Local Spring Festivals

With Spring time right around the corner, there are many local festivals happening in our area! Whether you are looking for a family centered event or a wine/beer festival, Montgomery county has it all! Check out our list below of fun local events happening this April and May!

Glenside Arts Festival

April 22nd, 2023 11am-5pm

Glenside’s annual arts festival will be held on Easton Rd & Glenside Ave. Come out and enjoy over 70 artists & crafters, food & drinks, local shopping, fun for the family, and more! Visit downtownglenside.com for more information.

Earth Day Festival

King of Prussia April 22nd, 2023 11am-2pm

Upper Merion Parks and Recreation will be holding its annual Earth Day event for the public this year, 2023. The event will be held at the Township Park and Lower Level Parking Lot behind the Township Building (175 W. Valley Forge Rd, King of Prussia PA). This event will feature a beer garden, live music, crafters, food vendors, games and much more.

This event is centered around learning about and encouraging the following themes; sustainability, healthy lifestyles, eco-friendly, eco-conscious products/services, the health of Mother Earth and all those who inhabit it, and so on. We are not only encouraging the sale of products, but also raffles, demos, giveaways, interactive activities, etc.

Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival

May 7th, 2023 11am-5pm

The festival will include 150 home and garden vendors along historic Germantown Avenue from Rex Avenue to Willow Grove Avenue.

Ardmore Beer Festival

May 13th, 2023 1pm-4pm

Takes place at Ardmore Music Hall. Featuring samplings of over 50 curated craft brews from more than 20 of our favorite breweries, many local, plus delicious bites on-site from Ripplewood & local food vendors, and of course, Live Music by Dad & Company!

Spring Wine Fest

Collegeville, PA May 20th, 2023 1pm-6pm

This event will be held at the Montgomery County 4-H center. Shop from the areas local vendors including Wineries, Distilleries, Food trucks, and shopping vendors handcrafted as well as some direct sales. Featuring Pennsylvania’s finest wineries and distilleries.

A National Landmark right in our own backyard!

If you are local to the area, you may have heard the name Pearl S. Buck. But just who is she and why is it important to learn more about this humanitarian who lived right in our own backyard? Ms. Buck was a Nobel and Pulitzer prize winner who had such a huge impact on our world. She was an advocate for racial harmony and a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

Pearl S. Buck was born in Virginia but moved to China with her parents when she was just 5 months old. At a young age, Pearl became an avid reader and at age six, her first published work appeared in the English-language Shanghai Mercury, a newspaper with a weekly children’s edition.

Pearl returned to the United States in 1910 and received her Bachelor’s Degree before moving back to China and marrying her first husband John Lossing Buck. In 1925, they moved back to the US and Pearl earned her Master’s degree in English Literature. They had a biological child named Carol as well as an adopted daughter named Janice. Shortly thereafter, Pearl started writing novels. Her second novel, The Good Earth, won the Pulitzer prize in 1932. In 1935, Pearl divorced John Buck and married a man named Richard Walsh. The two, along with their family bought Green Hills Farm in Bucks County where they raised a large international family consisting of seven adopted children and several foster children.

Pearl S. Buck was the first American woman to be awarded both the Pulitzer and the Nobel prize for her work. She was an advocate for racial harmony and in 1949 founded the Welcome House adoption program. It was the first adoption agency specializing in the placement of biracial children. In 1964, she created the Pearl S. Buck Foundation as a child sponsorship organization to help children in their own countries with health, education and job training. Pearl S. Buck died on March 6, 1973 and is buried on the grounds of Green Hills Farm.

The Pearl S. Buck house is a National Historic Landmark Museum located in Bucks County, PA. The grounds of the estate contain Pearl S. Buck’s gravesite, greenhouse, award-winning gardens, Cultural Center (a former barn where Ms. Buck held community events), the Estate Pavilion (which houses special events and weddings), and the Welcome Center. The vision of the Pearl S. Buck house is to inspire every visitor, through story and dialogue, to take action and make our world a better place.

Looking for a place to tour on the next beautiful day outside, or somewhere to host your wedding or special event? Tours are available most days of the week and the grounds are also available to rent for your next special occasion!

Dark Sky Ordinances

What are dark-sky ordinances and why are they important?

The movement for dark-sky ordinances started when a few amateur astronomers realized that urban lights were blotting out the stars, causing a disruption in sleep for both wildlife and humans alike. This nocturnal light pollution hurts the environment and affects the feeding, mating, and living patterns of local wildlife.

To combat this effect, more and more communities are adopting dark-sky ordinances designed to limit the negative impact of artificial light. Compliance with the dark-sky regulations is the responsibility of not just the city, but homeowners within those zones as well, all designed to stop skyglow.

Skyglow is the reflection of light caused by the saturation of artificial light. It’s the orange glow in populated areas that prevents one from seeing the stars. Dark-sky rules are designed to combat this and use a variety of methods to reduce or illuminate this light pollution. In addition to limiting the time and type of lighting, they also employ specific light strategies to comply with the ordinances.

Homeowners in a dark-sky location must also adjust the lighting on their property to avoid citations. As with commercial properties, the use of directional lights, lower “lamp” bulbs, and compliant fixtures allow the homeowner to have adequate lighting, while observing dark-sky practices.

The International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA, offers resources for communities, business owners and homeowners that identify best practices and compliant lighting strategies. As more cities recognize the benefits of dark-sky policies on the environment and their citizens, expect to find more dark-sky ordinances across the country.

Even if your area does not have one of these ordinances, it is interesting to understand why they are being put in place and how an individual homeowner can do their part to help.

2023 Modern Laundry Detergent Methods- Stop Using heavy containers!

Laundry detergent has come a long way in recent years. New methods and formulations have made it more effective at cleaning clothes and removing stains. There are now effective laundry detergents without the overly soapy itch or heavy plastic containers that end up in landfills. You can even get laundry washing tools that require no soap or refills! With so many choices, try several new methods to find the perfect laundry detergent for your needs.

Let’s work collectively towards minimizing our impact on the environment by changing something so simple: howe we clean our clothes!

Seventh Generation claims that if every US household replaced a single plastic bottle of laundry detergent with a biodegradable plant-based bottle, this would save nearly 150,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 8,500 homes for a year. Assuming most households go through a bottle of detergent every couple of months at minimum, this would save nearly 900,000 barrels of oil annually.

In the suggestions below I do try to stay away from scented products as most of them are chemically hazardous.

1. Magnets

Have you ever heard of using magnets to clean your clothes? I personally have not tried this method like others on this list but it is fascinating.

Try the patented powerful “blue ball” magnets that make up the science-backed Magnetic Laundry System. They have revolutionized the way we wash our clothes FOREVER.

=> Buy Your Magnetic Laundry System Here!

Here are 5 reasons WHY the Magnetic Laundry System is SO great:

• It DOESN’T need expensive detergent to work its magic on your messy clothes.

• By NOT having to use dangerous, toxic filled, detergent you’re eliminating the health risk to you and your family.

• These magnets are 100% REUSABLE and last a LIFETIME saving you even more money.

• You ALSO save money on your water bills because the uses less water and needs less cycles to get clothes clean.

• Unlike detergents these magnets are environmentally friendly.

=> Get Your Magnetic Laundry System Now!

STOP washing your clothes the traditional toxic way…

START washing your clothes the modern, magsafe, magnetic way today!

2. Detergent Sheets

These are my personal favorite items that I use in my own home. I ordered the True Earth 64 pack size and it has lasted me about a year! My skin is sensitive to soaps so I like perfectly portioned out amount per load. There is no overwhelming scent to it but my clothes and sheets are left feeling clean and wonderful. Please keep in mind that most of my loads are done with cold water which cuts down on C02 emissions significantly and these detergent sheets work just great with cold water (unlike those crappy tide pods despite being so delicious ;) ).

• No mess

• Extremely light to carry (great for basement or upstairs laundry)

• Hardly takes up space

• The whole product is environmentally friendly

• About $0.23 per load!

3. Detergent Sheets: Scented

If you want the same as above but with a scent, I recommend Earth Breeze’s Liquidless Laundry Sheets. These come in a Fresh Scent. Please keep in mind, many scented liquid laundry detergent and dryer sheets contain hazardous chemicals and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), two of which are classified as carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency.

4. Detergent Tabs

Like to pop a tablet in the washer? This is for you. A little bulkier than the sheets but still lighter and smaller and more eco-friendly than plastic bottle detergents. Try Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets! The tin is kind of cute to store them in, too. So if aesthetics is part of your laundry area, this may be the better solution.

5. Laundry Booster

Looking for that extra umph? Put a little of this environmentally friendly and gentle formula from Dirty Labs in with your detergent.

6. Concentrated Liquid

Still want the liquid soap method but feel bad about the effect your laundry is having on the environment? Limit the plastic impact by using a concentrated liquid like this Fresh Linen scented one from Whirlpool.

7. Clean Your Washing Machine!

Doesn’t it make sense to keep the machine that is cleaning your clothes clean as well? This is one of the first things I do when I move into a new home. I clean the washing machine! I typically do 2 loads of affresh at a new abode then run a load every 6-8 weeks to keep the machine clean from soap build ups and other things.

8. Dryer Balls

I love these fun dryer balls. If you are still using dryer sheets- STOP! If you are one of those people using more than one dryer sheet per load, you really need to stop. They are not great for your dryer machine or for the longevity of your clothes. Dryer balls keep clothes soft and lint free and help dry up to 3x faster. I love the fun designs now available which also make them easier to find in my laundry so I keep them in the laundry room and not sitting on top of a dresser until next laundry day. Some people suggest adding essential oils to them to add a little scent. Have you tried this method?

9. Drying Rack

I know, basic! But if you air dry more often, your clothes will last longer and you save on electric/gas. A clothes dryer is responsible for approximately 6 percent of the average home’s energy use. A good drying rack is great for leggings, lingerie, bras, dresses, and materials that typically don’t wrinkle. Save the environment by using your dryer less.

BONUS! Lint Bin

This Lint magnetic box is fabulous. I am always rushed when doing laundry and having an easily accessible trash area for the lint keeps the dryer ready to use with no buildup! Keep your wool balls handy too!

More Information for you:

Smart Energy and Water-Saving Laundry Tips from the ACEEE and Energy.gov:

• Upgrade old washing machines and dryers to ENERGY STAR certified models

• Retrofit laundromats with multi-load units.

• Wash clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.

• Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.

• Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.

• Don't over-dry clothes. If a machine has a moisture sensor, use it.

• Clean the lint screen in the dryers after every load to improve air circulation and prevent fire hazards.

• Periodically, remove the lint that collects below the lint screen in the lint screen slot of clothes dryers.

• Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the heat remaining in the dryer.

• Periodically inspect dryer vents to ensure they are not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material -- not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.

• Encourage air-drying clothes on clotheslines or drying racks. Clothing manufacturers for some fabrics recommend air-drying.

• If you have front-loading washers or high-efficiency top-loaders, use detergent labeled for high-efficiency (HE) machines. According to the American Cleaning Institute (PDF), HE detergents are low-sudsing and quick dispersing to clean well in high-efficiency washers that use less water.

Smart Laundry Products Tips from EPA’s Laundry Green Practices:

• Wash only full loads of laundry, and select the appropriate water level or load size option on the washing machine and dryer.

• Buy items, such as laundry detergent and fabric softener, with minimal packaging.

• Buy items in bulk or in concentrated form (e.g., concentrated laundry detergent).

Thank you for reading and I hope you join me in impacting our environment in a much more gentle way!

Home Security Basics

News reports of rising crime rates are becoming increasingly common, leaving homeowners and businesses alike feeling concerned. Luckily, there are a wide variety of security solutions available on the market to suit every budget. By following a few simple strategies, you can help protect yourself and your belongings from theft and crime.

· Install a Security System – Security systems are one of the most effective ways to protect your home. Many systems include motion detection, video surveillance, as well as two-way communication.

· Be Unpredictable – Burglars love routine. Using smart home devices, it’s easy to create unpredictable patterns for lights and sound. Leave a car in the driveway if you’re traveling as well, that makes it look like the home is occupied.

· Think Like a Criminal – Spend some time looking at your home and identify the weak points. Secure all doors and windows. Lock all entry points and be creative with a hidden key. Look for hidden entry points; where would you try and break-in? Do you have dark areas that are not visible from the street?

· When was the last time you changed your locks? – Did you change your locks when you moved in to your home? How about when someone moved out? Who was ever given a key copy? If any of your answers make you feel uncomfortable, it is time to switch out your locks- which is easy enough to do by yourself.

Finally, don’t make it easy for the criminals to track your movements. Refrain from advertising your trips on social media until you’ve returned and consider asking a friend or neighbor to visit your home occasionally while you’re gone. The more your home seems occupied, the less appealing it will be to criminals.

2023: 15 Resources for Starting a Homestead

I often ask people I meet what their real estate goals are. Several people over the years have expressed interest in a self-sufficient lifestyle that would be off the grid. There are so many things you can do with your property to make it more efficient while relying less on the outside world- let’s take a look.

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Ready to trade in your high-rise apartment for a cozy cabin in the woods? If you're yearning for a simpler life, starting a homestead might be the perfect solution for you.

Living off the grid and being self-sufficient are key components of homesteading, and it's not as difficult as you might think to get started. With a little planning and some elbow grease, you can soon be living the homesteading dream. So what are you waiting for? Start your homesteading adventure today!

Check out the resource below to start the wheels turning on becoming self sustaining on just a quarter acre property which you hopefully purchase with me.

Unless you have enough funds to jump all in, think in steps and trying your hand at becoming self-sufficient and living off-grid. The Self-Sufficient Backyard is a great resource to inspire and educate on homesteading life. You could take a few tips and tricks from it!

Have you figured out what you want to grow or raise? This will be the foundation of your homestead. Take advice from Autopilot Homestead on this.

Did you do your research? There's a lot to learn about homesteading, so make sure you know what you're getting into. Read The Self Sufficient Backyard

Start small. You don't need a huge piece of land to get started. In The Self-Sufficient Backyard, they only use a quarter acre of land!

Be prepared for hard work. Homesteading is a lot of work, but it's so worth it. Do you have the tools necessary? Jumpstart with Autopilot Homestead.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start your homesteading journey!

Your 4 Resources to Inspire your Homestead Dream:

1. The Self Sufficient Backyard is a practical resource to getting started on how to make your property self sufficient. Make sure you check local zoning and codes before starting any projects! $37 book. Click here for link.

2. Autopilot Homestead Course: Unlike The Self Sufficient Backyard, the Autopilot Homestead takes into consideration several people’s experiences. $39. Click here for link.

3. My Survival Farm: A great way to get started on going off grid! Click here for link

4. Hot Survival DIY offers a great resource into basic survival skills for living off the land. Click here for link.

5. DIY Home Energy will help you understand how to properly start an off- grid approach towards energy efficiency! You can even use their method to create a back-up source for power. Click here for link.

6. Renewable Energy from Biogras- Learn about off the beaten path energy resources such as algae! Click here for link.

7. Electricity Freedom- How one person powered their home with nothing like a few bags of grass clippings. Click here for link.

8. How to Make a Shipping Container Home- Shipping Container Home Made Easy™ is a digital program that will teach you step-by-step how to build your very own shipping container home.

9. Tiny House Made Easy- is a digital program that will teach you step-by-step how to build your very own tiny house.

10. Local Harvest Organic Gardening Course- learn all you need to know about growing food to eat! Click here.

11. The Lost Superfoods- With over 126 forgotten survival foods and storage hacks “The Lost Superfoods” is a vital book to place in your survival stockpile. Click here to learn more.

12. The Book of Green Remedies- Achieve Food Self-Sufficiency, Build Soil Fertility and Grow an Abundance of Nutrient Dense Food Year-Round. Click here to purchase.

13. Backyard Healing Herbs- When you are off the grid, having medicinal plants nearby may prove to come in handy! Click here to learn more.

14. The Backyard Miracle Farm- Provides methods which already reflect what’s naturally occurring in nature. Click here.

15. Pocket Farm- High Output Pocket Farm “Generates” Food In The Middle Of A Desert War Zone. Click Here.

15. Survival Upgrades- Learn various skillsets to handle situations!

Bonus:

Self Defense Survival stick- Protect Yourself and aid your walks all in one! Click here to purchase.

These also make great gifts for any Doomsday friends!

5 Yard Design Fails

Baby it’s cold outside! Let’s focus on planning out our warmer weather gardens!

Whether you're looking to create an oasis or just spruce up your space, avoid these common mistakes:

1. Don't Have Unrealistic Expectations- One of the most common mistake homeowners make is thinking that they can achieve a picture-perfect yard overnight. rushing to get that lush look can actually do more harm than good. When you plant too closely together, you run the risk of strangling your plants and having to start from scratch.

2. Don't Use Indoor Items Outdoors- Just because you see an item in a store or online, doesn't mean it's meant to be outdoors. Be sure to do your research or ask a professional before bringing any big-ticket items outside. Some examples of indoor items that don't transition well outdoors are big-screen TVs, sofas, and wooden tables.

3. Neglecting Maintenance- sadly, many people believe that once they have their dream outdoor space, it will be able to take care of itself. However, that's not the case. Decks need to be re-stained or painted from time to time and furniture should be stored away during bad weather to increase its longevity.

4. Ignoring Planting Guidance – Pictures in magazines and on Pinterest can inspire new gardeners, but they may not work for every yard. Planting sun-loving plants in the shade or vice versa is a recipe for disaster.

5. Ignoring HOA Rules – Before spending time and money on plants or trees, read the fine print in HOA or community rules. These rules can be enforced, and no one wants to pay to remove landscaping that's non-compliant.

Everyone wants the perfect yard. When the warmer weather arrives, every yard can offer fresh air living options if these design mistakes are avoided.

Short Term Vs. Long Term Rentals

Short-term rentals have always been a popular investment, but in recent years, they have become even more popular as vacation rental alternatives to hotel chains. But before you invest in a short-term rental, there are a few things you should consider.

One thing to keep in mind is that short-term rentals often require more repairs and maintenance than long-term rentals. This is because tenants generally don't treat short-term rentals as their own homes the way long-term tenants do. Additionally, short-term rentals always need someone available 24/7 to deal with any guest needs that may arise. Of course, you could hire a property management company to take care of these things, but that would take away from your profits and typically costs 10%-30% of rents.

Another consideration is that while short-term rentals usually have a higher return on investment than long-term rentals, they also come with higher vacancy rates, advertising costs, cleaning costs, and maintenance costs. On the other hand, owning a vacation property that you can enjoy yourself may be worth the extra work.

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to real estate investing. Consider what works for you and make the best choice for your goals.

Let’s discuss you and see which investment model you are better suited for.

Equity Building Ideas

Your home equity is important whether you plan to sell soon or years from now. Staying ahead of trends by making continuous improvements is the best way to maximize your investment.

Unexpected financial windfalls or the need for a specific repair project might usually jumpstart the improvement process, but by proactively planning for updates, any homeowner can maintain their home's value. understanding current market trends is crucial to selling your home at it's full potential later on down the road.

For example, in recent years, features such as outdoor kitchens, great room configurations, and home offices have become more popular among homebuyers. More timeless desires include more square footage, chef’s kitchens, and spacious bathrooms.

In addition to developing a fund, build a road map for upgrades and enhancements. Consider the life span of major systems, such as the roof or HVAC systems; is end-of-life a good time to switch to solar energy? Kitchen styles change dramatically every 10 years on average. Start saving for a kitchen style change on the same schedule.

You may not plan to sell your home for years, but things change. By continuously planning for updates, you can avoid the financial hit that comes with an outdated home. Now is the time to plan for regular updates to build equity, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of the changes too!