Instead of being forced to labor through the same old spring chores, use this abbreviated spring as an excuse to stay outside. Fire up the grill, dust off the patio furniture and envision relaxing on a cool night around an outdoor fireplace.

Your vision

Think of an outdoor fireplace as the functional focal point of your backyard or patio. It can anchor your landscaping, accent your decor, and extend your outdoor entertaining season. It can also be a missing link to your ultimate outdoor living room.

In fact, outdoor spaces are the No. 1 desired amenity by homebuyers, according to a 2011 National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) study. Second on that list is a fireplace. And according to the 2011 Marshall & Swift Residential Cost Handbook, outdoor gas fireplaces can add $3,500 on average to home values.

Where to start?

For many of us, big, blazing bonfires just aren't practical. And they're not safe or permitted in many residential areas. Modern outdoor gas fireplaces can provide that rustic outdoor ambiance, with the safety and convenience suitable for today's homes.

The Heat & Glo Carolina is a great place to start. It comes in two sizes and has enough heat output to warm a quaint porch, or a large backyard patio.

The Carolina is unique for having FireBrick technology: a patented material which is molded into detailed brick styles and increases heat output by as much as 25 percent. It works similar to cast iron, capturing radiant heat and spreading that heat outward, warming friends and family around the fire. Flip a switch on the wall, or press one button on its remote and this fireplace is ready for company.

Another route

For those looking to add some flare to the backyard, the Twilight Modern does just that. This see-through, indoor/outdoor fireplace installs directly into an exterior wall and creates a two-for-one fireside experience.

When the unit isn't running, it acts as a hurricane-rated window. Turn it on, and crisp flames rise through colored glass. The result is an artistic appearance with solid heat output - perfect for relaxing inside or socializing outside.

The Twilight Modern is completely sealed and uses Direct Vent technology, expelling 100 percent of exhaust outside of the home. No venting or chimney is required.

Take control of your summer

This summer season, make the most of your backyard or patio. Extend your living into the outdoors and increase your home value. An outdoor gas fireplace creates another way to enjoy the great outdoors, and another way to accent your home.

Visit www.fireplaces.com to search and compare outdoor fireplaces and connect with your local dealer.

Today, seven in 10 nursing home residents are women.

They also represent a whopping 76 percent of assisted living residents, according to the latest statistics, and two-thirds of all home-care recipients.

And that care isn't necessarily what many would consider "affordable" -- unless you're perhaps lucky enough to have the opportunity to enroll in the likes of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).

"Like other forms of health care, long-term care is expensive, and costs continually increase," says Paul Forte, CEO of Long Term Care Partners, which administers the FLTCIP. The program is specifically designed to help current and retired federal employees safeguard their retirement income and savings while maintaining their independence and avoiding reliance on their children.

How Will You Pay for Care?

The most recent John Hancock Cost of Care Study puts the national average cost of a licensed home health aide at $20 per hour, with private and semiprivate nursing home rooms going for $235 and $207, respectively, a day.

Those costs aren't generally covered by health plans such as Medicare, the Defense Department's TRICARE, TRICARE for Life, or even the regular Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. And as for Medicaid, as Forte notes, "it covers long-term care only for those with very low income and assets, so the responsibility for paying may fall on you."

Now suppose you're a woman who's eligible for the FLTCIP, but you haven't yet applied. Ask yourself these four questions:

* Considering your health and family history, might you live a long life with health conditions that could hinder caring for yourself?

* Do you live alone?

* If you don't live alone, how might tending to you disrupt the professional and personal lives of others, and do you wish to be dependent on them?

* If you do live alone, will you have the resources not just to pay for care, but to also maintain a comfortable lifestyle?

The Advantages of the FLTCIP

Established by an act of Congress in 2000 and overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the program is tailored exclusively to meet the budgetary and lifestyle needs of what's referred to as "the federal family." And as so often is the case with the federal workforce, the cost to enrollees is surprisingly affordable.

How affordable?

Well, there's a choice of four prepackaged plans that combine the most popular program features, with customized plans also available.

So, say you're a 45-year-old woman who chooses the FLTCIP's most popular prepackaged plan (Plan B, with the 4 percent inflation rider). You'd pay a biweekly premium of $33.90 -- less than $68 per month, or slightly more than $2 a day -- for protection that can save you thousands of dollars in future care costs.

The program's consumer-friendly website lets you calculate the premium rate for your age and choice of plans (www.LTCFEDS.com/rate), and view current and past informational webinars (www.LTCFEDS.com/webinar). Personal consultants can also walk you through the entire process, including plan design and applications, by calling 1-800-582-3337 or 1-800-843-3557.

Again, not everyone is eligible for FLTCIP, and certain medical conditions, or combinations of conditions, will prevent some from being approved for coverage. Premiums are set with the expectation that they'll suffice, but aren't guaranteed. While the group policy is in effect, OPM must approve an increase in premium. 

Following the early July battle in 1863, the Confederate army never regained its momentum, and the bloody war ended two years later. South central Pennsylvania -- now known as the Dutch Country Roads (DCR) region -- took years to recover from its pivotal role in history, but many cultural attractions stand as reminders.

There's no better way to experience the richness of the 150th Gettysburg anniversary than to visit in person. Gettysburg is bursting with re-enactments, demonstrations and new programs.

After visiting Gettysburg, explore the Civil War story further in the surrounding area.

National Civil War Museum: Harrisburg is home to one of the largest museums dedicated exclusively to both sides of the Civil War. The museum offers a full understanding of the conflict, as well as exploring the experience of both civilians and soldiers.

U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center: Located in Carlisle, the center features an interactive one-mile outdoor trail with several Civil War aspects and a huge Civil War photography collection to explore.

Hopewell Furnace: See how pig iron production was vital to making Civil War weapons. This national historic site joins the Central Pennsylvania African American Museum -- a stop on the Underground Railroad -- and other heritage locations on the Greater Reading Civil War Trail. Learn more at the Civil War entry for Trails under "Things To Do" at gogreaterreading.com.

Mary Ritner Boarding House: Visit Chambersburg to see where abolitionist John Brown planned the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 and learn about the Confederate burning of the town at the Chambersburg Heritage Center.

Steam into History: New this year, step aboard this 1800s-style steam locomotive in New Freedom for a taste of railroad history while enjoying a ride featuring re-enactors on and off the train and a stop at Hanover Junction -- where President Lincoln changed trains on his way to give the Gettysburg Address.

President James Buchanan's Wheatland: This national historic landmark in Lancaster is the home of the man who preceded Lincoln in the White House and struggled to calm a divided nation on the brink of civil war.

To plan a visit, see the DCR entry under "Civil War Trails" at visitpa.com/pa-road-trips

Different lifestyle factors, including diet, fitness and stress management can affect skincare in addition to the facial skincare products used. -Simple, a line of facial skincare products that is perfect even for sensitive skin, recognizes this, and therefore, takes a holistic approach to skincare by focusing on the link between all of the factors that impact skin.

Simple is launching The Simple Advisory Board, a panel of leading industry experts who offer advice for a complete approach to skincare. Board members are sharing tips to help achieve natural, healthy-looking skin all year long through a balanced, holistic lifestyle approach.

* Dr. Debra Luftman is a Board Certified Dermatologist who believes that healthy skin can have a positive impact on overall health. She also firmly believes skincare does not need to be complicated to be effective.

Top tip: Sooth tired eyes with a cool home remedy

Sometimes when eyes are feeling tired or irritated, the wakeup call they need might be found in the refrigerator! Chill spoons in the refrigerator and place them over your eyes for an instant soothing sensation and an immediate, chilly jolt back to life. Dr. Luftman says, "your eyes will feel cool and look refreshed, the blood vessels around your eyes will shrink and eye circles will appear to vanish!"

* Trainer-to-the-stars, Kacy Duke - whose client list reads like a red carpet who's who - is one of the most sought-after personal trainers and fitness consultants in the world, in addition to being one of the founders of Equinox Fitness Clubs.

Top tip: Get moving and get skin fit

Exercise can be hard to fit into busy schedules and often takes a back seat to other priorities. On the days when you cannot make it to the gym, find alternate ways to squeeze in some movement so your daily routine can help you pick up the slack. Take the stairs over the escalator, get off the bus a few stops early or jump around the living room to your favorite song. By finding ways to move - even on non-gym days - you promote better blood flow and circulation, which show in the health and beauty of your skin.

* Gita Bass is no stranger to the stars. She's credited with creating amazing looks for many celebrities on and off camera and is the talent behind numerous editorial photo shoots and advertising campaigns.

Top tip: Take it all off (makeup that is) before hitting the sheets

One of my top tips for a great make-up look is to start with the proper base: prepping your skin. If your skin is smooth and even, then your makeup is halfway done, which makes getting ready for a night out much easier. Just because you look amazing for a special date or dinner with friends doesn't mean that you can forget about your skin once you get home (even if it's past your bedtime). The best way to ensure your skin achieves a natural, healthy glow is by getting into the routine of cleansing before bedtime. Overnight, skin needs oxygen to repair itself, and sleeping in make-up can clog pores, causing breakouts and puffy eyes. Gita's favorite way to cleanse gently and rid skin of impurities before sleep is with the new Simple Foaming Cleanser.

* Ellie Krieger is a "New York Times" bestselling author and host of the Food Network and Cooking Channel's hit show "Healthy Appetite." A registered dietitian, Krieger holds a master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University. Her success can be attributed in part to her unique way of offering real life advice without any of the gimmicks and crash diets that permeate today's trends.

Top tip: Put tomatoes to the test

Fine lines are a natural part of aging, but you can help combat them with the right diet. Tomatoes, in particular, contain an antioxidant that is proven to reduce skin cell damage, which can often lead to fine lines. Try an easy spinach salad with chopped tomatoes. Go the extra mile and top your salad with almonds or sunflower seeds. The vitamin E found in these nuts and seeds can help further protect against cell damage.

* Dr. Josie Howard is a board-certified psychiatrist with a practice dedicated to general adult psychiatry. She specializes in psychodermatology, an area of medicine that focuses on the relationship between stress, emotional well-being and skin health.

Top tip: Say it with a smile

Any level of emotional stress we experience can readily be detected on our face, whether it is seen through breakouts, irritation, blushing and of course, frowning. When we smile, we look better, less tired and more refreshed. An added benefit of smiling is that our brains interpret this as a signal that we really are happy and content. Moreover, smiling can help others react to us in a more positive way, which can lead to better and less stressful interactions (or a better and less stressful experience). For more information about Simple and tips from the Simple Advisory Board visit www.simpleskincare.com. While there, check out the Simple Sense diagnostic tool to receive a personalized skincare routine that includes lifestyle tips.

* Add color and light. Splashes of color and artwork can transform a kitchen from a workspace to a fun, vibrant family-gathering spot. To show off those dazzling colors, choose window treatments that let the sunshine in. And take a look at the windows themselves. High-efficiency replacement windows and patio doors can not only save you money over their less-efficient predecessors from the second they are installed, but they often retain most of their value should the home be sold, according to industry statistics. Simonton Windows offers a variety of types, sizes and styles across a number of collections, and can help you find the right windows for your remodeling needs. For detailed window options, visit www.simonton.com.

* Add appeal and ease. Stainless steel continues to be the most popular finish for kitchen appliances, sinks and fixtures. Besides its modern, sleek appearance, stainless steel cleans easily and resists wear and tear. That is especially true for kitchen sinks, which receive the brunt of abuse. New lines of stainless-steel sinks, in a variety of styles, configurations and sizes, are available from Moen. To ease renovation, the new styles feature an updated drop-in deck design. These drop-in sinks include Moen's refreshed sink-deck design, a minimal, transitional style that coordinates with a variety of decor and faucet designs. The new recessed deck allows sponges or other wet items placed on the deck's inner ledge to drain back into the sink, and not onto the countertop. The sinks' wear-resistant, uniform, brushed finish offers durability and resistance to chipping, cracking, staining or peeling.

* Go bold with fixtures. For topping off a kitchen-remodeling project, nothing beats bold and functional fixtures. The new STo collection of stylish, modern faucets from Moen encompass a slim, sleek design, including the innovative, integrated pulldown wand which neatly docks inside of the spout. The rounded, high-arc spout of the STo faucet features a tubular design that unites with a cube-shaped base. Adding the finishing touch is a rectangular lever handle. Available in both single-handle pulldown kitchen and bar/prep pulldown models, STo faucets also feature Moen's Reflex system, which offers self-retraction of the wand, as well as an exceptional range of motion, generous reach and secure docking retraction. Choose the Spot Resist Stainless finish, with Chrome and Matte Black as other finish options. For more information about Moen products, visit www.moen.com.

* Store in style. Kitchen storage can be practical and stylish. After determining what you don't like about your current cabinetry - consider location, storage capacity, storage flexibility, material and finish - find out what options you have. MasterBrand offers a spectrum of cabinetry products ranging from standard to custom, with solutions for every budget and lifestyle. For more on cabinetry products from MasterBrand, visit www.masterbrand.com.

* Freshen the flooring. While design, color and surface appeal are important considerations, you'll also want kitchen flooring that can live up to your lifestyle and provide the comfort and durability you need, according to bobvila.com. Natural stone and ceramic tile are high-end products that ooze taste and elegance. If selecting these hard surfaces, also invest in mats for areas where you'll be standing for longer periods of time. Linoleum and vinyl offer the look of tile or wood in a more economical, easy-to-clean package. Hardwood has made great strides as a flooring option for kitchens, due to improved product quality and sealing technology.

Studies show that this brain drain can result in as much as a few months' worth of learning lost over the summer. The achievement gap widens in the fall as students struggle to "relearn" what they knew the spring prior.

"Typically, teachers spend the first week to the first two months of the school year trying to bring student knowledge up to a specific level in order to advance their learning," says Debra Hill, associate professor in the College of Education at Argosy University, Chicago and immediate past president of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. "This is found most commonly in math, where review can last through the first full semester in some grade levels."

So when all your kids want is down time, how do you keep their minds tuned up?

While proactive summer learning can certainly improve a child's retention rate, the way that they learn in the summer may be different from how they learn while in the classroom. "Learning is an ongoing, lifelong activity," says Hill. "A mental break for your kids in the summer should occur not based on learning, but based on the activities students engage in related to learning. Summer should be about more reading for fun, exploration, communication and application of what they have learned.

"Since students do not often practice by doing or by teaching others, it would follow that the application of what they have learned in school through hands-on activities in the summer will assist in retention in the fall," says Hill. "Hands-on experiences, conversations and physical activity will help kids continue to be mentally active." Providing students with opportunities to participate in activities they consider fun will not lessen the learning.

"The more you can keep your students accessing previously learned knowledge in a new and practical way, the more it is likely to get implanted and permanently ingrained in their brains," says Kevin Yeoman, an instructor in the Game Art & Design program at The Art Institute of Fort Worth.

Family meals, trips to the store, collecting shells on the beach, heading to sports camp and almost any other activity can have a learning component if parents engage in conversation with their kids about the activity. "Learning a new skill, or about a new place, or a different way of doing something, or meeting new people are ways of studying. There will not be a test, yet the new information contributes to the overall mental growth of the individual," says Hill.

"Keep your students actively engaged in the world," says Yeoman. "The more they can apply their book knowledge to new experiences and activities they enjoy, the more learning will take place.

"You don't want to create a resistance to learning by forcing your child into the same types of activities they do during the year," says Yeoman. "Instead, take the lessons they've learned in school and apply them to everyday situations. Whether it's having your child map out the route to the grocery store or use basic geometry to create a sandcastle, you're providing them the opportunity to apply their book knowledge in a new way."

And that can even hold true with video games. "There are excellent technology tools such as video games and online projects that are educational and engaging," says Hill. "The key is balance and not encouraging kids to focus most of their time on their electronic toys.

"Ask kids what they like and want to do," suggests Hill. "As an adult, examine what learning can take place when your child gets to select the activities they participate in. Talk to your kids, ask questions, provide problems to be solved, give them opportunities to explore and model what it's like to be a life-long learner."

That fear, however, is not stopping them from including on their profiles the kind of personal information that identity thieves love, a new study from TransUnion indicates. Nearly half of participants in the Google Consumer survey commissioned by TransUnion said they were concerned about having their identities stolen from a social media website, yet more than a third also said they included personal information such as their birth date, address, employer and phone number on their profiles.

"Social media is a great way for people to connect and exchange ideas, but social media users need to be careful about what personal information they include in their profiles," says Heather Battison, vice president of consumer education for TransUnion. "Remember, the general rules of connecting and engaging with others online is the same in social media as everywhere else - use common sense when giving someone information."

Social media users can better safeguard their identities with these tips:

* Less is more: Avoid giving out personal information on social media sites, such as address, phone number or your birth date. Omit this type of information from your profile. Identity thieves can open accounts and commit a number of financial crimes with just this information.

* Never leave a cookie trail: If you use a public or work computer to log into your social media accounts, do not save your password on that public PC. Beware - some social media sites default to automatically remember your password when you sign in, so be sure to check (or uncheck the box, if needed). If the site autosaves and you don't catch it, your account may open up and be accessible the next time someone else uses that PC to visit that website.

* Lock it up: Change your privacy settings on all social media accounts to the most restrictive, which allows you to control all information that is posted. Set your profile to "private" and make sure you have to approve all friend requests, comments, photo tags, links or posts that appear on your page.

* Get creative with passwords: Create intricate, unique passwords for each social media account. Change passwords every few months.

* Avoid over-sharing: Never reveal travel plans on social media sites. If they know your house is empty while you're away, cyber thieves could become actual thieves, and break into your house to rob it while you're out of town.

* Teach children about social media safety: While your children may be more adept at navigating the Internet than you are, they may not fully understand the implications of posting private information, photos or potentially offensive material. Make sure your children understand and follow the same rules as you do for social media use.

* Monitor your credit: Make sure you periodically check your credit reports for accuracy and consider signing up for a credit monitoring service, which can alert you by email to changes in your credit report - a helpful way to prevent identity theft.

For more information on how to minimize your exposure to identity theft, visit www.TransUnion.com.

That can happen in two ways, according to Sandy Botcher, vice president of disability income insurance at Northwestern Mutual. "When a family loses its usual source of income due to a disability, sometimes the only alternative is to dip into retirement savings to cover normal household expenses," she says. "And even if you don't have to take money out of savings to replace income, the other consequence of a disability is that it decreases your potential to contribute to your retirement plan."

Botcher adds that from the moment you start working until the day you retire, your ability to earn an income is your most important financial asset.

Consider this example: A $60,000 annual salary results in $2.4 million earned over a 40-year career, and that doesn't take into account inflation, salary increases, or the long-term growth potential of money invested in retirement saving vehicles along the way. If a disability prevents the individual from earning this income, or requires him to access a portion of what's already been saved (often with a tax penalty), it can have devastating impact on retirement dreams.

Recent research demonstrates the need to prepare for the unexpected. Over the past three years, 22 percent of Americans had dipped into retirement savings and 22 percent had stopped or reduced their savings contributions, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2013 Planning and Progress Study. More than half of those surveyed say unexpected expenses are to blame. Yet 23 percent of respondents say they want to be more cautious with their money, and feel they have a lot of catching up to do.

"The Great Recession has reminded us that we cannot afford to lose our incomes," says Botcher. "But we also need to remember that our chances of losing our incomes are determined by more than just our employers' viability or our career success."

In the minds of consumers, few things seem more unexpected than a disability. Yet the Social Security Administration reports that about one in four 20 year olds today will become disabled before retirement.

One way to prepare for the possibility of being unable to work is disability income (DI) insurance, designed to help pay living expenses, maintain lifestyle needs and preserve assets accumulated for retirement and other purposes. Many employees think that coverage they get through their employer's group disability policy is enough. They should think again.

Group DI typically has a cap at 60 percent of salary; other forms of compensation like bonuses or commissions may not be covered. In addition, the benefits are taxable. So, if earning less than two-thirds of one's current salary would make it difficult to make ends meet as well as work toward goals like continuing to fund retirement, it's important that another option be considered to bridge the gap.

That option is an individual DI insurance policy. Premiums for individual DI policies are paid after taxes, so the benefits are not taxed, and the policies are portable.

-"We can't forget that the source of a retirement program is the ability to work. Having individual disability income insurance is a way to address one of the key risks to achieving your retirement goals," Botcher says.

You may recall your mother or even your grandmother talking about using the pressure cookers of old, sometimes with unexpected results. A pressure cooker uses steam to cook foods. Available in stovetop or electric models, they both work on the same principle: foods and liquids are placed inside a pot that has a pressurized chamber, and the steam transfers heat to the foods. The pressure builds up inside the pot to cook food at a high temperature, while allowing the food to retain its moisture and nutritional value. When cooking is complete, the steam can be vented using a release valve, before the lid is opened.

Recently, pressure cookers have evolved to include many built-in conveniences and safety features that simplify the cooking process. Today, more home cooks are taking advantage of these cooking marvels, not only because they cook foods faster than most conventional methods, but also because they bring out the delicious flavor of foods and preserve inherent nutrients.--

Today's advanced pressure cookers can be used to prepare anything from meats and main courses to fresh vegetables, potatoes or even desserts. And because they cook foods faster, they use less energy, providing a "greener" way of cooking. In short, a pressure cooker enables a user to prepare recipes in less than half the time, while locking in flavors and preserving vitamins and minerals. This means a pot roast, sweet potatoes, or even cheesecake recipe worthy of Julia Child can be done in record time, making pressure-cooking perfect for busy weeknight meals. -

Manufacturers are increasingly taking the guesswork out of pressure-cooking with intuitive features that make it easy to prepare delicious, nutritious meals in a flash. For example, Calphalon's 6-quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker has a cover that locks on with the touch of a button, and a pop-up pressure indicator that makes it easy to monitor cooking times. The cooker also has a pressure release dial that lets you select from multiple settings for cooking, and to safely release the steam after you're finished.-

If you're new at using a pressure cooker, here are some general tips to get you started:

* Cut foods evenly: Uniform pieces cook most evenly.

* Don't overfill: Aim for a pot no more than two-thirds full of food. Be sure to use the recommended amount of liquid called for in the recipe.

* Adjust spices: Flavors are more concentrated with this cooking method, so you may want to reduce the amount of spices you use in your favorite recipes.

* Brown meats first: For especially tasty pressure-cooked meats, sear and brown the meat before placing it in the pressure cooker to obtain the best flavor and texture.

* Secure the lid: Make sure it's properly closed and locked before you begin cooking.

* Experiment with recipes you love. Try cooking in incremental stages, starting with the shortest recommended cooking time; you can always cook for a more minutes if needed.

* Consult the manufacturer's manual: Read and follow the instructions for the specific model you purchased