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DECEMBER 2023
Our Family’s Favorite Holiday Traditions DECK THE HALLS AND PASS THE COOKIES
You probably realize by now I love holidays, so it should be no surprise that I’m a big fan of Christmas. The tree goes up not very long after Thanksgiving, and I naturally like to deck the halls with indoor and outdoor decorations. My older son, Andrew, loves to help. In fact, he loves just about everything about Christmas. One of our family’s favorite things to do around the holidays is to visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum for their annual Breakfast With Santa event. There’s a big buffet breakfast, crafts for the kids, and opportunities to sit on Santa’s lap and take pictures. My parents joined us last year, and sharing the tradition with them was fun.
car. He’s pretty happy with whatever he gets. I’m sure it will change as he gets older, but in the meantime, it’s heartwarming to see his innocent and unconditional gratitude. While Andrew isn’t picky, he’s no less excited for Christmas morning. He’s still awake at 5 or 6 in the morning like most kids his age and ready to rip open wrapping paper. He might not have asked for anything special, but he still wants to see what Santa brought. We travel up north to see my big Italian family for Christmas. My parents have 10 grandchildren, including Andrew and Joseph. Though some of those “kids” are now
often mused that we need a storage unit just for gifts.
Food is always a big part of the holidays. We always enjoy a big Christmas breakfast and dinner feast. We also stay full throughout the day with my mom’s many Christmas treats, including my favorite, Reese’s peanut butter cookies. Everyone loves them, and we once had fun by letting Andrew be “naughty” and eat the cookies he left out for Santa. It’s also not Christmas without Christmas movies. “Elf,” “Christmas Vacation,” and “A Christmas Story” are all must-watch films during December. Andrew particularly loves “Home Alone” and a newer movie called “The Christmas Chronicles.” I also love the live-action version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with Jim Carrey. It makes me laugh every time! All of us at Anthony’s Lawn Care and Landscaping wish you and your family a happy holiday season. I hope you spend it with the people you love and make beautiful new memories. Our team looks forward to seeing you in the new year!
Andrew is a sweet kid, and a few years ago, when Santa asked what he wanted, he said he already had everything he needed. Now, that’s an answer that tugs at the heartstrings! He doesn’t ask for much for
adults, it’s a lot of fun to have them all together and experience their
youthful excitement. The only problem is that it looks like a tornado hit after the presents are opened. We parents get to figure out
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!
Christmas, and his few requests are generic, like a remote control
what to do with all the
new toys and have
—Anthony Hilb
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Homeowners take the time to mow their lawns and weed their flowerbeds but frequently don’t give their trees the same TLC. But the leafy giants in our yards need maintenance, too! Regular tree trimming is the most effective way to keep trees on your property in good shape. In case you don’t believe us, we are sharing five excellent reasons why pruning is essential. Aesthetics Messy or unbalanced tree limbs can make your home look shabby and undermine the other hard work you’ve put into landscaping. Your trees are a bit like your hair in that they need a trim now and then to keep their shape and continue looking sharp. Health Most trees will develop dead or even diseased branches throughout their natural lifespans. Removing these defects 5 Reasons to Trim Your Trees The Secret to a Beautiful and Healthy Landscape can ultimately improve the tree’s overall health by strengthening it and preventing disease from spreading. A poorly maintained tree is more likely to become a dead tree someday. Safety Dead branches aren’t only unsightly or unhealthy — they can be extremely dangerous. Dead limbs are more likely to fall, risking injury to a human, animal, or property. Roof or window damage caused by a tree branch costs much more to repair than preventive maintenance would have. Insurance companies may even deny coverage if they find the tree was improperly maintained. Growth Some people like large, full trees and may worry that trimming could destroy the desired appearance. However, proper pruning actually encourages new growth. Removing dead or unsightly branches allows the tree to dedicate more resources to its other parts and grow fuller. Trimming also promotes new fruit production on fruit trees. Trimming is a must if you want to continue eating fruit from your own yard. View Trees are beautiful, but so is your house! Overgrown trees can block a proper view of your home and make it appear closed off. Meanwhile, overly full branches can prevent you from enjoying the natural sunlight, the view of your neighborhood, or the local scenery. Trimmed trees provide better sight lines. Anthony’s Lawn Care and Landscaping is here to ensure your trees look their best in spring. We’re even offering discounts for tree trimming and removal during winter. Call us today to request your free quote!
Sending Christmas cards is a great way to tell people you’re thinking of them during the holiday season. However, like
everything lately, buying enough Christmas cards for your loved ones is expensive. Store-bought cards can also feel too stiff and formal for our friends and family.
That’s why you should consider making Christmas cards this holiday season! It is more cost-effective and a great way to give your cards a personal
touch that lets friends and family know you care. The best part is that making holiday cards doesn’t have to be laborious or stressful — it’s quick,
easy, and fun!
Don’t believe us? Check out these three easy Christmas cards you and
your family can make at home. Each
card idea is built upon plain white cards!
Washi Tape Cards All you need for this card is a roll of washi tape with any design you wish. Simply cut strips of the washi tape, starting with a longer piece (about 2—3 inches), and place it horizontally across the card near the bottom. Then, build upward using gradually smaller pieces of tape to make a triangle — and that’s it! You’ve successfully created a washi tape tree! You can also draw a tree stump under the longest strip or a star on top. Handprint Cards This Christmas card variation is a favorite for kids to make and family members to receive. Have your child place their hand on the blank card stock and trace their hand with a pencil. Then, cut out the shape of their hand using scissors. Finally, with the cut-out hand facing down (fingers to the ground), have your child decorate it as if it were a tree, drawing ornaments, lights, candy canes, or other decorations. Pipe Cleaner Cards For this card, you need green pipe cleaners and gold stars (like the ones you’d earn in school). Simply twist a pipe cleaner into a tree shape using a zig-zag pattern to form the widest branches at the bottom to the smallest boughs at the top. Glue the pipe cleaner to the card. Finish with a gold star as a tree topper!
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GET A HEAD START ON YOUR DREAM LAWN HOW PLANNING YOUR LANDSCAPING IN WINTER PAYS OFF
shrubbery removal allows us to finalize the project faster in the spring.
will put you at the top of our list. It’s the best way to ensure your landscaping is completed quickly, and you can enjoy the results throughout spring and summer. If you are already considering your summer landscaping plans, we’d love to get involved. Call us today for a quote, and we can perform your services when seasonally appropriate. Whether we can get to work immediately or not, you’ll ensure the fastest turnaround possible.
Most plants remain dormant during winter,
but your landscaping doesn’t have to. People tend to ignore their lawns during cold months and assume they’ll take care of any redesigns or problems in spring. But there’s a fair amount our teams can still accomplish during winter, and there are advantages to getting the work done early. We must wait until warmer weather to begin planting, but removal is a task our team can complete year- round. If you need shrubs or flowerbeds removed from your current landscaping before a spring redesign, we can get a head start on the process. Jump-starting
Meanwhile, winter is the perfect time for tree removal. Our crews can clear the area faster when leaves aren’t in the way. Plus, we have additional availability this time of year, and that can make for great prices. (Tip: See our special discount on the cover!) Whether or not you need removals, requesting a quote and working on an early design plan will pay off. If you wait until spring to call us, we might not have availability to perform the work for several weeks. Calling during winter
CHECK IT OUT! We also offer junk hauling!
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Inspired by TheModernProper.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. 4. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken. 5. Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. 6. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped onion 1 cup sliced celery 2 cups sliced carrots
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp celery seed 1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup milk
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups peas
4 cups cooked chicken 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
Call for More Information!
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1 egg
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PO Box 5427 · Bloomington, IN 47407 What’s Inside? 1 Anthony’s Favorite Time Is Family Time 2
Handcrafted Christmas Cards for Loved Ones 5 Reasons Your Trees Need Regular Trimming 3 Why Winter Is the Ideal Time for Landscape Removals and Redesigns Skillet Chicken Pot Pie 4 Discover the Most Enchanting Christmas Towns in the US
Explore America’s Most Magical Christmas Towns
From Snowy Villages to Year-Round Holiday Cheer
It may be too late for less spontaneous travelers to start planning a Christmas vacation. But that shouldn’t stop you from planning next year’s holiday journey! The good news is you don’t need to venture to another continent to find a Christmas wonderland. There are countless picture- perfect Christmas towns across the country. Make your next Christmas trip feel like a Hallmark movie at one of these festive towns! Leavenworth, Washington Many have dubbed Leavenworth the most Christmas-centric in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. This Bavarian-style village experiences nearly 96 inches of snowfall every year, and they certainly don’t hold back when it comes to the holidays. The town lights up and decorates almost 21 miles, where you can find reindeer farms, carolers, gingerbread competitions, and Christmas markets. Every step of the way
offers an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity! Solvang, California A slice of Denmark right in sunny California, Solvang brings endless holiday cheer, especially with their annual
Street to witness an idyllic Christmas spot filled with cozy small-town shops and restaurants. North Pole, Alaska If you ever feel like celebrating
Christmas in the middle of summer, we know the perfect destination. North Pole, Alaska, offers Christmas decor and festivities year-round! Here, you can get up close and personal with Santa’s reindeer, meet the man himself, and enjoy the snow that covers the entire town. Be sure to check out their ice sculpture competition, which features artists from all over the world! Ready for the Christmas celebration of your dreams? Start planning your next holiday vacation at any of these destinations, and we promise your dreams will most definitely come true!
Julefest. Pronounced “Yule-fest,” this month- long festival takes place every December and features picturesque events, including a ballerina-filled tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, culinary delights, traditional Danish celebrations, and much more! Woodstock, Vermont During Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend, you’ll find the town in peak Christmas mode, where you can experience parades, horse-drawn carriages, carolers, and the Billings Farm, a local favorite of the season. Stroll down Main
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