Holiday Hack: 10 Satisfying Recipes Made from Thanksgiving Leftovers

Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry . . . these are the typical leftovers that crowd a fridge after a Thanksgiving meal. For some, this is ideal; after all, such a feast only comes once a year and should be prolonged for as long as possible. But others may view the leftovers as burdensome. If you find yourself in the latter camp, it’s time to think outside the box (or roasting pan, as it were) and work a little magic in the kitchen. 

With a small amount of effort and a large dose of creativity, you can transform your turkey dinner into a multitude of new tastes. Sure, soups and casseroles are the standard. But you can do better than that. Go beyond the sandwich to spectacular. Take breakfast to new dimensions. Tantalize your palate with intriguing new combinations, and before you know it your leftovers ... Read More

Winter Is Coming: Prep Your Lawn and Garden from A–Z

Autumn is upon us, and that means it’s time to button-up your lawn and garden for winter. Here’s an A–Z list to ensure you don’t miss a thing:

 

  • Aerate your lawn. Invigorate and strengthen grass roots by allowing nutrients, air, and water to seep deep in these small holes.
  • Blow out irrigation lines. It’s critical to winterize your sprinkler system. Using an air compressor is an effective method to get the job done.
  • Clean, sharpen, and oil your tools (pruning shears, shovels, etc.). Say good-bye to caked-on dirt, sap, and rust. It may take some elbow grease, but you’ll thank yourself next... Read More

Back to School: Tips for a Healthy Lunch Box

It’s that time of year—back to school! June and July seem to have passed with two blinks of the eyes, but on August 1, students of all ages sporting new backpacks, fresh school supplies, and squeaky-clean lunch boxes will cross the thresholds of Falcon School District 49 schools.

Start the year off right and send your child with a home-packed lunch bursting with delicious, wholesome food. After all, food is fuel, and a healthy, balanced lunch will help your child operate at his or her best throughout the school day. 

 

Here are some tips for preparing nutritious, delicious, satisfying lunches to keep your child alert and ready to learn:

 

Ke... Read More

Garage Organization: Tips on Organizing Your Garage

If making your way across your garage seems more challenging than making it through a Spartan Race, then it’s probably time to start focusing on garage organization. Truthfully, while it may not be one of our favorite chores, there are a lot of benefits to be had by cleaning out and organizing the garage; the payoff is worth it!

With spring cleaning well underway, now is a great time to get started. Fortunately, knowing how to do it properly is half of the battle. Let’s discuss a few tips to remember next time you’re working on garage organization.

Letting Go

A great place to start garage organization is by taking inventory throughout your entire home. (Let’s be honest, making an appearance on the TV show <... Read More

Smart Tech Solutions for Your Home

Smart status is no longer restricted to our phones—homes are getting smart, too. Advances in technology now allow us greater systems control and accessibility, increased safety, and oftentimes enhanced energy efficiency, all from our phone or tablet. Here we provide a quick and easy overview of some of the most popular options for using technology to help monitor, regulate, and customize your home.

Appliances and Systems

We are used to coffee makers that can roast, grind, and brew on demand. Now, while sipping our morning brew, we can peruse the inside of the refrigerator and freezer without opening the doors. Special LED screens allow full visibility of all components inside and streamline the process of making grocery lists. The touchscreen allows you to create lists, and even shop! Write a... Read More

2018 Meridian Ranch Christmas Lights Contest

Competition was tough this year as many Meridian Ranch residents went all out in decorating their homes. Members of the Board of Directors of the Design Review Councils No. 1 and 2 and Stonebridge Homeowner’s Association judged the decorations on the evenings of December 10th & 12th. Gift cards to the Antler Creek Golf Course and Schafer’s Steakhouse at the CreekView Grill were awarded to the overall winner as well as to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each judging area (Section). Congratulations to the following winners listed by DRC/Homeowners Association and Section:

Overall Winner – 10398 Mount Evans Drive (shown above)

DRC 1 Section 1A
1st Place – 10690 Pictured Rocks Dr.
2nd Place – 10807 Klondike Dr.
3rd Place – 10691 Pictured Rocks Dr.

DRC 1 Section 1B
1st Place – 10204 Ro... Read More

Is Colorado Springs on the Verge of a Boom?

With Metro Denver bursting at the seams and becoming too pricey, it has caused buyers looking for housing or property to expand their search to the south for more affordable options.  The most logical place to go next is Colorado Springs!

In an article by Molly Armbrister for CoStar Group titled “Colorado Springs Area to Overtake Denver as Property Demand Moves South,” she reports that Denver’s housing inventory has reached record lows and home prices have sky-rocketed making the area less affordable for businesses and home buyers.  So attention has now shifted to the Colorado Springs area.

Colorado Springs developers and local officials have begun putting more emphasis on multi-family, retail and entertainment projects for the future as well as addressing the transportation opportunities in the area.  Click here to read the entire article.

... Read More

Helpful Tips for First Time Home Buyers

It’s no secret that Colorado cities and towns offer some of the best neighborhoods in the country. And real estate is one of the best investments you can make. If you’re thinking about buying a home, there are a lot of things to consider, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you search for the right place for your family.

  • Location, Location, Location. This is a cliche for a reason! Evaluate your family’s priorities as you consider where to settle down. A considerable benefit of living in a master planned community is the wide array of amenities and lifestyle options they provide. These neighborhoods promote a community atmosphere and provide a variety of recreation and exercise facilities, community events, and proximity to great schools. Meridian Ranch is located in Colorado Springs, recently ranked as the #... Read More

Coming Soon: WindingWalk

The next great neighborhood at Meridian Ranch

We’re excited to announce the newest neighborhood coming soon to Meridian Ranch. WindingWalk is located off of Stapleton Drive, just east of the Antler Creek Golf Clubhouse and CreekView Grill and within walking distance of shopping and dining at the Shops at Meridian Ranch.

WindingWalk will offer new home buyers a wide variety of single family home plans on spacious 1/8 to 1/4 acre homesites. New homes in WindingWalk will start in the high $200s and will be built by award-winning Colorado Springs builders; Campbell Homes, Covington Homes, Saint Aubyn Homes and Reunion Homes.

Residents of WindingWalk will have the opportunity to purchase some of the very best Pikes Peak and golf course view lots in all of Meridian Ranch [and quite possibly all of Colorado Springs]. They will also have close access to... Read More

The Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows

Although Coloradans usually scramble to get outdoors and enjoy the state’s natural beauty, right now many of us are settling down indoors to bask in the air conditioning. Something that helps keep this precious cold air in and the searing hot air out is, of course, an energy efficient window set up.

Meridian Ranch homes are designed with the latest energy efficiency concerns in mind, and they include all the contemporary amenities for today’s sophisticated home owner. The craftsmanship and design of this community are unparalleled.

These are just a few of the benefits of energy efficient windows:

  • Complete Comfort: Not only are these efficient windows constructed with special materials to sustain and stabilize the air temperature inside the house, they prevent drafts. Because of the high winds and searing summer temps in Colorado, it is c... Read More

Richmond American Model Featured in 2018 Parade of Homes

Meridian Ranch is honored to have Richmond American Homes showcase their model home in the 2018 Parade of Homes. Their new model and parade entry is located at 12803 Stone Valley Drive in Stonebridge. The Parade will take place Friday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 19th (homes closed on Mondays & Tuesdays).

From the beginning, Richmond American’s mission has been to help people attain the American Dream. Over 40 years and more than 195,000 single-family homes later, they haven’t lost sight of that vision. They’re committed to designing quality homes and strengthening the communities in which they build. What sets them apart? It’s the personal approach they take to every aspect of the home buying experience. They believe that your new home should be uniquely yours before you’re ever handed the keys. From the kitchen cabinets to the surround sound, they offer co... Read More

Calling all people who love children!

Grace & Ron Covington have answered that call! Covington Homes and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have teamed up to help kick childhood cancer to the curb and save the lives of children.

Meridian Ranch is honored to have one of our signature builders win the annual St. Jude Builder of the Year Award for their Dream Home Giveaway. Covington Homes and St. Jude, together with trade partners and homeowners, raised over $2.7 million in the form of donations of materials and labor to build a beautiful home for a giveaway benefiting the research hospital. One of only 5 builders nationwide who donated a Dream Home that cost zero dollars, Covington Homes donated all the proceeds from the ticket sales and additional donations directly to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more details and to see the winner click here.

Remember, because of people like you... Read More

Preparing Your Home for Summer

As summer rapidly approaches, take advantage of the warm weather and longer days to get your home ready for the new season. These tips will help get your interior and exterior spaces all set.

Outside the Home

  • Inspect Your Space. Now that the snow is (hopefully!) behind us, take some time to walk around your home and inspect it. In particular, check to make sure that the roof is in good condition, the gutters are clear, and the windows are sealed ahead of the upcoming summer thunderstorms. As you walk, take note of the landscape and use this time to prepare a gardening checklist.
  • Start Up the Sprinklers. This month is a good time to start up your sprinkler systems from their winterized state. Make sure that all sprinkler heads are in good condition and test the water flow to ensure it reaches all desired areas around your... Read More

Buying a New Home vs. a Resale Home

Buying a home is a big decision, full of many different factors and variables that affect the whole family. One of the biggest considerations is the age of the home, which begs the question: Which is better to buy, a new home or an older resale home?

The Risks of a Resale Home

  • Is character enough? American homes, particularly those in the mountain town of Colorado Springs, have a character all their own. Born of the pioneer spirit, they represent what the area used to be as well as what it has become. However, when considering the unique character and architecture of older resale homes, remember that restrictions may apply to many external upgrades, and that your family may not always want to be anchored to older—or outdated—aesthetics.
  • Think age before beauty. The charm of older homes is often found in the details o... Read More

The Stonebridge Difference

Welcome to Stonebridge, an exclusive neighborhood conveniently located in the heart of Meridian Ranch.  Centrally located, this intimate neighborhood nurtures close connections and active lifestyles where kids of all ages can play in acres of open space, ride bikes on trails or take leisurely walks and enjoy the beautiful sunsets with Pikes Peak as your backdrop. Grownups can meet at the private clubhouse for a fitness class, a book club or wine tasting.

Commanding center stage in Stonebridge is the Lodge, a private clubhouse exclusively for Stonebridge residents. This getaway offers endless life-enriching possibilities. Get in a workout in the fitness room. Maybe a gourmet cooking class in the kitchen. A party on the patio or club meeting in one of multiple gathering rooms. A game of cards or pool in the retreat. Or a scrapbooking group in the craft room. Lucky you. If you li... Read More