Take a look at our January newsletter!
JANUARY 2024
A Time of Memories and Goals LOOKING FORWARD AND BACK
The start of a new year is always the time when I remember the past and look ahead to the future. Do you remember what it was like to celebrate the holidays when you were younger? When I was a kid growing up, I was always excited for every holiday. I have so many great memories of New Year’s Eve. My parents hosted people at the house to celebrate the new year. During those celebrations, I would either have a bunch of my friends over or go to one of my friends’ houses. We would watch the ball drop, stay up late, and celebrate the changing of the year.
thing with our children. My wife, Nichole, and I love building these traditions with our children — our 7-year-old son, Andrew, and our 16-month-old son, Joseph. Of course, as I look back, I can’t help but look ahead to the great memories yet to be made in 2024 and beyond. Looking forward to 2024, my hopes include having more time with my family, including sharing trips to build more of those memories together. On the business side, I’m looking forward to continuing to build on our fun and productive company culture. I think that’s something that sets us apart in the market. When I tell people that we have a very happy team, and that’s what sets us apart, I explain to them what I mean.
have better strategies. We want to continue to grow our company culture.
Looking forward is a big part of what I do all year long. I have a journal with goals for the following six months and year. This way, I can measure the present and focus on my desired future. One of the constants for me through time is the love I have for what we do day to day and the fact that I get to serve my team members and clients. That’s the biggest thing. I’m not just focused on individual goals. We are building for the future with more than 35 employees, helping them and creating a nice and productive workplace for team members — a place where they support their families. Having an atmosphere where people want to be for the long haul means a lot to me. As you celebrate the start of 2024, I hope that you have plenty of chances in the year ahead to create new memories with your loved ones, along with opportunities to reach your dreams.
I was 12 years old when we changed over from 1999 to 2000. That’s
When our team members are happy, their performance is
when there was all the talk about Y2K and what would happen, which made the new year even more fun.
better all the way around. They enjoy what they’re doing, and that makes a big difference.
Did You Know We’re offering 15% off tree trimming, leaf removal, and stump grinding services this winter! Plus, all existing clients receive an additional 5% off! These spots fill up quickly, so book early. Call 812-345-5694 to schedule your service before this deal is gone!
Traditions are important. And the
Peter Drucker talks about the importance of
fun part is that they stick with you through time, creating these amazing milestones you can reflect on. We’re doing the same
company culture. As part of that, he says that
companies with strong cultures outperform others that may
—Anthony Hilb
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The Value of Year- Round Maintenance Keeping Up with Your Yard
White noise
is commonly used to help people fall asleep, but now, more people are using it to increase their concentration
during the workday. By providing a consistent background sound, white noise can mask environmental distractions like chattering, traffic, or intermittent noises that may otherwise disturb concentration. Here are a few benefits of utilizing white noise in your day. Calming Effect White noise, especially calm nature sounds, exerts a soothing effect on the mind, providing a stable auditory environment that reduces sudden distractions. The calming influence can help you feel more positive and enable the mind to transition to a more conducive state for a deeper focus on work or study. Boosts Concentration White noise boosts concentration by increasing background neural “noise” in the brain, which helps essential neural signals to stand out and be detected, which can enhance cognitive performance. This can be particularly useful when you need to train your attention while tackling complex problems. Enhances Creativity Some studies suggest that moderate white noise can improve creativity and imaginative thinking. It keeps the idea gateway open during the generative process and enables you to think freely and develop novel solutions. Whether you’re studying, working, or engaging in creative endeavors, the benefits of white noise extend to a wide range of activities, making it a versatile tool for enhancing focus.
It’s natural to have mixed emotions about the colder winter months. On the one hand, if you don’t like the cold and snow, you might be disappointed to see fall freeze into winter. On the other, it’s not uncommon for people to see the upside of winter — being able to spend less time on yard work and more of their energy on other interests. That said, there is a lot of value in continuing your yard maintenance efforts. As I always say, keeping up with everything in your yard is better than catching up. We have people who call us every three years to work in their yards. Of course, as a full-service lawn care, tree removal, and landscaping company, we are here to help in any way we can. However, if you are catching up on yard maintenance, including tree trimming, you spend more money than if you get care throughout the year.
By taking little steps to maintain your yard, you can keep your property in great shape all year or at least nine months of the year.
And even though we offer tree service all year, winter is one of the best times to do tree work. And that maintenance on trees can save you in other ways, too. When you identify and remove dead branches on your trees, you can head off issues arising when wind or ice storms come through and pull those limbs down in unpredictable ways. When your yard maintenance needs are left over time, they can cause other issues. We’re here for you to answer any questions you may have and be your resource.
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PLANNING YOUR YARD’S MAKEOVER? GET STARTED NOW FOR A GREENER SPRING
Watering Best Practices We recommend that you water your plants in the morning. Watering at night will draw more bugs to your plants, as insects are more active at night. And if you water during the afternoon, a lot of the water typically evaporates due to the heat. Stay Consistent Another important reminder is to follow the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” You can get a new plant or tree, follow all the steps perfectly, and, for whatever reason, it won’t survive the way you want. It’s not unusual that you will need to try multiple times to have your new plants take root and start to thrive. The same principle of persistence and patience also applies if you are having professional lawn treatments applied. When you begin a lawn treatment program, you won’t hire a company and then see instant perfection. It can take a few years to reach the desired results.
Even though we’re in the
middle of winter, now is a great time to plan for your yard. You might have a big overhaul in mind or
be looking to tweak and refresh only a section of your yard. Either way, there are some helpful tips you can keep in mind to enhance your chances for success when the sun moves back north and warm weather returns.
Following the Fundamentals First, let’s look at planting basics. If your yard refresh plans include planting new pieces, use fresh topsoil and stay on top of the prescribed watering schedules for your plants and trees.
It’s never too early to plan for planting success. With care, patience, and persistence, you can help your yard spring forward with new life.
CHECK IT OUT! We also offer junk hauling!
World’s Best Brownies
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. 2. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 3. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then add melted chocolate mixture and blend well. 4. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. 5. Gradually add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring until blended, then stir in nuts if desired. 6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. 7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• •
2/3 cup butter
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
• • • • • • •
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Call for More Information!
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
812-345-5694 BLOOMINGTONLANDSCAPE.COM ANTHONYSTREEREMOVAL.COM
PO Box 5427 · Bloomington, IN 47407 What’s Inside?
1 Milestones in Time 2 White Noise: Your Secret to Enhanced Concentration Ongoing Care Is Best for Your Lawn 3
Help Your Yard Blossom World’s Best Brownies 4
Firepits You Can Build Yourself
Fire Up Your Backyard With These DIY Firepit Ideas
Winter is in full swing, and there’s no better way to enjoy your outdoor space than with a warm, inviting firepit. Whether you’re looking for a small project to start the weekend or want to transform your backyard into the ultimate relaxation hub, DIY firepit ideas have got you covered. Here are six creative, simple, and affordable DIY firepit ideas you can tackle in a weekend. The Classic Stone Firepit The classic stone firepit is always in style. You can make one with stones from your yard or pick up a few at a local landscaping store. The key is to dig a hole about 12 inches deep and line it with gravel. Then, arrange the stones in a circle around the hole. Make sure you leave an opening for airflow. Upcycled Washing Machine Drum For those who like to repurpose items, consider using an old washing machine drum
as the base of your new firepit. These perforated drums allow for excellent airflow and a unique fire display. Attach legs to the drum, paint it, and your new fire pit is ready for action.
door, and plan the layout. Construct the firepit first,
then create a seating area around it using wooden benches or large stones.
Barbecue Firepit Combo Why not combine functionality with entertainment? Build a standard stone or brick firepit but include a removable grill top. This way, your firepit can also act as a grill, making your outdoor gatherings twice as fun.
The Square Firepit You can also opt for a square firepit if your space allows. This idea gives you more room for seating and adds a modern twist to the traditional firepit design. Lay down a gravel bed, then arrange cinderblocks in a square shape. Fill the center with fire-safe rocks or glass, and you’re ready to go. Firepit With Seating Area This idea takes it up a notch by including a built-in seating area. Mark your firepit area and path, whether leading from a patio or
Propane Gas Firepit Table If you’re looking for something less
traditional and more controlled, you can create a gas firepit table. Though it requires more technical know-how and costs a bit more, it’s a fantastic long-term investment.
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