Troubleshooting Lunches

School lunch. (sigh)

Did anyone scramble around in the morning of the first day of school trying to find something to send with your sweet ones to eat? Are your kids a little tired of PB & J?  It's hard to think outside the box so here are two YouTube videos to give you a few ideas.

Ideas from Kelly Dixon.

Colette Maynard's ideas.

Now, your job is to take these ideas and make them yours.  Think of what your kids like and run with it.  Make them smile when they open up their lunch box by thinking out of the box.

Lunch is kind of a big deal.

FYI - the applesauce containers I bought don't fit a mason jar but the mandarin orange containers did.  See what works and add some happiness to lunch.

Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com

September's yard checklist

Did you know perennial weeds are much more susceptible to herbicide weed killers in the fall?  As they prepare for cooler weather, they spend less energy making fancy foliage above the ground and start drawing energy into the root.  So fall is the perfect time to hit them with the weed killer.  They take it into the root more readily than they do in the summer.  So get out the sprayer and get rid of those perennial weeds for good this month.

The cooler weather of September also allows you to get outside and do big projects like adding pavers, paths, and retaining walls to your landscape.  As the foliage begins to fade away, it is easy to see the bones of your yard and where a path or wall might fit in perfectly.

Right now you can notice where the gaps are in your perennial borders and flower beds.  You can see where you need to add a punch of color for next year.  You can either add some beautiful new fall blooming plants or start dividing some of the perennials you already have and transplant them when the weather cools a bit. Just remember to keep them watered if you transplant right now. And just so the newly established roots won't have so much upper foliage to provide for, a nice trim would be helpful when you transplant them.

There are hundreds of fall blooming beauties to plant now including fall mums
and asters, but Autumn Joy Sedum is a definite favorite.

Everyone loves the look of spring bulbs shooting up in the early spring. Most of us wish we had planted some the previous fall to usher in the spring.  Well, now is the time to order or pick up spring blooming bulbs.  They need to be planted in the fall to get that cold dormant period taken care of for beautiful spring blossoms. 

Just because the kids are back in school doesn't mean you can forget about your hanging pots and planters or think its time for them to be finished.  Keep dead heading them.  They will last for a long time yet!  So much color and beauty can still be yours for weeks and weeks!

Fall is also the perfect time to plant new trees, shrubs, and any perennials. They get a bit of a head start when planted in the fall and will grow quite well in the spring.  And, you may find some incredible deals on trees and shrubs that nurseries don't want to winter over themselves.

If you've been thinking about adding lawn area in your yard, grass seed grows great in the fall because of the cooler weather and usually more abundant rain and moisture.  Consider fall grass planting in areas that may be getting a little thin as well.

Dividing irises in the dog days of summer can be hot and sweaty work, but that job can be done through September.  If you have a batch of irises that didn't bloom so great this summer, it may be time to divide them and give them a little more space.  Right now is the perfect time to get that done. 

Enjoy the little crisp feeling in the air as you go about your home, yard, garden work for the next few weeks.  It feels so nice!

Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com

The Importance of Curves

When you visit someone's home or someone comes to visit your home there is a path that must be taken to get from the car to the door of the house.  Think of the current path at your home.

Think of a path at someone's house you have taken and you loved the experience of getting to the front door. 

Now compare the two experiences.

Maybe the path at your own home needs a bit of an upgrade.  A bit of a spiff up. Don't you want your visitors to feel like it is an effortless and enjoyable experience to see you?  One that flows easily?  One with curves?  

FLOW.  Flow is when something moves steadily and continuously in a current or stream.  That is what we prefer in the inside of our homes. A great floor plan allows for the flow of your family's movements throughout the day in your home.  It is also what we prefer on the outside of our homes, in our yards and gardens. Landscape architects ensure a good flow outside, but most of us don't have the resources to use landscape architects.  No big deal.  You can handle this.  

Look at the first picture.  This is a normal yard plan with a home, a driveway, a deck, a few shrubs and trees, sidewalks, and a pathway and patio in the backyard.   The angles are strong and straight.  Not very soft and not curvy at all.  The flow makes you feel like a marching soldier as you go the front door as well as out the back door from the deck to the backyard.

This second picture is the same normal yard but with just a few adjustments in the front sidewalk and the rear pathway from the deck to the patio and backyard.  The lines are curved, softened.

Just because the city or subdivision contractor poured the sidewalk in front of your house near the street perfectly straight, doesn't mean you have to continue with such a rigid feel. The FLOW moves steady and enjoyably with a few curves.

So you don't want to jack hammer up your front sidewalk and make a curving one?  That's understandable.  Just adding green foliage softens curves as well.  Now think about another path you can feasibly change in your yard. 

 How is the path that you and the other members of your family use to get from the front yard to the back or side yard?  Is it a good path with curves and a nice flow?  What about an area in your backyard that is worn down from kid, pet, or your own foot traffic? Adding a structured pathway with curves could really help the flow of your yard as well add an element of beauty and charm. Adding or revamping a path in either your front, back, or side yard is a great and simple way to help the flow and feel of your outside space and make it an enjoyable experience.

Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com

Who is Annie Sloan?

Annie Sloan is widely recognized as one of the world's most respected experts in paint and color.  She is the master mind behind the very popular CHALK PAINT line of decorative paints.

She is the author of 25 books and Annie has changed the world of furniture painting. She is also the inspiration for thousands and thousands of beautifully decorated and painted homes all over the world.

Items are painted by and property of Hailey Duckworth
who lives and paints in Utah.

If you Pinterest or Google search CHALK PAINT you will be rewarded with all kinds of wonderful images of projects that are transformed from mundane to exciting and elegant.  The majority of these projects were made using Annie Sloan's line of chalk paint.

So what is CHALK PAINT?  Chalk paint is a decorative paint that is can be used for anything from walls to cabinets to coffee tables to glass jars to fabric to picture frames or anything else you want to paint.  Its finished look is a chalky appearance and gives a distressed and aged look to whatever you painted.  Chalk paint adds depth of color and texture that is rustic and elegant all wrapped up together.  

Items are painted by and property of Hailey Duckworth
who lives and paints in Utah.

Many people use chalk paint to refinish and spiff up an older piece of furniture and give it a new look.  This pretty much means that any piece of furniture or knick knack that you fall in love with at a garage sale, can be made to look like it came from an antique store or boutique and its new for you! A wax finish is usually required to cure the paint.  The wax bonds with the paint to create a long lasting and durable finish.  It also deepens and enhances the color of your chalk paint.

If you visit www.anniesloan.com you might be a little overwhelmed at all the beautiful possibilities and products available.  But Annie and her crew have a great tips and techniques tab on the website as well as workshops and tutorials you can view.

We are getting brave and have a chalk paint project on the horizon at our house. THE KITCHEN.  Like, the entire kitchen.  We'll share pictures in a few months when we uncover ourselves from the dust and paint and wax. 

Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com

Why the real estate due diligence process is your friend

Some people are a little apprehensive about putting real estate property under contract.  The word CONTRACT seems so permanent and some may think it means you are locked in to buy the property no matter what.  That is not so.  There is a magic little effort called due diligence.  Due diligence is pretty much just doing your homework and becoming educated on the property you're interested in and might want to purchase.

There are quite a few items you may need to check out about the property you like depending on if it's a home, land, or commercial property.  You can do this while under contract.  This isn't information you need to have previously gathered before making an offer or putting the property under contract.  If there is something that doesn't pan out for you once you begin getting the information, you are able to get out of your contract without a penalty and within the deadline that YOU and your real estate agent set. 

The purpose of requiring due diligence is to protect you and your investment.  It isn't however a wild excuse to put properties under contract on a whim knowing you have a way out of a contract. That is poor real estate etiquette. A good agent will lead you in the right direction and they will have your best interest in mind and keep you protected.

Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com

What could possibly make your summer and autumn evenings more enjoyable?

 Outdoor lighting. It's just one of those little things that has a big impact on curb appeal, safety and function.  It highlights entryways, home features, and landscaping.  Outdoor lighting is also a necessity if you are entertaining friends and family on beautiful evenings. One of the best parts of summer is enjoying a relaxing evening filled with kid's laughter as they play outside or on the flipside, maybe you like hearing nothing at all as you sit outside enjoying the warm evening.  Either way, outdoor lighting is the answer.


At our house we added this stairway in the spring to get to the lower levels of our property easily and in fashion.  We knew we wanted to add some lighting so we purchased some solar lanterns from Home Depot that mount to the top of a 4 x 4 post.  They make a huge difference in our evening ambience as we sit on the deck and the kids play on the trampoline, lawn, and swing set on the lower levels of our yard at dusk.  They also provide us just a little piece of mind.













Outdoor lighting is a great safety feature.  It helps with the security of your home.  It deters unwanted visitors as well as illuminates the area so you can visually see what is happening on your property.  It puts your mind at ease to arrive home after dark and see your home lit up and ready for you.  

Highlighting landscape features in your yard is also easily done with outdoor lighting.  Heath made this hose holder at our home and put a matching solar light on the top of the post as well.  It lights up the surrounding area which highlights a rock stairway in our yard. You don't always have to light up hardscape features like stairs, pathways, or structures.  Highlighting a favorite flower bed or clump of trees is also a great place to add lighting. 



No matter the size of your home, its location, or your budget, outdoor lighting is an efficient way to add value, appeal, protection and safety to your home.  Our next outdoor lighting project is adding some lighting to illuminate the play set and volleyball court areas.  Where could adding outdoor lighting benefit your home? 



Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com

Heath's Favorite Five Camping Meals

August is here and hopefully all you camping fans out there are trying to get in a few more camping trips before the kids head back to school.

Just so you can get to know your favorite real estate professional a little better, here is HEATH'S FAVORITE FIVE CAMPING MEALS.

1. Eggs and Potatoes

If you prepare hashbrowns before you go camping, this is an easy, delicious and filling breakfast.  Use a big skillet to brown hashbrowns, add eggs, a few onions, and green peppers.  Heath tops it with salsa.

2. Brook Trout

A freshly caught brook trout is a perfect camping meal.  Bread it with flour, cook it in a skillet over the fire and then eat it like corn on the cob - right off the bone.

3. Hamburgers

Pre-prep your burger meat with all the seasonings you like to enjoy this All American favorite while camping.

4. Tin Foil Dinners

This is one of Heath's favorite because if you have all the ingredients prepared in small bowls, everyone can make their own just exactly how they want it.  Everyone in the whole family can make their own perfect dinner.

5. Red Licorice

Licorice is one of Heath's camping necessities and he swears licorice could almost be a meal substitute!

Hoping you can head to the hills or the lake and enjoy making memories with family and friends.

Brought to you by Heath Harvey @ HeathsHomes.com