
Alden Smith is an award winning author, and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. With a wealth of knowledge to share from his 50 year writing career, he works on topics as diverse as home repair, healthy living, cars, personal finance, and cooking.
Alden and his wife Betsy live in Charlotte, MI, where they own a successful consignment shop, Bella Grande. He has recently taken up blues guitar after his wife bought him a Fender Strat with amplifier.
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The Advantages of Keyless Entry Locks
Convenience and security top the list....
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Pickling Wood to Reproduce the Old World Charm
Different sources give different definitions for wood pickling....
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How to Build an Upholstered Headboard
One of the easiest and most versatile ways to build a headboard is to use an upholstered design...
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Headboard Fit For A King
DIY and being a king fit together....
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Build A Quilted Headboard
If your theme for a bedroom is based on country living, consider building a quilted headboard....
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Build a Picket Fence Headboard
When redecorating a little girl's room, consider a picket fence headboard....
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Build A Stressed Copper Headboard
Copper is a striking look that reflects well in most decors....
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The Humble Onion
Onion is frequently used in almost every cuisine of the world and is a most essential herb....
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Lemon Balm, Herb of Success
The fragrance of lemon balm has enticed people for at least 2,000 years....
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Marjoram, Herb of Love
Long ago, the ancients placed a lot of importance on herbs and their uses....
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Hyssop, King of Herbs
Little is heard about the use of hyssop in the kitchen, but as a medicinal herb, it has a long...
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Horseradish, Best For Condiments
Horseradish is the "spicy" condiment that is used with beef dishes....
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Chamomile, Herb of Healing
No compendium of herbs would be complete without the mention of chamomile....
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Chervil, The Herb of New Life
For thousands of years, the young green leaves of chervil have been used as a tonic....
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Coriander, a Surprising Herb
One of the most surprising herbs known today is coriander....
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An Introduction to Herbs
Every since the beginning of civilization, man has used what was available to him....
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All About Fennel
Fennel is a culinary herb that has been used throughout history in fish and meat dishes....
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Tips for New Gardeners
There is nothing more satisfying than having your own garden....
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All About Arbors
Nothing is prettier than an arbor covered in climbing roses, honeysuckle, or whatever is your f...
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Bulbs
Bulbs will provide a profusion of color, require the minimum of care, and give quick flowering....
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Cinnamon And Its Uses
Cinnamon has a long history, going back thousands of years when Egyptians used it in their emba...
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Angelica, the "Angel of Herbs"
Angelica reportedly has healing powers, and is used in herbal medicine for a variety of ailment...
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Protecting Indoor Plants this Winter
The 5 factors you need to keep in mind....
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Lemon Verbena, A Lovely Aromatic
Learn how to grow Lemon verbena, the cosmetic and aromatic herb....
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Six Steps to Install an Underground Sprinkler System
Shower yourself with information to get it done right....
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Repairing Exterior Surfaces
The exterior of the home is exposed to the elements and can sustain damage from the elements....
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Refinishing Cabinets
If you cook, your cabinets will eventually need work....
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Install Base-Cabinet Rollouts
Base cabinets in the kitchen are probably the most inconvenient and inefficient way of storing....
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Radiant Barrier Insulation Helps Keep the Heat In
A thermos bottle, can keep hot things hot, and cold things cold. Radiant heat barriers work the...
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How To Distress Copper
Use it to decorate or in creating expensive-looking gifts....
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Temporary Awnings
Look around you when you take your next road trip and see if you can spot all the different awn...
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9 Steps for Bulb Gardening
Planting bulbs is one of the easiest ways to grow a lush garden. Use these few tips to get star...
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Borage
Borage, long known for its medicinal uses and culinary capabilities, is an herb rich in history...
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Rosemary, Herb of Love
Use it for a hot soak in the tub, or in your favorite soup....
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Installing an Underground Sprinkler System
If you live in an area of uncertain rainfall, consider installing an underground sprinkler syst...
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Thyme, the Herb of Courage
Good for your eggs, your feet, and your garden....
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The Pipe Primer
If you are a do-it-yourself-er, you may be confused by the varieties of pipe available on the m...
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Protecting Your Pipes
When water freezes it expands and bursts pipes....
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Bathroom Remodeling Options
Let's face it. The most expensive room in the house to renovate or remodel is the bathroom....
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Adding A Shower To Your Bathroom
Believe it or not, there are homes today that don't have showers....
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Installing Water Supply Lines
Rather than call a plumber, install your own water supply lines....
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Understanding and Installing Galvanized Pipes
Learn when and where to incorporate galvanized pipes into your plumbing....
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Computer Compatibility
You have almost surely run into computer compatibility issues....
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How to Install Black Iron Pipe
Know the tricks for cutting, threading, and installing black iron piping for DIY repairs....
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The Latest Trends In Kitchen Remodeling
The kitchen is no longer a gathering place like it was in the 50's and 60's....
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Kitchen Remodeling Resources
When you wanted to remodel your kitchen, you drew a rough sketch but no more. Things changed....
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Laminate Flooring: Installation
Back to Part 1 In the first part of this series, we discussed laminate flooring – what...
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Laminate Flooring: Cheaper Options with Lasting Appeal
On to Part 2 If you want the look of marble or bamboo flooring in your home, but cannot justif...
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Keep Your Car Running Smoothly Under Adverse Conditions
No matter where you live in the country, you will eventually run into adverse weather condition...
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Pick the Right Truck For The Job
One who has the need for a utility truck often questions what they should look for in a vehicle...