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JANUARY 2024
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
2023 Melvie Awards
And the Melvie goes to …
Yes, it is that time of year again. In December, the recipients received their coveted Melvie via special delivery. As usual, the competition was fierce. Thankfully, no one was slapped. The following are the winning categories. 1. Stephen and Ben — Fastest Buyers 2. Jon — The Price is Right Award 3. Dr. Holly — Best TV Doc 4. Frank and Kamie — Best Relo From Arizona 5. Frank and Lynne — Best Referral From Arizona Relo 6. Lee and Leigh — Best Family Referral 7. James and Carmen — Best OLS Investors 8. Fireman Phil — Best Shape – Retired 9. Kent — Christian Leadership Award (My Mentor) 10. Will and Jill — Best Rhyming Names 11. Victor and Donna — Best Couple Video Testimonial 12. Tommy and Carolyn — Shortest Move 13. Wes and Merrick — Most Prudent 14. John — Best Commercial Agent 15. Nick and Lizzie — The Gift That Keeps Giving 16. Andrew and Megan — Wearing Melvin Shirt to Block Party 17. Ashley — Bestie Referral Award 18. Bonny — Best Speculative Investment 19. Casey and Heather — Best Repeat Clients 20. Chase and Ashley — Best Review and Most Savings ($41,500)
27. Patrick and Monica — Best International Clients 28. Gayla — Best Sister Referral 29. Tammy and Craig — Most Knowledgeable Homewood Clients 30. Natalie — Best Referral from Florida 31. Mike and Mary — Best New OLS Client 32. Owen — Best Athlete – Ultra Marathoner 33. Laura and Noah — Best Mother and Son Team 34. Zac and Kelsey — Best Pastor Award 35. Bill and Patti — Best Mom and Dad Award 36. John — Best Accountant 37. Colin and Brittany — Best First-Time Buyers and Parents 38. Stan and Paula — Most Energetic Couple 39. Dave and Linda — Sweetest Couple Award 40. Jenni — Best Condo Redo Award 41. Shea and Gerald — Daughter Should Be in Commercials Award 42. Chris — Most Contracts on one House! 43. Kristen — Biggest Heart 44. Becky — Best Mom – Raised the Best Kids 45. Martha and Michael — Nicest Couple and Family 46. Grace and Jon — Best Babysitter in the World 47. Vee and Prabha — Good Things come to those who wait!
21. Freddie — 2 Freddies Are Better Than 1 22. Mark and Katie — Best Relative Referral
23. Shannon — Best Daughter and Best Mom Award 24. Kaitlyn and Zach — Best First-Time Homebuyers 25. Kirk and Marion — Longest Time Between Moves 26. Raghuram and Yasolatha — Best Move From Detroit
48. Adam and Kelli — Best Pastor Client Referral 49. Jas and Harpreet — Best Doctor Referrer
–Melvin Upchurch
• 1 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
The Fridge Makeover You’ve Been Waiting For Get Organized in 3 Easy Steps!
Chase Away the Winter Chill Transform Your Space With Cozy Comfort!
A kitchen is only as organized as its refrigerator, so no matter how many air-tight and labeled containers line your pantry, it’s all for naught if your fridge looks like the inside of a middle school locker. We get it: A refrigerator is hard to keep organized. There are solids, liquids, and maybe stinky gases from long-forgotten leftovers. So, in a space where people are constantly taking, moving, and spilling, is organizing a refrigerator a hopeless endeavor? Of course not! By following these easy organization tips, anyone can take their refrigerator from chaotic to cool. No. 1: Put those bins in your fridge, too! There seems to be a disconnect between organizing the pantry and the fridge. While many people love to use clear bins to keep their cabinets and pantries tidy, they never cross the threshold to the refrigerator. Plastic organization bins can serve the same purpose in a refrigerator as everywhere else! And just like you might do for pantry bins, we advise labeling fridge bins with what’s inside them so you won’t have to constantly pull them out. No. 2: Keep the herbs out of it. While produce drawers are great in theory, bunches of parsley, cilantro, basil, and the like often end up yellow and wilted — sometimes after just one use! To free up space in your fridge and get more use out of your herbs, treat them like flowers. Don’t stick them in the refrigerator; instead, put the ends in a large glass of water so they stay fresh, which can prevent you from throwing out rotting herbs every few weeks. No. 3: Take it off (the outer packaging, that is)! Many of the refrigerated products we buy come in big, bulky packages that, when removed, reveal the item is individually wrapped, too! Save yourself space by removing any outer packaging before placing items in the fridge. Then, once you have your bins placed, herbs watered, and outer packages removed, we recommend using the “zone, label, stack” method. Put similar items in specific “zones,” label them, then stack them with the largest items on the bottom!
Starting now and into the next few months, the one thing most places have in common is a chilly outside temperature. In fact, in January 2023, the average temperature in the U.S. was 35 degrees F! So, it’s no wonder most people stay inside where it’s toasty, and part of the enjoyment in doing so is that cozy feeling a warm home in a cold winter can bring us. But what if, despite your heater running, your home doesn’t feel all that cozy? Feeling cozy can involve blankets, hot chocolate, or crackling fires, but everyone’s preferences differ. Here are a few things anyone can do to up the cozy factor in their space this winter. No. 1: You have a cold home if you have a cold floor. By this, we mean if you don’t have rugs on your hard floors, you’re losing out on some major cozy points. Rugs make you feel warmer and more comfortable when your feet land on something other than ice-cold tile and make rooms appear fuller! No. 2: Nature brings warmth. During those colder months, it’s likely many plants aren’t thriving outside. Everything holds that bare-bones appearance, which leaves cold, empty space. Our brains associate organic materials, like wood, foliage, fruits, and vegetables, with warm weather because that’s when they grow! So, when the outside lacks a natural glow, bring the warmth inside by adding something organic to every room. No. 3: Fluff it up! And finally, there is no feeling cozier than a soft blanket or our pet’s fluffy fur against our skin. We want to feel enveloped by these fluffy things, so a great way to make your space cozier is to switch out those thin throws or beaded or smooth pillows, and opt for softer textures. Choose towels and blankets you feel like you can sink into!
By applying these three pillars of cozy living, you can create an indoor space you’ll never want to leave this winter.
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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 examples of six creative, simple, and affordable DIY firepits 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 firepit is ready for action. 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 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. Propane Gas Firepit Table If you’re looking for something less traditional and more controlled, you can create a propane gas firepit table. Though it requires more technical know-how and costs a bit more, it’s a fantastic long-term investment.
TAKE A BREAK
World’s Best Brownies
Ingredients
• 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)
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.
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205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
2023 Melvie Awards
2
Winter’s Best-Kept Secrets: How to Cozy Up Your Home
Fridge Frustration? Try These Easy Tips for a Tidy Refrigerator!
3
Firepits You Can Build Yourself
World’s Best Brownies
4
Home Renovation Made Simple
Beginner’s Guide to Floating Shelves
IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!
Those trendy floating shelves you see all over Instagram aren’t as difficult to craft as you think! Perfect for any minimalist, plant lover, or beginner renovator, floating shelves are your answer to easy storage and decor. For simple floating shelves, follow these steps. Cut your wood. Depending on how long you want your shelves to be, the length of your wooden boards will vary. Take your time and decide what would work best for your space. Once you decide on the right measurements, cut your boards.
Attach corner braces. On the flat bottom of the board, secure your corner braces with screws. You can paint your corner braces the same color as your wall to really make your shelves look like they float! Secure your new shelves! Use painter’s tape to outline where you want your shelves to float. Once your lines are straight, drill holes where you will be securing your corner braces. Screw your shelf into the wall where you drilled your holes, then you’re done!
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