Grand View Builders

Nothing shows your patriotism or team spirit more than a flag in your front yard. No matter the size, a flag is a great way to give your front yard some extra pizazz. This week we will share some different ideas for ways to incorporate flags into your yard décor. Memorial Day is around the corner, which gives you the perfect reason to purchase a new American flag in honor of everyone who has served our country.

If you have the space in your yard, flagpoles are a great way to stand out from the rest of the block. The height of your flagpole will be relative to the size of your flag. For 3×5 foot flags, a pole between 10-15 feet should work.

If you can’t find space in your yard for a pole, try looking for a spot on the front of your house. Something about walking up to your front door and seeing a flag waving in the breeze just says “welcome home!” It is very common to attach a flag bracket to a porch or on the side of the house close to the front door. Visit your local hardware store to find a bracket that will work for you.

Garden flags make another great addition to your yard. These are often smaller and easier to change in and out, which make them perfect for decorating for holidays, sporting events and more. You can purchase a garden flag stand or disposable mini flags to decorate throughout your garden and yard. Think about lining your walkway with American flags for Flag Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. And remember to fly your Alma Mater during football season!

To keep your flag looking its best, be sure to take it down during harsh weather conditions including heavy rainstorms and major windstorms. It is also very important to keep your flags away from any telephone lines, cables and tree branches to avoid holes and tattering. Flags make a great addition to any home. Use these tips to help spruce up your yard this summer. For even more information on history, etiquette and flag care, check out CVS Flags online.

The sun is setting later which lengthens the day and invites homeowners to spend more time outdoors. You’ve planted your garden and cleaned the patio, so now its time to enjoy the fruits of your labor with these outdoor features.

Fire Pit

After you have finished dinner and homework duty, escape with a glass of wine for the fresh air in your own backyard sanctuary. Your children will love it for roasting s’mores but fire pits are not just for them to enjoy! Sitting by the fire can be very relaxing by yourself, romantic with your significant other and entertaining with a group of friends. The crackling of the twigs and the sounds of nature allow you to enjoy the outdoor space and the flames will keep unwanted mosquitos and bugs at bay. Fire pits come in many shapes, colors and sizes ensuring you can find the perfect complimenting one for your outdoors. If you’re feeling crafty and creative, build your own fire pit with help from HGTV!

Fun and Games

Help your children find distractions from technology and their everyday life in the outdoors. Encourage your children to play outside by finding the tall tree in your backyard and setting up a tree swing. Teach your children classic board games such as checkers, chess, dominoes and backgammon and play them outside on the patio, or create larger-than-life games such as the image below. In your landscaped lawn and using your fire pit, pitch a tent in your yard and spend the night looking at the stars, telling ghost stories and camping in your backyard.

Potted Plants

Many homeowners think that planting flowers as part of their landscaping is the extent of flowers in their outdoor space. Flower urns and vases are a beautiful way to fill an empty space and add a pop of color to your patio, deck or porch.

Bring the Indoors, Outdoors

Invest in outdoor pillows and cushions so you will fully be able to enjoy lounging amidst nature. Creating a sitting area that is comfortable outdoors is perfect for families or couples who entertain or who want to spend more time outdoors. Try using bright colors or geometric shapes that you may not use in your home to represent the playfulness of spring and summer.

Bring the Outdoors, Indoors

If you do not have space to create a luscious garden, build a fire pit or hang a swing, there are still many ways to enjoy the outdoors from inside. Outside your kitchen window, install a hummingbird feeder. The small buzzing birds look like large insects but are much more majestic and rare than unwanted bugs. You can make your own nectar for the feeder very easily with just sugar and water.

-Use one cup of sugar for every 3 cups of water
-Boil the solution for a couple minutes
-Allow the solution to completely cool before filling the feeder
-Refrigerate any extra solution to use a refill when your nectar is low

What is the favorite part of your outdoor sanctuary? Let us know in the comments below!

Summer suns in Texas don’t mess around and the added expense of running your air conditioning can have your bills rocketing sky-high. If you’re just looking for free ways to conserve energy in your own home, there are lots of simple tricks that cost little to no money. Here are a few of our favorites

Use safety plugs in unused outlets, which can let outside air in when left open.

Replace old glaze on your window panes with putty to keep air inside your home.

Plug your chimney with fiberglass insulation when not in use and make sure the dampers are sealed tight.

Use rags or hand towels instead of paper towels.

Check the seal on your refrigerato
Clean out the lint screen each time you use your dryer.r by placing a dollar bill in the door, if it can be easily pulled out, it’s time to replace the gaskets.

Drive the speed limit!

Dust your light fixtures.

Save wire coat hangers by returning them to your dry cleaner.

Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room!

Aside from all of these options, Grand View Builders save energy every day by using the products that are already placed in their homes. ENERGY STAR qualified homes like ours use reliable building technologies that are proven to save homeowners money. If you’re saving money with energy saving ideas, make sure to post them to our Facebook and

Twitter.

While you’re busy with all of your summertime activities, don’t forget to make a good home cooked meal. One of the best times to gather the family is around the dinner table and these meals are both a snap to prepare as well as delicious to enjoy.

This Garlic Prime Rib from AllRecipes.com has a great marinade that you can use on lots of other meats throughout the summer!

For those of you who require something more veggie – friendly, this California Grilled Sandwich also from AllRecipes.com hits the mark and incorporates some of summer’s freshest produce!

Even though the every day rush of work can leave you feeling as if you have no time, make it a priority at least once a week to share a meal with your family. You can use the time to catch up, relax and just enjoy one another’s company. If you and your family are gathering around a summer meal, make sure to post pictures to our Facebook and Twitter.

We have been so excited to continue our Summer of Love giveaways! This week we have two featured communities, Lakes of Bella Terra – a resort style master planned community located in Richmond. Residents enjoy lighted tennis courts, a fitness center, junior Olympic pool and playground as well as local shopping amenities -

And Canyon Gate at Westheimer Lakes! Westheimer Lakes is the first Canyon Gate community to debut in Houston’s prime Grand Parkway Corridor. The 592-acre project offers homes from the low $100′s-$300′s, and features gated and non-gated monitored neighborhoods built around a network of lakes.

Check out our Communities page for more information on these flourishing neighborhoods!

While many of our giveaways have been family centered, the Wild West Katy BrewFest may be more fun for two adults! If you have your kids there will be plenty to taste and see, but this giveaway might be a chance for you to let your kids visit with their grandparents or favorite sitter! Either way, make sure to “like” our Facebook page and watch out for Friday’s post for a chance to win!

Lots going on around here during June! Check out our Red Hot June Sale! So many of our beautiful homes have had their prices slashed, check out the information below for more details.

Additionally, we’ll be doing our June Summer of Love Giveaways all month! Make sure you like the Grand View Builders Facebook page for a chance to comment and win tickets to different events each Friday! Our first giveaway for Free Press Summer Fest will be tomorrow!

Additional giveaways as follows:

Friday, June 8^th – 2 tickets to Moody Gardens (near GVB Community Painted Meadows)

Friday, June 15^th – 2 tickets to Bayou Wildlife Park (near GVB Community Hamilton Square)

Friday, June 22^nd – 2 tickets to Wild West Brewfest )near GVB Communities Lakes of Bella Terra and Canyon Gate)

Friday, June 29^th – 2 tickets to Six Flags over Texas in San Antonio – just for some fun away from home!

So keep in touch with us here on the blog, on Facebook and on Twitter, we’re in for a wild summer!

Memorial Day is an awesome holiday: The weather’s nice, the kids are out of school and the short work week means you have plenty of time to celebrate! Here are our picks for a fun Memorial Day Weekend 2012:

Chipotle Kid Power Festival and Swap Meet

Discovery Green will host a kid’s swap meet where your child can rent a booth and sell their favorite old toys. Teaching your kids entrepreneurship at an early age is something we believe in!

Memorial Day in the Woodlands

Fireworks, live music, vendors and more Saturday through Sunday at Waterway Square! Each night will culminate in an impressive Fireworks display!

Houston Zoo Memorial Day Free Day

You can celebrate the day with free admission to the Houston Zoo. With animals, attractions and a kid-friendly atmosphere, your day is sure to be filled with plenty of furry friends!

Kemah Boardwalk

Dive into summer, food and fun on the delightful boardwalk that has been entertaining families in and around the Houston area for eleven years!

Make sure to share pictures of how your family celebrated Memorial Day on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

While school may be ending, summer is the perfect time to get kids excited about reading! Reading is fundamental and it’s important to teach your children the importance of reading at an early age. Additionally, they can learn responsibility by acquiring their first library card! Kids at Grand View Builders communities are zoned to Lamar, Conroe, and Alvin school districts but they can still enjoy the recommended summer reading lists for children created by HISD. We’ve attached links to these lists and also selected our favorites from each! These books are so much fun, they will make summer reading a fun activity rather than a boring chore!

For your little ones, preschool – K

Arthur Goes to Camp, Marc Brown.

For your 1^st-2^nd graders

Frog and Toad are Friends, Arnold Lobel

For your 3^rd-4^th graders

Shiloh, Phylis Reynolds Naylor

For your 5th graders

Al Capone Shines My Shoes, Gennifer Choldenko

For your 6^th graders

Bound, Donna Jo Napoli

For your  7^th-8^th graders

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

For your 9^th-10^th graders

A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway

For your 11^th-12^th graders

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Make sure to post pictures of what you and your children are reading to our Facebook and Twitter pages!