Tag Archives: garden

Sep9

Give Your Garden A Boost With These Tips

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Give Your Garden A Boost With These Tips

The backyard is the one private space you have in your home that gives you a chance to be in touch with nature and get outside at the same time. It’s also the place you have free rein to be as creative as you like. Getting outside and enjoying your garden space means choosing to reinvigorate and redesign your garden to make it look as beautiful as possible.

You should be able to head into the back yard with a book and a drink and soak up the scenery. The kids should be able to play safely and happily. You should be able to plant your favorite fruits and vegetables, knowing that they are in a healthy place to grow. With the tips below, you can make your garden the most extraordinary place possible, so that you can kick back and enjoy it no matter the season.

Use Trees:

Planting trees in your backyard to frame the garden is one of the prettiest ways to add something amazing. Asking New Life landscape to help you with your lawn is going to help you to map out exactly how you want your garden to look. Adding fruit trees is a great way to not only grow your own fruit, but you will be able to add these trees to the corners of the garden to frame that newly laid lawn of yours. Choose apple trees and lemon trees and watch them grow!

When planting trees, you will want them in their own individual spots while still looking natural with the landscape. To create seamless edges from the mulch bed to grass or the patio, use Metal Garden Edging From Core LP. The results will allow your greenery and hardscapes to flow together effortlessly.

Don’t forget that any new or existing trees will require care too. When looking for a professional to tend your trees, you will want to search online for a “Tree Service in Charlottesville, VA” (or your local area) and enlist the services of a reputable service for trimming, removal, or storm clean up. A professional arborist will also be able to check the overall health of the tree to ensure that it is thriving in your yard.

Design The Beds:

Between those new trees you’ve planted, adding garden beds will enhance the edges of the garden. You can make it as informal or as formal as you like, and you can plant beautiful flowers in the flowerbeds. The beds can vary in length, and you can plant flowers and bushes of a variety of colors to make it pop. You can coordinate the flowers by height and by color, and you can share your ideas with a professional landscaping team to bring it all to life properly.

While the end result is lovely, clearing the space for new flowerbeds can be a lot of hard work, especially on top of the upgrades and maintenance you’re already working on. Give yourself a break and call a Roanoke excavating contractor to get the job done as you lounge in the shade. Then, it will be onto the fun part: Planting!!

Go Beyond Greenery:

Garden beauty comes in more than just flowers and bushes. You need to consider hardscaping. Hardscapes like decorative rocks and stone patios will help you to make your living space comfortable and low maintenance. You can add different types of hardscapes to the garden, too, to really give it a unique look. Imagine a gorgeous stone patio where you can lounge on sun chairs, grill, and entertain friends, evoking all of the feels of endless summer! If this sounds like a must for your backyard, contact a local hardscaper to make it a reality. You will be thanking yourself every time you sit out to catch some rays.

Irrigate:

You should look at installing a drip irrigation or soaker hose system to water your garden properly. Irrigating your landscaped backyard will keep it fresh, healthy and it will stop it from flooding in the rain. Choose the right size irrigation system and make sure that you have your garden covered. You have the chance to create a beautiful backyard, and you should use these tips to give your garden the boost you need.

With the right inspiration, you can make your garden stand out and improve the way that you spend time in it at the same time. Take the time to landscape your garden this year, and you’ll be enjoying it by next summer!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep2

Creating A Perfect Garden

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Creating A Perfect Garden

Having some outside space at your home is a significant asset and one that enables you to enjoy spending time at your property both indoors and outside. Keeping your yard looking great has many benefits; for a start, it improves your home’s curb appeal, which could add to its value should you decide to sell it. Secondly, having a yard that is in tip-top condition enables you to get outdoors and spend time in the beautiful natural surroundings of your garden.

If you don’t naturally have a green thumb, you may feel a little daunted by the idea of taking care of a garden, and the thought of keeping it looking great may feel overwhelming. However, creating a gorgeous garden is well worth the effort, and is so much easier than you may think. Plus, being outdoors and closer to nature is believed to have significant benefits on your wellbeing, so having a lovely garden is most definitely a winner.

Ready to get to work on creating a photo worthy outside space? Here’s how to create a perfect garden:

Luscious lawns:

Your lawn is likely to cover your yard’s largest area, so it is worth taking the time to get your grass looking its best. Achieving a perfect lawn requires the right tools for the job. You will need a mower that makes light work of trimming your grass, plus a trimmer to neaten up the edges. It is worth doing some research for the perfect garden machinery to match your needs, as it does make a big difference. You can click here to read handy reviews to help you decide on the right tools for you. You might also want to check out https://www.lawncare.net/service-areas/georgia/ for the best professional care for your yard.

Pick Your Plants:

When you pick the right plants for your yard, they will stay looking good for longer and will really enhance your space. You will need to consider the climate that you live in along with the soil conditions where you live to choose the perfect plants for your yard. Some plants are better suited to colder conditions, and some flowers are hardy enough to survive even the hottest climates. It is also worth thinking about how much time you have to take care of your garden. If you are short of time, there’s no reason why your backyard cannot stay looking great. It would be best if you simply choose low maintenance options to keep your garden looking awesome with minimal effort.

A Place to Relax:

No garden is complete if you are unable to enjoy it. When creating your perfect garden, you need to consider how you plan to spend your time outdoors, so that you can ensure that your yard matches your needs. Do you love to entertain? If so then you will certainly need a grill, or you could even look into these pizza oven kits for an exciting fixture and a delicious meal. Alternatively, perhaps you like to relax in the sunshine with a good book, or maybe you want to practice yoga on the lawn. Whatever you love to do in your garden, you can create an outdoor space that fits the bill.

Create your own outdoor oasis with new lush garden landscapes!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Aug31

3 Key Ways To Impress A Home Buyer

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3 Key Ways To Impress A Home Buyer

Are you thinking about selling your home soon? If so then you need to make sure that you are taking the right steps to impress potential buyers. Steps like the following:

Ensure The Property Is In Tip Top Condition:

If you are trying to sell someone your home, they aren’t going to be interested unless you have got it in tip-top condition. All of the repairs should be done. There should be no peeling wallpaper or paint coming off of the walls. Nothing should be broken or look like it is about to be broken. All of the holes in the wall should be filled and anything else that takes away from the condition of your home needs to be sorted out.

If you are not marketing your property as a fixer-upper, then that is not what people expect to see. People will only pay your asking price if they are impressed with your home, and if it looks as though it’s going to need a lot of money poured into it to restore, this isn’t going to happen. As well as making all of the necessary repairs, check that all the decor is up to standard, no paint on the floor, and so on. All of the rooms in the home should be clear and tidy, and you can even look into master bedroom organization tips to keep your room looking awesomely neat.

Don’t Forget About Curb Appeal:

The first impression that anyone has of your home is when they see it from the outside. If you haven’t focused on the curb appeal of your property, and it looks like a mess from outside, they are already going to have this opinion of the home in their head by the time they come inside. This could be detrimental to the possibility of a sale, so you must be careful with this and take the time to improve the outside of your home.

It doesn’t have to be a lot to make it impressive. Simply keep the grass at a reasonable length, add some flowers for decoration, and perhaps a plant pot or two. If the actual house itself looks as though it could use an update, do this too. It might feel like a lot of work for a home you are moving out of, but you can get the money back through the sale, so it’s not the end of the world.

Include A Few Unique Features:

Finally, you need to make sure that you are thinking about adding some unique design options to your home. Don’t forget that there are going to be a few different properties around your neighborhood that will undoubtedly be on sale at the same time. You’ll need to make sure that your home stands out from these. One of the best ways to do that is with a few unique features One of these could be a water feature at the front of the home. These can look incredible and are cheaper to set up than you might imagine. There are even DIY options to explore.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now understand some of the key ways to impress a home buyer. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug13

My Attempt At Making Spaghetti Squash

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My Attempt At Making Spaghetti Squash

Hello! When I’m at work, I am constantly being handed bagfuls of goodies from the gardens of whichever home I’m at for the day. During my produce haul last week, I was given a gigantic squash that I had absolutely no idea what to do with. My client’s mom suggested spaghetti squash and I have always wanted to try it so I thought I would give it a shot over the weekend.

Unfortunately, my attempt at making spaghetti squash was not very successful and, after a quick Google, I learned that the squash I used definitely did not look like traditional spaghetti squashes. WHOOPS! Lol, oh well. I tried something new and now I know differently for the next time! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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To learn how to prepare my “spaghetti squash”, I visited the blog Cookie + Kate. This is one of my mom’s favorite sites to get vegetarian recipes from and, as her spiel goes, “Cookie is the dog and Kate is the human”. Lol, I consulted Kate’s recipe while making my squash and it was so easy to follow because it was just like learning how to make it from a friend. No unknown cooking terms and no long stories of how she found God while making this dish, haha.

To prepare my spaghetti squash, I cut it in half from the middle and then halved the pieces again. Afterwards, I scooped out all of the squash guts… AKA the seeds! It was actually pretty fun. Once the squash halves were seedless, I drizzled olive oil onto each of them and then seasoned with salt and pepper. All that was left to do was bake them and I kept my squash in the oven for a little under an hour at four hundred degrees.

I was eager to take my squash out of the oven but, sadly, there was nothing really “spaghetti” about it. I tried to fluff the insides into a spaghetti like texture as Kate had mentioned but there was hardly even any squash to work with on the interior. What I was originally hoping was going to be a noodle shape ended up being a few forkfuls of the squash and the texture definitely looked more like pulp. Although, I must say, it still tasted really good!

Sadly, my attempt at making spaghetti squash didn’t go too hot. However, I feel confident that if I ever get the right ingredients to make it with, it will turn out delicious with the help from Cookie + Kate! 😀

What is your favorite vegetarian recipe? What do you top your spaghetti squash with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug5

Garden Goodies

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Garden Goodies

Hi! I looove having lots of fresh fruits and veggies at my apartment and, during the summer, I am never lacking in that department. My dad as well as all of the families of my clients have gardens and I always seem to be returning home from work with surplus veggies. It’s freaking awesome and I haven’t been without cucumbers, zucchinis, tomatoes, peppers, and green beans in weeks.

I know that all of the families I work with are up to their ears in produce and they have entire gardens but, shit, I am too! I can’t even get to the bottom of my crisper drawer until it’s filled up again with all of the garden goodies I am constantly being gifted with. The last thing I am doing is complaining about it, though!!

My appetite changes drastically in the summer because I get nauseous when it’s really hot. I find myself craving light dishes as I think I would keel over even thinking about eating a heavy meal in my hot ass apartment. Having a never ending supply of veggies has been a game changer because I can snack on them all day totally guilt free and it has added a lot of variety to my cooking.

This past week, I had an overflow of produce that I needed to purge from my fridge – cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, lemon, and lots of garlic. So, I decided to prepare a cucumber salad with the ingredients I had available. My recipe went as so:

Lemon Cucumber Salad

  • 2 large cucumbers with the skin peeled and cut in slices
  • 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • Multicolored grape tomatoes, halved
  • 4 large cloves garlic
  • Juice from one lemon, with some of the pulp added too
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste

I am obsessed with the salad I whipped up and have been eating a few servings daily. I just love the tart lemon mixed with the tang of the balsamic vinegar and when it’s poured over crisp veggies it is an absolute treat. Get creative with your cooking and try making a salad recipe of your own next family dinner!

How has your garden been doing? What do you have growing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug2

In Summer, We Wear Black OOTD

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In Summer, We Wear Black OOTD

Howdy! Something I really miss doing while I continue to keep my distance amidst the coronavirus pandemic is having photo shoots for lifewithlilred. I loved doing my makeup, styling the perfect outfit, and feeling like America’s Next Top Model for the day. This past month, I felt comfortable enough to schedule a social distance photo shoot with my usual photographer. But, unfortunately, he had to cancel due to a COVID case at his work (All has since been resolved!).

After that, I decided that I would have my mom take my pictures for me over the weekend – just like she used to when lifewithlilred first started! Now, sweet JANE has no photography experience at all but, unlike my dad, she knows how to take pictures on my iPod. This makes it very easy for me because I can set up the shot, have her stand exactly where I want her to, and she can snap away.

After ten or so shots, I usually take a look at what we have, evaluate what I liked and didn’t like, and then continue the process until I’m satisfied. JANE was a rock star, as per ushe, and I was very happy with the following shots for this All Black Everything OOTD:

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Who? What? Wear?

Nine times out of ten in the summertime, you can find me posted up in my normal uniform of all black. Ten times out of ten, you will hear me complaining about how hot it is. Be that as it may, I never “outgrew” my emo phase. It has turned into a lifestyle at this point so I can’t just stop dressing in a way that I’m almost always prepared for a funeral for a little thing like the sun, lol. Besides, the feathery fake lashes I was rocking were enough of a neon pop to make up for the, otherwise, bleak color palette.

I have become a huge fan of fake eyelashes lately and when I saw the funky pair I’m sporting in the pics while online shopping Sephora, I couldn’t pass them up. I knew that I wanted them to make a major statement in my pictures because they are so unique, so my all black OOTD only enhanced it. It also made the beautiful flowers in my dad’s garden pop, which was another goal I had in mind when preparing this shoot.

When it comes to my personal style, I love having a lot of essential pieces that have an extra something to them. The skort is such a fun take on traditional shorts and they also give the illusion of a romper when styled properly (Which is great for me because I look awful in real rompers!). With a playsuit vibe in mind, I opted for one of my favorite tops to wear tucked in and the end result was an, in my opinion, more modern take on an actual romper or shorts and T-shirt combo.

After the initial outfit was styled, it was all about accessories. I chose one of my smaller brimmed hats for this shoot because I didn’t want a huge floppy one taking away from the eyelashes. Wearing Johnny’s sunglasses was another easy choice because they’re relatively plain and it definitely popped nicely against the black.

Bat wing embellished platforms helped complete this chic goth in the sun OOTD. In fact, I know they did because one of the neighborhood kids said they looked vampire-y. Great success! And, finally, I am extra enough to carry a parasol. Enough said.

I am not exaggerating when I say to you all that I felt like a million bucks in these pictures. It was a hot day but my outfit kept me nice and cool and I felt freaking sexy in it. Lol, since coronavirus, I have not put the most effort into my personal appearance and it felt amazing to both feel and look good. I definitely spammed Facebook with pictures of myself but, damn, I couldn’t help it! Your girl was feeling herself!!

This wasn’t exactly the fancy shmancy photo shoot that I had in mind but it was easily one of my favorites. I loved being able to spend time with my mom and I got a HUGE boost of self-confidence. Some new content on the blog is nothing to sneeze at, either. 😉 Keep it posted for more pics this week!

When do you feel confident? Which color do you wear the most often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

Summer Home Sprucing

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Summer Home Sprucing

When the sun’s shining and the temperature heats up, you’ll want to make the most of your home and garden. Fortunately, it’s easy to transform your property in time for everything the season has to offer. With these simple sprucing tips, you can enjoy the summer weather in your own relaxing retreat:

Overhaul your garden:

It’s easy for gardens to get overgrown in the spring, particularly if you haven’t had a chance to undertake any winter maintenance. However, now’s the time to catch up if you want your garden to be summer-ready. Mow the lawn, trim back overgrown plants, and power wash the patios for simple but effective transformations.

Book pest control services:

One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for summer is to ensure your property is pest-free. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for pests to infiltrate gardens and homes, especially during the spring when they’re often building nests. This is when you might run into issues like squirrels in the attic, mice in the garage, and other pests that you do not want in your home. Nothing will ruin summer vibes faster than an infestation!

With residential pest control services, you can ensure there are no nasty surprises awaiting you. Both pest prevention and removal are essential if you want to make sure your property is safe and hygienic. Professional pest control services will give you peace of mind that no vermin or bugs are present and allow you to relax and enjoy the summer.

Add shade:

When you can combine indoor and outdoor areas, you maximize the space in your property and make it far more functional. Bifold and trifold doors are a fantastic way to do this but even adding an awning or cabana to your garden can have a similar effect. When you can escape the blistering rays of the sun or take cover while there’s a shower of rain, you’ll truly get to make the most of the season.

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Pixabay Image

Keep things cool:

Warmer temperatures can be lovely but only if you don’t get overheated. If you have an AC system, you’ll certainly want to get it serviced and cleaned before temperatures get any hotter. With regular servicing, your AC will use less power and perform better, which means lower running costs and cooler temperatures. In addition to this, professional cleaning will remove potential allergens from the AC system, such as dust or pollen, and help to improve the air quality in your home.

Be bold with color:

Warmer, earthier tones are perfect for fall or winter, but spring and summer give you the opportunity to explore with bolder shades and more vibrant colors. From sweet pastels to vivid reds, oranges, greens, and pinks, there are no limits when it comes to summer color. Updating your accessories, tableware, and fabrics make it easy to change your décor to suit the season, so you can stay on-trend with minimal effort.

It’s never too late to make the most of summer, so why not start transforming your property now? With a few minor tweaks and changes, you can turn your property into a summer idyll and make the most of the longer days, lighter evenings, and spectacular sunsets.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun28

A Flower For Me

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A Flower For Me

Hello! On Father’s Day, my sister and her daughter arrived at our parents’ house at the exact same time that I did. We didn’t plan it at all and it was perfect because we all had the maximum time together before we split back up for the day. Beautiful presents and lots of love were gifted to our dear old dad but I think I got the most special treat of all that day. Check it out:

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After presents, we all took a pause and went to the backyard so my niece, Valerie, could move and groove before my sister took off. My dad loves to show Val his flower and vegetable garden and she loves it too. More often than not, you can see my dad smelling the flowers with her and then he will help her pick a bloom for her mom.

On Father’s Day, Val wanted a flower for each hand once she picked her favorite. Then, she toddled up to her auntie and handed me a flower with a big smile on her face. And, right at that moment, our Golden Retriever gobbled up the flower in the hand she wasn’t paying attention to. *Face palm*

Once Val realized her other flower was missing, I offered her mine to make up for it. But, she just kept handing it back to me. I have to say, I was really happy she did because there is literally nothing better than getting a pretty little flower from your fifteen month old niece. I brought it home with me and put it in my dried flower collection and it’s never not going to make me smile whenever I see it. ❤

How did you celebrate Father’s Day? How is your garden doing this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun14

Animal Crossing Outdoor Fun

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Animal Crossing Outdoor Fun

Hello!! Children, teenagers, and adults alike have all been getting super into Animal Crossing during this quarantine. And, Johnny and I just so happen to be the adults who are super into it, lol. The charmingly simple game of building a prosperous island has captured many a hearts and I always look forward to when I can fish or catch some bugs for a while on our island of Dingusburg (Johnny’s idea, haha).

Recently, at work, I was outside with my client and her nieces and we decided to do some real life Animal Crossing of our own after we saw a big, beautiful butterfly flitting about the back yard. One of the girlies grabbed her butterfly net and the chase was on. We all took our tries at catching it and had no such luck. The butterfly flew away but it was still fun!

If you have little ones with some pent up energy from being cooped in, how about some Animal Crossing fun of your own? Set up a scavenger hunt outside or grab some butterfly nets and toy fishing rods and have an adventure in your back yard. Animal Crossing is all about enjoying the simple things, like planting flowers, picking fruit, and catching bugs… All of which can easily be done from your yard!

Still need some inspiration? Message me on Facebook at Sarah Mushenheim for my friend code and come visit Dingusburg. Then, bring a little of our island life into your activities with your kids for the day. 🙂

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Which games have you been hooked on in quarantine? What are some of your favorite activities with your kids? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May28

3 Ways To Keep Busy During Lock Down

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3 Ways To Keep Busy During Lock Down

As the days in lock down turn into weeks and the weeks roll into months, it can become increasingly difficult to know what else to do with all of this extra time on your hands. Well, most people always wished they had more time and now that it has come, we should put it to good use. Whether it’s spending more time with the children or learning something new, it’s safe to say that this opportunity will probably never become available again. Without a firm quarantine end date in sight, check out this list of three ways to keep busy during the lock down:

Learn a New Language:

The benefits of learning a new language go beyond being able to order food while on holiday. It also comes with both personal and professional advantages. On the personal side, it strengthens your IQ, and it is also a great workout for your brain. These cognitive benefits help to ward off dementia and enable you to be more decisive and focused on the task at hand. Did you know that learning a new language also sharpens your sensory perceptions in terms of touch, hearing, sight, speech, and movement? Not many other hobbies can attest to this claim.

On the professional side of things, having bilingual skills greatly opens up your job prospects and makes you more attractive to employers. For companies, it allows for a greater ability to reach new customers in new markets worldwide. Learning a foreign language also sharpens your communication skills making you a more rounded employee.

Take Up a New Hobby:

With most people working around the clock in today’s modern societies, not much time is left for extra-curricular activities and hobbies. Yet the advantages of having hobbies are priceless. For one thing, it keeps you present in that moment. A lot of time is spent regretting the past or planning for the future that most people never truly live in the ‘now’. Hobbies can be used for stress relief as it diverts your attention to something that creates pleasure. Hobbies help you connect with people or groups with similar interests. This encourages feelings of inclusion, support, and community, which is great for your mental health.

There are many hobbies that you can consider taking up, including writing, photography, cooking, and gardening. If you think that you have green fingers, why not get out of the house and into your backyard and try to grow something a bit different than the standard household vegetables. As summer is on the way, try growing some pineberries (white strawberries) or some achocha pods. If you’re really adventurous, you could look up how to grow a luffa gourd, then have the added benefits of organic sponges for your bath or kitchen. No matter what hobby you choose to take on, it will certainly help you while away the extra time on your hands.

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Give gardening a go!

Catch Up on Family Time:

Spending more time with your family can be done in multiple ways thanks to the technological advances in video calling. If you don’t have immediate family around you, then you could link up with them via Zoom, WhatsApp, and many more similar programs. Family time is probably the most important use of our time, yet hardly any time is committed to it. Why not jump in and play some fun games online with your kids or video call your aunt or grandparents – you’ll certainly be glad you did!

Dedicating your time to worthwhile hobbies will make your quarantine much more enjoyable. Choose something you’re interested in and watch a day go by as you immerse yourself in something new!

Featured Image By: Pexels