Above ground pools – useful equipment

Above ground pools are becoming more and more popular. Their installation is much easier than in ground pools because you don’t need to do any excavation work in your yard. You aren’t limited by any cables that may be laying underground and you don’t need to pay for costly construction work. This makes above ground pools a much cheaper choice.

Once you have installed an above ground pool, the only equipment you need to purchase is a water filter. The filter will keep the water in your pool clean and free of any contamination. With that, you can start splashing in your brand new pool.

However, since you’ve saved a lot of money by choosing to go with an above ground pool, how about customizing your pool a little more? There are several products that will make the experience of owning an above ground pool so much more enjoyable. Even if you choose to buy all of it, it would still cost you less than if you had installed an in ground pool.

Heater

The first thing most new pool owners purchase is a pool heater. It is simply indispensable because it extends the duration of the swimming season. Depending on your climate, you can start swimming in the pool in the early spring and retire the pool late into fall. The water can be kept warm at will, even in the middle of the night which is perfect for evening pool parties. An above ground pool heater is permanently installed next to your pool and uses gas to run. Some newer models can even be powered by solar panels. The heater will easily raise the water temperature by even 30 degrees.

Solar covers

Solar covers are another piece of equipment that makes your life so much easier. You put them on top of the pool when it’s not in use. This keeps the water warm because the heat is trapped inside. Solar covers also stop physical contamination – things like leaves cannot get inside the pool. This simple product keeps your energy costs down due to increased heat retention, minimizes water loss, and decreases the need for cleaning the water.

Pool lights

Adding some gentle lights to your pool will make it the center of attention at any party. You have many options when it comes to pool lights. You can place any outdoor lights around your deck but make sure they are waterproof in case water overflows from your pool. The safest choice would be to search specifically for pool lights. Another fun idea is to install LED strip lights around the inside edge of your pool. You can go with a standard white light or something more exciting like red or purple. There are many models to choose from and some of them can change colors according to your current mood.

Above ground pools are not only much cheaper than in ground pools but they are also much more customizable. If you need to, you can dismantle and reconfigure it should such need arise. If you want to have full freedom over how your yard looks like, then an above ground pool is the only option for you.

Log splitters – what can they be used for

Mechanical log splitters are widely used in professional settings. Their purpose is to make splitting wood into logs much easier and faster than when using a traditional ax. They are not fully automated tools, a person still has to operate them and manually put the logs onto the machine, but still, this is the easiest method of splitting wood right now.

A typical log splitter is a large machine that is usually found at sawmill facilities. It can be difficult to move but lately, a more compact kind of log splitters has started to become popular. They are called portable log splitters and are more lightweight than regular ones. Portable log splitters are mainly used by sawmills to produce logs right at the place the wood was sourced.

However, some people choose to use a log splitter for personal reasons, for example making logs for the fireplace or woodworking purposes. Still, even portable log splitters are not particularly small machines that can be easily fitted into any house unless you have a lot of free space in the garage. So it is important to first think about what you are going to use the log splitter for before making a purchase.

Woodworking and DIY

A log splitter can be a real time and money saver if you are doing a lot of creating your own furniture or wooden decorations. Having access to a log splitter allows you to use uncut pieces of wood instead of relying on ready-made DIY wooden kits. These precut pieces often have limited designs so working with your own log will allow you to get exactly the shape you need to achieve the desired effect. This is a good choice for experienced woodworkers who want to unleash their creativity and create items of their own designs.

Fireplace logs

There is nothing better than lighting the fireplace during harsh winters. The crackling fire will bring a sense of coziness to any room and can warm everybody up during winter parties. But you need to have wooden logs to light a proper fire. Suddenly running out of logs can spoil the mood so it is a good idea to have a large supply ready for the season. If you use the fireplace every year then a log splitter can save you a lot of time and worry because even if you will have a shortage of logs unexpectedly you can just make some more without a hassle.

So consider your needs and space availability before you make a purchase. Depending on your planned usage, a log splitter can be an amazingly good investment that will save you money in the long run. You can get some at most large stores that carry heavy-duty tools. Just check Log Splitter Home Depot to get some recommendations. And if you aren’t sure if the log splitter is the tool for you or you don’t have enough space for one, Home Depot offers rental services. You can get one for a day for around $100 and spend a few hours preparing a log supply that will last you for a long time.

Why you’ve been making latte wrong all along (and how to make a proper one)

Simple things are often the most complicated, and in the world of coffee, things are no different. Latte is at the top of the list of drinks most ordered by people at cafes everywhere, so naturally, it is incredibly easy to screw it up. “What’s so scientific about coffee and milk?” you may say, but believe me when I say there are a thing or two to learn to perfect the making of a latte. An experienced barista with access to a commercial espresso machine will likely be able to whip a latte right out, and nowadays it is possible to get pretty damn good lattes even while at home. Let’s take a look at the main things you should keep an eye out on.

Proportions

Every latte is just a few ounces of the wrong thing away from being a cappuccino and vice versa. It is easy to get mixed up with the proportions since the ingredients in both beverages are the same: espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. The key difference is in the proportions for each drink. Cappuccino is easy to remember, since they are equal thirds of each element. Latte is trickier because the proportion of milk is larger than that of espresso or foamed milk. In latte, both espresso and foamed milk make about 1/6 of the drink each, while the remaining fraction is all steamed milk.

Milk

So what about milk then? Your favorite local coffee shop probably has the best super automatic machine they could get, which probably includes a steaming wand precisely to help in the preparation of lattes and cappuccinos. For latte, the wand should be immersed just enough to steam most of the milk and create some foam, contrary to the way cappuccino milk is steamed to make it gain volume and create foam. You want your milk to be hot and rich, with just a little foam to top the latte off.

So, can I make a good latte at home?

People at home might be tempted to try their hand at making latte the homemade way, but most would end up with something that resembles mostly coffee and milk, not quite latte. Steaming milk at home is difficult without the proper equipment, reason for which most people just try to do it by boiling. Rising the temperature of milk up to its boiling point actually ends up taking away some of its natural sweetness and richness, both elements you want in a good latte. Boiling the milk will also make it bubble, which is nowhere near the consistency of the foam we want on top.

Luckily, you can get around this seemingly insurmountable obstacle with the help of an automatic coffee maker, more specifically a latte machine. These machines can make coffee shop-grade coffee with the press of a button, and they come equipped with elements like the steaming wand, essential for the latte making process. Most of these machines can also make you an espresso, cappuccino, americano, and more. If you are not sure where to begin to look for one, you can take a look at this top list of latte machines.

Great Food. Great Coffee. Great Fellowship

Cassatt’s is a cozy, bistro-style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with New Zealand flair.

Where does the cafe’s name come from?

Cassatt’s is named after Mary Cassatt, the American impressionist who painted with Monet, Manet, Degas, and the other French impressionists.

Located in the Lee Heights shops on Lee Highway in Arlington, we serve Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch, with specialty coffees, wines and homemade desserts.

 New Zealand flavors come alive in our Flat White (a drink), Pavlova (a dessert), Kiwi Burger (a burger), and New Zealand panini (a sandwich). Try them all!

Our Coffee is made with love that can relax professional, Our coffee is the best in the world and we serve it with a specialized cookies which double our coffee taste.

 

Cassatt’s menu

Cassatt’s menu is styled around that of a New Zealand Cafe, offering an informal place to relax with an expresso and panini, or enjoy a relaxed night out with friends and family.

Our special New Zealand flavors include the unique New Zealand style Flat White, a richer smoother version of the Latte. We also offer New Zealand paninis, burgers, and desserts such as Pavlova.

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner *New*
  • Wine List
  • Party Menu *New*
  • Desserts and Coffees