Archives for February 2019

Spring Homeowners To Dos

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Your house takes a beating over the winter. With rain and mud tracking debris across your floors, and little ventilation, the place can get pretty dusty and dirty. Caulk and sealers can crack and dry up after a long winter with little air flow. We talk about the top spring to do tips and tricks to reduce clutter, clean up your house, and simplify your life to get ready for an active spring.

Spring Homeowners Tips by Month

January

It is a good idea to check doors and windows to see if there is anything you need to seal up before the next winter. Checking now gives you time to put it on your to-do list for the spring and summer. A quick look at the roof will spot problems like uneven heating, ice dams, and leaks. This month is also an excellent time to clean out closets and begin donating things you do not use. Many stores offer linen sales this month. Rotate your mattress and deodorize it.

February

A quick property check will identify any yard work you will need to do in warmer weather. Now is a great time to inspect bathroom grout and caulk to see if you need new sealer in the shower or bath. Boost your spirits with a bouquet of fresh flowers to ward off the winter blues. Spring is almost here.

March

Organize yard sale items. Remove everything but the furniture from each room and thoroughly clean the floors. Clean the dryer vent and behind your appliances to reduce dust. Replace furnace filters at least twice this month to get rid of all the dust you are stirring up.

Making life simpler

Cleaning out extras makes space for new items

Go through DVDs, video games, and movies to clear the clutter. Give old or less used items to thrift stores. Donating clothes to a homeless shelter can help you and your community.

Homeowners can host a cooking party on the weekend to stock up the freezer

Making soups and casseroles on the weekends means you can come home after work on the weekdays to have an easy, home-cooked meal. You can prep vegetables and precook the meals on the weekend to reduce time on your feet after a long shift. Turn this day into family time and divvy up the work to get everyone to share the load.

Creating a unique nook can make your home feel fresh and new

Do you want a coffee bar? Is a reading nook something you might enjoy? Reorganizing your home to create new spaces will liven up the place making your time at home more comfortable.

Home ownership comes with a lot of responsibilities you can organize by season or month. If you have questions, feel free to contact me. I am happy to go over any concerns or help you create a useful plan tailored to your property.

A Visit to the Oregon Chocolate Festival

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Who didn’t love the story of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?” The chocolate waterfall. The fudgemellow bar. The golden tickets. While a visit to Charlie’s chocolate factory may only be a fantasy for chocolate-loving foodies everywhere, the Oregon Chocolate Festival is very real, indeed.

And like the entry into the chocolate factory will be required to be the carrier of a golden pass of sorts. However, these passes aren’t elusive like the magic tickets in the chocolate factory. This is great news for chocoholics!

Notable Events at the Oregon Chocolate Festival

Here’s a look at what a visit to the Oregon Chocolate Festival will include.

  • The Friday Night Social Hour: Starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Ashland Suites
  • The Chocolate Maker’s Wine Dinner, going from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.: Dinner features crispy fried Dungeness crab fritters; cocoa nib cider braised pork belly Tartine; smoked coffee-rubbed brisket; and plenty of delicious chocolate offerings and lots of wine!
  • A chocolate brunch on Sunday. Goodies include Tillamook cheddar baked polenta, poached eggs, wilted spinach, lemon hollandaise, an assortment of breads, and of course, a chocolate dessert or two
  • Chocolate talks and workshops that include a look at chocolate history, chocolate recipes to make, and a tasting tour of chocolates from around the world.
  • A chocolate dessert contest
  • And much more

Other Cool Happenings

Chances are that you’ll feel guilty for indulging in that much chocolate, beer, and wine. Never fear. There is a built-in solution to this dilemma. The festival features a 1-mile/ 5K/ 10k run/ walk.

The Charlie’s Chocolate Run/ Walk is held on Sunday, March 10, starting at 9:00 a.m. All participants get prizes of the chocolate sort.

And for those who can’t resist a little cosplay, participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” character. So put on your top hat or paint your face orange and come out and run.

Places to Stay

The chocolate festival counts as one of Ashland’s more popular events. As such, it is best to find accommodations as soon as you can.

The following inns/ hotels/ motels have chocolate festival packages:

Each place offers plenty of good food, activity packages, and comfy places to land for the evening. You can find out how to get the golden tickets you need to get into the door.

A visit to the Oregon Chocolate Festival is a great excuse to visit Ashland in the early part of the year. You already know it as the place to go in Oregon for Shakespeare. Now, you know it’s a great place to go if you’re a chocolate-loving foodie, too!

If you have any questions about the festival, feel free to contact me for more information!