Category: Tips & Trends

Whether you are hosting for a family of five or fifteen in your cozy home, a Thanksgiving party can be intimidating. No need to quit the idea of entertaining cold turkey. If you follow these four C’s of Thanksgiving, you will be sure to have a warm and welcome home for all to enjoy.

Cleaning – Making sure your entire house is spick and span before your guests arrive can be a challenge, especially if you have little ones running around. Focusing on cleaning your home one room at a time can relieve the overwhelming stress of fall cleaning. Make it simple, start near your front door and work your way back. Another way to get things done efficiently is to vacuum and dust while your turkey is cooking in the oven! A watched turkey never cooks!

Creating – Fall decorations and centerpieces for your family table are a great way to set a fun and festive atmosphere. If you’re no Martha Stewart, don’t worry, holiday decorating is now easier and more affordable than ever with an abundance of DIY crafts all over the internet .

Cooking – From stuffing the perfect turkey to mashing the perfect sweet potatoes, cooking the most delectable Thanksgiving dinner is a tall order and can take hours of preparation. More importantly, it can also be a time for experimenting with new recipes and showing off your inner top chef! Whether you are making a traditional turkey or a veggie tofurkey, be thankful for all that you have on your table to eat.

Caring – The most important thing about Thanksgiving is not whether your house is clean or your turkey is basted to perfection, but rather that your friends and family are around to celebrate with you. Giving thanks together is the ultimate gift, but topping that off with a beautifully decorated table with gourds and gobbles of food, is just the cherry on top of your apple pie.

Be thankful for all that you have and all that you are able to give this Thanksgiving. The rest will fall right into place!

Weaver Homes is a Pittsburgh and Mars area new home builder featuring single family homes patio homes and custom homes. Visit www.weaverhomelive.wpengine.com for more information.

The sun is shining, the leaves are blowing, and the kids are all in school. This only means one thing; summer has officially left the building and fall has come in swinging. The change of seasons brings the change of clothes in the attic, fall cooking recipes, but most importantly, fall decorations to beautify your home.

If you are bored, want something simple to afford, then welcome aboard to decorating with a gourd! Garnishing your front porch or tabletops with gourds, cornhusks, and other fall vegetables is a simple, yet refreshing new look to add to your interior design! Harvest decorations can work particularly well in your dining room. For example, if you are having company over, use mini pumpkins as place settings to add flare and color to your dining room table.

If you are more into color, try decorating with popular fall colors, such as browns, greens, and oranges. Using these colors upon a white or neutral backgrounds will make the fall colors pop as brilliantly as the fall foliage.

Finally, nothing says fall like a set of spooky decorations for Halloween. But this fall, try to mix it up a bit by creating some pumpkin chic and trading the traditional jack-o-lantern for modern stripes or scallops.

We leave you with these tips, so remember: do not fall behind, and get to decorating your home for the new season!

Weaver Homes is a Pittsburgh and Mars area new homebuilder featuring single family homes, patio homes and custom homes.  Visit www.weaverhomelive.wpengine.com for more information.

What are the most important things to do when moving into your new abode?  Is it ordering fun furniture, painting the accent wall, deciding on a cable company?  Truth be told, there are several things you can and should be working on before closing as well as right after.

Here are some tips to prevent excitement turning into anxiety.

Change Your Address

This might seem obvious, but accounts like Amazon, PayPal, credit cards, your bank, magazine subscriptions, and your mail should all be updated two weeks in advance. The last thing you want to worry about is not getting your bills.

Trust Your Movers

Movers can make or break your move, literally.  That said, request information about your moving company to ensure high quality service.  Here are some questions that you may want to ask:

• How long has the company been in business?
• What are the average years of experience of their drivers, movers, and packers?
• Are they licensed with the state’s Department of Transportation?
• Are they licensed for interstate moves?
• Do you also move garbage bags?

Size Does Matter

Packing boxes seems easy enough. But, it won’t be until you or the movers go to move the heaviest box that you’ll realize that size really does make a difference. So, pack heavy items like books, cast iron pans, etc. into smaller boxes for easier carrying. Not only will it make moving easier, but it will decrease the chances of breaking.

Snap a Photo

Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go. This can save you tons of time and frustration, especially if you’re not tech savvy.

Plan for a Long Day

Moving can take a lot out of you. After a long day, the last thing you want to be doing is searching for is a toothbrush and towel. That’s why packing a ‘first night’ bag can be the ultimate time saver. Items like a first aid kit, pj’s, chargers, toothbrush, and any pet items are all smart items you’ll be thankful you packed.

It’s that time of year again! With the cool weather ahead, fall is the perfect season to repair any home damages, take special precautions before the winter chill sets in and check off the last of summer’s home improvement to-do list. Get your house by Weaver Homes, one of the premier custom home builders in PA, ready for fall with these simple home maintenance ideas that will keep your home in tip-top shape all winter long — and leave plenty of time for enjoying your home and family this fall.

Exterior:
– Cover outdoor air conditioning unit.
– Check that the chimney is clear of nests and other debris.
– Inspect the roof for missing or damaged shingles, and replace if needed.
– Make sure gutters and rainspouts are cleared, especially after leaves have fallen.
– Inspect your driveway for cracks. Repair any damage with driveway filler and coat with a commercial sealer.

Interior:
– Have your heating system inspected by a professional. Replace the air filter and clear any obstacles to heating vents so air can flow freely.
– Inspect windows and doorways for air leaks. Caulk or seal openings if needed.
– Install storm windows and doors, and remove screens.
– Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft.
– Check humidifiers regularly during the heating season for bacteria and mold.

Yard & Garden:
– Drain the gas from your lawn mower or let it run until it is out of gas.
– Examine your pool cover for damage, and replace if necessary.
– Organize the garage. Fall is the perfect time for a yard sale!
– Clear leaves from the lawn.
– Insure that snow removal equipment is up and running before the first snowfall.
– Drain garden houses and store them inside.

Patio:
– Cover or store all patio furniture in the garage or shed.
– If your deck needs it, consider giving it a fresh coat of sealer before winter.

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