As we enter 2018, winter is kicking into high gear, and with it, the bitter January cold and a heightened risk of vicious storms. Keeping this in mind, it’s important to prepare your home for every contingency. While snow and icy winds may be unavoidable, there are a few steps you can take to mitigate damage and keep repair bills low. How to Prevent Exterior Damage During a Winter Storm
1. Ensure you have enough coverage. It’s better to know your insurance coverage before you need it, rather than finding out after the fact that repairs are going to cost you an arm and a leg. Prepare for a worst-case scenario. How much will it cost if your pipes freeze and burst? What if snow buildup punches a hole in your roof? Note that even the best policies usually include a deductible, and ensure that every potential type of damage is covered under your plan. 2. Don’t let a storm turn your yard into a hazard. Even without a storm, trees are a risky proposition during winter, prone to collapse under the weight of snow. Make sure to carefully Laughing Corner
inspect your trees for structural problems, trimming when necessary. Cut the trees so that they don’t sit right next to your roof or siding. It’s also a good bet to put anything that’s in your backyard or on your patio and not nailed down into storage for the season. 3. Watch your roof. We wrote about this last month, but you can never be too careful. As it starts to snow more, keep an eye on your roof. Pay special attention if snow seems to be melting off as soon as it lands (a sign of poor insulation) or if icicles hang from your gutters (a sign of potentially dangerous snow dams weighing down your roof). Vigilance can go a long way to save you from hassle and expense down the road.
TURKEY RAMEN Leftover
Ingredients
(Recipe inspired by TheWoksOfLife.com.)
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1 leftover turkey carcass
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4 eggs
6 scallions, divided
4 ounces bacon
8 slices ginger
4 portions fresh, not instant, ramen noodles 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
6 dried shiitake mushrooms
16 cups water
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Instructions 1. Remove most of the meat from the turkey carcass, shred, and set aside. Put carcass in a large stockpot, along with 3 scallions, ginger, mushrooms, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours. 2. Place eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove pot from heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool. 3. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain, chop, and set aside. Chop remaining scallions. 4. Once the broth is done simmering, prepare the fresh noodles according to package directions. Divide noodles among 4 bowls and cover with broth. Add shredded turkey, chopped scallions, chopped bacon, and an egg to each bowl. 3
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