Home Tips & Tricks July 21, 2019

Guide to Throwing the Ultimate Stress-Free Summer BBQ

 

Summer weather in the Greater Seattle area seems to finally be breaking through! With summer weather comes backyard BBQ’s – we want to help make your BBQ’s as fun and stress-free as possible. Below are seven of our top stress-free backyard BBQ tips:

 

Photo by Vincent Keiman on Unsplash

 

  • Prep food before your guests arrive and have plenty of appetizers (or some simple chips and dip) so they can start chowing down – you do not want any overly hungry guests on your hands!

 

  • When food comes off the grill make sure some impressive side dishes come out from the kitchen – think: green salad, pasta salad, baked beans, cornbread, potato salad and everything else you love!

 

  • Drinks – make sure to have a cooler stocked with water, beer, etc. and prep another fun summer drink, click here for inspiration!

 

 

 

  • Don’t forget to stock up on the simple stuff: cooking fuel, ice, sunscreen, bug spray… maybe even wood for a bonfire?!

 

 

  • Yard games! Think… giant Jenga, corn hole, lawn darts, badminton, bocce!

 

 

  • Get your speakers ready and prep a playlist or appoint a well-versed guest as DJ.

 

 

  • Skip the pre-made dessert and roast S’mores instead!

 

 

 

We hope everyone soaks up the Seattle sun and enjoys their BBQ’s this summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Tips & Tricks July 9, 2019

8 Tips for Keeping Your Home Cool for Less This Summer

 

Although we in the Eastside and Seattle have had a slow start to our summer weather, the heat is supposed to be picking up and we want to make sure everyone (with or without AC) is able to keep their homes cool without racking up energy bills this summer.

 

Photo by Benjamin Massello on Unsplash

 

Below is our top 8 tips for keeping your home cool (and energy efficient) this summer:

Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash

  1. When the sun is out, or setting, close your blinds! Roughly 30-40 percent of unwanted heat gets into your home through windows.

 

  1. If your home is cooler than the outside temperature, close the door.

 

  1. Do your laundry in the early morning, after the sun has set or on a cool day to avoid heating up your home when it is already hot.

 

  1. Use lights as little as possible, turn them off when they are not in use.

 

 

Photo by Rishi Deep on Unsplash

5. Lower the humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier to make your home seem cooler.

 

6. Clean your fans, dusty blades do not work as well.

 

7. Open windows at both ends of the house to let air move freely.

 

8. Grill instead of using your stove/oven (we will have a blog post on BBQ tips out soon!)

 

 

Enjoy the warm days ahead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places to Visit July 4, 2019

5 Small Towns Near Seattle to Visit This Summer

 

Looking for some weekend or day trips near home to take this summer? Below are five excellent choices and some reasons why!

 

Photo by craig kerwien on Unsplash

 

1. Leavenworth:

Leavenworth is not only a winter wonderland, but also a fabulous summer destination! The downtown offers fun shops and delicious Bavarian food, while a little further out offers plenty of water-fun, including: river tubing, rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

However, if you are more of a land person, Leavenworth also  possesses astonishing hiking trails, with 800 miles of forest service hiking trails, and picturesque campsites.

 

2. Vashon Island:

Being only a 20 minute ferry ride from Seattle, Vashon Island is too close to not visit. July 19-21st is Vashon Island’s annual Strawberry Festival including vendors, artist booths, a classic car parade, beer garden, pancake breakfast, grand parade, and street dance. If you can’t make it out that weekend, every day in Vashon offers a vibrant downtown filled with shops and restaurants. For the more adventure seekers, Vashon loves bikers and offers the beautiful Vashon-Maury Island Bike Ride.

 

3. Sequim:

Photo by Andrew Ridley on Unsplash

Roughly 65 miles from Seattle, Sequim is full of small-town charm. Known for being the Lavender Capital of North America, Sequim’s lavender farms are open for u-pick in the summer months and hosts the Sequim Lavender Weekend on the third weekend in July, July 19-21st this year.

Sequim also boasts pristine waterways, offering kayaking, paddle boarding, boat tours, and fishing.

If the above wasn’t enough to make you want to visit Sequim this summer, there is also Hot Air Balloon flights, concerts, biking, birding, and hiking.

 

4. Winthrop:

A bit further than the rest, Winthrop makes for a great weekend getaway. Winthrop boasts an Old Western feel, stroll the boardwalk to see Western memorabilia and visit the shops. In the summertime, Winthrop is the ideal location for horseback riding, hunting, and fishing, as well as, climbing, hiking, camping, and hot air ballooning. If that is not enough activities for you, Winthrop also offer a handful of water activities, as well as, their outdoor roller skating rink.

 

Photo by todd kent on Unsplash

5. Coupeville:

Nestled in the middle of Whidbey Island, Coupeville touches both east and west coasts of the island. Coupeville offers beautiful beaches as well as many historical sites, including Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve. Visit Penn Cove, the Coupeville Wharf, as well as, the main street with authentic Victorian buildings while you are there.

 

We hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy not only Seattle and the Eastside, but the beauty of other parts of Washington State this summer!

 

 

 

 

 

Home Maintenance Tips June 19, 2019

8 Home Maintenance Tips for Summer

 

Summer is (basically) here and other than having fun and enjoying the sun, we want to ensure that your home is happy and healthy. Check out these 8 maintenance tips to ensure a carefree summer and to protect your home.

 

Photo by Nathan Cowley from Pexels

1. Clean out your gutters and downspouts:
Poor or improper drainage can cause water damage to your home. Clear all debris and check for loose/leaky gutters and ensure downspouts are positioned to drain away from your home’s foundation.

 

2. Check out your roof:
Consider getting your roof inspected and/or visually inspect your roof from the ground, looking for signs of warping, cracking and loose shingles or tiles. Examine around chimneys, skylights and vents.

 

3. Check out seals around windows and doors:
Cold weather can cause seals around windows and doors to loosen, harden and crack. Inspect these areas for damage and make repairs as needed. This will help reduce summer cooling costs and keep water out of your home.

 

4. Give your deck a once-over:
This is a summer home maintenance must! Check your deck to see if there are any boards that look like they are rotting and have them replaced. Hammer any nails that are loose. You can also check if your deck needs to be resealed by pouring a small amount of water on it – if the water beads into little puddles, you are good, but if it sinks into the wood, you should get your deck resealed against water.

 

Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

5. Clean your outside spaces:
Consider pressure washing your driveway and front steps – you can hire someone for this if you do not have the time/equipment.

 

6. Check detectors:
Check your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.

 

7. Wash your windows:
If you did not do it in the Spring, now is the time to get your glass clean!

 

8. Clean your BBQ:
It is BBQ season! Clean your BBQ to prep for summer dinners with these steps:
-For gas grills, turn the heat up to high and let the grill cook with the lid closed for half an hour. Allow the grill to cool and then brush it off with a grill brush. Wipe down the exterior with a damp sponge and a gentle cleanser. Clean the grill’s drip pans.
-For charcoal grills, completely empty the grill and wipe out any ashy residue. Then clean it inside and out with hot water, a sponge and liquid dishwashing soap. Let the grill dry completely before using it again.

 

 

 

There you have it – our summer home maintenance tips. The above tips will help you clean up, take care of your home, and enjoy your clean outdoor spaces this summer. Preventative home maintenance can help save money and stress overtime!

Enjoy the long, warm days ahead!