📅 What's Happening Powell

Author

Sandra Gebhardt
April 25, 2024

What's Happening Powell Newsletter

Trivia Question❓

What is the average amount of time people spend cleaning and decluttering their homes during spring cleaning season?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Local Powell Events

Joke of the Week

Why did the clutter go to therapy?

It had too many emotional baggage!

As the buds blossom and the days grow longer, spring ushers in a sense of renewal that inspires us to refresh our living spaces. This season is the perfect time to declutter and deep clean your home, giving you a fresher, more organized environment. Here are some spring cleaning tips to help you get started.


Begin with decluttering. Go through each room and sort items into categories: keep, donate, or discard. Tackle one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For items you no longer need, consider donating to local charities or selling them at a community garage sale.


Next, focus on deep cleaning. Start from the top of each room—cleaning cobwebs and dust from ceilings and light fixtures—and work your way down to the floors. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas and surfaces that often get overlooked, such as baseboards and window sills.


Utilize eco-friendly cleaning products to keep your home and the environment healthy. Many local stores offer a range of natural cleaners that are effective and safe for your family and pets.

Finally, maintain your clean space with regular mini-cleans. Spending just 10-15 minutes a day on simple cleaning tasks can prevent clutter from accumulating and make your next spring cleaning a breeze.

Business Spotlight

Life insurance is not only the cornerstone of a solid financial plan, but it’s hands down one of the most cost-effective ways to protect the people who depend on you financially.


What would happen to your family if you were to die prematurely? Would they be able to maintain their current lifestyle?

Would your kids be able to go to college? Would your spouse be able to shoulder the load with one income?


If you have a child, are married, or are carrying any kind of debt, purchasing life insurance is a no-brainer.

If all three, well, hopefully, you already have life insurance.

Spring Workout | Tip of the Week

Create a decluttering checklist and tackle one room or area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Create a designated donation box for items you no longer need or use.


As you come across these items during your decluttering process, immediately place them in the donation box instead of letting them pile up in random places.

This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and make it easier to part with unnecessary belongings.

Interesting Facts to Share

  • The concept of "spring cleaning" dates back to ancient cultures such as the Persian New Year tradition of Khaneh Tekani, which involves thoroughly cleaning one's home before the start of the new year.


  • Decluttering can have positive effects on mental health, as studies have shown that a neat and organized environment can reduce stress and anxiety levels.


  • The average American home contains over 300,000 items, and decluttering experts recommend getting rid of at least one item every day to prevent excess clutter from accumulating.


Spring BBQ Recipes

Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 large onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon garam masala

2 teaspoons turmeric

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 cup heavy cream (add at the end of cooking)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Prep Ingredients: Place the chicken, onion, garlic, and ginger in the crockpot.

Add Spices and Tomatoes: Add the crushed tomatoes, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and paprika to the crockpot. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.

Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and continue to heat for another 15 minutes.

Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot with rice or naan bread.

Crockpot Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

  • 6 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Topping:
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Apples: In the crockpot, combine the sliced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat the apples evenly.
  2. Make Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Add the butter and use your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbsa.
  3. Add Topping: Sprinkle this crumb mixture evenly over the apples in the crockpot.
  4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the apples are tender and the topping is crisp.
  5. Serve: Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

According to a survey, the average person spends about 16 hours decluttering and cleaning their home during spring cleaning season.