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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2006-05-04, Page 20These are just a few of the decorative options available with concrete. Before tearing out any existing surfaces, consider resurfacing as an economical and beautiful renovation for your home. Decorative and Functional Ironwork Featuring Unique, Custom Made - Railings' Gates' Furniture` Garden Accessories HAVE YOUR OWN IDEAS MADE INTO REALITY! 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Look For Us At Your Local Building Supply Dealer! Some Local Dealers In Mid-western Ontario Are Located In: Goderich • Gorrie • Listowel • Wingham • Kurtzville • Brussels • Blyth Imagine Gliding Patio Door im4y 64,6,24,44 erlizw4 Central Park Door with 2 Sidelights Outswing Venting Terrace Door MDL DOORS A stylish new entrance system from MDL Doors will enhance the beauty and value of any home. MDL offers the largest selection of energy efficient Entry Systems available in our market. Our customers are offered a wide variety of pre- hung insulated steel or fiberglass Entrance Systems including single doors, double PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2006. Resurfacing concrete gives areas a new look Traditional contracting wisdom held that if your driveway, patio or walkway was cracked and damaged, the only way to fix the problem was to rip out the old and install the new. These days, many homeowners are discovering that concrete resurfacing is a viable option for repairing damage to existing surfaces and achieving a decorative look in the process — at a fraction of the cost of some other surface options. Many concrete-resurfacing contractors repair and transform existing concrete surfaces with polymer-modified overlay systems. Cracks and holes are patched and reinforced, . and then the polymer/concrete blend is applied Continued from page 18 they're pretty easy to grow. If I can grow them, anybody can. I certainly don't fuss with them." Some herbs can be started from , seed, such as basil. Others do better - as cuttings or by root division. As any perennial, the type of growth will vary with herbs, so you will want to consider the area in which you are planting them. "Aesthetics will play into it as well. You will want to think of the height of the plant and the spread. If you do flowers lind out when will they bloom. Also, consider if the plant will self-sow because you will have them everywhere if you don't cut off the seed head." Should you be interested in texture, Hislop suggests thymes as an option. A ground cover, thyme comes in many varieties, which when planted together can create a beautiful textured look to the bed, said Hislop. "They may not be the biggest, most beautiful flowers, but the shape can he pleasing plus the fragrance." While all herbs are edible, said Hislop, only some are classed as a culinary herb. "Others are not as appetizing." One of the easiest ways to use a culinary herb is vinegars. "Get a jar and stuff it with herbs. Fill it with whatever vinegar you want, then place it in a darkened cupboard for two to four weeks. Taste it for strength and you have flavoured vinegar for marinades and salads. It's really easy." Some combinations that are nice for fruit salads are raspberries and on top, creating a brand-new surface. What's more, since concrete is generally leSs expensive than other types of outdoor surfaces like brick or pavers, custom concrete looks can be applied, saving the homeowner a lot in renovation costs. Here's a look at a few of the decorative options available with concrete, courtesy of The Concrete Network: . Stamped Concrete: This is concrete that is patterned to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, and even wood. The concrete is tinted and patterned to blend in with other natural surfaces, like rock or turf. Stenciled Concrete: Stencils offer thyme, strawberries and rosemary, mint or lavender. Freezing is an excellent way to preserve some herbs. "Some are actually best done this Way," said Hislop, adding that basil is one. The easiest way is to throw the leaf in a food processor with water until it becomes a paste. Then measure a spoonful onto a waxed-paper lined cookie sheet, or into ice-cube trays and freeze. Once they're frozen put them into bags then keep in the freezer until you need them. When using frozen or fresh herbs in recipes calling for dried herbs you will want to use three to five times the amount, said Hislop. To dry herbs, place them in a dark, warm airy spot. Light will bleach the colour or fragrance. Air circulation is important because you want the herbs to dry as quickly as possible to avoid the possibility of mold or mildew occurring. Your own dried herbs should last for up to a year. A suggestion Hislop has for using dried herbs is to pre-mix them so you don't have to measure each one out when you create a favourite dish. "I do an Italian mix, or .one for fish, or to use in a marinade.- - The fragrance herbs, used in potpourris are "a whole other story." said Hislop. "This is more of an decorative concrete contractors even more options for creating patterned and colored concrete that resembles a number of patterns. Etched Concrete: Unlike other resurfacing that is applied on top of concrete, engraving is a permanent treatment that won't wear away or lose' bond, because the patterns are carved into the concrete. When the concrete is further enhanced by staining, the decorative possibilities are endless. Exposed-Aggregate Concrete: Much the way polishing stone or sanding wood can reveal the beauty beneath the surface, exposed- aggregate concrete shows off the aggregate (either natural or simulated) in the concrete for a decorative effect. exact science in picking and drying as two days can make a huge difference in the scent. The most important thing to consider in beginning a herb garden is research. Hislop said most people selling herbs can answer any question and if they can't will suggest someone else. "Also, go to the library, go on-line. Focus on your three to five herbs. Find out what you can do with them. Find out about harvesting. Then after a year if you want to, add a couple more and learn about them." With so many things to consider, Hislop said it's easy to get overwhelmed. "Once you get to the point where you have quite a few growing. you may find that you are using your_favourite dozen and have 50 others just growing out there. I don't care how good you are, you have to think how you. are going to use them.- No fussing needed with herbs