BLG Environmental Services - December 2020

BLG Environmental Services - December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

407.702.7905

BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM

WHEN DID WE START GROWING UP?

HOW GRATITUDE SHAPES OUR GENEROSITY

t what point in our lives do we start thinking differently about Christmas? I haven’t forgotten what I used to think and feel about the holidays as a kid, especially as a father now. It was all about getting gifts back then, naturally. But as we grow older, we

I’ll be honest and say that I’m not really the type to give you a laundry list of the free work that we do as a company, but I would like to share one story that’s meant a lot to me over the years. During one Christmas season a few years ago, I met a woman from church who lived as a shut-in. She only ever went to church and home. She suffered a great deal of anxiety,

start to have a bigger perspective of our families, loved ones, and ourselves. We might even start to feel a deep gratitude toward the people in our lives who were so generous to us as kids and feel the urge to give back.

and although she was getting help from the church, I felt like we could help make her life a little more comfortable with a touch of God’s natural beauty, too. So, we completely redesigned her frontyard, and we didn’t charge her anything. Upon the reveal, I’ll never forget the smile on her face. It actually brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. We never know how blessed we are until we see how awestruck our actions can make someone else, but all I could think about was how grateful I was to be able to help her at all.

GROWING UP, WE FINALLY REALIZE THAT THE ONLY THING

Growing up, we finally realize that the only thing that can make Christmas even better is giving gifts ourselves. And that’s why I think it’s so fitting that Christmas comes after Thanksgiving — our impulse to give back often starts with some form of gratitude or appreciation.

THAT CAN MAKE CHRISTMAS EVEN BETTER IS GIVING GIFTS OURSELVES.

As I reflect on this year, I’m very grateful that my family has been able to stick together and stay in good health, and I’m extremely grateful for our clients. I’ll admit that this year has been, by far, BLG Environmental’s best year in business yet. Although the overall economic, social, and mortal

Without our appreciation for the woman’s ability to overcome her challenges to get to church, perhaps we never would’ve identified this as a way to help her. That’s why keeping an eye out for others and showing our gratitude by giving back is the upgraded version of a kid’s perfect Christmas. Giving something meaningful to others also gives us an amazing thrill and sense of fulfillment. Those acts can create a lifetime of memories for everyone involved.

devastation of the pandemic hasn’t made for happy circumstances, we feel very fortunate to have sustained our operation during the lockdown.

For many of our clients, not being able to travel has created a stronger desire to turn their backyard landscape into a sanctuary. Many are continuing to enjoy their favorite outdoor activities from home. Your feedback on your experiences with us during this pandemic has made it more evident than ever what a difference a beautiful garden can make in a person’s life. I feel very blessed to be able to continue our work from a safe distance.

Thank you, friends, for a tremendous year, and I hope you all have a very happy holiday season!

Honestly, I love this work so much that, in a perfect world, I’d be happy to do it for free — and, luckily, our team has opportunities to do just that.

Robert Burns

WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL

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407.702.7905

W hen you think of a luxury home with gorgeous, clean landscaping, you might be imagining the perfect marble, limestone, travertine, or other stone surface without realizing it. We get it: Unless you are a

RELAX IN A MARBLE GRECIAN SANCTUARY

landscape designer or have spent several hours in the Sims’ homebuilding catalog, it’s tough to know the difference between stones and pavers or which is the right choice for your yard. You might be wondering what will stand out or which textures and colors will blend well together. The team at BLG Environmental can recommend the right stone pavers for your next outdoor project. With access to a diverse catalog of gorgeous, high-quality pavers, our designers can ensure your landscape not only stands

How Tile & Stone Can Transform Your Backyard

out but also remains unforgettably unique for years to come. You’d be amazed by how much the right marble can tie together the look of your backyard and turn it

TEDDY’S PAW-SPECTIVE

afraid to explore and learn. On one of my first solo adventures into the wilderness, I quickly realized there’s nothing more thrilling than being one with nature. Excuse me, I mean smelling as one with nature. Do you know how much time I had to smell everything?! Find out what you love to do, and then do it outdoors as much as possible. That’s the way to go. Unless it starts raining — then the way to go is laying on

DOG VS. WILD

Hey guys!! It’s Teddy again. Whew! Sorry, I’m just catching my breath. I’ve been in and out of the house lately, going on some crazy adventures. Now, I don’t remember a lot about my birth, but I do remember always being in bed and my brothers and sisters wrestling with me for Mommy’s attention. Basically, what I’m saying is that my enemies fear me because I was like a feral dog at birth. And everyone on the block should know by now that nothing can keep me locked

the warm carpet inside the house.

Also, ask questions when you’re not sure what to do next. For example, when a raccoon got a little too close to me, we started to get into an argument. I growled, yipped, and yapped, but nothing was getting this raccoon out of my way. Turns out that I was standing near the garbage, which was the raccoon’s main food source! Like a good guard dog, I let him pass and guarded my new friend against any new intruders. When you’re exploring the world on your own, it can be lonely, but it can also open up your mind to whole new experiences you never thought were possible. Where else would I make a raccoon friend if I didn’t leave the yard once in a while? (Also, we live on a cul-de-sac and I can’t run too far, but that’s beside the point.) The mysterious, big world has so much to offer! Good people, good food. I’m glad some mysteries will never be solved. Happy holidays!

up! Unless Mom and Dad’s garden gate is closed, of course. But when it’s not, it’s clear that the forces involved are trying to prove I was meant to be a dog of the land. Just in case you’ve never been out in the world on your own before, I thought I’d use my expertise to explain a few things. First, don’t be

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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING

OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST! “Robert at BLG Environmental

into a relaxing, luxurious Grecian sanctuary. Or if you want to give your space a modern, beachy feel, BLG’s durable, beautiful pavers are your oyster.

What’s one of our favorite things to do with natural stone? Create our very own patterns, of course. Why limit yourself to only one type of stone? You can mix and match pavers to create unique and eye- catching patterns in open spaces, walkways, and more, which creates a very nice resort feel to your space. Have two pavers that catch your eye? Want to install unique limestone accents to your backyard? Just let me know. We’d be happy to help!

planned, coordinated, and executed a large outdoor job which included new fencing, lighting, irrigation, pergolas, outdoor cabinetry, sod,

and new plants. He is patient and professional, and can do a big landscaping job from “soup to nuts.” Robert helped us to transform our backyard from dingy and depressing to fantastic! We look forward to working with BLG Environmental for our future landscaping needs.” - Kim Scianna

Robert Burns

“They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” —Isaiah 11:9 HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?

EASY OUT

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11

“But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.” —Micah 4:4

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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL

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BLGENVIRONMENTAL.COM 407.702.7905

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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL

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When Did We Start Growing Up? Can Tile & Stone Transform Your Backyard? Teddy’s Paw-spective: Dog vs. Wild The Good News Hear From Our Clients Take a Break! The Surprising History of the Snowman

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NOT JUST A CORN COB PIPE AND BUTTON NOSE The Surprising History of the Snowman

Building a snowman is one of the most picturesque winter activities, which is why snowmen have become a wintertime cultural icon. A snowman appeared on the very first postcards, was the subject of some of the earliest photos, and even starred in silent movies. Frosty may be a happy snowman now, but his ancestors have a much more varied — and sometimes dark — history. THE MIDDLE AGES Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were constructed with deep thought and great skill because, during a time of limited means of expression, snowwas a free art supply that literally fell from the sky. These artistic feats were popular winter attractions for well-to-do couples who wanted to get their fix of temporary art. Snowmen were often created by famous artists, including 19-year-old Michelangelo who, in 1494, was commissioned by the ruler of Florence to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. THE MIRACLE OF 1511 In Brussels in 1511, during six weeks of subzero temperatures called the Winter of Death, the city was miraculously adorned with hundreds of

snowmen. The spectacle told stories on every street corner — some political and some demonstrating anger with the church, many too risque to speak of. For the people of Brussels, this Miracle of 1511 was a defining moment of artistic freedom. But when spring came and the snow thawed, the Belgians were left with damaging floods. THE SCHENECTADY MASSACRE Not all snowmen have an innocent history. In 1690, former Fort Schenectady in upstate New York was home to a remote Dutch settlement, which was under the constant threat of attack. Soldiers guarded the gates at all times because they were frozen open, but during a blizzard, they left a pair of snowmen to protect the gates while they sought shelter. That’s when 200 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans approached. Naturally, they were unfazed by the snowmen and ruthlessly invaded the settlement. Building a snowman seems like a simple and charming activity, but after learning about its surprising history, you might find those piles of snow seem a little more complicated and a lot more meaningful than before.

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LANDSCAPE - HARDSCAPE - IRRIGATION - OUTDOOR LIGHTING

407.702.7905