Annual Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down in the winter. If you’re a homeowner eager to throw open the windows and clean out the closets, consider this list of annual spring home maintenance items to complete in order to give your home the once-over it deserves inside and out. SYSTEMS TO CHECK: HVAC | Call your technician to schedule servicing and cleaning of your HVAC. Cleaning the ducts and vents saves home-owner costs in the long run. PLUMBING | Check to make sure your pipes and faucets aren’t leaking. Water stains on the walls and ceilings are major indicators of leaky pipes. It’s a good idea to also check the flapper in the tank of your toilets to ensure it is not worn out. SUMP PUMP/GUTTERS | April showers are in the forecast- don’t wait until they are here to make sure your sump pump’s motor isn’t shot and your gutters aren’t clogged. CHIMNEY | If you have a chimney, you need to inspect it regularly because they carry dangerous gasses from the fireplace, wood stove, or furnace out of your home- keeping the air inside breathable. If you were cozied up by the fireplace all winterlong, odds are there may be a blockage or build up inside your chimney. Hire an expert to check for cracks and repairs. SMOKE ALARM/CO2 | Better safe than sorry- check the batteries. You should be doing this more than once a year, but since you’re tackling the rest of the house might as well add it to the list now. AREAS TO SPRUCE: DECK/PATIO | As the weather warms up, you’ll be eager to use your outside space again. Chances are your deck and/or patio has a layer of winter grime on it. Sweep away debris, check for cracked wood, and replace loose nails. PAINT | Look for signs of peeling or chipped paint on your home’s exterior coat. You may need a touch-up or a fresh coat. POOL | If you have a pool, you’ll have to treat the water, check and change valves and filters, and inspect all equipment before you’ll actually want to swim in it. EXTERIOR WINDOWS/FACADE | Spring is a good time to give your home a good scrub. Take the storm windows off and wash the windows, inside and out. The house can get grimy, too. Grit stuck to the facade can damage paint and masonry over time. LAWN/HEDGES | Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns bright green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn. Source
Green Drinks
Whether you’re channeling your inner-Irish, saving the planet, or just plain envious, there are plenty of green cocktails to choose from. St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and we’re here to help you serve up some seriously green drinks. After all, drinking is an essential part of St. Patty’s Day. Let’s start out simple.Perhaps the easiest, yet most Irish, green drink of all time isThe Green Beer. It takes just two ingredients to create this drink, a cold beer and green food coloring. Make it a tall glass to properly complete the festive take on a classic draft. (Works best with light beer, not so much with stouts). Now to get a little more intricate…Mojito Slushie. mint leaves (6) rum (2 oz.) simple syrup (1 oz.) lime juice (1 oz.) ice Blend it all together and pulse until smooth. Make it instagram-worthy by garnishing with a mint sprig and lime wedge. Prefer something a little Fancier?Caramel Apple Martini Vanilla vodka (1 oz.) Sour apple pucker (1 oz.) Butterscotch schnapps (1 oz.) Sour apple ice Rim the glass with caramel to satisfy your sweet tooth! (optional) If you’re ready to get straight to business…take a shot.Green Gummy Bear Shot The classic white gummy bear shot just got cooler. Vodka Melon liqueur Lemon lime soda Be careful though! These shots are known to be dangerous. They’re super sweet and easy to take. And for those non-alcohol drinkers (or for the morning after for those that do…)Detox Green Juice Add to a juicer or a blender: 3 green apples Fresh kale (7 oz.) ½ of an english cucumber fresh spinach (1 cup) ½ of a lemon, juice only Just blend it all together and you’re one step closer to cleansing your body and boosting your immune system. For more information on the benefits of detox juice, click here! Source
Recipes for a Memorable Night at Home
Forget the stress of trying to score that coveted restaurant reservation, going out on Valentine’s Day is overrated anyway. It doesn't need to be February 14th to treat yourself to a date night at home. Whether you’re celebrating with that special someone, hanging out with friends, or treating yourself, give these delicious recipes a try for a 5 star, 4 course, home cooked meal any time of the year that will surely be more memorable than any restaurant dinner. After all, the key to anyone’s heart is food! COCKTAIL | Grapefruit Mojitos for twoIngredients: 2 limes 1 handful of mint 2 grapefruits 3 oz. white rum 2 tbsp. honey 1 bottle sparkling water Directions: Squeeze the juice from 1 grapefruit and 1 lime into each glass, then divide, add, and stir all of the ingredients per glass, and finish by muddling the mint leaves. STARTER | Bruschetta HeartsIngredients: 8 slices whole wheat bread 4 oz. goat cheese, softened 2 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, finely chopped 1 tbsp. extra-vigin olive oil 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped salt and pepper to taste Directions: Cut the slices of bread using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Arrange the bread hearts and toast them in a preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until light brown and crispy. Spread each toast heart with a thin layer of goat cheese. Next, in a small mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, basil leaves, and salt and pepper. Distribute tomato mixture evenly over each toast heart, spreading it to emphasize the heart shape. Serve immediately. ENTREE | SURF AND TURFSkip the steakhouse and serve shrimp and beef tenderloinwith a side of asparagus at home. Get the Recipe DESSERT | Raspberry Cheesecake BrowniesIngredients: Fudge Brownie Layer: 1/2 cup unsalted butter 8 oz. coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled) 1/4 tsp. Salt Raspberry Cheesecake Layer: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup raspberry preserves or raspberry jam* optional: raspberries, for topping Click here for the directions!
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