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Keep Up With Your Resolutions at Home!
New Years Resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, but not impossible! While we can’t help you get to the gym every day or cut back your screen time, we can help you find ways to tackle that to-do list you’ve been avoiding around your home.
Resolution #1 – Create a Clean Routine
Kick off 2024 with a clean start! Creating a routine that fits your schedule will go a long way in helping you stick to your resolutions, even for cleaning your house! For some, this looks like choosing a day each week to get all the cleaning done at once. For others, breaking up the tasks over the course of a few days helps them stay on top of the clutter.
Starting off with a deep clean right after the holidays is also a great way to give yourself a mental reset as we settle into a new year. Tackle those spots that you have been avoiding for so long and give them the attention they deserve, like stove hoods and baseboards. While you’re at it, help improve the air quality in your home by dusting hard to reach places and replacing furnace filters to keep you breathing easy all winter long.
Resolution #2 – Save Energy
Trying to keep the house warm and cozy all winter can get expensive, but there are a few simple hacks that can help save you money on your energy bill in 2024.
- Cover small gaps in windows and doors with weather stripping or caulk.
- Convert to LED lightbulbs (they use approx. 85% less energy than traditional bulbs!)
- Beware of phantom power – unplug chargers, small appliances like toasters and power strips when not in use.
- Do less laundry loads and wash in cold water when you can.
- Close the damper on the fireplace to keep the heat in, just don’t forget to open it next time you cozy up by the fire!
Resolution #3 – Try DIY
If you’ve got “Try something new” on your list of New Year’s resolutions, you can start right now in the comfort of your own home. DIY projects are a great way to breathe new life into pieces you already own, take care of pesky repairs, and invigorate rooms with a fresh look. When the weather outside gets frightful, working on a new project is a great way to pass the weekend and update your space without breaking the bank.
Here are a few ideas that you can accomplish easily over the course of a weekend.
- Recaulk your bathtub
- Organize your closet
- Paint or wallpaper a room
- Update kitchen hardware
There is no universal hack for keeping to your New Year’s resolutions, but by starting small and sticking to a plan, you can set yourself up for success in 2024 at home and in life. What are your goals for the new year? We would love to hear them! Share your resolutions by tagging us on social media.
Instagram @windermerebellevuecommons
Twitter @WindermereBelle
Facebook @Bellevue Commons (Windermere)
Written by Makena Schoene
Wonderful Winter Reads
Welcome to the WBC Book Club, where your favorite Admins & Agents share our favorite books of the moment! From fictional adventures to inspiring true stories, you can find it all right here on the WBC blog. You may notice that the format of our book recs look a little different than most, but that’s because our team loves to stand out and provide an unparalleled experience in all aspects of our business.
‘Tis the season for curling up in front of the fire with a good book! This month’s round up of Literary Listings will transport you to winter wonderlands where not everything is always merry & bright, but full of possibility when we have the right people by our sides. Find peace and joy with these great books and happy holidays!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Marketing Remarks: It’s Christmas in Concord! Embrace the yuletide spirit from the cozy ambiance of Orchard House. This sprawling property located a short carriage ride away from downtown Concord has everything you need to create a fairy tale Christmas. Convert the traditional parlor into a flex space for wrapping and hiding presents, walk the short distance to Walden Pond for ice skating & winter fun before warming up by the antique wood-burning stove for mulled cider.
Agent Remarks:
A WBC Team Member Favorite! – “I love rereading Little Women during the winter months; it’s a heartwarming story about family and sisterhood that brings the spirit of the season to life. Through her powerful storytelling, Louisa May Alcott reminds generations of readers the importance of finding beauty and joy in the simple things, but most of all, the importance of surrounding ourselves with those we love. Nothing feels cozier than snuggling up with this book in front of the fire at Christmastime.” – Makena Schoene
Directions: Read the full synopsis here!
Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak
Marketing Remarks: It’s a winter wonderland at Weyfield Hall. This country estate is the perfect place to hunker down for the season, complete with antique furnishings dating back two centuries! The main house sits far enough from the main road to ensure optimum privacy and social distancing, while numerous guest suites provide plenty of space for housing long-lost family members and disgruntled fiancées for the holidays. Escape to Essex today!
Agents Remarks: Seven Days of Us is not your typical holiday story. Set against the backdrop of a global pandemic (no, not Covid!), a family must quarantine for the Christmas holiday at their estate in the English countryside. When the dysfunctional Birch family is forced to spend a full week in forced proximity, old battles resurface as new dramas enfold, including but not limited to, secret affairs, hidden diagnoses and surprise children. Francesca Hornak crafts a Christmas tale where not everything ends up tied perfectly in a bow – her characters are flawed, even unlikable, and yet their struggles and attempts at reconciliation are relatable, making this a refreshing addition to the holiday season reading list.
Directions: Read the full synopsis here!
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Marketing Remarks: Welcome to your home; a cozy retreat to relax and reflect. Where friends and family gather, with a kitchen perfect for cooking up yummy meals that warm your heart as well as your stomach. Where years and growth spurts are recorded on tall doorways, the dining areas where stories are told and memories are made. Where backyards are meant for cartwheeling, barbequing and stargazing. Welcome to your home, where its always a good idea to snuggle up in front of the fireplace for a quiet night in. Home really is where the heart is.
Agent Remarks: Made famous by the happiest country in the world, Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is loosely defined as a “quality of coziness”, a way of living that seems to have been perfected by the Danes and other Scandinavian countries. The Little Book of Hygge is the perfect guide for creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in your everyday life, especially during the cold, dark days of winter. From crafting delicious, hearty meals to finding peaceful moments amidst the hustle and bustle of work or school, Meik Wiking shows us that hygge can be found everywhere, anytime.
Directions: Read the full synopsis here!
What should we read next? We are always on the lookout for new book recommendations and would love to hear from you – tag us on social media with your favorite stories!
Instagram @windermerebellevuecommons
Twitter @WindermereBelle
Facebook @Bellevue Commons (Windermere)
Written by Makena Schoene
Host a Stress-Free Holiday Dinner
Tis the season for holiday festivities! Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and all the celebrations in between, the fall and winter months are chock full of opportunities to gather with friends and family for a warm meal. If you are in charge of organizing this year’s get-togethers, we’ve got a list of do’s and don’ts to help making your holiday hosting duties easy as pie.
DO Set Your Budget
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the holiday season. With all the parties, gifts, and meals that you may be responsible for, give yourself one less thing to stress about by setting a comfortable budget for your dinner party. If you find yourself feeling a bit of a financial strain, try opting for a potluck-style meal where each guest brings a dish. This is always a great way to try new food and experience how others celebrate the holidays.
Narrowing down your guest list in accordance with your budget is a great first step in planning your dinner. Typically, social gatherings adhere to the rule of fours, based on the theory that the human brain can only mentally manage three other minds (or conversations) at a time. According to Professor Robin Dunbar, author of The Social Brain, “An individual’s share of speaking time decreases rapidly as the number of people in the conversation increases.” Keep the natural flow of conversation going by keeping your guest list small or to multiples of fours.
DON’T Send Out Invites Too Late
The holiday season is a busy time of year, and there is a high chance that your guests will be making appearances at different gatherings over the next two months. Once you know who you want in attendance, make sure to send out invitations so that your guests can add your dinner to their schedules. The sooner you know who can make it, the easier it will be to plan other aspects of your dinner party.
For a holiday dinner, Emily Post recommends sending out invites 2 weeks to 2 months in advance, whether that be by mail, phone or email. For more casual dinners a few days to weeks should suffice.
DO Overstock the Beverages
One of the biggest mistakes a host can make is not having enough beverages for their guests. A good rule of thumb is at least one drink per person per hour, so make sure your bar is stocked with the basic liquors and mixers where guests have options for making their own cocktails. You can also purchase wine by the case to help cut costs if you are hosting a larger group of people.
General calculation for a two-hour party:
Wine: One bottle for every two guests
If serving both red and white, plan to have twice as many bottles of white as red
Beer: Three beers per guest
Two servings per person for the first hour, and one per each subsequent hour
Cocktails: Three cocktails per guest
One 750 ml bottle of liquor will serve 15 drinks
Nonalcoholic beverages: Three drinks per guest
Water: One liter of water per four guests
DON’T Complicate the Menu
As much as you want to knock your guest’s socks off with a jaw dropping meal, now is not the time to get experimental. If it is your first time hosting, stick with what you know and supplement your menu as needed with store-bought food that is already prepared. Check out these easy cocktail, appetizer and entrée recipes if you need inspiration!
Opt for simple recipes or something that you have made before so that you know what to expect; as the Queen of Hosting, Martha Stewart, says, “Practice, practice, practice. If you’re going to host a dinner party, make sure you know how to cook that dish and it’s really good.”
DO Save Time with Mise en Place
Take a page from a chef’s (cook)book and prepare what you can in advance, A.K.A mise en place! Measuring out your ingredients, chopping veggies or making a casserole a day ahead of your party are great ways to take some of the load off the actual day of the event. “Casseroles are great to make the day ahead. They reheat well, and I feel like they actually benefit from being made a day ahead, to give the flavors time to marinate,” advises chef Tony Galzin of Nicky’s Coal Fired in Nashville.
Certain desserts and gravy can also be done ahead of time if stored correctly, but there are a few things that are best cooked the day of for peak freshness like dinner rolls, mashed potatoes and the main entrée!
Being the host of a holiday dinner party is not an easy task, but with preparation and a little creativity, you can create an evening to remember. Happy Holidays!
Written by Makena Schoene
Bringing Your Plants Inside for Winter
Winters in many parts of the Western U.S. can easily see temperatures that dip down below freezing. For many gardening homeowners, this can be troublesome when precious plants are concerned. Covering your plants with sheets may not be enough to save a plant from succumbing to freezing temperatures. Check out these ways to bring your plants inside for winter:
Take Inventory of Plants
Unless you have planted exotic plants that are definitely not going to survive cold temperatures, there are probably more than a few plants within your yard that should be okay. Healthy native plants are used to the climate of your area and should be able to withstand the winter temperatures without any issue. Those plants that are better suited for a higher growing zone will need to be cared for in order to best survive the season. Consider every plant within your yard and access their health, maturity, and location in order to choose which plants to bring indoors.
Indoor Placement
Exotic plants love the sun and should be placed near southern facing windows that aren’t drafty or cold. Create a spot within your home that is far from drafts or cold breezes from open doors. Spread plastic sheeting to protect flooring and create a little greenhouse group of plants that will still receive plenty of sunlight. Refrain from placing plants too close together in order to allow for equal access to sunlight and air flow.
Container Issues
Many potted plants can easily be moved indoors without having to transplant them. Easily place potted plants in a group to ride out the winter season. In-ground plants within your landscape will need to be transplanted to a container in order to bring them indoors. Make sure that you consider the size of the plant and use a container that is big enough around for the root ball of the plant. Using a container that is much too large for a plant is better than one that is too small and could damage the plant’s root system.
Keep the Fan On
Many indoor plants enjoy being near a window but will also need adequate air circulation to prevent soggy soil conditions. It is a good idea to keep the ceiling fan on in the room, at a low speed, in order to keep the air moving within the room. Don’t place plants too close to heating vents in order to keep them from becoming too hot and overheated. Plants that produce browning leaves will need to be moved to a room with a humidifier in order to keep them in good condition as well.
Keep Pets Away
Many indoor plants can become curious items for an indoor pet. Make sure to keep pets away from plants in order to keep both safe. Some tropical plants are toxic for animals and some pets can prove damaging to plants. Create a barrier between plants and animals so that both are kept safe during the winter season.
Water & Dust
Keeping your plants watered indoors may look different than what it receives in an outdoor environment. Make sure to consider the plant before watering in order to keep it in soil that it prefers. Many winter climates will not see a lot of added water so choosing to water your indoor plants at a minimum will help mimic those conditions that it would receive outside.
Also, check the plants for accumulating dust that can easily be found after a few weeks indoors. Dust off plants on a regular basis in order to keep them healthy and able to absorb important nutrients. Use a wet cloth to gently wipe down leaves in order to keep dust free from indoor plants.
There are many things to consider when choosing to bring plants indoors for winter. Make sure to choose plants carefully and monitor their progress as the winter season wears on. Consider all of these tips for bringing your plants inside for winter in order to keep them from freezing outdoors.
By Kelly Holland on the Windermere Blog
Kelly Holland is a gardening and landscape design writer who loves experimenting in her kitchen. Her quirky nature loves a bright color palette so naturally, her coveted garden is covered in a rainbow of fruits, vegetable, and flowers.
“We’ve Got You Covered” Winter Drive was a success!
Windermere’s Winter Drive Report
Windermere Bellevue Commons collects nearly 60 items for homeless youth!
We would like to take a moment and thank all of our agents and staff who participated in Windermere’s Winter Drive: “We’ve Got You Covered” benefiting YouthCare! Our office collected 58 items including new hats, scarves, gloves/mittens and warm socks for homeless youth.
As part of Windermere’s #tacklehomelessness campaign with the Seattle Seahawks, 37 Windermere offices* in King and Snohomish Counties participated in Windermere’s “We’ve Got You Covered” winter drive. The recipient of these donations was YouthCare, a Seattle-based non-profit that provides critical services and support to homeless youth throughout the Puget Sound area.
Over 3,000 items were collected during the four-week drive, which included some 737 pairs of socks, 391 hats, 467 pairs of gloves/mittens, 111 scarves, and an assortment of other accessories and cash donations.
The folks at YouthCare were all very thankful to receive the delivery of eight bins full of donated items. And to make the day even more exciting, Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, was on site to oversee the delivery of the items to YouthCare!
We’ve got you covered – Windermere Winter Drive
10/16/2017 through 11/10/2017
We’re excited to announce that our office is participating in Windermere’s ”We’ve Got You Covered” winter drive benefiting YouthCare.
We’re excited to announce that our office is participating in Windermere’s ”We’ve Got You Covered” winter drive benefiting BUT THERE IS MORE WE CAN DO!
We’re excited to hold another Windermere “We’ve Got You Covered” winter drive benefitting YouthCare. Each night in the greater Seattle area, nearly 1,000 young people are homeless. And with the winter months quickly approaching, YouthCare is in dire need of survival supplies to keep homeless youth warm and dry during the long, wet winter.
- Warm socks
- Hats
- Scarves
- Gloves/mittens
*New items only, please!
- Please bring your donations by November 10th.
Thank you for your dedication to help others!
