and out. You'll find shim shingles attached between the doorframe and the house frame. These act as spacers that can be removed, adjusted, replaced or whatever else is needed to "square up" the door frame and bring it to its original rectangular position. Keep in mind that once you have completed this task the old trapezoidal door won't fit. Once the frame is correctly aligned, use expanding foam sealant at the entire area between the door frame and the house frame. This step will substantially reduce drafts and improve your home's energy efficiency. Finally, reinstall the interior and exterior trim. And don't forget to make sure that your new door comes with weather stripping for top, bottom and sides

FOOD

Among the many virtues of involving children in cooking are the educational opportunities. And it goes much deeper than just mastering how to make Mom and Dad a mean chili. Cooking is a fun and easy way to teach children math, science and culture. Learning by Doughing kits offer parents an easy tool to help them work those lessons into the fun of cooking. These cooking kits (offered for math, science, zoology and geography) include curricula for toddlers through teens. Math is taught with pretzel making, while zoology has children making animal crackers and science involves bread baking. The math and science kits also are organic. A nice touch is the list on the outside of the packaging alerting parents to what other supplies are needed, such as vegetable oil, pencil and paper, and measuring cups.

NEW GEAR: Learning by Doughing kits are available for $10 to $12 from http://www.superbakes.com.

GARDEN

Clean house gutters of leaves and fallen debris before cold wet weather sets in. Set up bird feeders. Birds appreciate a source of unfrozen drinking water during the winter. Be sure to shut off and drain any outdoor water pipes or irrigation systems that may freeze during cold weather. Keep mulches pulled back several inches from the base of fruit trees to prevent bark injury from hungry mice and other rodents. Fall tilling the vegetable garden exposes many insect pests to winter cold, reducing their numbers in next years garden. Any unused, finished compost is best tilled under to improve garden soils.