Some tips on eco-friendly moving!

Moving is typically not an eco-friendly undertaking. It involves packing boxes, tape, packing peanuts, transportation… lots of ways to harm the environment. But it doesn’t have to be an eco-nightmare. Follow a few of these simple tips and make your relocation a greener experience.

1.     If you don’t need it, don’t take it. One of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint when moving is to reduce the amount of stuff you move. Go through your stuff and get rid of things you no longer need.  Donate clothing, furniture and books to charities or thrift stores or have a garage sale. If you have items that need to be thrown out, try to recycle them if possible. Always dispose of electronics properly.

2.     Go green when you clean. Whether it’s the home you’re leaving or the one you’re moving into, you’re likely to be doing a great deal of cleaning during your move. Cleaning products are typically very bad for the environment, as well as your health, so choose green cleaning products whenever possible. Look for products that are non-toxic and biodegradable and read through the ingredient list to make sure they’re all natural. You can also consider making your own cleaner using vinegar and water.

3.     Choose responsibly. Eschew the usual old truck packed with cardboard boxes. There are a variety of moving companies that espouse green practices, from using trucks that operate with bio-fuels, to using recycled or biodegradable packing products, to how efficiently they pack your belongings to minimize trips.

Here are some questions to ask:

·      Do they use recycled packing materials?

·      Will they come collect packing materials so they can be re-used?

·      Do they have a no idling policy?

·      Do they make an effort to reduce fuel consumption through a shortest route possible policy or speed monitoring?

If you’re handling your move on your own, be sure to rent a moving van that’s the right size for what you have to move – the smaller the van, the lower the fuel consumption. And to reduce your carbon footprint even further, load your belongings in such a way that allows you to make the fewest trips back and forth.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

Spoil yourself at home this Valentine's Day!

Whether you’re part of a couple or not, there are plenty of ways to indulge yourself on February 14^th… and you don’t even have to leave home!

·      Take the day off and do what you want! Declare it “Spa Day” or “Movie Marathon Day”.  Relax in a bubble bath. Give yourself a mani-pedi. Wear your PJs all day and veg on the couch. Unplug your technology and enjoy the quiet.

·      If you don’t already have one, invest in a good stereo system.  Today’s models are smaller, and connect to your existing wi-fi and Bluetooth. Create a whole-home network and you can instantly blast Pandora or iTunes all over the house! Or invest in a system that can act as a home theatre. (Perfect for Movie Marathon Day!)   

·      Take a nap or go to bed early.  It’s a fact that we live in a sleep-deprived world. Pamper yourself with some extra zzzz’s.

·      Splurge on some new home accessories – elegant curtains, a gorgeous area rug, silky sateen sheets, fluffy new towels.

·      Light a fire and actually relax in front of it! Grab a book – or your S.O. – and enjoy the warm glow.

·      Cook a meal from scratch and enjoy it. No take out. Nothing frozen. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but something you can cook and then appreciate.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

It’s almost Super Bowl time! This year, throw a party they’ll never forget!

Everyone knows that the real reason people go to Super Bowl parties is the food. Here are some ideas for a memorable menu! (First rule, by the way: Make sure your guests arrive hungry and leave full!)

1.     Mini foods are in! They are easy to serve and devour. Just place them on a toothpick or stick for a lovely presentation.

2.     Incorporate foods from each team's city, or include the teams' colors in your recipes.

3.     Make sure there's more than a boring old six-pack filling the cooler! Try creative cocktails and craft beers.

Once you’ve got the menu down, it’s time to decorate! Here are some ideas for festive decor!

1.     Create bags of football-themed confetti for celebrating TDs… or fumbles!

2.     Gather jerseys, old trophies and football paraphernalia that you may have  around. They’re free… and free is always fun!

3.     Astroturf! This grassy imposter can be used to cover tables, create coasters, and even embellish your food spread.

Be prepared for downtime. In case conversation dies down or there’s an unexpected black out, having a few Super Bowl party games is a great idea.  Drinking games, trivia games, betting games… the list is endless!

In the end, Super Bowl parties are mostly about cheering and booing together. So have fun, and focus on food, football and friends.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

Follow through with your New Year’s Resolutions!

It’s a time-honored tradition to make resolutions for the new year. We vow to improve ourselves – to eat healthy, exercise more… the list is endless.  This year, take the initiative and see how many resolutions you can keep – right from the comfort of your own home!

1.     Eat healthier – Load up the fridge with lots of fruits and veggies. Vow to cut back on take-out and fast food. Take the time to sit down and eat with the family.  (It’s healthier and good for the kids!)

2.     Exercise more – Take advantage of your bonus room and turn it into a yoga studio. Or a mini gym. And schedule time to exercise every day. No excuses!

3.     Spend more time with family – Schedule family dinners, game nights, movie nights – whatever your family likes. Hunker down in the family room with some popcorn and a plan to spend uninterrupted time together as a family.

4.     Read more – You know that pile of books that’s been sitting unread for ages? Create a reading nook for yourself. Find a comfy chair, a good light and a shelf or table, and settle in. (Don’t be surprised if you keep finding kids in your nook, though!) 

5.     Get organized – Declutter your drawers and desk. Sort paperwork, bills, mementos and mail. Find a spot in the kitchen or office that’s just for paperwork & bills, and create a system for sorting things as soon as they come in. Clean out the closets – and see how much space you have!

6.     Create & follow a budget – Get yourself on a healthy fiscal track.  Once you have your bills sorted (#5), then you can create a budget to track your spending habits.

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

President Charles Ruma wins 2014 BIA Award!

Congratulations to Virginia Homes President, Charles Ruma, who recently won the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Central Ohio 2014 Irving E. Schottenstein Builder of the Year award.  Visit our Facebook page to join the conversation and to see how partners, homeowners, friends and family are congratulating Charles on this honorable award!

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

Home for the Holidays

Imagine… it’s the perfect snow day or lazy afternoon during winter break for the kids; the snow is blissfully falling outside as you sip your hot chocolate in front of a crackling fire. This typical holiday scene is almost always too good to be true, often interrupted by frantic children or the electricity going out. But you still crave that moment of winter serenity where you can finally enjoy the beauty of the holiday season. Here are a few simple ways to enjoy peace this winter.

Winter Wonderland – Create your own winter wonderland in your home to keep your kids’ imagination flowing and entertained. Snow days are the perfect time to build forts with bed sheets and read books by flashlight.

Christmas Lights  – Prepare beforehand, for snowstorms and blizzards by keeping extra water bottles, batteries, and blankets around the house. Early preparation can make that disastrous power outage all the less stressful.

Frosty the Snowman – …Should stay outside! All too often our floors become sopping wet with melted snow from snow boots trekking across the hallway. Invest in a shoe and coat rack and keep them, and the wet boots and coats, in your garage in order to prevent unnecessary mopping after shoveling and frolicking outside.

Chestnuts Roasting – Whether by an open fire or you are decorating gingerbread houses, cooking and baking are the perfect holiday activities to keep you and your family’s faces smiling and your stomach’s full.  

Whatever activities you choose to do this winter, we hope that it brings happiness and joy to you and your family!

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.

How to Host a Thanksgiving Dinner

Whether you are hosting for a family of five or fifteen in your cozy home, throwing a Thanksgiving party can be extremely intimidating. No need to quit the idea of entertaining cold turkey. If you follow these four C’s of Thanksgiving, you will be sure to have a warm and welcome home for all to enjoy.

Cleaning – Making sure your entire house is spick and span before your guests arrive can be a challenge, especially if you have little ones running around. Focusing on cleaning your home one room at a time can relieve the overwhelming stress of fall-cleaning. Make it simple, start near your front door and work your way back. Another way to get things done efficiently is to vacuum and dust while your turkey is cooking in the oven!  A watched turkey never cooks!

Creating – Fall decorations and centerpieces for your family table are a great way to set a fun and festive atmosphere.  If you’re no Martha Stewart, don’t worry, holiday decorating is now easier and more affordable than ever with an abundance of DIY crafts all over the internet . 

Cooking – From stuffing the perfect turkey to mashing the perfect sweet potatoes, cooking the most delectable Thanksgiving dinner is a tall order and can take hours of preparation. More importantly, it can also be a time for experimenting with new recipes and showing off your inner top chef! Whether you are making a traditional turkey or a veggie tofurkey, be thankful for all that you have on your table to eat.

Caring – The most important thing about Thanksgiving is not whether your house is clean or your turkey is basted to perfection, but rather that your friends and family are around to celebrate with you. Giving thanks together is the ultimate gift, but topping that off with a beautifully decorated table with gourds and gobbles of food is just the cherry on top of your apple pie.

Be thankful for all that you have and all that you are able to give this Thanksgiving. The rest will fall right into place!

Virginia Homes has been building new homes in Central Ohio for 60 years.  Visit www.Virginia-Homes.com for more information or call (614) 764-1953.