dig/s Home Goods & Housewares: July 2017

Monday, 31 July 2017

How To Play And Learn Chess For Beginners (Rules)

Chess for Beginners

When you first learn to play chess, the opening gambit is just to learn the moves of the different pieces, but the true depth of the game lies in its strategy, in thinking out many moves ahead, and predicting the movements your opponent will make in response.

The Setup

First, you must set up the board. Place the white king on the white centermost white square in the back row of his side of the board. Place the black king directly opposite on the centermost black square of his back row. Put the queens on the other central square, and then place their cohorts in descending order along the back row, bishop next to king and queen, knight next to bishop, and rook on the outer squares. Now put your eight pawns across the second row.

The Moves

Each player gets one move per turn. When you choose sides, white moves first. This is not always as great an advantage as you might think. Some players prefer to let their opponents advance first, and respond with an appropriate counter strategy. That, however, is for more advanced players. Let's just start with how the pieces move.

Pawns

The pawns can take one step straight forward, two if they have yet to move in the game. They can only take another player's piece with a diagonal move of one space. If one of your pawns is lucky enough to reach the back row of your opponent, it becomes the queen, the most powerful piece in the game.

Queen

Queens can move in any direction, forward, backward, to either side, and in all four diagonal directions. She can also move as many spaces as she wants and take pieces with all of those moves. This makes her both powerful and valuable, so protect her as much as you can.

Bishop

Bishops move in any diagonal direction as far as you want, and take pieces in those moves. That means they will always be on the same color square, so you have your white bishop and your black bishop. They are very useful to hide in the background and leap out for sudden strikes across the board.

Knight

Knights have the most complex moves. They move in an "L" pattern, two steps one way, then one step at any ninety degree angle. That could be two steps forward and one step to the right, or two steps to the left and one back. Any combination is available. The only piece a knight can take in that move is the piece it lands on. They are great for quick advances and probing your opponent's strategies.

Rook

Rooks move as many squares as you want in straight lines, forward, backwards, and to either side. They can take any piece with that move. This makes them very important for slipping through enemy defenses to their back row, especially if the opponent's king still hides back there.

And that is the whole goal of the game: to take the opponent's king. The king can move in any direction, but it can only move one space. It is your most important piece and the the key to winning, so you protect it all costs. The king even has a special move called "castling" to defend him. If he and a rook on your side have yet to move in the game, and if there are no pieces in between them, you can switch their places.

Those are the basics. There is much more to learn. Have fun playing chess!

Dig/s Home Goods and Housewares is a family-run business, just basically Chuck, Susan and a few helpers. It's these homegrown roots that give our company a great work ethic and a strong foundation on which to expand and develop. Our heart goes into our work, and it shows in everything we do, from the kind of products we offer to the kind of service we provide. Our customers matter to us. You matter to us, and your business is greatly appreciated.

Sending positive vibes your way,

Chuck :)

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

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Want to learn to cook? Subscribe To These 5 YouTube Channels (and why)

5 Best Cooking Channels On Youtube

Cooking is a skill that is useful and can be learned by anyone. Most traditional ways of learning how to properly cook are time consuming, which is a turn off for most people. However, with the ever-growing popularity of YouTube, it is now possible to learn how to cook simply by subscribing to channels and watching videos. Subscribe to these 5 channels to learn how to cook!

Laura In The Kitchen

If you want to learn how to cook a variety of both healthy and unhealthy foods, Laura in the Kitchen is a channel that you should definitely subscribe to. With over hundreds of videos already uploaded and at least two more videos being uploaded weekly, Laura in the Kitchen has more than enough recipes. One of the best reasons her show is so useful is that the videos tend to be rather quick, which makes watching them much more efficient than watching a normal cooking show.

BBQ Pit Boys

Cooking involves the use of a lot of tools and sometimes that includes a grill. BBQ Pit Boys is the channel to subscribe to if you are interested in all kinds of grilling recipes. Although some of the things they grill may seem weird, they are guaranteed to be tasty.

With plenty of content, they have more than enough recipes for you to learn. BBQ Pit Boys are very descriptive in what to do when grilling and they are entertaining as well, making them a fantastic option for someone wanting to learn how to cook.

ByronTalbott

Out of all of the cooking channels available on YouTube, ByronTalbott might be the host with the most knowledge. Before deciding to start his own cooking channel, Byron Talbott worked with many legendary chefs, including Gordon Ramsay.

One of the best qualities about his channel is that the videos are extremely clear and concise, making them easy to follow. Most of his recipes are cheap too, so having a big budget isn't necessary!

Cooking With Dog

Cooking with Dog probably has the best set up out of all of the cooking channels. Each video consists of a Japanese cook showing you how to cook a delightful dish while her dog sits beside her. The dog narrates the recipe throughout the video.

Don't let the setup fool you into thinking that the videos on this channel are strictly for entertainment purposes. You can learn quite a few cooking tips from the mysterious Japanese chef. Her recipes, or should I say her dog's, are mostly Japanese based. Learning how to master another culture's food is an important step in becoming a well-rounded cook, and Cooking with Dog is the best way to accomplish that.

Food Wishes

It's important for you to have fun while you learn. The Food Wishes channel will ensure that you are entertained thanks to the wonderful personality of Chef John.

On top of having a fantastic instructor, the recipes tend to be tasty and easy to complete. If you are just learning how to cook, it's hard to find a better starting point that Food Wishes.

Listen... if a guy in his 60's can start an online store YOU can too!

Thanks for reading and check out the rest of my online store!

Lots of Love :)

-Chuck

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

Check out these GREAT deals:

from
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Friday, 28 July 2017

Follow These 5 DIY Pros on Instagram For Real Great Home Décor Tips

Are you someone who loves to make decorations with your own two hands? Does seeing your own creations lighting up your home, lawn, or garden fill you with a sense of pride? If so, we have searched high and low to find you the top 5 DIY accounts on Instagram. Read on and get ready to make your space look just the way that you want it to!

1. I Spy DIY

This account is run by Jenni Radosevich from HGTV’s “My Flippin’ Friends.” Head over to this account for countless colorful and stylish projects that will make your home truly stand out. Not only does the account give suggestions on how to create decorations but also helps you visualize how those projects could help makeover an entire room of your home. If you are looking to add some green to your home, I Spy DIY has especially good recommendations on stylish ways to add plants to a room.

2. All Things Thrifty

The All Things Thrifty account provides you with a variety of project suggestions, from everyday decorations to fun party décor. The great thing about this account is that it also keeps a focus on making sure a project is affordable; hence the word thrifty in the name. Come here to learn how to cover pillows, paint metal or wood furniture, and build planters.

3. Sons of Stardust

If you get excited about sandpaper and saws, then Sons of Sawdust will be your go-to Instagram account. You will learn how to take relatively cheap reclaimed wood and turn it into beautiful pieces of furniture. Working with wood is always especially rewarding since it can provide either an outdoorsy or a sophisticated feel to a room depending on the piece. Rather than buying your next dining room or kitchen table learn how to build it for less.

4. Oh Happy Day

If you are more into paint, paper, and balloons than saws, then head to this great account for awesome party ideas and creative projects. As soon as you visit the account, you will be impressed by the explosion of color that meets your eyes. Every birthday and holiday party that you throw will be in vogue once you have spent some time at the Oh Happy Day account. You can learn how to design fun table centerpieces, create balloon designs, and build unique piñatas.

5. Fix This Build That

Fix This Build That is another one for those of you who love to work with wood. This account, run by Brad Rodriguez, is loaded with hundreds of projects to make both indoor and outdoor furniture to make your home, yard, or garden impress. Recent projects include dressers, hammocks, side tables, and even a ping pong table. This account can also help you find creative ways to incorporate tree stumps into your home.

Whatever your creative passion might be, these accounts have lots of fun projects for you to consider. The next time you are scrolling through Instagram, be inspired.

Listen... if a guy in his 60's can start an online store YOU can too!

Thanks for reading and check out the rest of my online store!

Lots of Love :)

-Chuck

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

Check out these GREAT deals:

from
https://digs-homegoods.com/blogs/news/follow-these-5-diy-pros-on-instagram-for-real-great-home-decor-tips

Ultimate Lawn Games (Boccee Ball, Ladder Ball, Bean bag toss) and why we love lawn games

Everything You Need to Know About Three Popular Lawn Games

Summer is officially here, and it's time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Lawn games have been around for years and provide a safe, easy way to entertain a whole group of people, no matter what their ages are. This article will go over three of the most popular lawn games and how to play them. They will provide hours of fun all summer long.

Bocce Ball

Bocce ball has been around for decades. You can have up to eight people per game, on teams of one, two, or four. You get a set number of balls depending on how many people are on a team. A team of one has four balls, a team of two has two balls, and a team of four gets one ball each. When you set up your bocce ball game, you set up a four-foot line, a ten-foot line, and a center line. There should be a four and ten-foot line on each side of the center line. There is jack that you toss and the objective is to get it over the center line, but not further than the four-foot line. After the jack is in position, the teams alternate throwing the bocce ball. You want to get it as close to the jack as possible, or to move your opponent's ball further away. You score by having your ball closest to the jack at the end of the round, and the game is played until 12 points are reached.

Ladder Ball

Ladder ball is a lawn game that can be played with up to four people per game. You set up the ladder, and each team gets a bola. You stand fifteen feet away from the ladder and toss the bola. The object is to get your bola to wrapped around one of the three ladder rungs. The top rung is worth three points, the second rung is worth two points, and the final rung is worth one point. You must throw the bolas in groups of three before the next player can go. The object is to be the first team to get to 21 points.

Bean Bag Toss

This game is played by teams of two to four per game, up to eight people. You set two platforms up with a hole in the end and then stand a predetermined distance back. There are two different colors of bean bags, and each team gets a color. The object is to get your bean bag into the other team's platform. Any bag that goes through the hole is worth three points, and any bag left on the board is worth one point. You want to be the first team to get to 21 to win, and you have to get exactly to 21. If you go over, you have to wait for your next turn to try for 21 points.

Lawn games are important for family or friends to be able to bond and have fun. They provide an easy way to entertain a group of people, and they allow you to get outside into the gorgeous summer weather. They're versatile, and they can be used almost anywhere, with two or more people.

Sending positive vibes your way,

Chuck :)

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

Check out these GREAT deals:

from
https://digs-homegoods.com/blogs/news/ultimate-lawn-games-boccee-ball-ladder-ball-bean-bag-toss-and-why-we-love-lawn-games

Friday, 21 July 2017

How To Cook With A Japanese Indoor Grill

Grilling is perhaps mankind's favorite food centered activity, and yet many do not possess the outdoor space to achieve this charred perfection. If lack of space doesn't stand in your way, perhaps building rules and regulations prohibit your grilling adventures. In any case, a solution does exist for renters and homeowners alike that will delight your guests with the smoky, savory taste of a grilled meal.

A Japanese indoor grill is the perfect solution for bringing grilled food preparation into the home. Known to chefs and consumers alike in the Western hemisphere as hibachi; the Japanese indoor grill delivers exceptional flavor to proteins and vegetables with its concentrated heat. Largely constructed of highly conductive stainless steel, the cook top surface of hibachis provide concentrated intense heat for the perfect sear.

Different Types of Grills

Most models of Japanese indoor grills made for using in the home are powered by electricity. Less commonly found are indoor hibachi grills fueled with propane or natural gas. There are many options for the indoor grill enthusiast when choosing the right hibachi grill.

Grated topped hibachis allow the user to adjust the height of the cooking surface either moving your food closer the the heat or further away. This precise control is beneficial when grilling proteins. For example, bone-in proteins will take longer to cook through and may require a longer period of concentrated heat until they are safe to eat. Boneless proteins and thinner cuts will require a shorter cooking time to preserve moisture content.

Using a grate top hibachi indoors offer smokeless grilling. With these models, the heat is traveling upwards toward your food and not downwards onto the counter or tabletop surface ensuring efficient grilling. Food grilled on a grate top hibachi will have the iconic grill marks just as outdoor charcoal and gas fueled model do.

Flat top indoor hibachi grills are more similar to the style of grilling that is quintessential to Japanese-American restaurant chains. The main difference being size. Indoor hibachi on a flat top or griddle goes far beyond stir frying. These surfaces pack a punch with extremely consistent high cooking heat. The solid surface allows for an entire meal to be prepared at the same time. Lastly, the smooth surface cleans up quickly.

Corrugated topped hibachi grills are a step in between the traditional grate top and the modern flat top. The corrugated top on these models gives food the iconic grill stripes and provides an easy to clean surface. Meals cooked on this type of hibachi sear on highly conductive, non-stick metal surfaces delivering quality to your plate.

Using Your Grill

Power on according to manufacturer's instructions
Ensure that you are using your grill in a ventilated area
Place marinated and or seasoned protein on the grill first
Vegetables should follow
Watch your items to ensure they are cooked through
When food is cooked, remove from grill and enjoy

Once you have completed your first indoor hibachi grilling experience, pause for just a moment and pat yourself on the back. Cleaning up is simple with an indoor hibachi. In order to ensure safety, utilize the manufacturer's cleaning instructions and store as suggested.

Sending positive vibes your way,

Chuck

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

Check out these GREAT deals:

from
https://digs-homegoods.com/blogs/news/how-to-cook-with-a-japanese-indoor-grill

Friday, 14 July 2017

Why Do People Love Cuban Coffee Machines?

The coffee culture in Cuba is not only unique but also popular around the world, with the coffee being richly fresh and having a distinct flavor. One of the reasons why Cuban coffee has gained popularity and acceptance is because of the brewing process. The process is not only easy and extraordinary but also delivers strong espresso-style coffee that meets the needs of coffee lovers. Cuban coffee machines, the coffee makers that are commonly used, convert sugar into caramel during the brewing process. The caramelized sugar is responsible for the distinct flavor of the beverage. Here are some of the reasons why people love the coffee machines.

Temperature

Every coffee lover understands the critical role that temperature plays when brewing coffee. While extremely high temperatures will burn your coffee, you will not extract coffee from ground beans if the water is not hot enough. These coffee machines work in an amazing way, brewing coffee that perfectly fits the desired taste. This ensures that you will enjoy rich flavor every time you use them to prepare your favorite beverage.

Programming features

Depending on the time of day that you want to enjoy your coffee, you can set the coffee machine to brew the beverage at that specific time each day. This feature will impress those who like to have a cup of coffee once they wake up in the morning. The programming features of the coffee makers allow you to enjoy the convenience you need every day.

Water filters

By filtering the water you use to brew your beverage, Cuban coffee machines deliver rich flavor in two major ways. Since the coffee you drink comprises mainly of water, filtering and purifying water will allow you to have a high quality cup of coffee. Filtering also gets rid of any impurities that can potentially reduce the flavor of your coffee. With this, you can keep the rich flavor intact.

Speed

Another reason why people love these coffee machines is because of how fast they brew coffee. When you are in a hurry or would like to prepare coffee fast, the machines will deliver the beverage in a relatively short period of time. Most of these coffee machines are 25% faster to make it easy for you, especially on mornings when you cannot wait to step out of your door.

Brew strength

Having a coffee machine that delivers perfect brew strength lets you control the intensity of your coffee flavor. Depending on the time of day or day of week, you can modify the flavor of your coffee in order to enjoy every cup you brew. These coffee machines are designed to make it possible for you to make such changes without having to change your preferred coffee beans.

Easy but useful controls

With the busy schedules that characterize life in the modern world, people are increasingly looking for appliances that offer them convenience. These coffee machines feature easy but useful controls. Versatile capacity, a start timer, a self-cleaning option and an auto-off button are some of the features that have made these coffee machines popular.

When choosing Cuban coffee machines, it is important to be mindful of your individual needs. This is one of the ways through which you will enjoy the benefits of the coffee machines.

Sending positive vibes your way,

Chuck

Want support my WORLD CONQUEST through home decor?

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5 Cooking Pinterest Pages You Need To Follow

When cooking it can be hard to think of ideas on what to make, but there are pages that Pinterest offers for diets or just quick recipes for busy schedules. This article will list 5 pages that everyone should follow.

Live Well, Bake often

This is more of a baking page rather than cooking, but it still offers dinner and drink ideas along with all the dessert recipes. Live Well, Bake Often has many pin boards on its page for things like cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, dinners and they even have a couple boards that offer healthier recipes. This page is great for anyone whether they want a recipe for granola bars, dinner ideas or a quick dessert idea. All the recipes are fairly simple, so if you don’t have a lot of kitchen experience there is nothing to worry about. The recipes are colorful, fun to make and very delicious.

Kalyn’s Kitchen

Kalyn’s Kitchen is a cooking page that offers healthier recipes so it is good for anyone who wants to diet or just start eating better. This page has pin boards for slow cooker, low-carb, and even paleo recipes. Some of the foods that are offered here include chicken breasts with a Thai red curry peanut sauce, napa cabbage Asian slaw and paleo Mediterranean zucchini noodles. These may sound intimidating because of the long names but they are simple recipes that anyone could make! Overall this Pinterest page is great for everyone because of all the healthy recipes it offers.

Stockpiling Moms

This page is great for anyone who has a busy schedule. It offers quick, fun recipes that you could make alone or even with the family. The foods offered on this page include things like fried eggs and avocados, 3 ingredient ice cream and even zucchini pizza bites. This page also offers boards dedicated to meal plan prepping for those busy days where you won’t have enough time to put a dinner together, but rather just throw something in the crock pot and forget about it. All the recipes on this page are cheap so they won’t cost a lot to make.

Real Life Dinner

Real Life Dinner is a Pinterest page that offers cute and easy ideas for any meal. They have boards for sweets, dinner ideas and even a few boards for holiday food ideas. Some foods that are featured here include bbq chicken foil dinner, skillet taco rice dinner and chicken tortellini soup. The recipes on this page don’t sound fancy because they aren’t! This page offers people simple recipes for great home cooked meals that can be enjoyed with friends and family.

The Baking ChocolaTess

This page is more on the baking side of things, but everyone should follow it because it has recipes for anything and everything chocolate! Here you can find recipes for all kinds of cookies and pastries. There is also a board for strawberry recipes in case you need to take a break from chocolate. Some foods you can find on this page include nutella chocolate chip cookies, lime marshmallow cookie bars and also a strawberry danish. There are many easy sweet treats on here and all of them are great to be shared or just kept for yourself!

Listen... if a guy in his 60's can start an online store YOU can too!

Thanks for reading and check out the rest of my online store!

Lots of Love :)

-Chuck

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

Check out these GREAT deals:

from
https://digs-homegoods.com/blogs/news/5-cooking-pinterest-pages-you-need-to-follow

Friday, 7 July 2017

Top 5 Home Décor Blogs Worth Following

Compared to most blog trends making their way across the internet, home decor blogs are becoming more and more popular every day. From holiday themes to custom layouts, home decor is becoming a trendy way to promote your home through blogs and social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. To help you get going on your own home decor blog, or to simply get some ideas to re-do your own home, here are the top five home decor blogs you should start following.

1. Decor8

One of the most popular home decor blogs you should be following is called Decor8. This home decor blog was founded by Holly Becker, an author and a member of the lecture circuit. However, her blog can give you some great ideas on decorating your home, from top to bottom, no matter what style you may be going for.

2. Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy is blog centrally based around hipster styles, with a variety of compilations from around the world. However, because of its hundreds of collaborators and followers, there are plenty of styles that will peak your interest, and may even give you ideas of your own to re-do your current home decor.

3. Obsessilicious

Obsessilicious is created by Griffo, who is not only a successful graphic designer but also a fan of typography and modernism styles. His blog uploads a large number of photos every Friday called the “Friday Feast,” which presents all the homes he visited the previous week. Plus, on special occasions, he also uploads photos of his Swansea house, which has integrated modern styles that your home can take advantage of.

4. Apartment 34

Apartment 34 is a great home décor blog to follow if you are interested in travel, beauty, and interior home decor. Not only does this blog have a variety of inspiration for you to capture in your own home, but it’s founder, Erin Hiemstra, provides unique posts that can help redefine your home design.

5. Print & Pattern

If you are a fan of patterns and prints, then, as you may have guessed, this is the blog for you. Print & Pattern focuses on exactly what the title states, patterns and prints. Whether you like bold prints, bright colors, or cute patterns, this blog will not disappoint you. No matter the type of pattern or print, the bloggers who work on this site will showcase it. Patterns appear on paper, bedding, wallpaper, and more, so there is plenty of inspiration for any home project you may be working on.

There are tons of home décor blogs on the internet these days. These blogs are not only fun to scroll through but they can also provide a ton of inspiration for new home projects. These are five of the best interior design out there. Hopefully, they could provide you with a few new ideas to redecorate your home and get the interior of your dreams.

Sending positive vibes your way,

Chuck :)

Want to lessen some of my gray hairs?

Check out these GREAT deals:

from
https://digs-homegoods.com/blogs/news/top-5-home-decor-blogs-worth-following

How To Throw The Ultimate Summer BBQ (Here Is What You Need)

The summer months are ideal for relaxing with friends and family outdoors, and hosting a barbecue party is a great seasonal idea that can bring everyone together for a good time. If you have never hosted a summer barbecue party, you may be wondering what it takes to pull off an exceptional event that everyone will love. While a barbecue party is usually a casual, laid back event, it does require proper planning. You can easily plan your summer BBQ party by walking through a few easy steps.

Choose the Ideal Location

One of the most important first steps to take when planning a summer BBQ is to choose the right location for your event. Many of these parties will take place in the host’s front or backyard, but you can also have your party at a local park or another outdoor venue. When you choose a location for your party, think about things such as weather conditions, exposure to sun and wind, the availability of shade, lighting, insects and more. You also need to think about seating options, grilling equipment, bathroom facilities and recreational opportunities at each location you are considering. Some venues are much more well-suited for a large get-together than others. If you plan to use a public space for your event, research the need to make a reservation to ensure you have the space you need for the event.

Plan the Menu

Your menu will play a major role in the success of your event as well as your budget. Some options, such as sausage wraps and hot dogs, are much more affordable than others. Burgers, steaks, chicken and brisket may be delicious, but they can be much more expensive. Remember that you need plenty of sides as well, such as coleslaw, potato salad, watermelon, chips and even a few dessert options. Sodas, water, juice and beer as well as paper plates, napkins and utensils may also be needed. If you want to keep your event costs low, you can ask each guest to bring an item or two to contribute to the party.

Think About the Ambiance

You should plan ahead to control the ambiance at your summer barbecue party. For example, if you are planning an afternoon event in an area that does not have extensive shade, you may need to rent or purchase a canopy and a few outdoor fans. On the other hand, if you plan to host your event at night, outdoor lighting may be needed. Mosquito and ant repellent, music and other elements should also be planned for to ensure the comfort of all of your guests.

Incorporate Fun and Games Into the Festivities

Music, food and drinks are necessary for a successful summer BBQ, but your guests can easily get bored if you do not plan a few fun activities to keep them engaged. Some great barbecue games are cornhole or a bean bag toss, horseshoes, frisbee, volleyball and more. Choose an ideal number of games or activities based on the number of guests in attendance.

A summer barbecue can be a memorable, fun event for all of your friends and family, but it does take properly planning to pull off the best event possible. By focusing your attention on these points, you can more easily plan a great event that everyone will love.

Listen... if a guy in his 60's can start an online store YOU can too!

Thanks for reading and check out the rest of my online store!

Lots of Love :)

-Chuck

Want to help support my passion for blogging?

Check out these AMAZING deals:

from
https://digs-homegoods.com/blogs/news/how-to-throw-the-ultimate-summer-bbq-what-you-need