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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Choosing the Right Type of Retaining Wall for Your Property in Westchester County, NY

There are many reasons you may want to add a retaining wall to your landscape. A new retaining could correct the water runoff from your property going into your neighbor's yard, or it could simply add visual interest to your landscape design. How do you choose the right type of retaining wall for your Westchester County, NY, property?

Load-Bearing Retaining Wall

Retaining walls have varying purposes, but the most familiar one is to reduce erosion and water runoff from a sloping yard. Most yards have uneven areas, but the sloping terrain that sends water running toward your home and into your neighbor's yard creates a mess that needs to be resolved. The retaining wall acts as a barrier to keep the soil in place while redirecting the rain water in a storm. Because this type of wall frequently must be high, engaging a professional landscape contractor can be the best choice for a wall that functions as it should.

Related: Designing Stunning Curved Retaining Walls in Putnam County, NY

Tiered Retaining Wall

Some yards have more than one hill, which reduces the usable space for a patio, outdoor kitchen, or play area for the kids. A retaining wall can convert those Westchester County, NY, hills into graduated tiers, allowing you to optimize the use of each section. A play area could inhabit the topmost tier while another tier could be used for a flower or vegetable garden. At the base could lie a patio that adjoins the house, giving you a place to enjoy a fun evening visiting with friends and family as the kids play. Adding steps in the middle provides access to all of the once difficult-to-use landscape.

Landscape Retaining Wall

Some landscapes could go from simply pretty to “Wow!” with the addition of low retaining walls, especially in front yards where they would receive the most attention. A low retaining wall could provide texture and visual interest to the terrain of your yard. Bringing defined lines into an otherwise flowing picture, a low wall would provide a clear cut-off point for an expanse of grass, contrasted by the texture of the wall stones. A low landscape wall can be designed to draw attention to a focal point, like a massive, gorgeous tree or a grouping of colorful rose bushes. Even planting a row of low shrubs on the top of the wall can bring symmetry to the look of the yard.

A low retaining wall does not have to be one continuous wall. You may opt to add a gate to create the sense of something special waiting on the other side. The options are endless!

Any retaining wall can benefit from recessed lighting to bring focus and warmth to your landscape after dark. Retaining walls that border the entry to the driveway are a perfect spot for pillars with lanterns to help your guests locate your home with ease.

Related: 5 Design Styles for your Retaining Walls

Landscape experts can evaluate your yard to propose the design that will bring you the most effortless use and beauty. They can suggest the type of shrubs and plantings that would maximize your home's curb appeal as well as the views you see from your windows.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Scenes from a Nursery Trade Show

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show is happening in Baltimore this week, and garden communicators (formerly “writers”) were there in droves! Here we all are at the breakfast event for media. Well, here they all are – I'd already started canvassing the vendor booths for familiar faces and interesting stuff to post about.

GardenRanter Scott Beuerlein was there, too and he's actually in the photo – back row, right of center.

So who should I spot right away but these titans of the plant world greeting each other like the old pals we know them to be. That's Dr. Michael Dirr on the left with Dr. Allan Armitage, both of the University of Georgia.

What followed was the taking of lots of posed photos like this one, but the one I wish I'd gotten included a guy I later learned was UGA Coach Vince Dooley, who's famous for his garden.

I visited Carolyn Mullet and her Carex Tours booth to chat a bit and give me an excuse to recommend her European garden tours with their emphasis on great design.

I stopped here to ask the succulent expert how to keep alive the succulent houseplants I got for Christmas, which are suffering already. More on that in an upcoming post.

I have recycled Adirondack chairs like these in a wonderful color and was pleased to see all sorts of other furniture options now available in similar materials and colors. They last a lifetime with no maintenance and are comfy.

I caught up with Mark Highland of Organic Mechanics (right) and was happy to hear business is good.

This fabulous booth introduced me to a garden center not far from me – so yay!

Best Bees is an urban beekeeping service that's exhibiting at MANTS for the first time. I hope they're having a great show!

I stopped at Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon hoping to see owner Dan Heims, who's been having health problems. He wasn't there but I learned that he's planning to attend an IPM conference in Germany soon, so his spirits seem to be good.

This is what even moderate-size trees look like when wrapped for moving and planting. I was told it weighs 3,800 pounds. Do not try this at home.

The Kurt Bluemel booth is always attractive and a reminder of how much the founder is missed. (See Alan Bush's lovely tribute in memoriam.) I learned that the fellow in this shot is Kurt's grandson.

Author David Culp was manning the booth for Sunny Border Nurseries and whatever they're paying him, he deserves a raise because the man can SELL. I left feeling guilty that I'm not interested enough in snowdrops (galanthus) to attend a whole conference about them (while applauding plant geeks who specialize in them, or really anything).

I'm a fan of Sandy's Plants in my home town of Richmond, VA. Visitors get to drive around the nursery in individual golf carts! And it's just five minutes from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

I was hoping to see the super-fun Lloyd Tavern at his Peace Tree Farm booth but he was busy working the floor.

Now THIS was interesting – these magazines about the green industry include Cannabis and Dispensary. They serve the fastest growing segment of the hort biz, the growing and selling of cannabis. (If you've seen a book store lately and they have a gardening section at all, it's probably filling up with pot-growing books.)

Kudos to Southern Living Plant Collection for a gorgeous display.

At the large Knock Out Rose booth I asked a bunch of questions about rose rosette disease and will be posting about the answers soon.

The National Arboretum booth was a sad reminder of the political storm brewing in nearby D.C. It's closed for the shutdown, with only friends-group volunteers available to man the booth.

Lots of garden-communicator pals were stopping at the GardenComm booth (formerly Garden Writers) to greet president Becky Heath and let her talk them into speaking on camera about the organization. Here's Pat Stone of Greensprints Magazine stepping up to the challenge.

This Halloween-packed booth was one of many selling nonplant-related STUFF that's so important to the business of independent garden centers.

So what's missing from this photo-packed post? Shots of the vast majority (maybe 98%) of the booths that sell products of no interest or relevance to home gardeners at all. This show is for the trade, not us. So I just breezed by all the nursery irrigation systems and the dozens of Christmas tree growers and made it home before dark.

Wait! I found one more shot of a bunch of garden communicators lunching together that doesn't include me – because I'd just left the group. I'm sure that wasn't deliberate.

Until next January, that's all from the show (unless Scott has his own report. It was his very first MANTS.)

I love this event and the three media events and parties that come with it (thank you, event people!). It's an emotional lift in the midst of winter. And it makes me really happy to be part of the wonderful this world of plant people. I found my peeps.

For our Feedblitz subscribers, the author of this post is Susan Harris.

Scenes from a Nursery Trade Show originally appeared on GardenRant on January 11, 2019.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – January 2019

Updated January 2019. That space in your wallet or purse is more valuable than you think. Credit card companies are fighting it out, offering strong perks and $500+ value for a single card during the first year to encourage you to apply and try it out. These are the top 10 credit card offers that I would apply for right now, if I didn't already most of them. Recent changes:

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards – new Companion Pass offer.

Chase United Explorer – limited-offer expired.

Chase World of Hyatt – limited-offer expired.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus – new 70,000 mile limited-time offer.

If you pay off your balances every month, then you can join me and many others in funding a huge chunk of your annual travel budget with cash credits, points, and miles. You don't need to be a “I only fly business class” world traveler. I mostly use my rewards points on domestic economy flights, mid-class hotels, and cheap car rentals. If you have credit card debt, you should focus on paying that off first as the interest charges could offset most of the perks.

This is a companion post to my Top 10 Best Business Card Offers. Small business bonuses are on average even higher than those on consumer cards.

Note: Certain Chase cards have a “5/24 rule” which is an unofficial rule that they will automatically deny approval on new credit cards if you have 5 or more new credit cards from any issuer on your credit report within the past 2 years. This rule applies on a per-person basis, so if you are new, you might want to start with those Chase cards.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus Card

70,000 points (worth $700 towards travel) after $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee. See link for details.

Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $89.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

50,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $625 towards travel) after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.

2X points on Travel and Dining at restaurants worldwide.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

Alternative: Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. More rewards, more perks including lounge access, $450 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card

Bonus Companion Pass + 30,000 Southwest points. Earn the Companion Pass and 30,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. Offer ends 2/11/19. Companion Pass is promotional and will end 12/31/19. See link for details.

$69 annual fee.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

American Express Gold Card

40,000 Membership Rewards points (flexible, worth 50,000 miles at various airlines) after $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.

$120 in Grubhub and Seamless credit. $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with this card at participating partners – Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House and participating Shake Shack locations.

$100 airline fee credit. Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $100 per calendar year in statement credits towards checked baggage fees and inflight meals.

$250 annual fee.

Citi Premier Card

50,000 ThankYou points (worth $625 towards travel) after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.

3X points on Travel, including Gas Stations

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card

Up to 50,000 American Airlines miles. 40,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases in first 3 months, plus another 10,000 after making a total of $6,000 in purchases in first 12 months of account opening. See link for details.

First checked bag free on domestic flights perk ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $99.

British Airways Visa Signature Card

Up to 100,000 Avios points. 50,000 Avios after $3,000 in purchases within first 3 months. Additional 25,000 Avios for $10,000 in purchases within first year. Additional 25,000 Avios for $20,000 in purchases within first year. See link for details and redemption tips.

Free Travel Together companion ticket when you spend $30,000 in calendar year.

$95 annual fee.

NOT subject to 5/24 rule.

Hilton Honors Ascend Card from American Express

125,000 Hilton Honors points after $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.. See link for details and rough valuation of points.

Free Weekend Night Reward certificate after you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

$95 annual fee.

Bank of America Premium Rewards Card

50,000 points (worth $500 towards travel) after $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. See link for details.

2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

$100 annual Airline Incidental Statement Credit.

Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.

$95 annual fee.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card

$500 cash bonus after $3000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.

4% cash back on dining and entertainment.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Chase World of Hyatt Card

Up to 50,000 Hyatt points. 25,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus an additional 25,000 Bonus Points after a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. See link for details and rough valuation of points.

$95 annual fee, free night award upon card anniversary.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

Chase United Explorer Card

40,000 United miles. 40,000 bonus United miles after spending $2,000 within the first 3 months. See link for details.

Free first checked bag for both you and a companion (a savings of up to $120 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your United ticket.

Expanded award availability. Having this card makes it easier to find that saver award economy ticket.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

“The editorial content here is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone.”

Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – January 2019 from My Money Blog.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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A-frame 2.0 – Den Bedroom

Back with the next room of our old A-frame 2.0 and how we re-decorated the space for the new owners! This room is the little den bedroom just off of the living room. You might remember the DIY headboard I had in there previously and how we added the vertical paneling to cover some horrendous walls. We glammed it up a bit for Caroline, Jayden and Robert, but the boho vibes are still strong too.

This is the original board for the re-design, by the time it went to the procuring, the side tables were sold out and we had to swap the rug but I love how this pretty pad with a nod to the mod turned out. See how I designed this space before, for us, and the before of the before here. Which is your fave?

Photos by Team Woodnote

SHOP THE POST: Headboard: Bajara Headboard from Urban Outfitters / Curtain: Covet in Thistle by Kelly Wearstler for Groundworks at Lee Jofa / Chair: Josey Swivel Chair from Urban Outfitters in Rose / Side Table: Aldama Side Table in Copper from the Citizenry / Lamp on Side Table: Geneva Glass Globe Accent Lamp Brass from Target / Bedding: Washed Cotton Tassel Duvet Cover in Lilac from Urban Outfitters / Vase: Lady Legs Ashtray / Pink Pillow: Coco Pink Cushion from curatedkravet.com / Bedside Tables: Ophdahl Hourglass Accent Table in Brass from Target / Wall Sconces: Jonathan Adler Milano Brass Wall Sconce from Lamps Plus / Ottoman: Trousdale Ottoman in Mustard Velvet from ModShop / Rug: Tufted Pom Rug in Natural from Urban Outfitters

The post A-frame 2.0 – Den Bedroom appeared first on Sarah Sherman Samuel.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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7 Stupid Easy Ways To Fix Your Finances In 2019

With 2019 just around the corner, you may have a resolution to fix your finances. If 2018 left you in debt, stressed out, maxed out, freaked out or just ready for a change, read on.

You would be AMAZED at what you can change in a year. The person you are today, does NOT need to be the person you are 12 months from now.

There are so many ways to go about doing this: loans, refinancing, a second job, starting a blog or becoming a freelance writer, transferring credit card balances, seeing a financial counselor, etc., etc., ETC.! But those aren't particularly easy and they certainly are not a way to get quick cash.

That's why I've created this list of 7 stupid easy ways to change your finances. Each option is a simple and fast way to start on the path to financial health.

Survey Says- Make Some Extra Cash

You can pinch pennies aplenty, but if you're not making a lot to begin with, you'll find it's challenging to get ahead. If you can squeeze in some extra time in nights and weekends, earning a few extra bucks can be a game changer. Enter, the survey side hustle.

Online surveys are an easy and convenient way to earn a few bucks from the comfort of your couch. Keep in mind, though, that they do require you to pay attention and actually read each and every question. The company can tell if you just fibbed your way through the survey and will not pay you for it. They may even remove you from their program.

While there are numerous survey sites you could try, they're not all created equal. Some rarely have surveys for you to take or make it extremely difficult to cash out. Luckily for you, we've sifted through all the survey companies and have come up with a list of programs where you can *actually* earn some money. They include:

Pinecone Research

Survey Junkie

Global Test Market

Ipsos

Examine Your Credit

If you are suffering from low or even no credit, it's important to keep an eye on your credit score. Not only will this allow you to see your progress, it can also help you catch any errors or inconsistencies.

While you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit reporting company (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax), Credit Sesame is my preferred monitoring program. Not only is it free, but you can check your credit report and score as often as you like. Pretty snazzy, ey?

It be totally scary to look at your credit score, I get it. But knowing what's negatively impacting you NOW can help you in a year's time when you go to make a big purchase. Follow these steps to earn some money and trim expenses, but also make sure you understand your score and how to improve it!

Trim and Sift It

Money-saving apps and programs are a dime a dozen these days. I've even written about some in the past. But as of December of 2018, my two favorites are Trim and Sift. Using apps on your phone to simplify and optimize your spending habits is a great way to save without breaking a sweat!

Trim

Trim is an online, desktop based program that automates ways to save you money. After you securely connect your accounts, Trim will inspect each one to determine if there are any potential money saving options. Specifically, Trim excels at examining and notifying you of your recurring subscriptions, discovers if you can save money on your cable, and allows you to automate your savings. You can even request account alerts via text for things like overdrafts, low-funds, or large purchases. Best of all, it is free.

Trim takes security very seriously and therefore they have implemented 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and read-only access. Your account info is not stored of their servers. To learn more about Trim or to sign up, pop on over here.

Sift

Sift is an app that focuses on your credit cards and their purchases. Named as one of Google Play's Best Apps of 2018, it maximizes your cashback and rewards, while tracking all the benefits available for each of your cards. It will automatically update you on any perks that may be available to you due to using a specific card. For example, theft and damage and warranties, time left to return, and price protection. The latter is my favorite perk, as it will help you save money on previous purchases if you used certain cards when buying an item that has decreased in price.

As for Sift's security, information is transmitted securely via SSL (TLS 1.2) bank grade encryption. All of their servers and databases have very strict access control and all data transmitted and stored is anonymized. To give Sift a try, check it out here.

Save and Earn

When was the last time you evaluated your savings accounts? Do you know what kind of interest you are earning on your funds? If you use a big bank, with lots of brick and mortar locations, it is likely you aren't getting as much as you could. Solve that problem by considering an online bank. My favorite is Capital One 360. Not only will you receive up to a $100 bonus when you open an account, but because they don't have any physical locations, you get a higher yield interest rate. They have a large network of ATMs and offer mobile deposit, allowing you to get most of the benefits of a typical bank with less fees and a higher rate on your savings.

Surf's Up

As mentioned above, online surveys are a nice way to change your finances by earning some quick cash. But the internet has more to offer than that. For example, Swagbucks is an easy way to earn gift cards. Swagbucks offer the typical surveys, but they also reward you for watching videos, shopping online, and more. It's totally free and you can redeem your points earned for pretty much any gift card out there, including MasterCard.

If you want to earn some major cashback on your online purchases, you've got to give Ebates a try. Depending on which merchant you buy from, you can get up to 50% back. As a good example, when I switched from AT&T to Verizon for my mobile service, I got $75 cashback just for shopping through Ebates. That was a pretty outstanding month, but I typically reel in at least $20 a month just for shopping at online stores I already planned to buy from using Ebates.

(Re)Build Your Budget

You can't change your finances for the better if you aren't sticking to a healthy budget. I talk a lot about budgeting here at Frugal Beautiful, but my post How to Fall in Love with Your Budget is particularly useful.

Alternatively, there are several books on the subject that have helped me, and others like me, to create a budget and not deviate from that plan. A few of my favorite include:

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

How to Manage Your Money When You Don't Have Any

All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan

The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money

Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love (I absolutely love the authors, who run the fabulous finance blog Club Thrifty.)

Once you've read up on the subject, consider an online budgeting software like Mint or Personal Capital. It is easier than using pen and paper, especially on the go.

I use both of these apps. I love that Mint has a little doughnut chart that shows me how much I'm spending in each category (sometimes it's horrifying!) and that Personal Capital shows me the overall picture of how I'm doing to track my net worth. It's super motivating!

Hustle Hard

My personal favorite way to improve one's personal finances is to find a side hustle. I've written extensively on my most profitable side hustle: Airbnb. Seriously, without the money I make hosting travelers on Airbnb, I'd be in a world of hurt. Owning a home has been a much more expensive endeavor than expected, specifically due to a major increase in taxes and numerous repairs not found before closing. Airbnb has helped me stay on track with my budgeting and retirement goals.

As of this writing in late 2018, I'm earning over $750 a month just renting out my spare room with minimal work as an Airbnb host.

Another quick and easy option is to drive for Uber or Lyft. It's simple and fast to get started with either company and can bring in some significant cash quickly. Cha-ching!

Start Saving With Just $1

One of my most popular posts is the Mason Jar Money Method . If you're a fan of the envelope system from Dave Ramsey or have cash on hand, this is for you. You start with a giant mason jar, and start with $1.

Each week your savings grow from there and you begin to build better habits to make those bigger weeks work- you have about $1300 by year's end. What could you do with $1300 more dollars in the bank? Maybe put it towards next year's Christmas gifts and travel? New tires? A vacation? You will be $1300 ahead by this time next year.

So, what are you waiting for? It's never too late to get a handle on your financial life. Hop to it, friend, and best of luck!

Additional Reading:

Top Ten Articles to Read When You Want To Invest

How to Balance Debt Repayment with Holiday Expenses

What You Need to Know Before Going Car Shopping

7 Things to Do at Work to Help Pay Off Your Loans

4 Ways To Detox From Overspending

How I've Lived On An $800 Monthly Budget In The City

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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My favorite IKEA pieces and how we use them

I've been working on a organizational project in our basement that has escalated into a much bigger DIY project...per usual with me. :)

We needed a good solution for our games in the basement and I went with an easier version of the built in cubby storage in our old basement:

We didn't need nearly the storage we used to (not many toys left in this house, sniff!!), and I didn't want to do anything permanent just yet. As our kiddo gets older the way we use this space may change over time.

Instead, I used the IKEA Kallax cubby units and they're working great!:

These are supposed to have four cubbies, but on the two end units I didn't add the smaller shelves that create the four spaces. Instead it's just a more basic bookcase so the longer games fit perfectly!

More to come on this if you give a mouse a cookie project soon. :)

Before we had an IKEA nearby, we'd stop in on the way to or from Kings Island and it was usually a quick walk through to grab what I wanted. Since the one here in Indy opened I've been able to really explore the store and I love it even more than before!

Years back I wasn't so sure about the quality of their pieces, but over time I've come to trust that everything I get there is going to hold up and function well. I'm super pleased with EVERY item we've purchased from IKEA over the years.

One purchase I can't really speak to are their upholstered pieces. I think I'm in the minority, but I don't find their sofas and chairs to be very comfy. I hear they get more comfortable over time, but that's one thing I don't see myself purchasing.

But pretty much everything else -- I love! I've rounded up the best IKEA pieces I've used in our two homes.

First up, one of my favorite rooms EVER...our son's bathroom in the old house:

Those round Stockholm mirrors were the perfect finishing touch to the tile wall. I SO wished I could use them again in his new bathroom, but the vanity isn't as wide. These mirrors are big! The frame comes out on the bottom a bit, so you can use it as a little shelf. :)

Next up -- their butcher block. I used it in a few places in our old house, including the DIY built in bench in our white and blue mud room makeover:

It's very inexpensive as far as butcher is concerned, and warms up a space beautifully. It always stained nicely and held up great!

Next up -- their dressers. I showed you the one in my closet when I shared how I organized my jewelry and shoes:

We also have one in my husband's closet too. People fear the IKEA assembly instructions, I know. When you pull everything out of the box it can be intimidating, but it's not that bad. I'm a nerd that kind of enjoys putting furniture together though. ;)

I particularly like the Hemnes line of dressers and furniture (the dresser above is one). They have a simple, classic design that goes well with nearly every style. I used the tall Hemnes cabinet with glass doors for our master bathroom. It provides so much storage!:

Mine didn't look like this when I got it -- see how I transformed it here!

What I really love about IKEA furniture is how easily you can add your own touches to make it work perfectly in your home. Because so many of their pieces are a simpler design, they are easily dressed up. You can see how I did just that with the Tarva dressers I turned into nightstands:

The possibilities with their unfinished items are endless! There is a ton of storage space in these too.

I have SO many smaller favorites too, but I'll save that for a future post. I did share a round up of my IKEA faves $10 and under here:

I wrote that years ago and I still use ALL of these items! Love them.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something! But this is a good list -- do you have any of these? Have you had good luck with IKEA furniture? Do you have a favorite product? I've been very pleased over the years. It's a fun place to explore for sure -- just make sure you have some time.

This content is property of Thrifty Decor Chick LLC. If you are reading this on any other site other than www.thriftydecorchick.com or one of her social media platforms, please contact her immediately (thriftydecorchick at gmail dot com). Any other use of this content is strictly forbidden.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Whole30 Egg Recipes

If you're looking for cheap, fast, and easy Whole30 dishes, you can't beat recipes that showcase the humble egg. I always have a few dozen pasture raised eggs in my fridge so I can whip up healthy, tasty meals in a flash!

My favorite thing about cooking with eggs is that you can use them to stretch your leftovers. If you have some leftover stir-fry or cooked protein but not quite enough to feed the whole family, you can add a few whisked eggs to make a big frittata or scramble. Plus, eggs are great for any time of the day-not just breakfast or brunch!

Here are some of my favorite Whole30 Egg Recipes:

Whole30 Soup & Salad Egg Recipes

Simple Egg Drop Soup: This delicious Whole30-friendly simple egg drop soup can be made in about 5 minutes from start to finish. It's perfect for any meal of the day! Top it with crispy leftover Instant Pot Kalua Pig for a special treat!

Bacon Deviled Egg Salad: This bacon-y make-ahead egg salad is perfect for picnics, parties, potlucks, and packed lunches!

Sunnyside Salad: This isn't your typical egg salad, people. Crispy fried eggs on top of salad greens is my favorite go-to Whole30 breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Whole30 Main Dish Egg Recipes

Easy Paleo Frittata: This easy paleo frittata is the ideal way to repurpose your leftovers. If you're looking for a simple Whole30-friendly weeknight dinner, cook up a frittata!

Sweet Potato Hash and Fried Eggs: What's better than sweet potato hash? Sweet potato hash with fried eggs! If you've got a food processor or spiralizer, make this Whole30 breakfast pronto.

Joe's Special Scramble: This recipe exemplifies cheap, fast, and easy!

Cantonese Egg Custard with Minced Pork: This savory Cantonese Egg Custard with Minced Pork is Whole30-friendly and super simple to make! Don't forget that steaming is a fantastic cooking method!

Whole30 On-The-Go Egg Recipes

Egg Foo Young-ish: This is an insanely yummy and portable savory Whole30 meal. Bonus: It can be eaten with your hands!

Prosciutto Wrapped Frittata Muffins: These Whole30-friendly portable mini frittata muffins are packed with protein and veggies, and a classic Nom Nom Paleo recipe. They're family-friendly, and perfect for packed lunches. Egg muffins for the win!

Want more inspiration from my past January Whole30s? Check out my Day 11 posts from 2018 and 2017!

2018 Whole30 Day 11: Whole30 Lunches

2017 Whole30 Day 11: Carrot + Cardamom Soup

A note to my Nomsters: This is one of a series of daily blog posts I'm writing in the month of January 2019 to help those doing a Whole30 to kick off the New Year. Not sure what the Whole30 is, or want info on how to get started? Read my Whole30 prep post-and then come back to Nom Nom Paleo every single day for recipes to inspire, delight, and sustain you on your Whole30!

Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You'll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013) and Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017)!

The post Whole30 Egg Recipes appeared first on Nom Nom Paleo®.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Arnie & Kath's Kitchen

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Salt Accounting 101

By Douglas Freer, CSP

Loader skill: Determining the weight of the material being loaded is required to accurately account for a company's salt inventory. A primer on how to estimate truck loads is online at www.sima.org/library.

Management consultant Peter Drucker once said, “If you can't measure something, you can't manage it.” This is relevant to managing your assets, and in particular, ice control chemicals. In today's increasingly competitive marketplace, finding efficiencies and room for improvement can provide an advantage in your business space.

Next to labor, your ice control chemicals may represent the largest variable expense. How do you manage your inventory to ensure you get the best return? Are you using too much product, or could you use less and get the same results? How much shrinkage (theft) or spoilage (waste) do you have? Do you know? If you don't have a system for managing your inventory and product, you can't determine “normal” usage and benchmark to determine if you're ahead or behind expectations.

What is salt accounting?

Salt accounting is the process of measuring and tracking ice control chemicals purchased and used during a season. The salt accounting system produces data that informs your decision-making related to operations, sales and expenses.

More simply, salt accounting is a check register for your ice control chemicals. You make deposits (credits) when you take a delivery of material and withdrawals (debits) when you use material to service your sites.

At a minimum, your salt accounting system should tell you how much material you purchased and when you used it. This system can be improved if you record where the salt is used by having drivers collect data for each site serviced.

One size doesn't fit all

Your salt accounting system does not need to be complicated; in fact, keeping it as simple as possible for your specific needs is important for making salt accounting sustainable. Fancy applications on devices are not necessary to manage an effective system. The scope or sophistication of your salt accounting system will depend on your needs, which in large part is driven by the size of your business. It's important to collect the same basic data whether you use 10 or 10,000 tons a season. The more ice control chemical you use the more incentive to find savings, since a 10% savings of a larger whole number will mean more dollars for the bottom line.

Developing a process

A very basic salt accounting system measures the amount of ice control chemical used per event, which allows for storm-event job costing. You could track this by truck driver and determine approximately how much product, on average, the driver uses and estimate application rates for a given route during an event.

However, with a little more tracking you can record salt usage at each site. Tracking the information to each specific site is not complicated and can be accomplished with a paper-based system, which can be converted to an electronic system if the use of technology is justified and cost effective.

Setting up an effective salt accounting system means answering these questions:

Who handles the data? The material loaded into each truck is recorded by the loader operator as well as the driver, who records site-specific information. Office administrators input the data into the database or storage system for future retrieval.

What materials were used? Was it bulk or bagged, straight granular salt or treated material? Did it include pre-wetting with a liquid system?

Where were the materials sourced (shop bin, satellite bin, retail location, etc.)?

Where and how much material was used?

Why was the application made? What site and weather conditions required the application?

What was the method of application? What truck and/or system was used to apply and what were the settings?

Master inventory sheet

A master inventory register is kept for each bin or storage location and for each product. This relatively simple register, or transaction journal, records the deposits and withdrawals from the inventory, giving you a quick reference on how much total material has been purchased, used and remains in inventory.

Keep a separate inventory register for each product that you use and for each location where product is stored. Physically checking inventory periodically will help uncover discrepancies, which can be investigated and rectified in a timely manner.

Storm event inventory sheet

A simple form filled out by the loader operator or by each driver provides a master log of the material applied for a particular storm event. The form records the material loaded and then returned (if any) at the end of the event, providing a total number of material units used by location.

Truck log

The driver log records the estimated amount of materials used during the event by recording how much was loaded into the truck and then how much was applied at each site. The driver is responsible for knowing how much material was applied and to ensure his calculations balance. If three tons of material were loaded and the truck came back empty, where and when were 6,000 pounds applied?

Automated measurement systems

Automated measurement systems are available to let the driver know how much material has been applied. Based on spinner rotation, hydraulic flow or some other means of measurement, the equipment is calibrated from known test measurements to provide close estimates on the units applied.

In the absence of an automated measurement system, the driver will have to visually estimate their load after each application in order to record the amount of material used. With guidance, practice and time spent balancing the truck log, the driver will gain experience and become more proficient at estimating product use.

Technology can be useful in collecting and processing data. Be leery of using technology if you don't have a salt accounting system yet or if it isn't sufficient to meet the needs of the business. Technology by itself is not a solution. First you need to know what kind of reports or information you want to get out of your system.

Calibration and application rates

Who decides how much material should be used in a given storm event or in a certain scenario? Does the driver make the call or do area managers or supervisors offer guidance? In the same storm scenario, one driver may feel that 500 pounds on a site is appropriate while another driver subscribes to the theory that more is better and decides to apply 1,000 pounds.

Establishing application guidelines for each site gives your drivers a basic guideline for how much material should be used under “normal” conditions. For example, if the average application is 500 pounds per acre, a 3-acre property will generally need 1,500 pounds of product. This does not mean that your driver should always apply this amount, since conditions may warrant more or less. But a guideline will help them make that decision. You can take the application guidelines a step further by providing a site list with property size, and then adding incremental calculations for each site, ranging from a light to heavy application. For example, you may indicate in a light icing scenario that your target is 250 to 300 pounds per acre. The driver can consult the reference chart for each site they're servicing and determine the target quantity required and apply with that estimate in mind, recording actual units applied.

Ultimately when it comes to calibration, not only are you ensuring your equipment is calibrated and working correctly, but you are dialing in your drivers so they can make an effective application. Applying ice control chemical from a moving truck at varying speeds in traffic and around obstacles is imprecise, but measuring and checking against expectations will help make the driver more efficient and effective.

Return loop

Once your system is in place, the first step is to reliably and accurately record and collect the data each storm event. After the storm event you need to review the paperwork or data collected for accuracy, and enter it into your recordkeeping system if this is not an automated process. This system can be paper based or managed in Excel or another database, making it easier to tabulate and manipulate data to share with others.

With this type of data, you can begin to make more informed decisions and provide feedback to those who need the information, leading you to a more efficient and effective operation. •

THE BENEFITS OF MEASURING

Measuring and managing your ice control chemicals has multiple benefits. If you effectively track the flow of material through your business by event, driver and property serviced, you will have important data that can provide insights into developing and improving best practices. Feedback from your system will help to increase or improve:

Production efficiency. Feedback to drivers about proper application rates and methods reduces waste and guesswork and improves their effectiveness, resulting in more efficient service.

Storm management. Reduced consumption increases salt truck load range, which improves routing, reduces drive time for reloading and increases service consistency. Improved material management and awareness will reduce mistakes and the possibility of running out of material at critical times.

Cost control. Reduce costs by using what is necessary, avoiding waste and reducing overall material consumption, which reduces inventory and related carrying costs.

Inventory management. Determine how much product is necessary to service your client base for the season so you can accurately order in the preseason and manage in-season inventory levels.

Client expectations. With increased attention to detail, you are more likely to meet or exceed client expectations due to consistent and improved performance by avoiding under- or over-application.

Legal defense. Tracking material use at the client level provides useful information to dispute slip-fall claims.

Confidence. Crew members will have increased confidence in their work because they understand what they are doing and the accounting process will become second nature.

Best practices. You'll be able to compare variables and measure outcomes as you experiment and test products and equipment, leading to operational tweaks in search of the sweet spot, resulting in the definition of your company's best practices. If you don't measure, you won't be certain that one change or variable is better than another.

Doug Freer, CSP, owns Blue Moose Snow Co. in Cleveland. Contact him at [email protected].

This article was featured in the Snow & Ice Management Association's SB In Focus issue focused on transitioning from a residential to commercial snow company. Read the whole issue, sponsored by Buyers Products, here.

The post Salt Accounting 101 appeared first on Turf.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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An Arts & Crafts Home in Maine Full of Old & New Stories

I love a good house story - one that runs deep with history and mixes in the right amount of charm. I also love to learn about the history of a home as much as I like to see the house in present form. A few years ago, an older man showed up at my door and wanted to tell me all about growing up in my house. He shared stories about him and his brother as young children, where the family phone hung in the kitchen, and where they put their Christmas tree each year. Many of the little quirks of my 1890 home were revealed.

Ben Ray and Ali Malone have a similar story. After moving around the country, these Portland, ME natives wanted to get back to the community they grew up in and raise a family there. When asked what drew them back to their hometown, Ben shares, “Portland is the perfect 'little city' of roughly 70,000 people. It's a community where you walk down the street and people smile and say 'hello' to you; it's a community that supports the arts, cultivates creative types and small businesses, has award-winning restaurants (but is still super laid-back!) and still has some salty bars - and yes, salty people too. It is the place where we intend to grow old together.” When they first returned to Portland, the couple began renovating commercial spaces and homes, paying homage to each space's architecture as well as their ability to shift styles to fit each building.

When Ali, a real estate broker and developer, was eight months pregnant, they found their 1904 Arts and Crafts style home. Built by famed architects John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens for the Stevens family, it was then added onto in 1914. “We were drawn to the fact that JHS had designed this house to use personally (it was the first house he designed as a partner at the firm). He started his family in the house and you can feel that in the space. It has a casualness and practicality that spoke to us - it felt modern for the era,” Ben says. As a young girl, Ali used to play in that same house, as it was later home to one of her classmates. “Ali spent quite a bit of time in this house as a child. One of her good friends in elementary school lived in the house decades ago. She had memories of playing in the room that now belongs to our son, Atticus… Reentering the house as potential buyers nearly three decades later was totally surreal for her.”

Ben runs his growing company Evangeline Linens from an office on the second floor of their house. Since he and Ali are both able to work from home, the mornings are spent at a slower pace, savoring the morning light in their living room with their two children, and spending time as a family, often with impromptu dance parties. In a home rich with art and modern furniture, each decorative item lends well to the space while also adding to the existing charm. Ben leaves us with this piece of decorating advice, “Layer in pieces over time. Buy things that you love and not what you are 'supposed' to love. Edit and remove stuff periodically. And buy lots of art!” Scroll below for the full home tour. -Erin

Photography by Erin Little / @erinlittlephoto

Image above: “The painting above the fireplace (painted on the actual mantel, not a hanging painting) was done by the original owner/architect's father, John Calvin Stevens (a nationally renowned architect). The small paintings sitting on the mantel are by Michel Droge. Vintage owl andirons (with glass eyes) were found at a flea market in Midcoast Maine,” Ben shares.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Don't Let Your Goals Fizzle Out! – 5 Reasons Goals Fail, and What You Can Do To Make Yours Succeed

It's become a yearly ritual for many: Set ambitious goals for the New Year, tackle them enthusiastically for a few weeks, and then give up on them completely by March.

This is a vicious cycle that encourages you to feel bad about yourself, and feel as though you'll never get out of your rut.

Whether you are setting goals for your finances, or whether you are attempting to substantially improve your life, the yearly attempt (and subsequent failure) associated with resolutions can be frustrating.

If you're ready to break the cycle, it helps to understand why you fail, and what you can do to create success in your life.

Here are 5 Reasons Goals Fail - and What You Can Do to Overcome the Pitfalls of Resolution-Setting and Succeed This Year:

1. Your Goal Ignores Reality

Too often, we have high-flown ideas of what we can become with just the right goal.

Unfortunately, this often leads to setting unrealistic goals.

While it would be great to pay off $35,000 in debt this year, the reality is that you aren't likely to accomplish that goal if you make $40,000 a year. You're going to need to make major sacrifices in terms of what you spend on, and you're going to have to come up with ways to make more money.

The same is true of losing weight, going back to school, or any number of goals that you might set.

Your goals need to be grounded in the reality of where you are right now and what you can reasonably hope to accomplish by the end of the year. Honestly evaluate the situation, and figure out what you can actually do. You can still set stretch goals that require you to push yourself a little bit, but you still need to be realistic.

Your resolutions need to be achievable.

Without achievable goals, you eventually give up when you realize the futility of your efforts. You don't want that to happen, so create realistic goals, and set realistic benchmarks that you can use to measure progress throughout the year. You'll be more likely to stay motivated to reach your goal.

2. Your Goal Focuses on a Process, Rather than a Result

In the past, my fitness goals have included things like, “swim for 30 minutes three times a week” or “kickbox for 20 minutes a day.” While those are specific goals that are, in fact, achievable, they focus on a process instead of a result.

What if I don't feel like kickboxing today? What if my son is sick and I have to stay home instead of driving to the pool?

It's easy to be defeated by the process, whether I stop swimming after 15 minutes, I only go twice a week, or I don't go at all. The same is true of money goals or any other goals.

If you focus too much on some sort of process that you have to complete to be successful, you are less likely to follow through with your resolution for a sustained period of time.

Instead of focusing on the process, focus on the end result.

What result are you trying to achieve? Maybe I want to reduce my waist size by three inches or lose 10 pounds. That result doesn't rely on a specific process. Maybe I change my eating habits so that I have less junk food in my diet. Or, instead of getting hung up on whether or not I made it to the pool, I ride the stationary bike if I can't get out of the house.

When you focus on a result, and what it takes to achieved that desired objective, you are more likely to stick with your resolutions. You can substitute different actions and behaviors that can offer the same result over time.

This works with money, as well.

Instead of saying that you want to put $458.33 each month into your retirement account, you can say that you want to be in a position to max out your IRA by the end of the year. This doesn't require that you put $458.33 each month without fail from the beginning; it means that you build up to that over the course of the year. At the end of the year, you'll have a result: You'll be set up to max out your IRA. However, you do this by making gradual changes, either spending less or earning more (or doing both) and gradually increasing what you set aside.

Focus on the end result, and break it down so that you are looking at the big picture, rather fretting about the process.

3. Your Goals are Too Vague

One of the main pieces of advice that goal-setting gurus offer is that you should be specific.

If your goal is to “get healthy” or “save money,” chances are that you are going to fail at some point.

What, specifically, would make you healthier? Do you want to bring your cholesterol down to a certain (realistic) level? Would you like to increase your lean muscle mass by a specific amount? What are you saving money for? Do you want to save up $5,000 for a family vacation? Are you planning to save up $15,000 for a down payment on a house?

Really think about what you want to accomplish with your goals. Be specific.

Without some sort of specific goal, you have no way of knowing how much progress you have made, or how to tell when you've accomplished your objective. Don't forget, though, that you do want to keep the overall result in mind. If you haven't quite reached the exact and specific goal you have set, but you are still in line with the general result you want by the end of the year, that's still a win. You can keep working on it moving forward.

Set realistically specific goals, and make sure to break your goals down into smaller, bite-sized chunks that can be digested by you as you move forward. That way, you can measure your progress along the way and stay excited about what you've achieved. Being able to see your progress can create good feelings that encourage you to do even more to reach your goals in the future.

4. You Get Hung Up on Time Limits for Your Goals

One of the big reasons that your New Year's resolutions are likely to fail is that you get too hung up on time limits.

While a brand new year is a great time for reflection, and a good time to set goals, the reality is that you don't have to limit yourself to a year to reach your goals. The idea behind setting goals is to make a true improvement in your life, not create some mad dash to a finish line.

If you get hung up on time limits for the accomplishment of your goals, you are more likely to make sweeping changes that last for only a short time before you revert.

In order for goals to truly improve your life, you have to be able to assimilate them into your lifestyle. Even if your goal is to run a half-marathon in a certain period of time, the reality is that, as you work toward achieving that goal, you make changes in your life that are likely to “stick,” as long as you approach it as a long-term journey, rather than something you have to accomplish by a certain date.

Once you achieve a goal like that, you can tweak it for the next goal.

Your goal-setting should be more about improving your life so that you create long-term habits, rather than encouraging you to do something and then stop once the goal is reached. Don't get hung up on having something done by the end of the year. Instead, focus on the result, and work toward it consistently. It might take you two years to save up your desired down payment for a home, but that's ok.

And, once you do reach your specific goal, make sure you have another goal to replace it with and take advantage of the good habits you have been building up.

Once you have enough for a down payment, you can set a new goal to build up your emergency fund, contribute to a retirement account, or set up a college fund for your children.

The idea is to keep improving, so you want to build on your successes for the next big goal.

5. You Set Too Many Goals

One of the biggest reasons that you fail at your goals is that you set too many.

Just as you aren't likely to see solid results from multi-tasking, you are unlikely to see the results you want if you set too many goals at once.

This ties into number four. Instead of setting a whole bunch of goals, pick one or two major goals to be working toward at a time. Once you have achieved one of your goals, have something else to be working toward. You should be focusing on bigger goals that can be broken down into manageable and measurable steps. That way, you are actually improving your life and creating habits that result in long-term life success and satisfaction.

Don't overwhelm yourself with all of the things you should be doing.

Instead, think of the most important one or two things you want to accomplish first, and then create plans to tackle those items. Then, move on to a new goal. Don't limit yourself by time, either. If you finish a goal in August, start working on a new goal - even though it isn't a new year. View it as a journey, and you'll be more likely to make steady progress.

Here's what Leo Babauta, author of the popular blog zenhabits.net says about forming one habit at a time:

Habit change is difficult, even with just one habit. If you do more than one habit at a time, you're setting yourself up for failure. Keep it simple, allow yourself to focus, and give yourself the best chance for success. Btw, this is why New Year's resolutions often fail - people try to tackle more than one change at a time.

Other Tips for Succeeding with Your Goals

As you work on overcoming the stumbling blocks often associated with goal setting, there are a few other tips to keep in mind. Staying motivated can be difficult, even if you can see the positive changes and progress that you are making in your life.

Here are some other strategies you can employ to help you succeed at your goals:

Make it public: Sharing your goal with others can create an incentive to succeed. It adds a layer of accountability to your efforts. Even if you just share it with two or three people who can be your “accountability buddies” and check up on you from time to time, the fact that you know that others are watching to see your progress can keep you motivated.

Join a group: It can help to join a community with similar goals. You can receive support and encouragement from those who are taking the journey with you. It can also be a good way to get insight into tricks and tips that can help you with your specific goal. Having that support system can keep you motivated, even during the toughest of times.

Put your money where your mouth is: Make a bet. Studies conducted by the founders of the goal-setting web site Stickk.com found that when money is on the line, people were more likely to stick with their goals. If you have a financial consequence associated with your failure, you are more likely to succeed, if just to avoid the financial hit you'll take. Of course, this is counterproductive if you can't afford the consequence. It should be something that's painful, but not devastating to you.

Work with someone: This is similar to making it public and joining a group. Find a buddy who has the same goal as you. This works especially well if you have a significant other or a family. You can all work together, encouraging each other. And when you reach your joint goal, you can all celebrate together. Any journey is more fun and fulfilling when you have others to come with you, and celebrate with you.

Glen's note on Goals: One thing I find critical in setting successful goals is to make doing the goal as easy as possible. Back in 2007 I set a goal to run the NYC Marathon. As part of my training I had to do one long run every week. This meant waking up early on the weekends to get my run in. There was no way I was going to wake up early and start bumbling around getting ready to run. I had to have a plan before-hand or I'd be lazy and not go. So by Friday afternoon every week I made sure to map out my miles for my long run. I'd chart a course to make sure I'd get the required distance in. This gave me a specific direction for my runs and it eliminated the decision of where to run when I woke up. To further help me in my groggy morning state I also made sure to have my running clothes set aside as well as my water bottle(s) for the run. This way I could wake up, get ready, and get out of the house. If I left myself with too much thinking and preparation in the morning I KNOW I would have gotten too lazy to head out.

We can make financial goals easier too.

Tools like Quicken can help you plan out goals and track them. Setting up automatic savings and investing takes the thought out of putting money away for your goals.

Know your tendencies and build plans into your goals to make sure you stay on top of your intentions.

Final Word On Making Your Goals Succeed

There's no reason to let goal-setting get you down. Change the way you approach your resolutions, and there is a good chance that you will see more success this year - and in the years to come.

Where have you failed at goals? Where have you succeeded? Share your stories in the comments!

Bonus to help you with your goals and habits: Here's Google's Matt Cutts talking about trying new things for 30 days.

youtube

And here's Jerry Seinfeld's “Don't break the chain” motivation and productivity technique (via Lifehacker): Jerry Seinfeld's Productivity Secret

Don't Let Your Goals Fizzle Out! – 5 Reasons Goals Fail, and What You Can Do To Make Yours Succeed

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Planning Your Yard for the New Year

You've probably heard the saying “new year, new you”, but have you thought about the saying “new year, new yard”? The new year is a great time to take on new projects and to better yourself and space around you. Here are some steps for planning your new yard:

Gather Some Ideas

The first step to planning your new yard is to get a good idea of what you want for your space. You can do this by looking around for inspiration. Start with your friends and family; has anyone you know done any lawn makeovers recently? Was there anything specific that you liked or wanted to include in your space? You can also go online to look for inspiration. Look at websites, like Pinterest, and galleries of landscaping companies to pick ideas that you want to include in your space. It is a good idea to keep a compilation of your thoughts and photos or links to things that you may want to add. The more organized you are with this part of the process, the better off you will be when it comes to executing your landscaping.

Evaluate Your Wants and Needs

There are certain things that need to be included in your landscape- space for pets and children to play, adequate lighting, safe walkways, etc. There are also things that you want to be included in your space such as pools, water features, and gazebos. Write a list of all of your needs and a list of all of your reasonable wants, and start planning on what you can reasonably fit into your space. It is important to be practical and to understand that not everything will fit into your yard. You will need to prioritize what you think will most benefit you, your yard, and your family. Once you have a concrete list of what you do and do not want to be included, you can start planning.

Look into Local Landscapers

Once you have an idea of what you want for your yard and the different aspects that you want to include, it is time to look for a good landscaper. To do this, it is important to ask around for recommendations and to read online reviews. Reviews are a great way to get honest feedback and first-hand experiences about what people were happy and unhappy with in regards to their landscaping experience. Make sure to look for photos of past projects and to seek out workers with good reputations and beautiful work. The better the company you work with, the better overall experience you will have with creating a new yard for the new year.

Build a Timeline

Now that you have your ideas, your wants, your needs, and a trusted landscaper to work with, it is time to create a realistic timeline. Some landscaping projects are going to take longer than others. For instance, a pool installation will take much more time than adding some new foliage. Plan your timeline accordingly. If you want to enjoy your brand new patio for the summertime, make sure that you are making the plans to build it in the early months of spring. Having a timeline established will ensure that you get the absolute most out of your backyard remodel.

Fill Out Our Vision Planner

When you know what you want and when you want it, the next step is to fill out our Vision Planner. Your Vision Planner will help us to understand the details of your project and will help us get an idea of the total price of your remodel. The vision planner tool is thorough and effective and will help us to get on the same page as you so that we can begin your landscape transformation. You can fill out the Vision Planner here.

The new year is a time of new beginnings, and your yard should be no exception. 2019 is the year to get the landscape of your dreams, and we are here to help make that happen. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to call us at (440) 543-0500.

The post Planning Your Yard for the New Year appeared first on Cleveland Landscaping and Snow Removal.

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shumparker1953-blog · 6 years

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Happy New Year! A Fresh Start Calls for Fresh Color in Your Nashville Home

Ah, the new year... This is prime time for resolutions, new beginnings, rekindled goals, and boundless optimism.

It's great, isn't it? So much potential and promise rolled into the launch of a new year.

While we try to stay out of those resolutions that involve treadmills, gym memberships, and more or less of [you fill in the blank], we do love helping with resolutions that involve home improvement and color.

After all, tackling that project idea that's been gathering dust since 2015 can be just as much a resolution as any other, and completing it will offer benefits you can enjoy for months and years to come.

So, what's on your painting wish list?

Popular Interior Painting Projects in Nashville

#1: Complete Interior Repaints

This is a big season for total repaints! And, for good reason. While localized projects can have tremendous impact, and in some cases are all that's necessary, larger projects offer an unparalleled opportunity for creating a cohesive palette and total transformation. It can also be more budget-friendly too, wrapping up a large project in one fell swoop rather than breaking it up over numerous smaller ventures.

#2: Painting Kitchens and Bathrooms

When done correctly, bathroom and kitchen paint jobs offer some of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project. These environments can be difficult to paint, though, and are extremely hard on paint products. You need to make a choice guided by experience, and invest in a high-quality application that will really perform as you need it to.

#3: Kitchen Cabinet Painting Services

This is one of our most popular services, and it's not hard to see why. Compared to a full cabinet replacement or kitchen remodel, painting can be much more cost-effective while still offering an incredible transformation.

Just be careful to hire a professional that knows the process inside and out, and has proven experience. Hiring a low bidder who is light on credentials can be an expensive, disappointing mistake.

#4: Repainting for Resale

Is your property going on the market anytime soon? Painting is one of the most recommended strategies for increasing the marketability of your home. Warm, inviting, neutral colors (NOT boring white!) look fresh and enticing, while still leaving room for the imagination of your prospective buyer. They want to envision themselves in the space, and NOT envision a painting project because of damaged, dated, or drab walls.

As we mentioned above, make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are on the list of rooms to refresh, as well as higher-visibility, high-traffic spaces.

How Can We Help with Your Nashville-Area Painting Needs?

Your team at Nash Painting is here to serve you! Please take a moment to get to know us better and explore our values and local history, and then contact our office. We're excited to get your 2019 painting goals rolling!

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