February 2025 Newsletter

We’re past, on average, the coldest month of the year. While we should see temps start to warm up, there are still some cold days ahead. So, what are some things to do to make your home cozier? Stay toasty and warm by blocking drafty doors with new sweeps or weather stripping. Perhaps this is the year you invest in a new door, so you no longer have to battle drafts. (We can help you with that.)

While you’re cooking up warm winter meals, think about doing some batch cooking and stick some in the freezer. This will give you a night off from cooking later or something to have on hand if someone else needs a home-cooked meal. Often, the best way to feel warm inside is to do something for someone else. If you bought new sheets or towels during the annual white sales, consider donating an old set or two to a homeless shelter or animal shelter. Speaking of bedding, have you rotated your mattress lately? This is also a good time to clean duvets and comforters.

Show your entry some love by deep cleaning to remove residual salt or dirt from the floor. Remove any clutter that may have accumulated. While you’re decluttering, you could spend some time organizing your bookshelves. Pull out books you no longer want and sell or donate them. And if you end up curling up with a book in the process, there are worse ways to spend a winter afternoon.

Another room that may need some attention is the laundry room. Make sure the dryer vent is clean and get things organized to make the room more efficient. If you don’t have room for a drying rack, hang a curtain or shower rod above your machines for an easy spot to hang delicates. Clean out products you don’t use and give the surfaces a good wipe-down. 

Another spot that might need some attention is your movie-watching zone. Vacuum the upholstery and floors and remove clutter. Pull out any movies or games you no longer want to keep and donate them. If you happen to have any VHS movies or home videos in your collection, consider having them converted to DVD or into a digital format. Now that you’ve accomplished all this, cozy up with some popcorn and a good movie. Show yourself some love.

Home & Garden Show

This weekend is the annual Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show. We’ll see you at the Sandhills Global Event Center from Feb 7 to 9 in our usual spot, Booth C-880. Admission is $10 for those 13 and older, and 10% of ticket sales are donated to the Food Bank of Lincoln.

Building Progress

Steel framing is complete.

February News

Someone special arrived on New Year’s Eve. My first (and only) daughter gave birth to her first daughter. Sweet baby Renna arrived around 8:00 pm, so there are no decisions on whether she’s a 2024 baby or 2025. All are healthy and well.

Featured Project: Vintage Heights Basement

Here’s our featured project for February: Vintage Heights Basement.

Design Corner

Our Featured Project focused on updating a living space for aging parents. Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or others in your family, you can make things more accessible while keeping them beautiful. One feature of the design was integrating an elevator. When it’s in the room, the glass walls keep it from feeling obtrusive. When it’s on another level, evidence that it exists is minimal.

Fun Fact

Did you know that Starburst candies were originally known as M&M’s Fruit Chewies? In 1959, Opal Fruits was the result of a competition in the U.K., and Mars introduced it. In 1967, they were introduced in the U.S. as M&M’s Fruit Chewies and then renamed Starburst. The name change was suggested by a Mars food scientist, noting M&M’s connotation to chocolate. The original fruit flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime. Now, Starburst has several assortments of flavors from which to choose.