Wednesday, August 4, 2021 / by Jenny Carroll
Contributed by James Witts
Edited by Jenny Carroll
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It’s easy being green in Austin. The city is set among the lush trees, the limestone, and lakes of the Texas Hill Country. The city government also offers incentives for people to be eco-friendly — from the paint on your walls, the temperature of your home, to the trash you throw out. Here are some tips to make your home more environmentally friendly, thanks to popular programs that are already in place.
1. Composting
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The city is happy to pay you to stop throwing out scraps of food and coffee grounds. No, you’re not stuck with rotting garbage. Austin's Home Composting Rebate Program will reimburse you $75 on the cost of a composting system. To take advantage of this program, you will have to take a class and buy from an approved local retailer. The benefit? You create a fabulous fertilizer for your garden — and cut down on the amount of trash in the landfill. It's a win-win!
2. Zero Wa; ...
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family, home, home improvement, housewarming, gifts
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 / by Jenny Carroll
Many of us cherish childhood memories of searching for and picking pecans from the Texas state tree. The pungent smell of a freshly-dropped pecan still nestled in its velvety green blanket brings back warm feelings of Fall and the holiday season.
With the unique conditions surrounding this year’s festivities, many of us will be staying close to hearth and home—celebrating the holidays with immediate friends and family. For those of us who enjoy baking, cooking, and dining together, fresh pecans make a great addition to the menu. From grabbing a handful as a snack to including them in casseroles, savory dishes, and desserts, pecans add just the right touch to holiday dining.
The Berdoll family has kept that tradition alive by celebrating the planting, harvesting, and production of pecans and pecan products. Established on the Colorado River bottom in Bastrop county, the Berdoll homestead was originally intended to raise cattle, until hardship prompted later generations t ...
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family, fun, home, christmas, holiday, housewarming
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 / by Jenny Carroll
What is Foundation Communities?
If you've driven through Austin you've likely seen a Foundation Communities (FC) property. Created in 1990, they have helped Central Texans experiencing homelessness as well as teachers, veterans, service industry employees, and elderly or disabled persons or those experiencing other hardships into housing opportunities in beautiful, well-constructed communities throughout Austin and north Texas. Through grants and charitable donations, they've built 23 thoughtfully designed properties that have their over 7,000 resident's best lives at heart. There are thousands of people on the waiting list to be residents at a FC property so they are constantly looking at opportunities to build more housing for those who need it. There are 5 new properties planned for 2021 and hopefully more to come in the future.
Not only are these properties well thought out but they also are built using the most up-to-date green standards and many are constructe; ...
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family, home, new, exercise, freedom, housewarming, foundation communities, affordable housing
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 / by Jenny Carroll
The home-buying season is still going strong, even as the summer wanes and schools gear up to greet kids both in-person and online. Chances are, you know someone who bought a new house this year. Since get-togethers are still a bit taboo you might be looking for ready-to-ship housewarming gifts personalized to make that special friend or family member feel at home in their new digs. We've compiled 16 unique, fun items you can find online to have delivered right to their new door. Social distancing doesn't have to prevent you from reminding those you care about how special they are!
Don't know a new homeowner but want to make someone's day? These have you covered there, too!
Customized Self-Inking Address Stamp
An often overlooked gift item that brings a smile every time is a customized self-inking stamp with the happy homeowner's new address. Even if they pay all their bills, send all their invites, and communicate all online, this thoughtful item is sure to inspire a written ...
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family, covid, social distance, summer, fun, virtual party, gifts, housewarming
