If you've lived through a Treasure Valley summer before, you know the drill. June starts beautifully, July turns the dial up, and by August you're checking the forecast like it owes you money. And this year? After the mild winter we just had, forecasters are expecting a hot, hot summer across the valley. Boise summers are glorious: sunny, long, and full of outdoor adventure. But they demand a game plan if you want to enjoy them instead of just survive them. Here's your full playbook for a fun, cool, and genuinely memorable summer in the Boise area. Hit the Water: Boise Has More Options Than You Think When it's 100 degrees in the valley (and it will be), water isn't optional. The good news? Boise and the surrounding area have an impressive lineup of ways to get wet. City Pools: The City of Boise's four outdoor pools (the Natatorium, Ivywild, Borah, and Fairmont) opened for the 2026 season on May 27. The beloved Natatorium on Warm Springs Ave, affectionately called "the Nat" by locals, is the crown jewel, with a wading pool for little ones, a full diving pool, and the legendary Hydrotube waterslide for just $10 all day. Season swim passes are available and a fantastic deal for families who plan to go more than a few times. Roaring Springs and Wahooz (Meridian): When the kids need full-on waterpark energy, Roaring Springs delivers with cliff-drop slides, tunnel slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and squirt gun paddle boats. It's a full-day destination and worth every penny. The Boise River Float: The classic. Launch at Barber Park, float down to Ann Morrison, and repeat all summer. Rent tubes or bring your own, pack a cooler (in a waterproof bag), and let the river do the work. It's quintessential Boise summer and there's truly nothing better on a 95-degree Saturday. Explore Outdoors: Go Early and Go Late Here's the secret to surviving a Boise summer while still enjoying everything the outdoors has to offer: time your outings . The Foothills at 7 a.m. are a completely different experience than at 1 p.m. Plan your hikes, bike rides, and outdoor adventures for early morning or the golden hour before sunset, and you'll love every minute. Boise Foothills: Miles of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, all accessible right from the edge of town. The Table Rock Trail is a must-do at least once. The view of the entire valley from the top is worth the effort, especially in the cool of early morning. Idaho Botanical Garden's Great Garden Escape: Thursday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. starting in June, the Idaho Botanical Garden's summer concert series brings live music, stunning garden views, and a built-in excuse to bring a picnic. It's a perfect summer evening that costs almost nothing. Keep Your Home Cool So You Actually Want to Come Back to It All this outdoor fun is a lot easier to enjoy when you have a cool, comfortable home to retreat to. And this is where a lot of Treasure Valley homeowners quietly struggle. In a region that regularly sees 10+ weeks of 90-plus-degree heat, a home that isn't properly set up for summer can feel oppressive. The single biggest factor most people overlook? Windows. In Boise, the summer sun hits hard, especially on south- and west-facing rooms. Untreated windows, or windows with lightweight sheer treatments, allow solar heat gain that overworks your AC and makes rooms uncomfortable even when the thermostat says otherwise. The right window treatments aren't just about looks. They're about controlling light and heat in a way that keeps your home livable all summer long. What actually works: Cellular (honeycomb) shades provide excellent insulation and dramatically reduce heat transfer through the glass Solar shades block UV rays and glare while still maintaining your view, perfect for rooms with great sightlines you don't want to lose Lined drapery panels add a layer of thermal protection and give you the flexibility to block full sun during peak heat hours (typically 2-6 p.m.) and open up in the evening If your current window treatments are letting the summer sun run your energy bill up, it might be time to take a closer look at your options. The right solution depends on your window size, orientation, and how you use each room, and getting that right the first time saves money and frustration. We'd love to help you figure out what will actually work in your specific home. Reach out for a consultation and let's talk through your windows before the heat hits full force. Boise summer is a gift. You've got about 14 weeks of it, so make them count.
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Memorial Day weekend is here, and if you live in the Treasure Valley, you already know what that means: the smell of something smoking on the grill, kids splashing in the backyard, and the first real taste of summer. But before the burgers hit the flame, there's something bigger worth pausing for: a long weekend full of meaning, memory, and community right here in Boise. Whether you want to honor the holiday, explore the outdoors, or just throw the best backyard cookout on the block, here's your guide to making this Memorial Day weekend count. Start the Day Right: Honor Those Who Served Memorial Day isn't just a long weekend. It's a day set aside to remember the men and women who gave everything for this country. Boise has some genuinely moving ways to mark the morning before the festivities begin. The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery (10110 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd.) is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. It's a heartfelt tribute that's absolutely worth attending with your family. Public parking and bus services are available at Optimist Park starting at 8:30 a.m. Over at Morris Hill Cemetery (317 N. Latah St.), staff will be on-site all weekend to help visitors find grave locations. Families are welcome to place flags, flowers, and wreaths graveside, a simple and powerful way to involve kids in what the day is really about. For history lovers and aviation buffs, head to the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa. They're open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with $5 general admission (free for kids under 6), and there's a Memorial Day flyover that covers Nampa, Meridian, Eagle, and Boise. It's one of those moments that gives you chills. Get Outside: Boise's Parks and Trails Are Calling After the morning ceremony, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect excuse to explore the outdoor beauty that makes living in the Treasure Valley so special. Temperatures are still manageable, everything's green, and the crowds that define July haven't hit yet. The Boise River Greenbelt is 25 miles of paved path running right through the heart of the city, connecting parks, the Boise State campus, and everything in between. Pack the bikes, the stroller, or your running shoes. It's one of the best free activities in the metro area year-round. Julia Davis Park is a natural gathering spot on Memorial Day weekend, with the Boise Art Museum, Zoo Boise, and the Idaho Historical Museum all on the grounds. The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial , the only one of its kind in the nation, is also nearby and worth a quiet visit with older kids. If you want to venture a little further, Garden Valley is about an hour northeast and serves up hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and kayaking with stunning scenery. It's an easy day trip that feels a world away from the city. Fire Up the Grill: BBQ Tips for a Legendary Cookout Let's be honest: for a lot of Treasure Valley families, Memorial Day is synonymous with the first big backyard cookout of the season. Here's how to make it one they'll talk about all summer. Choose your protein with intention. Brisket and ribs are show-stoppers, but they require hours. For a one-day cookout, go with a spatchcocked chicken (cooks fast, incredibly juicy), pork shoulder (throw it on low and slow in the morning), or classic burgers and brats for a crowd-pleaser everyone loves. Local meat from Grocery Outlet , WinCo , or the Capital City Public Market Saturday farmers market will give you better quality than big-box options. Master indirect heat. The biggest cookout mistake? Cooking everything directly over the flame and ending up with charred outsides and raw middles. For larger cuts, set up a two-zone fire with coals or flames on one side and food on the other, then let it cook low and slow with the lid on. Brine your chicken. Even a two-hour brine in salted water transforms chicken from dry and forgettable to juicy and craveable. Add garlic, herbs, and a little sugar if you have time. This one tip alone will make you the grill hero of the neighborhood. Don't skip the sides. A great cookout lives or dies by the supporting cast. Idaho potato salad (use Yukon Golds), a simple corn salad with lime and cotija, and a big pan of baked beans that have been cooking since morning are the dishes people actually remember. Set the scene. Grab some string lights, set up lawn games (cornhole, bocce, and spikeball are all easy wins), and keep a cooler stocked with local brews from Payette Brewing , Sockeye Brewing , or 10 Barrel for the adults. The backyard is the destination, so make it feel like one. Whether you're a lifelong Boise resident or newer to the Treasure Valley, Memorial Day is the perfect time to fall in love with this community all over again. Enjoy the weekend, and thank you to all who've served.
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You've stared at that room long enough. The walls feel blah, the light is wrong, the whole space just doesn't work and yet you keep putting off doing anything about it because a renovation sounds expensive, time-consuming, and overwhelming. Here's the secret interior designers don't always share: the most dramatic room transformations don't require weeks of construction or a bottomless budget. With the right game plan and the right priorities, you can walk into a room on a Saturday morning and walk back in that evening genuinely wowed by what you see. This is exactly how to do it, in four focused steps. Step 1: Start With Color: Set the Entire Mood in Hours Nothing changes a room faster than paint. It's the single highest-impact, lowest-cost move you can make, and a standard room can be painted start-to-finish in a single day if you prep properly. Before you grab a brush, though, think beyond "I like blue." The right paint color depends on the room's natural light, its size, what it's used for, and what you already own. A warm greige that looks stunning in a sun-drenched showroom can feel muddy and dim in a north-facing bedroom. A bold navy that works in a large living room can swallow a small office whole. What to do today: Test at least 3 sample swatches directly on your wall (not a piece of paper) and observe them at different times of day Choose a finish intentionally, eggshell for living areas, satin for high-traffic rooms, matte for ceilings Prep and paint in the same day: tape, prime if needed, roll two coats with 2 hours drying time between Where people go wrong: Choosing a color based on a tiny paint chip under fluorescent store lighting, then committing to 4 gallons. Color selection is genuinely one of the trickiest parts of interior design, undertones are deceptive, and what photographs beautifully often reads differently in person. Not sure which direction to go? A quick consultation with a designer can save you from a costly repaint and most people are surprised by how affordable that guidance is. Step 2: Dress Your Windows: The Detail That Changes Everything If paint sets the mood, window treatments define elegance. Bare windows or outdated blinds are one of the most common reasons a room looks "unfinished," even when everything else is in place. The right window treatment does three things at once: it controls light, adds softness or structure to the room, and when hung correctly, can make ceilings look taller and windows look larger than they actually are. The rules that matter: Hang rods high and wide. Mount your curtain rod 4?6 inches above the window frame (or even at the ceiling) and extend it 8?12 inches past the frame on each side. This tricks the eye into seeing a bigger, grander window. Floor length is almost always right. Curtains that hover above the floor read as a mistake. Go to the floor or let them pool slightly for a luxurious look. Choose fabric with intention. Linen reads casual and airy. Velvet reads rich and cozy. Sheer layers add softness without sacrificing light. The fabric choice should echo the mood you set with paint. Don't overlook: Layering treatments, a functional shade or blind paired with decorative side panels, gives you both privacy and style, and it's how designers achieve that "pulled together" look in editorial photos. Window treatments are one area where the details really count: the right rod finish, the right pleat style, the right lining. If you're investing in custom or semi-custom treatments, it pays to get measurements and recommendations right the first time. Step 3: Edit the Room: Remove Before You Add This step is free, takes less than an hour, and is almost always skipped. Before you bring in anything new, take everything out (or at least, everything that isn't furniture) and start fresh. Most rooms don't need more stuff, they need less of the wrong stuff, rearranged better. The editing process: Clear all surfaces, shelves, and walls completely Rearrange furniture, if possible. Pull pieces away from walls, create defined conversation groupings, and ensure there's a clear focal point (fireplace, window, TV, or a great piece of art) Return items in thirds: one-third of what you removed, placed with intention Assess what's still missing. Often it's one anchor piece, like a rug that defines the seating area, or a lamp that brings warmth This is the step that separates a "cleaned up" room from a room that feels designed . Negative space is not wasted space, it's breathing room, and it makes everything else in the room look more intentional. Step 4: Layer in Light and Life At this point your room has color, softened windows, and an edited layout. The last step is layering; adding the elements that bring warmth, personality, and that indefinable "livable" quality. Lighting is everything. If your room relies solely on overhead lighting, it will always feel flat and slightly institutional. Swap in or add: A table lamp on each side of a sofa or bed A floor lamp in a dark corner Candles or dimmable bulbs to control ambiance Warm bulbs (2700K?3000K) make rooms feel cozy and welcoming. Cool bulbs make rooms feel clinical. This is a $10 fix that most people never make. Then add life?literally. A plant, a stack of books, a bowl of something on the kitchen counter. These organic elements signal that the room is lived in and loved, not staged. And finally, one statement piece. Every beautifully designed room has one thing that makes you pause ? a piece of art, an interesting mirror, a sculptural lamp. If your room is missing this, it's worth investing here rather than in a dozen small accessories that collectively add clutter without adding impact. Conclusion If you are attempting to transform a room in one day, we'd love to help you think through the right approach for your space. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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April in the Treasure Valley is one of the best-kept secrets in the Pacific Northwest. The snow has cleared from the valley floor, the hills are turning that gorgeous shade of green that only lasts a few weeks, and there's this collective energy in the air that says: get outside . Whether you've lived here your whole life or you're newer to the area, April is the month to dust off your hiking boots, grab your clubs, and start making the most of everything this incredible place has to offer. In today's blog, we're going to walk through some of the best things to do in and around Boise this April ? from hitting the trails to supporting your local farmers market. And if you're still waiting for the right time to freshen up your windows before guests start coming around more often, well? we know a thing or two about that too. Hiking: There's No Shortage of Trails Around Here Let's be honest?if you live in Boise and you're not hiking, you're leaving one of the best perks of this city on the table. The Treasure Valley is surrounded by trails for every ability level, and April is one of the prettiest times of year to get out on them. The hillsides are green, the wildflowers are starting to bloom, and the temperatures are just about perfect. Visit Idaho has a fantastic round-up of easy, scenic hikes near Boise that we love recommending. Here are a few highlights: Sweet Connie Trail : Located in the Boise Foothills, this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail descends through sagebrush-covered hillsides with some stunning views along the way. Spring is genuinely the best time to tackle this one, when the hills are green and wildflowers are popping. Just know that once you hit the signed junction at 0.8 miles with Peggy's Trail, you've earned your turnaround point ? unless you want to push further! River Canyon Trail : South of Kuna, this easy 2-mile trail sits inside the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. If you're into wildlife viewing, this is a must-do in April. Around 800 pairs of eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls arrive each spring to nest in the canyon ? the birding alone is worth the drive. Halverson Lakes : Near Celebration Park south of Melba, this 2.4-mile trail weaves through massive basalt boulders deposited by the Bonneville Flood over 15,000 years ago. It's fascinating, flat, and genuinely unlike anything else in the area. Macks Creek Trail : East of Boise near Lucky Peak Reservoir, this peaceful 3-mile trail follows a creek lined with cottonwood trees and willows. In April, you've got a good shot at spotting mountain bluebirds (Idaho's state bird!), wrens, finches, and even elk or deer in the early morning hours. Saturday Markets Are Back! If you haven't been to the Capital City Public Market yet this season, good news: it's back! Boise's largest outdoor Saturday market kicked off its 2026 season on April 11 and runs every Saturday through December 19 at The Grove Plaza (827 W. Main St., downtown Boise), from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We're talking 100+ vendors on peak days, local farmers, artisans, specialty food producers, bakers, winemakers, and more. It's a genuine community gathering, and one of the best things about Saturday mornings in Boise. Street parking in downtown Boise is free on Saturdays, so there's really no excuse not to go. Dogs on leashes are welcome too! Supporting local vendors at the market is one of those simple, feel-good things that makes this community what it is. Go find your new favorite salsa, pick up a handmade piece of art, or just grab a coffee and walk around. It's a great way to spend a morning. A Few More Things Worth Doing This April Hit the Boise River Greenbelt This 25-mile paved pathway along the Boise River is one of the most beautiful urban trails in the country, and April is prime season for it. Cyclists, joggers, dog walkers, and families with strollers all coexist peacefully on this path. It connects to Julia Davis Park, the Idaho Botanical Garden, and Kathryn Albertson Park along the way. Take a Day Trip to the Mountains But Dress in Layers April is a shoulder season in the higher elevations. Head north toward McCall or Banks and you'll find beautiful scenery, but you may also find snow still lingering on the trails and roadsides. That can actually be gorgeous just don't expect to hike in shorts up there yet. The mountains are still shaking off winter, and that contrast of green valleys and snow-capped peaks is something special. Explore the Boise Foothills on a Sunny Day Between rain events, the foothills offer some of the best quick escapes in the region. The Ridge to Rivers trail system connects miles of multi-use trails with views that will stop you in your tracks. Just check the trail conditions first (see above!). Conclusion April in the Treasure Valley is something special, and we hope you get out and enjoy every bit of it. Whether you're lacing up your hiking boots, teeing off at one of our incredible local courses, or just spending a Saturday morning at the market with a coffee in hand, this is a great time to be an Idahoan. And if all this sunshine coming through your windows is revealing just how overdue your window coverings are for an upgrade, we'd love to help with that too. Schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate by calling the office at 208-888-1056 . If you have any questions about window coverings for your home or business, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started!
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Idaho has some of the best weather you could hope for. We have all four seasons and none of which outstay their welcome, which we love. These seasons mean lots of different weather from icy cold to pouring rain to sweltering summer heat, all of these things are important to consider when designing the outside of your business. A customer walking past your storefront or pulling into your parking lot is forming an opinion about your business before they've ever stepped through the door, and that opinion is being shaped by everything they can see from the outside. In today?s article, we?re going to cover some best practices for designing the outside of your business or shop. Start With How Your Space Reads From the Outside Step outside your own business and look at it the way a stranger would. Better yet, park across the street and spend a few minutes just observing. What draws your eye? What feels dated or worn? What doesn't quite match the quality of what you're actually offering inside? A lot of small business owners are so accustomed to their space that they stop seeing it clearly. Getting a fresh perspective, whether that's your own deliberate effort or feedback from a trusted customer, is usually the most useful starting point. You might find that one or two targeted changes would make a much bigger impact than a full overhaul. Consistency Between Your Brand and Your Space Your storefront should feel like a physical extension of your brand. The colors, the materials, the overall aesthetic, they should all be telling the same story as your logo, your website, and your marketing. When those things are out of sync, it creates a subtle but real disconnect for customers that's hard to articulate but easy to feel. This doesn't mean everything needs to be a perfect match. But it does mean that if your brand communicates quality, warmth, or professionalism, your physical space should reinforce that message rather than undercut it. Natural Light, Glare, and Customer Comfort This one gets overlooked more than it should. If your storefront has significant window frontage, the way you manage light inside the space has a direct effect on how comfortable and inviting it feels to customers. Too much unfiltered sunlight creates glare, fades merchandise and interior finishes over time, and can make certain areas of your shop genuinely uncomfortable to browse. On the other hand, blocking light entirely makes a space feel closed off and uninviting, which isn't what you want either. The right window treatments strike a balance. Light-filtering shades or solar shades can diffuse direct sunlight, reduce heat gain, and cut glare while still keeping the space feeling open and bright. For businesses where customers need to see product clearly, like retail, design studios, or showrooms, that kind of controlled, even light makes a real difference in how the merchandise looks and how long customers are comfortable staying. Awnings and Exterior Coverage If your storefront doesn't have an awning, it's worth considering. Beyond the aesthetic impact, a well-designed awning extends your usable exterior space, provides shade for customers approaching the entrance, and adds a layer of visual identity that plain facades simply don't have. For businesses in climates with intense summer sun, an awning also reduces the heat load on your front windows significantly, which means less strain on your HVAC system and a more comfortable environment near the entrance. Custom awnings offer the added benefit of integrating your brand colors or signage into the exterior of the building in a way that feels polished and intentional. Don't Overlook the Details It's easy to focus on the big-ticket items and let the smaller things slide, but details matter a lot in how a storefront reads overall. Clean windows. Intact door hardware. Consistent, well-maintained signage. Window displays that are updated regularly rather than left to gather dust. None of these things are expensive on their own, but collectively they communicate that your business is active, attentive, and worth walking into. And conversely, when they're neglected, they create doubt in a customer's mind before they've even met you. Conclusion If light control, exterior shading, or custom window treatments are part of that picture, we'd love to help you think through the right approach for your space. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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If you've ever tried to watch TV in the afternoon and found yourself squinting at a screen full of washed-out reflections, you know how frustrating glare can be. And the instinct is usually to just close the blinds or pull the curtains shut. Problem solved, right? Except now your living room feels like a cave, and you have lost all that beautiful afternoon light you actually enjoy having in the space. The good news is you don?t have to choose between one or the other. With a little thought about placement, light direction, and the right window treatments, you can have a bright, naturally lit room that doesn?t turn your screen into a mirror every time the sun shifts. It Starts With Understanding Where Your Light Is Coming From Before you can solve a glare problem, you need to pay attention to when and where it actually happens. Is it morning light from an east-facing window? Late afternoon sun pouring in from the west? The angle and timing matters a lot because it tells you exactly which window is the culprit and at what time of day you need to manage it. A lot of people try to treat every window in a room the same way, and that is usually where things go sideways. You might only need to address one window to solve 90% of your glare problem. Diffuse the Light Instead of Blocking It This is the key insight that most people miss. The goal is not to eliminate the light, it is to scatter it. Direct sunlight hitting a screen at the right angle causes glare because it is a concentrated, directional beam. But diffused light, the soft, even glow you get on a cloudy day, almost never causes glare even when it is quite bright in the room. Sheer curtains and light-filtering shades are really good at this. They break up direct sunlight and spread it more evenly across the room without darkening the space. You still get that warm, daylit feel, the light just stops being a laser pointed at your screen. Think About Screen Placement Too Sometimes the fix is not about the window at all. If your TV or monitor is positioned directly across from a window, you are basically setting yourself up for glare no matter what. Angling the screen slightly, even just 15 or 20 degrees, can make a surprisingly big difference. And positioning screens perpendicular to windows rather than parallel or opposite to them is the classic interior design move for exactly this reason. It sounds simple, and it is. But it is one of those things most people never think about until someone points it out. Layering Gives You Flexibility One of the most practical approaches for rooms you use throughout the day is layering your window treatments. A light-filtering shade paired with a heavier drape gives you options. Most of the time the sheer layer alone is enough to diffuse glare without affecting the feel of the room. But on those days when the sun is particularly intense, you have the option to pull the drape partially across without committing to a fully darkened room. This kind of flexibility is honestly one of the most underrated things about a well-designed window treatment setup. You are not locked into one mode. Conclusion Glare is annoying, but it is also a pretty solvable problem once you stop thinking of it as an all-or-nothing situation. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Winter in the United States is a time of year that is rich with history, folklore, and traditions. It is a time of storytelling, traditions, and shared community. Many of these traditions are still alive today and have their roots in our history stretching back hundreds of years. In today's article, we?re going to explore some of those traditions and pieces of folklore. Some of which you may be familiar with and some may be new to you. If you have any of your own folklore or traditions that you?d like to share, please give us a shout in the comments below! We?d love to hear from you. The Furriest Weatherman: The Legend Of Groundhog Day If you were to describe what happens each year on Groundhog day to a foreigner, they would probably think that you are either trying to play a joke on them or that we Americans have gone a little crazy. The reality is that we don?t really have ourselves to blame. This quirky tradition actually originates in Germany and was brought here by settlers who ended up in the Pennsylvania religion, aka the Pennsylvania Dutch. In their homeland, they used a hedgehog to help ?predict? the end of winter while in the US, since hedgehogs aren?t native here, they had to use a groundhog instead. The Legend of the Yule Log The Yule log tradition has deep roots in European winter celebrations and remains popular across the United States today. Traditionally, families would burn a large log in the fireplace during the winter solstice, symbolizing warmth, protection, and good fortune for the year ahead. Today, the tradition continues in many homes as a cozy holiday ritual. Some families still burn a log, while others celebrate with a decorative Yule log cake (our favorite!) or even a televised fireplace to bring warmth and comfort to the season. The Woolly Bear Weather Forecast So you thought that groundhogs and hedgehogs were the only cute animals who could predict the weather? Well, you?re wrong! Here in the US, present in nearly every state, we have a caterpillar that is cute and furry (for a while at least) and it was long thought that by observing the presence and placement of a brown stripe on its back you could predict how mild or severe the upcoming winter season was going to be. While not scientifically proven, this tradition continues to spark curiosity and conversation each fall and winter. Polar Plunges: A Chilly Start to the New Year Well, one thing you can do to entertain yourself in the long, dreary winter months is to do as the Polar Bears do: take a refreshing plunge! Each year, many people will gather at a local lake or oceanside beach to take the plunge, literally, into the freezing water. It is said to have powerful health benefits as well as providing a great excuse to warm up right afterwards with a hot cup of cocoa. Conclusion We hope that this article about winter traditions and folklore across the United States was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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Ah, February is here again and it's time to celebrate Valentine's Day. Some people celebrate with chocolates and others give flowers, while many use it as a perfect excuse to go out and enjoy a fancy, romantic dinner. We all like to celebrate in our own ways, but what exactly is the origin of this love-filled holiday? The answer may surprise you! In today?s blog, we?re going to talk about the holiday?s ancient origins and even some ways in which it is celebrated around the world, outside of the United States. If you have any fun Valentine?s Day traditions or stories, we?d love to hear them in the comments. The Origin Of The First Valentine Ancient Rome. Their civilization may have fallen, but their traditions will live on forever. Like many holidays celebrated in the U.S. and around the world, this special day has its origins in ancient Rome. Around the year 270AD the Roman emperor at the time Claudius II had outlawed marriage for his soldiers, believing that young unmarried men would be better fighters and less likely to leave the military service to be with their family. A Christian priest named Valentine defied the emperor and performed marriage ceremonies for young couples in secret. When he was eventually discovered, Claudius had him put to death and while Valentine was awaiting his execution, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the jailor?s daughter with the now-familiar signature ?from your Valentine.? Years later, the church recognized Valentine?s sacrifice and promoted him to sainthood and designated February 14th to be his day of remembrance and the holiday gradually took on a more romantic meaning. Writers like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare helped transform it into the celebration of love it is today. The Origin Of Valentine?s Day Traditions In The United States Valentine?s Day is about as popular as it is divisive among Americans these days. While many across the country look forward to it as a way to commemorate their love of their romantic partner, many single individuals dread the day as it is just another reminder that they are single and it feels like the whole world is just rubbing that fact in their face. Either way, Valentine?s Day in the U.S. is a big deal! Did you know that it is the holiday that involves the most card-giving outside of Christmas? Modern traditions for the day started in the 19th century. A woman by the name of Esther Howland from Boston who is known as the Mother of the American Valentine had a novel idea. She made cards that people could buy that were lace-trimmed and beautifully decorated that were a perfect way to say ?I love you? to your romantic interest. By the early 1900?s, Hallmark Cards took that concept and ran with it. Billions of dollars are spent on Valentine?s Day related products and services each year in the United States. The most popular traditions include exchanging greeting cards, gifting red roses, sharing boxes of chocolate, and enjoying romantic dinners. Jewelry, especially heart-shaped pieces, is also a popular gift. So, the next time you are shopping for your Valentine, remember that this all started because of an ancient roman priest and an entrepreneurial woman from Massachusetts. Conclusion We hope that this article about New Year?s Resolutions was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started .
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