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www.HuskeysPaint.com | (828) 214-7100 | May 2025
Sylva, NC · Buncombe County, NC · Jackson County, NC · Swain County, NC · Haywood County, NC · Macon County, NC · Transylvania, NC
We blinked, and May arrived! It’s incredible how quickly time flies, especially with many readers likely gearing up to celebrate a family member’s high school or college graduation. As joyous as graduation season is for many people, it can also be a time of stress over everything from organizing parties to updating loved ones and friends on details. To help remove some of the traditional graduation day guesswork, I’d like to share a few pointers to make this time of year as relaxing, organized, and memorable as possible. First, let’s start with the people participating in the graduate’s big day. Determining whom to invite to the commencement ceremony can be tricky, as some venues limit the number of attendees. Although your family may qualify for an exception based on its unique setup, ceremony tickets are typically reserved for immediate family members and grandparents. Of course, anyone unable to secure a spot at the ceremony can be invited to the graduation party. Once you set a date, send out invitations at least six weeks in advance, allowing attendees to sort out their schedules and travel arrangements. If you’re invited to the graduation ceremony, giving the graduate a gift is good form. Unless you know them well enough to give a special gift, cash or gift cards are always appreciated. These days, even the most qualified new member of the workplace may struggle to find ideal employment, so a little extra financial support — however small — can help provide them with comfort as they pursue their goals. COMMENCEMENT COUNTDOWN Smart Strategies for a Special Time
Sometimes, your list of friends and relatives is too long or geographically disparate to expect everyone to attend the party. In this case, sending them graduation announcements can be a nice way to keep everyone looped in without imposing financial or logistical burdens. An announcement is also a great way to highlight the graduate’s accomplishments and future plans, and you can send it before or after the ceremony or party. Announcements are generally casual and presented in a way that doesn’t suggest the recipient needs to send a gift — although they certainly still could if they choose! If you’re having trouble figuring out who should receive an announcement, the Etiquette School of America suggests using your holiday card list for inspiration or limiting the recipients to people the graduate knows personally or would recognize. Most of all, you want to ensure the graduate enjoys their day — even if that means they don’t stay at their celebration for long. With so many of their friends graduating simultaneously, they may likely want to attend other graduation parties or events on the same day as their own. Allow your guest of honor to step away if needed — plenty of other people are there to celebrate on their behalf! The Etiquette School of America also offers advice for this situation, recommending that a graduate with multiple demands spend at least 45 minutes at their party before departing for another. That’s a lot of ideas and information, but I hope this message helps you and your graduate have the best celebration imaginable. Congratulations to the Class of 2025! May all their hopes and dreams come true.
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— Trent Huskey
(828) 214-7100
www.HuskeysPaint.com
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The Hottest Curb Appeal Trends of 2025 Front Yard Facelift
First impressions are everything, and when it comes to your home,
Doors With Character Your front door can serve as a grand entrance when you go for something with a lot of character. Pump some personality into your entryway by adding decorative trim or painting your door an interesting color. You could also replace a typical door with a unique vintage one. Bare Brick If your home is brick, you’re in luck. Bare brick is a popular style this year, beating out painted brick, a popular option in the past. Red brick can shine if you paint the window trim or add new shutters. Though its natural state is attractive and easier to maintain, you can also paint it a darker color that works well with your roof. Natural Landscaping Native landscaping is a wonderful way to highlight the natural beauty of your community and is also good for the environment. The idea is to create a more self-sustaining outdoor setting with beneficial plants, healthy soil, and solid rainwater management. Standout features are rainwater gardens, fruits and vegetables, cisterns, and wildlife walkways.
curb appeal sets the tone before anyone even steps inside. Whether you want to sell your house, refresh your entryway, or give your neighbors something nice to look at, keeping up with this year’s biggest trends can give
your space that wow factor. From bold colors to statement doors, 2025 is all about turning heads and creating an outdoor facade that steals the show. Get ready to make a sidewalk statement with these must-try curb appeal trends. Bold Colors Statement colors aren’t just for accents in the living room anymore! This year, homeowners are diving into a playful palette of brighter, more vibrant hues for their exterior walls. Think bold blues, striking copper reds, and gorgeous green tones. Create a splash with colors that provide striking contrasts or tone down with subtle shifts in hues. You can create a cohesive look by pairing your big colors with a similar theme indoors. If your living room feels more “meh” than “zen,” it might be time to take a page from the Japanese design book. With its sleek lines, contemporary flare, historical elements, and notes from nature, this design style helps create a serene and stylish space. Blur the lines of outdoors and indoors by adding plants into your living room or creating a peaceful backyard garden. Textures like wood, bamboo, and marble continue the nature theme throughout your home. Say “Konnichiwa” to minimalism, as this design aesthetic embraces simple, small furniture in neutral colors. Keep your decorations, art, and other items purposeful to create a tranquil setting. Clutter is the opposite of this design style’s core ethos, so less is more. Focus on one or two vintage statement pieces, as Japanese design honors history and the past. Keep it simple, stylish and zen-sational! FROM MEH TO ZEN The Art of Japanese-Inspired Living Spaces
By embracing the latest curb appeal trends, you create a welcoming and stylish space that stands out for all the right reasons.
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www.HuskeysPaint.com
(828) 214-7100
A great kitchen is the secret ingredient to the perfect home-cooked meal, but it might be the ideal time for a remodel if yours feels a little bland. Whether your cabinets are stuck in the past or your kitchen decor is beyond its best-by date, a kitchen upgrade can take you from groans to gourmet. But before you start whisking up big plans, it’s essential to devise a solid strategy to keep your project from boiling over. Let’s get cooking! Researching the Recipe Whether you want to handle most of the project yourself or hire professionals, it is essential to do your research. Decide what aesthetic or specific features you want to focus on so you can provide examples to contractors or start getting inspiration online. If hiring a professional, look at their portfolio to see if their qualifications match your kitchen goals. Get several quotes to compare and find the right team for your remodel — or do it yourself. Planning With a Fully Baked Budget A kitchen remodel can be costly, with an estimated average cost of about $25,000. To create a perfectly baked budget, keep in mind the size of the space, your desired materials, and how drastically you want to change the layout. If you plan to remove walls or install new flooring, you must increase your budget. You can keep your costs down by tackling many of the tasks DIY-style with budget- friendly materials. Carefully consider big purchases, like new appliances or an island, but don’t forget to calculate for the little things, like nails and hardware. Prepping the Perfect Plan Once you know your goals and budget, create a project timeline and plan. Choose the cabinets, appliances, decor, and other items you want, as well as backup options, so the project stays on track if a product is delayed. Record different measurements in your kitchen, like counter heights, so you have that information handy. If you are making structural changes like plumbing or electrical, contact your local municipality to apply for permits. A RECIPE FOR RENOVATION TIPS FOR A WELL-PLANNED KITCHEN UPGRADE
Bloom Cinco Derby Emerald
Gemini Graduation Lily Memorial
Mother Roses
Teacher Veterans Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS
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1 boneless beef chuck roast (about 2 lbs) 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped 2 medium sweet red peppers, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 8-oz can unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
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1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tbsp packed brown sugar 2 tbsp white vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced
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1/2 tsp pepper 3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp water
24 lettuce leaves for serving
DIRECTIONS
1. In 4- or 5-quart slow cooker, combine roast, carrots, peppers, and onion. 2. In small bowl, stir together the next 6 ingredients; pour over roast. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Remove roast, let cool slightly, then shred. 4. Skim fat from cooking juices, then transfer juices and vegetables to a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. 5. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water, stir mixture into juices, and cook 3–4 minutes until sauce is thickened. 6. Return beef, sauce, and vegetables to slow cooker; cook for 10–15 minutes. 7. Serve beef in lettuce leaves.
(828) 214-7100
www.HuskeysPaint.com
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
P.O. Box 261, Whittier, NC 28789
Clean - Courteous Painters - You Can Trust!
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Make a Special Celebration Shine
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Home Sweet Stunning Where Nature Meets Neutral
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Cooking Up a Timely Remodeling Plan Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups
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Mother’s Day Breakfast Ideas to Wow Mom
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TREAT MOM TO A MAGICAL MORNING The Ultimate Mother’s Day Breakfast Plan We should all show appreciation for the moms in our lives
Present it beautifully. You can elevate even a simple breakfast with a few thoughtful additions. Ditch the disposables and use real plates, silverware, and linen napkins. Deliver the breakfast with care on a lovely tray accompanied by a small vase of flowers. Keep everything organized neatly, and include a handwritten card or note to add a heartfelt message to the meal. Make it a team effort. Get the whole family involved — minus Mom, of course! Even young kids can pitch in by spreading butter, arranging fruit, or folding napkins. Older kids can help out more with the actual cooking. To make Mother’s Day morning stress-free for everyone, do prep work the night before. Chop fruit, prepare the coffeemaker, and premix the pancake batter. And don’t forget the cleanup. Working as a team to wash dishes and put things away will ensure a dirty kitchen doesn’t ruin Mom’s special day when she gets up. Remember, you don’t have to prepare the perfect meal to make Mother’s Day memorable. It’s all about showing your love and appreciation. The holiday is an opportunity to bring the entire family together to create a special moment for the most important woman in your life.
year-round, but Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to do something extra special. For many busy moms, a relaxing, stress-free breakfast in bed is the ultimate treat. But Mother’s Day breakfast doesn’t have to be an over-the-top display or super complicated to prepare. A little planning, a few thoughtful details, and helping hands
make all the difference.
Start with a menu she’ll love. Mother’s Day breakfast in bed should be simple but meaningful. Breakfast go-tos like pancakes and French toast are delicious and easy to make, and you can add a parfait or fresh fruit and a cup of freshly squeezed juice for a special touch. If she loves eggs and toast, go in that direction. Preparing Mom’s favorite dish or incorporating ingredients that remind her of a family tradition can take the meal to the next level.
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www.HuskeysPaint.com
(828) 214-7100
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