Menu
Summer is a great time to soak up the sun and enjoy time outdoors with family and friends. While you’re enjoying the sunny days, don’t forget the dangers that the summer weather can have on your four-legged friends. It’s important that we take a few precautions during these months to ensure that our pets are safe and healthy. Check out these tips from ASPCA to protect your pets during the warm summer months.
Read the full article here and learn more tips at ASPCA.org!
While some may think National Ice cream Month is a made up holiday to enjoy ice cream (as most of us would probably believe), it is surprisingly an actual “holiday” nominated by one of our past presidents.
We can thank President Ronald Reagan for designating July as National Ice Cream Month. He even devoted a special day to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on the third Sunday of the month!
According to the IDFA, “He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by over 90 percent of the nation’s population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
Certainly, we should celebrate the day as he wished. Who doesn’t want an excuse to indulge in endless amounts of ice cream this summer? We even found 20 ice cream recipes that you can try making at home this July to celebrate National Ice Cream month!
Check out these delicious ice cream recipes at SeriousEats.com
Do you have any home made ice cream recipes or favorites? Let us know in the comments below.
Sacramento, Calif. – July 2016 – Take advantage of incredible savings this 4th of July weekend with up to $26,000 off* select move-in ready homes at four great Lennar communities! Stop by this weekend at either the The Ridge and Summit View at Blackstone in El Dorado Hills or the Carrington and Ridgefield at WestPark communities in Roseville to find your perfect dream home and save big.
“We are offering great deals on beautiful homes this weekend only,” said Laura Kilgore, Director of Marketing. “Come on out and celebrate the 4th of July with us for a chance to save some serious money on the home of your dreams!”
Available at Summit View at Blackstone is Plan 3415 on homesite 894. This gorgeous home includes some fabulous design details and provides four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-bay tandem garage across two stories. Like the plan’s names, this home provides 3,415 square feet of living space that includes an open great room, nook and gourmet kitchen with oversized island, extended counter space and a butler’s pantry, a dining room, a stunning California room for outdoor living, bonus room and super spacious master bedroom with private retreat. Not only does this home include a solar package, but it also includes decorative hanging lights, three inch faux wood blinds, designer flooring and backyard landscaping.
Our featured home at Ridgefield at WestPark is The Monarch plan on homesite 39. This super spacious two-story home provides plenty of space for the whole family in a great layout. Boasting five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two powder rooms, a California room and a super-sized bonus room, this home provides 4,041 square feet of living space. This home also includes upgraded flooring, granite kitchen countertops and backyard landscaping.
Our move-in ready homes come with fabulous upgrades as standard through Lennar’s Everything’s Included® program — meaning at no extra cost to the buyer! Among these are solar packages, home automation, stainless steel appliances, granite slab or quartz countertops, upgraded cabinetry and so much more!
Ridgefield at WestPark is located at 4048 Wyman Way in Roseville. For more information or to set up a tour, call (916) 905-1620.
Summit View at Blackstone is located at 2882 Royal Oaks Drive in El Dorado Hills. For more information on this community or to set up a tour, call (855) 325-1501.
To view more homes and floorplans in the Northern California area, visit www.lennar.com/sacramento.
With hundreds of Communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders. Lennar has a longstanding history of building homes of enduring quality in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
*Offer available on select homes as determined by Lennar, for purchase agreements written by 7/1/16 and closing must occur no later than 7/31/16. Offers, incentives and seller contributions are subject to certain terms, conditions and restrictions, which may include the use of designated lenders and closing agents. Certain incentives could affect the loan amount. Offer good for a limited time only. Lennar reserves the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time.Price is subject to change without notice. Plans and elevations are artist’s renderings and may contain options which are not standard on all models. Lennar reserves the right to make changes to these floor plans, specifications, dimensions and elevations without prior notice. Lennar Homes of California, Inc. License #728102. Lennar Sales Corp. California Bureau of Real Estate License #01252753. Equal Housing Opportunity. 7/16
Parker, CO – May, 2016 – Dove Village, a premier community by high quality homebuilder Lennar, will host a carnival-inspired grand opening event on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prospective homebuyers and members of the public are invited out to the event to tour nine beautifully and professionally decorated model homes. Plus, get your face painted, pig-out on funnel cake and partake in the food, festivities and fun!
“We cannot wait for this grand opening event,” said Carrie Castilian, Marketing Manager for Lennar Colorado. “These homes are gorgeous and we know that the public is simply going to fall in love.”
Dove Village will bring gorgeous new luxury homes to a location that’s both functional and desirable. Located nearby I-25, Meridian Business Park and the charming town of Parker, there are many opportunities for outdoor activities along with being situated near great shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
Priced from the low $400,000’s, Dove Village will feature both The Monarch Collection and The Grand Collection of floorplans. The Grand Collection will offer homes ranging from approximately 1,975 to 3,177 square feet and the Monarch Collection will offer homes ranging from 1,658 to 2,585 square feet.
Every home Lennar builds come filled with the luxurious upgrades that homebuyers love through their Everything’s Included® program. Homebuying has never been easier, because Everything’s Included® puts the features homebuyers love into every new home as standard, meaning at no extra cost to the buyer. It makes it that much easier for families to just move-in and start living.
The city of Parker is a highly desirable and features great outdoor recreation opportunities. The town currently maintains approximately 250 acres of developed parkland and more than 900 acres of open space, including an expansive trail system.
Dove Village’s Welcome Home Center is located at 8918 Sassafras Ct Parker, CO 80134. Cross streets are Jordan Rd and Cottonwood Dr.
For more information on these homes and others in the area, visit www.lennar.com/denver.
With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
South Hillsborough County is known for its diverse communities, serene coastal landscape and rustic culture. While the area provides a small-town feel, it also offers an array of dining options, including many restaurants that focus on local products and farm-fresh ingredients.
From family outings to date nights, residents of Lennar communities in the South Hillsborough area have dozens of nearby restaurants to choose from when looking for a place to dine. Here are just a few of the options:
Local gastro pub Stein & Vine serves up a diverse menu that includes everything from bar snacks like Asian pot stickers and fish spread, to eccentric staples like the PB&J Burger, “Pig Wings,” and the “33 1/3” Burger, which is aptly named for being one-third bacon.
The intimate pub-style restaurant, run by husband-and-wife team Ty and Lacey Mathis, provides a huge selection of craft beer and wine, offering both local and international options.
Ciccio Cali provides a vibrant atmosphere, yummy dishes and weekly specials that keep South Hillsborough residents coming back for more.
The menu is inspired by California’s “fresh mex” style with flatbreads, bowls, stir-fries, wraps and salads. Each Tuesday, the restaurant offers $2 flatbreads, draft beers, and sangria as part of its “$2 Tuesday” special.
Boca prides itself in providing high quality and fresh modern American comfort cuisine to the Riverview area. The restaurant owners and chefs work closely with local fisheries, farmers and other businesses to make sure their food is high quality, fresh and local whenever possible.
Boca specialties include fried green tomatoes, flatbreads, yellow fin tuna, fine prime beef meatloaf and salads freshly harvested from an in-house garden wall.
Known as “what may be the town’s best kept secret,” Circles is located directly on Apollo Beach and offers some of the freshest-caught fish around.
Local seafood is delivered straight to Circles via the dock outside, while other products are flown in overnight, guaranteed to be fresh and never frozen.
Circle’s also has indoor and outdoor patio seating with relaxing views of the Tampa Bay waterfront. The local favorite also has a tiki bar with live entertainment every weekend.
If you’re looking for a classic family restaurant in the Ruskin area, Popi’s Place is a great option. Its fusion of Greek and American cuisines create an extensive and creative menu that’s made to keep diners coming back again and again.
Popi’s Place prides itself on its community atmosphere, claiming “there are no strangers leaving Popi’s.” It opens at 6 a.m. and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
With more homes being built in South Hillsborough County than any other submarket in the greater Tampa Bay area, the region is poised for more growth. Several new dining options are on the way this summer, including Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, Taza Mediterranean Grill and Lucky Jack’s BBQ, all in Brandon.
To learn more about Lennar communities in South Hillsborough County, visit Lennar’s website or call 800-243-1317.
Summer is finally here, which means more time to spend with family and friends, and enjoying all of the summer fun activities that you have planned. More socializing and activities can also mean doing some damage to your wallet and preferred budget. Fortunately, U.S. News & World Report has a few tips on how you can help avoid any potential money leaks this summer!
Avoid vacation procrastination
You dream of putting your feet in the sand, but worry about being buried in debt. There are many ways to enjoy a carefree vacation. First, plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your getaway when rates may be higher. Follow airline and travel discount sites and their social media accounts to keep tabs on the latest deals for your favorite destination.
Whether you are traveling by car, train or plane, pack snacks. This is an often overlooked and expensive money leak that can drain your dollars before you even arrive at your destination. Skip the airline food or multiple stops on the road and pack healthy treats like nuts, granola, crackers or fruit to keep you budget savvy and energized.
Make your home summer-ready and energy-efficient
One of the biggest culprits of summer money leaks is our own home. There are several energy-saving tips and tricks that will keep the family cool while keeping costs down. Before cranking up the air conditioning, allow cooler air from the morning or night to flow into your home. Keep the blinds closed during the day to help your home stay cooler.
When possible, avoid using heat-producing appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and ovens during peak times (2-8 p.m.). Consider using cold water in your laundry when possible and air-dry clothes to reduce electricity use.
Don’t watch your money literally go down the drain. When it comes to water use, keep these tips in mind: use low-flow faucets and shower heads to save on water, and water the lawn and outdoor plants in the early morning hours.
Summer is also a perfect time to get your home winter-ready and mitigate unnecessary expenses in the cold months ahead. Replace air filters, clean gutters and weatherproof windows and doors.
Skip the tip and the trip
While dining out is a delicious experience, there are extra costs associated with a night on the town. Tip, corkage fee and an Uber ride to and from are just some of the extras that can add up every time you go out to eat.
Instead of dining out, eat in. No reservations required. No closing time. Host a happy hour at your house and invite everyone to bring their favorite beverage. Start a dinner club where friends rotate hosting dinner, brunch or a barbecue.
Keep the kids busy
School is out, and parents are eager to keep the kids busy with summer activities. Whether it’s an acting class, basketball or swimming lessons, it’s important to shop around for camps that meet your budget and needs. Identify any budget trade-offs before committing. For example, does the camp serve meals? Is it close to home? Are equipment or supplies needed to participate? Check your city website or local community centers for a list of affordable camps.
Whether it’s camps, trips to the mall, movies with friends or back-to-school shopping, summer spending can add up quickly. Track your spending with personal finance apps to help you understand how and where you are spending. This will also help you budget and plan accordingly for next summer.
