We are officially deep into the holiday season, and the New Year is just round the corner, so now is the perfect time to start thinking about how you are going to tackle next year. There's an old saying that goes "if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." In today's article, we're going to be covering some ways in which you can, right now, start planning out and preparing for your year next year so that you can hit the ground running in January and make your next year the best year ever! Reflect On The Past Year?s Achievements If we?re going to make waves in the year ahead, we need to look back at what we have done this year and use that as a foundation for how to go above and beyond that in the next year. Get a notebook or computer document and sketch out some personal, professional, and family related milestones from the past year. Once you have those together, then you can sort through your challenges faced in the past year and turn how you defeated those obstacles into lessons learned. Set Clear Goals For The Year Ahead The SMART framework of goal-setting is a fantastic place to start, but use whatever system you are most comfortable with. SMART stands for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. If your goals fall in line with those guidelines, then you are doing it right! Our advice is to start with three goals in each area of life you want to propel forward and go from there. Here are some areas you can set goals around: Health and wellness Personal fitness Home/Lawn/Garden Skills (work related) Hobbies Personal skills Financial Familial Romantic Relationship Work or business Education Start Small in December Once you have your list of goals set and you are ready to take them on, then there is no time like the present to do so. Start with small changes in December that you can use to build healthy habits in January. Did you set a goal around keeping your home cleaner or more organized? Then start by decluttering a room or two, or even start smaller by decluttering a junk drawer or single closet. By starting with these small, bite-sized tasks, you can build a head of steam to tackle larger tasks in the coming months. Studies have shown that performing a task habitually for just two weeks can cement that into a long-term habit or part of your life. If you can stick with something for just 14 days, then you can build it into a permanent part of your life with ease. So, think of December as the runway to January in which you start the year taking flight at full speed! Good luck out there. Conclusion We hope that this article about preparing for the New Year was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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December is a time for celebration and thoughtful reflection for all of us in these United States. We wanted to help spread a little holiday cheer with an article that helps people from all faiths learn a little more about the three major holidays that take place each December. Since the holiday season is also an excellent time to make and eat various delicious foods, we have included the different traditional food dishes that are emblematic of each religious holiday. Maybe you could try one or all of the dishes this year? Either way, good food and family is definitely something to celebrate! Christmas. December 25th Christmas has its origins in both Christian (hence the name) and pagan traditions that were popular at the time. It is a celebration of the birth of the religion?s lord and savior, Jesus Christ blended with pagan practices like the yule log, bringing a tree indoors and decorating it, and taking place during a time that was typically celebrated by the pagans: the winter solstice which takes place around the 21st of December each year. Traditional foods include Large roasts like beef, turkey, ham, or goose Fall and winter specific side dishes and produce like yams, potatoes, nuts, cranberries, apples, and figs Fan favorite dish: cookies, pies, fruitcakes, yule logs Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights. Dates Vary By Year. Hanukkah is known as The Festival Of Lights and takes place at the end of each year, typically starting in late November or even mid to late December. It is observed over a period of eight nights and is marked by the lighting of celebratory candles in a specialized candle holder called a menorah. It is typically celebrated by people of the Jewish faith to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. Traditional foods include Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), symbolizing the miracle of oil. Large baked briskets and other hearty dishes that can feed large gatherings. Kwanzaa: Honoring African Heritage and Unity. December 26th Through January 1st. Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African-American culture and values. It is a celebration of family and loved ones in the affirmation of the seven guiding principles known as Nguzo Saba. They are the core tenants of the week-long celebration. Traditional foods include Soul food staples like collard greens, black-eyed peas, candied yams, buttermilk biscuits, spoonbread and fried chicken. More traditional African foods are also served as a reminder of their ancestral heritage, which include jollof rice, plantains, Accras: Caribbean fritters, Feijoada (a stew of black beans, pork, and vegetables over rice), and more! Conclusion We hope that this article about the holiday season and its delicious foods was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Winter's arrival brings with it a lot of fun and good things like the Holiday Season and fun with friends and family, but it also brings a lot of preparation and hard work if you're a homeowner. Each year, millions of families lose out on thousands of dollars because they didn't winterize their home properly. Forgetting simple things like having your sprinklers blown out or not wrapping exposed pipes can cost you. Don?t get caught flat-footed this winter! Here are some tips for winterizing your home and garden this year. Winterizing The House There is a lot to do when it comes to winterizing your home, but you will be so glad once it?s done. Here is a quick list of things you can do to help winterize your home this year. Clean out your dryer vent to ensure no blockages or buildup Clean and clear off all vents that lead outside to ensure proper ventilation and HVAC function Seal any cracks in windows, doors, or walls. If there is any outside air getting in directly, then you should plug it up thoroughly Insulate any water pipes that are exposed in your crawlspace, attic, or outside your home. Check for any small leaks or cracks while you?re at it Inspect and clean out your gutters to help prevent ice dams and clogs Have your local HVAC tech inspect your heating system before booting it up for the winter Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries Install energy efficient and insulating window coverings like we have for sale Winterizing Your Lawn/Garden We like to think of summer as the main lawn and garden season, but the fall can be the most important time of the year for them both. Setting up your lawn and garden for success can help to ensure your home continues to look nice and to help ensure that you are not overwhelmed with insects, mold, and other unpleasantries when spring comes. Drain garden hoses and put them away in a safe place for the winter Clean up debris in and around your garden, especially in the plant beds to help reduce rodent and insect buildup Mulch garden beds to help lock in nutrients for next year Clean up garden tools and store them for the winter Cover your perennials to help them survive until spring Mow your lawn one last time, and bag the clippings Aerate your lawn to help improve overall water absorption and improve nutrient capacity and distribution Fertilize your lawn with a special end of season fertilizer that will help replenish and lock in nutrients for next year Rake leaves, especially before snow starts to help ensure that your grass doesn?t get smothered and pests don?t invade and make those warm leaf piles their winter home Conclusion We hope that this article about winterizing your home and garden was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Improving your home's energy efficiency isn't just a good idea for the environment in general, but is a great way to have a real financial impact on your family's bottom line each winter. This winter, let?s save some real dollars and more than a few cents when it comes to conserving energy to keep your home warm. Today?s blog is all about that and more! Reducing Energy Consumption Tips There are lots of ways in which you can save energy on heating bills this fall and winter. Here are a few great and simple ideas you can start using today in order to help save green while going green. Seal Gaps and Drafts With just a little bit of weather stripping material from your local hardware store, you can turn that small investment into a huge return on your energy bills. Use that and some extra caulking you may have lying around to seal cracks and gaps around your doors and windows. Check Your Attic And Reseal Check up in your attic to see if there are any gaps or open holes that are letting the outside air in. This can help you cut down on damaging moisture buildup as well as reduce the chance that critters and bugs can get in and start wrecking the place. Strategic Landscaping This is a bit of a long game, but it is worth it by far. One way to help reduce damaging wind gusts against your home and especially against your windows, then you may want to plant some barrier shrubs or trees. If you plant trees around the perimeter of your property and have bushes and shrubs near your windows, you can help to eliminate harsh sun and direct wind abrasion all year round. Upgrade To Energy Efficient Windows And Doors If you?re tired of paying too much for your heating and cooling bills each year, you can put a huge dent into those HVAC costs by upgrading your windows and doors to more modern, energy efficient and insulating ones like double or triple pane windows and insulated doors. Upgrade Your Window Coverings With Energy Saving Ones Another great way to step up your cost-saving game is to shop our fantastic selection of energy efficient window coverings, like our Hunter Douglas roller shades or our Roman Shades. Hunter Douglas Roller Shades These provide a modern and stylish look while also being energy efficient. They help to insulate your windows against both the hot and the cold, all year long. Roman Shades You don?t have to actually be in Rome to do as the Romans do. Why not take advantage of their luxurious look and feel to both impress guests and save money on energy bills? Shop our excellent selection of Roman Shades today. Conclusion We hope that this article about conserving heat in your home was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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A fall tradition that dates back to the nascent days of our country, caramel apples are quite the fall treat. They are relatively easy to make and offer a blank canvas for you to put your own spin on as your heart (and taste buds!) desires. Here are a few recipes for you to use for your inspiration this year. Enjoy! Classic Caramel Apples You just can?t beat a tried and true classic. With this recipe, you can enjoy as-is or as your baseline for adding twists and variations. It?s yours to make your own, however you see fit! Here is a great recipe for you to start with . Chocolate Covered Caramel Apples This is a simple variation that will have your guests obsessed with their new chocolate and caramel addiction. Most variations on this recipe call for creating a classic caramel apple, and then dipping it again (once cooled) into a ready chocolate sauce for the ultimate indulgence. We found a great recipe for you to try . Nut Covered Caramel Apples You can do a fun variation on caramel apples with this one! Just start with the basic caramel recipe and then chop up some of your favorite nuts and seeds and start rolling! Roll half in chopped walnuts and the other half in sesame for a toasty, salty twist! The sky's the limit. White Chocolate Peppermint Apples What if you took the caramel out of caramel apples? This recipe is a fantastic variation on a classic favorite. You will just need some white chocolate bark, a slow cooker (or microwave), and your favorite toppings. We recommend a few: Sprinkles Peanuts Peppermint bits (like a peppermint bark for Christmas!) Cashews Raisins Caramel (if you make a white chocolate apple, you can freeze it for 2 hours and then dip it again in melted caramel and then pop it back in the freezer for another two hours and you will have a delicious double dipped treat! Top with nuts or sprinkles. Reese's Pieces Caramel Apple?. Pie! This last recipe is a huge hit around our house. While we love caramel apples, we go crazy for a fresh pie, especially a caramel apple pie. You can get the best of both worlds here all in one place. The neat thing is that if you?re feeling really adventurous, you can add your favorite toppings to a pie slice to make it really go off the flavor charts. You can use any type of apple you?d like, but we recommend Gravenstein apples. There are lots of places this recipe can go. Make it your own with a unique twist. Conclusion We hope that this article about caramel apple recipes was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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In today's blog, we're going to cover some fun and unique ways in which you can take your plain backyard space and turn it into the ultimate outdoor living space. This fall and winter, don't think that you have to move the party indoors! You can keep entertaining and having BBQ's and other fun in your backyard as long as you prepare for it ahead of time. Here are some things to help inspire you! Add Warmth First thing?s first. It?s going to be cold this fall and winter and in order to entertain outdoors, you?re going to need to help take the edge off the cold of the evening. You have a couple of great options. The first, is that we are proud to offer an excellent selection of outdoor heating solutions for your home or restaurant from both Infratech and Heatsail. Now, these are cutting edge infrared heating technology that provide energy efficient warmth without compromising on style. A great way to keep your guests warm without having to resort to cumbersome and noisy propane heaters. We have in-house electricians available to wire and install your heaters as well. The other option for warmth is more budget friendly, but less effective overall is to build a homemade fire pit. If your pit is large enough and is located in a central location to your entertainment area, then it will do a decent job of keeping your backyard warm enough for guests. Cozy Furniture Cozy furniture is a must for proper outdoor entertainment. We recommend at least one outdoor couch and a loveseat and at least six individual chairs or loungers that can be placed around the patio area for conversations and dining. The perfect compliment to your cozy furniture is going to be some outdoor window covering and shade solutions from Blind Appeal. We have some great options for you in our solar shade collection . They help you enjoy the best that your outdoor space has to offer without the discomfort of the sun?s glare and heat (in the summer, of course). A nice enclosed or semi-enclosed patio with our solar shade or awning setup will help make your home the ultimate entertainment destination. Set Up Fall Appropriate Lighting Lighting really goes a long way to perfecting the ambiance and mood. Since it gets dark so early in the fall and the winter, you will need a light source that is going to be strong enough to help brighten your backyard, but not glaring or bothersome to your neighbors. We recommend strings of LED lights and maybe some outdoor lamps as well around the corners. Conclusion We hope that this article about outdoor living spaces was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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As much fun as the summer can be, we all know that there are many of us out there who long for fall instead. The sunny weather is great, but the punishing heat wears out its welcome quickly. For many of us, that welcome is worn out before July 1st! Now that fall is just on the horizon, it?s time to start planning on some fun fall-only activities to enjoy on your own, or with friends and family. In today?s article, we?re going to do just that. We will showcase some fun fall activities that you can use to help fill in the gaps in your fall schedule. Let us know if we missed any of your favorites! Visit A Local Play Farm Idaho is lucky in many ways, the best of which is that we have so much rich farmland and lots of amazing farm families in and around our community. There are tons of great touring farms in and around Boise that you can enjoy this fall. The most well known and amenity rich being Lowe Family Farmstead in Kuna . We recommend checking out the corn maze, pumpkin patch (buy some while you?re there!), the gemstone mining, apple blasters, and so much more! They have lots of other things to do and enjoy for kids of all ages. Explore The Farmer?s Market Speaking of farms, The Boise Farmers Market is always a great place to visit, but in the fall, they have the very best fall and winter exclusives like apples, pumpkins, squash, and so much more. It?s a great way to support local businesses and family farms in and around Idaho. This is a great family friendly activity that the whole family can enjoy. Let the kids pick out some new and exciting things to try and maybe try to craft a meal together using only ingredients from the market. Apple Picking If you?d rather skip the market and go directly to the farm for your produce, then this is the activity for you! Apple picking is a great family friendly activity that will get everyone involved. Candy Apple Orchard , Tyler's Rocky Point Orchard , and Williams Fruit Ranch , are all great places to try. See Boise Through A Bike Tour The fall is a great time to take a leisurely tour by bike through the city. With the temperature outside getting colder, you can bike for a long time without fear of overheating. Now, there are some more 21+ bike tours around Boise that are definitely fun, like Pedals And Pints , we?re talking about an all-ages type of bike tour that includes a nice historical lecture as you go so that you can learn more about this great city and its history. For that, try Boise Bicycle Tours . Conclusion We hope that this article about fall festivals and family friendly activities was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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When it's time to get the kids back to school each year, you know your life is going to get a little bit busier. And, you can't spell ?busy? without the word ?bus.? Which is exactly what we?re going to be talking about in today?s article: bus safety and etiquette for parents and kids. Let us know in the comments or on social media if you have some additional tips or ideas for bus safety! As A Driver During the school year, if you have to drive to work each morning, you will most likely encounter several school buses on their way to pick up kids for school. Here are a few safety tip reminders to help you and the people around you stay safe on the road. Do not pass a stopped bus with its stop sign extended, even if there is another lane of traffic Drive with caution when you are nearing a bus stop because kids may be rushing to catch a bus and may not see you or be paying attention to your car Watch for crosswalks during the school year Slow down and obey all speed laws in or around school zones Don?t follow a school bus too closely. They have limited visibility of cars that are directly behind them Be prepared to stop at all railroad crossings if you are behind a bus Waiting For The Bus To Arrive If you drop your kids off or wait with them at the bus stop, then here are some safety tips for you. Make sure your kids stay at least three big steps back from the curb at all times, until the bus comes Dress your kids in high visibility shoes, or backpack tape, or clothing in general to help them stay visible along roads and as they get to and from the bus stop Kids must avoid roughhousing or playing with balls or throwing objects like frisbees at the bus stop Don?t approach the bus until it has fully stopped and traffic around the bus has stopped. The bus driver will usually open the door and motion to the children when it is safe to board Tell your children not to talk to strangers who approach the bus stop or accept rides from anyone who isn?t their regularly scheduled bus and driver Make sure your kids? shoes are snuggly tied and their backpacks are closed and secured to help prevent your child from tripping over their laces and dropping something from their backpack and running back in the road to go retrieve it Conclusion We hope that this article about bus stop safety and education was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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