When the Season Begins

Checklist

Every Time You Grill

Checklist
  • Clean the grate.  Preheat the grill. When it’s hot, brush the grate with a long-handled stiff-wire grill brush. If you don’t have a grill brush, use a ball of crumpled foil held in long-handled tongs. Repeat when you’re finished cooking.

When the Season Ends

Checklist

Choose from over 20 festive and tasty 4th of July themed drinks to stay cool and refreshed this summer!

From Blogger onecrazymom.com

 


red white and blue drink in a glass.

1. Red White and Blue Drink

This layered drink is kid friendly and delicious. If you are looking for a festive drink with red, white and blue layers, this recipe is so fun.


Ocean water with a straw.

2. Easy Sonic Ocean Water Recipe

This copy cat Sonic Ocean water recipe is so easy to make at home and the blue is vibrant and patriotic.


Layered cocktail in glass.

3. Red White and Blue Cocktail

This is a chic modern twist on a Fourth of July drink. I love the layered look to this cocktail.


Layered punch in dispenser.

4. Layered Punch

This fourth of July layered punch uses Sobe Pina Colada, Hawaiian Punch Polar Blast and Powerade Zero Fruit Punch.


Red white and blue drink.

5. Red White and Blue Non Alcoholic Drinks

This is a fun non alcoholic drink that both kids and adults will enjoy at your 4th of July party.


Blueberry Mojito Punch

6Sparkling Blueberry Mojito Punch

Just 5 easy ingredients in this drink recipe for an easy and festive drink. The blueberries make it look extra special and so fun.


Red, White and blue smoothie.

7. Red White and Blue Smoothie

Your kids will love the patriotic stripes in this delicious smoothie. Layers of almond milk, fruit and more come together for a great treat.


Layered punch in glasses.

8. Red White and Blue Punch

This is another fun layered red white and blue punch that’s perfect for the kids. This one uses Gatorade, Cranberry Juice and Mandarin Orange Sparkling water.


Blueberry mojito in glass.

9. Blueberry Mojito

This blueberry mojito is one way to use up all of those yummy blueberries.


Patriotic punch with twizzlers.

10. Kid Friendly Patriotic Punch

Try this kid friendly option for a fun drink with a Twizzler straw.


Strawberry lemonade in glass.

11. Strawberry Lemonade

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade is light and refreshing. It is the perfect drink for a patriotic cookout.


Red Wine and Blue Spritzer in glass.

12. Red Wine and Blue Spritzer

This surprisingly simple drink uses white wine, white soda. It gets its patriotic colors from frozen cherries and blueberries.


Red White and Blueberry Margaritas

13. Red White and Blueberry Margaritas

This festive margarita uses frozen strawberries, coconut milk and frozen blueberries. Just layer it in a fun glass.


Citrus splash in glasses.

14. Citrus Splash

This looks like an entertaining drink. How fun is it that they used pop rocks along the rim of the glass?


Patriotic Ice Cream Sodas

15. Patriotic Ice Cream Sodas

These ice cream sodas look phenomenal and I bet they taste as good as they look, too! To get the fun colors all you have to do is change up the variety of soda.


Fourth of July Milkshakes

16. Fourth of July Milkshakes

This recipe had my attention as soon as I read the word milkshake. Okay, the added whipped cream and sprinkles certainly makes it more appealing as well.


Raspberry Lemonade

17. Raspberry Lemonade

Just a few simple ingredients and you can make the delicious Raspberry Lemonade.


Red White and Blue Pina Colada

18. Red White and Blue Pina Colada

This drink has a blend of pineapple, coconut and strawberries. You can’t beat the combo of pineapple with coconut in this 4th of July drink.


Red White and Blue Sparkling Juice

19. Red White and Blue Sparkling Juice

This is like a 4th of July snack in a glass. Everyone will love downing the ginger ale and then eating all of the fruit.


Fourth of July Sparkler

20. Fourth of July Sparkler

The lovely drink uses Rosé Champagne, club soda and berries. The different colors and berries make the drink festive.


 Red White and Blue Daiquiris

21. Red White and Blue Daiquiris

The daiquiris use frozen lemonade and lime aid. A bonus is that you can make these ahead of time and freeze.


Fourth of July Layered Drink

22. Fourth of July Layered Drink

This layered drink uses white Powerade, Cran-Apple juice and Blue Gatorade. The colors magically stay separated in each drink.


Watermelon Lemonade in pitcher.

23. Watermelon Lemonade

Watermelon juice is so refreshing. Combine that with Lemonade and you have yourself a winning summery drink.


 

Source:  Enjoy Orange County

https://www.carealestategroup.com/monthly-newsletters/june-2022-newsletter/

Realtor.com | Jun 1, 2022

In between barbecues and beach days, you still need to stay on top of maintenance around the home.  Otherwise you might find yourself with big problems down the line—and big repair costs.  If you want to know what the SIX SUMMER MAINTENANCE TASKS THAT COULD SAVE YOU CASH are, click on the video below!

Do you know about the Huntington Library near Pasadena?  It’s not just a Library!  It’s also an Art Museum and Botanical Gardens.  The Huntington is located near Pasadena at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California, 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles.  Visitor information: huntington.org or 626-405-2100.

PLEASE NOTE:  WEEKEND RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.  Advance reservations required for weekends. Capacity limited. No walk-ins. >> Reserve HERE 

∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼

SUMMER EVENING STROLLS

This weekend kicks off Huntington Library’s Summer Evening Strolls where you can enjoy the breathtaking gardens at sunset, meet your friends and dine at the 1919 Cafe.  Summer Evening Strolls are only available on selected evenings through Labor Day.  Check out Huntington Library’s website for detailed information on dates, hours, and tickets.

Advance online timed entry ticket purchase required.  Free for members.
4:30–8 p.m.

KEEP IN MIND:

∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼ ∗ ∼

There are plenty of other events on their CALENDAR including the following that we hand picked:

Keeping Current Matters | May 26, 2022

You may be someone who looks forward to summer each year because it gives you an opportunity to rest, unwind, and enjoy more quality time with your loved ones. Now that summer is just around the corner, it’s worthwhile to start thinking about your plans and where you want to spend your vacations this year. Here are a few reasons a vacation home could be right for you.

Why You May Want To Consider a Vacation Home Today

Over the past two years, a lot has changed. You may be one of many people who now work from home and have added flexibility in where you live. You may also be someone who delayed trips for personal or health reasons. If either is true for you, there could be a unique opportunity to use the flexibility that comes with remote work or the money saved while not traveling to invest in your future by buying a vacation home.

Bankrate explains why a second home, or a vacation home, may be something worth considering:

“For those who are able, buying a second home is suddenly more appealing, as remote working became the norm for many professionals during the pandemic. Why not work from the place where you like to vacation — the place where you want to live?

If you don’t work remotely, a vacation home could still be at the top of your wish list if you have a favorite getaway spot that you visit often. It beats staying in a tiny hotel room or worrying about rental rates each time you want to take a trip.”

How a Professional Can Help You Find the Right One

So, if you’re looking for an oasis, you may be able to make it a second home rather than just the destination for a trip. If you could see yourself soaking up the sun in a vacation home, you may want to start your search. Summer is a popular time to buy vacation homes. By beginning the process now, you could get ahead of the competition.

The first step is working with a local real estate advisor who can help you find a home in your desired location. A professional has the knowledge and resources to help you understand the market, what homes are available and at what price points, and more. They can also walk you through all the perks of owning a second home and how it can benefit you.

recent article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), mentions some of the top reasons buyers today are looking into purchasing a second, or a vacation, home:

“According to Google’s data, the top reasons that homeowners cited for purchasing a second home were to diversify their investments, earn money renting, and use as a vacation home.”

If any of the reasons covered here resonate with you, connect with a real estate professional to learn more. They can give you expert advice based on what you need, your goals, and what you’re hoping to get out of your second home.

Bottom Line

Owning a vacation home is an investment in your future and your lifestyle. If this is one of your goals this year, you still have time to buy and enjoy spending the summer in your vacation home. When you’re ready to get started, let’s connect.

Realtor.com | Jun 4, 2021
During the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic, growing plants and vegetables felt both soothing and life-affirming. It’s no wonder many people became first-time gardeners. But now that life is getting somewhat back to normal, tending those plants may have fallen by the wayside. If your garden looks like it needs some TLC this year, there’s still hope!

“Don’t be discouraged if your garden doesn’t look great right now,” says Erin Schanen, Troy-Bilt garden expert, master garden volunteer, and creator of The Impatient Gardener blog and YouTube channel. In many cases, she says, your neglected plants can be nursed back to health—but it won’t happen overnight.

If you’re game to revive your feeble flora into a thriving garden once more, read on. Here are some of the vital steps you should take.

Clear out your flower beds

Out with the old, and then in with the new, say garden experts.

“Before planting new flowers, shrubs, or vegetables, it’s important to first clear out any fall and winter debris that made its way in,” says Bailey Carson, home expert at Angi, the home improvement recommendation site.

“Clear out leaves, needles, pine cones, and weeds, in addition to any other unwanted rubbish like acorns, twigs, and moldy mulch,” adds Carson. It’s important to start off your spring garden with a clean slate—even if you have just a container garden.

And don’t forget weeds, says Schanen. The longer you wait to tackle them, the bigger the job will be, so don’t delay. 

“Dig them out with a soil knife, trowel, or garden fork so you remove the roots as well, and shake off any soil,” Schanen says.

Re-edge the area

Edging sounds more difficult than it is, but it can make a huge difference in a garden.

“Few things can make a garden come together better than a fresh, tidy edge,” says Schanen. “If you used some kind of edging material, make sure it’s well-weeded and level. If you used stones or bricks, this might mean removing them, tidying up, and replacing them.”

Carson says edging can also help to define the division between your landscape and your lawn.

“To clean up last year’s edging, a pair of edging shears might be all you need. Once this is cleaned up, you’ll be amazed at the difference,” says Carson.

Examine your plants for winter damage

Photo by Jonathan Raith Inc.

After you’ve cleaned up the place through edging, you can have a better view of what else needs to be done.

“For shrubs and trees, check for and prune away any dead leaves and broken branches or limbs. Then take some time to cut back your perennials to help promote fresh spring growth,” says Carson.

Carson says to examine your garden carefully for damage from critters. If you spot any, she says to consider building a barrier or adding some plants to your garden that are known to deter animals, such as those labeled “deer-resistant.”

“If you’re refreshing a container or window garden, this is the time to add some new plants and seeds. Strawberries, tomatoes, radishes, and hot peppers thrive in containers, but don’t be afraid to try other fruits, vegetables, herbs, and smaller-breed plants as well,” says Carson.

Fertilize your plants

Carson suggests applying an organic granular fertilizer to any landscape plants that survived the winter and to new ones you’ve added. 

“To keep the foliage safe, be sure to sprinkle the fertilizer around the base of your plants, rather than directly on them. After that, spread a preemergent weed-control product throughout the beds to stop any weed seeds from germinating,” says Carson.

Schanen says heavy feeders like clematis and hydrangea will benefit from a dose of slow-release fertilizer. As a bonus, it will feed your soil. She recommends organic fertilizers, because there is less risk of overfertilizing and burning tender new growth. 

“Apply the appropriate amount as directed on the package around the dripline of the plant you’re feeding. If you started with good soil, most perennials and shrubs won’t need much in the way of fertilizer,” says Schanen.

Make sure to water in any fertilizer or amendments, she warns. Annuals need fertilizing to keep producing blooms all season, and should be fed regularly once they start putting on growth.

Add new mulch

The final step in refreshing a garden is to apply a fresh layer of organic mulch, says Carson. Mulch smothers weeds, protects and improves the structure of soil, and improves hydration, she says.

New mulch can help flower beds look cleaned up and refreshed, Carson says. But she advises that the layer should be no thicker than 2 to 3 inches, and it should be added gradually to prevent crushing plants.

“Organic mulches that will break down and feed the soil are best for plants,” says Schanen. “This can be compost, pine straw, broken-down and shredded leaves from the previous fall, bark mulch, or even arborist chips, which are the shredded bits of branches and foliage created by arborists when trees are removed.”

A couple inches of mulch in a wide circle around the tree is plenty. 

“And remember to remove weeds before mulching. Any weeds left under mulch will quickly rebound and ruin the fresh look you worked hard to achieve,” says Schanen.


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💡 Find out if we’re the right Realtor Team for you! Check out @carealestategroup

👩 Christine Almarines @christine_almarines
Realtor DRE # 01412944
714-476-4637 | christine@carealestategroup.com

👩 Michelle Kim @michellejeankim_homes
Realtor DRE # 01885912
714-253-7531 | michelle@carealestategroup.com

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