Your home can greatly affect your health and well-being, and with how much time we all spend in our homes, you want to ensure your living space promotes a healthy living environment. Everything from your wall color to air quality and cleanliness can impact you. Below we’re covering 7 ways you can create a wellness-friendly home environment to ensure you’re keeping your health a top priority. Even small changes can make a big difference in how you feel in your living space!

Create a Landing Zone | Create a designated spot to hold your outside items — such as shoes, coats, car keys, bags, etc. This prevents tracking germs inside, eliminates tripping hazards, and makes it easy to grab everything you need before heading out the door.

Select Colors Carefully | Color can influence the mood of our homes and how we feel in them. Generally lighter colors make rooms feel brighter, darker colors make rooms feel more intimate, warmer colors have more energizing effects, and cooler colors are more relaxing.

Optimize Natural Light | Natural light can help improve mood and increase energy levels. Maximize the natural light in your home by keeping windows unobstructed, using light curtains or blinds, and arranging furniture to take advantage of the natural light that you get.

Clear Your Air | Breathing clean air is important to our health. Ensure good air quality by opening windows regularly to let fresh air in, using air purifiers if needed, and replacing old bathroom fans. Older fans can be ineffective and don’t extract moisture like they should.

Declutter & Organize | Clutter can increase stress, making it difficult to focus while also collecting more dust in your home. Keep your space organized and clutter-free by donating items you don’t need or don’t bring you joy, and adding storage solutions to organize the items you keep.

Promote Better Sleep | A good night’s sleep is important to maintain good health. To promote a better night’s sleep, eliminate any light in your bedroom. Block outdoor light with blackout shades or drapes and smaller lights, such as clock or air filter lights, with electrical tape.

Create an Outdoor Space | An outdoor space can function as a place to exercise, garden, socialize, or relax, all while getting natural light and fresh air to improve your mood, concentration, stress levels, and vitamin D intake. Create a space to fit your needs, so you’re more likely to spend time outside.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and Portland has no shortage of fun activities to celebrate the holiday of love. Whether you’re looking for a special date night out, celebrating with friends, or have kids and need family-friendly options, there are many fantastic local events and festivities to make your Valentine’s Day special. Read on to discover 10 ways to celebrate love around town and find the perfect option for you!

Portland Spirit’s Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise | Enjoy a cruise on the Willamette River filled with views of the Portland skyline, a four-course meal and live entertainment by The Bylines.

Dates: February 10th & 14th | Address: 1010 SW Naito Pkwy. Portland, OR 97204

Wine and Chocolate Pairing at Barnard Griffin | Indulge in a Valentine’s Day-themed food and wine pairing! They’ve selected three chocolates to go with three of their Reserve wines.

Dates: February 9th & 18th | Address: 665 W Columbia Way Vancouver, WA 98660

FRIENDS Valentines Trivia at Cascade Brewing | Play a special Valentine’s Day rendition of F•R•I•E•N•D•S trivia by Stumptown Trivia, focusing on relationships throughout the TV show.

Date: February 14th | Address: 939 SE Belmont St. Portland, OR 97214

Valentines Painting Workshop at Creative Culture | Paint alongside an instructor to create one of two artwork options, while sharing a Valentine’s Day milkshake and a special dessert treat.

Date: February 14th | Address: 1452 NE 28th Ave. Portland, OR 97232

Late Night Valentine’s Day Dinner at Produce Row | Book a late night romantic dinner at Produce Row to celebrate Valentine’s Day in their cozy space. They’re offering a special four-course meal.

Date: February 14th | Address: 204 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97214

My Muddy Valentine Adult Course and Kids Race | Visit Plumper Pumpkin Patch for an adult obstacle course and a kids 1-mile race! Participants will enjoy a DJ, pancakes, S’mores, drinks and more!

Date: February 10th | Address: 11435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd. Portland, OR 97231

Valentine’s Day Dinner and Comedy at Haymaker | Laugh and enjoy great food during an evening at Haymaker, featuring a New Orleans-inspired menu and Generation Gap’s comedy show!

Date: February 14th | Address: 1233 N Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97217

Triskelee Farm’s Valentines Themed Market | Celebrate love at this Valentines themed market! Walk the farm, visit with the animals, taste farm fresh food, and shop local vendors.

Date: February 10th | Address: 29700 SW Mt. Rd. West Linn, OR 97068

Bella Organic Farm’s Valentine’s Day Gift Special | Grab one of their homemade Valentine’s Day special charcuterie boards and wine. You can enjoy your package on-site or to-go!

Date: February 9-11th and 13-14th | Address: 6205 NW Gillihan Rd. Portland, OR 97231

Valentine’s Day Tea at Gray Gables Estate | Enjoy a beautiful afternoon strolling their grounds and sitting for a handcrafted 3 course tea service. A perfect generational outing!

Date: February 14th | Address: 3009 SE Chestnut St. Portland, OR 97267

Happy New Year! As 2024 begins, we hope it’s off to a great start for you. A new year brings new opportunities, and we want to provide helpful tools to support you. If you’re looking to buy, sell, or move, our new ‘Checklists’ section on our website offers useful lists to help you prepare. They’ll guide you through prepping your home for sale, what to expect the 1st week on the market, moving out, and changing your address. If you have any vendor needs, we also have an extensive vendor directory to take the guesswork out of finding reliable professionals. Be sure to visit our website at TienkenAndAssociates.com to check them out! If you need any other tools or real estate assistance, please reach out.

Prepping Your Home for Sale | Getting your home ready to sell is an important process that requires care and attention to detail. This checklist will help guide you through key tasks to maximize your home’s appeal to potential buyers.

What to Expect the First Week on the Market | We don’t what to leave you with any surprises! Here’s what to expect prior to going on the market, as the listing goes live, and throughout the listing period!

Move Out Checklist | Moving can be an exciting but stressful time. Proper planning and preparation will help your move go as smoothly as possible. Save our checklist for a successful move!

Change of Address Checklist | Preparing for a change of address? Make sure that you’re notifying the right people and places about your move.

Vendor Directory | Are you looking for reliable professionals? We’ve cultivated relationships with vendors we trust in a variety of fields – from cleaners to contractors to accountants.

Happy Holidays! We know you’re probably gearing up for the upcoming festivities, and with that comes the need to buy gifts for friends and family. We all have those people who are harder to shop for — whether they don’t need anything new or appreciate more creative gifts. Well, clutter-free or local gifts are great for those who may not be into receiving physical items or prefer unique options. To get your ideas going, here are some clutter-free gift options for all personalities, and a few upcoming markets where you can shop for unique gifts and support local businesses!

Experiences | Buy tickets or a gift card for a hot air balloon ride, escape room, manicure, massage, rock climbing, concert, play, movie, or sporting event.

Classes | Schedule a cooking, wine tasting, pottery painting, canvas painting, home brewing, fitness, dance, or language class.

Time | Help them save time by booking them a yard service, house cleaner, or babysitter. You can also offer to do the services yourself.

Memberships | Purchase them a membership to a museum, zoo, theme park, gym, car wash, or the mountain.

Subscriptions | Gift a subscription to a magazine, book club, streaming service, music service, or book service (like Kindle or Audible).

With the days getting darker earlier, you may be on the lookout for new ways to brighten up rooms and make them feel more like home. Whether it’s a living room, bedroom, or even an office, our tips will take you on a little journey to find the best way to light up your space with just a few simple changes!

Select Colors Purposefully | White paint naturally helps to reflect light, while pinks and light yellows add warmth to the room.

Utilize Mirrors | Use a mirror to reflect the light that enters the room. Place the mirror opposite of where natural light comes in so that it can bounce around the room.

Swap Out Curtains | Swap thick floor-length curtains for sheer curtains. Good quality sheer curtains will allow some light to still enter the room.

Add Layered Lighting | Add in multiple light sources, such as a combination of overhead lights, table lamps, sconces, and floor lamps.

Add Metallic Touches | Use reflective, metallic materials to reflect light. This can be anything from light fixtures to the legs of a coffee table, and decor.

The first step to winterizing your home is to start early. Winterizing is essentially preventative maintenance and should be done before temperatures drop to avoid problems. When it comes to winterizing your home, there are common mistakes homeowners make, which can lead to costly issues later on. Here are 8 of them to avoid to keep your home safe and sound during these colder months.

Skipping Out on Raking Leaves: With the colder weather here, you may avoid going outside and skip out on raking up leaves. However, this should remain a top priority. Forgotten leaves will decay and can result in mildew growth that can kill your grass. So, rake them up and your lawn will get the air and water it needs.

Forgetting Faucet Covers: Outdoor faucets are not exposed to the heat of your home, which makes faucet covers an essential item. They prevent issues, such as cold air getting inside your home and stopping faucets from freezing, and are inexpensive.

Waiting To Prune in Spring: While it may not seem like it, winter is the perfect time to prune your trees as it puts less stress on them and bare trees allow you to see the full structure.

Slacking on Mowing: While your lawn may be drying out, it doesn’t mean it’s ready for you to stop maintenance on it. A good rule of thumb is to stop mowing when your grass stops growing.

Leaving Trees Unprotected: Wrap young trees and trees with thin bark to protect them from sunscald. Sunscald is when the sun heats the tree during the day and then the drop to cold weather at night causes damage to the tree.

Ignoring Drafty Areas: Ensure cold air isn’t seeping in through windows or doors and causing a draft. It will force your heater to work harder and in turn, increase your bill. To seal, use weatherstripping or caulking around windows and doors.

Leaving the Lawn Unprepared: You should fertilize and aerate your lawn to give your yard the nutrients and fuel it needs to survive the winter months. Aeration helps to remove wet spots and creates drainage by reducing the compaction of the soil.

Keeping Furniture Outside: Furniture left outdoors can become a home for pests and be damaged by the cold weather. If you don’t have room to store your outdoor furniture inside, hide it away in your garage or storage shed, or purchase covers for them.

If you’ve been itching to try a new sport, dabble in an old one, or looking for a fun way to meet new people, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up some leagues around town where you can meet new people and stay active. There’s no shortage of options to choose from with a variety of sports being offered for adults to play. Depending on your availability and level of commitment, you’re bound to find one that fits your needs!

RECS: RECS offers unique sports and games that are easy to learn, from pickleball and soccer-tennis to foot-pool and teq-ball. Members can reserve courts or join open sessions in this 18,000 sq. ft. facility. Their four core values are to recreate, exercise, compete, and socialize.

17015 SE 82nd Drive Clackamas, OR 97015

Evergreen Curling Club: This is the only dedicated curling facility in Oregon, and it’s open from late September through early May. Curling is a sport where players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a mark. Leagues are offered seven days a week during curling season, and on select Fridays, single games are available for non-members.

10950 SW 5th Street Suite #155 Beaverton, OR 97005

Underdog Sports Leagues: Underdog Sports Leagues offers year-round 21+ co-ed recreational leagues throughout the Portland area. They have a variety of sports, including cornhole, kickball, dodgeball, flag football, softball, and volleyball! Here you can sign up as an individual or a small group.

Various Locations

Rose City Futsal: Participate in a smaller version of soccer that’s played indoors on a hard court with five players on each side. They provide options for all skill levels, and you can join a women’s, men’s, or co-ed league. Each location features three courts and a Clive’s Public House to enjoy refreshments after the game.

West Location in Tigard and East Location in Portland

Portland Ultimate: Originally known as ultimate frisbee, this non-contact team sport is played with a disc flung by hand down the field. Portland Ultimate offers leagues throughout the year, and, if you’re a newbie, they also post about local pick-up games where you can learn the sport!

Various Locations

With one month left before school ramps back up and our lives begin to shift away from summer, it’s time to take advantage of all that the warmer weather has to offer! And that includes fresh local fruit — aka summer’s candy. Here are some of our recommendations for U-pick farms in Oregon to enjoy fresh fruit and the satisfaction of picking your own produce.

Douglas Farm: This is a 5th generation family farm on the beautiful Sauvie Island. They grow a variety of peaches and right now the Canadian Harmony peach is in season. Picking boxes are provided and Canadian Harmony peaches are $3/lb.

15330 NW Sauvie Island Road Sauvie Island, OR 97231

Powder Blue Berry Farm: Blueberries are in full swing at this family-owned farm! And, fun fact, it’s one of the oldest blueberry farms in the region. Make sure to bring your own go-home containers to take your bounty with you, and you’ll pay just $2.50/lb.

17632 SE McKinley Road Gresham, OR 97080

Sherwood Orchards: Formerly known as Oliphant Orchards, this is a stunning 26-acre fruit orchard with approx. 1,300 fruit trees. They are currently by appointment only and have Transparent and Lodi apples for $1/lb. Make sure to bring your own boxes.

23995 Southwest Pacific Highway, Sherwood, OR 97140

Bays Family Farm, LLC: They are a three-generation farm dedicated to growing quality tree fruits. Boxes are available, or you can use your own. Right now, peaches and nectarines are ripe, but they are limited this year so check their site for picking updates.

14550 NW Bays Drive Banks, OR 97106

Bella Organic: Bella Organic is a 100-acre Certified Organic Farm located on Sauvie Island. For U-pick, you can purchase buckets or boxes, or bring your own. August’s main produce is organic Thornless Blackberries that are $5/lb.

16205 NW Gillihan Road Portland, OR 97231

A staycation is a great way to take a break from your daily hustle without having to leave the area. It also allows you to discover new things you may have overlooked. With Portland offering many different adventures, you have endless ways to enjoy a staycation here. To get you started, here are some ideas to make the most of a staycation in Portland!

Explore the City like a Tourist: Take a day to explore the city like a tourist on the 4T trail! You’ll take on a trail, a tram, a trolley, and a train for a one-of-a-kind, multi-modal 10 mile loop that connects trails in the hills of SW Portland with the South Waterfront and downtown. Without breaks, the loop will take you around 4 hours.

Immerse Yourself in Music: For the music lovers, there’s plenty of summer events to fuel your soul. We recommend checking out concerts at the Oregon Zoo, Noon Tunes at Pioneer Courthouse Square, Music on Main next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Portland Festival Symphony, and concerts in Portland parks!

Recharge with a Spa Day: For a nice relaxing dip with views of the city, schedule a spa day at Knot Springs in SE Portland. You can book access to their Springs oasis, which includes a sauna, a steam room, two hot tubs with views of Portland, and for those that dare — a cold plunge.

Trade in the Couch on Movie Night: Tired of watching movies from your couch? Switch up the scenery on movie night with a viewing at Flicks on the Bricks at Pioneer Courthouse Square, go old-school at the 99W Drive-In Theater, or attend one of Portland’s movie showings in various parks across the city.

Learn a New Skill: A staycation is the perfect time to try a new cooking class, learn how to paint, take up yoga, or anything else you’ve been wanting to pick up but haven’t had the time for!

Become One With Nature: We’re fortunate to live in the Great Northwest, surrounded by ample nature to explore. If you’re looking for a day escape out of the city or suburbs, check out the Springwater Corridor Trail, a bicycle and pedestrian rail trail, or Powell Butte Nature Park, a family friendly nature area with hikes and bicycle trails among scenic vistas.

With the official start of summer just around the corner, you’ll soon have plenty of warm days to kick back and relax. On those days we hope you’re ready to enjoy some good old-fashioned backyard fun with friends, family, and neighbors. To make your backyard the ultimate summer hangout spot, check out our top yard game recommendations below!

Ladder Golf

While alternating throws, you’ll score points by throwing bolas onto the rungs of the ladder.

Two or more players or teams

Croquet

Use mallets to hit balls through a series of hoops. The first to clear all hoops and hit the peg wins.

Two, four, or six players

Cornhole

Players take turns throwing bean bags and aiming to make it on the board or in the hole.

Two teams of two players

Spike Ball

Hit the ball off the net with the goal of the opposing team unsuccessfully returning it.

Two teams of two players

Bocce Ball

Throw weighted balls toward a smaller target ball. Score points by getting closest to the target.

Two teams of one, two, or four players

Axe Throwing

Each player throws one axe at a time and scores points if their axe sticks onto the target.

Two teams of one, two, or four players