Month: December 2016

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Community Information

Husker Trivia

Husker Trivia

Nebraska Cornhusker Football Trivia FactsAre you looking to wow your guests at your next Husker watch party? Or just curious about the history of those Huskers that you love so much? We’ve gathered some interesting, as well as little-known facts about the legacy of our very own Nebraska Cornhuskers. Take a look and see how many you already knew:

  • Husker history began in 1890. The team only played 2 games that season and not only won both, but also prevented the opposing team from scoring even one point.
  • Ever dream of being a football coach? Maybe not in the Huskers’ early days. The first Husker football coach made between $300-$500. But not to worry, this salary also included room and board.
  • For the first three years of the team, the Huskers had no coach. It wasn’t until 1893 that the first head coach was hired. But he wasn’t a coach for the Cornhuskers; back then our Huskers were simply known as “Lincoln.”
  • The nicknames in those early years were more than a little interesting. Tree-planters, Bugeaters, Antelopes, and Rattlesnake Boys just don’t seem to have the same ring to it as Huskers.
  • You can take pride in your Nebraska heritage knowing the Huskers were way ahead of the civil rights movement. Nebraska was one of the first of five colleges to have African American athletes. At the time, George Flippin was the first African American athlete at Nebraska.
  • Who holds the NCAA record for fewest punt returns in a season? It’s Jesse Kosch, of course, from 1995. Just 5 of his punts were returned, and the total yards gained? A mere 12 yards.
  • What does Alabama coach Nick Saban have to do with Husker history? Well, in 1995 he had his biggest career loss, and it happened to be against the Cornhuskers. The score was a pummeling 50-10, and at the time Saban was head coach at Michigan State.
  • Over a 50-year span beginning in 1961, the Huskers won an impressive 77 percent of their games. It makes the not so successful years seem a little brighter when you look at it that way.
  • But let’s not leave out the legendary Tommie Frazier. What you may not remember is that Frazier actually threw more touchdowns than he ran. The touchdowns were 43 and 36, respectively.
  • Lastly, we have to end with Tom Osborne. We could create an entire list just on this well-loved coach, but here’s just one fact you can take pride in: Osborne had a career winning percentage of .836, which Chatsports.com says is “the best mark for any coach in NCAA history over such a span.”
  • 7 Facts about Nebraska Football
  • 10 Little-Known Facts about Nebraska Football
  • 13 for ’13: Fascinating, Fast Football Facts
  • History of Nebraska Football
Categories
HOME Hacks

5 Tips for Storing Christmas Decorations

5 tips for storing Christmas decorations

5 tips for storing Christmas decorationsThere’s nothing quite as whimsical as the moment you unpack all the Christmas decorations and don your home in tinsel, Santa Claus, and nativity scenes. Now if only packing up those decorations could be just as magical, right? Believe it or not, storing and organizing holiday decorations can be quick and simple, and by taking the time now to store them properly, decorating for Christmas next year will be even more enjoyable. Try some of these easy tricks:

Wrapping paper

Nothing’s more of an eyesore than a crumpled, wrinkled roll of wrapping paper. You can invest in those pricey bins that promise to store them securely all year long, or you can DIY it. All you need is an empty toilet paper roll cut the long way. Why? Because you can wrap it around a roll of wrapping paper to stop it from unrolling.  Toss them under your bed or in the back of a closet until it’s time to wrap again.

Light strands

Untangling Christmas lights is never an example of yule tide cheer. Fortunately, you can DIY a solution to this problem too. An empty paper towel roll serves as a great way to store lights, just neatly wrap them around until you’re ready for them next season. We also love this plastic hanger method. It’s simple, fast, and something we all have hanging around the house.

Wrap Christmas lights around a plastic coat hanger to keep them from tangling.
Porch.com

Ornaments

There’s no shortage of products you can buy to store tree ornaments, but there might not be much left in your holiday budget for them. Your wallet can probably handle purchasing a few hanging shoe organizers, however. Use them to keep your ornaments safe and tidy in a closest. You can also use the organizer to store gift tags, stockings, bows and ribbons and small gift bags!

Artificial Trees

A good artificial tree can last for years, and as pricey as they are, you want to get all the use out of it that you can. So, take care when storing this Christmas staple. A good rule of thumb is try to store the tree on the same level of the house that you use it; avoid dragging it up or down stairs, and “shoving” it into an attic or crawl space can shorten its life span. Wrap it with saran wrap to keep dust off and try storing it in a corner of the garage, roomy closet, or guest bedroom.

Utilize Totes

For the rest of your decorations save the original boxes and look for deals on plastic totes after the Christmas season. But don’t stop there, installing overhead storage in a garage will make you feel as organized as Martha Stewart, and you literally won’t have to think about those lovely decorations until next year—except for the sense of satisfaction you feel every time you pull into the garage and see those neatly hanging totes.
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Categories
Community Information

Things to do in Lincoln: January 2017

Things to do in the Lincoln, NE area - January 2017

Things to do in the Lincoln, NE area - January 2017Check out our list local events this month:

1/1 – 2/28   Skate The Yard 350 Canopy St Railyard Ice Rink (see website for days and times)
1/7-1/8 (see website for times)  Cabin Fever Antique Show Lancaster Event Center
1/7 9 a.m. – Noon FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop-Crate Toolbox Home Depot
1/8 Noon-4 p.m. The Wedding Fair Lincoln Marriott
1/13 8 p.m. Eric Church Holdin’ My Own Tour Pinnacle Bank Arena
1/14 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. – Noon Kids in the Kitchen: New Foods  Williamsburg Hy-Vee
1/14 7 p.m. 31st Annual Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy Pinnacle Bank Arena
1/14 time TBA Jr. First Lego League Festival Lancaster Event Center
1/17 5:30-7:00 p.m. Simple Fix  cooking class at Williamsburg Hy-Vee
1/20-1/22 & 1/26-1/29 (see website for times) Mothers & Sons Lincoln Community Playhouse
1/20 7 p.m. Red Hot Chili Peppers Pinnacle Bank Arena
1/20 – 1/21 7:30-10 p.m. Nebraska Extreme Bull Riding Challenge Lancaster Event Center
1/22 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Husker Toy & Buckle Show Lancaster Event Center
1/27 – 1/29 (see website for times) Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella The Lied Center for Performing Arts
1/28 10 a.m. – Noon Snug-as-a-BUG! Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center

Ongoing Museum Exhibits:

Check websites for dates, hours and admission

Ongoing January sporting events:

Check websites
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Uncategorized

Winter staycation ideas around Lincoln

Family with hot drinks

Family with hot drinks
Family with hot drinks

Winter is a great time to get out of the house and have some fun. Don’t believe us? There are plenty of nearby and wallet-friendly destinations that liven up the winter months. Just check out this list:

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

This state park is truly a home away from home, a cozy and fun-filled winter destination. There’s a restaurant on site, cabins to book, and plenty of nature and sight-seeing available. Sledding and ice skating are available during the winter months, and kids can warm up in their indoor play area. Just make sure you plan on enough time to hit the arts and craft center, theater, and cross country skiing!

Coco Key Water Resort

This spacious indoor water park is located inside the Ramada Plaza in Omaha. There are slides, a lazy river for tubing, and a separate shallow pool for little swimmers. The best part is you can book a room with the water park fees already included. There is also an arcade and game room, plus you can use it to host a birthday party! And while you’re in Omaha, take a day a to check out the Henry Doorly Zoo. They’re open every day, year-round (except for Christmas Day), and there are enough food and exhibits to fill an entire day (and then some) of fun.

Lied Lodge

Now through December 30th, Lied Lodge has a whole host of holiday activities perfect for family get-aways. Located in Nebraska City, you can join the Holiday Mansion Tour and experience a step back in time as you’re guided through the mansion decorated in historic and vintage Christmas décor. You can stay for a day or book a room, whichever suits your budget. Lied Lodge also has December concerts, a trolley tour of light displays, and a special brunch with Santa. You can check out the details on their website.

Great Wolf Lodge

Kansas City also makes a wonderful destination and is just close enough that you won’t have to endure “are we there yet?” for more than a few hours. Great Wolf Lodge is an all-inclusive water park resort with arcades, games, and the cutest camping themed suites that the kids will love. While you’re in Kansas City, take advantage of the shopping, Money Museum, LegoLand and the indoor aquarium for a weekend the family will remember for years.
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HOME Hacks

Simple steps to host your first holiday dinner

Simple steps to host your first holiday dinner

Simple steps to host your first holiday dinnerAfter buying your first home, it is the perfect time to host your inaugural holiday dinner. But don’t worry, it can be far more fun than it is overwhelming. The trick is to find your style and go with it, and some planning ahead doesn’t hurt either. Here are some steps to guide you through holiday hosting success.

Start with a list.

Create multiple lists. One for your guest list, a shopping and food list, and one for decorations and non-edible staples. And start early! If you have a large family, use an online invitation service like www.evites.com to manage invitations, RSVPs, and any updates you need to send during the planning phase. You’ll get notifications when guests commit to attend, and you’ll thank yourself once it’s time to hit the grocery store.

Pick your style.

Are you feeling a formal dinner, a buffet, or simply paper plates to ease the cleanup? Knowing what kind of feel you want with your meal will help decide your menu. If you’re loving the idea of self-serve, these buffet warmers are an absolute must (and they’ll be extra useful during The Superbowl and future parties).

Buffet warmers are a great tool for hosting events at your home.
BestProducts.com

Self-Serve Drinks

Unless you really dream of running back and forth to the kitchen to refill drinks, consider setting up a chic self-serve bar area. Trust us, guests will actually appreciate getting their own drinks instead of gathering the confidence to ask for a refill. Check out some DIY bar pointers here.

A self-serve drink station is perfect for hosting events at your home.
WhatsCookingAmerica.net

Decorations

They don’t need to be time consuming to set the mood. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time cooking. But a few well-placed decorations will add a touch of magic to your holiday dinner. Consider something like this: festive colors, cloth napkins, and finally a really great use for cranberries that isn’t sauce. Placecards are the simplest way to add a whole lot of class to any dinner (with minimal effort).

Place holders are nice when hosting an event at your home.
CountryLiving.com

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy. Every detail that you’re sweating will probably go unnoticed by guests who are having a great time. Enjoy your meal, enjoy your guests, and relish in the holiday cheer in your home. Eat, drink, and be merry!
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HOME Hacks

11 tips to declutter before the holidays

11 tips to declutter before the holidays

11 tips to declutter before the holidaysLet’s be honest, the holidays are stressful. Parties, planning, coordinating schedules, cooking, wrapping—there just never seems to be enough time. But here we are, encouraging you to add one more thing to that list: decluttering. The beauty of decluttering before the holiday season is that it actually saves you time in the long run. Everything on your to-do list will run more smoothly in a tidy, organized, home. Take a little extra time now, and you can pat yourself on the back later. Here’s a list of things to start with:

  • Coat closets can benefit from a quick purge. Sort coats and outer wear that no longer fit; you might be surprised at how many there are.
  • The rest of your closets can use a clean sweep too. It doesn’t have to be a massive overhaul, but take out everything you haven’t worn in at least six months.
  • Under the bed is a great place to store things like wrapping paper after the holidays. So, get under there now, and make sure it’s tidy.
  • Traveling between families this season? Get your car in order with a quick declutter and vacuum session. Then hang bags for trash on the back of seats to keep the car clean while traveling.
  • We have three words for the toy room: purge, purge, purge. Between Santa, grandparents, and friends, the kids will be bringing quite a haul of new toys home. Get rid of as much as you can now—the fewer toys you have, the more kids will play with the ones they do have.
  • You’ll be cooking and storing an array of delicious foods this season, so give the fridge a clean out. Throw out old food and condiments, and wipe down shelves and drawers.
  • Now is the time to finally get control of your Tupperware. Get rid of mismatched bowls and extra lids, then buy a few packs of cheap Tupperware sets to send home with guests.
  • It might not be at the top of your radar, but your DVDs can use a good declutter. Winter break is perfect time to pop in a movie, so get every DVD in the right case, and clear out any movies you never watch.
  • Purses and backpacks easily become cluttered, especially this time of year. Clean them out now, and enjoy starting fresh for the new year.
  • One of the scariest places in the house is the junk drawer. Instead of closing the drawer in disgust, clean it. Place silverware organizers in to keep pens and other necessities at arms’ reach.
  • Lastly, don’t just stuff your garbage bin with the results of all of that purging. Donate it! It is the season of giving, after all.
Categories
General Real Estate

Holiday home selling tips

Holiday Home Selling Tips

Holiday Home Selling Tips
There are a number of great reasons that buyers choose to look for homes during the holiday season, so don’t let the dropping temperatures keep you in a house until spring when you’re ready to sell. If you’re ready to move, you can list, sell, buy, and keep your sanity this Christmas season … plus enjoy the holidays too! Keep these simple tips in mind, and you’ll have a little something extra to be thankful for this season.

Plan a trip.

Instead of bringing in a load of new toys this Christmas, let the kids choose a close destination for a holiday trip. Of course, you can still treat them to a few presents, but limiting the amount of new things you bring into the home will limit clutter, not to mention make packing easier when it’s time to move. Try getting the kids something they need, want, and wear, and let the rest of the presents be a memory making mini-vacation.

Don’t go overboard with decorating.

It’s tempting, we know, and nobody wants to be a Scrooge during Christmas. But buyers need to be able to visualize the home as their own, so your family’s decorations on every shelf and table will only be a distraction. A few holiday touches here and there will add a nice staging effect, but try to keep your home as open and uncluttered as possible.

Just say no.

There’s great news about selling your home during the holidays—you don’t have to host dinner! Finally, you have a perfectly valid reason to pass until next year. You’re already doing enough cleaning and upkeep while your house is listed, so as welcome as extra guests are they’re a little more work than you should take on right now. Instead, offer to make a few extra recipes for your meal.

Shovel.

Don’t forget to keep your sidewalks and driveways clear of snow. Keep an eye on the weather reports in advance so you’re not caught off guard. Agents and buyers alike will appreciate walking up a clear driveway, and it certainly makes a great first impression for your home.

Stay warm.

A little bit of heat goes a long way. If you can, keep the house a little warmer than you normally would, just enough to make it extra cozy for buyers coming in from the cold. A comfortably warm house will instantly feel like home and give the buyers a chance to look around without shivering.

Trust an expert.

Of course, always use your agent’s expertise. Housing markets are constantly changing, so your Realtor will be your best resource when it comes to pricing your home, finding buyers, and getting your listing winter-ready. So use his or her knowledge, and relax while you enjoy this beautiful season.

Categories
HOME Hacks

Christmas Tree Care

Christmas Tree Care

Christmas Tree CareReal Christmas trees add a hint of magic to your home during the holidays. While a high-end artificial tree can be beautiful, it just lacks that authentic aroma and traditional satisfaction. That’s why more than 25 million Americans buy one each year, and why 350 million Christmas trees are growing right this minute in the United States. We’ve put together a simple guide to caring for your live Christmas tree so you can enjoy it all season long:

Be a careful shopper

Deals and discounts are tempting, but for a tree that’s going to last you’ll want to choose a reputable farm or nursery. Take a look around the store before you buy–are there tree needles covering the floor? Then you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. Trees that drop needles before you even buy them have a higher chance of covering your living room carpet in needles also. Look for the most popular types of trees, like Douglas fir or Scotch pine, and ask a sales associate all of your questions.

A quick cut

If the tree hasn’t been recently cut, you’ll want to take just a little off the trunk once you get it home. This will help with water absorption and keep your tree happy and healthy. Then get ready to water! A freshly cut Christmas tree can guzzle a gallon of water in the first day, so keep its thirst quenched!

Avoid the Heat

You’ll also want to keep your tree away from any source of heat. Obviously near a fireplace is a dangerous home for your new tree, but did you know that any source of heat (like vents, heaters, and even sunlight) can raise the temperature and shorten its lifespan? Keep the tree calm, cool, and collected … and away from direct sunlight.

Avoid Additives

There are a number of additives you can add to your tree water. Some are store-bought, and some are just myths (like aspirin, or honey). There’s little evidence that adding anything to the water will prolong the life of your tree. After all, the tree is just really thirsty. Keep it watered, and feel the needles often to make sure they aren’t drying out.

Get Creative

When the holiday season has passed and you’re ready to recycle your tree, you have plenty of options. Many locations, like Holmes Lake, offer a tree drop-off site for recycling. But you can use your tree as well. Use it for a wood burning fireplace, kindling, a place for birds to roost in a large yard, or even sew the needles into a potpourri pillow. Whichever you choose, make sure your tree gets used as a resource instead of just discarded.

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Community Information

The Most Spectacular Light Displays Near You

Spectacular Holiday Light Displays Near Lincoln, NE

Spectacular Holiday Light Displays Near Lincoln, NEFinding the best Christmas light displays is one of the least stressful traditions you can partake in this holiday season. All you need is a car full of loved ones, a little bit of gas in the tank, and enough hot chocolate to go around. Of course, your favorite Christmas music is also a delightful necessity to set the mood. But once you have all of those things in order, the rest is easy, especially if you use our list to guide you to the most spectacular light displays near you.

The State Capitol

The State Capitol, located in downtown Lincoln, is open every day for the rest of the year except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Capitol’s indoor Christmas tree display is the perfect way to incorporate a bit of history into your Christmas light search. The annual Christmas tree at the Capitol is the Nebraska version of the Rockefeller tree. Not nearly as tall, but still a tradition you won’t want to miss. The tree arrives the first week of December and is decorated to represent Nebraska’s 93 counties.

Stuhr Museum

Another indoor option is the Stuhr Museum located in Grand Island. Now thru January 4th, the Stuhr Museum offers a Fantasy of Trees Exhibit that showcases dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m , and admission will definitely fit into your budget with winter season pricing ranging by age from $4-$6, and everyone five and under free!

Omaha

If you live in Omaha, or you’re just feeling like a little drive, you can’t miss the Christmas displays lighting the way through the Old Market. You can even stop to eat at one of the many popular restaurants in downtown Omaha, or simply drive through and enjoy the white twinkle lights that almost seem to make winter just a little bit warmer. While you’re there, you can check out some other Omaha festivities, as shared by our sister company, CBSHOME.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo

If you have little kids who need a little more entertaining than just driving around town, try the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. It’s an outdoor event, so you’ll still get to enjoy all that winter has to offer, and it’s open December 1-4, 9-11, and 16-18. You’ll need to purchase a ticket, but you’ll get to enjoy Christmas lights, decorations, hot chocolate, elves, and even Santa Claus. You can find more details about The North Pole Express here.

Keep it Simple

If all you really need to keep you happy is a drive through town, then check out the Journal Star’s 2015 list of the best light displays. It’s a good bet that these houses will rise to the occasion again this year with whimsical Christmas displays.
But the best place to start is your own neighborhood (and maybe even your own home if you’re feeling creative). Start on your home turf and branch out from there. Just don’t forget to drive through a few of the nativity scenes at local churches. There are a number to choose from, but Southern Heights Presbyterian Church hosts a living nativity December 15-16, and Piedmont Park Seventh Day Adventist Church offers a Journey to Bethlehem.