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M E L V I N ’ S M O N T H L Y M O M E N T S
OCTOBER 2021
205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM
IT IS GETTING HARDER TO KEEP HATING GOLF!
From previous newsletters, I have made it clear that I have had a lifelong, absolute intense and bitter hatred of the game of golf. But, due to my 12-year-old Bram’s love of the sport, I am warming up to it. My family was fortunate enough to attend the PGA Tour Championship (FedExCup) at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend. In Atlanta, face masks are required in most places indoors. At the tournament, there were signs everywhere that, due to COVID, the players would not pose for pictures, sign autographs, or even give high fives or fist bumps. Do not even ask the pros! Bram and about a thousand other kids simply ignored those rather explicit and threatening instructions and held their hands over the rails for some love from the pros, and the pros did not disappoint. Some of Bram’s favorite memories: 1. Bryson DeChambeau gave Bram his hat after the final round, and Bryson autographed the hat. 2. Bram got an additional five signatures on his own PUMA hat: Bryson, Stewart Cink ( 47 years old and from Huntsville), Sergio Garcia, Billy Horschel, and one from the NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico. My favorite was Sergio Garcia. Bram held his hat over the rail and Sergio just ignored him, took about three steps past Bram, shrugged his shoulders, smiled, took out a Sharpie, turned back around, grabbed the hat from Bram, and started walking to the scorers’ table —
4. Tony Finau and Daniel Berger gave Bram their gloves. 5. High fives from the following: Erik van Rooyen, Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Stewart Cink, Sergio Garcia, and Kevin Na. (Noticeably: Patrick Cantlay — the winner, ignored the fans and kids — which seems to be a good strategy for winning. He did make $15 million, so I am going to cut him some slack.) 6. Bram got to stand right by the tee box for the 15th hole — the eighth toughest hole in all of golf — 211 yards straight over water to the green. You are literally a couple of feet from the golfers. 7. The crowd yelling “USA, USA” every time Xander Schauffele finished a round (he won a gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo). 8. Bram got to see lots of his golf friends from Birmingham. 9. Meeting Lisa Cink, the wife of Stewart Cink — and a cancer survivor. We told Lisa how impressed we were with Stewart making the cut into the top 30 players at the ripe old age of 47. She smiled and said she was impressed as well. In conclusion, I can’t help you with your golf swing, but if you have any questions about the real estate market, do not hesitate to contact me.
signing the hat as he went and smiling the entire time. He lost Bram in the crowd and simply threw it into the crowd. The crowd cheered and one by one handed it back down the line to Bram. 3. A total of five golfers gave Bram a ball after their rounds: Bryson, Jason Kokrak, Louis Oosthuizen, Viktor Hovland, and Corey Conners.
-Melvin Upchurch
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ACHIEVE MISE EN PLACE WITH THESE DIY KITCHEN STORAGE IDEAS!
Renew and Refresh Without
Breaking the Bank
The perfect philosophy for organizing your kitchen is mise en place : Everything needs to have its place. So, it’s time for those lids to stop piling up in a corner of your cabinet and pots to be stored properly! Here are a few DIY ideas that’ll make the tasks even easier:
4 Affordable Changes to Your Home Decor That Make a Difference
No. 1: Pegboard Utensil and Pot Organizer Add a chic touch to your kitchen and make all your pans and cooking
Out with the old and in with the new! Transitioning into fall brings with it all the seasonal favorites — pumpkin spice lattes, cooler temperatures, trendy outfits, and fun home decor! Leaving summer behind can inspire the need for change as you prepare for the upcoming holidays. What better way to get ready for visits from friends and family than to make some notable changes around your home for a small price? Paint Switching up your wall color is an easy change that can truly go a long way. Did you know that different paint colors can elicit a wide variety of emotions and vibes? Shades of blue bring out feelings of peace and tranquility, while hues of yellow symbolize hope, happiness, and cheer. Red is the “color of confidence” and is a bold choice for those trying to make a statement. The color you choose can transform your room in a huge way without breaking the bank. Accent Pieces Changing out your accent pieces in big rooms, such as your bathroom and kitchen, makes a difference. The eye is drawn to these small details, and replacing outdated handles and knobs on cabinets and doors with trendy pieces is a great way to keep your home updated. Also, accent pillows and lamp shades can be switched out seasonally for some holiday fun! Crown Molding When many think of crown molding, they see dollar signs. This is likely because it gives off a very elegant vibe and looks expensive and fancy! While it will cost a few hundred dollars per room, it is an upgrade that is well worth it to deliver the look you desire. For an even more affordable option, check out peel and stick molding! DIY Backsplash In kitchens, one of the biggest statement pieces is the backsplash. To keep within your budget, there are many faux DIY options you can go with to create the subway tile, patterned mosaic, or artificial stone look you crave. You can even opt for faux brick or laminate! For assistance in making the best decisions for your home, check with the experts at your favorite hardware store!
utensils easy to grab with a pegboard! Not only are pegboards constructed rather sturdily, but you can also paint and use metal hook inserts to hold all sorts of kitchen tools, from heavy pans to kitchen scissors. No. 2: Upcycled Tin Can Storage Don’t throw away tin cans! Instead, keep them, repaint them, and/or label them for pastas, grains, spices, candies, snacks, and much more. Even in different sizes, you won’t run out of uses for these, since they can be potentially used as a gift container, too! No. 3: Hidden Measuring Cup Hooks Tired of your measuring cups rattling in a drawer? Put small hooks inside a cabinet door, hang your measuring cups, and close. You can use stick-on hooks or drill a small bar of wood inside and attach hooks to the bar. This works great with any small utensils, but it works best if your cabinet’s interior isn’t stacked and overflowing with items. No. 4: Pot and Pan Lid Storage Bar Everyone says keep your lid on, but nobody says what to do with your lid when it’s off. It’s annoying how often lids pile up inside your kitchen space — but if you install a single metal bar (yep, just one!), any lid with any type of middle grip can be stored on it. Just slide it on top, and the bar will hold up the lid, thanks to its handle preventing any fall. Bonus — Easy Chalkboard Menu/Grocery List While this isn’t an “item storage” idea per se, it does make it easy to store and update your grocery list! First, use chalkboard paint on the inside (or outside) of one of your cabinets. Then, use chalk markers to create and update your weekly grocery list every time you run out of an ingredient. You can also use it for a menu during parties!
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REDUCING FOOD WASTE
Making Sure Your Food Is Sustainably Sourced
Use the entire plant, stem to leaf. Instead of cutting off the broccoli stems and dumping them in the trash, use the whole vegetable and find new uses for the parts that normally get thrown away. You’re maximizing money spent while also reducing waste. The broccoli stalks can be pickled or chopped up and used as crunchy salad additions or veggie stock base! When it comes to other foods, doing some quick research on uses for the parts that normally get thrown out may open up your options. Store it right. Proper food storage leads to less food waste. Did you know that tomatoes, potatoes, and garlic really shouldn’t be refrigerated? For many, this is a common mistake. Ethylene, a gaseous chemical that helps start the ripening process and is produced by many foods, should also be taken into consideration. It is essential to separate foods that give off more ethylene gas from those that do not to reduce the risk of spoiling. For more information, check with your local farmers market. They are sure to have great tips to share!
Waste not, want not! It is the optimal motto to live by. However, food waste happens to all of us. That bag of lettuce you bought last week sat untouched in your fridge and has gone mushy and bad — into the trash it goes. Reducing your “foodprint” is just one of many ways each of us can make a difference when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment. Curtailing food waste is an important part of learning to cook sustainably. Cooking at home allows you to take control of food waste, whereas, eating out leaves many question marks when it comes to preparation, sourcing, and packaging that takes place at restaurants.
Let’s take a peek at some ways to reduce food waste.
Shop for only what you need. Reducing food waste all starts with your trip to the grocery store. If you don’t buy it, it won’t be wasted on your watch! Although buying in bulk comes along with a convenience factor, it can also lead to more waste. Making a list of items you need and planning out your snacks and meals is a sure way to ensure that waste is minimized.
TAKE A BREAK
HALLOWEEN COOKIE PIZZA
Inspired by Pillsbury.com
Image sourced from Pillsbury.com/recipes/halloween-cookie-pizza/67172821-ddfb-49ce-b658-ddc4ef4b5cf3
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips • 1/4 cup vanilla frosting (store- bought or homemade)
• 1 roll Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 cup candy corn
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease a round, 12-inch pan and line with cookie dough, ensuring the dough covers all but the outer 1/2 inch. 3. Bake for 16–20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely. 4. Spread the peanut butter over the cooled cookie dough, then sprinkle on the candy corn and chocolate chips. 5. In a small bowl, microwave the frosting for 15 seconds or until liquified. 6. Drizzle the frosting over the “pizza,” slice, and serve!
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205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
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INSIDE
1
It IS Getting Hard to Keep Hating Golf!
2
Affordable Home Updates
Easy DIY Kitchen Storage Ideas
3
Cooking Sustainably 101
Halloween Cookie Pizza
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Is Your Bathroom Ready for the Holidays?
BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR BATHROOM FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! That means company — which means a lot of people will be using your bathroom. Here are some low-budget ideas to freshen it up after a year of lockdown. Be Bold Everyone loves a clean white bathroom, but don’t be afraid to liven things up with a splash of color. An accent wall or a handful of vibrant accessories will make your bathroom stand out.
Brighten Up Statement lighting is in. To wow your whole family, select a chandelier that will stand out and draw eyes upward. This is one small change that will see big returns. Go Wild Bring life to your bathroom — literally! — with a bit of vegetation. Select plants that both fit your space and bring playfulness and dimension. If you don’t have a green thumb, then try picking colorful, low-maintenance succulents.
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