Newsletter #33

Cozy Season

Here comes fall!! This summer was definitely one for the books but can I say I am quite excited to be snuggled up with a warm blanket in my home watching movies in this cooler weather. With it getting cooler outside you may want to make sure your yard is ready for this change. Do you have hoses you don’t plan on using during the cold? You may want to cover those so your pipes don’t freeze. We may get a good amount of snow this winter so stocking up on deicer or kitty litter should help you get in and out of your driveway no problem. Also, don’t forget about that garden. Make sure you have pulled all vegetables and fruits that wont make it through the freezing months. If you plan on still growing through the cold season then make sure you have your stock ready. Being proactive is always better than being reactive. We can build you a new sitting porch for watching the snow fall or to watch your kids playing in the snow making snow angels or snowmen. Can even install heaters to keep you warm outside. Don’t have to be cold while outside in your own yard. If you have ideas, lets talk.  We are one call away at 425-224-2004.

Brand new back door leading out to this homeowners yard and garden

List of Work We Perform:

  • Whole House Remodel
  • Additions
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • Custom Home
  • Design & Build
  • New Construction
  • Decks
  • Outdoor Living
The colors on this home look great even in the colder cloudy season

Referral Program:

There is no greater honor than having our past clients/friends recommend us to their friends, family and co-workers. To show our appreciation, we would like to invite you to participate in our exclusive client referral
program.

When you refer a friend, family member or co-worker to our company and they sign a
construction contract with us, you will receive 1% of the total project cost on a future project with our company or cash. A $100,000 project=$1,000 credit.
The people who you refer to our company will also receive 1% off of their project costs to be used with their current project.

There is no limit on how many times you can use this program, so the more you use it, the more money you can earn.
We look forward to working with you, your friends and your family.

Trivia Question:
Q: What makes leaves change to either red or purple?

Call in correct answer for $10 Starbucks Gift Card 425-224-2004
(Where are my winners at?!)

Perfect pull out drawer for your spices and herbs, especially homegrown herbs

Classic Remodeling NW Inc. has sold a few more projects this summer. From bathroom remodels up to custom home builds, we are setting up meetings with our estimator every week to discuss your plans. We have a design team that can help draw up your ideas and we can trail along keeping your budget top of mind. With the cold months coming around most don’t want to start taking apart their home and we re okay with that. If you want to start spring or summer of next year now would be the time to get the ball rolling on any designs or to just even sit down and get estimates for the work you want done so you can start prioritizing your projects. Whole new bathroom, kitchenette in your finished basement, new sunroom to watch the seasons pass, we can build it. Just take that first step and pick up the phone. We offer complimentary consultations, so give us a call at 425-224-2004. We would love to hear about your remodeling ideas. 

How To Prep Your Garden For The Cold Months Ahead: 5 Tips 

From A Landscape Designer

[realtor.com: Ana Durrani]

Over the past year, many of you put your heart and soul into your garden. Millions of people took up gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic, and according to the National Gardening Association, 67% are growing or planning to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits in 2021.

Any gardener knows that plants depend on sunlight to grow, and shorter days and freezing temperatures can do all kinds of damage. So with autumn and winter just on the horizon, you may be wondering how to protect your plants for the cooler months ahead. 

“While it can sometimes be a big undertaking, when homeowners take additional steps to prepare their gardens for the winter season, their efforts will show in the health of their plants come springtime,” says Garrett Magee, one of the founders of landscape design firm Manscapers.

below, Magee offers his top tips for green thumbs to keep their garden in peak shape through the fall and depths of winter. if you’re concerned about how your fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers will fare, read on.

Take Stock Of Your Garden in The Fall

Fall is a good time to look at what has done well this year in your garden and what hasn’t, and where you might want to make changes for the next planting season.

“Most outdoor plants are fine to keep outside all winter and will return next spring, but annuals need to be cleared out of the garden and replanted with new ones the next spring,” says Magee.

At the end of the season when your perennials are done blooming, he recommends trimming them back and making sure to note where they are so you can recognize them when they begin sprouting next season.

“Doing this small chore will be rewarding in the spring when your garden comes alive, and the plants look better than ever,” he says.

Tune In To The Weather In Your Area

Prepping your garden for cooler months will depend on where you live.

“If you live in a cold winter climate like me in New York, you’ll want to make sure all your gardens and planters get a good layer of mulch to insulate your plants. Think of it as putting a blanket around your plants to keep them warm through the winter months,” says Magee.

He says to ensure mulch doesn’t touch the trunks of trees and shrubs to prevent rot and other diseases.

“For ceramic and terra-cotta pots, you want to make sure you store them in a cool, dry place where they won’t freeze and crack,” he says.

Clean it Up

An unkempt garden is not where you want to start. Take some time to prepare your outdoor plants for the cooler months by tidying up.

“remove any invasive weeds, trim any dead leaves, and dispose of diseased or pest-ridden plants and plants that have diseases or bugs. This will help reduce problems for next planting season,” says Magee.

Plant Cold-Hardy Vegetables That Can Survive Frost

Make sure to plant some vegetables in the fall that tolerate cold. Fortunately, that includes some you might want to throw into your daily smoothie. 

“I recommend planting and harvesting plants like beets, kale, parsnips, and spinach later in the season, because they are tolerant to a light frost,” says Magee.

Beets happen to be his favorite superfood; they should be planted in the fall and harvested about seven to eight weeks later. Even before you harvest the bulbous roots, the leaves can be used in stir-fries or even, when younger and tender, salads.

Bring Your Herbs Inside For The Winter

NBirds fly South for the winter, groundhogs hibernate, and some plants, such as herbs, thrive better indoors.


“If you want to access your edible garden during the winter, bring it inside. While some herbs like basil will survive the first frost, they generally don’t do well in cold temperatures,” says Magee.

Plus, you’ll want your herbs at arm’s reach as you prepare those hearty stews. Magee likes to repot his herbs into plastic containers ahead of the colder months “and keep them near the kitchen so I can easily reach them while I’m cooking.”

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time

10 Mins

Total Time

45 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3)
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 c. water
  • 1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 c. frozen corn

Garnish

  • 1/4 c. freshly chopped cilantro
  • 4 small corn totilla, cut into strips
  • 1 tbsp. etra-virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Turn Instant Pot to Sauté setting and heat oil. When oil is shimmering, add bell peppers and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper then add to Instant Pot. Add remaining soup ingredients and close lid. Set Instant Pot to Soup setting and set timer to 7 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, on a large baking sheet, toss tortilla strips with oil and a pinch of salt. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
  3. When cooking is complete and air has been naturally released from Instant Pot, carefully remove lid and use tongs to remove chicken breasts onto a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred chicken. Stir chicken and cilantro into soup. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Garnish soup with tortilla strips, avocado, and cheese to serve.

ENJOY!!!